The "Death" of God?

For many decades now the Positivists have been insisting that God does not exist if we cannot observe him in scientific experiments.
This has been reflected in writings of "New Atheism" scientists and philosophers such as Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker and Daniel Dennett. The anti-religion thrust broadened to touch on everything in schools and academia. Generations of children have been stripped of their rights to pray in class at public schools. In universities, professors who declare their Christian beliefs may be harassed until they leave. A few years ago, the Canadian Association of University Teachers expelled a professor in Western Canada when he dared to critique the homosexual unions on moral grounds.  While the American Constitution protects the freedom of religions, a new religion stripped from God seems to have an increasing monopoly on "the truth." Although neuroscientists are able today to explain what goes in the 100 billion neurons in each human brain, they fail to provide a satisfying answer as to why human brains exist. What makes man know that he knows? Why does life exist at all? Indeed, why is there a universe rather than nothing? To answer the question of the Big Bang, Steven Hawking posited a theory of multiverses, but, according to his theory, these multiverses are inaccessible to us. The answers are beyond scientific reach.
There is a connection between science and religion but we cannot derive answers to the religious quest by creating a philosophy based on materialist natural science. Religion provides moral answers to man which are not observable in the laboratory.
In his lecture Friday August 31 at Jesus the King Church, Fr. Georges Baliki, Editor of Al-Macarra, recalled the materialist New Atheism phenomenon and implored Christians attending the lecture to defend the moral values of Christianity which are under attack everywhere. Materialism, he said, is the major challenge to Christianity in the West today. In formulating its constitution in 1999, the European Union representatives refused to recognize the role of Christianity in building the civilization of Europe in spite of the fact that Europe itself would not have historically achieved its unity without the Church.
Fr. Baliki advised his large audience to extend the presence of Christian moral values in their families and to their children. In spite of the small number of Christians present today in the Middle East, the vitality of faith is capable of carrying the message of Christ in the region and living in peaceful coexistence with Non-Christians who as fellow humans are brothers and sisters to us. Christians were always present in the Middle East and will continue to be present, for their role in the history of the Middle East cannot be overlooked.

To respond effectively to today's challenges, Christians need to be one again, he said. Christians must participate in the ecumenical movement which aims at reuniting the Churches of Christ.

Basing his ecumenical approach on history of Christianity, Fr. Georges Baliki argued for the importance of Christian unity. The twelve Apostles and their disciples spread the Christian faith in Jerusalem and Antioch as written in the Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter and St. Paul preached in Rome, Ephesus, and Athens while St. Mark, a disciple of the Apostles, preached in Alexandria. According to Tradition, St. Andrew preached in Asia Minor and St.Thomas went to the East as far as India. Christianity spread in the known world like fire. Yet following the declaration of Constantine that made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, major schisms started.

The tragic schisms of the past caused separation of numerous people from the Catholic Church. With claims to the truth coming from many sects and esoteric religions, atheists are not able to find their way to the true faith. Following the Council of Ephesus in 431AD, followers of Nestorius of Constantinople who rejected the veneration of Mary as Mother of God escaped the Byzantine empire to Persia for fear of persecution by orthodox Christians and have been continuing their tradition as Assyrians.  Following the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, millions more Christians followed their excommunicated patriarchs and bishops due to a misunderstanding of philosophical terms and rivalries between patriarchs.  In God's providence, those separated Christians, whether Assyrians or Non-Chalcedonians, carried the Christian faith to Ethiopia, Arabia, China and India and were at times massacred for their faith. Meanwhile, the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople developed rivalries, divergent theologies, cultures and languages and their heads ended up excommunicating each other in the major schism of 1054. The Churches of the Eastern Roman Empire including Russia, Serbia, Romania, Jerusalem and Antioch followed the Orthodox Church of Constantinople while the Churches of the West followed the Church of Rome.

In the 16th century Martin Luther rightly started a protest against misuse of the Papal authority to bring more money for building Churches but ended up separating himself from the Catholic Church when he proclaimed that the Bible alone as he understood it is the sole source of revelation and therefore could save him and other Christians who believed in his words. He was able to get the protection of princes who did not wish to pay dues to the Pope and took them and their subjects with him. Other Protestants followed suit in their own interpretation such as Calvin and Zwingli.  The Anglican Communion went its way when England's King Henry VIII, wishing to have a son, wanted the Pope to recognize his second marriage as lawful, yet Rome did not agree. In reaction, Henry VIII made himself Supreme Head of the Church of England and was excommunicated with his followers. Today over 3,500 Protestant communions exist, each of them claiming to own the truth.

In the early 20th century the ecumenical movement spread first in Christian Protestant Communions. The World Council of Churches was established with membership of major Protestant and Orthodox communions. In an act of openness, the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) opened dialogue with the above separated Christians. The dialogue has since made important contributions to a mutual understanding of the many beliefs that unite Christians.

In closing, Fr. Baliki emphasized that unity in faith does not threaten diversity in expressing the faith in the liturgies of different Churches.  The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches recognize the mysteries or sacraments which are signs of God's grace.

If we need atheists to recognize God, we need to show them love and love them as we know that He loved us to the end for "God is Love." This will be actualized in Christian unity.

St. John Chrysostom on the Resurrection of Christ

If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; he gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour.

And he shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one he gives, and upon the other he bestows gifts. And he both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior's death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.

Revenge for the Dead and The Fear of Death

It is almost impossible these days to count the number of the dead people in the sectarian/civil war going on in Syria. In spite of calls from the 3 Patriarchs of Antioch for an end to the war and a reconciliation between the warring factions, more blood is shed unnecessarily on the soil of Syria. Last night we had an important discussion at Jesus the King Church of the reaction a Christian would have if one of his family members was killed. The number of innocent people who died in this war is a sign that human violence still rules the earth one way or another.  It is a fact too according to Steven Pinker that humans are the only species who enjoy torturing their captives. In his most recent book "The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined" published in October 2011, basing his claim on historical statistical analysis of the behaviour of humans, the Harvard Professor of Psychology, however, maintains that violence has declined significantly in the past few centuries. If this is statistically true, it does not mean that humans became angels, but rather in my opinion, that education in the Christian humanist West has increasingly recognized the good nature of humans and the dignity of every human person created in the image of God. This doctrine has been taught by the Church since the early Christian Era centuries. Yet, the reality of human beings unmistakably reflects a continuing war between the good that God implanted in us and the selfish character of sin in what St. Augustine termed "Original Sin." The wound of Original Sin still exists in all humans even if baptized. The work of Christ in purifying the person is not completed without the continuous cooperation by the person with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
If one of his or her family members was killed, a Christian naturally reacts with anger. Of course anger begets hatred and hatred leads to hell. Yet, in the complex drama of salvation, God always offers himself in the prayer and sacraments for reconciliation, repentance and healing. It is a long process for probably most people to truly forgive the abrupt killing and death of their loved ones. Forgiveness is fundamental to peace with oneself, the community and God.
The commandments of Christ in the New Testament demand Christians to forgive. Only read the Lord's Prayer: In praying to our heavenly Father, the Lord teaches us to ask God's forgiveness "And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matt 6: 12). Notice the condition that we must forgive to be forgiven by God. We know that forgiveness is an act of the will in the vein of love which transcends mere emotions. If you want to succeed in earning an academic degree or a good career, you will surely make the necessary efforts. Our eternal life too requires efforts; for it is a great battle against the evil one. In the Letter to the Hebrews, it is written "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Heb 12: 4). Jesus Christ himself had to endure much suffering to the point of death on the cross because he willed to obey his Father and save us from hell. His glorious Resurrection was verified by his encounter with the Apostles and other disciples after his death and his own appearance to 500 followers in many places at the same time (for more, see Peter Kreeft's article here http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics-more/resurrection-evidence.htm ).  In his sermon on the mount, he taught the throngs who went to hear him "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt 5: 44) and "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6: 37). He who is blameless forgave on the cross those who crucified him to death saying to his Father "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23: 34). The amazing thing is that God does not need us but we need him. Yet he continues to love all; for "God is Love." according to the New Testament.

Another question begets itself especially for older people like me: Fear of death. Since early childhood humans need security which they ideally find in the care of their parents. As we grow, we relate to our own family and gradually make friends with our peers who either help us get closer to heaven or closer to hell. Those who have been to Catholic schools can tell the rest of us what they learned about the importance of moral education. It is true that Catholics and other Christians can lapse in their faith and morals as any one else. Yet they have received family and school education that should help them in the time of temptation or in the dark night of the soul as St. John of the Cross aptly expresses. Growth in age should be accompanied by growth in wisdom. This is why we see more old people than young ones praying in Church. However we should all pay attention that the end of life may be sudden and unexpected. This fact applies to all generations especially due to the individualistic and selfish way we are increasingly seeing today that breaks society by breaking the family. In this connection the Lord said "You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour." (Luke 12: 40).
The persons who were killed in Syria in the past year died unexpectedly. They were living in peace before the "Arab Spring" so were many Egyptians massacred near Maspero in Cairo last year and in many other terrible incidents too in the past 17 months. Did they have a chance to repent before their death? "You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour."  says the Lord. We can only ask God to give them eternal life in his mercy, but we cannot judge them.
Closing the discussion, Fr. Michel gave us an example of prayer and faith that he had witnessed in Egypt when he was only 12 years old. He visited the mother of a poor family with 8 children who were classmates. He saw how she obtained food for the family. Not by begging but by prayer and faith in God. She opened the window and shouted at God "Is this how you will feed my family when I have nothing?" In half-an-hour, a messenger knocked on her door and brought a tray full of fish directed by a Sister nun among the Sisters helping the poor. How God worked in the heart of this nun when the lady shouted remains a mystery. What is amazing is the persistence of this mother. After receiving the free tray of fish, she went again  and shouted "How am I going to feed my children fish without bread?" To this prayer, God responded too by sending a basket full of bread to the lady and her family. "Do you see what faith does? Do you see what prayer does? I have seen it." Said Father Michel urging us to have trust in God.

What did we learn here?
1. To all Christians, the Lord asks us to forgive. Not only that but he asks us to forgive and love our enemies. And to be able to love our enemies, the process starts with repentance in the Sacrament of Penance; healing in the Sacrament of the Eucharist; and prayer with the Church and individually everywhere we can.
2. To all Christians, the Lord asks us to be ready for death. Death is not the end for the Lord has risen and went on to his glory body and soul. He opened the way for us to eternal glorified life with him if we choose to follow him.
3. To all Christian families, learn and teach your young ones the moral commandments of God. Bring them to Church. Read with them the Scriptures and follow the teachings of the Church. Live the commandments of God at home, at school, at work, in the street and in bed; for living in the presence of God brings more blessings.
4. To all Christians, have hope in God, and faith that He will give you what you need. To St. Paul, Christ said "My grace suffices you".
What else can we hope for when Christ himself gives us his body and blood in the Eucharist?
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Remove Excommunications!

I am asking His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to remove all excommunications declared by him, by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith or by any prior Ecumenical Council against any person in the long history of the Catholic Church. This request is in line with the commandment of the Lord to "Love your enemies" in spite of any actions or aggression against the teachings or the sons and daughters of the Catholic Church. This is also in line with the teachings of Vatican II and with those of Blessed John XXIII who wished to imitate "The Good Pastor" and Blessed John Paul II who requested forgiveness from all those groups, Churches and persons of any religion or ideology in the past 2,000 years of the history of the Church. 
We recall the visit of John Paul II to Athens in Greece in 2001 when Greek Orthodox Archbishop Christodoulos initially resisted to receive the Pope and the Pope's immediate response asking for the forgiveness of Orthodox people regarding violence by Catholics against Orthodox brothers since the Great Schism and the sacking of Constantinople by Crusaders in 1204! Archbishop Christodoulos in turn responded by praising the Pope and eventually praying with him to the astonishment of conservatives.
In their common declaration Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Christodoulos stated "We are watching that the scientific and social development of man is not accompanied by a probe into the concept and value of life which, in any case, is a gift of God, nor by a corresponding appreciation of the unique dignity of man. We ascertain with anxiety that wars, massacres, torturing and sufferings constitute the daily nightmarish reality for millions of our brothers.

"We are committed to struggling for peace all over the world, respect for life and the dignity of man and solidarity for all who are in need...We are watching attentively and with concern the process of globalization with the hope that it will provide gracious fruit...We are satisfied with the success and progress of the European Union. The unification of the European world into one state entity, without peoples losing their conscience, national tradition and religious identity, was the vision of its leaders." 

How far is the reality today of violence in the Middle East and elsewhere in China and Africa from what the above declaration in 2001 stated? How far is the reality today of globalization and excessive capitalism from what the above declaration in 2001 stated? How far is the reality today of the European Continent from what the above declaration in 2001 stated? 

For the above reasons, Christian leaders must work harder and give a good example to all their fellow Christians. Christian unity will be realized only when bad memories of hatred and greed have been eradicated.

It is in this spirit that I appeal to Benedict XVI to remove all excommunications.

God's work in the little and great souls today!

In this age of selfishness and materialism, I am grateful to God who allowed me to meet a number of great persons in the wedding of my nephew Edward with the down-to-earth Teresa Di Mascio. Teresa is very much the image of her mom who takes care of everyone around her. I always found Edward to be a caring person, but now I found many other souls who attended the wedding too. I think his upbringing in the love of God by his dear parents my twin brother Shaker and my sister in- law Marjia made a significant impression on his development as a man of great integrity. Marija too continues to inspire me for her dedication to the Church and her services to her family.

In the wedding I met many but here I will mention only a few. First: Stefania, a hero for us in accepting her long suffering and her love of the Lord. Second: Her daughter Mary, a teacher, and caring person of her mother and dad throughout their suffering and ageing. Third: Andrea, an organist at the local Church who plays as a volunteer in the Masses, an open-minded person, as well as her husband Steve who is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Steve's story is an impressive one in terms of giving to the point that he was elected Grand Knight  of his Knights of Columbus Council in Acton a couple of years ago and his story was published in the State Bulletin. That evening was a gift from God; for I was introduced to some of the souls that are accepting their suffering with diseases, the careless world around them with a smile, and volunteering or rather investing their time in serving those others who are in need.

In the 4th century, St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Constantinople, built a city for the needy and sick. He also said that as Mary the Mother of God delivered Christ to the world for the world's salvation, so too Christians must deliver Christ to the world in their commitment and services. When Blessed Pope John XXIII said that in this age the Church still bears many saints, some argued that he was too optimistic, but John XXIII went all the way in the Church's reforms through Vatican II which proved to be the greatest gift of God to his Church in the 20th century.

And back to my little world today, I dare to hope in God's mercy. It is true that Christ works through all in order to bring all to his Father. It is a matter of us accepting to work with him as he invites everyone of us to participate in his salvific work.