A Sign of Disintegration...

On Thursday June 23, the British voted in a referendum to exit the European Union. Prime Minister David Cameron who had supported the "Stay" faction tendered his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II. The consequences of the vote have been felt in the financial markets as the British Pound lost a fraction of its value and the stock market hit a new low.

As in any civil country, independence is a declaration of its people to choose how to live and deal with the resources of their land in every industry and trade...

The result of the British vote, however, signals a deeper cultural shift. In one analysis, it is the beginning of the disintegration of the European Union as a sign of shared principles and borders, but also underlies the beginning as Europe reclaims its own original soul. The demographic changes that took place over the past 40-50 years included a massive resettlement of migrants from Africa and Asia. A particular phenomenon has been the increasing demand of oil in Europe and Asia which turned the European political establishment towards the vast resources of oil and gas in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. Arabs, who became rich, found a new paradise to settle in - that is Western Europe - and sent their large families to the capitals of this civilization.  Since Arab Muslims tend to have multiple marriages, their families are usually larger than a typical European family which over time would become the majority citizens in a given European democracy. In fact, Muslims have many mosques in Europe from which extremists call on their fellow Muslims to wage terrorist attacks as has been seen in 2016 in Brussels and earlier in Paris. To the dismay of many Europeans since 2014, the recent massive refugee and migrant influx of Muslims from warring Arab countries such as Syria threatened their lives in a real way including raping of women as it happened in Cologne in the 2016 new-year's eve and other towns later. Since the refugees program was imposed by Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor who to a high degree controls the European Union, the response was to opt out of the European Union. Once independent, the British will be able to determine who can come in and settle in Britain. Meanwhile, some lawmakers and politicians in Britain gathered a petition to vote again signed by over 2 million citizens. It depends on who we listen to. The 2.5 million are likely liberals who support David Cameron. Conservatives think that the British wanted to exit the EU because they are fed up with liberal and bureaucratic personnel for secure jobs especially that the EU became a stage for everyone to justify entry of foreigners and building their cultural centers in Britain. Americans have expressed their views too. President Obama and Hillary Clinton continue to support the liberals in Britain  and indeed in the rest of Europe for fear of Russia's growing influence that will disseminate NATO (see: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/24/politics/donald-trump-brexit-scotland-press-conference/). Mike Huckabee, who was a candidate for the U.S. Republican presidential nominations, shared his different views (see http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/06/25/brexit-remorse-uk-lawmaker-calls-for-parliament-to-ignore-eu-referendum-as-millions-call-for-second-vote.html). Donald Trump, in Scotland, supported British exit from the EU (see:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3658014/Donald-Trump-says-Britons-took-control-country.html).

This is the beginning as Europe reclaims its own original soul because the centuries before the recent Islamic invasion should show us and Pope Francis too that Christianity is at the roots of Europe's civilization. In fact, history shows that there was hardly any signs of development in civilizations that sprang in the East whether the Near East or the Far East. It was only since the French and British colonial powers occupied lands in the Middle East and India from the 18th century to the 20th century that the laws of these lands were reformed to some extent thus giving a basis for human freedom. Modern Islamism, on the contrary, insists on remaining in the 7-9th century Islamic civilization and so do Chinese and Hindu ones according to their own traditions thousands of years ago. Globalization has been a Western economic phenomenon that in the past 30 years has increased the power of the global Superpower: Capitalism, based in America and her allies.  It does not, however, justify the misuse of global power to enslave others in any shape or form. Of course, 9-11 terrorism was a reaction to the "Satanic" America. And back to the topic,  the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and other Islamist/Muslim scholars who portray Christianity as the reason of the "Dark Ages" in Europe, will not be pleased with the result of British exit from the EU.  But who knows? Probably one day, all who believe or doubt in God's act of love in the risen-Christ, will come to worship him who said "I am the Alpha and the Omega" (Revelation 22: 13)...

In the month of the Sacred Heart, let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph to pray the Lord Jesus Christ for Pope Francis and the rest of humanity. May the Lord be blessed!
Jesus My Lord, My God, My All:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL6zvsRxpMo

A Big Dream

Everyone dreams. We dream of things we can achieve and of things we desire but cannot achieve. Americans are in the middle of choosing who they will vote for in the presidential elections in November 2016.  Some dream of a president who could make America "Great Again." Others dream of having lasting jobs in a free-market economy. On Friday June 17, 2016 the Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed to endorse Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, since "Mr. Trump has declared that he is ready for the full restoration of Russian-American relations". This is the political scene of the "sole Superpower" as Putin put it. It is another dream that may or may not resolve global tensions.

On the other hand, Pope Francis continues to dream of assisting the poor and refugees probably because he has lived in Argentina for so long and witnessed poverty. In his latest reflection on June 15, 2016, he asked "How many times do we, when we find ourselves before so many refugees and migrants, feel bothered?" saying this is a temptation everyone has "even me, all of us" (see: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/are-you-bothered-by-the-cry-of-the-poor-if-so-its-a-problem-pope-says-90047/).

Fr. Henri Boulad, S.J.,  expressed his dream in a number of talks and recently upon being honoured by the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch for his contribution to the Coptic-Catholic ecumenical dialogue, he expressed his dream. In his response Fr. Boulad said that the goal is not solely Christian unity but, in his view, the goal is the unity of the entire human race. In a subsequent interview, the Jesuit scholar said his life-long desire is to "change the world..." by the grace of God.

On a deeper spiritual level my readers are invited to share this dream expressed by one of arguably the most eloquent preachers in the 20th century. In one of his latest talks prior to his retirement and death in 1979, Archbishop Fulton Sheen spoke about the Blessed Virgin Mary. He spoke of her in three forms as God's dream for humanity's return to the garden of the blessed; as God's Mother; and as God's bride. His fascinating talk can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG5-RSevDBI

Our loving God dreams too and his dreams may be realized in the response of every Christian...

Such is the hymn in this month of the Sacred Heart : Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL6zvsRxpMo

Saint John Paul II - A Pope for All Seasons

http://www.happinessquest.com/pope-johnpaul.html

IN PROGRESS

Today's Question: Who is Jesus?

Armed with a doctorate in sacred theology from the Institut Catholique de Paris, the well-known preacher Bishop Robert Barron continues to explore the Biblical revelation about Jesus...
Listen to him here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y4xacvLUXo

Pentecost: The Feast of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church

Today, in the world (except for a few countries), the Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday. In spite of so many difficulties, persecutions, and worries that preoccupy our hearts, the Holy Spirit is our Advocate who guides the Church in her journey on earth, urges us to repent of our sins, and reconcile ourselves with the Father through the risen Christ. Christ said to the disciples "“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always." (John 14: 15-16).  

Pope Francis spoke today about the Holy Spirit. Please read his words here:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-the-holy-spirit-makes-jesus-teaching-come-to-life-13000/

I know many people who are sick, depressed, and busy. As you prayed for me since my heart sickness 30 years ago, please continue to pray for everyone. On May 12, 1986, 30 years ago, I had my heart attack. In spite of highly caring and great doctors who still teach and advance medical research at the University of Toronto and McGill University, my family and I had many reasons to despair, first in 1986 when I was given a 2-year "ultimatum" for survival if I declined an open heart surgery; in 2002 when I was diagnosed with an ascending 7-cm wide Aortic Aneurysm, in 2004 when I was diagnosed with a kidney cancer; and in 2007 when I had a dangerous stroke...Yet, I am still alive here. To read my story, click here: http://todayquestions.blogspot.ca/2008/07/living-miracle.html God loves. His love for everyone is eternal...Ordinary people like me try everything they can to live but not everyone gets what he wants in this life. The mystery of suffering or loss is incomprehensible in human terms (for more on this listen to Robert Barron here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvqWTx8ykzg and http://todayquestions.blogspot.ca/2008/06/mystery-of-suffering.html) but the Holy Spirit still works to help us cope with suffering and get healed if it is for our good, and get transformed to be like Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary delivered the Savior of the world and Christ was revealed, Can I deliver Christ in my little service and respect to people I encounter?  Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for everyone:
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come,
From thy bright heav'nly throne,
Come take possession of our souls,
And make them all thy own.
Thou who art called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction and true love.
Thou who art sevenfold in thy grace,
Finger of God's right hand 
His promise teaching little ones
To speak an understand.
O guide our minds with thy blessed light,
With love our hearts inflame;
And with thy strength, which never decays
Confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our deadly foe;
True peach unto us bring;
And through all perils lead us safe
Beneath thy sacred wing.
Through thee may we the Father know,
Through thee the eternal Son,
And thee, the Spirit of them both,
Thrice-blessed Three in One.
All glory to the Father be,
With his coequal Son;
The same to thee, great Paraclete,
While endless ages run. 
Amen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSsQ8lfgF2M&index=4&list=PLasUIkmRiwiGI9ZI2EBzyw6dnC2xCDQuW