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Herald Malaysia
26-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope: Communion requires prayer, listening, conversion
Leo XIV reaffirmed Pope Francis' dedication to listening, first and foremost to the Holy Spirit May 26, 2025 The Pope greeting crowds outside the Basilica of St. Mary Major. (Photo: Vatican News) By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceCelebrating his first Mass in Rome's diocesan cathedral, Pope Leo XIV said communion is built primarily "on our knees," through prayer and a constant commitment to reaffirmed Pope Francis' dedication to listening, first and foremost to the Holy Spirit, as it then leads to listening to and understanding others "as our brothers and sisters."The pope's remarks came during his homily at Mass at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where he took possession of the cathedral as the bishop of Rome May pope arrived in the late afternoon to the cheers and applause of those who turned out to welcome the U.S.-born pontiff as he stepped out of the black Volkswagen SUV in front of the basilica. He smiled and waved to those outside before being greeted by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, papal vicar for Rome, and then he walked through the basilica's Holy the start of the liturgy, Cardinal Reina read a profession of obedience to the pope on behalf of the diocese and then the pope sat on the raised marble chair in the basilica's apse, taking formal possession of the "cathedra" (chair) of the bishop of Rome. He then received representatives of his flock, including clergy and pope dedicated his homily to the Mass readings, putting special emphasis on the importance of first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (15:1-2, 22-29) described Paul and Barnabas recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church and going there to settle the question of whether Gentiles could embrace a form of Christianity that did not include observing every aspect of Mosaic law."This was no easy matter; it called for much patience and mutual listening," and Peter and the apostles in Jerusalem were prepared to listen, Pope Leo dialogue "led to the right decision," he said, because they listened to God's voice."In this way, they remind us that communion is built primarily 'on our knees,' through prayer and constant commitment to conversion. For only in this way can each of us hear within the voice of the Spirit crying out: 'Abba! Father!' and then, as a result, listen to and understand others as our brothers and sisters," he said."Naturally, the more we let ourselves be convinced and transformed by the Gospel -- allowing the power of the Spirit to purify our heart, to make our words straightforward, our desires honest and clear, and our actions generous -- the more capable we are of proclaiming its message," the pope fact, he said, "the Gospel assures us that we are not alone in making our decisions in life. The Spirit sustains us and shows us the way to follow, 'teaching' us and 'reminding' us of all that Jesus said.""Pope Francis frequently encouraged us to reflect on the maternal dimension of the church and her defining qualities of tenderness, self-sacrifice and the capacity to listen," he said."We hope that those qualities will be increasingly present in the people of God everywhere, including here, in our great diocesan family: in the faithful, in pastors and, first of all, in myself," Pope Leo encouraged the Diocese of Rome's "process of listening" to the world and its communities to respond to current challenges and "to propose sage and prophetic initiatives of evangelization and charity.""I would like to express my firm desire to contribute to this great ongoing process by listening to everyone as much as possible, in order to learn, understand and decide things together, as St. Augustine would say, 'as a Christian with you and a bishop for you,'" Pope Leo asked everyone to support him "in prayer and charity, mindful of the words of St. Leo the Great: 'All the good we do in the exercise of our ministry is the work of Christ and not our own, for we can do nothing without him.'"He expressed his love and affection for the faithful of Rome "and my desire to share with you, on our journey together, our joys and sorrows, our struggles and hopes. I too offer you 'the little I have and am.'"Following the Mass, the pope appeared at the balcony of the basilica, where he briefly addressed a large crowd of people, wishing them as he did the afternoon of his election May 8, "Peace be with you."The Holy Year dedicated to hope, he said, encourages the faithful to be living witnesses of Christ's hope to the world, "a world that is suffering a lot" because of war, violence and poverty."Thank you for walking together," he said, "Let us all walk together."The pope then got in an open popemobile and headed to the patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major where he venerated the "Salus Populi Romani," ("Salvation of the Roman People"), a Marian icon in a side the prayers and final blessing, he stood and prayed at the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis, upon which lay a single white Leo then spoke to the people gathered outside the basilica, thanking them "from my heart" for their presence to be with their new bishop, "united as members of the Diocese of Rome."Before going to St. John Lateran for the Mass, Pope Leo also met with Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, in a brief ceremony at the bottom of the steps below city Leo said he felt the "serious but enthusiastic responsibility of serving all members" of the Diocese of Rome, "having at heart, above all, the faith of the people of God and, therefore, the common good of society.""We are partners, each in its own institutional setting," he said. And yet, as he was about to take possession of the city's cathedral, "Today I can say for you and with you, I am Roman," which was met with great May 25, the pope led a crowd in St. Peter's Square in praying the "Regina Coeli" at noon. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the pope said, "Let us resolve to bring (the Lord's) love everywhere, never forgetting that each of our sisters and brothers is a dwelling place of God and that his presence is manifested above all in the little ones, in the poor and the suffering, who ask us to be thoughtful and compassionate Christians."--Vatican News
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump Is Attacking Big Law Firms. Paul Weiss Is the First to Capitulate.
Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Many Americans may not have taken notice, but yesterday marked yet another turning point for this Trump administration: A major U.S. law firm waved the white flag to our authoritarian president. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, based in New York, has a lengthy list of powerful clients and a long-standing commitment to causes of public interest. On March 14, it was singled out by Trump when he issued an executive order accusing the law firm of 'undermining the judicial process' and participating 'in the destruction of bedrock American principles.' He did so because the firm's definition of the public interest leaned in a liberal direction, and because it employs Mark Pomerantz, who worked with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in the New York hush money trial, for which the president was convicted of committing 34 felonies. The president channeled his grievances against Paul Weiss and other so-called global law firms by alleging that they 'have engaged in activities that make our communities less safe, increase burdens on local businesses, limit constitutional freedoms, and degrade the quality of American elections.' The order also claims: 'They have sometimes done so on behalf of clients, pro bono, or ostensibly 'for the public good'—potentially depriving those who cannot otherwise afford the benefit of top legal talent the access to justice deserved by all.' In an unprecedented move, the order also singled out Pomerantz, calling him 'unethical' and pointing out, in unusually personal terms, that he 'left Paul Weiss to join the Manhattan District Attorney's office solely to manufacture a prosecution against me.' Among other things, the president directed his subordinates 'to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Paul Weiss and Mark Pomerantz' and 'take appropriate steps to terminate any contract … for which Paul Weiss has been hired to perform any service.' The choice the firm faced reminded me of a classic 1950s television commercial. It shows a woman slowly turning to the camera, revealing a black eye and professing her loyalty to her brand of cigarettes by saying, 'Us Tareyton smokers would rather fight than switch.' In Paul Weiss' case, though, it took just six days for it to switch rather than fight, abandoning its principles and those of the legal profession. This is a surprising development, given the firm's history. As the New York Times explains, 'The firm has long prided itself on breaking barriers and standing up to the government on issues like civil rights. Its website trumpets how it was the first major New York City firm to have Jewish lawyers working alongside Gentiles, to hire a Black associate and to have a female partner.' Moreover, the legal profession has long been considered an advocate of what former Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once called 'the attainment of liberty through law.' Apparently, Paul Weiss did not get that message. What the firm did yesterday is a reminder of the Vietnam-era adage that justified American wartime abuses: 'We have to burn this village to save it.' Brad Karp, the head of the firm, went, hat in hand, to the Oval Office and lit a match to the firm's reputation. To get the president to back off his threats to the firm, Karp agreed 'to a series of commitments, including to represent clients no matter their political affiliation and contribute $40 million in legal services to causes Mr. Trump has championed, including 'the President's Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, and other mutually agreed projects.' ' Would any self-respecting lawyer and law firm let anyone, including the president of the United States, tell them whom they should represent or give into the kind of blackmail that has become a regular practice since Trump returned to office? I would have assumed that Karp and Paul Weiss would have rejected such overtures. There is some dispute over the exact terms of the agreement; HuffPost reported discrepancies between the version of the document the White House posted and what Karp sent to his firm. For example, the White House version asserts that the firm had agreed Pomerantz was indeed guilty of 'wrongdoing,' though the particular kind of wrongdoing was left unspecified. The only wrong that Pomerantz did was to do his job in a way that offended the president, and Karp's note failed to mention him. But the damage has already been done. That is why, even as it described the differences in the versions of events offered by Karp and the White House, HuffPost still referred to what it called a 'shocking agreement' between them. In light of that agreement, one can only imagine the hallway conversations between lawyers at Paul Weiss right now. The firm's capitulation is a blow to the forces seeking to resist the destruction of America's constitutional order. When the history of this era is written, the proverb that fish 'rot from the head' may have particular purchase in explaining the significance of Paul Weiss' actions. The firm's surrender also signifies another kind of rot, namely what Yale Law professor Jack Balkin calls 'constitutional rot,' which he defines as 'a degradation of constitutional norms that may operate over a long period of time.' When constitutional rot becomes advanced, Balkin notes, 'people turn to demagogues, … who stoke division, anger and resentment. Demagogues promise that they will restore lost glories and make everything right again.' These demagogues proceed by cowing their opponents and encouraging everyone, especially the most powerful loci of resistance, to fall in line. And falling in line is exactly what Paul Weiss did. Going after large law firms is the Trump administration's way of showing that no one is safe. Making one of them say uncle and going public about it demonstrates that proposition. Standing up to bullies is the best way to deal with the administration. By backing down, Paul Weiss feeds the beast and encourages more of the kind of bullying that the White House has used against it. The first domino has fallen. Sadly, others will soon follow.
Associated Press
10-02-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Walter R. Scarborough Takes a Bold New Approach to Biblical Prophecy in ‘From Today to Eternity Volume 1'
In his first volume, Scarborough brings his analytical expertise to reveal fresh insights on prophecy, salvation, and the end times. TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, February 10, 2025 / / -- Walter R. Scarborough's path to biblical prophecy is as unique as it is compelling. With over 45 years as an architect, Scarborough has mastered crafting intricate designs and overseeing large-scale construction projects. His ability to synthesize complexity and detail has now found a new canvas: the study of biblical prophecy. In ' From Today to Eternity: A Study of Biblical Prophecy and End Times Volume 1 ', Scarborough brings his analytical precision to the profound truths of scripture, offering readers a structured yet accessible journey into the mysteries of faith and salvation. Scarborough's book has been praised for its comprehensive overview of prophecy and eschatology, presenting a progressive unfolding of God's revelation through history, first to the Jews and then to the Christian Church. The text delves into God's plan of salvation for all humankind, illustrating how Gentiles and Jews alike can find redemption through faith in Jesus. Drawing on the letters of the apostle Paul, the book reassures readers that Gentiles are 'joint heirs with God' and equally entitled to the blessings of being God's children. The study also highlights how the prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible foreshadow the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, described as 'the central figure that the Bible pivots around.' Scarborough's chapters explore the roles of the Trinity in repentance and forgiveness, leading up to an in-depth discussion of events preceding the second coming of Jesus, including the rise of the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Praised by Boze Herrington in the US Review of Books, 'From Today to Eternity: A Study of Biblical Prophecy and End Times Volume 1' is noted for its 'encyclopedic breadth' and 'packed with citations to eschatological scholarship.' Herrington writes, 'This book is a welcome antidote to the aversion to expertise that has taken root in the culture.' Scarborough's ability to make complex theological concepts accessible has drawn comparisons to contemporary pastor John MacArthur. Herrington commends Scarborough's 'admirable familiarity with the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the other Hebrew prophets' and his ability to avoid the 'temptation towards sensationalism that bedevils so many books on biblical prophecy.' Readers searching for clarity on salvation and the riches of God's mercy will find answers in Scarborough's meticulous explanations. Herrington highlights that individuals who have struggled to find answers regarding salvation will benefit from Scarborough's clear and succinct presentation of the process. The book provides a scholarly yet accessible approach, making it a great resource for anyone interested in understanding biblical prophecy. Discover the full review here: Amazon and other online book retailers. Grab a copy today! Bringing stories and ideas to life, one tap at a time. Bookside Press is all about creating buzz in the digital world. Buzz that'll have each vital message be heard loud and clear. Headquartered in Canada, this hybrid publishing and advertising company aims to share the magic of its authors' books with the world. With a dedicated team of creatives and marketing professionals, Bookside Press collaborates with clients in building better brands that stand out and reach greater heights. EMMANUEL LAGUARDIA Bookside Press Corp. +16479465136 ext. X YouTube Other Legal Disclaimer:
