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Herald Malaysia
22-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Full text: Catechesis of Pope Leo's first general audience
God sows His Word on all hearts, trusting it will grow — hope rooted in His mercy and love, even through life's struggles May 22, 2025 Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives for his first weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) This is the text of the catechesis and appeal from Pope Leo XIV's first general audience, given May 21, in the Paul VI brothers and sisters, I am pleased to welcome you in this, my first general Audience. Today, I will resume the cycle of Jubilee catecheses, on the theme 'Jesus Christ Our Hope', initiated by Pope Francis. Let us continue today to meditate on the parables of Jesus, which help us to regain hope, because they show us how God works in history. Today I would like to dwell on a parable which is somewhat peculiar, because it is a sort of introduction to all the parables. I refer to that of the sower (cf. Mt. 13:1-17). In a certain sense, in this account we can recognize Jesus' way of communicating, which has a great deal to teach us for proclaiming the Gospel today. Every parable tells a story that is taken from everyday life, yet wants to tell us something more, to refer us to a deeper meaning. The parable raises questions in us; it invites us not to stop at appearances. Before the story that is told or the image that is presented to me, I can ask myself: where am I in this story? What does this image say to my life? In fact, the term 'parable' comes from the Greek verb paraballein, which means to throw in front of. The parable throws before me a word that provokes me and prompts me to question myself. The parable of the sower talks precisely about the dynamic of the word of God and the effects it produces. Indeed, every word of the Gospel is like a seed that is thrown on the ground of our life. Jesus uses the image of the seed many times, with different meanings. In chapter 13 of the Gospel of Matthew, the parable of the sower introduces a series of other short parables, some of which talk precisely about what is happening on the terrain: the wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed, the treasure hidden in the field. What, then, is this soil? It is our heart, but it is also the world, the community, the Church. The word of God, in fact, makes fruitful and provokes every reality. At the beginning, we see Jesus who leaves the house and gathers a great crowd around him (cf. Mt. 13:1). His word fascinates and intrigues. Among the people there are obviously many different situations. The word of Jesus is for everyone, but it works in each person in a different way. This context allows us to understand better the meaning of the parable. A rather unusual sower goes out to sow, but does not care where the seed falls. He throws the seeds even where it is unlikely they will bear fruit: on the path, on the rocks, among the thorns. This attitude surprises the listener and induces him to ask: how come? We are used to calculating things – and at times it is necessary – but this does not apply in love! The way in which this 'wasteful' sower throws the seed is an image of the way God loves us. Indeed, it is true that the destiny of the seed depends also on the way in which the earth welcomes it and the situation in which it finds itself, but first and foremost in this parable Jesus tells us that God throws the seed of his Word on all kinds of soil, that is, in any situation of ours: at times we are more superficial and distracted, at times we let ourselves get carried away by enthusiasm, sometimes we are burdened by life's worries, but there are also times when we are willing and welcoming. God is confident and hopes that sooner or later the seed will blossom. This is how he loves us: he does not wait for us to become the best soil, but he always generously gives us his word. Perhaps by seeing that he trusts us, the desire to be better soil will be kindled in us. This is hope, founded on the rock of God's generosity and mercy. In telling the way in which the seed bears fruit, Jesus is also talking about his life. Jesus is the Word, he is the Seed. And the seed, to bear fruit, must die. Thus, this parable tells us that God is ready to 'waste away' for us and that Jesus is willing to die in order to transform our life. I have in mind that beautiful painting by Van Gogh, The sower at sunset. That image of the sower in the blazing sun also speaks to me of the farmer's toil. And it strikes me that, behind the sower, Van Gogh depicted the grain already ripe. It seems to me an image of hope: one way or another, the seed has borne fruit. We are not sure how, but it has. At the centre of the scene, however, is not the sower, who stands to the side; instead, the whole painting is dominated by the image of the sun, perhaps to remind us that it is God who moves history, even if he sometimes seems absent or distant. It is the sun that warms the clods of earth and makes the seed ripen. Dear brothers and sisters, in what situation of life today is the Word of God reaching us? Let us ask the Lord for the grace always to welcome this seed that is His Word. And if we realize we are not a fruitful soil, let us not be discouraged, but let us ask him to work on us more to make us become a better terrain. Appeal of the Holy Father The situation in the Gaza Strip is increasingly worrying and painful. I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, the heart-rending price of which is being paid by children, the elderly and the
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Austin Catholic community mourns death of Pope Francis
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The news of Pope Francis' passing is widespread Monday morning. Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope in 2013. Many Catholic schools and church offices were already closed for Easter Monday and had previously planned mass services throughout the day. This former Dallas bishop will lead process of selecting a new pope 'After an important day for the church on [Sunday] to hear of his passing was sad for the whole church,' Carla Sanchez said as she left an early Monday morning mass. 'I think he did so much for the church and we should be forever grateful.' Father James Misko, who is serving as Diocesan Administrator in Austin, will be celebrating noon mass at Saint Mary Catholic Cathedral 'for the repose of the soul of the holy father.' Saint Mary, located in downtown Austin off 10th Street, is the mother church for the Diocese of Austin. Misko issued the following statement: Brothers and sisters: As we hear of the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we unite in prayerful thanksgiving for his just over 12 years of faithful service to the Universal Church as the successor to St. Peter. Ever devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and with her intercession, his commitment to social justice and a deep care for the poor and those on the peripheries of society will remain among his many legacies. The first pontiff from the Americas, Pope Francis brought a new perspective to the papacy, humbly saying to the crowds in St. Peter's square the night of his election, 'It seems that my brother cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one (a Pope), but here we are'. I ask the people of the Diocese of Austin to join in prayer with the Universal Church and all people of goodwill to express our gratitude to God for the life of Pope Francis. We pray that our Holy Father, who has been received in the arms of our Lord will now rest from his earthly labors and hear the words, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant (Mt. 25:21).' Through the intercession of Mary, under her title of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, we ask that God receive Pope Francis into his presence forever. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. The Diocese of Austin is currently without a Bishop, as of March 25. Its former Bishop, Joe Vasquez, is now the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Since the Pope appoints new Bishops to a diocese, Vasquez's replacement in Austin will be prolonged until the new Pope is appointed. The Diocese of Austin said there are more than 700,000 Catholics in the Central Texas area. The diocese covers a wide area from Bell County to San Marcos and College Station. The diocese posted on Facebook early Monday in remembrance of Pope Francis. 'Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013. Today, we mourn his passing,' the post said. 'Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.' In 2022, the Pope blessed the Diocese of Austin for its 75th anniversary. This story will be updated. Check back for more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Stolen vehicle and methamphetamine recovered, 2 Nashville men arrested by Mt. Juliet police
MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) — Mt. Juliet officers were able to recover a vehicle reported stolen several months ago with the use of license plate recognition technology Monday morning. 2 wanted men arrested after separate Sunday traffic stops in Mt. Juliet Mt. Juliet's Guardian Shield system alerted officers with the Mt. Juliet Police Department to a 2015 Kia Optima that had been reported stolen from a Nashville hotel in September 2024 after the Kia's owner used valet parking. Officers found and intercepted the Kia on Lebanon Road near Nonaville Road. The driver, a 30-year-old Nashville man, was found to have an outstanding warrant for shoplifting in Wilson County. Additionally, he was found to be driving on a revoked license. A 27-year-old passenger, also from Nashville, was taken into custody. Officers ultimately recovered methamphetamine during the traffic stop. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
