#saint paul

[Saint] Paul was denounced to the [Roman] authorities by owners of a slave-girl who had the power of predicting the future [due to the influence of a demon. Such soothsaying was not uncommon;] in the uncertainties of a pre-scientific age, any high-ranking official would have a staff of seers to predict the future for a price. Today we [effectively] still have them and they call themselves scientists, whether their predictions have a sound scientific basis or not. [Although legitimate science is praiseworthy and practically useful, we see the modern “demonic” aspect inevitably emerge when the knowledge gained by science is separated from God, being instead hailed as the result of human power alone, and used for trivial, selfish ends. Like in the pagan days of Rome, today individuals of popular esteem or rank will, almost religiously, consult the (often unprofessional) predictions of ‘science’ to guide and govern their choices. This superstitious obsession, and the power it brings, has become so integral to the lifestyles of so many that, when it is questioned– or removed, as Saint Paul did with the demon of divination– the result is striking. Idols do not fall quietly, especially not before Christ. Likewise,] when Paul silences this girl– and deprives her owners of their income– [in their fury,] they easily accuse him of other 'crimes’. These might be refusal to attribute divine status to the Emperor– [the next step up in idolatry. Whereas a pagan had no trouble promoting mortals to 'godhood’ and consulting spirits for hidden knowledge, the early Christians– still seen only as a Jewish sect– openly refused and rebuked such practices. Their faithful devotion to the One God, and declaration of His Sovereignty, was an automatic criminal sentence in the eyes of a vengeful nonbeliever– or even a misguided man of their natal faith, once the Christian declared Christ as God Himself! Thus] in his proclamation of the Gospel, Paul was caught between two [unavoidable and painful outcomes]: either he was beaten by the lictors for refusing divine honour to the emperor, or he was beaten by the Jews for granting divine honour to Christ. [Nevertheless, he– and all the faithful– stood undaunted.] Half-a-century [after Paul was so accused,] Pliny, as a provincial governor, challenges Christians to say ‘The Emperor is Lord’; they reply, ‘Damn the Emperor, Jesus is Lord!’

Dom Henry Wansbrough; Expounded Commentary on Acts 16:16-22

[Acts 11:1-18] is not the actual [or ‘real-time’] narration in Acts of the conversion of Cornelius– [that is recorded in 10:1-29–] but Peter’s rendering of it to the community [of Jewish converts to Christianity] when he is justifying his action [of not only visiting but also eating with the Gentiles]. Like the story of Paul’s conversion, this story therefore occurs three times in Acts– [first as narrative, then twice again as speech–]showing the importance of this moment when the first gentile is received into the Church, [and the need to continually proclaim this universal heart of the Good News]. Nevertheless, Peter is humble and witty enough to include his little tiff with the Voice from heaven, whose liberalism so scandalised him, and which [therefore] ended up by roundly ticking him off for his criticism of God’s creation [as 'unclean’]! Peter also amusingly stresses that the Holy Spirit, and not himself, was responsible for the acceptance of the first gentile: in the original account the Spirit merely 'interrupted’ Peter (10:44), whereas now Peter [himself] says, [in effect, that his speech was neither a requirement nor a cause for grace– emphasizing that] he hardly had time to begin speaking when the Spirit poured down!

Dom Henry Wansbrough; Commentary on Acts 11:1-18

Minneapolis Goes to the Winter Carnival

Since the Aquatennial began in 1940, Minneapolis has been a land of summer celebrations. Minneapolitans are certainly no strangers to winter, however, and many have gladly made the trip across the river to join in the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. From Aquatennial royalty, to Minneapolis Tribune reporters, to everyday citizens, here are just a few photos of Minneapolis residents enjoying Winter Carnival (from top to bottom):

• Aquatennial Queen Patty McLane with Vulcan A.J. Brioscht and Aquatennial Chairman Bert Baston, 1948 (P05259)
• Aquatennial Queen Ruth Tolman and Queen of the Snows Shirley Peterson with King Boreas Joseph Shiely, 1947 (P27180)
• Aquatennial Officials wear matching parkas to Winter Carnival, 1947 (P22509)
• Aquatennial Queen Float at the Winter Carnival, 1947 (P27167)
• Minneapolis Tribune reporter Barbara Flanagan tries on Fire Queen costume, 1948 (FLAN0034)
• Louis Claeson competes in the Winter Carnival fishing derby on White Bear Lake, 1948 (P18235)

The 2022 Saint Paul Winter Carnival runs through February 6.

Photos from the Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph CollectionandBarbara Flanagan Collection in the Hennepin County Library Digital Collections.

The painting from two summers ago.

September 26, 1992 Dedication of Minnesota’s Vietnam Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol. At the wall, under a quote form Archibald Macleish, “We were young. We have died. Remember us,” Greg Stromath,from Lake Elmo, did a rubbing of David M. Halbauer’s name, for a friend. Mike Zerby, Star Tribune

Often, both consciously and subconsciously, we take blessings for granted in this life. Reflection has the serendipitous capability to instill both sobering and invigorating feels. Lately I’ve been thinking how fortunate, how so very blessed, I am to have been nurtured in a devoutly faith-filled home, one with an abundance of sacrifice and unconditional love. How beautiful, too, for those same morals and values to permeate the education that my siblings and I received, that my parents sacrificed for as ensuring both home and school taught us to live faith, hope, and love trumped all.

When I was a child, I was truly a child in my thoughts and reasoning: shallow, selfish, and unable to fathom the clerics’ extreme sacrifice in devoting their lives to educating my classmates and I. Fourteen years of Catholic education followed by an incredible college experience, I thank God for all that they instilled in me. And I hope that I’m going out and living it every day.

Saint Paul, beautiful human, wrote:

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

For today’s children and tomorrow’s future, I support Catholic Strong.

How do we feel about kickin this tumblr back into action and doing a “Single of the day” for people. Idk bout you but covid dating is currently nonexistent for me. Message/inbox me your ideas or reply to this post pleaseeeeeeee