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Pope Francis in Turkey
#459739648 / gettyimages.com “Fanaticism and fundamentalism, as well as irrational fears, which foster misunderstanding and discrimination, need to be countered by the solidarity of all believers,” the pope said in televised remarks in Ankara, Turkey. Worth hearing and heeding in every church, temple and synagogue every Sabbath…. (KS) “The pope smiled and waved before entering the Hagia Sophia museum, which dates to the sixth century. The church was converted into a mosque after the 1453 Ottoman conquest, and made a museum in 1935. From prayer, Christian and Muslim, to museum… not a happy progression! Religion worships a living God, not preserved artifacts. (KS)
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More Than a Random Act of Kindness – A Deliberate Deed of Human Solidarity
I need examples of goodness and light to strengthen me. In my journeys I see too much darkness. I suspect you do too. Let me share one deliberate deed of human solidarity which I am blessed to know, and for which I give thanks this Thanksgiving 2013. I know a family – a talented professional hectic single mom, Denise, and her 10-year-old daughter, Tiffany. Through a lot of hard work by Denise, a little luck and circumstances they are pretty comfortable. They live in a very nice large house, too large – by their own admission. Tiffany is in private school with all the extracurricular accoutrements that have become de rigueur. …
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Oil Lamp From Jewish Catacombs in Rome
There are Christian and Jewish catacombs on the outskirts of Rome. They are very similar. A major difference is the type of symbols used to decorate the catacombs. Christians would use images. The menorah on this oil lamp indicates it is from the Jewish catacombs.