Catholic Fire

July 3rd is the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle.  St. Thomas is known for three episodes in John's gospel, in which he appears as an individual. In the first, "Thomas who is called the twin, said, 'Let us also go [to Lazarus' house] that we may die with him'." (11:16) In the second, at the Last Supper, Thomas said to [Jesus], 'Lord, we do not know where we are going. How can we know the way?' "Jesus replied that He is the way, the truth, and the life (14: 5-6). In the third, one of the best known episodes in the gospels, "doubting Thomas", hiding with the other disciples in a locked house, one of the twelve" was not with them [when Jesus came to show them His wounds and thus convince them of the truth of the resurrection.] So, the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But, he said to them, 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands, and put my finger in His side, I will not believe.' A ...

In his Tuesday morning Mass, Pope Francis said that Jesus, intercedes for mankind, before God. He described him as a lawyer who comes to one's defense, despite committed sins. POPE FRANCIS "Jesus shows God His wounds and with those wounds Jesus prays for us, as if telling God: 'Father, I paid the price ok? Help them, protect them. They are your children and with these wounds I saved them.” The Pope then added that Jesus doesn't just defend His flock. He also prays for it, so their faith may stay strong. SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY (Source: Vatican Radio) "The apostle John, thinking about these things and speaking of us, who are great sinners, says, 'Do not sin, but if any of you do sin, know that we have an advocate before the Father, one who prays for us, defends us in front Father, justifies us'. I believe we should really think about this truth, about this reality: Jesus is praying for me right now. I can go on in life because I have an...

July 03, 2013. (Romereports.com) During one of his last public Masses before starting his summer vacation, the Pope reflected on the life of St. Thomas, whose feast day is celebrated on Wednesday. He explained that the apostle was full of doubts, before seeing Jesus Resurrected and directly touching His wounds. To encounter God, the Pope said,  it's necessary, to kiss the wounds of Jesus through those who are hungry, poor, sick and incarcerated. POPE FRANCIS “We find Jesus' wounds in carrying out works of mercy, by helping the body – the body – the soul too, but – I stress - the body of your wounded brother, because he is hungry, because he is thirsty, because he is naked, because he is humiliated, because he is enslaved, because he is in jail, because he is in hospital. Those are the wounds of Jesus nowadays. And Jesus asks us to take a leap of faith towards Him, but through these wounds. Some say: 'Oh, great! Let's set up a foundation to help everyone and do so ...