Worst is yet to come. Donald "The Beast" Trump is building a wall once again. Colossal tariff wall that is the beginning of the end for the system of down. At first the beast will pull the plug out of the global economy. The worst financial crisis of human history will pull a swarm of the banks underwater and the bank run begins. Then the beast will collapse a mountain of debt shattering the backbone of the monetary system causing a systemic risk to realize. Finally the beast will cast American citizens into a system slavery under the name of Ronald Wilson Reagan, just to "honor his legacy" count the number. After the destruction a new world order will be established in the US. And the Golden Age begins from the ruins of the world wide collapse. All of the system slaves will love it. No more cash - just digital transactions. No more traditional criminal activity. No more tax evasion. No more transactions without the "all seeing eye". Outcasts will hate the world without freedom, hope and privacy. To cover up the mess and distract the public by smoke and mirrors, the beast will engage in a war with Iran. Lies and deceit, corruption and decay, dancing on the graves will continue. Until; Black hole sun, won't you come, won't you come... I want to play a game. Time has come to opt out of the empire of filth. Live or die...
I like your version, Charlie. It gives me some real hope, although I suspect that given what we've seen of this administration, they'll go full on BSC on the Vatican and the Pope. Maybe THAT will get people's ire up when nothing else seems to move them? I don't know. I just know that I look forward to seeing their lack of moral standing and humanity put on full display, called out as it should be. Even if Vatican City has it's own issues- which will be JD's first attack – get ready for what aboutism coming soon!
I am elated! As an ordained Protestant minister who is Unitarian at heart, I celebrate any voice that truly seeks the spirit of Jesus’ teachings and calls out hypocrisy.
The Church chose Karol Józef Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II) in 1978 during tumult in the Soviet Union. He ended up helping the Soviet block to find a better way. Perhaps Pope Leo will do the same with the US causing a division of the free world.
Actually, according to Catholic teaching, this is the choice of the Holy Spirit. It is not merely a human choice. Although I am personally skeptical about such a belief, it seems far more credible than the notion that God has chosen Trump.
In perennial wisdom good cannot be recognized and valued until it comes up against evil; that man should be thankful for both as a gift to know right from wrong. Nature finds a balance, one way or another. This current spate of evil can only be driven from our lives and country by courage generated by faith, hope, and charity, so I celebrate this American Pope's election and pray for his moral stance to strengthen the hearts of Catholic believers and those outside the church to denounce the immoral and illegal acts of the current fascist regime that has promulgated and continues to pile on offenses against mankind with no regard for human suffering.
I think it has to do with the idea that different functions/operations are assigned to the three persons who constitute the one God. Although they act together as one they are also distinct. In the crudest of terms God the Father is the mind and heart of God. The Son is the eyes, ears and mouth (Word) of God. The Holy Spirit is the hands and feet interacting directly with and guiding the People of God. Of course this is all figurative and not a literal understanding.
Catholics believe int he Divine Trinity. One God existing in three beings (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). Three parts of the same. So, saying it is the choice of God is also right.
In my generalized opinion, the Christian church didn't want to have gender identity involved in God--it's a spirit after all--there is no gender in heaven, just souls finding their way to full realization and encompassing of the One.
The Church wants God to be all male the father, while the Holy Spirit in Hebrew is a female tense for the "breath" of life. They wanted to hide the fact that the way to compassion, mercy, kindness, meekness, love, peace, self control, and sacrificial service are the gifts of the Spirit, that are accessed and "animated" from the feminine side of man's nature. I hope the new Pope will support our civil freedoms even if he has the church's historical outlook towards women's right to choose.
May I suggest that you also add Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde to your list of moral leaders who have spoken out? She, at the time of that person's inauguration, said:
"I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families who fear for their lives.
And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in our poultry farms and meat-packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shift in hospitals – they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes, and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches, mosques and synagogues, gurdwara, and temples.
Have mercy, Mr President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. Help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here."
One problem though -- one of Trump's main goals is to have people FEAR him. Sad that her repetitive use of this particular word might have boosted his insatiable Ego and sense of omnipotent Power even more.
Great perspective, Charlie. The reference to John Paul II being Polish at a time when there was turmoil in Poland was a big deal back then. 1978 was a bizarre year for popes. Paul VI was pope for my entire life and was when I was confirmed that May. John Paul I was Italian like all the other popes. He only lasted 33 days, I think. Then at the next conclave the cardinals made a bold move. Today, they did the same. I would say, even as a recovering Catholic, they met the moment.
thank you 🌷
Worst is yet to come. Donald "The Beast" Trump is building a wall once again. Colossal tariff wall that is the beginning of the end for the system of down. At first the beast will pull the plug out of the global economy. The worst financial crisis of human history will pull a swarm of the banks underwater and the bank run begins. Then the beast will collapse a mountain of debt shattering the backbone of the monetary system causing a systemic risk to realize. Finally the beast will cast American citizens into a system slavery under the name of Ronald Wilson Reagan, just to "honor his legacy" count the number. After the destruction a new world order will be established in the US. And the Golden Age begins from the ruins of the world wide collapse. All of the system slaves will love it. No more cash - just digital transactions. No more traditional criminal activity. No more tax evasion. No more transactions without the "all seeing eye". Outcasts will hate the world without freedom, hope and privacy. To cover up the mess and distract the public by smoke and mirrors, the beast will engage in a war with Iran. Lies and deceit, corruption and decay, dancing on the graves will continue. Until; Black hole sun, won't you come, won't you come... I want to play a game. Time has come to opt out of the empire of filth. Live or die...
If the world is a chess board, the Catholic Church and the new Pope just placed one very bad player in "Check"!
I like your version, Charlie. It gives me some real hope, although I suspect that given what we've seen of this administration, they'll go full on BSC on the Vatican and the Pope. Maybe THAT will get people's ire up when nothing else seems to move them? I don't know. I just know that I look forward to seeing their lack of moral standing and humanity put on full display, called out as it should be. Even if Vatican City has it's own issues- which will be JD's first attack – get ready for what aboutism coming soon!
Hmm ...
Maybe if JD gets too far out of line, Leo XIV will excommunicate his sorry ass?
too late
Pope Francis outsmarted Leonard Leo and his cabal!
Charlie we love you so much. A voice of reason, compassion, and sanity in an ever-expanding wilderness.
I am elated! As an ordained Protestant minister who is Unitarian at heart, I celebrate any voice that truly seeks the spirit of Jesus’ teachings and calls out hypocrisy.
BEST THING WRITEN YET!!!!
The Church chose Karol Józef Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II) in 1978 during tumult in the Soviet Union. He ended up helping the Soviet block to find a better way. Perhaps Pope Leo will do the same with the US causing a division of the free world.
Well ... kind of. Unfortunately Russia did not follow along.
Actually, according to Catholic teaching, this is the choice of the Holy Spirit. It is not merely a human choice. Although I am personally skeptical about such a belief, it seems far more credible than the notion that God has chosen Trump.
In perennial wisdom good cannot be recognized and valued until it comes up against evil; that man should be thankful for both as a gift to know right from wrong. Nature finds a balance, one way or another. This current spate of evil can only be driven from our lives and country by courage generated by faith, hope, and charity, so I celebrate this American Pope's election and pray for his moral stance to strengthen the hearts of Catholic believers and those outside the church to denounce the immoral and illegal acts of the current fascist regime that has promulgated and continues to pile on offenses against mankind with no regard for human suffering.
I've wondered why the Holy Spirit, not just God.
I think it has to do with the idea that different functions/operations are assigned to the three persons who constitute the one God. Although they act together as one they are also distinct. In the crudest of terms God the Father is the mind and heart of God. The Son is the eyes, ears and mouth (Word) of God. The Holy Spirit is the hands and feet interacting directly with and guiding the People of God. Of course this is all figurative and not a literal understanding.
Catholics believe int he Divine Trinity. One God existing in three beings (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). Three parts of the same. So, saying it is the choice of God is also right.
That sounds right. Still, why does an all-powerful God need to diversify like that?
In my generalized opinion, the Christian church didn't want to have gender identity involved in God--it's a spirit after all--there is no gender in heaven, just souls finding their way to full realization and encompassing of the One.
The Church wants God to be all male the father, while the Holy Spirit in Hebrew is a female tense for the "breath" of life. They wanted to hide the fact that the way to compassion, mercy, kindness, meekness, love, peace, self control, and sacrificial service are the gifts of the Spirit, that are accessed and "animated" from the feminine side of man's nature. I hope the new Pope will support our civil freedoms even if he has the church's historical outlook towards women's right to choose.
That's a perspective I've not heard. Thanks.
This is so EXCELLENT! And you are right about this being the right time, a pivotal moment. I’m praying.
May I suggest that you also add Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde to your list of moral leaders who have spoken out? She, at the time of that person's inauguration, said:
"I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families who fear for their lives.
And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in our poultry farms and meat-packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shift in hospitals – they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes, and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches, mosques and synagogues, gurdwara, and temples.
Have mercy, Mr President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. Help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here."
One problem though -- one of Trump's main goals is to have people FEAR him. Sad that her repetitive use of this particular word might have boosted his insatiable Ego and sense of omnipotent Power even more.
I have hope. ✝️
Great perspective, Charlie. The reference to John Paul II being Polish at a time when there was turmoil in Poland was a big deal back then. 1978 was a bizarre year for popes. Paul VI was pope for my entire life and was when I was confirmed that May. John Paul I was Italian like all the other popes. He only lasted 33 days, I think. Then at the next conclave the cardinals made a bold move. Today, they did the same. I would say, even as a recovering Catholic, they met the moment.
I am happy with the choice of Pope Leo XIV. Thank you Charlie and congratulations.