CATHOLIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ISSUE 65

KNOWN BY LOVE GOD'S PLAN FOR MARY YOUR LIFE MAGDALENE'S REWARD TALKING TO FRIENDS ABOUT CHASTITY ISSUE 65 WORRIED? Please sendusyourintentions andwewillpray for youin confidence. “CALL TO MEANDIWILL ANSWERYOU”

We haveadedicated prayerteam waiting to pray for you. CONTENTS USA [email protected] CONFUSED? 22 12 10 END? 08 06 04 16 CHASTITY ABOUT FRIENDS TALKING TO JESUS MYROCK MERIN'S JOURNEY TREASURE HUNT WHERE DOESGOD'SMERCY GOD'S PLANFOR YOUR LIFE KNOWN BYLOVE PROBLEMS? CLAVER ST PETER 14

20 REWARD MAGDALENE'S MARY STRESSED? MOTHER!" "IT'S YOUR THERE?" "WHO'S KNOCK! KNOCK! Pray for ourReaders 18 Mother Mary, Rev. Fr. Shyju Naduvathaniyil Rev. Fr. SojiOlikkal Rev. Fr. Xavier KhanVattayil EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Visitator to New Zealand Syro-Malabar DioceseofAustralia &Apostolic Bishop Bosco Puthur Birmingham, UK BishopoftheArchdioceseAuxiliary of Bishop Robert Byrne Syro-Malabar DioceseofGreat Britain, UK Bishop JosephSrampickal Diocese ofWaterford &Lismore, Ireland Bishop AlphonsusCullinan Diocese ofPalghat, India Bishop Manathodath BishopofBrooklyn,Auxiliary USA Bishop JamesMassa BishopofSyroAuxiliary MalabarChicago, USA Bishop Joy Alappat Archbishop ofHobart,Australia Archbishop JulianPorteous DD PATRONS www.nanmabranding.com DESIGN &LAYOUT : www.kingdomrevelatorusa.org PLEASE VISITUSAT: TECHNY, IL 60082-0022 P.O Box 22, KINGDOM REVELATOR USA OUR MAILINGADDRESS: [email protected] BILLING: [email protected] FOR ALLINQUIRIES: E-mail usat : contact uswithfeedback please please), submitadrawing orpoemjust to upcoming issue(maximum 800words testimony, write anoriginalarticle foran If you would like to sendusyour personal been possible. production ofthismagazine would nothave toGlory God.WithoutHisdivinehelpthe The Editorial Board wishto give allthe in prisons,campuses and schools. www.kingdomrevelatorusa.org many soulsthroughKRmission SUPPORT US To donate, pleasevisitusat Please helpusintouching [email protected]

How do Christians Editorial This month is dedicated to the Holy make Sunday Rosary. We are once again reminded about the importance of intercession. When pleaded for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, God "The Lord’s day?" promised to spare the people of those cities from destruction if at least ten good people were found to be living there. When pleaded with the Lord on Mount Sinai for the people, 365: A Catholic Christian the Lord changed His mind about the attends Holy Mass on Sunday or disaster He was going to bring on the on the vigil of Sunday. On that Israelites. He is a merciful Father who day he refrains from all work does not intend anything bad for His that would prevent him from children. Through the intercession of worshipping God or disturb Mary our Mother and the , God the festive, joyful, restful, and answers the prayers of His beloved restorative character of the day. children. [CCC- 2177-2186 - 2192-2193] The Holy Father has asked Christians all over the world to pray that "the Since Sunday is an Easter celebration that occurs breath of the Holy Spirit engenders each week, Christians from the earliest times have a new missionary 'springtime' in the gathered together on that day to celebrate and Church. "The feasts of some of the thank their Redeemer and to reunite themselves most popular saints, such as St Therese with Him and with others who are redeemed. So the Little Flower, St , St it is a central duty of every conscientious Catholic Teresa of Avila are celebrated during Christian to “keep holy” Sunday and the other this month. These saints are a source holy days of the Church. One is exempted from of encouragement to all Christians, it only by urgent family duties and important and great models to be imitated. In responsibilities in society. Because participation this issue, we have a beautiful vocation in the Sunday Eucharist is fundamental to story and life changing testimonies Christian life, the Church explicitly declares that which propels us towards the kindness it is a serious sin to stay away from Sunday Mass of our loving God. without good reason. It’s a month to be holy. Perhaps each “Without Sunday we cannot live”; The Christian one of us can pick one virtue that each MARTYRS OF ABITENE, said before they were of these saints practiced well and try executed in 304 by Emperor Diocletian because to implement it in our lives. they had opposed his ban on the celebration of Sunday. www.ignatiuspress.com

Kingdom Revelator | 3 Vocation

n the depths of our hearts each of was kidding. The truth is, growing up, Ius desires to be known and loved, I never imagined myself as a religious to be cherished and delighted in. The Sister, let alone a Sister in New York Sr Jordan Rose, SV, undeniable fact is, we are. It was my City! Raised in Idaho, I had never encounter with this truth that revealed seen a young Sister, nor had I truly is a Sister of Life my deepest desires, illuminated the prayed about the possibility of the who currently lives way my heart was made to love, and Lord inviting me to be totally His, in in Toronto, Canada. completely changed the course of my a life of consecration. From a young She shares how her life. age, I had envisioned myself as a wife trip to World Youth Recently, I was reminded of how and mother, and felt called to love Day in Madrid led radically different my life had become the little and weak ones in society, her to discover a when asked the question, “Did you, and I eventually became a teacher. bigger, better and um… were you, um… what were you My prayers regarding my future before you were a Sister?” I smiled could easily be summarized into one more beautiful plan sentence: “I’ve got this all figured out!” for her life. and responded teasingly, “I was born a Sister.” The young woman was The horizons of His plan for my life shocked, and then smiled as she saw I and love – bigger, better, and more beautiful than anything

Kingdom Revelator | 4 of my own design - opened was the story of a young woman closer to Jesus. I learned she was a before me at World Youth Day. who had a brother with a disease Sister of Life. It was then that I was Coming from a small, Catholic that weakens his body, much like introduced to the Charism of Life community back home, I was one of my own sisters, Gabbie. at the heartbeat of her community, shocked when we arrived in She spoke of how their family and I was captivated. My heart Madrid to see vast crowds of had travelled to Lourdes, France, resonated deeply with the way young Catholics, , and seeking a physical healing, but the Sisters were called to love: the religious. My thoughts? “I can’t returned spiritually strengthened most vulnerable, the unborn, the believe you exist!” instead. We had done just the wounded and the weak. same only a year earlier with At the beginning of our time in Through continued discernment my sister. When I read that Spain, while touring a museum and prayer, I began what I can only this woman felt the Lord was in Madrid, my friends and I describe as falling in love with speaking directly to her at World encountered something more Love Himself. A lasting peace and Youth Day, I exclaimed, “Is this fascinating than any of the joy rising in my heart, the Lord Sister reading my journal?!” I artwork we’d seen: a Sister. showed me how this new desire to reached the end of the story and Saying, “Hello,” we told her our be consecrated to Him as a Sister read who the Sister was. Almost names. Smiling from ear to ear, wasn’t erasing my desire to be a she said she would be praying mother; to love the littlest, the for each of us, that Jesus would weakest. Instead, He revealed how speak to us in a profound way Through at the core of my original desire was during World Youth Day. I continued an even deeper desire to give my walked away simply thinking, whole life in love, though in a way I “How cute!” discernment could never have dreamed of! Days later, standing in a plaza and prayer, I’m now in my sixth year as a Sister of thousands of people, I heard I began what of Life, and grateful to the Lord something that made my heart I can only for leading me to a life of true stop: my name. Turning around, fulfillment and deep-rooted joy! He I saw the Sister we had met at describe as is faithful! His words to my heart the museum! She had seen my falling in love of being known and loved are the friends and asked, “Where’s same words He is singing over you. Jordan?” She remembered my with Love He knows you and loves you more name, but when I heard Sister Himself. than you can ever imagine. speak it, it wasn’t her voice that resounded in my heart… it was the Lord’s. Looking back, I see reflexively, I threw the book The Sisters of Life are Catholic religious how the Lord was seeking me, across the room. It was the story Sisters who are committed to the and when He found me, He of the same sister - the only sister truth that every human person is called me by name. - I met at the museum, and in the deeply good, unique, valuable, and unrepeatable. These Sisters serve The pilgrimage continued, and crowded plaza. In that moment I received the grace to know, women who are pregnant and I quickly forgot this second vulnerable to abortion, giving them encounter. It was months without a shadow of a doubt, that God had a plan for my support to be able to choose life for later, back home in the U.S, themselves and their children; they that I would hear that same life, and He knew me. He knew every detail of my life. He knew host weekend retreats for women voice in my heart and have the and men; they help women who have grace to respond. Sitting on everything and everyone that mattered to me. suffered after abortion to experience the floor of my room, I came Jesus’ healing mercy; they also travel across a booklet I picked up in This new-found awareness the country speaking on the beauty of Madrid. I was about to throw of being so truly known and human life and love. They were founded it away, when I paused to loved, propelled my heart into in 1991 in New York by Cardinal John glance through it. Inside was the depths of an authentic O’Connor, and take a fourth vow to something I’d never heard of: a relationship with the Lord. Later, protect and enhance the sacredness of “Vocation Story.” I would eventually reach out to human life. With each word I read, my jaw the Sister I had met to thank www.sistersoflife.org dropped lower and lower. It her for her role in leading me

Kingdom Revelator | 5 Holiness

Alex Heath, the Advisor re you ready to hear an amazing Biblical truth? You for Adult Faith Formation, Amay have heard it before, but ask yourself if you Catechetics and Chaplaincy have really taken it in? I invite you to be astonished by its truth, beauty and power. If you can memorise it, keep in the Northampton it in your heart and mind, and go back to it over the Diocese in the UK, invites coming days: “Before the world was made, he chose us, the readers to know what chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live God's plan is and how we through love in his presence.” (Ephesians 1:4) should be like Him.

Kingdom Revelator | 6 Before the World was the entire assembly of Israel and standard compared to Christian say to them: ‘Be holy because teachings. After reflecting on the made, He Chose You I, the Lord your God, am holy’” conversation, I had to go back In our everyday life, the more (Leviticus 19:1-2). Here we see and add something that I had important something is, the that the entire people were called neglected to say: ‘When we are more we plan for it in advance. A to holiness. So, we shouldn’t making a decision, we should career we are preparing for may think that holiness isn’t for us. ask ourselves: Will this course require years of study. A holiday No, each one of us is personally of action lead me closer to the or pilgrimage can mean saving up called to a holy life. The Second holiness that God desires for me for many months or even years. Vatican Council of the Catholic or further away?’ I realised that Important plans usually require Church emphasised this in what is deep down, I desired holiness foreknowledge and preparation. referred to as the Universal Call to for my child. If I, as an imperfect It’s amazing then to realise that Holiness. Holiness is emphasised human father, desire this for each of us was chosen before in the New Testament as well. my child, then how much more the world was made, chosen For example, “but just as he who must our perfect heavenly Father according to the foreknowledge called you is holy, so be holy desire holiness for His beloved of God the Father, chosen to be in all you do; for it is written: children? holy. This shows how important ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” Allowing God to Work holiness is to the Lord. (1 Peter 1:15-16). Holiness is not something we God chose you before time itself A Father’s Story are supposed to attain by our began and has planned your life Recently one of my older children own efforts; that would be in love. His plan is that you should and I were discussing some impossible! Instead we should be like Him and live through love contemporary moral issues. trust in God’s grace and allow in His presence. He called you We explored the challenges of Him to work in us. For He not according to His purpose and trying to decide what is right only calls us but justifies us and chose you especially long ago to and wrong when modern media enables us to share in His glory become a true image of His Son. and contemporary culture (Romans 8:28-30). Therefore, (Romans 8:28-30) often seem to have a different we give “glory to him whose The Biblical Call to power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask Holiness or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20). Holiness is a powerful theme God’s Spirit is sanctifying us day throughout the Bible. We see by day, but we have to say ‘yes’ God’s call to His chosen people to this. We have to co-operate in the Old Testament: “I am the Before the and yield to Him if we want to Lord, who brought you up out of world was see the fruits of holiness grow Egypt to be your God; therefore, in our lives. We do this by being be holy, because I am holy” made, he chose faithful to prayer, Bible reading, (Leviticus 11:45). By His death us, chose us serving others and celebrating and resurrection, Jesus has saved in Christ, to the Sacraments (especially us from the slavery of sin and Reconciliation and the Eucharist). death; He saved us so that we be holy and Monthly confession is a really can share in His holiness. In the spotless, and good practice to help us grow in Old Testament we also see the holiness. Lord saying to Moses, “Speak to to live through So, God’s plan for your life... love in his is holiness! It will be expressed presence. in different ways in our lives depending on our particular (Ephesians 1:4) vocation. There are so many ways to be holy; we see that in the wonderful variety of Saints. With them we share the great dignity of being chosen and called by our holy God.

Kingdom Revelator | 7 God’s Love

We obtain salvation by confessing with our mouth and believing in our heart; “For one believes with the heart and so is justified and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved” (Romans 10:10). This means that for faith to rise, we have to believe in our hearts and confess with our lips. Scripture says; “Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). This also implies that where there is less confession of the Word of God, there will be a Anney Ngugi, from God So faith crisis which affects our ability Ireland, explains Loved Us to trust God. His desire for us is how God desires to to be transformed everyday as we have us in heaven Jesus is the treasure journey in faith, yearning to dwell of Heaven and with Him forever. with Him one day. This is how the beloved Son of salvation becomes a journey and God our Father. He not an event; the road upon which came to start off the we become what journey of salvation for the desired - “that He must increase; I people created in the image must decrease” (John 3:30). and likeness of God. The Bible states: “For all have sinned He Sent His Son to Die and fallen short of the Glory of What Jesus did on the cross has God” (Romans 3:23). It is for everything to do with this reason that God seeks to God’s love and mercy, redeem His own people and for we did not does only what unconditional deserve it; love and unfathomable mercy can do – “gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him does not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This scripture verse reveals the infinite love which moved Jesus to die on the cross, so that we may believe in Him and thus be ushered towards eternal life.

Kingdom Revelator | 8 instead He chose to offer Worthy Lamb of God through him” (Colossians 1:16). Himself as a ransom for us. While His kingship is a sign of When we read the Old While on earth, we see Jesus authority and power, we now Testament, we see the carrying the cross and dying like a know that His power has no Israelites offering animal criminal on Calvary. His death on timeframe because “He is the sacrifices to God as the cross becomes a gateway that Alpha and Omega” (Revelations atonement for ushers us to His heavenly dwelling 1:8). sins. where He is exalted to sit on the throne at the right hand of the Application Father and crowned as the King of The Lord is a promise keeper. Kings forever more. As Jesus sat At different times in our lives, on the throne, a new song is sung, He brings to fulfilment what “Worthy is the Lamb of God He has already spoken in His who with His blood purchased Word. There might not be a for God a people of every king Nebuchadnezzar in your n a ti o n , t r i b e a n d t o n g u e ” life to test your loyalty and Mercy reigns from (Revelations 5:9). reverence to God, but there will Whereas sin had be other factors that try to rob the Cross of Calvary separated us from you of your worship and praise upon all and for God, the blood of to God. Do not allow yourself Jesus cleanses, to be deceived by what you see all. Once Jesus purifies and or feel, but always remember accomplished His unites people ‘worthy is the Lamb who died of every for us.’ What nothing else could purpose, He changed nation, colour do, He gave His life so that the course of our and creed, we could be restored to our to become original state of righteousness. destiny forever. the children Even as He sits on the throne of God. Since He doesn’t stop, but continues all of heaven’s to intercede for us. worship is echoing “Worthy is the Since it was mercy that Lamb”, every compelled God to send His creature on earth has no Son to die for us sinners, in His other option than to cry out, “To mercy, Jesus paid a debt which the one who sits on the throne He did not owe. It was we who and to the Lamb be blessing and owed the debt; one that we When could never pay. With open Jesus honour, glory and might, forever and ever” (Revelations 5:13). arms He forgives us each time died, however, we sin against Him; every time He changed the order The Lord Is King and He we fall He’s ready to lift us up. of things. Scripture says; “For Reigns Forever His Love and Mercy is what by one offering, He has made The reign of Jesus did not start draws us to Him. The more we perfect forever those who are experience this, the more we being consecrated” (Hebrews when He sat on the Throne of Glory, but before time began, are transformed to be like Him. 10:14). This is how mercy reigns His Love sanctifies us. “Beloved, from the Cross of Calvary upon because He is the Word of God. The Gospel of John (1:1-2) says; we are now children of God, all and for all, a sacrifice that and what we will be has not yet no other could offer in “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, been revealed. We know that this way. The blood of Jesus is when Christ appears, we will be so precious that no monetary and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” This like Him, for we will see Him as value could account for it. Once He is” (1 John 3:2). Thus, God Jesus accomplished His purpose, is a reminder that, “In him were created all things in heaven will restore all humanity back to He changed the course of our Himself where we all belong. destiny forever. and on earth, the visible and invisible… all things were created

Kingdom Revelator | 9 Testimony

Joyal , a medical student from Bulgaria, sheds light on a unique treasure hunt that changed his life.

his testimony is from an whole idea. First of all, I had never the revelations they had received; Tincident that happened 7 years done anything like this before they were describing details ago, but I remember it as clear as and never even had the faith to of people with problems that today because what I experienced believe that I could receive any needed healing, what they were changed my life forever. My revelation from Jesus. The group wearing, where they would be friend from the Church youth sang worship songs, prayed and located, etc. I must confess that group had mentioned about a then the room'' went entirely I was so overcome with ‘holy’ treasure hunt and that it would quiet. Some scribbled what they jealousy that I asked the Lord, be an evangelization outreach on “God why don’t you speak to me the streets of Bristol. So, I turned the way you speak to these kids?” up thinking it will be the usual Later we went out onto the thing - standing on the streets and streets and very quickly everyone, handing out prayer leaflets. except me found their divine We met in a room at the back appointments. I must have been of a Cathedral. A couple of Lord Jesus there for at least an hour and was priests were present with their on the verge of giving up, but to teen youth groups. First the is alive, my very pleasant surprise I finally leader explained what treasure saw the lady with the white dog. hunting was. Treasure hunting and He I managed to speak to her but, is in essence, a form of personal unfortunately, she didn’t want to evangelization in which you speaks! receive any prayer. search for ‘God’s treasures’, Whatever the results, one thing which are of course, people I knew - God spoke to me! And who are away from God; it can seemed to have received while that’s all that mattered to me. also be defined as Holy Spirit I sat there thinking, ‘Jesus if this In fact, this experience set me evangelization. Typically, people '' is real, please would you speak on a long journey of learning to ask Jesus for revelatory clues to to me?’. Then, spontaneously, in hear the voice of God. The Bible identify His treasures and after my mind I saw a picture of an old mentions the Lord as the ‘Living receiving revelations from the lady with a tiny white dog on a God’ and, unlike the Gods that are Holy Spirit, they search out those leash. I decided to scribble this mentioned in other religions, our people on the streets. Often they down as this thought came out of Lord Jesus is alive, and He speaks! are able to share the love of God, nowhere, or perhaps because this I pray that this testimony will urge share the Gospel and even offer was the only one I received. you to be like a child before the to pray with or for them. Lord and learn to listen to His I was stunned when the other I was overwhelmed with this voice as He speaks to you daily. teenagers started sharing about

Kingdom Revelator | 10 Kingdom Revelator | 11 Testimony

that I had everything under control. My friends in High school would urge me to get help, but I was afraid because for years I had put on a persona of being a tough individual. I thought that asking for help was a sign of weakness. If I told my parents how I felt about myself, they would just say, “It’s all in your head!” But that was the problem; it was all in my head and no one could see it. For years I had kept these thoughts in my head and they grew and manipulated my mind as the years went on. I always felt like no one cared about me because I was of no use. So, without having any purpose, I concluded that I was obviously good for nothing. I would tell myself to hide in the background and not come forward. I forced myself to be this shy, quiet person which I wasn’t. While people these days write positive affirmations to increase their confidence daily, I used to write negative affirmations of myself until they became imprinted on my mind. Therefore, I had developed this mindset that I was not going to succeed in or many years of my life I anything, so I should just give up. Fwas my biggest enemy. Ever The voice in my head was always since I could remember, I hated telling me that I am of no use, so I myself. I found no self-worth and should just keep quiet and blend in couldn’t think of even one thing with the crowd. This was my first about myself that I liked. I used response every time I was faced to always blame God for giving with a new challenge or activity, so I me the life I had. I would stand never pushed myself to do anything, Merin Abraham, from in front of a mirror and point out losing my entire childhood to the Australia, testifies everything I hated about myself. toxicity of my mind. I was trapped about her turning- Dwelling in this self-hatred was by my own mind, because Satan had around moment part of my daily routine. For control over it. towards God and 16-17 years of my life I lived in Once, I was going to try something realizing the presence this mindset, convincing myself new when my dad said, “Why and power of our living that this was normal. Everyone are you even bothering? You has insecurities, but no one told are probably going to give it up God and the Holy Spirit me that this daily mental torture in her life. anyway!” He was right, I would was abnormal. I was so good have just given up like every other at putting a smile on my face, time. This was not my dad trying to pretending to be happy, and push me down, but it was a deep giving everyone the impression hurt from not knowing how to deal

Kingdom Revelator | 12 with my mentality. My mum no other means to escape used to tell me every day my mindset. 43:4 says that I need to stop thinking “you are precious in my sight, like this and beating myself and honored, and I love you.” up, but I could not, because Hence, in reality, God loves my mind was telling me me the perfect way that He otherwise. I used to get created me. I chose to ignore angry all the time, especially God all my life because Satan towards my parents because told me that I was not good I had no control over my enough the way I was. mind. This mental battle was After I took a step towards an everyday norm for me. God and surrendered A couple of years ago I everything to Him, I had my went to a retreat led by ‘Prodigal Son’ moment. God Fr Soji Olikkal (Director of came running to me and my Sehion Ministries, UK) and mind was set free and filled his team. The team stayed with peace. I could finally at my house. I attended think straight and know what the retreat like every other it is like to be happy with life retreat, that I had attended It was all in because I decided to give my before. I was afraid of what mind back to the care of God everyone would think if I my head and and the Holy Spirit, where didn’t go? On the last day it should have been in the of the retreat my friends no one could first place. Now, my entire encouraged me to go and mindset has changed. The pray with one of the lay sixteen or so years of damage, ministers. I thought I would see it. hurt and pain all vanished. give it a try because, I had Afterwards, I used to think, nothing to lose. During the why did God desert me like prayer he said to me, “Why that and let me be in pain? are you pretending to be I realized however, that was happy in front of everyone?” my cross to carry, it was my I was shocked to say the lesson to learn. If not for my least! He barely knew me or past, I would not have learnt my family. Moreover, I was and loved the presence of the so good at pretending to thought, “Aw Father, you probably say living God or understood the be happy that there was no that to everyone”, but I truly felt it was power of the Holy Spirit. I was way he could have figured for me, that God was speaking directly a vessel for God’s glory. All I it out. He then proceeded to me. It really hit me and I realized had to do was to accept God to reveal many things about that I am part of God’s plan, and that and surrender everything to me, while I kept trying to He loves me whether I accept myself Him. That's all it takes, to love figure out how he knew all or not. God with all our heart and to this. Of course, the only Psalm 139:13-14 states, “For it was accept all His plans, because answer was the Holy Spirit. you who formed my inward parts, He makes no mistakes. When The Holy Spirit was revealing you knit me together in my mother’s the Holy Spirit is with us, we all this because God knew womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully are unstoppable, and we can I needed help. If I had kept and wonderfully made.” I was not a achieve anything. We will be following my destructive mistake. I am part of His wonderful given blessings we cannot ways, I do not know where I plan; I am like no other and I should even dream of. Simply believe would have ended up. Then stop trying to be the person that I in His power and everything before leaving, Fr Soji kept was not created to be. I decided to else will fall into place! saying “You are filled with give my Lord a chance because I had the grace of God”. Initially I

Kingdom Revelator | 13 Chastity

Katie Hartfield, from USA, explains how we can talk to our friends about chastity without losing them. am often approached by As Jason Evert says, “The world 4. Ask the Holy Spirit to Iyoung people who begin our doesn’t glorify sex; It fails to see guide you. conversation with the phrase, “So its glory.” In its proper context I have this friend…” Many people and at the right time, God wants This is the real secret weapon want to reach out to others but us to say yes to sex. Know it, to all difficult dialogue in life. are afraid of being labelled as believe it, and live it. Only God knows when someone ‘judgy’ or a ‘shamer.’ We want is in the mode to receive your to be nice, helpful and convicted 2. Know your personal message. If your friend is angry, as Catholics - and sometimes it’s testimony of purity. having a bad day or over-tired, confusing to figure out how all “Always be ready to give an they might not respond well. those can fit together. explanation to anyone who asks On the other hand, in different you for a reason for your hope” circumstances, you could say Being a doesn’t mean the exact same thing and have telling others how to live their (1 Peter 3:15). How and why has God called you to practice the very different results. If grace is lives; being a disciple means flowing and the Spirit is moving, walking with others on our virtue of chastity? Be prepared to share this witness. big things can happen. “But the shared journey to Heaven. Our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom love should permeate the joyful 3. Words are important, but the Father will send in my name, conversations as well as the actions set the stage. will teach you everything” difficult ones. Show your friends your extreme (John 14:26). Don’t force So how do we do this? Here are love through service and conversations. Pray hard, and some tips to get you started on sacrifice. This way, when you tell often the Holy Spirit will open these tough topics: them you are speaking out of doors for tough discussions and then tell you when the doors are 1. Pray for healing for your love, they know it’s true because they’ve experienced it first. open. When this happens: game own understanding of on. He will give you the words, if sexuality.

Kingdom Revelator | 14 you let Him. God’s teaching on sexuality is 5. Have a disposition of all about love - even when it’s Being a hard. His teaching on friendship love before you even start is all about love - even when it the conversation. disciple means is hard. Real friends love each Your friend will likely want other enough to speak the to defend their actions and walking with truth. If you saw a group of blind may feel judged. Make it your people about to walk off a cliff goal to be a witness of love. others on our you wouldn’t hesitate to shout a Be sure every word that flows warning. It wouldn’t be because out of your mouth points to you thought you were better compassion. shared journey than them, but because you had a heart! 6. Know your stuff. Look to Heaven. for resources on whatever The Lord chose you for your topic you are addressing. friends, not as a critic but as a witness. He wants to use you to Whether it is impure 7. If you find yourself love them right where they are relationships, pornography, stumped, it’s ok to say, “I’m and also to draw them closer to modesty, homosexuality, not sure, but I will find the Him. If you ask Him to help you transgenderism, birth control or answer for you.” love them like He does, expect starting over, check out some Him to answer. solid truths on why we believe You don’t have to know everything, This article first appeared on what we believe. but you can point others in a direction to find out more. www.womaninlove.org PLACES FROM THE BIBLE

he name Edom is considered the rule of the Babylonians Tto be derived from Esau who ( 27: 3-6). had red hair all over the body Edom was condemned by the like a mantle (Genesis 25:25, prophets, especially . The 25:30). Edomites are considered EDOM destruction of the country was to be the descendants of Esau By Stacey Illickal, USA foretold by him. Edom ceased to (Genesis 36:9). exist as a country about 2000 years Like the fraternal twins Esau ago under the rule of the Roman and Jacob, the sons of Issac and Empire. Rebekah, Israelites and Edomites Located between the Dead Sea engaged in constant fight and the Gulf of Aqaba was the (Genesis Chapters 25-36). Edomites ancient land of Edom. It is currently even stopped the Israelites from the part of modern Jordan. Its passing through their land even ideal location on the trade route on their way to the Promised Land of that time and its copper mines (Numbers 20:14-21). Aaron died on helped it to flourish. The Book Mount Hor, near the Edom border. of Genesis chapter 36 gives an was the first Israelite king to account on Edom and the formation conquer Edom, but the Edomites of Edomites. One of the famous revolted during the reign of King cities of Edom was Petra, which is Joram. Years later Edom was currently a tourist destination in conquered by Amaziah, and the Jordan known as Rose Red city of country regained its independence Jordan. It has many buildings carved in the days of Ahaz. Later in the into its rocky mountain. 6th century Edom came under

Kingdom Revelator | 15 with interpreters with his gifts as well as to care for the distraught and terrified captives. Claver would enter the holds of the ships and would not leave until every person received a measure of care. He also went into plantations, which employed slaves, to cater to their physical and spiritual needs. During those visits, he did not accept the hospitality of the plantation owners, instead stayed in the slave quarters. He would encourage the slave owners to give humane treatment to their captives. Peter gave short instruction in the Catholic faith and baptized as many as he could. He managed to baptize more than 300,000 slaves by 1651. It is said that Claver lost his senses of taste and smell due to his long years of breathing obnoxious odors. He called himself the slave of the slaves. He also labored among the Spanish Twelve-year-old, slave traders, attempting to Mariya He managed to convert them from their evil Kunnengode, ways. In the later years of his baptize more than life, he was too sick to leave his from USA, shares room. The ex-slave who was the life of 300,000 hired to care for him treated St . slaves by 1651. him cruelly, not feeding him for many days, and never bathing eter Claver was born in him. Claver never complained. PSpain in the late 1500’s to He was convinced that he Ana Corberóand Pedro Clavery America as minister to the millions of deserved this treatment. Claver Minguella. His family was slaves to. wrote these words in the prosperous although not much In 1610, he arrived in Cartagena, notebook he kept throughout is known about his early life. Columbia, where thousands of his life: "I must dedicate myself He studied at the Jesuit College African slaves were sold every to the service of God until in Barcelona and entered the month. He was ordained in 1616 as death, on the understanding seminary in A.D 1602. When a priest and never returned home that I am like a slave." he was studying in Majorca, he to see his family and friends. For St Peter Claver died in the was influenced by Alphonsus the next thirty-eight years of his life, September of 1654. He Rodriguez, the saintly doorkeeper he met every slave ship he possibly was canonized in 1888 by of the college, who later became could. Peter first begged for fruits, Leo XIII. His feast day is a saint himself. He encouraged biscuits, or sweets to be taken to September 9th. young Peter to go to the South the slaves. He then went on board

Kingdom Revelator | 16 cross Word Across: 2. Dove 5. Mark 6. Mercy 9. Nazareth 11. Synoptic 13. Godspell 14. Andrew 16. Fourteen Answers Down: 1. God 3. Emmanuel 4. Forty 7. Zebedee 8. Three 10. Abraham 12. Capernaum 15. Four

Kingdom Revelator | 17 Reflection

The Gospel then says that the and He spoke to her. At first, she disciples returned home, but didn't recognize Him in her pain Mary remained at the tomb and because she was in such grief wept. The disciples were certainly and was enveloped in so much worried that they did not know darkness, but He opened her eyes where their Lord was, but they did with His love and called her by not remain at the tomb. name. Simona Nováková, from could not return We, too, may find ourselves in Slovakia, reflects on when home; she stayed at the tomb. a situation where we long to we experience difficulties, Her heart was completely broken see Jesus. When we experience do we give up easily or do and she couldn't imagine what difficulties and do not see Jesus, we continue to seek the Lord she would do without her Teacher. do we give up easily? We forget until we find Him. She loved Him very much and that that we live in Him, breathe in love didn't let her leave in peace. Him, and that He lives in us. “They have taken my Lord, and I Even though the others had Sometimes the Lord allows such don’t know where they laid him.” left, she stayed there. She was moments to test us in love. Let experiencing bitter moments of us remember that whatever we (John 20: 13) darkness. She sought Jesus with experience, His Love is always Recall the event when Mary her whole heart and being, and greater than our weaknesses. Magdalene arrived at Jesus' the Lord appeared to her. “Now He will always help us and fill us tomb early in the morning after he rose early on the first day with the peace only He can give. on Sunday and saw that the of the week, he appeared first Nothing can separate us from His tomb was empty. Imagine how to Mary Magdalene, from whom Love, neither our weaknesses, nor frightened she must have been! he had cast out seven demons.” our fear or affliction, because His She immediately ran to tell the (Mark 16:9) Love is greater than anything; it is disciples, who were greatly greater than ourselves, than our alarmed and ran to the tomb. Seeking the Lord reason or understanding. His Love Jesus is happy when we seek exceeds any knowledge. Let's look at the situation; Him with all our strength, when Mary Magdalene ran to tell the our love for Him is alive and we Spread the Joy disciples what had happened and are not lukewarm. He saw how Whenever we are distressed, let probably ran back with them. desperate Mary Magdalene was, us ask Mary Magdalene to pray

Kingdom Revelator | 18 for us. Think of the reward joy, peace and a heart full of she got. When the Lord gives His Love. At first we may be us such moments, it is to give scared, hesitant, sorrowful us also a great reward. When or confused, but when we Jesus called Mary by name, find Jesus, all those negative her torment ended instantly, feelings disappear. All that and she no longer dealt with remains is what we are all the anguish she felt before. We forget called to do. Therefore, let us She saw Jesus, heard him not be afraid of such moments, and felt His closeness. All she that we because great joy accompanies could remember was the joy them. If the Lord had not given she experienced in seeing the us such moments, we would resurrected Lord. Jesus sent live in Him, have no desire for Him and we her to the apostles so that she would not know how much we would not keep that joy to breathe in need Him. herself. “Jesus said to her, “Do Him, and that Prayer: Lord, give us the not hold on to me, because strength to seek you with I have not yet ascended to our whole being. Give us the the Father. But go to my He lives in us. strength not to stay in the dark, brothers and say to them, ‘I am but to call You with confidence. ascending to my Father and Please come to us Lord, as we your Father, to my God and know that You are merciful your God.’ (John 20:17) and that Your heart is always Similarly, He will send us to inclined to us. others with courage, strength,

Kingdom Revelator | 19 Mary

Jubia George, from Cardiff, UK, shares her experience whilst visiting the Shrine of Our Lady in Knock.

hh... Our Lady of Knock! AHave you heard of this ? To be honest, I didn’t until I watched a programme on Shalom World TV about two years ago, called ‘Mary, my mother’. It is only then that I understood the reality of this apparition.

Kingdom Revelator | 20 Each episode typically features you? Have you pictured this St John was there! Why a man who calls himself the scene somewhere in the Bible some may ask. The answer is ‘miracle hunter’. He talks about before? You may have guessed simple. He wrote the book of the amazing apparitions that already, and yes, it is right out ‘Revelations’. He saw this vision have happened throughout the of the book of 'REVELATION'! right in front of him. That’s history of our . Wow! Just wow! also precisely the reason why I loved this part of the show, so he holds a book wide open If you look carefully, the Lamb I listened eagerly. This time, he in his left hand. Yet another is Jesus. Jesus is the Lamb of mentioned an apparition that I interesting point is that the God who was sacrificed for was unfamiliar with. It was ‘Our words written in that book, our sins, the ‘scapegoat’ for Lady of Knock’ in Ireland. Since when translated, means the all of humanity. He is on an Ireland is very close to the UK ‘Alpha and the Omega’. Hence, altar with a Cross behind Him. where I live, my ears perked up. he’s telling us that this ‘Lamb’ This symbolises that sacrifice. And let me tell you I was blown is the beginning and end of all Around the Lamb are angels away at how magnificent and existence. Are you blown away with their arms extended truly unique this apparition yet? I certainly am, just by was. From that day onwards I writing this! wanted to visit this shrine so Of course, the Lord would badly, and finally I did!! never disregard His mother! That wasn’t the only source She appeared too in this of information I found about apparition as the ‘Queen ‘Knock’. In fact, Jesus continued of Heaven’. I mean, have to expose me to different I could see you seen that crown? It’s videos and talks about Our awesome! Unlike her previous Lady of Knock when I least appearances, she has her arms expected them, and when I this ‘Lamb’ raised up towards heaven wasn’t even searching for such and not clasped in prayer. information. For some reason looking This shows how she too gives Jesus does that a lot in my life. honour to her Son and to the wonder of God. Now, what makes this straight at particular apparition very Now, let’s not forget St Joseph; attractive is the fact that it is at he was some man, wasn’t heart ‘a Eucharistic apparition’. me! he? What a humble man! He ‘What is that?’ I hear you ask! stands alongside his wife, but A Eucharistic apparition isn’t a he is bowing a little towards Eucharistic miracle (when the her and his foster Son. He’s Eucharistic host turns into real acknowledging the womb flesh and blood) but it is an which held the Son of God and apparition that points to the the Lamb upon the altar, the reality of the mystery of Jesus mystery of God. towards Jesus as if to say, ‘look in the Eucharist. However, there he is, there is your God’. I'm still not over the excitement we refer to this apparition as They adore Him just as we read from having visited this shrine ‘Our Lady of Knock’ because in the book of ‘Revelation’. and I don’t think I ever will Our Lady is the central part forget just how beautiful of this apparition. She didn’t I have to tell you that when ‘Knock’ was. What can I say; come alone, like she normally I stood for Holy Mass at that Jesus is amazing! Our God is does (as she did at Fatima and very spot where this apparition truly amazing! His mother and Lourdes) but she appeared with took place, I was mesmerized. His beloved saints are the best St Joseph (her spouse), St John When I repeated with the examples we could ever ask the apostle, Jesus as the ‘Lamb congregation, “Lamb of God for. Just imagine the extent of God’ and many angels. who takes away the sins of the of God’s love for us! He wants world, have mercy on us", I Some of you, whilst looking us to experience His reality; could see this ‘Lamb’ looking at the image, may have had a otherwise He wouldn’t keep straight at me! Oh my, I can’t light bulb flash in your mind. giving His Church all these explain the feeling! Does this seem familiar to treasured apparitions. Kingdom Revelator | 21 Reflection JESUS MY ROCK Aaron Sales, from Manchester, UK, reflects on what happens when we rely on our own strength to face the problems in our lives.

Hearers and Doers build on sand. Why? Because we to do anything, but through faith think we can stop the troubles, we can do all things. We all know the story of the and worries, and problems in our Shield of Faith two houses: one built on rock, lives by our own strength. The and the other built on sand man builds on sand, not because In the letter to the Ephesians, (Matthew 7:24-27). We also seem he’s stupid, but because he thinks Paul describes to us the whole to know the obviousness of the he can stop the river. It works at armour of God. One of the things parable - if we listen to the words first, but then there is a flood and he mentions is the shield of faith of Jesus, but do nothing about his whole idea, purpose, strength, ‘with which you will be able to them, we're like the house that is comes crashing down. We must quench all the flaming arrows of built on sand. As soon as troubles build on Christ alone, putting all the evil one’ (Ephesians 6:16). come along, our foundation will our focus on Jesus. As St James In battle, a soldier can try to use be washed away, because we are says in Chapter 1:23-25, if we his sword to fight the enemies not founded on Jesus. But if we are hearers of the word and not surrounding him, but he can do hear the teachings of Christ and doers, we are like those who look nothing against the little fiery do them, we will be like the wise at themselves in a mirror and arrows coming overhead. He man who built his house on the going away, immediately forget would suffer severe burns. In rock, and no matter what troubles what they were like. But if we the same way, if we try to fight come our way, we will always become doers who act, we will be the spiritual battle with no faith stand strong. We all know this. We building our house on the rock. in Jesus, but rather in our own always think of the guy who built By our own merit we are not able clumsy defences we will surely his house on sand as pretty stupid. be defeated. Even the smallest I mean, if you had the choice of arrow would injure us. That is building a house on either rock or why it is so important to raise sand, what would you pick? If you had the choice our shields in defence, against The Truth the attacks of the devil! When of building a house on we have a strong defence, not In Luke’s Gospel we read, ‘When even the biggest attack can stand the river burst, immediately it (the either rock or sand, against us. When we have strong house) fell’. This is what most of us faith in Jesus, we begin to love do in our day-to-day lives. Instead what would you pick? Him with the most ardent love a of building our house on rock, we creature could give the Creator.

Kingdom Revelator | 22 "I do not believe in holiness without prayer, even though that prayer need not be lengthy or involve intense emotions."

GLOBAL CATHOLIC NEWS Compiled by Smitha George MY ROCK MIRACULOUS CURE CONFIRMED POPE CELEBRATES MADAGASCAR’S ‘LIVING AT KNOCK SHRINE SAINT’ Ireland: The Catholic Madagascar: Pope Francis on his visit to Church in Ireland Madagascar celebrated a former student has confirmed that of his who is now called Madagascar's a woman who was "living saint" for having changed the lives seriously ill with of thousands of poor people. Pope Francis taught Father Pedro multiple sclerosis Opeka theology in 1968 while the Pope was completing his own experienced a complete healing of all her studies for the priesthood. Over the last 30 years, an organization symptoms at Knock shrine in September founded by Opeka has built homes for 25,000 people, 100 1989. The healing defied all medical schools, six clinics and two football stadiums across the island explanation. The cure of Marion Carroll is the nation. Opeka has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. first officially recognized healing associated with Ireland’s National Marian shrine since ‘SECRET PREACHER’ OF DACHAU an apparition witnessed by 15 people there CONCENTRATION CAMP BEATIFIED in August 1879. : Blessed Fr Richard Henkes, the POPE ANNOUNCES German Pallottine priest who secretly EXTRAORDINARY MISSIONARY preached in Dachau concentration camp MONTH was beatified on September 14. Blessed Henkes, spoke out against the Nazi Vatican: During ideology and condemned the regime’s crimes against human the Angelus Prayer dignity. He was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned in the on World Mission Dachau concentration camp, where he lived in the priests’ Sunday, October barracks, did compulsory labour, and secretly studied Czech. He 22, 2017, Pope eventually became infected with typhus and died within a week, Francis publicly on February 22, 1945. announced to the whole Church his intention to designate an Extraordinary Missionary STUDENTS MIX FAITH AND ACTIVISM AT CLIMATE Month for October 2019 to celebrate the 100th CHANGE RALLY anniversary of Pope Benedict XV’s Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud. The theme for the America: A few hundred Catholic school Extraordinary Missionary Month is: “Baptized students from the Archdiocese of and sent: The Church of Christ on mission Washington took their cue, literally, from in the world”. “Celebrating this month will Pope Francis when they joined thousands help us first to rediscover the missionary of mostly young people at the climate dimension of our faith in Jesus Christ, a faith change march in Washington in September behind the banner with graciously bestowed on us in baptism. Our his words: "Hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor." The march, like dozens more that occurred around the country and filial relationship with God is not something th simply private, but always in relation to the the world on September 20 took place three days before world Church,” he said in his message. leaders planned to gather at the United Nations for a climate summit.

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