Prayer for Peace

O God we pray for this broken world. We pray for peace and hope to return to our troubled world. People are affected everywhere by natural disasters, conflict, wars, division, poverty and sicknesses. But this current war seems to be affecting many unfortunate countries who never expected to be involved so unexpectedly. Help us to turn to you as our source of hope and strength. Merciful Lord, we ask your Spirit to intervene and bring reconciliation, healing and peace, to all those who are affected and afflicted. Make the leaders of nations involed in this ruthless conflict to search for a civil way to agree on a much-desired truce and cessation of the use of all modern armaments, including long-range and short-range missiles as well as drones. Help us Lord, we need You close to us.

La Encarnacion

The Cathedral of La Encarnacion in Malaga, Spain is considered one of the most valuable Renaissance jewels of Andalusia. It stands within the boundaries of the now-vanished Arab wall, on the site of the original main mosque, the place where the Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand ordered the construction of a Christian temple just days after conquering the city in 1487. Its construction began in 1528 and was completed in 1782. These photos show various religious exhibits displayed during Lent and Holy Week in the cathedral, photos taken last year. Encarnacion means Incarnation. Please click on each photo to see a larger image.

  

Praying for Peace

Pope Leo XIV yesterday delivered a heart-felt message from the balcony at the Vatican. His message is for the entire world to pause and reflect on the damage being done with the terrible fighting and bombardment going on in the Middle East.  The pontiff warned that continued violence risks plunging the Middle East into an 'irreparable abyss'. He urged leaders, including US President Donald Trump, to abandon threats and arms in favour of diplomacy and dialogue. Pope Leo XIV emphasised that true stability stems from sincere negotiation, not military force. He called on the international community to assume its moral responsibility to prevent further bloodshed and promote peaceful coexistence.

Transfiguration

Raphael's depiction of 'Transfiguration.'

The Gospel reading on this second Sunday of Lent is always the story of the Transfiguration, an event that is also celebrated on August 6th every year. We see Jesus on Mount Tabor with Moses and Elijah as his clothes become dazzlingly white and this inspires St Peter to suggest that Jesus will let him build three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Jesus hints that there is much work to be done, and rather than hanging out together on the mountain, they had to go back to continue the work still waiting for them. This also reflects on our attitude when we feel happy and relaxed – we hope it will stay like that forever. But we know that reality is much different, as there is always work for us to accomplish. Prayer is good and beneficial, but we also have to roll up our sleeves once in a while and work with others to bring peace and harmony. This masterpiece was painted in 1520 and is presently at the Pinacoteca Vaticana, at Vatican City.