From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Unity of the Old and New Testaments   
      
   There is a profound unity between the Old and New Testaments. Both are   
   divinely inspired by one and the same Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). The Old   
   Testament prepares for the New and the New Testament fulfills the   
   Old--the two shed light on each other. The Old Testament prepared the   
   way for the coming of Jesus Christ as the redeemer of all who would be   
   saved through his sacrifice on the cross. The New Testament lies   
   hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New. That   
   is why Jesus interpreted the Old Testament Scriptures for his   
   disciples and explained how he came to fulfill what was promised and   
   foreshadowed in the Old (Luke 24:27). That is why we read the Old   
   Testament in the light of Christ’s saving death and resurrection. Do   
   you revere the word of God in the Scriptures--both old and new--and   
   see their fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ?   
      
   "Lord Jesus, may your word take deep root in my heart and transform my   
   way of thinking, discerning, and acting. May your Spirit open my ears   
   to hear and understand the word of God in the Scriptures that I may   
   revere and treasure both the Old and the New Testaments which God has   
   prepared for all who desire to enter his kingdom of righteousness,   
   peace, and joy. Help me to be a diligent student and faithful disciple   
   of your word."   
      
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   October 3rd - Sts. Ewald and Ewald, Martyrs   
      
   Today we celebrate the feasts of two saints named Ewald who also   
   happened to be brothers. According to the "History of the Church" by   
   St. Bede these brothers lived in the 7th century. One was known as   
   Black Ewald because of his dark hair, the other White Ewald because of   
   his blond hair.   
      
   Both brothers were priests and spent some time in Ireland studying   
   Scripture. While one had a greater knowledge and understanding of the   
   Scriptures they were both very fervent in their faith and desirous of   
   spreading the Word of God. When St. Willibrord first began   
   evangelizing in Friesland, the two brothers followed his example and   
   went to the Old Saxons of Westphalia.   
      
   They arrived in Germany about the year 694 and spent several days with   
   a local official. So strong and impressive was their faith, that many   
   of the pagans feared that the brothers would convert their Chief and   
   these men did not want to lose their gods and festival practices.   
      
   Heuualdi et Heualdi (translated into Anglo-Saxon as Ewald and Ewald)   
   were killed before they could make contact with the Chief. According   
   to tradition their bodies were thrown in the river but an English   
   monk, Tilmon miraculously found them (Nightly over their bodies shone   
   a bright light, visible for a long time, which revealed where they   
   were and how great was their merit) and buried them. When the Chief   
   learned of this, he was furiously angry with their murderers and   
   killed them and burned their village.   
      
   Because of their faith and courage in going to a barbarian land where   
   martyrdom was a very real possibility, the brothers are honored today   
   as martyrs and are the patrons of Westphalia.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Beware of too much speaking, for it banishes from the soul holy   
   thoughts and recollection with God.   
   -- St. Dorotheus   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   With all thy strength love him that made thee: and forsake not his   
   ministers. Honour God with all thy soul and give honour to the   
   priests, and purify thyself with thy arms. Give them their portion, as   
   it is commanded thee, of the firstfruits and of purifications: and for   
   thy negligences purify thyself with a few. Offer to the Lord the gift   
   of thy shoulders, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the   
   firstfruits of the holy things: [Sirach 7: 32-36]  DRB   
      
      
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   OUR INCONSISTENCY   
      
   Where is there to be found among you that fraternal charity which, in   
   the principles of your belief, is founded on the most sublime and   
   divine motives? Examine this a little more closely and you will see   
   whether such reproaches are well founded.   
      
   Your religion is a beautiful one, the Jews and even the pagans tell   
   us, if you do what you are commanded! Not only are you all brothers,   
   but something even more wonderful: all together, you form the same   
   Body of Jesus Christ, whose Flesh and Blood serve you every day as   
   nourishment; you are all members, one of another. It must be admitted   
   that that article of your faith is admirable indeed; it has something   
   divine about it. If you were to act in accordance with your creed, you   
   would be in a position to draw all other peoples to your religion--it   
   is so beautiful, so consoling, and has the promise of such happiness   
   in the life to come. But what makes all the peoples believe that your   
   religion is not what you say it is, is that your conduct is quite the   
   opposite to what your religion commands you.   
      
   If anyone were to question your pastors and if it were lawful for them   
   to reveal the secrets of the confessional, they would be able to show   
   that it is the quarrels, the enmities, the spirit of revenge, the   
   jealousies, the scandals, the false rumours and gossip, the lawsuits,   
   and so many other vices which horrify all those peoples whose religion   
   you say is so far removed from yours in holiness. The corruption of   
   morals, which is rife amongst you, keeps back those who are not of   
   your religion from embracing it because if you were really convinced   
   that it is good and divine, you would surely behave in a different   
   way.   
   (From Sermons from the Curè de Ars)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)