#crucified tuesday i heard?

[seasononesam]

WHICH COULD MEAN NOTHING 

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

2nd April >> Mass Readings (USA)

Easter Tuesday 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 2:36–41 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other Apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33:4–5, 18–19, 20, 22

R/ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R/ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.

R/ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.

R/ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Sequence Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim Offer your thankful praises! A Lamb the sheep redeems; Christ, who only is sinless,

Reconciles sinners to the Father. Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal. Speak, Mary, declaring What you saw, wayfaring. “The tomb of Christ, who is living, The glory of Jesus’ resurrection; bright angels attesting, The shroud and napkin resting. Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he goes before you.” Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 118:24

Alleluia, alleluia. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel John 20:11–18 I have seen the Lord, and he said these things to me.

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Readings of Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Reading 1

ACTS 2:36-41

On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other Apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 AND 22

R./ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or: R./ Alleluia.

Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. R./ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or: R./ Alleluia.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. R./ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or: R./ Alleluia.

Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you. R./ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or: R./ Alleluia.

Gospel

JN 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”  which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.

[ongole]

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Tue April 02nd, 2024 ... Tuesday in the Octave of Easter, Year B

Reading 1

__________

Acts 2:36-41

On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people,

“Let the whole house of Israel know for certain

that God has made him both Lord and Christ,

this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,

and they asked Peter and the other Apostles,

“What are we to do, my brothers?”

Peter said to them,

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you,

in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins;

and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is made to you and to your children

and to all those far off,

whomever the Lord our God will call.”

He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,

“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

Those who accepted his message were baptized,

and about three thousand persons were added that day.

Responsorial Psalm

___________________

33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22

R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Upright is the word of the LORD,

and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right;

of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Our soul waits for the LORD,

who is our help and our shield.

May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us

who have put our hope in you.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Sequence - optional

Victimae paschali laudes

__________________

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeems;

Christ, who only is sinless,

Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:

The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring

What you saw, wayfaring.

“The tomb of Christ, who is living,

The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;

bright angels attesting,

The shroud and napkin resting.

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;

to Galilee he goes before you.”

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.

Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!

Amen. Alleluia.

Alleluia

________

Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

__________

Jn 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.

And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb

and saw two angels in white sitting there,

one at the head and one at the feet

where the Body of Jesus had been.

And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “They have taken my Lord,

and I don’t know where they laid him.”

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,

but did not know it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?

Whom are you looking for?”

She thought it was the gardener and said to him,

“Sir, if you carried him away,

tell me where you laid him,

and I will take him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”

which means Teacher.

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,

for I have not yet ascended to the Father.

But go to my brothers and tell them,

‘I am going to my Father and your Father,

to my God and your God.’”

Mary went and announced to the disciples,

“I have seen the Lord,”

and then reported what he had told her.

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

The first appearance of the risen Jesus, in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, is not in any of the four gospels. Jesus is pictured as appearing to Mary His mother. A person praying through the Exercises is invited to imagine this intimate “mother/Son” embrace. She, who had been told to “Behold your Son” now completes that invitation not merely to behold her son, but hold Him as He holds her in some glorious, (too-much for words) more-than word meeting. How tender!

In today’s gospel from John, Jesus is presented as appearing to an other Mary who holds on to Jesus after firstly had thought him to be a “gardener”. Jesus had been buried in some kind of tomb near some kind of garden.

I suggest we might turn to the third chapter of Genesis where we can read about the Lord walking in His garden calling out to Adam and Eve. They were afraid and ashamed and so were hiding. The Lord has a bit of a conversation with them and with each individually as well. They were to be punished resulting in future human sufferings. The Lord banishes them from the garden to face the results of their disobediance.

We pray today with the Divine Gardener Who has embraced His Humanity and in His Resurrection, divinely embraces our humanity in His new garden. He talks to this woman with her arms around Jesus’ feet. He doesn’t banish her, but missions, sends, invites, her, Mary, to be the first announcer of the Good News. Intimacy here, is temporary, real and as with all experiences of intimacy, shared to be re-shared. In the text, Mary does not resist or ask questions about anything. She is missioned to share with His companions who, like Adam and Eve, were hiding out of fear and shame. Intimacy is meant to be fruitful.

The Gardener sends Mary to His (com-pan-ions) each day of His Eucharistic embrace of our Humanity. As with His meeting His mother and this first-sent woman, we shared the “Bread”, the Latin word is (panish) so companions are those who “bread-with). This Bread, this intimacy is meant to be sent within us and then outside of us.

The Gardener is raised so that we are no longer “banished” to “labor”, but are “sent” to the “mission” of tending His garden through His constant tending to us in our human, but sacred selves.

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saint Francis of Paola

(March 27, 1416 – April 2, 1507)

Saint Francis of Paola’s Story

Francis of Paola was a man who deeply loved contemplative solitude and wished only to be the “least in the household of God.” Yet, when the Church called him to active service in the world, he became a miracle-worker and influenced the course of nations.

After accompanying his parents on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, he began to live as a contemplative hermit in a remote cave near Paola, on Italy’s southern seacoast. Before he was 20, he received the first followers who had come to imitate his way of life. Seventeen years later, when his disciples had grown in number, Francis established a Rule for his austere community and sought Church approval. This was the founding of the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi, who were approved by the Holy See in 1474.

In 1492, Francis changed the name of his community to “Minims” because he wanted them to be known as the least (minimi) in the household of God. Humility was to be the hallmark of the brothers as it had been in Francis’s personal life. Besides the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Francis enjoined upon his followers the fourth obligation of a perpetual Lenten fast. He felt that heroic mortification was necessary as a means for spiritual growth.

It was Francis’s desire to be a contemplative hermit, yet he believed that God was calling him to the apostolic life. He began to use the gifts he had received, such as the gifts of miracles and prophecy, to minister to the people of God. A defender of the poor and oppressed, Francis incurred the wrath of King Ferdinand of Naples for the admonitions he directed toward the king and his sons.

Following the request of Pope Sixtus IV, Francis traveled to Paris to help Louis XI of France prepare for his death. While ministering to the king, Francis was able to influence the course of national politics. He helped to restore peace between France and Brittany by advising a marriage between the ruling families, and between France and Spain by persuading Louis XI to return some disputed land.

Francis died while at the French court.

Reflection

__________

The life of Francis of Paola speaks plainly to an overactive world. He was a contemplative man called to active ministry and must have felt keenly the tension between prayer and service. Yet, in Francis’s life it was a productive tension, for he clearly utilized the fruits of contemplation in his ministry, which came to involve the workings of nations. He responded so readily and so well to the call of the Church from a solid foundation in prayer and mortification. When he went out to the world, it was not he who worked but Christ working through him—“the least in the household of God.”

Saint Francis of Paola is a Patron Saint of:

Sailors

***

【Build your Faith in Christ Jesus on #dailyscripturereadingsgroup 📚: +256 751 540 524 .. Whatsapp】

[evan-writes]

Idyll

This time the Holy week started out really well, by meeting you. And surely, I was quite gloomy after I reached back wondering whether there’d be a meetup really soon. Monday went on somehow. But I prayed and hoped to see you soon. And it happened as I prayed!

It was a Tuesday, If I’m not wrong, it was 4th of April- when I randomly thought of you while walking for the pastoral council’s Holy Mass. And I happened to see you on my way to church. The Benelli Bullet crossed my way, finally. But I didn’t want to see you getting trapped between those two vehicles. Wednesday was another day that I didn’t want to exist, because last year, you were here and I had my energy to do anything. The way of the cross was even funnier than before, the cross lost its arm when it was about to reach the church. But the church missed you too, I think. I kept thinking about you when Fr. Arun was delivering the sermon after each station. Like that, Wednesday passed and Thursday came.

This Thursday started by overthinking, not anything else, but I wanted to see you, because I knew, today there was chrism mass in our parish, and you must have come. But still, somehow I studied my lessons for namesake. Suddenly, by 2.13 pm, I received your phone call asking me to come out to the road, I was wondering why and stuck for a while. I got ready and ran out, my dopamines were all at the peak when I knew you’re coming to meet me. You came with something unexpected this time; a blue cover and a wish – Happy Easter ( before Jesus was even crucified). I was soooooo very happy and never ever expected this in my whole life. I watched you leave back as you gave the gift and left. I ran with all my energy to see what was inside. A navy blue sleeveless frock that looked so cute. I loved it, the unexpected gift. Adoration was Beautiful many appreciated me, as I sang our favorite Adoration song, you know. That is not all.

The next days were all beautiful because, I had the energy after I met you on Thursday. It lasted till Easter Sunday. I was reminded of Last Year’s Good Friday, after I heard the choir sing all the traditional songs. I missed watching you run about, all busy with work. I missed you always. This Easter was the best but I wish you were here too… I was blessed to do the Gospel reading and also sing for the 7 o clock Easter Holy mass. And like cherry to the cake- you a came home for Easter. What more can I ask for??? I have never been so happy before. I wish, everything goes like this… isn’t it?

                                                                                                                           Yours Evans.

[faniju]

Save Yourself from This Crooked Generation

Save Yourself from This Crooked Generation (Tuesday 11th April 2023. Read Acts 2:36-41, Ps. 33:4-5,18-20,22, John 20:11-18)

“Let all the house of Israel, therefore. know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:36-37)

Today’s first reading is the concluding part of Peter’s sermon on the life of Christ. Luke tells us that the audience was “cut to the heart.” The words Peter spoke became “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12).

The people asked Peter: “What are we to do?” In response to this question, Peter said: “Repent and be baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins… Save yourself from this crooked generation.” Child of God, what are those things holding you down spiritually? It is time to repent.

Our Psalmist today sings: “His merciful love fills the earth.” One great saint said: “God is never tired of forgiving us, we are the ones who get tired of asking His forgiveness.” Do you assume your sins are too much?

Consider the fact that this same Peter whose sermon converted thousands had a past. He drew a sword to cut off someone’s ear in the Garden of Gethsemane. Like Judas Iscariot, Peter offended Jesus by denying Him three times but unlike Judas, Peter asked for forgiveness.

Ask for forgiveness today. Come out of the darkness. Embrace the light. This is the only way to save yourself from our crooked generation; a generation that has turned its head upside down in terms of morality; a generation that openly worships the devil; a generation where school children supposedly underaged get involved in cultism, substance abuse, gangrape and so on.

In our Gospel passage, Mary Magdalene saw the risen Jesus but she thought he was the gardener. For a moment, she was blind to reality staring her in the face. Jesus visits us daily but we hardly recognize Him.

Recall the words of the sixth station of the Cross – “Can you be brave enough to wipe my face? ‘Where is your face?’ you may ask me, and I will answer: ‘In the streets, traffic jams, the remote and dirty villages, wherever suffering exists, my face is there and I look for you to wipe away my blood and tears.”

Jesus said to Mary Magdalene: “Go and tell my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Jesus wants you to be His apostle, to spread the news of His Resurrection to the ends of the earth. Come out of the darkness, embrace the light, and save yourself from this wicked generation.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may I be a light to my generation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Easter Tuesday. Bible Study: Acts 2:36-41, Ps. 33:4-5,18-20,22, John 20:11-18).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

[yikesharringrove]

Oooo #7 & #59 angsty/fluffy 😋

Thank you so much for the request! This got super long lol, but some light miscommunication angst ending with a little bit o’ fluff 😊

7: “You’re a fucking idiot if you think I don’t love you.”

59: “I thought it was a booty call…” “Not even close.”

And a link to prompt list here for any other requests!

And ficlet under the cut 😊

Billy and Steve have been fucking for months. 

Ever since Dustin dragged Steve into the Upside Down Shit (part 2) and Steve, in turn, dragged Billy, they began leaning on one another. At first, emotionally. They would get drunk, or high, or some combination of the two, and they would get, vulnerable.

Steve opened up first, whispering to a drunk Billy about Barb, and how he can’t even stomach looking at his own swimming pool, his cold distant mother, and his overbearing father. Billy traded Steve’s secrets for his own, a mother that left him with a hateful father. He skirted around the topic of his abuse with less grace than he would have liked, but Steve let him pretend he was being subtle about it.

At some point, they started passing out in Steve’s bed together. Then they started making out in Steve’s bed together. Steve guesses Full-On Fucking was the natural progression of things, but then he did the thing he always does, which is decidedly not the natural progression of things.

Steve got attached. He fell for Billy. Hard. He always knew he was desperate for love, not getting it from your parents kinda does that to you. But he didn’t ever think he would end up falling for the guy that’s been taking him straight to Pound Town every other night.

The next time they were living out their ritual of spilling their guts and boning it out, Something in Steve’s stupid, empty, drunk brain told him to tell Billy how he felt. So he did. So Billy left. So Steve cried.

That was five weeks ago. Not that he’s counting. (He’s totally counting).

He was sad and sleepy and horny when Billy called him at two-thirty seven in the morning on a random Tuesday. Sad and sleepy and horny enough to invite Billy over without question the second he heard him crackle I just needta see you, Bambi. I wanna talk like we used to. I jus-I miss you, Stevie over the phone line. He downed about half a bottle of stolen scotch on his way to unlock the front door. He wandered up the stairs to his bedroom to get naked and wait for Billy.

He was stretched out on the bed, dosing off when Billy found him. He took in his naked body and raised an eyebrow.

“Hey, man. Uuh, can I ask why you’re naked?”

Steve’s brain was moving too slow to decipher the question. He giggled at the look on Billy’s face and rolled over, arching his back a little and throwing Billy what he hoped was a sultry look over his shoulder.

“You said you ‘wanna talk like we used to’. Figured I would move things along.”

“Steve, I really do wanna talk.” Steve rolled back over, spreading his legs when he saw Billy’s eyes zero in between them. “Fuck, can you like, cover-up or something I can’t fucking focus when you’re laying there like that.”

“Oh, uh, yeah we can talk.” Steve shuffled under the blanket and looked back at Billy, dreading whatever this was about. This isn’t the first time he got too invested and had to be told all they were doing was having a good time. “Look, I’m sorry about, you know, what happened Last Time. But we can just, like, move on, okay? We can go back to how it was if you want to, we can just FUCK it’ll be fine. I’ll be fine.”

Billy looked actively distressed. It wasn’t a face Steve was used to him wearing. “Why are you-why are you naked.”

“I thought this was a booty call...”

“Not even close.”

Steve immediately felt like an idiot. Of course, Billy would want a clean break. He’d give the old it’s not you, it’s me and be on his merry way, never to talk to Steve again. Which is. It’s fine. Steve’s fine.

“Oh, okay.” Steve was trying VERY hard not to start crying again. “Well, if you want to head out, that’s-that’s cool. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you around, man.”He couldn’t maintain eye contact and tried to wipe his eyes as subtly as he could.

“Goddamn it! Steve, I came here to fucking talk to you, so I’m going to fucking talk to you. Let me say what I need to and stop fucking crying. You know I can’t deal with you when you get all misty like that.” He sat down heavily on Steve’s desk chair, taking a deep breath with his head in his hands, collecting his thoughts.

“Look, I’m sorry I left like that. I know how, attached you get, and I just. Panicked I guess. I shouldn’t have left. That probably fucked you up and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Stevie.” He finally looked up at Steve who was completely speechless. Not only was Billy candidly sharing his feelings, he was fucking crying. “I’m just so fucking scared.”

Steve was drawing a fucking blank.

“I’m sorry Billy, I don’t know if I, understand.” Billy finally stood up, joining Steve on the bed and taking his hand in his own warm one. “Scared of what?”

“Scared of fucking everything. Scared of my dad, of how I feel about you. Scared of this stupid hick town that’ll fuckin’ crucify us if they find out about us.”

“Waitwaitwaitwaitwait. ‘The fuck do you mean how you feel about me? And, us? Is there an us?” Steve’s heart was in his ass.

“I was gonna ask you the same thing. Ball’s in your court, Pretty Boy.”

Steve tackled Billy where he sat, straddling his hips and peppering kisses all over his face, both boys giggling.

Billy took Steve’s face in his hands and not for the first time, Steve thought about how beautiful he is.

“So I can assume that’s a yes then, or are you playin’ a mean trick on me, Mac N’ Steve?” Steve fucking preened at the nickname. His own parents only ever called him by his full name. He absolutely adored when Billy called him silly little things. It made him feel special. It made him feel loved.

“Yeah, that’s a yes, Asshole. I wanna be with you.” Billy smiled, one of those bright ones he gave just to Steve. 

“Are we about to make love?” Billy grinned at him, tongue between his teeth, waggling it at Steve in that mocking way he does, hands rubbing slowly down his back to rest on his ass.

“We are absolutely not doing anything if you fucking call it that, Billy.” Steve knew he was whining, but he also knew how much Billy liked it when he did. “But, does that mean we’re, in, love? You love me?”

“You’re a fucking idiot if you think I don’t love you.”

Billy and Steve have been fucking for months, they’ve been together for about three minutes, and they’ve been in love for as long as they’ve known each other.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

4th May >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on John 14:27-31 for Tuesday, Fifth Week of Eastertide:   ‘My own peace I give you’.

Tuesday, Fifth Week of Eastertide

Gospel (Except USA)

John 14:27-31

A peace the world cannot give is my gift to you.

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return. If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe. I shall not talk with you any longer, because the prince of this world is on his way. He has no power over me, but the world must be brought to know that I love the Father and that I am doing exactly what the Father told me.’

Gospel (USA)

John 14:27-31a

My peace I give to you.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

Reflections (11)

(i) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks to his disciples whose hearts are troubled and afraid. The emotional state of the disciples is understandable because this is the night of the last supper and the prospect of Jesus’ death at the hands of his enemies weighs heavily upon them. Yet, it is clear that Jesus himself is not troubled or afraid. Rather, he is at peace, and he offers the gift of his peace to his troubled and fearful disciples, ‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you’. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his loving relationship with God his Father. He knows himself to be eternally loved by his heavenly Father. He also knows that beyond death he will be going to the Father whom he loves. Even though the prince of this world, Satan, is on his way, Jesus is at peace in the loving embrace of God his Father. He wants his disciples and all of us to experience something of his own peace. Jesus shows us that even when, from a human point of view, there is much to trouble us and make us afraid, we can still be at peace within ourselves because we know in our heart that, in the words of Saint Paul, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Our sense of God’s love for us, our love for God in return, and the future destiny that loving relationship holds out for us, gives us a share in the Lord’s own peace, regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves. That sharing in the Lord’s own peace enables us to put fresh heart into others and encourage them, just as we find Paul and Barnabas doing in the first reading.

And/Or

(ii) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks to his disciples on the night of the Last Supper of his going away, his going to the Father. His death will involve a real departure which will be difficult for his disciples. If they had their way they would not have wanted him to go away. Yet, Jesus says to his disciples that if they really loved him they would be glad to know that he is going to the Father. If they really loved him, they would not try to hold onto him. They would rejoice to let him go to the one who sent him, because in going back to the Father Jesus can do so much more for his disciples and for disciples of ever generation than if he stayed. In going to the Father he will pass into a new and more glorious life and he will open up a way to that life for all who believe in him. Through his going to the Father, he will be able to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Jesus is saying to his disciples that his departure is very much to their advantage and to the advantage of all his followers. That is why if they really loved Jesus, they would be glad he is going to the Father and they would willingly let them go. Jesus is reminding us that, sometimes, the greatest expression of our love for others can be to let them go, and not try to hold onto them, to let them go to whatever God wishes and desires for them.

And/Or

 (iii) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

The gospel readings these mornings are taken from what has come to be called the Last Supper Discourse in John’s gospel. On the night before his passion and death Jesus is depicted as speaking at length to his disciples who are distressed at the prospect of Jesus leaving them. In this morning’s gospel reading Jesus declares to them, ‘if you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I’. Jesus is saying to his disciples that if they really loved him they would not try to hold onto him; they would let him go to the Father so that he can be present to them and to all disciples of every generation in a new, in and through the coming of the Holy Spirit. Genuine love for someone often means not holding on to them but letting them go to a life that is fuller for them and, ultimately, fuller for us too. This is the kind of love that Jesus is calling for from his disciples, a non-possessive love that surrenders to what God wants for him and for them. Genuine love delights in what is best for the other, even though that may be entail a painful letting go for us.

 And/Or

(iv) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

In this morning’s first reading we are told that as Paul and Barnabas made their way back through the churches they had founded, ‘they put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith’. We all need encouragement, especially with regard to our faith and our relationship with the Lord. We need to keep putting fresh heart into each other, encouraging each other to persevere in the faith. That is what we find Jesus doing in the gospel reading. It is the night of the last supper; the disciples are feeling discouraged. Jesus says to them, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid’. He offers them the gift of his peace, a ‘peace the world cannot give’. He assures them that although he is leaving them, he will come back to them again in a very short while, through the Holy Spirit. He is actively engaged in putting fresh heart into the disciples. We can encourage each other, but the Lord himself is the great encourager. If we turn to him in confident prayer, he will help us to persevere in the faith.

 And/Or

(v) Tuesday of Fifth Week of Easter

In the gospel reading this morning, Jesus promises the gift of peace to his followers. He immediately goes on to contrast the peace he gives with the peace the world gives. In the time Jesus lived and in the time John’s gospel was written, the Pax Romana, the Roman peace, was being heralded and praised throughout the empire. This peace that Rome brought was the fruit of conquest and oppression. This peace which the world of the time gave is not the peace that Jesus gives. The Lord’s peace is not the fruit of conquest, but is what Paul would call the fruit of the Spirit. It is the peace which comes to those whose lives are led by the Spirit and shaped by the Spirit. The primary fruit of the Spirit is love. Love and peace are dimensions of the one fruit of the Spirit. When we love with the Lord’s love then we will know his peace and we will become channels of that peace to others.

 And/Or

(vi) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

The description of the ministry of Paul and Barnabas in this morning’s first reading is striking. Visiting churches that were struggling in a pagan world, we are told that ‘they put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith’. Jesus is described as doing something similar in the gospel reading. He turns to his disciples who are distressed at the prospect of his immanent departure, or death, and he says to them, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid’. There is a time when, as disciples, we need to be challenged, but there is also a time when, as disciples, we need to be encouraged. Jesus and Paul knew how to give encouragement when encouragement was needed. The risen Lord continues his work of giving encouragement to disciples today. Getting discouraged about how we are doing as disciples of the Lord can be a very life-draining business; it can drag us down. Such discouragement does not come from the Lord. The Lord is much more about putting fresh heart into us, what the gospel reading calls a ‘peace the world cannot give’. Every so often when we are feeling somewhat discouraged about ourselves, and how we are doing, it can be good to turn to the Lord and to invite him to put fresh heart into us so that we can be joyful and energetic in the living of our faith. The Lord puts fresh heart into us through the Holy Spirit. That is why one of the names given to the Holy Spirit is ‘Comforter’/‘Consoler’ and why in that lovely prayer we can turn to the Holy Spirit and pray, ‘Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour thy dew’.

 And/Or

(vii) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

Many of us find departures difficulty, especially when the person departing from us is significant for us in some way. The words Jesus speaks in this morning’s gospel reading are set by the evangelist within the context of the evening before Jesus was crucified. Jesus is about to leave his disciples. Yet, in leaving them he also assures them that he is not abandoning them. He will in fact come back to them. That is the promise of Jesus to the disciples in the gospel reading we have just heard, ‘I am going away and I shall return’. Jesus returned when he rose from the dead; having returned, he remained present to them through the Holy Spirit. The season of Easter, which runs from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday, celebrates the return of the Lord, his rising from the dead and his continuing presence among us through the Holy Spirit. It is the risen Lord’s presence to us that is the source of the peace, which Jesus speaks about at the beginning of our gospel reading, a sharing in his own peace. Even in the midst of difficulty, struggle, loss and failure, the risen Lord’s presence to us can give us a peace that the world cannot give us.

 And/Or

(viii) Tuesday, Fifth week of Easter

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is portrayed as speaking on the night of the last supper, the night before he was crucified. His disciples are understandably troubled and fearful. Jesus has been telling them that he is going away. His death will take him from them. Yet, Jesus wants to reassure them that his leaving them, through death, is actually to their advantage. Yes, it is a great tragedy, but God is going to bring something wonderful out of this human tragedy. In and through his death, Jesus will give them the gift of peace, a peace the world cannot give, a peace that is deeper than any peace that those who are in power in the world can bring. The peace Jesus brings is peace with God, a reconciled relationship with God, and this will come to pass precisely through his leaving them, through his death. Jesus says that even though the prince of this world is on his way, namely, Satan who has taken hold of Judas and others, what is about to unfold will reveal Jesus’ love for his heavenly Father, and his Father’s love for Jesus and the world. These are powerful, life-giving words that Jesus speaks to his disciples in their distress and anxiety. It is said of Paul and Barnabas in the first reading that they put fresh heart into the disciples. What Jesus does for his disciples at the Last Supper, Paul and Barnabas do for later disciples. It is what we are all asked to do, as disciples of Jesus. By what we say and do, we are called to put fresh heart into one another, to encourage one another. We are to be messengers of the Lord’s refreshing, encouraging presence. If that is to happen, we ourselves need to listen to and absorb the Lord’s life-giving words, those same words we have just heard in our gospel reading.

 And/Or

(ix) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

The opening words of Jesus in today’s gospel reading may sound familiar to you, ‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you’. A version of those words have made their way into the text of our Mass, just before the sign of peace, ‘Lord Jesus Christ who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you’. Jesus spoke those words to his disciples in the setting of the last supper. They had heard Jesus say to them that he was going away and that he would return. They were disturbed by his talk of going away. The full reality of what was about to happen on the following day was beginning to dawn on them. Their hearts were troubled and afraid. In that sombre setting, Jesus gives them the gift of his own peace, which he identifies as a peace the world cannot give. Jesus was at peace in this hour and he wanted his disciples to experience something of his own peace. Jesus was at peace in spite of the fact that, as he says in the gospel reading, ‘the prince of the world is on his way’. This is a likely reference to Satan and to all those who are in Satan’s power. Jesus is at peace in the full knowledge that evil stalks the land. His peace is rooted in his loving relationship with God his Father. This is the peace that Jesus gives to his disciples, to all of us. It is a peace that is rooted in God’s love for us through Jesus. Because it has such deep roots, it can endure even in the face of the world’s hostility.

 And/Or

(x) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

The first reading begins with an example of the trials and tribulations Paul experienced in the course of his missionary work. Some people stoned Paul and dragged him outside of their town, thinking he was dead. Yet, Paul was far from dead. He got up, went back to the town and the next day he set off for another town. There, Luke tells us, he ‘put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith’. If most of us were treated in the way Paul was, it would take the heart out of us. Paul, in contrast, was able to put fresh heart into others, shortly after his own dreadful treatment.  In the gospel reading, Jesus announces to his disciples that ‘the prince of this world is on his way’. This prince of darkness, working through human agents, would put Jesus on a Roman cross. Yet, even as this is about to transpire, Jesus is putting fresh heart into his fearful and troubled disciples, giving them the gift of his own peace, a peace the world cannot give. Both Paul and Jesus had a peace that, even in the face of great hostility and rejection, allowed them to bring peace and encouragement to others. This peace could only be of God. It was the fruit of their love for God and their deep awareness of God’s love for them. In the gospel reading, Jesus declares, ‘I love the Father’. He will go on to say, ‘the Father has loved me’. Jesus wants us to experience the same love of the Father through him, ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you’. In opening ourselves to this love, we too will know a peace the world cannot give, and we will become peacemakers, bringing fresh heart to those we meet.

 And/Or

(xi) Tuesday, Fifth Week of Easter

I listened recently to an interview with the secretary of Goebbels, Hitler’s Minister for Propaganda. She was 103 when the interview happened and could remember the outbreak of the First World War. She was reflecting aloud on her life, including her time as Secretary to Goebbels, for which she spent fifteen years in a Russian prison. Towards the end of the interview she commented on all the evil in the world. She claims to have become aware of the evil of the Nazi regime only after the war. She then paused and hesitatingly said, ‘I believe in the Devil, but I do not believe in God’. She had no doubt about the Devil’s influence in the world, but could see no sign of God’s influence. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus speaks of the devil as ‘the prince of this world’. On the night before his crucifixion, he says to his disciples, ‘the prince of this world is on his way’. However, Jesus immediately goes on to say, ‘He has no power over me’. Jesus was aware of the presence of the devil, but he was also aware that he was more powerful than the devil, God was more powerful than the devil. If the devil was instrumental in Jesus’ death, God overcame death and brought Jesus to a new life. Jesus continues to live with that new life, the life of heaven, which is the life of love. He releases that life of love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. The power of the Spirit is greater than the power of evil, which is why Jesus teaches to pray with confidence, ‘Deliver us from evil’. God is always working to overcome evil and he empowers us to share in that work.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[dailybiblelessons]

Tuesday of Holy Week

Hebrew Scripture Lesson from The Latter Prophets: Isaiah 49:1-7

Listen to me, O coastlands,  pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born,  while I was in my mother's womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword,  in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow,  in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel,  in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have labored in vain,  I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord,  and my reward with my God.”

And now the Lord says,  who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him,  and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,  and my God has become my strength—  he says, “It is too light a thing  that you should be my servant  to raise up the tribes of Jacob  and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations,  that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”¹

Thus says the Lord,  the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations,  the slave of rulers, “Kings shall see and stand up,  princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful,  the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

¹The last sentence of this verse is quoted in Acts 13:47, part of Paul's preaching in Antioch of Pisidia.

Psalm 71:1-14

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;  let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;  incline your ear to me and save me. Be to me a rock of refuge,  a strong fortress, to save me,  for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,  from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. For you, O Lord, are my hope,  my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth;  it was you who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.

I have been like a portent to many,  but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise,  and with your glory all day long. Do not cast me off in the time of old age;  do not forsake me when my strength is spent. For my enemies speak concerning me,  and those who watch for my life consult together. They say, “Pursue and seize that person  whom God has forsaken,  for there is no one to deliver.”

O God, do not be far from me;  O my God, make haste to help me! Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed;  let those who seek to hurt me  be covered with scorn and disgrace. But I will hope continually,  and will praise you yet more and more.

New Testament Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,  and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”¹

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”²

¹Isaiah 29:4   ²Jeremiah 9:24

New Testament Gospel Lesson: John 12:20-36

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. “While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

Years ABC Holy Week Tuesday

Selections are from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible text is from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV) copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Footnotes in the Christian Scriptures that show where a passage from the Hebrew Scripture is used are from The New International Version Bible ® (NIV®), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. When text is taken from the NIV, the passage ends with (NIV) and the foregoing copyright notice applies. Image credit: UN Flag via Wikimedia Commons, cropped by Michael Gilbertson to the logo only.

[nyadere]

Reposting this bc the link got messed up when I changed URLs!!

My all time favorite Destiel fics, in no particular order. (More to be added over time) {last updated 10/08/2019}

Too Much TV Will Rot Your Brain by EndlessRain Rating: G Words: 7397 Summary: “Angel?” John asked. He had been in Heaven for a pretty long time, and had been hunting even longer, and he never had heard of angels actually existing.

“Oh for God’s sake,” Ellen said, “That’s your kid’s boyfriend!”

Notes: A short, sweet fic with mostly humor and a bit of angst mixed in. – How (thanks to Gabriel) Dean and Castiel (accidentally) raised each other (and Sam). by Vera Rating: E Words: 69693 Summary: In which, Gabriel meddles with the time line and Castiel becomes Dean’s angel rather sooner than intended.

Notes: This is a must-read, the writing is perfect and the idea is also perfect. Throwing Castiel into the boy’s lives from the start and the dynamic it brings is such an interesting take on the story.

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Destiel, Actually by Bloodism Rating: E Words: 15973 Summary: Picture your typical rom-com cliché. Now picture Dean stuck in that rom-com cliché. With Castiel. Because that’s what happening to him - a crazy whirlwind of your typical-and-not-so-typical cliché’s. He’s playing the main lead in all of them and Castiel’s his counterpart. Of course, the culprit is obvious. Gabe’s enjoying himself too much, lying back on his favourite cloud with a tub of salted popcorn.

It was about time someone kicked the two knuckleheads into gear.

“And… ACTION!”

Notes: Funny & light-hearted, featuring everyone’s favorite trickster.

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Angel’s Wild by LimonadeGaby, riseofthefallenone Rating: E Words: 389271 Summary: But that’s the whole reason he’s here, isn’t it? He’s not out here hunting Humans. He’s not even hunting deer, or bears, or anything else that featured in Bambi. He’s out here, freezing his nuts off every night, because he’s hunting Angels.

Sometimes Dean wishes that Angels were like how they’re described in the Bible. How people from time too old for him to care much about thought Angels were messengers and warriors of God, protectors of Humans. He knows that how they’re really described in the Bible is actually pretty terrifying, but at least they were told by God that they’re supposed to love Humans, right?

That’s a thousand times better than what Angels really turned out to be.

Notes: Another must-read. This fic is a huge, long and a bit of a slow-burn but its so worth it. One of the first destiel fics I fell in love with, an immersive AU with fanart included.

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Things Dean Winchester Loves by tuesday Rating: M Words: 3623 Summary: Castiel makes a list, Sam gives good advice, and Dean takes a while to catch on.

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In the Shadow of your Wings by Enochian Things Rating: M Words: 57268 Summary: Dean drains his bottle of beer, sets it on the table and gets up, heading for the kitchen. Maybe to fetch another, maybe to leave. But Castiel doesn’t want him to go, doesn’t want to leave this conversation unfinished; he remembers his regret of just a few hours ago, that Dean had never known how he loved him.

“Wait,” he says and gets to his feet as Dean passes by. They’re standing close – close enough that Castiel can feel the heat of Dean’s body, the vibrancy of his soul brushing against his grace. “Dean, I have to tell you something…”

Set after the S11 finale.

Notes: another long, slow-burn. The buildup in this fic is fantastic, dealing with a jealous and in-denial Dean while poor Cas is dealing with his own feelings. This fic is so in-character I can see it happening in the actual show.

– Everything Comes Back To You by VioletHaze Rating: E Words: 32970 Summary: Dean knew better. Of course he did. But Cas seemed so charmed by the antique-filled bed and breakfast that Dean went along with it when the proprietor mistook them for a couple. Telling himself it gave them a strategic advantage to be so close to the crime scene, he agreed to the weekend special she offered them. When the case ended up being a bust, they stuck around anyhow because hey, the second night was free…

Notes: I love love loveeee this fic. Canon!verse with fake/pretend relationship. Dean in denial with mutual pining? Yes please. – Sam Winchester Sees the Light (And Dean’s Awkward Boner Face) by YamiTami Rating: G Words: 2447 Summary: Castiel is falling and he has to start doing human things to save energy. That means eating for sustenance, sleeping, and learning how to use a washing machine. This leads to a revelation.

Shamelessly inspired by a gifset of Misha putting a shirt on.

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The Mirror by cloudyjenn Rating: M Words: 24568 Summary: When Dean touches a strange mirror, he’s whisked away to one alternate reality after another and it doesn’t take him long to realize the universe is trying to tell him something.

Notes: This. fic. is. amazing. I love reading about AU versions of the boys and this one has plenty of variety. Cute with a bit of angst mixed in.

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In Your Sweet Little Bungalow by annodominique Rating: E Words: 13680 Summary: All things considered, Castiel has a house. All things considered, Castiel has a life. Without Dean.

It has been seven years since Sam died, seven years since Dean left Castiel, broken and human, and disconnected from humanity. Cas had to cope on his own somewhere along the way. He chose a little town of Oregon to settle in.

Seven years, and Dean shows up at his door on a chilly February night, saying the stupidest set of words to ever be said to Castiel’s face.

“I was–just passing by the neighborhood. Thought I’d drop by…to see you.”

And Cas doesn’t know what to do.

Notes: This fic is so angsty but so worth it.

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When the Bough Breaks by captainshakespear, deanisthesun Rating: M Words: 73963 Summary: Years after the Darkness has been defeated, Dean and Cas are living the apple pie life in small-town Kansas. They don’t hunt anymore, and would like to keep it that way, but some young hunters knocking at their door have different plans.

Dean, Cas and Sam reluctantly agree to help out, but what ought to be a simple case becomes way more complicated and dangerous than they counted on. And when the hunt starts to invade the normal lives they’ve carved out for themselves and their kids, Dean and Cas begin to wonder if escaping the hunting life altogether might have been wishful thinking.

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Home is Where by ChasingRabbits Rating: E Words: 15170 Summary: Casual vagrant Dean Winchester blows into Palo Alto to check on his little brother. What is meant to be a quick visit ends up drawing out when he meets and accidentally ends up clicking with Sam’s strange, grad student roommate Castiel.

Notes: non-canon verse AU where Cas has Asperger’s and is Sam’s roommate, this fic is very cute.

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Out of the Deep by riseofthefallenone Rating: E Words: 488608 Summary: Stay away from the light-beds. Stay in the deep.

It is the first thing hatchlings are taught the moment their fans unfurl and they can swim without their parents to buoy them along. It is the first rule, the first law. It is the beginning of every boogey-monster bedtime story told when they settle against the cliffs to sleep.

Castiel should have listened better.

Notes: I cannot express how much I love this fic. Another huge AU with copious amounts of fanart and detail. Slow-burn, Merfolk AU. I will admit I was hesitant to read this at first as I don’t usually like mermaid/merfolk AUs but this story is so beautifully written and the attention to detail is amazing. Riseofthefallenone never ceases to amaze me.

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Going Postal by captainbarnes Rating: Not Rated Words: 6799 Summary: Castiel,

Hi. My name’s Dean, just Dean — that’s all you’re getting out of me.

I don’t really know what else to say, I’m not good at this and I really don’t want to talk much. But it’s for a grade, and I’m already flunking English, so I guess I don’t have a choice.

Your name is weird as fuck.

— Dean

Dean Winchester and Castiel Novak became pen pals because of a school assignment, and they tried not to get attached to one another. They really did. Sort of. Barely.

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King of the Road by loversantiquities Rating: E Words: 15890 Summary: Contracted out by the local police in Moriarty, New Mexico, Dean is sent to investigate the happenings around a church outside of town, the Angel-worshiping congregation reportedly flocking to the location in recent days. As it turns out, though, instead of snake charmers or devil worshipers, Dean finds an Angel crucified to the cross, said Angel unreasonably snarky despite being tied up against his will.

Turning over Castiel to the authorities, though, doesn’t work in Dean’s favor. With nowhere to go and Heaven having abandoned him, Dean agrees to haul Castiel across the country on two conditions–he doesn’t smoke in the car, and he doesn’t rob convenience stores in broad daylight.

God, Dean might actually kill him before this is over.

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Rock of Ages by winter_of_our_Discontent Rating: T Words: 7430 Summary: It starts because they need a rock. Not, of course, just any rock, but apparently this particular critter needs an Aztec-style obsidian-and-jade dagger right through its human-teeth-and-eyeball-eating heart to actually kill it.

In which Cas gets a ring, and Dean (finally) gets a clue.

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So There It Is, I’ve Said It All by PorcupineGirl Rating: G Words: 3898 Summary: “Why, do you have something you need to say to me that you don’t think I’ll like?”

I think I’m in love with you.

“Yeah. I guess so.“

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Receipts by surlybobbies Rating: T Words: 1391 Summary: He’s about to put the receipt down, no harm done, when something about it catches his eye. Pen ink, on the back. He flips it around and reads:

With Dean. He shared his pie with me. His smile was radiant.

Dean stares. Reads it again. Nothing’s changed.

What? -

The Fourth Wall by entanglednow

Rating: T-E (this is a series so different parts have different ratings)  Words: 40,339 Summary:  (There’s not an exact summary for the whole thing since its a series of 15 different works but basically the boys discover fanfiction about themselves and things get wild) I can’t believe I didn’t add this one before but its one of my all time favorites! I’ve read it multiple times because its just that good. Lighthearted and funny. This series also includes Samifer which I’m a big fan of (but if you’re not into that each part is appropriately tagged so you can skip over it). 

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Someone Who’s Feeling For Me by ellispark Rating: M  Words: 45,876 Summary:  Dean sees her for the first time in nearly six years in some no-name town in Idaho, and it's panic at first sight. Lisa Braeden, the one woman Dean ever actually had a shot at a real life with, back from where he buried her in his mind. And her hand is on Cas's arm like it's no big deal, like it belongs there. Cas, Dean's dorky, sweet, badass, angelic best friend, and he's just standing there next to Lisa and not moving her hand away. Dean feels the jealousy rising, and it's not directed where he expected it to be. Because it takes this exact moment for Dean to realize he's in love with his best friend. He's in love with his best friend, and Lisa is looking at Cas like he's the best thing since automatic rifles, and Dean is utterly fucked.  Notes: Lots of pining, supportive Sam, angst with a happy ending, the good shit.  - Everyone is Trying to Get to the Bar by Balder12 Rating: E Words: 8,111 Summary:  Dean still has enemies in Heaven. True!form Castiel to the rescue!

Notes: I love true!form cas fics and this one is written beautifully, the ending seemed a little rushed to me but other than that I really enjoyed this fic.

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As You Pass Through Me by wannaliveindeansdimples Rating: E Words: 30,548 Summary: Cas has lived in this house all his life... and since his untimely death. The last thing he wants is a new roommate, but it seems he's getting one anyway.

Notes: a wonderful non-canonverse AU with ghost!Cas....but there’s a twist! This fic is incredibly cute and entertaining and makes me smile everytime I read it. There’s a little bit of what could be considered dub-con in a few chapters but before said chapters the author usually has a note at the beginning.

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[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

11th April >> Mass Readings (USA)

Easter Tuesday 

(Liturgical Colour: White: A(1))

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 2:36–41 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.

The Word of the God

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33:4–5, 18–19, 20, 22

R/ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R/ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.

R/ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.

R/ The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Sequence Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim Offer your thankful praises! A Lamb the sheep redeems; Christ, who only is sinless, Reconciles sinners to the Father. Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal. Speak, Mary, declaring What you saw, wayfaring. “The tomb of Christ, who is living, The glory of Jesus’ resurrection; bright angels attesting, The shroud and napkin resting. Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he goes before you.” Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 118:24

Alleluia, alleluia. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel John 20:11–18 I have seen the Lord, and he said these things to me.

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[dailybuglenow]

TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2023. EDITED BY J. JONAH JAMESON.

BELOVED REPORTER SLAUGHTERED: IS MURDER A FAMILY AFFAIR?

TW: the article discusses and describes murder

New York is a big place filled to the brim with a lot of people. So many, in fact, that it seems at time that we’re all stuffed on top of one another. Of these people, a staggering amount will be murdered according to statistics in 2022, not counting lives lost in natural disaster or superhero collateral damage. Those numbers seem low due to the mass decimation caused by Thanos, but in a post-Cleanse world we need as much good as possible. That being said, murder rates are up 55% from the last year which could be due to the societal disorganization that is still being reestablished. But I know what you’re thinking: why all of this talk about murder? With all the crime and super powered damage we don’t can’t report on each individual, unfortunately, but today the Bugle reports with heavy hearts that we lost one of our own.

Gayle Rogers might have been a newer face at the Bugle, but her coverage on the Jean Grey Incident and Mutant Decimation were incredibly popular on our site. A junior reporter who transferred from Los Angeles, CA, Roger’s had a bright and exciting future in journalism. What’s most tragic about this terrible loss of life, however, is the cause. Approximately two days on the 7th of September police were called to Roger’s apartment when neighbors complained that her dog would not stop barking. What police found in side was horrifying. Ms. Rogers was found pinned to her wall, crucified by shards of metal. Police were initially baffled by who did this and how they managed to as nothing else in the apartment seemed to be out of place. That’s when attention began to turn to one person who can wield metal like no one else: Erik Lehnsherr.

Lehnsherr, also commonly known as Magneto, is a mutant extremist who has posed a threat to humanity for years. His name may sound familiar as we recently detailed his involvement in the Time Square Incident where he was seen carrying the body of a deceased Jean Grey from the scene before issuing a statement. Lehnsherr has killed many humans over the course of his life and has been especially cruel against those who spoke against mutants. Aside from Lehnsherr, the other reasonable suspect is one Lorna Dane, the daughter of Magneto. Dane has a history of mental illness and arrests dating all the way back to when she was a minor and was involuntarily institutionalized. Both father and daughter have been connected to the mutant Hellfire Club at one point or another and have murdered in the name of mutant rights.

As it currently stands, no arrests have been made in the murder of Gayle Rogers but both Lehnsherr and Dane have been asked to come in for questioning. Another reason a mutant is suspected to be at fault is the fact that Rogers was unapologetically anti-mutant and never shied away from being so in her pieces. Silencing a voice that has called them out and held them accountable is what some suspect has happened. This reporter remains a little more evenly keeled on the situation, but I will dutifully update you as the investigation continues. In the meantime, we mourn the loss of a friend and voice that was taken too soon. 

—- Jennie Sheldon, Daily Bugle News Junior Reporter

MUTANT DECIMATION: HOW A GENOCIDAL AVENGER IS TO BLAME

It was five years ago that Thanos snapped his finger and the mutant population was decimated. Although they were once 32 million strong it was in one second that the population dropped to a mere 198-200 people, a case of genocide very rarely matched in numbers. While Thanos’ snap turned half the population to dust everyone who remained alive was untouched except for the mutants. Over the five years before Thanos was beaten scientist after scientist looked into the mutant genome for reason or explanation but none could be found. When it was realized that no mutants were being born either what remained of the population panicked and began looking for anything they could do to stop themselves from reaching the inevitable extinction. One of the solutions they found was isolation.

Mutants had splintered off in the past to form their own societies, whether it was in a smaller setting such as the institution formerly known as Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters or the short lived island of Genosha run by Erik Lehnsherr in the 1990′s. Once again the mutants sequestered themselves off, this time on the living island of Krakoa that scientists and researchers are still trying to understand. For now we’ll simply agree that Krakoa is mysterious, as are the laws that govern the mutants and what that looks like on an international political scale. Mutants hid themselves from the world to cope with a great tragedy, but they never believed the source of their pain could be one of their own. What you are about to read is information that has been obtained through a verified but confidential source who is close to the mutant population and the one who tried to wipe them out. Before we get into that, let’s do a little recap.

 Wanda Maximoff is an Avenger with a rocky past. Originally seen in the 2015 fight against Ultron, Maximoff was a Sokovian national experimented on by HYDRA agents alongside her brother, the deceased Pietro Maximoff, who gave his life saving Avenger Clint Barton. Following the destruction of her brother and loss of her country Maximoff joined the New Avengers alongside the likes of Sam Wilson and the Vision and is responsible for civilian casualties in Lagos. Maximoff was later involved in the Berlin battle and the Superhuman Civil War in 2016 on the side of Captain America. After becoming a war criminal due to her refusal to sign the Sokovian Accords, Maximoff escaped from the Raft prison and went off the grid for two years before surfacing to fight against Thanos in Wakanda where she was turned to ash during the battle. Since her return Maximoff has rejoined the Avengers and received the full support of the team. It’s not what’s known about Maximoff that’s interesting though. It’s what’s not.

Although raised by Django and Magda Maximoff, sources have revealed that both Wanda and Pietro had a different biological father, and that man was Erik Lehnsherr. While the two were believed to be mutates it was later agreed upon that the experiment only activated their mutant genes instead of giving it to them. Maximoff’s status as a mutant has called her Avengers position into question as the Avengers and mutants have been at odds and Maximoff has never made an official statement on the extremist acts of her father or half sister Polaris, also known as Lorna Dane. Instead Maximoff has worked to clear her own name of her international charges and be a hero even if it meant not associating with her family or species. Now, however, we have to ask ourselves if Maximoff had it in for the mutants all along.

The exact moment the mutants were decimated cannot be pinpointed, only that it happened within moments of the Cleanse. Scientists now have examined the scene and have taken note of the fact that Maximoff was trying to destroy the Mind Stone that resided in the head of the deceased synthezoid Vision while also trying to hold of Thanos. Tracing the frequencies of her powers, Maximoff’s energies fluctuate on the same level as both the Mind Stone and the dangerous Phoenix Force. The Cleanse caused a great deal of things that range from a Multiversal Incursion (more on that will be released later) to galaxy wide destruction, but it may not be fully to blame for what happened to the mutants. The reality warping and infinity stone based power of Maximoff in conflict with the Gauntlet that Thanos wore is now believed to be the reason the mutants were decimated.

If all of this is true, Wanda Maximoff could very well be one of the most hated women in the world and to blame for an international tragedy. Ever since rumors were released of this mutants around the world and on Krakoa had begun to call for Maximoff to be held responsible. “If someone kills another there is a price to be a paid, a consequence to be given,” Briar Raleigh, representative of the Hellfire Club read in a statement. “And Wanda Maximoff has done more than kill someone. She has stripped millions of who they were, their essence. She has invaded them and the people she hurt deserve to see her stand trial. They deserve to see her held responsible and she must know what she’s done. This isn’t a witch hunt. This is justified and it’s five years overdue.”

Whether or not Maximoff will respond personally to the mutants is unknown, but the Avengers have called a meeting with mutant representatives on 9 September to talk matters through. In an attempt to show good will they offered to do so on Krakoa, giving the X-Men the home field advantage. If Maximoff has plans to attend has yet to be determined, but if she does she’ll have both hell and family to face for her crimes and the pain she has brought on to so many.

—- Irene Merryweather, Daily Bugle News Senior Reporter of Mutant Affairs

IN OTHER NEWS:

What many believed to be a human comet that crashed into Manhattan last night has now been revealed to be one of the human space cops, Nova. He crashed into Midtown around midnight and an Avengers ambulance took him from the sight. Nova, also known as Richard Rider, was heard trying to issue some kind of warning to onlookers and appeared to be semi-coherent.

Construction on the formerly demolished Avengers Compound has now been finished. The new facilities was opened in honor of Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff and will have meeting rooms, training rooms, spaces for various teams to meet and outbuildings for mutants and intergalactic representatives. Clearance to the Compound is only given to those who are classified to enter and will not be open to the public in the near future.

Rumor has it that prodigal son Harry Osborn, the heir to the Oscorp legacy, will be returning to New York City soon. Although Osborn’s father, Norman Osborn, has been running the business from what was once the Avengers Tower, there have been very few sightings of the mogul with his only child. Hopefully this family reunion is nothing but good news for two of New York’s most eligible bachelors!

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

Readings of Tuesday, February 28, 2024

Reading 1

JER 18:18-20

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said, “Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.”

Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 31:5-6, 14, 15-16

R./ Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

You will free me from the snare they set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God. R./ Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side, as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life. R./ Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

But my trust is in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." In your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. R./ Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

Gospel

MT 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

[weregonnaneedmorewhiskey]

Let’s talk about double standards (DISCLAIMER: IF YOU ARE IGNORANT AND ONLY READ PIECES OF WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN, DON’T READ IT ALL AND CERTAINLY DON’T WRITE REPLIES SAYING I’M AN IDIOT ETC BECAUSE I WILL CLAPBACK WITH RECEIPTS BEING THE SAVAGE THAT I AM)

Ok firstly, I originally was gonna write this on Tuesday but in rehearsals for a production at the moment so it got pushed back and Thank God I did because I did not expect this week to be so...eventful to say the least. I swear I will write a positive blog positive in the near future instead of talking about serious issues. Double standards exist and they are shit. The fact that people can bat a blind eye to one person’s situation but crucify someone else’s situation is BULLSHIT. We’ve all seen the events involving James “I think I can sing” Charles and Tati Westbrook exposing him for sexually manipulating heterosexual people. I think this is absolutely DISGUSTING. If someone is straight, they are straight. If someone is exploring their sexuality then LET them, but don’t manipulate someone for your own sexual gratification. Whilst I have a feeling that James Charles will continue to have a career after this even though that predator label is gonna definitely hang over his head, I ask this. WHY WEREN’T PEOPLE THIS QUICK TO “CANCEL” JEFREE STAR AFTER NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF HIM BEING RACISTS! And this is coming from someone who doesn’t believe in the cancel culture. I just don’t understand how we let one person slide but not the other. Make it make sense! That’s all I ask. 

Amber Heard who I at one point like and supported has been exposed by Johnny Depp and his camp in a $50 million lawsuit for lying about being abused in their marriage, using said lie to boost her career and actually being the abuser within the marriage. When finding this out, I was horrified and disgusted by this. When the events surrounding the end of Johnny and Amber’s marriage came to light, I was confused. My reason for being confused was due to the fact that Johnny was with Vanessa Paradis who I love for 14 years. They had two children and their relationship was barely in the news and even when they spilt, it was pretty quiet. Well...with the exception of rumours circulating that Johnny was having an affair with Amber since they got together not too long after his split with Vanessa. My thoughts were “well he was with Vanessa for so long and she hasn’t said anything about Johnny period. This is odd. I raise an eyebrow at that and remained confused until THAT video came out of Johnny appears to throw a bottle in Amber’s direction. That in combination with Johnny’s erratic behaviour made me think “whoa he really did that”. The public opinion of Johnny went down drastically, people were quick to hate him but he was still getting film roles. Controversially but nevertheless his career was effected minor. For Amber to use an accusation like that to boost her career, become part of the Me Too movement and be a UN ambassador is disgusting, Amber, you disgust me. The fact that Amber is not having her career effected by this is a perfect example of A) how people stay silent about women being abuses and how men getting abused does not get taken seriously and B) double standard. There should not be different rules depending on gender, or race. Keep that same energy. I seriously hope that Warner Bros will remove her from Aquaman 2.

Mel Gibson, a known racist and abuser only had his career effected for a couple years until he makes Hacksaw Ridge and it gets critical praise and several award nominations including Oscars and now he has been cast as Santa Claus. The person who told his girlfriend after beating her whilst holding their child “I hope you get raped by a pack of niggers” and told her that she “fucking deserved it” is playing Santa Claus. And yet when Chris Brown who took accountability for his incident, has a charity that primarily helps women who are victims of domestic violence but does not put this in the public eye got crucified  in the public eye, blackballed, lost endorsements that probably would have earned him $20 million, had stores refusing to stock his third studio album Graffiti, got banned from the UK and is continuously persecuted TO THIS DAY about it.

And if someone is gonna write a response saying “what about Karruche” Those allegations were proven to be false and she has even admitted this herself and Iyanla Vansant exposed her and her manager for using her show as a way for boost her career as they tried to control her spiritual healing...on a show about spiritual healing. Also side note, we’ve seen how quick the LAPD were to arrest Chris when that girl made up that lie about holding her at gun point. If there was any truth to K***** accusation, A) he would have been arrested immediately and B) he would have been back on probation. Charlie Sheen is another example of someone with a domestic violence incident and this happened at the time when he was the highest paid actor on television, making $1.8 million, before he eventually got fired from Two and A Half Men in 2011. Charlie Sheen did have his career effected minor but he gets a roast on Comedy Central and all is forgiven. Ozzy Osbourne has allegedly admitted to choking Sharon in the past but not an eye lid batted because it’s Ozzy right? Sean Penn allegedly abused Madonna, a well known fact but sue Lee Daniels for saying this in an interview despite this being a well known fact.

R Kelly when the tape was released continued to be one of the biggest artists at the moment, racked up number 1′s and only got his Times Up moment a few months ago. After years of sexual abusing young POC women for over 20 years and there being mounds of evidence, remaining defiant and unapologetic and pretty much hiding in plain sight with dubbing himself The Pier Piper of R&B. Meanwhile you have Elvis who married Priscilla when she was a teenager but still gets honoured on TV specials. And I'm not trying to shit on Elvis to bring R Kelly up because I have been VERY vocal on my dislike for R Kelly and how I hope he gets jail time.

Recently I saw a tweet surfacing “celebrating” five years since Solange attacked Jay Z at the Met Gala. I love Solange but this shit should not be celebrated at all. I thought then and now, if Jay Z had even pushed her back in self defence, the backlash he would have gotten, would have been insane. When Bow Wow and his ex girlfriend got arrested and Bow Wow’s mugshot showed him with scars on his face, people made memes. Again double standards, if she had scars or a bruise on her face, everyone would be saying “FUCK BOW WOW, HE’S AN ABUSER” but...no smoke for his ex girlfriend huh? Wow. 

I’ve just had enough of double standards and that’s the tea. Just start supporting POC beauty gurus like Jackie Aina and Alissa Ashley because they deserve all the love and support.

[thegoods]

Conditional Love

Unconditional love is known as affection without any limitations, or love without conditions. Unconditional love is just given, freely, all willy nilly. Uh, I want no parts in that...conditionally love me please! The thought that someone can put me through anything or treat me any kind of way and I still love them regardless doesn't sit right with me. Hell I sure don't want to be with someone that will never leave or love me any less-- no matter what. There's no incentive in that. Why would I even try and put forth effort into making you happier? I want to know that you will leave my ass if I'm not loving you properly. Give me something to work for. If I'm slipping or not pleasing you let me know that you won't stand for anything less than from me and vice versa. This may contradict my cheaters edition blog but its because I'm allowed to change my opinion or feel this way because its Tuesday. Its unfortunate that people condition their minds to believe that real love is when you have to weather any and every storm together. Not if a motherfucker keeps causing those storms, nope. Why put yourself through that? I'm not saying throw in the towel over dumb shit like failing to compromise. Even though the GOAT, Eartha Kitt, had a point. I'm merely talking about the things that hurt you, damn near break you, things that you simply will not tolerate. I read a post once about a man who broke up with his long time girlfriend (NOT WIFE) because she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He was crucified on social media for choosing himSELF-- how SELFish of him... Some say she dodged a bullet. I had to come to his rescue because I hate bullies. Leave that man alone! Granted there's a big possibility that he didn't want to deal with the burden, financial, mental or emotional. There's also a big possibility that he didn't want to watch the love of his life in that state. How can you blame him? He was supposed to stay because love is unconditional? Ever heard of resentment? He would've been staying for the wrong reasons, which to me is worse than leaving. You cannot tell someone how to gauge their love limits. We're all different. We all should have different standards, expectations and breaking points. I can love you with all of me for the rest of my life or I can't. I won't allow anyone to make me believe that there are no circumstances in true love. My heart, my fucking rules. Conditional love is worked for, fought for....its earned and can for fucking sure be taken away. Let that be all the fire you need under your ass to keep that flame ablaze.

[pope-francis-quotes]

7th May >> (@Pontifex) #PopeFrancis #Pope Francis Mother Teresa, we ask you to intercede with Jesus, that we too may obtain the grace to be attentive to the cry of the poor, the sick, the outcast and the least of our brothers and sisters. #ApostolicJourney #NorthMacedonia

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

TO BULGARIA AND NORTH MACEDONIA

[5-7 MAY 2019]

VISIT TO THE MOTHER TERESA MEMORIAL WITH THE PRESENCE

OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND MEETING WITH THE POOR

PRAYER OF THE HOLY FATHER

Tuesday, 7 May 2019

[Multimedia]

God, Father of mercy and all goodness, we thank you for giving us the life and the charism of Saint Mother Teresa. In your boundless providence, you called her to bear witness to your love among the poorest of the poor in India and throughout the world. She was able to do much good to those in greatest need, for she saw in every man and woman the face of your Son. Docile to your Spirit, she became the prayerful cry of the poor and of all those who hunger and thirst for justice. Taking up the words uttered by Jesus on the cross: “I thirst” (Jn 19:28), Mother Teresa sated the thirst of the crucified Lord by accomplishing works of merciful love.

Saint Mother Teresa, mother of the poor, we ask for your special intercession and help, here in this city where you were born, where you had your home. Here you received the gift of rebirth in the sacraments of Christian initiation. Here you heard the first words of faith in your family and in the community of the faithful. Here you began to see and meet people in need, the poor and the helpless. Here you learned from your parents to love those in greatest need and to help them. Here, in the silence of the church, you heard the call of Jesus to follow him as a religious in the missions.

Here in this place, we ask you to intercede with Jesus, that we too may obtain the grace to be watchful and attentive to the cry of the poor, those deprived of their rights, the sick, the outcast and the least of our brothers and sisters. May he grant us the grace to see him in the eyes of all who look to us in their need. May he grant us a heart capable of loving God present in every man and woman, a heart capable of recognizing him in those who experience suffering and injustice. May he grant us the grace to become signs of love and hope in our own day, when so many are poor, abandoned, marginalized and migrants. May he grant that our love not only be on our lips, but that it be effective and genuine, so that we may bear credible witness to the Church whose duty it is to proclaim the Good News to the poor, freedom to prisoners, joy to the afflicted and the grace of salvation to all.

Saint Mother Teresa, pray for this city, for this people, for its Church and for all those who wish to follow Christ, the Good Shepherd, as his disciples, by carrying out works of justice, love, mercy, peace and service. To follow him, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life for many: Christ our Lord. Amen.