Pope Francis Becomes First Catholic Pontiff to Visit Anglican Parish in Rome

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday became the first Catholic pontiff to visit an Anglican parish in Rome, using the historic occasion to press for greater closeness after centuries of mistrust, prejudices and hostility between the two churches.

Francis and the Anglican bishop in Europe, Robert Innes, prayed side-by-side in the All Saints Church not far from the Spanish Steps.

Innes welcomed Francis by praising the Roman Catholic leader for his solidarity with refugees and migrants.

Anglicans split from Catholicism in 1534, after England's King Henry VIII was denied a marriage annulment.

Both churches are working to develop friendly bonds despite obstacles that include deep differences on such issues as ordaining women and allowing openly gay bishops.

Tensions were aggravated when, under Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, the Vatican in 2009 made it easier for Anglicans unhappy about the liberal direction of their church to convert to Catholicism.

Francis in his homily acknowledged that Anglicans and Catholics had long "viewed each other with suspicion and hostility" and that there were "centuries of mutual mistrust."

"At times, progress on our journey toward full communion may seem slow and uncertain, but today we can be encouraged by our gathering," the pontiff said.

He encouraged both faiths to be "always more liberated from our respective prejudices from the past."

An Anglican parishioner told the pope that Benedict had warned about the risk, in ecumenical dialogue, of prioritizing shared social actions over seeking theological agreement. The parishioner asked Francis if it were true that he preferred working together on practical matters to holding theological discussions.

Both are important, Francis replied.

"You have to search through dialogue, through roots, through sacraments. There are things we're not in agreement on, but you cannot do this in a laboratory. You have to do this walking together," he said.

Earlier in the visit, the pope said he's studying the possibility of going to South Sudan, the East African nation suffering famine and civil war. He mentioned that Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic bishops had asked to make the trip with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

Like Francis, the Anglican leader has decried the suffering in South Sudan.

At the end of the largely informal gathering, one parishioner gave Francis a traditional Lenten cake, while another woman presented him with a basket of homemade marmalades and chutneys

Some Suggested Commentaries on the Book of Revelation

The book of Revelation is not an easy book to interpret.  It was one of the books that was controversial even in the period of the early church.  However, in 1948 with the statehood of Israel, and later in the 70's with the book "The Late Great Planet Earth", a new interest in interpreting the book of revelation from a pre-millennial, literal interpretation sparked even more speculation and controversy over current events and prophetic fulfillment.  Numerous novel interpretations have only added fuel to the fire.  Prophecy conferences abound where speakers claim to have new insight into current events and biblical prophecy and the "Left Behind" series has been made into several movies.  These interpretation are not only novel, but are a serious departure from the churches traditional interpretation of the book of Revelation.  It is important to remember that this letter was written to real first century churches in a historical context of the persecution of the church under Nero and under Domitian and other Roman Emperors.  The message of the book, the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of God,and a call for Christians to remaining faithful to Christ in times of persecution is often lost under a myriad of strange fictional and bizarre interpretation.  Finding books that help Christians interpret the book can be difficult.  I provide the following recommendations for anyone looking to delve into a study of the book of Revelation further.  

Revelation.  "The Word Biblical Commentary" by David E. Aune, (professor at the University of Notre Dame)

Revelation, The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary, Christopher C Rowland (Professor at University of Oxford)

Revelation, Revelation for Everyone.  N.T.Wright, (Bishop of Durham, author, writer)

Revelation, The Anchor Bible Commentary;  J Massyngberde Ford (Professor of New Testament at University of Notre Dame)

The Meaning of the Millennium: Four View: Anthony A Hoekema; (A-millennialism)  Loraine Better (post-millennialism) George E Ladd (historic pre-millennialism) Herman Hoyt (dispensational millennialism). 

St Valentine

Click on video below: history of Valentine

St. Valenties feast day is celebrated on Feb 14th.  There is much about his life that is lost to history, this short video explains some of what is known about this catholic saint and how his day came to be associated with love and marriage.

Love is central to Christian teaching, St. Paul likely was aware that the temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love, loomed large over the city of Corinth when he penned the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians.   This may be a good time to turn our thoughts to St. Paul's concept of Christian 'agape' love.  Take some time to read 1 Cor 13, the letter of 1 John, and the Gospel of John 20-21.

Holy Communion from a Reformed Christian Understanding

Click below for a video on the Reformed understanding of the Lord's Table 

What happens in at Holy Communion every Sunday that it is celebrated?  This tradition which was instituted by Jesus Christ is the means by which we encounter Christ today, it is a reminder that Christ is still with us, through the Holy Spirit, making us one with himself.  It is a mystery, a feast, a spiritual downpayment of the heavenly feast in the Kingdom of God.  This short video presents a reformed understanding of the Lord's Table, or Holy Communion.  Reflectively meditate on the meaning of Holy Communion as the body of Christ.

Letter to the Seven Churches in Revelation: Video Guide 1

Below are four video guides through the cities and the letters of the Seven Churches in Revelation.  At the start of the book of Revelation we read seven letters written to seven churches in Asia minor.  This video guide is a good background supplement to understanding the context of these letter.  They are part of a series from Day of Discovery.  

Introduction to Revelation and the Seven Churches

A video guide through the city of Ephesus from Day of Discovery

A video guide through the city of Smyrna

A video guide through the city of Pergamum

Note:

*The term used in these letters referring to the synagogue as the "synagogue of Satan"needs an important comment.  Christianity and Judaism have often been at odds with each other. Anti-semitism and anti-Jewish feelings are still too frequent today.  The social context of the seven letters includes to the persecution of early Christians by both Jewish and Roman sources.  It is my interpretation that the writer was indicating that Judaism, true to its faith, would not actively seek to destroy others of a different faith. This illustrates that all religion, when used as an instrument of destruction, can be an instrument of the evil one.  The "false synagogue" were those religious leaders that were not being true to the spirit of all religion, persecuting or oppressing those that believe differently.  People of all faith, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam should keep in mind that we are most true to our faith when we reach out to those that are different than ourselves in love, not in hate.  Christians have also been guilty of persecuting Jews and the Holocaust is a vivid reminder in our modern times of the evil we can inflict on our fellow humans.  We must take this admonition as a mandate to always be true to our faith, but likewise, be respectful and gracious when we engage those that are different from us.  

Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation: Video Guide 2

Below are four video guides through the cities and the letters of the Seven Churches in Revelation.  At the start of the book of Revelation we read seven letters written to seven churches in Asia minor.  This video guide is a good background supplement to understanding the context of these letter.  They are part of a series from Day of Discovery

Video guide through the city of Thyatira and Philadelphia

Video guide through the city of Sardis

Video guide to city of Laodicea 

*It is important for us to recognize current tensions between Christianity, Islam and Judaism since the 911 terrorist attacks in New York City.  In these letters of Revelation, there are often reference to the Jewish synagogue and Jewish practices that reflect the tension that existed between early follower of Jesus and the religious elite in the first and second century.  It is important for us to recognize the social context in which early Christians were often persecuted by both religious authorities and Roman civil authorities.  Persecution of religion minorities is a common occurrence in human history.  Christians once in power and in the majority have done the same evil in the name of Jesus.  The Holocaust is just one terrible example.  This kind of hate unfortunately happens between all religious groups too often.  

Religion often breeds intolerance, hate and exclusivity.  As Christians, we can be tolerant and supportive of other religions in our society, while still being witness to the grace of God found in Jesus Christ.  We should remember the admonition of Paul when he wrote, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Col 4:6). True religion will never lead to hate, destruction, and evil.  Always be aware of the fanaticism that exists in religion, but is also the warning signs of false religion.  It is this false religion across all religious groups that we need to resist.