The wars that are bloodying the world

Roberto de Mattei) Over the past century — after the two world conflicts of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 — wars, revolutions and social upheavals of all kinds have accompanied the history of humanity, confirming the dramatic scenario that Our Lady foretold in Fatima in 1917 if the world were to continue offending God with its sins. Pope Francis has spoken repeatedly of a "piecemeal world war" in describing this global turbulence, but it cannot be denied that, between the Russian aggression against Ukraine on 22 February 2022 and that of Hamas against Israel on 7 October 2023, the flames of a new conflagration have flared up violently and are engulfing the eastern borders of Europe, from the Baltic to the Red Sea. Onward from there, in the Far East, communist China casts its threatening shadow on the international horizon. It is natural that Europe should turn its gaze westward towards the United States, which appears to be the only world power capable of offering it military protection. Yet, until the inauguration of Joe Biden’s successor in the White House, in January 2025, America is living in a situation of extreme weakness. Moreover, between the two candidates for the presidency, Harris and Trump, and above all between their voters, a polarisation has been created that raises the possibility of severe tensions within the American colossus.

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Scientists Grow 1,000-Year-Old Seed Found in Cave in Israel—Say It Could Lead to Lost Biblical Tree

 

A tree was germinated from a seed carbon dated to around 1,000 years ago. Illustration by The Epoch Times, with photos by Guy Eisner/Creative Commons 4.0

By Michael Wing

A seed smaller than a fingernail was carried by a bird or critter and deposited into a cave in Israel 1,000 years ago but germinated into a tree after modern archeologists discovered and planted it. In it lies a mystery: A Bible verse mentions a tree of its description; could it be the venerated Judean Balsam tree, whose fragrant sap once served as medicine and was highly treasured?

The Three Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to baby Jesus—so the Bible says. The latter two resins, prized for their scent, have been known to ooze forth from punctured bark on trees of the Commiphora genus. While some species of Commiphora still grow, others are believed to be long extinct, gone since Biblical times. However, in the late 1980s, an archeological dig may have unearthed a lost Biblical secret: the aforementioned seed, well-preserved in a cave in a desert valley.

(Left) The Three Magi depicted in a Byzantine mosaic from circa A.D. 565 (Nina Aldin Thune/Creative Commons 2.5); (Top-right) Myrrh resin (Creative Commons 2.5); (Bottom-right) Frankincense resin. Peter Presslein/Creative Commons 2.5

Archeologists from Hebrew University in Jerusalem collected this tiny seed while excavating a cliff riddled with karstic cavities in the Dead Sea-Jordan Rift Valley in the Northern Judean Desert. Many caves here were once monks’ cells and refuges during Judea’s wars with Rome. Found in this particular cave were man-made artifacts—beads, pieces of cloth, woven ropes—and 35 adult and child skeletons. Also found was a “visually intact” seed, just 1.8 centimeters long, weighing 0.565 grams, which scientists believe an animal carried inside.

Read the rest: https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/scientists-germinate-1000-year-old-seed-found-in-cave-in-israel-say-it-could-lead-to-lost-biblical-tree-5752441

1000 Brazilians Gathered for Latin Mass - Many Newcomers

"If what we do wasn't important, we wouldn't be hated from all sides." - Fr Charles Murr

More than 1,000 Brazilians gathered at the VII National Forum (November 16-17) of the 'Liga Cristo Rey' in Brazil to celebrate and defend the Roman Rite.

On Sunday, hundreds of faithful experienced for the first time this Mass of all ages. The Portuguese priest João Silveira said that the restoration of the Church necessarily involves re-establishing the Latin Mass throughout the world.

Father David Nix from the United States spoke about his own journey through "three categories of Catholics: liberals, conservatives and traditionalists," calling modernism and Catholicism "two different religions". He encouraged Catholics to be patient with those who are still searching for the truth, although there is "only one authentic Catholicism, apostolic Catholicism".

Professor Everton Toresim spoke of the Antichrist who will persecute the Church and offer a "false peace with the aim of seducing souls". And: "He will promote a global religion that will integrate all 'faiths', which will be a trap to deceive many".

The main goal is "to extinguish the Perpetual Sacrifice of the Holy Mass and to destroy the priesthood of the Church, replacing it with a pagan, syncretic and idolatrous cult".

João Marcos spoke about sacred music and explained that Gregorian chant is suitable for prayer.

It transforms music into a means of calming the lower senses, pacifying the flesh and allowing the intellect and will to focus on God: "What we currently see in many settings - including liturgical or prayer groups - is music that touches the emotions, but does not uplift the spirit, and does not provide what is appropriate for prayer."

Fr Charles Murr of the USA said of the persecuted Roman Rite: "If what we do wasn't important, we wouldn't be hated from all sides."

Picture: Centro Dom Bosco, #newsJhdqgeafqb

Why You Need to Be Self-Aware — And How to Improve If You’re Not

 

• REBEKAH BRANDES

11.09.24

“It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” A catchy Taylor Swift line or a harrowing realization that can keep you up at night? Both — how fun! 

In all seriousness, though, being self-aware is a good thing. Taking a long hard look in the mirror may not always be comfortable, but doing so comes with a host of benefits in numerous areas of your life. 

For her book Insight, organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich looked at hundreds of studies on self-awareness. She defines the concept as “the ability to see ourselves clearly — to understand who we are, how others see us, and how we fit into the world around us.” 

At this point, you might be wondering how on Earth you’d know you’re not self-aware if you’re indeed not self-aware. Don’t panic about being potentially oblivious, though: Apparently, most of us are. Only about 10%-15% of people possess true self-awareness, according to Eurich’s research. 

Even if you believe you are among that small percentage, there’s likely still room to improve. Sometimes, people are quite attuned to or focused on certain aspects of their behavior, only to discover there are elements they haven’t been cognizant of at all.

Read the rest: https://nicenews.com/health-and-wellness/strategies-for-becoming-more-self-aware/

Breaking news: Ukraine fired U.S.-made missiles into Russia for first time, officials say

The deep state wants war with Russia to undermine the nascent Trump Presidency and remain in power? No more effective way to hobble an opponent’s peace and prosperity agenda than getting bogged down in multiple unwinnable conflicts.

Nov. 19, 2024, 9:13 a.m. ET

BREAKING NEWS

John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range, via Associated Press

Ukraine Fired U.S.-Made Missiles Into Russia for First Time, Officials Say

The attack came just two days after President Biden gave Ukraine permission to use long-range U.S.-made weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/world/europe/ukraine-russia-atacms-missiles.html

JD Vance Criticised Francis for Holy Mass Restrictions in 2021

 

In 2021, incoming US Vice President JD Vance criticised Francis's crackdown on the Roman Rite.

At a Napa Institute conference, Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, babbled that the Church's current challenges are "nothing new" and that the Church has gone through ups and downs before.

For Vance, one current challenge is that the large church with a leading public figure has a lot of disagreements:

"For example, what do I do when the Pope issues an instruction on the Latin Mass that I don't think is the right instruction for the Church? Even though I'm not a big Latin Mass guy, it felt wrong.

Vance believes that Catholics should discuss liturgical and other divisions respectfully.

In July 2024, the "Catholic" Vance supported the proposal to make the abortion drug mifepristone available.

In October, he insisted that he had "never supported a national ban" on abortion.

#newsMkvxdmtvzj

BREAKING: Redouble prayers for peace as “Biden allows Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range U.S. missiles”

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

Nov. 17, 2024, 1:27 p.m. ET

BREAKING NEWS

John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range, via Associated Press

Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Russia With Long-Range U.S. Missiles

With two months left in office, President Biden for the first time authorized the Ukrainian military to use the system known as ATACMS to help defend its forces in the Kursk region of Russia.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/us/politics/biden-ukraine-russia-atacms-missiles.html