Today in 10 Seconds
Gospel: Love's joy completes you when you stay Rosary: Luminous Mysteries Pope: Young peacemakers reject the arms race trap NPR: Trump courts China as Fed gets new helm CBS News: Murdaugh's conviction crumbles; disgraced lawyer gets second chance Saint: Apostle chosen by holy coin flip
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John 15:9-17
"Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love."
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Test Your Faith IQ |
Scripture |
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In Acts 1:26, the apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas by 'casting lots.' What ancient Old Testament practice was this method based on?
- A) The Urim and Thummim used by Israel's high priests
- B) The drawing of straws described in the Book of Judges
- C) The dice game played by Roman soldiers at the crucifixion
- D) The sortition system used in Greek democracy
Answer at the bottom of this newsletter.
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 Photo: Vatican News
VATICAN NEWS
Pope Leo XIV visited Sapienza University of Rome to urge young people to reject resignation and become peacemakers, while warning against rising military spending and the dangers of armed conflict.
 Photo: NPR
NPR
President Trump is negotiating deals with China's Xi Jinping while the Senate confirms Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve.
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FAITH & THE WORLD |
Proverbs 11:1 |
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"False scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an honest weight is his delight."
Centesimus Annus 35 (St. John Paul II)
John Paul II warned in Centesimus Annus that economic systems become unjust when they treat entire peoples as instruments rather than partners. Whether the deal is about tariffs, tech, or currency, Proverbs reminds us that God cares about the scales being honest, not just balanced in our favor.
Reflect → When you negotiate for something you want, do you also consider what's fair to the other side?
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 Photo: CBS News
CBS News
South Carolina's Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions, granting the disgraced attorney a new trial.
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FAITH & THE WORLD |
Sirach 35:15-16 |
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"The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. He shows no partiality to the weak but hears the grievance of the oppressed."
CCC 2237 (Political authorities and the common good)
The Catechism teaches that authorities must exercise justice "with respect for the rights of each" (CCC 2237). A flawed trial harms everyone: if Murdaugh is guilty, victims deserve a conviction that can't be overturned; if procedures were corrupt, justice itself was on trial all along.
Reflect → Do you want justice, or do you want the people you've already judged to be punished?
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 Photo: Good Good Good
Good Good Good
UNESCO launched a virtual museum showcasing 250 looted cultural objects from 46 countries, aiming to facilitate their return.
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FAITH & GOOD NEWS |
Luke 19:8 |
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"Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, 'Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.'"
CCC 2412 (Restitution of stolen goods)
The Catechism is blunt: "Commutative justice requires the restitution of stolen goods" (CCC 2412). This museum is a global act of restitution, built on the Zacchaeus principle that repentance isn't real until what was taken is returned.
Reflect → Is there anything you're holding onto that doesn't belong to you, even if nobody else remembers?
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DAILY WORD GAME
Test your Catholic vocabulary
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| Rosary Mystery of the Day | |
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Today's Mysteries |
Thursday: Luminous Mysteries |
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Luminous Mysteries
- 1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
- 2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
- 3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
- 4. The Transfiguration
- 5. The Institution of the Eucharist
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The Objection
"Why do Catholics pray to Mary? She was just a human being. The Bible says there's only one mediator between God and man, which is Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5)."
The Catholic Response
Read the rest of that passage. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul urges prayers, petitions, and intercessions for everyone, meaning he sees no conflict between Christ's unique mediation and Christians praying for one another. Catholics don't believe Mary replaces Jesus as mediator; we believe she intercedes with him, just as you'd ask a friend to pray for you, only she happens to be the most grace-filled friend in heaven (Luke 1:28). The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD affirmed her title "Theotokos" (Mother of God), and CCC 969 clarifies that her maternal role "in no way obscures or diminishes" Christ's unique mediation but rather shows its power. If asking your neighbor to pray for you doesn't violate 1 Timothy 2:5, neither does asking the woman Jesus gave to us from the cross (John 19:27).
CCC 969 | 1 Timothy 2:1-4 | Luke 1:28 | John 19:27
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Saint of the Day |
May 14 |
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St. Matthias the Apostle
Matthias was chosen to replace Judas by drawing lots, essentially a holy coin flip. He's the only apostle selected by random chance rather than by Jesus personally calling him. Early tradition says he preached in Ethiopia and was martyred by axe, though some accounts place him in modern-day Georgia near the Black Sea.
Today's first reading (Acts 1:15-26) recounts his selection, and his feast is celebrated on May 14 in the Roman calendar.
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