Author Archives: IAN D'SOUZA

YES, MARRIAGE FOR CATHOLIC CLERGY GET’S CLOSER

francis-chrismFurther to my earlier article Is Marriage for Catholic Clergy the Answer?, it is tempting to see the glimmer of reform as another sign of the “Francis effect”, with the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio opening doors that had hitherto been locked in the area of married clergy. But a word of caution. Among those friends in Argentina who know him best, he is almost universally described as a conservative. “He loves his celibacy,” his former press spokesman Father Guillermo Marco told me.

Yet this is not an either/or choice.  There can still be a place for a celibate priesthood as well as married priests, as happens, for example, in the Orthodox branch of Christianity, where the upper echelons of bishops are reserved for those without wives. Continue reading →

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus!

http://youtu.be/tLOaWT2L2z8

The above song video is based on a true story of how a Christian family was martyred for their faith and is being sent out as an Easter Greeting! Please view and listen carefully to the awesome story details that made this song a headliner today.

The DIVIDE of the CROSS

crucifixion-255x189In the crucifixion narrative of Mark’s Gospel in Chapter 15 verse 16 onward, we catch some important glimpses of the various people involved with and gathered around the Cross of Jesus.  Mark’s view is not the view of the crowd looking at Jesus, but rather the view from the Cross itself, looking at the crowd. Gathered around the foot of the cross were a great number of individuals, or groups of individuals, who he brings before us so that we might see their reactions to the crucifixion of our Lord. Let’s look at them one at a time: Continue reading →

Is Marriage for Catholic Clergy the Answer?

140205111748-vatican-statues-horizontal-galleryThe present Pope Francis has been under severe criticism right through the first year of his Pontificate for not tackling the pedophile priests matter more thoroughly.  Like his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI who did nothing much about it (though there are claims of 400 priests being defrocked by him in 2011 & 2012), this scandal refuses to go away.  It has now turned global in nature as cases once restricted to just Ireland and the US have begun to explode all over Europe and beyond especially in the years 2011 & 12 which forced Pope Benedict to do something about it.  Often referred to as a disease, but more accurately termed as sin, the time has come no doubt for a spiritual spring-cleaning within.  The magnitude of the problem has for the first time caused a secular body like the UN to rap the Vatican on its knuckles as it were, using harsh language such as “kick out those who abuse children“. Continue reading →

The Basic Gospel – Salvation Message

Basic Gospel Message : (< Click on this title for full message)

 salvation(Dear friend, please read through this message below very slowly and carefully.  This is the most important message that you will ever need to hear.  It concerns the Gospel of your salvation according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3).  There is no other Gospel other than that which the Scriptures reveal, which was once and for all delivered to the saints). 

 

The Bible Speaks Today – Torchbearers for Christ

let-your-light-shine“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16)

In the year 2012 we recently witnessed a global sports event that takes place every four years – The Olympic Games! The Olympic flame is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. As per the custom, the Olympic torch is lit in Greece and then relayed by “Torchbearers” to the various designated sites of the games. These torchbearers are usually famous people or celebrities whom the country is proud to show off. In this 2012 olympics, Amitabh Bachchan was the first Indian film celebrity to be one of the Olympic Torchbearers. Torchbearers are people that others would want to emulate, they are role models. It is a great honour to be chosen to carry the Olympic Torch. Continue reading →

The Bible Speaks Today – Fix Your Gaze Above

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:1-2).

Many years ago, while flying over India, Handley Page, a famous British aviator, was alarmed by the sound of some animal, presumably a rat, active somewhere near him, but out of his sight and reach, having evidently come aboard his plane sometime before takeoff. There was no convenient place to land to rid himself of the unwelcome passenger. There were wires, hoses and cables which a rat could soon damage, and their damage could mean loss of control or power. It could mean disaster! What could he do? Continue reading →

Love of the World is Enmity with God

Youth Recollection – 16th March, 2014, Mumbai CCR. “Talk on Love of the World is Enmity with God”. Attended by around 300 youth from all over Mumbai City at the Apostolic Carmel Convent Hall, Bandra. Based on the biblical narrative of Abraham and Lot – (Gen 12 – Gen 20).

The sad story of Lot (Carnal Christian) who desires to profess a relationship with God on one hand and yet keep his one foot in the world. Having the best of both worlds does not work in the Christian Life. We cannot serve God and Mammon together.

The Bible Speaks Today – No Longer Slaves To Sin

If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation

If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17)

We need to realize that we have two natures within. First is the Old Man (also referred to as sin nature or flesh nature or old self) which has its source in the fallen first Adam and causes us to do the very thing we do not want to do – Sin! (Rom 7:15).  All temptations to sin make their appeal to this corrupted flesh nature called the old man.  Unfortunately, for a long time we have believed the lie that it was Satan who was the cause of our sin.  While he may be an instrument, he is not the source.  Thus we have been overly occupied with him, rather than the true source of the problem, our sin / flesh nature.  Continue reading →

The Effects of Porn on the Male Brain

By: William M. Struthers, Ph.D

Reproduced by permission from Christian Research Institute (CRI)

porn male brainSYNOPSIS

Pornography is a powerful force that has become increasingly widespread in Western culture since the advent of the Internet. As the culture has been “pornified,” the ways in which men, women, and sexual attitudes and expectations have been affected are of considerable concern. While pornography is influencing and shaping assumptions about identity, sexuality, the value of women, and the nature of relationships, little discussion has focused on the neurobiological aspects of its allure, addictive properties, and long-lasting effects. Perhaps the appeal of pornography to so many is because it activates a part of our brain that is specifically organized to look for sexual cues. What if pornography merely hijacks a part of our nature that is intended for something better? Continue reading →