Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. - 1 Corinthians 12:12 - "Jesus is Lord" is the ultimate Christian creed. 'No one can say, "Jesus is Lord" unless he or she is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.' - 1 Corinthians 12:3 - A Christian, therefore, is a person who confesses Jesus as Lord. Amen!

After Jesus resurrection and exaltation, however, Jesus was given the title "Lord" in its full Christological sense. Saint/ Apostle Peter, concluding his address to the crowd in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, declared, 'For this reason the whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ'. - Acts 2:36 - 

Another key New Testament text that shows the sense in which Jesus was acknowledged as "Lord" is Philippians 2:1-11 - In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself...in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as "Lord" to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:1-11 - In these verses Apostle/Saint Paul may be quoting an early confession of faith. If so, he endorsed it and made it his own.

The 'name which is above every name' is probably the title "Lord" in the highest sense that it can bear. The words echo Isaiah 45:23, where the God of Israel swears, "To Me, every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess." In the Old Testament, the God of Israel denies to any other being the right to receive the worship which belongs to Him alone and in the passage from the Philippians. He readily shares that worship with the humiliated and exalted Jesus. More than that, He shares His own name with him. When human beings honour Jesus as Lord, God is glorified.

As we know, the title "Lord" in the Christology sense must have been given to Jesus before the Church moved out into the Gentile world. The evidence for this is the invocation "MARANATHA" or "O LORD, COME!" - 1 Corinthians 16:22 - If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse on him/her. 'Maran atha.' -

The Apostle Paul's, writing to Gentile Church in the Greek-speaking world, assumed that its believers and followers of Christ Jesus were familiar with this Aramaic phrase. It was an early Christian title for Jesus. It bears witness to the fact that from the earliest days of the universal Church, the one who had been exalted as 'Lord' was expected to return as 'Lord.'

If Jesus is called Lord in this supreme sense, it is not surprising that Jesus occasionally is called God. Thus, truly, truly, Jesus is fully human and fully divine, truly God and truly man. Since the Lord Jesus Christ partakes in the nature of both God and humanity. Indeed, He occupies a unique status with regard to them.  

Jesus Christ appearances to the disciples - "In the evening of that first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, 'Peace be with you', and show them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and the Lord Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you.' 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' After saying this Jesus breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those sins you retain, they are retained.' 

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not in with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, 'We have seen the Lord', Thomas answered, 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe'. Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. 'Peace be with you' The Lord Jesus said. Then Jesus spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.' Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him: 'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those have not seen and yet believe.'" - John 20:19-29 -

The work of Jesus has often been stated in relation to His threefold, that is, Prophet, Priest, King. As Prophet, He is the perfect spokesperson of God to the world, fully revealing God's will. As Priest, Jesus has offered to God by His passion and death, it is sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the world. As King, He is the ruler over the kings of the earth and the  world.

A voice from heaven or the Almighty God, the Father declared, "You are my My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased. This clearly indicated that Jesus was Israel's/Jacob's anointed King, destined to fulfill His kingship as the Servant of the Lord described centuries earlier by the prophet Isaiah.

Indeed, Jesus is true man and true God, fully human and fully divine. The only Begotten Son of God. Jesus, Son of the living God, born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus began His ministry when He sought baptism at the hands of John the Baptist. The descent of the dove as Jesus came up of the water was a sign that Jesus was the One anointed by the Spirit of God as the 'Servant-Messiah' of His people. - Isaiah 11:1-2; 42:1; 61:1 -

God's mighty acts and the prophetic word interacting with each other continues throughout the course of scriptural / biblical history. The prophets were God's primary messenger in the Old Testament times. The teachings of many of these messengers are preserved in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.

In the New Testament writings, revelation and response came together in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the one hand, Jesus was God's perfect revelation of Himself - He was divine Word in human form. The Lord Jesus Christ works of mercy and power portrayed God in action and His teaching expressed the mind of God.

"Accept  the strength, my dear son, that comes from the grace of Christ Jesus. You have heard everything that I teach in public; hand it on to reliable people so that they in turn will be able to teach others.

Put up with your share of difficulties, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. In the army, no soldier gets himself mixed up in civilian life because he must be at disposal of the man who enlisted him; or take an athlete - he/she cannot win any crown unless he/she kept all the rules of the contest; and again, it is the working farmer who has the first claim on any crop that is harvested. Think over what I have said, and the Lord will show you how to understand it all.

Remember the Good News that I carry, 'Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David'; it is an account of this that I have my own hardships to bear, even to being chained like a criminal - but they cannot chain up God's news. So I bear it all for the sake of those who are chosen, so that in the end they may have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus and the eternal glory that comes with it, here is a saying that you can rely on:

If we have died with Him, then we shall live with Him.

If we hold firm, then we shall reign with Him.

If we disown Him, then He will disown us.

We may be unfaithful, but 

He is always faithful, for 

He cannot disown His own self.

Remind them of this; and tell them in the name of God that there is to be no wrangling about words: all that this ever achieves is the destruction of those who are listening. Do all you can to present yourself in front of God as a person who has come through His trials and a person who has no cause to be ashamed of His life's work and has kept a straight course with the message of the truth.

Have nothing to do with pointless philosophical discussions - they only lead further away from true religion. Talk of this kind corrodes like gangrene, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus, the men who have gone right away from the truth and claim that the resurrection has already taken place. Some people's faith cannot stand up to them.

However, God's solid foundation stone is still in position, and this is the inscription on it: The Lord knows those who are His own' and 'All who call on the name of the Lord must avoid sin.'

Not all the dishes in a large house are made of gold and silver; some are made of wood or earthenware: some are kept for special occasions and others are for ordinary purposes. Now, to avoid these faults that I am speaking about are for ordinary purposes. Now, to avoid these faults that I am speaking about is the way for anyone to become a vessel for special occasions, fit for the Master Himself to use, and kept ready for any good work.  

Instead of giving in to your impulses like a young person, fasten your attention on holiness, faith, love, and peace, in union with all those who call on the Lord with pure minds. Avoids these futile and silly speculations, understanding that they only give rise to quarrels; and a servant of the Lord is not to engage in quarrels, but has to be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and patient.

He or She has to be gentle when he/she corrects people who dispute what he/she says, never forgetting that God may give them a change of mind so that they recognize the truth and come to their senses, once out of the trap where the devil caught them and kept them enslaved. You may be quite sure that in the last days there are going to be some difficult times. People will be self-centred and grasping; boastful, arrogant and rude; disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious; heartless and unappeasable; they will be slanderers, profligates, savages and enemies of everything that is good; they will be treacherous and reckless and demented by pride, preferring their own pleasure to God. They will keep up the outward appearance of religion but will have rejected the inner power of it. Have nothing to do with people like that.

Of the same kind, too, are those people who insinuate themselves into families in order to get influence over silly women who are obsessed with their sins and follow one craze after another in the attempt to educate themselves, but can never come to knowledge of the truth.

People like this defy the truth just as Jannes and Jambres defied Moses: their minds are corrupt and their faith spurious. But they will not be able to go on any longer: their foolishness, like that of the other two, must become obvious to everybody.

You know, though, what I have taught, how I have lived, what I have aimed at; you know my faith, my presence and my love; my constancy and the persecutions and hardships that came to me in places like Antioch, Iconium and Lystra - all the persecutions I have endured; and the Lord has rescued me from every one of them.

You are well aware, then, that anybody who tries to live in devotion to Christ is certain to be attacked; while these wicked impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and deceived themselves.

You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true; remember who your teachers were, and however, since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures - from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Sacred Scripture is inspired by God and can profitably be used for teaching, for refuting error, for guiding people's lives and teaching them to be holy. This is how the person who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work.

Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of His Appearing and of His kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience - but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching.

This time is sure to come when, far from being content with sound teaching, people will be avid for the latest novelty and collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then, instead of listening to the truth, they turn to myths. Be careful always to choose the right course; be brave under trials; make the preaching of the Good News your life's work, in thoroughgoing service." - 2 Timothy 2:1-26, 3:1-17, 4:1-5 -

The New Testament presents the record of Jesus' life, teachings, words and deeds, Passion, Death, Resurrection, and the Ascension; a narrative of the beginning of the Christian Church with the coming of the Holy Spirit; and the story of the extension of the Gospel and the planting of the universe Church during the following generation. It also contains the written teachings of Jesus' apostles and other early Christians who applied the principles of the Lord Jesus Christ doctrine and redemptive work to their lives.

By the finished work of Christ is meant the work of atonement or redemption for the human race which he completed by His death on the cross. This work is so perfect in itself that it requires neither repetition nor addition. Because of this work, He is called "Saviour of the world" and "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" - 1 John 4:14; John 1:29 -

Just as God originally inspired the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, He has used this means to preserve His Word for future generations. But behind the writing lay periods of time when these revelations and messages were circulated in spoken form, that is, Oral Tradition. The events and stories of the patriarchs were passed from generation by word of mouth before they were fixed in writing, that is, Written Tradition. Narratives of the life and ministry of Christ Jesus were repeated orally for two or three decades before they were given literary form.

"Now when all the people had been baptized and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are My Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you." - Luke 3:21-22 -

Now one Sabbath Jesus Christ happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and His disciples were picking ears of corns, rubbing them in their hands and eating them. Some of the Pharisees said, 'Why are you doing something that is forbidden on the Sabbath day?'  Jesus answered them, 'So you have not read what king David did when he and his followers were hungry - how he went into the house of God, took the loaves of offering and ate them and gave them to his followers, loaves which is only the priests are allowed to eat?'

And the Lord Jesus Christ said to them: "The Son of Man is master of the Sabbath." - Luke 6:1-5 - 

His state was divine,

yet he did not cling

to his equality with God

but emptied himself

to assume the condition of a slave,

and became as men are;

and being as all men are,

he was humbler yet,

even to accepting death,

death on a cross. - Philippians 2:6-8 -

The same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. - Acts 1:11 - The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth in bodily from just as He ascended into heaven. 

In the Old Testament, it is indicated that Jesus was Israel's anointed King, destined to fulfill His kinship as the Servant of the Lord or Servant-Messiah described centuries earlier by the prophet Isaiah. - Isaiah 11:2, 42:1, 52:13, 61:1 -

The word Messiah comes from a Hebrew term that means "anointed one." Its Greek counterpart is Christos, from which the word Christ comes. Messiah was one of the titles used by early Christians to describe who Jesus was. In Jewish thought, the Messiah would be the king of the Jews, a political leader who would defeat their enemies and bring in a golden era of power, peace and prosperity. In Christian thought, the term Messiah refers to Jesus' role as a spiritual deliverer, setting His people free from sin and death.

Jesus Christ is the one anointed by God, the Father, and empowered by God's spirit to deliver His people and establish His kingdom. As the Messiah, Jesus is the divinely appointed king who brought God's kingdom to earth or the world. - Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20 - Jesus way to victory was not by unjust war, physical force and violence, but through humility, faith, hope, and love.

-     WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY     - 

Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -

Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, IS THE LARGEST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, WITH 1.3 BILLION BAPTISED CATHOLICS WORLDWIDE AS OF 2019. (THE ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, APOSTOLIC CHURCH)

Early Christian writings tell us that Peter's successors, the bishops of Rome (who from the earliest times have been called by the affectionate title of "Pope," which means "Papa"), continued to exercise Peter's ministry in the Church. The Pope is the successor to Peter as bishop of Rome. The world's other bishops are successors to the apostles in general.

Early Christians continued to accept the Old Testament, and they could interpret the Old Testament in the light of Jesus' deeds and words if they had a reliable record of them. So, alongside Moses and the prophets, they had these early writings about the Lord Jesus Christ, and letters or epistles from the Apostles, who had living together and known the Lord Jesus Christ in flesh. Thus, Jesus Christ is presents as altogether God and altogether man/human - the perfect mediator between God and mankind/humankind because He partakes fully of the nature of both. Amen!

The New Testament presents the record of Jesus' life, teachings, words and deeds, Passion, Death, Resurrection, and the Ascension; a narrative of the beginning of the Christian Church with the coming of the Holy Spirit; and the story of the extension of the Gospel and the planting of the Church during the following generation. It also contains the written teachings of Jesus' apostles and other early Christians who applied the principles of the Lord Jesus Christ doctrine and redemptive work to their lives.

                  -  The Name Francis - His Holiness Pope Francis - 266th Pope  - 

Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio became the 266th Pope, and the first to take the name of Francis. The tradition of changing name goes back to the first Pope, whose name Simon was changed by Jesus into Peter, meaning Rock. The chosen name signifies the spirituality and the mission of a Pope.

At his first audience, on March 16, 2013, the new Pope explained that he was inspired to take the name Francis in the Sistine Chapel, immediately after his election, when the Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes embraced him and whispered: "Don't forget the poor." The Pope has a great admiration for Saint Francis of Assisi because of his simplicity, humility, and promotion of Christian poverty against luxury, pride, and vanity of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of the time.

In keeping with his name, Pope Francis decided not to reside in the luxurious apartments of the Apostolic Palace, but to live with other priests and bishops at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guest house. Similarly, he refuses to wear the red Prada shoes of his predecessor, but retained the black leather shoes donated by some friends in Argentina.

From 2005 to 2011, while serving as president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, he issued a collective apology for the Church's omissions in protecting the people during the Dirty War ( 1968 to 1980 ) during which thousands of suspected Communists were tortured and killed by the Military Junta. On December 17, 2011, having turned 75, Bergoglio submitted his resignation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI - 265th Pope, as required by Canon Law. He prepared himself for a well-deserved retirement, but little he suspected that the real action was still to come.

The People's Pope

Francis identifies himself with the people, and the people identify with him. He was born of simple parents - a railways worker and a plain housewife. He studied in a technical school and traveled by public transportation. Even as bishop and cardinal he traveled by public transportation, lived in a small apartment, and cooked his own meals.

When still Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio used to celebrate the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday in jails, hospitals, or with poor people. He continued this custom after becoming Pope, when he washed the feet of twelve young inmates in Rome, including two women - one of them was a Serbian Muslim. The papal election did not change his frugality and humility: he retained the iron pectoral cross, kept the old black shoes, and preferred to live at the Vatican guest house, rather than in the Apostolic Palace, to be able to live in community with his fellow priests and bishops. Pope Francis is giving security tasked to protect him lots of headaches, since he unpredictably steps down from the open car to hug sick people and to kiss children. When asked about his simple lifestyle, the Pope answered: "My people are poor and I am one of them."

Jorge Mario Bergoglio's Early Life

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Flores, a barrio of Buenos Aires, on December 17, 1936. He was the eldest of five children, and the only surviving sibling is Maria Elena. His father, Mario Jose Bergoglio, was an Italian immigrant from Portacomaro, in the Province of Asti, and worked as an accountant in the railways. He left Italy to escape the fascist dictatorship of Benito Mussolini - a quest for freedom and justice that he imparted to his children. His mother, Regina Maria Sivori, was born in Buenos Aires to a family of Italian origins.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been a football enthusiast since childhood, and a fan of Tango dancing and of Milonga, the traditional music of Argentina and Uruguay. He attended the elementary at the Salesian school in Ramos Mejia, and the technical secondary school at the Escuela Nacional de Educacion Tecnica.

Having graduated with honors in Chemistry, he worked for a few years as a chemical technician in a foods laboratory. He was ready to start his career and to become a family man, but God had a different plans for him; as the saying goes: "Man proposes but God disposes."

His Vocation Story

On September 21, 1953 - Feast of Saint Matthew, after going to Confession, Jorge Mario Bergoglio felt the calling for the priesthood, and entered the Archdiocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires. One time, he was so attracted by a girl he met at his uncle's wedding that he had to rethink his vocation. But in time the fascination faded away. He also suffered from pneumonia, and a part of his right lung was removed.

In 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus, and two years later he made the first religious profession. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the San Miguel Seminary of Buenos Aires, taking time also to teach literature and psychology in two colleges. On December 13, 1969, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ramon Jose Castellano.

The next three years, he served as theology professor and then Master of Novices; alongside, he visited Spain to complete his formation. In time, he became Provincial Superior of the Jesuits ( 1973 to 1979 ) and rector of his alma mater ( 1980 to 1986 ) Afterwards, he went to Germany to complete his doctorate in Theology in Freiburg.

Episcopal Consecration

In 1992, Reverend Father Bergoglio was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop, and six years later he succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino as Metropolitan Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He worked tirelessly to create new parishes and to increase the Church's presence in the shanties. In 1998, Archbishop Bergoglio was appointed also Ordinary for the Eastern Catholics in Argentina, who lacked a prelate of their own rite. He understood perfectly their liturgy and spirituality, and took care of them with the same zeal that he did for the Latin Catholics.

From 2005 to 2011, while serving as president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, he issued a collective apology for the Church's omissions in protecting the people during the Dirty War ( 1968 to 1980 ) during which thousands of suspected Communists were tortured and killed by the Military Junta. On December 17, 2011, having turned 75, Bergoglio submitted his resignation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires to Pope Benedict XVI, as required by Canon Law. He prepared himself for a well-deserved retirement, but little he suspected that the real action was still to come.

Cardinal Bergoglio

In 2001, Archbishop Bergoglio was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II. For the occasion, he visited the birthplace of his father in Portacomaro. He was appointed to several positions in the Roman Curia, and became known for his personal humility, spirit of communion, and commitment to social justice.

A simple lifestyle contributed to his reputation for holiness. He lived in a small apartment, rather than in the elegant bishop's residence, took public transportation instead of using a chauffeur limousine, and cooked his own meals.

In 2005, at the Conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Bergoglio was considered one of the papabili, or front-runner candidates. According to some Italian magazines, he was in close contention with Ratzinger during the election, until he made an emotional plea that the Cardinals should not vote for him. On the fourth ballot, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the 265th Pope, and took the name of Benedict XVI.

The Papal Election

Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, on February 28, 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio made his trip to Rome for the Conclave. He was elected Pope on March 13, on the second day and fifth ballot, and took the name of Francis. He never figured in the list of the papabili created by the imagination of newsmen worldwide. Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, when asked why the media failed to predict the new Pope, wittingly answered: "The Holy Spirit does not read social media." At about 8:00 in the evening, Cardinal Jean Louis Tauran stepped at the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica to announce the Habemus Papam. The Pope Francis appeared wearing a white cassock, instead of the customary red mozzetta. He also wore the same iron pectoral cross he used in Buenos Aires, rather than the gold one of his predecessors.

After greeting, "Good evening" he said: "As you know, the duty of the Conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome. It seems to me that my brother Cardinals have chosen one who is from far away, but here I am." Before giving his first blessing Urbi et Orbi, he asked the people to pray for the Church, for his predecessor, and for himself.

The Name Francis

Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio became the 266th Pope, and the first to take the name of Francis. The tradition of changing name goes back to the first Pope, whose name Simon was changed by Jesus into Peter, meaning Rock. The chosen name signifies the spirituality and the mission of a Pope.

At his first audience, on March 16, 2013, the new Pope explained that he was inspired to take the name Francis in the Sistine Chapel, immediately after his election, when the Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes embraced him and whispered: "Don't forget the poor." The Pope has a great admiration for Saint Francis of Assisi because of his simplicity, humility, and promotion of Christian poverty against luxury, pride, and vanity of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of the time.

In keeping with his name, Pope Francis decided not to reside in the luxurious apartments of the Apostolic Palace, but to live with other priests and bishops at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guest house. Similarly, he refuses to wear the red Prada shoes of his predecessor, but retained the black leather shoes donated by some friends in Argentina.

The First Days of Pope Francis

The first days of Pope Francis were an outpouring of graces for the Catholic Church and for the whole world. On the day of his election, inside the Sistine Chapel, he received the Cardinals' congratulations standing, rather than seated on the papal throne. On route for the evening dinner, he declined to use the Papa Mobile reserved for him, preferring to take bus with the other Cardinals. The first thing he did the next day, was to consecrate his Papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary, by visiting the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

There, he deposited a bouquet of flowers and prayed before the icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, purportedly painted by Saint Luke himself. On his way back to the Vatican, he passed by the hotel where he had stayed to pay the bill and pick up his own bags. Pope Francis has already touched the hearts of billions of people; not only Catholics but also members of other religions and denominations. Remarkably, even atheists speak well of him, because he said: "The Lord has redeemed all of us, not just the Catholics, and even the atheists... even if they do not believe, we may meet them in doing good."

The Coat of Arms

Pope Francis decided to keep the Coat of Arms and the Motto he used since his episcopal consecration in 1991, with the changes required by his new position as Roman Pontiff.

The Coat of Arms is composed of a blue field with three symbols, representing the Holy Family. On the top is the Radiating Sun of the Society of Jesus, within which is a cross and acronym IHS, which stands for Jesus Hominum Salvator ( Jesus Man's Saviour ) On the left is an Eight-pointed Star, which symbolizes the Virgin Mary; and on the right a nard flower, or spikenard, which traditionally represents Saint Joseph. The Coat of Arms is adorned by a Miter, representing the authority of the Pope, and the Crossed Keys of Saint Peter, symbolizing the papal power to loose and bind on heaven and earth. Below is the motto: Miserando atque eligeddo, which means: "By having mercy He chose him." It is taken from a homily of Saint Bede, and refers to the vocation of Saint Matthew. As we know, Pope Francis discovered his vocation on the feast of Saint Matthew of 1953; and like the evangelist he felt to be unworthy of the call. Despite their sinfulness, both were called by Jesus.

Mary Untier of Knots

During his studies in Germany, Reverend Father Bergoglio visited the Perlach Church in Augsburg and was fascinated by the icon of Mary Untier of Knots . He brought a copy of the image to Argentina where it has become a popular Marian devotion. The painting was commissioned in 1700 by Reverend Father Jakob Rem to celebrate the reconciliation between his grandfathers, attributed to a prayer he offered to the Virgin Mary, which said: "In this religious act, I raise the bonds of matrimony, to unite all knots and smoothen them."

The icon shows Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, standing on the crescent moon, surrounded by angels, and with the Holy Spirit above her own crown of twelve stars. Mary unites knots into a long strip, signifying her powerful intercession in solving the difficulties of daily life. At the same, she rests her foot on the head of a snake, symbol of the Devil. Below there is Raphael who accompanies Tobias to ask Sara to be his wife. The concept of Mary untying knots was developed by Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, who said: "The knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary."

Marian Devotion

Pope Francis has a filial devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. His mother was named Maria, like the Mother of Jesus; and his first priestly formation was at the Archdiocesan Seminary of Buenos Aires, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

On the evening of his election, at the Balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, he prayed the Hail Mary along with the Our Father and the Glory Be.

The next day, he visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome to consecrate his papacy to the Virgin Mary. He deposited a bouquet of flowers and prayed before the oldest Marian icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani. Since the beginning of his pontificate the Holy Father has constantly referred to Christ's Mother as our model in Christian life.

Above all, he presented Mary as a model for the dignity of women, who are essential in the life of the Church. At the beginning of the Month of the Rosary, on May 1, 2013, Pope Francis said that the devotion to the Blessed Mother is an important part of the Christian life.

Devotion to Saint Joseph

Since his childhood Pope Francis was deeply devoted to Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary. The devotion was strengthened when he entered the Seminary of San Miguel in Buenos Aires, dedicated to Saint Joseph. What he admired most of the foster father of Jesus was his profound faith, his tireless work, and his humble silence. In the whole Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible we cannot find a single utterance of Saint Joseph, and most of the talking was one by his Virgin Spouse.

Pope Francis chose the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, March 19, as the date for his Papal Inauguration. In the homily, he said: "I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. He exercised his role as protector discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity."

On May 1, 2013, Pope Francis prescribed that all Holy Masses, during the Eucharist Prayer, the name of Saint Joseph was to be inserted between that of Mary and the Apostles, in this terms: "With the blessed Joseph, her chaste Spouse."

Indeed, Pope Francis is the "People's Pope." He always identifies himself with the people, and the people identify with him. When asked about his simple lifestyle, Pope Francis answered: "My people are poor and I am one of them."

The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of all creation - "He is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers - all things were created through him and for him. Before anything was created, he existed, and he holds all things in unity. Now the Church is his body, he is its head. As he is the Beginning, he was first to be born from the dead, so that he should be first in every way; because God wanted all perfection to be found in him and all things to be reconciled through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by the death on the cross." - Colossians 1:15-20 -

The Lord Jesus Christ - The true teacher - "Now, before God the source of all life and before Jesus Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who at the due time will be revealed by God, the blessed and only Ruler of all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal, whose home is in inaccessible light, whom no man is able to see: to him be honour and everlasting power. Amen." - 1 Timothy 6:13-16 -

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS (VICAR OF CHRIST) TO THEOLOGIANS: DON'T DO THEOLOGY AWAY FROM PEOPLE. "A THEOLOGY THAT HELPS EVERY CHRISTIAN PROCLAIM THE SAVING FACE OF GOD IS NECESSARY."

FOR POPE FRANCIS (VICAR OF CHRIST), THE THEOLOGIAN ISN'T JUST A SIMPLE SCHOLAR OF GOD, BUT RATHER MUCH MORE. HE OR SHE IS A SCHOLAR AT THE SERVICE OF A PEOPLE, THE CHURCH, TO WHICH HE OR SHE BELONGS AND IS NURTURED BY. THERE'S NO ROOM FOR INDIVIDUALIST THEOLOGIANS WHO COMPETE AMONGST THEMSELVES TO SEE WHO KNOWS MORE.

BEFORE MEMBERS OF THE ITALIAN THEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, THE POPE SAID THEOLOGY MUST BE USED TO HELP EVANGELIZE.

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS (VICAR OF CHRIST) "A THEOLOGY THAT HELPS EVERY CHRISTIAN PROCLAIM AND SHOW IS NECESSARY; ABOVE ALL, THE SAVING FACE OF GOD OF THE MERCIFUL GOD, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF SOME UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES THE HUMAN BEING FACES TODAY."

POPE FRANCIS MET WITH THE ORGANIZATION IN HONOR OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY. THE ASSOCIATION WAS CREATED WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL. - ROMEREPORTS.COM DECEMBER 29, 2017 -

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, sacred Tradition, and the writings of the earliest Christians testify that the Church teaches with Jesus' authority. In this age of countless competing religions, each clamoring for attention, one voice rises above the din: the Catholic Church, which the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible calls "the pillar and foundation of truth." - 1 Timothy 3:15 -

Jesus assured the apostles and their successors, the pope and the bishops, "He who listens to you listens to me, and he who rejects you rejects me." - Luke 10:16 - Jesus promised to guide His Church into all truth. Jesus chose the apostles to be the earthly leaders of the Church. He gave them his own authority to teach and to govern - not as dictators, but as loving fathers and pastors. That is why Catholics call their spiritual leaders "father." In doing so we follow Saint Paul's example: "I became your father in Jesus Christ through the gospel." - 1 Corinthians 4:15 -

The apostles, fulfilling Jesus' will, ordained bishops, priests, and deacons and thus handed on their apostolic ministry to them - the fullest degree of ordination to the bishops, lesser degrees to the priests and deacons. Jesus gave Peter special authority among the apostles - John 21:15-17 - and signified this by changing his name from Simon to Peter, which means "rock." - John 1:42 - He said Peter was to be the rock on which he would build His Church. - Matthew 16:18 -

In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, Simon's new name was Cephas (which means a massive rock). Later this name was translated into Greek as Petros - John 1:42 - and into English as Peter. Christ gave Peter alone the "keys of the kingdom" - Matthew 16:19 - and promised that Peter decisions would be binding in heaven. He also gave similar power to the other apostles - Matthew 18:18 - but only Peter was given the keys, symbols of his authority to rule the Church on earth in Jesus' absence.

Christ, the Good Shepherd, called Peter to be the chief shepherd of his Church - John 21:15-17 - He gave Peter the task of strengthening the other apostles in their faith, ensuring that they taught only what was true - Luke 22:31-32 - Peter led the Church in proclaiming the gospel and making decisions. - Acts 2:1-41, 15:7-12 -

-     WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY     - 

Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -

Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.