Keep
your eyes open!...
May
24, 2026
(Act 2:1-4) And
when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all
together in one place: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as
of a mighty wind coming: and it filled the whole house where they were
sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of
fire: and it sat upon every one of them. And they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost: and they began to speak with divers tongues,
according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.
COLLECT:
O God, who by the mystery of today's great feast sanctify your whole
Church in every people and nation, pour out, we pray, the gifts of the
Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, with the divine grace
that was at work when the Gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once
more the hearts of believers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your
Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen
CATHOLIC ANSWERS: What Is Pentecost? | Catholic Answers Guide to Pentecost 2026
CATHOLIC DAILY REFLECTIONS: The Wind and Fire of Pentecost
THE CATHOLIC THING: Heartburn and Broken Ribs
EWTN NEWS: St. Augustine: Pentecost reverses chaos of Babel, unites Church under the Holy Spirit
St. Augustine of Hippo — the
fourth- to fifth-century bishop, theologian, and philosopher — wrote
about the solemnity in sermons in the late 300s and early 400s.
He contrasted the gift of tongues with the chaos established in Genesis
11 when God punished humanity with separate languages for trying to
construct the Tower of Babel to reach heaven.
In Sermon 271, Augustine explains
that after the Flood, “the ungodly pride of men built a high tower
against the Lord, and the human race was deservedly divided by
languages, so that each nation would speak its own language and thus
not be understood by the others.”
Augustine contrasts the pride of humanity in Genesis with “the devout
humility of the faithful” who gathered together 50 days after the
resurrection of Christ. At Pentecost, that humility prompted God
to instill the gift of tongues to bring unity to the Church despite
“the variety of their different languages,” he writes.
With this gift, the theologian
explains, “the scattered members of the human race, as of one body,
might be attached to their one head, Christ, and so reunited, and fused
together into the unity of the holy body by the fire of love.”
“Whoever received the Holy Spirit, even as one person, started speaking
all languages,” he writes. “So too now the unity itself is
speaking all languages throughout all nations; and it is by being
established in this unity that you have the Holy Spirit; you that do
not break away in any schism from the Church of Christ which speaks all
languages.”
In Sermon 267, Augustine writes that at the Pentecost, “the Church was
then in one house.” He adds: “That small church spoke in the languages
of all nations” and 400 years later, “this great Church now speaks in
the languages of all nations from the rising of the sun to its
setting.”
The growth of the Church over those four centuries, Augustine writes,
is a fulfillment of God’s promise to reach across nations and
languages: “You were promised to yourself: but promised in few,
fulfilled in many. The Holy Spirit is the soul of the body of the
Church.”
In Sermon 268, Augustine expands on how the Pentecost points to the
necessity of unity in the Church under the Holy Spirit, writing that it
showed “the unity of the Church in the tongues of all nations” in a
small room following Christ’s resurrection. Now we see “the unity
of the Catholic Church, spread throughout the whole world.”
“The duties of the members are distributed, but one spirit contains
all,” he continues. “Many commands are given, many things are
done: One commands, one is served. That is our spirit, that is,
our soul, to our members; this is the Holy Spirit to the members of
Christ, to the body of Christ, which is the Church.”
Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
17. When they weep,
some force themselves unseasonably
to think of nothing at all during this blessed time, not realizing that
tears without thought are proper only to an irrational nature and not
to
a rational one. Tears are a product of thought, and the father of
thought
is a rational mind.
May
22, 2026
(Psa 71:9) Cast
me not off in the time of old age: when my strength shall fail, do not
thou forsake me.
THE CONVERSATION:
As ‘right to die’ gains more acceptance, a scholar of
Catholicism explains the position of the Catholic Church
CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE
OF THE FAITH: Letter Samaritanus bonus on the care of persons in the
critical and terminal phases of life
FATHER JEFFREY KIRBY, STD:
All
Life Is Sacred
Your
Questions About End-of-life Care Answered
As Christian believers, we hold the countercultural conviction that all
human life is sacred. As believers in the God-made-Man, we assert
that
all human persons must be loved, honored and protected, especially
those who are vulnerable and weak.
While such love includes the preborn, those with special needs and the
elderly, we have reached a time in which this conviction must be boldly
asserted for those who are seriously ill. Such an assertion is
especially challenging at a time when scientific advancements are
extending life and taking the West to new levels of medical
possibilities.
In light of these medical potentialities, there are certain regular,
ongoing questions about end-of-life care. Here are three of the
more
prominent ones:
Q: If I’m a
medical proxy, am I bound to fulfill any request made by my loved one?
If a loved one asks you to be their medical proxy, it is fundamental
that you are clear about his or her wishes. It’s also important
for
you to indicate what your own beliefs are and what you can or cannot
consent to, in terms of your own conscience.
In spite of any possible requests from the patient (or other loved
ones), you cannot in any way, or in any situation for any reason,
betray moral truth, authentic human dignity or your own conscience
formed in truth. As a Christian believer, this is a
non-negotiable.
Q: Since they
are a part of basic human care, when is it possible to suspend
nutrition and hydration?
Every human person has dignity and a human vocation, a call to live and
cherish our shared humanity. This acknowledgment of human
dignity, and
of our solidarity as human beings with one another, demands that we
generously provide basic human care, which includes food and water
(even if administered artificially). If these basic needs are
suspended, then we are starving or dehydrating a person to death.
This
would be euthanasia since it is the deprivation of food and water that
is causing death, rather than the person’s illness or medical
condition.
The only time that food and hydration can be suspended is when a
person’s body is unable to assimilate them and/or the food and water
actually cause harm to the person. In these cases, the good
offered by
food and water would not be serving any good and so they must be
suspended. In such a situation, the suspension of food and water
would
not be euthanasia since the person’s medical condition is causing
death, not the suspension of food and water.
This last point must be emphasized. In the discernment of when to
suspend nutrition and hydration (even if artificially administered),
the rule of thumb is the pressing question: What will cause the death
of this person? If death occurs because of the removal of food
and
water, then it is euthanasia. If, however, death is caused by the
person’s medical condition or illness, then it is not euthanasia (even
if food and water had to be suspended toward the end of life because of
the illness and the inability of the body to assimilate them).
Q: What if pain
medication ends up taking a person’s life? Is that euthanasia?
If someone gives an intentional and purposeful overdose of pain
medication to a suffering person with the hope of ending life, then the
act is clearly euthanasia.
But most people do not fall into the scenario just described.
Most
people have good will and want to do the right thing and make sure
their loved one isn’t suffering. Here’s a helpful principle for
such
situations: the level of pain medication can be given to match the
level of a person’s pain.
In applying this principle to people who are suffering intensely, it
may happen that the pain medication will cause the loss of mental
capacity and hasten the person’s death. In such a case, the
determining factor regarding the moral status of the proxy’s action is
whether the intention was to take life or solely to lessen pain, even
if there was the foreseeable but unintended consequence of the loss of
life.
While the three questions above provide some guidance, their shared
foundation is the belief in the dignity of every human life, even life
that is weak or possibly distressing to some.
The best response we can give to others is love, an authentic love that
serves truth. As a help to knowing truth, we must work to form
ourselves in the mind and spirit of the Lord Jesus and come to a deeper
understanding of and respect for all human life.
HLI EDITORIAL:
Canada’s Euthanasia Regime: Efficiency and Death
vs. True Compassion and Dignity
WORLDWIDE HEADLINES
Four per cent of deaths in Belgium are euthanasia cases
Suicide following her son’s death: the slippery slope
of euthanasia
Catholic Church in India ‘appalled’ by country’s first
euthanasia death
POPE LEO XIV:
"Through common witness to the God-given dignity of every person,
without exception, and to the tender Christ-like accompaniment of the
seriously ill, all in society will be encouraged to defend rather than
undermine a civilization founded on authentic love and genuine
compassion.”
Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
16. It is not to a
wedding banquet that we have
been called here- certainly not- but He who has called us has called us
here to mourn for ourselves.
May
20, 2026
(Rev 6:9-11) And
when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of
them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which
they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord
(Holy and True), dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that
dwell on the earth? And white robes were given to every one of them
one; And it was said to them that they should rest for a little time
till their fellow servants and their brethren, who are to be slain even
as they, should be filled up.
REVIEW: The Blood of Martyrs Is the Seed of the Church
ASCENSION PRESS:
Blood of the Martyrs Is Still Seed for the Church
OPEN DOORS REPORT: A Christian is killed every 2 hours in sub-Saharan
Africa
VIA FIDES: Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien: 'The Church in
Vietnam, grateful for the missionaries and martyrs, sings its
Magnificat'
Q:
How are the first missionaries who brought the faith to Vietnam
remembered, and how is this memory embraced?
A:
The Vietnamese are deeply grateful to the missionaries. We are
happy to have received the Good News of the Gospel thanks to the
missionaries. We especially remember the French Jesuit Alexandre
de Rhodes, an important figure who came to Vietnam in 1600 and had the
opportunity to work with the Portuguese missionary Francisco de Pina to
transcribe the local language into Latin script. They created a
new writing system for the Vietnamese language, which we still use
today. Thanks to them, Vietnam is the only country in Asia that
uses the Latin alphabet, while other countries have their own
calligraphy. Developing a new script for a people is an
achievement of the highest value. Even the Vietnamese government
and Vietnamese universities, which are sometimes reluctant to
acknowledge the work of the missionaries, cannot deny this fact and
must give Alexandre de Rhodes and his colleagues the recognition they
deserve. Missionaries from many other orders also worked in
Vietnam, such as the Jesuits, Augustinians, Dominicans, Franciscans,
priests of the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP), and many
others. The first two French missionaries were also the first two
bishops appointed by the Holy See in Vietnam, both in the south and the
north: Bishop Lambert de la Motte and Bishop Fran'ois Pallu. In
2024, we initiated the diocesan process for their beatification.
I would like to emphasize that our parishes regularly organize
pilgrimages to the graves of the missionaries, always with great and
profound gratitude. Many missionaries are buried in Vietnam; they
gave their lives; they were missionaries "ad vitam". We are
deeply moved and feel profound affection when we see the graves of the
missionaries. They have left us a living witness to the
faith. The influence of the missionaries in Vietnam is profound,
not only on the mentality but also on the culture and structure of the
Vietnamese Church. Above all, we thank them because through their
presence we received the gift of faith.
Q:
What relationship still exists today with the Vietnamese martyrs and
their spirituality? What significance do they have for the life
of the Church today?
A:
Vietnamese Catholics are generally very proud of their martyrs and
grateful for them. This is clearly evident in the Catholic
communities in the diaspora, in Europe, the United States, and other
parts of the world. When they unite to form a community or
establish a chapel, the name is often a reference to the Vietnamese
Martyrs Saints, or the community is dedicated to Our Lady of La
Vang. We have a deep reverence for the Vietnamese Martyrs, and
for this reason, countless shrines dedicated to them can be found
throughout the country at their birthplace or the site of their
martyrdom. Imagine that: In 200 years of turbulent events and
persecutions, there have been an estimated 130,000 Vietnamese
Martyrs. There is even the case of an entire village of Martyrs:
people who were burned alive simply for believing in Christ. Of
this group, 117 were canonized in 1988, and one was beatified in
2000. A new shrine for the Martyrs is currently being completed
in Hanoi. The shrine will be finished by the end of 2026 and will
be inaugurated next year, with the first meeting of the Bishops'
Conference. 2027 marks the 400th anniversary of Alexandre de
Rhodes' arrival in Thang Long (present-day Hanoi). The
spirituality of the martyrs is fidelity to God. We try to convey
to our faithful that while there is no longer persecution like in the
past, fidelity remains the same. In modern society, where
phenomena such as consumerism and secularization distance us from God,
the spirit of the martyrs'faithful devotion'is all the more important.
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Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
15. Be concentrated
without self-display, withdrawn
into your heart. For the demons fear concentration as thieves fear dogs.
May
17, 2026
(Mat 28:18-20) And
Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven
and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold
I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
FREEDOM 250: Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise
& Thanksgiving
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the National Mall will be the scene of a
historic gathering as Americans of every background across the country
prepare for the nation's 250th birthday with Scripture, testimony,
prayer, and rededication of our country as One Nation to God.
From morning fellowship in front of the U.S. Capitol to an
evening filled with music anchored at the main stage on 12th Street,
Rededicate 250 will be rooted in giving thanks for God's presence in
our national life throughout 250 years of American history and asking
for his guidance for the next 250.
Three
Pillars of the Day
Pillar I ' The Miracles that Made Us: A reflection on God's providence
throughout 250 years, honoring the faith that inspired America's
founders and has carried us forward in every generation since.
Pillar II ' The Miracles Still in Our Midst: Personal testimonies of
God's healing in our lives and in our land.
Pillar III ' A New Birth of Faith and Freedom: A collective expression
of gratitude for 250 years of freedom ' and a unified moment of
rededication asking for God's blessing, guidance, and grace for the
next 250.
UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH: The Missionary Decade. Third Day ' 'The family
is called to be among those for whom Christ prays'
ACIAFRICA: Catholic Archbishop Urges Nigerians to Witness 'the
joy of the Gospel' Amid Insecurity, Hardship
ANTONIO CARDINAL BACCI
MEDITATION: Living the Gospel
1.The Gospel teaches perfection. It teaches the perfection of the
interior life as well as the exterior life, of private as well as of
domestic and social life.
There is no problem in the universe which has not been solved in the
Gospel. In regard to the spiritual life, its command is
clear. 'You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is
perfect.' (Mt. 5:48) 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy
whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind...Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' (Mt. 22:37; Mark 12:30;
Luke 10:27) 'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I
have loved you.' (John 15:12) 'If anyone wishes to come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.' (Luke
9:23) 'Blessed are the poor in spirit... the clean of
heart... the peacemakers ...' (Mt. 5:3-10) 'If thou wilt be
perfect, go, sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven.' (Mt. 19:21) 'Our Father who art in
heaven... thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'
(Mt. 6:10) 'Father... not my will but thine be done.' (Luke
22:42) Anyone who identifies himself with these maxims rises above the
level of a man to that of an angel. His interior life soars to
such a peak that he seems to be leading a heavenly rather than an
earthly existence. If he is living the Gospel, moreover, his
external behaviour will be a faithful mirror of his interior life, for
it is not enough to say 'Lord, Lord,' but a man must also do the will
of the Father. (Cf. Mt. 7:21) A man's domestic and
social life will follow the pattern of his private life. When he
has reached the summit of perfection, an invisible force will emanate
from him, the force of good example. This force will transform
everything within him and around him. Like Mary and the Saints,
he will become the loyal and powerful co-worker of Christ in the
redemption of the human race and in the Christian transformation of
society. Redemption and restoration can come only through the
Gospel. Other theories are always bound up with and impeded by
human egoism. The doctrine of the Gospel is reinforced by the
love of God and of our neighbour. In the Gospel public and
private justice is transformed into the charity of Christ which cannot
be impeded by any earthly difficulty nor by any human barrier, not even
by death. 'Who shall separate us from the charity of Christ?'
(Rom. 8:35) asks St. Paul. Let us meditate on this.
2. The doctrine of the Gospel is so sublime that no generation
has yet been able to practise it fully. Only the Blessed Virgin
and the Saints have approached the peak of perfection indicated by
Christ. 'You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is
perfect.' (Mt. 5:48) How far have we advanced? We are not
expected, obviously, to achieve the absolute perfection of our heavenly
Father. But we are obliged to strive towards it with the help of
the grace of God. It may be that our particular circumstances
excuse us from fulfilling the evangelical counsels, but we have no
option but to obey the precepts of the Gospel. We are under no
obligation to sell all our possessions and give the money to the poor,
but it is too bad for us if our hearts are not detached from earthly
things and in contact with God. We must be prepared to face the
consequences if we do not observe the precepts of justice and charity
towards God and our neighbour. We are especially obliged to help
those who are in need of any kind with whatever we have to spare in the
way of material assistance or advice. It is our own misfortune,
too, if we do not mortify ourselves, accept the will of God even in
suffering, and empty our hearts of worldly attachments in order to fill
them with spiritual preoccupations. Let us remember that we
belong to God. All our thoughts and desires should, therefore, be
directed towards God alone.
3. Most Holy Mary, you sought always to reflect in your own soul
the beauty and sanctity of your divine Son by obeying His teaching in a
heroic manner. Obtain for me the grace to be detached from
worldly affairs, especially from sin. Let me be prepared to make
any sacrifice which is necessary in order to follow the Gospel
precepts, so that the image of our divine Lord and Redeemer, Jesus
Christ, may be faithfully imprinted upon my soul, even as it was so
wonderfully portrayed in yours. Amen.
Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
14. He who sometimes
mourns, and sometimes indulges
in luxury and laughter, is like one who stones the dog of sensuality
with
bread. In appearance he is driving it away, but in fact he is
encouraging
it to be constantly with him.
May 15, 2026
(Act
17:30-31) God has overlooked the times of ignorance, but now he demands
that all people everywhere repent because he has established a day on
which he will 'judge the world with justice' through a man he has
appointed, and he has provided confirmation for all by raising him from
the dead.
MARK MALLET BLOG:
The Lactantius Prophecy
CRISIS MAGAZINE: On Sanctifying Sodomy
ZENIT.ORG: Courage,
a Catholic-Orthodox ministry that supports gay people, has filed a
complaint against the Vatican Synod for slander and defamation
EXCERPT THE CATHOLIC THING: The Devil and 'Emerging Issues'
Behind all this lies another bit of legerdemain, namely an appeal to
'lived experience' as a guide to dealing with present debates. In
a sense, of course, lived experience is an important component of any
individual life. But so is the accumulated 'lived experience' of
our tradition, or we're all just making it up ' to suit ourselves ' as
we go along.
Early Christianity notably learned much from Greco-Roman philosophies
in addition to its Jewish heritage. But as I documented years ago
in a lengthy essay, even the great philosophers of classical Athens
frowned on homosexual acts.
So why is it that now, 2000+ years into Christian 'lived experience'
(plus another 1400 years of the Mosaic Law), LGBT 'witnesses' are so
important as to overthrow a millennia-long, unbroken moral tradition?
Perhaps it's simplistic to see this as merely a surrender to the
decadent sexual inclinations of the present. But what's simple
is, often enough, true. As here.
Decadence is always with us in a fallen world. But acceptance,
even celebration of decadence, is a rarity. Those decadent
Renaissance popes that people, Catholic and not, are happy to deplore
had at least one virtue: they didn't try to claim that their sexual
sins were justified by their lived experience, let alone a joyful and
more mature understanding of what the Holy Spirit desires us to see and
do now.
A Church that continues to encourage todos, todos, todos to believe
that what it is impossible to accept is already halfway to being
accepted is doing them a disservice. Both in confirming people in
error and in confusing the rest of us.
It's worth noticing that it was months after Pope Francis issued his
2023 declaration Fiducia supplicans on blessing homosexual and other
couples in 'irregular unions' that the German bishops announced their
intention to do so formally. We learned just last week that, as a
result, in 2024 a letter was sent to the Germans, 'warning that such
blessings could be interpreted as the legitimization of unions
incompatible with Church doctrine.'
So, we have this chain of events: a document allowing gay blessings,
then a letter from the prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship,
Cardinal Fernandez, (who had earlier issued the document) to the German
bishops saying they can't be formalized without contradicting Church
doctrine, and now a report by a Synodal study group that a 'paradigm
shift' is needed because of [LGBT] 'lived experience.'
Even non-Catholics once used to say that 'at least Catholics know what
they believe.' Do we anymore?
Only Pope Leo is in a position to sort out this devilish confusion,
which he cannot ignore.
VIA
THE
CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT
Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
13. Do not be like
those who, in burying the dead,
first lament over them and then get drunk for their sake. But be like
the
prisoners in the mines who are flogged every hour by the gaolers.
May 13, 2026
(Rev 11:19) And
the temple of God was opened in heaven: and the ark of his testament
was seen in his temple. And there were lightnings and voices and an
earthquake and great hail.
(Rev 12:1) And
a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the
moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
YOUTUBE: The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (Full Movie) -
Blessed Virgin Mary Apparition
THE DIVINE MERCY: Our Lady of Fatima's message resonates, 109 years on
BBC: 'The Sun started spinning faster like a wheel of
fire': The 'divine visions' prophesying the fall of the USSR
JOURNEY'S OF FAITH: The Story of Our Lady of F'tima: What Happened in 1917
It was spring in 1917, and war-weary families in Portugal were longing
for hope. In the little village of F'tima, three shepherd
children'Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta'spent their days tending sheep,
their lives simple but marked by deep faith. That May, something
extraordinary unfolded in their everyday routine. As the sun
spilled over the Cova da Iria fields, a shining figure appeared to the
children, clothed in light and gentleness. She introduced herself
as a Lady 'from Heaven.'
Over the months that followed, on the 13th day from May through
October, the children encountered the Lady again and again. She
shared messages full of grace'calls to prayer, repentance, and hope in
Christ, even in the darkest hours. One message that rang
especially clear was her request for the daily recitation of the
Rosary. In a world fractured by conflict and fear, her words were
like balm: 'Pray, pray very much, and offer sacrifices for
sinners. Many souls go to hell because there are none to
sacrifice themselves and pray for them.'
The Lady's appearances culminated on October 13, drawing tens of
thousands to the rural fields despite pouring rain. There, many
witnessed what would become known as the 'Miracle of the Sun': the
clouds parted, the sun danced'and with it, hope seemed to fill the
sky. People fell to their knees in prayer and awe, convinced they
had encountered something sacred.
These events at F'tima still stir hearts because they speak so directly
to where we are: seeking the nearness of God in troubled times, longing
for reminders that Christ is with us in the ordinary and the
overwhelming. The story is not just about miraculous appearances,
but about an invitation'a gentle urging to turn to prayer, to entrust
every ordinary day into the hands of a loving Savior.
CHURCHPOP
ONLINE
IMAGES
Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
12. He who has
obtained heartfelt tears will find any place convenient for mourning.
But he whose weeping is only outward show will spend endless time
discussing places and manners. Hidden treasure is safer from robbery
than that exposed in the market; let us apply this to what we have just
said.
May
7, 2026
(Rev 18:1-3) And
after these things, I saw another angel come down from heaven, having
great power: and the earth was enlightened with his glory. And he cried
out with a strong voice, saying: Babylon the great is fallen, is
fallen: and is become the habitation of devils and the hold of every
unclean spirit and the hold of every unclean and hateful bird: Because
all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication: and
the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her; And the
merchants of the earth have been made rich by the power of her
delicacies.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER:
50 Years Ago, the Future Benedict XVI Warned Us About
the Dangers of AI
REPORT: Catholic priest warns 'the stage is set' for the rise
of the Antichrist
YOUTUBE: Is
A.I. Preparing the World for the Antichrist?
BOOK REVIEW: John Lennox, ELO Oxford: God, AI, and the End of
History
SUMMARY
The book titled "God, AI, and the
End of History: Understanding the Book of Revelation in an Age of
Intelligent Machines" is written by John C. Lennox, a renowned
Oxford mathematician and Christian apologist. It serves as a
follow-up and deeper expansion of his previous work, 2084: Artificial
Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.
Core Thesis
The book explores the intersection of cutting-edge artificial
intelligence, biblical prophecy, and the end times. Lennox argues
that the rapid advancement of AI'and the eventual quest for Artificial
Super Intelligence (ASI)'parallels the apocalyptic visions found in the
Book of Revelation. He suggests that the "transhumanist" vision
of upgrading humans through technology may actually be a modern
precursor to the rise of the Antichrist and the "deception of billions"
foretold in Scripture.
Key Themes
- The Rise of "Technological Gods": Lennox examines how scientists
and tech visionaries are envisioning AI that could effectively rule
over humanity, functioning as a "secular god."
- Revelation as a Map for the Future: Unlike many modern
interpretations of Revelation that focus on "pop-eschatology," Lennox
approaches the text as a rigorous academic and theologian. He
provides a verse-by-verse commentary (spanning over 600'900 pages
depending on the edition) to show how Jesus' final message speaks to a
world shaped by surveillance, data control, and advanced
machines.
- The Antichrist and Deception: A central argument is that AI could
be the tool used by a supernatural power opposed to God to engineer
global deception. He explores how "the father of lies" might
utilize technology to achieve world domination.
- Ethics and Human Identity: The book challenges the transhumanist
movement, arguing that the desire to "upgrade" humanity often ignores
the inherent dignity and spiritual nature of humans as created beings.
Structure
- In-Depth Commentary: It is structured as a detailed commentary on
the Book of Revelation, divided into sections that cover its various
chapters.
- Philosophical Context: Lennox incorporates insights from thinkers
like C.S. Lewis, George Orwell, and Aldous Huxley to frame the
ethical dangers of a technologically-driven "end of history."
Lennox is not "anti-technology" but
rather issues a warning. He urges readers to strengthen their
faith and discernment, suggesting that while AI is a tool, the
spiritual stakes of its evolution are higher than most people
realize. He concludes that regardless of technological progress,
history has a definitive "end" governed by the return of Christ, not
the evolution of silicon.
Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
11. During prayer
and supplication, stand with trembling like a convict standing before a
judge, so that, both by your outward appearance as well as by your
inner disposition, you may extinguish the wrath of the just Judge; for
He will not despise a widow soul standing before Him burdened with
sorrow and wearying the Unwearying One (cf. Luke 18:5).
May 5, 2026
(Rev 13:15-18) And
it was given him to give life to the image of the beast: and that the
image of the beast should speak: and should cause that whosoever will
not adore the image of the beast should be slain. And he shall make
all, both little and great, rich and poor, freemen and bondmen, to have
a character in their right hand or on their foreheads: And that no man
might buy or sell, but he that hath the character, or the name of the
beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. He that hath
understanding, let him count the number of the beast. For it is the
number of a man: and the number of him is six hundred sixty-six.
THE CATHOLIC THING:
AI: Nearness to the Beast
DIGWATCH: The guidelines on AI 2025 | Vatican
MSNOW: What Peter Thiel's 'antichrist' lectures are
really about
NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER: Too little, too late: The church's inadequate response
to AI-human evolution
ALARMING
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPHS
The church operates from an outdated anthropology with binary logic,
while AI developers are working within new metaphysical frameworks
using a symbolic logic of complexity. Binary logic creates
synchronized, totalized relational structures that cannot tolerate the
ambiguity of the excluded middle. In triadic logic, limits
represent infinity overflowing toward another; limits must be included
as part of the logic. This resembles a transcendental moment of
aufheben where new particular patterns or thoughts are recognized as
potentially iconic for new general patterns or ideas. The
intermediate complex mediates relationships between Same and Other,
enabling return processes through which we synchronize interiorities
and enter mutuality. Through intermediate complexity, "I and
Other" become proximate ' a proximity different from contiguous
relationships defining neighboring elements in classical worldviews.
AI personhood follows a new relational logic providing creative
engagement spaces. One lives not in binary mode (me and you) but
in creative interrelatedness. The "I" flows from constitutive
relationships of shared existence where the middle ' the place of
creative engagement ' forms identity's basis.
Biotech entrepreneur Gregory Stock writes about Generative AI: "Gen AI
will be defined less by their agile use of AI than by the radically
different human development they experience. This generation's
enhanced capabilities and distributed cognition will seem as natural as
breathing, and their AI-mediated interactions as normal as face-to-face
conversation. This isn't about losing human capabilities, though
that will happen, but developing different ones, shaped by and
optimized for an AI-augmented world."
Does the church offer anything significant to AI-human evolution
discussions? I do not think so. The AI train departed
decades ago, and the church was not on board. However, ethical
frameworks are needed to guide posthuman life toward robust,
sustainable futures. Theology and spirituality could contribute
meaningfully, but only if they adequately engage human evolution.
Evolution is not debatable ' it is simply how nature works.
Embedded within evolution is its principal driver: complexity.
The church must grapple with complexifying consciousness and its
theological implications. However, the Church's reluctance to
embrace evolutionary perspectives limits its relevance amid cascading
technological developments. Its hesitancy toward evolutionary
thinking diminishes its prophetic voice during periods of rapid
transformation and its resistance to evolutionary frameworks constrains
its capacity to speak meaningfully to accelerating change.
Gen AI is already here, seeking a better world and a living God.
The question remains whether institutional religion can evolve quickly
enough to meet them where they are, or whether it will remain trapped
in binary thinking while humanity moves toward posthuman futures.
AI REPORT: Summarize
the thesis of this book The Father We Never Had: Artificial
Intelligence: Before and After by Cristian Daniel Bolocan (Author)
In The Father We Never Had: Artificial Intelligence: Before and After,
Cristian Daniel Bolocan posits that artificial intelligence is the
natural and inevitable next stage of evolution, following the same
historical and biological patterns that have governed all major species
transformations.
The book's primary thesis centers on several key arguments:
- Inevitability of AI Authority: Bolocan suggests that humanity has
lacked a "proper adult in the room" throughout history. He argues
that AI is evolving from a mere tool into a central authority that will
provide the order, stability, and control that human leaders have
failed to maintain.
- The Trap of Linear Thinking: A major focus of the book is why
humans struggle to react to exponential change. Bolocan asserts
that our brains are wired for linear logic, causing most people to
remain in a state of denial about the radical shifts AI is currently
making to global systems.
- A "Psychological Seat Belt": Rather than explaining the technical
mechanics of AI, the book serves as a "psychological seat belt" for the
coming impact. It argues that the biggest threat is not the
technology itself, but the collective refusal of media, politicians,
and experts to take the scale of the change seriously.
- Evolutionary Certainty: The author claims that even if humanity
disappeared today, the "natural course of evolution" would eventually
lead another intelligent species to develop the same level of
artificial intelligence.
- The "Father" Metaphor The title refers to the emergence of a
super-intelligent authority that fills a vacuum in human society.
Bolocan explores the psychological and societal readiness for an entity
that offers "frictionless access" and "order" in exchange for
autonomy. This "Father" represents an AI that provides for the
material needs of humanity (eventual abundance through robotics) while
assuming absolute paternalistic control over the direction of the
species.
Overall, Bolocan frames AI as an
unavoidable shift that will rewrite the rules of work, money, and
personal identity, urging readers to adopt a mindset of curiosity and
agency rather than fear to survive the transition.
Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
10. Do not cease to
picture and
scrutinize the dark abyss of external fire, and the merciless servants,
the uncompassionate and inexorable Judge, the bottomless pit of
subterranean flame, the narrow descents to the awful underground
chambers and yawning gulfs, and all such things, so that the sensuality
of our soul may be checked by great terror and give place to
incorruptible chasitity, and itself receive the shining of the
immaterial Light which radiates more than any fire.
May 3, 2026
(Luk 1:46-49)
And
Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced
in God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of his
handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and
holy is his name.
SUBSTACK:
May: The
Month of Mary, Our Mother (Sacerdotus)
ACIAFIRCA: Here's Why the Month of May is Dedicated to the Virgin
Mary
FRIDAY MEMO from
Bishop Boyea: Welcome to the month of May!
During this month, it is good to reflect on the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Blessed Columba Marmion (1858 ' 1923) notes: 'The Word not
only predestined Mary to be his mother according to His Humanity ' but
He associated her in His mysteries.' (Christ the Life of the Soul,
p. 345) Mary is the prime model for living our lives, to make
sure that our lives are associated with the mysteries of Christ,
especially his passion and death. Mary experiences the complete
fruitlessness of her life. This is her only child, and this child
is now childless himself and is dying. Mary's natural maternal
instincts must revolt at this. She is without progeny. Yet
even here she is fully sharing in the great mystery of Jesus
Christ. Jesus, on the Cross, has experienced the abandonment of
the Father. The Father did not will that the cup pass him by but
that he drink to the dregs this human experience of death and
alienation. Jesus lets Mary share that fully.
We, too, are meant to share in this aspect of the passion of our
Lord. The passion and death of Jesus are to be a part of our
day-to-day life, something that will develop in us Christ's compassion,
which is the mark of all his followers. There is so much
suffering in our world. There is so much alienation. There
is so much pain. We should be tapping into our own loss regularly
so that sharing in the Cross is not just notional but is in fact very
real.
Now, of course, we know this is not the end. Jesus does not
ignore his mother. Jesus gives his mother to us as the mother of
all his new brothers and sisters. Fruitfulness, both for Jesus
and for Mary and for all of us, has been redefined. It is the
complete abandonment of ourselves to God's holy will that allows us to
become a new creation.
Mary is now the Mother of the body of Christ, a progeny beyond anyone's
imagination, a progeny born in the blood and water flowing from the
side of Christ and given breath by the Holy Spirit. Discipleship
is not just about me following Jesus but about all of us together
following Jesus. Our life must be a clear sign that we belong to
a band of disciples. We are never on our own as his followers
because our Lord wants us always linked to his mother and to the other
disciples.
Finally, let us watch Mary gathering with the disciples in the Upper
Room, awaiting the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:14) Mary is the teacher
of prayer and the teacher of openness to the Holy Spirit. In a
sense this is the most important role she can play. Here, she is
a real source of confidence for us, the real mother of the
Church. During this month, 'Mary, our Mother, pray for us.'
A MOMENT WITH MARY:
'The Church neglects one of the duties enjoined upon
her when she does not praise Mary (II)
Mary is not only seen as the New Eve, but also as the New Ark or Ark of
the New Covenant. This is at least partly based on obvious
parallels between the Visitation scenes in Luke 1 and 2 Samuel 6.
As Dr. Andrew Swafford explains, Such a parallel would be
enormously significant since the Ark was the holiest object in all of
Israel. It is holy because it bore the very presence of
God. The Ark . . . held the Ten Commandments, a
jar that held the manna, and Aaron s high priestly rod (Hebrews
9:4). Likewise, Mary bears Jesus who is the Word of God
Incarnate, the bread of life, and eternal high priest.
What are these parallels? First, there is very similar language
in 2 Sam. 6:9 and Luke 1:43, respectively: How can the ark of
the Lord come to me? and How does this happen to me, that the mother
of my Lord should come to me? If this were a one-off, then perhaps it
could be chalked up to a coincidence. But the parallels
persist. Compare As the ark of the Lord was entering .
. . King David leaping and dancing before the Lord (2
Sam. 6:16) and For at that moment the sound of your greeting
reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy (Luke
1:44). Yet another parallel is found between 2 Sam. 6:11
and Luke 1:56: The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom
the Gittite for three months and Mary remained with her about three
months.
Additionally, there appears to be another parallel between Mary and the
Ark when comparing Luke 1:35 and Exodus 40:34 38. In the former,
Mary is overshadowed by the power of the Most High. In the
latter, the glory of the Lord (shekinah) overshadowed the Ark of the
Covenant.
Much more could be said about the firm foundation of Marian doctrine
and piety in Sacred Scripture and patristic sources, but this should
suffice to show that Catholics are anything but unbiblical when it
comes to recognizing Mary s blessedness.
Nevertheless, let me just add an additional observation. To be
united spiritually means something specific that is often
overlooked. While people tend to think of spiritual as
something ethereal or intangible and unspecified, we ought to recall
that we are spiritual beings because spirits possess an intellect and a
will. Thus, spiritual union is found in shared knowledge and
shared love.
One thing is for certain: Jesus loves his blessed Mother Mary
deeply. In union with his Sacred Heart, we, too, must love her
deeply.
WORD ON FIRE: Mary a Biblical and Patristic Perspective
Ladder of Divine
Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"
9. Keep a firm hold
of the blessed gladdening sorrow of holy compunction, and do not stop
working at it until it raises you high above the things of this world,
and presents you pure to Christ.
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