Thousands gathered to listen Pope Benedict’s meditations in Paul VI Hall.

The Pope read a meditation on one of the Psalms that appears in the Liturgy of the Hours at one of his general audiences as usual. After reading, he commented on the passage:

“In our difficulties, problems, temptations, we must not simply engage in a theoretical reflection — from whence do they come? — but must react positively, invoking the Lord, maintaining a living contact with the Lord […] Beyond that, we must cry out the name of Jesus: ‘Jesus, help me!’ And we may be sure that he listens to us, as he is near to those who seek him. Let us not be discouraged; rather, let us run with ardor … and we too will reach life, Jesus, the Lord.”

Via Zenit

A new movie about the final hours of Jesus will be shot.

The main role (yes, Jesus Christ) will be played by an African American, therefore presenting Jesus as black.

The actor who will represent Jesus is Jean Claude La Marre, also writing the script and directing it.

Reverend Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray, former pastor of Los Angeles’ venerable First AME Church, said about the film:

“We really need to do something about the negative imaging of black America […] Black America is the only culture that worships in the form of foreign symbols. The good that can be done is that it can help lift people’s interest and combat racism and discrimination. […] It’s more likely that Jesus was black than it was that Jesus was European.”

Recently, “Son of man”, the first movie portraying Jesus as black was premiered at Sundance. Although the points of view are different, it will be interesting to compare these productions.

The film is expected to be released in November.

Via MonstersAndCritics

Controversy arose when a Denmark newspaper featured a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed with a turban shaped like a bomb on his head. This has been in the headlines for several weeks but news keep coming in about it.

Muslims are obviously furious about this, for illustrating Mohammed as a terrorist and also we should note that he is not supposed to be depicted to prevent idolatry, making things even worse.

“Jyllands-Posten” is the newspaper that published the cartoons and, although they ran an apology signed by the editor in chief, they received a bomb threat a few days ago (the day after the apology was published actually). Their apology said:

“In our opinion, the 12 drawings were sober. They were not intended to be offensive, nor were they at variance with Danish law, but they have indisputably offended many Muslims for which we apologize….
Maybe because of culturally based misunderstandings, the initiative to publish the 12 drawings has been interpreted as a campaign against Muslims in Denmark and the rest of the world.
I must categorically dismiss such an interpretation. Because of the very fact that we are strong proponents of the freedom of religion and because we respect the right of any human being to practise his or her religion, offending anybody on the grounds of their religious beliefs is unthinkable to us.”

The apology should have been harder on themselves? That’s what Ahmed Akkari, a spokesman for the groups, thinks: “We lack a clear statement where the newspaper apologizes for the offense and stand[s] by it,”.

The cartoons were published last September but they have been reprinted by some newspapers, such as in a conservative Norwegian magazine and in a French newspaper, causing more repercussions. Even
a small newspaper has been shut down for reprinting the cartoons.

The main argument from the “pro-cartoons” is the free speech. But some question this, wondering what would happen if the cartoons mocked a different religion’s icon.

The latest news about the issue is very tragic. A boy was killed in Somalia during a protest.

There’s a lot to think about, but the main concern is when will it end and how…

Catholic.org informs that the patriarchs of the Christian churches of Jerusalem sent a message to Hamas leaders.

Hamas is an Islamic religious movement, that won the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council on January 25. They are considered by the European Union, Canada, the United States, Australia and Israel as a terrorist group. Therefore, their political victory has caused a great commotion around the world.

This message to Hamas leaders was signed by Latin, Melkite, Maronite, Syrian and Armenian Catholic leaders; the head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land; and Orthodox, Episcopal and Lutheran leaders.

In it, these Christian leaders offer cooperation to Hamas in their new government, but they say it’s crutial that they offer religious freedom, especially in the education and social fields.

The message sent may very well be summarized in this excerpt: “We ask God to guide us toward what is good for all and for this Holy Land with all its inhabitants, Palestinians and Israelis, be they Muslims, Christians or Jews,”.

See others through Christ’s eyes, said Pope Benedict XVI in Lenten message.

He said that the best way Church can help fight poverty is through spiritual help, teaching the truth of God.

He finished the message with these words: “It is this integral salvation that Lent puts before us, pointing towards the victory of Christ over every evil that oppresses us. In turning to the Divine Master, in being converted to Him, in experiencing His mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will discover a “gaze” that searches us profoundly and gives new life to the crowds and to each one of us. It restores trust to those who do not succumb to scepticism, opening up before them the perspective of eternal beatitude. Throughout history, even when hate seems to prevail, the luminous testimony of His love is never lacking. To Mary, “the living fount of hope” (Dante Alighieri, Paradiso, XXXIII, 12), we entrust our Lenten journey, so that she may lead us to her Son. I commend to her in particular the multitudes who suffer poverty and cry out for help, support, and understanding. With these sentiments, I cordially impart to all of you a special Apostolic Blessing.”

Click here to read the full message