De Profúndis: The Sun Rises in the East

Initium sancti EvangélII secúndum Joánnem...

In principio erat Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum et Deus erat Verbum 2 hoc erat in principio apud Deum 3 omnia per ipsum facta sunt et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est 4 in ipso vita erat et vita erat lux hominum 5 et lux in tenebris lucet et tenebrae eam non conprehenderunt

6 fuit homo missus a Deo cui nomen erat Iohannes 7 hic venit in testimonium ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine ut omnes crederent per illum 8 non erat ille lux sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine 9 erat lux vera quae inluminat omnem hominem venientem in mundum 10 in mundo erat et mundus per ipsum factus est et mundus eum non cognovit

11 in propria venit et sui eum non receperunt 12 quotquot autem receperunt eum dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri his qui credunt in nomine eius 13 qui non ex sanguinibus neque ex voluntate carnis neque ex voluntate viri sed ex Deo nati sunt 14 ET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST et habitavit in nobis et vidimus gloriam eius gloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre plenum gratiae et veritatis

+ Prayer Requests and Intentions + Updated 5 Nov.

+ Blessed Mother Mary Ever-Virgin; Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Rafael; the communion of all Saints, and all holy men and women: pray for us... +

-For our Holy Father, H.H. Pope Benedict XVI
-For our Bishops and Priests, and all religious
-For our Holy Mother Church, the Bride of Christ, for Her defense from the Enemy
-For an end to all abortions and for a renewed culture of life
-For an increase in vocations, particularly to the Holy Priesthood
-For all our prayers, hear us.

-For all the faithful departed, especially Ramon and Willie, my grandfathers. Requiescant in pace.

21 June 2008

The Sun Rises in the East

I've often wondered why it is that while the Western world as we know it is collapsing under our feet due to the decay of its moral foundation, Catholicism is flourishing and booming in the East, particularly Asia and Africa. Of course, there're many possible explanations that can be elucidated. Among them could be listed the following:

-Traditional family structure
-Respect for elders and tradition
-Rebellion against oppression
-Strong degree of importance placed on liturgical practice and community
-Deep-rooted reverence for the sacred
etc...

There're dozens of reasons that I could post with a little thought. It would be an injustice, however, to oversimplify, considering the vast diversity of the many nations turning their hearts towards the Lord and His Church.

Many signs are coming forth from the East indicating the rise of a renewed Church there. The vocation crisis has ended in large part because of the booming number of vocations in Africa, in particular. Churches are popping up everywhere. People across Asia and Africa are resonating with the Gospel. It is truly inspiring. Whenever I get discouraged at the deterioration of religion in the West, in general, I just remind myself of how the people in these relatively poor regions are placing their trust in Christ. It truly puts my life in perspective. Why do I whine when I have a bad day? Why do I get frustrated about unimportant things? Why don't I place my full trust in God when things are tough?

I'm curious to know what my readers think about the flourishing Church in Africa and Asia. I think it is a worthy topic to discuss...