Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
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Ordinary Time: June 18th
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today the Roman Martyrology commemorates Sts. Mark and Marcellianus (d. 286), twin brothers, and early Christian martyrs during the persecutions of Maximian Herculeus.
Sts. Mark & Marcellianus
Saint Marcus and Saint Marcellianus were twin brothers of an illustrious family in Rome, who had been converted to the Faith in their youth and were honorably married.
When Diocletian ascended the imperial throne in 284, the pagans raised persecutions; the brothers were then thrown into prison and condemned to be beheaded. Their friends obtained a delay of the execution for thirty days, that they might prevail on them to worship the false gods. Tranquillinus and Martia, their afflicted pagan parents, accompanied by their sons’ wives and their little babes, endeavored to move them by the most tender entreaties and tears. But Saint Sebastian, an officer of the emperor’s household, arriving in Rome soon after their confinement, daily visited and encouraged them.
The issue of the conferences was the happy conversion of the father, mother, and wives, also of Nicostratus, the public stenographer, and soon afterwards of Chromatius, the judge, who set the Saints at liberty and abdicating the magistracy, retired into the country. Marcus and Marcellianus were concealed by a Christian officer of the imperial household, in his apartments in the palace, but they were betrayed by an apostate and reimprisoned. Fabian, a judge who had succeeded Chromatius, condemned them to be bound to two pillars, their feet nailed to them. In this posture they remained a day and a night, and on the following day were stabbed with lances. Their martyrdom occurred in the year 286. Their tomb and that of their father, Saint Tranquillinus, was found in Rome, in 1782, in the church of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian, adjoining that of the martyred pope, Saint Felix II. They are honored particularly in Spain, where the city of Badajoz escaped destruction by their intercession.
Reflection: Virtue is often false, and in it the true metal is not to be distinguished from dross until persecution has applied the touchstone, and proved the temper. We know not what we are till we have been tried. It costs nothing to say we love God above all things, and to show the courage of martyrs at a distance from the danger; but that love is sincere which has stood the proof. “Persecution shows who is a hireling, and who a true pastor,” says St. Bernard.
Israel Update
I have been off for a while, waiting to see the actual outcome.
If you can’t hear criticism, I suggest you move on. This is not going to be an “I love Trump” speech. You should also know that this reflects the main sentiment that is widespread in Israel, and what follows is actually a relatively mild version of it.
I have never tried to be popular in my updates, so take it or leave it.
It is biblical. It was written. We are now on our own, hopefully with God.
The official text of the U.S.–Iran deal:
According to the confirmed agreement, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree on the following:
Analysis of the points that are not self-explanatory. The numbers below correspond to the numbers above.
~1. The United States is effectively signing that Israel will stop attacks on Hezbollah and allow it to rearm and rebuild. This is a terror organization whose stated purpose is the destruction of Israel.
Israel is expected to surrender its freedom of action and security needs. Hezbollah receives American protection. Any future Israeli action against Hezbollah could trigger Iranian retaliation and place Washington on the opposite side of Israel.
If Netanyahu agrees, he risks losing the next election and strengthening the Israeli left. If he refuses, he risks a direct clash with Trump. He has already pushed back.
After October 7, Israelis are unwilling to return to a formula of “quiet for quiet” with terrorist organizations. We are heading toward a collision with the United States, one that Iran will push for.
Iran appears more loyal to Hezbollah than the United States is to Israel. This also destroys much of the remaining hope that Lebanon’s Christians will ever be free from Hezbollah and able to make peace with Israel. Hezbollah emerges stronger.
There are also reports from credible sources that Trump wants Israel to withdraw from the security buffer zone it established in southern Lebanon. So far, Israel has resisted. If Netanyahu capitulates, he may lose the election and cause the rise of a left-wing government.
~3. The concessions are already given, yet there is still no final nuclear agreement.
Trump is now accepting Iran’s right to maintain low-level enrichment, which means Iran retains the capability and infrastructure to reverse course whenever it chooses. The highly enriched uranium remains subject to future negotiations.
The issue of long-range ballistic missiles, which is as an existential threat, has effectively been set aside. A massive number of missiles is as bad as nuclear weapons. Small Israel can’t sustain thousands of missiles fired at its cities and sensitive infrastructure. Iran’s support for terrorist organizations surrounding Israel has also been left untouched. Basically the US is OK on the disaster that Israel may have to deal with.
The head of the IRGC has already declared Iran’s intention to rebuild Hezbollah and Hamas and has openly proclaimed that the “Axis of Resistance” won the war.
There are celebrations in Iran, Hezbollah circles, and among Israel’s enemies.
There is no mention of the Iranian freedom seeking people or those fighting the regime from within. Iran carried out another execution only days ago, and Washington remained silent.
~6. This is a rebranding of tolls.
The language now refers to “service charges,” but before the war there were no such charges. Depending on the structure, this could generate millions or even tens of millions of dollars per day, eventually amounting to hundreds of billions.
It would allow Iran to become wealthy again.
~7. Vice President Vance stated that this would not necessarily involve American money and suggested Gulf State investment as an example.
The Gulf States do not trust Iran. The idea that they would voluntarily pour hundreds of billions into Iran is difficult to believe. If it happens, it would amount to a massive enrichment of the regime. They may invest as a form of protection money – a bribe.
~8. The removal of sanctions represents access to hundreds of billions of dollars.
Iran will once again be free to sell oil and conduct international business. It possesses some of the largest oil fields in the world.
This money will not remain idle. It will be used to fund Hamas, Hezbollah, and other proxies, expand weapons production and exports, and build thousands of long-range ballistic missiles.
Iran could potentially return to weapons-grade enrichment within a week to a few.
Imagine Nazi Germany receiving hundreds of billions of dollars, international legitimacy, and economic normalization just before defeat. Iran’s declared goal remains the destruction of Israel we see it as a Nazi goal.
Iran emerges from this agreement stronger, wealthier, and internationally rehabilitated.
This is a major strategic victory for the Iran-Russia-China-North Korea axis.
Israel is losing its status as the dominant regional power after being abandoned by its principal ally, while Iran and its allies are rising.
The Gulf States have learned that the United States will not effectively protect them. As a result, they may increasingly incline toward Iran, Russia, and China.
I am also hearing voices in Israel arguing that dependence on Washington should be reduced and alternative partnerships explored.
Trump recently appeared alongside the ruler of Qatar, praising the relationship and declaring that they would always be friends.
Qatar is the financial center of the Muslim Brotherhood, a major source of anti-Israel influence, and the owner of Al Jazeera. It is also vastly invested in US universities and the subversion of students against the USA not to mention Israel. The wave of Hamas support after 10/7 was not organic or natural.
The irony is difficult to miss: the Qatari Air Force One gift to Trump has reportedly just completed and may be used for travel to Switzerland, where the agreement is expected to be signed in a Qatari-owned hotel.
~9. Like the Obama agreement, Iran is permitted to enrich uranium under supervision.
Trump has now publicly stated that low-level enrichment is acceptable.
Iran’s pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons already existed under previous agreements. The difference is that this arrangement dramatically strengthens Iran economically.
~11. Another mechanism allowing Iran to generate hundreds of billions of dollars through oil exports and related commerce.
~12. More billions of dollars.
The immediate amount is reportedly around $26 billion.
Obama released approximately $1.7 billion in cash. In this case, the funds are largely Iranian assets already held abroad, but the result is the same: a significant financial windfall for Tehran.
~14. UN approval would further institutionalize the agreement and make future Israeli military action against Iran or Hezbollah politically and diplomatically more difficult.
It creates an additional layer of international protection.
To make matters worse, Vice President Vance recently appeared with Megyn Kelly and used investment in Iranian nuclear facilities as an example of why sanctions should be lifted. The clip is available on my Rumble channel.
Trump has also described the Iranian regime as “rational” despite its stated goal of eliminating Israel and despite the enormous human cost of the recent conflict. That clip is also on my channel.
He further criticized Netanyahu and Israel’s conduct in Lebanon, suggesting that Syria’s new leadership would handle matters more effectively and with greater precision.
This is despite the fact that Israel routinely issues evacuation warnings before strikes, while Syrian forces contain many former ISIS and Al-Qaeda members and have been linked to massacres against minorities, including recent incidents.
I have nothing more to add.
My apologies for the gloomy update, but it is what it is.
The only variable here is the accuracy of the text itself. Trump and Vance have publicly confirmed many of these positions in interviews and public statements.
Everything is now in God’s hands.
Our sons and grandsons will pay the price.
There will also be a price for America and for Trump. That is not a prophecy, only my opinion.
May God help Israel and the United States.
PS. Iran and its proxies are emboldened and excited.
Yesterday an IDF soldier killed in Lebanon and a few injured. Israel is not permitted to act at the power centers of Hezbollah in Beirut. Now I am hearing of another very serious incident in Lebanon. They are on the attack and IDF soldiers are getting killed while Iran is satisfied to see Israel may respond and collide with Trump. The incident is still not published. Israeli public are furious. We see their faces.
RIP
Iran is ordering Israel out of Lebanon and threatening.
Chairman of the Iranian Parliament who was supposed to be the reasonable one: “The Iranians stood together and got two of the most powerful militaries in the world on their knees”.
Speaker of the Iranian Foreign Office: “There will be no transfer of enriched uranium out of Iran.”
Iran is expecting another surrender on this too. Trump has already signaled that he is willing to give up on it and maybe just dilute the uranium in Iran.
The Iranians just to add to the humiliation of the Americans insist to sign the document both in Persian and English. It was suppose to be English.
Voices in the Republican Party not to mention the other side are opposing. Trump threatened Lindsey Graham when he heard that he had a problem with it. Graham shifted back to satisfy Trump.