I'm back from Israel!

Well, it's all been said and done, loyal readers. The trip was, I think a success. Although my open air mass in the Holy Land was poorly attended last week - no one can figure out why. My sermon was on St. Paul's teachings regarding the rendering of sackcloth. To use the parlance of our times, "What Gives?"
Regardless, that is not what has gotten me steamed today. Carla Bruni, the wife of the French president (FRANCE!), has criticized me and my faith. My faith. She thinks that Our stance regarding birth control has contributed to the AIDS epidemic in Africa. She thinks that we need to "evolve" our stance on the issue.
Well you know what you spoiled, vapid, vile supermodel of a Jezebel? The Catholic Church opposes condoms because G-D opposes condoms. You want to criticize someone? I'm just the messenger. Criticize G-D. Oh, what's that? You don't believe in G-d? Well, have fun being deprived of His mercy for all eternity.
Sorry, I had to get that off my chest! I do apologize for the Wrath.

Let me close with a passage from the Book of Luke, in the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Now, salt is good. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can its flavor be restored? It is suitable neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. People throw it away. Let the person who has ears to hear, listen!” (14:34-35)

You just let that sink in, Carla.

Everyone else: God Bless.

My big trip is tomorrow!

Well, tommorow is the big day! I'm leaving for the Middle-East. Would it be in bad taste to call it a Crusade? Probably. The press would eat that up, those lice.
I am sorry but I am so stressed out!
I am excited, though, about visiting the site of Our Lord's baptism by John (the Baptist). There are talks about building churches for pilgrims. I am glad of this.

My packing is just about done, though I am afraid that I am forgetting something. Here's what I have:
Vestements
Jewelry
"Casual" clothes (jeans, tank-tops, sandals, etc.)
Toothbrush
Bible
Larger Bible
Camera (with extra film, of course)

This seems pretty comprehensive, but this nagging feeling won't go away! Ah well, God will grant me the wisdom by the time I leave tomorrow. Let us close with a psalm pertaining to my trip:


Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.


Of course! Sunblock! Though I trust that the Lord will shade me from the sun, it couldn't hurt!

God Bless you All. Be well.

-The Pope