Saturday, April 05, 2025

Attacks From the evil one

April 5, 2025
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Readings for Today
Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest—Optional Memorial

James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Video

The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” John 7:46–49

Hopefully the Pharisees mentioned above went through a deep interior conversion before they died. If they did not, then their day of particular judgment would have been shocking and frightening to them. The greatest act of love ever known was God becoming one of us, being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, growing up in the household of Saint Joseph, and eventually beginning His public ministry by which the saving truth of the Gospel was proclaimed so that all may come to know God and be saved. And it was of this act of perfect love given to us by God that the Pharisees attacked and called those who believed in it “deceived” and “accursed.”

Though the Pharisees do not offer us much by way of inspiration, they do provide us with many lessons. In the passage above, the Pharisees model for us one of the most common tactics of the evil one. In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola explains that when a person is moving from a life of sin to a life of holiness, the evil one will attack in various ways. He will try to unsettle you and cause an undue anxiety about serving God, he will try to sadden you with an unexplained sorrow, put obstacles in your way of virtue causing you to feel overwhelmed and think you are too weak to live a good Christian life of virtue, and he will tempt you to lose your peace of heart by doubting God’s love or His action in your life. It seems clear that this attack by the Pharisees also has these goals.

Again, though this may not appear “inspiring,” it is very useful to understand. The Pharisees were vicious in their attacks, not only to Jesus but also upon anyone who began to believe in Jesus. They said to the guards who were impressed by Jesus, “Have you also been deceived?” This was clearly the evil one at work through them trying to intimidate the guards and anyone who dared believe in Jesus.

But understanding the tactics of the evil one and his messengers is of great value, because it helps us reject the lies and deceptions spewed out at us. Sometimes these lies come from individuals and are directed directly at us, and sometimes the lies are more universal, coming through the media, the culture and even the government, at times.

Reflect, today, upon the distasteful and bitter words of these Pharisees. But do so to help yourself understand the tactics the evil one often takes as you seek greater holiness in life. Be assured that the closer you get to God, the more you will be attacked. But do not be afraid. Identify any personal, social, cultural or even governmental attack for what it is. Have confidence and do not be deterred as you seek to follow Christ more completely every day.

My divine Judge of all, at the end of time, You will establish Your permanent Kingdom of truth and justice. You will reign over all and will bestow Your mercy and justice on all. May I live fully in Your truth and never be deterred by the attacks and lies of the evil one. Give me courage and strength, dear Lord, as I always trust in You. Jesus, I do trust in You.

Friday, April 04, 2025

"Thank you Lord for creating the dog"

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Old and alone, I thought that a dog would fill my existence.

I found him street, dirty, hungry, I caressed him, he followed me without fear.

Now he is my dog, I am the owner of him.

I talk to him, he answers me by washing my hands.

"Fido tomorrow we won't have anything to eat, retirement is over, we'll have to wait!".

That blessed day arrives, in line, with the other retirees, the libretto shattered by time, tight in my hands, I wait my turn. Fido shakes happily.

He knows that today we will eat more and a little better.

It's already winter. My house is cold without fire. He is close and warms me. The beginning of spring finds us united thanking the sun, while from my heart, a prayer is born: ′′Thank you Lord for creating the dog ". 🐾🕊️💞 

Is Elton John's son biologically his or his partner's or did he adopt him?

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The truth is that nobody knows. Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, wanted to start a family. They tried adoption but couldn’t get approved by an agency due to Elton’s health issues, prior addiction problems and the fact that he was already in his early sixties…

Elton and David then approached a surrogate mother, whom they personally knew but have kept secret, and it was agreed that she would carry their children for them. The two gentlemen mixed a vial of their sperm together, twice, and from this and the egg of the surrogate mother, two embryos were created which she carried to term. As a result of this, Elton John and his husband had two sons, who are now teenagers.

It is widely speculated that one of the sons is biologically Elton’s and the other is biologically David’s offspring, as one rather favors David and the other has facial features similar to Elton. We have no official confirmation of this, however, and frankly it’s none of our concern. The famous singer once shared in an interview that the boys are “just regular blokes who love football” and that neither is particularly musically or artistically inclined.

Isn't great being white?

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Every day I wake up, I thank my lucky stars for having been born in the body I have been born in. I like my face, my height, my voice, the way my mind works. And yes, I like my skin color. Worldwide, “white people” make up only about 10% of the population, if not less.

So that makes me feel a little special, sometimes. Not in a hateful “I’m part of the superior race” sorta way, but in a “wow, that’s kinda neat!” sorta way.

When I was a lot younger, I bought into the ridiculous notion of a supposed “white genocide”, and I held some hateful and nasty views. I no longer do, but I still find it lovely to be the way I am, to look the way I am, and to belong to the culture I belong to.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

It’s a shame that “white people” has become synomymous in some circles with “awful people”. That it is almost like some sort of orginal sin of sorts to be white and not hate yourself for it. Even here on Quora, the biggest hate space is called “It’s okay to be white”, a phrase that should be entirely benign but has been hijacked by extreme elements, Nazis and white supremacists. Why can’t being okay with your ethnic background and being free of the demon of ‘white guilt’ not go hand in hand with being an overall chill, non-bigoted person?

All that said, yes, it’s pretty great to be white. I like who I am, what I am, and the way I look. I am proudly and unapologetically white. I think it matters, in a world where some will try and shame you for it and call you a “colonizer” or “racist” just by virtue of you daring to exist as a white person. Screw that. Not doing that.

Is Trump really working for Putin?

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Two days ago if you had asked me this, I probably would have said: “Yes”. Now, as the tariff wars have started and other countries have began retaliating against America, I no longer believe Trump is actually “working” for Putin.[1]

Because as soon as China retaliated against Trump’s tariffs with hefty tariffs of its own, global oil prices went down. Dramatically. And this is a major problem for Russia.

Now if the world economy takes a massive hit and oil prices go down — and they’re currently falling with no end in sight — this is bad news for Putin. Very bad news.

Now let us assume oil prices continue to go down, and Russia suffers a major hit. Sooner or later this will make it exceptionally hard for the Russians to maintain pressure on the Ukrainians at the front, let alone even begin to think of another major offensive any time soon, if at all. Now maybe, Trump has called Putin’s bluff… or maybe this is an unintended effect from his “Liberation Day”. Either way, it appears to be hitting Russia, and pretty badly. Just how badly, time will tell. But I don’t think this will be beneficial to Russia, at all.

If Trump really is working for Putin, he is a very incompetent ally and friend and one who does Russia more harm than good. So either he really intended to betray Russia all along, in which case, good for him. Or else, he’s harming his “boss” without meaning to, which means he is just stupid. You may choose which explanation to believe, here.

Footnotes

Does eating lots of raw onions with salad beneficial to health?

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You’re at a salad bar, eyeing those crisp, pungent slices of raw onion.

Should you pile them on or skip them? Turns out, raw onions aren’t just a flavor kick—they’re a nutritional powerhouse with surprising health perks.

But (yes, there’s a but), they’re not for everyone.

Let’s cut through the tears (literally) and uncover the real benefits and risks of eating raw onions in salads.


Why Raw Onions Deserve a Spot in Your Salad

Raw onions are low in calories but packed with nutrients, making them a smart add-on for salads. A medium-sized onion (about 110g) gives you:

  • Vitamin C (13% of daily needs) – Boosts immunity.
  • Fiber (2.7g) – Keeps digestion smooth.
  • Folate (B9) – Supports cell repair.
  • Quercetin – A powerful antioxidant that fights inflammation.

Unlike cooked onions, raw onions retain more sulfur compounds (the stuff that makes you cry).

These compounds, like allicin, have antibacterial and heart-protective effects.

Science says: A study in The Journal of Nutrition found that eating onions regularly may lower the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.


5 Proven Health Benefits of Raw Onions

A. Heart Health Onions help lower blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) thanks to their sulfur and flavonoid content.

B. Immunity Booster Their high vitamin C and quercetin levels help fend off colds and infections.

C. Gut-Friendly Fiber Raw onions act as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in your gut for better digestion.

D. Blood Sugar Control Studies suggest onions may improve insulin sensitivity, helping manage diabetes.

E. Anti-Cancer Potential Research links onion consumption to a lower risk of stomach and colorectal cancers (per The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition).


The Downside: Who Should Go Easy on Raw Onions?

While raw onions are healthy, they can cause issues for some people:

  • Acid Reflux Sufferers – Their high acidity can trigger heartburn.
  • IBS or Sensitive Stomachs – The fermentable fibers (FODMAPs) may cause bloating.
  • Strong Aftertaste – Not ideal for dates or meetings (unless everyone’s eating them!).

Pro Tip: Soaking sliced onions in cold water for 10 minutes reduces the sharpness without killing nutrients.


How to Eat Raw Onions in Salad (Without Regrets)

To get the most benefits without the side effects, try these tricks:

  • Pair with Healthy Fats (avocado, olive oil) – Helps absorb fat-soluble nutrients.
  • Mix with Herbs (parsley, mint) – Cuts the strong aftertaste.
  • Slice Thinly – Easier to digest.
  • Choose Red Onions – Higher in antioxidants than white or yellow.

Best salad combos:

  • Greek salad (onions + cucumbers + feta)
  • Mexican-style (onions + lime + cilantro)
  • Detox salad (onions + kale + apple cider vinegar)

Final Verdict: Should You Eat Raw Onions Daily?

Yes—if your stomach handles them well. Raw onions are a low-calorie, high-reward ingredient that boosts heart health, immunity, and digestion. But if you have acid reflux or IBS, moderation is key.

Bottom Line: Don’t shy away from that crunchy, tear-jerking bite—your body might thank you for it.

What animal can kill from a distance?

Definitely the spitting cobra.

They are poisonous snakes from 1.10 to 2.20 m long and as the name suggests they are able to spit the poison aiming at the eyes of the predator.

Its poison is cytotoxic (that is, it destroys the cells with which it comes into contact) but it also contains neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. It can be sprayed up to three meters away with precision.

The poison in contact with the eyes causes severe pain or burning and causes blindness and affects the nervous system.

Its bite instead causes nausea, headaches up to convulsions and collapse.

The spitting cobra "spits" the poison only to defend itself, to hunt it bites and injects the poison into the prey like all snakes.

It lives in Africa and can be found in 2 species: the red spitting cobra and the black-necked spitting cobra

Red spitting cobra (images taken from Google)