A Summary of Clarity

April 30, 2025 Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter Readings for Today Saint Pius V, Pope—Optional Memorial

Matthias Stom, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Video “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” John 3:16 We continue, today, to read from the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus, the Pharisee who ultimately converted and is venerated as one of the early saints of the Church. Recall that Jesus challenged Nicodemus as a way of helping him to make the difficult decision to reject the malice of the other Pharisees and to become His follower. This passage quoted above comes from Nicodemus’ first conversation with Jesus and is often quoted by our evangelical brothers and sisters as a summary of the whole Gospel. And indeed it is. Throughout Chapter 3 of John’s Gospel, Jesus teaches about light and darkness, being born from above, wickedness, sin, condemnation, the Spirit and much more. But in many ways, all that Jesus taught in this chapter and throughout His public ministry can be summed up in this short and to-the-point statement: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” This short teaching could be broken down into five essential truths. First, the Father’s love for humanity, and specifically, for you, is a love so deep that there is no way we will ever fully understand the depths of His love.  Second, the love the Father has for us compelled Him to give us the greatest gift we could ever receive and the greatest gift the Father could give: His own divine Son. This gift must be prayerfully pondered if we are to come to a deepening understanding of the infinite generosity of the Father. Third, as we prayerfully enter deeper and deeper into our understanding of this incredible gift of the Son, our only appropriate response is faith. We must “believe in Him.” And our belief must deepen just as our understanding deepens. Fourth, we must realize that eternal death is always possible. It is possible that we eternally “perish.” That realization will give even greater insight into the gift of the Son, in that we will realize that the first duty of the Son is to save us from eternal separation from the Father. Lastly, the gift of the Son from the Father is not only to save us but also to draw us to the heights of Heaven. That is, we are given “eternal life.” This gift of eternity is of infinite capacity, value, glory and fulfillment. Reflect, today, upon this summary of the whole Gospel: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Take it line by line, prayerfully seeking to understand the beautiful and transforming truths revealed to us by our Lord in this holy conversation with Nicodemus. Try to see yourself as Nicodemus, a good person who is trying to understand Jesus and His teachings more clearly. If you can listen to these words with Nicodemus and accept them deeply in faith, then you, too, will share in the eternal glory these words promise. My glorious Lord, You came to us as the greatest Gift ever imagined. You are the gift of the Father in Heaven. You were sent out of love for the purpose of saving us and drawing us into the glory of eternity. Help me to understand and believe all that You are and to receive You as the saving Gift for Eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.

A “Holy Push”

April 29, 2025 Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Readings for Today Readings for Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

John La Farge, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Video Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.”  John 3:9–11 As we reflected upon yesterday, Nicodemus is one of the only Pharisees who ultimately converted, became a follower of Jesus, and is today considered a saint. The only other Pharisees who were recorded by name as converts to Christianity were Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Acts 15:5 also indicates that some other Pharisees ultimately converted. When the many encounters between Jesus and the Pharisees are considered as a whole, it’s clear that there was great resistance among them toward Jesus and His teaching. They were constantly seeking to trap Him and, of course, ultimately were responsible for His death, along with other leading religious leaders from the Sanhedrin. For that reason, it’s easy to understand that there must have been great pressure upon all the Pharisees to reject Jesus. Each one of them would have felt the power of peer pressure to act in accord with the general view of Jesus’ condemnation. This is the context of this passage above in which Nicodemus questions Jesus. This passage continues yesterday’s Gospel conversation in which Jesus says clearly to Nicodemus that the way to Heaven is to be “born from above.” Nicodemus questions how one can “be born again,” and then Jesus issues this apparent criticism of Him quoted above. It’s helpful to understand that Jesus’ criticism was not a condemnation of Nicodemus. It was not in the tone of His normal “Woe to you…” statements; rather, it was a gentle but very direct challenge to Nicodemus so as to move him from his questions to faith. And that’s the key. Nicodemus did not come to Jesus to trap and condemn Him like the other Pharisees did. Nicodemus came because he was confused. And most likely, he was confused because he felt great peer pressure from his fellow Pharisees to condemn Jesus. Understanding this context should help us understand not only the goodness and courage of Nicodemus but also the loving boldness of Jesus. Jesus knew that Nicodemus was open. He knew that Nicodemus could be won over. But Jesus also knew that Nicodemus needed to be challenged in a direct and firm way. He needed a bit of a “holy push” so as to enter into the gift of faith. Of course, Jesus’ challenge ultimately won Nicodemus over. Reflect, today, upon any way in which you, too, need a “holy push” from our Lord. What form of worldly pressure do you experience in life? Do friends, neighbors, family members or co-workers impose upon you in some way a peer pressure that is contrary to the life of true holiness? If so, ponder the ultimate courage of Nicodemus, Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Let their witness inspire you and allow our Lord to challenge you where you need it the most so that you, too, will receive the “holy push” that you need to be a more faithful follower of Jesus. My Lord of all strength, You are unwavering in Your determination to challenge me in the area that I need it the most. Help me to receive Your gentle rebukes of love when I am weak so that I will have the courage and strength I need to be a faithful follower of You. Give me clarity and understanding, dear Lord, and help me to overcome the misleading pressures of the world. Jesus, I trust in You.

In what ways do you think Europe and the US are paying differently for Ukraine's war?

Elena Gold

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Born in the USSR. Writing a book about Russo-Ukrainian war Mar 20

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In what ways do you think Europe and the US are paying differently for Ukraine's war?

For some reason, Trump believes that being across the ocean from Europe makes America safe.

Europe is under direct threat from Russia — half of Europe already suffered an invasion by the Soviet Union and were occupied by the Russians for 50 years. Yes, the occupation was by Moscow — they were occupying not only Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, but also Ukraine and Moldova, the Central Asian -Stan countries, as well as Armenia and Georgia.

The other half of Europe was occupied by Germans. So, Europe knows what occupation feels like.

This is why Europe takes the war in Ukraine much closer to heart.

Europe provided more aid to Ukraine that the U.S. in terms of financial and military support.

In addition, a lot of European countries (like Romania) don’t announce any aid packages but quietly send equipment and weapons.

The main reason why the U.S. picking part of the bill for helping Ukraine is because it’s the least they could do: it was actually the U.S. that strong-armed Ukraine into giving up its nuclear weapons in 1994.

Ukraine was legitimately concerned about its security, and the U.S. basically threatened Ukraine to make it unilaterally disarm.

Meanwhile, Bill Clinton was told by Boris Yeltsin that Russia wanted to control the whole of Europe:

What the U.S. did to Ukraine — by taking away its nuclear weapons and then refusing to intervene when Ukraine was invaded by Russia in 2014 — was a massive betrayal.

If the U.S. properly assisted and armed Ukraine immediately, we wouldn’t be in the situation where Russia is able to threaten Europe.

And if the U.S. didn’t leave Ukraine defenseless in 1990s, we also wouldn’t be where we are today.

But we are where we are.

Trump and Vance said during the election campaign that they were going to stop aid to Ukraine. It looks like this will happen, once the funds allocated by the previous administration run out.

And then Europe would have to step in much more decisively.

Not many may realize it now, but Ukraine is a rising superpower.

America could have had a great and loyal ally.

Instead, Donald Trump went into a petty rage about the aid sent by the previous administration.

I’m sure losing Ukraine will cost America much more than $60 billion.

It’s already costing the U.S. billions in weapons contracts, which the European countries are now deciding not to order from the U.S. And it will get worse.

Refusing to support the international law and order in Europe will cost the U.S. its global dominance.

And what for?

To make Vladimir Putin happy.

Duh. 

Coming Into the Light

April 28, 2025 Monday of the Second Week of Easter Readings for Today Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr—Optional Memorial Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest—Optional Memorial

Henry Ossawa Tanner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Video There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” John 3:1–2 Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, is mentioned three times in the Gospel of John. The passage above comes from the first time he’s mentioned. The second time is when he reminds the Sanhedrin that Jesus should be heard by them before they condemn Him, and the third time is when Nicodemus assists with Jesus’ burial after His death. John’s Gospel is very symbolic. He especially uses the images of light and dark. For example, when Judas went out to betray Jesus, John’s Gospel notes that “it was night.” In the passage above, John’s Gospel notes that Nicodemus came to Jesus “at night.” Saint Augustine, in commenting upon this passage, says that Nicodemus came to Jesus “at night” because Nicodemus was not yet fully born again and, therefore, was not yet living fully in the light of faith. But the fact that Nicodemus does come to Jesus and questions Him at length shows that he had a spark of faith and that he wanted to deepen that faith. He clearly hoped that Jesus was the Messiah and professed that Jesus was “a teacher who has come from God.” From early times, prior to the formalization of canonization practices, Nicodemus has been given the title of “saint” within the Catholic Church as well as in the Orthodox Church. He is especially venerated because he stood up against the other religious leaders at the time to defend Jesus and show support for Him. This took courage. He was ridiculed and risked being shunned by the others. But Nicodemus knew there was something special about Jesus, and he persevered in following that inspiration. In many ways, Nicodemus is a great example for us today in our modern world. More and more, in most secular world cultures, being a follower of Jesus is looked down upon. This is especially true if you choose to live your faith openly and believe all that the Gospels teach. Many Christians find that living their faith openly, especially within the workplace, school environments, and other civic circles, is challenging. And like Nicodemus, many find it easier to come to Jesus “at night,” meaning, in a hidden way. And though Nicodemus started this way, he eventually spoke openly in defense of Jesus in the presence of his fellow Pharisees who, according to some traditions, persecuted him and drove him into exile. Reflect, today, upon Saint Nicodemus. He allowed the spark of faith within him to grow as He listened to Jesus, struggled with the pressure from his peers, but ultimately openly professed his faith in Christ. And though this hurt his worldly position of honor within the Sanhedrin and among the earthly rulers, it earned Nicodemus an eternal honor in Heaven. Reflect upon the courage he must have had to go against the pressure of his peers by allowing the faith he found in Christ to grow and fill his life with the light of Truth. Seek to imitate this good man and allow yourself to be inspired by his courage so that you, too, will receive the same eternal glory he now enjoys in Heaven. Lord of light and truth, You reveal Yourself to those who come to You with faith. Help me to follow the example of Nicodemus so that all confusion and darkness will be dispelled by the light of Your truth. Give me courage, dear Lord, to follow You and to set my heart on all that You reveal. Jesus, I trust in You.

5 Tips to Help You Gain Weight Quickly

Obibini Black

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Motivational Speaker (2009–present) 2y

5 Tips to Help You Gain Weight Quickly

Most people who are overweight or underweight simply aren’t eating enough to gain or lose weight, respectively. However, if you’re serious about changing your weight quickly and easily, it can be done in as little as seven days with these five easy tips.

1) Eat More Frequently

Eating frequently can help you maintain a healthy metabolism and burn more calories. When you eat less, your body slows down and burns fewer calories than it would if you were eating more often. That’s why people who are trying to gain weight quickly should be mindful of their diet and make sure they’re eating every three hours or so. Include protein in each meal for an even greater metabolic boost.

2) Eat Larger Meals

Eating larger meals may seem counter-intuitive, but this will actually help you gain weight. When you eat more at one time, your body will produce more ghrelin, which is a hormone that makes you feel full. Also, eating large amounts of food will give your body the nutrients it needs to build muscle and recover from workouts. Be sure not to overeat or go too far with this tip, though. If you don't have enough energy in your diet because you're eating too much food, then your body won't be able to grow lean muscle tissue or function properly! Eat Enough Carbs: Not getting enough carbohydrates will make it difficult for muscles to repair themselves after exercise. Eat carbs such as potatoes or rice before working out so they can be used by the muscles while they work out.

3) Choose Higher Calorie Foods

One way to gain weight quickly is by eating high calorie foods. These are foods that have a lot of calories and are high in fat. Some examples of high calorie foods include, but are not limited to; bacon, butter, eggs, full-fat cheese, mayonnaise, nuts and nut butters. Eating higher calorie foods while maintaining a healthy diet can help you gain weight quickly.

4) Include Healthy Fats in Your Diet

Eating foods high in healthy fats such as nuts, avocados, and fish can help you gain weight quickly. Fats are a slow-burning energy source, which means they provide long-lasting energy that doesn't spike your blood sugar levels. Fat also helps keep you feeling full for longer periods of time and aids in your absorption of the essential vitamins A, D, E and K.

5) Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is one of the best ways to help you gain weight quickly. When you are well-rested, your body will have the energy it needs to function and repair itself. Plus, if you are getting enough sleep, you'll be more likely to make healthier food choices because you'll feel better and know what's good for your body.

The Divine Mercy

April 27, 2025 Divine Mercy Sunday (Year C) The Eighth Day in the Octave of Easter Readings for Today

Eugeniusz Kazimirowski, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Video Today is the Feast of all Feasts! It is the Feast of Mercy! This Feast originated from the private revelations given to Sr. Maria Faustina Kowolska, a Polish cloistered nun who died in 1938. In the year 2000, she was canonized by Saint Pope John Paul II, and the Feast of Mercy was instituted as a universal Feast of the Church. To better understand this Feast, let’s read some of the private revelations Jesus gave to Saint Faustina: “Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment” (Diary #300). “This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast depths of my tender mercies” (Diary #420). “On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flows are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy” (Diary #699). “Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to our neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to absolve yourself from it” (Diary #742). “Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy. If they will not adore My mercy, they will perish for all eternity” (Diary #965). “I want to grant complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy” (Diary #1109). In addition to the above quotes about the celebration of the Feast of Mercy, below are some quotes revealing more about The Divine Mercy itself: “Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My Mercy” (Diary #300). “My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy” (Diary #367). “I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy” (Diary #1059). “Tell all people, My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls” (Diary #1074). “My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy; urge all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all” (Diary #1182). Reflect, today, upon God’s infinite and unfathomable Mercy. The Divine Mercy is especially for those who struggle with sin. Jesus says, “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy” (Diary #723). The Divine Mercy is the very tenderness and compassion of God. Run to Him, trust in Him, open your soul to Him and allow Him to pour forth an ocean of Mercy on this holy day. Most Merciful Lord, I desire to receive the superabundance of Your Mercy poured forth from Heaven today. Please open my heart so that I will turn to You in my need. I am a sinner, dear Lord, but for that reason I am in most need of You in my life. Help me to trust in You with all my might. Jesus, I do trust in You!

You too can gain weight in 1 month

Ajay Pandav

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Weight loss consultant since 6 years, Yoga trainer 2y

• Gaining weight is not as easy as you think. Just as there are diets for weight loss, there are also diets for weight gain. For weight gain, focus should be on high calorie and good quality protein intake in the diet.
• However, it is also important to choose the right diet for weight gain which includes healthy and balanced diet instead of empty calories and fat. A proper weight gain diet provides you with the nutrients you need while helping you build muscle.
• The main objective of any weight gain diet is to consume more calories than you burn in a day. However, a good diet for weight gain includes carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats and calories. So choose your diet wisely considering its nutritional value.
• The struggle to be underweight is just as tough as the struggle to be overweight. Being underweight also leads to health challenges like fatigue, weak immune system, frequent infections, fragile bones, pale skin, hair breakage. So it is very important to choose a healthy diet to gain weight.
• Are you also looking for a good diet plan to gain weight in a healthy way? Are you also wondering how to gain weight in a month? Well, then don't worry. In this answer we have covered all aspects of a good diet that will help you gain weight.
• It is important to stay fit and healthy. Should visit a dietician, but now a days with our busy lives no one has time to visit a dietician, but we understand your pain. According to experts, if your body mass index (BMI) is 18.5 or less, it means you are underweight.
• It is more common in women than in men. Being underweight can be just as unhealthy as being overweight. People who are underweight are at risk of osteoporosis, infection-related problems. There are many medical conditions that make it difficult to gain weight and are responsible for sudden weight loss. Such as hyperthyroidism, food allergies, cancer, frequent infections, HIV, etc. So consult an expert to know about any health condition related to weight loss.

1. Diet tips to gain weight for 1 month: Do not drink water before meals. This will fill you up and not get enough calories as your appetite will decrease. Eat often. Eat whenever you feel like eating. Like even before bed.
2. Eat a protein rich breakfast such as: gram flour, peanut butter toast, almonds, chickpeas and jaggery etc. Also include milk. Drinking milk to quench your thirst is an easy way to get more high-quality protein and calories. Try a protein shake.
3. Eat foods rich in protein, carbohydrates and calories. You can also make high protein shakes at home using milk powder, nuts and fruits. Choose to eat on a large plate. If you're trying to get more calories, eat on larger plates, as people tend to eat less on smaller plates.
4. Do physical activity every day. Light physical activity increases appetite, which helps in weight gain. Eat foods that are high in calories to gain weight. Eat protein first and vegetables last. If you have a mix of foods on your plate, eat the calorie-dense and protein-rich foods first. Finally, eat vegetables.
5. Have a good sleep. Proper sleep is essential for muscle growth and proper nutrient absorption. Don't smoke, because smokers tend to weigh less than nonsmokers, and quitting often leads to weight gain.

You too can gain weight in 1 month by trying these tips.