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Jesus was quoted saying: "I am in the midst of you as one who serves". How does this style of leadership differ from others?

On the 8th December 2008, the one just passed, the Mass for the Immaculate Conception Feast was celebrated in her shrine in Florence - SS Annunziata - not by the current Bishop, Mons Betori, but by the one who had preceded him previous the one immediately before: Cardinale Piovanelli. Some of our devout friends were surprised and also a bit irritated that he would not celebrate himself. And so was I , then thinking that, possibly due to his increasing age and the increasing number of engagements and the fact that Florentines have always cherished him particularly, he may have wanted to celebrate now that he had the oportunity.Sadly we missed the Mass and attended the following one, got confused about the times, but the homily shed a light on that decision too: Mons Betori is very devout to Our Lady. Before his mass of installation in the Cathedral went into SS Annunziata to pray for his new mission. Mary was the maiden of the Lord and Jesus was sent to our aid and as a human was modelled grew up with Mary and Joseph as human models of humble obedient faithfulness. I raed on the papers a while ago that Mons Betori was to have long talks with the Monsignore who heads San Lorenzo, name escapes, being one of the oldest clergyman in the city so that he could get a good knowledge and overview of the vineyard he has been assigned. Mons Piovanelli has been a key figure here and this was his way to say i am here in the midst of all of you, clergy, faithful, past Bishops aka the Tradition in the leadership, to serve this Tradition and mission. To serve. And so there was no better way, beautiful and simple, to show this but to concelebrate, taking a role that best mirrored Mary's role. Some months ago Padre Gualtiero (Chiesa di San Giovannino dei Cavalieri) said that when he prepares the altar for Mass and thinks of the homily, imagines he is Mary who comes back after the shopping and places things in order and says: so Angel what do we want me to say today?

By: Alessandra Parrini
Category: The Last Supper

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If Jesus knew he was being betrayed "behold, the hand of him who betrays me", why not tell who was the betrayer?

Jesus knew what was awaiting him anyway and had he accused Judas, he would have not shown mercy and would have looked like he was not only trying to avoid the promised sacrifice, but also directing the other disciples hatred and hostility toward the one he hoped would repent.

By: Alessandra Parrini
Category: The Last Supper

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Judas was one of the 12 men closest to Jesus. Why would Judas betray Jesus?

Satan got into him: how? via which evil feelings? greed? envy?Was he trying to tempt God by delivering Jesus to the guards hoping that as the Son of God he would have freed himself? None of the other disciples understood about the Resurrection at the Transfiguration. Was Judas kiss really needed to have Jesus identified? no TV and media then but he was popular enough. Certainly, when Jesus healed the soldier whose ear had been cut off, that was an oportunity to see the greatest of mercy. Judas felt guilty for the money offered and refused the. But sinned even graetly when showing despair and hanging himself. An abysss of feelings in turmoil...he seemed to be highly emotive and tossed. Gives evryone hope for the grace given to suicides: never a light gesture. Waht threw them in such a depth of despair? no one threw a fishing line in their aid. Most, if not all, sucidal victims are lonely and have been abandoned.

By: Alessandra Parrini
Category: Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

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