Workers hang a poster of Pope Benedict Sept. 4 in Jounieh

The search for truth is the vocation of a theologian and the key to overcoming divisions within Christianity, Pope Benedict told a group of his former doctoral students.

VATICAN CITY – Christians must trust in the power of the Gospel to awaken people's consciences and promote reconciliation, but that can happen only if they hear the Gospel first, Pope Benedict said.

The lack of strong reactions from the outside world to the Parti Quebecois victory in the Sept. 4 Quebec election is a sign of how much things have changed. This change may be due to an acceptance of the regular change of governing parties that takes place in provinces with a lively democracy.

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

Nikos Kazantzakis once suggested that there are three kinds of souls and three kinds of prayers:

I am a bow in your hands, Lord, draw me, lest I rot.

Do not overdraw me, Lord, I shall break.

Overdraw me, Lord, and who cares if I break.

KATHLEEN GIFFIN

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 23, 2012

My first job in the field of social services was working in a treatment home for emotionally disturbed children. It was an emotionally challenging job for me, daily working with the distress the children experienced.

Faith is the lifeblood of Christians. A wondrous gift of the Holy Spirit, faith is the opening of the heart and mind to God, who has loved us first (cf. 1John 4.19). It is the acceptance, with trust in divine providence and wisdom, of all that God has revealed in his Son Jesus Christ. By faith working through love (cf. Galatians 5.6) we are led to salvation!

BOB MCKEON

Like many in the Edmonton region, I find summer to be a special time because I can buy fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers' markets. Over time I get to know some of the vendors and learn that the food I am buying is grown nearby by local farmers, some even within Edmonton's city limits.

Angelo Giuseppi Roncalli, the pope who convoked the Second Vatican Council, was a pope like no other in the 20th century. He rose to become Pope John XXIII basically under the radar and was formed by a unique set of experiences that helped him understand that the action of the Holy Spirit is not confined to the Catholic Church.

The Ten Commandments are a gift from God to help people live a correct relationship with God and with others, Pope Benedict said.

“God gave us the commandments to educate us about true freedom and authentic love so that we could be truly happy,” he said in a video message played Sept. 8 in Rome’s Piazza del Popolo.