The pontiff called the assault on the Belgium capital an “act of war, of destruction … by people who do not want to live in peace.”

CHR Comment: Based on Jesus’ example and teaching about humility in John 13, the popes practice foot washing as a symbolic act of humility and kindness toward others. The article describes those whose feet were washed this year, focusing on the fact that Pope Francis has included non-Christians at the foot washing events and citing his belief that Christians and adherents of other world religions worship the same God.

Source: ‘We are brothers’: Pope Francis washes feet of migrants

A Chaldean Catholic bishop in Syria has warned that two-thirds of all Christians in the war-torn country have left since the conflict began in March 2011, marking the exodus of close to a million believers.

CHR Comment: The article describes how the majority of Christians in Syria have fled due to the conflict and that the city of Aleppo is especially affected by the migration. It also describes the ascending poverty rate and worsening conditions for all citizens. Lord, have mercy.

Source: 66 Percent of Syrian Christians Gone, Chaldean Catholic Bishop Says Amid Civil War

Four words that reveal what his followers really believe.

CHR Comment: Theologian Michael Horton describes Donald Trump’s historical connections to the positive thinking theology of Norman Vincent Peale and Joel Osteen, using the terms/categories of creation, sin, Christ, and leadership. The article seems mistitled. It does not well enough separate the political campaigning from what Trump may or may not personally believe. Christian voters might benefit from asking Trump more specifically about his personal views.

Source: The Theology of Donald Trump | Christianity Today

Get out your green! It’s St. Patrick’s Day. USA TODAY Network explains the origins of some of the Irish holiday’s traditions.

CHR Comment: This story illustrates nationalist features of St. Patrick’s Day, especially among Irish Americans. The holiday is a celebration of Irish heritage more than remembrance of the saint and his role in Christianity.

Source: 7 St. Patrick’s Day traditions explained

The report also highlights the precarious relationship between Jews and Arabs in Israel.

CHR Comment: The survey and article illustrate just how few Christians live in Israel compared with Jewish and Muslim populations. Nevertheless, Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land continues as it has since ancient times.

Source: Israel fractures by faith on politics and society

A British former “church boy” was among the 1,763 ISIS jihadists whose recruitment forms were leaked this week.

CHR Comment: The heart wrenching story of Fasil Towalde, whose family fled violence in Eretria and settled in England. Fasil became involved in a London gang and landed to jail. There he converted to Islam, and when released, headed for Syria where he was killed in fighting, leaving a grieving family.

Source: ISIS document leak: ‘Good Christian boy’ revealed as British jihadist | Christian News on Christian Today

Myanmar’s massive drug trade is a pillar of the economy.

CHR Comment: The aggressive tactics of the Pat Jason movement in Myanmar is an example of vigilante justice where there is no governmental effort to address the drug problems in mountainous Kachin State. The group, formed mostly by Baptists and Roman Catholics, perform drug raids, interrogations, and have flogged addicts in an effort to inspire repentance. The group claims more than 100,000 members, which if true would make it one of the largest interest groups in the nation.

Source: Myanmar Christian group attacks drug trade at its source

Mother Teresa, the nun who worked with the poor in the Indian city of Kolkata, will be declared a saint on 4 September, Pope Francis announces.

CHR Comment: Mother Teresa was the most famous nun and, alongside of the popes, was the most well recognized Roman Catholic leader in the twentieth century due to the high respect people had for her labors of mercy in Kolkata. Yet as the article describes, she was a controversial figure in some respects due to associations with some people drawn to her work. Additionally, in 2007 a collection of her personal letters came to publication, which showed that she endured decades of spiritual struggle without feeling the presence of God in her life, as described by the Time article in the second link below. Her statements in these letters have drawn sharp criticism from atheists who point to them as evidence that God did not truly exist for her. One wonders which interpretation of Mother Teresa’s life will dominate. In any case, she clung tenaciously to her beliefs and practices as a Roman Catholic Christian in the face of her feelings.

I add this thought: Ironically, if atheists appeal to the feelings of Mother Teresa as an argument against her religious beliefs, they are essential appealing to emotions/feelings as an argument for their beliefs. This seems to contradict their own beliefs in rationally based arguments. Their argument is really more rhetorical than rational.

Source: Mother Teresa to be made a saint, Pope Francis announces – BBC News

http://time.com/4126238/mother-teresas-crisis-of-faith/