God’s work of salvation is the focus of this weekend’s readings. From the prophetic event of Isaiah to Jesus’ understanding of the human condition in Hebrews, concluding with Jesus paying our ransom in Mark, God is in control. There may be failings and misunderstandings along the way. We may move away from God, but at our conversion, God leads us back. Like James and John, we may let greed and power blur our vision of what Jesus wants us to know about the Kingdom; but tirelessly we are taught and re-taught what life in the Kingdom will be. Jesus has paid our ransom to ensure that we will share in the Kingdom.

It is not unusual to think of Jesus’ ransom as a punishment that he endured. However, it is more accurate, and more like Jesus, for us to recognize ransom as God’s gift to us.

La Obra Divina De Salvación

La obra de Dios de la salvación es el enfoque de las lecturas este fin de semana. Desde el acontecer profético de Isaías hasta la visión de Jesús sobre la condición humana en Hebreos, y terminando con el rescate que paga Jesús por nosotros en san Marcos, Dios está al mando. Puede que ocurran caídas e incomprensiones por el camino. Puede que nos alejemos de Dios, pero Dios nos trae de vuelta a su lado mediante la conversión. Al igual que Santiago y Juan, a veces dejamos que la avaricia y el poder empañen nuestra visión de lo que Jesús nos quiere enseñar sobre el Reino; pero sin tregua nos enseña y nos repite cómo ha de ser la vida en el Reino. Jesús ha pagado por nuestro rescate para garantizar que compartamos el Reino con él.

No es raro que pensemos sobre el rescate que pagó Jesús en términos de un castigo que tuvo que sufrir. Sin embargo, es más acertado y más como Jesús, reconocer que el rescate es un regalo de Dios para nosotros.

Amendment 4 would:

• Eliminate Parental Consent
• Weaken medical doctor requirement
• Put women's health at risk
• Allow Second and Third Trimester abortions
• Create a broad "health" loophole

Vote NO on 4

Amendment 4 is a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that would essentially establish an unlimited right to abortion throughout pregnancy even when the heartbeat of the preborn child is detected, when the preborn child can experience pain, and when the child is capable of living outside the womb.

Amendment 4 will appear on the November 5, 2024, ballot and require approval from 60% of the electorate to pass.

We urge all parishes, schools, families, ministries, and individual Catholics to encourage voters to join in our opposition and reject this extreme and ill-conceived proposition.

FL Bishops’ Statement: Vote "NO" on Amendment 4

"We urge all Floridians of goodwill to stand against the legalization of late-term abortion and oppose the abortion amendment. In doing so, we will not only protect the weakest, most innocent, and defenseless of human life among us but also countless women throughout the state from the harms of abortion," said the bishops of Florida in their statement on Amendment 4.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski Key Messages

• This proposed amendment to our state constitution would prohibit all restrictions on abortion before viability and create a broad exception that any “healthcare provider” could exploit to allow abortion up to birth. I urge all Catholics and people of good will: Vote “no” on Amendment 4!
• Catholics are nevertheless to engage themselves in the public square and do so coherently and unapologetically. To bear witness is our duty as faithful Catholics and it is our right as faith filled citizens. Vote “no” on Amendment 4!
• This is not to “impose our views” but to “make our proposal” about what is necessary for human flourishing in society. By insisting that every human being matters, we bring to public policy debates on issues of human dignity, justice and peace, an understanding of the human person that, while founded on the Christian Scriptures, is also accessible to human reason
• In making our proposal, we hope to persuade our fellow Floridians to vote “no” on Amendment 4!

English

Español

Read more on the Archdiocese of Miami Website:

• Archbishop Thomas Wenski Statement (English) (Español)
• Behind the Scenes on Amendment 4 Campaign
• Public Resources

Upcoming Events

The Archdiocese will be hosting a few events on the months prior to the Elections to spread the word in our advocacy efforts opposing Amendment 4.

• Download the Flyer
• View on the ADOM website

No on Amendment 3: Recreational Use of Marijuana
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10.

Voting No on Amendment 3 will ensure that the recreational use of marijuana remains illegal for all Floridians.

Prevent Increased Use of and Addiction to Marijuana
Legalizing marijuana makes it more accessible, removes the criminal penalties and stigma attributable to it, and creates the impression that it is safe to use. Taken together, these factors ultimately lead to increased use of the drug by as much as 20% in adults.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who use marijuana have almost a 10% likelihood of becoming addicted, with that risk increasing in people who use marijuana frequently or start using it during youth or adolescence.

Adhere to the Church’s Teachings
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense” (no. 2291).

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No a la Enmienda 3

No a la Enmienda 3: Uso Recreativo de la Marihuana
“"He venido para que tengan vida, y la tengan en abundancia.” Juan 10:10.

Votar No en la Enmienda 3 garantizará que el uso recreativo de la marihuana continúe siendo ilegal para todos los floridanos.

Prevenir el Aumento del Consumo y la Adicción a la Marihuana
Legalizar la marihuana la hace más accesible, elimina las sanciones penales y el estigma que se le atribuyen, y crea la impresión de que es seguro consumirla. En conjunto, estos factores conducen en última instancia a un mayor consumo de la droga: hasta un 20% en los adultos.

Según los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, las personas que usan marihuana tienen casi un 10% de probabilidades de convertirse en adictos, riesgo que aumenta en las personas que consumen marihuana con frecuencia o que empiezan a consumirla durante la juventud o la adolescencia.

Seguir las Enseñanzas de la Iglesia
El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica afirma: "El uso de la droga inflige muy graves daños a la salud y a la vida humana. Fuera de los casos en que se recurre a ello por prescripciones estrictamente terapéuticas, es una falta grave" (# 2291).

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