Traditional Catholic Prayers: A star in the East

Traditional Catholic Prayers: A star in the East

Feast of the Octave of Christmas.

A Star led the Magi to Christ and and angel appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ Our Lord. The true King of Israel is born, 'Isa al-Maseeh.

Music of faith: Abwoon (Our Father) - The Lord`s Prayer

Traditional Catholic Prayers: The King of Israel

The King of Israel, 'Isa al-Maseeh and his mother Maryam and foster father Joseph (peace be upon them)

Muslims, believe the historical truth that Muhammed rejected the polytheism, and that Allah is creator of heaven and earth in the sense of Allah the high Arabian God from the Hebrew Eloah (Allah = Eloah); they agree that He is Eloueth in Hebrew (uncontained but containing all that He created, known as the infinite quality and existence of God extending from His very nature transcending all and above all and through all, called Tawhid in Islam, Nous in the Patristic Christian tradition) this is the Lord God Pantocrator, the most high God.

All idolatry is to be rejected.

Holy Quran

Surah and Ayat

002.042 And the angels said: O Maryam (Mary), God has chosen you and purified you, and chosen you above all women of creation.

003.045 The angels said: O Maryam (Mary), God gives you the good tidings of a Word from Him, his name is The Messiah (Christ ) Jesus, The son of Maryam (Mary), held in honor in this world and the hereafter, and of the nearest to God.

021.091 And She (Maryam), who fortified (preserved) her womb, and We breathed into her from Our Spirit, and We made her and her son a beacon to all creation."

002.087 We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of messengers; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you a messenger with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?- Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay! And We gave Jesus the Son of Maryam (Mary) the truths, and We supported him with the Holy Spirit...."

003.055 And Allah said: Oh Jesus! I am causing you to die, and lifting you up to Me, and cleansing you of those who blasphemed, and making those who follow you above those who blasphemed, until the Day of Resurrection..."

006.073 It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): the day He saith, "Be," behold! it is. His Word is the Truth. His will be the dominion the day the trumpet will be blown [heralding the resurrection of all men which God will then command]. He knoweth the Unseen as well as that which is open. For He is the Wise, well acquainted (with all things).

Mary - revered by both Christians and Muslims as the vessel through whom God made the word, Jesus Christ, incarnate

Isa al-Mesih

(PBUH),

Jesus Christ, the word by whom all has been created by God.

From the Holy Qur'an Surah and verse.

036.081 "Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like thereof?" - Yea, indeed! for He is the Creator Supreme, of skill and knowledge (infinite)!
(See also:
016.040 For to anything which We have willed, We but say the word, "Be", and it is.)


007.054 Your Guardian-Lord is God, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He established Himself on the Throne (of authority): He draweth the night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!


This proclaims the pre-existence of the word of God

004.171 O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was an Apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in God and His Messengers. Say not "three [gods]" : desist: it will be better for you: for God is One God: Glory be to Him: above having a son [truly the Glory seen in His Son Jesus Christ but not in the pagan sense of earthly begetting of false gods such as Zeus and Leto]. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is God as a Disposer of affairs.

See these Biblical verses in agreement with the above Ayat 171 of Surah 4.

Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly vocation, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus:

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

2 Cor. 3:17 Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all beholding the Glory of the Lord [Jesus Christ] with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Apostle is the One who comes forth from God, in this case Jesus Christ the Messiah Himself, born of the Holy Spirit and the blessed virgin Mary, as both Christian truth and Islam teach.

He is the pre-existent Word of God through whom all things were created.

And through the Messiah Jesus Christ alone is the gift of the Holy Spirit of God to all who believe in Him.

This verse from the Gospel (Injil of John) of says it - John 3:13 And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven.

He came forth, therefore the Apostle of God, the Word descended from heaven and became Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the blessed virgin Mary, hence He is the Son of man - Incarnate from the flesh of Mary by the Holy Spirit, while remaining the Son of God (that is the pre-existent Word of God) now Incarnate, the son of Mary.

Therefore the heavenly host sang at His birth -

Luke 2:11 For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

Notice the blessing that is upon the Christ Child and in Him and through Him on all of good will - peace. Therefore the blessing of Muslims upon Christ and His mother and the prophet of PBUH. Peace be upon him/her.

056.077 That this is indeed a Qur'an Most Honourable,
056.078 In Book well-guarded,
056.079 Which none shall touch but those who are clean:
056.080 A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

085.021 Nay, this is a Glorious Qur'an,
085.022 (Inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved



043.003 We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).
043.004 And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book, in Our Presence, high (in dignity), full of wisdom.
(The above here from the Holy Qur'an 043.003 and 043.004, is the Holy Spirit as wisdom of God, refered to as 'her' philologically in Christendom, but is emphatically He (as the Church Fathers always made reference) and is the Holy Spirit by whom the word of God was made incarnate by Mary whom she gave birth to, Jesus Christ, without human begetting and without God begetting as humans do. See next verse, below.)

019.035 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.

See:
Luke:1:
26... the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
Gabriel is relaying to Mary what God's command is. Gabriel is not commanding it. God is commanding it to be.

cf. John 1:1-5

¶ In (the) beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and God was the word.
2 The same was in (the) beginning with God.
3 All things through him came to be, and without him came to be not one thing. Which came into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of men;
5 ¶ And the light in the darkness shines and the darkness did not grasp it.

'Isa al-Maseeh, Jesus Christ, the word by whom all has been created by God, is by the teaching of God in the Injil (the Gospel) and the Qur'an, the all holy (always sinless - pure [Mary is also sinless by both the Injil and Qur'an]) servant of God to whom God reveals all things and who is the prophet of God which Moses foretold would come (Dt:18:15:15 ¶ The Lord thy God will raise up to thee a PROPHET of thy nation and of thy brethren like unto me: him thou shalt hear.)

019.030 He said: "I am indeed a servant of God: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;
019.031 "And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;
019.032 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;
019.033 "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!
019.034 Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.
019.035 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.

Incarnation and death and resurrection of 'Isa al-Maseeh,
Jesus Christ, the word by whom all has been created by God. (verse 019.033 from above quoted passage 019.030 to 019.035)

019.033 "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!

The faith was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ. The Church was established by the command of Christ by His apostles and prophets in the first century A.D. He said the gates of hell will not prevail against it. They won't.

Mt.16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

See Matthew 28:18-20.

18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

Christ is always with His faithful, His Church and all His sheep, especially His other sheep (St. John's Gospel 10:16) who are Muslim, who hear His voice and follow Him with us. His Redemption includes all believers - Patriarchs, Old Testament Jews, Christians and Muslims.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

Jesus Christ is the good shepherd over all His flock, given Him by God, the Father.

Jesus spoke

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep. 12 But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and flieth: and the wolf catcheth, and scattereth the sheep: 13 And the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling: and he hath no care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine, and mine know me. 15 As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.

16 And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No man taketh it away from me: but I lay it down of myself, and I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Holy Qur'an

Surah 19 - Maryam MARY

019.001 Kaf, Ha, Ya, 'Ain, Sad.

019.002 (This is) a recital of the Mercy of thy Lord to His servant Zakariya.

019.003 Behold! he cried to his Lord in secret,

019.004 Praying: "O my Lord! infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with grey: but never am I unblest, O my Lord, in my prayer to Thee!

019.005 "Now I fear (what) my relatives (and colleagues) (will do) after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself,-

019.006 "(One that) will (truly) represent me, and represent the posterity of Jacob; and make him, O my Lord! one with whom Thou art well-pleased!"

019.007 (His prayer was answered): "O Zakariya! We give thee good news of a son: His name shall be Yahya: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before."

019.008 He said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age?"

019.009 He said: "So (it will be) thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before, when thou hadst been nothing!'"

019.010 (Zakariya) said: "O my Lord! give me a Sign." "Thy Sign," was the answer, "Shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three nights, although thou art not dumb."

019.011 So Zakariya came out to his people from his chamber: He told them by signs to celebrate God's praises in the morning and in the evening.

019.012 (To his son came the command): "O Yahya! take hold of the Book with might": and We gave him Wisdom even as a youth,

019.013 And pity (for all creatures) as from Us, and purity: He was devout,

019.014 And kind to his parents, and he was not overbearing or rebellious.

019.015 So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!

019.016 Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.

019.017 She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.

019.018 She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (God) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear God."

019.019 He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.

019.020 She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?"

019.021 He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."

019.022 So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.

019.023 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"

019.024 But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee;

019.025 "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.

019.026 "So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to (God) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'"

019.027 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!

019.028 "O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!"

019.029 But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"

019.030 He said: "I am indeed a servant of God: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;

019.031 "And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;

019.032 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;

019.033 "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!

019.034 Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.

019.035 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.

019.036 Verily God is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight.

019.037 But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a Momentous Day!

019.038 How plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest!

019.039 But warn them of the Day of Distress, when the matter will be determined: for (behold,) they are negligent and they do not believe!

019.040 It is We Who will inherit the earth, and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned.

019.041 (Also) mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: He was a man of Truth, a prophet.

019.042 Behold, he said to his father: "O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing?

019.043 "O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight.

019.044 "O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (God) Most Gracious.

019.045 "O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (God) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend."

019.046 (The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!"

019.047 Abraham said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious.

019.048 "And I will turn away from you (all) and from those whom ye invoke besides God: I will call on my Lord: perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord, I shall be not unblest."

019.049 When he had turned away from them and from those whom they worshipped besides God, We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and each one of them We made a prophet.

019.050 And We bestowed of Our Mercy on them, and We granted them lofty honour on the tongue of truth.

019.051 Also mention in the Book (the story of) Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was an apostle (and) a prophet.

019.052 And we called him from the right side of Mount (Sinai), and made him draw near to Us, for mystic (converse).

019.053 And, out of Our Mercy, We gave him his brother Aaron, (also) a prophet.

019.054 Also mention in the Book (the story of) Isma'il: He was (strictly) true to what he promised, and he was an apostle (and) a prophet.

019.055 He used to enjoin on his people Prayer and Charity, and he was most acceptable in the sight of his Lord.

019.056 Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet:

019.057 And We raised him to a lofty station.

019.058 Those were some of the prophets on whom God did bestow His Grace,- of the posterity of Adam, and of those who We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose. Whenever the Signs of (God) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.

019.059 But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction,-

019.060 Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness: for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least,-

019.061 Gardens of Eternity, those which (God) Most Gracious has promised to His servants in the Unseen: for His promise must (necessarily) come to pass.

019.062 They will not there hear any vain discourse, but only salutations of Peace: And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening.

019.063 Such is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who guard against Evil.

019.064 (The angels say:) "We descend not but by command of thy Lord: to Him belongeth what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between: and thy Lord never doth forget,-

019.065 "Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and of all that is between them; so worship Him, and be constant and patient in His worship: knowest thou of any who is worthy of the same Name as He?"

019.066 Man says: "What! When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"

019.067 But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?

019.068 So, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell;

019.069 Then shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (God) Most Gracious.

019.070 And certainly We know best those who are most worthy of being burned therein.

019.071 Not one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.

019.072 But We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein, (humbled) to their knees.

019.073 When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, the Unbelievers say to those who believe, "Which of the two sides is best in point of position? Which makes the best show in council?"

019.074 But how many (countless) generations before them have we destroyed, who were even better in equipment and in glitter to the eye?

019.075 Say: "If any men go astray, (God) Most Gracious extends (the rope) to them, until, when they see the warning of God (being fulfilled) - either in punishment or in (the approach of) the Hour,- they will at length realise who is worst in position, and (who) weaker in forces!

019.076 "And God doth advance in guidance those who seek guidance: and the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best in respect of (their) eventual return."

019.077 Hast thou then seen the (sort of) man who rejects Our Signs, yet says: "I shall certainly be given wealth and children?"

019.078 Has he penetrated to the Unseen, or has he taken a contract with (God) Most Gracious?

019.079 Nay! We shall record what he says, and We shall add and add to his punishment.

019.080 To Us shall return all that he talks of and he shall appear before Us bare and alone.

019.081 And they have taken (for worship) gods other than God, to give them power and glory!

019.082 Instead, they shall reject their worship, and become adversaries against them.

019.083 Seest thou not that We have set the Evil Ones on against the unbelievers, to incite them with fury?

019.084 So make no haste against them, for We but count out to them a (limited) number (of days).

019.085 The day We shall gather the righteous to (God) Most Gracious, like a band presented before a king for honours,

019.086 And We shall drive the sinners to Hell, like thirsty cattle driven down to water,-

019.087 None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from (God) Most Gracious.

019.088 They say: "(God) Most Gracious has begotten a son!"

019.089 Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!

019.090 As if the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin.

019.091 That they should invoke a son for (God) Most Gracious.

019.092 For it is not consonant with the majesty of (God) Most Gracious that He should beget a son.

019.093 Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to (God) Most Gracious as a servant.

019.094 He does take an account of them (all), and hath numbered them (all) exactly.

019.095 And everyone of them will come to Him singly on the Day of Judgment.

019.096 On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, will (God) Most Gracious bestow love.

019.097 So have We made the (Qur'an) easy in thine own tongue, that with it thou mayest give Glad Tidings to the righteous, and warnings to people given to contention.

019.098 But how many (countless) generations before them have We destroyed? Canst thou find a single one of them (now) or hear (so much as) a whisper of them?

________________________________________________

Christian faith and Islam worship the same God


see these links:

Knowing by Oneself, Knowing with the Other: Al-damîr, Human Conscience and Christian-Muslim Relations

and

Knowing by Oneself, Knowing with the Other: Al-damîr, Human Conscience and Christian-Muslim Relations