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The Kingdom of Love: 6th Sunday of Easter
We have arrived at the Sixth Week of Easter, and continue to bask in the glow of the story of the growth of the early Church in Acts, the vision of heaven from the Book of Revelation, and the consolation of Jesus' words to the Apostles in the Upper Room from John. It's a trifecta of glory in these Readings.
If last Sunday we noted a "kingdom of love" theme, this week we notice an emphasis on the idea of the "kingdom of peace." In Acts (1st Reading) we see the measures that were necessary to keep peace in the early Church. In Revelation (2nd Reading) we see the peace of Eden restored in the heavenly New Jerusalem. In the Gospel we see Jesus bestowing his supernatural peace on the disciples.
1. The First Reading is Acts 15:1-2, 22-29. Because this reading skips Acts 15:3-21, which I think is very important for understanding the significance of the passage, I have spliced in the missing text below, to aid our understanding:
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved."
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders
about this question.
[Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses."]
[Acts 15:6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."]
[Acts 15:12 And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, 16 'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, 17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, 18 says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.' 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."]
The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
"The apostles and the elders, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
'It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"
This Reading is very important for what it demonstrates about the manner in which the Church should be governed, in order that the peace of the Church may be maintained. At the beginning of the reading, we see that the peace of the Church is disturbed by theological conflict concerning the role of the law of the Mosaic Covenant now that the community of the New Covenant has been formed. Some believe, essentially, that one must first become a Jew by entering the Old Covenant (through circumcision) before one can proceed to enter the New Covenant. Others say, No, direct entrance into the New Covenant is possible for Gentiles. Notice that this is a matter on which the Scriptures—which at that time consisted only of what we would now call the Old Testament—make no explicit statement. Therefore a sola scriptura or "Bible alone" approach is of no help whatsoever in solving this issue. As is so often the case, the Church has to make an authoritative decision about a matter not clearly specified in Sacred Scripture.
How is this done? A Church council is called, with Peter present to lead it. We could say that this the "First Ecumenical Council of Jerusalem." All the apostles and elders (today, Bishops and clergy) gather around Peter (today, his successor) and strive to come to a consensus.
Non-Catholics and even some Catholics read the account of this Council as if James, not Peter, is the authoritative figure. This way of interpretation is understandable, because the way James speaks at the end could be understood as if he was the dominant figure of the group. However, it is not the only way to interpret the account. Careful reading reveals that after Peter gets up to speak (vv. 7-11), there is no further debate, and the assembly keeps silence. When James gets up to speak, the first thing he does is to confirm what "Simeon" (Peter's Jewish name) has already said. We need to remember that James was the leader of the conservative, "Judaizing" wing of the early Church—the Christians who were inclined to require the Gentiles to follow the law of Moses. His position has just been thoroughly repudiated by Simon Peter, the leader of the Apostles. There is tension in the air. What is going to happen? Will Peter and James fight publically? Will James oppose the prince of the Apostles and introduce a schism?
No. Instead, James stands down. The reason he speaks last is not because he is the most authoritative member present. He speaks last, because he is giving his concession speech. He is conceding the debate to Peter. He just wishes to make the practical suggest that the Gentiles be requested to at least abstain from the more offensive and repugnant aspects of Gentile culture out of respect for Jewish sensitivities, since Gentiles and Jews were now worshiping together in a common body. So in the end, the whole Council ends up confirming Peter's position, together with James' practical suggestions for implementation.
We note that the early Church does not split up. The "circumcisers" do not run off and start the "First Circumcision Church of Jerusalem" under the leadership of "Pastor James." The whole Church—even those whose theological positions were rejected—accepted the conciliar decision and maintained unity.
Thus the peace of the Church was preserved.
The Church's teaching authority, called "the magisterium" and exercised most solemnly by an ecumenical council under the leadership of (the successor of) Peter, is a gift to the Church by God to maintain the Church's peace. Otherwise, the Church would split into innumerable factions, and conceivably more that 50,000 different churches would spring up, each with its own peculiar little theological twist or emphasis. God forbid that should happen!
(I'm being ironic. This has happened, of course, because many have rejected the authority of the Church expressed in the successors of Peter and the apostolic college.)
Though Peter appears as a hero in this narrative, putting an end to debate with his stirring exhortation, we must give credit to James, who had the grace and humility to concede the point and abide by the decision of the assembly. Those who "lose" at councils often face the difficulty of swallowing their pride and accepting a decision with which they are not comfortable. This requires holiness, humility, and faith. Pride seeks for schism in those situations.
We should also note the argument that James employs to confirm Peter's decision:
13 …Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, 16 'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, 17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name … (Amos 9:11-12)
James cites a prophecy of Amos concerning the future restoration of the Davidic Kingdom. Once more, the Davidic Kingdom will incorporate Gentile nations. Now that the Gentiles are entering the Church, James understands that the prophecy of Amos is being fulfilled. But notice that this interpretation presumes that the Church is the Davidic Kingdom, ruled by the Son of David, Jesus of Nazareth. James has a "kingdom ecclesiology." But this kingdom must be marked by peace, since its ruler is the Prince of Peace. The Church's leadership, expressed by her officers gathered around Peter, is the means to maintain this peace.
2. The Responsorial Psalm is Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
In response we sing a psalm of the ancient kingdom of David. This psalm, Psalm 67, calls on all the "nations"—the goyim or "Gentiles"—to praise the Lord. Many other psalms call on the nations to praise the God of Israel, as well. This was not all empty rhetoric. During the reigns of David and Solomon, it is probable that subjected Gentile vassal states sent representatives to the imperial capital of Jerusalem and took part the Temple worship out of respect for their royal overlord. So some of the psalms were probably composed at a time when it could be expected that Gentiles of various kinds could be found in the sanctuary courts at any given time. The worship of the ancient kingdom of David anticipated the "universal" or international character of the Catholic Church.
3. The Second Reading is Rev 21:10-14, 22-23:
The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
I saw no temple in the city
for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,
for the glory of God gave it light,
and its lamp was the Lamb.
This is a vision of the Church, primarily the Church Triumphant (whose boundaries are essentially coterminous with heaven) but also with application to the Church Militant (i.e. the Church on earth). The precious stones that adorn the Heavenly Jerusalem recall the precious stones of Eden (Gen 2:11-12), since the Heavenly Jerusalem is a New Eden in which the peace of Eden is restored. At the end of Genesis 3, angels are placed at the eastern entrance to Eden (since Eden, being a sanctuary/Temple, had only one, east-facing entrance; Gen 3:24). The New Jerusalem is more accessible (twelve gates), but at each is stationed an angel to keep out what is impure. This represents the spiritual nature of the Church, and the spiritual warfare that goes on to protect the Church. The angels still defend the Church spiritually, and invocation of St. Michael, for example, has begun to return in many dioceses around the country.
The gates for the Twelve Tribes represents the Israelite heritage of the Church (that we are joined to the saints of the Old Testament) as well as the fact that we constitute the "New Israel," ruled by the Apostles (see Luke 22:30), that is, their successors.
The apostolic foundations of the city point to the fact that we are founded upon the teaching of the Apostles, expressed solemnly in the Sacred Scriptures of the New Testament, but also transmitted in the Church's living tradition. But it is not just their teaching, but also their ongoing ministry, carried on by their successors, which serves as our foundation. Without the authoritative teaching ministry of the Apostles, expressed in the "ecumenical council" in the First Reading, the city would crumple into chaos as each person interpreted the Scriptures in their own way, and all peace would be lost.
4. The Gospel is Jn 14:23-29:
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
'I am going away and I will come back to you.'
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe."
During these last days before the Feast of the Ascension (Thursday May 9, or transferred to Sunday May 12), we liturgical "re-live" the end of the forty-day period the Apostles spent with Jesus, as he prepared them for his departure. We have no direct record of Jesus' teachings during this time, either in Acts or the Gospels. So the Church turns to Jesus discourse in John during the Last Supper, which suits very well, because in it Jesus speaks extensively about his imminent departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
We comment on each section:
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
Here we see the convergence of love and obedience. Liberal Christianity is fond of forcing a wedge between these, by asserting "we used to follow the commands of a God of justice" but now we "are in a relationship with a God of love." There is no disjunction between these relaties. Commandments and obedience merge into love. God's commands are given for our good, to show us the path to love. Our obedience shows that we both love and trust him. A lawless (antinomian) Christianity is not loving, no matter how exuberant the worship or how much emotion is expressed in the prayer.
The Father and Son promise to "make our dwelling" with the one who "keeps my word." This is a Temple theme, picking up the motifs of the Second Reading. The one who keeps the word of Jesus becomes the "New Jerusalem," the dwelling place of the "Lord God Almighty and the Lamb."
"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
This passage is not a promise of infused, infallible knowledge for each individual believer. We must remember that these words were spoken to the Apostles as a group (the "Apostolic College"), and the Greek is second-person plural ("y'all", not "you"). This is a promise of the Spirit to the whole Church, as represented by her officers, the Apostles—and by extension, their successors. This promise of being "taught" and "reminded" of the truth told them by Jesus is best expressed when they gather as a college to seek to understand and explain the faith better—which is what we saw happening in the First Reading. The Ecumenical Councils throughout history best manifest the truth of this promise of Jesus that the Holy Spirit would "teach and remind" his Church throughout time.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
On the one hand, this verse is a word of consolation to the whole Church and to each individual believer, that God will provide a supernatural peace that cannot be explained or justified on rational or observational grounds. Though all seem turned against us, and persecutions and tribulations abound, still we can experience a lasting peace unlike anything natural or of this temporal world.
On the other hand, this promise of peace follows directly from the promise of "teaching and reminding" the Apostolic College in the previous verses. The authoritative teaching of the Apostles and their successors assembled around Peter (that is, an ecumenical council) brings peace to the Church by settling questions of dispute and establishing doctrine clearly.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
'I am going away and I will come back to you.'
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe."
In these last words, Jesus cares for the Apostles and provides pastoral comfort, "pastoring the pastors" so that they remain courageous and confident in their duties even in the apparent absence of Jesus Himself. But his words of comfort touch all Christians: we ought not be troubled or afraid, because we have confidence of the return of the Lord. The tribulations we are experiencing are nothing new and unexpected: He warned us ahead of time that they would take place ("I told you this before it happens") so that we can maintain our faith during the time of testing ("so that when it happens you may believe").
To summarize, in these Readings Holy Mother Church speaks to us about how to have peace. The path to peace includes:
(1) Faithfulness to the teaching of the Apostolic College, rather than trusting in private judgment or rogue pastors.
(2) Obedience to the "word" of Jesus, so that the Father and Son may dwell in our hearts and give us their peace.
(3) Trust in Jesus promise that he will return and bring us to live with the Father.
Posted by John Bergsma at 12:11 PM
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I've warned repeatedly that government bureaucrats, Big Pharma, insurance companies and others want nothing more than to micro-manage every aspect of your daily life. Modern technology allows them to do just that – if you choose to succumb to it.
Now the doctors and insurance companies want to give you pills with tiny microchips in them that allow the doctors to tell whether or not you've been a good little boy or girl, and have taken your pills like you were supposed to.
Of course, they will sell this notion by saying it will be a boon to elderly patients, for example, who might otherwise forget to take their meds, or who might be taking too much or too little without realizing it.
But the reality is, the insurance companies and medical bureaucrats want total control. The day will come when they will prescribe you something, whether you want it or not, and if you fail to take your government-mandated meds, you will face the loss of your government-mandated medical insurance. Or, worse yet, it will be considered a crime. After all, when the "government" is paying for your meds, you can bet they'll figure out a way to criminalize your failure to take what you've been prescribed.
And don't think I'm being overly dramatic. With the new socialist bunch we've got running things, who want to institute government-run medical system, I can foresee the day when individualists, Constitutionalists, patriots and others deemed to be "social miscreants" will be told to take their Soma…or else.
Brave new world? Only if we say "Yes" to it.
Meanwhile, stick with natural remedies. The more caught up you get in the allopathic medical model, the harder it is to extract yourself later. Stick with naturopathic medicine, to the extent you can. Learn how to treat yourself, nutritionally.
In the days ahead, this blog will be posting many articles on nutritional treatments, remedies and cures, so stay tuned.
Microchips in pills could soon allow doctors to find out whether a patient has taken their medication.
The digestible sensors, just 1mm wide, would mean GPs and surgeons could monitor patients outside the hospital or surgery.
Developers say the technology could be particularly useful for psychiatric or elderly patients who rely on a complicated regime of drugs – and are at risk if they miss a dose or take it at the wrong time.
It could also be used for the chronically ill, such as people with heart disease, to establish whether costly drugs are working or whether they are causing potentially dangerous side effects.
The sensors could even remind women to take the Pill if they forget.
The 'intelligent' medicine works by activating a harmless electric charge when drugs are digested by the stomach.
This charge is picked up by a sensing patch on the patients' stomach or back, which records the time and date that the pill is digested. It also measures heart rate, motion and breathing patterns.
The information is transmitted to a patient's mobile phone and then to the internet using wireless technology, to give a complete picture of their health and the impact of their drugs.
Doctors and carers can view this information on secure web pages or have the information sent to their mobile phones.
The silicon microchips are invisible to patients and can be added to any standard drug during the manufacturing process.
Two major drugs companies are investigating the technology, developed by US-based Proteus Biomedical. Trials are to begin in the UK within 12 months.
Professor Nick Peters, a cardiologist at Imperial College London, who is co-ordinating trials, said the technology was 'transformative'.
'This is all about empowering patients and their families because it measures wellness, and people can actually be tracked getting better,' he said.
'Psychologically speaking, that's hugely helpful for patients and enormously reassuring for care-givers.
With regard to various "chronic syndroms," instead of screwing around with this or that remedial substance, I would strongly recommend a totally RAW organic vegan diet. Try it for just one month and note the differences in both your physical and mental well-being AND the reduced size of your monthly food bill. You've got nothing to lose but your afflictions!
Of course, ATTITUDE has everything to do with it, too. The world's Allopathic drug-pushers who claim that various "mystery syndroms" are merely psychosomatic as a cover for their "I dunno" mind-set, aren't really that far off. Because virtually ALL dis-ease is ultimately thought/emotion/belief-based!
Also, if any so-called "healer" simply shrugs his/her shoulders and says, "Gee, I dunno," no matter how extensive the examination, then you shouldn't have to pay them a cent for their time and "expert" opinion!


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Oh Lord: Scott Disick's Dating History, From Kourtney Kardashian to Amelia Hamlin and Everyone In Between
Jessica Sager
When it comes to his love life, Scott Disick has a few patterns.
The reality TV fixture gained notoriety as Kourtney Kardashian's boyfriend and baby daddy on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, which chronicled their many ups and downs as a couple. Since then, he's enjoyed several hookups and a few long-term relationships, often with women at least a dozen years younger than him who hail from wealthy, celebrity-connected families. Whether you want to praise the "Lord" Disick (as he likes to call himself) or side-eye his behavior, Scott Disick's dating history is, at the very least, far from boring. Here are all of his romances and flings through the years...that we know of so far.
How long did Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick date?
Disick's most famous romance, of course, was with the eldest Kardashian sister. They met at a party thrown by mutual friend Joe Francisin 2006. Between breaking up and making up numerous times, they also welcomed three children: Son Mason Dash Disick (born December 2009), daughter Penelope Scotland Disick (born July 2012) and son Reign Aston Disick (born December 2014). Kardashian and Disick broke up seemingly for good in 2015 after he was photographed getting cozy with another woman (more on her in a moment).
Did Scott Disick and Kourtney get married?
Definitely not! Kardashian and Disick have maintained a friendly and amicable co-parenting relationship, and though Kourtney's family members (including mom Kris Jenner) have hinted that they'd like Kardashian and Disick to reconcile, Kardashian is currently quite happily datingBlink-182drummer Travis Barker. What's more, Kardashian made it clear that she's pretty fed up with her family encouraging her to get back together with Disick, because her ultimate dealbreaker was his substance abuse.
"I just feel like I'm really over it with my family enabling Scott because they don't know all of the details," she said in the series finale of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. "When Scott and I broke up, I set certain boundaries with him." Kardashian said Disick wasn't "consistent" in keeping up with his conditions and obligations to her for potential reconciliation. During the KUWTK reunion special, Kardashian revealed that Disick's alcohol abuse was the main reason for their split, and Disick concurred, admitting, "I was pretty irresponsible." They also agreed that their relationship may have been at least somewhat better if they hadn't shared it on camera with the world.
Related: Who's KUWTK Confused? Here's the Latest on Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick's Relationship
When did Scott date Chloe Bartoli?
Remember how Kardashian and Disick split up because he was photographed getting very flirty with another lady? Enter Chloe Bartoli. Disick was reportedly first linked to Bartoli, a stylist, in 2006 while on one of his many breaks from his relationship with Kardashian. In 2015, Disick wasphotographed canoodling with Bartoli while vacationing in the South of France without Kardashian. At the time, sources told PEOPLEthat Disick was avoiding a confrontation with Kardashian about it and just kept partying, having fallen off of the wagon.
"He wouldn't go home, even though people told him to go home to [Kourtney] and his family. Things were already very tense between him and Kourtney," the insider dished, adding that Disick was "terrified" of facing the mother of his children. In fact, instead of going home to Los Angeles to speak with Kardashian, he traveled to Miami, where he kept the party going, even though he knew it meant the ultimate demise of his long-term relationship. The source said, "Scott is not in a place to apologize. He knows 100 percent what he has done and the damage he has caused. He's not blind to that. But he doesn't want to face it."
As for Bartoli, well, it didn't last long, though they did have another very brief fling in spring 2017.
Related: Bible, This Is the Best Binge Guide to Keeping Up With the Kardashians
Who else has Scott Disick dated?
Disick didn't want to settle for just one much-younger woman for quite a while. In 2016, he was reportedly linked to Swedish model Lina Sandbergin January 2016, Christine Burkefrom March through May 2016, Australian model Megan Blake Irwinin May 2016 and again in fall 2020, Bella Banosin early 2017 and fall 2020 and Ella Rossin May 2017. Phew! None of these dalliances ever got serious, even though some were recurring.
Related: Don't Worry! The Kardashians Aren't Really Going Anywhere—Here's How to Continue Keeping Up
Did Bella Thorne date Scott Disick?
Yep! In May and June 2017, while Disick was also having a fling with Ross, Bella Thorne, then 19, was briefly linked to the Lord (then 34) as well. Sources told PEOPLEat the time that he and Thorne had "an understanding" and that he was still hooking up with other women, though Thorne later said she was never actually in a sexual relationship with him. She also told Complex that Disick's partying was too much for her, explaining, "Scott is really nice, sweet, charming. I don't drink, and he really drinks a lot. And it just ended up…I just wasn't down. I was like, 'I gotta leave'… I love to go out and have fun, I love to f**king dance, but I just don't party hardcore like that, and it was way too much for me."
Later on an episode of KUWTK, Kendall Jenneralleged that Disick told her he was only traipsing around publicly with Thorne to get a rise out of Kardashian. Klassy!
Related: We Can't Keep Up! Are Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson Together Now?
When did Scott Disick start dating Sofia Richie?
After his string of model flings in May 2017, Disick was linked to Sofia Richie, model and daughter of singer and American Idoljudge Lionel Richie. The pair were photographed getting handsy in Cannes, though they initially denied any romance. However, in September 2017 a source told PEOPLEthat the pair were "inseparable," and they went Instagram official later that month. At the time, Disick was 34 years old to Sofia's 19.
Lionel wasn't thrilled with the pairing but recognized that since Sofia was an adult, he had little say.
"She's 19. When you're 19, you know everything. Is it going to be for life? I don't know," he told The Daily Telegraph in February 2018. "But for right now, it's just a phase and I'm going to stand real still in the corner, get me a good drink, and not make too much noise."
By May 2018, TMZreported that Disick was flirting with another woman at a Kanye Westalbum release party in Wyoming and was overheard saying he and Sofia had split, though she and Disick each later denied a breakup.
In December 2018, Disick posted a since-deleted photo with Sofia and Kardashian, indicating that they were all friendly. In a September 2019 episode of Flip It Like Disick, the couple discussed potentially moving in together, and Disick said in a confessional that Sofia was a calming, soothing presence for him.
In April 2020, Disick checked into rehab. A source told PEOPLE at the time, "He knew he was spiraling out of control and wanted to get help. He wants to be the best dad possible. Sofia and Kourtney both encouraged him to get help."
In May 2020, Sofia and Disick split. Sources close to the exes said that they tried to rekindle the flame a few times in the following months, but by that August, they were done for good. An insider explained to E! News, "Friends attributed their 15-year age difference becoming an issue. He's in a very much different place in his life, really focused on a more quiet lifestyle, his kids and his investment businesses. And Sofia, at 21 years old, is really still trying to figure what she wants to do, which drove them apart over time."
Related: Kim Kardashian Is Officially a Billionaire! Details on the Family's Explosive Net Worth
When did Scott Disick and Amelia Hamlin start dating?
In the fall of 2020, following his split from Richie, Disick was seen cozying up to another young daughter of a celebrity couple: Amelia Hamlin, daughter of Lisa Rinnaand Harry Hamlin. The pair were first spotted together in October 2020, when Disick was 37 to Amelia's 19. By March 2021, sources told PEOPLEthat the relationship was getting serious and that the couple "[didn 't] feel the age difference" between them.
The two engaged in quite a bit of PDA on social media, with Disick even posting an NSFW photo of Amelia in her underwear, and they lavished one another with gifts for their birthdays: Amelia presented Disick with a Harley Davidson motorcycle when he turned 38 in May 2021, and he gave her a diamond cross necklace for her 20th birthday that June.
However, as of September 2021, it seems that romance is also kaput. "Amelia broke up with Scott over the weekend," a source told E! on Sept. 7. "Scott agreed that he feels he needs to be single right now. They had a lot of fun together but it was never going to be a long term relationship." A second insider likewise told the outlet, "Amelia's done with Scott for now. She wants to be strong and to move on. She had had enough and it was time. Her friends are all rallying around her and supporting her through this. Everyone knows she deserves better. She knows it too."
Next, look back at Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's relationship through the years.

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Lori Loughlin Complains About Paying For Olivia Jade's Education In Resurfaced 2017 Video — Awkward!
Home › Fuller House › Lori Loughlin Complains About Paying For Olivia Jade's Education In Resurfaced 2017 Video — Awkward!
Well… this is pretty damn awkward!
In the YouTube video (above) from Olivia Jade's channel, first published all the way back on December 22, 2017, Lori Loughlin openly complains — twice — about how much money she's had to pay for her daughter's education while the pair joke about slang terms on camera. The money references are likely directed more towards paying for Olivia's private high school tuition, at the time, but based on Loughlin's recent legal woes in that far-reaching college admissions scandal, this video is NOT a good look for her. Busted!
In the video in question at the top of this post here, Olivia Jade invites her mom on cam to test the Full House alum on teen slang at the end of the 2017 calendar year. Loughlin does pretty well with some of the slang terms — she even teaches Olivia Jade something about the phrase "it's lit" — but at multiple points in the video, she also makes some now-cringeworthy comments about her daughter's pricey education.
It all starts when OJ quizzes her mom (who she refers to at one point as "L-Dog") about the phrase "England Is My City," pulled from YouTuber Jake Paul's It's Everyday Bro music video and initially rapped by fellow YouTuber Nick Crompton. Loughlin immediately gets confused about the phrase, for obvious reasons, and then questions why she's paying so much for Olivia's education if the girl thinks England is a city. Oops!
Later in the video, when OJ fails to realize that "clout" is a real word, and not just a slang term made up by teens in 2017, Loughlin once against exasperatedly mentions how expensive the girl's education has been… so awkward!!!
Related: Olivia Jade Admits She Was 'Literally Never At School' In High School! Oops!
Knowing now that Loughlin and her husband are being charged in federal court with paying up to half a million dollars in bribe money to help get Olivia Jade into college at the University of Southern California makes this video all the more crazy. It also really begs the question… why wouldn't Olivia delete these videos to try to curtail all the controversy?? She's already disabled comments to at least quiet some of the chatter on her channel… but leaving these videos up sure is a DECISION, y'all!!!


Ask A Cartoonist: Picture Books!
Today is Children's Picture Book Day!
Picture book illustration and cartooning have a lot in common-- many cartoonists illustrate picture books, and vice versa. So, today, I asked our cartoonists to talk about picture books-- what are some of their favorites, what are their feelings about pictures books, and maybe even, what picture books do THEY have in the works?
Mort Drucker, the master cartoonist from MAD Magazine, also illustrated a few children's books which are just as beautiful as his movie and TV satires.
My favourite picture book as a little kid was In the Night Garden by Maurice Sendak. I think it must have been my first exposure to any kind of comic strip too.
I've only created one picture book myself: Hoover the Hungry Dog. When deadlines permit, I'd like to do a sequel.
Florence Parry Heide is one of my favorite children's book authors. She published over 100 books, and became friends with some great illustrators through their collaborative efforts, including Jules Feiffer and Edward Gorey. She also lived in my neighborhood and was also a dear friend of ours. When I was trying to get Edison Lee off the ground, she'd frequently invite me over for coffee and encourage me to "keep at it". She was a woman of boundless energy up until the day she died. I believe it was her writing that kept her young.
Like most cartoonists, I am a big fan of picture books, and we have a good collection - including Beatrix Potter, Maurice Sendak, Arnold Lobel, Ed Young, Goscinny/Uderzo and many others.
I always enjoyed lift-the-flap books like Pat the Bunny. I am working on a lift-the-flap book myself. The working title is This is a Towel. Here are a couple of rough images from the first two pages.
My favorite children's picture book would have to be "Eloise" by Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight. His drawings were a huge influence on me as a child and of course, I wanted to live her fabulous life at the Plaza. I draw little girls quite often in Six Chix and sometimes I can feel I'm channeling Eloise!
Here are 3 examples of my modern day Eloises!
These are examples of a feature I did for Parade pub., and three books done for Harper Collins, Celestine Press.


I'd like to meet a special, loving man who is intelligent, kind, honest, well-groomed, generous, romantic, successful, and independent. I am originally from Ukraine moved here when I was nine years old so I speak Ukrainian and Russian fluently. My friends say that I'm beautiful inside and outside, generous of heart and soul, very kind and affectionate, unique and full of nice surprises. I'm very honest, and I always try to be honest with people. I'm loyal, sensual, witty, careful, modest, gentle, elegant, creative, very active, emotional and sometimes shy. I am pretty reasonable. I take good care of myself. I'm tender, charming, intelligent, and sweet. People and friends who know me say that I'm a nice woman.I believe in treating people the same way that I would like to be treated. You must be 6'0 because I am 5'11.Last picture is my natural beauty no make up at all this is how I would wake up in the morning.
I am a single white woman looking for a man to take some salsa dance classes with me at the local park district on Saturday afternoons. They say it's great exercise, not expensive , and lots of fun. So lets exchange pictures and talk about it. Get off your butts guys & lets dance.
Even though I may hide it well underneath my public face, I have a very high level of confidence in myself. I love the difference between men and women, the subtle thrill of flirty banter, and I have more than a touch of bad girl inside. I have an '' Anne Rice'' appetite for the exotic. I am discerning and unconventional and more daring than many people may think. I have found that the emotional intimacy level in traditional vanilla relationships can leave me bored, wanting and unexcited and so I am finding that I am unable to settle. I find the awareness and undercurrent of the power dynamic intoxicating. The prolonged tension of passion, psychology and endurance can make one feel like a prized possession. This could be a dynamic you have been thinking about, but believed it could not exist for you. If you feel, at times, overly burdened by your gender; an alpha male in your professional life, but periodically like to leave the responsibility of that role in the office and are looking for a woman who has confidence in her femininity to encompass you, I could be the one you have been searching for a very long while. If you are intrigued and attracted to a woman who has compelling sexuality and carries it off with style, irresistible class and is discerning to know when to use her mind as a soft caress or make you feel like captured prey, you may have found your lady. I am: 5'1'', 120, brunette hair, hazel/green eyes, intelligent, physically fit and work out regularly, eat healthy. I enjoy being active so I like most outdoor activities. Learning new things is intriguing to me. I do not limit myself to only the things that I know or enjoy. Please be sure to attach a picture or two. If you don't, I will not think you are serious and most likely I will not respond. I am hoping to meet someone who regularly works out and considers himself fit/athletic and one who enjoys eating healthy.
I can't believe I'm actually doing this, but no risk, no reward, right? So really, I have a lot to offer, as a friend and partner. I'm thoughtful and caring, super sweet if you're good to me I'm a family gal-- I have a big family, they are a blast, seriously I'm wicked smaht, just kidding; however, I can hold an intelligent conversation. I've got a good sense of humor, and I'll probably make you laugh, maybe even if it's at me. I'm happy, I try to see the glass half-full and keep a positive attitude, you know make the most of life. I can cook pretty well, and I'm a cleaning machine. Your mom will like me, and usually little kids, dogs, and babies do too. I actually like sports. I understand football, crazy I know, but I had brothers who taught me. I like to help other people, make them happy. I'm finishing up school now, going to be a teacher. I want to change the world someday. My friends are hilarious, you would like them. I want a guy who will do FUN stuff, not just sit around. Let's go on adventures and enjoy the beautiful weather :) I'm honest, and really up front. I'll tell you what's on my mind. I don't like games, please reciprocate. Oh, I'm good where it counts, you know. Really good. I'm cute, and people always tell me I have nice eyes. I'm independent, not clingy, but it would be nice to have someone I can expect something from. That said, I've had some bad experiences with men that makes it really hard for me to trust, and commit. But I think I'm ready to try. So please, if you're not a good guy please leave me alone. Can you treat me how I deserve to be treated? Will you? I am into older guys, but not too old, i.e. old enough to be my father. Some things I like or look for, confidence, quirks, intellect, honesty, humor.. This is really long I know, but I'm trying to weed people out. Maybe I'll talk to you soon?
Well.....I'm looking for a friend first. Just someone to talk to maybe hang out with later. I'm a Hispanic female. Attractive, funny, and a smartass at times. I dnt do the club/party scene. I do have a small child, seeking an affair FYI. So....your pic gets mine. I do prefer Hispanic/Mexican men. But if your cute with a good personality shoot me line. Thanks.


text:
Category: President
Go Voting on Friday
Yes, on the coming Friday (26 October) the presidential election is taking place in Ireland and you should go and cast your vote if you have one! Only if you are an Irish citizen you get to vote and I know that MANY Dublin Event Guide Readers are not citizens in Ireland, but the rest should definitely go and vote.
You might ask WHY? Because in the end it will have absolutely no impact on your life (or anybody else's) or on Irish politics or on your wealth or wellbeing. Yes, indeed, voting for the Irish President is a bit of a waste of time as far as real life issues are concerned. BUT using your vote, whenever you have the opportunity, is – in my opinion – a sort of duty for everyone who cares about democracy. There will be no repercussions if you don't vote, so the "duty" element is just a "moral duty", but nevertheless it is relevant to keep democracy alive/working.
If you want to know my opinion about who people should vote for – and yes, it is a bit controversial – you will find it at www.joergsteegmueller.com/2018/10/19/presidential-election-anyone-but-miggeldy/
By the way, you will ALSO have a vote about a referendum on that Friday. The referendum will decide if the Blasphemy article will stay in the constitution or not. (Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence to a deity, or sacred things.) Total nonsense in a secular society that does not depend on any church (anymore). And in the Irish version, the Blasphemy article even only covers the Christian definition of a "God" and ignores all other religions. Even more a reason to get rid of this silly article from 1935.
Elections, Politics, President Blasphemy, presidential election, Referendum
Presidential Election: Anyone but Miggeldy!!!
The Presidential Election in Ireland is coming closer. On 26 October all Irish citizens in Ireland will be asked to vote for a new President. There are six candidates (including the current president) and the term is a very long 7 years.
The candidates are Sean Gallagher, Gavin Duffy, Peter Casey, Joan Freeman, Liadh Ní Riada and the current president Michael D. Higgins (a.k.a Miggeldy Higins, after a primary school's child answer to the question "Who is the President of Ireland?").
None of the candidates is any better than another, considering that the Irish President has virtually NO political power. But none of them is unsuitable either. So who should you vote for?
In my opinion you can't do ANYTHING wrong, no matter who you vote for, so if – for whatever reason – you feel passionate about one of them, go ahead and vote for him or her. But if you are not sure and care about my opinion, then I would suggest to vote for anyone but Michael D. Higgins!
Why so? There are two reasons: 1) Age and 2) Arrogance
We have a minimum age for a President. For some reason it has been decided that anybody that is younger than 35 years of age is not eligible to be voted as a President. In the same way, it also would make sense to have an upper age limit. It can't make sense that an over 80 year old is the President of a country unless we are super desperate and absolutely can't find anyone else! Higgins will be 84 when the next term ends and there is no good reason for that. Aras an Uachterain should NOT be a retirement home!
And the point about arrogance? I know he took part in the debate on Virgin Media One on Thursday, but his refusal to take part in previous debates is an arrogance that no candidate should be allowed to get away with. And Sean Gallagher, who also refused because Higgins refused, doesn't get any stars for this from me either.
Speaking about debates: The Virgin Media One debate was really interesting, because it showed that Michael D. Higgins is not at all an impressive candidate, actually he is surprisingly weak, considering that he was in that position already for 7 years. (So don't expect anything impressive from him in the next 7 years!) But it also showed, that there is no outstanding other candidate.
And finally, what would I do…if you care? The one that I would probably vote for is Gavin Duffy! Seven years ago, it would have been Sean Gallagher, but this time around I am not convinced about him.
For me, the biggest surprise of the evening was that Pat Kenny did a really good job in probing the candidates!
Elections, Irish, Politics, President Aras an Uachterain, Gavin Duffy, Joan Freeman, Liadh Ní Riada, Michael D Higgins, Pat Kenny, Peter Casey, Sean Gallagher
Nobody is allowed to check the President's spend?
22 September 2018Written by joerg
The job of the "Public Accounts Committee (PAC)" is to check the expenditure of all offices, departments and government agencies to make sure that they don't waste money and that everything is done and accounted for properly.
They are meant to do that regularly, but oddly it seems that the expenditure of the President wasn't checked for a much longer time.
Now they have decided to do that checking in the next week. But suddenly the "Secretary General to the Government and Accounting Officer for the Office of the President" has a big problem with that check. He thinks it is even unconstitutional because nobody is allowed to check the President. Interestingly the Taoiseach and the leader of the opposition both also are worried about that check.
Odd! If all is well, nobody should be worried and if things are not well, then we should definitely find out BEFORE the presidential election. Don't you think?
RTE writes about it here.
Elections, Irish, Politics, President, Taxes Expenditure, Michael D Higgins, President
Thank you Michael D. Higgins, but it is enough!
01 July 2018Written by joerg
You might completely disagree with me, because for some reason Miggeldy Higens, as Irish President Michael D. Higgins is also known, found a large amount of fans in the last few years, but I think he should stick to his promise from 7 years ago, when he told the voters that he will only be available for ONE 7 year period.
I was never a big fan of Higgins and it all come from one chance encounter a good few years ago when he was in a queue to go to an event I also went to. I won't go into details, but let's just say that he didn't impress IN THE SLIGHTEST. Since then I encountered him at various events and he never managed to change my opinion.
7 years ago he promised that he wouldn't be glued to the role and would leave after 7 years and while he hasn't really done anything wrong in these 7 years, I would think that at 77 it is time for him to retire.
But when I thought about it more, I was reminded that the Queen is 92 or something like that and she has as much relevance in the day to day business of a country as Michael D Higgins. And the Pope is 81 and he is also still running his show. So maybe we should leave Higgins in Phoenix Park another 7 years? Also because we don't really have someone other obvious candidate? You know what, the more I think about it, I don't really care if it is him or not. But PLEASE no more of his own poems, they are awful! ;-)
One thing that still puzzles me though is how he justifies in his head what he is doing: When he was younger, he was a staunch Socialist/Marxist, now at 77 he is making EUR 250,000 per year plus about 80,000 in money to run the show. Shouldn't this cause the biggest ideological conflict ever? Seemingly not enough to give the other 7 x EUR 250,000 a miss that he could pocket. :-O
Irish, President Irish President, Michael D Higgins, Miggeldy Higens
President Higgins' visual impairment!?
02 December 2016Written by joerg
Visual impairment is no fun in most cases. It is certainly not a choice and impacts the life of every affected person in a HUGE way. "Normal" seeing people expect that they have a field of vision of a good bit more than 180 degrees (including peripheral vision). So, imagine how it would affect you if out of 180 degrees a massive piece of that semi circle was missing. Blacked out or so hazy that you can't make out what is there.
No severe medical condition regarding his eyesight is known about Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland. But it seems that the piece of that semi circle that he can't seen can easily hold between 10,000 and 100,000 people. Because that's the number (10,000-100,000) that were killed by the state in Cuba. At least 78,000 are estimated to have died trying to flee Fidel Castro's dictatorship. (see www.quora.com/How-many-deaths-was-Fidel-Castro-responsible-for )
Fidel Castro was a brutal dictator in Cuba! Yes, there are some good things that he did in the areas of medicine and education, for example. But any absolutist leader will achieve SOME positive things and wil help SOME people. Even Hitler and Stalin did some positive things.
But how can you completely ignore the oppression of the people of a whole country, the killing of up to 100,000 and the fact that in all Castro's years in power, he didn't allow a single free election? How can you be soo blind that you talk of Fidel Castro as a leader "whose view was not only one of freedom for his people but for all of the oppressed and excluded peoples on the planet". Freedom of his people!?!?!?!? He killed 78,000 who were prepared to risk their lives to get away from that freedom! He did give his people so much freedom that they weren't allowed to vote once in nearly 50 years? And Fidel Castro the dictator, the oppressor allegedly cared about "all of the oppressed ..on the planet"?
No big problem, if Mr Higgins (or Comrade Higgins) has that opinion. Still wrong, but who cares about his ideology. But it was an absolutely shocking statement by a president of a democratic European country.
Irish, Odd, Politics, President Cuba, Fidel Castro, Michael D Higgins