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The Church's monastic tradition sees as one of the most dangerous enemies of the spiritual life what the psalmist calls "the noonday devil" (Ps 91:6). The monks took this phrase as an apt description of the lethargy or fatigue they battled at about midday.By that time, they had already risen early for prayers, returned to prayer a number of times, and still had a good chunk of the day ahead of them. They were tired, of course, but not just physically. They were spiritually tired — weary of prayer, exhausted with the things of God. The noonday devil precipitated thoughts...

A leading Muslim businessman has called on the government to be more "heavy-handed" when tackling extremism. Sir Gulam Noon said protests from human rights activists should be resisted in some cases to prevent another terror attack in the UK. He said extremism was a "monster of our making" and that some Muslim preachers were "brainwashing" young people. Sir Gulam, a major Labour party donor, has advised the government on Muslim matters and was knighted in 2002. Writing in the Independent newspaper, Sir Gulam welcomed government measures against extremism and said they came "not before time". "This is not scaremongering: the...

<p>'It Is as It Was'</p> <p>Mel Gibson's "The Passion" gets a thumbs-up from the pope.</p> <p>Wednesday, December 17, 2003 1:06 p.m.</p> <p>Here's some happy news this Christmas season, an unexpected gift for those who have seen and admired Mel Gibson's controversial movie, "The Passion," and wish to support it. The film has a new admirer, and he is a person of some influence. He is in fact the head of the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church.</p>

Legislators to return to trenches By W. Gardner Selby Express-News Austin Bureau Web Posted : 09/15/2003 12:00 AM AUSTIN — Legislators convene again at noon today amid a host of unknowns, including where to park, why a renegade Democrat bought drinks for a chief Republican leader and whether — after fighting to a draw three times this year — members will pass a bill designed to solidify GOP control of Congress. The Republican leadership expects enough members in attendance to redraw U.S. House districts so the Democrats' 17-15 edge in the delegation yields to a GOP advantage of 20-12 or...