The Woman Caught In Adultery: A Year of Mercy and Repentance

"I think we too are the people who, on the one hand, want to listen to Jesus, but on the other hand, at times, like to find a stick to beat others with, to condemn others. And Jesus has this message for us: mercy. I think — and I say it with humility — that this is the Lord's most powerful message: mercy.

We continue to be sinners for we are weak, but with this grace which makes us feel that the Lord is good, that the Lord is merciful, that the Lord waits for us, that the Lord pardons us—this immense grace changes our heart...

And here I wish to say to you: joy! Do not be men and women of sadness: a Christian can never be sad! Never give way to discouragement! Ours is not a joy born of having many possessions, but of having encountered a person, Jesus, in our midst.”

Francis I


"‘Woe to you, you hypocrites! You scrupulously observe the details, but neglect the more important spirit of His commandments – justice, mercy and faithfulness.

‘Woe to you, you hypocrites! You carefully perform the rituals, but inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence.

‘Woe to you, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. On the outside you appear righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

‘You snakes, you brood of vipers.'"

Matt 23: 23-33

Gold Daily and Silver Weekly Charts - Central Banks As Financial Cosmeticians

Today was just one of those days where the 'invisible hand' tries to instill some confidence in the wise and benevolent judgement of the money masters, after a central bank, in this case the ECB, does something very visible and 'lays an egg' in doing it.

So after all this today, are you feeling more confident in The Recovery™?

The chart formation in gold remains intact, but not activated or nullified as of yet.

There will be the March FOMC meeting next week.

Let's see what happens.

Have a pleasant weekend.

SP 500 and NDX Futures Daily Charts - 'Reconsidering' the ECB's Recent Action

According to the official spin, traders 'reconsidered' what the ECB did this week, and what Draghi had subsequently said, and gleefully cast off all doubts and concerns about risks and started buying equities.

Yes, I am sure that this is what happened.

Just as I am sure that all the lying, manipulating, and looting will also continue, until morale improves and confidence in our glorious central banks returns.

The SP futures were leading the charge higher, in a familiar pattern we tend to see whenever the Fed and the financial powers that be wish to instill confidence in their mighty judgements.

Next week we will have quite a bit more macroeconomic data as indicated in the advance chart below.  There will aslo be the March FOMC meeting.

Will they or won't they?

Have a pleasant weekend.