What season are you?

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Hat tip to Divine Mercy.

What season are you?

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Hat tip to Divine Mercy.

Diana, Princess of Wales July 1, 1961-August 31, 1997

The quest for perfection our society demands can leave the individual gasping for breath at every turn. This pressure, inevitably extends into the way we look. Eating disorders...show how an individual can turn the nourishment of the body into a painful attack on themselves.

~Diana, Princess of Whales, speaking about her struggle with bulimia

Two things stand like stone--kindness in another's trouble, courage in your own.

~Adam L. Gordon as quoted by Diana, Princess of Whales

Diana, Princess of Wales July 1, 1961-August 31, 1997

The quest for perfection our society demands can leave the individual gasping for breath at every turn. This pressure, inevitably extends into the way we look. Eating disorders...show how an individual can turn the nourishment of the body into a painful attack on themselves.

~Diana, Princess of Whales, speaking about her struggle with bulimia

Two things stand like stone--kindness in another's trouble, courage in your own.

~Adam L. Gordon as quoted by Diana, Princess of Whales

Video Editing by Craig

This is Chris. He is passing through Gettysburg and is staying at Emmaus. Here is his YouTube video blog, edited by my SON who appears occasionally.

Video Editing by Craig

This is Chris. He is passing through Gettysburg and is staying at Emmaus. Here is his YouTube video blog, edited by my SON who appears occasionally.

The Seven Deadly Sins

Here's a cheery subject for a late summer day! Actually, its one of those things that I would forget to post if I saved it for later (like Lent), so I thought I'd do it now. Here are each of the 7 deadly sins and the opposite virtue that goes along with each.

Pride/Humility
This goes along with the idea that we are each dependent on the Almighty God for our very existence. We are not God ourselves. Meditate on the Crucifixion of Our Lord as you pray for the virtue of true humility.

Greed/Generosity
Sacrificial giving is something that is almost gone in this modern time. True parenting is sacrificial giving. True marriage is sacrificial giving. True vocation of any kind is sacrificial giving. Christ's life and death was about sacrificial giving.

Envy/Love
Envy is another common modern "disease". We covet our neighbor's everything! St. Francis talked about Holy Poverty and how freeing it is. Inner poverty is about letting go of the need to own and control.

Anger/Kindness
How common this is! We are even angry in our cars now. I honestly don't remember my father ever expressing anger while he was driving. I don't think it occurred to him. "Pray for those who persecute you"--even those behind the wheel.

Lust/Self Control
Well, I think we live in an age where the 7 deadly sins are celebrated. True freedom is not being driven by our senses. We all end up in the same place, where satisfying our senses no longer seems important. Turn off the television for this one.

Gluttony/Temperance
This is difficult. Food is everywhere. In the second sorrowful mystery of the Rosary (The scourging at the pillar) we ask for the virtue of physical mortification. Now *that's* not a popular virtue these days, even among the "religious". Something to think about, though, in light of the massive gluttony of all kinds that exists in the West.

Sloth/Zeal
Zeal is difficult to maintain in the long run. We are not citizens of this world. We are put here to strive for perfection and can get weary on the journey. Prayer (even during "dry" times) and frequent reception of the Sacraments (both gifts from God for the journey) can help.

The Seven Deadly Sins

Here's a cheery subject for a late summer day! Actually, its one of those things that I would forget to post if I saved it for later (like Lent), so I thought I'd do it now. Here are each of the 7 deadly sins and the opposite virtue that goes along with each.

Pride/Humility
This goes along with the idea that we are each dependent on the Almighty God for our very existence. We are not God ourselves. Meditate on the Crucifixion of Our Lord as you pray for the virtue of true humility.

Greed/Generosity
Sacrificial giving is something that is almost gone in this modern time. True parenting is sacrificial giving. True marriage is sacrificial giving. True vocation of any kind is sacrificial giving. Christ's life and death was about sacrificial giving.

Envy/Love
Envy is another common modern "disease". We covet our neighbor's everything! St. Francis talked about Holy Poverty and how freeing it is. Inner poverty is about letting go of the need to own and control.

Anger/Kindness
How common this is! We are even angry in our cars now. I honestly don't remember my father ever expressing anger while he was driving. I don't think it occurred to him. "Pray for those who persecute you"--even those behind the wheel.

Lust/Self Control
Well, I think we live in an age where the 7 deadly sins are celebrated. True freedom is not being driven by our senses. We all end up in the same place, where satisfying our senses no longer seems important. Turn off the television for this one.

Gluttony/Temperance
This is difficult. Food is everywhere. In the second sorrowful mystery of the Rosary (The scourging at the pillar) we ask for the virtue of physical mortification. Now *that's* not a popular virtue these days, even among the "religious". Something to think about, though, in light of the massive gluttony of all kinds that exists in the West.

Sloth/Zeal
Zeal is difficult to maintain in the long run. We are not citizens of this world. We are put here to strive for perfection and can get weary on the journey. Prayer (even during "dry" times) and frequent reception of the Sacraments (both gifts from God for the journey) can help.

Sleeping with Bread

Time for another Sleeping with Bread post. Today, I am grateful for the beautiful weather. After Saturday's unbearable humidity, it rained with a vengeance on Saturday evening, and today is a perfect day for starting my job on campus. Just beautiful.

Heaven will have low humidity and lots of sunshine, I think.

With puppies.

Yeah.

Sleeping with Bread

Time for another Sleeping with Bread post. Today, I am grateful for the beautiful weather. After Saturday's unbearable humidity, it rained with a vengeance on Saturday evening, and today is a perfect day for starting my job on campus. Just beautiful.

Heaven will have low humidity and lots of sunshine, I think.

With puppies.

Yeah.

A Lovable Puppy to Brighten Your Day

Puppy Whistle - The most amazing videos are a click away

A Lovable Puppy to Brighten Your Day

Puppy Whistle - The most amazing videos are a click away

RIP Wild Bill

Wild Bill Hagy is dead at age 68. A cab driver living in Arbutus, a working class suburb of Baltimore, Hagy was the quintessential Orioles Fan, attending both home and away games in the 70's and early 80's and cheering on his favorite ball team with his now-famous O-R-I-O-L-E-S cheer, complete with body gestures. He became such a fixture in section 34 in the old Memorial Stadium on 33rd street in Baltimore, that he was allowed to stand on top of the Orioles dugout and lead his cheers.

Here is a local tv story on Hagy that was produced in 1979, the year I graduated from high school.

Hat tip to Cygnus.

RIP Wild Bill

Wild Bill Hagy is dead at age 68. A cab driver living in Arbutus, a working class suburb of Baltimore, Hagy was the quintessential Orioles Fan, attending both home and away games in the 70's and early 80's and cheering on his favorite ball team with his now-famous O-R-I-O-L-E-S cheer, complete with body gestures. He became such a fixture in section 34 in the old Memorial Stadium on 33rd street in Baltimore, that he was allowed to stand on top of the Orioles dugout and lead his cheers.

Here is a local tv story on Hagy that was produced in 1979, the year I graduated from high school.

Hat tip to Cygnus.

sweet tea, bills paid
fall weather in August
life is good

The Queenship of the Virgin Mary

Today, the octave after the Feast of the Assumption, is the feast of the Queenship of the Virgin Mary. How is Mary a Queen? She is not a goddess. She is a human being. The Queenship of Mary comes from Psalm 45. The New Testament book of Hebrews references this psalm to Christ:

But of the Son He says,
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above your companions."
~Hebrews 1:8-9

Psalm 45 also talks of "the queen".

At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
~Psalm 45: 9

Who is the Queen, then? Most modern Americans would answer "The Queen is the King's wife." No. Not in ancient times. In ancient times a king could have many wives in a lifetime, and, indeed, many wives at one time. The queen, then, is the mother of the king. We see a remnant of this today in the British idea of the "Queen Mother"--the mother of the king.

The Queen (or the Queen Mother) is not a queen in her own right. She is queen only because she is the mother of the king. She does not reign alone. In some senses, she does not reign at all--not in the sense that the king reigns. The psalm pictures the queen standing at the right hand of the king (Christ). Notice that the queen does not sit in a throne of her own. She is standing by the side of the real ruler--the King, who is Christ.

The concept of Mary as Queen of Heaven and earth is a title given to her by virtue of her having given birth to the King who is Jesus Christ.

Hat tip to Darrenn Jackson for the biblical references.

The Queenship of the Virgin Mary

Today, the octave after the Feast of the Assumption, is the feast of the Queenship of the Virgin Mary. How is Mary a Queen? She is not a goddess. She is a human being. The Queenship of Mary comes from Psalm 45. The New Testament book of Hebrews references this psalm to Christ:

But of the Son He says,
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above your companions."
~Hebrews 1:8-9

Psalm 45 also talks of "the queen".

At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
~Psalm 45: 9

Who is the Queen, then? Most modern Americans would answer "The Queen is the King's wife." No. Not in ancient times. In ancient times a king could have many wives in a lifetime, and, indeed, many wives at one time. The queen, then, is the mother of the king. We see a remnant of this today in the British idea of the "Queen Mother"--the mother of the king.

The Queen (or the Queen Mother) is not a queen in her own right. She is queen only because she is the mother of the king. She does not reign alone. In some senses, she does not reign at all--not in the sense that the king reigns. The psalm pictures the queen standing at the right hand of the king (Christ). Notice that the queen does not sit in a throne of her own. She is standing by the side of the real ruler--the King, who is Christ.

The concept of Mary as Queen of Heaven and earth is a title given to her by virtue of her having given birth to the King who is Jesus Christ.

Hat tip to Darrenn Jackson for the biblical references.

Sleeping With Bread

Hi! Its time for my Sleeping with Bread post. Actually, it was time for my Sleeping with Bread post yesterday.

I think, today, I am most grateful for life. For everyday existing that can be taken away at a moment's notice.

If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?'All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

~Matthew 6:30-33

Sleeping With Bread

Hi! Its time for my Sleeping with Bread post. Actually, it was time for my Sleeping with Bread post yesterday.

I think, today, I am most grateful for life. For everyday existing that can be taken away at a moment's notice.

If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?'All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

~Matthew 6:30-33

Today's Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!

Are you on


for God?

Today's Gospel challenges us to do whatever it takes to feed the flames of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Listen to Catholic music, especially if it is of a different genre than you are used to. Go to Adoration, go to daily Mass or pray the Rosary.

One of the most effective things to do is to pray a daily offering each morning. Offer yourself, your life, your joys and sorrows to God for the intentions of the salvation of souls, for your specific intentions, and for your own spiritual growth. Get involved in your parish, or a neighboring one. Subscribe to a good Catholic publication.

Get involved in your spiritual life!

Today's Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!

Are you on


for God?

Today's Gospel challenges us to do whatever it takes to feed the flames of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Listen to Catholic music, especially if it is of a different genre than you are used to. Go to Adoration, go to daily Mass or pray the Rosary.

One of the most effective things to do is to pray a daily offering each morning. Offer yourself, your life, your joys and sorrows to God for the intentions of the salvation of souls, for your specific intentions, and for your own spiritual growth. Get involved in your parish, or a neighboring one. Subscribe to a good Catholic publication.

Get involved in your spiritual life!

restless soul
painfully restricting
bursting cocoon

You Are My Hiding Place, Oh Lord

You Are My Hiding Place, Oh Lord

today
breaks on the shore
wet sand

spiders
in the house
darkness

Link update

I wanted to point out a new link on my sidebar--Dolorosa Journal. It is run by a Roman Catholic permanent deacon in Santa Rosa, California, and focuses only on mental illness from a Catholic perspective.

Wow! Kudos to Deacon Harry Martin for a much needed addition to the Catholic world.

Another interesting link is Crossing Nineveh, by Stan Williams. Mr. Williams is a convert to Catholicism from Evangelical Protestanism. Williams believes that Catholics and Protestants can learn from each other and that Catholics need to step up efforts to become passionate about and educate ourselves in the faith.

Some Catholics who are passionate are those who are trying to spread the Good News through Catholic rock music. Spirit and Song is a contemporary Catholic radio station that you can listen to on line.

A Catholic rock musician that I have recently become reacquainted with is Adam Miller of Katholicus. Miller single handedly writes, sings, records and produces his own classic rock songs with a Catholic twist. He is quite an accomplished guitarist residing in Maryland with his wife and 8 children.

Two other recent additions are Catholic Tube and God Tube, collecting Catholic and Christian videos from around the world.

Enjoy!

Link update

I wanted to point out a new link on my sidebar--Dolorosa Journal. It is run by a Roman Catholic permanent deacon in Santa Rosa, California, and focuses only on mental illness from a Catholic perspective.

Wow! Kudos to Deacon Harry Martin for a much needed addition to the Catholic world.

Another interesting link is Crossing Nineveh, by Stan Williams. Mr. Williams is a convert to Catholicism from Evangelical Protestanism. Williams believes that Catholics and Protestants can learn from each other and that Catholics need to step up efforts to become passionate about and educate ourselves in the faith.

Some Catholics who are passionate are those who are trying to spread the Good News through Catholic rock music. Spirit and Song is a contemporary Catholic radio station that you can listen to on line.

A Catholic rock musician that I have recently become reacquainted with is Adam Miller of Katholicus. Miller single handedly writes, sings, records and produces his own classic rock songs with a Catholic twist. He is quite an accomplished guitarist residing in Maryland with his wife and 8 children.

Two other recent additions are Catholic Tube and God Tube, collecting Catholic and Christian videos from around the world.

Enjoy!

Smart or Stoopid?

Here's an online "IQ" test.

I was surprised that I have been labeled "smart".

Give it a try.

Click here.

Smart or Stoopid?

Here's an online "IQ" test.

I was surprised that I have been labeled "smart".

Give it a try.

Click here.

Sleeping With Bread

Sleeping With Bread is a Monday meme that introduces the practice of the examen, based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. The concept comes from Mary-LUE at Sleeping With Bread blog via AutumnRose.

Here is the background story from Mary-LUE:

During the bombing raids of WWII, thousands of children were orphaned and left to starve. The fortunate ones were rescued and placed in refugee camps where they received food and good care. But many of these children who had lost so much could not sleep at night. They feared waking up to find themselves once again homeless and without food. Nothing seemed to reassure them. Finally, someone hit upon the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. Holding their bread, these children could finally sleep in peace. All through the night the bread reminded them, "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow." (Linn, Dennis et al, Sleeping
With Bread, p.l)

The examine is a way of reviewing your day developed by St. Ignatius which involves looking at the ways in which you were best able and least able to serve the Lord. You can use the questions below or make up your own:

• For what am I most grateful? Least grateful?
• When did I give and receive the most love? The least love?
• When did I feel most alive? Most drained of life?
• When did I have the greatest sense of belonging? Least sense of belonging?
• When was I most free? Least free?
• When was I most creative? Least creative?
• When did I feel most connected? Least connected?
• When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself?
• When did I feel most whole? Most fragmented?

The idea is to hang onto the ways in which you have been most nourished and give to God the ways in which you have been least nourished. I think if you include the "least nourished" side of things, it is important to give them to God after you bring them to mind. Also, if you discover any shortcoming of your own while doing this exercise, ask God's forgiveness and strength for the coming day.

I love the image of sleeping with bread--hanging onto the things that make you feel most alive and most nurtured by God.

As a Catholic, the whole concept of "Sleeping with Bread" brings to my mind, Jesus as the Bread of Life. Meditating on the Eucharist and Christ's love for us is a wonderful way to feel gratitude. The times when I have felt most fragmented have been those times when I have hidden myself from God. That is never worth it. God is always there, ready to nourish us "in the breaking of the bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42).

Sleeping With Bread

Sleeping With Bread is a Monday meme that introduces the practice of the examen, based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. The concept comes from Mary-LUE at Sleeping With Bread blog via AutumnRose.

Here is the background story from Mary-LUE:

During the bombing raids of WWII, thousands of children were orphaned and left to starve. The fortunate ones were rescued and placed in refugee camps where they received food and good care. But many of these children who had lost so much could not sleep at night. They feared waking up to find themselves once again homeless and without food. Nothing seemed to reassure them. Finally, someone hit upon the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. Holding their bread, these children could finally sleep in peace. All through the night the bread reminded them, "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow." (Linn, Dennis et al, Sleeping
With Bread, p.l)

The examine is a way of reviewing your day developed by St. Ignatius which involves looking at the ways in which you were best able and least able to serve the Lord. You can use the questions below or make up your own:

• For what am I most grateful? Least grateful?
• When did I give and receive the most love? The least love?
• When did I feel most alive? Most drained of life?
• When did I have the greatest sense of belonging? Least sense of belonging?
• When was I most free? Least free?
• When was I most creative? Least creative?
• When did I feel most connected? Least connected?
• When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself?
• When did I feel most whole? Most fragmented?

The idea is to hang onto the ways in which you have been most nourished and give to God the ways in which you have been least nourished. I think if you include the "least nourished" side of things, it is important to give them to God after you bring them to mind. Also, if you discover any shortcoming of your own while doing this exercise, ask God's forgiveness and strength for the coming day.

I love the image of sleeping with bread--hanging onto the things that make you feel most alive and most nurtured by God.

As a Catholic, the whole concept of "Sleeping with Bread" brings to my mind, Jesus as the Bread of Life. Meditating on the Eucharist and Christ's love for us is a wonderful way to feel gratitude. The times when I have felt most fragmented have been those times when I have hidden myself from God. That is never worth it. God is always there, ready to nourish us "in the breaking of the bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42).

More on the Assumption

In the Eastern Christian tradition, Mary's Assumption is pictured as Jesus bringing the infant Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes, into Heaven to live with Him.

I found this image very powerful, not only because Jesus cares for each of us in the same way, but because the image made me think of the changing roles that many of us go through as our parents and other family members age. The roles are reversed, and we must be the conduit through which Christ acts to care for our aging family.

Of course, as we "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) we can hope that Our Lord will, similarly, wrap us in His arms and bring us to Heaven one day.

More on the Assumption

In the Eastern Christian tradition, Mary's Assumption is pictured as Jesus bringing the infant Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes, into Heaven to live with Him.

I found this image very powerful, not only because Jesus cares for each of us in the same way, but because the image made me think of the changing roles that many of us go through as our parents and other family members age. The roles are reversed, and we must be the conduit through which Christ acts to care for our aging family.

Of course, as we "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) we can hope that Our Lord will, similarly, wrap us in His arms and bring us to Heaven one day.

So, What's With the Assumption?

EWTN yesterday had a wonderful explanation of the importance of the Assumption. Mary, a human being, was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. Why not just soul? Why did Jesus not send an apparition of some sort to explain that Mary was definitely in Heaven?

Because human beings are both soul and body. This is where Christianity differs from some eastern religions. (And where Catholicism differs from some Christian sects.) The body itself is not "evil." God created it. God inhabited it in Jesus Christ. The Lord comes to us each day in the Holy Eucharist.

It is sometimes easy these days to explain away our body and our need for it. It seems, after all, that "spirit" is all that is important. Having a body can be a bit of a burden after all.

But, Our Lord created our bodies. At the resurrection at the end of time, we will be reunited body and soul.

Catholics believe that Mary was created without original sin as befitting the Arc of the Covenant which would hold the Word--Christ. She is the prime example of Christian humanity that we are to look towards. She was raised, body and soul and taken into heaven.

Mary is truly "our life, our sweetness and our hope." By the grace of God, we, like her, will rise, body and soul on the last day and be reunited with Christ.

So, What's With the Assumption?

EWTN yesterday had a wonderful explanation of the importance of the Assumption. Mary, a human being, was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. Why not just soul? Why did Jesus not send an apparition of some sort to explain that Mary was definitely in Heaven?

Because human beings are both soul and body. This is where Christianity differs from some eastern religions. (And where Catholicism differs from some Christian sects.) The body itself is not "evil." God created it. God inhabited it in Jesus Christ. The Lord comes to us each day in the Holy Eucharist.

It is sometimes easy these days to explain away our body and our need for it. It seems, after all, that "spirit" is all that is important. Having a body can be a bit of a burden after all.

But, Our Lord created our bodies. At the resurrection at the end of time, we will be reunited body and soul.

Catholics believe that Mary was created without original sin as befitting the Arc of the Covenant which would hold the Word--Christ. She is the prime example of Christian humanity that we are to look towards. She was raised, body and soul and taken into heaven.

Mary is truly "our life, our sweetness and our hope." By the grace of God, we, like her, will rise, body and soul on the last day and be reunited with Christ.

silently, sternly,
judging me from on high
bookshelf cat

middle aged and
still rockin' for God
Catholic boomer

Psalm 23

What a joy this video is to watch! God bless this family!

Psalm 23

What a joy this video is to watch! God bless this family!

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Today is the feast of Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan during World War II. Devoted to Our Lady, he founded the Militia of the Immaculata movement, which still exists today.

He published the Knight of the Immaculate magazine in both Poland and Japan. In 1939 he founded a radio station. Arrested in 1939 by the Nazis, he was put in Auschwitz. In July of 1941, he asked to take the place of a married Jewish man with children, Francis Gajowniczek, who was chosen to die by starvation.

When he didn't die fast enough, he was killed by lethal injection on August 14th, 1941, the day before the Feast of the Annunciation.

Gajowniczek, the man whose life Kolbe saved in Auschwitz, died on March 13, 1995 in Poland. After the war, he spent the rest of his life honoring Kolbe.

St. Maximillian Kolbe is the patron saint of the pro life movement, prisoners and of drug addicts.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Today is the feast of Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan during World War II. Devoted to Our Lady, he founded the Militia of the Immaculata movement, which still exists today.

He published the Knight of the Immaculate magazine in both Poland and Japan. In 1939 he founded a radio station. Arrested in 1939 by the Nazis, he was put in Auschwitz. In July of 1941, he asked to take the place of a married Jewish man with children, Francis Gajowniczek, who was chosen to die by starvation.

When he didn't die fast enough, he was killed by lethal injection on August 14th, 1941, the day before the Feast of the Annunciation.

Gajowniczek, the man whose life Kolbe saved in Auschwitz, died on March 13, 1995 in Poland. After the war, he spent the rest of his life honoring Kolbe.

St. Maximillian Kolbe is the patron saint of the pro life movement, prisoners and of drug addicts.

Dear Jesus, I'm desperate for You. I'm lost without You.

This goes out to my husband. He sings this Michael W. Smith song so beautifully for a communion meditation hymn at Mass.

Dear Jesus, I'm desperate for You. I'm lost without You.

This goes out to my husband. He sings this Michael W. Smith song so beautifully for a communion meditation hymn at Mass.

Upcoming Holy Day of Obligation

Don't forget that Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation--the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I find this is one of the feast days that is easiest to forget, probably because it falls during the summer.

So, anyway, get out there and get to Mass either Tuesday night or Wednesday and honor our Heavenly Mother.

Upcoming Holy Day of Obligation

Don't forget that Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation--the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I find this is one of the feast days that is easiest to forget, probably because it falls during the summer.

So, anyway, get out there and get to Mass either Tuesday night or Wednesday and honor our Heavenly Mother.

Where have all the statues gone?

The parish that I often go to for Daily Mass or Morning Prayer/Adoration is a historic one as it has been in existence since at least the 1800's. I was never thrilled with the (indoor) architecture, but it was certainly better than some I've seen.

The other day, while using the church restroom, I noticed some historic black and white photos of the altar (yes, this is where they are displayed--in the bathroom!). Well, even in black and white, this altar was breathtaking. The altar itself was huge, white marble with gothic type spires across it reaching half way up towards the ceiling. There were at least 20 lit candles on the altar. There were no less than 4 huge statues, again white marble, on the sides. Just beautiful.

It made me SO sad to see that this is so far from the flat wooden statues that are there now. I wondered where those priceless (to me, at least) marble statues ended up. Hopefully, some church, somewhere, has them and is using them to enhance their congregation's worship.

This particular parish is building some new buildings outside of town. Dare I hope that some of this beauty will be resurrected?

Where have all the statues gone?

The parish that I often go to for Daily Mass or Morning Prayer/Adoration is a historic one as it has been in existence since at least the 1800's. I was never thrilled with the (indoor) architecture, but it was certainly better than some I've seen.

The other day, while using the church restroom, I noticed some historic black and white photos of the altar (yes, this is where they are displayed--in the bathroom!). Well, even in black and white, this altar was breathtaking. The altar itself was huge, white marble with gothic type spires across it reaching half way up towards the ceiling. There were at least 20 lit candles on the altar. There were no less than 4 huge statues, again white marble, on the sides. Just beautiful.

It made me SO sad to see that this is so far from the flat wooden statues that are there now. I wondered where those priceless (to me, at least) marble statues ended up. Hopefully, some church, somewhere, has them and is using them to enhance their congregation's worship.

This particular parish is building some new buildings outside of town. Dare I hope that some of this beauty will be resurrected?

RIP--Merv Griffin

Merv Griffin, long time talk show host and entertainment entrepreneur, died at 82 of prostate cancer. To illustrate how long he has been in television, I'm posting this YouTube of Merv Griffin singing "Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" and doing an abominably fake English accent. I'm not sure what year this was broadcast.

RIP--Merv Griffin

Merv Griffin, long time talk show host and entertainment entrepreneur, died at 82 of prostate cancer. To illustrate how long he has been in television, I'm posting this YouTube of Merv Griffin singing "Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" and doing an abominably fake English accent. I'm not sure what year this was broadcast.

It's in the Bible

Today's Gospel reading was the infamous passage from Matthew chapter 16 where Jesus asks Peter,

“But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

Jesus said "upon this rock I will build my Church", not "my Churches". The Catholic Church is the one Church that Jesus founded. It is founded on Jesus' words in the Bible. All our Sacraments are directly from the bible.

• Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Baptism) [Matthew 28:19]

• What you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven (Confession) [Matthew 16:18-19]

• Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.(Holy Communion) [John 6:53]

• The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you. (Confirmation)[John 14:26]

• The two shall become one flesh. (Marriage) [Matthew 10:8]

• Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (Annointing of the Sick)[James 5:14]

• They chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. (Holy Orders) [Acts 6: 5-6]
  

Below is a YouTube video of Palestrina's Tu es Petrus, the Latin version of the Scripture from Matthew 16:18-19:

You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.
Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam.
~ Matthew 16:18b-19

It's in the Bible

Today's Gospel reading was the infamous passage from Matthew chapter 16 where Jesus asks Peter,

“But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

Jesus said "upon this rock I will build my Church", not "my Churches". The Catholic Church is the one Church that Jesus founded. It is founded on Jesus' words in the Bible. All our Sacraments are directly from the bible.

• Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Baptism) [Matthew 28:19]

• What you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven (Confession) [Matthew 16:18-19]

• Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.(Holy Communion) [John 6:53]

• The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you. (Confirmation)[John 14:26]

• The two shall become one flesh. (Marriage) [Matthew 10:8]

• Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (Annointing of the Sick)[James 5:14]

• They chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. (Holy Orders) [Acts 6: 5-6]
  

Below is a YouTube video of Palestrina's Tu es Petrus, the Latin version of the Scripture from Matthew 16:18-19:

You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.
Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam.
~ Matthew 16:18b-19

St. Dominic

Today is the feast of Saint Dominic--founder of the Dominicans. Some facts about the order and/or the saint:

1. Legend has it that Our Lady gave Saint Dominic the first Rosary. Today, the Dominicans are responsible for encouraging all the faithful to pray the rosary. One way they do this is through the Rosary Confraternity. Members pledge to pray the entire (15 or 20) decade rosary per week.

2. A little known symbol of St. Dominic is a dog carrying a flaming torch. While pregnant with him, Dominic's mother, Blessed Juana of Aza, dreamed that she gave birth to a dog that carried a flaming torch through the world. Disturbed by this, she asked her priest for an interpretation. He told her that the child would carry the Word of God to all earth to set it afire.

[Note: In Latin, the word Domini means God and the word cani means dog.]

St. Dominic

Today is the feast of Saint Dominic--founder of the Dominicans. Some facts about the order and/or the saint:

1. Legend has it that Our Lady gave Saint Dominic the first Rosary. Today, the Dominicans are responsible for encouraging all the faithful to pray the rosary. One way they do this is through the Rosary Confraternity. Members pledge to pray the entire (15 or 20) decade rosary per week.

2. A little known symbol of St. Dominic is a dog carrying a flaming torch. While pregnant with him, Dominic's mother, Blessed Juana of Aza, dreamed that she gave birth to a dog that carried a flaming torch through the world. Disturbed by this, she asked her priest for an interpretation. He told her that the child would carry the Word of God to all earth to set it afire.

[Note: In Latin, the word Domini means God and the word cani means dog.]

my two black
animals immobile
from the heat

A little relief from the heat

A glass of iced tea for this hot day. How do you take your iced tea? Most often, I have herbal iced tea, or decaf black iced tea. Occasionally, I'll put lemon and/or sweetener in it, but I often have it without anything added. We do have mint growing in our garden, so, when I think of it, I put some fresh mint in it.



Edited because yesterday's heat made me temporarily loose my ability to title a post using correct grammar!

A little relief from the heat

A glass of iced tea for this hot day. How do you take your iced tea? Most often, I have herbal iced tea, or decaf black iced tea. Occasionally, I'll put lemon and/or sweetener in it, but I often have it without anything added. We do have mint growing in our garden, so, when I think of it, I put some fresh mint in it.



Edited because yesterday's heat made me temporarily loose my ability to title a post using correct grammar!

The Importance of Confession

Not going to confession is a huge mistake. It allows sin to ferment and allows the sinner to become comfortable with the sin. It is like the old story of the frog who was put in a pot of water and never noticed that the temperature of the water was slowly rising. The frog could have climbed out at any time and chose not to because he never realized the danger.

Sin is the same way. There are times when sin pervades the very air we breathe in this culture, and we can easily let this become true with our own lives. We get so used to it that it becomes a habit and we justify it to ourselves. Jesus, though, is Truth itself and Jesus will not allow wrongdoing to be justified. You cannot lie to Truth.

Those of us who live in areas of the world where we have access to regular confession should get on our knees and thank God for it. The Sacrament of Reconciliation imparts many graces to us to help us deal with situations where we are tempted to sin against others and against the Lord.

Here are Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession:

1) ...examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly;
2) ...wait our turn in line patiently;
3) ...come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end;
4) ...speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard;
5) ...state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling;
6) ...confess all mortal sins in number and kind;
7) ...listen carefully to the advice the priest gives;
8) ...confess our own sins and not someone else’s;
9) ...carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it;
10) ...use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable;
11) ...never be afraid to say something "embarrassing"... just say it;
12) ...never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage;
13) ...never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal;
14) ...never confess "tendencies" or "struggles"... just sins;
15) ...never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution;
16) ...memorize an Act of Contrition;
17) ...answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification;
18) ...ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something;
19) ...keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do;
20) ...remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.

Regarding number 14, I think the good Father was not saying we shouldn't confess sins that we struggle with, but that we should make sure to confess a specific instance of sin and not just the fact that we struggle generally with a particular type of sinfulness. The more specific we are in confession, the easier it is going to be letting go of a particular sin.

On a related note: I think many of us "modern" Catholics forget or don't realize that we are supposed to confess specific sins on a regular basis. If we have an angry outburst, for example, we shouldn't wait until we've had an angry week or month. We should get ourselves to the Sacrament as soon as possible, both for the accountability involved as well as for the grace to overcome the sin.

The Importance of Confession

Not going to confession is a huge mistake. It allows sin to ferment and allows the sinner to become comfortable with the sin. It is like the old story of the frog who was put in a pot of water and never noticed that the temperature of the water was slowly rising. The frog could have climbed out at any time and chose not to because he never realized the danger.

Sin is the same way. There are times when sin pervades the very air we breathe in this culture, and we can easily let this become true with our own lives. We get so used to it that it becomes a habit and we justify it to ourselves. Jesus, though, is Truth itself and Jesus will not allow wrongdoing to be justified. You cannot lie to Truth.

Those of us who live in areas of the world where we have access to regular confession should get on our knees and thank God for it. The Sacrament of Reconciliation imparts many graces to us to help us deal with situations where we are tempted to sin against others and against the Lord.

Here are Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession:

1) ...examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly;
2) ...wait our turn in line patiently;
3) ...come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end;
4) ...speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard;
5) ...state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling;
6) ...confess all mortal sins in number and kind;
7) ...listen carefully to the advice the priest gives;
8) ...confess our own sins and not someone else’s;
9) ...carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it;
10) ...use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable;
11) ...never be afraid to say something "embarrassing"... just say it;
12) ...never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage;
13) ...never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal;
14) ...never confess "tendencies" or "struggles"... just sins;
15) ...never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution;
16) ...memorize an Act of Contrition;
17) ...answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification;
18) ...ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something;
19) ...keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do;
20) ...remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.

Regarding number 14, I think the good Father was not saying we shouldn't confess sins that we struggle with, but that we should make sure to confess a specific instance of sin and not just the fact that we struggle generally with a particular type of sinfulness. The more specific we are in confession, the easier it is going to be letting go of a particular sin.

On a related note: I think many of us "modern" Catholics forget or don't realize that we are supposed to confess specific sins on a regular basis. If we have an angry outburst, for example, we shouldn't wait until we've had an angry week or month. We should get ourselves to the Sacrament as soon as possible, both for the accountability involved as well as for the grace to overcome the sin.

Musician's Revenge

Yes, Virginia. It *is* rude to talk on your cell phone during a live concert.


Related: It is also rude to keep your cell phone on, answer it and TALK on it during a college lecture. Score one for the professor.

Musician's Revenge

Yes, Virginia. It *is* rude to talk on your cell phone during a live concert.


Related: It is also rude to keep your cell phone on, answer it and TALK on it during a college lecture. Score one for the professor.

Rendition of a New Yorker Cartoon

Thanks

go

out

to

Susie

at Reconnecting to the Truth, for her rendition of what was originally a New Yorker cartoon.

Much food for contemplation here.

"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
~Romans 3:23

Rendition of a New Yorker Cartoon

Thanks

go

out

to

Susie

at Reconnecting to the Truth, for her rendition of what was originally a New Yorker cartoon.

Much food for contemplation here.

"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
~Romans 3:23