Prayer Before Advent

Prayer Before Advent

Advent Conspiracy

On the first Christmas, giving gifts began with worship.

Advent Conspiracy

On the first Christmas, giving gifts began with worship.

crouching tiger
hidden in the early morning fog
the fog lifts

At What Price Greed?

Please pray for the WalMart employee who was trampled to death by a crowd of shoppers who had pushed through sliding glass doors in a frenzy of "black Friday" hysteria five minutes before the store's advertised 5:00am opening.

After banging with their fists and pushing, the doors shattered, and the crowd of more than 2,000 rushed into the store for their "must haves" for the "holiday season". The six employees who were trying to keep the doors shut, couldn't hold out against the crowd.

After Jdimytai Damour, a 34 year old temporary employee, was thrown to the floor, the mob continued to run over and around him, ignoring his gasps. After emergency personnel came to the scene, shoppers continued to rush past, as the EMTs tried in vain to save the man.

Sunday begins the season of Advent. Let's remember what the real meaning of "the season" is--Jesus, not greed. Inner (and sometimes outer) poverty for the sake of the Kingdom.

Note: The holy card is from Holy Cards for Your Inspiration. The French is translated as follows:

Top: "Dreams of Youth"
In the beam of light:"And then afterwards ..."
At the bottom:

"O God, divert my heart from vanity!

... Show me your truth, that sun shining past everything which slips away."

At What Price Greed?

Please pray for the WalMart employee who was trampled to death by a crowd of shoppers who had pushed through sliding glass doors in a frenzy of "black Friday" hysteria five minutes before the store's advertised 5:00am opening.

After banging with their fists and pushing, the doors shattered, and the crowd of more than 2,000 rushed into the store for their "must haves" for the "holiday season". The six employees who were trying to keep the doors shut, couldn't hold out against the crowd.

After Jdimytai Damour, a 34 year old temporary employee, was thrown to the floor, the mob continued to run over and around him, ignoring his gasps. After emergency personnel came to the scene, shoppers continued to rush past, as the EMTs tried in vain to save the man.

Sunday begins the season of Advent. Let's remember what the real meaning of "the season" is--Jesus, not greed. Inner (and sometimes outer) poverty for the sake of the Kingdom.

Note: The holy card is from Holy Cards for Your Inspiration. The French is translated as follows:

Top: "Dreams of Youth"
In the beam of light:"And then afterwards ..."
At the bottom:

"O God, divert my heart from vanity!

... Show me your truth, that sun shining past everything which slips away."

Prayers for the people in India

Please pray for all the recent victims of terrorism in Mumbai, India. Along with people from India, the victims included some from The United States, Great Britain and Japan.

The image, "Mother of India," is from Holy Cards for your Inspiration.

Prayers for the people in India

Please pray for all the recent victims of terrorism in Mumbai, India. Along with people from India, the victims included some from The United States, Great Britain and Japan.

The image, "Mother of India," is from Holy Cards for your Inspiration.

Fred Astaire Friday

In honor of the fact that I'm having my own Thanksgiving dinner with my family tonight, here is Fred Astair's Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.

Fred Astaire Friday

In honor of the fact that I'm having my own Thanksgiving dinner with my family tonight, here is Fred Astair's Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving!

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow!

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving!

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow!

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

There is something about these cats...

One day, I will have one.

But I'll have to have a warmer house first.

There is something about these cats...

One day, I will have one.

But I'll have to have a warmer house first.

Word Verification

Lately, I've begun noticing that word verification on blogger (more on certain blogs oddly, enough) are now actual words.

They were never actual words before.

What's the deal?

It does make it much easier and somehow, more fun.

Word Verification

Lately, I've begun noticing that word verification on blogger (more on certain blogs oddly, enough) are now actual words.

They were never actual words before.

What's the deal?

It does make it much easier and somehow, more fun.

On a Lighter Note

I miss Johnny Carson.

On a Lighter Note

I miss Johnny Carson.

Prepare

Next week is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the time of preparation for Christ's birth at Christmas. It is a time to prepare for Christmas as a spiritual time. This can be very difficult to do in today's materialistic society, but it is worth doing. This year, with our economy in tatters, more people are scaling back on the materialistic aspect of Christmas anyway. This may be a good opportunity to rethink our preparation for the Holy Season of Christmas.

There's a saying in many 12 step groups that can be applied to the pre-Christmas season in the West today: Take what you like and leave the rest. If a tradition helps you prepare spiritually for Christmas, keep it. If it doesn't, toss it.

I like to decorate for Advent. I put up my creche without the Baby, my Advent wreath, my Mary statue without the Infant, a couple of groups of 4 purple votive candles, and a group of 4 purple Christmas balls. All that purple, along with the creche, reminds me that Advent is here, and is a spiritual time.

Whatever you feel called to do this year, do it with the focus on Christ--Christ coming into your heart so that you can be a healing balm to others.

Prepare

Next week is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the time of preparation for Christ's birth at Christmas. It is a time to prepare for Christmas as a spiritual time. This can be very difficult to do in today's materialistic society, but it is worth doing. This year, with our economy in tatters, more people are scaling back on the materialistic aspect of Christmas anyway. This may be a good opportunity to rethink our preparation for the Holy Season of Christmas.

There's a saying in many 12 step groups that can be applied to the pre-Christmas season in the West today: Take what you like and leave the rest. If a tradition helps you prepare spiritually for Christmas, keep it. If it doesn't, toss it.

I like to decorate for Advent. I put up my creche without the Baby, my Advent wreath, my Mary statue without the Infant, a couple of groups of 4 purple votive candles, and a group of 4 purple Christmas balls. All that purple, along with the creche, reminds me that Advent is here, and is a spiritual time.

Whatever you feel called to do this year, do it with the focus on Christ--Christ coming into your heart so that you can be a healing balm to others.

The Feast of Christ the King

So many of us balk at the idea of being ruled over by anyone. And yet, we follow the famous that the media puts in front of us with hardly a question asked. We thirst for rulers, whether we realize it or not. We look to our fellow human beings to rescue us from the pits we dig for ourselves. We freely give ourselves over to the most temporal and fleeting people, possessions, emotions and substances to rule over us every day, while maintaining the delusion that we rule alone.

What does it mean for those who claim Jesus as king? Our King is our shepherd. He gave His very life for us. Our King acknowledges and respects our free will. Any punishment we incur for sin is the logical consequence of the choice we have made.

Our King suffered a horrible and humiliating death--for us. He died in our place, and rose again.

We all need a ruler. We all have a ruler of one kind or another.

Who rules over you?

The Feast of Christ the King

So many of us balk at the idea of being ruled over by anyone. And yet, we follow the famous that the media puts in front of us with hardly a question asked. We thirst for rulers, whether we realize it or not. We look to our fellow human beings to rescue us from the pits we dig for ourselves. We freely give ourselves over to the most temporal and fleeting people, possessions, emotions and substances to rule over us every day, while maintaining the delusion that we rule alone.

What does it mean for those who claim Jesus as king? Our King is our shepherd. He gave His very life for us. Our King acknowledges and respects our free will. Any punishment we incur for sin is the logical consequence of the choice we have made.

Our King suffered a horrible and humiliating death--for us. He died in our place, and rose again.

We all need a ruler. We all have a ruler of one kind or another.

Who rules over you?

Fred Astaire Friday

Our Fred Astaire Friday pic is from "Shall We Dance" and is called "Slap That Bass". Fred dances without a partner, in, what the YouTube uploader calls "the cleanest engine room in the universe." I'm sure my dh would agree!

Fred Astaire Friday

Our Fred Astaire Friday pic is from "Shall We Dance" and is called "Slap That Bass". Fred dances without a partner, in, what the YouTube uploader calls "the cleanest engine room in the universe." I'm sure my dh would agree!

The Saint Song

"A short song naming over a hundred saints, sung to the tune of a popular Gilbert and Sullivan song (also known as 'The Element Song by Tom Lehrer). "

The Saint Song

"A short song naming over a hundred saints, sung to the tune of a popular Gilbert and Sullivan song (also known as 'The Element Song by Tom Lehrer). "

newborn flurries fall
gently, on tired black coats.
first snow

Is your cat plotting to kill you?

Is your cat plotting to kill you?

The Parable of the Talents

The parable of the talents tells the story of a master who had three servants. Before leaving for a period of time, the master gives each servant "talents" (or an amount of money) "according to his ability" the Bible tells us.

The first two servants invest the money and give the complete amount back to the master upon his return. To them he says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy." These servants have a complete and true understanding of their relationship with their master. They are his servants. Their job is to look after the happiness of their master, who will then share that joy with them.

The third servant was given a smaller number of talents. The master knew he was less capable than the first two, and took that into account when he decided how much to entrust to him. Even with this small amount, though, the third servant acted from a completely selfish place of fear for himself and not out of loyalty to his master, and hid the money. "Master," he said, "I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground".

His fear was self-fulfilling and self-feeding. He was afraid of his master, but, more importantly, he was afraid FOR himself. His fear became his entire identity and he never came close to fulfilling his master's trust.

The Master was angry with the third servant and declared, "Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."

The third servant had no idea what his position was in regards to his master. He saw only the potentially punitive side of his master and had no inkling of the rewards that could come to him if he served his master with all his ability. The master, being ever merciful, did not over burden this servant with more than he could handle. He was only given one talent, and he refused to use it out of fear for himself. As a result, he would never be able to taste and "share in his master's joy."

The Master, of course, is God. We are the servants. We are all servants of someone--either God or ourselves. To be a servant of God is to be truly happy and fulfilled. Being a servant of God is to be a servant of others as we are of ourselves. It is to care for ourselves, so that we can care for others. It is loving in the true sense of the word--wishing the complete Good for another, whether that will be initially painful for them or immediately joyful. Through this true service, we will "share (in our) Master's joy." When we use the talents that God has given us, and use them to step outside our comfort zone, to grow personally and to serve others, we will be truly joyful.

When we live in fear of personal discomfort we will be unable to share our Master's joy because we will live in, and act from, that place of fear. It will color all we do. Fear is paralyzing. Fear is devoid of joy.

Whom do you serve? The Lord, or yourself? Out of what place do you live your life? Out of the place of fear or one of participation in the life that God has entrusted to you? Are you sharing in your Master's Joy, or are you afraid?

God is a merciful God who wants us to use the gifts He has so freely given to grow and serve others. Let us give back to Him what he has entrusted to us after we have used them for the good of our world.

The Parable of the Talents

The parable of the talents tells the story of a master who had three servants. Before leaving for a period of time, the master gives each servant "talents" (or an amount of money) "according to his ability" the Bible tells us.

The first two servants invest the money and give the complete amount back to the master upon his return. To them he says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy." These servants have a complete and true understanding of their relationship with their master. They are his servants. Their job is to look after the happiness of their master, who will then share that joy with them.

The third servant was given a smaller number of talents. The master knew he was less capable than the first two, and took that into account when he decided how much to entrust to him. Even with this small amount, though, the third servant acted from a completely selfish place of fear for himself and not out of loyalty to his master, and hid the money. "Master," he said, "I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground".

His fear was self-fulfilling and self-feeding. He was afraid of his master, but, more importantly, he was afraid FOR himself. His fear became his entire identity and he never came close to fulfilling his master's trust.

The Master was angry with the third servant and declared, "Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."

The third servant had no idea what his position was in regards to his master. He saw only the potentially punitive side of his master and had no inkling of the rewards that could come to him if he served his master with all his ability. The master, being ever merciful, did not over burden this servant with more than he could handle. He was only given one talent, and he refused to use it out of fear for himself. As a result, he would never be able to taste and "share in his master's joy."

The Master, of course, is God. We are the servants. We are all servants of someone--either God or ourselves. To be a servant of God is to be truly happy and fulfilled. Being a servant of God is to be a servant of others as we are of ourselves. It is to care for ourselves, so that we can care for others. It is loving in the true sense of the word--wishing the complete Good for another, whether that will be initially painful for them or immediately joyful. Through this true service, we will "share (in our) Master's joy." When we use the talents that God has given us, and use them to step outside our comfort zone, to grow personally and to serve others, we will be truly joyful.

When we live in fear of personal discomfort we will be unable to share our Master's joy because we will live in, and act from, that place of fear. It will color all we do. Fear is paralyzing. Fear is devoid of joy.

Whom do you serve? The Lord, or yourself? Out of what place do you live your life? Out of the place of fear or one of participation in the life that God has entrusted to you? Are you sharing in your Master's Joy, or are you afraid?

God is a merciful God who wants us to use the gifts He has so freely given to grow and serve others. Let us give back to Him what he has entrusted to us after we have used them for the good of our world.

Saint Michael, Defend Us!

So many people get so stressed out this time of year, that it occurred to me that sometimes there may be a darker influence to this common phenomenon. At the very least, Satan must have a field day when people suffer. The season in which we prepare and celebrate Our Lord's Incarnation as God made man, is spent by many people fighting very dark feelings of emptiness and despair.

Let's say the Saint Michael prayer for all those who struggle with depression during the Holidays.

Saint Michael, Defend Us!

So many people get so stressed out this time of year, that it occurred to me that sometimes there may be a darker influence to this common phenomenon. At the very least, Satan must have a field day when people suffer. The season in which we prepare and celebrate Our Lord's Incarnation as God made man, is spent by many people fighting very dark feelings of emptiness and despair.

Let's say the Saint Michael prayer for all those who struggle with depression during the Holidays.

More Music

After yesterday's rain and fog, I thought I'd share another bit of high school choir nostalgia. Enjoy! Sing along!

More Music

After yesterday's rain and fog, I thought I'd share another bit of high school choir nostalgia. Enjoy! Sing along!

Fred Astaire Friday

This is Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Follow the Fleet from 1936.

Fred Astaire Friday

This is Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Follow the Fleet from 1936.

Check out my Apostolate of Saint Augustine Blog

I wanted to say a bit about my new blog: The Apostolate of Saint Augustine.

Saint Augustine was born in Algeria around 354. He was raised a Christian by his mother, Saint Monica. Augustine left the faith and fathered a child out of wedlock. Monica never ceased praying for him. Finally, he reverted back to Christianity and wrote the classic book now called, "The Confessions of Saint Augustine," detailing his conversion experience.

I began the blog as a place of prayer and support for all those who are grieving for a loved one who has lost their faith. I have a link there to a "room" of online votive candles for you to light for your intentions, a link to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters in Philadelphia, who will pray for your intentions in front of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as a link to the complete text of The Confessions of Saint Augustine.

I try to post reminders, prayers and encouragement for those who are praying for their loved ones.

Please consider stopping by and taking a minute to pray for all those who have no faith.

Check out my Apostolate of Saint Augustine Blog

I wanted to say a bit about my new blog: The Apostolate of Saint Augustine.

Saint Augustine was born in Algeria around 354. He was raised a Christian by his mother, Saint Monica. Augustine left the faith and fathered a child out of wedlock. Monica never ceased praying for him. Finally, he reverted back to Christianity and wrote the classic book now called, "The Confessions of Saint Augustine," detailing his conversion experience.

I began the blog as a place of prayer and support for all those who are grieving for a loved one who has lost their faith. I have a link there to a "room" of online votive candles for you to light for your intentions, a link to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters in Philadelphia, who will pray for your intentions in front of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as a link to the complete text of The Confessions of Saint Augustine.

I try to post reminders, prayers and encouragement for those who are praying for their loved ones.

Please consider stopping by and taking a minute to pray for all those who have no faith.

Being Alone

There are times in our lives when we feel alone. This often happens around this time of year, as the days grow shorter and colder, and we begin to feel pressure to "be the holidays" for everyone in our lives. It can happen as we grow older and people in our lives change, move, or pass away.

I'm convinced that sometimes, Our Lord calls us to be alone. Sometimes He may take the people in our lives away from us, or take us away from them, for a time, to draw our attention to Him. He may rearrange our lives for us when we resist doing it ourselves.

There is nothing to fear from being alone; alone with our God and Creator.

Cultivate that aloneness. It is prayer. It is communion with Our Lord.

Light a candle. Light several candles. Use incense and music.

If you do not have access to meditative music, one resource is Pandora Radio. It is free radio where you can program your own musical tastes. Once you get an account, type in something like "Gregorian Chant" and enjoy being transported to another world.

Ask Our Lord to be with you in this season of increasing worldly darkness and surround you with His light.

Being Alone

There are times in our lives when we feel alone. This often happens around this time of year, as the days grow shorter and colder, and we begin to feel pressure to "be the holidays" for everyone in our lives. It can happen as we grow older and people in our lives change, move, or pass away.

I'm convinced that sometimes, Our Lord calls us to be alone. Sometimes He may take the people in our lives away from us, or take us away from them, for a time, to draw our attention to Him. He may rearrange our lives for us when we resist doing it ourselves.

There is nothing to fear from being alone; alone with our God and Creator.

Cultivate that aloneness. It is prayer. It is communion with Our Lord.

Light a candle. Light several candles. Use incense and music.

If you do not have access to meditative music, one resource is Pandora Radio. It is free radio where you can program your own musical tastes. Once you get an account, type in something like "Gregorian Chant" and enjoy being transported to another world.

Ask Our Lord to be with you in this season of increasing worldly darkness and surround you with His light.

How God Uses Life's Problems

I read this on a message board and wanted to post it here.

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:


God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention?

Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.
~Proverbs 20:30

God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags. If you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you?

When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.
~James 1:2-3

God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something, health, money and a relationship. By losing it.

It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.
~Psalm 119:71-72

God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.
~Genesis 50:20

God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity.

We can rejoice when we run into problems they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of Character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it; until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.
~Romans 5:3-4

How God Uses Life's Problems

I read this on a message board and wanted to post it here.

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:


God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention?

Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.
~Proverbs 20:30

God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags. If you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you?

When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.
~James 1:2-3

God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something, health, money and a relationship. By losing it.

It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.
~Psalm 119:71-72

God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.
~Genesis 50:20

God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity.

We can rejoice when we run into problems they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of Character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it; until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.
~Romans 5:3-4

Up, Up and Away!

This is for all those who were in choir with me in High School.

Enjoy!

:D

Up, Up and Away!

This is for all those who were in choir with me in High School.

Enjoy!

:D

God's Destressor

I must have this. This would take away all my stress.

God's Destressor

I must have this. This would take away all my stress.

Fred Astaire Friday

This is Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger's final musical together, The Barkleys of Broadway. Originally, Fred was to star with Judy Garland, who had to bow out due to "ill health" and was replaced by Ginger. The voiceover in this clip is Gene Kelly from "That's Entertainment."

Fred Astaire Friday

This is Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger's final musical together, The Barkleys of Broadway. Originally, Fred was to star with Judy Garland, who had to bow out due to "ill health" and was replaced by Ginger. The voiceover in this clip is Gene Kelly from "That's Entertainment."

How Jesus Treats Sinners

I've been thinking today, about how Jesus treats sinners. Jesus was known in His time for his loving treatment of public sinners. Rather than publicly rebuking them, He reached out in kindness and forgiveness.

Zaccheus was an unethical tax collector, in a time and place where all tax collectors were automatically assumed to be sinners, and Jesus willingly and in front of a crowd of people, told Zaccheus that He would eat that day in his house. Zaccheus was so astounded by this manifestation of unearned love, that he completely turned his life around and announced that he would pay back anything he had previously cheated or stolen from anyone else.

Jesus welcomed the woman who was a known sinner (some say a prostitute) into the house of the Pharisee, where he was having dinner. She was so affected by His complete and total love for her, no matter who she was or what her failings, that she broke down and wept, washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair.

Rather than rebuking her, Jesus rebuked the dinner guests who were unable to see beyond her human frailty enough to welcome and love her. He told them, "Her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

The woman caught in adultery was about to be stoned, as was the law of the land at the time. Jesus told the crowd, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." The crowd left, beginning, the Bible tells us, with the oldest first. Then, he asked the woman, "Has anyone condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." Jesus told her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more."

Imagine what that must have felt like. She was caught in the act of adultery. She could have legally been stoned to death. Jesus, known for His "teaching with authority", only used that authority to publicly forgive the woman. When Jesus said, "Go," he didn't mean "Get out of here", but "You are free." He didn't condone her sin, but showed her what real Love was and set her free, charging her not to sin again.

This is how we should treat each other, for we are all sinners. Being angry and judgmental is counterproductive and is not showing Love as Jesus is Love.

How Jesus Treats Sinners

I've been thinking today, about how Jesus treats sinners. Jesus was known in His time for his loving treatment of public sinners. Rather than publicly rebuking them, He reached out in kindness and forgiveness.

Zaccheus was an unethical tax collector, in a time and place where all tax collectors were automatically assumed to be sinners, and Jesus willingly and in front of a crowd of people, told Zaccheus that He would eat that day in his house. Zaccheus was so astounded by this manifestation of unearned love, that he completely turned his life around and announced that he would pay back anything he had previously cheated or stolen from anyone else.

Jesus welcomed the woman who was a known sinner (some say a prostitute) into the house of the Pharisee, where he was having dinner. She was so affected by His complete and total love for her, no matter who she was or what her failings, that she broke down and wept, washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair.

Rather than rebuking her, Jesus rebuked the dinner guests who were unable to see beyond her human frailty enough to welcome and love her. He told them, "Her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

The woman caught in adultery was about to be stoned, as was the law of the land at the time. Jesus told the crowd, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." The crowd left, beginning, the Bible tells us, with the oldest first. Then, he asked the woman, "Has anyone condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." Jesus told her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more."

Imagine what that must have felt like. She was caught in the act of adultery. She could have legally been stoned to death. Jesus, known for His "teaching with authority", only used that authority to publicly forgive the woman. When Jesus said, "Go," he didn't mean "Get out of here", but "You are free." He didn't condone her sin, but showed her what real Love was and set her free, charging her not to sin again.

This is how we should treat each other, for we are all sinners. Being angry and judgmental is counterproductive and is not showing Love as Jesus is Love.

Virtue of the Month

The virtue of the month for November is charity. Charity, in the theological sense, means more than "giving money to the poor". Charity means sacrificially loving--loving the other so much, that you willingly give yourself sacrificially for their good. True love/charity would change the world.

I think it is time to stop focusing uncharitably on differences and points of disagreement and start focusing on truly loving. Its time to get our hands dirty living out our Christian faith. We have become complacent thinking that all we need is to be in power politically and our responsibilities end there.

True Christian charity means actively loving others no matter what their personal situation or opinions might be. LOVING. Really loving others as Jesus would love them.

It is the virtue of the month. It is our faith. It is time we start living it.

Let us open up our hearts to others as Jesus opens his Sacred Heart to us.

Virtue of the Month

The virtue of the month for November is charity. Charity, in the theological sense, means more than "giving money to the poor". Charity means sacrificially loving--loving the other so much, that you willingly give yourself sacrificially for their good. True love/charity would change the world.

I think it is time to stop focusing uncharitably on differences and points of disagreement and start focusing on truly loving. Its time to get our hands dirty living out our Christian faith. We have become complacent thinking that all we need is to be in power politically and our responsibilities end there.

True Christian charity means actively loving others no matter what their personal situation or opinions might be. LOVING. Really loving others as Jesus would love them.

It is the virtue of the month. It is our faith. It is time we start living it.

Let us open up our hearts to others as Jesus opens his Sacred Heart to us.

One Baby One Vote

Go to onebabyonevote.com and spiritually adopt and name an aborted baby.

Then go to the polls and give that baby a voice.

Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
~Psalm 22:32
(from today's Mass readings)

One Baby One Vote

Go to onebabyonevote.com and spiritually adopt and name an aborted baby.

Then go to the polls and give that baby a voice.

Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
~Psalm 22:32
(from today's Mass readings)

Decision 2008

Please continue your prayers for our country and please vote tomorrow. States are experiencing record turnout, so leave yourself LOTS of time and/or vote early.

Exercise your right and responsibility to vote!

Decision 2008

Please continue your prayers for our country and please vote tomorrow. States are experiencing record turnout, so leave yourself LOTS of time and/or vote early.

Exercise your right and responsibility to vote!

Slowly the Pendulum Swings

I'm doing the Catholic nerd dance today.

Our priest brought out the BLACK vestments for All Souls'!!

Apparently, two parishes in New Jersey merged and our order was offered an extra set of black vestments. The black really focused things on what we were commemorating today--those who have died and whose souls we continue to remember and pray for.

Black, along with violet and also white can be used for funeral Masses, Good Friday and All Souls' Day in the Church.

Oh, and the new pastor is asking us to gradually introduce Latin in our music for the Mass. Starting in Advent, we will begin singing the Kyrie and the Sanctus, and then add the Agnus Dei during Lent and possibly the Gloria during Easter.

All we need now is some incense, some nice pictorial stained glass, and bigger statues.

One step at a time.

Slowly the Pendulum Swings

I'm doing the Catholic nerd dance today.

Our priest brought out the BLACK vestments for All Souls'!!

Apparently, two parishes in New Jersey merged and our order was offered an extra set of black vestments. The black really focused things on what we were commemorating today--those who have died and whose souls we continue to remember and pray for.

Black, along with violet and also white can be used for funeral Masses, Good Friday and All Souls' Day in the Church.

Oh, and the new pastor is asking us to gradually introduce Latin in our music for the Mass. Starting in Advent, we will begin singing the Kyrie and the Sanctus, and then add the Agnus Dei during Lent and possibly the Gloria during Easter.

All we need now is some incense, some nice pictorial stained glass, and bigger statues.

One step at a time.

All Souls's Day

Sunday is the Feast of All Souls where we remember those who have died.

Here is a setting of part of a requiem--a funeral Mass--by John Rutter. The lyrics (and translation when necessary) are posted under the video.


I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me
blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
for they rest from their labours.
Even so saith the Spirit, for they rest.

Lux aeterna luceat eis Domine
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum:
quia pius es.

Let everlasting light shine on them, O Lord
with your saints for ever:
for you art merciful.

Requiem aeternam
dona eis, Domine;

Eternal rest
grant to them, Oh Lord;

All Souls's Day

Sunday is the Feast of All Souls where we remember those who have died.

Here is a setting of part of a requiem--a funeral Mass--by John Rutter. The lyrics (and translation when necessary) are posted under the video.


I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me
blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
for they rest from their labours.
Even so saith the Spirit, for they rest.

Lux aeterna luceat eis Domine
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum:
quia pius es.

Let everlasting light shine on them, O Lord
with your saints for ever:
for you art merciful.

Requiem aeternam
dona eis, Domine;

Eternal rest
grant to them, Oh Lord;

All Saint's Day

Today is All Saint's Day. This video has quotes from various saints set to music from Handel's Messiah.

All Saint's Day

Today is All Saint's Day. This video has quotes from various saints set to music from Handel's Messiah.

Fall Back

Don't forget to "Fall Back" tonight. Daylight savings time ends for most of the United States at 2am Sunday morning.

So don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed.

"Spring ahead, Fall back."

Fall Back

Don't forget to "Fall Back" tonight. Daylight savings time ends for most of the United States at 2am Sunday morning.

So don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed.

"Spring ahead, Fall back."