Art and Beauty Tuesday

The next in our series by Thomas Cole is Voyage of Life: Manhood.  This is where we realize that we have messed up.  We've tried to go it alone, without God and are heading down a dark and dangerous path.

As the dark clouds part, we see our guardian angel, who has been waiting for us all along.  There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it will require a change of direction.

We are on our knees, begging God for help.

Art and Beauty Tuesday

The next in our series by Thomas Cole is Voyage of Life: Manhood.  This is where we realize that we have messed up.  We've tried to go it alone, without God and are heading down a dark and dangerous path.

As the dark clouds part, we see our guardian angel, who has been waiting for us all along.  There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it will require a change of direction.

We are on our knees, begging God for help.

The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

For tomorrow's Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, I wanted to show these icons, discovered last year, that depict the two saints.  They are from the 4th century and are believed to be the oldest icons in existence.  What amazed me, is how similar they are to icons of the two saints today.  The Eastern Church really has preserved the writing of icons, as it is called, down to the present day.

In both pictures, Peter is shown with white hair and a round white beard, and Paul is shown with brown hair, balding, and a brown pointed beard.

Traditionally, the icon of St. Peter and St. Paul represents the hoped-for unity between the East and the West. '

May it come quickly!

The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

For tomorrow's Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, I wanted to show these icons, discovered last year, that depict the two saints.  They are from the 4th century and are believed to be the oldest icons in existence.  What amazed me, is how similar they are to icons of the two saints today.  The Eastern Church really has preserved the writing of icons, as it is called, down to the present day.

In both pictures, Peter is shown with white hair and a round white beard, and Paul is shown with brown hair, balding, and a brown pointed beard.

Traditionally, the icon of St. Peter and St. Paul represents the hoped-for unity between the East and the West. '

May it come quickly!

Music Monday--Ave Maria by Josquin des Prez

Josquin's Ave Maria is one of my favorites and I was blessed enough to sing it in college.  I especially like the end:  O Mater Dei, memento mei. Amen! (Oh, Mother of God, remember me! Amen!)  It is written to be sung with such hushed emotion!

Music Monday--Ave Maria by Josquin des Prez

Josquin's Ave Maria is one of my favorites and I was blessed enough to sing it in college.  I especially like the end:  O Mater Dei, memento mei. Amen! (Oh, Mother of God, remember me! Amen!)  It is written to be sung with such hushed emotion!

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at a This, That and the Other Thing.

Music Monday this week was one of my favorite pieces, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

On Art and Beauty Tuesday, we continued our series on A Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole, looking at Youth.

For Scripture Saturday, we talked about living your life for Christ and not for yourself.

On Thursday, I talked about a group called Downsize DC which wants to decrease wasteful spending and dishonesty in Washington.

On Friday, I posted a neat video by a 94 year old woman who teaches us how to cook Depression era food.

Finally, on Saturday, I posted about the role of the body in Christianity.

I pray that everyone has a blessed week.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at a This, That and the Other Thing.

Music Monday this week was one of my favorite pieces, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

On Art and Beauty Tuesday, we continued our series on A Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole, looking at Youth.

For Scripture Saturday, we talked about living your life for Christ and not for yourself.

On Thursday, I talked about a group called Downsize DC which wants to decrease wasteful spending and dishonesty in Washington.

On Friday, I posted a neat video by a 94 year old woman who teaches us how to cook Depression era food.

Finally, on Saturday, I posted about the role of the body in Christianity.

I pray that everyone has a blessed week.

The Role of the Body in Christianity

What place does our body have in Christianity?  Many feel that true spirituality involves a kind of denial of, or even leaving of, our bodies.  These days it is difficult for many to imagine that we will be reunited with our bodies after death.  What would be the point?  

Our bodies keep us in the present moment, the only "place" in which we can truly meet God. Our bodies were given to us by God to unite the mind and heart in a kind of "eternal now" where God exists. God told Moses, "Tell the people I AM sent me to you." God is not "I was."  God is not "I will be."  God is I AM.  God is only in the "now".

The only reality is God.  God is in this present moment because He operates outside of time. God exists in eternity.  Eternity is not some nebulous "place" in the future.  Eternity is now, because we exist now, and we will continue to exist, with God, forever.  If we do not strive for oneness with God in this life, we will not be able to be joyous with Him forever in the next.

What keeps us from this unity with our Creator? Our minds, by definition, keep us either in the past (depression) or in the future (worry).  Our mind has a difficult time even seeing that there *is* a "present moment", because it is busy doing what it does best, planning and calculating, hence, the anxiety, worry, and second guessing that plague us as we live our lives.   

When we abuse our body, it is often in an effort to run away from the "now" where it resides, in a useless effort to solve the mind's incessant cry for solutions to its endless supply of worrisome and unrealistic problems. Only God resides in the "now".  Let us ask the Holy Spirit to breathe Wisdom into our bodies as we try to stay in the moment and find God, who is the only and eternal reality. 

Hat tip to Bread & Water, Wine & Oil by Archimandrite Meletios Webber.    

The Role of the Body in Christianity

What place does our body have in Christianity?  Many feel that true spirituality involves a kind of denial of, or even leaving of, our bodies.  These days it is difficult for many to imagine that we will be reunited with our bodies after death.  What would be the point?  

Our bodies keep us in the present moment, the only "place" in which we can truly meet God. Our bodies were given to us by God to unite the mind and heart in a kind of "eternal now" where God exists. God told Moses, "Tell the people I AM sent me to you." God is not "I was."  God is not "I will be."  God is I AM.  God is only in the "now".

The only reality is God.  God is in this present moment because He operates outside of time. God exists in eternity.  Eternity is not some nebulous "place" in the future.  Eternity is now, because we exist now, and we will continue to exist, with God, forever.  If we do not strive for oneness with God in this life, we will not be able to be joyous with Him forever in the next.

What keeps us from this unity with our Creator? Our minds, by definition, keep us either in the past (depression) or in the future (worry).  Our mind has a difficult time even seeing that there *is* a "present moment", because it is busy doing what it does best, planning and calculating, hence, the anxiety, worry, and second guessing that plague us as we live our lives.   

When we abuse our body, it is often in an effort to run away from the "now" where it resides, in a useless effort to solve the mind's incessant cry for solutions to its endless supply of worrisome and unrealistic problems. Only God resides in the "now".  Let us ask the Holy Spirit to breathe Wisdom into our bodies as we try to stay in the moment and find God, who is the only and eternal reality. 

Hat tip to Bread & Water, Wine & Oil by Archimandrite Meletios Webber.    

Scripture Saturday

I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me
Galatians 2:19b-20

To many of us, this scripture verse is a bit scary. My life is not my own? What?! How can that be? How will I be happy unless I control my life myself?

The key to this scripture is "Christ is living in me." What does that really mean? Is this just some sort of saccharine mumbo jumbo? Not when you consider the real meaning of this scripture.

Christ is God and God is Love. Therefore, to live a life not my own and to have "Christ living in me" means to be sharing LOVE with *everyone*, indeed, to be love to everyone.

Impossible?  Absolutely.  That is why there is a God and why we must pray fervently to become more united with Him and more like Him.

Scripture Saturday

I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me
Galatians 2:19b-20

To many of us, this scripture verse is a bit scary. My life is not my own? What?! How can that be? How will I be happy unless I control my life myself?

The key to this scripture is "Christ is living in me." What does that really mean? Is this just some sort of saccharine mumbo jumbo? Not when you consider the real meaning of this scripture.

Christ is God and God is Love. Therefore, to live a life not my own and to have "Christ living in me" means to be sharing LOVE with *everyone*, indeed, to be love to everyone.

Impossible?  Absolutely.  That is why there is a God and why we must pray fervently to become more united with Him and more like Him.

Depression Cooking with Clara--baked apples

Clara is a 94 year old great grandmother who has a cooking channel on YouTube where she shares recipes that got her family through the Great Depression.

This one is for baked apples--something both my mom and my late mother-in-law used to make.

Depression Cooking with Clara--baked apples

Clara is a 94 year old great grandmother who has a cooking channel on YouTube where she shares recipes that got her family through the Great Depression.

This one is for baked apples--something both my mom and my late mother-in-law used to make.

Downsize DC!!!

Are you as tired of the government's antics as I am?  Would you like to see some legislation passed to force Congress to read the bills they vote on?!  How about making sure Congress writes its own laws and not delegate that job to unelected Executive branch bureaucrats?  (What ever happened to separation of powers?!)

Would you like to stop the government from seizing the assets of people who have committed no crime?

Is it important for you to continue to have access to vitamins and dietary supplements?

If any of these issues are important to you, join Downsize DC.  Their mission is to decrease the size of government, wasteful spending and  stop unconstitutional legislation. Visit their campaigns page to see what you can do to put power back into the hands of the individual and out of the hands of intrusive government.  They make it easy to send off e-mails to your elected officials stating your point of view regarding these and other important issues.

Fed up with politics?  Here's an easy way to do something about it!

Downsize DC!!!

Are you as tired of the government's antics as I am?  Would you like to see some legislation passed to force Congress to read the bills they vote on?!  How about making sure Congress writes its own laws and not delegate that job to unelected Executive branch bureaucrats?  (What ever happened to separation of powers?!)

Would you like to stop the government from seizing the assets of people who have committed no crime?

Is it important for you to continue to have access to vitamins and dietary supplements?

If any of these issues are important to you, join Downsize DC.  Their mission is to decrease the size of government, wasteful spending and  stop unconstitutional legislation. Visit their campaigns page to see what you can do to put power back into the hands of the individual and out of the hands of intrusive government.  They make it easy to send off e-mails to your elected officials stating your point of view regarding these and other important issues.

Fed up with politics?  Here's an easy way to do something about it!

Art and Beauty Tuesday

Today's Art and Beauty Tuesday continues our look at the work of Thomas Cole. The second in his series of A Voyage of Life is Youth. In this painting, the confident young man leaves the guardian angel on the shore as he heads towards the ethereal "castle in the sky".

The large white structure dominates the upper left hand side of the painting, dwarfing the tiny angel, who, nevertheless, still glows with divine light.

The youth no longer notices the reality of the angel, seeing only his dreams.

Art and Beauty Tuesday

Today's Art and Beauty Tuesday continues our look at the work of Thomas Cole. The second in his series of A Voyage of Life is Youth. In this painting, the confident young man leaves the guardian angel on the shore as he heads towards the ethereal "castle in the sky".

The large white structure dominates the upper left hand side of the painting, dwarfing the tiny angel, who, nevertheless, still glows with divine light.

The youth no longer notices the reality of the angel, seeing only his dreams.

Music Monday--Ralph Vaughan Williams

This is another of my favorite pieces--Fantasy on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams.  When my dh was a senior in college, he conducted the wind ensemble version of this piece.

This clip is from the movie Williamstowne by Richard Horian.  It is set completely to music by Vaughan Williams and is a ballet-like telling of a poignant story of love, loss, and moving on.

Music Monday--Ralph Vaughan Williams

This is another of my favorite pieces--Fantasy on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams.  When my dh was a senior in college, he conducted the wind ensemble version of this piece.

This clip is from the movie Williamstowne by Richard Horian.  It is set completely to music by Vaughan Williams and is a ballet-like telling of a poignant story of love, loss, and moving on.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at a This, That and the Other Thing.I began the week with a beautiful natural bouquet made of both "real" flowers and weeds.  Truly God's gift.  Our Music Monday was Second Suite for Band by Gustav Holtz.  Art and Beauty Tuesday highlighted A Voyage of Life: Childhood by Thomas Cole and Scripture Saturday talked about Jesus' maxim regarding he who tries to save his life, losing it in the end.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at a This, That and the Other Thing.I began the week with a beautiful natural bouquet made of both "real" flowers and weeds.  Truly God's gift.  Our Music Monday was Second Suite for Band by Gustav Holtz.  Art and Beauty Tuesday highlighted A Voyage of Life: Childhood by Thomas Cole and Scripture Saturday talked about Jesus' maxim regarding he who tries to save his life, losing it in the end.

Scripture Saturday

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 

Luke 9:23-24

In Christianity, we are called to let go.  To let go of our very selves and become one with God.  In the east, this process is called theosis, or growing in holiness.  Our job as Christians is not to have all our practices lined up like chess pieces, but to empty ourselves into the Heart of Christ and become like Him.

Whoever wishes to save his life, will not be able to empty himself and let go of the need to control his (and others') lives.  The only one who can control our lives, is God.  We are called to empty ourselves of the need to be the god of our own lives, and give control over to Our Lord.

If we are united with God, we are focusing on our own journey to holiness and therefore treat others as Jesus treated the marginalized in His society.  We are not judging but embracing in love.

Scripture Saturday

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 

Luke 9:23-24

In Christianity, we are called to let go.  To let go of our very selves and become one with God.  In the east, this process is called theosis, or growing in holiness.  Our job as Christians is not to have all our practices lined up like chess pieces, but to empty ourselves into the Heart of Christ and become like Him.

Whoever wishes to save his life, will not be able to empty himself and let go of the need to control his (and others') lives.  The only one who can control our lives, is God.  We are called to empty ourselves of the need to be the god of our own lives, and give control over to Our Lord.

If we are united with God, we are focusing on our own journey to holiness and therefore treat others as Jesus treated the marginalized in His society.  We are not judging but embracing in love.

Art and Beauty Tuesday

I first saw this painting in the National Gallery in Washington, DC when I was in High School and was mesmerized by it (and by the other 2 in the series).  It was breathtaking to view in person, and the symbolism was so apt, even to my inexperienced eyes.

Thomas Cole's The Voyage of Life: Childhood (detail immediately above) is rich in symbolism.  The little child travels in a golden boat protected by numerous golden angels that make up the boat itself, and a guardian angel that glows with heavenly light.

He is secure in his delight at the lush vegetation within the boat and the serene landscape that surrounds him, unaware of the hourglass carried by the golden angelic figurehead representing the inevitable passage of time.

Art and Beauty Tuesday

I first saw this painting in the National Gallery in Washington, DC when I was in High School and was mesmerized by it (and by the other 2 in the series).  It was breathtaking to view in person, and the symbolism was so apt, even to my inexperienced eyes.

Thomas Cole's The Voyage of Life: Childhood (detail immediately above) is rich in symbolism.  The little child travels in a golden boat protected by numerous golden angels that make up the boat itself, and a guardian angel that glows with heavenly light.

He is secure in his delight at the lush vegetation within the boat and the serene landscape that surrounds him, unaware of the hourglass carried by the golden angelic figurehead representing the inevitable passage of time.

Music Monday--Gustav Holtz

This is Second Suite in F for Military Band by Gustav Holtz.  It is one of the first pieces that my college wind ensemble played after I met my future husband.  He had the euphonium solo that occurs in the piece.  It remains one of my favorites.

Music Monday--Gustav Holtz

This is Second Suite in F for Military Band by Gustav Holtz.  It is one of the first pieces that my college wind ensemble played after I met my future husband.  He had the euphonium solo that occurs in the piece.  It remains one of my favorites.

God's Gift

This beautiful bouquet is a mixture of "real" flowers and weeds that have sprung up in my front garden.  Like life, I believe that weeds are really in the eye of the beholder.

God's Gift

This beautiful bouquet is a mixture of "real" flowers and weeds that have sprung up in my front garden.  Like life, I believe that weeds are really in the eye of the beholder.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at a This, That and the Other Thing.Our week began with Music Monday and the British comedy, Last of the Summer Wine.  Art and Beauty Tuesday featured a modern impressionistic artist, Pierre Bittar.

For the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, we had a beautifully meditative Litany of the Sacred Heart accompanied by chant.  We also celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Scripture Saturday talked about Our Lady pondering all things in her heart.  

I also indulged in some nostalgia and talked about the feeling of deja vu I experienced last Sunday when, during the Eucharistic procession, I saw a little girl in white gloves and a little boy in saddle shoes.

Have a blessed week!

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at a This, That and the Other Thing.Our week began with Music Monday and the British comedy, Last of the Summer Wine.  Art and Beauty Tuesday featured a modern impressionistic artist, Pierre Bittar.

For the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, we had a beautifully meditative Litany of the Sacred Heart accompanied by chant.  We also celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Scripture Saturday talked about Our Lady pondering all things in her heart.  

I also indulged in some nostalgia and talked about the feeling of deja vu I experienced last Sunday when, during the Eucharistic procession, I saw a little girl in white gloves and a little boy in saddle shoes.

Have a blessed week!

Scripture Saturday

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Mary did not understand all that was happening to her and to her son. She could not fully grasp God's will, yet she trusted Him. She pondered all that was occurring to her little family and kept them in her Immaculate Heart.

Yes, she suffered as only a mother can suffer. But, she gave it all to God. We must do the same.

Our Lady of Fatima told the children, "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." What does that mean? I think, like Jesus, it will not mean triumph in a sense of a militaristic type of victory, but the triumph of Love. Mary let go of the need to control her situation. Instead, she quietly pondered what was happening to her and let God take control.

Scripture Saturday

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Mary did not understand all that was happening to her and to her son. She could not fully grasp God's will, yet she trusted Him. She pondered all that was occurring to her little family and kept them in her Immaculate Heart.

Yes, she suffered as only a mother can suffer. But, she gave it all to God. We must do the same.

Our Lady of Fatima told the children, "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." What does that mean? I think, like Jesus, it will not mean triumph in a sense of a militaristic type of victory, but the triumph of Love. Mary let go of the need to control her situation. Instead, she quietly pondered what was happening to her and let God take control.

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

I love the image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  A heart, uniquely feminine, surrounded by a garland of flowers, radiating God's love.  That is what mothers do for us.  That is what Mary does for us.  She who was ever attuned and ever obedient to God's will for her.

If we feel a lack in comparison, this is only natural.  We have our Mother in heaven who continually prays for us before the throne of God.  Let us ask her to remain with us on our journey and welcome us in heaven.

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

I love the image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  A heart, uniquely feminine, surrounded by a garland of flowers, radiating God's love.  That is what mothers do for us.  That is what Mary does for us.  She who was ever attuned and ever obedient to God's will for her.

If we feel a lack in comparison, this is only natural.  We have our Mother in heaven who continually prays for us before the throne of God.  Let us ask her to remain with us on our journey and welcome us in heaven.

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This is a calming and meditative Litany of the Sacred Heart set to Gregorian chant. Listen and open your own heart to God.

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This is a calming and meditative Litany of the Sacred Heart set to Gregorian chant. Listen and open your own heart to God.

The Sunshine Award

Thank you to Autumn at Autumn's Leaves for giving me the Sunshine Award!  I am going to pass this award along to less than the 12 people required, but here goes!

First on my list is the beautiful Trail of Flowers blog.
Next goes to Simply Michele.
And, finally, to my good friend TACParent, at What I Learned Today.


Congratulations to all!

The Sunshine Award

Thank you to Autumn at Autumn's Leaves for giving me the Sunshine Award!  I am going to pass this award along to less than the 12 people required, but here goes!

First on my list is the beautiful Trail of Flowers blog.
Next goes to Simply Michele.
And, finally, to my good friend TACParent, at What I Learned Today.


Congratulations to all!

Art and Beauty Tuesday

This gorgeous picture is A Country Lane by Pierre Bittar.  A contemporary Impressionist artist, Bittar was born in France in 1934 and has his own gallery in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

I love the spots of sunlight on the purple road in this painting.  You can really feel the awareness of texture that a bright, humid-free day (like today!) brings to your senses.  Impressionism is perfect for conveying that.

Art and Beauty Tuesday

This gorgeous picture is A Country Lane by Pierre Bittar.  A contemporary Impressionist artist, Bittar was born in France in 1934 and has his own gallery in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

I love the spots of sunlight on the purple road in this painting.  You can really feel the awareness of texture that a bright, humid-free day (like today!) brings to your senses.  Impressionism is perfect for conveying that.

White Gloves and Saddle Shoes

Yesterday was a trip back in time for me.  Our parish had a Eucharistic procession for Corpus Christi and our pastor asked the recent first communicants to wear their first communion finery for the procession around the block.  Each little girl looked stunning; one even came complete with white gloves. This brought back memories of my mom making sure I got good use out of my Easter hat and white gloves by making me wear them to Mass for months afterwards.


One little toddler boy had on the most adorable pair of blue saddle shoes.  This, of course, brought back memories of my own saddle shoes that I wore each and every day to my Catholic high school.  Quite nerdy, even way back then, but also surprisingly comfortable.

Is it sadistic that I take such joy that these traditions are coming back in spite of my own lack of appreciation for and enjoyment of them at the time?

White Gloves and Saddle Shoes

Yesterday was a trip back in time for me.  Our parish had a Eucharistic procession for Corpus Christi and our pastor asked the recent first communicants to wear their first communion finery for the procession around the block.  Each little girl looked stunning; one even came complete with white gloves. This brought back memories of my mom making sure I got good use out of my Easter hat and white gloves by making me wear them to Mass for months afterwards.


One little toddler boy had on the most adorable pair of blue saddle shoes.  This, of course, brought back memories of my own saddle shoes that I wore each and every day to my Catholic high school.  Quite nerdy, even way back then, but also surprisingly comfortable.

Is it sadistic that I take such joy that these traditions are coming back in spite of my own lack of appreciation for and enjoyment of them at the time?

Music Monday--Last of the Summer Wine--Triple Feature

Last of the Summer Wine was a series in the UK from 1973-2009.  The theme music, along with the music for each show was written by Ronnie Hazlehurst and performed beautifully by a group of talented musicians.  The first video features the instrumental music and the second video shows the music with words included. The third video is sung by the same group and includes words written to say goodbye to the character Compo, after the actor Bill Owen, died of cancer in 1999.

Music Monday--Last of the Summer Wine--Triple Feature

Last of the Summer Wine was a series in the UK from 1973-2009.  The theme music, along with the music for each show was written by Ronnie Hazlehurst and performed beautifully by a group of talented musicians.  The first video features the instrumental music and the second video shows the music with words included. The third video is sung by the same group and includes words written to say goodbye to the character Compo, after the actor Bill Owen, died of cancer in 1999.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at a This, That and the Other Thing.

Last week started out with a Holy Trinity Sunday post explaining the famous icon of the Holy Trinity. Music Monday was Taps in honor of our fallen heros on Memorial Day. Tuesday started a new feature at the Well, Art and Beauty Tuesday. For our first installment, we looked at The Umbrellas by Renoir. 

Friday was National Donut Day, and Saturday we talked about Psalm 143 and begging God to rescue us from the enemy. Today is Corpus Christi Sunday and I blogged about Eucharistic processions and our religious freedom.

Have a wonderful week!

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at a This, That and the Other Thing.

Last week started out with a Holy Trinity Sunday post explaining the famous icon of the Holy Trinity. Music Monday was Taps in honor of our fallen heros on Memorial Day. Tuesday started a new feature at the Well, Art and Beauty Tuesday. For our first installment, we looked at The Umbrellas by Renoir. 

Friday was National Donut Day, and Saturday we talked about Psalm 143 and begging God to rescue us from the enemy. Today is Corpus Christi Sunday and I blogged about Eucharistic processions and our religious freedom.

Have a wonderful week!

Corpus Christi--Our Freedom

This Sunday is Corpus Christi Sunday--the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is traditionally a day parishes have an outdoor procession of the Holy Eucharist. This can be a bit jarring to those in the neighborhood unaccustomed to such public display of Catholicism, but it is an important tradition to continue, not only for its spiritual benefits, but also for its political.

A Corpus Christi procession can be a strong witness for Christ by literally bringing Jesus to the people. I have seen people poke their heads out of their windows in wonder to watch the procession pass by. Many have not been to church in decades. Many have never been to church at all.

Such a public display of belief is becoming more and more rare and indeed frowned upon in today's society. And yet, we still have freedom of religion in America. We are still free to practice our religion, even in public; even when it becomes uncomfortable for others. We need to maintain that freedom by exercising it on a regular and frequent basis.

This video makes me wish I could be in New York  City for *this* Corpus Christi procession!

Corpus Christi--Our Freedom

This Sunday is Corpus Christi Sunday--the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is traditionally a day parishes have an outdoor procession of the Holy Eucharist. This can be a bit jarring to those in the neighborhood unaccustomed to such public display of Catholicism, but it is an important tradition to continue, not only for its spiritual benefits, but also for its political.

A Corpus Christi procession can be a strong witness for Christ by literally bringing Jesus to the people. I have seen people poke their heads out of their windows in wonder to watch the procession pass by. Many have not been to church in decades. Many have never been to church at all.

Such a public display of belief is becoming more and more rare and indeed frowned upon in today's society. And yet, we still have freedom of religion in America. We are still free to practice our religion, even in public; even when it becomes uncomfortable for others. We need to maintain that freedom by exercising it on a regular and frequent basis.

This video makes me wish I could be in New York  City for *this* Corpus Christi procession!

Scripture Saturday

Lord, listen to my prayer:
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are just; give answer.
Do not call your servant to judgment
for no one is just in your sight.

The enemy pursues my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me dwell in darkness
like the dead, long forgotten.
Therefore my spirit fails;
my heart is numb within me.

Lord, make haste and answer;
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face
lest I become like those in the grave.

Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies;
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will
for you, O Lord, are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me
in ways that are level and smooth.

For your name’s sake, Lord, save my life;
in your justice save my soul from distress.
In your love make an end of my foes;
destroy all those who oppress me
for I am your servant, O Lord.

~Psalm 143

The psalmist begs God to rescue him from the snares of the enemy who has made his heart numb with constant pursuit of his soul.  So many times we feel beaten down with sin and despair of our salvation.  We cry out to God to save us as we sink in the depths like St. Peter.

Scripture Saturday

Lord, listen to my prayer:
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are just; give answer.
Do not call your servant to judgment
for no one is just in your sight.

The enemy pursues my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me dwell in darkness
like the dead, long forgotten.
Therefore my spirit fails;
my heart is numb within me.

Lord, make haste and answer;
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face
lest I become like those in the grave.

Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies;
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will
for you, O Lord, are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me
in ways that are level and smooth.

For your name’s sake, Lord, save my life;
in your justice save my soul from distress.
In your love make an end of my foes;
destroy all those who oppress me
for I am your servant, O Lord.

~Psalm 143

The psalmist begs God to rescue him from the snares of the enemy who has made his heart numb with constant pursuit of his soul.  So many times we feel beaten down with sin and despair of our salvation.  We cry out to God to save us as we sink in the depths like St. Peter.

National Donut Day

Today is National Donut Day.  If you are lucky enough to have a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts near you, you could get a free donut today!   Unfortunately, I have neither of these in my town, so I must do without.

Nevertheless, enjoy National Donut Day!

National Donut Day

Today is National Donut Day.  If you are lucky enough to have a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts near you, you could get a free donut today!   Unfortunately, I have neither of these in my town, so I must do without.

Nevertheless, enjoy National Donut Day!

Art and Beauty Tuesday

We have a new feature here at the Well: Art and Beauty Tuesday. For our first piece of art, I'm going to highlight a painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir called The Umbrellas.

I was taken by the brightness of the blue in the umbrellas in spite of the overall darkness in the painting. The blue is repeated in the clothing of almost every figure in the painting and is a nice, almost cheery contrast to the other main color, black.

Although at first glance, it seems a gloomy picture, there is a bit of a bright (although "blue") aspect; a tiny bit of hope that, nevertheless, pervades the painting.

Art and Beauty Tuesday

We have a new feature here at the Well: Art and Beauty Tuesday. For our first piece of art, I'm going to highlight a painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir called The Umbrellas.

I was taken by the brightness of the blue in the umbrellas in spite of the overall darkness in the painting. The blue is repeated in the clothing of almost every figure in the painting and is a nice, almost cheery contrast to the other main color, black.

Although at first glance, it seems a gloomy picture, there is a bit of a bright (although "blue") aspect; a tiny bit of hope that, nevertheless, pervades the painting.