Bad Times as a Gift from God

It occurred to me recently that the bad times we have all been experiencing are a gift from God. As a collective whole, our society has gotten to the point where many of us expect a certain lifestyle. This should not include anything we have not planned for--not emergencies, not setbacks and certainly not (unplanned) children.

It does not even occur to us any more to help each other and so many children are being raised without any knowledge of a Power higher than themselves. It is no wonder these children are now rioting throughout the "civilized" world for the latest toys. This is, apparently, what this generation considers "civil disobedience." I would suggest to them that they read up on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi's philosophies and find out what civil disobedience is really all about.

I think this economy is a gift to us from God, frankly. We need some shaking up--our whole society does. Since we don't seem to appreciate what we've been given, it is being taken away so we learn to feed each other instead of sitting at the table with our too-long chop sticks starving because we don't see the option of sharing.

Bad Times as a Gift from God

It occurred to me recently that the bad times we have all been experiencing are a gift from God. As a collective whole, our society has gotten to the point where many of us expect a certain lifestyle. This should not include anything we have not planned for--not emergencies, not setbacks and certainly not (unplanned) children.

It does not even occur to us any more to help each other and so many children are being raised without any knowledge of a Power higher than themselves. It is no wonder these children are now rioting throughout the "civilized" world for the latest toys. This is, apparently, what this generation considers "civil disobedience." I would suggest to them that they read up on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi's philosophies and find out what civil disobedience is really all about.

I think this economy is a gift to us from God, frankly. We need some shaking up--our whole society does. Since we don't seem to appreciate what we've been given, it is being taken away so we learn to feed each other instead of sitting at the table with our too-long chop sticks starving because we don't see the option of sharing.

Poetry Wednesday--Peter Menkin

Today's poem is Poetic Recitation on the Rule of St. Benedict by Peter Menkin. It is quite short and read by the author. July 11th was the feast of St. Benedict, father of monastic Christianity.

Poetry Wednesday--Peter Menkin

Today's poem is Poetic Recitation on the Rule of St. Benedict by Peter Menkin. It is quite short and read by the author. July 11th was the feast of St. Benedict, father of monastic Christianity.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Illuminated Manuscripts

This tiny and very old work of art is Saint Benedict from an illuminated manuscript.  These figures were drawn inside the initial letters of main pages of hand-copied bibles, Gospels, Psalters and Books of Hours. Sometimes these illustrations were drawn in the margins.

Copying these books was a tedious task, especially since artificial light was limited to candles and oil lamps.  In the early part of the Medieval period, the same monks who copied the text did the illuminating.  By the High Middle Ages, these jobs were separate and by the 15th century, some monasteries were paying artists outside to do this work.

I love how the artist has shown such emotion in this one little painting.  The saint holds his head in his hands in exasperation, perhaps, with the monks he is destined to lead, or perhaps, it is fatigue from the early morning Office he must get up to pray.

Even saints have difficult days!

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Illuminated Manuscripts

This tiny and very old work of art is Saint Benedict from an illuminated manuscript.  These figures were drawn inside the initial letters of main pages of hand-copied bibles, Gospels, Psalters and Books of Hours. Sometimes these illustrations were drawn in the margins.

Copying these books was a tedious task, especially since artificial light was limited to candles and oil lamps.  In the early part of the Medieval period, the same monks who copied the text did the illuminating.  By the High Middle Ages, these jobs were separate and by the 15th century, some monasteries were paying artists outside to do this work.

I love how the artist has shown such emotion in this one little painting.  The saint holds his head in his hands in exasperation, perhaps, with the monks he is destined to lead, or perhaps, it is fatigue from the early morning Office he must get up to pray.

Even saints have difficult days!

Music Monday--Old Roman Chant

This Old Roman chant is from the 6th century, when Saint Benedict of Nursia was living and being educated in Rome.   He soon fled the worldliness that he saw there to seek solitude.

You can hear how ancient this is!  Very, very like the eastern Christian chants, and much like other chants from that region as well.   Memorizing.  Modern music just doesn't compare to this.

Here are the lyrics and translation.

Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante leciferum genui te.

You shall have sovereignty in the day of your power
in the beauties of holiness:
you are my son, born before the morning star.

Music Monday--Old Roman Chant

This Old Roman chant is from the 6th century, when Saint Benedict of Nursia was living and being educated in Rome.   He soon fled the worldliness that he saw there to seek solitude.

You can hear how ancient this is!  Very, very like the eastern Christian chants, and much like other chants from that region as well.   Memorizing.  Modern music just doesn't compare to this.

Here are the lyrics and translation.

Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante leciferum genui te.

You shall have sovereignty in the day of your power
in the beauties of holiness:
you are my son, born before the morning star.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

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

This was quite a busy blogging week. Aside from our usual music (Polovtsian Dances)  art  (Ballet Class) and poetry (Children Learn What They Live), we prayed for London, watched a short film about a couple whose child has a disability (This is Faith) ,  and shared a recipe for making yogurt in the crockpot.

We also talked about what lessons God might be asking us to learn in this shaky economy (Gandhian Economics) and the War on Antidepressants.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

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

This was quite a busy blogging week. Aside from our usual music (Polovtsian Dances)  art  (Ballet Class) and poetry (Children Learn What They Live), we prayed for London, watched a short film about a couple whose child has a disability (This is Faith) ,  and shared a recipe for making yogurt in the crockpot.

We also talked about what lessons God might be asking us to learn in this shaky economy (Gandhian Economics) and the War on Antidepressants.

Crockpot Yogurt

• 8 C  milk (I used fat free) (Pasteurized is ok but NOT ultra-pasteurized)


• 1/2 C plain yogurt with live cultures


• 1/2 C of powdered milk


• vanilla


• 4 T. honey

1. Put 8 C milk in crockpot on low for 2.5 hours.  


2. Unplug crockpot.  Let milk sit for 3 hours. 


3. Scoop 2 cups of the warm milk into a small bowl and add: the live active-culture yogurt, powdered milk, vanilla and honey.  


4. Wisk together and pour into crockpot.  Stir. 


5. Put lid on crockpot and cover with a heavy bath towel to insulate. Let sit for 8 hours. 


6. Save 1/2 C for the next batch.


7. Blend in fruit to taste. 

This recipe is from here:

I added the powdered milk, vanilla and honey instead of the fruit called for at the suggestion of a commenter who said the fruit (and maybe the fat free milk) made it harder to solidify.  They suggested adding plain gelatin instead of the powdered milk, but I didn't have that on hand.  Save 1/2 cup to use in starting the next batch.

The consistency is great and I like the flavor.  Fruit can be added per serving.  I had it this morning over frozen berries.  My dh eats a lot of yogurt--so much that I can't keep enough in the house.  Hopefully this will help!

Crockpot Yogurt

• 8 C  milk (I used fat free) (Pasteurized is ok but NOT ultra-pasteurized)


• 1/2 C plain yogurt with live cultures


• 1/2 C of powdered milk


• vanilla


• 4 T. honey

1. Put 8 C milk in crockpot on low for 2.5 hours.  


2. Unplug crockpot.  Let milk sit for 3 hours. 


3. Scoop 2 cups of the warm milk into a small bowl and add: the live active-culture yogurt, powdered milk, vanilla and honey.  


4. Wisk together and pour into crockpot.  Stir. 


5. Put lid on crockpot and cover with a heavy bath towel to insulate. Let sit for 8 hours. 


6. Save 1/2 C for the next batch.


7. Blend in fruit to taste. 

This recipe is from here:

I added the powdered milk, vanilla and honey instead of the fruit called for at the suggestion of a commenter who said the fruit (and maybe the fat free milk) made it harder to solidify.  They suggested adding plain gelatin instead of the powdered milk, but I didn't have that on hand.  Save 1/2 cup to use in starting the next batch.

The consistency is great and I like the flavor.  Fruit can be added per serving.  I had it this morning over frozen berries.  My dh eats a lot of yogurt--so much that I can't keep enough in the house.  Hopefully this will help!

The War on Anti-Depressants

Therese Borchard writes a thought-provoking article on her blog, Beyond Blue entitled Are Puritans Behind the War on Antidepressants?  Borchard suffers from depression and has written three books on the subject.  She is also the associate editor at Psych Central where she also blogs.

Her premise here is that our country's Puritan heritage has caused us to look askance at psych meds, believing that we should "tough it out."  Underneath this belief, she says, is the idea that the depressed person is at fault and must endure God's punishment.  This attitude, of course, can be part of and fuel the depression itself--not the best way to kick it.

Christ spoke against the blame-the-victim mentality when he told the disciples regarding the man born blind that it was neither his sin nor his parents' that caused the man's blindness.  Nevertheless, this dangerous misconception continues in many religious circles even today.

Borchard points out that most of the anti-medication claims are either "groundless or simplistic".  I'll add that this tendency lends itself beautifully to most media articles on the subject.  People read (and write) in attention-grabbing headlines and fail to point out the scientific nuances in these studies that should color treatment decisions.

This article is an essential read for anyone who is touched by depression--their own or someone else's.

The War on Anti-Depressants

Therese Borchard writes a thought-provoking article on her blog, Beyond Blue entitled Are Puritans Behind the War on Antidepressants?  Borchard suffers from depression and has written three books on the subject.  She is also the associate editor at Psych Central where she also blogs.

Her premise here is that our country's Puritan heritage has caused us to look askance at psych meds, believing that we should "tough it out."  Underneath this belief, she says, is the idea that the depressed person is at fault and must endure God's punishment.  This attitude, of course, can be part of and fuel the depression itself--not the best way to kick it.

Christ spoke against the blame-the-victim mentality when he told the disciples regarding the man born blind that it was neither his sin nor his parents' that caused the man's blindness.  Nevertheless, this dangerous misconception continues in many religious circles even today.

Borchard points out that most of the anti-medication claims are either "groundless or simplistic".  I'll add that this tendency lends itself beautifully to most media articles on the subject.  People read (and write) in attention-grabbing headlines and fail to point out the scientific nuances in these studies that should color treatment decisions.

This article is an essential read for anyone who is touched by depression--their own or someone else's.

Gandhian Economics

I've long thought that some basic things need to change about our society.  The current economic crisis is (perhaps God's way of) providing us the opportunity to begin to change the way we look at things, the way we spend money and the way we treat each other.

In his article Economic Crisis or Non-Violent Opportunity?, Michael Nagler asks the question: What is an economy for? Gandhi's vision, Nagler says is that

The real purpose of an economic system is to guarantee to every person in its circle the fundamentals of physical existence (food, clothing, shelter) and the tools of meaningful work so that they can get on with the business of living together and working out our common destiny.

Our economic system, fueled by intrusive, ubiquitous advertising, is based on buying things we don't need.  This does tend to fuel jobs, but, increasingly, they are overseas and do not fuel our economy at home.  Gandhi's idea is to have a local economy--one where producers and consumers are neighbors and have each others' best interests at heart.

The cornerstone of this philosophy is one of trusteeship.  If we look at our "possessions" as being held in trust rather than outright ownership, we can begin to divest ourselves of the innate selfishness that is part of our current consumer culture.

Jesus told us the parable of the rich fool.  (Luke 12: 16-21).  In it, the rich man decides to store (hoard?) his surplus grain instead of using it to feed the poor.  He makes grandiose plans for his future in light of his new-found riches.  God then says to him, "You fool!  This very night your life will be demanded back
from you and who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"

Nothing we have is really ours.  It is only on loan to us to use for the greater good of those among whom God has placed us.  Material goods are not given to us to hoard or use like an addictive drug.  If we each lived in godly simplicity, we would all be closer to the love of God which is a triune one of relationship with others.

This, and all hardships are allowed to come for the greater good.   That is how God works.  Lets try to learn the lessons we are meant to learn.

Gandhian Economics

I've long thought that some basic things need to change about our society.  The current economic crisis is (perhaps God's way of) providing us the opportunity to begin to change the way we look at things, the way we spend money and the way we treat each other.

In his article Economic Crisis or Non-Violent Opportunity?, Michael Nagler asks the question: What is an economy for? Gandhi's vision, Nagler says is that

The real purpose of an economic system is to guarantee to every person in its circle the fundamentals of physical existence (food, clothing, shelter) and the tools of meaningful work so that they can get on with the business of living together and working out our common destiny.

Our economic system, fueled by intrusive, ubiquitous advertising, is based on buying things we don't need.  This does tend to fuel jobs, but, increasingly, they are overseas and do not fuel our economy at home.  Gandhi's idea is to have a local economy--one where producers and consumers are neighbors and have each others' best interests at heart.

The cornerstone of this philosophy is one of trusteeship.  If we look at our "possessions" as being held in trust rather than outright ownership, we can begin to divest ourselves of the innate selfishness that is part of our current consumer culture.

Jesus told us the parable of the rich fool.  (Luke 12: 16-21).  In it, the rich man decides to store (hoard?) his surplus grain instead of using it to feed the poor.  He makes grandiose plans for his future in light of his new-found riches.  God then says to him, "You fool!  This very night your life will be demanded back
from you and who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"

Nothing we have is really ours.  It is only on loan to us to use for the greater good of those among whom God has placed us.  Material goods are not given to us to hoard or use like an addictive drug.  If we each lived in godly simplicity, we would all be closer to the love of God which is a triune one of relationship with others.

This, and all hardships are allowed to come for the greater good.   That is how God works.  Lets try to learn the lessons we are meant to learn.

Poetry Wednesday--Dorothy Law Nolte

I remember being mesmerized by this poem when I first read it on the refrigerator of a neighbor.  It is called

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Poetry Wednesday--Dorothy Law Nolte

I remember being mesmerized by this poem when I first read it on the refrigerator of a neighbor.  It is called

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Degas

This is Degas' Ballet Class.  I loved the informal nature of this piece, with the mom in the front reading a newspaper and the dad in the background watching his daughter try out her ballet moves.  The whole thing is infused with yellow light pouring from the window and picked up by the sash on the dark-haired dancer.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Degas

This is Degas' Ballet Class.  I loved the informal nature of this piece, with the mom in the front reading a newspaper and the dad in the background watching his daughter try out her ballet moves.  The whole thing is infused with yellow light pouring from the window and picked up by the sash on the dark-haired dancer.

Pray for London

British Prime Minister David Cameron has recalled Parliament from its vacation to deal with the severe rioting in London.

Let's pray hard for the people of England today and for peace in the streets there.

Pray for London

British Prime Minister David Cameron has recalled Parliament from its vacation to deal with the severe rioting in London.

Let's pray hard for the people of England today and for peace in the streets there.

This is Faith

This is an indescribable and touching video.  It makes me ask, what is faith?  And, how can I have this couple's faith?  I think it is a matter of  throwing yourself at the feet of Jesus on the cross bringing your tears to Him.

This was grace - short film from Andrew Laparra on Vimeo.

This is Faith

This is an indescribable and touching video.  It makes me ask, what is faith?  And, how can I have this couple's faith?  I think it is a matter of  throwing yourself at the feet of Jesus on the cross bringing your tears to Him.

This was grace - short film from Andrew Laparra on Vimeo.

Music Monday-- Alexander Borodin

This haunting piece is the "Gliding Dance of the Maidens," from the Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin. The tune is also used for the song, "Stranger in Paradise from the musical Kismet (1953).

I woke up after having dreamed of listening to this piece the other day and decided it had to go in a Music Monday! I could even hear the double reed solo in my dream. (DH tells me it is English Horn).

As a child, my ballet teacher used this as the accompaniment to our "Swan Lake" dance.

Close your eyes and enjoy.

Music Monday-- Alexander Borodin

This haunting piece is the "Gliding Dance of the Maidens," from the Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin. The tune is also used for the song, "Stranger in Paradise from the musical Kismet (1953).

I woke up after having dreamed of listening to this piece the other day and decided it had to go in a Music Monday! I could even hear the double reed solo in my dream. (DH tells me it is English Horn).

As a child, my ballet teacher used this as the accompaniment to our "Swan Lake" dance.

Close your eyes and enjoy.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

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

This week, we talked about the song Blessings, and A Man and A Woman.  We also looked at the painting Shadows and one-line short poetry as well as Lucille Ball and Mother Teresa.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

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

This week, we talked about the song Blessings, and A Man and A Woman.  We also looked at the painting Shadows and one-line short poetry as well as Lucille Ball and Mother Teresa.

Happy 100th Birthday, Lucille Ball

Today, 100 years ago,Lucille Désirée Ball was born.

She was a pioneer female comedian who wasn't afraid of using her physicality for a laugh.

She got her start as a model in 1929 and went onto radio before performing on Broadway and launching a movie career.  Her I Love Lucy television series launched in 1951.  It was the first scripted series ever to be filmed on 35mm film in front of a live audience.  This was done because Lucy needed a live audience to fuel her comedic energy.  Most shows at the time were filmed in front of one camera while Lucy's show had multiple cameras which allowed for sequential filming, like a play.

When Lucy became pregnant, they wrote the pregnancy onto the show.  Her character delivered "Little Ricky" the same night that Lucy delivered her child.    To give Lucy the postpartum rest she needed, they decided to rebroadcast earlier episodes, giving birth to the popular television rerun.

Paired with her husband, Desi Arnaz, she became one of the most influential women in Hollywood.

Her comedy was ground-breaking and paved the way for such great female comedians as Carol Burnett.

Happy 100 Lucy!

Happy 100th Birthday, Lucille Ball

Today, 100 years ago,Lucille Désirée Ball was born.

She was a pioneer female comedian who wasn't afraid of using her physicality for a laugh.

She got her start as a model in 1929 and went onto radio before performing on Broadway and launching a movie career.  Her I Love Lucy television series launched in 1951.  It was the first scripted series ever to be filmed on 35mm film in front of a live audience.  This was done because Lucy needed a live audience to fuel her comedic energy.  Most shows at the time were filmed in front of one camera while Lucy's show had multiple cameras which allowed for sequential filming, like a play.

When Lucy became pregnant, they wrote the pregnancy onto the show.  Her character delivered "Little Ricky" the same night that Lucy delivered her child.    To give Lucy the postpartum rest she needed, they decided to rebroadcast earlier episodes, giving birth to the popular television rerun.

Paired with her husband, Desi Arnaz, she became one of the most influential women in Hollywood.

Her comedy was ground-breaking and paved the way for such great female comedians as Carol Burnett.

Happy 100 Lucy!

Poetry Wednesday--Monostiches!

I am excited to share with you all the blog Monostich.  It highlights something I didn't know existed--one-line haiku!  They've got some great one-line ku over there.  Stop by, take a deep breath, and read a few.

Every once in a while, I come up with a one-line haiku and feel a bit guilty about it, but no more--I've written a monostich!

The latest one I've written that I thought lent itself to being a one-liner is this one:

I work well under the pressure of having a job. 

Nothing earth-shattering, but it seems I did stumble upon an actual poetic form!  Perfect for twittering, I think.

Poetry Wednesday--Monostiches!

I am excited to share with you all the blog Monostich.  It highlights something I didn't know existed--one-line haiku!  They've got some great one-line ku over there.  Stop by, take a deep breath, and read a few.

Every once in a while, I come up with a one-line haiku and feel a bit guilty about it, but no more--I've written a monostich!

The latest one I've written that I thought lent itself to being a one-liner is this one:

I work well under the pressure of having a job. 

Nothing earth-shattering, but it seems I did stumble upon an actual poetic form!  Perfect for twittering, I think.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Emile Friant

This painting is Ombres Portées by Emile Friant (1891) is a perfect accompaniment to yesterday's A Man and a Woman by Francis Lai.  Translated as Shadows, the darkness of the clothing and the shadows is juxtaposed with the white wall they are in front of.  The man looks at the woman pleadingly while the woman looks away.  A classic pose with a surprisingly modern touch.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Emile Friant

This painting is Ombres Portées by Emile Friant (1891) is a perfect accompaniment to yesterday's A Man and a Woman by Francis Lai.  Translated as Shadows, the darkness of the clothing and the shadows is juxtaposed with the white wall they are in front of.  The man looks at the woman pleadingly while the woman looks away.  A classic pose with a surprisingly modern touch.

Music Monday-- Francis Lai

This song by Francis Lai is called A Man and a Woman.  It's haunting melody evokes quiet nights dancing under a bright moon.  It brings back memories of my childhood when it played on the stereo in our living room.

Music Monday-- Francis Lai

This song by Francis Lai is called A Man and a Woman.  It's haunting melody evokes quiet nights dancing under a bright moon.  It brings back memories of my childhood when it played on the stereo in our living room.

Mother Teresa's Diligence

Every month, I update my sidebar to reflect the monthly devotion and monthly virtue. For August, the virtue is diligence. After some reflection, I decided the best picture to illustrate diligence was Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The definition of diligence is steadfast application, assiduousness and industry. The reason I chose Mother Teresa to represent this virtue is because she was the very definition of Christian steadfastness. She worked for decades among India's dying poor, running a hospice for those who had no one to be with them in their last hours on earth.

Only after her death did we discover that she suffered from a dark night of the soul for most of her life. For decades she did not hear the voice of God, she did not sense His presence and, at times, she even doubted whether or not He was there at all.

And yet, she kept on. She cared for the poor and for the sisters in her care, she traveled and gave controversial speeches to powerful people and greeted those who came to see her. She met with her confessor and poured out her heart to him in letters.  She steadfastly worked for Christ.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." — Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa's Diligence

Every month, I update my sidebar to reflect the monthly devotion and monthly virtue. For August, the virtue is diligence. After some reflection, I decided the best picture to illustrate diligence was Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The definition of diligence is steadfast application, assiduousness and industry. The reason I chose Mother Teresa to represent this virtue is because she was the very definition of Christian steadfastness. She worked for decades among India's dying poor, running a hospice for those who had no one to be with them in their last hours on earth.

Only after her death did we discover that she suffered from a dark night of the soul for most of her life. For decades she did not hear the voice of God, she did not sense His presence and, at times, she even doubted whether or not He was there at all.

And yet, she kept on. She cared for the poor and for the sisters in her care, she traveled and gave controversial speeches to powerful people and greeted those who came to see her. She met with her confessor and poured out her heart to him in letters.  She steadfastly worked for Christ.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." — Mother Teresa

Mercies in Disguise

This is a beautiful song by Laura Story called Blessings. It talks about the purpose of suffering in this life.

Mercies in Disguise

This is a beautiful song by Laura Story called Blessings. It talks about the purpose of suffering in this life.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

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

This week's theme was the hot weather we've been having.  Music Monday featured Lovin' Spoonful's Summer in the City.  Art and Beauty Tuesday featured Summer at the Taco Bell, Rt. 22, Hillside, NJ by Valeri Larko.  Poetry Wednesday featured one of my own poems, This Time.

I highlighted a budget food blog, Budget Bytes and the newly restored Cyclorama in Gettysburg.

Finally, I highlighted a very important article by Mark Shea on Catholic Social Justice and the Economy.

 

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

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

This week's theme was the hot weather we've been having.  Music Monday featured Lovin' Spoonful's Summer in the City.  Art and Beauty Tuesday featured Summer at the Taco Bell, Rt. 22, Hillside, NJ by Valeri Larko.  Poetry Wednesday featured one of my own poems, This Time.

I highlighted a budget food blog, Budget Bytes and the newly restored Cyclorama in Gettysburg.

Finally, I highlighted a very important article by Mark Shea on Catholic Social Justice and the Economy.

 

Catholic Social Justice and the Economy

Mark Shea, a popular Catholic blogger, has written a very pertinent piece on Catholic social justice and the economy.

In it he says, basically, that among many who consider themselves serious Catholics, there are those who talk a lot about the efficacy of sacrifice for women experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, but nothing about the sacrifice the rich must make to serve the poor.

He quotes a reader who initiated the conversation:

We are a religion demanding that the now-pregnant mother of three others must be willing to risk her life during her pregnancy, or to carry to term the product of a rape.

But the 8 digit earning executive gets a pass in his responsibility to continue to create jobs because his taxes are nudged up a wee bit since that's the way the market works. This wealthy man could not possibly be expected to do such oddly heroic things as hire workers when his jets are getting extra taxes.

His enormous excess personal wealth must remain intact and this is held as morally acceptable and in some quarters morally commendable.

If a minor increase in taxes plagues those with excess luxury so much that they do not do what is right and just with their means, they are not living Christian lives.

Pope Benedict had this to say about economics and the Christian: (emphasis mine)

The dignity of the individual and the demands of justice require, particularly today, that economic choices do not cause disparities in wealth to increase in an excessive and morally unacceptable manner, and that we continue to prioritize the goal of access to steady employment for everyone. Lowering the level of protection accorded to the rights of workers, or abandoning mechanisms of wealth redistribution in order to increase the country's international competitiveness, hinder the achievement of lasting development.

Many of us have born the burden of a job loss brought on by a company paying a bit too much attention to "international competitiveness" and not to the larger picture.  The companies that survive (and they are few and far between) are those who look at the dignity of their workers and the integrity of their organization instead of short term (Pope Benedict says "sometimes very short term") profits for the few at the top.

The Uneasy Marriage of Religion and Politics
The difficulty in this country is one of melding religion and politics.  So far, in the United States, there has never been a political party that has followed all the teachings of the Church.  To be with the church on life issues, but not on poverty and social justice issues may be a "conservative" stance, but it is not the Church's stance. To work for issues of social justice while ignoring the pre-born is also not the Church's stance.

It presents a conundrum for thinking Catholics before every election, but our lives should reflect both life and social justice issues.  We should not just pull a lever (or fill in one of those damnable bubbles) every year (or every 4 years) and feel we've done our duty by the Church.  We need to write our representatives on both sides of the aisle and insist that they do what is best for the country, which includes a safety net for the poor and respect for all life.

A political party which hijacks one issue over another while ignoring an entire group of its constituents in need does not deserve to be held up as the only party for "real" Christians. Such Pharisaical attitudes were precisely the kind of thing Jesus spoke out against. Having the outward trappings of faith without the real concern and love for others is no faith at all.

We are in a crucial time in this country We need to pull together to make sure that all of us have a means to make an honest living and all of us have access to the basics: food, clothing, shelter and dignified healthcare.

No one political party will save you. Only God has done that.  We need to show His love to the world.

Catholic Social Justice and the Economy

Mark Shea, a popular Catholic blogger, has written a very pertinent piece on Catholic social justice and the economy.

In it he says, basically, that among many who consider themselves serious Catholics, there are those who talk a lot about the efficacy of sacrifice for women experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, but nothing about the sacrifice the rich must make to serve the poor.

He quotes a reader who initiated the conversation:

We are a religion demanding that the now-pregnant mother of three others must be willing to risk her life during her pregnancy, or to carry to term the product of a rape.

But the 8 digit earning executive gets a pass in his responsibility to continue to create jobs because his taxes are nudged up a wee bit since that's the way the market works. This wealthy man could not possibly be expected to do such oddly heroic things as hire workers when his jets are getting extra taxes.

His enormous excess personal wealth must remain intact and this is held as morally acceptable and in some quarters morally commendable.

If a minor increase in taxes plagues those with excess luxury so much that they do not do what is right and just with their means, they are not living Christian lives.

Pope Benedict had this to say about economics and the Christian: (emphasis mine)

The dignity of the individual and the demands of justice require, particularly today, that economic choices do not cause disparities in wealth to increase in an excessive and morally unacceptable manner, and that we continue to prioritize the goal of access to steady employment for everyone. Lowering the level of protection accorded to the rights of workers, or abandoning mechanisms of wealth redistribution in order to increase the country's international competitiveness, hinder the achievement of lasting development.

Many of us have born the burden of a job loss brought on by a company paying a bit too much attention to "international competitiveness" and not to the larger picture.  The companies that survive (and they are few and far between) are those who look at the dignity of their workers and the integrity of their organization instead of short term (Pope Benedict says "sometimes very short term") profits for the few at the top.

The Uneasy Marriage of Religion and Politics
The difficulty in this country is one of melding religion and politics.  So far, in the United States, there has never been a political party that has followed all the teachings of the Church.  To be with the church on life issues, but not on poverty and social justice issues may be a "conservative" stance, but it is not the Church's stance. To work for issues of social justice while ignoring the pre-born is also not the Church's stance.

It presents a conundrum for thinking Catholics before every election, but our lives should reflect both life and social justice issues.  We should not just pull a lever (or fill in one of those damnable bubbles) every year (or every 4 years) and feel we've done our duty by the Church.  We need to write our representatives on both sides of the aisle and insist that they do what is best for the country, which includes a safety net for the poor and respect for all life.

A political party which hijacks one issue over another while ignoring an entire group of its constituents in need does not deserve to be held up as the only party for "real" Christians. Such Pharisaical attitudes were precisely the kind of thing Jesus spoke out against. Having the outward trappings of faith without the real concern and love for others is no faith at all.

We are in a crucial time in this country We need to pull together to make sure that all of us have a means to make an honest living and all of us have access to the basics: food, clothing, shelter and dignified healthcare.

No one political party will save you. Only God has done that.  We need to show His love to the world.

Poetry Wednesday--This Time

I wrote this poem after listening to "Summer in the City" during one of the hottest days of the year. It is called "This Time."

This summer
in this city
brings me back to troubled times
announced in hushed tones
on black
and white
tv; it formed the soundtrack of our lives.

This time it's so hot
that money melts
quicker than we can make it;
quicker than the company
can decide
to put enough aside
to throw our way
like the the biblical rich man
to the dogs.

This time, the violence is horrifically new
and yet, pit-of-the-stomach familiar.
All in HD
24 hours a day
for our eternal
entertainment.

This time, we are walled away,
each alone in our
climate-controlled cubicle
complete with computer
that goes everywhere we go
to distract us
from reality.

It is happening again,
but this time,
I don't see

a revolution.

Poetry Wednesday--This Time

I wrote this poem after listening to "Summer in the City" during one of the hottest days of the year. It is called "This Time."

This summer
in this city
brings me back to troubled times
announced in hushed tones
on black
and white
tv; it formed the soundtrack of our lives.

This time it's so hot
that money melts
quicker than we can make it;
quicker than the company
can decide
to put enough aside
to throw our way
like the the biblical rich man
to the dogs.

This time, the violence is horrifically new
and yet, pit-of-the-stomach familiar.
All in HD
24 hours a day
for our eternal
entertainment.

This time, we are walled away,
each alone in our
climate-controlled cubicle
complete with computer
that goes everywhere we go
to distract us
from reality.

It is happening again,
but this time,
I don't see

a revolution.

Things to See in Gettysburg

 I saw the newly restored Cyclorama in Gettysburg today with a friend.  They've moved the original circular painting to the new visitor's center and it has been restored.

I was amazed at the beauty of the artwork, both 2 and 3 dimensional.  In the foreground of both of these examples, you will see 3-dimensional reconstructions (the fence and the cannon with surrounding grounds and foliage) that blend seamlessly into the painted background.

During the show, you see the sky change color as the sun rises, watch and hear bombs explode all around you as the battle is explained.

My only complaint is they usher you out fairly quickly, but they do give you some time to walk around and see the painting after the explanation is over.

The museum is included in the price and between the 2 attractions, it takes the better part of a day to complete.

There's lots to see here to keep you coming back.

Things to See in Gettysburg

 I saw the newly restored Cyclorama in Gettysburg today with a friend.  They've moved the original circular painting to the new visitor's center and it has been restored.

I was amazed at the beauty of the artwork, both 2 and 3 dimensional.  In the foreground of both of these examples, you will see 3-dimensional reconstructions (the fence and the cannon with surrounding grounds and foliage) that blend seamlessly into the painted background.

During the show, you see the sky change color as the sun rises, watch and hear bombs explode all around you as the battle is explained.

My only complaint is they usher you out fairly quickly, but they do give you some time to walk around and see the painting after the explanation is over.

The museum is included in the price and between the 2 attractions, it takes the better part of a day to complete.

There's lots to see here to keep you coming back.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Valeri Larko

I was impressed with this picture in terms of its realism but I wasn't going to use it until I decided to use Lovin' Spoonful's Summer in the City as yesterday's Music Monday.  I thought this picture went perfectly with the idea of Summer in the City with its depiction of the scene we often see when looking for a rest from a long summer drive.  I think maybe the thermometer under the Citgo sign should read a bit higher than a mere 99 though!

Oh yeah, and, notice the cheap gas prices!!

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Valeri Larko

I was impressed with this picture in terms of its realism but I wasn't going to use it until I decided to use Lovin' Spoonful's Summer in the City as yesterday's Music Monday.  I thought this picture went perfectly with the idea of Summer in the City with its depiction of the scene we often see when looking for a rest from a long summer drive.  I think maybe the thermometer under the Citgo sign should read a bit higher than a mere 99 though!

Oh yeah, and, notice the cheap gas prices!!

Blog Highlight--Budget Bytes

I've discovered a great blog--Budget Bytes.  They post great, inexpensive recipes *and* the cost per recipe and per serving.

I think this is a great idea!  Not all of us have the money to go out and buy expensive ingredients and few of us want to eat the same thing every day.  Budget Bytes wants to prevent both.

It has a section on stocking your kitchen.  This section is very basic and limited, which, when cooking on a budget, is nice to see.  Each item, from individual types of spices, to plastic storage containers, is listed by category and by price.

The website recommends portioning out your recipes to avoid overeating and further stretch your budget.  They have a variety of recipes including desserts and drinks.

Stop by and take a look.

Happy cooking!

Blog Highlight--Budget Bytes

I've discovered a great blog--Budget Bytes.  They post great, inexpensive recipes *and* the cost per recipe and per serving.

I think this is a great idea!  Not all of us have the money to go out and buy expensive ingredients and few of us want to eat the same thing every day.  Budget Bytes wants to prevent both.

It has a section on stocking your kitchen.  This section is very basic and limited, which, when cooking on a budget, is nice to see.  Each item, from individual types of spices, to plastic storage containers, is listed by category and by price.

The website recommends portioning out your recipes to avoid overeating and further stretch your budget.  They have a variety of recipes including desserts and drinks.

Stop by and take a look.

Happy cooking!

Music Monday--Lovin' Spoonful

This song always struck me as the epitome of what it was like to spend a hot summer in a highly populated area. This summer, it seems even more apt.

I always loved the way they used the suggestion of traffic noises throughout.

The lyrics are descriptive too: hotter than a match head!!

Stay cool everyone!

Music Monday--Lovin' Spoonful

This song always struck me as the epitome of what it was like to spend a hot summer in a highly populated area. This summer, it seems even more apt.

I always loved the way they used the suggestion of traffic noises throughout.

The lyrics are descriptive too: hotter than a match head!!

Stay cool everyone!

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

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

This week I talked about Aaron Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Man--very July and very American.  We looked at Jeff Ward's painting, Eagle-Owl, a beautiful brown and black eagle done in a painterly style.  For Poetry Wednesday we looked at Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat.

I talked about weeds in light of last week's Gospel reading, put up some more pictures of Pen Mar Park, and reviewed Stephen Fry's documentary on manic depression.

Finally, I wrote a piece on expression of doubt in religious education.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

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

This week I talked about Aaron Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Man--very July and very American.  We looked at Jeff Ward's painting, Eagle-Owl, a beautiful brown and black eagle done in a painterly style.  For Poetry Wednesday we looked at Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat.

I talked about weeds in light of last week's Gospel reading, put up some more pictures of Pen Mar Park, and reviewed Stephen Fry's documentary on manic depression.

Finally, I wrote a piece on expression of doubt in religious education.

Educating Adolescents: Questions or Answers--Dealing with Doubt in Religious Ed.

Matt Emerson writes a very insightful article on doubt and religious education called Teaching to the Tests of Faith.  In it he talks about how his sophomore religion class dealt with the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He decided to take his cue from President Obama's quotation of Psalm 46.  While the President only quoted parts of it, Emerson went over the whole thing with his class with the lights out to give them a sense of the sacred.

The psalm has in it the famous line, "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in times of distress." When Mr. Emerson asked his students if that was true for them they began to express their doubts and a very important discussion then occurred.

Rather than shoot down their misgivings about the efficacy of prayer and even the existence of God, Emerson let them express their doubts.  The fruitfulness of the discussion lead him to ask whether or not religious education, at least for that age group, should be shifted away from answers to questions.

I wholeheartedly think it should.  As a member of the generation who "didn't learn anything" in my years in Catholic school, I have long been a proponent of exposing children to the richness of the faith from an early age.  Emerson implies that this was done for these children.  They did all the right things, participated in the liturgical life of the Church and still they expressed grave doubts.

I have come to realize that this is normal.  The over-focus on filling children with answers "while they are still in (Catholic) school" or religious ed leaves them feeling misunderstood and not listened to.  Certainly by the time a child is junior high or high school age, religious educators should be carefully chosen mentors to help them express their doubts and questions and work through them.

Religion is about the "big questions."  We need to stop being afraid of our children asking them and of asking them ourselves.

Educating Adolescents: Questions or Answers--Dealing with Doubt in Religious Ed.

Matt Emerson writes a very insightful article on doubt and religious education called Teaching to the Tests of Faith.  In it he talks about how his sophomore religion class dealt with the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He decided to take his cue from President Obama's quotation of Psalm 46.  While the President only quoted parts of it, Emerson went over the whole thing with his class with the lights out to give them a sense of the sacred.

The psalm has in it the famous line, "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in times of distress." When Mr. Emerson asked his students if that was true for them they began to express their doubts and a very important discussion then occurred.

Rather than shoot down their misgivings about the efficacy of prayer and even the existence of God, Emerson let them express their doubts.  The fruitfulness of the discussion lead him to ask whether or not religious education, at least for that age group, should be shifted away from answers to questions.

I wholeheartedly think it should.  As a member of the generation who "didn't learn anything" in my years in Catholic school, I have long been a proponent of exposing children to the richness of the faith from an early age.  Emerson implies that this was done for these children.  They did all the right things, participated in the liturgical life of the Church and still they expressed grave doubts.

I have come to realize that this is normal.  The over-focus on filling children with answers "while they are still in (Catholic) school" or religious ed leaves them feeling misunderstood and not listened to.  Certainly by the time a child is junior high or high school age, religious educators should be carefully chosen mentors to help them express their doubts and questions and work through them.

Religion is about the "big questions."  We need to stop being afraid of our children asking them and of asking them ourselves.

Poetry Wednesday--Edward Lear

This is a favorite poem of mine that I wanted to share. I wish I could find the version my son had on tape when he was a kid.

Poetry Wednesday--Edward Lear

This is a favorite poem of mine that I wanted to share. I wish I could find the version my son had on tape when he was a kid.

The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive

The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive is a documentary by Stephen Fry, one-time comedy partner of Hugh Laurie (lately the star of House.)  Fry talks with both American and English sufferers of bipolarity about the effect of their illness and examines his own history and his current symptoms to decide whether or not he should resume treatment.

He discusses the (apparently American) trend to diagnose this disease rather early and muses about the link between his own creativity and mania.

In part 2, he searches for the answer to his apparently worsening symptoms by talking to people such as American actor Richard Dreyfus, who has been on lithium since the 1970's.  When he goes through a depressive episode during filming, he talks openly about it rather than his usual coping mechanism of hiding in his house and searches out a family whose grown daughter had resisted medication and hospitalization because of the fear of stigma.

He faces his fear of ECT and psychiatric hospitals by researching both and speaks to a doctor who keeps her symptoms at bay through diet and a lower stress lifestyle.  Another woman maps her moods.

Fry also takes us through one of his rather manic moods where he shops with a therapist along to rein him in. Then he meets with a young lady whose depression and its effects are making her feel suicidal.

While some portions of this documentary are difficult to watch, it is a well done, in-depth look at the illness and its treatments.

The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive

The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive is a documentary by Stephen Fry, one-time comedy partner of Hugh Laurie (lately the star of House.)  Fry talks with both American and English sufferers of bipolarity about the effect of their illness and examines his own history and his current symptoms to decide whether or not he should resume treatment.

He discusses the (apparently American) trend to diagnose this disease rather early and muses about the link between his own creativity and mania.

In part 2, he searches for the answer to his apparently worsening symptoms by talking to people such as American actor Richard Dreyfus, who has been on lithium since the 1970's.  When he goes through a depressive episode during filming, he talks openly about it rather than his usual coping mechanism of hiding in his house and searches out a family whose grown daughter had resisted medication and hospitalization because of the fear of stigma.

He faces his fear of ECT and psychiatric hospitals by researching both and speaks to a doctor who keeps her symptoms at bay through diet and a lower stress lifestyle.  Another woman maps her moods.

Fry also takes us through one of his rather manic moods where he shops with a therapist along to rein him in. Then he meets with a young lady whose depression and its effects are making her feel suicidal.

While some portions of this documentary are difficult to watch, it is a well done, in-depth look at the illness and its treatments.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Jeff Ward

Today's painting is Eagle-Owl by Jeff Ward.  I love the painterly style of this piece.  You can see the brush strokes, like feathers, all over this owl.  It's so fluffy, you just want to reach out and touch him.

The whole picture is done in shades of brown, black and white, the background almost an extension of the owl itself.  The feathers seem to be blowing in the cold wind; the owl is fluffing himself up against the cold.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Jeff Ward

Today's painting is Eagle-Owl by Jeff Ward.  I love the painterly style of this piece.  You can see the brush strokes, like feathers, all over this owl.  It's so fluffy, you just want to reach out and touch him.

The whole picture is done in shades of brown, black and white, the background almost an extension of the owl itself.  The feathers seem to be blowing in the cold wind; the owl is fluffing himself up against the cold.

Music Monday--Aaron Copland

July just seems to lend itself to Aaron Copland. Today's Music Monday is Fanfare for the Common Man, written by Copland and commissioned by conductor Eugene Goossens for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to stir patriotic spirit after America's entry into the second world war.

You can hear the percussion mimicking the startling roar of the guns in the opening measures and then their echo fades slowly away.

Music Monday--Aaron Copland

July just seems to lend itself to Aaron Copland. Today's Music Monday is Fanfare for the Common Man, written by Copland and commissioned by conductor Eugene Goossens for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to stir patriotic spirit after America's entry into the second world war.

You can hear the percussion mimicking the startling roar of the guns in the opening measures and then their echo fades slowly away.

A Sunday in the Park

 Here are some more pictures of Pen Mar Park in Maryland.

The Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia, goes through this park, right behind the music and dancing pavilion.

This flag stands right behind the sign overlooking Maryland and Pennsylvania.

 Here is a view of the trail going north towards Maine.  The park ends not too far down this path.

This railroad is still in use and runs approximately parallel to the Appalachian trail.  We saw an automatic oiling pump on part of the track that apparently oils the trains as they go by.