We are all the lost sheep. In our society, things are easy, but finding spiritual peace and oneness with God is hard, blocked by a cacophony of voices and competing aspirations for the goods and powers of this world. We are the lost sheep. All of us. Read more
This child is destined … to be a sign that will be spoken against. Simeon The world has corrupted many of our religious people. This can make us outliers on our own “team.” Jesus Himself experienced this sort of thing. Simeon prophesied that Jesus would be opposed when Jesus was only eight days old. “This child is destined … to be a sign that will be spoken against,” he said. He went on to tell Mary that a “sword” would... Read more
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Jesus Christ Pope Francis spoke about the third Beatitude, Blessed are the meed for the shall inherit the earth,” in his general audience today. The Beatitudes are the fulfillment of the 10 Commandments. If you follow one, it will lead you to the other. Doing both is a big part of following Christ and bringing the Kingdom into this world in the here and now. From Vatican News: Turning his attention to the... Read more
Christian persecution is a reality in our world. This is the story of a family who dedicated their lives to bringing Christ to the world, specifically in Afghanistan, and the price they paid. Read more
Fr John Hollowell, was so moved by the suffering of victims of clergy sex abuse that he offered himself in prayer as a living holocaust, sin sacrifice of sorts, for the victims of clergy sex abuse. Two years later, he has been diagnosed with a brain tumor which he believes is an answer to that prayer. “I prayed in 2018 that if there was some suffering I could undertake on behalf of all the victims, some cross I could carry,... Read more
Archbishop Chaput has retired. He celebrated his last mass as a diocesan bishop Sunday at the Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. “I’ll still be around. I’m not dying, I’m just retiring,” Chaput said. His successor, Archbishop Nelson Perez, was installed yesterday. From Catholic News Agency: Philadelphia, Pa., Feb 17, 2020 / 04:45 pm (CNA).- Archbishop Charles Chaput has been a diocesan bishop for 31 years. For most of that time, his people have known where to find... Read more
So, how do we fight monsters without becoming monsters ourselves? The short answer is that when we operate on our own power, we can’t. The temptations of monster-fighting are many and varied, but the most insidious of them is our ability to parse words, exploit meanings and paste ideas together to form new ideas. In other words, the greatest monster-maker of them all is our own excellent brain and its many talents. We can convince ourselves of anything. I know.... Read more
I’ve published this before. I think we could all use it today. Enjoy and be blessed. Read more
Yesterday was a difficult day for me. I had doctor’s appointments for myself, and I had to do the paper work involved in starting my mother in hospice. I also had several meetings with the various nurses and staff who care for her. Then, this morning at 0500, my granddaughter came to stay for the day. I’m telling you this to explain why I’m not going to write for a while. II’m tired my friends. I haven’t forgotten you. I’m... Read more
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back at you. Friedrich Nietzsche There he took up again his great Ring in Barad-dur, and dwelt there, dark and silent, until he wrought himself a new guise, an image of malice and hatred made visible; and the eye of Sauron, the Terrible Few could endure. JRR Tolkien, The Silmarillion... Read more
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