JMJ. That most blessed time of the year has returned and another Lenten period is upon us. I continue to marvel at God's love for me and for His tremendous forebearance.
I have wondered for some time at the actions of the Apostles at the Last Supper. Jesus spoke in Matthew 26:21, saying, "Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me."
If ever there were more overt guilty consciences I don't know when that might have been. Each of them in turn said, "Is it I, Lord?" Now, I don't know about you, but I would think that I would know if I had betrayed our Lord to the authorities. But in reflecting further I came to realise that the betrayal went far beyond the mere political.
Maybe the Apostles weren't so far off after all. Jesus answered them saying that the traitor was the one who dipped his hand into the same bowl as did our Lord. Didn't they all do that? Don't all of us? Jesus, our Lord, provided a bowl of food for their Passover celebration. And they all partook of that food (if not necessarily from the same dish.)
God, the Most Blessed Trinity, has provided a trove of graces from which we all dip our hands. And through our sins we betray Him Who gave Himself for our redemption. As I have written elsewhere, we all spat in His face, we all scourged Him, we all pounded the nails into His poor beaten body. So, too, have we all betrayed Him through our commissions and omissions.
Peter once asked Him how many times we must forgive and Jesus told Peter, seventy times seven. Though many forgivenesses, it is finite. God's forgiveness is infinite. Judas squandered that forgiveness and despaired. Had he returned the evil silver and begged for His Lord's mercy he would have received it. That is our blessing. We betrayers can learn from that tragic mistake, can repent our sinful betrayals, throw the silver back into Satan's face, and with Divine Forgiveness can once again dip our hands into the bowl Christ has provided for us.
May God bless your Lent and make it fruitful unto you, dear reader.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Majesty
JMJ. I was taking a shower the other day. (I try to do this once a week or so whether I need one or not.) In the course of my ablutions I was struck by the over-powering majesty of the Catholic Church. It was one of those little pecks on the cheek I've talked about before and is God's way of saying, "I know it's January and dismal as all get-out outside, but I thought I'd bring a little ray of sunshine into your heart."
I need them from time to time and I'm sure that you do, too, imaginary reader. There is something immensely awesome when one considers that a unique movement was set in motion over 2,000 years ago, founded on a bunch of rural yokels of no great intellectual accomplishments, whose one saving grace was their belief in the deity of this strange Man from Galilee.
It's de rigeur nowadays to disparage the Catholic Church, to question her teachings, to deplore the abuses which have come to light in the last decade but which just seems to keep plugging along in spite of it all. If there is not something majestic in this and not just a little miraculous, I don't know what it would be. In the face of death, persecution, and suffering the Church grew by leaps and bounds with only the Divine Promise of an eternity of joy if we would but repent and believe.
Upon contemplation of that sweeping vista I was struck by the tragedy that so many turn their backs on His offer. Go figure.
I need them from time to time and I'm sure that you do, too, imaginary reader. There is something immensely awesome when one considers that a unique movement was set in motion over 2,000 years ago, founded on a bunch of rural yokels of no great intellectual accomplishments, whose one saving grace was their belief in the deity of this strange Man from Galilee.
It's de rigeur nowadays to disparage the Catholic Church, to question her teachings, to deplore the abuses which have come to light in the last decade but which just seems to keep plugging along in spite of it all. If there is not something majestic in this and not just a little miraculous, I don't know what it would be. In the face of death, persecution, and suffering the Church grew by leaps and bounds with only the Divine Promise of an eternity of joy if we would but repent and believe.
Upon contemplation of that sweeping vista I was struck by the tragedy that so many turn their backs on His offer. Go figure.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
God Is So Good To Us
JMJ. At first I thought that 2010 was off to a rotten start. One of our adopted ferrets, Chloe, had to be put to sleep yesterday. Here I am, almost 62 years old, and I still feel more comfortable saying, "put to sleep" instead of "put down" or euthanised. She had been living with cancer in her abdomen for over six months but it was only the last month or so that saw a sharp decline in her spirits. She just wasn't as involved in playing with her buddy, Casper, as she once was. I'm sure I'm just anthropomorphising but it seems that there is more courage in their little bodies than in some adult humans of my acquaintance.
Only a week ago my AFS sister (from Japan) who lived with us over 30 years ago wrote to say that her father had died of cancer and complications of pneumonia. She grieved with us when my mom died and we grieve with her at the loss of her father. Only a few months ago my Linda's mom died, too. All of these were expected but all of them were so difficult. All of these losses, I had thought, would leave a vast hole in our hearts.
But on mature reflection (I've been known to do that once or twice) I realised how great and merciful our God is. He taketh away with one hand while giving us the strength to bear with our losses, and gives us kisses on our cheeks to show us His love.How? Ok, I'm glad you asked so I'll tell you.
Some time ago I felt that I was being called on to leave my present job and take one with the local Catholic Charity hospice, Holy Family Home. Several times now I've volunteered my time on days off and have found it to be one of the most loving and wonderful things a nurse could do. I am in awe at the impact that one person can in the life and death of another.
A lady from the Cleveland ferret rescue service is bringing us a young furball tomorrow to see how she and Casper get along. He needs someone young to help him learn to play again. His humans love him but no one knows how to play like another ferret.
I went to the web-site of the Manhattan Declaration just a little while ago. The signings had seemed to be slowing down over the last few weeks. The number was up to 310,000 or so but kind of creeping along whereas before it was bounding. Much to my surprise the total is up over
Only a week ago my AFS sister (from Japan) who lived with us over 30 years ago wrote to say that her father had died of cancer and complications of pneumonia. She grieved with us when my mom died and we grieve with her at the loss of her father. Only a few months ago my Linda's mom died, too. All of these were expected but all of them were so difficult. All of these losses, I had thought, would leave a vast hole in our hearts.
But on mature reflection (I've been known to do that once or twice) I realised how great and merciful our God is. He taketh away with one hand while giving us the strength to bear with our losses, and gives us kisses on our cheeks to show us His love.How? Ok, I'm glad you asked so I'll tell you.
Some time ago I felt that I was being called on to leave my present job and take one with the local Catholic Charity hospice, Holy Family Home. Several times now I've volunteered my time on days off and have found it to be one of the most loving and wonderful things a nurse could do. I am in awe at the impact that one person can in the life and death of another.
A lady from the Cleveland ferret rescue service is bringing us a young furball tomorrow to see how she and Casper get along. He needs someone young to help him learn to play again. His humans love him but no one knows how to play like another ferret.
I went to the web-site of the Manhattan Declaration just a little while ago. The signings had seemed to be slowing down over the last few weeks. The number was up to 310,000 or so but kind of creeping along whereas before it was bounding. Much to my surprise the total is up over
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Holy Ghost Delivers
JMJ. As I have told some of my dearest friends, I pray daily for a major moral miracle which would inaugurate the reigns of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Most Immaculate Heart of Mary. I didn't think of this--my buddy Charlie did. It's worth praying for. And I try to do it as often as I can.
It doesn't happen every day that our prayers are answered but every once in a while (as Charlie is wont to say,) He gives us a little "peck on the cheek" and shows us how we might have "helped" Him. This was one of those occasions. Charlie told me about the "Manhattan Declaration" which is, in a spiritual sense, a declation of independence for the soul of America. We drew a line in the sand and said, "This is what I believe and beyond this I will not go!"
I challenge all who read this site (and I know you are few) to go to their website,
This is a watershed, folks. A "stand-up-and-be-counted" time. Do we align ourselves with Christ and His teachings or do we side with the culture of death? You decide.
It doesn't happen every day that our prayers are answered but every once in a while (as Charlie is wont to say,) He gives us a little "peck on the cheek" and shows us how we might have "helped" Him. This was one of those occasions. Charlie told me about the "Manhattan Declaration" which is, in a spiritual sense, a declation of independence for the soul of America. We drew a line in the sand and said, "This is what I believe and beyond this I will not go!"
I challenge all who read this site (and I know you are few) to go to their website,
http://manhattandeclaration.org
to peruse the statement in its entirety. You can also access a list of all those notables, Catholic, Orthodox, and evangelical Protestant, who have affixed their names to this document just as blatantly as did John Hancock to his.This is a watershed, folks. A "stand-up-and-be-counted" time. Do we align ourselves with Christ and His teachings or do we side with the culture of death? You decide.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Prayer
JMJ. I feel the need to share a prayer with you, O unknown reader. I try to say it every day though I sometimes forget. My three favourite are the Lord's Prayer, given us by Jesus Himself, the Ave Maria, a reflection of Holy Scripture, and the Memorare, written by St. Bernard of Clairveaux a thousand years ago. This one I've come up with all by myself (I think) that fills MY needs and states MY feelings. This is my own. Please bear with me.
"Dear Jesus, beloved Saviour, I give Thee thanks and praise for Thy many blessings but particularly for Thy death upon the Cross with hath redeemed all of sinful humanity but especially this poor sinner who seeks only to love and obey Thee. I offer up to Thee this day--with all my hopes, my fears, my joys, and my sorrows, my success, my failures, my aches, pains, frustrations, and small sufferings that I more perfectly conform myself to Thy death upon the Cross that when I stand before Thee in final judgment thou mayest recognise me as Thy brother. I beg forgiveness for the sins which I commit and omit which cause Thee so much pain and sorrow and I beg Thy grace that I may sin no further and that I may become a more perfect disciple for Thee. Amen."
"Dear Jesus, beloved Saviour, I give Thee thanks and praise for Thy many blessings but particularly for Thy death upon the Cross with hath redeemed all of sinful humanity but especially this poor sinner who seeks only to love and obey Thee. I offer up to Thee this day--with all my hopes, my fears, my joys, and my sorrows, my success, my failures, my aches, pains, frustrations, and small sufferings that I more perfectly conform myself to Thy death upon the Cross that when I stand before Thee in final judgment thou mayest recognise me as Thy brother. I beg forgiveness for the sins which I commit and omit which cause Thee so much pain and sorrow and I beg Thy grace that I may sin no further and that I may become a more perfect disciple for Thee. Amen."
Sunday, November 8, 2009
My Father
JMJ. I went to visit my Dad yesterday. He's living in a nursing home in Huron, Ohio. He has Alzheimer's. This is sad, considering that he was an engineer at NASA for over thirty years. In fact, he started there when it was still NACA. That's going back a long time.
I just toured the visitor's center at Lewis Research Center in Cleveland since there is talk that they're going to move the museum to the building next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center. How sad! I remember riding along with my Mom when she dropped him off at work (long before there was a second car in our household.) We'd drive up to the gate and the guard would ask what our business was. Dad would show his badge and say that we were dropping him off to work. I felt taller than a sequoia that my Dad was part of the space program.
Things have changed since the last time I was there. I had to show my driver's license and declare that I am a US citizen. Further, I had to swear that there were no weapons in my car. I think that this whole rigamarole just made me prouder. I was going back, not for my benefit, but in remembrance of all the times I was there with Dad.
During our visit I told him of all this. He had to ask whom I was speaking of. I told him that I was talking about him and how proud I was of him. He answered that he didn't remember any of this but I told him that I'd remember for both of us. He smiled and seemed to accept this. I asked him what was new and he said that he didn't think he'd be here much longer. His dad was over 100 when he died but mine is only 83.
Maybe he knows something that I don't. I think he's tired of living and he misses Mom. I told him that if he feels the need to go that he has my blessing. I feel sure that he has God's. Our Lord, through the Divine Mercy, asks each of us to declare for Him or against Him. Dad, like Mom, was never stupid. I feel sure that we'll meet again one day throught the grace of God.
I just toured the visitor's center at Lewis Research Center in Cleveland since there is talk that they're going to move the museum to the building next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center. How sad! I remember riding along with my Mom when she dropped him off at work (long before there was a second car in our household.) We'd drive up to the gate and the guard would ask what our business was. Dad would show his badge and say that we were dropping him off to work. I felt taller than a sequoia that my Dad was part of the space program.
Things have changed since the last time I was there. I had to show my driver's license and declare that I am a US citizen. Further, I had to swear that there were no weapons in my car. I think that this whole rigamarole just made me prouder. I was going back, not for my benefit, but in remembrance of all the times I was there with Dad.
During our visit I told him of all this. He had to ask whom I was speaking of. I told him that I was talking about him and how proud I was of him. He answered that he didn't remember any of this but I told him that I'd remember for both of us. He smiled and seemed to accept this. I asked him what was new and he said that he didn't think he'd be here much longer. His dad was over 100 when he died but mine is only 83.
Maybe he knows something that I don't. I think he's tired of living and he misses Mom. I told him that if he feels the need to go that he has my blessing. I feel sure that he has God's. Our Lord, through the Divine Mercy, asks each of us to declare for Him or against Him. Dad, like Mom, was never stupid. I feel sure that we'll meet again one day throught the grace of God.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A New Hope
JMJ. I've mentioned before that I am a convert to this wonderful faith. This coming Easter will be my 11th anniversary. In those eleven years I've met some absolutely wonderful cradle Catholics. Bob, Charlie, and Jan Marie are ones that I've mentioned before. (I could mention so many more but that would take an entire page.) I've also met ones who give Catholicism a bad name. These are ones who are Catholic in name only--who have embraced, if not the name, at least the philosophy of the Protestants.
These are the ones who believe that women should be priests, that abortions are a woman't right, and that homosexuals deserve the right to marry. In short, they feel that God's only fault is that He failed to ask their opinions on things. By and large, these are older folks. Folks of my generation or a little younger who grew up on the idea that all ideas are created equal.
The mature know that this is not the case. Two plus two never equals 3.75 no matter how much we wish it were so. You get my drift. Well, I met a bunch of committed young folks who renewed my faith that Christ makes all things new. A group from the local college's Newman Center raked and blew our leaves today. They asked only for a donation over $10.00. All I asked is that none of them ever worked to elect a Democrat. The young lady in charge pointed at a nearby young man and herself and said, "Here's two who didn't." Thanks be to God. The world (and this jaded writer) are continually renewed. (BTW, they did a great job and I gave 'em $75.--They deserved every bit of it.)
These are the ones who believe that women should be priests, that abortions are a woman't right, and that homosexuals deserve the right to marry. In short, they feel that God's only fault is that He failed to ask their opinions on things. By and large, these are older folks. Folks of my generation or a little younger who grew up on the idea that all ideas are created equal.
The mature know that this is not the case. Two plus two never equals 3.75 no matter how much we wish it were so. You get my drift. Well, I met a bunch of committed young folks who renewed my faith that Christ makes all things new. A group from the local college's Newman Center raked and blew our leaves today. They asked only for a donation over $10.00. All I asked is that none of them ever worked to elect a Democrat. The young lady in charge pointed at a nearby young man and herself and said, "Here's two who didn't." Thanks be to God. The world (and this jaded writer) are continually renewed. (BTW, they did a great job and I gave 'em $75.--They deserved every bit of it.)
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