True Story
After Mass last Sunday a family and went to the community hall in the basement of their church for a lumpia and pancit lunch. While eating, a lady(who had done the readings at Mass earlier), came to a man and asked, "is that your son?" and she points out his son walking around. He was in the process of playing some sort of hide-n-seek game or keep away with a 2-3 year old. The Dad replied in the affirmitive expecting to be told that his son was disturbing her or had bumped her or something. She then says that she will call his son Levi because he listens to God. Now the man was intrigued. She then proceeded to tell him this story.
"I have been lectoring for years. As long as I have been lectoring, I would go to my husband after Mass and ask him how well I had read (she had a slight eastern European accent). This has always been very important to me because I don't want to read if I'm not doing a good job and people aren't understanding me. But, now my husband is nearly deaf and he can't hear me so I don't have anyone to ask how I'm reading. I was sitting here thinking to myself and talking with God, that I will just have to trust God that I am doing a good enough job. If I'm not, He would just have to let me know somehow. A few minutes later the your son walked up to me and said, (the son) "aren't you the lady who did the readings today at church?"
"Yes I am" said the lady
"I thought so, you did a really good job" says the son.
Needless to say, the lady was very touched by the sons kindness. She was also very fortified in her faith because God answered her prayer in such a beautiful and personal way. The Mom and Dad were also very pleased and proud. How humbling to be reminded that their son is God's son first.
Amen
5/05/2006
5/03/2006
my idioms
Nothing gained, nothing ventured.
People who throw stones shouldn't live in glass houses.
Where there's a way, there's a will.
Biting dogs seldom bark.
A thousand words obscures the paintings.
Two birds in the bush are worth the same as one in the hand, and requires no effort.
People who throw stones shouldn't live in glass houses.
Where there's a way, there's a will.
Biting dogs seldom bark.
A thousand words obscures the paintings.
Two birds in the bush are worth the same as one in the hand, and requires no effort.
Suffering
Have you ever been affected by suffering? I think we all are affected at some time in our lives by either our own suffering or other peoples suffering. The meaning of suffering or how a good and loving God can allow apparently terrible suffering can be something that challenges a persons faith. Sometimes even to the degree of being angry at God or even critically reviewing our system of belief. The late great John Paul II wrote an open letter to all the faithful regarding suffering. The name of the letter is SALVIFICI DOLORIS: On The Christian Meaning Of Human Suffering. It will take a good half hour to read the whole thing, but it is very enlightening and fortifying to ones faith. One of the main scripture passages from this teaching is COLL 1: 24. Here we are given a glimpse of the value suffering can have when approched in the proper way.
[22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, [23] provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. [24]
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, [25] of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, [26] the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. [27] To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [28] Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. [29] For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me.
My understanding is that we can offer our suffering as a sacrafice (from the Latin: sacra- meaning holy and facio- to make) to cooperate with God in making us holy. In St. Augustine's City of God he says “A true sacrifice is any work that unites us to God in holy fellowship.” (10.6). This is where the old Catholic mothers saying "offer it up" has it's theological basis. Our holy suffering offered as a sacrafice, helps to build and strengthen the Body of Christ, which is His Church.
Pyro
[22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, [23] provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. [24]
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, [25] of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, [26] the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. [27] To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [28] Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. [29] For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me.
My understanding is that we can offer our suffering as a sacrafice (from the Latin: sacra- meaning holy and facio- to make) to cooperate with God in making us holy. In St. Augustine's City of God he says “A true sacrifice is any work that unites us to God in holy fellowship.” (10.6). This is where the old Catholic mothers saying "offer it up" has it's theological basis. Our holy suffering offered as a sacrafice, helps to build and strengthen the Body of Christ, which is His Church.
Pyro
4/29/2006
New Links
I have posted several new links in the "Links" section over to the right. The new links are;
United States Submarine Veterans Incorporated this is a resource site for Navy vets who are qualified in submarines.
United States Navy not really a need for an explanation
Submarine Group Nine this is the official site for Submarine Group Nine. A submarine group is a fairly large collection of submarines in a geographic region with certain missions. Group Nine is the most powerful force of warships in the world!!
The Vatican The official site of the Vatican. From this page you can choose between English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese. There is months worth of information at your disposal from writings of the Popes since Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) to virtual tours through the Vatican museum.
The Coming Home Network This is the website for Marcus Grodi's ministry. He was formerly a Presbyterian pastor who now operates a ministry which helps current and former Protestant ministers in their investigation and or conversion to the Catholic Church. One of my favorite parts of his site is the conversion story section. In in there are literally hundreds of conversion strories from former Protestant pastors, theologians, seminary professors... the backgrounds of these people range from Anglican to Lutheran to Calvary Chapel to you name it, just look in the yellow pages under Church: Christian.
United States Submarine Veterans Incorporated this is a resource site for Navy vets who are qualified in submarines.
United States Navy not really a need for an explanation
Submarine Group Nine this is the official site for Submarine Group Nine. A submarine group is a fairly large collection of submarines in a geographic region with certain missions. Group Nine is the most powerful force of warships in the world!!
The Vatican The official site of the Vatican. From this page you can choose between English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese. There is months worth of information at your disposal from writings of the Popes since Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) to virtual tours through the Vatican museum.
The Coming Home Network This is the website for Marcus Grodi's ministry. He was formerly a Presbyterian pastor who now operates a ministry which helps current and former Protestant ministers in their investigation and or conversion to the Catholic Church. One of my favorite parts of his site is the conversion story section. In in there are literally hundreds of conversion strories from former Protestant pastors, theologians, seminary professors... the backgrounds of these people range from Anglican to Lutheran to Calvary Chapel to you name it, just look in the yellow pages under Church: Christian.
4/28/2006
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
Keep Immigration
Safe & Legal
explanation of my poem
I promised to explain my poem that I posted earlier.
the first line refers to the the moral tree of human rights. The root of these rights being the right to life. If the root is killed while attempting to nourish/cultivate other contingent rights such as the workers right to justice, then soon the right you are cultivating will die.
the second line line refers to those who attempt to reap the benefits of the fruits of others labors without nurturing, promoting, or otherwise preserving those who laid the groundwork for their advances.
The last line refers to those who hold hostage the public forum and manipulate the masses. These are the politictians, the media, the intelligencia, the amoralists, and the labor organizations.
the first line refers to the the moral tree of human rights. The root of these rights being the right to life. If the root is killed while attempting to nourish/cultivate other contingent rights such as the workers right to justice, then soon the right you are cultivating will die.
the second line line refers to those who attempt to reap the benefits of the fruits of others labors without nurturing, promoting, or otherwise preserving those who laid the groundwork for their advances.
The last line refers to those who hold hostage the public forum and manipulate the masses. These are the politictians, the media, the intelligencia, the amoralists, and the labor organizations.
Immigration, war, gas prices
There are several great debates going on in our country right now; illegal immigration, the war on terror, price of petroleum fuels, The Da Vinci Code...
Ha ha... for those of you who thought I was going to get political, I'm not. That will come later in my life as a blogger. Those of you who know me understand that I have some rather strong views on certain issues. Issues which are championed by different political parties. That makes for some interesting decision making for me at election time. But, here I will address the industry that is "The Da Vinci Code" henceforward referred to as "DVCI".
I have not read the book, seen the movie, or read any of the books written to counter "The Da Vinci Code", I have only read reviews, (both pro and con). In reviews I have learned that some things are promoted by the book such as Jesus never died by crucifixion, he married and had children, there was a big cover up of these truths. I constantly hear in defense of DVCI that it is only intended to be a work of fiction. I don't believe it. It is intended to make some people rich. It is intended to discredit the Church. It is intended to lead people away from Christianity.
Imagine if you will that someone wrote a book about _______________ (insert the name of an actual historical leader that you love and follow such as; your father, a former president, religious leader) purporting that they never did something that is key to their history. Then imagine that the story attests to the fact that they led a life 180 degrees opposite of their actual history. That is the DVCI.
As I stated earlier, I have never read the book but... in all works of fiction I have ever read there is a disclaimer. The disclaimer states that any resemblence to actual persons or events is simply coincidence. I doubt that this book has that disclaimer. If it does the writer should be sued. If it doesn't he should be sued.
If you are interested in reading some books or viewing some media which point out the errors of DVCI here is a list.
The Da Vinci Hoax
The Da Vinci Deception
Cracking the Da Vinci Code
De-coding Da Vinci: The facts behind the fiction of The Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Hoax: Exposing the Errors in The DaVinci Code
Fact and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code
Ha ha... for those of you who thought I was going to get political, I'm not. That will come later in my life as a blogger. Those of you who know me understand that I have some rather strong views on certain issues. Issues which are championed by different political parties. That makes for some interesting decision making for me at election time. But, here I will address the industry that is "The Da Vinci Code" henceforward referred to as "DVCI".
I have not read the book, seen the movie, or read any of the books written to counter "The Da Vinci Code", I have only read reviews, (both pro and con). In reviews I have learned that some things are promoted by the book such as Jesus never died by crucifixion, he married and had children, there was a big cover up of these truths. I constantly hear in defense of DVCI that it is only intended to be a work of fiction. I don't believe it. It is intended to make some people rich. It is intended to discredit the Church. It is intended to lead people away from Christianity.
Imagine if you will that someone wrote a book about _______________ (insert the name of an actual historical leader that you love and follow such as; your father, a former president, religious leader) purporting that they never did something that is key to their history. Then imagine that the story attests to the fact that they led a life 180 degrees opposite of their actual history. That is the DVCI.
As I stated earlier, I have never read the book but... in all works of fiction I have ever read there is a disclaimer. The disclaimer states that any resemblence to actual persons or events is simply coincidence. I doubt that this book has that disclaimer. If it does the writer should be sued. If it doesn't he should be sued.
If you are interested in reading some books or viewing some media which point out the errors of DVCI here is a list.
The Da Vinci Hoax
The Da Vinci Deception
Cracking the Da Vinci Code
De-coding Da Vinci: The facts behind the fiction of The Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Hoax: Exposing the Errors in The DaVinci Code
Fact and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code
4/26/2006
Deus Caritas Est
The mens fellowship group that I am part of just wrapped up a Bible study on the Gospel of Mark. The next several months will be spent doing a discussion/study of the Papal Encyclical, Deus Caritas Est which was published on December 12, 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI. As an overview, the encyclical reflects on the different types of love and the different ways to love as revealed by God. It also expresses "The Practice of Love by the Church as a Community of Love".
As a group we have been unable to find a good study guide or commentary to use as an assistance to our group discussion. The one guide I was able to find came from a website that has significant bandwidth dedicated to Joyce Rupp and her writings. I choose to follow the guilt by association judgement model and have automatically disregarded it as a reliable resource for use in our study.
Do any of you know of a good study companion for a small group to use in reading this encyclical? We want something that is faithful to the Magisterium.
As a group we have been unable to find a good study guide or commentary to use as an assistance to our group discussion. The one guide I was able to find came from a website that has significant bandwidth dedicated to Joyce Rupp and her writings. I choose to follow the guilt by association judgement model and have automatically disregarded it as a reliable resource for use in our study.
Do any of you know of a good study companion for a small group to use in reading this encyclical? We want something that is faithful to the Magisterium.
4/23/2006
Todays Gospel
I heard an interesting sermon, (part of one at least) commenting on todays Gospel reading John 20: 19-31. It was the first day (Sunday) and all the Apostles were gathered together except for Thomas. So in a sense, it was Sunday and Thomas wasn't at church (it obviously wasn't Easter or Christmas). Maybe he was cleaning his house or watching a donkey race. He could have just been sleeping in because he was tired... who knows. Not being at church caused him to miss Jesus! He missed out on something wonderful. Imagine missing church and when you talk to someone who had been at church you hear this fantastic tale of Jesus appearing and doing some incredible things!! Thomas didn't believe what he was told, but he did go to church the next Sunday. You all know the rest of the story.
Don't wait to be told that something remarkable and out of the ordinary happened at church when you weren't there before you decide to go "check it out". Don't miss Jesus.
Don't wait to be told that something remarkable and out of the ordinary happened at church when you weren't there before you decide to go "check it out". Don't miss Jesus.
If you light yourself on fire... you might be a redneck!
This story really drives home the reason I don't ever need to worry about job security. I can honestly tell you I have been on more bizarre calls than this. The ability of people to not use their ability to think is sometimes unbelievable. Maybe we are all selling this kid short though. He could be a buddhist protester practicing immolation.
I have a large paper clip collection
This story really inspired me. Nice to hear about this rather than someone selling a body part.
4/22/2006
Happy Birthday
Today my 2nd turns 9. Seems like just a short time ago he was an infant. I remember when he was born (at home on purpose) how the house was electric with excitement. Even the dog was in on it. He came up after the birth, sniffed the baby, looked at the mom, sniffed the baby, looked at the mom... sighed and laid down at the doorway of the bedroom. I called the grandparents and let them listen to their new grandbaby (it was WAY early AM). One of my co-workers (paramedic) was there just in case something went wrong, because I didn't fully trust the midwife. I still shock people by reminding him in front of people not in the know, "hey, remember that time that you were in bed with my naked wife?"
Anyway, Happy Birthday K.J.S.D.
Anyway, Happy Birthday K.J.S.D.
4/21/2006
I am my own Grandpa
After reading this story I couldn't help but think of three things.
1. That country song by Ray Stevens "I'm My Own Grandpa"
2. If we don't protect the sancticty of marriage being between one man and one woman these things may soon happen in the United States.
3. Not gonna tell...
1. That country song by Ray Stevens "I'm My Own Grandpa"
2. If we don't protect the sancticty of marriage being between one man and one woman these things may soon happen in the United States.
3. Not gonna tell...
Does posting in your own blog count as being published?
I like to dabble in poetry. Every year for Christmas, I write a poem for the guys at work and give it to them as a gift. Sometimes I write parodies of famous poems, sometimes I write stuff that's solely my own. Here is a copy of this years poem. I had it printed on coffee cups.
Let me know what you think, next week I'll post what I was thinking when I wrote the poem.
The tree bears no fruit
On corpses scavengers feed
Tyranny of wind
Let me know what you think, next week I'll post what I was thinking when I wrote the poem.
The tree bears no fruit
On corpses scavengers feed
Tyranny of wind
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
