Second Thought of The Night

In my perfection series, I have tried to explain to my readers that all people are called to perfection.

Obejctively speaking, the monk, the nun and the priest, especially those in the contemplative life, live in a higher order.  Their rule is higher than the daily life of the lay person.

Yet, we, too, are called to the perfection God calls every Catholic to attain.

Those who die in a state of perfection are called saints.

Remember, only the perfect see God. If we are not perfected when we die, and we die in sanctifying grace, we go to purgatory.

No Neutral Territory

Thought for the night:

If you talk and think about trivial things, you will remain outside the door of the road to perfection.

There is no neutral territory in the spiritual life.

August 9th Day of Prayer and Fasting in Great Britain

See previous post...http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/2014/08/it-is-not-role-of-layman.html

Do it!

May Our Hearts Be Ready And Our Souls Pure

Kenneth Perrin ‏@kennethperrin 9m

@Toupsfamily @supertradmum "Nor is it always evil to die in battle, even in bitter pain." Eowyn LOTR, "Return Of The King"

It Is Not The Role of The Layman

to be a pacifist....why have the the post-WWII generations lost their nerve, their heart. If you do not want to fight physically, go to a monastery, or be a priest, and fight spiritually.

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/08/anglican-vicar-of-baghdad-%E2%80%9Cchild-i-baptised-cut-in-half-by-isis%E2%80%9D.aspx

How can Western nations stand by and watch this? Where are the Men of the West?

God forgive the men of this generation, who are afraid, because they have turned against You, O Lord. Renew their hearts and minds and souls in you, O God.

From Justin Welby on the site above...

“The international community must document human rights abuses being committed in northern Iraq so that future prosecutions can take place. It is important and necessary for the international community to challenge the culture of impunity which has allowed these atrocities to take place.
“With the world’s attention on the plight of those in Iraq, we must not forget that this is part of an evil pattern around the world where Christians and other minorities are being killed and persecuted for their faith. Only this week I received an email from a friend in Northern Nigeria about an appalling attack on a village, where Christians were killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Such horrific stories have become depressingly familiar in countries around the world, including Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
“We must continue to cry to God for peace and justice and security throughout the world. Those suffering such appalling treatment in Iraq are especially in my prayers at this time.”
Other Christian leaders have also spoken up about the situation in Iraq including Roman Catholics, who, in England and Wales, have designated Sunday, 9 August, as a Day of Prayer for Christians in Iraq. The Syrian Orthodox Patriarch yesterday wrote to the UN, following an emergency meeting of Patriarchs, calling on the UN Security Council to “fulfil their responsibilities in stopping this genocide”.

---

Catholics, Ordinariates, join in this day of prayer. But, Laymen, do more than pray. There is not enough anger. Is there no man who cares?

SPUC Update

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Listen to SPUC's Pat Buckley on the pro-life battle at the United Nations
JOHN SMEATON, SPUC DIRECTOR Friday, 8 August 2014 Listen to SPUC's Pat Buckley on the pro-life battle at the United Nations Patrick Buckley, one of SPUC's representatives at the United Nations, was interviewed recently [link to MP3] by Kathy Sinnott for her radio programme on EWTN, Celtic Connections. Pat gave a very clear and informative overview of the pro-life battle at the United Nations. The interview lasts 20 mins and is relevant to everyone with pro-life and pro-family concerns. For those not already familar with Pat, he blogs at European Life Network . As well as representing SPUC at international institutions and in the Republic of Ireland, he is a member of the Holy See Forum and a past president of the National Association of Catholic Families (NACF) in the UK. He is a retired architect and has many other accomplishments, mentioned on his blog. Comments on this blog? Email them to johnsmeaton@spuc.org.uk Sign up for alerts to new blog-posts and/or for SPUC's other email services Follow SPUC on Twitter Like SPUC's Facebook Page Please support SPUC. Please donate, join, and/or leave a legacy at 17:37  To receive this news regularly, visit http://www.spuc.org.uk/em-signup. The reliability of the news herein is dependent on that of the cited sources, which are paraphrased rather than quoted. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the society. © Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, 2014

Kingfishers and Fisher Kings

Thanks to wiki

I have seen a Belted Kingfisher, the most common one found in the United States. I have not seen one for years. The one I saw was a female, like the one in the photo.

Thanks to wiki

There are conspicously less birds here than in the farmlands of Iowa, especially near the Wapsi. I am not sure why in the area of the Flow, there are not more birds. I have heard chickadees and seen crows and hawks. I have not seen eagles, which are common in parts of Iowa.

Chickadees live in forests and there are several types. Kingfishers live by water, as the name expresses, these catch and eat fish. There is a charming video here of one eating fish in England.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_kingfisher

http://www.dana-mad.ru/gal/display.php?img=662

I taught the Arhturian Myths when I was teaching in universities. The students loved the stories of  the Fisher King, the wounded guardian of the Holy Grail, a hereditary position, but one marked by tragedy. I always began with  Nennius’ Historia Brittonum.

Chretien de Troyes (written about 1180) and the author of the Mabinogion created two of the earliest legends regarding the Fisher King. The Didot-Percival is key, (1191). Robert de Boron and Wolfram von Eschenbach also wrote of this legend of the Grail, as did, of course the unknown author of the Lancelot–Grail Cycle, and the famous as well as infamous, Thomas Malory. Of course, I would also teach The Wasteland, as part of this, as well as in other courses and other references, including C. S. Lewis.

Thanks to wiki

The tingfisher is more colorful and seen in England, where I have seen it, once at Fountains, and I wrote a poem about this long ago. Poetry, Kingfishers and Fisher Kings mark my life. As a home schooling parent, I passed on this long line of mythology to my son.

I encourage home schooling parents to do the same for students about twelve-fourteen years of age. One can teach this using the plethora of art of the West on this theme.

When I was in Cornwall two years ago, the myth of St. Joseph of Arimathea, who I do believe was at Glastonbury, came up over and over. So much richness has been lost in American education because of the denigration of Western culture, civilization, and Catholicism. Those who watch the Proms or have been , as I have, know that this story of St. Joseph of Arimathea finds its way in the great song,

http://www.dana-mad.ru/gal/display.php?img=662

Of course, I traced some of the ideas of these stories in Tolkien's mythologies, found in The Lord of the Rings. 

http://www.ensignmessage.com/josephofArimathea.html

That these images form part of my imagination and are in my heart refer to T. S Eliot's idea of the objective correlative, which is a thing resonating and transforming into a symbol which produces some sort of emotion. Obviously, for Catholics, the symbol of the Holy Grail, the chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper, provides a powerful objective correlative.

One of the main points of the Arthurian and Percival myths, as well as the entire Fisher King stories is that kings must be holy, must be whole, both physically and spiritually, that Christianity forms leaders, not that leaders form the Church. The idea of a knight needing to be a holy lay person is part of the entire moral aspect of chivalry and even warfare.

And, if you have missed the Proms, this great hymn is sung at the end of Chariots of Fire. Although I like this, it is a shame that the ideals of knighthood have moved from questing and war to sports.

Such is the focus of the modern world...And, of course, I would avoid the atheist usage of the myth, and some of you will know to whom I refer. Not worthy of interest....

 

Jerusalem by William Blake

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon Englands mountains green:

And was the holy Lamb of God,

On Englands pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine,

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here,

Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold:

Bring me my arrows of desire:

Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!

Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,

Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand:

Till we have built Jerusalem,

In England's green & pleasant Land.

Glastonbury

(Can you tell I am homesick for GB today?)

My kind of article and...

http://www.crisismagazine.com/2014/grace%E2%80%A8%E2%80%A8-staple-popular-entertainment

I hope you all know this...notice the kiss on the ring at the end. You will have to go into the video a way.

Computer Exhaustion

IT guys who help us in times of virus crises deserve praise. I cannot imagine doing such a thing for a living. But, it must be like a game. And, if one is successful, one must feel pleased.

However, I just feel tired, very tired. And the computer is still not completely cleaned up.

Be back soon, but not now. Need a rest.

Pax vobiscum.

Where would you find a mummified dinosaur?

How about near Malta? Malta, Montana, that is. I would love to take the dinosaur trail in Montana.

This world is so interesting. And this town was named by the spin of the globe.

And there is one Catholic Church there, St. Mary's....and Father Cory has a blog.

  http://www.frcory.org/

Serious Need for Supportive Prayer Here for This Bishop

http://www.onepeterfive.com/bishop-slattery-brings-out-the-big-guns-against-satanic-mass-in-oklahoma-city/ 

and a back-up on my post earlier this past week.


The Leonine prayer of exorcism which Bishop Slattery is sending to the priests (and which is to be said ONLY by priests!) of his diocese is itself taken from the 1962 Rite of Exorcism, and has its origins with Pope Leo XIII, who was said to have had a terrifying vision of Satan entering the Church, whereupon he composed the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel as well as prayers of exorcism for priests and laity alike to use in their fight against Satan.

The Beauty of God Comes Suddenly Upon Us

I rarely ask for signs. I want to use the virtues of faith, hope and love, which do not demand signs. Several months ago, I was feeling particularly weak and I did ask for three signs. I did receive two out of the three, one immediately and one within a short period of time.

Today, God gave me a sign without me asking for one. It was almost by accident. A friend of mine was showing me his West Point ring and I burst into tears, Me, the INTJ, as God moved my heart to see something in this small gesture.

I do not need to give the details, but this sign brings to close the three signs, although it was not the one I had asked to see. God is more detailed, more considerate, more gentle then we can imagine. the Beauty of God comes suddenly upon us, if we but have eyes to see.

For over a year, pieces of a puzzle in my life have been put together to show part of a larger picture. It will be a lovely picture when it is finished. I think one reason why God does not answer some prayers, is to exercise our faith. We are changed in prayer, our discernment becomes clearer, our hearts purer.

Prayer which is answered has been in the plan of Divine Providence for all times.

Prayer which is not answered has been in the plan of Divine Providence for all times.

For those with faith, every day brings signs and wonders of God's love to us.  The more we become like little children, the more we see the simple things in a great pattern of love.

Taking a break from.....

OK back on a borrowed computer. Pray for my poor new, confused, infected computer.

Cassocks Are Now Officially Cool

http://southernorderspage.blogspot.com/2014/08/pope-francis-emphasizes-obligation-of.html

Coming to A City Near You

Catholic World News - August 07, 2014

Two churches in Thonon-les-Bains, a city of 30,000 in eastern France, were desecrated on August 5, according to Le Messager, a newspaper based in Chablais.
A man in his thirties entered St. Hippolytus Church and the Basilica of St. Francis de Sales and destroyed or damaged altars, stained glass, statues, candelabras, and a bronze cross. He also tore open a tabernacle and trampled on the Eucharist.
The man suspected in the desecration is a “young Muslim,” a local priest said.

Pope Asks for Help

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/07/iraq-security-pope-idINKBN0G718P20140807

Blogging Blues

Living in a spiritual warzone....

I am back on the borrowed computer as my new one is in a mess with this horrible virus. A wonderful computer guy helped me for about two hours today, but it is still hiding somewhere.

I shall be back tomorrow. If I can get Linux on the new one, I shall.

This is a trial, of course, and I can offer this up in reparation for my own sins and for the healing of a friend of mine who has emotional problems. No pain, no gain.

Will you join me in all of these prayers?

Also, on the new computer, I cannot seem to copy https from the search bars for you all to see. I need to figure out why this is the case. I use touch pad mice (mouses?) all the time, not separate ones. Any suggestions?

Also, I have received viruses from Chrome and Internet Explorer. Do readers think Firefox is better?

I have not yet put my files from my friend's external hard drive back on the new computer.

Prayers, please.

One of those days

Look at this and weep Southern Orders website.

 http://southernorderspage.blogspot.com/2014/08/no-this-is-not-scene-from-exodus-in.html

Pray for our brother and sisters in the Middle East.
And still computer troubles, and I am not well today.

Prayers, please.

Nice Site

On Ethika Politika, a great article on dating as counter-culture. I am even more counter-culture. Because of computer hassles, I cannot copy the link right now.

Custody of The Eyes

A young friend of mine had never heard the term which I learned in fifth grade from the good nuns, "custody of the eyes." This means that one never looks at anyone or anything which may cause sin.

It means, as the good nuns said, lowering your eyes and not looking at a beautiful woman or handsome man, an expensive sports car, or a mansion, if these things or people could cause sin.

Of course, custody of the eyes would cover wasting time with useless news, gossip (custody of the ears), and trivia.

What would have happened if, instead of listening to the serpent in the Garden of Eden and instead of looking at the apple, Eve would have rushed over to Adam and asked his help not to be concerned about that apple? My guess is she and Adam would not have sinned.

Just a thought today.....between computer fights....