Monday, 26 January 2015
Sadly True Today
Out of Ireland have we come, great hatred, little room, maimed us at the start. I carry from my mother's womb a fanatic heart.
William Butler Yeats
Refocused fanaticism...
Refocused fanaticism...
Rant Time
I am so tired of hearing that the laity cannot find the Truth about the Faith.
The Catholic Faith is not something kept in secret or arcane knowledge. One can find teachings in books, videos, CDs, DVDs, blogs, online forum, television and so on.
For adults to hide behind ignorance in this age of information does not wash.
Why does the myth continue? Life-long learning has been taught in schools since the 1970s. Who are these Catholics who refuse to read and listen?
Yet another person told me that his family refuses to look at Michael Voris, Alive newspaper, Crisis Magazine and so on.
Several things come to bear on this blindness. Sloth, anti-intellectualism, denial of responsibility.
It is always easier to blame Father Lukewarm or Sister Too-Strict for one's own deficiencies.
I came to the conclusion a long time ago that the main reason members of the laity do not pursue studying the Faith is that they have a sin they refuse to give up-such as contraception, or an irregular marriage.
When one refuses to repent, one shuts the door on the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to all, yes all, Catholics at Confirmation. One is knowledge.
One of the oldest institutions in the world is Catholic education. But, if parents do not do the core teaching at home, it is useless in most cases. A teacher can only back up what the parents do at home.
The Church has never been anti-intellectual. Anti-intellectualism in Christianity began in the Protestant Revolt.
One priest said that the Irish were never good about learning things on their own. Another priest told me the British were historically in modern times too dependent on their priests.
Rant, rant, rant.
Christ was a teacher as well as savior, messiah, priest.
We are responsible, each one of us, for our adult appropriation of the Faith.
Hence, I blog.
Today's Prayer from The Divine Office
who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus
with apostolic virtues,
grant through the intercession of them both,
that, living justly and devoutly in this present age,
we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
In some translations, the word "integrity" is used. Justice, righteousness, integrity are all words which indicate that a man or woman lives as to how they speak. A unity exists in a person of integrity.
To be integrated means that the soul, the mind, the imagination, and the will as well as the body, work together for the same purpose in life.
Our purposes are to worship and serve God in this life and to be happy with Him in the next, thoughts from the catechism, echoed in this prayer today.
We must merit heaven. Merit includes prayer, fasting, mortification, the joyful acceptance of suffering and the participation in the sacraments.
Timothy and Titus as bishops needed to be integrated, whole in the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Christ gives us focus through the Church. Let us thank Him daily for good bishops.
From Today's Office of Readings Timely Words
 |
|---|
| I have fought the good fight |
|---|
Though housed in a narrow prison, Paul dwelt in heaven. He accepted beatings and wounds more readily than others reach out for rewards. Sufferings he loved as much as prizes; indeed he regarded them as his prizes, and therefore called them a grace or gift. Reflect on what this means. To depart and be with Christ was certainly a reward, while remaining in the flesh meant struggle. Yet such was his longing for Christ that he wanted to defer his reward and remain amid the fight; those were his priorities.
Now, to be separated from the company of Christ meant struggle and pain for Paul; in fact, it was a greater affliction than any struggle or pain would be. On the other hand, to be with Christ was a matchless reward. Yet, for the sake of Christ, Paul chose the separation.
But, you may say: “Because of Christ, Paul found all this pleasant.” I cannot deny that, for he derived intense pleasure from what saddens us. I need not think only of perils and hardships. It was true even of the intense sorrow that made him cry out: Who is weak that I do not share the weakness? Who is scandalised that I am not consumed with indignation?
I urge you not simply to admire but also to imitate this splendid example of virtue, for, if we do, we can share his crown as well.
Are you surprised at my saying that if you have Paul’s merits, you will share that same reward? Then listen to Paul himself: I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth a crown of justice awaits me, and the Lord, who is a just judge, will give it to me on that day – and not to me alone, but to those who desire his coming. You see how he calls all to share the same glory?
Now, since the same crown of glory is offered to all, let us eagerly strive to become worthy of these promised blessings.
In thinking of Paul we should not consider only his noble and lofty virtues or the strong and ready will that disposed him for such great graces. We should also realise that he shares our nature in every respect. If we do, then even what is very difficult will seem to us easy and light; we shall work hard during the short time we have on earth and someday we shall wear the incorruptible, immortal crown. This we shall do by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory and power belongs now and always through endless ages. Amen.
They Come From Dust Part Eighteen
Adam's little nun companion ended up being a real boon to the threesome. She knew wild edible plants and could make something to eat out of nothing over a tiny non-smoke fire. Sister also walked like an angel hovering over the ground and slept like a soldier at night. The two men felt comfortable with this small nun.
Adam had to decide whether God was calling him to hide out for the duration of these initial terrible times, or try and find Father Gibson and work with him.
He also knew that the type of knowledge he had of the inner workings of the president's circle of advisers, something he learned both from Karen and his dad, would mean that he would be considered dangerous.
About a day and a half from St. Richard's Reservation, Adam came to his decision.
He woke up Chuck just before dawn. "What is the reality of me making it to the Ohio mission and following Father Gibson's path?"
Chuck rolled out of his sleeping bag. "Dunno. You could make it from here in two days to the monastery just over the Pennsylvania border, stay with the brothers, and go on from there. Last I heard, there were three still there. Father is working on the other side of the Ohio, near where Steubenville used to be. You could make it in a week or less, walking. But, the brothers may have a car."
Adam sat down on a log. "Would you mind taking Sister to the reservation alone?"
Chuck was honest. "Moving one is easier than moving two. No, not at all and I need a break."
The young man sat on a log and listened to the wind in the fir trees. No birds.
He knew that his heart was with Father Gibson and the priest's missionary work. He longed for the rhythm of prayer and Mass.
Chuck spoke up. "I don't think there is anything for you to do up north here. I think you need to move on west."
Adam stood up and packed his things. "I think I have learned from this dear woman how to live off the land." He smiled.
Chuck stood up as well. "Let us not wake her. Goodbye and good luck. You may be surprised and find help on the way."
Adam nodded and turned away. He was taking a huge chance to try and get to the monastery at the border of New York and Pennsylvania in good time. But, he had to try.
He turned back and waved. Chuck was watching him. Adam began a new journey, alone, but not alone. For some of his friends, it was "adieu" and for some "au revoir".
About two miles down the path of the foothills, Adam saw one of the most beautiful sun dogs he had ever seen. It reminded him of one he had seen years ago in England, on a train, on one of the coldest days of that year. His heart ached for his cousins in Poland, who had met him that year in Surrey, in that cold winter. He could not but believe that for them his goodbye was "au revoir". He looked over a clearing to the west away from the sun dogs in the east, turned his back on the sign, and began his descent into the lower lands towards the monastery.
To be a Catholic in these times meant a completely different viewpoint than the previous generations had. One could choose clearly to be a saint. Adam had made his choice.
Adam had to decide whether God was calling him to hide out for the duration of these initial terrible times, or try and find Father Gibson and work with him.
He also knew that the type of knowledge he had of the inner workings of the president's circle of advisers, something he learned both from Karen and his dad, would mean that he would be considered dangerous.
About a day and a half from St. Richard's Reservation, Adam came to his decision.
He woke up Chuck just before dawn. "What is the reality of me making it to the Ohio mission and following Father Gibson's path?"
Chuck rolled out of his sleeping bag. "Dunno. You could make it from here in two days to the monastery just over the Pennsylvania border, stay with the brothers, and go on from there. Last I heard, there were three still there. Father is working on the other side of the Ohio, near where Steubenville used to be. You could make it in a week or less, walking. But, the brothers may have a car."
Adam sat down on a log. "Would you mind taking Sister to the reservation alone?"
Chuck was honest. "Moving one is easier than moving two. No, not at all and I need a break."
The young man sat on a log and listened to the wind in the fir trees. No birds.
He knew that his heart was with Father Gibson and the priest's missionary work. He longed for the rhythm of prayer and Mass.
Chuck spoke up. "I don't think there is anything for you to do up north here. I think you need to move on west."
Adam stood up and packed his things. "I think I have learned from this dear woman how to live off the land." He smiled.
Chuck stood up as well. "Let us not wake her. Goodbye and good luck. You may be surprised and find help on the way."
Adam nodded and turned away. He was taking a huge chance to try and get to the monastery at the border of New York and Pennsylvania in good time. But, he had to try.
He turned back and waved. Chuck was watching him. Adam began a new journey, alone, but not alone. For some of his friends, it was "adieu" and for some "au revoir".
About two miles down the path of the foothills, Adam saw one of the most beautiful sun dogs he had ever seen. It reminded him of one he had seen years ago in England, on a train, on one of the coldest days of that year. His heart ached for his cousins in Poland, who had met him that year in Surrey, in that cold winter. He could not but believe that for them his goodbye was "au revoir". He looked over a clearing to the west away from the sun dogs in the east, turned his back on the sign, and began his descent into the lower lands towards the monastery.
To be a Catholic in these times meant a completely different viewpoint than the previous generations had. One could choose clearly to be a saint. Adam had made his choice.
Need Immediate Prayers
I am, believe it or not, having to fly into New York in the next few days.
Unreal.
Need lots of prayers.
STM
Unreal.
Need lots of prayers.
STM
They Come From Dust Part Seventeen
Angelica wanted to throw the television out of the window. All the media hype about the president seemed like a fantasy flicks. Idolatry of the leader was no longer a problem just for North Korea. The odd thing which dawned on Angelica, was that a majority of people in the Northeast were watching these broadcasts from camps. She supposed that most people either had given up all rationality after the time of the disasters, falling into a numb state of mind, which she called "zombeism" or people no longer really cared about anything but safety and comfort.
The tribe had accepted Janet and Mason, and had buried Jimmy from the Catholic mission church. Angelica invited to three to stay, but there was an empty house on the Canadian side of the reservation, and Mason decided he and Brandy needed some privacy. Janet was content to stay with Angelica. She felt like she had a lot to process, both in her emotions and in her mind. Angelica understood this and the two fell into a peaceful arrangement of quiet, chores, praying together and talking when Janet felt like it.
As to life on the reservation, a general sense of dread came upon some of the members, while others were optimistic that they would be left alone to get on with life as they had for a very long time.
Most were happy with being ignored by any type of outside authority.
The most pressing thought and concern centered on the arrival of Adam and Father Gibson. Father Augustine had received word via the clergy missionary grapevine that Father Gibson was in Pennsylvania and had ventured in Ohio. Mason was beginning to think Father Gibson would continue his missionary work and not come back to New York or Canada.
Father Augustine said that having two priests in the same area would be a waste. All agreed. Mason and Brandy finally announced publicly the coming birth of their baby in a few months. This birth, said the leader of the tribe, was an excellent omen for the future of the nation. Mason was elected to the council within four months.
Mason began to think of himself as Athos retiring to his country estate. Adam seemed far away, fighting the good cause to the end like d'Artagnan, and Father Gibson, was, of course, Aramis.
There was no Porthos...
Mason had the strangest feeling that they would not all be together again, not able to say good-bye like the Three Musketeers. He felt that spiritually he was saying farewell to his dearest friends, and that the old days of friendship and working together were over.
Another strange feeling he had was that he would definitely see some of them again, in heaven,, but one he would never see again, even in the afterlife. He kept this secret to himself, and died with it.
Like Adam's secret concerning the president's real mother, some secrets die in the grave.
to be continued...
The tribe had accepted Janet and Mason, and had buried Jimmy from the Catholic mission church. Angelica invited to three to stay, but there was an empty house on the Canadian side of the reservation, and Mason decided he and Brandy needed some privacy. Janet was content to stay with Angelica. She felt like she had a lot to process, both in her emotions and in her mind. Angelica understood this and the two fell into a peaceful arrangement of quiet, chores, praying together and talking when Janet felt like it.
As to life on the reservation, a general sense of dread came upon some of the members, while others were optimistic that they would be left alone to get on with life as they had for a very long time.
Most were happy with being ignored by any type of outside authority.
The most pressing thought and concern centered on the arrival of Adam and Father Gibson. Father Augustine had received word via the clergy missionary grapevine that Father Gibson was in Pennsylvania and had ventured in Ohio. Mason was beginning to think Father Gibson would continue his missionary work and not come back to New York or Canada.
Father Augustine said that having two priests in the same area would be a waste. All agreed. Mason and Brandy finally announced publicly the coming birth of their baby in a few months. This birth, said the leader of the tribe, was an excellent omen for the future of the nation. Mason was elected to the council within four months.
Mason began to think of himself as Athos retiring to his country estate. Adam seemed far away, fighting the good cause to the end like d'Artagnan, and Father Gibson, was, of course, Aramis.
There was no Porthos...
Mason had the strangest feeling that they would not all be together again, not able to say good-bye like the Three Musketeers. He felt that spiritually he was saying farewell to his dearest friends, and that the old days of friendship and working together were over.
Another strange feeling he had was that he would definitely see some of them again, in heaven,, but one he would never see again, even in the afterlife. He kept this secret to himself, and died with it.
Like Adam's secret concerning the president's real mother, some secrets die in the grave.
to be continued...