Ordinary Old Catholic Me

Escape is Not an Option

And boy, do I wish it were. What appears to so many people to be Progress is to many others of us, including me, a cascade failure that leads directly to the hell a lot of folks don't even believe in. Risky business, I'm thinking. 
God has been trying to reach us throughout mankind's history. Jesus died to reach us. And yet, we still dismiss Him. A lot of people are seeing the dangers in that dismissal. And the burden of what they see makes them, makes me, for sin makes me weak, want to run away and pretend I can escape. I can pretend all is well. But it isn't. A battle on earth is raging, as it always has, but this one is in our lifetimes, and the consequences are literally heaven or hell. 
 
 

Too Much Change

The debates over everything from unchanging dogma to liturgy to the words of a prayer given to us by Jesus Christ Himself are becoming the stuff of spiritual despair. Too many of the Church's leaders, who seem to have the stage and the kleig light advocate that the Church must change with and conform to the culture in which it finds itself. But that culture seems to many to be one of perdition, not of higher things. 
Many are seeing this and are seeking refuge in a steadfast liturgy which reflects the unchanging truths of the Church--the Traditionalists. The Latin Mass. And the vehemence with which some modernist Church leaders want to oppress it, the more is confirmed that a battle has been joined, literally for our very souls.
It's all giving this Ordinary Catholic pause. 
 
 
 

The Gift

This is a bit more of an autobiographical episode than is usual. Though I tend toward a more conservative (which I believe is consistent with the Magisterium) view of my faith, I am occasionally reminded that I enjoy the fruits of the changes wrought by Vatican II in particular the participation of women in the liturgy. I agree. It is a contradiction. But here's what happened. . . .

It's Now or Never

When one thinks about the things we humans do that are sinful, and have always done, it almost seems like the effort that God has made to save us, couldn't possibly be worth it. We are just no good, right? We are not worthy indeed. But God obviously thinks we are worth it. And so He did something that is perfectly unimaginable and our choice? Heaven or Hell. It's now or never.

Life REALLY is Meaningless Without God, N'est ce Pas?

Just what everyone needs, right? Another musing on the Meaning of Life. But we can't help it. We are thinking, reflective creatures. And as time grows shorter and shorter and we see people just ahead of us struggling with that we will also experience--if we live long enough--it's a reality that we cannot avoid. Ignore it? Yes. But there comes a time where we can no longer ignore it, either. 
While we are young and healthy and living our daily existences we have a choice, for God, or against Him. Did we come to realize before we could realize nothing any longer that HE was Meaning itself? 

God's Grace Suffices?

What is it all about, this statement in 2 Corinthians that "God's Grace is Sufficient for Thee"?
Everything in our lives is complicated. We are full of weaknesses. And here is this statement that makes it all sound easy. What does it mean? How is Grace sufficient? And what exactly does that even mean?
The harder life gets, the more urgent the need to figure it out, and to find how God's Grace will suffice.
 

Are We Happy Yet

What do you say when people ask you if you are happy? I have to admit that happiness has been elusive for me. But first of all we have to know what is happiness, true happiness. Some think religion provides it. Some that, in particular, Catholicism provides it, well, points to it, to HIM. God is the happiness we seek, but it is a struggle because of sin and because the Devil is always working against us. But we must pursue Perfect Happiness. 

Sorrowful But Not Hopeless

The final of four rosaries said with the intention of the saving and preserving of one nation under God, the Sorrowful Mysteries, interspersed with personal meditations and memories of my own experience at some of the sites reflected in the mysteries in Israel. 
And, if you would, keep in mind if and when you follow along, my special intention. I would appreciate it. 

His Glorious Mysteries Will Preserve Us

Today we do the Glorious Mysteries with the Intention of Saving and Preserving Our Nation under God. In between, some memories and thoughts about visiting some of the sites in Jerusalem where the Mysteries took place. Viva Christo Rey!

The Luminous Mysteries With the Intention to Save and Preserve Our Nation

This is week two of this Ordinary Catholic's prayer of the Rosary for the intention of Saving and Preserving this Nation Under God. Though I announced last time that I woudl do the Sorrowful Mysteries, since I was recording on a Thursday, I am instead praying the Luminous Mysteries. The meditations in between several relating a connection to my 2018 trip to Israel, I hope will be of some use if you are following along and praying with me.