Ordinary Old Catholic Me

When We Meet Again

A good friend is no longer with us and I just need to talk about it in Ordinary Old Catholic Me. 

Getting a Handle on Anger, I Pray

If I cannot maintain calm in simple challenges, without anger, the how will I be able to do so when the big challenges come? Reflecting on a week's worth of the small and considering where, to whom, I must go for help. Her initials are BVM. 

Suffering: When Theology and Reality Clash

I suppose not for the first, or the last, time, I'm thinking about suffering. It's always been around me, and you, but sometimes, it presses closer to the people you love, which causes pain and a sense of powerlessness, and then to yourself, which can make you forget that suffering is the road to sanctity. It seems counterintuitive, but there it is. I have to hold fast. We have to hold fast. Christ joined us in our suffering to transform it. A paradox that only constant immersion in the faith can reveal and demonstrate. It ain't easy, is it?

What’s In a Name?

I have been considering my name, the first name which is from Arabic Lore, and how it might have been a hurdle in my religious evolution but how the balance of my name, middle and Confirmation, have been a force to propel me forward. This is not something I gave much thought to until the last few years. Really it is all speculation. What do you think?

From Trembling to Alleluia Part Two

So, since last week, we have celebrated the Act that makes our faith tick--the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some thoughts on that enormous subject from Ordinary Old Catholic Me to Ordinary Old Catholic You.

From Trembling to Alleluia Part One

We are in the midst of the Triduum. Some reflections of this Catholic about the times, old and new. And what it all means to me. 

Practicing Dying (This Week)

Obviously, one must practice dying every day, every moment, not just during one week. I am being slightly facetious by this title. But the truth is, that this week I had the opportunity, due to a bad cold, to spend time alone, in bed, and consider the path to salvation, which is dying to self and following Christ. Easy enough to say. Not easy, as we know, to do. 

Give Me That New Heaven and New Earth!

Trying I am to be a little more cheery in my podcast today. So I am focusing on something nice, better than nice, spectacular, the New Heaven and New Earth. That's where I want to go. How about you?

Your Sayings Are Hard But You Have the Words of Everlasting Life

When Jesus said that His disciples must eat his Body and drink His Blood to have everlasting life, many said that this was too hard. All of life is hard, and it out of that reality, the consequence of sin that He will bring us back to Him. Really receipt of the Body,Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ is blessedly easy, when you come to know it is truly Him. As the Living Bread He helps us navigate the hard knocks and sufferings of life. We just have to really stand firm and trust!

Our Unending Source of Joy

Not for the first time, and not for the last, thinking about the Eucharist, probably because our Parish is hosting a Bible Study on Scott Hahn's The Lamb's Supper. How often have you heard that if we knew what really happens at the Mass, and embraced it, we would fall to our knees in adoration. God walks with us just as uch as He did with the Disciples.