Ordinary Old Catholic Me

Prayer: The Key to Union with God Who Is, Was, and Always Will Be Love

I have been struggling with the Ignatian Exercises. But, this week, I went back to an outline I had been given in my first exposure to the Exercises and I realized that considering the very first thing, the Creation, and my creation, in a way I had not heretofore done, was something of a jumpstart, hopefully one that will take hold. The first part of prayer, for me, for you maybe is the recognition of what it means the God is Love, that He loved me into being, that he loved you into being. Perhaps that's what it means to "pray without ceasing", because if you don't do that you cannot see beyond the distractions, the shadows of this world that was marred by sin. 

Bigger Than Life

It is no news that no matter how grand or famous one's life is, it comes to an end. Death is the great equalizer. We don't like to think about it; but we must, especially if we are people of faith who know that death is no longer an end but a beginning, all because Jesus Christ was incarnate, died, was buried and rose. But with Lent coming and with a recent view of a video blogger at the grave of Ricardo Montalban, and his wife, Georgina, whom I used to see, bigger than life, at my parish, the reality pressed and I thought I'd just offer some ordinary thoughts. 

This and That

A somewhat discursive episode, borne of a difficult week, and trying to manage to get back on the (spiritual) road.
 

Euphemistic Unholiness

We human beings have a knack for giving our evil actions a veneer of good by euphemisms. Ultimately those euphemisms, lies, become the societal reality. I have been watching documentaries about WWII and the atrocities in Germany by the Nazis, doctors, nurses and ordinary people. Folks don't like the comparison made to abortion. Well, the fact is that euphemisms have been used to legitimize abortion as they were to legitimize the atrocities of the Nazi regime and the populace. This is Pro-life weekend (the euphemism of the abortion industry of this group is anti-Choice, which is a realistic and true phrase?) and I feel I must lend my voice to the reality of the evil of the abortion industry and its support, especially by those who call themselves Christian. Our euphemisms will send us to hell if we don't wake up. 

Suffering Thoughts

One, if not the, central thoughts of Catholicism is the following of Christ in our suffering. And yet, we believing Catholics regularly fail to join our suffering to His, instead acting as if we should be spared, and entirely missing the point of our Faith. Just thinking on this today. 

Running from the Wolves

As he was being invested a Pope, Benedict the XVI asked for prayer that he not flee for fear of the wolves. Clearly he was aware of some deep troubles in the Vatican. But that prayer is something just as applicable to you and me, ordinary Catholics. 

Un-Self Realization

On this last day of 2022, thinking about what needs to be done going forward, toward emptying myself to be filled up with God, counter to the culture which seeks to find a Self without God. Even with Grace, no easy task. But here's to a New Year of seeking God and not self, of letting go of all that gets in the way of being with Him. 

Christmas Eve Thoughts

Today is Christmas Eve. Let us all be glad, and recall what it means that God entered into time, the time He created, to redeem us!

The Mystery Man: He Always Leaves Room for Faith

Perhaps it is the darkness of our times, but scientific and religious interest in the Image on the Shroud of Turin has been assisted by the Exhibition in Salamanca, Spain, called The Mystery Man. The three dimensional image on the Shroud, still an enigma in terms of how it could have occurred except by the Miracle of Resurrection, was extrapolated into a figure of a Crucified, beaten Man on view for the public. It is reported that it will go around the world. For me, it is an enhancement of faith. Who is Man if He is Not Christ the Lord? 

Happy Holy Day!

The usual battle ground for the culture wars is the large ones. But the smaller ones are not actually so small.  Consideration of the battle over "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmas" up this episode.