In reading the news one gets the impression that President Bush thinks the “Democrats” are a foreign occupying force that is hell bent of subverting the United States Foreign policy. Continue reading “Pull the plug”
Who would you include?
Last night one of the postulants, Br. Antonio Cornier, of Holy Name Province was called on to recite the Litany of the Saints at our Easter Vigil service. What followed was both ordinary and extraordinary. Interspersed among the normal names of the saints were the names of Dorothy Day, Dr. Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. I thought it was a fitting addition and was grateful to be reminded of their place in our service. Whose names would you include in the Litany of the Saints?
Peace is sorely needed
“Nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees,” the pope said. “Peace is sorely needed.”–Pope Benedict XVI
Must be the pontiff hasn’t been listening to United States news outlets. He’s obviously tuned in to left wing bloggers and Congressional Democrats. If the Holy Father would only listen to the right news, GOP Presidential hopefuls and some other wing-nuts, he’d get the real story with what is going on in Iraq.
Holy Fire
Last night I drove to Mt. Irenaeus in the dark and cold of a spring snowstorm. I didn’t really know what to expect. How would the friars celebrate the Vigil tonight amidst all the snow and cold. Continue reading “Holy Fire”
A man of suffering
Today I didn’t make it to the traditional Good Friday services. It’s the first time I’ve missed in recent memory. I fell asleep on the couch while I was reading “Living with Christ.” Continue reading “A man of suffering”
The crucified
Today on my way to Mass at Mt. Irenaeus I recited the Franciscan Crown Rosary. It’s a prayer that has become more and more a part of my life. I can’t really explain why either. It just has. Nonetheless, I stopped at a convenience mart nearby, bought some gasoline and walked into the store to get some orange juice and eggs. Continue reading “The crucified”
Talking points are walking points
I read a lot everyday and today was no exception. One of the stories I read today was a link on Huffington Post about Matthew Dowd, former campaign strategist for President George Bush. Continue reading “Talking points are walking points”
Spirituality and Paradox
No one has ever become poor by giving.” — Anne Frank
Another expression that I like is, “you gotta give it away to keep it.” If you want more of what you have the answer is always lies in giving away what you have. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”
If you want to be succesful help someone else to succeed. I heard that first at a entrepreneurial seminar a few years back. In Matthew 20:16, “the last shall be first, and the first last.” Taken together all of these expressions point to a common theme and that is that paradox rules the world of the spirit. Jesus said that the “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” He who is great among you must be your servant. The quotes go on and on. The secret to success is this life is to live the Gospel and that world is upside down. St. Francis comprehended this well. The Kingdom of God is like standing on your head and seeing the world from upside down.
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Magnificat anima mea, Dominum
Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
How often have I prayed those words and then felt a peace and closeness that is beyond all understanding. Today as I moved boxes helping a co-worker whose son is in Baghdad I felt those words fill my head and heart. I’ve been at a few Marian shrines lately and just last week we had the Feast of the Assumption. Everyday Christians around the world pray the Divine Office and invoke the name, memory and intercession of the Mother of Jesus.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,(Magnificat anima mea, Dominum) my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
to remember his promise of mercy,
The promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
For St. Francis of Assisi Mary was the Mother, Advocate and Queen. May she intercede for us always and bring us the Peace of Christ.
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What is pacifism?
Yesterday, Brother Jonathan asked me in a comment if I was a pacifist. I couldn’t answer that immediately until I did some dictionary work and even some pondering. Today I’m more sure but not positive I have a definitive answer. It’s funny how being an advocate for peace can be labeled as pacifism. Pacifism has a weak connotation. For some folks pacifism and passivity are synonymous. I am active in my peace work. I sign most if not all of my posts with “Peace”. Gandhi once said, “there is no way to peace, peace is the way.” I must find peace within myself before I can bring it to the world around me. It’s difficult. When I’m wronged my first reaction is to defend myself. I want to get even, but I know that getting even actually will produce more discord and I’m always the person who suffers the most from any discord. Therefore pacifism at least the way I practice it is active. The Lord’s Prayer says, “forgive us our trespasses just as we forgive those who trespass against us.” This prayer is ascribed to Jesus himself. Therefore if I’m going to really follow Jesus I have to forgive others. There are no exceptions. There will be difficulties with forgiveness no doubt. I have found it most helpful to pray for those who have wronged me. It is difficult at times. Sometimes I have to pray for a long time and for many days or even months but eventually my prayers bring the desired results. I find that eventually my attitude toward the person, persons or institutions are actually changed by prayer.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.–St. Matthew
Peace and all good to you.
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