Third Time Around

Once again, I will be re-posting my series of meditations on the "Seven Last Words" which Christ spoke while hanging upon the Cross.

As we enter Holy Week, I hope my readers will continue to find them useful as a point of departure upon their own reflections.

Meet you at Calvary.

Twice As Nice

Domenico and Melanie Bettinelli welcomed another child into their fold yesterday.

Sophia joins another sister, Isabella.

Please read Dom's 'blog for the details.

Melanie's 'blog provides a different perspective.

Congratulations to the entire family!

Descartian Reminder

"Cognito; ergo sum."

Yes, I am still around.

Plenty about which to write.

Finding the time and motivation is another story.

Sometimes the spirit moves you; sometimes you need to move the spirit.

The latter applies.

Illumination

It's official.

Six more weeks of winter.

Let's see, that would put it about March 20.

(What a coincidence that is the Spring equinox.)

But it shouldn't be that surprising the groundhog would see his shadow.

After all, it is the Feast of the Presentation.

The Light of the World has been revealed to the world.

And with all the candles to be blessed today as well, nothing can truly be in the dark.

1/22/1973 x 35

Another January 22, another Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Dalton anniversary.

Number 35 for those of you keeping score at home.

For those of you wanting to send the appropriate gift for this occasion, the traditional one would consist of coral while the modern approach would be something of jade.

Somehow, I think the pro-lifers would appreciate the irony if the precious green gemstone were sent to them. They have been jaded by the political process of reversing this judicial decision for the past four decades. They can't even get a sincere promise ring from their suitors.

Yet they continue to fight the good fight. Silent No More, Rachel's Vineyard, Priests For Life, Pro-Life Across America. These groups among the many who fight for life. Those among the millions of people who ora et labora for this to end. Picking up this cross every day and carrying it up toward what they hope will be their version of Calvary. Mindful of what Blessed Teresa of Calcutta said in her acceptance speech of the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize:

...We are talking of peace. These are things that break peace, but I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a direct war, a direct killing -- direct murder by the mother herself. And we read in the Scripture, for God says very clearly: Even if a mother could forget her child -- I will not forget you -- I have carved you in the palm of my hand. We are carved in the palm of His hand, so close to Him that unborn child has been carved in the hand of God. And that is what strikes me most, the beginning of that sentence, that even if a mother could forget something impossible -- but even if she could forget -- I will not forget you. And today the greatest means -- the greatest destroyer of peace is abortion....

Yes, peace. How can we be at peace when society has "written" into our laws permission to terminate ourselves into extinction? How can we claim to be a rational creature when we have "logically" determined eventually not to exist? How can we exercise the faculty which make us the most unique of creatures when we have chosen death rather than life?

Makes one wonder if God cringes more about giving us reasoning ability rather than free will.

But, yet again, the annual big skirmish has happened. The marches across the country are over. The speeches have been made. Both sides have had their say. Point and counter-point; thrust and parry. In this battle of the Culture War, the bullets may be words but the casualties can be counted.

Still no winner.

Still no prize.

Still no peace.

Checkmate

I learned to play chess when I was seven.

I was ten when he became the undisputed "chairman of the board."

Now, I learn of this.

Seemingly another brilliant mind consumed by itself.

May God have mercy on his soul.

Ring And Sing

Make sure you have the lyrics down as cold as the beverage which you will toast the beginning of 2008.

Celebrate your new beginnings.

Happy New Year!

Dim Reflections

The year has come and gone.

Not a lot of original posts the past twelve months.

Then, again, things have been a struggle.

I thought 2006 was a wild roller-coaster ride.

2007 turned me upside down.

Leaving all that was familiar to me has been a challenge.

Trying to trust God this is the right thing to do.

There is still more fear in me than I want to acknowledge.

I am as good at walking on water as St. Peter.

But, then again, what can I do but repeat my mantra for the last three years.

"Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief."

See you in the coming year.

Like Deacon, Like King

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.

“Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.

“Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”

In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

Proof Positive

What do you mean Santa Claus doesn't exist?!

He has his own 'blog.

(I'm amazed he found time to post last night.)