April 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Doctors and their Collaborators in War Torn Areas. For doctors and their humanitarian collaborators in war torn areas, who risk their lives to save the lives of others.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

Day One Of Forty

"And the morning and the evening was the first day."  (With apologies to Genesis.)

And so begins Lent. The obligations of fasting and abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday have been fulfilled. The cross made of ashes and placed on the forehead is gone. Plans to incorporate the three traditional Lenten disciplines are decided. The journey to the Triduum has started.

As I was listening to a program on a Catholic radio show earlier this week, a phrase from Scripture caught my attention:  "One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4b). The first part is also found in St. Luke's account of the temptations in the desert (4:4), the Gospel reading for this First Sunday of Lent (Cycle C). It references Deuteronomy 8:3, where Moses recalls the Israelites being fed with manna.

It made me think about how much more truth is in that statement than one realizes. The word that comes from the mouth of God is none other than the Word Incarnate, Jesus. And while that Word is also found in Scripture, its most perfect manifestation is found in the Real Presence, the Bread of Life which He established in the Upper Room on Holy Thursday. Spiritually, we live on both Bread and Word.

Which leads to the question of how we will supplement this nourishment the next six weeks. Which leads to how we will pray, fast, and give alms. Which hopefully will lead to a closer union with God. Which will hopefully make our Easter triumph and joy more complete.

While God created the world in six day, let us resolve to make

March 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Recognition of the Right of Christian Communities. That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

February 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Human Trafficking. For a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

January 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Young People and the Example of Mary. That young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

NB: My apologies for not posting this on time.

Between Marches...

...the troops get to rest.

There are many marches in protest of the two Supreme Court decisions which legalized and gave unrestricted access to abortion, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. The primary one is held in Washington, DC around the anniversary of these ruling; this year it was January 19. The other one which has gain fame is held in San Francisco, CA, also around the anniversary date; this year it will be January 26. While there are also many state and local marches as well, these two are the events which energize and galvanize both sides of this issue.

This is the 47th. anniversary of those rulings. While I agree with the sentiments of the current Vice-President of the United States, who along with his wife made a surprise appearance at the march in the nation's capital, the pro-life lead is once again shrinking. The gains made on the political level are under threat to be negated. The grass roots remain strong, so I think there is hope that what progress has been made the past two years will not erode too much.

Make no mistake--the battle has intensified. The poor-(pro-)choice side has redoubled their efforts, emboldened by this past mid-year election results. Despite the statements they have made regarding their position are not anywhere near the truth, the current climate of the culture, with its emphasis of subjective feeling being greater that objective thought, where emotions rather than will rule the roost, still give them life and nourishment. And while I have said that evil doesn't play by any rules, Satan has a game plan and his scribe was Saul Alinsky.

The pro-life side has the ammunition to win the intellectual battle. But this is now about softening hearts. Can the truth be spoken with true love? Can authentic alternatives be realistically recommended? That is the next skirmish.

In what is the largest battlefront in the culture war, it will be interesting to see which side can make any inroads in the coming months. A stalemate would be a win for the pro-life movement, for no concessions were made.

But allow me to ask the opposition a question, especially some believe God is on their side.

Actually, it's not me doing the asking:

Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” 

Luke 6:9

This Year's Final Rite

Whether we admit it or not, humans do like ritual. Certain spots on the calendar are a time for remembering and doing so in a mannered way. Tonight is especially no exception. And it all revolves around a clock drawing closer to midnight. And when it finally arrives, we make a secular joyful noise. The familiar tune set to the poem of Robert Burns marks the apex of that celebration:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And never brought to mind? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And auld lang syne?
 
For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne, 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld lang syne.
 
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, 
And surely I'll be mine! 
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld lang syne.
 
For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne, 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld lang syne.
 
We twa hae run about the braes, 
And pu'd the gowans fine; 
But we've wandered mony a weary fit 
Sin' auld lang syne.
 
For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne, 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld lang syne.
 
We twa hae paidled i' the burn, 
Frae morning sun till dine; 
But seas between us braid hae roared 
Sin' auld lang syne.
 
For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne, 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld lang syne.
 
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere, 
And gie's a hand o' thine! 
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught 
For auld lang syne.
 
For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne, 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld lang syne.

May God bless and keep you even more in 2019. May you experience His face and may it shine upon your endevors. May He be even more gracious to you and yours and grant you an abundance of peace, joy, and love.

Happy New Year, Everybody! 

A Year-End Summary

What's the best thing that happened to me this past year?

Nothing.

And I am grateful for that.

The status quo peacefully remained the status quo. Nothing earth-shattering, soul-searching, mind- disturbing, or heart-wrenching rocked my life. I performed my tasks at my two job, I continued my participation in the church music ministries which welcome my talents, and I continue to live my life.

Who would have thought boring would be beautiful?

Yes, I did have my share of disappointments regarding the job search, especially an opportunity within the past few days. But I am working on not letting the rejection affect me more than it should and I have met with a modicum of success. I will just keep looking for the next opportunity. Perhaps I then can meet the Kipling standard.

But for now, I do expect 2019 to have it own demands of me, mostly of things where I can say "been there, done that, have the souvenir" and the occasional plot twist. What they will be, I have no clue. I just hope to be prepared to successfully deal with them, "with the help of Thy grace".

The resolutions are the same.

I pray the resolve with be there.

Be Bold.

Go Forward.

The calendar page turn comes soon.

Celebration Of A Carol

I didn't know this until a few days ago.

"Silent Night" celebrated its bicentennial this past Christmas Eve.


Count me among the many who find it their favorite Christmas carol.


This article from the National Catholic Register provides the background.


The Wikipedia article add a bit more.

2018 Christmas Card

May the Christ Child, Who came on this "Silent Night", bring "Joy To The World" and your heart.
May "the Babe, the Son of Mary", bring peace to you and yours this day and always.
May the "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing" bring you "light and life" and love.

Merry Christmas, Everybody!