2019 Thanksgiving Day Card

Give thanks to God for all the blessings you have received. Praise Him for the goodness He has bestowed upon you. With a grateful heart, rejoice in His love.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!

November 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Near East. That a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

October 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

A Missionary “Spring” in the Church. That the breath of the Holy Spirit engender a new missionary “spring” in the church

A reflection for this intention is found here.

The "Double Perfect" Anniversary

Is it that time again?

Yes, it is.

Fourteen years of some kind of presence on the internet is celebrated today.

In some ways, it is quite an achievement. Many 'blogs far, far better that what this infinitesimal corner of the universe offers have fallen by the wayside. Those 'bloggers were far more knowledgeable and articulate that I could ever hope to be. (And, yes, I would link to their posts. As I acknowledged one time, I know good material when I steal it.) But, I have persevered by the grace of God fortifying my own determination to just remain on-line, sporadic as I have been for much of this 'blog's existence.

It has never been about quantity, but rather quality. It has never been about recognition, but rather glorification. It has never tried to be about me, but rather God working through me. And when the focus has been just that, the results have been satisfying.

That has been my mindset since the outset. I am not a professional writer; even being called a hack would be a compliment. I offer what I can when I can. I want what I post to reflect truth, goodness, and beauty. Do I want to do more? Sure I do; the fire, while its just an ember, is still glowing. I just want to be authentic when I hit the publish button.

As long as I remain grounded in these principles I have established for myself, I will still be here. I still enjoy doing this, which has also helped my longevity. This 'blog is not on life-support; I would say it's more in hibernation. And that's OK. I'll come out of hiding when it's appropriate.

So, on I go with some things old, some things new, some things borrowed, but all things for God.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, will all the sincerity I've had since that very first post:

"Welcome to my infinitesimal corner of the universe!"

September 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

The Protection of the Oceans. That politicians, scientists, and economists work together to protect the world’s seas and oceans.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

A Legal Memorial

The day is almost over.

The memorials have been held.

One of the most tragic events in this country's history has been commemorated.

From coast to coast, and especially in New York, NY, Washington, DC,and Shanksville, PA, we have dutifully recalled what happen 18 years ago today. This new Patriot's Day carried with it, as it has since its inception, all the sadness and solemnity as is its due.

And how could it not? We recall the loss of life, the grieving that still exists, and the renewal of the promises we made as a country regarding this. I hope you availed yourself to some of this ceremony or in some way honored all those victimized.

I don't know if we are trying to make sense of  this still. But, then again, how does one make any sense of evil?

A lot of faith has carried a lot of people through this. And it still will.

These words are just an infinitesimal attempt to mark the occasion. As there is this time of the year, there are far better tributes on the interwebs.

All I wanted to do today is what this country should always do when this date comes on the calendar.

August 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

Families, Schools of Human Growth. That families, through their life of prayer and love, become ever more clearly “schools of true human growth”.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

Better late than almost never (see last month).

July 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

This was the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

The Integrity Of Justice. That those who administer justice may work with integrity, and that the injustice which prevails in the world may not have the last word.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

My sincere apologies for failing to post this when it was time.

An Age Of Variety

I got here.

Again.

Alleluia.

Writing these posts about the most important event in my has always been an act of gratitude. They are a reminder to me to be thankful for the greatest natural gift God will ever give. (The greatest supernatural gift He has bestowed upon me is the gift of Faith.) And while I grumble and grouse about where I am in my life and how I got here, deep down I know how blessed I am to be alive.

Be humble or be humbled. With our fallen nature, it is the lesson we all need to learn continually. I hope you don't have as hard of a head and heart as I do. Maybe that's why I seem to be stuck. (By the way, there is a pass/fail test at the end of this class called life. Here's hoping I pass.)

What blessings or crosses God has in store for me the next twelve months is beyond my knowledge, understanding, or control. I have to be like St. Paul. There is more than enough grace to get me to it and through it.

The next year of my life begins at the moment the this post appears.

May God grant me the ability to say, "I got here. Again. Alleluia."

When that time comes next year.

June 2019 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

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

The Mode of Life of Priests. That priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively to a solidarity with those who are most poor.

A reflection for this intention is found here.