Dog Wisdom

No, the title is correct. This is not about the athiest suffering from dyslexia and insomnia, lying awake at night wondering if there really is a dog. This is another one of those e-mails send by an acquaintance with many points to ponder.

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The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.--Anonymous

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.--Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.--Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.--Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.--Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.--Andy Rooney

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made.--M. Acklam

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.--Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.--Robert Benchley

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.--Franklin P. Jones

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven.--James Thurber

If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.--Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.--Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!--Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.--Robert A. Heinlein

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, "Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!"--Dave Barry

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.--Roger Caras

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.--Unknown

And the best quote of all:

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.--Unknown

Surprised By...

Many of you have seen this phrase, especially on a bumper sticker:

Commit Random Acts Of Kindness
And Senseless Acts Of Beauty

I was the victim of such benevolence yesterday.

I received a call from a local florist at 2:19 PM (I use my answering machine to screen calls, so I have the message time stamped), stating they had a delivery for me but didn't have my apartment number. About 45 minutes later, the delivery person arrived with the arrangement.

It's very pretty. Four peach-colored roses with two different types of purple-tinted, small flowers, a stem of baby's breath, lots of other greenery, and a purple ribbon tied in a bow, all in a glass vase about 8-9 inches tall. And knowing the reputation for quality these folks have, this will be around for a couple of weeks, with proper care.

The card which came with it said, "Surprise!! You are special." No name. No clue as to who may have sent it. I am thinking about going to the floral shop and inquiring about it, but I don't know if I will get an answer.

In any case, I will enjoy this unexpected "hug" from God.

Numbers Game

For Dr. Thursday, he will enjoy this.

For Julie D., I am not so sure.

For the rest of you, have fun.

I heard this on a local radio station. Follow the directions:

1. Start with the first three digits of your telephone number.
2. Multiply by 80.
3. Add 1.
4. Multiply by 250.
5. Add the last four numbers of your telephone number.
6. Repeat Step 5.
7. Subtract 250.
8. Divide by 2.

The answer? You should be very familiar with it.

All Bets On

Blaise Pascal, a French philosopher, posed the following "wager" regarding believing in a supreme being, ably summed up by Dr. Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy at Boston College:

It is a foolish bet not to believe in God because if there is not God, there are no eternal rewards or punishments, so there is nothing to be gained or lost. However, it there is a God, the only chance of winning is to bet on him and the only chance of losing is to bet against him.

Back To Virture

Rich Leonardi uses that theme in this post and why we believe.

"Fear Is Usless"

I wrote this in a previous post:

So I must overcome this inaction due to fear of failing. It is always been my biggest roadblock. Too much thinking; not enough doing. How fortunate this liturgical year focuses on the Gospel of St. Mark. There is a common thread throughout the various readings heard from this writer. It was the theme of John Paul II upon his ascent to the Chair of Peter. It is the words of Jesus Christ seen time and time again in Mark.

"Be not afraid."

The Holy Fool picks up on this theme:

Do we fear?

Of course we do!...

We fear for what we will lose....

The good news is that we do not have to fear.

A short, mediative post awaits your click.

"Habemus Papam"--A Year And A Day Later

(Or should I say "a day late"?)

Yesterday was the first anniversary of the election of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as the 264th. successor of St. Peter. Taking the name Benedict XVI, the first year of his pontificate has been one of laying the groundwork for his service to the Universal Church. As he asked for prayers to be a faithful "servant in the the vineyard" upon his election, I believe he has done just that.

Let me take you around the 'blogosphere for other posts which commemorate the event and have other links which say things much better than I ever could.

Jeff Miller, the Curt Jester, remembers his reaction a year ago.

So does Domenico Bettinelli.

Amy Welborn reflects.

Christopher Blosser, 'blogmaster of Against The Grain, has a wonderful round-up.

The Holy Fool speaks.

My own take?

I was hoping, as perhaps many people were, it would be Ratzinger who would step into the Fisherman's Shoes. The homilies he delivered at the Furneral Mass of John Paul II and the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff before the conclave showed the world how firm a grasp he has on what is going on in the Church and the world. And, I will admit, I am one who wishes he would come down hard on those who openly dissent against the Church and Her teaching. But that just makes me one of many who confused his previous role as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with the man himself.

He is what he always has been (and as I have been discovering)--a catechist extrodinare. This is the professor whose classes you want to take because you know you will learn much. This is the teacher who engages you in the subject so well you can't help but understand. This is the instructor who executes a lesson plan with precision.

It is the personality which has been in "hiding" for the past quarter century. This is what is catching people off-guard, except those who know him. And as we are discovering, he is a delightful human being.

I thought it a year ago, and it is being confirmed with every action he is taking. This is the right man at the right time, doing the right things. I continue to hope in this steadying hand at the rudder of the Barque of Peter.

Half A Loaf

Right now, part of something is better than all of nothing.

I started a part-time job today. There is a small convenience store a couple of blocks away from where I live, one which I frequently patronize. The manager told me he was looking to hire a couple of weeks ago, so I filled an application. Last week, a brief interview was more about how to work around my other obligations; the job was mine for the taking. Last Friday, I did.

The hours will be catch as catch can; there is no guarantee of full-time work. The job is not that hard: run the cash register, keep the store clean and stocked, do the tasks assigned. It still gives me the opportunity to look for something full-time. All the manager wants me to do is let him know if I find something which would require me resigning. I appreciate the hand he is giving me. Thanks to St. Anthony for his help.

So, for now, a couple of hours of training on the register for a few days; then, I fill in wherever I can.

I will find a way to make this work. Meanwhile, the job search continues, albeit on a limited basis.

Happy Birthday, Papa

(AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Today also marks the 79th. birthday of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger).

As he leads the Church built upon this Rock, may God grant the Servant of the Servants of God good health, continued wisdom, and the courage to steadily steer the Barque of Peter through these seemingly troubled times.

Viva il Papa!

Easter Sequence

Victimae Paschali laudes immolent Christiani.
Agnus redemit oves: Christus innocens Patri reconciliavit peccatores.
Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando: dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus.
Dic nobis Maria, Quid vidisti in via?
Sepulcrum Christi viventis, et gloriam vidi resurgentis.
Angelicos testees, sudarium et vestes.
Surrexit Christus spes mea: praecedet suos in Galilaeam.
Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere: Tu nobis, victor Rex miserere.
Amen. Alleluia.

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Christians, to the Paschal victim offer sacrifice and praise.
The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; and Christ, the undefiled, hath sinners to his Father reconciled.
Death with life contended: combat strangely ended!
Life's own Champion, slain, yet lives to reign.
Tell us, Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way.
The tomb the Living did enclose; I saw Christ's glory as He rose!
The angels there attesting; shroud with grave-clothes resting.
Christ, my hope, has risen: He goes before you into Galilee.
That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know.
Victorious King, Thy mercy show!
Amen. Alleluia.

He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter, Everybody!

"To Those In Darkness, Light"

(Fedora Doff to the Anchoress, who also posts on this and provides the link from where this was adapted.)

The Easter Vigil begins in silence and in darkness.
A fire is struck and blessed.
The Easter candle is lit from the fire and the flame is spread throughout the assembly with candles.
As the candle is processed to the front, an acclamation grows louder in its triple repetition:

V. Light of Christ! (or Christ our Light!)
R. Thanks be to God!

Then the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) is proclaimed before the Easter light. If chanted by someone other than a priest or deacon, the words in brackets are omited:

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

[My dearest friends,
standing with me in this holy light,
join me in asking God for mercy,
that he may give his unworthy minister
grace to sing his Easter praises.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.]
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly right
that with full hearts and minds and voices
we should praise the unseen God,
the all-powerful Father,
and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ has ransomed us with his blood,
and paid for us the price of Adam's sin
to our eternal Father!

This is our passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.

This is the night when first you saved our fathers:
you free the people of Israel from their slavery
and led them dry-shod through the sea.

This is the night when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin
and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

This is the night when Jesus Christ
broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave
you gave away your Son.

O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer!

Most blessed of all nights, chosen by God
to see Christ rising from the dead!

Of this night scripture says:
"The night will be as clear as day;
it will become my light, my joy."

The power of this holy night
dispels all evil, washes guilt away,
restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy;
it casts out hatred, brings us peace,
and humbles earthly pride.

Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth
and we are reconciled with God!

Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night,
receive our evening sacrifice of praise,
your Church's solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on us all,
your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Thus begins our Easter Joy!