today is not ordinary time

Today is the second Sunday of Easter.

Today is the octave of the first Sunday of Easter, usually called itself, Easter.

In the past today has been called Low Sunday in contrast to the celebration of the first Sunday of Easter.

Is has also been called Missa in Albis, Mass in White. The neophytes would join the assembly in their baptismal garments, in remembrance of their baptism at the Vigil. In England, that was spoken as Whitsun, and the time as Whitsuntide.

bad theology

Kennesaw First Baptist Church sent out classy-looking postcards announcing on the front, along with the traditional three crosses

He is Risen Indeed!

Please join us in celebrating the Resurrection of Our Lord

Easter
Sunday, April 24

Worship with us at 8:15am 9:30am 11:00am
Community sunrise service 6:45am

Sunday School during each service for ages 6 weeks-preK
Older children are encouraged to attend worship services with parents

Then on the back, along with the postal area, are 5 colored eggs in some stylized grass and the words

He's Alive!
Eggstravganza
Saturday, April 23
3:00-5:00pm

For ages 2yrs-6^th grade
Fun! Fun! Fun! & it's Free! Free! Free!

Egg hunts! Pony rides! Crafts! Inflatables!

• First, what is the season?
  
  
  
• What is the reason for the season?
  
  
  
• He is Risen Indeed! on Sunday but He's Alive! on Saturday afternoon. Mixed message? End justifies the means?
  
  
  
• Do crafts include "Roll away the stone"?
  
  
  
• Is the pony left over from Palm Sunday?

An inquiring public wants to know!

the digital story of the Nativity

roflmao

another blog on the coming changes in the Mass

http://platytera.blogspot.com/2010/08/more-new-translation.html

my parish

http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/08/19/spotlightstthomasapostle/

an exaggeration "Catholic laypeople did not read scripture"

stimulus

Seventy-five years ago, when this magazine was first published, the Mass was in Latin, and laypeople did not read from scripture or distribute communion. "Religious education" consisted of classes in Catholic schools taught primarily by sisters wearing habits.

my response

1. I started Catholic elementary school in 1949. At that time we were using a format of the Baltimore Catechism, at least in the upper grades, which had scripture with the Q&A.
   
2. I started Catholic high school in 1955. One of the required texts was a New Testament. We had periodic "days of reflection". We were expected to read the NT during that day, especially when we were assembled in study hall. We also had 4 intense yrs of Latin and 4 less intense yrs of Greek. In college I bought a Greek NT so I could keep up with my Greek - not very successfully.
   
3. I started Catholic college in 1959. We were required to take 8 theology and 6 philosophy courses as part of the core. 3 of those courses were scripture.

This was not a raving liberal place. Several decades later I was at a party in Houston talking to my former pastor John McCarthy, then the Aux Bp of Houston and later Bp of Austin, now retired. I told him I was from Covington Ky. At first he couldn't place it. After I pointed out that it was just across the river from Cincinnati, his eyes lite up. Oh yes he said. That is where the Cincinnati airport is. He then brought up a piece of trivia I will always remember. During Vatican II, the Covington bishop, Bp Ackerman was considered one of the most conservative bishops at the council.

I find it hard to beliee that a backwater like CVG would be ahead of the rest of the world.

this man has clarity and accuracy

which makes this hot

http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/seven-days-shook-vatican

apple pie

To make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe. - Carl Sagan

To make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. - the pup

The blessing of being single

Sophie and Shirley, two elderly widows in a Florida adult community, are curious about the latest arrival in their building -- a quiet, nice looking gentleman who keeps to himself.

Shirley says," Sophie, you know I'm shy. Why don't you go over to him at the pool and find out a little about him. He looks so lonely."

Sophie agrees, and later that day at the pool, she walks up to him and says, "Excuse me, mister. I hope I'm not prying, but my friend and I were wondering why you looked so lonely."

"Of course I'm lonely, he says, "I've spent the past 20 years in prison."

"You're kidding! What for?"

"For killing my third wife. I strangled her."

"What happened to your second wife?"

"I shot her."

"And, if I may ask, your first wife?"

"We had a fight and she fell off a building."

"Oh my," says Sophie. Then turning to her friend on the other side of the pool, she yells, "Yoo hoo, Shirley. He's single!"

It worries me when I see single people overly anxious to find a mate. Perhaps, though, we have contributed to the situation by treating singleness like it's some sort of disease. Singles often comment that they feel out of place at church (activities tend to be family-oriented) and feel they are sometimes regarded as less important than married people. While marriage is a God-ordained institution, I think we do a disservice by suggesting that singles are somehow "incomplete" until they find that "certain someone."

The truth is, while Paul held marriage in high regard (Eph 5), he preferred being single and recommended it to Christians at Corinth in the difficult situation they were facing (1Cor 7). Single Christians have the opportunity to serve God in ways that married Christians would have difficulty doing. Of course, the opposite is also true.

So what is the lesson to be learned? Whatever situation you find yourself in, seek to serve God with all your heart. If you are single, use your singleness to serve God as best as you can. And if you're married, use your married status to do the same.

"But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.....keeping the commandments of God is what matters." (1Cor 7:17,19b)- http://www.tftd-online.com

I somewhat disagree. Companionship without commitment is empty. Been there, done that.

Thanksgiving

It is the season of giving thanks:

• for life, family, friends.
• for children, birth and by marriage, and grandchildren, birth and by marriage, present and future.
• for gatherings where blended families celebrate each other's presence.

It is a time for remembrance for those not present:

• for ancestors gone before and relationships broken.
• for those whose lives are at a physical distance - for Jennifer and Riley, for Andrew, for Tom and Kathy and Andrea.
• for those whose responsibilities keep them working - for Sarah and Kat.

It is a time of prayer

• for those unemployed and those in fear of unemploment - for Ryan and us all.
• for those in pain - physical and not.
• for those touched by the mystery of life and death.

For this, O Lord, we pray.

Benedict - a wild and crazy guy

He certainly knows how to throw red meat to the press - religious and secular. But will he be Catholic enough for Anglo-Catholics?

old thoughts found while cleaning up

edited to remove the identity of my interlocutor -- it was posted to a website formerly known as St Raphael's. The file this was in is dated 2002Dec3.

Dear #11107 - part 1

I am sorry I did not get to post in your thread now placed in the forbidden zone under pain of excommunication. I am on vacation and a bit out of touch. But it seems to me that the topic you were wishing to address is mission and evangelization. You gave us your take on your personal mission and suggested evangelization approach -- you wish to preach a crusade, this time against other Catholics. Would that this were a novel approach.

It is good that you are thinking about mission, about the journey and meaning of your personal life in God. One of my passions is the communion of the saints, what Pius XII called the Body of Christ. JPII shares this passion. He has held up many models for us to ponder, who invite us into relationship with them.
At the moment I would like to consider one of my favorites, St Mother Teresa of Calcutta. First you may wish to object that I call her a saint. While her name is not yet in the canon (Latin for list), I have never met a Catholic who did not consider her a saint in their heart of hearts. Her cultus is approved. So calling her a saint is to recognize her heroic virtues -- as did the Hindus of her adopted country India, who gave her a state funeral.

Many saints experience a conversion experience -- not a flash of light or a vision, but a turning in one's life to a new mission. SMToC's was different in that she was already a vowed religious when her conversion experience occurred.

The nature of her conversion experience was also special with respect to its goal -- its sense of mission. Here in the United States most Catholics have experienced the mission of vowed women religious. For persons of my certain age, it was typically as an educator or healer or contemplative intercessor. They taught in schools, worked in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes, they prayed and worked in enclosure.

SMToC chose to be in the world. She chose to minister in the streets. She was called to minister to those rejected by the world. And she chose not to teach them or heal them -- merely to be present to them as an alter Christus -- to wipe their brow as they died, to share a meager meal as they struggled for life. As she herself said, she was not called to be effective but to be faithful -- faithful to the call of Christ. To paraphrase Francis of Assisi, she preached always, but seldom used words.

Which, Eric, gets us back to your post. You appear to be concerned with a lack of faithfulness in the Church. You call us to orthodoxy and orthopraxy (as Casey Stengel said, you could look it up).

What I think you are doing is rejecting the call of the Spirit to be in, not to be of, but to minister to the world today. You present to us the paradigm of crusade as the way of lifting up Christ. I would submit that the witness (Greek martyrion) of the saints of the twentieth century shows us the two paths indicated by the comments on vow religious women above -- ministry of service and ministry of presence.

Service was modeled to us by Jesus when he washed the feet of the Apostles, when he listened to all, when he preached conversion by love -- of God and of our neighbors all, when he healed the sick.

Presence he modeled to us when he hung on the cross, dying, for us, yet be present to those who shared his fate. He was present to them as brother irrespective of who they were and what they had done.

The opportunities are many; many are called; less than many heed the call; fewer still answer the call.

But if you feel you are called to preach a crusade, then you must be trained and formed. You have many choices -- diaconate, priesthood, vowed religious. Gird your loins and prepare to do battle. Seek the Lord where he may be found.

Dear #11107 - part 2

The second issue that arises from your post is the tendency of some people to seek darkness.

Just about everyone understands the light/darkness dichotomy -- it is found in pop culture such as Star Wars. It was recently the basis of the Gospel reading of the wise and foolish virgins -- a story rooted in real life even to the 20th century (see Barclay's Commentary on Matthew).

But a recent event in my life showed me a new insight into this image. I was on a 2.5 day retreat at a Jesuit retreat House (Ignatius House in Atlanta). There was light everywhere: in the Word, in the retreat master, in the glow in the sky from a major city, in the halls 24x7 for security. Then on Saturday, while it was still light out, a storm went through, knocking out the power. Dinner and the last conference were done with no electric lights, just as night was falling. There was a scramble to find candles to allow us to navigate the dark halls, the emergency power system having been exhausted.

Just as we were retiring, the power came back. But the next morning, just as the morning bell sounded, out again went the power. Breakfast with no power was more limited than would otherwise be the case. This time the power returned in time for the final Eucharist. At that time we shared our experiences of the retreat.

It seems that when the storm came through on Saturday, a number of people were in the nearby woods. Those woods have a number of old large tall trees, not the place to be in the storm. Several stories included the sound of limbs crashing to the ground as the winds blew through. All escaped unharmed but not untouched. Prayer on the occasion of danger burns deeper into our heart.

I am presently in the Washington DC area. The residents are still recovering and remembering the events here associated with the snipers. Last light, at dinner, it was pointed our that, on the way to the restaurant, we passed the site of one of the shootings.

Where I am staying is close to the Pentagon. When I passed through last August, it was pointed out the side that is renewed and rebuilt after the events of September 11, 2001.

Two cases of darkness visiting and passing away, but the memories and therefore emotions, linger.

I have seen on StR's since I have been a member a tendency of some to focus on the dark side of things, specifically the church. In view of the ongoing scandals and their painful resolutions, it is somewhat understandable.

But on that retreat I came to a new appreciation of light and darkness.

We are so bathed in light that we have lost our appreciation of light and darkness. We use light to drive away fear, loneliness, and boredom. The shiny is now mundane.

But when electricity is shut off, we are left with not just darkness but quiet. Then it is when we can disconnect from the world, and connect with God. For as the prophet said, the Lord comes not in the wind and thunder, but in the gentle breeze. We find it difficult to experience it without being still.

Christ is indeed the light of the world. But for his light to be seen, we must remove the glitter that blinds us. For us to sense the Spirit of God, the breathe of God, the gentle breeze that blows through our souls if we let it, we must build a windbreak against the hurricane of Hollywood.

And so we frame a new paradox. We shut off the light of the world that we may be warmed by the Light of the world. We accept the absence of electric light so we may open the window of our hearts to the quiet Presence.

So Eric if you must be a crusader, be a Knight who accepts the responsibility to lift up the light of Christ in the world. You might start where you are going to school. Your bishop, Donald Wuerl, is one of the most influential and respected bishops in the US and in the world (he used to work in the Vatican and is respected there). He is a great communicator. He is also a soft spoken gentleman. Get to know him.

Richard (formerly of Northside Pgh)

Dear #11107 - part 3

I have this exercise derived from an RCIA class I taught. I think it might make a good basis for discussion.

I am posting each question as a sub thread to avoid having nine threads.

1. We have all heard the term "my people." We may have even used it. Consider using this term personally. When you do consider it personally, who is included in your personal "my people?" There may be more than one group this applies to. They may be groups within groups. Name all the groups you can!

2. It is said that the Church is "one." What does this mean to you? Can you name one or more specific ways in which the Church is "one?"

3. Can you name one or more specific ways in which the Church is not "one?"
   E.g., the church does not consist of people of only one color, of only one race, of only one culture; it does not use just one liturgy -- each of the "Rites" of the Catholic Church has its own ancient form of liturgy.

4. It is said that the Church is "holy." What does this mean to you? Can you name one or more specific ways in which the Church is "holy?"

5. Can you name one or more specific ways in which the Church is not "holy?"

6. It is said that the Church is "catholic" with a small "c." That means universal. What does this mean to you? Can you name one or more specific ways in which the Church is "catholic?"

7. Can you name one or more specific ways in which the Church is not "catholic?"

8. It is said that the Church is "apostolic." What does this mean to you? Can you name one or more specific ways in which the Church is "apostolic?"

9. Can you name one or more specific ways in which the Church is not "apostolic?"

I can see Sharyn doing this

LIVING STONES

Joe died. His will provided $30,000 for an elaborate funeral.

As the last guests departed the affair, his wife, Susan turned to her oldest and dearest friend. "Well, I'm sure Joe would be pleased," she said.

"I'm sure you're right," replied Joan, who lowered her voice and leaned in close. "How much did this really cost?"

"All of it," said Susan . "Thirty thousand."

"No!" Joan exclaimed. "I mean, it was very nice, but $30,000?"

Susan answered, "The funeral was $6,500. I donated $500 to the church. The refreshments $500. The rest went for the memorial stone."

Joan computed quickly. "$22,500 for a memorial stone? My goodness, how big is it?"

"Two and a half carats."

That humorous story serves as a reminder to us that there are many different kinds of stones -- from granite to diamonds -- which are of varying value. People all around the world are agreed that a stone of granite is not very valuable, while a diamond gemstone is of great value. Sometimes, though, a stone can have great value, but not be appreciated by some people.

In 1Pt 2:4, Jesus is described as a "living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious." In 1Pt 2:6, Jesus is referred to as "a chief cornerstone", the most important stone in any building. But he was a stone "which the builders rejected" and is viewed as 'a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." (1Pt 2:7,8)

Peter uses these Old Testament concepts (as Jesus himself did) to point out that, while Jesus was chosen by God, he was rejected by men. He was not the kind of Messiah they were expected, so they stumbled over him. It was the same stone, but Jesus was viewed by some as a very valuable stone and by others as a worthless rock.

The application of this passage to us as Christians is found in Peter's description of us as "living stones, [who] are being built up a spiritual house." (I Peter 2:5). Peter is writing this epistle to Christians who are suffering persecution, and are getting discouraged because this world is making life hard for them even though they are doing what is right.

Peter's point is that, as followers of Jesus Christ, we can expect no different treatment than he received. We are living stones who follow "the stone," a stone that was rejected by men. We shouldn't be surprised when the same thing happens to us. Our responsibility, as living stones, is simply to continue to live in a way that will bring honor and glory to God. Some will appreciate our effort, some will not, but, in the end, all that matters is that we are "chosen by God" just as Jesus was.

"Father, there are times when we get so very discouraged. There are times when it seems that, the harder we strive to serve you faithfully, the more difficult life becomes. Help us to remember that we are followers of Jesus and that we can expect nothing different from what Jesus received while he was on this earth. Father, we ask your blessing as we seek to live in a way that glorifies you. In Jesus' name, amen."

If I could have done this, I might still be married

LOVING SOMEONE YOU CAN'T STAND

Doctor: "I see you're over a month late for your appointment. Don't you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What's your excuse?"

Patient: "I was just following your orders, Doc."

Doctor: "Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order."

Patient: "You told me to avoid people who irritate me."

Unfortunately, we don’t always have the option of avoiding people who irritate, people who hurt us, people who offend us. In fact, sometimes those who irritate us the most are found right in our home (or in our church building). So how should we deal with them?

Milton Jones has written a wonderful book entitled "How to Love Someone You Can’t Stand" which I highly recommend (you can find it at Amazon.com). In this book, Jones lists six godly principles which are derived from Rm 12:

(1) Manage Your mouth -- Bless and don't curse (Rm 12:14)

(2) Put yourself in the other person's place and try to understand their feelings, thoughts and position (Rm 12:15)

(3) Never, never, never take revenge (Rm 12:17)

(4) Plan ahead to do something beautiful (Rm 12:17)

(5) Don't just win the war, win the peace (Rm 12:18)

(6) Make room for God (Rm 12:19)

The bottom line is that we do not overcome evil with evil by retaliating and seeking to "get even". The only way to overcome evil is with good (Rm 12:21). It is never easy to respond to those who do us wrong in a way that is godly, but it is only by following the example of Jesus Christ that we can truly have an influence on the world around us.

"But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps..." (1Pt 2:19-20)

the natives are restless

Lutheran Theologians Respond to ELCA Task Force Documents

What can I do for you?

It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian area. The snow had piled up deeper and deeper, the mercury dropped, rivers froze, people suffered. The Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies. One crew had been working day after day -- long hours. They were on their way home late in the afternoon when they saw a little cabin submerged in the snow. There was a thin whisper of smoke coming from the chimney. The rescue team figured they were probably about out of food, fuel, perhaps medicine.

Because of the trees, they had to put the helicopter down a mile away. They put on heavy packs with emergency supplies, trudged through heavy snow, waist deep, reached the cabin exhausted, panting, perspiring. They pounded on the door. A thin, gaunt mountain woman opened the door and the lead man gasped, "We're from the Red Cross."

She was silent for a moment and then she said, "It's been a hard winter, Sonny, I just don't think we can give anything this year."

I don't think the story is true, but it certainly could be. I am convinced that there are two kinds of people -- givers and takers. And even in dire times, those who are givers are always thinking about "What can I do for you?" rather than "What can you do for me?" Statistically speaking, the group which gives the greatest percentage of their money to charity every year is the group of people with the lowest income.

There may be several different reasons for that, but truth of the matter is (and this is true among Christians as well), the more we have, the greater is our tendency to hold tight to it. What a great example the Macedonians are to us:

"...in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality." (2Cor 8:2)

Did you notice that? The group of Christians that Paul held up as an example of generous giving to those in need were themselves in "deep poverty". Yet they gave so much that Paul was reluctant to receive the money, until they implored him "with much urgency" to take their gift.

I look at my own life and see that there are many times when I'm reluctant to give to others, not because it might affect providing for my needs, but because it might affect me having the things I want. Like everyone else, I'm tempted to look out for "number one" and I want to know what you can do for me. But, considering the example of Christ, Paul said:

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Phil 2:4)

"Father, please forgive me. Help me to develop a heart of selflessness and love for others that constantly seeks to find ways to bless those around me. In Jesus' name, amen."

the real "pro-choice"

For freedom, Christ set us free. - Gal 5:1

It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more
than our abilities. - Albus Dumbledore w.J.K.Rowling _Harry Potter_

One could very well describe Christianity as a philosophy of
freedom. The Christian lives by love and therefore, by freedom. - Thomas
Merton

The fruit of silence is prayer.
The fruit of prayer is faith.
The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service. - Teresa of Calcutta

blessings

America magazine has always been a blessing to me. The latest paper issue (2009Feb9) has a fine Faith in Focus article by Frank Moan on his experiences as a retired aging Jesuit entitled Finally, God's Voice. And the commentary on the weekly scriptures never fails to noteworthy.

And then there is the humor. The Without Guile cartoon usually brings a smile. I keep a copy of the one that had the devil going to a seller of lottery tickets and being asked

The usual?

(For those challenged by the question, answer this one

In common culture, what is the devil's favorite number?

)

This issue they have unintentionally outdone themselves.

• Between the article Fighting Poverty to Build Peace by the chairman of the USCCB committee on International Justice and Peace, whose last section is entitled A Call to Further Action
  
• and the interview Roots of Genocide with the special adviser to the UN secretary general for the prevention of genocide
  
• is a full page ad for $125 Thomas Kincaid thingy emblazoned with comforting scenes of affluent churches in rural area and the caption All things are possible with God.

The sword-to-ploughshare works are elsewhere out of site. What are the ethics of beating gold into righteousness?

I represent this remark

Suffering and diminishment are not the greatest of evils but are normal ingredients in life, especially in old age. They are to be accepted as elements of a full human existence. ... I can identify with the many paralytics and mute persons in the Gospels, grateful for the loving and skillful care I receive and for the hope of everlasting life in Christ. If the Lord now calls me to a period of weakness, I know well that his power can be made perfect in infirmity.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

- Avery Cardinal Dulles SJ (1918-2008), 2008Apr1, his final McGinley Lecture

requiescat in pacem

Richard John Neuhaus: 1936-2009

On Father Neuhaus