"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, August 25, 2017

Fr. Jude, Disorder & Snoopy



1. Sunday’s Gospel is not an easy one to fully understand. I’ve always wondered if Jesus was testing the Canaanite woman, or teaching the Apostles a lesson in faith. Deacon Arthur provided some insight to the Gospel, referencing this from Fr. Jude Siciliano’s, “First Impressions.” 

“From this second perspective we might say that when Jesus encountered the woman and heard her request, he was expressing his first intention: to preach his message to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But when he saw the woman’s strong faith in him, especially after just being rejected by those who should have known better, the religious leaders, he then modified his mission plan.

The woman was a clear sign to Jesus that God’s salvation was meant for all people and all nations – not just for the Jews. Today’s encounter with the Canaanite woman shows a change in Jesus’ human consciousness and his human understanding of God’s plan for humanity. How does this change take place? By the woman’s persistence and unwillingness to accept a narrow and restrictive view of God. She realized birth and religious origins cannot hold back the outpouring of God’s love on all people. If we make God too small and puny in love we have not heard the gospel.

Thus, we have two general paths of entry into this story. One, with stress on Jesus’ divinity, seeing his behavior as the all-knowing Lord who draws out of a Gentile the faith that will be preached "to the ends of the earth." The other approach views the human Jesus in an exchange that helps him grow in his mission towards all nations.”

2. The eclipse of the sun brought people together last week. It took our minds off the violence and hatred. Perhaps God figured we needed a break.

3. We have had a large amount of rain over the past week. Probably too much because my grass is growing really fast. But, I’m not complaining because rain is good … I don’t have to water the lawn when it rains.

4. Brother Mike send me some quotes from a book, “Disorder in the Courts.” One of the quotes that I though was the funnest;

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No..
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

5.
https://www.pinterest.com/jeanee2109/snoopy%7E%7Eliterary-ace/

6. “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

7. Toby Keith - “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”



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Friday, August 18, 2017

Poem, Ancestry & the Bishop



1. Trisha has written a poem about the tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia. This is the first stanza. Please take the time to read the complete poem.

“Those who stand for violence
and advocate intolerance
terrorized the Whos down in Whoville.
The majority of whites and blacks
on both sides of the tracks
gathered for equality,
protested hatred, stood up for what is not only just,
but also sacred: Black lives matter.”

2. I read Boomer Magazine, a Richmond, Virginia publication. In the August-September 2017 issue there was an article, “It’s A Great Time To Be Irish,” written by Randy Fitzgerald. 
It’s an article about him helping his wife discover what her roots were after there visit to Ireland. She completed a DNA test and discovered that she was, “a strong 25% Irish.”  So she ordered a kit for Randy, and when the results came back he discovered he was only 11% Irish. I found this rather humorous as my dear friend Jeanine, who comes from a French Canadian family had her DNA tested. Her results were shocking to her, as nothing showed her to be French. She was 44% Great Britain. I have been considering completing a DNA test to check my roots. My Dad was French Canadian and my Mom was English/Scots-Irish. I figure I should have a strong connection to my French roots with a strong second as English/Scots-Irish. Maybe I need to think about this for awhile.

3. The “Lighthouse Keeper” posted “The Prayer of St. Francis de Sales,” as part of the Wednesday “Your Daily Tripod.” With all that has been going on in our country, it brought some peace and hope to me. I pray it does the same for someone else.

The Prayer of St. Francis de Sales
“Be at Peace
Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
rather look to them with full hope as they arise.
God, whose very own you are,
will deliver you from out of them.
He has kept you hitherto,
and He will lead you safely through all things;
and when you cannot stand it,

God will bury you in his arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering,
or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace,
and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.”
     St. Francis de Sales 1567-1622

4. “With great sadness, I announce The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, Bishop of Richmond, died at St. Mary’s Hospital, late last night.  He was 75.  He was a faithful servant of the Church for 49 years and a Shepherd of the Diocese of Richmond for 13 years.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bishop DiLorenzo, for his family and friends, and for the people of the Diocese of Richmond.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him.”

Rev. Msgr. Mark Richard Lane
Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia


5. Calvin & Hobbes


6. “Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.”                                        Henri Nouwen

7. Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I’m Going.”


Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, August 11, 2017

NASA, Cash & Glen Campbell



1. NASA is looking for a “Planetary Protection Officer.” The position requires a secret security clearance, skilled in the areas of diplomacy, a degree in physical science engineering or mathematics and “a recognized subject matter expert” in “advanced knowledge of Planetary Protection.” I figure that the only person, or team, that meets these requirements would be Agent J and Agent K of MIB. 


2. The Today show had a short spot on the use of credit cards versus the use of cash. I found it interesting because I don’t carry cash anymore. If there is a special situation where I know I will need cash, I will bring a certain amount for that need. A good example is when I’m heading to "The Dollar Tree." I don’t care to use my credit card there as I’m usually spending less than $5.00.
The banks don’t like cash either. Check the video from the “Today” website.

3. Goodbye and thank you for your music Glen Campbell. God will enjoy having you there to serenade the angels.


4. Al Roker was honored with the throwing the first 1st pitch at a New York Mets baseball game. Great job Al!


5. While I was working out in the yard, a praying Mantis decided to climb on the side of the garage to watch me. He, or maybe it was a she, was there all morning. 
There is some interesting information on the praying mantis over at insectidentification.org. One thing being, “Catching a glimpse of a Praying Mantis is a special thing, but leave it where you found it (if it hasn’t flown away.) It does a great service for growers, so for the benefit of the ecosystem, consider just admiring them, and capture only their photograph.”


6. Kenny Chesney & Grace Potter - “You And Tequila”


7. "When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves."
       Ken Druse


Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, August 4, 2017

Morning, Road Trip, & Lager



1. It’s Saturday morning and Dee and I are enjoying our morning coffee on the back porch. There is a gently falling rain providing needed moisture for the lawn and flowers. God’s way of caressing our small part of the earth. The coffee tastes better, our conversation is soft and  gentle, our oneness more meaningful. I feel God’s presence with us and know that this will be a good day.  

2. Melanie Rigney wrote an interesting blog about Tuesday Gospel reading. She talked about “road trips” and how they turn out to be a little different then what we imagine them to be.

Her comparison about traveling with God.

“Travel with God’s a lot like any other road trip. Sometimes, His timing appears to be really off. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like He’s going to show up at all, and other times, He talks way too much. But faith gives us the confidence to stay on the journey with Him, faith and those little gifts when we look back and see His footprints all over the times we faced roadblocks and detours. And so, we acknowledge His greatness, seek His forgiveness for the times we whined and complained, and invite the best traveling companion of all to come along in our company.”

3. My nephew Marcel is in the Air Force Reserve. In July he competed his fire fighting training and is now an Air Force Fireman. Great job Marcel!


4. I'm a Guinness Stout guy. I enjoy the rich and creamy taste and make sure that it is not cold, but at a pleasant room temperature. It is always my first choice at any establishment that serves Guinness. So, when they introduced the "Blonde," I was not sure .... but, it's a Guinness brew so I decided to try it. What a great surprise. It is an excellent Lager with a pleasant taste. The story about the Blonde, as explained by Guinness, is "a collaboration between the Guinness brewers in Dublin and their counterparts at the Latrobe Brewery in Pennsylvania, the result is an American pale lager akin to that of the 1930s: a crisp, light beer that’s big on flavor."

5. Patty Loveless - “Where I’m Bound.” I listen, and sing along, to this song more than any other of Patty’s music. She’s a beautiful lady with a melodious voice.


6. “Today is the first of August. It is hot, steamy and wet. It is raining. I am tempted to write a poem. But I remember what it said on one rejection slip: 'After a heavy rainfall, poems titled 'Rain' pour in from across the nation.’"
                                           Sylvia Plath

7. My internet connection, along with my landline were offline until this evening. So, my apologies for the late post.



Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.