The Long Walk...

Joseph...

The Mysterie of Faith

I just had a major cognition about the nature of Transubstantiation...

If we can accept that the bread and the wine become the "body and blood of Christ," then we can accept that in our acceptance of Him, that we too can become as Christ! As we consume, take in, integrate, absorb, become one with... the bread (His teachings)... and His blood (His life)... we become one WITH HIM! This is why communion is such an important part of the ritual. It is also why confession is so important; that we may come to Him clean of our sins.

Perhaps this is not so earth-shaking to many, but the realization of this has cleared up a lot of misunderstanding for me about communion and the Eucharist.

The Daughters of Lust: 5 Questions on How They Pervert the Soul

We live in a hyper-sexualized world. Sex is used to sell products everywhere we look. On TV, on billboards, in stores. From 30' tall Victoria's Secret models to lacy thongs and undies that read "Juicy" in the little girl's department at Wal-Mart; it's everywhere. It's in the public eye. It's the social norm. And we expose ourselves and our children to it every day. Is it any wonder that the pornography industry is one of the largest industries in the world, rivaling big-energy and tobacco? Are we shocked to hear that eight and nine year olds are performing oral sex on each other? Are we appalled that adolescent girls are having anal sex so that they can say that they are still virgins? Of course we are! But then we turn a blind eye to all of the public marketing of sex. Hell, even the most sociopathically right-wing conservative Christian I know is defending Hasbro's phallic faux pas, saying that it is "us, not them." We allow this to happen. Actively, passively, consciously or subconsciously, we are all the perpetrators and we are all the victims.
With that, I give you this article...

by HHAMBROSE on 2014-09-04 • 
Listers, if a person invites lust into his heart, the daughters of lust will soon follow and nest deep within it. A vice is not a single act. Both vice and virtue are habits. Habits are described by both Aristotle and Aquinas as a species of the category of “quality,” and qualities are difficult to change. When a person habituates themselves to the evil that is lust, that repetitive action changes the quality of their soul. Lust is a vice that can easily consume a person. The consequences are dire. Our Lady of Fatima proclaimed, “more souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason.” Understand the vice of lust and her daughters so that the Catholic soul may stand guard against them...

http://www.stpeterslist.com/12471/the-daughters-of-lust-5-questions-on-how-they-pervert-the-soul/'

The Story of My First Confession

January 2, 2015 by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

My first confession was when I was in my late twenties. I was a member of the Church of England and was taking a year between seminary and ordination.

I’d done something of which I was deeply ashamed and knew that I wanted to go to confession. As an Evangelical Christian I had been taught that I could just say “Sorry!” to God and that was enough...

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2015/01/the-story-of-my-first-confession.html

Happy Holy-Holidays

December 25th, and the days surrounding it, are a special time of year for a lot of people, for a lot of reasons. For many (arguably, a vast majority) it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The recognition of this day as "Christ-mass" has been the tradition of Christians for nearly two-thousand years. For these Christians, it is a not just a holy day, but the holiest of holy days.

For some (at some times) it is Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, a period of celebration and rededication, and the miracle of light the came with it.

For some, it is Pancha Ganapati, a festival spiritual discipline and renewal.

For some it is Yule, the return of the Holly King, or the celebration of the returning of the light from the darkness of winter.

And there are many, many other people, that celebrate many, many other "holy days" at this time of year. 

Then there are those who do not celebrate the "holy days" per se. For them, the Christmas season is a secular holiday, filled with parties, and Santa Claus, and presents galore. For them it is the "Holiday Season."

But we all celebrate something in common at this time of year; be us Christian or Jew, Hindu or Pagan, Atheist or other... It is a time of year that we all recognise as a time to try to spend more time with family, to try to be more generous and forgiving to and of others, to try to spread good will and good cheer around. A time to overlook our differences and come together as people, co-workers, as neighbors, as friends. It is a time of year when we all try to bring a little light, and a little love into other people's lives. 

So be joyous in your celebrations, and be happy for the joyous celebrations of others. Invite others to your attend your celebrations, and attend theirs if invited. Learn and love, love and learn, but most of all, just love. Because, like it or not, we are all here together. Wouldn't it be better if we all got along, even if it was just for a few hours, or a few days, or a few weeks a year?

From me to you, a joyous holiday season. May you walk your path in love, wherever it takes you!

"My opinion does not matter..."

How can we as Christians, and especially as Catholics, say that we do not judge, that we are inclusive, that we are catholic (being universal), when we withhold the Eucharist, the Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, from people until they meet our requirements, or or interpretations of what is right and what is wrong...

As I was at Perpetual Adoration in the wee hours of the morning this morning, meditating on the Holy Eucharist, I found myself face-to-face with my own sense of judgement. In my vision, I was a priest, administering Holy Communion when I was confronted by a dear friend of mine, who happens to be a transgender. He came to me and asked... "What about me? What about us?" and indicated the throng of people behind him whom we would label as having "alternative lifestyles." I did not hesitate as I responded, "My opinion [of you] does not matter. As a priest, it is my job to be the minister of God's love to you. Anything else is between you and God." I knew that my friend was baptized, and so I gave him the bread and the cup of Christ. I then went among the throng of people and blessed them and kissed their heads and hands.

As I see it, the Grace of God should not be withheld from those who (we might think) need it the most; but we seem to do just that. Who are we to judge their relationship with the Lord? Who are we to say "You are not yet worthy; you are now worthy?" If anyone comes seeking the Lord, who am I to keep Him from them? God meets people where they are at, on their (both God's and the seeker's) own terms. Who are we to dictate those terms? Come to the Supper of the Lord, Jesus refused no one, turned no one away. If you come in earnest, He will receive you.

Sigils and Signs, Prayers and Power

Doing a lot of thinking of signs and sigils the last few days, and I think that it is as important thing to note, that such devices only derive their power from the users faith in God, and faith in the Power that the sign represents.
As I was contemplating the sigils and prayers of the four Archangels, it occurred to me that they should not be construed as magical devices, but as constant and steadfast reminders of the presence and power of God.
Maybe more on this later as my thoughts develop.

I am moved...

I am moved to the want of outrageous action and paralyzed by my own unknowingness of what I can do. I feel myself being torn apart from the inside; my spirit at war with my mind and my body. Oh that I would gladly tear open my own ribcage and pour my heart out upon the dirt if I thought that it would ease the injustice and the suffering of this world, even just a little bit. Lord give me guidance!

Prayer to St. Michael - Short Version + Latin

Prayer to St. Michael
Short Version + Latin

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen

Prayer to St. Michael - Long Version

Prayer to St. Michael Long Version

“O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.
“Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

“These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be.

“Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers. 

R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered the root of David. 

V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.  

R. As we have hoped in Thee.  

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.  

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.” 

Inside out

Have you ever noticed that you spend too much time indoors, staring at the walls of your house or your office or your cubicle; or watching too much TV or spending too much time in front of the computer; that you start to feel depressed and lethargic? On the contrary, when you go outside, spend some time looking up at the sky, you start to feel better? We spend so much of our time going from the house to the car to the office to the store and back home that we might not even notice this malaise, this ennui, that has invaded us, taken over our lives, and become our normal state of being.
There is a reason for this. God is that ever-present force in the universe that inspires awe, opens us up to love our fellow man in spite of ourselves, and gives us hope when we are faced with darkness; Whereas Satan in that pervasive splinter under the skin of the world that infects it with hate, and greed, and distrust.
This is why we experience a sense of elevation and inspiration when we go out-of-doors and look up that the clear blue sky, or an amazing sunrise or sunset, or gaze into the vastness of space. It is also why we feel closed-in and compressed and depressed when we spend too much time with our eyes cast down at the ground, or boxed up in our little cages of shortened perspective or even when the winter gets long and we have not seen but the grey sky for too long.
We must keep our heads and our eyes and our hearts lifted up to the sky. We must reach out with our hearts and our minds and expand the space that we perceive. We must get outside of ourselves and realize that we are more than just the little boxes that we live in.
Satan wants to keep us limited to our own little perspectives of the world. God wants us to reach out to the whole of the world, toward the sky, toward the infinite, toward the us that we should be, and to Him.

On the Ministry of Exorcism, Revisited

  My interest in the ministry of exorcism as been renewed lately. It would be easy to say that the advent of the new show Constantine is the catalyst, but that would be much too simplistic. Those of you who know me know that my interest in this field far predates my knowledge of the Hellblazer stories.
  All of my life, there have been things lurking in the corner of my eye, only to disappear when I try to look directly at them. I have always seen shapes, mostly at night, but sometimes in the daytime, of people standing on the side of the road, or "up ahead" after some fashion, only to have them be random, completely NOT people shaped objects. I have night terrors occasionally, sometimes waking up screaming and sweating, but often never waking at all; a phenomenon described as an anomaly by my psychologist as I do not fit the profile.  I get random "stabbing" pains in my body. Sometimes in two places simultaneously, sometimes three, and once, five in a pattern on my torso. Never just in one spot. These are usually, but not always accompanied by the feeling of some presence that should not be there. I have asked multiple doctors about this pain, and the general consensus has been that they don't know, but that I might consider getting a stress test. Sometimes, as I am falling asleep, I get a hypnic jerk. This is not so uncommon, but mine is always accompanied by a bright flash of light. No doctor has offered up an explanation. An then there is the occasional random voice. Often just a word or two, but very clear, and very clearly without a discernable source. Sometimes my same, sometimes someone else in the house's name, sometimes just a word. Now I am not attesting that any of these things are necessarily praeternatural in origin, but taken altogether, they do give me pause.
  But more compelling to my interest is the fact that I have been involved in two exorcisms myself, one in 1987 and another on 2012 (see blog entry Dec 2012), and I keep feeling called back to this. Not out of some morbid fascination for the occult, or even an interest in the paranormal , but as a genuine healing  ministry. I believe in demons... no, I KNOW that demons exist, just as I know that angels exist. And I believe that I have been called to participate in a ministry that is largely misunderstood and underappreciated.
  Therein lies my dilemma... As a Catholic layman, if I am to remain faithful to the Holy Roman Catholic Church, I know my involvement in this sort of thing should be extremely limited, but these things seem to find me. Not often... thank God, but they do nonetheless. And the more I think and pray on it, the more aware I become of the reality of it.  So the questions that I find myself arguing with myself about (in  not particular order) are thus:
  1. Why, in this round of renewed interest, am I suddenly finding myself seeing and feeling things more often than I have in the past. It's not often; certainly not around every corner. And most things that "catch my attention" turn out to be nothing at all, but some others leave me wondering. Does interest and study stimulate the imagination to produce more phenomenon? Or does interest, study, and understanding open oneself to being able to experience said phenomenon?
  2. As a lay Catholic, what can I do to cultivate my interest in this field? I have concerns about bringing this up with any of the priests in my parish. There was one Jesuit priest at the Ignatius House that I had talked to about some of my angelic experiences, if he is still there (and alive; he was pretty old the last time I saw him). Will I ultimately find myself stepping out of the boundaries of the Roman Catholic Church to pursue this if it turns out that am am truly being called to this?
  3. The Catholic Church says that only ordained ministry (priests) may perform major exorcisms (Catechism 1673), yet the Bible states that any baptized faithful may do this (although the Bible does not explicitly define the difference between minor and major exorcisms). Now, I understand and appreciate why the CC has the position that she does; it is largely for the safety and well being of all involved, and there are things that need to happen in the course of an exorcism that only a priest may do (hearing confession and granting absolution, certain blessings, giving communion, etc...), but there is part of me that also knows that the faithful CAN (doesn't mean that they SHOULD) perform solemn exorcisms. (Even as I am writing this, I am answering some of my own questions, but I will leave this in place for the time being.)
Thats all I really have to say on the subject at the moment. Any positive input would be appreciated.
God Bless,
AMD+G

Dream of the Holy Spirit

I had a dream last night that I was praying in the Chapel of Peace at my church. I was on my knees in front of the alter, and I had the realization that I have been able to kneel recently without much pain. (I have not been able to kneel on both knees since my knee surgery in 2007.) In my dream, I remembered that I had in fact been kneeling in front of the same alter one night asking God to take away my knee and foot pain, and at the same time arguing with myself about my doubt of that actually happening. In the dream, as I was remembering this, the monstrance came ablaze with a pewter coloured light. At the same time, a gold cross (not a crucifix) on the alter (one that is not normally there) alit with fire. It was not in an ominous way that we normally think of a burning cross, but a fire of the Holy Spirit, akin to the flame of the burning bush of the Moses (or so the conversation in my head (in the dream) went).
I woke up with a very clear memory of the dream, and it has stuck with me all day. I do not normally remember my dreams at all, only that I did dream.

The Big Fat HOT Buttons

Because somebody asked...

On marriage equality:
I am for marriage equality between human beings. Period. Full stop.
Churches must never be forced to perform weddings for couples that violate their particular doctrines.
As a Catholic, I was enthusiastic for the direction that the most recent synod was going, but it fell apart in the 13th hour. I believe Pope Francis will ultimately lead the Church to a new age of truly Christlike pastoral care, and away from the doctrinal and dogmatic zeal of the past.
On the same note, I am against private businesses being forced to render services against their will. Any private enterprise should reserve the right to refuse service to any person(s) at any time for any reason. Sorry, but it is a PRIVATE business. If they won't make your cupcakes, go somewhere else.

On Marijuana:
I am for the legalization of marijuana. I personally do not use, and I do not approve of using, and legal or not, I will throw your ass to the curb if you bring it to my house. However the tides are turning, so let it be so.

That being said; I am for regulating and taxing the hell out of it, and treating is just like tobacco and alcohol as far as the law is concerned.
Ps: I smoked more green in my teens and 20's than most of you will ever even dream of, so my position is not one of ignorance of the herb.

And the BIG one:

On Abortion:
I am personally pro-life (not "Pro-Life"), but socially/politically pro-choice.
There are times when I see it is a necessary evil. There are times when I believe it is the wrong choice.
I think that abortions should be legal in cases of incest, rape, and when carrying the child to term endangers the life of the mother. I think that there are other considerations that I could not possibly have the wisdom or the authority as a man to weigh in on. I do not think that abortions should be a solution to carelessness &or an alternative to planned parenting and birth control. I believe that proper education and access to contraceptives is the answer.
There are reasonable regulations in place; they seem to be working. At least we are not having "back-alley abortions" and drowning our newborns in rivers.

It is the Church's place to teach its adherents its ideas on right and wrong; it is not its place to force those values on the population at large. 

It is the individuals right to make that choice and live with the consequences. No, I do not have an answer to the "When does life begin" question, so don't ask.

Archangelmas 29 Sept 2014

I woke up this morning and decided to go to morning mass. I did not know that it was a Feast Day. As I kneeled in my pew in the little chapel at my church praying, I had a vision of an angel with blue wings. I have not had an angel vision in a very long time. I was filled with joy, but also with longing.
When Father Michael started, and he announced that today was the Feast of the Archangels, all became clear; I have not fallen far from them, only as far as I imagine myself to be.

The Dovian Primadoxies

Dovian Primadoxy #1:
Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.*
Love your neighbour as yourself. There are no commandments greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)
*Note that it says "Love YOUR God," not "Love MY God." I don't care what God you love so long as you love. So long as you love your God fully and that love so inspires you to love all of God's creation. If your love of your God does not lead you to love yourself, and others more completely, then perhaps it is time to re-evaluate your concept of God.


Dovian Primadoxy #2:
"The Corporal Acts of Mercy," or what we should all be helping to do, not because "The Bible tells us to," but because we are decent, compassionate human beings:
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the Homeless
5. Visit the sick and the lonely
6. Visit the imprisoned
7. Bury the dead

 
Dovian Primadoxy #3:
"The Spiritual Works of Mercy" or, those things which help us and help others in matters of spirituality:
1. Instruct the ignorant (Teach those who wish to learn)
2. Counsel the doubtful (Help others through crises of faith)
3. Admonish sins (Help people stay focused on those things which bring them closer to the Divine, and help them avoid those things which separate them from the Divine)
4. Bear wrongs patiently
5. Forgive offences willingly
6. Comfort the afflicted (This is similar to visiting the sick, but in spiritual matters)
7. Pray for the living and the dead


Dovian Primadoxy #4: Read, contemplate, UNDERSTAND, share.
Very few things have been more detrimental to the "Word of God" than the taking of a single passage, removing it from the subtleties of it's original language and context, and bandying it about (whether spreading it as gospel truth, or using it as a weapon) as if it's true meaning was fully understood.
All scripture should be examined and understood through the lens of the teachings of Christ. Does it agree with his message of love, compassion, and forgiveness? Does it move you closer to God (Love with a capital "L"), does it move you to be a better person (love yourself), so that you may be a better steward to your planet and your fellow mankind (love your neighbour)? Does it fill you with love and joy, so that you want to share it with your fellow man in a way that is meaningful?

Dovian Primadoxy#5: Any attempt to define God, limits God.
Do not pretend to know God's mind. Do not seek to judge in God's stead. Only seek to share God's heart. That is, love without restriction or condition, be compassionate beyond your comfort level, and forgive, even in the face of the unforgivable.


Dovian Primadoxy #6: God became man so that man could become God.
God became man in the form of Jesus of Nazareth so that "He" might perfectly experience being one of the human beings that he created. Jesus lived among us, as us, with all of our human faults and frailties. The Bible gives us a cleaned up and abbreviated version of his life (nobody ever talks about the time Jesus got dysentery) up until the very end. At that point, we reach a crossroads; Jesus teaches us everything we need to know to attain the Kingdom of Heaven (to become one with God again). The price for giving us this ultimate enlightenment is for him to experience ultimate suffering. He took on the extreme of the human condition to give us the extreme of the Divine condition. 


Dovian Primadoxy #7: In seeking God, so does God seek you. The journey and the destination are one.
Once we begin to realize that we and God are one, the real journey of life begins. As we move toward the Divine, we begin to feel the Divine more within us. As we love more, we will attract more love. As we are more compassionate, so will others learn compassion. As we forgive more, so the more will there be forgiveness in the world. These things are the Light of God.
As this realization grows, so will our awareness of the world around us. We do not get caught up in some touchy-feely, hippy-dippy, warm and cosy (and insulated) Divine Wonderland; instead, we begin to feel the pain of the world. This is the awareness of the suffering that we have spent most of our lives trying not to see. Once we have seen it, we cannot unsee it, so it drives is closer to the Divine within. And as we get closer, we are able to be even more loving, more compassionate and more forgiving. With these things, we are able to affect positive change in the world. Be the Light of God.


Dovian Primadoxy #8:
You do not have all of the answers.
Neither the Book nor the telescope will provide you with all of the answers. If you look for God with an open mind and an open heart, you will find Science. If you look for Science with an open mind and an open heart, you will find God. The two are not mutually exclusive. Where a scientist sees the Big Bang,there is also God saying "Let there Be Light." Where the Scientist sees evolution, there is the grand mythology of creation found the Book of Genesis. Where the Scientist sees the dinosaurs, there too is God telling Job of the Behemoth and the Leviathan which came before him.
Be of open mind and open heart. This universe is a big place. No book can contain all of it wonders, no map can chart all of its amazing vastness.  


Dovian Primadoxy #9:
The New Atheism movement is every bit as problematic as the Religious Fundamentalism that it opposes.
New Atheists are themselves Fundamentalists in their own right. They are every bit as self-righteous in the surety of their "knowledge" that "there is no god," as the Religious Right is in their surety in the absoluteness of their God. This sort of attitude from either side is so much more part of the problem than it is part of the solution.

The Hollow Man

The Hollow Man
by Aaron Michael Dove
18 March 2014

                I was sojourning in the hinterlands east of a land that was once called Eden when I came upon two young men; one was tending his crops, and the other tending his to his flock. It was the heat of the day, so I stopped and sat down upon a flat rock. As I watched the young man bundling his harvest efforts, I idly traced circles in the char that seemed to cover a portion of the stone upon which I rested. The young man, finally taking notice of me, stopped his work, and came to where I sat. “Good day,” I said by way of greeting. “Hot day,” he replied by way of observation. “Short day,” I answered, by way of prophesy. “What’s that?” the young man replied, “It is still summer for one more day,” he mused questioningly. “The day will be longer for some than others,” I finished, definitively. I looked over his shoulder at his herdsman companion, and a dark cloud passed overhead. Its shade brought relief to one, scorn and accusation to another. I kicked the dry dirt at the base of the stone where I sat, and knew that the next time I sat on this rock, the ground would be wet, with rain… or something worse.

As the afternoon wore on, I watched the two men go about their tasks. As I watched the young farmer go about his daily task of pruning and reaping, and picking and bundling, he seemed to take pride and joy in the day and in the work, despite the mid-day heat. The herder by contrast, sat sullenly under the summer sun, watching he his sheep and goats without interest as they grazed lazily on the hill. He seemed to take no joy from either the quality of his livestock, nor the ease of his chore. I wandered over to where he sat, and offered him the wineskin that I had earlier been offered by his companion. He took it and drank healthily from it. “Easy there friend,” I warned, “It might be that your companion will want this back more full than empty.” At the announcement of the wine’s origins, he spat it out on the ground. “I would rather die of thirst than drink the fruits of my brother’s hand.” He hissed vehemently. He kicked dirt over the wine as it soaked into the ground. The deep ruby wine, mixed with the dust, then mud, and for a moment, looked like blood. Another dark cloud passed overhead.

Smoke rose up from the other side of the field, from the area near the rock that I had sat on earlier in the day. I called it to the goatherd’s attention, but he shrugged his shoulders and made a gruff sound. “Just my brother offering his precious sacrifices,” he sneered sarcastically. “All of his offerings burn and burn, till they are nothing but dust on the wind. But not mine. No, no, no. They smolder and burn until they are a charred mess, not even suitable for the common table, much less for the festival tables.” He sulked off a ways “God curse you brother!” he shouted. “I wish you were dead,” he mumbled as he walked off and sat on a low pile of loose stones, kicking one to the ground. “Be careful what you wish for my friend,” I said softly to myself. The air turned chill as the sky darkened.

The summer thunderstorm passed as the sun went down. I had retreated to the nearby village for shelter, knowing that I would find no peace with the two brothers. The night was quiet. Too quiet. As if all of the people were afraid to dream, and all of the creatures of the land were made mute. I sat, looking out the window toward the east, toward where the brothers had been. The dark seemed darker in that direction, and an infinite sadness fell across my thoughts.

A number of years later, on the road to Damascus, I met a hollow man. He walked alone and in silence. The kind of silence that follows a summer thunderstorm at dusk. The kind of silence that fills your memories with sadness. I noticed a mark on his head, as though he had been burned. He carried a stone in one hand, idly thumbing a dark brown stain on it as he walked. Other travellers, both those going our way, and the opposite, seemed to steer away from the man; not in the way of one repulsed by someone, but as one compelled by instinct simply to give something else a wide berth. I walked alongside the man in silence for some time, heading east. The sun hung low in the sky, and it would be time to rest soon. But not for this man. No, some days are longer for some than others, I mused, and for this man, this hollow, hollow man, it was a very long day indeed.

 

LOVE ≠ LIKE or "How I came to Love Satan"

When I was a child, my mother used to tell me (on appropriate occasions) "I love you son, but right now, I don't like you very much."  I came to understand fairly early on that just because she was unhappy with me, did not mean that she didn't love me.
  We are called by the new covenant to love our neighbours. Oh how hard this is to do. Sure, we say that we love everyone, and that is great at an intellectual level, but is it what is really in  your heart?
Love cannot be given falsely of the heart; and prayer cannot be given dishonestly. If your heart is in a false place, "lay down your offering and go and make peace," then return with your prayers. If you have a grievance with someone, and you can do something about it, set aside pride and ego, and go and try to make peace. If they receive you, great! There is peace. If they reject you, then "knock the dust from your sandals" and know that you have honestly tried. If you cannot make peace with that person face to face, then go to confession and reconcile your heart in truth, and let God handle the rest. Then, and only then can you honestly pray for, and with peace.
  Sometimes we are blind to our grievances. We think of our spouse, or our family, or our co-workers, or our friends, or our neighbours. We make our reconciliations and we feel good about it and ourselves; but when the 5 o'clock news comes on, we curse those misguided puppets in Washington, or those dirty Taliban, or that awful dictator in Africa. In our hearts we genuinely hate them, but in our minds we are blind, because they are not an immediate part of our lives (in some cases they are, but the idea is still the same). Can we in good concious say that we fulfil this New Covenant of Love once we recognize this in ourselves?
  Who among us can genuinely, with unconditional love and with the best and most honest intentions, pray for the politician on the other side of the isle? Who can pray for the murderous dictator, or the terrorist bomber? Who among us can pray for Satan, who is arguably the source of all of the evil? Perhaps if we prayed for the politician, cooperation and bipartisanship could be found. Perhaps if we prayed for the dictators or the terrorists, they might have a change of heart and not set off that bomb or slaughter that village. Perhaps if we prayed for Satan, the Adversary, maybe, just maybe, (like the Grinch who stole Christmas) he would have second thoughts and his heart would begin to heal.

The Journey of the Divine Within

  The journey that the Divine Within  (which is you) wants to go on, may not be the journey that the ego (that which you think is you) wants to go on. Submit to the journey of the Divine Within. Only then, at the end of it all, will be able say that you truly lived; that you said "YES!" to the mysterie of life.
AMD+G

"That's not being a Christian... that's being a Pagan!"

Rant Mode //ON//

There has been some whining recently about a comment that Pope Francis made regarding failed Christians behaving like pagans. Now apparently, offended neo-pagans everywhere, who had purportedly been lauding the Pope for his liberal-mindedness are retracting their peripheral support, crying that he "diss'ed" them. Well, he really didn't, and I will explain momentarily, but in the meantime, don;t you think that there is enough crap going on in the world that you don't need to actively look for, and even create things to be offended about?
At his General Audience last week, Pope Francis made a scriptural reference (Matthew 5:47-) that related Christians unwilling to humble themselves and get to work making peace in the world with pagan Romans, and arguably the Jewish priests, of Christ's time; NOT with the modern era neo-pagans of today. If he was dissing anyone, he was dissing Prosperity Gospel ministers and those who think themselves too good to get down in the streets and do something.
Pope Francis as arguably the best thing to happen to Christianity since Christ himself. A lot of things are going to change. Some things aren't. But at least he is out there making an effort. Not sitting at home bitching about something taken out of context and without perspective.
Now, with that said, let's put all of the BS aside and get to work leaving this world a better place than we found it. That is a big enough job.

Happy Holy Days to all, and to all a good night.

Rant Mode \\OFF\\

In the presence of intelligent evidence, there is evidence of intelligent presence.

Lectio Divina 20 Nov 2013

MATT 18:1-5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, ³ and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me."

I have been under so much stress lately.  My dad, school, unemployment; it has all be overwhelming at times. I realized that I spend so much time being caught up in all of my problems, in the problems of the world, that I often lose sight of what is really important. God. Christ. Jesus. Sure I know that He is there, but sometimes I forget that He is above and outside of all of my problems, and if I would just let go for a moment, and allow myself to totally and unconditionally trust Him, like a child trusts his father and mother, then I might... just might... experience a  moments peace.

And speaking of trusting like children, my own children play a role in all of this. Since my depression started setting in a year or so ago, it has been hard on the kids. I am occasionally volatile, and will obsess over the smallest things, allowing them to turn into a raging storm. And there have been times where my kids have born the brunt of this rage. But when it is over, and the clouds have passed, they come back to me and tell me that they love me. They love me, no matter what. Like God loves me, no matter what. +Lord, I pray I never take that for granted.+

For more information on the practise of Lectio Divina, please visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectio_Divina

Or, a video introduction to the practise by one of my favourite priests:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DxaGZqprrs 

+In nomine patri, et filii, et spiritus sancti, Amen+

"If someone should take your shirt, give to him your cloak as well..."

This was an amazing story. I would like to think that I would have the personal integrity to respond in this way; but I seriously have my doubts.

Jessica Eaves was shopping in Guthrie, Okla., earlier this month when her wallet was pinched. She spotted the man she suspected of taking it in a nearby aisle and wondered what to do next. "As I saw him, a scripture came to me from Luke, which basically says 'If someone should take your cloak, you should give them your shirt as well,''...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/25/jessica-eaves-grocery-store-samaritan_n_4164691.html?utm_hp_ref=christianity

On Nikola Tesla...

  An acquaintance of mine once accused Tesla and his work of being of the Devil. This comment came a scant few days after a conversation we had, where previous to it, he had never even heard of the man. If anyone should be held accountable to the Devil and his work, it should be Edison and JP Morgan (Yes, Thomas Edison, and JP Morgan of JP Morgan-Chase.) Tesla was only ever interested in creating and distributing energy in a way that was synergistic with nature and mankind alike. His inventions could have, and would have changed the very course of human history, if it had not been for the likes of the men mentioned above, who were more interested in the almighty dollar than in what could be of benefit to mankind as a whole.Shameful really. My son Patrick is very interested in Tesla's work, and I hope that he holds on to his dream of completing what Tesla started.

From my cold, dead fingers...

   And see, herein lies the dilemma... If you believe in God, then it is assumed that you believe in the covenants of "You will not murder" and "Love your neighbor." This means NO KILLING (except in the most extreme of circumstances, and then even that is wide open for Biblical debate.) Guns were originally developed for the sole purpose of taking human lives in warfare. They did NOT start out as animal hunting weapons.

However, we as Americans (particularly) are a Gun Culture. We built this nation of the backs of Colt, Smith, and Wesson. We LOVE our guns. We love showing off our guns. We love bragging about our guns, and we love shooting our guns. What's not to love? They are cool looking, they go BANG, and they instill us with a sense of power that we would not otherwise have. The power to take another life with minimal effort. The power of, in short: GOD. 

Yet, we gun owners don't often think of our guns in that way. We tend to think of them as expensive (and dangerous if not treated with respect) toys. Not really any different than a motorcycle. But the fact remains, and we know it at least at a subconscious level, that they are killing machines.*

So no, owning a gun is not a "God given right." It is, in fact, entirely contrary to God. There is nothing about a gun that says "Love, peace, or brotherhood." That we use the justification of self-defense or even civil-defense, does not change the fact that guns are contrary in every way to the love of God. That we live in a world that is so contrary to the love of God that we need these devices is the real crime, and the real issue. It is that issue that needs to be addressed first. When it is solved, there will be no more "need" for guns.

That being said, I think I will clean my swords today.

*I am specifically talking about hand-guns and assault rifle, not hunting rifles.