Under Construction

During this hiatus I've come to realize that the blog has completely lost focus; is it an oblate blog?, a Catholic blog?, a political blog?, a book blog?  I've realized that I don't know, and if I don't know, you probably know even less.  So, for the rest of Lent, this blog is under construction.  I'm going to develop a focus and, perhaps, set up another blog to focus on more Catholic themes.  From time to time, I'm going to try a few things just to see how they work and how I like them, especially adding a bit more humor to the thing.  That process has already begun, and will go through many iterations, so please bear with me. 

PS, if you think I'm doing the right thing, you could try following me and have a ringside seat to all the action.

PPS, what do you think?  Am I wasting my time, on the right track, or you could care less?  In truth, during this process any feedback you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Benedict XVI Resigns

Benedict XVI has resigned and some bloggers seem resentful and let down. I can understand that, but I can also understand that a man who's 85 years old may want to slow down, and for his own spiritual welfare, spend his remaining time in prayer and thinking about the important things. Not that a pope doesn't get to do this, but probably not to the extent this pope would like. Also, I think he must see that the Church needs a man who can truly lead, not one who functions as a mere ceremonial figurehead; there are so many challenges facing the Church at the moment, he may even believe it's vital. I'm sorry to see him go, I fear, some, for what may lie ahead for the Church, but I wish our Holy Father well and hope to be mindful enough to keep him in my prayers always.

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Time to Read and Pray

I'm going to take some time off from posting to get some real life things done and spend time reading and praying.  Over the last month or so, what with a hectic schedule and trying to prepare for the possible transition to retirement, the blog has become a burden when it was meant to be fun.  That's a good signal that I need a break. 

I'll be back when things are making sense again.

Friday Florilegia, Friday, January 11, 2013

 From the Old Testament reading for the 2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Is 62:1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “
or your land “Desolate, “
but you shall be called “My Delight, “
and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.

 

A Word on Wednesday, Wednesday, January 9, 2013, St. Ambrose

 

"When in Rome, live as the Romans do, when elsewhere, live as they live elsewhere."
St. Ambrose

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7 Quick Takes on Friday, Friday, January 4, 2013

 

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First, I’d like to say I hope our host for 7 Quick Takes, Jennifer Fulwiler, has a very speedy recovery from suffering several pulmonary embolism and to ask everyone to keep her in their prayers.  I had just one of those things when I broke my shoulder a few years ago and, believe me, it’s no fun at all.  I can’t imagine having several of them.

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 In spite of the circumstances, I also wish you all a Happy New Year.  I can’t believe how fast 2012 seemed to come and go.  The New Year is starting that way too, it seems Lent is just around the corner, coming much earlier this year. 

It was an eventful year for both of us here in Colorado, and 2013 promises to be just as eventful in its own way.  Many changes ahead for us, most of which I’m eagerly anticipating.  As I’ve grown older, I’ve found it all too easy to fear change, or to regret it many years after it happened.  It’s too easy to regret that which no longer is and neglect the real good all around me, it’s a danger of ingratitude and I hope to avoid it like the plague in the coming year.  It’s time, as Paul said, to leave the past behind and run the race, whatever remains to me, that lies ahead.

 

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Speaking of the New Year, I’ve made a few resolutions for 2013, not many, but they’re ones I hope to follow through on.  I’ve got to spend much more time getting some exercise; that’s still a little difficult because of the shoulder replacement last June, but still a necessity.  And if there’s such a thing as improving physical fitness, there must also be such a thing as improving spiritual fitness.  Therefore, I resolve to spend more time in prayer this year, and at least one monastic retreat to be made.  That last bit needs to be quantified a bit and I’m working on that.

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I got one this week.  You know the Starbuck’s cup with the “Come Together” slogan written on it.  One wonders, does everything have to be about politics?  What about principles rather than ideologies?  What about the permanent things?  I’m no longer sure they can be addressed in our soured political process.  Thankfully, at the last minute the Congress was able to get something through that no one seems happy with.  Maybe that’s a good thing.

 

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Fr. Don, the pastor of our parish has been ill the last few months and I’d like to ask anyone who reads this to say a few prayers for his speedy recovery as we start the New Year.

 

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There was some excitement this week, early New Year’s morning as a matter of fact.  We woke up and one of our cats, Sarah, was sort of coughing and pawing at her mouth.  We thought she’d swallowed something and was choking, so we packed her up and headed off to the animal emergency clinic to get her fixed.  Needless to say, there was no one there, so we rang the bell and were promptly admitted.  The vet checked her and noticed a tooth was loose.  She gave us some anti-biotics and, of all things, methadone, for the pain and told us to get her into our regular vet the next day.  Well, the long and the short of it is that she’d already lost one tooth and had to have 5 others that were loose removed.  She’s been a sick kitty for most of the week, but is feeling better now, I think.  Not the way I’d planned to start the year.

 

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I’ve said enough.

Related articles

• Prayers for Jennifer Fulwiler!

A Word on Wednesday, Wednesday, January 2, 2013, St Gregory Nazianzen

“Let us then take care not to despise these things. How absurd it would be to grasp at money and throw away health; and to be lavish of the cleansing of the body, but economical over the cleansing of the soul; and to seek for freedom from earthly slavery, but not to care about heavenly freedom; and to make every effort to be splendidly housed and dressed, but to have never a thought how you yourself may become really very precious; and to be zealous to do good to others, without any desire to do good to yourself. And if good could be bought, you would spare no money; but if mercy is freely at your feet, you despise it for its cheapness. Every time is suitable for your ablution, since any time may be your death. With Paul I shout to you with that loud voice, ‘Behold now is the accepted time; behold Now is the day of salvation.’”

(St. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop and Doctor of the Church