28 December 2012
I'm still here
...behind on posts...lack of sleep...sometime before the new year I'll return I promise :)
06 December 2012
Thought of the Day
The soul that has been carved with much pain has the greater capacity to be filled with much joy...
05 December 2012
What I learned Weds...Vol. 1
As to avoid being kicked in the shin (inside joke)....I've decided to participate in this little venture as well. My friend Emmy is hosting this little thing.
1) I must say it is quite difficult to do certain things when there's anger an animosity towards that particular thing. In talking with a dear friend of mine Monday night, I finally relinquished control that I had been exerting. I allowed myself to say to her face that I'm happy for a situation that I'm not happy with. (That probably makes no sense). In this light it's been easier to start getting back into habits of praying Liturgy of the Hours. (One should remind me to make laminated cards of the Propers in Latin) and doing various things that were leading to my own personal growth in holiness. I'm still a work in progress.
2) God's sense of humor is a bit much at times. Some people say I try to avoid them on purpose, this is probably true. But I ran into 3 different people I didn't want to see over my California vacation time. I guess I should pray for them, it's a bit difficult understanding the circumstances which is something that I would never reveal on this blog. Being an introverted sponge is very difficult sometimes ;).
3) The general rule of interpretation is literal, unless you're joking with me. So thus if you tell me that you're coming to visit me, you probably should ;)....I don't like being lied to, and I've discovered how much it really cheeses me off when someone does. (Emergency circumstances exempted). I'd rather know the truth and deal with consequences that way, than be lied to and take something deeply personal. So thus don't be surprised when I don't take someone for their word until they are in my presence.
But apparently, there's a lot more to learn in the day...Pax Vobis
1) I must say it is quite difficult to do certain things when there's anger an animosity towards that particular thing. In talking with a dear friend of mine Monday night, I finally relinquished control that I had been exerting. I allowed myself to say to her face that I'm happy for a situation that I'm not happy with. (That probably makes no sense). In this light it's been easier to start getting back into habits of praying Liturgy of the Hours. (One should remind me to make laminated cards of the Propers in Latin) and doing various things that were leading to my own personal growth in holiness. I'm still a work in progress.
2) God's sense of humor is a bit much at times. Some people say I try to avoid them on purpose, this is probably true. But I ran into 3 different people I didn't want to see over my California vacation time. I guess I should pray for them, it's a bit difficult understanding the circumstances which is something that I would never reveal on this blog. Being an introverted sponge is very difficult sometimes ;).
3) The general rule of interpretation is literal, unless you're joking with me. So thus if you tell me that you're coming to visit me, you probably should ;)....I don't like being lied to, and I've discovered how much it really cheeses me off when someone does. (Emergency circumstances exempted). I'd rather know the truth and deal with consequences that way, than be lied to and take something deeply personal. So thus don't be surprised when I don't take someone for their word until they are in my presence.
But apparently, there's a lot more to learn in the day...Pax Vobis
03 December 2012
02 December 2012
01 December 2012
1st Sunday of Advent (EF)....Catechism Reflection I
EF: Introit: Ps 25 (24), 1-3; Epistle: Rom 13, 11-14; Gradual: Ps 25(24), 3-4; Gospel: Lk 14, 26-33; Offertory: Ps 25 (24), 1-3; Communion: Ps 85(84), 13, 1-3
OF: Introit: Ps 25 (24), 1-3; 1st Reading Jer 33, 14-16; Gradual: Ps 25(24), 3-4; Epistle: 1 Tess 3, 12-4, 2; Gospel: Lk 21, 25-28. 34-36; Offertory: Ps 25 (24), 1-3; Communion: Ps 85(84), 13, 1-3
Tis the First Sunday of Advent, and unfortunately in many of your parishes the beautiful Scripture propers (The propers are the same for the Novus Ordo (OF and EF this Sunday) (Introit, Gradual, Offertory, Communion) will be hijacked for hymns that center around us and have absolutely nothing to do with what Holy Mother Church is trying to teach us on this particular Sunday. I'm going to focus on 2 passages this week...they're quoted in the Catechism.
"If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." (Lk 14, 26)
Now perhaps at 1st glance at this verse one might be tempted to say how can someone hate their own father, mother, wife, children, and brothers and sisters? They are our family, we're supposed to love them....Of course this probably excludes those moments where our family makes often questionable (to put it politely) decisions.
The CCC points out rather nicely what this passage is supposed to mean:
"Christ is the center of all Christian life. The bond with him takes precedence over all other bonds, familial or social." (CCC 1618)
The point is that our lives should be centered around Christ. All that we do, all who we are should be centered around Him, and Him alone, to do otherwise is to place ourselves in the temptation of false gods, and the 1st commandment "Thou shalt not have any gods before me."
EVERYTHING comes after our relationship with the Holy Trinity....What kinds of things do you place above God? I'm sure that all of us have this struggle.
"So, therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." (Lk 14, 33)
In light of the 1st explanation earlier, it's not meant that one must not have any worldly possessions at all, though some are called to that exact thing ala the Franciscans or other mendicant orders.
"Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids "renounce all [they have" for his sake and for that of the Gospel." (CCC 2544)
We have culture of materialism, that often needs the latest gadget or the latest device. I too most certainly fall into this trap. Many are excited about the new Ipod, or the Samsung Galaxy, which of course aren't in of themselves evil and can definitely be used to bring souls closer to Christ and His Church.
The question to ask is this: Do these material possessions become the point of our lives? Do they take us away from God or do they bring us closer to Him?
We must detach ourselves from worldly things as to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Being close to Him through the Sacraments in particular Confession and the Holy Eucharist...this way, we can pray with joy and devotion:
"To You O Lord I lift up my soul. O my God in You I trust." Amen!
OF: Introit: Ps 25 (24), 1-3; 1st Reading Jer 33, 14-16; Gradual: Ps 25(24), 3-4; Epistle: 1 Tess 3, 12-4, 2; Gospel: Lk 21, 25-28. 34-36; Offertory: Ps 25 (24), 1-3; Communion: Ps 85(84), 13, 1-3
Tis the First Sunday of Advent, and unfortunately in many of your parishes the beautiful Scripture propers (The propers are the same for the Novus Ordo (OF and EF this Sunday) (Introit, Gradual, Offertory, Communion) will be hijacked for hymns that center around us and have absolutely nothing to do with what Holy Mother Church is trying to teach us on this particular Sunday. I'm going to focus on 2 passages this week...they're quoted in the Catechism.
"If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." (Lk 14, 26)
Now perhaps at 1st glance at this verse one might be tempted to say how can someone hate their own father, mother, wife, children, and brothers and sisters? They are our family, we're supposed to love them....Of course this probably excludes those moments where our family makes often questionable (to put it politely) decisions.
The CCC points out rather nicely what this passage is supposed to mean:
"Christ is the center of all Christian life. The bond with him takes precedence over all other bonds, familial or social." (CCC 1618)
The point is that our lives should be centered around Christ. All that we do, all who we are should be centered around Him, and Him alone, to do otherwise is to place ourselves in the temptation of false gods, and the 1st commandment "Thou shalt not have any gods before me."
EVERYTHING comes after our relationship with the Holy Trinity....What kinds of things do you place above God? I'm sure that all of us have this struggle.
"So, therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." (Lk 14, 33)
In light of the 1st explanation earlier, it's not meant that one must not have any worldly possessions at all, though some are called to that exact thing ala the Franciscans or other mendicant orders.
"Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids "renounce all [they have" for his sake and for that of the Gospel." (CCC 2544)
We have culture of materialism, that often needs the latest gadget or the latest device. I too most certainly fall into this trap. Many are excited about the new Ipod, or the Samsung Galaxy, which of course aren't in of themselves evil and can definitely be used to bring souls closer to Christ and His Church.
The question to ask is this: Do these material possessions become the point of our lives? Do they take us away from God or do they bring us closer to Him?
We must detach ourselves from worldly things as to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Being close to Him through the Sacraments in particular Confession and the Holy Eucharist...this way, we can pray with joy and devotion:
"To You O Lord I lift up my soul. O my God in You I trust." Amen!
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