New Evangelists Monthly #46 October 2016 · Shopping Center Attack: Why I Care ... The Pitter Patter Diaries by Rakhi McCormick God, Family, Work, Then Play ... Regardless of where

October2016

NewEvangelistsMonthly-October2016

NewEvangelistsMonthly-October2016

Forward...aboutthiseBook

JourneytotheCross,byShaneCloonan-BookReviewbyVirginiaLieto

7ReasonsIDoNotWearaChapelVeilCatholicStandbyErikaVandiver

LikeArrowsintheHandofaWarriorPlotLineandSinker(EllenGable,Author)byEllenGableHrkach

September'sOpenBook&SabbathRestBookTalkErinMcColeCuppbyErinCupp

EssayonPartisanDissentLeadingtoRebellionIfIMightInterject

TheLieoftheApostolate{HowILeftMyChildrenPoor}BlossomingJoybyMelodyMarie

WhatAbout"I'mSorry"?CreoenDios!bySusanStabile

KnockingonClosedDoors-WhyHavinganApostolateisNotJust"ANiceThingToDo"UnderThyRoofbyKirbyHoberg

BedTimeBlessingBagsShiftingMyPerspectivebyClaireMcGarry

PoliticsispersonalbecausetobealiveistostruggleCatholicDeaconbyDeaconScottDodge

DoorsWideOpenAndThe800thPostPaucaVerbabyFr.StephenMorris

TeachingThroughStoriesbyCelesteBehe

UniversityLife!CruceSignatiBlogbyChristinaSawchuk

SavoringbyEllenKolb

MyWingedMessengersHarvestingTheFruitsofContemplationbyMichaelSeagriff

Lifeis...bySaintMotherTeresabyVijayaBodach

St.Jerome,DoctorofTranslationTheCatholicSpiritualLifebyEricJohnston

AboutaBoyStringofPearlsbyLauraPearl

WhyIdidn'twanttowrite...butneededto.TheologyisaverbbyElizabethReardon

GiveDrinktotheThirstybyKimPadan

"AbortioninGoodFaith"and"AbortionCare":ThesePhrasesAreNonsenseItMakesSensetoMebyLarryPeterson

MomminginSolidaritySweepingUpJoybyAlicia

BeWhollyTheCloisteredHeartbyNancyShuman

RevivingGod'sForgottenFriends:AuthorInterviewwithSusanPeekbyCarolynAstfalk

OfFamilyMantelsandtheNotreDameBasilicaClingingtoOnions

TheWearinessofRememberingbyMargaretFelice

7ReasonsIDoNotWearaChapelVeilCatholicStandbyDeniseHunnell

Election2016,Prayandwork!Catholic365byDeMaria

Jesus(MediterraneanAppearance)GracetoPaintbySisterMaresaLilley

PadrePiowasnotarigidTraditionalistTheShieldofFaithbyFrankRega

SufferingintheRoleoftheDivineComedyCatholicConundrumbyChristinaNagy

VineyardofLoveCatholicSoupbyVinnyCarr

ThefirstChristianEvangelistThoughtsofaYoungCatholicMedicbyChibuzorOgamba

Findingthe'Kind'inMankindHoldingHandsbyCarolBannon

Stop,Re-set,LivebukaspaladbyFr.AdrianDanker

WhowouldlikeaSkittle?OntheRoadtoDamascusbyRobertCollins

ScandalandtheNovemberElection

TheContemplativeCatholicConvertbyRichMaffeo

MyHusbandCheated:HealingandThrivingafterInfidelityConversationwithWomenbyEmilyBorman

Youcan'tfightitLMSChairmanbyJosephShaw

BlessGod'sCreaturesGreatandSmalljoyofnine9byMelanieJeanJuneau

'shroomWithUsStillbyJohnSchroeder

ShoppingCenterAttack:WhyICareACatholicCitizeninAmericabyBrianGill

TheTeachingPoweroftheParishBulletinSaints365byDebbieGaudino

GreatBooksPreschoolStoryTimeVeilsandVocationsbyJenniferElia

HowtoTeachCurrentEventsWithouttheEveningNewsSetonMagazinebyJenniferElia

AnewPoliticalPartyQuietConsecrationbyLeslieKlinger

WhentheSignofthecrosssaid"ThankYou,Lord!"AMomentFromDeSalesbyFr.RichardDeLillio

MotherTeresa-MyFriend,MyMentor,ASaintOurHome,Mary'sMantlebyEmilyDavis

WhenYouGrievetheLivingThePitterPatterDiariesbyRakhiMcCormick

God,Family,Work,ThenPlayJourneytoWisdombyLarry'T'Smith

ListeningtoHeartheWordofGodinOurLivesBlogoftheDormitionbyJohnRussell

PatronSaintsofStudentsTheKoalaMombyBonnieWay

NotKnowingBibleMeditationsbyBarbaraHosbach

WeNeedtheHolySpirit!RenewTheChurchBlogbyThomasandDeborahRichard

FromMysticalPremonitiontoContemplationbyDavidTorkington

Whatisthemoralresponsetotheduelingproblemsofstrangersinneedofrefugeandrankwickedness?BrutallyHonestbyRickRice

TheEssenceofTrueDiscipleship...Bartimaeus'QuietPlacebyBartimaeusTimeo

WhatOurLadyofSorrowsmightbeaskingofusCatholicReviewbyRitaBuettner

EverythingYouWantedtoKnowaboutRCIA&HowtoJointheCatholicChurchACatholicNewbiebyLynMettler

St.PadrePio-HisWisdomin25QuotationsBIGCCATHOLICSbyMatthewCoffin

WeMetatanAltarbyMaryHaseltine

EucharisticLoveandtheExaltationoftheCrossAmazingNearnessbyShannon

MyTributetoSaint"Mother"TeresaofCalcuttaFromthePulpitofmyLifebyRuthAnnPilney

WhatisHome?Lord,MakeMeaSaintbyJamieJo

AQuietEgobyTonyAgnesi

WhenGodSpeakstoYou...Literally!LittleDouglingsbyCarissaDouglas

Goodness:TheCaseforChristianityPeaceGardenPassagebyRoxaneSalonen

YouAreNotStuckSunflowerSojournbyLiannaMueller

RandomThoughtsVforVictory!byAnitaMoore

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Forward

NewEvangelistsMonthlyisaninformal,dynamic,crowd-sourced“meta-magazine”showcasingthebestpostsfaithfulCatholicbloggerspublisheachmonth.Hereyouwillfindmanydifferent,butfaithfullyCatholicviewpoints,insightsandperspectives.

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IrecentlyattendedtheNationalMarketingNetworkTradeShow/CatholicWritersGuildConferenceinChicagothissummer.Atthetradeshow/conference,weGuildmembersgottomeetmanyauthorsandreceivefreeautographedbooks!Ihadagreattime.Yet,themostmemorablemomentformeoccurredasItraversedthroughtheTradeShowbooths.Icameacrossatablewithacertainchildren’sbookonit:JourneytotheCross.Isaidtomyself,“Hey,that’sthebookthatwoninmycategoryattheNationalIndieExcellenceAwardscontestthisyear!”Okay,nowImustseewhat’ssospecialaboutthisbookthatitbeatoutmyownbookinthecontest(minewasnamedafinalist).Whatoccurrednextwasbeyondawesome.

Isteppeduptothetableandmettheauthor’smother.Yes,Isaid“mother.”Thattookmeaback,becauseshelookedsoyoung.Iasked,“whereistheauthor?”AsIaskedthisquestion,ateenagerwalkeduptome.Atthispoint,I’mstunnedattheyoungageoftheauthor!IgottomeetShaneCloonanandimmediatelylearnedwhatahumble,respectful,andkindyoungmanhehasbecome.Forsomereason,Shanedidn’tknowthathisbook,JourneytotheCrosswonthe2016NationalIndieExcellenceAwardsintheChildren’sReligioncategory.Ihadtheabsolutehonorofinforminghim.IwishIcouldhavecapturedthelookonhisface.Hewasinawe.Eyeswide,hequietlysaidinawhisper,“Whythisisreallyhuge,isn’tit?”Yes,Shane,itishuge!

MyThoughtsonJourneytotheCrossandShaneCloonan

Laterthatevening,afterhehadautographedmycopy,Isatdowntoreadthestory,andinstantlyunderstoodwhyShane’sbookwontheaward.EveryoneknowsthestoryofJesus’birth,life,passionanddeath.However,noonehasevertoldthestoryfromtheviewoftheever-faithfuldonkeywhowasapartofJesus’life.BythetimeIreachedthelastpageofthebook,tearsfloweddownmycheeks;forthisstory,toldfromthisperspective,touchedmyhearttothecore.ThedonkeyhadsuchloveforJesusthroughoutthestory;onlywantingtobeJesus’faithfulservant.ShaneCloonanhasadefinitetalentforwritingchildren’sbooks.TheetchingsbyRichardBrowningareexquisite;givingourlittleonesanabilitytograspthemessageofthestory,viaillustration.

IamsogladthatImadeapointofaskingShanetosignmybookasfollows:“Fromtheawardwinningauthor,ShaneCloonan”because,onedayIhopethatthenameofShaneCloonanwillbeahouseholdname.Iplantokeepmyeyeonwhatelsethisyoungmanproduces;onceagainrequestingasignedcopy

fromthisawardwinningauthor!

IfyouwouldliketogetyourcopyofJourneytotheCross,clickhere.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://virginialieto.com/journey-cross-book-review/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Cross-Shane-Cloonan/dp/1513603507/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1471444922&sr=1-1&keywords=journey+to+the+cross+shane+cloonanhttp://virginialieto.com/journey-cross-book-review/


7ReasonsIDoNotWearaChapelVeil[atCatholicStand]

BecauseIAmNotMoreHolythanYou

Manypeoplethesedayslookatwomenwhochoosetopracticethedevotionofveilingas‘holierthanthou’–mostcharacteristicallyinNovusOrdoparishes.Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.Inmypersonalexperience,thereasonswomenveilarenumerous.TheirmotivationincludesemulatingtheBlessedMotherbecausesheistheconsummatefemalerolemodel.Anotherreasonisthat,oftentimes,sacredthingsareveiled–thetabernacle,forexample.Aslife-bearers,wewomen,haveasacredcollaborationwithourspousesandGod.Wecarrythetreasureoflittlesoulswithinourbodiesforninemonthsbeforeintroducingthemtothisworld.

BecauseItIsaFashionStatement

Therearesomanywaystoembellishourappearance.Wewearflatteringclothing,jewelry,andperhapsabitofmakeup.Yetachapelveilisnotafashionaccessory.Ifthetemptationtolookontheveilinthisway,itmaybewisetoreconsiderthispiouspractice.Conversely,wearingaveilisoftenahindrancetofashion.Thatcarefullycoifedhead,adornedwithabeautifulhairstylemayverywellbeflatandunflatteringbythetimethefinalblessingofMassisgiven.Wearingachapelveilcan,however,affirmtherecognitionofourGod-givenfemininityascomplimentarytothemasculinityofourspouses.

BecauseIAmNotStuckInThePast

SomeCatholicsofgoodfaithbelievethattheobligationforwomentocovertheirheadscontinuestobebindingtothisday.Othersknowthelawsurroundingveilingwasabrogatedandtherefore,believethepracticetobepassé.AquickstudyofCanonLaw,however,confirmsthat,whilethedevotionisnolongerbinding,itisacceptable,andevendesirable,asavoluntarypractice.

BecauseItIsaDistraction

Wearingachapelveilis,forme,atangiblewayofremovingmyselffromthisworldandenteringintoHeavenonEarth.AsIclipmyveiltomyhair,mydemeanorchanges,andmysoulstills.Yes,IamincommunionwiththeothersinsurroundingpewsbutmysoulisinstilldeepercommunionwithGod.ThedistractionsoflifeasusualfadeawayandmysoulistransportedtotheCross.There,MarystandsatmysideandwepondertogetherthisSonsheboreandtheSalvationHebrought.

BecauseIAmNotVain

Realisticallymyalmostsixtyyearshavelefttheirmark.Short-cropped,saltandpepperhairthatisleftundyed,abodynotnearlyassvelteasmyyoungerself,andcreasesetchedintolaughlinesatmouthandeyes–thatistherealityofmypresentself.Wearingachapelveilofthefinest,importedlacewoulddonothingtochangetheserealities.Ifanything,donningaveilwhenfewornoothersdoistheoppositeofvanity.ItspeaksofhumilityandacomfortwiththeGod-givenself.

https://churchpop.com/2014/12/08/10-reasons-women-wearing-veils-church/http://designsbybirgit.blogspot.com/2013/10/interior-disposition-why-fix-your-hair.htmlhttp://designsbybirgit.blogspot.com/2013/07/veiling-revisited-is-it-mandatory.htmlhttp://www.catholicstand.com/decision-wear-veil-mass/

BecauseIDoNotWanttoCallAttentiontoMyself

Howeasyitistoseekacceptance–tobeoneofthecrowd.Whenweblendinwearealmostanonymous.Thatbitofextraweight,thecharcoalhair,andunexceptionalfacecanmakeforamonolithicscene.Itisexactlywhenwestepoutofourcomfortzone,forthesakeofthespiritual,thatwebecomedifferent.Althoughthisisnevertheintent,especiallyforanintrovert,itspeaksofadevotionthatovercomes.Itovercomesthetrepidationofbeingjudgedandpresentsavulnerabilitynotusuallysought.ItcouldbecalledachildlikegifttoFatherGod,oneofthewaystoshowHimlove.

BecauseIDoNotWantPraiseFromOthers

“She’ssuchagoodCatholic;lookathowmodestlyshedressesandwearsachapelveil!”No,thatisnotatallwhatwearingaveilisabout.Ifanything,thoseofuswhopracticethisoptionaldevotionwouldrathernotbecalledoutasholywomen.Speakingformyselfandthosefriendswhoalsoveil,weareasorrylot.Ourliveshavetakenusonmanycrookedpathsandself-inflicteddetours.WehavenotalwayslistenedwhentheHolyGhostwhispered,muchlesswhenHehitusintheheadwhileshoutingatus,likethesinfulchildrenweare,topleasepayattention.

WomenWhoVeil

Womenwhoveilvaryasmuchasourchapelveilsdo.Wecomefromallwalksoflife–cradleCatholics,converts,young,old,LatinMassdevotees,NovusOrdoattendees,married,single,andmyriadothercharacteristics.Evenourreasonsforcoveringourheadsarenumerous.ThecommongroundisourdevotiontoourbeautifulCatholicfaith,handeddowntousdirectlyfromJesustohisdisciplesinanunbrokenpieceofHeavenonEarth.

Weseekforgiveness,sinandconfess,resolveandfall–butwepickourselvesbackupagain,keepingoureyesonthePrize.Whetheryoujoinusinthedevotionofwearingachapelveilornot,weareyoursisters.Letustrulybeincommunion.Letusprayforoneanother.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.catholicstand.com/7-reasons-not-wear-chapel-veil/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

http://designsbybirgit.blogspot.ca/2014/05/veiling-and-you-5-things-catholic-boys.htmlhttp://www.catholicstand.com/7-reasons-not-wear-chapel-veil/


LikeArrowsintheHandofaWarrior[atPlotLineandSinker(EllenGable,Author)]

“ChildrentooareagiftfromtheLord,thefruitofthewombarewardLikearrowsinthehandofawarriorarethechildrenbornofone’syouth.Blessedaretheywhosequiversarefull.Theywillneverbeshamedcontendingwithfoesatthegate.Blessedisthemanwhohasfilledhisdesirefromthesethings…”Psalm1273:5

Sohowmanyarrowsmakeafullquiver?

Theansweristhatitdependsonthequiver…andthesizeofthearrows.

Ourpublishingcompany’snameisFullQuiverPublishing.

Wenowhave14books(mostpublishedbyotherauthors)andfourbookscominginthenextyear.

Often,peopleassumethatwearepartofthe“Quiverfull”Movement.AtWikipedia,Quiverfullisdescribedas:“amovementamongconservativeevangelicalChristiancouples…itpromotesprocreation,andseeschildrenasablessingfromGodeschewingallformsofbirthcontrol,includingnaturalfamilyplanningandsterilization.Adherentsareknownas“quiverfull”,“fullquiver”,“quiverfull-minded”,orsimply“QF”Christians.SomerefertotheQuiverfullpositionasProvidentialism…”

Aninternetsearchofthewords“FullQuiver”showsourwebsiteonthefirstpage,alongwithamajorityofwebsitesandblogsdevotedtotheQuiverfullMovement.

Iadmirecoupleswhofollowthisideology,especiallyinthisdayandagewhenthemajorityofmarriedcouplesareusingartificialcontraceptionorbecomingsterilized.

However,wearenotpartoftheQuiverfullMovement.Instead,weproudlyuseandteachNatural

http://www.fullquiverpublishing.comhttp://www.fullquiverpublishing.comhttp://www.ccli.org

FamilyPlanningtoplan,spaceandlimitbirths.WhenweareteachingNFP,wealwaysencouragegenerosityandalwaysstressthereshouldbeseriousneedtoavoidpregnancy.WeagreewiththeChurch’steachingsontheTheologyoftheBodyandarewell-versedinthetwoencyclicalsHumanaeVitaeandFamiliarisConsortio.Ourpublishingcompanypublishesfictionandnon-fictionthatpromotestheChurch’steachingsonsexandmarriage.

Sowhythename?

Yearsago,IlistenedtoatalkbyKimberlyHahn,inwhichshequotedtheScripturepassageaboveandtalkedaboutthegreatgiftofchildrenandwhygenerositywassoimportant.Shelaterstatedthisconceptinherbook,Life-GivingLove:EmbracingGod’sBeautifulDesignforMarriage:“Weareinaspiritualbattle,andourchildrenareourarrows:Howmanyarrowsdoyouwantinyourquiverwhenyougointobattle?”

Thistalkmadeadeepimpressiononme.Sowhenwewereformingourpublishingcompany,afterdiscussingdifferentnames,thisisonethatwefeltGodcallingustouse:“FullQuiverPublishing.”ItneverdawnedonusthatwewouldbeconfusedwiththeQuiverfullfolksandthat,occasionally,wewouldreceiveanemailoracallfromsomeoneintheQuiverfullmovement.

Backtothenumber:mostquiversholdabout12arrows.MyhusbandandIhavelostsevenbabiesthroughmiscarriageandareraisingfivesons:wethankGodforour“fullquiver.”

Copyright2013EllenGableHrkach

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://ellengable.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/like-arrows-in-the-hand-of-a-warrior-or-how-full-quiver-publishing-got-its-name/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio_en.htmlhttp://www.amazon.com/Life-Giving-Love-Embracing-Beautiful-Marriage/dp/1569552924/http://ellengable.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/like-arrows-in-the-hand-of-a-warrior-or-how-full-quiver-publishing-got-its-name/


September'sOpenBook&SabbathRestBookTalk[atErinMcColeCupp]

CarolynAstfalkhasafirstWednesdayofthemonthbookreviewlinkup!

IntheinterestsofbeingasefficientwithmytimeasIpossiblycan,I’mkillingtwobirdswithonestone.Inadditiontoreviewingbooksfor#OpenBook,I’vestartedamonthlyeventonFacebookLiveoveratmyauthorpage.It’scalledSabbathRestBookTalk,andinitI’lltalkaboutafewofthebooksI’vereadinthepastmonthintermsofhowthey,asfiction,helpusgrowinhumanity.

Thismonth’sfocuswasonmeaning,orhowfictionusesmeaningtoconveylayeruponlayerofexperience,understanding,anddimensionalityofthehumanexperience.Whenwehumansusesymbolstocommunicatemeaning,wegivefleshandboneandsubstancetotheinvisible.

September’sSRBTFeaturedFiction:

JaneEyrebyCharlotteBronte

http://www.carolynastfalk.com/tag/open-book/http://www.carolynastfalk.com/category/my-scribblers-heart-blog/https://www.facebook.com/erinmccolecuppauthor/

TheLion’sHeartbyDenaHunt

(ClickhereformymoredetailedreviewofTheLion’sHeart)

AChairforMyMotherbyVeraB.Williams

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KWJ5X3I/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1https://erinmccolecupp.com/2014/06/25/wwrw-the-lions-heart-by-dena-hunt/https://www.amazon.com/Chair-Mother-Anniversary-Reading-Rainbow/dp/0688040748/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473182455&sr=1-1&keywords=a+chair+for+my+mother

OtherstuffI’mreading:

ItisRightandJustbyRev.JohnCunningham,OP&Rev.GeorgeCardinalPell[nonfiction]

NightbyElieWeisel[narrativenonfiction]

https://www.amazon.com/Right-Just-Responses-Roman-Missal/dp/0988188856/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473182011&sr=1-1&keywords=it+is+right+and+justhttps://www.amazon.com/Night-Elie-Wiesel/dp/B005DK84AA/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473182180&sr=1-4&keywords=night+elie+wiesel

Andhere’sSeptember’sSabbathRestBookTalkvideo:

Whatareyoureading?Don’tforgettolinkupYOUR#OpenBookreviewsoveratCarolyn’s!

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://erinmccolecupp.com/2016/09/06/septembers-open-book-sabbath-rest-book-talk/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

https://youtu.be/3DOEZOR4DE4http://www.carolynastfalk.com/tag/open-book/http://erinmccolecupp.com/2016/09/06/septembers-open-book-sabbath-rest-book-talk/


EssayonPartisanDissentLeadingtoRebellion[atIfIMightInterject]

INTRODUCTION

BenedictXVI,inoneofhispre-papacybooks,discussedturningtheCatholicfaithintopartisanfactions.Init,hepointedoutwhatfaithwasincontrastwithwhatpeopleweretryingtodowiththeChurch.

WhenIadvocateaparty,ittherebybecomesmyparty,whereastheChurchofJesusChristisnevermyChurchbutalwayshisChurch.Indeed,theessenceofconversionliespreciselyinthefactthatIceasetopursueapartyofmyownthatsafeguardsmyinterestsandconformstomytastebutthatIputmyselfinhishandsandbecomehis,amemberofhisBody,theChurch.

JosephRatzinger,CalledtoCommunion:UnderstandingtheChurchToday,trans.AdrianWalker(SanFrancisco:IgnatiusPress,1996),158.

ThefaithoftheChurchcallsustochangetogrowclosertoGod.PartisanshipcallsontheChurchtochangetomatchwhatismostpleasingtous.Ifwe’renotcareful,wemightfindourselvesrebellingagainstGodinthenameof“reforming”or“restoring”theChurchtowhatwewantwhilepretendingwe’redoingitforthebenefitofothers.Asalways,thisisnotacasewhereonlyonefactionisguilty.AnytimewegetangryattheChurchforchangingthingsfrom,ornotchangingthingsto,whatwethinkisbest,we’rebehavinginapartisanmanner.

Clarifications

I’dliketoclarifysomethingfirst.WhatIwroteabovedoesnotdenytherightuseofCanonLaw#212§3.I’mconcerned,however,thatsomepeoplewhoappealtothiscanonaremisusingittodemandtheChurchbecomemorelikewhattheywant,notconsidering(or,perhaps,refusingtoaccept)thattheChurchmighthavevalidreasonsformakingsomechangesandrefusingtomakeothers.

IwouldalsoliketoclarifythatthisdoesnotmeanthelaityhasnothingtosaywhenapriestorbishopmisuseshisauthorityandactsagainsttheteachingoftheChurch.OurLordgaveHisauthoritytoSt.PeterandtheApostles,andishandeddownfromgenerationtogenerationtothePopeandbishopsincommunionwithhim.Thepriestorbishopwhoactsagainstthismagisteriumabuseshisoffice.Suchaonecannotdemandthatthelaityactagainstwhatthemagisteriumteaches.

PARTI:AUTHORITYANDDISSENT

WhoHastheAuthoritytoDetermineProperInterpretationandChurchPractice?

However,CatholicsdogowrongwhensomeoneclaimsthatthePopeandbishopstodayareinerrorandgoagainsttheteachingsofearlierPopesandCouncilsorthattheywerewronginthepastandfinallyaregettingitright.ThemagisteriumdecideshowtobestapplythetimelessteachingsoftheChurchtothe

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__PU.HTM

problemsoftoday.Incontrast,someonewhoclaimsthatarecentPope“violates"whatSt.PiusXsaid,orsomeonewhoclaimsSt.JohnPaulII“violated"VaticanII,hasnostandingtointerpretthedocumentsagainstthemagisteriumtoday.

Thisconfusessomepeople.Afterall,aren’ttheyappealingtothemagisterium?No.Theyareappealingtotheirpersonalopiniononhowtheythinkthedocumentshouldbeinterpretedagainstthosewhoactuallyhavetherightandresponsibilitytodeterminehowthedocumentistobeinterpreted.It’slikeapersontryingtoarguethathisinterpretationoftheConstitutionisrightandtheSupremeCourtiswrong.TheindividualsimplydoesnothavetheauthoritytointerprettheConstitutioninabindingmanneronthecountry,andtheindividualdoesnothavetheauthoritytointerpretmagisterialteachinginabindingmanneronthecountry.

SelectiveObedienceisDissent

Theproblemis,peopleassumethattheyonlyhavetolistentotheChurchiftheyagreewithwhatshesays.Ifsheteachessomethingtheydon’tlike,dissentersaccuseherofbecoming“conservative”or“liberal.”They’llaccuseherofbetrayingtraditionorbetrayingVaticanII.BecausethePopeandbishopsaredeemed“wrong”intheseareas,dissentersclaimtheydon’thavetoobeytheshepherdsoftheChurch.They’llappealtoconscienceortraditionwhenitsuitsthemandtreattheteachingtheydon’tlikeasifitwereanopinionorevenanerror.

TheproblemwiththatviewistheChurchisnotaninventionofmenwitharbitraryrules.Catholicsbelieve(ifthey’renotgrosslydeficientintheirreligiouseducation)theChurchestablishedbyOurLordandtheCatholicChurchtodayareoneandthesame.ThismeanssheteacheswiththeauthoritygivenbyChrist(Matthew16:19,18:18,28:18-20).SinceOurLordlikensrejectingHisChurchwithrejectingHim(Luke10:16,cf.Matthew18:17),dissentisaseriousmatter—rebellionagainstGodHimself.

Churchteachingisnotarbitrary.Theteachingsaremadeforourbenefit.HowdowelivetobefaithfultoGod?WhatisincompatiblewithlovingHim?ChurchteachingexiststomakeHisteachingknown.TheChurchisthemeansOurLordchosetobringknowledgeofHissalvationoftheworldandthecommandmentswemustkeepifwewouldbesaved(seeJohn14:15).ObeyingonlythepartsofHisteachingweagreewithanywayisrejectingOurLordontherest.IfwerejectHim,itwillnotgowellforus(Matthew7:21-23).

PARTII:SOMEDANGEROUSERRORSTHATLEADTODISSENT

ThedangerforCatholicstodaycomesfromthefactthatrejectionofauthority(dissent)hasmetastasized.It’snolongeracaseofagingmodernistsandradicaltraditionalistsliketheSSPX.Ithasspreadtothemainstreamofthefaith,sothatagrowingnumberofCatholicswhooncedefendedthefaithnowbelievetheChurchisinerrortothepointthattheyopenlyquestionorevenrejectlegitimateteachingauthoritywhenitgoesagainsttheirpreferences,forgettingthatGodpunishedsuchbehaviorasrebellion.

http://www.ifimightinterject.com/2016/09/thoughts-on-hardness-of-heart-and.html

WhydoweassumeGodwon’tpunishourrebellion,whenHepunisheditinothers?

Withthatinmind,I’dliketolookatsomeofthedangerouserrorsthatleadpeopletodissentwhilebelievingthemselvestobe“faithful”tothe“true”Church(whilerejectingthosegiventhetaskofshepherdingittoday).

VincibleIgnorance

Whenapersonhasnowayofknowingwhatthetruthis,butfollowsone’sconscienceandseekstodowhatisrighttothebestoftheirknowledge,Goddoesnotcondemnhimforwhatwouldbeimpossibletoknow.Butwhenapersoncouldknowiftheybotheredtodotheresearch,thentheydonothavethisexcuse.WhensomeonemakesanaccusationagainsttheshepherdsoftheChurch,wemustfindoutthecontextofwhatwassaid,takingintoaccountthedifferenceofculture,history,andotherconditionsthatleadtomisinterpretation.BecauseRashJudgmentandCalumnyaresins,wecan’tjustrepeatwhatweheard.Wehavetoactuallylearnthetruthaboutwhatwasclaimed.

Forexample,whenpeoplecondemn(orpraise)PopeFrancisfor“supportingsamesexmarriage”becausehesaid“WhoamItojudge?”theyareguiltyofvincibleignorance.Theycouldlookitupandreadtothetranscript,whichshowsthosewordshadnothingtodowithwhatpeoplethink.Becausetheycouldlearn,butprefertoremainintheirignorance,theirlackofknowledgewillbejudgedbyOurLord.

Thisleadsustooursecondproblem.

KnowingLessthanYouThinkYouDo

Relativismmustberejected.WecannottwistChurchteachingtoturn“ThoushaltnotdoX”into“XisOK!”Theproblemis,somepeopleknowlessaboutwhattheChurchintendstoteachthantheythinktheydo.There’s2000yearsofCatholictheologyoutthere,dealingwithcountlesswayspeoplecansin,aswellasknowledgeofreasonswhytheirguiltmaybeincreasedordecreased.Apersonignorantaboutthesethingsmightseetwodifferentissuesandassumetheyarethesame—andthatonemustcontradicttheother.Sotheychoosetheonethatfitstheirpreferenceandsaytheotheroneiswrong.Butifthedifferencesbetweenthetwocasesaregreaterthanthesimilarities,wecan’tcomparethemandclaimthey

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2477.htmhttp://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2013/july/documents/papa-francesco_20130728_gmg-conferenza-stampa.html

contradicteachother.

Forexample,recentlyonFacebook,IencounteredsomeoneclaimingthatSt.PiusXsaidthatsecularismwasa"perniciouserror”andthatPopeFrancissaidstatesmustbesecular.Therefore,thispersonreasonedthatthis“proved"PopeFranciswasaheretic.Apersonseeingthismightthinkthisstatementwasproven.TowhichIsay,“Notsofast."

St.PiusXdidsaythisintheencyclical“VehementerNos”(#3),writtenin1906.ThecontextofthisencyclicalwasFranceestablishinganti-CatholiclawsabsolutelyexcludingtheChurchfromanyroleinthestate(asituationworsethaninAmericatoday).Underthoseconditions,allreligionswereequallyisolated.Putincontextoftoday,whathewascondemningwastheexpulsionoftheCatholicChurchfromthepublicsquare.Incontrast,PopeFrancis,speakingaboutFrance110yearslaterspokeaboutanationneedingtobesecularinthesenseofnotharassingreligionsinfavorofone,butalsoinsistingonreligiousfreedomwhichFrancedidnotprovidein1906.Thecontextmissedbyaccuserswas110yearsofexperience.St.PiusXwaswritingaboutanewrebellion.PopeFrancisspokeaboutwhattheChurchlearnedsincethen.Forexample,theexperienceoftotalitarianhostilitytoallreligionandreligiouspersecutionfromasectarianstateintheMiddleEast.

Inotherwords,St.PiusXwasn’twrongincondemningFrancefortheirattackonreligion,butPopeFrancisspokefromtheperspectiveofthingsnotyetpresentin1906anddidnotcontradicthispredecessor.

FalseDualism

Onecommonassumptionisthatifyoudon’tsupportapreferredposition,yousupporttheantithesiswithalltheevilsitinvolves.OnecommonexampleintheelectionseasonistargetingCatholicswhoopposebothTrumpandClinton.BecausetheywillnotvoteforTrump,theyareaccusedofvotingforClintonandsupportingallareasherpoliticsviolateCatholicteaching.Anotherexamplemightbeassumingthatwhoeverthinkscertaingovernmentprogramsdon’tworkmustfavorlettingpeoplesuffer.

Theerrorhereassumesthatthereareonlytwopossiblesolutionsandifapersondoesnotsupporttheaccusersfavoriteposition,hemustbeguiltyofsupportingtheevilsoftheotherside.Butiftherearemorethantwopossibilities,thisaccusationisfalse.AssumingthereisnoattempttoevadeChurchteaching,adisagreementoverthebestwaytocarryitoutisnotendorsingevil.TraditionalismandModernismarenottheonlytwooptions.ConservativeandLiberalarenottheonlytwooptions.ThesefactionsdonotexpresswhetherapersonisafaithfulCatholicornot.IfXiswrong,allCatholicsmustrejectXregardlessoftheirpoliticalorliturgicalpreferences.

CONCLUSION:FROMFALSEASSUMPTIONSTODANGEROUSERRORS

Icouldcomeupwithseveralmoreerrors,butIwanttowrapthisarticleupbydiscussingwhytheyaredangerous.ThedangeristheseerrorsleadCatholicstothinkthatthepersonwhohasdifferentpreferencesonhowtoproceedisactingoutofmalice.SotheconservativeCatholicassumesthattheliberalCatholic(orviceversa)automaticallyembraceseverythingevilaboutthatpoliticalview.Theradicaltraditionalistassumesthenon-traditionalistisamodernist.PeopleassumethatPopesandbishopsspeakas21stcenturyAmericansanddon’tconsiderthetimesandplacestheyknewwhenspeaking.

AccusersseedifferencesandassumethedifferencemeansarejectionofChurchteaching,orarejection

http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-x/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-x_enc_11021906_vehementer-nos.htmlhttp://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Pape/INTERVIEW-Pope-Francis-2016-05-17-1200760633

ofwhatJesussaidinScripture.Theaccusersdon’tconsiderwhetherthey’vegottensomethingwrongandmakeunjustaccusations.WhentheseaccusationsaremadeagainstthePopeandbishopswhentheyteach,theyseparatetheaccuserfromtheChurchwhilethinkingtheyareintheright.TheyalsocausescandalbyunderminingfaithinOurLordprotectingHisChurchandleadingotherstodisobeyaswell.

Whatwehavetorememberisweneedtoknowthefactsandcircumstancesinvolvingtheactsbeforemakinganaccusation.WhentheaccusedisthePopeorabishopproperlyexercisinghisteachingoffice,weneedtorememberwehavetogiveourassent.Inallcaseswemustremembercharityandmakesureweproperlyunderstandandnotactrashly.TheChurchdoesnotturnwrongintoright,butcircumstancescanmeanthattwoeventsthatlooksimilarcanactuallybeverydifferent.IfwerashlyassumeevilonthepartoftheshepherdsoftheChurch,wecan’tjustshrugoffthefalseaccusationonJudgmentDay.We’llhavetoanswerforourrebellion.

Sotoavoidjudgment,wemustrecognizewemightnothaveallthefactsandthereforemightnotproperlyunderstandwhatseemswrongatfirstglance.Yes,therewillbesinoutthereandwemustcorrectsinners.ButwemustnotassumewearealwaysintherightandthePopemustbewrongifherulesdifferentlythanwewant.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.ifimightinterject.com/2016/09/essay-on-partisan-dissent-leading-to.htmlCopyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

http://www.ifimightinterject.com/2016/09/essay-on-partisan-dissent-leading-to.html


TheLieoftheApostolate{HowILeftMyChildrenPoor}[atBlossomingJoy]

TheysaidthatIshouldhaveanapostolateifIwantedmykidstogrowinfaith.ThatIshouldbuildupthekingdom.Usemyskills.Bealeader.Besaltandlighttotheworld.Theysaidthatitwasn'tenoughtolovemykids...thatGodmademeformore.

Theywerewrong.

Myfamilyismyapostolate.Myhomeismyheadquarters.Myhusbandmyfundraiser.IfGodcallsmetodosomefurtheroutreach,itwillonlybethatwhichdoesnotleavemyfamilyunloved,uncaredfor,orwithonlytheleftoversofwhoIam.

Myapostolicworkshaveoftenbeenexcuses...distractions...waysoffeelinglikeaproductiveChristianwhileavoidingtheharderwork.Awayofbreakinguptheboredomofsacrificialworkdonewithoutdevotion.

Iwouldhavebeenabetterwoman,wife,mother,daughter,sister,friend,andhomeschooleroverthelast20yearsifIhadn'tboughtintotheideathatIneededtobecomesomekindofministertotheworld.Somemomshavethegiftofbeinghighenergy.Iamnotoneofthem.AndIhaveexpendedmyselfinsomanydifferentdirectionsandIwasconvincedthatmyoutreachesandapostolicworkswerethemoralequivalentofwhatIwasdoingathome.InowbelieveIwaswrong.

IonceprintedoutthewordsofPopeSt.JohnPaulIItorecalltheminmydailywork.Hesaid:

"Youmustneverbecontenttoleavethemjustthecrumbsofthefeast.Youmusttakeofyoursubstance,andnotjustofyourabundance,inordertohelpthem.Andyoumusttreatthemlikeguestsatyourfamilytable."

IfanciedmyselfarealwinnerbecauseIthoughtIunderstoodhismessagewhichwastocareforthepooroftheworldinawaythatcostssomething.IknewwhatitmeanttobeonthereceivingendofChrist-likesacrificialloveandIknewthepowerofthemercyofJesusandIwantedtobethatforothers.MyproblemwasthatIdidn'tseethehypocrisyofleavingthecrumbsformyownchildrenwhileIfedstrangers.

Ididn'tseethemasguests.Ididn'tseethemasthepoor.Ididn'tseethem.NotthroughthelensofChristanyway,butonlyasashallowmom.

Oh,howthenarcissismofourageseepsintothecracksofourships!

AsweapproachMotherTeresa'scanonization,IhearherwordswithanewintensitybecauseIrealizethatIneverfullyunderstoodhereventhoughshewasboldandsimpleinhermessage.Iwastoobusypattingmyselfonthebackforbeingapostolic.

HerwordsbecameplacardstoconsolemyselfthatIwasdoingjustfine.PointtoJesus.Loveallthepeople.Idid.But...itwasshallow.Itwastheeasywayout.KindoflikebuyingprettytrinketsattheDollarTreetofeelgoodaboutsavingmoneyinsteadofshowingupforworktopaythebills.Anapparentgoodthatdistractsfromthehardworktowhichwearereallycalled.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://blossomingjoy.squarespace.com/blog/the-lie-of-the-apostolateCopyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

http://blossomingjoy.squarespace.com/blog/the-lie-of-the-apostolate


WhatAbout“I’mSorry”?

September24,2016bySusanStabile

Twoincidentsinthelasttwodayspromptthispost.

First,yesterdayIlearnedthatsomeoneIhadsharedsomenewswithconfidentiallyhadsharedthenewswithatleastoneotherperson.HeknewwhatIsharedwasconfidential,heknewwhyIdidnotwanthimsharingit,andheagreedtokeepthenewsquiet.Yet,fromthetimingofwhenthepersonhetoldturnedaroundandsharedthenewswithathirdperson,itappearshewastednotimeinbreachingtrust.WhenIconfrontedhimyesterday,tellinghimIwasangry,allhesaidwas“Youhavearighttobeangry.”Nohintofapology.

Second,wehaveagroupofstudentsforwhomitisextremelydifficulttofindtimestoschedulemeetingsgiventheirvariedschedules.Havingfoundtwotimeblocksthatworkforeveryone,wehavetoldthegroup(multipletimes)tokeepthosetwoblocksfreeuntiltheyreceivedanactualscheduleofmeetings.AmeetingwasscheduledforFriday(yesterday)afternoonandnoticeofthatsentoutearlierintheweek.OnThursdaylateafternoononeofthestudentsrushedintometosayshehad,severalweeksago,plannedtobeawaythisweekendandwasleavingFridaymorning.ThemostIgot,afterremindingherthatshewastoldtokeeptheblockopenwas“Iprobablyshouldhavetoldyouthisearlier.”Yathink?No“sorryforcausingyouallwastedtimeandenergy”or“I’msorryfortheinconvenience.”

Wegetthissortofthingallthetimeinthepublicrealm.Publicofficialswhocan’tgetanyfurtherinacknowledgingtheirwrongdoingthan“mistakesweremade”,asthoughthosepeskylittlemistakescreatedthemselves.Thewords“I’msorry”rarelypasstheirlips.

ButIguessIdon’texpectthatsameinabilitytoapologizeinpersonalrelations.IneverlikedthelineinLoveStorythat“lovemeansneverhavingtosayyou’resorry.”Itmatterstosay“I’msorry.”Itmattersbothforthepersonwhomessedup–intentionallyornot–totakeownershipoftheimpactoftheiractionorinactiononthepersontheyaffected.Anditmatterstothepersonharmedtohearthewords.

TheFirstLetterofJohnasksifwedon’tlovethepeoplewecansee,howcanwelovetheGodwecannotsee.Iwonderifwemightask:Ifwecan’texpresscontritiontothosewecansee,howmuchdowereallymeanitwhenweexpressourcontritiontotheGodwecannotsee.

Update:Ijustreceivedane-mailapologyfromoneofthetwopeopledescribedabove.Whetheritwasaresultofreadingmypost,orjusthavinghadtimetoreflect,theapologyisappreciated.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://susanjoan.wordpress.com/2016/09/24/what-about-im-sorry/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

https://susanjoan.wordpress.com/author/susanjoan/http://susanjoan.wordpress.com/2016/09/24/what-about-im-sorry/


KnockingonClosedDoors-WhyHavinganApostolateisNotJust"ANiceThingToDo"[atUnderThyRoof]

Afriendlinkedtoarecentblogpost

TheLieoftheApostolate

.Thepostreallybuggedme.Themaincallofthepostisgood-thatweshouldmakesureourfamiliesarelovedandcaredfor-butitwentaboutitinawaythatdidnotsitwellwithme.

Ithinkwhatbotheredmeisthatthepostgavetheimpressionthatservingbeyondyourfamilyisoptional.Thatitissomethingthat'sgreatifyougetaroundtoit,butnobiggieifyoudon't.

Thatisselfishnavalgazingmasqueradingasholiness,myfriends.

Youknowwhathappenswhenpeoplefeelthatservingintheirparishes,neighborhoods,schoolsisoptional?Theworkdoesnotgoaway,itshiftsontosomeonetryingtofillinthegaps-orworse,thatsupportnetworkdisappearsforgood.

Lately,that'sbeenmeformyparish.I'vebeenattemptingtocarrytheweightoffivepeople.I'monlyoneperson,anditshows.

Youknowthesaying"Manyhandsmakelightwork"?Ithinkonecannotappreciatehowmuchthemanyhandsareneededuntilonetriestodotheworkofthemany.It'snotpretty.

Icannotexpresshowmuchevenalittleassistancewouldhelp.Itmaynotfeellikemuch,butsomeonevolunteeringtosetupdrinksbeforeaparishevent,printoutfliers,orbeagreeteratthedoortakesloadsofburdenoffofthosepeoplewhoaretryingeverythingtheycantokeepthisshipafloat.

WhenIlookaroundtryingdesperatelytocommunicatehowmuchthosewillinghandsareneeded,allI'vebeenseeingareclosedarms.

Therearetypicallyreasons,manyofthemaregood,tohavethedecisiontovolunteerbe"notrightnow",buttherewillALWAYSbeareasonnottostepup.

Itmayfeeltoyoulikeyou'rejustsaying"notrightrightnow",buttothepeoplewhoarelefttotryand

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C979UKwUjZE/V9A6scrXBOI/AAAAAAAAC5E/Z2zOY8BeCZARJelFxA8siYhWCVSFKsP8gCLcB/s1600/KnockingonClosedDoors.jpghttp://www.blossomingjoy.com/blog/the-lie-of-the-apostolate

keepthingsafloatitfeelsmorelikeyou'resaying"notmyproblem".Whennotonehelpercanbefound,thosevolunteersthatareleftarebeingdisrespectedandtakenadvantageofbytheverypeopletheyaretryingtoserve.

Ifyouwanttohaveahealthyneighborhood,parish,orschool,youhavetoshowup.Itisnotsomeoneelse'sproblem,itisyourproblem.Myproblem.Ourcollectiveproblem.

YouCANfindsomewaytocontribute!Ireallytrulybelieveeverypersonisvaluableandneeded,andthateverypersoncangivebacktothosecommunitiestheysofreelyutilize.

Taptheoldladyontheshoulderwhoyouseealwaysdoingsomethingfortheparish,tellherhowmuchyouappreciateit,andaskhowyoucanhelp.(Seriously,Icannotrecommendthishighlyenough.Youhavenoideahowlongithasprobablybeensinceanyonetoldher"goodjob".)

Fillaneedthatyouseeinyourneighborhood.

Askyourkid'steacherifthereissomethingtheywishtheyhadavailablefortheirclassroom.

Whatifyouhavebabiesandthisisallscaryandoverwhelming?

Ihaveawholepostaboutthat!

Theideathatyourfamilyisyourapostolateisallwellandgood,butitisnotoktousethatasareasontoignoreyourlargerfamily.Don'tforgetaboutus!Wehaven'tforgottenaboutyou.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://underthyroof.blogspot.com/2016/09/knocking-on-closed-doors-why-having.htmlCopyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

http://underthyroof.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-to-have-apostolatewhen-you-have.htmlhttp://underthyroof.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-to-have-apostolatewhen-you-have.htmlhttp://underthyroof.blogspot.com/2016/09/knocking-on-closed-doors-why-having.html


HTTP/1.1200OKServer:nginxDate:Tue,11Oct201615:07:15GMTContent-Type:text/html;charset=UTF-8Transfer-Encoding:chunkedConnection:keep-aliveStrict-Transport-Security:max-age=86400Vary:Accept-EncodingVary:CookieX-hacker:Ifyou'rereadingthis,youshouldvisitautomattic.com/jobsandapplytojointhefun,mentionthisheader.X-Pingback:https://shiftingmyperspective.com/xmlrpc.phpLink:;rel=shortlinkX-ac:3.ord_dca

BedTimeBlessingBags[atShiftingMyPerspective]“Buttheonewholistensanddoesnotactislikeapersonwhobuiltahouseonthegroundwithoutafoundation.”Luke6:49

Iamaterriblemotheratbedtime.Bythathourofthedaymytankisempty,andthere’snotashredofpatienceleftinme.Toprotectmykidsfromthemeanmommythatlurkswithin,myhusbandusuallyputsourkidstobed.

Thatbeingsaid,inourhouseholdmyhusbandhaseveryWednesdaynightoff(mynightoffisThursday).SotagI’mitforWednesdays.Knowingthis,I’mveryconsciousofkeepingsomeenergyandpatienceinreserveonWednesdayssoIcanmakeitthroughbedtime.

However,lastWednesdaywasalongerdaythanusual.Masonhadbaseballpracticeatnight.Ishouldhaveknownwhatwascoming.

Althoughbedtimeistypically8p.m.,wewerejustleavingtheballfieldatthathour.Ispenttheshortdrivehomestressingthefactthatmykidshadtogetreadyforbedthesecondwegotinthedoor.Despitemylecture,Zackdecidedtosharpenhisdrawingpencilat8:30p.m.andaccidentallydetachedthesharpenerfromthepantrywall.

Puttingasidemyowndesperateneedforthefreedomthatwasalreadysupposedtobemine,Itriedtohelphim.Butthreesecondsintoit,whenIcouldn’tfixthesituation,theswitchflippedinsideofme.ICOMPLETELYlostit:screamingandyellingtothepointofflappingmyarmslikeacrazylady!

Immediately,therewasthefranticpitter-patteroflittlefeetrunningupthestairsandbedroomdoorsslammingasallthreekidsranforcover.

Mykidsknowthissideofmealltoowell.IsupposeIdon’thaveenoughmommyguilttofeelbadaboutit;apersoncanonlydosomuch.Weallhaveourbreakingpoints,andbedtimeismine(therearealotofothertimestoo,but…).

IjustifyitbysayingitwouldbeworseifIwereaperfectmother.Mykidswouldhavetoliveuptothatwhenthey’reparents.IjokinglysayI’msavingthemfromtherapybybeingsoflawed.

Therealtruthis,IknowIneedtotryharder.Ican’tbelikethepersonintheparablefromLuke6wholistensbutdoesnotact.Attheveryleast,Ineedtoputsomesortofbedtimesafetynetinplace,afoundationofsorts:awaytosmooththingsoverifImisstepwhilewalkingthroughthebedtimeminefield.

OverthesummerIsawthemovieMiraclesFromHeaven(amovieIhighlyrecommend).JenniferGarnerplaysthemom.Eachnight,shevisitseachofherkidsaftertheyhavegonetobed.Sheasksthemwhattheyprayedforthatnight.Ilovedthatthelastmemoryeachofherkidshadbeforedriftingofftosleepwasofsharingtheirdeepesthopewiththeirmom.

I’vealwaysbeenabigfanofgratitudeandKarenO’Connor’sBlessingBagidea.SoI’mcombiningconcepts.Thispastweekend,IhungBlessingBagsoffeachofmykids’beds.Everynightnow,Ivisiteachofthemaftertheyhavegonetobed.Iaskthemwhattheyaremostgratefulforfromthatday.Iwritewhatevertheysayonalittlepieceofpaper,foldit,andthentogetherwesay,“ThankyouGod,”asIdropthepaperintotheirbag.

Nomatterwhattranspiredduringtheday,nomatterifIlostmycoolornot,theirfinalmemorybeforegoingtobednowisoneofalovingtimewithme.Moreimportantly,theyareexpressingdeepgratitudetoGod.Inmymind,therecanbenostrongerfoundationtobuildupon.

QuestionsForReflection:

*Whenismyweakestpointinmyparentingday?

*Isthereasafetynet,afoundationofsorts,Icanputinplacetoeitheravoidthepitfall,orredeemthemoment?

———————————-

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://shiftingmyperspective.com/2016/09/15/bed-time-blessing-bags/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

https://smile.amazon.com/Miracles-Heaven-Jennifer-Garner/dp/B01D1U6U6S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473952024&sr=8-1&keywords=Miracles+From+Heaven+DVDhttps://shiftingmyperspective.com/2014/09/04/greedy-or-grateful/http://www.karenoconnor.com/https://www.amazon.com/Basket-Blessings-Days-Grateful-Heart/dp/157856011Xhttp://shiftingmyperspective.com/2016/09/15/bed-time-blessing-bags/


Politicsispersonalbecausetobealiveistostruggle[atCatholicDeacon]

Inthefirstsectionofthesecondchapterofhisbook

Jesus&Salvation:SoundingsintheChristianTraditionandContemporaryTheology

,inwhichheintroducesNewTestamentsoteriology,RobinRyan,inreferenceto"thereignofGod"proclaimedbyJesus,notes,"Thereisaninescapabletensionbetweenthe'already'andthe'notyet'...thatshouldnotbedissolved."HetheninvokesthegreatNewTestamentscholar,RaymondBrown:

ThekinglyruleofGodwasalreadymakingitselfpresentinJesus'person,proclamation,andactions,butthecompleteandvisiblemanifestationofthekingdomlayinthefutureandwouldalsobebroughtaboutthroughJesus,theSonofMan

"Thistension,"Ryanconcludes,"isintrinsictotheChristianunderstandingofGod'ssavingworkinJesus"(29).WhatisoftenleftoutatthispointisthattheHolySpirit,asLukeTimothyJohnsonnotablypointedout,isChrist'sresurrectionpresenceamongus.Inotherwords,God'skingdomdidn'tappear,disappear,andwillcomebackinfullwhenChristreturns.It'sbeenpresentallthistime,strivingtowardsrealization,butneverbeingfullyrealized.Livingthetensionbetweenthealreadyandthenotyet,whichcantrulybedescribedasdialectical,ispreciselywhatitmeanstoliveasaChristian.Livingthistensionishowyouaresaved.

God'sreignmustneverbeconceivedofasanotherhuman-enactedutopianscheme.Livingthekingdomasapresentrealityisnotprimarily,orevennecessarily,political,atleastnotascommonlyunderstoodtoday:activismattheexpenselove.StrivingtoliveGod'sreignasapresentrealityistheembodiment,Ithink,ofwhatVáclavHaveldubbed"anti-politicalpolitics."ItseemstomethatthemostcompellingglimpsesofGod'sreignpresentintheworld,ancientandmodern,havebeengivenwhenChristianslivedGod'sreignasapresentrealityunderhostileregimes:St.Lawrence/St.MaximilianKolbe;Sts.Perpetua&Felicity/St.MariaSkobtsova.

It'simportanttopointoutafewpeoplewho'vemadeGod'sreignvisibleinsocietiesthatarehostileduetoindifference:DorothyDayandBrazilianArchbishopHelderCâmara.ItwasCâmarawhoobserved,"WhenIgivefoodtothepoor,theycallmeasaint.WhenIaskwhythepoorhavenofood,theycallmeacommunist."LivingGod'sreignbetweenthealreadyandthenotyetisintenselypersonal,butbynomeansprivate."Ourfaithcanonlybelivedthroughthe

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnjqeXWQolk/V-7E3uYjN8I/AAAAAAAAJTI/amLcA73Iw3EsOP_rPRhvr8OvbLZJKfc7wCLcB/s1600/tension.jpg

absence

ofmanifestationsofthepowerofChristaccordingtoourexpectations,"LuigiGiussaniobservedwaybackinthe1960s."OurChristianvocation,"heinsisted,"becomes

authentic

onlythroughthisabsence[...].WhereChristisnolongervisibleaspersonalaction,thenHisactioncoincides,becomesonewith,themotivationandactionofourperson..."

"IHaveLovedYouWithanEverlastingLove.IHaveHadPityOnYourNothingness,"

SpiritualExercisesofCommunion&Liberation2016,pg.2).

YoungSteelWorkers,byIvanBevzenko,1961-anexampleofSoviet-stylesocialistrealism

Havel,whowasoftenconsiderednaïve,graspedthedangerofutopianschemes:

Aheavenonearthinwhichpeopleallloveeachotherandeveryoneishard-working,well-mannered,andvirtuous,inwhichthelandflourishesandeverythingissweetnessandlight,workingharmoniouslytothesatisfactionofGod:thiswillneverbe.Onthecontrary,theworldhashadtheworstexperienceswithutopianthinkerswhopromisedallthat.Evilwillremainwithus,noonewillevereliminatehumansuffering,thepoliticalarenawillalwaysattractirresponsibleandambitiousadventurersandcharlatans.Andmanwillnotstopdestroyingtheworld.Inthisregard,Ihavenoillusions(SummerMeditations16)

Hewentontodescribethestruggleforabettersocietyintermsofawar."NeitherInoranyoneelse,"hewentontoobserve,"willeverwinthiswaronceandforall.Attheverymost,wecanwinabattleortwo-andnoteventhatiscertain."Nonetheless,hestillthoughtitimportanttoengageinthestruggle,pointingoutitisacenturiesoldwarthatwilllikelystretchforcenturiesintothefuture.HespeculatedthatperhapsGodwantsitthisway,whichItaketomeanit'ssimplythegivennatureofreality-youdon'thavetolikeit,butyoucan'tavoiditexceptbyself-deception.Neverforgetyoubearsomeresponsibilityforrealitybeingthisway.

Havelfirmlymaintainedfightingthiswar"istherightthingtodo.""Itisaneternal,never-endingstruggle,"hecontinued,"wagednotjustbygoodpeople...againstevilpeople,byhonourablepeopleagainstdishonourablepeople,bypeoplewhothinkabouttheworldandeternityagainstpeoplewhothinkonlyofthemselvesandthemoment.Ittakesplaceinsideeveryone.Itiswhatmakesapersonaperson,andlife,life"(

SummerMeditations

http://english.clonline.org/default.asp?id=605&id_n=21383https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtHg_MMx8HE/V-6okl8ZT_I/AAAAAAAAJS0/NYOjgtwT9HskORBI0LpZKgXB1Bd11J8-ACLcB/s1600/young-steel-workers.jpg

16).

InwakeofthewomanpouringointmentonhisfeetinthehouseofSimontheleper,Jesustoldhisdisciples,whocomplainedtheointmentcould'vebeensoldandtheproceedsusedtohelpthepoor,theywouldalwayshavethepoorwiththem(

Mark14:3-9

).Thereasonforthisis

not

becauseGodwillstherebepooramongus,butbecausewerefusetolivethetensionrequiredtomakeGod'sreignapresentreality.Thewoman'sactionshowstheseemingincongruitythathappenswhenthenotyetcollideswiththealready.Veryoftentheresultofsuchacollisionisbeautiful.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2016/09/politics-is-personal-because-to-be.htmlCopyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIcbOHWePQ4/V-7ELeyEAeI/AAAAAAAAJTE/1-wAwlRhWskrwmRWV847yldRVBLEx0I6gCLcB/s1600/jesus%2Bfeet.jpghttp://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/14:3http://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2016/09/politics-is-personal-because-to-be.html


DoorsWideOpenAndThe800thPost[atPaucaVerba]

Todaymarksthe800thpostforthePaucaVerbablog.AndhereisaphotoofthemonasterychapelinCyprusdedicatedtotheMotherofGodTrooditissa.Thedoorsarewideopen,invitingustoenterourowninnerroom,oursecretplace,topray.Likeopendoors,that'sallthese800postshavehopedtodo.

AftertheshepherdsvisitedthecaveofBethlehemandreturnedhomepraisingGod,SaintLuketellsus:ButMarytreasuredupallthesesayingsandreflectedontheminherheart.Luke2:19

Totreasure.Toreflect.Toponder.ToturnthethingsofGodoverandoverinourhearts.Thankstoallwhoenterherewithme.Isendgoodwishesandablessing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aY4cV83wB9U/V7wntIVMBVI/AAAAAAAAHNE/TKbmj3xKUtI4gr8L3T5CU7_CkOFyExV9gCLcB/s1600/cyprus%2Bmonastery.jpg

HereistheiconoftheTrooditissaMotherofGodfoundinthehigh-altitudeCyprusmonasterybearinghername.Themonkwhopaintedtheiconsparednoeffort,enfoldingtheHolyMotherandHerChrist-Childingreatfoldsofembroideredfabric.Angelsburstthroughthecloudsplacingheaven'scrown;theChildsitsinthecrookofhisMother'sarmasifonathrone.Maryseemstostandatheaven'swindowlookingoutatushappily,whileJesuswondrouslyreadshisopenbook.Maybeheisreadingtheancientprophecieswhichtellofhisbirthormaybehisfavoritepsalm.

ButtheTrooditissaiconhasaspecialty.Underthistitle,Maryisinvokedbywomenwhocan'tconceive."Womenwhoareinfertile,"thetraditionsays.Andwhilethisisnotableandmanycoupleswillgivetestimonyaboutthewonder-workingicon,I'dsuggesttheTrooditisssamightunderstandfertilityasamatteroftheheartevenmorethanobstetrics.

Sotoexplorethislargersense,Ilookedupthewordfertile,discoveringmanysynonymsandotherbeautifullyrelatedwordsthatcandeepenourprayerandhelpustoadvanceinspiritualunderstanding.

Fromtheinfertilityofsomucharguing-deliverus,OLady.Fromthesterilityofcynicismandcomplacency-deliverus,OLady.Fromthebarreninnerworldofsuspicion-deliverus,OLady.Fromfruitlessopinion-atingandarrogance-deliverus,OLady.

Fromtheunproductiverehearsingofresentments-deliverus,OLady.Fromtheimpoverishmentofharboringoldwounds-deliverus,OLady.Fromthefallowmindoffeveredimaginings-deliverus,OLady.Fromthedeathofingratitude-deliverus,OLady.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GcOdiDvlWc/V7xN0j8YOMI/AAAAAAAAHNU/ZEdDOIoPRTwZs7goq2I451pVmc348MwwQCLcB/s1600/Trooditissa%2BMother%2Bof%2BGod.jpg

OLady,makeusbountifulinlove,andrichinmercy.OLady,giveusahighyieldofhope;bringforthgoodnessinus.OLady,guideustoplentifulrejoicing,generativeoftrustinGodandthechild-ingofkindness.

OLady,thatwewouldflowercompassion,andbefruitfulingooddeeds.OLady,thatwewouldbebirth-ersoflove,ourmindsteemingwithgoodthoughtsofothers,ourwordsbearersofpeace.OLady,mothersomethingnewofJesusinus;smileintousanabundanceofjoy-carryingfaith.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://paucaverba.blogspot.com/2016/09/doors-wide-open-and-800th-post.htmlCopyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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http://paucaverba.blogspot.com/2016/09/doors-wide-open-and-800th-post.html


TeachingThroughStories(ThefollowingarticleoriginallyappearedinToday’sCatholicTeachermagazine.)

ByCadetgray(Ownwork)[CCBY-SA3.0orGFDL],viaWikimediaCommonsOnceuponatime,therewasatreasuredandbeautifulart.Itwasheldinhighesteembyall,andpracticedwhereverpeoplegathered.Thisbeautifulartwasknownasstorytelling.

TheearlyChristianslivedinastorytellingculture.Infact,inherbookAroundtheYearwiththeTrappFamily,MariaAugustaTrappsaysthat“Itisquiteprobablethattherewasstory-tellinggoingonintheeveningsinthelittlehouseinNazareth.”Certainly,itiseasytoimagineSt.JosephtellingOldTestamenttalestotheattentiveChildJesusonhislap,whileMarylistensnearby.PerhapsitwasthisstorytellingtraditionthathelpedformOurLordasasuperbstoryteller.Theparableshetold–theProdigalSon,theLostCoin,theGoodSamaritan–touchedtheheartsofhislistenersinawaythatsimplystatingtheparables’corelessonscouldnot.It’snowonderthat,ininstructingthepeople,Jesus“didnotsayanythingtothemwithoutusingaparable.”(Mark4:34)

Manygenerationslater,storytellingstillheldarespectedplaceinsociety,bothasanartformandasameansofpassingdownvalues.IntheMiddleAges,theprinciplesoftheFaithwerecommunicatedintheformofstoriescalledexempla(from“example).Exemplamadeuseofeverydaypeople,places,andthingstoillustratepointsoffaithandmorals.Thepopularityofexemplatoteachcatechismwasbasedonbeliefintheadage“Verbadocent,exemplatrahun”:“Wordsinstruct,examplesillustrate.”

Today,theuniversalChurchstillrecognizestheusefulnessofstoriesforreligiousinstruction.AccordingtotheAsianCatholicnewspaperUCANews,religionteachersinIndonesiahaveadoptedateachingmethodthatincorporatesstorytellingandfolklore.Thearticlereportsthat“teachers´experiencesarethemosteffectivemeanstotransferreligiousvaluestoschoolchildren.”

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.htmlhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AJesusTeaching.jpghttps://www.amazon.com/Around-Trapp-family-Maria-Augusta/dp/B0007DP32K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475341056&sr=1-1&keywords=Around+the+Year+with+the+Trapp+Family

CatechizingfromScripture

WhileIndonesiancatechistsareengagingtheirstudentswithfolktales,ChristianLeBlancistellingstoriestohissixthgradeclassatSt.Mary’sCatholicChurchinGreenville,SouthCarolina.LeBlanc,anAmazingCatechists.comcolumnist,istheauthorofTheBibleTellsMeSo:AYearofCatechizingfromScripture.

LeBlanc’smethodofBible-basedcatechesisisuniqueinthatitinvolvesplentyofgive-and-takebetweenteacherandstudent.LeBlancbelievesthatachild’sexperienceoflisteningtoastoryreadaloudfromabook–althoughfamouslycomparedto“tangiblewealthuntold,casketsofjewelsandcoffersofgold”(StricklandGillilan)–is“passive,”andthuslesseffectivewhenitcomestolearningthefaith.

“Readingaloudisfine,”hesays.“Iusedtoreadtomykidstoo.Butonlyhalfofstorytellingisthetelling,theotherhalfisthepersonalwitnessofthestoryteller.Thekidsneedtoknowthatthestorymatterstotheteller.”

“RememberthatBiblestoriesallstartedoffasoralaccountsandthenhadtobeeditedwaydownforpracticalreasons,”saysLeBlanc,“soyoushouldplanonnotreadingthemstraightfromthebookwithoutlotsofcommentaryandembellishment.”

Toparentswhoaren’tusedtointeractivestorytelling,LeBlancoffersthesetipsforspinningastirringstory:

Letthekidschimeinwithwhattheyknowandcantell.They’lllovetoactivelyparticipate.

Hamitup!Becomethecharactersinthestorybychangingyourvoiceanddemeanor.

Drawpictures,orhavethekidsdrawpictures.Includetheillustrationsinthestorytellingprocess.

Askthekidsquestionsthatpulltheminandcausethemtothink.Makesomeofthequestionssillyandsomeserious.

Connectthemes/lessonsinthestorytotheireverydaylife.TheParableoftheMustardSeed,forexample,canberelatedtothechild’sownexperienceofplantingagardenandwatchingtheseedssprout.

CatechizingfromLife

CatholiceducatorandstorytellerAlyssaBormesagreesthatreal-lifeexperiencescanbepowerfuleducationaltools.Bormes’bookisanexampleofanarrativethatteachesthefaith.Ittellstheincrediblestoryofthe1980Men’sOlympicHockeyTeamanditsunlikelygoldmedalwinovertheSovietUnionteam.AccordingtoBormes,theaccountis“thestoryofeveryunderdog,fullofsuffering,doubts,anddetermination.”

Bornesbelievesoutthat,inordertolearn,weneedconcrete,relatableexamples.SheusesTheCatechismofHockeytoillustratethepowerofexampleinstorytelling.

“JustimagineGrandpatellingthisstorytohisgrandchild.Imaginehimtakingthechildonavirtual‘pilgrimage’tothearenawhereitallhappened,and‘hearing’thecrowdcheering‘U.S.A.,U.S.A!’The

https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Tells-Me-Catechizing-Scripture/dp/1475296657/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475340957&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Bible+Tells+Me+So%3A+A+Year+of+Catechizing+from+Scripture.https://www.amazon.com/Catechism-Hockey-Alyssa-Bormes/dp/0974449504/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475340918&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Catechism+of+Hockey

accountis,inessence,theDavidandGoliathstory,andithasnowmadeanindeliblemarkinthemindofthechild,whocandrawuponitlaterinlifewhenfacingoverwhelmingodds.”

ObservesBormes,“Jesusfoundwaystoexpressage-oldtruthsinnewstories.Wecandothesameinthemidstoftheeverydaygoingson.”

CatechizingfromtheChurch

InhisarticleTheBirthofCatholicEvangelism,DealHudsonstated:“TheCatholicversionofChristianityhasfarmorestoriesready-to-handthananyotherdenomination–fromits2000yearhistoryanditsroleinthecreationofWesternCivilizationtothestoriesofitssaints,martyrs,clergy,andreligious.Ifit’struethatgoodstorytellingisthebasisofeffectiveevangelismthentheCatholicChurchisthemostfertilesoilonecouldimagine.”

Addingthat“theverysimplecanbethekeytotheverymystical,”Bormesadvisesparentstolookclosetohomeforstorytellinginspiration.

“TheChurchhasgivenusallthetoolstocatechizeourchildren,”shesays.“We,asparents,justneedtoknowtheStory!”

Bornesoffersthesesuggestionstoparents:

Takeyourkidstoyourparishchurch.Seehowmanysymbolstheycanfindinthewindowsandartoftheirownparish.Whatandwherearethesymbolsofbaptisminyourparish?Whydoesthebaptismalfontoftenhaveeightsides?WherearethesymbolsoftheEucharist?WhatdoesIHSstandfor?

Findoutwhichsaintisthepatronofyourparish.Getthewholestoryofthatsaint,includingtheatmosphereoftheworldatthetimethesaintwasonearth.Tellthechildrenthesaint’sstorywiththepassionduetoit!Then,goonapilgrimagetoyourownchurch,oracrosstown,totheside-altarwiththatsaint,therebymeetingthesaintandgivingthechildanewfriendforthejourneyoflife.

TalkaboutthestoriesbehindthefeastsoftheChurchyear.Arethereanyethnictraditionsrelatingtoyourfamily’sobservancesoffeastdaysandholydays?Doesyourfamilyenjoyspecialfoodsoncertainholydays?Doesyourparishhavespecialcustomsrelatingtotheliturgicalyear?Findoutthestoriesandsharethem!

Propitup!TheChurchinHerwisdomuses“bellsandsmells”tohelpengageallofoursensesandconnectustoHeaven.Parentscanmakeuseofpractical,everydaythingstohelpchildrengraspthetruthsandbeautyoftheFaith.Bornessays,“IoftenusestickfigurestoexplaintheTrinity;Iuseabaseballdiamondtoexplainactualtimethatwelivein,andGodbeingoutsideoftime;Iuseabagofholycardstoexplainchastity.”

Bormesstressestheimportanceofhavingchildrendomorethanjustlistentoastory.Byencouragingtheirchildrentowalkthroughthechurch,fingerthebaptismalfont,orsampleafeastdaymeal,parentshave“attachedthestorytomoresensesthanjusthearing.Thechildrenhavetouchedthestory…andithastouchedthem.”

http://www.catholic.org/news/national/story.php?id=55009

BeginningStorytelling

Perhapsyoustilljustcan’tpictureyourselfasastoryteller.Maybeyou’reafraidthat,inyourfirstattemptatsharingaScripturestory,you’llmixupDathanwithDavid,orconfuseJerichoandJeroboam.PerhapsaverbatimreadingofThePokyLittlePuppyisallyouthinkyoucanhandle.

Ifthat’sthecase,thenrepeatafterme:“IthinkIcan,IthinkIcan.”Thefactisthatyoudon’tneedtobeaLeBlancoraBornes–oraGrimmoraGeisel–totellagoodstory.Hereareafewjumping-offpointsforthereluctantstoryteller:

Takeoffyour“parent”hat

Rememberwhen,asachild,youmetyourteacheratthegrocerystoreorthemailmanatMass?Youweresurprisedthattheteacherandthemailmanhadlivesoutsidetheirrespectiveworkplaces.DelightyourkidsbytellingthemaboutdemureMother’sadventuresasacompetitiveskier,orstaidFather’santicsastheclassclown.IguaranteethatyourchildrenwillbethrilledtohearaboutMomandDadbeforetheybecameMomandDad.

Kidslovetohearabouttheirbabydays,andmanymotherslovetorecallthedetailsoftheirchildren’sbirthsandearliestdays.Whatwastheweatherlikeonthedaythechildwasborn?WhatdidMothersaywhenshefirstsawhim?TellabouthisBaptism.DidhecrywhenFatherpouredwateroverhishead?Athome,washecontentorcranky?Didhesleepmuch?Whendidhefirstsmile?Theseminutiaeareboundtocaptivatethechildwhoisthestory’scentralcharacter.

Takeatalethatyoulovedasachildandpersonalizeitforyourkids.I’vehadfunretellingthebelovedstoryof“TheGloriousWhitewasher”fromTomSawyer,replacingTom’snamewiththatoftheentrancedyounglistener,andthenamesofTom’scompatriotsBenRogers,BillyFisher,andJohnnyMillerwiththoseofthelistener’ssiblingsandfriends.ThechildwillenjoyimaginghimselftheownerofTom’samassed“wealth”–whichincludedakittenwithonlyoneeye

twelvemarbles,apieceofbluebottle-glasstolookthrough,atinsoldier,acoupleoftadpoles,sixfire-crackers,fourpiecesoforange-peel,adilapidatedoldwindowsash,andadeadratandastringtoswingitwith.

Beginwith“WhenIwasakid…”

”Andthenmydadtookoffhisshoeandsmackeditagainstthewindow,shatteringtheglass.”That’stheclimaxofastoryaboutmyfamilygettinglockedoutofourhousesomeforty-oddyearsago.Imusthavetoldittomyownkids,byrequest,athousandtimesovertheyears.Partofthestory’sappealliesinitsquaintdetails,e.g.Cellphonesdidn’texist,sowecouldn’tcallourneighborsforhelp.Bonusinterest-clincher:Mom,whowasthirteenatthetime,wasmortifiedthattheepisodehadbeenwitnessedbytheboyacrossthestreet,whomsheliked.

“Youbecomeagreatstorytellerbytellingstories,”saysBornes,“andovertimehoningyourcraft.”

AddsLeBlanc,“Don’tjusttellthestory.Shareitsothatyourlistenerswillbeimbibedwithit.”

Andeveryonelivedhappilyeverafter.

https://www.amazon.com/Poky-Little-Puppy-Golden-Classic/dp/0307021343/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475341181&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Poky+Little+Puppyhttps://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Tom-Sawyer-Amazon-Classics/dp/0996584838/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475341215&sr=1-1&keywords=Tom+Sawyer

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://celestebehe.com/2016/10/01/the-value-of-storytelling/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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http://celestebehe.com/2016/10/01/the-value-of-storytelling/


UniversityLife![atCruceSignatiBlog]

Well,Imovedoutandhavebeenlivinginauniversityresidenceforfourweeksnow.Thehomeschoolerisaliveandinfact,thriving!I’vecertainlylearnedalotinthepastfewweeks,aboutmyself,myfamily,school,citylife,andpeopleingeneral.

#1.Homeschoolingcanprepareyouforlife‘intherealworld’.

September7thdawnedbrightandsunny,andthewholeofcreationseemedcheerfulthatmorning.Iwasfeelinganxious,though.Itwasmyfirstdayofschool.Ever.Withtheexceptionsofadriver’sedcourseandgivingapresentationtosomefourthgradersoncomposting,Ihadneverevensetfootinaclassroombefore.SoasIlefttheresidence,IrecalledJulieAndrewssinging“IHaveConfidence”inTheSoundofMusicandbythetimeIreachedmyfirstclass,Iwasfeelingmuchbetter.This‘realschool’thingisnotashardasIthoughtitwouldbe,andall6ofmycoursesaregoingverywellnow.

BecauseIhavesomedietaryrestrictionsIoptednottoeatatthecafeteria.Sothatmeansbuyingmyowngroceriesandcookingformyselfontopofschool.GoodthingIhavelotsofpracticeinthisarea!Cookingforthefamilyoverthepastfouryearshascertainlypaidoff.Groceryshoppingandbudgetingarenotnewtome,butIamstilllearningtocheckflyersforsavings,usethestorerewardscard,andavoidimpulsebuys.Thenearestgrocerystoreisa15minutewalkfrommyresidence,soIcancombineexerciseanderrandsintoonetrip.

Learningtomanagemytimethroughoutmyhighschoolyearswasthebiggestblessingindisguise.Althoughitwasdifficultatthetime,itpreparedmeforlivingonmyownanduniversitylife.InhighschoolIusedastudytechniquecalledthePomodorotechnique.Ido25minutesofstudying/writing/reading,takea5minutebreak,andrepeat.Afewhoursofstudyinggobyveryquicklythisway.IcancompleteprojectswaybeforethedeadlineifImanagemytimeandexerciseself-control.Weekendsaremytimetocatchuponlaundry,cookformyself,orspendsometimewithfriends,whichleadstomynextpoint…

#2.Haveasupportsystem.

ThereisnowayIwouldbecopingsowellifitweren’tforthesupportofmyfriendshereinthecity.Myfamilylives3hoursaway,soMomhasbeentextingmeoftentomakesureI’mdoingalrightandsometimesthefam-jamwillcallmeorSkypemessagemebecausetheymissmequiteabit.Thiscontactwiththemisgreat,butitdoesn’treplacereallifecontact.Thankfully,I’vegotfriendshereinthecityandinthepastfewweeks,we’vegoneforwalks,hadcoffeeatvariousshops,goneswingdancing,wentforabeerafterAdoration,andsatonaparkbenchwatchingthesunsetandthecitylightscomeon.ThissupportsystemhaskeptmeoptimisticandIknowthatnomatterwhatstrugglesIface,Iamnotalone.

#3.Prayerlifeisvital.

vital:adj,essentialtoorsupportinglife;necessarytoexistence.FromtheLatinvitameaninglife.

Indeeditis.Whenplanningoutmyday,Isetaside45minutesforprayerinthemorning.Angelus,morningoffering,Rosary,andsometimeinsilencecanbefitintothisblock.Ifindthatthistimeinprayerisagood

http://pomodorotechnique.com/

wayofpreparingforthedayandfortifyingmyselfthroughGod’sgrace.IfeelWAYbetterwhenIstartmydaylikethis.Becauseofmyclassschedule,Ican’tmakeittodailyMass,butItrytogotoMassorAdorationatsomepointbetweenMondayandFriday.IneedtorechargeandbefilledbymySavior.

That’sallIhaveforreflectionnow.PraiseGodforalltheblessingsHehasgivenme!Noteverythinghasbeenperfect,butHisloveenduresandovercomeseventhegreatestsorrows.RememberthatHelovesyouandnothingcanseparateyoufromthatlove!

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://crucesignatiblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/01/university-life/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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http://crucesignatiblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/01/university-life/


SavoringAfriendandIrecentlydroveupstateonbusiness.Westretchedthedrivehomeintoawindingtripthroughtwonotches(localparlanceforamountainpass)beforefinallysettlingdowntoI-93.Afterall,itwasearlyautumn.Eveniftheleavesweren’tturningyet,thecrispairwasworthtakingtimetoenjoy.

Therewerethingswaitingtobedoneathome.MyfriendandIhadeveryreasontoscootbackattopspeedoncethebusinessmeetingwasover.Wedecidedinsteadtosavorthemountainsasbestwecouldfromthecar.Wearebothofapoliticalbent,andthisisthehighseasonforthat.Allthemoreatreat,then,todecideonthespurofthemomenttoputbusy-nessandcampaignsasideforafewhours.

Athomelater,IfoundthesewordsfromPopeSt.JohnPaulII.Theyfittheday.JohnPaulunderstoodsavoringtherightthings.

Whoeverreallywantstofindhimself,mustlearntosavornaturewhosecharmisintimatelylinkedwiththesilenceofcontemplation.Therhythmsofcreationaresomanypathsofextraordinarybeautyalongwhichthesensitiveandbelievinghearteasilycatchestheechoofthemysterious,loftierbeautythatisGodHimself,theCreator,thesourceandlifeofallreality.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://ellenkolb.com/2016/09/28/savoring/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

http://ellenkolb.com/2016/09/28/savoring/


MyWingedMessengers[atHarvestingTheFruitsofContemplation]

ThankyouAllisonGingrasandElizabethRiordanforyourweeklyinvitationtore-postourfavoritearticlesonWorthRevisiting.

MyWingedMessengers

(OriginallypostedAugust29,2016)

ThepresenceofmyfeatheredfriendsatthesetimesofprayerisGod’swayofremindingmethatifHecaresandprovidesfortheselittlecreatures,howmuchmorecertainIcanbeHewilldosoforme.

Icanneverberemindedofthistruthenough.

However,duringmymostrecentretreatthere,Godusedawingedmessengerinatotallydifferentway.YouseeinalltheyearsIhavebeencomingtotheAbbey,IhaveneverheardanybirdschirpingwhileIwasininthemainchapelinthemonastery–locatedamilefromtheretreathouse.

SilencereignssupremeinthatSacredspace,sincewords–writtenorspoken–arenotalwaysnecessary.OurlovingLordisabletocommunicatewithusinsilence.ItisforthatreasonthatIhavecometorelishandenjoythesequiettimesinHisPresence.ThepeaceandsolitudeservesasreminderformetoincreasethefrequencywithwhichIsitinsilencegazingatHimeitherintheexposedMonstranceorbehindlockedtabernacledoorswhenIamnotonretreat.

ButonthelastdayandmylastHolyHourofmymostrecentretreatthere,Iwasgiftedwiththesongofasinglesingingbird,penetratingthroughthesoothingandcomfortingsilenceoftheMonastery’smainchapel.Thathadneverhappenedduringpriorvisits.

SincetherearehundredsofacresoflandsurroundingtheMonasteryanditsretreathouse,whatbroughtthisparticularbirdtothisspecificspottointerruptthesacredsilenceofthisspaceonthisonesingleoccasion?AndforthatmatterwhatbringsthechirpingbirdstoserenademeattheretreathousechapeleverytimeIbegintopraythere?

God!

WhywouldHeblessmeso?

BecauseHewantsmetounderstandHewillbringmetowhereHewantsmetobeifIbuttrustHimandobeyHispromptingsasdohislittlefeatheredfriends.

WillIlistentoHim?

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://harvestingthefruitsofcontemplation.blogspot.com/2016/09/worth-revisiting-my-winged-messengers.htmlCopyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

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Lifeis...bySaintMotherTeresa

IremembermymothercopyingthispoemofMotherTeresa'sinherownnotebook.Icanstillpictureherclearandbeautifulhandwriting.Howwelongedtomeether!!!Shewasalivingsaint,likeFatherDamienofMolokai.Shetaughtbyexample.Shemademewanttobeanun(well,IdidgotoaConventschoolandIlovedthosesisters,sotheymayhavesomethingtodowiththisdesireaswell).Shemademewanttobegood.Shemademewanttobeholy.HowwonderfuloftheChurchtorecognizehersanctityafteralltheseyears.Prayforus,MotherTeresa.

Lifeisbeauty,admireit,Lifeisbliss,tasteit,Lifeisadream,realizeit,Lifeisachallenge,meetit,Lifeisaduty,completeit,Lifeisagame,playit,Lifeisprecious,careforit,Lifeiswealth,keepit,Lifeislove,enjoyit,Lifeismystery,knowit,Lifeisapromise,fulfillit,Lifeissorrow,overcomeit,Lifeisasong,singit,Lifeisastruggle,acceptit,Lifeistragedy,confrontit,Lifeisanadventure,dareit,Lifeishappiness,deserveit,Lifeislife,defendit.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14199713_10154511345433928_6137324580132637867_n.jpg?oh=498c8b54df918168da94b57e39313628&oe=5841A8C1

~apoembySaintMotherTeresaofCalcutta

(Ilovethisphoto,swipedfromTanBooksFBpage.Sojoyful.Justdiscoveredthenameofthephotographer:MichaelCollopy.Herearesomeofhisotherphotos.)

AbeautifulreflectiononMotherTeresaandmotherhoodbyFatherGeorgeRutler.TherearemanybeautifulbooksaboutandbyMotherTeresa.Favoritesinclude:ComeBeMyLightandNoGreaterLove.HereIsharejustafewofherthoughtsaboutthegreatevilofabortion.

AndhereisthefulltextofPopeFrancis'homilyattheMassforcanonization.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://vijayabodach.blogspot.com/2016/09/life-is-by-saint-mother-teresa.htmlCopyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=tan%20books%20postshttp://www.ncregister.com/blog/rachel-zamarron/photographing-a-sainthttp://www.crisismagazine.com/2016/memories-mother-canonization-saint-teresa-calcutta#.V73Za-Izg04.facebookhttps://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_14?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mother+teresa+books&sprefix=mother+teresa+%2Caps%2C245http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/17/64/b5/1764b59e44f48a06453c5be03d557958.jpghttp://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa23/holymusic55/Saints/Mother%20Theresa/MotherTheresaonabortion.jpg#Mother%20Theresa%20views%20on%20abortion%21http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2016/09/may-she-be-your-model-of-holiness-with.htmlhttp://vijayabodach.blogspot.com/2016/09/life-is-by-saint-mother-teresa.html


St.Jerome,DoctorofTranslation[atTheCatholicSpiritualLife]

St.JeromeandtheBible

I’msureyouknowthatSt.Jerome,whomtheChurchcelebratestoday,said,“IgnoranceofScriptureisignoranceofChrist.”Itshouldbeunderlinedthathedidn’tsaythisinpassing.Jerome’swholelifewasorientedaroundhisloveofScripture.HewasanirasciblemonkfromDalmatia(justtotheeastofnorthernItaly),whodidBiblicalworkinRomeandthenwassentbythePopetoBethlehem,wherehelivedinacave,studiedwithlocalexperts,includingJews,andtranslatedtheBibleintoLatin.Hewasn’tthefirstonetodothat,buthediditwell.

ButthoughthebestnameforSt.Jeromewouldbe“DoctoroftheBible,”todayIwouldlikeustoconsiderhimasthe“DoctorofTranslation.”

DoctoroftheChurch(ironically,sincewe’retalkingaboutaDoctorofTranslation)isapoorlytranslatedterm.InLatin,doctordoesn’tmeanhealer,itmeansteacher.(Weprofessor-doctorsaremoreproperlydoctorsthanthoseso-calledmedicaldoctors!)Thephraseisusedbythetraditiontotalkaboutthatparticulargroupofsaintswhosewritingsareespeciallyimportant:the“doctors”arethegreatteachersof“doctrine.”Thetitleseemstohavegrownupinpartasakindofliturgicalcategory:somesaints’feastsdeservespecialliturgicalemphasis(andlater,aspecialliturgy)becauseitissoimportantthatwelearnfromtheirwritings.

IntheWest(wheretheyspokeLatin,andsousedtheLatinword“doctor”)thetitlefirstwenttoSt.Augustine,arguablythegreatestteacheroftheWesterntradition(atleastuntilSt.Thomas,whoviewedhimassuch);alsoSt.Ambrose,hisgreatandspiritualteacher;St.GregorytheGreat,oneofthemostimportantonestotranslateAugustineintospirituality;andSt.Jerome.

LatersomeEastern,Greekfatherswerenamed:St.JohnChrysostom–hissecondnamemeans“goldenmouth,”becausehewasthegreatestpreacheroftheearlyChurch,bringinghismonasticwisdomtothemetropolisofConstantinople;themonk-bishopfriendsSt.BasilandSt.GregoryNazianzus,whoespeciallyenrichedtheteachingoftheTrinity;andlater,togivetheEastfourliketheWest,St.Athanasius,greatdefenderofthedivinityofChrist.

http://professorjohnston.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Jerome.jpg

Lateron,ThomasAquinaswasaddedtothelist–andafterthatthetitlewasextendedtomanygreatwriters.Thepointofallthisisthatthedoctorsaregreatwriters.Itisadistinctionmeanttopointustowardwritingsofthesaintsasanimportantpartofourfaith.

***

St.Jerome,St.Francis,andOurLady

Now,theinterestingthingforustodayisthatJeromeisnotanespeciallyimportantwriter.Don’tgetmewrong:hewasasaint,andlikemanysaintsoftheearlyChurch,hehadinterestingthingstosayaboutspirituality,andJesus,andtheBible.ButevenhiscommentariesonScripturearenotthatimportant.

JeromeisnotadoctoroftheChurchbecauseofhisoriginalwritings.JeromeisadoctoroftheChurchbecauseofhistranslation–oftheBible.

Understandthis,andakeyelementoftheLatintraditionsuddenlycomesintofocus.JeromeisoneofthefavoritesaintsoftheMiddleAges–andtheirverymostimportant“writer”(doctor)–purelybecauseheputtheBibleintoalanguagepeoplecouldunderstand.

ThedeepestthingwelearnfromthisdevotiontoSt.JeromeishowmuchthetraditionlovedtheBible.Buttheotherthingwelearnishowmuchtheylovedtranslation.

***

St.Jerome(ontheright)andtheCross

Letmebeblunt.Thisissomethingcompletelyinsideoutabout“traditionalism.”SomeCatholicstodayloveLatinbecauseit’snotthevernacular.ButtheMiddleAgeslovedLatinbecauseitwasthe

http://professorjohnston.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Jerome-and-the-Virgin-2.jpghttp://professorjohnston.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Jerome-and-the-Cross.jpg

vernacular.

SomepeopleknowthattheChurch–inauthoritativedocuments,suchasatTrentandVaticanI–saidthattheVulgate,Jerome’sLatintranslationoftheBible,isauthoritative.ButpeoplewronglyinterpretthattomeanthatLatinisauniqueBiblicallanguage.Tothecontrary,thetradition–andthosedocuments:readthem!–understandstheVulgatetobeanendorsementnotofLatin,butoftranslation.What’samazingaboutSt.Jerome,forthemiddleages,isthathetooktheBibleoutofalanguagethatWesternerscouldnotunderstandandtranslateditintoalanguagetheycouldunderstand.What’samazingisthatwecanheartheBibleinalanguageweunderstand.

St.Jeromeis,firstofall,asaintoflovingtheBible.Butheisalso,andinseparably,asaintoflovingtranslationintothevernacular.Vulgatemeansvernacular,the“vulgartongue,”thelanguagedumbpeoplespeak(orspoke).

IfwewanttolovetheBible–andtolovetheTradition,whichlovestheBible–wetooneedtolearntolovetranslation.LikeJerome,it’sbestifwecanlearntheoriginallanguages.Butforallthosepeoplewhocan’t,thankGodforsaintslikeJeromewhomaketheBible(andtheliturgy)accessibleinthelanguageofthepeople.ThankGodfortranslators.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://professorjohnston.com/st-jerome-doctor-of-translation/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

http://professorjohnston.com/st-jerome-doctor-of-translation/


AboutaBoy[atStringofPearls]

Onceuponatime,therewasalittleboywholosthisdadtosuicideatthetenderageofsix."Don'tbemadathim,"heremembershispaternalgrandmother,"Grammy,"tearfullypleadingwithhismotherinthedaysfollowinghisfather'sfuneral."Whywouldmymombemadatmydadfordying?"thelittleboywondered.

Thatboywouldn'tknowthedetailssurroundinghisfather'sdeathformanyyears,untilhewasa21-year-oldnewlywedwithanigglingsuspicionthathehadn'tbeentoldthewholestory...andspenthoursinthelibraryporingoveroldnewspapersuntilheuncoveredthedevastatingtruth,andthensharedhisnewfoundknowledgewithhisbeautifulyoungbride.

Notagreatwaytobeginamarriage,youmightsay;butthattall,handsomenewlywedwiththePaulNewman-blueeyesandthemoviestargoodlooksjustcelebrated60yearsofweddedblisswithhisoneandonlysweetheart.I'dsaythat'snottooshabby,foraboywhoselifecouldhavebeenirreparablyshatteredbyeventsthattookplacewhenhewasonlysix.

Afterhisfatherdied,theboy'smother(whowastheeldestofsixsiblings)wentawaytoattendnursingschoolandgethercareerstarted,sothatshecouldeventuallybecomethesolesupporterofherchildren.Thegrievingwidowlefttheboyandhisyoungersisterwithhermother,who'dbecometheheadofthefamilyafterthecrashof'29robbedherfatherofhisfinancialsuccessandlefthimabrokenman."Mimi"wasatough-as-nailsmatriarch,asensible,hard-working,no-nonsensewomanwho,whenitcametoherfatherlessgrandson(anadmittedlysometimesnaughtylittletyke!),neverthoughtitwasbesttosparetherodifitmeantspoilingthechild.

ThismightsoundlikesomehorrifyingDickensiantale,butneverfear:thatboyadoredhisupbringinginthattinytowninupstateNY,describinghissevenyearsinhisbelovedgrandmother'scaretohisownoffspringinlateryearsas

themostidyllicofchildhoodsimaginable

.Hewassurroundedcompletelybywomen(hisgrandmother,hissister,andseveralteenagedauntswhowerestilllivingathomeatthetime);hehadnostrongmalesinhislifetouseasrolemodelsforlateron,whenhewouldbecomeahusbandanddadhimself.Andyethewasmarriedat21andsoonafterbecamethedadofmany.Bythetimethatboywasjust28,hewasalreadythefatheroffive:threedaughtersandtwosons.

Once,whenthatboy'seldestdaughter'sfourthsonwassixyearsold,itsuddenlyoccurredtoherthathewasthesameageasherdadhadbeenwhenhelosthisfather.Theideaofleavingherownboymotherlesswassodifficulttocontemplatethatsheaskedhimifhehadanymemoriesofhisfather."Nope,"hesaid,inthetight-lippedfashiontypicalofhimwhenhedidn'tfeelliketalkingaboutsomething."Noneatall."Andtheboy'sdaughterwasunspeakablysadwhensheheardhisanswer.

Butafewyearslaterduringathunderstorm,thedaughterrealizedthatherdadhadn'tbeenentirelytruthfulwhenhegaveherthatcurtreply.Asafiercestormragedoutside,shetoldhimhowmuchthunderstorms

frightenedher."Oh,notme,"hereplied."Ilove'em.OneoftheearliestmemoriesIhavefromwhenIwasalittleboyisofsittingonmyfather'slapontheporch,watchingthelightningcomedown."

"Aha!"thoughtthedaughter."Sohe

does

rememberhisfather!"Andshewashappy,becausethatmeantifshe'ddiedwhenoneofherownboyswasonlysix,hemightrememberher,too.

Thatboyisanoldmannow.Hishealthisdeteriorating,andheisfacingtheendofalonglifewelllived.He'shandlingthemostrecentprognosisfromhisdoctorwithhisusualcourage...becauseatsix,hehadtolearnhowtobebraveandstrongatamuchyoungeragethanmostofushaveto;atsix,helearnedtotakewhatlifethrewathimwithoutcomplainingoraskingforpity.Hedidn'thaveafathertoshowhimtheropeswhenhewasgrowingup,buthelearnedhowtoclimbthemonhisown.Hewasaboywhofiguredout,allbyhimself,howtobeaman.

Iamproudtocallthatboymyfather.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://mumsie2five.blogspot.com/2016/09/about-boy.htmlCopyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

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WhyIdidn'twanttowrite...butneededto.[atTheologyisaverb]

Today,theadviceofagoodfriendofmineSr.MariePaul,aPaulinesisterbyvocation,echoedinmymind.“Ifyoufindyourselfatalossofwhattowriteorhowtowritewhatyoufeelyouneedto,justwriteaboutwhyyoucannotwrite.”Why?First,itgetstheflowgoingbutalsotheremaybesomethingthereworthexploring-thereasonbehindwhyyouarefeelingblockedorresistant.Doingthishashelpedmetoseemoreclearlywhatitisthatisholdingmebackandcaptive.

AndsoIbegin..nolongeraslavetofearbutrecognizingthatitiswithGod,withhisstrengthanddesirethatIcandoallthings.Itisn’tthatIamfearfulofwriting,orsurrenderingmyinmostthoughtsandfeelings,butthatthetaskofwritingwithandforapurposetakesbothtimeandenergy.Twothingsthatcanfartoooftenseeminshortsupply.For,introspectivelyIunderstandmyowntendencytogivefullyofmyselftowhateverIcommitto.Nottreadingintheshallow,IlongtoseethingstocompletionandrestonlywhenIfeelIhavegivenmyall.Yet,inmydesiretoserve,haveIneglectedmyowncupthatlongstobefilled?IsthiswhyIamclingingtodowntime,andstingywhenitcomestowritinglately?

AndstillIknowthatspirituallythattendingtotheseedofabuddingquestion,oremergingprayerthrough

writingismorethanafacetofselfexpression.Thefruitofwhichhas,forme,beenawindowofclarificationandapathofdiscernment.ItisanopeningofmindandhearttotheSpirit,adiscoveryofareasofneededimprovement,anacceptanceofmercyandarecognitionthatIamloved.Evenstillitcanbeameanstoencourageothersintheirwalkoffaithtoo,whomaywonderiftheyarealone.InneedofaSavior?Wonderful,thereismuchcompanionshipinthejourney!However,forthistobepossiblewemustbeauthentic-sharingequallyofthechallengesandsuccesses,ofthesorrowsandjoysandofabrokennessthatisonlymadecompletethroughChrist.

So,itisthenthatIamcalledtowrite.HangingbyathreadIcannotseetheentiretapestrythatGodweaves.Perspective.Writingspirituallybecomesawaytobetterseethegiftsthatwehaveandunderstandthewhybehindwhatwearetodo.Up,down,inandouthishandguidesmyhearttowardshispurpose.Witheachwordwrittenandeachpauseplaced-thereisaconversationbetweenmyheartandGod.Aseekingandafinding,andareneweddesiretostaynearwhenIonceagainhavestrayed.“Thereyouare!”,Isay.“IamwhereIhavealwaysbeen,rightbesideyou.”Hesays.

WhileIinitiallyhadlittleinclinationtowritetoday,Godknewthatitwasexactlywhatwasneeded.Haveyouconsideredwritingasawaytomoveyourheart,orasameansofdiscernment?Whatisholdingyoucaptivetoday?

Peace,

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://theologyisaverb.com/2016/09/19/why-i-dont-want-to-write-today-but-i-need-to/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

http://theologyisaverb.com/2016/09/19/why-i-dont-want-to-write-today-but-i-need-to/


GiveDrinktotheThirsty

Manymonthsago,asIwaspreparingformyfirstEmbraceMercytalk,IcontemplateddoingaseriesontheWorksofMercy.IforgotallaboutthatideauntilthismorningwhenIhadana-hamoment.TherearenotenoughMondaysleftinthisJubileeYearofMercytogiveeachoneoftheseworksitsownseparatepost,soIwilllikelycombinethemfromtimetotime.Here’shopingforgoodfollow-through!

Sowhatwasmya-hamoment?IwasfillingapitcherwithwatersoIcouldbrewsometeawhichIwillthenpouroverice.Idothisoften;generallynotnoteworthy.ButthenInoticedabug…averytinybug…floatinginthewater.Wehavehadwindowsopenforaweek,andourscreensarenotinthebestofshape.Ipromptlypouredthewaterdownthedraintostartover.Then,Ifeltatingeofguilt.

IwasremindedofaconversationIhadnearly20yearsagowithacollegestudentwhospenthersummerinHaitiwiththeMissionariesofCharity.Wewereonretreat,andafewofusteammemberswereinthekitchendebatingwhetherornotweshoulddrinktheunopenedmilkwhichhad“expired”twodaysprevious.ThisyoungwomantoldushowpeopleinHaitiwouldjustaboutgivetheirrightarmstohavesuchaluxuryasagallonofcoldmilk.Shecontinuedtoshareabouthersummerexperience,includinghowshewitnessedwomensiftingflourdailytogetbugsoutbeforetheycookedtheirmeagermeals.Shemadethesepointsfirmly,withoutheapingguiltonus,butinsteadwithachallengetobemoregratefulforallthatwehad.Needlesstosay,weusedthe“expired”milkthatday.

ThatentireconversationenteredmymindasIwatchedmywatergodownthedrain.Allbecauseofagnat.What’sworseisthatIdon’tevendrinkwaterstraightfromthetapanyway.Irunitthroughmyspecialpitcher,sittinginmyoffice,thathasafilter.Yep,I’mthatpicky.Idon’tlikedrinkingplainwateratall,anddefinitelynottapwater.Icantasteadifferenceinmyteawithunfilteredwater,oratleastIhaveconvincedmyselfofthis.Ihaveaccesstocleandrinkingwater.Every.Single.Day.AndyetIwantitcleanerandtastier.MayGodhavemercyonme.

NowIrealizethatGodcreatedmetoliveinatimeandplacewithsuchablessing.Idon’tthinkHewantsmetofeelguiltyeverytimeIenjoyaglassofcoldmilkorafabulouscupofEnglishbreakfasttea.WhatIdothinkisthatGodwantsme,andallofustobemoremindfulofthosewhodon’thavetheseblessings.Beyondbeingmindful,wemustdosomethingaboutit.Idecidedtoponderthismore.

http://gabrielsmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/drink-to-the-thirsty.jpghttp://www.mcfathers.org/i-thirst-spirituality.html

Manypoverty-reliefcharitiesassistcommunitiesbybuildingwellsforsafedrinkingwater.OnesuchorganizationisCatholicReliefServices,whoseprogramsarevaried,butincludecleanwaterinitiatives.Othercharitiesdealspecificallywithcleanwateralone,recognizingitwillinevitablyimpactcommunityhealth,agriculture,andeducation,alongwithjustabouteverythingelse.TodayIdiscoveredCharity:Waterandwasdeeplymovedbytheirboldmission.IspentacrazyamountoftimewatchingtheirvideosonYouTube.Iencourageyoutocheckthemout.

Financiallysupportingsuchorganizationsisgood,buthowelsecanweheedJesus’wordstogivedrinktothethirsty?

ConsiderlookingintoareafoodpantriesoryourlocalSt.VincentdePaulSociety.PerhapsyoucoulddonatebottledwateronamonthlybasistostocktheirshelvesSometimesalackofcleanwatercomesfromunpaidbills.Byhelpingtopaywaterandsanitationbillsforpeopleinneed(suchasthroughyourchurch),familieswillbehealthier.Keepsomebottledwater,handsanitizerandotherhygieneproductsinyourcarascarepackagestogiveawaywhenyouseesomeoneinneed.Pray.Withoutceasing.Theissueofdrinkingwatercanbeoverwhelmingifwetrytotakecareofitonourown.Godhasalreadycreatedthewater.Let’saskHimhowwecanshareitmoreabundantlyandgenerously.

IknowIwillstillenjoymytea,icedorhot.Hopefully,however,Iwillbeabetterstewardofthewaterthatisavailabletome.AndhopefullyIwillgrowingratitudeforthatwater,andeveryblessingthatisshowereduponmedaily.

Whatsimpleblessingsdoyouhavethathavebeeneasytotakeforgranted?Howdoyouofferupprayersofthanksgiving?Insong?Ajournal?Feelfreetosharebelow.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://gabrielsmom.com/2016/09/mondaymercy-give-drink-to-the-thirsty/Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

|Contents|

http://www.crs.org/our-work-overseas/program-areas/water-and-sanitationhttps://donate.charitywater.org/donate/homehttp://www.svdpusa.org/http://gabrielsmom.com/2016/09/mondaymercy-give-drink-to-the-thirsty/


"AbortioninGoodFaith"and"AbortionCare":ThesePhrasesAreNonsense[atItMakesSensetoMe]

ITMAKESSENSETOME

ByLarryPeterson

Iusuallywalk45minutestoanhourbeforedawn.Ablacksky,splatteredendlesslywithtwinkli

Documents

New Evangelists Monthly #46 October 2016 · Shopping Center Attack: Why I Care ... The Pitter Patter Diaries by Rakhi McCormick God, Family, Work, Then Play ... Regardless of where