Monday, July 29, 2019

Spiritual Longing

In everyone's heart stirs a great homesickness.
~ Rabbi Seymour Siegel

We ask ourselves what drove us to do some of the things we did? We went to extremes even when we knew our actions were not rational. Still today, we are drawn to extremes. At times we still long for things that we know will hurt us. Are we puzzled by these desires?  Wise men and prophets have searched their own deep truths to understand their desires and longings. Many say that our desires and hungers are, at the base of our being, a search for a spiritual home, a place where we know we are welcome, safe, and loved. Perhaps we are all born longing for that home. Maybe we first taste it when we first experience the warmth of loving and caring parents, even when it was only a taste, and only partially satisfied. Then we spend the rest of our lives in pursuit of that good feeling again.

The wisdom of our Faith in a God of love points us toward that spiritual home, a lifetime of growth and development follows in which we feel the spirit in our fellowship with other men and women, and we learn from others how they have found their way home.

Today the stirring in my heart will be a sign of my spiritual longing.

Saturday, July 27, 2019

No one can...

No one can depress you.
No one can make you anxious.
No one can hurt your feelings.
No one can make you anything 
 other than what you allow inside

Friday, July 26, 2019

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's gospel, Luke 11:1-13, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray.  Rather than give them some long discourse on the act of praying, Jesus offers them a simple and straightforward prayer, a prayer that Christians all over the world continue to pray to this day.  Although it is simple, The Lord's Prayer covers all our needs; it is the only prayer we need to pray.

Many of us approach God in prayer with a long list of all our wants, our cares and our concerns.  Sometimes we try to tell God what to do, how to do it and when to get the job done - usually immediately.  The truth is that God knows what our needs are better than we do.  So, rather than rattle off all our wants, cares and concerns, Jesus presents us with an alternative.   He suggests that we acknowledge God's holiness, goodness and love and ask that God's kingdom becomes a reality in our lives.  Instead of worrying about the future, Jesus tells us to pray for our needs today, "Give us each day our daily bread."  Then we should ask God for forgiveness remembering that God expects us to forgive.  And finally, we pray for God's mercy and protection. 

Our prayer should not be an attempt to impose our will on God.  It is an opportunity for us to ask for the grace to allow God's will to work in our lives.

Across the centuries, heavenly Father,
on countless lips and in every tongue
the prayer of your Son resounds.
Yet we who know the words so well
need still to learn their power.
Give us your Holy Spirit
so that our prayer may be filled
with childlike trust and unwavering perseverance.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Grateful

A thousand eyes, but none with correct vision.
--Isacher Hurwitz

William Shakespeare referred to envy as the "green sickness." There are only losers in the game of envy. When we envy someone else, we have judged ourselves and found something lacking.

Lack of self-love is the soil in which envy grows. Envious people are never satisfied. Self-pity is never sitting far from envy. We feel sorry for ourselves for what we don't have. Self-pity is like a swamp, the longer we stand in the muck, the more we stink.

Concentrating on what we do have is the perfect antidote for envy. Every one of us has our own special gifts and talents. We find these by looking at ourselves instead of looking at others. By becoming grateful for what we have, we can rejoice in ourselves.

Today let me be grateful for what I have.

From - "Our Best Days" by Nancy Hull-Mast

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Regret City

I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. This is my annual "Guilt Trip."

I got tickets to fly there on "Wish-I-Had" airlines. It was an extremely short flight. I got my "baggage," which I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was loaded down with a one thousand memories of "what might have been."

No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town. As I checked into the "Last Resort" Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year’s most important event; the annual "Pity Party."

I wasn’t going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading citizens would be there. First, there would be the "Done" family; you know, "Should have," "Would Have" and "Could Have." Then came the "I Had" family. You probably know old "Wish" and his clan. Of course, the "Opportunities" family; "Missed and lost," would be present. The biggest family there would be the "Yesterday’s."

There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share. Of course," Shattered dreams" would surely make an appearance. "It’s Their fault" family would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in their life. Each story would be loudly applauded by the "Don’t blame me" and "I couldn’t help it" committee.

To make a long story short, I went to this depressing party, knowing full well there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that this trip and subsequent "pity parties" Could be canceled by me!

I started to realize that I did not have to be there. And I didn’t have to be depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, I can’t change yesterday, But I do have the power to make today a wonderful day. I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as being encouraging.

Knowing this, I left Regret City immediately, and didn’t leave a forwarding address. Am I sorry for mistakes I’ve made in the past? Yes! But there is no way to undo them. So, if you’re planning a trip back to Regret City, please cancel all those reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a nice place called: "Starting Again."I like it so much that I made it my permanent residence. My neighbors, the "Been forgiven" and the "We’re saved" are so very helpful. By the way, you don’t have to carry around the heavy baggage anymore either.

That load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. Just thank God for salvation.

If you need directions, just look into your heart, and enter by "Grace way." No taxes or other cost. God’s Son paid the price, in full, for all sins and transgressions, a long time ago. Look me up if you’re ready for a total change in your life. I now live on "His Will Way."

Sincerely,
"Born again.”

Source Unknown

Monday, July 22, 2019

Past

Let us not go over the old ground, let us rather prepare for what is to come.  Marcus Tullius Cicero

Sometimes we hang on to the oddest things. For instance, many of us go to a lot of trouble to hang on to old guilt, old mistakes, old loneliness, old hurts, and old crimes. We fight like crazy to keep these little darlings near and dear. If we make a mistake, we feel we don't deserve to let go of the self-punishment.

The healthy and sober thing to do is let go of the past. We can cut the chains and shackles of the past that keep us from moving forward. When we cut even one link of that chain, we begin to move more freely toward health and self-love.

Today let me understand that I'm not helping anyone by holding on to the past.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Thank You

Saying thank you from the heart makes us feel full. Perhaps we don't really know we have something until we express our thanks for it.

There are different levels of gratitude. There is the polite, automatic response when someone opens a door for us or the bank teller tells us to have a nice day. Simple, almost perfunctory, these acts of courtesy nevertheless add an element of grace to our daily transactions.

On a more personal level, saying thank you often and sincerely to those we love keeps us from taking each other for granted. We all like to feel appreciated - how many relationships dry up because the people involved don't realize what they have?

Then there is the gratitude we feel toward the God of our understanding, the source of all the blessings we enjoy but do not create for ourselves. This thankfulness can be a part of every breath we take. As often as we remember the many gifts of every day, our emptiness is filled.

Today, I will replenish my supply of gratitude.

Friday, July 19, 2019

My Savior


16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's readings focus our attention on the importance of hospitality.  The first reading from Genesis 18:1-10, is one of the great  stories of welcome and hospitality in all of scripture.  At a time when most people were nomadic, a person's life could depend on the hospitality of others.  Generous hospitality towards strangers was a duty.  Abraham fulfilled his duty by welcoming three strangers, offering them water to bathe their feet and providing them with a great feast.  For their gracious hospitality, Abraham and Sara received the gift of a son.  Jesus lived a nomadic existence during the years of his active ministry.  Just a few weeks ago, we heard him tell a potential follower, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”  Jesus relied on the generosity of others to meet most of his basic needs.  Today's gospel, Luke 10:38-42, is about Martha and Mary welcoming Jesus into their home for a meal.

There is a tendency to regard the Martha and Mary story as promoting consecrated religious life over secular life.  So, most people roll right over the story, moving on to something more palatable.  However, as I reflected on these few verses in St. Luke's gospel, it occurred to me that they present a very important message for all of us today.  This story is about personal hospitality.  It is about slowing down and listening.  It is about getting off the treadmill of life to spend quality time with God and with each other.  Our lives are a frenzy of activity.  Like Martha, most of us are "are anxious and worried about many things" (Luke 10:41).  We dash from home to work, to school, to extracurricular activities and to church.  We can't fit all the demands on us into a twenty-four hour day.  We eat fast food because we don't have time to sit down and enjoy a family meal except on special occasions and holidays.  Our lives are so full of activity that most of us have no time to stop until something catastrophic happens.

When he dropped in on Martha and Mary, Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.  He knew that his death was imminent.  Had Martha realized what was going on, she probably would have joined Mary at the feet of Jesus to savor every word he spoke.  Mary offered Jesus quiet attentiveness.  She sat and she listened.  Jesus invites all of us to sit quietly and listen.  Slow down, take some time out, sit and listen to what Jesus has to say to you. 

Loving God and Father,
you draw near to us in Christ
and make yourself our guest.
Amid the cares of our daily lives,
make us attentive to your voice
and alert to your presence,
that we may treasure your word above all else.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.


Thursday, July 18, 2019

New Start

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6.

Everyone who got where he is, had to begin where he was.  Pope Paul VI

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Puddles & Dandelions

Big Mud Puddles And Sunny Yellow Dandelions
Author Unknown

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
- My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
- My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
- My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
- My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.
- My kids say, 'Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy.'

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
- My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!

Friendship

St. Francis de Sales tells us: "Friendship requires great communication."  Mt 6:6 says to us: “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” 

In the First letter of Peter 5:7 we are told: “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.”  

And so, the only way to have a friend is to be one.  A real friend is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.

Monday, July 15, 2019

Face of God.

In 1987, a newspaper photographer was sent to Ecuador to cover a devastating earthquake that devastated much of the country. In the midst of such catastrophic suffering, he witnessed a simple scene of compassion that moved him deeply. The photographer wrote:

The line was long but moving briskly, and in that line, at the very end, stood a young girl about 12 years of age. She waited patiently as those at the front of that long line received a little rice, some canned goods, or a little fruit. Slowly but surely she was getting closer to the front of the line, closer to the food. From time to time, she would glance across the street. She did not notice the growing concern on the face of those distributing the food.  The food was running out.  Their anxiety was beginning to show, but she did not seem to notice.  Her attention seemed always to focus on three figures under the trees across the street. 

At long last she stepped forward to get her food.  But the only thing left was the lonely banana.  Quietly she took the precious gift and ran across the street where three small children waited --- perhaps her sisters and a brother.  Very deliberately she peeled the banana and very carefully divided the banana into three equal parts.  Placing the precious food into the eager hands of the three younger ones --- one for you, one for you, one for you.  She then sat down and licked the inside of that banana peel.

In that moment, I swear I saw the face of God.

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Pray

God has created us to love and to be loved,
and this is the beginning of prayer –
to know that God loves me,
that I have been created for greater things.
We must become holy, not because we want to feel holy,
but because Christ must be able to live his life fully in us.”
You can pray while you work.
Work doesn’t stop prayer and prayer doesn’t stop work.
It requires only that small raising of the mind to Him.
If we really want to pray, we must first learn to listen:
for in the silence of the heart God speaks.
~ Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Fragrance Prayer

Dear Jesus, 
help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go.
Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly
that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine.
Shine through me and be so in me that every soul
I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus.
Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine,
so to shine as to be a light to others. 

Amen.

Attributed to Cardinal John Henry Newman
Prayed daily by Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Friday, July 12, 2019

Little by Little


‘Little by Little,’ an acorn said,
As it slowly sank in its mossy bed,
‘I am improving every day,
Hidden deep in the earth away.

Little by little each day it grew,
Little by little it sipped the dew,
Downward it sent a thread-like-root,
Up in the air sprang a tiny shoot.

Day after day, and year after year,
Little by little the leaves appear,
And the slender branches spread far and wide,
‘Til the mighty oak in the forest’s pride.

‘Little by little,’ said a thoughtful boy,
‘Each precious moment I will employ
And always this rule in my mind shall dwell.
Whatever I do, I’ll do it well.

‘Little by little, I’ll learn to know
The treasured wisdom of long ago,
And sometime, perhaps, the world will be
Happier and better because of me.’

Anonymous

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

One of the biggest challenges I confront when traveling is what and how much to pack.  The temptation is to throw everything into the suitcase – that extra shirt or pair of socks – just in case I might need them.  Inevitably I pack too much.  My role model for packing is a friend, Eddie, who joined the Missionaries of Charity Brothers back in 1975.  His instructions were clear and succinct:  bring one full change of clothing, a toothbrush, razor, comb and a Bible.  For the eight years Eddie served with the Missionaries of Charity that is all he had.  Everything he owned fit in a small backpack and he was free to go wherever the Lord Jesus led him.

God does not expect everyone to follow Eddie’s example.  However, God does ask us to travel lightly through life.  In today’s Gospel from Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 Jesus tells the 72 disciples to “carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals.” What does this mean for us?  It means that we are not to carry excess baggage. We should not clutter up our lives with material possessions or become bogged down in the things of this life like bad habits or destructive relationships.  What Jesus wants us to carry though life is his message that “the kingdom of God is at hand.”  There is no need for baggage in the Kingdom of God.  And the only reward we can expect is that our “names are written in heaven.”

Saint Mother Teresa once said, “The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give.  But the less you have the more free you are.  Poverty for us is a freedom.  It is not mortification, a penance.  It is joyful freedom.  There is no television here, no this, no that.  But we are perfectly happy.”  This is something we all should reflect on as we go about our daily lives.   

As a mother comforts her child, O God,
you embrace a broken world;
you empower us - your Son’s disciples
to bear your gift of peace to all peoples.
Let us go then, into your harvest
not as masters but as your laborers,
seeking not to be successful but only to be faithful,
rejoicing that our names are written in heaven.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

That's God

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
THAT'S GOD! He speaks to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to?
THAT'S GOD! He wants you to speak to Him.

Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?
THAT'S GOD! There's no such thing as coincidence.

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it?
THAT'S GOD! He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.

Don't tell GOD how Big your storm is. 
Tell the storm how Big your GOD is!

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Contradictions of Life

Thirteenth Century priest Thomas Aquinas once said, “No one can live without joy.” But many people do live joyless lives. And the reason is often simply because they don’t know how to be happy. They are so intent on the three Ps – power, prosperity and prestige – that they miss out on simple joy.

French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson pioneered modern photography as an art form during the early decades of the 20th Century. He was a master of candid photography and something of a genius at spotting and photographing apparent contradictions: pictures that left mysteries unexplained.

One of his famous photographs was shot in a poor section of Seville, Spain in 1933. The picture depicts a run-down alley surrounded by decaying walls, strewn with rubble and riddled with bullet holes dotting gray walls. The setting alone evokes feelings of sadness and despair.

But then, the contradiction. Within the grim alley children are playing. They wear dirty and tattered clothes, as one might expect in such a setting, but like playing children everywhere, they laugh with carefree joy. In the foreground, a tiny boy on crutches hobbles away from two other boys, his face lit up with a broad grin. One boy is laughing so hard he has to hold his side. Others lean on the cracked walls, beaming with delight.

It is easy to spot the contrast – and the point. Joy amid the rubble of life. Laughter among life’s ruins.

We cannot avoid pain, however hard we try. But we can avoid joy. We cannot escape hardship and trouble, but we can miss out on much of life's peace and laughter.

If you feel as if you could use more joy, here are a few tips:
• Do something today just for the fun of it.
• Decide to fill your thoughts with less anxiety and more peace.
• Laugh a little more. A little more heartily and a little more often.
• Practice a hopeful attitude.
• Love as much as you can. Love people. Love experiences. Love ideas. Love beauty. In short -- love life.

You may occasionally find yourself amid life’s rubble. But strangely - even there you can discover joy.

It’s one of the beautiful contradictions of life.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Prayer for Protection


Three Trees

There were three young trees growing together in the forest, each one healthy and ambitious. As they compared their dreams, one wanted to be built into a castle or a palace, and so play a part in the lives of the high and mighty of society. The second wanted to become the mast in one of the tall ships, sailing around the world with a great sense of adventure. The third hoped to end up as part of some public monument, where the public would stop, admire, and take photographs.

Years passed by, and all three were cut down. The first was chopped up, and parts of it were put together to form a manger for a stable in Bethlehem. The second was cut down, and the trunk was scooped out to form a boat, which was launched on the Sea of Galilee. The third was cut into sections, two of them nailed together to form a cross on Calvary. Each had a unique and special part to play in the one great story of redemption.

Saturday, July 6, 2019

Tolerance vs. Love

Apologist, author, and speaker Josh McDowell writes:

Tolerance says, "You must approve of what I do."
Love responds, "I must do something harder: I will love you, even when your behavior offends me."

Tolerance says, "You must agree with me."
Love responds, "I must do something harder: I will tell you the truth, because I am convinced 'the truth will set you free.'"

Tolerance says, "You must allow me to have my way."
Love responds, "I must do something harder: I will plead with you to follow the right way, because I believe you are worth the risk."

Tolerance seeks to be inoffensive;
Love takes risks.

Tolerance glorifies division;
Love seeks unity.

Tolerance costs nothing;
Love costs everything.

Source: Josh McDowell, Focus on the Family Magazine
(August 1999)


Friday, July 5, 2019

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

One of the biggest challenges I confront when traveling is what and how much to pack. The temptation is to throw everything into the suitcase – that extra shirt or pair of socks – just in case I might need them. Inevitably I pack too much. My role model for packing is a friend, Eddie, who joined the Missionaries of Charity Brothers back in 1975. His instructions were clear and succinct: bring one full change of clothing, a toothbrush, razor, comb and a Bible. For the eight years Eddie served with the Missionaries of Charity that is all he had. Everything he owned fit in a small backpack and he was free to go wherever the Lord Jesus led him.

God does not expect everyone to follow Eddie’s example. However, God does ask us to travel lightly through life. In today’s Gospel from Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 Jesus tells the 72 disciples to “carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals.” What does this mean for us? It means that we are not to carry excess baggage. We should not clutter up our lives with material possessions or become bogged down in the things of this life like bad habits or destructive relationships. What Jesus wants us to carry though life is his message that “the kingdom of God is at hand.” There is no need for baggage in the Kingdom of God. And the only reward we can expect is that our “names are written in heaven."

Saint Mother Teresa once said, “The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the less you have the more free you are. Poverty for us is a freedom. It is not mortification, a penance. It is joyful freedom. There is no television here, no this, no that. But we are perfectly happy.” This is something we all should reflect on as we go about our daily lives.

As a mother comforts her child, O God,
you embrace a broken world;
you empower us - your Son’s disciples -
to bear your gift of peace to all peoples.
Let us go then, into your harvest
not as masters but as your laborers,
seeking not to be successful
but only to be faithful,
rejoicing that our names are written in heaven.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.

Thursday, July 4, 2019

4th of July

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival, with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory.
~John Adams, letter to wife Abigail, 1776 July 3, Philadelphia

The most patriotic man, ladies and gentlemen, is sometimes the man who goes in the direction that he thinks right even when he sees half the world against him. It is the dictate of patriotism to sacrifice yourself if you think that that is the path of honor and of duty. Do not blame others if they do not agree with you. Do not die with bitterness in your heart because you did not convince the rest of the world, but die happy because you believe that you tried to serve your country by not selling your soul. Those were grim days, the days of 1776. Those gentlemen did not attach their names to the Declaration of Independence on this table expecting a holiday on the next day, and that 4th of July was not itself a holiday. They attached their signatures to that significant document knowing that if they failed it was certain that every one of them would hang for the failure. They were committing treason in the interest of the liberty of 3,000,000 people in America. All the rest of the world was against them and smiled with cynical incredulity at the audacious undertaking. Do you think that if they could see this great Nation now they would regret anything that they then did to draw the gaze of a hostile world upon them? Every idea must be started by somebody, and it is a lonely thing to start anything. Yet if it is in you, you must start it if you have a man's blood in you and if you love the country that you profess to be working for.

Have you ever read the Declaration of Independence? If you have, you will know that it is not a Fourth of July oration. The Declaration of Independence was a document preliminary to war. It was a vital piece of practical business, not a piece of rhetoric; and if you will pass beyond those preliminary passages which we are accustomed to quote about the rights of men and read into the heart of the document you will see that it is very express and detailed, that it consists of a series of definite specifications concerning actual public business of the day. Not the business of our day, for the matter with which it deals is past, but the business of that first revolution by which the Nation was set up, the business of 1776. Its general statements, its general declarations can not mean anything to us unless we append to it a similar specific body of particulars as to what we consider the essential business of our own day. Liberty does not consist, my fellow citizens, in mere general declarations of the rights of man. It consists in the translation of those declarations into definite action. Therefore... reading its business-like sentences, we ought to ask ourselves what there is in it for us. There is nothing in it for us unless we can translate it into the terms of our own conditions and of our own lives.... The task to which we have constantly to readdress ourselves is the task of proving that we are worthy of the men who drew this great declaration and know what they would have done in our circumstances. Patriotism consists in some very practical things—practical in that they belong to the life of every day, that they wear no extraordinary distinction about them, that they are connected with commonplace duty. 
~Woodrow Wilson, Presidential Address at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1914 July 4

"So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring." 
~Martin Luther King Jr.

Happy Birthday, America!

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Another Beatitude

Blessed are they who understand.
My faltering step and shaking hand,

Blessed, who know my ears today
Must strain to catch the things they say,

Blessed are they who seem to know
My eyes are dim and my mind is slow,

Blessed are they who looked away,
I spilled my tea on the cloth that day!

Blessed are they who, with cheery smile,
Stopped to chat for a little while,

Blessed are they who know the way
To bring back memories of yesterday,

Blessed are they who never say,
"You've told that story twice today!"

Blessed are they who make it known
That I'm loved, respected and not alone,

And blessed are they who will ease the days
Of my journey home, in loving ways.

By Elizabeth Clark

July 2 - St. Otto


On July 2, the Church celebrates the life and work of St. Otto. He was born in 1060 in Swabia, and died on June 30, 1139. He was the Bishop of Bamberg, an indefatigable evengelizer, and the apostle of the Pomeranians.

He was born of noble rank and ordained a priest sometime before the age of 30. He joined the service of Emperor Henry IV in  1090 and became his chancellor in 1101. He served Henry IV and his successor, Henry V, loyally, but he disaproved of the latter’s disgraceful treatment of Pope Paschal.

Otto was consecrated a bishop on May 13, 1106, and set to work founding new monasteries, reforming existing ones, building schools and churches, and completing the construction of the cathedral.  He lived a poor and simple life, and was called the “Father of the monks” for the concern he showed toward religious orders.

In 1122 Otto was commissioned by the Polish Duke Boleslaw III to convert Pomerania to Christianity, and he set about this mission in 1124. He traveled across Pomerania twice, and won over the people with his holiness, quiet generosity, and gentle, inspiring sermons.

The conversion of Pomerania was his greatest apostolic work. He baptized over 22,000 people and established 11 churches. Many miracles were attributed to him throughout his two journeys, and many more after his death.