All For Good

This is a story that comes out of India--one of my favorites and in my talks through the years, it has always been my most requested to be re-told.

During the times of the Maharishis, when India was ruled as small feudal land principalities-there was a certain Maharishi who ruled his kingdom fairly and treated his servants quite well.

His palace was known far and wide. And his most trusted man-servant was a Christian. In fact, he was the only Christian in the whole palace, and the only one the  Maharishi knew.

That in itself was a bit of an irritation, and had it not been for the work-ethic and the trust and integrity that was such a part of his life, the Maharishi would have gotten rid of him many times over.

The irritation was not the fact that the servant was Christian, but the way in which this belief affected his every thought and deed.  You see because he was most trusted servant, he had access to every area of the Maharishis life which meant that there was no escape. On days that he was worried, the servant would be there with his gentle encouragement-"All for Good, Master, All for Good."

When he was sad, here would come an unsolicited, "All for Good, Master, All for Good."

When he did not feel well, along with all the excellent ministration to his needs came another, "All for Good, Master, All for Good."

As much as he protested, scolded, pouted, and even outright forbid him from expressing this opinion, the servant kept on unfazed and unrelenting with his very unsolicited opinion-"All for Good, Master, All for Good." And as I said, as much as it irritated the Maharishi, his many assets and talents outweighed the irritation.

And then a particularly unrelenting Bad Spell came upon the principality:

Longer than usual Monsoon-"All for Good, Master, All for Good."

A following Drought that would not end-"All for Good, Master, All for Good."

Cattle dying-"All for Good, Master, All for Good."

Crop failure-"All for Good, Master, All for Good."

Rampant disease-"All for Good, Master, All for Good."

And then-the Maharishi is out on the Veranda taking in all this devastating and destruction and he can find no peace.  He decides to whittle and try to calm his mind--put effort into his hobby and distract himself from his Woes.  But, as so often happens when one is distracted and upset with knife in hand--as his mind tumbles on every thought, he misses the mark on the wood, his hand slips, and he cuts off his Index finger on this left hand.  Blood pouring, his finger laying on the ground, and such immense pain-and here is the trusted servant, applying pressure and a bandage and spouting, "All for Good, Master, All for Good."

Enough, enough--how can this be--perhaps that is some truth to all the other events and happenings, but how can he possibly spouting such drivel at a time and during an injury like this?

Guards-Guards-the Maharishi calls and he has the faithful servant carried away to the dungeon. He must be punished, he must be taught a lesson.

Out of sight, out of mind.  And as the well to do know much better than those who work paycheck to paycheck--there is a blessing in a change of scenery--sometimes one needs nothing more than to see life through the Rear View Mirror for awhile so to speak.  Servant in the dungeon being taught a lesson, the Maharishi decides to join the next Caravan and get the perspective of taking time and trip.  In those days and in that region one never traveled alone--it was far to dangerous.  There was safety in numbers. In those days there were many bands of marauders. The only safe way to travel was in large groups-Caravan's which offered much more protection.

It so happened that there was a particularly fierce band of marauders who had a specialty of hitting even the Caravan's. And while raping and pillaging this particular Caravan, they noticed the Maharishis tent and decided to take him as a human sacrifice to their goddess, Cali. They bound him, and gaged him, and rolled him up in the fine hand knotted rug in this tent and took him back for sacrifice.  Now the goddess Cali is many armed and very ferocious in appearance-the goddess of Destruction. But, what you may not know is that pagans take their acts of worship to their gods much more serious than the regular Christian.

And in the frenzy of their worship, as they brought the rug into the midst of the bonfire and flung it open at the very feet of Cali, and as they all came towards the Maharishi with knives drawn to offer him as sacrifice-the Maharishi did what any sane and fearful man would do--he help his hands up to face to offer what protection to himself he could--and there in the glow of the fire the pagans began to shriek and tear their robes and pull at their hair--for here was a 9 fingered man-deformed and not worthy of sacrifice to their goddess. In all the wailing and anguish, the Maharishi was able to escape and he ran and ran till he got home, and in his mind he could finally see--an Epiphany--the Christian servant was Right-had he not cut off his finger, he would be dead, and dead from a most vile and horrific death.

He was wrong-he had wronged his servant.  He must make amends.  Before he would even allow himself to be cleaned up from his journey, from his ordeal, from his great escape-he called for his servant.

As the servant was presented to him, dirty and unkempt, lost weight due to privation, the Master is overwhelmed by his Wrongness and beings to profusely cry out over his failing, over his wrongness-and with a sweeping smile, the servant interrupts-"All for Good, Master, All for Good." And with everything that has happened the Maharishi cannot help himself and explodes--"Enough, Stop-I am wrong and you must allow me to make amends, to apologize, and to make right my great wrong--and there is no way you can say that what I have done as a willful wrong against you could be Good-Stop it Now."

With growing wide-faced grin, the Christian servant laughs ever so gently and says, Yes Master--here you see.  If you had not been angry and put me away in the dungeon, and you had gone on the pilgrimage who would be with you? Me, and who would be asleep at the foot of your bed and on the very rug you were rolled up in? Me. and who would have been taken from your tent and flung at the foot of the dread goddess? Me, and when I went to shield my face from my murderers, what would they have seen? Look Master-and holding up ten fingers he says-you see, "All for Good, Master, All for Good."

Let us remember and take to heart and proclaim with full heart and belief in good times and in bad times-when we can See it and in the Darkness of Faith-God is Good All the Time.

Amen.

Music is and should be an important part of our lives.  In fact I do not trust people who absolutely have no use for music-never listen to it, can live without it-do not trust them.

Something is seriously wrong with a person who is not moved by some kind of music.

Here are three secular songs that are all written and sung as a prayer--maybe some more than others, but still a prayer to God Above with sincere petitions, questions, hopes and dreams.

Take them time to enjoy them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPJFB0nfLAg&list=PL46BA6AF74D065115

Susan Boyle singing Hallelujah

Now I've heard there was a secret chord-That David played, and it pleased the Lord 

But you don't really care for music, do you? It goes like this-The fourth, the fifth-The minor fall, the major lift-The baffled king composing Hallelujah 
Hallelujah-Hallelujah-Hallelujah-Hallelujah 

Your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof-Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you 
She tied you-To a kitchen chair-She broke your throne, and she cut your hair-And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah 

Baby I have been here before-I know this room, I've walked this floor-I used to live alone before I knew you. 
I've seen your flag on the marble arch-Love is not a victory march-It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah 
Hallelujah, Hallelujah-Hallelujah, Hallelujah 

There was a time you let me know-What's really going on below-But now you never show it to me, do you? 
And remember when I moved in you-The holy dove was moving too-And every breath we drew was Hallelujah 
Hallelujah, Hallelujah-Hallelujah, Hallelujah 

You say I took the name in vain-I don't even know the name-But if I did, well really, what's it to you? 
There's a blaze of light-In every word-It doesn't matter which you heard -The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah-Hallelujah, Hallelujah 

I did my best, it wasn't much-I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch 
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you 
And even though-It all went wrong-I'll stand before the Lord of Song-With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah-Hallelujah, Hallelujah 
Hallelujah, Hallelujah-Hallelujah, Hallelujah 
Hallelujah, Hallelujah-Hallelujah, Hallelujah 
Hallelujah, Hallelujah-Hallelujah, Hallelujah 
Hallelujah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSKhIyQ5PpY&list=PL46BA6AF74D065115

George Michael and Queen singing Somebody to Love

Can anybody find me somebody to love? 
Each morning I get up I die a little-Can barely stand on my feet 
Take a look in the mirror and cry-Lord what you're doing to me 
I have spent all my years in believing you-But I just can't get no relief, Lord! 
Somebody, somebody-Can anybody find me somebody to love? 

I work hard every day of my life-I work till I ache my bones 
At the end I take home my hard earned pay all on my own - 
I get down on my knees-And I start to pray 
Till the tears run down from my eyes-Lord - somebody - somebody 
Can anybody find me - somebody to love? (He works hard) 
Everyday - I try and I try and I try -But everybody wants to put me down 
They say I'm goin' crazy-They say I got a lot of water in my brain 
Got no common sense-I got nobody left to believe 
Yeah - yeah yeah yeah 
Oh Lord-Somebody - somebody-Can anybody find me somebody to love? 

Got no feel, I got no rhythm-I just keep losing my beat 
I'm ok, I'm alright-Ain't gonna face no defeat-I just gotta get out of this prison cell-Someday I'm gonna be free, Lord! 
Find me somebody to love-Can anybody find me somebody to love? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ctvyvAgDu8

Bring Him Home

Jean Valjean:

God on high-Hear my prayer

In my need-You have always been there

He is young-He's afraid

Let him rest-Heaven blessed.

Bring him home-Bring him home-Bring him home.

He's like the son I might have known-If God had granted me a son.

The summers die-One by one

How soon they fly-On and on

And I am old-And will be gone.

Bring him peace-Bring him joy-He is young-He is only a boy

You can take-You can give

Let him be-Let him live

If I die, let me die-Let him live

Bring him home-Bring him home-Bring him home.

Birthday musings January 3, 2013

January 3, 2013

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

Talk to Knights of Columbus, St Ann Coppell

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.   Psalm 73:28  One of my all-time favorite Scriptures- for myself and sharing with those who quickly need to hear a word of comfort from our Loving Heavenly Father.

Say it with me-the nearness of God is my good.  Let it roll over your tongue and down into the depths of your very being-the same way we take the Body of Jesus in the form of bread onto our tongue, down our throats, and into our belly-our very being-the nearness of God is my good.

I always find humor with the modern colloquial expressions of the day-my bad, my bad, people are all running around saying with a half turned smile-and if they are Catholic enough a pectoral whack to the chest-My Bad. The humor is most of the times people are using this as a way out of a moral failure or an abject work of evil-where they need to be saying to God and perhaps His people publically-I am bad, I am the man, I have sinned, Lord have mercy on me a sinner.

One of the Top news items of the Year 2012 is a famous General who was found to be in a compromising adulterous relationship with a woman-affecting two marriages, children, his honor, and national security. I am sorry we do not need press conferences where such actions can be explained away as a lapse in judgment.   A lapse in judgment is wearing the pants that are two sizes too small, or showing up at the Country club without a collared shirt and Navy jacket, or white wine with anything other than fish-giggles.

We gather together each month to build community and to hold ourselves up to a moral code, a code of honor-we state we are Catholic men in good standing with the Church.  This means when we mess up, we get right with God and man-we pay our dues, we ask forgiveness, we rebuild and start over. So that is what we do with moral failure-we do not call it lapses in judgment and think a cute My Bad will get us out of trouble.

But as in cases of honor, cases of right living, cases of moral judgment-words matter.

So, let us take a quick look at these words of healing, comfort, and hope-

The nearness of God is my good. God is my good. Good, an adjective, could also be translated as "a good thing, a benefit, welfare, prosperity, happiness."

Does it surprise you that nearness is only used twice in the Old Testament?

Nearness means-an approach, a drawing near.

Psalms 73:28 and Isaiah 58:2.

“Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways,
As a nation that has done righteousness
And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
They ask Me for just decisions,
They delight in the nearness of God."

One translation says, “to take pleasure in closeness to God”.

What is your good?  What makes you feel close to God? When I was 17 and meditating on this Scripture, the thought that came to me was of the many times that I felt God’s Presence in my life-where I felt his Pleasure.  I think you can best relate to what we call the “atta boy” moments.

I am a great father to my sons in their 20’s while they are living well and making good decisions.  We have great moral ethics talks each time we are together. Just over Christmas break we have been talking about the General and his being in the news and we had some very good and very frank discussions on honor, moral ethics, when public repentance is called for and what shape that takes.

But when they were younger playing Little League I confess I was not the most attentive.  Often I would work the phone behind the bleachers, talk to the other parents, and even read a book, till my wife nudge me with one of her, “you’re missing it, you’re missing it.” warnings.  I remember, the time I looked up and saw the bases loaded, looked over to see two outs on the board, and my son sauntering up to bat.  Oh my. He takes his time and gets up to bat and I am watching, he swings and I am out of my bleachers and up to the fence, right behind home plate, and I am saying, “Come on son, you can do it, I know you can do it…” as he swings-Strike One.  I am erect, with my feet firmly planted like I am in the batter box, and my hands are curled into the weave fence, with my mouth pressed into the whole in the fence, as my voice escalates, “good job, you’re doing fine-you can do this, you can do this..” and he swings, Strike Two.

Now my hands are so entwined into the fence I am losing feeling.  My toes are pressed against the fence and I am shaking the fence while I scream through the fence the best encouragement I know, “you are doing good son, no worries, and way to attack the ball. You got this watch the pitch and connect, you are doing great, I am here with you, I know you can do it son, you got this…” And he swings, and he connects and he drives the ball deep past Center field and he has made first base and third has made it in, and I am going wild, “way to go Buddy, atta boy, wow, keep running, you can do this..” as he takes his place on second and second gets to third and then to home and first gets to second and then to third and then to home and here he is rounding third while they are passing the ball up and into the infield and he is stopped and he is safe on third and the three runs have come in and won the game—and my hands are out of the fence and I am shouting and cheering and screaming and our eyes connect-and I know he has felt my Pleasure-that his Dad has seen what he has done and loves it, and he takes delight in what he did and in his teams win, and in his Daddy’s absolutely out of control joy over him and his accomplishment.

Do you feel God near to you like that?

Do you feel His pleasure over you?

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8

"The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18

Listen to some good music, read good books, watch good movies, read the Scriptures, and make as

many daily Masses as you can—and stop walking down the aisle to the Alter without really saying to yourself—I am going to take Jesus on my tongue, into my mouth, and He is going to come and live inside me today, He is going to be in me…

I know I have lived long enough to no longer be surprised by what some people think of as their greatest good  in life.     The things most important to them include things like money, clothes, popularity, and power over other people.     They strive for such things at all cost.     They don’t think God cares what they do in this life, so they go after their material goals and think little of the life to come.  In 1985 I started preaching at Trinity Church Waco, and we had a beautiful church plant on Lakeshore above Lake Waco and at the entrance at what was the time the nicest Gated Community in Waco.  There was a car I would see often—a brand new Red Mercedes convertible with the vanity plates-My Goal.  And I would smile every time I saw it and the little bottle blonde on the high side of 35 thinking what will life be like for her in 30 years?  I would love to see her now and what she is driving and how life has turned out.

Mental note-if you are shallow, don’t Advertise.

I started you off with one Scripture, and that is good.  But let us take a step back.

Psalm 73 is written by Asaph.  He actually wrote 12 of the 150 Psalms. Ps. 50, and then 73-83. If you remember, last month’s lesson about Heman (the grandson of Samuel),-the Chief Musician of David. Asaph was appointed as his Right hand man-a place of honor among the Temple musicians.

Whom have I  in heaven  but Thee?
And besides Thee,  I desire nothing  on earth.
My flesh  and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength  of my heart  and my portion forever.
For, behold, those who are far from Thee will perish;
Thou hast destroyed  all those  who are unfaithful  to Thee.
But as for me,  the nearness  of God  is my good;
I have made  the Lord GOD  my refuge,
That I may tell  of all Thy works.

Many of you are old enough to remember the Baltimore Catechism-Lesson One, the Meaning of Life-"God made me to know him, to love him, and to serve him in this world and to be happy with him forever in the next.”

This is what we were called to-this is our destiny-this is what we were made for.

For I was born to be your dwelling place, a home for the Presence of the Lord, so let my heart now be separated unto thee, that I may be what I was born to be….

Report from The White Rose –they were opened during the Holiday Break and must have been the only center opened.  On December 28^th, the Feast of the Holy Innocents they saw 25 girls-16 abortion minded-at risk-16.  It was a full day.  I want to tell you about one couple in closing.  They were well dressed, professional and had one child together already-one year old, and now she is pregnant again and they are stressing they are not together, but they need to do something about this pregnancy.  The counselor was able to show them the video we show-it shows all the forms of abortion and details them.  The girl starts to cry, and the man starts shouting, “If I had wanted a moral lecture I would have gone to see my pastor.”

The brave counselor said without missing a beat, “Did you go discuss killing your child with your pastor? Did you go talk to him about ways to kill your baby?”I do not know the end of their story.  They got information, they got a sonogram, and they left to decide.

That is a powerful life lesson.  When we make decisions that create consequences we need the Truth.  We need the people of God who will still speak the Truth. And it is never just a moral lecture—our life is about morality, about honor, about living in such a way we feel and experience God in our lives and Know that when we mess up we can come running back to a loving Father, honestly saying, I have sinned, I am the Man, have mercy on Me…

And just for funs on this lovely 3^rd day of January,

My favorite JeanValJean, Colin Wilkonson singing Danny Boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSmu3EZCLG8

Notes from my talk to Knights at St. Ann Coppell November 8, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO4QHS69DUk

Dred Scott (born 1795 into slavery –died free September 17, 1858), was an African-American  slave who  unsuccessfully sued for his freedom and that of his wife and their two daughters in the Dred Scott v Sandford case of 1857-"the Dred Scott Decision."

The United States Supreme Court decided 7–2 against Scott. (1857)

Nine Justices-all men-found, that neither he nor any other person of African ancestry could claim citizenship.  Therefore Scott could not bring suit in federal court.

Moreover, Scott's temporary residence outside Missouri did not bring about his emancipation under the Missouri Compromise, which the court ruled unconstitutional as it would improperly deprive Scott's owner of his legal property.

Chief Justice Taney had hoped to settle issues related to slavery and Congressional authority by this decision.

Instead, it aroused outrage and deepened sectional tensions.

President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and the post-Civil war Amendment"s-13, 14, and 15 finally and forever  nullified the dreadful decision.

On March 6, 1857, Taney ruled that:

Any person descended from Africans, whether slave or free, is not a citizen of the United States, according to the Constitution.  There were free blacks in several of the 13 states when the Constitution was written. Their number increased dramatically in the Upper South in the first two decades after the Revolution; by 1810, fully 10 percent of the populations in the Upper South were free blacks, as numerous slaveholders gave freedom to their slaves in this period, inspired by Revolutionary principles of equality. The Ordinance of 1787 could not confer citizenship or freedom within the Northwest Territory to non-white individuals. The provisions of the Act of 1820, known as the Missouri Compromise, were voided as a legislative act, since the act exceeded the powers of Congress, insofar as it attempted to exclude slavery and impart freedom and citizenship to non-white persons in the northern part of the Louisiana Purchase.

The Court ruled that African Americans had no claim to freedom or citizenship.

 Since they were not citizens, they did not possess the legal standing to bring suit in a federal court.

 As slaves were private property, Congress did not have the power to regulate slavery in the territories and could not revoke a slave owner's rights based on where he lived.

This decision nullified the essence of the Missouri Compromise, which divided territories into jurisdictions either free or slave.

 Speaking for the majority, Taney ruled that because Scott was simply considered the private property of his owners, which he was subject to the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, prohibiting the taking of property from its owner "without due process".

 Ultimately, the 14th Amendment to the Constitution settled the issue of Black citizenship via Section 1 of that Amendment: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside..."

Having failed to purchase his freedom in 1842, in 1846 Scott filed legal suit in St Louis Circuit Court through the help of a local lawyer. The Scott v. Emerson case was tried in 1847 in St. Louis. The judgment went against Scott, but the judge called for a retrial.

In 1850, a Missouri jury concluded that Scott and his wife should be granted freedom since they had been illegally held as slaves during their extended residence in the free jurisdictions of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Irene Emerson appealed. In 1852, the Missouri Supreme Court struck down the lower court ruling, saying, "Times now are not as they were when the previous decisions on this subject were made."

 They ruled that the precedent of "once free always free" was no longer the case, overturning 28 years of legal precedent.

 They told the Scott's they should have sued for freedom in Wisconsin. Justice Gamble,sharply disagreed with the majority decision and wrote a dissenting opinion. He later became Governor.

The Scott's were returned to their master's wife.

In 1850, Irene Sanford Emerson remarried. Her new husband, Chaffee-Calvin Chaffee, was an abolitionist, who was elected to the US Congress.

Chaffee was married to Irene for seven years-but maintained he was unaware that his wife owned the most prominent slave in the United States until one month before the Supreme Court decision.

 By then it was too late for him to intervene, and Chaffee was harshly criticized for having been married to a slaveholder.  He was able to convince his wife Irene to return Scott to his original owners, the Blow family. The Blow family had relocated to Missouri and become opponents of slavery, granting the Scott's emancipation on May 26, 1857.

Less than three months after the Supreme Court ruling, Scott went to work as a free man as a Porter in St. Louis for nearly 17 months before he died from tuberculosis in September 1858.

 Scott was survived by his wife and his two daughters. Scott was originally interred in Wesleyan Cemetery in St. Louis. When this cemetery was closed nine years later, Taylor Blow transferred Scott's body to a plot in the nearby Catholic cemetery, Calvary Cemetery, which permitted burial of non-Catholic slaves by Catholic owners.

 A local tradition later developed of placing Lincoln pennies on top of Scott's gravestone for good luck.

William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was an English politician and a leader of the movement to abolish the slavery. In 1785, he became an Evangelical Christian, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform. In 1787 he was persuaded to take on the cause of abolition, and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists. He worked for twenty-six years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.

Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education.  Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery, and continued his involvement to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which abolished slavery in England. Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried next to his close friend, William Pitt in Westminster Abbey.

Catholic emancipation was the process of a number of reforms in British Law to remove the many restrictions of Roman Catholics which had been introduced by the Suppression of Catholics and the break with the Holy See in 1534 and did not end till the Emancipation of Catholics in the Catholic Relief Act of 1829—295 years of Governmental Suppression of Catholics in many ways but to specifically hold any public office while not publicly denying the Pope, receiving publicly the Blood in the Church of England and publicly renouncing  transubstantiation in the Roman Catholic mass.

History Tidbits:

Act of Uniformity- the many Test Acts- Catholic penal laws

From the death of King James II -James Stuart in 1701---- January 1766, the Vatican recognized the House of Hanover as lawful rulers of England, Scotland and Ireland, after a gap of 70 years, and thereafter the penal laws started to be dismantled. The most significant measure was the Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which removed the most substantial restrictions on Roman Catholics in England.  In 1792 the Papacy specifically referred to George III as the King of Great Britain and Ireland.

William Wilberforce fought for the Emancipation of Slavery for 46 years. 1787- 1833, his whole political career. Along the way he had a major conversion over another political matter of his day—The Emancipation of Catholics. Originally he was against given Catholics the right to vote and hold public office.   But, for 16 long years he fought for the Emancipation of Catholics and it happened in 1829 with the Catholic Relief Act.

William had 6 children.  Three of the sons became major Churchmen-one, Samuel, an English Bishop of the Church of England.  Two other sons- Henry and his study partner at Oxford-John Henry Newman became Catholics-Newman in 1845, and Henry in 1850. Robert and his best friend Henry Manning became Catholics within 5 years of each other; Henry in 1851 and Robert in 1854.

You know Manning and Newman as:

Cardinal Henry Manning and Saint Cardinal John Henry Newman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO4QHS69DUk

From my friend Patrick Gothman who is soon to enter a Religious community in France.  See www.makeafriar.com

Strategy for Priestly Ministry

The night before he was ordained, St. Maximilian Kolbe, OFM, made a retreat and wrote this bullet-point plan for his life. While written for the life of a friar, I think the virtues it extolls could very easily be applied to any one of us.

 April 27, 1918
-Follow very faithfully the timetable of each day, and you will be safe.

-This very day begin to serve God.
-It may be that this is the last day of your life.
-Live it as if it were, indeed, the last day.
-Tomorrow is uncertain, yesterday is no longer yours. Only the present belongs to you.
-There is an ear which hears all, an eye which scrutinizes all the movements of the heart, a hand which takes note of all.
-Not being punished is the most terrible chastisement of all.
-'If you want to avoid judgment, stop passing judgment.' (Mt 7:1)

-St. Francis de Sales: 'Fidelity in observing the rule is the sacrifice God prefers above all others; it is a mortification and a penance.'
-Love the most Blessed Virgin very deeply.

-Every action you perform will remain forever.
-Choose the least desirable things in food, clothes, tasks, and you will be dear to Jesus.
-Silence.

-The souls in Purgatory. Pray and work for sinners, for Holy Church.
-Make up by your fervor, for the time you have lost.

-Be a man, a Christian, a Religious.

-Be a man:
...-Don't blush for your convictions
...-Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
...-Have a sense of duty, fulfill it well, without being concerned whether anyone is watching you. Act instead with a noble ambition.
...-Don't worry about the evil in others.

-Be a Catholic:
...-When you kneel before an altar, do it in such a way that others may be able to recognize that you know before whom you kneel.

-Be a Religious:
...-A good intention in work is like the number '1' in front of a lot of zeroes.
...-Men deprive themselves of great treasures when they work without a good intention.
...-As you arise in the morning, so you will be all day long.
...-Every action you do is noted down. Nothing will fail to be either rewarded or punished.
...-You might die this very day!
...-Be recollected; whoever pours himself out on exterior things quickly loses the graces he has acquired. A full jewel box is always kept closed.

...-Humility:
......-Avoid all those words which can draw down on you glory, esteem, or the appreciation of others.
......-Let us listen unwillingly (without interest or reflection) and with interior reluctance to the words of those who praise or commend us. It is dangerous to listen to one's own praise in the mouths of others. It makes one lose his good judgment. When others praise us let us keep our sins before our eyes. In this way we shall judge ourselves unworthy of any commendation, and consequently, we shall find an occasion for being ashamed of ourselves and for humbling ourselves.
........-Rejoice when you hear others praised.
........-Jealousy, attachment to one's own glory, is a defeat.
......-Never do anything so that men may see and esteem you.
........-Never do anything out of human respect.
........-Do everything perfectly, because you are working in God's presence, for God and not for men. In every situation think more about loving than about working.
......-Don't offer excuses when you make a mistake. Don't cast the blame on others. Do not offend by sarcasm those who correct you. Do not renounce in advance your errors which someone is trying to point out to you.
........-Practice for a long tima and with zeal until you succeed in willing that your defects may not be hidden any longer, and until you learn how to rejoice when the others judge you imperfect. Do this to make up for your errors.
........-When you are reproved unjustly, do not excuse yourself.
......-Cut short all thoughts of pride.
......-Consider every friar superior to yourself, and yourself the least of all. Recognize everyone as better than yourself, not only in your thoughts, but also in your external deportment.
........-If you consider another superior to yourself, then:
............-You will converse with him more calmly.
............-You will never insult him in words, nor do anything to displease him; you will not suspect him.
............-It will be easy for you to accept a harsh or disrespectful word from him.
......-Willingly accept every opportunity for humbling yourself. Don't be offended at:
........-A harsh word.
........-An imperious tone of voice.
........-Not being respected as much as you would like to be.
............-Welcome occasions of being disregarded and humiliated, first with patience, then willingly, without raising any difficulties and finally with joy. That will be perfect humility.
......-Make acts of humility (as also of the other virtues on which you are in your interior examining yourself), beginning with a rather small number of them; then increase these continually, and make more and more progress. This, in fact, is how one acquires a good habit and makes it grow strong.
.........-Humility is the foundation of the virtues.

17, March 17, 2011
Feast of St. Patrick


Hello dear ones,

I have not had a long and chatty blog post for some time—none this year. Life keeps getting in the way of our success it seems.

What a wonderful couple of glorious feast days today-St. Patrick’s and Saturday-Good St. Joseph’s. Though I look forward each year to Lent and all it brings into our lives as we focus on penance, alms giving to the poor, and prayer-My heart has always found such comfort to take the time to truly reflect and acknowledge these two wonderful godly men, to come as it were, fresh and anew under their strong arms of love, guidance, and protection.

The house is beginning to fill with that wonderful aroma of fresh, cured corned beef, swimming in the biggest pot of Irish brew—Stout for me and my lads—and enough to have a swig ourselves as we add the little Red potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and onions.

So many of you are kind to say how you enjoy my old family recipes—so here you go for this wonderful feast day. And then following the family favorite is one of my very favorite prayers of protection from dear St. Patrick. If you are not going to attempt the wonderful green cake—so yummy, you must try the Green Tea and the crystalized ginger—such fun little treats.

For those of you who have not gone to the blog here is the address. I am very eclectic, but when I do write it is from the heart.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fa-view-from-my-bedside.blogspot.com%2F&h=1b1fb

You will have to copy the above address into your webpage to pull it up.

If you want to go the archives I have a short one on St. Joseph from March 19, 2007
And, my most requested blog on St. Paddy from March 17, 2006. That is a particular favorite of several—giggles.

God bless,
Daniel and boys
St. Patrick Feast Day

Aunt Nonie’s Crystalized Ginger & Green Tea St. Paddy Day Cake

What you need:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons Matcha green tea (see notes below on Matcha Green Tea)
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger—please only use fresh Ginger root
Unsalted butter-1 cup or 2 sticks
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
5 eggs, Room temperature and separated
¼ cup crystallized ginger, rough chop (my favorite kitchen snack—I keep in a Waterford Crystal Biscuit Jar on the Island—you can buy at Sprouts or Whole Food—delish and highly addictive but less harmful than Laudanum)
¼ teaspoon Sea salt—get a nice salt bowl to keep by the stove—a must for every kitchen
Baking pan: 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan buttered and floured—I prefer a red, Ikea pan, but really any will do

What you do:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine flour, Matcha green tea and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
Add yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Really be aggressive—beat the hell out of them.
2. On slow speed, add flour mixture in 3 or 4 stages, mixing well all the while. Stir in crystallized ginger.
3. Separate bowl-beat egg whites with salt until white-holding a soft peak. Fold whites into cake batter. Transfer batter to prepared baking pan and bake until cake pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before unmolding and transferring to rack to cool completely.

Matcha Japanese Green Tea $19.95 www.teavana.com
Since the 12th century, Matcha tea has been celebrated in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony known as Chado, or 'Way of Tea.' Using ancient techniques green tea leaves are carefully shaded with straw mats 30 days before picking. The shading allows the tea leaves to become rich in chlorophyll and amino acids. Once picked and dried, the leaves are ground into fine bright green Matcha tea powder. Harvested in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, this Imperial Grade Matcha is delicious and very high quality. 40g equals approximately 12 teaspoons. 80g equals approximately 24 teaspoons.

If you could put after-a-rain fresh air in a can, that's what this tea tastes like. This is very green, green tea - beautiful flavor, beautiful color. I've got an electric frothing tool that I mix mine with. But, to really do it right-you need a Matcha whisk and bowl. The only odd thing about this tea is the fact that there will be sediment in the bottom of your drinking vessel. This is normal for Matcha green tea; however, some people may not like it. It tastes great, but looks like swamp sludge.

Turns out that lumps are only a problem when trying to mix with HOT water. Matcha is a powder so it doesn't need to steep like leaves do. So mix it with COLD water first...a tiny bit of water at a time until it's dissolved...and THEN you can heat it up in the microwave. While I love Matcha hot, I also love it cold. I add it to my water bottle with a bit of Stevia- shake it to mix well. Yum! If it separates in between drinks, shake again. It is extremely convenient for travel and at work and I have 3 or 4 bottles of green tea a day. I drink this tea every morning-- 1 tsp., 8oz purified water (boiled to 180F), with 1/2 tsp. organic honey. I feel great after drinking this tea it seems to give me energy that I need, so that I can go out and ride hard on my bicycle. Cheers....

The Lorica of St. Patrick
Here is St. Patrick’s most famous and magnificent prayer. It is entitled “The Lorica” or “Breastplate,” an armor of defense. As you pray it you will feel the protection and power of God watching over you as He has His Saints down through the ages-a blessed feast day to you and yours. Let us hold each other in our prayers as we pray this prayer of divine Providence and Protection today.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.


I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

Friday, August 01, 2010
If you do not read anything else I write all year—Read this NOW-Please--
the Indulgence given directly from Jesus to St Francis--you have till Sundown on the 2nd. (reprint from 8/01/08)


August 1, 2010

PORTIUNCULA INDULGENCE

The Portiuncula indulgence, which we can gain every year on the first Sunday of August, we owe to the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Portiuncula or Portiuncula (in Latin) simply means small portion in Italian and refers to the wonderful Little Church of the Benedictines right outside of Assisi, Italy.
During the time of St. Francis it had fallen into terrible disuse and it was here while prostate before the Crucifix that Francis first heard the voice of his Beloved—“Build my Church, stone by stone, build it Stronger…” It was here that Francis first had his first of many experiences with Christ and Our Lady. It was here he received his first followers, were he received the Lady Clare as his first spiritual daughter and founder of the Poor Clares, were he received his wounds adoring Christ in the San Damiano Cross, and here where he died still ever before Our Lord.
The Benedictines wanted to give Francis the church but in order to remain faithful to Lady Poverty, Francis rented it from them with the annual compensation of a basket of fish from the Tescio river. Of all the many beautiful devotions that he gave to us or helped restore to the Church—his commendation of this place to his brothers was paramount.

During the night in July, 1216, Francis was praying in the little church of the Portiuncula devoured by love for God and a thirst to save souls. He prayed for the forgiveness of sins of mankind. Suddenly a brilliant light shone all around. In great splendor Jesus and Mary appeared in the midst of a dazzling cloud surrounded by a multitude of radiant angels. Out of fear and reverence, St. Francis adored Our Lord prostrate upon the ground. Then Jesus said to him: “Francis you are very zealous for the good of souls. Ask me what you want for their salvation.” St. Francis was rapt in ecstasy before Jesus.

When he regained his courage he said:"Lord, I a miserable sinner beg You to concede an indulgence to all those who enter this church, who are truly contrite and have confessed their sins. And I beg Blessed Mary, your Mother, intercessor of man that she intercedes on behalf of this grace." Our Lady at once began to beseech her son on behalf of Francis.”

"It is a very great thing that which you ask Me; but you are worthy of even greater things, Friar Francis, and greater things you will have. So I accept your request, but I want you to go to my Vicar, to whom I have given the power to bind and loose in Heaven and on earth, to ask him on my behalf for this indulgence."

With one of his companions, Francis hastened to Pope Honorius III and prostrate implored him to proclaim that every one visiting the church and confessing their sins with a contrite heart would be as pure from all sin and punishments as he was immediately after baptism. Honorius was astonished at this strange petition, and hesitated to grant it. But Francis said: "What I ask, I do not ask of myself; our Lord Jesus Christ sends me to you and commands me to make this request." The Pope having been convinced of the truth of his speech granted his petition and ordered that the little church should be solemnly consecrated and the indulgence proclaimed for the second day of August.
From that time pilgrims from all parts of the world flocked to the Portiuncula church in order to gain the indulgence, and numberless were the conversions which occurred at that shrine of grace. In order to make this indulgence more accessible to the faithful, the Popes subsequently extended it to all the churches of the Franciscans. Afterwards it was extended to all parish churches, and the first Sunday of August was appointed as the day for gaining it.

The date was set from vespers of the first of August until sundown on the second of August, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels. It is said that St. Francis was given this day by Our Lord because the Feast of the Chains of St. Peter celebrated on August first is the day Peter was released from prison and his chains removed. This is an extraordinary demonstration of God’s mercy in removing the chains of sin from those who devoutly and faithfully seek to gain the indulgence by completing its requirements.

The conditions to obtain the Plenary Indulgence of the Forgiveness of Assisi is (for oneself or for a departed soul) as follows:
-- Sacramental Confession to be in God’s grace (during eight days before or after.)
-- Participation in the Holy Mass and Eucharist
-- Recitation of The Apostles Creed, Our Father and a prayer for the Pope’s Intention.

The Portiuncula Indulgence is a grace not to miss not only for yourself but for the many suffering souls in Purgatory.

Mark your calendar for the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels beginning on the First of August to August 2. Tell everyone of the magnitude of this gift. Once again, we see the unfathomable Divine Mercy of God. In the words of St. Francis: O my Brothers and Sisters, I want you all to go to Heaven!

“The Catholic faithful may gain a plenary indulgence on 2 August (the Portiuncula) or on such other day as designated by the local ordinary for the advantage of the faithful, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff), by devoutly visiting the parish church, and there reciting at least the Lord's Prayer and the Creed. The Indulgence applies to the cathedral church of the diocese, and to the co-cathedral church (if there is one), even if they are not parochial, and also to quasi-parochial churches. To gain this, as any plenary indulgence, the faithful must be free from any attachment to sin, even venial sin. Where this entire detachment is wanting, the indulgence is partial.”

The Portiuncula indulgence is the first plenary indulgence that was ever granted in the Church. There were indeed indulgences at all times, but they were only partial, and only a partial remission of the temporal punishments could be obtained by them. But, as already remarked, he who gains the Portiuncula indulgence is freed from all temporal punishments and becomes as pure as after holy baptism. This was also the reason why Pope Honorius was astonished when St. Francis petitioned for the confirmation of this indulgence, for such an indulgence, up to that time, had been entirely unknown. It was only after he had come to the conviction that Jesus Christ himself wished it, that he granted the petition of the saint and confirmed the indulgence.

This indulgence is granted for all time to come, i. e., until the consummation of the world. In the primitive ages of Christianity it was not customary to grant indulgences for ever, they could be gained only during a certain period. It was with them as it is with our jubilee indulgences, which are limited to a certain time, and which, after the lapse of that space of time, cannot be gained. When St. Francis preached in the Portiuncula church in the presence of several bishops, and solemnly announced to the assembled people the indulgence granted by Christ and confirmed by his vicar on earth, the Pope, and added that this indulgence could be gained on the second day of August for all time to come, the bishops were shocked at this addition and would have it only for ten years. They therefore raised their voice and were going to say, only for ten years, but miraculously guided by God, they unanimously cried out, for all time to come! The Portiuncula, indulgence, which has already continued for more than six hundred years, will continue till the end of the world, and even shortly before the coming of Christ to judgment this indulgence could still be gained.

Finally, what distinguishes the Portiuncula, indulgence especially from all others is, that on the day on which it is granted, it can be gained not only once, but oftener. You can gain other indulgences only once on the same day, but the Portiuncula indulgence you can gain on the first Sunday of August, and that, too, as often as on that day you visit a church of the Franciscans, or the parish church, and there pray for some time according to the intention of the Holy Father. The Congregation of the Council has twice so decided, on the 17th of July, 1700, and again on the 4th of December, 1723. In fact, when doubts were submitted to the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences as to whether the faithful who visit a church of the Franciscans on the second Sunday of August can obtain the indulgence as often as the visit is repeated, the answer was in the affirmative, February 22nd, 1847, and it was declared at the same time that it is not necessary to receive Communion in any of the churches of the Franciscans. Pope Pius IX. confirmed these decisions by a decree of the same Congregation, dated July 12th, 1849.

It is indeed true that on one day we can gain a plenary indulgence for ourselves only once, but this does not interfere with the doctrine that the Portiuncula indulgence can be gained more than once on the same day, for we may apply it to the souls in purgatory, if we gain it the second and the third time, etc.

The Portiuncula indulgence then is a great grace of which we should avail ourselves every year. Try to gain it. See above all, that you make a humble, contrite and sincere confession, for a good confession is the first and most necessary requisite for the forgiveness of sins and the gaining of the indulgence.

Receive Holy Communion with the most profound humility and adoration.

Say the prayers for an indulgence with devotion and sentiments of repentance, according to the intention of the Holy Father, and relying on the merits of Jesus Christ, on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis, and the other saints, beseech God with confidence to impart to you the indulgence and to deliver you from all temporal punishments.

Promise to be thankful to him for this grace all the days of your life by carefully keeping your conscience free from even small faults.

Visit the church several times and after repeating the prayers for an indulgence apply it to the poor souls that they may partake of the grace thereof. Thus the Portiuncula will be to you a key with which you will open heaven, both for yourselves and for many poor souls. Amen.

You and yours remain in my heart and in my prayers as we enter this lovely month of August. We will get through the heat of Summer and Septembers song will be here soon.

Daniel

To my 987 closest friends,

Several of you have already asked me for suggestions on what to do--or as I like to say--Add To what we already do on a daily basis for the 40 Days of Lent.

Whatever you add to your daily devotions is always good--but just for giggles I thought I would forward what a new friend of mine put together for his Catholic Study Group--a way to Read Through the Compendium of the Churches Social Doctrine of the Church--and I thought for those of you who have not yet gotten around to it--even though the English edition came out in 2004--come on guys--giggles.

Keep in mind he said it would only take "a few minutes a day" since he did divide it up for you---for full disclosure sake I must tell you that it is 480 pages and my copy weighs 1.5 pounds. You will feel better to know that the text is really only 225 pages and the sources at 25 pages and the subtopics at another 165 can easily be skimmed.

If it makes you feel better, I must tell you that way back there in 1994 when it was hot off Father Fessio's presses at Ignatius Press and my Spiritual Director had it dropped shipped to me-- the Catechism and the Companion Compendium (itself 975 pages) were a wonderful read. I must prepare you this Compendium is a little more heady--theological if you will --although the Church says it is written at High School level--giggles.

Anyway--blessed Lent to you all--keep blessing yourselves at the Holy Water fount--none of this cover it and keep it away during Lent nonsense--and add to your faith--and please remember me and all the Vinzant's in the Arms of God on your HOPE bead now and always.

With deepest affection to you all, your friend,
Daniel

And as priest always tell me--"The Darker the ashes, the Deeper the Sin." hmmmm what does that mean when they are the ones who apply it to my forehead?

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hays, Rob
Date: Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Subject: Reading Through the Compendium During Lent & Easter


In case any of you are interested, I’ve attached a schedule for reading through the entire Compendium for the Social Doctrine of the Church during the Lent and Easter seasons. I did this last year with several people and found it incredibly informative and helpful in developing a better understanding of social doctrine. It only took a few minutes a day since you’re reading only 5 to 6 points a day on average. The link to purchase the book via Amazon is http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrine-Pontifical-Council-Justice/dp/1574556924 and the link to view the Compendium directly from the Vatican website is http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html. Feel free to send this around to others that might be interested. Enjoy!

Rob

Rob Hays