This is the way all stories go, says my younger brother.
Bliss: the First Step. Two young adults get married, and it is the happiest time of their life, filled with bliss, bliss, and more bliss. They know this is the best time in their lives. Next is the second step: Miss. Husband goes off to war and is gone for a very long time. They miss each other very much. These are the unhappy times, when they each are dying to see each other but don't even know if their spouse is still alive. Next comes the third step: Kiss. This happens when the husband comes home from the war. they are very happy and they kiss. These are by far even happier times than the "bliss" period. And then, as all stories end, they live happily for the rest of their lives.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Jetter to Jackie (Commander John J. Shea, U.S.N.)
Commander John Shea served aboard the U.S.S. Wasp, an aircraft carrier, during WWII. He wrote this letter to his young son, and it still stands as an example of honor, patriotism, and Catholicity.
June 19, 1942
Dear Jackie:
This is the first letter I ha e written directly to you my little son. I am thrilled to know you can read it all by yourself. If you miss some of the words, Mother will help you, I am sure.
I was certainly glad to hear your voice on the long-distance telephone. It sounded as if I were right in the living room with ou. You sounded as if you missed Daddy very much. I miss you too, more than anyone will ever know. It is too bad this war could not have been delayed a few years, so that I could grow up again with you and do all the things I planned, when you were older.
How nice it would have been to come home early in the afternoon and play ball and go mountain climing and see the trees and brooks, to learn all about woodcraft, hunting, fishing, swimming and other things like that. I suppose we must be brave and put these things off now for awhile.
When you are a little bigger, you will know why Daddy is not home so much any more. We have a big country, with ideals as to how people should live and enjoy its riches, how each is born with equal rights to life, freedom, and pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, there are countries in the world wehre they don't have these ideals; where a boy can't grow up to what he wants to be -- such as a great priest, a statesman, a doctor, a soldier, or a businessman.
Because of these countries who want to change our nation, its ideals, its form of government and way of life, we must leave our homes and families to fight. Defending our country, ideals, homes, and honor is a duty which Daddy must do vefore he can come home to you and Mother. When it is done, he is coming home to be with you always and forever. So wait just a little while longer. I'm afraid it will be more than the two weeks you told me on the phone.
Meanwhile, take good care of Mother, be a good boy, and grow up to be a good young man. Study hard at school. Be a leader in everything good in life. Be a good Catholic, and you can't help being a good American. Play fair always. Strive to win; but if you lose, lose like a gentleman and a good sportsman. Don't ever be a quitter, either in sports or in your work when you grow up. Get all the education you can. Stay close to Mother and follow her advice. Obey her in everything, no matter how you may at times disagree. She knows what is the best and will never let you down or lead you away from the right and honerable things of life.
If I don't get back, you'll have to be Mother's protector because you will be the only one she has. You must grow up to take my place as well as your own in her life and heart. Love Grandmother and Grandad as long as they live. They, to, will never let you down. Love your aunts and see them often. Last of all, don't ever forget Daddy. Pray for him to come back; and if it is God's will that he does not, be the kind of boy and man Daddy wants you to be. Kiss Mother for me every night. Goodby for now. With all my love and debotion for Mother and you,
Your Daddy.
Commander Shea went down with his ship during the Battle of the Solomons in November 1942, just 5 months after writing to his son.
June 19, 1942
Dear Jackie:
This is the first letter I ha e written directly to you my little son. I am thrilled to know you can read it all by yourself. If you miss some of the words, Mother will help you, I am sure.
I was certainly glad to hear your voice on the long-distance telephone. It sounded as if I were right in the living room with ou. You sounded as if you missed Daddy very much. I miss you too, more than anyone will ever know. It is too bad this war could not have been delayed a few years, so that I could grow up again with you and do all the things I planned, when you were older.
How nice it would have been to come home early in the afternoon and play ball and go mountain climing and see the trees and brooks, to learn all about woodcraft, hunting, fishing, swimming and other things like that. I suppose we must be brave and put these things off now for awhile.
When you are a little bigger, you will know why Daddy is not home so much any more. We have a big country, with ideals as to how people should live and enjoy its riches, how each is born with equal rights to life, freedom, and pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, there are countries in the world wehre they don't have these ideals; where a boy can't grow up to what he wants to be -- such as a great priest, a statesman, a doctor, a soldier, or a businessman.
Because of these countries who want to change our nation, its ideals, its form of government and way of life, we must leave our homes and families to fight. Defending our country, ideals, homes, and honor is a duty which Daddy must do vefore he can come home to you and Mother. When it is done, he is coming home to be with you always and forever. So wait just a little while longer. I'm afraid it will be more than the two weeks you told me on the phone.
Meanwhile, take good care of Mother, be a good boy, and grow up to be a good young man. Study hard at school. Be a leader in everything good in life. Be a good Catholic, and you can't help being a good American. Play fair always. Strive to win; but if you lose, lose like a gentleman and a good sportsman. Don't ever be a quitter, either in sports or in your work when you grow up. Get all the education you can. Stay close to Mother and follow her advice. Obey her in everything, no matter how you may at times disagree. She knows what is the best and will never let you down or lead you away from the right and honerable things of life.
If I don't get back, you'll have to be Mother's protector because you will be the only one she has. You must grow up to take my place as well as your own in her life and heart. Love Grandmother and Grandad as long as they live. They, to, will never let you down. Love your aunts and see them often. Last of all, don't ever forget Daddy. Pray for him to come back; and if it is God's will that he does not, be the kind of boy and man Daddy wants you to be. Kiss Mother for me every night. Goodby for now. With all my love and debotion for Mother and you,
Your Daddy.
Commander Shea went down with his ship during the Battle of the Solomons in November 1942, just 5 months after writing to his son.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
The One Thing Necessary
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, one of the holiest men in the last century, spoke on prayer on many occasions. Regarding the difficulties facing the world today, someone asked him what was the greatest crisis in the present day. He did not mention wars, crimes against humanity, genocide, abortion, contraception, the lack of respect for the sacred, unfaithfulness, sexual promiscuity, materialism, or the breaking of the family. He responded that the single most regretable and dangerous evil of our day is the lack of prayer. It is so great, that the world is being lost to the Devil because of it. St. Pio went on to say that one who prays very much will be saved; those who pray little are in great danger; and those who do not pray are lost. (Yipe!)
There is and has been for many centuries an over-emphasis on works to the extent where prayer itself was left unfinished or completely done away with. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is known for her work and helping the poor, but she always spent several hours every day, at least two (not including communal prayer and Mass) in prayer. It is what allows us to do works, to merit for Christ.
May God bless us and guide us, and keep us safe. And may the souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
There is and has been for many centuries an over-emphasis on works to the extent where prayer itself was left unfinished or completely done away with. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is known for her work and helping the poor, but she always spent several hours every day, at least two (not including communal prayer and Mass) in prayer. It is what allows us to do works, to merit for Christ.
May God bless us and guide us, and keep us safe. And may the souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Excuses! Excuses!
My favorite is the fifth one =). Some of these you have to think about for a bit before they strike you as funny. Think about it in the context of what the person was really trying to say.
Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don’t have.
The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intentions.
I thought my window was down, but found it was up when I put my hand through it.
A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
The guy was all over the road! I had to swerve several times before I hit him.
I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and drove over the embankment.
In my attempt to kill a fly I drove into a telephone pole.
Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don’t have.
The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intentions.
I thought my window was down, but found it was up when I put my hand through it.
A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
The guy was all over the road! I had to swerve several times before I hit him.
I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and drove over the embankment.
In my attempt to kill a fly I drove into a telephone pole.
The Narrow Path (original post June 26)
I heard a sermon this morning (6-26-07) that struck me very deeply. It was on Matt 7:13-14
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
The path to heaven is narrow, and few find it. The road to hell is wide, easy to find, and many choose it. Father (meaning the priest) pointed out that everyone knows the wide road, the path of least resistance. No matter what culture, religion, or education a person has, the wide road is easily accessible and readily available at all times. The choice is so very easy that people don’t even have to think about it or deliberate their choices. I know the wide road, the road of materialism, selfishness, license, envy, discontent, ingratitude, pride, etc. I engage in them so often without even realizing it. Our Lord says in today’s gospel (6-25-07) that it is the road to hell, and is much traveled.
The Narrow Path, on the other hand, is difficult to find. Father said this means one must make a conscious effort to search for it, must persevere and stick it out for the long haul because this path takes a while to find. Furthermore, when one finds it and begins to travel the road of righteousness, he discovers many times along the way how he is still desiring to travel the wide road, and perhaps he is actually following it though he thought he was on the narrow road. Few find it, and even fewer decide to follow it. Few? Ack! I’m in trouble!
Father’s homily today led me to thinking, about whether I am on actually on the wide path. Do I just find comfort and satisfaction thinking I’m on the narrow when I’m only tricking myself? The choices I make everyday, to disagree with someone on account of my pride, even if only inwardly, are ultimately what leads to one road or another. The choice to talk or think ill of someone; the choice to continue to ruminate over things that have passed; the choice to read an “inspirational story” instead of praying or reading the Scriptures; the choice to take a second helping when I don’t need it and could very well offer it up for poor sinners; forgetting to pray for our priests, an end to abortion, those on death row, the poor, the pope, the Holy Souls in Purgatory; I choose to make some disrespectful gesture, such as rolling my eyes; inwardly seething about a rude customer; thinking disrespect or judging those who deserve my respect by virtue of their stature in my life; omitting my prayers in order to sleep, listen to music, etc.; gossiping, or even if not engaging in gossip myself, listening to it. The little things of every day are ultimately the choice of the narrow or wide.
Perhaps it is a coincidence, but today is also the feast of St. Josemarie Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei. The society’s main focus is to encourage its members to live the Life in Christ, to live their Catholic Faith, out every day in their every thought, word, and deed. St. Paul said that you must “pray without ceasing,” but I have met very few people who think that those words were to be taken literally, or even could be. After careful deliberation and many experiences to the converse, I submit that we are to pray always and it is possible. When I am driving to work, I’ve an entire 15 minutes by myself, time to talk to God instead of listening to music. Or, when I’m doing the laundry, I could very well be praying instead of thinking about the latest thing that has come along to irritate my all too touchy sensitivities. Opus Dei, like the Little Way of St. Therese, encourages people to make each act of the day into a prayer, a little act of love for God and His people. Making your bed (if you do that every day ;-)), rinsing dishes, cleaning the toilet, setting the table, waiting at a red light, giving up extra portions and curbing road rage (you know, little words and feelings you let out when other drivers do something stupid or dangerous), and actually offering a compliment or encouragement to family members are all times when a good may be offered to God that will contribute to someone’s salvation. One of the most difficult of sacrifices is to forgo fighting back. Someone gets angry at you, and you choose to remain calm and not get angry, even internally. I have never yet succeeded at this one (sigh).
The Narrow road is the shortest road and in a certain sense the easiest. It is direct, and also ensures that once begun, you will continue to see more and more things which keep you from following Our Lord with your entire being. Once you start down the wide road, it takes a long time to find the narrow again, and it is very difficult to stop sinful behaviors because they become addictive, especially judging, gossip, sexual sins, gluttony, and falsehoods.
Thank God for a universal Church! All of our elder brothers and sisters in the faith, the Saints and the Holy Souls in Purgatory, testify that we can definitely make it to heaven, and they want us. They never tire night or day, guarding us, praying for us, and seeking to guide us in any way possible. God did not stop there in His efforts to get us to heaven! He gave us the Crown of Creation, Our Lady Mary, as our own mother. The most perfect of all things created by Our Lord, she is the model and the fascination of all virtues. Since He cannot refuse her requests, I would highly recommend taking anything and everything to her Immaculate Heart. Further, there are the guardian angels, a holy and pure being assigned to care for and watch over you and only you! Just you, and your angel, together in the battle blessed by the Lord.
Though the Narrow road be hard to find and difficult to travel, Our Lord has, in my opinion, given us many helps along the way. All we’ve got to do is snatch them up. Go ahead, be greedy! These assets are there just so you can find heaven. Don’t think that you are the only one having difficulty on the Narrow, because I certainly am! We’ve got to pray for each other on the way. If you sanctify yourself, and you will sanctify your families, your workplaces, our society and our country.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
The path to heaven is narrow, and few find it. The road to hell is wide, easy to find, and many choose it. Father (meaning the priest) pointed out that everyone knows the wide road, the path of least resistance. No matter what culture, religion, or education a person has, the wide road is easily accessible and readily available at all times. The choice is so very easy that people don’t even have to think about it or deliberate their choices. I know the wide road, the road of materialism, selfishness, license, envy, discontent, ingratitude, pride, etc. I engage in them so often without even realizing it. Our Lord says in today’s gospel (6-25-07) that it is the road to hell, and is much traveled.
The Narrow Path, on the other hand, is difficult to find. Father said this means one must make a conscious effort to search for it, must persevere and stick it out for the long haul because this path takes a while to find. Furthermore, when one finds it and begins to travel the road of righteousness, he discovers many times along the way how he is still desiring to travel the wide road, and perhaps he is actually following it though he thought he was on the narrow road. Few find it, and even fewer decide to follow it. Few? Ack! I’m in trouble!
Father’s homily today led me to thinking, about whether I am on actually on the wide path. Do I just find comfort and satisfaction thinking I’m on the narrow when I’m only tricking myself? The choices I make everyday, to disagree with someone on account of my pride, even if only inwardly, are ultimately what leads to one road or another. The choice to talk or think ill of someone; the choice to continue to ruminate over things that have passed; the choice to read an “inspirational story” instead of praying or reading the Scriptures; the choice to take a second helping when I don’t need it and could very well offer it up for poor sinners; forgetting to pray for our priests, an end to abortion, those on death row, the poor, the pope, the Holy Souls in Purgatory; I choose to make some disrespectful gesture, such as rolling my eyes; inwardly seething about a rude customer; thinking disrespect or judging those who deserve my respect by virtue of their stature in my life; omitting my prayers in order to sleep, listen to music, etc.; gossiping, or even if not engaging in gossip myself, listening to it. The little things of every day are ultimately the choice of the narrow or wide.
Perhaps it is a coincidence, but today is also the feast of St. Josemarie Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei. The society’s main focus is to encourage its members to live the Life in Christ, to live their Catholic Faith, out every day in their every thought, word, and deed. St. Paul said that you must “pray without ceasing,” but I have met very few people who think that those words were to be taken literally, or even could be. After careful deliberation and many experiences to the converse, I submit that we are to pray always and it is possible. When I am driving to work, I’ve an entire 15 minutes by myself, time to talk to God instead of listening to music. Or, when I’m doing the laundry, I could very well be praying instead of thinking about the latest thing that has come along to irritate my all too touchy sensitivities. Opus Dei, like the Little Way of St. Therese, encourages people to make each act of the day into a prayer, a little act of love for God and His people. Making your bed (if you do that every day ;-)), rinsing dishes, cleaning the toilet, setting the table, waiting at a red light, giving up extra portions and curbing road rage (you know, little words and feelings you let out when other drivers do something stupid or dangerous), and actually offering a compliment or encouragement to family members are all times when a good may be offered to God that will contribute to someone’s salvation. One of the most difficult of sacrifices is to forgo fighting back. Someone gets angry at you, and you choose to remain calm and not get angry, even internally. I have never yet succeeded at this one (sigh).
The Narrow road is the shortest road and in a certain sense the easiest. It is direct, and also ensures that once begun, you will continue to see more and more things which keep you from following Our Lord with your entire being. Once you start down the wide road, it takes a long time to find the narrow again, and it is very difficult to stop sinful behaviors because they become addictive, especially judging, gossip, sexual sins, gluttony, and falsehoods.
Thank God for a universal Church! All of our elder brothers and sisters in the faith, the Saints and the Holy Souls in Purgatory, testify that we can definitely make it to heaven, and they want us. They never tire night or day, guarding us, praying for us, and seeking to guide us in any way possible. God did not stop there in His efforts to get us to heaven! He gave us the Crown of Creation, Our Lady Mary, as our own mother. The most perfect of all things created by Our Lord, she is the model and the fascination of all virtues. Since He cannot refuse her requests, I would highly recommend taking anything and everything to her Immaculate Heart. Further, there are the guardian angels, a holy and pure being assigned to care for and watch over you and only you! Just you, and your angel, together in the battle blessed by the Lord.
Though the Narrow road be hard to find and difficult to travel, Our Lord has, in my opinion, given us many helps along the way. All we’ve got to do is snatch them up. Go ahead, be greedy! These assets are there just so you can find heaven. Don’t think that you are the only one having difficulty on the Narrow, because I certainly am! We’ve got to pray for each other on the way. If you sanctify yourself, and you will sanctify your families, your workplaces, our society and our country.
Riverdance: American Wake
In the deep night, in a dark place, I hear voices calling out in heartache;
They are wounded, they are broken, but their spirit rises when awoken.
Chorus
Yes, they may be poor in birth, but, yes, how great each one is worth!
Heal their hearts! Feed their souls! Their lives can be golden if Your love enfolds.
In their dream times, in their visions how they always hunger after freedom,
Every heart, Lord, every dark road, leads them on to reach a new horizon.
Chorus
Lord, where is our freedom?
When will our hope begin
Lord what of the promise you made; when will it come?
We have waited for the time for the truth to live, when justice will shine.
Too long those hands of freed held on and made us bleed!
When will your people breathe? Lord will it come?
Lord what of our children?
Will they always depend on You?
Lord why are they scattered and torn, and their young hearts in chains?
How they hunger for liberty, feel their hatred of poverty.
Let their spirits rise soaring free!
Lord let it come!Our day will come!
Lord where is our freedom?
When will our hope begin?
Lord what of the promise you made; when will it come?
We have waited for the time for the truth to live, when justice will shine.
Too long, those hands of freed held on and made us bleed!
When will your people breathe? Lord will it come?
When will your people breathe? Lord let it come!
They are wounded, they are broken, but their spirit rises when awoken.
Chorus
Yes, they may be poor in birth, but, yes, how great each one is worth!
Heal their hearts! Feed their souls! Their lives can be golden if Your love enfolds.
In their dream times, in their visions how they always hunger after freedom,
Every heart, Lord, every dark road, leads them on to reach a new horizon.
Chorus
Lord, where is our freedom?
When will our hope begin
Lord what of the promise you made; when will it come?
We have waited for the time for the truth to live, when justice will shine.
Too long those hands of freed held on and made us bleed!
When will your people breathe? Lord will it come?
Lord what of our children?
Will they always depend on You?
Lord why are they scattered and torn, and their young hearts in chains?
How they hunger for liberty, feel their hatred of poverty.
Let their spirits rise soaring free!
Lord let it come!Our day will come!
Lord where is our freedom?
When will our hope begin?
Lord what of the promise you made; when will it come?
We have waited for the time for the truth to live, when justice will shine.
Too long, those hands of freed held on and made us bleed!
When will your people breathe? Lord will it come?
When will your people breathe? Lord let it come!
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