Advent Exploding into Contemplation

This Advent burst in on me with a loud crash followed by LOTS of time to think. Someone commented that I have a difficult life and off the cuff, without any thought I said, “Actually, I think I have an amazingly charmed life and this week the universe decided to do a quick correction.”  Now, that isn’t a particularly Catholic way to express how I see my life, but it fit the conversation at the time and caused me to pause and think on why I answered that way. Yes, First Sunday in Advent began with a crash. At first … Continue reading

Advent: Preparing to celebrate the birth of a savior

Advent is a season for reflection on my faith, on what I believe, not a season for thinking about what I shall buy. I do give gifts in honor of the Wise Men who came at the Epiphany to give gifts to the newborn King at CHRISTMAS which does not begin until the vigil Mass for December 25. I am reflecting this Advent on how fragile is life. How the devil does his best to rob you of your faith. How thoroughly the majority of my fellow Catholics have internalized the message of the devil, and how totally they have … Continue reading

Advent Mis-Adventures

Sunday, first Sunday in Advent, saw me happily leaving the house early to be early to an early Mass. Ten minutes later a car crossed my lane to make a left onto the road and caused a rather serious accident. I clearly saw her, saw the pickup coming down the road from the opposite direction to me, and suddenly, she pulls out directly into my path. She pulled out into my path with far too little distance between us for me to stop in time. It hurt, the impact. My seat belt did its job and held me tight, leaving … Continue reading

Pentecost

Today is Pentecost. Descent of the Holy Spirit and Birthday of the Catholic Church are celebrated on this day. This is lovely ancient music. Latin Veni,creàtor Spìritus, mentes tuòrum visita, imple supérna gràtia, quae tu creàsti péctora. Qui dìceris Paràclitus, donum Dei,Altìssimi, fons vivus,ignis,càritas, et spiritàlis ùnctio. Tu septifòrmis mùnere, dextrae Dei tu dìgitus, tu rite promìssum Patris, sermòne ditans gùttura. Accénde lumen sénsibus: infùnde amòrem còrdibus: infìrma nostri còrporis virtùte firmans pérpeti. Hostem repéllas lòngius, pacémque dones pròtinus: ductòre sic te praevio vitémus omne nòxium. Per te sciàmus da Patrem, noscàmus atque Fìlium, te utriùsque Spìritum credàmus omni témpore. … Continue reading

CHRIST IS RISEN, GLORIFY HIM!

CHRIST IS RISEN, GLORIFY HIM!  HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA! Easter is the feast of the new creation. Jesus is risen and dies no more. He has opened the door to a new life, one that no longer knows illness and death. He has taken mankind up into God himself.                         –POPE BENEDICT XVI (from Fr. Z’s blog– go to WDTPRS for the rest) Easter is the apex of the feasts and celebrations of the Catholic Church.  It is the highest of all our high Holy Days.  THIS day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.  We celebrate the empty tomb. We … Continue reading

At the Foot of the Cross with Mary and John

At the foot of the cross with Mary and John to witness the words Jesus spoke from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” “Woman, behold your son. Behold, your mother.” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” “I thirst” “It is finished” “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” – Jesus of Nazareth This is the point in scripture that most moves me.  All of the Gospels are moving and rich with meaning, but this moment, when Christ … Continue reading