Lots of Things on the Brain
I will spare my few readers the usual excuses for my absence in recent weeks. The title of this post should be sufficient to explain. I always have a desire to write, but writing usually falls to the bottom of my priority list. So, I'll continue to write as often as I'm able, and there should be no mockery from my audience!
The last couple of days have yielded quite a few threads of thought that are "blog-worthy." The scope is broad; some are pithy (I think) and at least one is silly and self-centered. I'll let readers be the judge of the category into which each of these thoughts falls.
HE PRAYED ME INTO THE CHURCH
Just five days ago, a holy man passed away. As my pastor remarked in his homily at the funeral yesterday: he understood the "essence of Catholic spirituality." Indeed, he was a man of such prayer that his supplications to the Father for my own conversion bore much fruit.
My in-laws told him about the young man who was dating their daughter (me, about six years ago), but who was not Catholic. As he prayed his Rosary every day, I am certain that he prayed in part for my reception into the full communion of the Church. The Father, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, heard the prayers of this holy man (and my future in-laws). I must say that result has been good!
PATIENCE AND SUFFERING
It is no secret that my wife and I are trying to sell our home (for nine months now) so that we can purchase a bigger home, a home suitable for a growing family. In three-fourths of a year, we have received exactly zero offers.
As I have been praying throughout the last week, two particular Scripture passages have caught my attention. God seems to be speaking to me through them: He's telling me that my attention should be placed on purifying my faith while worrying less about the sale of a home.
Judith 8:25-27
"Besides all this, we should be grateful to the Lord our God, for putting us to the test, as he did our forefathers. Recall how he dealt with Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and all that happened to Jacob in Syrian Mesopotamia while he was tending the flocks of Laban, his mother's brother. Not for vengeance did the Lord put them in the crucible to try their hearts, nor has he done so with us. It is by way of admonition that he chastises those who are close to him."
1 Peter 1:6-9
"In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do no see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribably and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls."
See, the minor sufferings that I have been enduring are rather to purify my faith, to help me become holy. In fact, through discernment with my spiritual director, I know that I must learn to trust God more than I do right now.
"ATHEISTS ARE FUSSBUDGET NINNIES"
I thoroughly enjoyed this blog post from The Four Mass'keteers. Quite simply, atheists use "scientific" arguments against the existence of God that really make, um, absolutely no sense. Kudos to "Athos," the author of such a lucid statement.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: WINNERS OF FIVE IN A ROW
Of course, my favorite pastime, and my favorite team within that pastime, must occupy space in my consciousness. That is especially true when the "Birds on the Bat" are in first place (six games ahead of a Chicago team in a downward spiral) and sixteen games over .500. The last six weeks of the regular season, I'm convinced, will be as fun as any in recent memory.
Very well. That's all the time I can afford today. I pray for God's blessings upon you and your family!
The last couple of days have yielded quite a few threads of thought that are "blog-worthy." The scope is broad; some are pithy (I think) and at least one is silly and self-centered. I'll let readers be the judge of the category into which each of these thoughts falls.
HE PRAYED ME INTO THE CHURCH
Just five days ago, a holy man passed away. As my pastor remarked in his homily at the funeral yesterday: he understood the "essence of Catholic spirituality." Indeed, he was a man of such prayer that his supplications to the Father for my own conversion bore much fruit.
My in-laws told him about the young man who was dating their daughter (me, about six years ago), but who was not Catholic. As he prayed his Rosary every day, I am certain that he prayed in part for my reception into the full communion of the Church. The Father, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, heard the prayers of this holy man (and my future in-laws). I must say that result has been good!
PATIENCE AND SUFFERING
It is no secret that my wife and I are trying to sell our home (for nine months now) so that we can purchase a bigger home, a home suitable for a growing family. In three-fourths of a year, we have received exactly zero offers.
As I have been praying throughout the last week, two particular Scripture passages have caught my attention. God seems to be speaking to me through them: He's telling me that my attention should be placed on purifying my faith while worrying less about the sale of a home.
Judith 8:25-27
"Besides all this, we should be grateful to the Lord our God, for putting us to the test, as he did our forefathers. Recall how he dealt with Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and all that happened to Jacob in Syrian Mesopotamia while he was tending the flocks of Laban, his mother's brother. Not for vengeance did the Lord put them in the crucible to try their hearts, nor has he done so with us. It is by way of admonition that he chastises those who are close to him."
1 Peter 1:6-9
"In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do no see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribably and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls."
See, the minor sufferings that I have been enduring are rather to purify my faith, to help me become holy. In fact, through discernment with my spiritual director, I know that I must learn to trust God more than I do right now.
"ATHEISTS ARE FUSSBUDGET NINNIES"
I thoroughly enjoyed this blog post from The Four Mass'keteers. Quite simply, atheists use "scientific" arguments against the existence of God that really make, um, absolutely no sense. Kudos to "Athos," the author of such a lucid statement.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: WINNERS OF FIVE IN A ROW
Of course, my favorite pastime, and my favorite team within that pastime, must occupy space in my consciousness. That is especially true when the "Birds on the Bat" are in first place (six games ahead of a Chicago team in a downward spiral) and sixteen games over .500. The last six weeks of the regular season, I'm convinced, will be as fun as any in recent memory.
Very well. That's all the time I can afford today. I pray for God's blessings upon you and your family!
