from Sat., Dec. 14th'13 to Christmas Eve

Advent Penance Celebration

            I don’t know if I have gluttony, but I know how controlling I can be. Do I do unto others, as the Lord did for me; when I’m not the most sharing guy on the block?

            I don’t know if it’s wrath, but what a revenging spirit I had. Am I, loving my neighbour, as Christ loved His Bride, when I’m not forgiving others; even when they forgave me?

            I don’t know I have greed, when I am denying we are the children of Abba; but if I don’t put God first in my life: am I believing, the Father has the plan?

            I don’t know I lust when I’m betraying another. But could I be more immaculate by respecting my sister?

            I don’t think I envy but how uncaring. Am I concerned how well off am I, rather appreciating my brother?

            I haven’t pride, but do a bit of boasting. Do I break Ten Commandments, when not rather honouring God, Creation, Creatures, Church and State?

            I don’t call it sloth, but am giving up. What else is it: discouraging myself, and my fellow creatures, however we need to be hanging on!

           
Does modern man, do I, need contrition over issues? When we only identify quasi-legal, poor behaviour, or bad attitude, do we ever need to be penitent – go to Reconciliation? This is my examination of conscience before Christmas Confession.

seasonal poem

St. Andrew’s and Advent Today!

            Called to be a fisher of souls

            Let us bring our brother

            Hope our stocking not filled with coals

            Cause we didn’t listen to Mother

 

            Every Saturday we think of her

            This the Feast of St. Andrew

            Feelings of Christmas will stir

            Tonight lit Advent wreath show

 

            She said don’t be insensitive

            To those around you

            It’s the season to give

            Not a time to be blue

 

            God gave us His Spirit

            First to her and the Apostles

            Flames the upper room lit

            Preach like Pentecostals

 

            The Child she would bear

            Brought one another joy

            He will come again here

            Let all hearts employ

A toss of a coin.

Christ the King

            Is this the Feast or is this Grey Cup Party Day? Why not toss a coin? Today I wore a Norman Rockwell tie of the toss of the coin. Great games have been played by winning the toss. Is the wind of change, the wind of the Spirit blowing in our favour? The wind of revival has to restore faith in the church. Sometimes fighting against an ill wind improves the team spirit to challenge them to victory. I hope I’m on the winning team. I hope I’m not leaving things up to chance. I hope I’m not as fickle as a coin toss. Christ rules the universe and nothing is left up to chance really. You have to make Christ the Ruler of your world. Life is as unpredictable as a toss of a coin. Heads: the Lord wins; tails: the devil loses.

from last night hope

The Proof
   You've got to prove it for yourself. It's not up to your parent, a saint, or an ancestor. You must find the Master on your own; not leave it to the Pope, another pastor, or some guru: to help you find the Way. The Christ said don't call one another rabbi, just come to the Father through the Lord Jesus, whose Holy Spirit will guide you to the Truth. Come to the Light, tried by all mankind; don't let your lover convince you of the Life, which is tested true. Neither can your sister nor your brother show you Love, but the Lover of your Soul may give it to you; that lasts forever. Let Creation point you on the path: may Holy Souls, holy people and leaders in the faith, steer you onward and upward, and friends encourage you. But friend, take a good look on your own, because not by sight, but by faith we are saved; not by our works, but by God's grace you'll see so great a salvation. By Church's teaching, from the Church, Christ's bride and in that Church, One Body, you solely discover Faith, like the partner chooses her mate.

Another day to celebrate?

Thanksgiving Triduum ‘2013

 

            So here is my idea for this time of year for what it is worth. I don’t suppose anybody on the planet shares this view with me; still I imagine, though it isn’t worth the powder at this time: we should have an international religious holiday on November 3^rd every year, a Thanksgiving Day. American Thanksgiving is too late in the year, too close to Christmas, Canadian Thanksgivings is too early in the year and they are only arbitrary dates anyway. It would help create good neighbourly relations between the two countries, good for families to have the same date to visit each other, and good for business to not duplicate things commercially. November 3^rd is pretty much right in between the two thanksgiving days. Other countries might start to celebrate the date. Great Britain might change its Harvest Home holiday, whenever that is, in favour of International Thanksgiving Day. The present Thanksgivings Day wherever has lost its religious meaning. It’s just turkey day in most people’s lives now. If it followed Hallowe’en, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day, it could be another triduum, like Easter, a celebration, as is Christmastime, more than just the one day. We could be thankful for the trick or treat shell out candy, thankful if you don't live in a house of horrors like we see displayed in every neighbourhood in North America. Give thanks for belonging to a culture of life, not a culture of death, which is very vividly portrayed today, thanks for the kingdom of light, after so many children dress up as those from the kingdom of darkness. It could dispel the depression that worsens as the seasons change and days become shorter. We should be so full of thanksgiving, for the Saints, for the Souls of the dearly and faithfully departed, for the harvest of souls, for the provisions of our land, and for the Light and Life of Christ that we share another festive occasion and our bounty with the rest of Earth of every nation. God has blessed this continent so we must so help others. This Triduum is just an idea.

The Proposal and a Song for St. Jude

From Sunday, October 20^th, ‘2013

            This weekend I’ve gone to 2 Masses, one other church service, seen the show Triumph, spent time in the Parish Centre, in a men’s group, in the Hall, and Perpetual Adoration Chapel. You can see my main interest in life is religious, if you haven’t read my blog before and couldn’t tell from that.

            First let me tell you about Triumph. It’s a story about Medjugorge of former Yugoslavia. It is predominately about peace and the apparition of Our Lady of Peace. It talks about how the Islamic, the Orthodox and the RC have the same God and can have peace.

            Second let me say that one of the most gallant, noble and daunting deeds done in the world today is the proposal of marriage. Against all odds a gentleman goes down on one knee to propose wedlock to a lady, which is to stand the test of time. That is what God proposes to us today. The new covenant is like a life-long contract in which we are the bride of Christ set aside for the marriage of the Lamb.

            When you are Baptised, have your first Communion, your first Confession and are Confirmed in Catholicism you are accepting the proposal of the Lord God. Why go to Confession to a priest? Peter was told he could bind of loose on earth or heaven. Matt 16:19 During the great commission to forgive sins was given with the breath of the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-23 It is a deed of humility to see a priest, who represents Christ and the Church and has more education and experience than a counselor or therapist. ``… giving such authority to people.`` Matt 9:8 ``… confess your sins to one another … pray … you will be healed … a good person has a powerful effect.`` James 5:16 above scripture from TEV

            In the homily this weekend for World Mission Sunday, Pope Frances was quoted as saying we are not to impose our religion on others but propose it. I found peace in our parish and Christ`s message is to propose to everybody peace. The mission of the church is to share this proposal to all the World.

            The other sermon I heard was centred on ``Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.`` Romans 3:2 from NIV Christians of all faiths have been intrusted with the Word of God and should share the same message, mission and way of peace. We all need to accept God`s proposal to us to forgive us, forgive others and love each other, no terms, forever, which is my third and final point. Peace of Christ and God bless.

From today a Song for St. Jude

            My life was out of sync. I didn`t play the called for tune. I prayed to God and asked St. Jude to get me on track. I made further petition and got in the groove. Now I just plea – St. Jude don`t let me cross over to the past track record. I don`t want to skip any of the spiral into a perfect code which the Triune God has for me. I don`t want to scratch the wonderful vinyl pressed upon my new formed life sacramentally. Whether my life becomes a cut burned in MP3, copied on CD or even just vaulted tape, may I make music of thanks to my Redeemer, all praise and glory be. And thank you St. Jude, be my well-worn, old and mouldy gold.

 

            I see the need of those all around me as my own needs: predominantly spiritual and physical; but economic and emotional too. And education needs are to be met too. I hope this replete like liner notes, my Opus, a life for the Master, in progress.

notes from my Journal

bits collected from: St. Norbert Day ’13, June 6^th, Holiday Inn, Montreal;

a litany of our very human Hope

Jesus my Heart

Body of promise

Blood Whom art my rescue

Soul my sanity

Divinity of peace

Abba our transport

Father of inspiration

Dad of wonder

Origin of grace

Spirit so grand

Holy One comfort

Ghost giver of wisdom

Triune by our side

Magnificent healer

Demons out caster

Most generous friend

Constant companion

Dearest delight

Fairest judge

Here ‘till the end

cont. on Sacred Heart Day ’13, June 7^th on the pilgrimage

Banquet secured

Rock solid

Mystery known

and 1^st Martyrs of Rome Day ’13, June 30^th, University Residence, Corner Brook

Reassurance of victory

Sanctity of sleep

Companion of travellers

Wealth of the poor

Benefactor of needy

Dominion of security

Gracious friend

Benevolent authority

Reliable friend

Eternal grace

’13, Sept. 5^th, back at home

Have mercy on us and bless us Amen,  

Bless us, be with us, stay with us Holy Lord, Holy Daddy, Holy Spirit, in fill us and illumine us this day we ask in the Holy Name of Jesus Amen.

Labour Day in honour of St. Joseph, provide ’13, Sept. 2^nd

Master Spirit, Master Lord, Master Daddy, Triune God help me this day to not be too bogged down with its challenges to dwell on failures or be too elated with the success of the day to always return thanks to You for needed resources. It’s not a contest, test or trial but a gift from You, a present to be unwrapped and enjoyed. To be a part of Your life, death and resurrection, to be celebrated, in its living: with Holy Communion; it’s with happiness and thanksgiving Amen. Forgive us Triune God for when we’ve let You down, been found wanting, not lived up to our name, or returned you love. May we seek Your forgiveness each time we’ve lost, failed, or been ruled against today. But too, may we seek Your success, others gain and Confess when we seek our own profit. May we be free from Mortal sin and forgiving others, be forgiven, by partaking of the Blessed Sacrament, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost Amen. May we be proud of the name Catholic and live up to the name, to our Baptism, empowered by the gift of the Spirit received then and at Confirmation Amen. May I love my wife today, honour the priesthood and receive Last Rites should the need arise Amen.