Last week, in the city of Columbus Ohio, there was a beautiful, 4 year old boy named Lawrence King III. The operative word is "was". This handsome, mildly developmentally handicapped, vibrant, young man was taken to Children's Hospital completely bruised and beaten all over his innocent body. He was dead on arrival. He had just been returned to his family two days before from Child Protective Services.
The mother has been indicted for criminal child endangerment. That is because her so-called husband, father of her younger child, but not a father to Lawrence, was charged for capital murder in the boy's death.
In my last discussion of this topic, I mentioned some behavior from the pride mentality of felines. The mother cat hides her babies or leaves another mother in charge to protect them while she hunts for food. If a male who hasn't sired them finds them, he will kill them all, so that HIS BLOODLINE can flourish. I am firm in my belief that humans are vulnerable to the same "instinctive behavior". The step father, or step mother, for that matter, who takes another's offspring as their own is rare. It's a beautiful thing, to be sure. It's just not a sure thing.
Now, I lament that I wish the young boy's mother knew that she had self worth regardless of whether there is a man in her life or not. I wish she had a model of a fulfilling lifestyle without companionship, at least while she is raising her young. Maybe she should have left Lawrence with his grandmother or maybe an aunt after her new marriage. I saw her mother on TV, tearfully expressing these same thoughts.
I take it one step further, mothers who find themselves single for whatever circumstance must make their children their first responsibility and priority. Dating comes third. Taking care of yourself would be in second place. These women need to know how to manage their lives and support for the loneliness that comes with single parenthood. They need Jesus as the spouse who models for their children. That is how I raised my two daughters, one by birth, the other a special needs adoption (her special need was being African American and over the age of three). I wanted to model for them that it is possible to be a single mother and retain your dignity and piety. My daughters, 18 & 29, are both virgins. In fact, the younger one once said a couple of years ago, "Mom, there is this girl in my class, she is a freshman, AND SHE IS PREGNANT! She isn't even still dating the father! Isn't that stupid? I guess she doesn't believe in a future for herself."
No, I'm not the model mom or the best parent on the planet. Far from. But I am a blessed mother, who proves that, WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
Monday, March 22, 2010
More Forgiveness
I think I missed something in my last writing about forgiving. I am not going to back track on self forgiveness, but clarify forgiving others.
Forgiveness doesn't mean you condone bad behavior or to have to socialize with an offender. People who offend should take their victims as they come, and sometimes {sadly), their victims are fragile.
Now an admonishment for the victims. Think about the culpable situation. What ever the experience, all day long, you need to make a decision about choices and happenings. You should be discerning, "...is that from God or the Evil One?" If it makes you smile without any encroachment on your morals, it is from God. If it makes you feel bad, it simply is not from The Saviour, but from Satan. Plain and simple.
Now let's finish the logic here. Satan is a liar. He will spare no expense to defeat you and keep you from the Living Christ. Most especially the closer you get to God, the more work he will do and pull out all the stops. People living the consecrated life know this all to well. He made a sweet, red apple poison to the human condition, so the lies he is telling you are just not true and you must let that go.
Also, just as the offender has to take his victims as they come, the victims must think the same about the offender. Maybe they are compensating for a perceived short coming. Maybe they are angry with a spouse, neighbor, boss or co worker. Bottom line, they just simply make the wrong choice. What they need from you isn't self pity or cowardly thinking. What they need are your prayers.
Move on and focus on THE TRUTH IN THE WORD MADE FLESH. That is one key element into learning true forgiveness.
Forgiveness doesn't mean you condone bad behavior or to have to socialize with an offender. People who offend should take their victims as they come, and sometimes {sadly), their victims are fragile.
Now an admonishment for the victims. Think about the culpable situation. What ever the experience, all day long, you need to make a decision about choices and happenings. You should be discerning, "...is that from God or the Evil One?" If it makes you smile without any encroachment on your morals, it is from God. If it makes you feel bad, it simply is not from The Saviour, but from Satan. Plain and simple.
Now let's finish the logic here. Satan is a liar. He will spare no expense to defeat you and keep you from the Living Christ. Most especially the closer you get to God, the more work he will do and pull out all the stops. People living the consecrated life know this all to well. He made a sweet, red apple poison to the human condition, so the lies he is telling you are just not true and you must let that go.
Also, just as the offender has to take his victims as they come, the victims must think the same about the offender. Maybe they are compensating for a perceived short coming. Maybe they are angry with a spouse, neighbor, boss or co worker. Bottom line, they just simply make the wrong choice. What they need from you isn't self pity or cowardly thinking. What they need are your prayers.
Move on and focus on THE TRUTH IN THE WORD MADE FLESH. That is one key element into learning true forgiveness.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Forgiveness
I feel that forgiveness is the toughest nut to crack next to submitting to God's will. Actually, they probably run hand in hand. Because in order to do the latter, you must overcome the former. Forgiving is probably the most misunderstood feeling as well.
The reason it is so difficult is because it takes so long to master the key ingredient: forgiving YOURSELF. We never see that, directing our frustration and anger at someone else or some outside irritation. Looking inside one's self and embracing all that is you is rendered deceiving by the ego, which is desperate to cover our failings. Even people who claim to be self loathing don't realize this is the root cause. Our hearts are so fragile, the wall of unforgiving her is protected by this ignorance (not in the negative of the sense, but the literal meaning).
I came to this epiphany through an interesting course of recent events. First I was reading a blog about bereavement, and the writer mentioned that part of the grieving process was forgiveness of self. Forgiving yourself for the anger you harbor against the deceased. A light bulb with some curiosity lit over my head. Then, I had a phone conversation with a relative where that same subject came up. She mentioned that she was surprised that I hold so many fond memories of my growing up years. Yes, they were rocky. I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood and dealt with extreme forms of racism. I was the most unpopular person in my class, you know, "...those of us whose names were never called, when choosing sides for basketball". Moreover, it became more brutal when I entered high school. Daily remarks, being called the "n" word over and over and no chance at romance. There was no pool of black males from which to choose. It was brutally painful and I soaked many pillows to sleep.
Yet, I remember my fathers wonderful sense of humor, loving chats with my wonderful mom as she made biscuits and how I relentlessly teased my sisters. I babysat for a charming family who lived across the street. My mother didn't like soap operas and forbid them on the TV, so I befriended a nice elderly lady who also lived close by and would visit her every summer afternoon to watch "As the World Turns" with her as she fed me tea and cookies. I still laugh at pranks some of the boys made in class. I smile when I think of the time I bought my first mohair sweater and a matching kilt and knee high socks. Penny loafers, I bought those too. I had a wonderful family, regardless of outside negativity.
I believe that we are all the sum total of all our experiences. The good helps us to love, the bad give us character and strength.
The icing on the cake happened on Facebook, of all places. After I resisted being a part of that social network, I began to connect with people I knew as a child and the women who graduated high school with me (then an all girls boarding school, Andrews School for Girls), where I was sent by my parents to finish high school. I had threatened to drop out if I had to attend school with those people anymore. Now, I still only have two friends from my class in my "hometown", but several of my older sisters' class mates have added me. I had one add request from a woman whose name I did not recognize. I play the virtual game "Sorority Life" on Facebook, and I thought she was one of those players. Then, I noticed one of my homies had her listed as a mutual friend. So, I revisited her profile. The face looked slightly familiar, but I couldn't place it or her name. Finally, an embarrassed me wrote her a message confessing my ignorance and asking for her unmarried name. She answered me without divulging the name, but saying that she was in my older sister's class. Then it hit me! If you had asked me 30 years ago, I would say that her brother was, single handedly, the person who ruined my teenage years! She was probably still contrite about that experience and perhaps afraid I wouldn't add her if I was aware of who her family is. I had a good laugh. I even called my sister and told her about it. She laughed too, and said, "It's a good thing that you can laugh about it." It is.
What does this have to do with self forgiveness? Well, I forgave myself for believing all of those nasty things people said about and to me. It was so long ago and her brother was a child. SHE cannot be responsible for anything some other member of her family may have done. And, if her brother was someone who requested an add, I would add him too. I love God, so I love everyone. He who is Mighty has healed my damaged soul and forgives us all. I imitate Christ. I recognize that if I do love Christ as much as I claim, if I am to be a consecrated religious, I must reconcile myself to anyone in my past who may have given me an experience of pain. EVERYONE. Forgiveness of ourselves is more proof of God's existence and the salvation that is found through Jesus Christ.
I am a happy woman. I feel honored that Christ chose me to be His bride!
The reason it is so difficult is because it takes so long to master the key ingredient: forgiving YOURSELF. We never see that, directing our frustration and anger at someone else or some outside irritation. Looking inside one's self and embracing all that is you is rendered deceiving by the ego, which is desperate to cover our failings. Even people who claim to be self loathing don't realize this is the root cause. Our hearts are so fragile, the wall of unforgiving her is protected by this ignorance (not in the negative of the sense, but the literal meaning).
I came to this epiphany through an interesting course of recent events. First I was reading a blog about bereavement, and the writer mentioned that part of the grieving process was forgiveness of self. Forgiving yourself for the anger you harbor against the deceased. A light bulb with some curiosity lit over my head. Then, I had a phone conversation with a relative where that same subject came up. She mentioned that she was surprised that I hold so many fond memories of my growing up years. Yes, they were rocky. I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood and dealt with extreme forms of racism. I was the most unpopular person in my class, you know, "...those of us whose names were never called, when choosing sides for basketball". Moreover, it became more brutal when I entered high school. Daily remarks, being called the "n" word over and over and no chance at romance. There was no pool of black males from which to choose. It was brutally painful and I soaked many pillows to sleep.
Yet, I remember my fathers wonderful sense of humor, loving chats with my wonderful mom as she made biscuits and how I relentlessly teased my sisters. I babysat for a charming family who lived across the street. My mother didn't like soap operas and forbid them on the TV, so I befriended a nice elderly lady who also lived close by and would visit her every summer afternoon to watch "As the World Turns" with her as she fed me tea and cookies. I still laugh at pranks some of the boys made in class. I smile when I think of the time I bought my first mohair sweater and a matching kilt and knee high socks. Penny loafers, I bought those too. I had a wonderful family, regardless of outside negativity.
I believe that we are all the sum total of all our experiences. The good helps us to love, the bad give us character and strength.
The icing on the cake happened on Facebook, of all places. After I resisted being a part of that social network, I began to connect with people I knew as a child and the women who graduated high school with me (then an all girls boarding school, Andrews School for Girls), where I was sent by my parents to finish high school. I had threatened to drop out if I had to attend school with those people anymore. Now, I still only have two friends from my class in my "hometown", but several of my older sisters' class mates have added me. I had one add request from a woman whose name I did not recognize. I play the virtual game "Sorority Life" on Facebook, and I thought she was one of those players. Then, I noticed one of my homies had her listed as a mutual friend. So, I revisited her profile. The face looked slightly familiar, but I couldn't place it or her name. Finally, an embarrassed me wrote her a message confessing my ignorance and asking for her unmarried name. She answered me without divulging the name, but saying that she was in my older sister's class. Then it hit me! If you had asked me 30 years ago, I would say that her brother was, single handedly, the person who ruined my teenage years! She was probably still contrite about that experience and perhaps afraid I wouldn't add her if I was aware of who her family is. I had a good laugh. I even called my sister and told her about it. She laughed too, and said, "It's a good thing that you can laugh about it." It is.
What does this have to do with self forgiveness? Well, I forgave myself for believing all of those nasty things people said about and to me. It was so long ago and her brother was a child. SHE cannot be responsible for anything some other member of her family may have done. And, if her brother was someone who requested an add, I would add him too. I love God, so I love everyone. He who is Mighty has healed my damaged soul and forgives us all. I imitate Christ. I recognize that if I do love Christ as much as I claim, if I am to be a consecrated religious, I must reconcile myself to anyone in my past who may have given me an experience of pain. EVERYONE. Forgiveness of ourselves is more proof of God's existence and the salvation that is found through Jesus Christ.
I am a happy woman. I feel honored that Christ chose me to be His bride!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Grease is the Word
First, allow me to apologize for my hiatus, I made as merry an Advent and a Christmas season as any mortal. But it is something that puts a smile on my face, because we emphasized family, gifts from the heart, quiet family time that is more fun than any "club" or pre 30-ish peer could offer. We gave gifts to the people who we remember as those who make our LIVES merry, not just a holiday bright. My younger daughter said it was the one Christmas she will always remember as her best.
Now, I am inspired by one of her gifts. She has long asked for the DVD, "Les Miserables" (which she called "LESS MIZERABLES"....smile again). You see, both of my 21st Century daughters have a love for old fashioned MUSICALS. Not just those of which I made a lark in MY teens, "Oklahoma", "Bali Hi".... no, they love "Grease", "Phantom of the Opera", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" et al. And I shake my head indisdain of "corny" literature, as if I am the artistic elite and I of all people know truly artistic excellence when I see it....NOT! The younger berated me for criticizing "The King and I".... ah me!
But, "Les Miserables", originally a novel by Victor Hugo, was indeed NOT a musical, but a dramatically superior interpretation of the novel, starring Liam Nieson, Uma Thurman and Geoffry Rush (Academy Award Winner) in the late 90's. Beautiful and charming cinematography, child acting that wasn't stiff, pasty child acting, believable characters and most surprising, *GASP*, Mother Church was not portrayed as the underlying villain of society, but the point in the journey of life that directed the traveler to the path of His Will!
The thief, Jean Val Jean was taken in at a low point in his life by a benevolent bishop, who, even though Val Jean had beat and stolen from him, gave him a second chance at life. The bishop's mercy and kindness allowed him to, "... buy back Val Jean's soul and give it to God." Something Val Jean never forgot. The film follows his life, attempting to do nothing but what Jesus would do, but also how modern day "Pharisees" can be misguided, while their intention is for the good of society.
So, one message I have for all of you who have avoided this film for fear of getting trapped in a boring, corny, sappy, pie-in-the-sky" musical with too many blond pony tails and red lipstick, take heart. It is truly a masterful rendering of Victor Hugo's novel and I am sure Hugo is most impressed.
We all, not only during December and January holidays attempt to "do right". Even now, and I'm not discouraging it, but we take particular solace in our efforts to ease the suffering of the least of us in Haiti, as Jesus has directed. This is not wrong, but how many of us who are Whole Bible Christians who make a concerted effort to live that doctrine 365 days a year? When we pass the "vagrant" on the street with the sign "Will work for food" either scoff at the fact that it's a veiled attempt to pan handle or ignore them, because they "make themselves poor", thus missing the opportunity to give them a "goodie bag" with maybe a cereal bar, box of juice and a holy card with the address of a nearby parish? Or, when we snicker at the woman who stays home with her child and goes to some private school to learn a trade as a phlebotomist at the age of forty, and we know they may be involved in alcohol or drugs and/or non sacramental relationships, lift our noses, knowing that WE are the pious person who works, attends school, honors our parents, cares for our spouses and children, attends mass weekly, visits the Sacraments, prays the Rosary..... or you forget the value of a Holy Card, the information on a caring parish.... or rather than simply protest (A GOOD THING BTW) an abortion mill, offer the confused pregnant woman some REAL options and support, rather than a sermon?
We all mean well. There is no reason to hang our heads, but we should rethink our actions, maybe thinking "outside the proverbial box" to solve life's challenges. To better Imitate Christ.
I am stuck on simple, modern films that teach simple timeless lessons in life. Jane Austen stories on film and Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" reminded me of these things. It took a wise teenager (now, where did she get that from?) to take her Old School mom BACK to school :)
Now, I am inspired by one of her gifts. She has long asked for the DVD, "Les Miserables" (which she called "LESS MIZERABLES"....smile again). You see, both of my 21st Century daughters have a love for old fashioned MUSICALS. Not just those of which I made a lark in MY teens, "Oklahoma", "Bali Hi".... no, they love "Grease", "Phantom of the Opera", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" et al. And I shake my head indisdain of "corny" literature, as if I am the artistic elite and I of all people know truly artistic excellence when I see it....NOT! The younger berated me for criticizing "The King and I".... ah me!
But, "Les Miserables", originally a novel by Victor Hugo, was indeed NOT a musical, but a dramatically superior interpretation of the novel, starring Liam Nieson, Uma Thurman and Geoffry Rush (Academy Award Winner) in the late 90's. Beautiful and charming cinematography, child acting that wasn't stiff, pasty child acting, believable characters and most surprising, *GASP*, Mother Church was not portrayed as the underlying villain of society, but the point in the journey of life that directed the traveler to the path of His Will!
The thief, Jean Val Jean was taken in at a low point in his life by a benevolent bishop, who, even though Val Jean had beat and stolen from him, gave him a second chance at life. The bishop's mercy and kindness allowed him to, "... buy back Val Jean's soul and give it to God." Something Val Jean never forgot. The film follows his life, attempting to do nothing but what Jesus would do, but also how modern day "Pharisees" can be misguided, while their intention is for the good of society.
So, one message I have for all of you who have avoided this film for fear of getting trapped in a boring, corny, sappy, pie-in-the-sky" musical with too many blond pony tails and red lipstick, take heart. It is truly a masterful rendering of Victor Hugo's novel and I am sure Hugo is most impressed.
We all, not only during December and January holidays attempt to "do right". Even now, and I'm not discouraging it, but we take particular solace in our efforts to ease the suffering of the least of us in Haiti, as Jesus has directed. This is not wrong, but how many of us who are Whole Bible Christians who make a concerted effort to live that doctrine 365 days a year? When we pass the "vagrant" on the street with the sign "Will work for food" either scoff at the fact that it's a veiled attempt to pan handle or ignore them, because they "make themselves poor", thus missing the opportunity to give them a "goodie bag" with maybe a cereal bar, box of juice and a holy card with the address of a nearby parish? Or, when we snicker at the woman who stays home with her child and goes to some private school to learn a trade as a phlebotomist at the age of forty, and we know they may be involved in alcohol or drugs and/or non sacramental relationships, lift our noses, knowing that WE are the pious person who works, attends school, honors our parents, cares for our spouses and children, attends mass weekly, visits the Sacraments, prays the Rosary..... or you forget the value of a Holy Card, the information on a caring parish.... or rather than simply protest (A GOOD THING BTW) an abortion mill, offer the confused pregnant woman some REAL options and support, rather than a sermon?
We all mean well. There is no reason to hang our heads, but we should rethink our actions, maybe thinking "outside the proverbial box" to solve life's challenges. To better Imitate Christ.
I am stuck on simple, modern films that teach simple timeless lessons in life. Jane Austen stories on film and Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" reminded me of these things. It took a wise teenager (now, where did she get that from?) to take her Old School mom BACK to school :)
Saturday, November 28, 2009
'Tis the season...
Autumn is my favorite time of the year. It starts with the smell of aging maple leaves and the collage of color that is nature. It ends with a warm place to read a book and a search for good leftover recipes. It is naturally a reflective time. The year is coming to a close, the feast of All Saints and a month of remembering loved ones who past away is the center of the season. In Ohio, the crops have been harvested and cooking takes on a warm, aromatic, comfort-food smell that fills the world. The highlight of my day is evening prayer followed by snuggling into a relaxing spot and reading just what you want to read. In my case, that is a newspaper, a true crime book, something on Sacred Scripture or my faith... almost anything but fiction. I like the quiet hour and let my mind wander to all of my happy places, alone with God, my only companion, for conversation.
Reading and reflection are a preferred pass time for me. There is nothing more intimate than reading. The only sense engaged, if you are a seeing person, is sight. No words are spoken aloud and only you are privy to what your mind holds and The Lord's Sacred Heart is the only one who knows what is being experienced. You give away the control of your thoughts to God and He helps you interpret the writing of another soul. There is nothing more satisfying than experiencing the purity of His Will that is found in this activity.
I also like the happy laughter of children playing outside, completely enjoying what nature has left for them to play & the final hours of sunlight which grow shorter as the season progresses. The changing landscape offers divergent fodder for their imaginations and they are happy to share it with you through the joyful noise they make. Then, involuntarily, you are given another memory moment: your own childhood laughter as you slam into a pile of raked leaves or play touch football with a reasonably sized gourd. God blesses children with the most athletic period of their lives. Pound for pound, children are the most physically efficient creatures among all mammals. I remember feats of daring that I was so eager to attempt then, but cannot remember when I lost "the nerve". Thankfully, I never lost the laughter and re experience it every fall.
So, I suppose that autumn is the most likely time for Thanksgiving. All generations gathering together, celebrating everything that makes our lives special and thanking Our Lord and Saviour for allowing us to have those things in our lives. As I sat at the dinner table with my dear Uncle Norris & Aunt Ruth, who had led the Thanksgiving prayer thanking us for the ability to have this year's gathering, it made for most pleasant dining. I will cherish that moment forever, as both of them, who have no grown children or grandchildren, both gushed with pride and reflected with teary eyes on the memories of their two daughters, both of whom went Home to Jesus as babies. What a testament to the sanctity of life! Their love for each other is so incredible, two people in their 80's who are just as in love as they were almost 60 years ago. They are fully aware of exactly how special, how worthy of thanks the life they were given together and gifted by God as their children to have received. They shared that example of Christ's love with me and my daughters. Both girls gathered memories like those that I have of the season.
Now, Advent is upon us and how appropriate the season to follow Thanksgiving. A month to again reflect and prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. I happily put the Advent Wreath in the center of the dining table. From that wreath will flow the makings of Christmas decorations and plans for the Christmas season begin to take shape. I can think of no better way to conclude one year and begin another! The simpler the celebrations, the happier we seem to be. Joyous, humble, pious is the Child in the manger. Yes, autumn gives us a time of reflection and preparation for the One who leaves a smile on my face.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
A Penitent: from a negative to a positive
I had a conversation with a friend who viewed a website for a new charism by Cloister Outreach. I honestly cannot remember which prospective community it was, but I do remember her asking me in disbelief, "It actually says it is for 'PENITENTS'!" That is when it occurred to me that there is a wealth of misconceptions about that term. It has a negative connotation, which it doesn't deserve. Being a penitent is no worse, nor much different, from being a convert. A penitent is someone who has repented from his lifestyle and/or beliefs away from God and changes his life's path to one in the direction of the Holy One.
One doesn't have to be a gambling or drug addict who converts. Nor are all women who are penitents former prostitutes. This group of people have no doubt the need for conversion, but that is something that happens (or not) in Gods way and as a product of the person's free will. Moreover, those who seek to assist and convert people who are deep into the world of drugs or the illegal/immoral sex trade, just cannot approach it the way the Good Shepherds did after the French Revolution or even as they did in the stories I heard while in formation as a Good Shepherd Companion. As recently as the early to mid 20th Century, the sisters would actually walk into a bar and retrieve the wayward ward in their charge, and the patrons of the pub would applaud. Any intervention like that today could and probably would end the good sister in the hospital or morgue.
There is also the historical "mis notion" that St. Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. No where in the Bible does it say that she engaged in the world's oldest profession. In Christ's time, a woman who was lacking in rank was one who had no man to support her. Remember, women had no legal means of supporting themselves. That happens to be an issue for women in our culture up through the 19th Century and still exists in some cultures today, particularly in the Middle East. If you had relations with a man back then, while it was probably as rampant as it has always been, and were caught, then you could be stoned. We do know that Mary of Magdala was a woman of the world, who found the Love in Jesus Christ that was lacking in her life. This latter fact is something that is experienced by many, many people in the world today. A penitent woman today doesn't need to be engaged in prostitution to have that descriptive title any more than the venerable Magdalen.
We are living in what Pope John Paul II the Great called "a culture of death". This is more than contemporary society's view of abortion, euthanasia or the death penalty. It is the direction of people's lives away from God, period. People who search for the meaning of life are turning to new age, pagan belief systems. Some have no moral compass at all, rejecting what may have been taught them as a young child, due to parental figures seen as hypocrites or by the influence of their peers, in search of that perfectly perfect "good time". Since we have taken away the stigma of being a single mother (a good thing, because it is pro-life), we seem to have also given young adults the idea that it is a lifestyle choice. While watching a TV documentary about the rising number of single parent families and young people choosing to live together as a family without the benefit of marriage, the majority of the females interviewed believed that it wasn't necessary to have a father in the home. The various methods of birth control offered (and I feel pushed upon) young women today not only adds to this misguided idea, but also makes having sex simply a form of recreation that is every humans "right". The Sacrament of Marriage is way outside of their radar. But if just one of these young people decide to purge their worldly lifestyle and follow Him, they are a penitent. That is a good thing.
Moreover, adding to the group are people who are divorced, engaged in a nonsacramental union, single and not living a life of chastity as God prefers and an entire host of people who are ignoring God in their lives. Any one of these people, good people, who choose the path of righteousness and to imitate Christ will be a penitent.
I became a Catholic at the age of 20. I had a good time in college back in the 70's and it involved a lot of partying. I wasn't a bad person, but I wasn't living His will. I married because I felt it was what an "aging spinster" like myself had to do and that was a mistake. It was the annulment process that opened my heart to conversion. I liken myself to the Magdalen, as she went to the tomb of Jesus on the day of the Resurrection. I sought the Living among the dead in the way I lived my life and even in my first attempts at discerning a vocation. But, as I heard in a homily one day, all I had to do was turn around. Jesus was there all the time. I had to recognize him and declare, "Rabboni"! I am now officially a penitent. And, not only is it a good thing, I am proud of it.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Ben Stein's Blog, not his money :)
I received this letter from Ben Stein to CBS' Morning Show today. I have seen it before and have always liked it, but feared the legitimacy of its authorship. So, I checked out www.snopes.com and lo and behold, it is correctly credited to the man whose name tops it. I have been too busy over the past month with a variety of endeavors, so I am taking a break and re posting this letter. I hope you enjoy it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay..
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves..
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay..
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves..
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
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