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  Do you ever feel like your "boat" is being overwhelmed by waves?  That trials keep coming at you, threatening the very peace you long for?  That you will not make it through one more storm in life? The Gospel of Mark (Chapter 4, Verses 35-41) draws our attention to Jesus and his disciples out in a boat when a violent squall comes up, filling their boat with water.  I guess if you are in that sort of predicament, the best person to have in your "boat" is Jesus; however, at first, it doesn't really seem like it. Scripture tells us: "Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion." Asleep!  Asleep? "They woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" How many of us have that same reaction, today, when life gets tough?  Jesus, don't you care that I don't have a job?  That my spouse is sick?  That my child is struggling?  That I am afraid? Anxious? That our country is losing its faith in you?  On ...

(From Ken Eckert, via Wikimedia Commons, used w/o permission.) A year and three weeks ago, I started writing about Marlowe's "Faustus" play: "The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus." Three months later, I'd finished three more. Then in May, 2021, "Faustus" moved to my mind's back burner; before falling off the metaphorical stove.... ...Last April, I said I'd probably look at Faust’s GOOD ANGEL and EVIL ANGEL," the prince of parma," and maybe grapes next time; so that's where I'll pick up. Taking those items in reverse order —... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  Young Jew as Christ Rembrandt [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 4:21-30  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Jesus began to speak in the synagogue:  “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”   And all spoke well of him and marvelled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?”   And he said to them,  “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your home town as well.”   And he said,  “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his home town.   But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heav...

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I was only half listening to a television commercial about cars when it mentioned a choice between "all-wheel drive" (AWD) and "four-wheel drive" (4WD).  Not being a car person, there's only one reasonable response I could possibly have had:   "Don't all cars have four wheels?  So if you have all-wheel drive, doesn't that just mean all four wheels are engaged?  What's the diff?" Of course I have heard the terms before, but it just sounded kind of dumb when linked together in a commercial.  Naturally, I had to get some clarity on the topic, so I searched the internet for a good definition.   Here's what I found, and I quote: ". . . all-wheel drive, is a system that powers all four wheels when driving" and ". . . 4-wheel drive, is a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels" Oh, okay, that clears it up, now I see the difference. Apparently, there must be a lot more to the features distinguishing AWD and 4...

It's been a year and a day since I talked about socializing, the pandemic and individual differences. "...I can sympathize with folks who really do need people: people who are physically close, not 'close' only in a virtual sense. I'm also willing to accept that not everyone is like me. For which we should all be thankful. And that's another topic. "That said, COVID-19 pandemic restrictions haven't cut into my social life all that much. "Before 'social distancing' — a poorly-chosen phrase, and that's yet another topic — started becoming a cliche, most of my social life was online...." (" People Who Need People — and the COVID-19 Pandemic " (January 24, 2021)) Somewhere during the last year, I noticed that I'd been enjoying my research and writing routines less. And had let some projects drop off the back burner. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

I'd expected to hear about charisms during Mass this morning. I did, in the Bible readings. But the homily was about why killing innocent people isn't a good idea, even if it's legal. And why we should see killing innocent people as a bad idea. And help folks who maybe felt pressured into ordering a hit because it's 'for their own good.' At any rate, The last-minute topic change was due to Saturday's light show outside the National Basilica in Washington, DC., which wasn't part of the prayer vigil happening inside. So far, Saturday's light show doesn't seem to be a hot news item. Not for national-level traditional news media, anyway. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

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In the early morning hours I found myself listening to an interview by a popular EWTN personality (whom I do not favor) and a top Vatican Cardinal.  My initial thought as I listened to the questions posited to the Cardinal was that he was being baited to oppose the Pope's position on a couple of different topics. The Cardinal clearly had no problem "taking the bait" and sharing his oppositional opinions, which made it even clearer that the interviewer had an agenda which the Cardinal knowingly and willingly satisfied. I found the whole thing disappointing, not to mention disturbing. I have new respect for St. Teresa of Calcutta.  The image I have of her is that she tried to stay out of the political fray as much as possible.  She stuck to the work she had to do--serving the poor--and rarely suffered fools who tried to politicize her or use her for an agenda. Her message was consistent--love each other and serve the poor. In fact, any follower of St. Teresa co...

Science stories and topics have been piling up in my 'to do' list for more than a year. This week, I'm catching up on what we're learning about life here on Earth; and developments in the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life..... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Jesus teaches in the synagogue in Nazareth The video  moves into the opening verses of next Sunday's Gospel. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21   ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,   just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,   it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,  that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out throug...

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Here's what I think . . . If you want to grow in holiness, if you want to become a saint, there's only one way.  It's not easy, and for most of us it really isn't our first instinct.  In fact, you might say it goes against our Eve-inspired human inclinations toward self-preservation, retaliation, pride, greed, hedonism and a whole host of other vices. What's the one way? Radical love. Radical love, a love that goes far beyond our obstructive human tendencies , requires God's grace and divine intervention if it is to be lived out in our lives as God desires. The disciples who followed Jesus, the saints who grew beyond themselves, and maybe one day you and I, must be set apart by this radical love.  Our unique responses to situations, our sacrifices for others, our compassion, and our humility before God might not come easily, but it is certainly worth working on! Ask God in your prayers today to send you a radical love--it will change your life and the world arou...

Monday afternoon was sunny and warm. For central Minnesota in January. The high was around 32° Fahrenheit, 0° Celsius. Our sidewalk and driveway were free(ish) of snow, with a bit over a half-foot covering the yard. The weather station at Sauk Centre Municipal Airport was back online Thursday afternoon, and then the National Weather Service posted a Winter Weather Advisory for this area. Sauk Centre Municipal Airport isn't in the Chicago O'Hare class. But with two runways, hangar space for 11 private aircraft, a fuel pump and a private airplane maintenance facility, it meets our needs. Granted, one of the runways is a grass surface marked with yellow cones. I don't know if it's usable in winter. And that's another topic.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  Miracle at Cana [Source:  Ignatius Press ] As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,   so shall your God rejoice over you  (First Reading, Isaiah 62:5). Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   John 2:1-11  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)    On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.   Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.   When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”   And Jesus said to her,  “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”   His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thir...

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  I was praying over the readings for the Baptism of the Lord, reflecting on the first reading which was from the Prophet Isaiah (Chapter 42).  The Christian approach to this passage is to consider it a foretelling of the work of Christ. I read: Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold,        my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit;        he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting,        not making his voice heard in the street. a bruised reed he shall not break,        and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth;        the coastlands will wait for his teaching. Let's focus in on that middle part, "not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street, a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he s...

  7th Dec 2022 Christmas is over, but here I want to continue being joyful and grateful for the many blessings that I have. So this week I'm joining, as I sometimes do, the Ten Things of Thankful bloghop. 1. I'm so thankful for the wonderful time I had at the Royal Albert Hall in London. What a joy it was to be there for their Carols just before Christmas, and how proud hubby and I were, our hearts fit to burst, to see our grandaughter singing with the Royal Orchestral Society. She's a beautiful singer and an even more beautiful person. A glorious day indeed.  2. I am so thankful that we got to stay with our  daughter (auntie to said grandaughter) and her gorgeous family in Aylesbury, so that we could all travel to London together. We enjoyed our trip to London, fitting in the lights and a meal at Pizza Express. We met up with another daughter (mum to said grandaughter), and five more grandchildren ( siblings to said grandaughter) who'd also been to the Carols, obviousl...

So we needed to call our cable company to find out why our bill increased.  We called the service number and could not talk to a live agent.  The recording kept telling us to click on the link they automatically sent to my smart phone.  I've never had that happen before. But, I didn't want to do that.  Assuming I know more than they do, and just wanting to talk to a real person like I used to do in the olden days, I kept trying to run through the phone prompts.  FINALLY exasperated, I tried it their way. It worked!  The link they sent me put us in touch with an agent on chat, who set us up with a callback and before too long, a real, live person called us! I won't give you all the gory details that followed our callback except to say that after another two hours we finally got someone in the Philippines who could take care of our problem. Fortunately, in between all of the phone calls I was able to make a batch of chocolate no-bake cookies....

(From Casey and Corey Wright, via San Diego Union Tribune, used w/o permission.) As an American, my Christmas season starts on the fourth Thursday in November. That's when the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade arrives at Macy's Herald Square in New York City. Thereafter, front yards bask in the glow of neon reindeer and electric snowmen, while a spirit of unbridled consumerism sweeps the land.... ...As a Catholic, my Christmas season starts December 25. We keep celebrating until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. That's tomorrow.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  6th Jan 2022 All Nations Shall Fall Prostate Before You, O Lord. Today is a special Feast  The Epiphany Of The  Lord We saw His star as it rose and have come to do the Lord  Homage The Magi followed the star. Sometimes it went out of sight and they had to have Faith that it was still there. Eventually, the star led them to Bethlehem where they found the king they had been looking for, the Saviour of the world.  "...and going into the house they saw the child with His mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did Him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts of Gold and frankincense and myrrh." Comment: Like the Magi, sometimes the star that I follow hides for a while behind the clouds of the cares of this world. Like the Magi, I want to persevere on the journey so I find my Lord.  And when I find you Lord what Gold and  Frankincense myrrh will I be able to offer you, Lord? You will not be satisfied until I give you my heart. So...

Yesterday I wrote about seeing ourselves as God sees us, by doing an Examination of Conscience.  The second part of that is inspired by the Imitation of Christ which is a classic book attributed to Thomas á Kempis. In Book 1, Chapter 2, we learn that when you know yourself well, that leads to humility.  How is that?  Because if you intimately know your own faults, it leads to a genuine dislike of praise.  This is another benefit to us, because we cannot love and serve each other if we are prideful or arrogant, and the best remedy for either of those is humility, and the best way to acquire humility is to know yourself, especially in relation to God. Through this process of self-assessment, we come nearer to being who God calls us to be. The author warns us to be care if we have an "excessive desire of knowing."  Not because learning is a bad thing, but because, for example, it can lead us to become "puffed up" and think of ourselves as wise, which ...

  The Baptism of Christ Francesco Mochi [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Note:  In the New American Bible (NAB) lectionary you will find an alternative First Reading, Responsorial Psalm and Second Reading that may be used in Year C.    The Jerusalem Bible version above gives only only what the NAB gives as alternative readings and psalm.  The Gospel below is always read in Year C . Gospel   Luke   3:15-16, 21-22   ( Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition)     As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,    John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to unt...