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Sunset at Kakaako Beach Park, Oahu First of all, I want to apologize for not sharing any posts in such a long time.  Thank you for keeping me on as a contributor! The following was written by St. John Chrysostom.  It is from my spiritual journal entry of September 13, 2012 after reading the Magnficat meditation of the day.  I feel it will apply to us during this time of penance and contrition. "Being a disciple of Christ means being meek and gentle.  And from what source may we draw this meekness?  If we are continually mindful of our sins; if we grieve for them; if we weep for them.  A soul which habitually feels such contrition does not permit itself to become vexed and angry.  In truth, where there is sorrow, anger cannot be;  where there is compunction, anger is altogether out of place; where there is contrition of soul, there is no irritation.  The soul that suffers the lash of contrition has no time to be aroused to anger, but i...

The rich man asked Jesus what was necessary to enjoy eternal life. Apparently the man had been a devout follower of the laws but still questioned what that final“piece” needed to be for his own salvation. I think it is interesting that the guy knew, in his heart, that more was still being asked of him. Unfortunately, the answer saddened the man, for Christ told him that he had to sell all his possessions—and the guy had a lot of stuff! We don’t know, based upon the reading of the text, if the man did or did not do as Christ instructed. We read that he walked away sad but that doesn’t necessarily translate into disobedience. I am often sad when I have to “do the right thing” but it doesn’t stop me from doing it. So let’s give this rich guy the benefit of the doubt and say that he forlornly sold his possessions but then followed Christ. We know, of course, that his sadness would have been fleeting, right? After all, he was now in a position to enjoy eternal rewards with Jesus. ...

Irish Peace Tower, Belgium For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? (Luke 14:28) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)                                         Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)  Gospel  Luke 14:25-33  (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition) Now great multitudes accompanied Jesus; and he turned and said to them, "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my dis...