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Showing posts with the label love

The Pope, Same-Sex Couples, an Informative Link: and Headlines

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Headlines are supposed to get attention. That's what these did: "Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling" (Reuters) "Pope Francis Allows Priests to Bless Same-Sex Couples" (The New York Times) "Vatican Issues Guidelines for Same-Sex Blessings" (The Wall Street Journal) I'm not sure about "The 'spirit' of 'Fiducia supllicans'" in The Pillar. Maybe it's attention-grabbing for the publication's demographic. Anyway, what Pope Francis said — what he actually said, not what editors say he said — is not what I'm going to write about this week.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Monday headlines about same-sex marriages and the pope. Excerpt from Vatican News. A link to Fiducia Supplicans. Why I am not writing about it this week.)

Hamas, Harvard, Ukraine and Alaska Air: Looking for a Bright Side

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All is not right with the world. But all is not wrong, either. Take Sunday night's air disaster that didn't happen, for example. Alaska Air 2059 Underground (Literally) Schools in Ukraine Hey, Everybody! See What We're Doing! — Improv by Hamas Meanwhile, Back in the States Civilian Homes, a Little Extra Shielding — Tomayto, Tomahto. Loving Neighbors: Not Easy, But I Must Bogeymen, Assumptions, and Attitudes: Past and Present Politics, Religion, and Not Missing 'the Good Old Days' "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" — Article 32 and "Protocols" — "Several Experts" and the Reptilians Spears, Pruning Hooks, and Making Sense in the Meantime Double Effect: It's Complicated "This is Not Us" "Yeh Hum Naheen" Academic Freedom and Responsibility A Civilization of Love: Something to Work Towards A "...Competent and Sufficiently Powerful Authority...." Poetry, Future Generations,

War, Peace and a Civilization of Love

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Yesterday was Veteran's Day. In my country, it's a time to remember folks who have served in America's military. Today I'll talk about why countries have military forces, and why I think it's a good idea. Even though I don't like war. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . We live in a less-than-ideal world. But we can make it better. I look at conscience and conflict, songs and ideas: and a few things we got right.

My Church in Sauk Centre, Minnesota: Vandalized

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Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) in Sauk Centre, Minnesota: northwest entrance. (September 20, 2022) "First, the good news. As far as I know, nobody got hurt during last weekend's incident. "That much I could tell from what wasn't in a metro area station's news item...." One statue tipped, urine on the carpet, a damaged cross. The Saturday morning trashing spree showed lack of respect for the folks in this parish. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Taking People, Pride and Dignity Seriously: June 2022

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(From Luisa Madrid, La Guardia and Wagner Archives; used w/o permission.) (Queens Pride Parade; Queens, New York City (2018)) My news feed tells me it's Pride Month. Or LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Wikipedia's page implies that the correct term is LGBT pride.... ...Decades of experience, spanning McCarthyism's dying gasps and the efflorescence of political correctness, suggest that I'll offend someone: no matter what I say or how I say it. So I'll start by saying why I don't think my native language, English, is perfect.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . June is Pride, LGBTQ+ Pride, or maybe LGBT Pride Month. I talk about pride, dignity, and good intentions. Plus respect, and how I fit a profile.

Appearance, Ancestry, and Me at the Grand Canyon

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(From Erin Whittaker, U.S. National Park Service; via Wikimedia Commons, used w/o permission.) I stopped for several hours at the Grand Canyon on my way back from San Francisco. This was about five decades back. The massive gulch wasn't on the the most direct route, but I'd decided that seeing the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater on the way was a good idea. I haven't been back since then, which suggests that I was right. I'd bought a big topographic map of the Grand Canyon while living in San Francisco, and had it with me when I was there. At the Grand Canyon, that is. Near where the South Rim Visitor Center is now, probably.... ...I was flattered, and surprised, when two tourists from Thailand asked me if I was Jewish. I explained that I'm a gentile — although I don't remember my exact words.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Atlanta Spa Shootings: Remembering Dignity

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Eight people didn't go home Tuesday. Someone attacked at least five folks at Young's Asian Massage in Acworth, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. Two were dead when police arrived. Another two died in a hospital. A fifth victim is still alive, but wounded. Police found three more bodies at the Gold Spa in northeast Atlanta. They found another at the Aromatherapy Spa, across the street. Six of the eight victims are Asian women. A couple guys died, too. Atlanta-area law enforcement identified and caught a suspect. That was Tuesday.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Texas Power Failure: Winter Storm Uri (and Minnesota)

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A winter storm was moving across North America a couple weeks back. By February 15, when The Texas Tribune posted Miguel Gutierrez Jr.'s photo of Austin's Interstate 35 near Stassney Lane, we were dealing with sub-zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures and serious windchill. And, for the most part, dealing successfully. I live in central Minnesota. The mid-February storm included temperatures that were unusually cold, compared to the last 50 years. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Another Saint, a Riot and Mark 7:15

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Yesterday's headlines oozed acrimony, animosity and anger. So do today's. It could be worse. I could have been reading about a replay of Oxford's St. Scholastica Day riot. I'll get back to that.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Love One Another!

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  Over the past six and a half years my main message throughout this blog boils down to loving one’s neighbor. Whenever we embody virtue, which is good and comes from God, we become more Christ-like. So, the embrace of virtue makes it easier for us to follow Christ’s command to “ love one another. As I have loved you, so you should love one another ” (John 13:34) Love One Another When we show compassion or empathy for another person, we show that we care. If we lend a listening ear, when we are pressed for time, we demonstrate patience. The giving of our time to others is one way for us to love one another. When we ease the pain of those in distress by donating food to a food bank, or donating money to a good cause, we demonstrate charity. We lift others up in dignity by doing so. When we share our talents for the glory of God, and for the benefit of others, we love our neighbor. Volunteering at one’s church is a great place to start. Receive Love  When we give of our time, talent, and

Anger is Unproductive

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  Have you ever noticed that getting angry does not solve the problem? In fact, it most likely exacerbates the problem. Tensions rise and nothing gets resolved.  Therefore, anger is unproductive. Anger is Unproductive Anger disrupts the peace. It serves no good purpose. That is why it is considered one of the seven deadly sins, and therefore intrinsically evil. Anger also is a violation of the Fifth Commandment because anger laced upon someone else diminishes the dignity of the recipient. For anything that reduces the value of another is a violation of the Fifth Commandment. For examples, forms of anger like hatred, vindictiveness, resentment, revenge, and racism all violate the Fifth Commandment. These forms of anger have become pervasive in our society, which may explain the heightened divisiveness that we now all experience. Love is Productive Love is the emotion that is the antithesis to anger. It is both a fruit of the spirit and a virtue. With love, we... Read more... 

Love Your Neighbor, from Afar!

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This social distancing thing is taking its toll on many of us. As human beings, God made us to be social beings, meant to live in community with each other. Even one of the two greatest Commandments is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:39). So, how can we love our neighbor, if we are staying inside our homes? Our “New Normal”? We like to gather together to work, play and worship as community. So, this coronavirus has really put a kink into our lifestyle. At work, difficult discussions always have the best outcomes when meeting face to face. When at home, we live for the hugs and kisses, the interactions from sports, and the chats with neighbors across the picket fence. At church services, we come together, united in spirit, to worship God as one family, sharing the sign of Peace, and drinking from the cup. Life seems to have been turned upside down. We now work alone, using technology to interact in meetings. Or, we are unemployed. We live low-key lives in our home

Find Virtue in a Time of Crisis

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With all the illness and death, due to the coronavirus, possibly affecting our relatives and friends, we may find it difficult to see virtue. Yet, the virtues of caring, kindness, patience, generosity, gentleness, love, compassion, courage and hope abound. Especially in times of crisis, we need to find virtue, or we might just go insane! Find Virtue Caring : We don’t need to look far to see caring eyes behind those masks of the nurses and doctors. Kindness : When we see the 7 p.m. round of applause for all of the hospital workers; that is a pure act of kindness, showing gratitude. Patience : We show patience while waiting for our turn to get that coveted toilet paper. Generosity : Oregon and California’s generosity were on full display in the lending of ventilators and sharing supplies with those states in more dire need. Read more...

Thoughts on CV: all of my thoughts on hope in a time of crisis

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Rutledge Falls, Manchester, TN Finding Peace and Hope This weekend, Stephen and I took a hike to Rutledge Falls. With the torrential downpour we had the days and nights leading up to it, it was in peak form. In a hectic time, I felt the whispers of peace and the rush of sanity while out in nature. Here are some thoughts which began to form in my mind over the quietness of the weekend. During this time of trial and pandemonium, are you keeping your children safe? Are you keeping loved ones and the elderly safe in the wake of the pandemic? Are you doing your part, by not being too dismissive about the current Coronavirus scare and lockdown? On a spiritual level, do you have peace? Do you feel paralyzed by fear and anxiety during this time because of what you are hearing on the news or from those close to you? Is God truly with you and with us during this time? Remember that not only is God with you, but he has many promises for you.  “The least of these

Love is ...

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Wishing You and Yours Christmas Blessings

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Merry Christmas, one and all! I write to you today, wishing you Christmas blessings, because I intend to take Wednesday off and celebrate the day with my husband. I have much to be thankful for this year, having received many blessings throughout the year. However, I find the Christmas blessings that Christ bestows on us at this time of year to be very special. Christmas Blessings Peace  – Christ’s peace is ever present, but especially prescient at this time of year. We celebrate the Incarnation of Christ on this day. The revelation of God made man for our sakes, to free us from sin and death, is mind-boggling. Yet, Christ came to bring us Peace. Joy  – Knowing God’s immense love for each of us should bring us a deep and abiding sense of joy. Who else could love us that much to send His only Son to save us from sin and death? Read more...

Death Came to Dayton

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Saturday night had been Sunday morning for just over an hour when death came to a street in Dayton, Ohio. A young man killed eight folks who had been outside a bar. He's dead. too. Probably killed by police. One of the killer's victims was his sister. Maybe she was an intended victim. Maybe she'd just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.... ...We know who, how, where and how many were killed. The crime's "why" is another matter. The killer is dead, so investigators can't ask him. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Hatred Breeds Pain, Respect Breeds Love

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I do not like the hatred and divisiveness, overtly promoted by the President of the United States, permeating throughout our country. His words are hurtful and racist. They are demeaning, and filled with vindictiveness. By his actions, I have witnessed him violating the Fifth Commandment many times. To violate the Fifth Commandment, you need not merely kill someone. You can violate the Fifth Commandment through expressions of hatred, anger, abusive language, resentment, vindictiveness, and yes, via expressions of racism. We CANNOT follow his example by jeering racist chants at rallies. Nor, should we follow his example by tweeting offensive commentary on Twitter. Nor, should we condone his despicable behavior toward the vulnerable immigrant, the person of color, and the marginalized. Instead, we need to cling to respect, for respect breeds love. Respect Breeds Love We need to: Channel our energy towards doing good. Express respect for others, especially those who do not look

Giving Thanks for Those Who Gave All

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Today is Memorial Day, here in the United States. We dedicate today in remembrance of the those who gave their all, in defense of our country. Giving thanks is the least we can do for those who gave their lives, so that we might live freely. It takes much bravery to shed one’s blood for the unconditional love of one’s fellow countrymen. These soldiers acted in a very Christ-like manner, remembering Christ’s own words: No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends  (John 15:13). As Jesus gave His life, on the Cross, to defeat sin and death, our deceased soldiers gave their lives to preserve our freedom. Unlike Christ, who knows us intimately, these soldiers don’t even know our names. Yet, they gave their all for our sake. That is ultimate human love and generosity at its best. Read more...

May: The Month of Mary and Motherly Love

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We have a long-honored tradition of dedicating May as a month to honor both Mary, our spiritual mother, and our earthly mothers. We set aside this time to specifically demonstrate our appreciation for motherly love. Whether our earthly mothers are alive or have passed on, we express our eternal gratitude for their unconditional, self-giving love. My mom passed away 19 years ago. Yet, to this day, I express gratitude for all the sacrifices that my mom undertook for me.  Together, with my dad, my parents sacrificed a lot to ensure that I received the best chance at life. The same can be said for Mary, our spiritual mother. She sacrificed her own Son, watching Him die on the Cross, so that we might have eternal life. Ways to Express Gratitude for Motherly Love As we move through this month of May, how might you express your gratitude for the motherly love of both Mary and your earthly mother? Here are a few suggestions: Read more...