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Christ and the Wise Virgins German Mediaeval Sculptor [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 25:1-13  ( English Standard Version Anglicised, India) Jesus told this parable to his disciples: “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.   Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.   For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,   but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.   As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.   But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’     Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.   And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’   But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for

    I saw a woman on the news the other day holding a sign that read, "Abortion is Health Care." I sat there scratching my head, trying to figure out how any rational-minded person could think this way. Then I saw an article about the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that gave me a little insight: "Abortion care is included in medical training, clinical practice, and continuing medical education." The insight I gained did not increase my understanding of how someone can think that the care and health of anyone involves intentionally taking a life, but there it was, a part of medical training, practice and education. Today, as our country seems set on enshrining the evil of abortion in state constitutions, we need to pray for the intervention of St. Gianna Beretta Molla. Here is a little background . . . "a fibroma was found during early pregnancy. Gianna was given the option of having an abortion, a total hysterectomy, or the riskiest option

  When our oldest daughter visits us, she will often bring home bananas that she was not able to finish at her place. Not wanting to waste them, they often end up in a chocolate chip banana bread which we find ourselves feeling responsible to eat :-) The older I get, the more I talk about not wasting things. Especially with the little ones. I am not from the frugal generation, but I have become more aware of wastefulness and the food insecurities of so many. It makes me cringe when I read about the cost of big events--like super bowl performances and such. How many people would that extravagance feed? I wonder. While I am not a stick-in-the-mud, and we are in no way perfect when it comes to not wasting, we do try. One of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching is the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Careful use of our goods is a part of that. There are plenty of scripture passages to support our wise use of material goods. Here's just one that is found

  I like an acronym I heard Tom Hanks say one time: W.A.I.T. Because he is a chatty person (apparently), he uses this to remind himself to be a better listener: "Why Am I Talking?" It's a good one. I have added other question for myself. Even though I don't have a convenient acronym for it: "Are they asking your opinion?" This one really helps me discern when I need to just listen and resist the urge to chime in with a comment, or attempt to fix a problem nobody was asking me to fix. In doing this, I have found two things--it is much harder than you might think to hold your tongue when you think your great wisdom could be helpful, and secondly, usually nobody ends up actually asking for your opinion! Some of you are innately reserved and have a tremendous ability to be a good listener, but for those of you who do not, I encourage you to try Tom's acronym or my question, and see if they help. Let me know how it goes. Also, I would love to hear about

  Have you ever heard of the band LFO? It was a nineties rap group. I really don't remember them, but the reason I bring them up is because I was listening to a testimony by the only remaining member of the group, Brad Fischetti. In his testimony Fischetti incidentally offers a little history into what it was like to be in a "boy" band trying to "make it." Today he is a pro-life, Catholic husband, and father working in Church ministry. Whenever he is on stage, though, he gives a tribute to his two best friends and band mates who died a few years ago. He also gives a testimony about his belief in God. His journey--like most--swerved a little over the years, but now he has come full circle. Listening to him reminds me of how important it is for each of us to give our testimony of faith. Before you roll your eyes and dismiss yourself because that is not something you could ever do, listen to this . . . Sharing your own story of faith requires only two things: