I did a google image search on the word, 'whimsy' and found this pic.
Isn't it sweet?
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Check this pic out
I did a google image search on the word, 'whimsy' and found this pic.
Isn't it sweet?
Friday, October 06, 2006
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Okay, about RCIA
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I opened up our prayer time this week talking about the first time I prayed. Do you remember the first time you prayed?
When I was about 5 we went to stay with my grandmother for a few weeks. During conversation she talked about praying to God. I took that to heart and that night started just talking with God. I did that for a few nights and brought it up to her one day and she said, "No, honey. We just can't pray like that. You have to pray the proper way."
So, my dear old grandma both started and killed my early prayer life. But, nonetheless, the experience stuck with me and today a lot of my prayers are simply "talking with God."
After all, prayer takes many forms and simple, childlike "talking" with God is a great way to pray. Now, as most of you know, I employ several ways of prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours, Adoration of the Lord before the Holy Eucharist, the Rosary, the Jesus Prayer, the Our Father and other vocal prayers and will soon start learning contemplative prayer.
Having read The Practice Of The Presence Of God I find simple conversative prayer a perfectly acceptable thing to do. Have you read this Christian classic? Do you just talk to God, too, gentle reader?
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I opened up our prayer time this week talking about the first time I prayed. Do you remember the first time you prayed?
When I was about 5 we went to stay with my grandmother for a few weeks. During conversation she talked about praying to God. I took that to heart and that night started just talking with God. I did that for a few nights and brought it up to her one day and she said, "No, honey. We just can't pray like that. You have to pray the proper way."
So, my dear old grandma both started and killed my early prayer life. But, nonetheless, the experience stuck with me and today a lot of my prayers are simply "talking with God."
After all, prayer takes many forms and simple, childlike "talking" with God is a great way to pray. Now, as most of you know, I employ several ways of prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours, Adoration of the Lord before the Holy Eucharist, the Rosary, the Jesus Prayer, the Our Father and other vocal prayers and will soon start learning contemplative prayer.
Having read The Practice Of The Presence Of God I find simple conversative prayer a perfectly acceptable thing to do. Have you read this Christian classic? Do you just talk to God, too, gentle reader?
Don't tell me there are no Catholics in the NFL sports world!
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Ha! Let's hear it for the Catholic worldview expressed in sports.
Charles Robinson, of Yahoo! Sports, has written a cool article for fantasy footballers called, Guilty Of Sin.
In it he details seven teams he deems guilty of one of the seven deadly sins. Ha! I say- a treat in more ways than one.
Here's an excerpt:
Ha! Let's hear it for the Catholic worldview expressed in sports.
Charles Robinson, of Yahoo! Sports, has written a cool article for fantasy footballers called, Guilty Of Sin.
In it he details seven teams he deems guilty of one of the seven deadly sins. Ha! I say- a treat in more ways than one.
Here's an excerpt:
They are the lessons of avoidance that are supposed to keep us on the path. Stay virtuous, live right and avoid the seven deadly sins: Lust, gluttony, greed, wrath, envy, pride and sloth.
Applied to the NFL landscape, they are merely seven vices that shape the league and fill the sports pages. And believe it or not, each year they shape the Super Bowl chase. So in honor of the vices that sort out the pretenders and contenders, we give you a list of teams that have committed sins that are bound to shape the postseason.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Blogger beware- you can't just say anything you want.
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Some idiot blogged defamatory comments about his lawyer and got busted for libel to the tune of $50,000. It was in the USA Today.
So, you just say whatever you like. Here's a definition of libel:
So, gentle reader, let's be careful out there.
Some idiot blogged defamatory comments about his lawyer and got busted for libel to the tune of $50,000. It was in the USA Today.
Banks (the lawyer), saying the postings were false, sued Milum (the blogger). And last January, Milum became the first blogger in the USA to lose a libel suit, according to the Media Law Resource Center in New York, which tracks litigation involving bloggers. Milum was ordered to pay Banks $50,000.
So, you just say whatever you like. Here's a definition of libel:
A false publication, as in writing, print, signs, or pictures, that damages a person's reputation.In other words you can't lie about someone. You can tell the truth and damage someone's reputation, but you can't lie about it.
So, gentle reader, let's be careful out there.
Career decision in the making
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Need prayer for guidance, folks.
I am considering making a career move. A month before I got fired my mother sort of challenged me, pointing out that this is a town with a great economy and job market and that I could be making a lot more money. She told me how much she was making as a casino dealer. I was flabbergasted!
I had no idea about the tips some of these casinos bring in. She owns three houses and is currently adding to her real estate holdings. I'm struggling to make rent.
Now, it will take years to make half the income she is making. But half of what she is taking in is almost twice what I was making before my demise. Now, I am at a crossroads. I could go back into the banking industry and be a collector in a call center. But I would still be living a crap shoot. I literally have to make bonus just to cover my monthly nut, and making bonus is not guaranteed.
Now, I have an opportunity to live at a place for about 6 months practically rent free, thanks to the Catholic Worker (btw, my landlady told me today that I could stay- it felt good to tell her that I may go anyways). You see, to get started in the dealing business you have to start at a break-in house where you earn squat in tips. I have dealt blackjack before. I figure in 6 months of dealing I could work myself into a casino that would pay $100 a night in tips. This would put me at the level where I was last month in collections. The rest would be working on my games and improving my skills and graduating to higher paying casinoes.
So, I want the Lord to check my motives and to keep me clearheaded so that I don't do anything foolish. Last time I dealt I loved working with the people. I was a natural entertainer. The spotlights are on me and everybody is facing me and well, I like to make people feel good and I am good at it. The moral climate, however, wore me down. The prevalance of pleasure seeking females, the proximity to gambling and my status with my bipolar and impulsivity served to bring me down. Nowadays I am happily celibate, no longer driven by inordinate desires, am steeped in prayer via Adoration and the Divine Office and it truly seems I have been healed of my bipolar symptoms- have I shared that miracle with you? There are many level headed dealers in this town who are making killer money and living responsibly, my mother and stepfather, for example.
I was rather anxious this morning when I thought that the way casinos dominate your schedule that I would have to give up my first Saturday of the month for the Carmelites until I called my mom and she pointed out that day shifts are hard to come by as a newbie and that I would most likely work a late swing shift which would leave me enough time for my Carmelite meetings. That was a relief. I didn't want to have to give up my spiritual growth for this new career. RCIA may be a problem, though. And that causes me to grieve.... Wednesdays are slow days for casinos so maybe I could get them off.
So, gentle readers, here I am at a crossroads leaning on your prayer support. Ask the Lord to give me wisdom as I discern my future here.
Thanks in advance.
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Need prayer for guidance, folks.
I am considering making a career move. A month before I got fired my mother sort of challenged me, pointing out that this is a town with a great economy and job market and that I could be making a lot more money. She told me how much she was making as a casino dealer. I was flabbergasted!
I had no idea about the tips some of these casinos bring in. She owns three houses and is currently adding to her real estate holdings. I'm struggling to make rent.
Now, it will take years to make half the income she is making. But half of what she is taking in is almost twice what I was making before my demise. Now, I am at a crossroads. I could go back into the banking industry and be a collector in a call center. But I would still be living a crap shoot. I literally have to make bonus just to cover my monthly nut, and making bonus is not guaranteed.
Now, I have an opportunity to live at a place for about 6 months practically rent free, thanks to the Catholic Worker (btw, my landlady told me today that I could stay- it felt good to tell her that I may go anyways). You see, to get started in the dealing business you have to start at a break-in house where you earn squat in tips. I have dealt blackjack before. I figure in 6 months of dealing I could work myself into a casino that would pay $100 a night in tips. This would put me at the level where I was last month in collections. The rest would be working on my games and improving my skills and graduating to higher paying casinoes.
So, I want the Lord to check my motives and to keep me clearheaded so that I don't do anything foolish. Last time I dealt I loved working with the people. I was a natural entertainer. The spotlights are on me and everybody is facing me and well, I like to make people feel good and I am good at it. The moral climate, however, wore me down. The prevalance of pleasure seeking females, the proximity to gambling and my status with my bipolar and impulsivity served to bring me down. Nowadays I am happily celibate, no longer driven by inordinate desires, am steeped in prayer via Adoration and the Divine Office and it truly seems I have been healed of my bipolar symptoms- have I shared that miracle with you? There are many level headed dealers in this town who are making killer money and living responsibly, my mother and stepfather, for example.
I was rather anxious this morning when I thought that the way casinos dominate your schedule that I would have to give up my first Saturday of the month for the Carmelites until I called my mom and she pointed out that day shifts are hard to come by as a newbie and that I would most likely work a late swing shift which would leave me enough time for my Carmelite meetings. That was a relief. I didn't want to have to give up my spiritual growth for this new career. RCIA may be a problem, though. And that causes me to grieve.... Wednesdays are slow days for casinos so maybe I could get them off.
So, gentle readers, here I am at a crossroads leaning on your prayer support. Ask the Lord to give me wisdom as I discern my future here.
Thanks in advance.
Monday, October 02, 2006
I said something worth repeating.
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Jill
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Jill is a wonderful, valiant young woman who has suffered much. She has been called by our Lord to the cross of multiple miscarriages. I think they number at six- she has just suffered one in the past month or so. The poor dear- she is very brave and plods on through life.
Well, after a month of silence following her last miscarriage she started blogging again. And in this post she talks about how she feels overwhelmed about potential losses that are looming in her future. She talks about how she has gotten "rather flinchy" about the potential health problems several of her loved ones are currently experiencing. She is having problems enjoying the here and now with each of them because she is anticipating their potential demise and can't help but guard herself against the possible pain that will arise should the Lord call them home.
Here is an example:
So, I commented with some rather wise words to this post. Today she thanked me for that comment. I say that they are wise words because I got them from a source I highly respect.
There is this Holy Spirit inspired author, of course she is British, as are most of my favorite authors, Tolkien, Lewis and Chesterton, this author's name is Elizabeth Goudge. She wrote a trilogy about the Eliot family in England that I have read at least five times. Yes, folks, it's that good.
Well, in the first novel, Bird In The Tree, the protagonist, David, reflects on a passage of one of his favorite poems. In that musing he thinks about the concept of 'relinquishing.' He thinks about how much he likes the concept of relinquishing the things of life that we treasure as we age: our youth, health, good looks and other things. He envisions a god who takes these things that we relinquish and uses them as golden and silver building blocks to make a temple for us as we sacrifice them. A beautiful temple, which speaks of the justice of God who lets no thing we suffer over ever be wasted. He redeems every pain we experience and makes of it a beautiful thing that will benefit us throughout eternity.
Isn't God wonderful?
Well, so that is what inspired me to write words that were profitable to this dear soul and I think to all of us. So here is what I said:
So there you have it. Words of wisdom from a lonely man. Every loss and every experience of suffering is redeemed by our Lord who misses nothing and is the epitome of redemption. So let us rejoice in our losses and take comfort in our sufferings. We are the children of the Lord who loves us so thoroughly that we can never truly experience a complete loss. All is redeemed for all is covered by his incomprehensible love!
Jill
.
Jill is a wonderful, valiant young woman who has suffered much. She has been called by our Lord to the cross of multiple miscarriages. I think they number at six- she has just suffered one in the past month or so. The poor dear- she is very brave and plods on through life.
Well, after a month of silence following her last miscarriage she started blogging again. And in this post she talks about how she feels overwhelmed about potential losses that are looming in her future. She talks about how she has gotten "rather flinchy" about the potential health problems several of her loved ones are currently experiencing. She is having problems enjoying the here and now with each of them because she is anticipating their potential demise and can't help but guard herself against the possible pain that will arise should the Lord call them home.
Here is an example:
On the surface, it was a pleasant mother/daughter moment, but for me it had a bittersweet flavor. My mom is 79 and has health problems. I couldn't prevent the thought from crossing my mind that my mom might not be here when those larkspur seeds bloom next summer.
Likewise, when my dad opened his birthday gifts from me during the same visit with a pleased look on his face, it was slightly bittersweet for me. The dread passed over me of eventually having to find that book and that shirt as I sort through his things one sad day.
So, I commented with some rather wise words to this post. Today she thanked me for that comment. I say that they are wise words because I got them from a source I highly respect.
There is this Holy Spirit inspired author, of course she is British, as are most of my favorite authors, Tolkien, Lewis and Chesterton, this author's name is Elizabeth Goudge. She wrote a trilogy about the Eliot family in England that I have read at least five times. Yes, folks, it's that good.
Well, in the first novel, Bird In The Tree, the protagonist, David, reflects on a passage of one of his favorite poems. In that musing he thinks about the concept of 'relinquishing.' He thinks about how much he likes the concept of relinquishing the things of life that we treasure as we age: our youth, health, good looks and other things. He envisions a god who takes these things that we relinquish and uses them as golden and silver building blocks to make a temple for us as we sacrifice them. A beautiful temple, which speaks of the justice of God who lets no thing we suffer over ever be wasted. He redeems every pain we experience and makes of it a beautiful thing that will benefit us throughout eternity.
Isn't God wonderful?
Well, so that is what inspired me to write words that were profitable to this dear soul and I think to all of us. So here is what I said:
As for the anticipatory feelings, I think that such experiences in life are really some of the crosses we must bear. Moses prayed in Psalm 90 that the Lord would teach us about the shortness of our lives that we gain a heart of wisdom.
As we age we must relinquish things we prize in life. Our health, beauty, loved ones, etc., they all pass on. But we have a God who takes these things as we relinquish them and uses them as building stones for our heavenly temple, creating gain, incredible, mind-boggling and beautiful gain for us amidst our losses.
Embrace the loss and the tarnish the anticipation puts on the "now" moments of your life, remembering that we have a just God who loves us and rewards us for all our losses.
So there you have it. Words of wisdom from a lonely man. Every loss and every experience of suffering is redeemed by our Lord who misses nothing and is the epitome of redemption. So let us rejoice in our losses and take comfort in our sufferings. We are the children of the Lord who loves us so thoroughly that we can never truly experience a complete loss. All is redeemed for all is covered by his incomprehensible love!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Today is Respect Life Sunday
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A fitting thing to celebrate, the sanctity of life for the unborn.
So many of us love babies, they are little bundles of God's beauty, of innocence and delight. It only takes a little imagination to project the same value on pre-born babies.
I really don't know what to say about this day. Let us make our stand for the unborn in our culture today, looking forward to the day we rid our land of this horrendous plague.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us, a nation of sinners.
A fitting thing to celebrate, the sanctity of life for the unborn.
So many of us love babies, they are little bundles of God's beauty, of innocence and delight. It only takes a little imagination to project the same value on pre-born babies.
I really don't know what to say about this day. Let us make our stand for the unborn in our culture today, looking forward to the day we rid our land of this horrendous plague.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us, a nation of sinners.
Time has slipped by.
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Wow, I haven't posted since Wednesday!
Been kind of busy at my new job. I've been reading other blogs just not posting any here.
Well, what's been going on in the Lonely Man's life? I am reading excerpts from Story Of A Soul, the autobiograpy of St. Therese of Lisieux. It is an absorbing read. Her first person descriptions of episodes of her life are compelling. I can relate to her as she describes her life. Right now I'm reading when she was around 15, the age she joined the Carmelite convent.
She describes her early time there as a time of suffering. And she embraces her suffering so well. She is not complaining about it or wishing it would soon go away. She is actually welcoming the suffering and praying that it doesn't stop. Oh, the stuff that the heart of a saint consists of! I am soooooo quick to pray for a release from my suffering it isn't funny. I feel chagrined at her attitude. She is so noble. Hmmm, I really, really don't want to start praying for more suffering in my life. I guess that means I'll never be canonized....
Oh- today is her feast day!
Lord, bless me as I ponder the life of St. Therese. Help me to aspire to noble heights such as is seen in her life.
St. Therese, pray for me that I may be pleasing to my Lord, that I may love my Lord as you loved him as a teenager. I am weak and dull of heart, seek the Lord's mercies for me, O little flower.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
RCIA blessings
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Well, it was a great night at RCIA.
Father George taught about the Holy Spirit and invited folks to come up front and share a testimony of how the Spirit worked in their lives. We heard some great stories of the providence of our wonderful God.
I got to encourage a couple people tonight. One young lady is very anxious to partake of the Eucharist and is worried she won't be accepted into full communion with Rome since her husband is not Catholic. He recently consented to have their marriage convalidated. I assured her she will be able to participate in the Eucharist come next Easter vigil. Another fellow has a moving deadline next week and is worried about being homeless. I told him about taking our anxieties and turning them into prayer requests a la Phillipians 4:6. I also told him about offering up our sufferings to Christ and how sufferings polish our souls and make us holy. He was visibly relieved.
Such blessings to serve the body of Christ.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Follow-up on the job front
Dog tired.
Man, this walking door to door is hard work. It's not too bad, actually. Today is the first day I've felt really tired. Got real thirsty, too. It was a bit warmer than yesterday.
I almost hit my interview quota today. Not bad for my first day going solo.
It's interesting to get varied opinions from the voters I contact throughout the day. Some people are real positive and a joy to talk to. Now, if only my co-workers weren't so vulgar. At my last job they had a policy of keeping conversation 'G' rated. I can feel the difference these days. Man, all they talk about is genitalia, homosexuality and other varied perversities.... Sheesh!
I am caught in the tension of not joining in and not being a prudish wet blanket. It does give me opportunity to interject quick prayers.
I got a call from a collections agency yesterday. They are interviewing all this week. I'm off Thursday and Friday so I'll go in then.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Some progress on the job front.
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Thanks for your prayers, folks. I'm starting a temporary job today- yes on a Sunday-hrrumph!.
I will be conducting political polls door to door starting tomorrow. It puts money on the table while I secure a better paying collections job. I'll be able to attend RCIA Wednesday eves and am hoping to secure my Carmelite first Saturday off the month off.
I am working with my Jewish friend, Judy, who has been going to Adoration with me lately. She told me about the job.
Pray for us, as we go forth and prosper. We need to find permanent jobs, maybe the Post Office (if the rumor is true that they start at $20/hr- I'm having my doubts). Leave your prayer requests in the comments and I'll pray for you, too.
speaking about Morning Prayer...
For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
-May I be so in love with you that I lose all attachment to the things of this world and regard only you. May I hold all other things in their rightful place, in subjection to your wonderfulness and all surpassing glory. May my mouth utter glory to you as I rightfully see you in your proper place.
On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help.
-When I awake in the middle of the night, surrounded by darkness and dark thoughts, I call upon you and recall your acts of love to me, all your saving graces and your deeds of compassion. I call out to you with my many requests, none of which overwhelms you. I rely on you in my weakest of moments.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.
-I have clung to lesser things, carnal desire, words of men, false hopes... none can save me but you, I fasten my soul upon you, who are the source of all life and goodness. You kindly hold on to my wavering soul.
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord.
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
-Yes, let all creation bless the Lord! Everything I can think of and can see and all that has not entered my mind, all that has escaped my eye, give glory to the One who made us all, give glory forever.
For the Lord takes delight in his people.
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and take their rest.
-You have made me one of your people, you have included this waif, this orphan of sin and child of despair into the family of holiness and blessedness and light. You have saved this poor soul from hell, corruption and cursedness. You have gifted me with faith and cause me to celebrate in glory, lifting me from my shame. I can't help but exclaim my happiness, you cause me to cease toiling for my own gain- a blessed relief.
Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Each Sunday give us the joy of gathering as your people,
-around the table of your word and your body.
From our hearts we thank you,
-for your countless blessings.
my lips will speak your praise.
-May I be so in love with you that I lose all attachment to the things of this world and regard only you. May I hold all other things in their rightful place, in subjection to your wonderfulness and all surpassing glory. May my mouth utter glory to you as I rightfully see you in your proper place.
On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help.
-When I awake in the middle of the night, surrounded by darkness and dark thoughts, I call upon you and recall your acts of love to me, all your saving graces and your deeds of compassion. I call out to you with my many requests, none of which overwhelms you. I rely on you in my weakest of moments.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.
-I have clung to lesser things, carnal desire, words of men, false hopes... none can save me but you, I fasten my soul upon you, who are the source of all life and goodness. You kindly hold on to my wavering soul.
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord.
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
-Yes, let all creation bless the Lord! Everything I can think of and can see and all that has not entered my mind, all that has escaped my eye, give glory to the One who made us all, give glory forever.
For the Lord takes delight in his people.
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and take their rest.
-You have made me one of your people, you have included this waif, this orphan of sin and child of despair into the family of holiness and blessedness and light. You have saved this poor soul from hell, corruption and cursedness. You have gifted me with faith and cause me to celebrate in glory, lifting me from my shame. I can't help but exclaim my happiness, you cause me to cease toiling for my own gain- a blessed relief.
Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Each Sunday give us the joy of gathering as your people,
-around the table of your word and your body.
From our hearts we thank you,
-for your countless blessings.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Ahhh- another lovely Saturday
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Woke up early and went to the Catholic Worker this morning. Mark was there fixing up the grub in the kitchen. He had spent all last week at a contemplative prayer retreat with a bunch of Carmelites given by Fr. Datius and had only gotten into town last night at 1:30 am. Then showed up at the kitchen to cook at 4:00 am this morning! A tired but happy man.
He was running the show today cuz all the other Catholic Worker leaders were out of town at some special meeting. He was a little nervous. Don't know why, it is a pretty simple operation. We drove the SUV with the trailer hitched to the back that carried the big pots of Ramen Soup and iced tea over to the feeding site and all went well. The folks ate up every bit of it! We were surprised since there didn't seem to be that many people.
Then we went to Starbucks for about an hour and caught up with each other. I told him about having to move next month and about my job interviews. He told me about the prayer retreat and gave me some practical advice from Fr. Datius's teachings about how to get started with a meditation that leads to contemplation when I told him that I was feeling intimidated about contemplative prayer.
Then we agreed to meet for evening prayer and parted ways. I went home to read and rest up. I got up around noon, took a shower and went to apply for this job conducting political polls for the elections coming up. It seems to be an easy job that will put money on the table and it gives me time to pick a premium collections job.
So now I am waiting for the recruiting manager to call me back for an interview.
The weather is delightful, it's a sunny day with a pleasant cool breeze. There is a feeling of fresh newness in the air. I'm going to confession today to seek reconciliation with the Lord and grace to overcome a certain sin that is bugging me lately. I might go to vigil Mass.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Breaking News- Madonna crucifix scene cancelled
From NewsMax come this:
It seems NBC is coming to its senses.
American Family Association Chairman Donald E. Wildmon says NBC will not air the scene showing Madonna being crucified in the upcoming November special.
"NBC does not want a fight with AFA and the Christian community," said Wildmon. "NBC may wiggle and wobble, but in the final analysis, they will not show that scene. We expect a public announcement from NBC canceling the scene within two weeks."
It seems NBC is coming to its senses.
The Battle of Prayer or Hey, we all struggle with it!
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Did you know the Catechism talks about the battle of prayer?
Yes, gentle reader, it recognizes the struggle we all face in reaching out to God. Read this:
So, realize this, gentle reader, your struggle to pray as you ought is not unusual or unknown! It is common to man. You must see your struggle as something the greatest and the least saint has and does wrestle with. Your difficulty in prayer can be overcome. Just follow the same efforts made previously by all human flesh as illustrated in the Cathechism.
It's all right there, folks. I just recently discovered the practical value of the Cathechism. Frankly, it used to intimidate me. But having a hunger to pray well and learn more I cracked the tome open and have found a treasure trove.
In this part of the Catechism you will read about distraction, the need for diligence, the problem of dryness, temptations like lack of faith and acedia among other human struggles. It will discuss solutions and describe how to win out over these problems. So look it up here and read up on how to improve your prayer life.
Did you know the Catechism talks about the battle of prayer?
Yes, gentle reader, it recognizes the struggle we all face in reaching out to God. Read this:
2725(emphasis mine)
Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God. We pray as we live, because we live as we pray. If we do not want to act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ, neither can we pray habitually in his name. The "spiritual battle" of the Christian's new life is inseparable from the battle of prayer.
So, realize this, gentle reader, your struggle to pray as you ought is not unusual or unknown! It is common to man. You must see your struggle as something the greatest and the least saint has and does wrestle with. Your difficulty in prayer can be overcome. Just follow the same efforts made previously by all human flesh as illustrated in the Cathechism.
2727
We must also face the fact that certain attitudes deriving from the mentality of "this present world" can penetrate our lives if we are not vigilant. For example, some would have it that only that is true which can be verified by reason and science; yet prayer is a mystery that overflows both our conscious and unconscious lives. Others overly prize production and profit; thus prayer, being unproductive, is useless. Still others exalt sensuality and comfort as the criteria of the true, the good, and the beautiful; whereas prayer, the "love of beauty" (philokalia), is caught up in the glory of the living and true God. Finally, some see prayer as a flight from the world in reaction against activism; but in fact, Christian prayer is neither an escape from reality nor a divorce from life.
2728
Finally, our battle has to confront what we experience as failure in prayer: discouragement during periods of dryness; sadness that, because we have "great possessions,"15 we have not given all to the Lord; disappointment over not being heard according to our own will; wounded pride, stiffened by the indignity that is ours as sinners; our resistance to the idea that prayer is a free and unmerited gift; and so forth. The conclusion is always the same: what good does it do to pray? To overcome these obstacles, we must battle to gain humility, trust, and perseverance.
It's all right there, folks. I just recently discovered the practical value of the Cathechism. Frankly, it used to intimidate me. But having a hunger to pray well and learn more I cracked the tome open and have found a treasure trove.
In this part of the Catechism you will read about distraction, the need for diligence, the problem of dryness, temptations like lack of faith and acedia among other human struggles. It will discuss solutions and describe how to win out over these problems. So look it up here and read up on how to improve your prayer life.
speaking about Daytime Prayer...
Though princes oppress me without cause
I stand in awe of your word.
I take delight in your promise
like one who finds a treasure.
-The enemy, the prince of the power of the air, oppresses me- save me, O God, from those who are much more powerful than I, for I have none to help me but you.
I will place my hope in your word, your promises, which are a treasure to me.
The lovers of your law have great peace;
they never stumble.
I will await your saving help, O Lord,
I fulfill your commands.
- I love your law, O Lord, but I stumble and disturb my own peace. I am wayward and distraught, a leaf blown in the wind, you must save me from myself, put a new spirit within me, making me careful to obey your every precept.
How good and pleasant it is,
when brothers live in unity!
Pour out over your Church, Lord, the spirit of brotherly love and a longing for your peace. May this precious oil of the Holy Spirit flow over us to fill us with your gracious benediction.
I have said to the Lord: "You are my God."
Lord, hear the cry of my appeal!
Lord my God, my mighty help,
you shield my head in the battle.
Do not grant the wicked their desire
nor let their plots succeed.
-O save me in my distress, for I am surrounded by trouble and only you can help me. Hear my weakend voice calling out to you, save me from myself, my weaknesses and blindnesses and from my enemies, let the plots of the wicked spirits who seek my destruction, fail and may they be utterly dismayed. Only you, Creator of all, can possibly help me- come, O gentle Lord, to your child's aid.
I stand in awe of your word.
I take delight in your promise
like one who finds a treasure.
-The enemy, the prince of the power of the air, oppresses me- save me, O God, from those who are much more powerful than I, for I have none to help me but you.
I will place my hope in your word, your promises, which are a treasure to me.
The lovers of your law have great peace;
they never stumble.
I will await your saving help, O Lord,
I fulfill your commands.
- I love your law, O Lord, but I stumble and disturb my own peace. I am wayward and distraught, a leaf blown in the wind, you must save me from myself, put a new spirit within me, making me careful to obey your every precept.
How good and pleasant it is,
when brothers live in unity!
Pour out over your Church, Lord, the spirit of brotherly love and a longing for your peace. May this precious oil of the Holy Spirit flow over us to fill us with your gracious benediction.
I have said to the Lord: "You are my God."
Lord, hear the cry of my appeal!
Lord my God, my mighty help,
you shield my head in the battle.
Do not grant the wicked their desire
nor let their plots succeed.
-O save me in my distress, for I am surrounded by trouble and only you can help me. Hear my weakend voice calling out to you, save me from myself, my weaknesses and blindnesses and from my enemies, let the plots of the wicked spirits who seek my destruction, fail and may they be utterly dismayed. Only you, Creator of all, can possibly help me- come, O gentle Lord, to your child's aid.
OH! I forgot about St. Joseph being patron saint of workers!
.
Thanks to Sister Mary Martha (who I stated was a hoax, a very clever hoax, a few weeks ago, but I am having my doubts) who posted about Sister Mary Fiacre taking St. Joseph aspirin today and mentioned the good saint's patronages.
Well, I remember him being called St. Joseph, the Worker.
Well, this worker needs the good Saint's intercession. So I hereby declare St. Joseph to be the patron saint of my job search!
St. Joseph, pray for us.
I'm so glad I'm a Catholic!
Thanks to Sister Mary Martha (who I stated was a hoax, a very clever hoax, a few weeks ago, but I am having my doubts) who posted about Sister Mary Fiacre taking St. Joseph aspirin today and mentioned the good saint's patronages.
Well, I remember him being called St. Joseph, the Worker.
Well, this worker needs the good Saint's intercession. So I hereby declare St. Joseph to be the patron saint of my job search!
St. Joseph, pray for us.
I'm so glad I'm a Catholic!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Just had to show off the newest addition to the blogs
.
Yep folks, we have ourselves a new blogger in the Catholic blogosphere!
A Cardinal, even!!
He's Cardinal O'Malley of the Boston diocese. Hey, you just gotta go check him out. This is no staff produced publication, this looks like a true blue blogging endeavor!
H/T toAmericanPapist: Not Your Average Catholic!: Cardinal O'Malley really is a blogging cardinal!
Yep folks, we have ourselves a new blogger in the Catholic blogosphere!
A Cardinal, even!!
He's Cardinal O'Malley of the Boston diocese. Hey, you just gotta go check him out. This is no staff produced publication, this looks like a true blue blogging endeavor!
H/T toAmericanPapist: Not Your Average Catholic!: Cardinal O'Malley really is a blogging cardinal!
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