Pentacost 2007

John and Thommy

good morning
i love you

The birthday of The Church.
the Big day for Big Bird.....

coincident this year with memorial day weekend....
so, the church was not so full - in a wealthy parish as in a university newman center,
the usual suspects are out of town.....

andrew greeley's web site also has his sermon-ettes/stories for sundays.....
i don't quite get the applicability of the story for today, tho it is a fine story....

i have my own twist on the wind and fire,
the speaking in tongues
the being sent forth ....
did the apostles speak in tongues
or were the people too blessed with the Holy Spirit thus enabled to hear the Word?
both, of course

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
given at baptism
emblazoned on your soul at confirmation....
wisdom - to listen and hear the word
understanding - not so much smarts, as smart enough to embrace the word
counsel - to be humble enough to be advised, to receive counsel so as to then pass on the word
knowledge - to Know God? the knowing, the naming, the oneness with God, Father-Son-Spirit
piety - to worship God; to love God enough to worship Him, to give self to Him [what better experience of love? of love given as well as love received?]
fear of the lord - today's priest gave a different idea. this is the fear of the Lord like the fear a child has when in the grocery story he is separated from his parent, realizes the separation and is afraid....... maybe....
fortitude - the strength that real men not only wear pink but also are Catholic.....

Deo Gratias....

and, on Memorial Day, let us also give thanks for all those who died for us
gave their lives for us even long before your greatgrandparents arrived via ellis island....

i love you
dad