Aunt Catherine....

Good Morning

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This morning I went to OLG to check out the ministry fair and get in on the free pancake breakfast for stewardship. The coffee was good; there’s not much harm that can be done to pancakes; and the sausage paddies were cold. Maybe a dozen people from the 0700 Mass took advantage of the food fare. The visiting Vincentian missionary got his breakfast; the in residence priest chortled by with his fat-buttoned cassock and his biretta. [With a pastor from South America and a newly ordained American from the diocese this menagerie of priests makes me feel like I’m in some foreign church.]

The OLG ministry fair was nicely set up in the gym – neat as a pin. There were six women in small clusters talking to each other. There was one other person there like me strolling around to look at the posters. At least the last time St Paul did its ministry fair, each ministry was staffed by at least one person, usually more than two.

There’s no doubt that the parish will raise the couple of million being sought to expand the physical plant and improve the grounds. I walk through an event hoping to be recruited, even greeted. Almost never the former; rarely the latter. Must be something about me!

I also see the dozens of little ways to improve the event. So why don’t I volunteer? I am not participant at the parish I’m registered for now that it’s a bus ride and 40 minute walk to the church. That’s just the current reality, not an excuse. Never have I been grounded with any degree or sense of permanence or prospect of sticking around: thus, why participate; I’m passing through.

And to stick around is only to accumulate more negative outcomes by my presence.

This morning, on the walk back from OLG, I considered my decision to stay put in my current shack for two years as a major commitment to time and place. That’s barely three percent of my current life. Two years is nothing! Now. Used to be a very long time. It’s the same as looking at my body, touching my midsection, and still seeing, as Susan Crowley said to her mother, ‘the big fat Billy Nolan.’ The inertia of my life is to pass through. Maybe this round will be different?

My Aunt Catherine died Thursday night. I found out from my father, her older, by three years, brother, Friday evening. Been a winnowing year for the Nolan Sibs – Frank, the oldest. Arthur, the youngest. And Arthur’s wife only a couple months after him. Now Catherine. Of the original nine there’s now my father, Helen, Mary, and Walter, who, my father says, “has his own health issues” and may not get to Catherine’s wake. My cousin David also died this year. (Of the 32 cousins, the oldest has died (making me now the second oldest) plus six others, including my brother Jimmy in 1967 at the age of five.)

Aunt Catherine and Uncle Jimmy were the closest family to ours growing up. Their oldest two were about the same age as me and my brother and the four of us (plus the younger three there) spent lots of time playing together. Uncle Jimmy died 1964 with their youngest child in utero. Aunt Catherine raised her brood herself, with lots of help from her sister Helen (two peas in a pod their entire lives) and the rest of the clan pitching-in in their way.

Aunt Catherine is a model of motherhood and aunthood. She personifies family and clan: the epitome of Nolan. I have more than a few feeloughts of her that are embedded in my soul, that are essential parts of who I am. I feel a great loss, a deep sorrow – and have greater gratitude for who I am because of her.

I am a lector at next Sunday’s mass. In the end-of-liturgical-year theme, my reading is from 1 Thes 4 (13-14 here) - We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Grieve AND hope. Both solidify the presence of Aunt Catherine in my being. Also, in the participation of the wake and funeral, we renew our family ties, sharing our grief and hope. No doubt Aunt Catherine is among the All Saints whom we celebrate Tuesday. More/better reason to be the nephew she would be proud of.

The story of Aunt Catherine’s last months/days/hours is beyond the lesson JPII gave us as he lived his pontificate to the minute he stepped across the threshold; and the lesson the Church gave us as we lived with him, an aging man, Papa, our saintly pope. My cousins, Aunt Catherine’s siblings, et al. as well as the woman herself lived her life/their lives/our lives in a way that is more than lesson, it is life, it is holiness, it is The Way.

I wish that I could look forward to anything resembling Aunt Catherine’s experience. For myself. With my father. (It did not happen with my mother, either, who died a dozen plus years ago.) There’s no talk about the pending realities of my father’s death and mine. (Though, at 86, he’s likely to die first. Although, one son has already died before him. ) Not even the slightest talk with him or my brother. At least there are wills in place. Of course, not talking is wholly a function of my not talking regardless of the people possibly on the other side of the conversation. I do not recommend to anyone this state of affairs. And yet, I do not have the gumption to get into another state….

Please pray for my aunt. Do pray for your family’s deceased. Doing so minimally makes their presence in your life more real, more lasting, more effective, more holy.

AMDG
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1207

Oct 31 Alphonsus Rodriguez, S.J. b. 1532 d. 1617 c. 1888

Good Morning,

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October 30

St Alphonsus Rodriguez b. 1532 d. 1617 bl. 1885 c. 1888

Lay brother. One of my friends in the novitiate was a brother. A DJ from Providence. Vocations of all types come any time from any where. Be open to your call – always. One of the holiest men at the novitiate was one of the brothers in the infirmary. He made that rotation a personal and religious joy. I guess I could be an acceptable brother at this late stage?

Alphonsus Rodriguez was born in Segovia, Spain, on July 25, 1532, the son of a wealthy merchant. It makes a difference in one’s life who your parents are, what resources they have for your upbringing and how they can open doors into your future. [Rejecting one parent altogether is one way to cut your nose to spite your face. It lessens your opportunities not to mention disses the gifts God has given you.]

Alphonsus Rodriguez was prepared for First Communion by Blessed Peter Favre, S.J., a friend of Alphonsus' father. I do not remember who ‘prepared’ me for my first communion. It was what I did. All first graders did it. Everyone in my family went to communion and this was my turn to join them. I am sure that the good sisters at St Patrick’s school drilled us in the mystery and the faith and the facts of the Sacrament. I am sure that we practiced not only the entire ceremony but also in the particulars of receiving the host on our tongue as we knelt at the altar rail. I feel the same reverence and piety in the procession to get the host in my hand. But I experience a greater piety when I kneel down and receive it on my tongue. Ora pro me.

Alphonsus Rodriguez was introduced to the Jesuits in his home from his earliest childhood. I don’t remember a priest ever coming to our home. I do remember Aunt Monica! Sister Anita Rosaire! The woman was the personification of holiness, of Church, of religiosity. If I have a vocation it is mostly due to her. If I am religious, Aunt Monica gets much of the credit. Every Catholic home should be visited by the priests and religious of the parish and community. But Alphonsus Rodriguez grew up with the nascent Society of Jesus in his home!

Bl. Fr. Peter Favre, S.J. was an influence on Alphonsus Rodriguez’s faith formation. Alphonsus Rodriguez’s father brought this Jesuit priest, this friend of the family, into their home. Both of these men must have made a huge impact on the boy’s religious education, his prayer, his piety. [Rejecting one parent also loses you all the friends and contacts that God gave to the parent to give to you!]

While studying with the Jesuits at Alcala, Alphonsus had to return home when his father died. In Segovia he took over the family business, was married, and had a son. Of course Alphonsus Rodriguez studied with the Jesuits. By the time he was of age, the Jesuits were part of his spiritual DNA. I came to the Jesuits by chance. (God’s chance? Was my father kept in Portland so I’d have to go to Cheverus? God’s plan plays out in his way, his time. Except, of course, for that free will thing.]

Alphonsus Rodriguez’s son died, as did two other children and then his wife. He must have felt like Job! How did Alphonsus take care of his family and community as well as his relationship with God while his children and his wife were taken away from him? Would it not be worth our while to know that. The fact that he came through this is certainly encouraging. How did he do it? How did he help his children and wife bear up with their losses. How does he help us do it?

At the age of twenty-six he married Mary Francisco Suárez, a woman of his own station, and at thirty-one found himself a widower with one surviving child, the other two having died previously.

Alphonsus sold his business and applied to the Jesuits. His lack of education and his poor health, undermined by his austerities, made him less than desirable as a candidate for the religious life, but he was accepted as a lay brother by the Jesuits on January 31, 1571, 39 years old….

Lack of education? Raised by a wealthy family, initially educated by Jesuits. A man who successfully took over the family business. But to be a Jesuit priest still today requires the man to be educated enough to be eligible for Holy Orders plus to be an educator of the children of the rich; to establish the best universities. So the Society accepted this (high society/rich) man as a lay brother. Alphonsus Rodriquez so wanted to be a Jesuit, to travel the Society of Jesus as the path to be closest to Jesus, that he accepted the role of lay brother.

Alphonsus Rodriquez practiced austerities – to the extent that he harmed his health. We should practice austerities, to better purify ourselves in our pursuit of oneness with God.

Alphonsus Rodriquez underwent novitiate training and was sent to Montesion College on the island of Majorca. There he labored as a hall porter for forty-six years. I wish I stuck in any one place for four years which would then become twenty-four and maybe a lifetime of service. Might this be the place: this ‘new’ apartment? Sticking it out has its own merits.

Alphonsus Rodriguez exerted a wondrous influence on many. Not only the young students, such as St. Peter Claver, but local civic and social leaders came to his porter's lodge for advice and direction. Look for the holy man among you! He’s there. In plain sight. Open your eyes and see. Listen. Be brave and approach. Ask for advice and direction. Discern. Then do. Find your own Alphonsus Rodriguez!

Obedience and penance were the hallmarks of his life, as well as his devotion to the Immaculate Conception.

I left the novitiate because I could not see myself being obedient. Probably my worst decision in my life. Obedience is the hallmark of Love – love for God, love of self, love of all of our loved ones. Disobedience is a rejection of love.

Probably Alphonsus Rodriguez’s penance, including his austerities, had to do first of all to his sins of disobedience. I wish I were more sincere with my penance. I wish I were more austere. Ora pro me.

Alphonsus Rodriguez experienced many spiritual consolations, and he wrote religious treatises, very simple in style but sound in doctrine. We read some passages from his work. I recommend Simple! Simple being not elite or academic or intellectual. The man spoke about his relationship with God. How do you relate with God? Alphonsus has some suggestions.

Alphonsus died after a long illness on October 31, 1617, and his funeral was attended by Church and government leaders. He was declared Venerable in 1626, and was named a patron of Majorca in 1633. Alphonsus was beatified in 1825 and canonized in September 1888 with St. Peter Claver.

AMDG
wtn
1437

Oct 31 St Erth 6th c.

Good Morning

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October 31

St Erth 6th century

Sixth century is the 500’s – about a century after Patrick died. Erth took his missionary journey back to England from whence Patrick came.

St Erth was an Irish missionary to Cornwall, England. As the bird flied, it’s 200 miles from Cork to Cornwall. If he trudged to the narrowest neck between Ireland and England then down to Cornwall, it’s about twice that. How does a guy decide to be a missionary? How did he pick Cornwall? Did he just get tired of walking? Did he get to the southwest tip of England and decide far enough?

Erth evangelized the local area.

So, what do we take away from this bio blurb? That our Church needs Irish missionaries? Is the downward trend of religiosity in America due to the loss of FBIs?

AMDG
wtn
1325

Oct 30 John Slade d. 1583

Good Morning

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How to win repeat business – notice when a regular is not there and mention you missed him when he eventually shows up. Watch Cheers’ reruns for more lessons.


October 30
Bl John Slade d. 1583 bl. 1929

Martyr of England. Almost redundant with Catholic of England, especially in the sixteenth century. And then, for the Irish – moreso.

He was a native of Manston, Dorchestershire, and was educated at Oxford.
With fifty words for the bio, it’s understandable that they jump from birth to college. No mention of parents or family; no mention of childhood influences; no mention of the foundational developmental experiences of youth. Without knowing something about these how do we bring the lessons to our children? [OK, I admit. This information is available in the causes for sainthood. I’m not the guy with the talent to reach into the Latin texts. If I win the lottery I’ll sponsor someone to do that.]

John Slade denied King Henry VIII’s supremacy in religious matters.
Now that’s separation of Church and State! A separation Henry VIII and his successors abolished – in part to get the Church out of the State business.

John Slade was arrested for not taking the Supremacy Pledge. There’s a difference. Which was it? In the end, it would not matter.

John Slade was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Winchester. Alls he had to do was take the pledge. Say a few words. Admit that the King was in charge of his country’s religious life, too. That loyalty and faithfulness were inseparable. How can you be loyal to your family and faithful to your God and the One True Church when the former rejects the latter? A martyr of England was killed by England. A martyr to your faith within your mother’s household is being killed by your mother – NOT your rejecting her.

John Slade was beatified in 1929.

AMDG
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1303

Oct 28 St Jude - his epistle

Good Morning

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Going from the bio of Jude to his letter as copied from the USCCB website.


THE LETTER OF JUDE

This letter is by its address attributed to “Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James” (Jude 1). Since he is not identified as an apostle, this designation can hardly be meant to refer to the Jude or Judas who is listed as one of the Twelve (Lk 6:16; Acts 1:13; cf. Jn 14:22).

[So our US bishops disagree with so many others that the author of this epistle is the Jude Thaddaeus the Apostle? Does it matter who the author is? But of course it does. But how?]

The letter is addressed in the most general terms to “those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ” (Jude 1), hence apparently to all Christians.

[Is not all scripture addressed to all? However, the specific intent of the author, in addition to whom the author actually is, helps us better understand the Word that is meant for us. Knowing more helps us love more and do better.]

But since its purpose is to warn the addressees against false teachers, the author must have had in mind one or more specific Christian communities located in the unidentified region where the errors in question constituted a danger. The errors envisaged seem to reflect an early form of gnosticism, opposed to law, that points rather to the cultural context of the Gentile world.

[The Catholic Encyclopedia online gives us 12,600+ word about gnosticism. Ya think it’s an important heresy to know about? Da! Not only for its historical and contextual benefit but because gnosticism is embedded in our world too. Know it so you can see it when it rears its beautiful, seductive head. Know your own faith so you can not only reject gnosticism but also refute it…]

From Catholic Encyclopedia online: A more complete and historical definition of Gnosticism would be: A collective name for a large number of greatly-varying and pantheistic-idealistic sects, which flourished from some time before the Christian Era down to the fifth century, and which, while borrowing the phraseology and some of the tenets of the chief religions of the day, and especially of Christianity, held matter to be a deterioration of spirit, and the whole universe a depravation of the Deity, and taught the ultimate end of all being to be the overcoming of the grossness of matter and the return to the Parent-Spirit, which return they held to be inaugurated and facilitated by the appearance of some God-sent Saviour.

Between Jude and 2 Peter, most scholars believe that Jude is the earlier of the two.

This little letter is an urgent note by an author who intended to write more fully about salvation to an unknown group of readers, but who was forced by dangers from false teachers worming their way into the community to dash off a warning against them and to deliver some pressing Christian admonitions.

The letter is justly famous for its majestic closing doxology (24–25).
24. To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished and exultant, in the presence of his glory,
25. to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen

[Must admit – didn’t ring any bells for me. I suppose because I’ve maybe read Jude’s letter twice in my life: plus the rare times it’s used at Mass.]

Address and Greeting.

1. Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ:
2. may mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.

Occasion for Writing.

3. Beloved, although I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I now feel a need to write to encourage you to contend for the faith that was once for all handed down to the holy ones.

[Contend for the faith, i.e., The Faith, handed down once for all – all people, all time. A gift. Accept it. Embrace it. Assimilate it. Live it. Contend for it!]

4. For there have been some intruders, who long ago were designated for this condemnation, godless persons, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

[It would seem that godless, perverts, licentious, and deniers of Jesus would be easy enough to recognize and reject. Obviously not. Not then and not now. One reason to read the Bible, the Fathers, today’s teachers – read, meditate, study, do our own writing. To know the Truth to be better able to recognize the devil, The Untruth.]


The False Teachers. [And what happened(s) to them. So, don’t be like them!]

5. I wish to remind you, although you know all things, that [the] Lord who once saved a people from the land of Egypt later destroyed those who did not believe.

[Pharaoh’s unconquerable army wiped out. Whose side are you on? Hellfire and brimstone? Or a matter of fact reminder that there are chaff as well as wheat, goats as well as sheep.]

6. The angels too, who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains, in gloom, for the judgment of the great day.

[I will remember Carol Kay affectionately and admiringly forever. The woman introduced me to a love of literature unbounded. She got me to read and read some more: with relish. My favorite paper as an undergrad argued that Satan was the “hero” of Paradise Lost: contrarian that I was (is?).]
[Where will you stand on Judgment Day? Or, better, on every judgment day?]

7. Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

[Anyone for indulging in sexual promiscuity? Of course! And a few unnatural vices for variety? Sure! And the example of Sodom and Gomorrah – a punishment of eternal fire? Or worse, an eternity separated from the One Who loves you? Ah, there are choices. See the Charley Brown comic I’ve framed. There are choices and every choice has its consequences. It’s a package deal. Jude reminds us of the entire package. Pascal’s wager if you will….]

8. Similarly, these dreamers nevertheless also defile the flesh, scorn lordship, and revile glorious beings.
9. Yet the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, did not venture to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”
10. But these people revile what they do not understand and are destroyed by what they know by nature like irrational animals.
11. Woe to them! They followed the way of Cain, abandoned themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
12. These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they carouse fearlessly and look after themselves. They are waterless clouds blown about by winds, fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead and uprooted.
13. They are like wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameless deeds, wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever.

[How heroic are those who scorn lordship and revile glorious beings? When we see merit in the evil doers, Jude suggests other images – blemishes on your love feast; waterless clouds (especially wanton over the desert), waterless clouds blown about by winds; fruitless trees – twice dead and uprooted (and thrown on the fire!); wild waves of the sea; wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever. Love the metaphors and similes! Picture yourself as any one of these when you consider joining the followers of Cain and Balaam.]

14. Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied also about them when he said, “Behold, the Lord has come with his countless holy ones
15. to execute judgment on all and to convict everyone for all the godless deeds that they committed and for all the harsh words godless sinners have uttered against him.”
16. These people are complainers, disgruntled ones who live by their desires; their mouths utter bombast as they fawn over people to gain advantage.

Exhortations.

17. But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,

[How do you remember what the apostles said? Read the Bible. Attend Mass. Talk about them with your friends. The apostles are a source of strength only to the degree that you know them. Talk with them. Listen to them.]

18. for they told you, “In [the] last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.”

[We live by God’s will – like Jesus did – or by our own godless desires. There are two choices; mutually exclusive choices.]

19. These are the ones who cause divisions; they live on the natural plane, devoid of the Spirit.
20. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit.

[Pray. Pray Always. Pray in the Spirit who has been given to us by Jesus.]

21. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

[So how do we keep ourselves in the love of God? The commandments are the place to start. The original ten. Love the law. Embrace the law. Then Jesus’ commandments: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Love God with your whole heart! In a way similar to how you love your lover – do everything within your imagination to please her. Lover your neighbor as yourself. Keep yourself in the love of God.]

22. On those who waver, have mercy;

[The Quality of Mercy is NOT strained! Forgive seven times seven; seventy times seven. Do unto others as you would have them do onto you…..]

23. save others by snatching them out of the fire; on others have mercy with fear, abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh.
[Not only be merciful, be proactive. Reach into the fire and pull them out. What is ‘the fire?’ e.g., the scorn of ‘friends’ when you exhort someone to do good and right. Step up, into the fire, snatch your brother/sister from the fire. If they were a child about to touch the hot stove? If they were about walk into a burning building would you not snatch them away?]

Doxology.

24. To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished and exultant, in the presence of his glory,
25. to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.


AMDG
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(with the Jets-Chargers game on)

Oct 28 Jude the Apostle

Good Morning

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1100

The Tate Street strip – A community not of students, though hundreds walk by during the week. Look at me and you’ll see someone who is not unlike most of the people who I’ve seen at Tate Street Coffee and at the NY Pizza. I admit that I’m more comfortable sitting in the EUC and on its patio than I am on the strip. Regression? Failure to grow up? Ora pro me.

St Jude elicited thoughts of St Rita and of St Monica. His bio blurb got me to read his letter and the USCCB’s letter on domestic violence. And I’ve written as I’ve read….


October 28

St Jude Thaddeus
Patron of Desperate Cases

(St Rita is also the Patron Saint of impossible cases. Her feast day is May 22nd.)

Googling (my edition of Word does not recognize this common gerund.) St Jude made it apparent that many/most bios begin by telling us who St Jude is not. How’d you like to be famous for not being Judas Iscariot? Did the early fathers put Jude’s letter into the canon in part to give the man his independent due?

St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Our Saviour. He was a son of Cleophas, and Mary, sister to the Blessed Virgin. St. Jude was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus.

St Jude Thaddaeus. Made me think of Thad Matta and the many good times I had in Columbus. Resurrected the feeloughts that running away from Columbus (the lien actually) was among the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made. The cost of that stupidity lingers. Running away is as bad as (worse than?) being an ostrich. I have a litany of runnings away. Escape is a powerfully reinforced maladaptive behavior. I advise against both escaping and avoiding. I know too much about the failures as well as the deceptive and costly successes of both. Ora pro me.

St Jude Thaddaeus, a brother of St. James the Less. I suppose it’s better to be known as an Apostle’s brother (and Jesus’ cousin,even if more than once removed) than NOT Judas Iscariot. But right up to the Garden at Gethsemane they were all a tightly knit band of men. Jesus called each of them. Jesus calls each of us, too. We have at least one thing in common with Judas. See how easy it is to be pulled away from Jude and to the infamous Judas? Come back with me to the holier man. (though, does Judas teach us more?)

Ancient writers tell us that Jude Thaddaeus preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. How would Jude respond to the Arab Spring? (His letter hints at how he might, personally, (as opposed to generally as a Catholic who walked(s) with Jesus.), respond to the horrors of “liberation”.

St. Jude Thaddaeus returned to Jerusalem in the year 62, after the martyrdom of his brother James, and assisted at the election of an other brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem. Politics is family. We should, like my brother does, go all in for one another – not only in times of aspiration but also times of need. Deo Gratias.

St. Jude Thaddaeus is the author of the epistle to the Churches of the East, particularly the Jewish converts, directed against the heresies of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics. My agnostic friends, take a gander at this letter.

Simonian? The Simonians used magic and theurgy (a system of beneficent magic practiced by the Egyptian Platonists and others; the working of a divine or supernatural agency in human affairs), incantations, and love-potions; they declared idolatry a matter of indifference that was neither good nor bad, proclaimed fornication to be perfect love, and led very disorderly, immoral lives. In general, they regarded nothing in itself as good or bad by nature. It was not good works that made men blessed, in the next world, but the grace bestowed by Simon and Helena on those who united with them.

Nicolaites? a sect mentioned in the Apocalypse (2:6-15) as existing in Ephesus, Pergamus, and other cities of Asia Minor, about the character and existence of which there is little certainty. Irenaeus (Against Heresies I.26.3 and III.11.1) discusses them but adds nothing to the Apocalypse except that "they lead lives of unrestrained indulgence."

Reading. Meditating. Wandering feeloughts. And learning something new each time, too. Simonians. Nicolaites. Theurgy. A blurb in Revelations. Starting with a bio and meandering across the Catholic landscape…. Join me? Take your own trip….

Jude Thaddaeus describes the heretics by many strong epithets and similes, and calls them wandering meteors which seem to blaze for a while, but set in eternal darkness. The source of their fall he points out by saying, they are murmurers, and walk after their own lusts; for being enslaved to pride, envy, the love of sensual pleasure, and other passions, and neglecting to crucify the desires of the flesh in their hearts, they were strangers to sincere humility, meekness, and interior peace. [Remember, my best writing is not mine at all. I am not using quote marks out of laziness not to hide my unabashed copying of other people’s work online. E.g., this paragraph and the next one and more are from Alban’s bio of Jude.]

This apostle exhorts the faithful to treat those who were fallen with tender compassion, making a difference between downright malice and weakness, and endeavouring by holy fear to save them, by plucking them as brands out of the fire of vice and heresy, and hating the very garment that is spotted with iniquity.

Jude Thaddaeus puts us in mind to have always before our eyes the great obligation we lie under of incessantly building up our spiritual edifice of charity, by praying in the Holy Ghost, growing in the love of God, and imploring his mercy through Christ.

This Apostle is said to have suffered martyrdom in Armenia, which was then subject to Persia.

Jude was the one who asked Jesus at the Last Supper why He would not manifest Himself to the whole world after His resurrection. (Jn 14:19-31. I suggest you put yourself at the Last Supper and get into the entire discourse that John gives us.)

In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. [The world sees Jesus because we live in Him and He in us.]

20. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.

21. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. [The impeccable logic of our faith. Love the law, “my [i.e., Jesus’] commandments.” Love one another as I have loved you. Love God with your whole heart and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself…. Love Jesus, i.e., GodFatherSonSpirit because He is One, and He loves us. We are capable of love only because God loves us always no matter what. He is the source of all love. The ones who love us, reveal themselves to us. If we love a person, we reveal ourselves to that person. Offering ourselves vulnerably, needing from our loved ones what God gives us – unconditional love: loving us no matter what.]

22. Judas, not the Iscariot,* said to him, “Master, [then] what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” [Put yourself at the Last Supper – not knowing that it is the last one: though it really wasn’t nor ever shall be a Last supper. Put yourself into the discussion of the men at Passover. What topic is on your mind? What questions would you throw out there to your friends? To your leader? Let these questions inform your prayer.]

23. Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. [A straightforward description of how lovers operate, yes? If not keeping each other’s word, can you then be lovers?]

24. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

25. “I have told you this while I am with you.

26. The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. [Father Creator, Son Redeemer, Spirit Teacher. One Person. Our lover is creator, redeemer, and teacher. Let it be so.]

27. Peace* I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

28. * You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.

29. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.

30. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world* is coming. He has no power over me,

31. but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go.v [Jesus reiterates this message directly to His Father during his Agony in the Garden. Not my will but yours. “I love the Father” means that ‘I do the Father’s will,’ ‘do what the Father has commanded me.’ Get up, let’s go!]



Little else is known of his life. Legend claims that he visited Beirut and Edessa; possibly martyred with St. Simon in Persia.

Jude is invoked in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances, just as their forefathers had done before them.

I like knowing why saints are picked to be patrons of whatever. I still don’t know why St Catherine is patroness of fire fighters. Though her being the patroness of there being no fires is why I call upon her to protect my niece. Ora cum me.


AMDG
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John Dat d. 1798 c. 1988

Good Morning

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1023

[date and time coincidence. Maybe I should pick 1023 as the lottery number?}

Writing isn’t writing isn’t writing. And, though not mutually exclusive, when I write in one forum/medium, I am less likely to put the effort into another: although some of the same feeloughts belong in more than one. I’m obligated to writing in each of the forums (fora?), but as you can see with the dates on the blog, writing is one of many obligations I don’t do so well with. Ora pro me.


October 28

St John Dat d. 1798 c. 1988

It is unlikely that John is Dat’s given-at-birth name. Though it is likely his baptismal name, it may be an Anglicized Jean since it is more likely that it was a French missionary who baptized him. The absent, important parts of his bio [important as in Little Prince important] in the online blurb would fill in the development of the man’s faith and holiness. The speculation is worthy of a short story but not particularly strong meditative value. If you had 40 words to summarize a saint’s life to inspire the faithful what would you write?

That this native Vietnamese was a martyr, beheaded three months after being arrested in 1798, his ordination year?

That he was canonized by JPII in 1988?

What about whether he was born Catholic? Being a Vietnamese convert in the 18th century was almost an invitation to martyrdom. That would tell us something about the man’s calling. It would tell us more about God’s persistent love and allure under the worst of circumstances. (Think England since Henry VIII.)

Convert or not, why did the man become a priest? A choice that tweaked the nose of the mighty! In deferential southeast Asia. Why does a man do such a thing? How are we called to do similar things – to respond to God’s love; to serve God’s children with the one true faith regardless of family, friends, and the anti-Catholicism of the community and culture and power brokers.

Many – almost all - Catholics lived a full life in 18th century Vietnam. John Dat could have chosen to do the same. He chose instead to stand out. To stand up.

In addition to God’s love, how did his family and friends, community of Catholics, support this almost unimaginable response to God’s call? The support he was given put these Catholics (and, likely nonCatholics) at risk as well. More evidence of the Hand of God. More lessons for our being better Catholics.

What forty words would you write about John Dat? About yourself?

AMDG
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Mark, bishop of Jerusalem d. 156

Good Morning

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St Mark d. 156
October 22

Mark, sixteenth bishop of Jerusalem, was the first bishop of Jerusalem not of Jewish descent.

Being the bishop of Jerusalem during the first couple of centuries AD was hazardous to your health. The Apostle James and his brother Simeon were the first two. Mark’s immediate predecessor, Judas, was among the Christians massacred in 134 by Barchokebas.

About that time, Emperor Adrian leveled the old Jerusalem and built a city down the road as the new capital but forbade Jews from living there. Mark was chosen by the Gentiles to govern our Church in this new Jerusalem.

Mark was a very learned and holy man. He was bishop for twenty years. He died a martyr in 156.

AMDG
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Pope John Paul II, d 2005 b. 1920

Good Morning

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John Paul II d. 2005 b. 1920
October 22

The man is a modern hero. Poet. Thesbian. Theologian. Skier. Anti-Communist. Saint.

The Diocese of Nashville named its new high school (its second) after him before he died. The effect of his holiness and inspiration reached into the tiny community of catholics in middle tennessee. The other high school in the diocese is named for a bishop of the diocese. Before 1992, there was a high probability that John and Thommy would go to one or the other of these high schools; likely one to one and one to the other as was their familial development pre-1990.

Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope 10/1978, a mere 33 days after JPI was elected. The Popes of my lifetime, my personally remembered lifetime, make for a Robert Ludlum novel qua history. John XXIII, Paul VI, JPI, JPII, Benedict XVI. I know I knew of Pius XII sometime during my life but I have no memories of him today.

John Paul II, born in Cracow, Poland, May 18, 1920. In the eighth grade I did a history paper on Poland – a Catholic Country; 95% active Catholics. Being Catholic in Portland, Maine was relatively rare and often associated with the (doubly) unwanted French Canadians in the community.

He made his First Holy Communion at age 9 and was confirmed at 18. Nine years from first communion to confirmation in the 1930’s Poland. At St Paul’s parish, second graders, 8/9ish, receive first communion; eighth graders are brought to confirmation. Would it be better to wait longer? My confirmation was fifth grade at Sacred Heart in Portland after first grade first holy communion. Do we need a universal practice for these sacraments of initiation? Our practice for each of the three sacraments of initiation has evolved and varied since the beginning. Is this not best left to the Bishop? Or, better, the parents?

Well, not the parents exclusively: even as Domestic Church. These sacraments are an initiation into The Church. The decision should be aligned: Pope – Bishop – Parents.

Karol Wojtyla went from high school to university – not seminary but a school for drama! Wouldn’t it be inspiring to know how this saint’s holiness evolved? We should have that information. Parents’ letters? His own writings? Biographers who got a chance to talk to people who knew him.

In 1942, aware of his call to the priesthood, he began courses in the clandestine seminary of Cracow, run by Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, archbishop of Cracow. At the same time, Karol Wojtyla was one of the pioneers of the "Rhapsodic Theatre," also clandestine.

What about John Paul’s life makes the clandestineness of his early twenties important to us today? To his vocation? To his subsequent life. Certainly, his papacy was one of visible father for us all.

Ordained in 1946 in Cracow. How much of JPII’s life at 26 was Church and how much was Polish-war? Being clandestine at 22, I bet, helped him survive, thrive in wartime eastern Europe as a priest of great promise.

JPII did his doctoral thesis on the weeks John of the Cross. I wonder if Jim Kinn’s interest in John of the Cross had anything to do with JPII? John of the Cross is a mystic worth the effort to read him, to pray with him, to find a contemplative place with him.

The CatholicOnline bio mentions his guidance by Cardinal Sapiehak then mentoring by the French Dominican, Garrigou-Lagrange. It does matter into whose hands you place yourself. Do not believe it is only chance that brought the people who are in your life. Choose wisely. First, choose to be guided. Second, choose the kind of people like JPII did.

AMDG
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Oct 21 Domestic Violence Coalition

Good Morning

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Three months hiatus? That’s a story for another time, other media – see fictional autobiography and correspondence with brother and father.

I am grateful for the continuing hits on the blog. I apologize for disappointing anyone who was looking for more from me.

This morning I read NCR article about the Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition. If you are not contributing time, talent, or treasure to their cause, get on with it! If you are, I request that you give more.

NCRonline published my brief reply to IDVCs efforts as reported in their article. The Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition identifies training and education of clergy, religious leaders, and small faith communities to better respond to victims of domestic violence. Amen to that! I am sad that they believe that their time is best spent by meeting monthly to discuss and promote federal (state and/or local) legislation as an important source for the solution for their cause. Sure, it'd be great to get more Government money. NOT! Because, with the money comes government regulations and values which are, explicitly these days, anti-religious. Please, come directly to your friends in faith for the additional support you want.

NCR asked for a website as part of my submission. I put saintsandsons into the blank. Then I checked my blog. I figure I owe anyone who might check this website because of today's reply to NCR more than pre-August 2011. This is a start; restart; one day at a time.

AMDG
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