Fears, Challenges, and the Grace of Being Ticked Off
Me. Yesterday.
I hate being fat. I've been fat for most of my life, pretty much since the third grade when I found out that I had aesthma. I let that little factoid become an evolving excuse why I couldn't, just couldn't! do this or that active thing.
The lazier and fatter I got, the more I relied on my own excuses why I should not have to do active, fun things with active, fun people.
Excuses only last for so long. Sometimes they do not work at all. And when that happens, now completely out of shape, I would be forced into situations where I had to be active, fun, and athletic. And of course I was just embarrassed by my inability and failure. No one wants to be embarrassed like that, so I withdrew further.
Embarrassment turned into fears, all sorts of fears, especially that common fear of failure.
And I liked those fears, because they kept me from those things that I thought were demanding far too much from me. I was not running from God, I just was running from... running. I feared demanding things because I did not know if I truly had what it takes.
Vatican on the death of Osama bin Laden
This comes from the Catholic News Service on May 2, the day after President Obama announced the execution of Osama bin Laden.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, released a brief written statement reacting to the news.
"Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end," Father Lombardi said.
"In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred," the spokesman said.
Dangerous, Stupid, and Hilarious
Here are some photos of what happens when silly people take over the liturgy. These pictures were taken at a cathedral in Austrailia in 2008. I got them from a blog on Oz's liturgy. The post was entitled Gospel with a Double Sommersault and Pike - Degree of Difficulty?
They were just too funny to not post. Followed are some Cardinal Ratzinger quotes on the liturgy.
Address from Bishop Conley on New Mass Translation
You ought to read this address given by the man in charge of implementing the corrected translation of the Roman Missal into English for the Archdiocese of Denver, Bishop James Conley.
This is superb, properly framed in Catholic theology and liturgical tradition, and just down right inspiring.
Sing a New Song with Your Lives
Here are some quotes that are illustrative:
Let me say this: I’m very excited about the changes that are coming and about the opportunities we have for an authentic liturgical renewal. Practically speaking, implementing the new Missal means that all of us will be learning new translations of long-familiar prayers and responses. This makes it a perfect moment in the life of the Church for a new “eucharistic catechesis”.