February 25, 2023
Quote for Today
"Surely the shortest commencement addresses - in history and for me one of the most memorable - was that of Dr. Harold E. Hyde, president of New Hampshire Plymouth State College. He reduced his message to the graduating class to these three ideals: 'Know yourself - Socrates. Control yourself. Cicero. Give yourself Christ.'"
Walter T. Tatara
February 22, 2023
GETTING
THERE
Faster, sleeker,
quieter,
like a car or
a horse.
It takes away
the worry
about cost
or look – just
the need to
get there
and back –
without being
noticed – that’s
how I’d
like my sermon
to be.
You’re not
hearing me
or my words
- you’re just
getting the
message – the
content not the
speaker –
the word that
takes flesh
and plans to
stay within you.
At least that's my hope and
that's my prayer.
© Reflections, Andy Costello
February 21, 2023
SAINT PETER DAMIAN
When it
comes to preaching on weekdays, if it’s a feast day of a saint - I like to look
up stuff about the saint. I remember
that more than abstractions about virtues or stuff from Paul or the gospels.
Not always.
Today is he
feast of Saint Peter Damian. What about
him?
A few
comments.
Never
formerly canonized. That’s more modern times. Peter Damian’s dates are about
1007 to 1070. He was around 65 when he
died. He was quickly thought of and talked about as a saint – all over Europe.
He was the
youngest in his family. The family were poor. An older brother sort of made him
his servant and slave. Another brother got him
a great education.
He became a
teacher, preacher and sent around Europe
to be a delegate to the pope on business.
He was a monk,
a Benedictine, a hermit and a Religious reformer. He campaigned about
sexual abuse of minors – simony – money
– and sexual stuff by priests.
He did a bit
of writing – especially a letter writer. About 180 of his letters are in
archives.
He was not
off on philosophy – but got two issues in philosophical discourse out there for
discussion: can God redo history – for example could someone’s virginity be
restored. He’d say yes – but it would take a lot of rewrites. The other issue was whether God could do evil.
No.
I’ve seen
discussion of these 2 issues and Damian/s on them in magazine articles from
Rice and University of Virginia.
Dante uses
Damian in his Paradiso – Canto 21.
Enough.
February 19, 2023
"Shut up!" Wait! That’s pretty strong.
Soften it up! That’s a bit better.
If you have become one of those
who have given up on your faith.
Enough already with your criticisms
of religions and churches and others,
You have to have faith in all kinds of areas.
You have to trust the water, the milk,
the beer and the words of one another.
You do. We all do. Trust is basic to life.
Be selective. If another lies or cheats
or breaks trust -
then – that’s the person
you have to watch – priest, public official,
spouse or neighbor. There are others –
lots of others whom we are called to trust.
Trust one another – till they break the trust
Wait! There is a P.S. – a postscript. It’s this:
Give God a break. Enough of the God
blame, game. Enough already.
© Reflections,
Andy Costello
February 19, 2023
Quote for Today
"Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of You.
You only know what I need ....
I simply present myself before You.
I open my heart to You.
Behold my needs which I know not myself.
Hurt or heal.
Depress me, or raise me up.
I adore all Your purposes, without knowing them.
I am silent. I offer myself in sacrifice.
I yield myself to You.
I would have no other desire than to accomplish Your Will.
Teach me to pray.
Pray Yourself in me. Amen.
Francois Fenelon [1651-1715]
French Archbishop of Cambray
