Thursday, October 20, 2022

 October 20, 2022


Reflection



ESSENTIAL  ELEMENTS


I like the phrase, "essential elements".


We all know water is H20 - that is,  water has two essential elements: hydrogen and oxygen.


Well, someone in religious circles began using the term, "essential elements", when talking about religious life.


Religious life in the Catholic Church is the title for the life lived by nuns, sisters, and males in religious orders like the Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans, Passionists,  Redemptorists, etc. etc. etc.


What are the essential elements of religious life - without which one would not be called a "religious".


Is this the first place this term was used other than in science? Was it used in business or academic circles as well?


I don't know.


What are the essential elements for being a Redemptorist?


What are the essential elements of the Mass?


What are the essential elements for being a Christian, a Catholic, a Buddhist, a Moslem, a Mormon, a Jew?


What are the essential elements for Baptism?


What are the essential elements for being a U.S. Citizen?


Do you have your papers?  What documents do you have?


People have to show their passport or driver's license or social security number at times.


In some groups you have to pay your dues - if you want membership.


You have to show up.


What are the essentials for getting a degree, a doctor's diploma, an electrician's license?


This question has many forms - and some have been around for a long time.


What's what around here?


Who's who around here?


Who has the key to the door?


 October 20, 2022


Thought for Today



"If you want to get across an idea, wrap it in a person."




Ralph Bunche




Wednesday, October 19, 2022

 October 19,  2022


Reflection



REDEMPTION


I need to sit down and write out my description of "Redemption."


Being a Redemptorist, this would be a good move.


The first step would be to present a gut description - then do some study - and come up with a document.


The Exodus in the second book of the Bible stand first - God saving his people from slavery.


The return from the Exile of the Jews in Babylon would stand second.


To know those 2 major Biblical events: Exodus and Exile would be central.


Next I would jump to the New Testament. I would begin with the Demon Stories - early on in the gospels.   Jesus pulled demons out of people's beings and they would run away like rabbits running of cliffs -  oops they are pigs.


Next I would explore phrases like "being saved " - "being redeemed" - "being freed" - "being released" - "being healed".


Next could come A.A. (Alcoholics Antonymous Stories) - therapy stories - recovery stories.


Redemption has to do with seeing - seeing in a new way - a  better way - with a new vision - new paradigm - a new scenario....


I  would think there is group and individual redemption.


I would think you need to broadcast loud and clear the idea of choice when it comes to redemption - individual and group choice.


That's a bunch of elements in Redemption.


Have I some of the key elements of Redemption in these scriblings?


Can I nail down one word - like path, freedom, release, change (for the better), grace, gift...?


Can I nail down one image - like a bird in a cage being released - a person getting out of prison -climbing out of a crashed car or train or plane - like Harrison Ford in The Fugitive.












 October 19,  2022





Thought for Today


"To jealousy, nothing is more frightful than laughter."


Francois Sagan

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

 October 18, 2022


Reflection



QUESTIONS

I HAVE FOR GOD



Mitch Albon has his book about the 5 people we meet after we die.


I really like that book and that format.


Through the years I've found myself saying, "That's one of the questions I have for God after I die."


For example: Mass stipends.


We Catholics - in some churches and parishes take 5 or 10 dollars - and ask that a Mass be said for someone who is sick or having an operation - or for someone who has died.


At some Masses we hear someone say, "The Mass today is for Teresa Smith - deceased."


It can be a wonderful moment for the family of Teresa Smith They got up early and showed up on the anniversary of Teresa's death at a 6:30 A.M. Mass.  Then they go to a diner or a small restaurant and have coffee and donuts together.


I'm aware that collecting money like this was a complaint at the time of the Protestant Reformation - and probably still today.


It puts some money into the books - that takes care of church buildings or the salary of a priest - or for foreign missions.


Well, I want to ask God about stuff like that. Does God hear prayer requests - and do something about them?


What else?


Here is another question. I had a funeral for a man who died at the age of 57. He had Down Syndrome. So I want to ask God, "Did he wake up in heaven - with questions? How does that work? Do we hear from him what he was seeing and experiencing for 57 years.


How does heaven work?


Will we know everything about everyone.  The good stuff -  wonderful. Will we be looking at each other's sins?


What are my other questions?  Like the one's I forgot.


What about the persons I lost track of? What about the people I had a moment with?


And God, tell me your thoughts about why you created the world 5 to 15 billion years ago - and we humans have only begun to think a million or so years ago?




 October 18, 2022



To Think About


"It was a sly trick of God to give us work to do. It kept us from asking God questions God couldn't answer."


Martha  Ostenso [1900-1963]

Norwegian American Novelist

Monday, October 17, 2022

 October 17, 2022


Reflection



YOU'LL  KNOW


You'll know when you start to wonder about a hereafter.


You'll know when you get sick or you need some tests - or you need surgery or chemo or radiation.


You'll know when a close friend or family member dies and they are younger than you.


You'll know when you attend enough funerals.


You'll know when you start to wonder - doubt - question - whether there is anything after this.


You'll know when you wonder about your religion - present or former - comparing it to other religions - when you begin thinking about death and resurrection - salvation or damnation - existence or annihilation forever.


You'll know when you wonder about God - what God is like - and you'll realize you have no say in what God is like or whether there is a hereafter - all is totally out of your hands - as it has always been.


You'll know when you start to pray - to be able to let go - and to put it all into God's hands.


You'll know when you start to write stuff like this.


You'll know when you'll wake up on the other side of life -and there you are - and then you know whether there is judgment - whether there is heaven - whether there is hell - whether hell is second guessing and regrets - and heaven is - you tried - you gave - you opened up you heart - you became one in Christ and both of you see each other and you laugh - he putting his hands into your cuts and your insides and you putting your's into his and everyone elses and you say, "My Lord and my God."


You'll know ....