October 21, 2022
Thought for Today
CAN ANOTHER CHANGE?
"You have to endure what you can't change."
Marie de France (1160-1215)
Friday, October 21, 2022
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?
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.
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?
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