December 1, 2022
Thought for Today
"Every man's work, whether it be literature or music or pictures or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of himself."
Samuel Butler [1835-1902]
The Way of all Flesh [1903] ch, 14
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
ANDREW
I prefer the story of Andrew in the Gospel of John to the story of Andrew in the other gospels.
In John - Andrew is standing there with this other guy and Jesus walks by. John the Baptist says, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!"
The two heard this and follow after Jesus.
Jesus turns around and asks, "What are you looking for?"
They answer, "Rabbi where do you stay."
Jesus says, "Come and see."
So they went and stayed with Jesus.
It was about 4 in the afternoon.
They experienced Jesus.
Andrew goes and finds his brother and says, "We have found the Messiah - the Anointed One."
He brings his brother Peter to Jesus - who looks at him and says, "You are Simon. Son of John. Your name shall be Cephas - which means Peter."
In Luke Jesus stands there at the Sea of Galilee - with a big crowd - spots Peter in his boat and says, "Launch out into the deep waters and lower your nets for a catch."
The carpenter is telling the fisherman what to do.
Peter says to the stranger, "Master we have been fishing all night long and caught nothing - but if that's what you want, okay!"
Their nets were full. They were almost breaking. They called to their buddies who came in another boat - and both boats were filled."
At this Peter fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Leave me alone Jesus. I am a sinful man."
Jesus says, "Don't be afraid Simon. From now on you'll be catching men."
With that they brought their boats to land - left everything - and became his followers.
Mark simplifies the story even more. Jesus just walks along the shore and calls Peter and Andrew. Then he proceeds a short distance and calls two more brothers, James and John.
And all 4 follow Jesus.
Matthew tells the story - almost the same as Mark.
As I said, "I like John's version the best."
It's probably because my name is Andrew -but I also like the way Andrew discovers Jesus and then goes and tells his brother about Jesus.
Neat. May all those who meet Jesus tell their brothers and sisters about him.
November 30, 2022
Reflection
ANGER
Anger begets anger.
Rage begets rage.
Frustration begets frustration.
Loud begets loud.
Yelling begets yelling.
Tension begets tension.
She came up to me and pointed her finger at me and said, "You can tell the pastor I'm furious at him for having a 12:10 Mass this Firsts Friday.
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
November 29, 2022
Reflection
HOW I
How I look?
How I think?
How I feel?
How I am?
How I listen?
How I speak?
How I appear?
How I act?
How I reach?
How I approach?
How I eat?
How I spend my time?
How I spend my money?
How I treat strangers?
How I pray?
How I interact?
How I sleep?
How I see the poor?
How I see the rich?
How I treat the poor?
How I treat the rich?
How I treat the environment?
How I drive/
How I dance?
How I sing?
How I win?
How I deal with loss?
How I deal with vacation?
How I spend my Sundays?
How I answer, "How to" questions?
November 29, 2022
Thought for Today
"Lafayette, we are here."
Charles E. Stanton
Address at the tomb of Lafayette,
Picpus Cemetery, Paris, [July 4, 1917]
"The remark has also been attributed to
General John Joseph Pershing [18601948];
in My Experiences in the World War [1931].
Pershing denied having said 'anything so splendid.'"
Monday, November 28, 2022
November 28, 2022
Reflection
ESCAPES
I watched a movie last night.
The title was Wetherby - a 1985 British film.
The only actresses or actors in it that I recognized were Vanessa Redgrave and Judy Dench.
The last scene in the movie took place in a bar [Cf. video above]. It's a British pub or restaurant. A guy is sitting at a wall seat. A little table is in front of him. Jean Travers - a schoolteacher - played by Vanessa Redgrave - is sitting next to him at the same table. Both are facing out from a wall.
A waitress is pouring wine. She's younger - much younger than Vanessa. He is looking at her - but it seems like he is thinking about something else.
Vanessa asks the man how his wife is doing. There is small talk.
The movie is about loneliness - and small talk - and faking it - and the decisions we all make. It's about hurt and confusion and trying to figure out another's motives.
The plot centers around John Morgan - a character who commits suicide - by shooting himself in front of Jean Travers. The police are investigating the why.
This meeting with the man who kills himself triggers all kind of memories in Jean [Vanessa Redgrave.]
Vanessa is living a life with the experience of the man she loved. He had gone off to Mandalay for 7 years. They went to get married when he gets back or was it if he can get an apartment there for them?
He is killed - when a buddy of his and he go to a place to gamble. His throat is slit. You see the plane flying the body home.
The police detectives send a young girl - who was connected to John Morgan - but snubbed him - to see Vanessa who is an odd duck. The detectives are trying to figure out the dynamics of what happened.
The line in the movie that grabbed me was right at the end when they toast each other and the guy says, "To all our escapes."
I wondered: What are mine?
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