December 2, 2022

Reflections

TRANSFERENCE

How much does one transfer onto others - what one experiences - from another relationship?

What goes on in second marriages?

When we call God "Our Father" - how much are the ways and likeness of God -  the ways and likenesses of our dad?

When we see someone with a statoscope and a doctor's jacket, do we interact with them as we think we should interact with a doctor?

What about police, priests, Protestant ministers, judges, politicians, waiters, waitresses?

Counselors, psychologists, are taught about transference - to use it for the other person's benefit - not their hurt,  They are taught to try to be aware of what's going on in the present situation.

Or they use the word, "counter-transference" in this game as well.

Does Jesus get put on his shoulders all the anger, hate frustration, people have with God, with people who are seen as Goody Two Shoes, etc.

Why do people rejoice with the good guy, the Holy Man, when they step on or slip on the banana peel.

 December 2, 2022

Thought for Today

"The cruelest lies are often told in silence."

Rovert Louis Stevenson [1850-1894]

Virginibus Puerisque [1881]

Truth of Intersession, 4

 December 1, 2022

Reflection

PARENTS

When it comes to parents and parenting, I have a lot of questions.

My

 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

 

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.

 November 30, 2022

Thought for Today

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset."

Crowfooot [1821-1890]

Last words [1890]