February 21, 2023

Quote for Today

"I will tell you a great secret, my friend. Do not wait for the last judgment; it takes place every day."

Albert Camus

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 20, 2023

Poem

 February 20, 2023

Quote for Today

"Men are punished by their sins, not for them."

Elbert Hubbard

 February 19, 2023

SHUT  UP

 

"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

 February 18, 2023

THE  BISHOP

 

The bishop wore a coat,

a long dark black wool coat,

yet it was June

and it was warm.

 

The bishop wore a coat,

a long dark black wool coat

and as I was standing there

I was wondering what he was all about.

 

The bishop wore a coat,

a long dark black wool coat

and sweating there I simply said

I guess this is what he is all about.

 

© Reflections, Andy Costello