This Blog Page is Retired

I have decided to consolidate my three blog pages into one.  There will be no more posted to this page.  All posts from this page as well as further posts can be found at http://secondpot.wordpress.com/

I GET IT – I DON’T GET IT

I get that people will have opposing viewpoints.
I get that people want to express their differing opinions.
I get that a good debate can be stimulating and enriching for both sides.

I don’t get ridicule.  It’s not clever.  It’s not funny.  It is not good comedy or good argument. It has no point other than inflicting hurt, a goal which comes from cruelty and hatred.  Why do people embrace this? What makes people reach for the verbal razor blades rather than rationally making their point or ceding to the better argument? Ridicule is nothing new but the Internet has given every person who chooses that particular weapon a platform in which to bask in his own toxic limelight as well as a host of comrades to pat him on the back.  Ridicule is no longer an annoying symptom of our culture but has become a saddening epidemic, and no person, ideology, or topic escapes its sting.

Ridicule, in short, is nothing more than the handmaid of bullying.

Prosperity Is Not A Christian Exclusive

Christians do not have an exclusive right to success and prosperity.  Nor are Christians guaranteed them in their life.  

Best Christmas Ever

This Christmas was, in a mild way, a cathartic one for me.  Each year I find myself in one of two states; euphorically in the Christmas spirit, or not in the Christmas spirit and trying to force myself into it.   This year I found myself in a third state.  I found myself not at all in the Christmas spirit, and fine with being there. 

Rosary Reflection: The First Mystery-a lesson in humility

In today’s society the notion of humility seems to be greeted with anathema.  It’s a curse word; something to shun, fear and ridicule.  We are taught to take control and to “look out for number one”.  Yet, when we allow ourselves to be humble and submit (yet another word we are not supposed to like) to God’s will good things inevitably happen.

    One of the greatest examples of this is presented to us in the story of the annunciation.  The archangel Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her some astounding things.  She will be with child. Something that will happen through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, and she will give birth to the Son of God.  Mary “humbles” herself and “submits” to God’s will, as incredible and impossible as the whole scenario appears.  Note, Mary was not commanded to do this.  She could have said no.  Instead she asks for clarification and understanding and then utters that incredible and life changing statement:  Be it done to me according to your will. 

…And Your Neighbor As Yourself

Recently I posted a brief comment on the social network site, G+, which stated my dislike for the habit some Christians have of showing hatred toward other people and justifying it in the name of their Christian beliefs.  It is all over the Internet as it is in our own towns.  It is as if some feel that being a Christian gives them the license to rip apart anyone with differing beliefs. One person responded to my post with a comment that Jesus Himself chastised groups of people and referred to Christ calling the Pharisees a brood of vipers, and calling the Canaanites dogs.  He also stated that people of today throw around the word “hate” when what they are actually referring to is a harsh truth.

So this called up a question in my mind.  If Jesus did these things, does that give Christians license to do the same in His name?

Becoming an Oblate: First (new) Steps

As of this week I am back on board as a Benedictine Novice moving toward becoming a Benedictine Oblate.  I had been invested as an Novice back in March of 2009, but as it turned out I wasn’t spiritually or emotionally ready for that sort of commitment so my efforts eventually dwindled off and the weeds grew up to overtake the few seeds that my novitiate had planted.  In this elapsed time, however, I have continually felt the calling to return.  I’ve just  been well too adept at excusing the nudgings, finding all kinds of convenient reasons to put it off or ignore it altogether, and pretending I was doing the right thing going along on my own merry way.  But then this has been the modus operandi for much of my spiritual life, and my life in general.    

One Day at a Time

There is a traditional Gospel song that most people have heard, and many know the chorus by heart.  It is called One Day at a Time.  The song is a prayer that asks,

Give me the strength to do everything that I have to do
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time.

Antiphon

Deep calls to deep

and my soul calls out to You in return.

Wrestling With God

I had another episode of wrestling with God.  God is used to it.  Every so often I get frustrated and I want to take God to task for the things that are and are not happening in my life.  God just sighs and stiff arms his hand against my forehead while I swing my fists in the gap between us, fussing and fuming and turning red in the face until I exhaust my fit of pique.  When from the exertions I’ve collapsed to my knees (a good position to be in when dealing with God) God ascertains that I’ve gotten it out of my system then touches me with His peace and His mercy. 

 I always feel like a bit of a fool afterward.  After all the source of the episode is born of my own lack of faith and trust and has nothing to do with any deficiency on God’s part.  But God is always faithful to restore me with his mercy and grace.  He brings me back to a place of peace, a place of trust and faith, a place of confidence.  

 

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.  Psalm 86:15