Here you see a picture of my closet. WIth the exceptions of coats/jackets, every piece of clothing I own is in there,
and boy does it feel great.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Project Clean out Closet: Accomplished
Here you see a picture of my closet. WIth the exceptions of coats/jackets, every piece of clothing I own is in there,
and boy does it feel great.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Leave it to me
...to be in the middle of the biggest disciplinary/cheating mess the school has seen in 30 years. Cheating in theology class; who knew it was so popular?
Happy Christmas!
Happy Christmas!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Gossip Girl
Open Letter to (Anonymous Student) about Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
Dear Student,
Thank you so much for letting me borrow your book and enter into this "teenage world" for a brief time. I truly appreciate it. I hope that you enjoy Mr. Blue.
As I mentioned already in class, I did not "enjoy" reading Gossip Girl. Some of the reasons you already know or have guessed, but others I am sure you have not. Firstly, as a piece of literature, it is very poorly written. It uses teen language; I can see why that may be attractive, but it means that it does not teach you how to write better. In fact, it encourages a certain mediocrity in writing. There is no intellectual challenge in reading a book like this. I know, you're saying, "That's the point," but it is worth thinking about. There is not depth to the story, the characters or the situations. They are not complex; They are not truly dramatic. Drama requires tension, confusion, subtlety... this book lacks all of those things.
The characters are fairly superficial. I am not sure why I should care about what happens to any of them, or who I am supposed to identify with. Their personal struggles or issues are trivialized (Blair's eating disorder, Jenny's body image, everyone's family situation). They are one-dimensional: Serena is mysterious; Blair is envious and insecure; Nate is attractive but doesn't seem to have a personality; Vanessa is a proud artist; Dan is "brooding" and has a superficial crush; Jenny is a size 34D; Chuck is horny and likes to use girls to satisfy himself; That's all we really know about these characters.
Friendships in this book are superficial, even while they are supposedly lifelong. They are focused on material things, looks, and rumors. Serena and Blair, supposedly "best friends," did not even speak when Serena was away. Serena never told Blair about her fling with Nate. The way the other girls tear Serena down is sad and reveals serious lacks of self esteem. (If you are secure in yourself and in your beauty/worth, you have no need to tear others down. That is why most people grow out of that unattractive and destructive habit.) Love means building others up. I wouldn't want to be friends with any of these girls because I would be constantly judged and my every action scrutinized. I would always have to be performing for them.
Male-female relationships in this book are likewise superficial. None of these girls are being loved by the guys they are "with"; They are being used. To be fair to the guys, the girls are using them right back. (For example, when Blair decides that she wants to have sex with Nate, she does not even consider that he might want to talk first, or might have something to say [which we discover he does]; She undresses even before he arrives. Was that out of love for him?) Even setting aside the most obvious problem (that sex is considered casually as a natural next step, as "no big deal" and nothing special, which you already know is untrue), it is clear that the characters are not interested in what is good for the other person, only in what they want for themselves.
Would any of these characters suffer for another? If you think that someone loves you, you should ask yourself, "Would they suffer for me?" Most of us have at least one or two examples of this love in our parents. But it doesn't seem like any of these characters know that kind of love- even from their own parents- and that is tragic. They want to be loved but they do not even know or believe that true love- the kind that suffers for and with the one loved, and lasts forever- exists and is for them. This book is full of characters settling for less than they deserve. It worries me that you read this book because I want to tell you that LOVE is REAL! It does not require a certain body type; It does not require fancy outfits or cars or sex; It does not demand or seek to use you in any way. This is the truth. This is what doesn't sell and isn't on TV— because it also hurts. But it is what is most beautiful and, in the end, the only thing that matters.
Jesus is way better, way more dramatic, and way more interesting than Gossip Girl.
Dear Student,
Thank you so much for letting me borrow your book and enter into this "teenage world" for a brief time. I truly appreciate it. I hope that you enjoy Mr. Blue.
As I mentioned already in class, I did not "enjoy" reading Gossip Girl. Some of the reasons you already know or have guessed, but others I am sure you have not. Firstly, as a piece of literature, it is very poorly written. It uses teen language; I can see why that may be attractive, but it means that it does not teach you how to write better. In fact, it encourages a certain mediocrity in writing. There is no intellectual challenge in reading a book like this. I know, you're saying, "That's the point," but it is worth thinking about. There is not depth to the story, the characters or the situations. They are not complex; They are not truly dramatic. Drama requires tension, confusion, subtlety... this book lacks all of those things.
The characters are fairly superficial. I am not sure why I should care about what happens to any of them, or who I am supposed to identify with. Their personal struggles or issues are trivialized (Blair's eating disorder, Jenny's body image, everyone's family situation). They are one-dimensional: Serena is mysterious; Blair is envious and insecure; Nate is attractive but doesn't seem to have a personality; Vanessa is a proud artist; Dan is "brooding" and has a superficial crush; Jenny is a size 34D; Chuck is horny and likes to use girls to satisfy himself; That's all we really know about these characters.
Friendships in this book are superficial, even while they are supposedly lifelong. They are focused on material things, looks, and rumors. Serena and Blair, supposedly "best friends," did not even speak when Serena was away. Serena never told Blair about her fling with Nate. The way the other girls tear Serena down is sad and reveals serious lacks of self esteem. (If you are secure in yourself and in your beauty/worth, you have no need to tear others down. That is why most people grow out of that unattractive and destructive habit.) Love means building others up. I wouldn't want to be friends with any of these girls because I would be constantly judged and my every action scrutinized. I would always have to be performing for them.
Male-female relationships in this book are likewise superficial. None of these girls are being loved by the guys they are "with"; They are being used. To be fair to the guys, the girls are using them right back. (For example, when Blair decides that she wants to have sex with Nate, she does not even consider that he might want to talk first, or might have something to say [which we discover he does]; She undresses even before he arrives. Was that out of love for him?) Even setting aside the most obvious problem (that sex is considered casually as a natural next step, as "no big deal" and nothing special, which you already know is untrue), it is clear that the characters are not interested in what is good for the other person, only in what they want for themselves.
Would any of these characters suffer for another? If you think that someone loves you, you should ask yourself, "Would they suffer for me?" Most of us have at least one or two examples of this love in our parents. But it doesn't seem like any of these characters know that kind of love- even from their own parents- and that is tragic. They want to be loved but they do not even know or believe that true love- the kind that suffers for and with the one loved, and lasts forever- exists and is for them. This book is full of characters settling for less than they deserve. It worries me that you read this book because I want to tell you that LOVE is REAL! It does not require a certain body type; It does not require fancy outfits or cars or sex; It does not demand or seek to use you in any way. This is the truth. This is what doesn't sell and isn't on TV— because it also hurts. But it is what is most beautiful and, in the end, the only thing that matters.
Jesus is way better, way more dramatic, and way more interesting than Gossip Girl.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Our Novena for Matthew!
October 6-15
Dearest Blessed Mother Teresa,
loving friend and guide from darkness to light,
thank you for your life of service to the poorest of the poor and the witness you gave to the power of love triumphing through Christ.
We, who are wretched and poor, place ourselves in humility and total confidence before our heavenly Father. We ask you to stand with us before Him, knowing that your selfless service to Him on earth must endear you to Him still in heaven. By the merits of your life, and in view of your special mission to enlighten those in darkness, please ask God with us to heal Matthew Coles of his cancer in time for the birth of his son. Desiring only to be conformed to God's will, we ask you for this healing that God may be glorified and that we might have the joy of calling you our wretched saint and friend in heaven.
In your letters, Mother, you revealed a vow you made to not refuse your Spouse even the smallest request. Could He now deny you? Would He refuse the prayer of one who gave her life so completely to Him?
We have seen many fruits of Matt's suffering and his family's, and know that this time has been full of grace and God's presence. If it be best for the salvation of souls, let it continue. But please, Mother, ask Jesus yourself. We surrender to and love His will above all other things and shall endeavor to love Him as you did. Pray for us that, wretched though we be, we may allow His love to bring light into our lives more each day.
Glory be,,,,
Dearest Blessed Mother Teresa,
loving friend and guide from darkness to light,
thank you for your life of service to the poorest of the poor and the witness you gave to the power of love triumphing through Christ.
We, who are wretched and poor, place ourselves in humility and total confidence before our heavenly Father. We ask you to stand with us before Him, knowing that your selfless service to Him on earth must endear you to Him still in heaven. By the merits of your life, and in view of your special mission to enlighten those in darkness, please ask God with us to heal Matthew Coles of his cancer in time for the birth of his son. Desiring only to be conformed to God's will, we ask you for this healing that God may be glorified and that we might have the joy of calling you our wretched saint and friend in heaven.
In your letters, Mother, you revealed a vow you made to not refuse your Spouse even the smallest request. Could He now deny you? Would He refuse the prayer of one who gave her life so completely to Him?
We have seen many fruits of Matt's suffering and his family's, and know that this time has been full of grace and God's presence. If it be best for the salvation of souls, let it continue. But please, Mother, ask Jesus yourself. We surrender to and love His will above all other things and shall endeavor to love Him as you did. Pray for us that, wretched though we be, we may allow His love to bring light into our lives more each day.
Glory be,,,,
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Quotes of the week
"oh my gosh, I like never wanted to have kids until you just said that."
"(the kingdom of God is like) being with my mom. She's the most amazing person."
"(the kingdom of God is like) being with my mom. She's the most amazing person."
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sisters of Mary video
Hey all! My former JPII classmate Alton was involved in a short film festival recently- check out the video he and his team made (team Caritas) on the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist: http://www.pahnation.com/theater.php
(click on team caritas on the list below the screen)
You can even see our Sr. Mountain a few times :)
(click on team caritas on the list below the screen)
You can even see our Sr. Mountain a few times :)
Monday, July 09, 2007
Let the Heavens rejoice!
Sr. Heavens and precious Jake were married on Friday! Praise the Lord for a beautiful wedding and great celebration. The heavens opened and closed throughout the evening as well, which just seemed appropriate.
Lauren walked down the aisle to the praise and worship song "Agnus Dei"- which was just so right. It was awesome to sing that "Alleluia" while she appeared from behind the limo man with her dad! (glass walls in the church = big, tall limo man concealing Lauren until the right moment) There were lots of wet eyes in that church.
Jake's dad shared a couple great stories. He was visiting CUA once and went out to Ellis Island with Jake and his friends. The food came and he dropped his napkin; when he had picked it up, he looked up to find a group of young men making the sign of the cross to pray before the meal. He said he was very proud that his son had chosen such friends.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Un beluh ble
Letter to the Editor in the April 25th Washington Post:
"Where is the outrage over the Supreme Court decision banning intact dilation and evacuation? Why aren't women screaming in anger in the streets?
This decision by five male Supreme Court justices doesn't really mean anything about abortion rights. What it means is that women are less important than the fetuses they carry. To these justices, women are passive vessels for bearing the next generation.
I am a woman and a human, worth infinitely more than what the highest court in the land has deemed me to be: a semi-sentient being meant for bearing young and little else."
"Where is the outrage over the Supreme Court decision banning intact dilation and evacuation? Why aren't women screaming in anger in the streets?
This decision by five male Supreme Court justices doesn't really mean anything about abortion rights. What it means is that women are less important than the fetuses they carry. To these justices, women are passive vessels for bearing the next generation.
I am a woman and a human, worth infinitely more than what the highest court in the land has deemed me to be: a semi-sentient being meant for bearing young and little else."
JANE FANDREY, Arlington
Lord have mercy. I'm a woman too, and I don't think there is anything "worth infinitely more" than bearing new life. I am blown away by her use of language there. Infinitely more. I just don't know about this world sometimes.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Happy Retirement, Sr. Fire!
Tonight we celebrate the happy retirement of our Sister Fire, who is leaving her nursing career after a long and dedicated 9 months; which was just the right amount of time for her calling to gestate, apparently! Our Firey gal will join one of her (biological) sisters and one of her wretched sisters (Rain) in the Sisters of Life this September. I couldn't find a good picture in my computer to post! We'll have to take care of that tonight.
Me and DC will miss you big time!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Benedict reading my mind
So far, as I'm reading Jesus of Nazareth, the Pope has touched on lots of things that I have always wondered. For example, what does it mean when Jesus says that He speaks in parables so that others 'may see and yet not see, hear and yet not understand, unless they turn and God will forgive them'? Seems kine mean...
"Prophets fail: Their message goes too much against the general opinion and the comfortable habits of life. It is only through failure that their word becomes efficacious... Above all, it is also again and again the destiny of Jesus Christ: He ends up on the Cross. But that very Cross is the source of great fruitfulness." (p.189)
Or why do they call it the story of the Prodigal Son when really there's a lot more going on?
"In reality, though, the parable has three protagonists... the most accurate designation would be the parable of the two brothers." (p. 202)
Keep it coming!
Monday, June 04, 2007
Help Wanted
WANTED: Professional Schedular for wretch
DUTIES:
Scheduler will determine calendar and minute-to-minute activities of said wretch. He/She will pay particular attention to evenings and weekends, though helping the wretch know what to do during 8 hours at work when she has been given nothing to do will also be essential. Scheduler will learn to balance personal life/ friends and giving of self to the poor, as wretch will, without fail, drop the latter for the former if not. In fact, if scheduler could keep constantly reminding wretch of poor, would be helpful. Scheduler will also balance physical activity with resting-physical, musical with non-musical, baby with not-baby and silly with not-AS-silly. Scheduler will monitor wretch's prayer, books, movies and food intake. He/She will accurately estimate amount of time things like laundry take and plan accordingly. Scheduler will ensure that only for very important reasons (illness, por ejemplo) will wretch sit with roommate for hours watching House then Anne of Avonlea. He/She will make all travel arrangements to/from the weddings and/or vows and/or needed vacation weekends of summer '07. He/She will also find wretch a place to live and make sure wretch is prepared well for classes in August. Will also take account of liturgical seasons and feast days. Scheduler will do all these things willingly and happily.
PAY: None
BENEFITS: Of the baked variety
INQUIRE BY COMMENT!
POSITION AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Happy Feast Day!
Blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!
The Feast of the Visitation is, once again, a special one to wretches. (Who says so? I say so!) Here we have two women bringing joy to one another; and much more than that. Mary brings within her the Savior, the hope of Israel and the Way of salvation. She brings Love Himself! She went in haste to her cousin after the Annunciation, eager already to give Life to the world.
Today we pray especially for our pregnant wretches, Sr. Mud and Sr. Sea, that they may be filled with the Spirit as Elizabeth was and look forward with joy to meeting their little ones; That they may have women (and men, especially husbands ;) to help and rejoice with them, bringing the presence of Christ. We also keep in prayer Sr. Spice and Duston and their little one Josiah who has raced past us all to the Child in the womb of Mary.
I guess the Visitation is the first inkling we get that Jesus desires to use His people to meet the world. He chose to become, well, a zygote, and could already touch Elizabeth through Mary. God wants to reach man through man. How crazy. But we all know the truth of it!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Mercy is falling
Y'all know that song? Mercy is falling, is falling, is falling; Mercy, it falls like a sweet spring rain; Mercy is falling, is falling all over me.
It's not my favorite but it was in my head often this weekend as I drove around Illinois; the sky is amazingly wide there, since it's, well, FLAT. See picture. You will notice the cloudiness. It was such a funny thing; I was driving along and then suddenly I could hardly see because it was raining these huge drops and then just as suddenly my windshield wipers would start squeaking because it was over. This happened a few times on my 2.5 hour journey. Snap and the weather changes! It seems to be somewhat analogous to the mystery of the Holy Spirit; being the Gift of God, He blows where He wills. Suddenly He's there and He shows Himself; just as suddenly He hides and waits. As Fr. Antonio always puts it: We beg Him to show Himself, to come again. That's what prayer is.
It was a rainy ordination day in Peoria. Bishop Jenky is so lovable and such a joyful father and shepherd to his flock. The music filled the small cathedral with power- brass instruments and all. There were so many young men walking around in cassocks that you wondered what was in the water. An older lady behind me in line for the bathroom spoke about her 10 children- 6 biological and 4 adopted- as well as her pride that one son is in the seminary, and I knew that that was what is in the water in Peoria. The Knights were in their full regalia, with swords guarding the center aisle. Red tabernacle lights were brought out to frame the altar at the consecration; incense filled the air. One of my favorite arrangements of "For the Beauty of the Earth" was sung, along with classics like "Veni Creator Spiritus". It was beautiful and true- attractive. As funny as the hats of the Knights were, they were real men. The Bishop was a real father. The cantor was a (not effeminate) man as well. The brass instruments rang through the place and with the choir in the loft, filled it from above. Nothing distracting and all directed toward God.
In line for a blessing (out the door, times 2), I was adopted by some of Fr. Ryan's family and was generously offered a place to stay for the night. I knew that God would provide a place, but I could not have anticipated such total hospitality. At the dinner in honor of the occasion, it was wonderful to hear stories about Fr. Ryan's childhood and how he has touched so many lives. They made a collage of pictures, and in the picture of his First Communion, I'm tellin' you, it was right there in his face: an undivided heart! Praise God for the beauty of the priesthood and for His particularity which opens to all.
And of course, it was such a grace to be with Sr. Wind in her city. I like Chicago a lot! And just being with her was wonderful; our throats were sore from talking. I miss you already!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Father Ryan!
Tomorrow is Ryan's ordination to the priesthood!
Keep him in your prayers, with all the other faithful men who will be ordained tomorrow.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
CAUGHT!
Dear Ones,
It has been brought to my attention that lately you have been eating outdoors at the entrance to the Pastoral Center. I have been asked to remind you that lunch is to be eaten in the Dining Room; it is not proper to have a picnic on the Pastoral Center grounds. Let’s keep in mind that the Archbishop’s office is here, and we are professionals.
Thanks,
Well, it was bound to happen at some point! I've written a nice response letter, citing the human person's natural desire to be outside and other such things. I will only be here for one month more- but it is the BEST time of the year to sit outside, since it's not too hot yet! Sad face.
It has been brought to my attention that lately you have been eating outdoors at the entrance to the Pastoral Center. I have been asked to remind you that lunch is to be eaten in the Dining Room; it is not proper to have a picnic on the Pastoral Center grounds. Let’s keep in mind that the Archbishop’s office is here, and we are professionals.
Thanks,
Well, it was bound to happen at some point! I've written a nice response letter, citing the human person's natural desire to be outside and other such things. I will only be here for one month more- but it is the BEST time of the year to sit outside, since it's not too hot yet! Sad face.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
St. Rita, pray for us!
As should be somewhat obvious, we wretches have a special love for those women saints who lived in both states of life; though of course St. Rita's experience of marriage was not exactly ideal! Today let's ask St. Rita's intercession, especially for any of those "hopeless causes" we may have, and find solace in her prayers and love for us as we journey onward. And if any of you start smelling bad, I promise to think first that maybe you've received a special gift of suffering it, and not that you just haven't showered.Monday, May 14, 2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Love Easter Homily
You gotta love Dominicans! (see below)
Speaking of which; our friends Br. James and Br. Dominic will be ordained in a week, on JPII's birthday! May 18th. Keep them in your prayers.
-------------------------
5th Sunday of Easter: Acts 14.21-27; Rev 21.1-5; John 13.31-35
Fr. Philip N. Powell, OP
St. Paul’s Hospital and Church of the Incarnation
Love, love, love, love…blahblahblahblahblah…I’m sick of love. Sick of reading about it. Sick of hearing about it. Sick of preaching about it. Seems like every time we turn around in the Easter season we’re listening to John prattle on about how Jesus commanded us to love one another or how Jesus says that loving our enemies is good for us or how he is love or God is love or the Holy Spirit is the Father loving the Son and vice-versa. Now, we hear that all those pagans out there will know that we are Christians by our love…by our love, they will know that we are Christians by our love! Sorry. Makes me a bit queasy though—kinda syrupy-sweet and honey-sticky. Almost cute. Is this what we’re about? Cute love? Jesus suffered the whip and died on a cross so that we are free to shoot sugary looks at one another and drip cutesy clichés about warm-fuzzies and teddy-bear hugs? Do I need to go put on the creamy-pink vestments and my Bunny rabbit slippers? No. Thank God and all the Saints…no. Love is not cute, cuddly, creamy, sticky-sweet, pink, huggie, warm, or fluffy. Love is not careful, balanced, gentle, meek, or meager. And love is most certainly not neutral, tolerant, ambiguous, confused, or permissive. Love is none of these. So, what is love?
The One who sits on the Throne says, “Look! I make all things new.” The old order has passed away. No more death. No more grief. No more pain. No more crying. What has always been is no more. What is/is going. What is coming is new, fresh, brightly clean, and pure. And this will not be accomplished by a tamed passion or a affected infatuation. Love is the divine juice of renewal; the power of perfecting gift; the living breath of re-creating wisdom; the Spirit that cuts away dead flesh and shocks a weaken heart; love is God’s passion, God’s might, His transformative command: God speaks His Word to nothing and everything IS…and it IS only in Love. What’s pink, fuzzy, sweet, or gentle about that?! Let’s see Hallmark put this on Valentine’s Day card: “How do I love you? Let me count the ways: first, I gave birth to reality using Nothing as my source; second, I took dirt and gave you a body and a soul and then watched you betray me; third, I destroyed the face of the earth and all but a few of you b/c of your wickedness; fourth, I sent my only son to be whipped bloody and spiked to a cross to pay for your sins…this is how I love you! XOXOXO—God the Father.” Now, this is not the Marvin Gaye/Barry Manilow, Chianti and roses mood we were looking for, uh? No, no it’s not.
Paul and Barnabas are running on love. They’ve received the Spirit of wisdom and truth, and they are running on love! Here’s what they are doing: making hundreds of new disciples all over Asia Minor; strengthening the veteran disciples in their trust of the Lord; helping them all to understand that hardships are an essential part of being Christ for others; they’re appointing elders, priests to leadership everywhere they go, teaching them how to fast and pray; they are proclaiming the Word, healing the sick, casting out demons; and, they are opening the doors of faith to the Gentiles, extending God’s invitation to them to jump into a revolution—to overthrow sin, to conquer death, and to enjoy the gift of life everlasting. Paul and Barnabas are finely honed, well-oiled, surgical grade instruments of God’s rejuvenating love! They are laying the foundation for the New Jerusalem that John sees in his revelation; they are dressing the Bride, perfuming her wrists, and adorning her with the finest jewels. And, guess what, brothers and sisters? We are that Bride! We are the raw materials for the New Jerusalem! And if we aren’t running on love, then what are we running on?
Maybe one reason we get sick of hearing about love during Easter is that preachers, especially Catholic preachers, tend to think of love in purely secular terms—Hallmark, Oprah, sappy romance novels. This means that they go on and on about love as a kind of permissive passion for ignoring sin and approving dissent. Love becomes the means and the excuse for disobedience and error. How often have we heard that God loves us unconditionally and, therefore, no one is capable of making a deliberative judgment about another’s public sin? This move excuses all of our favorite sins and gives us the false impression that love is God’s way of dealing with sin by emoting it away, or pretending it isn’t there, or by wishing it away on the grounds that we all fall short of His glory. We also hear love presented as the last reduction, the final seed of the gospel, the Thing Beyond Which There Is No Appeal, and therefore, if anything appears to violate love—a bishop’s order of excommunication, an infallible church teaching, a papal document—well, we can ignore the offending limit in favor of love. Love conquers all, after all. Right? Yes, it does, but we must remember what Love is and what it isn’t.
Love is always true. Never a lie. Love is always the glory of God. Never the glorification of man. Love always carries us to goodness. Never to evil. Love always binds us in obedience. Love never frees us to be disobedient. Love always heals, always cleans, sometimes hurts, sometimes casts out. Love never winks at sin, shrugs at injustice, or ignores the poor. Love always looks to Christ, his church, and his Mother. Love never uses the bottom-line, the convenient, the practical, or the efficient to destroy God’s creatures, especially His unborn children. Love always encourages spiritual growth from faithful experience. Love never gives hope to novelty for novelty’s sake nor does love trust innovation for the sake of excitement. Love can be a terrible whirlwind, a stone-shattering blow, a heart-ripping loss. But love always builds up in perfection, grows in wisdom and kindness; love attracts questions about eternal things, discourages attachment to impermanent things; and, when necessary, love will kick your butt, take your name, and call your mama!
If you are sick of hearing about love during the Easter season, you don’t know what love is. If you are complaining about hippy-dippy priests who whine all the time about love from the pulpit, you don’t know what love is. If you think love is best expressed with chocolates or a Starbuck’s gift card or perhaps you think real love is best signified with a quickie in your dorm room, then you don’t know what love is. Love makes you. Love saves you. Love delivers you to the throne of the Most High! You are not loved b/c you deserve it. You are not saved b/c you’ve earned it. You were not created b/c God needs you. Your being, my being—we exist, gratuitously, without merit or debt b/c our God, in His Goodness, draws us out of nothingness and makes us body and soul. We exist in Love because of Love for Love so that we may return to Love to be Love forever. And this is sometimes a terrible pilgrimage—painful, disillusioning, exhausting and dirty. But, at the end, you will be the newest creature b/c you are now a new creature.
Love perfects the imperfect. It shines up, buffs off, and sharpens. If you will become a well-oiled, surgical tool for God’s Word, you will love. You will speak the truth, spread goodness, honor beauty; you will correct error, confront sin, forgive offenses; and you will build up the Body in service and open the doors of faith to the stranger. Your life in Christ is a gospel epic not a Hallmark poem. Love us as Christ loves us…right to the cross, to the tomb, and on to the Father’s right hand.
Posted by Fr. Philip N. Powell, OP
Speaking of which; our friends Br. James and Br. Dominic will be ordained in a week, on JPII's birthday! May 18th. Keep them in your prayers.
-------------------------
5th Sunday of Easter: Acts 14.21-27; Rev 21.1-5; John 13.31-35
Fr. Philip N. Powell, OP
St. Paul’s Hospital and Church of the Incarnation
Love, love, love, love…blahblahblahblahblah…I’m sick of love. Sick of reading about it. Sick of hearing about it. Sick of preaching about it. Seems like every time we turn around in the Easter season we’re listening to John prattle on about how Jesus commanded us to love one another or how Jesus says that loving our enemies is good for us or how he is love or God is love or the Holy Spirit is the Father loving the Son and vice-versa. Now, we hear that all those pagans out there will know that we are Christians by our love…by our love, they will know that we are Christians by our love! Sorry. Makes me a bit queasy though—kinda syrupy-sweet and honey-sticky. Almost cute. Is this what we’re about? Cute love? Jesus suffered the whip and died on a cross so that we are free to shoot sugary looks at one another and drip cutesy clichés about warm-fuzzies and teddy-bear hugs? Do I need to go put on the creamy-pink vestments and my Bunny rabbit slippers? No. Thank God and all the Saints…no. Love is not cute, cuddly, creamy, sticky-sweet, pink, huggie, warm, or fluffy. Love is not careful, balanced, gentle, meek, or meager. And love is most certainly not neutral, tolerant, ambiguous, confused, or permissive. Love is none of these. So, what is love?
The One who sits on the Throne says, “Look! I make all things new.” The old order has passed away. No more death. No more grief. No more pain. No more crying. What has always been is no more. What is/is going. What is coming is new, fresh, brightly clean, and pure. And this will not be accomplished by a tamed passion or a affected infatuation. Love is the divine juice of renewal; the power of perfecting gift; the living breath of re-creating wisdom; the Spirit that cuts away dead flesh and shocks a weaken heart; love is God’s passion, God’s might, His transformative command: God speaks His Word to nothing and everything IS…and it IS only in Love. What’s pink, fuzzy, sweet, or gentle about that?! Let’s see Hallmark put this on Valentine’s Day card: “How do I love you? Let me count the ways: first, I gave birth to reality using Nothing as my source; second, I took dirt and gave you a body and a soul and then watched you betray me; third, I destroyed the face of the earth and all but a few of you b/c of your wickedness; fourth, I sent my only son to be whipped bloody and spiked to a cross to pay for your sins…this is how I love you! XOXOXO—God the Father.” Now, this is not the Marvin Gaye/Barry Manilow, Chianti and roses mood we were looking for, uh? No, no it’s not.
Paul and Barnabas are running on love. They’ve received the Spirit of wisdom and truth, and they are running on love! Here’s what they are doing: making hundreds of new disciples all over Asia Minor; strengthening the veteran disciples in their trust of the Lord; helping them all to understand that hardships are an essential part of being Christ for others; they’re appointing elders, priests to leadership everywhere they go, teaching them how to fast and pray; they are proclaiming the Word, healing the sick, casting out demons; and, they are opening the doors of faith to the Gentiles, extending God’s invitation to them to jump into a revolution—to overthrow sin, to conquer death, and to enjoy the gift of life everlasting. Paul and Barnabas are finely honed, well-oiled, surgical grade instruments of God’s rejuvenating love! They are laying the foundation for the New Jerusalem that John sees in his revelation; they are dressing the Bride, perfuming her wrists, and adorning her with the finest jewels. And, guess what, brothers and sisters? We are that Bride! We are the raw materials for the New Jerusalem! And if we aren’t running on love, then what are we running on?
Maybe one reason we get sick of hearing about love during Easter is that preachers, especially Catholic preachers, tend to think of love in purely secular terms—Hallmark, Oprah, sappy romance novels. This means that they go on and on about love as a kind of permissive passion for ignoring sin and approving dissent. Love becomes the means and the excuse for disobedience and error. How often have we heard that God loves us unconditionally and, therefore, no one is capable of making a deliberative judgment about another’s public sin? This move excuses all of our favorite sins and gives us the false impression that love is God’s way of dealing with sin by emoting it away, or pretending it isn’t there, or by wishing it away on the grounds that we all fall short of His glory. We also hear love presented as the last reduction, the final seed of the gospel, the Thing Beyond Which There Is No Appeal, and therefore, if anything appears to violate love—a bishop’s order of excommunication, an infallible church teaching, a papal document—well, we can ignore the offending limit in favor of love. Love conquers all, after all. Right? Yes, it does, but we must remember what Love is and what it isn’t.
Love is always true. Never a lie. Love is always the glory of God. Never the glorification of man. Love always carries us to goodness. Never to evil. Love always binds us in obedience. Love never frees us to be disobedient. Love always heals, always cleans, sometimes hurts, sometimes casts out. Love never winks at sin, shrugs at injustice, or ignores the poor. Love always looks to Christ, his church, and his Mother. Love never uses the bottom-line, the convenient, the practical, or the efficient to destroy God’s creatures, especially His unborn children. Love always encourages spiritual growth from faithful experience. Love never gives hope to novelty for novelty’s sake nor does love trust innovation for the sake of excitement. Love can be a terrible whirlwind, a stone-shattering blow, a heart-ripping loss. But love always builds up in perfection, grows in wisdom and kindness; love attracts questions about eternal things, discourages attachment to impermanent things; and, when necessary, love will kick your butt, take your name, and call your mama!
If you are sick of hearing about love during the Easter season, you don’t know what love is. If you are complaining about hippy-dippy priests who whine all the time about love from the pulpit, you don’t know what love is. If you think love is best expressed with chocolates or a Starbuck’s gift card or perhaps you think real love is best signified with a quickie in your dorm room, then you don’t know what love is. Love makes you. Love saves you. Love delivers you to the throne of the Most High! You are not loved b/c you deserve it. You are not saved b/c you’ve earned it. You were not created b/c God needs you. Your being, my being—we exist, gratuitously, without merit or debt b/c our God, in His Goodness, draws us out of nothingness and makes us body and soul. We exist in Love because of Love for Love so that we may return to Love to be Love forever. And this is sometimes a terrible pilgrimage—painful, disillusioning, exhausting and dirty. But, at the end, you will be the newest creature b/c you are now a new creature.
Love perfects the imperfect. It shines up, buffs off, and sharpens. If you will become a well-oiled, surgical tool for God’s Word, you will love. You will speak the truth, spread goodness, honor beauty; you will correct error, confront sin, forgive offenses; and you will build up the Body in service and open the doors of faith to the stranger. Your life in Christ is a gospel epic not a Hallmark poem. Love us as Christ loves us…right to the cross, to the tomb, and on to the Father’s right hand.
Posted by Fr. Philip N. Powell, OP
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Sisters of Life on MTV
If you watch closely, you'll see our Sister Rain serving food. A radical choice! And before long, she may be joined by another wretch as well. (Speaking of which; when will that be definite? And when are we having a party for her?)
Can you believe that is on MTV? Huh!
Can you believe that is on MTV? Huh!
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