Abortionists and Extortionists

Another Live Action masterpiece.

DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

Babies!

Lots of love going out to Robin Marie, who only a few weeks ago gave birth to twins.

Michael Josef and Maria Isabel, born June 6, 2011.  

Aren't they just beautiful?

Political Responsibility

Can't say it better than Fr. Frank Pavone.

I'll give it to the parish priest, he at least mentioned the feast of Corpus Christi yesterday.

He gave it back when he tried to legitimize Sr. Gimme U. Money's prattling on about missions instead of giving a homily.

"In the spirit of knowing that we are the body of Christ," he droned, "we warmly welcome Sister by giving her our full attention."

I leaned over to my husband and whispered, "don't put one dime in that second collection basket."

"Are you kidding?" he replied, "I'm thinking about skipping the first collection as well."

During the little spiel, I discovered that it's our Diocese that plans these little mission talks. There are two every year: one on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the other on the Feast of Christ the King.

Needless to say, I'm devistated.

Flash Mob---Now That's Evangelization

Come and kneel before Him now.

Finally!!!

The latest whip mark to hit the back of the Church is everything surrounding Fr. John Corapi--Father's suspension and alleged resignation, the coverage surrounding it, the concerns, the opinions, the condemnations, the cheap shots.

Few could respond better than Mr. Voris:

Pray for Fr. Corapi and for those with whom he's surrounded himself; pray for his opponents, and most of all, pray for the Church as she carries her cross to her own inevitable Calvary.

Discipline

As a guitar teacher, nothing is more gratifying than seeing a student dedicated enough to practice daily in order to really learn what I'm teaching and excel at the instrument. I had one of those students a few years back, and she's done quite a lot with it. I think just a few months ago she was in a show and brought her audience to tears with her performance. There's nothing like knowing that I had a little something to do with her success. I am so happy for her as well, because she knows what I know--having the ability to make music is one of this life's greatest joys. I'm also very sad, because she is quite rare.

Many of my students (and I'm sure I'm not the only teacher with this problem) do not progress very quickly. They have a basic desire to make music and are very enthusiastic in the beginning. They also have expectations as high as the sky--of me. After some time, the student doesn't progress into the kind of music he or she wants to play right away, gets very frustrated, and eventually quits, laying the blame at the feet of the teacher.

Ask these students how much they practice.

What they fail to admit to themselves--and to me, most of the time--is that they don't practice nearly as much as I require, if at all. Sure, they might practice a couple of chords, or a song they like, but they don't practice the scales or the exercises, which are what advance the musician beyond the limits of 4 or 5 cowboy chords.

Playing a musical instrument is one of life's greatest joys, but also one of life's greatest challenges. Having musical ability or raw talent is just not enough. It requires developing a skill, and developing a skill requires exercises and repetition. It's really that simple. A teacher can only provide the path. The rest is entirely up to the student. There is no magic wand, no secret formula, no fast track. There are exercises and repetition.


Exercises and repetition--DISCIPLINE.

Isn't our faith much the same? Every human being may be hard wired for God, but it's just not enough to think that's enough. We need the discipline gained in practicing our faith to really overcome our sinful condition and grow into the person that God intended. There is no fast-track to heaven, no secret handshake that gets you past St. Peter.  The way is not easy, but the rewards are countless.

How sad that so few people find any value in taking that harder road.

This one pretty much covers it all.

Great Commentary On the Holy Spirit

Watchfulness; the Coming of the Lord

Watch for your life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come. But come together often, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you are not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but those who endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth: first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet. And third, the resurrection of the dead -- yet not of all, but as it is said: "The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him." Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.

the Twelve Apostles Early Christians (2009). The Didache (Kindle Locations 171-181). BooksAndSuch. Kindle Edition.

Kindle reader? Email me at ginamarie9143@gmail.com to swap titles.

Work is a Blessing from God

Work is man's original vocation. It is a blessing from God, and those who consider it a punishment are sadly mistaken. The Lord, who is the best of fathers, placed the first man in Paradise ut operaretur, so that he would work. (Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, 482)

I'm Back!

Stay tuned...

Papal Authority

One of the better explanations regarding Papal Authority.

Check out Fr. Barron's body of work at www.wordonfire.org.

Moses' Prayer Is an Expression of God's Desire for His People

Dear Brothers and Sisters, continuing our catechesis on Christian Prayer, we now turn to the great prophetic figure of Moses. As the mediator between God and Israel, Moses is a model of intercessory prayer. We see this clearly in the episode of the golden calf. As Moses descends from Mount Sinai where he has spoken to God and received the gift of the law, he confronts both the infidelity of the people who now worship an idol of gold, and the god's powers.

Moses intercedes for his people, fully acknowledging the gravity of their sin. He also pleads with God to remember his mercy, to forgive their sin, and thus to reveal His saving power.

Moses' prayer of petition is an expression of God's own desire for the salvation of His people and His fidelity to the covenant. Through his intercessory prayer, Moses grows in deeper knowledge of the Lord and His mercy, and becomes capable of a life which extends to the total gift of self.

In this prayer Moses points beyond himself to the perfect intercessor who is Jesus, the Son of God, who brings about the new and eternal covenant in his blood, shed for the forgiveness of sin, and the reconciliation of all God's children.