Saturday after Ash Wednesday

The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? Luke 5:30

Villagers in a distant community in Fiji gathered for an elaborate ceremony of apology. Teh apology was offered to the relatives of a British missionary, Rev. Thomas Baker, who was with eight Fijian followers was killed and eaten in 1867. The residents believed thta since that event, their community has been cursed. This was their third apology, but unlike the first tow, it was offered not in an isolated ceremony but in the presence of Baker's family. They hoped the face-to-face encounter would do the trick.

We all have been hurt, mistreated or taken advantage of. It is part of the human condition. But what we do with the experience is what counts. Healing doesn't harbor resentment but offers forgiveness. By not forgiving, we carry a self-inflicted curse that robs us of our peace of mind, spiritual well-being and even physical health. Forgiving those who have hurt us is not usually easy, but it remains essential to growth and vitality.

meditation: Extraordinray Lives--Fr. Thomas Connery

Friday after Ash Wednesday

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed. (Isaiah 58:6)

We must always remember what God tells us in Scripture: "Even if a mother could forget the child in her womb" - something impossible, but even if she could forget - "I will never forget you."

And so here I am talking with you. I want you to find the poor here, right in your own home first. And begin love there. Be that good news to your own people first. And find out about your next-door neighbors. Do you know who they are?

I had the most extraordinary experience of love of neighbor with a Hindu family. A gentleman came to our house and said: "Mother Teresa, there is a family who have not eaten for so long. Do something." So I took some rice and went there immediately. And I saw the children - their eyes shining with hunger. I don't know if you have ever seen hunger. But I have seen it very often. And the mother of the family took the rice I gave her and went out. When she came back, I asked her: "Where did you go? What did you do?" And she gave me a very simple answer: "They are hungry also." What struck me was that she knew - and who are they? A Muslim family - and she knew. I didn't bring any more rice that evening because I wanted them, Hindus and Muslims, to enjoy the joy of sharing.

meditation: Mother Theresa

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

If anyone wishes to come after me … (Luke 9:23)


Don’t you find it amazing that Jesus Christ, the all-holy Son of God, would give us, mere mortals, a choice? He won’t force us to follow him; he calls us.

But what is this choice? Is it a choice to live a life of continual suffering, of “taking up our cross” day after day by passively accepting whatever trials come our way in the hopes that God will accept us? Not at all. The real choice is to follow Jesus and accept whatever that decision entails. It’s a choice to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who longs to pour his love into our hearts every day. It’s a choice to believe that with him we can overcome any obstacle, challenge, or difficulty that rises up—internal or external.

Here, at the beginning of Lent, God is asking us a simple question: Who is Jesus? Is he just a good man, perhaps even a prophet, whose example we should follow? Or is he the Son of God who became man so that we could become sons and daughters of God? Is he a strict judge ready to condemn every sin? Or is he the Lamb of God who laid down his life so that we could be freed from sin and transformed into his very image and likeness?

Centuries before Jesus, Moses told the Israelites that obeying God was a life-or-death issue. Moses knew the difference between walking through our days with the Lord and going it alone. Today, Jesus wants to open our eyes to this difference. He wants to tell us that if we choose him day after day, the possibilities for our lives will be endless. We won’t be living as “mere mortals” anymore. We will have access to all the grace and power of Almighty God! We will be able to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable, and to overcome the insurmountable. It may be costly. There may be suffering and difficulties along the way, but we can be confident that as we stay close to Jesus, he will be very close to us!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Be Reconciled to God

The Diocese of Fall River has done this video on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Will you come back and be reconciled to God?

Ash Wednesday

We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God… . Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 5:20; 6:2)

Now. Today. This very moment. This is a time of unfathomable grace and favor from heaven. Believe it or not, Ash Wednesday is not meant to be a day for focusing on our sinfulness. No, it’s an opportunity to focus on heaven. True, Paul is exhorting us to be reconciled to God—but not in the sense of a command so much as in the sense of a joyful invitation. Right now, God’s favor is upon us, and he is inviting us to come and receive his grace.

God has never stopped pursuing us. Throughout Israel’s history, he was always at his people’s side, offering them his mercy, his wisdom, and his protection. All they had to do was turn to him. When they did, miracles flowed. And when they turned away, trouble ensued—but he was always there, calling them back through his prophets. Finally, when the time was ripe, he sent his Son to redeem the whole world and to be with us always.

Today, try to recall the many times when God has reached out to you in the past. Maybe just one line in a homily struck you with renewed force. Or perhaps a friend called you just when you needed someone to talk with. Each of these is an invitation from God for you to come to know him better. And today is another one of those opportunities.

“Now” is the time of God’s favor. It’s a never-ending “now,” an invitation that lasts until the end of time. As you read these words, God is calling you and asking you to open your heart. If you feel blocked by past failures or sins, today is the day to let go of them and believe that his love can overcome anything!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Archbishop Dolan named Archbishop of New York

It truly is a happy day for the Archdiocese of New York. Pope Benedict XVI this morning named Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwalkee to be the next Archbishop of New York. New York truly will be blessed with such a great man. As a student in Rome, I've heard many good things about the Archbishop as being a kind and gentle soul. Congratulations Archbishop Dolan!

New York Archbishop announced tomorrow???

Well folks, it looks like we could hear news from Rome about the new Archbishop of New York as early as 6 a.m. EST tomorrow according to Whispers in the Loggia. It should be interesting. Stay tuned.

You are My God!

What a great gift we have in the Eucharist. Come and let us meet our God in the Eucharist.

The Catholic Church

Unbelievable

Boston College a beautiful campus located on Chestnut Hill is dealing with a controversy. Should a Catholic college have religious art portrayed throughout their campus? First of all, I think it's absolutely crazy that anyone would be even reporting this nonsense. Second, I applaud Boston College which has been criticized in the past for not having crucifies in their classrooms to standing up and not be ashamed to remind all that this image of Christ crucified has deep meaning for us as Christian believers. It reminds us that this sacrifice has freed us from bondage of sin. So let us stand up America and let us not put up with those that want to now even tell us what we should hang up in our Catholic institutions.

The next Archbishop of New York

The following is a post from Whispers in the Loggia. If this is true I believe that Archbishop Dolan will be wonderful for New York.

Earlier today, Paolo Rodari -- the well-sourced Vatican correspondent for the Italian daily Il Riformista -- called the New York appointment for the archbishop of Milwaukee, 59 year-old Timothy Dolan.Given Rodari's keen reputation for accuracy, the report is significant; following in full is an English translation of the scribe's (Roman) noontime dispatch:
The announcement should arrive shortly. And it regards the name of the successor of the Cardinal-Archbishop of New York, Edward Michael Egan. According to leaks collected by Il Riformista, Benedict XVI has decided on Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee. Among other names who could've been chosen are the archbishop of Hartford, Henry Mansell, the archbishop of Atlanta Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Newark John Myers and that of San Juan, Roberto Gonzalez Nieves.Dolan, 59, a Missouri native, has been in Milwaukee since 2002. Part of the American episcopate would've preferred a prelate of greater impact, to counter the new team in the White House, seen by many as unfavorable to Catholics. But the Vatican has preferred to maintain the type adopted previously in other similar cases: a bishop of a very pastoral profile with a soft touch.In his headline, Rodari led with his close, writing that the reported choice would signal a "soft line against Obama" on Rome's part.Nine days after the initial Newsmax.com report from Rome sent up a veiled tip pointing to the highly-regarded Milwaukee prelate -- a media star, priesthood guru and former rector of the Pontifical North American College -- Dolan faced the cameras last weekend, telling the Packerland press that "anytime there's kind of a major see that opens, what have we seen Washington, Baltimore, Detroit, now New York, my name for some reason comes up. I'm flattered."I have to say," he added, "I find myself sort of saying, ‘I don't know where all of this is coming from, and there's sure not much I can say.’ But all I do is just keep going to work each day and trusting in the Lord."

40 things in a life of a Portuguese child

This was sent by my cousin. For all those who shared in the great Portuguese culture you will totally relate. My favorite one is number 7. Enjoy.

01.You have at least one relative who wore a black dress every day for an entire year after a funeral.

02.You spent your entire childhood thinking what you ate for lunch was pronounced "sanweesha."

03.Your family dog understood Portuguese.

04. Every Sunday afternoon of your childhood was spent visiting your grandparents and extended family.

05. You've experienced the phenomena of 150 people fitting into 50 square feet of yard during a family cookout.

06.You were surprised to discover the FDA recommends you eat three meals a day, not seven.

07.You thought killing the pig each year and having torressmos, morcella, linguica and a hanging dead pig from the ceiling was absolutely normal.

08.You ate sopa de covos for dinner at least three times a week, and every Sunday.

09.You grew up thinking no fruit or vegetable had a fixed price and that the price of everything was negotiable through haggling.

10.You were as tall as your grandmother by the age of seven.

11.You thought everyone's last name ended in a vowel.

12.You thought nylons were supposed to be worn rolled to the ankles.

13.Your mom's main hobby is cleaning.

14.You were surprised to find out that wine was actually sold in stores.

15.You thought that everyone made their own bread.

16.You never ate meat on Christmas Eve or any Friday or that matter.

17.You ate your salad after the main course.

18.You thought Catholic was the only religion in the world.

19. Your were beaten at least once with a wooden spoon or broom.

20.You thought every meal had to be eaten with a hunk of bread in your left hand.

21.You can understand Portuguese but you can't speak it.

22.You have at least one relative who came over on the boat.

23.All of your uncles fled to America to not20go to the war in Angola or they went to the war in Angola.

24.You have at least six male relatives named Tony,Frank, Joe or Louie.

25.You have relatives who aren't really your relatives.

26.You have relatives you don't speak to.

27.You drank wine before you were a teenager.

28.You were pinched under the arm in church by your mother.

29.You grew up in a house with a yard that didn't have one patch of dirt that didn't have a flower or a vegetable growing, or a grape vine covering it.

30.Your grandparent's furniture was as comfortable as sitting on plastic. Wait!!!! You were sitting on plastic.

31.You thought that talking loud was normal.

32.You thought sugared almonds were common at all weddings.

33.You thought everyone got pinched on the cheeks and money stuffed in their pockets by their relatives.

34.Your mother is overly protective of the males in the family no matter what their age.

35. There was a crucifix in every room of the house,

36.You couldn't date a boy without getting approval from your father. (oh, and he has to be Portuguese)

37.You called any pasta "shpargett"

38.You dreaded taking out your lunch at school

39. Going out for a cup of coffee usually meant going out for a cup of coffee over Tia's house.

40 Every condition, ailment, misfortune, memory loss and accident was attributed to the fact that you didn't eat something.