Defense Wins Games

In all sports, it's defense that wins games. The offense scores and is obviously impressive, but it's defense that allowed that score.  Defense determines who wins.

The same is true in life.  Life is hard.  Once in a while, someone is called to act heroically, but I contend that that would not have happened, if that someone wasn't responding loving every day.  Picking up after oneself, and even others, helping people, will automatically encourage the once in a lifetime heroic act.  Doing the right thing day after day will come naturally, when one is called upon.

Just like the defense player in any game, who practices defense every day, will automatically react, so will responding with love.  Doing the right thing, all the time should become automatic. Be on the defense from laziness, sloth, apathy, and lethargy. 

Cure for Sleeplessness

 Psalm 63 mentions "I think of you through the watches of the night."

What is that about?

The night was divided into three watches.  If someone was awake through all three, they were having a sleepless night.  The psalm is telling you that the cure for sleeplessness is to think of God.

That'll bore you to sleep.

I'm being sarcastic.  But think about it.  As long as you can't sleep, you might as well make use of the time.  Pray.  Examine your conscience. Plan a retreat or some other religious endeavor. Review how God has always been there for you.  Don't waste the opportunity to get closer to God.

I

 Only you and God have this name.

I

Think about it.  God made us in His image.

 

Never Forget

LECTIO:

Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,
which consisted of men, women,
and those children old enough to understand.
Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,
he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,
in the presence of the men, the women,
and those children old enough to understand;
and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform
that had been made for the occasion.
He opened the scroll
so that all the people might see it
— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —;
and, as he opened it, all the people rose.
Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,
and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,
"Amen, amen!"
Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,
their faces to the ground.
Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,
interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.
Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe
and the Levites who were instructing the people
said to all the people:
"Today is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not be sad, and do not weep"—
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,
and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;
for today is holy to our LORD.
Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"

STUDIUM:

Ezra was a priest/scribe, and Nehemiah was an official from the Persian Court, assigned to oversee the rebuilding of Jerusalem.  Remember the people were exiled in Babylon for so long, not only did they forget their religion but maybe their language.  That is why they weep when they Ezra reviews what happened to them.  Ezra reads the Torah and they stand and prostrate themselves.  It's very dramatic and moving.

MEDITATIO:

Lord, why do You bother with us?  Look what we did to our Indigenous American Indian, the African slaves, and today's immigrants. These verses remind us that only God remains good.  That's the only constant.  You are precious.  All else may be lost.

ORATIO:

I pray that I never forget you, Lord. I know You will always love us.   Love is what is important.

CONTEMPLATIO:

If we love one another, God is present.

Knowing and Accepting

 The Apostles and disciples were always expecting Jesus to establish His kingdom here, on earth.  They found it hard to understand why Jesus didn't just tell the world Who He was.  Not until Pentecost did they understand.

Still, think of this.  Ever since Pentecost, the gospel of the kingdom has been proclaimed to the whole world.  Yet not everyone is receptive.  Everyone knows, but they don't accept the message.

Catholic Jubilee

For centuries, the Catholic Church has celebrated jubilee years.  These are times of pilgrimage, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption.  Pope Francis has designated 2025 as a jubilee year.  It began on Christmas Eve 2024, where the pope opened the door to St. Peter's Basilica.  Those of us who can't make the trip to Rome to see for ourselves, can view this awesome basilica digitally.  La Basilica di San Pietro – Microsoft Unlocked

Another jubilee sight to appreciate is the Jubilee Mascot.  I think of the digital video of St. Peter's as the adult's entertainment.  This Mascot is for the youth.

She is called "Luce".  Luce is Italian for "light."  You need light to see on a pilgrimage.  You tell you are on a pilgrimage because there're seashells in Luce's eyes, she has a walking stick and is dressed for weather with muddy boots.  Seashells are iconic symbols for walking on a pilgrimage. She must be Catholic because she wears a rosary.  Luce is ready to journey through life's storms. She is drawn in anime style to appeal to young people.

Attributes of God

 Like me, did you think of The Force, in Star Wars, as god?  He had a lot of power.  He was awesome.  But he was bad.  

God cannot be bad.

What are the attributes of God?  How about omnibenevolent, omnipotent, omniscience?  I don't know about Allah, or Tao, or Buddha, or even AA"s Higher Power.  But I do know that none of them are bad.

Since God has these attributes, and we don't, we trust Him.  At least, that's why I do.  All things work out for good.  Romans 8: 28