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.
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.
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
Go As A River by Shelley Read is a coming-of-age story. Torie Nash is a young girl who inexplicably falls in love with a young man, who helped her home, when she hurt her ankle.
That's it.
A chance encounter and she interiorly commits herself to this idea of love with Wilson Moon. Also, inexplicably, he must have had the same feelings because he doesn't leave town, although everyone there hates him--worse, they're out to get him.
I was surprised by the prejudice against Indians. Will is Indian and that's why everyone hates him. Everyone except Torie. I always thought it was a point of pride to be Indian or have some Indian in your family. I guess not always. At least, not in Colorado.
Will hides out in Torie's neighbor's house, where they meet and she gets pregnant. Torie's family thinks like the town's people, and she knows her family would reject her, never mind Will and their baby. In fact, Torie's brother, Seth, brutally kills Will.
Torie takes off and and has her baby in a deserted cabin, in the woods. Again, inexplicably, on her way home, she leaves her baby with a couple who are picnicking.
The rest of the book is about the baby growing up and Torie's carrying on in the family's peach farming business.
I found the plot improbable but the writing was so beautiful that I carried on reading the book, just like a river goes on and on, just like the title, Go As A River.
Still following the Concord Pastor's suggestions with my post about my visit to the dentist. I still contend that nothing brings me closer to God than my dentist. I even prayed four rosaries in that dentist chair.
Since I pray the most fervently and frequently, I say my Dental Sorrowful Mysteries is my most spiritual post.
The Concord Pastor has just offered me days of meditation. He lists the 10 best posts of 2024. Today, I'll post about the happiest event that happened in 2024.
I'm changing the modifier "happiest," to "most satisfying." This event happened while playing cribbage. In conversation, I explained the Rosary and to another person, the Immaculate Conception. Plus, I became closer to these two people. It was a "win/win."
Today, I brought my 94-year-old friend to her doctor. Afterwards, we went to lunch. I have to laugh at our conversation. I was telling her about my interaction with a mutual acquaintance of ours. We knew who we were talking about without knowing her name. It went something like this.
You know what's her name, the one who's always talking about living in England.
Who?
I can't think of her name. But she's tall, maybe the tallest woman in the Senior Center.
Oh yeah. I think I know whom you mean.
Yes, she has naturally curly hair, white.
Oh yes, yes. I can't think of her name, either. She sometimes works the register, in the cafeteria.
You got it. Yes her.
Well, what about her?
She's the one who told me that if you eat 12 grapes at midnight--one for each of the 12 months, you'll have good luck.
Well, what's her name should know. She always wins our raffle.
The Apostles and disciples were always expecting Jesus to establish His kingdom here, on earth. They found it hard to understand why Jesus...
