Fathers of the Church

 Some times the early church fathers are called the Apostolic Fathers because their writings talk of the original 12 apostles' work, and maybe even knew some of the apostles, at least they learned from them.  They lived in the 1st and 2nd century.  Peter is one, and his letters are in the New Testament.  Linus is considered the second pope, and although he is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21, there aren't any writings from him.  

Since these early writers, wrote, we know of them.  So, they are continuing the work of the Apostles.  Hence, Apostolic Fathers.  They are important because they describe the life, and ideas, of the first Christian communities.  I'm learning about them and will post, as I learn.

The Theater is Closed

 It’s the end of an era. I am discarding the Puppet Show. My youngest grandchild is twelve years old and doesn’t come over my house—I don’t have to babysit, anymore. Although she currently is in Theater Camp, so maybe she’ll be in her own show. 

I used the theater to explain Bible stories. We made sock puppets. I remember the carpet got soaked, when Moses divided the sea. 

The other lesson plan I remember, although it didn’t involve the puppets, was the story of David and Goliath. I made a giant figure of a man and stuck it to a door. (Picture “pin the tail on the donkey”).  I don’t remember what we used as stones, but I remember we used our Covid masks, as sling shots. 

Oh well!  Time marches on and children grow up. I pray they learned about their religion and had fun doing so. 

Life is a Rehearsal

 My sister died, last week.  I'm still processing that fact.  She had been senile, for the last few years.  It was hard for me to remember her, as she was.  It still is.  I'm all alone, now.  There are no more siblings--just me.  It feels funny, even though because of her condition, I couldn't reminisce.  There's no one to share family memories with, even though she couldn't in her condition. Every memory, thought, or expressed words, are finished.  It's the end.

So, is this life.  

But there is more.  Christians know that death is not the end of life.  In fact, death is the moment that all Christians have been preparing for.  If we live good lives, if we live as Jesus taught us, if we love one another, we have no reason to fear death. It is our Christian goal.

As a Catholic, our sacraments prepare us for eternal life.  Every Mass is a rehearsal; every Confession is a rehearsal; every Rosary is a rehearsal.  We should be ready, even eagerly awaiting our hour of death.  I pray this is how it will be, for me. I do not fear death, but I am brought to my knees. 

 

The Obscured Mystery of God's Presence.

 Just plain meditating, to me, is a bore.  I consider myself lucky, if I fall asleep.  Otherwise, it's a waste of time.  However, The Cloud of Unknowing, insists that I don't give up.  Easier said than done.  

Persevere until you feel joy.

Oh!  I get it.  That's the "cloud".  My mind is cloudy, even a dark cloud.  I'm going to try until this cloud between me and God is comfortable.  I hope to be at home in it.  I'll keep striving to feel love.  Will it be mine?  or His?  According to The Cloud of Unknowing, God will bring me into a deep experience of Himself.

I'll keep you updated.

Divine Connection

 The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is a spiritual classic.  Everyone says so, especially Pope Leo XIV.  I have about four or five copies, in my bookcase.  So, I must have read them, correct?  Then, why don't I remember anything I learned from The Practice of the Presence of God?

So, I reread one of those books.  It didn't take me long to realize why I didn't remember reading the book.  It's boring.  It's not telling you anything you don't know.  Like kids say, DUH!

The theme is to rely on God.  Trust Him, in all things.  Accept everything that comes along--good and bad, as part of God's plan.  Abandon your own wants and stay focused on God.

A life of continuous mindfulness and divine connection is what God wants.

Tormented by Fear

 The first time, I walked into prison, to volunteer, I was afraid.  Think about that.  I did nothing wrong, why would I be afraid.  Now imagine if you were a prisoner.  You would probably be freaked out, entering a prison, for the first time.  Not knowing what will happen to you is scary anytime.  When your future is unknown, the people you will meet are worrisome, and how long your time there will be, is overwhelmingly full of fear.  Paranoia could set in.

This is what inmates go through.  Pray for them.  Despair is easy, too easy--a parole denial, abandoned by friends and family, long sentences, no future, crazy people, physical abuse may happen, all of these scenarios are brought to mind. 

Prison life is hard.

Loneliness

 Although there's always Hope in prison, everyone is lonely.  Separation from family and friends makes inmates desperately lonely.  Also, since the inmates aren't sure of whom the other inmates are, they also distrust everyone and everything.  That's isolating individuals from each other.  The only remedy is visitations from family and friends and writing letters and phone calls (this costs money).  In fact, postal stamps are used as money when inmates trade with each other.