Gestapo Followup

Yesterday, I reminisced about the childhood game, we called Gestapo.  It was really about mercy because it was in that foolish game that I first learned what mercy meant.

As a child, it meant stop being mean and cruel. But as an adult, I think deeper.  Now, I know that mercy involves love. Not that the two concepts are equal but that true mercy comes from love.

I will give you an example.  After work, on Fridays, hubby goes out with the guys.  They go to a pub to have some beers.  Not often, but a few times, he has come home drunk.  I grow furious waiting for him.  My imagination goes wild:
                                                                                                 
Was he in an accident?                                               
Is he hurt?
Did he hurt someone?
Was he arrested?

Part of me is emotionally hurt.  Why does he prefer the company of the guys, to his wife?
Part of me is disgusted.  I had a childhood with a drunk.  I don't intend to spend my adult life with one!

So when he comes home, (whenever that will be) I plan to scream at him.  I'll demand that he stop going out on Friday or I'll leave him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, you know what happens?  The minute I see him or hear him coming up the stairs, all the rage and angst just dissipates.  It melts off me.  I am so happy to see him; I can't say anything I planned to say. I'm relieved he's home.

Not that we don't have a conversation the next day, but it is grossly tempered with reason.  Anyway, that's mercy.

Mercy is about my love for my husband, even when he doesn't deserve it.

New Liturgical Movement

Photopost Request: All Saints and All Souls 2019

GREGORY DIPIPPO

Our next photopost will be for the feast of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Souls, this Friday and Saturday. As always, we welcome pictures of Mass in either Form, or the Ordinariate Rite, as well as the vigil Mass of All Saints, celebrations of the Divine Office / Liturgy of the Hours on any of these days, and displays of relics. (The posts will also include some spontaneous submissions from the EF feast of Christ the King.) Please be sure to include the name and location of the church, and always feel free to add any other information you think important; email them to photopost@newliturgicalmovement.org. (Zipfiles are preferred.) Evangelize through beauty!New Liturgical Movement 

Gestapo

Back in the "good ole days," we played a game we called Gestapo.  It was nothing like the Gestapo simulation games some children played.  Another one.

No, my neighborhood's Gestapo was simple (and stupid).  It consisted of one child bending a finger of another child back so far until the child cried out in pain for mercy.  That's it.

Then the perpetrator simply stopped. 

Consequently and obviously, this game was only played on newcomers.  Everyone else knew better.

My point in this post is how young were you when you understood the concept of mercy?  

Animals are Animals

Sometimes dogs just don't like people. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.  Their smell?  Their demeanor? Their fear?

But it doesn't mean anything.  I've had dogs growl at me and cats jump into my lap.  Don't put human motives on the animal.

I know this and was reminded of this knowledge when I read G.K. Chesterton's The Oracle of the Dog.  It's a short story and available for free to read, here.

This is a Father Brown mystery.  Someone is killed and it seems like the dog fingers the guilty party.  But it's not that simple.  The dog simply didn't like the person.  The dog didn't know who committed the crime. 

It's a quick read.  Enjoy.

Capuce

In Prayer

A capuce is the hood on a Dominican friar's habit. It is worn over the scapular, which is that long apron worn over the tunic.  The cappa also has a capuce.  It's the hood attached to the cappa.  The cappa is the cape.  When to put on the capuce has rules much like a gentleman donning a hat.

But I'll tell you one thing.  Don't ask a friar a dumb ass question when he's kneeling and his capuce is on.  It means he's in prayer.

See white capuce inside black capuce

                     

With Your Spirit

Remember when we once said, prior to 2011, "and also with you," when the Mass celebrant said, "The Lord be with you."  Now we respond with "and with your spirit."  With your spirit is not only closer to the original Latin, but it also makes more sense.

And also with you was merely a polite response, much like:
           How are you?
            Fine, how are you?

That what I thought.

But now, and with your spirit, we are respecting the priest's position as alter Christi.  The people are praying that the Holy Spirit guide this priest as the celebrant of the Holy Mass.  This is what the priest was ordained for, to be a priest for us now.

Think about this.  It's a big difference.

Stroke

Modern medicine can be miraculous.  Two weeks ago, one of my "cloistered brothers", had a stroke.  That news stopped me in my tracks.  My mother had a stroke and she was paralyzed on her left side for the rest of her life.  My friend, Sue had a stroke and she also is paralyzed.  And so when I heard that my "cloistered brother" was paralyzed on his left side, I expected similar results.

Yet, today when I walked into the chapter meeting, there he was. 

He was fine.  His left side was weak and he may be mentally confused occasionally, but still.  He was given some kind of medicine to reverse the effects of the stroke. 

He is blessed.

Explaining Jesus

Once, I think, I came across a Lord Whimsey mystery on PBS.  I was not impressed. However, today I attended a "Day with Mary," presented by Father Brian Mullady, O.P. and he happened to refer to her.  His exact reference was lost on me because he said she wrote The Dogma is the Drama.  I can't find this on Amazon.  But I've googled around and am fascinated by Dorothy Sayers.  She died in 1957, so I consider her contemporary.  In her literary way, she was a lay theologian.  

One book she wrote, The Man Born to be King was about Jesus and so memorable that C. S. Lewis said he read it every Holy Week. She was brilliant.  Many describe her as bigger than life.  She dramatized the gospels.

I definitely will have to read more of this remarkable author.  I am humbled by my ignorance of her work.  My education has been neglected.  



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Seven

My "cloistered brothers" and I were reading Joseph's interpretation of Pharoah's dream, Gen. 41.  In this dream, there's seven fat cows and seven skinny cows and seven ears of healthy grain and seven of poor grain.

One of the "cloistered brothers" asked, "what's with the number seven?"

My explanation was just that numbers were important to the Hebrews and they had special ones to denote fortune.

But another "cloistered brother" added that when you're playing dice, you have more chances of rolling a seven, than any other sum:

6 + 1 = 7

5 + 2 = 7

4 + 3 = 7

3 + 4 = 7

2 + 5 = 7

1 + 6 = 7

Well, what do you know?  He's right.

Halloween Treats

My grandkids enjoy Halloween night.
They like to go trick o' treat door to door
Not dressing to give anyone a fright.
"Trick o' Treat", the characters roar.

Harry Potter seems to be the theme.
For girls, it's Hermione Granger for sure.
For boys, it's Snape or Draco, it seems.
The magic is perfect for this night's lore.

My little one's a black-winged bat
Swooping quietly around the night.
I knew her by her smile, hair, and hat
Her sister's voice shrieked in fright.

Both looked like strange creatures to me,
A bat and Hermione, a wizard and her pet.
I opened the door and what did I see?
Funny and cute, my Lucy and Violet.

Credits to Catechism in a Year

468. What is the purpose of punishment? A punishment imposed by legitimate public authority has the aim of redressing the disorder introduced by the offense, of defending public order and people's safety, and contributing to the correction of the guilty party. Further reading: CCC 2266 469. What kind of punishment may be imposed? The punishment imposed must be proportionate to the gravity of the offense. Given the possibilities which the State now has for effectively preventing crime by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm, the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent." (Evangelium Vitae). When non-lethal means are sufficient, authority should limit itself to such means because they better correspond to the concrete conditions of the common good, are more in conformity with the dignity of the human person, and do not remove definitively from the guilty party the possibility of reforming himself. Further reading: CCC 2267

The Prayer Group is Back

It's been almost five years since Father Diotrophes had a run-in with those people.  A quiet peace had descended upon the parish. Probably because the leader of the prayer group had saved his life.  Although it could have been his prayers.  Father Diotrophes had been praying for patience with the prayer group.  Prayer works, that's for sure.  Anyway, he just about forgot about them.

On this particular Sunday, Father Diotrophes was looking forward to the Women Club's Bake Sale.

He was always the beneficiary of some of the leftovers.  He usually gifted with his choice of whatever he wanted.

Finally, the last Mass on Sunday was finished and he meandered over to the bake sale.  But what did he find?

Nothing.

??????????

"Oh, Father Diotrophes what a blessing!  We sold everything!"

"Everything?"

"Yes, the prayer group bought everything that was left, to bring them over to the Town's Department of Public Works' Garage.  The town workers will enjoy our baked goods on their break.  Isn't that thoughtful?"

Father Diotrophes was silent.  He might have grunted an assent.  (I think.)

Always Do Your Best

Today I noticed that the angels above the altar are different.  From the pews, looking up, one may think they are the same but look closer at their faces.  Their hair is different.  One has bangs and although both have long hair, they fall on their shoulders differently.  And it may be me, but I think their expressions differ slightly.

This reminded me of a story about Jose Maria Escriva.  I heard that to explain how every person should always do their best, he would bring them up to the top of Notre Dame in Paris.  Once up there in the very heights of the tallest buildings in the city, he would point out the statues on top, gargoyles, and design curlycues, on the roof.  No one could see the details in each one of those fixtures.  Yet, the artist made each one different.  What difference did it make?  The people from the street couldn't see any difference.  But to the artist, it was important.  He wanted his skill and talent to be obvious so he always did his best whether others would appreciate his work, or not.

Shouldn't we always try to do our best? Not only is this a good habit to cultivate, but it would please God.  He made us and gave each one of us everything we have.  We should strive to use God's blessings to their utmost, always.

Washed Clean

Lectio:

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 144

Reading 12 KGS 5:14-17

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times
at the word of Elisha, the man of God.
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,
and he was clean of his leprosy.

Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God.
On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said,
"Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,
except in Israel.
Please accept a gift from your servant."

Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;"
and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused.
Naaman said: "If you will not accept,
please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth,
for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice
to any other god except to the LORD."

Studium:

Naaman, an army commander had leprosy and had tried many cures.  None worked.  His wife's servant, an Israeli, recommended that Naaman present himself to Elisha, the prophet in Israel for advice. At first, Naaman wasn't going to do this but he was desperate to try anything.  So he went to Elisha.  When Elisha told Naaman to dunk himself into the Jordan, he thought he was kidding.  Naaman even wondered if Elisha was making fun of him.  But at the urging of his wife and her servant, he gave it a try.  This is the background to 2 Kings 5: 14-17.

Meditatio:

Well, I know the shame associated with illness and its associated desperation.  The desperation forces one to overcome the shame. Naaman, as I, appealed to God for help.  Naaman was not Israeli and worshipped other gods, but when Elisha's God cured him when nothing else worked, Naaman became a believer.  My faith was strengthened as I became healthier and healthier.  To God belongs the glory.

Oratio:

More importantly, was Naaman's inner change.  Before encountering God's power he was arrogant and proud.  When meeting the mercy of God, Naaman was humbled and thankful.  Naaman saw and believed.

Contemplatio:

Lord, give all the grace to believe.  Heal all who come to you that they may be humbled and grateful.

Resolutio:

My prayers tonight will be thanksgiving for my many blessings.

How about Raping People Who Rape?

We kill people who kill people?  Why don't we rape people who rape? 

One reason I think, is that we don't want to be personally involved.  When capital punishment is involved it's not a human being touching another human.  It' may be an injection, an electric chair, a guillotine, etc., not the bare hands of a human.  Doesn't that tell you that it's not natural?

The concept of capital punishment may seem acceptable until you get personally involved.  That's a whole different story.  Then you think, is it necessary?

Exactly!

A Gospel Prayer

When people pray the Rosary, they meditate on particular stories of the life of Jesus and Mary.  But they are called mysteries.  Why? I don't know but they are.  Mysteries = Stories.

There are five images in the Joyful Mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.

There are five images in the Sorrowful Mysteries: Agony in the Garden, Scourging, Crowning with thorns, Carry the Cross, and Jesus' Death.

There are five Luminous Mysteries: Baptism of Jesus, Wedding at Cana, Preaching the Kingdom of God, Transfiguration, and the Eucharist.

There are five Glorious Mysteries: Resurrection, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption of Mary, and the Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven.

Meditating upon these events in the lives of Jesus and Mary is why the Rosary is called a Gospel Prayer.

Off the Derech.

In Jerusalem Maiden, Pierre once told Esther that he felt lucky that he wasn't born one of the chosen people. This is taken out of context, especially when you take into account that he was an illegitimate child. He felt lucky to be born free of social constraints, never mind religious rules, traditions, and expectations.

 But Esther was born one of the chosen people. Unfortunately, the author, Talia Carner, paints the Heredi Jews in an unfavorable light. The picture she paints of these ultra-Orthodox Jews is unflattering. And Esther breaks free for a time and is punished--at least she feels that her brief escape caused the punishment. That's also painted as backward thinking.

Contrast the dark Jewish view against the colorful light of the artist's section of Paris and the sexual allure of Pierre, and the chosen people don't look so chosen, do they?

Prayer from the First Continental Congress

Image from Boston Tea Party Museum         

Monday night, my "cloistered brothers" and I were discussing our favorite psalms.  James said his favorite psalm was Psalm 35, the one that was prayed at the First Continental Congress, in 1774. 

I didn't know this.  James also continued by explaining how theology grows and this psalm is an example.  He was trying to tell us that Psalm 35 meant something different in 1774 than it does now, 2019.

The psalm was written in the political climate of the Hebrews, i.e., war, exile, battles, suppression, etc.  It was given to the First Continental Congress in the political climate of war.  The country was trying to throw off the English government, so there was that in common--oppression.  But reading it now, is by far, very dissimilar.

Because the psalm deals with David's prayer to a just God appealing that his enemies be punished and he be avenged, the colonists identified with that psalm. Today, however, we can't imagine a just God taking vengeance on anyone.

I don't think David et al believed in an afterlife.  They prayed for justice in their present situations.  I can't imagine them praying, "Thy will be done."  Remember David believes in "eye for eye" justice.

I won't copy Palm 35 for you.  It's long and monotonously boring.  But I'll point out a few things.  Psalm 35 is a lament.  The psalmist prays that his enemies, the evildoers be publically vindicated.  He wants them punished--quickly.  It is a prayer that is vindictive.

At least the psalmist believes that God is omnipotent.