Some Conversions are Hard to Believe

 Please, Lord, teach me now how to serve you with all my heart, to know at last what it really is to love, to adore, so that I may worthily administer your kingdom here on earth, and find my true honour in serving your divine will.’

When Thomas Becket was consecrated bishop, this was the prayer he recited.  At least, this is the prayer, author Jean Anouilh put in Becket's mouth, in the play.  I think everyone can pray it.  Don't we all aspire to do God's will?

Public domain via Wikimedia

Becket had a religious conversion, and it defined his life from then on.  Hard to believe; it does happen.  Many monks, nuns, and other religious, can attest to that fact.

The Diary

The Case of the Pocket Diary Found in the Snow by Grace Isabel Colbron and Auguste Groner is a free book, offered by Gutenberg eBooks.   I thought I would try it.  It was very short--a plus!  More delightful than that, it was good.  I was attracted by Joseph Muller.  He is a convicted felon.  He has proven himself valuable in solving crimes.  So much so, that he is a secret service detective with the Imperial Austrian police.  

This particular mystery starts with Ludwig Amster being fired from his factory job.  Dejectedly, walking home in the snow, he finds a diary, with a note attached saying to bring the diary to the nearest police station.  He does as instructed and ends up not only helping Joseph Muller solving the mystery but also being offered a job with the Imperial Austrian police.

The diary explains that a lady is being held prisoner.  Muller and Amster follow clues and figure out where the lady was held.  Consequently, they figure out how she was taken by taxi.  The next step was to find the taxi driver and go to where he brought the lady and her abductor. The story ends in confrontation with the lady being rescued.

This little free Gutenberg eBook will not be my last.

Selfishness

 Love can be defined as willing the good of the other.  The two major characters in The Divide by Nicholas Evans are too selfish to will the good of anybody but themselves.  They do what they want and to hell with everyone else.

The novel begins with two skiers in Montana, finding a frozen corpse.  It belongs to Abbie Cooper.  How poor Abbie ends up dead on the side of a mountain, is the story.

Abbie's father breaks up his marriage by dumping his teenage children and wife to shack up with an artist.  Everyone is devasted!  He does what he wants.

Abbie is crushed.  She is also away from home, at college in Montana.  Her family home is New York.  But it's not home without her father.  She feels traumatized.  She's majoring in environmental science, and it is through her environmental interest that she meets Rolf.  Rolf and Abbie write graffiti and hold signs protesting corporate rape of the environment.  Abbie becomes obsessed with Rolf--think Stockholm syndrome.  Soon Abbie is committing arson.  Then, the arson turned to murder.  Abbie is stuck.  She's on the run, away from government authorities, because she is now considered a terrorist.  Rolf uses Abbie and when she finally realizes it, she runs to hide with a former boyfriend.  

Right from the beginning of Abbie meeting Rolf, she wanted to go home to New York, but Rolf wasn't keen on it.  Is that love?  Is he willing the good of Abbie?  Abbie is as selfish as her father and sticks to Rolf, just as her father sticks to his new lover.

The author, Nicholas Evans writes masterfully.  His descriptions make me want to ski the slopes.  The book is so thrilling you could call it a page turner.  It was one of those that kept me up too late to finish it.  Then I couldn't sleep!

Church Mission Trip

 Guest post by Rhonda Underhill.

How to Plan and Organize a Meaningful and Successful Church Mission Trip

Planning a church mission trip is a spiritually enriching experience, but it comes with a unique set of challenges. A mission trip is not merely a journey to a new place; it’s a purposeful opportunity to serve, connect, and grow in faith. To make it meaningful and successful, careful preparation is essential. Here are some key tips to guide you in organizing a mission trip that leaves a lasting impact on the participants and the community you serve.

Define the Mission’s Purpose with Clarity

A successful mission trip begins with a clear purpose. Ask yourself why you are planning this trip and what you hope to accomplish. Is it for construction projects, evangelism, medical aid, or community development? Understanding your objectives will help you align your team’s efforts and communicate effectively with the host community. A focused mission also fosters unity within the group, as everyone works toward a shared goal. By setting clear intentions, you ensure the trip has a tangible impact and avoids becoming just a travel experience.

Select the Right Destination and Partner Organizations

Choosing the right destination is critical to a mission trip’s success. Consider the needs of the community, the safety of the location, and the logistical feasibility of getting there. Collaborating with trusted local organizations or churches in the area can make a significant difference. They provide valuable insight into the community's needs and cultural context, helping you avoid missteps or unintended harm. A strong partnership ensures that your efforts complement existing programs and resources, fostering long-term benefits rather than temporary fixes.

Build a Well-Balanced Team

The composition of your team plays a crucial role in the success of your mission trip. Strive for diversity in skills, experiences, and perspectives. Include people with specific abilities needed for the mission, such as medical professionals, skilled laborers, or educators, depending on the trip’s focus. Spiritual preparedness is equally important, so prioritize team members who demonstrate a servant’s heart and a willingness to adapt. A cohesive team that respects one another’s strengths will work more effectively and build deeper connections with the host community.

Prioritize Cultural Sensitivity and Respect

Cultural awareness is essential for building trust and fostering meaningful interactions during a mission trip. Educate your team about the customs, language, and traditions of the host community before you arrive. Approach every interaction with humility and a willingness to learn. Avoid imposing your own methods or perspectives, and instead, collaborate with local leaders to ensure your efforts align with their priorities. By demonstrating cultural sensitivity, you honor the dignity of those you serve and lay the groundwork for mutual respect.

Handle Unexpected Challenges

Unexpected challenges during mission trip planning are inevitable, but how you respond to them can define the outcome. When faced with obstacles like last-minute cancellations, budget shortfalls, or shifting community needs, it’s important to approach decisions with a calm and thoughtful mindset. Take a deep breath to help yourself relax and regain perspective before addressing the issue. By involving your team in problem-solving and seeking input from local partners, you can often find creative solutions that keep the mission’s goals intact while fostering unity and resilience.

Prepare Spiritually and Logistically

Spiritual preparation is as important as logistical planning when organizing a mission trip. Encourage your team to spend time in prayer, study scripture, and reflect on their motivations for serving. At the same time, attend to practical details such as travel arrangements, fundraising, and packing lists. Create a detailed itinerary that includes time for ministry, rest, and group reflection. A well-prepared team is more adaptable and able to handle unexpected challenges with grace, ensuring the mission’s success.

Engage in Ethical Fundraising

Funding a mission trip requires intentionality and creativity. Focus on ethical and transparent fundraising methods that emphasize the mission’s purpose rather than personal benefits. Host events like bake sales, community car washes, or benefit concerts that involve your local church and neighborhood. Clearly communicate how the funds will be used, ensuring donors understand the impact of their contributions. Ethical fundraising builds trust with supporters and sets a positive tone for the trip’s mission-centered approach.

Leave Room for Reflection and Growth

A meaningful mission trip doesn’t end when you leave the host community; its impact continues through reflection and action. Plan for daily group debriefings during the trip to process experiences and share insights. After returning home, encourage team members to reflect on how the trip has shaped their faith and worldview. Consider hosting a follow-up event where participants can share their experiences with the congregation. Reflection fosters personal growth and motivates continued engagement in service and ministry.

Empower Long-Term Impact

A mission trip should not be an isolated event but part of a larger commitment to supporting the community you visit. Work with local leaders to ensure your contributions align with their goals and build sustainable progress. Maintain communication after the trip to show ongoing support, whether through prayer, financial aid, or follow-up visits. By prioritizing long-term impact, you ensure that your efforts leave a legacy of empowerment and collaboration rather than dependency. By focusing on thoughtful preparation, cultural respect, and spiritual growth, you can organize a mission trip that truly embodies the heart of Christ’s ministry. The journey will challenge, inspire, and transform everyone involved, creating lasting change in both the host community and your team.

Image Freepick.

 It's been four days since I wrote a post about Bishop Marianne Budde lecturing President Trump and entourage, to their face.  I thought it was rudely confrontational.  Since then, I can see where Jesus would do the same.  He would have confronted the authorities in power.  

I can see that.

Personally, I don't have the personality and/or temperament to do that.  I don't know whether it's because I care too much what people think of me, or whether because I empathize too much when thinking how I embarrassed them.

Is it an attribute to empathize too much, or a defect?

Narrative Non-fiction

 Master Slave Husband Wife by IIlyon Woo is a historical narrative.  It is the story of two slaves who escape, a couple of decades before the civil war.  The wife looks white and the husband is black.  They escape from the South by disguising themselves; she is the male owner of the black slave.  So not only were they denying their slave status but also their roles as sex and race.  Can you imagine what would have happened to them, if they were caught?

The story was a thriller, as they made the excruciating slow journey, from Georgia to Philadelphia.  It took forever to travel from train to train and stay in hotels and dine with others who must have wondered if this couple were legit.

Anyway, once in Philadelphia, more thrills were encountered.  Some southern sympathizers would have turned them in.  And then some who just believed that you had to follow the law, immoral or not.  

Eventually, the couple moved to Boston.  Here were names of familiar people that we learn about, in history.  I was surprised by Daniel Webster.  He was not an abolitionist.  He was not a southern sympathizer, either.  He was one of those who believed that you should follow the law without question.  He would go to arrest the couple, but rejoice because they escaped.

After Boston, they went to Canada and England.  They settled in England, for quite a while, where they started their family.  

After the Civil War, the family slowly made their way to the Carolinas and Georgia.  There they were assimilated more or less, like we all were, and still attempt to do.

Valentines

 Valentine's Day

And before you gift me,
buy a box of chocolates.
Many things I appreciate:
Flowers, perfume, and such.
Yet, nothing's good on my plate,
Unless you give me
      chocolates.

There's Godiva, Russell Stover,
Lindt, Hershey, Ferrero Rocher...
Lots to choose but not kosher.
There're dark, caramel, and milk.
But unless you give me chocolates
any other gift is just mediocre.

I won't be pleased with wine
when you bring me out to dine,
flowers in a vase can sit
center table set so fine.
But nothing is acceptable,
unless you give me
    chocolates.

Marianne Cope

Today is a memorial for St. Maryanne Cope.  She was a religious sister who answered the appeal to care for the lepers on Molokai, Hawaii.  

This is where this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson comes in.  Remember he wrote Treasure Island and other works.  While he was cruising the South Pacific, he met Mother Maryanne and was touched.  This poem was written for her.  He also sent the sisters and lepers a piano!  What a generous man!  May God bless him.

TO MOTHER MARYANNE
by
Robert Louis Stevenson

To see the infinite pity of this place,

The mangled limb, the devastated face,

The innocent sufferer smiling at the rod—

A fool were tempted to deny his God.

He sees, he shrinks. But if he gaze again,

Lo, beauty springing from the breast of pain!

He marks the sisters on the mournful shores;

And even a fool is silent and adores.

Guest House, Kalawao, Molokai.

Think Before You Hurt People

 Franklin Graham, a famous Evangelical preacher, gave one of the blessings for Donald Trump.  I couldn't believe he was so unconcerned about embarrassing and hurting former president Biden.  Graham is a man of God!  He was unabashedly mean. 

“Mr. President, in the last four years, there are times I’m sure you thought it was pretty dark,” Graham said.

 The next day, Bishop Marianne Budde, lectured the President and Vice President, right in front of their faces.  She has BIG cajónes!  I agree with her, not the president, on having mercy, but she was out of line.  She literally was holding them captive, while she lectured them.  Talk about a bully pulpit!!!!!

I know people have opinions, but expressing one's opinions has a place.  One shouldn't embarrass anyone.  How would you feel if someone did to you, what you are doing?  What's the matter with people?

The President's Priest Advisor

 President Trump has an advisor who is a Catholic priest.  In fact, he gave the benediction at Trump's inauguration. His name is Father Frank Mann.

How they came to be friends is interesting.  One day when Father Frank was visiting a cemetery, he noticed the name Trump, on a headstone.  The grave was a little messy, so Father Mann pulled up the weeds.  Next time he visited it, he planted some flowers and took a picture.

Here's the beginning of the friendship.  Father Mann sent that picture to Donald Trump, himself.  From then on, they've been in communication.  Not only, trivial banalities, either, but advice on what Catholics look for in leaders, what appeals to them, etc.  BTW, most of Trump's cabinet are Catholics, as were his Supreme Court picks.  

What is noteworthy, is this story is not well known.  Maybe it doesn't fit in with the media's agenda. For the rest of the story see Trump’s inauguration ends with benediction from retired Catholic priest - Catholic Herald

picture from the Architect's Newspaper, Trump family gravesite at All Faiths Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens, New York. (Matt Green/Flickr/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

God's Laws

 LECTIO:                                                                        Psalm 19: 8,9, 10,15

The law of the Lord is perfect,
   refreshing the soul;
the decree of the Lord is trustworthy,
   giving wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,
   rejoicing the heart;
the command of the Lord is clear,
   enlightening the eye.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
   enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true,
   all of them just.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought
   of my heart
find favor before you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer

STUDIUM:

God's laws are not draconian.  His laws are the opposite.  God's laws are guidelines and signs to follow along our way.

MEDITATIO:

Lord, I want to follow Your Words.  What comes out of my mouth must come from the heart.  May my heart align with Yours.

ORATIO:

As I study Your Words, O Lord, guide my understanding.  Guide my actions to follow Your Words.  I only want to please You.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life.

RESOLUTIO:

I need to study God's Words, daily.

   

Course Correction

 

LECTIO:                                         1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Now the body is not a single part, but many.
If a foot should say,
"Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, "
it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.
Or if an ear should say,
"Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, "

it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
But as it is, God placed the parts,
each one of them, in the body as he intended.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you, "
nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."
Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker
are all the more necessary,
and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable
we surround with greater honor,
and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,
whereas our more presentable parts do not need this.
But God has so constructed the body
as to give greater honor to a part that is without it,
so that there may be no division in the body,
but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;
if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.

Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the church
to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

STUDIUM:

The Corinthians must have been arguing amongst themselves.  Paul uses the Greek image of the body, as an example. Hopefully, he got across the idea that everyone had different gifts, but all are to be used to spread the Good News.

MEDITATIO:

All the parts of the body that Paul mentions, work together to get the body to function. A community needs to work together to function.  We all have different gifts.

ORATIO:

Lord, help me be all You want me to be. Lead me away from being jealous of  others.

CONTEMPLATIO:

We are the body of Christ.

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 

Keep Going

 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.

A Spiritual Post

 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 2024 Best

 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."