Spoiled Brats

We in America are spoiled brats!  During this quarantine, many people I personally know,  are still going to Mass (here and there where they are being held), or Confession (where given) or Eucharistic Adoration. I didn't think anything of it, until I read this article in America Magazine (April 23, 2020).
The writer, Michael Bayer points to many other people in other parts of the world, who live without the sacraments.  And we Americans can't stop whining and demanding that our bishops ignore the health recommendations are have Mass.

Think of the refugees of famine and war. 
Think of the migrants along our Mexican border.
Think of prisoners locked in their cells.
Think of people who only have access to priests every few months, e.i., Peru, Papua, etc.
Think of people who are scattered far away from the sacraments.

What did the Jews in the Babylonian captivity do all those years away from their sacred liturgies?  They carried on their traditions and prayed.

And we are whining?

We are blessed to have computers with internet.  We can access Mass, rosary, homilies, teachings, and many devotions.  I feel blessed to watch Boston Catholic TV where I watch Bishop Reed pray the Divine Office, pray the rosary, and celebrate Mass.

O Lord, are you teaching us to count our blessings?  Please send the Holy Spirit upon us to appreciate our blessings and discern how we are becoming all You want us to be.  Amen.

Restorative Justice for Bishops

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon, France, is seen praying in this 2007 file photo.
 (Credit: CNS photo/Mohamed Messare, EPA.)

When I was told that a Novena of Penance and Prayer for the physical and spiritual healing of our diocese, over the sexual abuse and coverup by bishops was going to take place, I exclaimed incredulously, "But we didn't do anything!"

An answer was ready.  "We are a community.  We support each other."

That shut me up but it didn't satisfy my feelings.  So here are my thoughts.

The buck stops at the bishop's crosier.  The abusing priest is sick.  He was the start of the problem.  But instead of fixing the problem, the bishops enabled the problem.  I don't buy that doctors' said that the priests were healed.  For the past 50 years????? 

One priest in my parish was drunk and exposed himself to a woman.  He was taken out of the parish and assigned someone else.  Where?  He became chaplain to an all-female college. 

Is that not the bishop fault?  Even if a million doctors said the priest was OK, why would you take the chance?

BTW, that priest got into trouble at the college.  (I bet you're not surprised.)

Anyway, I lay the blame on the bishops. 

I also don't think we sheep should be doing penance for our shepherds.  We didn't even know about any abuse.  Those who did (Bishops) need to do penance and make reparation. 

Families are a good example.  They certainly are a community.  When one member misbehaves he is given a time-out.  Not everybody--to support him.  That one member alone is standing in a corner where everyone can see him doing his "time."  When a citizen commits a crime, he is sent to prison where the public takes note that he is doing his "time."  Society doesn't accompany the perpetrator to prison.  So why should we do "time"?

I propose that the bishops in the USA do public penance by teaching.  It would be nice if the bishops taught the faith and concretely translated it into action by teaching at least one hour a day.  I envision the bishop teaching a CCD class every day and another RCIA class, additionally. 

Both would benefit.  The bishop would get to know vital sheep in his flock, i.e., children and discerning adults. 

For their penance, bishops should teach a CCD class, every day, for a year.  Additionally, they should teach RCIA for a year, also because RCIA should be year long, anyway.

And in this way, the sheep will get to see and know that their shepherd is humble and contrite.  May God, Who sends the Holy Spirit to spread grace through forgiveness, give pardon and peace to His Holy Church.  Grant this Father, through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

TV Mass

For the first time, I watched Mass.  I had a terrible time sleeping last night, so I didn't go to daily Mass.  I found today's Mass on Boston Catholic TV.  That's how I participated.  Since I couldn't physically receive Communion, I made a Spiritual Communion.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

What is the Meaning of Life?

Tom Lyman was on Boston Catholic TV, this morning.  He was talking about the New Evangelization.  Tom stressed the need to be ready to share our faith, when the opportunity presents itself.  He gave as an example an encounter with a customer in the checkout line.  He was a stranger but while waiting, the two of them shared a sigh of resignation.  (It looked like a long wait.)  The man said to Tom, "What is the meaning of life?"

Tom said he used the opportunity to share the kerygma.  I understand that Tom shared the Gospel message.  But he didn't say exactly what he told the man.

So all day, I've pondered that question (just in case I'm ever asked, "What is the meaning of life?").

The first thing I'd do is affirm the question and questioner.  This question has been asked by everybody, throughout history, at some point in their lives.  Next, I'd tell him about my experiences volunteering in prison.  Now, if anybody had a good reason to ask, "What is the meaning of life?", it would be someone serving a life sentence behind bars.  Yet, the population I deal with, see a meaning to life.

Some of them have had money, beautiful families, beautiful homes, flashy cars, big boats, great jobs, professions, and even owned businesses.  All of it is gone.  Hence, they have experienced that these things weren't enough.  You would think that having a purpose in life, would give it meaning.  It didn't satisfy.  You always want more.  The more money you have, the more you spend.

What they have found is religion.  Don't scoff.  It's the one thing that has given meaning to their lives.  It teaches that you have a purpose.  Religion offers community and that means support.  Religion teaches you to love and serve others.  You love God and He wants you to love and serve others.

In fact, religion may be a factor, in not only happiness and well-being, but health also.  Is that meaningful enough for you?  There are three locations where people live the longest: Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, and Loma Linda, California.  What do they all have in common?  They have religion, yes, but each place has a different religion.  But each religion stresses community--love one another, love God, serve each other.

Okinawa is an island.  Most of the residents are Buddhists.  However, the residents all practice a custom called moais - love one another and serve each other.  Sounds like the Christian Golden Rule doesn't it?  Sardinians are Catholic and love God and He wants us to serve one another.  The people in Loma Linda are Seventh-Day Adventist and practice the Golden Rule.

Hence, I assert that the meaning of life is to find God.  Religion is the path to Him.  And if you don't believe me, I know as a fact, someday you will.  Try religion, what have you got to lose?