Sunday Snippets

It's Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival time!  Hat tip to RAnn for hosting.  This week I was on vacation, down the Cape.  That is, East Falmouth in Cape Cod, MA.  I got Sunburnt fishing, besides not catching anything, so my activity from then on was bike riding.  At least the bike paths are shaded, and those that aren't, are beside the ocean.  So when you got hot, you got off your bike, and jumped in the water, to cool off.
    The fireworks were a dud.  It was too foggy to see them.  They're shot off a barge anchored off shore.  Sounds cool, but one year the barge slipped off its mooring and all hell broke lose.  Another year the guy setting off the fireworks got burned, and he jumped in the water.  Then there was a time when the fireworks ALL caught on fire.  Those were AWESOME, but too short.
   It seems like I didn't have a good time, but I did. I had so much fun.   And you can tell, I didn't have time to do much posting.  At least, to put too much thought in posting.  But if I have to pick the best, I'd like to call attention to: Our God of Reversals, and Good, Better, Best.  Both posts were from daily homilies at St. Anthony's.  

Another Argument with self.

Q.  Aren't you suppose to be preparing for confession?
A.  It's too hot.  I can't focus.  My hair is frizzy.

Q.  So?  Stay behind the screen.
A.  I feel miserable.

Q.  Good.  That's the way you should feel.
A.  You're right.  I should prepare to make a good confession.

Q. How long as it been?
A.  Come to think of it.  You're not required to confess venial sins.  And since I haven't committed any mortal sins, I don't have to go.

Q.  Define hubris.
A.  Sigh....  I can't think.

Q.  What about failure to examine your conscience daily?
A.  Oh.

Q.  And you're a Lay Dominican.  Aren't you ashamed?
A.  Sigh.........well, at least the church is air conditioned.

Catholic Writers Conference

Several prominent Catholic writers will speak at the fifth annual Catholic Writers’ Conference LIVE taking place August 7-9, 2013, at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ. Sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild and the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN), and held in conjunction with CMN’s annual retailer trade show, the Catholic Writers Conference LIVE provides Catholic writers with a prime opportunity to meet and share their faith with editors, publishers, fellow writers, and bookstore owners from across the globe. The theme of this year's conference is “The Year of Faith.”

Speakers at this year’s conference include authors Patti Armstrong (STORIES FOR THE HOMESCHOOL HEART), Teresa Tomeo (Ave Maria Radio, WRAPPED UP, EXTREME MAKEOVER), Michelle Buckman (RACHEL’S CONTRITION, MY BEAUTIFUL DISASTER), Randy Hain (THE INTEGRATED CATHOLIC LIFE), Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle (EWTN, CATHOLIC PRAYER BOOK FOR MOTHERS), Ellen Gable Hrkach (STEALING JENNY), Regina Doman (RAPUNZEL LET DOWN), author, blogger and podcaster Pat Gohn (BLESSED, BEAUTIFUL, AND BODACIOUS) and many others.

The conference will give authors an opportunity to meet personally with publishing professionals and pitch their writing projects. Some participating publishers are Ignatius Press, Full Quiver Publishing, Ave Maria Press, Christus Publishing, Tuscany Press and Servant Books.  In addition, attendees have the opportunity to sign up for critique workshop with award-wining short fiction writer Arthur Powers, and attend a writing workshop with award-winning novelist Michelle Buckman. Information for these events can be found on the conference web site.

Maurice Prater of Missionaries of the Holy Family attended in 2012, and he says he did not know what to expect at first. “But, what I gained from attending the Catholic Writers Conference, in terms of personal contacts and what I learned, has proven to be one of the best decisions I have ever made." Author Ann Frailey, concurs. “I met writers, publishers, artists and a whole host of other people whose mission it is to transmit the message of truth and hope to the world in a living, vibrant manner.  It was an exciting adventure!”

The Catholic Writers Guild, a religious non-profit organization affiliated with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, sponsors this conference in August, an online conference in March, and a writers' retreat in October to further its mission of promoting Catholic literature. "With members all over North America, these events bring our diverse membership together for fellowship and networking to promote our mission of creating a rebirth of Catholic arts and letters," says CWG President and award-winning novelist Ellen Gable Hrkach.

Registration costs $80 for CWG members, $85 for non-members and $45 for students. There's also a discounted combined membership. To register or for more information, go to http://www.catholicwritersconference.com.

Fishermen and Their Lies

He who laughs last, laughs best.  That's an old saying.  Add to that one; he who learns last, learns best.

Today we learned never to ask a fisherman where the best fishing spots are.  We asked the man in the bait store and he told us that stripers were biting off Elizabeth Islands.

We fished all day.  How many did we catch?

Zero.

Others were fishing with us.

Since we all caught nothing we realized that the man selling bait lied to us.

Think about it.  Why would a fisherman tell you where to catch fish?

He wouldn't.  He would send you as far away from his fishing spot, as he could.  Hence, all we tourists were sent in the wrong direction, on purpose.

Live and learn.

Our God of Reversals

Carravaggio's Doubting Thomas

Today is the Feast of Saint Thomas, the Apostle.  Sometimes he's called Didymis, or the Doubting Apostle, or Apostle to India.  All of his names are friendly, showing much love and devotion.  Of course!  Who has never doubted?  Everyone can identify with sometimes having doubts in their faith.  And everyone loves the story of Jesus telling Thomas to stick his finger in his nail wounds, and his hand in his side wound.  Ew-w-w-w

No wonder Thomas said "No  thanks."   Just seeing is believing.  Thomas is so very much like us.

Think of the lesson of the story of doubting Thomas.  Because of Thomas' doubt, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."  That's us!!!  \0/ \0/ \0/

Another lesson is the fact that Jesus shamed Thomas, and because of Thomas "epiphany", Thomas' faith is solidified.  His faith grows exponentially.  Thomas goes on to be a missionary to the East.  India's Christians venerate him.  I vaguely remember that there are a few Christians in Tibet (yes) and they trace their history to St. Thomas, too.  (I'm too lazy to do a google search and prove this to you.)

Another interesting story revolves around Thomas being the only apostle not being present to see the resurrected Jesus, and the death of Mary.  Thomas was the only witness to see Mary assumed into heaven (making up for his being left out of seeing the resurrected Jesus).  The other apostles were miraculously transported to Mary's death bed and were present with her.  Thomas missed out, again.  However, Thomas was later transported to her tomb, where he saw her assumption, into heaven. As Mary ascended, she dropped her girdle (belt) to Thomas.

Here's the big reversal.  (God does this continually.)   Thomas now tells the other apostles that Mary was assumed up to heaven.  They doubt.  Not until the apostles see Mary's empty tomb and her very own girdle (belt), do they believe.  (Come on guys, put your hands inside the tomb, and finger this girdle.  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.)

The story continues.  Thomas' receiving of Mary's girdle, is often depicted in art.  Thomas' doubting is reduced to a metaphorical knot in the Bavarian painting, Mary Undoer of Knots.*  For some reason, this famous painting by the German, Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner (1700) became the poster for the devotion, Mary Undoer of Knots.  Many Catholics venerate this image.  One famous pilgrim was so taken by the image that he brought it to his own country.  I'm talking about Jorge Bergoglio who later became Pope Francis I,.  Archbishop Bergoglio promoted her veneration in Latin America.  The devotion attracts people with small problems.  Archbishop Bergoglio had the image engraved on a chalice he presented to Pope Benedict XVI.  And a similar chalice was presented to Bergoglio, when he became pope, by the Argentine people.

Here's the thread: doubting Thomas, doubting apostles, all tied up in Mary's girdle (belt).  God can do anything.  Undoing knots is easy, especially when compared to changing doubters into believers.

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. 
You know very well how desperate I am, my pain and how I am bound by these knots. 
Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. 
No one, not even the Evil One himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. 
Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot...I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all, You are my hope. 
O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution and with Christ the freedom from my chains. 
Hear my plea. 
Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me

St. Thomas Cross

* The concept of Mary untying knots is derived from a work by St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Adversus haereses (Against Heresies). In Book III, Chapter 22, he presents a parallel between Eve and Mary, describing how "the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith.

h/t  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_the_Apostle

You're Chosen

It was a simple question.  "Why am I the only one in my family that loves God?"

The response, "Funny, me too."

Very often there's one person that's different than all the others in the family.  He's religious!

Do you think, God picks people out to do special work, like pray for others, be a priest, to give witness to God, bring others to God?  I do.  I sometimes think that's my job--to bring others closer to God.  I usually can introduce people to others who help them.  I offer ideas that sometimes make them reflect.

I think God has chosen certain people to do certain things, Abraham, David, the twelve apostles, etc.  Never mind the chosen people--the Jews, to produce a messiah.

What do you think you were chosen for?

Good, Better, Best

Re: Luke: 9:51-62

The lighthouse keeper was given an allotment of oil to run the lighthouse for a month.  A neighbor ran out of oil and needed it to keep his newborn warm.  He begged the lighthouse keeper for some oil.  The keeper gave him what he needed.  Again, an elderly neighbor ran out of oil and begged for some.  The lighthouse keeper helped her.

Unfortunately, the oil ran out in the lighthouse, itself.  Consequently, a boat was shipwrecked on the rocks, and a hundred lives were lost.

The lighthouse keeper was cited for gross negligence.  The court found him guilty of the deaths of those one hundred sailors.

The lighthouse keeper chose the wrong "good."  Helping your neighbor is a good thing.  Doing your job is the better choice.  And that's the lesson in Jesus' parable about the two "would-be" disciples, who wanted to tend to their own concerns, rather than follow Jesus.