Holy Eve. not Halloween

I am sleepy.  I woke up WAY too early.  So I got up.  WAY too early!  If I were to take a nap I know that I will not sleep well tonight.

Tomorrow is a Holy Day of Obligation.  No, it isn't the celebration of Halloween.  It is All SAINTS DAY.  By the time that most of you read this post it will be  Nove. 1.  And on Saturday we get to change time for Sunday.  I always re-set my clocks before I go to bed on Saturday eve.  "Fall back" one hour. I won't like that, but I will get used to it.

On the subject of Halloween:  There is nothing holy about it.  It stems from a pagan rite that was celebrated in much of Europe, probably stemming from ancient Celtic rites.  It ushered out the fall of plenty and good harvests and met the winter season and solstice at the door with bonfires and celebrations. It is also called "Devil's Day" as all kinds of mischief, meanness and naughty behavior occupies a lot of the youth and adults of all ages.

In the eighth century Pope Gregory decided to incorporate the rite into the observance of All Saint's Day and try to stifle the lusty, wild side of the pagan ritual.  Well, we still have the paganisms of yore to some extent, but it is slowly becoming a tradition for children of all ages to enjoy in a more moderate manner.  When I was a child I enjoyed Halloween, too,  and I don't mind having goodies on hand for the little ones.

Yesterday gasoline was $3.02 a gallon.  In the wake of Sassy Sandy the price has jumped up again.  Fortunately, I got my gas the other day and can go for a week or two, if I am careful.

I went to the Good Will Store this afternoon and bought a "new" jacket and a couple of spiritual books.  The jacket has some stains on it and I got most of them out with two washings.  It is a nice jacket and was made in Russia.  The jacket that I have been wearing is really coming apart.

+++

 

BUT BY THE GRACE

OF GOD,

AND HIS GRACE

IN ME

HAS NOT BEEN

FRUITLESS-

IN FACT I HAVE

LABORED MORE

THAN ANY OF THEM,

YET NOT I,

BUT THE GRACE

OF GOD IS WITH ME.

 

Paul to the Corinthians

2, Ch.15: 10

 

It sounds like St. Paul is doing a little bragging here.  The verses before this acknowledges that he was a persecutor or the early Church.  Also, Paul speaks a lot of prophesy and speaking in tongues, more than I realized.  He says in essence that if you speak in tongues you are worshiping for yourself(and God), but when you prophesy you are speaking for the church.  A true prophesy can be understood as a message from God through a person.  Speaking in tongues can not be easily or not at all, conveyed by the worshiper or the listener.

 

 

END

VATICAN 11 DOCUMENTS...THE YEAR OF

I have been thinking about car companies and the Church and spirituality.  This is the year that we celebrate the Vatican 11 Documents. It is much like a guide or book of rules and regulations.  You must look carefully to find the gems and treasures within the pages.  It is essentially a re-tooling of the Church and the Faith.  It is the re-defining and upgrading of the Faith of our Fathers that makes it strong, vibrant and able to run the race and endure for the long haul. 

Like the Chrysler Corp., the Ford Company or the venerable Chevy, we too must do a little re-tooling, refine our design, and perhaps even alter our style, as indicated by The Vat. 11 Documents.  We all need a little updating now and then.

The engine that drives the Church is the   the Eucharist; the Body and Blood of Christ, "the heart of the church."  Yes, we can go to church every day and even "twice Sunday," as they say.  If we take it all for granted, pray by rote and follow all prescribed prayers and activities, is that enough?

We need to fully realize that receiving Holy Communion is a gift of the Spirit that gives us that inner awareness that we are becoming One with the Trinity.  The Trinity resides in us and we become part of our Lord.  In a sense you might think of yourself as part of "The Trinity" when you receive this great moment of re-tooling and refining of the knowledge of God.  That us.  We are the "vehicle" that God has encouraged to power His Church.  "Do this in memory of me."

We can run our little engines on "Reg" or rev. it up a bit with premium; the "higher the octane, the better the performance."

The Eucharist is the mystery that we partake of; the center of life of the church.  We will never be able to fully comprehend the Trueness of God, the Trinity, but the receiving and union with the Spirit makes us a Holy Temple of the Lord.  Even if we don't appreciate or are unable to fathom the mystery of it, we will become better persons for it, even if it is a rote discipline or done out of habit.  Each step counts.

If you have a Vat. 11 Doc. book, read pages 4, 16, 19, 46, 49, and onward.  Perhaps you may need to read it several times to got the "gist" of it.  If you do not have the book, your library will have it. It is a profound mystery.  Please do read it.
 
This day I have tried to find a little more information about my family in NY and in NJ.  I am sure they are all right, but it would be nice to know how they made out.  I know that my niece in Manhattan is without power and that another niece probably had to stay all night at the hospital where she works.  As far as I can determine there wasn't any flooding in my hometown.  God was and is watching over them.

I went out to pick up my medication this afternoon.  $210.00, cash under Obama care.  Some of my eye qtts. were double in price.  Yuk.  So it goes.

END

 



LIGHT AND LAUGHTER! GOT SOME?

I must say that I have not given much thought to this bog today.  I have been glued to the weather channel because most of my family live on the east coast...and yes, they are "catching it" from the storm.  Most of them have lost power and they have wind and flooding along the Delaware.  So far I know that there have been roofs blown off and tress down.  They seem to be riding the storm out, so far.  I hope and pray that they and all will come out unscathed.

Locally we have had some wind, but with bright sunlight and tomorrow it will be the same.  I need to be out tomorrow so I hope that it stays that way.

REJOICE ALWAYS.

PRAY WITHOUT

CEASING.

IN ALL THINGS

GIVE THANKS;

FOR THIS IS

THE WILL OF GOD

IN JESUS CHRIST

REGARDING YOU ALL.

DO NOT EXTINGUISH

THE SPIRIT.

 

2 Thessalonians 5:16-20

 

***

 

Rather than finding life, events and situations to rejoice about, sorrow, misery, doubts, losses, wants and desires, seem to take precedence in so many of of us.  I have my days of "O Poor Me," too, but not too often.  I do try to overcome such deprecations of life.  There is no value in such a state of mind unless you...or I, can learn and benifit from such indulgences within the soul of me...and thee.  I try to be happy and pray always, and open myself to the spirit.  I am not always successful, but I try to give it good "go."

 

Here is something strange:  I often wake up in the night in prayer, perhaps because I go to bed in prayer.  Even stranger..I often wake up laughing.  If I could just remember what was so funny I think I could write a good book!  A silly prayer I say at mass is: "Fill my heart with light and laughter, Lord."  I have to admit that I just wouldn't want it to happen in church!  Does anyone have a silly prayer that they pray?

 

END

 



An UGH day...but God's day...

It has been cold, wet, and windy.  I don't like it.  We get what we get.  It was another day that I didn't want to crawl out from under the covers.  I did.  I went to mass.  I didn't really expect too many people to be there, but they came in spite of the weather.  I'll bet they all were saying "Ugh," too, and this is just a mild sample of what may come our way.


After church I did a little shopping.  I still need to go back for milk.  It is supposed to be a little nicer tomorrow so it shouldn't be so crummy out.

It rained so much that the water is pooling and is not running off.  After a summer without rain we now have plenty of it.  The ground is really saturated.  I am glad that all that work was done yesterday and not put off to today.

I have been picking off some green tomatoes to bring in and ripen on the counter.  They will not be around much longer.  They are expensive, even in a discount grocery store.

There isn't much to share with the readers that come to this poor blog.  I do get a good number of Russian visitors and one from China.  The visitor from China disappeared from the stats and that has happened before.  I wonder how they do that.  I don't think China likes my blog very much.

+++

 

THE GOLDEN RULE

***

THEREFORE,

ALL THAT YOU WISH

MEN TO DO TO YOU

EVEN SO,

YOU DO ALSO TO

THEM;

FOR THIS IS THE LAW

AND THE PROPHETS.

 

Matt. 7: 12

 

I guess everyone knows this famous verse or is at least familiar with it.  We just don't practice it as we should.  We will complain loudly for all to hear if someone doesn't do right by us, then we have a tendency to get even or send their Karma right back to them.  There is a verse in the Old Testament that goes something like this;  "An eye for an eye, ans tooth for a tooth."  We seldom finish the verse off as it ends with "Vengeance is mine, saith the lord."  Which means not yours.  We are not supposed to seek vengeance for it is a sour drink to pour from a sour flask.  It is like "pouring new wine into old skins," as in the Bible.  What you get does not satisfy, negate or heal old wounds.  Only God can take a bitter drink and turn it into honey.  "You get what you pay for."  No, I am not going to look it all of this up for you.  You can find it on your own in your Bible.

 

 

As I said in a previous post, I think that I will not post on most Saturdays unless the "spirit moves me."

 

 

END

 



LIFE IS A FOREVER CLASS ROOM

The best laid plans...well, you know how that goes.  It was my intent to get a lot of work done today.  It was my desire to get some really "deep" cleaning done in the kitchen and then the bathroom.  I had a good start in pulling things apart in the kitchen and scrubbing, washing more cloths and other small jobs.  As I said...I got a good start.

I went outside in the yard and as I was working friend drove by, backed up and told me he was really broke and did I have any jobs he could do.  Yup, says I...I really do.  He trimmed out the big tree in the front yard, cleaned up and trimmed all of the front, loaded all the big branches and refuse on a trailer, cleaned out the fence line on one side, mowed the grass and raked all the leaves, cleaned the sidewalk and used a blower to finish it off.  It looks really good and it is work that I can no longer do.  I was happy to to give him the $250.00 he asked for.  It helped him and helped me a whole lot.  I may need to watch my nickles and dimes for a bit, but he and his girlfriend worked super hard. 

Dare I tell the President that when a businessman goes "bust," and looks for yard work and odd jobs, that the economy is not so hot after all?  No, I guess I had better not.

Right after Jeff left to go get his trailer a women knocked on the front door and asked me for money so she could take the bus downtown.  She said she only needed fifty cents, so I gave it to her.  After all, it is only fifty cents and she might be in real need...what do I know.  Later I spotted her going from house knocking on doors and she came up to Jeff, twice, asking for money.  Then I saw the police car cruising about.  I think someone called them...no, it wasn't me.  I was pretty sure she wanted money for beer or drugs, but it is really hard to judge.  Anyway, you never know when your own well-being might turn and I would rather part with my fifty cents than see someone in true need. 

So, I still have all this work in mind that I want to get done.  Maybe I can get some things done after mass, but I need to get other stuff done as well, and some minor shopping completed.

 

+++

 

THE EYES OF GOD

SEES ALL HE

HAS MADE;

HE UNDERSTANDS

MAN'S EVERY DEED;

NO MAN DOES HE

COMMAND TO SIN,

TO NONE DOSE HE

GIVE STRENGTH

TO LIES.

 

Sarach 15: 19

 

I see this passage from the Old Testament, in part, that whatever we do or don't do for our neighbor, is known to God.  We can help or hinder, but we are commanded in the New Testament...to love our neighbor and not to bear false witness against them.  I can tell you it is often hard to love or have much compassion for our neighbors.  Yet, it is what God wants of us, one and all.  To say that I often fall short of what God expects of me, is an understatement.  Living by God's will and precepts, Old or New Testament, is a forever class room of forever lessons.  I think I could use a bigger chalkboard and a good eraser.  Got one you could lend me?

 

 

END

 

 

A LITTLE TEMPTATION GOES A LONG WAY

I will "sort of"  take the day off tomorrow.  There are a lot of things that need to be done and the "maid" quit.  The maid is me, of course.  It is a good thing I don't have to pay myself for work accomplished or I would be perpetually broke.  There are days that I feel like the Hoarders that you see on TV.  Well, at least the garbage is out, the dishes washed and I can walk through the living room and straight to the refrigerator.  I get my exercises...walking back and forth to the 'fridge.

I did some shopping yesterday afternoon.  I got bread for .39 cents, chicken noodle soup for .49 cents, 4 boxes of cereal for 1.49 each.  I bought other canned items and saved on them, also.  By the end of the week I will need to go back and get a gal. of milk for .99 cents.  I wish everyone had access to a good, saving store like Ruler.

I had intended to take some items to church this morning for the pantry box, but I was lazy and just got to mass before it started.  Which means that I didn't take time to sort it out.  Tomorrow I will sort some food items out and take them in on Friday...and leave home EARLY!  Or at least earlier.

Anyway, I do hope I can make tomorrow a work day and not a shirk day.  I may not get everything done that needs to be done, but I will take a good crack at it.

As I posted so much last evening I am making this a bit short as I need to go to bed before 1 A.M.   Hmmm, do you think that I stayed up too late last night and that is why I was so slow this morning?  Naa, not me!

+++

 

"IT IS WRITTEN,

NOT BY BREAD ALONE

DOES MAN LIVE,

BUT BY EVERY WORD

THAT COMES FORTH

FROM THE MOUTH

OF GOD"

 

Matt. 4: 4

 

***

 

Jesus spoke these words after the Devil tried to tempt Him into turning stones into bread after He had fasted in the desert for forty days.  If I believe in Jesus, then I must also believe in the devil and that he is alive, well, and very active.  It might have been him that was tempting me to stay in bed this morning where it was nice and cozy, warm and sheltering.  Well, I did get up and going, but the desire not to move was certainly there.  I am a weak person and I expect that my resolve will be tested when the as the days get colder and darker.  Pray that I can fight temptation on cold, wintry days that are just a few weeks away. 

 

END

BLACK COFFEE RELIGION

I have a friend who drinks her coffee black or nearly black.  I do not like black coffee.  I find it bitter.  I like a little cream and sugar in my coffee. 

I think of "religion" as a lot like black coffee.  Your getting the basic brew, but none of the flavor.  It is plain and ordinary.  It would be much more palatable with a few "enhancements."  That is why I compare black coffee to religion.

In spirituality, we should be ever growing and evolving in Christ, our God.  It is the added flavoring that makes our black coffee religion an acceptable drink to become the superb nourishment that floods our souls.  We are moving from plain caffeine to a desire for a more complete "cup of Joe."

We are seeking God with a few visual and physical aids from within and without.  It is an ongoing pouring of the spiritual brew until our "cup runeth over." 

Everything in life is better with a little sugar and cream.  It just tastes better and you want to go back for more, seeking a spiritual richness.  We are seeking that union with Jesus that is also sweet and filling, like a good mug of coffee.

Going to Mass, praying the rosary, vocal prayers, meditation, good works and singing praise to the Lord...are enhancements.  St. Augustine said it best; that lifting up the voice in hymns is like praying twice.  Gee, I wish I had said that...and I wish I could sing, too!

As we add good flavoring to our coffee, we add more and more taste to our Maxwell House Coffee or religion of choice.  When and as we become deeply(hopefully) embedded in the Spirit and there are fewer or no bitter dregs to imbibe in, God's light escapes from under the basket to illuminate and become the beacon of our souls.  We are expanding in the light of the Lord.  We ourselves, are  enhanced, infused with His brilliance and the Lord wants to shine in us and through us.

You will find in the Old Testament a lot of gloom, doom, mayhem, vengeance and  blood sacrifices.  Christ said that He did not come into this world to replace the Old Testament, but to make it better, thus enhance and fulfill prophesy and revelation.  The Spirit of God was sent in and through Jesus, to help us to evolve into a more centered, spiritual awareness...spiritual maturity.

Is it easy to obtain,  this elusive quest?  For most of us we will always seek what God offers, and perhaps find a little bit of the heavenly treasure.  For some, such as the saints and holy people of God, they have reached a certain height on the mountain top.  For all of us...we have to keep climbing and reaching, stretching, and enhancing the coffee, so to speak, and praying that our cup will run over.

One of my favorite "enhancements" is the rosary.  It is a powerful, meditational prayer.  I hope you have a few enhancements of your own.

I didn't add any Biblical quotes here and keep in mind that I am not a theologian.  I write what I feel, hoping it comes out in an understandable, correct manner.  Also, the "black coffee" is an analogy, to help me express my thoughts.

END

GIFTS OF GRACE REVISITED

Mondays roll around so fast.  And the month will soon roll on and out, too.  Where does the time and the days go?

As I said  I went and got my teeth cleaned so put your sunglasses on while I flash you a gleaming smile.  A Kodak moment?  No!

After my trip to the dentist and the parting of a good chunk of my checking account I decided to go to the Golden Corral and let someone else do the cooking and wash the dishes.  Actually, I have not been there in over a month.  It is out of my way most of the time and on Sundays there isn't any place to park.It is a very popular place.

I am half listening to the debate.  I will be glad when it is over and life as we used to know it might return to a less political state of mis-information, or semi-normal.  I say semi-normal because there isn't any normal anymore.   Read the papers or watch the news and tell me what is normal these days.

I have invited a couple of friends to submit guest articles or essays here.  Whether they accept the invitation or not remains to be seen.  I hope they do write something that I can post herein.

Last night I tried something new for arthritic neck pain.  I tried a generous shot of Brandy in soda.  As I don't drink it went right to my head and made me pretty woozy.  I did sleep well, 'though, but I won't be trying that "cure" anytime soon!  It will be back to Aspirin or Ibuprofen for me, thank you.

I am working on an essay to post  here.  I have a rough draft written out, but I need to think about it a little bit.  You can not imagine how hard it is to write something new or relevant each night.  I keep saying that I will give up on this blog, but I feel a certain obligation to the visitors that come here.  So...I keep on plugging along. 

+++

AIM AT CHARITY

YET STRIVE AFTER

THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS,

BUT ESPECIALLY

THAT YOU MAY

PROPHESY.

FOR HE WHO

SPEAKS IN A TONGUE

DOES NOT SPEAK

TO MEN

BUT TO GOD;

FOR NO ONE

UNDERSTANDS

AS HE IS SPEAKING

MYSTERIES

IN HIS SPIRIT.

 

1 Cor. 14

 

As you know I have written a little bit about speaking in tongues before.  I wanted the gift of tongues when I was younger, but no longer desire it.  Even now, I don't know how I would receive such a great gift.  I don't know how I might cope with it, yet if it ever did come upon me...within me, would I be able to glorify God with such a wondrous touch of the Holy Spirit?  As you have probably noted, I try to write and relate to what little  of the gifts that have been given to me, in a simple, yet comprehensive script. I must admit that I often confound myself and say, "Now where that come from? as I write.  I am rather simplistic in my thinking and certainly not a theologian.  I do the best I can with what I have, and what I have been given, is a gift...a grace.  And yes, God tells me every day that I can and should do better. 

 

END

 

 

Just a note to clarify:  While we receive gifts from the Holy Spirit..not all gifts are the same or in the same perportions.  I guess God offers us what we can handle or are willing and open to  accept and receive.  



 

THE SHEEP AND THE WOLVES

It was cold and windy today and I don't like cold and windy.  I don't like hot and humid very much either.  OH, picky me.

I was going to go shopping today, but I didn't want to do that either.  OH, lazy me.  Well, I don't really need to go shopping so I stayed in.

I find that on week-ends there are not a lot of visitors to this blog...OH, there are some, so I am thinking of not posting on Saturdays as well as Sundays.  People are out doing other things which is good.  People need to be out and doing other interesting activities. 

I have been pulling some long sleeved blouses out of the closet in anticipation icy fingers of wrath which predicted to descend upon sometime later next week.  Go away, icy fingered fiend.
 

Monday is a trip to the dentist for the cleaning of teeth.  I don't like that either, but I want to keep my teeth so that "I can take them with me."

I made some dumplings tonight.  I had a desire for comfort food.  I have made better dumplings, but I will eat them.  Other than that it has been very quiet and uneventful.  Good.  I like it that way.

+++

 

BEHOLD,

I AM SENDING

YOU FOURTH

LIKE SHEEP

IN THE MIDDLE

OF WOLVES.

BE THEREFORE

WISE AS SERPENTS,

AND GUI LESS AS DOVES.

BUT BEWARE OF MEN;

FOR THEY WILL

DELIVER YOU

UP TO COUNCILS

AND SCOURGE YOU

IN THEIR

SYNAGOGUES.

 

Matt. 10: 16-17

 

 

****

 

A truism then and a truism now.  We need to be aware of who and what we are, esp. now.  There is such a rapid change all around the globe in cultures, traditions, beliefs and religions that real "scourgings" may come upon us if we are not diligent where we tread.  Be careful where you put your feet for the serpent is alive and well; not necessaraly the one imparting wisdom.  Yes, there are wolves at the door looking for sheep and gentle doves.  Beware and prudent in all things.

 

 

 END



BON JOUR!

I didn't sleep well last night and couldn't figure out why.  Then it dawned on me: I went to bed too early.  My inner clock is just not set for hitting the hay before 12 or 1 A.M or ever later.  Once the clock made a few turns I did fall asleep.  Now I am sleepy and will probably go to bed "early" again.

Last evening and even today I thought I knew what I was going to write about, but now I am re-thinking about it as someone "sort of" wrote about the same subject today.  Since I am tired I will wait and mull it over in my mind.  Thus, this a short post.

+++

 

BE YOU THEREFOR

IMITATORS OF GOD,

AS VERY DEAR CHILDREN

AND WALK IN LOVE,

AS CHRIST ALSO

LOVED US

AND DELIVERED

HIMSELF UP

FOR US AND

OFFERING

AND A SACRIFICE

TO GOD

TO ASCEND

IN FRAGRANT

ODOR.

 

Eph. 5: vs. 1-2

 

END

 

 

 

 

 



BREAD AND WINE

I am happy to say that I got a number of things done today.  I did a lot of laundry, drying and hanging up of cloths.  Took some odds&ends of clutter out to the back porch...and killed a couple of spiders.  I know, they are God's creations, but I sent them back to God.  God can have them...I don't want them.

Even if I did get some needed work done in the house there is a lot that I can do and should do.  So, tomorrow after mass I will start a few more little jobs.  I need to get everything buttoned up and ready for winter.  Someone is coming to town and it isn't Saint Nick unless he appears as the bearded lady.  It is just about time for fickle Mother Nature to come sneaking in from her northern frontier castle.  I am not about to lower the drawbridge and let here in.

+++

 

THEY SHALL

BE CONVERTED

THAT SIT

UNDER HIS SHADOW;

THEY SHALL LIVE

UPON WHEAT

AND THEY SHALL

BLOSSOM

AS A VINE;

HIS MEMORIAL

SHALL BE

AS THE WINE

OF LIBANUS

 

Osee 14: 8

***

 

Osee is not commonly referenced, but it is easy to see the poetic alliteration of the bread and wine. Osee was a prophet and dire, as prophets as often are.   Often I pick readings that are not the readings of the day, but are meaningful to me.  To get the fullness of Chapter 14 please go back and read the entire chapter, if possible.

 

Just a side note: I seem to be getting a lot of visitors from Poland, which I love having them to show up in the stats.  The problem I have with this is that I am not sure just how accurate the stats are as the numbers keep changing.

 

If you keep reading, one and all, I will keep posting.

 

END

 





 





 

HAIL MARY...

I did some yummy good cooking this afternoon.  I am glad that it has cooled of enough so that cooking in the kitchen is bearable.  Even with A/C right beside the stove the kitchen gets pretty warm if I am cooking.  My cooking is better than fast food any day.  Yummy potatoes, yummy steak and onions and yummy green beans.  My tummy felt spoiled and happy.

Not a lot going on that is worth writing about.  We are having a rolling thunderstorm and that will bring a lot more of the leaves down.  I hope the leaves all blow away and I won't have to rake them up.

+++

 

IN HIM WAS LIFE

AND THE LIFE

WAS THE LIGHT

OF MAN.

John 1: 3

 

A very simple yet mystical verse from the prologue of John.  It is out of context, but sums up what John is telling us; the the Word was the begining and the Word was God.  It is fundimental in our belief in the Supernatural Creator of all things.

 

A question was asked on the Catholic Forum.  Is Mary  a co-creator with God.  As Mary was created BY God then she can not be a co-creator because then she would also have to be a creator of herself and nowhere in the Bible is that indicated.  I do think that she is a co- redemptionist as God chose her and made her to be the vessel to bear his Son Jesus.  All through church history she was and is, an emassiary of Jesus, imparting His desires for our salvation through her messages and apperations. She is the "direct line" to His  infinite presence.  You can ask Mary to ask her son for our needs, intentions, and to pray for us. 

 

 

*** 

 

HAIL MARY,

FULL OF GRACE

THE LORD

IS WITH  THEE.

BLESSED

IS THE FRUIT

OF THY WOMB

JESUS

HOLY MARY

MOTHER OF

GOD

PRAY  FOR US

SINNERS

NOW 

AND AT THE

HOUR OF OUR.

DEATH.

AMEN.

 

***

 

END  

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 



MONTH OF MARY

Well,, that was interesting...the debate, that is.  As far as I could tell there wasn't a clear winner in the Presidential debates.  Only losers and that would be...us.

I really overslept this morning.  I took an Ibuprofen last eve. for the sore muscles and I guess it doesn't take much to put me out and under.  ZZZ.

I did get some work done though.  My big job was mowing the back yard.  Yup, I am still mowing in mid-October.  Yup, the grass is still growing; just not as fast. And yes, I irritated my sore muscles, but I'll get over it.

Soon I will need to pull up my tomato plants.  There are a number of green tomatoes trying to ripen so I don't want to yank them just yet.  Each time a tomato is nearly ripe for picking something takes a nice bite and ruins it.  It may be slugs or that pesky squirrel that goes tearing across the backyard.  I wish my neighbor would stop feeding them.

As the weather is about to get cooler again, I will need to start covering my air conditioners.  I do love that duct tape
big plastic bags.  I need to speed up on winterizing.

I have not posted much about the Rosary this year, though I did last October.  October is the Month of Mary when we give honor and homage to the Mother of Christ.  The rosary is a powerful intercessory prayer.  I pray the rosary every day, asking the Blessed Mother to pray for my family members that are not well or in need, and for my friends, too.  No, It is not a substitute for praying to God.  There is only one God, but we offer a respectful tribute to she that was chosen to bear Jesus.  We petition her to pray for us and intercede for us.  All good Mothers will pray for their children and we are the children of God.


So...the month is half over and I have been lazy about posting anything about this being the month of Mary.  I have several rosaries.  One,  my sister brought back to me when she went on tour of Europe and one from a friend who went to Rome about a year ago.  They are both beautiful rosaries, but I continue to use an older, worn one.  Once I had a rosary with water from Lourdes in the beads, but I put it in the hands of my sister-in law when she passed away.  She was very good and special.

+++

 

MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD

MY SPIRIT REJOICES IN GOD

MY SAVIOR

FOR HE HAS LOOKED

IN FAVOR ON HIS LOWLY

SERVANT

FROM THIS DAY

ALL GENERATIONS

WILL CALL ME BLESSED

THE ALMIGHTY HAS DONE

GREAT THINGS FOR ME

AND HOLY IS HIS NAME

HE HAS MERCY ON THOSE

WHO FEAR HIM

IN EVERY GENERATION

HE HAS SHOWN

THE STRENGTH OF HIS ARM

HE HAS SCATTERED

THE PROUD IN THEIR CONCEIT

HE HAS CAST DOWN

THE MIGHTY FROM THEIR THRONES

AND HAS LIFTED UP THE LOWLY

HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY

WITH GOOD THINGS

AND THE RICH HE HAS

SENT AWAY EMPTY

HE HAS COME TO THE HELP

OF HIS SERVANT ISRAEL

FOR HE HAS REMEMBERED

HIS PROMISE OF MERCY

THE PROMISES HE MADE

TO OUR FATHERS

TO ABRAHAM AND HIS

CHILDREN FOR EVER.

 

Luke 1:46-55

 

At first I thought that I might just refer to the Magnificat and tell you where to find it in the Bible because I didn't want to type the whole of it out.  Then, as I thought about it, I remembered that everyone might not have a Bible or  be able to look these verses up.  So I did go ahead and type it in.  I hope it was helpful. 

 



END



 



WISDOM

OH NO!  I seemed to have sprained a muscle in my right shoulder and neck when I was hauling that big mower about on Saturday.  It is painful, but it is the kind of discomfort that will go away in a few days time.  I would rather know that I have the pain and can offer it up for the suffering of others, than not to be aware or doped up and unaware.  No, I don't like the discomfort, but I can live with it.  Does offering one's pain up alleviate the pain, trails and sufferings of others?  Christ did it.  And my aches and boo boos are such little things, that I should, too.

Someone that I know very well blames all the troubles of the world on everyone else other than...."self" and states that "self" has a right to be "bitter." Bad things and troubles happen to the best and the worst of people.  Bitterness is not a "right."  It is a choice. No one ever said that life would be all fun and games, that tears would never flow or the heart would go unbroken.  I get angry and frustrated at times, but I chose not to be bitter.  Bitterness never helps anyone or solves problems, or repairs relationships or families.  Bitterness only destroys.  I chose to build rather than mire myself in bitterness.  Build with me, if you will.You will be a lot happier.

I guess I really don't have anything very interesting to write about.  I stayed home and didn't do much.  I guess on Tuesday I should get busy and get some things done.  Also, I think that I will watch the debates in the evening.  That should be "entertaining."

+++

 

WHEN I WAS YOUNG

AND INNOCENT

I SOUGHT WISDOM

BEFORE ALL ELSE.

IN PRAYER

I BEGGED FOR HER,

AND FROM MY YOUTH

I FOLLOWED

AFTER HER.

 

Sirach 51: 13-14

***

This is a short excerpt.  If you can, read more of Ch. 51.  Wisdom does not come to everyone.  We can be just as foolish in our old age as we were in our youth.  Wisdom does not come easily, either. It is usually acquired in the school of hard knocks, trial and error, and adversity.  They are not such fun lessons, but often a painfull and memorable.  Yes, sometimes wisdom hurts, but you are better for it.

 

THE WISDOM TREE

IS ALSO THE

TREE OF LIFE



   

 



END

TV just isn't good and the news is worse.

This is another short post.  I slept late, got up and blundered around for awhile, then went and got gas for the mower and mowed the front yard. Then I muddled around some more and watched some TV.  I tried to watch Revolution, but found it kind of dumb so I switched over to Alaska, the Last Frontier.  So...as you can see I have been lazy today.

Tomorrow morning I don't get to sleep in.  I hope my new clock radio wakes me up so that I am up on time.  New clocks can be tricky to set for the first time.

+++

 

AND WE KNOW

THAT ALL THINGS

WORK TOGETHER

FOR GOOD TO THEM

THAT LOVE GOD,

TO THEM WHO

ARE CALLED

ACCORDING TO

HIS PURPOSE.

 

 

Romans 8: 28

 

END

THE GIIFT OF GRACES

OK.  It is time to wind down.  The last three days have been
busy for me and it is now time to take a rest.  I think that I will sleep late tomorrow morning.

I took some items to the church vestibule for the pantry.  I didn't take a lot because I don't carry things well anymore.  I will take more items in, but only what I can comfortably carry at a time.
 
I have been shopping.  I need some new cloths.  Most of my cloths have come from the Salvation Army or the Good Will store.  Generally, when you buy from them, they are half worn out or could be damaged.  I decided that a few new cloths would be nice.  I bought two new blouses and some house slippers.  I probably spent more money in the past few days than I have all year.  Well, my spending spree is over, as it must be.  Money does not grow on the tree in my backyard. 

One item,  that I needed, but did not want to buy, is a new clock radio to wake me up in the morning.  The other morning there was a power surge that burned out the clock setting of the radio.  The radio is OK, but now I don't have an alarm.  I will keep the damaged radio as it partially works.  We often have these power surges and I don't know why, but when they occur the mess everything up, esp. clocks and radios...sigh

CHARITY NEVER FAILS,

WHEREAS PROPHECIES

WILL DISAPPEARR

AND TONGUES

WILL CEASE,

AND KNOWLEDGE

WILL BE DESTROYED

FOR WE KNOW

IN PART THAT

WE PROPHESY

IN PART,

BUT THAT WHICH

IS PERFECT HAS

COME,

THAT WHICH IS

IMPERFECT

WILL BE DONE

AWAY WITH.

 

1 Cor. 13: 8-10

 

 

So...my Bible says (in the commentaries)  that the gift of tongues is not for for teaching or preaching, but for the attraction of praising God in a new language.  When I was young I wanted the gift of tongues, but never received it.  I think perhaps I was too inhibited and also too desirous of the gift.  My friends had it and I wanted it. I don't think I fully understood, perhaps not even now, what the gift was meant to be; the praise and glorification of His Holy Name.  Now, as I am older, I know that the gift of tongues is a grace that is not the only way to give homage and honor to God, but one of many graces.  The gift of tongues is no longer a desire for me and has not been for a long time.  In a sense I have "graduated" to a different level of grace, if I can say that.  I think the greatest gift and grace is that of the life we...I...have been granted and the knowledge of God that permits me to say, "I am."  I am not a rock, a tree or a stone unturned.  "I am," a small portion, yet fully allotted  to me, of the Holy Spirit.  God is.  I am.  He is me and I dwell in Him.

 

END

 

 





short post

I have been out most of the day as I was yesterday and will be to some extent tomorrow.  Then I watched the vice Presidential debate.  I am ready to go to bed which means that there will not be much written here. 

The only thing that I will mention is that Father came down from the alter and had a little open discourse with some of the people that were at mass.  I have no idea what he said as I couldn't hear him.  The church is large and his voice didn't carry.  I am sure it was something interesting, but I missed it.  Oh well.

Sorry that this is such a short post.

+++

 

NOT THAT WE

ARE SUFFICIENT

OF OURSELVES

TO THINK

ANYTHING,

AS OF OURSELVES,

BUT OUR

SUFFICIENCY

IS FROM GOD.

 

2 Cor. 2: vs. 5

 

END

"STUFF'S GETTING BETTER"

I have been on the go all day and will be busy tomorrow as well.  I also have to go back to the eye doctor to have my pressure rechecked.  I have several things to do and places to be tomorrow, so I won't have much time to post much.  Of course, you might consider that a blessing!

I went to the store and got a whole lot of stuff for $21.00.  I got eggs for .29 cents a dozen and a gallon of milk for .99 cents.  I got a lot of canned goods, too.  I may go back and get a few other items for baking.

I am so blessed that I think that I should take some of what I have to church on Friday.  There is a box in the side vestibule for donations for the church's food pantry. Yes, people are in need in spite of Obama's claim.  He reminds me of the character (Harrison Ford) in the movie The Postman.  He said that "stuffs getting better."  In our case all I can see is the high price of food, gas and general living expenses.  I count myself very lucky and blessed.  I will try to share a little of what I have.

I got a haircut today.  It isn't the best haircut I ever got.  I will go back tomorrow and ask them to even it up on one side where it sticks out and is not even with the other side.  I hope I have time in between running around.

+++

 

WHAT MY FATHER

HAS GIVEN ME

IS GREATER

THAN ALL;

AND NO ONE

IS ABLE TO

SNATCH

ANYTHING

OUT OF THE

HAND OF MY

FATHER.

I AND THE

FATHER

ARE ONE.

 

John 10: 29-30

 

 

 

 

Someone on the Catholic Forum asked the question, "Have you ever lost your faith in God?"  It was a general question thrown out to all readers.  I think I have always believed in God even as a small child.  I am not very good in expressing my faith verbally.  I have a tendency to clam up, and keep my mouth closed whenever the validity of faith and God is broached.  I do better with the written profession of my faith, but not outstanding.  I do believe in God.  You may call Him by many names or titles, but somewhere, for whatever reason, a supreme being created all that you see on earth, in and under the stars.  God is.  He just is.  No one has yet explained the "Big Bang" because they can't .  All that we know and are, is just too elegant in design to be tagged in the pursuit of science or understanding.  What I do falter in is...Who and What I am in the vast scope of God's creation.  That is only natural as we are only human and not given to all knowledge and wisdom.  We...and I...are here.  Therefore, there must be a reason for our presence.  We can try to Do the best we can, Be the best we can, with what we have.  Never doubt: We are here by the grace of God and for a reason.

 

END

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 



MONTH OF MARY

What beautiful fall weather we are having!  I should get a new battery for my camera and get a few pictures of the changes and the fall of the falling leaves.  Oh, how I hate to see the season end.  I do like early Autumn. 

I was out riding around this afternoon and enjoying every minute of it.  I don't know where I went or how I got there, but I didn't worry about it.  Getting "lost"never bothered me: it is new places  to see and things to do.  I finally did have to stop and get something to eat at KY. Fried Chicken.  A nice day...Oh, I know, I should have been home doing something ambitious instead of using up gas.  But I relished the day!

"This day God made a bright and beautiful day."  And it was!

+++

 

THEREFORE

WHETHER

YOU EAT

OR DRINK,

OR DO

ANYTHING

ELSE,

DO ALL

FOR THE

GLORY

OF GOD

 

Cor. 11: 31

 

October is the Month of Mary.

We honor the Mother of Christ.

 

END

 



ONE GOD OVER ALL

My furnace keeps coming on even though I set the thermostat way back.  I don't really want to run the furnace just yet.  I am just fine in my fleece sweat shirt and pants.  I may not look like body beautiful, but I don't care.  I am warm.

This has been lazy day.  Mondays usually are.  I have not geared up and got my transmission grinding in the a.m..  Yup, my transmission grinds along, especially in the mornings.  My motor doesn't purr either.  It takes a good cup of coffee and looking out the back door and thinking about it before my "tires" can find a little traction.  I don't know what I will do when I grow "old."  I think I will just think about it.

I have been tossing out a few odds & ends of plastic containers. I really don't know why I keep such stuff.  I feel like the hoarders that you see on TV. I need to really clean out my back room so that I can have some work done on it.  If I do, I can then call it a bedroom.  Right now it is a junk room.  That junk needs to go...out and far, like to the dump.  I have found that after messing up my arm that a lot of things are a lot harder to do, but do-able.  I just need to talk myself into it.

+++

 

NOW THERE ARE

VARIETIES OF GIFTS,

BUT THE SAME SPIRIT;

AND THERE ARE

VARIETIES OF

MINISTRIES,

BUT OF THE SAME

LORD;

AND THERE ARE

VARIETIES OF

WORKINGS,

BUT THE SAME GOD,

WHO WORKS

ALL THINGS IN ALL.

 

1 Cor. 12: 4-6

 

I think these verses are telling us that there should be no hostilities, jealousies, or  ill tidings between religions or beliefs.  We are all here by the same grace of the same God.  We, or our nation, should not be the cause of suffering among men.  Each of us should try to be the uplifting of ourselves through our our neighbors-brothers, far and wide.  It is not an easy road to follow.  We are steeped in war and greed, if not in nations then in our personal lives.  We can change: We must change if we are to enter into the Peaceable Kingdom, one and all.

 

END