Flos Carmeli

On Taking Up Our Crosses--WOW!

from The Science of the Cross
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Knowing this, Jesus' disciple not only takes up the cross that is laid upon him, but also crucifies himself: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." They have waged an unrelenting battle against their natures, that the life of sin might die in them and room be made for the life of the spirit. That last is what is important. The cross has no purpose of itself. It rises on high and points above. But it is not merely a sign--it is Christ's powerful weapon; the shepherd's staff with which the divine David moves against the hellish Goliath; with it he strikes mightily against heaven's gate and throws it wide open. Then streams of divine light flow forth and enfold all who are followers of the Crucified.

It is in passages like this that we come to understand the true meaning of the word visionary.

Another Reading Group

Conducted by Father Shane Tharp at Ragemonkey. First book, the magnificent Meditations Before Mass by Romano Guardini. Go and join the discussion, it will be worthwhile.

A Nightmare in the Making

T.S. O'Rama (q.v. for some amusing comments) directs our attention to this suggested design for a church in Napled, FL. for Ave Maria University. I can't begin to enumerate the problems with this, but I'll try.

1. First strong wind (and there's a goodly number of them here in Florida) the Crystal Palace will be reduced to Our Lady of the Pointy Shards. (How did this thing ever meet code in South Florida?)

2. I work in a glass building. It is never the right temperature. In summer we are all using space heaters and wearing sweaters int he morning and stripped down to our shorts (figuratively) in the afternoon.

3. It's just not very attractive for a church. I like opening the Church up to take in all creation, but I've seen better and more sensible ways to do it.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what happens with it. I'll pray for its success and for me to be, as is more often true than not, completely in the wrong.

More About The Passion of the Christ

No matter how one may regard the movie, something of this nature is magnificent and wonderful beyond words. I don't know Mr. Gibson's involvement in the interprise, but simply by allowing images from his work of art to be used Mr. Gibson demonstrates the fullness of heart that gave rise to the film. For him, it is obvious, there is a passionate interest in the saving of souls. First he blesses us with a film that is a moving, iconic experience for a great many. And then he blesses us by properly allowing that work of art to be used to assist many lost souls on the way to salvation. What a tremendous, powerful witness and what an example of evangelism.

A colleague at work brought a couple of the pamphlets distributed by this group in for me to see. They are well done and as moving in some ways as the film, constantly coming back to the theme of our redemption and of Christ's great love for us. They are of a different Christian tradition than our own, but they are doing the work of winning souls to Christ. It is my prayer that by posting this message a visitor who drops in looking for whatever odd thing may have led them here discovers the wonders of Christ's love through this outreach. If I only serve to point the way to others who can help bring one soul to Jesus, I have fulfilled a great purpose in God's plan.

Truly, Mr. Gibson seems to try to live out the fullness of St. Teresa Benedicta's imperative to artists--not just to portray, but to live out the Passion itself. His passionate love should be an example to all of us. This truly calls from the depths of the heart a true thanksgiving to God for the gift He has bestowed upon us both in the film and in the witness of the filmmaker.

(P.S. Take a look at the quotes from Church leaders to get a sense of the breadth of this campaign. )

The Science of the Cross

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross made such a splash yesterday and the enthusiastic plaudits were such that I couldn't disappoint by not bringing more. First a definition: "St Paul who already had a well-developed science of the cross, a theology of the cross derived from inner experience (p. 20) And now this passage:

from The Science of the Cross
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

The saving power: this is the power that awakens to life those to whom divine life had died thorugh sin. This saving power had entered the Word from the cross and through this word passes over into all who receive it, who open themselves to it, without demanding miraculous signs or human wisdom's reasons. In them it becomes the life-giving and life-forming power that we have named the science of the cross.

Paul brought it to fulfillment in himself "Through the law I died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." In those days when all turned into night about him but light filled his soul, the zealot for the Law realized that the Law was but the tutor on the way to Christ.

It could prepare one to recive life, but of itself it could not give life. Christ took the yoke of the Law upon himself in that he fulfilled it perfectly and died for and through the Law. Just so did he free from the Law those who wished to receive life from him. But they can receive it only if they relinquish their own life. For those who are baptised in Christ are baptized in his death. They are submerged in his life in order to become members of his body and as such to suffer and to die with him but also to arise with him to eternal, divine life. This life will be ours in its fullness only on the day of glory. (p. 21)

There are two points in this that really spoke to me:

(1) In those days when all turned into night about him but light filled his soul, the zealot for the Law realized that the Law was but the tutor on the way to Christ.

The law is the sign that points to the great redeemer, not redemption itself. I know this from all that is taught and yet to hear this revelation from one who would know--a Jewish convert to Catholicism--completely transforms an intellectual truth into a heart-truth. St. Teresa Benedicta lived this transformation and more. She learned the truth of the law, abandoned it, and then learned the fullness of the law in Jesus Christ. She died as a martyr for her people (in her own words), taking them with her in a mystical way in the reality of her own death and rising. She reified the truth of Christ's sacrifice on the cross in her own life and death. And as with all martyrs she is among the best imitators of Christ.

(2) They are submerged in his life in order to become members of his body and as such to suffer and to die with him but also to arise with him to eternal, divine life.

This may be more significant for those of us who had adult, full emersion baptisms. In the Baptist Church, once you accept Christ, you are baptised in a pool of water--not by having water sprinkled or poured on you, but by being completely emersed in the water three times--"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." This is quite a different experience from that of most Catholics (many of whom cannot remember their baptism) and even most adult converts. I've seen many who have had water poured over them, but have yet to witness a full emersion Catholic baptism. That's an aside, but important. In full emersion you are truly submerged, and brought forth again fully symbolizing the death and resurrection into which we are being baptised.

In St. Teresa Benedicta's terms we are submerged into the body of Christ which is the living Church and the body of the resurrection. We die to self to become part of what is greater than we are. In dying we are resurrected as more than self, as a member of the body of Christ.

But I like the sense of submerged for another reason. It suggests the fullness of the truth that Christ is not only completely surrounding us, but within us. When one is completely submerged, eventually the fluid one is submerged in enters the body. Submergence in Christ once again suggests the truth of becoming a new person, of losing the old, false identity and assuming one's god-given place in the body of Christ. In addition, submergence contains within it hints of subordination, of right ordering, and of proper relation between the creation and the Creator. In all, a very satisfying fleshing out of Paul's magnificent, life-giving teaching.

Prayer Requests 3/26/04

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51)

Please make a special effort to remember all of the intentions of the St. Blogs community that I cannot gather together here, or that have not been expressed in writing, but rest in the hearts of the writers.

Requests

Please pray for Bud MacFarlane to come to his senses and defy, rather than buy into, the culture of death, that offers such easy outs. Dear Lord, remind him of this

For Father Joe who has left the active ministry of Priesthood after a number of difficult experiences, for discernment, strength, and a renewal of heart, mind, and spirit

From Therese a request for Mark Cotter,SF0, 50, just diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He has 2 children still in school.

For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel

For our children, that they grow up in security, comfort, and the certain knowledge that they are loved and that they be released from any bonds of darkness, fear, anger, or sadness that bind and threaten them

For Dylan's return to health and return to us.

For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel

For Amanda and the success of her book-designing business

For all those living under the curse of generational sins, that they may have protection and the inheritance of the past may be made void in their lives.

For all who are suffering from marital problems, most particularly those in our own families or communities, that the Lord may intervene and remind them that a marriage is of three persons.

For mothers and families that struggle with autism and autistic related disabilities: particularly for M'Lynn, Melissa, Christine, and Betty.

For families that desire more children

For the conversion or return of spouses and loved ones to the Catholic Church, most particularly for Amanda's husband

For Neil, Kris S., Derrick, and for all who are involved with darkness in any way that the Lord will help them see light

For Audrey, who is battling anorexia, and to her family which is suffering through very difficult times.

For the men and women of the American Armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families, may the Good Lord provide sustenance, support, compassion, and love that these separated families might continue to grow in strength and love.

Special Prayer Projects:

(1) Chris Keith, the young lady whose biopsy went poorly got the results of that biopsy--carcinoma of the liver. The cancer is metastatic from colon cancer. Surgery has taken place to treat the colon cancer.

I paraphrase her mother:

"We [members of the family] are standing on the Rock and are rock solid. We are all okay and we are looking for a few prayer warriors to help us in this battle." Because this mother means so much to me for the great good she has done for my friends, I plan to stand with her and her family in this battle, and I invite you all to join me. Expect to hear about this on and off over the next few months.

(2) For Katherine and Franklin, Janet and Louis, Peter Kucera, and for all who are seeking employment and suffering through difficult times as they wait.

(3)Healthy Pregnancies and good and safe deliveries: From Davey's Mom: I am with child once again and could use prayers for a healthy pregnancy. For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For Ashli and her child that doctors may find a way to help her carry her young one to term. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, pray for us. Blessed Gianna, pray for us.

A very important request from a St. Blogs parishioner--"I found out recently that my friend's sister is pregnant for the fourth time. Her other three children have autism, and I know it would make her very, very happy to have a normal child." Please pray for this poor woman that she might have the joy of a healthy pregnancy and a happy, healthy delivery and new infant. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, Pray for Us.
Blessed Gianna, pray for us.

On Dark Night of the Soul

A blog that I have visited in the past (but don't read as often as I ought because of the blinding headaches I get from trying to deal with some of the difficulties presented by factions within Catholicism )Rerum Novarum presents an intensely interesting although very focused reading of Dark Night of the Soul. I found illuminating what Mr. McElhinney is saying, and have decided to visit the site more frequently.

More Lawyers for St. Blogs

I have to admit, I have a thing for legal blogs. Part of it is a discipline for me--I have a personal animus toward the profession as a whole, generally endorsing Shakespeare's solution to all the world's problems--"First Hang all the Lawyers." However, I know this is not the solution, and B.F. Skinner has shown us the way to face our fears, phobias, and hatreds is actually to face them.

In doing so, I have discovered how truly wrong I can be, about lawyers, but not necessarily about how law is conducted in the U.S. So my public apology to all lawyers who do not deserve the animus I occasionally allow to flare out. And my public commendation to those of St. Blogs--The Mighty Barrister, the Author of Crim Law, and now the gentlemen from the Tricoastal Commission. My apologies for casting aspersions on what should be one of the noblest of professions and for those lingering doubts that I just can't seem to get rid of. Allow me to express my deep appreciation for your presence here, helping me to understand the complexities of a field I too readily condense, simplify, and then despise. I have learned a tremendous amount and I am humbled for my previous arrogance. And I am really, really, really working on that deep-seated mistrust. You all help. Thanks.

A Reflection for the Feast of the Annunciation

Here

an excerpt:

God’s timing never fails to be amazing. Here we are in the middle of the season of Lent, following Jesus as He makes His way to Jerusalem and ultimately to His passion, and suddenly, as if a flashback in a film, we’re taken to where the story began.

This amplifies the pathos of the coming passion. We see a woman captivated by an angel, in love with God, saying, “Let it be unto to me as you say.” Mary’s eternal “Yes” resounds through time and through space as Jesus Christ becomes man and is born for us.

St. Teresa Benedicta on the Role of Artists

from The Science of the Cross: Introduction
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

But--in contrast to a holy realism--the artist's receptivity to impressions is one that the world views in the light of a particular domain of values too readily at the expense of other values. This results in a particular sort of responsive behaviors. It is characteristic of the artist to transform into image anything that causes an interior stirring and demands to be expressed exteriorly. Image here is not to be restricted to the visual arts; it must be understood to refer to any artistic expression including the poetic and musical. It is simultaneously image (Bild) in which something is presented and structure (Gebilde) as something formed into a complete and all-encompassing world of its own. Every genuine work of art is in addition a symbol (Sinnbild) whether or not this is its creator's intention, be he naturalist or symbolist.

It is a symbol: that is, it comes from that infinite fullness of meaning (Sinn) into which every bit of human knowledge is projected to grasp something positive and speak of it. It does so in such a manner, in fact, that it mysteriously suggests the whole fullness of meaning, which for all human knowledge is inexhaustible. Understood this way, all genuine art is revelation and all artistic creation is sacred service.

Despite this, it is clear that there is a danger in an artitistic inclination, and not only when the artist lacks an understanding of the sacredness of his task. The danger lies in the possibility that in constructing the image, the artist proceeds as though there were no further responsibility than producing it. What is meant here can be demonstrated most clearly by the example of images of the cross. There will sacrcely be a believieng artist who has not felt compelled to portray Christ on the cross or carrying the cross.

But the Crucified One demands from the artist more than a mere portrayal of the image. He demands that the artist, just as every other pesron, follow him: that he both make himself and allow himself to be made into an image of the one who carries the cross and is crucified.

(Note to T.S.--this definitely adds to Mr. Gibson's accomplishment in that the media excoriation is a definitive image of the One scourged. I too have little use for the detractors from the film who see only what they wish to see.)

The other aspect of responsibility for the art is too readily dismissed by modernists and postmodernists. Once the work is created they disavow any reactions or results of the art. We get crucifixes in urine and dung-smeared Madonnas and outrage when such works of "art" are criticized or publically declaimed. We get eminem saying that his lyrics encouraging hatred of women and of homosexuals aren't there to inspire hatred (then, what, pray tell, are they there for, because they certainly don't edify or entertain); we get filmakers who produce films that "tell the truth" (or so much of it as they are capable of seeing) who say they are not responsible for offending, hurting, or inspiring acts of terrorism and hatred. Nonsense. The artist's responsiblity does not stop at the production of the work. This is part of my problem with Stockhausen's comments after 9/11. The artist is also responsible for some interpretations of the work. Stravinsky was not responsible for the battles that broke out over The Rite of Spring but he was responsible for the music that resulted from his work. An artist cannot bear the burden of responsibility for every crackpot interpretation of his work, but as Mr. Gibson once again amply demonstrates, he must in some way answer for it--publicly or before God. Personally, I'd rather face the public than offend my God.

St. Teresa Benedicta goes on to point out another crucial responsibility of the sacred artist and that is to live out the life he is called to. Just as every one of us is called to imitate Christ in His mysteries, so too the artist is called to so. And perhaps an artist is called to do so more publicly because their work is in the realm of the public. That is, when we as individuals think matters less in some very real ways, than what those who have access to the media think and do. Thus, we have a personal, community, and familial responsibility to imitate Christ, but the more public the figure, the greater the burden of responsibility for the proper representation of Christlikeness. This is why so many are hurt and disappointed when Christian artists do patently non-Christian things. We have an example before us presently that needs our constant prayer that the party involved realize the implications of his action and learn to do the right thing rather than buying into the lies of the culture of death.

So the artist's work is a sacred undertaking because it draws our attention to Meaning and the One who is inexhaustible. And also the artist's responsibility is commensurately greater as his work is more popular.

All of this from an introduction to a book about St. John of the Cross and his doctrine. One can readily see why St. Teresa Benedicta is so much lauded and admired for her intelligence and her thought. And The Science of the Cross is her EASY book.

Prayer Requests 3/25/04

Make us the servants of your peace,
Renew our stength, remove all fear;
Be with us, Lord, througout this day.
For all is joy, if you are near. (Hymn from Morning Prayer)

Please make a special effort to remember all of the intentions of the St. Blogs community that I cannot gather together here, or that have not been expressed in writing, but rest in the hearts of the writers.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for Bud McFarlane to come to his senses and defy, rather than buy into, the culture of death, that offers such easy outs.

Please pray for Peyton, a classmate of Samuel. She had a seizure last night and went to the emergency room (met mom and dad at the Doctor's the morning)

For Father Joe who has left the active ministry of Priesthood after a number of difficult experiences, for discernment, strength, and a renewal of heart, mind, and spirit

From Therese a request for Mark Cotter,SF0, 50, just diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He has 2 children still in school.

For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel

For our children, that they grow up in security, comfort, and the certain knowledge that they are loved and that they be released from any bonds of darkness, fear, anger, or sadness that bind and threaten them

For Dylan's return to health and return to us.

For Father Benedict Groeschel, for complete recovery

For the people who died in the terrorist attack in Spain, for their families and friends, for all of the wounded and their families and friends, for the people of Madrid who are haunted by this horrendous act, for all of the people of Spain, and for those who would perpetrate such evil that God transform their hearts and minds into those of people befitting the title "Children of God."

For Amanda and the success of her book-designing business

T.S. O'Rama requests prayers for:
-a brother-in-law experiencing marital difficulties
-for Akim

For all those living under the curse of generational sins, that they may have protection and the inheritance of the past may be made void in their lives.

For all who are suffering from marital problems, most particularly those in our own families or communities, that the Lord may intervene and remind them that a marriage is of three persons.

For mothers and families that struggle with autism and autistic related disabilities: particularly for M'Lynn, Melissa, Christine, and Betty.

For families that desire more children

For the conversion or return of spouses and loved ones to the Catholic Church, most particularly for Amanda's husband

For Neil, Kris S., Derrick, and for all who are involved with darkness in any way that the Lord will help them see light

For Audrey, who is battling anorexia, and to her family which is suffering through very difficult times.

For the men and women of the American Armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families, may the Good Lord provide sustenance, support, compassion, and love that these separated families might continue to grow in strength and love.

Special Prayer Projects:

(1) Chris Keith, the young lady whose biopsy went poorly got the results of that biopsy--carcinoma of the liver. The cancer is metastatic from colon cancer. Surgery has taken place to treat the colon cancer.

I paraphrase her mother:

"We [members of the family] are standing on the Rock and are rock solid. We are all okay and we are looking for a few prayer warriors to help us in this battle." Because this mother means so much to me for the great good she has done for my friends, I plan to stand with her and her family in this battle, and I invite you all to join me. Expect to hear about this on and off over the next few months.

(2) For Katherine and Franklin, Janet and Louis, Peter Kucera, and for all who are seeking employment and suffering through difficult times as they wait.

(3)Healthy Pregnancies and good and safe deliveries: From Davey's Mom: I am with child once again and could use prayers for a healthy pregnancy. For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For Ashli and her child that doctors may find a way to help her carry her young one to term. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, pray for us. Blessed Gianna, pray for us.

A very important request from a St. Blogs parishioner--"I found out recently that my friend's sister is pregnant for the fourth time. Her other three children have autism, and I know it would make her very, very happy to have a normal child." Please pray for this poor woman that she might have the joy of a healthy pregnancy and a happy, healthy delivery and new infant. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, Pray for Us.
Blessed Gianna, pray for us.

Special Prayer Request

From Marie MacFarlane's Sister, found on Fonticulus Fides. (Bai is Marie MacFarlane.)

I figured there is no further reason to delay in making a plea for your prayers. During their courtship and earlier years of their marriage Bud and Bai have appeared to all to be a devout Catholic couple.  But now, Bud is filing for divorce with no apparent interest in working for reconciliation, while Bai is leaving no stone unturned in her efforts to keep her family intact. 

Please pray for Bud that his heart will be softened and open to reconciliation, for Bai that she would know what is the most wise and loving course of action, and for their four young boys who are caught in the middle of this sad situation.

Book Review--Rick Warren The Purpose Driven Life

Terrible, dreadful, awful. Stay as far from it as you can. It is yet another example of the froth and the spume that is continually churned out by some evangelical publishing houses. It provides for the reader what pop-psychology books supply--the intellectual and spiritual equivalent of a sugar-rush followed by the inevitable low when one comes to realize that it isn't possible to act upon it in the way the author has indicated.

The chief problem with the book is that Warren gives very little time to the real purpose of a purpose-driven life--the praise, worship, adoration, and profound love of God particularly through His Son Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Grace gets very little play in The Purpose-Driven Life.

In our last discussion of this book, Warren made the point that we are all called to "mission work." My reponse was, "So every member of the body of Christ is a foot?" This is just one example among many of the kind of facile gloss with which Warren approaches the spiritual life. What is most disturbing is that the audience for something like this is committed Christians, people who ought to know better and ought to be able to see through this surface. I don't say that the book will led them astray, but I do say that it strands them on an island of self-motivation largely apart from the bounty of Grace.

One gets the impression from the book that if you took it in your mind to do so you could become an evanglist like Billy Graham. Patent nonsense. Surely, if you are called to that by God and supported continually by Grace, it may happen. But the actuality is that very few of us are called to serve our brothers and sisters in that way.

Do not be taken in by this book. It will lead only to disappointment and disillusionment as the glow from forcing yourself though three hundred pages of execrable prose and even more execrable reasoning in a mere forty days wears off. Do yourself a favor and spend the forty days reading Dickens or Austen. It will do every bit as much for your spiritual life, and leave you with a legacy of great Art as well. (Austen never disappoints, and Dickens only rarely. Speaking of Dickens, another observation regarding the book: If one were to act upon Warren's words literally, we would become a nation of Mrs. Jellybys with children running wild in the streets while we meticulously tended to the mission in Africa.) No, we've been warned many times against this by better works.

Do not be drawn in by the enthusiasm of adherents. Read instead The Imitation of Christ, Introduction to the Devout Life, Practice of the Presence of God, or Story of a Soul. These are works that inspire devotion, love of God, and service with roots solidly in Grace. These are proven works--proven by the sanctity of the people who wrote them and proven by the grace of God which has beeen showered down through the ages on those who read them. Become a person with a real purpose by reading the Bible and learning to love, worship, praise, and adore our loving Father and His whole creation. But for heaven's sake, leave Warren on the remainder tables where he belongs.

Becoming God's Friends

from Awakening Your Sould to the Presence of God
Fr. Kilian Healy OCD

What more could God have done to invite us to be His fieends? Did He not send HIs only-begotten Son into the world to become man, so that we might find it easier to know and to love Him? Di dnot Jesus say on the eve of His passion:"No longer do I call you servants. . . but I have called you friends"? Was He not revealing to the Apostles and to the future members of the Church their vocation to intimacy with Him, the Son of God?

There you have it--we are called to a vocation of intimacy with Him. He has given the instructions, the example, and the grace. Now, we must take Him up on the invitation. How can we grow to love God if we do not talk to Him? Many of us already share our concerns of the day, but many of us do not share the deep-down reality of who we are. Part of the reason for that is that we are afraid of who we are in Christ. That person would be called upon to act differently than we normally do in the world. That person would have no entitlements and would have no rights before all. He would be a servant of God and a servant of the servants of God. We don't really want to be servants. Okay, maybe we want to be, but I can tell you, I'm not terribly keen on the idea. A servant gets kicked around. A servant gets ignored. A servant has no real recourse when abuse is heaped upon him.

So the role of servant doesn't really appeal to me--I suspect it doesn't appeal to many. However, the role of God's friend does appeal to me. It appeals to me so much that the role of servant may not be so bad. Here is where I must change. I must pray for the grace to serve and the grace to love. Only in serving our fellow men can we become God's friends. Jesus made it explicitly clear in the parable of the sheep and the goats. "Whatsoever you do unto the least of these, thy brethren, that you do unto me." Suddenly the idea of service isn't so bad. Perhaps I can serve. Perhaps I can learn to see Jesus in those in need. Surely with grace this can be accomplished. And perhaps I can begin to be who Jesus would want me to be. Perhaps I can begin to have an identity in Christ.

All is grace. None of this can happen if I refuse the actions of grace. None of this can happen if I remove myself from conversation with God. So I must seek to open the channels of grace, to exercise spiritual muscles and disciplines that I have heretofore left inactive. And I do this because all is grace and all is gift. I can do nothing of myself. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Added to the Book List

I've added three books to the list, which just means it takes that much longer to get through any one of them. Some stall out, others move forward. However, these books are really interesting:

Finite and Eternal Being St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)--Said to be a study of the concepts of Potency and Act in Thomist Philopsophy. My wife opened randomly to a page and started reading and then laughing hysterically. She read the sentence and asked whether (1) it was in English and (2) how one could parse the sentence to make any sense of it. I replied that that's what you get for picking a sentence from the middle of a book, but it did give me pause.

Soul Making Alan Jones--I'm pursuing this one with the Monday Evening Fellowship group I attend. I have some real doubts about it--an attempt to conflate psychoanalysis and desert spirituality with Rahner, Schillebeeckx, and any number of Zen sounding would-be desert dwellers.

The Science of the Cross St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross--Magnificent from the first word on. Meant to share from it this morning, but don't have the text with me. My apologies. But a profound study of St. John of the Cross and his understanding of the Cross. Contrary to popular legend, the book is complete. While it might not be in exactly the form St. Teresa Benedicta would have it, had she seen it through to publication, it is in all essentials a complete version of what her thought on the matter was.

Prayer Requests 3/25/04

Teach us to be loving
not only in great and exceptional moments,
but above all in the ordinary
events of life. (Morning Prayer)

Please make a special effort to remember all of the intentions of the St. Blogs community that I cannot gather together here, or that have not been expressed in writing, but rest in the hearts of the writers.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for Peyton, a classmate of Samuel. She had a seizure last night and went to the emergency room (met mom and dad at the Doctor's the morning)

For Father Joe who has left the active ministry of Priesthood after a number of difficult experiences, for discernment, strength, and a renewal of heart, mind, and spirit

From Therese a request for Mark Cotter,SF0, 50, just diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He has 2 children still in school.

For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel

For our children, that they grow up in security, comfort, and the certain knowledge that they are loved and that they be released from any bonds of darkness, fear, anger, or sadness that bind and threaten them

For Dylan's return to health and return to us.

For Father Benedict Groeschel, for complete recovery

For the people who died in the terrorist attack in Spain, for their families and friends, for all of the wounded and their families and friends, for the people of Madrid who are haunted by this horrendous act, for all of the people of Spain, and for those who would perpetrate such evil that God transform their hearts and minds into those of people befitting the title "Children of God."

For Amanda and the success of her book-designing business

T.S. O'Rama requests prayers for:
-a brother-in-law experiencing marital difficulties
-for Akim

For all those living under the curse of generational sins, that they may have protection and the inheritance of the past may be made void in their lives.

For all who are suffering from marital problems, most particularly those in our own families or communities, that the Lord may intervene and remind them that a marriage is of three persons.

For mothers and families that struggle with autism and autistic related disabilities: particularly for M'Lynn, Melissa, Christine, and Betty.

For families that desire more children

For the conversion or return of spouses and loved ones to the Catholic Church, most particularly for Amanda's husband

For Neil, Kris S., Derrick, and for all who are involved with darkness in any way that the Lord will help them see light

For Audrey, who is battling anorexia, and to her family which is suffering through very difficult times.

For the men and women of the American Armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families, may the Good Lord provide sustenance, support, compassion, and love that these separated families might continue to grow in strength and love.

Special Prayer Projects:

(1) Chris Keith, the young lady whose biopsy went poorly got the results of that biopsy--carcinoma of the liver. The cancer is metastatic from colon cancer. Surgery has taken place to treat the colon cancer.

I paraphrase her mother:

"We [members of the family] are standing on the Rock and are rock solid. We are all okay and we are looking for a few prayer warriors to help us in this battle." Because this mother means so much to me for the great good she has done for my friends, I plan to stand with her and her family in this battle, and I invite you all to join me. Expect to hear about this on and off over the next few months.

(2) For Katherine and Franklin, Janet and Louis, Peter Kucera, and for all who are seeking employment and suffering through difficult times as they wait.

(3)Healthy Pregnancies and good and safe deliveries: From Davey's Mom: I am with child once again and could use prayers for a healthy pregnancy. For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For Ashli and her child that doctors may find a way to help her carry her young one to term. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, pray for us. Blessed Gianna, pray for us.

A very important request from a St. Blogs parishioner--"I found out recently that my friend's sister is pregnant for the fourth time. Her other three children have autism, and I know it would make her very, very happy to have a normal child." Please pray for this poor woman that she might have the joy of a healthy pregnancy and a happy, healthy delivery and new infant. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, Pray for Us.

Apologies--No Prayer Requests today

Our server was down during the time I normally add requests. However, I assure everyone that they were remembered at morning prayer. My apologies for missing this morning and also for a paucity of content today due to aforementioned server problem.

An Interesting New Place to Visit

See The Song of the Golden Horn. The Blog of a classicist, soon-to-be medievalist. Full of interesting and occasionally bewildering (to my feeble mind) observations. Enjoy.

What Novel Do You Belong In?

Via Noli Irritare Leones At least it isn't that ghastly Wuthering Heights

'Tis a great mystery, but somehow you have come to
belong in Jane Eyre; a random world of love,
kindness, madness, bad luck and lunatic ex-
wives. There really isn't much to say about the
place you belong in. It's your place, and
though it seems far from reality largly due to
how random the events are, you seem to enjoy
it. You belong in a world where not too many
people understand you, and where you can be
somewhat of a recluse.


Which Classic Novel do You Belong In?
brought to you by Quizilla

Reading List

A Handful of Dust Evelyn Waugh

The Loved One Evelyn Waugh

Bleak House Charles Dickens

Awakening Your Soul to the Presence of God Fr. Kiliam J. Healy OCD

Mystic Sweet Communion--Jane Kirkpatrick--HIGHLY recommended--a history of Fort Lauderdale at the turn of the century. Everything I love about Christian writing stripped of everything I hate. No heavy-handedness, no preaching, no bashing.

The Art of Praying--Romano Guardini

The Sorrows of Christ--St. Thomas More

On the Passion of Christ According to the Four Evangelists--Thomas á Kempis

Spiritual Theology--Jordan Aumann--My thanks to Mr. White for reminding me of it, and Tom for some advice concerning it.

The Ascent of Mount Carmel--St. John of the Cross

The Codex--Douglas Preston--on a sort of hiatus until after Lent.

Small Steps on the Path to Intimacy with God

Sophia Press publishes some very interesting reprints of books from the past. Much of the time I am annoyed by their tendency to abridge, edit, or alter any such text. However, the work is often worth reading. So is the case with the book quoted below:

from Awakening Your Soul to the Presence of God
Fr. Kilian J. Healy OCD

It is quite possible to come to a profound love of God, but it will not be something that comes to us like a flash of lightning. Ordinarily, it will grow with time. For it is a love of friendship--wishing good to another. It grows in proportion as love for self decreases. Self-love decreases only after a difficult battle, but it is a battle that each and every one of us must fight. We have no alternative, for Christ has said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul." Since God does not command the impossible we can fall out of love with ourselves and in love with God. It is never too late to start.

Fr. Kilian's book seems to be a gloss on Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection's Practice of the Presence of God with some hints about how to do it. The back cover blurb promises "simple practical ways to think of God continuously, to converse with Him intimately, and to please Him at all times." I'll let you know.

What You Read Here

It's important to post a reminder from time to time about the nature of this blog. There is very little here that is original. What you read about me and my family are the only things I have to contribute. Everything else is from the treasury of the Church, the wisdom of the saints. I provide glosses on these great treasures. These glosses serve to comment on and unite disparate works, but they are merely glosses--nothing new, nothing astounding, sometimes not even particularly helpful--they share one person's thoughts and experiences as commentary on the wisdom passed down to us.

I truly appreciate the gracious audience that stops by to read these reflections, but I don't want to mislead--almost everything here is the fruit of a different orchard--one that I hope to join, God willing, but one that seems a distant goal right now.

Prayer Requests 3/22/04

Blessed be God the Father
for His gift of this sacrifice of praise.
In the spirit of this lenten season,
let us pray:
Instruct us, Lord, in the ways of Your kingdom. (From morning prayer).

Please make a special effort to remember all of the intentions of the St. Blogs community that I cannot gather together here, or that have not been expressed in writing, but rest in the hearts of the writers.

SPECIAL URGENT REQUEST

Chris Keith, for whom we have been praying for some time had some tests recently which revealed that the growths on her liver have increased in size. If you did not pray for Chris at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, pray now and back-date it. God honors all of our prayers in eternity.

Praise
Amanda reports that God has recently richly blessed her book design business. Keep praying.

Christine and Gordon have a contract on their home here in Florida and a accepted bid in on a home in Louisiana, please pray that everything goes smoothly from here on out.

Prayer Requests

For Johnnette Benkovic and family--whose son was recently killed in truck accident. May God grant them peace and serenity in the face of this tragedy. And for the soul of Simon Benkovic, that he may be enjoying the splendor of the beatific vision. (Request by RC of Catholic Light)

Please pray for Peyton, a classmate of Samuel. She had a seizure last night and went to the emergency room (met mom and dad at the Doctor's the morning)

For Father Joe who has left the active ministry of Priesthood after a number of difficult experiences, for discernment, strength, and a renewal of heart, mind, and spirit

From Therese a request for Mark Cotter,SF0, 50, just diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He has 2 children still in school.

For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel

For our children, that they grow up in security, comfort, and the certain knowledge that they are loved and that they be released from any bonds of darkness, fear, anger, or sadness that bind and threaten them

For Dylan's return to health and return to us.

For Father Benedict Groeschel, for complete recovery

For the people who died in the terrorist attack in Spain, for their families and friends, for all of the wounded and their families and friends, for the people of Madrid who are haunted by this horrendous act, for all of the people of Spain, and for those who would perpetrate such evil that God transform their hearts and minds into those of people befitting the title "Children of God."

For Amanda and the success of her book-designing business

T.S. O'Rama requests prayers for:
-a brother-in-law experiencing marital difficulties
-for Akim

For all those living under the curse of generational sins, that they may have protection and the inheritance of the past may be made void in their lives.

For all who are suffering from marital problems, most particularly those in our own families or communities, that the Lord may intervene and remind them that a marriage is of three persons.

For mothers and families that struggle with autism and autistic related disabilities: particularly for M'Lynn, Melissa, Christine, and Betty.

For families that desire more children

For the conversion or return of spouses and loved ones to the Catholic Church, most particularly for Amanda's husband

For Neil, Kris S., Derrick, and for all who are involved with darkness in any way that the Lord will help them see light

For Audrey, who is battling anorexia, and to her family which is suffering through very difficult times.

For the men and women of the American Armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families, may the Good Lord provide sustenance, support, compassion, and love that these separated families might continue to grow in strength and love.

Special Prayer Projects:

(1) Chris Keith, the young lady whose biopsy went poorly got the results of that biopsy--carcinoma of the liver. The cancer is metastatic from colon cancer. Surgery has taken place to treat the colon cancer.

I paraphrase her mother:

"We [members of the family] are standing on the Rock and are rock solid. We are all okay and we are looking for a few prayer warriors to help us in this battle." Because this mother means so much to me for the great good she has done for my friends, I plan to stand with her and her family in this battle, and I invite you all to join me. Expect to hear about this on and off over the next few months.

(2) For Katherine and Franklin, Janet and Louis, Peter Kucera, and for all who are seeking employment and suffering through difficult times as they wait.

(3)Healthy Pregnancies and good and safe deliveries: From Davey's Mom: I am with child once again and could use prayers for a healthy pregnancy. For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For Ashli and her child that doctors may find a way to help her carry her young one to term. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, pray for us. Blessed Gianna, pray for us.

A very important request from a St. Blogs parishioner--"I found out recently that my friend's sister is pregnant for the fourth time. Her other three children have autism, and I know it would make her very, very happy to have a normal child." Please pray for this poor woman that she might have the joy of a healthy pregnancy and a happy, healthy delivery and new infant. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, Pray for Us.