Last week, I walked into my office to find a sandwich bag on my desk containing three chewy, tasty, homemade chocolate brownies. Some thoughtful and anonymous person who knew my love for tasty homemade brownies had placed them there, along with a hand written short story. I immediately sat down and began eating the first chewy, tasty, home made brownie as I read the following story:
Two teenagers asked their father if they could go to the theater to watch a movie that all their friends had seen. After reading some reviews about the movie on the Internet, he denied their request.
"Aw dad, why not?" they complained.
"It's rated PG-13, and we're both older than thirteen!"
Dad replied: "Because that movie contains nudity and portrays immorality as being normal and acceptable behavior."
"But dad, those are just very small parts of the movie! That's what our friends who've seen it have told us. The movie is two hours long and those scenes are just a few minutes of the total film! It's based on a true story, and good triumphs over evil, and there are other redeeming themes like courage and self-sacrifice. Even the movie review websites say that!"
"My answer is 'no,' and that is my final answer. You are welcome to stay home tonight, invite some of your friends over, and watch one of the good videos we have in our home collection. But you will not go and watch that film. End of discussion."
The two teenagers walked dejectedly into the family room and slumped down on the couch. As they sulked, they were surprised to hear the sounds of their father preparing something in the kitchen. They soon recognized the wonde rful aroma of brownies baking in the oven, and one of the teenagers said to the other, "Dad must be feeling guilty, and now he's going to try to make it up to us with some fresh brownies. Maybe we can soften him with lots of praise when he brings them out to us and persuade him to let us go to that movie after all."
About that time I began eating the second brownie from the sandwich bag and wondered if there was some connection to the brownies I was eating and the brownies in the story.
I kept reading... The teens were not disappointed. Soon their father appeared with a plate of warm brownies, which he offered to his kids. They each took one. Then their father said, "Before you eat, I want to tell you something: I love you both so much."
The teenagers smiled at each other with knowing glances. Dad was softening.
"That is why I've made these brownies with the very best ingredients. I've made them from scratch. Most of the ingredients are even organic. The best organic flour. The best free-range eggs. The best organic sugar. Premium Vanilla and chocolate."
The brownies looked mouthwatering, and the teens began to become a little impatient with their dad's long speech.
"But I want to be perfectly honest with you. There is one ingredient I added that is not usually found in brownies. I got that ingredient from our own back yard. But you needn't worry, because I only added the tiniest bit of that ingredient to your brownies. The amount of the portion is practically insignificant. So go ahead, take a bite and let me know what you think."
"Dad, would you mind telling us what that mystery ingredient is before we eat?"
"Why? The portion I added was so small. Just a teaspoonful. You won't even taste it."
"Come on, dad; just tell us what that ingredient is."
"Don't worry! It is organic, just like the other ingredients."
"Dad!"
"Well, OK, if you insist. That secret ingredient is fresh organic...dogpoop."
I immediately stopped chewing that second brownie and I spit it out into the wastebasket by my desk. I continued reading, now fearful of the paragraphs that still remained. Both teens instantly dropped their brownies back on the plate and began inspecting their fingers with horror.
"DAD! Why did you do that? You've tortured us by making us smell those brownies cooking for the last half hour, and now you tell us that you added dog poop! We can't eat these brownies!"
"Why not? The amount of dog poop is very small compared to the rest of the ingredients. It won't hurt you. It's been cooked right along with the other ingredients. You won't even taste it. It has the same consistency as the brownies. Go ahead and eat!"
"No, Dad...NEVER!"
"And that is the same reason I won't allow you to go watch that movie. You won't tolerate a little dog poop in your brownies, so why should you tolerate a little immorality in your movies? We pray that God will not lead us unto temptation, so how can we in good conscience entertain ourselves with something that will imprint a sinful image in our minds that will lead us into temptation long after we first see it?"
I discarded what remained of the second brownie as well as the entire untouched third brownie. What had been irresistible a minute go had become detestable. And only because of the very slim chance that what I was eating was slightly polluted.
(Surely it wasn't..but I couldn't convince myself.) What a good lesson about purity! Why do we tolerate any sin? On the day ofthe Passover, the Israelites were commanded to remove every bit of leaven from their homes. Sin is like leaven - a little bit leavens the whole lump (1Corinthians 5:6,7). Faith and sin don't mix.
Under Cahill’s leadership, Catholic Charities facilitated five adoptions by homosexual couples between 2000 and 2005. According to a March 9, 2006 e-mail message from Cardinal William Levada, former San Francisco archbishop and current prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cahill had informed Levada of three such adoptions, “principally to find placements for three children or teenagers who were judged difficult to place."
O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.
Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail.
This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1500's it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever reads this prayer or hears it or carries it, will never die a sudden death, nor be drowned, nor will poison take effect on them. They will not fall into the hands of the enemy nor be burned in any fire, nor will they be defeated in battle.
Make this prayer known everywhere.
Imprimatur:Most Rev. George W. Ahr Bishop of Trenton
Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Mosul, is the most senior Iraqi Christian to have been killed in what many believe is a concerted effort by Islamic extremists to drive Christians, a mere three percent of the population, from the country.
Iraqi Christians are being targeted by jihadists who "seek to drive them from their ancestral homes and create a pure Islamic caliphate," said Faith McConnell, director of the Institute on Religion and Democracy's religious liberty programs.
She called on American Christians to stand up for the church in Iraq, and said the U.S. government must acknowledge that Iraqi Christians were being singled out and must be protected.
'Body of abducted Catholic archbishop found in Iraq'
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
GOD FORGIVE THEM!
"The Worldwide Hour of Eucharistic Adoration will take place at 7:00 p.m. local time on April 2nd, 2008, the Third Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death."
"Following the 1997 re-make of the movie Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, an amusing T-shirt began showing up about town. “THE SHIP SANK,” it read. “GET OVER IT.”
One could say the same for the feminist movement."
[snip]The Rainbow Sash Movement said it is calling on "Catholics of good will" to take the Papal visit as an opportunity to shower the Pope mobile with ashes instead of confetti. "
Ashes are an ancient and appropriate greeting for a sinner who has caused the Church so much division and pain," RSM said in a statement.
"We will not enter any Churches but we will bring ashes to reign down on the Popes motorcade, and call on individuals to blow whistles at any public papal events such as outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ground Zero, St. Joseph's Seminary, and Yankee Stadium as a sign of our disgust over the way the clergy abuse scandal has been handled under his leadership," the group said in a statement.
VeriChip Corporation to Ring NASDAQ Closing Bell on Friday, March 7th -(Pic.)
Pic.-Scott Silverman
VeriChip boosts Q4 revenues, lowers losses
"This new financing not only enables us to eliminate more than $5 million in debt owed to Digital Angel, but also provides us sufficient working capital to fund our business plan, which includes a new consumer marketing initiative, through early 2009," said VeriChip CEO Scott Silverman in a statement."
UK set to ratify EU treaty by summer
Brown Defeats Bid to Force UK Referendum on European Treaty
UK to Hand Sovereignty to EU without Referendum
What powers would Britain give up?
The EU Lisbon Treaty: Gordon Brown Surrenders Britain's Sovereignty
What does this mean for the US? Remember Canada, to our north?
ANSWER: NAU
More UK news:
ID cards may be postponed until 2015
President Blair Prospect Prompts Opposition in Europe (Update1)
CONGRESS 2008 THEME REFLECTION - "Lift Your Gaze ...See Anew!"
Cardinal Mahony 2008 Chat Online at RECongress
You can read these questions and answers...I'm not going to comment,but during this season of Lent, offer up my frustration and offer prayer. See below and the other posts to follow.
Laurie Allen: Why do some clerics in the church have a problem with the faithful practicing yoga? If the intention is to calm our minds and bodies - can we not see this as a way to better "ground" ourselves in God. Over the 25 years I have practiced it, I find my faith has only grown...
Cardinal Mahony: Yoga is a deep meditation process, and if we keep our focus on our living and merciful love, then yoga works for anyone. Meditation in any form always deepens our love with God.
Teri: Is there high hope for married priests? What is that status on having the option?
Cardinal Mahony: Teri: At this time, the Pope is not moving towards married priests for the Latin Catholic Church. Recall that the Eastern Catholic Church has had married priests for 2,000 years.
Andrew: Stores used to be closed on Sundays. Now for many Sunday has become part of the work week. And like many in this younger generation, my child don't see any special importance of Sunday and of going to church. How can I help "sell" church to my teen?
Cardinal Mahony: Andrew: You are so right--Sunday has been robbed of its importance and meaning, usually for commercial purposes. It really helps when your parish has a special group for teens--such as Life Teen. So many parishes have Youth Masses, and other events for Catholic youth. Encourage that path in your own parish.
Alexis: Is their anything against the Catholic church being more fun? I mean the priest talks and kids don't pay attention so couldn't we sing and dance, and make it more like gospel churches do, so kids will want to participate? I was just wondering if that was against our faith?
Cardinal Mahony: Alexis: Sounds good to me! Our parishes need to offer a variety of liturgies which appeal to different age groups and to different likes. Youth Masses with groups such as Life Teen are really helpful!
Sue: Why does the Catholic Church in the U.S. not walk with the Catholic Church in Rome? Are we not all one? What steps do you see as necessary for a more harmonious relationship to take place -- one that acknowledges the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and tries to follow closely with what id means to be a disciple of Christ. Is it materialism, a consumerist capitalistic society, a "I want what I want and I want it now" attitude? How can the individual Catholic align their footsteps with the master, so that one day we may come to that eternal banquet prepared for all?
Cardinal Mahony: Sue: I sure don't see the disconnect you reference. My experience is that the Catholic Church in the USA is very dynamic, but very faithful to the Holy Father and to the Universal Church. Having had the joy of visiting the Church in so many countries around the world, I am in awe at how vibrant the Church is here. Our involvement of lay people in the Church is a great grace, and our Popes have noted that often.
Hugh Menton: What do you consider the critical questions that a parish community should ask itself before proceeding with efforts to build a new church?
Cardinal Mahony: Hugh: Obviously, you need to "build the Catholic Community" before building the actual structure. A holy, vibrant Catholic Community will make a new Church come alive--but not the other way around.
Congress Attendee: Cardinal, Please give me your impression of the recent book in your name.
Cardinal Mahony: That book is wild fiction!! I have never read anything more bizarre in my life! Don't waste your money on it!!
And let us not overlook the "Sacred Space" where one could go to HIM in Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel or 'walk-n-pray' the labyrinth too:
'"Sacred Space," located on the third level of the convention center, will offer Eucharistic adoration in the chapel, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a labyrinth, meditative music and art. The next phase of the St. John Bible Project --- the first handwritten, hand-illuminated Bible commissioned since the development of the printing press --- will also be displayed at Sacred Space."
