Reflections of a Wandering Mind

For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. 2 Tim 4:3-4 Have you ever discussed a subject with someone who refuses to listen? Frustrating, huh?  Especially when dialog does not stay on topic or responses to valid points are unrelated.  But more than frustration, I often feel discouraged because truth is ignored for the sake of convenience, resulting in continued separation from God. People are so often swayed by arguments in favor of things that are against God's commandments because they can then live lives that suit their nature without guilt. Even more alarming are people of faith who are swayed into worldly thinking.  There is a recent quote attributed to Pope Francis that boils down to salvation is obtainable without God. In di...

Sister Marie Therese: "...You whistle and everybody dances. Except one person, Myself.  For I simply don't believe you." Bernadette Soubirous: "I never wanted you to believe me, Sister." I remember several years ago a conversation with a friend from work in which I stated that I wanted to be a saint.  How silly a statement this was.  I'm sure it was misunderstood and that I was inwardly mocked by my friend.  But, I only meant in my ways...to be a better person.  I was not professing a desire to be a famous saint - but I have to admit I did crave attention to my perceived goodness.  How foolish in my thinking I was then.  I had no idea...none. It occurs to me that I was immature, and still am, in my faith.  I don't pray as often as I should as I fill my time with my job, then television and relaxing.  Prayer in all it's forms, through spiritual readings, meditation on God's wonderful creations, spoken prayer, good works, sacrifice, etc....

Note: This piece was written months ago - but never published until today.  It previews a few concepts contained in my Pope Francis post, but I wanted to post it as well. Storm: You're so sure of your position But you're just closed-minded I think you'll find Your faith in science and tests Is just as blind As the faith of any fundamentalist. Tim: Hm that's a good point, let me think for a bit Oh wait, my mistake, it's absolute bullshit. Science adjusts it's beliefs based on what's observed Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved." Tim Minchin, "Storm" On the surface, the above seems to hit the nail right on the head, right? Just my gut opinion, buuuut.... It's like comparing apples and oranges...science is based on fact that can be proven, although some scientific theories rely on faith, science is tangible.  Faith is also based on fact; but easily refuted by those who refuse to see the logi...

"Our Father...forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." In recent months, Pope Francis has given interviews that have stirred the emotions of the Catholic and secular world alike.   To be sure, he discussed many topics, but my focus here is his statements on sin.   I’ll admit that my initial emotional response as a traditional Catholic was one of dismay.   But that first feeling was quickly replaced with peace; I knew there was more to his statements than what I was reading. And so, even thought I didn’t need the reassurance, it was important to be informed in case I was ever given the opportunity to share Pope Francis’ message of salvation through the love, mercy, and forgiveness of our Lord. First of all, I want to address the most controversial statements right off the bat.   Yes, in the July 28, 2013 interview with reporters during his return flight from Brazil, Pope Francis did say, “If someone is gay and is searching for th...

If I say to the wicked man, you shall surely die; and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his wicked conduct so that he may live; that wicked man shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death.  If, on the other hand, you have warned the wicked man, yet he has not turned away from evil nor from his wicked conduct, then he shall die for his sin, but you shall save your life. ~Esekiel 3:18-19 Don't you just hate it when someone points out your faults or criticizes your actions? No one wants to hear negative feedback whether it be in the form of job evaluations, parental guidance, (or, as teens usually feel, parental nagging), friendly advice, or downright admonishment from strangers (hint: long, loud honks on the road)! But the person in most need of guidance is most resistant to it: the obstinate sinner. Someone who believes they are doing nothing wrong are the hardest to reach when it comes to sin. Almost always, they use the Bible...

Ridicule is the first and last argument of a fool. ~Charles Simmons Over the years, I've endured the insensitive and ignorant jabs and jokes about Catholicism at work. Based on comments made at every opportunity, you'd think each and every Catholic priest is a pedophile and the Church corrupt to its core. I used to get offended and defensive, but now I surprise myself with the range of emotions I feel when the religious bashing occurs. Depending on the comment, these emotions range from surprise, amusement, and indifference. It is surprising how nescient people are of the Christian faith.  They only look at the surface of truth and do not explore the basis of how it is arrived at.  Catholic principles are based on a long tradition which continues to grow and evolve because our faith is alive...not stagnant. This is not to say that things change as society deems fit, but that the same truth, never conflicting with itself, is more fully understood, ...

"Happiness is two different things, What you take and then what you bring." ~The Strokes I love the sounds of this band...don't always agree with their lyrics, but these lyrics I do. Humans, always searching for happiness...many searching for and never finding it. They accept short term joy over and over, expecting everlasting bliss, knowing deep down they are only fooling themselves. They lament with each passing dream, "Why me?", wondering how they find themselves in the same unfulfilling predicament again. True happiness is in God alone; I know, it's a cliché, but it is a truth. Only when we let go of our own desires of self love and live our lives in giving, without expecting, will we break free of selfish desires to be loved. Don't get me wrong; everyone wants to be loved.  And it's a beautiful thing when genuine. I'm talking of the selfish motivation to do things for others to get their love. This motivation is solely based on our n...

But we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. ~Romans 5:3-4 I'm feeling a little persecuted lately. Nothing I do seems good enough, no matter how hard I work. My motives are questioned; someone in authority over me assumes the worst. Forming opinions without considering all the circumstances and using only the one-sided, limited knowledge they have. I'm fighting a losing battle against a closed mind, and it presses down on me like a ton of rock. Why do we give such unworthy people that kind power over us? Why do we allow them to destroy our peace of mind, our happiness? The answer is clear...we lack the strength and comfort we need, the things that God offers freely to us. Caught up in our daily lives, we fail to partake of the gifts ever at our disposal. The power in Christ to be content with the knowledge that we know the truth of our worth and motivations and not to be bothered with th...

The challenge that is already with us is the temptation to accept as true freedom what in reality is only a new form of slavery. ~Pope John Paul II Freedom! We all cherish it, want it, fight for it...but what is freedom really? Some feel it's whatever they want to do. Some feel it's the rights we enjoy that others don't get to. And there are some that are indifferent, take for granted their freedoms. Freedom is, in fact, a tricky thing. It must be recognized for what it really is, for the courage to be truly free is very rare. On a basic level, Americans enjoy many freedoms compared to many across the globe. How wonderful it would be for every person to live one real day in the life of an oppressed, victimized human being. Most of us live in a cocoon, not realizing the immense suffering that occurs each and every day. It's disheartening to witness how little it takes to upset somebody these days. The lack of character in our society is truly shocking. I witnessed s...

"Lust indulged became habit, and habit unresisted became necessity." ~ St. Augustine "Deep within yourself, listen to your conscience which calls you to be pure...Passing encounters are only a caricature of love; they injure hearts and mock God's plan." ~ Pope John Paul II "More souls go to hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason." ~ Our Lady of Fatima We are shocked by the attitude of our youth in their wanton ways. What do we really expect of them as we admonish their immorality while living with our significant others without the benefit of marriage? I hear that it's just a piece of paper and that they are "married" in heart. That's just a cop out, marriage is putting total faith in someone else to respect, love, support and never give up on you in all things; marriage is REAL commitment. At the very least, if the certificate is just a piece of paper, why are they so afraid of it? Why are we so shocked whe...

Mary Oliver : Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? This is the question I wish someone has posed to me in my 20s...so I'm posing it to you. It seems like young people today are more and more burning the candle at both ends. They're not having fun unless they're drunk or faded. They waste so much time playing relationship games instead of just being happy. Or they're only out for the thrill of hooking up. What a waste of so much energy...if only they knew how much satisfaction they would receive from being productive and helping to make this place a better world. I guess I would have to study history to get a better perspective on social trends. I only have this generation to consider. I hear there has always been vice, caprice, and wantonness rampant within the young of every generation...but it seems so bad these days. At the park I hear 6-12 year olds with filthy mouths, language people used to be ashamed to speak in public....

I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing. ~Agatha Christie Tears, on the brink of tears I have been for almost two weeks. Profoundly sad, alternately filled with rage. I will never be the same. I am praying for this resentment and sadness to leave me, but even if it does; I have been changed. Even though I am not important enough in anyone's life for them to take an interest in my thoughts as I express them here, I just cannot take the risk spilling my secrets for they are not mine alone. I carry a heavy burden, but I do know that life is good and will get better once again for me. I know it, but right now I just don't feel it. I have never felt such despair in my life. Sad, helpless, alone - but I am alive and there is hope.

"Man cannot live without joy; therefore, when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures." ~St. Thomas Aquinas We take for granted that there is always tomorrow, that we have all the time in the world to set things right, to take care of our health, or to amend broken relationships with friends or loved ones. How often do we hold grudges, so offended, and not worry that maybe tomorrow may be our or their last day. Am I the only one who tells myself day after day that I will start my diet/exercise program tomorrow, but tomorrow never seems to come? Well, we obviously can't live our lives in a perpetual state of fear of death; it's unhealthy. But, we can take the attitude of urgency when it comes to loved ones or our spiritual state in life. We so easily fall into a state of sin and not worry about the consequences because we take our lives for granted, mainly worrying about the everyday things we need to get by....

There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. ~Aldous Huxley It's so easy to see the negative in others, and I'm no exception to this rule. The last few entries deal with my view of what's wrong with the world while it would probably be more worthwhile to turn that reflection inward... Yes, I think so. I'm so wanting to control my world around me when, in fact, I'll only end up frustrated because we really only have control over one thing: our reactions/interaction to the world and people around us. A quick temper is one of my greatest flaws and the one I will address tonight. While I may be justified in feeling offended, there is no defense for the level in which I respond when angered. Sometimes my anger has been unjustified just because I have misunderstood the situation, and given my quickness to judge, I have placed myself into sticky situations in which I just look foolish. Other times my pro...

The first reaction to truth is hatred. ~Tertullian It's amazing how much a simple statement can inspire thought and reflection. Tertullian, an ecclesiastical writer of the 1st and 2nd century, is, of course, writing about moral truths, and nothing causes man such reaction of resistance than a moral truth. The natural human condition is one of self-indulgence. We naturally desire things that delight the senses. Only through reasoning and intellect are we able to temper these desires, a skill unique to mankind as all other creatures of the earth are driven by pure instinct. Sadly, so many ignore their consciences within and proceed to indulge in wanton fulfillment of desires in the name of freedom and rights. God is like a parent who only wants for his children the best. He wants us to enjoy the paradise of Heaven. For the good of all mankind, he has provided us a means of living, and like children, we resist because it involves temperance of ones desires. Desires so strong that...

If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth. ~ Mitsugi Saotome These past two days, I've been thinking about people and relationships. Everybody wants to be needed and loved. Sometimes this desire deep within everyone manifests itself in destructive behavior. Often, people fulfill this longing by continuing relationships that will only serve to make them unhappy. Why do we stick with relationships that are clearly no good? Why do we think we can change anyone who doesn’t even think they have a reason to change? Why do we keep trying, thinking it will get better? Why do we allow ourselves to be disrespected emotionally or physically? The one reason is this: our view of ourselves. If someone dis...

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows. ~ Epictetus Pride...like all things can be beneficial, but misused can be downright destructive. I'm proud of my grandson counting to ten in his little person voice as he counts his steps, his toys, the monkeys in his book, etc. I'm proud when I finish a course and receive an A. But what about my pride when someone offends me? Do I have the right to be offended and prideful? Do I allow pride to stand in the way of truth and edification? If I place myself above all in everything, then pride serves no purpose but to make me look foolish, close my mind, and drive others away. Have you ever dealt with someone who goes on the defensive immediately upon hearing something they do not like? I think everyone has, and it's so frustrating not to be able to penetrate their jabber. They don't allow you to get a word in edgewise. Often they assume things incorrectly and open their mouths every time you start to ...

Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, and things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art; to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I’ve been thinking about my mortality lately. It pops up at the oddest of times, just out of the blue. I’m in my 50s and I’ve pretty much lived my life for others, but in a selfish way. I gained attention, praise or comfort for my sacrificial actions. Well, sometimes I didn’t, but the motivation was the same, regardless of the outcome. So on this journey I begin today I want to leave my temporal desires a distant second to a growing spirituality. I want to grow in communion with God because I don’t really know him. I feel him, definitely, but I don’t really know him. Today is Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010, and I went to church. The sermon was enjoyable because the priest “called out” all of us cafete...