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A balanced Catholic weekly magazine published by the jesuits of the United States for an intelligent Catholic readership. Go online to subscribe.

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This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

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A 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

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A National Network of self-help support groups for people abused by clergy or religious.

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Vital information about the disclosure of sexual abuse and related issues affecting Catholics in the pew and the manner in which Bishops continue to exempt themselves from accountability

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A national Catholic lay newspaper covering events not usually covered or presented with a clerical bias in the local diocesan press or but of concern and interest to Catholics.

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Daily Scripture

+ Ascension Thursday

There is no proof; there are only witnesses.

Readings: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:14-23 Luke 24:46-53

You are witnesses of all these things. And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high. [Luke 24:50-51]

In an age of technology and scientific progress, we have an explanation for everything or at least the promise of the same. Yet, there are still truly human experiences – both positive and negative—that defy human explanation. Death is one such experience. Doctors know the medical reasons for death but an autopsy doesn’t tell the whole story. Conversely, who can explain the field of energy that binds lovers for life?

During his life on earth Jesus created a field of energy that changed the course of history and it did not cease at his death or even at his resurrection. It continues to this day – locally and globally. Or else how explain the heroism of the saints of yesterday and the saints of today? Women and men, energetic witnesses who have said ‘yes’ to unconditional love under any and all circumstances continue to change the course of history in the face of those who attempt to chain the Word of God. No, most of them are not formal preachers or even religious teachers per se, but people who live the message of the Gospel of Jesus day in and day out.

The gospel today is typical of the departure of a hero. We might even consider it the conclusion of a hero story. Jesus assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them. Not only that but he will send an advocate who will empower them to continue his mission. “You will be clothed with power from on high.” They will be clothed with the mantle of Christ just as the ancient Elijah was clothed in the mantle of Elias before Elias departed in his chariot to the heavens. It’s metaphor and allegory, of course but the underlying truth of Jesus mission will continue to be proclaimed as Good News for all.

But hang in there until Pentecost when the gifts of the Spirit will be renewed and we will be empowered once more to preach the Good News—using words only when necessary.

Winter Solstice

Thursday December 21, 2006

Refined silk sky,
alabaster window shielding eternity,
shades of pink and gray with hint of amber here and there,
clouds painted with broad brush strokes
blending with the distant sky
barely distinguishable one from another,
a veritable talisman.

Quiet air.

Tired sun makes its brief appearance at the eastern edge
only to hasten its descent toward the ‘south gate’
scarcely touching the western edge before sinking into the distant meadow.
Silhouetted trees create long shadows traversing the earth
Barren branches and naked stalks bravely face north
braced for the long cold night.

Silent night.

Winter solstice
preparing for a holy night,
The Holy Night.

Nature demands our attention
to a place in time and space
where earth and heaven met for one brief moment
God and humanity conjoined in eternal embrace
Timeless encounter;
endless mercy;
God with skin;
evil confounded by compassion,
darkness no longer in control.
Eternal light
bright promise of eternal life.

Fallow time remains,.
not to be wasted.
Pay attention to the stars;
remain silent
stay alert for the prophet’s call
angelic voices
and shepherds’ songs.

Every year the same words
But never the same message.
Endings and new beginnings
Again as if for the first time.

Put to rest the pain and sorrow of other times
and other places
as if they never existed;
hold instead
to cherished memories of good times,
life-giving moments of gladness
when the songs of our hearts
replaced the bitter taste of harsh words.
No theology can match the sacred myth of the poet’s verse
Nor expose the incomprehensible mystery of the divine absence
that makes present the eternal longing for ultimate resolution
supernatural no longer super
but a continuum of the natural flowing into the vast universe
where humanity lives comfortably with its divine origin:
original blessing.
Differences dissolved,
virtue expanding on the beauty of the Godself
faith, hope and love fulfilled.

No tainted skies or painted thoughts;
No broken branches or shattered dreams
Nothing between us and God
And all those we have loved so dearly in life and in death.

The Christ Event has made the vision possible.
A brief respite in time
with lasting impressions for believers
and still hidden messages for people of good will everywhere.

God’s breath is in the air
and in the Season.

Come Lord Jesus, come!