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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.

COMMONWEAL Magazine
A 'lay' Catholic weekly publication with an accent on an intelligent analysis and commentary on curent issues, trends and concerns of interest to Catholics.

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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.

Survivos' Network for those Abused by Priests or Religious
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 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

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Daily Scripture

+ 3rd Week in Lent

We are guided by perennial truths and live by perennial values.

Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 Matthew 5:17-19

Teach them to your children and to your children’s children. [Deuteronomy 4:9]

Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. [Matthew 5:17]

Indeed, Jesus did not abolish the ancient law and prophets. The ‘rule of law’ remains in effect and contain perennial truths to guide us as we make our way along life’s journey.. It is true that the commandments are summed up in the law of love – love of God and love of neighbor.

Though we begin each day with the firm intention to live that law of love, it is not as simple as it sounds in the midst of confusing realities and conflicting values. Instead of telling the truth, we often slip into prevarication to hide the truth. Some politicians are good at this and not a few churchmen have been guilty of the same. On one hand, few people hold us accountable when we tell someone we love her new hat though in truth we may consider it the most ugly hat we have ever seen. On the other had, integrity makes greater demands on our moral comportment. Respect for the goods, rights, services and property of others, public or private is very demanding and is rooted in the fifth and seventh commandments and the list goes on.

A friend of mine starts his day with a wonderful ritual. Making the sign of the cross on his forehead, his heart and his lips he prays, “Lord, help me to think good thoughts of my neighbor, to speak well of others and to have positive feelings that lead to good deeds.” Amen!

PS At the conclusion of Mass this morning, I acknowledged that women do not wear hats any longer so I suggested replacing it with, “I love your new wig”… then I thought in the interests of gender equality, I should have added “hair piece.”

A bit of humor in the midst of a challenging day can help to make our burden’s lighter.

Good Friday 2009

Friday April 10, 2009

Just another day on the landscape of humanity?

Readings: Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 Hebrews 4:14-46; 5:7-9 John 18:1-19, 42

Christ became obedient for us even to death on a cross. [Philippians 2:5]

If ‘good comes from the word “God,” then today is “God’s Friday.” For many it is the beginning of the Easter holidays. Some offices and most schools are closed. Packing day. Off to the islands or to Florida for ‘spring break.’ Happy Holidays! Let Good Friday be good!

As with every exaggeration, there is an element of truth to the celebratory nature of the ‘feast.’ As believers, we have a right, indeed, an obligation to be grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus’ life which, we were taught, saved us from our sins and won our redemption.

But there is a deeper reality that I believe we need to ponder. It is the reality of the choice that believers face every day of our lives. It is the choice to ‘listen’ to the voice of God within our deepest selves or to tune it out.

St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians that Jesus was “obedient unto death.” The word obey shares a common root with the Latin word, audire, i.e., to ‘listen.’ Jesus listened to ‘Abba,’ his Father, who told him that he must be faithful to goodness and ‘godness’ though it cost him his life. God did not will the death of his Son. He willed that he live his humanity to the fullest. It was because he was so faithful to the spirit of the ancient law that he was rejected by the proponents of the law.

This is a dayto ponder all that we live for or perhaps to ask, “what do we live for?” What is the driving force that bids us rise each day? To what or to whom are we omitted as Christians in the Catholic tradition? Money? Status? Power? Title? Or truth, integrity and the pursuit of what is right and just for humanity.

Let us go together into the garden and ponder these hidden realities.

“We adore you O Christ and we praise you. Because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.”