Bible Study

Lately I've been finding that when it comes to the bible, I'm not too well versed (pun intended). When I was growing up Catholic, the bible wasn't studied other than the favorite verses or stories that we would hear frequently. Naturally, there were the Sunday gospel readings but not any actual time spent on reading and interpreting the bible for our everyday life and how it would apply there in. There were no question and answer sessions and occasionally, if someone did ask a question, I remember the answer being something like, "just take it on faith".

As a Catholic adult, I'd like to learn more and find out just what certain readings mean and how they can be applied to my everyday life. Of course, these days there are numerous books, tapes, and even videos that delve into this very thing, but the question is, how does one wade through the myriad of choices and pick a very basic learning tool that's written (or spoken) in plain English? I don't necessarily want to purchase something and come to find out that not only is this book not making a whole lot of sense to me, but it's also not showing me how to apply what I'm reading into everyday life. Any suggestions would be most welcome, and until next time, God bless you.

Contest Poster

Here's my entry for the Lapped Catholic Motivational poster contest. I took this picture myself and it inspires me each time I look at it (click on it to see it's full beauty). I hope you all enjoy it as well and good luck to everyone.

Searching....

I am finding myself searching lately for answers to my lukewarm Catholicism. I don't know why I have pulled away from attending Mass on a weekly basis but I do know that it's been causing me a great deal of guilt. Now, why I don't go is two fold and I already know that many of you will chalk it up to pride and laziness and perhaps, you're correct.

I can feel God's presence at the very early Mass with NO music (I can hear your gasping now). I can fully meditate on what is actually happening on the altar without all the singing. That said, I find myself unable to get up at 6:30 a.m. and get ready to attend that particular Mass. There are no others at my church without singing, so I do not go. Yes, it sounds like laziness to me, but alas, I'm unable to 'pull myself up by my bootstraps' and correct the situation.

I would appreciate any thoughts you might want to share, but please, no reprimands, because they aren't necessary, since I reprimand myself ten times over every day. I cling to the words of the German born theologian, Abraham J. Heschel,

"Beyond all mystery is the mercy of God".

St. Francis

Today is St. Francis feast day and as always, his words are timeless.


"O divine Master, grant that I may no so much seek,
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

Let us think on these words today and every day and perhaps, each in our own small way can make this world a better place to live. May the Lord's peace come into your hearts.

A Tragedy, Indeed!

Hearing the news today about the terrorizing and execution of innocent children in a one room Amish schoolhouse has profoundly saddened me. Something has got to change in our society and it has to be soon, I hope. Those who prey on the innocent, the sickly, the elderly, and the list goes on, should be held accountable in every possible way and not be coddled by a system that encourages all possible excuse for the inexcusable.

I pray for those who died senselessly and horribly and for their family and friends who will never forget and who will never be the same people they were yesterday. I also pray for those who witnessed any of this rampage and survived, for they will carry scars forever and the question is always the same one......WHY? However, even when we think we have some answers to the questions that haunt us, they are never acceptable in the end. Instead, these horrible things should never have happened in the first place for ANY reasons whatsoever. There can be no justification, no excuses, for they are meaningless.

I would surely love to continue burying my head (thus, the title of my blog) but cannot do so any longer. The time has come to speak up and say that in my humble opinion, the shooter did only one good thing on the afternoon of this tragedy.......he shot himself, alas, not soon enough however, not soon enough. May the Lord forgive me as I know I shouldn't feel that way, but in truth, I do.