Ordinary Old Catholic Me

I have lived in Los Angeles over 40 years. I have seen all sorts of natural and man made disasters, most from afar. This one has been right up close and it has been a challenge both practically and spiritually. Some thoughts from this ever struggling Catholic. 

I guess it's just a reality of age, but yes, I have been thinking of the past, yet again. But I know that well, obviously the past is passing and what is eternal is what I must aim at. 

The coincidence of the Gospel for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time and a little scene in the pews and my reaction. 

Alas, sometimes when I meditate I tie myself into knots. Some thoughts about that in this episode and how to get untied. 

It was, as I will report, a busy June and July and so a little of what's been going on in my spiritual life. . . .trying to become a woman of prayer.

Thoughts about the things that jar me in the ordinary moments of being a Catholic, that might be or might not be connected. Is my real problem or yours a resistance to the demands of the love of God? 

Today I had an adventure. I almost got to where I wanted to, to venerate the Relic of St. Jude. But there were obstacles. Still, there was spiritual success of a kind.

Newman said "To be steeped in history is to cease to be Protestant." That's another way of saying that to be steeped in history is to be Catholic. But maybe more than that to be steeped in history is to cease to be an unbeliever of any stripe. But to become steeped in history means diverging from pre-conceptions and taking the leap to inquiry. There is a lot to look at and to absorb.

We just celebrated the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Our Lord? What changed because of His action? Often does not seem like anything has. But look closer.

Things look so dark in the times in which we find ourselves. It has ever been thus, but God is there, the Word is there having been crucified and risen and ascended and will not leave us adrift---we are not forsaken, ever. 

It's been about two months since the last new podcast episode. Today offering thoughts about pain, suffering and eternal life. The usual!

Taking a hiatus. God bless. Maybe see you again in the Spring.

Does it make sense for Catholics to disregard the dogma and doctrine from the small to the great theological issues? Here is the small question that got me going on this subject today. A caller to a Catholic Radio show who felt that certain restrictions on music were unfair, and well, who voted on this? 

Last weekend I dove, as it were, into the Rules for Discernment of Spirits at a Seminar at St. Peter Chanel Church with the wonderful, brilliant and humble Fr. Tim Gallagher. What a blessing! I just want to share a little with you, and encourage you to explore! There is plenty of source material and spiritually educational tools. A way to Consolation and a bulwark against Desolation!

I've been in this four week parish study about the "Art of Dying". It has stirred thoughts which I offer for your consideration!

Struggle. Struggle. That's all sometimes I seem to do? How about you? The world around us is so profoundly difficult, in small and of course in the large things barrelling toward us. It gets to be overwhelming, and I lose the trail to God. It is critical to keep looking toward Him, no matter what. I tell that to myself, and to you! 

Another week, another obstacle. It's the same for all of us. As a Catholic, I know how I ought to respond. Alas, I fail utterly. Thus the importance of prayer, of the Sacraments, of learning to let God take the reins. It's a battle.