tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31930944799060784812024-03-13T07:56:04.872-07:00MrOptimismLife with five and a half children, four and a half boys and a girl.MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-81871348473370035772013-10-19T14:26:00.003-07:002014-01-08T13:10:30.412-08:00Finally, CampingI can't believe it's taken so long. We have an old trailer tent and we finally managed to take a break for a couple of nights after talking about it ad nauseam. We went to Arisaig in the West Highlands (of Scotland), about 4 hours by car. Though, I have to say, I saw the forecast and noticed there wasn't any rain. In fact, there was a hardly a cloud in the sky, which meant a clear view of the Northern Sky at night. It was really wonderful...<br />
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Our tent is in the middle on the hill, with the islands of Eigg and Rhum in the background.<br />
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The area is also referred to as Blessed Morar, relatively untouched by the Reformation.<br />
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In front of the cross you have a superb view of the islands. To the rear of the cross is Loch Morar. There is a somewhat lengthy account of the history of the cross and the area in the context of the Reformation given <a href="http://www.scalan.co.uk/morarcross.htm" target="_blank">here</a>. But the detail of how there was a secret seminary on the island after the Reformation and how it's chapel was destroyed is a salutary reminder of how the Catholic Faith survived during difficult times.<br />
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And here we have the very train viaduct used in three of the Harry Potter films that we passed in Glenfinnan on the way. (A clear view follows). We also saw the steam train twice! It was lovely. Literally, a blast from the past.<br />
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MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-30602309722499032872013-04-23T14:34:00.001-07:002013-04-23T23:03:28.198-07:00Turning down a no-brainer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight is <a href="http://www.worldbooknight.org/" target="_blank">World Book Night</a>.<br />
World Book Night has a scheme that allows those who are interested to give away free books to those who might not read that much. My wife celebrated World Book Night by giving out free copies of books in our local town today with the help of her sister. Easy, eh? My wife didn't even have to bear the cost of the book giveaway.<br />
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Well, not quite. She was ignored mostly, some others were very rude, and one person even shouted at them. There was a cost, even if the gift was free.<br />
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The problem is we are so cynical that we don't believe someone could have something for us for free that doesn't come with strings attached or some other vested interest. There are a lot of people being untruthful out there.<br />
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So, there's a tip to be learned here about helping others, attempting to better direct them towards grace, the greatest free gift. Next time you're thinking of giving someone some help in a more serious matter, like speaking to someone about having faith, and a relationship with God, think of how it must appeal in this cynical world. The relationship's the thing. Your genuine relationship with God, and your genuine relationship with them. Do you make quiet, hidden sacrifices for love of both? Say interiorly who you're doing it for. This is sincere, genuine love, to sacrifice for the one you love.<br />
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I think Bl.John Paul II said 'prayer and sacrifice are the most powerful combination man has ever known'.<br />
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And, for Goodness sake, don't start with 'I'm not trying to sell you something'. Honesty is wonderful, great and essential, but you have to be <i>smart</i> as well.<br />
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And at the end of the night they were all gone. Persevere!MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-33365478327052453812013-03-30T04:34:00.001-07:002013-03-30T04:34:08.376-07:00Stop and Wonder at a Snail's PaceIf wondered what snails ever did for us? Ever wondered what a special child in your family can do for you? Someone once said it's not more wonders we need but just a greater sense of wonder.<br />
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Sometimes we have to stop, smell the roses, or ... maybe just play with the snails.<br />
This kept our special son going for, I'd say, about half-an-hour one day.<br />
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Get friends who move more slowly than you do and they'll stick around for longer.<br />
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<br />MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-80576442815005475262013-03-30T02:41:00.004-07:002015-01-29T16:23:10.440-08:00Why suffering?I may have written about this before, but one needs perspective so often. I don't pretend for a second to know of others' sufferings. I only know the loss of my parents within 5 months of each other rocked my faith a couple of years ago. Not knowing some intellectual answers didn't help me. 'Why do we have to have this life and not just be in heaven?' I remember asking myself, and also wanting books from my parish priest to find answers.<br />
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One answer that has helped me since then is the lack of contemplation of heaven. No one ever talks about it. We remain silent about God's greatest gift, I think largely because we don't believe it. It's just too good to be true. And in some senses our lives are like a more immediate heaven that doesn't require belief. (Here I don't intend to insult the suffering souls grappling for an answer in their anguish, just explain the general silence.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beloved parents on holiday in Austria. Now with the Father. My mum
used to tell us she'd look at these views and think 'what must heaven be
like?' My brother recalls my dad at a reservoir in Scotland revelling
in the view and making a discrete Sign of the Cross from his wheel chair
in the last weeks of his life.</td></tr>
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When I have started to contemplate it, I have begun to realise that in heaven we may wish we could show this great God just how much we love Him, as a relatively paltry effort in return for eternal, never-ending bliss (I could go on).<br />
It's a simple truth, verified by experience, that proof of love is to sacrifice for the one we love. When we die we can open our hands with offerings of suffering to show we understand the enormity of the gift of eternal life.<br />
But I am truly humbled by those who can, in the midst of great involuntary suffering, say 'I love you God', as we stumble on clinging to faith, not fully knowing the One we talk to. Even Christ felt forsaken on the Cross but called on his Father. Do I suffer? Yet somehow Christ suffered more. I distinctly remember this forsakeness helped me, He had gone through this before me. But I remained hurt inside for a long time, and probably still now subconsciously the trust in God hasn't fully returned. It's a work in progress.<br />
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One day, standing before God, I will be properly ashamed of that lack of trust. But, like admitting sin, the first step is to recognise it's there (or in the case of trust, not there) and work on it. He has, after all, made the first move in making me and giving me true freedom to respond. Then he's shown me exactly how.MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-29724774356069232792013-03-30T01:16:00.001-07:002013-03-30T02:45:02.177-07:00A Good Friday all-roundOn Good Friday this year we went on an ecumenical walk in Edinburgh across Leith Links. There is a plaque on a large table-like stone at one end of Leith Links that commemorates <a href="http://www.scottishgolfhistory.net/leith_links_first_golf_competition.htm" target="_blank">the world's first competitive game of golf</a> played there (though now it's simply a park). We do this accompanied by adults with learning difficulties welcomed by the <a href="http://www.larche-edinburgh.org.uk/" target="_blank">L'Arche community of Edinburgh</a>. For most of the walk I had the pleasure of the company of George, who is in the far right of the picture on the previous link. When I first met my wife she was in the middle of a 3-year stint as a voluntary assistant living in Edinburgh. If if wasn't for L'Arche our paths wouldn't have crossed (though, as we discovered, we had been at pro-life conferences without having met).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole team with Edinburgh Castle directly above my head. What a cool mum they have! Don't be deceived by the sunglasses. I'd say there was a windchill of -5C up there. I could hardly bear to take my gloves off to take the photo below.</td></tr>
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It was a lovely experience and reminded me of what L'Arche events have done through the years for me. Like Pope Francis' call to <a href="http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/27/pope:_holy_week_challenges_us_to_step_outside_ourselves/en1-677217" target="_blank">"step outside ourselves"</a>, taking part in their events has always been a very welcome break from introspection and stress, even when it didn't seem attractive to go to one and we went anyway. Thank you L'Arche.<br />
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It was a wonderful reminder of the universality of the christian faith as well. I met young people from Germany, France, Wales, and Australia.<br />
<br />
Then we decided to go up Arthur's Seat, the high point in the middle of Edinburgh. It's only fair that I should point out that one can take the car on a road half-way up Arthur's Seat, walking the last, steep part of the path for 20-30 minutes or so.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the team with Holyrood Palace in the middle background.</td></tr>
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There was some resistance to this trip up a hill. But, as you can see, it was worth it for a 360 degree panoramic view. Snow-clad hills on two sides (the Pentlands on the outskirts of Edinburgh and in Fife). Fife is over the other side of the River Forth behind us in the photos. This is where you'd find St.Andrew's.<br />
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We managed to do the reading of the Passion in the car, not being brave enough to take the little ones and our special son to any 3 o'clock service without a childrens' liturgy, and also the Rosary on the way home.<br />
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But the most heartening experience of the day was watching a crowd of 40 or so gather for a Good Friday service, journeying up Arthur's Seat. Accompanied by a priest who was one of their own, a group of pilgrims of Asian-Indian origin were making a Stations of the Cross, complete with beautiful wooden crucifix. There were many children among them carrying their Palm Sunday crosses. It was inspiring and, not knowing how to tell them just how beautiful it was, I knelt down on both knees as they past me.<br />
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After all, it's not about us. It really was His day, a Good Friday indeed. MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-57318376334650652442013-03-20T14:51:00.000-07:002013-03-20T14:51:04.153-07:00The Child and a HalfMy son has autism. This is the child and a half.<br />
I don't suppose he'll ever read this (though actually he can read quite well, he's just not going to be interested), so I don't mind revealing it now.<br />
The wonderful thing is his innocence. He is naive. No, he is...straight-forward. Mostly. He delivers some of his lines with perfect sincerity, oblivious to how they come across.<br />
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I asked him the other day if he'd had a good day at school.<br />
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"Nearly", he said. I love this boy. "Ask me that question again later", he added.<br />
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So after dinner, he pipes up "Dad, you know that question you were going to ask me earlier? Ask me it now".<br />
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"Did you have a good day?"<br />
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"Nearly. My teacher took a note of a recipe I was telling her and she said that we might do it. Then, later, we had a vote and the other boys voted for something else".<br />
<br />
This was nearly a good day. In heaven, this boy is going to get all his recipes made. I know it.MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-40695377990258998312013-03-02T15:24:00.001-08:002013-03-23T01:01:50.090-07:00A True Spritual Father<br />
I've tried to follow Pope Emeritus Benedict's weekly catechesis on Faith for weeks now and, as I've read it and other writings of his over the years, I've been struck by just how well he writes. He is a master teacher. Archbishop Vincent Nichols spoke on BBC Radio 4 of the Pope's wonderful 'turn of phrase' and I was so grateful as that is exactly what I felt too. There seems to be so much he offered those who seek truth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjbg5oGhH2ikA14qIvpRdhq7kStuTOL_q2hSTnD2PdMT3Ikji9zGiFU6NO6x_eYqOm35XgDlQ1Dttk1-Eh3fmcfJuNm7LvoKDOFzzuMxQSAvvlflX-ZS6SPR2wxKEwjEzdR6KkAg8VuQ/s1600/padre-joseph-ratzinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjbg5oGhH2ikA14qIvpRdhq7kStuTOL_q2hSTnD2PdMT3Ikji9zGiFU6NO6x_eYqOm35XgDlQ1Dttk1-Eh3fmcfJuNm7LvoKDOFzzuMxQSAvvlflX-ZS6SPR2wxKEwjEzdR6KkAg8VuQ/s1600/padre-joseph-ratzinger.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Young Josef Ratzinger</td></tr>
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<h4>
A Prophet </h4>
Firstly, he was an academic, a university professor, and began to be recognised as an excellent scholar. This beginning was important for the future of the Church. His enormous intellectual ability allowed him to foresee the dangers during the Second Vatican Council. He was <i>seen</i> as 'progressive', as were a handful of his German colleagues, such as Karl Rahner. He jointly authored a document 'much more Rahner's work than my own' which 'evoked some rather bitter reactions' (in his <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ignatius.com/Products/MILE-P/milestones.aspx" target="_blank">autobiography</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, 'Milestones' p.128). This perhaps explained how he was <i>seen</i> to be, but was not, as progressive as some make out. As early as 1966 he realised how the redefining of Catholicism being proposed by some would leave <i>anything being possible</i> in theology, Catholicism having been wrenched away from it's Tradition. With the anchor pulled up, it could be tossed in the wild seas (which could be clearly seen and foreseen in the 60s). He spoke in his autobiography (covering up to 1977 only):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As we worked on it together, it became obvious to me that, despite our agreement on many desires and conclusions, Rahner and I lived two different theological planets...His was a speculative and philosophical theology in which Scripture and the Fathers in the end did not play an important role.</blockquote>
<br />
What a prophet he was! The significance of there being diverging paths, disunity in the Church, were devastating. Therefore, it became possible for Teddy Kennedy, the brother of President John F. Kennedy, to write of the pro-life vision in 1971:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“when history looks back at this era it should recognize this
generation as the one which cared for human beings enough to halt the
practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to
fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of
conception.” (<a href="http://www.wordonfire.org/Written-Word/articles-commentaries/September-2009/Sen-Kennedy,-Abortion,-and-the-Party-of-the-Littl.aspx" target="_blank">source</a>)</blockquote>
Yet later Teddy Kennedy would help lead the way, from within the powerful Kennedy dynasty, for many Catholics in America to support abortion rights. This is perhaps one of the most powerful illustrations of the leap that was made between between one 'theological planet' and another, with the advice of errant priests.<br />
<br />
But Joseph Ratzinger foresaw this and had the courage to distinguish himself from his colleagues' views. He was only an adviser to the Council at that stage but a significant one. Ratzinger himself said in a 1993 interview, <span style="font-size: small;">"I see no break <span style="font-family: inherit;">in my views as a theologian [over the years]"</span>.<span style="font-size: small;"><sup> (<a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,979775-1,00.html" target="_blank">source</a>)</sup></span></span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"> </sup><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">be to God<span style="font-size: small;"> for his constancy. </span></span></span>Late<span style="font-size: small;">ly, once again, he has sp<span style="font-size: small;">oken t<span style="font-size: small;">o <span style="font-size: small;">us all <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">a<span style="font-size: small;">s <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2012/december/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20121221_auguri-curia_en.html" target="_blank">a prophet <span style="font-size: small;">for ou<span style="font-size: small;">r times</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> on the <span style="font-size: small;">d<span style="font-size: small;">efining of what it is to be human. This is a<span style="font-size: small;"> man who <span style="font-size: small;">exemplifies<span style="font-size: small;"></span> <span style="font-size: small;">commitment to the Faith, but <span style="font-size: small;">will quote the Chief Rabbi of F<span style="font-size: small;">rance<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L45RDaqc80L1yMphVtEhPDBGVde7aJ6eAU0wi2XomCYGJYeeWDdsZNPQTNDMliGqheFIdYY6QbQf3o6H6p6U5fTANvr7G4BcvQ2bKuNO9e5C52wgX2R7wQmROEJOY30tGH4jkLlGZto/s1600/ratzinger_smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L45RDaqc80L1yMphVtEhPDBGVde7aJ6eAU0wi2XomCYGJYeeWDdsZNPQTNDMliGqheFIdYY6QbQf3o6H6p6U5fTANvr7G4BcvQ2bKuNO9e5C52wgX2R7wQmROEJOY30tGH4jkLlGZto/s1600/ratzinger_smiling.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A joyful spiritual father</td></tr>
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<h4>
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Father Figure</span></span></span></sup></h4>
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">But then there is the father fig<span style="font-size: small;">ure<span style="font-size: small;">. I lost my dad <span style="font-size: small;">in 2010<span style="font-size: small;">. He was b<span style="font-size: small;">orn the same year as Jos<span style="font-size: small;">eph R<span style="font-size: small;">atzing<span style="font-size: small;">er.<span style="font-size: small;"> My dad spoke German <span style="font-size: small;">we<span style="font-size: small;">ll t<span style="font-size: small;">hat he learned at school and introduced us to Austr<span style="font-size: small;">ian <span style="font-size: small;">holidays when I was a teenager<span style="font-size: small;"> (Josep<span style="font-size: small;">h <span style="font-size: small;">Rat<span style="font-size: small;">zinger was b<span style="font-size: small;">o<span style="font-size: small;">rn in <span style="font-size: small;">S</span>outhern Germany very close to <span style="font-size: small;">the <span style="font-size: small;">A<span style="font-size: small;">ustr<span style="font-size: small;">ian border<span style="font-size: small;">). When I fir<span style="font-size: small;">st <span style="font-size: small;">read his autob<span style="font-size: small;">iograph<span style="font-size: small;">y it was intere<span style="font-size: small;">sti<span style="font-size: small;">ng, but different the second time a<span style="font-size: small;">round</span>. On second reading I noticed his <span style="font-size: small;">bea<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">utiful </span>re<span style="font-size: small;">flection</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;">on his parents' passing. I felt his empathy.<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> His parents were holy peop<span style="font-size: small;">le<span style="font-size: small;"> and he<span style="font-size: small;"> loved them and missed them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Readi<span style="font-size: small;">ng <span style="font-size: small;">Pope Benedict's writings <span style="font-size: small;">was inf<span style="font-size: small;">ormative before b<span style="font-size: small;">ut no<span style="font-size: small;">w be<span style="font-size: small;">cam<span style="font-size: small;">e comforting for me. He was <span style="font-size: small;">wise, calm, had 's<span style="font-size: small;">een it all' including the <span style="font-size: small;">war years<span style="font-size: small;">, if only a te<span style="font-size: small;">enager <span style="font-size: small;">as my dad was. A<span style="font-size: small;">nd he ha<span style="font-size: small;">d this 'turn of p<span style="font-size: small;">hrase'<span style="font-size: small;"> that Arch<span style="font-size: small;">bishop Nichols s<span style="font-size: small;">poke of.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInSikLgHDsApPVf7vNL7P4CX5AvTNa2-By6HFamNnQ5Z61r1-3-J1DEWkuwkeoZrXvBW-LKVoErpQpGX0hqFWLD-69xrWVhoFaig9Ej4sF5gb1cpu4qsybUYtPjrZKrSOiK3hmuahKtk/s1600/Mother+Teresa+Cardinal+Ratzinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInSikLgHDsApPVf7vNL7P4CX5AvTNa2-By6HFamNnQ5Z61r1-3-J1DEWkuwkeoZrXvBW-LKVoErpQpGX0hqFWLD-69xrWVhoFaig9Ej4sF5gb1cpu4qsybUYtPjrZKrSOiK3hmuahKtk/s1600/Mother+Teresa+Cardinal+Ratzinger.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different vocations, similar humility.</td></tr>
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<h4>
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A <span style="font-size: small;">Humb<span style="font-size: small;">le Ser<span style="font-size: small;">va<span style="font-size: small;">nt</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup></h4>
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In his <a href="http://www.ignatius.com/Products/MILE-P/milestones.aspx" target="_blank">autobiography</a>, he indicates t<span style="font-size: small;">h<span style="font-size: small;">at he c<span style="font-size: small;">learly s<span style="font-size: small;">a<span style="font-size: small;">w himsel<span style="font-size: small;">f called to<span style="font-size: small;"> be an academic. So, when invi<span style="font-size: small;">ted to<span style="font-size: small;"> beco<span style="font-size: small;">me Arch<span style="font-size: small;">bishop<span style="font-size: small;"> of Munich and Freising h<span style="font-size: small;">e hesitated but accepte<span style="font-size: small;">d on the str<span style="font-size: small;">ong advice of his confessor. <span style="font-size: small;">Considering <span style="font-size: small;">Pope Jo<span style="font-size: small;">hn Paul <span style="font-size: small;">II <span style="font-size: small;">did not accept his resignation when<span style="font-size: small;"> Jos<span style="font-size: small;">ef</span> was Prefect for t<span style="font-size: small;">he <span style="font-size: small;">Congre<span style="font-size: small;">gation for <span style="font-size: small;">the D<span style="font-size: small;">octrine of <span style="font-size: small;">the Faith, wanting him to con<span style="font-size: small;">tinue in the role, and then he was elected <span style="font-size: small;">Pope<span style="font-size: small;"> wh<span style="font-size: small;">en<span style="font-size: small;">, in his brother Ge<span style="font-size: small;">orge's view, he wanted to retire, Jos<span style="font-size: small;">eph Rat<span style="font-size: small;">zinger h<span style="font-size: small;">as tru<span style="font-size: small;">ly been a 'servant of the servants of God'<span style="font-size: small;"> all his life. He h<span style="font-size: small;">as</span><span style="font-size: small;"> conformed<span style="font-size: small;"> his will to Go<span style="font-size: small;">d's will<span style="font-size: small;"> all <span style="font-size: small;">his<span style="font-size: small;"> life.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And in return? He has been v<span style="font-size: small;">ilified by t<span style="font-size: small;">h<span style="font-size: small;">e press</span></span>. I distinctly remember the - at the time <span style="font-size: small;">very Catholic<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="font-size: small;">in<span style="font-size: small;">fluence<span style="font-size: small;">d</span></span></span></span> - Daily Telegraph repor<span style="font-size: small;">ting of John Paul II's death as t<span style="font-size: small;">he loss of 'Our <span style="font-size: small;">Father' <span style="font-size: small;">in a bold<span style="font-size: small;"> he<span style="font-size: small;">adline</span></span></span>. Non-Catholi<span style="font-size: small;">cs must have wondered if they ha<span style="font-size: small;">d picked up a religious paper<span style="font-size: small;"> by accident. But note the <span style="font-size: small;">volte-face<span style="font-size: small;"> for the<span style="font-size: small;"> e<span style="font-size: small;">lecti<span style="font-size: small;">on of <span style="font-size: small;">the '<span style="font-size: small;">Rottweiler<span style="font-size: small;">'. How cr<span style="font-size: small;">uel. Ho<span style="font-size: small;">w de<span style="font-size: small;">ceitful. E<span style="font-size: small;">ven, his <span style="font-size: small;">affluent<span style="font-size: small;">, liberal German homeland did not accord<span style="font-size: small;"> him <span style="font-size: small;">the respect h<span style="font-size: small;">is in<span style="font-size: small;">telle<span style="font-size: small;">ct should ha<span style="font-size: small;">ve merited<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">But h<span style="font-size: small;">e showed them t<span style="font-size: small;">he truth</span>, in t<span style="font-size: small;">ypical humble style. His first ency<span style="font-size: small;">clical<span style="font-size: small;">?<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Sim<span style="font-size: small;">pl<span style="font-size: small;">y,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 'God is Love'. His visit to </span>t<span style="font-size: small;">he UK</span> <span style="font-size: small;">and <span style="font-size: small;">many other <span style="font-size: small;">personal </span>encou<span style="font-size: small;">nte<span style="font-size: small;">rs left people wondering 'is this the man the m<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">dia like t</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">o ma<span style="font-size: small;">ul<span style="font-size: small;">?' Thus love confounded hatred. Truth <span style="font-size: small;">trumped<span style="font-size: small;"> Fals<span style="font-size: small;">ehood. Humili<span style="font-size: small;">ty defeated Pride. Meanwhile, t<span style="font-size: small;">he m<span style="font-size: small;">ed<span style="font-size: small;">ia<span style="font-size: small;"> here in<span style="font-size: small;"> the UK had t<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">o eat hu<span style="font-size: small;">mble pie</span> <span style="font-size: small;">in t<span style="font-size: small;">he <span style="font-size: small;">discovery of their own lies<span style="font-size: small;"> and <span style="font-size: small;">depravity. Even Pe<span style="font-size: small;">ter Seewald, the German journalist who<span style="font-size: small;"> interviewed him on several occasions for <span style="font-size: small;">three published books</span>, made the journey from ath<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">ism to Cath<span style="font-size: small;">oli<span style="font-size: small;">c<span style="font-size: small;">ism.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And his final flourish? T<span style="font-size: small;">he so-called Ro<span style="font-size: small;">t<span style="font-size: small;">tweiller <span style="font-size: small;">humbly r<span style="font-size: small;">esigns his post in fa<span style="font-size: small;">vour of another, avo<span style="font-size: small;">wing <span style="font-size: small;">'revere<span style="font-size: small;">nce</span>' and<span style="font-size: small;"> 'obedience' to <span style="font-size: small;">his successor. H<span style="font-size: small;">e is not great<span style="font-size: small;">er t<span style="font-size: small;">han the <span style="font-size: small;">Of<span style="font-size: small;">fice, the <span style="font-size: small;">Office <span style="font-size: small;">of Peter is great<span style="font-size: small;">er tha<span style="font-size: small;">n even that <span style="font-size: small;">wonderful man, Jose<span style="font-size: small;">f</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Ratzinger.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank<span style="font-size: small;"> you Lord, for <span style="font-size: small;">the <span style="font-size: small;">gift <span style="font-size: small;">to mankin<span style="font-size: small;">d of Jose<span style="font-size: small;">f <span style="font-size: small;">Ratzinger. And thank you Jo<span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;">ef Rat<span style="font-size: small;">zing<span style="font-size: small;">er for <span style="font-size: small;">the <span style="font-size: small;">gift of<span style="font-size: small;"> yourself t<span style="font-size: small;">o us.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<br />
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">May God reward you.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></sup><br />
<br />
<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </sup>MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-51892461601136874382013-02-05T14:11:00.001-08:002013-02-09T22:54:11.445-08:00God, the casual artist, master painter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yIos80ZVKN4s1ISwyysFmlFDQxICrzZEVPD1AR9u0N8-sg72hlK9n929kYTLM9g4LtVVyA2YCssc10yXhCnHFovliTwsS95QOBPbagxUgX7pW_nU7tCwUoC16XOeTt9YjWcu5OCEmY8/s1600/Image0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yIos80ZVKN4s1ISwyysFmlFDQxICrzZEVPD1AR9u0N8-sg72hlK9n929kYTLM9g4LtVVyA2YCssc10yXhCnHFovliTwsS95QOBPbagxUgX7pW_nU7tCwUoC16XOeTt9YjWcu5OCEmY8/s1600/Image0832.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A camera capture from the Divine portfolio</i>- 'sunrise'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was prompted by <a href="http://testosterhome.net/2013/02/morning-by-morning.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Testosterhome+%28Testosterhome%29" target="_blank">Testosterhome's </a>delight in the morning sunrise to recall (if only to myself!) what beauty I notice all around me. These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago. I had to stop my journey for the first one and get out the car. I just felt I <i>had to</i>.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7PdxxEgQEAPircAXjI3pdXOBfdoKtb6XfVIdRiDLjyOXIQIHGx1ytaivwtED3YBxdVIwi1bYqTG8c1RAsaTaohmgg4IrIpzRPbXV20phNZAxXvHieFtGMpa0lvAakNU1-IKPrTFjToM/s1600/Image0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7PdxxEgQEAPircAXjI3pdXOBfdoKtb6XfVIdRiDLjyOXIQIHGx1ytaivwtED3YBxdVIwi1bYqTG8c1RAsaTaohmgg4IrIpzRPbXV20phNZAxXvHieFtGMpa0lvAakNU1-IKPrTFjToM/s1600/Image0834.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's hard to concentrate when God<br /> is doing His</i> <i>stuff</i> <i>all around you.</i></td></tr>
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Even today, we had our first real 'heavy snow' (BBC Weather forecast definition), which was both thrilling and frightening (my car nearly didn't stop on an ungritted road). Then it had almost all melted by 3 in the afternoon. God turned that West of Scotland Temperature Gauge up just a notch or two and wiped away His work: just a little fun for the children, a reminder of the season, a brief re-appreciation of the milder weather. It had it's purpose for each person. Two immense books illustrated this small point in passing.<br />
Firstly, in the <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Diary-Saint-Maria-Faustina-Kowalska-Burgundy-Leather-St-Maria-Faustina-Kowalska/9781596141896" target="_blank">Diary of St.Faustina</a> God uses the weather to effect the <a href="http://divinemercy.org/chaplet.html" target="_blank">changes He desired</a> in His divine plan for her (para.64). A planned trip had to be postponed, as Our Lord had assured her, due to a very sudden change in weather. Secondly, there is a story I had remembered from one of my readings of <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Autobiography-Therese-Lisieux-Therese/9780486463025" target="_blank">Story of a Soul</a> by St.Therese, the Little Flower, and Doctor of the Catholic Church. <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Autobiography-Therese-Lisieux-Therese/9780486463025" target="_blank"></a> Here it is recounted by an <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/lisieux.htm" target="_blank">EWTN</a> article: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Snow had always had a particular attraction for Teresa. She was born amid the
snow of winter. She had a great desire to see the earth clad in white on the day
of her Clothing. But the extreme mildness of the day made it seem impossible. On
re-entering the cloister after the ceremony she found it covered with snow. Ever
after, this was referred to as the little miracle.</blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9cH-UX_d0XK5DjS7Dr2xoVMPK-0sgxoNAMPsxuCKvBL9aK5ciqfuwvqcPiYWLyprwWQqHAqVFplBdSgmvZH9ECKJnCWFtckhsnmOWr4vesXvrSFNpsFoIzVogXSiOCXx3OLG8vOUc5Y/s1600/Magic+pens.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9cH-UX_d0XK5DjS7Dr2xoVMPK-0sgxoNAMPsxuCKvBL9aK5ciqfuwvqcPiYWLyprwWQqHAqVFplBdSgmvZH9ECKJnCWFtckhsnmOWr4vesXvrSFNpsFoIzVogXSiOCXx3OLG8vOUc5Y/s1600/Magic+pens.jpeg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Rolf Harris Magic <br />Brush Christmas <br />present of mine circa 1980</td></tr>
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It was January, but faith sees the hand of God. However, it is the<i> improbability of snow</i> <i>existing at all</i> that <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3193094479906078481#editor/target=post;postID=266706021605355085" target="_blank">excites me</a>. I am to be persuaded by the world that we are here by chance, that there is no explanation. We just are. What?? When surrounded by such wonders I feel surrounded by God's Love. It's such a benign, non-intrusive, respectful-of-freedom Love. But He draws me to Himself.<br />
And it's great to know I'm not alone on that path. Others are looking up in awe and wondering. They wonder at God, the artist who need only think to create. Here we see more than just something of the artist in his work, we are enveloped in His Love.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-HTwTOiEnTFNfgjYwJkYQniEyUzx8By5N2HSXSPcryWGxXTS00nrAMHTKwscPB2OkilXJwstNI-NZZata3vXcXSsuFftZQjQnc78KiMRnjza305BAQFAKMBMnZ8thlb_P_xxvdLT0Vc/s1600/Rolf+Harris.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-HTwTOiEnTFNfgjYwJkYQniEyUzx8By5N2HSXSPcryWGxXTS00nrAMHTKwscPB2OkilXJwstNI-NZZata3vXcXSsuFftZQjQnc78KiMRnjza305BAQFAKMBMnZ8thlb_P_xxvdLT0Vc/s1600/Rolf+Harris.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolf Harris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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But, to follow the theme in the <a href="http://testosterhome.net/2013/02/morning-by-morning.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Testosterhome+%28Testosterhome%29" target="_blank">Testosterhome</a> post, does God the artist resemble the artistic hero of British childhood?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-85479146990410349842013-01-30T23:55:00.000-08:002013-01-31T09:28:03.238-08:00Truth and Common Sense (1)I thought I'd better blog. One reason for blogging in the first place was what good it might do me to 'talk sense' and so make sense of my view of the world (how grandiose)! So perversely, my not wanting to post anything has also been, in part, due to a feeling of 'why would anyone want to know what going on in my head?' It was really a self-put-down. So back to blogging. I'm not that bad.<br />
<br />
To the point of the post. Lately I've come to realise the truth about the Truth I believe. So why do so few people believe it? Well, that's a big question but I'd like to suggest a couple of reasons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cycNPJ47PyuqguKxCSSR1IvE7RyjFG9k-ylc7l3czNYcVL-Nnh-I6dPz7_3HTp8jxgC_3QUwP-uxIxjP22ifwDNLbac5uKF5-at-66en8UXEzx1ODaEqny1Zf1_5EvLUoT7WMQ1y68Y/s1600/Image0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cycNPJ47PyuqguKxCSSR1IvE7RyjFG9k-ylc7l3czNYcVL-Nnh-I6dPz7_3HTp8jxgC_3QUwP-uxIxjP22ifwDNLbac5uKF5-at-66en8UXEzx1ODaEqny1Zf1_5EvLUoT7WMQ1y68Y/s200/Image0029.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest to think,<br />
know the truth<br />
and be happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One, there is an inertia when it comes to thinking deeply about anything in our culture. In many ways you can't blame people for this. Apart from the culture encouraging just 'feeling good', we also live such stressful, hectic lives that (on the face of it) physically and mentally we really need rest, rather than more thinking. Think 'I need to rest', rest, then think. This is why Sunday is no longer Sunday.<br />
An illustration of this would be where I work. After any occasional discussion that is about religion (even though it's a Catholic school) people (even myself against my better judgement) feel a need to excuse the conversation. Something along the lines of "that was deep" or "I'm glad we've sorted out the world now". Part of the reasoning is because we're at work, which is truly exhausting at times, and we're showing respect for everyone's need to not think much during our breaks. But our continual bustle to this degree isn't healthy. We are no more than living like animals if we don't reflect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMBgGBM2N65dnLo6GsxZOyee35miUycOSdK9t1JhdDZbUO17My3I7FNEXY2HHvBLWZd3Rau1jHxg-AtG_j4YVNvtFeDhkEoEYKfwpOXmJMmNQnqFKZX5GHIiUn1O3oK_c5mXP15lW_Ag/s1600/DominicDoughnuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMBgGBM2N65dnLo6GsxZOyee35miUycOSdK9t1JhdDZbUO17My3I7FNEXY2HHvBLWZd3Rau1jHxg-AtG_j4YVNvtFeDhkEoEYKfwpOXmJMmNQnqFKZX5GHIiUn1O3oK_c5mXP15lW_Ag/s200/DominicDoughnuts.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many of us see the<br />
world through the<br />
eyes of our stomachs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Secondly, we are so ruled by our feelings that even if something were to be obvious to us, we can't overcome our feelings, and the rule-of-the-feelings. This can be strong so sympathy is often due but sometimes it is just selfishness. The obesity crisis in developed countries is a good example. On the one hand, some people have medical conditions, inherited or otherwise, that require sympathy and treatment. But on the other, some of us (and I am one who <i>loves</i> to eat) just indulge our senses. We do what we want, not what's obviously good for us. Now, I happen to have great difficulty putting on weight. I always appear slim, it's fair to say (cue great envy, I know) but one day my eating habits may be so strongly ingrained and my metabolism slowing down, that I will reap the rewards of following my feelings. Simply following our feelings is a path to disaster. I know from experience. They have their part to play, but it isn't the main character. The principal is principles.</blockquote>
Doesn't that sound like a neat diagnosis of the developed world at present? There is almost nothing we cannot do and we try really hard <i>to do them</i> <i>all</i> filling all our time. And feelings take the lead. "The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, " (1 Corinthians 2:18 NRV). I had memorised this quote close to it's more literal translation: "But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God" (Douay version). Perhaps in changing the translation we have lost the sense - in more ways than one! But the two translations cover the ground of lack of reflection/prayer and sensuality, respectively.<br />
However, I know regarding the teaching point I should not point the finger elsewhere. The Truth of things is what we each have to wrestle with, taking the time and space to do so. It's obvious to every person they are mortal and satisfying the senses can't solve it and obscures the vision of God's laws of Love.<br />
<br />
I don't <i>love</i> because I don't <i>feel</i> like it. I don't change because I don't stop to reflect on it.MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-1267672160755923562012-12-20T23:45:00.000-08:002012-12-20T23:45:17.542-08:00So this is what the other half do?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" id="il_fi" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Here_comes_rain_again.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helpful tip: try to avoid cracks, puddles <i>and cars.</i></td></tr>
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<br />
Last night I told my wife I was going Christmas shopping. I have to confess that she has done almost everything on that front. But I console myself with the fact that I'm the hunter/gatherer and she is the...spender; what did cave women do in their spare time?<br />
<br />
So I took the advice of an expert, I didn't wear clothing that would make me too warm as I walked around shops (no 'jumper'/'sweater'), took the train (no parking issues), and did a bit of planning before I set off.<br />
<br />
But I didn't reckon on it being Thursday night, not a Saturday afternoon. This means two things: I'd been at work all day so <i>I</i> was spent before I was spending and, as only the desperate shop at that time of night it wasn't so busy, and a third thing (which has just popped into my head making this a very long sentence) is that it is colder in the night (didn't you know).<br />
<br />
So, I found I was cold, was sent back and forth by sales assistants to their<i> </i>'other store' across the city, wondered what the rest of the shoppers were doing at home who were supposed to be out there with me, and...it was raining and my shoes were NOT waterproof, it turns out. In fact, I could feel the bit that was coming apart at the sole with every step.<br />
And when I say raining, I mean raining in the West of Scotland kind of way. I looked like a child avoiding the cracks as I tried desperately to find a bit of the pavement without a puddle.<br />
So I got home exhausted at about 13 hours after I'd first left it in the morning.<br />
<br />
Now, here's a question: is this really what some women call a hobby?<br />
<br />
But I have to concede what a joy a bookstore can be. Let's here it for the Waterstone store that soldiers on against the online onslaught. It seems to be the only major one left in town. You stand there, not a puddle in sight, the assistants approach you to help in a friendly way and you get lost reading a very interesting book in a section and forget what you came for.<br />
<br />
I did my bit to support them- but what I did has to remain a surprise!MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-19086445771675910342012-12-17T14:13:00.000-08:002012-12-17T14:20:02.219-08:00Extracting Good from EvilWith a class of six-year-olds and five of my own, it's natural that the Newtown tragedy in the US has an impact on my own thoughts.<br />
<br />
I looked at my own children and thought 'what if I didn't see them again?' What if something so horrible happened to them- then you have to stop thinking along those lines. But it simply makes you realise the need to value <i>them</i> in preference to the limitless number of <i>things</i> that can get in the way.<br />
"Wouldn't life be great if I did X,Y,Z?" Well, maybe life would seem better. But wouldn't someone else be much happier if I did A,B,C?<br />
In fact, A,B,C is very likely to be my primary duty. And some duties towards my own children only I can do. A,B,C is also staring at me and X,Y,Z is often Walter Mitty or Ideal Dad material.<br />
<br />
I worry if I'm a good teacher. All the time. Sometimes I just want to give up. But then I hear another teacher say something similar and I realise I'm not alone. We can't <i>all</i> give up.<br />
But when I posed this to a priest friend of mine months ago he asked me 'do you love them?' And of course I said I did.<br />
<br />
The wisdom in this is something for another post. What is it to educate?<br />
<br />
Do I love the children I teach? How do I show this? Do I respect their dignity? Do I contribute to them earning a bad reputation by the way I speak to colleagues about them? Am I always acting in their best interests and not just 'spouting off', letting off steam at their expense? Am I sarcastic?<br />
<br />
What if one of these children wasn't to turn up the next day? And what if that was it? If I only had memories of our relationship what would it be? What <i>is</i> my relationship with each child in my care?<br />
<br />
When they are in my class I am acting 'in loco parentis'. How am I actively working on loving these children before me, modelling myself on the love the Father has for each one of us?MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-2667060216053550852012-12-12T15:00:00.002-08:002012-12-14T11:05:09.399-08:00Look at my car, of course there's a GodI was in a rush to work a couple of days ago, made all the more hectic by the winter frost we've been having. But amidst frantic scrubbing of frost off the car windows I was stopped in my tracks, as it were, by the look of my car roof.<br />
<br />
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I was glad I wasn't having to brush it off, it would have felt cruel. It made me immediately think of the wonder of creation. From a more argumentative perspective, it made me wonder how people could look at the complexity of such small features of beauty and say 'this is all by chance'.<br />
It reminds me of two further points. The first being the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowflake" target="_blank">complexity of snowflakes</a>, that doesn't need the assertion that 'no two snowflakes are the same' to be true to make you gaze in wonder at these chilled feathers from heaven (don't my car frost patterns resemble feathers so wonderfully?)<br />
<br />
The second point is regarding evolution, of all things!<br />
It matters little to Catholics weather God created the world with or without his tool of evolution. Evolution <i>within</i> species has plenty of evidence. Even humans have evolved in time. However, when I recently read that the Theory<i> </i>of Evolution has not one single example to prove it as the explanation of the 'origin of species'<i>, </i>this made me wonder again at God's more direct Providence.<br />
Creationists, as I remember from Higher Biology at school, believe God to have created everything at a particular moment in time. Well, that was one extreme view presented to us. Certainly, He is proposed as having created each specie directly, not one from another. Subsequently, another year at university studying Biology still confirmed in my own mind the idea that evolution was the answer to the origins of life.<br />
<br />
But there still is an evidence gap I have discovered. So, when I suddenly realised that evolution as the origin of species is a <i>theory</i> that has become an <i>assumption</i> for the order and variety I see around me, I felt slightly duped.<br />
I felt duped that I could have been wondering at God's direct involvement in my life through the material world I saw around me all through my life. Instead I'd been persuaded to see God somewhere distant at the beginning, pushing the big ball of mass off His table to start the Big Bang. He was so far removed, with milions of years of evolution separating us, that God couldn't be realistically perceived, nowhere had He left His mark in my environment.<br />
<br />
But now, with evolution back into it's <i>proper scientific status </i>as a<i> theory, </i>I could wonder again at Providence as more immediately graspable. And if evolution as the <i>origin of species</i>, as God's chosen tool of Nature, is proven, so be it. I'm still a Catholic. God is still the Author. God is still the Boss.<br />
One final point. How clever then is God to have thought of evolution, if it is proven to be all some would like to be. In all <i>it's</i> complexity, it's a means of masking his Providence from those who want to deny His existence. It gives a means to ultimate freedom of intellect -to put God at the centre and science as a servant of Truth or Science at the centre and God as just a tool.<br />
Pity you if the latter is all you have, it's a pittance.<br />
<br />
Choose the former and be filled with Love and Wonder.MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-88751933179105464642012-12-12T14:01:00.000-08:002013-02-19T13:06:46.518-08:00Let's 'ear it for the funny side of thingsWhat I'm about to impart will not perhaps be a universal experience. In fact, maybe you had to be there to appreciate it. But I can't help myself relate it.<br />
<br />
My wife and I have deal. I can do her nails because I've lots of experience of keeping mine in trim for playing the classical guitar, and she can trim the hair out of my ears.<br />
<br />
So last night she started on the left ear. No problem. Then she did the right one and the fun began. I just couldn't stop laughing. And as she tried to clip the hair as my head moved about she was laughing as well. Have you ever tried to cut something while it moves? I was imagining handing my right ear around friends saying 'never mind the blood, look how hairless it is!'<br />
<br />MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-37234218322525835332012-12-08T23:45:00.002-08:002012-12-08T23:54:17.933-08:00Praying in classI pray with my children in class at school in the morning and, I suppose, I try to do that part of the day well. Being the infant department it may go downhill from there.<br />
<br />
One part of it is to prepare children a little so that they're not just doing it as a rote learned exercise. But yes, there is a value even in that. In the short time available at that point in the day I vary which one prayer we use as an offering for our petitions in order that we don't neglect the memorisation of all our basic prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be- they are only six years of age). So, there is a rote memorisation going on over time.<br />
<ol>
<li>However, I try to introduce a <b>prayerful attitude</b> to start with. This is very, very important. It's an education in sincerity. Besides why they are praying, I also try to remind them of <b>Who they are praying to</b>. Who's listening anyway? Who are they talking to?<br />'Let's
try to think of God who loves us so much. That's why we are alive.
He made us because He loves us so much, more than you can ever imagine.
So let's pray to Him and offer Him something back for everything He gives us...'</li>
<li>We then do the <b>Morning Offering</b>.<br /> </li>
<li>Then each group in my class gets a turn at offering <b>verbal petitions</b>, one group per day. But others can add their own 'if it's serious and can't wait 'til it's your turn'. <br /><br />This is a chance to remember those who have died and for occasional reminders that we are even more important than the animals we pray for often (because we are made in God's image and likeness). This is helpful because the children see the immediate relevance of praying. They understand why they should pray with some seriousness because someone's mum is ill or brother has an exam. All they can do to help is pray. It's real. I always add that we pray for the pupils, staff and all their families in our own school and the non-denominational school we are joined to. God is the Father and Our Lady the Mother of all of us.</li>
<li>Then I choose a prayer and briefly remind them of the <b>purpose in that particular prayer</b>. For example 'remember that we owe everything to God, so we pray the Glory Be to offer everything back to God in return for Him giving us all we have that is good'. <br /><br />Especially for the longer Our Father and Hail Mary, I try to <b>briefly explain a part of the prayer</b> so that they aren't 'just saying it' i.e. without understanding. I don't expect an overnight result but this is a case of chiseling away at adult language barriers for children and allowing them to enter into the prayer a little bit. For example, 'Who art in Heaven' is just an old, beautiful way of saying 'Who is in Heaven' so He sees everything and we want to go and be with Him'. Who knows, maybe one day they'll say to their own children or someone else 'my teacher used to say this meant...'<br /> </li>
<li>We say the prayer, hopefully <i>praying the prayer.</i> If it is a new prayer then obviously they would learn it a line at a time, repeating it after me (and point 4 wouldn't make so much sense yet).</li>
<li>We finish with 'Holy Mother Mary and St.Joseph' and they respond 'Pray for us'. Then 'And all the angels and saints of God' and they respond 'Pray for us'. Even this is something, like a liturgical norm, they need to be taught. It's an introduction to the Communion of Saints. Every now and then it could be explained, especially after a serious petition, 'everyone in Heaven is praying for you right now'.</li>
</ol>
Perhaps there will be a little more <i>living</i> of our prayers as a result. What would the world be like if we all lived a little more of 'as we forgive those who trespass against us'?<br />
There are wider educational benefits to this approach. The class forms a unity in purpose (in life), see their inter-connectedness as a family of God, and express themselves and listen to everyone else in a respectful attitude. I'm sure there are so many other benefits.<br />
<br />
This all might take some time, but if I had to move it to a slightly later part of the day it would be fine. I would just start with the Morning Offering by itself and do the rest later, once the register is in and the pressure is off.<br />
Of course, my register might be one of the last to go into the office, but I know I've done something that puts the heart into what a Catholic school ought to be. I've started the day as I mean to continue. Even if it might often go downhill, we started well.MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-11770703357808770082012-12-07T11:51:00.000-08:002012-12-07T12:05:18.137-08:00From a daughter to brothersDear brothers, how blessed I am to have you in my life. I am blessed four times over (well, four and a half). I may be twice your size, in two of those instances, but then how would we play hide 'n' seek if you couldn't fit into all those wee hiding places? Your size multiplies the possibilities.<br />
<br />
Then, dear special younger brother, would I have become the expressive reader I am if I hadn't read you all those stories at bed time, and other times, when mum and dad needed you to stop? Just stop doing things for a bit and give them a break?<br />
<br />
Then, dearest older brother, I know we're not supposed to be getting on, us both being teenagers now, but it is good that we regularly talk about things we have in common. We're only a year apart in school and sing in the same choir. So, let's be honest, we do have a lot people we know in common. In fact, dare I say it, some friends in common.<br />
<br />
And if I wasn't the only daughter, I wouldn't have that unique relationship with mum.<br />
<br />
Now Dad, can I have a new reading light to replace the one they just ruined?<br />
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If truth be told, as it always should, I wouldn't make her work that hard. She's a lovely daughter, and now a teenager.<br />
<br />
How time flies...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I used to like dolls 'n' stuff but I've got brothers.</i></td></tr>
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<br />MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-18521967088574667752012-12-06T10:02:00.000-08:002012-12-06T10:05:40.278-08:00What goes on up there?We have been having our Christmas shows at school and one child wrote about it in his 'News'.<br />
<br />
'Today we did our Christmas Show. All my friends and Alan were in it.'<br />
<br />
'Oh dear!' I thought. Poor Alan!<br />
Then I looked at the name on the front of the jotter...Alan.<br />
<br />
A budding journalist? A self-forgetting 6 year-old?MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-55236021473332521642012-11-26T23:31:00.000-08:002012-11-26T23:31:51.562-08:00Staring at your tailYesterday I was shattered. My wife and I had a social life at the weekend and I'm obviously too old for such youthful, crazy-dude pursuits. Old friends are great to catch up with but costly if you gab past midnight. Since then, as my <a href="http://fiveandahalfchildren.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-imminent-vocation.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> outlined, I've needed to catch up on another Old Friend, Sleep.<br />
In between, things can get to you that normally don't. In fact, an unfinished working day of nine hours up to that point was taking its toll and I was really fixated. Thankfully, the distraction of family life came to the rescue. Then I managed to do the additional hour. Sigh.<br />
<br />
World, I'd like to formally apologise for anything you found, and are finding, objectionable in my behaviour. <i>Six out of ten, must try harder. </i>(Well, not <i>work</i> harder, maybe just <i>smarter</i>. Do I even deserve 7? Ok, I'm stroking the cat as I type and she's purring, so maybe I get seven.)<br />
<br />
So I cheered myself up by checking the viewing stats for my blog so far. Wow! Someone is reading it <i>right now</i>. And they use the same unusual browser as me. And the same unusual operating system. Wow! And 'Don't track your own pageviews' wasn't selected.<br />
I was, in fact, my own audience. I was viewing the stats that <i>I</i> was the stats.<br />
<br />
We say it's a small world. It doesn't get much smaller than viewing your own thoughts.<br />
<br />
Even my cat, lazy as she sometimes seems, doesn't look at herself except to clean herself, not even her tail. Moreover, she doesn't appear in the least bit stressed over <i>anything</i>. Anything at all.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtBxyxUrXHHbWiUlqvLF3zfsqTa2Lz_F_my4CEG1FbW59whO4tn2JhUrT1Jy8QZ9fFK7XPOo1HjqgYzAWxHPyMe20FWvysIJAgRauxNCYN9KFu6JaPNNqTx0z2Q_D6URG2gR872fjJdw/s1600/Image0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtBxyxUrXHHbWiUlqvLF3zfsqTa2Lz_F_my4CEG1FbW59whO4tn2JhUrT1Jy8QZ9fFK7XPOo1HjqgYzAWxHPyMe20FWvysIJAgRauxNCYN9KFu6JaPNNqTx0z2Q_D6URG2gR872fjJdw/s320/Image0769.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Net traffic? Who cares? <br />I just feel the warmth inside.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, when I feel myself getting all stressed out, I need to act more like a cat. I'm not sure exactly what that will look like, but it gave me <i>paws </i>to think<i>: </i>I should stop thinking and go chill out and meet the world outside my own thoughts. This blog helps me do it, regardless of stats.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vD77_TnAlPHCvdzPHH-L-Pw_N9PARt8FH4wwsG_lqIesLWWcbv9VWgnpNf3-eQKr8YQqCEvE-d_1iJ5Nms_vKPggnc9KCawHcj3b4-QnrLsoFr9bMc1bxJtEW5Tsb5RwBnNpv-loQSA/s1600/Image0647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vD77_TnAlPHCvdzPHH-L-Pw_N9PARt8FH4wwsG_lqIesLWWcbv9VWgnpNf3-eQKr8YQqCEvE-d_1iJ5Nms_vKPggnc9KCawHcj3b4-QnrLsoFr9bMc1bxJtEW5Tsb5RwBnNpv-loQSA/s320/Image0647.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A loyal reader</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
ps Thanks to sometime-viewers of this blog in France, Germany, the US (and maybe the UK?), Sweden and Indonesia. You're not me (hurrah for you!) and your views did cheer me up, as did this video:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/0M7ibPk37_U/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0M7ibPk37_U&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0M7ibPk37_U&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<br />MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-89147944386984072492012-11-25T16:31:00.000-08:002012-11-25T16:43:31.387-08:00The imminent vocation<div class="pbk">
<div class="me">
I am probably like most people in that I occasionally have things happen that make me think 'is this the job/role I'm supposed to be doing in life?' For me that really gets asked as 'what is God calling me to do?' Better still, go ahead and ask 'what do You want me to do?'</div>
<div class="me">
As people come and go at work, sometimes people surprise you by indicating how they're likely to move on. I think I'm quite conservative that way. I'm a 'bloom where you're planted person'. In particular, I'm concerned not to think the grass is greener somewhere else- perhaps I've done that in the past and I realise there's an immaturity there. Besides, one thing I have learned is that your learn more about yourself in adversity, even if it's just hard work. Moreover, another benefit is the satisfaction after enduring what's dreaded in some way, or finding your own way of getting to the other side of it.</div>
<div class="me">
<br /></div>
<div class="me">
But anyway, I suddenly had a flash of inspiration on that front! The clouds lifted! My Vocation became clear: sleep. </div>
<div class="me">
<br /></div>
<div class="me">
God wants me to get a good night's sleep. </div>
<div class="me">
<br /></div>
<div class="me">
It's obvious, and sometimes our lofty ideas of what to do next are best put aside in favour of the obvious, the imminent. This is especially true if everyone around me prefers me properly rested!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju-oFP9hZiy8ivTpyPGgioOm0WHAh5oRf_Ekdt43sPH8eSTy97H0E0RSn6rbUHF4cDkhzTGCWgqW2j9-SfR0BljmPGvQ2VAtccp0hqvK7eQLp2SJSB6420blLU9JRKp2oSxZSDiwnUBk/s1600/Image0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju-oFP9hZiy8ivTpyPGgioOm0WHAh5oRf_Ekdt43sPH8eSTy97H0E0RSn6rbUHF4cDkhzTGCWgqW2j9-SfR0BljmPGvQ2VAtccp0hqvK7eQLp2SJSB6420blLU9JRKp2oSxZSDiwnUBk/s320/Image0028.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm not asleep, I'm refuelling my patience and sense of reason. </i><br />
Our youngest two, the way we prefer them. (I'm kidding).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="me">
But is this imminent vocation also immanent? (Or have I butchered the English language enough for one post?)</div>
<h2 class="me">
im·ma·nent</h2>
<span class="pronset"> <span class="show_spellpr" style="display: inline;"><span class="prondelim">[</span><span class="pron"><span class="boldface">im</span>-<span class="ital-inline">uh</span>-n<span class="ital-inline">uh</span><span class="luna-thinspace"></span>nt</span><span class="prondelim">]</span> </span></span><span class="pg"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">adjective</span> </span></span><br />
<div class="luna-Ent">
<span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">1.</span> </span></span><br />
<div class="dndata">
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">remaining</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">within;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">indwelling;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">inherent.</span> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="luna-Ent">
<span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">2.</span> </span></span><br />
<div class="dndata">
<span class="labset"><span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">Philosophy</span> </span></span><span id="hotword">. </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">(of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: pointer;">mental</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">act)</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">taking</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">place</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">within</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">mind</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">subject</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">and</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">having</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">no</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">effect</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">outside</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">it.</span> </span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">Compare</span> </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/transeunt" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">transeunt</a><span id="hotword">. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="luna-Ent">
<span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">3.</span> </span></span><br />
<div class="dndata">
<span class="labset"><span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">Theology</span> </span></span><span id="hotword">. </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">(of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">Deity)</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">indwelling</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">universe,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">time,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">etc.</span> </span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">Compare</span> </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/transcendent" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">transcendent</a></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="dndata">
</div>
<div class="dndata">
<span id="hotword">C</span>ontrary to the second definition, I believe it will have a <i>very obvious</i> effect
on those around me. How much more pleasant I would be! How much more patient!
But, more seriously, the vocation for all is the one that Therese of
Lisieux discovered: love. So, I'll love myself as God would want me to,
and I'll get the sleep.</div>
<div class="dndata">
But if I don't manage it, I'll just have to love a bit
more in order to be pleasant and more patient.</div>
</div>
</div>
MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-10662466866931460262012-11-25T15:48:00.001-08:002012-11-25T15:48:05.208-08:00November rememberingMum and dad passed away two years ago now. It's hard to believe. And I've gone from thinking I had to go every day or every week, to just managing to squeeze in a visit to the cemetery before November is finished. But that's life with children. I do go at other times of the year as well, just not as much as I'd like to.<br />
I did want to make sure we went in November though, and not just myself. So I took them all and we prayed the Rosary in the car on the way. Then we did a decade there. It was a bit waterlogged and there was the inevitable policing of children investigating neighbouring grave stones and flowers- but the lesson was imparted. We visit cemeteries to <i>pray</i> for loved ones. And we do this especially in November.<br />
I was actually dog tired and didn't want to go but I knew it was the right thing to do, and it was.<br />
<br />
It's a good lesson for me as well. When I was young a visit like this was just nostalgia. I couldn't relate too emotionally to the people we were visiting. It was just 'duty' and 'nice'. But my children knew and loved my grandparents, I hadn't really known mine well.<br />
I hope I can impart something of the reality of our existence to them in a visit like this. But it's not a harsh reality. Perhaps a wake-up call, yes.<br />
But it's a wake-up call to a beautiful morning that awaits us beyond the reality we see. We believe in the God who made all that is seen <i>and unseen.</i> The immeasurably beautiful unseen.<br />
<br />
Mum and Dad,<br />
pray for us,<br />
and we for you. AmenMrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-38143622638477546512012-11-14T09:23:00.001-08:002012-11-17T06:04:21.088-08:00The humour in sincerityOne of the ways in which our special son (the child and a half) entertains us is with his comments made in all sincerity.<br />
My wife has frequent issues with any objections made to her cooking. She is quite right. After all, what right have we who are getting fed to quibble with the fare being offered?<br />
Well, one night when serving after slaving in the kitchen over the dinner, a negative comment was passed. That was it. At the end of her tether, my wife made her thoughts crystal clear.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Wife</b>: I'm fed up with people who have nothing better to do than say whatever<i> </i>they like about the food I've made. Well, if you don't like it you can go to a restaurant up the road and eat whatever you like!!</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Special son</b>: Mum, where is it? Can <i>I</i> go?</div>
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="261" data-width="193" height="261" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGb_OmckuXpHEfUQFURJdZz46gwvSOIdsvENdWhBsNAa5Oq6JH" style="height: 261px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 193px;" width="193" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You don't believe I like it?</i><br />
<i>I'm wearing it for goodness sake!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-9466829066915285442012-11-10T14:19:00.000-08:002012-11-14T13:34:25.489-08:00Why worry?<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
I've set myself the task of reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church in a year.<br />
But I have help from <a href="http://flocknote.com/catechism" target="_blank">here</a>. I'm sent a small portion to read every day. Sometimes two emails are sitting in my inbox and I realise I really have to do something <i>right now</i>. Otherwise it'll get out of hand. It is working though. Every time I read a section (5 mins or so) I find something I didn't know. And it's fascinating. Often, I'm not just learning, I'm inspired by a particular point.<br />
<br />
This happened this evening. Something that gave me a shot of Hope. Section 208 of the Catechism reads:<br />
<br />
<i>Before the divine signs wrought by Jesus, Peter exclaims: "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." But because God is holy, he can forgive the man who realizes that he is a sinner before him: "I will not execute my fierce anger... for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst." The apostle John says likewise: "We shall... reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."</i><br />
<i></i><br />
It's this last part that really struck me. My heart is often troubled by asking myself 'am I really doing the right thing here?' It is good to ask that question when one is confronted by a serious matter (the Church outlines what these are). But when one is bogged down by asking the question continually and it is wearing you down and robbing you of peace, then this quote really consoles:<br />
<br />
<i>"We shall... reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts
condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows
everything."</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://manualoflife.com/joeen/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/clip_image0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" id="il_fi" src="http://manualoflife.com/joeen/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/clip_image0066.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a>The key is sincerity. If I sincerely want to love and make manageable and serious commitments to do it, then forget worries. They're not from God.<br />
He is my Friend, so I won't keep my distance from Him. Naturally, I'll talk to Him every day. This shows my Friend I believe He exists, I believe and hope in His Power - that Love Itself is Who I am conversing with. I want us to know each other.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>"</b>You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you." John 15:14</i><br />
<br />
Do we worry about doing the right thing? God knows what is in our hearts. Why worry if this is one friend who cannot misunderstand us and our intentions.<i> </i>MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-76095694827884015312012-11-09T16:42:00.005-08:002012-11-09T16:42:56.760-08:00Two ingredients for a Hope cakeI was full of joy tonight after an evening of recollection. The priest spoke of Holy Souls, it being the month of November, the traditional month for this for Catholics (and, come to think of it, everyone else if you consider Remembrance Day). This was also my mum's birthday, the second since her passing away, and I had been to Holy Mass in remembrance of her.<br />
<br />
But the priest spoke not so much of the suffering of Holy Souls, but of the fact of their being saved. They are happy, to be envied in so much as they are certain of their eternal reward. This is a great ingredient for Hope for those of us left to ponder - to foster the hope of heaven.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmFCjGUK_yWbwQSTB9nPdsNXZCbqw7VCKDR3X2uuyjoUhJ7jjxuA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="225" data-width="225" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmFCjGUK_yWbwQSTB9nPdsNXZCbqw7VCKDR3X2uuyjoUhJ7jjxuA" style="height: 225px; width: 225px;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Now let me see. Where are we?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What does this 'eternal' idea mean? It's so hard to get this notion into our finite heads. One approach I got lately came from reading <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/2012/11/maker-of-heaven-and-earth.html" target="_blank">someone else's blog</a>, which referred to this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAVjF_7ensg" target="_blank">video</a>.<br />
Put aside, nay, <i>sweep</i> aside the possible feeling of anonymity, and the vast coldness of space. If you get the chance to follow<a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fr+spitzer&oq=Fr.Spi&gs_l=youtube.1.0.0i33.55287.58865.0.60712.12.8.4.0.0.0.135.784.4j4.8.0...0.0...1ac.1.ngn89DnIPu8" target="_blank"> Fr.Spitzer </a>on YouTube you realise there <i>must</i> be God. And as we experience pleasure (a real miracle) and love (a real miracle) - just to start with - these facts suddenly give us something to contemplate when thinking of eternity as a gift from an incredibly powerful and loving God.<br />
<br />
God is. God is Good. God is Goodness Itself. Our happiness will go on, and on, and on, and on in Eternity.<br />
<br />
The second ingredient in this Hope cake is sleep. By Providence I read a <a href="http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/posts/10045/the-1-challenge-facing-fathers-today/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicdads+%28Catholic+Dads%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" target="_blank">blog post</a> I wouldn't have agreed with normally but I found sympathy with. Or rather, it <i>gave me</i> sympathy. I had a short sleep after work today and it suddenly made the world seem a better place. It hadn't changed, I had. I was joyful.<br />
<br />
The priest recommended that we see the Year of Faith that has been proclaimed in the Catholic Church as a Year of Joy. We could measure its success by how much joy we have. So, adding two and two...<br />
<br />
We should make sure we do what we can to get sufficient sleep in this crazy world that doesn't like silence and contemplation and genuine rest, so that we can live the way we were meant to live. It won't <i>change</i> the world by itself, but it will change how we <i>see</i> it. And we should add to this some time every day to contemplate our heavenly destiny.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="150" id="il_fi" src="http://solar-center.stanford.edu/SID/images/earth.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Each day is made to love</i>. <i>We awaken to love.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And maybe then, full of Hope, we can set about changing the world. Starting tomorrow, after a good night's sleep.<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday Mum!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Pray for me and I for you and all your friends, that we may meet merrily in Heaven</i>. (St.Thomas More to his daughter).</div>
MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-81976374605536539702012-11-03T14:40:00.000-07:002012-11-09T15:50:53.614-08:00What can I offer you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
There's a lovely hymn that goes:<br />
<i>What can I offer you Lord Our God,</i><br />
<i>How can I thank you for all that you've done?</i><br />
<br />
<i></i>With my parents now passed on, I often think of where they are. I also often think christians are increasingly finding it hard to practise what they believe in varying degrees. Both things have caused me a lot of angst in recent months. When my dad first passed away it felt as if there wasn't a clear purpose in this life. Why couldn't I just be with him? Why this life here? Why not just the next one?<br />
But both suffering and heavenly reward were very prominent throughout the readings for the day on All Saints' Day Holy Mass. When I read them I was really
bowled over by the imagery of what it means to be saved and to be at the
Heavenly Banquet. On the other hand you have persecution mentioned in the First Reading and then again in the Communion Antiphon. The Gospel itself, the Beatitudes, balances efforts with promised rewards.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We know where we're going but there's a climb first</i></td></tr>
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Do you want to live forever? Well, what about living forever and also in such bliss as you cannot possibly be dissatisfied? Forever. No more tears, only unending joy. I see my parents again. We'll never again be separated. What would I not give?<br />
<br />
Well, once you think about it, you come to the conclusion that there must be something you can do in return. How embarrassing to turn up at celebration and you haven't brought a gift for the banquet. Or more accurately, someone actually <i>gave you</i> the present but you ate it on the way<i>. </i>You spend the party thinking 'I can't believe this is the best party I've ever been to and I've not brought a single thing to show appreciation for my invite.' And everyone else has.<br />
<br />
All around us we have opportunities to offer something to God. The more bleakly the struggle of life is portrayed<i>, </i>the greater the persecution we sense, the more work there appears to be done, the more opportunities there are. What can I offer you Lord Our God?<br />
God has given to me, and everyone else, the gift of a life beautifully wrapped and, inevitably, in the shape of a cross.<br />
<br />
I picture myself at the threshold of the door, knocking and expecting a warm welcome from my Perfect Host. In my hands is an empty box, the wrapping dishevelled, my face greedily covered in chocolate.<br />
Dear God, I hope this won't be me.<br />
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You're on your way to the party, what are you doing with that precious gift in your hands?<br />
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MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-20711945409205700262012-10-30T15:11:00.002-07:002012-10-30T15:15:07.173-07:00Oh to be youngI was praying with my youngest two children tonight and before we did the Our Father I asked them who they wanted to pray for. There were a few suggestions (mainly favourite cousins and friends) and then I suggested teachers.<br />
I was very impressed with their attempts to pronounce their teachers' names properly and then my youngest (turning 4 this week) announced with great excitement (he with a cute lisp, etc):<br />
<br />
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTU5uDyqx_WHu6F6JAqYLQMt0caljgWr1jm0xIb1cxo0dLXuKz" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="149" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTU5uDyqx_WHu6F6JAqYLQMt0caljgWr1jm0xIb1cxo0dLXuKz" width="200" /></a>- <i>(with his eyes closing temporarily in effort)</i><br />
The brue gwoup has a new teacher!<br />
<br />
- Do you know her name?<br />
<br />
- Miss Happy<br />
<br />
- Miss Happy?<br />
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- Yeths, Miss Happy.MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193094479906078481.post-16449418890755009592012-10-23T14:09:00.003-07:002012-10-23T14:09:58.617-07:00And Nature is a playground...and it's free. These kind of holidays are a real blessing. No shop for children to beg to be bought something that will make them <i>really, really</i> happy- for about 4 minutes. The seaside's a real leveller. We could all have stayed here all evening.<br />
In fact it was the only decent evening we had on our holiday in Wales.<br />
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It was just like home! But we were together and relaxed and that's what made it a holiday. This is beautiful North Wales.MrOptimismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142901558052774029noreply@blogger.com0