CelticPriest

Often we struggle with the question what is the will of God at this moment for me?      I was told that it is most often whatever is right in front of us.  The next thing.  The dishes.  Making the bed. Praying.       Not everyone is called to be a prophet or a leader or a servant.  All are called to love and care for one another. This includes caring for ourselves.       Because we are beloved we cannot help loving our siblings in Christ.  Falling Upward by Richard Rohr and Love's Trinity are chock full of affirming observations about the nature of God and our own nature.     We shine like the sun in God's eyes. Yes, we must cooperate with grace in our efforts to find and serve God and God's people. But much of the work is done in us by the Spirit who is holy.       Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross, as well as St. Benedict's homilies on the Song of Songs are wonderful treasures showing us the simple path to conversion and service.      Let us rejoice and sing new ...

Once upon a time, my sister, my cousin, my daughter, and my community theatre group did Godspell. I was thinking of it yesterday because one of the hymns recommended for evening prayer was All Good Gifts. I was remembering a night when the young man playing Jesus  fairly ran into his dressing room, white and shaking.  I knew by then that he had a drinking problem, and hoped he would be able to perform that night.  I followed him and found him sitting on his makeups counter.  He looked at me and said, "I am losing it. I just saw Jesus standing on the corner playing the banjo."      OMG, right?  Several minutes after that, I went to check the stage area and saw my long-haired cousin Smokey dressed in a Halloween costume, remarkably like Jesus. Smokey was in the band.  He just grinned at me, and took his place on stage.      It all reminded me of a wonderful time. and I pray that every person involved in the show, and the audience members, see Jesus standing wherever they ...

Today, on my ramble along the upstairs balcony, I heard two kids setting up a game. You remember cowboys and Indians. Rebels and stormtroopers?      I heard I'm the bad cop and you're the protester.  Children play. That's sort of their job.  This one gave me the shivers.       I didn't want to watch and toddled back to my door.  Still, I heard shrill screaming.  Then raucous laughter.  Then shrieking. "No, I didn't do anything!" and more scary laughing from the bad cop.  And, Too bad.  I win!      The little girl was the protester and the boy was the bad cop.  These children are usually playing outside in the evening.  Mom probably needs the break.        Dear God, let's see if we can make a better alternative for kids' games.  

How shall we respond to this mind-numbing statistic? These were real people who had families and friends.     For me, this terrible milestone cries out to God.  From the depths of my heart I pray for comfort and peace for all of the dead and all of our stunned brothers and sisters.       Old and housebound for the most part, I offer my voice, my presence via electronic means, and my prayers   Mindfulness, keeping in the moment, helps all who encounter us.  Lectio divina, liturgical events, the sacraments, all help us move Forward.  Feedback from a person who is outside all one's social networks can be helpful indeed. 

And war breaks out against me, he will hide me. This I find to be true, so long as I live in conscious contact with God.       What happens is that the Spirit in me comes forward and my ego steps back.  I hear myself handling people, places and things in a way I never would have thought to use. Calmly, slowly, peaceably, I just keep the conversation going until the fuse sputters out.  Or whatever. Overwhelm doesn't happen.  I can't do that.  I never take the high road.       So, cops.  For me, that technique might work.  I'm white.  My friends might be better off if I were there with my white skin and my phone on record.      Or not.  There is copspeak I must ignore in order to stay calm. There are numerous white supremacists in the PD who must not be triggered, or I might spend the night in jail alongside my friend, a person of color.      When I'm alone in my car and lights and sirens go off behind me, I am afraid, even in daylight.  If a person of color (some o...

You are a good person.  Within you there is a place which is connected with God, and in that place, a part of you has never consented to sin.  (See, "Original Blessing", recently revised, by Matthew Fox).  Also, see "Showings," the Long Text, as translated by Fr.  John Julian, OJN, and commented upon in "Love's Trinity," by Frederick J. Roden,  AOJN.        I quote Saint Julian, "There is no wrath in God."  If your God doesn't love you exactly as you are, as you have been since before you were born, fire him and get a God who does.        Sacrilege?  Sue me.  I have some books and clothes you can have.  The truth is that God loves you without seeing anything wrong in you.  You have been doing the best you can with the tools you have had all of your life.  God looks at you and sees Christ.  Christ looks at you and sees a sibling.  The Holy Spirit looks at you and comforts and consoles you.     If this is not your experience with God, I urg...

I was trying to send a link to my You Tube Channel.  Apparently my equipment and my free membership preclude this.  Please go there if you want to see the video.  Thanks!  God bless you and keep you.  Amen.  

I want to go outside!  Of course if I do, I won't be able to breathe.  And it's 78 degrees in my room.  My bones appreciate it, but not my COPD.  Also?  Makes my heart race.  Shucks!  You know I meant shite, right?      Anyhoo, stay with me, if you're interested.  If not, go ahead on, I won't get my widdle feelings hurt.        So, about God.  YEAH.  Again!  I'm a priest.  What did you expect?      One of my heroes is Saint Julian of Norwich.  First woman to write a book in English.  Lived during the Plague. All we know aside from her book is that she had a cat   Julian might not have been her name.  Her anchorhold was built into the side of St. Julian's Church.      I am reading Love's Trinity, which contains her book as translated by Fr. John Julian, OJN and a commentary written by an Associate of the Order.      I love it when things like this affirm my experience of God.     I wish you Love   I wish you Peace.  I assure you all will in fact be well.     ...

Before Christianity came to Ireland, there was tribal law forbidding the making of a satire against anyone, especially against the King.  If you were judged guilty of doing so, you had to pay an "honor price".   I don't recall what it was, but the point was that paying it (probably in cows, pigs or something like fine cloth) kept you from being exiled, which was a death sentence, or soundly beaten or killed, thus depriving the clan or tribe of your services, and saving your family from poverty and grief. Bishop Cait can correct me if I'm wrong here, but that's what I recall from my studies long ago.       Today we might call it sarcasm.  If you are around the culturally Irish you will see them unmercifully teasing one another with a straight face.  They might sound as if they really dislike one another.  But at some point one of them will grin, one will laugh, then all will laugh until they weep and gasp for breath.     My personal struggle is not to do that with ...

Scotland's burning, Scotland's burning Look out Look out Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire Pour on water Pour on water. That old jump rope song has been running through my mind all day.  I wish I knew enough Scottish history to get the reference.  You know, the way Ring around the rosie is about the Plague.  Do you think some day there will be a childhood song about the Pandemic?  Or will it be a meme.    .. Anyway, today the air in my sealed room got so bad I actually considered calling 911.  When my grandson asked if I needed to go to the hospital, I gasped, "Not a chance.  I am not paying 90 for an ER visit for one day of oxygen."  Or I could probably get an ambulance service to bring me some.  That would cost about $3000.      So, what's to be done instead?  I sat on the toilet while running the shower until the steam was as bad as the smoke.  I feel as if I have been smoking all day, and I do have COPD.     Right now it's much better.  Cooler, and I can breathe lyin...

I have often felt that I was too old and tired to go forward. Today I feel old and inspired. Oh and tired, but I am still here as the old song says.      I am happy to be smiled at by Gino and hugged by Nino. Happy and grateful that I have shelter from the smoke at the moment. Happy that there are loved ones here, all Covid free for now.      I have both digital and physical books to read. My RA isn't too bad today.      I didn't have to respond to all the trolls today.      BeOh, a new series on Netflix.... Young Wallander.  I loved the Kenneth Bragnah Wallender series.  This new show has good writing, good acting, good production values. I was usually a step ahead of the hero, but they do a good job of foreshadowing the man he will become.      What's inspired me today is the lengths people will go to in order to help others.  The way they are so gracious it almost seems they are anticipating others' needs.      Ok hurts too much to type more so prayers and blessings ...

I was comiserating with someone who was very calmly and cordially describing some abusive online behavior. Suffice to say that a third party responded to my compassion by yelling in all caps that we are obligated to make allowances for the mentally ill and how dare I react with less compassion than Christ. My dad was an abusive son of a gun. I have forgiven him because I understand. However that does not mean what he did to us is okay. It does not require me to permit abuse, or arrogance or superiority from anyone, especially on line. Nor will I fail to call out such behavior when I see or hear it. I am old enough to know that silence begets worse behavior. Many males or even clerics have to respond to everything. I have learned the painful way to teach people how to treat me. Also, that just because I have a thought does ot mean I am called by God to share it. Usually my foul language stays in my mouth. Sometimes no. Even at 72 I am work in progress.      I ask mys...

It seems as if the world is going to be permanently changed by the pandemic. Many nations responded in a proactive manner which saved many lives.  My country, not so much.       If we are forced into a certain political party's preferred response of so called herd immunity, I will probably not live to see the changes, even though I am currently negative for the virus. At 72 I am at risk for other causes of death.       But it bothers me that my grandson and great-grandson will be forced into a world so different from the one I knew.       My grandson assures me that they were born for the times and will be fine.  That breaks my heart even as it gives me hope.       Grant us the peace of Christ.  The storm rages, but the Lord is with us. We are safe, even if we do not live.  May you be blessed and happy in this weird world.  Amen.