Unwanted Comments

In my last post, I expressed my thanksgiving to God for His Merciful Providence. I shared how I once again realized that I need to put my trust in Him in all things and not give into anxiety. For some reason I cannot make sense of, this somehow motivated someone who had nothing better to do to post a comment about a link that would tell me the "truth" I supposedly didn't know about. That link led to what would have been a video about the anti-Christ. The page said that the video was removed. I believe it was removed for the obvious reason that it would offensive to Catholics. I don't know what I put in my original post that would have caused such a reaction. I feel sorry for this person that they live in such fear of others that they would believe a lie and perpetuate it.

I am really more ecumenical than this person would know. My Oblate group is not limited to Catholics. The Benedictine Rule predates most of the major schisms. I have worshipped and studied with people of many denominations. This person was Seventh-Day-Adventist. I have had many good discussions with Seventh Day Adventists, especially when I lived in a community where 3 of my neighboring families were of that faith. We got on so well and our children played together because we shared so many of the same values. I helped another Seventh Day Adventist woman when her husband got caught up in the throes of Mormonism and he was using their food and rent money to give to them. This is the first time I have come across a Seventh Day Adventist who thought I was working for the anti-Christ! But then, I know of some Catholics who call others anti-Christ and a few who even say the ugliest things about the Pope, either because they are ultra-liberal and want things their way or because they are Sedevacantist (Is that the right word?) and think the Chair if Peter is really empty. As traditional as I am, I would not go that far.

I had to delete another post that was trying to sell something. I don't understand why people like this who have something to say or sell don't just create their own blogs. After all, they are free. As an Oblate, it is my aim to show charity to all. But when we have something like a blog or a newsletter, it is important to manage what others try to use it for. Comments are rare and most are very supportive and kind. I do appreciate that. It is also nice to know that people are interested in what you have to say! One of my favorite blogs to read is "Plain Catholic in the Mountains". I recommend it highly. I also like "Catholic Knight".

I welcome comments. I learn from them. But I would appreciate it if people don't use my blog to push their own agenda. If you think I am off base about anything, please simply pray for me, or send me an email and we can have a discussion about it. If you are a regular reader, God bless you! I venture to say, you are likely to be an Oblate too! I hope you are enjoying the O Antiphons! ;-)

In Thanksgiving for the Merciful Providence of God

Like a great many people, I have been jumping through hoops trying to manage my year end bills and still enjoy Christmas with my children and grandchildren. Having the common sense and the available time, I made quite a few early payments, arrangements and preparations to avoid the stress that can come this time of year if you let everything go until the last minute. The financial waters were about up to my nose when I got my car insurance bill yesterday and felt like I was about to go under. I also knew that my most expensive medication was almost up for refill and that would kill me altogether. But once again, I have learned that what is needed is not so much a lottery prize, although I would surely appreciate one, but more trust in God.

I went to the doctor this morning. My levels were good. Before I could ask about refilling my prescription he announced that because of my good levels and the time they have remained that way, he is going to try to take me off that exorbitantly priced pill! That will save me hundreds, perhaps thousands this month alone! If my levels remain good, he will also take me off the other anti-cancer drug, which will help my liver, heart, thyroid and stop sending my blood pressure and blood sugar up so high.

Our God has given me a wonderful Christmas gift! And a good lesson. As an Oblate, I know I am to trust in Divine Providence. There is a story about St. Benedict meeting a poor man at the monastery who begged for a little oil. St. Benedict ordered it given to the man but the cellarer refused because the monastery had so little. St. Benedict was angry at the lack of trust in God's Providence. He knelt down and prayed. As he prayed, the oil bubbled up to overflowing!

Once again, I confess my lack of trust and pray God's forgiveness. When we sit for Lectio Divina we open our hearts to the Word of God. As Benedictines, we want to open our hearts to God and not fill it with anxious thoughts. We want to open our hearts with total trust in Him and let his love bubble up in us to overflowing! I am finding more than a couple of people not very lovable right now, but it is what they are doing that is not lovable. They NEED our love and kindness. They need to be told "No", but lovingly, even if they hurt us for it. With our hearts open to God, may he fill us with His all-embracing love!

CCC 524

"When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor's birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Happy and Blessed Gaudete Sunday!

A Challenge to Reverence

This month's edition of our Oblate newsletter has a very good article written by our Oblate director. In his writing, he states that we live in a time where many of us feel deprived of a sense of the sacred in this age of a loss of reverence. People talk loudly before and after, sometimes even during, Holy Mass. They act and dress all too casually. And as Oblates, we know that St. Benedict gave high priority to reverence, especially in the oratory. The whole atmosphere of the oratory, the monastery, even our homes should be as one of reverence to God.

How do we grow in reverence? First we must maintain a holy awe of sacred space. Since we cannot hush those who are rude in church, it is important to set a good example in charity. We can maintain a reverent silence and keep our bodies in positions that help us to be alert and receptive. We can use gestures, such as bowing, genuflecting and the Sign of the Cross, to honor God with our whole being. We can sing with joy but also with becoming restraint. Most of all, we must learn patience to deal with another's lack of reverence. Finally, we must remember that "Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ"! (Romans 8:39), including those who are loud, rude, or otherwise irreverent. We can pray for those who offend our sense of reverence and strive to maintain our own inner silence and peace. In struggling against the pride and irreverence of our current age, we must offer ourselves in zeal and humility.

Quiet Time

As an Oblate, I make sure I have uninterrupted quiet time for prayer, several times a day. When things get in the way, it is disturbing to me. But rather than react with exasperation if it happens too often, I see how I can plan things differently to prevent that. I don't know how a Christian can function well without their quiet time with the Lord. How does one grow otherwise? Good works are very important. But the Bible describes a good soul as one who is disciplined with a good prayer life, rising to pray in the hours of night, praying 3 or 7 times a day, meditating on His precepts, etc. Right now, in my parish, there are many good works going on by people who are very service oriented and that is good. But it is easy to tell most of them are not spending much time in prayer. If they were, the gossip and backbiting would not be so rampant! Also "good works" are being generated where they are not needed, or doing more harm than good. But those doing it are to wrapped up in their own view of self-importance. Bless those few precious souls who are working hard at the parish, mostly in their retirement years, and not engaging in the tale-bearing behaviors. These are the ones you see at prayer in the church and who surely make time for prayer at home.

This time of regular prayer and time with the Lord helps maintain Stability. In order to do this, our eyes must be fixed on God. And since we cannot live on bread alone, we must make time for the study of the Scriptures. I read in one Benedictine publication that before we said Ora et Labora, it used to be Ora, et Lectio, et Labora. We not only need quiet time but a quiet place. I have a portion of my room set up for prayer and prayer alone. I have another portion set up for Lectio Divina. Just entering into those spaces helps me to prepare my heart.

Now today, I am going to visit family out of town. I will combine Sext and None and say them early. I am not devoted to my habit of saying the Monastic Diurnal. I am devoted to our Lord. And with His grace I will discern His will and be obedient to Him. If our minds are stayed on Him we truly will have perfect peace. May everyone have a most blessed Second Sunday of Advent.

Doing Right

My father, may he rest in peace, hailed from the Appalachian Mountains. Unlike my mother, he did not go into long explanations on how and why we should behave. He had a simple theory: "Be good and do right." Sounds easy enough. But sometimes we may feel we are caught in the middle of something that makes us wonder what the right thing is to do! As an Oblate, I want to be obedient, first to God. I want to be a peacemaker. Sometimes it is easier to remain silent. And silence is usually golden, is it not? And valued by us Benedictines. But sometimes our silence can be deadly. Things can go on and on that are not right and our silence can enable it to continue. I have spoken out. Perhaps I will be accused of going over someone's head or causing trouble. But after careful consideration, I had to say my piece and bring the facts to the right person. Did I do the right thing? I hope so. But I do know that I remained silent for too long. My father was Lutheran. But he would have made a very good Benedictine.

Advent Penance

Today is the First Sunday of Advent. A friend of mine, after Vigil Mass last night, gave his long awaited pecan pie to a family that was having a belated Thanksgiving dinner so they would have a dessert. I know how much my friend loves pecan pie, and this pie was one of the best coming from the most popular gourmet food market in the area! Now that was a true act of penance.

We always associate penance with Lent and with Fridays, but we rarely remember that Advent too is a time of penance and also of reflection. Yesterday, I wrote out my Christmas cards and wrapped all the Christmas gifts. As an Oblate, I can spend more time in reading when I get home from church today.

May everyone have a blessed Advent and a blessed Sunday!