Comments

I am having to moderate my comments more closely so unfortunately I have had to change my comment setting to where I approve them prior to them being posted. The other day someone came through and make a bunch of anti-catholic posts to various posts.

I find this unfortunate because I would like comments to be posted right away in order to facilitate conversation but I can't have anti-catholic posts. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about debate and I can defend the Catholic faith, especially against the amateur and ignorant posts that were being made. But this person was using the "shotgun theory" where they were throwing everything out there on various posts and I just don't have time to go to every post and defend it, especially when the answers are in the post.

So for the time being, feel free to post, but it may take a bit for the comment to appear.

But For the Grace of God

I think one of my favorite expressions is, "there, but for the graces of God, go I." It keeps me humble and it helps me realize how many times in my past I could have gone down the wrong path. Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I haven't always been a church going type of guy. In fact, it's wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I had a "reversion" and started going back to mass regularly for the first time in a decade. How many times did I have the opportunity to go down the wrong path. How many times did I start to go down the wrong path and somehow find my way. How thankful am I that God is merciful and forgive me for my sins for when I did start to go down that wrong path?

In this weekend's reading, Jesus speaks about others who have died and says, "do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did." I would have to say that I am guilty of this. I see someone who's is leading a life that is obviously sinful. I happen to run into a lot of these people in police work. The suspects, the bad guys and often the victims themselves are involved in a sinful life. On Friday and Saturday nights, I work the entertainment district in the city and see people doing things with a "what happens in Westport stays in Westport" mentality.

How often to I begin to judge these people before realizing that that "there, but for the grace of God go I?" I need to realize that they aren't any more guilty of sinning any more than I am. Maybe I am on the right path now but maybe they will be. Like the parable that Jesus tells about the fig tree. The land owner was going to go cut it down because it had never bared fruit. The gardener said to him to let him tend to it. Maybe with cultivation and fertilization it may bear fruit in the future.

We all needs God's grace. It is only through God's grace and our cooperation with that grace will be get--and stay--on that right path. That is why we shouldn't judge people. We are just as guilty as everyone else is. We can be honest with that person. We can pray for that person. Must of all we should maintain hope because with God's grace that person may still bare fruit. But we should never judge because, "there, but for the grace of God go I."

Notre Dame Does It Again

Notre Dame is probably one of the most popular Catholic universities in the United States--if not the world. But some people wonder about it's "Catholic" title. If you recall, last May Notre Dame invited President Obama to give the keynote speech at it's commencement. The university also gave the president an honorary degree. The problem with this is that President Obama is believed by some to be the biggest pro-abortion president in the history of the United States. The Catholic Church teaches that abortion is a grave evil. Many, including many bishops, believed that by giving President Obama an honorary degree is scandalous because it would appear to some that the church is supporting what the president supports.

Well, Notre Dame is again causing scandal but this time not on a national scale like it did last May and this time not by something it did but by something that it did not do. Dr. Charles Rice is evidently a regular contributor to the school newspaper The Observer. Dr. Rice wrote an article for the newspaper about the church's teaching on homosexuality. The article was rejected because the article was considered to be too much of a hot potato. If you read the article, which can be found here you will see that the article is mostly all quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other church documents. Certainly not something that a newspaper for a Catholic university should shy away from.

A little research and you will find out that the reason that homosexuality is a hot topic right now is because in mid-January The Observer posted a crude and anti-homosexual cartoon in it's newspaper. The cartoon was bad and it was even edited down from the original cartoon. The cartoon has since been dropped and the paper has been apologizing to several LBGT groups as well as they should. In my opinion, the cartoon was vicious and goes against the basic commandments that we should love each other.

The paper messed up, there is no doubt. But what a perfect time to explain what the Catholic Church teaches. If you are a Catholic University then you should stand behind it. I understand it is a difficult teaching, especially in today's society. There is an interesting exchange of emails between Dr. Rice and the editor of the newspaper than can be found at the Defend Us in Battle blog. Dr. Rice says it better than I ever could have.

Notre Dame needs to take steps in order to return to it's Catholic roots. I have no doubt that there are plenty of good Catholics students and alumni who desire Notre Dame to have a Catholic identity in more than just words. Dr. Rice's column could have been a great start.

On Wolves, Sheepdogs and Sheep--Take 2.

Last May, I wrote about Dave Grossman's article "On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs." My blog can be found hereif you would like to reread it. Mr. Grossman's article says in a nutshell that people can be divided into three categories: sheep, wolves and sheepdogs. I recently had a new thought about that article and mine. In my May blog, I commented on how the sheepdogs also need to be careful about those spiritual wolves and to alway seek comfort in the Shepherd.

My thought that even the sheepdogs of the world need their Shepherd made me think. While I really like the analogy of everyone in the world is either a sheep, a wolf or a sheepdog, I think we can look at the analogy another way. I believe that in the end, we are all sheep, in need of our Shepherd.

As I've already said, the sheepdog is always in need of the protection of his shepherd. But while the sheepdogs do their job of protecting the sheep they are just as helpless as the sheep. They need to be cared for and taken care of. They may put their lives on the line for the sheep but without their shepherd they are nothing.

Then we move on to the wolves of the world. There is an old expression of a wolf in sheep's clothing. In reality, the wolves of the world are instead sheep in wolf's clothing. The wolves are predators and prey on the sheep but they themselves are sheep being attacked by the true demons of the world. Satan and his minions attack all sheep and cause them to sin. Some of them he attacks to such a point that they in turn attack the other sheep. But in reality, they are not true wolves, but are also sheep that need our Lord's care and protection. Don't get me wrong, I'm not someone who says that they criminals are actually victims who shouldn't be held responsible for their actions. No--that's not the case at all. The wolves choose to wear the wolf clothing. It is, in the end, their free will that keeps the wolf costume on. They need to take it off and allow their sins to be washed away.

This brings us to the sheep of the world. I've already said that we are all sheep. I've sort of separated two types of people out already according to Mr. Grossman's article--the sheepdogs and the wolves. What about the others?? What about the sheep who don't see themselves as sheep, sheepdogs or wolves? These are the lost little sheep. They probably don't even know they are lost. They definatly won't admit to being lost and darn it to heck---they will refuse any help from a shepherd. Heck, they may even mock those who do accept help from the Shepherd. These sheep can also become wolves when they prey on other sheep not for gain but to drag them away from the shepherd and make them become lost sheep also.

I realize this is kind of scatterbrained and does not flow very well--except maybe in my mind. In the end, it's very simple we ALL need the from Jesus--the Shepherd. We are all, in reality sheep. If we turn away from Him we will become lost. The sheepdogs will become strays, the wolves will continue to pray and the sheep who refuse to follow Him will be lost.

If you are lost, fear not. It says in scripture that the shepherd will leave the 100 (probably because he knows the sheepdogs have his back) in order to go find the one lost sheep. If you are lost, allow yourself to be found. Pray for God to lead you. Pray for his forgiveness, and turn yourself over to the shepherd.

CrossFit--6 Week Check-in

Last Friday was the end of the sixth week of the 12 week CrossFit pilot program for the PD.

I lost 5 lbs

2 1/2 inches around the belly

1/2 around the wrist

lost 4 % body fat

10 lbs of fat

and finally, I gained 5 lbs of lean body mass.

I have to say, I wasn't pleased Friday morning at the check-in. I thought I has lost more than a few lbs but after they plugged in the numbers and email them to me I am pretty pleased.

A special thanks to all of the trainers who have taken this on and do this on their time. Thanks to all the participants who encourage me and keep me going when I just want to die right there and a great big thanks to Jim Keller who asked me to become part of the pilot group.

Can't wait to see what the 12 week results are. I still don't want to wake up tomorrow morning and go though.

The Transfiguration and the Tabernacle

Okay, I'll give you a little confession that displays my Catholic geekiness (Catholic--not regular geekiness) Last Saturday night, my Cub Scout Pack held it's Blue and Gold banquet at St. Charles Boremeo. Afterwards, everyone had cleaned the hall and had left and I was collecting some items before locking up and leaving. I was in the part of the school called "The Commons." All of the lights were turned off. The school was dark. The church was dark. But coming through the cracks of door that separates the school from the church was a bright light. I thought to myself, "Self, all of the lights are turned off in the church. Why is that bright light shining though the cracks. Maybe--just maybe, it's Jesus in all his Glory just like during the transfiguration and I can talk to him and my concerns and worries about my future will be wiped away." I went over the door, took a deep breath, grasped the handle, yanked open the door and saw . . . . . . that there just happened to be a light right next to the door that was on.

So much for my vision of Jesus. I just blessed myself in the holy water and went on my way. Interestingly enough, a week later we are celebrating the Transfiguration this week-end at mass. Jesus takes Peter, James and John up the mountain and as he was praying face turned white and suddenly Moses and Elijah were there talking with him. The disciples had been sleeping (notice they are always sleeping during critical moments--as do we) Peter tells Jesus that they should put up three tents. One for Jesus. One for Moses and one for Elijah. Suddenly a could comes over them and a voice from the cloud says, "This is my chosen son; Listen to Him." Next thing you know, the cloud is gone and they are all alone.

I learned something from listening to Mark Hart, (aka "The Bible Geek") this week. The Greek word for tent is "tabernacle." A tabernacle is the box at the front of the church where the Blessed Sacrament is placed between masses. Peter was wanting to make a tabernacle for Jesus at the top of Mt. Tabor where Jesus revealed Himself in his glorified state.

Just as that tent would have been a place for Jesus to stay atop Mt. Tabor, He has a place to stay in every church. Ironically, just past that door that I walked through with the bright shining light was a small chapel where the tabernacle is placed at St. Charles. No, I did not have a vision of Jesus telling me the secrets of the world but I was still in the presence of Jesus. So, next time you are in need to some time with Jesus, you can go to church and plant yourself in front of the tabernacle and spend some time in prayer with Jesus.

So, even though I realize that I was in the presence of Jesus that night----I still think it would have been pretty cool to see Jesus standing there with a bright light coming from him, robes flowing and saying "Jamie . . . I have something to tell you!"

The Good In Pride

In the Christian world, we always seem to see pride as a bad thing. We are supposed to be humble right?? After all, the "meek shall inherit the Earth." No one likes an egotistical guy right? They are jerks. We are all supposed to be humble servants of God. But can pride be okay?? Is pride bad or is there a mis-use of pride? I think pride can be a good thing, as long as that pride is put in the correct place. It's okay as long as you know that you have what you are bragging about because of God.

I had an experience of pride last night. I was looking at Max's YouTube videos and saw one that really, seriously impressed me. Monday, on a snow-day, Max and Molly made a video explaining the digestive system---just---for fun. Max, who is only ten years old. He fascinates on things such as anatomy, the solar system or geography but his social skills have a bit to be desired. But after watching the video I experienced a lot of pride.

I think pride in your children are a good thing. It encourages them and can make them feel better. And I do have some great kids--they are good kids, smart, healthy and kind. But, I know that it's by the grace of God that they are like that. Sorry, but we aren't that family that you would expect all the kids to be perfect. And my kids aren't. I want to strangle them sometimes but they have been successful in their lives so far despite my failings as a parent.

There are other things in my life that I have done or that I have that I am proud of. I'm proud of myself for being a Marine, for completing college, for getting a job and becoming a sergeant. I'm proud of my house (at least from the outside--the inside is a disaster thanks to those kids I'm so proud of (and a couple of dogs)) I'm proud that I have a smart, funny caring, smoking hot wife.

I realize though, that I only have those things because of the grace of God. Now I have to figure out how to use those graces to complete God's mission for me. Sometimes that picture is clearer than others.

It's okay to have pride. Often we are proud of things that we had no input on. We can have pride in our city or local sports teams. We can have pride in our heritage. But our pride needs to be healthy and well placed. If it's all about us then it's misplaced, but if we point our successes to He who made those successes possible then it can be a good thing.

What things are you proud of?? What things humble you?