Happy Easter

Do not look for the living among the dead. He is Risen, Alleluia Alleluia.

May the peace, victory and joy of Easter reign in your family.

Happy Easter!!!!!!

7 Quick Takes Friday #16

--- 1 ---

Saturday I visited my friend who had a baby a few weeks ago, he is so tiny but so alert. His uncle passed by while I was hold him and his whole body moved so he could take a look, a very good thing I was holding him well. He is a very smiley baby.

--- 2 ---

Sunday evening my DSL went down, although I didn't realize until Monday morning so I called the phone company and they said something about a dropped line, blah, blah, blah and that a technician would contact me in 2 to 5 days to arrange repair. Now I have 4G on my phone but I had used up a bunch of my data allowance watching the Conclave and election of Pope Francis (do not regret it) and the Inauguration Mass was the next day, I was willing to take the chance that wi-fi and DSL would be fixed in time but then I thought better about it and prayed about it. Monday evening when I got home everything was back up.

--- 3 ---

Tuesday morning I got up and watched the Inauguration Mass of Pope Francis on my phone via the wi-fi. Now don't go thinking I'm some kind of saint for getting up that early (I'm on EST), I usually I am up at 4:08 (yes I set my alarm at a strange time) so that I can take 2 minutes to wake up before my first rising at 4:10. I snuggle with my phone in bed watching  the coverage on my EWTN app for a while and then I got mobile as I got ready for the day (I go to Mass at 6:30 hence the early rising and straight to work after).

--- 4 ---

Wednesday I got locked out of my office after the lock broke (no idea how that happened) so I hung out in another office for a while and discovered they get free wi-fi (internet access seems to be my theme this week). We had to get the locked changed so now I have yet another key on my key chain.

--- 5 ---

I have decided I will be going to all the Tridiuum Masses this year. I have never done all, I've been to Holy Thursday a couple times, I usually attend Good Friday and I have never been to the Saturday Vigil. Thursday will be the hardest because I will be going directly from work, Good Friday is a holiday here so that has never been a problem. Saturday I have always dreaded because it's so long but I'm actually looking forward to it. My great-grandmother always went when I was a teenager and talked a little bit about it so I hope I'm not to lost. Finally on Easter Sunday I have my friend's son's Baptism to attend.

--- 6 ---

I'm contemplating going leaven free on Holy Thursday, I attended a Catholic primary school and I remember when I was 8 my teacher made us a Passover Meal, unleavened bread, water cress, lamb (my first time eating lamb). I loved it, she talked to us about the why's and therefore's leading up to the day and on the day. It made quite an impression on me but I haven't thought about it in a long time but I have been thinking about it lately and now I'm thinking about trying to recreate some parts of it (I can't wait to have kids and so some of these things with them). I have googled some unleavened bread recipes but most of them are for large batches so I'm still thinking that one out.

--- 7 ---

A song to end the week.

 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Like Father, Like Son

Sometime ago I was watching my neighbour and his son walk up the street and as I watched I was astonished how much the son was like the father. The son in question here is 4 years old and the stood like his father, walked like his father and when his father stopped to do something he did it too. He wanted to be like his father.

There is not much about Joseph in the Bible but what their is says so much.

He is humble and submitted to the Will of God, after the discovery of Mary's pregnancy he was going to quietly divorce her and after the angel comes to him in the dream he didn't say anything but simply did the will of God.

He is a protector as the Holy Father indicated in his homily this morning. Once again in a dream he is warned about Herod's evil plan, he says nothing but instead does the Will of God by taking Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt.

When Jesus was lost to them, Joseph went a day's journey back to Jerusalem with Mary and spent three days looking for him. It would have been easy enough to give up to decide it was not worth the effort. After this Jesus went down with them and was subject to them.

While Joseph was instructing Jesus in the trade of carpentry how much more would Jesus have gleamed about how a man of Faith and humility lived and loved.

Jesus was humbled and submitted to the Will of God, even unto death. In the His agony in the Garden of Olives, Jesus could easily have said that "this is too much" Father take away this cup from me because I can't do it. Instead He said "Not as I will".

Jesus protects us from the consequences of our own sins, he takes us away with His love and Mercy. A most fitting example would be the woman caught in adultery, but His dying on the Cross to save us from our sins is the greatest example of Jesus as protector.

Jesus comes for the lost, He is the Good Shepherd. He seeks the lost sheep and rejoices when we are found.

Prayer to St Joseph

 Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

7 Quick Takes Friday #15

--- 1 ---

When a Catholic guy wants to know if you are available and he has a shot he asks first how is your spiritual life going, then if you are still discerning, it's kind of sweet and definitely different from the norm. Then you find yourself asking him the same question because... we it would be kind of rude not too and also you want to know because you are interested and want him to know but don't spend time telling him about the friend was on the fence for a long time about the priesthood but is now a Seminarian after being a successful lawyer.

--- 2 ---

We have a new Pope, Pope Francis. He's the first Pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit. I've heard mention that he chose the name Francis after Francis of Assisi which got a friend and I talking about the seagull that was hanging out on the smokestack on Wednesday and the jokes we were making about it.

--- 3 ---

Wednesday afternoon was an almost completely unproductive time for me, since the smoke was early in the morning I had not idea what to expect in the afternoon so I switched on my EWTN app on my phone although I had originally planned to rely on popealarm somehow I felt the need to see for myself. So instead I watched a seagull and messaged jokes about him to a friend. When the smoke came I watched it, saw it and then asked "is that gray", then I became partially incoherent for a few minutes. I was shaking, I barely held it together on the crying front I was still at work after all but I was giddy

--- 4 ---

The million and one hours between knowing you have a Pope and meeting him are torture, when the Swiss Guard et al started their thing I though it was happening and then every time they did a close up of the balcony I thought it was it. The the Habemus Papam was read and I still I had to wait, in his Homily yesterday Fr talked about patience and waiting, I need a lot of that, patience I could do without the waiting.

--- 5 ---

Google is canceling Reader, did they seriously need to make that announcement while I was still on my Pope high. How am I going to keep up with my blogs, how will I know who has posted or not. Suggestions on alternatives to reader are greatly appreciated

--- 6 ---

A group that I am involved with is having their first retreat for the year this weekend, prayers will be greatly appreciated for the participants. Registration went well, I even had a call last night from a would-be retreatant begging to register but with the retreat starting today and registration closed I had to turn her down and offer her the next one in June.

--- 7 ---

A song to end the week.

 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Habemus Papam

I have yet to get tired of those words, I have said it, texted it, tweeted it, blogged it. I was smoke watching live at work on my phone yesterday. I was messaging back and forth with a friend about the seagull and I messaged that he had flown away and she said maybe that's a sign of white smoke and not 20 minutes later there was white smoke.

I was watching it and I still didn't believe it, I just started shaking and praying, very good thing God knows my heart because I really don't think my prayers were very coherent at first. I was giving a co-worker updates, we looked at the smoke together and then we waited for Our Pope to appear on the balcony. I sent out a couple texts and tried to get back to work, I wasn't very productive yet I wasn't in a hurry to leave work because I cannot drive and watch and I wouldn't get home on time. I was on twitter getting and sharing thoughts as well as messaging with some friends who were all watching it live. My popealarm went off somewhere in all of that but I was already watching live and didn't need it or pay any attention to it.

I watched the Swiss Guard and Italian police et al do their thing, I watched the crowd grow bigger and the crowd was pretty big to begin with. Finally the announcement Pope Francis, an Argentinian Cardinal. I found the time between announcing who it was to The Holy Father coming onto the balcony incredibly long. I had time to google him, tweet, message and update my co-worker. Then he was there a humble, prayerful man. He prayed for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, he asked for our blessing, he blessed us. There I was making the Sign of The Cross in the middle of the office joyfully happy.

He is the third Pope of my lifetime and this is the second Conclave of my lifetime. Viva Il Papa.

"And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and the people, this journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood. My hope is that this journey of the Church that we begin today, together with the help of my Cardinal Vicar, may be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city." Pope Francis

I practically killed my phone battery and I used quite a bit of my 4G data but it was beyond worth it


Prayer for Pope Francis

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Your faithful people, mercifully look upon Your servant Pope Francis I, whom You have chosen as the chief shepherd over Your Church. Help him to lead and inspire the People of God, both by word and example, that together we may establish Your reign of justice, mercy and love here on earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Five Favorites

1.

Seagulls

2.

White Smoke

3.

EWTN Android App and Smoke Camera

4.

The word Habemus Papam

5.

Pope Francis I

The Older Son

The title commonly given to yesterday's Gospel reading is "The Prodigal Son" and although the older son comes in mainly to the end the parable is just as much about him as the other.

We all know and acknowledge the sinfulness of the younger son, how he repented, returned home and was was welcomed back by his father's love for him. However his brother did not welcome him back. In fact his brother was not even around when the prodigal returned, he was out in the field going about his day, doing his duty. That's a good thing right, he is good and doing what his father expects of him, right? Maybe, but didn't Jesus chastise Martha for chastising Mary for not helping and just sitting there at the Lord's feet. The only reason the father was able to run out the greet the younger son while he was so far off was because he was looking for him, everyday since he left, so maybe the father expected his other son to be there with him looking out too. Maybe he expected his other son to be a fresh pair of eyes, younger eyes to be at his side looking, seeking the one that was lost to them.

I don't even think that the older son missed his brother all that much, he was probably glad he was gone. After all one is unlikely to just wake up one morning and decide to leave, the younger had to be chafing at the bit of his father's rules for a while, getting into trouble, maybe even leaving his older brother to clean up his messes.

He could have been angry at his brother who basically wished their father dead by what he did also the younger didn't just leave his father behind, he left his brother too.

The older brother is not much for mercy, he doesn't believe that his brother deserves to be welcome back. His brother definitely doesn't deserve the fatted calf after all the wrong that wayward has done and he the good one doing all that is right has never even been offered a baby goat to celebrate with his friends.

He's not much for love either. St Paul say "If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal". Well the older brother is just a noisy, resounding gong, he considers the work he does simply as "slaving" for his father, following his "orders". He did not work his father's fields out of love, he did not obey his father out of love, he doesn't even speak to his father now out of love.

Maybe he feels slighted after all he came in from the fields all on his own to notice the party going on, did anyone think once about him since his brother's return. Did anyone think to send for him to rejoice in his brother's return. How long have they been celebrating and did they even notice he was missing, he has been here all along and yet they seem to have forgotten him now that the wayward one has come back.

When I started writing this post I had all the points as to why the other son was an unfeeling cad who was an even bigger sinner than his brother because he did not acknowledge it. He is still a sinner but I realize the points are not that clear. Often times we, (I) are the older brother towards reverts, we should be happy for them but then we are not. We often have a justification, sometimes we know we are being petty and trivial but then there are times we feel justified in our judgments.

7 Quick Takes Friday #14

--- 1 ---

Monday I started the week off with a priest telling me I should consider religious life and I may have whined a little. Over the last three and a half years I have had a number of priests and nuns that I know ask me to consider religious life and with the exception of the first time which I dismissed as wishful thinking on their part I have always prayed about it but felt nothing. So Monday when it was suggested yet again I whined "but I've already prayed about that". I am trying to be open to the idea again but I am seeing myself happily married surrounded by lots of babies. How do you know? What is it they see that I don't feel?

--- 2 ---

Monday I also had my annual evaluation at work. My boss doesn't give glowing recommendations so in his speak I got a glowing recommendation with a few "I know you can do better"s, then he proceeded to grill, urge, entice me to complete a few professional qualifications that I have outstanding pointing out it would be better for me in the long run and most of the time he was talking I was thinking if I become a nun this won't be relevant. I have managed to put it off until next year because I am supposed to be traveling during both testing periods this year, although during the first one is not confirmed.

--- 3 ---

Sunday I watched "The Bible" on the History Channel, I really enjoyed it. I thought there Abraham was too young, Sarah kept getting older but somehow Abraham stayed in the peak of his youth throughout their portion. The graphics and special effects were great, loved the parting of the Red Sea, as well as the Creation portion. It also repeated on Lifetime on Monday and History Channel on Wednesday, don't know the times thought since I was just flipping channels when I noticed it showing but it's great in case I miss any episodes going forward.

--- 4 ---

Yesterday, Thursday I had an off site training, it was so nice to be away from my desk. Since the training was closer and started later I had some time to kill after Mass so I went to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, I love how quiet it can be. The school is just across the very small parking lot so their are times that you hear the kids but they were silent yesterday and I had a portion of time when I was the only one there. When I am there I don't always feel that I have to be praying so I just sit and be with Him or sometimes my mind would wander but I just like to sit with Jesus.

--- 5 ---

I ended up going to the Chapel instead of staying at Church to pray because I am registering people for an upcoming retreat and I had to go meet one of them to finalize. I have been talking to her on the phone for about a week and I was so happy she was available in the morning, when I get to her office we were both like "It's you". We attend Daily Mass together, I've never really spoken to her but she is a lector so I should have recognized the voice and afterwards I did realize I knew the voice.

--- 6 ---

My training session was at the Chamber of Commerce dealing with some rate and policy changes that affect some of my financial reporting. The lecturer pointed out something that although I knew it got me thinking especially pointed out in figures I never knew before. Abortion is illegal in Trinidad and the birth rate is still pretty good here as well but we still have an aging population, people are living longer and there are not enough people contributing to the"system" so rates become higher, etc, etc. So what is happening in countries where abortion is legal and their birth rates are low, people are living longer all over the world, how are these things affecting their workforce and the cost to the working man.

--- 7 ---

A song to end the week.

 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Corn Chowder

I am not necessarily a soup fan, or any soup-like substance for that matter. I will have it once in a while but someone I know made corn chowder a couple weeks ago and it just sounded good to me so I had to make it for myself.

I followed a formula more than a recipe, I took a few things from a few different recipes but stuck closely to what I had on hand because I just didn't want to buy anything extra.

I used half and half instead of milk or cream which most recipes called for because I already had that although I had milk too but wanted to use up the h & h.The cereal was just on the counter not an ingredient. I actually used 3 carrots because I like them and they were close to their last leg. I used water instead of stock because all I have on hand was homemade turkey stock so that was a no.

Mine was a little sweet because I used sweet creamed corn but I prefer the green giant brand so I didn't mind all that much. The cream or whatever you decide to use is the last addition to the pot just before serving, you want it to just simmer without boiling at this stage and it's ready to serve.

Linking with

7 Quick Takes Friday #13

--- 1 ---

Sede vacante. We are in the period of Papal Interregnum. I was only able to follow the events via social media yesterday because I was at work. Thank you to every one who got to watch it live and tweeted, with the number of people doing it I got a really great and emotional picture. "He's getting on the chopper and I'm not going to loose it" "The helicopter is taking off and I'm crying like a baby". Mr I'm not going to loose it did loose but didn't write the second one.

--- 2 ---

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

--- 3 ---

I adopted a Cardinal this week. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston. He's a young one, only 63 and has been a Cardinal since November 2007. I'm born in November and I have a few cousins who live in Houston. His middle name is Nicholas. He is actually one of the very few Cardinals that I know

--- 4 ---

My use of Latin has skyrocketed this week.

--- 5 ---

We will soon be on the look out for white smoke. This is the second conclave of my lifetime, the last one I spent practically glued to EWTN and I wasn't even much of a Catholic then, now I have a smartphone and social media so I can keep mobile but I plan to follow just a fiercely though differently this time.

--- 6 ---

Gregory, Hilarius, Innocent, Christoper, Pious. Just a few suggestions

--- 7 ---

A song to end the week.

 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!