Resolutions

Yes, it's that time again: New Year's Resolutions.

This year, I'm keeping it simple.

Get my weight back down to where it was last August.

Work on Santa's Diary

Begin writing articles for the independent news outlet

Finish reading the entire Bible

Act, speak, and write in more positive and more Franciscan ways 

Get to Confession more regularly

That's it.

I will continue to write poetry and try to get some of it published, and I will read some more classics/theology/philosophy. In addition, I will read the final 11 of Shakespeare's plays that I have not yet read.

Onward into 2022!

Pax et bonum

To Read in 2022

And now that my reading tally is completed for 2021, it's time to do some planning for next year.

One goal is to read the Shakespeare plays I have not yet read.

Titus Andronicus
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Love’s Labour’s Lost
As You Like It
The Merry Wives of Windsor
All’s Well That Ends Well
Measure for Measure
Coriolanus
Timon of Athens
Pericles
The Two Noble Kinsmen

There are some works I read years ago - sometimes 40 plus years ago! - that I want to reread:.  

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day 

The Confessions by St. Augustine

The Symposium by Plato

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 

There are assorted mysteries I'd like to read by Tony Hillerman, Steven Havill, Margaret Coel, and Arthur Conan Doyle, and another volume of Father Brown stories. 

I'd like to try more Hilaire Belloc and G.K. Chesterton.  

I'd like to read a couple of encyclicals. Plus some Plato.  

And, of course, more poetry. At least two more of Frost's published books (next up would be A Further Range and A Witness Tree). 

Beyond that, we'll see! 

Pax et bonum

Read in 2021

Since there are only two day left in the year, and I'm tied up tomorrow, it's highly unlikely I'll finish another book or play for the year. So the final tally is 95. I exceeded the goal I st at the beginning of the year by 5.

I had a few other goals at the beginning of the year.

I wanted to read at least 12 mysteries. I read 23.

I set a goal of reading by the end of 2022 the 24 Shakespeare plays that I hadn't yet read - that worked out to 12 of them each year. This year I read 13, leaving 11 for 2022.

I wanted to continue reading Robert Frost's published books - I did read three of them.

I wanted to reread the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I did. 

I wanted to read a previously unread Dickens' book. I read The Pickwick Papers.

There were other books I wanted to read, and did. Among them were Resisting Throwaway Culture: How a Consistent Life Ethic Can Unite a Fractured People by Charles Camosy. The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos, and 40 Days for Life.

But there were others I wanted to read, but did not. Those included Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.

So I do want to read those two spiritual works this year. I want to read more of Frost, and more mysteries - including more the Tony Hillerman Leaphorn/Chee books. I plan to finish the last 11 of Shakespeare's plays that I have not yet read. I want to read at least one more Dickens that I have yet read. I want to reread some classics that I read decades ago - The Brother Karamazov by Dostoyevsky, for example.

But I'm not setting a total number goal. I suspect the figure will still be in the 60s or 70s.

As for 2021 - here's the list:  

How I Discovered Poetry by Marilyn Nelson

Visiting the Wind: Haiku Society of America Members’ Anthology 2021
Proof: Poems By Steven Huff
Lean by John Slater
Haiku: A Poet’s Guide by Lee Gurga
Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance - collected, with original poems, by Nikki Grimes
Hilaire Belloc’s Cautionary Verses
The Essence of Modern Haiku: 300 Poems by Seishi Yamaguchi
Adelaide Crapsey by Mary Elizabeth Osborn
Times Three by Phyllis McGinley
Haiku Inspirations by Tom Lowenstein
The Complete Nonsense Books of Edward Lear
Love Poems for the Very Married by Lois Wyse
West-Running Brook by Robert Frost
New Hampshire by Robert Frost
Mountain Interval by Robert Frost

Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Outlaws of Ravenhurst by Sister M. Imelda Wallace, S.L.
The Amulet of Power (Will Wilder #3) by Raymond Arroyo

The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer That Tunes the Heart to God by Frederica Mathewes-Green
Second Readings: Literary, Philosophical, & Liturgical Essays by Father James V Schall
From the Angel’s Blackboard: The Best of Fulton J. Sheen
The Quiet Light by Louis de Wohl
Assisi: Three Guided Itineraries to the Town by Adriano Cioci and Rizia Guarnieri
Laudato Si by Pope Francis
Chesterton in Black and White
Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton
The Soul’s Journey into God by Saint Bonaventure
Everyday Epiphanies: Seeing the Sacred in Every Thing by Sister Melannie Svoboda, SND
Lord of the World by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson
The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos

Meno by Plato
Ion by Plato
Birds by Aristophanes
Lysistrata by Aristophanes
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder
That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Two Towers by J.R.R Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Thistles and Thieves by Molly MacRae
The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton
The Ghost Walker by Margaret Coel
The Incredulity of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton
Trent’s Last Case by E. C. Bentley
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey (Elizabeth MacKintosh)
The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman
Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman
The Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman
The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman
The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman
Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman
The Wailing Wind by Tony Hillerman
Hunting Badger by Tony Hillerman
The First Eagle by Tony Hillerman
Twice Buried by Steven Havill
Out of Season by Steven Havill
Before She Dies by Steven F. Havill
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
Curtain by Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

The President and the Freedom Fighter by Brian Kilmeade
The Tough Coughs As He Ploughs the Dough: Early Writings and Cartoons by Dr. Seuss
Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Vol 1 A-K by Bill Warren
Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Vol 2 L-Z by Bill Warren
What to Say When by Shawn D. Carney and Steve Karlen
Resisting Throwaway Culture: How a Consistent Life Ethic Can Unite a Fractured People by Charles C. Camosy
Jesus Politics: How to Win Back the Soul of America by Phil Robertson
August 9 by Emmanuel Charles McCarthy
unPlanned by Abby Johnson (with Cindy Lambert)
Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World by Lila Rose
Dark Agenda: The War to Destroy Christian America by David Horowitz
Our Only Home by the Dalai Lama and Franz Alt
40 Days for Life by David Bereit and Shawn Carney

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
Henry VI, Part III by William Shakespeare
Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare
Henry VI, Part I by William Shakespeare
Cymbeline by William Shakespeare
Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare
Henry VIII by William Shakespeare
Henry IV Part II by William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare
The Life and Death of King John by William Shakespeare
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
The Tragedy of Richard II by William Shakespeare

The Candles of My Life by Rick Iekel
The Happily Ever After by Avi Steinberg

Pax et bonum

A Flawed Perspective

In his final collection of essays (Second Readings), the late Father James V. Schall describes a visit by a former student who had been studying in Europe. The student had met some Norwegian students, and visited Norway with them. During that visit, the student met the grandfather of one of the Norwegian students. The grandfather had fought the Nazis invading Norway during World War II, and recounted his capture - and apparent torture - by the Nazis.

According to Father Schall's report of the conversation, his former student said to his Norwegian hosts, "Ah, you see, this shows pretty clearly that a difference between good and evil exists."

But the Norwegian soldier's granddaughter responded, "We cannot impose our ideas on past times. The Nazis had their own culture. It is wrong to judge."

Father Schall went on to reflect about relativism and the abandonment of concepts of good and evil.

I thought about the specific example - the Nazis. But others occurred to me.

Using the Norwegian student's line of reasoning, there are any number of past actions which we can't "judge" because the perpetrators had their own "culture."

Thus we can't judge those who practiced human sacrifice - including child sacrifice.

We can't judge slave owners.

We can't judge the Turks for what they did to the Armenians.

We can't judge those who carried out the Rwandan Genocide.

We can't judge the policies of Mao or Stalin.

And so on.

Of course, the problem with that line of reasoning is that it requires abandoning notions of right and wrong. It means ignoring absolute values.

Sadly, it is the same kind of reasoning that leads to legal abortion on demand, the watering down of traditional marriage and gender identity, the adoption of self-interest as the sole criteria for guiding actions and decisions.

Pax et bonum

Ruby photos

Pax et bonum

The Christmas Poem Sent Out

This is the version of my poem that I sent with my Christmas cards this year.

Pax et bonum

Clapshot recipe - turnips and potatoes

\

Clapshot

This is a simple traditional dish which originated in the Orkneys. Variations on this recipe are sold, ready made and microwaveable, in supermarkets in Scotland these days. It is often served with haggis, instead of separate "tatties and neeps."

Ingredients:
1 pound boiled potatoes
1 pound boiled turnip
1 or 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Salt and pepper
2 ounces butter or margarine

Method:
Beat the two vegetables together while still hot and mix in the butter, chives and seasoning. If necessary, continue to beat in a pot until it is piping hot before serving.

Pax et bonum

On the Worship of Josh Allen

Let me start off by saying I am a long-time Bills fan, and I think Josh Allen is a good quarterback. I am glad he plays for the Bills. I think he gives us a chance of making it to the Super Bowl again.

But some people keep touting him as the MVP, the best quarterback in the league, and so on.

I'm not willing to go that far. Look at the various metrics for judging a starting quarterback.

By quarterback ranking, he's 11th in the league.

By touchdowns, he's 4th.

By overall team scoring, he's 4th.

By total yards, he's 6th.

By yards per game, he's 9th.

By completion percentage, he's 21st.

By interceptions, he's tied for 6th most.

By team wins, he's tied for 9th. 

The Bills are currently holding down the last wild card spot in the AFC. If they win this weekend, they would jump to leading their division. If they lose, they have a real chance of missing the playoffs.

Now if he leads the Bills to the division and conference titles then we can talk MVP.

For now, he's just one of the better quarterbacks in the league.

Pax et bonum

Blessed Solanus Casey's Respect for Church Leaders

"On another occasion a group of pilgrims visiting him had occasion to complain about some action of their local bishop. Solanus could not tolerate such criticism of the church whose representative the bishop was. He roundly scolded the complainers for their lack of love and respect for God's chosen minister."

-- Meet Solanus Casey: Spiritual Counselor and Wonder Worker by Brother Leo Wollenweber, OFM, Cap

As I read this passage, I could not help but think of the many attacks on various bishops, and especially on the Pope.

Certainly some actions and decisions by bishops and the Pope can be criticized, but the sometimes personal, mean-spirited attacks are troubling.

I wonder what Father Solanus would say to such critics were he with us today?

Pax et bonum

Jacopone da Todi

Jacopone da Todi

Jacomo or James, was born a noble member of the Benedetti family in the northern Italian city of Todi. He became a successful lawyer and married a pious, generous lady named Vanna.

His young wife took it upon herself to do penance for the worldly excesses of her husband. One day Vanna, at the insistence of Jacomo, attended a public tournament. She was sitting in the stands with the other noble ladies when the stands collapsed. Vanna was killed. Her shaken husband was even more disturbed when he realized that the penitential girdle she wore was for his sinfulness. On the spot, he vowed to radically change his life.

Jacomo divided his possessions among the poor and entered the Secular Franciscan Order. Often dressed in penitential rags, he was mocked as a fool and called Jacopone, or “Crazy Jim,” by his former associates. The name became dear to him.

After 10 years of such humiliation, Jacopone asked to be received into the Order of Friars Minor. Because of his reputation, his request was initially refused. He composed a beautiful poem on the vanities of the world, an act that eventually led to his admission into the Order in 1278. He continued to lead a life of strict penance, declining to be ordained a priest. Meanwhile, he was writing popular hymns in the vernacular.

Jacopone suddenly found himself a leader in a disturbing religious movement among the Franciscans. The Spirituals, as they were called, wanted a return to the strict poverty of Francis. They had on their side two cardinals of the Church and Pope Celestine V. These two cardinals though, opposed Celestine’s successor, Boniface VIII. At the age of 68, Jacopone was excommunicated and imprisoned. Although he acknowledged his mistake, Jacopone was not absolved and released until Benedict XI became pope five years later. He had accepted his imprisonment as penance. He spent the final three years of his life more spiritual than ever, weeping “because Love is not loved.” During this time he wrote the famous Latin hymn, Stabat Mater.

On Christmas Eve in 1306, Jacopone felt that his end was near. He was in a convent of the Poor Clares with his friend, Blessed John of La Verna. Like Francis, Jacopone welcomed “Sister Death” with one of his favorite songs. It is said that he finished the song and died as the priest intoned the “Gloria” from the midnight Mass at Christmas. From the time of his death Brother Jacopone has been venerated as a saint.

- from Franciscan Media
Pax et bonum

A News Site

A while back i mentioned the need for a Catholic news outlet locally. The diocesan paper is limited in what it can - or will - cover - and there are so many other stories out there.

My problem is that while I can writes and take pictures, I am not skilled at website development, and what I envision would be more than a blog.

Through contacts, I was referred to an acquaintance whose son had some skills, and had even developed a site that had been unused for a while. I spoke with the son today, and we are going to give it a try, with my articles appearing on his site.

The plan is for me to write a few, then send them on to him so we have some content with which to begin. I will do that after the holidays - and if covid permits.

Among the first possibilities:

St. John Bosco Schools

Chesterton Academy

Some of the St. Irenaeus Center groups

The Rochester Chesterton Society

The St. Padre Pio Chapel 

Later possibilities:  

The St. John Bosco March for Life, and the buses leaving for D.C. for the march there

Efforts to halt Planned Parenthood's expansion

Focus Pregnancy Center

Support of women in troubled pregnancies

Margaret Home

Secular Orders in Rochester

St. Albans

Latin Mass community

That should keep me busy.

Let's see first what happens with the site and the first few articles.

Pax et bonum

Santa's Diary

Years ago I began what I called "Santa's Diary." The diary was actually a blog supposedly created for Santa to record his daily activities and his memories. In the back of my mind, I was thinking I might be able to turn it into a book.

I wrote more than 200 entries. Some were repetitive - how many times did I write a Christmas Day post?! - some were place holders, some really had no content. But a number of them told stories about meeting Mrs. Claus, silly elves, visits by friends, letters, weather problems, confrontations with other mythical creatures, and so on. Of the 200 plus entries, I'd say 100-120 are usable.

So ... should I organize what I have, add enough entries to reach 365, and then try to publish it?

Worth considering.

On the other hand, how many writing projects have I started and not finished (yet)?

There's the horror novel that I will likely not finish because it got too dark.

There's the collection of Christmas stories and poems.

There's the Slug Chronicles

There's the collected clerihews.

There's the larger collection of short poems - haiku, clerihews, limericks, and cinquains.

There's the even larger collection of all my poems worth publishing.

There are the plays. 

At 66, I'd better get something done before my brain or my body (or both) give out!

As for the Santa Diary, I plan to at least organize what I have to see if I can develop it.

Pax et bonum

In a Book of Poetry

In a book of poetry
from the library
between pages 152 and 153
between Sleep and Death
and a Cat and an Argument
a torn slip of paper
with “Brown Sugar”
written on one side
in neat script
and
“Not”
printed on the other.

Brown Sugar?
Sweetness to mark Sleep? Death?
The Cat? The Argument?

Or Not?

Did one poem resonate?
This one? That one?
Was this just as far
as the reader could go?

Was this a reminder forgotten?
A reminder filled?
A recipe requirement?
Simple indifference?

Or Not?

And who?
And when?
And?

I will return the book
with the torn paper
between pages 152 and 153
with no answers.

Pax et bonum

Without You, Lord

Without You, Lord, I am
- a song without melody
- a candle without flame
- a well without water

Let me be filled with Your love that I may
- make music
- give light
- quench thirst

Amen

Pax et bonum

The Prodding of Father Schall

The more I read of Father James Schall's essays, the more I realize there are books I still need to read or reread.

One issue for me is that I was a literature major and a philosophy minor back in the 1970's - and I finished my masters in literature in 1982. At the same time, I was also going through a period of rediscovering my faith. In the period from roughly 1972-82 I read incessantly, both for my classes, and for my own spiritual/religious growth.

So there are many books I read - but I did so some 40-50 years ago. I've begun to reread those works, but Father Schall's essays are spurring me to do so more diligently. Indeed, he cites C.S. Lewis - a writer whose works I need to reread! - on rereading:

“An unliterary man may be defined as one who reads books once only. . . . We do not enjoy a story fully at the first reading. Not till the curiosity, the sheer narrative lust, has been given its sop and laid asleep, are we at leisure to savour the real beauties. Till then, it is like wasting great wine on a ravenous natural thirst which merely wants cold wetness.”  

There are some works I have read and reread because I taught them - To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, Jane Eyre, The Scarlet Letter, Romeo and juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Pride and Prejudice, and so on. But given that I was teaching them, they don't count. And to my credit since retiring i have gone back to reread some books (most recently, Wilder's The Bridge of San Luis Rey). 

Among the titles that Schall brings up and that I read back in my decade-long binge are Dostoyevsky's  The Brothers Karamazov, St. Augustine's Confessions, several books by C.S. Lewis, and, as I noted in a previous post, various writings by Plato and Aristotle.I could add to those title More's Utopia.

Among the works he brought up that I have never read are St. Augustine's City of God, Boswell's Life of Johnson. sermons by St. John Henry Newman, and essays by Belloc.   

Related to Father Schall's suggestions are the works cited by Joseph Pearce in his Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know.  

Using those two mentors, among the works I need to read or reread are:

The Republic, and various Dialogues (Plato)

The Confession (St. Augustine)

City of God (St. Augustine)

The Consolation of Philosophy (Boethius)

Utopia (More)

Life of Johnson (Boswell)

The Way of the Pilgrim

The Brothers Karamazov (Dostoyevsky)

Crime and Punishment (Dostoyevsky)

Various works by Belloc

The Pilgrim's Regress (Lewis) 

The Great Divorce (Lewis)

The Weight of Glory (Lewis)

Mere Christianity (Lewis)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (Solzhenitsyn)

Okay Father Schall (and others) - I'll get to them next year!

Pax et bonum

Blessed Honoratus Kozminski

Blessed Honoratus Kozminski

Wenceslaus Kozminski was born in Biala Podlaska in 1829. By the age of 11 he had lost his faith. By the age of 16 his father had died. He studied architecture at the School of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Suspected of participating in a rebellious conspiracy against the Czarists in Poland, he was imprisoned from April 1846 until March of 1847. His life then took a turn for the better, and in 1848 he received the Capuchin habit and a new name, Honoratus. He was ordained in 1855 and dedicated his energies to the ministry where he was involved, among other things, with the Secular Franciscan Order.

A 1864 revolt against Czar Alexander III failed, which led to the suppression of all religious orders in Poland. The Capuchins were expelled from Warsaw and moved to Zakroczym. There Honoratus founded 26 religious congregations. These men and women took vows but did not wear a religious habit and did not live in community. In many regards, they lived as members of today’s secular institutes do. Seventeen of these groups still exist as religious congregations.

Father Honoratus’ writings include many volumes of sermons, letters, and works on ascetical theology, works on Marian devotion, historical and pastoral writings, as well as many writings for the religious congregations which he founded.

When various bishops sought to reorganize the communities under their authority in 1906, Honoratus defended them and their independence. In 1908, he was relieved of his leadership role. Nevertheless he encouraged the members of these communities to be obedient to the Church.

Father Honoratus died on December 16, 1916, and was beatified in 1988. His liturgical feast is celebrated on October 13.

- From Franciscan Media 

Pax et bonum

Blessed Mary Frances Schervier

Blessed Mary Frances Schervier

This woman who once wanted to become a Trappistine nun was instead led by God to establish a community of sisters who care for the sick and aged in the United States and throughout the world.

Born into a distinguished family in Aachen—then ruled by Prussia, but formerly Aix-la-Chapelle, France—Frances ran the household after her mother’s death, and established a reputation for generosity to the poor. In 1844, she became a Secular Franciscan. The next year she and four companions established a religious community devoted to caring for the poor. In 1851, the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis were approved by the local bishop; the community soon spread. The first U.S. foundation was made in 1858.

Mother Frances visited the United States in 1863 and helped her sisters nurse soldiers wounded in the Civil War. She visited the United States again in 1868. She encouraged Philip Hoever as he was establishing the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis.

When Mother Frances died, there were 2,500 members of her community worldwide. They are still engaged in operating hospitals and homes for the aged. Mother Mary Frances was beatified in 1974.

- From Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

Those Greeks

I've been reading a wonderful collection of the late Father James Schall's essays - Second Readings. In the essays he repeatedly mentions Plato and Aristotle and their writings.

I read some of the works he mentioned - in whole or part - back when I was a Philosophy minor in college. In other words, a long time ago.

Some of the titles I remember, but, I can't honestly say if I've just heard of them, or read them to some degree.

Of Plato -

The Republic. (I'm pretty sure I only read excerpts of this one) 

Crito

Phaedo

Phadrus

Symposium

Of Aristotle - 

Ethics

Poetics (some of this was also read in literature classes)

His discussion of them has me thinking they might be worth revisiting. I think I have some of them tucked away in storage boxes. I checked our local library - they have some of them buried in their stacks. I guess Greek philosophers are not high on the list of circulated titles!

Right now I'm working on the Schall book, a book about the Jesus Prayer, and Pope Leo XIII"s Rerum Novarum. I need to finish those. Also, being in a Greek mood, I borrowed a copy of Aristophanes's Lysistrata from the library, so I''ll read that one as well. After that, maybe a little philosophy. 

Pax et bonum

Reading goals

I've already noted that next year I will not have an overall reading goal (though I will have some specific ones).

In thinking about why this year's goal made me uncomfortable, I came to a realization.

The books I was reading were ones that interested me and that I wanted to read - either because they were of a genre or writer I liked, they caught my attention, or they seemed good to read for particular reasons.

Many of the books were well-written, had interesting plots and/or characters, and did a good job of dealing with topics or themes that interested me. But I found that in keeping count, sometimes the counting overshadowed the quality. The quality was still there, but my attention was shadowed by something else.

I don't want to ruin the books.

So next year, no overall total. I will likely still read a lot of books, but I will savor them becauseof themselves, and not because they are numbers 67 or 71.  

Pax et bonum

The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare)

Okay, so I did go beyond the 12 Shakespeare plays I set as a goal for this year.

I was at the library and spotted a copy of The Comedy of Errors. Now I'm up to 13 Shakespeare plays for 2021.

The play was an early effort, and it was clearly derivative.  I'm not even sure Shakespeare wrote all of it - it had elements that seemed Shakespearean, but some that did not. 

It was also short. Might it have been done originally with another short play, or perhaps some musical entertainment?

It was a bit of fluff involving twins and mixed-up identities - how many stories, plays, movies, and television shows have used that cliche! To be honest, many of them handled it better. It was amusing, but not high comedy, None of the characters seemed particularly memorable. And I think this play was better suited to seeing than to reading.  

Be all that as it may, I'm now down to 11 of his 38 plays that I haven't read yet. The goal remains to read them all before the end of 2022.

Chronologically, of the unread plays, Titus Andronicus should be next.

  

Pax et bonum

Joseph beheld ...

Pax et bonum

Chris Cuomo

In light of Chris Cuomo being fired by CNN today due to accusations of inappropriate and unethical journalistic actions on his part, I resurfaced an old clerihew,

Chris Cuomo

hates to be called "Fredo." 

Still, he always turns down Andy's offers to take 

him fishing out on the lake.

Pax et bonum

Blessed Rafal Chylinski

Blessed Rafal Chylinski

Born near Buk in the Poznan region of Poland, Melchior Chylinski showed early signs of religious devotion; family members nicknamed him “the little monk.” After completing his studies at the Jesuit college in Poznan, Melchior joined the cavalry and was promoted to officer rank within three years.

In 1715, against the urgings of his military comrades, Melchior joined the Conventual Franciscans in Krakow. Receiving the name Rafal, he was ordained two years later. After pastoral assignments in nine cities, he came to Lagiewniki, where he spent the last 13 years of his life, except for 20 months ministering to flood and epidemic victims in Warsaw. In all these places, Rafal was known for his simple and candid sermons, for his generosity, as well as for his ministry in the confessional. People of all levels of society were drawn to the self-sacrificing way he lived out his religious profession and priestly ministry.

Rafal played the harp, lute, and mandolin to accompany liturgical hymns. In Lagiewniki he distributed food, supplies, and clothing to the poor. After his death, the Conventual church in that city became a place of pilgrimage for people throughout Poland. He was beatified in Warsaw in 1991.

Pax et bonum

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss 

was fond of tippling fermented mulberry juice. 

This helps to explain a thing or thing two, 

such as that cat's hat and Horton's who.

Pax et bonum

Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani

Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani

Born in Lucera, Francesco entered the Conventual Franciscans in 1695. After his ordination 10 years later, he taught philosophy to younger friars, served as guardian of his friary, and later became provincial minister. When his term of office ended, Francesco became master of novices and finally pastor in his hometown.

In his various ministries, he was loving, devout, and penitential. He was a sought-after confessor and preacher. One witness at the canonical hearings regarding Francesco’s holiness testified, “In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the word and deed of holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance.” Francesco showed himself a loyal friend of the poor, never hesitating to seek from benefactors what was needed.

At his death in Lucera, children ran through the streets crying out, “The saint is dead! The saint is dead!” Francesco was canonized in 1986.

- From Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

Another Sorrow of Mary: The Death of Joseph

One of my daily prayer devotions is reciting The Seven Sorrows of Mary As Given to St. Bridget.

The seven sorrows, according to the version I pray, are:

Simeon's prophecy that a sword will pierce Mary's soul

The Flight into Egypt

The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem

The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross

Mary witnesses the Crucifixion and the death of Jesus on the Cross

The dead Body of Jesus is taken down and laid in the arms of His Holy Mother

The Burial of Jesus, with Mary's tears and loneliness

As I was meditating on these sorrows the other morning, I began thinking about other sorrows that Mary might have experience. Then it hit me: What about when Joseph died?

Surely that was a sorrow? 

Yet it is not included.

Now it could be that Joseph suffered and his death was a release. Or maybe Mary really was celebrating his entrance into eternal life?

But it also struck me that it was just another example of Joseph, that holy carpenter, being in the background. He played  prominent roles in the birth of Jesus - the Flight into Egypt - the search for Jesus in the Temple. He is spoken of in the Gospels as a good man, and a carpenter, but that's about it. His death is not recorded in the Gospels. According to various legends he married Mary later in life - some of the stories suggest he was in his early 90's -  and so most painting depict him as an old man. According to the apocryphal "Story of Joseph the Carpenter," he dies at the age of 111!

Getting back to the sorrows of Mary - should this not be one of the counted sorrows? They had lived together chastely for a number of years, and he certainly protected her. She must have grieved his loss as a companion, as a bread winner, and as a father-figure for Jesus.

Pax et bonum

Saint James of the Marche

Saint James of the Marche

Meet one of the fathers of the modern pawnshop!

James was born in the Marche of Ancona, in central Italy along the Adriatic Sea. After earning doctorates in canon and civil law at the University of Perugia, he joined the Friars Minor and began a very austere life. He fasted nine months of the year; he slept three hours a night. Saint Bernardine of Siena told him to moderate his penances.

James studied theology with Saint John of Capistrano. Ordained in 1420, James began a preaching career that took him all over Italy and through 13 Central and Eastern European countries. This extremely popular preacher converted many people–250,000 at one estimate–and helped spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. His sermons prompted numerous Catholics to reform their lives, and many men joined the Franciscans under his influence.

With John of Capistrano, Albert of Sarteano, and Bernardine of Siena, James is considered one of the “four pillars” of the Observant movement among the Franciscans. These friars became known especially for their preaching.

To combat extremely high interest rates, James established montes pietatis—literally, mountains of charity—nonprofit credit organizations that lent money on pawned objects at very low rates.

Not everyone was happy with the work James did. Twice assassins lost their nerve when they came face to face with him. James died in 1476, and was canonized in 1726.

- from Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

That Hideous Strength (Lewis)

Given the current climate in the U.S., over the last year or so I've read or reread a number of dystopian novels. Recently, I read an essay that described C.S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength as a dystopian novle. That had never occurred to me - but it made sense given what I remember of the book (having read it some 40 years ago).

So I reread it this past week.

Yes, with N.I.C.E. and the attempts to create a dictatorship and to reshape the human race, it does fit the genre.

But it also had a strong spiritual element that most of the books lacked - and had a hopeful ending. It was a celebration of what is good and natural. 

Plus, it was a good read!

I'll have to read the first two books in the trilogy at some point.

Pax et bonum

The Twelve Days of Corpus Christmas (a parody)

Years ago, I belonged to a parish called Corpus Christi. It was a thriving, growing parish with many outreach ministries. People from around the country came to visit it to learn what we were doing.

Alas, the charismatic pastor began to stray further and further from church teachings (as at least one of the lyrics below shows), and the parish became a center for all sorts of illicit activities, including homosexual weddings, women priests, and inter-communion. When the diocese finally began to crack down, the pastor and a number of parishioners split from the Catholic Church and created their own church.

Before that happened, the parish was also a center for music, theater, and lots of humor. 

Four of us lay people who were active in the parish began to play pranks on the pastor (who had a sense of humor) and the staff.  We kept our identities secret for a while, calling ourselves (forgive me) the Four Good Lays.

Finally, just before Christmas, we marched into the pastor's office and revealed ourselves, singing a parody song. (I recently found a copy of it while cleaning out some old files.)

The Twelve Days of Corpus Christmas.

by the Four Good Lays

On the first day of Christmas my parish gave to me

a free day to sit on the beach.

On the second day of Christmas my parish gave to me

two Roman collars, and a free day to sit on the beach.

On the third day of Christmas my parish gave to me

three Cuban stogies, two Roman collars, and a free day to sit on the beach.

On the fourth day of Christmas my parish gave to me

Four Good Lays, three Cuban stogies, two ...

On the fifth day of Christmas my parish gave to me

five telephone rings, Four Good Lays, three...

On the sixth day of Christmas my parish gave to me

six pack of Genny, five telephone rings, Four ... 

On the seventh day of Christmas my parish gave to me

seven lay homilists, six pack of Genny, five ...

On the eighth day of Christmas my parish gave to me

eight heated Sundays, seven lay homilists, six ...

On the ninth day of Christmas my parish gave to me

nine committee meetings, eight heated Sundays, seven ...

On the tenth day of Christmas my parish gave to me

Ten Commandments broken, nine committee meetings, eight ...

On the eleventh day of Christmas my parish gave to me

eleven piano lessons, Ten Commandment broken, nine ...

On the twelfth of Christmas my parish gave to me

twelve letters to the bishop, eleven piano lessons, Ten ...

It seemed funny at the time. The pastor laughed. (Genny, by the way, is a local brand of beer.)

Of the four of us lay people, one later broke from the Church and got ordained as a woman priest, one joined a religious order, one was a lawyer who moved to Chicago where she was involved with the National Association for Lay Ministry and last I heard was still practicing civil rights law, and I remained active in Catholic parishes and music circles, and eventually became a Secular Franciscan. 

Pax et bonum

Saint Agnes of Assisi

Saint Agnes of Assisi

Born Caterina Offreducia, Agnes was the younger sister of Saint Clare, and her first follower. When Caterina left home two weeks after Clare’s departure, their family attempted to bring her back by force. They tried to drag her out of the monastery, but her body suddenly became so heavy that several knights could not budge it. Her uncle Monaldo tried to strike her but was temporarily paralyzed. The knights then left Caterina and Clare in peace. Saint Francis himself gave Clare’s sister the name Agnes, because she was gentle like a young lamb.

Agnes matched her sister in devotion to prayer and in willingness to endure the strict penances that characterized the Poor Ladies’ lives at San Damiano. In 1221, a group of Benedictine nuns in Monticelli near Florence asked to become Poor Ladies. Saint Clare sent Agnes to become abbess of that monastery. Agnes soon wrote a rather sad letter about how much she missed Clare and the other nuns at San Damiano. After establishing other monasteries of Poor Ladies in northern Italy, Agnes was recalled to San Damiano in 1253, as Clare lay dying.

Three months later Agnes followed Clare in death, and was canonized in 1753.

- From Franciscan Media 

Pax et bonum

A Local Catholic News Outlet

As part of our discussion at a men's group, I mentioned the need for an independent local Catholic news source. The diocesan paper is limited by resources - and politics - in what it can cover. There are so many other Catholic-related stories out there. Just to name a few - St. John Bosco Schools, Chesterton Academy, the Chesterton Conference, the Irenaeus Center, Feminists for Life, Students for Life, the TLM Masses, the 40 Days for Life campaigns, the Good Friday Stations of the Cross for Life, the human trafficking march, the St. Alban community, Secular Franciscans and other lay groups, the St. Padre Pio Chapel, individual parish food pantries and soup kitchens, and so on.

One possibility is an online site - a webpage of some sort where we can run articles, columns, and pictures. While I do have the writing, photography, and editing skills for such a news outlet, I do not have the technical skills to create a one.

I may be able to work something out with the Irenaeus folks - young people with technical skills.

I want to move in this direction. There is such a need. 

Pax et bonum

It's Okay for Catholics to Judge

It’s Okay for Catholics to Judge
When faced with the immoral behavior of loved ones, it's not just permitted, but crucial to judge—as long as you judge justly

JIM BLACKBURN • 11/19

As an apologist, I often get calls and e-mails from people dealing with the immoral behavior of others who are close to them. They are unsure of what, if any, action they can or should take in the matter.

Typical examples would be dealing with an adult child who’s living with her boyfriend or coping with an adult sibling who has announced that he is gay. The callers often struggle with whether to allow the child or sibling to practice the immoral lifestyle in their homes. Do I have to let them spend the night? What do I tell my kids? How do I deal with this in a loving way? Can I truly love my neighbor while rejecting his immoral lifestyle?

Often people in these situations have tried to take some action already, only to be shot down immediately with the accusation that they are being judgmental, that the Bible teaches us not to judge others, that they should just mind their own business. “After all,” they’re told, “I’m not judging you, and you shouldn’t be judging me. Read the Bible.” But is that really what the Bible teaches?

When pressed to show where the Bible supports this, those who can come up with any response at all usually point to Jesus’ words found in the Gospel of Matthew: “Judge not, that you not be judged.” Most people will stop there, with the clear conviction that the Bible teaches that we are not to pass any form of judgment on others. A closer look at this Bible verse and other related verses, however, uncovers a different understanding of Jesus’ teaching.

First, let’s look at the full context of Jesus’ words:

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye (Matt. 7:1-5).

If we break this passage down line by line, it becomes clear that Jesus was not telling his disciples they could not ever judge the behavior of others. Rather, he was cautioning them to live righteous lives themselves so their judgment of others’ behavior would not be rash judgment, and their efforts in admonishing their neighbors would be effective.

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” By itself, this statement could be construed to mean that one may escape even God’s judgment simply by not judging the behavior of others. But everyone is judged by God, so this cannot be a proper understanding. Jesus goes on to reformulate his statement in a positive way: “With the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” Jesus indeed expects his disciples to judge, but he warns that they will be judged in a like manner.

This is reminiscent of the line in the Lord’s Prayer: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matt. 6:12). Much more than a simple warning that God will treat us as we treat others, this is an appeal to each of us to be as much as we can like God in the way we treat others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) explains, “There has to be a vital participation, coming from the depths of the heart, in the holiness and the mercy and the love of our God. Only the Spirit by whom we live can make ‘ours’ the same mind that was in Christ Jesus” (2842).

In the next two lines, Jesus cautions against hypocrisy: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?” Judging hypocritically is not effective. A petty thief admonished by a bank robber only scoffs at his admonisher.

Jesus then explains how to judge rightly: “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Much to the point of this article, there can be no doubt that those final words—”take the speck out of your brother’s eye”—are, indeed, permission to judge so long as it is done rightly.

Other Bible passages that seem on the surface to indicate a condemnation of judging others’ behavior may be treated similarly in their full context. The idea of rightly judging the behavior of others can be found throughout the New Testament.

Jesus told the Jews, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24).

He instructed his disciples what to do if someone sins against them:

Go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector (Matt. 18:15-17).

It is not possible to follow Jesus’ instructions without being “judgmental” of another’s behavior.

Paul, too, exhorted right judgment of other Christians: “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. Drive out the wicked person from among you” (1 Cor. 5:12-13).

Also, “Do you not know that the saints [i.e., Christians] will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, matters pertaining to this life! . . . Shun immorality” (1 Cor. 6:2-18).

A look at the Old Testament reveals similar teaching: “You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor” (Lev. 19:15).

Clearly, contrary to what many would prefer to believe, the Bible exhorts us to rightly judge the behavior of others. The Catholic Church teaches likewise but cautions us just as Jesus did the disciples:

Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty:
of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;
of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them;
of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.

To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way: “Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another’s statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved” (CCC 2477-2478).

Having said all that, there is a big difference between judging another’s behavior and judging the eternal state of his soul. The latter judgment belongs only to God. Jesus addressed this type of judgment, too:

The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me (John 5:22-30).

Clearly, in this context, Jesus was speaking of judgment as condemnation or eternal damnation. Such judgment is reserved to him alone.

So, when faced with the immoral behavior of loved ones, how can we be sure to rightly judge behavior? In Jesus’ own words, we must start by taking the logs out of our own eyes—by making sure we are doing the best we can to live lives of good example. We must also strive to form our consciences correctly so we know sin when we see it. Finally, we must not jump to conclusions about another’s culpability in sin. Doing all this will help to ensure that our admonitions are seen as the loving actions we intend them to be—meant to help our loved ones live their lives in ways that are pleasing to God. Only then can our efforts be effective in helping to take these ugly specks out of our brothers’ eyes.

This article was originally published in Catholic Answers Magazine. It’s slightly adapted for publication here at Catholic Answers Magazine Online.

- from Catholic Answers

Pax et bonum

The Geography of Guilt

The geography of guilt
Mea culpa
has no maps
mea culpa
no roads
mea culpa
no signs
mea culpa
only obstacles
mea culpa
and dust
mea culpa
and shadows.

Mea maxima culpa.

But faith promises
that shadows
mean light
Somewhere.

Amen.

Pax et bonum

Mother Goose Parody (With a Twist)

Pease porridge hot,
Pease porridge cold,
Pease porridge in the pot
Nine days old.
Some like it hot,
Some like it cold,
I like to leave it in the pot
And watch it turn to mold.

Pax et bonum

Shakespeare - Plays still to read

Earlier this year I set a goal of reading by the end of 2022 all of Shakespeare's credited 38 plays that I had not yet read. I'm now up to 26 of them read, so I have 12 to go over the next 13 months.

The list of unread plays:

The Comedy of Errors
Titus Andronicus
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Love’s Labour’s Lost
As You Like It
The Merry Wives of Windsor
All’s Well That Ends Well
Measure for Measure
Coriolanus
Timon of Athens
Pericles
The Two Noble Kinsmen

  

Not sure if I will read one before Christmas. If I do, the next up is The Comedy of Errors.

Pax et bonum

Henry VI, Part III - Shakespeare Goal Met

I've now finished Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part III. That means I've read the 12 Shakespeare plays I had set as a goal for the year, and thus have also completed all my reading goals for 2021.

I've always liked Shakespeare, but I have to admit the three Henry VI plays were a slog. For me, there were only two interesting characters - la Pucelle (St. Joan of Arc) in Part I, and Gloucester (the future Richard III) in Part III.

Politically, Joan had to be made a "villain" in English history - which, of course she was not - but I get the sense Shakespeare thought well of her. Indeed, she seems quite heroic until just before her death. Then, given his audience, Shakespeare had to give her a dark side.

As for Gloucester, his violent ruthlessness and ambition particularly come to dominate the last part of Part II - getting us ready for Richard III. 

Otherwise, the character development, the writing, the poetry, were not up to the quality I've seen in Shakespeare's later and more mature plays - though I did like seeing the famous line about killing all the lawyers in context! The characters tended to run together. Many did not have a distinct enough personality; indeed, in some cases the lines could easily have been switched to other characters. Part of the problem, admittedly, is that I'm not as familiar with the intricacies of English history, so the many of the secondary characters were unfamiliar to me. 

Basically, I read these three plays because I needed to to meet my goal. In other circumstances, I might not have finished them.

Twelve more Shakespeare plays to read to read them all. My goal is to finish them all before the end of 2022.

Pax et bonum

no hands clapping

the sound
of no hands clapping
performer's nightmare

Pax et bonum

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Patron of the Secular Franciscan Order

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

In her short life, Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people throughout Europe.

At the age of 14, Elizabeth was married to Louis of Thuringia, whom she deeply loved. She bore three children. Under the spiritual direction of a Franciscan friar, she led a life of prayer, sacrifice, and service to the poor and sick. Seeking to become one with the poor, she wore simple clothing. Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest in the land who came to her gate.

After six years of marriage, her husband died in the Crusades, and Elizabeth was grief-stricken. Her husband’s family looked upon her as squandering the royal purse, and mistreated her, finally throwing her out of the palace. The return of her husband’s allies from the Crusades resulted in her being reinstated, since her son was legal heir to the throne.

In 1228, Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order, spending the remaining few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital which she founded in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Elizabeth’s health declined, and she died before her 24th birthday in 1231. Her great popularity resulted in her canonization four years later.

- from Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

Walden Foot

doffing shoes and socks
putting foot in Walden Pond -
distant drumming

Pax et bonum

after hospice

after hospice

buried somewhere in her desk
the graveyard plot deed

Pax et bonum

Biden Meets the Royals

Former Vice President Joe Biden

caused some Royal eyes to widen. His press people sighed, for from the start, they've been battling accusations he's just an old fart.

Pax et bonum

Poem in Visiting the Wind

the night before

cancer surgery

watching the sunset

- my poem in Visiting the Wind (Haiku Society of America Members' Anthology 2021)

Pax et bonum

St. Pius Church Statues

Back in 2015, St. Pius Church in Chili was heavily damaged by a fire, and ultimately had to be torn down and a new church built. Some of the damage is pictured below.

For the new church, they salvaged two statues (above) that still show signs of the fire. 

Pax et bonum

Why Catholics Leave

A survey and report by The Pillar. Saddened me - not only because of the trends, but also for the ways I failed as a parent.

Pax et bonum