On this date in 1995 my father died. He and I weren’t very close, (“fathers and sons …”) generational and attitudinal differences separated us. As a result, I didn’t really grieve over his death. I mean, I was saddened and did feel the loss, but I wasn’t ripped apart by his death like I was …
Today, June 26th, is the fifth anniversary of my mother-in-law’s death. I never knew her as I met my wife in 2007, but through my wife she has had some impact on me. I would have loved her greatly. A number of posts on this blog indicates that I think of death quite a lot. …
My Mom died just over 3 1/2 years ago (November 7, 2005). It’s been one heckuva ride since, from desires for death (suicidal or just praying for God to take me) through economic and financial instability to relocating to a new area for a cute lady and a new job, to marrying that cute lady …
My parent’s were married on April 15th. The year 1937 to be exact. They were married 58 years when my father passed away in 1995. I do believe that they are in heaven and have interceded for me on a number of occasions. No proof, just a feeling. I also believe that relationships do not …
The First Reading from the Mass for Monday of Holy Week is one of my favorites: Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench…” Via USCCB.) It reminds me of us alcoholics and addicts in our times of suffering and eventual recovery. I had written about …
Quite often in AA meetings and in literature we hear the phrase “Not my will, but yours.” I’m not sure if the quoters are aware of the source. An excerpt from the Gospel of Mark from the Mass of the Passion of Our Lord (Palm Sunday): Mark 14:36: “Take this cup away from me, but …
Today is Palm Sunday. This excerpt from the Gospel is an astounding insight into Jesus’ humanity: Mark 14:34: “My soul is sorrowful even to death” (Via USCCB.) Jesus, the Son of God, was sorrowful. This is an immense revelation, that God can be, and was sorrowful. Sorrowful to the point of death. Remember this next …
Continue reading ‘Read this and know that Jesus understands pain’ »
This excerpt from the Responsorial Psalm for the Mass from Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent is an excellent prayer of distress in times of pain: Psalm 102:2-3: “O LORD, hear my prayer,and let my cry come to you.Hide not your face from mein the day of my distress.Incline your ear to me;in the …
Continue reading ‘Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress’ »
In the First Reading from the Daily Mass for the Thursday of the First Week of Lent, Queen Esther was gripped with mortal anxiety over the impending genocide of the Hebrew nation. She prayed to God. Esther C: 12,14-16,23-25: “Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,had recourse to the LORD.She lay prostrate upon the ground, together …
This was originally written on February 29, 2008, which was a Leap Day. It was posted to a soon-to-be-discontinued blog of mine and is being transferred to this one like most of the other posts on it. I had kept it as a draft in my blog editor, postdated to February 29, 2012, but have …