Author Archives: djinnfromthebronx

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zfubq-1362c38 One, if not the, central thoughts of Catholicism is the following of Christ in our suffering. And yet, we believing Catholics regularly fail to join our suffering to His, instead acting as if we should be spared, and entirely missing the point of our Faith. Just thinking on this today. 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-bg8yf-1358d5c As he was being invested a Pope, Benedict the XVI asked for prayer that he not flee for fear of the wolves. Clearly he was aware of some deep troubles in the Vatican. But that prayer is something just as applicable to you and me, ordinary Catholics. 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-i5map-134f03a On this last day of 2022, thinking about what needs to be done going forward, toward emptying myself to be filled up with God, counter to the culture which seeks to find a Self without God. Even with Grace, no easy task. But here’s to a New Year of seeking God and not self,Continue reading “Un-Self Realization”

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-j4fzq-1347a13 Today is Christmas Eve. Let us all be glad, and recall what it means that God entered into time, the time He created, to redeem us!

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-t2hau-133edc9 Perhaps it is the darkness of our times, but scientific and religious interest in the Image on the Shroud of Turin has been assisted by the Exhibition in Salamanca, Spain, called The Mystery Man. The three dimensional image on the Shroud, still an enigma in terms of how it could have occurred except byContinue reading “The Mystery Man: He Always Leaves Room for Faith”

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-vdn2s-1335cb5 The usual battle ground for the culture wars is the large ones. But the smaller ones are not actually so small.  Consideration of the battle over “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas” up this episode. 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-6696q-132d699 Two phrases I often hear to justify desires that lack a moral foundation, the first, “God Loves Me Unconditionally” and “God made me the way I am”. I no doubt have said these things to justify my own behaviors over my life. But without context, both are misunderstood and misused. Just thinking about thatContinue reading “Foolish Ideas”

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-wp8nz-1323b86 We are in the month of remembering those who have died. I have been thinking of all those people that have passed through the pews of my parish in the last nearly 40 years of my attendance. Hard to believe indeed. So many souls. We must pray for them. As we hope we willContinue reading “Remembering Those Who Have Passed Through These Pews”

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-x8tpj-131b658 If we are fortunate, we will reach an old age. But that comes with its own sufferings for which we need to prepare, practically and spiritually. As someone who spends considerable time with the generation just ahead of me, I know that I have a lot of work to do spiritually, assuming I makeContinue reading “A Foretaste of My (Potential) Future”

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-eu66n-1311a7e A personal experience of a failure to stand up for the teachings of the Church. I didn’t. Should I have?