Jim Mahoney's Blog - Sacred to Etc.

Why Do This? - and Welcome!

(You can find the necessary disclaimers in the Profile section of the blog.)

It is the 21st century. The Vatican website (www.vatican.va) is far ahead of most websites of parishes, dioceses, and national bishops' conferences. We either use the new media in the everyday life of our Church or we run the risk of having our communications perceived as irrelevant and our ability to meet our people where they are as increasingly ineffective. Can anyone doubt that Jesus would use every means available to communicate his message?

Over time, the nature and hopefully the quality of this blog will be expanded. For now, this will simply be my thoughts on a variety of topics. I'll give a take on books, social issues, Church issues, politics, history, and popular culture. If I find things that might be interesting for you to read from other sources, I'll include them.

The commitment will be to make a post to this blog five times a week. Feel free to comment on anything that I write - or even on what others write. Kindly remember that I am easily hurt and remember all real and perceived slights forever. But I do forgive after a few decades. I am Chicago Irish. Among many things, this means that I never ever forget and am never ever disloyal to my friends.

Truth - It is meant to be real - January 22, 2021

When Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, Pilate asked Jesus this famous question, "what is truth?" Certainly Pilate was not terribly concerned with whatever answer Jesus gave.  Over the past few years, meaning of the word "truth" has became a rather elastic word.  I know that role models are important. What a parent says or thinks is often imitated by their children. Children come into the world as persons who will be instantly learning from their environment, especially their parents. You can make the same case for children learning from public figures. I'm not going to get into the morass of recent public figures and the efforts to change the categories of truth and the use of phrases like "fake news."  My unsolicited personal opinion is that truth is truth - facts are facts. I do come from a background where scientific facts are valued - and that such facts are not able to be changed on the basis of people's opinions. 

Daniel Patrick Moynihan was one of the most gifted of all those to be elected to the United States Senate. He was an advocate for truth. We could have used him in various ways. Politicians and scholars use and misuse this phrase from Moynihan: “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.”  I liked him, read his books, and met him several times through a mutual friend.,  He was delightfully snarky and just plain brilliant.

I was thinking about the topics of the above two paragraphs as I reflected upon the now completed presidency of the 45th president of the United States. I was thinking about truth, respect for others, and the ongoing quest for great role models which we can offer to our children. Valid thoughts. Eternal concerns for today and every day.

In the always helpful word of my ancestors:

 

 

 

Time for our nation to grieve for so many lives lost - Time to respect their passing - January 19, 2021

(Over the next few days, when appropriate, I'll share some spiritual thoughts as we try to move forward in our nation.)

The inauguration ceremonies began just a little while ago with prayers for those who were killed by the Coronavirus in our country. For far too long, we have not paused to pray together as a nation for those who have died from this pandemic. Our incoming president wanted to begin the inauguration experience with a memorial service for those who died from this plague. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, prayed a beautiful prayer for these dear souls who died. Here are some excerpts:

"Our sorrow unites us to one another as a single people with compassionate hearts. May our prayer strengthen our awareness of our common humanity and our national unity at a time when harmony is a balm that seeks to comfort and strengthen us as a single people facing a common threat that is no respecter of age, race, culture, or gender. Let us with one heart commend those who have died from this virus and all of their loved ones to the Providential care of the One who is the ultimate source of peace, unity, and concord. Amen."

 

 

Do You Read the Irish Sports Pages? I do - religiously. January 15, 2021

Full disclosure: I have never read the book pictured in the above graphic, Irish Sports Pages. I was looking for a graphic for this post about Irish Sports Pages - and it was perfect. 

I came from an Irish background - this will not be a surprise to those who know me as this Irish Catholic kid from Chicago. My parents were second generation in this country. My father was an Irish Catholic born in Cicero, Illinois. He often punctuated his conversation with Irish phrases - which he must have learned from his parents.  My mother was Baptist Irish. She joined the Catholic Church when I was a junior in high school. She truly did not have any Irish characteristics that I could recall. She was a Chicago Cubs fan so that was clearly in her favor, as was my father.

When the morning newspapers were delivered, my father would first read the death notices, which he referred to as the Irish Sports pages. I came to understand that this is what the Irish called the obituary section. When he finished the death notices, he would read the comics page, then the sports page briefly, and scan the headlines of the rest of the paper. He also completed the crossword puzzle.  He enjoyed reading the political news in Chicago and Cicero. This came from growing up in Cicero - where every person that he knew was either a priest, a politician, or a member of, shall we say, a social club led by a natural leader, a Mr. Al Capone. You may have heard of Mr. Capone, a very popular person in Chicago.  Some would say that he was in the business of crime. It is not for me to judge. But Mr. Capone was a real flesh and blood creature. The other people in Cicero that my father knew or read about were the politicians - Irish or Italian. The remaining group were the priests, all important in that time of Chicago and Cicero life. Many of my father's Chicago friends had political jobs working for the city. The city was called the Machine. It functioned. Things ran well.

I could digress many times just from the above paragraphs, but that would take me away from the Irish Sports Pages. My father read these thoroughly and completely. He often came across someone he knew - or the relative or friend of someone he knew. Those pages were a connection of my father with his history and the history of the Irish in Chicago. As a Baptist, my mother seldom looked at the death notices, but she always read the rest of the newspaper each day. She followed politics closely, but was a lifelong Republican which balanced out my father always voting the other way.  My father would mention someone who died if he thought that my mother would be familiar with the name. They had different approaches. I was formed in my preferences more by my father than my mother.

As I got a little older, I started reading the daily Chicago papers. I always started with the comics and looked to see if the Cubs had won. When I was in college and then the seminary, I started reading the New York Times, a lifelong habit. The Times did not have comics which forced me to at least glance at other papers. Regardless of the newspaper, I always checked to see if the Cubs had won.

Today, I still read the Times - and, more often than not, read the death notices online without fail. I have lived in this area long enough that I recognize many names in the various local papers. I read them fully = and, since February, I have been reading more closely and slowly the death notice of a person who died from Covid. A steady litany of sadness - which I believe could have been avoided to a great extent if there had been someone else leading our government. It is so infuriatingly sad - and what makes me angry is when the person leading our government chooses to ignore the numbers of people who have died from Covid. A lot of these people did not have to die. I do have zero regard for someone who does not honor the dead. I have even less regard for someone who does not respect the sacrifices made by our soldiers in the armed forces.   

Over the years, many of the death notices would make me sad or melancholy. That may be the Irish way.  The intriguing thing about the Irish is that they very much consider death as part of living - life and death are joined together. The Irish are emphatic in looking at life experienced on a continuum where we express the reality of the Communion of Saints - we are connected with all those who came before us - we can help them - they can help us. We're all connected and united.  This is why the Trinity (Father is joined with the Son who is joined with the Holy Spirit, three in one) is such a popular symbol among the Irish.

Well, time to bring this to a close. I do enjoy reading the Irish Sports Pages every single day. Each person mentioned in those pages had a distinct impact on our world- and was given to us by God. Especially this past year, it has been a compelling daily exercise for me. As the Irish say with devotion, "May God be good to them." 

May they rest in peace.

Perhaps this photo will make you smile, just a little:

 

 

(Back to writing) After a lifetime and four days, I'm finally meditating! - January 8, 2021

(I took a course on meditation during the past week. Why?  Two different medical people had suggested this to me over the years. Since I already know everything, what could I possibly gain from meditation? Having been fully retired, I noticed one troubling fact. I could not calm down. I could not relax. Even with nothing on my schedule for a day, I just continued working, thinking, and trying to figure out ways to save the world. I was anything but relaxed. When nice people ask me how my retirement is working for me, I want to snap at them - and if they are kittens, to kick them down the stairs! Feel free to let me know how my prior efforts have worked in saving the world. Be kind!

So, I threw myself into a practical exploration of meditation for two days, the kinds available, how one learns, how one is trained, how this could help me. If I do say so, I am an incredible researcher and analyst - so why not use the skills to help myself? It was not cheap to get the type of instruction that I thought would be helpful - but, you know, neither is cardiac surgery).

Don't laugh at the above cartoon. It would hurt my feelings. But it does identify a characteristic of my psyche over the years. I remember a conversation that I had with a nice parishioner a few years ago. She said to me, "You seem so focused and centered. Do you meditate?" Sadly, I just burst out laughing because meditation was the last thing that I ever wanted to do. If I had only been more attentive to the information that the woman was giving me. Sigh. Well, only a few decades too late. But better late than never.

I did examine the different types and schools of meditation. Some, I recoiled from immediately. But there was one which made a great deal of sense to me. I won't share with you my choice because I believe whatever one does in this area is intensely personal. And goodness knows, I am a private person (who somehow is more at ease writing about himself in this blog rather than interacting with people one on one. I never said that I was balanced.)

I enrolled in the course. The approach that I found relied upon individual instruction, an incredible app of lectures and interactive learning for my iPhone, a huge amount of scientific literature showing objective evidence of the effectiveness of this method, and a continuous system of follow-ups valid for a lifetime. I was really impressed with the instructor, materials, and the methods. I'm one heck of a critic in evaluating things like this. But I was impressed. I wistfully wish that I had done this many years ago, but probably did not have the maturity and urgency to do so. Sigh) 

So I have embarked upon meditation as an essential part of my life and routine. Surprisingly, I like it. I already can see some benefits. I've had four days of instruction - with the possibility of additional times to learn in the future. I 'm going to insert this into my daily routine. The key is to make this a priority - and not allow other things to take precedence.  Self-care has never been easy for me. But I do intend to learn better the skill of self-care. This also means saying No far more than I ever had!

So here goes my latest adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

The Death of a Parent with Alzheimer's- December 29, 2020

My father, Russell, died 31 years ago today from Alzheimer's. He was 80 years old. He developed Alzheimer's at an older age than many - but it is quite possible that he was showing symptoms of the disease earlier than my mother and I thought. Symptoms were evident to us for about seven years before he died.Only in hindsight can you put all the pieces together of Alzheimers and know that a person has been stricken with it. It was only after he died that I fully appreciated the monumental task my mother had of taking care of him = before he had to go into a nursing home. Oh, the things that I wish I had known - and the things I would have said years earlier before he could no longer comprehend.

It is only within the past ten years that I have grown in my appreciation for my father. My father also suffered from alcoholism - at a time when we did not have the tools, knowledge or the ability to provide good therapies or approaches to understand the role of alcoholism on family dynamics that we have today. We were all kind of winging it decades ago. (I was not alcoholic, but had sufficient other things to foul me up over the years. I was also an only child who had three siblings - a cat, a Dalmatian, and a Chihuahua. I also had a fish - whose demise came to a tragic end when she was accidentally flushed down the sink. Nothing is easy! = for most people.)

Regardless of all kinds of intervening variables, I knew one continuous truth about my father's role as my father. He was always in my corner. He believed in me - always. I could count on that - and did at many different points in my life.

I thought of my father when I heard that Glen Campbell had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. His family found that he remembered many of his great songs even if he might always know their name. So they organized a farewell tour for him. I went to hear him at the Community Theater in Morristown. I am so glad I did = so many similarities to my father. Glen could still sing along with his family - and plucked the strings with his legendary skill.

As each anniversary of my father's death comes along, I find that I miss him more. He really believed in me.

God be good to him. Today I am very sad.

******************************************************************

If you, a family member, or a friend someone close to them has dementia in some form, including Alzheimer's, I highly recommend this book. It is a classic, been revised six times, and has helped millions of people. It is available at amazon.com, and any of the other sources, as well as most bookstores in the country. I've given this book to countless people and bought a copy for hundreds of people as well.

 

 

 

 

 

December 24-25, 2020 - The Story of Christmas

Read the first two chapters of Matthew's Gospel. Savor the words. Let them speak to you.

A Blessed and Peaceful Christmas to you - and our hurting world.

 

Oops = If a family dispute, conspiracy theories, or other things start to surface at Christmas dinner - Here's what to do - December 23, 2020

Family arguments are tough, especially at Christmas and Thanksgiving. I'm listing here the "food fight" from Animal House because it is one of the classic food fights on film. It also (hopefully) makes people smile. (Personal privilege: I grew up in the same town, Wheaton, Illinois, as John Belushi. Knew him slightly. He had not yet blossomed into the massive comedic talent that he became.)

 

To learn more about defusing situations, I came across some great excerpts. (Unfortunately, I could not locate the entire link for the article no matter how hard I tried.)  Here is a link to another article that could also be helpful to you: https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/wellbeing/how-to-avoid-family-conflict-this-christmas/news-story/a36b6ee092f0c8e3d43ead0aab6339b8?nk=28aad76d17b8b9c29a64fa2ffadbca13-1608779784

1: Keep calm

While it's important to confront falsehoods, it's never useful if things end up in a flaming row.

"My number one rule would be to not spoil Christmas," says Mick West, author of Escaping the Rabbit Hole. "An angry, heated conversation will leave everyone feeling rubbish and further cement conspiracy beliefs."

Psychologist Jovan Byford, a lecturer at the Open University, notes that conspiracy theories often have a strong emotional dimension.

"They are not just about right and wrong," he says, "but underpinned by feelings of resentment, anger and indignation over how the world works."

And they've boomed this year, with many searching for grand explanations for the pandemic, American politics, and huge world events.

Medical experts say shouting increases the chance of spreading coronavirus. Yet another reason to keep things low-key.

2: Don't be dismissive

"Approach conversations with friends and family with empathy rather than ridicule," says Claire Wardle from First Draft, a not-for-profit which fights misinformation. "Listen to what they have to say with patience."

Her golden rule is: never publicly shame someone for their views. That's likely to backfire.

 

Remember that people often believe conspiracy theories because deep down, they're worried or anxious. Try to understand those feelings - particularly in a year like the one we've just had.

3: Encourage critical thinking

People who believe conspiracy theories often say: "I do my own research."

The problem is that their research tends to consist of watching fringe YouTube videos, following random people on Facebook, and cherry-picking evidence from biased Twitter accounts.

But the spirit of doubt that pervades the conspiracy-minded internet is actually a key opening for rational thought, says Jovan Byford.

"Many people who believe in conspiracy theories see themselves as healthy sceptics and self-taught researchers into complex issues," he says. "Present this as something that, in principle, you value and share.

"Your aim is not to make them less curious or sceptical, but to change what they are curious about, or sceptical of."

4: Ask questions

Fact-checking is important, but it's often not the right approach when someone passionately believes in conspiracies. Questions are much more effective than assertions, experts say.

"Focusing on the tactics and techniques used by people pushing disinformation is a more effective way of addressing these conversations than trying to debunk the information," Claire Wardle says.

5: Don't expect immediate results

You might be hoping that a constructive conversation will end with some kind of epiphany over Christmas pudding - but don't bet on it.

For those who have fallen deep down the conspiracy rabbit hole, getting out again can be a very long process.

"Be realistic about what you can achieve," psychologist Jovan Byford warns. "Conspiracy theories instil in believers a sense of superiority. It's an important generator of self-esteem - which will make them resistant to change."

For fact-checker Claire Wardle, it's not just about bruised egos. This year has been scary - and for many, conspiracy theories have been a source of comfort.

"Recognize that everyone has had their lives turned upside down, and is seeking explanations," she says.

"Conspiracy theories tend to be simple, powerful stories that explain the world. Reality is complex and messy, which is harder for our brains to process."

But the experts agree that even if you don't see immediate results - don't give up.

JTM edit: If all else fails, then ask the arguing people to please not spoil Christmas for everyone else. It helps no one to have these arguments.

 

Glad and Sad - the Emotions of Christmas - December 22, 2020

I wanted to write this post about the Christmas feelings many experience - of feeling sad while the rest of the world is singing "Deck the halls." As I searched for a graphic to use (and mentally added topic of "learn how to do graphics" to my to-do list) I only came across a couple of graphics with sad and glad in them. Most of the graphics had three emotions in them - sad, glad, and mad. Not happy with the above graphic, but what the heck, how many time can I use golden retrievers? So here it is.

Why this topic? Because I come across so many people at this time of year who are anything but celebrating. These are those who may associate Christmas with the memories of a person, a love, someone they adored and now they are gone. This year, it affects more people than I ever remember. I understand these emotions around Christmas. One way I had of coping with this was simply throwing myself into the work and tasks of ministry before Christmas.  I was usually a zombie by the time of the last Mass.  We usually had between 6000-7000 people come to Mass.  We had a phenomenal staff who pulled out all the stops. I knew they were exhausted as well. I was always grateful for their tremendous work.

We do need to remember that Christmas, though joyful to many, is a tough time for many as well.

There is an underlying theme of ministry to this post as well - we should each be gentle with ourselves and gentle with each other. I fear this year that I can really identify with those who are sad. Ain't an easy time. I do understand.

Even the golden retriever needs a little extra effort to be happy at times!

 

 

 

There are indeed rumors of angels. They are true - December 21, 2020

The days before Christmas are days when the Scriptures are filled with angels. Angels keep guard over many Nativity scenes in homes and churches. What are angels? Who created them? (God). Are they all friendly? Well, not according to history and literature. There were good angels (Gabriel, Michael, and the others, oh, yes, the archangel, Jim. Oops, that snuck in.  I'm not on the archangel list.)

Essentially, the good angels are messengers of God's love. We express this in our prayer and refer to some as our guardian angels. Our popular spirituality suggests that each of us has a guardian angel - meaning a special protector from God - nudging us, encouraging us, cajoling us, and even pushing us to make the right decisions and do the things that God asks of us. The sociologist Peter Berger wrote a classic text in sociology called Rumors of Angels - presenting ways in which we can understand the divine in our world. I read it in the seminary and go back to it occasionally over the decades.

The late evangelist, Billy Graham, (note that I'm not talking about his son or referring to him in any way) said one time that two things he especially admired about the Catholic Church was our belief about two things - Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and angels. Billy Graham had integrity. If he made mistakes, he admitted them. A priest-sociologist-friend of mine wrote a couple of books about angels, one a novel and the other a collection of short stories. He used his imagination to think about these wonderful creations of God. Can we be more precise?

From the Bible, we learn that angels are powerful messengers of God's love. They are often fierce protectors, even warriors of God's love.  The pictures we have of angels often come from the styles of art of particular eras. Go through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and look at the paintings of angels. They are all different and each reflected a particular era in art and design. In he first few years of our new parish church, I was delighted to host the director of the Vatican Museum who gave us a wonderful presentation on the angels in the Vatican Museums. Truly, there is no limit on the ability of people to reflect on angels - and to think of what God has done with angels over the centuries.

Angels are messengers of the good news of Jesus. They point the way to the crib as we learn from the Christmas stories in the Bible. In the interests of historical and theological accuracy, I am obliged to point out that it would appear that angels are not wimps. While it became popular for people to wear little angel pins or other depictions of angels (and there is nothing wrong with this), it is also clear that angels are God's powerful warriors. The painting at the beginning of this post gives an example of this type of angel. 

My personal beliefs (so they must be correct!) about angels is that often they come into our lives disguised as family, friends, and even strangers. Anyone who gives us an understanding of God's love may be an angel - so be nice to them.

I had an experience a few years ago at the parish during Sunday Mass.  I was hurrying in the sanctuary (I hurry too much which is really really stupid) and tripped over something that had been left there which I had not seen.  I have had some knee problems - and I flew across a side of the sanctuary. There was no way that I could not have been injured, but somehow I stayed upright and was not injured. I could not come up with one reason why I was able to continue standing. I was out of breath, but ok.  I kept thanking God in the rest of that liturgy saving me. It made no sense to me that I was still standing and not injured. After the Mass, I went to the videotape (just like football!) and carefully watched the type of that moment. I was that I tripped, went flying and someone did not go down. Have always believed from that time that my guardian angel had protected me.

In these few days left before Christmas, pray with gratitude for the angels God has placed in your life. They are real, really real.  If you don't care for angels, then you probably are not a Cubs fan. So, to heck with you.  Or maybe more appropriate since we're talking about angels, "behold, I bring you a message of great joy. A child is born in Bethlehem." Not a bad announcement to hear.

Angels, point the way. May we not miss you, especially this week.

 

 

 

 

Are you Indifferrent? Does this bother you? - December 19, 2020

I have been thinking a lot about indifference lately. I have been troubled by certain events in our national life where millions of people seem to be indifferent about profoundly troubling things = at least to me. I go back at times to read more on what I first learned about mob psychology. Gosh, those things were/are real. Take the issue of the president knowing how dangerous the Coronavirus was and deciding that he would not alert our nation to this danger because he did not want people to panic. This is not something made up. It is listening to the actual transcripts of the president's comments. In the beloved words of President Reagan, "facts are stubborn things." How many people have died in vain?

Elections have consequences. Political decisions have consequences. Even isolated decisions by political leaders have consequences. The failure to correct one's actions also has consequences.

None of us is perfect. If a wrong decision was made, then accept it and move heaven and earth to change this. That is what a moral leader does.This is what a leader does  because he or she cares.

I still think about 9-11 - an important part of the life of our nation - and an event that is burned into the consciousness of anyone alive at that time. Over 3,000 people were murdered on 9-11. We connected with those deaths involving so many that we knew or when their deaths were honored in our communities. Their deaths changed us. They were not ignored. Political leaders did the right thing to lead our nation through our grieving. Is there any compelling reason why we are not invited to at least have all flags at half-mast to commemorate those who have died from this pandemic?

Now we area time when the statistics are becoming much worse. Every single day, more people perish from the COVID virus than perished in the entire time involving 9-11. The deaths go higher than the 9-11 numbers not just once, but right now, every single day. As I write this, here are the latest statistics from the New York Times daily calculations of sick and deceased from COVID in our nation:

17.4 million people have contracted COVID in our country, an increase of 18% in the past 14 days.

312,573 have died from COVID in our country, an increase of 39% in the past 14 days.

I am just saddened to see these thousands of death simply pass people in the wind rather than galvanizing them to action. Is it too much for people to process? Perhaps in some cases. Objectively, they are overwhelming. Can we turn the tide. Will people listen to the health warnings about groups getting together over Christmas?

My underlying impetus was listening a few months ago to the tapes released by Bob Woodward in his March 2020 interviews with the president. In those tapes, the president can be heard admitting that COVID was lethal, could affect people of all ages, and could take many lives. The number of people who died due to inaction is just gut-wrenching. The president told Woodward that he did not want the people of our nation aware of these things because it might panic them. The consequences of his actions or inaction can be found in many of the above statistics.

What did Jesus say? He reminded us to be vigilant and helpful towards the stranger, the ones in need. The Sermon on the Mount was his stirring presentation of God's hope for us in our daily lives. How do we try to follow this in our lives?  Do we fall into indifference? Do we ask Jesus to help us see? When we are indifferent, do we see this as an issue of morality- or just something that is too overwhelming for us to be associated with today? 

There are times in life when things seem just too large to take on as a personal project = times when it may be easier to just walk away? This makes me uneasy, but I do not have a solution. I do know that I am grateful to Doctor Fauci and his colleagues who tried to tiptoe around political questions and stayed focused doing whatever was necessary in order to have a life-saving vaccine against COVID.

(I'm searching for a happy golden retriever graphic, but it just does not seem appropriate in this post. Maybe a sad basset hound? Nope - I looked at pictures, not sad enough or solemn enough). Let's have a graphic that respects the dignity of those who died:

 

 

 

 

 

 

My excuse for being less than good at a daily post lately - December 18, 2020

This week, I quietly finished my second surgery for cataracts.  This process began with protective quarantine on December 2nd and ended a couple of days ago. There were some things I did not know when this process began. I had to undergo twice the nasal swab for COVID test, stay in self-quarantine one week before each surgery - and also engage in appropriate measures of self-pity, and really got ticked at myself when I accidentally rubbed my eye or eyes after the surgery.

During this time, my typing was filled with mistakes. Sometime I felt like correcting these - other times, not.  I will not need to wear glasses anymore for distance, but will need to wear glasses just for reading. I have worn glasses since I was in 4th grade, so this is really not a big deal. Won't know for sure until both eyes heal.

Cataract surgery is often described by people at "not a big deal."  This week, after the 2nd surgery, I woke up early, and, as is my custom, put on my glasses, and went to my computer to check news, email, etc.  Only problem was that I could not read anything on the computer monitor.  In the words of the psalms (I think it is in the psalms), I freaked out. I thought that I was now blind or minimally would be unable to read.

I had a "day after surgery" appointment with my eye surgeon. When I arrived, they did the customary tests, he walked in and said that I came through things with flying colors. I gently demurred (I do not know what the word "demurred" means, but hopefully, it will show that I think I'm intelligent!) This calm gifted eye surgeon smiled and said that my glasses no longer helped my vision.  I would not need them for distance and should get a cheap pair of reading glasses at CVS. I was pleased, especially since I chose to not pay the additional amounts for "add-on" procedures with the surgery.

Like certain times in my life, I am profoundly grateful for medical science. If I come across someone who bashes science or misquotes science, I will hit them on the head with a broomstick, regardless of political viewpoint. 

Even though cataract surgery is properly called "no big deal" by many, I nonetheless found it a bit daunting. However, not one millisecond of pain. Each day since Tuesday, I can see a little more clearly. Thank you, Jesus - and thank you to my wonderful eye surgeon.

My eye pressure and blood pressure showed, during the first procedure, that I was agitated. I thought I was pretty calm for the second procedure until the anesthesiologist mentioned that he was going to give me something to help relax me a bit more. And I thought I was calm and collected. So much for self-knowledge!

This is now the end of an almost unbroken string of possibly nauseating exercises in self-disclosure. It may not have helped you, but it helped me!

Next post will be on sin! I've coddled you enough!

A day to thank scientists - December 14, 2020

One screen - over 3,000,000 people have the COVID virus in our country. Over 300,000 people have died from the COVID virus. How outrageously sad. Pray for them. We must.

A mobile morgue in Brooklyn

 

The other screen = 1st person in our country to get the vaccine today = many people had tears in their eyes watching it. I did.

The Secretary of State is having a holiday part for 900 people tonight. I hope to God none of my friends are present. I pray to God that no one be stricken with COVID - but, given the record of Washington functions, some will probably become ill or even die. If someone gets ill, do they think it was worth it?  I just don't understand this behavior. Maybe you do. But I don't. Have good people lost their ability to think or reason? I'm truly baffled by this behavior. It just makes me sad.

(Final day/night of my personal countdown. Will explain tomorrow - hopefully!)

Are there differences between men and women? How much do you love your family? - December 11, 2020

For the purpose of this post, let's take as a given the fact that there are differences between men and women. You may say this is true. You may say this is not true. It has nothing to do with the Trump vs. Biden "conversations" which many have had over the last four years. Nonetheless, I was startled to come across a survey on the online version of Time Magazine today. For reasons that I won't get into, I could just read a few major points of the article - and want to share a couple with you. 

More women than men plan to practice social distancing over both Christmas and New Year's. It is not a huge difference but enough of a difference to show there are differences. It makes me sad. The number steadily increases of people dying from practices that are pretty preventable. What it suggests is that men and women may not have a shared agreement within their homes on whether or not to follow the pleas of public health officials urging everyone not to travel or congregate over Christmas and New Year's. The vaccine is not here. We all need to do everything  we can to stay safe. God, I hope people will stay safe over these holidays. I fear that too many people will not take the warnings seriously.

I just heard a public health expert on a news program say these scary words, "This is our Covid Christmas. People who do not practice social distancing, wearing of masks, and remaining at home - will not see some of their older relatives next Christmas because they may be dead."

Here's the question in personal annoying terms? Don't you love your family enough to sacrifice this Christmas so everyone will be alive next Christmas? (Just my thought.)

We can help to protect all the generations. Look at a picture of your extended family. Will this affect your willingness to stay home this Christmas?

 

(Four days to go on personal countdown.)

Is Anyone Listening? - December 11, 2020

 

(Was not able to write this blog for a couple of days this week. Sorry about that. The spirit was willing, but the eyes were weak.)

The good news yesterday is that approval was given yesterday in the United States for the coronovirus vaccine.  It will not wipe out the disease, but it will cut down on the deaths over the next year. Profoundly good news. It is a breath of happy news.

Naturally, nothing is ever easy. The epidemiologists all agree that the coming months of December through February may be the worst months in the history of our country. We have all seen the profoundly sad sharp rise in the number of people of those who are sick from the virus and the number who have died.  A staggering point of reference is when more people die in one day from the virus than those who were killed at 9-11.  This is now happening every single day. Yet, it appears that, for man, it is business usual. It concerns me because it may mean but another sign that life simply is not valued. So sad. All the grieving is so sad. 

We are bracing ourselves for the ultimate surge in coronovirus cases after the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope it doesn't happen, but clearly our rates of the virus are rising right now.

The public health scientists are asking everyone to please stay home for the holidays. Don't travel. Practice all the rules we know for social distancing, size of groups, people we are with. What is happening? I hear anecdotally about growing numbers of people who do plan on being away, who plan on having guests in their homes from other states, and just a total disregard for what is being asked of us. Are these people nuts? I cannot come up with a better word - but I could come up with more colorful language. If you're in this group, please reconsider. Do you think the virus will spare you and those you love because you are from New Jersey? There is so little appreciation for the asymptomatic transmission of the virus. I could just scream when I hear people say about houseguests - "oh, they were tested right before they headed here."  

I fear that a lot of these people are kidding themselves. I hope that I'm wrong. I hope that the scientists are wrong. I just don't think so.

It makes me sad. May they survive.

News flash- the dogs at the top of this post and bottom of the post are truly not listening. They have no common sense whatsoever. Don't be like them!

 

(Five days to go on personal countdown.)

Are you tired of everything about the pandemic? Now is not the time to lose hope - December 8, 2020

We know that there is some hope in sight.  It is however and naturally not or never that simple. The vaccines which will be available may stop the recipients from being drastically ill from COVID, but they do not appear to wipe out COVID.  When I learned this, I was disheartened, but still with a little hope.  Obviously the administration of the vaccine will dramatically reduce the number of deaths. That is an incredibly good thing. But as for wiping COVID out, I have much to learn and read about what the limits of the vaccine may be.

I sense a slackening in many people's determination to do everything possible not to get the virus. Just look at the appalling number of people traveling - people I know - people I like - strangers I don't like - and many others. I think that people believe that we have gone almost a year following the "rules" of getting rid of COVID. Now we are finding that the vaccine may keep us from dying (isn't that good enough?) and will now wipe it out completely. Although this may be an inexact medical parallel, the vaccine will not eradicate the virus, but you will be better off with the vaccine than without the vaccine. 

We need a special burst of determination to keep following the requirements of COVID resistance: wear masks, social distancing, don't be in large groups, and a few other things. We need encouragement to do the right thing. Maybe the next political administration will change things for the better. We cannot go on as we have. We just can't.

Don't you dare give up - especially if you're one of my friends. You're too important to me and your friends and families. And the rest of you, the same thing applies. Don't play the self-serving game of saying some things are political and therefore we should not say that. That was lame when it was first said. It is lame today.  We're talking about saving lives. The present political administration has apparently stopped caring about the pandemic. Don't pretend that they do. If they did, then every day they would be encouraging us to keep taking the steps to avoid the pandemic. 

Encourage each other. Give a great example to your children. Life is precious. Chesterton reminded us that life is too important to be anything other than life. This is one of those times when Chesterton's words make incredible sense. I don't know where you fall on the spectrum of pro-life, but I consider steps to stop the impact of the pandemic to be an urgently needed pro-life activity. Please. If you're following the crowd, be sure it's the right crowd.

(Eight days to go on my personal countdown.)

  

 

December 7, 1941 - The date says it all

President Roosevelt told our nation that December 7 would be a date that would live on in infamy. I cannot imagine the horrors of war. It is far too easy to get caught in the films about wars and to forget that they actually happened. The tales of courage, selflessness, and concern for each other characterized our troops on that day and so many other days to come. The only thing in my history to come close was 9-11. And now the pandemic of 2020 has dwarfed the numbers of dead and sick in our wars.

Today, we spend time in wonder and awe at the sacrifices people made when they were called to serve our nation and the cause of freedom. The men and women at Pearl Harbor were heroes, people of courage. May we always respect their legacy. President Roosevelt was an extraordinary leader and example for us in so many ways. It was a different world then - but the qualities of leadership and character can still be seen in our nation's leaders. Days like this let us contrast  our gifted, courageous, wise leaders from those who are not. We celebrate greatness today. We pray in thanks for those who called forth our better angels. What mighty human beings they were. 

God be good to these people who came before us - and those who serve us in our armed forces. God be good to those who were prisoners of war, those injured in the cause of serving our country, and all those who sacrificed to maintain our freedoms. May we never take their sacrifices for granted.

December 7 is a date that often slips right by. I was determined this year not to let it happen.

God bless America.

Flag flying at Half-Mast at Pearl Harbor

 

(Nine days to go on my personal countdown)

 

 

 

Remember that we're still in Advent? December 6, 2020

This year, Advent may be messy. The orderly progression of four weeks, each marked by lighting an additional candle in the Advent wreath, just does not seem to be catching on this year. No wonder. Many of us cannot even remember what day it is when we get up in the morning. When I lived in the rectory and could see the church from my bedroom window, life seemed much more predictable. The world seemed much more predictable. Is there a correlation here? Probably not.

There are some Catholics and some church publications who take a very strict approach to both Advent and Lent.  There are also some people who work on liturgies who are the same way. I never got into such strict approaches. These are the people who feel that Christmas lights should not be put on the trees until Christmas Eve, ornaments should not come up until you are at Christmas, etc. I laughed when I read an editorial in a progressive Catholic preparation this year where the editor recommended that people take a much more relaxed approach to Advent this year. The editor felt that our world had been so chaotic, so hurting that it just made common sense to relax about Advent. I guess I can put the little statue of Santa Claus in my nativity scene now!

I have always liked a relaxed approach to Liturgy. Liturgy should flow. It should not be filled with starts and stops. Liturgy is not supposed to make you tense. It is supposed to draw us into the mystery of God's love. 

In our hurting world ravaged by the pandemic, we need to just take it easy on each other. We need to mellow out. We need to give each other the benefit of the doubt as much as possible. This is easier said than done, but it is something worth thinking about. Tempers and lives can be frayed. I know that I'm not the picture of calm and being centered. This has been such a hard time. The political uproars just made it worse. 

In Advent, I hope that you are praying for the victims of COVID. Pray for the gifted doctors who managed not to be waylaid by ignorant politicians. I pray every day by name for Doctor Fauci, Doctor Birx, Doctor Redfield and their colleagues. Imagine having to fight to do what is right every step of the way? They were the embodiment of Stephen Covey's reminder to work with the goal in mind. I admire and envy their ability to stay focused. I wish that I had their focus when under attack. I don't - but I do wish I did.  What incredible role models.

So, have a messy 2nd week of Advent. Catch your breath. It's ok. We don't have to be all prim and proper. Just consider this role model:

 

(Ten days to go on my personal countdown.)

 

  

 

 

The Garden State is 7th Best!! - December 5, 2020

Somewhere, I came across an article which proclaimed that New Jersey was 7th best in the nation with respect to wearing masks.  There has not been a great deal to smile about lately, especially with the horrendous number of people stricken and people who have died from COVID.  But this is worth celebrating.  (My filter seems to be a little off today) Do you think those morons in south Jersey that have had big events without the protection of masks might want to join the rest of the state in working to protect each other's health. 

I just don't understand why wearing masks is such a big deal - and why some despicable politicians made it into a political issue. I sure do not like wearing the mask. It is a pain in the neck (or more precisely, the nose and mouth to wear it for Mass. Mask on, mask off, oops, mask on, etc. I only take it off for the homily and during the time when I receive the Eucharist. I try to scrupulously follow the proper social distancing well within the CIC guidelines. Shamefacedly, I now make public confession that, at times, I have gotten out of my car without my mask and then uttered a quiet prayer, turn around, go put the mask on and go into the store or wherever I was headed. Sometimes, I do utter an unsavory word when I discover my mistake. The word gets more unsavory when I have to walk a distance back to my car!

If there are sung parts of the Mass, I always try to make sure that the mask is on and I am at least 12 feet from people. This too is following CIC guidelines. 

Saying Mass has become more complicated with the various prayers and announcements. It is easy to make a mistake. 

The only one of God's creatures who has faithfully fulfilled the CIC guidelines is the golden at the top of this post. Would that we were that perfect!

To the people of the Garden State who are wearing masks without disobedience, thanks for caring. It is one of the most effective actions we can take in behalf of life.  

Found this picture of three goldens who have not quite mastered the mask. Hope they can follow the example of the golden who is following CIC guidelines. Practice makes perfect. Don't give up folks. Follow the instructions. 

(11 days to go on my personal countdown.)

 

Sickness and Death beyond all Imagining - December 4, 2020

If you were around on 9-11 and in the years after that, we all knew that those tragedies resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 of our fellow citizens. We now have entered into a time when almost that same number has died - NOT THIS PAST YEAR, NOT THIS PAST MONTH, NOT THIS WEEK, BUT TODAY. AND TOMORROW, AND THE DAY AFTER THAT, AND FOR MANY DAYS THEREAFTER UNTIL THE CURVE OF THIS PANDEMIC IS BROKEN AND WE CAN SLOWLY HEAL AND BE ABLE TO CONTROL THIS PANDEMIC. I'm using capital letters so that those who were not aware of these numbers might notice them.

On 9-11, I knew 11 people whose relatives had their lives taken  - and 4 people and 1 priest personally. Each death, each funeral, was a time of ripped-apart lives and memories. The monster Joseph Stalin uttered a phrase to this effect: the death of one person is a tragedy; the death of a million is a statistic." Research that I did on the ways in which we handle large numbers of people who have died showed that, as the numbers of people rise and rise, we seem to turn off or become less affected by all of these deaths. In some ways, we may be shutting down our usual emotional reactions because we simply cannot cope with it. It is a form of coping, a way to survive.

We're coming close to the number of 300,000 victims of COVID who have died in our country. As I drive around, I notice that many places with flags flying do not have them at half-mast out of respect. I just scowl and wonder at these people who make the decisions in those places to not lower their flags to half mast.  Close to 300,000 in our country and we are business as usual. There is nothing about this which keeps me from yelling in anger at those who did or did not do things that could have prevented so much of this suffering. Kindly do not insult my intelligence by saying this is a partisan or political statement. You and I are more intelligent than that.

I'm just numb and overwhelmed with the frustration that this did not have to be this way. Does no one care? Or are we so numb that we cannot think with our hearts as well as our minds.

I know this is complicated, but the causes are not that complicated. Wear masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene. The leaders who did not constantly urge us to do these things are culpable or unbelievably ignorant. I do know this: it did not have to be this way.  It is different from 9-11. It affects our whole planet. But there have been different results in different countries. So many countries have had large numbers die, yet fewer proportionally than the country we love. Why? The reasons are clear for our country's share of the pandemic: bad or nonexistent leadership, no real intelligence, and no real empathy. Those are my hunches. You may have your own.I'll respect your hunches. Please respect mine.

There are times when I have nothing left to do other than pray and think. God help us all. God save us. God forgive those who had eyes to see and did not see - or who had ears to hear and did not hear.

Pray for the sick and dying from COVID every single day. Our prayers should not be business as usual. They can't be.

I end these knowingly heavy words with a gentle image = maybe it can help ease things just a little. It helps me at least.

From my world

Words from Jurgen Moltmann, one of my favorite theologians of hope. He reminds us that we  believe in the God of non-abandoning love.

(My words, not Moltmann: The great reversal is the heart of our faith: we die so that we may rise. (It's complicated, but true.)

 

(10 days to go on my personal countdown.)

Two Worlds - Two Cities - Facts and Truths - December 3, 2020

Yesterday's post was more upbeat than I felt, but I believed it was proper not to ignore the one spectacular thing that is happening now, namely the vaccine. Focusing on the potential availability of the right vaccine is a good and hopeful thing. I pray that it arrives quickly - and with gratitude for the scientists who did not let themselves be distracted by the anti-science crowd. It seems like we are in two different worlds, two different cities. one world recognizes science and has the tools to address this horrible situation that gets worse every single day while the other world is made of those who are against science, turning everything into a political issues, like the disgraceful politicization of wearing masks.

How we reached the present situation just makes me sad. The above picture of a golden retriever offering comfort to sad people says it all. For the time being, we must deal with a raging escalation of new cases and more deaths. How can we not be sad when we realize that a leader knew about the potential catastrophic nature of the coronavirus this past February and claimed he did not want to upset the citizens?  Hundreds, probably thousands could have been saved from sickness and even death.   

Look at the much lower numbers in Canada and compare them with the United States. Then decide where the facts lie. The difference between the two countries is not even close. It is not a tough call. Bill Gates in a television interview just now said that the problem is that our leaders in the executive branch gave us confused messaging and a lack of leadership. The leadership made people distrust good science. Just look at the inconsistent messages on wearing masks, social distancing, and the lack of testing and contact tracing. The tools to address this in our own country are not that hard to figure out.

As difficult as things are, we need to hang onto the motivation of doing those things that can save us - and resolutely not listen to those leaders who have been wrong and uncaring for this past year. Try to step back and think about which leaders have deceived us and which leaders care about our lives and protecting us? 

We cannot ignore the problem. We need to fix it. We need to do the right things. How much longer can some live in this other world?

It takes a lot but even this golden retriever is angry! 

 

We can often learn from animals. I think about how much I've learned from Snoopy. Here is one golden retriever's strategy for dealing with the anger a lot of people have towards the handling of this pandemic:

 

 

(11 days to go on my personal countdown.)

 

 

 

 

We interrupt this blog to bring you an important message: It is still safe to hope - December 2, 2020

You may well ask yourself - what is that about - what language - what does it mean? Quite simply, this is an ancient Latin prayer of the Church.  The Te Deum is one of our most solemn hymns of praise and thanksgiving. It is set to different arrangements. The above music is printed in Gregorian chant, but it can be presented in many different styles of music.

I'm just pausing the normal stream of thought to pray, Thank you, God.  We finally have a glimmer of hope that our pandemic may slowly slowly slowly get less. So sadly, many more people will die and get sick until things turn around. The vaccine might work - and is coming.

What has happened in our society? In college, I learned an insight of mob psychology: repeat lies over and over and people will begin to believe them - even people who should know better.  Events in the last several weeks have now shown that the rule of mobs is not a certainty. We can breathe a sigh of relief.  We are still a country ruled by laws, democratic principles, and our Constitution. 

Now is a time to say to God - thank you. Thank you for the work of scientists who brought us to this point that seemed impossible to reach, starting to tame the still relentless pace of the pandemic. Thank you for the work of those political leaders who knew that it was their role to unite, encourage, and motivate us. Thank you to the wonderful citizens of our country who faced every single obstacle with a love of country and God. Thank you to those leaders who knew that our people could be trusted, even with awful truths. They could handle it. Thank you to those leaders who appealed to our better selves, our better angels, rather than the lowest common denominator. 

Hopefully, the tide will now turn. The vaccine might slowly have an impact. There is a dim flicker of light shining tonight- it might be in the far-off distance - but it is getting closer.

It is still safe to hope.

Thank you, God. AND God bless America.

 

(12 days to go on my personal countdown.)

 

 

 

 

Are You Doing Anything for Advent? - Me, neither! Not yet. Here are some thoughts. December 1, 2020

The Advent Calendar

The Advent Wreath

As a Christian and Catholic, Lent is much easier to manage than Advent. In Lent, we give up things, we pray, we do some penances (never too difficult!). Some parents put up an Advent calendar as a reminder to small children about what we should think about during Advent.  We also may think about Advent when we see the Advent wreath in our church and then our Advent exploration pretty much ends.  So what do we do then?  It is certainly not harmful to do things for Advent. But what could they be?

Here is a terribly simple Advent word: WAKE. In Advent, we are invited to wake up. I hate this phrase, but it is real: Smell the flowers. A secret of life is not so much what we do, but what we miss.  What if you spent just a minute or two(you can find two minutes if you would to go overboard = no one is that busy that they cannot find two minutes!) and thought about people and experiences that you have just taken for granted. Qualities in friends that mean so much to you. Things people did to help you and you never really acknowledged it.  

Don't overlook the really nice people in your life? If you see someone doing something really great - tell them. Just pick one thing a day, one person a day - and tell them what you like about what they are doing. Imagine if this becomes a habit - people will love to see you coming. You will have woken up this Advent - and you'll have breathed life into people as well. Not a bad way to spend Advent. 

(13 days to go on my personal countdown. What the heck is this about? Will explain at the end.)

 

In the Pandemic, even the Holy Family seems confused by the calendar - November 30, 2020

Most people have observed that they have a difficulty remembering what day it is in this pandemic. It seems even more so in terms of months, the actual date, and weekends are often hard to differentiate from weekdays. Before I retired from my two jobs, it was hard at times to separate the seven days of the week. Now, after retirement, I find it more difficult. But many who are still working (outside the home,) have mentioned the same thing. Let's face it - we are all working wherever we might be.

Yesterday, I burst out laughing - this has not happened very much lately. I drove past the the Madison train station and saw in the distance a nativity scene on the front side of the station on ground level. It made me smile, but as I got closer, I just smiled.  All the important people were there as I drove up: the three kings were easily identifiable, the angels, the shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and then as I drove closer, I smiled with a brief feeling of relief. There was Jesus laying in the manger, surrounded by all the other major figures in the Nativity Scene.  At least for this Nativity scene, Christmas came early this year - on November 30 instead of December 25.  While a Nativity, a public one no less, chose to have everyone present on the first day of Advent, I don't know. I am sure this will have the purists enraged, apopletic, and whatever other feelings are appropriate for one to express. Not even thinking of the reaction of atheistics, agnostics, vegans (oops, that just slipped out), and anyone else who finds merit in making a fuss over such things.

We've been through a living hell during the last few years - and especially in 2020. The pandemic continues to kill us and minimally could have been lessened with wise thoughtful leadership. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we focused on the things that are significant - things like encouraging family, friends, and even strangers who are getting tired of following the recommendations on masks and social distancing. 

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Melchior, Balthazar,  Patrick (all right, I grudgingly concede that St. Patrick was not in the original sitting for the Nativity in the first century) thanks for giving us a chance to smile, to be a little lighter in the heaviest of times. Let's support, encourage, and cajole each other to continue doing everything possible to resist the coronavirus. 

Deep down, I don't care who has their nativity scene all set up with all the characters in it. Whenever I see it, I smile. I also don't mind seeing Santa join them if he is feeling isolated during these times. Let's take seriously the things that are serious - and the rest = have fun, smile, and most importantly, Survive. God bless you, one and all!

 

 

One Thought during the Thanksgiving Day Parade - and one profound thought for dinner - November 26 1/2, 2020

 

The Parade: I usually don't watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - but this year, I was determined to watch for kinds of reasons.  They did a wonderful job in producing the parade under such restrictive barriers for dealing with the pandemic. I was fine with that. But then they announced the various special guests, musical groups, and celebrities who would be featured in the parade. I listened to the list of performers, saw some of their photographs - and realized to my intense consternation that i did not recognize most of the names. I at least knew Dolly Parton, SpongeBob, Snoopy, and Santa Claus. But the other people, not so much. That was depressing. I am getting older. Not good. I need someone to blame.

Thanksgiving Dinner: Ok, we've spent the last four years tiptoeing into and away from political conversations, not wanting to say much lest it instantly offend, friends became estranged, all kinds of problems arose, almost without warning, we became accustomed to chaos, but not really - isn't it time to try to move past the chaos, the intolerance, the, shall we saw, the things that are just not true? Don't we all deserve this? I think so, but what to do?

While I was thinking about this issue which hits people on all sides of the political spectrum, I read the blog of Maria Shriver. She included some advice from Nedra Glover Tawwab, a therapist with expertise in boundaries.  I found Tawwab's suggestions to be practical, applicable, and hopefully a way to work through the patterns of conflict that have occured in so many families over the past few years:

"If you’re feeling anxious about the holidays, setting boundaries can help, even over Zoom:

1. In your home, you can choose the discussion topics.
2. Keep it simple. If someone says something offensive, you can always say, “I don’t like that.”
3. Try to stay calm. Don’t yell.
4. Remember: It can be hard to advocate for ourselves, but it’s often exactly what we need to be healthier people."

Tawwab makes the wise point that boundaries need to be set, not only for others, but also for ourselves.

I'm going to try. I'm sick of the conflict. How about you?

Have to stop typing. The musical group, the Gogo Dolls are ready to sing. I have never heard of them. Sigh.

DId I mention, "Happy Thanksgiving" to all of you.

I'm waiting for Santa in the parade:

 

 

 

 

  

 

Four Days of Gratitude - Day Four - Thanksgiving is Here - November 26, 2020

Thanksgiving, our National Day of Gratitude, has arrived. This year, it comes with extraordinary feelings of relief. We need time to feel gratitude. We need some signs that things may be all right. I see some signs that this may be true. By this time next year, we may have a vaccine. We may be closer to gaining control of the virus. Possibly even our economy. All of these are reasons to give us a smidgen of hope. We can use it. We can breath a small sigh of relief this year.

I truly love Thanksgiving. I have mentioned this before. I genuinely enjoy (even though I'm shy) getting together with some close friends. Most of my family have gone home to God. I do have cousins who I have grown to love being with over the past few years. This year, it is not a good idea. I love to go to malls - which is where I relax. (I'm odd.) I'm not going to a mall the day after Thanksgiving this  year. A friend  called me on this precipitous decision - since it goes against everything that I have been encouraging others to follow, i.e., social distancing etc. It took two minutes of sustained thought and I waved the white flag. I ain't going to the mall this Friday. Sigh.

I will spend special time on Thanksgiving praying in gratitude to all the blessings I have received in my life. I go back to the religious idea that none of us deserves these gifts from God. But God freely given them to us. So be it. Thank you, God. Let me not forget to pray with gratitude, for family, extraordinary friends, and even the other friends! I'm grateful for the golden retrievers in my life. I have so many things for which I'm grateful.A huge source of gratitude is the decades that I have spent at Corpus Christi. It made possible having thousands of friends (and I'm shy.) It is interesting that sometimes I am in a foul mood and just do not feel grateful for anything. I have to consciously get back on track - and sometimes it takes a while. I guess that I'm human (sigh - go figure)

The Peanuts kids would have some problems at times with Thanksgiving, They're only human - or whatever cartoon characters actually are. I'm convinced Snoopy is human. Don't even try to convince me otherwise.)

I hope that you had a good, even great, Thanksgiving. May our hurting world begin to heal. May all our sick begin to heal. May we all get better.

Look at how the Peanuts kids behave without adult supervision. God love them.

 

 

Four Days of Gratitude - Day Three - Parents and Teachers - November 25, 2020

We should be grateful to parents and teachers. Imagine the craziness they have had to encounter since the pandemic began. Students are used to going to school and attending classes. Now they have had to switch often to at home learning by video. Then they go back to school. Then back to video. The above picture shows what students may be like going back and forth to two totally different types of learning. When the students were not in their classrooms and had to study from home, parents were expected to supervise and help them - while the parents were also still supposed to earn a living and continue with their jobs outside the home. Here is a picture of a familly attempting to deal with all this back and forth:

 

Ok, I hope you can smile at these drawings and not have them send you into paroxysms of depression. (I love to use the word paroxysms, I truly do not know its precise meaning, but it certainly makes me seem intelligent.)

Here's the point: think how difficult the pandemic has been for teachers and parents. We do not hear a lot about them complaining, but they must be stressed to the maximum boundaries. We know that essential workers and first responders just keep going even though they are exhausted. Teachers and parents do the same.

Join with me in praying prayers of gratitude for parents and teachers. I know that I could not do what they are doing. But I have limits/ Doing this day in and day out. There is heroism and goodness.  Just another group of unsung heroes. How fortunate we are to have them with us. How fortunate for children to have these parents and teachers who care even when the world around them is nuts.

Can't they hurry up the vaccines - safely? Please, for everyone's sake.

 

 

 

 

Not part of my four day series on gratitude - but too fascinating not to highlight - November 24 1/2, 2012

 

 

Yesterday, Pope Francis met with five NBA players and officials of the NBA to discuss the players' efforts to increase recognition of social justice and fairness for all in our society.  It is not the usual entourage that meets with the pope. It may have been the pope's biggest thrill since he met with me last Thanksgiving. (Well, if it was not his biggest thrill, it certainly made my list.)

 

 

 

Four Days of Gratitude - Day Two - Those on the Front Line, including the Essential Workers- November 24, 2020

We never really used the phrase "First Responders" very much in the past. Now when you hear those words, you knew exactly who we're talking about. Who could not be grateful for those in our armed forces, our police, emergency workers, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, technicians, health workers, food preparers, and so many others. We all rely on these people. We may take them for granted. They help make possible so many good and necessary things in this troubled times, and in every time. We cannot forget those working to bring us towards health and safety and healthy vaccines. 

Let's say a prayer of gratitude for these people on our front line and all the essential workers, including our mail carriers, and delivery people. It is so easy to take all of these people for granted. I was making a mental list today of the people in occupations that I take for granted. Shame on me. Time to give thanks for all of these people in Thanksgiving Week. God bless them all. Pray for them. Think of them. Our future depends on them. 

Four Days of Gratitude - Day One -The Turkey Is Lost - November 23, 2020

As part of my contribution to civilization, I'm writing the next four posts on Gratitude. I have every confidence that this will change the path of our civilization.

But where to begin? Let's look at this poor lost turkey, wondering what will happen to him. Will Trump respect this important tradition? I am happy to report that he will indeed follow this sacred tradition and pardon the turkey. Mr. Turkey does not have to flee the butcher and hungry diners. 

Well, that settles the stakes for the turkey who gets a presidential pardon. But what about the rest of us (turkeys?) who have been subjected to an election sideshow. I can't help thinking that what has gone on for the last several weeks is profoundly upsetting to the principles upon which our democracy was founded. So many things which have been done make no sense to me - and perhaps also to many of you.

(A slight diversion for the next two paragraphs) We have seen atrocious behavior by persons who are horrible role models of our children. The national political discourse has cheapened the fabric of our national conversations on many occasions. I see some of the arguments being made since the election and just mutter to myself, "is this the best we can do?"  I'm not a lawyer (full disclosure: one of my three original career choices was to be a lawyer. I always wanted to be a trial lawyer and have enjoyed being on the sidelines of the various legal issues that came up in my diocesan job.) Despite no legal credentials whatsoever, I can at least see when people value democratic principles, the rule of law seems to be followed, and the good character of a lawyer is easily seen. Those who mount assaults on our democracy = shall we say, not a fan.

During all the years of seeing a variety of lawyers, I developed a growing respect for our diocesan attorney and the people that he brought in to advise and represent us on tough issues. I was also most impressed with the parishioners I knew who practiced law. Good folks all.  I only came across a few lawyers who, at least to my uneducated mind, were  a disgrace.   

Where the heck am I going in this post? Simple: I want to honor the good lawyers who make a difference. We are a government of laws. We're imperfect - filled with human frailties - but good lawyers, good judges, good citizens keep us rooted in our laws. That is my first Gratitude for this Thanksgiving Week. Thank you to good and great lawyers and judges. We need them now - more than ever, especially to protect our democracy. No need for turkeys.

Snoopy wanted to be a lawyer. Just like me!

 

 

Don't Share the Virus - Use Masks - Don't be a Turkey - The Plan for a healthy Thanksgiving - November 19, 2020

 

Given the horrifying rise in positive cases of the coronavirus, I was happy to see that the Center for Disease Control advised people not to travel on Thanksgiving. I was relieved because I still heard and knew of people who were having guests from other states. There is such a real pull homeward at Thanksgiving. I understand this totally.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Nothing else comes close. I have celebrated Thanksgiving with the same close friends for over 45 years. It made no sense this year to celebrate Thanksgiving with anyone coming from other areas or states. I had already decided that it would be best to dine in solitary splendor on Thanksgiving. I really hated doing this, but sometimes common sense and scientific wisdom holds the day - as it should. Did I mention that I hated this?

If you are celebrating Thanksgiving with people outside your home, please think it through. It just does not seem to make sense. Most importantly, if you or people in your group are over 60 years of age, then you are in a category of higher risk. Someone can die, maybe you, from this decision.  Is it really worth it?

If you're with people you see all the time, please keep the size of the group small. Wear masks - when eating - practice social distancing. It makes no sense to wear a mask if you don't insist on being at least six feet, if not more, from the other people. A test taken against Covid is not effective if you get contaminated after you took the test.  It is too big a risk. 

Don't be a turkey. Sorry, turkey.

I'll be in line at a store next Wednesday purchasing a vegan Thanksgiving dinner.  I can eat happily knowing that no turkeys or porpoises were injured in the preparation of my dinner. I also will be happier knowing that a lot of people are listening to the words of scientists to not travel on Thanksgiving. It is the right thing to do.

Don't be misled by the scientific advice of anyone who is not  respected scientist. Your life and the lives of those you love may depend on it.

In my particular case, this turkey is happy I'm vegan!