Thursday, April 17, 2008
I think ...
... this blog has seen the end. Thanks to those who stopped by while I mused, off and on. I won't be taking it down, but I doubt I'll be adding to it anytime soon. God bless.
... this blog has seen the end. Thanks to those who stopped by while I mused, off and on. I won't be taking it down, but I doubt I'll be adding to it anytime soon. God bless.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Yep
It's been awhile. Anyone even come here any longer?
It's been awhile. Anyone even come here any longer?
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Wow
It's certainly been awhile since I've posted to here, hasn't it?
It's certainly been awhile since I've posted to here, hasn't it?
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Interesting cartoon
I saw this cartoon elsewhere, and thought it was worth posting here.
Why do I think this cartoon is significant? Should I count the ways? It's a simple statement of fact actually. It revolves, IMNSHO around authority and respect FOR that authority. Respect for the authority not only of the Catholic Church, but also that of God Himself, who invested the Church at Pentecost with the charisms of guidance. Jesus telling Peter to feed and tend His flock is a simple statement, but it carries much significance to this day.
Those thatprotest reject this authority are Protestant. Simply put.
I saw this cartoon elsewhere, and thought it was worth posting here.
Why do I think this cartoon is significant? Should I count the ways? It's a simple statement of fact actually. It revolves, IMNSHO around authority and respect FOR that authority. Respect for the authority not only of the Catholic Church, but also that of God Himself, who invested the Church at Pentecost with the charisms of guidance. Jesus telling Peter to feed and tend His flock is a simple statement, but it carries much significance to this day.
Those that
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Hey! It's still here!
Guess BlogSpot doesn't clean house very often, eh?
Guess BlogSpot doesn't clean house very often, eh?
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Anxiety by the Black Eyed Peas
I feel like I wanna smack somebody
Turn around and bitch slap somebody
But I ain't goin' out bro (no, no, no)
I ain't givin' into it (no, no, no)
Anxieties bash my mind in
Terrorizing my soul like Bin Laden
But I ain't fallin' down bro (no, no, no)
I won't lose control bro (no, no, no)
Shackle and chained
My soul feels stained
I can't explain got an itch on my brain
Lately my whole aim is to maintain
And regain control of my mainframe
My bloods boiling its beatin' out propane
My train of thoughts more like a runaway train
I'm in a fast car drivin' in a fast lane
In the rain and I'm might just hydroplane
I don't fear none of my enemies
And I don't fear bullets from Uzi's
I've been dealing with something thats worse than these
That'll make you fall to your knees and thats the
The anxiety the sane and the insane rivalry
Paranoias brought me to my knees
Lord please please please
Take away my anxiety
The sane and the insane rivalry
Paranoias brought me to my knees
Lord please please please
Take away my anxiety
My head keeps running away my brother
The only thing making me stay my brother
But I won't give into it bro (no, no, no)
Gotta get myself back now
God, I can't let my mind be
Tell my enemy is my own
Gots to find my inner wealth
Gots to hold up my thoughts
I can't get caught (no, no, no)
I can't give into it now (no, no, no)
Emotions are trapped set on lock
Got my brain stuck goin through the motions
Only I know what's up
I'm filled up with pain
Tryin' to gain my sanity
Everywhere I turn its a dead end infront of me
With nowhere to go gotta shake this anxiety
Got me feelin' strange paranoia took over me
And its weighin' me down
And I can't run any longer, yo
Knees to the ground
I don't fear none of my enemies
And I don't fear bullets from Uzi's
I've been dealing with something thats worse than these
That'll make you fall to your knees and thats the
The anxiety the sane and the insane rivalry
Paranoias brought me to my knees
Lord please please please
Take away my anxiety
The sane and the insane rivalry
Paranoias brought me to my knees
Lord please please please
Take away my anxiety
I feel like I wanna smack somebody
Turn around and bitch slap somebody
But I ain't goin' out bro (no, no, no)
I ain't givin' into it (no, no, no)
Anxieties bash my mind in
Terrorizing my soul like Bin Laden
But I ain't fallin' down bro (no, no, no)
I won't lose control bro (no, no, no)
Shackle and chained
My soul feels stained
I can't explain got an itch on my brain
Lately my whole aim is to maintain
And regain control of my mainframe
My bloods boiling its beatin' out propane
My train of thoughts more like a runaway train
I'm in a fast car drivin' in a fast lane
In the rain and I'm might just hydroplane
I don't fear none of my enemies
And I don't fear bullets from Uzi's
I've been dealing with something thats worse than these
That'll make you fall to your knees and thats the
The anxiety the sane and the insane rivalry
Paranoias brought me to my knees
Lord please please please
Take away my anxiety
The sane and the insane rivalry
Paranoias brought me to my knees
Lord please please please
Take away my anxiety
My head keeps running away my brother
The only thing making me stay my brother
But I won't give into it bro (no, no, no)
Gotta get myself back now
God, I can't let my mind be
Tell my enemy is my own
Gots to find my inner wealth
Gots to hold up my thoughts
I can't get caught (no, no, no)
I can't give into it now (no, no, no)
Emotions are trapped set on lock
Got my brain stuck goin through the motions
Only I know what's up
I'm filled up with pain
Tryin' to gain my sanity
Everywhere I turn its a dead end infront of me
With nowhere to go gotta shake this anxiety
Got me feelin' strange paranoia took over me
And its weighin' me down
And I can't run any longer, yo
Knees to the ground
I don't fear none of my enemies
And I don't fear bullets from Uzi's
I've been dealing with something thats worse than these
That'll make you fall to your knees and thats the
The anxiety the sane and the insane rivalry
Paranoias brought me to my knees
Lord please please please
Take away my anxiety
The sane and the insane rivalry
Paranoias brought me to my knees
Lord please please please
Take away my anxiety
Monday, April 25, 2005
The Fret of Father Carty
After Last Mass on the Feast of All Saints
by Joseph I.C. Clarke
“Oh, wasn’t he hard on poor sinners this mornin’?
And his voice, begor! Was no silver-tone flute
When he gave us,” said Burke, “the ‘third and last warnin’,”
With a taste and smell of blue sulphur to boot.
Arrah! What takes good Father Carty so quarely
That he preaches of late so mortal crass?”
Said Shea, “It’s surely the getting’ up early,
And workin’ and fastin’ for ten o’clock Mass.”
“The priests,” laughed Burke, “are for takin’ it aisy
As the Holy Father’s four white mules.
But the bishops and cardinals drive them crazy
For spires, marble statues, stained windows, and schools,
And soon as ever a mortgage is lifted,
They must start out fresh for worry and fret.
If they don’t, movrone, they are sure to be shifted
To a Dago parish that’s spanceled with debt.
“Still the life, I am sure, would suit me splendid:
A snug, warm house with your nag at the door,
And then, when the ten o’clock mass was ended,
To breakfast on bacon and chops galore.”
“Yis,” Shea snapped short, “you would ate, I’m thinkin’,
And there your most pious desires would stop.
When a man loves food like that, he is shrinkin’
His soul to the size of a mutton chop.
“But lad, if you lay, a ball on your shoulder,
Blood-soaked and pain-racked and ravin’ with thirst,
And a priest with cool words and something colder
Was there on his knees beside you – the first;
And said as he soothed you, “The good Lord thirsted
And died on the cross for men like you,’
Then whispered : ‘My son, the rebels were worsted!’
You’d face your God with a smile or two.
“And here it’s: ‘Christen the child John Peter’;
‘Please marry me, Father, to Tim McCann’;
‘Make Pat stop his swearin’;’ ‘Make Julia neater’;
‘Give the temperance pledge to my Turk of a man.’
And the vestrymen about debts pursue him,
He’s out upon sick-calls tender and bright;
All day all the woes of the poor drive through him;
He hears their confessions till nine at night.”
“Well, well,” stammered Burke, “I was only funnin’.”
“Fun!” thundered Kelly. “Man hold your whist,
And think of the hour that the last fight’s won in,
And the priest’s face there in the waverin’ mist –
The face of a promise beyond the water
That rolls to your feet without a sound.
Little help is mother or wife or daughter
When you know that your soul is outward bound.
“He leaves the red blossoms of life to others,
And his feet keep step to no earthly guide,
The poor far more than the rich his brothers,
The Christ that he preaches has arms spread wide.
So, if of a mornin’ his temper’s fretful,
And whether he fast or whether he feast,
While he walks toward God, of himself forgetful,
You can see the angel beside the priest.”
After Last Mass on the Feast of All Saints
by Joseph I.C. Clarke
“Oh, wasn’t he hard on poor sinners this mornin’?
And his voice, begor! Was no silver-tone flute
When he gave us,” said Burke, “the ‘third and last warnin’,”
With a taste and smell of blue sulphur to boot.
Arrah! What takes good Father Carty so quarely
That he preaches of late so mortal crass?”
Said Shea, “It’s surely the getting’ up early,
And workin’ and fastin’ for ten o’clock Mass.”
“The priests,” laughed Burke, “are for takin’ it aisy
As the Holy Father’s four white mules.
But the bishops and cardinals drive them crazy
For spires, marble statues, stained windows, and schools,
And soon as ever a mortgage is lifted,
They must start out fresh for worry and fret.
If they don’t, movrone, they are sure to be shifted
To a Dago parish that’s spanceled with debt.
“Still the life, I am sure, would suit me splendid:
A snug, warm house with your nag at the door,
And then, when the ten o’clock mass was ended,
To breakfast on bacon and chops galore.”
“Yis,” Shea snapped short, “you would ate, I’m thinkin’,
And there your most pious desires would stop.
When a man loves food like that, he is shrinkin’
His soul to the size of a mutton chop.
“But lad, if you lay, a ball on your shoulder,
Blood-soaked and pain-racked and ravin’ with thirst,
And a priest with cool words and something colder
Was there on his knees beside you – the first;
And said as he soothed you, “The good Lord thirsted
And died on the cross for men like you,’
Then whispered : ‘My son, the rebels were worsted!’
You’d face your God with a smile or two.
“And here it’s: ‘Christen the child John Peter’;
‘Please marry me, Father, to Tim McCann’;
‘Make Pat stop his swearin’;’ ‘Make Julia neater’;
‘Give the temperance pledge to my Turk of a man.’
And the vestrymen about debts pursue him,
He’s out upon sick-calls tender and bright;
All day all the woes of the poor drive through him;
He hears their confessions till nine at night.”
“Well, well,” stammered Burke, “I was only funnin’.”
“Fun!” thundered Kelly. “Man hold your whist,
And think of the hour that the last fight’s won in,
And the priest’s face there in the waverin’ mist –
The face of a promise beyond the water
That rolls to your feet without a sound.
Little help is mother or wife or daughter
When you know that your soul is outward bound.
“He leaves the red blossoms of life to others,
And his feet keep step to no earthly guide,
The poor far more than the rich his brothers,
The Christ that he preaches has arms spread wide.
So, if of a mornin’ his temper’s fretful,
And whether he fast or whether he feast,
While he walks toward God, of himself forgetful,
You can see the angel beside the priest.”
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Joyce Kilmer - Catholic Poet
Today I stumbled upon the beauty that is a poem by Joyce Kilmer. Actually, I came across several of them, and my heart rejoices in this new Catholic treasure that I have found.
The Thorn by Joyce Kilmer
(For the Rev. Charles L. O'Donnell, C. S. C.)
The garden of God is a radiant place,
And every flower has a holy face:
Our Lady like a lily bends above the cloudy sod,
But Saint Michael is the thorn on the rosebush of God.
David is the song upon God's lips,
And Our Lady is the goblet that He sips:
And Gabriel's the breath of His command,
But Saint Michael is the sword in God's right hand.
The Ivory Tower is fair to see,
And may her walls encompass me!
But when the Devil comes with the thunder of his might,
Saint Michael, show me how to fight!
Today I stumbled upon the beauty that is a poem by Joyce Kilmer. Actually, I came across several of them, and my heart rejoices in this new Catholic treasure that I have found.
The Thorn by Joyce Kilmer
(For the Rev. Charles L. O'Donnell, C. S. C.)
The garden of God is a radiant place,
And every flower has a holy face:
Our Lady like a lily bends above the cloudy sod,
But Saint Michael is the thorn on the rosebush of God.
David is the song upon God's lips,
And Our Lady is the goblet that He sips:
And Gabriel's the breath of His command,
But Saint Michael is the sword in God's right hand.
The Ivory Tower is fair to see,
And may her walls encompass me!
But when the Devil comes with the thunder of his might,
Saint Michael, show me how to fight!
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Friday, February 11, 2005
So on one hand...
... we have one lady trying to get rid of her child ...
... and on the other ...
... we have another lady trying to cut one out of another womans womb.
If there is a child that you don't want or can't feed or educate, give that child to me. I will not refuse any child. I will give a home, or find loving parents for him or for her. - Mother Theresa of Calcutta
... we have one lady trying to get rid of her child ...
... and on the other ...
... we have another lady trying to cut one out of another womans womb.
If there is a child that you don't want or can't feed or educate, give that child to me. I will not refuse any child. I will give a home, or find loving parents for him or for her. - Mother Theresa of Calcutta
Monday, February 07, 2005
There is something to be said for...
... putting your keys where your children can't get to them.
While no charges are going to be filed against the mother, one can only wonder why she wasn't aware of the fact that her child was no longer in her house, this should really give her pause to consider tightening up the house a bit to ensure that her 4 year old doesn't wander off anymore.
... putting your keys where your children can't get to them.
While no charges are going to be filed against the mother, one can only wonder why she wasn't aware of the fact that her child was no longer in her house, this should really give her pause to consider tightening up the house a bit to ensure that her 4 year old doesn't wander off anymore.
Patsies
I hate the Patriots.
I hate the Patriots.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
I know what Mn stands for...
Probably because I have to use it in my experiments.
Probably because I have to use it in my experiments.
Requiescat In Pace
Though I never knew Gerard Serafin personally, I always enjoyed his weblog A Catholic Blog For Lovers. I had been awol from St. Blogs for awhile, and I just heard of passing in November.
In blessed repose grant eternal rest, O Lord, to Your departed servant Gerard; and render eternal his memory. Amen
Though I never knew Gerard Serafin personally, I always enjoyed his weblog A Catholic Blog For Lovers. I had been awol from St. Blogs for awhile, and I just heard of passing in November.
In blessed repose grant eternal rest, O Lord, to Your departed servant Gerard; and render eternal his memory. Amen
Drama
I usually don't get personal in my blog. Typically, there is no reason to do so. However, I guess after almost a year away from this blog, I'm allowed to change the direction it had previously traveled and re-aim even if only for a moment.
I'm miffed. Drama. I hate it. No need for it, not really. Life can be stressful enough, as people try to make ends meat, and after a long, hard day, try to graba bit of respite. Therefore, they don't need to be slapped with a guilt trip.
You know, I considered this person a "friend". We had debated side by side over at Christian Forums a number of times, in an old forum called "Interdenominational Debate & Discussion" which was more debate than discussion. About 90/10 split between the two actually. At any rate, he was Orthodox, I'm Catholic. After "IDD" was closed, he started spending more time at an Orthodox board and we lost contact. Eventually, I had inquired into how he was doing, only to learn that he was considering becoming Catholic.
Excellent!
I knew, as orthodox as this person was, his entrance into the Catholic Church would result in an enrichment of not only him, but the people he would interact with. He was an excellent apologist, and a great person.
I suppose it's bound to happen from time to time, but this person had a hang up on some Catholic teaching. Mainly ecumenism. Unfortunately, like Archbishop Sheen said, what he was railing against wasn't really what the Catholic Church was teaching. I tried to point this out, only to be ignored.
I guess it's my fault in asking him if he wanted his cake and the right to eat it, but he took my post as his "coming out party" to claim that he was reverting to the Orthodox Church. Along with quoting my comments, and his "re-conversion to Orthodoxy story" in the Orthodox forum.
Well brother, I hope it makes you happy, but it was a pretty cheap shot. If you want to go, you go, no one can stop you... but don't use someone else as a scapegoat. It's low.
I usually don't get personal in my blog. Typically, there is no reason to do so. However, I guess after almost a year away from this blog, I'm allowed to change the direction it had previously traveled and re-aim even if only for a moment.
I'm miffed. Drama. I hate it. No need for it, not really. Life can be stressful enough, as people try to make ends meat, and after a long, hard day, try to graba bit of respite. Therefore, they don't need to be slapped with a guilt trip.
You know, I considered this person a "friend". We had debated side by side over at Christian Forums a number of times, in an old forum called "Interdenominational Debate & Discussion" which was more debate than discussion. About 90/10 split between the two actually. At any rate, he was Orthodox, I'm Catholic. After "IDD" was closed, he started spending more time at an Orthodox board and we lost contact. Eventually, I had inquired into how he was doing, only to learn that he was considering becoming Catholic.
Excellent!
I knew, as orthodox as this person was, his entrance into the Catholic Church would result in an enrichment of not only him, but the people he would interact with. He was an excellent apologist, and a great person.
I suppose it's bound to happen from time to time, but this person had a hang up on some Catholic teaching. Mainly ecumenism. Unfortunately, like Archbishop Sheen said, what he was railing against wasn't really what the Catholic Church was teaching. I tried to point this out, only to be ignored.
I guess it's my fault in asking him if he wanted his cake and the right to eat it, but he took my post as his "coming out party" to claim that he was reverting to the Orthodox Church. Along with quoting my comments, and his "re-conversion to Orthodoxy story" in the Orthodox forum.
Well brother, I hope it makes you happy, but it was a pretty cheap shot. If you want to go, you go, no one can stop you... but don't use someone else as a scapegoat. It's low.
A Crack of the Whip
I've been told to get "back to work". So here we go.
This post serves as notice that:
1. My contact info has been changed to use my Google (Gmail) account.
2. NihilObstat blog can consider me alive once again.
3. To tell everyone to read the following link... completely...
It Was Horrible! Horrible!
I've been told to get "back to work". So here we go.
This post serves as notice that:
1. My contact info has been changed to use my Google (Gmail) account.
2. NihilObstat blog can consider me alive once again.
3. To tell everyone to read the following link... completely...
It Was Horrible! Horrible!
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Wow...
I haven't updated this blog in awhile, have I?
I haven't updated this blog in awhile, have I?
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
An interesting question...
Yesterday, on a MB I frequent, a catechumen asked the following question:
I have read people at [MB], mostly Catholic and Orthodox, referring to Christmas as a celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus. Wouldn't the Annunciation be the Incarnation? If not, why not?
Now, as a pro-lifer, my first thought would be to answer that the Annunciation was the Incarnation because that would provide the strongest theological support to the "life begins at conception" argument. If Jesus was Jesus the minute He was conceived than that is that.
However, St. Thomas Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica does not seem to agree with me, for he says:
So, what's the deal here? St. Thomas (bold emphasis is mine) says that, at the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin Mary believed in the future Incarnation. Now, if my limited exposure to Thomist theology is correct, St. Thomas Aquinas says that a human is only human once the body becomes flesh (ie: the soul inhabits the body). However, I have read nothing by him where he states exactly when this happens.
Hmmm... food for thought, no?
Yesterday, on a MB I frequent, a catechumen asked the following question:
I have read people at [MB], mostly Catholic and Orthodox, referring to Christmas as a celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus. Wouldn't the Annunciation be the Incarnation? If not, why not?
Now, as a pro-lifer, my first thought would be to answer that the Annunciation was the Incarnation because that would provide the strongest theological support to the "life begins at conception" argument. If Jesus was Jesus the minute He was conceived than that is that.
However, St. Thomas Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica does not seem to agree with me, for he says:
OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (FOUR ARTICLES)
Objection 2: Further, the Blessed Virgin believed in the Incarnation, for to disbelieve therein excludes man from the way of salvation; because, as the Apostle says (Rm. 3:22): "The justice of God (is) by faith of Jesus Christ." But one needs no further instruction concerning what one believes without doubt. Therefore the Blessed Virgin had no need for the Incarnation of her Son to be announced to her.
Reply to Objection 2: The Blessed Virgin did indeed believe explicitly in the future Incarnation; but, being humble, she did not think such high things of herself. Consequently she required instruction in this matter.
So, what's the deal here? St. Thomas (bold emphasis is mine) says that, at the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin Mary believed in the future Incarnation. Now, if my limited exposure to Thomist theology is correct, St. Thomas Aquinas says that a human is only human once the body becomes flesh (ie: the soul inhabits the body). However, I have read nothing by him where he states exactly when this happens.
Hmmm... food for thought, no?
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Another review on "One Man's Hero"
Political Film Society : Review of One Man's Hero.
For a country that is supposedly "... one nation, under God..." we sometimes sure didn't (don't) act like it.
Political Film Society : Review of One Man's Hero.
For a country that is supposedly "... one nation, under God..." we sometimes sure didn't (don't) act like it.
Movie Review : One Man's Hero
So I watched the movie this past weekend, after buying it from Wal-Mart for $5.88... quite a bargain, no? Well, at least I thought so, heck... if I had rented it, it would have cost me $4 and change, so at least by shucking out a couple more bucks, I got to keep the flick. However, if it had cost much more, I might be less lenient in this review of mine. Historically, from what I have gathered, the basis for the movie is correct, but after that it's anyone's guess. Why? Because John Reilly, after mustering out of the Mexican Army, was never heard from again. So basically when we "follow" his life throughout the movie, it is some nice guesswork, but not much else. Obviously, since it concerns the war between the United States and Mexico there is a good deal of action, but the choreography is horrendous. I think my friends and I growing up did a better job of "play fighting" than these guys did in the movie. The obligatory love story intertwined throughout the story also didn't do much for me. Poetic license? Perhaps, but the director of this story needs to have his license revoked then methinks. I truly appreciated the sentiment of the story, to point out the injustices that the United States performed against Irish Catholics at the time, and also to Mexico, but I feel as if the just plain 'ol bad acting masks that. If this movie is re-released, it won't make much and it wouldn't be out for very long. Trust me. If you don't believe me, rent or buy the movie and see for yourself.
Rating: C+
So I watched the movie this past weekend, after buying it from Wal-Mart for $5.88... quite a bargain, no? Well, at least I thought so, heck... if I had rented it, it would have cost me $4 and change, so at least by shucking out a couple more bucks, I got to keep the flick. However, if it had cost much more, I might be less lenient in this review of mine. Historically, from what I have gathered, the basis for the movie is correct, but after that it's anyone's guess. Why? Because John Reilly, after mustering out of the Mexican Army, was never heard from again. So basically when we "follow" his life throughout the movie, it is some nice guesswork, but not much else. Obviously, since it concerns the war between the United States and Mexico there is a good deal of action, but the choreography is horrendous. I think my friends and I growing up did a better job of "play fighting" than these guys did in the movie. The obligatory love story intertwined throughout the story also didn't do much for me. Poetic license? Perhaps, but the director of this story needs to have his license revoked then methinks. I truly appreciated the sentiment of the story, to point out the injustices that the United States performed against Irish Catholics at the time, and also to Mexico, but I feel as if the just plain 'ol bad acting masks that. If this movie is re-released, it won't make much and it wouldn't be out for very long. Trust me. If you don't believe me, rent or buy the movie and see for yourself.
Rating: C+
