Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the may ways in which Your grace works to purify us.

Msgr. Pope on Our Need for Passive Purifications

"Have you undertaken certain Lenten practices or abstinences to assist you growth in holiness? If so, you do well. Practices such as these are included in what are known as 'active purifications.' Active purifications consist of our holy works and efforts and our mortifications, which, by the grace of God, help to purify our mind, our heart, and what is called our 'sensitive appetite.'

"However, there are also 'passive purifications,' which are quite essential for our growth in holiness and our readiness to see God one day. These purifications are called passive because they are worked in us by God. They are necessary to attain to the promises of God because mere human effort, through the practice of the virtues, is not enough to attain to the lofty and wonderful perfection God has promised us."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the role of passive purifications in our lives on on why it is important for us to be open to God's grace working through them.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: What Are Passive Purifications and Why Are They Needed? (4 MAR 15)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Let us build our lives of faith on the rock who is Christ."- Pope Francis

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings You bestow on us when we meet You in prayer

Marlon De La Torre on Alleviating the Threat of Prayer

"Have you ever encountered someone who felt threatened by the mere thought of praying? One could assume that if anyone would remotely be threatened by prayer it would either by the hardened Atheist or the Devil and his underlings. But the question is; why would anyone be threatened by prayer? Perhaps its a person who is worried what he may discover about himself if he does pray. Or maybe he will come to the realization of something he's been avoiding for a long time. Regardless of the situation, it's not at all impossible to encounter someone who simply views prayer as a threat.

"The basic act of prayer simply requires us to go beyond ourselves and seek the counsel of God. One of the consequences of man's fall from grace due to original sin is that we tend to seek the glorification of ourselves rather than glorifying God. Prayer in relation to God is an act of deference toward Him. This outward-inward act can be quite a challenge for anyone who sees the art of prayer as a threat for whatever the reason."

In a recent commentary, Marlon De La Torre (Director of Catechesis for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth) reflected on why some people may be threatened by the prospect of praying and on how to counter this threat.

To access Mr. De La Torre's complete reflection, please visit:

Knowing Is Doing: Does the Act of Prayer Threaten You? (5 MAR 15)

Reflection Starter from C. S. Lewis

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing." - C. S. Lewis

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which You inspire and encourage us as we reflect upon the lives of Your saints.

Br. John Mark Solitario, O.P., on the Legacy of Pope John Paul II

"Think of your home state. Most likely there is some 'attraction' which would make it into a Rick Steves' America but to which you as a 'local' have never made a trip. Maybe this place is so familiar by site - a national hall-of-fame or historic landmark - that you even feel as if you know the place well enough. You probably even have some opinions about the place or directives you offer to visitors. And your ideas might even possess some accuracy and truth! But honestly, how well is your view informed? Is it open to be surpassed by a wider truth?

"Having passed the National Shrine of St. John Paul II in Northeast Washington, DC, several times, I had formed my own pre-conceptions. Too modern in appearance and non-churchy to help this friar! Providentially, a break from classes and some good reviews of the new exhibit inside on the life of the saintly Pole prompted me to see what the interior held in store. Making a pilgrimage would give me the chance to honor a man with an evident devotion to the supreme Truth - God - and whose Christian witness has always inspired me. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother John Mark Solitario, O.P., reflected on his visit to this shrine and on the many ways the shrine's exhibits brought out truths about the saint's life - truths that may help us in our own spiritual journey.

To access Br. John Mark's complete reflection, please visit:

Dominicana: I Like to See the Sun Rise: JPII and Transformation in Truth (6 MAR 15)

Background information:

National Shrine of St. John Paul II

Reflection Starter from Pope John Paul II

"Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." - Saint John Paul II

Statler Brothers: "The Old Rugged Cross"

As our Lenten observance continues, I offer this version of the Statler Brothers singing "The Old Rugged Cross":

YouTube: The Statler Brothers - The Old Rugged Cross

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You give to those who trust in You.

Soul Kitchen Feeds Bodies and Spirits

You've probably never had a meal at the Soul Kitchen in Red Bank. That's too bad, because the odds are that you'd enjoy it - especially when you're aware of the restaurant's back story. It's a good one, believe me.

To begin with, the Soul Kitchen is a project of Jon Bon Jovi, the rock singer who's a native of New Jersey and who keeps the state close to his heart. In turn, the restaurant is a project of the JBJ Soul Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2006 and whose aim is simple and at the same time complex: tackling the twin problems of hunger and homelessness. I had seen a couple of references to the Soul Kitchen, but a recent article by Tammy La Gorce in The New York Times explained its operation in some detail. And when you hear it, I think you'll like it.

Here's the way the Soul Kitchen works: it operates more or less on the honor system, but with a twist. Diners in the 30-seat restaurant are asked to donate $10 for their meal, but if they're unable to pay they join a host of volunteers who perform restaurant-related duties: folding napkins, filling water pitchers and the like.

Manager Lou Morreale explained the operation in more detail to La Gorce. "Some (volunteers) wash dishes, some clean windows. But we're always careful to preserve people's dignity. No one knows at any table whether you're paying or whether you've worked as a volunteer to eat."

Arrangements for either paying customers or volunteer laborers are made in advance with a coordinator, who provides each guest with a voucher. The ratio between those who pay and those who work for their meals hovers at about 50 per cent, the manager explained, but some do both - "because it's good company and good food in a good environment," he said.

Jimmy Elsby, 63, of Red Bank, gave vocal support to what Morreale had been discussing. Along with Howard Bianchi, 68, also of Red Bank, he dines at the Soul Kitchen two or three times a week in exchange for outdoor work.

"It's kind of like family here," he said.

The Soul Kitchen is located in a former auto shop, one that's been transformed into a smart-looking dining room. Communal tables foster a communal spirit where regular customers mingle with the volunteer work force. Manager Morreale is one of only four paid employees, but they supervise a list of volunteers that numbers in the hundreds. And it's been going strong since the foundation was established.

What exactly does Jon Bon Jovi lend to the enterprise?  His name, for one thing, and his presence for another. With his schedule of personal appearances, of course, he's somewhat limited in the time he can put in at the restaurant. But when he and his wife are there, according to customer Elsby, "They talk to people and do whatever needs to be done." Bon Jovi's wife, Dorothea Hurley, "runs this place like it's her own kitchen," Elsby said.

Most of all, the rock music star is doing something about hunger rather than simply lamenting the fact that it's there. He's providing good food and good company at a minimal cost. That's a start, surely, and, as I said before, it's a good one.

(This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column, written by Jerry Costello, of The Christophers; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.)

Background information:

JBJ Soul Foundation

The Christophers