Thank You, Lord

 Thank you, Lord, for Your justice and Your mercy.

Msgr. Pope on the Mathematics of the Kingdom

"As a kind of follow-up from [last Sunday's] Gospel about the workers in the vineyard, we do we do well to examine. a kind of 'mathematics of the Kingdom of God.' As noted yesterday, be very, very careful before you ask God to be fair. If God were fair, [we're] all in big trouble. What we need most from God now is that he be merciful. And, having experienced God's mercy he calls us to be merciful. Mercy is a very important aspect of the mathematics of the Kingdom of God.

"In effect the Lord says to us, 'Pay attention! You are going to be judged by the same standard by which you treat and judge others. So do the math, and realize that you were storing up for yourselves a kind of standard by which I will judge you.'

"The key principle and text in this 'math' comes in Luke's Gospel wherein the Lord says the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you (Luke 6:38). But this statement comes at the end of a long string of statements were in the Lord summons us to be generous, forgiving, merciful, patient, and reluctant to condemn others."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on how each of us will, one day, answer to God and on how, on that day, God will judge our deeds with pure justice, with "part of that Justice [being] how we have treated others".

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

Community in Mission: Do the Math! Learning the Mathematics of the Kingdom is important for Salvation (20 SEP 20)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Everyone is important in God’s eyes, everyone can transform a part of the world polluted by human voracity into the good reality willed by the Creator." - Pope Francis

The Byrds: "Turn, Turn, Turn"

 As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Byrds presenting "Turn, Turn, Turn":

On CT Mothers Helping Hungry Children, a CT Headstone Embedded in RI Tree, and Other New England Items

 A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of New England-related subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit:

Lewiston (ME) Sun Journal: Norway teen a budding entrepreneur in an honorable trade (3 SEP 20)

The Hour (Norwalk, CT): Columns:: John Breunig: A band of CT moms comes to the rescue of hungry children during COVID (12 SEP 20)

WJAR-TV (Cranston, RI): 300-year-old headstone from CT found embedded in tree in RI after 150 years (11 AUG 20)

The News-Times (Danbury, CT): A sculptor found a 19th century New Haven Black entrepreneur 'stood for everyone' (26 SEP 20)

The Bristol (CT) Press: Southington teen trio sets up charging station to help people without electricity charge phones (5 AUG 20)

Providence (RI) Journal: Experts say fire risk is critical in parched Rhode Island  (22 SEP 20)

Only In Your State: 17 Things That Came From Vermont That You May Not Have Known

The Herald News (Fall River, MA): Cashing in: Woman turns late husband's Skee-Ball habit into a gift (15 AUG 20)

Thank You, Lord

 Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of friendship and for good friends.

John Clark on What Justice Scalia Can Still Teach Us

"Many of the news stories about the recently-departed Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg have highlighted the fact that she and her late colleague Antonin Scalia shared a close friendship. Reporters often ask in bewilderment How could that be? How is it possible that an originalist and a progressive could share anything approaching civility, much less friendship? In our current me-versus-everyone-who-disagrees-with-me culture, it is important that we address that question.

"In her eulogy for Antonin Scalia, Ginsburg quoted him when asked how he could be friends with Ginsburg. Scalia answered: 'I attack ideas; I don't attack people. Some very good people have some very bad ideas. And if you can't separate the two, you've got to get another day job.'

"For a man noted for his brilliant opinions, Antonin Scalia may have never offered us better counsel. So much sadness and misery in our world today could be lessened if we followed his advice. So many worthwhile friendships could be gained."

In a recent commentary, writer John Clark reflected on some of the lessons one might learn from the friendship of Justices Scalia and Ginsburg..

To access Mr. Clark's complete post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: John Clark: What Justice Scalia Can Still Teach Us (24 SEP 20)

Reflection Starter from the Letter to the Philippians

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

Anniversary Blessings to Mary and Chris!!!

Anniversary greetings to daughter Mary-Elizabeth and her husband Chris, whose wedding anniversary is today!!! May this day and the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major:

 

 

Thank You, Lord

 Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of acts of kindness.

Kindness is Your Superpower

If you ever perform a good deed in public and ABC News correspondent Adrienne Bankert is nearby, don't be surprised if she approaches you to praise your act of kindness. She calls it her mission in life to "make kindness famous." That's also the inspiration behind her new book Your Hidden Superpower: The Kindness That Makes You Unbeatable at Work and Connects You with Anyone.

In the book, Adrienne recalls being on the street in New York City one day and seeing an African American man with his arm around an elderly white gentleman, supporting him as they walked to a waiting cab. A bystander told Adrienne that after the older man had fallen down, the other man saw what happened and helped him up, making sure he was okay. After the taxi drove the older man away, Adrienne approached his helper to thank him for "doing the right thing." He accepted the compliment humbly, believing he just did what anyone would have done.

During a Christopher Closeup interview, I asked Adrienne why she thanks strangers for doing good deeds. She explained, "When I'm walking by people, I see them as part of this extended human family. And when I see them do a kind act, it's so refreshing and hopeful. . . . There are so many good people in this world, but they're never going to get on TV. . . . I want them to know that what they're doing works and that other people do notice them. . . . What if we encouraged kind people? Then they become kindness heroes, and they would be more prone to continue that good work that we need more of us to do."

Adrienne has lived an intentionally kind life since receiving the advice to do so from a mentor many years ago. She received one of her breaks in broadcasting not just because of her talent, but due to her reputation for being kind. "I watch people who are really kind or conscientious," Adrienne said, "and they seem to provide that calm that helps all the parts work better together."

Kindness also builds connection and community. That can be especially important for people who feel shy or lonely. Adrienne said, "Every person on the planet . . . needs to feel like they belong somewhere. When you're kind, you could open up a door to a friendship that you didn't even know was there, and that can help you feel like you found your place. . . . I'll make friends with people on planes or on the street. . . . What are the chances that I meet this person at the deli or at work or walking my dog? Let's not think light of that. Maybe this was meant to be."

Gratitude is another key part in accessing kindness as your superpower. Adrienne recalled a stressful time in her life when her friend told to just "take a breath" to calm down. At first, she thought the suggestion was ridiculous. But she decided to follow the advice anyway. After taking three deep breaths, she realized, "Oh my goodness, if I'm not grateful for this breath, then how can I be grateful for the things I get to do while I'm still breathing?"

That revelation allowed Adrienne to connect gratitude to kindness. If we can be kind in the little things - calling a friend or a customer not because you want anything from them, but to see how they're doing - “that sign of appreciation allows you to be more conscious and intentional when it comes to the bigger things in life."

This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column written by Tony Rossi, Director of Communications, The Christophers; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.

Background information:

The Christophers