Billy Joel: "Root Beer Rag"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Billy Joel presenting "Root Beer Rag":

 

Belated Birthday Blessings, David!!!

Belated birthday greetings to cousin David Haupt, who recently celebrated his birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Birthday Blessings, Alan!!!

Birthday greetings to brother Alan, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Birthday Blessings, Richard!!!

Birthday greetings to brother Richard, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you,, Lord, for the blessings that come with rainy holiday weekends and their related plan changes.

Matthew Trovato, OSFS, on Healed People Healing People

"We have all heard the expression, 'Hurt people hurt people.' And we all recognize how true that is. Whether we witnessed it in a bully on the playground or a CEO who takes their anger out on employees, it is not hard to see that wounds, when left unattended, do not remain contained. . . . Whether we realize it or not, we tend to transmit whatever our interior state is onto those around us. Recently, on a private retreat, I was reflecting on this insight, and I realized that if this is true, then the opposite must be true as well: Healed people heal people. Just as we transmit the brokenness that we do not face onto others, we can transmit the healing that we experience to others as well."

In a recent commentary, Mr. Matthew Trovato, OSFS, reflected on some of the ways persons whohave encountered healing (especially spiritual healing) can help others open themselves up to healing.

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

De Sales Weekly: Salesian Reflection: Healed People Heal People (21 MAY 26)

Reflection Starter from St. Francis de Sales

"The Holy Spirit is like a fountain of living water that flows into every part of our hearts so as to spread its grace therein." - Saint Francis de Sales

Chips Tenoso: "Be Exalted, O God"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Chips Tenoso presenting "Be Exalted, O God":

 

Belated Birthday Blessings, Elizabeth!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Elizabeth, daughter of niece Allison Tanner, who recently celebrated her birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Birthday Blessings, Greg!!!

Belated birthday greetings to brother Gregory, who celebrated his birthday yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the various types of musical instruments.

Daniel Esparza on Planning a Slower Summer

"Summer vacations can begin to feel strangely exhausting before they even start. Flights are tracked, restaurant reservations compete for attention, and every spare hour is filled with activities meant to justify the cost of time away. In a culture shaped by optimization, even rest can become performance.

"Yet many people return from these carefully engineered trips more tired than when they left.

"Part of the pressure comes from the pace of modern life itself. . . .

"That is why the idea of a slower summer vacation feels newly important."

In a recent commentary, writer/scholar Daniel Esparza reflected on the Christian tradition treating rest as something sacred rather than optional and on the importance of planning a slower vacation (including leaving open space in the schedule and allowing time for prayer, silence, and boredom - the beginning of creativity and attention).

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

Aleteia: Daniel Esparza: The art of planning a slower summer (16 MAY 26)