Charley Pride: "A Whole Lotta Things to Sing About"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Charley Pride presenting "A Whole Lotta Things to Sing About":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of snow art (including snow figures).

Eyes Fixed on Jesus

Meg Hunter-Kilmer spent 12 years living in her car and traveling around the U.S. to share her love for Jesus with individuals and audiences. Despite her devotion to her Catholic faith, she became aware of a serious shortcoming in her spiritual life.

Like a lot of people, she had heard and read the gospels so many times that she thought she knew all there was to know about them. If the priest at Mass started the parable of the Prodigal Son, she would think, "I know what happens next, so I don't have to listen." Then, her mind might drift to her grocery list or plans for next weekend.

But after reading the books The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas and To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed, Meg began to see that Jesus was not just a figure in heaven who loved her; He was someone who had "smile lines [and] scars on His fingers from working in the carpenter shop," she explained on Christopher Closeup." 

That idea of Jesus' humanity overwhelmed her, so she spent six months reading the gospels and gospel commentaries. Those efforts led to her latest book, Eyes Fixed on Jesus, Volume 1. Meg noted. "The gospels are so familiar to us that we let them wash over us, but they're also so foreign that we don't pick up on the connections that are being made." 

Learning "biblical context" was key to Meg's new understanding of the gospels. For instance, in modern times, we use the term "Good Samaritan" to refer to anyone who does a kind deed. But Jewish audiences in Jesus' time "loathed" the Samaritans. The fact that Jesus approached the Samaritan woman at the well as Bridegroom rather than an enemy demonstrates there is nothing we can do to keep Jesus from loving us.

Jesus' eagerness to approach anybody speaks to His humility. Another example is when He encountered Matthew, the tax collector. Meg explained, "This, for me, was one of the biggest things in starting to understand more about context in Scripture. A tax collector is not a pencil pusher. A tax collector is a Nazi collaborator. This is a guy who looked at the violent and vicious oppressors of his people and [thought], 'Those guys seem like they tip well.' And Jesus still wanted him."

It's important to note that Jesus doesn't condemn Matthew for his actions and then say, "Follow me." Instead, Jesus gets to know him first as a person, just like He does with the other "sinners" who come as guests to the meal Matthew hosts for Jesus. The Pharisees do not look kindly on this gathering or Jesus' approach.

Meg said, "[Jesus] is calling everybody to conversion, but He comes out hard against the Pharisees and those who congratulate themselves on their religiosity. And He says, 'Hey, I actually don't care how many Divine Mercy chaplets you pray if you despise the poor,' analogously. Whereas with sinners, He comes in gentle and draws them closer. That's important for us to recognize. If we are standing on a street corner with signs about how God hates you, we have lost this battle for a soul. We need to encounter the person in front of us and love them wildly with the love of Jesus. And when they believe that they are safely loved, that's when they're willing to hear an invitation to conversion. But you can't start with condemnation. It's not effective, and it's not what Jesus did."

This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column 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

Reflection Starter from St. Peter Damian

"The best penance is to have patience with the sorrows God permits. A very good penance is to dedicate oneself to fulfill the duties of everyday with exactitude and to study and work with all our strength." - Saint Peter Damian, whose memory the Church celebrates today, 21 February

Edvard Grieg: Holberg Suite

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite (op. 40) as given by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, with Gordan Nikolic on violin and concertmaster:

 

Birthday Blessings, Matthew!!!

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

Belated Birthday Blessings, Christopher!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Christopher Ryan (husband of niece Tiffany), who recently celebrated his birthday!!! 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 tarter sauce.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on Returning to the lord with Our Heart

"Lent begins with an invitation from the Prophet Joel (2:12), 'Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.'

"Returning items is not my expertise."

In a recent commentary, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on the imortance of having the name of Jesus etched on our hearts.

To access Fr. Newman's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: Pyrex Heart (19 FEB 26)

Reflection Starter from St. Francis de Sales

"During the course of the day, recollect as often as you can that you stand in the presence of God." - Saint Francis de Sales

Birthday Blessings, Jim!!!

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

"A New Commandment"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of Roy Crabtree's "A New Commandment":