Category: Reflections on Life Today

Wisdom of the Ages, for Today…

The Paradox of our time…

            
The paradox of our time in history is that
we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,
wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more,
but enjoy less. We have bigger houses
and smaller families, more conveniences,
but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less
judgment, more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend
too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast,
get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired,
read too little, watch TV too much, and
pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but
reduced our values. We talk too much,
love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living,
but not a life. We’ve added years to life
not life to years. We’ve been all the way
to the moon and back, but have trouble
crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We’ve done larger things, but not
better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more,
but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush,
but not to wait. We build more computers
to hold more information, to produce more
copies than ever, but we communicate
less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow
digestion, big men and small character,
steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but
more divorce, fancier houses, but broken
homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
throwaway morality, one night stands,
overweight bodies, and pills that do everything
from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when
there is much in the showroom window
and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter
to you, and a time when you can choose
either to share this insight, or to just
hit delete…
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones,
because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks
up to you in awe, because that little person soon
will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to
you, because that is the only treasure you can
give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.
Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner
and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it
comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment
for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time
to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take,
but by the moments
that take our breath away.

 

How Shall we then Live….

Peter, writing in the first century Roman world, reminds his readers that the world as it is, not only the political reality, but the material reality, as well, is passing away. He poses the question, “How shall we then live?” (2 Pet. 3: 10-12) His answer is, “…in leading lives of holiness and godliness….” (NRSV) or, “…holy in your conduct and devotion,…” (NAB)

Living in the times we do, with the things that are happening around us, there couldn’t be a more relevant reminder! Unholiness and ungodliness are rampant in the culture around us.

Children Dying

We live in a time when it is acceptable in Belgium to take the life of a 9 yr. old child because they have Cystic Fibrosis — a threat and challenge to every child, and every parent of a child, with cystic fibrosis or any other disabling disease.

Why a 9 Year Old was Euthanized

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/medical/why-a-nine-year-old-has-been-legally-euthanised/ar-BBLGZU6?li=AAggNb9&ocid=mailsignout

Euthanasia in Belgium: updates on a social experiment.

https://www.mercatornet.com/careful/view/euthanasia-in-belgium-updates-on-a-social-experiment/21655

And, many of us agonized and watched in horror as the British authorities determined that, due to their disabilities, two toddlers, Charlie Gard & Alfie Evans, should die because, in their estimation, neither could ever have an acceptable quality of life that warranted further medical intervention to sustain their lives. This, even though other foreign governments/facilities were willing to intervene and provide additional medical interventions for each of them, at no expense to the British state.

British Hospital to Gard Parents: “You Alone Cannot Decide Your Child’s Fate.”

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/july/british-hospital-to-gards-parents-you-alone-cannot-decide-childs-fate

Pope Speaks on Dying Baby

http://www.newser.com/story/245140/pope-parents-should-be-allowed-to-treat-dying-baby.html

“Legal” Reason UK can for Alfie Evans to Die

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2018/april/heres-the-legal-reason-why-the-uk-can-force-alfie-evans-to-die

Abortion as ‘Self-Care’ and a Benefit to US Economy

Recently, a pro-choice group in Texas paid for billboards touting that Abortion can, now, among other things, be seen as “Self-Care.”

Black Women encouraged to view Abortion as “Self-Care”

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2018/august/abortion-is-self-care-shocking-billboard-targets-black-women-for-abortions?cpid=EU_CBNNEWSPM&cpid=EU_CBNNEWSPM

At the same time, Chelsea Clinton, the ‘former’ First Daughter (Bill and Hilary Clinton’s only child), following in her famous Mom’s pro-choice footsteps, goes a step further, saying that abortion has been an incredible economic benefit for America.

Clinton Credits Abortion with Saving American Economy

https://www.dailywire.com/news/34496/chelsea-clinton-credits-abortion-saving-american-emily-zanotti

Call to Holiness

Heeding the call from Peter in his 1st letter, we need to consider what holiness might look like.

Writing at the beginning of the 20th Century, in his classic Christian devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers, in his Sept. 1 devotion under the title,  Destined to be Holy, says, “Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming out of your mouth, and every thought in your mind — placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself.”

Reading from the same book, for the following day, under the heading, A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice, Chambers adds that God’s purpose for our lives is not simply to have us be luscious, plump grapes, but rather to be grapes from which the savoury sweetness of holiness can be squeezed out of us. His challenge to us, not unlike Peter’s in his epistle, is, “Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?”

Watching the Catholic University of America’s School Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit recently, which aired on EWTN, I was encouraged by the forthright approach of the University Chaplain, Rev. Jude DeAngelo’s message in his homily, which was backed up by the remarks of the University President, John Garvie. Both addressed the issue of Clergy Sexual Abuse that is currently raging in the Catholic Church.

President Garvie ended his message by calling us all, individually, to not look at what is happening around us, but to strive for personal holiness as our own antidote to the mess our world seems to have gotten itself into.

Both messages are well worth reading or listening to:

Rev. Jude DeAngelo, O.F.M. Conv

https://www.catholic.edu/speeches-and-homilies/2018/homily-mass-of-holy-spirit.html

John Garvie, President, Catholic University of America

https://www.catholic.edu/speeches-and-homilies/2018/president-mass-of-holy-spirit.html

On this particular day, September 11, as we commemorate the devastating effects of terrorism in our world, and the painful and personal cost of the countless number of human lives lost in senseless violence around the world, the question we face is: Is our response anger and indignation, or are we moved with the resolve to personally live more holy, godly, and loving lives — in imitation of the One who gave His own life for us, for every terrorist and abuser who walks the face of this earth, and for every victim of their violence and abuse, Our Lord Jesus — Savior and Redeemer of the whole World?