The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Yes! I love it, Doug.

Have You Heard?

The suspense is over, and MadPriest scooped the US press with the news. What a surprise! Even to me.

Happy Anniversary, Diane!

Diane, at Faith in Community, celebrated 10 years at her church on Sunday. Please read her lovely post in honor of the anniversary, and leave your good wishes at her blog.

Here He Is!

On Sunday, I picked Paul up at his apartment, and we headed down to S. Carrollton and St. Charles to board the St. Charles streetcar. Of course, I was introduced to Belle and Maggie and we took an instant liking to each other. They are feisty girls, and I like girls with spirit. We headed out with the girls tucked away in Paul's brief case.

Here is Paul, the BB on the streetcar. Alas! I have only a very few pictures of Paul. When I enjoy a person's company, I don't think much about recording the moment, because I'm into the moment right then. I had forgotten how noisy the streetcars are clattering down the tracks with the windows open to catch the breeze. It makes conversation a bit difficult, but we persevered and managed to carry on.

Lovely houses and trees line St. Charles Avenue for much of the way. Two are pictured here. Of course, to own and maintain these houses, one must have money, in no small amount. The old oak trees took a beating during Katrina, losing many limbs, but they are coming back nicely.











We got off the streetcar at Canal Street and walked to the Palace Café a couple of blocks away. Pictured below is the balcony, which is an attractive feature of the interior of the restaurant.


Due, no doubt, to his evangelical background, Paul had never had a Sazerac. As he noted in his post on our day together, it is not our official state drink, but nevertheless, he wanted one. I had my usual glass of wine, but I took a sip of his Sazerac, since the last one I had was many long years ago. My conclusion is that it is better in the sipping than in having a whole glass of it to drink.

I won't bore you with the details of what we ate at the brunch, but it was tasty. Paul and I had wonderful conversation during the brunch ranging over many subjects. Below is a picture of the adorable Maggie "testing" out Paul's drink. He posted a similar picture, but I had to have my own.



I now present the handsome Paul standing before the lovely staircase at the Palace, which we then left behind to walk to St. Louis Cathedral. His glasses are a little sparkly, but, nevertheless, he looks good. This post with pictures took me so long to finish that I will leave part two about our walk, our time in the French Quarter, and more pictures for another day.



Paul's post is so much better than mine. If we don't agree, then I leave it to you to decide who's telling the truth.

Louisiana Soldier Dies In Iraq

A soldier from Bogalusa died in Iraq Sunday from wounds suffered when his vehicle came into contact with an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense announced Monday.

Spc. Justin R. Mixon, 22, was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

From WWL-TV.

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Justin, being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
....

Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. And this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen

Book of Common Prayer

Here They Go Again

From E. J. Dionne in the Washington Post:

Word spread like wildfire in Catholic circles: Douglas Kmiec, a staunch Republican, firm foe of abortion and veteran of the Reagan Justice Department, had been denied Communion.

His sin? Kmiec, a Catholic who can cite papal pronouncements with the facility of a theological scholar, shocked old friends and adversaries alike earlier this year by endorsing Barack Obama for president. For at least one priest, Kmiec's support for a pro-choice politician made him a willing participant in a grave moral evil.

Kmiec was denied Communion in April at a Mass for a group of Catholic business people he later addressed at dinner. The episode has not received wide attention outside the Catholic world, but it is the opening shot in an argument that could have a large impact on this year's presidential campaign: Is it legitimate for bishops and priests to deny Communion to those supporting candidates who favor abortion rights?

No, it is not! Not even the US Conference of Catholic Bishops goes that far.

The priest's actions are almost certainly out of line with the policy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In their statement"Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," issued last November, the bishops said: "A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, such as abortion or racism, if the voter's intent is to support that position."

The "if" phrase in that carefully negotiated sentence suggests that Catholics can support pro-choice candidates, provided the purpose of their vote is not to promote abortion.

It's a typical Roman Catholic mind twist which was called a mental reservation back in my days in in the RCC, but it provides the same sort of "out" that permits RC women to have surgery to abort an ectopic pregnancy so they won't risk death from a ruptured tube.

It is outrageous that priests and bishops take it upon themselves to withhold the body and blood of Our Lord, as though Jesus needed to be protected. Since I left the RCC, I promised myself that I would not become a bitter ex-Roman Catholic, but stories like this test me severely.

And yes, I know that in my own church, the Episcopal Church, we have misguided bishops and priests who do the same sort of thing. However, we are a small church without the numbers and influence of the Roman Catholic Church on politics in the US. No matter who does it, it infuriates me.

However, despite the priest's pinched small-mindedness, it appears that good comes from the affair:

Kmiec says he is grateful because the episode reminded him of the importance of the Eucharist in his spiritual life, and because he hopes it will alert others to the dangers of "using Communion as a weapon."

Indeed!

Early Summer Pharisaios Journal

From the Diocese of Wenchoster:

I start with Bishop Codpiecium's column out of respect for his office, although Mr. Grindle is actually my favorite person in the diocese. But don't tell the bishop that, please, especially since he was kind enough to leave a word here. It's not personal. It's that I'm somewhat in awe of people with ecclesiastical titles, and Mr G. is so folksy and down to earth.

Hello! This tame of yar brings with it a tindency to relax and assume that awl is will with the warld. Hot summer afternoons laying in the grarss arfter a libat-i-on et the Nane Bills; watching the cwarboys frolic in the Close; teasing the Cenon Precentor with may crosier; pecking for Limbeth (end may excitement continues to raise!) end looking forward to the clargy croquet evenings with great anticipat-i-on. Thus it would be easy to spind the summer in such a fash-i-on, ignoring the hayer callings which affict us awl. Therefore I have desaded to be out end abite in the darsen perishes a lot more then in the past. Once Limbeth is over (end how sed I shell be!) I see it es may duty to visit es minny perishes es possible before the evening begin to draw in, end the thunderstorms of August dempen the fetes of Shaston Farthing. Remember thet I em your bishop – end the place for a bishop is with his own people end darsis.

May the Lawd bliss you awl.

+ Roderick Codpiecium.

Will the bishops at Lambeth, er, Limbeth actually play croquet? I'll wager that they won't lay out their own wickets for the game.

I was going to post the calendar for the month of June for the diocese, but I want you to visit and explore there. Just keep processing, and you will come to it. The journal is chock full of illustrations in this issue, so those of you who like your books and periodicals with lots of pictures will be pleased.

O happy day! Mr. Grindle is back with a few wise words for us.

Well there are some who say that I must breathe a sigh of relief when we get hinto this season of Trinity just because I don’t ‘ave to change the vestments, frontals and ‘angings from the green for weeks on hend doesn’t mean that there’s no hextra work haround the cathedral during the summer months to begin with there’s the hendless stream of visitors that need watching or helse they will go hastray in the transcepts (creating more mess to clean hup) then there’s the guest celebrants and preachers from hall round the Hanglican Communion you’s think that they’d hall know ‘ow to ‘andle a maniple wouldn’t you but oh no sir I’ve seen some pretty rum things done in the sacristy I can tell you mainly by members of the Church in Wales my nearest hand dearest Mrs Grindle who is trying hout a new 'omeopathic remedy is preparing summer treats hin the Refectory hand no doubt the new menu will be published once hit’s approved by Wenchoster Public ‘Ealth. So you see hit’s a busy time.

Right! That’s it! No more rubbing Brasso hon the ‘Onourary Canons!

Oh dear. What can the members from Wales be up to in the sacristy? Mr. G. doesn't say, so we are left to wonder.


I'm not sure why this picture is at the Diocese of Wenchoster site, but I like it and the caption, although I'm not 100% sure that the caption is true.

Cowboy @ The Pearly Gates

A Texas cowboy appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly gates. 'Have you ever done anything of particular merit?' St Peter asked.

'Well, I can think of one thing,' the cowboy offered. 'Once, on a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota , I came upon a gang of bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker, smacked him in the face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground.' I yelled, 'Now back off!! Or I'll kick the sh*t out of all of you!!'

St. Peter was impressed, 'When did this happen?'

'Just a couple of minutes ago!'

It's Doug again. And don't tell me this story is not true.

For good measure, I'll make this one a double.

When I got home last night, my wife said that she had a tough day
with the kids, and demanded that I take her out to some place
expensive.

So I took her to a gas station!

Feast Day Of Blandina And Her Companions

"Martyrs of Lyons", by JL Gerome

At Lyons and Vienne, in Gaul, there were missionary centers which had drawn many Christians from Asia and Greece. Persecution began in 177.

At first, Christians were excluded from the public baths, the market place, and from social and public life. They were subject to attack when they appeared in public, and many Christian homes were vandalized. At this point the government became involved, and began to take Christians into custody for questioning. Some slaves from Christian households were tortured to obtain confessions, and were induced to say that Christians practiced cannibalism and incest. These charges were used to arouse the whole city against the Christians, particularly against Pothinus, the aged bishop of Lyons; Sanctus, a deacon; Attalus; Maturus, a recent convert; and Blandina, a slave. Pothinus was beaten and then released, to die of his wounds a few days later. Sanctus was tormented with red-hot irons. Blandina, tortured all day long, would say nothing except, "I am a Christian, and nothing vile is done among us." Finally, the survivors were put to death in the public arena.

From James Kiefer at the Lectionary.

Thus persecutions begin. The story brings to mind a more recent period in history.

Readings:

Psalm 126 or 34:1-8
1 Peter 1:3-9
Mark 8:34-38

The words from Peter's Epistle are among my favorites:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

As are the words from Mark's Gospel:

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel,* will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

PRAYER

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that we who keep the feast of the holy martyrs Blandina and her companions may be rooted and grounded in love of you, and may endure the sufferings of this life for the glory that shall be revealed in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

My "Sex In The City" Evening

Because of Fran's post on the movie, "Sex and the City", I decided to see the it on the day following. I was going to the early afternoon movie, but I did not make it. Then the goal was the late afternoon movie, which I missed, too, but I did make the evening showing, and I loved it. It was two hours of pure delight for me.

I love New York. It's my second favorite city, my first being my home town, New Orleans. I had only watched the TV show rarely, because, at least in the early days, there was too much easy sleeping around, and that puts me off. I'm old and perhaps old-fashioned, but I think sex should be for special people in our lives with whom have made a commitment What were they thinking?

In the movie, each of the women has a special man in her life, so the easy sex was not there. In many ways, the movie played into one of the besetting sins here in the US of the desire to acquire material things, gorgeous clothes and shoes, beautiful hair styling, a luxurious apartment, so much of what I deplore. Yet I live in relative luxury compared to millions of people in the world. Mea culpa! Am I the one to judge? What kind of dissonance is in operation when I take such delight in such a movie? Well, it was about love and about forgiveness, and I am an incurable romantic. So. And the characters were basically decent people, who were mostly kind to each other and to others outside their circle. Also, I liked the music, even if the sound was a bit loud for my taste.

Several years ago, I spent a week with two of my sister's wealthy friends at their home. It was a week of luxury living such as I have never experienced, limousine pick-up at the airport, dining out, a night at the opera, a visit to a spa, my own suite with a private walled garden with a view of the mountains, a bathroom with a glass wall, with the same lovely view of the mountains, and I adored every minute. It was a week in fantasy land, not in the land of reality, but I lapped it up, and I remember it with great delight. Would I want to live like that all the time? No, not at all.

Was it the same lust for earthly things and pleasures that was in operation in my enjoyment of the movie? It's not the real world, but it's a lovely world of the imagination to inhabit for a spell. Of course, I could be wrong. My enjoyment could well be a demonstration of my inherent fallenness and shallowness. To paraphrase Fox News, I report. You decide.

With thanks to my friend, Fran for the recommendation.