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Showing posts with the label jesus

Pope's Christmas Message: "Urbi et Orbi", December 25, 2023

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"Urbi et orbi" is Latin for "to the city and to the world". Or, rather "To the city and to the world" is English for "urbi et orbi". Either way an "urbi et orbi" message is both for folks living in Rome and for everyone else. There's a plenary indulgence involved, too, and that's another topic.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (What Pope Francis said on Christmas Day: embedded video and a link to the text. And, VERY briefly, how I see what he said.)
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One, maybe two, articles by C. S. Lewis reappeared about a half-dozen years back. Not that they'd been invisible. Collectors had the articles in their copies of The Strand Magazine, but "A Christmas Sermon for Pagans" and "Cricketer's Progress" hadn't made it into lists of work by Lewis. Maybe it's just one new 'Lewis' article. "Cricketer's Progress: A Famous Reputation and What Became of It", was written by a "Clive Hamilton". Sure, Lewis published his first book under the Clive Hamilton pseudonym. But Lewis isn't known as a sports journalist. 1 And that's another topic. Anyway, I'll be talking about "A Christmas Sermon for Pagans" this week. Or, rather, I'm sharing a few excerpts; and talking about whatever comes to mind. "A Christmas Sermon for Pagans": No Longer Forgotten "... 'Objective' Right or Wrong...." "...Nature is ... A Kind of Machine fo

Fear, Change, a Loving God: and Choices

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This week I'm sharing what Fr. Mark Botzet said during Mass on the last Sunday in June. I was going to just post his homily and let it go at that. But then I thought his focus on fear might make more sense if I put it in context of what's been happening in my part of the world. So I've put a short (for me) look at life in central Minnesota, and the big picture, after Fr. Botzet's homily. Fr. Mark Botzet's Homily — June 25, 2023 Four Decades, Two Millennia and the Long Haul (Brian H. Gill) Under the Circumstances... Promises and the Best News Ever More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Dealing with changes in Parishes on the Prairie ACC. Remembering priorities. Not letting fear distract us from what is important.)

Easter Morning: Mary of Magdala’s Experience

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Recapping Friday's post: whether Jesus died from cardiac rupture, cardiorespiratory failure or something else, the main point is that he died. Then Jesus was buried. Again, let's remember that he was, in the words of the Munckin coroner in "Wizard of Oz", sincerely dead: More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Jesus was dead and buried. Saturday passed. Sunday morning, some women came to finish what had been a rushed interment. What happened next still matters.)

"...When You Come Into Your Kingdom"

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Jesus had been run back and forth between Caiaphas', Pilate's and Herod's places; tortured, and nailed to a cross on Golgotha. ( Matthew 26:47 - 27:2 ; Mark 14:53 - 15:41 ; Luke 22:66 - 23:49 ) No question about it. He was having a really bad day. No, that's not quite true. There have been alternative versions run up the flagpole.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Jesus had been having a really bad day. But before he died, he made a promise. I talk about that, and the best news humanity has ever had.)

Palm Sunday, 2023: Holy Week Begins

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Today is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week. Lent is almost over. At Mass this morning, we walked through our Lord's last days in Jerusalem, starting with the first century equivalent of a ticker tape parade. Jesus was top of the charts, wildly popular. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Holy Week: Jesus went from top of the charts to torture and execution. Two millennia later, we're still celebrating. Which sounds crazy, but isn't.)

"...And the Word Became Flesh...."

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We're celebrating a very special birthday. (A little) more at A Catholic Citizen in America . (John 1:14. It's a big deal. Merry Christmas!)

Advent 2022: Remembering the Big Picture

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My culture's Christmas season begins with Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Our traditionally-frenzied holiday shopping season does, at any rate. That's not a particularly good thing, considering what stress can do to folks. On the other hand, America's shopping frenzy inspired "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas." I'll be talking about that, more-or-less-recent news, and events we're still celebrating, two millennia later.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Recent news, holiday stress and a hipster nativity. Yogi Yorgesson and C. S. Lewis: views regarding Christmas. Joseph, Mary and decisions.)

Easter: Parades, Eggs, and the Best News Ever

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Easter Sunday is a very big deal. It's "the greatest of all Sundays," since it's when we celebrate our Lord's resurrection. Begin celebrating, actually. The Easter season lasts until Pentecost Sunday: not quite two months from now. Maybe "our Lord's resurrection" sounds routine, familiar, two millennia after that post-Passover surprise. But let's remember that the 12 Apostles, make that 11 after Judas Iscariot killed himself, and everyone else close to Jesus expected him to stay dead. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Baptism of Jesus: Third "Aha!" of the Season

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(From Casey and Corey Wright, via San Diego Union Tribune, used w/o permission.) As an American, my Christmas season starts on the fourth Thursday in November. That's when the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade arrives at Macy's Herald Square in New York City. Thereafter, front yards bask in the glow of neon reindeer and electric snowmen, while a spirit of unbridled consumerism sweeps the land.... ...As a Catholic, my Christmas season starts December 25. We keep celebrating until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. That's tomorrow.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Epiphany, the Magi and Me: The Big Aha!

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(From James Tissot, via Wikidata, used w/o permission.) (James Tissot's "Journey of the Magi." (1890s)) "We Three Kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, Moor and mountain, Following yonder Star...." (" We Three Kings ," John Henry Hopkins Jr. (1857)) As a child, "We Three Kings" was among my favorite Christmas songs. It still is. The song's gold, frankincense and myrrh are "Biblical," in the sense that they're mentioned in Matthew's Gospel. So is the star. As for the "Three Kings of Orient:" well, there were more than one of them, and Matthew says they were from the east. But he also called them magi.... More about Matthew's magi, Herod the Great, Bethlehem's dead boys, the Ark and more, at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Jesus, Human on His Mother's Side: the Incarnation

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(From James Tissot; via European Art Collection, Wikimedia Commons; used w/o permission.) ("Adoration of the Shepherds," James Tissot. (ca. 1890)) We're celebrating the birth of Jesus this weekend. Saturday night's Gospel reading starts with "...a decree went out from Caesar Augustus...." About halfway along, we hear that Joseph finally found a place to stay in Bethlehem: but not exactly five-star accommodations. When Jesus was born, Mary laid our Lord in a manger. Two millennia later, in my language, "manger" sounds a bit classy. But it's a feeding trough. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Advent 2021: Another Year of Our Long Watch

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It's that time of year. Daily reminders of how many shopping days remain before Christmas fill some with dread, others with relief. Folks enjoy, endure or try to ignore another season of "Jingle Bells," "Santa Baby" and "Frosty the Snowman." Some of my neighbors have deployed their Christmas displays. So have we, thanks to my son. It's part of our Advent preparations. We're getting ready for Christmas, looking back at the first time Jesus came; and ahead to when our Lord returns. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Jesus, the Ultimate Alpha: a Personal View

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I was a Christian long before I became a Catholic Christian , and that's another topic. Topics. The point is, I've been trying to follow Jesus ever since I was a child. Somewhere along the line, I started noticing a disconnect between what I occasionally saw in religious art and the Jesus I was reading about in the Bible. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Holy Week: Top of the Charts to Lethal Fiasco

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It's the start of Holy Week, almost the end of Lent.... ...Jesus was top of the charts, wildly popular. Grass roots opinion, apparently, was that they finally had their messianic king.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Christmas, 2020: I'm Glad to Be Here

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(My corner of small town America around noon, Christmas Eve.) It's Christmas Eve afternoon here in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Weather, Wind Chill, Memory and Deciding Wednesday's blizzard became a wind chill advisory, which has since retreated to lands north and west of my home. ...What we do each year, and how we do it, matters. But it's not nearly as important as why we get together and celebrate.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Joy and Shadow, Free Will and Something Silly

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Advent started November 29, a couple Sundays back. It's my faith's Christmas warmup. I'll get back to that. My culture's Christmas begins after Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.... ...Today I'll be talking about Advent's serious side: a song that's been sung at funerals, a Nativity painting's crucifix, introspection and shortcomings. Also ♪ magi on Segways with Amazon cartons. ♪ (Try singing it to the tune of "My Favorite Things," from "Sound of Music:" The bit that goes "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....") Anyway, these are today's headings: "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel" — Plainsong, Burial Chant and Advent Hymn Heaven's Peace: a Work in Progress Advent: Ordinary Folks, Unique Events Something Odd O Hipster Night Illustrators and Illustrations Joy and Shadow Joseph's Options News: Not Entirely Bad; Unsettling; and Disbelieved Herod,

See Lent Through the Eyes of Mary

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Have you ever imagined what the Passion and death of Jesus looked like from Mary’s perspective? I had the opportunity a couple years back to attend a Stations of the Cross, using a booklet that presented each station through the eyes of Mary. It was an extremely powerful experience. (I’ve included a link to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Get a  free download  for yourself). Lent, Through the Eyes of Mary Talk about feeling helpless! Mary could only watch as the most horrific things were done to her Son. She saw Jesus bruised and bleeding, and like any good mother, she wanted to address His wounds. Yet, she could do nothing. Mary heard the crowd speak against Jesus, and she wanted to defend Him. Yet, she could do nothing. Her love for Jesus was so great, that she wanted to spare Him the pain, by carrying the cross herself. Yet, she could do nothing. How often have we seen loved ones suffer, and sometimes die, and we, too, felt helpless, like Mary? Mary understands ... Read mo

Find Quiet Time for Jesus This Lent

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In the hustle-bustle of our everyday lives, many find it difficult to find some quiet time for Jesus. We get caught up in our chores, events, family needs, etc. When we lay our heads down at night, we are exhausted. It’s at times like these, that finding quiet time for Jesus is a must. Why? Because, we cannot succeed at anything without Jesus. Saint Francis de Sales is famously known for having quipped: Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed , So, if you want to get all the chores done, attend that basketball game for your eighth grader, and visit an elderly parent in a nursing home, then you need to find some quiet time to pray. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to make that all happen. When our focus is on Jesus, everything else falls into place. Find Quiet Time for Jesus Here are a few suggestions for how you can carve out quiet time for Jesus, to get life in order and accomplish all that is necessary: Read m

Embrace Lent and Grow Closer to Jesus

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Many people look at Lent as a season of punishment, denial, etc. (add your own negative words as a description). I say that Lent offers me an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus. I find that to be a very good thing! When I embrace Lent for all that it has to offer, I achieve the following: A new perspective on what I need to do to walk the journey Christ asks me to walk. The advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where I receive a clean soul, united to Christ. More time spent with Jesus, one-on-one, through visits to the Blessed Sacrament. It is here that He works on my soul, in the hospital of sinners. Increased insight to Christ’s salvific actions, performed for my benefit, by attending the Stations of the Cross. A greater awareness of the need for Christ’s unwavering love, forgiveness and mercy. Embrace Lent In what ways might you embrace Lent and glean the benefits of God’s Grace? How might you make this season a positive experience, removing all negative conn