Entertaining Angels

Last Night I had a nice meal with some wonderful friends, in the Georgetown part of DC. Scattered around the various tables were other groups of friends or family (or that wonderful mixture of both), many dressed to the nines in what I'm sure may have been newly acquired Christmas gifts. Wine and good cheer was a flowing, and it really was so nice to be in a room filled with so many folks having a genuinely lovely time . . . and then there was me.

I am actually kinda glad for my less than perfect evening, because it stemmed from a that holy nudge reminding me again that being able to afford such a night was a true gift.

On my way to the restaurant that night, me still rather excited to show off my new three piece suit and Ben Sherman polka dot tie, I drove by my brother Bob as he was laying out his blanket near the side door of my parish where he sleeps. I looked at my car's fancy outside temperature gauge to see a "31", and as it was only about 6 pm, I knew my adopted sibling had a long night ahead of him.

Everything became rather surreal after that, as all the fancy clothes, food, and decorations suddenly seemed like some kind of cruel mocking graffiti, with me still holding the spray can in my warm hands. I so deeply wanted to leave the warmth of that charming bistro, to go drink coffee and chat with Bob.

I prayed for Bob and my (our) other homeless siblings, in the full knowledge that truly by the grace of God, I walk a different path.

As I walked by him today after mass, I can not explain the utter embarrassment I felt. What do I do, give away everything, and live in a shelter with the poor? Do I spend more time helping out, or do I go back to school to get a degree in social work so as to have a greater impact?

Whatever I do, or I pray I hope we all do, I know that it is "our Father's work" we are to be about.

Dusting off Mary

This is that rare and wonderful time of year when my Protestant brethren have to put aside their unconscious Cathli-phobia, and acknowledge the woman who's "Yes" was instrumental in our salvation, and who continues to pray for us daily, that we might reflect that affirmative in all we do, as she points us always to her Son.

"Mary is the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of us even though it was Christ alone who reposed on her knees . . . If he is ours, we ought to be in his situation; there where he is, we ought also to be and all that he has ought to be ours, and his mother is also our mother"
Martin Luther

I must admit that as an ex-Evangelical, I still find mind self forgetting our Lady, yet still remember the image of our Blessed Mother praying over my earthly mom's hospital bed that night years ago when I prayed my first Rosary. No, it was not a vision, but just a nice comforting thought, that our Lord's mother would care so much for her adopted daughter to pray over her, and be with her when I could not.

As I have written before, one of the greatest gifts I have ever recieved was that on that day our Creator took my mom out of that prison of Alzheimer's, to be at Peace with Him, He did not leave me alone, for He gave me His own mother in return, and I know she prays for me daily.

I am so blessed to know that I have a loving Father in heaven, a brother servant in Christ, and a prayerful mother in Mary. My prayer for this Christmas is that more might unwrap this dust covered package, given to them on the first Christmas.

Hail Mary, full of grace.
Our Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

a Smile and a Tear

A friend sent me a Christmas card with a photo of this adorable blessing of God, and I couldn't stop smiling at this precious face. Sadly, I was then brought to my knees in tears, as I thought of all the other precious faces that the abortion industry is snuffing out this very day (average 4,000 babies a day in the U.S. alone), while we sit and do little to nothing, all in the name of selfish choice and easy sex.

I can't help but think if we had huge posters of this beautiful baby on signs in front of the abortion mills, with words underneath "You would throw this away!", we might change a few minds, save a few lives, and rescue a few souls.

God bless my friends for their "yes" to helping God give us "all" the blessing of this child.
.

Behind Every Great Man

"Two thousand years of failure have not taught some
reformers that you can't stop sin by declaring it illegal. Two
thousand years have not taught them that you can't save a
man's soul by force--you can only lose your own in the
attempt. Drunkenness and gambling and secularism and lechery--
various hopeful churchmen have earnestly tried to outlaw them
all; and what is the result? A drunken nation, a gambling
nation, a secularist nation, an adulterous nation. And, often,
a ruined Church."
Joy Davidman (1915-1960)

Mr.& Mrs. C.S. Lewis

O.K.,maybe not

"Why yes, I am from Baltimore, why do you ask?"

D'art's Holiday Shopping Reminder

.A thought, as we all ponder spending plastic $$$$$$ on things

our loved ones probably don't want or need.
.

Rest in His Peace

CASEY CALVERT 1981-2007


Casey Calvert, the 25-year-old guitarist for Dayton-based Christian emo band Hawthorne Heights, whose body was discovered on HH's tour bus in D.C. on the second night of the band's tour. Posting on their official website, they stated:

"Today is probably the worst day ever. It's with our deepest regrets that we have to write this. Casey Calvert passed away in his sleep last night. We found out this afternoon before soundcheck. We've spent the entire day trying to come to grips with this and figure out as much as possible. At this time we're not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed. We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal. Please, out of respect to Casey and his family, don't contribute or succumb to any gossip you may hear. We don't want his memory to be tainted in the least. Casey was our best friend. He was quirky and awesome and there will truly be no others like him! His loss is unexplainable. As soon as we know more we will let you know.

To Write Love On Her Arms is a cause that Casey was very passionate about. Starting today, they will honor him with a specially designed t-shirt. Its hard enough when you lose someone you love, but when that person is the primary bread winner in the house, it makes things even tougher and adds even more stress to an already bad time for those left behind. 100% of the proceeds from this shirt will go to help support Casey's wife, Ashley. Please show your support for Casey and his family. We also ask that you please take your time to learn what TWLOHA is all about; Casey would have wanted it that way! Thank you! Hawthorne Heights"