Of course, watching the Pirates play is itself an act of mortification. So, fasting while watching the home opener probably qualifies as a work of supererogation, lol.
As always, thanks for the timely information, engaging writing, and inspiring thoughts on living a life of faith. FYI I just finished leading a study group on Sacrosanctum Concilium and have shared the Pillar with the group as a valuable resource for understanding what is happening in our church today well beyond the borders of our parish.
“The way of Christ is the path to the resurrection of the dead and to heaven, and it proceeds only and always up and through the cross; to love the other, even unto death, because for the Christian death is never the end.
That love, that revolution, is what I will be trying to think about for the rest of today.”
I guess Saint Dismas isn't one of those saints you ask for intercession? The good thief (or I suppose now the good revolutionary) has always intrigued me too.
I have always heard that the good thief was called Dismas. Unsure of where I learned that as a child 50+ years ago. That more important part was that he pleaded to our good Lord Jesus to remember me in your kingdom 🙏
Jesus's answer is what all believers want to hear at their hour of death.
Today you will be with me in paradise ✨️
That to me sums up what our faith is all about, ultimately.
There were two nuns (Sr. Frances and Sr. Maggie) here in Texas who went to every Ranger game. They loved the Rangers and the Ranges loved them. One passed away in 2013, the other in 2017. I can tell you tons about them.
But for right now, let me say, when Opening Day landed on Good Friday, THEY DIDN'T GO TO THE GAME!!!
Forget about dispensations, they were at Church, praying the Stations, venerating the Cross and other devotions.
The game waited. I would have to check but I am not even sure that they went to Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday games.
Let me know if you want to hear some funny stories about the two Ranger nuns who started going to games in 1972. They were at the first Ranger game ever. They also were the first two people through the turnstyles of the Ballpark in Arlington in 1994.
God is good...
Paul Bernardy
PS - I am also a University of Dallas Alumni, 1974. Fourth group to go to Rome.
Perhaps a Pillar Explainer is in order laying out the variety of agreements between the Vatican and other states placing conditions on the appointment of Bishops in their territory. As egregious as the China deal is, I was surprised to find that the spirit of the deal was awfully similar to the Concordat of 1964 with Venezuela (which I only found out about through a separate Pillar article). How many more of these deals are lurking in the diplomatic registers of the Vatican?
Would also appreciate this. I am given to understand that the Vatican having oversight of validly elected bishops is a somewhat relatively modern invention (vis. Ambrose, who was not even baptised when his people chose him as Bishop), and I would be curious both for a Pillar Explainer on the history of episcopal selections and a sort of casuist (shudder) walkthrough of some of the more interesting Vatican concordats. Does consent of the people to be governed play any role in accepting the validity of the bishop?
Of course, watching the Pirates play is itself an act of mortification. So, fasting while watching the home opener probably qualifies as a work of supererogation, lol.
As a Cubs fan, I concur.
As always, thanks for the timely information, engaging writing, and inspiring thoughts on living a life of faith. FYI I just finished leading a study group on Sacrosanctum Concilium and have shared the Pillar with the group as a valuable resource for understanding what is happening in our church today well beyond the borders of our parish.
“The way of Christ is the path to the resurrection of the dead and to heaven, and it proceeds only and always up and through the cross; to love the other, even unto death, because for the Christian death is never the end.
That love, that revolution, is what I will be trying to think about for the rest of today.”
Hear, hear.
Thank you for your wonderful insights and all that you do to produce the Pillar
I guess Saint Dismas isn't one of those saints you ask for intercession? The good thief (or I suppose now the good revolutionary) has always intrigued me too.
I have always heard that the good thief was called Dismas. Unsure of where I learned that as a child 50+ years ago. That more important part was that he pleaded to our good Lord Jesus to remember me in your kingdom 🙏
Jesus's answer is what all believers want to hear at their hour of death.
Today you will be with me in paradise ✨️
That to me sums up what our faith is all about, ultimately.
shalom El Shaddai
Happy Blessed Easter to everyone ✨️
Hallelujah He is risen 🙏 Amen
The glorious truth of Easter is always only a heartbeat 💓 💗 💖 away; a heartbeat of faith, hope, trust, and most importantly 💖 love!!!
literary irony:
Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste...
And I was 'round when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made darn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate..
Guys,
There were two nuns (Sr. Frances and Sr. Maggie) here in Texas who went to every Ranger game. They loved the Rangers and the Ranges loved them. One passed away in 2013, the other in 2017. I can tell you tons about them.
But for right now, let me say, when Opening Day landed on Good Friday, THEY DIDN'T GO TO THE GAME!!!
Forget about dispensations, they were at Church, praying the Stations, venerating the Cross and other devotions.
The game waited. I would have to check but I am not even sure that they went to Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday games.
Let me know if you want to hear some funny stories about the two Ranger nuns who started going to games in 1972. They were at the first Ranger game ever. They also were the first two people through the turnstyles of the Ballpark in Arlington in 1994.
God is good...
Paul Bernardy
PS - I am also a University of Dallas Alumni, 1974. Fourth group to go to Rome.
"I have not, and due to my inherently sinful nature could not, save myself and so Christ came for me."
I don't think "inherently sinful" is a theologically accurate term to describe our nature. Sin is not permanent or essential.
Perhaps a Pillar Explainer is in order laying out the variety of agreements between the Vatican and other states placing conditions on the appointment of Bishops in their territory. As egregious as the China deal is, I was surprised to find that the spirit of the deal was awfully similar to the Concordat of 1964 with Venezuela (which I only found out about through a separate Pillar article). How many more of these deals are lurking in the diplomatic registers of the Vatican?
Agree. A tour of the various agreements through the centuries would give us a perspective - although likely depressing
Would also appreciate this. I am given to understand that the Vatican having oversight of validly elected bishops is a somewhat relatively modern invention (vis. Ambrose, who was not even baptised when his people chose him as Bishop), and I would be curious both for a Pillar Explainer on the history of episcopal selections and a sort of casuist (shudder) walkthrough of some of the more interesting Vatican concordats. Does consent of the people to be governed play any role in accepting the validity of the bishop?
I'd read that! Which means, yeah, we should probably write it.