October 08, 2009> 3:42 PM
rainy day thoughts
These are always kinda dangerous, but oh well. I'm going to include at least a couple of links to other blog posts here as well - thanks to those who posted them...
Praying the Office in the morning does not guarantee that you won't do something stupid in the afternoon.
Here's a quote my friend, Paul Fromont, posted from Chris Erdman's book: “So, Christopheros, Christ-bearer, you are to ‘be their example, not their legislator,’ as the hermit said. Be a saint among your people—not their manager, their ruler, their judge, even their leader. Christopheros, find that way and you will be free to hear the voice of God, and so will they. Watch, and pray that you may not be tempted to play God.” This statement, this "word" heard by Erdman, rang a bit louder than normal in my own internal ears as I read it. My Confirmation name is Christopher, so I heard it as to myself.
As much as we'd like to think the encouragement of the second Vatican Council about the concept of Vocation was effective and has influenced the Church, I'm afraid we have a long way to go. The idea that Vocation isn't only about Priesthood and the Religious life - that the Vocation to life as a married person, or as a Spiritual Director, perhaps, as a married person - this idea is far away from the minds of a good many Catholic Christians. The idea that a collar or a habit makes one more inherently holy than a regular old lay person is repugnant to the deep desire of God for the transformation of all people into the Image of His Son.
Brother Thom, over at Ad-Dominum, put up a nice post inspired by the reading from Monday's Evening Prayer: "Do not, my brothers, speak ill of one another. The one who speaks ill of his brother or judges his brother is speaking against the law. It is the law he judges. If, however, you judge the law you are no observer of the law, you are its judge. There is but one Lawgiver and Judge, one who can save and destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?" - James 4:11-12 - Speaking ill of our siblings, judging our siblings in Christ. Perhaps, worse, calling them not our siblings - not only judging but pronouncing sentence. We've all done it to some degree. God help us.
I like taking black & white photography a lot. I love finding the contrast. I love how ordinary things become dramatic. I've been on a kick lately. Connected to that, you know, I hate colorized, black & white movies. It never looks right. Most of these movies, as well, were made in black & white on purpose even waaaay back then. Partly because of expense, but also for artistic reasons. It makes me think of The Wizard of Oz, made in 1939 - part of it is in black & white, part in color - originally, they made it that way on purpose, in 1939. Anyway, you see what I'm saying.
October 08, 2009
> 3:42 PM
038
I like taking 
