Third Day: Thief

Lack of Posting

I have no idea where I have been. I have at least 4 posts rattling around in my brain. It has been busy, but not really more than usual and I was away for 5 days. That accounts for some of the lack. I have also had to many voices in my head, so it's been difficult to sort things out and make decisions. I'm not saying I have multiple personalities, just too much noise. My plan is to spend time tomorrow catching myself up and letting out what has been sitting in my head. I'm sure you all can't wait!

Sunday Lunch

I absolutely love to cook. Really cooking, where everything is from scratch and made with love. Today I woke up and began cooking. First I started whole wheat bread, while that was rising I made two batches of chocolate chip biscotti. Then, shaped the bread dough into a long Italian loaf and set it to rise again. After that I started on the chicken dish, a new recipe from Mark Bittman I mentioned Friday. When the bread was done baking I put the sliced fennel in the oven at 450 for 10 minutes, it was sizzling. I lay the chicken quarters on top as directed and put aside my concern about roasting the chicken at the same 450 temperature. Wow, it was delicious. The skin browned and crisped, chicken was moist and flavorful, the fennel melted in our mouths, and the pan juices went nicely over the brown rice.
Strawberries and biscotti rounded out the meal.
I wish I could do that every day. And I am sure my husband would not protest.
There is nothing like real food cooked with love, shared with those you love.

7 Quick Takes

1. What a week it has been! We had our parish mission so the days were quite long. But, it was a great mission with Fr. Jonathan Morris. In our parish we serve dinner before the mission and provide childcare up to 5th grade to really encourage families to attend. So, while it was hard work, it is very much worth it and appreciated by our parishioners.

2. I spent yesterday with my daughter and our friends. She was home for spring break so we ran a few errands, had lunch and then met up with our friends for a movie (Alice in Wonderland, my daughter is a huge Johnny Depp fan) and coffee. The girls have been friends from birth, so it's always nice for the 4 of us to get together. It brought back memories of other fun we've had and how time really seems to go by in the blink of an eye sometimes.

3. Woke up today to no electricity in the house. So, I came to work with wet hair and no makeup, hoping we had power here at the office. It has also been pouring rain, as in shall we build an ark proportions? And, where is my umbrella, why it's right next to my desk, all neatly closed and dry! Which I guess is okay in the end, since my hair was already wet.

4. Last Friday night, my wrist began to hurt from mouse overuse. So, I wrapped it in an ace bandage. People kept asking me what happened, so I said I strained it from using the mouse. Well, the comments, "carpal tunnel is so bad, you may have to have surgery" "have you taken some anti-inflammatory medication?" and so forth, all very extreme. I changed my story to "I hit my husband" which made people laugh and move on. (please do not think I am saying hitting your spouse is okay, it's not) Only one person said, "hope you feel better" and left it at that. Everyone else had horror stories and were ready to have me in the operating room. Such drama! My wrist is better and I am getting a 'pillow' to put under it to reduce the strain in the future.

5. Watched a very good movie last night, The Soloist, about a journalist for the LA Times who befriends a musically talented homeless man. I think it would be a great movie to watch to introduce the topic of homelessness to youth and adults.

6. My son and his girlfriend are coming for lunch Sunday, possibly my parents as well. I am going to try a new recipe from Mark Bittman, Roasted Chicken with Fennel.

7. I have given up reading fiction for Lent and am starting to really miss it. I guess that's the point.

If you'd like to read more Quick Takes or participate yourself, go on over to Conversion Diary.

Sunday Snippets

You never know what new and interesting post or blog you'll find, so go and visit This, That and the Other Thing.

Sunday Take Away

The Gospel is the parable of the fig tree. The overwhelming, obvious message is repent. And all of us are in need of repentance and we should do it soon, since we do not know when our end will be upon us. This is why we should not procrastinate, especially in regard to our soul. In order to repent we must ask God for mercy for our sins. As always, before we can repent, we must look at ourselves honestly and ask God to show us our sins. Then, we accept his correction and repent.
Today I heard a talk in regard to repentance. What stood out for me was Deacon Bill pointing out that while it is good to give up something for Lent, if we immediately go back on Easter to the way we were, then we are missing the point.
As we begin this third week of Lent, it is time to get serious about our Lenten practices and repent of all our sins. When Easter arrives, then we will be truly ready for the new life we have in Christ.

Pretty Blog

I just love the way my blog looks now. I keep clicking on it and noticing how pretty it looks with my favorite colors. And, yes, I am aware I being a bit silly. But, hey, fun is good.

7 Quick Takes Friday

Warning: RANDOM at best

1. This week has not been as busy as usual and it has helped me focus on what is going on with my emotional life a bit. I don't feel as despondent about my life.
2. Next week we have our annual Parish Mission. This year our speaker is Fr. Jonathan Morris of FOX News fame. He will speak about rediscovering inner peace, why God allows suffering, and offer us some practical steps to tap into God's plan for us. We also plan dinners for each night so our parishioners can come and have one less thing to do before they get here. Our DRE also provides childcare for little ones and activities for elementary school ages so parent can come and have to get a sitter.
3. In the last two weeks I have come across this priest's name many times. So, of course I looked him up, here's his website.
4. A friend and I are teaching a study on The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn to a group of youth from our parish. Working with youth always renews my faith and gives me hope. And I am doubly enjoying it since I get to work with my friend.
5. My daughter is coming home for her spring break next week. I hope we can find her a car while she is here.
6. I have been attending 7 am daily Mass this week and lectoring. I like 7 am because it is quiet and there are not many people. Plus I get into the office early for quiet time before others get in and the phone starts ringing. On the downside, it is early.
7. A parishioner donated money for our gift shop to purchase 250 chapel veils ( mantillas if you prefer that word). Very few women wear them here and I don't. My husband thinks they are cool and I should consider it. I don't have a sense that 'cool' is a reason to do this. Apparently it is working on my subconscious, since I had a dream about it. Sadly, in the dream, it was not working out to well since I was 'working' at Mass and the veil kept falling off or getting in my way.

More Quick Takes at Conversion Diary. Enjoy, Peace and Blessings!

Job

I have started reading the book of Job. Partly because I have never read it from start to finish; partly because I am depressed and feeling a bit put upon for various reasons. I don't think God has abandoned me, but I do have this sense of loss. So I thought, Job certainly lost a few things and I also think he is an example of trust in times of trouble. So, onto Job.

Behold, you have instructed many and made firm their feeble hands. Your words have upheld the stumbler, you have strengthened his faltering knees. But now that it comes to you, you are impatient. When it touches yourself you are dismayed. Is not your piety a source of confidence and your integrity of life your hope? Job 4:3-6

I read this and copied it into my journal for future prayer and pondering. This is Job's friend responding to him and I thought, look at that, that could be me he is speaking to. I have to hold on to what I know to be true about who I am and who God is, not in a proud way, but in humility. I often look at myself and think I am not enough, but I am. Impatience is not helpful now, piety and integrity of life will give me confidence and hope.

Mercy and Forgiveness

Today's Mass Readings

Daniel 9:4b-10
“Lord, great and awesome God,you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments!We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,our fathers, and all the people of the land.Justice, O Lord, is on your side;we are shamefaced even to this day:we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,and all Israel, near and far,in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you.O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,for having sinned against you.But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!Yet we rebelled against you and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”
Responsorial Psalm 79:8,9,11,13
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;may your compassion quickly come to us,for we are brought very low.
Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.Help us, O God our savior,because of the glory of your name;Deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake.R.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;with your great power free those doomed to death.Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,will give thanks to you forever;through all generations we will declare your praise. R.
Gospel Luke 6:36-38
Jesus said to his disciples:“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged.Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.Give and gifts will be given to you;a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

The message here is that we are all sinners and if we admit our sinfulness and ask for mercy God will give it to us. Daniel says, "we are shamefaced" but Our Lord is "compassion and forgiveness." In the Gospel we are reminded though, that we must share what God has given us with others. His mercy is for all.

Lord, help me to admit my sinfulness, accept your mercy, and share it with others.