Transfiguration

So what is it? This event that seems a bit intimidating. This small glimpse of Christ as the Son of Man. As God incarnate. A brief flash of glory that is such a favorite subject of artists.

For a moment, the apostles see (as much as they can understand) the Glory of their friend and master. It is a glimpse of the glory of Easter. The glory of salvation. A glimpse of the Risen Christ.

This scene from the life of our Lord is, as I mentioned above, one of the favorite subjects of artists throughout history. It is a moment that seethes with power. But what we sometimes fail to realize is that it is also one of the works of the Divine Artist.

God, the divine artist, has painted this work into our hearts. Into our forms. For someday we too will have a risen form. For Christ, our savior, has defeated death and gives us life.

Do we pay enough attention to the spark of the divine un us? The grace from God that helps us share in divine life?

The feeling in prayer of closeness to God.
The warm heart when you help your fellow human being.
The divine life imparted through the Eucharist.
The beauty of Scripture.
The love of God and each other.
The smile of a child.

These daily transfigurations that God gives us in our own life. If for but a fleeting second we feel the love of God reach out to us, do we nurture it and share it so it may be a transfiguration to others?

Christ showed His transfigured form to Peter, James and John so they would understand that He would conquer death. To understand that there is a tomb between Good Friday and Easter, but that tomb is eventually empty because it can not stand against what they see before them in the glorious Christ.

Christ shows us this too. In His Word. In His love. And in Each other.

In this world today, torn apart by hate, may the love of Christ transfigure our hearts and may the love we share, by the Grace of God, transfigure others.

Soup kitchens face closure in fight against beggars

You have got to be kidding me. This is just plain stupid. Here is a link to the story (link.

A quote:

Dramatic new measures to clamp down on beggars are planned in central London.

Westminster says it may try to shut charity soup kitchens that attract hundreds of homeless men and women to the area.

"We firmly believe soup kitchens are not the best way to deal with rough sleepers," said councillor Danny Chalkley.

"These organisers are helping to sustain life on the streets for homeless people when they should be concentrating on getting them off the streets."

I'm sure they do all they can to help get them off of the streets. Most church run charities are not just have some food and go away. They are a ministry. They help these people all they can.

And this line:

"Of course we understand the problem and have empathy for them but the noise can be heard above the television and it has got to the stage that the young and the elderly cannot walk outside their homes without being abused."

Now, If some people are harassing or hurting people that is one thing. But notice how that is added on after the line:

but the noise can be heard above the television

Ah, Well I'm sorry that the crying and hungry child made you miss a moment of Dr. Who. This put's it in a different light than if they were suffering in total silence where you would not have to notice them.

From the Church workers:

Jacqueline Messih, 20, a volunteer for the church, defended its work. "Fundamentally we want to do this to help people. It’s not right that there are mothers in so much need of milk for their children, or pensioners that need us to feed them because they are too scared to go into sheltered accommodation. We try our best to be fair to the residents. Sometimes people do get rowdy but we quieten them down. We always finish by 10pm and we always clear up afterwards."

Baby Born At Abortion Clinic Killed

I'll expand on this later, but for right now I am speechles.

The Story (link)

Our prayers to the Lord.

Getting back up to speed

I want to apologize for not posting with my normal frequency lately.

Working at a college is a strange schedule. Getting all of the stuff done in the summer (when there are less students) that you can't get done in the school year (because there are many students) can make it busier than the school year.

My prayers and love to everyone who reads this blog. I have so many posts in my head :)

Prayers of thanks and joy

I don't know how many people are familiar with the former Penn State football player Tamba Hali. (link)

He was a class act here on campus and a very good guy with a big heart. He is from war torn Liberia. His father was able to bring him over but since her and Tamba's mother were not married she had to stay.

They have been apart for over a decade. Tamba could not bring her over because her could not meet the immigration laws that required that he was able to support her.

But he knew that eventually he would be able to do just that. This kid worked hard. Got good grades. Played football.

Yesterday Tamba signed his NFL contract and can not begin the process of bringing his mother to live with him in safety in America.

Prayers of Joy and Thanks to the Lord for this. And may our prayers be with all those who still suffer around the world.

A prayer to our Guardian Angel

Viva posted this prayer when I asked for prayers and the simple beauty of it touched me deeply.

Guardian Angel from heaven so bright,
Watching beside me to lead me aright,
Fold thy wings round me, and guard me with love,
Softly sing songs to me of heaven above. Amen.

Think a moment on the concept of the guardian angel. Think of how it refelcts the love of God in a very basic and beautiful way.

God sends an angel to watch over His children. Help guide and protect them.


Fold thy wings round me, and guard me with love,
Softly sing songs to me of heaven above. Amen.


It reminds us that we are all children. We are all children under the loving eyes of God.

Be safe and protected and like a child in the arms of the Lord.

Christ told us to be like children. What does that mean?

To love simply.
To care for others.
To run and embrace or Lord at the sight of Him with great joy.
To listen to the soft songs of heaven above and rest in the love of the Lord.

May we all take a moment in this hectic and distressing world to be as a child.

Back from Vacation

A wonderful vacation, I'm catching up on things today.

Wonderful news from vacation...my brother-in-law proposed to his girlfriend!

They are a great couple and now people are slipping into wedding mode. May their days together be many and blessed.

I might get to start posting again today. First thing is reading through 10 days of work email.

On Vacation 13-23

I'll be on vacation with my wife and In-laws. Ah, the beach.

You will all be in my prayers. There is a beautiful Church near the beach and it is a wonderful time every year.