Inspired by Scholastica

During my retreat several weeks ago, one session was on the eight Beatitudes.   Although I have heard this Gospel   often, I had not taken time to really meditate on its implications. So in this time of silence and isolation, I prayed   about our blessedness. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven .   We are blessed when we have tried to place ourselves among the poor, to reach out to them in their need, to be a voice for those who have no voice. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.   We are blessed when we grieve with those who mourn, especially those who have not been able to be with loved ones who died of COVID 19; who grieve not only death, but those who suffer from injustices, like racism and poverty and the devastation of the earth. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.   We are blessed when we humbly acknowledge our rightful place on the earth,and our interconnectedness with a...

I would hate to be a pastor during these days of COVID 19. They face the clamor of those who want the churches to offer Masses again and those who think it is still unsafe. Bishops also need to balance reasonable religious policies with their own state's legislation. There is no previous map to follow, so it is better to heed the direction of doctors and scientists who have the most expertise about the danger of spreading the virus. Many Catholics are attending Masses streamed in from various churches via computers or IPads or TV. Some feel more comfortable not having to dress up and sit in uncomfortable pews so they like staying at home. Some miss receiving Communion. Others miss connecting with their friends and neighbors at their parish church. Some parishes are reinstituting Masses but allowing only a small percentage of attendants to keep six feet distancing. Smaller parishes have less of a problem than large city ones. It doesn't look like we'll be returning...

I can’t scream, I’m cryin’,  I’m gaspin’, my heart is thumpin’ like it’s on its last beat. Get your ugly d---- shoe off my neck I can’t breathe. I’m gonna’  die! I keep seeing that video of the policeman stepping on George Floyd’s neck, I  gasp at the inhumanity of such an action, as if he were snuffing out a cigarette, or squashing a bug, showing disgust and hatred and even pleasure to be able to crush a black  human being. God breathed into each of us the breath of life that enables us to move, to laugh, to enjoy the beauty of this earth, to be part of a family, to have a home. What right does anyone have to take away that breath, that precious gift of life,  No! no!  No matter what he did h e deserves to b reathe just like you and me .

We have heard a lot about white privilege lately, and hopefully people are beginning to examine their consciences about their complicity in the treatment of  people of color.. Many whites have taken for granted their ability to obtain good jobs, be treated with respect, walk and drive safely anywhere they want to go. If whites even notice that they are treated differently, they just accept it as normal. And sadly, some policemen who are supposed to uphold the law with equal justice toward all, are treating blacks shamefully. The death of George Floyd at the hands of police has triggered protests around the country and  hopefully something will change. Many blacks and whites are coming together to demand  that white policemen be convicted for cruel and unjust treatment of people of color. Thankfully mini-cameras are capturing the police actions and can be used as evidence. It is not just one instance. It happens over and over agaiin, recently to a black man in Taco...

I correspond with a man serving a life term in a Chino,   California prison.   He abetted a murder when   he was a teenager. He seems to have found Jesus   behind bars   and has become a   Christian.   He has lost any residue of violence left from his youth. An inmate   for at least 40 years, he says he has used up all his requests for a retrial. A friend asked me to write to him since he has no family or anyone who cares about  him. I suppose some would call me a bleeding heart, but when   I try to walk in his shoes for a while, I feel   like writing a letter once in a while is the least I can do. I also send him jokes and crossword puzzles   which he enjoys. Jim (not his real name) shares a cell with another “cellie” who is often angry or even violent,  without any recourse for a change. He falls into the category of reformed prisoner, who has served his time and is no longer a threat to society. Instead of bein...

When the apostles asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he taught them the Our Father. It is a perfect prayer because it starts with the focus on God, not on us. "Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done." We glorify God, ask that his kingdom will be established, and his will accomplished. The second part pleads for what we need. "Give us this day our daily bread." Bread respresents everything we need for the day- health, food, energy, patience, peace, and love. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." We admit we are sinners, and need to be forgiven. The tough part is for us to forgive those who have hurt us in some way. Then we ask for protection from temptation and evil. We admit we are weak and vulnerable human beings and that the forces of evil are a constant danger. During this coronavirus pandemic, prayer is extra urgent. We lift up in prayer those who are ill from the virus and those who have die...

Technology is moving way too fast for me. I tried to use Zoom for a meeting recently and it took a computer expert to help me connect. I attempted to use Facetime to talk to a friend and it didn't work without a smart phone which I do not have. Almost everyone I know has an Iphone, and I marvel at all the things they can do with it. They take pictures to show off their grandkids or birthday celebrations; they check the weather, time, temperature, news of the day, etc. They also can record talks to play later., take videos to view later, and other things I don't even know exist.. I do have a few computer skills. I can use an iPad to hook up to apps and get books, videos, and music from the public library.free. I can also play games, view TV programs, take pictures, and access E-mail. And when I don't know something, I can always ask Google. However, saving and organizing programs and recording accounts on the tablet are still foreign to me. I may be too old to learn so...