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| WHAT'S IN IT FOR US?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/18/2009 |
Today's Gospel has Peter saying just that in so many words:
Matthew 19: 23-30
Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible." Then Peter said to him in reply, "We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."
So, Peter's wondering 'HEY, WHAT'S IN THIS FOR ME??!!!'
A thought many of us think but don't have the courage to say! We give all we can to Christ, we believe we are sacrificing so much but we are always wondering if we'll be paid back, so to speak. We wanna know what our sacrifices are giving us.
Boy, are we selfish!
But God is merciful and Jesus has the answer - we will receive a hundred times more. We will. Some of us will even receive this during our lifetime while some of us (most of us?) will be asked to wait until eternity, heaven, that place He is preparing for us.
What's in it for you? How about all you could ever ask for?! |
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| WHY DO ALL THE LOVE STORIES 'END' BEFORE THE KIDS ARRIVE? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/18/2009 |
I will admit to be a romantic. I enjoy a good love story and over the past few weeks have enjoyed "Pride and Prejudice" while Matt read it. He would come home from his train commute and give me an update on the comings and goings of Jane and Mr. Darcy.
It was wonderful.
However, over the past few days I've been pondering the fact that I've never read a romance that had kids in it. Are there any?
I could write my own story but don't think it would make the best sellers list and I'm no Jane Austen. But, I do know that Matt's and mine romance was exciting, thrilling, had its number of mistakes and misunderstandings including the lack of acceptance of some family members. While we had no Aunt such as Lady Catherine, we did have parents who weren't convinced it was a good idea. In the end - now 25 years into our romance - we have proved all nay-sayers wrong.
But, would anyone believe me if I told them our romance has improved with the arrival of children rather than detracted from it?
How do you convince a contracepting world that children do not need to be the interruption in the romance story but should be seen as just add'l players in the storyline?
So, while I love to read about the playing out of how couples find each other and fall in love, I'm really much more interested in how they stay in love and grow in love.
For, like many couples, I love Matt more now than ever and much of that love has come from who he has become as a father. As a commercial on TV once played out - most women are blown away watching their husband's be Dads more than anything else.
Matt on the beach with his kids is way cuter (and sexier) than Matt and I on the beach alone. This is NOT to say I don't crave and desire time alone with Matt (on the beach or not) but the love is greater in our marriage because of our kids not in spite of them.
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| Wednesday, August 19, 2009 |
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| GO TO YOUR LOCAL WHOLE FOODS TODAY! [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/19/2009 |
The current healthcare debate has revealed the ugly sides of both the Dems and Republicans. The debates, held at town halls and in the media, has shown that both sides can get down right ugly and mean-spirited.
The 'newest' outrage is being seen at your local Whole Foods store where the customers (often characterized as more left-leaning) are outraged at the free speech demonstrated by its CEO in an op-ed piece at the WSJ.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32471153/ns/us_news-washington_post/
The customers are calling for boycotts and more as they apparently (yes, my sarcasm is showing again) cannot tolerate opposing views.
Kathleen Parker has her own take on the subject:
http://www.postwritersgroup.com/archives/park090819.htm
If you have a Whole Foods in your neighborhood consider going and buying something as show of support - perhaps not for the CEO and his views but for free speech! I've been told that their salads are very good. |
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| DO YOUR KIDS BEHAVE BETTER AT SCHOOL THAN AT HOME? [Gregory Popcak] |
| 8/19/2009 |
Time to look in the parental mirror.
Discipline uses guidance and structure with positive support.
Do you do this for your children, or do you let your emotions and frustrations get in the way? Do you have good space in your home for your kids to explore, play, have private time, read, do their homework? Are you consistent with your praise and discipline? Also, the article points out that at home, kids already know what they can get away with and what they can’t. Parents might be letting their kids through more loopholes than the teachers do. Ouch.
I know, you thought I had something terribly brilliant to say about how the kids pull off the two-faced behavior, or what’s in the magic dust the teachers have. Instead, I’m daring you to look in the mirror as a parent. Once again. Hopefully, you’ll find something insightful and useful. You might even get your kid to pay as much attention to you as they do to their teacher. MORE |
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| WORRY ME TO DEATH [Gregory Popcak] |
| 8/19/2009 |
St Francis de Sales once noted that "anxiety is the worst evil, sin only excepted, that can befall the soul." Here's an example of why.
New research suggests personality traits associated with chronic worrying can lead to an earlier death.
Scientists from Purdue University say the early demise results, at least in part, from secondary influences, as worriers are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking.
“Research shows that higher levels of neuroticism can lead to earlier mortality, and we wanted to know why,” said Daniel K. Mroczek, a professor of child development and family studies.
“We found that having worrying tendencies or being the kind of person who stresses easily is likely to lead to bad behaviors like smoking and, therefore, raise the mortality rate.
“This work is a reminder that high levels of some personality traits can be hazardous to one’s physical health.” MORE |
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| DAN BROWN'S NEWEST OFFERING [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/19/2009 |
Apparently the media is hyping Dan Brown ("The DaVinci Code") newest book as being more anticipated than Harry Potter (really!?).
The topic in this book is to the be the Freemasons. From USAToday:
"On his website, Brown says the novel, based on five years of research, is "set deep within the oldest fraternity in history … the enigmatic brotherhood of the Masons" and will explore "the hidden history of our nation's capital."
I don't know but that sounds a bit like one of my kids' favorite movies, "National Treasure"?? Is he lifting ideas again as he was accused of for both the Code and Angels and Demons??
Finally, will the book tackle the Masons long history of attacks against the Catholic Church?? How will Brown handle that? After showing such public hatred for us for so long I don't expect him to show any love, but will those facts even make an appearance in the book??
Oh, that right, Brown doesn't worry about facts much in his fiction - just fiction - even when writing about real places and real people. |
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| OKAY, FOOTBALL FANS, WE KNEW IT WAS COMING.... [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/19/2009 |
Favre is back. Yes, he has signed with the Vikings.
MSNBC.com has a number of stories about it but the funniest is Mike Celizic's piece:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/32462982/ns/sports-nfl/
Perhaps Greg and his crack staff want to take on the issues he brings up as Favre is declared "The Worst Flip-Flopper in Sports History".
Celizic states:
"I know it’s my job, but I’m not even going to try to play armchair psychologist on this guy. I tried it three years ago and two years ago and three or four times last year and again this spring. That’s enough. I quit, and unlike Favre, I mean it. I’ll leave it to the shrinks to decide whether he’s worthy of having a syndrome named after him.
But I will say that I there’s got to be at least one person who has to be delighted beyond words that he’s decided to fail at quitting again — Mrs. Brett Favre.
When people act a certain way in one part of their lives, you can be pretty sure that they act that way in other parts. And if that’s true, as wonderful a guy as Favre is, living with him has to be an exercise in frustration.
I’m sure Deanna Favre won’t admit it — not in public anyway — but you have to suspect that the minute the most unsuccessful quitter in the history of sports climbed on that private plane to fly to Minnesota, she was doing the happy dance."
I think Greg should give her a call and offer some free counseling (for her or for Mr. Favre).
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| CALLED IN THE FIRST HOUR.... [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/19/2009 |
Today's gospel is the familiar reading of the workers in the vineyard:
It begins:
Matthew 20: 1-16
Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o´clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ´You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.´ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o´clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o´clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ´Why do you stand here idle all day?´ They answered, ´Because no one has hired us.´ He said to them, ´You too go into my vineyard.´ ....
This reading is so poignant to me as I am like some other families whose children were called in 'the first hour' as it were. It has little to do with us, but God's calling that created young vocations.
But such vocations are not always well-received by others just as the disagreement with the landowner about the wages at the end of this gospel.
Matt and I, along with other such parents, have endured misunderstanding with some people when we talk about what our children are doing. Some of which I know comes from the amazement that God took one of our kids - what good can come from the Watkins'?? ;-) But for others, it comes from something else and I don't always want to be kind in my reply!
While I usually brush off such words or comments with a smile and that neutral response of, "That's an interesting point you make." In truth, I have always wanted to respond as God does inquiring/demanding an answer from these people - "Is not God allowed to call who he wants, when he wants?? Or are you merely envious of His generosity?"
I don't and I won't but sometimes do so in the silence of my heart!
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| Thursday, August 20, 2009 |
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| FROM A READER [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/20/2009 |
Terry has asked me to post the following. In regard to health care - is it a right and should the gov't then provide it and then, of course, what and how? This is the gist of the ongoing debate in townhall meetings and in the media. Here is the request:
Dear - - - - - -,
Last week we made a major announcement about our co-sponsored faith community call with President Obama taking place this Wednesday, August 19th at 5:00pm ET. Thousands of you have registered and more continue to do so every day. If you missed our e-mail last week, you still have time to sign-up.
Click here to reserve your spot now!
Registration only takes a minute and ensures that you'll receive all important updates about the call. In addition to the President, the call will feature an interfaith coalition of religious leaders explaining what people of faith can do to contribute to this important debate.
Sign-up to learn how the faith community can help pass health care reform!
Catholic teaching is clear that health care is a basic human right and an essential component of the common good, not simply a luxury for a privileged few. It is critical that we have a strong presence of supporters on this call so our elected officials know that people of faith will not let powerful special interests and those sowing fear and division dominate this debate.
Don't miss this historic event. Sign up now!
Sincerely,
Chris, James and Nick
The Catholics United Team
www.catholics-united.org
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| DO YOU TWITTER?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/20/2009 |
We are barely a Facebook family so you won't be surprised to find out that I'm not even sure what Twitter is but they are running a survey with these results - one in three say they don't think God exists! That is how they are listing it. Sounds pretty depressing doesn't it.
How about this 2 out of 3 say they DO think God exists!! Why don't they ever do that? Think of all the surveys with a more conservative or moral turn. Wether it be surveys on abstinence programs, abortion or this attempt to put God in His place (usually last) - they emphasis what they want. Here it would be that God doesn't exist when in truth their results show that more people think He does!!
So, here's the real headline!
2 out of 3 Twitter respondents say GOD EXISTS!!
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| ARE WE A HINDU NATION?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 8/20/2009 |
If you check out the USAToday site and follow the links you end up with that question - which is also a part of Newsweek article:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2009/08/wheres-the-soul-and-are-americans-believing-like-hindus/1
It is as the article states:
Referring to the Newsweek article, Rob Dreher on his BeliefNet Crunchy Con blog states: "If you don't teach doctrine, and why doctrine is important, you shouldn't be surprised when people cease to believe it."
For myself - I've always had a very dim view of reincarnation. And weirdly enough, I dreamt about it just last night wherein I got into a discussion with someone about it.
I repeated as I have before that beyond reincarnation being 'against my religion' I would not want to be hanging out with a God who wants me to do this thing called life more than once. Once is hard enough, once has given me more than a few chances to cry, screw up and, yes, laugh and love but once is enough and on some days too much.
Reincarnation in my mind is not a chance to do things over or better but just another chance to make a mess!
Reincarnation, to me, is a cop-out for those who don't want to be the best they can in this life. It is just like those of us (including me) who will put off until tomorrow what I should do today - the diet, calling a family member, paying a bill. All things we know we should do but don't. But most of what we don't do such as that plan to exercise won't have eternal repercussions. Putting off things that directly affect your soul do!
Reincarnation is living your life on tomorrow. Instead, focus on today! You know what you should do and need to do today - so just do it! Because tomorrow ain't coming - at least the tomorrow of reincarnation!
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| RE: FROM A READER [Kevin Miller] |
| 8/21/2009 |
Just a few quick points in response.
1. Health care is a right.
2. That doesn't mean that a state-funded/run system is the way to go.
3. Refraining from having state-imposed health-care rationing, and state-funded abortion, is an especially essential component of the common good.
4. Isn't Catholics United basically a pro-Obama/Sebelius outfit? Should they be taken seriously? |
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| BACK BUT STILL BUSY [Kevin Miller] |
| 8/21/2009 |
Kim and I went to Milwaukee to visit my family and friends there, and enjoy a couple of the August events in Milwaukee (State Fair and Irish Fest), and make an overnight trip to Cambridge/Lake Ripley (which my parents and sisters and I often visited when I was a kid). We did a lot in the week plus two days that we were in Wisconsin, but had fun.
Classes at FUS start next week, so I'm pretty swamped with beginning-of-semester stuff. Regular blogging (including Sunday readings commentaries) will have to wait another week to resume. But I will now post a quick response to Rachel's reader's question about health care ... |
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