Thursday, March 31, 2011

And under the strange but true category, we have...

President Obama finally and quietly accepted his “transparency” award from the open government community this week — in a closed, undisclosed meeting at the White House on Monday.
Remember: this is a secret!

Friday, March 25, 2011

How much did her "Yes" cost Mary?


Today, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, I reflected on the Seven Sorrows of Mary as I tromped around the city. I didn't get much further than the first three -- the ones that have to do with Jesus as a child: Simeon's Prophecy, The Flight Into Egypt, and The Loss of Jesus.

The Flight Into Egypt stopped me


It was sad --
I was saddened -- to think about how Mary felt, far, far, away from home, in a strange land. I pictured her leaning against, I don't know, a pyramid maybe, lovingly watching her young Boy playing in the sand, thinking about how her parents -- Anne and Joachim -- were missing these terrific years of their Grandchild's growth. A sad moment, sure, but imagine the excruciating pain she felt when she considered the reason they were in Egypt in the first place...to escape the fate of all of those babies slaughtered. I couldn't get the vision out of my mind.

Then, the Mass!


And what a joyful celebration it was, at Saint Francis Chapel. The opportunity to kneel at those profound words of the Creed. The Roman Canon. The exquisite prayers. The Eucharist. It was, it remains, a joyful thing to know that Mary said "yes."

Followed by the Rosary

It being Friday, we prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries, which complemented (or so I thought) my earlier meditation on the Seven Sorrows. Only...I wept.

And then, the Stations of the Cross

With, of course, the "Stabat Mater." You know, I think I can sing the entire "Stabat Mater" and cry, even without praying the Stations. In any case, I kept wondering: what did this cost you, Mother, this "yes" of yours?


"Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Be it done to me according to thy word!"

Of course, Mary knew the Lord's Prayer long before Jesus taught it to us -- at least, the gist of it. And, exhausted but somehow exhilarated, I walked home thinking that, while, indeed, her "yes" cost her plenty, her "yes" also glorified this woman: this woman who so eagerly cooperated in our salvation.

"Full of Grace"


The term means "without sin." This Lady, the Immaculate Conception, wasn't just conceived "full of grace"...she remained so, despite, as the world would say, "against all odds."
How much did her "yes" cost Mary? An awful lot, while in this vale of tears. But -- rejoice! This woman, assumed into Heaven, body and soul, is now the Queen of All Creation. Which might make you feel pretty good, until you consider this:

She's Your Mother and She Loves
You!

Thank you, my most Blessed Mother. Thank you for your "yes."

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Christ in Me (The Deer's Cry: Saint Patrick's Breastplate)

I passed by many an overflowing pub today as I walked the sunny streets of Boston, and that was fine, but what was finer still was when, after resuming my walk after Mass, a gentleman smiled at me and wished me "God's blessings on this holy day."

May I wish you the same? I do! And a glorious Lent as well!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

A Timely Public Service Announcement:

Hey!

Set your clocks and watches ahead 1 hour right NOW!!!

Don't wait! Do it NOW! Otherwise you'll FORGET and THEN you'll be LATE tomorrow!!! You've been warned, so do it NOW!

This has been a public service announcement from the Lady in the Pew.

You're welcome! :-)

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

NPR: "non-bigoted, non-racist, straightforward point of view"...uh huh

Okay, I'm thinking that by the time you view this, NPR will issue some apology. And yes, I know it was a sting job. And no, I don't want to debate the morality of sting jobs. I'd be happy, however, to debate the question of why I outta pay for a station that calls me and people who believe as I do...stupid. :-)

Monday, March 07, 2011

Clueless in Seattle University

The oldest and largest of Seattle University's schools and colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences builds upon and continues the traditions of Catholic and Jesuit higher education and offers a wide variety of degree programs in the humanities, social sciences, professions, and the arts.
Traditions of Catholic higher education?

How does that jive with internships at, for example, Planned Parenthood?

Sheesh.

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Pro-life Jane Russell, RIP


Her favorite book is the Bible. She reads a passage from it every day.

A longtime pro-life activist, she opposes the use of abortion in any circumstance including rape or incest.

Read more about the lady -- and I mean lady -- here.


Let's not forget the souls in Purgatory!

At Mass today, the intention was for the souls in Purgatory. I love when people do that!

Here's Kathy Schiffer's take on this: "Purgatory and Presumption: Please Don't Forget to Pray for Me!