What I love about the Iconostasis

1. It is the perfect symbolism of what one would expect where Heaven meets Earth. There is always a picture of Mary and Jesus. The Theotokos of course is Jacob's Ladder so to speak, God's connecting point between Heaven and Earth. Jesus is of course true God and true Man. But also, there are the saints, the holy ones of God who though human abide in Heaven.

2. The Incarnation is front and center. The middle doors (Royal Doors) always portray the moment of Gabriel anouncing to Mary that she will bear the Christchild. On either side of the Royal Doors is a portrayal of Christ and an icon of Mary holding Jesus. The Incarnation is the removal of that which separated Heaven and Earth (see above).

3. The opening of the curtain highlights the removal of barriers between Heaven and Earth. The curtain is opened at key moments symbolizing the Revelation of God (readings, Eucharist, etc). It is a beautiful and subtle reminder that man had walked in darkness, but no more.

4. Like the name Divine Liturgy itself, we are made to remember that we are worshipping not just on Earth. I read a book called Lamb's Supper when I was in the seminary. I remember that Scott Hahn pointed out that the Mass is occuring in Heaven as well as Earth and that we are constantly worshipping alongside angel's in the same liturgy described in Revelation and OT prophetic writing. At the time that blew me away because I couldn't remember anyone teaching this or even talking about it. Then I came to the Melkite parish where I still am today and found out that Eastern Churches call it Divine Liturgy instead of Mass and I was hooked.

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Frozen Spud

If anyone still reads this blog, I humbly ask that you read what I have so far on another blog called the Frozen Spud.

I hope to publish more of the story soon. I am putting together a Sci-Fi story and who knows maybe publish it someday? I would love any comments you wish to make, be they critical or otherwise. If you like what you read, you are also most welcome to let me know.

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A few notes

1. Yes, it has been a very long time since I have posted and I have thought about closing down the blog altogether. Life has gotten busy: I have been working full time again for the last 2 and a half years. I have been remarried now for 2 years and some change.

2. I have officially changed my rite of ascription. I am no longer Latin Rite, I am now Melkite (Byzantine Rite).

3. I have missed blogging and I hope I can find the time to get back to it. I miss my audience and I miss reading other people's blogs.

4. Most importantly, God bless you all!

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Do you want to be healed?

A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me." -- John 5:5-7 (NASB)

 Its been a few weeks since this reading at St Ignatios, but Jesus' question has been stirring around in my mind for these weeks and I decided to finally put it into the blog.
He asked the man, "Do you want to be healed?". The first running through my mind was that Jesus never forces grace upon anyone. I wrote some thoughts about that once before.
But there was another though that followed soon after: "How many times have people said no?" I know that I have struggled to yes from time to time. I make no secret that I used to drink alcohol to excess (see here, here or here )and certainly I said no many times during those years when I drank. I didn't believe that I had a problem for quite a while. I would tell myself that it wasn't sinful (I knew it really was). I was tell myself and others that it wasn't so bad.
But worst of all I was like the man in the story, I didn't believe I could stop or that there was hope for me. I didn't ask for help from the Lord. I had tried once before to stay sober and failed after 6 months so I gave up on the thought of sobriety and tried to moderation (I failed at that too). Finally, after my year in the seminary it was especially impressed upon me that I had a problem. I tried again to stay sober, but this time I started off by praying in front of the tabernacle at a local parish. A sudden sense of certainty swept over me. I can't explain it properly in words, but I knew from that point that I was free. I have been sober now for 8 years and still going strong.

Enough about myself, the point I am trying to make is that I encourage you to look inward and ask yourself if Jesus has asked you "Do you wish to get well?". Did you say no or did you accept His love and His grace.

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Toilets and Popes

I know what your thinking: Why is it titled "Toilets and Popes"? What kind of garbage is he about to spew? I ask to bear with me for this story.

I had to go to Lowes to buy a new toilet. My daughter was along for the ride in the back of the car.
"Daddy, why do we have to get a new toilet?"
"Its a long story." (It wasn't. I just didn't feel like answering.)
"Tell me the story."
"No."
"Yes."
"No"
"Please!"
"Ok, once upon a time there was a girl named Princess who went with her Daddy to go get a new toilet. The End."
"Tell me another story!"
"Alright."
"Yay!"
"Once upon a time there was a man named Peter. Jesus told him, "I give you the keys to my Father's kingdom. Whatsoever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven." And Peter became the first Pope because with those words Jesus installed him into office as Pope."
"Is that the end?"
"No, Princess. The story continues today. Do you know who the Pope is now?"
"No"
"His name is Frances."

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Things I like about our local Melkite parish VI

51. Baptism hymn sung at Christmas, Baptism of the Lord and Easter. "All of you who have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia."

52. The week after Easter is called Bright Week.

53. Royal Doors remain open all through Bright Week.

54. King Cosmos shown beneath the Apostles on the Pentecost icon

55. Eyes on the icons.
I've been shown that all righteous people portrayed in the icons have both eyes visible. Eyes are the window to the soul and only Satan, Judas, and demons are portrayed with only one eye visible.

56. Icon of the guardian angel. I really like that an icon was specifically put on the wall for guardian angels. Why don't more parishes have depictions of guardian angels?

57. Its where I'm going to be crowned (married) in October.

58. Our new priest! Ok, so he's been around since August but that's still less than a year. I love that he adds humor into every sermon. He always starts his preaching with this greeting :"Good morning, Saints!".
And as strange as it sounds, I've never met a priest who said God bless you except at confession or if I sneezed. He always makes sure to say it when we're done talking.

59. I love the parish community as a sign of unity. The parish is a motley crew. It was started by Ruthenian Catholics (no one in the parish is Arab or originally Melkite) and taken care of and established as a parish by the Melkite eparchy. The first priest was an Anglican convert who was ordained a Latin Rite who was bi-ritual with the Byzantine Rite. The second priest was an Anglican convert to the Antiochian Orthodox Church who was ordained as a priest in the Orthodox Church and who then reconciled with the Catholic Church to become a Melkite priest. We had a Ukrainian Catholic priest in residence who would celebrate the Divine Liturgy with us from time to time until he was called back to his monastery. Our current priest is a former Orthodox priest who used to be pastor for a Western Rite Orthodox parish.
As Catholic of the various Byzantine Catholic Churches move into the area they start coming to the parish. We have Ukrainian, Ruthenian, and Melkite Catholics. There are also of course Latin Rite Catholics who remain in our parish on a continuing basis. And then there are others like me who came as a Latin Catholic, fell in love, and chose to become Melkite.

60. Its a growing parish and I'm looking to seeing what it will become some day. I enjoy the small intimate size, bu I realize that we must not close off the parish to people who also discover the joy of the East.

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I'm back

To my patient audience who have been waiting for any word from me, I apologize for making you wait so long.
Its been busy lately and the blog has taken a back seat. What has kept me busy you ask?
I've met a wonderful woman, dated her, and now we are engaged. My car was totalled (no one was hurt, Thank God!). I was unemployed for a time and frantically trying to find a new job. I have a new job and I am spending quite a bit of time looking for a better one. The list goes on, but I am back with fresh material and I hope the wait hasn't been too long for you.

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Difference in emphasis

I've been going to a Byzantine Rite Catholic parish for a few years now and when this subject comes up people often want to know the difference between Latin and Byzantine Rites. I usually say its a difference in what is emphasized.
The two sides have identical beliefs. The filioque is not part of the Nicene Creed and we have the Dormition instead of Assumption. However,  both sides agree that Mary ended up in Heavean body and soul and it is agreed that the Spirit proceeds through the Son from the Father.
The two sides emphasize different aspects of the same beliefs. For example, Mary is emphasized in the East as Theotokos (Mother of God) and ever-virgin in the West. Both sides believe and teach she is the Theotokos and ever-virgin but each side has its own emphasis.


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7 Quick Takes 5 July 2013

1. Happy Independence Day! God bless these United States!


2. I was teaching my daughter the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.) I wanted to make sure Princess understood the prayer so I asked her, "Do you know what a sinner is?"
"Yeah, that's Father Damien"
"Why do you say that?"
"He says so."
Then it dawned on me while celebrating the Divine Liturgy every Sunday the priest says "O God be propitious to me a sinner" three times bowing before the altar.
I explained to her as best I could what sin is and that all of us are sinners, but her answer was amusing.
By the way, Father Damien is now the abbot of Holy Transfiguration Monastery.

3. Another time while praying the Lord's Prayer with her Mermaid Man came to mind. He always had the funniest reaction when he heard the word evil. I had a mental image of him freaking out after the last word of the Lord's Prayer.

A Google search has revealed that I am not the only one with this funny thought:

4. Pope Francis is releasing his first encyclical today. It was started by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The subject is faith.
Could a Pope Emeritus send out an encyclical or would it be called something different?

5.  I saw this picture on the Facebook page for the Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter.

The picture is of a transitional diaconate ordination. The boy next to the deacon is his son.

6. Hulkamania!


7. O Heavenly King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things; Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life - come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

You can check out other people's Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

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Happy Fourth

Happy Independence Day!
God bless these United States!

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7 Quick Takes 21JUN2013

1. Father's Day went well. I got to spend the whole day together with Princess!  At the end of the day we visited with her Nana and Papa. Her gift to me was at Nana/Papa's. She picked out a nice pocket watch with deer on the cover. Its definitely the best gift I've received in years. I went home and put it in the drawer of my nightstand, not because I didn't want it but because I'm afraid that I will break it otherwise. I have a tendency to break things. I am the reason my parents couldn't have nice things.

2. Two parts from the Psalms always come to mind for me on Father's Day:

Just as a father has compassion on his children,	Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.	The fruit of the womb is a reward.
--Psalm 103:13	Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
	So are the children of one’s youth.
	How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
	They will not be ashamed
	When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
	--Psalm 127:3-5

3.I've really struggled this year to write in this blog. I'm not going to quit writing on it, but I think I need to think and pray about new subjects to write about. I always had something to write about when I was in the seminary (most days 2 or 3 posts) but the inspiration has diminished since then. After a while in Iraq I stopped writing here altogether and forgot I had this blog for over a year before I began posting again. Maybe a retreat is in order.

4.Would anyone in my limited audience care to guest post here at 50 Days After? I've asked before but I only ever got one taker.

5. I read about a shooting in Utah during Mass. The man who was shot is expected to survive. Please say a prayer for those involved and a prayer for the shooter that he may repent.

6. I finished reading Willie Robertson's autobiography. I previously read Phil Robertson's autobiography. I like how each chapter starts with a Bible verse. I was thinking what I could put for Bible verses at the beginning of chapters if I wrote an autobiography, but all I could think of was Jonah when he was swallowed by the whale.

7. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.

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Father's Day 2013

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there!
I think the US should change Father's Day to March 19 so that it will be on the Feast of St Joseph, but that's just my humble opinion.
My Father's Day started off at 6:15 this morning with a text message from a number I don't recognize wishing me a "Happy Father's Day!".
A short while ago I read a story from Catholic News Agency about fatherhood. The rest I though was blah but these two paragraphs stood out to me:

Frequently in pop culture – especially in sitcoms on television – fathers are shown as clueless or out of touch and domineering, he said. When this is the only example of fatherhood and masculinity men have, that role almost becomes “a self-fulfilling cycle.”

However, no matter what the “external factors” are, such as pop culture or economic status, a man must be aware that his value and worth are from God, Caulfield emphasized.

To understand God as our Father, we must understand what a father is. I have read many times that the home is the first seminary and fathers most certainly have a God-given role to catechize.

 "As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him"
--Psalm 103:13

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7 Random Thoughts

1. Never trust a skinny cook or a bald barber.

2. Prisoneralert.com helps you to write letters to Christians around the world persecuted for the faith.

3. Justin Bieber is going into space. Maybe he'll stay there?

4. Its been raining for the last three days here. With this tropical storm it looks like 3 or more days of rain ahead. By the time I finally get to mow my lawn, its going to be about a foot and half high.

5. At least we don't have a drought this year.

6. I had wanted to pick blueberries this weekend, but it looks like that will have to wait.

7. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.

See other people's Quick Takes at conversiondiary.com

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Sunday Snippets 26May2013

Its been a slow week for me, but at least this week I am back to blogging. On Thursday there was Theotokos Thursday XI and 5 Lesssons from "The Gods Must Be Crazy". On Friday I did 7 Quick Takes.

Check out the other Sunday Snippets this week at This That and the Other Thing
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7 Quick Takes 24May2013

1. I forgot to do these this week but still set this to publish at midnight this morning. Sorry if your feed had the blank post.

2. Today's the last day of school for Princess. We're going to spend all of next week together. Not sure what we'll do yet, but its a safe bet we'll go to the zoo.

3. The Christmas Cactus has finally died. I guess its time to throw it out.

4. I saw multiple headlines stating variants of "Pope says atheists are saved". Some things never change, the media misinterpreted and warped Pope emeritus Benedict XVI's words too.

5. "What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others." St John of the Cross



image source

6. Have a blessed Memorial Day! Please remember Memorial Day means something besides time off of work and the start of summer. Please pray for those who died in the service of our nation.

7. From the Archdiocese of Detroit:
Heavenly Father,

On this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down

their lives for the cause of freedom. May the example of their sacrifice

inspire in us the selfless love of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their

lives with your strength and peace.

In union with people of goodwill of every nation, embolden us to

answer the call to work for peace and justice, and thus, seek an end

to violence and conflict around the globe.

We pray through Christ our Lord.

Amen

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5 Lessons from "The Gods Must be Crazy"

5. Cross-cultural miscommunications can be funny.

4. People are not stupid because they don't know what we know.
X! didn't know that goats are livestock and he didn't know how to use modern machinery. However, he learned quickly how to drive and moreover he knew about animals and tracking in a way that would seem magical to people who grew up in towns and cities. If the roles were reversed, he might wonder why we couldn't figure out basic survival in the bush.

3. Too many of us are slaves to the clock.


2. Other people's problems can become your problems.
As Sam Boja and his rebels fled from the soldiers, they kidnapped the teacher and her students to use as human shields. Then they forced them to march for miles before X! put them to sleep with his darts.

1. Things do not bring happiness.
Anyone who has seen the movie remembers that the Coke bottle was very useful, but caused great unhappiness. By throwing the bottle off the edge of the world, they were able to return to their peaceful lives.

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Theotokos Thursday XI

where I found the picture

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7 Quick Takes 17MAY13

1. I have 78 more posts until I reach my goal of 1000 posts. I'm not sure what reason I will have to continue blogging after that. I have a hard time thinking of things to say.

2. Personally, I prefer having fewer things to say to those out there who have too many things to say. As Shakespeare famously put it, "Brevity is the soul of wit."

3. I started a blog post about lessons learned from The Gods Must be Crazy. I think it will be one of my best posts, even if I have to say so myself.

4. May 13th was the eighth anniversary of my commissioning as an Army officer. I didn't anything special any of the other years and this one went by unobserved also.

5. Memorial Day is coming up and it actually means something to me. I know I shouldn't worry about what others do, but it irks me sometimes when people just use the long weekend as an excuse to party. May God have mercy on our war dead.

6. I've been discerning whether I have a call to the priesthood. However, at the same time, I have a young daughter.

7. I'm glad that Gosnell was sentenced to life in prison rather than given a death sentence. I am sad that so many children died, but his life is no less valuable. May God convert his heart and may he repent.

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Theotokos Thursday X

Jesus, Mary and Saint Nicholas
from the Saint Nicholas Center
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Theotokos Thursday IX

Jacob's Ladder is a prefiguring of the Theotokos.

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