A cool summer morning in the Texas Panhandle

Taken by Traces of Texas

Daffodils

Daffodils, Edward B. Gordon

Good Friday was the perfect day to finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

This is my fourth time through the series - there couldn't possibly be a better day to read the end of this book (of the series) than on Good Friday. Everything about Harry as a Christ figure resonates so strongly against the backdrop of Christ's passion which is so present during the Triduum. Really perfect.

What a series. Rowling wrote a master work. No character is left without motivation, no one is all good or all evil (except Voldemort, and even he is pitiable as seen in the way station).

See Me on a Live Webcast on OSV Today - 1 Central Time

This webcast will be a half-hour interview about - of course - my new book Thus Sayeth the Lord: A Fresh Take on the Prophets.

Here's where you can see it and it will be on-demand about an hour after we finish - so you can really see it any time at your convenience.

It looks as if you have to register to watch.

“God Does His Greatest Work Through Frail People” — My Interview with Tony Rossi

Though these stories are thousands of years old, Julie reiterates that they can apply to our lives today. She says, “These prophets were people just like us. We all are dealing with the Lord. What does He want us to do? Where are we God’s mouth, so to speak? These people were put in extraordinary circumstances and they had to really step it up. They were called to do big things, but in our own everyday lives, we’re called to do extraordinary things. They’re just not against the king. They’re with our next door neighbor, with our in-laws, with our children or our coworkers.”

My interview with Tony Rossi of The Christophers is available for your listening pleasure! :-)

The Kindle version is available at Amazon. The print version is now scheduled for June 1 (thank you coronavirus!).

The Haunted Lady by Mary Roberts Rinehart

It’s enough to stop Eliza Fairbanks’s heart. At least that’s what the elderly widow claims is being done to her. First, someone unleashes a cloud of bats in her locked bedroom. When that doesn’t do the trick, next comes a pack of rats to claw at her toes. Special duty nurse Hilda Adams, aka “Miss Pinkerton” to the Homicide Bureau, believes Eliza’s every rattled fear is true. She may be frail—but she’s not batty.

What Eliza is, is very, very rich. Out of the shady and oddball assortment of relatives swarming the mansion, someone clearly has an eye on the Fairbanks fortune. Now it’s Hilda’s job to keep an eye on Eliza before a potential killer resorts to more definitive means. And considering all the bad blood running through the heart of the Fairbanks family, it might already be too late to save her charge.

I enjoyed the heck out of this mystery from 1942. It is classic in just the way you want when the point of reading is to enter another world.

This is the classic mystery situation of the wealthy family full of disgruntled offspring. You can't tell who is simply calloused and who's up to no good. It's got bats, rats, ghosts, and spooky noises, none of which put Hilda off her sleuthing. The solution was perfect and I couldn't believe I hadn't figured it out. All the clues were there.

A lot of fun for those who like older style mysteries.

Monet in His Studio Boat

Monet in His Studio Boat, Eduoard Manet

Manet painted Claude Monet in his Studio Boat in the summer of 1874 at Gennevilliers.

Partly no doubt because he was more interested in the old masters than the other Impressionists and took a more traditional view of the painter’s role in society, Manet was slow to take up the idea of painting on the spot, in the open air.

But that summer it all changed quite dramatically when he spent some time painting with Monet and Renoir at Argenteuil, a small town just down-river from Paris. There it was Monet’s convictions which especially affected him, and although he never became particularly interested in landscape as such, took to painting people out of doors.

Here he has captured Monet and his wife Camille in the boat which the painter used as a floating studio, rowing it up and down the Seine and stopping whenever he spotted a promising subject. Monet was often desperately poor, but could always rely on a loan from Manet – who was equally unpopular but less dependent on art for his income.

Wikiart article

St. Corona - pray for us anyway

Saint Corona

In the middle of March, Catholic news outlets began to report an extraordinary coincidence: not only is there a saint named Corona, but she happens to be the patroness of epidemics. Suddenly, her cult exploded. The internet was flooded with new prayers and litanies beseeching this obscure Saint Corona to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the end of the month, however, the “fact”-checkers at Snopes (those renowned experts on the Roman martyrology) announced that Saint Corona was not, in fact, a patroness of epidemics. ...

In truth, they’re right. There’s no history of Corona being invoked against plague and pandemic. Traditionally, she’s regarded as the patroness of gamblers and treasure-hunters. In fact, she probably went by the name Stephanie in her mortal existence.

But, then, who cares? Do these wet blankets really think Corona is going to refuse our prayers just because she’s not an officially designated plague saint?

This is a wonderful article which points out that historically it is not the Vatican who chooses what saints are the patrons of, it is the people. And, in the case of St. Corona, the people have spoken! Plus, we can ask any saint we like for intercessory prayer, whether or not it is under their patronage.

I really love this bit of the article, which you should go read in its entirety.

We might imagine the popular patrons all rushing here and there, furiously answering petitions. St. Christopher is dashing between fathers who are setting off on long car trips; St. Anthony is tending to busy mothers who have lost their car keys. And there, amid all this bustle, sweet Corona sits on her little throne. Now and then she hears the plea of an Italian grandmother asking for help with her son’s gambling debt but, otherwise, her days are rather uneventful.

Then, suddenly, a loud roar goes up from the earth. The heavens quake; St. Peter’s book nearly falls from its pedestal. Saint Corona almost takes no notice, expecting St. Michael to fly into battle with his flaming sword or St. Brendan to leap into the sea with his great life-ring. Then she notices St. Anthony and St. Christopher, St. Michael and St. Brendan, have halted in their tracks. All at once, they turn and look at her.

Saint Corona blinks. Then, at last, she hears a hundred thousand voices calling her name. Baffled, she looks up at Our Lord. He smiles. “They’re asking for you, Corona.” So she rises from her throne, puts on her crown of glory, and gets to work.

This vision of Saint Corona suddenly going to her new job brought to mind Jo Walton's wonderful story Joyful and Triumphant: Saint Zenobius and the Aliens.

It is short, maybe three pages so go read it at the link. Walton says she wrote it when meditating upon what life in Heaven would be like. It is a delightful companion piece to the imaginings above.

Note: I hadn't heard of St. Corona. Many thanks to Maria for bringing this article to my attention!

Iris

Frank Vincent DuMond, Iris, c. 1902

My favorite flower. Did you know that different colors of irises have different scents?

Lazarus and the Coronavirus

Beautiful. Ten minutes long, but worth every second.

Considering how heartbreaking it is not to be able to accompany our loved ones who are dying of the Coronavirus, it is striking to note that when told that Lazarus had died, Jesus replied, "I am glad that I was not there." What did He mean? How are we to understand His reply?

A careful look at the numbers for coronavirus in the U.S.

This pandemic, now that it has reached America, has taken 3,173 lives here. This, from a tested population of 164,359 cases. That’s a mortality rate of 1.9%. But immediately, questions must be asked. We record every case of death from the coronavirus, but we have no idea how many people have had the coronavirus. Clearly, there are more than 164,359 cases because not everyone has been tested. That would put the mortality rate at less than 1.9%. That rate could be far, far less. As Eran Bendavid and Jay Bhattacharya, professors of medicine at Stanford, have written, based on their model of over 6 million cases they believe exist: “That’s a mortality rate of 0.01%, assuming a two-week lag between infection and death. This is one-tenth of the flu mortality rate of 0.1%.”

William J. Bennett writing at RealClearPolitics has a good piece that helps us keep perspective. Or it helps me do so anyway. Read it all.

Coronavirus in Counties
This map from USA Facts lets you see the number of virus cases and deaths by county. As my husband reminded me, half the cases in the country are concentrated in a few places.

Just my deep breath moments over keeping the sense of perspective that most of the media lost long ago.

Holmes the busybody!

"I know you, you scoundrel! I have heard of you before. You are Holmes the meddler."

My friend smiled.

"Holmes the busybody!"

His smile broadened.

"Holmes the Scotland Yard jack-in-office."

Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most entertaining," said he.

Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Speckled Band

Irises in Evening Shadows

Irises in Evening Shadows, Max Pechstein

Scott Danielson interviewed me about my new book!

Listen here at A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast!

AND he just reviewed it, saying:

In "Thus Sayeth the Lord", Julie Davis has given us a book that makes the prophets accessible and personal. She helps us see the prophets as relevant and as living, breathing people in their time, each unique yet each called by God. I come away from this book feeling much closer to them than I did before, and with a new enthusiasm for the Old Testament as a whole.

Thank you, Scott!

The word is more real and more lasting than the entire material world

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will not pass away." (Mk 13:31) The word—which seems almost nothing in comparison to the mighty power of the immeasurable material cosmos, like a fleeting breath against the silent grandeur of the universe—the word is more real and more lasting than the entire material world. The word is the true, dependable reality, the solid ground on which we can stand, which holds firm even when the sun goes dark and the firmament disintegrates. ... [The] word of Jesus is the true firmament beneath which we can stand and remain.

Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth—Holy Week

The Lonely Pope

Edward B. Gordon, The Lonely Pope

The artist says:

This time at the moment gives us pictures that we will not forget for a very long time. Pope Francis praying in the rain on the deserted St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

Polish Godzilla Poster

Via J.R.'s Art Place

Gospel of Matthew: A Lamp in the Hand of God and Stained Glass

Matthew 5:15

Out of order again, but this is worth backing up for. At least I think so ...

In the Lord's saying, "when a lamp is lit, it is not put under the bushel basket...," the word for "lamp" used (Greek word) actually means "portable lamp," and this makes the saying all the more poignant. It makes us, in fact, to be a lamp in the hand of God, a light that must allow itself to be moved about by Christ as he sees fit. The house is not lit up all at once but according to the need of the moment: now the kitchen, now the dining room, now the study or the bedroom requires light. Because it is Christ who has kindled his light, the Christian will also allow his Lord to choose the particular lampstand where he will shine, and when.

[...]

It would be a great mistake, however, for us to look too avidly for the proofs of the effect of our presence in the world. Inevitably, we would lose heart, because in the end we lack the means of measuring and judging things as God sees them. Who knows the true meaning and import of what transpires in a human heart, our own or another's? How can we know whether a negative sign, such as sadness and conflict, is not in fact the middle phase of a process that will culminate in much good? Our real business is to allow God to shed his light through us, and, since the light belongs to him, he will know where to focus it and to what effect. Our endeavor should be to make ourselves transparent so as not to eclipse his brilliance.

Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word by Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis

The idea of being a lamp in Christ's hand doesn't get anywhere near the intimacy implied if we just think of a modern idea of a lamp. Reading Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs I was fascinated to see that lamps of the time were palm sized and would have shed light only where the person directed it. This is the lamp Christ would have been speaking of. Think of Him directing our light in the palm of his hand.

Reflecting upon this, I came across Thomas Merton's quote about transparency and God shining through.

Life is this simple: we are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and the divine is shining through it all the time. This is not just a nice story or a fable, it is true.

And at about this time I was slowly working my way through Lumen Fidei, Pope Francis' encyclical on the Light of Faith. This passage about the give and take of God's deeds and life stories shone a light on my own mind.

Israel’s confession of faith takes shape as an account of God’s deeds in setting his people free and acting as their guide (cf. Dt 26:5-11), an account passed down from one generation to the next. God’s light shines for Israel through the remembrance of the Lord’s mighty deeds, recalled and celebrated in worship, and passed down from parents to children. Here we see how the light of faith is linked to concrete life-stories, to the grateful remembrance of God’s mighty deeds and the progressive fulfilment of his promises. Gothic architecture gave clear expression to this: in the great cathedrals light comes down from heaven by passing through windows depicting the history of salvation. God’s light comes to us through the account of his self-revelation, and thus becomes capable of illuminating our passage through time by recalling his gifts and demonstrating how he fulfils his promises.

It all came together for me at that moment. Is it original? Unlikely. But it was a moment of blinding reality when I realized that my life is the stained glass window that God shines through to show others His existence, to show them some facet of His face that they need at that moment.

It was part of an opening of my own mind in answer to that question of our lives being lived in the light of God's will and of our own free will. How much is God and how much is us? The stained glass does not turn on the light which illuminates it to others, but it does paint a story that may inspire others in some way.

I can't express this well but the image shines often in my mind's eye. It is a guide for me as I make my way through the day, hoping that God will shine through the stained glass of my life in a way that others will see.

This series first ran in 2008. I'm refreshing it as I go.

H-E-B - Prepared to handle any emergency, including Covid-19

Craig Boyan: Starting in January, we’ve been in close contact with several retailers and suppliers around the world. As this has started to emerge, we’ve been in close contact with retailers in China, starting with what happened in Wuhan in the early couple of months, and what kind of lessons they learned. Over the last couple of months, [we’ve been] in close contact with some of our Italian retailers and suppliers, understanding how things have evolved in Italy and now in Spain, talking to those countries that are ahead of us in the curve. We’ve been in daily contact, understanding the pace and the change and the need for product, and how things have progressed in each of those countries.

Justen Noakes: We modeled what had been taking place in China from a transmission perspective, as well as impact. As the number of illnesses and the number of deaths were increasing, obviously the Chinese government was taking some steps to protect their citizens, so we basically mirrored what that might look like. We also took an approach to what we saw during H1N1 in 2009, and later got on top of it. Our example was if we were to get an outbreak, specifically in the Houston area, how would we manage that, and how would we respond with our current resources, as well as what resource opportunities would we have.

Texas Monthly

I've mentioned before how much I love the Central Market and their parent grocery H-E-B. This (free) story shows why. They were planning, they were ready, they are considerate of their employees. And they kept my store stocked. Outstanding.

Mother and Son

Mother and Son, Remo Savisaar

I've been seeing lots of photos of fledgling owls emerging from the nest on the North Central Texas Wildlife page on Facebook. Remo Savisaar is in Estonia so it must be the season everywhere.

Christopher Closeup interview about Thus Sayeth the Lord

I had the great pleasure of being interviewed by Tony Rossi of The Christopher Closeup.

Our interview will air this Sunday, March 29th, on Sirius-XM's The Catholic Channel (129) at 7:00am and 11:30am Eastern - and on Relevant Radio at 7:00am Eastern.


It will be released as a podcast during Holy Week.

The Church is Never Closed

Some of the initial statements I read from parishes and dioceses were all “WE’RE CLOSED.”

Which is not the message of the Gospel. We are not closed. We are never closed. Even if, God forbid, the physical church building has to be closed, the Church is not closed.

Amy Welborn

Day One - "Shelter at Home" in Dallas and the Grocery Store

Dallas County is now under a "shelter at home" order, which I suppose you could say is a gentle form of lockdown.

We'd already been planning on going to the store on Monday to avoid crowds. When they scheduled the order to begin on Tuesday, we thought we'd try to avoid what we thought might be big crowds on the last day before the order began. So instead we went on the first day of the stay at home order — this morning.

I'd heard from Hannah in line at the Central Market yesterday that entrance was being judiciously spaced out by the store so there was a line — but a fairly quick one. And that's what we experienced also. They made sure that everyone had a chance to get inside, get a freshly disinfected cart, and to disperse in the store before letting the next person in.

No one inside the store practiced the 6-foot rule in general, but no one was talking to each other and everyone did keep a "cone of distance" around them.

Everything was stocked and in select places like the butcher or deli counters there were green mats on the floor indicating six foot distances to maintain. And about 2/3 of us did it.

I have to say I felt a real gratitude for the friendly hospitality and thoughtfulness of how HEB (Central Market's owner) planned things out. You felt welcome, but it was clear they took everything seriously.

I took a picture of the social distancing in place at the checkout so Mom could see how it was. And I share it here with you!

Mapping the COVID-19 outbreak in the US

Remember USA Facts? The Nonpartisan government data site that uses easy to understand graphics to break down the facts as they are reported by government agencies?

Yeah. I'd kind of forgotten about them too. Until my husband told me about a fascinating map that breaks down the outbreak numbers by state ... and by county.

Here's the latest data.

Upcoming - Live Streaming Annunciation Mass and More

On Wednesday, St. Thomas Aquinas will live stream a Mass for the Feast of the Annunciation at 10:00 am.

And, of course it can be watched any time on the Facebook feed.

They have also decided to record weekday daily reflections. More on that later as it develops.

Pray the "Our Father" at noon on the Annunciation

Pope Francis has invited us “to invoke the Almighty, the omnipotent God, to recite at the same time the prayer that Jesus, our Lord, taught us” – the Our Father.

We're invited to join in this prayer at noon on the Annunciation, Wednesday, March 25.

Type Z and Not Freaking Out

At the same time, I want to say: if you're not freaking out right now, it's okay! This is a time that plays to the strengths of us Type-Z people in other ways than it plays to the strengths of the Type-A planners and organizers. The world, the neighborhood, the family needs people who can be cheerful, unafraid, easy-going, roll-with-the-punches. I'm not talking about risk-takers, but about having a balanced outlook even in unprecedented circumstances. We love our families, we take precautions, and then we know: what's going to happen is going to happen.

All shall be well, said Julian of Norwich, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well. May all manner of thing be well with you, my friends.

Mrs. Darwin, DarwinCatholic

We are type-A in our household and yet have managed to hold fairly well to the attitude Mrs. Darwin mentions above. In our case, a wide contrarian streak helps a lot.

Occasionally one of us has to stop and ask for a family member to talk us down from becoming anxious. And that works since big doses of common sense and contrariness are liberally and willingly applied by other household members.

We're as prepared as possible and we know "what's going to happen is going to happen."

The End of the Journey

Hugh Thomson, The End of the Journey
via Old Book Illustrations

An early positive comment on Thus Sayeth the Lord

We've been reading this out loud as a family and just finished the Deborah chapter. The kids love it, and everyone has been paying good attention and asking intelligent questions. Thanks for writing such a fun book on a complex topic!

Mrs. Darwin (from DarwinCatholic blog) commented after I announced the e-book is now for sale on Amazon.

I couldn't be more pleased. Will be very interested to hear how they handle Hosea, which I say right up front is not a family friendly prophet!

Pick up your e-book today! You might be surprised how the prophets can help you handle our hard times today!

Suffering and Deeper Realities

It is well to remember that so long as a soul has not suffered, it lives only on the surface; the deeper realities escape its grasp. In the mystery of Christ lie hidden depths of divine reality which only those can reach and penetrate who, like Christ, have each in his own way been crucified. Authentic holiness is always consummated on a cross.

Father M.M. Philipon, O.P.

Louise Hollandine of the Palatinate

Louise Hollandine of the Palatinate, self portrait

I picked this up from J.R.'s Art Place where he had the following information, which is fascinating. For myself, I simply love that hat!

Louise Hollandine of the Palatinate was the daughter of Frederick V of the Palatinate and King of Bohemia, and Elizabeth Stuart. Raised in a Protestant household in the Netherlands, she showed great artistic talent. Her family arranged for her to study under one of the greatest artists of the time, Gerard van Honthorst.

The painting shown here is a self-portrait by her circa 1650. It was in 1657 that she, for unknown reasons, fled the Netherlands with the aid of her aunt Henrietta Marie de Bourbon, the widow of Charles I of England. In France she converted to Roman Catholicism and entered the Cistercian Abbey of Maubuisson. In retaliation, she was left out of her mother's will.

In 1664 she became Abbess of Maubuisson. She continued painting after entering the Abbey, mostly of religious subjects.

Shah Rukh Khan on the war against coronavirus

Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan does a coronavirus public service announcement using scenes from his movies.

I'm very proud to say that I recognized a lot of the scenes — yes, I'm a SRK fan. I don't know if people who don't know his movies will find this as amusing as we did.

Though no matter who you are, I'm sure you agree that the hat and sunglasses are tragic. Just ignore them.



For those who don't know, here's how SRK really looks. Now you can see what I meant about the hat and glasses.

Chef Yia Medina on Lessons Learned From Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Cleaned-Out Grocery Stores

I found this story inspiring especially since I haven't been through the disasters that Yia Medina has.

STA-Live: Streaming Mass, Faith, and Community

Our priest live streamed the Mass on Facebook this morning. It really won't be a big deal to people who aren't parish members, but his homily was wonderful (as always) and you might like it. It is about 22 minutes in. His closing comments at about 54 minutes are also good.

I found my husband's comments equally inspiring when he shared it on Facebook. He doesn't talk about his faith much (make that "ever") so you know he was moved by watching the Mass and our community:

While I consider myself a faithful Catholic I am certainly no zealot. Watching a Mass online does nothing for me. But this Mass from our parish of 30 years proved how much I see community as my connection to God. It shows me how community is inherently local. Most of you will not get the same feeling from this Mass from our parish. But it is what "church" is to me. I could easily find a Mass online with better production values (multi-camera, mic'd to the hilt) but this is my community.

For me, community is where faith is put into action. You will rarely see most of the acts of support and mercy that are happening. But they are out there. Yesterday, Julie and I raced through two grocery stores to get supplies for a sick friend (and fellow parishioner) who should not be going out into the world right now. To the others in the stores we looked like everyone else getting ready for our "social separation". But I am sure many of the other shoppers were like us.

Here's the Mass video. 22 minutes into this video is a beautiful homily from Father Libone and at 54 minutes he gives an eloquent blessing for the times.

Thus Sayeth the Lord E-book Released TODAY!

Thus Sayeth the Lord had a March 31 release date but right now, as you can imagine, Amazon isn’t sending out orders on anything other than essential items.

SO, the publisher has released the e-book today and the print book will release when shipping loosens up some.

That means this very day you can have the prophets to help you get through hard times ... and everyday life.

Get it at Amazon now!

What I'm Reading: Mirabile by Janet Kagan

I've seen it reported that people are reading and watching movies about contagions.

This mystifies me. Real life isn't enough for them? As always, when faced with stressful circumstances in life I turn to light, entertaining books to get away from it all.

This book is one I'd forgotten I had until browsing through my Kindle library. It's just what the doctor ordered!

That year the Ribeiro's daffodils seeded early and they seeded cockroaches. Now, ecologically speaking, even a cockroach has its place -- but these suckers bit. That didn't sound Earth-authentic to me. Not that I care, mind you, all I ask is useful. I wasn't betting on that either.

A light, enjoyable collection of connected short stories told in a pleasing voice. These strike me as perfect juvenile stories though I can see how they'd be fun if encountered in sf magazines. There is little character development, what you see is what you get. Not that there's anything wrong with that for entertaining reading.

They are largely problem solving tales, wrapped in the intriguing environment of human colonists on Mirabile. Scientists who packed the colony ships with embryos also planned for emergency redundancy with some gene twisting so that each species contains the genes for other species. Which is super until your computer has a glitch that loses how to turn those genes off or on. When the Earth species react to the alien environment they reproduce with different species altogether, or sometimes with unexpected results of genes that mixed to produce monsters. My favorite — the Kangaroo Rex.

The fun is in watching Jason, the planet's genetic/environmental problem solver, evaluate and handle the various mutations along the way.

Hannah & Rose discuss the early 2000s metal scene, the loneliness of the long distance vampire ...

... and the respective merits of vampire versus human blood in bestowing superpowers as they watch Queen of the Damned (2002). Get it at More is More, a bad movie podcast.

Eggplant with Molten Mozzarella

A delicious Friday meatless meal ... the mozzarella is a variation so if you just see eggplant at the store and no mozzarella, we've got you covered! It's also perfect for using the vegetables that others might not be buying. Get it at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Great Train Robbery

N.C. Wyeth, Great Train Robbery

All In Good Fun: Taskmaster

This is a British comedy show that you can see here on YouTube. It is ostensibly a game show but really is watched for the comedy.

Taskmaster Greg Davies set a series of simple and bizarre challenges to five comedians who are the contestants.  The tasks – usually performed alone, but sometimes in teams – are funny and challenging.

The first season included such things as doing something that will look impressive in reverse, cooking a meal using ingredients representing every letter of the alphabet (this one had us looking up what begins with X), making a huge block of ice disappear, and drawing a picture while riding on the back of a trotting horse.

Part of the fun comes in listening to the contestants justify their methods and results — they are comedians, after all, and can get hilariously creative as they think outside the box.

We just finished season one and I'm delighted to see that there are eight more seasons awaiting us.

Queen of the Court of Carnival Flowers

Helen Guenther, Queen of the Court of Carnival Flowers in San Antonio, 1911
via Traces of Texas

To the Victor Belong the Spoils!

My hero!

I was worried I was going to have to get to know the neighbors over more than a cup of sugar. Going door to door to borrow a roll of toilet paper is more of an ice breaker than I really want. But we'd been searching stores since last Friday without success.

Then Tom returned triumphant! He snagged one of the four packages at the store!

And there was great rejoicing!

Under lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Italians break out in song from rooftops, balconies and windows.

ROME — It started with the national anthem. Then came the piano chords, trumpet blasts, violin serenades and even the clanging of pots and pans — all of it spilling from people’s homes, out of windows and from balconies, and rippling across rooftops.

Finally, on Saturday afternoon, a nationwide round of applause broke out for the doctors on the medical front lines fighting the spread of Europe’s worst coronavirus outbreak.

“It was from our hearts, to say thanks and show that we can get past this,” said Emma Santachiara, 73, who came out onto the terrace of her apartment in the Monteverde section of Rome to clap with her granddaughters.

Here's a lovely story from the New York Times, which is free (woohoo!) so go read it all. It will lift your spirits! (Thanks to Patsy for pointing it out.)

Inspiration – Daily Mass from Bishop Barron's Chapel

From Word on Fire:

Friends, in an effort to continue the practice of our faith in these trying times, when many parishes have closed due to restrictions around the coronavirus, we invite you to join us online for daily Mass from Bishop Barron's chapel, celebrated either by Bishop Barron himself or by Fr. Steve Grunow, CEO of Word on Fire.

The video will be posted below at 8:15am ET each day.

Finally, please continue to pray for all those affected by the coronavirus.

There's also a link to a virtual tour of the chapel. Get it all here.

We are merely here as pilgrims

We are now at the end of 1761. Today the New Year of 1762 had begun. How many saw the beginning of the year that has just gone but did not live to see its end! We should give thanks to God that we are allowed to see its conclusion. But do we know whether we shall see the end of this year? Certainly, many will not see it. Who knows if we shall not among this number? A year must dawn for us that will be our last.

We should awaken our faith and strive for the remainder of our lives to live according to the maxims of our faith. Why should we wait until death overtakes us and finds us living according to the maxims of the world? Let us awaken our faith to realize that this earth is not our true home but that we are merely here as pilgrims.

Our faith will give us confidence in our difficulties, teaching us that whoever prays will be saved. May our faith make us always live with the thought of eternity. Let's keep ever before our eyes this great thought - everything in this world comes to an end, whether it be prosperity or adversity. Eternity alone never ends.

St. Aphonsus Liguori

This seems just as appropriate for right now as for the beginning of a new year. Faced with a pandemic, appropriately happening during Lent when we repent and turn again toward the Lord, we are nudged (or shoved) into self-reflection. We're not so different from the folks in 1762.

Receiving Line

Belinda Del Pesco, Receiving Line

UPDATED: Help in coping with corona virus — Homeschooling Help, Free school age audiobooks, free Magnificat online

Free audiobooks for those home from school

B.J. Harrison from The Classic Tales podcast has a great resource.

Do you have kids at home right now? I've decided to release a few titles for free through my website to help those who may be home from school. The titles are selected for those in grades K-12.

They will remain free for the duration of the COVID-19/Corona virus outbreak.

You can find the free selections by tapping this text link.

Please note: new customers will need to create an account and will be automatically subscribed to our newsletter. I'm sorry I don't have a way around this. Feel free to unsubscribe immediately.

Further note: One of my distributors has approached me, and we are issuing a longer list of free audiobooks to schools. If your school has access to digital audiobooks, they may have access to a longer list of free audiobooks from myself and other publishers.

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HOMESCHOOLING HELP

How to Homeschool Temporarily (in the Event of Quarantine)

I liked the original post from Darwin Catholic when it first came out. Now I see there are further explanations, which I myself would find valuable were I in the unfortunate situation of having to take on my children's schooling. As I have a friend who is now faced with that very thing — and who has the same exact feelings I would have in her place — I submit these pieces which seem very helpful.

• How to Homeschool Temporarily (in the Event of Quarantine)
• How to Homeschool Temporarily, Part 2 -- the Little Kids
• How to Homeschool Temporarily, Part 3 -- The Middle Grades

Bonus: I also really liked Darwin's post about breaking infection connections. So here's Social Networks and Pandemics.

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Free Online Magnificat

During this challenging time, many of the faithful may be unable to attend Mass.
Magnificat is honored to provide complimentary access to our online version to help people pray from home.

Get it here. Just click on the magazine page image to read it.

Just one more reason to love Whataburger ... and Texas

Photo: Anita Kay Duran / Facebook

Whataburger Delivers Food To H-E-B Workers Working Long Hours to Keep Shelves Stocked

Whataburger decided to help out their fellow Texans working at H-E-B in New Braunfels by bringing them food.

H-E-B has been dealing with a ton of customers panic buying as fears of coronavirus grow, which has led to a major shortage of supplies and tons of long hours for H-E-B workers trying to keep the shelves stocked for customers.

The long lines didn't stop Whataburger workers from helping, though. They brought tons of food to their fellow Texans in their time of need.

Texas Memes

Sunday in a Time of Canceled Mass

In Dallas all Masses are cancelled through March 29 and we were pondering how to keep the day holy in a special way.

We're going to:

• Read the Mass readings aloud (courtesy of Word Among Us which I have on my Kindle, but you can get them at the USCCB)
• Listen to Bishop Barron's Sunday homily (read or listen at Word on Fire)
• The Our Father and our own prayers of the faithful, ending with the Act of Spiritual Communion below.

I especially wanted to share this prayer with everyone, which is wonderfully appropriate for now ... but really is good for anytime. I came across it in A Year With the Eucharist and was struck by its beauty.

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy sacrament. I love you above all things: I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you, and I unite myself entirely to you, as if you had already come. Do not permit me to be ever separated from you.

Jesus, source of all my good, my sweet love, wound, inflame this heart of mine, that it may always burn for you.

Act of Spiritual Communion,

Alphonsus de Liguori

You are all in my prayers as we go through uncertain days together.

Panic in a Time of Corona Virus

I always thought I'd read so many apocalyptic scenario books that I'd be ready for quick decisions in a panic.

Then I went to pick up a prescription at the local grocery store and was bemused by how full the parking lot was. Was surprised at no carts. Was amused at every single line open and full. Aha. This is that panic I'd been hearing about.

Then Hannah called, saying that she was at our favorite store and all the bread and meat were flying off the shelves.

Which is how I found myself vaguely wandering the aisles with a bag of lemons, three onions, and four pork chops. Wondering, what do I buy now? (I mean - without a list how do I even do this?)

All that reading of World War Z, The Stand, etc. did me no good at all!

You want bonkers? Dabangg delivers.

This masala film delivers entertainment and action, though not always in a way that we can agree with. Hannah and Rose discuss the 2010 Salman Khan film Dabangg, about a corrupt cop who lives fearlessly. This is the end of their cop movie series.

Get it at An American's Guide to Bollywood.

Distant View of Niagara Falls

Distant View of Niagara Falls, Thomas Cole
public domain from the Art Institute of Chicago

Click here to see it larger and more glorious. I remember when an exhibit of the Hudson River School came to the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth. Tom and I went to see it. Simply magnificent. I loved all those paintings.

How are we to live in the age of corona virus?

C.S. Lewis has the answer and helps us anchor us in reality. Just substitute "corona virus" for "atomic bomb" (which had just been dropped during WWII three years before he wrote this).

In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. "How are we to live in an atomic age?" I am tempted to reply: "Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents."

In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors - anaesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.

This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things - praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts - not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.

C.S. Lewis, essay "On Living in an Atomic Age"

A Movie You Might Have Missed #5: A Perfect World

It's been 10 years since I began this series highlighting movies I wished more people knew about. I'm rerunning it from the beginning because I still think these are movies you might have missed.

5. A Perfect World

In Texas in the fall of 1963, Kevin Costner is one of a pair of recently escaped convicts who take an 8-year-old boy hostage on their journey, which soon becomes a journey with just Costner and the boy. The little boy has never known his father and his childish innocence sparks fatherly feelings in Costner.

Meanwhile, Clint Eastwood is the Texas Ranger tracking them down. Eastwood knows about Costner's troubled past and although he must capture him, Eastwood has a certain level of sympathy for him personally as well. Gradually we see that there is a constant contrast between the flight and the manhunt, the fatherless and those who could fill the fatherly roles. This is an understated movie but it is hard to match its examination of good versus evil, the consequences of the past on the present, and the strength of its statement against senseless violence. Also probably Kevin Costner's best performance.

Gospel of Matthew: Jesus Was Amazed

Matthew 8:5-13

There's a lot packed into this episode. Here are a few things that amazed me.

George Martin points out an important detail that I had noticed but not realized the significance of, namely the reason this episode is unique.

Jesus healing the servant of a Centurion, by the Venetian artist Paolo Veronese

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed--the only time in Matthew's gospel that Jesus is amazed or surprised. Jesus is so amazed that he comments on his amazement. He turns from the centurion and seys to those following him, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith." Jesus notes the faith of the centurion--the centurion's confidence that Jesus has such authority over afflictions that he is able to heal with a simple word of command. This is the first mention of or praise of a person's faith in the Gospel of Matthew--and the faith-filled person is not a Jew but a Gentile companion. No one in Israel--that is, no Jew--has demonstrated such faith in Jesus as has this Gentile centurion. Jesus' disciples, whom he is now addressing, are included in the no ones; they have a "little faith" (6:30) but not such faith as has the centurion. Jesus is amazed that he has found such great faith in a Gentile.

Bringing the Gospel of Matthew to Life

William Barclay looks more closely at the centurion and finds there is more that is special than his faith in Jesus.

There was something very special about this centurion at Capernaum, and that was his attitude to his servant. This servant would be a slave, but the centurion was grieved that his servant was ill and was determined to do everything in his power to save him.

That was the reverse of the normal attitude of master to slave. In the Roman Empire slaves did not matter. It was of no importance to anyone if they suffered, and whether they lived or died. Aristotle, talking about the friendships which are possible in life, writes: "There can be no friendship nor justice toward inanimate things; indeed, not even towards a horse or an ox, nor yet towards a slave as a slave. For master and slave have nothing in common; a slave is a living tool, just as an inanimate tool is a slave." ...

It is quite clear that this centurion was an extraordinary man, for he loved his slave. ...

Daily Study Bible Series, The Gospel of Matthew

This is important to remember because we so often think of slavery in a modern way, with lots of chances for the slave and the master to be friends. The ancient reality was depressingly different a lot of the time.

Lastly, I really like this thought on how to apply this to our own lives.

The Roman centurion offers us a model for approaching Jesus in prayer. He does not rush in and tell Jesus how to solve his problem. Rather, he comes to Jesus in his dire situation and humbly states his need. "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully" (8:6). He leaves to the Lord the way the problem will be solved.

Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture: Gospel of Matthew

This reminds me of Mary at the wedding feast at Cana. Having stated the couple's need for wine, she just turns to the servers and says, "Do whatever he tells you." I myself can be awfully bossy, telling God just how a certain problem should be solved. Yes, sometimes we know what our petition is and what we need, but so often God's got a surprising solution. We need to humbly present our need and trust.

This series first ran in 2008. I'm refreshing it as I go.

Two Sisters

Two Sisters, Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Music Lesson

David Bles - Music Lesson
via Gandalf's Gallery, some rights reserved

I love this! These days she'd be checking her smart phone, but the scenario is the same.

Arriving at Amen: Seven Catholic Prayers That Even I Can Offer by Leah Libresco

When I'm lucky, I live like the disciples in the boat in the storm—prone to fear and doubt but held safely. Frequently, though, I wind up like Peter, overextended and floundering. Once he is stuck, Peter doesn't try to take charge and undo his mistake; he keeps flailing his way toward Christ. My prayer life often feels like this kind of thrashing in Christ's general direction, waiting and trusting that he'll reach across the gap I can't close on my own.

Leah Libresco was a public atheist, blogging on Patheos. And then she converted to Catholicism. This book, though, isn't really the story of her conversion to faith, although that is briefly included.

It is a different sort of conversion story. It's the story of someone learning to live her faith, of Libresco's "what next" after taking that big step of belief.

And that involves prayer, seven types of prayer, to be specific. Ranging from Confession to the Divine Office to the Mass and beyond, we get a good look at the prayer type and her own struggles with it. I often found really helpful reminders that my responsibility is to show up and pray, not to provide the fireworks (which are up to God, Libresco tells us).

Picking up the beads and following the structure of the prayer puts me in the presence of Mary and Christ. And, really, that is the extent of my responsibility when I'm praying. It's not for me to compel their intercession or force myself to achieve an insight into their lives. I just have to keep the rhythm so that I can follow without stumbling if anyone takes my hand.

Part of the delight of this book — yes I liked it that much, it is a delight — is the way Libresco's mind connects all sorts of things that would never occur to me. Shakespeare (a lot of it), folk ballads like Tam Lin, mathematics and science, Javert from Les Mis - all are wound together to help her (and us) make sense of the way God calls us to him through prayer.

This came out in 2015 so I am coming to it late, but don't miss it. It is wonderful Lenten reading and would be good for any time of the liturgical year.

GIVEAWAY WINNER - Thus Sayeth the Lord!

The winner is MCA Hogarth!

Just email me your address and we'll get it headed your way - julie [at] glyphnet [dot] com.

Thank you to everyone who signed up. It did my heart good to see the comments box used that much. Kind of like those old blogging days before everyone took regular chatting to Facebook.

I wish everyone could win, but luckily we've got preordering at Amazon (which I know you're tired of hearing about — but I like to think this book will make the end of Lent go a little easier).

Meatless Friday — Tuna Noodles

We make this year round and although it seems like an American innovation, check the credentials. Italians use canned tuna and this is from a great Italian cookbook.

It's easy, delicious, and is making my mouth water thinking about them. I ran this recipe way back in 2004 and it is still as popular in our home as it was then. Get the recipe here!

Living With Deborah: Privileged to Collaborate

For the final bit of the Deborah chapter in my new book, Thus Sayeth the Lord — let's look at the man in this equation — the general Barak.

Previously in the chapter: part 1, part 2, part 3

LIVING WITH DEBORAH
Privileged to Collaborate

We’ve focused on woman-power, but let’s look at Barak, the other major player in this story. He is respected enough to rally ten thousand warriors and lead them to a blowout victory. That’s not the kind of guy who usually comes running when a woman orders, even if she is a judge and prophetess. But Barak respects Deborah’s authority enough to respond to her summons.

Deborah is literally using God’s words, saying, “I will draw Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.”

But Barak hesitates, saying, “If you will go with me.” That “if” changed the ultimate hero of the battle, with Jael getting the glory of Sisera’s death. Why does Barak put conditions on his obedience? Is he afraid? Does he or do his troops need a tangible “talisman” of God’s favor? Does he doubt God’s power? We simply don’t know. Again, this story is about God’s victory, not individuals’ internal journeys.

I get Barak. “Yes, but … ” seems to be one of my favorite phrases when God’s desires come to me. No one’s asking me to face down nine hundred weapons of mass destruction, but taking dinner to an ill neighbor down the street can feel just as daunting when I don’t know her.

Sometimes, I’m afraid; sometimes, I’m doubting; and sometimes, I want control. “Sure thing, God, great idea — let me just add a wrinkle. If that doesn’t work, then we’ll go with your plan.” God keeps shoving us out of our comfort zones in the hopes that someday we’ll say yes and then shut up. Just so we can see, like Deborah and Jael, how amazing it can be when things get messy and God works them out.

Barak is included in a list of heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11 where Saint Paul says, “out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.” I take solace in the fact that God used Barak despite his weakness, whatever it was.

This is what I’ve got to remember. Every time I answer God’s commands, I am rewarded with overflowing generosity. My life becomes richer, I become stronger in faith, and I know God a little more personally.

Also, Barak doesn’t hold a grudge or blame people for his shortcomings. He’s right there with Deborah singing that celebration hymn. That also encourages me to keep the right perspective and rejoice in God’s victory no matter how imperfect my collaboration might be.

I still haven’t gotten that victory party with roasted sheep and Bollywood dancing, but a girl can always hope!

If you liked what you've been reading, don't wait. Thus Sayeth the Lord comes out on March 31. Preorder your copy now!

Insightful review of Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy

An insightful review of a book I love — Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy — from Melanie Bettinelli. Here's a bit, but go read it all.

This time through, near the beginning of the novel I had an unexpected moment of recognition, or maybe not recognition so much as making a new connection between two things. I’m pretty sure that when I last read this book I hadn’t read much on the subject of human trafficking. But now I have. ...

In it’s way it has many of the same elements I loved in her earlier novel about religious life. In This House of Brede. But here the brokenness and healing comes to the fore. Lise is a mystic, in Bethanie she finds her true home. And yet her past won’t leave her alone. She must find ways to redeem it.

Living With Deborah: Crushing It For God

From my new book, Thus Sayeth the Lord — let's take a look at how the ladies get it done it when it comes to the prophet business.

Previously in the chapter: part 1, part 2

LIVING WITH DEBORAH
Crushing It For God

Deborah’s the whole package: legal counselor, prophetess, military commander, wife, and singer. But these only tell us the things she does, not who she is. Some of the prophets just will not shut up about how they’re feeling or what’s being done to them. Jeremiah wishes he’d never been born and is known as the weeping prophet. Elijah has to have an angel coax him back into action with a catered meal after he lies down under a tree saying, “I’m done. Take me now, Lord.”

Deborah? She’s kicking butt and taking names. We don’t know — or, frankly, care — how she restores order when bandits roam freely, what it does to her marriage to become a prophetess and judge, or what it’s like to be a battlefield commander with Barak. She serves God without hesitation, without doubt, and with her whole heart.

Jael too, though not a prophet or judge, didn’t mess around. We don’t know why she breaks nearly every taboo in the book to get Sisera in a position where she can kill him. Women never invited men into their tents and — do we have to say it — it’s terrible hospitality to kill guests. Especially don’t kill the guest if he’s an ally, because now we’re in covenant-breaking territory. But Jael is all in.

Whatever God ordered up, these ladies got it done.

I love that the storytellers didn’t try to clean things up. Women prophesying, leading armies, executing enemies — it’s all on the table when you’re telling God’s story. If he gets messy, that’s how we’re gonna tell it. From their point of view, these unlikely heroes are just one more proof that only God could maneuver this whole crazy plan into working.

You can’t lock God in a box. His ways are mysterious. God reads hearts, not genders or job descriptions. He knows who we are and what we can do. Our job is to cooperate by stepping out in faith and doing what he asks of us. Just wear your boots, because it might get messy.

Tomorrow in part 4 we'll take a look at the guy in this story — the general Barak.

Don't forget the book giveaway! Sign up here!

If you liked what you've been reading, don't wait. Thus Sayeth the Lord comes out on March 31. Preorder your copy now!

First Colors

First Colors, Finnish Lapland/Northern Finland, Remo Savisaar

Remo's photos of Lapland are so gorgeous and yet also so alien looking. I begin to understand why their folk tales have so many creatures like gnomes, brownies, and trolls.