Epiphany 2009 Homily

Our deacon very kindly sent me the mp3 to the homily he gave which inspired so much thought. I have embedded it in the Epiphany post, which you can find here with my reflections.

Or if you are interested but don't want to wade through my longwindedness ... here you go. Enjoy!

Epiphany 2009 homily by Deacon Ken Reisor

"Laura, I got your email and of course will vote for Happy Catholic. Best regards, B16"

"Now go thou and do likewise!"

When Laura in our office sends out "go vote" emails for the Weblog Awards, she leaves no stone unturned.

Not that she really meant to email the Pope, but I do appreciate her extreme efforts on my behalf. Also, I find it interesting that she's got him on any email list of contacts at all. What the heck does she write to him about?

Hmmm ... the mind boggles.

Anyway ... if B16 can pop by the Weblog Awards, then you should make that little effort also.

Thanks to Irma for catching that one in her email. I am dying laughing here ... meanwhile there is some poor Vatican secretary sayin', "What are those crazy Americans doing now?"

The Polls are Open. C'mon ... Kiss the Egg!

I've been checking out the other Religious Blog Finalists.

It's official.

Happy Catholic is the Jamaican bobsled team in this race.
The mere fact that I slipped in is a miracle.

But that doesn't mean we can't give the Swiss a run for their money.
We'll give it all we've got.
So, c'mon ... kiss the egg!

(And if you don't know what that means
then hie thee to a rental store and catch up on Cool Runnings)

Let's get the vote out.

Remember our motto: vote early and often!
Especially since I see that Father Z's fanatical ... um ... fans are already flooding the polls.



Voting runs from Monday, Jan. 5, through Mon, Jan. 12.
You can vote once each day, until the voting ends, in any of the categories of your choice.

Top Interesting Blogger Trend from 2008

I forgot to post this one when making my other 2008 lists.

I noticed that several of the regular bloggers I read mentioned they now have begun keeping actual pen and paper journals. In some cases it is to make notes about reading, in others to act as a diary. I think it is an interesting point to go from the electronic to the classical journal method.

I, myself, began doing this very thing about a month ago. When I'm making notes for possible posts I use note cards which are tossed out after I'm done. I never have been able to keep a journal but with the idea of the daybook floating around various blogs, I found myself wanting to make notes that I could flip back through without having to turn on the computer ... and that possibly the girls might be interested in reading in years to come. So far, I'm liking it.

It also helps that I get to use those enticing Moleskine notebooks I've never had a good enough reason to splurge on before. I love little notebooks ... almost as much as making lists.

My Other "Top" Lists for 2008
Just so we've got one place to find them, shall we list the others below? Sure, why not!

• Books
• New Podcasts
• Movies
• Audiobooks
• Blog Discoveries

"Christianity Not Gouda Nuff Explanation for Universe"

Honestly, The Raving Theist is getting funnier every day ... clearly he learned from Monty Python that cheese is undeniably funny.

Divine Thirst and the Ardor of Divine Love

From Mother Teresa's Secret Fire (discussed here) comes more about God's thirst for us being a sign of his divine love. This is deep stuff well worth contemplating. However, Father Langford makes it as easy as possible for us to understand. Here's a bit to give you an idea of what that might mean.

St. Catherine of Siena, the great mystic and Doctor of the Church, shared many of Mother Teresa's intuitions regarding the divine thirst. She speaks of the crucified Jesus as "slain with such fire of love ... as seems insatiable. Yet still he thirsts, as if saying: 'I have greater ardor and desire and thirst for our salvation than I am able to show you, [even] with my Passion.'" From her own mystical experience, Catherine could only describe the God she had encountered with her own analogies: as "pazzo d'amore; ebbro d'amore" -- as "crazed with love, drunk with love."

If we derive anything from the ardor of divine love described in Scripture, in the Song of Songs, in the spousal language of the Old Testament, or in the role of Jesus as Bridegroom of Israel, it is that in some inconceivable way, God not only loves us, but he is also in love with us. This profound mystery lies at the core of Mother Teresa's discovery. There is a definite eros in God's love for us, which must be correctly understood (as we shall see) but not discarded, lest we reduce divine love to mere benevolence. His love revealed in Scripture, even in the Old Testament, is a "passionate" love, a love Mother Teresa fully understood, appreciated, and made bold to proclaim: The boy and girl who fall in love with each other, that love is "I thirst." You have to experience it. Same thing -- we come to that conviction ... His love is thirst.

When we look at Jesus during His humiliating Passion & death we ask -- why all this? for what purpose. ... No one, not even Jesus could have gone through all that humiliating suffering if He was not in love."

This ardent love is not only the domain of the Son, who shares our humanity; its source is the Father. It is staggering to realize that the Father loves all of mankind with the same love, with the same magnitude and the same intensity, with which he loves his divine Son. Mother Teresa understood that it is God's nature to love this way, to love us with the entirety of his being, and that he cannot love us any less. For this reason she so often came back to the word "infinite," to clarify the nature of his thirst. "Jesus is God therefore His love, His thirst is infinite. ... [We are called to] quench this infinite thirst of a God made Man."

Top 5 6 Books of 2008

Why 6? Because it's one more than 5. In no particular order and in several different categories, these are chosen from books I read last year. Links are to my reviews.

Fiction

1. Silence by Shusaku Endo
2. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
3. Bone Dance - Emma Bull
4. Shapers - Robert R. Chase: As I felt after reading Michael Flynn or Dean Koontz, I have begun wondering if Robert R. Chase is Catholic. If not, he certainly has a strong moral code that, like those other authors, informs his work without hitting us over the head with a hammer. This was one of the most challenging books I read last year as Chase created aliens so very "alien" that they were difficult to comprehend at all. However, perseverance paid off. The reward is an excellent story that presents strong characters, mystery, and an examination of just what it means to be a human being.
   
5. One Door Away From Heaven by Dean Koontz
6. Snake Agent by Liz Williams

Nonfiction/Faith Reading

1. Bringing the Gospel of Matthew to Life by George Martin
   
2. They Come Back Singing: Finding God with the Refugees by Gary Smith
3. Pope John Paul II: An Intimate Life by Caroline Pigozzi
4. My Cousin the Saint by Justin Catanoso
   
5. The Vatican: Secrets and Treasures of the Holy City
6. The Rosary: a Journey to the Beloved by Gary Jansen (hint - not just for Catholics)

Top Food Books of 2008
Those and also two Dishonorable Mentions can be found at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Another Reason to Leave the Warm Cocoon of Your RSS Feed ...

... is that in addition to the daily quote, horoscope, and list, I have links to the stories from my RSS feeds (yes I love that cocoon also) in the sidebar. Many of these I have earmarked to print out and read later. A few are those I am simply sharing such as pieces of artwork. I think that you can pick up a feed for that list if you want.

Best Religion Blog Finalists

The links have been posted for the 2008 Weblog Awards. I'm still feeling slightly gobsmacked but am very interested in delving into the other blogs. As I mentioned I know the Catholic ones well but there are always so many more blogs out there that give us insight. Here are the links ... go, explore!

• Conversion Diary
• Tariq Nelson
• Dervish
• What Does the Prayer Really Say?
• Christian Blog
• Standing On My Head
• One Cosmos
• Jew Wishes
• the evangelical outpost

Note for those dropping in here via RSS feed ... you're missing the sidebar. You know ... the sidebar with the daily quote, the daily horoscope, and the daily observations. They're probably not what you expect. I like to have a good time and a laugh, after all.

Questions and Reflections About Joseph at Christmas

A father writes with a question I'd never stopped to consider.

I don’t see much on Catholic blogs about Joseph. Surely he must be the most famous step-dad. I think modern Catholics could learn a lot from him.

Not all Catholics are married once, forever. Many now are in blended families. Imagine hearing “You’re not my real Dad, I don’t have to do as you say” and knowing that not only is it true, but that you can never hope to compete with Him, either.

Talk about marginalizing a guy. Never quite good enough, but still indispensible (in the Middle East under Roman rule Joseph was utterly necessary to support, raise and protect the Christ child and, of course, Mary on a day-to-day basis). Just quietly sucked it up and went on about his business, I suppose. Seems to have died young, he wasn’t around for the wedding feast at Cana.

Is there anything more written about him after the family gets home from Jerusalem (the second trip, when Jesus ditches his parents so he can hang out with his friends in the temple, causing Mary and Joseph to have what in any other context would be a hilarious “I thought YOU had him” moment)?

Any pointers for modern Catholic stepdads feeling marginalized at Christmas?

There actually is a fair amount written about Joseph on Catholic blogs but it tends to follow the liturgical year's rotation for emphasis on his life.

My own top-of-mind response is that I, personally, love St. Joseph because he is that "go-to" helper for my husband when work isn't going right and he's as frustrated as can be.

I also remember one of our daughters saying, "Poor Joseph. Imagine living with Mary and Jesus ... both without sin and then there's you!"

Certainly I admire his love of Mary (willing to protect her from public shame even before he knew the baby was God's and not another man's), his willingness to do what it took in Bethlehem and Egypt to support his family, and then the fact that he didn't feel he had to speak up all the time (for me that means he was secure, kind of like John Wayne).

Another interesting fact, that you may or may not know, is that under Jewish law adoption was viewed as just as legitimate as being a biological father. They didn't have that "ownership" value that seems to have taken over our society when it comes to babies and adoption.

None of those personal thoughts are necessarily helpful to the father who wrote. Does anyone have a specific answer or place to point?

I also have the following posts from the past which contain food for meditation if not a specific answer. All are invited to ponder St. Joseph as he is revealed therein and see what may be revealed to us in turn.

• When Life Takes Unexpected Turns


• Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Nazareth


• 1st Sunday of St. Joseph


• 2nd Sunday of St. Joseph


• 3rd Sunday of St. Joseph


• 4th Sunday of St. Joseph


• 5th Sunday of St. Joseph


• 6th Sunday of St. Joseph


• Solemnity of St. Joseph

2008 Movies

1. The Village***...quiet and different from Shamyalan's other movies but still a very good look at our connectedness to each other, the importance of each individual's finding their own purpose, and also at how we cannot avoid violence in our lives.


2. Lady in the Water***...also very different from Shamyalan's other movies but we enjoyed it quite a bit. A fairy story in modern times is how it has been labeled by some but we realized early on that it is urban fantasy a la Neil Gaiman's style of story telling. Again we see the director's common themes of our connectedness to each other and the importance of finding our own purpose in life. This is set against the theme of how it is important to leave behind preconceptions so we can see things for what they really are, as well as conquering fear and self doubt in order to do what we must.
   


3. Helvetica***** ... are you a "typomaniac?" If you come out of this movie with a crush on Helvetica, as Hannah's friend Jenny did, then you know that the answer to that question should be yes! This documentary, done on the typeface Helvetica's 50th birthday, manages not only to tell us about this particular typeface but to remind the general viewer that type is now a design element that is all around us. In the various attitudes and feuds of the type designers that are interviewed, one also gets a glimpse of the passion that art arouses. Yes, even those who practice the art of graphic design. We had to wait for over a month to rent this documentary as it was always out every weekend. Which just goes to show how quirky our neighborhood is, full of designers and advertising people.
   


4. Moliere**** ... a la Shakespeare in Love but much better done. On the point of his triumphant return to Paris, Moliere flashes back thirteen years to remember a pivotal time in his life. This is a very funny movie on several levels and if one knows his plays it is undoubtedly even funnier. As someone who does not know Moliere's work, I can recommend the movie anyway.
   


5. 30Rock - The first season**** ... not a movie but surely logging in all these hours counts for something! Absolutely hilarious and we could kick ourselves for not having watched sooner. Set behind the scenes of a variety show a la Saturday Night Live, this focuses on the writers, actors, and management.


6. Extras - The first season**** ... again not a movie but a truly funny and sometimes poignant British television series. Focusing on an actor who seems doomed to always be an extra and desperately wants to get a line in a production, this character-driven comedy is funny on many levels. Not the least of that comedy is that each episode features a well-known actor who is shown "behind scenes" with humor deriving from the fact that they are playing against type of their well known public personas. This is when you realize what good sports Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, and Ben Stiller really are. Doubtless I would realize that about British actors Ross Kemp and Les Dennis except I never heard of them before.


7. Extras Finale movie***-essentially took longer and darker look at the last episode of season 2. A good and thoughtful look at the effects of fame versus standing up for what we believe ... but the funny moments are few and far between.
   


8. Avenue Montaigne**** ... subtitled in French ... light comedy about a young waitress, Jessica, seeking her fortune in Paris. This is an area where the elite work and play. She comes into contact with a concert pianist, an actress, and a widower who is selling his art collection in a nearby gallery. Each character has a primary motivation behind their story which we see developed as the waitress carries trays across the street to where they live and work. Although this movie is handled quite differently from Amelie, the main message is quite similar; one must take a risk to gain what one needs from life. My favorite moments, and those which communicate the movie's sweet heart best, is watching Jessica's love for her grandmother shown through her patience. When her grandmother inevitably asks, "Did I ever tell you how I worked at the Ritz?" Jessica always says no and settles back to listen to the story again. Highly enjoyed by the whole family.
   
   
9. Bourne Ultimatum****-finally another movie trilogy with three good movies to its name (Lord of the Rings being the other). This actually is the second half of the second movie. Well done and clever in the way it overlaps with parts from the second movie. An action thriller with "everyman" Matt Damon playing perfectly to the part of self realization at what he has become and what he wants to be instead.
   
   
10. Once**** - quiet little movie about two musicians who meet and inspire each other. Probably gives the best authentic feel for what it is like to musically create something for those of us who never will.
    
    
11. Death at a Funeral** - a so-so movie that has some very funny moments but that probably isn't enough to make you want to watch it.
    
    
12. Across the Universe****-very good interpretations of over 30 Beatles' songs loosely strung together to tell the musical story of the rebellious Sixties nad an American girl and English boy who fall in love. Think "Shakespeare in Love" a la The Beatles, psychedelic scenes, Vietnam war protest and the like. Much more of a plot than I expected and the choreography for the dance scenes was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the Janis Joplin/Jimi Hendrix subplot. A bit long in places and the war scenes could have been trimmed considerably. However, recommended overall.
    
    
13. No Reservations***-American remake of Mostly Martha (my review) is fairly good for the first two-thirds of the movie. However, due to their dropping an essential plot point from the original screenplay, the last third of the movie is left with nowhere original to go and, thus, "goes Hollywood" with a predictable ending. Not a bad movie, just not equal to the original.
    
    
14. Second-Hand Lions****-a much better movie than the trailers would have had us believe. This successfully pulls off what Big Fish left unfinished ... characters that not only tell a very good story, but do so with a sense of growth and development, as well as closure.


15. Juno*** -my review is here


16. The Sons of Katie Elder** - this western has the star power but not the script or director to make it a great movie. It is really, really long though ... or maybe it just felt that way.


17. The Bone Collector****-Denzel Washington is the forensics investigator who is paralyzed and wants to die. Angelina Jolie is the rookie cop with a natural eye for forensics who he pushes into helping investigate serial murders happening around NYC. Yes, there are some plot holes but I liked it anyway.


18. Sweeney Todd****-The tale of the grief-crazed barber whose insanity turns him to murder. As well as his deluded partner from the pie shop downstairs whose insanity matches that of Todd as she merrily bakes the human remains into pies. This is Tim Burton so the blood is everywhere but this is quite an effective film. Revenge begets nothing but more revenge while redemption comes at the hands of a child.
    


19. Guys & Dolls****-from when musicals were really musicals, this Damon Runyan story adaptation about gamblers hits some very high notes especially with Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra as the main two characters. Brando can sing much more than you'd think and he adds an edge of evil to the cynical character he plays. Choreography was done by the same person who did it for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. 'Nuff said.
    
    
20. Iron Man****-Really great look at a comic book character who must reform his dissolute, uncaring life and take responsibility for having had his head in the sand while his company has actively hurt others. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect in this dual role of the rakish, devil-may-care playboy and reformed savior of the people.
    
    
21. Lawrence of Arabia****--much better than I thought it'd be. I imagined something like Dr. Zhivago, long and boring and instead of ice ... lots of sand everywhere. There was sand with fantastically beautiful shots of the desert. This was a surprisingly compelling look at the life of an extraordinary man in extraordinary times. O'Toole did a fantastic job of portraying innocence and enthusiasm with a strange twist (how about that lit match thing?) which then turns into an intermittant Messiah-complex. It was sheer pleasure to watch so many great actors portraying the different roles ... especially young Omar Sharif. What a looker!
    
    
22. Lars and the Real Girl****-my review is here.
    
    
23. Wall-E*****--my review is here.
    
24. This list doesn't included movies that were rewatched.

Top New Podcasts of 2008 ...

... see my picks at Forgotten Classics.

Top 5 6 Movies of 2008 - Updated Twice for Extra Goodness!

Why 6? Because it's one more than 5. (In no particular order and includes movies I saw for the first time this year, regardless of their original release date. Links are to my reviews.)

1. Iron Man: superhero origins with conversion, redemption, and Robert Downey Jr. (does it get better than that? no!) ... with awesome Catholic links to boot! I didn't review it so the link in this is to other outstanding reviews and the "Iron Man is the Catholic Batman" discussion ...
   
2. Slumdog Millionaire: What does a slumdog know? The answer. With awesome Indian music to boot!
   
3. Wall-E: A celebration of what makes life worth living ... with awesome silent movie tribute to boot!
   
4. Sunset Blvd.: (scroll down) "The poor dope. He always wanted a pool" With awesome Billy Wilder direction to boot!
   
5. Lars and the Real Girl A man, his doll, and responsibility ... with awesome Minnesota accents to boot!
   
6. Lady in the Water: A fairy story in modern times is how it has been labeled by some but we realized early on that it is urban fantasy a la Neil Gaiman's style of story telling. Again we see the director's common themes of our connectedness to each other and the importance of finding our own purpose in life. This is set against the theme of how it is important to leave behind preconceptions so we can see things for what they really are, as well as conquering fear and self doubt in order to do what we must. With awesome breath-holding abilities at the bottom of that pool to boot!

Update: I thought that surely in the movies list someone would get the "one more than" joke.

2009 viewing assignment: go watch This is Spinal Tap.

Update the Second: Rose pointed out that we saw I Am Legend in 2007. Curses! The date on the review is 12-31-07! So I will merely link to that review. Which is why Joi's reminder of Iron Man made the list. Can't believe I had forgotten that movie!

"I'm just a bagger."

This inspiring story is told from the point of view of inspiring service in business.

I think that those of us who like to hang around here can easily see the larger picture of serving others fully, heart and soul, that makes a difference in people's lives. Even when we think that we are too small.

It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.

Mother Teresa

Much thanks to Father Joseph Langford for sending me this link ... and pointing out the quote used on the note toward the end of the video.

Former Atheist Explains Conversion - Updated

First he makes me happy, then he makes me laugh. It don't get much better than that folks!

You've got to see The Raving Theist's daily headline.

Updated
That reminds me that I just finished reading a conversion story that I heard part of during the Pro-Life March last year from Practicing Catholic herself. Heather has a truly touching and impressively honest story of her reconversion to Catholicism. I also was reminded how our interest in the occult is just a big trap to pull us away from the Truth. In three parts, all of which are listed in the link.

Well, I'll Be Gobsmacked*! Happy Catholic is a 2008 Weblog Awards Finalist!

Seriously! Go see!

I'm ... stunned. Also, of course, over the moon. (Just to keep the British slang trend going ... consistency, always consistency!)

I see that I am in exalted company ... Conversion Diary, Standing on My Head, and What Does the Prayer Really Say are the excellent Catholic blogs I know from that list. I am looking forward to exploring the others when the links are up.

As well, I saw The Anchoress's name float by under Best Individual Blogger. And well deserved, too!

Voting is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2009. Rest assured I will keep you informed.

I am sure that I am going to have to pull out the "kiss the egg" campaign for this one ... this little bobsled don't stand a chance. Also, I realize that for a lot of people that is the best part of any awards competition around here!

(And if you don't know what that means
then hie thee to a rental store and catch up on Cool Runnings)

* Much thanks to Brandywine Books for reminding me of the fantastic word gobsmacked. The term "gobsmacked" is a British one, referring to the experience of being so surprised by the unexpected that you feel as if you've been slapped in the face.

2008 Top 5 6: Audiobooks

You can read my list over at Forgotten Classics. All but two are free!

2008 Top 5 6: Blog Discoveries

Why 6? Because it's one more than 5. (In no particular order.)

1. Dr. Boli's Celebrated Magazine: a celebration of the absurd, showcasing intelligent humor a la Victorian sensibilities. Yes, it's difficult to describe. Just go read it.
   
   
2. The Silver Key: Self-described as The Silver Key is a place to discuss all things fun and fantastic; mundane existence is hereby banished from these pages. Books, music, movies, role-playing games, and more are all fair game. Indeed. Interesting and intelligently written, I always read Brian Murphy's posts as soon as they are up. His series of thoughts on rereading The Lord of the Rings was especially good.
   
   
3. smitten kitchen: Deb almost always seems interested in recipes that interest me also. I probably have tried more of her recipes than from any other cooking blog except Homesick Texan. Her commentary is that of a cooking pal and her adjustments to recipes are intelligent. For those who enjoy cooking photography, her visuals do as much as the written word to draw one into the recipes. Recent samplings include: pizza with broccoli rabe and roasted onions, gramercy tavern’s gingerbread, braised beef short ribs, potato pancakes and even better grasshopper brownies.
   
   
4. Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering: I didn't actually "discover" this blog in 2008 (to the best of my spotty recollection) but either I have just begun appreciating Sarah's style or she has blossomed into a new blogging style ... or both! Sarah embodies the best of "mom blogging" by combining just enough of her family life with thoughtful reflections and action plans for living better or deepening her spiritual life. It might help that she and I seem to be on the same thinking plane quite often, as witness this recent post about 2009 resolutions. Yeah, me too.
   
   
5. lines and colors: a blog about drawing, sketching, painting, comics, cartoons, webcomics, illustration, digital art, concept art, gallery art, artist tools and techniques, motion graphics, animation, sci-fi and fantasy illustration, paleo art, storyboards, matte painting, 3d graphics and anything else I find visually interesting. If it has lines and/or colors, it's fair game. What he does not say is that you will find some of the best thoughtful writing about art to accompany all the above, as well as copious links and references to take any interests further. I don't know much about art, but I'm learning more, thanks to lines and colors.
   
   
6. Roger Ebert's Journal: I enjoy reading his movie reviews but his journal shows us more of Ebert's broad interests. As he himself pointed out earlier this year, his throat cancer has made him a much better writer simply through sheer necessity. In essence, he has taken up that plaguey habit that many bloggers know well ... of forming his thoughts into articles. It leads to fascinating reading, whether about his love of rice cookers, why Bette Davis's stamp portrait should have included her cigarette, or this piece on a subject close to my heart about why the newspaper industry is failing.

And the Aftermath

Yes, it tasted as good as it looked.

Santa Was Very Good to Me

Oh so many riches ... Crabtree & Evelyn soap and lotion, the second season of 30 Rock, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog dvd ... and much more.

The two biggies though came from Tom.

The Soda Club fountain jet which allows me to make my favorite orange flavored sparkling water whenever I want. Woohoo! He splurged on a big scale so we have many flavors as well as cola samples to try. The diet root beer was pronounced adequate but with a flavoring amount adjustment needed for the next batch. (I see it all was gone within a few hours anyway.)

The peacock blue Malibu knitting bag is a true luxury as I have canvas tote bags for my knitting. This put a severe test to Tom's tenacity as he managed to track down an actual retailer carrying the bag (the manufacturer doesn't sell these themselves). Talking over the requirements for color and bag model with a cheerful saleswoman on the phone he found that they were sold out. Peacock blue was available but not in the right model. The right model was available but only in Charcoal. He said, "You don't understand. These requirements are exact." She laughed heartily in sympathy and said, "My husband is going through the same thing right now!"

The result is that he very creatively put together a big printout of the bag and we will go to the shop together in a few days to see what is available. That really is the best anyway as I can actually see the bags and it is a new knitting store to discover. So dangerous ... a knitting store. Yet so exciting!