50 Days After

What I love about the Iconostasis

2016-11-23T05:46:00.000-05:00

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.

May God bless all who read my ramblings,
Contra
Adopt A Catholic Blog

Frozen Spud

2016-11-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

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.

May God bless all who read my ramblings,

Adopt A Catholic Blog

A few notes

2016-11-15T10:40:00.000-05:00

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!

May God bless all who read my ramblings,
Contra
Adopt A Catholic Blog

Do you want to be healed?

2014-06-25T16:30:00.000-04:00

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.

May God bless all who read my ramblings,

Adopt A Catholic Blog

Toilets and Popes

2014-06-25T12:57:00.001-04:00

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."

May God bless all who read my ramblings,

Adopt A Catholic Blog