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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Questions at 4:00 a.m. or Why Am I Thinking about This Stuff Instead of Sleeping?

Has our culture buried the truth?

Good grief! I started looking at the clock at 4:10 this morning and finally got up about 40 minutes later after praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Usually that puts me back to sleep before I get to the third meditation. The devil hates Our Lady and sure doesn't want to disturb anyone's sleep for that! (On the other hand, maybe it was the chocolate cherries.) But after I finished praying the Seven Sorrows, I was still wide awake, so here I am (after a cup of coffee and a few magazine articles) reflecting on the important questions of life (or not-so-important, take your pick):
  • I read somewhere recently that we live in a "post truth culture." It got me thinking about the book People of the Lie about individuals whose entire disposition is oriented toward untruth. What happens when it isn't just individuals but an entire culture with all its force and pressure demanding that everyone conform to untruth?
  • How come "diversity" is so darn uniform? Nobody is allowed to disagree about same-sex marriage, gender identity, immigration, Dreamers, race relations, and a host of other issues without being labeled a "phobe" of some sort?
  • And what the heck is a "phobe?" And why does anybody with half a brain join in the name-calling that says "phobes" are "afraid" of whatever the latest fad is when the so-called "phobes" are the only ones who aren't afraid to stand up against it?
  • Why are the Catholic bishops hopping on every faddish bandwagon instead of preaching the truths of the Catholic faith? (Actually, that one's easy -- "Follow the money.")
  • What am I going to fix for Christmas dinner for 30?
  • Why am I on the computer instead of praying the rosary?
Have a good day! And I hope yours started later than mine.

4 comments:

  1. I too couldn't sleep last night, but I started earlier than you, Mary Ann. 12:30 till 3AM. But, I didn't do anything productive like you. I knit on the latest hat, worrying that I was going to run out of purple yarn and have to improvise. I worried that my photos aren't really all that good and that people are probably annoyed with me always snapping pictures of them. I read in the latest David Baldacci novel. One of my weaknesses. And read a few paragraphs in Humility of Heart. I couldn't get beyond "No greater example of humility can be given than that of the only Son of God when 'the Word was made Flesh.'" On that note, I went back to bed and finally fell asleep. Until 7:20. Now it's time for coffee and for soaking the altar linens.

    Your words here are so true. Unfortunately, the people who would benefit the most from them aren't listening.

    Mary Fran (not Steve)

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  2. My eyes bugged out when I read your mention of "After Virtue" and "People of the Lie." I am currently reading Archbishop Chaput's book, "Strangers in a Strange Land," and just finished yesterday a chapter in which he mentions both those book titles.

    Either you are reading the same book or the Holy Spirit is leading you also to read it.

    I have been feeling overwhelmed and helpless and Chaput's book has been a tremendous amd I mean TREMENDOUS help in bolstering my courage to bear all the world throws at us with a brave heart and a resolve to let my light shine no matter what comes.

    Be not afraid. 😊🎄

    Here's what you're having for dinner: Baked ham, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and parsnips, green peas and mushrooms, Waldorf salad, and rolls. For dessert 2 pecan pies, 2 Chess pies, a 13x9 yellow cake with butter cream frosting strewn with coconut, a pan of brownies,and Christmas cookies.

    Merry Christmas!

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  3. Thanks for the menu suggestions, Chriss. One daughter is allergic to mammals so she's bringing a turkey breast. Your menu sounds pretty good. Want to come cook at my house?

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  4. We can read "After Virtue" free in PDF: https://epistemh.pbworks.com/f/4.+Macintyre.pdf

    "People of the Lie" can be downloaded for free also at various sites and Dr Peck reads the book in a 4 hour YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT1qj4pTo0I

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