The Holy Spirit really does listen to us

The young man's first reading assignment.
This book will interest him because
James Delingpole is politically astute
as well as humorous.

Recently I went to Confession and my penance was, "Do an act of mercy." I suppose this is what Bergoglio recommends these days but without the age-old instructions on how to amend my life and assigning so many Our Fathers and Hail Marys, I was at a complete loss as to what I needed to do for my penance...plus I was inwardly whining, But that's soooo much wooork!

Father kindly suggested calling someone in a nursing home however, not knowing anyone in a nursing home, that wasn't an option. He then suggested that I do any act of mercy. ??? I suggested that perhaps I should make up with a close relative who had decided to stop speaking to me but knew that wouldn't work because they had, well, stopped speaking to me. I can't force them to speak to me. So what was I to do? On the way home I asked God for help, then forgot about it. 

The next day a situation presented itself as a definite solution. An 18 year-old young man where I work needed help navigating the computer there to access the paycheck screen and other information. That was not the act of mercy. 

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at the "Bedside" of the Dying

Let us go in spirit to pray at the bedside of the dying.
The Last Prayer -- Ernest Meissonier (1815-1891)

A friend forwarded the email below from a priest in Ireland. I'm adding his suggested project to my daily prayer regimen. I too read the article from a nurse about people dying alone during this pandemic. 

The Humorous Situation of Catholic Bloggers who Condemn Bloggers for Condemning

There's an old saying that if you are pointing a finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you. It's true; try it.

And so I'm always amused to find Catholics in the blogosphere who consider themselves kind and luving as they condemn others "for condemning."

Fr. Z and Mike Voris are regular targets as well as anyone who dares to criticize the faux mercy of Pope Francis and the disastrous impact he is having on Church teachings.

Pray for the Imprisoned: It's a Spiritual Work of Mercy

One of the spiritual works of mercy is to "pray for the imprisoned." A reader asked me a question about Corey Clagett, a soldier who killed two Iraqi prisoners following an unlawful order. He pled guilty and was sentenced in 2007 to 18 years as a result, a severe sentence compared to the officer who ordered the murders and the other two soldiers invovled who are all out. One of the soldiers returned to active duty. If you want to see more about Corey's case go here. But you really don't need to read about it to understand that this young man, who was 21 at the time of the incident and has mostly served in solitary confinement since then, is suffering severely for his lapse in judgment and his terrible act. He was abused in prison and his mental health has been affected by what happened.

We hear during Advent that "those in darkness have seen a great light." Corey is in darkness and needs the light of our prayers and encouragement. Will you send him a note or a Christmas card today? His Address is:

Corey Clagett 82477
1300 N. Warehouse Rd.
Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027

All of us are sinners and would despair without the light of Christ. Be a light for Corey during this Advent season. When you light your wreath don't forget to remember him and all those serving in war zones (and all prisoners) who are languishing in prison cells, especially missionaries and those suffering unjustly out of religious persecution.

Sunday Meditation: Is Your Trumpet Rusting from Misuse?

In the Bible, the trumpet is an instrument of warning, not too different from the tornado sirens in some towns right here in the U.S. An advance warning can save lives. And that's what today's reading from Chapter 3 of the prophet Ezekiel is all about.  

Ezekiel was the first prophet called to speak for the Lord outside the Holy Land. Exiled to Babylon by King Nebubuchednezzar around 600 B.C. along with many of his fellow Israelites, he prepared the people for the destruction of Jerusalem. To a jew, such an event was unthinkable. The holy city and the temple were inviolable. But destruction was exactly what the sinfulness of God's people brought about despite the fact that many false prophets refused to blow the trumpet. Here's what we heard this morning:

When Christ Returns Will He Find Any Faith on the Earth?

Many so-called Catholics these days reject many of the Church's teachings. How do you respond when a Catholic you know dismisses doctrines of the faith? To admonish the sinner is a spiritual work of mercy. Michael Voris gives a personal example of witnessing in the face of a friend's expression of heresy.

 How do you measure up on this spiritual work of mercy? If someone comes to you for advice do you tickle his ears and coddle him in his disbelief? Do you remain silent out of fear of her reaction? Or do you exercise the supreme act of charity by warning friends of the impact of what they are doing? Tough love is willing to suffer.