On Friday I went to investigate a rental possibility and discovered the person who would be my roommate had a cat...which did not bode well, as I am allergic to cats. I did not realize, though, how allergic I truly am...
I told her I would take the place...and all the way home and through the night, I had the most terrible breathing problems! My bronchial tubes were definitely contracted. I had to call in the morning to say I would be unable to live with her and her cat.
Thankfully a wonderful Catholic couple I know has invited me to stay in their home this summer (as a matter of fact, so did a beautiful Catholic family--I am blessed!). So, I shall be moving to the suburbs in the next day or two...but back to the cat.
All day Saturday I was having a hard time breathing--and I realized it was from my jacket that had been in the cat apartment. So, I put that in the wash. Now, yesterday at work, I began to have a hard time breathing again, and realized that my cardigan had also been in cat apartment--so that had to go in the wash, too! But, since it was cold, I had to wear the cardigan all day anyway, and had the discomfort of constricted bronchial tubes all day.
As I was sitting on the #70 bus (one of my favorites, takes you up to St. Stan's and The Ark) praying the Rosary after work, I thought--this allergy is kind of like sin! I couldn't take the sweater off, so the allergy and discomfort stayed with me all day. In the world of the spiritual, sin sticks with us too--it is like my allergy infested sweater...and we have to make a conscious decision to cast it off! Just think if sin manifest itself the way sickness and allergies and the like do--I'll be far more folks would desire to cast the sin out of their lives.
Alas, spiritual illness is taken so far less seriously, and it is the illness that can truly destory--for are we not to fear more the destroyer of the soul than of the body??
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Apostle of Rome
Today is not only Memorial Day...but the memorial of St. Philip Neri, a phenomenal 15th Century saint. Before I speak a bit about dear Philip, I wanted to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for all of the men and women who have served our country, many loosing good health and others even their lives for the principals upon which this nation was founded. Perhaps we don't agree upon politics, but we can support our service men and women. Both my parents served in the U.S. Navy, and it was quite a sacrifice for them...but I know they did it for the right reasons.
++++
There are so many things to say about St. Philip Neri. Recently I've been reading (yet another) amazing text by Adrienne Von Speyr--Book of All Saints. This is truly a mystical work. As I've noted before, Adrienne's Spiritual Director was Fr. Von Balthasar. This book is a compilation of mystical experiences which Adrienne had over a span of years. God gave her a special charism to have a profound insight into the prayer life of various saints and holy people.
What does she say of dear Philip Neri?? That he is a man of deep love...he loves so much, there is really no more that he can learn in the school of love. His prayer is deep and ever altering--he never tires of God, but is always seeking new ways to honor and adore Him. Philip desires to "surprise" God, as it were, with spiritual gifts and honors. This is his love for God--it is a childlike, innocent love that delights in the Beloved, always keeping focus on the Beloved.
Philip loved God so much that when he was a young man, during a time of deep prayer his heart actually grew so great that it broke two of his ribs! This did not cause him ill health, and physicians only discovered this after his death years later. It was after this miracle of love that every time Philip entered into prayer his heart-beat would escalate!
Philip wanted so very much to go to the missions, but he knew that his mission was Rome, where he went as a young man to serve the poor and the youth. After 17 years of work as a lay 'missionary' to Rome, he entered the Sacred Order of the Priesthood! He was a great advocate of frequent confession, knowing that this sacrament, coupled with Holy Communion, was key to salvation. He founded an Oratory to carry on his mission of Evangelization in the Eternal City.
Philip himself died on the feast of Corpus Christ--which we observed in the Archdiocese of Chicago yesterday! What a beautiful feast, and how appropriate--Philip actually prophesied his death day 10 days before he left this earth for his Heavenly Home.
Through the example of dear St. Philp Neri, may we learn to live, through the truth of Christ, in communion with and service to the poor--both those who are materially poor, as well as those suffering spiritual poverty!
++++
There are so many things to say about St. Philip Neri. Recently I've been reading (yet another) amazing text by Adrienne Von Speyr--Book of All Saints. This is truly a mystical work. As I've noted before, Adrienne's Spiritual Director was Fr. Von Balthasar. This book is a compilation of mystical experiences which Adrienne had over a span of years. God gave her a special charism to have a profound insight into the prayer life of various saints and holy people.
What does she say of dear Philip Neri?? That he is a man of deep love...he loves so much, there is really no more that he can learn in the school of love. His prayer is deep and ever altering--he never tires of God, but is always seeking new ways to honor and adore Him. Philip desires to "surprise" God, as it were, with spiritual gifts and honors. This is his love for God--it is a childlike, innocent love that delights in the Beloved, always keeping focus on the Beloved.
Philip loved God so much that when he was a young man, during a time of deep prayer his heart actually grew so great that it broke two of his ribs! This did not cause him ill health, and physicians only discovered this after his death years later. It was after this miracle of love that every time Philip entered into prayer his heart-beat would escalate!
Philip wanted so very much to go to the missions, but he knew that his mission was Rome, where he went as a young man to serve the poor and the youth. After 17 years of work as a lay 'missionary' to Rome, he entered the Sacred Order of the Priesthood! He was a great advocate of frequent confession, knowing that this sacrament, coupled with Holy Communion, was key to salvation. He founded an Oratory to carry on his mission of Evangelization in the Eternal City.
Philip himself died on the feast of Corpus Christ--which we observed in the Archdiocese of Chicago yesterday! What a beautiful feast, and how appropriate--Philip actually prophesied his death day 10 days before he left this earth for his Heavenly Home.
Through the example of dear St. Philp Neri, may we learn to live, through the truth of Christ, in communion with and service to the poor--both those who are materially poor, as well as those suffering spiritual poverty!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Corpus Christi
- O salutaris Hostia,
- Quae caeli pandis ostium:
- Bella premunt hostilia,
- Da robur, fer auxilium.
- Uni trinoque Domino
- Sit sempiterna gloria,
- Qui vitam sine termino
- Nobis donet in patria.
- Amen.
I recall quite vividly the many years I was in a traditional Catholic School, and when Corpus Christi would fall on a school day, we'd have a magnificent High Mass--Sometimes they would let the students sing the "Mass of the Angels", a very common sung-Mass in the Tridentine Rite. After that, we would have several of the beautiful little second grade girls who had just made their First Holy Communion, wearing their spotless gowns, lead the procession, distributing red rose leaves from their little baskets. The First Communicant Boys would be dressed in their acolyte garb, bearing candles before the King of Kings.
Father would have Jesus in the Monstrance, and the four-cornered canopy, held by the high school alter servers, would protect the Body of Christ as we processed around our little chapel. Sining Eucharistic Hymns, we would pay triumphant tribute to the King of our School...the King of our Hearts...the King of the Universe.
I wasn't able to locate a Corpus Christi procession in Chicago today, but this memory helps me to realize just how important this feast is--especially in this post-modern era. With poor catechesis occurring for over 40 years now, many Catholics do not understand the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament, and some do not even beleive in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacred Host! This is a 'victory' which the Evil Spirit so desires to claim--yet he cannot be victorious!
I remember hearing that dear Papa Benedict, during some of his remarks while in th U.S. last month, said that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the center of our lives--for out of this great Mystery, we receive the gift of the Eucharist. Dear Papa remarked how Eucharistic Adoration is the natural extension of the Mass...it is where we encounter the living Christ in a profound way, and often in the glorious beauty of silence!
We must take up devotion to sweet Jesus in the Eucharist...we must allow Him to speak to us, to whisper to our hearts the truth we so desire to receive! Remember how Elijah realized that God did not speak in the loudness of nature, but in the whisper of the wind? That for us is the gentle breeze of the Spirit which we may so readily receive in Eucharist Adoration!
Do not deny yourself an intimate relationship with Christ--as Papa Benedict said when he became our Holy Father, Christ gives us everything, and takes nothing away! Blessed Feast of Corpus Christi!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
On Distraction
+JMJ
I realized today the significance of how everything that is not of God is a distraction, which is essentially sin. Go through the list of the 7 Deadly Sins...and underlying all is distraction:
1) Lust--the flesh and the degredation of it become a distraction from God. Combating lust: chastity, which is Love ordered toward God.
2) Gluttony--food and indlugence become a distraction from the Father. Temperence, the proper ordering of pleasures and goods, allows us to aline ourselves with His holy will.
3) Greed--excess and pursuit of riches distarct from Our Creator, the source of all our good. Poverty teaches us to order our lives to God, who alone can satisfy. Generous charity teaches us it is always better to give than receive.
4) Sloth--Fr. Barron classified sloth as Spiritual Laziness--not making time for the things of the Lord, distraction facilitated by any given thing, and supported by our lack of motiviation for Eternal life. We need to be diligent, seeking first the Kingdom of God, not the pleasures of the world that are fleeting.
5) Wrath--Our own hated and 'getting even' make us turn our backs upon the God of Forgiveness. Only pure Agape--love as God loves, which implies mercy and forgiveness--can remedy the wrath that leads so many to eternal damnation. This is manifest in profound kindness to the other, if only because that other is made in the Image and Likeness of God!
6) Envy--Dissatisfaction with what we have...displeasure at the good fortune and blessings others receive: what a tragedy! We must be patient...and know that "God is always on time, but rarely early" as Dr. Peter Kreeft once said. The Good Lord will not deny anything that we truly need--and often witholds those things that will distract us from Him and His Holy, Generous will for us!
7) Pride--is the most diabolacl distraction, for we become districted by our own SELVES away from God who gave and gives us all! Only in the school of Mary, Model of Humility, can we learn to rid ourelves of this root sin...which paves the path to the fires of Gehenna!
Maybe we don't think we are guilty of the deadly sins, but every sin one can commit is realted to these deadly vices, all distractions from Purity Incarnate--The Blessed Trinity. May we recognize sin in our daily distractions, and have the humilty to combat these great foes of Eternal Life!
I realized today the significance of how everything that is not of God is a distraction, which is essentially sin. Go through the list of the 7 Deadly Sins...and underlying all is distraction:
1) Lust--the flesh and the degredation of it become a distraction from God. Combating lust: chastity, which is Love ordered toward God.
2) Gluttony--food and indlugence become a distraction from the Father. Temperence, the proper ordering of pleasures and goods, allows us to aline ourselves with His holy will.
3) Greed--excess and pursuit of riches distarct from Our Creator, the source of all our good. Poverty teaches us to order our lives to God, who alone can satisfy. Generous charity teaches us it is always better to give than receive.
4) Sloth--Fr. Barron classified sloth as Spiritual Laziness--not making time for the things of the Lord, distraction facilitated by any given thing, and supported by our lack of motiviation for Eternal life. We need to be diligent, seeking first the Kingdom of God, not the pleasures of the world that are fleeting.
5) Wrath--Our own hated and 'getting even' make us turn our backs upon the God of Forgiveness. Only pure Agape--love as God loves, which implies mercy and forgiveness--can remedy the wrath that leads so many to eternal damnation. This is manifest in profound kindness to the other, if only because that other is made in the Image and Likeness of God!
6) Envy--Dissatisfaction with what we have...displeasure at the good fortune and blessings others receive: what a tragedy! We must be patient...and know that "God is always on time, but rarely early" as Dr. Peter Kreeft once said. The Good Lord will not deny anything that we truly need--and often witholds those things that will distract us from Him and His Holy, Generous will for us!
7) Pride--is the most diabolacl distraction, for we become districted by our own SELVES away from God who gave and gives us all! Only in the school of Mary, Model of Humility, can we learn to rid ourelves of this root sin...which paves the path to the fires of Gehenna!
Maybe we don't think we are guilty of the deadly sins, but every sin one can commit is realted to these deadly vices, all distractions from Purity Incarnate--The Blessed Trinity. May we recognize sin in our daily distractions, and have the humilty to combat these great foes of Eternal Life!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Visuals
+JMJ
Did you ever see that?
I remember when I started going to a traditional Catholic high school after years of home schooling. Mom had taught us to put JMJ at the head of each page we wrote--to honor of Jesus, Mary and Joseph...when I got into high school it began to become more artistic. I would also have a cross, then the M would have a cross going through it--similar to the back of a Miraculous Medal...
When I got into college it got really intesnse--I was at a Jesuit School, so A.M.D.G. got added. Sooner or later, all these graphics got to be too much for me, so I simplified to a cross (+).
I had never started using this header in e-mail until my friend Dennis began e-mailing me, and I noted that he would use it. I thought, that is a nice means of Evangelization.
At first, I'd only put it on e-mails to Catholics, but now, I put it on all my emails.
++Ironically enough, a nun at the elementary school many of my friends went to had to BAN the use of +JMJ because one young man turned it into a motif in honor of himself. Boys.++
Symbols like +JMJ bear so many layers of Evangelization--it reminds me that all I do is dedicated to Jesus, Mary and the Saints (St. Joseph in particular)...people ask what it means, so I tell them...and that is a moment of Catechesis. It makes me think twice about what I write--because I am writing it under the name of Jesus and a cross (not to mention Our Lady and dear St. Joe).
Some folks think symbols like this or sacramentals like the Rosary are out-dated. On the contrary, in a culture where everything is sensual and visual, we need these visible witnesses to our Faith! I don't pray the Rosary on public transportation to make a show of my religion, but because I desire to pray...and a few times it has begun some lovely conversations!
Let's be brave, as Pope John Paul II once said, and be not afraid to take Christ into the streets and public places...and at the top of our e-mails, too!
Did you ever see that?
I remember when I started going to a traditional Catholic high school after years of home schooling. Mom had taught us to put JMJ at the head of each page we wrote--to honor of Jesus, Mary and Joseph...when I got into high school it began to become more artistic. I would also have a cross, then the M would have a cross going through it--similar to the back of a Miraculous Medal...
When I got into college it got really intesnse--I was at a Jesuit School, so A.M.D.G. got added. Sooner or later, all these graphics got to be too much for me, so I simplified to a cross (+).
I had never started using this header in e-mail until my friend Dennis began e-mailing me, and I noted that he would use it. I thought, that is a nice means of Evangelization.
At first, I'd only put it on e-mails to Catholics, but now, I put it on all my emails.
++Ironically enough, a nun at the elementary school many of my friends went to had to BAN the use of +JMJ because one young man turned it into a motif in honor of himself. Boys.++
Symbols like +JMJ bear so many layers of Evangelization--it reminds me that all I do is dedicated to Jesus, Mary and the Saints (St. Joseph in particular)...people ask what it means, so I tell them...and that is a moment of Catechesis. It makes me think twice about what I write--because I am writing it under the name of Jesus and a cross (not to mention Our Lady and dear St. Joe).
Some folks think symbols like this or sacramentals like the Rosary are out-dated. On the contrary, in a culture where everything is sensual and visual, we need these visible witnesses to our Faith! I don't pray the Rosary on public transportation to make a show of my religion, but because I desire to pray...and a few times it has begun some lovely conversations!
Let's be brave, as Pope John Paul II once said, and be not afraid to take Christ into the streets and public places...and at the top of our e-mails, too!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Band of Brothers
On Saturday, May 17 we celebrated the Ordination of 11 men to the Order of the Priesthood here in the Archdiocese of Chicago. It was an amazing witness to the spirit of the Church--a visible witness of young men, willing to lay down their lives for their friends, in service of Christ and his people.
I'd never been to an Ordination before, but sensed this would be a very poignant, joyous day. After taking 3 buses and walking through neighborhoods, I finally arrived at the St. Juliana's Parish (Ordination generally occurs at the Cathedral, which currently is undergoing major repairs). As I approached the Church I saw many more men in clerical garb than I had anticipated. I soon realized that most of the presbyterate of the Archdiocese was in attendance!
I found my seat in a section mainly consisting of seminarians and those applying to the seminary. I was taken aback by the joyful anticipation of all the ordained priests to my left. The shorter ones where stretching to see beyond those taller, as the 11 men to be ordained prostrated themselves before the Altar of the Lord.
As each gave his oath of obedience to the Cardinal, I couldn't help but consider what the world might say these men where giving up, yet remember that scripture passage...about how when you find the pearl of great price, you'll give up everything to buy that field that contains the pearl.
After Cardinal George laid his hands upon the men, each priest and bishop present laid his hands on each of them. It was as if they were spiritually confirming their new brothers, welcoming them into the Sacred Order of Priests. A solemn joy was upon the face of each priest as he approached each of the new brethren. They must have thought about their own ordination days...for some very long ago--and yet, they are still here, still faithfully serving God and the Church, after years of joy and pain.
As I approached the Altar to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, I realized that Fr. Michal, one of our newly ordained priests, would give the Body of Christ to me. Our eyes met in a look of deep joy...mine in gracious thanksgiving for his sacrifice, and for his giving to me the Body of my Lord...and Father's, I think for the joy he had in offering God to me.
Joyfully, after Mass I received first blessings from four of the newly ordained priests. As I kissed their consecrated hands and knelt before each of them, I could feel clearly how they truly are in persona Christ--in the person of Christ. More then ever I felt as though Christ Himself was blessing me, confirming me in my vocation...and encouraging me to persevere!
I also saw many of my friends who are still seminarians. Right after the Ordination Mass one of our friends announced that he was applying to enter Mundelein Seminary this fall! There was a spirit of joy that could not be quelled. My friend Bobby just looked at me, in celebration of the gifts of vocations to priesthood and religious life and said, "Can you imagine how amazing it will be when we are all in Heaven together!"
I can only imagine. We are all preparing to give a total yes to the Lord. It isn't an easy road to complete the Father's will, yet days like Saturday truly build up the Mystical Body of Christ. Those of us present witnessed 11 men give their "Fiat" freely to the Lord.
May the witness that dear Papa Benedict gave to us young people while visiting the U.S. this April continue to bear much fruit...especially of vocations to the priesthood and religious life!
**Picture of Cardinal George, the rectors of Mundelein and the Newly Ordained Priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Sunday, May 4, 2008
In-Between Time
Many dioceses around the United States chose to observe the Feast of the Ascension today. The Gospel reading recalled the words of Jesus: "All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, even unto the consummation of the world." (Matt 28:18-20)
As he reflected on the feast of the Ascension, Fr. Jackson at St. Ignatius Parish in Roger's Park spoke of how this great feast reminds us of in between time--which is characteristic of many periods in life. With upcoming Ordinations, people preparing for weddings and students graduating from University, this time of year truly does speak to transition. Some are even in less common periods of transition--such as young people preparing to leave the world to enter seminary or formation in a religious community.
These times can be so difficult...because truly, none know what exactly lies ahead. Engaged couples anticipate with joy their married life, yet could not predict all the challenges that await. The transitional deacons up at Mundelein Seminary await with great joy their ordination, but none will receive a blueprint of how their lives as priests will play out. Much perplexed are all the young adults completing their years at University, who may not even yet have a job secured, yet alone tackled the greater question "What is the Lord calling me to?"
Yet, in all these times of uncertainty, Fr. Jackson reminds us of Jesus' promise "Behold I am with you always..."
No matter what step we are on, even if we have entered fully into our vocation, Father said that we are always in a state of transition, because truly, our entire lives are a preparation for Eternity--our Universal, Baptismal Vocation.
As I prepare to answer fully the invitation which Christ has offered me, I have so many questions, and I am thoroughly perplexed. Yet, today when Fr. Jackson said so emphatically that Christ is always with us, and I recalled that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever...I was so consoled. He is no less with me today than He will be with me when I am free to fully embrace my vocation. There will be times when I may feel His presence less or more greatly, but Jesus is constant.
This truly is living a life through the lens of Faith. Even as St. Paul mentions in his first letter to the Corinthians that we see now dimly, as in a mirror (first century mirrors were very foggy) but then, we shall see clearly, face to face--what a marvelous joy to anticipate! To see clearly the Face of God is our destiny. Yet it requires much faith, and a fiat that is renewed moment by moment. This cannot be relegated to an hours length on Sunday, or even our daily private prayer time--our Faith must be visible all the time.
Adrienne (still taking ideas from The Christian State of Life) remarks that one who has chosen his Christian vocation, who has answered Christ's invitation, in a sense not only responds to grace for himself, but for the entire Christian community--and for all mankind. Our visible witness, whether it be in preparation for our vocation, or the actual living in our Christian state of life...is for the edification of all. We must have the courage to be a constant witness, even when it is difficult. We may not even fully understand our call...let alone be able to explain it effectively to our family and friends. Yet, we must trust--trust that God has a plan, that His plan is good for us, that we can discern what that plan is, and that we can live it faithfully.
"Men of Galilee, why stand you about looking at the sky?!" Don't just stand there! Jesus needs you to do something...now! We must baptize, teach, witness with our every action. Our eyes should be fixed towards the Heavens, from where we receive courage and grace, yet our actions must be always thrusting us forward, forward upon our path towards Eternity.
Remember the words of Erma Bombeck, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
As he reflected on the feast of the Ascension, Fr. Jackson at St. Ignatius Parish in Roger's Park spoke of how this great feast reminds us of in between time--which is characteristic of many periods in life. With upcoming Ordinations, people preparing for weddings and students graduating from University, this time of year truly does speak to transition. Some are even in less common periods of transition--such as young people preparing to leave the world to enter seminary or formation in a religious community.
These times can be so difficult...because truly, none know what exactly lies ahead. Engaged couples anticipate with joy their married life, yet could not predict all the challenges that await. The transitional deacons up at Mundelein Seminary await with great joy their ordination, but none will receive a blueprint of how their lives as priests will play out. Much perplexed are all the young adults completing their years at University, who may not even yet have a job secured, yet alone tackled the greater question "What is the Lord calling me to?"
Yet, in all these times of uncertainty, Fr. Jackson reminds us of Jesus' promise "Behold I am with you always..."
No matter what step we are on, even if we have entered fully into our vocation, Father said that we are always in a state of transition, because truly, our entire lives are a preparation for Eternity--our Universal, Baptismal Vocation.
As I prepare to answer fully the invitation which Christ has offered me, I have so many questions, and I am thoroughly perplexed. Yet, today when Fr. Jackson said so emphatically that Christ is always with us, and I recalled that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever...I was so consoled. He is no less with me today than He will be with me when I am free to fully embrace my vocation. There will be times when I may feel His presence less or more greatly, but Jesus is constant.
This truly is living a life through the lens of Faith. Even as St. Paul mentions in his first letter to the Corinthians that we see now dimly, as in a mirror (first century mirrors were very foggy) but then, we shall see clearly, face to face--what a marvelous joy to anticipate! To see clearly the Face of God is our destiny. Yet it requires much faith, and a fiat that is renewed moment by moment. This cannot be relegated to an hours length on Sunday, or even our daily private prayer time--our Faith must be visible all the time.
Adrienne (still taking ideas from The Christian State of Life) remarks that one who has chosen his Christian vocation, who has answered Christ's invitation, in a sense not only responds to grace for himself, but for the entire Christian community--and for all mankind. Our visible witness, whether it be in preparation for our vocation, or the actual living in our Christian state of life...is for the edification of all. We must have the courage to be a constant witness, even when it is difficult. We may not even fully understand our call...let alone be able to explain it effectively to our family and friends. Yet, we must trust--trust that God has a plan, that His plan is good for us, that we can discern what that plan is, and that we can live it faithfully.
"Men of Galilee, why stand you about looking at the sky?!" Don't just stand there! Jesus needs you to do something...now! We must baptize, teach, witness with our every action. Our eyes should be fixed towards the Heavens, from where we receive courage and grace, yet our actions must be always thrusting us forward, forward upon our path towards Eternity.
Remember the words of Erma Bombeck, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Noise Pollution
Right now my studio apartment feels like a prison. Several times over the past few months I have had to ask my upstairs neighbors to turn down their stereo. I do not exaggerate when I say that my walls vibrate.
Currently there is not only an out of control stereo, but also loudness that makes me very nervous as to what sort of activity is occurring upstairs right now. This literally makes me feel ill. Last time I asked them to turn down the stereo, the woman who answered the door proceeded to explain why it was o.k. that her music was loud--and it became uncomfortable. I was so angry, it took me literally 20+ minutes to calm myself down after I talked to her. This time I called 311...and am waiting to see if they do anything about it.
Often when I share these types of stories with my colleagues and friends, we conclude that this is all just the fruit of Original Sin--which it is. It frustrates me so excessively right now that I cannot go to bed, meditate or even read. Even if I wanted to I would be so distracted I'd absorb nothing. Maybe this really is my problem, I mean, I guess I'm just not normal. Who would want to be home at 10 p.m. on a Saturday quietly reading Scripture? Definitely anti-something.
Christ constantly called us to love our neighbors--what the heck would He do in a situation like this? I do not feel like it is safe to go upstairs and confront them. The cops still haven't shown up. It seems ludicrous to go somewhere at this hour by myself. So here I am in the shoe box I pay far too much for, stuck.
Suppose the only thing I can really do is offer it up.
Currently there is not only an out of control stereo, but also loudness that makes me very nervous as to what sort of activity is occurring upstairs right now. This literally makes me feel ill. Last time I asked them to turn down the stereo, the woman who answered the door proceeded to explain why it was o.k. that her music was loud--and it became uncomfortable. I was so angry, it took me literally 20+ minutes to calm myself down after I talked to her. This time I called 311...and am waiting to see if they do anything about it.
Often when I share these types of stories with my colleagues and friends, we conclude that this is all just the fruit of Original Sin--which it is. It frustrates me so excessively right now that I cannot go to bed, meditate or even read. Even if I wanted to I would be so distracted I'd absorb nothing. Maybe this really is my problem, I mean, I guess I'm just not normal. Who would want to be home at 10 p.m. on a Saturday quietly reading Scripture? Definitely anti-something.
Christ constantly called us to love our neighbors--what the heck would He do in a situation like this? I do not feel like it is safe to go upstairs and confront them. The cops still haven't shown up. It seems ludicrous to go somewhere at this hour by myself. So here I am in the shoe box I pay far too much for, stuck.
Suppose the only thing I can really do is offer it up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
