The View Up Here

Ah, there it is. The first "Zombie Jesus" post in my Fb feed this Easter. Every year, even before I came back to God, I would cringe at those stupid, tasteless jokes. This year, I sort of dreaded seeing them, to be honest. Apparently some folks still think it’s good fun to ridicule other people’s beliefs as the butt of insulting jokes. But hey, it’s okay ‘cause we have this thing called free speech, an aspect of free will. So whatever. I’m jus’ sayin’… But that’s not my main point. My main point is this: I'd actually like to borrow this insulting joke and turn it around. Consider that it is actually a reality, not a joke, only in reverse. And mind you, this is from a Christian perspective, so I don't expect everyone to agree. Here's what I'm saying: we are the zombies without the Resurrection – literally the walking dead – stumbling in a hazy twilight from our own self-absorbed, self-righteous, yes, sinful, state. Before you get your back up about that...

I'm tinkering with the blog again, taking down some things, changing others. I will put up a suitable header image when I figure out what I want to be in that space.

Today I'd like to share a reflection from the Sisters of Notre Dame. I've been receiving weekly Lenten Reflections from them on email, and today's meditation for Palm Sunday is especially moving for me. My prayer is that I, all of us, can unconditionally say 'Yes' to what God has prepared for us in our lives, just as Yeshua Messiah did, trusting that our greater good is always in God's mind, even when we cannot see it ourselves. "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." (Mt. 21.9) With these words in song or chant Catholics around the world will process into the Church on Palm Sunday waving palm branches which have been liturgically blessed as "sacramentals." The increase in church-going folks on this day, demonstrates how Catholics like to get their palms but more, how this Sunday transitions us from Lent into Holy Week and to a closer focus on the Passion of Christ. What we recall...

I have no idea who painted this or what the title is. It hangs along with other similar works in the little Italian restaurant my friends and I went to celebrate my birthday.  If you want a quiet beach and a sweet little Italian place for a drink or dinner, I recommend Playa del Rey, The Pinguini Caffe.

I had my 45th birthday two weekends ago. It did feel a bit momentous, but that soon passed, because truly, age means nothing at all to me.   Life has been busy, with spiritual retreats, Eucharistic ministry, writing, and enjoying the fabulous weather. This is a gorgeous time to live in SoCal, and I praise God that I let him lead me here, even though I had no idea in 2011 how I would get by or what would happen. My religious vocation discernment continues. I've opened myself to a broader range of religious orders, and this seems to be affirmed in how many congregations I have recently discovered. The search continues, but in the flow rather than as a matter of project-management. Big difference, that. My time as the interim assistant at ICLA is nearing an end. I have applied for the permanent position, but it remains to be seen what will happen. I was experiencing quite a bit of stress over this, but again I've been continually reminded to trust in God's providence. Go...