sacrifice is the language of love (bp james conley): on natural family planning

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VuTfoycLe8

To love is to move from "romantic sentimentality" to "unbroken commitment." (my interpretation of his talk)

On December 13, 2019, Conley announced that he was taking a medical leave of absence to treat depression, anxiety, insomnia, and tinnitus. Archbishop George Joseph Lucas, Archbishop of Omaha, was appointed to serve as apostolic administrator during Conley’s temporary leave of absence.^[10] Conley returned to active service on November 13, 2020.^[11]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_D._Conley

the cross, the cross, the beautiful cross

 "Indeed to follow God's Word, one must deny himself and take up his cross daily. It's not easy to do, and there's no shortcut. The cross may be heavier each passing day. It appears to be challenging to embrace, but it gets easier if carried FAITHFULLY. We'll discover how precious and beautiful it is.

....

"As a Divine Word missionary priest for 42 years, in Brazil (23), Germany (3), Australia (8), and the Philippines (8), crosses were plenty. With God's help, I overcame them all and made me stronger day by day. Heartbreaking though was when I came back home for vacation. My mother didn't recognize me due to prolonged absence and Alzheimer's disease. While in Australia, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Returning, I hope to spend time with my relatives. The outbreak of COVID-19 however made this impossible. Thy will be done!"

-- Fr. Rodrigo G. de la Rosa, SVD (Villa Cristo Rey, CKMS, QC 2020. The Word in other words.)

partisan politics for lay

 Quoting from the pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) entitled “Seek the Common Good,” issued on January 28, 2019, he said that “Participation in politics for Christian laypeople is not just to be limited to non-partisan involvement. Christians are also encouraged to engage in principled partisan participation. This means that they can campaign for good candidates as an exercise of their Christian faith.”

https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/our-sacred-right-and-duty-as-citizens/?fbclid=IwAR1B4SPtTjJJ3Qu0ZjErfBFokLYYg6lh4JnynfzuhzSn7FFIGDKK0Y4V0qk

CFC international council for the first time endorses a particular candidate for the president in the person of Leni Robredo in it's pastoral letter dated 23 Feb 2022.

civic responsibilitites: tax, vote, defend country (CCC 2240)

 Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994)

# 2240 "Submission to AUTHORITY and CO-RESPONSIBILITY for the common good make it OBLIGATORY to pay TAXES, to exercise the right to VOTE, and to DEFEND one's country."

I saw this article quoted in a tarpauline outside the parish church of our lady of the most holy rosary today, election campaign period for the may 9 national elections.

meditation vs contemplation

 "As meditation is spiritual practice, so contemplation is spiritual encounter.

"In meditation, we practice our spirit. In contemplation we encounter God, the Holy and transcendent."

~ Bob Holmes #comeintothequiet

https://www.facebook.com/BenedictineOrder (disbanded after death of foundress-bishop)

faithfulness to the teachings of the holy father

 NOVUS ORDO

"It is generally believed that Summorum Pontificum was Benedict 16th's attempt to heal the schism that was caused by groups that refused to accept what was for them a "perversion" of the Mass, conveniently forgetting that before the reform of Vatican 2, there were several reforms of the Roman Missal. It did not have the desired effect, however, and instead became the rite by which groups that distanced themselves from Rome celebrated in defiance of the Holy See. One group is known as "sede vacantists" — those for whom the Holy See is "vacant." They refuse to acknowledge the election of Popes since John 23rd, or as far back as their fancy takes them. Yet, another group rejects Vatican 2 altogether, taking it upon themselves to judge which councils of the church they accept and which they reject.

"It is sad, indeed, that the Eucharist — that was instituted by Jesus as the sacrament of unity for his Church — has become an ideological weapon for those who, for various reasons, hardly theologically tenable but more obviously linked to pride and conceit, oppose the Holy See, the clear teaching of the Second Vatican Council or set themselves up against the Pope. But like all schisms, this, too, shall pass. After all, did not the Lord assure Peter, whom he made the rock that "porta inferi non praevalebit... the gates of hell will not prevail" against him?"

Source: Fr Ranhillo C Aquino, as posted in FB by Fr Ronnie Crisostomo, SVD

Original Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/01/24/opinion/columns/novus-ordo/1830400?fbclid=IwAR2F4NqnBrYrMlFx-3ZxwjCsbNHh67CdchGVf0oiA-ppTQ5wtlZco57asII

etymology of "lord"

 https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=lord

just found out that the Old English origin of the word is HLAF = loaf of bread + WEARD = keeper, guardian. thus, literally, it means "one who guards the loaves"

reflection: he who has the bread (money) has the power & respect :-)