The Fall - Their punishment from God was to endure suffering in life.

Post-election thoughts.

This will sound crazy, but I'm really not upset about the election or Trump's triumph. Somewhat bewildered, to be sure - but using one of Obama's favorite aphorisms, 'it is what it is'. Nothing I can do about it. I'm one of those who never forgot January 6th - I watched it happen - live. I also consider Trump to be a conman and Carpetbagger businessman who consorts with enemy governments and maybe even shares National Security information with 'friendly' dictators. In other words, I voted against him out of concern for the Constitution, the rule of law/judicial system, and support of NATO. Now the majority has spoken, Trump is POTUS and I accept that. It is what it is.

I believe it is mistaken to have called Trump a Nazi or a Hitler - or even a Fascist. Perhaps those around him know what that means and can be identified as such, but Trump isn't an ideologue. I think Trump could easily go the dictator route - that's how he ran his business. Ironically, some of his supporters claim to be open to that - so I do see some parallels to the German/Italian political scene in the 1930's. (Ironically because, Catholics among them - who accuse the Pope of being a dictator, are on board.) That said, I think absolute monarch would be his choice, if he wished - but I think he'll stick to POTUS.

We will know soon enough what he is if he goes through with the purges he has suggested, taking vengeance on those who betrayed him and how he plays along with Putin. In the meantime, the court cases will be thrown out, DOJ will drop charges, he will be pardoned by himself if needed, January 6 convicts will be pardoned and after all of that, we have a chance at a new normal.

I think Harris lost it with her support for trans issues in prisons, unlimited abortion, gay/drags/SS marriage and that one interview on the View, when she said she couldn't think of anything she'd do differently from Biden. Ordinary people are sick of woke. Ordinary people are feeling the pinch of inflation. So they voted for Trump. They consider him as the one who will save the United States, chosen by God. Indeed, after so many Rosary novenas, it does seem so.

God alone is God, Jesus Christ is our only salvation - here we have no lasting city.

Putting on my Bayside/Fatima Blue Beret, I'll tell what I think Trump and the MAGA regime might be. Trump may be an instrument of chastisement.* If he cancels woke projects, regulates health and human services, women's reproductive rights and so on, that's going to hurt. Since Roe v Wade we've been a rather permissive, even debauched society - not that anything's wrong with that - to steal a phrase from Seinfeld. Yet when freedoms are selectively limited, people are going to feel the pain - all of us are going to feel 'chastised'.

If Trump's bromance with Putin grows stronger, chances are it is going to be worse.

Having said that, even if all of that comes true, we have to realize people have come through it in the past and elsewhere in our own day. I think of JPII and Benedict XVI growing up under Nazism, then JPII under Communism.

“All are punished” - Romeo & Juliet, Act 5, Scene 3

*And let us not say that it is God who is punishing us in this way; on the contrary it is people themselves who are preparing their own punishment. In his kindness God warns us and calls us to the right path, while respecting the freedom he has given us; hence people are responsible”. - Sr. Lucia of Fatima

A Woman's World.

 

Gold Dust Woman

I never paid much attention to what I considered the political aspect of pro-choice, knowing that I was completely against abortion, especially for convenience. That is a rather smug, dismissive POV however.

I was listening to an interview with Stevie Nicks this morning and was a bit surprised at her reasons for getting an abortion. It would have complicated her relationship with her former lovers and would have interrupted her career. Her success wouldn't exist if she had chosen birth. I've heard several other stories now since the political fight is currently focused upon women's reproductive rights - at the expense of the child in the womb. The trade off, sacrifice a human being for temporal riches, success, independence, whatever - that's rather gruesome. It's also completely pagan.

Like I said, I try not to think about it, since women claim it is their choice. Eve was never so bold, blaming instead, the serpent who tricked her. Harris had a group of doctors at one of her last rallies - they all do abortions. For me the visual was rather sci-fi-horror. (The Nazis were never so bold.) Of course it was to emphasize that doctors run the danger of getting arrested for what they do, if abortion is outlawed. So, what do they do? What is an abortion? When I see photos of the end product, I'm repulsed, a bit terrified that we can do that to yet-unborn, human beings, and I look away, never wanting to see an image like that again. Nevertheless, I know a human being has been slaughtered, legally. It's considered a human right.

Somehow, we've numbed ourselves to this reality - we've anesthetized ourselves to the truth.

"Because of the increase of evil, the love of most will grow cold"

Now it is referred to as 'complicated grief'.

 

"My eyes sought him everywhere, but they did not see him; and I hated all places because he was not in them, because they could not say to me, 'Look, he is coming,' as they did when he was alive and absent." - St. Augustine

But who can detect all of his errors?

To suffer and be despised. - St. John of the Cross

Even when we deserve it - when our lies are all found out.  Not only as the result of an examination of conscience, but even when our neighbor may convict us of some hidden sin.  Perhaps an 'enemy' will call us out. Only when we are 'down and they're counting - When your secrets all found out...'  . might we come to recognize our hidden faults.  The upside of all of this is the favor those who accuse and despise us do for our souls.  I often remind myself, even though it hurts at times:  If a good man reproves me, it is kindness.  As well as: Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. - Proverbs 27:6

From my hidden faults acquit me O Lord.

The Psalms tell the story - which is why they are so helpful for us to pray - not just recite.  It is also why self-knowledge is so important for us at every stage of our life - it is a necessary part of our 'purgation' or purification.

Sin speaks to the sinner
in the depths of his heart

There is no fear of God
before his eyes.

He so flatters himself in his mind
that he knows not his guilt. - Ps. 36

"Sin speaks to the sinner in the depths of his heart ... he so flatters himself in his mind that he knows not his guilt."  Like I said, we have an immense capacity for self delusion.  Which is why it is so advantageous for us to allow ourselves to be taught, to be corrected, even to be despised.

It is the Holy Spirit who convinces us and the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgement.

It's important to remember that the Lord accompanies us in and through these meditations in the deepest recesses of the cell of self-knowledge, as St. Catherine might say.  He was there when we knew not our sins and he is there when we uncover them, as it were.  We need to understand this so as not to get discouraged, even though we can say:

My sins so overcome me,
so that I can no longer see.
They are more numerous than the hairs of my head; 

my courage fails me. - Ps. 40

We need to trust in the Divine Mercy, as we struggle to  'lay aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us'.  Confidence and love.

O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life in listening to You, to become wholly teachable that I may learn all from You. Then, through all nights, all voids, all helplessness, I want to gaze on You always and remain in Your great light. O my beloved Star, so fascinate me that I may not withdraw from Your radiance. - Prayer of Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity

 

But who can detect all of his errors?
From hidden faults acquit me.

From presumption restrain your servant
and let it not rule me.
Then shall I be blameless,
clean from grave sin.

May the spoken words of my mouth,
the thoughts of my heart,
win favor in your sight, O Lord,
my rescuer, my rock! - Ps. 18

An update.

I've been trying to get back to writing, but I never do, save for blurbs on Facebook which I inevitably remove.  The blog here requires too much time - so I tell myself.

I've let lots of commentary slip away, pretty much simply observing what goes on and reading differing opinions to somehow get to the truth of things - or the reality behind the theories and hearsay.  It's kind of amazing how easy it is to just let controversie come and go, without any need to comment. Watching while several inch closer and closer to virtual schism upon schism.  Most recently, a monastery of Discalced nuns transferred all their assets to a lay board of directors (how Teresian), jumped ship and signed on with the SSPX.  Most likely thanks to Vigano fear mongering about Cor Orans and 'supression' of the Latin Mass.  Awesomely misguided.

Although, I dare to say attitudes like that exist in my archdiocese - I'm sure.  Especially since my support for Pope Francis and his reforms is so well known, not a few of my friends have suddenly gone silent and I've no contact with those I corresponded with on a regular basis, via phone or email.  The religious among them have definitely stepped away, one or two making sarcastic comments about the blog.  Though subtle, it was enough to discourage my continuing to document my experiences and observations - which is always a good way for me to sort things out - writing helps me think - or know what I think.  One fellow implied I was attempting spiritual direction here.  That has never been my intent.

I expect my criticism over the years may have hit home with a few.  One priest, also a client told me he liked what I wrote but told me I was wrong about a few things - I have no doubt I misspoke on many occasions.  Sadly, he never told me what I was wrong about.  I know I've always had strong opinions on start-up religious orders and their peculiarities, as well as my agreement with the Pope on the need for oversight and accountability, so I try not to discuss those things publicly anylonger, hence my neglect of the blog.

I do want to say that it seems to me the so-called crisis in the Church, especially as it concerns Vatican II, the Liturgical reforms and the renewal of religious life, reminds me of Job's trial of faith.  Last week the first readings at Mass were from the Book of Job.  It seems to me those critics of the Pope, especially his bishops and priests, are not only acting like Job's friends, but in the meantime, they/we are missing an opportunity to follow the example of Job, when he was afflicted and everything was taken from him.  How do we not see the Lord's hand in all of this?  It is His Church after all. 

Is there any faith left on earth?

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

I know that you can do all things,*

and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.

“Who is this who obscures counsel with ignorance?”

I have spoken but did not understand;

things too marvelous for me, which I did not know.a

“Listen, and I will speak;

I will question you, and you tell me the answers.”

By hearsay I had heard of you,

but now my eye has seen you.*

Therefore I disown what I have said,

and repent in dust and ashes. - Job 42

Schismatic

 

Vigano's dubia got a response.

Vigano! Vigano Announces The Start of His Extrajudicial Criminal Trial for Schism.

Finally!

The DDF is acting.  Vigano has wreaked so much havoc and animosity among Catholics, this action is necessary.  He has misled priests, bishops, cloistered nuns and traditionalist Catholics.  He's contaminated the Catholic collective consciousness with his venomous attacks against the Pope, the Magisterium, Vatican II and especially the Liturgical Rites of the Church, Holy Mass in particular.  This indictment arrives none too soon.  Praise God.

BTW, Denying an Ecumenical Council is an act of Schism.

https://x.com/CarloMVigano/status/1803761251668914405

===============

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗺 (art. 2 SST; can. 1364 CIC)

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has informed me, with a simple email, of the initiation of an extrajudicial penal trial against me, with the accusation of having committed the crime of schism and charging me of having denied the legitimacy of “Pope Francis” of having broken communion “with Him” and of having rejected the Second Vatican Council. I have been summoned to the Palace of the Holy Office on June 20, in person or represented by a canon lawyer. I assume that the sentence has already been prepared, given that it is an extrajudicial process.

I regard the accusations against me as an honor. I believe that the very wording of the charges confirms the theses that I have repeatedly defended in my various addresses. It is no coincidence that the accusation against me concerns the questioning of the legitimacy of Jorge Mario Bergoglio and the rejection of Vatican II: the Council represents the ideological, theological, moral, and liturgical cancer of which the Bergoglian “synodal church” is the necessary metastasis.

Back to the Blog

 

Christ showing his wounds.

I've been posting on FB long enough.

No matter what I post there, be it personal or commentary on current events in the Church and the world, I manage to upset someone or draw mockery - especially from Catholics who can be incredibly hostile and blind to goodness.  So I post and add commentary, only to remove it.  I still keep the posts because it's a convenient archive for when I return to blogging.  That time is now.

Yesterday I remembered my dad's birthday and noted how my feelings have changed about him, as well as sorrow for my holding a grudge against him.  I was documenting a kind of breakthrough in my relationship with him, yes - after all of these years.  I was thinking of writing more.

Then my brother intrudes with a rebuke that I always bring up the past and tells me to stop.  It was exactly the type of response I used to get from my parents, my older brother and his friends.  It was how they reacted to my attempts at painting, writing - even the books I read.  It was then and is now dismissive and disrespectful, despite their 'good intentions'.

It's why I moved away from home, from family, from the neighborhood.  It's why I'm back here on the blog

I have a project, which will never be finished, but which I must continue to work on, to document until I'm no longer able to do so.

It’s not that you don’t love them anymore.
You’re trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished.

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven’t seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don’t start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.

- Naomi Shiab Nye

The House approves!

I’m proud of America! We stand with Ukraine.

 

Trump, MAGA hardest hit.

My hermit life

Linda's House

2024

Final notes

I've been trying to get back to writing and commentary, but as I let events and controversies pass, I've come to the conclusion my writing is all very inconsequential.  

I've imagined attempting to sum up my thoughts, to finish this or that narrative, but I am perfectly content to leave all of that unfinished, incomplete, as it were.

I also no longer have much to say.  So many people online are disoriented and misled.  I'm appalled at how many Catholics have turned against Pope Francis, while so many in our country continue to support Trump, are pro-Putin and superstitiously anticipating ridiculous developments based upon an eclipse of the sun, associated QAnon myths and private revelations.  There is no way to discuss any of that seriously.

I might add, that since Darold died, I've become even more solitary, save for family visits now and then.  I've been letting things and acquaintances go, so to speak.  

It's not that you don't love them anymore.

You're trying to remember something

too important to forget.

Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.

Tell them you have a new project.

It will never be finished. - Naomi Shihab Nye

So, I don't expect to be posting anything except perhaps my latest painting - and that mostly on the art blog.