Da Blog

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." - Mae West

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Since my former blog was deleted, I have received a few emails from readers telling me they miss my Abbey-Roads 2 because it was more spiritual. (Despite the fact a couple of really good Catholics dropped it from their blogrolls. Ah, "If a good man reproves me it is kindness.") I actually preferred writing my spiritual reflections and aspirations on that blog, pretty much restricting many of my trivial interests to this Abbey. However, in retrospect, I think it is better AR2 is gone.

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On AR2 I often wrote about the stuff that made up my prayer; interior reflections from lectio, impressions from adoration, insights gained from spiritual reading, and so on. In and of itself, I doubt there is anything wrong with doing that, especially since my intentions were sincere and as I hoped, good; certainly I wasn't doing it for show or to seek approval. Although it was extremely risky considering the indiscretion sometimes shown by a few readers as they offered vain praises and flattery in their commentary.

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Traditionally, Catholics keep their prayer and their ascetic life private, as the Gospel cautions, "Do not let your left hand know what your right is doing... go to your room and pray in secret... wash your face when you are fasting..." and so on. In fact, saints such as Therese of Lisieux only wrote about the graces she received, or the mortification she performed out of obedience, which accounts for her Story of a Soul; and even then, the initial manuscript had been edited by her superiors before publication.

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Of course I never made stuff up on AR2, what I wrote was authentic and always mine... the result of my experience, in the moment or otherwise. Just as what I post here reflects "I, me, mine" in the moment, be it the product of personal experience, observation, or impression. However, I now realize that despite the fact some readers could have been edified, or found some resonance in what I wrote, they were mistaken to believe I am - what? Spiritual, virtuous, holy, good? Don't be silly. Piety and devotion does not guarantee holiness or virtue, and holiness does not consist in pious thoughts or words. So yeah - I'm glad AR2 is gone.

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I made a lot of mistakes there, rashly judging others for instance - and damn! I still do that here. Although it has always been more obvious at this Abbey, and I try really hard to avoid that.

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I guess I haven't made much of a point with this post, so suffice it to say, I'm very pleased that people like Sanctus Gel, Old Christine, Proud Mary, Markie Mark, Michael Sydney, Dilbert, Monsignor Ganswein, Helen Reddy, Clay Aiken, Tilda Swinton, Bishop Gumbleton, Dr. Moon, Rene Taylor and Rip, Sarah Palin, Mother Delores, Pat Robertson, Tina Fey, Father in the Dell, Rachel Tenschun, Rusty Warren, Liza, Jon Hamm, Nancy Pelosi, Pat, Jim J. Bullock, Brad and Angie, Homer and Marge, and countless others are no longer edified. That is how it should be.

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I try to do my best, but please, in your charity, keep me in your prayers.

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