Major Protest Against Gay Marriage Bill in France

President Francois Hollande's plans to change French laws legalizing same-sex marriage.  I find these laws very interesting.  The most amazing thing about it is how such a minority can have so much power as to change the law of the land.  Marriage for the gays it is called.  Perhaps it is a vendetta against the Catholic Church that has not listen to a minority for such a long time (this perhaps is very true) and now with a little money and influence makes its presence known... but the gays and the straits can't forget that we come from a  mother and a father.   Laws like these give my parents a black eye if you will because such laws make a farce out of the whole thing.  If a government can call "marriage" between  two men and two women legal than anything goes... eventually a liberal government must allow for people to marry their own dog, cat, goat, donkey and eventually their own cell phone!   What is there to stop such stupidity in a free democratic society.  And this we call freedom?  I think we as a collective society have become dull, numb and dumb in the present age. ---- jlf 

Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD -- "the Latin Lover" Speaks

Fr. Reginald comments on his arrival to Rome in 1962, "The day after I came to Rome I went to the Roman Forum and I saw all this stuff that I had read about as a kid and studied, the place Cicero gave his orations.  I just lost my mind... Here was this whole living language which I had come to lone in the United States... To come here and to imagine, as I still like to do, people walking around the Forum speaking Latin... to read Cicero's orations out loud and hear the same words bouncing off the walls that bounced off the walls in Ceasar's presence in September of 46 B.C. It's  just too much"

Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD -- "the Latin Lover" Speaks

"Why do want to study Latin? If you don't know Latin, you know nothing! I had my first experience of Latin forty years ago and I have not been bored by Latin for ten minutes in these forty years.  Latin is one of the greatest things that ever happened in human history!"

The saint from Corbett, Oregon, USA - Woody Davis

Woody Davis died some time during the middle of August from Lou Gehrig's disease.  His funeral was attended by over a thousand people, who had in one way or another experienced the goodness of this man who spent his life helping others.  As he was coming toward the end of his life the community expressed their thankfulness to him; people from all around showed one way or another their gratitute. A news reporter had capture the essence of this moment when he said "I feel blessed that I'm dying slowly".    Woody had given his kindness for years; and they responded by giving theirs. He felt that he was blessed because people had a chance to express to him how they felt.  Woody portrayed the lover who allowed himself to be loved, indeed, humanity at its finest.  --- jlf 

Richman and Lazarus

Jesus speaks in a parable about the richman and a man named Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31)  The richman is confident, powerful, sure, strong, indifferent, and rich in so many ways.  Lazarus is simple, single minded, and humbled by his littleness, poverty and seeks only the crumbs to eat that fall from the richman's table. 

I suppose that at times we all have a little of both the richman's attitude as well as that of Lazarus'.  Yet, at the end of the day no one has it all; with age and experience we come to appreaciate the little we do have. --jlf

Pensée du jour

Sometimes a little get-a-way is all it takes to recompose your thoughts and feelings. A little silence does good for the soul and heart. It is in the moments of silence which call to mind the essential things for our lives.  Indeed, precious are silent get-a-ways. --  jlf

Finger pointing in Arizona

The event that has stirred attention the last few days regarding the governor of Arizona and the U.S. President in what seemed to look like a small quarrel among them before a formal official arrival gives a good example of the condition in which we are living today.  

With easy access for communication through electronic means anybody anywhere can say anything with little or no retribution or penalty.  If such criticism were founded and engaging it would certainly be a gain.  However,  it is usually not the case - particularly when such criticism is directed to the leadership as a whole.  

The U.S. Constitution begins with the words "We the people" , yet this great country has been lead not only ' for ' and 'by' the people but by strong leaders: Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, just to name a few.  

Today, the intertwine of language and "excessive" uncensored free speech trasmitted through the new ways of communication on a global scale is one of the many deteriorating factors in today's society weakening  the heart of civilization.  The modern means of communication has had a profound effect not only on our perception of the world, but also has affected our interpersonal behavior.  

The audacity of the finger pointing by a Governor to a U.S. President has become an icon or a personification, if you will, illustrating how much a civilization has deteriorated. -- jlf

The Contemplative Life by Thomas Merton, August 21, 1967

Thomas Merton was asked to write a letter to the laity regarding the life of contemplation. Merton, a Trappist monk, known for his articulation on the search for God, which went beyond what most Catholics would be afraid to go, and into the realms of interreligious dialogues. He spoke with clarity regarding prayer and the search for God in his books. For this, in 1967 at the request of Paul VI writes the magnificent letter.


He addresses the letter not preaching from the pulpit – he speaks at ground level; eye to eye. It is not that he is “holier than thou” that legitimize him to give such reflection. In fact, the challenges that the laity meet are in effect more demanding and critical than that those of the monks who live in large monasteries on large properties. 


The demanding needs of the families and the daily affairs may draw away from reflecting on presence of God. It is for this purpose that he writes his letter. He offers his meditation on the presence of God for those who may not have the time to do so, for whatever the reason.


He begins on the premise that our whole being carries the signature of God. It is a moment of epiphany (manifestation) coming to accept myself with all the good and the bad. At this point I stand before God as I am. Before God I cannot fool myself. And despite all the good and bad, God loves me as I am. 


But acceptance of one’s self is not enough. Merton adds that it is impossible to be realistic about a God that we cannot see. How can a God love or manifest his goodness even in the mist of tragedy or misfortune? The love we experience tangibly everyday by friends, families and circumstances is the assurance of the love of God. God is Love says the Bible. Anyone who wishes well to another is exchanging the goodness of an invisible God made visible by human hearts. God is Love. And as I receive this goodness from the other it is clear to me that it is an affirmation that I am good before God. 


There are many moments in my life that I know I have done good for myself and for others. Those moments are unforgettable and imprinted in mind and heart. And I have done things in my life that I am not proud of. I have been wrong in several occasions; guilty. But the one thing that keeps bringing the best out of me is the kindness, goodness and the love of others. For Thomas Merton this is the epiphany of Love! A God who believes in me. A God who gives me confidence to be myself, to love and let myself be loved. 


In reality we are living a contemplative life. -- jlf