Slightly Orange
I found an old sheet with some quotes that I like. So I thought I might share them:
"Bootlaces:
Once I looked down at my bootlaces
Who gave me my bootlaces?
The bootmaker? Bah!
Who gave the bootmaker himself?
What did I ever do that I should be
given bootlaces?"
- G.K. Chesterton
"Often when near sleep I happen to think of some serious problem and I may say to myself, 'I must speak to the Pope about this.' And then, completely awake, I remember that I am the Pope"
- Pope John Paul II
Yeah that's it.. I just enjoyed them.
But I also found some of my poetry from quite a time ago. So I wanted to share the shortest poem I ever wrote:
The Tide Sleeps No More
A wake.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Companions of the Cross: The Beginning
Only just a couple days ago, I joined the Companions of the Cross, an Ottawa-based, religious community of priests. Things are going well so far, and we've been having a lot of fun and learning a bunch about what the Companions are all about. The biggest thing they're about, I'd say, is community. That and evangelizing. Now you know if you didn't!Yesterday, we went to a private cottage owned by the companions, which was apparently donated somewhere along the line. It was fantastic! Just some good ol' lakefront cottaging. We went fishing, canoeing, swimming, and had a barbeque. Good times!
Anyway, I'm gonna end it at that. I was gonna write a whole bunch and post pictures and stuff, but I'll leave that for later when I have more time. If anyone has any questions, then just post your comments in the form of a question! More to come when I have more time!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Reflections over the past
I had an interesting time trip last night. I watched a rather somber short video, which evoked many interesting memories and feelings I had long forgotten. I recalled the time when I rather generally believed in God, but He was hardly a part of my life. It was an experience when every day was just another day to plug through, trying to ignore the inevitable tragedy of an adulthood of routine, working solely to get by. I tried to find something I was good at and that I enjoyed so that work wouldn't be a hassle, but really my main purpose in life was to have a wife and kids, and that somehow that relationship would solve all the other problems. I was so desperately seeking out someone to love, and to be loved myself. Among some of my friends I noticed that they would say, "oh I'm so happy for you" to someone who has found anything which might make them think they're happy. It didn't matter if they personally thought that it was not a good thing, such as someone getting into an obviously hurtful relationship, yet still they would say, "oh I'm so happy for you". These words were oft said to me along my path of mistakes. But in many ways, I had the same sentiment for others. Or at least, I covered things that way. Generally speaking, just so long as someone had something that gave them something resembling a sense of happiness was therefore good enough. I did not realize that there are things which may result in some kind of pleasure, but not in actual happiness. Happiness endures and pervades the being with peace. But pleasure is only a temporary enjoyment of something.
What amazes me is how incredibly far my sense in life now is from my sense back then. It was so weird recalling those feelings I had in the past, because they couldn't be farther from the truth today. Now my heart weeps with love for God, and I want to serve and help people out of that abundant love given to me. I'm not looking for a relationship with a person to make myself feel better, or for a job to try help the days go by. It actually makes little difference what I am doing. I could be laying on a street with no food and no home in the pouring rain without so much as a blanket to cover me, and still I would have that happiness in my heart, and that joy and love. Granted, I would be struggling of course, I'm not going to lie that it would be a walk in the park to live like that, but in a very basic and simple sense, I would still be happy.
It is hard to describe the peace I feel. And I so long to share my joy with others. When I see how I felt in the past and how I feel now, all of the questions and worries I had are, in the current light, irrelevant. They don't even apply as questions to be raised in the first place. And I hear people asking me these very same questions all the time, and I want to say, "please, just get to know God and trust in Him, you'll see everything else will fall in its place". But alas, this is not always understood, and it really can't be understood until one has experienced it. I hope that anyone who may be reading this who does not know what I mean, might give it a try. What have you to lose? You can seek out that relationship in private, so nobody needs to know, though once you develop the relationship, you will want people to know. But anyone please, I urge you, do not feel shy to speak with me if you would like some support. Even if you just want to talk, at any given time you have the freedom to change your mind. The commitment is personal. I just want to share my joy with you.
And please, no one needs to tell me they are happy for me that I am so happy. Think rather how you can draw closer to that happiness yourself. Even if you have experienced it, we can always go further. Let us therefore spur each other on further into victory, and help direct one another away from the problems we might see them walking into. For a friendship that is willing to disagree for the sake of that person, and not support in making mistakes, is a real friendship.
Which, as a side note, is also why I tell people to feel free to disagree and challenge me on my beliefs. Attack my faith and my life straight out, I can only learn from it. Even if a person could be mistaken in their assessment of one's actions or beliefs, they should still vocalize them, because that conviction shows you actually want that person's happiness, and not simply that they experience pleasure for a moment, and then get hurt for it.
What amazes me is how incredibly far my sense in life now is from my sense back then. It was so weird recalling those feelings I had in the past, because they couldn't be farther from the truth today. Now my heart weeps with love for God, and I want to serve and help people out of that abundant love given to me. I'm not looking for a relationship with a person to make myself feel better, or for a job to try help the days go by. It actually makes little difference what I am doing. I could be laying on a street with no food and no home in the pouring rain without so much as a blanket to cover me, and still I would have that happiness in my heart, and that joy and love. Granted, I would be struggling of course, I'm not going to lie that it would be a walk in the park to live like that, but in a very basic and simple sense, I would still be happy.
It is hard to describe the peace I feel. And I so long to share my joy with others. When I see how I felt in the past and how I feel now, all of the questions and worries I had are, in the current light, irrelevant. They don't even apply as questions to be raised in the first place. And I hear people asking me these very same questions all the time, and I want to say, "please, just get to know God and trust in Him, you'll see everything else will fall in its place". But alas, this is not always understood, and it really can't be understood until one has experienced it. I hope that anyone who may be reading this who does not know what I mean, might give it a try. What have you to lose? You can seek out that relationship in private, so nobody needs to know, though once you develop the relationship, you will want people to know. But anyone please, I urge you, do not feel shy to speak with me if you would like some support. Even if you just want to talk, at any given time you have the freedom to change your mind. The commitment is personal. I just want to share my joy with you.
And please, no one needs to tell me they are happy for me that I am so happy. Think rather how you can draw closer to that happiness yourself. Even if you have experienced it, we can always go further. Let us therefore spur each other on further into victory, and help direct one another away from the problems we might see them walking into. For a friendship that is willing to disagree for the sake of that person, and not support in making mistakes, is a real friendship.
Which, as a side note, is also why I tell people to feel free to disagree and challenge me on my beliefs. Attack my faith and my life straight out, I can only learn from it. Even if a person could be mistaken in their assessment of one's actions or beliefs, they should still vocalize them, because that conviction shows you actually want that person's happiness, and not simply that they experience pleasure for a moment, and then get hurt for it.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Paul Sanders, here's to you...
As those of you who know me already know by now, my good friend Paul Sanders died on February 2nd, 2008.
I just wanted to post the video tribute I made for the funeral reception, as well as the eulogy I gave at the funeral, since it seems these have helped many people get through this tough time.
Eulogy:
Everyone here has been affected by Paul in one way or another. We’ve been struck by his zealousness, conviction of faith, determination, and yes, even his eccentricity. Paul was not willing to compromise with his beliefs, and you all certainly know how committed he was to the protection of the unborn. He was a man of great charity, helping the hungry and the homeless, adopting a Franciscan way of life. Some of us wondered if he would forever be a wanderer. But perhaps, like Christ, he was not made for this world and simply had no place to rest his head. When we were younger Paul said he wanted his occupation to be a professional hobo. Looks like he won. But Paul was just a great guy who could make you laugh, sometimes drive you nuts, but always there to support, comfort, and offer words of wisdom. We loved him, and we know we were loved by him.
So the question on many of our minds is “why so young?” Why was he taken from us at such a young age? I had always thought someday he and I would become priests together and concelebrate theMass.
Why not now? He is now a good and solid Catholic with the heavenly kingdom before him! Now he may rest on the bosom of our Lord God, and experience the immediacy of the Holy Mass in its fullness! He needs no longer wait for the Body of Christ to lay upon his tongue, that he may consume the host to experience Heaven, but it is he who is consumed by the Almighty Love of God—Heaven present all around him.
However, even though we may know this, it is still difficult for us all to bear. In an earthly sense, Paul has left us, and by that physical separation, we might find ourselves uncertain of what to do next. Sorrow pierces our hearts, and we may feel anxious, angry, aimless, and confused. When Jesus physically left the apostles, they too were uncertain of what to do next. So what did they do? They gathered in the upper room to pray with Jesus’ Mother. They waited on the Lord to instruct them in their time of trial and difficulty. The Holy Spirit then descended upon them as tongues of fire, and their mission became clear. The Advocate gave them the words and the strength to move forward in God’s Holy Will. So too, if we go up to pray with Our Lady, will there be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit: gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Reverence, Courage, and Wonder & Awe. We have already seen such amazing fruit within only one week, as we have read in articles, the internet support groups, the overall uniting of those who have been touched by Paul during his life, and some have even felt the initiative to return to the Church. Paul continues to serve, even in death.
I would like to conclude that it is no coincidence that Paul died on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. His earthly mother Mary presented him to the Lord when he was born, and now that Paul is born into new life, his spiritual Mother Mary presents him to the Lord.
Paul Sanders, may you forever live in the peace of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do not grow weary or let your zeal become thin, but continue your mission—even now—where you can do far more for the injustices against the unborn, the poor, the needy, and the suffering, than you ever could in your earthly life.
I just wanted to post the video tribute I made for the funeral reception, as well as the eulogy I gave at the funeral, since it seems these have helped many people get through this tough time.
Eulogy:
Everyone here has been affected by Paul in one way or another. We’ve been struck by his zealousness, conviction of faith, determination, and yes, even his eccentricity. Paul was not willing to compromise with his beliefs, and you all certainly know how committed he was to the protection of the unborn. He was a man of great charity, helping the hungry and the homeless, adopting a Franciscan way of life. Some of us wondered if he would forever be a wanderer. But perhaps, like Christ, he was not made for this world and simply had no place to rest his head. When we were younger Paul said he wanted his occupation to be a professional hobo. Looks like he won. But Paul was just a great guy who could make you laugh, sometimes drive you nuts, but always there to support, comfort, and offer words of wisdom. We loved him, and we know we were loved by him.
So the question on many of our minds is “why so young?” Why was he taken from us at such a young age? I had always thought someday he and I would become priests together and concelebrate the
Why not now? He is now a good and solid Catholic with the heavenly kingdom before him! Now he may rest on the bosom of our Lord God, and experience the immediacy of the Holy Mass in its fullness! He needs no longer wait for the Body of Christ to lay upon his tongue, that he may consume the host to experience Heaven, but it is he who is consumed by the Almighty Love of God—Heaven present all around him.
However, even though we may know this, it is still difficult for us all to bear. In an earthly sense, Paul has left us, and by that physical separation, we might find ourselves uncertain of what to do next. Sorrow pierces our hearts, and we may feel anxious, angry, aimless, and confused. When Jesus physically left the apostles, they too were uncertain of what to do next. So what did they do? They gathered in the upper room to pray with Jesus’ Mother. They waited on the Lord to instruct them in their time of trial and difficulty. The Holy Spirit then descended upon them as tongues of fire, and their mission became clear. The Advocate gave them the words and the strength to move forward in God’s Holy Will. So too, if we go up to pray with Our Lady, will there be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit: gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Reverence, Courage, and Wonder & Awe. We have already seen such amazing fruit within only one week, as we have read in articles, the internet support groups, the overall uniting of those who have been touched by Paul during his life, and some have even felt the initiative to return to the Church. Paul continues to serve, even in death.
I would like to conclude that it is no coincidence that Paul died on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. His earthly mother Mary presented him to the Lord when he was born, and now that Paul is born into new life, his spiritual Mother Mary presents him to the Lord.
Paul Sanders, may you forever live in the peace of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do not grow weary or let your zeal become thin, but continue your mission—even now—where you can do far more for the injustices against the unborn, the poor, the needy, and the suffering, than you ever could in your earthly life.
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