Yes, I am a still a captive out on the frozen tundra, but others are living life in the historic community of St. Andrews in Panama City, Florida. Today will mark the 25th anniversary of the Mardi Gras Parade in Panama City. It is scheduled to begin in less than a half hour from the time I am writing this. They have a pet parade tomorrow (Sunday) at 2:30 pm if you want to start heading that way for those festivities. There is plenty to see and do before the parade begins. These things bring out the inner kid in all of us. Healthy food choices all along the street! Good Times! Let's get some bling before the parade begins.
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These definitions of faithful and rigid are from www.dictionary.com.
FAITHFUL adjective
a faithful copy. RIGID adjective
Look at the similarities in the definitions. Particular words are used in the same numerical sequence for each word being defined. Numbers 4 and 5 correspond in an uncanny way. Number 4 uses the word "thorough" under both words. Number 5 refers to "standards" under both words. Definition number 2 uses the word "steady" for faithful, and the words "firmly fixed" for rigid. Is it possible that the individual who is striving to be faithful to Christ and His Church could be mischaracterized as being rigid? Would we label some of the canonized saints as being rigid because of their austere practices of penance? Let me combine each of the definitions in five statements. 1. For each of you striving to be true to your baptismal promises, thank you for being unyielding to the temptation to sin. 2. For each of you who are steady in allegiance and affection to Christ, thank you for staying firmly fixed and set on your desire for sanctity. 3. For each of you desiring to be reliable, trusted, and believed, thank you for your strict adherence to the teachings of Christ and His Church. 4. For each of you who are strict and thorough in the performance of your duties, thank you for your rigorous and exacting example. 5. For those of you adhering to the standards (teachings of the Church), thank you for demonstrating the stringent measures we can take to maintain purity of heart, mind, and soul. "Go, and sin no more." This is a very precise admonition from our Lord. Would "avoiding the near occasion of sin" ever possibly cause others to label someone as rigid? "Well done my good and faithful servant." It definitely sounds better than, "Well done my good and rigid servant." However, I still have to wonder how many times being "rigid" served a person well in remaining "faithful." How many of us feel like we are going around in circles for much of our life? We get up, we go to work, we endure drama, go home, decide what to eat, do some household chores, go to bed, toss and turn, and then get up and do it all again the next day. In this "circle of life," how do we at least enjoy the view from the top?
Let's include a person in the photo to get a glimpse of the size. Today's encouragement is simple. THINK BIG!
A lighted beach ball draws people to the Ferris Wheel. A concert after the parade seems fitting. Panama City Beach, Florida got a head start with celebrating Mardi Gras. However, it serves as a good reminder for all of us that Ash Wednesday is March 2. Start planning now for your Lenten journey. How will you grow spiritually during this penitential season? Ash Wednesday is two weeks from today! Throw me some beads! Compare this event in Florida to the Super Bowl in California. Florida has been free. California still had a mask mandate on Super Bowl Sunday. Masks were even given out at the entrance into the stadium. They made it a point to show the maskless politicians and celebrities during the game. In reality, masks were pretty hard to find anywhere in the crowd. Americans are getting back to living their lives. The only difference is that people in Florida were not violating any mandates or laws. People in California were simply following the example of the hypocritical politicians. Well played!
I am still imprisoned on the frozen tundra, but at least some of my family members have escaped to the warmth of Florida. Panama City Beach had their Mardi Gras Parade yesterday (Saturday). It seems a bit early, but it was apparently a good draw. This was before the parade started. I kept thinking that they had gone a little overboard with the barricades. As the crowd grew, I understood the need. Bring your doggies to the parade in a stroller fit for two. The child can walk. Yeah man. It's Mardi Gras. Standing tall. Okay then. The crowd begins to gather.
This site shows the week from February 14 through February 20. Whether we celebrate the 13th through the 19th or the 14th through the 20th, it is really about developing habits that make our world a better place. Click on the link and then click on the tab in the upper right hand corner to get ideas. www.randomactsmatter.com/rakweek Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17. www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/random-acts-of-kindness-day-2022/ Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints! “For the good of the people, close your doors!” Who could have ever imagined that Church leaders would comply so readily with a government mandate such as this? Big box stores remained opened, but churches were deemed nonessential. How do we recover from this debacle?
We were able to maintain our physical bodies with food during the lockdown which lasted much longer than “two weeks to flatten the curve,” but the Bread of Heaven was just too much of a risk for people to endure. Heck, didn’t the government cronies realize that we didn’t even need to put arrows on the floor to show the flow of foot traffic in our churches? People already knew we only travel one way down an aisle for Holy Communion. Unfortunately, even though we already had a solid system in place, we were still unqualified to be essential. Catholic identity is a thing of the past. Do you remember years ago when Catholics never ate meat on any Friday? People quickly figured out who was a Catholic on any Friday throughout the year if there was a meal being enjoyed outside the family home. It set us apart. Now, we are lucky to even remember not to eat meat on the six Fridays of Lent. It is easy to forget when one is not in the habit. Not eating meat on a Friday may seem like a small hook on which to hang my Catholic identity hat. However, it is a vital piece of a much larger puzzle. We gave up sacrifice. There is still supposed to be some type of mortification of our senses each Friday throughout the year. It does not have to be giving up meat, but there is still supposed to be a sacrifice. What is the percentage of Catholics who actually follow that tradition? If we gave up sacrifice, what else have we given up? How would you rate the general Catholic population regarding “spiritual discipline?” Do you think most Catholics pray frequently, faithfully, and fervently? Do you believe most Catholics participate in the sacramental life of the Church with zeal and fervor? Do you believe Catholics are seriously trying to root sin out of their lives and grow in virtue? Do Catholics strive to do acts of charity out of Christian love for one’s neighbor? Did lukewarmness across the board make it easy for the Church to be declared nonessential? Did Church leaders know there would only be a few vocal critics about the loss of access to the sacraments, or did Church leaders honestly believe they were looking out for the common good when this all started? If they genuinely believed they were doing the right thing, at what point should red flags have started rising about the whole situation? Why were the concerns of displaced Catholics met with disregard, and sometimes even with disdain? Where was any sentiment for the "common good" present in these interactions? Did we demonstrate that there were absolutely no differences between Catholic hospitals and secular hospitals, between Catholic nursing homes and secular nursing homes, in the way we responded to the virus? If the same response happened in each of these institutions, whether Catholic or secular, what sets us apart as Catholic? Many families found out that they couldn’t have visitors in a Catholic institution, just like the secular institutions. People quickly found out that they could not receive the sacraments in a Catholic hospital or nursing home, just like in a secular institution. Who would have ever dreamed that such a reality would be taking place in the land of the free and the home of the brave? Catholics were instrumental in starting healthcare in this country. How could we bow to the tyranny of not allowing family to visit the sick and the aged in the modern era in our Catholic hospitals? How could we allow the elderly to die isolated and alone, even in Catholic nursing homes? Did we stop believing in the value of the family? Did we stop believing in the power of the Sacraments? Did we stop believing in the spiritual and pastoral care provided by the clergy and religious? Think about it. There were no discernible differences in the methodologies being utilized by secular institutions versus religious ones. How sad is that? My Catholic school was just as closed as the public school. Besides tuition, what sets my Catholic institution apart from the secular ones? Did virtual schooling differ much from the public school to the private school. In some cases, it did. However, I want to bring it in to the realm of the spiritual journey. Did students receive the Sacraments via “virtual” technology? No. Just as the Sunday Mass was quite ineffectual in its virtual format, not being together in the school prohibited the celebration of the Eucharist, prayer services, and other opportunities for prayer and service. We were nonessential. What price did we pay as a family of faith? Did Catholic Charities and other entities who provide counseling services step up their games? Did they try to hire more counselors to serve the ever-growing demand for counseling services? Did the Catholic Church provide greater support to the law enforcement agencies in their boundaries as they dealt with more domestic violence calls? Did we provide prayer and tangible support to law enforcement when the riots were happening? How was the Catholic Church different in these times of turmoil and strife versus other denominations and other secular agencies? Unfortunately, we weren't much different. We were closed. How do we bring healing and hope to people now? Many people have returned to church services, but unfortunately, many have not. The pro-life march in Washington, DC showed signs of vibrancy and life, and there are hints of renewal here and there across the country. Overall, I think we have our work cut out for us as we strive to rebuild. Regaining relevance is not going to happen overnight. Dare I say, there seems to be more excitement and hope centered on the Canadian Truckers Convoy than from the Church? It's been almost two years now. How do we renew our faith journey? I believe that it requires a commitment from each one of us. “God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (See Ephesians 1:4) We are called to be saints. Let’s start living like we believe it. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving will always be in style. May our faithful witness to Jesus Christ be a light to the world. May the work of the Church always be an essential element for the conversion of the culture! |
AuthorThis is my personal blog. The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers. This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use. |