For A Reader's Query, A "Real" Catholic Reply

-Feast of St. Avitus 

Over on the YIMCatholic Facebook page, a reader writes,

Did I miss something? Why is this on the YIM page?

What is “this?” Nothing much, just a little video that I shared on the Facebook page. Unfortunately, only those who “like” the Facebook page or follow YIMCatholic on Twitter got to see the video. My bad. From now on, I’ll just do a post. That way, see, none of you will be left out when I have something I think is brilliant enough to share with you.

Here’s the video that sparked the question,

Psalm 52 (A Few Words for Wednesday)

Thankfully, the scriptures are not one dimensional, like say the characters in an Ayn Rand novel. I've mentioned before how uncanny the readings can be, as well as the timing of selections that are in the Liturgy of the Hours. That is where I ran across today's poetry selection.

Are their inconvenient scriptures? Of course there are.

For 10 Things To Do While Fr. Corapi is on Leave

Joe Six-Pack, USMC here, also known as “the Worst Consumer of Catholic Media on the Planet.”

You’ve heard the news about Fr. John Corapi? Let’s say that you are a devotee of his. You aren’t alone, because last time I checked, there are 45,800+ “fans” on his Facebook page alone.

Because All of the Big Questions Have Been Answered

Feast of St. Claude la Colombière 

As I discover the Psalms anew, I am reminded of St. Augustine's saying about the Church: "late have I loved thee." When I was younger, see, and when I thought I knew everything, I used to skip these sacred, inspired, and often times prophetic, poems.

Nowadays, I turn to them and find comfort and instruction.

For the Psalms and Spring, Family and Sports

—Feast of St. Buonfiglio Monaldo 

It is getting ready to be a very busy time for me and my family. That's because Spring is just around the corner, and around my house this means our children's sports teams will begin hitting the ground running.

Not everyone gets involved in such things as sports for their kids. Not every child enjoys organized soccer, or baseball, or softball, volley ball, basketball, horse riding, or any of the other myriad possibilities to turn your child's attention to.

Because He Changes Our Mourning into Dancing

These past few weeks have been difficult for reasons I am not at liberty to explain. Suffice it to say people I love have been facing pain-filled circumstances and I have been spending what free moments I have praying to Christ that these loved ones might understand His immeasurable love surrounds and lifts them.

This afternoon after running some errands, I parked our van in front of our home and was going to indulge myself in a few moments of sorrow. Just then, a small girl emerged from a house across the street, a house I know to be filled with pain and sadness.

For the Love of Saint Andrew: A Christmas Novena, Day 10

Feast of Saint Juan Diego  

On this, the tenth day of the Christmas Novena, it strikes me that the intention that I have been praying for up to now is too selfish, too self-centered to even be worthwhile to continue to ask God for.

Instead, I am compelled to pray for a different intention; one for our brothers and sisters in the world who are being persecuted for Our Faith.

For Thoughts Such As These For Advent

Before I became a Catholic, I had no idea what Advent meant. It was just another one of those weird, mysterious, Catholic words for a time in the year before Christmas. Nowadays, I appreciate it more for I understand that it commemorates the time when the people of Israel yearned for the Messiah.

I yearn for Him too. Especially this time of year when Madison Avenue kicks the Christmas shopping season into high gear. And when the radio stations start the post-Thanksgiving "Holiday music" songs playing 24/7 prior to Christmas. And the television hits us non-stop with must-have gift ideas.

Because of Opinion Polls (Not!)

—Feast of St. Teresa of Avila  

The latest research numbers are out showing (once again) that the average Catholic in the pews in the United States, is morally sick, spiritually lame, and theologically lazy. How in the hell did I wind up surrounded by such a motley crew? How did I slip into this program? Why would I join this outfit?!

Well, I was called is all I can figure.

Thoughts on the LOTH for Today: Psalm 35

Today's gospel reading begins with these words,

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,...

Is it wrong for me to wonder to myself this question: What would Jesus pray? What would God, as the Son of Man, pray about? In the Office of Readings today, I prayed a Psalm of David that makes me believe a) perhaps this is how Our Lord prayed, and b) David "saw" this and again prophesied events that have been fulfilled.

For Peace While Suffering (A Few Words for Wednesday)

From this mornings Office of Readings in the LOTH, there is the following Psalm of David. I have several family members who are elderly and ill, as you probably do too. Webster wrote recently of a friend who is suffering from an illness that is likely the door to her immortality.

But whether we depart suddenly or slowly, we will depart. Ponder then, these few words of David, where with hope and faith, the door leads us home, refreshed, and unto God.

Silver Bullet Selection II (Music For Mondays)

Steel Pulse is a reggae band that I don't know diddly squat about. But it's Monday, it's raining, and I like the advice these guys are giving here: Chant A Psalm A Day. It makes a whole lot of sense, which is why it's like a silver bullet.

What have you got to lose? 150 Psalms = 150 days. Some are longer than others, but I'm willing to give it a try. Not sure which ones to pick? Check out the LOTH or just do them in numerical order from your Bible. While you think about it, listen to the song.

For Psalm 10, "The Prayer of Justice"

If you haven't taken a look at the post on the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne yet, have a look at the psalm of David, from which the responsorial psalm is derived from in today's Mass readings, in full below. Written by David over 3000 years ago, are you as amazed as I am at how current and relevant the words of this prayer are for us today?

Reading this makes me think that the Martyrs of Compiegne were praying this prayer when they stood accused of being "enemies of the people" a mere 216 years ago. Think about that for a second. That was just a few seconds ago on the timeline of history. Because whether  3000 years ago, 216 years ago, or even right up to today, the historical evidence of revolution far outweighs the historical evidence of human evolution. To my small mind anyway.

Because this Prophecy of David Is Fulfilled

The Psalms were a book in the Bible that I pretty much ignored my whole life. I was baptized when I was 10 years old and thought I knew a lot about my faith. I have known Psalm 23 by heart probably since I was 7 or 8.  But it wasn't until I began exploring the idea of becoming a Catholic Christian, and reading the Psalms closely that I realized that David was not only a mighty warrior and king, but a prophet as well.