| At 10:00 yesterday morning, on the Feast of the Holy Family, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. During the celebration, attended by Roman and pilgrim families for the Jubilee of Family, he gave the following homily: ''The biblical readings which we just heard presented us with the image of two families on pilgrimage to the house of God. Elkanah and Hannah bring their son Samuel to the Temple of Shiloh and consecrate him to the Lord. In the same way, Joseph and Mary, in the company of Jesus, go as pilgrims to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.'' ''We often see pilgrims journeying to shrines and places dear to popular piety. These days, many of them are making their way to the Holy Door opened in all the cathedrals of the world and in many shrines. But the most beautiful thing which emerges from the word of God today is that the whole family goes on pilgrimage. Fathers, mothers and children together go to the house of the Lord, in order to sanctify the holy day with prayer. It is an important teaching, which is meant for our own families as well. Indeed, we could say that family life is a series of pilgrimages, both small and big.'' ''For example, how comforting it is for us to reflect on Mary and Joseph teaching Jesus how to pray! This is a sort of pilgrimage, the pilgrimage of education in prayer. And it is comforting also to know that throughout the day they would pray together, and then go each Sabbath to the synagogue to listen to readings from the Law and the Prophets, and to praise the Lord with the assembly. Certainly, during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, they prayed by singing the Psalm: I was glad when they said to me, ''Let us go to the house of the Lord!'' Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem?.'' ''How important it is for our families to journey together towards a single goal! We know that we have a road to travel together; a road along which we encounter difficulties but also enjoy moments of joy and consolation. And on this pilgrimage of life we also share in moments of prayer. What can be more beautiful than for a father and mother to bless their children at the beginning and end of each day, to trace on their forehead the sign of the cross, as they did on the day of their baptism? Is this not the simplest prayer which parents can offer for their children? To bless them, that is, to entrust them to the Lord, just like Elkanah and Anna, Joseph and Mary, so that he can be their protection and support throughout the day. In the same way, it is important for families to join in a brief prayer before meals, in order to thank the Lord for these gifts and to learn how to share what we have received with those in greater need. These are all little gestures, yet they point to the great formative role played by the family in the pilgrimage of everyday life.'' ''At the end of that pilgrimage, Jesus returned to Nazareth and was obedient to his parents. This image also contains a beautiful teaching about our families. A pilgrimage does not end when we arrive at our destination, but when we return home and resume our everyday lives, putting into practice the spiritual fruits of our experience. We know what Jesus did on that occasion. Instead of returning home with his family, he stayed in Jerusalem, in the Temple, causing great distress to Mary and Joseph who were unable to find him. For this little "escapade", Jesus probably had to beg forgiveness of his parents. The Gospel doesn't say this, but I believe that we can presume it. Mary's question, moreover, contains a certain reproach, revealing the concern and anguish which she and Joseph felt. Returning home, Jesus surely remained close to them, as a sign of his complete affection and obedience. Moments like these become part of the pilgrimage of each family; the Lord transforms the moments into opportunities to grow, to ask for and to receive forgiveness, to show love and obedience.'' ''In the Year of Mercy, every Christian family can become a privileged place on this pilgrimage for experiencing the joy of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the essence of the love which can understand mistakes and mend them. How miserable we would be if God did not forgive us! Within the family we learn how to forgive, because we are certain that we are understood and supported, whatever the mistakes we make.'' ''Let us not lose confidence in the family! It is beautiful when we can always open our hearts to one another, and hide nothing. Where there is love, there is also understanding and forgiveness. To all of you, dear families, I entrust this most important mission - the domestic pilgrimage of daily family life - which the world and the Church need, now more than ever.'' |
Monday, December 28, 2015
Pope: Jesus Had To Beg Parents' Forgiveness
Sunday, December 27, 2015
You Won't Believe What This Star Said About Obama!
Comedian/actor David Spade on President Obama's constant need for attention.
Eye-Popping! Wait Till You See THIS!
The 2016 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “Explore America" will celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service and our country’s majestic landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture from March 5-13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
And One More Overused Word of 2015
Yeah, we forgot one word.
Just none more overused word of 2015.
It's CURATE.
We associate it with a museum curator -- someone who selects, groups and organizes. Now, it's turned into a very active and all-consuming verb.
Because now, websites curate information and musicians curate music and chefs curate foods for your palate and and a boutique curates wardrobes and a travel agent curates your destination. And it's all curated just for you. Isn't that just wonderful!?!
Just none more overused word of 2015.
It's CURATE.
We associate it with a museum curator -- someone who selects, groups and organizes. Now, it's turned into a very active and all-consuming verb.
Because now, websites curate information and musicians curate music and chefs curate foods for your palate and and a boutique curates wardrobes and a travel agent curates your destination. And it's all curated just for you. Isn't that just wonderful!?!
15 Most Over-Used Words, Phrases Of 2015
2015 provided a real workout for tons of words and phrases (some leftover from 2014) which we were forced to hear over and over again.
How we wish they would go away.
Anyway, in no particular order, here are the top 15 most over-used words and phrases of the year:
1) Narrative
As in "that's not the narrative" or "he has to change the narrative." Hey, narrative was pretty much always associated with fiction as in a film narrative or the narrative of a play or book. But now it's entered the ream of real-life as if to suggest we can change the "narrative" of our life or of other's lives just as a politician can (presumably) change the "narrative" of his/her campaign. To which we say: B-a-l-o-n-e-y!
2) Black lives matter.
The latest battle cry of the latest liberal/Black initiative. We heard it again and again this year but, being pro-life anyway, we've long since concluded that life itself matters. Okay?
3) Franchise.
Franchise used to mean McDonald's or Burger King or Taco Bell. But now, every NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB team is a franchise. Downton Abbey is a franchise. Star Wars is a ubiquitous franchise. The Clintons are a franchise. As the name has [wrongly] become synonymous with brands and branding we're being franchised to death. Indeed, funeral homes now offering "life celebrations" are officially franchised. We're franchised from womb to tomb it seems.
4) Legacy.
Everybody seems to be worried about his/her legacy. Even ordinary people (who are now celebritized via Facebook) have to consider their legacy. It's something that all too many of us are obsessed with to the point of calibrating it daily. In fact, one would imagine that President Obama has been consumed by thoughts of his legacy almost since the day he was born. Maybe that's what seems to make him so tiresome these days.
5) Iconic and Ironic.
No, everyone's not iconic and everything's not ironic. In fact, many edifices thought to be iconic are not. Yes, the Eiffel Tower is iconic and so is the Empire State Building and Big Ben and the pyramids and the shape of a Coke bottle. Sinatra remains iconic as well. But Justin Bieber isn't an icon and neither is the London Eye. As for ironic, that only applies to things that happen in the opposite way than what was expected, causing wry amusement. Look it up and find examples that will guide you in the proper use of the word because it's not ironic that you woke up on one side of the bed while your mate woke up on the other -- unless of course each of you woke up on the opposite side from where you retired.
6) No Worries
Does this drive you as crazy as it does us? When someone says "no worries" that's a sure signal to worry. Especially here in the super wound-up northeast where there are always worries -- scads of worries. We've so much to worry about that we worry about getting behind on our worries. Please, don't tell us "no worries"!
7) Microaggression.
The term has now come to include everyday slights, snubs, or insults (however subtle or unintended) communicating hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based upon their marginalized group membership. But, how can the insulted people be "targeted" if the snubs or insults are "unintended"? And who determines what is a "marginalized" group and who is a member of such a group? There's a word for all this: Stupid!
How we wish they would go away.
Anyway, in no particular order, here are the top 15 most over-used words and phrases of the year:
1) Narrative
As in "that's not the narrative" or "he has to change the narrative." Hey, narrative was pretty much always associated with fiction as in a film narrative or the narrative of a play or book. But now it's entered the ream of real-life as if to suggest we can change the "narrative" of our life or of other's lives just as a politician can (presumably) change the "narrative" of his/her campaign. To which we say: B-a-l-o-n-e-y!
2) Black lives matter.
The latest battle cry of the latest liberal/Black initiative. We heard it again and again this year but, being pro-life anyway, we've long since concluded that life itself matters. Okay?
3) Franchise.
Franchise used to mean McDonald's or Burger King or Taco Bell. But now, every NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB team is a franchise. Downton Abbey is a franchise. Star Wars is a ubiquitous franchise. The Clintons are a franchise. As the name has [wrongly] become synonymous with brands and branding we're being franchised to death. Indeed, funeral homes now offering "life celebrations" are officially franchised. We're franchised from womb to tomb it seems.
4) Legacy.
Everybody seems to be worried about his/her legacy. Even ordinary people (who are now celebritized via Facebook) have to consider their legacy. It's something that all too many of us are obsessed with to the point of calibrating it daily. In fact, one would imagine that President Obama has been consumed by thoughts of his legacy almost since the day he was born. Maybe that's what seems to make him so tiresome these days.
5) Iconic and Ironic.
No, everyone's not iconic and everything's not ironic. In fact, many edifices thought to be iconic are not. Yes, the Eiffel Tower is iconic and so is the Empire State Building and Big Ben and the pyramids and the shape of a Coke bottle. Sinatra remains iconic as well. But Justin Bieber isn't an icon and neither is the London Eye. As for ironic, that only applies to things that happen in the opposite way than what was expected, causing wry amusement. Look it up and find examples that will guide you in the proper use of the word because it's not ironic that you woke up on one side of the bed while your mate woke up on the other -- unless of course each of you woke up on the opposite side from where you retired.
6) No Worries
Does this drive you as crazy as it does us? When someone says "no worries" that's a sure signal to worry. Especially here in the super wound-up northeast where there are always worries -- scads of worries. We've so much to worry about that we worry about getting behind on our worries. Please, don't tell us "no worries"!
7) Microaggression.
The term has now come to include everyday slights, snubs, or insults (however subtle or unintended) communicating hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based upon their marginalized group membership. But, how can the insulted people be "targeted" if the snubs or insults are "unintended"? And who determines what is a "marginalized" group and who is a member of such a group? There's a word for all this: Stupid!
8) Out of an Abundance of Caution.
As in "out of an abundance of caution" the whole world is going to hell. Because of this abundance of caution, schools are shutting down, planes aren't flying, stores are closing, products are being pulled from store shelves and people are often becoming prisoners in their own homes until,(out of an abundance of caution) they're forced from their homes into the shuttered schools or railroad terminals to wait it all out. Yes, out of an abundance of caution we are now producing an abundance of wimps.
9) War on Women.
A holdover from 2014, this phrase is often coupled with other verbal contraptions such as the hopelessly artificial "reproductive rights" -- a phrase that truly drives us mad. As far as any sane person can tell, women (at least in this country) have never had it better, especially since they've largely succeeded in feminizing the culture. Power comes with responsibility. If you want equal rights, then go to war on the frontlines, on the battlefield and show us how equal you really are.
10) Safe Place and Safe Space.
This sort of goes along with those who are fleeing microaggression and all those other feigned indignities. Hey, in a world where a little baby is no longer safe in its own mother's womb (where that same baby may have his/her body parts carved out and sold) there is no safe place or space anywhere, anymore. Grow up!
11) Trumped, Trumpified, Trumpism.
Hey, enough with the play on The Donald's name already. We get it. It looks like he may be around well into 2016 (and perhaps further) so, let's give it a rest. Besides, he's already attached his name to a zillion edifices himself.
12) Transgender, Trans, Tran and Transgendered.
We've known about it since Christine Jorgenson, which was more than 60 years ago. There's nothing new here. And though there's not quite nothing to see here, there's nothing that we're longing to see, either. Our message: If you want us to consider this "normal" then go on with your life in as ordinary a fashion as humanly possible and please, don't make a spectacle of yourself.
13) Make No Mistake.
We're human. All of us. And we all make mistakes. So, shut up!
14) Crowd Sourcing, Crowd Funding, Locally Sourced.
Crowd sourcing and crowd funding are how the stock market got started and that was in 1817. Locally sourced? Oh, you mean like farm fresh? Crowd sourcing means "Climb on the bandwagon!" Crowd funding means "We want your money!" Yup, these three phrases are just made-up buzzwords created to make you think that something unique is going on. Don't be fooled!
15) Artisanal.
Another holdover and another totally phony concoction. Have you ever heard of crafting something or making it by hand? Have you heard of something that was homemade? Yeah, like something you or I might be able to do at home. Like those cookies you made for Christmas. You're an arTEEST! Oh my, that's soooo artisanal. Voila!
16) Here's just one more: Engagement.
The word was pretty much always associated with betrothals -- the path to marriage. But, who the hell knows what marriage even is anymore, so now it's all about our collective engagement as in "civic engagement." Do you want to have a conversation or hold a meeting or hear from others? Then, you will have to "engage" them. We will all become engaged! It's all so damned engaging, isn't it?
Saturday, December 26, 2015
US, France, Russia, Germany Top Blog Visits
Pageviews by Countries - Week of 12/20
Thank you for more than
4,000 pageviews this week!
So, What The Hell Is Boxing Day, Anyway? Huh?
The day after Christmas is customarily observed as a legal holiday.
No, the Brits do not all run out to boxing matches.
But they do enjoy soccer games today and they do lots of shopping today as well. The Queen and her entourage (such as they are) engage in fox hunting.
Where did the day get its name?
No one quite knows.
Many think it comes from the idea of boxing up Christmas stuff and/or sorting through your Christmas boxes (your gifts). But history says this is also the day when servants would get their Christmas gifts (cash and/or boxed treats) from their masters -- a sort of littler, humbler Christmas. Here's how it worked: Since they would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts and bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.
It was also a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. In England Canada, New Zealand and Australia, Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is a time where shops have sales, often with dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest amount of returns. In the UK in 2009 it was estimated that up to 12 million shoppers appeared at the sales, a rise of almost 20% compared to 2008.
So, in the spirit of the day -- box, shop, spend, eat, dink and enjoy!
Friday, December 25, 2015
Magical Island Glows With Christmas Spirit!
The operative sentiment is "Merry Christmas" and it's even done up in lights just about anywhere you go.
The island's signature community, Sea Pine goes all out for the Christmas season with spectacular light displays at Sea Pines Center and at Harbour Town. Even the iconic lighthouse is all aglow.
Christmas should be bright and festive and joyous.
And on beautiful Hilton Head, that's exactly the way it is.
Not Too Late: Give HERE To The Salvation Army!
These jolly Salvation Army bell ringers stand outside Macy's on Herald Square in Manhattan and they dance merrily, spreading Christmas cheer to all those who pass by.
You know, it's not to late to contribute!
We snapped this photo and thanked them for all they do. And of course, we contributed - again.
What would Christmas be without The Salvation Army?
And what would the world be without their endless good works -- helping so many, everywhere and Doing The Most Good.
Have you contributed this year?
Click here now to contribute to the Salvation Army. Give generously!
Have you contributed this year?
Click here now to contribute to the Salvation Army. Give generously!
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