From My Favorite Friar
Father Groeschel criticized a media for glorifying detraction and calumny.
Yes. And how many suckers so readily mimic it. The Hannitization of America...
Per signum crucis de inimicis nostris libera nos, Deus noster
August is also known as the month of "The Tears of St. Lawrence." Laurentius, a Christian deacon, is said to have been martyred by the Romans in 258 AD on an iron outdoor stove. It was in the midst of this torture that Laurentius cried out: "I am already roasted on one side and, if thou wouldst have me well cooked, it is time to turn me on the other."
The saint's death was commemorated on his feast day, Aug. 10. King Phillip II of Spain built his monastery place, the "Escorial," on the plan of the holy gridiron. And the abundant shooting stars seen annually between approximately Aug. 8 and 14 have come to be known as St. Lawrence's "fiery tears."
In Tacoma, Wash., city authorities recently installed speakers in public places and began playing classical music to keep criminals from becoming too comfortable in one place.This little anecdote is even better:
Mark Shriner, who owns the Coffee House at 13th and P streets, is one who actually put bad music to the test.It is not even that kids prefer the manufactured pop of Britney Spears or the modern musical genius of the brothers Hanson, now kids cannot even hear classical music without nausea. Any ideas how to lift culture out of this pit, Duebster?
When his place became a hangout for teen smokers in the mid-1990s, he turned up the classical tunes inside.
It worked.
“The younger people tended to want to puke when they heard it,” Shriner said.
Awestruck at the sight of the transfigured Lord who was speaking with Moses and Elijah, Peter, James and John were suddenly overshadowed by a cloud, out of which came a voice which proclaimed: "This is my beloved Son on whom my favour rests; listen to him" (Mk 9: 7).
When one has the grace to live a strong experience of God, it is as if one is living an experience similar to that of the disciples during the Transfiguration: a momentary foretaste of what will constitute the happiness of Paradise. These are usually brief experiences that are sometimes granted by God, especially prior to difficult trials.
No one, however, is permitted to live "on Tabor" while on earth. Indeed, human existence is a journey of faith and as such, moves ahead more in shadows than in full light, and is no stranger to moments of obscurity and also of complete darkness. While we are on this earth, our relationship with God takes place more by listening than by seeing; and the same contemplation comes about, so to speak, with closed eyes, thanks to the interior light that is kindled in us by the Word of God.