For the "court of public opinion"

Luke 7:37 - 47

Then there is a public sinner who, in spite of her condemnation by common opinion, enters into the house of the Pharisee to anoint the feet of Jesus with perfumed oil. To His host, who is scandalized by this, He will say: "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much."

Genocide in America is akin to a modern day witch trial.

Matthew 7:1 from Jesus' mouth, "judge not, lest ye be judged."

God is my helper

Yesterday, I read in church. I read in church every now and then as a lector. Well, yesterday this either severely mentally ill person, person with a demon or a very good actor sat next to me (I'm pretty sure it was on purpose). He didn't make much sense at all, kept talking about liquid gold in Palo Alto, making jokes about Father John (who wasn't even there) and he even had the nerve to try and kiss me. Anyway, to say the least, I was a little distraught. But you know what? I went up there and read anyway, made it through my reading just fine, the only part I slipped up on was I was anxious to say "Thanks be to God," instead of "The word of the Lord." When I got back to my seat and pulled out my hymnal, I opened it to page 66 (pretty cool, huh?) On page 66 the Psalm at the top is Psalm 121.

Here is Psalm 121

I lift my eyes to the hills---
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made the heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
He will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.

Cultivating Meekness

I get so angry sometimes and outraged at the way I've been treated (mostly because I know I am not alone in my experience of genocide. It's happening all over. Probably a lot happens in California), that I come across as the antithesis of meek. I make little jokes up to amuse myself as to not focus on the severe internal pain that I get put through on a daily basis.

I was talking back and forth about the topic of cultivating meekness at work. To my surprise, I was enlightened by a girl with downs syndrome. I realize that my experiences have brought me to a place where I was open to receiving, one of my aunt's has a severe case of downs syndrome. Her case is not as severe, in fact, she is at the trainable level (which is why she works with me), yet she was able to clearly articulate to me, specifically when I mentioned cultivating meekness (I wouldn't think she would even be able to comprehend on such a level). Talk about a lesson in humility!

Love Your Enemies (Luke 6:27-36)

[27] "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you would have them do to you.

[32] "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. [35] But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Deliverance

You know, I've been so distraught by mass corruption and how easily people can be manipulated, that I had underestimated God's sovereignty. I started praying for the end of the world. Perhaps this was a tactic of the Devil. I don't really want the world to end, even though I'm guaranteed happiness in the afterlife, thanks to Jesus Christ.

I went to see a Spiritual Director, a nun who had a PhD in American Literature, I picked her because I thought she would give me the heavy stuff (theologically speaking). I knew it wasn't the right fit when I told her about my situation (how it's been going on for 6-7 years now) and she said that it would probably never get better. "O ye of little faith!"

I don't know how God's going to do it, I feel like I've exhausted all mortal means of salvation. Perhaps I was putting too much faith in man. Maybe my deliverance will be a mystery beyond human comprehension.

St. Michael

Go, St. Michael! Go!