LET IT aLL sTART hERE
For Catholics who care...
A woman is given a Bible as a Christmas gift. Minutes after opening the extravagant wrappings of red ribbon and elegant paper, a man who was looking on asked: "May I see your Bible? I would like to read the psalms."
What should the woman have done? Should she have said: "I'm sorry. No. I won't share The Word with you; even though I recognize your need. I can't. The book is valuable and somewhat fragile and must be preserved. I will take it home and put it in a place of honor...perhaps my coffee table." Or this: "By all means! Let's turn to the psalms right now. Take the Bible and read it. Keep it as long as you need to. I am happy to share The Word with you...." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
34 Comments
jackie white
1/29/2016 03:09:58 pm
No matter how beautiful the gift of the Bible is, just placing it on the
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Evelyn Augusto
1/29/2016 09:32:45 pm
Yes...
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Chrissy B
1/29/2016 09:03:34 pm
I think she should give the man her new bible so that he may read the psalms everyday. The gift was obviously meant to be his. The Lord would provide her with another bible eventually. What better way to spread the Word than to give the Word.
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Evelyn Augusto
1/29/2016 09:31:57 pm
You are always wisdom filled Chrissy.
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Dennis
2/2/2016 06:09:15 am
Thank you, Evelyn, for your example of forgiveness. My guess is the man read much of that bible, not just the Psalms . Possibly with much admiration of the book it's self. You share so freely, thank you for that,
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Catherine Weredyk
2/5/2016 12:09:19 pm
Pass it on always!!!
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2/10/2016 05:46:33 pm
Thanks again for your site, Evelyn. On this Ash Wednesday, as I was at mass, I happened to think of the post I left here last February when I wrote about my decision to give up having ashes imposed on my forehead. As I recall, you expressed misgivings--perhaps even sorrow--about my decision and urged me to speak with your priest about it. I saw no reason to do so because I doubt that anyone's argument or logic will convince me that my interpretation of the Bible passages that pertain to this issue is in error, i.e. that we should make "no outward signs" that we are fasting and to pray in secret.
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jackie white
2/11/2016 06:49:31 am
Richard,
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2/12/2016 05:13:59 am
Jackie,
Fr. Michael Cambi
2/25/2016 10:57:59 am
Hi Richard - Fr. Michael here ... wanted to respond to your comments around Ash Wednesday a couple of weeks ago, but got sidetracked. Sorry for the delay. I haven’t read any other responses, so if any of this is redundant, please forgive me.
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2/26/2016 01:40:58 am
Thank you, Fr. MIchael, 2/10/2016 08:24:19 pm
Hi Richard. Thank you for your thoughtful post. I promise to address your quandary in the next day or so. I need to do some reading and thinking.
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2/12/2016 06:27:06 am
As you know Richard...for every argument in favor of one issue, there is another argument to support the opposite view.
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2/12/2016 03:33:33 pm
Thanks for your thoughts, Evelyn.
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Evelyn Augusto
2/12/2016 04:07:29 pm
Yes...it's new. What do you think about today's post: Church as home
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corinne
2/15/2016 04:40:53 am
I'm sorry I am replying to this now, but I have seen the discussion on the ashes, all I can do is give you what information that I have learned over the years.
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2/15/2016 06:25:33 am
Corrine, that was really helpful. There is so much to say on the subject of Ash Wednesday. Yours was a great reminder of one of the first "adult truths" I was faced with when young. It puts so much into perspective.
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Corinne
2/15/2016 12:38:10 pm
Your welcome Evelyn, I do understand that it maybe difficult for one to know the difference between the ashes on your forehead and the scripture that was read on ash Wednesday but there is.
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Dennis
2/16/2016 06:13:32 am
For me, anyways, the ashes have been a show of "I'm a Catholic". Christ did warn against fruitless ritual that separates us from real worship of God. I feel Christ could admire someone who follows his beliefs of proper behavior in his worship of God. I have had several struggles, in my years, around how God wants me to worship him. I still wonder.
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2/16/2016 10:21:43 am
Why wonder? The Church makes how we are called to worship very obvious. Maybe more of us "Cradle Catholics" might consider a "tune-up" at an RCIA program.
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Corinne
2/16/2016 09:21:48 am
I guess what some might feel is rituals others consider to be reminders , liturgy or sacramental.
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Evelyn Augusto
2/16/2016 10:16:50 am
Corrine: Thanks for sharing your witness but I don't think any of us have come close to resolving Richard's concern. I know he is aware of all that we have said. I also know that we really haven't addressed his quandry. How do we reconcile that particular page from the Gospel with what we do on Ash Wednesday? Let's keep thinking, trying and sharing.
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Corinne
2/16/2016 11:48:14 am
I tried It's a reminder of our immortality , simple
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Dennis
2/17/2016 05:32:49 am
I hope that my words are not miss interpreted. I was speaking in general terms not specifics. I look to the crucifix for inspiration while I pray. Now, if I prayed to the crucifix it's self it would be a terrible sin against God. Am I wrong?
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Corinne
2/17/2016 08:52:22 am
I do understand , but through the years the way I put it into perspective, was to know the ashes are a sign of repentance , and immortality. By wearing them it does mean I'm telling people what I tell God personally .i look at the Gospel as God telling me get up wash you face basically telling me groom yourself and go about your day like usual don't look glum . When you pray to God that's when I tell him all what I need too, not so people can praise me for doing good , where's the joy in that if people seen my almsgiving and prayer. For the record I got my ashes at night so nobody seen but me and family
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Corinne
2/18/2016 03:37:33 am
I'm sorry I meant to say
Louise
2/22/2016 08:31:02 pm
Years ago in Oswego, NY....I was attending Mass, it was Ash Wednesday & the Mass was held at 6pm.
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2/23/2016 12:35:12 am
Glad to see that the group discussion about the imposition of forehead ashes is so lively. If it continues we may evolve a different perspective on this ritual by next Ash Wednesday. As Catholic rituals go, I know little about this one except for what I've gained by osmosis over the years. I recall nothing from my catechism instruction about its history or other details--if in fact, any.emphasis was given to those.. However, in previous comments here I note that several people give, as a reason for wearing the ashes, words to the effect of, "to show that I'm a Catholic." To me, this directly contradicts the spirit of the scripture that tells us, "wash your face" and "make no outward sign that you are fasting." For me Louise sums it up when she says, "How will Jesus judge me? That is my only concern." Amen, and Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Dennis
2/25/2016 06:05:56 am
Thank you, everyone!
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Corinne
2/25/2016 06:10:25 pm
Why do I keep seeing on seeing???
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Evelyn Augusto
2/23/2016 08:03:42 am
I think the message is more: "I choose to repent. I choose to believe in The Gospel."
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jackie white
2/25/2016 11:14:10 am
Thank you Fr. Michael. I hope this helps Richard, our regular here on letitallstarthere blog.
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2/26/2016 03:36:38 am
Jackie, thanks for commenting about Lenten ashes. Fr. Michael's reply did help to address my concern about this ritual, which Corinne says is not exclusively Catholic.
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