Notes From the Field #1
Some Fun and Interesting Things You Might Have Missed From my Catholic Adventure.
Greetings, subscribers! Thanks for supporting and following my work!
In this biweekly newsletter I hand deliver these notes from the field—some things you may have missed that weren’t posted to my Substack.
As subscribers, you get instantly notified of my major work (articles and podcasts). But even if you follow me on Twitter and Facebook, you may miss being notified of other worthy things I produce along the way of my “Catholic adventure” off of Substack. Don’t worry, these “Notes from the Field” newsletters won’t flood your inbox. I expect to produce one every two weeks.
In this Newsletter 6/28/23
Blog: “After Receiving Communion” | Opinion: Regarding Bishop Strickland | Blog: How to Be Perfect (full post is included in this newsletter) | Video: When Protestant Pastors Lose Their Minds
From the Blog
“After Receiving Communion”
Preview: There is a brief moment in your day or week when you are most intimately connected to Jesus Christ. It’s right after you receive Our Lord in the most Holy Eucharist. It’s a very special moment that shouldn’t be taken for granted or squandered. If COVID lockdowns taught us anything, it’s that we should never take the mass, or the Eucharist for granted.
It’s highly appropriate to say nothing at all, once you return to your pew…It opens your heart and mind to the promptings of God….But it’s also appropriate to say something—to pray—after returning to your pew after reception of the Eucharist.
Regarding Bishop Strickland
This was a blog post I wrote in response to the recent Apostolic Visitation of Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas. This visitation continues to surprise and confuse me. I haven’t been able to shut up about it on Twitter.
The blog is not a product of research or scrutiny, but merely my thoughts and opinions based on what I have observed and experienced.
How to Be Perfect
Here is something I posted to my blog, but since it’s short and sweet I though I’d simply include it here for your consideration. I do hope you enjoy it and that you find it helpful.
PERFECTION IS ONLY A REALITY IN HEAVEN. SO WHY DOES JESUS TELL US TO “BE PERFECT”?
Jesus Christ told us to “Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect.” But how can we do that? Only he, and His mother were truly perfect. So why would he ask us to do something that’s impossible? He wouldn’t!
Perfection is impossible until we reach Heaven, because that’s the only place where it is a reality. In the temporal/human order, it’s only an idea. A goal. A standard. To be perfect on earth means that we are always on the path to our excellence—the perfection of heaven. It means we’re always trying, even if we sometimes fail.
Perfection is only in Heaven. So Don’t expect to find perfection in life, or in yourself. Don’t be discouraged when you fail, or when you wrestle with a particular imperfection that you have. Be patient with life’s imperfections, and with yours. But along with being patient, always work at making the imperfect perfect. That is how we achieve our excellence with God’s help, by His grace. A flower in bloom is always perfect, because it’s always unfolding toward its state of excellence. Every step of the way, from bud, to bloom, to full-blossom, is a stage of perfection. It only stops being perfect if it stops blooming prematurely. Do the work. Never stop trying. Buds become flowers. Humans become saints. It is our natural destiny. But we must choose it!
“When Protestant Preachers Lose Their Minds”
This was all in good fun. What happens when [some] Protestant Preachers witness Catholics practicing Catholicism? Let’s see!
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Ave Maria, Virgo Fidelis!
(Hail Mary, Faithful Virgin!)
Love this and I have much to say. Almost to Adoration. If I remember, I’ll come back and share my thoughts.