Category: Blithe Spirit

Words to live by

The call for not thinking you are hot stuff:

1] At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? [2] And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, [3] And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. [5] And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.

The call for taking great care with people who look up to you:

[6] But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. [7] Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh.

Devastating consequences, big stakes:

[8] And if thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. [9] And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. [10] See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

The one who takes great care with us:

[11] For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. [12] What think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray: doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains, and go to seek that which is gone astray?

The shepherd, by Lawrence OP

Please notice the language.  Figures abound, in some cases meaning is to be supplied.  But you can’t walk away untouched.

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Jesus saves a lot more than green stamps

Feeling low?  Here’s an upper:

[17] And it came to pass on a certain day, as he sat teaching, that there were also Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, that were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was to heal them.

[18] And behold, men brought in a bed a man, who had the palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

[19] And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up upon the roof, and let him down through the tiles with his bed into the midst before Jesus.

[20] Whose faith when he saw, he said: Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

What was that all about?

[21] And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

[22] And when Jesus knew their thoughts, answering, he said to them: What is it you think in your hearts?

[23] Which is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?

[24] But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say to thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.

[25] And immediately rising up before them, he took up the bed on which he lay; and he went away to his own house, glorifying God.

Wouldn’t you?

[26] And all were astonished; and they glorified God. And they were filled with fear, saying: We have seen wonderful things today.

A fearful authority.  Stunning.

[Luke 15, Douay-Rheims version for today’s gospel reading.]

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Bishops hold back

Archbishop John Myers of Newark, once of Peoria, where he instituted conservative measures, has been at the forefront of stemming and facing up to clergy abuse.

But a Star-Ledger review of the archbishops record since 2002 shows Myers on at least four occasions has shielded priests accused of sexual abuse against minors and one adult. In the four instances, the priests have either admitted improper sexual contact, pleaded guilty to crimes stemming from accusations of sexual misconduct or been permanently barred from ministry by the archdiocese after allegations of sexual misconduct.

The archdiocese also wrote a letter of recommendation for one of the priests, a week after it learned he was accused of breaking into a womans home in Florida and possibly assaulting her.

It’s a matter of taking “a cautious hand in publicly naming priests” and feeling the weight of the issue. On the other hand, he

has failed to live up to the guidelines and spirit of what was set forth in Dallas [in 2002, where he was an advocate of sterner
measures]. The most controversial example is the Rev. Michael Fugee, who confessed to police eight years ago that he molested a 13-year-old boy. Fugee was never ousted from the priesthood, and the archdiocese assigned him last year as chaplain to St. Michaels Hospital in Newark without telling hospital officials of his past.

It’s the bishop’s problem in this matter. They can’t pull triggers.

Readings at mass: Old vs. new

It’s a duel here between New American Bible (NAB), what we hear read at mass these days, and the Douay-Rheims version (D-R), what we heard before the liturgical revolu — I mean reform — shook up Catholic worship.

Here is tomorrow’s 2nd reading, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Romans 15.4-9, NAB vs. D-R, verse by verse, each time NAB first, then D-R:

4 For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
[4] For what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope.

“Previously” is redundant.  “Instruction” not “learning”?  Why?  “Patience and the comfort” of the scriptures beats “endurance and by the encouragement of” the scriptures.  Patience is a virtue, for one thing, and encouragement “of” the scriptures?  “By”?

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony 2 with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus.
 

[5] Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ:

“Thinking in harmony” vs. being “of one mind”?  One is abstract, the other is a good everyday image.

6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[6] That with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ditto “one mind . . . one mouth.”  It’s visual and memorable.

7 3 Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.
[7] Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honour of God.

“Welcome” vs. “receive”?  The second says more.

8 For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,
 

[8] For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.

“The circumcision” — a sort of Old Testament sacrament, or an era.  A condition.

9 but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.”
[9] But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name.

Both constructions are best left unattended.  But as throughout, the rhythm is the thing.  Or so it seems to me.

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Dumbed down on way to Bethlehem

Challoner's 1749 revision of the Rheims New Te...
1749 Rheims New Testament, first cousin to King James Version

Has the Scripture prescribed for reading at mass been dumbed down since Vatican 2? Here’s the gospel for today, Saturday of the First Week of Advent:

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

That’s Mt 9:3510:1, 5a, 6-8, New American Bible. Here’s the passage, same verses, from the 1962 (and earlier) Bible, the only point of comparison, since the 1962 daily readings were skimpy to nonexistent:

And Jesus went about all the cities, and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity.

[36] And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. [37] Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.

[1] And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities.

[5] These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles [and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not]. [6] But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give.

I submit that the pedestrian has replaced the sonorous, I’d call it rhythmic. The 1962 Bible (Douay-Rheims) called for a reader-aloud with some oratorical training, which has its pitfalls, yes. But this reading the daily newspaper at us (so it comes across) has nothing to stir souls.

Auditing with intent to prosecute

Journal of Forensic Accounting
Today's topic

Forensic audit is apparent cornerstone of Tea Party efforts in fading Illinois. Forensic audit?

Application of accounting methods to the tracking and collection of forensic evidence, usually for investigation and prosecution of criminal acts such as embezzlement or fraud. Also called forensic accounting.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/forensic-audit.html#ixzz179Ul6ty3

From which you may gather why the state’s politicos do not favor it, same ones who favored such an audit of Medicaid in Illinois. In the one you endanger politicos, in the other docs and patients.

On the other hand, docs said in 2008 they were being paid too late.