Christopher’s Corner
· Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
· Bucket List trip[5]: USA 70-degree year trip:
· Foodie-National Catfish Month
o Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding
· Spirit Hour: Shackleton Scotch
· Monday: Litany of Humility
o It is our society that likes dividing the population into separate corporate bodies in order to pit them against each other. Certainly, more nefarious political systems need and thrive upon such divisions. Within the Body of Christ, this is wholly evil. One of the marks of the Church is 'One', that is, that we are one in Christ. That oneness is not subservient to worldly divisions and political jostling. Consider that the Catholic Church has over 1.4 billion members. 1.4 billion come from every conceivable culture, language, and skin color. Yet we are called to be one. That oneness starts here and stretches to eternity.
§ Diversity Helped Win World War II
· Religion in the Home for Preschool: August
·
Monday Night
at the Movies
§ From a Catholic perspective, Come
Fill the Cup (1951) offers a compelling meditation on redemption, grace,
and the spiritual battle against addiction. Here's a summary with theological
reflections woven in:
§ 🕊️ Plot Overview
·
Lew
Marsh, a gifted newspaper reporter, spirals into alcoholism, losing his job and
the woman he loves.
·
He’s
rescued by Charley Dolan, a former alcoholic who offers him shelter and
guidance—echoing the role of a spiritual sponsor or confessor.
·
Lew
rebuilds his life, remaining sober and helping others, including Boyd Copeland,
a younger man caught in similar vices.
·
The
story culminates in Lew confronting both internal temptation and external evil,
including a gangster who threatens Boyd’s life.
§ ✝️ Catholic Themes & Reflections
·
1.
The Fall and the Hope of Redemption
o
Lew’s
descent into addiction mirrors the Catholic understanding of concupiscence—the
human tendency toward sin.
o
His
recovery begins not with willpower alone, but through grace mediated by
community, much like the sacrament of Reconciliation.
·
2.
Charley Dolan as a Christlike Figure
o
Charley’s
self-sacrifice and unwavering support evoke the image of Christ the Redeemer.
o
His
death, caused by others’ sin, becomes a turning point for Boyd—suggesting that
suffering can be redemptive.
·
3.
Temptation and Vigilance
o
Lew’s
struggle with sobriety is portrayed as a lifelong spiritual battle. The line
“The one drink you don’t take is that first one. Forever.” echoes Christ’s call
to radical discipleship and vigilance against sin.
·
4.
Mercy and Justice
o
Lew’s
refusal to abandon Boyd, despite betrayal and danger, reflects the Catholic
call to corporal works of mercy—especially caring for the spiritually
sick.
o
The
final confrontation with the gangster symbolizes the triumph of good over evil,
not through vengeance, but through courage and truth.
·
5.
Healing Through Vocation
o Lew’s return to journalism and his mentorship of others suggest that healing is not just personal but communal. In Catholic thought, vocation is a path to holiness.
AUGUST 4 Monday-Saint John Vianney
Saint
Obama-Hans Christian Anderson
On
hearing this, Jesus answered him, “Do not be AFRAID; just have faith and she will be saved.”
When
we ask something of our Lord, make it big, and believe He can do it. For the
measure of faith that you have determines the measure of the healing from the
Lord. I remember over 40 years ago I was a young man stationed in Barbados and
became involved with a Christian cult of sorts, where a small group practiced
faith as a measure of power. The leader taught that as men we are created in
the image of God and we have the power to create miracles if we have the faith
to do it. It was explained that even evil men can tap this power provided they
believe which explains why some non-Christian’s can-do feats or miracles. As I
evolved in Christ I drifted away from this group but still today I believe all
is possible via faith. This group I was in was called, “The Way.” I did an
internet search for it but could not find it but I did find an interesting
Catholic resource written by Saint Jose Maria Escriva called “The Way.” “You
feel a gigantic faith. He who gives you that faith, will give you the means.”
The Way[1]
The
strength, the attraction of The Way is largely due to the fact that it is based
on real, living experience, being the fruit of the author's work as a priest
which began in 1925. The book appeared first in 1934 under the title
Consideraciones espirituales and later (in 1939) received its definitive title,
after being greatly expanded. Over the years, more than four and a half million
copies have been sold, in 43 different languages. This is one of the main
attractions of the book-its direct, conversational style, its personal and
deeply human character. As a reviewer in Osservatore Romano (March 24, 1950)
put it: "Msgr. Escriva de Balaguer has written something more than a
masterpiece; he has written straight from the heart, and straight to the heart
go the short paragraphs which make up The Way
Copilot
Luke 8:50 is powerful—Do not be afraid; just have
faith and she will be saved,” is such a tender yet commanding invitation to
trust in divine power beyond our own limitations.
The Catholic book The Way by Saint Josemaría
Escrivá offers a very different lens on faith. Rather than treating it as a
tool for miracles, Escriva presents faith as a path of daily sanctification.
His 999 short meditations are drawn from real pastoral encounters and personal
prayer, making the book feel intimate and deeply human. One of his most quoted
lines is: “You feel a gigantic faith. He who gives you that faith, will give
you the means.”: when we ask something of the Lord, we must ask boldly and
trust that He will provide.
Here’s a reflection series that pairs The Way’s
lessons on fear with scripture passages—each one designed to deepen your
spiritual rhythm and enrich your pilgrimage planning:
🔥 Holy
Fear: Reverence, Not Terror
·
Escrivá’s Insight: “Holy fear is not fear of
punishment—it is fear of offending Love.”
·
Scripture Pairing:
·
Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom.”
·
Psalm 103:17 — “From everlasting to
everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him.”
🕯️ Reflection:
Holy fear draws us into intimacy with God. It’s the trembling awe that
recognizes His majesty and our smallness—and yet, His love.
🧭 Fear as
a Compass
·
Escrivá’s Insight: “Don’t be afraid of the truth,
even if it costs you.”
·
Scripture Pairing:
·
Psalm 56:3 — “When I am afraid, I put my trust in
you.”
·
Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you… I
will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
🕯️ Reflection:
Fear often reveals where trust is lacking. Let it guide you—not to retreat, but
to surrender.
🕊️ Prayer
Transforms Fear
·
Escrivá’s Insight: “You say you’re afraid? Go to
Him. Tell Him everything.”
·
Scripture Pairing:
·
Philippians 4:6–7 — “Do not be anxious… and the
peace of God… will guard your hearts.”
·
1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your anxiety on Him because
He cares for you.”
🕯️ Reflection:
Prayer is the furnace where fear is melted into peace. Speak your fears aloud
to the One who listens.
🛡️ Love
Casts Out Fear
·
Escrivá’s Insight: “Love is stronger than fear. When
you love, you forget yourself.”
·
Scripture Pairing:
·
1 John 4:18 — “Perfect love drives out fear.”
·
Romans 8:38–39 — “Nothing… will be able to separate
us from the love of God.”
🕯️ Reflection:
Love makes us daring. When we love deeply, fear loses its grip.
Feast of Saint John Vianney[2]
During
the French Revolution a small band of Ursuline nuns was imprisoned in the
Bastille. To cheer her disconsolate companions, one of the groups passed
wheaten discs of bread, cut from the loaf of the daily rations, to memorialize
the happy days when they were free and could receive Our Lord in Holy
Communion. At that time all religious schools and churches were closed, and
those who harbored priests were imprisoned. At the Vianney farmhouse near
Dardilly, France, fugitive priests were offered a refuge. Here their son was
prepared in his tenth year for the reception of Holy Communion by a hunted
priest. While tending to his father's sheep, John Vianney fashioned a small
statue of Our Lady out of clay. He hid it in the hollow of an old tree with
this petition: "Dear Lady Mary, I love you very much; you must bring Jesus
back to His tabernacles very soon!" On a visit to his aunt at Ecully, John
listened to her praises of Father Balley, the parish priest, and he sought the
Father's advice regarding his vocation to the priesthood. The pastor appraised
the overgrown, awkward youth of faltering speech and devoid of general
education. Though John was unable to answer the questions pertaining to earthly
science which Father asked him, yet, when the priest put to him the questions
of the catechism, his face became luminous with lively interest. He answered
every question correctly, and in a manner beyond his years. The amazed pastor
took this evidence as a sign from heaven, prophesying, "You will become a
priest!" The ensuing years brought many trials to John. He was
conscripted; his mother died; he failed often in his studies. Ordained as a
Mass priest, August 12, 1815, he remarked to Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy:
"Here is your priest, O Blessed Mother! Stay close to me. Help me to be a
good priest!" As a curate and as a pastor, St. John Vianney's daily
instruction on the catechism found an inspired audience, among whom were noted
orators such as Père Lacordaire, O.P., the famed preacher of Notre Dame. The
saintly pastor performed many miracles, but the greatest was his own manner of
Eucharistic living. It was his Lord, living in Father Vianney, who made him
"spend and be spent" in ceaseless service for both sinner and saint
in the sacred tribunal of penance.
Things to Do[3]
·The
Collect praises St. John Vianney's zeal for souls and his spirit of prayer and
penance. Say a special prayer today that by his example and intercession we too
may win the souls of our brothers for Christ.
·Say
a prayer for priests that they may persevere in their vocation. If you haven't
been to confession for a while resolve to do so right away and be sure that you
remember to say an extra prayer for your confessor.
·From
the Catholic Culture library: Pope John XXIII holds St. John Vianney as a model
for the priesthood in this Encyclical.
·June
19, 2009--June 19, 2010 was The Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI,
which held St. John Vianney in particular prominence and example, and he was
proclaimed as patron saint of all the priests of the world. Although some links
are no longer present, see Catholic Culture's special section for the Year for
Priests.
·Read this
longer life of the Curé
of Ars and also these excerpts from his sermons.
Obama’s frequent appeals to
history’s judgment reflect his confidence that history will be kind to him. In
the short run, it will: liberals will canonize Obama. Like the faithful
Catholics chanting “santo subito” after the death of Pope John Paul II, Obama’s
liberal boosters will turn him into Saint Barack, savior of health care
and slayer of bin Laden. You might see hints of this already in your
liberal friends’ wistful Facebook posts: “I’m really going to miss this guy.”
If liberals are calling the shots, Obama’s name will shortly be inscribed on
statues and state buildings, and his face will someday appear on coins and
currency, while the divisions he sowed and exploited in pursuit of personal
glory will be papered over. Generations of schoolchildren will learn about the
beloved, barrier-shattering college professor with the megawatt smile who could
tell a joke and make a jump shot—not the ambitious, polarizing ideologue whose
disdain for half the country was palpable. No mention will be made of his habit
of insulting supposedly lazy, ignorant Americans who cling bitterly to their
religion, guns, and “antipathy toward people who aren’t like them,” and who
fall prey to “anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to
explain their frustrations.”[4]
In celebration of Barry’s day, I
think we should have a beer summit.
Bible in a Year-Day 47 The Golden Calf
In today's reading from Exodus 32, Fr. Mike shows us how when we become
uncertain, we immediate try to take control of the situation, and build up
idols in our hearts. We also read Leviticus 23 and Psalm 79.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: An
increase of the faithful
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
[5] Schultz, Patricia. 1,000 Places to See Before You
Die: A Traveler's Life List Workman Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
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