Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Continuing with my summer reflections on the parts of the mass, I offer this. As we began our Eucharist by acknowledging our sinfulness and total dependency upon the merits of the cross, the faithful are then called to move both interior-ally and externally to the expression of joy and praise in appreciation of God's mercy and love embodied in the Gloria.  May this holiday Monday be a time when joy and praise fills your heart and life as well as for all whom you love and hold dear. Fr. Tim

Two articles from cyberspace reminds us today of the reality of the challenges that faith now faces in the public square. The first reports on gay/lesbian/transgendered etc groups that are now demonstrating on the sidewalks outside of the St. Louis Cathedral , with the promise to be there for every weekend of Advent. Clearly the irony of arguing such an agenda in the weeks leading to Christmas is not lost on the protesters. An even more irrational example was offered in Vienna when a small Catholic Internet TV reporter was assaulted by protesters who were chanting "If Mary had had an abortion, we would have been spared from Christians." They attacked the reporter and damaged their camera as they were demanding "right to privacy" while participating in a loud and boisterous "public demonstration". I don't think these protesters had enough sense to even recognize the irony of their contrary positions. Alas, both remind us of the challenges we face...