The Arrow's Path

     The Mass readings for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time delve into the nature of human relationships, particularly the sacrament of marriage, and the divine intention behind human companionship. Together, these passages weave a narrative that emphasizes the sanctity of relationships, the dignity of humanity, and the call to love in a manner that reflects God's own love for us.     In Genesis 2:18-24, we encounter the creation of woman as a companion for man. The text reveals God’s intention in creating humanity: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” This declaration highlights the relational aspect of human existence, emphasizing that solitude is contrary to God’s design. The creation of Eve from Adam’s rib symbolizes equality and intimacy, establishing a partnership that is meant to be deeply connected. The passage culminates in the profound statement that “a man shall leave his father and mother and be ...

     Something a bit different today than my normal reflections. I thought I would delve a little bit more into a topic that is not necessarily theological in nature. I am a real person, and not some ethereal doctor in an ivory tower who gets to smoke a pipe and contemplate the infinite mysteries all day. So, today, I thought I would delve into one of my personal hobbies: board gaming.      Now, do not tune me out because you hear "board gaming" and immediately default in your brain to your brother overturning a table with Monopoly money flying everywhere because the game has gone on for hours and overturning the table was the only option left other than murder. Most people, including myself at one time, thought of board games as those boring or frustrating games that seem stuck in 1952. You know the usual suspects: Clue!, Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, maybe even more saccharine games like Life or Candy Land, i.e. those games that everyone owned at some p...

Found this little news article on the BBC. Sarco Pods...you can't make this up.

                The readings for our Patronal feast illuminate the importance of divine protection, particularly as exemplified through St. Michael the Archangel. Each passage reveals aspects of God’s faithfulness, the struggle against evil, and the assurance of His safeguarding presence, culminating in a deeper understanding of why St. Michael is invoked for protection.                 In Deuteronomy 7:9-10, we are reminded of God’s covenantal faithfulness: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments.” This passage highlights the nature of God as a protector and a faithful guardian of His people. The assurance that God will repay those who hate Him serves as a stark reminder of the moral order and the consequences of turning away from God. H...

     Americans pride themselves on being ruggedly independent. The refrain from today’s Psalm speaks to the theme of this week’s Bible readings for Mass by reminding us of how it is really God who upholds our lives. Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the divine sustenance that God provides among the challenges and complexities of life by encouraging us to seek wisdom, cultivate peace, and embrace humility.      In Wisdom 2:12, 17-20, we encounter a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The passage reveals the hostility that the righteous often face from those who reject God’s ways. The wicked plot against the just, proclaiming, “Let us lie in wait for the righteous, because he is inconvenient to us.” Yet, the message from the Book of Wisdom is that we can be assured that God upholds the righteous, even in the face of persecution. The righteous person, who seeks to live according to God’s will, is ultimately sustained by divine providen...

 We had a question in the Facebook group I moderate to the effect of the Bible word for Baptism always means full immersion in Baptism. This person added this little internet meme to accent his point: My response was this: Well, this meme here is overly simplistic as to the meaning in Greek. The word, as many words do both now and back then, can have multiple meanings depending on the usage. Yes, βαπτίζω can mean to fully submerge. However, there are times in Ancient Greek in non-Biblical sources where the word is clearly used in other ways. The perfect example in Nicander, who was a physician/poet/philosopher type around 200 BC. We still have some of his works. Sadly, some of his writings have been lost to time, namely the Heteroeumena. We sort of know a little about it as Ovid references part of it in Metamorphoses, but that’s neither here nor there. Nicander was, much like Aristotle, also a practical writer. What’s most interesting about Nicander is we have his 2 nd century ...

     Who exactly was Jesus of Nazareth? Today’s Mass readings for Sunday, September, 15th, speak to the profound theme of Jesus’ identity and the implications of that identity for our lives as followers of Christ. Jesus poses a profound question about Himself when he asks, “Whom do people say that I am?” This question serves as a pivotal moment in understanding not only who Jesus is but also what it means to live out our faith in response to that identity.      In Isaiah 50:5-9, the servant of the Lord speaks of his mission and his unwavering commitment to God’s call, despite facing opposition and suffering. The passage begins with the servant stating, “The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.” This declaration highlights the servant's obedience and readiness to fulfill God’s purpose, even in the face of adversity. The servant embodies the identity of one who is chosen and sustained by God, demonstrating that true ...

Police brutality and misconduct is a scary and hard problem. I think a lot of law enforcement are good people who are trying to do the best they can in a thankless job. It is the bad ones that give everyone a bad name. What I do have problems with is police being used as paramilitary combatants and not as peace officers. That shift has not been for the better in American and world culture. There is a guy on Youtube who is an ex-con. He was at one time a violent dude. He is still a very salty dude, but his heart is in the right place. He has some very good things to say about prison and police reform, particularly in this video that are worth hearing and saying:

     Today’s Mass readings lead us to reflect on the theme of praising the Lord, particularly in the context of His transformative power, and the call to recognize His presence in our lives and in the lives of others.     In Isaiah 35:4-7a, the prophet speaks words of comfort and hope to a people in distress. He proclaims, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” This promise of salvation is a profound reason to praise the Lord. The imagery of healing and restoration that follows—where the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame leap—reflects God's active involvement in the world. It is a vivid reminder that God is not distant; He is present and engaged in the lives of His people, bringing about renewal and joy. The transformation of the natural world serves as a metaphor for the spiritual renewal God offers. When we recognize His saving actions in our lives, we are compell...

 An excellent, if nauseating, article about the Church and the New Liturgy reforms of the 1960s and 1970s. Kudos for an excellent citation of primary source quotes from "liturgical experts" of the time, but, mercy, it makes me physically ill to read through this article .  What a form a group think madness that era was. 

  Have you ever thought about what justice is exactly? Catholic social justice is a vital aspect of the Church's mission, rooted in the teachings of Scripture and the tradition of the faith. Justice, in the Catholic tradition, can be understood as giving each person their due, recognizing the inherent dignity of every human being, and promoting the common good. Justice involves not only individual morality but also social structures that ensure equitable treatment and opportunities for all, especially the marginalized and vulnerable.    In Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8, Moses speaks to the Israelites, urging them to observe the laws and decrees given by God. He emphasizes that these commandments are not arbitrary; they are essential for living justly and forming a community that reflects God's holiness. Moses highlights that adherence to these laws will make the Israelites "a wise and understanding people." This wisdom is crucial for justice, as it leads to actions that res...

 A question was posed, to which I would like to respond. I quote and edit for brevity: "I recently lost a close friend and business associate to cancer. To my knowledge he believed in “something”, but wasn’t sure what “it” was. During our friendship we had many discussions about God, Jesus and our differences in beliefs. I was not Catholic when our friendship began...Some things transpired at the end of his life. I do pray that he did at least make a spiritual conversion. I found out this weekend that one of his companions used his ashes to plant a flower in the cemetery where his parents are buried. I am just at a loss for words over this. I know that it is none of my business. I have had such difficulty discussing his death with anyone because I know details of his life that no one else knows. Is it wrong to keep praying for him? My heart is just broken for his adult children and how they have been treated. I believe they are all atheists also. Does you have any advice?"   ...

For your blogging and dancing pleasure...you can now access my blog by going to www.archeroftheforest.com or the regular blogger.com address of costlygrace.blogspot.com

 I am an admin on a Facebook group, and a question was posed (edited for brevity): Here's a question that's been rolling around in my mind lately and I wonder if former Protestants feel the sane way? I really do feel like I was saved at 12 years old when I "accepted the Jesus as my Savior". It wasn't just a one time prayer for me. I was changed, my conscience was sensitive. I was aware of my sin and had a sincere desire to live for God and please him. I have definitely had my share of sin in life, but I also can look back and see where God planted seeds into my heart and fruit was produced, works followed out of love for Him. Do other long time practicing Protestant Christians believe you were saved prior to entering the Catholic church?   To that, I would answer both yes and no. I do believe there is some power in the sinner's prayer that God can use to His purposes. I do believe some people do have an honest experience of Christ in such a conversion. Som...

      Much theological debate has been made over the centuries on how the bread and wine can or cannot change into the Body and Blood of Christ. What is often lost in this debate is how the Eucharist can change us. The Eucharist stands at the heart of our Catholic faith, embodying the profound mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and His unending presence among us.      In Proverbs 9:1-6, Wisdom is portrayed as preparing a sumptuous feast, inviting the simple to partake of her bread and wine. This imagery is rich with meaning, symbolizing not only physical sustenance but also spiritual nourishment. Wisdom’s feast is an invitation to a deeper relationship with God, to move from mere knowledge to true understanding and spiritual maturity. It is a call to embrace the fullness of life that God offers.      In the Epistle to the Ephesians , St. Paul urges us to "live wisely," making the most of every opportunity and being "filled with the Spir...

So, here is a weird story for you. I am a ham radio operator, and I have befriends some guys in Staffordshire, UK. I can usually pick them up on Sunday afternoons (it’s evening there). So, we have talked on the radio regularly for at least a couple of years now. I also get the newsletter of the Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles. They border on being extremely traditionalist, but it’s a religious order north of Kansas City I have gotten to visit a few times when I travel down to KC. They also have several really well recorded music CDs. Anyway, their religious order, which has a lot of international vocations on a waiting list, is growing like wildfire. Somehow, they have been approached by a Catholic bishop in England to start a satellite order at a closed monastery in Colwich. which is in Staffordshire. https://benedictinesofmary.org/about-us/colwich/ I happened to mention that on the radio the other day, as those guys like historical stuff. We usually don’t talk about relig...

One of the criticisms I often have of many screen and theatre productions of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas ghost story, A Christmas Carol , is that one very crucial and poignant scene from Scrooge's discourse with the Ghost of Christmas Present is often omitted entirely. In fact, the penchant for many directors is to portray the Ghost of Christmas Present as either Jolly Old Saint Nick who has not a mean bone in his body or as a jolly old, almost buffoon-like, character. If you read the original text of A Christmas Carol , the Ghost of Christmas Present is neither of these personas.  Most people think the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is the scariest of the spirits. While perhaps the most dark or shadowy of the three Spirits, this Spirit does not in itself make the reader uncomfortable by anything it really says. It just appears in a mist and points Scrooge to what Scrooge needs to see. It is what the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come reveals to Scrooge about his own life...

In 1990, Ireland was by far the most actively Catholic country still left in Europe. 30+ years later, Ireland has become one of the most secular countries in Europe, even more so that the UK or places on Continental Europe. That is a remarkable feat. What took most of Europe over a century to descend into, Ireland did in less than a generation. So, what happened?  This is a marvelous analysis of how the Church has collapsed in Ireland in an incredibly rapid amount of time. I have said these things for years. I don't agree with everything he says at the end, but I think the points in the beginning are spot on. I have said for years it was a collapse the Church brought completely on itself. It was a clerical state where clergy ruled like dictators who were above the law. It was the ultimate "Yes, Father..." society where as the presenter calls a Church society that had no need of the laity: I have long said that was precisely what happened. People want to say that it was th...

    The smell of freshly baked bread is universally recognized as one of life's simple, yet profound, pleasures. The smell of freshly baked bread invokes a sense of warmth, nourishment, and home. Today's readings give us just such a sensory experience that can deepen our understanding of God's providence and the transformative power of Christ as the bread of life.    In the reading from Exodus ( 16:2-4, 12-15, the Israelites find themselves in a desert. They are hungry and uncertain about their future. Their grumbling reaches God, who responds by raining down manna from heaven. This bread from heaven, which sustains them physically, also symbolizes God's unending care and provision. The sweet smell of freshly baked manna each morning must have filled the camp with hope and gratitude, a reminder that God’s love is tangible and ever-present.      Similarly, in the Letter to the Ephesians (4:17, 20-24), Saint Paul calls us to shed our old selves and ...

Prison ministry has always been something that has been dear to my heart. I did not get to do a lot of it, but when I did, it was a meaningful ministry. It is certainly a niche ministry that a lot of people cannot begin to understand. You often get questions like, "How could you possibly minister to someone who committed <insert horrible crime here>? I could never do that." And, I get it. Particularly if you are in a SuperMax or Death Row type prison, you will certainly run into the Hannibal Lecter's of the world. The people that society would refer to as the scum of the earth. Those that "deserve to rot" in prison or "should be dead," or words to that effect. Again, I get it. I honestly don't know if I could minister to someone who had killed a close friend or family member. I would like to think by the grace of God, if put into that position, I could operate in Christian charity and see the face of Christ even in such of those, but I cannot...