Smokes and Soda
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Archbishop Sambi highlighted the global role of the United States and the U.S. church with an anecdote about when he was the Vatican representative to Indonesia several years ago.
One Christmas, he said, he decided to celebrate the feast with a visit to a small, remote, primitive village where "I could not drink the water" because he was not immune to local bacteria or viruses. Then a smoker, he also forgot to bring enough cigarettes with him.
When he arrived in the remote village, he said, in its street shops "I found Coca-Cola and Marlboros."
"I think the United States and the church of the United States has something more to bring to the world than Marlboros and Coca-Cola," he said.
Get the whole article from CNS.
Posted bypiscotikus at 4:04 PM 0 comments
Trinity Sunday
Saturday, June 10, 2006
We had a great homily tonight from Deacon Bill. He spoke of the Trinity. How it is how God chose to reveal Himself to us.
The best part came when he spoke of the sign of the cross. When we make the sign of the cross we begin:
"In the name of the Father..." and we touch our heads to ask for wisdom and understanding, and to acknowledge God as Our Father.
"In the name of the Son..." and we touch our heart, the symbol of love. And God is love. Jesus is the great lover of the whole world.
In the name of the Holy Spirit..." and we touch each shoulder, asking that our arms and hands to the works of the Lord.
We finish with an, "AMEN". Ans we hold our 3 fingers together, another sign of the trinity.
It in itself is a prayer as we acknowledge the One God in Three persons.
The Trinity is a mystery. We can't explain it, however, it is our faith and we believe in the Trinity God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN!
Posted bypiscotikus at 10:14 PM 0 comments
The Coverup
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Fr. Stephanos has uncovered a conspiracy!!! Well Jimmy Akin showed me, so I'm showing you.
GET THE STORY!!!
Posted bypiscotikus at 8:08 AM 0 comments
Revelation 3:20
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
"I will come into him" and eat with him and he with me.
Posted bypiscotikus at 10:27 PM 0 comments
Give me something... Anything
Saturday, April 29, 2006
In yesterday's gospel reading the story of the feeding of the 5000 was told. Yet it was like hearing it for the first time.
Jesus asks, "Jesus said to Philip, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?”
How foolish must Andrew have felt? To give Jesus 5 loaves and 2 fish for over 10,000 people? But this is what Jesus wants. It is what Jesus asks of you and me. "Give me something. Anything! No matter how big or small." And look what Jesus did with only a few loaves. Jesus will do that for you and me if only we give something to Him first.
Jesus doesn't ask much of us, but with a little faith and love even the smallest of offerings to our Lord can be made into something we could not even imagine.
Right after this passage in John, Jesus teaches that He is the Bread of Life. And that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood. He's speaking of course about the Eucharist. And he just showed us that he could feed the multitudes from one offering. He does the same for you and me at every Mass.
In Mark and Luke, Jesus commands that he multitudes sit in hundreds and fifties. Little communites representing the future Churches that would all be fed by the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Believe in the Eucharist. Jesus said, This is my Body, This is my Blood. It's so easy to see what Jesus the Lamb of God is doing by giving us himself as the Passover sacrifice.
Man fell because he ate bad food. Jesus is the good food, the Bread of Life.
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:15 AM 0 comments
My Wiki
Friday, April 28, 2006
For those of you who frequent the site. (All 2 of you) ;) I have created a wiki site on piscotikus.com.
Goto www.piscotikus.com/wiki to check it out and feel free to put anything you want on there. The mainpurpose of the wiki is for personal commentary and reflections and even essays if you want. Anyone is free to post and you don't have to sign up for anything. Instructions forhow to usethe site are on the main page.
Posted bypiscotikus at 8:48 PM 0 comments
For Thine is the Kingdom
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
I was listening to a Scott Hahn talk, and he mentioned, "For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory" part of the Our Father. Something which outside of Mass, Catholics usually don't pray. However mnay protestants do.
The epilogue is actually not scriptural. It is not found in any early copy of Matthew or Luke. It was added to later versions.
I just thought it was an interesting example of Catholics relying on Scripture and prtestants relying on tradition.
Posted bypiscotikus at 4:57 PM 3 comments
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion...
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Have Mercy on us and on the whole world.
"Jesus, I trust in You."
Posted bypiscotikus at 8:59 PM 0 comments
Happy Birthday Mother Angelica
Thursday, April 20, 2006
EWTN has touched my life so much.
She had $200. Look at it now! And who says you can't move mountains?
Posted bypiscotikus at 8:06 PM 0 comments
Divine Mercy
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday
Know your ABCs:
A — Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach
Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and
asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon
the whole world.
B — Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy
and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to
extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does
to us.
C — Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know
that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our
trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will
receive.
MORE ABOUT THE DIVINE MERCY
Posted bypiscotikus at 12:12 PM 0 comments
Christos voskrese!!!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Christos voskrese iz mertvych, smertiju smert poprav, I suscym vo hrob'ich zivot daravav.
Christ is risen from the dead, conquering death by death and to those in the grave bestowing life. And He gave us eternal life, let us bow before His third day resurection!
Posted bypiscotikus at 8:11 AM 2 comments
Catholic baseball star credits God, church for not striking out in life
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Posted bypiscotikus at 12:09 AM 0 comments
I am Peter!
Monday, April 10, 2006
You are...Peter. Strong, intelligent, and ready for adventure, you are secure enough to admit when you need help or advice. You lead by example, not command.
Which Narnia character are you?
Posted bypiscotikus at 11:47 PM 2 comments
Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Check out the Curt Jester's Palm Sunday Post!
Posted bypiscotikus at 7:44 AM 0 comments
San Xavier del Bac Mission
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Some pictures I took of the San Xavier del Bac Mission outside of Tuscon, Arizona.
Check out the website!
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:25 PM 0 comments
The Gospel of Judas
Thursday, April 06, 2006
You may begin seeing "The Gospel of Judas" programs begin to pop up. It's validity has yet to be determined but it is a Gnostic Gospel.
The Gnostics believed that the world is evil and they seek the pursuit of mysticism or "special knowledge" (gnosis) as the central goal of life. They feel they are the only ones who know the "truth". The Gospel of Judas supposedly shows that Judas knew this truth and thus knew he had to have Jesus killed.
Zenit has put up an interview with a theologan about it.
Get the Interview Here!
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:14 AM 2 comments
Ride Captain Ride!
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Updated Link, Sorry!!
Check this out and Ride Captain Ride!
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:37 PM 1 comments
Opening Day
Monday, April 03, 2006
Something always gets me emotional and super excited about opening day. I don't know what it is exactly, but I always look forward to this day every year. It truly is one of the best days of the year.
I got to thinking a little bit though on the way home from work, "What role do sports play in life"? After 9/11 it was pretty clear that sports aren't important. Baseball took a few weeks off and it was somber for the remainder of the season. But it is such a big part of not only the US, but around the world.
I recall Spring Training 2 years ago. I went to a game and remember getting someone's autograph (I have the autograph, but couldn't tell you who it is. Someone who played for the Devil Rays). Anyway he was trying to tell these 12 and 14 year old brothers who were Jewish, about Jesus. You could tell he loved the Lord. And I think that that's where sports and religion can cross and mix. Sports stars are role models. They need to set an example for all of their fans. This particular played spoke about his gifts from God, and how God has given us all gifts, some big, some small. Now maybe talking about Jesus to Jewish children went a little too far, but the fact that I remember it makes be believ that others who were with me do too. This was before my reversion so I didn't really speak with him about religion at all, I just wished him a good season.
As I got closer to home the lineups were read from the radio announcer, and I just got giddy for a few minutes. I can't really tell you why. I just love this time of year. It's a time when we can forget about the past and look to the future. Kind of like this Lenten season. We can forget our sins of the past, and look to the cross, where Jesus died for them. Don't ever forget that. That is why we have so much hope. Jesus hanging on the cross.
I'm sure God likes sport. He has given these gifts to His people, and this is their stage to use their talents. Pray for athletes. Pray that they will be good role models for our cihldren. Pray that they will not be greedy with the money they make and that they may give to those less fortunate.
As I get ready for bed, my Yankees are up 12-1. Hopefully a sign of things to come. Let us remember Jesus however is undefeated. And we know who will win this game of good vs. evil.
Posted bypiscotikus at 10:29 PM 1 comments
RSV-2CE
Thursday, March 30, 2006
I just got my RSV-2CE in the mail yesterday!!! Only $25 from Amazon. Not a bad deal. It's leather bound, but best of all it's the latest version of the Bible from Ignatius press!
RSV-2CE is The Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition. The Catholic edition simply contains the 7 books omitted by most Protestant Bibles. The 2nd edition "revises archaic language of the first edition, but avoids dumbing-down the text." Surely to be a good read!
I've already moved my bookmarks! But the only problem with a new Bible is the fact that all of your markings are in the old one... so I may have to do some searching in the future.
My only problem with this version is that there is still very little margin room for notes. This is something that I hoped they would address. But with my Logos software, I may begin using that to study and keep notes. I just need them to release RSV2CE for Libronix!
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:53 AM 0 comments
What are you doing May 19?
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Why not go to the movies? From Quoth the Maven:
May 19th is the date the Da Vinci Code movie opens. A movie based on a book that wears its heresy and blasphemy as a badge of honor.
What can we as Christians do in response to the release of this movie? I'm going to offer you the usual choices -- and a new one.
Here are the usual suspects:
A) We can ignore the movie. ........The problem with this option: The box office is a ballot box. The only people whose votes are counted are those who buy tickets. If you stay home, you have lost your chance to make your vote heard. You do nothing to shape the decision-making process regarding what movies will make it to the big screen.
B) We can protest. ........The problem with this option: It doesn't work. Any publicity is good publicity, after all. Protests not only fuel the box office, they make all Christians look like idiots. And again, protests and boycotts do nothing to help shape the decisions being made right now about what movies Hollywood should make (or shape the decisions away from what we might prefer).
C) We can discuss the movie. We can be rational and be ready with study guides and workshops and point-by-point refutations of the lies promulgated by the movie. ........The problem with this option: No one's listening. They think they know what we're going to say already. And once again, nothing changes if this is the response we opt for.
But there's a fourth choice.
On May 19th, you should go to the movies.
Just go to another movie.
Save the date now. May 19th, or May 20th. No later than Sunday, May 21st -- that's the day the ballot box closes. You'll get a vote, the only vote Hollywood recognizes: The power of cold hard cash laid down on a box office window on opening weekend.
Use your vote. Don't throw it away. Vote for a movie other than DVC. If enough people do it, the powers that be will notice. They won't have a choice.
Right now there's only one other studio movie scheduled for release, the DreamWorks animated feature Over the Hedge. Based on the early trailers, my kids already want to see it. Let's all go see it. (Or another just-opened movie of your choice, pending the final release schedules.)
Let's rock the box office in a way no one expects -- without protests, without boycotts, without arguments, without rancor. Let's show up at the box office ballot box and cast our votes. And buy some popcorn, too.
May 19th. Spread the word. Post this on your own blog, send it to friends on your e-mail lists. And let's all go to the movies.
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:58 AM 0 comments
Piscotikus.com gone?
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
My year on the domain name piscotikus.com has come and gone... but no one bothered to tell me about it. I'm working on getting it restored. Please reply and let me know if you even look at the site so I know wether or not to keep it.
Posted bypiscotikus at 10:15 PM 2 comments
Remember Terri Schiavo
Saturday, March 18, 2006
An email I received today... I didn't realize it's been a year already.
Pray for things like this to end. Pray for life.
I was listening to Father Corapi on the way home tonight and he said, "Talk is Cheap. There comes a point when they don't listen. Prayer is not. God always hears."
Dear Friends,
One year ago we fought together on behalf of Terri Schiavo at BlogsforTerri as a loose coalition of independent bloggers, commenters and readers. Despite our protests, we watched with sadness and alarm as Terri's food and water were withheld and her life was ended in a cruel exercise of power.
Through it all, the Schindler family's strength and resolve helped us remember the God given intrinsic dignity of human life and the value of each individual regardless of their capabilities.
March 18, 2006, marks the one-year anniversary of the day Terri's feeding tube was removed. We hope you will participate with us at BlogsforTerri.com (stop by and leave a comment) and around the Blogosphere as we contemplate the value of human life, pray for the weak and helpless and speak out against their oppressors.
[Bloggers, please join with us over the next 13-days and write about Terri's life and death, honoring her memory by making the argument for why lives like hers should be protected, respected, and loved ( more here).]
We also hope that you will Take Action by supporting the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation. Terri's brother, Bobby Schindler, recently wrote to us:
We thank you and your readers for your prayers, compassion and support of our family during what was the most difficult of times. Knowing we were not alone in the battle for Terri made all the difference in the world.
As we move forward to confront the culture of death movement in this nation we hope that you will stay with us. We need you now, more than ever, in the battle to aid and defend the needy and advance a Culture of Life through loving action, education and advocacy .
The Schindler's have written a new book called "A Life that Matters", which is unlikely to receive the positive review it deserves in the mainstream media. Purchase a copy and one for a friend, spread the word and remember.
Please, visit TerrisFight.org and get involved in the Foundation's work. Participate in the Will to Live Project and donate generously to the Foundation's current fundraising efforts. It is your support and involvement that will bring about success in the fight for the disabled and the battle against care rationing, euthanasia and medical killing.
Thank you for speaking out on behalf of the weak and defenseless and changing our nation by promoting a Culture of Life.
--The BlogsforTerri Team
Posted bypiscotikus at 10:37 PM 0 comments
Could this be AJ?
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Posted bypiscotikus at 10:33 AM 0 comments
What did you give up for lent?
Friday, March 10, 2006
Marchelino D'Ambrisio has a nice little article about Abraham willing to offer his son Isaac to God. It makes candy and video games seem like nothing.
He goes on to say that God gave up His Son for us. We should keep that in mind this lenten season.
Get the story.
On another note, I've been praying the Stations of the Cross this lent. It's sometihng I haven't done since grade school, but it's something that really moves me. To walk with Jesus along the road toward Calvary is truly amazing. He knew, just as we do, where he was going and what was happening. To contemplate and pray about His sentencing, His falls, His help along the way kind of reflects our own lives. It really gave me perspective this evening as to what 'carrying my cross' means. It means little things. All too often I wondered what crosses I should bear. But it really is little things that are the crosses God gives us day in and day out. Today for me it was the little boy 2 pews in front of me running back and forth. It was cooking dinner for my wife. It was filing my taxes. Everything we do we should offer to God as a cross we bear for Him. Especially our sufferings, which we unite with the crucified Jesus.
Pray the Stations, at least once this lent. Concentrate on each step of Jesus's path. It will open your eyes.
In Christ...
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:03 PM 0 comments
J Mac
Thursday, March 09, 2006
For those of you who haven't heard about Jason McElwain, I encourage you to view the video in THIS LINK.
Athena's run ended last night, and we probably won't hear about J Mac for a while. But his story teaches us about the value of life, and how no matter how different you may be, if you have your chance you have to take it. J Mac had one chance and made the best of it, and one could wonder why the coach didn't put him on the team.
Basically, God created us all differently. We each have our talents and have to make the best of them. We may only get one chance to do something. We need to make the most of it when that chance comes along, because it may never come along again.
Posted bypiscotikus at 10:41 PM 1 comments
Ahh South Dakota!
Today's reading is from the Gospel of Matthew and Jesus tells us, "Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find." How often do we ask and God seems not to listen?
Consider Roe V. Wade. I can't imagine the number of people who continually pray that abortion be banned. I myself pray daily for the end of abortion. Yet it would seem that God isn't listening. I can assure you he is. Thanks to all of our prayers, South Dakota has put into law a ban on all abortions.
It's difficult for me to understand any reason for abortion save that of saving the mother's life. However, wouldn't a mother put her own life asid efor that of her child? An article from CNN (which I won't publish the link for because it's garbage) says that now that abortion is gone, the rest of women's right's will go to.
What does abortion have to do with women's rights? The mother isn't dying. She's just carrying a child for 9 months. ('just' may be an understatement I know). But this is what our society does. They twist things around so that they seem more appealing, and easier to get behind.
We need to make very clear, that it is the CHILD's rights that we are praying for and defending. The unborn child has every right that you or I do. Including a chance at life.
The woman's 'choice' was made when she had sex. Wether protected or not, only abstinence is 100% effective. Therefore every act should be done with the knowledge and inderstanding that there is a chance (though contraceptives lower that chance) of conceiving.
We live in a world of double standards. Abortion isn't legal, yet Scott Peterson gets 2 counts of murder. How does this make any kind of sense at all?
We need to keep praying, not just for an end of abortion, but for healing of those who have committed abortions. God's mercy is so infinite that he would forgive anyone no matter what they have done. We can't imagine his love and mercy. As Jesus taught us, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."
Pray, please.
Posted bypiscotikus at 10:22 AM 0 comments
Baby Pool
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Click Here to enter my baby pool. Game name is R1stBaby (case sensitive). Good luck.
I'm trying to decide what if anything I should give to the winner...
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:59 PM 0 comments
Obi Wan Canoli, Dark Tater
Store Wars
Learn the ways of the Farm.
A Masterpice I found. Thanks to Mark Shea for the link.
To Organic food everywhere!!!!
Posted bypiscotikus at 9:12 AM 0 comments
Rack Shack and Benny
On February 24th, Andy had his debut concert playing lead guitar and vocal for Rack Shack and Benny. The first ever Cafe Yahweh coffee hour was definitely a hit for all who attended. The crowd of roughly 40 people were in a state of schock and laughter as 3 Elvis masked band members took the stage and played a spoof of Heartbreak Hotel to begin the night. When unmasked, drummer Mark told the audience that sometimes we all wear masks and we need not hide behind a mask, and that Jesus was our true king.
The band then played many Christian renditions of songs from the Beatles, George Harrison, Johnny Rivers and more.
All in all it was a great night of fellowship and good music by 3 bad musicians. Just kidding. Luis was awesome on the bass, Andy was great on guitar and Mark was a good drummer. We shall see who Cafe Yahweh brings in this month and if they can't find anyone, maybe Rack Shack and Benny will have to make a second appearance.
Posted bypiscotikus at 12:02 AM 0 comments
New again?!?!?!
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Haha, yes. As usual I've decided to start anew. Lent is the season for new beginnings and a deeper faith. I've decided to begin (or try again) blogger.com for my blog hosting. We'll see how it pans out. Let me know what you think.
Posted bypiscotikus at 11:47 PM 0 comments
