Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

I am delighted to be a part of a wonderful group of writers hosted by This That and the Other Thing.  I wrote about St. Paul and Pope Paul VI this week.

Remembering Dei Verbum

I was reading through St. Paul's letter to St. Timothy when I chanced to read, "Take as your norm the sound words..." (NAB). Another translation reads: "Hold fast the pattern of sound words..."(NKJV). And yet another, "Retain the standard of sound words..." (NASB). St. Paul encouraged the young Timothy to clearly focus on what he had learned from study of Holy Scripture and from the words of Christ that Paul had shared with him.

I thought of the Vatican II Encyclical, “Word Of God” (Dei Verbum), that amazing call by Pope Paul VI to renewed study of Holy Scripture. And so, in my quiet time with the Lord I pondered the gift of Christ, the precious Word of God, and my need to read more of God's Word. The exhortation of St. Paul echoing in the words of Pope Paul VI rang true for me:

But in order to keep the Gospel forever whole and alive within the Church, the Apostles left bishops as their successors, "handing over" to them "the authority to teach in their own place."(3) This sacred tradition, therefore, and Sacred Scripture of both the Old and New Testaments are like a mirror in which the pilgrim Church on earth looks at God, from whom she has received everything, until she is brought finally to see Him as He is, face to face (see 1 John 3:2).

The Quality of Mercy~

God is merciful. God working through His Son is merciful.
Let all of us that call ourselves Church cooperate with our merciful Father
in all our words, deeds and thoughts.

Thank You Jesus for Earnest Requests...

Not being an expert quilter I've never thought of myself as a teacher of the skill.  I can't make those amazing quilt tops that dazzle the eye and win blue ribbons.  I've never attempted curves and angles all neatly arranged and stitched so intricately.  Many of my seams wobble and I cringe when I think about how my binding sometimes falls off with use. Still I love to make warm quilts with pretty colors. My family seems to like them.  It's a great arrangement.

Last month a friend asked me to teach her how to quilt. "Me?" I thought.  But she was so earnest that I agreed.  We selected a pattern, material and I showed her how to prepare and cut out her quilt. I did for her what a friend did for me in the past...I taught her what I knew.

And she has made a beautiful quilt!

Cyndi's Quilt

How Quickly Life Moves

I'm working my way through piles and piles of memories; thirty years of things. Treasures once too dear to part with are now forgotten and unwanted. It has been a journey back into my young adulthood and into the lives of our offspring. I have handled: letters, school papers, toys, clothes, bags of stones or shells, diplomas, caps and gowns, trinkets and office supplies, photos, base balls, soft balls, computer programs, and books.

Lots of books have filled up my give away bags. Clothes washed and dried are designated as reuse or repurpose. Some things are ruined by mold or other events as to make them useless, some are going to the local thrift shop.  And a mound of paper is growing in the recycle bin. I've repacked the rest.

Yesterday my emotions of longing and loss ran away with my heart. It happened as I remembered the bright eyes and quick little hands that made these lifeless things real and full of unlimited tomorrows.
Today I'm full of clarity and propose to finish the task; remove the damaged and unneeded, salvage and save what is wanted or will be, and pack away the treasures.

One day these riches will spark recognition and memories will flood my adult children with long ago dreams and activities of childhood. The memory of our family will be there too.


Why else repack?

Courage is Needed

We need to let Christ update His Church and that begins with us as individuals. Wherever we find ourselves in Christ's Mystical Body we need to personally renew our relationship with the Savior and ask for Joy... His Joy!

Time to Wonder

In the chaotic days of summer and fall around our home -- chaotic because in Western Washington the only outside work that gets done gets done when the sun shines -- it has been a busy few weeks of planting, painting, cleaning and digging. The yearly sorting and cleaning of the storage shed and, well, the news that as I have gotten older I have developed some sensitivities to foods and additives . . .  leading to another round of tests and seeking answers . . . It's been a long few months.

Now it may seem this is a bad thing...but it is a wonderful opportunity to change. And since Christians look at -- or are encouraged to look at -- all things as part of the Father's Plan...at this time I can say this surely is just perfect timing.  I have had to delete many foods from my diet.  I am learning to enjoy new ones and I am growing in appreciation for the many varieties of grains and foods enjoyed by multiple cultures.  

Although Goat's milk is still a challenge.

But since I titled this a "Time to Wonder"...Here is the link.  Enjoy!