PA for Marriage Event

Last night I had the honor to attend a fund raiser for Pennsylvania for Marriage - a non-profit organization committed to passing PA Senate Bill 1250 (SB 1250) in order to preserve marriage as an institution for men and women.
Let's all pray for this to pass, as many states are allowing civil unions, equaling homosexual union to that of a marriage between one man and one woman.

There were a lot of "movers and shakers" there, including Senator Rick Santorum, Maggie Gallagher, and PA Senator Mike Brubaker (sponsor for SB 1250).
(Keep Rick and family in prayers, as his wife is expecting Baby #8...)

It was nice to talk to some of these people. Santorum is very nice - very passionate about life persevering - but my observation was this: everyone there liked to talk.

One man stood out. He made sure he talked to every single person - and he listened. He really listened.

Not sure why anyone would be surprised to know it was Justin Cardinal Rigali.

I love the man. Always have. He is a very holy man and is at the forefront of defending life in this country. Truly one of my role models.
And there he was, as usual (this being the 4th time I've spoken to the man) asking about my wife and daughter, making sure he knew our names, as if to catalog it to pray for us.

And so it was on the drive home where I felt God speaking to me, yet again. A time when my prayer life is suffering from launching a new career. Through it, He is still reaching out to me. No reservations. All He asks is to be open to His grace.

I really felt He placed "poverty" and "humility" on my heart.
Cardinal Rigali bled these traits last night. He listened, while everyone else talked.
So it is by the Lord's calling that I - and all of us - need to listen more. To humble ourselves before everyone we meet. To become the "smallest" person in the room.

We must decrease. He must increase.


And again, my heart is filled with so much love and adoration for our Triune Godhead.

Blessings to you on all.

BLOGOUT 002

Many blessings to some dear friends who got married in India on February 01, 2008. Keep checking EWTN, they'll probably have their own show in a year or two.

PETRA SUPER PETRAM

What do...

...I have in common with Pope Benedict XVI???



We'll both be in Yankee Stadium on Sunday, April, 20th for Mass!

It's official: I got a ticket to go! Ahhhhh!!!!!

The Archdiocese got over 12,000 requests for 3,000 tickets. Pretty slim chance, but someone wanted me to go! Link

My wife saw him in Cologne for World Youth Day, so now it's my time. This is awesome.

Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes everyone!

MAHATMA

It took many years, but I finally got to watch Gandhi. I thought it was a really good movie and Ben Kingsley was just amazing in it.

Two lines really stuck out in my mind, both of which may never have been said:

1. When Gandhi and fellow Charlie Andrews - a Protestant minister - were traveling across India, Andrews joined other Indians atop the train car they were in, because it was too crowded below.
As Andrews was about to take in the wonderful views of Indian countryside, an Indian engaged him in conversation:

"Are you a Christian?"
Andrews replied, "Yes, yes I am."

"I know a Christian woman."

Andrews shakes his head in acknowledgment.

"She drinks blood.

"Blood of Christ. Every Sunday."


Hilarious! Gotta love those "carnivorous" Catholics...


2. While touring the conditions of his home country and seeing how destitute some Indians were, he was imprisoned for "disturbing the peace." Andrews visited him and seeing him in only a loincloth, asked him if they (the guards) had taken his clothes.

Gandhi, referring to his countrymen, replied, "If I want to be one with them, I have to live like them."


Reminded me of that other person who clothed himself as his brothers and sisters...

For to everyone who has, more will be given...

Ahh, Matthew 25:29.
This didn't have extraordinary meaning in my life until two separate instances made me dwell on it.

I recall talking to two friends - ironically both live or have lived in Germany - and telling them how 2007 was such an amazing year for me and how I didn't expect 2008 to be quite the same. It was then I was thumped with some Scripture. My buddy "Donderbolt" said to me, "Nah, for those who have, more will be given." He said it with such certainty, that I began to start believing whole-heartedly in this.
Well, 2008 has afforded me a wonderful opportunity: I have since started two companies, both of which allow me to work from home...and less.

I am so convinced that if we put God and family first, we cannot ever outdo Him in generosity. How do I know this?
I have struggled ever since getting married with the idea that man leaves his home for approximately 10 hours to go "to work." If we count 8 hours for sleep, that leaves 6 hours to take the trash out, clean the house, get groceries, and oh yeah.....spend time with the family.

I decided to revolt.

I sold my share of my company off in December and decided my focus would be the home. I resolved to work from home and let the Lord find me a new career.
Well, I am now working from home. My wife's now a homemaker and our daughter will see her parents.
Praise God!


...More has been given...


Are you ready to revolt?



(Disclaimer: The above was greatly discerned through much prayer and penance.)