Welcome

Welcome to All. This blog is a discussion site, looking at our lives through our experiences, our spiritual, and, not so spiritual lens, ....what our lives look like at The Front. We are and some would argue, always have been, in interesting times. Servants, past and present have been at constant struggle with whatever the issues of the day have been. Where do we even begin to name them: poverty, hunger, education, shelter, .... and did I mention poverty? Fifty-one years ago, President Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty, a war by the way, we're still fighting. Then again, we've always been at war with poverty, and yet poverty has remained steadfast. Jesus apparently got it right: "The poor will always be with you." But Jesus was a smart man. Did he mean what we think? Does poverty always have to be with us. Let's talk about this, and whatever else, in real and truthful ways. Let's view our lives from The Front.
If you have come to help me, then you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is linked to mine, then we will work together.
----(Anonymous) Australian Aborigine Activist
--mailto:--neilpitts@aol.com

Contemplative Action

The Rite of Initiation: You are going to die


A shocking statement. Perhaps. But the Franciscan Priest, Richard Rohr,,who has studied the Rite of Initiation has said the following::

"Every initiation rite I've studied had some ritual, dramatic, or theatrical way to experience crossing the threshold from life to death in symbolic form. Some ritual of death and resurrection was the centerpiece of all male initiation. It is probably why Jesus sought out and submitted to John the Baptist's offbeat death and rebirth ritual down by the riverside, when his own temple had become more concerned with purity codes than with transformation. It is probably why Jesus kept talking to his disciples, three times in Mark's Gospel, about the necessity of this death journey, and why three times they changed the subject (8:31-10:45). It is undoubtedly why Jesus finally stopped talking about it, and just did it, not ritually but actually. Death and resurrection, the paschal mystery, is the theme of every single Eucharist no matter what the feast or season. It takes us many seasons and even years to overcome our resistance to death.

"The transformational journey of death and resurrection is the only real message. It makes you indestructible. The real life, God's life, is running through you and in you already. But allowing it to flow freely doesn't come easily. When you do, the spiritual journey really begins. Up to that moment it is just religion. Everything up to then is creating the container, but you have not yet found the contents; you are creating the wineskins, as Jesus says, but you are not yet drinking the intoxicating wine."

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Play Ball (Originally posted 2/13/2010)


Six days, 4 hours and 18 minutes,,, not that I’m counting, ‘till spring training starts. Just heard that more snow is expected next week,,… don’t know if its fact or rumor, but either way, I think we’re about ready for at least the hint of warmth. So here it is. Spring training is on the way. February 17, 2010, coincidentally my birthday, pitchers and catchers for the Philadelphia Phillies, will report to Clearwater Florida for the start of this year’s spring ritual. Play Ball!! Now if you think this is a bit over the top, consider that this has been the snowiest winter in Philadelphia record keeping history. Yesterday Interstates 76, and 676 were closed, as was MLK and Kelly Drives. Major Universities were shut down, not that the students objected, but that has got to be a first. And so on to the big dig,,.. where are our cars?,.. WHERE ARE OUR CARS?? ,.. need a backhoe just to free ourselves from the imprisonment of our driveways..Now, I’m not complaining, its just that, in my old age I now realize why my father couldn’t wait to head south and take up residence in warmer climes. At the ripe “old” age of 76 he built a homestead in Lehigh Acres, Florida. But he came by it honestly,… my grandparents pulled up stakes and headed for Riverside, California when both were 86. So I can blame it on genes and I guess I have a “sunny” future to look forward to,… no pun intended,.. actually I did intend that,… But anyway, its time to think warm. Let’s imagine putting away the snow blowers and shovels. For me, I have tulips in my house as a reminder that spring can’t be far off. The thought of spring training, the sound of cheering crowds and visions of umpires dance in our heads with sights of 6 feet snow drifts, a distant dream. Bring on the ticket takers and the Philly Phanatic and let’s… Play Ball!!
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