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."

Friday, May 15, 2020

A message to Zion,,.. My home.


3d Time Watch Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | ShutterstockAn interesting time,... I haven't posted much about COVID-19 here.. But I ahve posted in FB.. got to keep the people at home informed about the latest thinking o this pandemic thing.. Anyway,.. one of those posts follows:

"An update from Zion's Health Ministry.

"You've heard by now that there will soon be a re-opening of the economy in Pennsylvania.  Please do not take this as a signal that we've passed the point of caution for COVID-19. We have NOT. There is still caution to be taken because we are still uncertain about who has the disease and who does not.

"Even though testing is still being conducted in many places, it is still possible that some of us may be carriers without exhibiting symptoms. Therefore, wearing masks and having at least 6 feet between each other is critically important. If we do this, the rate of spread of the disease will be slowed.

"If you are considered at high risk---over the age of 60, have an underlying condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, COPD or asthma----, wearing a mask is especially important if you go out doors for exercise or other essential reason. If you can stay home, however, please do.

"If you have an underlying condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, COPD or asthma, please take your medication as directed without missing doses. If you have a prescription to be picked-up from your pharmacy, please ask them to deliver to you, if possible.

"Lastly, this is a time that is revealing many challenges for all of us. Whatever challenge is yours, please, PLEASE, do not hesitate to talk about it with someone else that you trust. Trustfully and prayerfully sharing your life's burdens with someone can be a sacred act. Likewise, carrying someone else's burdens, trustfully and prayerfully is also a sacred act. Remember that when the apostle Thomas put his finger into Jesus' wound, that sacred act called all of us to touch each other's wounds. There is healing in that.

"Be wrapped in His Love.
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