For me the actions of the disciples post crucifixion was determinative. They went from confused, scared, men hiding in rooms to courageous, brave tribunes of the risen Christ. They were glad to be persecuted, tortured and killed. Quite a change.
I have been “all kinds of enthusiastic” too, Peachy. About the coming Golden Age and about the fact that enough of our countrymen, at long last, had the scales fall from their eyes to allow for it. And especially about my growing faith in God and our Savior. But, once more, your humor, common sense, grateful nature and tenaciousness have sent my spirits even higher. Merry Christmas! God Bless America!
Peachy! Wheat into beer? C'mon, if you do that you get crappy wheat beer. You make beer out of barley. God could explain why that is, or you could just ask a German.
I also believe in God. But defining God is way beyond my pay grade. But I see that spark in all life, in all things. A connectedness. Why should there even be a universe, even be existence, and the forces that hold it all together right down to atoms and its subatomic parts? The glorious thing is we all get to be here to participate in it, to learn, understand, wonder, and find out that we don't understand as much as we think we do. That is a big part of our journey. Would God send us a son to guide us and offer salvation through his own sacrifice? Why not? Would there be fallen angels? Why not! We just have to look at ourselves, Look at what we do to each other. War and slaughter, betrayals, robbery and theft, But enough about the politicians. We ordinary people do it all to each other, too. But we also do good, kindness, and love. We even rebuild burned edifices that people in our past built to the glory of God. Merry Christmas!
Joy Pullman at the federalist recommended Jesse trees a few years ago, it’s quickly become our kids’ favorite part of advent.
I’m probably on the low end of that iq curve, but I’ve never understood the whole problem of evil objection. If there is no god, then nothing the nazis did was wrong, so what’s the problem?
Another great piece of Peachy Pie and thanks for including the Woody Allen dialogue. Our parents turned out to be correct about many, many things. Merry Christmas to you and may you save California!
My favorite Advent reflection! I am re-watching the first season of True Detective (the only good one) with my older son and the Rust character (Matthew McConaughey) has all these Deep Thoughts about God and religion. He sneers at believers but he is a miserable loner whose daily routine is to start drinking Lone Star precisely at noon. He represents the people who need proof they can never fully get but can't move on from it into faith. He misses the spiritual war going on right around him. Thanks for an entertaining read and have a great last week of Advent!
You have made me cry, not from joy but not from sorrow. I agree these are portentous times. I was grateful for your idea of a novena, and clearly it worked. Thank you for this beautiful illustrated article, and have a wondrous Christmas with your family.
Quite right PK, it's not about logic, it's about faith. Either it's been granted to you to have it, or it's not been. "If you only have time to read one book, make it the Bible. If you don't have time to read the entire Bible, read the Gospel of John. If you don't have time to read the entire Gospel of John, just read the Prologue. It will be enough."
Merry Christmas PK & friends. Smartphones, the Web, mobile ordering, Waze, remote controls for garage door openers, penicillin, all our inventions are God teasing us with a glimpse of what he can do.
Deo Gratias, what inspired writing. A true daughter of out Our Saviour.
I Remember your Paris days when you lived around corner from my daughter Laurens apartment near the square of Basilica Saint Clothide.
Met you when me and my Mom came out of noon day Mass. It was cold, Lauren not there and you bought us back to your apartment where you your Mom and served us hot tea on a frigid early Spring Day.
Susan! Oh my goodness, hello! Can't believe you found me under my pseudonym, wow! Yes those days in Paris on that square were magical. Much love to you and hello to Lauren xo
I first recognized your voice on Favorite priests {one of many} Father Robertt Mc Teigue SJ Station of the Cross interview, The Catholic Connection.
Read your great brave book {made sure New Canaan Library owned it}, and then Lauren told me it was you, her beloved friend, I had guessed right. You have given me hope that our five children will return to their faith, some are almost there!! Our Lord knew who to bring to Holy Mother Church," a voice crying out in the wilderness," Peach Keenan.
For me the actions of the disciples post crucifixion was determinative. They went from confused, scared, men hiding in rooms to courageous, brave tribunes of the risen Christ. They were glad to be persecuted, tortured and killed. Quite a change.
I have been “all kinds of enthusiastic” too, Peachy. About the coming Golden Age and about the fact that enough of our countrymen, at long last, had the scales fall from their eyes to allow for it. And especially about my growing faith in God and our Savior. But, once more, your humor, common sense, grateful nature and tenaciousness have sent my spirits even higher. Merry Christmas! God Bless America!
Happiest of holidays to the woman whose name reflects my favorite fruit!
Peace on earth and all that stuff. Go America!!
May your editor deliver you the final touches to an award winning book.
Peachy! Wheat into beer? C'mon, if you do that you get crappy wheat beer. You make beer out of barley. God could explain why that is, or you could just ask a German.
I am owned lol.
I see you fixed the little error! Nice touch.
I thought it was something to do with hops. I’m no expert but I’ve seen the lady eve five hundred times.
I also believe in God. But defining God is way beyond my pay grade. But I see that spark in all life, in all things. A connectedness. Why should there even be a universe, even be existence, and the forces that hold it all together right down to atoms and its subatomic parts? The glorious thing is we all get to be here to participate in it, to learn, understand, wonder, and find out that we don't understand as much as we think we do. That is a big part of our journey. Would God send us a son to guide us and offer salvation through his own sacrifice? Why not? Would there be fallen angels? Why not! We just have to look at ourselves, Look at what we do to each other. War and slaughter, betrayals, robbery and theft, But enough about the politicians. We ordinary people do it all to each other, too. But we also do good, kindness, and love. We even rebuild burned edifices that people in our past built to the glory of God. Merry Christmas!
Have a blessed advent, and a merry Christmas!
Joy Pullman at the federalist recommended Jesse trees a few years ago, it’s quickly become our kids’ favorite part of advent.
I’m probably on the low end of that iq curve, but I’ve never understood the whole problem of evil objection. If there is no god, then nothing the nazis did was wrong, so what’s the problem?
Hitler and the Nazis attempted to exterminate the Jews. Instead they laid the ground for a rebirth of the Jewish state. Cosmic Irony and kismet
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good”
Or an unusually brutal man plans; God laughs.
Or as a bumper sticker (of all things) says: The Lamb wins. End of story.
You very eloquently paraphrased one of the most memorized and re-stated verses in the New Testament!
"I’m just going with it. It’s called “faith,” not “proof.” I am trusting the plan."
But, maybe the author of Hebrews expands and solidifies it for all of us -
Hebrews 11:1 King James Version
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things unseen.
Another great piece of Peachy Pie and thanks for including the Woody Allen dialogue. Our parents turned out to be correct about many, many things. Merry Christmas to you and may you save California!
My favorite Advent reflection! I am re-watching the first season of True Detective (the only good one) with my older son and the Rust character (Matthew McConaughey) has all these Deep Thoughts about God and religion. He sneers at believers but he is a miserable loner whose daily routine is to start drinking Lone Star precisely at noon. He represents the people who need proof they can never fully get but can't move on from it into faith. He misses the spiritual war going on right around him. Thanks for an entertaining read and have a great last week of Advent!
I wrote a detailed review of TD season 1 on my substack - check it out!
Good to know Peachy!
Nailed it on all points.
Great article, Peachy, Thank you. My thinking is that wine & beer are the signs that God wants us to be happy.
Ala Ben Franklin.
You have made me cry, not from joy but not from sorrow. I agree these are portentous times. I was grateful for your idea of a novena, and clearly it worked. Thank you for this beautiful illustrated article, and have a wondrous Christmas with your family.
Maybe another novena is called for leading up to the inauguration?
yes we should
I am praying many rosaries for DJT.
Quite right PK, it's not about logic, it's about faith. Either it's been granted to you to have it, or it's not been. "If you only have time to read one book, make it the Bible. If you don't have time to read the entire Bible, read the Gospel of John. If you don't have time to read the entire Gospel of John, just read the Prologue. It will be enough."
I don’t have enough faith to NOT believe in God.
Ha exactly!
Didn't Mr Sagan say that?
Well written and brought tears (of joy) to my eyes. Merry Christmas everyone and good luck with the book, Mrs. P!
Merry Christmas PK & friends. Smartphones, the Web, mobile ordering, Waze, remote controls for garage door openers, penicillin, all our inventions are God teasing us with a glimpse of what he can do.
and drones.
I like this
Deo Gratias, what inspired writing. A true daughter of out Our Saviour.
I Remember your Paris days when you lived around corner from my daughter Laurens apartment near the square of Basilica Saint Clothide.
Met you when me and my Mom came out of noon day Mass. It was cold, Lauren not there and you bought us back to your apartment where you your Mom and served us hot tea on a frigid early Spring Day.
You are a blessing, Susan
Susan! Oh my goodness, hello! Can't believe you found me under my pseudonym, wow! Yes those days in Paris on that square were magical. Much love to you and hello to Lauren xo
I first recognized your voice on Favorite priests {one of many} Father Robertt Mc Teigue SJ Station of the Cross interview, The Catholic Connection.
Read your great brave book {made sure New Canaan Library owned it}, and then Lauren told me it was you, her beloved friend, I had guessed right. You have given me hope that our five children will return to their faith, some are almost there!! Our Lord knew who to bring to Holy Mother Church," a voice crying out in the wilderness," Peach Keenan.
Blessed Holy Merry Christmas.