Month: March 2021

Catholic

Are You Vaccinated?

Are You Vaccinated? AUDIO

It’s been the topic of daily conversation in every state of the union since the new year began.  Did you get your shot yet?  Which vaccine did you get?  Did you have any side effects?  Where did you get yours? 

We have become the nation of inoculation.  A vacci-nation. The United Shots of America.  The vaccination preoccupation nation. 

Our collective attention on COVID-19 mirrors the Kennedy assassination and the first moon landing.  And the reason for this single-minded focus?  Fear.  Fear of death.

The daily tally warns us there is no place to hide.  The coronavirus spares no age group, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, or political persuasion.  The instinct to survive is now fully engaged.

Read More “Are You Vaccinated?”

Catholic

Sin Isn’t That Original

Sin Isn’t That Original AUDIO

My mother is now 94 years old. She moved into the memory care unit of an assisted living facility four months ago, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Visits and phone calls require careful concentration to avoid questions as simple as what she had for breakfast that morning. It’s like poking a fresh wound.  “I just don’t remember, honey.  It seems like that’s all I say anymore.” 

That pretty much sums up our collective consciousness in regard to something called sin.  Spiritual dementia.  A global pandemic of spiritual dementia.

Read More “Sin Isn’t That Original”

Catholic

Mother of Sweet Sorrow

Mother of Sweet Sorrow – Words and Music by Tom Kneier and Ray Niccolai; Arrangement by Ray Niccolai. Tom Kneier – lead vocal; Ray Niccolai – acoustic guitar; Bill Zych – keyboards; Sarah Wildenhaim – flute; Jan Macleod – vocal harmony. Text and Music © 2020 by Tom Kneier and Ray Niccolai.

Mother of Sweet Sorrow – Lyrics

You held him in your arms in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling clothes. Laid him in a manger and heard the angels sing, “Glory to God on high”. And you pondered all these things and held them in your heart.

You held him in your arms in Jerusalem clothed in white in the Temple. Laid him on the altar and heard the prophet say, “A sword shall pierce your soul”. And you pondered all these things and held them in your heart.

You held him in your arms on Calvary stripped of all his clothes. Laid him in the tomb and heard the soldier say, “This was truly the Son of God.” And you pondered all these things and held them in your heart.

In your womb, in your arms, in your life you carried Jesus; carry him now into our hearts, Mother of Sweet Sorrow, Mother of Sweet Sorrow.

Verified by MonsterInsights