7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. IV)

-----1-----

I love the vast expanse that is our Faith. It is amazing how there are so many different ways in which we can worship, adore, and praise our God. There are also millions of ways in which our God can relate to us through Sacred and sometimes simple means. Whether it be at Mass, Adoration, or during a quiet session of prayer before bedtime, I find myself constantly in awe of the way in which God speaks to us... individually as a person. He knows us by name, and he speaks to our heart. This Quick Take was originally about something else... but I think this is more appropriate.

-----2-----

There is an unspoken crisis in the Church, and I think it is a silent problem, because it isn't evident in every parish. The crisis is that of Altar Boys, or as many parishes have it... Altar Servers. Now before you even think about bringing up the abuse situation, I don't believe it to be part of this problem because the logic doesn't fit. Why would we subject our daughters to a "problem" that we don't believe is about homosexuality? We wouldn't. The crisis is that Altar Servers are poorly trained, have no unity, and the once strong fraternity is now co-ed. This really should be part of a bigger post, and probably will be, but when we debase something like the Servership... it is no wonder we have a vocations problem.

------3------

It has been raining for about 5 straight days here in Alaska. The Mama Bear of the family has informed me she is not pleased. She does not think that June should be, cold and rainy. I don't know if I should pray for better weather or not... I am confused on how that works? I have heard so many different theories about the weather, prayer, and who controls it. I think that I will just leave it be.

-----4-----

The World Cup is starting to get exciting. I guess it is fairly exciting as it is, but with some of the wins and losses that are occurring, things are really getting interesting. At this point it looks as if the USA holds their fate in their own hands, good for them. Hopefully they can keep us tuned.

-----5-----

I don't understand why people don't like conflict and confrontation. Sure it is awkward and uncomfortable to think about, but honestly it is the only way things get done when two or more sides disagree about things. Not only that, I think that often it is the only morally acceptable way to go about change. In the end, people usually have vented their ideas and feelings, come to an understanding of the other perspectives involved, and have gained a sense of respect for the other sides if for no other reasons than the realization that they have more in common than they originally thought.

-----6-----

I am a very upfront and honest person. I just want that on the record. I am the type of person that will tell you EXACTLY how I feel, especially if you come up and ask me. Don't assume anything about me, don't infer anything, instead just come up and ask me. Trust me, this will save you time, effort, and confrontation down the road especially if you attribute something to me that is incorrect.

-----7-----

I have a ton of thoughts that I want to put for number 7... but instead i'll leave it with this: although I am not a huge fan of secular holidays, this is the first year I will not have my father alive during father's day. It is weird... to think that he just isn't there. It is also the first year where I will be a father on father's day. The syncronicity of the situation with my father, daughter, and myself as a father is so mind-bottling. (nb: anyone?) I know God gives us only what we can handle... and so I will take these situations and learn and appreciate everything I can from them.

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis Dómine;

et lux perpétua lúceat eis.

Requiéscant in pace.

Amen.

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary where Jennifer encourages us to share seven small bits that wouldn’t quite make full blog posts by themselves