"When The Hell Is This Going To Stop?"

That question was the last sentence in a New York Times article describing a ferocious wind event (known as a derecho) which destroyed crops in the Corn Belt of Iowa. As people hid in their basements they knew it would be bad, but it was worse than they imagined. "Many across the Corn Belt of central Iowa were stunned by what they saw: millions of acres of corn and soybean fields left toppled, tangled and torn apart; roofs ripped off grain bins; buildings leveled......." (New York Times 8/16/20). 

So what's going on? Seems like this is the year from Hell but good things are happening too.....my second granddaughter was born in August so there are blessed events still happening. Thank God for that! But we are messing with Mother Nature and though there have always been storms, wildfires, pandemics and civil unrest, we human beings can be careless, selfish, greedy and full of pride and that has consequences. We've been warned over and over again in the Bible, but people continue to live as if everything is fine. 

There needs to be more respect for Nature, for the effects that climate change can bring if we continue to be wasteful and careless. Are the days of reckoning upon us? Is this a year to wake us up?

Fr. Donald Haggerty, a priest of the Archdiocese of NY, gave a stirring homily yesterday at St. Patrick's Cathedral,  on the evil that is present in the world. He called out evil as he should be. (It was not about climate change, just to clarify.) Yes we are living in evil days, but good will win the day. We have the victory through Christ, but we all have to do our part to make this a better world and realize climate change is real and has consequences.

NJA

Taking the Name of the Lord in Vain-Not Pleasing To God-Like So Much Else

 Sometimes when I'm watching a movie and one of the actors as part of the script takes the name of the Lord in vain or worse, I always think this is not pleasing to God. Not only is it not pleasing but it breaks one of the Ten Commandments which states, "You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain." It's disrespectful.

The Holy Name of Jesus is often used in vain and worse in movies and books and in some idle conversations.  Again this is disrespectful. 

The Ten Commandments are of importance to both Judaism and Christianity. The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Hebrew Scriptures, once in The Book of Exodus (20:2-17) and in Deuteronomy (5:6-17). If only people would pay attention to the commandments, listen and live their lives according to these biblical principles, it would be a much better world. We would also give glory to God by doing so.

But people in the modern world, aren't paying attention, many think the Ten Commandments are ancient, outdated rules. But that's not true. 

I'm not sure why I'm bringing this up, perhaps it's the Spirit but I like many are discouraged by what is going on in the world. Besides the horrific pandemic, whose origins can be traced to greed, pride and selfishness, there are other problems. There seems to be a break-down of civility, a break-down of living justly, virtuously and righteously. 

New York City is where I was born and lived most of my life. I love the city, its a unique place. And yet I hear stories of the decline of the city. Not only because of the pandemic, but also because of an uptick in shootings and crime. This should not be. Rules are needed, rules keep order. 

We are living through strange times. I hope and pray, people realize that biblical truths and commandments are still relevant today. I hope screen writers will stop using the name of the Lord in vain in scripts they write (it's not necessary). I hope people wake up, see what's happening and try to turn things around.

NJA 

Some Rules Don't Apply in the Rich Hamptons

Last weekend a Safe and Sound Benefit Concert in Southampton drew large crowds of partygoers. Apparently, what was suppose to be a drive in concert went beyond that with some people ignoring and violating New York States' social distancing regulations.
We've done a great job in New York getting the coronavirus numbers down. We wear masks religiously, and overall New Yorkers took the threat seriously and worked hard and did the right thing. The lower numbers now of new cases and deaths are proof of that. Our health care workers did an amazing job too.
But when you have money and there is a ridiculous amount of money in the Hamptons, sometimes the rules can be ignored. Money buys more than goods and services, it buys a sense of entitlement. I have friends in the Hamptons so I've been there many times and I have a good idea of what's going on. I have no problem with people enjoying their hard earned money (I like to shop as much as anyone else and enjoy the things money can buy)  but just because you have money does not mean you don't have to follow the rules. And that's the problem. People with money think they can stretch the rules or ignore them altogether and that should not be. But it happens all the time.
The Hamptons is a beautiful place, surrounded by water, the light is great, which is why so many artists are attracted to the Hamptons. The light is inspiring and helps the artist create.
So hopefully people have learned their lesson in the Hamptons and they won't ignore and violate the rules anymore, so we can all get past this nightmare that is the pandemic, that caught us all off guard.
Lord, help us through this difficult time.
Amen
NJA

God Help Us-Coronavirus Pandemic and Social Ills Affecting Happiness Levels

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, followed by civil unrest, caused by the senseless death of George Floyd, is taking a toll on the American psyche.   According to studies people in the U.S. are more unhappy today than they've been in nearly 50 years. We are living through strange times. Things are out of whack. Just going to a store requires planning, strategy and some level of anxiety as you have to wonder if the person next to you coughs, will you get sick. Or even die.
2020 was suppose to be the start of a new promising decade, and then the unimaginable happened. Bill Gates and others predicted it, but no one planned for it. Just like that, out of nowhere, a pandemic, followed by civil unrest and a reckoning with racial injustice.
Life is fragile. There are no guarantees.
But when things get better, whenever that is, I'm sure they'll find that people who prayed, who stayed connected to their faith, who gained strength and courage from their faith, will have faired better. That's always the case.
What is God thinking? Who can know the mind of God? No one of course. But I imagine God is thinking that we've gotten ourselves into a big mess. We were underprepared and careless and even now are not doing enough to stop the pandemic. We have taken too long to heed Jesus' words and put them into practice about loving our neighbor as ourself. We are all children of God and deserve to be treated with respect and given opportunities for growth. All the world's major religions teach that you should, "Do unto others as you would have them do onto you." The Golden Rule.
Lord we need your help. Send your mercy upon us ASAP.
NJA

All Human Beings Deserve to be Treated With Respect and Dignity As Children of God

The tragic death of George Floyd is horrific and all people of good will are horrified by the circumstances surrounding his killing. This should never have happened and it should never happen again. I pray that needed changes come about that give all human beings a chance for a good, holy happy life, free of injustice. A first class education for all, is a good start, starting in preschool. All children deserve to grow up with a chance to succeed. Religious institutions, corporations and government all need to take an active role in restoring opportunities and excellent education for all people, from young to old.
During the pandemic I started the practice of journaling again. Journaling is good for you and has many benefits. Many spiritual seekers and saints have journaled throughout their lives. What I do is when a Scripture verse or famous quote or a quote from a spiritual book "touches" me, or "speaks" to me,  I write it in a notebook. I then go back to it....this way every morning or evening I don't have to search for a quote to journal about, I have them ready in the notebook. This quote which I wrote down recently, is timely.
"May God set all creation free from slavery and corruption that it may share in the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:21).
Please Lord may we see all people treated as children of God and given the chance for success and freedom to live in happiness, contentment and peace, in a just and fair world. Amen.
NJA

Chickens Stolen During the Pandemic on Long Island

One of the Ten Commandments is, "Thou shall not steal." It's the 7th commandment. People have destroyed their lives and the lives of members of their family by stealing and ignoring and disobeying this important commandment.
Long Island, NY was hit hard from the pandemic. Tens of thousands of cases of the coronavirus and thousands of deaths. New York State in general suffered greatly from the virus and the deaths though lessening, continue. The horrific number of deaths in nursing homes was so sad for the elderly who died and their poor families who could not help them or see them. Truly this pandemic has caused great pain and suffering and I pray it is over with soon and a safe vaccine is developed.
One story that caught my attention in NY Newsday yesterday was an article about stolen chickens. For people to steal someone else's chickens from a farm on the North Fork of Long Island is pretty desperate. And that is what the owner said.
To quote, "Southold Town Police are investigating the theft of about 60 chickens from a poultry farm early Sunday." Apparently the thieves stole 60 and left 32. The chickens were about the age to start laying eggs.
The owner of the farm, Abra Morawiec, said, "I understand people are getting desperate and I'm sure there are other farmers around and in the country who've experienced people stealing livestock and crops and poultry from them during the pandemic."
It is very sad that people will resort to stealing during this national emergency. There are many food banks on LI giving out free food to those who need it.
Breaking God's commandment and failing to "love one's neighbor" during this time of crisis is just terrible news. Let's hope it was an isolated incident and the chickens are found.
NJA

More On The Coronavirus and the Book of Revelation

My parish Bible study group met again on Zoom this week and it's working out better than I thought. Of course, we miss the getting together in person but it is working.
I love Scripture Study and I think every parish should have a well planned, well organized Scripture Study group or maybe two. I love the New Collegeville Bible Commentaries, I think they're excellent and great for a study group.
So in between reading the Scriptures and discussing them and the commentary the question came up again this week....  how strange that we just so happen to be studying this Book of the Bible, at this time and is it just a coincidence or is there a deeper meaning? Also, some of us feel that we are living through a modern day apocalypse (unveiling) of some sort, to some degree, and a reminder of how fragile life really is.
Besides the horrific pain, suffering and loss that the coronavirus is causing throughout the world and the other problems such as hunger, isolation and hopelessness associated with it, people can't worship God properly or as they are accustomed to. Most of the churches in the United States remain empty and those that are opening have new restrictions (One I heard of from Florida will have only 25% capacity). The strange new reality of life during and after the pandemic.
So this week as we studied the Book of Revelation, I thought this verse was a prophecy we are living through right here in New York unfortunately.
"Those from every people, tribe, tongue and nation will gaze on their corpses for three and a half days and they will not allow their corpses to be buried." (Rev.11:9)
God help us and may this horrific trial pass.
Things seem to be improving. Somewhat.
NJA