People Quick To Ask, "Where Was God?" In Aftermath of Building Collapse in Florida

 One of the rabbi's who spoke on TV, following the catastrophic collapse of the residential condo building in Florida, said people were asking him, "Why did God allow this to happen?" Of course he was quite upset as many congregants and even lifelong friends were in that building. Faith ministers and chaplains from all faiths are helping relatives and friends of those who were in the ill-fated building, to cope with the unimaginable. 

But God can't be blamed for everything. Yes, we live in a fallen world and yes there is evil in this world but God gets blamed for so much. I often find myself defending God.

As it turns out, according to a news article, God isn't to blame. People are to blame. People who didn't take warnings from engineers seriously. Engineers according to a New York Times article, which came out this morning wrote in 2018 that the building had serious structural problems with corrosion, crumbling concrete and cracking which needed to be addressed in a "timely manner." So why weren't the recommendations acted upon immediately or people warned so they could have acted accordingly?

All human error, misunderstanding, lack of knowledge of the severity of the problem? As one engineer being interviewed said, "It was like a perfect storm." There is probably more than one reason the building came crashing down in a pancake fashion, which made it more difficult to survive the collapse. 

And so friends and family of the missing, wait and pray. Very heart-breaking, no one should have to go through such pain and agony. And to think it could have been avoided........that's even worse. 

NJA

All Those Aliens Will Have To Be Baptized!

 Stories of UFO's or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP's) like the government prefers to call them are everywhere in the news these days.  It became mainstream news (and out of the fringes) when navy pilots began talking, years ago, about encounters with UFO's that can defy gravity and move through space, our atmosphere and water at speeds that would kill humans.....Some of these UFO's can be explained but some cannot. And now the government shortly will release a report which will basically say, some phenomena is not explainable. They just don't know what they are. But some navy pilots report that they are flying close to navy jets, in restricted U.S. airspace. So even some congressmen are saying, we should know what they are. That makes sense. 

I've listened to these navy pilots talk (on 60 Minutes) about chasing UFO's at high speeds and they've also shown up on radar and on cockpit cameras.  So what are we as Christian believers suppose to think about all this? It fascinates me. 

Many Vatican astronomers and scientists will say, the probability is we are likely not alone in the Universe. Statistically it's beginning to look like there might be many other planets orbiting stars that have some life form on them. We will have to see what the interstellar satellites find, they're going into deeper and deeper space.  

If we are not alone, though our planet is probably the most beautiful of God's creation, (there is so much symmetry, order, diversity and beauty on our planet, solar system and in our Milky Way Galaxy) that God took a special interest in us. We are greatly favored! Yes, I do believe that. 

But if there are other intelligent life forms out there and if they are smart and more advanced and have figured out how to travel though space without conventional propulsion then if they ever stop darting around the skies and land (now that would be the biggest news story ever) and say, "Hi, we'd like to introduce ourselves." Well then what? Of course that could open up dialogue and the opportunity for evangelization and the offering of baptism, looking at it from a Christian perspective.

So who knows, maybe in our lifetimes or perhaps in the next generation we will find extraterrestrial life, or they'll find us and just maybe we'll find they too worship and believe in God and maybe they will need some catechizing.

Fun to think about all this..

NJA

The Epidemic of Violence And Other Signs of Decay in Society

 We've all become numb to the rising violence in our country. It's so sad what has happened. It seems everyday now you read about a stabbing, or mass shooting somewhere in the country. No where seems to be immune. More Americans now are stating that violent crime is a very big problem in our country. More than Covid, since those deaths and hospitalizations are falling, thank God. It is no surprise that people view violence as a big problem. If you watch the news, it's filled with stories of death and injury from violence.  Gun sales are also rising because people don't feel safe anymore and want to protect themselves.  Perhaps they are right. 

So it seems the commandment ...."Thou shall not kill," is not taken seriously by some....as crazy as that seems. 

Then there is 'Thou shall not steal," another commandment which is ignored by many. In San Francisco, California some chain stores had to close because people were blatantly walking out with merchandise, in full view of others. Stealing and not caring if they are caught, since the penalty was not severe and so stores can't make money and they are closing. So when honest people try to go shopping, the stores they frequented are closed, too much shoplifting is the cause. 

And so the list goes on......The world I grew up in, though not perfect of course, was a lot more sensible, kinder and wholesome than what the world is becoming. And it doesn't seem to be getting much better. 

People of good faith,  keep praying, we keep hoping, we keep wondering if things will improve and yet if God's laws are ignored as well as civil laws and some people in addition, just don't care about civility or decency, where will it all go? To hell in a handbasket?

What is God thinking about this mess? A fallen world? Fallen natures? 

Looks like I need a little sunshine...all this rain, is making me too negative!

NJA

The Holy Land Is Filled With Violence Once Again *

 In the Holy Land, the holiest of places, where Christ walked, once again there is war. Pope Francis appealed for peace and an end to the hostilities. But it's a tinderbox. Pope Francis called for an immediate cease fire but is anyone listening, anyone with the power to stop this continuing madness on sacred ground?

They blame each other, and yet in reality all parties are to blame. Who started this latest escalation? Read the news reports and you can ascertain the truth. But no one wants the blame. And yet innocent children, who have done nothing but try to live in this uncertain world, get caught in the insanity and are dead. Truly horrific. 

We pray for peace on earth. We pray that there can be a solution in this part of the world. Many proposals have been made over the years and yet there is still no peace, no real action to promote lasting and sustainable peace. It can happen, of course peace is possible, but there is no will to end this madness, once and for all. 

Why is lasting peace so elusive in the holiest of places, in a land revered by Christians, Jews and Muslims?.....Consecrated ground, it's terrible that even there, peace cannot endure. 

Nancy

*Update-Cease Fire in Effect...Thank God!! Now a true and lasting solution is needed!

Msgr. William Koenig Named Bishop of Wilmington Delaware-Congrats!!

 I needed some good news this morning and I got it when I looked at my phone and saw the special announcement from the Diocese of Rockville Center. I'm so happy for Msgr. William Koenig who was named by Pope Francis, the 10th Bishop of Wilmington Delaware. 

I knew Bishop-elect Koenig's mother from volunteer work I did at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington. She was also a volunteer there before she passed away some years ago. I attended her funeral Mass, with other volunteers from the Seminary and the way Msgr. Koenig spoke about his mother and family at that Mass was very touching. I also often watch the weekday Masses celebrated at St. Agnes Cathedral via the Catholic Faith Network, and while Msgr. Koenig was the Rector, for many years, I would be a part of that virtual community. (I like to stay up late, I have always been a "night owl," so watching the Mass at midnight when it is re-broadcast is common for me.)

He's a very good choice for a Bishop. As was stated by Bishop Barres and Msgr. Vlaun during the announcement video, Msgr. Koenig has special qualities for a priest and now Bishop-elect. He has a kind, gentle, compassionate presense, and a humble spirit. I would add he has a good sense of humor too, usually starting his homilies with a joke!

I've met him a few times in person, and always that gentle priestly spirit comes across. 

So Congratulations Bishop-elect Msgr. Koenig, you deserve the appointment and the Catholics of Wilmington are greatly blessed and in for a pleasant surprise!

Nancy

"Planet Earth Is Not That Special"....Really?

 There are some scientists, among them astronomers who've I've heard being interviewed on podcasts who assert that planet Earth, our beautiful, diverse planet, is not that special. They claim (and these are very smart people) that in our enormous Universe, even our own galaxy, there might be thousands of planets like Earth that can support life (some form of it).  I understand that our sun is one of two billions stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone, not to mention the billions of others in the Universe. But we do have the perfect conditions here, as is quite obvious. We, of course, have liquid water, perfect amount of the right gas in our atmosphere to support life (primarily nitrogen and oxygen). The atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation and burns up most of the meteoroids. The temperature is hospitable for life. Earth is sometimes referred to as the Goldilocks planet, meaning its position in the Solar System and movement makes it not too hot and not too cold, just right!

And yet, you have these esteemed scientists saying, "It's not that special." Well, that just drives me crazy, when I hear that. I think it is pretty special, I think the beauty, diversity and complexity of life on Earth is amazing, extremely unique. I can look at a wildflower and be amazed at its uniqueness and beauty. 

Is there life on another hospitable planet, somewhere else in the Universe? Perhaps.....it is possible. Statistically scientists believe it has to be, even if its some form of microscopic life. Some people even believe that extraterrestrial life will be discovered in the coming years, as technology keeps advancing.

But even so, I would still believe that Earth is a magnificent, special creation and one that was perfected to the last atom, by a good, super intelligent and generous God. Intelligent design is everywhere, if you look with the eyes of faith. 

Nancy

"Evil Sneakers" Sell Out Immediately

 You can't make this stuff up! How do people even think of these ideas?.....Crazy world we live in. "Satan shoes," or sneakers advertised as modified Nike Air Max 97's with a single drop of human blood placed in them, (in the soles) as well as a pentagram pendant and a Bible reference about the devil's fall from Heaven (Luke 10:18) sold out immediately at $1,118. Some people just had to have them, at any cost.  But it seems the company selling them has run into trouble, not surprisingly. 

Nike has brought a trademark infringement lawsuit against the company MSCHF. It seems Nike doesn't want anything to do with "evil sneakers," with a drop of human blood in them. You really can't blame them. A judge has now ruled that the company must stop selling the sneakers, which of course makes them more valuable. And now more people want them, are thinking about them.  Have to have them I suppose. 

The release of the evil shoes coincides with a new music video......so they are promoting a music video and using the evil one to do it. All during Holy Week, a company using the most sacred week of the year for Christians, to promote a product that glorifies evil. 

 Holy Week is about Jesus' willingness to save humanity from stupidity and failure and sin by His sacrificial death on a Cross. Jesus's sacrificial gift to us brings grace, forgiveness and a bridge to the Father and establishes his Kingdom on Earth and a path to salvation through the Church....But we as Christians, as believers keep having to deal with the 7 deadly sins which keeps evil "in our face,"...It goes on and on.

Thank God for Easter Sunday. Thank God for the resurrection and hope and springtime. Where would we be without hope and Christ's resurrection? Have a Happy Easter!! 

Nancy