Towards Christ

    Solomon (or somebody) said that nothing is new under the sun. But there is a New Thing: and this is Christ coming into our hearts and, indeed, into this troubled world Today.      Therefore, as we celebrate the New Year, in accord with Pope Gregory's reform of the calendar Caesar adopted for civil use in Rome and inaugurate the month named for the pagan god Janus, keeper of doors, who sees both backwards and forwards: we look only ahead, to His Glory; and so let us be new, in Christ. For no one puts new wine in old wineskins, that they should burst: but rather He puts the new wine in new skins...for the Harvest is here, the vintage Today, therefore be ye new, put off the Old Man and put your new skin on, and be ready: soon shall come a knocking on the door. Caspar, Melchior & Balthazaar are nigh on ready to Adore the Newborn King: are you?     For as Heraclitus of Ephesus said,      The sun is new every day.     Then re...

 Merry Christmas! Stay safe... and stay saved. ✝️  While this is a time to celebrate with loved ones, enjoying food drink fun & romance, a time when God & us sinners are reconciled: remember that Christ forgives all your sins, so be mindful and keep up the Good Word, which is not to say to avoid merriment but as much as possible think of those who are hurting, poor & hungry, and when the celebrations are over we need to clean up and get back on our best behavior so Christ (& Santa) will reward us in the future.

    'Not that I have already obtained this, or already have been made perfect, but I press on hoping that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it already. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me, I strain forward to what is before, I press on toward the goal, to the prize of God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Let us then, as many as are perfect, be of this mind; and if in any point you are minded otherwise, this also God will reveal to you,' as the Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians (3:12-15) as quoted by Saint Jerome in his letter Against the Pelagians. Jerome goes on to say, 'And [St. Paul] asserts that he always forgets what is behind him, and strains forward to what is before him, thereby teaching us that we are to disregard the past and regard the future, so that what we thought today was perfect, in straining forward to what is better and what is before ...

 God has a plan for YOU. Though Andy Warhol promised us all 15 minutes of fame, now accessible to be doled out in 30-second reels, Christ the Lord guarantees Eternal Life and forgiveness for our sins. While it has been said before, there are still those whom the Good News has not reached; and perhaps even more who have heard the Word & rejected, dismissed or doubted; and countless souls indoctrinated in the Faith have gone astray, tempted by the liberality of our modern culture, or dismayed by the hypocrisy, real or perceived, of the churches, institutions, preachers, and parents who attempted to force belief upon them. I did not grow up in a religious household myself, and found God in many strange and unexpected places along a twisting journey that left me exposed to many errors in my understanding, as well as discouragement and disbelief from friends and family. The basic Truth and the essentials of Faith, however, I knew with certainty at least 20 years ago; and yet time an...