Daily Miscellany

Thoughts and flashes of brilliance that enter my head from nowhere.

Enjoy. Or abhor, depending on the effect of my "wisdom".

Kenny Rogers died last night. May he rest in peace. I will forever remember "The Gambler" and "Islands in the Stream" which he sang with Dolly Parton.

It was Rogers' turn to "fold up".
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The state of Delaware has contracted with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery to make hand sanitizers.

Man, America is creative.

We'll get through it just fine.

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Below is the text of an email I received from a priest in the Catholic Church. He does a great job of explaining the concept of giving up the Eucharist during Lent.

As he explains, it's not that we want to give up the daily Eucharist but since we must this year, consider it a sacrifice we make for Lent.

I myself missed mass today. I have not gone to the last two masses on the schedule but today I felt very sad. How I want to sing the songs of the mass, to hear the gospel, yes, to hear the Pastor's homily.

Soon, I hope this all ends soon.
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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

         The Eastern Rites of the faith share much in common with the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, but some differences seem outright peculiar. One of these is what is called "fasting from the Eucharist." Some Eastern traditions suspend daily Eucharist during Lent, and the absence of the opportunity to receive Our Lord daily in the Most Blessed Sacrament is looked upon as an appropriate penitential sacrifice. I suppose this absence of Eucharist from people's daily life is an especially poignant reminder of how sin separates us from God.

         "Fasting from the Eucharist" never caught on in the West. Just the opposite happened, in fact, as it became a very widespread practice for Catholics who do not attend weekday Mass throughout the year to make a special effort to come to daily Eucharist throughout the Lenten season. While the somber time does, indeed, remind us of the consequences of sin, most importantly separating ourselves from God, we celebrate the Divine Presence in the Eucharist as the clearest sign that it is God Himself Who reaches across the divide we create with our sin to call us back to Him.

         The current cancellation of public Masses from your annual Lenten journey has become a kind of imposed "fast from the Eucharist," one which I know none of you wants to make. But it might ease the pain a bit if we look upon this as a sacrifice we offer to God for the good of the community. It is not merely a concern that people might become ill with the coronavirus if they mingle with a large crowd but also an awareness that, should this happen, the infected individual can leave Mass and infect others.

         Three things I urge in particular. First, pray the Stations of the Cross and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, alone or with others in the home, especially on Fridays. Second, watch a Sunday Mass that is televised or live-streamed on computer; if you are unable to view the liturgy, at least spend some time in prayer, telling our Eucharistic Lord how very much you miss Him and can't wait to return to the adoration chapel and to His altar in church. Third, reach out by phone or other social media to folks you know who live alone and who can benefit from your contact in coping with the anxiety that has blanketed our lives.

         Know that you are in my prayers. I, of course, will make emergency calls for the Last Rites. Please remember in your prayers the seven priests in Italy who have died of the coronavirus. I sincerely hope we can resume Masses and confessions soon. May God keep you safe and bring us back together soon!

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And so the Pope himself addresses us all, below.

REQUEST FROM POPE FRANCIS

Pope Francis has asked everyone around the World to pray the Rosary at 4 pm today our time. He recommends the Luminous Mysteries which are printed below for you or you can find them online, go to praymorenovenas.com. A nine-day prayer starts tomorrow for an end to the coronavirus. And, let's keep praying for one another.

THE FIRST LUMINOUS MYSTERY

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

After Jesus was Baptized, He came up from the water and behold the heavens opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending live a Dove, and A Voice from heaven: "This is My Beloved Son in Whom I Am well pleased." (Matthew 3: 13-17)

THE SECOND LUMINOUS MYSTERY

THE WEDDING OF CANA

And Mary said, "Do whatever He tells you." Jesus bids the waiters to fill the jars with water, and then draw some out and take it to the chief steward.

At Mary's request, Jesus worked His first miracle changing water into wine. And His disciples began to believe. (John 2: 1-12)

THE THIRD LUMINOUS MYSTERY

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM

The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent, and believe in the Gospel. (Mark 1:15)

THE FOURTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY

THE TRANSFIGURATION

Jesus foresaw the scandal of the Cross and prepared them for it by this manifestation of His Glory, then from a cloud came A Voice that said, "This is My Chosen Son, listen to Him." (Luke 9:28-35)

THE FIFTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY

THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST

Jesus took bread, blessed it and said, "Take and eat, this is My Body which is given for you." Taking the wine, "This cup is the New Covenant in My Blood, shed for you so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in remembrance of Me. Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood remains in Me and I in him." (Matthew 26:26-30 and John 6: 46-58).

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TIME FOR A SMILE

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