Miscellaneous Rambling
“There are two things you should know about the poor: they tend to smell, and they are ungrateful.” That's potential canonized saint Dorothy Day. I'll be wrestling with her words this week as I struggle with whether to get involved with a new poor mission. I have a real hard time accepting the idea that America, in absolute terms, has poor people. Of course, there are poor people when compared with me, just as I'm poor compared to many of the thieves on Wall Street. But "poor poor," like "Don't have money to get that tatoo?" I'm skeptical. Highly skeptical, but I'll be hearing about and weighing local evidence that will supposedly dispel my skepticism, We'll see. * * * * * * * I mean, if you aren't willing to help the poor, you might as well check yourself into the Hell Hotel right now. Few biblical injunctions can be much clearer. * * * * * * * I saw this story last week and was very surprised: "Anglican Communion suspends the Episcopal Church after years of gay rights debates." I'd just assumed the Anglican Church was lemming over the gay cliff like all the other mainstream Protestants. I have to admit, I'm a bit impressed. * * * * * * * I'm glad I'm too cool to fall this way: "Boasting of wealth and virtue brings your demise." Lao Tzu. * * * * * * * Great saint week: Sunday (yesterday): Francis de Sales; today: Gregory Nazianzus (well, according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar . . . RCC recognizes him with Basil on January 2nd); Tuesday: Timothy and Titus; Wednesday: John Chrysostom; Thursday: Thomas Aquinas.
