Monthly Archives: February 2017

About This Site

You have arrived at the main page of a mostly-inactive site. That said, there are no plans to dismantle, edit, or further organize the posts assembled under the header. Most people visit to find or get advice about Scripture readings … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 325: Conclusion and Prayer

And here we reach the end of Amoris Laetitia. Pope Francis concludes this final chapter on marriage and family spirituality with some encouraging words and a final prayer: 325. The teaching of the Master (cf. Mt 22:30) and Saint Paul (cf. … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 324: Hospitality

The Holy Father touts the virtue and act of hospitality: 324. Led by the Spirit, the family circle is not only open to life by generating it within itself, but also by going forth and spreading life by caring for others … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 323: Tenderness

Today, a follow-up to the notion of relationship being a worship-of-God experience: 323. It is a profound spiritual experience to contemplate our loved ones with the eyes of God and to see Christ in them. This demands a freedom and … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 322: Mercy In Family Life

Let’s read in full: 322. All family life is a “shepherding” in mercy. Each of us, by our love and care, leaves a mark on the life of others; with Paul, we can say: “You are our letter of recommendation, … Continue reading

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Music of the Trees 3: The Five Sacred Trees

John Williams is massively known for his massive body of film music. But one of my favorite modern works is his concerto The Five Sacred Trees. I have the disk of the London Symphony performance with Judith LeClair. It is … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 321: Spirituality of Care, Consolation, and Incentive

Today, we look at a spirituality of care, consolation and incentive, starting with Vatican II: 321. “Christian couples are, for each other, for their children and for their relatives, cooperators of grace and witnesses of the faith”.(Apostolicam Actuositatem 11) God … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 320: Healthy Autonomy

What do you make of Pope Francis’s interpretation of healthy autonomy? 320. There comes a point where a couple’s love attains the height of its freedom and becomes the basis of a healthy autonomy. This happens when each spouse realizes … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 319: Spirituality of Married Love

Today, a discussion starter on the topic of a spirituality of exclusive and free love. Pope John Paul II assists us: 319. Marriage is also the experience of belonging completely to another person. Spouses accept the challenge and aspiration of … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 318: Family Prayer

For many families, my own included, prayer is often rote. The facility to pray spontaneously, as if one were speaking in real time to an actual friend, is not well-cultivated. Do we think to “come together” and include God in … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 317: Family Life and the Paschal Mystery

Today and tomorrow, we look at the theme, Gathered in prayer in the light of Easter. This continues on AL 316, and the aspiration not only for family love and harmony, but the mutual assistance of members to assist one another … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 316: Family As Path To Mystical Union

Today, the Holy Father leans on his two predecessors to convey the aspiration for daily and gradual growth in holiness: 316. A positive experience of family communion is a true path to daily sanctification and mystical growth, a means for … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 314-315: A Spirituality of Supernatural Communion

Let’s examine the theme “A Spirituality of Supernatural Communion” 314. We have always spoken of how God dwells in the hearts of those living in his grace. Today we can add that the Trinity is present in the temple of … Continue reading

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A Film About Friendship

My wife and I surfed around the great and mighty Amazon the other night and found an enjoyable film that we thought was surprisingly good. At least compared to the dregs that appear on the listings I see there. The wiki-listing is here. … Continue reading

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Amoris Laetitia 313: The Spirituality of Marriage and the Family

Let’s begin a look at Chapter Nine of Amoris Laetitia (online here) The topic is “The Spirituality of Marriage and the Family.” 313. Charity takes on different hues, depending on the state of life to which we have been called. Several … Continue reading

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