In our family, we have a new weekly tradition. We gather for the Rosary and after our prayers, we watch the next version of The Chosen. Immediately, my youngest started calling it “The Chosary.”
First, the Rosary is more than just a series of rote prayers. It is a meditation on the Divine Mysterious of Our Lord.
Depending on what day you watch the latest episode, you journey through the Joyous, Glorious, Luminous, or Sorrowful Mysteries, reflecting on the life and times of Jesus.
The Rosaries and The Chosen go perfectly together. You can also mix it up like we do.
Sometimes we pray the Rosary ourselves, where each person in our family circle prays a decade, and our children alternate reading one of the five Mysteries. Or we pray along with someone reciting the Rosary online. For example, we sometimes pray as we watch The Rosary by Bishop Barron. However, most often, we pray the Family Rosary Across America nightly at 8pm Eastern Standard Time with Fr. Rocky, a LIVE prayer circle uniting families across the nation — and sometimes around the Globe. This is our family’s favorite.
Several times, my youngest has called in prayer requests from cousins and friends. The reception he received from Fr. Rocky has always been warm and kind.
Bishop Barron may be a better choice for an older audience. His sermons on the Mysteries are also a mini-catechism. Further, as Bishop Barron recites the next decade of prayers, the TV screen is filled with a montage of artwork, all focusing on the specific mystery — a storyboard, if you will, of that Divine and Holy scene.
Much like Dallas, you will see how artists for centuries have been trying to interpret the life of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and all the chosen!
There are other online options, as well.
You can pray The Rosary with Jonathon Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus on The Chosen. (But of course, you know who he is.) There’s also the Divine Mercy Chaplet Rosary.
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, Megyn Kelly, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
December is a great time of year. It also brings us the celebration of Advent, a time to prepare for the birth of Our Lord.
Along with Thanksgiving, Advent is sadly becoming all but a forgotten celebration. What better way to revive Advent and prepare “The Way” than with mini-celebrations as we go forth. It is also a great Catechism, as well as a trip around the World!
Here’s a short list of saintly meals to put the focus back on Advent.
December 5: Saint Nicholas Day Eve
No saint captures the Spirit of Christmas more than St. Nicholas. So, on the Eve of his Feast Day, read a short story to your children about the legend of Old Saint Nick. The St. Nicholas Center is a great resource. Then, before getting nestled in bed, have your kids put their shoes outside their bedroom door to be filled with gold chocolate coins, a candy cane, and an orange or tangerine.
December 6: Saint Nicholas Day
Last night, we had a debate at the dinner table on the BEST way to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. You can choose something more traditional. According to Mango, a traditional table might have Bishop’s wine, bread, St. Nicholas-shaped cookies, and a special main dish reserved for the holiday. In France, that might be pork with mustard and apples. In Germany, you might enjoy Pfannkuchen, or German pancakes. Around the world, there are traditional St. Nicholas pizzas, soups, and pastries.
Since he was the Bishop of Myra, one of my boys asked Alexa for a list of foods eaten in present-day Turkey. You can serve Shish Kebab, Roast Lamb, and White Bean Stew; the list goes on and on. I voted for something personally more cultural, like my grandmother’s Potato Pancakes.
Desserts for Saint Nicholas Day abound. As in my house, Alexa is all too willing to help. You can also go to the Catholic Digest for their list of St. Nicholas cookies like these and also these from Catholic Cuisine. Or celebrate with a fantastic breakfast featuring St. Nicholas pancakes or a cherry cheese coffee cake in the shape of a candy cane. St. Nicholas strawberries are a great treat
Here’s another great list of traditionaldesserts from the Saint Nicholas Center, including this Biloxi, Mississippi tradition called the St. Nicholas String.
December 8: Immaculate Conception
Taylor Marshall suggested “White food. Our Lady is without stain of sin. She is all pure.” Some meal suggestions: spaghetti with white sauce, chicken breasts, or my favorite Baked Halibut. Or you can just keep it simple with a white cake dessert after dinner or some vanilla ice cream.
December 9: San Juan Diego
You can start preparing the Feast of Our Lady pf Guadalupe on this Feast day. You can begin by buying a bouquet of roses. (Gents, this is a perfect gift for your wife!) It’s also a great way to recall the miracle of the tilma and Our Lady. As you plan for the Feast of Our Lady, you can honor San Juan Diego by enjoying some Xocolatl (Aztec Chocolate). If you want to take a deep dive into this feast, you can purchase the book “Amazing Aztec Recipes: A Complete Cookbook of Native Mexican Dish Ideas!“
December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Catholic Cuisine has a lot of great ideas for this Fiesta! So go there and learn more. In our household, we stick with tacos served with Catholic Cuisine’s “A Woman Clothed In Sun” Taco Dip!
Many of us know the song “Sanka Lucia” which says Christmas lasts until Easter. (Now, you have a faith-based excuse for not taking down your outdoor Christmas lights until March or April.) The Swedish celebration focuses on service. Though in the past, the Feast of Saint Lucia focused on the eldest daughter serving the family. Today is the perfect day to put Mom first — at least in the morning — by getting her morning coffee prepared. Thought the Swedes usually serve coffee and baked goods, such as saffron bread (lussekatter) and ginger biscuits. The s-shaped Stella D’ora Breakfast Treats seem to be the perfect substitute! The
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Though many associate St. Lucia with Sweden, she was born in Sicily. Sicilians celebrate St. Lucia Day, as they celebrate most feasts — large! Folks in Palmero also practice a somewhat somber devotional on December 13. According to Scent of Sicily, in Palermo though the day of Saint Lucy is related to another tradition: every 13th of December everything the locals eat according to the tradition is rice, actually, a special street food prepared with rice, that has become famous all over the world: the arancina. In 1646 Palermo had been hit by an awful famine, on December 13 a bunch of fishermen was praying, asking for the intercession of Saint Lucy, when something happened: a big ship full of corn arrived unexpectedly at the port of the city saving people from certain death. Since then, Saint Lucy Day has been celebrated every year on that day avoiding eating pasta and bread. The tradition of eating corn and rice changed over the years, and at some point, arancina came in. Arancinas are delicious rice balls, fried and usually filled with two typical dressings: butter, mozzarella, and ham (Arancina al burro) or rough Bolognese sauce (Arancina alla carne).
December 21: St. Thomas the Apostle (Old Calendar)
Here’s another Taylor Marshall suggestion: Since Saint Thomas is the patron of India, it’s a perfect time to eat Indian food. Saint Thomas’ feast was moved to July 3 on the Ordinary Novus Ordo calendar. However, the Latin Mass calendar remembers Saint Thomas on this day. So, if you need an excuse to eat Indian food and you want to feel a little nostalgic (or rebellious), explore Indian cuisine. You can stay at home or go to your local Indian restaurant.
Channukah
We also light the menorah in our household in December. It’s a great way to connect with our Jewish Roots of the Faith and to share the story of the Festival of Lamps or Lights. The story of Hanukkah is preserved in the books of the First and Second Maccabees, which describe in detail the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the lighting of the menorah, making it a very Catholic story, as well. So, spin a dreidel, enjoy some halvah, and sit back and do as I do — watch the classic movie musical “Fiddle on the Roof.”
You can do all of these, just one, or nothing at all. The choice is yours. In trying to decide what works for you, remember to only do that which brings you closer to Our Lord! Special thanks to all the helpful Catholic blogs out there that are trying to keep our traditions alive.
Here’s a great video to watch if you want some more Advent Traditions.
As a writer, James has been featured on The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
In 1823, the Troy Sentinel published “A Night Before Christmas” giving America its first glimpse at Jolly Ole St. Nick.
TWO HUNDRED years later, a New York teacher James H. Dobkowski has magically re-imagined Santa Claus to match today’s multicultural norms in a warmhearted family-oriented story about a down-and-out dad, who screws up the Yuletide and then spends the 12 days of Christmas trying to make it right in the book ‘TWAS.
‘TWAS was never supposed to be a book. ‘TWAS was originally written as a screenplay and was optioned and earmarked for the silver screen. However, in 2007, the Writer’s Guild of America went on strike, and James lost his movie deal and found himself out of work.
“Knowing my ambition to be a screenwriter, my mom asked me to get a degree in something to fall back on; so I got a master’s degree and certification in teaching right out of college,” James said. “So, thankfully when the Writer’s Strike hit, I was immediately able to get a job – as a teacher … and I’ve been teaching full-time ever since.”
James worked with At-Risk kids in Los Angeles for six years before moving back to New York to raise his family. Today, he works in a rural community in Up-State New York. For this work, he earned the honor of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored locally by a CASDA Scholar, as the teacher who most influenced their academic career. He has appeared twice, as an educator, on “America Live,” as well.
“Every Christmas, I would read my screenplay to my son,” James added. “Eventually, it morphed into the book.”
Using the same title, James published his book on Amazon.
“I was tired of dealing with agents and producers/publishers,” James added.
What makes ‘TWAS different than other Christmas stories? James has magically re-imagined Santa Claus to match today’s multicultural norms.
Now, magically recreated and original, Saint Nick’s appearance changes as he completes his nightly deliveries from Kris Kringle to “Compton Claus” to “Sheng Dan Lau Ren” to “Papa Noël” and back again, depending upon whom he visits!
“There’s a Santa for everyone!” James concluded.
‘TWAS – the Night Before Christmas is JUST the Beginning is available on Amazon.com. To contact James for an interview, call Mark Goldman of Goldman McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988.
Those who have been following my blog for several years now are probably asking why my recent posts have taken on a political edge. Well, it has much to do with this issue….
For the past three years, I’ve been talking with County and State officials in an attempt to close a loophole in Megan’s Law that allows sexual predators to secretly stay in Short-term rentals (STRs) in our neighborhoods without having to inform anyone, not even law enforcement.
Sure, almost all listened. However, few made any real changes.
Here in Warren County, Supervisor At-Large Doug Beaty was the first to listen and take action on this issue. Mr. Beaty invited me to address the Warren County Board of Supervisors to discuss my concerns with STRs and the “Megan’s Law loophole.” Former County Chairwoman Rachael Seeber was there and also listened to what I had to say. She quickly picked up the baton and moved things forward. Together, we co-wrote a resolution to try to close the Megan’s Law STR loophole. Ms. Seeber brought this resolution before the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), and it was unanimously accepted by County officials from across New York State.
NYS Assemblyman Matt Simpson also grasped the depth of this issue and authored A-4997, a state law that would have closed the Megan’s Law Loophole. His bill would require non-resident visitor sex offenders and registered sex offenders to register under the Sex Offenders Registration Act when temporarily staying in the State. In short, when a sexual predator stays at a Short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO) in one of our residential neighborhoods, s/he would have to notify law enforcement, so we would all know they’re there – keeping families safe.
For the first time, my wife and I had a sense of comfort that something real was going to get done to close this loophole. Never in my life did we think protecting families against Sexual Predators would be a partisan issue. Who’s pro sexual predator?
Practically every elected official in our town and county is aware of this horrifying loophole. Law enforcement wants this loophole closed. So, why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?
Maybe you can ask them the next time one of them asks for your vote.
It’s the responsibility of the government to put public safety – especially the safety of our children – first. As a husband, dad, teacher, and homeowner, I’m against owner-unoccupied STRs in our residentially zoned areas and call for a moratorium on all STRs until our elected officials close this loophole that gives Sexual Predators unfettered access into our neighborhoods – and especially to our children.
As we move into the heavy tourism season, you may want to think more about who’s staying in your neighborhood and join in advocating for change.
Thank you to Beaty, Seeber, and Simpson for putting Adirondack families first – or for at least trying.
James is an author and teacher turned Family Advocate.
Since discovering a short-term rental loophole in Megan’s Law, James has become a family advocate to close this loophole. Working closely with Town, County, and State officials, he helped craft the language in a recent NYSAC resolution and NYS A4997 to try to close the loophole in Megan’s Law which allows sexual predators to stay in residential neighborhoods unannounced.
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
From where I stand, there are only two types of people who like Short-term rentals (STRs). Those who own one and those who don’t live next door to one. Unfortunately, most people fall into one of these two categories. It’s not until you take a deep dive into this industry do you realize that they don’t belong in residential neighborhoods.
When there’s a group titled “Mom Against” something, it usually means there’s a problem – and there’s a Moms Against Short-term Rentals. One might ask why?
Well, the group of concerned moms shares a list of community erosion factors that owner-unoccupied STRs have caused in communities across the nation from a documented increase in crime rate and long-term rental costs to a downshift in job quantity and quality and a false increase in housing prices. [1] [2]
If that doesn’t concern you, maybe this will.
Since May 2019, the Moms report that there have been 300+ STR shootings in the US. In fact, as of January 2023, their numbers were at least 127 killed and 282 injured. Also, since these houses are owner-unoccupied, drug cartels and human traffickers are now using STRs to carry out their business.
In 2022, eight people were arrested in Georgia after using a short-term rental where investigators say multiple suspects help sell a minor for sex. The STR was a mile from the local high school. In Jan 2023, after a 3 ½ -month investigation – 3 ½ months! – Buffalo police raided an AirBnB and seized over 14 kilos of cocaine. The STR guests? A Mexican Drug cartel. And just last week, a fugitive wanted by the FBI for the murder of an 8-month-old baby was arrested at a Greenville, NCAirBnB after an hours-long stand-off with law enforcement. Someone else had made the booking for him. So much for background checks.
One reason you don’t hear more about these incidents is because AirBnB has a special “Black Box” unit that pays millions to make these stories go away. [3]
No matter what you believe, there really are no good guests when you live next to an STR. That’s because every STR guest – and that may include you – is a STRanger to the parent or neighbor who lives next door!
In short, that’s the real issue with Short-term rentals: STRANGERS! — a recognized potential danger to all parents.
Over the past three years, we have estimated over 1000 STRangers have stayed next door. 1000! Some for a week. Some for just the weekend. Over 1000 strangers have used our private road. 1000 STRangers have had access to our home, our property – OUR CHILDREN!
Imagine not being able to let your young children play outside unsupervised – even for a minute – because there’s a house of STRangers next door – some of who are STRangers to the STR hosts themselves.
Want to organize a “Neighborhood Watch”? Well, toss out that idea because you no longer know who should be in your neighborhood because you no longer know your neighbors.
Every Sunday morning is ruined by a fleet of guests’ cars leaving followed by an influx of cars of the cleaning crew, who come and go, as they prepare the house for the next set of STRangers to arrive, making every Sunday night “Move-in Day”. All you can do as a neighbor, is wait and wonder: Will the new group of strangers know how to find the house? Follow the rules? Have dogs? Arrive at a decent time or not, waking you and the kids – again? The list goes on and on – and that’s if you’re one of the lucky ones and the STR guests stay 7 days and you, as a neighbor, only have to deal with this intrusion once a week!
For the most part, owner-unoccupied STRs are unregulated businesses in residential zones.
Many are owned and operated by folks who either don’t live in our community or even our State! Many with multiple listings, making these STRs de facto hotels with rooms that are connected not by halls and pathways but online.
We’ve been threatened and later sued by the industry at a cost of over $40,000 over the last four years just to protect and defend my family. We’ve also been told to move – even though we owned our home for seven years before an STR moved in next door. Even if we chose to move, where would we go? STRs can show up anywhere.
That’s why local municipalities need to ban all owner-unoccupied STRs in Neighborhood Residential areas and increase the minimum length of stay for a rental in those zones to 90 days or more, slamming shut the Megan’s Law Loophole – the STR loophole that allows sexual predators into our neighborhoods without having to report to law enforcement.
As you can see from the answer to Number 11 on the DCJS website, like in most states, sexual predators in New York, at every level, have 10 days in which they have to contact the DCJS when establishing a new residence. That means, a Sexual Predator can stay at a Short-Term Rental (STR) in a residential neighborhood and not have to notify law enforcement.
However, since an STR is not a permanent resident, an STR guest is considered a Transcient and never has to report — no matter how long s/he stays. So, if you have an STR operating in your neighborhood, you may never know a sex offender is living next door — until it’s too late.
The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act also gives Sexual Predators the same 10-day window regarding changes in “Internet accounts with Internet service providers belonging to such offenders and e-mail addresses and designations sed by such offenders for the purposes of chat, instant messaging, social networking or other similar internet communication…” giving these sex offenders plenty of time to online stalk you or your kids.
As a parent living in a neighborhood with an STR, this is unacceptable.
This is a loophole that might appear easy to close, right? However, it has taken my wife and me over three years of advocacy to get something close to being done in New York State — and trying to get any news agency to report on this loophole has been virtually impossible.
Though I believe that the governing of Zoning and controlling STRs should remain a local issue, it’s my understanding that the monitoring of sexual predators is a State issue, and I believe, only the Attorney General can close this loophole. Also, since Megan’s Law was signed into law by President Clinton, our federal Representatives can close this loophole, as well.
So, why are so many of these elected officials silent on this issue? Maybe you should call them up and ask them?
Parents have the right to know who lives next door in a residential community! The houses in our residential neighborhoods were built to become homes, not hotels. Likewise, Neighborhoods are for neighbors – not STRangers.
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
It didn’t appear as much of a gift when I first received it. In fact, I might’ve even scoffed when it was handed to me.
Oddly enough, I can tell you everything about my surroundings when this little green Bible was placed in my hand. The location: The Oval at the University of Montana campus. The weather: It was a warm Spring day. The grass was green. The sky was bright blue. And there was a worm crawling in the grass centimeters from my left foot.
Still, with all of that, I couldn’t tell you anything about the person who handed me the little green Bible except that he was male. Nor could I tell you why I kept it. In fact, I still have it decades later.
For the longest time, I never read it or even opened it. Yet, I never threw it away. Oddly enough, it always remained with me on the nightstand of every bed I slept in from the time I received it to the day I finally turned to it for help.
Like the day I received it, I can recall all the sites, smells, and sounds around me. I can also recall the heaviness of the darkness that weighed me down and made it near impossible to stretch out my arm. In a last attempt to hold onto life, I reached for the little green Bible and pulled it in.
I opened the Good Book and read the first passage my eyes fell upon searching for a sign of Hope.
I don’t truly remember reading the whole parable. I just recall reading about Peter getting out of the boat and walking on water until he became afraid, started to sink, and cried out “Lord, save me!” — and was rescued.
It gave me just enough of a push to find the strength to get out of bed and turn on the television.
It was days before the universal remote, so I kept it on Channel 9. Soon, a television evangelist came on the air and began to preach. Too tired to get up and change the station, I just sat and watched. The music ended and as the congregation settled, the pastor opened the Scriptures and began to read.
Much to my surprise, it was the same exact passage!
It inspired me enough to shower for the first time in days and go to Church for the first time in months. I went to my childhood Parish, OLPH, and sat in the back. I listened to the first two readings and the Responsorial Psalm. Finally, the priest began to read the Gospel — and again it was the same.
Like Peter, I took my eyes off Christ. Instead, I focused on the storm that surrounded me and quickly began to sink. In despair, I reached out for the Lord, the Logos, the Word Made Flesh — and was rescued.
I can’t say I jettisoned forward into a saintly lifestyle. My “Road to Emmaus” has been long and winding, and I continue to stumble time and time again.
However, I often wonder if my journey would have ever begun if someone didn’t place the tiny green Bible in my hand?
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
On one side are the Traditionalists. On the other are the Modernists. In short, Traditionalists are usually Ultra-Right. Modernists are most often Ultra-Left. In the middle are the A&Pers, Cafeteria Catholics, and the now infamous Nones.
Then there are folks like us.
Loyalists to the living Magisterium and Apostolic Tradition on Faith and Morals who are stuck somewhere in liturgical limbo. We accept the changes in the Mass since Vatican II. All we ask for our loyalty is a more bit of Latin, here and there, and the return of reverence in Mass — especially reverence to the Eucharist.
Though this is not a knock on the clergy, the truth of the matter is that reverence for the Eucharist starts and ends with the clergy. So, when we get it, we are drawn to that reverent priest like a magnet to metal.
So, we became somewhat overly excited when a new priest entered the fold who is a most reverent celebrant. News spread among us. Weekly, we began checking the Mass schedule and adjusting our schedule, when possible, to be led in prayer by this holy priest.
Trust me, I struggled with this “priest preference” as well and have brought this struggle into the confessional.
Then, just last week, my wife received a text from one of the moms in our home school groups which read, “Did you hear about Father…?” It was Sunday and we were just leaving Mass at a neighboring parish which has a late Sunday Mass. (So, we don’t follow our reverent celebrant religiously.)
It took some time for my wife to get an answer to her inquiry so we do what most people do and speculated on what might be.
First, we thought that he was transferred. “The Good Ones” as we call them, don’t stay very long in our area – especially the young “Good Ones.” Next, we thought that Father may have fallen — again.
You see, this wonderfully reverent priest had suffered from addiction. Or should I say “suffers”? — because in reality the addiction, though controlled, never goes away.
Sadly, he became addicted to painkillers. I don’t mind mentioning it because he was very open about it and often brought it up at the pulpit. Oh, there was something else about this holy and reverent priest, his homilies were amazing!
Personally, I have great sympathy for those who sadly get hooked on prescription drugs. My Aunt, who I loved, died because some doctor got her hook on oxycontin. The same doctor did the same to two of my cousins.
Both still suffer the effects of their additions.
Today, one cousin is now in hospice. We converse often as she prepares for the inevitable. The other has been told to prepare for hospice. None three of these fallenbeloveds willfully sought out drugs for recreational use from some dealer on a street corner.
The drugs were prescribed!
Likewise, our beloved priest, a reverent man who brought many into the bosom of the Church and the arms of Christ, became addicted … recovered … and has again, recently, fallen.
“We need to pray Father,” I mentioned before grace. “Satan goes after all our priests, but he really attacks the Good Ones.”
The next day, after I came home from work, my wife greeted me with a kiss. After I took off my shoes and got settled, I return to the kitchen to finish our conversation.
“I was thinking about what you said last night about Father…,” she said. “I feel like sending him a Get-Well card and writing in,
“Congratulations, the Devil punched you in the face because you’re on the right path.”
“You should,” I added.
Maybe she will. Maybe she won’t. My wife is a supporting spouse and homeschool mom who has her own business. So, I’m telling the world for her, just in case she never gets a chance to.
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
My older brother caused quite a stir on Facebook this week when he posted a meme of Pope Benedict with the quote: Dancing is not a form of expression for Christian liturgy … None of the Christian rites includes dancing – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (future [Pope] Benedict XVI.
Immediately, the non-Catholic Christian Facebook community took my brother to task and began quoting2 Samuel 6:14-22 andPsalm 150from the Old Testament.
First, let me just say that this blog and my books always try to focus on the positive.
However, when people attack my Faith, I get a bit defensive and sadly may appear to sound negative when countering false statements. That is not my intent. My intention is always to try to shed light on the subject in the hopes that this correction will lead to Christian Unity if not in the form of praise and worship, at least in love and respect.
Here’s a short list of my past works in apologetics, for lack of a better word:
Let me begin by saying that Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI was one of God’s most humble creations. Based on his works, I believe that he also stands with Aquinus and Augustine as one of the Creator’s most significant Christian minds.
To think that he was unaware of 2 Samuel or any of the Psalms reminds me of two of the most telling words in scripture, Ecce Homo; the words Pontius Pilate ignorantly used, according to the Gospel of John, to present the King of Kings to an unenlightened crowd.
Second, it literally perplexes me how uneducated Christians are when it comes to the rituals and practices of fellow Christians. Aren’t we brothers and sisters? Shouldn’t we be interested in how each other loves and praises our Father? Matt Pratt and Matt Whitman offer the best example of this curiosity for mutual understanding that I’ve seen. (Watch:A Catholic and a Protestant Walk Into a Bar.)
Instead, we bicker and feud like the sons of Jacob and the latter Tribes of Israel and have become more like the Judahs and Samaritinas than members of the body of Christ.
In 2 Samuel, David’s dancing was a spontaneous, expression of joy — much different than the kind of choreographed dancing for which Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was expressing his disdain. Second, when it came to how David worshipped God, let me draw your attention to 2 Samuel 6:17.
And they brought the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle, which David had pitched for it: and David offered holocausts, and peace offerings before the Lord.
Notice, in 2 Samuel 6:17, that David was no longer leaping and dancing when he was in the great tent, known as the tabernacle.
I won’t bore you with all the particulars of the tent known as the Tabernacle or the Mishkan in Hebrew, except to point your attention to a part of the Mishkan known as the Holy of Holies, the inner room. The Holy of Holies was the actual dwelling place of the God of Israel, who sat invisibly enthroned above a solid slab of gold that rested on the Ark of the Covenant.
Every Catholic Church, no matter the Rite, has a re-creation of the Holy of Holies, a place where the Tabernacle rests. As in the true Holy of Holies, in our Tabernacle, Our Lord presides in the form of consecrated bread, which we call the Real Presence. Now, I’m not asking you to believe it. I’m just asking you to respect what we believe.
Sadly, because of poor catechism over the last 40-50 years, many Catholics today don’t understand this teaching either; and because of this, a great many Catholics no longer believe in the Eucharistic teaching that is called the source and summit of our Faith. (That’s a story for another day.)
Are you still with me? Good! Let’s continue…
The Liturgy of the Catholic Latin Rite, which many call Roman Rite or Roman Catholicism, is broken into two parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Biblical references in the Mass are too many to number, so I’ll just put a link to the references here. Here’s a link to the percentage of the Bible in the Lectionary, our Reading.
So, to say we are not a Bible-based Church is just a lark.
When one looks at the Liturgy of the Word, one will see Catholics do what we do because the Bible tells us so. To show this, I’ll use the Gospel of Luke 4:16-20.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah. So, just like Jesus, we read from Scripture.
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down.
Notice, no dancing.
In the Catholic Latin Rite, after the Gospel is read, the priest sits down and the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins. What does Luke tell us about how this originally took place?
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
In fact, at every Mass, the priest says those same words — and we do exactly as Christ instructed, in remembrance of him. Notice again, there was no dancing at the Last Supper. Next, the priest prays at the altar, as the congregation prays along silently. Again, Luke explains what happened next.
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly….
Sadly, I’m sure there are some in the pews who have fallen asleep or even would betray Christ. But there we are, praying and still not dancing.
Finally, the Priest lifts up the Eucharist.
46 When he had said this, he breathed his last … 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
If that’s not evidence enough, one could argue that the complete trip to Emmaus was a Mass.
On the Road to Emmaus
Again, the Catholic Rites, of which there are over 20, start with the Liturgy of the Word.
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Catholics read all the Scriptures concerning Him. In fact, if you attend Mass every Sunday for three years, you’ll hear all four Gospels. Can you say that about your worship services? Hopefully, you can. Along with the Gospel is an Old Testament reading that foreshadows the events in the Gospel — just like the Risen Lord did on the Road to Emmaus.
Again, after the readings, Catholics move on to the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Finally, the priest then gives us a blessing by invoking the Sign of the Cross (the Trinity) and finally, we come to the words, “Ite Missa est.” These words are rendered most literally as, “Go forth, the Mass is ended.”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
The Latin word “Missa” is the origin of the English word “Mass,” and it carries the sense of mission. (Maybe, that’s why non-Catholic Christians called their gatherings a “service”?) It’s our mission to tell others about Jesus, the Risen King!
Here’s where we can now go forth to sing and dance, showing our joy for Christ to the world. In fact, I belonged to a Catholic Church in California that did just that! After Mass, we all went outside and continued to sing and praise the Lord.
Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands.
And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to ge’noito [so be it].
And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.
Finally, he wrote this about the Bread and Wine, what we call the Eucharist.
“And this food is called among us Eucharistia [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined.
For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.” – (First Apology, 66)
It’s with humility that we worship our Lord as He himself worshipped and as, we believe, He taught the Apostles to worship. We have this understanding based on the writings of those early Christians, such as our brother Justin, who received our Faith directly from the Apostles.
Who are we to deviate from that?
Maybe you are called to worship as you wish? I am not that bold. Until I am, I will humbly worship the way that was passed down to me, through the centuries, by great men and women who intimately knew the Apostles and Our Lord and was preserved through the millennia by such reverent, and holy people as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who humbly became Pope Benedict XVI.
God bless and go forth to love and serve the Lord.
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
It’s not constant, but this week we’ve kept ETWN on in our home to watch the coverage of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict.
Last night, before grace, we prayed for the repose of his soul with little doubt that this philosopher-king has been granted entry into the Eternal. After we prayed, I couldn’t help to notice how different things were this time.
I’ve lived through the passing of four Popes: Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, and now Pope Benedict. The difference now, however, is the absence of anticipation of who will be Peter’s successor.
I’m not saying that’s good or bad. Just different.
I remember crying after hearing that Pope John Paul II died. His papacy had such an impact on my life. Maybe that’s why I cried? But I also felt a paternal loss. I cried at the passing of my hometown parish priest, Monsignor James McDonald, and I cried again, recently, when our present parish priest, Fr. Tom Morrette, announced that he was being transferred.
Each time, I felt like my dad had died all over again. However, I didn’t cry when I heard the news about Pope Benedict’s death. As much as I was connected with Pope John Paul II and the other two priests, I identified more with Pope Benedict.
An avid reader of all things Catholic, I felt a much greater connection to the works of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger than the writings of Saint John Paul the Great, which greatly inspired me. And while the election of Pope John Paul II surprised and captivated me (along with the rest of the world), I felt so connected to Cardinal Ratzinger that I predicted his election as Pope and subsequently, defended him throughout his papacy — though he truly needed no defending.
Yet, even though I feel like we have suffered a great loss with his passing, I didn’t cry. I didn’t cry and haven’t cried because I am still torn over the fact that he resigned.
I understand that he was wanting to retire before his election as Holy Father and that, he felt that was getting too old to continue as Pope. Maybe, if I am blessed with old age, and make it to 85, I’ll have a stronger understanding. But right now, I don’t.
Let me make it clear. I’m not judging Pope Benedict XVI. I’m just torn.
Should the successor of Peter be allowed to quit? Priests and bishops are required to retire. Why not Popes?
According to news reports, Pope Francis has a letter of resignation prepared. This is not a Benedictine trend continued by Pope Francis. Pope Paul also had one as did Pope Pius VII and Pius XXII, both were concerned about being kidnapped; and Pope John Paul II wrote two. [1]
The Apostle John, who according to St. Epiphanius lived to 94, appeared to pass the reigns to his successors in his old age.
Though not the Pope at the time, the office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of the apostles united to its head. (CCC 1444). So, passing on the keys has to fall under Apostolic Tradition?
So then, what present-day lesson are we supposed to take from this “new” tradition in the reign of Peter? Always the teacher, with Joseph Ratzinger, there always is a lesson somewhere. What is it?
Has he prepared us for a world where the position of the Holy Father is fraught with danger? Where the concern of kidnapping that Popes Pius VII, XXII, and maybe even John Paul II felt become real and possibly constant? Or maybe it’s something simpler? Something paternal and not so apocalyptic?
Fathers, in many of our child-like eyes, appear somewhat invincible like kings who reign mightily until the end.
However, a father’s job is actually a short-lived task. It is to raise strong, faithful Christians and prepare them for adulthood. Most dads, though available when needed, inwardly hope for an early retirement. One enjoyed in comfort with their beloved spouse. He is not a King. For that matter, either is the Pope. He’s a Prime Minister at best.
There is only one True Father and one Reigning King, Jesus Christ Our Lord.
That being the case, then our dearly departed brother Joseph and spiritual father and teacher, Benedict, has carried out his role as Holy Father faithfully and was greeted at the Gate of St. Peter with the heavenly proclamation we all long to hear, “Well done, Faithful Servant.”
So then, why am I still torn? Maybe, just maybe, I’m not ready to cry again.
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, Megyn Kelly, and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
It’s New Year’s Day and social media is overflowing with posts about fresh starts. Well, if you’re a follower of this blog or have read my book, Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, I’m living proof that anyone can make a fresh start — over and over.
It’s all about having enough Faith to know that all is going to work out as planned. It just might not be your plan. Having the right person at your side sure is helpful.
You see, life is like a whitewater rafting trip. There’s the preparation. The anticipation. The excitement of the unknown. Once you’re in the water, however, there’s no turning back.
As in life, you go from calm to rapids to calm, again and again. Along the way, there’s laughter and screams — much like a rollercoaster ride. However, with a rollercoaster, you can see the challenge before it starts and for the most part, you see what’s up ahead.
Not so with whitewater rafting. Trees, rocks, and bends often block your view as you edge forward.
Try as you might, you’re still going to hit rocks along the way. The key to success is to wear a life jacket, listen to your guide, and stay in the raft.
So, if you’re hesitant about starting anew, go on a Whitewater rafting trip.
It all makes sense when you make Jesus your life jacket, the Holy Spirit your guide, and the Church your raft. And if you allow it to work out as God planned, the Father will greet you at the shore along with the warmth of a campfire at the end.
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and Megyn Kelly and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
Full disclosure, when I received a list of questions from my friend (and publicist) Mark Goldman, I didn’t think Newsweek would choose any of my replies. Much to my surprise, they did. In fact, I was one of only two Christian authors for this article: Should Christians Watch ‘Yellowstone?’ Religious Authors Weigh In.
Out of respect for Newsweek, I’ll just post the link to the article here. At a later date, I’ll update this post with all the questions and every one of my responses.
As a writer, James’s appearances include Newsweek, The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and Megyn Kelly and more.
Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years. His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”. James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly.
Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write. Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.
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Corporation YOU 