Palm Sunday: the beginning and the Resurrection

We are already in Passiontide and Palm Sunday marches us towards the Holy Triduum. It is an especially important time of year. Holy Week is a first priority as it focuses on the events leading to our Salvation by Jesus Christ. As Plain Catholics we try to especially avoid distractions during this week and focus more on the mysteries of our Redemption through Christ.

Plain Catholics get questions from time to time and one question is how do we detach from the distractions of the world? It will be easier to make a list of the things we do to keep worldly temptations and distractions to a minimum.

1. No live broadcast television or radio. We carefully select the programs that are healthy for us spiritually and provide practical education on topics such as farming or ranching. We do this with books and dvds; no broadcast programming.
2. We limit our time on the computer to essential communications related to our businesses; family contacts; and ministries.
3. We do have a weather alert radio, something that is an important tool in rural living and homesteading.
4. Our phones are limited to call and text only unless there is a medical app that needs to be monitored as well: in such cases a smart phone is a necessary medical tool.

We also get questions about community from time to time. As we have mentioned, Plain Catholics do not live in intentional communities. We are individual families with our own land. 

We encourage everyone to put down their phones, computers and take up their Bibles and prayers more frequently. Do not forget to attend Mass each week and become more involved in worship and fellowship and less involved in social media. Amen.

Countdown

The Advent Wreath is counting down the days to the Feast of the Holy Nativity of Our Lord. The incense of a Plain Catholic home tells the story of Murphy’s Oil Soap on freshly mopped floors; of cinnamon and vanilla from cakes and cookies baked as gifts; of the simmer of the stews on the wood cookstove and of the hickory logs who await their turn for the slow burn to warm the home in the cold evenings.

The soft gray of the Advent day is a temptress for napping but there is too much to do to prepare for the Lord’s Nativity. Rooms are readied for company, the Liturgy of the Hours pushes patience as the readings become less routine, more instructional.

The visitations of family and of friends are more rambunctious than the Visitation of a faith-filled young woman to her cousin so long ago. Chatter and laughter become hymns of their own, telling and retelling the family memories around the tables. The happy conversations over games of Dominoes, Dutch Blitz, Scrabble and Chutes and Ladders invite us to become ever closer to Our Lord and to each other. Soon songs of the season are being picked out on the old piano or guitar and every one joins in the singing. Professionals we are not.

There are still the daily chores of the animals needing the feeding and care, children and husbands who need clean clothes to wear … life must continue amidst the waiting. With family everyone pitches in to collect eggs, pour the feed into troughs, clean the coop. Each evening as quiet settles on the home, we rest, we pray, we wait…. and we chatter over the clatter of the dish washing and the tucking into the beds.

Christmas Eve: Giggles and wiggles of littles bring forth whisperings as the parents and grandparents shush them into quasi-quiet attention at Mass. Tiny yawns blend with the Scripture and become antiphons to the prayers. The home creche has an empty place that waits for the tiny Jesus. Arriving home after Midnight Mass the littles run to the creche first to see if somehow Jesus remembered to come. Their smiles confirm that tiny Jesus did indeed make it into the creche while away to the Mass. Reassured they climb into bed, falling asleep while the incense of hearth and Faith hovers round them.

Enjoy each precious hour and minute of your families and your Faith for all too soon it will disappear with the last wisp of the extinguished candles. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His Mercy endures forever.

With fervent prayers that your holiday is a truly Holy Day and may the Lord bless you and keep you always; that's me away.
In gratitude to my dear friend Laura who keeps me mindful when my memory does not.

Minding Our Own Affairs...

1 Thessalonians Chapter 4: 9-12
9 On the subject of mutual charity you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
10 ... Nevertheless we urge you, brothers, to progress even more,
11 and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your (own) hands, as we instructed you,
12 that you may conduct yourselves properly toward outsiders and not depend on anyone.

This is one of the key Scriptures for Plain Catholics. We seek a balance in our lives of prayer, work, and intellectual development. We try to be so very busy that we do not have time to leisurely read tabloids about celebrities; we avoid gossip as we seek to always be aware that "only God knows what is cooking in someone's stewpot".

Staying away from telly helps with this. The incessant debate and noise on the news channels becomes an irritating roar. The tabloids in the market checkout appear ridiculous in light of the beauty of good fellowship and good living.

Let us all aspire to tranquility, personal discipline and constant prayer with God.
That's me away then.

Assumptions

People delight me, frustrate me, and provide me with endless excitement...which is why I sometimes pray for a rut.

Still, I am amused by the assumptions I encounter in the daily. One eager woman approached me with her smile and a Bible tract and asked me if I was Amish or Mennonite. I replied I am Catholic (as if the crucifix I was wearing did not explain it). "CATHOLIC!!!!" she screeched and scurried away as if I were some diseased thing.

Then there are sweet folks who come to the house and think they will find
1. A monastic cell
2. A horse and buggy
3. A hermit's cave.

Plain Catholics know we will be misunderstood. Tis part and parcel of the charism. All the saints and Jesus Himself encountered the assumptions and the misunderstandings. So we laugh and gently let them know that while we use technology such as cars and phones, we do not let it possess us. We see it as a particular use rather than a status symbol. The core of our charism is the Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio Divina, and simplicity in life and lifestyle: Ora et Labora.

Inside of our homes you will see Catholic art and gifts from our children. You will also see old furniture and basic appliances. You will even see some with a wood cook stove for winter meals and warmth... and books, books on the Faith, books on the farm, books of gentle humor and books to record the outcomes of bees and chickens, gardens and projects. As the seasons progress you will see the various activities change in our lives from gardening, to sewing, to woodworking, to wood splitting; we enjoy working with our hands as well as our minds. You will not see us own a Mercedes nor a Lexus; we keep our homes small, our gardens large. Our clothing is simplified, we do not wear expensive jewelry. Our crucifixes are simple as are the rosaries. However these are all just externals; less is more.

We do not "party", but we do have family gatherings and engage our youth in wholesome fun. We have even been known to take vacations, mostly camping and the visiting of relatives. Places where you will not see a Plain Catholic: Casinos, nightclubs, bars, nor discos. Places you will find us - Mass, home, volunteering for the church and the community; the occasional meal at the local diner or camping, fishing, and hunting. We also visit the Catholic shrines and cathedrals.

Some folks will say they live this way already and did not know there was name for it. So you may be Plain and not know it...till now.

The Plain Catholic heart is the heart of the charism. We rejoice in our faith. We do not collect for the sake of collecting because it means we are owned by the material. We hope only to be owned by Jesus Christ the Eternal and to express His love for all people in our lives. Be patient with us if we sometimes fail, as we seek to be patient with you. All of us are only human after all.

That's me away.

Sometimes tis nothing...

From a Michigan Amish community, Sept. 1, 2009

"Jonathon and Anna S had a rude awakening one night when they heard a window breaking. Upon investigating they found one of their horses rubbing his back-end against the window, breaking it in. Needless to say they were relieved to find it was only a horse, instead of a burglar, as would usually be the first thoughts.

"My note: sometimes there is real danger...and sometimes tis just the back-end of a horse.

Psalm 27: 1-8
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid?
2 When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh, These my enemies and foes themselves stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear; Though war be waged against me, even then do I trust.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the LORD'S house all the days of my life, To gaze on the LORD'S beauty, to visit his temple.
5 For God will hide me in his shelter in time of trouble, Will conceal me in the cover of his tent; and set me high upon a rock.
6 Even now my head is held high above my enemies on every side! I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and chant praise to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice, LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
8 "Come," says my heart, "seek God's face"; your face, LORD, do I seek!

That's me away.

Plain Catholic Primer ©2009 - The Good Parish

© 2009
It takes a genuine faith to BE the example rather than looking for another to set the example. If WE are the EXAMPLE, then like leaven in bread, any parish will rise because of our positive and genuine presence. Priests are human too. They need to see that there are parishioners who exude the genuine love of the Gospel and who are willing to cooperate with the good works of the parish without being "holier" or "proud" or whiners who complain all the time.

Priests need this encouragement: just read St. Paul's writings where he speaks of how he is encouraged by the example set by a given community...and he was a SAINT! We must first seek to BE the parish we want to be in. It may take awhile but others will begin to understand and join you in being a positive and joyful presence. Only the terminally grumpy will continue in their whining. So let us BE the Good Parish in a humble and joyful way, not talking the walk but walking the walk and others will gladly join us. As St. Paul reminds us repeatedly:

• If we make a mistake we must admit it.
• If we see a need, we must seek quietly to help meet it with no fanfare for ourselves.
• If another makes a mistake do not grouse nor nitpick the person, quietly set it right.
• Comment only on the positives of the parish; pray about the negatives without saying a word to another and thus avoid spreading the sin of gossip and detraction.
• Thank your priest and those who volunteer in your parish frequently.
  

We must encourage and support our priests who carry the heavy burden for us. It will help to create good parishes where ever we are. As Pope John Paul II reminded us:

We need a docile heart in order to build an exemplary Christian community. We need a spirit that is strong in the faith in order to proclaim the love of God that conquers sin and saves in Christ Who died and is risen. Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)

That's me away then.

Of Anxiety and the Plain Response

There seems to be a heightened level of anxiety since the election. Those who treat elections as a competition between teams view the political parties as part and parcel of their identity. The more they identify with the political party, the more upset they become when their party loses.

The economy still struggles in spite of a smooth electoral process. News from other quarters of the world is increasingly overwrought, even shrill.

The holidays are upon us. Let us take pause from the telly, the radio, even the internet news. Those who are addicted to continual updates of news all day long seem to be the most overwrought of many.

Pray. Trust in God. Remember what Jesus, Our Savior tells us in John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

"Be not afraid", Pope John Paul II announced referencing that Scripture. He knew the peace that Christ brings and knew well the reassurance of Romans 8:28

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

That's me away.

Salt and Vinegar

When Jesus told us that we need to be the “salt of the earth” in Matthew 5:13, He was conveying a very deep and manifold concept. Salt irritates and stings infected and injured flesh because it is killing harmful microbes that sicken and destroy the flesh. Salt is also used to preserve food to keep it from spoiling for the same reasons. So too, as Catholics who seek Christ and to be His faithful disciples, we must not lose our saltiness for Jesus reminds us that we will then be good for nothing.

As salt, we need not and should not verbally get in everyone’s face by confrontational irritation for this is the deadly sin of pride. We will be irritating enough by simply trying to focus on our own growth and spiritual maturity. By following Jesus’ example; by choosing virtue in every decision, instead of choosing sin, pride and vice as our response in every moment of our lives, we will be far more effective as salt through our example than we would be with words. Our society is drowning in words and it is only by the fruit of our lives (Matthew 7:15-20) that we remain salt for the earth and a light to the world.

Our example will be more irritating to the world the more the world saturates itself in the infection of evil. We must humbly persevere in following Jesus in the face of that evil. Pray and work in virtue. Seek the seven virtues, both theological and cardinal; study the Scriptures; and pray, pray to and with Christ without ceasing. Do all with a cheerful heart so that you do not become vinegar and bitter. Do know that the crown awaits those who persevere in humble obedience to Christ.

After all, salt and vinegar is only tasty on chips.
That’s me away.

On Being Separate

On Being Separate

From The Church and the Land by Fr. Vincent McNabb, OP

…SEEK…FIRST the Kingdom of God, and His justice. First things first, for God’s sake; or you will crash at once. Let your Exodus be after the coming out of Egypt. Leave the garden cities and the flesh pots, not in order to scorn suburbia or to lead a simple life, but to worship God.

Quit most of your fellowmen not because you hate them or despise them, but because you love them so much as to hate the conditions which degrade and enslave them. Do not leave Babylon as hating the Babylonians, but as hating Babylon, which kills the Babylonians…. And do not seek ease or security you can obtain by using Babylon. What will it avail you to cease living in Babylon if you do not cease living on Babylon?

...indeed, be a world apart, a self-sufficient, self-supporting kingdom; and though you surround yourselves with a high wall of brick and a higher wall of silence, your sermon will the heart and hope of all the sermons we apostles will preach in the daily exercises of our craft of apostle…. Fr. Vincent McNabb, OP

********************************************************************************************

Scripture References on Separation from the World

…the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. - John 17:14

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. - John 17:16

And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2

Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Be’li-al? Or what part has he that believes with an infidel? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and you be separate," says the Lord, "and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty. - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. - James 1:27

You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. - James 4:4

…you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (a people for God’s possession); that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. - 1 Peter 2:9

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any [one loves] the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17

…I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. - Revelation 18:4

Food for Thought and Prayer:
How much do I depend on God to provide for my needs; and how much do I depend on Babylon?

That's me away then.

Plain Catholic Spirituality

One of the hallmarks, if you will, of Plain Catholic spirituality is the virtue of humility. Humble service to God and His Church; humble service to our families; humble service to the land. St. Benedict devoted a major portion of his Rule to the virtue of humility (Rule of St. Benedict). Humility comes from the Latin word meaning "of the earth". The humble person isn't a doormat; rather the humble person is grounded in reality. We live in a culture that promotes self-gratification over all other activities. Plain Catholics seek service to Christ above self. All of the great religious orders in our Church know that humility is the soil in which holiness grows. The Augustinians, the Benedictines, the Carmelites, the Dominicans, the Franciscans and oh so very many others all emphasize this one virtue. Without it we cannot advance in spiritual maturity.

"If you wish to be perfect”
St. Teresa of Avila (1515-82), Spanish Carmelite nun, Doctor of the Church Interior Castle, Mansion 3, Chapter 1

O Jesus! can any one declare that he does not desire this great
blessing, especially after he has passed through the chief difficulties?
No; no one can! We all say we desire it, but there is need of more than that for the Lord to possess entire dominion over the soul. It is not enough to say so, any more than it was enough for the young man when our Lord told him what he must do if he desired to be perfect…


Enter then, enter, my daughters, into your interior; pass beyond
the thought of your own petty works, which are no more, nor even as much, as Christians are bound to perform: let it suffice that you are God's
servants, do not pursue so much as to catch nothing. Think of the saints,
who have entered the Divine Presence, and you will see the difference
between them and ourselves. Do not ask for what you do not deserve, nor
should we ever think, however much we may have done for God, that we merit the reward of the saints, for we have offended him. Oh, humility, humility! I know not why, but I am always tempted to think that persons who complain so much of aridity in prayer must be a little wanting in this virtue…Let us try ourselves, my sisters, or let our Lord try us; he knows well how to do so, although we often pretend to misunderstand him…


If we turn our backs on him and go away sorrowfully like the youth
in the Gospel when he tells us what to do to be perfect, what can God do?
for he must proportion the reward to our love for him. This love, my
daughters, must not be the fabric of our imagination; we must prove it by
our works. Yet do not suppose that our Lord has need of any works of ours; he only expects us to manifest our goodwill…if we continue in it…
doubtless, by persevering in this poverty and detachment of soul, we shall
obtain all for which we strive. But, mark this - it must be on one
condition - that we `hold ourselves for unprofitable servants.’ (Lk 12:48)

That's me away then. May your day be blessed with spiritual graces from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Getting to Know You

Thank you to Dawn and Coffee Catholic for such a warm welcome! There are many Plain Catholics who seek to live a life of simplicity and modesty. As Coffee Catholic's husband noted, tis a natural for a faith that has monasteries who live separate from the world and practice stewardship of the land. There are lay people who, as Plain Catholics, also seek this life of simplicity to focus upon glorifying Jesus in their lives.

Our Lady of the Rock is one such monastery of Benedictine nuns. They raise rare breeds such as Scottish Highland and Kerry cattle, Cotswold sheep, llamas and others. Stewardship of the land is part and parcel of their vocation. Hope you enjoy this link!

That's me away then. I have the supper to make and the husband to feed.