TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK - XXIII

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND: “Now, our society is deranged. (We do not mean to be harsh. We are killing our children; if we are not deranged, we are something much worse.) – Catholic World Report article Nov. 1996

QUOTE II: "Outside a dog, a man’s best friend is a book; inside a dog it’s very dark.” - Groucho Marx

IN OTHER NEWS:

Have you been meaning to start reading Scripture on a more regular basis? Have you been looking for motivation? Here is an opportunity for you. Rob over at Catholic Scripture Study is going to start a four-year study. Here is a description in his own words:

“This schedule represents an attempt, not simply to "read the whole Bible", but to always read the whole Bible, in a way that maintains historical continuity as much as possible, demonstrates the development of Divine relations with Man and follows the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.

Over the course of four years, the reader will read all the books of the Bible. Each "scriptural year" starts on August 16th with the Assumption-Christmas Schedule, which always begins with the books of Genesis and Exodus. These books are the foundation of every year’s reading. Like these two, some books are found on each year’s list, maintaining the fundamental storyline (and theological growth) of the canon. Other books are encountered on a rotational basis. This is not to say that these books are not "fundamental", but rather issues of time may prevent a person from reading them each year. This schedule is aimed at use by working people, who may only be able to dedicate half an hour each day to strictly spiritual matters.

I pray that this half-hour may, like the mustard seed, grow into a greater commitment to and knowledge of the good news of God.”

Here’s a nice little side benefit. According to the Handbook of Indulgences (1991), “A partial indulgence is granted the Christian faithful who read sacred scripture with the veneration due God’s word as a form of spiritual reading. The indulgence will be plenary one when such reading is done for at least one-half hour.”

“Any of the Christian faithful who, being at least inwardly contrite perform a work carrying with it partial indulgence, receive through the Church the remission of temporal punishment equivalent to what their own act already receives.”

“Beside the exclusion of all attachment to sin, even venial sin, the requirements for gaining a plenary indulgence are the performance of the indulgenced work and fulfillment of three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the pope’s intentions.”

For more information on indulgences look here.

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE LOFT:

I was contemplating St. Francis when I saw the bunny at his feet. Is just me or does he look menacing? He looks like an attack rabbit. Actually there is a legend that the rabbit used to be the most visious of all rodents. But, as luck would have it, it was the only creature to witness the resurrection. He was so over awed and in shock that he instantly turned white, began to shake, and became the most docile and easily spooked of all rodentdom. Then he went into the colored egg business.