Here's another example of biblical literalism run amok where Phariseeism (legalism) raises it’s ugly head once again. This is not a slam on the Catholic Church. It is the principle of ‘the norms’ (law) overriding the Spirit which is prevalent throughout the Church of whatever denomination or even most other major traditions around the world. As usual it’s about power and control. Here’s an excerpt. The link to the story, which will remain for a limited time, is here

Bishop: Foot-washing for men onlySome parishioners, priests question

why women being left out

KEN GARFIELD

Religion Editor

The head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte is reminding priests that only men’s feet are to be washed at Holy Thursday services, a move creating a buzz among many N.C. Catholics this Lenten season.

“I have vowed respect and obedience to my bishop. With sadness, I will obey Bishop (Peter) Jugis, with apologies to the women of St. Ann’s parish,” the Rev. Conrad Hoover of St. Ann Catholic Church in Charlotte said Thursday.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” said Jenifer Register, a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte, who describes herself as “fired up” over the issue. “I feel that women are a huge part of the church. The church would not survive without women.”

Jugis on Thursday designated diocesan spokesman David Hains to explain his position.

Hains said Jugis is following Vatican guidelines in reminding priests that foot-washing is for men only on Holy Thursday, (italics mine) this year on April 13. Holy Thursday, he added, reflects what happened at the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of the 12 disciples, all men, as a symbol of servanthood.

Hains said Jugis issued the policy to the 46-county diocese for the first time under his leadership last year. This Lenten season, though, the reaction among many Catholics has been more pronounced with many priests and parishioners questioning the policy.

Asked if there is a mechanism in place for priests who choose not to follow the reminder, Hains said, “There is an assumption that the priests will follow the norms.”

The norms vary from one diocese to another. (Click here for the rest of the story while it remains up)

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

11.  Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

And always remember….when life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over !

Faith is a state of openness or trust. To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float. And the attitude of faith is the very opposite of clinging to belief, of holding on. In other words, a person who is fanatic in matters of religion, and clings to certain ideas about the nature of God and the universe, becomes a person who has no faith at all. Instead they are holding tight. But the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be.

Check it out at: http://www.alanwatts.com/essential_aw2.html

watching,
among other things, the youth.
Teens we thought, but
were probably slightly over 21,
tramping about in the sand,
their hands constantly touching (groping?)
each other.
As I read APR (American Poetry Review)
I wondered if they wondered why
I’m sitting here reading stuff that appears
indecipherable and intellectual and
no doubt to them totally boring.
And I think….
who is the smarter? They
who are totally experiencing life
as fully as possible
or me and my meager attempt
to simply write about it?
I’m tempted to wake up my wife and say,
‘Let’s play?, let’s fondle, touch, kiss,
run and get wet in the surf together….
There is time for writing later.

RonRusso 2006

“I think we would be able to live in this world more peaceably if our spirituality were to come from looking not just into infinity but very closely at the world around us — and appreciating its depth and divinity.???

– Thomas Moore

“I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.???

– Harry Emerson Fosdick

“The interchangeability of matter and spirit means the starlit magic of the outermost life of our universe becomes the soul- light magic of the innermost life of our self. The energy of the stars becomes us. We become the energy of the stars. Stardust and spirit unite and we begin: One with the universe. Whole and holy.???

– Dennis J. Kucinich (Too bad we didn’t nominate this guy!)