Peace of Cake

Aren't you amazed and grateful? I mean more than you normally are given the beautiful and astonishing world in which we live?.  Everyone got together in a stated place and time and prayed for peace and, oh lookey, here! Crisis averted.

I know things in Syria are still terrible and the world is not at peace, but we were facing a really extra big mess and we've gone down from a flood to a wet carpet. At least for now. People who would have been killed will live.

You did that.  Just another day in Heaven.

Have cake. You deserve it.

Don't get sad because you did that together and the world didn't pay attention to what actually happened to turn the tide. You know how people are always complaining about the ornate decor in the Catholic Church and how the Jesus said not to make a show of your prayers? Besides the fact that I believe people who fell that way are totally missing the point and the context in which Jesus was speaking, this is one of those times when we can sit back with our fingers laced with our hands behind our heads and say, "We prayed away some violence in the world and no one noticed us doing it." How's that for not making a show?

I'll be calling on you very shortly to get out your prayer shawls, collectively, because I have a friend in need.

But until then, rejoice! Your faith has saved you.

Get to Work, You Masses

TOMORROW IS A BIG DAY.  YOU'RE GOING TO BE BUSY.

Pope Francis has asked you for a day of fasting and prayer, specifically targeted for peace in war torn Syria. Besides the issue of how fabulous it is to see our Pope wading into the land of international diplomacy, here in the cyber convent we have learned to power of mass prayer.

Not Mass prayer. Although mass prayer with Mass prayer is just dandy.  I'm talking about when we all pray together at the same time. Literally the same time. Using a clock and paying attention to time zones.

Tomorrow the Vatican is holding a five hour prayer service, which is another fabulous idea, considering the time zone issue. The vigil is Vatican time from 7pm until midnight on the vigil of the Birth of Mary, Queen of Peace.  So adjust your time accordingly to join in.

You can pray all day. The Pope has asked you to fast, too. Fasting is a great way to prepare for prayer. Fasting is a prayer in itself, but helps to focus your mind.  The simple rule of fasting is: only one meal and two smaller meals that, when added together, wouldn't exceed the amount of one meal.  No between meal snacks.

Alcohol is allowed! "Crazy talk!" you say.  No, you can have wine with your dinner, or a Tom Collins while you put your feet up. Obviously, it's not the best plan to indulge in anything on a fast. Indulging yourself flies in the face of the the spirit of fasting. GET IT TOGETHER! This is world peace we're going for here!

So put away the ice cream and Jack Daniels, set your clock and focus your mind. You don't have to go for five hours, but join in for as much as you can during the five hours.

Because there are 1.2 BILLION of us. Catholics. I realize that all 1.2 billion probably won't get the message. They're off the grid or still on vacation or skeptical or lazy or not playing with a full deck. But I'll bet a few non-Catholics will pick up some of the slack.

DON'T BE PART OF THE SLACK! Do as much as you can, even if it's just a little, because you will be amplified a billionfold. Let's go Catholics!