Thursday, December 29, 2022

A Mass for John Wayne

 

John Wayne was seen by the public as “a good man”, in my opinion.  His movies always seemed wholesome, and he always was the good guy.  I remember them fondly.  I read that John Wayne refused to take part in any immoral movies, which had begun to spread around Hollywood.

John Wayne was born named Marion Morrison.  His (first) wife was named Josephine.  She was Catholic, and they married in a Catholic church and agreed to raise their children Catholic.  Their four kids all attended Catholic schools.  Unfortunately, they divorced, but she did not remarry until after his death.  His third wife, named Pilar, was also Catholic.  John Wayne always had lots of Catholic friends and bishops and priests in his life, but it was not until two days before he died that John Wayne requested to be accepted into the Catholic Church, and was.  It was a classic deathbed conversion story, but why am I writing about it now?

As I attend mass every morning, I choose to sit in a back corner of the church.  Perhaps it is to avoid some virus bugs which may be present, but it is also some recognition of my worth.  Sitting on the same corner chair each morning, I’ve come to notice the flooring in front of me.  It is off-white colored, with grey-black swirls and shapes, and I’ve gradually noticed that some seem familiar to me.  One seems to me to be the eyes of Jim Caviezel, who played Christ in The Passion; the eyes look at me.  Another seems to be the eyes of Kathy Anderson, the smallest daughter in the old series Father Knows Best.  Others seem to be like angels.  But off to my right is an image of what looks to me like John Wayne, with the large cowboy hat, squinting eyes and gritting teeth --- as if he’s out bronco riding.  The image seems very clear to me, and for some reason this morning I recalled once reading that he had a deathbed conversion ---- and perhaps because I’ve felt called in recent days to pray for the souls of the dead, this morning I prayed for the soul of John Wayne.

When I did an internet search later this morning, I found that John Wayne’s original name was Marion, and his original wife, Josephine.  I’ve recently felt compelled to offer novena prayers for souls in Purgatory, and the meditation book I’ve used mentions that deathbed conversions are a wonderful thing, but that those souls will likely spend their days in Purgatory, until the day of the Final Judgement.  It recommends prayers for those poor souls.  Marion and Josephine, Mary and Joseph, Christmas, He came to save all souls.

I think I will have a mass offered for John Wayne.  Perhaps it should be for Marion, but I am sure Jesus will know who he is.

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I received a nice thank you note from Sr. Mary of St. Joseph, the head of a group of cloistered nuns in London.  I send them books at Christmas.  This year was a bit more complicated as Amazon required me to open a United Kingdom account before it would ship my order to them, and the Amazon UK orders did not allow you to enclose gift notes, so I worried the nuns would not know where the books came from.  I needn’t have worried.

She wrote me: “Two lovely books have been received and they can only be from you.  It is wonderful to have Cardinal Sarah’s latest book.  We actually had a visit from him recently, when he was in London, and he gave us a copy of his book on Priesthood, but we did not have “The Catechism of the Spiritual Life” and we are so grateful to you.  Habits for Holiness looks excellent too.  God bless your kind heart.  With Carmel’s prayer – not forgetting the soul of your dear mother.
                                Sr. Mary of St. Joseph”

Now first, I was pleased she recognized the books as likely being from me.  But I was totally surprised at their visit by Cardinal Sarah.  I know those nuns rarely have visitors, and to have him and then the book I chose which was written by him?  I don’t believe in coincidences.  And Sister’s last line was also pleasing to me.  I mentioned I have begun recently praying for souls in Purgatory, but I had especially felt called to pray for the souls of my parents.  And now here was Sr. Mary, who for some reason felt the need to comment that she and the sisters are praying for my mother.  She had never made that comment in past notes I received from her.

I don’t believe in coincidences.  And I am sure my mother is most pleased with the prayers of the sisters, as John Wayne will be for mine.

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Love and Blessings

 

These are quiet days for me, time to read, reflect, pray, and ponder God’s many blessings in my life.

A short while ago, my brother-in-law had a stroke and then he and his two daughters/caregivers had caught Covid.  They survived that, but now their father is in hospice care and near death.  His remaining daughter wishes to fly to be at his bedside with her sisters, but now she has caught the Covid virus, and cannot fly for now.  She waits, and prays.  Nearby, a dear friend of mine recently had a heart attack, and then caught Covid, and now her son/caregiver has Covid also.  Then today, I had an extra Communion host and I called my sick friend to ask if I could bring it for her.  Upon my arrival she told me how she had no sooner hung up on my call when her phone sounded with some Christmas reminder she had programmed, and it sang out: “Jesus is coming!”

Sometimes it is hard to see God’s blessings in this world, but we can always feel His love.  It’s all around us.  Sometimes at the 7-11 store.

Today was Day 361 in The Bible in a Year podcast.  Fr. Mike’s podcast today was on the Book of Revelation, where it speaks of much desolation coming to the world, and yet also consolation. Regarding desolation, Fr. Mike comments that “God is Love --- yet, at some point if we don’t choose to repent, we will get what we have chosen.”  And suddenly his wording moved my thoughts to that popular video series, titled The Chosen.

I had thought those Chosen videos had a major focus on the 12 apostles, His “chosen” twelve.  And so it does, however, it now came to me that it also has a focus on us --- we are The Chosen of today.  Jesus came 2000 years ago, but we celebrate His Birthday yet today, as if He has just arrived for us.  And He has; He comes and chooses us even today, but as Fr. Mike and the Book of Revelation reminded me, He is indeed coming and does choose us, BUT, what we will get when He arrives is “what we have chosen.”

Fr. Mike further commented: “As Christians, we should feel as if we do not belong in this world.  The prophets were killed and/or ignored.  The world hates holiness.  (As the Book of Revelation notes,) He will come, not to punish the innocent, but to bring justice to this world.  Pray we receive His mercy, amidst the justice.”

He is a God of Love and Blessings, amidst the desolation of this world.  Have faith, trust in Him.  His coming was, and is, a blessing.

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As I went about today, I heard a radio program speak of studies which have been done on the youth of today, the huge increases of depression, loneliness, and suicides.  Things encouraged to make their lives better, like social media contacts and sexual deviancy, are strongly correlated with making them worse.  It’s like a huge whirlpool, spinning and dragging them down.  Yet, they too are among the chosen, perhaps even the most desired by God, His little children.  The radio program noted that over 50% of the young said they can relate to all the world’s major religions, and so deem themselves “religious,” but very few have a personal relationship with God.  He is thought to be in buildings or books or somewhere in the heavens, but not in their lives, not in their hearts.  And when He comes, what will they choose?

Whether due to some video series or podcasts, or even being struck down from a horse like Saul was, I pray that somehow the young come to realize how special, how loved, how chosen they are, and in a sudden awesome joy, reciprocate that choice.  And despite the world’s sicknesses and sadness cry out: “Jesus is coming!”

Sunday, December 25, 2022

My 2022 Christmas Letter

 

For those who received a card from me, this is old news, but I had a few more things worth noting this day, so I include my Christmas card mailing first:

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah

May the Joy of Christmas begin to fill your hearts and homes, for joy seems absent for many these days. Yet, as I get older, I see the joys God brings to this world ever clearer.  I turned 75 this year.

This past year I’ve seen many miracles, obvious actions of God where none were expected.  There is nothing so pleasing to me as to look into the eyes of someone as they joyfully exclaim: “You’ll never believe what happened to me”.  I’ve seen miracles big and tiny, and I am so pleased when I see God answering prayers said in earnest.  Oh, I know some prayers weren’t answered (at least in the way desired), but if all were answered just as we asked, there wouldn’t be ANY miracles, only what we expected as normal --- as if WE made the miracles happen.

And as for me, this past year a thing called Morton’s Neuroma began in my feet, mildly painful, but I put it in proper perspective.  I know I am blessed.  The very low white blood cell count which my doctor was concerned about (and I had people around the world praying for me about) turned out to be normal for me, and I’ve had no Covid, flu or even a cold.  I’ve seen God’s actions in protecting me from physical harms, and in giving me opportunities to be an instrument of His peace for others.  And He has put many wonderful people in my life --- like you.

Yes, despite all the bad things which upset the world this past year, I have seen that God is in control, and so I trust in Him.  I pray you had a blessed 2022, and that you find joy in your life in 2023.  I’m sure it’s there for your asking. 

You’re always in my prayers.

 

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All the Gospels these recent weeks focus on the events leading up to Jesus’ birth --- naturally.  They never seem to grow old, and always seem to provide new insights for me.  One thing that was (relatively) new was when my Liturgy of the Hours prayer book switched over to the Advent book, and one day I happened to glance at the back cover.  There I had written these words:

“What difference does it make if He was born in Bethlehem if He hasn’t been born in you?  Is there room at our inn?”

I’m sure the year I wrote those words I was wrestling with the busyness of Christmas, as I was of late.  When I read them in the chapel recently, I had much to meditate upon.  Have I been making more room for Him, or is my inn just getting old and dusty?

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I intended to make Christmas dinner today at home, alone again.  I planned to prepare a plate for the local 7-11 store, where the manager was working the dinner shift --- as he has done for 20 years so his employees can have Christmas home with their families.  He is a good man.  Earlier in the week, one of the other employees said that he would have help, so I prepared 2 meals for them, in addition to my own.  When I went to the store with dinner, however, Ron was there alone.  He let the other person go home early.  So I decided to stay with him and eat Christmas dinner there with him; the store traffic was light at dinner time on Christmas day.  We had good conversation and food, and then another single man came in.  Ron noted that he lived alone and was a quiet person, so I asked if he had eaten dinner yet.  He said no, and accepted our invitation to join us.  Besides the meal, I had also brought Christmas wafers for us to share before the meal and grace, as we said Happy Birthday to Jesus.  It was a good meal which we all enjoyed.  It was a good birthday party.  Now, as it nears 7PM, I plan to watch the Season 3, Episode 3 of the Chosen, a fitting close to the day.

I hope you had a blessed Christmas day.