Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Science vs. Religion

“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
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This afternoon, I went to the movies with some friends to see “Philomena.” It was based on the 2009 investigative book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith, The Lost Child of Philomena Lee. My son Joe had seen it and gave it the “Mom movie” stamp of approval. He knows what I like. No violence, cussin’, gratuitous sex or Three Stooges slap-stick stupidity. It was a lovely movie.

The movie got me to thinking about the enormous part that religion can play in our lives. We were raised Catholic, as my parents and their parents were, and as my children were. That was our foundation. Some people were raised without any religious beliefs and take a more scientific approach to life, but they are still good people. Religion doesn’t define a person’s heart, the goodness of their heart defines that person.

Without giving away the plot of the movie, (just in case you didn’t see it yet) the Catholic Church sometimes gets a bad rap for many of its present practices and of those from days gone by, but religion gives us that foundation to build on. It’s up to us to complete the house. (Wow! I’m coming up with some deep metaphors.) There are good and bad people in every society or religious background. You can’t make blanket generalizations, but many people do.

I found the movie thought provoking and entertaining. The character of Philomena never lost her faith, even after suffering untold hardships. Anyway, I just wanted to share my thoughts on the movie and my faith. The movie made me laugh, cry and contemplate life. If you saw it too, feel free to share your thoughts. I know you’re never suppose to discuss religion or politics, but this is more like discussing good movies.

Science vs Religion…the two are not rivals.

Sunday Serendipity

Serendipity means a “happy accident” or “pleasant surprise”; a fortunate mistake. Specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it. The word has been voted one of the ten English words hardest to translate in June 2004 by a British translation company.[1] However, due to its sociological use, the word has been exported into many other languages.[2]
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Sometimes the signs hit you over the head, or smack you in the face, or sneak up when you’re not looking. Friday, I was talking to one of my senior artist friends about church. She hadn’t been able to go for several weeks after her surgery and she missed it. Saturday she called me, but left a message, as I wasn’t home. When I called her back, she said, “I sensed that you wanted to talk about something. I told her, “Not really. But, I had been thinking after talking to you that I needed to get back to church.”

When I woke up Sunday morning, I looked at the clock in the bathroom and it said 8:45. Darn! I promised myself that if I woke up early enough that I’d go to 9 o’clock Mass. Not enough time…wasn’t meant to be. So, I brushed my teeth, made a cup of tea, and started to dial my mom for our morning chat. It was almost 9 and I wanted to catch her before she went to church. I grabbed my cell phone and noticed that it said 8:05. What? That’s right! Daylight Saving Time. We fell back and I forgot to change the clocks, but the cell phone changed automatically. I DID have time to get to church by 9.

The signs hit me over the head. I scrambled, got dressed and got to St.Gabriel’s with five minutes to spare. It felt good to be back to church, to see families, children, elderly and the faithful, all there to show their respect and share their faith. I realize that being a good Christian or a good Catholic doesn’t mean going to church every Sunday, but rather being a good person every day, but sometimes you just need to put on your Sunday clothes and join others to give thanks, sing a few hymns and thank God for your blessings. Amen.

Tuesday Tip of the Day: Give

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.
Maya Angelou
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When you have been blessed, it is an honor and privilege to share your blessings with others.
Me
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I feel sorry for the people who have never experienced the joy of giving, sharing, teaching or volunteering. It is a feeling like no other. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money. Sometimes, just a few kind words, a smile, or a simple gesture could impact another human being.

When did the world become so self-absorbed in personal self-gratification? What’s in it for me? How can I get more? This just isn’t right! Every religion or faith promotes kindness to others and sharing our blessings. Why have so many lost their religion, lost their faith? Thank goodness for those who follow the golden rule, not the almighty golden coin.

So, my tip for today is GIVE! Share a word, a smile, a few hours. You will be blessed in return thrice-fold. What do you do to share…what will you do? I’d love to hear from you.

I have the pleasure of volunteering every Friday with some beautiful seniors.

A load of back to school supplies found their way to The Samaritan Inn Shelter.

Some stickers and supplies heading to CASA for the children.

Sunday: Sharing and Pairing

Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.
Mahatma Gandhi

When you think of Sunday, you usually think of going to church, family gatherings and Sunday dinner. Today, I was thinking about my Hispanic heritage and all the religious foundations that I was raised with. I wouldn’t say I’m the most religious person in the world, but I have a very strong faith in The Lord and that our faith keeps us strong.

Oración a la Virgen de Guadalupe
Oh amada Virgen de Guadalupe, rosa mística, intercede por nosotros ante tu Hijo y obteén por nosotros las gracias que te pedimos. En los momentos de angustia defiendenos de las fuerzas de nuestros enemigos, y a la hora de nuestra muerte recibe nuestra alma en el Cielo. Amén.

A beautiful Hispanic ritual is the prayer and novena to the Virgin of Guadalupe. So, to share in both Spanish and English, (thus the pairing) here are some lovely prayers. It really doesn’t matter who you pray to or what your faith is, just having faith “is a good thing.”

http://www.2heartsnetwork.org/Guadalupe.htm

Wednesday: Words of Wisdom

Who better to inspire us than St. Francis of Assisi who devoted his life to his faith and the poor? His words can inspire people from all faiths and walks of life. I have a statue of St. Francis in my back yard. It was a gift from my mother many years ago, and always reminds me of the true spirit of love, humility and kindness. May we all know the joy of working with our hands, our heads and our hearts.

(CNN) — St. Francis of Assisi, after whom Pope Francis has taken his name, captures the spirit of many Catholics because church history regards him as the pre-eminent figure passionate about imitating Christ’s life.
He is known also as a patron saint of Italy, the founder of the Franciscan order of the Friars Minor, an admirer of nature and a servant to poor and destitute. The brown robe of the Franciscans is iconic.

Jorge Bergoglio is the first pontiff from Latin America and the first pontiff to adopt the name of Francis — the name of the rich young man from Assisi who renounced wealth and founded the Franciscan order of friars in 1290.

St. Francis of Assisi is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment.

St. Francis cared for the poor and sick, preached sermons to animals, and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God.

“True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.”
― St. Francis of Assisi

“No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves.”
― St. Francis of Assisi

“Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change,
he courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”
― St. Francis of Assisi