My Good Deed on Good Friday

I finally gave in.  Yes.  It has happened. 

I have seen The Passion of the Christ. 

I was terrified of all the stories I had heard about the violence and the portrayal of evil.  However, at the end I found myself saying, "That's it?"  I suddenly discovered that it was my faith that carried me through the movie.  Yes, it was very violent and by no means pleasent.  However, it was no worse than I had invisioned in my head.  It was the ultimate sacrifice and no one could suffer more by any other means.  And, to add to the sacrifice, Jesus was completely free from sin and unjustly accused.

The violence was intense, but it was no match for the emotion that only true Christians can feel.  The emotional pain of seeing Jesus struck with one thorn was harder than any terrific violence.  The scourging seemed to drag on, and on, and on, and on...  I winced with every blow.  I could not watch the hammering of the nails.  But, again, it was not the violence, but the emotion that came from the realization of His ultimate sacrifice.  I did not cry or object because I knew the reason and necessity of the Passion.  It was like being there, walking with Mary.

The portrayal of the devil was very creepy, but it was awesome when Jesus crushes the head of the serpent!  I thought the demon-children were quite frightening, but again, you were left off with hope when Christ triumphs in His Death and resurrection.

The only thing I can't understand is the big deal people made about the movie.  I do not think it is good for every person.  It has a purpose and fulfills it, but it is only for those who already know the Truth and want only to strengthen it.

I do not ever want to see it again, except maybe on Good Friday, but I am glad that I did.

Again.

Benny had a seizure at approximately 8:52 AM.  No need to say how I feel.

Goodby cat-sitter, hello boarding house!

Hehe

Sick Furball

Last night I thought that I was going to have lost three cats in only four months. 

So, it went like this...  I was playing piano upstairs when mom came in from the garage and screamed for me, "Something is wrong with Benny!"  I ran downstairs to see Benny, legs straight out in front of him, stiff, and shaking on the den floor.  I ran upstairs to get papa and a towel.  I ran back downstairs to find him with his legs curled in and perfectly still. Oh yes, I forgot to say that throughout this, his was wailing as if in pain.  When I picked him up inside the towel he "woke up" so to speak and looked around, confused.

We got him to the vet and they immediately took him back to get his temperature, heart rate, and blood sample.  We all thought he had been poisoned somehow.  They brought him back to us, wide-eyed, scared, and with shaved neck.  :(  He climbed up my sweatshirt and dug his face in my sleeve.The vet came to tell us that every test came back normal.  He had no trace of toxins or any abnormal signs. 

So, my little kitty has been diagnosed with epilepsy.  He had suffered a grand mal seizure.  The vet reminded us that epilepsy is defined as "seizures of unknown causes".  He could have more and worse seizures and have to be put on medication.  He also could never have another seizure again.

Oh well.  I miss the fur on his neck...

My Kitty's Cuter than Your Kitty, My Kitty's Cuter than Yours!

Sorry, I couldn't help a little competition.  ;)

Before and After

Creation...ees amazing, no?

Big Bro is in town! Well, he was in town.

So, we had Big Bro over for a little over 24 hours.  Just enough time to get his hair cut, eat five meals, and make a speech at six Masses.  Oh, yes, he also added a new car game to our wide collection.  His purpose was to raise money for our seminarians.  Did you know that it costs an average of $40,000 to send a man to seminary per year!  It is incredible.  And, by the way, he graduates from college seminary this May!

I also sang the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria for a wedding.  The bride and groom were 65-year-old classmates who had never been married before!  It was such a beautiful wedding! And, Mama and I did very well on the music.  I let that b flat ring in the church until a dove went soaring through it and took flight to Heaven!  (Or, at least that is what my voice teacher told me to feel like...)

A Special Link

Please visit this link to the Consoling His Heart blog. 

http://consolinghisheart.blogspot.com/2011/03/little-known-gem.html

I can vouch for this great offer of a give away!  ;)

April Fools

Considering that I am not clever enough to make up an April Fools joke, I decided to help out with all of yours. 

St. Jude, patron of fools, pray for all those who are fooling others today!