In one of the longest running performances in history, Sholem Aleichem’s epic, “Fiddler on the Roof,” we hear “Traditions!” In that musical, we hear the father, Tevye, question the origins of traditions. For instance, he even wonders why the Jewish men always wear their hats. Dear Reader, All good traditions come from our Triune God! For a good example, the Sacred Tradition of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass comes from Jesus.

The Traditional Sacrament of Marriage comes from God. Jesus teaches, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh?” Dear Reader, good traditions are not things of the past to be discarded, but they are for the future. Good Traditions are meant to be handed forward to our children because they are God-Sent!

Dear Reader, In our Catholic Missals, we read the phrase (First Friday) and (First Saturday) for each and every month of the year. These Sacred Traditions are not expressed in vain or written in the missal haphazardly, but they have Supernatural Purposes! The First Friday devotion originated in the 17th century when Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary and spoke to her about the offenses committed against His Most Sacred Heart, especially among wayward, lukewarm priests. There are twelve promises from Sweet Jesus grants to those Catholics who honor the First Friday Devotion.

First, I (Jesus) will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. Second, I will establish peace in their homes. Third, I will comfort them in their afflictions. Fourth, I will be their Secure Refuge during life, and above all in death. Fifth, I will bless all their undertakings. Sixth, sinners shall find in My Heart the Source and the Infinite Ocean of Mercy.

Continuing, seventh, tepid souls shall grow fervent. Eighth, fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. Ninth, I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored. Tenth, I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. Eleventh, those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.

And twelfth, I promise you in the Excessive Mercy of My Heart that My All-Powerful Love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the Grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My Disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their Safe Refuge in this last moment.

Dear Reader, During her July 13, 1917 Apparition at Fatima, Our Lady said to Lucia, “I shall come to ask… that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.”

Although Mary made no further mention of this First Saturday devotion at Fatima in 1917, on December 10, 1925, our Blessed Mother again appeared to Lucia at Pentevedra, Spain, where Lucia had been sent to learn to read and write. It was there that Our Lady completed her request for the Five First Saturday devotion.

Appearing with the Queen of Heaven in that apparition was My Jesus, Who said to Lucia: “Have pity on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother. It is covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to remove them with an act of reparation.”

The criteria of the First Saturday devotion consist of the following four points. First, one must go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This confession can be made before the First Saturday or afterward, provided that Holy Communion be received in the State of Grace. This confession could be made a week before of even more, and that it should be offered in reparation.

Second, one must receive the Most Blessed Sacrament. Before receiving Holy Communion, it is likewise necessary to offer it in reparation to Our Lady. This Communion will be accepted on the following Sunday for just reasons, if my priests allow it so. So if work or school, sickness, or another just reason prevents the Communion on a First Saturday, then with this permission it may be received the following Sunday. If Communion is transferred, then any or all of the other acts of the devotion may also be performed on Sunday if the person so desires.

Third, one prays the Holy Rosary as a vocal prayer or while meditating upon the Mysteries of Our Lord’s Life and Passion and Our Lady’s Life. To comply with the request of our Blessed Mother, it must be offered in reparation and prayed properly while meditating.

And finally, one must meditate for fifteen minutes in reparation; the meditation may embrace one or more Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary; it may include all, taken together or separately. This meditation should be the richest of any meditation, because Our Lady promises to be present with those who keep her company.

To all those who, on the First Saturday of five consecutive months fulfill all the conditions requested, Mary promises to assist them at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for the salvation of their soul.

In consideration of this little devotion, Jesus and Mary wish to give the Grace of pardon to souls who have had the misfortune of offending the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Finally and profoundly, whether the world has war or has peace depends on the practice of this devotion, along with the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

PPS: Dear Reader, Seven hundred and sixty-one years ago, the Sacred Tradition of wearing the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a sacramental that prepares one to receive grace properly from the Holy Sacraments, and to dispose us to cooperate with those Sacramental Graces, was handed-on to us by St. Simon of Stock (1251). “Whosoever dies wearing the Brown Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace.”

The Brown Scapular consists of two small pieces of brown wool connected by string and worn over the shoulders. The Scapular must be brown, rectangular, and made of 100 percent lamb’s wool. This is symbolic of Jesus, the Lamb of God!

The pious wearing of the Brown Scapular brings the promise of Eternal Salvation. It is a constant reminder in times of danger and temptation that Mary is watching over you and cares very much about you and what might happen to you. It helps us understand the Truths of Catholicism.

Continuing, the Brown Scapular excites good thoughts and increases devotion. It obtains favors from God through the prayers of the Church offered for those who make use of them, and through the devotion that they inspire. It brings many actual graces upon the wearer. It helps bring forgiveness of venial sins, by being a true aid to true contrition.

Continuing, the Brown Scapular excites good thoughts, inspiring devotion, and greater love of God. It provokes greater sorrow for our sins. This devotion and sorrow bring grace, and grace-forgiveness of venial sins. The Brown Scapular helps bring remission of temporal punishment from our forgiven-sins. Every pope from Leo XIII to the present Pope Benedict XVI wears the Brown Scapular!

Finally, the Brown Scapular helps bring health of body and material blessings. It does not confer sanctifying grace immediately, but helps dispose one to its reception. It brings protection from evil spirits. We can wear the Habit of Our Lady with great hope that it will preserve us from evil, it will provide protection against the devil, who goes about seeking souls to devour. The Brown Scapular is a badge of courage, and it provides protection against the evil one.

PPPS: Dear Reader, Good Tradition holds that we do not take God’s Name in vain. Words such as, “Oh my God” and “Jesus Christ” should always be uttered in prayer or good reflection. Jesus Christ, have Mercy on us! O My Jesus, help me! O My God, I love you!

PPPPS: Dear Reader, Tevye related that maybe the tradition of always wearing a hat was because the Jewish people were always leaving their homeland for one reason or another. In addition, in our daily lives, we could all be considered like a fiddler on a roof. We are all trying to play a sweet song for others while trying not to fall down on our face!

PPPPPS: Dear Reader, Adorable Jesus inquired of Sister Lucia and of us today, “What have you done today to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of My Mother?”

St. Joseph, pray for us!
St. Margaret Mary, pray for us!
Servant of God, Lucia, pray for us!
St. Simon of Stock, pray for us!
Blessed Alan, pray for us!
St. Vincent dePaul, pray for us!
St. John of the Cross, pray for us!
St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!
St. Theresa, the little flower, pray for us!
St. Teresa of the Andes, pray for us!

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the Promises of Jesus Christ!

Stay-tuned for my first echo of Volume V, “San Jose” on Thursday, September 27.

Dear Reader, the West Nile fever is spreading in Texas, forest fires are burning in thirteen states, many states are drought-stricken, and the earth is quaking around our planet. Many humans attribute these phenomena to man-made global warming, some global-cooling? Other humans attribute these disastrous events to the natural fluctuations of our planet’s life. Either way, there will always be a need for good nurses!

Florence Nightingale, Clara Burton, Mary Mahoney, Mary Breckinridge, Edith Cavell, Mary Seacole, Helen Fairchild, Dorothy Dix, and Virginia Henderson are just a few of the meritorious nurses that have performed wonders on our planet.. However, these women were some of the more well-know trailblazers who highlighted the many contributions that nurses have brought to the field of medicine. They dedicated their lives to helping the wounded and the sick.

Moreover, the task of nursing has been around since the dawn of humans. In fact, all good mothers, fathers, sister, brothers, and friends, etc. perform good nursing tactics to ease the suffering of their wounded or sick companions. Nurses are protectors and advocates for those in need of regaining their health and well-being. For good reasons, a good doctor takes a solemn Oath to ensure that he or she practices good medicine, especially to do no harm to any living being. A nurse does not.

A nurse makes a Nightingale Pledge, “I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”

The Emmy award-winning Catholic Bishop, Fulton Sheen (1895-1979), teaches us about the three attribute that each good nurse possesses. First, a good nurse has been wounded, and/or he or she has been ill; he or she knows sorrow and agony first-hand. Second, a good nurse is cheerful. He or she performs his or her duties with a joyful-disposition and an infectious-smile, no matter what afflicted-setting unfolds. Finally, a good nurse has a sound belief in the Supernatural Realm; he or she believes in God. In other words, Dear Reader, a good nurse, is a patron of physical love, emotional love, and Spiritual Truelove!

Dear Reader, Our Lady of Perpetual Help is The Nurse! Mary has been greatly wounded, her good consolations are contagious, and not only does she believe in God, but she is the Mother of God, the Mother of Jesus, and, in fact, she is also the Spiritual Mother of all humans beings! She promotes health, for instance, for example, with her healing waters of Lourdes. This is verifiable by doctors of all persuasions even from those who follow the religion of atheism.

Holy Mary comforts the sick, wounded, dying, and afflicted with her heavenly graces. She is full of Grace! She has a remedy available for the global sickness and wounds. Go to her for your well-being!

As the global-naysayers caterwaul, the heart of our wounded Earth continues in sickness. Consequently, if someone were to prick his or her littlest piggy, just once, in the same location each and every day, with the tiniest of threading-needle, then, Dear Reader, what would be the prognosis?

First, the sore would become extremely red and painful; it would begin to swell, Next, after some days, without any nursing, infection would commence. The tiny wound would enlarge, encompassing the entire littlest toe. Then, left unattended and uncomforted, the infection of the little piggy would spread to the other toes, the foot, the leg, torso, arms, neck, brain, and then all the way around to the other little piggy, causing deathly sickness and a mortal wound to the entire body.

Our sister Earth is heartbroken, we allow far worst then a mere pin-pricking. Each and every day we allow a baby to be horrifically torn from the womb of his or her mother! In fact, it is more than one-a-day! How is our sister Earth reacting to this and the many other horrible hellish-feats of humankind occurring to her body? We may well be blessed that the global-extremes of our planet are not at their optima, yet? There is only a precious amount of time, remaining, to heal these wounds.

Dear Reader, By the Grace of God, Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, gives us “the” remedy, from Jesus, for the unhallowed events of our globe. If we listen to her wishes, then she will nurse us back to Spiritual Health and Spiritual Well-Being. She is prophesying, through the three little children of Fatima, to each one of us, even today, from the Pope all the way down to this hobo. O Mary, your wish is my command!

Notwithstanding, Bishop Sheen says it best, “Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for Divine Love?” And, may I include, Dear Reader, nurse one another with an upside-down frown!

St. Agatha, nurse us back to Jesus & Mary!

O St. Joseph, Protector of Mary & Jesus, lead us out of our exile (sin) towards Jesus & Mary!

Servant of God, Bishop Fulton Sheen, teach us about Jesus & Mary!

St. Bernadette, bring us towards Jesus & Mary!

Blessed Jacinta, Blessed Francesco, and Servant of God, Lucia, of Fatima, pray for us!

Stay-tuned for the, “Post Script of Volume IV (First Fridays & First Saturdays)” on Thursday, August 30.

Peace & JAMLY,

hobo euie

Dear Reader, what do we have a deep passion for? Do you have an ardent affinity for something? What makes you tick, so to speak? Could your passion be for a sports team, a song, an exercise routine, running, shopping, a food item, barhopping, a car, a place on Earth, or could it be for your career? Or, better yet, could your affinity be for someone as a friend, a team member, a family member, an athlete, an actor, teacher, or maybe it could be for a politician? How does one show and share with the world this affinity? Furthermore, what is the ultimate outcome that we seek from our affinity or our passion?

Dear Reader, if we listen to Holy Scripture, then we hear Jesus teaching, “Father, if You are willing, take this Cup away from Me; still, not My Will but Yours be done.” Continuing, “My Father, if it is not possible for this Cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your Will be done.” Again, we hear, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I Will, but what You Will.

Jesus was never looking for an escape hatch to be left untouched by His persecutors and executioners during His Passion. He was showing and sharing His Affinity; that we should “only” do the Father’s Will. We should never march into a battle, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually, thinking that maybe, we are doing it for Christ’s Sake. St. Francis tried but failed, in his attempt to merit a “red” martyrdom. Good thing too, for us!

A good spiritual director, like a good priest, devoted to “Our” Lady would be very, very wise. Francis, however, did win his “white” martyrdom. It was not the Will of the Father for him to win a red one! Jesus, of course accomplished both, for you and me. The Passion of Jesus, Dear Reader, is second to no one’s! Jesus was in such agony and He prayed so fervently for you and me that His Sweat became like Drops of Blood falling on the ground. So, why are we sleeping???

O Mary, “. . . and you yourself a sword will pierce . . .” As a good parent, when I see my child fall and skin her knee, my interior pain is real. When I see her in her joy, then I am joyful! When I see her struggling, then I struggle! When I see her suffering, then I suffer! O Mary, how you must have suffered so, during the Passion of your Son, Jesus! O Mary, I beg you to wake us up!

Furthermore, Jesus is so Passionately in Love with us, Dear Reader, that He does not want to overstep the Will of Our Father. “Our Father (I love you so much!). . . Lead me not into temptation . . .” Jesus is teaching us about how Our Father is so in Love with us; more than we could ever fathom! In addition, the Passion of Jesus clarifies His Ever-Present Fervent Love in which He has for Our Father!

Besides, Dear Reader, even after the accumulation of over six thousand wounds, incurred from the stomps, punches, and lashes that mangled the Sacred Body of Jesus, encompassing the Top of His Precious Head to the Bottom of His Innocent Feet, along with the piercings by the razor-sharp thorns, big blunted nails, and by that soldier’s sharpened-spear that entered His Sacred Heart, no pain to Jesus was ever more excruciating then when He was Agonizing in that Garden of Gethsemane, where “His” Passion, for you and me, showed, and His Affinity, for you and me, was shared for all to see!

His Affinity for you and me, Dear Reader, was so profound that, in His fully human state of existence, Angels from Heaven needed to strengthened Him. The Angels, as good nurses do, were so essential in ministering to Our Heartbroken Jesus! After all, the Ultimate Outcome for the Passion of Jesus is to bring us all to the Kingdom of Heaven. Every Sorrowful Drop of His Precious Blood that fell to the afflicted-earth was meant for you and me, who are either unrepentant-reprobates or loving-reconcilers. His Soul was Sorrowful even unto death!

Dear Reader, Everything good that we do, say, and think, whether it is a passion for running, eating, singing, watching, and/or an affinity for our careers etc., should be accomplished so that we follow in the Footsteps of Jesus by bringing ourselves, our families, our friends, our neighbors, our enemies, and, in fact, all the lost sheep closer to Jesus and Mary. Bringing others with us into the Kingdom of Heaven should be the ultimate outcome for our thoughts, words, and deeds!

We are able to commence this Holy and Noble Catholic Task each morning: O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the (Passionate) intentions of Your Sacred Heart!

O Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!

St. Francis, lead us!

O Father, Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of His (Jesus) Death and Resurrection, we offer You, Lord (Father), the Bread of Life and the Chalice of Salvation, giving thanks that You have held us worthy to be in Your Presence and “minister” to You!

Dear Reader, Jesus and Mary Love you (JAMLY), so much!

Stay-tuned for, “The Nurse” on Thursday, August 23.

Peace & JAMLY,

hobo euie

Dear Reader, Does December 21, 2012 ring a bell? I am sure you have thought about it. In fact, you are probably in some sort of a limbo, thinking about it right now. Let me tell you, Dear Reader, that on that day, 12-21-12, something Supernatural, something Super-Extraordinary to our daily life will occur! I, myself, will be one of many witnesses to this Supernatural Event; however, you could too? That day will involve a man adorned in violet who will be honoring a secret agent.

Anyway, Dear Reader, what is this place or state of being where we call Limbo? We understand that no sin can enter Heaven. If a human has venial sins when they die, then his or her soul is purified in Holy Purgatory, and then he or she is welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

If a human possesses a deadly sin, then we hope that before he or she dies, he or she reconciles that mortal sin with a contrite heart. Remember, Dear Reader what St. Francis teaches, “Woe to them . . .” Anyway, no one should wish anyone, even his or her worst enemy, to go to the gates of Hell. Hell is Hell!

Dear Reader, by that December day, will you have started on some wild vacation to an exotic place as Tahiti or even Timbuktu? Or, just maybe, you will have started on a vocation that mirrors the three women at the Holy Cross. A good vocation could be as Our Blessed Mother, doing good works as the ever-contemplative, or the other Mary, who does good works as a wife and a parent, or maybe, Mary of Magdalena, doing good works as a single person?

Moreover, Dear Reader, when the souls of good humans become separated from their bodies, they go to Holy Purgatory and then unto Heaven! What is this Limbo, then? Limbo is a state of existence where good souls resided before King Jesus reopened the Gates of Heaven. We praise You, Dearest Jesus, and we love You, because by Your Holy Cross, You have Redeemed the world! Viva Cristo Rey!

Thereafter, Jesus descended into the dead (Limbo), and then He ascended into Heaven allowing all the previous good souls from Adam to John the Baptist to follow Him. Anyhow, despite what gossip that you may have heard or read, Dear Reader, Pope Benedict XVI never closed the gates of Limbo, so to speak. Catholic Teaching states, in not so few words, that defining the Truth about Limbo is still in limbo. One may be a good practicing Catholic believing in, or not believing in, the State of Limbo. May the Holy Spirit enlighten us, soon!

Furthermore, when a young gentleman presents an engagement ring to a young lady, then he is in a state of limbo until she responds. Continuing, a first-time little angler waiting for that first nibble, a budding parent wondering about the impending birth of a newborn child, and a little boy or girl awaiting to be chosen as a team member for a game of kickball, etc. are all in some sort of limbo.

The classic game of Limbo provides some silly fun for children and young-hearted adults alike. As the pole lowers after every round, it gets harder and harder for people to walk beneath it without hitting it with their heads. The participants are moving between a somewhat state of limbo, so to speak, between the Earth and pole reaching across the heavens!

Interpretations of the mayan, the hopi, the web-bot, nostradamus, edgar casey, and the I-ching, etc. so-called doomsday prophesies have some sort of misguided version of what may occur on that December day. But, there is always a happenstance that a very teeny-weeny fragment of truth may be available in any or all of those soothsayers.

St. Paul teaches that before ascending into Heaven, Jesus also descended first into the lower parts of the Earth. St. Peter teaches that being put to death in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit, Good Jesus went and preached to those souls that were in prison, which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noah.

Notwithstanding, Almighty God has written on all our hearts, so to speak. “. . . but the Law shall be written on their hearts.” Even the most unschooled are able to comprehend enough of Holy Scriptures to merit Heaven by the Grace of God. Even the poorest-minded are able to speak some semblance of Truth. So, Dear Reader, listen to me!

Finally, Dear Reader, there is a famous portrait of George Washington that has never been completed. The original painter, Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828), did not complete this project because he died. We can see a copy of that portrait on the one-dollar bill. His assistants did not want to complete it out of respect. Maybe, Dear Reader, the mayan calendar-maker did likewise, dying before he could ever finish his calendar? Anyhow, I hope that they both reach at least one of the many mansions of Our Father’s House!

Oops, I almost forgot;) On that December 12, 2012, a Catholic priest, dressed in a violet alb because it is the royal color of the Season of Advent, which reminds us of the time when King Jesus was yet to be born of a virgin, and when all the good souls of the yesteryears were awaiting, in Limbo, for the Coming of the Messiah, will echo aloud the Sacred Words of Consecration, and then, he will lift up the Most Sacred Host for all who are present to see, love, and contemplate!

Seconds later, this good Catholic priest will do likewise with the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior! This is where I will be, Dear Reader, by the Grace of God, through the intercession of Our Blessed Virgin Mother of God. Dear Reader, The Catholic daily Holy Mass is Miraculous! Viva Cristo Rey!

St. Teresa Benedicta, guide us!

St. Clare, pray for us!

St. Francis, help us!

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, teach us!

Saint Peter Canisius, secret agent for the Pope Pius IV, you taught that, while there are many roads leading to Jesus Christ, veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the best! Please help me see the good in even the most disquieting of people. Help me, St. Peter, to recognize their talents and use them for the good of saving souls. Help me to see beyond their behavior so that they may bother me to be more fervent in my prayers. Amen! Happy Feast Day on 12-21-12!

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners!

Stay-tuned for, “Passion” on Thursday, August 16.

Peace & JAMLY,

hobo euie

Albert Einstein once said, “Science without religion is lame . . .” He also said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Dear Reader, when we pray the Most Holy Rosary, we are never doing the same thing. In fact, each bead promotes a deeper insight into the Holy Mysteries of Faith and Reason. When in a State-of-Grace, each “Hail Mary” pierces the heart anew. Each and every intonation that we utter produces or strengthens an attribute of True Virtue. Common Sense?

G. K. Chesterton, the apostle of common sense, smartly reveals that when a human ceases to believe in God, then he or she will believe in anything. He knew that politicians, beginning in his time, the dawn of the 20th century to our 21st century, would be progressive minded, meaning that they live in the future tense, because they know that they have done nothing but evil in their past. If we keep voting for the same malicious-minded politicians and expect a different result, then where is the common sense in that?

Dear Reader, our postmodern politicians want parents to have no power, for goodness sakes, neither in the home nor at school. However, Gilbert Keith Chesterton (RIP, 1936) teaches us that fairy tales are true; not because they tell us that the dragon exist, but because they tell us that the dragon can be defeated! Viva Cristo Rey!

In Revelations, we hear, “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

Dear Reader, If we are not speaking about Jesus and Mary, daily, to our children, then our words are tepid, our deeds are half-hearted, our thoughts are dispassionate, and our hearts are hardened. Nonetheless, when in a State-of-Grace, Dear Reader, each and every Holy Eucharist consumed is a New Heaven on Earth!

Our children readily believe in Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, and the boogieman etc., and rightly so! Therefore, it is imperative that we demonstrate our Love for Our King and Our Queen. Jesus and Mary are more alive than anything or anybody else in this world! Our good children need to know and learn about the Kingdom of God!

If your children are resistant to prayer, then invite them by praying in their area of operation amidst their daily lives. Do not be imposing. Be kind, be a team player, and have fun! If you, as an adult, are resistant to prayer, then go seek out the Catholic priest waiting just for you in the Confessional. As parents, if you are not praying with or around your children, daily, then shame on you! Common Sense?

Dear Reader, In what may be considered one of the most significant plays of the 20th century by Samuel Beckett, titled, “Waiting for Godot” that performance demonstrates how our common nature as humans, our mundane lives, rich or poor, has nothing to do with common sense, whatsoever. Every one of us could be either character, estragon or vladimir, meandering along just waiting for godot.

The waiting has more to do with biding our time by the tree, than it does with our vague notion of whom exactly this godot is, and why we are waiting for him. In that play, some semblance of common sense does become apparent, the pair do discuss repentance, particularly in relation to the two thieves crucified alongside Jesus, but that aspect of their dialog is fleeting.

Anyhow, Dear Reader, once upon a time, about three months prior to when my one-hundred-year-old uncle, a fallen-away catholic, was on his deathbed, I had what would be our last of many deep conversations about God, the afterlife, the nature of human beings, and the Holy Catholic Church. In our many biannual conversations, I had always encouraged him to speak with a Catholic priest. He, very alertly, always humored me by saying he would consider it.

In that last phone conversation, I kindly beseeched him one last time. I said, “If I were wrong about the Holy Doctrine of the Catholic Church concerning the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist, then you would only be wasting about fifteen minutes of your life speaking with the Catholic priest.

“But,” I continued, “If you are mistaken, Dear uncle, about those Sacred Teachings, then tell me what the consequences are?” Unfortunately, my uncle (RIP, 2010) admitted that he could not give me an honest answer at that moment, and he said that he would get back to me. I am still waiting . . . and I am still praying!

Dear Reader, Our jury system is based on the common sense of good common people. It has worked just fine since the middle ages. Jury decisions for the most part need to be unanimous. Albeit, since 1781, our US supreme court has had only about a 30% rate for unanimous decisions.

Why is it that our well-educated justices cannot agree on the critical issues that plague our country? The solution is simple; they need to apply the common sense gifted by the Holy Spirit. Our Catholic Catechism is 100% filled with common sense!

Anyway, Dear Reader, in one of the most commonsensible endings to a life of acting and directing, Clint Eastwood plays a disgruntled Korean War vet named, Walt Kowalski, who sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski’s prized possession, a grand torino.

As the movie progresses, Walt decides that there is only one-way to save his friend from destruction. In the waning scenes, we see how Walt maneuvers. Walt prepares for his own funeral. He gets a haircut, new suit, and finally, after many years, he receives Holy Absolution from a Catholic priest.

Then comes the grand finale! Walt utters the soundest verse that one could ever script. In the last line of that last scene in his last movie, just as the hail of bullets commences, Clint prays, “Hail Mary, full of Grace.”

St George, the Dragon Slayer, defend us!

St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, guide us!

Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us!

Viva Cristo Rey!

Stay-tuned for, “Limbo” on Thursday, August 9.

Peace & JAMLY,

hobo euie