One of the reasons I love international travel is the fact that I am able to get off the map. No one can find me (not that many are looking) and I can’t find work(which is the bigger problem). No phones. No e-mails. No web. No radio. It seems to be one of the few ways I can turn off.
This year I am going to try something different. Instead of walking away once or twice a year for a week at a time, I am going to sprinkle my break through out.
My goal this year is to take one day off a week (what a novel concept). I am going to return to the idea of keeping the Sabbath.
It can’t happen on a weekend because of my travel schedule for work, so it is going to move around from week to week.
Not allowed on Sabbath:
* Surfing the web
* Reading and writing e-mails
* Listening to the radio (not even in the car)
* Listening to music of any sort
* Doing work
* Reading the newspaper
Allowed:
* Praying/Meditating
* Reading for pleasure
* Studying
* Visiting with friends
* Stretching and exercising

He did it again!
The Christmas season if full of holy days. Here is the big man’s reflections of Holy Days. Do yourself a favor; spend 5 minutes with this reflection.

It is called the Loving Kindness meditation
It is to be said out loud every morning and every evening for 30 days.
*May I be free of suffering.
* May I know the joy of my own true nature.
* May I be happy.
* May I be at peace.
[via EFT]

The church tonight for mass was quiet. Very quite music. Lights turned down low. Fr. Carr reassured us that he had been paying the electric bill, he just thought it would be a nice way to start the new year, in quiet.
The new year is about brash parties and brash proclamation of how we are going to change our life.
It was nice to start the year in quiet at Eucharist (to give thanks). Instead of looking ahead, it gave time to sit back and give thanks for all the blessings of 2005.
Thank you for the blessings I am receiving and the blessings I have received.

Nothing quite like the internet to spread mistruths and half truths. There is no creditable evidence on either side of the argument of the truthfulness of what is below. Regardless of its truth, it is creative. The story goes like this…
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.