"Give us this day our daily bread..."

Michael Crosby, writing about the petition in the Our Father in which we ask, "Give us this day our daily bread," says:

"To ask with such confidence implies a relationship of trust. If we have problems trusting in God , it's not likely we'll be able to pray this petition from our heart. It's not likely, either, that we will have much of a personal relationship with our God" (Michael Crosby from The Prayer That Jesus Taught Us). The Father offers us friendship through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Friendship is always a matter of the heart, not to mention a matter of obedience, perhaps better denoted as faithfulness. The Old Testament Canticle for Morning Prayer this Saturday after Ash Wednesday is Ezekiel 36:24-28. In this passage God, speaking through his prophet, says to his exiled people, who, like us have been unfaithful to their covenant, "I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts." It always amazes me that Ezekiel does not say God will give them supernatural, but natural, hearts. In my own midrash, I think this refers to the state of original grace, the original state of harmony, or communion, the state in which all things, including human beings, originally shared, a state that was lost through disobedience. This is the kind of renewal God seeks, a complete transformation. The transformation God seeks, which always requires our cooperation because God does not force us, is to become who we are, who God, out of love, created, redeemed us, and now sanctifies us to be. Lent is the Church's springtime. Hence, it is a season when what appears to be dead comes to back to life.

At the heart of the covenant is, "you shall be my people and I will be your God" (Ezk. 36:28). This is the only covenant God has ever sought with humankind, who He made in His image and likeness, from the beginning, even before the fall. This is why God's covenant with Israel is not superceded. Rather, through Christ, as St. Paul seeks to point out again and again, we merely come to share in this covenant, all are invited to share in the wedding feast, the marriage of Christ with humanity.

We know that we cannot live by bread alone (Luke 4:4). The Word of God is what sustains us and all things. The Word of God, Jesus Christ, is the Bread of Life. Unless "you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you" (Jn 6:53). After all, as our Lord himself points out, those who ate manna in the desert eventually died (Jn. 6:49). He is "the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die" (Jn. 6:50). At each celebration of the Eucharist, our covenant is renewed.

It is not only possible, but necessary, to ask in our fasting "give us this day our daily bread" and then intensify our Scripture reading and praying. In this way, we will be filled, not only with what we truly need, but with what we most desire. In this way we will develop the kind of personal relationship with God, a relationship in which we come to trust God and so be able to pray this petition with the kind of confidence necessary to help usher in God's kingdom.

Larry H. Miller, rest in peace

Tomorrow we lay to rest a good man, a great Utahn, Larry H. Miller, who died a week ago today. There is an article in today's Salt Lake Tribune by Gordon Monson about Karl Malone's last conversations with Miller, who, in addition to being his boss, was his mentor, and a father-figure. It is really a beautiful piece on friendship and love. The Mailman recounts how sitting by "Miller's bedside, day after day... it pained him to see his friend's condition.


'It hurt me all day to sit there and watch him suffer... When I heard [about Larry's death], I thought, 'He's not suffering anymore.'

'Not one time did I hear him complain or say, 'Why me?' Not one time did he say that.

'Larry Miller was my hero. Looking into his eyes, I said all the things I wanted to say to him.'"

During one of their last encounters, according to Malone, Miller said to him, "When the end comes, I do not want to see you crying. I want you to smile. When I met you, you were smiling, and, if this is your last time seeing me, I want you to smile... That's what I want from you. Is that asking too much?"

If there were more owners of professional sports franchises like Larry H. Miller the landscape of professional sports would be much different, that is to say, much better. To us here in Utah Larry Miller was so much more than just than a rich car dealer and the owner of the Utah Jazz, or even a benefactor of many good causes, to end he was one of us. Last year at a Jazz-Lakers game, my Dad and I had the chance to sit a few seats down from him. He was just watching the game, talking to us all, commiserating about the favorable treatment Kobe Bryant was getting from the refs, etc. If you didn't know who he was, you would have never guessed he owned the team! He put on no airs! His marketing slogan for his car dealerships for most of the past several years was, "Hey, you know this guy". It is because we all, in a way, knew "this guy" that we will miss him.

I am a sports fan, but I try not to inundate my blog with it. I love the Utes and the Jazz. The Jazz are currently on a six-game winning streak, going 3-0 since Larry's passing. They have also won nine of their last ten games. All of this, under the steady hand of Jerry Sloane, comes just in time for a nice play-off push, despite a season during which injuries have been significant. Go, Jazz!

"Faith comes from God and every word that He breathes..."

Our late brother, Rich Mullins and his band of Ragamuffins, remind us on this first Friday of Lent that "there's a difference... 'tween having faith and playing make believe".

The IC puts some meat on the bones, linking faith to practice, with her Friday QOTD.

Rich, pray for us and ask Francis and Clare to remember us, too.

Holly Madison Criss Angel Breakup

Holly Madison Photos (Wikipedia/Luke Ford)

Girl Next Door star Holly Madison and magician Criss Angel have split but remained as friends. Holly Madison and Criss Angel began dating last October after the 29-year-old blonde buxom called it off from Playboy pariah Hugh Hefner.

Having a relationship with Angel who is busy with committing himself to 5 shows a week in Las Vegas means Madison have to stay at the Sin City also.

Criss Angel Photo (Wikipedia/TheLast2Day)

Apparently, this hinders Madison to develop her own career, so she decided to end the relationship.

"It was a conflict of schedules. She felt she couldn't devote 100 percent of her time in Vegas and his career at the expense of her career and her goals." An insider told to E! News while saying the split is mutual.

Freida Pinto Vogue India March 2009 Issue Cover Picture

Freida Pinto Vogue India March 2009 cover photo

Freida Pinto, the star of Oscars-scooping film Slumdog Millionaire, became one of the newest Hollywood’s favorites overnight. The 24-year-old Indian beauty covers the fashion magazine Vogue India March 2009 issue. It is only a matter of time now for Freida Pinto to grace the cover of Vogue magazine Us edition.

Lenten fasting

I held off reading the Holy Father's Message for Lent until yesterday. I am glad I waited until Ash Wednesday to read it. Sadly, it is one of those that will go largely ignored. He focuses his reflection on the spiritual benefits to be derived from practicing the spiritual discipline of fasting. While it is good to take breaks from things that consume too much of our time and attention, those things to which we may have an inordinate attachment, like television, Internet, to include blogging, and, indeed, all material goods, voluntarily abstaining from food is a truly biblical fast. As His Holiness writes:

"The Sacred Scriptures and the entire Christian tradition teach that fasting is a great help to avoid sin and all that leads to it. For this reason, the history of salvation is replete with occasions that invite fasting. In the very first pages of Sacred Scripture, the Lord commands man to abstain from partaking of the prohibited fruit: 'You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die' (Gn 2, 16-17). Commenting on the divine injunction, Saint Basil observes that 'fasting was ordained in Paradise,' and 'the first commandment in this sense was delivered to Adam.' He thus concludes: '"You shall not eat" is a law of fasting and abstinence' (cf. Sermo de jejunio: PG 31, 163, 98). Since all of us are weighed down by sin and its consequences, fasting is proposed to us as an instrument to restore friendship with God."

Fasting aids us in both avoiding sin and in repairing our relationship with God, which we break through sin. Frankly, I do not see how anyone is able to spiritually discern anything of any consequence without fasting about it. In order to fast, is has to be a discipline. For most people going 24 hours drinking only water, or with nothing at all, is just not possible if you are not used to it. Therefore, one has to start reasonably, fast for 12 hours, then 18, then 24, and even beyond. Of course, people who have health conditions, like hypoglycemia, are exempt from fasting. After all, we do not fast to harm ourselves. Fasting is a discipline, a practice, like prayer. Face it, if you only prayed when you felt like it, how often would you pray? Or, maybe more accurately, how often do you pray? Is it as often as you think you should? If not, why?

Pope Benedict states forthrightly that in our day, fasting seems to have lost something of its spiritual meaning." While fasting does benefit our health, the primary reason we fast is as "a 'therapy' to heal all that prevents [us] from conformity to the will of God." Along with prayer and alms-giving, fasting is one of "three penitential practices that are very dear to the biblical and Christian tradition." Because they are practices modelled and taught to us by our Lord, there is a unity and integrity to doing all three. Fasting without prayer and deliberate and intentional acts of charity is a healthful body purge. Charity without fasting and prayer is welfare that fails to take into account what the human person needs most, the sustaining love of God. Prayer without fasting and charity all too easily descends into a dry monologue, a grocery list, or even silliness. On the unity of these spiritual disciplines, the Holy Father quotes Saint Peter Chrysologus: "Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself."

Fasting is a penitential act by which, to quote St. Augustine, as Benedict does, "I will certainly impose privation, but it is so that he will forgive me, to be pleasing in his eyes, that I may enjoy his delightfulness." So, think about the practice of fasting during Lent. Perhaps, fast each week on Friday. Start out by not eating from supper on Thursday to lunch on Friday, eat a very slim lunch, and a minimal supper, then build from there. During your fasting set aside more time to pray, and make plans to do something good, even if it is to merely give what it would have cost you to eat to a good cause, especially if you are in the habit of eating lunch out at work. Be generous, donate the $10 or $15 you would really spend and not the $2 you give in a stingy manner as conscience money. Another way to do this is whenever you would otherwise buy a snack or a soda during Lent, make a note and give that money to a good cause. Perhaps you can put all of this money in your Lenten Rice Bowl. If you did this, you'd be amazed at how much you give. So, instead of getting fat on snacks and sodas, give the money you would spend to someone who daily struggles to eat her/his caloric and nutritional minimums.

As more food for thought for Lenten observance and even beyond, I draw attention an older post: I'll have the filet o' fish with no tartar sauce, please.

Yvette Prieto Michael Jordan Bought Villa in Miami

Michael Jordan,girlfriend Yvette Prieto Pic via Nachofoto.com

Yvette Prieto and boyfriend Michael Jordan bought a house last October in Miami, Palm Beach Post is reporting! Yvette Prieto, a 30-year-old Cuban model, is the girlfriend of the basketball Great Michael Jordan, 46, since 2008. Prieto and Jordan paid $281,000 for for the two-story villa with three bedrooms in Kendall, suburban Miami. The couple took out a 30-year, $196,000 mortgage on the 5,500 square foot house. Link: PDF file of Yvette Prieto and Michael Jordan's house property-appraisal records; Link: Google Earth Map where Yvette Prieto and Michael Jordan house is located.

David Beckham Chinese Viagra Advertisement Video

David Beckham is being illegally used in a Chinese advertisement to promote an anti-impotence drug called USA Selikon.

In the 30-second Chinese voices dubbed clip, David Beckham was featured with wife Victoria in a car. The football star says: “Want to know how I can keep being strong and running on the football field? USA Selikon capsules help me a lot. It's also the secret weapon with which I can satisfy Victoria.”

Other than Beckham, actors Sean Connery and Keanu Reeves were also being illicitly used in the same advert.

Sean Connery, the actor who is in fact 78 years old and has been married to wife Micheline for 32 years, appears to say: "I turned 70 this year. But with the help of USA Selikon capsules, I was praised by Barbara that I'm still THE James Bond, forever 25. I have told all my aged friends 'You should try USA Selikon capsules.”

And movie star Keanu Reeves says: "The feelings after my kidneys got washed by USA Selikon capsules are surprising. And my girlfriends were also surprised."

Errrr..., the unauthorized ad is a bit funny but apparently infringes the individual right to portrait of those stars involved seriously.

Our Great Lent Begins

It is important for us today to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Also remember that today is one of only two obligatory fast days in the Church, the other being Good Friday.

Psalm 90 captures well the spirit of Ash Wednesday:

"Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations. Before the mountains were born, the earth and the world brought forth, from eternity to eternity you are God. A thousand years in your eyes are merely a yesterday,

But humans you return to dust, saying, 'Return, you mortals!' Before a watch passes in the night, you have brought them to their end; They disappear like sleep at dawn; they are like grass that dies. It sprouts green in the morning; by evening it is dry and withered.

Truly we are consumed by your anger, filled with terror by your wrath. You have kept our faults before you, our hidden sins exposed to your sight. Our life ebbs away under your wrath; our years end like a sigh. Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; Most of them are sorrow and toil; they pass quickly, we are all but gone.

Who comprehends your terrible anger? Your wrath matches the fear it inspires. Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Relent, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!

Fill us at daybreak with your love, that all our days we may sing for joy. Make us glad as many days as you humbled us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. Show your deeds to your servants, your glory to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!"

Metanoia sin destroyah

There are two items I want to draw attention to on this eve of Lent. These items are two things I stumbled across in my daily ramblings. I had planned to write this big post on/about/for Lent, but these will more than suffice. The first is a quote from then-Monsignor Timothy Dolan from a book he wrote, entitled The New Men, about his time as a seminary rector. It is on discernment and was posted by my brother deacon, Greg Kandra, over on The Deacon's Bench. The money quote is: "If anyone said to me, 'Yes, I’ve heard the voice of Christ directly telling me to be a priest,' well, he might as well not even unpack. I’d put him on the next plane home." Take away: discernment happens through experience, which is a far cry from saying it is accidental.

The second item is about actor Mickey Rourke and how his Catholic faith has literally saved him. Rourke, who has had some serious ups and downs, says, "I've talked to my priest a lot. I used to have to call him or the shrink when there was an explosion, because I was really good at not talking to anybody until there was an explosion." This is instructive because it is not good to wait to talk until you are in the midst of a fight and getting your ass kicked to ask for help. The second thing he says worth noting here is "If I wasn't Catholic I would have blown my brains out. I would pray to God." In further discussing his lows, he "would say 'Please can you send me just a little bit of daylight.'" The daylight for Rourke is Fr. Pete. He first spoke with this priest when he was seriously considering suicide. It is an event that became and contiues to be an encounter for Mickey. I am glad the great film, The Wrestler, has resurrected his career. I still love his movie The Pope of Greenwich Village, which has nothing to do with the pope. As a matter of fact, I believe the line in which the phrase "the pope of Greenwich village" is used is the last line of the film. I thank Suzanne for bringing this to my attention.

Audrina Patridge's Home Burglarized, Surveillance Camera Video Posted Online

Hills hottie Audrina Patridge's home was burglarized over the past weekend, a lot of replaceable items as well as a few very sentimental things were stolen. According to the surveillance camera video posted online by Audrina Patridge, a female and her male accomplice committed the burglaries. As the intruders’s faces were clearly captured on the footage, we’re sure Audrina Patridge home robbers will be soon nabbed.

Audrina Patridge home robbery woman thief pic

Jayla Cooper, 9-year-old Bride from Texas (Pictures & Video)

Meet Jayla Cooper, the 9-year-old bride from Southlake, Texas. Jayla Cooper  “wed” groom Jose Griggs, 7, last Sunday. Jayla Cooper Jose Griggs “wedding” is not the children marriage, but a ritual that fulfills the wedding dreams of Jayla who has battered leukemia for two years and only weeks to live due to the terminal illness. The symbolic wedding was a celebration of life and friendship, noted WFAA-TV.

Jayla Cooper, the 9-year-old "Bride"

Link: Jayla Cooper Jose Griggs “wedding” video news report.

Wither my last post?

I decided to make it my first post over on la nouvelle théologie.

Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix

Ben Stiller poked fun at Joaquin Phoenix at the 81th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday February 22. As a co-presenter of Natalie Portman for presenting Best Cinematography award for Slumdog Millionaire, the funny guy mimicked actor Joaquin Phoenix on stage not only wearing the buffy beard and sunglasses but also mocking the latter's recent awkward appearance the Late Show With David Letterman.

Check out a "non-responsive" Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix video below.

Ben Stiller Academy Awards: Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix's Bizarre David Letterman Show Appearance

Beyonce Knowles Oscars 2009 Performing with Hugh Jackman (Video)

Beyonce Knowles Oscars Awards 2009 Performing picture

Beyonce Knowles made a medley performance with host Hugh Jackman at the 81st Academy Awards 2009 on February 22.

Beyonce Knowles performs with Hugh Jackman in Oscars 2009 video

High School Musical stars Vanessa Hudgens & Zac Efron and Mamma Mia!'s Amanda Seyfried & Dominic Cooper joined them to perform Last Chance and Mamma Mia! at the end of the show.

Not too bad!

Hierarchy update

The worst kept secret in the world was finally made public today, His Excellency, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, was named by the Holy Father to succeed His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan, as archbishop of New York. Someone who was charged with keeping a pontifical secret on this one surely earned the penalty of excommunication! Archbishop Dolan is an outstanding choice for what is truly one of the most important bishoprics in the world. The 59 year-old Dolan, is a native of St. Louis, the diocese for which he was ordained a priest and where he was made an auxiliary bishop to then-archbishop of St. Louis, Justin Rigali, before being installed as the tenth archbishop of Milwaukee in 2002. He is also the former rector of the North American College in Rome.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan

Dolan is a gregarious man, like the late, great John Cardinal O'Connor. While a very charismatic, smart, and media-friendly prelate (much like JPII), O'Connor was not much of an administrator (also like JPII). So, when O'Connor passed away, the archdiocese was in serious debt and running unsustainable annual deficits. Cardinal Egan deserves a lot of credit for his years in New York, appreciation that he is not likely to receive. Given the situation he inherited, Cardinal Egan did the necessary work of eliminating the deficits and paying down the debt. This meant making many difficult and unpopular decisions. His Eminence did not shrink from the task. As a result, he took many spears and arrows. Most of these he absorbed without complaint. The only time he expressed himself publicly was when an anonymous open letter written by some disgruntled priests created a huge public flap. Understandably, he had to assert himself against what can only be described as calumny. To his credit, he did not try to be John O'Connor. Cardinal Egan's successor will reap many benefits from his completion of many thankless tasks.

With the appointment of Archbishop Dolan, there are now five vacant dioceses in the U.S.: Biloxi, Mississippi; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Duluth, Minnesota; Oakland, California; Owensboro, Kentucky. There are also two vacant archdioceses, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and St. Louis, Missouri.

With the Holy Father's acceptance of Cardinal Egan's resignation, the number of archbishops and bishops currently serving beyond the mandatory retirement age (i.e., bishops whose resignations the Holy Father has not accepted) remains at eleven:

Archbishops Hughes of New Orleans, LA; Curtiss of Omaha, NE; Brunett of Seattle, WA.

Bishops: D'Arcy of Ft. Wayne/South Bend, IN; Murray of Kalamazoo, MI; Moynihan of Syracuse, NY; Tafoya of Pueblo, CO; Cullen of Allentown, PA: Higi of Lafayette in Indiana, Carmody of Corpus Christi, TX; Peña of Brownsville, TX.

The spiritual discipline of fasting

I continually find interesting things in unexpected places, like this post by Pastor Mark Driscoll on his blog, The Resurgence, Spiritual Disciplines: Fasting. I recommend reading it before Ash Wednesday.

Over the life of this blog, I have posted extensively on fasting, which is in danger of becoming a forgotten spiritual discipline, at least among Catholics. I find it oddly encouraging that many Evangelicals are discovering first-hand the fruits of the spiritual disciplines, the disciplines that we, as disciples, have received from our Master, Jesus Christ. I don't mind sharing that I first became serious about fasting after reading Richard Foster's timeless classic, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. Foster is a Quaker.

I will post something more on Lent tomorrow. Let's not forget up-front that Lent is not some generically spiritual time. The origins of Lent in the Christian tradition are bound up with the final stage of preparation for adults who are in the process of being initiated into the church. Stated more clearly, it is a time to intensify prayer, fasting, and charity as ways of drawing closer to Jesus Christ, as ways of imitating Him. To wit: the disciplines are means to an end, the only end that matters in the end, friendship with Jesus Christ, and not ends in and of themselves.

Nicole Richie Pregnant Again With Joel Madden’s Second Child

Nicole Richie & Joel Madden with first daughter Harlow picture

Nicole Richie is pregnant again! Her rocker boyfriend Joel Madden announced the happy news on the Good Charlotte’s official site on February 21. He believed Nicole Richie's pregnancy is "better than winning an Oscar"

"What's better than winning an Oscar? I am so happy to tell everyone that Harlow is going to be a big sister! God has truly blessed my family. Hope your all feeling as good as i am right now.........”

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden’s first daughter Harlow Winter Kate Madden was born in LA on January 11, 2008.

Don Giussani, pray for us

Monsignor Luigi Giussani
15 October 1922-22 February 2005

"We can only know God if He reveals Himself."

God reveals Himself "in a precise way: it's called Christ."

"Christ is the answer to all humanity's questions."

All quotes from Is It Possible to Live This Way?: An Unusual Approach to Christian Existence, Vol. 2 Hope (pgs. 77-78).

In his homily at the funeral liturgy for Don Giussani, then-Cardinal Ratzinger speaking about CL, said:

"Communion and Liberation brings to mind immediately this discovery proper of the modern era, freedom. It also brings to mind St Ambrose’s phrase, 'Ubi fides est libertas.' Cardinal Biffi drew our attention to the near coincidence of this phrase of St Ambrose with the foundation of Communion and Liberation. Focusing on freedom as a gift proper of faith, he also told us that freedom, in order to be true, human freedom, freedom in truth, needs communion. An isolated freedom, a freedom only for the 'I,' would be a lie, and would destroy human communion. In order to be true, and therefore in order to be efficient, freedom needs communion, and not just any kind of communion, but ultimately communion with truth itself, with love itself, with Christ, with the Trinitarian God. Thus is built community that creates freedom and gives joy."

I encourage to also read Sharon's post, Fr. Giussani's Ongoing Friendship, on this fourth anniversary of Giussani's death.

Five Stars at At Their Worst (Photos)

Perez Hilton posted a gallery of 75 photos showing more than 60 stars at their worst. Here are the top five stars rated as the worst at the time of this entry published:

Steve Carell 4.47/5

Brooke Shields 4.38/5

Lily Allen 4.24/5

Jessica Simpson 4.22/5

Hayden Panettierre 4.02/5

He is present

I was very moved by the quote from Don Giussani that appeared on the video of the New York City Way of the Cross, shown at the end of Chris Bacich's appearance on Life On The Rock. It is a good thought for this last weekend before what our Eastern Christian sisters and brothers call the Great Lent:

"He mounted the Cross to free us from the fascination with nothingness, to free us from the fascination with appearances, with the ephemeral."

These words were like a punch in the chest for me. It dawned on me that, for me, life without Christ is not life, it is nothingness. I had an encounter today with a woman whose love for Jesus and desire to serve Him are indescribable. She had an encounter with Christ, an event that became an encounter, a liberating experience that freed her from drug addiction over two years ago. She spoke about how Christ is tangible, a Presence in her life. This encounter moved me beyond that for which I can find words. I was struck silent before the Presence. I mean, I went to Mass twice today, once for the institution of those preparing to be ordained permanent deacons as acolytes, and once to celebrate the sixteenth anniversary of the re-dedication of the Cathedral. Both were moving, but my hour-long encounter with this person who understands that Christ found her was a step beyond both, a true encounter by means of a witness, who did nothing except tell me what Christ means to her, how the love the Father gives us in Christ has been verified through what she has experienced. She understands that "[i]n this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 Jn 4:10).

God is moving and asking me to follow. I am like the ones written of by the Psalmist, who at Meribah and Massah challenged and provoked God, even though they had seen all His works. I am grateful for both these experiences and for the ones whose witness attested to the Presence.

Something good to watch

Chris Bacich is the National Director for Communion & Liberation in the United States. I urge you to watch his appearance last night on EWTN's Life on the Rock, especially if you are curious about CL. Forward to about 16 minutes into the program to start watching when Chris' portion begins.

UPDATE: Suzanne posts something else that I find hopeful and sad. It is about Fr. Aldo Trento, a priest of the Missionary Fraternity of St. Charles Borromeo, who is a part of the great charism that is Communion & Liberation. It is people, like Fr. Trento, who bear witness that "[t]he presence of Christ is the only fact that can give meaning to pain and to injustice."

Wither Israel? III

Benyamin Netanyahu

Beginning today, Likud has six weeks to form a governing coalition. Israeli President, Shimon Peres, gave them the head nod today over Kadima. The nod was likely the result of Yisrael Beitneu announcing their support for Netanyahu and Likud. To date, no other party has announced that they are with Kadima. There are three items of interest:

1) Will Likud be able to form a coalition?

2) Will Kadima become the opposition, or join in coalition with Likud and Yisrael Beitneu?

3) What will Labor, with its 13 seats, do?

"You think that you the only one that got to suffer ??"

Rapper Fr. Stan Fortuna, CFR is a Franciscan friar who belongs to the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. He is a fairly well-known rapper, who lives and serves in their friary in the South Bronx. This number is Everybody Got 2 Suffer. It is our Friday traditio, the last Friday before Lent. So, in the most sincere way, offer it up!

"Pray to abstain from the lie sustain the truth
We got to come together y’all we loosin mad youth
Pain is a part of life its somethin we all feel
Give your time and your money to the needy keep it real
Sufferin is like a good thief it gives no warnin
Let’s stop playin the game, fa real, God is callin".

New York Post Chimp Cartoon by Sean Delonas

New York Post cartoonist Sean Delonas drew a cartoon showing two white cops shooting a champanzee to parodize the police’s shooting of Travis The Chimp in Connecticut and mock Washington's efforts to revive the economy. The chimp cartoon unexpectedly stirred the controversy, being accused of “at worst racist”.

At best insensitive to the victim of this week's mauling of a woman by a pet chimp, and at worst racist, the New York Post released a cartoon today [February 18] that could be interpreted as comparing Barack Obama to a chimpanzee.

As the Huffington Post says:

At its most benign, the cartoon suggests that the stimulus bill was so bad, monkeys may as well have written it. Others believe it compares the president to a rabid chimp. Either way, the incorporation of violence and (on a darker level) race into politics is bound to be controversial. Perhaps that's what (cartoonist Sean) Delonas wanted.

“They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.” New York Post and Sean Delonas are stormed by the chimp “racist” cartoon.

Wither Israel? II

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the far right, yet very secular, Yisrael Beitneu party, has cast his lot with Binyamin Netanyahu and Likud. This puts Likud in the driver's seat to form the next government of Israel. Kadima, having won the popular vote and the most seats of any single party in the Knesset, has stated unequivocally that they will not participate in any coalition in which their leader, Tzipi Livni, is not is not Prime Minister.

Likud and Yisrael Beitneu together have 42 seats, 19 short of the 61 needed for a coalition. I suppose if there is good news, the orthodox Sephardic party, known as Shas, wants nothing to do with Yisrael Beitneu. There is no word on any potential Kadima coalition, which would likely need both Labor and Shas on board to form a government. The key to lasting peace in the Middle East is resolving the Israel/Palestinian issue. None of these developments bode well for moving forward.

Hope can only be borne through experience

"Whatever the crisis the first question that arises is: 'Who are you,'" observed Bernard Scholz, President of the Companionship of Works Association (Traces, No. 1 2009, page 1). Everything that happens to us is full of meaning because the human person is a direct relationship with the Mystery and even "the hairs of your head are all numbered" (Luke 12:7). "Experience is the place where this is tested" (ibid). Hence, "a person is truly competent if he can face up to life, if he witnesses to a more human way of facing up to tough situations" (ibid). These words are hopeful, as opposed to optimistic, because they are difficult and cause us to doubt ourselves, to doubt that we are truly competent. Stated simply, on our own we are not. We need Christ and we need each other. We need companions.

Hope is a difficult concept. It is an even more difficult object. In order for it to become concrete we have to, as Giussani urged, "look it in the face," continually. What does it mean to look it in the face continually in order for it to become, not merely comprehensible to my intellect, but concrete? It means asking another to "explain this to me. Re-explain this thing. What does this thing mean for you? Why is this thing concrete? For example, now, why is it concrete" (Is It Possible?, vol. 2, pg. 68)? This is the purpose of School of Community. It is the place where we share our experiences in order to help each other. As companions we share with each other our daily bread and help each other to become truly competent.

M.I.A. Son Photo: First Public Picture

M.I.A. Son first public picture via

M.I.A. baby son was born on February 11, 2009 in Los Angles. Now the first public photo of the newborn boy has been showed off by Afrikan Boy, a friend of M.I.A.’s, who has appeared on several remixes with the Paper Planes singer. The 19-year-old rapper writes on his My Space:

I just woke up when i recieved this baby picture from Maya of her newborn son. He is Handsoommmeee!! I Need to teach him how to make PoundedYam and get Straight A's in School like Me!!! Love from Maya Ben and I Y H K D! Welcome to the world!

Wow! What a cute dark-haired baby boy!

Paris Hilton Rap With Snoop Dogg on "Dogg After Dark" (Video)

Paris Hilton raps with Snoop Dogg on the Dogg After Dark show which debuts Tuesday, February 17, 9pm on MTV.

Paris Hilton & Snoop Dogg “Dogg After Dark” video

The 28-year-old freestyles "Yo, what's up, my name is P Hizzle, I'm chillin' in the clizzle with my homeboy Snoop Dizzle……" on the debut episode (video above).

What do you think of the heiress’ rapping skills?

Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping Boyfriend (Photo)

Elizabeth Wong ex-Boyfriend: Helmi Malik

Picture! Here is a photo of Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping former boyfriend, Mr. H! This Malay guy was alleged of having photographed and leaked Elizabeth Wong scandal photos. Mr. H, an UK-educated Malay intellect and PKR member, had an on-and-off relationship of three years with Wong, at one point, they even discussed a wedding. But it was said Mr. H had the domestic violence tendency. He once battered Elizabeth Wong and got her injured twice, which foresaw their breakup. In September, 2008, Wong finally parted away from Mr. H who later warned the former via a PKR senior that he had her nude photos and videos and wanted her to know how to keep the image as a public representative. After his personal investigation, the PKR senior found what Mr. H warned was not just a desperate claim and advised Elizabeth Wong to carefully handle her relationship with her ex-boyfriend.

Update: Mr. H’s identify was revealed. His name is called Helmi Malik. Elizabeth Wong once thanked him for his help after she was elected as a MEP in March 2008. She then wrote, "My special thanks to the following folks:- My family......my boyfriend Hilmi who has been incredibly patient and supportive;"

Helmi reportedly has fled to Indonesia. According to the report on the Chinese media in Malaysia, Helmi Malik photographed Elizabeth Wong without her permission in order to prevent the latter from breaking up with him.

Time for a new post

There is not too much happening with me these days, apart from my daily life, which continues apace. Of course, the pace of my life is quite busy. I am grateful that my father-in-law is back home and resting while they're monitoring and determining whether open-heart surgery is required. I have no doubt that the prayers of all of us have helped him tremendously.

Our former next-door-neighbor, who was truly a neighbor, Bessy, passed away a few days ago. Her husband preceded her into eternity by two and-a-half years. We loved our old neighborhood and still stay in contact with many of our former neighbors, who, like us, have moved away. Bessy was the anchor of the neighborhood, having lived there her whole life. In fact, she lived in the house in which she was born. She was unable to have children, but loved ours like they were her own. So, in 2009, the river of time continues to drain into the sea of eternity. We will miss her greatly. Our three oldest children were trying to make sense of her passing last night. She was in her eighties and had not been well for quite awhile.

We all long for that life that is, to paraphrase St. Augustine, simply life. It can be a bit elusive, but it is obtainable and cannot be separated from the One who gives it, who makes it possible. Adhering to the Lord without distraction is all we need to do, as St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians. Yeah, I know, all we need to do...

Also, during a restless night, I remembered a walk through the West Village while I was in New York last month. I was walking with friends, one of whom is a professor of medieval English literature and the other, my friend Greg, with whom I am now friends on Facebook, who publishes the journal Image. As we walked and talked, Greg was asked what genre he worked in, taught, published, etc. He replied that he worked in creative non-fiction and then said something like, "Sometimes uncreative non-fiction". I knew then that I identified my blogging genre.

Time is a function of change. I mean what is a second to us? It is the time it takes the second hand to move from one dash to the next, or, digitally, from one number to next. Philosophers have puzzled over the notion of now, which is now...I missed it... it recedes into the past. Wait! Here comes another one. Oops, missed it, too... and so it goes.
In the words of an old Smothers Brothers song:

Whatever happened to time? It doesn't come around anymore. The last time that I saw time, it was walkin' out the door..."

Miley Cyrus “The Climb” Official Music Video

Miley Cyrus - The Climb - Official Music Video (HQ)

Video! Watch Miley Cyrus The Climb official music video from MySpace for free. The Climb is Miley's new single which is featured in the upcoming Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack which is hit stores on March 24! The Hannah Montana: The Movie film will be on screens in the U.S. and the U.K. this April.

Solange Knowles Suffered Wardrobe Malfunction at the Toni Maticevski fashion show 2009(Photo)

Solange Knowles wardrobe malfunction photo via hiphoprx.com

Solange Knowles, the younger sister of Beyoncé, suffered a wardrobe malfunction at the Toni Maticevski fashion show 2009 on Monday February 16. The singer wore a black see-through dress and had a very revealing unfortunately.

After her see-through incident, the 22-year-old blogs on her Twitter in all lowercase words:

"i always wear undies, never been carried out of the club drunk, i wont even pose for king or any "eye candy" type shoots and now look:(

my s---on display for all the world to see....sings amy winehouse's " what kind of f-------ckery is this" :(((((((((((((((

why does everyone always wanna say ‘it could've been worse’ when this type of thing happens? arrrrrghh... i hate that! it sucks either way!

im wearing turtlenecks for the rest of the year gosh dammit.”

So Knowles, please be more careful next time! :-)

Hayden Panettiere & Milo Ventimiglia Split Over “lifestyle conflicts”

Hayden Panettiere & Milo Ventimiglia picture via photobucket

Hayden Panettiere, 19, and Milo Ventimiglia, 31, have broken up last week due to “lifestyle conflicts”.

An insider close to the couple tells Us magazine that Ventimiglia "has been concentrating on work on his production company [Divide Pictures]" while Panettiere "likes to go out in the Hollywood scene and that's not his style."

Hayden Panettiere was reportedly seen kissing the 21-year-old singer/actor Jessie McCartney earlier this month.

So, the two Heroes co-stars separated just because of lifestyle conflicts? :-)

Scarlett Johansson to Replace Emily Blunt in Iron Man 2; Kate Moss Denies Pregnant Rumour; etc

Scarlett Johansson picture via photobucket

Scarlett Johansson will reportedly replace Emily Blunt from the role of Black Widow in the cast of Iron Man 2!

Salma Hayek, the 42-year-0ld Mexican-born actress, has married the 46-year-old French Billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault in Paris on Valentine's Day.

Kate Moss covers New York magazine February 23, 2009.The 35-year-old supermodel talks about her new career as designer for Topshop and denies the recent pregnant rumour in the magazine’s interview.

Chris Brown released a five-sentence statement on Sunday to apologize for the alleged attack on girlfriend Rihanna. In which he also said he was seeking counseling, and many media and blog reports about the incident have been wrong.

Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping Photos Scandal Rocks Malaysia

Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping Photos Scandal--Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping, or simply Elizabeth Wong, a female politician in Malaysia, was hit by a nude photos scandal which were believed by many as a smeared campaign against this promising street-activist-turned state assemblywoman from Malaysia's most prosperous Selangor. The compromising pictures showing Elizabeth Wong in partial nudity and one even exposing her private parts were supposed to be photographed by a former boyfriend (Helmi Malik) without consent when she was sleeping.

The salacious side of Malaysian politics has once again been exposed after the circulation of nude pictures said to be that of Selangor state executive councillor and PKR politician Elizabeth Wong.
The photographs are believed to have been taken by a former boyfriend without her consent.
Copies of the photographs were sent to a number of newspapers last week, in what appears to be an orchestrated attempt to smear her image.

Elizabeth Wong: Nude photos scandal victim (Kwongwah.com.my)

Elizabeth Wong, 37, Executive Councillor for Tourism, Environment and Consumer Affairs in Selangor state, had lodged a police report. She issued a statement, claiming she was a victim of a malicious attack on her personality. Excerpts:

I was informed on Friday, Feb 13, 2009 by journalists from the Malay Mail that they have in their possession intimate photos of myself and that the newspaper will be publishing a story about these photographs.
I was told that some people are trying to distribute photos/videos showing me asleep in partial nudity and also in intimate positions.
The distribution and publication of these photos/video is a malicious attack on my personality. This constitutes a gross outrage on my modesty, a gross invasion of my privacy, and in particular the sanctity of my personal life. It is being done by unscrupulous persons to embarrass and discredit me?
I am a victim in this incident.I have yesterday lodged a police report in relation to this matter and I will fully cooperate with the police in their investigation. I will therefore not speculate publicly about those responsible for this gross invasion of my privacy.

Malaysia Selangor State Assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong (Flickr.com)

In the statement, Elizabeth Wong said she is receiving a lot of support from her supporters, friends, colleagues and members of my constituency. In fact this is ture, almost all the comments left on the Elizabeth Wong nude photos scandal reports on various news outlets and blogs in Malaysia are flooding the sympathical and encouraging words for her.
Though Elizabeth Wong was called to relinquish all her posts by Khir Toyo, a controversial politician whose false accusation led to Teresa Kok, another top assemblywoman in Selangor detained by the police under Malaysia's infamous Internal Security Act, she refused to do so and said she would continue to serving the people of Selangor faithfully.

Khalid Ibrahim (pictured above), Selangor's Chief Minister, said he was confident that Elizabeth Wong, still would be a capable exco, apparently giving her the support.

“For the past 11 months she has carried out her duties diligently and I have full confidence that she will continue to perform her duties and responsibilities. Wong has a right to privacy in her personal life and should be respected by all. Her Exco colleagues and I will give her support during these trying times.”

Except Khir Toyo, some other politicians in the his alliance Barisan Nasional (BN) offered their sympathies for Elizabeth Wong:

De facto Parliament Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz appeared to distance BN from any involvement in the circulation of the photos, saying he hoped the Bukit Lanjan assemblyman would “find the strength to endure this and ignore it.”
“This should not happen because she is an elected representative and is doing her job as one. To bring her down through such method is not good,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai also condemned the circulation of the photos and video, saying that such “pornography” was not part of Malaysian culture.
Disclaiming any knowledge of whether it was politically motivated, he said that the leaking of the material was “not ethical and is an invasion of privacy.”
“However, if the picture is a revelation of her lifestyle, then it is not right for a leader to adopt such a lifestyle,” he added.
Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad also said that while she has not seen the video, Wong’s privacy should be respected. “People should not do such a thing,” she said but added that elected representatives in the public sphere should be mindful of their conduct because they were now responsible to their constituents.

Head of Women Wing of Malaysia Chinese Association's, a BN component party, condemned circulation of Elizabeth Wong’s nude pix

MCA Wanita chief Datin Chew Mei Fun took to task the person or persons responsible for circulating nude pictures of her and said the act was an outright invasion of privacy of women as well as an exploitation of women for political use.
“We are outraged by such shameful acts of using women as sexual objects. It is an outright invasion of the privacy of women as well as an exploitation of women for political use,” she said in a statement here in the light Wong’s nude pictures, which are currently being circulated on Internet, allegedly by her spurned lover and some quarters trying to kill her off politically.
Chew said taking photographs of bodily parts without consent or knowledge is against the law and punishable under the Penal Code (Act 574) and publishing such pornographic materials in the public domain also constituted to a violation of the same Act.
“We would like to advise all women to be cautious. We also urge the government to strictly enforce implementation of the Act which provides for punitive measures so that it becomes a real deterrent against such detestable behaviour,” she added.

Update: Elizabeth Wong offered to resign as exco member and State Assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan in the interest of her party. She announced her decision in a press release in Kuala Lumpur Feb. 27, 2009 while breaking down to tears.

Elizabeth Wong: "I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person." Picture: TheMalaysiaInsider.com

The events of the past two days have shown an insidious and underhanded attempt by certain quarters to smear my reputation. My personal life and privacy have been violated.

These people have conspired to undermine my credibility both as a Selangor State Exco Member as well as a Keadilan leader. Although the smear campaign directed towards me has caused me a lot of anguish, I am aware that the real objective is to discredit Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

I have done nothing wrong.

I wish to state that I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person. I have broken no law. I stand by the fundamental principle in a democracy that everyone has a right to privacy.

Parti KeADILan Rakyat stands for ‘new’ politics that holds justice and human rights as core values which transcend gender, ethnicity and class. ‘New’ politics also means we rise above gutter politics.

It is precisely this that I believe that these attacks will continue with greater intensity, and I have no doubt that Umno and Barisan Nasional will continue to manipulate the situation. Accordingly, I have decided to make a stand, in the interest of the party and its struggle for the people.

I have received overwhelming support from my family, my constituents, Pakatan Rakyat colleagues, friends and the general public. However, in the interest of my party, I have decided to offer my resignation as a Selangor State Exco Member as well as the State Assemblywoman for Bukit Lanjan.

I will discuss with the Menteri Besar to arrange for the proper handover of my responsibilities. I will continue to serve the people and fight for justice in Malaysia.

Last but not least, I am very grateful to the people who have placed their trust in me and my party, and I thank them for the opportunity that they have given me to serve. Words cannot possibly express my eternal gratitude to outstanding staff members and fellow ADUNs, and most of all, my Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim who has given me his unwavering support and the opportunity to work with him.

If I have let anyone down or offended anyone, I offer my sincere apologies.

ELIZABETH WONG
ADUN BUKIT LANJAN
EXCO for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment

Update: Selangor Chief Minister Khalid Ibrahim confirmed that he had received Wong’s resignation letter and said he would seek guidance the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s views on Wong’s decision to resign. Khalid who praised Wong as an examplary Exco also said he granted Wong a leave and have a deserved rest.

Update: Annwar Ibrahim, Malaysia Parliament Opposition Leader and Parti Keadian Rakayat, said at a press conference that he wanted Elizabeth Wong to reconsider quit decision.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today asked embattled Selangor state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong to rethink her decision to quit following the circulation of her naked photographs.

“Elizabeth Wong has spoken at length to Azizah and me. We have discussed the issues and we understand her reasons and the decision she has taken,” said Anwar, referring to his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail.

“We have asked Eli to go on leave, we will meet her again to discuss,” Anwar told reporters at a press conference here.

He described Wong as a very important figure in the Selangor government with an excellent track record.

“Eli is a very responsible leader, has been with the party since its inception and I appreciate the widespread support for her to stay. We will invite her again and see what is best,” said Anwar.

Update: "Scandolous" Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping photos found on an adult website, but we won't post the link here. If one believes there is of any problem for the picture below, what I want to assert is the only problem is the person who voyuered and photographed Elizabeth Wong.

Holy crap! UNMO-pro Agenda Daily posted pictures showing Elizabeth Wong standing "too intimate" by Khalid Ibrahim.

Stay strong, Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping! Want to show your support to Eli Wong? Feel free to leave comments below!

Miley Cyrus Forgets Lyrics While Performing “Fly On The Wall” Live in Britan (Video)

Miley Cyrus Forgets Fly On The Wall Lyrics video

Miley Cyrus forgot the lyrics of her own song Fly On The Wall when performing live on Britain’s Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on Feb. 14.

The Hannah Montana star looked embarrassed while putting her tongue out, but she recovered quickly after the Lyrics missing mistake. After the Performance, Miley was seen mouthing to a dancer beside her: "I forgot the words!"

Oh, Miley, never mind, at least you didn’t lipsynch!

Chinese Woman Hong Kong International Airport Hysterics Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbVw7entkx

Hooray! Youtube video A woman missed her flight at the boarding gate HKIAA has become an internet hit originating from Hong Kong where previously produced Bus Uncle video saga. On February 4, a woman from China Mainland became extremely hysteric in Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) after missing a Cathay Pacific flight to San Francisco. Someone at the scene filmed her insane behavior onto a mobile phone video. The footage showing the woman sprawling on the ground and shouting "I want to go" in Cantonese attracted hundreds of thousands of clicks in several days after uploaded to the video-sharing portal Youtube.

Katy Perry Benji Madden Dating?

Katy Perry picture via Photobucket

Katy Perry and Benji Madden spent Valentine's Day together? Famous celebrity blog PerezHilton.com is saying Katy Perry made out at Las Vegas’ Lavo Club where Paris Hilton's ex Benji Madden also appeared Saturday night.

"They were with friends but you could definitely tell they were on a date! There wasn't any public making out but they were very ‘friendly’ with each other.”A well-placed source told Perez Hilton.

Gwyneth Paltrow lonely Valentine's Day; Armie Hammer Plays Serena's New Boyfriend In Gossip Girl; etc

Gwyneth Paltrow won't be spending Valentines Day with husband Chris Martin, and “don’t even know where he is”!

Armie Hammer (pictured left, via), 23, who has appeared in Arrested Development, Veronica Mars and Desperate Housewives, will join the cast of Gossip Girl as Serena's new boyfriend Gabriel Serrano.

Chris Brown's biological father Clinton Brown spoke out about the Rihanna beaten-up incident.

Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Ginnifer Goodwin, the three co-stars in He’s Just Not That Into You grace the cover of Marie Claire magazine March issue 2009.

Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Ginnifer Goodwin Marie Claire March 2009 Cover Photo