Postscripts From The Catholic Spitfire Grill

This is the time of year when we hear much in the news about how retailers refuse to say “Merry Christmas” and have “Holiday Sales” instead of “Christmas Sales.” I’ve also heard that we should do things to remind retailers that if they do not say “Merry Christmas” we will buy our Christmas presents elsewhere.


Well I am not so sure. Perhaps the secular retailers are reminding those of us who are anxious to celebrate the birth of Jesus that there is no such thing as “Christmas” shopping. Perhaps those retailers noticed that sometimes churches don’t even have services on Christmas. On that Protestant forum I hang out on, there have even been threads about whether or not a church should have a Christmas service. “Too inconvenient” was a common response.  ”Christmas is about spending time with our families” was another. Feel free to pick up some rocks and hurl them at me, but shouldn’t Christmas be FIRST about spending time celebrating the Incarnation?  Sure it’s a good time to celebrate family in memory of the Holy Family but not instead of taking time to worship. Yes it’s a good time to give gifts to others in honor of the Gift of the Incarnation but that’s not the way we worship God. We might shop during the Christmas season, but I’m not sure it’s Christmas shopping we’re doing. If we want to really do the kind of shopping that honors Our Lord, why not shop at Heifer.org or Kiva and give to those who are truly in need? Nobody “needs” a new iPod, or Wii, or XBox not even our precious children. Perhaps in the end what we are doing in those retail stores when we are getting the latest stuff really is only “Holiday” shopping and we ought to recognize that part of our winter holidays for what it really is.

• Have I greeted others with a blessing, or do I ignore or demean others?
• Have I borne bitter fruit in my thoughts, words or deeds?

Why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?

• Have I denied my own worth or the worth of others?
• Have I missed God’s presence because I’m too busy, hurried, or anxious?

As soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.

• Have I been deaf to God’s voice coming from unexpected people and encounters?
• Have I grown so serious that I can’t leap for joy?

My soul magnifies the Lord: and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

• Does my very being announce the goodness of God to others?
• Do I rejoice with others as often as I can?

For God has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

• Upon whom do I look favorably? Upon whom do I look with disapproval? Do I try to look on others with the love that God does?
• Has my help for the lowly been more about giving handouts than about seeking justice?

For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

• When have I taken credit for what I have not done?
• When have I denied my own participation in social injustice?

God has shown strength with his are; and has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their heart.

• Have I been secretly arrogant or pride-filled?
• Have I used my power, status, education, or religion to disparage others, even silently in my own heart?

God has brought down the powerful from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.

• Have I voted with a Christian conscience?
• Do I live the gospel even at the cost of my own comfort?

God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

• Have I done enough to feed the hungry? What of those hungry for justice?
• Have I become gluttonous for praise, luxury, or the security of others like me?

God has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

• Have I broken my promises to others?
• Will I leave this world a merciful, just, and beautiful place for future generations?

I did not write the above examen. It appeared in our church’s bulletin and came from the J. S. Palluch Co. Inc…..I think. The writing was very blurred and I had to use a magnifying glass to read it. RNW

Well at least the Bishops are speaking out against it. 

All I need to know is this. If we tied, did I flunk?

So after being up almost 24 hours yesterday, I struggled out of bed this morning…then…Workout. Clean the kitchen. Holler at the children to quit bickering at each other and do their schoolwork. Workout. Holler at children. Eat breakfast….although at 11 am it is questionable whether or not one could call it breakfast. Do scripture study and catechesis with the children. Make them eat lunch. Get the children to clean up the kitchen. Start dinner. Sit down at the computer. Send child assigned to errands for the week to get the mail. Open the school tax bill. Open the check that was supposed to be direct deposited and realize you have to go to the bank. Answer phone call by best friend who wants to know why I am not at my computer in the schoolroom. Assure best friend that you are just going to the bank and will be right back. Go to bank. Talk to actual grown-up. Remember that you promised your husband that you would Rain-X the wind shield and make a mental note to do that when you get home. Rain-X the wind shield. Spot fertilizer on shelf in garage and realize that it needs to be spread on the plants. Fertilize plants. Pull weeds whilst fertilizing. Look at the shaggy bushes that need to be pruned. Go get pruning shears and prune them. 

Sigh, the youngest child who clearly wants to die is saying “Mommy it’s been 22 minutes.” 

Dying to self would be so much easier if it didn’t look so ordinary. 

I am going to try to get something up this weekend. Truly….