Day: April 15, 2022

Luke tells us that Jesus said:

“The rich man also died and was buried,

and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,

he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off

and Lazarus at his side.  And he cried out,

‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. 

Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger

in water and cool my tongue, for

I am suffering torment in these flames.’”

Is this a consoling parable, or is it a threatening one?

Is it comforting or is it frightening?  I do not want to stand

before the Lord and be sent to the place of torment

with flames that burn forever. 

I access my life and review the precepts. 

Think of others first; give to those in need with love and tenderness; 

spend my time and efforts with those on the fringes

until they no longer need me and then move on to the next place of need;

give food to the hungry and water to the thirsty;

give until it feels good.  In my evaluation of myself,

I can feel good, in that I have followed these precepts,

sometimes more graciously than at other times,

depending on my state of being at the time, but overall

 I feel I am a candidate for a room in the Father’s House which has many rooms. 

As I move on along my pathway I will work harder to do the right things

and carry my share of the cross.  I want to earn my place in the netherworld,

a place where no torment will exist for me.

Stanski

April 15, 2022 ^

Today I declare my love for you

And my gratitude to you for the

Gifts you have given me – all beyond

My dreams.  Help me to have a way

That constantly honors you.  I still have

Hopes for a human companion.  I

Pray for your guidance.  If what I have

In mind is to be, I pray for your help in

Living a good fulfilling life, always

Aware of the needs of those

About me.  Amen

Stanski

April 15, 2022 ^

STANDING UP WHEN NEEDED

We worry about poll numbers

They have no bearing on reality

The human condition is what is important

It can usually be improved, but it

Takes courage to stand and mention

How so many good ideas are never

Known.  Those not speaking may

Be afraid of being scorned.  They

Have seen others denied the

Opportunity to express their plan

In general, but keep it secret among

A few valiant and trusted associates

Little progress is made when this

Happens, but we constantly need

To improve.  Ideas grow upon other

Ideas and growth occur as we

Move forward, constantly trying

To make things better.  Now we have

Vehicles that drive and park themselves

Cars that run on batteries; there are

Shortcomings but gradually we remove

The kinks.  Flights into space are

Becoming more frequent because we

Have wealthy individuals willing to

Invest and take risk.  It is amazing to

Watch this type of involvement.  The

Government has the propensity to

Waste and have cost overruns

Besides making the same mistakes

To stand up may mean ridicule and

Death.  Spies needed in war efforts

Are hard to find for this reason.  We see

What has to be done; stake out enemy

Positions and then get the details back

Without getting caught.  This is difficult

To do and during the British invasion of

New York, one man Nathan Hale saw the

Need to volunteer to be a spy.  He was

Caught and sentenced to die.  He was

Given a chance for final words and while

Being heckled by the British, finished his

Oratory with the immortal and inspiring

Words, “I only regret that I have but one

Life to give for my country.  He redefined

Patriotism.  We should seek his courage

   Stanski on April 15, 2022 ^