A good Lenten reminder!
Am I my brother’s keeper?
When I give tours at the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York, I like to stop by this paining and not say a word. Eventually, someone asks, “What’s this painting about?”
Most people do not see what’s going at first or even second glance. Surprisingly, some people never see it until you tell them the title of the painting, and even then, some still don’t see what is going on.
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It isn’t a secret I have not been overly optimistic about the success of the Legion of Christ’s ongoing General Chapter. I want things to go well, but over the past three years time and again I have read and heard things that have not been encouraging.
Yet, today I looked over the photos of all the Legionaries present at the General Chapter. I know the vast majority of them; almost all have been my classmates, teachers, superiors, co-workers, etc., at one point or another. Seeing their faces flooded me with memories of them – of their hard work, their dedication, their advice, and their humor; memories of time we spent together, moments both of fun and of difficulty. I remember their virtue in the face of hardship and suffering, and their sincere efforts to carry out the work assigned to them, even when in some cases perhaps they were not the right man for the job.
Certainly, we all made mistakes, as we were living to some extent in an illusion. We were following rules, traditions, and an internal culture carefully organized by a man we thought was holy, but who was really the polar opposite. Nonetheless, the men in the Legion, at least most of them, are – as I have said before – well intentioned, talented, devout, hard-working men. The priests in the General Chapter are a sampling of that, and their photographs helped me to remember it.
What happens to the Legion now doesn’t affect me very much directly; I am definitively on my way out, and am starting a new (and very different) life. But I care very much what happens, because I really do love those men, and so many other people who are connected with or affected by the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi in one way or another.
Please join me in praying that God’s will may be done. May the Holy Spirit move the hearts and minds of all those involved – the Legionaries, the cardinals involved in the General Chapter, and the Holy Father Pope Francis – for the best possible outcome. May the Holy Spirit also help all those affected by the results of the General Chapter to recognize God’s plan its short and long-term repercussions, whatever they may be. I cannot think of any outcome that would make everybody happy, but if everyone does their best to follow God’s will, I’m sure He will surprise us all with His wisdom and goodness.
Click on the pic to see the full page with the photos and profiles of the “Chapter Fathers”:
It’s been a while since I posted. So much has happened in my life over the past several months that it’s been hard to find the time to sit down and write something… but I can’t let this occasion pass by! I have too much for which to be thankful!
First I want to thank God for being continuously near me and guiding me, hearing and answering my prayers with amazing generosity and, often, with unusual clarity. I guess that’s always been the case, but it has been particularly noticeable over the past year. The path on which He is leading me is marvelous, albeit sometimes disconcerting!
Next, I want to thank my family – especially my parents – for being there for me always and supporting me unfailingly. My life has not been boring; since my adolescence, I have been on a journey, both literally and figuratively, that has included more than a fair share of the unexpected. Just when it looked like things were slowing down in the early 2000’s, my world got turned upside down in 2009 (it’s a long story). The past four years have been something like an amusement park ride – occasionally scary, often beautiful, with moments of tranquility alternating with bumpy stretches and abrupt twists and turns. But like on an amusement park ride, I have never felt truly in danger or alone. My family have always been there for me. I cannot thank them enough.
The journey of life is taking me to beautiful places. I took this photo on a highway near Monterrey, Mexico.
Much the same can be said of the many friends and acquaintances I have made along the way. I have always been welcomed and helped wherever I have been. I truly wish I could spend more time and stay in more constant contact with all these wonderful people. Thank you, everyone whom I have had the privilege of counting as friends, colleagues, and “family” in the extended sense of the word! Special thanks are also due to my spiritual directors, confessors, and to others who have given me guidance, counsel, etc., over the past few years. You are, all of you, amazing people.
Also, special thanks to those who are helping me get established in my new home in Monterrey, Mexico – part of the latest, perhaps most unexpected, and truly wonderful twist in the plot of my life!
Thanks again to you all. May God reward you for your love, generosity, and goodness. You have my love and my prayers.
Sunset in Acapulco in early November
Origami red socks designed and folded by me (one square each), in celebration of our World Series champions!!! The sock design is a no brainer, really. The challenge would be to make both socks out of one sheet of paper… maybe next time!
Designed and folded by me, although both designs (yes, there are two, with slightly different results in the details) are so simple someone else may have documented them first!
Designed and folded by me. Halloween is just around the corner!
Designed and folded by me.
Designed and folded by me
Designed and folded by me.
Happy World Origami Days!
It’s been a while since my readers have heard from me, and I’ll explain that more in a later post. For now, let’s start to celebrate World Origami Days! This origami event goes from Oct. 24 (the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer, an important figure in spreading origami in America in the 20th century) to November 11 (Origami Day in Japan). OrigamiUSA is encouraging all origami artists to spread origami happiness during this period (as you can see on their website). I can’t do too much because I am still getting over a nasty viral throat infection, but I am going to try (no promises!) to fold at least one piece of origami every day and post a photo here on my blog. Today’s fold and photo: Jason Ku’s Rhinoceros Beetle!
Folded from one sheet of paper. I followed the diagrams found in Origami Masters: Bugs: How the Bug Wars Changed the Art of Origami. I folded this from basic “kami”; next time I do it I’ll try to use something a bit thinner and more malleable, or maybe wet-fold it.
Perpetual Learner 