During today’s homily, our priest supposed that were we to follow this Gospel literally, we would all be blind. Sin touches each of us, and each of us face our own set of temptations. This truth dovetails nicely as I read the plotters correspondence in The Screwtape Letters. I’m not called to mutilate my body, but to excise with extreme prejudice, “whatever leads me to sin.”

A tall order to depart from my place of comfort for the pains of conversion.

First Reading: Numbers 11:25-29

Second Reading: James 5:1-6

Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape on not relying on feelings of hatred:

In his anguish, the patient can, of course, be encouraged to revenge himself by some vindictive feelings directed towards the German leaders, and that is good so far as it goes. But it is usually a sort of melodramatic or mythical hatred directed against imaginary scapegoats. He has never met these people in real life—they are lay figures modelled on what he gets from newspapers. The results of such fanciful hatred are often most disappointing…

A great commentary that still rings true in today’s political climate.

Beautiful Fall evening for a walk.

I’ve been reading a lot about the life of St. Francis. I’m convinced, now more than ever, that if we truly want to live in the society that we all claim to want, it’s going to require a radical, top-to-bottom conversion that few of us have the courage to undertake.

I went through self-checkout this morning at Walmart to buy three items. It took me so much time to go through the steps to use Walmart Pay that the associate came over and asked if I needed help with something. lol

David Wallace was a fantastic character.

Analysts are reporting that Apple’s cost for storage is $.25/GB on this year’s iPhones, while they mark it up to $.78/GB. This is my main objection to the horrible pricing this year: a 212% mark-up on storage. But don’t worry, that 5GB of iCloud storage is still free!

QR payments vs NFC payments… they’re not even close. QR is sooooo bad.

Large red sign on refrigerator in snake exhibit at zoo: “ANTIVENOM INSIDE”

Thanksgiving preparations have begun.

We’ve been members of our current parish for over a year now. One of the biggest differences that I’ve noticed is just how warm and welcoming the people are. There are a few young families that go to our regular Mass, and the children are all loved and appreciated. This stands in stark contrast to the atmosphere I sensed before.

I’ve adopted my parents’ philosophy that if children are sitting right up in the front at Mass, they’ll be able to see what’s going on and be less distracted. We don’t bring food with us to Mass anymore, and the only “toys” that we bring are books and perhaps a soft friend.

Even still, I sweat. I sweat when they make noises, when they talk, and when they pace back and forth on the kneelers. This is age appropriate and understandable, but I still feel uncomfortable. At today’s liturgy, I spent the majority of it in the back atrium with my two year old daughter.

Yet, even in these stressful weekend liturgies, Jesus still wants me to know how much He desires children, and how I should imitate them.

> Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.

I guess I’ll hang in there and keep bringing them.

First Reading: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20

Second Reading: James 3:16 - 4:3

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37