The GregBlog Joins The Conclave (Kinda)...

Today the GregBlog steps aside, as the Conclave meets to pick the next Pope. I want to show my solidarity with the process, and I want you to know that I am praying for the Church. My prayer is for new life, new vision, strong tradition, and new hope, especially for those who are poor and forgotten.  I will only offer this prayer here on the GregBlog each day until a new Pope is elected:


O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Church, and it's Apostles are called to have the heart and the courage to bring Christ's message of love, healing and Truth in life-giving water to the all the world. Today's reading from the Prophet Ezekiel outlines all that the Church should and will be... May the Lord bless our Faith, and be with those who shepherd us! Amen.

"Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary." Ezekiel 47: 9, 12

He Used To Be The Pope (Epilogue)

His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pontiff Emeritus used to be the Pope, so he should get the last word...  From the Huffington Post/AP transcript:

Dear friends, I'm happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of creation and your well-wishes which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship, and your affection. You know this day is different for me than the preceding ones: I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8 o'clock this evening and then no more.

I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth. But I would still ... thank you ... I would still with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength, like to work for the common good and the good of the church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your sympathy.

Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the church and the world. Thank you, I now wholeheartedly impart my blessing. Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!" (Pope Benedict XVI from Castel Gandolfo - February 28, 2013)

To Be Thankful, and then Sleep!

I am sitting in the midst of the preparation for our family Thanksgiving meal. My job is to simply to simply stay out of the way, yet keep the glasses the full. So far so good! The Turkey has been rubbed, stuffed, and is roasting ever so slowly, and the kitchen (like yours) smells marvelous! We are all so blessed and, dare I say, should all be very thankful for the stuff (and stuffing) we have this day. When we sit down and eat our abundant meal, know that God and his beautiful nature have built in the ingredient to make it all perfect. TRYPTOPHAN! Tryptophan is, as defined in the British Dictionary, which is appropriate on this truly unique American holiday :), "an amino acid that is a constituent of most proteins. It is an essential nutrient in the diet of vertebrates." I'm sure that it is essential for many reasons, but one ting I know is that anything to help this country relax is certainly essential! Later, we will drift off to sleep knowing that our bellies are full, life is great, and all shall be well! Is Tryptophan a drug? No, not really! Do we need it to relax? No, not really! But it sure is a welcome gift this day, and yet another reason to be thankful! "To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub..." - Hamlet

A Muse on Today

Today the summer heat continues, even though I thought the cold front would make it cooler...

Today the government says it's closer, even though it's all part of the same ol' game...

Today Pedroia needs another hit, even though such streaks are hard to maintain...

Today another mystery feeds the pocket of Nancy Grace...
Today the NFL wheels and deals, and shuffles around...
Today we all hope, and enjoy our many blessings...
Today Amy W. knows the Truth...
Today we rise...

Today...