Photina

Photina
n., An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. v.intr., To rise to the surface, ready to flow; to rise or surge from an inner source. v.tr., To pour forth. adj., In a satisfactory condition; right or proper. interj., Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation; used to express surprise.dictionary.com

Friday, March 21, 2003

Today's first lesson and psalm concerned the story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers only to be lifted out of it by God. The image I chose is a painting by Hungarian painter of the 19th century Károly Ferenczy titled Joseph Sold into Slavery by His Brothers. I think the painting does an excellent job capturing the bewilderment of Joseph as he is sold into slavery.

posted by Heidi | 21.3.03

Thursday, March 20, 2003

From my fellow convert, entering the Catholic Church at Easter, Joe Convert:

Far from suddenly being works-driven, I've learned more about God's grace and mercy in the past year than the previous 15. Understanding the relationship between faith and works has liberated grace to do what it was always intended to do, and to help me draw closer to Jesus. Far from being saddled with a mountain of unworkable regulations and restrictions on my relationship with God, that relationship is being made right after years of distance and dysfunction. The things that matter to my evangelical friends--grace and a personal relationship with Jesus--are more alive to me than they have ever been.

Hear, hear! Exactly. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound . . .

posted by Heidi | 20.3.03

Another update on Al Kresta from WDEO:

Brothers and sisters,

Well today is a good day. Al is now off all narcotics. His new pain medicine is helping him sleep in a much more restful way. When he is awake he is much sharper and very intent on moving this process along.

He deeply misses all of you and his ministry. He is still having trouble with time; things seem to be moving in slow motion. This new medicine should be help with that.

Al's surgeon has determined that his leg is doing very well and a final surgical procedure looks like it can be avoided. Praise God! Over the next 3 days we hope that the leg will thoroughly heal. If this happens, Al can be released from the "Hospital" side of things. He then would be admitted to the therapy side of the hospital.

The big deal now is, can Al get through the next few days without any further infections? So your prayers for healing are still very important. Then, if all goes well, Al can begin the long climb up that hill of physical therapy. Our prayers can shift to those of courage, strength and faithfulness.

Al and Sally celebrated their wedding anniversary yesterday. They were able to bring in some of their favorite meals items from Paesano's, a local restaurant. Both Al and Sally are eternally grateful for your continue prayers and support. I have brought a very large stack of mail to his hospital room and they are reading them, taking in the encouragement and support and are overwhelmed by your generosity of spiritual gifts and good will.

Al always, you are in my prayers and I thank you on behalf of Al, his family and his ministry.

posted by Heidi | 20.3.03

Today is the feast of St. Photina--I'm hoping to blog more on the subject later.

posted by Heidi | 20.3.03

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary. I liked this icon as soon as I saw it--it is of St. Joseph and the child Jesus, who is holding a dove. The icon was written intending the dove to symbolize Peace (though it also points to the Trinity), which is particularly appropriate for today.

Regardless of whether or not one supports President Bush's stance on Iraq, peace is always preferable to war--and in saying that, I do not think that what we have right now constitutes "peace" even if we aren't technically at war. May God have mercy on us all . . .

I, for one, am praying (among other things) that Saddam Hussein has a road-to-Damascus experience. He is, after all, a man, a man with a soul, a soul given him by God. Meanwhile, my youngest sister is on spring break from West Point. May this be over before she graduates!

posted by Heidi | 19.3.03

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

Today is the feast of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church. You can check out his writings online--namely, his Catechetical Lectures (particularly appropriate reading for those of us going through RCIA--customs may have changed since the fourth century, but doctrine hasn't. Still staggers me...)

posted by Heidi | 18.3.03

Monday, March 17, 2003

Updates on Al Kresta from today and last Thursday, in that order. You can still send him your thoughts and prayers via the Karing for Kresta guestbook.

Recovery underway at 17:44
This has been a good weekend. Al is winning the pesky little battles with infection and progress is being made.

Today, we hope that some decisions will be made that will allow Al to begin to plot a path for his return. I will let you know what our plans are as they are formulated.

To give you some idea: First the doctors will have to schedule the final procedures on Al's leg. Then a preliminary schedule for physical therapy needs to be set. And then, after we are reasonably sure that the recovery plans are in place (as best they can be), we can think about how to get Al back on the air.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Prayer is still the greatest need.

So, Praise God for progress. And thank you for your prayers and spiritual offerings on Al's behalf.

We are all looking forward to Al's return, but it will take time, it may be many months before Al can be with us fulltime.

Now is the hard part. Now is the time for strength, spiritually, and physically.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, March 13
Waiting at 18:48
I thank you for your patience. Over the last couple of days we have been waiting. Waiting for something to change. Any moment now ... later today ... tomorrow morning ... Our sweet Lord is teaching us patience.

What are we waiting for? Infections to be cleared up. Al has been fighting infection. These minor struggles are not at the leg wound. They are elsewhere, small and yet nagging. The doctors are treating them and waiting. Until these infections are defeated, we wait.

Once all is clear, the doctors will decide what course of action they will pursue to get Al into physical therapy. At this time there are a couple of options and everyone is watching, treating and waiting. While we all PRAY.

Until the next step is taken Al is in a limbo of sorts and his wound continues to cause him great pain. This is due to the dressing and redressing of his leg. He does have intermittent pain relief, but there is an endless line of doctors, nurses and aides prodding, poking and checking.

So, the prayers are still greatly appreciated. Al is in good spirits. He is still a great example of spiritual growth. He reads, prays and is read to. He is able to receive the Holy Eucharist on a regular basis, He is receiving a slow steady stream of your comments and prayers. That brings him great joy and encouragement. So please continue to post your thoughts on www.amcguild.org .

May Jesus continue to bless you for all your efforts on Al's behalf. Your continued prayers are making all the difference. Now the drama of the initial incident is past, and the hard work, the long work, the dark days are yet to come. Please hold our brother Al before the Lord. He will not let Al, or us down.

posted by Heidi | 17.3.03

Today is the feast of St. Patrick of Ireland.
You can read his Confessio and his letter to Coroticus.

St. Patrick's Breastplate (or read the Lorica in Old Irish)

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Domini est salus,
Domini est salus,
Christi est salus,
salus tua, Domine, sit semper nobiscum.

posted by Heidi | 17.3.03