Jesus Sets A Table For All.

Oh that you would know the Depths, and Heights and Width and Riches of his Love





You cannot drive out darkness with more darkness. It just gets darker. You need a candle to penetrate it. Light drives out darkness. You cannot drive out hate with more hate. Love penetrates it.


This was the theme of the gathering for a press conference of national interfaith leaders at the Western Presbyterian Church in DC yesterday which included IMAMs, protestant leaders, and Jewish Rabbis. The heart of God is so huge it can fill the whole world.



The alarming tide of anti-islamic sentiment is something that must be stood against. Waiting and doing nothing isn't an option. We are witnessing things that would have been considered intolerable agaisnt any other faith- in NY a cab driver had his throat slashed for merely stating he was muslim, mosques are being not only opposed but desecrated, a guy actually came into a mosque and urinated on the prayer rugs. In Gaithersburg, a Maryland DC suburb, they announced Sept. 11 as national Koran burning day . This is intolerable and unacceptable and clearly motivated by ignorant hate.


. I am a product of a "mixed" grandparentage- my grandfather was irish catholic and my grandmother lutheran protestant. In that day it was considered a scandal to marry outside the faith for a catholic, so they were not married in a catholic church. In northern ireland during that time, this marriage would have been plagued with persecutions such as firebombing of the house, social shunning everywhere, my father would have been tormented at schools, and it is unlikely I would even exist. Such was the hatred of protestants for catholics in northern ireland. Thank God my grandparents lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


In this country we have seen our share of persecution of religious and ethnic minorities. Irish catholics are always cited as having born the brunt of early religious persecution but italian catholics saw their share of it as well. Catholics in general were considered a lower life form pretty much until JFK was elected by protestant majorities. The sentiment still exists in darker places.



Racial minorities were discriminated against and that story has been well told so I need not repeat it here.



There are communities, beacons - laserpoints-of light, witnesses to the Love of God and it's power to transcend petty ignorance and hatred, and demonstrate how deep, how wide, how large is the heart of God for all his people.



The Mount Airy part of Philadelphia was one of the first truly integrated communities in Philadelphia- in Pennsylvania for that part where black and white and mixed families lived side by side as neighbors developing community together and served as a laser of light to challenge the rest of Philadelphia. Google it. I am sure it ruffled a few feathers of the Chestnut Hill self-annointed aristocracy back in the day.



Western Presbyterian Church in DC is another such laser of light. It is a house of prayer for all people like the National Cathedral in Washington, where that is actually their moto as we were reminded yesterday by the Anglican Canon who visited Western Presbyterian to join in the press conference (see note below). Western houses the Friday prayer services of the GW Muslim community which has expanded to other muslims throughout the community. They are in constant inter-faith dialogue. It hosted the press conference yesterday and the pastor there announced that any assault against any faith community is an assault against us all and we all stand together in opposition against bigotry and the violence it inspires. He noted that the feeding program that Western runs in it's large basement and industrial kitchen, "Miriam's Kitchen" has Muslim volunteers and serves Muslim homeless clients. This is a model of how faith communities can work co-operatively to be God's heart and hands in the world serving the poor. A laser of light.

The Christians might say, we don't feed them because they are Christian we feed them because we are Christian. The Muslims might say, we don't feed them because they are Muslim, we feed them because we are Muslim. And here is Common Ground. Each teaches that a central tenet of their faith is to serve the poor. We can do that together.
We will be blessed to the extent that we did to the least of these.

Another laser of light is Georgetown University and it's Woodstock Center and Center for Islamic Christian understanding and the affiliated Jesuit church Holy Trinity with it's strong social justice emphasis and ministry- which recently hosted a dinner at which Drew Christiansen, S.J. Jesuit Editor in Chief of America magazine and former chief diplomat with the Bishop's conference spoke poignantly about the need to reach out to other faiths of good will, particularly moderate muslims. Georgetown has a campus in Quatar and have had a muslim chaplain on campus for years (both main campus and at the law center).
Jesuits- Lasers of Light- living the Largess of the Love of God.

Rabbis at the press conference yesterday spoke about the fact that Muslims in the US benefit from and learn from our traditions of egalitarianism, and can export that. We can learn some things from them also. They noted that the Jews were so persecuted in this country early in its founding that they were not only villified and called all manner of vile names but synagogues were so resisted that it took an act of Congress to establish the first one in DC in the early 1900s.
They noted that the American Muslims trying to build a Muslim community center at 'ground zero' come with an olive branch and are seeking reconciliation.

Each religion teaches that God requires a humility before that pierces pride and acknowledges that we are but children of God all seeking to do his will. Lest you become like children you won't see the kingdom- it is a profound humility that God is looking for. Muslims are an Abrahamic tradition that recognize aspects of Jesus' life, and they revere the Virgin Mary. There is a lot of common ground if we stop the noise long enough to listen. And it requires an intentional effort to educate ourselves better.

Hatred, hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric that inspires bigotry and a nationalistic jingoistic recreation of God in the image of a distorted Republican party or agenda isn't truly purely of God- it's out of the mindset of some seriously misguided people. It will not serve in the long run either the Republican party nor the country. It's the same sort of flash in the pan insolence defying the great Love of God as the people who hosed down the civil rights marchers, the people in Ireland who firebombed houses, the people who burned crosses and churchs in Mississippi and the people who desecrate synagogues- all in the misguided name of God.

God is Love. Would you rhetorically urinate on your brother's carpet?

Blessed Are These Peacemakers

Nations Interfaith Religious Leaders

Speak out strongly against the alarming Jingoistic Islamaphobia, prevalent anti-Muslim hostility and defend faith communities.

You are invited (press especially) to come to Western Presbyterian Church (very near the State Dept.) Monday at 1:00pm for the Press Conference -2401 Virginia Ave, Aug. 30, 2010.

More details, email John Wimberly at john@westernpresbyterian.org
202-835-8383

"Islam is an enormous world religion and it's really important that we not confuse nor conflate the entire religion with those whose interests are adverse to ours." Scott Dean, Foreign Officer, US State Dept. (not speaking for the State Dept. -remarks after a catholic church service.)

"It's a frightening sociological phenomenon. I could only watch about half an hour of it" Princeton Seminary graduate and Retired Pastor George Pera (of Middle Eastern heritage), formerly Pastor of the Greenwhich Presbyterian Church and the American Church in London, England commenting on the Beck rally yesterday.

"It's really important that we be able to work co-operatively toward peace with the more moderate muslim leaders." Father Drew Christiansen, S.J. former diplomat with the Bishop's Conference in Middle Eastern affairs.


Those confirmed at the Press conference include:

Nihad Awad, Council on American Islamic Relations
Naeem Baig-Islamic Circle of North American Council for Justice
Rev. Karen Brau, Luther Place Church
Imam Mehdi Brey, Muslim American Society
Jean Duff, Center for Interfaith Action
Rev.Jeffrey Haggray, First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC
Sr. Asman Hanif, Council of Muslim Organizations
Rabbi Bruce Lustig, Washington Hebrew Congregation
Rabbi Mindy Portnoy,Temple Sinai
Rabbi Jonathan Roos,Temple Sinai.
Rabbi Ethan Seidel, Tifereth Israel Congregation
Haris Tarin, Muslim Public Affairs Council.
Rev. John Wimberly, Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church

and others.

Note to Olberman - please also get a copy of this week's issue of the Rock Creek Press, a truly independent paper that has a 911 Investigation insert which details the Architects and Engineers for 911 Truth who dispute the official government story with proof. The smoking gun may be in the smoldering dust. It is a must read for anyone truly concerned that we get to the bottom of the 911 hole.

Beck's Blight and Palin's Pandering

Creating God in the Image of Wierd Man



The scene on the Mall with Beck misappropriating the date MLK was there dreaming, which will be highlighted from here to November on Fox as a backlash against Obama on the part of every out of work yahoo with nothing better to do on Saturday was alarming. It was as alarming as something you might see in Germany in 1936.



Lets look at the hard truth about Mormons- which Beck is - with his call to the God as he imagines him (because he imagines no one else must know him.) www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/Mormons.html

Seriously, do research.
And can anyone really listen to Palin and not think -scary. So dumb it's scary.
Her biggest claim to fame is now apparently (on top of four colleges to get a degree and half a stint at the governorship of a state where the moose and salmon outpopulate the people)- is -i raised a combat vet. Yes, like all the mommies and daddies who couldn't afford to send their kids to college so encouraged them to take up the rifle in the cause of keeping the world safe from non-existent WMDs so Iran could tilt the balance of power without the countering push back of Iraq.

I makes me think even I could host a Rally. All you need is a few fast quips, a large sense of poetic license a few canned tears and a mike. Heck- I'll even sing the national anthem accapello.
Now everyone hold hands and sing Kumbayah Whooah.

Where the Action Really Is

Market Week in New York

It's the fashionistas heaven where all the designers meet and greet and do the town proud.

Nine West (the shoe gurus) have a new boot they will feature in the fall that has a pocket with a pedometor in it that you can track your steps with- fantastic for those cardio-fitastic folks.

They are using it at Fashion week to raise money for their campaign against breast cancer and top models are parading around in these things- counting steps for bucks that go toward breast cancer research.

I think that this is ingenious. Who thought of this!!
http://cocoperez.com/2010-08-19-nine-west-takes-on-breast-cancer


As for that Beck "OH PALEASE" rally at the Lincoln Memorial? Not so much.

-------
Full FTC disclosure- probably my sister katie thought of this because she is the President and married to a famous Yalie cardiologist. We have an aunt who survived breast cancer. Fuller disclosure- I get last season's left-overs from the discard pile for my birthday:-) LOVE THEM!

King Louis of France

His feast day was this week.

He has a mission in Cali. http://www.sanluisrey.org/
And the Franciscan Friars there have a retreat house there!!

Life just got exciting and not just becuase my middle name is Louise!
It's on the National Historic Registry.

The Most Un-Bourggie of Priests

The Salesians.

They are everywhere there is disaster. Haiti, now Pakistan. (Not sure how to spell bourggie- it's short for Bourgeois-if you are from Philly you know what I mean)

These guys are completely robin hood self-less. Where there is disaster danger and disease you find them there feeding, clothing and housing the masses.
They aren't afraid of no Taliban.

So if you run into one of these blessed souls, thank them heartily and write checks.
I know a Father Greenfield would be most grateful. http://www.wtu.edu/about/boardprofile/greenfield.htm

Check out the Salesians in your hood. google them. They are like the government. They are here to help.

Some of the remains of one of their founders John Bosco will be touring the US after touring latin america...check your local papers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bosco

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003088.htm

This one is for Father Curry, S.J.

And his Institute for Disabled Vets.

http://www.urlesque.com/2010/08/27/amputee-plays-piano-feet/?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl7%7Csec1_lnk3%7C166550

Be Careful

When naming your child "AGNES" which comes from the Latin AGNU, meaning LAMB as in Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

This was Mother Theresa's birth name.

Happy Birthday Agnes.

Sept. 11 commemorations

Underway and Underthought.

No Michele O. should not stand next to Laura B in shankville and bemoan the loss. What they should be doing is digging up the site to properly bury in separate graves anyone they can identify as actual people in the alleged hole in the alleged 'liquified mine field" in shanksville and see what they actually discover in there.
But they won't-you know why? The entire area has been bought , 'mineral' subterranean rights and all by a private concern who will cite with criminal trespassing anyone who tries.
Obama and the Democratic establishment totally understimate the degree to which not only progressives, but muslims (as I found out at a recent event hosted by John Conyers) and a large number of former government and military people who disbelief the official government 9-11 story. Count most of Europe in the not falling for the farse of the worst neo-con CON engineered by pathological paranoi and you will see that you get zero points for standing Michele next to Laura on 9-11. Many many credible people believe Iraq was a set up with a false flag attack-
credible people- attorneys, investigators with criminal investigation background, military experts, etc. Not just cindy sheehan or code pink craziness.
Does anyone have all the pieces figured out ? No. But they are stunned that no one is trying to find out in a deeper way because it does not make sense and there are too many loose pieces in the "loose change" scenario.
So be careful Obama, how you look to endorse what Bush did. Because you were elected overwhelmingly by the people who disapprove strongly of what Bush did. Getting combat troops out of Iraq is a good start.
Now only the Truth will set you free, and nothing but the Truth.

Which Muslim Founder

Signed the Declaration of Independence or US Constitution.

You are right. It is a trick (or tricky) question. None of them did. The country was not founded by muslims, or people who thought anything goes religiously no matter how potentially alien to a central belief structure or a hold to the center. The country was founded by the most part by Christians fleeing other institutionally entrenched established hostile christian interests-Jesuits fleeing Dominicans, Hugenots Protestants fleeing french catholics, people not wanting to be Jacobians fleeing Jacobians, irish catholics fleeing british episcopalian church of England types, etc . It is solidly rooted in Judao-Christian scriptures and beliefs. There is neary a mention of the buddists, the zoroastrans, the muslims (sunni, Shi-ite nor Suffi whirlishly dervishly dancers) nor any other religion in the notes, words or documents of the founders. There were a number of scripturally literate types who qualified as near clergy or clergy. There were peasant farmers more literate in christian scripture than some pastors today.

But should that mean that the general non establishment principles don't hold against anyone not of the hold to the center? Of course not. The view was that no one should be allowed to establish a state founded or preferred religion, nor should the state be allowed to interfere with anyone's beliefs. But is this rule applicable and does it all the time apply when the beliefs are off the rails harmful to other Americans- that we call criminal behavior. Clearly beliefs that can manifest harm are not protected under a non-establishment non interference clause.

So, Which variety are these muslims at the "ground zero mosque." The Taliband or Al Quida kind we have been in combat with for seven years? Or the presumed harmless kind? Are there muslims who for example recognize the right of Israel to exist in peace and condemn hezballah jihadists or hamas as terrorists groups that we have a right to protect ourselves against or will this muslim community center court those folks whose interests we deem hostile to us or our friends the state of Israel and everyone in it. There seems no consensus on this point, even among the various Jewish communities in New York. Bloomberg is Jewish, he is for the Moderate Muslim presence in lower manhattan. The wives of both the Democratic leadership dissenters Harry Reid and Howard Dean are Jewish. They oppose it.

Is this a gloating dancing on our graves thing- or is it a bridge to somewhere?

Clearly the some 2 billion muslims in the world are not going anywhere and have to be reckoned with in peace.
Clearly the more peaceminded of them should be welcomed and worked with.

But none of that obligates Obama or the State Department to build Mosques in Middle Eastern countries as was reported in yesterday's Examiner-a rightest rag that has relentlessly criticized Obama every time he sneezes in the direction of Cairo.
Is building mosques in the Middle East something you want your tax dollars spent on?

I prefer the State Department contribute a few million for the renovation and restoration of
old monestaries and churchs in Europe, Detroit and anywhere else a shell of a church with an abandoned church community fell victim to the depression/recession and moved. I prefer that the US government have a restoration plan to build communities that existed through new green innovation in Europe by giving millions to gothic cathedral maintenlance, and while Obama is at it, I hear Saint Matthews in DC the main downtown cathedral wouldn't complain if they got a million in the bank for a maintenance endowment.
I would like to see some classic old synagogues get a million to do restoration and build their programs.
Can you imagine the uproar? So why is no one raising an establishment clause argument about the need for the State Department to spend millions of dollars building mosques in the middle east (in places where we couldn't possibly have destroyed them)

I think I am a bit tired of all this Christian guilt.

Fenty's Failings

It's not a Black White thing.

I am white. I confess. Largely spotted actually in the summer with overgrown freckles that I am beginning not to be able to tell the difference between age spots as I now qualify for AARP membership and half priced coffee at McDonalds.

I am annoyed at DC. Lots of reasons but here is the big one- Metro. I know it isn't nice or fair to blame all of Metro's foibles on the Mayor but come on- can't you do better?
It's not just that 9 people actually died in a crash this past year while some driver who had been suspended numerous times was allowed to operate manually what theretofore was supposed to be on automatic as was reported yesterday, it's not that they are raising fares or making people actually pay the full fare before riding and not go into negative balances on their metro cards (where else do you get to ride without the fare?)- it's not that the schedules are perpetually on "delay in both direction" so half the trains run on schedule, nor that rather pathetically all the Sunday schedules in one of the most major tourist destinations in the country are so unreliable that a twenty minute ride with a connection can take you an hour and a half on a sunday. All that is bad enough- disasterous really compared to the Paris Metro, New York City metro and anywhere else in Europe. Here is what I hate- deciding that I will take metro to Reagan for an out of town trip with a suitcase and finding that the cavernous Dupont metro escalators are on half throttle and only work up so I have to walk
the entire length of the metro steps with a heavy suitcase downstairs in heels. Generally I need to stop in the middle and get my breath because I start seeing double and nearly lose all the belongings of my purse as I swing the load alternatively from side to side. Add that to the connection required from red to orange line a twenty minute ride to Reagan takes and hour and a half on Sunday and I could easily miss my flight.
There is no excuse for this I think to myself. Why on earth don't the escalators ALL work? Can they always all be broken?
And here is another one- is this saving overtime to do track maintenance in the middle of a week-end? Do you all have something against night time work after the Metro shuts down? Perhaps you can do all your track work hiring Muslims who fast during the day in Ramadan and get it all done during the month of Ramadan after sundown- so we are not stuck sitting idle on the track with delays for random maintenance.

We have a first world city with third world Metro- and it is infuriating.

Then there is that issue of that pesky assistant DA who keeps filing what I consider harassing vexatious civil protection orders to prevent his father from testifying about the fact of his less than savory past and efforts to keep his father quiet about issues he finds unappealing in violation of what a lot of people would consider basic first amendment rights- at huge taxpayer expense as the 'domestic violence" chief of the DC DA's office tries to hammer slam this old guy with a five year civil protection order- for testifying at City Hall about, among other things, abuses of the DA's office which employs his son.

I thought that this was the Capital of the country.

If they spent all the money the DA's office spent on prosecuting this old guy and gave it to Metro maybe people wouldn't miss their planes and the escalators would all run so ladies trying not to get heart attacks lugging their luggage down the cavernous still escalators would get to their destinations in one piece.

And here is another pet peave-
Gardens. Ever been to a European city that didn't have the most beautiful spectacular public gardens? They are everywhere in every european city. They have competitions for the best gardens and books written on various styles. It's a beauty thing.
We may have the best public parks program, but Here we are in the nation's capital and DC's public spaces are by comparison to anything in Europe just pathetic. For example, look at Dupont Circle. A fountain, a small ring of flowers, grass, circular benches. Now go to Hyde Park or Regent's Park in London and look at the landscaping. Why isn't there for example just a ring around the circular benches around the whole park the most spectacular bed of rose bushes or flowers? It's just dingy grass. Washington Circle? Grass. We do large spots of grass and turf OK in some places- but why isn't the DC Mall a place of brilliant flowering plants? Why isn't there a garden with overflowing flora in McPherson Square or Farragut North? The gardening is a joke. It's not like we can't find the cheap day labor standing on the street corner by the wholefoods on 14th street or in Columbia Heights.
Have none of the DC parks and recreation folks been outside the country? Do they not visit places like Johnson's the florist/landscape place in Van Ness/Friendship Heights? Do you not know what a pair of pruning shears looks like? This city has spaces to be about a thousand times more beautiful with a little more thought and planning- and should be as the nation's capital. It should be the jewel of the country.

So I gave Fenty a while to try to get it right and I just feel like a change- how about you?

Catholics in the French News

And it's not all good.

French radio, international radio in DC in the morning is abuzz with what is going on in the Belgiun church.
There is much uproar over the state raiding various churches and confiscating materials in a criminal investigation against the alleged pedophilia last month and the repurcussions. This morning a long featured news article detailed the hordes and masses of people undergoing a process of 'debaptismation" - to unbaptize themselves in protest over the church's policies. They don't want to be affiliated with the church at all inasmuch as they view it as a haven for sexual predators and misogynists (some gay-not to malign all gay but some do hate womenkind and it shows). Criminal. Anti-social. Perverse. The broadcast went on to note that conversions to muslim are becomming very popular. It's not just all about the great babaknoosh, couscous, pita bread and date recipes. Muslims stress personal piety and you won't find toleration of diddling children for one second in any mosque.

This suggests something so obvious it is amazing that it is resisted by the catholic intelligencia of American and Europe-re-examination of the role of women. Rather than rail against women with theology degrees or training as if they were misfits of the faith, rather than castigate ordination of women as if that were a 'crime against the faith" as opposed to an expression of the strength of the faith, the role of women in the church should be seriously deliberately studied from a biblical perspective. Women should be understood as co-collaborators, partners, equals in the bearing of the gospel to the nations, equal jont -heirs of the kingdom.

The married priesthood, women deacons, should be the norm not grounds for expulsion. There just is no biblical basis or reality in constricting the Spirit in this fashion and it is crippling the church.

The church is writing it's own European epitaph if it insists on narrowly construing the move of the Spirit to something experienced only in a monastic setting- and only giving enlightenment to celibate single men. Women are vessels of the same gifts of the spirit. Women are prophets. Women are teachers. Women are ministers.
Women -are Blessed. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary. And God loves them so much he espoused one.
You are maybe holier than the Holy Spirit?

Why Can't We Be Friends, Why Can't We Be Friends

It's a Song.



It's also the new mem in the Middle East. AP reports and Hillary confirms Obama says, let's talk folks. Like nice civilized people who all recognize the right of the other to exist in peace.
Now everyone please get over themselves and try to work it out.


This Saturday evening an expert on the Middle East Drew Christianson, S.J. who is the Editor in Chief of the Jesuit magazine/on line journal AMERICA will speak at the DeChantal dinner at Holy Trinity in Georgetown. His expertise draws on his years living in the Middle East. The DeChantal ministry supports the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service and other ministries.



If you would like more information on attending the dinner please email evemarie301 [at]gmail.com

Cost is $35.00 payable at the door but advanced reservations strongly recommended. They will fit you in if you just show up though.

Generally these dinners are spectacular. This time middle eastern delicacies will be a plenty- all the wine you can drink- or not as you choose (Muslims generally don't imbibe)
Eve Marie worked for years at the US State Department as did her x-husband. She travelled all around the world (Paris and India) and mastered the fine art of dining and hospitality studying the best traditions and customs of wherever her State Dept. travels took her and her family.
These once a month dinners rank among some of the best hidden secrets in Georgetown dining for a reasonable prix fixe menu.

A bientot! Mange mange. Bon Apetit!

Elevating the Form of Religion

over GOD.

That is what Jesus blasted the pharisees for. Elevating the Form- the man-made rules and rituals that blocked out love. It is the very definition of pharisaic. This is what he meant when he said that the Sabboth was made for man not the other way around. The Sabboth is the day of rest- so man can regenerate and refresh spiritually, mentally, emotionally, etc. When you make man for the Sabboth instead of the Sabboth for man then you can condemn someone for healing on the Sabboth. You can condemn anyone who breaks the ritualistic rules- even for greater good or highter health and healing. Clearly anyone knew that if their donkey fell in a ditch during the Sabboth they could drag it out of the ditch even though the rules strictly prohibited doing any work or any heavy lifting on the Sabboth. Your donkey is stuck in a ditch. You can get him out even while bound and bonded and pledged to the rules of the Sabboth. So if you can dig your donkey out of a ditch obviously you ought to be able to help rescue your loved one if they are stuck in a ditch even when strictly bound by the ritualistic rules that mandate otherwise- because Man was made for the Sabboth, not the other way around.

Your loved one is in a ditch. Dig the person out.

You wouldn't stand and observe a red traffic light waiting patiently for the light to change if
you saw your three year old neice dart in front of a car would you? No, you would jaywalk or dart against the light as fast as your legs could carry you if it meant you get hit by a truck.

Your loved one is in a ditch. Dig the person out.

Note to Muslim-bashing Evangelists

Cut it Out- Please

OK I confess- I watch a slew of Sunday morning televangelists- and even catch a few in the wee hours of the morning when I get bored with the "I can't believe it's that early" news show.
Usually I think I took a trip to a new planet when I hear southern drawls pronouncing words like
Jaaaeeeeeessuuuuiiiss. I rebuke my bigotry against southerners.

Now that's what I want you to do to your bigotry against Muslims. Rebuke it in the name of Jaaaaeeeeessuuuuiiis.

Because it's nutty and wrong. Today I had the best shishkabob on saffron rice with a roasted tomato from my favorite fast food deli in DC. It's called Moby Dick, House of Kabob. It's a Persian restaurant and everyone in there is Muslim- but they didn't close for Ramadan out of courtesy to us cross wearing fans of the kosher kabobs. Persian. That means they are from Iran. Muslims. Not for a second did I fear cyanide in the safron.
In fact the old Shaw of Iran's Son, a Prince of sorts lives in Bethesda, Maryland, a DC suburb. SSShhhhh. He's a Muslim.
There is zero evidence that the muslims who want to build a NYC lower manhattan center with a pool, cooking classes and maybe language classes have any connection to the current ruling party in Iran, are currently connected in any fashion to any terrorist org (they would be shut down if they were immediately) or that they sympathize with any terrorist org at all.
So please stop sending incendiary false inflammatory emails linking them to Hamas, approving of Hamas or linking them in any fashion to any terrorist org. The Justice Dept. would shut them down and freeze all their assets if they were.

Remember how many times Jesus went to the outcast, the Samaritan, the 'other' the foreigner, the alien to save or heal them and the pharisees blew a gasket? This is what you all sound like. Stop it. It's embarassing me as a bible toting quoting Jesus freak.

A Franciscan Reflection of the Assumption of Mary

In one of the best Pastoral Letters I ever read:

From the Franciscans in Detroit who run Saint Aloysius right in the heart of downtown Detroit, Michigan. (Where prominently placed is a mosaic of the Mother of Perpetual Help)

I quote Fr. Tod:
Dear Brothers and Sisters
"Men of Galilee: they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:1-11). At the Ascension of Jesus, the angels direct the attention of the disciples back to earth. Here, on earth, we are to find Jesus even though we may long to be with him in heaven.
When I was a child, most of us Catholics were like the disciples. We were looking up to heaven. We lived our lives with an eye to winning the prize of eternal life. I can remember going in and out of church on certain feast days and making 'visits to the Blessed Sacrament". We'd say a few prescribed prayers, genuflect and leave the church. On the steps of the church we'd turn around and march back in for another 'visit'. We were piling up 'graces' against the day when we would meet the Lord 'face to face.'
The weakness in this approach was that we tended to forget that we were commissioned by the Lord to go throughout the whole world inviting people to join in the kingdom of God. We were to live the Gospel 'in the world' we were to carry the Love of God to everyone we met.

Today's feast of Mary's Assumption suggests that while we look up and recognize that Mary shares in the fullness of resurrection (in light of Jesus' own resurrection) she still whispers in our ear, "they have no more wine" and "do whatever he tell you". Mary's joy is to direct our attention to a world much in need of the love of God. We celebrate her joy and draw inspiration from her to live lives of loving service here until we join her in the unending bliss of heaven. Happy Feast of the Assumption."



I was so impressed with this that I stuffed the bulletin in my purse and carried it back with me to Washington. As I pulled out my wallet for my Au Bon Pain croissant this morning this flew out as if to say- read me again!

Jesus Is a Foodie

I have it on Good Authority.

"Jesus is a Foodie" declared the 'Grace Before Meals" priest Father Leo, the only priest I know who whipped Bobby Flay's fajita tail in a throw down-as he whipped up a delicious pasta a la vodka luncheon for a packed crowd at the DC Catholic Information Center using a portable grill he plopped on a table usually reserved for saintly tomes.
"I want the recipe" thought those who didn't say it but ate the whole thing.
So I bought the book-and you can too at http://www.gracebeforemeals.com/
You can even get this guy to come demonstrate basic theology while whipping up dinner for a congregation. He loves cooking for big families and a few showed up, tots in strollers at the Center last Saturday.

Jesus' first miracle? Turning water into wine- at a wedding. A wedding banquet. A party. A wedding.
He fed thousands multiple times on the hillsides where he taught- 4,000, 5,000- with little more than a few loaves and fish. He is seen at table at Martha's house where he meets the intimacy of Mary Magdalene who can't stop wanting to be close to him- he eats at a pharisee's house where he is met again by the intimacy of Mary Magdalene who can't stop washing his feet with her hair and tears and bathing him in expensive perfumes- over a dinner gathering. Do you think this woman was in love? She keeps showing up at mealtimes. Then there was that last supper-remember? Peter is told after denying him three times to "feed his sheep" not shear them or slaughter them. That is his path to redemption from the denials. After his resurrection Peter recognizes him sitting by the side of the lake frying up some breakfast fish by the water for brunch. The prayer he taught us to pray starts with "Give us this day our daily bread." A widow saves herself and her son from famine by offering first to cook a little something for Elijah. The manna in the desert feeds people delivered from slavery.
And the big give-away- he ultimately converts himself into food.
So we would have his life within us. In the eternity hereafter.

Jesus is a foodie. Please pass the pasta.

If I Were King

of the FORRRRESSTTTTTTTTT

(Sorry to my french friends- its a reference to the Wizzard of Oz, a classic american movie)

Were I a democratic strategist for real as opposed to a velvet starbucks arm chair blogger lawyer, I would suggest that Obama has a bit of a 'whack job problem." I view those opponents as
nothing more dignified. Even Dick Armey's fakery is showing as his white-gray roots obscure
his latest Elvis black dye job. Whack-a-doodle- jobs- these tea partiers. Not like 'you and me' at all, not
my grandparents- my grandparents wouldn't be caught dead with those signs dangling tea
bags from their sun-hats. Maybe a fishing louer or two on a summer day at the lake but not
tea bags. They were strictly diet Tab drinkers.
Nuff said about the dingbattery lining the capital steps for Michele Buttman to wink at them and throw candy necklaces over the congressional balconies.

Here is what I would do were I Obama. Iwould go to Detroit- where the industrial blight is making a mild come back (that just got another gut punch with the announcement of a big GM safety recall in the middle of their IPO noises)- Detroit is actually a cool and wild place I discovered. There are some elegant beautiful buildings there that are not shells. One guy said it never recovered from the riots of the 60s which I hardly believe.

Right on the main drag (like their Broad Street in Philadelphia) there is an amazing property which used to be owned and built by the First Presbyterian Church of Detroit. It has an unbelievable sanctuary with an interior stained glass dome that is just georgeous. Now it houses
the ETS- the Eceumenical Theological Seminary. People from all over the midwest go there of all denominations and they offer various programs of degrees of various theological study with an impressive faculty. The Seminary has a feed the homeless program on wednesdays and feed over 200 people. It is right down the street from Wayne State University.
Right across the street is an old shell of a burned out looking enormous church on an abandoned piece of property big enough for tennis courts and a basketball court.

This might look like a scary neighborhood- lots of detroit looks like North Philly- but I felt safe as a single white girl walking around with my chocolate White Castle milk shake in broad daylight.
This abandoned property with what was once a georgeous old church on it should be annexed to the Seminary- and the Seminary should be encouraged with piles of Faith Based funding to
house something like the "Americas Middle- East Interfaith Center Institute" or something-
I like the initials "AMICI" because it means Friends in Italian. Work it out.

Obama has a "christian" problem. People read 'inclusion" as "you must not like us christians."
Do something radically supportive of interfaith efforts-
Detroit is the perfect place to do it- it will create jobs renovating these buildings in a great project that will bring more pride to the city, which is on the cusp again of being a great American city.

The District

of the Capital of the Most Powerful Nation in the World

Has no equal voting representation in Congress. They have it in Bagdad, they have it in Paris. But
not in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC has about as many people as Vermont and more than Wyoming. And we have zero
actual voting representation in the Senate-no DC Shadow Senators and just one 'shadow' rep who
doesn't count for much. She can't even be counted on to try to vote to get us the vote. The last
time it failed it had to do with tagging a second amendmenet rider or something that gummed up
the statehood issue with gun safety issues so it was tanked --even though subsequent national
precedents on the gun issue mooted that bit of bravado anyway.
LAME. LAME. LAME.
Probably the first and strongest time that we had full majorities in the House, Senate and the White House in our corner we didn't have enough of a commitment to make DC Voting Rights
and Statehood real.
So here is a note to the Executive Director of the DNC who keeps sending me emails requesting I
now pledge to vote in November (like a pledge drive of sorts that they can take to the bank)-
I live in the District of Columbia. I don't get to vote for anyone meaningful in the federal arena.
You can stop worrying about my voting for a democrat for Mayor- who
else is running for Mayor?
When you DNC Exec. Director and you, 'Shadow' rep. make DC a State with 2 Senators like the rest of them and representative numbers of congresspersons I will pledge to "vote."
I might even pledge to run.

I consider it scandal of all scandals that DC has no real representation in Congress ---like we should pay DC taxes for everyone in the country to come use DC services and get no say over anything in the country.
Hence, the frustrated voter vents in a blog hoping people in New York pay attention.
Like my fantasy fake boyfriend Keith Olberman who I hope isn't short like a lot of those folks on TV you would be shocked to learn only come up to your chest in lift shoes. Hi George S.

Keith Olbermann

For President!

Get his 'special comment' for tonight and put it on You-Tube.