Matt Maher, John & L.A.

So much has happened since my last blog entry. I had an amazing time with the Youth and Young at heart adults at the Matt Maher Concert down at St. Vinney’s in Federal Way. It was some amazing praise and worship, the likes of which I haven’t heard since my days at CCF up at Western, it was a much need boost for me and the kids. I also ran into some awesome peeps from the Shalomer, which is always good.

I also was finally able to hook up with my new friend John (who is from Gonzaga and is looking into going to law school as well) and have 1 drink. Yes one drink, it was a super strong Long Island, I only tasted liquor and the cherry at the bottom was the killer, just like the worm. He asked me if I wanted another, but it alone was good enough to make me go up and sing YMCA karaoke, so I declined his generous offer. We talked about how awesome it is to be Catholic and just had such and awesome time! Thanks Buddy and I hope to hang with you soon again!

Finally as I write this blog frantically, I am taking off to L.A. to see my sister, my little niece Kaiya and Jeff. I am totally stoked to see all of them and go to California, I havn’t been to L.A. in 3 years or so. I hope you are all doing well and I will fill ya in when I get back!
God Bless,
Brett

Colin Parrish, A Prayer/Ditty To My Imprudent Friend

Couldn’t
Our
Lord
Instruct
Named

Person
Against
Repeatedly
Rash
Imprudence
Super
Haste

Written in the wee morning hour @ 4 a.m. on Friday, August 17, 2006 after a late night call by above mentioned friend to leave a humorous voicemail which ended up waking the author of this magnificent little ditty up because of the stupid cell phone alarm system (or the ignorance of owner of cell phone) that wont wake up desperately tired author unless sound setting is on loud. LORD LET ME SLEEP!

Although this could be revenge for this photo of the culprit snapped by yours truly… Wakey Wakey Colin!

Its been a long time...

It has been hard to keep up on this thing, I am not usually a person who journals their life, and I think that this is just an online version of a journal. Anyways a lot has happened since my last post but too much to discuss in a timely manner so I will give an abridged version. A wedding, a reunion, actually 3 reunions, a new tire, a lot of shenanigans, a tour of a local biker diver bar (that was fun), new books/music that I have been perusing, a good albeit expensive cigar (a rarity), good food and deep talks, lack of sleep, a great garden party (I love being Catholic) where I met Brendan Fraser’s parents (the actor in such films as Bedazzled & The Mummy), studying like crazy for the LSAT (pray for me!), a prank, political/moral debates, swimming and 4 birthdays, 3 of which were today! Phew, that is a lot, oh and today at Daily Mass I found out it was St. Maximilian Kolbe’s feast day (he is an awesome saint and I know one man in particular, one of which had his birthday this week who loves him.). He started the Militia of the Immaculata (of which I would like to join someday), which is devoted to the spreading of the gospel and of devotion to our Lady. Here is a link to learn more about him:

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm01.htm

Well, a short talk about my day today before I go pray. It was the birthday of my uncle Fred; he is such an awesome man, so charitable and such a servant. Every time I would come over to see my grandpa Fred Sr., my uncle would get up from watching the M’s game (his favorite sport) and would insist on making me some food and offer me his chair to sit in to watch the game and hang out with my Grandpa. We , me my mother and my uncle, all went out this evening and got some drinks and food at one of his favorite places, The Spaghetti Factory, and shared many stories of our lives, so much fun!! I also got to see him at daily Mass today, double bonus!

The other birthday today that I will make note of is my friend since kindergarten at IC/OLPH parochial school, Matt. He wasn’t around today but I know when he gets back from being with his family we will have to celebrate him turning 25, I quarter a century!! That is crazy for me. It seems like only yesterday when we were playing on the jungle gym, going to school dances and serving as alter boys. Well, we will have to PROST! (as the Germans say) to the memories of the past and those of the future! May God Bless both of them on there birthday’s today!

Novena Prayer to
St. Maximilian Kolbe



O Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "greater love than this no man has that a man lay down his life for his friends," through the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe whose life illustrated such love, we beseech you to grant us our petitions . . .

(here mention the requests you have).

Through the Militia Immaculata movement, which Maximilian founded, he spread a fervent devotion to Our Lady throughout the world. He gave up his life for a total stranger and loved his persecutors, giving us an example of unselfish love for all men - a love that was inspired by true devotion to Mary. Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we too may give ourselves entirely without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen in order to better love and serve our fellowman in imitation of your humble servant, Maximilian. Amen.

(Say 3 Hail Marys and a Glory Be)

Prayer, Explanation, Begining

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, may your Holy Spirit watch over this blog and all of those who read it so that we all may be drawn closer to your Sacred Heart through the powerful intercession of all the saints and angles and our beloved Mother Mary’s most Immaculate Heart. I ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, Amen.

So this is my inaugural post for my new blog and I am sure many of you are wondering why I chose the title Be Not Afraid, Ephphatha two Metanoia? Let me break it apart so I can share the reflection that I have had on this title.

Be Not Afraid- this comes from Mathew 14:27 and this whole passage is about faith! In fact the whole structure of Matthew chapter 14 drew me to this particular point because it seems the central phrase of the whole chapter. It starts out with the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (whom Jesus really loved). This speaks to me of the sacrifice of following Jesus and St. John the Baptists trust in Jesus to hand over his life. The next part talks about the feeding of the five thousand, an amazing miracle to behold. Jesus went away to be alone in a deserted place; for some solitude, but the people had such great need of him they followed him there. He was moved with pity and healed many. Not only that he also took what little they had to offer him (the 5 loaves and 2 fishes) and he fed everyone (very Eucharistic). This reminds me of how Jesus takes the little that I am and fills not only my life, but those around me with himself. The next story talks about the walking on the water and his calming of the storm. How many times in my own life have a been tossed in a sea of despair, fear and sadness and Christ came to me, pulled me up and rebuked all that drew me away from him? “Truly, he is the Son of God.” And finally Christ walks among us and heals us like in Gennesaret. Read all of Chapter 14 prayerfully and see the powerful effect it will have on you! I also must say one of my personal heroes, John Paul II, said this at the beginning of his pontificate to a world devastated by war, famine and fear. “BE NOT AFRAID!”

Ephphatha- this is a Greek form of a Aramaic work meaning “Be Opened”. It can be found in Mark 7:31-37. This story has a man with a speech impediment who is also deaf being brought to Jesus for healing by others. They could probably not even understand him most of the time, but like the good friends they were brought him to Jesus because they new he could cure him. I find in my own life also, that often times I can’t tell others exactly what is wrong with me, but they bring me to Jesus in their prayers and I visit him and he hears me, opens me and heals me with his love. Like in the passage he takes me away (in solitude) to a secluded place and touches me and frees me from all my agonies.

Two- yes, even this has meaning to me, it is like that Will Smith song “Just the two of Us” Me and Jesus are going to be buds for life, cause he is the life!

Metanoia- This is also a Greek word that is found many places in the New testament Greek. Metanoia means to turn around..... with the idea of stopping and going in a new direction. The idea expresses a fundamental change in direction, a new way of life. The assumption in the preaching of John the Baptist through Jesus to the first apostolic sermons is that we are on the wrong path, moving away from God. To do penance, to convert is to make an about face and take a new path of conversion from sin to salvation. Our thoughts are changed to be in harmony with God's thoughts and our ways are changed to His ways.

I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I do when writing and feel free to add any comments you wish.

To close, I will have some prayers that I enjoy to recite so as to draw closer to God.

Pater Noster
Our Father,
who art in Heaven,
hallowed by Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Ave Maria
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou among women
And Blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

Gloria
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they deserve They dreadful punishments, because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ and, most of all, becuase they offend Thine infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of Thy grace, never to offend Thee again, and carefully to avoid the occasions of sin. Amen

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired then with confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother! To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen
Sts. Peter, Paul James, John and Joseph, Pray for us!
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.