Heaven or Hell?

Heaven or Hell

While walking down the street one day a corrupt Politician (that may be redundant) was tragically hit by a car and died. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. "Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you." "No problem, just let me in," says the Politician. "Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity." "Really? I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Politician. "I'm sorry, but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are all having such a good time that before the Politician realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven.” So, 24 hours passed with the Politician joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. "Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity." The Politician reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell." So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell... Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls to the ground. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders. "I don't understand," stammers the Politician. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?" The devil smiles at him and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted.." Vote wisely on November 6, 2012

Happy Feast Day!

Happy Feast Day of St. Therese of Lisieux!

Best definition of a disciplined way of life . . .

I define self-control, in the beginning of life, as the choice of achieving what I really want by doing things I really don't want to do. Once this becomes a habit, discipline becomes the choice of achieving what I really want by doing the very things I now want to do! I really believe that a disciplined life becomes a joy--but only after we have worked hard to practice it.

- John C. Maxwell

RIP Ronald Reagan!

Everyone needs a fan in their life . . .!

 Our cat is still at the age where she can find new and interesting things to investigate. The other day, she discovered the fan. She wasn't sure about it but realized the air felt pretty good on a thick fur coat on a warm day. It kept her busy for about 20 minutes which was enough time for me to get some chores done without her 'help'. She has the bad habit of jumping up our legs when she wants attention. We are trying to train her to the errors of her ways but still have a few scratches to show for it.

Thirty Pieces of Silver?

During this election year, the Catholics really have to step up to the plate to defeat an incumbent who has and will continue to jeopardize our freedom of religion. Unfortunately, many Catholics are putting their politics ahead of their Faith. A lot of bishops and clergy are speaking up . . . but not enough considering what is at stake this election. Several of the non-Catholic conservative radio talk show hosts are confused by this because as one plainly said, "Isn't it a sin to vote for a declared evil?" The mandate against the Catholics and the democrats proclaimed platform of abortion and same-sex marriage goes against Catholic teaching . . . yet why isn't this being stated clearly from the pulpit?

One talk show host actually wondered if the Catholics were worried about their tax exempt status to speak out more firmly. If I'm remembering correctly, I believe the separation of church and state was to protect the church from the invasion of the government. Seems to me that with the mandate and fines proposed for any Catholic institution that doesn't provide birth control, etc. is a blatant invasion of the government and they have crossed the separation of church and state line. Frankly, I hear more concern from fellow parishioners after Mass than in Mass these days. I also hear from some parishioners who don't even fully understand what is at stake and are going for the lies being put forth by the anti-life factions in order to pull off a re-election.

It seems to me that whether or not the government can take away a tax exemption is a small thing in comparison to what the country will become if the government is allowed to shape our Catholic conscience by their mandates. Are we going to take the thirty pieces of silver and keep our mouths shut or are we going to have shepherds who will guard the flock rather than let us wander in and out of the laws of the church as we will and let the government guide our ways.

The third quote is my favorite!

Never be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century."
-- Dame Edna Everage

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."
-- Aldous Huxley

"Never knock on Death's door: ring the bell and run away! Death really hates that!"
-- Matt Frewer

"History is the short trudge from Adam to atom."
-- Leonard Louis Levinson