Greetings, and Welcome to The Small Shoppe

After the example of my Chestertonian mentor, Dr. R. Kenton Craven, I here offer my ponderings and musings for your edification and/or education.

You are welcome to read what is written here, and encouraged to do so. Appropriate comments may well be posted.

Michael Francis James Lee
The Not-so-Small Shoppe-Keeper

Monday, February 12, 2024

It's Time for Your Medicine

 

I know that Lent isn't "just about giving up things," but...

It very much is...ALSO...about giving up things. Mortification and penance are important medicines for our souls. We're sinners, and the giving up of things -- such as we do with fasting and abstinence -- is part of the "prescription" assigned by the Church and enshrined in Scripture.
Let's not be too easy on ourselves this Lent. It's not "self-abuse" to examine our lives and decide to forego one, two, or several "good things" out of love for God and in order to "medicate" our souls.
Lent begins this Wednesday.
Take some dedicated time today and decide what you will set aside until the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord.
The Church requires fasting (an actual reduction in the amount of food we consume) on only two days; Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence from the eating of meat (warm-blooded flesh) is required on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and on all Fridays of Lent.
That is the MINIMUM.
Your own freely chosen sacrifices are your love-offering to God.
We all need the good fruits of Holy Penance.

Monday, January 15, 2024

 “THE HOLY FAMILY IS IN DANGER OF INSULT; NOT EVEN BECAUSE IT IS HOLY, BUT MERELY BECAUSE IT IS A FAMILY.” 

~ G. K. Chesterton – New Witness, December 10th, 1920 


Read that again please and take note of the date on which it was published. The longer I am a student of Mr. Chesterton’s writings, the more often I find myself marveling that he seems to be—in a sense—timeless. 

What he wrote in 1920 could just as easily have been written by someone this week, as we all know that the family is under attack. Perhaps more subtly at times the attack on the family takes the form of disregard. As corporate, educational, and governmental entities cancel the words husband, wife, mother, father, son, and daughter, one can easily imagine that the very word family will also be jettisoned. 

Of course, the attack on the family is an attack on God, who is revealed to us as a family—The Most Holy Trinity. Jesus Christ is conceived in the womb of Blessed Mary and is born into a family. Jesus sends the Apostles forth to baptize us into His family, the Church. 

So yes, as Mr. Chesterton said, the Holy Family endures insult “merely because it is a family.”

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Single, Married, Available, or...

"Satan, it would seem, does not act in an arbitrary manner when trying to tempt us. Rather, he is more of a master hunter carefully setting traps, or a skilled fisherman who carefully studies behavior in order to choose the most effective bait. Satan is calculating and clever."
   ~ Msgr. Charles Pope, in First the Bait, Then the Hook – a Sober Meditation on Temptation

I was in a conversation with a young, Catholic friend just the other day.  This young man is, by all accounts, a solid Catholic, committed to purity and chastity in accord with his current single state in life.

At one point in our conversation, Tom (not his real name) was referring to an exchange between himself and another young Christian, and said "I told her I wasn't single..." (though, to be sure, he is indeed single). Perhaps he meant that he wasn't presently looking for a girlfriend-boyfriend relationship.

The more I have mentally replayed and considered this part of our conversation, the more concerned I am about what I see as a subtle and dangerous trap being set against Catholic young people (and against all Christians) regarding sexuality, marriage, chastity, purity, and the single state.

As I thought about this, I recalled hearing similar statements from good, Christian, young people; referring to themselves as "not single," even though it was clear they were not married.  I've also heard young people say "I'm single again," even though they have actually been single their entire lives to that point.  And, of equal concern, I have seen such young people list themselves on Social Media as "Married," though they are single. Finally, some have described themselves, saying "I'm available," in response to which one might ask, "Available for what, exactly?"

Here are my main points of concern regarding this particular incursion  of secular humanism into Catholic Christian culture:

1. It is an attack on marriage.  This re-defining of "single" and "married" serves to desensitize us as to what these terms have always meant -- especially as to how they have traditionally been used and applied in the Teaching of the Church.  It follows then, that it is also an attack on the single state, on celibacy, and ultimately on chastity and purity.  It subtly, or not so subtly, encourages a belief that being single is a negative situation in need of remedy -- or at least something to hide from view ("I'm not really single right now").  As pertains to Chastity and Purity, if one is "not single," then is it really wrong to indulge in those things rightly reserved for married persons? Satan loves to blur the lines.


2. It is, further, an attack on the Indissolubility of Marriage, taught by the Catholic Church as revealed Truth.  Again, by means of desensitizing young people, the idea of moving in and out of being "single right now," breaks down the young Christian's resistance to divorce and multiple "marriages."  By the time these young people are really and truly married, they will have already had the experience of being "single", "not single right now", "married", and "available again", many times -- so what's the big deal if this marriage doesn't work out? Satan loves rationalization.

3. It devalues the individual person, and promotes the hook-up culture.  This perversion of truth teaches young people that being single means being available.  Again I ask, available for what?  It leads young people to see themselves as being of little or no value until and unless someone saves them from their "availability." Satan loves to leave you hanging.

4. It confuses the differences and distinctions among casual friendship, dating, and courtship.  Everything becomes a "pretend marriage." See: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column/the-difference-between-courtship-and-dating-1276
Satan loves confusion.

I encourage everyone, especially young Catholics (and other Christians) to study Pope St. John Paul ll's "Theology of the Body."  Learn about the great gifts God has given to each of us, and the high value He places on each of us.  Learn to be thankful and joyful "in your own skin," so that you do not fall into the trap of believing that your importance and worth depend on being "not single."  

Finally, I encourage everyone to remember that "words have meaning," and there is a very real danger to our culture and even to our souls when we blur those meanings.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Don't Touch Them! They Are Not Yours!


The hit-pieces against Pope Francis, for daring to wash the feet of non-Christians, have been circulating widely since Thursday. In a very juvenile post on the *Toronto Catholic Witness,* the claim is made that the Holy Father violated his own reform of liturgical law, by washing the feet of people who are *not people of God.*

While "People of God" may be seen in an exclusive sense; referring only to those within the communion of the Church, it can also be seen in a more general sense in which it is meant that God is truly the Father of all; and thus all people --whether they know and acknowledge it or not -- belong to Him.

Thus, my response to these attacks is best summed up by these words from the Gospel:

And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.” 
(Jn 10:16, RSVCE)

My view is that Pope Francis believes that a very good way of bringing these other sheep into the fold, is to touch them -- literally and physically -- with the mercy and love of Jesus Christ.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

I’ve just been so busy...

When I was just a boy, there were so many wonderful adults in my life; grandparents, uncles and aunts, older cousins, and neighbors who seemed more like family. Though I didn't realize it, due to my young age and mindset, these people were in my life because they loved me, and made a conscious decision to be available to me; I was important to them.

As I grew older, into my 20s and 30s, I gave in to the tendency, or temptation, to leave these relationships unattended. I was busy now. I had things to do, and just didn’t have time to keep up all of those contacts. I had time for school, for work, for the things that seemed most important, but not for the people I was letting slip out of my consciousness.

I would, from time to time -- possibly from pain of guilt -- stop in an see one of these “old folks.” I clearly remember my all too infrequent visits to my grandmother. She lived only a mile or so from me, yet I know I didn’t visit her more than several times a year. I would always say something like “I should stop in more often, but I’ve just been so busy lately...” Grandma would smile a little, give me a kiss, and say “Oh, you have plenty to do, you don’t have much time for old people like me.”

I’d feel badly for a minute, and then rationalize that Grandma was just being dramatic, and feeling sorry for herself. I didn’t let it dawn on me that she may have been trying to teach me something very important.

Now that I am one of the “old folks,” I am learning what I think my grandma was trying to teach me. The lesson is more painful now, but I am learning it nonetheless.

During the course of my life I have had the great blessing of being close to many people. I have been a friend, a teacher, a youth leader, a mentor, a coach, a Godfather, an uncle, and a brother.

For many of those years, the people whose lives intersected with mine remained in close contact. We talked -- either in person, or by phone -- often. Christmas and New Year’s were sure to be times when we connected. With some, it even happened on birthdays.

Lately, more and more of these younger friends are drifting out of contact. Now and then I will hear from one of them, usually by text-message, and they begin by saying something like “I was going to call you, but I’ve just been so busy lately...”

At the age of 63, I’ve learned many lessons in my life. One of them is that, as busy as I might be, I have time for the people for whom I make time. I am now learning how much it hurts when people whom you love drift away.

I have not written this for sympathy. In fact, I nearly did not write it at all. I decided to write this in hopes that I might help someone else (or maybe even a few someone elses) to learn what I believe my grandma was trying to teach me.

Make time for those who have loved you and have been there for you in the past. Those people were put into your life as blessings, and you now have the opportunity to be a blessing to them in return.

If you’re too busy for that, you really are too busy. Only you can change that.


An old saying goes “Make new friends, yet keep the old; One is Silver, and the Other is Gold.”

Saturday, May 30, 2015

May His Blood be Upon Us, and Upon the Whole World

"Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and the Blood, the Soul and Divinity, of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins, and those of the whole world."


I am as certain as I can possibly be that I was graced with a vision of sorts this morning, prior to the beginning of the 8:00am Mass at St. Patrick Oratory in Green Bay, Wisconsin (which is served by the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest). 

I am not joking; so don't expect a punch line. I am, as they say, "as serious as a heart attack." Parts of this I will need to omit, as those parts would impinge upon the rights of others to privacy and confidentiality.

The substance of it is this: As I entered the Church proper, I looked up at the very large, wooden crucifix, suspended behind and above the high altar. 

This photo, taken at St. Patrick's Oratory, is from 2014
Those of you who know me well, also know that I am critical (some would say hypercritical) of things artistic -- as well as being a symmetry freak. So, as I looked up, I nearly gasped -- the "blood" that's painted as coming from the feet of Our Lord, had been -- it seemed clearly to me -- painted over, a bright, sort of "wet-look" red -- like a glossy red nail polish. Right away, I went into my critical mode, thinking such things as "Who in the heck did THAT? Why did they have to do that? Why didn't they just leave it alone; it doesn't match the blood on the hands."

Then, suddenly, I was overcome with an inspiration to pray the chaplet of the Divine Mercy for a particular intention -- that shall remain private. I immediately did so, now sensing that what I was seeing was not simply someone's touch-up painting work. I finished the final "Amen" of the chaplet, just as the corporate Rosary -- which is prayed before each Mass at the Oratory, was beginning. Thus, I was able to pray the Rosary as well, for this same intention.

During the rosary, sensing that my prayer had been answered, I looked back up at the Crucifix, and nearly gasped again; the color of the painted blood on the feet of Our Lord looked, once again, like that of dried blood.

I am not at all given to "seeing things," and those who know me personally, know that I am among the strongest skeptics when these sorts of things are spoken of. That said, I know what I saw today; and -- thankfully -- I believe that I know why I saw it.

"For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, Have Mercy on us, and on the whole world." Amen.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

I have been suffering, on and off, for many years with low and mid back pain.  Over the years I have seen both chiropractors and medical doctors.

Recently, approximately a month or so ago, I had a flare-up of extreme back pain, that -- contrary to my usual pattern -- did not subside after 3 or 4 days.  I decided it was time to see my primary care physician, and let her know of the problem.

She is an excellent physician; the very best doctor by whom I have been treated in my entire life.  Her genuine concern was quite obvious. She ordered an immediate x-ray, and she was able to get me in quickly for an appointment at a local spine center.

The doctor who saw me at the spine center seems to be a fine physician as well. He ordered an MRI, which was completed once the "peer reviewers" approved of the procedure.

The MRI showed in greater, "pinpoint" detail what had been indicated by the x-ray.  I have two compressed and deteriorating discs, which are impacting the sciatic nerve.  On the MRI, a red, protruding object, looking something like a jellybean is clearly visible -- and seems to be the thing that is contacting the sciatic nerve.

The considered opinion of the doctor at the spine center, given my extreme level of pain, and the fact that I have gone, in a matter of weeks, from walking unassisted, to using a cane, to using a walker, and now to using a wheelchair, is that spinal injections are the next effective step.  He set me up for the procedure to take place on April 15th.  He wanted to to do it right away, but because my insurance is through the "marketplace" (read "Obamacare"), he had to schedule it out at least two weeks, so that those charged with "preauthorizing" such procedures would have sufficient time for their task.

I will not be getting the spinal injections that I need on April 15th after all. Those who are paid to find reasons to deny coverage have done their jobs well, and I was told, in the late afternoon on April 7th, that I was denied. My doctor will now have to come up with some sort of treatment (which the deniers will have to approve) that will be considered "conservative care." I will need to undergo that treatment for at least 6 weeks -- and the two weeks of pain, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and assorted medications I have already been through, of course, do not count toward the required six weeks of "conservative care."

I spent the remaining hours of yesterday afternoon and evening moving in, out, and among various negative, unpleasant, and mentally numb states of mind.

Evening came, and then Morning came; the second day.

As I had my morning coffee, graciously pre-prepared by a friend who visited me late last evening, I collected my thoughts, and made a conscious effort to pray.

These are the words that came:

Dear Blesseds Francisco and Jacinta of Fatima,
You knew and endured suffering, accepting it joyfully for the conversion of poor sinners.
Help me now to accept and embrace whatever suffering is to come my way, for whatever time lies ahead.  Help me to do so without complaining, and to be joyful.
Help me to offer my suffering in reparation for my own sins, for the sins committed by others due to my influence or bad example, and for the conversion and salvation of other poor sinners.
Help me also to offer my sufferings lovingly for the consolation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Amen.

I may well fail miserably in this resolve, yet I hope by God's grace, and the helpful prayers of Francisco and Jacinta, to start over again, after each failure, and continue to offer my pain and trials as prayerful sacrifices.

----------------------------------

For those who would like to do something similar, with whatever sufferings come their way in life, I offer the following Fatima Prayers:

MORNING OFFERING
O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss your Brown scapular as a sign of your consecration – this carries a partial indulgence). I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with it the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day.
O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can, and I offer them together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that She may best apply them to the interests of Thy Most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
PARDON PRAYER
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.
ANGEL’S PRAYER
O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYERMost Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament!
SACRIFICE PRAYER
O My Jesus, it is for love of Thee, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners.
DECADE PRAYER
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
To Learn More about Our Lady of Fatima, and to do so in Communion with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, visit: http://wafusa.org/