As the controversy over the birth control mandate rages on, liberal lawmakers on the Hill are arguing that when women don’t take contraceptives and get pregnant, it results in “lost productivity.”
Monthly Archives: April 2012
With What Pain And Desolation
With what pain and desolation,
With what noble resignation,
Mary watched her dying Son.
For Reflection:
Many spiritual writers have discussed the “spirituality of waiting” and the virtues it requires. Some of these are patience, long-suffering, trust, surrender, humility, gratitude, receptivity, hope. In what ways do you think Mary embodied all of these as she watched her Son die? Which of these do you most need to acquire?
Number of Single Women in America at Record High Levels
Nearly 40 percent of women in the United States have never been married, an all-time high, according to new data from the National Center for Health Statistics.
Cardinal Dolan Reveals Obama’s Duplicity
In a revealing interview with James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal, Cardinal Timothy Dolan described President Barack Obama’s abrupt about-face on the birth control mandate and the interactions he’s had with Obama’s White House over the last few months.
Cubans to Celebrate Good Friday, Thanks to Pope Benedict
For the first time in 53 years, Cubans will be permitted to celebrate Good Friday, thanks to the intervention of Pope Benedict XVI who asked Cuban president Raul Castro during his recent visit to make it a public holiday.
While She Waited In Her Anguish
While she waited in her anguish,
Seeing Christ in torment languish,
Bitter sorrow pierced her heart.
For Reflection:
This verse tells us Mary “waited.” What attitude of heart do you think marked Mary’s disposition as she waited? What virtues? Recall a time when you, too, waited. What marked your disposition? What virtues did you exhibit?
Stabat Mater
At the cross her station keeping,
Mary stood in sorrow weeping
When her Son was crucified.
For Reflection:
Father Faber tells us that each consecutive suffering of Our Lady outstripped its predecessor in pain, because each new suffering had “more love to torture, and therefore more power of inflicting pain.” In this first verse of the Stabat Mater, Mary experiences the fifth sword to her heart. She is at the summit of her suffering. Consider Father Faber’s quote in light of this. What do you think he means by “more love to torture?” What is the connection between love and pain? To what extent are you willing to truly love?
