Safe Haven

5 Thoughts For Today 5. Someone remind me not to listen to James Taylor's Greatest Hits ever again. [What?--ed.] Just trust me. Nothing personal, sir. 4. I once said that I'd like to be known as the greatest theologian of the 21st century. Permit me to revise my statement: If I spend one day not feeling like a complete moron in the face of the mysteries of Christ and His love, I'll be very surprised. 3. Writing sucks. Even if you're good at it or you think you are, it still sucks. 2. I'm happy the NBA got its house in order, but mainly so I can hear Charles Barkley talk about...anything. [They could just give him a talk show.--ed.] Nah, that never works. 1. How many milliseconds will it take the "Truly Reformed" (whatever that means) to say the "And with your spirit" in the English revision of the Mass confirms our body-hating Gnosticism? Maybe I'm just paranoid.

I went to Eucharistic Adoration last night, and I had a thought worth holding on to: "I don't even know what I'm gonna eat tomorrow, much less what I'll be doing in 5 years. I shouldn't hold on so tight." The good things about me and the bad things all come back to the fact that I have difficulty with loneliness. If only I could desire fellowship with God as much as I do with people, I thought. Then, sure as I'm sitting here, Jesus tried to hug me. People who know me know that I hate being startled. Well, I was. I jumped back and shuddered so hard, you'd think it was an earthquake. I laughed at myself and said, "OK, Jesus. We'll work on that one." P.S. The date on MSN's homepage has been screwed up for two solid weeks; it thinks today is January 2, 2012. Not yet.

Dear Cherished Friend, I have these many months chosen the way of Self over the way of Love. I regret every painful word, indeed every painful thought that has caused you grief. I beg you, in Christ's name, to forgive me. I know that I have destroyed your trust, and may never gain it back. This is a heavy cross, but it is nothing, in order to know that you will forgive for His sake. Perhaps we are like Paul and Barnabas; we have separated for the sake of peace. I bless you on your way, thankful for the gifts you gave me. I have no right to be called a friend of yours, but you will always be mine. With all brotherly affection, Jason