Cetera is an avid reader and friend of the Tree House, and an occasional commenter.  He currently resides in Wyoming, having given up on Colorado after 10 years and deciding to move his family to a more politically friendly state.  What follows is his effort at communicating Truths inspired by his Christian faith and the Spirit. The first two posts are linked at the bottom, this being the third in a series of five.

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We are all here to support each other, to keep a watchful eye on each other and our Republic, and to fight the good fight when and where it is needed.  Each of us shoulders responsibility we assign only to ourselves, that we pick up voluntarily, and in each of our own ways we promote Truth and Justice.  In short, we are here to keep the faith, because at some level each of us feels that faith under assault or under siege.

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Cetera is an avid reader and friend of the Tree House, and an occasional commenter.  He currently resides in Wyoming, having given up on Colorado after ten years and deciding to move his family to a more politically friendly state.  He has been thinking through some basic principles inspired by his Christian faith and the Spirit, and has prepared a series of posts for our encouragement – timeless Truths worth thinking and talking about. This is the second in a series of five posts. Previous posts are linked at the bottom of the page.

What is Love?

If we proceed from an initial conclusion that we are to love both God and each other, how do we do so?  What is love?  First Corinthians tells us love is the greatest thing there is.  That is all fine and dandy, but what is this thing called Love that we are called to be, to espouse, and to do? (more…)

This series has been previously published. It seems a good time to bring it back again. Originally Sharon worked with Cetera to publish these posts, and all work is done by both of them. I am just copying these posts to give us all a chance to review them again, and some of our newer readers may not have seen them.

Our friend, Cetera, left this comment in a thread earlier this week and I think it serves well as an introduction to his spirit and concern that we find ways to stand fast and encourage one another:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

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Fatherhood is the job that pays the least in monetary terms and the most in benefit to the world, along with motherhood. When a man chooses to become a father, biologically or with his heart, he makes a commitment that is lifelong and its impact is to be felt longer than his own life, into the future of his children, grandchildren, and yes, even great grandchildren.
Through his steadfast presence, his wisdom (most of it on the job, but maybe lots of it gained from his own father), his protection, his teaching, his prayers, sacrifice, love, discipline, encouragement and pride he tempers and builds the character and lives of his children.
Today, in gratitude and love, we pause to thank God for His precious gift of fathers, modeled in His own image. For all of you, we give thanks, we pray, we love you. And please, keep up the good work dads, in your job that has no off days, but great benefits.

Happy Mother’s Day to all our lady readers. We express our hope that this day of reflection on the gifts our mothers bring to the world in general, and to us in particular, is one filled with the joy of family and memories of the wonderful women in your life.
Motherhood doesn’t get as many good reviews as it used to. Our world is in a rush, and the hot ideas today are to make our lives all about us, to glory in being as selfish and self centered as possible. For those who choose to be parents nowadays, the world has shifted to encourage self indulgent children, bought off by distant and carefree moms who offer largesse instead of love.
Today is a day when almost everyone gets nostalgic about moms though. We remember her sacrifices, her strength, her absolute rock solid steadiness when the trials and fears of childhood sent us into her arms. We remember her instantly at our bedside when we were ill in the middle of the night, we remember her cheering for us at the ball field and applauding with joy at the ballet recitals, we remember her special cookies and her radiant smiles. We now, years later, recognize that her version of motherhood was built around sacrifice, and that she made that work in a joyful and steadfast good for her family and herself. We remember her hours in prayer, and now wonder how countless many she sent winging to heaven on our behalf, and again, years later, recognize the blessings her faith and prayers brought us, in answer, and in example.
Today we celebrate feminism in all it’s infinite gift and glory. Thanks, Mother, for choosing life, for choosing us. Today, we return a tiny portion of the grateful prayers for you.

GospelMT 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake;
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was like lightning
and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him
and became like dead men.
Then the angel said to the women in reply,
“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples,
‘He has been raised from the dead,
and he is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him.’
Behold, I have told you.”
Then they went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce this to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”

Today we observe Good Friday, the day of the death of Jesus. Many Christian Churches have different ways of observation, to prepare us for the coming resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. Today, the sacrifices we have made during Lent culminate in our internalization of the great offering of Christ’s life. If we have been diligent in our Lenten preparations, Good Friday hits us with a power and force that brings us, literally and figuratively, to our knees with the grasp of what Jesus poured out for us. It becomes personal, a tiny sliver of the cross is buried in our heart. And so each year, we find that we give ourselves over to Christ just a little more through this time of penance and reflection. 

It is our wish here in the Tree that you all, so dear to us, and to each other, have a blessed and holy weekend, this most holy time of the year. May the lamb’s Good Friday sacrifice lead you to the joy we rightfully claim on Easter Sunday. This post mentions some things from my Catholic “language” or viewpoint, if you will.  I would love to have you share some of the traditions and customs from your church or family with us. Are there special observations and services at your church this weekend?

The Easter Triduum, the marking of the days of Jesus’ passion and resurrection, the  most important time of the church year, begins with the evening Mass of Holy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes on Easter Sunday evening. After preparing during the days of Lent, we celebrate these holiest of days in the Church year. (more…)

At the end of the liturgy on Holy Thursday evening, in every Catholic Church around the world, the Blessed Sacrament is removed to the altar of repose, the altar is stripped, the church is bare, empty. Tomb-like. It is a striking and heartbreaking tradition, and I make sure to attend each year, to allow my heart to break, my tears to fall, my spirit to be clouded in gloom and dread, preparing for Good Friday, and Christ’s passion.

My purpose in sharing this video is to encourage those of you who let Easter sneak up on you, without much thought beforehand, to find your own ways to open your heart and experience the pain of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Perhaps dedicate an hour to prayer and scripture. Go to a church and wait with Jesus during the hours of 12 to 3. Give alms. Go to a Good Friday service. Fast. Cut off the phones, televisions, computers.

Observing these two solemn days of the Christian calendar will make your Easter more meaningful, and enrich your faith.

Please feel free to share your church and family’s way of observing the coming of our Lord’s Passion and Death.

 GospelLK 19:28-40

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IS 9:1-6

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