Disturbing Commercial

I was really taken back by the above commercial. It rubbed me the wrong way. I understand they wanted something different to catch a person's attention, but they could have done something a little less controversial to do that. I just found the way they portrayed the priest in it was totally inappropriate. We should always remember to pray for our priests to stay strong in their vocation because I am sure there is a lot of temptation out there for them...

Beatification of John Paul II. :)

What a happy Sunday it is today! Today is even more special as Pope John Paul II was officially beatified early this morning, which brings him one step closer to sainthood. :)

For those of you who do not know the steps that are taken before a person is considered a saint then let me clue you in on them.

The process must begin five years after the candidate's death. (Pope John Paul II waived this requirement in Mother Teresa's case and Pope Benedict XVI waived this in Pope John Paul II's case as well.)

Local bishops investigate the life of the candidate and the findings are sent to the Vatican.

After approval by a panel of theologians and cardinals, the pope proclaims the candidate is "venerable," meaning a role model of Roman Catholic virtues.

The next step is beatification if it is determined by the church that the candidate is responsible for a miracle after his or her death.

Finally, for the designation of saint, the church must certify proof of a second miracle. Once they approve of the miracle then the Pope must declare the person a saint by canonizing them.

Holy Saturday - Waiting

"Grenade"

Holy Week is coming up, and I must say that I am looking forward to it. Holy Week happens to be my very favorite week in the liturgical year. Tonight as I was listening to this song, "Grenade" by Bruno Mars, my mind-set was totally different than how it normally is while listening to this song. If I was not thinking about Holy Week I probably would not have even taken this song in the direction I am about too. The fact is this song, if looked at with the right perspective, is so symbolic. I am sure Bruno Mars was not meaning for it to be interpreted this way, but the fact is I have for the first time thought of this as being turned into a Christian song.... A lenten type song. Like maybe how Jesus was thinking while hanging on the cross and looking down and realizing the the majority of his closest friends had deserted him.... For example "Should of known you was trouble from the first kiss " could be about Judas and how he hands Jesus over with a kiss on the cheek. "Black, black, black and blue beat me till I'm numb" could obviously be about him while being scourged.... Some may think I am silly for thinking this way while listening to this song tonight, but sometimes that is how my mind works.



Grenade
By Bruno Mars

Easy come, easy go
That's just how you live, oh
Take, take, take it all,
But you never give
Should of known you was trouble from the first kiss,
Had your eyes wide open. Why were they open?

Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked,
Cause what you don't understand is

I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh

I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same

No, no, no, no
Black, black, black and blue beat me till I'm numb
Tell the devil I said “hey” when you get back to where you're from
Mad woman, bad woman,
That's just what you are, yeah,
You’ll smile in my face then rip the breaks out my car

Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, yes you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked
Cause what you don't understand is

I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh

I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same

If my body was on fire, ooh
You’ d watch me burn down in flames
You said you loved me you're a liar
Cause you never, ever, ever did baby...

But darling I’ll still catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh

I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same.
No, you won’t do the same,
You wouldn’t do the same,
Ooh, you’ll never do the same,
No, no, no, no

"To Love Another Person Is To See The Face Of God..."

.... That is the final line to the musical "Les Mes" right before the finale song. I have been a fan of the musical "Les Mes" since I was in high school. I have to say that if it were not for an old high school crush of mine who played the lead in a local high school play I never would have thought twice about watching it. I fell in love with this musical from the first night I saw it on the stage at that high school. The cast that year did such an amazing job for a group of high schoolers that I felt a bit spoiled. Anyway, the reason why I am even talking about this is because a few weeks ago I finally talked my mom into watching it with me.

For those of you who have never heard of this musical, it is based of the book by Victor Hugo; "Les Meserables." The setting of this book is during the time of the French Revolution and basically follows the storyline of the different classes of people who lived during that crazy time in France. This musical also happens to have a bit of Catholicism in it as well as a Catholic Bishop challenges the main character to live his life as a gift for God. What really captures my attention about this musical in particular is the lyrics of the music. I have watched this numerous times and each time I watch it I end up bawling like a baby because of the beauty of the storyline and the music and the lyrics. Because of the musical I ended up picking Victor's book to read for a huge English project my senior year of high school and now it is one of my personal favorites to go back and read every so often.

The song that I chose to share on here is called "Bring Him Home." It is a prayer in which the leading role, Jean Valjean, is sending out a prayer to help save the life of one of the men, Marius, who was injured in battle. This happens to have the four most popular men who played Valjean singing together as a quartet and to hear these four voices blend together is truly heavenly....

Audrey Assad "For Love Of You"

Since in my last post I spoke about Audrey Assad I thought I would share a song of hers which I truly love... It is called "For Love of You." :) I hope you enjoy it.

"Planned Parenthood Aids Pimp's Underage Sex Ring"

Vocations Awareness Week 2011

This week happens to be Vocations Awareness Week.... So I have found this great video about ways to discern your vocation...

"JP II We Love You!"

This video is about a miracle that has been approved for the beatification of John Paul II. This makes me happy. :) :) :)

The Christmas Story Told Through Facebook

It's the Christmas story "Facebook" style. It is actually interesting. Check it out.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58212845#!/video/video.php?v=1573735336164&oid=160636703764&comments

My Dear Friend, My Piano... :)

As I have mentioned before in previous posts one of my favorite ways to really pass time is playing the piano. If you were to walk by my house and happen to hear the piano playing you would probably be hearing the song "Do You Dream of Me" by Michael W. Smith. It happens to be the one I have been really working hard to learn the past few weeks and I am finally really starting to sound good. My very favorite song to play though is easily Bach's Ave Maria. I know that song by heart and have known it for years. It is like an old friend when I sit down to play it. It never gets old. I enjoy playing up beat music as well, but I tend to play my best when I am playing more heartfelt slower music. I also tend to get lost in it more easily and do not pay much attention to what else is going on at the moment when I am playing it.

There is a quote, "Love is like playing the piano. First you have to play by the rules, and then you have to play with your heart." I have to agree with it wholeheartedly. Love in any relationship can be tricky at first while you are getting to know a person. Learning what makes a person tick, what boundaries are ok to cross and so forth and so on, but after awhile you have to forget about those rules and let your heart guide you.

The video below happens to be of the song I mentioned I am learning... I enjoy listening to it because the melody really is a pretty one.

"Alive Again"

Alive Again
Matt Mahar


I woke up in darkness
Surrounded by silence
Oh where, oh where have I gone?
I woke to reality Losing its grip on me
Oh where, where have I gone?
'Cause I can see the light
Before I see the sunrise

You called and You shouted
Broke through my deafness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again
You shattered my darkness
Washed away my blindness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again

Late have I loved You
You waited for me, I searched for You
What took me so long?
I was looking outside
As if Love would ever want to hide
I'm finding I was wrong

'Cause I feel the wind
Before it hits my skin
'Cause I want You,
Yes I want You I need You, and I'll do

Whatever I have to just to get through
'Cause I love You,
Yeah I love You

"The Truth About Mary And Scripture"

I stole this video from a friend who posted it up on facebook... It is very good. If you have the time you should watch it...

Joe Don Playing The National Anthem

The video below is taken from my concert last night... Enjoy the amazingness of Joe Don's awesome guitar skills.... :)

Some of the best "Kid's Say the Darndest Things"

"I Am A Catholic"

The video below is a clip from the musical "Altar Boyz." A good friend of mine is the one who is singing this particular song. This is a pretty funny play with some good "Catholic" humor. The great thing about this is that my friend is also a very great Catholic. It is great for a good laugh. :) Enjoy!

"Modesty: A Guy's View"

Love Life

Just for some laughs

We Are All Beloved

The song below happened to be one of the two that kind of teared me up, I guess you could say. I plan on putting this song up on my blog very soon... until then I hope you really listen to it... It is a beautiful song.