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Anyone out there have childhood memories of a book series called “Choose Your Own Adventure”? The first one came out in 1976 and over the next 20+ years, close to 200 volumes came into print. Before these books came out, I’d always assumed reading to be a one-directional exercise. You start with the front cover and then you move page by page in order till you reach the back cover. The “Choose Your Own Adventure” series was the first time we readers got some choices along the way.

“This may be news to you, you may never have heard my voice before, the most severe, the most demanding, the most terrible for you to listen to, [but] I have to tell you that you are all in a state of mortal sin. You now live in it, and you will die in it.”[i]

You took one on the chin earlier this month. No, let me back up in order to be more honest. We took one on the chin earlier this month. As someone who works (and values working) with a wide diversity of peoples / churches / dioceses / organizations, I’m not inclined to make my own personal voting record public.

Dear Friends Who Voted for Trump,

Earlier this October I spent a day at the CIA. Not the one that tracks down spies. Rather the one along the Hudson River in upstate New York where they train chefs – i.e. the Culinary Institute of America. I was not there for the food. (Though I did try a piece of apple pie and it was pretty darn good.) I was there to visit the grave of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ.*

Last time I posted, I shared a litany that I’d written for the upcoming 2024 election on November 5th. I promised to pray it each day leading up to the election and—you know what?—it is making me feel more peaceful. It is good to feel part of a whole community that is praying for the best outcome possible. I also have to say, however, that I have realized that it is a bit long. I am getting a bit weary of all the verbiage involved and thinking about Jesus’ quip about God already knowing what we need before we open our mouths.

I’ll be praying this each day for the month before the election and invite you to join me, or adapt this for your own prayer. For the back story on this litany or for information on any of the holy men and women referenced, please check out my newsletter from 10-4-24.

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In these days before our national election, we unite in prayer with the whole communion of saints for an election that is both peaceful and prudential. [Take a moment of silence to allow your heart to absorb the intention.]

My nephew Oliver has just started reading the Lord of the Rings series. And reading with him on his front porch this past weekend called to mind one of my favorite lines from the mouth of the hobbit Frodo: “I wish it need not have happened in my time.” Isn’t that what we have all thought when looking at the news of late? I wish it need not have happened in my time. But whenever I have this thought, I stir courage in my soul by reciting the line that follows from the mouth of the wizard Gandolf: “So do I and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide.

I have spent much of today thinking about the Parable of the Bramble. “What is the Parable of the Bramble?” you ask. Understandably. It is not one of Jesus’ parables found in the gospels, it is actually found in a lesser-known book of the Hebrew Scriptures called Judges (9:8-15 to be specific). And technically speaking, it is not a parable at all. It is a fable. I’ll explain the difference in a footnote, because I’m guessing you don’t really care.

Tis the last day of August and tomorrow morning when we wake up, we’ll be entering the “Season of Creation.” It is a season that is only slowly beginning to get traction in the wider Catholic community. Indeed, I did not know the history behind it myself until I looked it up when preparing tomorrow’s preaching for September 1.