Pensieves
Episcopal News Service. May 2, 1985 [85099]
Ven. Erwin M. Soukup, Editor, Advance, Diocese of Chicago
Pulpit Helps gives us a couple of interesting tag-lines: "Don't brag. It isn't the whistle that pulls the train!"
And: "One nice thing about being imperfect is the joy that it brings to others."
The Chinese have always been very observant. Lao Tze once said, "We have two ears and only one mouth. We should use them proportionately."
The seven steps to stagnation: We've never done it that way; we're not ready for that; we're doing all right without trying that; we tried it once before; we don't have money for that; it's not our job; and, something like that can't work. There's probably an eighth step, but we've never looked for it before.
It is truly certain that mankind's collective knowledge is extremely vast. And some of it half-vast.
Have you been called to a board meeting? It's the best way we know of to become bored.
Robert Louis Stevenson said it well: "A friend is a present you give to yourself."
Want to stop stumbling? Try kneeling. No one ever stumbled while kneeling at prayer.
We've observed that being classified as a Communicant in Good Standing doesn't make one a Christian. Have you noticed how many people own pianos and aren't musicians?
Recent advertisement: "You don't have to leave the ministry to complete your seminary training." Which reminds us that there are those who leave the seminary who haven't begun their ministry.
The Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta is now conducting an acolyte drive. Kind of brings you back to the days of the Old West. Except they drove cattle in those days.
With all of the talks and dialogues on peace which are going on today, we like what William M. Peck had to say about it: "There will be no peace so long as God remains unseated at the conference table."
United Press International reports that in the city of Bern, Switzerland, authorities have ordered two churches to stop ringing bells so often on Sunday morning. And when they do, they are to ring at the same time. Seems that the noise kept citizens from sleeping late on Sunday morning. Heaven forbid a clamorous call to church!
A correspondent forwards a letter written by a Londoner to the London Daily Telegraph. The London housewife reports that if one sings all five stanzas and chorus of "Onward Christian Soldiers" in a "not-too-brisk tempo" as one puts the egg into boiling water, "the egg will be just right when you come to Amen." If you forget the words your egg is in trouble.
The word is out. Following the tradition set by John Paul II, there will soon be a comic book published on the life of Mother Teresa. Then a coloring book? A cut-out book? Trading cards...?
Finally, is it really our conscience that curbs us? Or are we afraid someone is looking?