Just as the Ark, that contained the Law written by the very Finger of God and then given to Moses, has been lost to antiquity, so too, the Ring. The little known story of the Ring has scant details. It comes to us in the work of the Ancient Christian writer, Tertullian. Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus lived about 155-220 AD. A convert to Christianity, he is known as “the Father of Western Theology” because he is the first theologian to write in Latin. Among his writings is The Passion of the Holy Martyrs, Perpetua and Felicitas. These early martyrs died in the Roman amphitheatre in Carthage ravaged by wild beasts in front of a frenzied crowd inebriated by blood and violence. Among the other Christians martyred that day, was Saturus. He had already been twice thrown to the wild beasts, but suffered no harm and was withdrawn. It was the third time before a leopard that would see him “saved and washed” in his own blood. Following the fatal wound, Saturus was yet able to briefly converse with the attending guard. Pudens was a soldier and overseer who had begun to recognize a greater power at work in his prisoners. In his last moments, Saturus encouraged Pudens. “Farewell, and be mindful of my faith; and let not these things disturb, but confirm you.” At the same time he asked for a little ring from his finger, and returned it to him bathed in the blood of his wound. That ring, now known as Pudens’ Ring was a token of affection, encouragement, and hope. Could one not say that perhaps it was the first known relic of a saint? Pudens, like his Ring subsequently vanishes from our history, but I suspect that this soldier loyal to Rome, assumed new loyalties. I suspect that he went on to become a Soldier for Christ, inspired by the Martyrs that he oversaw. The Ring, itself, has gone the way of the Ark. The Ark, though lost, very much remains with a Law now not written upon mere stone tablets, but inscribed upon a Sacred Heart of Love. Pudens’ Ring is a token that each one of us can find and place on his finger. It isn’t a mere ring of silver or gold, but one of much greater value. Pudens’ Ring is one of Hope and Fortitude, that same Hope and Fortitude that enabled martyrs throughout salvation history to endure in order to be “saved and washed” – the same Hope and Fortitude that has its origin in the Cross of Calvary and the One Who died upon It. It is this that should inspire each of us to boldly continue our Lenten Journey as we look beyond the Cross to the New Life of Resurrection professing our loyalties anew and placing upon our finger, Pudens’ Ring!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

If imitation is the best form of flattery, then what saith one in regards to a meme made? I thought that it was rather funny. I believe that one quality of life that is good to hold is being able to laugh at oneself. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, save the Lord Himself – though, I’m pretty certain that for humanity’s sake, Jesus could certainly laugh at Himself. Maybe it was more of a laugh at humanity…weak human beings that we are. I mean, come on! He could have chosen anyone, but just look at the twelve that He chose! That’s a laugh for sure! A priest that I looked up to in high school used to say with a smirk, “boys don’t take life too seriously; you’re not going to get out of it alive anyway.” Well, Jesus certainly changes the

meaning of this little aphorism doesn’t He? Oh, take life seriously, but take your humor seriously too! Consider that in the Passion of Our Lord, in the end, it was the devil that was mocked and made fun of as death was defeated and a New Life Eternal arose. Someone has probably made a meme showing just that. I thought that the meme that I saw was made with yours truly in mind. They say that all of us, even those that don’t have a sibling that is an identical twin, have a look-a-like that is somewhere roaming the planet earth. But can that look- a-like be a different species? I discovered that my “twin” is a giraffe – a giraffe new to the world. He isn’t just a made up meme. The little guy was born in Toledo, Ohio on January 17 th at the zoo there. And his name – are you ready for this – is “Eugene.” His picture, it would seem, has gone virtual because of his unique trait. You see, Eugene has just a little tuff of hair on his head. People are saying that this just makes him so darn cute! I couldn’t agree more! All little Eugene would need next is a little Roman collar! I’ll leave that meme up to you! In the meantime, take life seriously, but take your humor seriously too! Be a hardcore Catholic during Lent and beyond, but don’t be too hard on yourself or others! Our Loving God has a most wonderful sense of humor, as He desires to shower us with His Mercy again and again – weak and funny human beings that we are. Be able to laugh along the Journey of Lent and of Life together with me and my “twin,” Eugene, the giraffe!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

I find it kind of amusing that it’s a matter of a penguin video. The bigger questions of life could simply be engaged in and of themselves. But hey, whatever works for the Tik-Tok/Video Shorts generation of today. If it takes a penguin video to prompt such discussion, then that’s fine with me. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth a look. The title of the video is the “Nihilistic Penguin.” It’s less than three minutes. It’s not a new video, but a video newly received and now known as a meme. In it, a little penguin wanders off from the rest heading in the opposite direction – off towards the mountains and away from the open sea. The narrator, Werner Herzog, wonders why. Is the penguin insane? I’m not sure that insanity is a possibility for a penguin, nor is the ecologist animal expert in the video. All that’s known is that he is going off by himself for some unknown reason and that he is undeterred in his journey as he begins waddling away…to a certain death, so says the narrator. The short clip has gone viral on the internet after someone supposedly had a life changing moment after viewing it. Hmmm. Yeah, watching a penguin video changed my life. Okay…I’ll 6-7 that. I’ve brought the whole matter up with my friends in our Eighth Grade, not because I’m particularly interested in penguins, though they are kinda cute, but because I am very interested in life’s “bigger questions” and I want them to be interested too – as we all should be. So, I asked them to watch, ponder, and question. Why would a penguin go off in a different direction all by itself? Is the little guy’s death a certainty? And penguins aside, what about you? What direction are you headed in? I’m interested in our soon-to-be-high-schooler’s thoughts, and I’m interested in yours as well. In what direction are you headed? It’s interesting to note that Jesus, Himself, caused quite the stir by going off in a different direction. The Pharisees and Scribes were none too happy. Jesus would make His Way undeterred to the heights of Jerusalem and a certain death that would result in a whole new Life. Nihilism vanquished one might say. As we now prepare to enter the Season of Lent, the season of “bigger” questions, consider a meme penguin’s different direction and determination, but much more importantly in this most sacred season, consider your own!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

It’s the dreaded DISCOMBOBULATOR! Heads feel like they’re going to explode! The radar is knocked out! One falls to the ground and loses one’s cookies – or worse! It is said that it was the “discombobulator” – a super-duper, top-secret, high-tech, twenty-first century, gee-whiz device – that was used recently in Venezuela. All were thrown into disarray and easily overcome. Is this truly a new super weapon? Well…maybe…or maybe not. Some know certain names political today, the mention of which, seemingly have the same effect! I remember hearing, some time ago, about something similar happening in Cuba. Embassy personnel became sick and nauseous. It was thought that it was the Chinese perhaps? And if not, then most definitely the Russians! It is still an unsolved mystery to this day. I wonder if it was a test and trial run of the most definitely disorienting discombobulator? The world may never know. One thing that we do know is that discombobulation has been around for a long time. It started in the very beginning when Adam and Eve became very confused over a little piece of fruit and it continues right up into our own day with some wild winter weather leaving about ten to twelve inches of discombobulation…with maybe even some more this weekend! Did you know that even Catholic Schools (which we celebrated this past cold and snowy week) can cause discombobulation? Trust me, I know! And it isn’t – as in my case – just math! Just what the heck is an “imaginary” number? I know that it is definitely not that number which is the cost to heat one’s home or rectory! But sometimes, in the midst of befuddlement and confusion…clarity and insight emerge. This is what Catholic Schools and our own Saint Aloysius Parish School fundamentally offer, because of Who they offer. Faith can be so confusing at first, but in time, a great clarity emerges. And that clarity has a Name! It is Jesus, Himself, Who is the Master Discombobulator! He is the super-duper, secret weapon of all centuries, including our own. His Words come at us like some high-energy, super-weapon laser beam. They can, for a time, blind us, confuse us, frustrate us, and even make us feel sick! Just how can folks that are poor in spirit, mourning, or meek ever possibly be blessed? And persecution doesn’t sound like such a nice thing to me! I’m confused, befuddled, and discombobulated! The Lord’s laser certainly struck the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, didn’t it? Talk about a disconcerting discombobulation! This divine discombobulation would lead to what we know as the Sacred Triduum – or Three Great Days. The Three Great Days of our Faith are the ultimate time of discombobulation. From suffering to death and from death to new life eternal in a Resurrection that can only be described as… you know…discombobulating! However, to those with Faith, a great clarity arises, while confusion, with all its accompanying anxieties and fears, is put to death for good! And it is then – and only then – that the tremendous and the most Sacred Mystery of the Great Discombobulator is finally and for all time, solved!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

A friend shared with me one time that he experienced some problem physically when he was born. There were certainly and understandably some concerns on the part of his parents, but everything eventually turned out just fine. I was curious what the problem might have been. I had no idea, but he wasn’t willing to share and said it didn’t matter. I mean, what could it possibly have been? Was there was one of something where there should have been two or something was not descended and in proper position? I didn’t find out then and I still don’t know to this day, but I’ve come to realize that it really doesn’t matter. He is still a good friend and has been and continues to be a very, very good priest. This memory in conjunction with some scripture from daily Mass had me thinking about my own childhood issue. When I was a youngster my parents started to have some serious concerns. I wasn’t speaking. Other children my age were already blabbing away – but not me. Hearing wasn’t the issue. They knew that I heard sounds. It was simply my apparent inability to speak. They were prepared to take me to a specialist, such were there concerns. My paternal grandmother sought to allay their fears. Don’t worry, she said. He’s just a late bloomer. Enjoy the quiet; because once he starts speaking, he won’t stop! She knew something that they didn’t. Perhaps, a young boy whispered something into her ear as she held him tightly in her arms. I still remember how she used to absolutely smoother me with kisses every time I saw her. I can still feel her very light grandma whiskers upon my cheeks and I miss the special powder blue mug that was just and only for me to use when I was at her house. I so wish that I had that mug today, because it would be filled not with milk or juice, but so many happy memories. My grandmother was correct. Perhaps it was because I didn’t have siblings to compete with or perhaps it was because I was simply a shy little guy, but I didn’t have a speech impediment and once I did start speaking…well, you know. So, forgive me if the homily is a little long! Our Faith is very much like this. Jesus, as you know, cured any number with speech impediments. I suppose that when it comes to our Faith, all of us have a speech impediment of sorts at first. This was even true of the Twelve, but once they came to realize Who Jesus really was and What His Presence meant – they couldn’t keep quiet and shouted the Good News to the whole world! The same is true for us when we come to the same realization and allow Jesus to heal tongues cleaved to the roofs of our mouths. In the scripture readings I had read, it was a young Samuel that upon recognizing the Voice of the Lord, became “fully awake” from his slumber and would go on to become a great Prophet whose voice could not be silenced. In the Gospel reading that day, it was Simon’s cured-of-her-fever-mother-in-law that couldn’t be silenced in my opinion. Although she speaks not a word in the bible passage, the next thing we know in that passage, lots of people are showing up at the door of the house looking for Jesus and looking for a cure from all sort of ailments and illnesses first and foremost among them, I would suggest, that of speech impediment. Listen for the Voice of the Lord in your life and then allow the Lord to “loose” your tongue. Then you and I – all of us – will be “fully awake” and we simply won’t be able to stop blabbering about Our Lord and the very Good News indeed, that He brings!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson