Worked with the kids at the Lenten retreat this weekend and busted up my toe. Some kid jumped on it. At least it gives me an excuse to wear my Birkenstocks, even if it is snowing. It's amazing which colors the human skin can turn. Pictures are posted here.

So I'm really perplexed. I set up a role-play in my Parish Ministry class today. I was a husband of ten years with two kids. His wife was clearly cheating on him. He was trying to be a good husband, but his wife had cut off communication with him. I tried really hard to portray him as a sad, pathetic character. It was interesting because some of the folks in my class thought that he was the one with the problem. They found it difficult to have any compassion on the character. What do you think about this? Are men more to be blamed for marital unrest than women, even if the responsibility is lopsided?

This blog is a good example of how blogs are changing the world. Anyone who wants to can set up a really good news site. This one sure beats the tar out of CNN, especially when you don't have a TV.

"There is a strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient books should be read only by the professionals, and that the amateur should content himself with the modern books. Thus I have found as a tutor in English Literature that if the average student wants to find out something about Platonism, the very last thing he thinks of doing is to take a translation of Plato off the library shelf and read the Symposium. He would rather read some dreary modern book ten times as long, all about "isms" and influences and only once in twelve pages telling him what Plato actually said. The error is rather an amiable one, for it springs from humility. The student is half afraid to meet one of the great philosophers face to face. He feels himself inadequate and thinks he will not understand him. But if he only knew, the great man, just because of his greatness, is much more intelligible than his modern commentator. The simplest student will be able to understand it, if not all, yet a very great deal of some modern books on Platonism. It has always hterefore been one of my main endeavours as a teacher to persuade the young that first-hand knowledge is not only more worth acquiring than second-hand knowledge, but is usually much easier and more delightful to acquire." - C.S. Lewis Introduction: St. Athanasius - De Incarnatione

Today we commemorate St. Joseph - the most chaste spouse of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary. Why Joseph? He turned against what was "just" to follow the call of God. The inference is that he was mocked and rejected by his family and friends. It must be remembered that Jesus, being in every way human, did not simply receive his righteousness from His perfect Divinity, but received it also from his blessed parents. We can be sure that the effect of Joseph on his holy Son was more than simple, everyday fatherhood, but rather an example in holiness.

He could have had a divorce, but he chose to follow the call of God and be a husband to his wife and a father to the Only Son of God.

This article on Cnn.com made my day today. Even though I'm not too thrilled about the possibility of war in Iraq, understanding the reasons for doing so, it's always good to know that the sense of humor is the last to die.

Book happiness today. Found most of the Anchor Bible Commentaries for the New Testament for an absolute steal. Half Price Books has won me over yet again.

Beautiful day here in Wisconsin, lots of snow, and a day of sunshine. Would be better if I wasn't in the library studying.

If you want to be nice... you could buy books for me.

I've been a little sick for the past day. It's a yucky sore throat kinda thing. All the while I have to be studying for this major New Testament exam.

"All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well." - Dame Julian of Norwich

In ancient times, people marked times of fasting, prayer, repentance, and remorse by placing ashes on their foreheads, as in 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1-3, Job 42:6, and Jeremiah 6:26. It was the custom of the early Church to celebrate the days off our Lord's passion and resurrection with a great deal of joy and excitement. Before this season was a season of preparation for Baptism as well as penitence and fasting. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this season, and we mark the beginning off Lent in the ancient manner, with ashes. As well, we begin fasting (customarily on Wednesdays and Fridays) with a fast today. Here at Nashotah, the fast is broken at 3:30p.m. with Hot Cross Buns.

So Saturday I went out on our lake. Actually, I walked on it, since it's frozen solid. There, amid the patches of snow and ice, I participated in a Wisconsin past-time - icefishing. I have to say that I was disappointed. I was under the impression that icefishing was about a bunch of guys sitting around a hole with poles drinking beer. Well, the beer was there, but it wasn't as I had imagined. These guys set up huts with windows on them, so that they can get a good sight of what they call tip-ups. Tip-ups are contraptions that lower a line and bait under the ice. When there's a bite, a red flag pops up. All you have to do is pull the fish out from under the ice. Some people like it I guess, but I found it somewhat boring.

What sounds like an excellent time is Sturgeon Spearing. This is much the same idea, just with a bigger hole and spears! I want to go soooo badly.

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