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The Pro-Life Manifesto

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Camping with Donald and Joe

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Norbertine Canonesses: The Fourth Wonder of My World

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The Anti-Abortion Manifesto

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An Oscar Speech You’ll Never, Ever Hear: Trigger Warning – Truth Zone

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Civilization in Crisis: Our Lady, Cloistered Nuns and Prayer – A Solution

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Latest Posts

FaithGodHistory

Easter in the meadow of good and evil

by Marcus
written by Marcus

The duality of life never ceases to amaze me. We live in a universe of good and evil where virtue and savagery constantly compete for man’s passion. As a child, a tarantula frightened me yet it’s a flawlessly engineered creation.

And most remarkably, in God’s plan for man’s salvation, He walked among us as the Incarnate Word nevertheless He was rejected, vilified and mocked by scores.

His reward as the Redeemer was crucifixion.

I’m in my favorite leather chair, my legs and feet comfortably resting on the ottoman. My dog Lani is positioned as usual, snuggled between my legs. I’m looking out at the spectacular vista beyond my windows. I love these moments with her. They’ll be part of my memory forever.

She stirs and moves to another of her favorite locations, the couch. She looks over at me for an okay and climbs on up. Three spins, situating herself perfectly, her eyes rolling back in her head, my beautiful black Lab slowly exhales and sleeps.

The quiet allows me to think. I seem to be on two paths; survival in this world and preparing for the next. I guess one could technically prepare for Hell, but I’m aiming more North. To be with Him.

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FaithGodNews

The Journey Continues

by Marcus
written by Marcus

Hi folks. This will be brief.
I have a new job in Northern California and I’m very excited about this next stage of life. I also can’t begin to tell you how thankful I am for all the wonderful people who have prayed for me. It’s been a tough road but a necessary one.
It will take me a bit of time to get acclimated but I will start-up my regular blogging shortly. See you soon.
May God bless all of you!

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CatholicFaith

Inviting Mini-Martyrdom

by Marcus
written by Marcus

For those of you who are frequent readers of my blog, you’re somewhat familiar with my journey from atheist to Catholic. For new readers, I entered the Church in 2001 but it was the last four years of extraordinary trial that cemented my faith in God.
St.-Peter-2-230x150In my last post, I wrote about a possible job. I’m still in discussions with the CEO but it’s proving to be a very positive experience. He’s very keen on identifying folks who will fit in with the culture, who are great (not good) team players and who have exceptional skills and character. Amid a thorough process, I’ve also had to succinctly articulate lessons learned from crawling along my road to perdition.

Because of this reflective assignment, I’ve sensed an obligation to identify myself as a Christian. In today’s increasingly secular world, by taking this tact you’re never quite sure how you’re going to be received. It could be a big mistake. Was I inviting mini-martyrdom?

Let me share some of my correspondence with the CEO.

I was asked specifically about life after my crash and burn in 2009 which was financial, spiritual and physical.
I worked occasionally as a substitute teacher, worked in a coal yard and wrote a book. I learned that my mistakes over the last few years weren’t monumental and that I was also tripped by events. Like the prodigal son who goes away and foolishly spends his inheritance, he’s then hit with a famine. I went to Durango and spent my money and then the great recession erased my new job opportunities. So I had to scramble just to eat.

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CatholicFaith

My Life On The Cusp

by Marcus
written by Marcus

The past week has been very revealing. It reminded me of how busy I used to be. For the last three days I’ve been knee-deep in interviews for a new job. It went very well and I’m excited about the opportunity. But I could hardly keep up with the news regarding B16.

And this is most likely going to be emblematic of my life going forward. I will be absorbed by the necessity of engaging in a productive life leveraging the gifts that God has given me. But I will also have to doggedly keep my heart’s compass pointed towards Him so that I walk sure-footedly. Most of the planet has this same challenge. But how many pull it off?

I plan to. I’m committed to this duality and I sense that this new scenario is absolutely God’s will. We’ll see.

Driving home–six long hours–my thoughts ricocheted about like a ball in a squash game. It was a chance to let my brain maneuver between the multifaceted walls of what I believe to be a balanced existence–the human and the divine. Let me share a few random reflections.

*****

I’ve learned that Catholic faith is a gift from God, a pure package of divine relationship that can be eternal or momentary depending on the choices my free will makes. I’m aware that my intellect, another gift from God, is to be exercised in deepening my faith, and my level of religious knowledge, although growing, is light years removed from the scholars and thinkers who inspired me in my conversion. And here’s what I know instinctively. If my faith goes south or at least, vacations a bit too much, I should expect the road of life would be bumpier. Not so much that problems are multiplied but my handling of those problems is handicapped.

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CatholicFaith

The Gazing Eyes of Jesus, The Agony of Christ

by Marcus
written by Marcus

In all my hours flying alone in the heavens as a Marine Corps fighter pilot, I never saw a UFO. I wish I had. If I had encountered one, with my cool, dispassionate, test-pilot perspective, I could have convinced the naysayer.

Miraculous-Crucifix-LimpiasIn all my days as a calculating business executive in the world of finance, I never saw a ghost. I wish I had. My mother said she did but I never believed her. If I could have shared her experience, if they indeed float among us, my analytical, suffer-no-fools mentality could have prevailed upon the skeptical.

In my relatively short life as a Catholic in love with Christ and the Church, I’ve never experienced a mystical event. I wish I had and I pray that I do. Those moments must be a strange combination of faith-affirmation and confusion. I crave such a moment because I have such a difficult time reading and believing the accounts of others who have been so blessed–and I would love to share such a revelation with the world. UFOs and ghosts are one thing. But God?

It’s not like I was born in Missouri but still …

My crucifix is a prized possession. I always wear it­­—to go through a day without it seems inconceivable. So when I heard about The Miraculous Crucifix of Limpias, I decided to do some research.

What a mind-blowing journey–I’d like to share some of the discovery. I first have to thank Glenn Dallaire and his website Miracles of the Church for the following information which I have liberally copied. There’s more documentation on his site and other exciting observations as well.

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GodHumorNewsReligion

Fanaticism In The Name Of God

by Marcus
written by Marcus

Believe it or not, as I begin to get ready for the Papal Conclave–yep, Super Bowl-like preparation except with less beer–I’ve been thinking about fanaticism in the name of God.

fanaticismI love the trajectory of the Church under JP2 and B16 but I wonder if the dark forces, using fanatics as proxies, will be successful in derailing their work. Am I suggesting that the Conclave will be infiltrated by evil? Not at all. But can evil disguise and exercise its influence in some other way? To an unsuspecting but powerful dupe? Always a possibility. Let’s see how events unfold.

I’ve talked before about my foray into screenwriting. Creative process – good. Earning no money – bad. Most recently, an acquaintance volunteered to send my latest spec screenplay to someone who might be helpful. It deals with fanaticism. So far, I haven’t heard anything in reply. Not surprising. I’ve reached out before without results. Add to that, I just read an article in Vanity Fair that talked about the state of affairs for spec scripts (a speculative script is not owned or commissioned by a studio). Not good.

So, I’m reminded of a time, not so long ago …

*****

My beautiful, perfect dog made me smile today; as she does every day. I lay on the couch reading about Mao. There’s a piece of work. One man, a classic megalomaniac, responsible for seventy million dead Chinese. I wonder what his tombstone reads.

Lani came over and put her paw on my chest. Can I ask you a favor?

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CatholicFaith

Red Shoes And A Toolbox

by Marcus
written by Marcus

When John talked about his unworthiness in untying Jesus’ sandals, that same analogy is appropriate as I contemplate the contributions of Pope Benedict XVI during his extraordinary life.
Papal Red ShoesPapa, I’m not worthy to even shine your red Papal shoes.

I say this in part as I read some of the criticism that has been leveled his way. Tough audience. It makes me wonder what he should have done–in their minds–to earn passing marks. Let me go out on a three-inch limb. If more people dedicated their lives to pursuits similar to those of Joseph Ratzinger, the world would be less dark, more loving and more open to the embrace of God.
May God bless this humble, soon-to-be former Pope in his life of prayer and inspire him to continue his charism as teacher nonpareil.

*****

One hundred and seventeen men will soon enter the Sistine Chapel and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the College of Cardinals will elect the 266th Pope.

On day one, 117 men will be flawed (not impeccable but capable of sin) and fallible (liable to err). On the day of election and assent by the chosen Cardinal, 117 men will remain flawed and fallible except for one huge proviso. The new Pope, because of his office, is now infallible on matters of morals and faith (as is the body of bishops as a whole when in doctrinal unity with the Pope). I find this fascinating, I accept it on faith but can understand the misunderstanding, disbelief and even hostility by those outside the Church on this doctrine.

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BusinessCatholicPolitics

Presidential Bedfellows – Incompetence and Immorality

by Marcus
written by Marcus

A historian would probably have a field day highlighting the examples of incompetence and immorality in the American roster of Presidents.
incompetence
They’re men after all, some better than others, and many succumbed to a frailty of character. And the source of that weakness? I’d nominate pride and its many iterations.

On that point, one of the themes to our current President’s most recent State of the Union address is a teachable example of incompetence and immorality. In particular, I’m talking about his vision of investment as related to a Democrat, big government agenda. He knows not what he speaks and the impact on the American common good may very well be catastrophic and immoral.

For a time in my life, I was a principal in a firm that advised some of the largest pension funds in America on matters related to investment, policy, administration and so on. How large? Our pension fund clients had assets of $750 billion (yes, a B) and as a fiduciary, we were obligated to handle our clients’ affairs with trust, honesty and good faith. It should also be emphasized, we labored for our clients’ best interests and not our own. And we were accountable.

Day after day, investment managers would come in and make their pitch to us. More on that in a moment. The ultimate objective of the Blackstones, Morgan Stanleys, and Goldman Sachs of the world was to make a compelling case for their investment thesis and set the wheels in motion to ultimately be allocated monies in the range of $50 million to $1 billion plus. So we’d listen.

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CultureFaith

Self Interest – The Diabolical False God

by Marcus
written by Marcus

A non Christian asked me unabashedly about Christianity in this way: “What’s in it for me?” In effect he said, how will my world get materially better? Or from a cost benefit analysis, exactly what benefits can I expect? Or how much am I going to lose because it may not be worth it.

Considering the state of our world where selfishness ruthlessly competes for star billing and where the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity are relegated to minor roles, his question was reasonable. Doesn’t society teach us that to understand someone we must first discern their agenda? Their self-interest? In the business world, that certainly was an objective of mine when negotiating with someone. And such a mindset is practical, astute, responsible and unfortunately, light years from altruism, the unselfish regard for the welfare of others.

Can you therefore fault someone who’s looking out for himself? His life’s journey might be scarred by countless examples of people putting his interests last. Nonetheless, what we all have to be mindful of is the cynicism that may result from always getting the short straw, (“You can’t be serious. Again!?”), or even occasionally getting a raw deal.

Life isn’t fair! The decision to pivot to the dark side and always subordinate the interests of others to our desires is a devastatingly bad move.

Self interest unchecked is a diabolical false god that turns people away from a relationship with the Holy Trinity. One’s focus becomes inward and away from the Source of all that is. Selfishness, greed, egocentrism and superficiality become the bastard children of this romance with self.

So, the question. “What’s in it for me?”

I wrote a fable titled The Mountaintop – Suffering, Seeking and Finding God. My experience inspired it. And I believe it encapsulates the essence of a Christian life and the rewards for following Christ. It’s my latest contribution to Catholic Stand. It’s here. For those of you who may have been reading my blog in October of last year, you may recognize it. However, I wanted to share it with new readers.

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