Marching In.

Another Saint.  Killed.  Right there on the spot.  All in the name of religion.

Don’t run away screaming.  I like the Saints.  Especially when they come marching in.   Come marching in.

Here is the skinny.  I get this “Catholic Newsletter” feed in my Inbox every morning.  I am no longer a practicing Catholic.  I found that, even with all the practice in the world, I never made a very good Catholic.

Nonetheless.  Somehow, I started getting  daily inbox feeds from the Holy See.  I have never  unsubscribed from this thing, because every morning, I read some or most of it.   Everything… from the scripture readings to the “Saint of the Day.”  I like to read about all religions.  I learn.  It makes me aware of what others are looking to…. for direction, for meaning, for solace, comfort, and reassurance… in their lives.

Here are a couple of things I have found.   Most religions are after the same exact thing.  Ultimately.  Transcending this mortal world, and moving to a higher place with God.  And maybe the marching saints, too.

And the other thing.  (… and…. I know this is not true of everyone.  So, yes… a sweeping generalization here.) A great number of people, who follow an organized religion, hold the belief that “their way” is “THE WAY.”  Even if it isn’t stated exactly like that.  But in most cases… you have to believe, this, this and THIS…. and do x, y, and z… or you will not be redeemed.

Now… those folks will still hang out with me from time to time… even though I will not be moving through the Pearly Gates with them… or wherever their Nirvana might be.  Truthfully… I think they are a little relieved that they won’t be spending eternity with me.  I mean…. I can’t say I blame them.

On the off-chance I do get to heaven or an afterlife like theirs… they might have to put me in a special wing of the building.  Or something. The ultra-clean-hermit wing… with no harps… whatsoever.  If I have to hear harps… I’m out.  And I’m definitely not wearing the white gown thing.  Light-colored sweats, maybe.   There might be a few other stipulations on this heaven-thing.  But God will probably cut me a break, I think.

There I go again.  Back to it.  I was talking about the saints.  Every morning I read about the Patron Saint for that Day.  It is always a great story.  A young girl sees Mary in a Grotto.  Or.  A dude leaves his Palace-Home at age nine and vows his life to poverty.  Another woman starts a convent and sleeps on the hard ground.  But dang it.  Nine times out of ten, they are burned at a stake, bludgeoned to death,  boiled in oil, or some holy-crap like that.  They stand true to their profession of their faith and religion.  And the people from some OTHER religion… standing true to THEIR faith and religious mandates … are the ones who do the burning, the bludgeoning, or the boiling.

The tarnishes of religion throughout history.

Despite it all,  many people very dear to me are devout in their religious beliefs.  I think they are amazing in that.  And the people who do not adhere to any subscribed religion? … I think they are amazing too.

We all know life can be tricky.  Sometimes, it can be downright difficult.  It may seem unfair at times.  Trying.  Hard.  And during those times is when we need to be strong in our spirit, in our hearts, in our convictions about what is right and true in this life.

I truly don’t think it matters where it comes from.  If it is a place, filled with understanding, compassion, and love… it makes no difference if it is called Religion, Spirituality, or Coffee at Noon in the Cozy Chair.  The undercurrent is flowing with good.

And carrying the light, and lightness, of the good, is our ultimate path.

At least… that is what I’m guessing.  And. I think it is what those saints are marching to.

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Patron Saint of the Day.  April 24.  St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622) was born with the name Mark Rey in what is today Germany. He studied and taught law and became known for his charity, austerities, and great devotion to God. He gained a reputation for being “the poor man’s lawyer” because of his concern for the helpless. ….. etc…. etc… etc…… One day his preaching provoked a mob that confronted him and demanded he renounce his Catholic faith upon pain of death. He replied, “I came to extirpate heresy, not to embrace it,” after which he was bludgeoned to death.

 

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“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
― Elbert Hubbard

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“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
― Oscar Wilde

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