To borrow from a famous sportswear compay slogan--JUST DO IT!

This is pretty funny. Something to start the day off with a laugh!  There hasn't been much to laugh about lately--I'm thinking of, and praying for Father Corapi in his current struggle with Satan.  I'm also concerned about when--or if--these scandals are ever going to end! 

I am especially hurt when I read the comments after "news" stories like those above.  Most are filled with hate and unforgiveness, and usually by obviously uninformed or just outright malicious people out to eschew everything about the Catholic Church (which has been open and apologetic about the scandal--both from the Pope and bishops since the scandals first hit!

The readings during Lent are all about forgiveness and rejoicing in growth and conversion.  If we truly believe that "The Lord is kind and merciful" we need to accept that "The Lord is kind and merciful" to all - even those we do not believe "deserve" kindness and mercy. If we are resentful of others or of situations because, in our eyes "it just doesn't seem to be fair" we are reminded to take a step back, to try not to judge, and to consider "What Jesus would do?"

God's ability to forgive, especially in times of personal growth and conversion is beyond our understanding. We are not privy to truly understanding the suffering or the conversion of another, so we must simply pray that God will intercede, especially in situations where we cannot control the actions/decisions of others.

Tomorrow's Gospel is one of my favorites, the parable of the prodigal son.  There are so many different meditations one can have on this message of Christ.  My thoughts today turned to the fact that the conversion of the younger son does not make the relationship with the older son less than before-rather it shows how we must trust, and pray for growth and conversions of many kinds, and then rejoice- as this father did. " But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found."

I'm convinced our only recourse is through prayer.  Pray the rosary at least once per day for our priests.  Pray for those who hate them.  Pray for those who have been abused by them.  Pray for those who may wrongfully accuse them.  Pray for ourselves, that we will not be so caught up in the hate-speech of the day that we turn away from our love of the Church Jesus Christ started, and the men He called to lead us in prayer that will draw us closer to Him.  To borrow from Father Corapi--(I'm sure he wouldn't mind!)--Don't feel like saying a rosary?  Do it anyway!  Don't have time to say the rosary?  Do it anyway!  Don't know if your prayers are effective?  Do it anyway! REMEMBER--NO PRIEST, NO EUCHARIST!