I'm guessing St. Peter has a special dispensation clause for violating the no meat rule given your act of kindness toward a needy person. Remember the old George Carlson line about getting to eat meal on Friday for being the parish with largest donation to the scrap iron drive.
I love this story. As a former Catholic (also a story for another time), I’d like to think that that was God showing you it was A-ok for you to take your daughter and indulge in delicious burger and bag of way-too-many-fries (on Good Friday even!) and by the way, show that same daughter what God preached about feeding the poor and treating folks with dignity.
Before I lost my faith, I used to think about the no meat thing when it rolled around every year. I always thought god would rather you be a good person than a jerk who didn't eat meat on Friday.
As to the $20. You don't need to write about it to remember it. You really don't need to remember it all all. All you need to remember is you're in a fortunate position to give a hand up when someone needs help. Whether it's $20 or cutting the grass for an elderly neighbor.
I read your refrigerator story the first time you posted it and again this time. It changed me in a lot of ways, most especially, my frustration with traffic, and many more of life's inconveniences, accidents, etc. I now literally think to myself that fate is doing its thing and making sure I'm where I need to be.
Guilt. We all get it. We all have it. Second-guessing is sorta the same thing. I'm guilty of that. But whatever emotions you felt (and Whoever may have spoken to you), you did the right thing.
Hey, Bill - love the Five Guys story. I am also a lifelong Catholic and know all about good 'ol Irish Guilt especially as it related to our Catholic faith. But seeing that woman and demonstrating your willingness to help her surely offsets any concerns you might have about eating meat on Friday during Lent. Good job, my friend.
There is nothing wrong with a. little guilt if it helps you exxamine your conduct. It's called in English "examination of conscience." Lousy translation. It's really examination of consciousness.
Good story, Bill, on reconciling things about your faith.
Noting those who have fallen away, mayhaps an article about the resurrence of Catholicism is in order. It is such a blessing to seeas i hope to do my part to evangelize the Good Word!
I'm finally catching up on my Bill Murphy Jr. reading. This is the first of 8 that are sitting unread in my inbox.
I can't say how many times bending the rules or breaking them has led to a greater purpose for doing so. There are reasons we miss exits, take a different turn, make a decision to do something that we 'shouldn't' do, although no one would really be hurt by our actions.
On a different note though, I remember when we were getting married (34 years ago) my rehearsal dinner turned out to be on a Friday during lent. The priest was a family friend so he was present at the dinner. My mom's Aunt refused to eat meat that night. (Clearly the buffet was ordered by heathens, LOL). The priest gave her (all of us) special dispensation to eat the meat. She still refused, told him that only God could do that and wouldn't even look at him for the rest of the night. Aunt Helen is no longer with us, nor is the priest, but the story of Aunt Helen vs. Father Pat will live on.
I'm guessing St. Peter has a special dispensation clause for violating the no meat rule given your act of kindness toward a needy person. Remember the old George Carlson line about getting to eat meal on Friday for being the parish with largest donation to the scrap iron drive.
I love this story. As a former Catholic (also a story for another time), I’d like to think that that was God showing you it was A-ok for you to take your daughter and indulge in delicious burger and bag of way-too-many-fries (on Good Friday even!) and by the way, show that same daughter what God preached about feeding the poor and treating folks with dignity.
Clarence Odbody was with you in that 5 Guys.
Before I lost my faith, I used to think about the no meat thing when it rolled around every year. I always thought god would rather you be a good person than a jerk who didn't eat meat on Friday.
As to the $20. You don't need to write about it to remember it. You really don't need to remember it all all. All you need to remember is you're in a fortunate position to give a hand up when someone needs help. Whether it's $20 or cutting the grass for an elderly neighbor.
Needless to say, I remember your refrigerator tale. Serendipitous doesn’t quite fit to describe the confluence of events but I just like that word.
Well written. And certainly well done at Five Guys. May God bless you and your family. All the best.
I read your refrigerator story the first time you posted it and again this time. It changed me in a lot of ways, most especially, my frustration with traffic, and many more of life's inconveniences, accidents, etc. I now literally think to myself that fate is doing its thing and making sure I'm where I need to be.
Guilt. We all get it. We all have it. Second-guessing is sorta the same thing. I'm guilty of that. But whatever emotions you felt (and Whoever may have spoken to you), you did the right thing.
Glad you shared the 5 guys story and your grandfather’s wisdom . Now we readers have learned a dignified way to share
Hey, Bill - love the Five Guys story. I am also a lifelong Catholic and know all about good 'ol Irish Guilt especially as it related to our Catholic faith. But seeing that woman and demonstrating your willingness to help her surely offsets any concerns you might have about eating meat on Friday during Lent. Good job, my friend.
There is nothing wrong with a. little guilt if it helps you exxamine your conduct. It's called in English "examination of conscience." Lousy translation. It's really examination of consciousness.
Riley Rawson.
Good story, Bill, on reconciling things about your faith.
Noting those who have fallen away, mayhaps an article about the resurrence of Catholicism is in order. It is such a blessing to seeas i hope to do my part to evangelize the Good Word!
I'm finally catching up on my Bill Murphy Jr. reading. This is the first of 8 that are sitting unread in my inbox.
I can't say how many times bending the rules or breaking them has led to a greater purpose for doing so. There are reasons we miss exits, take a different turn, make a decision to do something that we 'shouldn't' do, although no one would really be hurt by our actions.
On a different note though, I remember when we were getting married (34 years ago) my rehearsal dinner turned out to be on a Friday during lent. The priest was a family friend so he was present at the dinner. My mom's Aunt refused to eat meat that night. (Clearly the buffet was ordered by heathens, LOL). The priest gave her (all of us) special dispensation to eat the meat. She still refused, told him that only God could do that and wouldn't even look at him for the rest of the night. Aunt Helen is no longer with us, nor is the priest, but the story of Aunt Helen vs. Father Pat will live on.