Eye on Faith

Sunday, March 2, 2014

From married father to Maronite Father

Peshitta (Syriac Bible)

Last Thursday was an "historic day" for the Maronite Catholic Church in the United States. It marked the first time in almost 100 years that "a married priest" was ordained there.

NBC News reports that this ordination took place at St. Raymond's Maronite Cathedral in St. Louis, Missouri. Wissam Akiki "was welcomed by hundreds of supporters" during the ceremony. Two of these supporters were his wife and daughter.

Another supporter of this ordination is Pope Francis, who gave permission for it to occur. NBC News explains that "over the years popes have made exceptions on a case-by-case basis for married men to become Eastern Catholic priests in America."

Wikipedia states that the Maronite Church (aka "The Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch") is an "Eastern Catholic Church in full communion

with the Holy See of Rome." Today's Maronite populations are mainly in Lebanon (up to 22% of the population), Syria (approximately 51,000) and Cyprus (about 10,000).

The Maronite Patriarch of Antioch serves as the head of the Maronite church. Although Maronites "share the same doctrine as other Catholics," they have their own liturgy (in Syriac, a language that is also known as "Christian Aramaic").

Although Maronite priests outside of North America are not required to be celibate, within North America

they generally are (due to "a long-term understanding with their Latin counterparts"). Therefore, Wissam

Akiki's transition from married father to Maronite Father can be thought of as highly unusual.

Resources

http://www.nbcnews.com/#/news/religion/married-dad-becomes-eastern-catholic-priest-u-s-n40986

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maronite_Church

Friday, February 28, 2014

Homeless neighbors: A biblical solution

Homeless Veteran (JMSuarez)

Mother Theresa often emphasized that it's not necessary to do great things, only small things with great love.

The building of tiny houses for the homeless seems to be right in keeping with this biblical philosophy. Since "neighbor," as defined in Luke 10:37, is one with whom merciful acts are shared - those who "love thy [homeless]

neighbors" are those who offer hospitable shelter to them.

NBC News reports on "small-scale individualized shelters" for the homeless that are being built in Texas, New York, Utah, Florida, Wisconsin and

California. These survival pods often contain enough space for a narrow bed, a small sink, and a toilet.

The sink can be fed by rain water, and the toilet can empty into a disposable plastic bag. Some pods even come equipped with electrical outlets for small TVs, computers, air conditioners, etc. They are inexpensive to build, and lightweight enough to easily maneuver from place to place.

These pods often provide homeless people with levels of privacy, safety, independence and dignity that public shelters generally can't offer. In terms of "loving thy neighbor," they seem to be a giant leap forward.

Resources

http://www.nbcnews.com/#/business/real-estate/tiny-houses-big-idea-end-homelessness-n39316

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Bethenny Frankel: Priorities in order

Yogic Meditation (Photo: Kalyan Kumar)

It's rare to hear the star of a cancelled show say (out loud) that she or he is relieved about how things went. When stars do admit some relief, gossip generally deems it to be "sour grapes."

Nevertheless, Bethenny Frankel, former Bravo star, sounds mighty convincing when she speaks about the recent cancellation of her talk show. She described her time with the show as "a bit diluted, filtered and somewhat constricted" - and then confessed: I am a free spirit.

Frankel further explained to Wonderwall that she had only agreed to continue with the show if she could be true to herself, and if it were "genuinely a good fit and marriage which it turned out not to be."

She then graciously gave kudos to those talk show hosts who make it all look so easy: stars like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.

Plus, she's got her priorities right in order. Frankel mentioned that she looks forward to spending more time with her daughter, doing yoga, writing, and getting "a rest from the grind."

She refreshingly concluded: I'm a little over myself and wouldn't blame anyone else for being over me as well.

Resources

http://wonderwall.msn.com/tv/bethenny-frankel-reacts-to-talk-show-cancellation-i-am-relieved-im-a-little-over-myself-1799218.story?ocid=answw11

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Self-help books: God helps those...

A worried look... (Public Domain)

Those who believe in utter predestination might want to stop reading this article now. All others might wish to take a peek at some of these self-help teachings.

MSN Living reports on a potpourri of books that claim to help you help yourself. Dale Carnegie's How to Stop Worrying and Start

Living is a classic in this genre. Beyond simply "winning friends and influencing people," it gets to the root of why some folks would rather just hide: they are filled with anxiety. This book provides

some "old-timey" tips for relief from this gnawing fear.

The Secret, of course, is no secret. Ever since Oprah's promotional campaign, this title has been on everyone's lips. The book's message is quite straightforward: "if you think about something reeeeallly hard, you'll get it."

Then there's Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance. Author Jonathan Fields invites readers to "embrace the unknown." He knows whereof he speaks, having quit his "corporate gig to open a yoga studio…"

There are many more such books – books that not only entertain you, but also educate you to the possibilities of co-creating a life filled with miracles.

Resources

http://glo.msn.com/relationships/self-help-books-that-actually-help-10017.gallery

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

'The Message' seems clear

(Photo by Dave Bullock)

Ohio bus driver Rickey Waggoner has proven that if you keep the Bible close to your heart, it just might save your life.

Waggoner, who was recently "shot twice in the chest at close range" by teenage gang members, survived because the bullets were absorbed by a Bible he was carrying called The Message.

The Message is a 2002 version of the Bible by Eugene Peterson. Now 81 years old, Peterson currently lives in Lakeside, Montana. He told Fox News that "he was thrilled to know his book stopped bullets."

Pastor Peterson had studied the New Testament in ancient Greek, and had sensed that his Bible students weren't getting the full experience of earlier manuscripts. Wikipedia reports that he therefore attempted to "bring into English the rhythms and idioms of the original language."

Here is Peterson's version of The Lord's Prayer: "With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're

ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes."

Resources

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/02/24/bible-stops-two-bullets-to-save-life-ohio-bus-driver-police-say/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Message_(Bible)

Ambiverts: Best of both worlds

Ambivert in action? (Photo by ThePlaz)

Professor Adam Grant of the Wharton School of Business not only dispels myths about introverts and extroverts, but also extols the virtues of ambiverts.

In an article for The Huffington Post titled "5 Myths About Introverts and Extroverts at Work," Grant points out that introverts are often unfairly described. However, Susan Cain's book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking has begun to change all that.

Introverts are now "coming out of the closet," and society is discovering that they are indeed sociable, as well as a great asset to professional undertakings. They are no more anxious than extroverts are - and can be excellent leaders, orators, and salespeople.

Nevertheless, on a scale of one to five (one being "extremely introverted" and five being "extremely extroverted"), the average in 2013 was 3.39. This indicates that many are actually ambiverts – part introvert and part extrovert.

According to Grant, ambiverts have the best of both worlds. They can be "quiet in some situations and loud in others." They alternate between spotlight and background. In other words, "they have the flexibility to adapt to the demands of the situation."

Resources

http://news.monster.com/a/business/5-myths-about-introverts-and-extraverts-at-work-b8db95?wt.mc_n=CRM_US_B2C_LR_NEWS

Monday, February 24, 2014

Blemished grapes? Numbers knew

(Photo by Dragonflyir)

In Numbers 6:14, it is emphasized that sacrificial lambs must be unblemished.

A few verses before that, Numbers 6:4 exhorts that those who take Nazirite vows shall "eat nothing that is made of the grapevine, from the pressed grapes even to the grapestone."

Many have wondered about this passage because grapes and their byproducts are often thought to be quite healthy. For example, who among modern-day Americans has not seen commercialized images of California raisins dancing in the sun?

Suddenly, however, this misunderstood Torah commandment (one of 613) has been vindicated. USA Today reports that Propionibacterium acnes type Zappae (aka P. acnes) is lurking within grapevines. Some strains of P. acnes have been linked with human blemishes.

The Italian scientists who discovered these grapevine critters are theorizing that they originally migrated onto the vines from the skin of human agriculturists. This migration was thought to have occurred approximately 8,000 years ago. Therefore, by the time Numbers was written, these grapevine bacteria were all settled in.

Given the numerous Torah taboos against blemishes, it is not surprising that grapevines - and all that they yield, have been deemed to be forbidden fruits.

Resources

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0406.htm#1