The tefillah of a tzaddik:

Yaakov 5:16

Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)

¹⁶ Therefore, make vidduy (confession of sin) to one another, and daven tefillos on behalf of one another, so that you may have refuah sheleimah (complete healing). The tefillah of a tzaddik is powerful and effective.

Monday night while praying in the chapel at St. John the Baptist Parish, a thunderstorm came through with strong winds and flash flooding. As the rain and wind died down again, I started to read Psalm 104. Suddenly the fire alarms started going off throughout the building just as I read, "You touch the volcano and it erupts"! I waited a few minutes to see if anyone would come to shut them off or if I could see any damage, but nobody came. I had to leave because it was too loud to stay. The emergency lights were flashing through the stained glass windows and throughout the building as I drove away. 

Tonight I remembered the scripture in James 5:16, "The prayer of someone seeking to live right with God is a power to be reckoned with." Remember Elijah? Fervent, red hot, passionate, intense prayer yields results?  Sound the alarm. 

(The sprinklers didn't come on right away, however, when I went by again tonight there was a "Wet Floor" sign in the Chapel.)

"Roped Out"

My heart is broken for the people of Moore tonight.  Trained as a first responder, although not at the scene today, I could see the overwhelming devastation and shock on the faces that wandered through the debris after the storm had finally roped out.  I felt a connection to the people in the disaster and the location which is so familiar to me.  I lived with my dad in the same neighborhood during ninth grade and I also have friends who currently live in the area.  Thankfully, they are all accounted for and safe tonight.

On Thursday night, while at work at the airport, they were already talking about severe weather that was being forecast for the weekend and through the coming week, not unusual for this time of year.  When I got off work at midnight, I drove back to Edmond, 25 miles north, but I kept feeling restless and I didn't want to go home.  I decided to drive for a while but I didn't know where I wanted to go exactly.

Then my daughter called me as I was driving toward the direction of her house and she said she would go with me on a drive.  We decided to drive to Moore to check on a friend there.  The airport is near Moore and I had just come from there, but I felt like we should go back.  Her friend was staying at a home near S.W. 149th and Santa Fe in Moore.

 After we got there and saw everything was alright, we decided to stop for a few minutes on the corner of the intersection at 149th and Santa Fe where we parked at the Walgreen's and got out of the car for a few minutes.  My daughter wanted to have a smoke break, and I still felt restless.  As we drove up 149th, a bird flew in front of my car, which was odd for 2am, and as we sat and talked, I mentioned to her that the birds were being unusually noisy for so late at night.  All the businesses were closed except for a 7-11 (which is no longer there after the storm today).  It was very quiet except for the birds, who seemed restless and I noticed it because I felt it too.

Seeing what happened here today, I wondered if the birds might have sensed something was going to happen.  Since I was near the area while at work, I wondered if maybe I sensed something too, because I don't usually feel so restless that I don't want to go home when I get off work that late.

After a few minutes we drove back to Edmond, and I was finally ready to sleep.  I found out today the corner we stopped at was only one block from the Briarwood Elementary School, which took a direct hit during the tornado today.  Thankfully, there were no fatalities at this location.  However, the Plaza Towers Elementary School has had many fatalities so far, where the search and rescue are still underway.

The story of teachers who protected and covered their students even with their own bodies to protect them from the flying debris and falling structures is so incredible.  One teacher saved the lives of six students by shielding them from a wall of cinder blocks that was falling on them.  They are my heroes, as well as those who have helped the rescue efforts in any way. 

at Briarwood Elementary, Moore, OK
 Here's a TV news report: http://goo.gl/RpgLQ

- me in 5th grade -

None Opposed

The Shroud of Turin, thought to be the burial cloth of Christ, has always interested me.  I recently became curious about the symbolism of hands in reference to works of art and noticed the position of the hands on the image of the Shroud, particularly the position of the thumbs.  According to an article by Ray Zone, "Palmistry: Oppositions and Blessings," the position of the thumbs can be significant symbolism.  He writes:

"The thumb at birth is generally hidden and folded under the other fingers.  As the child matures and the personality develops, it opens and almost assumes a life of its own.  During sleep, the thumb reverts to folding back again under the fingers.  As the personality develops in life, the thumb becomes a vibrant display of character.  At death, the thumb is once again folded under the fingers."

Another purpose I discovered for folding the thumb inward towards the palm is shown in the pictures below:

The "knife hand," also known as Sudo Makki, uses this position of the hand to strike an opponent as well as to block.  This hand position is also used in the movie "Kill Bill" to direct one's energy before striking a blow to an opponent or an obstacle:



I also found, contrary to popular belief, that according to one online article in "The Finger," the thumbs-up gesture did not represent a sign to spare a gladiator's life in Ancient Rome.  The article states, "A phlebian's pointed thumb or "pollice verso" (whether the thumb is pointed up, down, or somewhere in between, we don't know) meant the combatant was to be slain.  A HIDDEN THUMB, folded out of sight, or the "pollice compresso," meant he was to be spared."

In a way, Jesus was like God's thumb.  He was with God and God through Jesus, the Word made flesh, unfolded at the creation of the world.  The gospel of John says that everything that was made was made by and through Him, and nothing exists apart from Him.  God did all his work of creation in six days, and on the seventh day He rested.  Then, when the time came for Jesus to come to earth, He did not come to do what He wanted, but He came to reveal the nature and character of God and to do God's will.  If our thumb reveals our character and personality as we live our lives, Jesus lived His life in a way that revealed the character and personality of God, the Heavenly Father.  He didn't do His own will, but He only did what He saw His Father doing, Jesus only expressed what he saw God's thumb print on, or he was the thumb print of God for us to behold.  He was filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit, and He emptied Himself to the point of death, even dying on a cross so that God's will could be fulfilled and accomplished through Him. 


In each of the descriptions I found about thumbs folded inward, I like this idea the best:  That God in His love spared the world from judgment, death, and separation from Him, so that we can receive eternal life, which is to know Him.  Since salvation is of Jewish origin, a "goyim" like me was far from God and without hope in the world apart from Him, and could only be brought near to God by the blood of Jesus' sacrifice by His death on the cross (Ephesians 2:13).  He did this by folding his thumbs inward at the time of his death; through dying, he dealt a death blow to the one who had the power of death, and by separating our sins from us through His blood that was shed, He made a new and living way for us to be united to God.  He broke through for us, so that death can no longer hold any power over us.  Since this is the week of Christ's passion in the Coptic and Greek Orthodox Christian Church, we remember his power, not in the glory of his resurrection, but in the humility of his obedience and submission even to the point of a violent death.  He did not oppose death, but entrusted his soul to a faithful Creator, and looked only to endure suffering, to love, to bear, and to save those who put Him to death.  We are all part of that crowd, and are able to recognize his cry, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  (I Peter 5:5 & James 4:6)

Dance the "Lou's"

 

something blue...   there should always be a perfect pair of shoes hovering somewhere for every occasion.

I saw these shoes by "Something Blue" floating on a pedestal as if in mid-air, like any dream come true should be.

Remember Dorothy's red slippers? ...

                                     ... or Alice in Wonderland's magical heels?
 

Blue suede heels with satin bows, another step towards a dream come true...

Some dreams never seem to die, and they should never remain in a box on the shelf... they should hover like a possibility of hope that you catch a glimpse of at moments like this, when you least expect it.

At least for dreamers there should be a perfect pair, which includes an element of "something blue."

And if the occasion for something "blue" keeps alluding you, there is always something ~ "lou"!  Christian Louboutin's Ballet slipper/heel: 

YES!!!  You can always DANCE the "Lou's!

"

 

Peering into the dark

Much going on the past few weeks has made it difficult to get my thoughts together.  My landlady, a good friend the last five years, suggested that I might go to one of the Catholic churches in the area that offers perpetual adoration of the Holy Eucharist.  I am not Catholic but she said the chapel is open to all people, and that you can spend as much quiet time there as you like, day or night.  She then invited me to go with her and see the chapel at St. Monica's where we spent a few minutes in prayer.  Afterwards, we went to St. John the Baptist's chapel which is closer to home and the perish she attends, but they only have overnight prayer one Friday each month.

I thought she mentioned that the night of prayer would begin this weekend at St. John the Baptist's, so I planned to go and spend the night there on Friday night.  A slumber party with Jesus and John the Baptist sounded pretty inviting, the thought of swimming in muddy waters comes to mind.  As one friend's dad used to say "Jesus always loved a party, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!"

It was late after getting home from work, so I made it to the church just after midnight.  St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a beautiful building with a large sanctuary and large scale windows that bring the outdoors into full view.  The parking lots were empty when I arrived, which is not unusual for there to be only one or two cars during the night when I've been back to St. Monica's, and since there were several parking areas around I didn't think much about it.  I collected my things (book, journal, small pillow and blanket) and finding the doors unlocked I went inside.

St. John the Baptist Sanctuary (lights on)

Once inside, I entered the door to the small chapel where the Holy Eucharist is usually kept; however, unlike the time I was there before, the room was totally dark.  I could see through the round window that opens up to a view of the sanctuary that it was also completely dark in the sanctuary except for the street lights shining through the large stained glass windows.

Small chapel at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (lights on)

Standing in the doorway for a moment and peering into the darkness of the small chapel, I could see the table where the Holy Eucharist is kept.  It was not exposed now, but was put away in its small tabernacle.  There were no candles burning, only dim lights from the entry way arrested before crossing the path of the door.  I wanted to go inside and sit to spend time in prayer, but thought I might be intruding at this point, so I left.  I drove to St. Monica's chapel that is open 24/7, but I could see from the parking lot that it was also dark inside except for the lights on the statues of St. Mary and St. Joseph.  It began raining heavily as I drove home and the only person I saw on the road was a toad.  He was heading for the pond across the street, his own muddy waters no doubt.  Suddenly, I thought of Jim Morrison's song, "Riders on the Storm."

The darkness of the empty chapels which are usually well lit with lights and candles burning, an atmosphere of quiet prayer and humility, left me with a cold feeling of absence much like in Morrison's song:

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm

There's a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin' like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your children play
If ya give this man a ride
Sweet memory will die
Killer on the road, yeah ..."


I felt like an actor out alone, a rider on the storm.  The glimpse of the darkness in the chapel gave me a deeper appreciation of the nights I was there in the warmth and light.  I imagined what it would be like if Jesus hadn't come into the world and we were all thrust into the darkness of the world like a dog without a bone.  And speaking of a bone, my "killer on the road" has been my recent battle with breast cancer.  The diagnosis last summer was that it had metastasized to my bones.  There was no evidence of disease to any tissue or organs, however the lymph glands near my kidneys were swollen and began to cause them to shut down the flow to my bladder on both sides.  I had to have stints placed in both sides to keep them working, so as long as they remain open, my health has been fine.  The most recent bone scan and CT scan were clear of any activity since beginning hormone therapy, along with the Cherokee Indian Herbal medicine in the form of a tea I drink daily.  Aside from having to replace the stints every few months, an outpatient procedure, as the swelling goes down, my health has been really great and I refuse to "give this man (cancer) a ride"!

What a difference one unassuming Jewish rabbi made in the world.  Sometimes the absence of just one person can be like that.  I appreciated the silence in memory of the death and burial of Jesus, in honor of his family, Mary and Joseph, of his friends, what it must have been like for them to lose such a remarkable light.  I am thankful to know those in my life whose presence has been a light for me, and I keep a candle burning for those who have gone out.  I am also thankful for the power the promises in the scriptures and the hope of the resurrection brings.  Also, until we meet again, Jesus left us with a meal to remember him by, another Jewish tradition I admire.

Before:  Silence

After:  "Say hello to jumping for joy!!!"  Jesus Resurrection

Unexpected Holy Relic

 “Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine”

Barna da Siena - c. 1340

     An unexpected holy relic: "This painting shows Jesus slipping the Holy Prepuce onto St. Catherine’s finger.  St. Catherine of Siena is one of the Jesus’s 76 virgin brides.  During the mystical marriage Christ appears to his bride in a vision and presents her with a ring.  This is followed by a ceremony where his mother, saints, and angels are present." reposted from:

 Marriage of St. Catherine of Siena 

     In the painting of the Mystic Marriage, "Jesus gave her His Holy Foreskin to wear on her finger instead of the usual gold ring."

     A medieval Book of Hours includes an illustration of Jesus with the Rings of Saturn as the Holy Foreskin, which the 17th century Catholic scholar and theologian Allacci Leone (Leo Allatius) "published the treatise De Praeputio Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Diatriba (“Discussion concerning the Prepuce of our Lord Jesus Christ”) in which he proposed that the Holy Foreskin had ascended into heaven at the same time as Jesus, and had become the recently observed rings of Saturn."  reposted from:  Rings of Saturn

     Since holy relics were abundant and not always authentic, there were several holy prepuce in circulation during the middle ages with stories surrounding their existence.  The most recent was stolen from it's location in Calcata, a small town 30 miles north of Rome, in 1983. 

     This was one holy relic I didn't expect to hear about but which has a familiar ring to it, considering the story told about the circumcision of Jesus in the gospels (Luke 2:21).