1630 Sat 4 Aug 2001

I spent this afternoon burning blackberries. They were dead from having been sprayed a few months ago. During summer we would not be able to burn them, because of fire restrictions.

It was difficult getting the fire going. There were several bundles. The first two I could not get started, since they were too wet and had two much wet grass around them. My third fire I was able to keep going since there were lots of dead blackberries around it that I could keep adding to it.

The words of Jesus kept coming back to me: "I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!" (Jerusalem Bible, Luke 12:49). I am struggling to convey my message: obey the liturgical laws, particularly regarding instituted lectors. Probably its a case of better communications and more courage being required.

Yesterday I read a good article by Reverend Michael Orsi, a priest in New Jersey, U.S.A. It was in the July edition of "Homiletic and Pastoral Review". It was entitled "Changing liturgical rites" and the introduction to it had: "To tamper with religious ritual can have a devastating effect on a faith community and be of great detriment to souls." His discussion includes two widespread practices which he describes as "unauthorized accretions to Catholic liturgical practice": "The blessing of children at Communion time; and ... Eulogies given by family and friends after the closing prayer at a Mass of Christian Burial."

I think the magazine is published by Ignatius Press, who I think also produce Adoremus. So I think I will try the discussion groups on www.ignatius.com. They sent me an email a few days ago about improvements to their website.

Journal

1630 Sat 4 Aug 2001