Fighting the Adversities, Fighting the Good Fight

Friendships are born in face of great adversities. I can guarantee you no less. It is when the greatest of odds and the greatest of challenges do friendships truly and so evidently show themselves than at any other time that one's actions might even seem fool-hearted in nature. It is not the best of times you find your true friends, but it is in the absolute worst of times. It is like when Christ was crucified, all those many years ago, that He saw who his true friends were. It was not Peter, nor any of the other disciples, but that of His Blessed Mother, who stood through it all to be by His side until death and beyond.

So it was similarly this past week, in the student body elections here on campus. The allegations and arguments spewed forth well before the start of the week and grew to be tantamount to a feverish torrent of twisted lies and charges to defame the integrity and honor of a good and well-deserving person. Well before the start of last week, with the student judicial hearings but a week ago to the day, I joined her cause, Marcella Colbert's cause to clear her name. It was in finding that I sought her out, and with questions she in turn sought me out for my concerns. This encounter made a lasting impression on me, for her genuineness in her cause and in her general ethics of conducting herself. I needed no panel of student justices to prove to me, those three and a half days earlier, that she had conducted and continues to conduct herself with "the utmost integrity."

Still today I know she did the right thing in every manner, and I did the right thing to help her cause. Unfortunately, however, the student body did not give her a chance to lead, voting in a 3 to 1 favor of the other candidate, Jim Carlson. I find that her grace through it all has been the best thing to come out of the entire ordeal. It matters not that she won the contest now but that, in the end, she cleared her name, in spite of all odds and in spite of all enemies that have arisen. She's fought the good fight, and that is what matters most of all.

In that, I have found a good friend that I know I can trust.

Dona Nobis Pacem

Dominus exaudi nos
Dominus misrere
Dona nobis pacem
Sanctus, Gloria
dona nobis pacem
e dona eis requiem
inter ovas locum
voca me cum benedictis
pie jesu domine, dona eis requiem
dominus deus, Sanctus, Gloria

The Passing of Pope John Paul II

Today we have lost a great man, a great theologian, a great writer, a great thinker, a great communicator, a great man of peace. Thus I, as a Catholic, must mourn the passing of a great moral and political leader of the world and of a great leader of our Church. In his 26 years as Pope, he helped change this world, filled with so many maladies and so much strife, for the better and helped achieve peace in so many places and in so many lives. All know of him, and all will greatly miss him.

May God have mercy on his soul, and may Perpetual Light shine upon him. Dona nobis pacem. Amen.

"Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence." - Pope John Paul II

Living in the Light

Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with the flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17

Each day we must renew ourselves to live in the light of Christ. Daily we must put on our armor of God, or rather, the armor that is God. We are never always in the light of God, but it is a constant battle to be in the light of Christ, to be part of the one body. For we are never fully saved until we fully accept Christ, accept our armor of God, as just that and to live by, to live with, and to live through that daily. Our focus shouldn't be muddled in sin, rather we should rise above it and use our faith as a shield to block all that is degrading of our relationship with Christ. Only when we accept the armor of God do we become part of that armor.

"Awake, O Sleeper...."

Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."

Ephesians 5:8-14

We must awaken our faith, our love for Christ each and every day. Let not this day be one in which we fail to do so. God bless, and "Awake, O sleeper!"

Harden Not Your Hearts

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun? One generation passes and another comes, but the world forever stays. The sun rises and the sun goes down; then it presses on to the place where it rises. Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north, the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds. All rivers go to the sea, yet never does the sea become full. To the place where they go, the rivers keep on going. All speech is labored; there is nothing man can say. The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor is the ear filled with hearing. What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun. Even the thing of which we say, "See, this is new!" has already existed in the ages that preceded us. There is no remembrance of the men of old; nor of those to come will there be any remembrance among those who come after them. I, Qoheleth, was king over Israel in Jerusalem, and I applied my mind to search and investigate in wisdom all things that are done under the sun. A thankless task God has appointed for men to be busied about. For in much wisdom there is much sorrow, and he who stores up knowledge stores up grief. - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

What has come to pass has passed, what is to come will come. Nothing more do we know, nothing more should we know. We should never forget where our lives, our essence comes from. We are nothing but crude matter; it is only through Christ and His sacrificial love do we come to know the Father and through the Father have life.

Nothing more, nothing less. May God bless you with a wonderful week.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. - Psalms 95:7-8

The Dreary Rains of February

The day has been a soaked one. The rain system of Californian Mudslide fame has decided to occupy Texas with its daylong drenching rains. So be it.

Despite the elements, I decided—rain or shine—that today I needed to get a haircut...2 months since my last. Heck, I'm a college student trying to save a couple bucks. So I decide upon myself to trek across campus in the never-ending rains, those dreary rains of February. I wasn't totally crazy. I did have my trusty 3-dollar black Wal-Mart umbrella with me, while almost getting blown away it it a couple times along the way.

Anyway, where was I? Oh, right...going across campus in the rain. By the time I reached the MSC (layperson's term: student center), I noticed a whole bunch of high school people. You know, munckins with big egos. Anyway, it turns out they were here for some sort of JROTC event or something with the Corps. We've been getting a lot more high school groups these days...the 'diversity' groups. Sbisa has been overrun with them around lunchtime. You can always recognize them...they're the ones that go straight for the pizza in the back. Never fails.

It's always so interesting to sit and watch the little buggers. Reminds me of how many years removed I am from their world...and how ever many more that I have left to be truly accepted as not just some "college kid." Those people irritate the hell out of me. Well, thankfully February is nearly over...maybe some sunshine is in store for Texas. Then again, maybe not.

Bon Mardi Gras Vous!

I'm sure that I butchered the title, but I figured if there was one day to do attempt it...and saying anything in French, it's today. It's supposed to be "Happy Mardi Gras to you," but the translation is up in the air. Take your best guess of what it really is. Anyway, if you don't know what today is, shame on you! You should get out more and head down to New Orleans (As the know-nothing Yankees pronounce it nu 'orl-y&nz or how it's supposed to be pronounced nu 'or-l&nz) for a good time and enjoy it...next year. After all Mardi Gras is now all but done. For a good Catholic interpretation of the holiday (where it first got started, after all) go to the web site AmericanCatholic.org for the down low on a decadent holiday that, in the words of Frank Davis, has become "Naturally N'Awlins."

Today, however auspicious here in College Station, has not served much to appease any such Carnival Time that has transpired the past month or so in my birthplace. No less, I have gotten into the Carnival mood for one day, albeit without king cake or much fanfare, but it has made me all the better. It's been bright today and better weather. And if there's only a few songs from home to console me in my time away. Merriment isn't bad in itself, rather the debauchery that has come to be emblematic of the proceedings down in the Crescent City have done a disservice to a fun, friendly, and perfectly wonderful holiday of parades, a little excessive feasting, and the enjoyment of great company.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez, Y'all!

Why I Do What I Do

Life is full of twists and turns and is always too quick to stay the same for as much as a moment. Life is fleeting. Life is something ephemeral, something here today but can very well be gone tomorrow. Life is this way, and, justly so, we must ruefully accept such an agreement.

So what is my driving force to write here in blog? Ultimately, my impetus is in itself to be remembered not as a good writer, not as a good student, not as a good programmer, not as a good thinker, and not even as a good Aggie. Rather, I wish to be remembered as a good person.

If there is anything that is Aggie Bonfire Memorial dedication ceremony taught me, it is to live life to the fullest and to never take granted of your friends' existence with you, no matter the circumstances. May God grant repose to those who died in the Bonfire '99 Collapse and fill the voids of the hearts of those who miss them.

Miranda Denise Adams, Christopher David Breen, Michael Stephen Ebanks, Jeremy Richard Frampton, Jamie Lynn Hand, Christopher Lee Heard, Timothy Doran Kerlee, Lucas John Kimmel, Bryan Allen McClain, Chad Anthony Powell, Jerry Don Self, Nathan Scott West...

We remember your sacrifice. Always.

Bonfire Memorial Day

The day has finally come. The five year remembrance of Texas A&M's deadliest day, that of the 1999 Bonfire Collapse. Now the Bonfire Memorial will be dedicated in a long-awaited and much anticipated event this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. May this Memorial bring some closure to the saddest chapter in the tradition-rich history of Texas A&M.

The Bonfire Memorial can be seen online here at the Memorial's web site: bonfirememorial.tamu.edu.

That Fateful Day

Then Heaven's pearly portals opened,
And hosts of Angels showed the way
For that Fighting Texas Aggie group
On that final Judgment Day.
Then more Aggies came into view,
Twelve dressed in Bonfire gear
Walking arm in arm and singing
Of the School they hold so dear.
Twelve Aggie voices said "Howdy"
To the keepers of the Gate.
"Working hard, we just lost track of time;
We hope we're not too late."
"It's the Fighting Aggie Bonfire Crew,"
St. Peter said. "Behold,
They're ready to light up Heaven,
With their courage and faith so bold.
I would often watch them building,
That stack so large and high,
And surely knew the time would come
That they'd build it into the sky."
And so the Twelve came through the Gates
As St. Peter said, "Don't fear,
You are just in time for Roll Call."
One by one, they answered, "Here."
________________________________________
November 18, 1999

Never Forget...

Three years ago, at this very moment, the world as we knew it changed forever. The first attack on the World Trade Center happened at 8:46 A.M. EDT, September 11, 2001. This and the ensuing Acts of War by the 19 Islamic Extremist Hijackers should NEVER be forgotten.

May the remembrance of the loss of life, liberty, and freedom of the unfortunate victims of 9/11 be a reminder and forever a rejection of Extremism of any kind, especially Religious Extremism in any form, whether it is the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, the Bombing of the U.S.S. Cole, the Bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Africa, the Russian School Massacre, or those unmentioned and those yet to come. Forever must we stand vigilant, ready and willing to bear the load to wipe Extremism from the face of the Earth.

May God Bless America and All on Our Good Green Earth.

Reflections on a Friend's Anecdote

I've been out and about all weekend, so I thought it was best to refrain from posting something that was worth nothing. In the wise words of the 'Unknown' Food Critic's "running partner" in a WWL-TV food critic review: "You could have the biggest pile of junk in town, but it's still just trash."

Anyway, I'd like to share something I wrote after reading a friend's latest blog post after graduating from Texas A&M with a masters, "At Last the Circle Is Complete." I wrote the poem shortly after reading his post, trying to capture some of Jacob's theme of coming full circle.

A Journey

Life is but a journey,
A journey we all are on.
We are all at different places,
but our lives continue to go on.

Life is not to be wasted,
since one day we all will be gone.
We are on a journey,
a journey that is life.

The Curt Jester: Catholic Comedy & Commentary

The problems with the current American Catholic state of mind are ever apparent in a site I stumbled upon after an interesting AIM consersation with a Aggie Catholic friend from Friendswood, TX. The conversation, which began innocently enough on the music of the mass and our preferences, led ultimately up to the question: is Marty Haugen, the composer of so much of the "modern" Catholic church music (most often sung by many choirs in the U.S.) , Catholic? Frankly, neither of us knew at the time, so I did a little internet research (which I'm beginning to do more and more often) and found a number of web pages after doing a search on Marty Haugen, and I came up with this web page: "Marty Haugen in Concert and Workshop at Monastery," from a Catholic web site, thedome.org, ran by the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana. Turns out he's Lutheran. Figures.

Anyhow, back to the humor part of this rave post. In the meantime of doing this search on Haugen, I stumbled on a tongue-in-cheek, Catholic blog web site, The Curt Jester, with a parody on the American Catholic liturgy called "Liturgy for Ignoramuses." I highly suggest you follow their suggestions for mass next Sunday! It really hits home to my previous post on the "Life Teen Craze" that's effecting a number of parishes here around Houston and elsewhere in America.

It's also worth sharing that that Jeff Miller (of The Curt Jester), another Catholic blogger like myself, has his own rant on this 'clappy,' 'feel-good' kind of Mass popping up more and more frequently nowadays. It's nearly identical to my couple encounters with this nerve-racking, mass-killing phenomenon that is supposed to bring the youth to Catholicism. Unfortunately, if these proponents want to do that, why not act CATHOLIC?! At any rate The Curt Jester is a wonderful blog on everything Catholic, including a more traditional mass stance. Be sure to check out The Curt Jester's Rant, too.

Forgive the slight ranting tonight, but it seems necessary whenever approaching a topic such as the "modernization" of the Catholic Mass in America.

Blogs of Note: A Few Raves for Some Spiffy Blogs

Tonight's my usual night to rave. If you haven't noticed yet, the days I post I go in a sequential order for my blog. I started with a rambling one day, followed it with rant the next, and ended the cycle with a rave the following day (thus the reason behind the name of my blog: "The Ramblings, Rants, and Raves of John Book"---In that specific order!). I've now completed the cycle three times, look for yourself! So with that note, I'll continue with my rave...this time on Blogs of Note.

1. Jen Speaks ...Because I Love to Run Off My Mouth! ~ Jen (Northern Virginia)
This blog was the first I encountered and it has been a pretty memorable one so far. It provides a very intriguing view that seems to be Conservative leaning but don't confuse this for your regular political blog...there's plenty of heartwarming, personal, non-political things that will interest most anyone. I found this blog about mid-June of this year looking for the music played during former President Ronald Reagan's funeral, but stumbled on a blog post from Jen's blog on Lady Thatcher's touching eulogy (taped and then played at the National Cathedral). Her thoughts on her eulogy were well-said, I found them to be quite agreeable. So, despite being my first read, I still believe it to be the best I've seen yet...and it'll take a lot for me to change my opinion on that.

2. (-= ~ Jacob Foshee (Spring, Texas)
This is blog of a friend from Texas A&M up in College Station, TX, that was actually the kickstart for me to start this blog here, my first. So, although it's not as glitzy (as in number of posts/viewings), I think it still provides a quirky look into small snippets (episodes as the blogger calls them) of his personal life. Not that his life is any less/more interesting than another (normal) person, but it comes down to the the bit of storytelling used in the posts which I appreciate since it's already so hard to find elsewhere on the net. There's also a interesting post (and slightly more technical than his previous to date) on blog-reading programs that I find quite informative (In fact, I'm currently using his top-suggested program, Feedreader, which I highly suggest). Always a plus, Jacob's blog has a sense of humor, which is always refreshing.

So whether or not you're into blogging yourself, go ahead a give these blogs a quick read, and I'm sure you'll find them as interesting as I did.

The Fallen Twelve: The Long-Awaited Tribute

"Softly call the Muster, let comrade answer 'Here'..."

This November 18, 2004 will mark the dedication of the Bonfire Memorial, the lasting reminder of those twelve Aggies who died in the unfortunate, untimely Bonfire collapse of 1999. May we remember all Aggies that have passed on, both now and forever. May the Aggie Spirit never falter, never fail, never be forgotten. Fail not to pass on the Aggie Spirit that makes Texas A&M University the greatest institution in the nation. Let the Bonfire Tradition renew again!

Both Dr. Robert M. Gates, president of Texas A&M University, and Jack Hildebrand, student body president, will speak at the November 18, 2004 afternoon dedication. Classes that afternoon will be cancelled so all students will be able to attend the dedication.

Learn more about Aggie Traditions at Texas A&M's web site and view the August 3, 2004 article "Bonfire Memorial Dedication Set in Stone" in The Battalion, Texas A&M's school newspaper, from the links above.

"Once an Aggie, ALWAYS an Aggie"