Posted on 05/09/2018 9:19:46 AM PDT by Salvation
The photo at the right, which I took in the attic of our parish school, reminds me of the ancient Latin phrase Sic transit gloria mundi (Thus passes the glory of the world). These are the symbols of victory in sports events, much trained for and fought for. Once they were proudly displayed in the trophy case of the main hallway. Over time they were shifted behind the newer trophies, then relocated to less prominent locations in the school, then to the closet, and finally to the attic.
My old “letter jacket” from high school still hangs in my closet, but it stopped fitting me decades ago. I also have a few tarnished medals I won running the mile. They once graced my “letter sweater,” with the big red, white, and blue letters “GF” (Garfield High School) sewn on. That sweater is long gone. I once strutted in it proudly as the medals and gold bars gleamed; now the races that merited them are but dim memories.
Scripture says,
There’s an old hymn that says,
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O Lord who changes not, abide with me.
Yes, earth’s glories pass away, but the glory of the Lord endures forever. If we are faithful, it is into that glory that we will enter. The Lamb is the light of the City of God!
I suppose there is a sadness in seeing all those rusting and bent trophies in the school attic, but there is also something freeing. The transitory nature of earth’s glories helps us to be less obsessed with them. The praise of men has its place, but the praise of God and His rewards will last eternally.
Another old hymn says, “Only what you do for Christ will last.” Whatever glory the trophies in that attic once signified, only the self-discipline and teamwork—if done in Christ—will last.
These are just some things I thought about as I stumbled upon the faded glory of some old trophies.
Monsignor Pope Ping!
Powerful and touching.
I have a box of trophies to rival that, stuck away in the back of a closet ‘cause Mrs. JimRed says it’s “tacky” to display memories of past glory.
8^(
As I read this, my friend of 48 years is lying in bed in a rest home, dying.
I do not expect him to last a week.
He is only an arms length away.
I have been asking him to accept God. I do not know if I have succeeded.
I would be grateful for any prayers for my friend, Don Cowling.
Just offered a prayer for Dan.
Have my 1967 YMCA Basketball Champions Trophy from 10 years old, my only championship - get it out for March Madness every year.
Ping.
Blessed Mother, take Don under your protection, turn your eyes of mercy towards him, and after his exile, show him the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus the Christ.
Amen.
Tears are in my eyes.
Thank you.
Happy to. “Encourage one another . . . “
Thank you and thank Msgr. Pope.
Sound truth to start the day.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on Don and on the whole world.
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we turn to thee, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To thee we come, before thee we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, do not despise our petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer us. Amen.
Prayers up for your friend. “God sees the heart.”
I wanted to share with you that yesterday my husband and I “crossed the Tiber,” due in no small part to Msgr Pope, and with his personal guidance. I returned to the Church after 40-50 years, my husband was welcomed into the Catholic Church, and was confirmed, and our marriage blessed in the Catholic rite.
It was a wonderful day that the Lord had made!!! We did rejoice and were glad in it.
I am about 2 years in, but have been married to a wonderful Catholic woman for 31 years.
Tears in my eyes with this announcement!
Welcome home!
May God continue to bless both of you.
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