On Michael Jackson, from the wisest man on radio

Al Kresta, whose afternoon show on Ave Maria Radio never disappoints, offers some worthwhile thoughts, not on Michael Jackson himself but on the "Michael Jackson phenomenon."

Lest any doubt remain about Michael’s status as a commercial property, let his father lay claim. When a CNN reporter asked his father, Joe, shortly after Michael’s death, “How are you doing sir, how’s the family holding up?” Joe Jackson replied, “I’m great. My family’s doing pretty good. It has been really tough. Remember we just lost the biggest star, the biggest superstar in the world.” Most fathers would have simply said they had lost a son. Undeterred, the CNN reporter asked if he’d like to share anything about his son and his legacy. Joe Jackson throttled the tender moment and immediately squeezed in a promotional spot for his new production company proving that even the sudden, shocking death of his son couldn’t soften the stage parent from hell. Michael Jackson had been parented to be sold. Link (HT to TSO for this one.)

Iranian protesters are using the anniversary of the 1999 Tehran University student uprising to resume demonstrations against the outcome of the June 12 presidential election. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people crowded the streets and headed toward Tehran University, the site of the 1999 demonstrations. Several protesters were hit on the arms and backs by the Basij, according to video evidence. The militia tried to persuade one man, whose face was bleeding, to get into an ambulance, but he refused. Meanwhile we continue to watch Michael Jackson. Link

Worthwhile things said in my hearing

Lucky me.

"By definition, intercessors are sojourners in enemy territory."

"The enemy is powerless; he's hustling for time and leverage. He wants us to believe him enough so he can get away with a certain number of things during our lifetime."

Martha Balmer, in a talk on intercessory prayer

"Developing empathy (rather than repulsion) connects and helps them. Love says 'I'm glad you exist.'" Speaking of caring for people with problems that disturb us.

"Go slow. Don't assume."

Greg Hocott, Ph.D

David: "What if you want to make music and don't care about making money?"
Ron: "There are showers for that."

Exchange at weekly A2B3 networking lunch

"Are you asking for enough?"

God

"It's about the indissolubility, about the cleaving . . . The love of married couples is the only thing that shows to the world the love of Christ for his Church."

Fr. Eric Weber, delivering a couples' meditation on the
Feast of the Sacred Heart

"We tend to define what's possible based on our present experience. That doesn't apply where the Holy Spirit is involved."

Fr. Ed Fride, pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church

"In worship, God prepares us to see the unbearable beauty of his face."

Ed Conlin, quoting John Henry Newman

"I've Got Those Post-Pentecostal Pre-Parousia Blues."

Me, recalling the title of an old song from college days

Billions and billions of saints

It's not All Saints Day, but this would be perfect for it . . . or for anyone in a dilemma about whom to pick as a confirmation patron. Hat tip to Gilbert and Sullivan.

Cheap office supplies, intercessory prayer, and Gregorian chant while you're on hold

Through a link from The Ironic Catholic, I found the Laser Monks from a Cistercian monastery in Wisconsin. In order to support their needs and raise funds for charitable work, they provide printer and fax supplies such as toner cartridge replacements, etc. General mark-up on ink and toner is generally astronomical, so a more modest profit margin allows the monks to make a comfortable living while serving their customers with lower prices and, as they say, "making e-commerce more human".

The fun started for me when I read the "About Us" page. The story of how their enterprise began is an interesting one, but I completely fell for them when I read the section on building relationships with their customers. A sampling:

• We try to make e-commerce more human through personal and truly caring customer service, that reflects our 900-year tradition of hospitality.
• The LaserMonks website offers an invitation for Prayer Requests.
• Thoughtful phrases and quotations are provided that encourage a moment of reflection and growth in the midst of a busy day.
• Handwritten notes of thanks and encouragement from the monks are included in some of our shipments and in occasional correspondence with our customers.
• Our telephone service and auto-attendant are designed to be cheerful, encouraging and thankful, even including our own Cistercian Gregorian Chant for any moments that one must be on Hold.

How can you top the chance to participate in a good work, save money on things you need to buy anyway, and perhaps get a handwritten note from Fr. Bernard?

P.S. The site includes a directory with links to other monastery-made products. It will be my one-stop shop for Monastery Mustard and Trappistine Creamy Caramels from now on.

Not your mom's Psaltery - it's yo' mama's

The Anchoress has a (get this) Hasidic rap version (well, take off) of Psalm 137 embedded from YouTube. Just goes to show you, eternal truths have eternal applicability.

Link.