The above icon is a representation of the three angels who visited Abraham and Sarah at the oak grove of Mamre; sometimes it is called the "Old Testament Trinity". They aren't named in the Biblical account of Abraham.
Gabriel is named several times in Luke's Gospel. Raphael is named in the book of Tobit. When he finally reveals his true identity, he says he is "one of seven". But so far as I know, we are never told the names of the other four. Michael is named in Revelation. The mysterious Angel of the Agony, who comforts Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, isn't named. Though some traditions say that it was Gabriel.
The guardian angels have their own feast day, and are mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 18:10, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven ever behold the face of my Father."
The little flowers in the photo above are what we used to call Michaelmas Daisies; they always appear about this time of year. They are actually little wild asters, the last wild flowers of the year. My sister snapped this picture out at the home place.
Now that we've learned that the big secret about Trump's taxes is that he doesn't pay any, I have a theory, as follows: his primary motive in not wishing to disclose his tax returns was shame. He isn't a money-making god. He loses money every year. And he can't bear that any of us know that.
USA Today, via Google
In case your subscription to People has lapsed, the NY Times challenges us to a fun interactive quiz today: it shows us the headshots of 52 celebrities, politicians and sports figures, and asks us to name them. It's not multiple choice: it simply shows the photo with a blank line beneath, where you can type their name. If you have time to waste, and can get through their subscriber wall, it may entertain you. To offer one hint: having watched the Democratic primary debates this election cycle definitely will help.
After you've identified everyone (or, if you're like me, you've failed to identify quite a few of them), some results are presented, broken down by age group. The window into what our kids and grandkids spend their time thinking about is worth a look.
This is my homily for today, the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. The readings for today are here.
Just in time for the peaceful assemblies after the election, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to add a cool new way of standing your ground. You do it with your car. You don’t exactly stand, though. You put the pedal to the metal.
You think I jest? Here is how it looks on the governor's Web site .
Prohibition on Obstructing Roadways: 3rd degree felony to obstruct traffic during an unpermitted protest, demonstration or violent or disorderly assembly; driver is NOT liable for injury or death caused if fleeing for safety from a mob.
Notice the capitalized, italic NOT. That is how he wrote it.
This is just one of the obviously or probably unconstitutional new laws he told the Legislature it needs to pass in a special session no later than when The Don decides the election was invalid.
Here are some other new crimes:
Prohibition on Harassment in Public Accommodations: 1st degree misdemeanor for a participant in a violent or disorderly assembly to harass or intimidate a person at a public accommodation, such as a restaurant.
RICO Liability: RICO liability attaches to anyone who organizes or funds a violent or disorderly assembly.
Here are some enhanced penalties:
Mandatory Minimum Jail Sentence: Striking a law enforcement officer (including with a projectile) during a violent or disorderly assembly = 6 months mandatory minimum jail sentence.
Offense Enhancements: Offense and/or sentence enhancements for: (1) throwing an object during a violent or disorderly assembly that strikes a civilian or law enforcement officer; (2) assault/battery of a law enforcement officer during a violent or disorderly assembly; and (3) participation in a violent or disorderly assembly by an individual from another state.
It goes on. It is worth looking at all of his brainstorms to get the full impact of how he has internalized The Don’s version of Black Lives Matter and other protests.
To recall: “Congress shall make no law … (abridging) the right of people to peacefully assemble.” That is part of the First Amendment. Under the DeSantis improvement, if you and six others take signs to the federal courthouse, and an eighth person comes along (say, an undercover cop; it happens) and throws a brick through a window, you can be charged under the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) act, with enhanced penalties.
Yesterday there was a little dust-up in which police had to intervene. Some Democrats were putting on a Biden demonstration on a corner that Trump capos use ever Friday. The Ds chose a day when the Rs wouldn’t be there, but the Rs showed up and tried to force them off the “sacred ground.”
If Gov. DeSantis had us fully protected now, some folks could be in jail today waiting, with no bond allowed, for a hearing whenevrer.
The New York Times has an interesting article on its website by Elizabeth Bruenig about Catholics and politics. Of course, its point of departure is the still-likely (although perhaps trending somewhat less-still-likely) election of Joe Biden in a couple of months. Bruenig notes something which barely has registered with me: he'd be only the 2nd Catholic president in American history.
