tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post8871028171786172849..comments2023-05-12T10:57:10.158-04:00Comments on Rambling Follower: At the Supermarket: Encountering a Old Friend Soon To Be A PrisonerAllisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16021781602272064901noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-80231690043862643152011-09-04T21:40:40.740-04:002011-09-04T21:40:40.740-04:00update: The day after I ran into him, he pleaded g...update: The day after I ran into him, he pleaded guilty in court. It was all over the news. His sentencing (up to three years in state prison and lifetime parole supervision) will be in December. Prayers continue.Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16021781602272064901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-82381559772370047262011-09-04T21:27:45.672-04:002011-09-04T21:27:45.672-04:00This is a beautiful post. I love the idea that we...This is a beautiful post. I love the idea that we don't have to "know" the "truth". It is enough for God to know. Prayers for Isaac and his family.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18220245768356903862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-49358544721388345192011-09-01T21:40:52.131-04:002011-09-01T21:40:52.131-04:00Thanks, Amy!Thanks, Amy!Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16021781602272064901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-20599718102155310322011-09-01T20:51:50.371-04:002011-09-01T20:51:50.371-04:00This is lovely, Allison. While I'm not a relig...This is lovely, Allison. While I'm not a religious person, I am glad to know his faith is sustaining him and giving him hope.Amynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-90649119634817722422011-09-01T16:44:31.957-04:002011-09-01T16:44:31.957-04:00Paula: I am so very sorry to hear of your abuse. I...Paula: I am so very sorry to hear of your abuse. I never had such an experience, so I have a different perspective. Also, I do not have teenaged daughters, or any daughters for that matter. So my calm might come, in part, thanks to these factors. Clearly, the holy spirit is at work, too. <br /><br />Overall, however, I am struck by the understanding that God ultimately will judge each of us and that His mercy is beyond our comprehension. I do not have to "take on" the judgment of God; this is a real liberation.Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16021781602272064901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-54173934591037190332011-09-01T14:18:36.407-04:002011-09-01T14:18:36.407-04:00Allison - you are a better woman than I. I'm ...Allison - you are a better woman than I. I'm a survivor of clergy sexual abuse and knowing that our former pastor (not my abuser, but a child molestor) is moving back to our town and that I will eventually run into him at the grocery store makes me sick to my stomach. <br /><br />I am grateful that you are able to be so open and accepting of your former colleague.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02647220453777040327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-35436109614363882042011-09-01T09:40:53.147-04:002011-09-01T09:40:53.147-04:00You are so brave! I don't think I would have c...You are so brave! I don't think I would have confronted a sex offender, but you did it so perfectly. This is an inspiring post that I will keep in my heart.Sarah Harkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02064673794877417232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-21452583876702949172011-09-01T02:30:22.744-04:002011-09-01T02:30:22.744-04:00Those encounters are the ones we can name as grace...Those encounters are the ones we can name as grace. How we cooperate with that grace remains to be seen.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02270396127498411004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-7203354470066495792011-08-31T21:22:11.332-04:002011-08-31T21:22:11.332-04:00Fran and Sandy C; Here is the prayer I meant to po...Fran and Sandy C; Here is the prayer I meant to post.<br /><br />Prayer for Prisoners, by Pope Pius XII<br /><br /> O Divine Prisoner of the sanctuary, Who for love of us and for our salvation not only enclosed Yourself within the narrow confines of human nature and then hid Yourself under the veils of the Sacramental Species, but also continually live in the tabernacle! Hear our prayer which rises to You from within these walls and which longs to express to You our affection, our sorrow, and the great need we have of You in our tribulations - above all, in the loss of freedom which so distresses us.<br /><br /> For some of us, there is probably a voice in the depths of conscience which says we are not guilty; that only a tragic judicial error has led us to this prison. In this case, we will draw comfort from remembering that You, the most August of all victims, were also condemned despite Your innocence.<br /><br /> Or perhaps, instead, we must lower our eyes to conceal our blush of shame, and beat our breast. But, even so, we also have the remedy of throwing ourselves into Your arms, certain that You understand all errors, forgive all sins, and generously restore Your grace to him who turns to You in repentance.<br /><br /> And finally, there are those among us who have succumbed to sin so often through the course of our earthly lives that even the best among men mistrust us, and we ourselves hardly know how to set out on the new road of regeneration. But despite all this, in the most hidden corner of our soul a voice of trust and comfort whispers Your words, promising us the help of Your light and Your grace if we want to return to what is good.<br /><br /> May we, 0 Lord, never forget that the day of trial is an opportune time for purifying the spirit, practicing the highest virtues, and acquiring the greatest merits. Let not our afflicted hearts be affected by that disgust which dries up everything, or by that distrust which leaves no room for brotherly sentiments and which prepared the road for bad counsel. May we always remember that, in depriving us of the freedom of our bodies, no one has been able to deprive us of freedom of the soul, which during the long hours of our solitude can rise to You to know You better and love You more each day.<br /><br /> Grant, 0 Divine Savior, help and resignation to the dear ones who mourn our absence. Grant peace and quiet to this world which has rejected us but which we love and to which we promise our co-operation as good citizens for the future.<br /><br /> Grant that our sorrows may be a salutary example to many souls and that they may thus be protected against the dangers of following our path. But above all, grant us the grace of believing firmly in You, of filially hoping in You, and of loving You: Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign forever and ever.<br /><br /> Amen. <br /><br />Here is one we can pray: <br /><br />Father of Mercy, the secrets of all hearts are known to you alone. You know who is just and you forgive the unjust. You alone are the Almighty Judge. We are not worthy of judging anyone. Your mercy is enough for sinners. Hear our prayers for those in prison. Give them repentance and let them believe in you. Give them patience and hope in their sufferings, and bring them home again soon. Comfort their near and dear ones. Let them trust in Jesus Christ and live with hope. AmenAllisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16021781602272064901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-19491794558525311302011-08-31T21:18:37.554-04:002011-08-31T21:18:37.554-04:00Wow. What a post and what a prayer.Wow. What a post and what a prayer.Sandy C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15724518800430532026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418067986039614257.post-63403371877845128782011-08-31T20:18:28.223-04:002011-08-31T20:18:28.223-04:00Oh my gosh, this made me cry. What a moving piece ...Oh my gosh, this made me cry. What a moving piece of writing and what a gesture on your part. The Holy Spirit is clearly at work and you cooperate with grace and a willing heart. God bless you.<br /><br />I will pray for Isaac; very sad.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.com