People for Others is a blog for those who seek to uncover traces of our loving God in everyone and everything they encounter. Let’s journey together to see where grace leads us…
After ten years of apprenticeship, Tenno achieved the rank of Zen teacher. One rainy day, he went to visit the famous master Nan-in. When he walked in, the master greeted him with a question, “Did you leave your wooden clogs and umbrella on the porch?”
“Yes,” Tenno replied.
“Tell me,” the master continued, “did you place your umbrella to the left of your shoes, or to the right?”
Tenno did not know the answer, and realized that he had not yet attained full awareness. So he became Nan-in’s apprentice and studied under him for ten more years.
Today is the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot by aggrieved Catholics to blow up the British Parliament in 1605. In the U.K., it is called Guy Fawkes Day (after its most famous conspirator) and is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires. The conspiracy came to light through a mysterious letter received by a member of Parliament and Fawkes was arrested entering the cellar under Parliament where 36 barrels of gunpowder had been hidden.
Although the plot was the work of a small number, it resulted in increased hostility towards all English Catholics. Henry Garnett, Superior of the British Jesuits, knew of the conspiracy and was executed along with many other alleged conspirators.
Mr. Fawkes, whose effigy, sits atop the bonfires lit tonight is the original “guy” from whom we take our slang term for a gentleman…
At Loyola Press we have produced an “Ignatian Inspiration Calendar” for 2010. It sells for $9.95 (+ shipping and handling.) But here’s the deal for [some of] you… the first ten people who are willing to add a couple of bucks to their next charitable donation can email me [pcampbell@loyolapress.com] with their address and I will send you a calendar at no cost. Those too late for this free offer can get the calendar at the regular price here.
People For Others celebrates its first birthday today. When I started out I had no idea if anyone would want to read my musings and wonderments, but it has turned out to be a delightful experience — at least for me.
Sometimes I get praised, occasionally I get scolded, but mostly I get to be inspired and consoled by you. I have been able to connect with great and generous people and I love it when — in the comments – you start to dialogue with each other. Thank you for this past year… and now onwards into our second year.
If you haven’t seen my turgid first day “Video Welcome” from 11/3/08 , you can check it out here.
Back in July, I posted “Never Work With Children Or Animals” which featured a video, “Awkward Questions About Jesus” from the wonderful BBC series Outnumbered. It featured children “torturing” a vicar at a wedding reception. I’ve now found a scene [4'33"] from the same show which shows what happened in the minutes before the wedding…
[It will help you to know that being "a friend of the Queen" is a euphemism for being incarcerated in one of Her Majesty's prisons!]
During a momentous battle, a Japanese general decided to attack even though his army was greatly outnumbered. He was confident they would win, but his men were filled with doubt. On the way to the battle, they stopped at a religious shrine. After praying with the men, the general took out a coin and said, “I shall now toss this coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If tails, we shall lose. Destiny will now reveal itself.”
He threw the coin into the air and all watched intently as it landed. It was heads. The soldiers were so overjoyed and filled with confidence that they vigorously attacked the enemy and were victorious. After the battle, a lieutenant remarked to the general, “No one can change destiny.”
“Quite right,” the general replied as he showed the lieutenant the coin, which had heads on both sides.
My friend Joe shared a new poet with me, William Stafford. Here are a few lines from The Way It Is:
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
A final card from Bret Nicholaus and Tom McGrath’s “The Meal Box”:
“Suppose you were told that you could have one wish come true – but that wish you make would have to be for someone else, not for yourself. What would you wish for, and for whom would you wish it?
Food for Family Thought: Empathy is a fundamental building block for all moral growth. Make it a family value to frequently consider how your behavior and choices affect others. When your child talks about other children’s experiences, gently ask, ‘And how do you thinks he/she felt about that?’ This will nuture your child’s capacity for compassion.”
As Loyola Press’ VP for Mission and Identity, Paul dares to believe that people for others will, quite literally, make the world a better place. Learn more in About This Blog.
After ten years of apprenticeship, Tenno achieved the rank of Zen teacher. One rainy day, he went to visit the famous master Nan-in. When he walked in, the master greeted him with a question, “Did you leave your wooden clogs and umbrella on the porch?”
Today is the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot by aggrieved Catholics to blow up the British Parliament in 1605. In the U.K., it is called Guy Fawkes Day (after its most famous conspirator) and is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires. The conspiracy came to light through a mysterious letter received by a member of Parliament and Fawkes was arrested entering the cellar under Parliament where 36 barrels of gunpowder had been hidden.
People For Others celebrates its first birthday today. When I started out I had no idea if anyone would want to read my musings and wonderments, but it has turned out to be a delightful experience — at least for me. 
During a momentous battle, a Japanese general decided to attack even though his army was greatly outnumbered. He was confident they would win, but his men were filled with doubt. On the way to the battle, they stopped at a religious shrine. After praying with the men, the general took out a coin and said, “I shall now toss this coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If tails, we shall lose. Destiny will now reveal itself.”
“We are perishing for want of wonder, not for want of wonders.” G.K. Chesterton
10.There have been three African popes and all are now saints.
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