Catholic Carnival XVIII: Thoughts and Prayers

At first glance, we have a wide variety of topics in this week’s Catholic Carnival. However, as I read back over the posts, it occurred to me that they all fell in one of two categories: thoughts and prayers (sometimes both). Ultimately I think this is one of the aspects of Lent that is truly beautiful – the Catholic community becomes more and more united in their thought as they individually focus on the coming Crucifixion of Christ. This isn’t a “Vulcan Mind Meld” (for lack of a better term), but it is the unity of the Eucharist elevating all of us to the cross of Christ where we are purified.

Now on to the Carnival:

Thoughts
+ My Domestic Church offers her thoughts on being a “Titus 2 woman” in The Sirach/Titus 2 Solution. Also for men, she covers both taking and receiving advice.

+ HMS Blog explains how Lent helps Jesus bring us to the Promised Land in With Christ. An excellent analysis of Scripture and our mass readings this week.

+ Scattershot examines the neuro-biological underpinnings for belief in God in ”The Grey Matter Handprint”. Interesting discussion on a topic not often brought to the forefront of faith.

+ The Anchoress offers a superb post on the value of life in The Church of Good Health: Body, Mind Spirit? Body . . . Body . . . Body? Take a moment to read this one.

+ A Penitent Blogger offers a short reflection that is part “Thoughts” and part “Prayers” in Thin Lines. How do we respond in a complex world to our Lord’s call to be merciful?

+ HerbEly uses Sunday’s reading from Genesis as an example for making ethical choices at work in Abraham did the “Next Right Thing”. Includes an interesting point about using poetry and myth in discernment.

+ The Paragraph Farmer explores the mindset that Catholics should be cultivating in Your mission, should you choose to accept it . . . . He makes an interesting point about faith, reason, and what is knowable – take a minute to read it.

+ Santificarnos posts another Thoughts and Prayers post with Juan the Milkman. I’ll only say it concerns Saint Josemaria Escriva – read the rest yourself (you’ll be glad you did).

+ Here at Deo Omnis Gloria, we offer our thoughts on the Culture of Life in Terri Schiavo, Million-Dollar Baby, and the future.

Prayers
+ The Blog from the Core starts our Prayers section with a Novena for Michael Schiavo. He makes an excellent point: Michael’s conversion would save Terri Schiavo’s life. I recommend we all take a few seconds to pray this . . . repeatedly.

+ Quenta Nârwenion offers a birthday post for Venerable John Henry Newman in All together now . . .. The post includes a prayer for his canonization and links to some of his other materials (including an interesting letter written by Newman).

+ Living Catholicism concludes the Catholic Carnival with a call for prayers in US Supreme Court to Consider Petition to Reverse Abortion Law Roe v Wade on February 18. Yes, the date is past, but God can transcend time, so your prayers can still help (they announce the decision today).

Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this week’s Catholic Carnival! I certainly enjoyed working on it. If you’re a Catholic blogger who is interested in participating, email Jay at LivingCatholicism.com to receive each week’s Call for Submissions.

Thanks to all who participated.

God bless,
Jay