tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post114125487005840732..comments2024-03-25T06:39:42.081-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: Ash Wednesday homilyFr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1141428811465024352006-03-03T18:33:00.000-05:002006-03-03T18:33:00.000-05:00Thanks for the good comments.Yes, this was for chi...Thanks for the good comments.<BR/><BR/>Yes, this was for children, although there were adults present. The children were K to 3rd grade. I am not sure I'm right, but I figure its okay if the kids don't get all of it; some of it will be for the adults.<BR/><BR/>Jackie's advice to be more specific is always good.<BR/><BR/>Deacon Jim's hypothetical question -- why are we putting dirt on our faces? -- is certainly a kid kind of question! I didn't think of that! That's often the danger of an analogy or image; upon further review, one finds it fits less well than it seemed at first.Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1141349534921335642006-03-02T20:32:00.000-05:002006-03-02T20:32:00.000-05:00Father,I take it that this homily was focused on c...Father,<BR/><BR/>I take it that this homily was focused on children. I think the concepts presented were great, but depending on the age of the children there may have been too many.<BR/><BR/>The idea of dirt, sins, washing. Working off the waters of baptism would be a great singular thread.<BR/><BR/>You could then work off baptism - change, membership, what membership means.<BR/><BR/>Again, depending on age, if you say the ashes remind us of the dirt of sin a child might say, 'Then why are we putting dirt on us?' - a funny question, but you know kids...<BR/><BR/>Again, I think great, especially if the children were 'tweens' or early teens. If younger, I would simplify.<BR/><BR/>God bless and may this Lent renew your spirit.Deacon Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18409546072521240987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1141270549210259382006-03-01T22:35:00.000-05:002006-03-01T22:35:00.000-05:00Fr.OK - so you asked for 'specific' comments - her...Fr.<BR/>OK - so you asked for 'specific' comments - here you go:<BR/>1. I like your style of writing - it is very orderly and that appeals to me (and others) but also allows most people to grasp a particular concept or message<BR/>2. I very much appreciate the overt message that these disciplines of lent do not 'pay for our sins' - because people, particularly children, can easily come to that conclusion and that you said, overtly - Jesus paid.<BR/>3. While I know you listed some possible options of Lent - giving up candy, saying extra prayers - I have found that when I have spoken to the typical 'Catholic in the pew' - they would want to know - but what am I supposed to DO? So - I think more specific suggestions - 'actionable items' even for the kids - like - For extra prayers - Why not start each morning with a Morning Offering - if only - Jesus I love you, I want to be more like you and I give everything today to you through your Mother. <BR/><BR/>I think that the vast majority of adults sitting in the pews would appreciate a few concrete suggestions and my guess is so would the kids.<BR/><BR/>God Bless you - and have a Holy Lent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com