Pope Francis on true discipleship

"Stations of the Cross," Henri Matisse, Chapel of the Rosary, Vence, France

 Pope Francis continues to teach little lessons through his homilies at daily Mass in the chapel of his Casa San Marta residence.   This is taken from his homily earlier today.

Jesus says that those who follow Him will have "many good things" but "with persecution." The path of the Lord, he continued, "is a road of humility, a road that ends in the Cross." That is why, he added, "there will always be difficulties," "persecution." There will always be, "because He travelled this road before" us. The Pope warned that "when a Christian has no difficulties in life – when everything is fine, everything is beautiful - something is wrong." It leads us to think that he or she is "a great friend of the spirit of the world, of worldliness." The Pope noted this "is a temptation particular to Christians."

More here.

"Deliver us from the idolatry of the present"

"Madonna of the Lilies," William-Adolphe Bourguereau

The title of this post is taken from a prayer for bishops made by Pope Francis at a recent meeting with Italian bishops.   Courtesy of Fr. Z, here is the rest of Francis's prayer:

Mother of the silence that preserves the mystery of God, deliver us from the idolatry of the present, to which those who forget are condemned. Purify the eyes of pastors with the balm of memory:that we might return to the freshness of the beginning, for a praying and penitent Church.
Mother of the beauty that blossoms from fidelity to daily work, remove us from the torpor of laziness, of pettiness, and defeatism. Cloak Pastors with that compassion that unifies and integrates: that we might discover the joy of a humble and fraternal servant Church.
Mother of the tenderness which enfolds in patience and mercy, help us burn away the sadness, impatience, and rigidity of those who have not known what it means to belong.
Intercede with your Son that our hands, our feet and our hearts may be swift: that we may build the Church with the truth in charity.
Mother, we will be the People of God, on pilgrimage towards the Kingdom. Amen.

A Most Unassuming Hero

Bill Crawford receiving the Medal of Honor from Pres. Ronald Reagan

Why did it take so long?  Follow the link and read the last large paragraph

For Memorial Day, from the Wharton Leadership Digest, here is the story of William "Bill" Crawford, who worked as a lowly janitor at the Air Force Academy for many years, attracting little notice or interest, until a cadet made the discovery that Bill had been awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II (h/t The Patriot Post).

Be sure to read the final couple of paragraphs to learn an additional amazing twist to Mr. Crawford's story.

16,354,000 men & women served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WW II.  464 were awarded the Medal of Honor.

If you're free this weekend

Pilgrims en route to Chartres

Annual pilgrimage to Chartres begins tomorrow. 

Tar and Feathers

Lois Lerner

Apology not accepted, Lois

As Professor Reynolds likes to recommend in such cases.

IRS admits targeting conservative groups for review, and improperly requesting lists of their donors.  On the bright side, Lois Lerner, the IRS official who oversaw this egregious abuse of power, says that "[t]he IRS would like to apologize for that."   Which of course makes everything ok, because the Constitution clearly says the government can do whatever it pleases as long as it apologizes afterwards.

UPDATE: Lerner knew about the targeting of conservative groups in 2011; did nothing.

UPDATE: Catholic law professor Anne Hendershott believes she was audited for opposing Obamacare.   From her account, certainly sounds like intimidation.