|
"On a Personal Note..." Archives:
2009
December
- Deceit or Blindness?
by Brandon Jubar
Two weeks ago I was "separated" by the company I've worked at for over 11 years. Now, before you go and get all worried, let me assure you that it was a mutually agreeable parting of ways. Without going into all the details, my leaving saved someone else's job -- someone who wanted to stay. Also, I had been working on several other options, and it was time to move on.
However, that's actually not what I'm thinking about right now. What's bothering me is something that happened after I left. Of course, it was related to something that I did, which is why I heard about it, and it made me shake my head in disgust. Let me explain... Read more...
October
- A Worthwhile Question
by Brandon Jubar
It's very difficult for a lot of people these days. Or perhaps it's more correct to say that it's very difficult for more people these days. Depending upon who you talk to, we're in the midst of a recession or a depression; we've seen the worst, or it's just the beginning. But as I think about it, maybe all of that isn't what we should be focused on. Maybe we should be thinking about something else. Read more...
- Until Death Do You Part
by Brandon Jubar
There are a lot of things that I don't understand; and most of the time it's because I've never had the opportunity to read or learn about whatever it is. I like to think that I'm fairly intelligent, a quick study, and very teachable. But I must admit that there is one thing that I've studied, read about, experienced first hand for many years, and still can't seem to figure out. What is this arcane subject, you ask? Well, it's the main subject of this weekend's readings: marriage. Read more...
September
- Too Much At Stake
by Brandon Jubar
Being a Catholic in a secular business can be difficult sometimes; especially when you want to be fair and just with people outside of your company. More and more these days, many of us find ourselves at odds with the demands of our corporate leadership. And what it often comes down to is that, as Christians, we have a hard time taking advantage of a person (or a company) who has fallen on desperate times. Read more...
August
- Use the Tools
by Brandon Jubar
I was reading through a "discussion" started by a member of a LinkedIn.com group, "On Startups - The Community for Entrepreneurs", and I found myself compelled to leave a comment. The original post used the age-old story about hauling buckets of water versus building a pipeline (which is loved by multi-level marketers), but then went on to describe different ways of bucket-hauling! I won't go into detail about his original post, but here was my reply... Read more...
- For Sale: Hope!
by Brandon Jubar
I know that times are tough. There no longer seems to be a question of whether or not the economy is in a recession; it's just a question of whether or not we've seen the worst of it yet. Being a basically moral person, I see this as a time for people to pull together and help each other out. What better time to network with people and help each other with everything from job searches to money-saving ideas? And yet, what I see more and more of are cases where people are trying to take advantage of others; trying to make a fast buck off of people who are desperate to find a better way to pay the bills and put food on the table. Read more...
July
- Liturgy and Hockey
by Brandon Jubar
"I can't stand hockey."
That was my mantra for years. It was just a bunch of guys skating around, beating each other up, swatting at the puck once in a while. You remember the old joke... I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.
Then there was that one foreign guy who seemed to score every goal on every team -- Heshootzi. You know the guy. The commentator would scream, "Heshootzi sco-o-o-o-o-o-ores!" Read more...
- Doing or Being?
by Brandon Jubar
A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a training seminar that was being presented to many of the best and brightest at our company. It had already been piloted with several groups and the feedback was tremendous. People thought it was excellent, eye-opening material, and should be presented to everyone in the company. Thus I was pretty excited when I was told that I could attend one of the sessions. The topic of the training? Ethics. Read more...
- Freedom of God's Truth
by Brandon Jubar
What makes us free?
Seriously. What does it mean to be free?
Does it mean that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, without having to ask permission or worry about what other people might think?
Unfortunately, that's how many people think of freedom. Sort of a license to do whatever and a get-out-of-jail-free card just in case. But, of course, I'd like to propose something different.
Read more...
June
- Father's Day Thoughts
by Brandon Jubar
I sit here today, staring at my computer monitor as I have in years past, not sure what to write about Father's Day. As in the past, I'm not drawing a blank. The fact is... I don't know where to begin! Read more...
- When a Horrible Thing Happens
by Brandon Jubar
My wife's mom just died. That's a very abrupt way to begin, but then again, that's exactly the way it happened. Abruptly. And I didn't refer to Andi as my mother-in-law because I don't like the negative connotations that term holds for many people. She was a "mom"; and if you don't know her personally, then the warm feelings that come to mind when you hear that word will get you much closer to understanding what a wonderful lady she was.
Read more...
May
- Do What You Love
by Brandon Jubar
This recessionary economy has started to change the way that many of us view the work that we do to earn a living. Whether we call it work, a job, a career, or a vocation, the fact is that the rising unemployment rate has either hit us personally or feels like a dark shadow looming up behind us. Forget climbing the corporate ladder! We just want to be one of the people still holding on when the ladder stops shaking! Read more...
- Obsessive Pursuit of Things
by Brandon Jubar
A couple weeks ago, the first reading, from Acts, described a situation that strikes terror into the hearts of Americans. It wasn't persecution or discrimination. It wasn't physical pain or death. It wasn't even fire and brimstone, or eternal damnation.
It was nothing like that at all. No, the topic that strikes terror into the hearts of Americans is the possibility of having to relinquish our things! Read more...
March
- Old Friendships, New Life
by Brandon Jubar
I'm a low-maintenance friend.
What I mean by that is if you call me once a year, I still consider us to be good buds. Heck, even once every two years keeps you on the list of active friendships. Much longer than that, however, and your name gets plunked into the "old friends" archive.
Notice that none of these scenarios relegates you to the status of "ex-friend". To be honest, I don't know that I've ever considered anyone a former friend. Once a friend, always a friend, is the way I operate! Read more...
February
- Last Minute Preparation
by Brandon Jubar
I'm sure that this will come as no surprise to you, but I'll tell you anyway: Valentine's Day is right around the corner!
I have to admit, though, every year I'm amazed at how many guys forget all about it until the very day. Then they scramble around during their lunch hour, searching for a decent card on the almost-empty racks of the neighborhood drugstore. Read more...
- Reach Out to Others
by Brandon Jubar
With the US economy still slumping and the national unemployment rate heading towards 8% or more, it's definitely time for Christians to do some hard thinking about what it is the Lord is calling us to do.
"And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' " (Matthew 25:40)
It's a Bible verse that we've all heard, but have we really listened to the words? Did we really get the message? And if you find yourself answering "yes", then the next question may be a bit more difficult: What have you actually done in response to that message? Read more...
January
- Inauguration Blues
by Brandon Jubar
So... did you watch the inauguration? Or better yet, were you actually in Washington to witness it first hand? From what I saw and heard, it was quite an event. Of course, I wasn't able to even watch it live because I was at work. In fact, I was at work in Juarez, Mexico, where my office is now located. (Wasn't it Ross Perot who said that "loud sucking sound" was the sound of American jobs being sucked across the border?) Read more...
- The Passing of a Great Man
by Brandon Jubar
I used to think that history honored all of the truly great women and men who had passed away, protecting their legacies for many generations to come. The things that they stood for, the ideals they upheld, the examples they set by the way they lived their lives... all of these important things need to be safeguarded and documented in the history books so that they are not lost through the passage of time. How else can our children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren learn the lessons of the past, taught by these great men and women who came before us?
That's what I used to think... Read more...
- Making the Year "New"
by Brandon Jubar
The New Year doesn't feel all that new.
Maybe it's just me, but did anything really change? I mean, the 8 changed to a 9, which doesn't faze me... my checks still say 20__. Other than that...?
I'm not a year older. That happens in March.
I'm not a year wiser. Hmmm. I'm not sure why not. Read more...
2008
December
- Healthier Holidays in 4 Simple Steps
by Brandon Jubar
God the Creator made everything in this universe. He made the land, the seas, the sky, and all living things... including you and me. When he made everything else, He said it was "good"; but after He made humans, He said it was "very good". With that in mind, it never ceases to amaze me that in the United States we do such a poor job of taking care of that which God said was "very good". Read more...
- To Bail Out or Not to Bail Out?
by Brandon Jubar
To bail out or not to bail out; that is the question:
Whether 'tis more logical in the mind to suffer
The job losses and closures of a struggling industry,
Or to throw taxpayer money at uncertain outcomes,
And by supporting help them.
Writing and publishing Catholic articles and editorials doesn't pay my bills, so I have a "day job" -- or "career", if you prefer -- that allows me to shelter, feed, and clothe my family. Unfortunately, that career has had me working in the auto industry for over 15 years. And even though I no longer work directly for the Big Three, I work for the world's largest auto components manufacturer, and the Big Three make up the majority of our business. Read more...
November
- Blustery Day
by Brandon Jubar
I'm not ready for winter. But judging by the drop in temperature and the incredibly high winds outside, nature doesn't seem to care what I think. I was attending a meeting in a second floor conference room that has an incredible view of a wooded area, when I suddenly realized that what was going on outside was much more interesting than what was happening inside. Read more...
- How Do YOU Fish?
by Brandon Jubar
"I think we need to share the Word of God, but I don't think we should stick our noses in other people's business."
It was a statement made by a friend of mine who was working on his Masters in Pastoral Studies, which made it shocking enough. The real kicker, though, is that he was also an Aspirant to the Diaconate.
You know... those ordained guys who are supposed to be Christ among the community. Read more...
October
- Going to Jail
by Brandon Jubar
My oldest son, Kaleb, is in Boy Scouts now, which is in and of itself a scary thing to me. Wasn't it just the other day that he was a Tiger Cub, finger-painting and gluing together those little Popsicle sticks? Watching my son become a Boy Scout and start his first year in Middle School was bad enough. Watching him go to jail? That was something even more frightening. Read more...
- Tomato Faith
by Brandon Jubar
I remember stopping by my brother's house one time and he showed me his mutant tomato plants. The things were enormous! They had quickly outgrown the little wire cages that everyone puts around them to hold them up. Instead, my brother had to use PVC pipe and metal rerod. The tallest plant appeared to top the 7-foot mark. Yikes!
The ironic thing was that those monstrous plants only produced a few moderately-sized tomatoes. Read more...
- Fat on the Brain
by Brandon Jubar
Have you watched TV lately? Or read a magazine? Or browsed the "best seller" shelves at a bookstore? If you have, then you must have noticed that we seem to have a national obsession with fat. Well, maybe it's more accurate to say that we have a national obsession with losing fat. On the surface, there's probably nothing wrong with shedding a few pounds (for most people). But generally speaking, this national obsession is not about fitness -- it's about wanting an easy way to reach an unrealistic goal. Read more...
September
- I'll Never Learn
by Brandon Jubar
Hi. My name's Brandon, and I'm a lurker on a Catholic email discussion list.
I wasn't always a lurker, hiding in the shadows, reading all the email but never putting in my $.02 worth. I used to be a happy participant, gladly sharing my thoughts and ideas on the many different topics being bandied about.
But then, one day, I was attacked. Read more...
- Strange Addiction
by Brandon Jubar
I can only speak from my own experience, but it is notoriously difficult to get on the calendars of departmental managers and directors. It seems that the higher up you go in the organization, the more demands there are for your time. I assume that's why the company only provides Blackberry devices to those folks in the upper echelons -- because they are the most in need of time-saving and efficiency-creating gadgets and gizmos. Read more...
August
- A Hug for Larry
by Brandon Jubar
(First published on August 15, 2004)
My son Kaleb and I got back from Cub scout camp last Sunday afternoon, and after unpacking (and unwinding) we were just sitting down to chow on some pizza when the phone rang. It was a good friend with bad news -- never a dinner-time favorite. Read more...
- Faith Stagnation?
by Brandon Jubar
I was talking to a high school student one time, trying to convince him to come to the high school religious ed class I was teaching on Sunday nights. "Just because you go to a Catholic school doesn't mean you know everything there is to know about our faith," I said to him.
"That's not it at all," he replied. "I never said I know everything. But my mom said I don't need any more religious ed now that I'm confirmed!" Read more...
- Olympic-Size Potential
by Brandon Jubar
Have you been watching the 2008 Summer Olympics during the past two weeks? It's actually something of a tradition that my wife and I began many years ago. We don't necessarily sit in front of the TV all night, every night -- but we have the Olympics tuned in whenever they're being broadcast. We can watch and cheer some events, while others we just sort of catch in glimpses. Read more...
July
- Driving Lessons
by Brandon Jubar
Slowly... slowly... now floor it!
Slam on the brakes (curse under breath). Check right lane in the mirror... then over the shoulder... one more glance at the car in front... now floor it!
(Repeat, ad nauseum.)
That's a typical scene from many people's daily commute. Tons and tons of freeway fun! Stop. Go. Stop fast. Go faster. It's a perpetual cycle of frenetic frustration, exacerbated by the fact that most people just don't get it. They can't see the forest for the trees (or the freeway for the cars, in this case). They don't see the patterns in the traffic; patterns that can be altered with just a little effort and a lot of patience. Read more...
- Lessons from Camp Holaka
by Brandon Jubar
It was a dark and stormy night...
Seriously. My oldest son Kaleb and I were at Cub Scout Camp one summer, which began on Thursday evening and ended around noon on Sunday. The campsites were rustic -- no electricity, though we did have water and a nasty latrine -- but there was a central mess hall, so they fed us well. Read more...
June
- Stupid Questions?
by Brandon Jubar
"Because I said so."
It's an answer that we've all heard at some point in our lives -- usually when we were younger -- and I would imagine that it was as dissatisfying to you as it was to me. The meaning of the answer is very clear. It means, "Just shut up and do what your told. I have the authority here and it doesn't really matter what you think!" Read more...
- Actions Speak Louder
by Brandon Jubar
I like to write. Not surprisingly, I like to talk as well. In fact, I enjoy sitting around conversing about almost anything. And if I don't already have an "opinion" about the topic at hand, I'll just play the devil's advocate in order to keep things lively. The fact is, I truly believe that good dialog is helpful, regardless of the topic.
Over the years, I've met many people who also like to talk. Unfortunately, some of them aren't really into "dialog". Judging by they're interaction with others, I'd have to say that they simply enjoy the sound of their own voices sharing ideas that must be unassailable because, well, the ideas are theirs. For them, talking has little to do with conversation; the main focus is pontification. Read more...
- Becoming "Dad"
by Brandon Jubar
For years now, there are a couple people who don't call me Brandon. They don't call me Mr. Jubar, either. In fact, these two little people have a name for me that no one else uses. They call me "daddy". Read more...
- What You Expect
by Brandon Jubar
Sometimes I forget how long I've worked in "Corporate America", but every once in a while something happens that reminds me. Just the other day, for instance, our team received a "talk" from one of our upper-level managers. It basically consisted of an admonition that we cannot all be on the road at the same time because someone has to be in the office to "watch the troops". Unfortunately, I've heard similar speeches from a number of other bosses over the years. And no matter how many times I hear it, I still believe it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Read more...
- Your Best Life Now (and Forever)
by Brandon Jubar
If you're a regular reader of LifeTimes, you've probably come to expect some fairly positive things from these editorials each week. Even when I'm griping about something, I'm still pretty good about at least putting a positive spin on it in the end. The Lord knows there are enough nay-sayers with negative attitudes in the world -- they certainly don't need me to join in!
Because of the way I write these commentaries each week, what you may not realize is that it's not always easy for me to keep my own attitude positive on a day-to-day, hour-by-hour basis. In fact, I often write what it is that I most need to hear. Let's face it -- it's not always easy to practice what you preach. Read more...
May
- The Greatest Gift
by Brandon Jubar
There are plenty of things that I can't do.
I can't run a mile in four minutes.
I can't fly an airplane.
I can't play the bass guitar.
And the list goes on and on.
But there is one thing I can never do yet I often wonder about. I imagine it is the most incredible experience anyone could ever have. And I know that it ends with the greatest gift anyone could ever give. Read more...
April
- Road Warrior, Too (Beyond Thunderdome?)
by Brandon Jubar
Two weeks ago I wrote an editorial about being a "road warrior" and I received a lot of email from readers who are in the same boat (or perhaps I should say "on the same plane"). I enjoy hearing from folks, especially when something I write truly strikes a chord with them; and I enjoy it even more when they share some of their own stories as well. Here is one example I received from a fellow "road warrior"... Read more...
- Super Heroes
by Brandon Jubar
I was watching the movie The Incredibles with my two sons a while ago and, like any little boy, I started thinking about how great it would be to have super powers. To be super-strong, ultra-stretchable, invisible, or incredibly fast -- imagine the good you could do in this world! Read more...
- Road Warrior
by Brandon Jubar
Unfortunately, I spend a lot of time on the road. Other than racking up over 35,000 frequent flier miles during the last 6 months, it’s often hard to come up with anything positive from my “road warrior” ways. It’s hard to stay healthy when you eat every meal in restaurants. A good night’s sleep is rare when you’re in a different bed every night or two. And it gets awfully lonely being away from your family for a week at a time.
Read more...
March
- Free Will
by Brandon Jubar
Have you seen the movie "Bruce Almighty"? Well, there is a part where Bruce (Jim Carrey) asks God (Morgan Freeman), "How do you make someone love you without affecting free will?"
"Welcome to my world," God replies. "If you come up with an answer to that one, you let me know." Read more...
- The Least of These
by Brandon Jubar
She came by my cube every day at around 5 to empty the trash. I was usually sitting right there, frantically trying to wrap up for the day so I could get home to my family. She would walk up quietly, carefully take the waste basket over to her trashcan on wheels, and dump it. With her eyes averted, she would come back just as quietly and put the waste basket back in its place. Read more...
- The Time to Pray
by Brandon Jubar
With all that's going on in the world, you'd think that I'd have lots of stuff to write about. Alas, that's not the case. I find myself tired, stressed, and just a little bit fearful. Not really optimal conditions for writing my usual thought-provoking commentary (toot! toot! -- that's me blowing my own horn).
Funny thing is, I've been able to really throw myself into my day job. The way I busted tail today, you'd think I was trying to get my mind off of something. Go figure. Read more...
February
- Look Deeper
by Brandon
Jubar
Every Catholic who attends mass at a Parish with an RCIA program will begin to see more of the catechumens as Easter approaches. Technically, they are called "the elect" following the celebration of the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent -- but that's not the point.
The point is that, for these wonderful folks, Lent is a time of critical evaluation, discernment, and conversion. And as part of that process of conversion, they will come under significant scrutiny as their baptism and confirmation into the Church draws near. Read more...
- Lenten Resolutions
by Brandon Jubar
"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward."
"But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
(Mark 6:16-18)
I've always thought that this reading was an ironic way to start Lent. Ash Wednesday -- the day we all receive a big black cross of ashes on our foreheads -- and the gospel tells us to hide the fact that we're praying and fasting. Read more...
- Customer Serviceby Brandon Jubar
The post-Christmas un-shopping season -- you know, the time when you return all the stuff that didn't work, fit, or otherwise measure up -- has finally come to an end. And since it's always good to reflect on something immediately after its conclusion, I thought perhaps we could learn a little from the wonderful world of retail!
Read more...
- There Will Be New Life
by Brandon Jubar
Follow the rules. Play fair. Don't break the law. Color inside the lines.
There are so many ways that we share this seemingly simple message: Do what's right and you'll be much better off than if you don't. When it comes to being Christian, this means trying to live our lives according to the teachings of Jesus -- according to the Gospel message. But the hard truth about this simple message is that being "much better off" doesn't necessarily come in this life. Read more...
January
- The Unclear Path
Prayer can be a frustrating thing, especially when we really want a clear answer.
It's been my experience that clarity usually comes after the fact. When I've been in the midst of a situation, it has almost always been confusing. Yet in hindsight, I see where the Lord was leading me and things just fall into place. (That's not ALWAYS the case, but more so than not.)
Regardless of whether or not I'm getting the answer (or type of answer) I want, I believe that prayer is a very, very powerful thing. And praying to the saints for intercession is powerful as well. Read more...
- Stories
by Brandon Jubar
Just about everyone loves a good story -- especially one that we can relate to. We are truly drawn into a story when it strikes a chord within us, connecting to us in some way.
Perhaps we've gone through something similar. Maybe the characters are ones that appeal to us, or remind us of people we know. (Or maybe they ARE people we know!) Read more...
- Learning vs. Knowing
by Brandon Jubar
"We learn from our mistakes."
It's a common cliché, and I'm sure we've all heard it -- and probably said it. But is it really true? Do we really learn from our mistakes?
It's been my experience that people THINK they've learned from their mistakes, which can be a dangerous thing -- because they haven't learned to do something other than that which caused them trouble in the first place. No, the lesson they learned is slightly different. Read more...
- Auld Lang Syne
by Brandon Jubar
Do you know all the words to "Auld Lang Syne"? And if so, do you know what they mean?
Apparently it was Guy Lombardo who began the tradition of using Auld Lang Syne to ring in the new year, but it's one of those traditions that's just... well... a habit. The Scottish folk song has become standard fare for year-end parties across the country (and around the world) -- yet nobody knows what it means. Read more...
2007
December
- Seasonal Perspective
by Brandon Jubar
"Jesus is the reason for the season."
I'm sure you've heard or seen that one before. There's nothing like a poetic little phrase to overcome the ultra-commercialism that surrounds the Christmas holiday. After all, we are a fast-food, quick-fix, sound-bite culture; so it stands to reason that a catchy little jingle reminiscent of an advertising slogan would do the trick.
(In case you missed it, that last paragraph was just dripping with sarcasm.) Read more...
- The Gift of Music
by Brandon Jubar
I'm not a regular listener of National Public Radio, but I happened to have it tuned-in one night while on my way home from work. It was actually a nice change of pace from the "all news" station and the "alternative" music station, which were my other favored choices.
NPR tends to report some things that are a bit off the beaten path. But even when they do tackle a big story, they seem more inclined to look at the positive aspects and don't usually sensationalize the doom and gloom. Read more...
- Giving Goodwill
by Brandon Jubar
I was going through some old papers the other night and I came across something I had written a few years ago. It was for our very first Cub Scout Pack Meeting when my oldest son was only in 1st grade.
I remember that I had planned a little reflection to do before we handed out achievement awards, and since the boys' families were there I tried to make it applicable to everyone. I ended up doing something much more simple -- with language that was a little more appropriate for first graders -- but I thought you might like to read the original not-ready-for-primetime version... Read more...
November
- Don't Be a "But-Head"
by Brandon
Jubar
Sometimes it's hard for me to say "thank you" to God. Not because I don't want to or don't know how to, but because I just don't think about it all that often.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "God, gimme this; God, gimme that" kind of guy. In fact, most of my prayers involve intentions for other people. When I'm praying that God will take care of so-and-so or will give me strength to do such-and-such, it usually involves helping the people around me. Read more...
- Spooky Logic
by Brandon Jubar
In many parts of the country, it's getting colder by the day. In fact, some places already have snow on the ground! Yikes. But today I'm not thinking about snow. In fact, I'm not thinking about weather at all. No, what I'm thinking about today is just a tad bit more controversial than that. Today I'm thinking about Halloween.
What? Halloween? Controversial? Get outta here! Read more...
- Politics and Religion
So... let's talk politics. Heck... let's talk religion, too!
I had a rather interesting conversation once with a few friends. Unfortunately, we got sidetracked from the original topic and never came to any sort of conclusion, but we debated long enough to get me thinking. Read more...
October
- Building the Kingdom
by Brandon Jubar
The Kingdom of God is a wolmanized deck!
Well, not really. But there certainly are an awful lot of similarities between the two. In fact, it's almost eerie...
I can remember when my wife and I were having a four seasons room -- known as a "Michigan Room" where we lived at the time -- built onto the back of our house. As part of that project, we had to have our existing deck moved to make way for the new room. The folks who are building the room actually set the new deck posts and beams, physically moved the deck, and then attached it to the new beams.
It took them about two-and-a-half minutes. Read more...
- Go Away!
I spend quite a bit of time surfing the Internet.
I spend even MORE time dealing with email!
Between my day job, my home-based business, and my personal life, I receive anywhere between 100 and 200 emails each day. Granted, spam is a good chunk of it, but I subscribe to several email discussion lists and close to 50 different eZines and email newsletters. Read more...
September
- A Chance to Say 'Yes'
by Brandon Jubar
It seems like everyone in the world knows about girl scout cookies. Even if you don't know anything else that girl scouts do, I'll bet you can tell me your favorite cookie! (Thin Mints for me, thank you very much.) Unfortunately for my sons, Kaleb and Tyler, what the cub scouts sell isn't anywhere near as ubiquitous as the product peddled by their female counterparts. And in case you didn't know, the product of choice for the Boy Scouts of America is popcorn. Read more...
- Now It's Our Turn
As September 11th passed this past week, my thoughts went to the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001. I remember where I was when the news started coming in. Even now, I can still see people huddled around certain cubicles where there were radios. And then the TV from the training room was rigged up to watch a local television station. People just stopped and stared as the footage of one of the Twin Towers collapsing was played over and over. Read more...
- This Little Light of Mine
by Brandon Jubar
My sons love music. And when Kaleb was 5 years old and his brother, Tyler, was almost 3, they loved a Veggie Tales CD that had a bunch of Sunday School Songs on it. Bob Tomato, Larry Cucumber and the gang were crankin' out renditions of "Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho", "The B-I-B-L-E", and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", among others. Read more...
- Hypocrites or Sinners?
by Brandon Jubar As strange as it may seem, I've been thinkin'. And what I've been thinking about is something that pops up frequently these days: hypocrisy
More specifically, I've been trying to discern just exactly where the line is. You know... the line you cross in order to be considered a hypocrite. (Don't laugh -- I'm serious here.) Read more...
August
- Freedom of Choice
by Brandon Jubar
To be or not to be?
Truth or dare?
Paper or plastic?
For most of us in the United States of America, life is full of choices. With hundreds of television stations and millions of web sites to choose from, it's amazing that we have time to eat and sleep!
Read more...
July
- Corrected Vision
by Brandon Jubar
I went to the eye doctor once, and it had been almost two years since my previous check-up. Amazingly, my prescription only increased by one "click" -- the least amount measurable by the big lens-flipping vision-checker thing. For someone whose eyes have gotten progressively worse for almost 20 years, that was fantastic! Read more...
- Beware the Opposites
by Brandon Jubar
This is going to be short.
Of course, the last time I started an email with that phrase, I cranked out about a hundred lines of text. It's as though, in trying to be brief, exactly the opposite occurs. I try to keep it short and sweet, but end up babbling on incessantly. Read more...
- 60 Second Conversion
I received an email from someone once and it went something like this:
"My conversion happened the minute I asked Jesus Christ into my heart and into my life. I asked HIM to forgive my sin, and re-store me, and I was a different person from then on. Yes, I do renew my commitment, but the traditional churches of my childhood, and other church experiences, did not underline my NEED to personally ASK Jesus to come in. That is the KEY...as Billy Graham well knows." Read more...
June
- Let Freedom Ring
by Brandon Jubar
Fire up the grill, crack open some cold beverages, get the fireworks ready... it's that time of year! It's time to celebrate the freedom that Americans hold so dear. It's time to commemorate that day in history when a bunch of brave people got together and declared their independence from foreign rule. It's almost the 4th of July! Read more...
- Two Tragedies
by Brandon Jubar
I remember reading a rather disturbing editorial once. It was a few years ago, but here's the gist of it:
Kevin Kelly and his wife were a good Irish Catholic family with 12 kids; and while his wife was away once, Kevin was in charge of the full dozen. After running errands one day, the family got home, piled out of the van, and went about their day. All except for 21-month old Frances, who was left in the van... for 7 hours.
Frances died. Read more...
- Honesty: A Rare Policy
by Brandon Jubar
Doesn't it seem like there's some new corporate scandal in the news every time you turn on your TV? In fact, it's gotten so bad that the President and Congress have all looked at ways to address the problem. Terrorism, US troops in harm's way on foreign soil, people fighting and dying around the world, and our highest elected government officials have to take the time to tell business professionals -- grown men and women -- that they should be honest and trustworthy. Read more...
- Responsibility and Accountability
Okay. I'll admit it. I don't just sit around pondering the meaning of the universe. I wish I had that much time to kill, but college was a long, long time ago.
However, once in a while things strike me a certain way, and I feel compelled to reflect upon them a bit. A good example is some of the "right and wrong" debates that are going on these days. While everyone is busy condemning everyone else, I'm left scratching my head, wondering if we're not putting the cart before the horse. Read more...
May
- Anonymity
by Brandon Jubar
Ministry and evangelization, like so many other activities these days, are being profoundly affected by the internet. Churches of all denominations are discovering that they can reach out to people wherever they are. And when you don't have to strictly rely on people coming to your location in order to minister to them, the possibilities grow exponentially.
Unfortunately, ministry on the internet has its negative factors as well. And one of the things that can be the most harmful -- and dangerous -- is the ability for people to remain anonymous. Read more...
- Eyes of Faith
Whether it's more bloodshed overseas, or students killing each other in our schools, the bad news just keeps on coming. And in our technologically advanced society, communicating the dour events is incredibly quick and extremely easy. It's almost like being there. Read more...
- Armchair Activists
Recently, I've been receiving junk email from some well-meaning people and it really has me concerned. Perhaps you've received the same thing. It's an email asking all Americans to boycott purchasing gas on May 15th. The email explains that this could take almost $3 billion out of the oil companies' pockets for just one day! Now that would send them a clear message that gas prices are way too high, right?
Wrong. Read more...
April
- I'm Leaving
by Brandon Jubar
I spend a great deal of time spreading the Good News and doing ministry, so it really upsets me when someone has a truly negative or hurtful experience with a priest (or higher clergy). What's even more upsetting to me is when that experience is so bad that it pushes the person to the point where she or he is ready to leave the parish -- or leave the Catholic Church altogether -- and little (or nothing) is done about it.
When people are hurt to that extent by their parish priest, I believe it's the responsibility of the parish community to step up and begin the healing process. We are called to be Christ for one another. We are called to take action and build the Kingdom. We are not called to criticize, judge, gossip, and blame. We are called to heal, not hurt. Read more...
- Emotional Refuse
by Brandon Jubar
I have a 45 mile commute to work each day, but I don't actually have to drive the whole way if I choose not to. Thanks to a "regional" bus route provided by the local Mass Transportation Authority, I can drive about six miles, park my car for free, and pay $3 to ride the bus to work and back. Read more...
- Good Intentions
by Brandon Jubar
I tend to be a pretty nice person. I'm not a pushover, I'm not gullible, and I'm not opposed to constructive confrontation... but I really can't find it in myself to simply be mean to people. As I look back over my life, I can only think of a few people that I've disliked, and there are only one or two of those that are in recent memory. There are plenty of people that I can't say that I like, but the way I feel about them is closer to ambivalence and not so negative as to be counted as disliking. And I don't think I've ever really hated anyone. Read more...
March
- Monday Meaning
Let's face it: most people are incredibly busy these days. Work, family, parish and community commitments have many of us stretched almost to the breaking point. Using my own life as an example, I commute 50 miles to the office, work long hours, teach high school religious ed, participate on our parish youth ministry team, take classes towards another Masters degree, volunteer as the Cub Master for my sons' Scout Pack, and write articles every week. In a good week, I'm teetering on the brink of burn-out. Read more...
- Finding Balance
by Brandon Jubar
It was a cold and windy day -- about 36 degrees, according to the thermometer -- but it was very sunny, nonetheless. My youngest son, Tyler, was itching to get outside and play. First he wanted to through the baseball around; then he wanted to ride the scooter; and then he decided to pedal his bike up and down the driveway.
At one point, he rode up to me and said, "Daddy, I want you to take me training wheels off. I think I can ride my bike now." Read more...
February
- Poverty Up Close
by Brandon Jubar
Okay, so I'm not exactly a "world traveler". I've been to Canada (because I live about an hour from the border), and I've been across our southern border into Mexico on a couple prior occasions (though not for very long). Other than that, I haven't spent any time at all outside of the United States. Read more...
- Realistic Changeby Brandon Jubar
I live in the country with the highest rate of obesity in the world. It is also the country that is the most obsessed about health, diet, and fitness. These two facts just make me shake my head in bemusement. It's as if we simply have to make a big deal out of everything (pun intended). Read more...
- Oh, No. Lent Already?
by Brandon Jubar
It's just a tad frustrating.
You know -- that whole "Lent" thing. Abstinence, fasting, fish on Fridays -- who thought of all this stuff, anyway? And am I really going to burn in hell if I forget and eat a burger or coney dog when I was supposed to have a fishwich? I mean, how much of an inconvenience is that? It doesn't make me feel holier. It makes me feel rebellious. In fact, it makes me want to head on over to Outback and scarf down a 22 oz. steak (medium rare). Read more...
- Stability in Change
Life seeks organization. Not mechanically or in a nice orderly fashion, the way a general contractor tackles construction of a building. Life seeks organization in a creative, out-of-the-box sort of way. It achieves order by trying new things and constantly changing, and perhaps that's where most of us start to struggle. Read more...
January
- Within Our Control
by Brandon Jubar
People leave parishes for many different reasons; some reasonably justified and some not so. For example, I understand how important a good homily is for most people. Breaking open the Word can be the single most memorable part of the mass -- whether good or bad -- so we tend to place a great deal of importance on it. What I don't understand is why people will leave a parish and join another because they like the homilies given by a certain priest. A parish is a community -- a family -- and I hope it would be judged by more than the 10 or 15 minute weekly homily. To me, that smacks of a cult of personality. Read more...
- Perspective Problems
by Brandon Jubar
Because of the things that I do for a number of different churches, I tend to have a somewhat unique perspective at times. On the one hand, I know much of the "behind the scenes" stuff that is going on -- the "politics", if you will. On the other hand, I am frequently in contact with the average people in the pews -- the ones who aren't really involved in the day-to-day business of the parish. I'm here to tell you that I never cease to be amazed by the general disconnect between what the "insiders" are worried about and what the majority of the parishioners actually know (and care) about.
Read more...
2006
December
- Choirs of Angels
by Brandon Jubar
In case I haven't mentioned it before, I can't say "no" to anyone. Regardless of the situation, if someone asks me to help out, I just can't walk away. One case in point is with the Cub Scout Pack at my sons' school. When they tried to start up a Pack a few years ago, no one would volunteer to be the Cubmaster... and without a Cubmaster, it's hard to have an actual Pack. So guess who stepped up and donned the khaki pants and tan shirt with the "Cubmaster" patch on the sleeve? Read more...
- Un-Happy Holidays
by Brandon Jubar
I'm sure some people will consider me insensitive, but I'm just not very politically correct this time of year. A week or so ago, I was doing a bunch of my Christmas shopping. Of course, there isn't a single store that has everything I was looking for, so I ended up visiting half a dozen different places before the day was done.
The bad thing about having to go to so many different stores is that I end up forgetting how much I bought elsewhere, so I end up spending way too much. The good thing about having to go to so many different stores is that I have many more opportunities to be politically incorrect! Read more...
- The Bright Side
by Brandon Jubar
We've all been told to do it, and we've all told others the same thing in return. When times are rough, it's the old stand-by line; the preface to some mind-stretching cognitive leap towards finding "good" where there seems to be none.
Go ahead. Say it with me:
"Look on the bright side..." Read more...
November
- Thankful Habits
by Brandon Jubar
It’s amazing what a different perspective you gain with the passage of time. For example, as I look back over my life, I can see not only how things have changed with my home life (getting married and raising a family) but also how those changes have impacted things like my career decisions and my values structure.
Read more...
- Give Thanks
by Brandon Jubar
I'll admit it... I spend a lot of my prayer time asking for things to get better.
I have, however, stopped praying for specific outcomes, because I learned long ago that God always seems to have better ideas than I do. Instead, I pray for things like a "good outcome", or a "positive resolution", or "successful results". (I leave it up to the Lord to decide what "good", "positive", and "successful" mean.) Read more...
|
Welcome to CatholicCommons!
FREE Membership
Become a member of CatholicCommons.com and gain access to all of our site features. Best of all, it's FREE to JOIN!Already a member?
Login Now...
Feeds...
Monthly Archives
Recent Entries
About CatholicCommons
CatholicCommons.com provides editorials, articles and reflections on all aspects of life, distributed weekly through LifeTimes Catholic eZine.
|
