Peace On Earth . . .

. . . and goodwill to all men. Of course in gender conscious America, we must add women--goodwill to men and women. Okay. The focus should be on the peace. Christmas 2009 has been the best Christmas for me since childhood. So what happened? Peace. The main element in the angels’ proclamation of the Christ-child. After many years of disillusionment with the commercialization of this most sacred observance, I am feted with the true Spirit of the season. 

It has been a most awesome day; unplanned and truly a gift. No shopping, no tree, no artificial stimulation. As I said my prayers before bed--well past midnight, the Mass at St. Peter's in Rome was being broadcast. The three of us had a prayer around noon today. I read 1 John 4 and 5, and then meditated for a while.  Peace on earth. No January credit card bills. No melancholy while taking down decorations.  Peace on earth and I wish goodwill to all men--and women. 

May the Spirit of Christmas be with all men--and women--throughout the year. I believe Jesus want it that way. 

Happy New Year!

Is Michael Jackson Really Dead?

I'm just going to put the question out there. Is Michael Jackson really dead? I am watching the Larry King Show with the four remaining members of the original Jackson 5 singing quintet. One of the show's revelations was the announcement of the Jackson Family Dynasty Reality Show.  King showed a segment of the show where Jermaine breaks down as he explain the emotions he felt when he stayed with Motown. A move that saw the separation of the formidable group.

If you saw the show, you should have been struck by the giddiness of these grown men, self acknowledged (with the exception of Jackie) grandfathers. At no time do any of them break down when talking about Michael. With respect to the family, I really hope I am right. I hope Michael is somewhere living in peace. The brothers were unnaturally happy. Maybe Joe wasn't off his rocker when he said, Michael is going to be worth more dead than alive.

In another time and place the thought of a wag the dog scenario would be labeled totally ludicrous, but this is America, land of the Missourians. Where money walks, talks, makes, and breaks the rules.

If Michael is live, it is quite all right by me.  Sometimes you just need to chill before saying goodnight.

And that it is okay.

Don't Do It . . .

By now everyone with a desire to do so, has taken a whack at Tiger. Why do we gloat so when (the smallest expression of our joy) when the mighty falls? We secretly envy and are jealous of those individuals who find that gift that 'maketh rich’. You know that God-given talent that causes the rest of us to interrupt our pursuit of our God-given talent to ooh and aw the Beyounces, Tigers, and Lebrons of the world.

So when a chink in their otherwise, heretofore, seamless persona manifests, we gloat. Riveted by the latest breaking news story, we are entertained by the wit of the late-night talk show hosts, and the matter-of-fact disclosures of the morning shows. In the interim, we hold our own court of public opinion. All the while secretly saying to ourselves, "Self, good for him; I am sure he deserves what he gets." 

Here is my advise to one and all, don't do it. There is that little gossip demon that neither sleeps nor slumbers. Resist the temptation to hurl insults (it is just as insulting if you are laughing). If this advice is too late, then you have to repent. I did. Sure, I am as prone to falling from grace as any mere mortal, but I have a healthy respect for the Ultimate Authority. You see, when you know better, better is required of you. And I know better. Most importantly the UA knows I know better. So I had to repent, and promised to take the high road. There is a lesson that I learned along the way: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. And the b-side to that lesson is judge no thing before its time. Translated it means, God is not finished with any of us yet. So if you do not want to be found in that unenviable position of accusing something (someone) God plans to bless, then it is best you sit on it, cross your legs, zip it, and find something to distract you. You know there is a cousin to the aforementioned truism, "judge not and be not judged."

Hey I know its tough. Mr. Woods' actions over the years certainly have not endeared him to the Black community with him relegating his Afri-centric bloodline to the bottom of the totem pole. I have seen the alleged not fit for prime-time photos. Were they pics of the Misses or a close look-alike? I don't know. But so what? We are all responsible for our own actions. I have decided to do the right thing, which is to pray for this family. If we indeed are our brother's keeper and we see a brother in distress, it is our responsibility to throw him a life jacket. I would want someone to throw me one, wouldn’t you?

Merry Christmas!

Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men and women (the rich as well as the poor).