A NOVEMBER CORNUCOPIA OF FOOD FOR THOUGHT APPETEASERS

      Today's food for thought prompts us to think of what we have for too often we don't realize it until we lose it. The first was submitted by e-mail by EJB and deals with the fact we should be thankful for each and everyday and for God's special gift to you: You! The second treats our greatest commodity we have in our journey of faith in Jesus' Holy Church - His priests. Submitted by the Catholic Dispatch via e-mail, it shines a light on the tendencies of our fallen human nature to think the worst of people and gives us pause to think before judging others, especially the few consecrated priests we still have. The fact we still have them should give us great cause for thanksgiving and to pray for more and to to fight such uncharitable tendencies in our own life.

Being thankful!

      Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

      Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

      Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

      Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

      Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

      Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

      Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

      I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

      Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel fortunate because I have shelter for my mind, body and soul.

      Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

      What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have.

The Priest is never right in our eyes, but God is the judge, not us!

If he is happy.........he is a nuisance.
If he is austere......... he is bad tempered.

If he is handsome......... why didn't he marry.
If he is ugly ......... nobody loved him.

If he is fat ......... he eats too much.
If he is thin......... he is stingy.

If he is tall......... he looks down on people.
If he is short......... he looks like an altar boy.

If he owns a car......... he likes material things.
If he walks......... he is old-fashioned.

If he visits the faithful......... he meddles in other people's business.
If he stays in the rectory......... he is an introvert.

By being loyal to the Pope......... he is considered a conservative.
By being loyal to his bishop......... he is considered a liberal.

If he preaches long sermons......... he is boring.
If he preaches short sermons......... he doesn't want to get tired.

If he speaks normally......... you can't understand what he says.
If he raises his voice......... he screams.

If he asks for donations......... he is greedy.
If he doesn't ask for donations......... his bank account should be checked.

If he fixes up the chapel......... he doesn't care about peoples money.
If he doesn't fix up the chapel......... he doesn't care about the chapel.

If he is young......... he lacks experience.
If he is old......... he should retire.
If he is in between......... he is in a critical age.

Do as he may......... or even if he does nothing, *he will never be right* !
But if he leaves......... who will take his place ?

Pray for him , help him, and give great thanks to God for him!