What's Jewish And Catholic About Confession?

        In October 1973, prior to my conversion to Catholicism, at seventy-five years young, I chose a pen name (Lois Samuels) when writing "A Jewess Looks At The Confessional." I saw then and see now the confessional as a personal sanctuary in a computerized society, an individual confrontation with God, which offers man a unique relationship. In Hebrew, the Jewish-confessor's high priestly function was called Avodah (awesome task). Could we not apply this Hebrew definition to that of a current day Catholic confessor's function?

Sowing The Symbolism

           When setting the table, do not forget to include a place setting and empty chair for Elijah. We welcome his presence by sending an adult and child to open our front door and welcome our beloved Elijah's presence at our table. As to some of the ceremonial foods during the Seder's of my life as a Jew we made a "Seder-Sandwich;" take two pieces of matzo, place grated fresh horseradish (symbolizing the bitter in life) on the matzo, add charoses (a mixture of finely chopped apples, nuts, little wine, cinnamon, some also add honey-optional-*Symbolizes the sweet in life) on top of the horseradish. Complete the sandwich with the other piece of matzo. Go for it! 

Symbolism: 

The roasted shank bone represents the sacrificial lamb.    

The Karpas, either parsley, salad or lettuce, represents spring time, freshness.

The hard boiled egg symbolizes life and reverence for life.

Also, there is a little dish of salt water for each participant which reminds us of the years of tears- the enslaved Israelites. We dip our parsley as a cleansing of renewal and hope for rebirth, in reaching the Promised Land.

Finally, two of my favorite Rabbinic stories are the following,  During the Seder meal, we are told to drink four cups of wine, with a prayerful blessing for each. But an ancient Rabbinc story tells of God's instructions for us to dip our spoons into the wine and extract some of the wine-symbol of joy-because God reminds the Isrealites that the Egyptians are also His children and they are drowding, so we are to decrease the amount of our wine-the symbol of joy, ie. love thy enemy. When the Israelites finally reached the Promised Land they burst out into glorious song but God said, "Lower your voices, for the egyptians are also my children and they are dying." The rabbis conclude that Jewish music should hence forth be written in the minor key (which it often is today).

After the dinner we sing "Dayenu" (It would have been enough)

It would've been enough if God created the sun.

It would've been enough if God created the moon.

It would've been enough if God created man and woman.

The song continues to list God's gracious gifts to us  and concludes with our loving gratitude to God. 

Note: On my bathroom mirror "It is better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly."  Really going to apply to the above.

Science Enriches My Faith

My friend Ann- a prayerful church going Catholic was troubled,

     "I can't understand how God can be three yet one in the Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?" 

On the other hand, my friend Pat said that she can't understand the scientific revelation that, "Every single atom in your body—the calcium in your bones, the carbon in your genes, the iron in your blood, the gold in your filling—was created in a star billions of years ago" (The Star In You- Peter Tyson The Star In You).

    "Can you believe?"

What do we do and to whom do we turn when the mysteries of faith challenge us with "Do you believe?"

Saints To The Rescue- 

I turn to the churches galaxy of shining saints like, Saint Augustine, Ignatius of Loyola, and Saint Patrick of Ireland. I love their kaleidoscopic imagery.

    

 "The Holy Trinity is like music- three notes but one harmony."

    

   "The Holy Trinity is like water: gas-ice-or liquid; three forms but one substance."

     

"The Holy Trinity is a like a three
leaf clover with one stem."





 However, in our personal experience we also realize that we play many roles. In my case, mother-wife-sister- yet I am Ruth to all three. Does the same situation not apply to you dear reader because of your various roles, whether they be three or thirty, we are nevertheless all identified by our one legal name. Does the above examples help put you more in the mindset, "I believe, Lord, help thou mine unbelief"?

 ---I am awed by the mystery of the magnitude of God-the Creator of the universe---I scubaed my thoughts of life under the sea; that watery world that liquifies our imagination. I elevate my doubts toward the radiance of the stars that illuminate my fears. I am reminded that the atoms in my physical body are scientifically proven to be the same substance as atoms of the stars. Now I ask you, who but our Trinitarian God-could create such unimaginable beauty?



A comet of gratitude to you Holy Spirit-for the thrilling imagery that provided a banquet of spiritual fruits for my journey to re-birth.

      

Peace Hinges On Dialogue, Pope Tells Young People

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 1, 2004 (Zenit.org), - John Paul ll is certain that "peace will conquer if we dialogue,"and he shared that conviction with some 10,000 members of the Turin-based Youth Missionary Service.

He also warned of the spread of violence and consumerist mentality. He repeated the phrase, "Peace will conquer if we dialogue" and emphasized the close relation there is between "respect for others, dialogue and peace." 

"In our time, characterized by an intense network of exchanges between different cultures and religions, it is necessary to promote and make easier the acceptance of and reciprocal understanding between individuals and nations,"the Holy Father said.

"To teach peace is an ever timely commitment, an imperative of our time, we must reaffirm with vigor that peace is possible, therefore, if it is possible it is also a duty."

Then John Paul ll told his audience: "Thank you for the hope you represent for the Church and the world!"

Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, spoke about the various types of dialogue, including dialogue between religions, and between belivers and nonbelievers.

"Let us hear and communicate the ardent longing for peace in hearts,"Lubich said.

Vatican Secretary of Sate Cardinal Angelo Sodano reminded his listeners that "the Gospel of Christ is a Gospel of peace. It is necessary, therefore, to create that civilization of love which calls for the contribution of every Christian."

"It is true that is is not enough to proclaim peace with words; it is also necessary to carry out deeds of peace in the family, in school, at work, and in civil society," the cardinal said.

Of all the beloved saints I pray to, I have chosen a picture of blessed "Saint John Paul ll" accompanying that of Jesus near the headboard of my bed.

Our Other Children

Published Articles in the Sign Magazine

The Sign Magazine:


Volume 47             January 1968                      #6
Christian-Jewish Dialogue, A Poem by Ruth Goldboss

Volume 47             April 1968                          #9
The Dialogue Of The Wafer, A Poem by Ruth Goldboss

Volume 49             January 1970                      #6
A Touch Of Heavenly Dialogue, by Ruth Goldboss

Volume 49              March 1970                      #8
Male Madonna for Biafra, by Ruth Goldboss

Volume 50               September 1970               #2
Brother Bruno's Oasis, by Ruth Goldboss

Volume 50               October 1970                   #3
A Jewess And The Crucifx, A Poem by Ruth Goldboss

Volume 51               March 1972                      #8
Gertrude Is A Sturdy Woman, by Ruth Goldboss

Volume 51                July-August 1972            #12
They Call Him "Our Rabbi"by Ruth Goldboss And Raeann Berman

Volume 52                March 1973                     #6
Conversation With A Total Human, by Ruth Goldboss

Volume 53        December 1973/January 1974     #4
They Hear The Cries Of The Poor, by Ruth Goldboss

1974
Peace On Earth: Who Knows How To Get There? by Ruth Goldboss

October 1973
"A Jewess Looks At The Confessional" Pen-name: Lois Samuels

To check out any of these articles visit: The Sign Magazine

Our Tactile Treasures

I was too tired to multitask. So I assigned my fingers to hold non-related items. Suddenly, the light! My hands were a tactile treasure.

Our fingers are keys to the locks of our very existence. From day one, as we slid out of the birth canal, we were reaching for the source of life-giving milk. Our mother, with outstretched arms and loving hands, drew us to her nourishing breath.

In time, we learned how to feed, dress, play and create, with our ever-ready hands. We became basket weavers, blackboard teachers, inquisitive creatures, always reaching. But when, in writing my gratitude list did I ever thank God for the miracle of my hands? For without them, what could I do?

 Artificial extremities can be a marvelous remedy, but nothing takes the place of blood-warmed, loving hands.

Think of the hand-crafted arts: kneading bread,  painting, writing, and strumming musical instruments. No computers, just ink and pen. The calligraphy of divine inspiration.

Fast-forward. We love to garden, bury the acorn that becomes a giant oak. We love to weed the weeds and plant the seeds that garden our earth; that feed us with fruits that delight our palette. And create hot fudge sundaes that disaster our weight.

At seventy-five, I converted to Catholicism. I learned of sins of commission, but slid over sins of omission. It was one busy, bathroom-cleaning morning that I suddenly realized I had never thanked God for my hands.

Many years later, in 1992, two policemen rang our front doorbell. They told me my son had been killed in an automobile accident. My hands resisted opening the door, but when I did I realized that I had to call our Rabbi to come immediately. After weeping and calling out- "Oh my God! Oh my God!" I implored the policeman to hold my hand as we ran for the telephone.

The days and nights following the funeral were filled with family, friends, neighbors, and school acquaintances. They would often cup my face with their hands. Their hands reached to hug me. They came with full hands--bearing food, flowers, and love. My hands learned to cup the tearful faces of others who have lost loved ones. My hands have learned to reach for the frozen hands of others--frozen with fear, with loneliness, rigid with lack of hope.

Currently, I visualize the prayerful hands of Jews, as they unscroll the Torah, and read with a pointer in hand, the sacred text.

Catholics receive the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus, on tongue or hand.

Muslims, with steadying hand, draw their prayerful bodies to the ground.

It should not have taken me 88 years to become aware of the miracle of my hands. They are indeed a tactile treasure. And when fingertips are inked and pressed, voila--our fingerprints! It still blows me away to accept the fact that our fingertips are never duplicated. They contribute to our total uniqueness as individuals. But why would it be otherwise, when we are made in the image of God? 

Talking to My Chin

Having heard that is is not a bad idea to dialogue with different parts of your body, I chose my chin.

I thought my jaw might lead the way to some clarification. The problem was, two confused hairs. They were sprouting on my face! They were not very visible but tangible. They angled into my mouth when trying to chew an apple.

The hairs were long, thin, and disgusting. Felt like I was rusting away. As I was nearing my eighty-third. Here were hairs to add to the configuration.

So I took matters to face, chin to be exact and informed that "pedunkle"to set the database straight. I insisted that women's hair is meant to luxuriate on the head- not chin. This is not a feminist race to match the prowess of men's hairiness. I maintain that women's hair should grow where it belongs. Heads up material it comes in multi colors, shining glory. Frame or sparkling eyes.

So I said to my chin, "Tell those hairs where to grow. Don't equivocate. Say no to misplaced attempts to be different. Grow where you know you are welcome--- on my head not on my chin."

Smilingly,

Ruth

Help For the Visually Impaired or Blind

Dear Readers,

 It is because of  my positive experiences that I offer help for those struggling with low vision or blindness.

My first experience with the organization titled "SECOND SENSE: Beyond Vision Loss," took place many years ago when I read to the blind. At that time the organization was titled "The Catholic Guild for the Blind." Recently they have joined "Second Sense" and the following is a glimpse of why I recommend them. Their services are free of charge. They offer at their office in Chicago: Support groups, daily living class, cooking, dining, crafts, handwriting, and telephone counseling. There is no charge for their services and they also give presentations to various community centers, recreation centers, suburban libraries, and in the heart of Chicago. To contact them:
 Phone: 312-326-8569
Website: www.second/sense.org
Follow "Second Sense" on Facebook and Twitter
Second Sense Office and Consumer Product Center: Hours: Mon-Fri. 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM

Do find out about their Braille transcriptions and all other aids to those with low vision.


My second recommendation is a quarterly magazine, published in Salem, Oregon. The magazine titled "Dialogue" is published by Blindskills, Inc.
Phone: 800-860-4224
Address: Dialogue PO Box 5181 Salem, OR 97304-0181
E-mail: info@blindskills.com
Website: www.blindskills.com

Subscription $20 for e-mail, and $35 for all other formats. A sample issue is available, free of charge.

In addition to marvelously inspiring articles, by writers with low vision or the blind, there are four pages titled "What's New and Where to Get It;" critiques of the various products and devices for the visually impaired.  These are marvelous descriptions of the aid of several publications and organizations that help blind children, as well as people of all ages. For example, G.W Micro is marketing "Read Easy Move." A portable device that scans and verbalizes print documents in a single operation. There is much more to learn by examining these detailed descriptions of products and services.

One example of a religious sponsored project for the blind is the Lutheran Blind Missions in Jacksonville, Florida:
Phone: 888-215-2455

With prayerful, good wishes,

Ruth

Weeping Together Towards Healing

 A priest once said, "Love thy enemies is one on the most impossible commandments imaginable...only with the grace of God can we do that."

Years ago, one morning after Mass, I noticed a woman sitting bowed in sorrow. I decided to approach her. I told her that I felt she was experiencing pain, and that I would pray for her. Her gratitude was immediate. In time I learned that Gertrude was a cancer survivor. She was also of German birth. She expressed a deep love of and trust in Jesus. She referred to the scriptural promise that the pain of this life is as nothing compared with the joy in store for us in heaven.

The following week, I was very troubled. Gertrude took my hand and prayed for me. We sat together and shared stories of our lives. I told Gertrude that I was a convert to Catholicism from Judaism. We prayed together, then with tearful confession, I admitted that I could hardly speak with a German since the Hitler Holocaust. In tears, Gertrude spoke of fearing to approach Jews; fearing that they would hate her, though neither she nor her family had participated in the Nazi horror.

We sat holding hands, weeping together -Creating a bridge of healing - A healing of heart; of hope.

As I drove home, I dreamed of a time when the people of Bosnia, Ireland, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, victims and victimizers, could sit, hold hands, and weep together.

Perhaps then we could all begin to be cleansed of guilt and lack of forgiveness. Perhaps then we could finally promise each other- "never again."

Today as I reflect upon that meeting I go to our blessed Mother Mary and ask her, "Was Gertrude in my meetings by chance?" ---Is any significant meeting not arranged by the Holy Spirit? ---

Help For Posting Comments On My Blog

Dear Readers,

It has come to my attention that some of you have experienced problems posting comments on my blog. My sweet librarian looked up the information for posting comments and here is what she found:

To comment on a blog post you will see a box at the end of the post where  you may type your comment. When you have finished your comment, click on Publish.
You will see a preview of your comment. Before you can post your comment, you must prove you are "not a robot" by typing in the characters as indicated. Then click Publish again. It should publish your comment to my blog.

However, if you have a Google account it may ask you to sign into your Google account first, so the comment will show your name instead of "Anonymous."

Please comment away!

Peace-
Ruth

Christian and Jew: We Need Each Other