Posts
Monday Night at the Movies
πΈ January 2026 –
Conscience & Vocation
- Jan 5
– Shadowlands (1994)
- Jan 12
– Three Godfathers (1948)
- Jan 19
– I Confess (1953)
- Jan 26
– The Wrong Man (1956)
π Jan 5 — Shadowlands (1994)
C. S. Lewis, Joy Davidman, love, suffering, and the mystery of God’s nearness
Sources: Plot and thematic details from Roger Ebert’s review, Synopsis & Reviews summary, and Wikipedia’s film overview.
1. Summary
Shadowlands tells the true story of C. S. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins), the Oxford don, Christian apologist, and author of The Chronicles of Narnia, and his unexpected, late-in-life love for Joy Davidman (Debra Winger), a Jewish-American poet and intellectual.
Lewis begins the film as a brilliant but emotionally insulated bachelor—lecturing on suffering, writing confidently about God’s purposes, and living a predictable life with his brother Warnie. His world changes when Joy, after years of correspondence, visits England with her son Douglas. Her wit, honesty, and emotional directness disrupt Lewis’s carefully ordered life.
Their friendship deepens into love, first through a civil marriage of convenience to allow her to stay in England, and later through a real sacramental union when Joy is diagnosed with terminal cancer. As she suffers, Lewis’s tidy theological explanations collapse. He must confront the rawness of grief, the cost of love, and the mystery of a God who does not shield us from pain but meets us within it.
The film ends with Lewis caring for Douglas after Joy’s death, finally understanding that love and suffering are inseparable—and that joy, once received, is never truly lost.
2. Catholic Lessons
A. Love Makes Us Vulnerable—and That Is Holy
Lewis begins the story armored by intellect. Joy’s presence cracks that armor.
Lesson: The Christian life is not about avoiding pain but receiving love as gift, even when it wounds.
B. Suffering Is Not a Theory
Lewis’s tidy lectures on pain collapse when Joy becomes ill.
Lesson: Catholic tradition insists that suffering is not explained—it is accompanied. Christ does not give an answer; He gives Himself.
C. Marriage as Covenant, Not Convenience
Their civil marriage is practical; their later sacramental marriage is profound.
Lesson: True marriage is a vow made in the shadow of the Cross, not the glow of comfort.
D. Grief as a School of Holiness
Lewis learns that grief is not the opposite of faith but its proving ground.
Lesson: “Blessed are those who mourn” is not sentiment—it is a promise of divine nearness.
E. The Communion of Saints in Daily Life
Joy’s influence remains after her death—shaping Lewis, comforting Douglas.
Lesson: Love does not end; it changes form. The saints remain present through the love they gave.
3. Drink or Meal Pairing (Hospitality Arc)
This film is contemplative, winter-lit, and emotionally weighty. The pairing should feel like warmth in a cold Oxford room—simple, honest, comforting.
π· Drink: “The Oxford Hearth”
A warm, reflective drink for a film about love and loss.
- 4 oz red wine
- 1 oz brandy
- 1 tsp honey
- Warm gently (do not boil)
- Serve in a small mug
It’s quiet, steady, and consoling—like Lewis reading by the fire.
π² Meal: A Winter Supper for Two
Something Joy might have cooked in a small English kitchen:
- Roast chicken with herbs
- Mashed potatoes or buttered root vegetables
- Stewed apples with cinnamon
- Crusty bread for the table
This is the kind of meal that embodies presence—nothing fancy, everything sincere.
Christopher’s Corner last chance to see the Rockets
· November 8-January 5 The Rockettes Christmas
o Let’s go girls! Those sky-high kicks, those naughty smiles -- oh, it certainly wouldn’t be a notoriously fun November without the Rockettes. During the holiday season, the legendary dance company kicks it into high gear with five shows a day, seven days a week. See the grand show unfold in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, presented at Radio City Music Hall.
· Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t forget the internet.
· Try: Alinea
· Bucket List trip: Mauritius
· Spirit Hour: Gifts of the Magi
· Plan winter fun:
- Soak in hot springs
- Hit the snow slopes
- Ride a snowmobile
- Go for a dog sled ride
- Ride a hot air balloon
π―️ Bucket List Trip [3] – Part 11: USA 70‑Degree Year Journey
Dates: January 5–12, 2026
Theme: Gulf Coast Epiphany Light
Route: Ponce → San Juan → Tampa → Clearwater → St. Petersburg
Style: Coastal pilgrimage, Epiphany octave, gentle winter warmth
Climate Alignment: Daily highs 70–73°F
π° Estimated Cost Overview
Category | Estimated Cost |
Lodging (7 nights) | ~$780 (mid‑range hotels) |
Food (daily meals) | ~$260 |
Transit (flight + rental car) | ~$210 (SJU → TPA + compact rental) |
Symbolic extras | ~$80 |
Total Estimate | ~$1,330 |
π️ Lodging Options
· Clearwater Beach: Opal Sands Resort, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
· St. Petersburg: The Avalon, Hollander Hotel
π Day 1 – Monday, January 5
Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Tampa
Symbol: Epiphany Dawn
Ritual Prompt: “Let the Light rise in the heart.”
Evening Mass in the historic downtown church.
π₯ Foodie Stop: Columbia CafΓ© at the Tampa Riverwalk (~$25)
π΄ Day 2 – Tuesday, January 6 (Epiphany Day)
Location: Clearwater Beach
Symbol: Shore of Revelation
Ritual Prompt: “Christ is made manifest—walk in His light.”
Sunrise beach walk + Epiphany water blessing.
π² Foodie Stop: Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill (~$30)
π
Day 3 – Wednesday, January 7
Location: Sand Key Park
Symbol: Quiet Illumination
Ritual Prompt: “Light grows in silence.”
Coastal hike + journaling.
π₯ Foodie Stop: Backwater’s on Sand Key (~$25)
π¨ Day 4 – Thursday, January 8
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
Symbol: Beauty as Revelation
Ritual Prompt: “Let beauty teach the soul.”
Reflect on sacred themes in art.
π· Foodie Stop: Stillwaters Tavern (~$35)
π Day 5 – Friday, January 9
Location: Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle
Symbol: Apostolic Light
Ritual Prompt: “Stand where the apostles stand.”
Daily Mass + candle lighting.
π§Ί Foodie Stop: Bodega on Central (~$15)
πΏ Day 6 – Saturday, January 10
Location: Weedon Island Preserve
Symbol: Hidden Paths
Ritual Prompt: “Walk the path God reveals.”
Boardwalk hike through mangroves.
π½️ Foodie Stop: Noble Crust (~$30)
π Day 7 – Sunday, January 11 (Epiphany Octave)
Location: Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, Safety Harbor
Symbol: Light for the Nations
Ritual Prompt: “Carry Epiphany into the world.”
Sunday Mass + blog reflection: “Carrying the Star Forward.”
π· Foodie Stop: Island Way Grill (~$40)
✨ This leg extends the Epiphany glow across the Gulf Coast—sunrise rituals, cathedral light, coastal silence, and the gentle 70‑degree warmth that anchors your yearlong pilgrimage rhythm.
JANUARY 5 Monday-St. John
Neumann
Twelfth Night Evening
Prior To Epiphany
Psalm 2, verse 11
Serve the LORD with FEAR; exult with trembling,
accept correction lest he become angry and you perish along the way when his
anger suddenly blazes up. Blessed are all who take refuge in him!
To fully understand this verse, we must know who the writer is referring to. In
verse 10 the writer states “Now
therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord
with fear. Our God is a just God and
to those who have been given much; much is required. Kings (and the 1
percent’ers) to be wise must humble themselves. It is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of the needle then for a rich man to get into heaven. The "Eye of the Needle" has been claimed to be a gate in
Jerusalem, which opened after the main gate was closed at night. A camel could
only pass through this smaller gate if it was stooped and had its baggage
removed.[1]
I also with this verse picture Mary Magdalene.
Mary who by many accounts was a very rich woman financed our Lord’s ministry.
We see in this verse the shadowing of her kissing of His feet and at the same
time the hardening of Judas’ heart: who on seeing her act of love and wanting
riches refused to humble himself and died in his pride.
Does Christ desire us to serve
with Fear and trembling?
I
noticed the other day that my two dogs when I come in are so excited about
seeing me that they tremble with excitement. I think our God wants our hearts
and our desires. I think we should have the humble fear that a loved child has
for his or her parents, full of love and respect and that we should be excited
too. So, let us approach each day with the kind of excitement that makes us
tremble ready to do the will of God.
Copilot’s Take
Psalm 2 opens a paradox woven through all of
Scripture: fear that is not terror but reverence; trembling that is not dread
but awe; correction that is not humiliation but the path to life. The psalmist
addresses kings—those who imagine themselves secure, self‑sufficient,
untouchable. The warning is not cruelty but mercy, a reminder that the only
safe place for any human heart, whether crowned or common, is humility before
God.
Mary Magdalene embodies this “fear and
trembling” of love—kneeling, weeping, offering what she has, unashamed to be
small before the One who is infinitely greater. Judas, by contrast, reveals the
refusal of correction. Unable to bear littleness, he clings to his own
judgment, his own plan, his own purse. One heart trembles with devotion; the
other hardens with pride.
Even the image of creatures trembling with joy
mirrors Scripture’s own witness. Throughout the Bible, bodies react to the
presence of the Holy: Moses hides his face, Isaiah cries out, Peter falls to
his knees, John collapses as though dead. Awe is never merely an idea; it is an
embodied response to God. When love is real, it shakes a person to the core.
Christ desires this kind of holy fear—a wonder
that awakens the soul, a trembling born of longing, a reverence rooted in love.
Not the fear of a slave before a tyrant, but the fear of a child who knows the
Father is both tender and mighty. To serve the Lord with fear is to serve Him
with a heart alert, humbled, and eager—ready to drop every burden, stoop low,
and pass through the narrow gate into life.
St. John Neumann & Twelfth Night: A Bridge to Epiphany
As Twelfth Night settles and the vigil of
Epiphany begins, St. John Neumann stands as a living commentary on Psalm 2. He
was not a king, nor a member of the wealthy elite; he was a small, quiet,
bookish immigrant priest who trembled—not in fear of failure, but in awe of the
mission God placed before him.
He served the Lord with fear by refusing to
trust in his own strength.
He served with trembling by embracing tasks far larger than himself.
He accepted correction by letting God redirect his life again and again.
Neumann crossed an ocean with no promise of
ordination. He walked miles through snow to bring the sacraments to scattered
Catholic families. He built schools not because he had resources, but because
he had faith. His trembling was the trembling of love an eagerness to give
everything to the One who had given him everything.
And this is the heart of Epiphany.
The Magi trembled as they approached the Child.
Herod trembled for a very different reason.
One fear leads to worship; the other leads to destruction.
Epiphany reveals the dividing line:
Those who humble themselves find refuge. Those who cling to power perish
along the way.
St. John Neumann chose the way of the
Magi—humble, generous, obedient, joyful. His life teaches us that the safest
place to stand is always beneath the light of Christ, even when that light
exposes our smallness.
So on this Twelfth Night, as the Christmas
season reaches its luminous threshold, we pray for the grace to tremble like
lovers, not like fugitives; like children running to the Father, not rulers
clutching their crowns. May we enter Epiphany with the same eagerness Neumann
carried into every schoolhouse, every parish, every snowy road: a heart ready
to serve, ready to kneel, ready to adore.
The Twelfth Night[2]
But
what exactly are the Twelve Days of Christmas? They are
the days between Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany that constitute an
unbroken period of joy and celebration. Epiphany is considered the twelfth day
of Christmas (in fact it is sometimes called "Twelfth Day") while the
Eve of Epiphany is called "Twelfth Night." Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth
Night," takes its name from the Vigil because during this
period festivals (such as the Feast of Fools or the Feast
of the Ass) used to be held in which everything was turned upside-down
-- a little like the reversed identities of the characters in the play. These
"preposterous" observances, incidentally, were a joyful mimicry of
the inversion of almighty God becoming a lowly man, of the King
appearing as a humble infant.
The
twelve nights of Christmas were primarily a time of rest from unnecessary labor
and joyful prayer. On each
of these nights the Christmas
tree lights and the Christmas
candle would be lit, while the family would gather around the manger to
recite prayers and sing carols and hymns. Similar services are held in some
churches during these nights as well.
Twelfth day of Christmas is represented by
the Twelve Drummers drumming in the song which of course represents the twelve
points of the Apostles Creed. It is interesting to note that these 12
points are indeed pointing to the abode of God and that our Lord is the gate of
heaven.
1.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator
of heaven and earth.
2.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our
Lord.
3.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy
Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried.
5.
He descended into hell. On the third day he
rose again.
6.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the
right hand of God the Father Almighty.
7.
He will come again to judge the living and the
dead.
8.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9.
the holy catholic Church, the communion of
saints,
10.
the forgiveness of sins,
11.
the resurrection of the body,
12.
and life everlasting.
Additionally, the 12th Station of
the Cross Jesus dies. Today would be a good day to do the Eucharistic Stations
of the Cross.
Activities
for the Twelfth Day of Christmas[3]
At
the time of St. John Neumann's episcopate there was a strong anti-Catholic
sentiment in Philadelphia and having had two churches burned and another
barely saved, priests were advising the Bishop, not to proceed with
introducing the 40 Hours of continual adoration of Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament, believing it would somehow increase the hostility already directed
against the Church. The Bishop had a decision to make and then something
happened to make up his mind to proceed with the devotion of the 40 Hours of
Adoration:
One night, he was working very late at his desk and fell asleep in
his chair. The candle on the desk burnt down and charred some of the papers,
but they were still readable. He awoke, surprised and thankful that a fire had
not ignited. He fell on his knees to give thanks to God for protection, and
heard His voice saying, "As the flames are burning here without consuming
or injuring the writing, so shall I pour out my grace in the Blessed Sacrament
without prejudice to My honor. Fear no profanation, therefore; hesitate no
longer to carry out your design for my glory." He introduced the practice
of 40 Hours Devotion at the first diocesan synod in April 1853, and the first
devotions began at St. Philip Neri Parish, an appropriate place since that St.
Philip had begun that very devotion in the city of Rome. The holy Bishop then
introduced the program for the whole diocese, so that each parish would have
Forty Hours Devotion during the course of the year. He wrote a booklet for the
devotions and obtained special indulgences for the faithful attending them. The
Forty Hours Devotion was so successful it spread to other dioceses. At the
Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1866, the Forty Hours Devotion was approved for
all Dioceses of the United States. Excerpted from St. John Neumann and the
40 Hours Devotion by Joseph Mary
We
suggest that today would be an excellent time to make a family holy hour (or
holy half hour) at an adoration chapel or in your parish church. If you can't
make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament your family can pray this litany at
home. The activity can by brought to conclusion by singing Christmas carols and
enjoying Christmas cookies and the Christmas bread, Vanocka.
St. John Neumann - Day Twelve[4]
John
Neumann was born in Bohemia on March 20, 1811. Since he had a great desire to
dedicate himself to the American missions, he came to the United States as a
cleric and was ordained in New York in 1836 by Bishop Dubois. In 1840, John
Neumann entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He
labored in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1852, he was consecrated bishop
of Philadelphia. There he worked hard for the establishment of parish schools
and for the erection of many parishes for the numerous immigrants. Bishop
Neumann died on January 5, 1860; he was beatified in 1963.
·
Day
Twelve activity (Visit to the Blessed Sacrament)
·
Day
Twelve recipe (Vanocka)
Bible in a Year Day 188
The Book of the Law
Fr.
Mike introduces us to the Book of Proverbs, while reflecting on the lack of
devotion Israel has shown towards God and the Book of the Law. Much like God
gave the Book of the Law to Israel, he's given the Bible to us to continue
following him faithfully. Today's readings are 2 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 33, and
Proverbs 7.
Daily
Devotions/Practices
· Today's Fast: Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: True Masculinity
·
Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary.
π¬ That Wonderful Urge (1948)
Tyrone Power & Gene Tierney — a screwball romance about truth, reputation, and conversion of heart
Sources: Plot and cast details from Wikipedia and IMDb summaries.
1. Summary
That Wonderful Urge (1948) is a lively screwball comedy starring Tyrone Power as Thomas Jefferson Tyler, a sharp investigative reporter, and Gene Tierney as Sara Farley, a wealthy grocery-store heiress.
Tyler has been publishing a series of unflattering exposΓ©s about Sara under the headline “The Life and Loves of Sara Farley.” To get closer to the truth, he disguises himself as a small‑town newspaper manager named “Tom Thomas” and befriends her, discovering she is far more grounded and sincere than his articles suggested.
When Sara discovers his deception, she retaliates by telling the press they are married and that she gave him a million dollars. The lie destroys his job and reputation. Chaos follows: jail time, public humiliation, and a libel suit. But in the courtroom, the judge’s remarks force both of them to confront their real feelings.
The film ends with reconciliation—Tom arrives at her home to confess his love, and Sara responds with the final line:
“Let’s get married again.”
2. Catholic Lessons
A. Truth Is a Moral Obligation, Not a Tool
Tom’s deception is “for a story,” but it violates the dignity of the person.
Lesson: The Eighth Commandment is not suspended for cleverness or professional ambition.
B. Reputation Is a Form of Stewardship
Sara’s revenge—publicly lying about marriage and money—shows how fragile and sacred reputation is.
Lesson: Calumny and detraction wound the Body of Christ; repairing them is an act of justice.
C. Conversion Requires Humility
Both characters must admit fault:
- Tom for deceit
- Sara for retaliation
Lesson: Reconciliation begins when both sides name their sin without excuse.
D. Love Requires Seeing the Whole Person
Tom’s early articles reduce Sara to a caricature. Only when he listens does he discover her humanity.
Lesson: Christian love begins with attention—seeing the person, not the stereotype.
E. Marriage as a Covenant, Not a Headline
The film’s final joke—“let’s get married again”—works because the audience has watched them move from manipulation to mutuality.
Lesson: Marriage is not a PR stunt; it is a sacrament built on truth, forgiveness, and self-gift.
3. Drinks or Meal Pairing (Hospitality Arc)
This film is light, witty, urbane—classic late‑40s screwball energy. The hospitality pairing should echo that: elegant but playful.
πΈ Cocktail: The “Farley Fix”
A bright, mischievous drink that mirrors Sara’s revenge plot.
- 1.5 oz gin
- 0.5 oz Cointreau
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- 0.25 oz simple syrup
- Shake and serve up
- Garnish with a twist (a nod to the plot twists)
From your bar stock, this uses gin, Cointreau, and citrus—clean, crisp, slightly dangerous.
π· Simpler Option: A Glass of Red Wine
Because the film is about truth and reconciliation, a straightforward glass of red wine works beautifully—no deception, no disguise, just honesty.
π½ Meal: A New York Supper for Two
Since much of the film’s energy is urban, newsroom-driven, and courtroom-centered:
- Steak au poivre or a simple pan-seared steak
- Buttered green beans
- Crusty bread
- Chocolate mousse or a simple custard
It’s the kind of meal you’d imagine after a long day of misunderstandings, lawsuits, and romantic chaos—something grounding, something real.
