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As it is used now, lectio divina is the prayerful meditation on the Bible or other writings that embody the faith of the Church. For this month, I will explore the seventh chapter in the Rule of St. Benedict, On Humility. Considering the length of this particular text, I will focus on the Fourth Degree of Humility.
Let us begin by slowing reading the text, a practiced called lectio.
The fourth degree of humility
is that he hold[s] fast to patience with a silent mind
when in this obedience he meets with difficulties
and contradictions
and even any kind of injustice,
enduring all without growing weary or running away.
For the Scripture says,
“The one who perseveres to the end,
is the one who shall be saved” (Matt. 10:22);
and again
“Let your heart take courage, and wait for the Lord” (Ps. 26[27]:14)!
And to show how those who are faithful
ought to endure all things, however contrary, for the Lord,
the Scripture says in the person of the suffering,
“For Your sake we are put to death all the day long;
we are considered as sheep marked for slaughter” (Ps. 43[44]:22; Rom. 8:36).
Then, secure in their hope of a divine recompense,
they go on with joy to declare,
“But in all these trials we conquer,
through Him who has granted us His love” (Rom. 8:37).
Again, in another place the Scripture says,
“You have tested us, O God;
You have tried us a silver is tried, by fire;
You have brought us into a snare;
You have laid afflictions on our back” (Matt. 5:39-41).
And to show that we ought to be under a Superior,
it goes on to say,
“You have set men over our heads” (Ps. 65[66]:12).
Moreover, by their patience
those faithful ones fulfill the Lord’s command
in adversities and injuries:
when struck on one cheek, they offer the other;
when deprived of their tunic, they surrender also their cloak;
when forced to go a mile, they go two;
with the Apostle Paul they bear with false brethren (2 Cor. 11:26)
and bless those who curse them (1 Cor. 4:12).
By reading the text slowly, you may be drawn to a passage, a line, or even one word. From there, you can move to the next phase, meditatio, or the meditation, to consider why you may be drawn here. For me, I am drawn to the opening paragraph:
The fourth degree of humility
is that he hold[s] fast to patience with a silent mind
when in this obedience he meets with difficulties
and contradictions
and even any kind of injustice,
enduring all without growing weary or running away.
Specifically, the concept of “enduring all without growing weary or running away” is a powerful portrayal of sacrifice. Where does one find such strength?
Now, it is time for meditatio. I will my thoughts next Saturday.
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One of my favorite personal traditions on Independence Day is making ice cream. This year, I am using a recipe from Last Dinner on the Titanic: Menus and Recipes from the Great Liner. From the menus that survived the disaster, Titanic served ice cream on the night the ship sank. The First Class Dining Saloon offered “French Vanilla Ice Cream.”
Today I am preparing “American Ice Cream” found on the Second Class menu.
Archbold and McCauley, without access to the actual recipe used in the Titanic’s kitchen, substitute this Edwardian-era recipe.
American Ice Cream
2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/3 Cup Lemon Juice
Pinch Salt
2 Cups Light Cream
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Grated Lemon Zest
1 Cup Whipping Cream
In a small pot, combine sugar, lemon juice, and salt; heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Meanwhile, in heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine light cream with lemon zest; heat over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes just until small bubbles start to form around the edges of pot. Remove from heat.
Whisk sugar mixture and whipping cream into lemon zest mixture until smooth. Place in refrigerator uncovered; cool completely, stirring often.
Pour mixture into ice-cream maker and proceed following manufacturer’s instruction. Or, pour mixture into chilled, shallow metal pan; cover and freeze for about 3 hours or until firm. Break up into pieces and transfer to food processor; puree until smooth. Pour into chilled airtight container; freeze for one hour or until firm. Soften in refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving. Makes 3 cups and serves 6.
Six weeks ago, Ann and I started work on a playground for Graeme. We knew it would take some time to build and set a goal to complete it by Graeme’s birthday on July 24th.
In Phase I, we dug a 17-foot by 25-foot by 9-inch hole in our back yard. Not realizing how massive ten yards of dirt really is, we finally rented a skiff to haul the dirt away.
After digging the hole, we installed a polyurethane edge and 425 square feet of drainage barrier to keep plants from growing in what Graeme calls the “alligator pit.” It earned that name after the massive rain in June literally turned the hole into a pond.
During Phase II, we build the playground. Construction was much quicker than we expected, and unlike out adventure building Graeme’s crib, Ann and I don’t need marriage counseling.
With the delivery of ten yards of mulch today, The Big Dig is now in Phase III. If the weather holds this weekend, we plan to dump all of the mulch into the pit. We will then stain and seal coat the playground, and install the remaining decorative components.
We call this project The Big Dig because shares characteristics of Boston’s Big Dig.
- Engineering problems have driven costs beyond the original budget.
- Weather kept the project on hold for nearly three weeks.
- Unqualified personnel (Me and Ann) were responsible for construction.
This was the biggest DIY project we’ve taken on since building the Great Wall of Crest Hill five years ago. But, I admit, this one is far more satisfying because Graeme is pumped about his new park in the back yard.
We only pray that he plays with it more than six minutes.
As I understand the objectives of the Des Plaines Valley Library District, there are three:
- To annex the portion of Romeoville presently served by the Fountaindale Public Library District, brining down the number of library districts in that village.
- To pass a $41-million bond to build three branch libraries. Two branches would replace existing facilities in Crest Hill and Lockport; the other would be new and serve Romeoville.
- To pass an additional mill levy of no specified value (but probably similar in size to the building bond based on the homeowner tax impact value) to fund the operations and maintenance of the three new libraries.
These are exceptionally ambitious goals by any measure, and will be extremely difficult to explain to voters in time for the November ballot.
First, annexation of Romeoville will do two things: 1) it will increase property tax income for the Des Plaines Valley Library District, and 2) it could increase debt burden to Des Plaines unless they finalize an agreement to solve the decrease in property tax income to Fountaindale.
Even if there is a debt agreement favorable to Des Plaines, the residents of Romeoville still will pay a slightly higher library tax with the passage of both the bond and mill levy.
Next, the additional property tax income generated by Romeoville for Des Plaines should lower the tax obligations for the rest of the district. The $3.95 impact for the bond and the $3.58 impact for the levy should decrease if the Romeoville annexation is successful. Therefore, the cost per household should also decrease because of the larger tax base.
This brings me to my second point: the bond and the mill levy are potentially overestimated leading to excess tax revenue for the Des Plaines Valley Library District.
Finally, I already question the wisdom of seeking an effective 75% tax increase on district residents during challenging macroeconomic times. Pressures in the mortgage market, increases in energy prices, and overall inflation make it difficult to justify the luxury of an estimated $80-million spending spree by the library.
Compound the significant increase in water rates for Crest Hill residents, and the library is headed toward a massive defeat in November.
So what should the Des Plaines Valley Library District do to solve their problems?
Take an incremental approach to the problem.
- Place the annexation issue on the November ballot and work for its passage
The idea of annexing and then raising my taxes is not a great incentive to do either.
The residents of Romeoville voted against the recent Fountaindale bond because it did little more than add new carpet to their branch library while building a shiny, new facility in Bolingbrook.
Annex the Romeoville residents first and commit to build the Romeoville branch before breaking ground in Crest Hill or Lockport.
- Use new tax revenue to complete priority repairs to the existing branches
I’ll agree that the Crest Hill and Lockport facilities are in poor shape. Their buildings need emergency repairs to roofs, ventilation systems, et cetera. Although the Crest Hill and Lockport facilities are in dire need, commit the district to increasing the tax base before the tax rate.
New revenue from Romeoville will pay for emergency repairs while waiting to pass the bond and mill levy.
- Delay the building bond and mill levy to better economic conditions
Postpone the tax referenda at least one year in order to allow employment to stabilize, inflation to level, and energy prices to calm down. The added time will enable the district to reassess the real household impact of its bond and mill levy. It also will allow the district time to determine the needs of its new residents.
Today’s Gospel comes from Matthew 16:13-19.
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
From the Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers:
Matthew and Mark place Peter’s confession in the region of the northern city of Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27). Luke gives no specific location, noting only that Peter made his confession out of earshot of the crowds when Jesus and his disciples were alone together (Luke 9:18). All three evangelists record that Jesus demands secrecy after Peter confesses (Matthew 16:20; Mark 8:30; Luke 9:21).
The specific content of Peter’s confession differs slighly among the three evangelists (Matthew 16:13-16; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21). But a feature common to all three accounts is the answer to Jesus’ question, “But who do you say that I am?” The English word “messiah” translates Matthew’s Greek word christos, which means “anointed one.” The meaning of this term varied widely at different times among different groups of Jews. Jews knew it from scripture as a common title of kings (Psalm 18:51: “You have given great vistories to your king, and shown kindness to your anointed, to David and his posterity forever”). Many Jews in the first century hoped for a messiah–a king, prophet, priest, angel, or some combination of all four–in expectation of God’s direct intervention in the world at the end of days. In the light of the advent, life, ministry, Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurection of Jesus, the disciples came to share in Peter’s confession and proclaim it to the world. Indeed, the custome of referring to Christ as though it were Jesus’ law name, which we find already in the earliest Christian writings (Paul’s letters), likely grew out of a Christian confession similar to Peter’s: “Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ” or “Jesus is the Christ.”
Alone among the evangelists, Matthew records Jesus’ testimony that he will build his Church on the “rock” that is Peter. Matthew 16-17-19 has long been important to Catholic belief in the primacy of Peter among the apostles and of Rome, the Petrine See, among the world’s dioceses.
Question No. 1 – Before receiving the enclosed information, how much would you say you have read or heard about the Des Plaines Valley Public Library District’s proposed plans to construct three new library branches to replace its two existing library branches?
- A lot
- Some
- A little
- Nothing at all
Response: A lot.
Question No. 2 – How do you feel about this statement? A growing and thriving community must have modern library facilities that can meet the technological and space needs of the residents, businesses and schools in each town, and it is the library district’s responsibility to plan and address future needs by constructing and operating new branches.
- Agree
- Agree somewhat
- Disagree somewhat
- Disagree
- No opinion
Response: Disagree somewhat.
Commentary: The library district, as it operates today, follows the model of a lending library rather than a research library. Patrons are more likely to find a best selling novel on the shelf rather than perform any academic research beyond the level of a junior high school paper. This doesn’t mean that the Des Plaines district is a failure. Rather is brings into question what the district means by having “modern library facilities that can meet the technological and space needs of the residents, businesses and schools in each town.”
From the perspective of business use, the library might serve as an economical meeting venue for occasional seminars or forums. This usage I would expect to be light.
School districts, despite their interaction with library districts, probably have a smaller need than one would expect. Every school, from elementary through high school, has an on-campus library. Why library districts don’t operate those facilities on behalf of the school district is puzzling.
Finally, Des Plaines district residents have lending privileges in Joliet, Plainfield, Fountaindale, and Homer Township. This arrangement enables my family to supplement the weaknesses of the Des Plaines Library District; a feature I believe is quite convenient and economical.
Therefore, I disagree somewhat that the district needs to build new libraries for this reason alone. The rationale, rather, should focus on the dilapidated facilities.
Question No. 3 – If a local election were held today to fund the construction of three new branch libraries to replace the district’s two outdated, undersized branch libraries at a cost of $41-million—with a monthly tax impact to homeowners of $3.95 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value—would you vote “yes” in favor of, or “no” to oppose, the bond?
- Definitely yes
- Probably yes
- Probably no
- Definitely no
- Don’t know
Response: Don’t know.
Commentary: My family paid $77.66 to the Des Plaines Library District in 2007, a figure that represents about 1.7% of our total property tax obligation. The district is asking me to pay an additional $31.10 per year, based upon my home’s 2007 assessed value. Although a small figure (The new tax burden will be nearly equal to the money I pay for the Plainfield Park District), it represents a 40.5% increase in my library tax burden.
Question No. 4 – If a mill levy election were held today to fund the operation and maintenance of three new branch libraries in our library district—with a monthly tax impact to homeowners of $3.58 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value—would you vote “yes” in favor of, or “no” to oppose, the mill levy?
- Definitely yes
- Probably yes
- Probably no
- Definitely no
- Don’t know
Response: Don’t know.
Commentary: The successful building bond will raise my annual library tax levy to $108.76. The additional mill levy will add an additional $28.19. My new obligation under these two proposed taxes will be $136.95, a 76.25% increase over my 2007 levy.
Under these two proposed tax increases, I would pay more for the library than I do individually for the township, forest preserve district, park district, and Joliet Junior College.
Question No. 5 – What is your main concern, if any, about the proposal to construct three new branch libraries to replace the two outdated, undersized branch libraries?
Response: Part of the district’s rationale for the new buildings is that the district “sits near the bottom in funding among neighboring districts.” This is a poor rationale as Fountaindale, New Lenox and Homer Township (the theee mentioned) have different property tax portfolios from Des Plaines. Each of the neighboring districts has substantially more manufacturing and commercial tax paying entities than do we. Any increase in services falls on the backs of the citizens of Des Plaines, where other districts can absorb the levies elsewhere in their tax base.
Question No. 6 – In thinking about your overall opinion of the Des Plaines Valley Public Library District, what grade would you give the district?
Response: C+
Commentary: In a period of challenging macroeconomics ranging from mortgage pressures to rising energy costs, I question the wisdom of asking the district—at this time—to approve a effective property tax increase of 75% over present values.
I also believe that present district programs are not convenient for two income families such as mine. Based upon the present offering, working families are unable to bring their children to reading programs because the district only offers them during the day, and not in the evening or on the weekend.
Question No. 7 – What additional information, if any, would you like to know about the library district’s proposal?
Response: In recent days, the district has agreed to take a portion of the Village of Romeoville presently served by the Fountaindale Library District. The property taxes generated by the additional residents should lower the tax impact district-wide.
I would like to see a new projection on the tax rate, as well as knowing if the district will take on the Romeoville portion of the recent Fountaindale bond issue, before I decide to support or oppose based on taxes.
Question No. 8 – We have or have not used either the Crest Hill or Lockport branch within in the past 12 months.
Response: We have used the Crest Hill branch 12 times in the past 12 months.
Question No. 9 – I have been a resident in the area for ___ years.
Response: 8 years.
Question No. 10 – What is your ZIP code?
Response: 60403.
The Des Plaines Valley Library District has mailed its residents a document seeking comment on a proposal to build three new branch libraries, one each in Crest Hill, Lockport, and Romeoville. Labeled as a “public opinion survey,” the document is, in reality, political campaigning under the guise of a poll.
More commonly known as a “push poll,” the library seeks to push voters away from opposing its plan by asking loaded questions designed to emphasis the library’s position.
For example, one of the questions reads:
If a local election were held today to fund the construction of three new branch libraries to replace the district’s two outdated, undersized branch libraries at a cost of $41-million—with a monthly tax impact to homeowners of $3.95 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value—would you vote “yes” in favor of, or “no” to oppose, the bond?
Another question asks:
What is your main concern, if any, about the proposal to construct three new branch libraries to replace the two outdated, undersized branch libraries?
Prior to these questions, the library supports its position with identical language.
Our two outdated, undersized and inefficient branch libraries cannot meet our customer, space and technology demands.
In the literature, the library emphasizes that these new braches will be “modern.” They use the phrase “modern, technology-based library,” “modern library system,” “modern facilities,” and “three modern libraries” before asking this question:
How do you feel about this statement? A growing and thriving community must have modern library facilities that can meet the technological and space needs of the residents, businesses and schools in each town, and it is the library district’s responsibility to plan and address future needs by constructing and operating new branches.
The respondent will most likely agree with this statement given the sales pitch preceding the question. The response to this question will be the library’s central argument in support of their bond and levy. For example, residents will hear or read statements claiming that “85% of the district’s residents agree with our plan to address future needs.”
The National Council on Public Polls characterizes push polls as unethical, but some professional pollsters do not condemn the practice as long as the questions do not include outright lies, as in the case of the Des Plaines Valley push poll.
Beyond the ethical considerations of a push poll, the library has introduced a biased sample into its poll.
By mailing the entire district, you are engaged in convenience sampling. The survey replies upon motivated respondents. Motivated respondents are likely to be strongly supportive or strongly adverse to the library’s proposal. This situation tends to bring out a heavier sample of supporters rather than opposition.
Responses also are likely to be skewed in favor of the proposal based upon the nature and order of the questions. For example, who is against clean water? Who is against a modern library? Even if you don’t use it?
In statistics, introducing such bias leads to non-sampling error because the data is incorrectly collected, recorded, or analyzed. Given the library’s desire to gather information to “[decide] whether to pursue a bond and mill levy this fall to constriut three new branch libraries,” I expect this survey will not achieve its stated goal.
There is a growing trend among credit unions boards to have a committee that specifically concentrates on long-range strategy. Much like other standing committees, such as finance or audit or compensation, the strategy committee focuses energy in a specific functional area to help keep the credit union on track with its vision.
During last month’s board meeting, I proposed that we dissolve the defunct Branch Facilities Committee, an ad hoc committee that completed its assigned task nearly a year ago, and replace it with a Strategic Planning Committee.
My proposal passed unanimously during tonight’s board meeting.
The committee’s charter sets out goal to be the gaining and maintaining of competitive advantage. We will accomplish this goal by working with Senior Management to develop a strategic plan and present it during our annual retreat in November.
As I move into the final year of my first term, I have been exposed to several functional areas of the credit union; finance, board development, and the nomination committee. As the Board Secretary for the past two years, I have seen more of the regulatory side of the industry. Overall, it has been a valuable laboratory to supplement my education in finance and economics.
If I am selected to chair this committee, it will be my first leadership opportunity within the organization. Fortunately, our Chief Executive Officer is a stellar leader, and my committee members bring outstanding financial and business skills to the table. For example, one director designs power grids for entire nations; one is a CPA; and the other an MBA. I am clearly the learner, and look forward to improving my skills in strategic planning with their help.
Today’s Gospel is from Matthew 10:26-33.
Jesus said to the Twelve:
“Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others,
I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
From the Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers:
Today’s reading forms part of the instruction Jesus gives to his disciples after he has given them power of healing and exorcism, and commissioned them to proclaim the approaching kingdom of heaven (Matthew 10:1-42).
The kind of ministry Jesus commissions his disciples to do is sometimes called “itinerant,” which basically means a ministry “on the move.” The disciples probably did not stay long in any one place and traveled light (Matthew 10:9-11). This form of ministry was particularly suited to the rural culture of Galilee, where most people lived in small fishing villages and farm towns often separated by considerable distance.
Houw to deal with opposition and harassment is one of the major themes of Matthew 10 and the context for today’s Gospel selection. Jesus treats it as certain that his disciples will suffer because of the ministry he has commissioined them to perform: “Behold; I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewed as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans” (Matthew 10:16-18).
The certainty that they will be persecuted for their ministry makes the instruction to speak publicly and fearlessly all the more bold and extraordinary: “What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matthew 10;27). By speaking the truth, by practicing their healing ministries, Jesus sends his disciples out to court arrest, torture, and perhaps death. The power and joy of discipleship in Jesus Christ are revealed in this reading: one may risk losing everything for the sake of the truth, but suffer no fear, confident in God’s care and protection (Matthew 10:28-31).
First, the set up from the Herald News.
While checking out about 8:11 p.m. Saturday, Martin allegedly became angry that the card reader would not accept his credit or debit card, said Plainfield police Chief Don Bennett.
Martin is accused of breaking the card reader machine, then leaving the store, Bennett said. Staff members wrote down Martin’s license plate number and called police.
Officers arrested Martin the next day. His hand was injured, but he refused medical treatment, Bennett said. Martin bonded out of jail Tuesday, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office.
Which reminds me of this awesome video:
Here is the result of Mr. Martin’s handywork:
I can only pray that the surveilance tape surfaces.