While I was filling my car (and a large gas can, for good measure!)
I noticed that FOUR of the 4 pumps I looked at had an "even dollar amount" for the last purchase -- $5.00, $15.00, $25.00.

Today is Thursday, which is before payday for many people. So apparently even in one of the best-off areas economically speaking (Texas), people are running out of funds before the next payday.

People are starting to hurt, apparently.

But with such a run-up in gas prices, how could they NOT hurt? Gas was $2.35 a year ago!  This isn't a seasonal thing.

This morning, gas was $3.15 at a local, slightly more expensive than Wal-mart gas station. But with today's additional plunge in the dollar, I'm sure gas will be much more expensive by this weekend.

My advice: fill your car now! (and 5 gallon gas cans are a good investment. If there were gas lines/shortages, rest assured that gas cans would sell out within minutes at every store in your town -- however large your town is! Even if you don't fill them up now, you want to have some on hand)

And this "material preparation" is closely linked to spiritual preparation. How? Let me ask you, how many of you are blessed with a Traditional Mass within walking distance? We certainly aren't.

Matthew