I love Holy Week!
Palms. Oils. Fire. Water. Cross. Eucharist. Feet Washing. Silence. Priesthood. Fasting. Veneration. Lillies. Candles. Incense. Community. Sorrow. Hope. Life. Victory.
These are the things that come to mind when I think of Holy Week.
Have you ever tried to enter into Holy Week as much as possible? Have you ever tried to enter into anything relating to our faith with your whole self? Have you ever done a very good examination of conscience before the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Have you ever tried to pay attention to every detail of the Mass? Have you ever tried to wake up each day and try your absolute 100% best for Jesus? What is that like?
This year I am trying to have a really good Holy Week. I've tried to enter into Lent as much as possible and am very psyched for this special week. Here we are on Wednesday already.
Have you ever noticed that when you try and give 100% of yourself to Jesus, the little creep downstairs tries to mess things up? He doesn't want us to get closer to Jesus so he tries to throw a wrench in our plans. This is what I feel has happened to me this Holy Week. Right from the "get go" on Palm Sunday morning things started to go wrong. It is now Wednesday night of Holy Week. He has been bugging me all week. It seems that whenever I take a step closer to Jesus that little creep is right at my heels. I am learning to recognize his annoying habits and ways and I am learning to rebuke them ever the more. Plus, a good attitude helps, and I am trying to be better with that too.
I know that with God's grace I will do well throughout the rest of this week. As much that has gone wrong, I can see more of God's blessings being poured out. After all, the "gates of hell will not prevail" against His church, and not against His people either (In my not always humble opinion) if we keep our eyes focused on Him like when Peter kept his eyes on Jesus when walking on water.
Speaking of walking on water....I have "day two" of water in my basement and I've gotta go take care of it. Another trial on the way to Easter!
Mar 31, 2010
Mar 30, 2010
Glory and Majesty
Today I am totally excited about the glory and majesty of my wonderful Catholic faith. Today I had the opportunity to attend our Holy Week's Chrism Mass at my diocesan Cathedral. Everything was so spectacular! Everyone who attended wanted to be there so everyone fully participated. When we said "Amen", it was a strong "Amen". When we sang, everyone tried their best. We had, I think, every priest in our diocese there, plus deacons, and our bishop. It was so neat to hear the priests renew their vows. The bishop gave a good homily. The Mass was long, perhaps two hours in length, but I didn't mind. I loved every blessed second of it.
Outside the weather was horrific with rains and flooding in the streets, but I was safe with dozens of priests, Jesus and all the angels, and "my people". I guess you could say I was in my "zone". The world could have ended at that very moment and I would have been as happy as a clam.
The Church Jesus founded is full of so much glory and majesty, and the people who provided this Mass experience for us today put great care into every detail. I am very grateful for that. THANK YOU JESUS! I LOVE HOLY WEEK!
Outside the weather was horrific with rains and flooding in the streets, but I was safe with dozens of priests, Jesus and all the angels, and "my people". I guess you could say I was in my "zone". The world could have ended at that very moment and I would have been as happy as a clam.
The Church Jesus founded is full of so much glory and majesty, and the people who provided this Mass experience for us today put great care into every detail. I am very grateful for that. THANK YOU JESUS! I LOVE HOLY WEEK!
Mar 29, 2010
Whatsoever you do to the least...
Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers (sisters), you do to me. These are the words of Jesus. Taking that to heart, our world contains many people who are hurting the body of Christ.
I work with "the least". I know lots of kids who have been hurt by adults. I talk to them every day. I see their pain and help them work through it when I can. I talk to their parents too. The very parents who have hurt them. This can make me angry. I want to say to them "How can you even think of using your hand to hurt this precious child?". Then I get to know the parents a little more and I realize, they are just little wounded kids in big adult bodies. Someone hurt them when they were little too. Hence, the cycle of abuse continues, and perhaps someday, these cute little kids that I know today, will become big angry adults who abuse their own kids.
Sometimes it is overwhelming. How can I possibly make a difference in their lives? How can I influence their future as well as their today? How can I touch the hearts of their parents to motivate them to change?
I never in my life, as a "good little Catholic girl" thought I would get to know people who are, or have been, drug abusers, drug sellers, prostitutes, thieves, people on parole, pedophiles, and just very miserable, filthy, angry, mean, people. But here I am doing just that.
Every once in a while I run across a parent who wants to really make a change. Every once in a while I run across a parent who actually apologizes to their child(ren) and really means it.
The woundedness is so deep in some families that the sunlight seems so very far away, and the chance for success seems slim to none.
The longer I work with people, the more I am convinced that the only One who can ever make a difference is Jesus. I can do my part. My little part. I can surrender and ask Jesus to let me be his instrument, but the rest is up to Him. I am hoping that perhaps a word I say to someone will be implanted like a seed within their heart. And someday, perhaps this seed will sprout. I have to believe that will happen. So I try, in little ways, to plant seeds.
One of the things I do, as a Catholic, is that every day at lunch I quietly pray a grace before my meal. I end with the sign of the cross. I say nothing, but try to use that as a witness. Sometimes the kids will notice and ask me what I am doing. I respond that I am thanking God for my food before I eat it. Sometimes the kids (3-7 year olds), will start talking about God in their own way. It is very cute to hear what they think of God and who He is. I listen and say little things like how God loves them and is always with them.
Just last week, an 8 year old boy told me that he prays every night. I encouraged him to continue praying and that no matter where he ever lived or what time it was, even in the middle of the night, that Jesus was always there to listen. Hopefully I planted a seed. Since I am an adult he trusts, I think he took my words to heart.
I guess my point here is two fold. The first being that as Catholic Christians we have to realize that even the smallest things we do may have a big impact on someone else, young or old. Secondly, we have to realize that some problems in this world are just too big for us to fix and we have to pray and rely on Jesus to use us as his instruments and to ask for his Holy Spirit to enter a situation and fix it.
That is all I wanted to say today. That, and please pray for everyone in the world who is being abused. Please pray that they will look to Jesus for their healing.
God bless your night/day.
I work with "the least". I know lots of kids who have been hurt by adults. I talk to them every day. I see their pain and help them work through it when I can. I talk to their parents too. The very parents who have hurt them. This can make me angry. I want to say to them "How can you even think of using your hand to hurt this precious child?". Then I get to know the parents a little more and I realize, they are just little wounded kids in big adult bodies. Someone hurt them when they were little too. Hence, the cycle of abuse continues, and perhaps someday, these cute little kids that I know today, will become big angry adults who abuse their own kids.
Sometimes it is overwhelming. How can I possibly make a difference in their lives? How can I influence their future as well as their today? How can I touch the hearts of their parents to motivate them to change?
I never in my life, as a "good little Catholic girl" thought I would get to know people who are, or have been, drug abusers, drug sellers, prostitutes, thieves, people on parole, pedophiles, and just very miserable, filthy, angry, mean, people. But here I am doing just that.
Every once in a while I run across a parent who wants to really make a change. Every once in a while I run across a parent who actually apologizes to their child(ren) and really means it.
The woundedness is so deep in some families that the sunlight seems so very far away, and the chance for success seems slim to none.
The longer I work with people, the more I am convinced that the only One who can ever make a difference is Jesus. I can do my part. My little part. I can surrender and ask Jesus to let me be his instrument, but the rest is up to Him. I am hoping that perhaps a word I say to someone will be implanted like a seed within their heart. And someday, perhaps this seed will sprout. I have to believe that will happen. So I try, in little ways, to plant seeds.
One of the things I do, as a Catholic, is that every day at lunch I quietly pray a grace before my meal. I end with the sign of the cross. I say nothing, but try to use that as a witness. Sometimes the kids will notice and ask me what I am doing. I respond that I am thanking God for my food before I eat it. Sometimes the kids (3-7 year olds), will start talking about God in their own way. It is very cute to hear what they think of God and who He is. I listen and say little things like how God loves them and is always with them.
Just last week, an 8 year old boy told me that he prays every night. I encouraged him to continue praying and that no matter where he ever lived or what time it was, even in the middle of the night, that Jesus was always there to listen. Hopefully I planted a seed. Since I am an adult he trusts, I think he took my words to heart.
I guess my point here is two fold. The first being that as Catholic Christians we have to realize that even the smallest things we do may have a big impact on someone else, young or old. Secondly, we have to realize that some problems in this world are just too big for us to fix and we have to pray and rely on Jesus to use us as his instruments and to ask for his Holy Spirit to enter a situation and fix it.
That is all I wanted to say today. That, and please pray for everyone in the world who is being abused. Please pray that they will look to Jesus for their healing.
God bless your night/day.
Mar 28, 2010
A week of restless leaves
It is Palm Sunday night. Holy Week has begun. My favorite week of the year. It is a hard week too. It is busy for priests because of everything they have to provide for us. For me, as much as I look forward to it, Holy Week is usually a restless time.
It is sort of like walking down a dirt path on a beautiful day. Woods on either side. The air is calm, then all of a sudden a breeze kicks up and the leaves scatter, twist, and twirl in front of me on the path. Dust is kicked up. There is some unsettledness before me. Holy Week is like that. Unsettled.
We have to go through all the unsettling feelings this week to get to Easter Sunday. The challenge of Holy week is to let our souls become restless...to let the dust and leaves kick up around our feet so that we pay closer attention to where we are supposed to be going.
Holy Week, not called that in Jesus' day of course, was very restless for Jesus. He had the excitement and activity of Palm Sunday, everyone rejoicing in His presence, praising Him, and smiles everywhere. And then, just a few days later, the Passover meal with his disciples, the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, the washing of the feet, then the agony in Gethsemane, His arrest, beating, and being thrown before the authorities of the day. Then, the crucifixion, death, silence in the tomb, and then an explosion of life in the resurrection.
It is no wonder that I feel restless. My soul wants to ponder all of these events, to walk through them with Jesus, to show my love for Him, but also to become one with Him in as much as I am able to as a mere creature. To enter into Holy Week for me is to enter into the joy of the chrism Mass on Tuesday, then plunge to the depths of the crucifixion, and then to rise with him on Easter.
At this moment, I am crying on the inside, not the outside, at least not yet. My soul enters this week with joyful, yet dreaded anticipation. Will I have the strength and courage to let the Holy Spirit kick up the leaves in my soul so that I may grow in faith and rise to higher heights in my faith on Easter Sunday? Or will I walk on this path with my eyes closed to avoid the leaves and dust before me? I pray I have the courage to keep my eyes open.
I have to trust that behind the restless leaves, there is the Holy Spirit, kicking up the breeze to catch not only the leaves and dust, but to pick up my soul as well and to bring it to another place.
It is sort of like walking down a dirt path on a beautiful day. Woods on either side. The air is calm, then all of a sudden a breeze kicks up and the leaves scatter, twist, and twirl in front of me on the path. Dust is kicked up. There is some unsettledness before me. Holy Week is like that. Unsettled.
We have to go through all the unsettling feelings this week to get to Easter Sunday. The challenge of Holy week is to let our souls become restless...to let the dust and leaves kick up around our feet so that we pay closer attention to where we are supposed to be going.
Holy Week, not called that in Jesus' day of course, was very restless for Jesus. He had the excitement and activity of Palm Sunday, everyone rejoicing in His presence, praising Him, and smiles everywhere. And then, just a few days later, the Passover meal with his disciples, the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, the washing of the feet, then the agony in Gethsemane, His arrest, beating, and being thrown before the authorities of the day. Then, the crucifixion, death, silence in the tomb, and then an explosion of life in the resurrection.
It is no wonder that I feel restless. My soul wants to ponder all of these events, to walk through them with Jesus, to show my love for Him, but also to become one with Him in as much as I am able to as a mere creature. To enter into Holy Week for me is to enter into the joy of the chrism Mass on Tuesday, then plunge to the depths of the crucifixion, and then to rise with him on Easter.
At this moment, I am crying on the inside, not the outside, at least not yet. My soul enters this week with joyful, yet dreaded anticipation. Will I have the strength and courage to let the Holy Spirit kick up the leaves in my soul so that I may grow in faith and rise to higher heights in my faith on Easter Sunday? Or will I walk on this path with my eyes closed to avoid the leaves and dust before me? I pray I have the courage to keep my eyes open.
I have to trust that behind the restless leaves, there is the Holy Spirit, kicking up the breeze to catch not only the leaves and dust, but to pick up my soul as well and to bring it to another place.
Mar 27, 2010
On conquering sin
As Christians we know we are all sinners and all fall short of the glory of God. It is only through his grace and love that we have hope of salvation and in someday being with Him in Heaven.
It has been my experience that, at least for me, sin is born in two places: the mind and the heart. If we don't have control over both of those things, then we fall into sin. The mind and the heart are the biggest battlefields for the little creep downstairs ( a.k.a. that pee wee of a devil that thinks he is "all that" and more ).
It is very easy to fall into sin in today's world. There are temptations all around us. Our days are so busy that, unless we are diligent, it is easy to lose sight of keeping tabs on our spiritual life and any virtues we might have, or are trying to develop.
Sin is quick to enter in. It only takes a thought or a strong feeling about something to take hold of us and pull us down towards that abyss of darkness called sin. If we don't practice and pray for self-control our soul can get hit pretty hard.
One of the best things about Jesus' Church, our wonderful sacred and holy Catholic church is that we have been given things to help us fight the good fight against sin. Sadly, many people don't take advantage of these gifts, but some do.
We have to put on the whole armor of God just to walk out of the doors of our homes and enter the world. I'm not saying that as a scare tactic, but the world has gone downhill so fast, and sin and temptation abound, so we have to be vigilant. Just read scripture and God Himself will tell you so.
For me, I find the things that help me fight sin the most are going to Sunday Mass, going to daily Mass as often as I can, going to Confession, and serious prayer time. Even still, will all of this, it can be a struggle. I also think there is great power and benefit to praying the rosary and in praying the prayer of St. Michael.
Conquering sin is something we have to think about, because falling into sin is a slippery path. One sin can lead to another, and then another, and then an "I don't care" attitude can form and then it can get really messy.
I also think one other thing that helps to conquer sin is hanging around with good people who are also trying hard to be holy. Support from others helps.
Where would we be without Jesus ? If He didn't come and save us, we would surely be sunk for all eternity ! But, he gives us these great gifts through His most Holy Church. Gifts that are also tools that we can use each day.
Conquering sin is difficult. Very difficult. But it is something we can do because nothing is impossible with God, so let's continue to fight the good fight of faith. Let's rise each day and trust that Jesus is with us and let's keep the desire we have to be holy foremost in our minds.
That is my opinion anyway. Have a blessed night.
It has been my experience that, at least for me, sin is born in two places: the mind and the heart. If we don't have control over both of those things, then we fall into sin. The mind and the heart are the biggest battlefields for the little creep downstairs ( a.k.a. that pee wee of a devil that thinks he is "all that" and more ).
It is very easy to fall into sin in today's world. There are temptations all around us. Our days are so busy that, unless we are diligent, it is easy to lose sight of keeping tabs on our spiritual life and any virtues we might have, or are trying to develop.
Sin is quick to enter in. It only takes a thought or a strong feeling about something to take hold of us and pull us down towards that abyss of darkness called sin. If we don't practice and pray for self-control our soul can get hit pretty hard.
One of the best things about Jesus' Church, our wonderful sacred and holy Catholic church is that we have been given things to help us fight the good fight against sin. Sadly, many people don't take advantage of these gifts, but some do.
We have to put on the whole armor of God just to walk out of the doors of our homes and enter the world. I'm not saying that as a scare tactic, but the world has gone downhill so fast, and sin and temptation abound, so we have to be vigilant. Just read scripture and God Himself will tell you so.
For me, I find the things that help me fight sin the most are going to Sunday Mass, going to daily Mass as often as I can, going to Confession, and serious prayer time. Even still, will all of this, it can be a struggle. I also think there is great power and benefit to praying the rosary and in praying the prayer of St. Michael.
Conquering sin is something we have to think about, because falling into sin is a slippery path. One sin can lead to another, and then another, and then an "I don't care" attitude can form and then it can get really messy.
I also think one other thing that helps to conquer sin is hanging around with good people who are also trying hard to be holy. Support from others helps.
Where would we be without Jesus ? If He didn't come and save us, we would surely be sunk for all eternity ! But, he gives us these great gifts through His most Holy Church. Gifts that are also tools that we can use each day.
Conquering sin is difficult. Very difficult. But it is something we can do because nothing is impossible with God, so let's continue to fight the good fight of faith. Let's rise each day and trust that Jesus is with us and let's keep the desire we have to be holy foremost in our minds.
That is my opinion anyway. Have a blessed night.
Mar 26, 2010
Can you hand me my crutches please?
I've been hobbling around most of the week. Not on physical crutches, but on spiritual ones. It has been a tough week and I've needed to lean on my faith to get me through. Yes, at times my faith is a crutch .
Some people say that Christians use faith as a crutch, as if that is a bad thing. Well, of course we use our faith as a crutch! It is there to help us! Due to original sin we are wounded people in need of spiritual healing so why wouldn't we need spiritual crutches?
Going to Mass fills me with the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Jesus, my beloved Savior who gives me strength for the challenges in my days.
Praying the rosary helps me meditate on the life of Christ and has the Virgin Mary interceding for the needs I bring to prayer.
Sitting in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament surrounds and fills me with God's grace to give me what I need once I walk out the doors of my little Catholic church.
Reading Scripture gives me encouragement, comfort, and advice after, or in the midst of, a rough day.
You get my drift, yes? I am very much in need of my faithful crutches. I am thankful for all the gifts the Catholic Church gives me that assist me on my faith journey.
I think that anyone who thinks they don't need spiritual crutches is not aware of their own woundedness and how much our Catholic faith can help them. This is what I think anyway.
So, can you hand me my crutches please for tomorrow is another day and I need His divine help?
Some people say that Christians use faith as a crutch, as if that is a bad thing. Well, of course we use our faith as a crutch! It is there to help us! Due to original sin we are wounded people in need of spiritual healing so why wouldn't we need spiritual crutches?
Going to Mass fills me with the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Jesus, my beloved Savior who gives me strength for the challenges in my days.
Praying the rosary helps me meditate on the life of Christ and has the Virgin Mary interceding for the needs I bring to prayer.
Sitting in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament surrounds and fills me with God's grace to give me what I need once I walk out the doors of my little Catholic church.
Reading Scripture gives me encouragement, comfort, and advice after, or in the midst of, a rough day.
You get my drift, yes? I am very much in need of my faithful crutches. I am thankful for all the gifts the Catholic Church gives me that assist me on my faith journey.
I think that anyone who thinks they don't need spiritual crutches is not aware of their own woundedness and how much our Catholic faith can help them. This is what I think anyway.
So, can you hand me my crutches please for tomorrow is another day and I need His divine help?
Mar 24, 2010
It is really Him.
It is awesome to think that I have the great grace and privilege as a Catholic to go to Holy Communion and receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
This is my little blogspot so I can say anything I want and tonight I want to shout to everyone that I am so blessed to be Catholic - the church founded by Jesus Himself. He has given us the Fullness of Truth which includes Himself in the Eucharist.
You may read this and not agree with me. I'm not interested in debating our difference in what we believe. I have "been there" and "done that" with people and I tell you tonight that debating about the Eucharist is largely a waste of time because you either believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit the bread becomes Jesus, or you don't. It is a matter of faith. Read John 6 --- "Unless you eat my body and drink my blood, you shall not have life within you. Also St. Paul brings out that (paraphrase here ) isn't His body real food and his blood, real drink?
I am so blessed to be Catholic. I am so blessed to be able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. I just love Jesus so much. That is all I want to say tonight. Please don't debate me on this. If you disagree, so be it. But I challenge you to do some research on this. Read Scripture. Read the Catechism. Read about Eucharistic miracles. Pray about it. Because...
It is really Him.
This is my little blogspot so I can say anything I want and tonight I want to shout to everyone that I am so blessed to be Catholic - the church founded by Jesus Himself. He has given us the Fullness of Truth which includes Himself in the Eucharist.
You may read this and not agree with me. I'm not interested in debating our difference in what we believe. I have "been there" and "done that" with people and I tell you tonight that debating about the Eucharist is largely a waste of time because you either believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit the bread becomes Jesus, or you don't. It is a matter of faith. Read John 6 --- "Unless you eat my body and drink my blood, you shall not have life within you. Also St. Paul brings out that (paraphrase here ) isn't His body real food and his blood, real drink?
I am so blessed to be Catholic. I am so blessed to be able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. I just love Jesus so much. That is all I want to say tonight. Please don't debate me on this. If you disagree, so be it. But I challenge you to do some research on this. Read Scripture. Read the Catechism. Read about Eucharistic miracles. Pray about it. Because...
It is really Him.
Mar 23, 2010
Beware of uncertain roads and little red wagons
I once did a foolish thing. Well, let me clarify, I've done lots of foolish things, but this one thing was incredibly foolish. I was a day camp director one summer many years ago. I loved to arrive very early each day. The camp was fairly deep in the woods. I loved going in early to hear the birds and just be alone with God in nature before the kids poured out of their buses for a day of fun.
Anyway, I had one of those "getting in touch with my inner child moments", or so I thought. I saw a red wagon on the side of the path. A typical kids' wagon. I saw that the path was a slow downhill through the woods. I was going downhill. I thought "Oh, if I get in the wagon I can ride downhill and get to the bottom faster and it would be fun too." Right ? WRONG. So, very wrong. But I got in the wagon anyway. It was small so I was sort of kneeling in it. I started going down the hill very gently and it was fun. I went over small stones and little lumps. I thought to myself "what a great idea!" About a second and a half later, things started going very wrong and I knew I was on a very uncertain and dangerous road!
The wagon seemed to pick up speed. The gullies and stones in the road became bigger and the path became more windy. Within no time, I was totally out of control and flying down the hill. It was all I could do to stay inside the wagon. I had no braking system. My heart filled with panic and what once was a great idea suddenly became very foolish and dangerous.
And then it happened....I hit something on the path and the wagon went one way and I went the other. I skidded down the path on my knees and stomach, rolled over and slammed into a small tree. Suddenly all was quiet. It was almost like one of those cartoons with the little stars and tweety birds dancing around my head.
After a moment of silence, I realized I was still alive. I moaned and groaned. Here I was an adult, a very foolish and stupid adult, laying in the middle of the woods, bloodied and sore. I had a bandana with me ( an essential in the woods for any girl scout ), and tied up my knee which was dripping very badly with blood.
How is this a metaphor for the spiritual life? We are all on a spiritual path somewhere in God's world. But sometimes we take things into our own hands. Instead of taking it slow, trusting, and walking humbly with our God, we think we can get to the end of the path quicker and more efficiently. Sure, we may get there, if we don't crash and burn like I did, but we will miss things along the way. If I had walked down that path I would have seen different birds and plants and heard the little creatures in the woods. I would have noticed the beauty of the details God made in nature. Instead I was in a hurry and thought I had a better idea.
In a world where things often go fast, we have trouble going slow. We want efficiency and quick results. In doing so we can miss so much along the way. And in going fast, we overlook things that God might be trying to show us.
To this day, I have had an aversion to little red wagons, but I still love to wander down wooded paths and uncertain roads. The difference is that since then, I learned to hold onto Jesus instead of the handle of a wagon.
Anyway, I had one of those "getting in touch with my inner child moments", or so I thought. I saw a red wagon on the side of the path. A typical kids' wagon. I saw that the path was a slow downhill through the woods. I was going downhill. I thought "Oh, if I get in the wagon I can ride downhill and get to the bottom faster and it would be fun too." Right ? WRONG. So, very wrong. But I got in the wagon anyway. It was small so I was sort of kneeling in it. I started going down the hill very gently and it was fun. I went over small stones and little lumps. I thought to myself "what a great idea!" About a second and a half later, things started going very wrong and I knew I was on a very uncertain and dangerous road!
The wagon seemed to pick up speed. The gullies and stones in the road became bigger and the path became more windy. Within no time, I was totally out of control and flying down the hill. It was all I could do to stay inside the wagon. I had no braking system. My heart filled with panic and what once was a great idea suddenly became very foolish and dangerous.
And then it happened....I hit something on the path and the wagon went one way and I went the other. I skidded down the path on my knees and stomach, rolled over and slammed into a small tree. Suddenly all was quiet. It was almost like one of those cartoons with the little stars and tweety birds dancing around my head.
After a moment of silence, I realized I was still alive. I moaned and groaned. Here I was an adult, a very foolish and stupid adult, laying in the middle of the woods, bloodied and sore. I had a bandana with me ( an essential in the woods for any girl scout ), and tied up my knee which was dripping very badly with blood.
How is this a metaphor for the spiritual life? We are all on a spiritual path somewhere in God's world. But sometimes we take things into our own hands. Instead of taking it slow, trusting, and walking humbly with our God, we think we can get to the end of the path quicker and more efficiently. Sure, we may get there, if we don't crash and burn like I did, but we will miss things along the way. If I had walked down that path I would have seen different birds and plants and heard the little creatures in the woods. I would have noticed the beauty of the details God made in nature. Instead I was in a hurry and thought I had a better idea.
In a world where things often go fast, we have trouble going slow. We want efficiency and quick results. In doing so we can miss so much along the way. And in going fast, we overlook things that God might be trying to show us.
To this day, I have had an aversion to little red wagons, but I still love to wander down wooded paths and uncertain roads. The difference is that since then, I learned to hold onto Jesus instead of the handle of a wagon.
Mar 22, 2010
Born for this time in history
Have you ever wondered why you were born to live in this time in history? I do. I wonder why God made me for this time. Why not the Victorian age? Why not during the American revolution time? But he made us for today.
We are living in an upside down world. Bad is good. Blatant sinfullness is popular and praised in our culture. JP2 was right, we are living in a culture of death.
Fr. Corapi on EWTN said "Don't focus on the darkness" in this world. Isn't that great advice ? The times we are living in are dark. But we are called to be lights and to focus on Jesus, the light of the world.
So, in this dark time in human history, why are YOU here ? Why am I here ? What is our purpose ? We each have a unique purpose. Some days I think I know my purpose. and know exactly where to shine my little light, and other days I don't.
We are coming to the closing days of the Lenten season. Have we grown in faith? Have we grown in our relationship with Jesus ? Have we created habits that will last far beyond Holy Week and Easter Sunday ? Have we had a conversion experience during this time? Have we prayed, fasted, gone to confession, given alms ? Have we become more holy ? Have we taken advantage of everything our wonderful Catholic Church has offered us ?
Have I become more holy? I hope so, perhaps a little bit. I have tried during Lent to become better. I really have. I have prayed from the heart with great seriousness. I know Jesus listened. I have felt His grace in those moments.
But, I am not prepared to say why God put me here at this point. I just hope that I am doing His will as best I can as the opporunity arises each day. I suppose that the quick answer of why I am here is "to love and serve God"...but unpacking that phrase takes time and reflection.
I do know that, collectively, we Catholics are put here in this time to be lights in the darkness, in however that will take form for each of us. I believe that we will someday be held accountable to the One Almighty God for how well we let our lights shine. We have the entire deposit of faith, afterall. We have the answers in Jesus Christ. It is like we have a grand closet filled with gifts and everything we need, but we keep it locked up and refuse to share it with others, or even to share it with ourselves.
We have to open the closet wide, throw away the keys, make an assembly line and toss out the gifts for the entire world! There are needs out there in the world that we are supposed to be helping with. Jesus said, whatsover we do to the least, we do to him. At this point in time we are letting sin run rampant because we do not speak up. WE HAVE THE HEALING OILS ! WE HAVE THE MASTER PHYSICIAN ! WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST ! WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE HEART AND HANDS OF JESUS TO THE WORLD ! (Sorry for the yelling...I get emotional about this stuff! LOL !)
We have it all. We are born in this time in history for a reason. Let us then all fall down in prayer before Jesus and surrender ourselves to Him and let him fill our hearts and empower us, and send us, and anoint us, and use us.
We don't have to live in this culture of death if we bring it into the light, and let Jesus transform it.
Anyway, these are my thoughts tonight. They sound loud and extreme, but this is how strongly I am feeling about things in our world tonight.
We have to step out in faith and somehow, even in a very very small way, we have to make a difference in this time in history.....
"Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more".....SO LET'S SURRENDER AND GET BUSY ! There is a world out there that needs us to tell them about Jesus.
Sigh.....I sure hope someone is out there reading this and agreeing with me ! :)
We are living in an upside down world. Bad is good. Blatant sinfullness is popular and praised in our culture. JP2 was right, we are living in a culture of death.
Fr. Corapi on EWTN said "Don't focus on the darkness" in this world. Isn't that great advice ? The times we are living in are dark. But we are called to be lights and to focus on Jesus, the light of the world.
So, in this dark time in human history, why are YOU here ? Why am I here ? What is our purpose ? We each have a unique purpose. Some days I think I know my purpose. and know exactly where to shine my little light, and other days I don't.
We are coming to the closing days of the Lenten season. Have we grown in faith? Have we grown in our relationship with Jesus ? Have we created habits that will last far beyond Holy Week and Easter Sunday ? Have we had a conversion experience during this time? Have we prayed, fasted, gone to confession, given alms ? Have we become more holy ? Have we taken advantage of everything our wonderful Catholic Church has offered us ?
Have I become more holy? I hope so, perhaps a little bit. I have tried during Lent to become better. I really have. I have prayed from the heart with great seriousness. I know Jesus listened. I have felt His grace in those moments.
But, I am not prepared to say why God put me here at this point. I just hope that I am doing His will as best I can as the opporunity arises each day. I suppose that the quick answer of why I am here is "to love and serve God"...but unpacking that phrase takes time and reflection.
I do know that, collectively, we Catholics are put here in this time to be lights in the darkness, in however that will take form for each of us. I believe that we will someday be held accountable to the One Almighty God for how well we let our lights shine. We have the entire deposit of faith, afterall. We have the answers in Jesus Christ. It is like we have a grand closet filled with gifts and everything we need, but we keep it locked up and refuse to share it with others, or even to share it with ourselves.
We have to open the closet wide, throw away the keys, make an assembly line and toss out the gifts for the entire world! There are needs out there in the world that we are supposed to be helping with. Jesus said, whatsover we do to the least, we do to him. At this point in time we are letting sin run rampant because we do not speak up. WE HAVE THE HEALING OILS ! WE HAVE THE MASTER PHYSICIAN ! WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST ! WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE HEART AND HANDS OF JESUS TO THE WORLD ! (Sorry for the yelling...I get emotional about this stuff! LOL !)
We have it all. We are born in this time in history for a reason. Let us then all fall down in prayer before Jesus and surrender ourselves to Him and let him fill our hearts and empower us, and send us, and anoint us, and use us.
We don't have to live in this culture of death if we bring it into the light, and let Jesus transform it.
Anyway, these are my thoughts tonight. They sound loud and extreme, but this is how strongly I am feeling about things in our world tonight.
We have to step out in faith and somehow, even in a very very small way, we have to make a difference in this time in history.....
"Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more".....SO LET'S SURRENDER AND GET BUSY ! There is a world out there that needs us to tell them about Jesus.
Sigh.....I sure hope someone is out there reading this and agreeing with me ! :)
Mar 21, 2010
The benefit of pouring out one's heart to God
What is the benefit of pouring out one's heart to God?
Have you ever thought about it? I am thinking of that tonight.
By "pouring out one's heart " I mean not just pouring, but emptying. I mean letting everything out until there is nothing left at all. Not even a drop. You give everything to God. Every thought. Every feeling. Everything.
Why should we do that? I mean, He already knows everything about us. I don't think it has as much to do with the fact that He needs to, or has to, hear it all. I think pouring our hearts out cleanses us. It helps us make room in our hearts so that His Holy Spirit can come in and do whatever He wants. That is what I think anyway.
Once the heart is emptied out, what do we do? Well, I think the best thing to do is just to wait. Wait with an empty heart. Ask Him to come into your heart and fill it with whatever He wants in there.
I think pouring out one's heart is something that helps us have a deeper conversion and helps Jesus transform us and mold us. I also don't think it is something that should be done only once and then you assume the job is all done. I think it is like spring cleaning, but should be done more often.
Life has a way of filling our hearts back up with things that are not always of God. Sometimes they are just trivial things, but they still take up room.
Pouring out one's heart also helps us to see our place before God. It humbles us. It can be uncomfortable because some things "stick" like dried mashed potatoes to a plate! So the Holy Spirit has to use a brillo pad to scrub it off of us. So yes, I think it can be painful.
But the benefits we get last longer each time we undergo this experience. Because after the first couple of times, we know what to expect. A little "ouch", a little emptiness, some tears, etc, but then there is that wonderful sense when God's peace rolls on in...the "living water" that is Jesus begins to flow through. Then, the grace, ever so gently comes in and rests there.
I think the last two weeks of Lent are a perfect time to pour out one's heart to God so that we can be as ready as we can for Holy Week, which is coming up quickly.
So, that is all I wanted to say today. I have much more inside to say, but it is very personal and only for Jesus' ears. In the mean time...God bless your night.
Have you ever thought about it? I am thinking of that tonight.
By "pouring out one's heart " I mean not just pouring, but emptying. I mean letting everything out until there is nothing left at all. Not even a drop. You give everything to God. Every thought. Every feeling. Everything.
Why should we do that? I mean, He already knows everything about us. I don't think it has as much to do with the fact that He needs to, or has to, hear it all. I think pouring our hearts out cleanses us. It helps us make room in our hearts so that His Holy Spirit can come in and do whatever He wants. That is what I think anyway.
Once the heart is emptied out, what do we do? Well, I think the best thing to do is just to wait. Wait with an empty heart. Ask Him to come into your heart and fill it with whatever He wants in there.
I think pouring out one's heart is something that helps us have a deeper conversion and helps Jesus transform us and mold us. I also don't think it is something that should be done only once and then you assume the job is all done. I think it is like spring cleaning, but should be done more often.
Life has a way of filling our hearts back up with things that are not always of God. Sometimes they are just trivial things, but they still take up room.
Pouring out one's heart also helps us to see our place before God. It humbles us. It can be uncomfortable because some things "stick" like dried mashed potatoes to a plate! So the Holy Spirit has to use a brillo pad to scrub it off of us. So yes, I think it can be painful.
But the benefits we get last longer each time we undergo this experience. Because after the first couple of times, we know what to expect. A little "ouch", a little emptiness, some tears, etc, but then there is that wonderful sense when God's peace rolls on in...the "living water" that is Jesus begins to flow through. Then, the grace, ever so gently comes in and rests there.
I think the last two weeks of Lent are a perfect time to pour out one's heart to God so that we can be as ready as we can for Holy Week, which is coming up quickly.
So, that is all I wanted to say today. I have much more inside to say, but it is very personal and only for Jesus' ears. In the mean time...God bless your night.
Mar 20, 2010
Talkin' about Jesus
I have a great need within my heart and soul to talk about Jesus. He is the most important Person in my life. That is one reason why I started this blog.
The other night I was privileged to hear Alice Von Hildebrand speak. She is a theologian, philospher, professor, a real lady and a very holy woman. After it was over, once outside, I blurted out to some friends that hearing her speak was like having an oasis plunked down in the middle of my desert.
I don't know if you've ever been around any holy people. I have been around a few. Right now in my life I know three very holy people, plus one that I knew who is now passed away. The Holy Spirit just oozes out of them. I wish I had more time to be with them, to hear them speak, to get to know how and why they got to be so holy. They are wonderful examples for me and I don't think I will ever be able to measure up to them. But, I do have hope that one day I will.
Sometimes however, I think I will never make it to even grace the arena of holiness. I might touch upon it from time to time, like a moth to a light, but to stay and rest on holiness, I don't know if I am able. I am certainly willing and I do ask God to make me holy. I think sometimes he just smiles at me, as an adult smiles at a five year old who says she wants to be a lawyer, ballerina, mommy, and fairy princess all at the same time when she grows up. The adult knows it is pretty much impossible, but lets the child hang on to that hopeful vision.
I do try to be holy though. I really do. I fail miserably about ten times a day. Sometimes more. I know there are some keys to finding holiness. Humility. Prayer. Selflessness. Trust. Faith. Openness. Docility before Jesus. Perseverence. Praising God in the midst of suffering. Those are some of the biggies I know about. I have had all of those at one time or another, but not all together in one package like the three holy people I know. Oh, and another one is knowing when to keep one's mouth shut. That one I don't think I will ever master. I do try though, but fail miserably, and quite often.
I think loving Jesus is just one aspect of becoming holy. Of course, we have to love Him, and those of us on the journey of faith do love him tremendously. But then we have to put our love in action. That is what I think anyway. For me, some days I love Jesus so much that it is hard to keep it in. I know I'm supposed to let my light shine, but I also don't want to be an "in your face" Catholic and offend anyone. So, I try to hold it inside sometimes. Sometimes it is darn near impossible to keep quiet though! That is when I put on my Jesus tunes in my car and play them loud and sing with my horrible singing voice at the top of my lungs. This is best done in the summer when I can open my windows and feel the breeze and the warm air. It is times like that when I swear it is like my car has wings, and I could just lift up into the air, body, soul, and car too!
Sometimes I can get lonely because I really want to talk about Jesus and there is nobody around who understands. I can sit and be so close to Jesus. So very very close. And I have so much love for Him that it feels my heart will just explode into a million fragments of starlight. It is so great that I can tell Jesus I love Him and I know He is very close, however there is also the need to shout it from the mountain top too. I want to share that with others. But alas, we "Jesus freaks" are usually misunderstood.
What I really need is a group of people who also love Jesus very very very much and want to talk about Him and how He is working in our lives. What I need are people who also like to delve into Jesus' words and ponder them aloud with me.
I am looking for this. I don't know if I will find it though. Many Catholics are a bit shy about sharing their faith - even some priests and sisters these days. About a month or so ago, I actually e-mailed a sister in my diocese and asked if she would get together to share and talk. I also asked her another question about an event in our area. She got back to me and answered my second question, but totally ignored my invitation to get together. I told her I didn't know that many sisters and I thought it would be neat to get together. Nope.
So, I don't know what Jesus has up His holy sleeve for me. I ask. I wait. I pray.
I think perhaps I need to start talking more to the communion of saints more ...the canonized ones in Heaven. They will understand. I don't know what I would do if they started talking back though ! LOL ! Although St. Anthony does help me find things from time to time, but has never talked to me!
Once again, I am being hyper verbal, but hey, you came into my blog world so you have to put up with my ramblings. You can click me off anytime you want. People in the real world do that to me alot so I'm used to it. Plus here, I won't even know that you came to listen to me, and I won't know if you leave either.
So, if you are floating around my little blogspot, have a blessed night.
The other night I was privileged to hear Alice Von Hildebrand speak. She is a theologian, philospher, professor, a real lady and a very holy woman. After it was over, once outside, I blurted out to some friends that hearing her speak was like having an oasis plunked down in the middle of my desert.
I don't know if you've ever been around any holy people. I have been around a few. Right now in my life I know three very holy people, plus one that I knew who is now passed away. The Holy Spirit just oozes out of them. I wish I had more time to be with them, to hear them speak, to get to know how and why they got to be so holy. They are wonderful examples for me and I don't think I will ever be able to measure up to them. But, I do have hope that one day I will.
Sometimes however, I think I will never make it to even grace the arena of holiness. I might touch upon it from time to time, like a moth to a light, but to stay and rest on holiness, I don't know if I am able. I am certainly willing and I do ask God to make me holy. I think sometimes he just smiles at me, as an adult smiles at a five year old who says she wants to be a lawyer, ballerina, mommy, and fairy princess all at the same time when she grows up. The adult knows it is pretty much impossible, but lets the child hang on to that hopeful vision.
I do try to be holy though. I really do. I fail miserably about ten times a day. Sometimes more. I know there are some keys to finding holiness. Humility. Prayer. Selflessness. Trust. Faith. Openness. Docility before Jesus. Perseverence. Praising God in the midst of suffering. Those are some of the biggies I know about. I have had all of those at one time or another, but not all together in one package like the three holy people I know. Oh, and another one is knowing when to keep one's mouth shut. That one I don't think I will ever master. I do try though, but fail miserably, and quite often.
I think loving Jesus is just one aspect of becoming holy. Of course, we have to love Him, and those of us on the journey of faith do love him tremendously. But then we have to put our love in action. That is what I think anyway. For me, some days I love Jesus so much that it is hard to keep it in. I know I'm supposed to let my light shine, but I also don't want to be an "in your face" Catholic and offend anyone. So, I try to hold it inside sometimes. Sometimes it is darn near impossible to keep quiet though! That is when I put on my Jesus tunes in my car and play them loud and sing with my horrible singing voice at the top of my lungs. This is best done in the summer when I can open my windows and feel the breeze and the warm air. It is times like that when I swear it is like my car has wings, and I could just lift up into the air, body, soul, and car too!
Sometimes I can get lonely because I really want to talk about Jesus and there is nobody around who understands. I can sit and be so close to Jesus. So very very close. And I have so much love for Him that it feels my heart will just explode into a million fragments of starlight. It is so great that I can tell Jesus I love Him and I know He is very close, however there is also the need to shout it from the mountain top too. I want to share that with others. But alas, we "Jesus freaks" are usually misunderstood.
What I really need is a group of people who also love Jesus very very very much and want to talk about Him and how He is working in our lives. What I need are people who also like to delve into Jesus' words and ponder them aloud with me.
I am looking for this. I don't know if I will find it though. Many Catholics are a bit shy about sharing their faith - even some priests and sisters these days. About a month or so ago, I actually e-mailed a sister in my diocese and asked if she would get together to share and talk. I also asked her another question about an event in our area. She got back to me and answered my second question, but totally ignored my invitation to get together. I told her I didn't know that many sisters and I thought it would be neat to get together. Nope.
So, I don't know what Jesus has up His holy sleeve for me. I ask. I wait. I pray.
I think perhaps I need to start talking more to the communion of saints more ...the canonized ones in Heaven. They will understand. I don't know what I would do if they started talking back though ! LOL ! Although St. Anthony does help me find things from time to time, but has never talked to me!
Once again, I am being hyper verbal, but hey, you came into my blog world so you have to put up with my ramblings. You can click me off anytime you want. People in the real world do that to me alot so I'm used to it. Plus here, I won't even know that you came to listen to me, and I won't know if you leave either.
So, if you are floating around my little blogspot, have a blessed night.
Mar 19, 2010
On Being with Jesus
Jesus is always with us. He is good at "being" with us. However, I think many people are not so good at "being" with Him.
How can we "be" with Jesus in our lives? Our crazy busy, technology influenced, "sounds-around-us-all-the-time" lives? This is what I want to talk about tonight on my little blogspot somewhere up here in cyberspace.
So many people hit the ground running the second their alarm clocks go off in the morning. TVs or radios get turned on. Microwaves and coffee pots bleep and blink as we race around to get ready for work or get the kids off to school. Then the workday is full of computer sounds, fax machines, people demanding that we do all sorts of tasks. Then lunch time is usually filled with sounds of people, sometimes just running to the closest fast food place to throw something we think is nutritious into our bodies, then it is back to work for more noise. You get what I'm saying here...it is crazy out there!
It can be hard to carve out any quiet time for ourselves to be with Jesus, and that makes the little creep downstairs (a.k.a. the devil) very happy. He loves us to be super busy and to think we are out of control and have no time for quiet time with Jesus (the "still small voice" that is God).
That is when we have to meet the challenge and look at our schedule. After all, we say we love Jesus, don't we ? We say we are christians, don't we? We have to meet the obstacles in our world head on and we have to stand up and say "JESUS COMES FIRST" and then we have to use our God-given minds and come up with a plan to make it happen.
How to start out being with Jesus a little more each day:
Why don't you sit in your car during your work break and pray a rosary or read a little scripture?
Bring your bible or some spiritual book to work and read a little during your break.
Can't find a quiet place at work ? Try the bathroom !! Seriously !!
Once you master that, try and find a parish that is open where you can sit and pray, even if it is for 10 minutes. I'm very blessed because my adorable little Catholic Church is open a lot so I make good use of it.
The thing is, you have to make a plan, and then make a commitment.
Now, some of you might be afraid of the silence because your mind floods with all your worries and you think it is easier to keep busy so you don't have to think. Again, that is the little creep downstairs at work. Give all your worries and thoughts to Jesus in prayer. Ask Him to help you. He will give you grace in uncommon hours, as the saying goes.
Like anything, it may take practice. You can't just jump into having the spiritual depth of St. Theresa of Avila after a week. It takes self-discipline, commitment, surrender, focus, etc... However, just like going to the gym, once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature. Soon you will find yourself craving time with Jesus.
Now, the beauty of all of this is not only that you will receive graces and a stronger faith and relationship with Jesus, but if you are a parent, you have the opportunity to train your children in their youth to be with Jesus.
This is getting long, but this is what is on my mind tonight. In this crazy world it is very important that we make time for Jesus because He is the One who will give us the strength to deal with our super busy world.
Just think...while you are busy being with Jesus, you won't be spending money, arguing with anyone, saying anything offensive to anyone, bothering anyone, watching mindless TV, or fiddling with computer games.
And that my friends, is my little treatise on "being with Jesus".
Hope you enjoyed yourself....now get off of your computer and GO BE WITH HIM ! :)
How can we "be" with Jesus in our lives? Our crazy busy, technology influenced, "sounds-around-us-all-the-time" lives? This is what I want to talk about tonight on my little blogspot somewhere up here in cyberspace.
So many people hit the ground running the second their alarm clocks go off in the morning. TVs or radios get turned on. Microwaves and coffee pots bleep and blink as we race around to get ready for work or get the kids off to school. Then the workday is full of computer sounds, fax machines, people demanding that we do all sorts of tasks. Then lunch time is usually filled with sounds of people, sometimes just running to the closest fast food place to throw something we think is nutritious into our bodies, then it is back to work for more noise. You get what I'm saying here...it is crazy out there!
It can be hard to carve out any quiet time for ourselves to be with Jesus, and that makes the little creep downstairs (a.k.a. the devil) very happy. He loves us to be super busy and to think we are out of control and have no time for quiet time with Jesus (the "still small voice" that is God).
That is when we have to meet the challenge and look at our schedule. After all, we say we love Jesus, don't we ? We say we are christians, don't we? We have to meet the obstacles in our world head on and we have to stand up and say "JESUS COMES FIRST" and then we have to use our God-given minds and come up with a plan to make it happen.
How to start out being with Jesus a little more each day:
Why don't you sit in your car during your work break and pray a rosary or read a little scripture?
Bring your bible or some spiritual book to work and read a little during your break.
Can't find a quiet place at work ? Try the bathroom !! Seriously !!
Once you master that, try and find a parish that is open where you can sit and pray, even if it is for 10 minutes. I'm very blessed because my adorable little Catholic Church is open a lot so I make good use of it.
The thing is, you have to make a plan, and then make a commitment.
Now, some of you might be afraid of the silence because your mind floods with all your worries and you think it is easier to keep busy so you don't have to think. Again, that is the little creep downstairs at work. Give all your worries and thoughts to Jesus in prayer. Ask Him to help you. He will give you grace in uncommon hours, as the saying goes.
Like anything, it may take practice. You can't just jump into having the spiritual depth of St. Theresa of Avila after a week. It takes self-discipline, commitment, surrender, focus, etc... However, just like going to the gym, once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature. Soon you will find yourself craving time with Jesus.
Now, the beauty of all of this is not only that you will receive graces and a stronger faith and relationship with Jesus, but if you are a parent, you have the opportunity to train your children in their youth to be with Jesus.
This is getting long, but this is what is on my mind tonight. In this crazy world it is very important that we make time for Jesus because He is the One who will give us the strength to deal with our super busy world.
Just think...while you are busy being with Jesus, you won't be spending money, arguing with anyone, saying anything offensive to anyone, bothering anyone, watching mindless TV, or fiddling with computer games.
And that my friends, is my little treatise on "being with Jesus".
Hope you enjoyed yourself....now get off of your computer and GO BE WITH HIM ! :)
Mar 17, 2010
Alleluias not allowed
We are in Lent. We are not supposed to be singing "Alleluia" until the Easter Vigil. But there are some times during my days lately that I've been in an "Alleluia" mood and have wanted to sing and shout ALLELUIA to the world.
There is one CD in particular that I've been listening to. It is from a group called the "Sidewalk Prophets". There is one song, track # 4 that is just so wonderful. A couple of months ago I heard # 4 on the local christian radio station and it came on like it was a special delivery from Heaven just to me. So the next day I went out and got the CD. I like most of the songs.
On this CD there is a song with lots of Alleluias in it. I'm tempted to turn it off because it is Lent and "no Alleluias are allowed", but sometimes, I must confess, I turn it on and turn it very loud while I am driving. Sometimes, I just can't hold it in, you know what I mean? Do you ever feel that way?
Sometimes, when the priest lifts the Eucharist and starts singing "Through Him...with Him...in Him" at Mass, I just picture angels and saints all around the altar table. I just want to turn to all the people and shout: "Do you know who the priest is lifting up?" I know they do (or hope most of them do), because they are Catholic too.
Even in the middle of Lent, that is an Alleluia moment for me. No doubt about it. I may look serene and calm in the pew, but sometimes I am really dancing and praising God so loudly within my heart. Sometimes I am filled with so many Alleluias that I just don't want the Mass to end. I wish we could have a good ten minutes of quiet after receiving Communion to just sit and totally be in His presence.
Sigh.......because it is still Lent, and this is a public blog, I will ever so quietly end by only whispering this one word......"alleluia"......
There is one CD in particular that I've been listening to. It is from a group called the "Sidewalk Prophets". There is one song, track # 4 that is just so wonderful. A couple of months ago I heard # 4 on the local christian radio station and it came on like it was a special delivery from Heaven just to me. So the next day I went out and got the CD. I like most of the songs.
On this CD there is a song with lots of Alleluias in it. I'm tempted to turn it off because it is Lent and "no Alleluias are allowed", but sometimes, I must confess, I turn it on and turn it very loud while I am driving. Sometimes, I just can't hold it in, you know what I mean? Do you ever feel that way?
Sometimes, when the priest lifts the Eucharist and starts singing "Through Him...with Him...in Him" at Mass, I just picture angels and saints all around the altar table. I just want to turn to all the people and shout: "Do you know who the priest is lifting up?" I know they do (or hope most of them do), because they are Catholic too.
Even in the middle of Lent, that is an Alleluia moment for me. No doubt about it. I may look serene and calm in the pew, but sometimes I am really dancing and praising God so loudly within my heart. Sometimes I am filled with so many Alleluias that I just don't want the Mass to end. I wish we could have a good ten minutes of quiet after receiving Communion to just sit and totally be in His presence.
Sigh.......because it is still Lent, and this is a public blog, I will ever so quietly end by only whispering this one word......"alleluia"......
Mar 16, 2010
Some Days are Diamonds. Some Days are Stone.
Today I just want to say, as John Denver once sang it, "Some days are diamonds, some days are stone". We have good days and bad days. Some are better than others and some are much worse than others.
When Jesus physically walked the earth, He had good and bad days too. The difference between Jesus and us is that His bad days didn't cause Him to sin. Some times our "days of stone" cause us to sin. We are weak and when tempted by anger, we can fall into sin. Jesus was without sin. He was tempted just like us, but he didn't lose to temptations.
With Jesus as our model, we can ask Him for the grace and strength to fight, and win, against our temptations. Through this Lenten season, I'm learning that one of the best places to start when we are tempted is to become aware of how we are thinking and then exercise self-control and self-discipline, and ask Jesus to help us.
Of course, on bad days, that can be difficult. It is often much easier to get angry or frustrated and give in to sin. But then, I don't know about you, but I get that "icky" feeling inside and I know I've sinned, and I know I've disappointed Jesus, so then what was once easy, now becomes difficult.
I am also finding that going to Mass and confession often gives me extra strength when the temptations come. Also, praying as much as possible helps too, as well as reading Scripture.
The world throws so much garbage at us, doesn't it? Temptations surrounds us almost constantly. We have to diligently guard our souls and ask Jesus, Mary, our angels, the saints, and St. Michael to help us out.
Diamonds sparkle beautifully. We have to remember that diamonds were once ugly little tidbits in the ground. Once excavated and polished up, they shine so wonderfully.
Just so, Jesus can take our days of stone and shine them up so that they twinkle like diamonds. Maybe it might not seem like our days are sparkling when we are walking through them, but if we are open to the Holy Spirit, in hindsight, we can see some good that came out of them, even if it is just a lesson learned so tomorrow will be a bit more shiney.
When Jesus physically walked the earth, He had good and bad days too. The difference between Jesus and us is that His bad days didn't cause Him to sin. Some times our "days of stone" cause us to sin. We are weak and when tempted by anger, we can fall into sin. Jesus was without sin. He was tempted just like us, but he didn't lose to temptations.
With Jesus as our model, we can ask Him for the grace and strength to fight, and win, against our temptations. Through this Lenten season, I'm learning that one of the best places to start when we are tempted is to become aware of how we are thinking and then exercise self-control and self-discipline, and ask Jesus to help us.
Of course, on bad days, that can be difficult. It is often much easier to get angry or frustrated and give in to sin. But then, I don't know about you, but I get that "icky" feeling inside and I know I've sinned, and I know I've disappointed Jesus, so then what was once easy, now becomes difficult.
I am also finding that going to Mass and confession often gives me extra strength when the temptations come. Also, praying as much as possible helps too, as well as reading Scripture.
The world throws so much garbage at us, doesn't it? Temptations surrounds us almost constantly. We have to diligently guard our souls and ask Jesus, Mary, our angels, the saints, and St. Michael to help us out.
Diamonds sparkle beautifully. We have to remember that diamonds were once ugly little tidbits in the ground. Once excavated and polished up, they shine so wonderfully.
Just so, Jesus can take our days of stone and shine them up so that they twinkle like diamonds. Maybe it might not seem like our days are sparkling when we are walking through them, but if we are open to the Holy Spirit, in hindsight, we can see some good that came out of them, even if it is just a lesson learned so tomorrow will be a bit more shiney.
Mar 13, 2010
The Breath of God
Today is a very windy day. Rainy too. But my thoughts are focused on the wind. Have you ever heard the saying "If God stopped thinking about us we would cease to exist"? I love thinking about that. It tells me that God is so very close to me at all times. Closer than my heart beat. Closer than each thought.
For me, whenever I feel a breeze, or in today's case, wind, I imagine that it is the breath of God surrounding me and giving life to everything. It is His invisible touch that touches my cheeks, tousles my hair, and sometimes, dries my tears.
When I experience strong winds like we are having today, to me it is the power of God in action. Perhaps He is doing something important that I'm unaware of? Perhaps he enjoys pushing the sailboats on the water? Perhaps He likes watching the leaves twist and turn and pirouette in the air? Or perhaps He likes to give wind to help the birds fly faster? Perhaps He just wants to remind us that He is close by and is trying to get our attention?
We are still in Lent...but I'm reminded of the story of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples like a "strong driving wind" and gave life to the Church.
I'm also reminded of a poem I once heard. It is so short so I was able to memorize it. I don't remember who the author is but it goes like this:
Sounds of the wind
sounds of the sea
makes one happy
just to be.
The breath of our incredibly loving God breathes on us daily. He gives us life just as He gave life to the Church on Pentecost. When we breathe in the air, we breathe in His Holy Spirit. That's what I believe anyway.
Speaking of the wind...it is getting really strong out there and my lights are starting to flicker. I think perhaps, the power might go out. Perhaps God is trying to tell me to get off the computer.
I can take a hint, Lord, so I'm signing off.
Good night (or day) to anyone who is reading this little blog.
For me, whenever I feel a breeze, or in today's case, wind, I imagine that it is the breath of God surrounding me and giving life to everything. It is His invisible touch that touches my cheeks, tousles my hair, and sometimes, dries my tears.
When I experience strong winds like we are having today, to me it is the power of God in action. Perhaps He is doing something important that I'm unaware of? Perhaps he enjoys pushing the sailboats on the water? Perhaps He likes watching the leaves twist and turn and pirouette in the air? Or perhaps He likes to give wind to help the birds fly faster? Perhaps He just wants to remind us that He is close by and is trying to get our attention?
We are still in Lent...but I'm reminded of the story of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples like a "strong driving wind" and gave life to the Church.
I'm also reminded of a poem I once heard. It is so short so I was able to memorize it. I don't remember who the author is but it goes like this:
Sounds of the wind
sounds of the sea
makes one happy
just to be.
The breath of our incredibly loving God breathes on us daily. He gives us life just as He gave life to the Church on Pentecost. When we breathe in the air, we breathe in His Holy Spirit. That's what I believe anyway.
Speaking of the wind...it is getting really strong out there and my lights are starting to flicker. I think perhaps, the power might go out. Perhaps God is trying to tell me to get off the computer.
I can take a hint, Lord, so I'm signing off.
Good night (or day) to anyone who is reading this little blog.
Mar 12, 2010
You want me to pray for WHO?
Jesus instructed us to pray for our enemies and for those who persecute us. Do you ever wonder why? I have.
I know the power of prayer is great and I believe that our prayers, in some ways, can perhaps soften the hearts of others, and help them change their ways.
I have also learned that praying for one's enemies and those who persecute us can also change the heart of the person doing the praying. It helps compassion build inside because we start to see our enemies the way Jesus sees them. Jesus loves all of us, even our enemies, just as much as he loves those of us who consider ourselves "good". It took me a long while to realize that.
Knowing that we are all God's children gives me more resolve to pray for my enemies or for the people that "give me grief".
I think being able to willingly pray for our enemies can be freeing. We are asking for these people to feel God's love and to experience a conversion and to desire more of Jesus. In doing so, if and when the person is open to receiving this, then perhaps they won't be our enemies or persecute us anymore. Wouldn't that be cool?
I think it is important to be honest when we pray and let God know that sometimes it is difficult to pray for an enemy, but we ask God to bless them anyway.
I once worked with someone who was ALWAYS on my case. And I mean, ALWAYS. He was a Catholic too, but he was an angry, hard soul to contend with. After some time, it came to my mind that he must need some sort of healing or conversion. I decided to start praying "big time" for him. Days went by, and that is exactly what I did. Of course, I didn't tell him I was praying for him. One day, at work, I was walking down the path between two buildings and he was walking towards me. A feeling of dread filled my heart because I just knew he would say something critical. Instead, he stopped me, smiled a big smile and said "Hey,do you know how much POWER our God has ?" I was dumbfounded and I hesitantly said "yes...a lot", thinking that this might be a trick question or something. He then proceeded to tell me that he had just gone on a weekend retreat and had a deep experience of God. He proceeded to talk non stop for several minutes about the retreat. After that day, he was very nice to me and was a different person in so many ways to everyone else at the job too.
I'm not saying that I was responsible for that happening, because I have no clue how many other people were praying for him, but I think my prayers must have had some effect on his tired and angry little soul.
That experienced convinced me that praying for one's enemies actually has some merit. So as usual, God is always right - we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
I know the power of prayer is great and I believe that our prayers, in some ways, can perhaps soften the hearts of others, and help them change their ways.
I have also learned that praying for one's enemies and those who persecute us can also change the heart of the person doing the praying. It helps compassion build inside because we start to see our enemies the way Jesus sees them. Jesus loves all of us, even our enemies, just as much as he loves those of us who consider ourselves "good". It took me a long while to realize that.
Knowing that we are all God's children gives me more resolve to pray for my enemies or for the people that "give me grief".
I think being able to willingly pray for our enemies can be freeing. We are asking for these people to feel God's love and to experience a conversion and to desire more of Jesus. In doing so, if and when the person is open to receiving this, then perhaps they won't be our enemies or persecute us anymore. Wouldn't that be cool?
I think it is important to be honest when we pray and let God know that sometimes it is difficult to pray for an enemy, but we ask God to bless them anyway.
I once worked with someone who was ALWAYS on my case. And I mean, ALWAYS. He was a Catholic too, but he was an angry, hard soul to contend with. After some time, it came to my mind that he must need some sort of healing or conversion. I decided to start praying "big time" for him. Days went by, and that is exactly what I did. Of course, I didn't tell him I was praying for him. One day, at work, I was walking down the path between two buildings and he was walking towards me. A feeling of dread filled my heart because I just knew he would say something critical. Instead, he stopped me, smiled a big smile and said "Hey,do you know how much POWER our God has ?" I was dumbfounded and I hesitantly said "yes...a lot", thinking that this might be a trick question or something. He then proceeded to tell me that he had just gone on a weekend retreat and had a deep experience of God. He proceeded to talk non stop for several minutes about the retreat. After that day, he was very nice to me and was a different person in so many ways to everyone else at the job too.
I'm not saying that I was responsible for that happening, because I have no clue how many other people were praying for him, but I think my prayers must have had some effect on his tired and angry little soul.
That experienced convinced me that praying for one's enemies actually has some merit. So as usual, God is always right - we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
Mar 10, 2010
Oscar vs. Jesus
I think it is interesting to note how people in our society are rewarded for working really hard at some things that are ultimately meaningless - landing a big account at work, chasing a little football around and winning the Superbowl, compiling computer data for some political survey, acting in a multi million dollar movie and getting to take home a little gold statue of some faceless dude named Oscar, etc..but yet if an individual starts working really hard and accomplishing great strides and growth in their faith life, then are all of a sudden they find themselves questioned or critized; not applauded and rewarded.
Some of you know what I mean. You start making changes in your life like going to Mass more often, reading the Bible, reading other faith based books, and people around you can deal with it because your faith is still largely private. But then, Heaven forbid, you start actually letting those changes make a difference in your life. You stop going to movies that are offensive to God. You stop some bad habits, or stop telling jokes you shouldn't tell. You start treating people better and then the ultimate...you start sharing your faith in conversations and talking about how special Jesus is to you and then the ultra ultimate - you start talking about the Eucharist. Then you start going on a retreat or two, and start getting involved in your parish. Then you start "embarrassing" people by saying Grace when you go out to eat, complete with the sign of the cross!
When you are at that point, some friends will walk away. Some family members will walk away. You are not being pushy, but you are just "being you" or the "new" you. People may start pulling you aside and suggesting that perhaps you "tone it down" a bit, even though you aren't shoving your faith in anyone's face, you are just choosing to live and act a certain way in the world. You are trying to let your little light shine.
It has always intrigued me how most people will say they believe in some sort of a God, because that is acceptable, but when God actually impacts your life, then that becomes a problem.
It is becoming more and more counter cultural to actively live our christian faith today. Sometimes I want to get a big pulpit and shout out to all Catholics: DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE WHAT JESUS AND HIS CHURCH ARE ALL ABOUT AND IF YOU DO THEN WHY DON'T YOU LIVE IT OUT? WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF?
I don't see why Catholics are so shy about their faith. It is the most wonderful faith! We are part of a way of being that Jesus Christ Himself started. He gave the keys to the Kingdom to Peter, the first pope, and He said He would build His Church upon him. And then He went ahead and did it! Over 2000 years later and His church is still standing! ONE HOLY CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC FAITH. We have absolutely nothing to be ashamed or afraid of.
And yet, many Catholics still cower. You know, if I recall correctly it was Jesus who said that if we are ashamed of Him on earth His Father would be ashamed of us in Heaven. That seems to me to be a straight forward comment from the one and only Son of God.
How many Catholics are really comfortable living out their faith in public places....like bowing their heads at work and saying Grace before their lunch, having a Bible in their office that they actually read, coming to work on Ash Wednesday with a big gray cross proudly stamped on their foreheads or refusing to do certain activities on a Sunday because it is the Lord's day ? Is that too scary because someone just might see? ISN'T THAT THE WHOLE POINT ?? TO LET THE PEOPLE SEE US LIVING OUR FAITH and being WITNESSES?
Okay, I feel better now that I've ranted a little. I just had to get that out. I'm like that sometimes.
But in all seriousness...we have to live our faith. One of my favorite sayings I heard along the way is that as Catholics "we don't impose our faith, but we don't apologize for it either". We don't have to be loud about it, as I was here. I know I am speaking to the choir for the most part on this blog anyway, but we have to live it.
Someday I'd rather hear the words "Well done my good and faithful servant" than "...and the Oscar goes to........"
...fade to commercial........
Some of you know what I mean. You start making changes in your life like going to Mass more often, reading the Bible, reading other faith based books, and people around you can deal with it because your faith is still largely private. But then, Heaven forbid, you start actually letting those changes make a difference in your life. You stop going to movies that are offensive to God. You stop some bad habits, or stop telling jokes you shouldn't tell. You start treating people better and then the ultimate...you start sharing your faith in conversations and talking about how special Jesus is to you and then the ultra ultimate - you start talking about the Eucharist. Then you start going on a retreat or two, and start getting involved in your parish. Then you start "embarrassing" people by saying Grace when you go out to eat, complete with the sign of the cross!
When you are at that point, some friends will walk away. Some family members will walk away. You are not being pushy, but you are just "being you" or the "new" you. People may start pulling you aside and suggesting that perhaps you "tone it down" a bit, even though you aren't shoving your faith in anyone's face, you are just choosing to live and act a certain way in the world. You are trying to let your little light shine.
It has always intrigued me how most people will say they believe in some sort of a God, because that is acceptable, but when God actually impacts your life, then that becomes a problem.
It is becoming more and more counter cultural to actively live our christian faith today. Sometimes I want to get a big pulpit and shout out to all Catholics: DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE WHAT JESUS AND HIS CHURCH ARE ALL ABOUT AND IF YOU DO THEN WHY DON'T YOU LIVE IT OUT? WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF?
I don't see why Catholics are so shy about their faith. It is the most wonderful faith! We are part of a way of being that Jesus Christ Himself started. He gave the keys to the Kingdom to Peter, the first pope, and He said He would build His Church upon him. And then He went ahead and did it! Over 2000 years later and His church is still standing! ONE HOLY CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC FAITH. We have absolutely nothing to be ashamed or afraid of.
And yet, many Catholics still cower. You know, if I recall correctly it was Jesus who said that if we are ashamed of Him on earth His Father would be ashamed of us in Heaven. That seems to me to be a straight forward comment from the one and only Son of God.
How many Catholics are really comfortable living out their faith in public places....like bowing their heads at work and saying Grace before their lunch, having a Bible in their office that they actually read, coming to work on Ash Wednesday with a big gray cross proudly stamped on their foreheads or refusing to do certain activities on a Sunday because it is the Lord's day ? Is that too scary because someone just might see? ISN'T THAT THE WHOLE POINT ?? TO LET THE PEOPLE SEE US LIVING OUR FAITH and being WITNESSES?
Okay, I feel better now that I've ranted a little. I just had to get that out. I'm like that sometimes.
But in all seriousness...we have to live our faith. One of my favorite sayings I heard along the way is that as Catholics "we don't impose our faith, but we don't apologize for it either". We don't have to be loud about it, as I was here. I know I am speaking to the choir for the most part on this blog anyway, but we have to live it.
Someday I'd rather hear the words "Well done my good and faithful servant" than "...and the Oscar goes to........"
...fade to commercial........
Mar 9, 2010
Get your Soul in the Box
Several years back I created a relay race that I use on teen retreats. It is called "Get your Soul in the Box". It is corny, but fun, and gets a big point across.
Each team has to get all their teammates to walk several feet with a cotton ball stuck on their nose with the use of vaseline. The vaseline keeps it stuck there just long enough for the person to walk several feet and then they gently blow the cotton ball off their nose into a shoe box. The winner is the team that gets the most cotton balls in the box when the final bell rings. It can be hard because sometimes the cotton balls fall off and they have to go back in line and start again.
I explain to the teens that the cotton ball represents our souls, and we are responsible for taking care of them and keeping them clean as we journey through life. The vaseline serves as a symbol of our faith, the "glue" that keeps our souls from falling on the dirty ground and getting soiled. The blowing of the cotton ball off their own nose represents the work of the holy spirit helping to get their cotton ball in the box - a.k.a. - the box represents the confessional/reconciliation room. Once they understand the symbolism they really seem to take the relay race more seriously and work hard to get as many "souls" in the box as possible.
It is corny but it works. The teens get the symbolism easily and it is a metaphor that they'll remember their entire lives. Plus, they have a lot of laughs doing it.
Usually after this activity, I have them all sit down and I give a talk about Reconciliation and how important it is for the health of their souls and how keeping one's soul clean and pure helps them to be better people and more open to the work of the Holy Spirit. Later in the retreat they usually have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament.
At times, when they've returned from the Sacrament, I hand them each a fresh, new, clean cotton ball "soul" to take home with them and it is really neat to see how carefully they handle it, as if it were their real soul. I've met teens months after the retreat and they've told me that they still have their cotton ball "soul" and their parents don't understand why they are so attached to it and won't throw it away! But keeping it is a reminder to them of the importance of staying pure and going to Reconciliation.
For me, one of the greatest phrases in the world is what the priest says at the end of reconciliation: "I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".
I don't understand why more Catholics don't appreciate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is truly a healing Sacrament and helps to keep our souls, hearts, minds, and bodies on the right track in life.
I went through a period of time many years ago when I was "against" Reconciliation and refused to go for about 7 years. But that was only because I didn't understand it. Once I had a correct understanding of this Sacrament I became a big fan and, even though sometimes it is hard to go becasue of my sinfulness, it is well worth it.
In this Lenten season 2010, if you haven't gone to confession / reconciliation in a long time please do. Your priest will help you out if you are nervous and you will soon see its incredible benefits.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your soul in the box !
Each team has to get all their teammates to walk several feet with a cotton ball stuck on their nose with the use of vaseline. The vaseline keeps it stuck there just long enough for the person to walk several feet and then they gently blow the cotton ball off their nose into a shoe box. The winner is the team that gets the most cotton balls in the box when the final bell rings. It can be hard because sometimes the cotton balls fall off and they have to go back in line and start again.
I explain to the teens that the cotton ball represents our souls, and we are responsible for taking care of them and keeping them clean as we journey through life. The vaseline serves as a symbol of our faith, the "glue" that keeps our souls from falling on the dirty ground and getting soiled. The blowing of the cotton ball off their own nose represents the work of the holy spirit helping to get their cotton ball in the box - a.k.a. - the box represents the confessional/reconciliation room. Once they understand the symbolism they really seem to take the relay race more seriously and work hard to get as many "souls" in the box as possible.
It is corny but it works. The teens get the symbolism easily and it is a metaphor that they'll remember their entire lives. Plus, they have a lot of laughs doing it.
Usually after this activity, I have them all sit down and I give a talk about Reconciliation and how important it is for the health of their souls and how keeping one's soul clean and pure helps them to be better people and more open to the work of the Holy Spirit. Later in the retreat they usually have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament.
At times, when they've returned from the Sacrament, I hand them each a fresh, new, clean cotton ball "soul" to take home with them and it is really neat to see how carefully they handle it, as if it were their real soul. I've met teens months after the retreat and they've told me that they still have their cotton ball "soul" and their parents don't understand why they are so attached to it and won't throw it away! But keeping it is a reminder to them of the importance of staying pure and going to Reconciliation.
For me, one of the greatest phrases in the world is what the priest says at the end of reconciliation: "I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".
I don't understand why more Catholics don't appreciate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is truly a healing Sacrament and helps to keep our souls, hearts, minds, and bodies on the right track in life.
I went through a period of time many years ago when I was "against" Reconciliation and refused to go for about 7 years. But that was only because I didn't understand it. Once I had a correct understanding of this Sacrament I became a big fan and, even though sometimes it is hard to go becasue of my sinfulness, it is well worth it.
In this Lenten season 2010, if you haven't gone to confession / reconciliation in a long time please do. Your priest will help you out if you are nervous and you will soon see its incredible benefits.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your soul in the box !
Mar 8, 2010
The Gift of Purple
Pink has always been my favorite color....just look at the colors here on my blog!
But this time of year, purple becomes my favorite color because it is the color of the Lenten season and all that it has to offer. Lent is a wonderful gift from the Church and each year I learn to unwrap this gift more and more - one ribbon, and one layer of wrapping paper at a time.
Lent gives us an incredible opportunity and challenge to look deep within our souls and to seek a greater relationship with Jesus, and also to examine our relationship with Him and to examine everything about our lives. It challenges us so that when Lent is over and we come out on the other side on Easter Sunday, we will be new, different, and somehow transformed. That is an awesome gift!
I think the church is getting better at helping us do this every year. Either that, or I'm just listening more ! LOL ! In my little corner of the world, we have several Catholic churches fairly close to each other. As a result, I can attend various Lenten activities and it is just so spiritually envigorating! And Jesus knows that I need all the help I can get!
Just within the last week or so I went to Mass (as usual), Vespers, a Mission Talk with adoration and Reconciliation, and a Lenten supper with a talk. I also attended the Rite of Sending and Rite of Election for the RCIA process with/for my parish. I will also soon attend another mission and a play. Plus, EWTN has wonderful programing on TV during this special time of year (yes, a plug for EWTN).
THIS IS EXCITING STUFF FOR ME !
Being Catholic in Lent is like winning the spiritual lotto. No ticket required - you just have to say "yes" and open your soul to the experience.
I will always love pink. It is a part of who I am. It is a gentle and cheery color. It is the color of flowers, cotton candy, sunrises and sunsets.
I work with kids. Recently one little 7 year old girl, who also loves pink, said to me, as we were discussing "all things pink": "I don't let people mess with my pink stuff!" I love pink, but during Lent I want to say to the world "Don't mess with my purple stuff!" Let me enjoy every little thing about Lent and may I come out on the other side feeling "in the pink" and ready to greet the world with a stronger faith, a better character, and at least a tiny tiny bit more holy than I was when I began on Ash Wednesday.
...now if you will excuse me, I have to to go and take another ribbon off of my purple Lenten gift. Have a blessed night !
But this time of year, purple becomes my favorite color because it is the color of the Lenten season and all that it has to offer. Lent is a wonderful gift from the Church and each year I learn to unwrap this gift more and more - one ribbon, and one layer of wrapping paper at a time.
Lent gives us an incredible opportunity and challenge to look deep within our souls and to seek a greater relationship with Jesus, and also to examine our relationship with Him and to examine everything about our lives. It challenges us so that when Lent is over and we come out on the other side on Easter Sunday, we will be new, different, and somehow transformed. That is an awesome gift!
I think the church is getting better at helping us do this every year. Either that, or I'm just listening more ! LOL ! In my little corner of the world, we have several Catholic churches fairly close to each other. As a result, I can attend various Lenten activities and it is just so spiritually envigorating! And Jesus knows that I need all the help I can get!
Just within the last week or so I went to Mass (as usual), Vespers, a Mission Talk with adoration and Reconciliation, and a Lenten supper with a talk. I also attended the Rite of Sending and Rite of Election for the RCIA process with/for my parish. I will also soon attend another mission and a play. Plus, EWTN has wonderful programing on TV during this special time of year (yes, a plug for EWTN).
THIS IS EXCITING STUFF FOR ME !
Being Catholic in Lent is like winning the spiritual lotto. No ticket required - you just have to say "yes" and open your soul to the experience.
I will always love pink. It is a part of who I am. It is a gentle and cheery color. It is the color of flowers, cotton candy, sunrises and sunsets.
I work with kids. Recently one little 7 year old girl, who also loves pink, said to me, as we were discussing "all things pink": "I don't let people mess with my pink stuff!" I love pink, but during Lent I want to say to the world "Don't mess with my purple stuff!" Let me enjoy every little thing about Lent and may I come out on the other side feeling "in the pink" and ready to greet the world with a stronger faith, a better character, and at least a tiny tiny bit more holy than I was when I began on Ash Wednesday.
...now if you will excuse me, I have to to go and take another ribbon off of my purple Lenten gift. Have a blessed night !
Mar 6, 2010
God's music box
All I want to share with the world tonight is that I like to sit in my little Catholic Church in the quiet. Correction: I LOVE to sit there. Usually I go after work, late in the day when it is dark or getting dark, at least this time of year. Many times I am the only one there and it is so incredibly peaceful. My church is so pretty inside. When the bells ring, it is just like sitting inside of a giant music box. I imagine God lifting off the roof and looking to see who is there. I imagine the church full of angels, praying with me.
You would think that I've been going to this parish forever, the way I seem so connected to it. But I've only been there a few years. Before that it had been a long time since I had a special prayer place. I'd move around from place to place and that was nice, but there is nothing like having one special place, one special corner of the world, to regularly meet with Jesus.
When it is a windy day, I can hear the church windows rattle and hear the wind howling against the church and it almost sounds like the gates of hell banging on the church. But I am peaceful and fine in my little spot in front of the tabernacle. The best place in the universe if you ask me.
One night I went to the church at my usual time, and it looked dark and locked, but I tried the door anyway because I really wanted to pray. It had been a rough day at my J.O.B.. It was open! HOORAY ! So I went in and the entire church was dark. Someone forgot to leave the lights on. I almost left when I saw how dark it was, but then I just went in slowly. With the soft illumination of the candles, my eyes got used to the dark so I moved carefully and found my pew. Nobody else was there. Talk about PEACEFUL!
I hope you find a special place to pray in your area, wherever you live. It is so important to have a special prayer place where you and Jesus can meet and chat, like two friends connecting for coffee or tea after work.
Anyway, nothing major to talk about tonight. I just wanted to share this with the world and encourage you to find your own prayer place.
You would think that I've been going to this parish forever, the way I seem so connected to it. But I've only been there a few years. Before that it had been a long time since I had a special prayer place. I'd move around from place to place and that was nice, but there is nothing like having one special place, one special corner of the world, to regularly meet with Jesus.
When it is a windy day, I can hear the church windows rattle and hear the wind howling against the church and it almost sounds like the gates of hell banging on the church. But I am peaceful and fine in my little spot in front of the tabernacle. The best place in the universe if you ask me.
One night I went to the church at my usual time, and it looked dark and locked, but I tried the door anyway because I really wanted to pray. It had been a rough day at my J.O.B.. It was open! HOORAY ! So I went in and the entire church was dark. Someone forgot to leave the lights on. I almost left when I saw how dark it was, but then I just went in slowly. With the soft illumination of the candles, my eyes got used to the dark so I moved carefully and found my pew. Nobody else was there. Talk about PEACEFUL!
I hope you find a special place to pray in your area, wherever you live. It is so important to have a special prayer place where you and Jesus can meet and chat, like two friends connecting for coffee or tea after work.
Anyway, nothing major to talk about tonight. I just wanted to share this with the world and encourage you to find your own prayer place.
Mar 5, 2010
Beam me up Scottie !
Do you know how some people are "Trekies" - I think that is how they spell it...people who know every little thing about the Star Trek series ? They know every character, every episode, the meaning of every symbol, and the entire story line. Can a person be a "Catholikie" - someone who knows every little thing about the Catholic faith? I don't think so.
The Church is so big and her history is so vast. Can any human being ever understand all that the Church is about and all its traditions, symbols, rites, history, etc? Can anyone understand all that this immense Faith is all about? Has any one Catholic ever read the lives of all the saints or studied every theology book?
The more I learn about our marvelous and mysterious Catholic faith, the more I realize how much I don't know. That both confirms the fact that I am a member of the One True Church of Christ, but it also frustrates me because I know my mind is so small and limited. Sometimes, as much as I try, I just can't grasp something about a particular church tradition or teaching. I'm not saying that I don't agree with it. I'm just saying that I just have trouble grasping some things. (Ex: the Latin Mass, for one.)
We are given this vast, incredible deposit of faith, to hold and cherish, and use as we need to. But we are not granted the capacity to fully understand it. Why is that?I guess that is what we will get in Heaven...full understanding.
I suppose the correct answer here would be that I need more faith, and I shouldn't worry so much about gaining more knowledge. After all, many of the greatest saints who walked the earth never had any fancy degrees or roles in the church. St. Maria Goretti for one. Joan of Arc for two. Therese of Lisieux, for three. Perhaps I should just sit tight, keep my mouth closed, and sit in the pew and be a quiet, well-behaved little sheep.....
I think I need a stronger faith. No, I know I need a stronger faith. I think I need to try and accept what I do not see more often. That is what faith is all about anyway, right - believing without necessarily seeing ? Perhaps I ask too many questions. Perhaps I should focus on just being a sheep following the Good Shepherd, instead of trying to be a Junior Shepherd. Perhaps arrogance is my greatest sin and I need to walk....no run....to the nearest confessional?
Lent is a time for conversion. I think I need one.
This is what I figure...when you love someone a whole lot, you want to know everything about them, right? You want to know what makes them tick and why they think the way they do, and what their childhood was like, and what is important to them. Am I right? Well, I love Jesus so why shouldn't I want to know everything about Him and everything about His Church? What is the harm in that? I may not get the answers to all my questions, but I can ask them just the same. I guess that is where I'm going to leave the discussion for tonight.
So, if you see someone walking around town with a sweatshirt that reads: "Catholickie in training"...it is probably me.
The Church is so big and her history is so vast. Can any human being ever understand all that the Church is about and all its traditions, symbols, rites, history, etc? Can anyone understand all that this immense Faith is all about? Has any one Catholic ever read the lives of all the saints or studied every theology book?
The more I learn about our marvelous and mysterious Catholic faith, the more I realize how much I don't know. That both confirms the fact that I am a member of the One True Church of Christ, but it also frustrates me because I know my mind is so small and limited. Sometimes, as much as I try, I just can't grasp something about a particular church tradition or teaching. I'm not saying that I don't agree with it. I'm just saying that I just have trouble grasping some things. (Ex: the Latin Mass, for one.)
We are given this vast, incredible deposit of faith, to hold and cherish, and use as we need to. But we are not granted the capacity to fully understand it. Why is that?I guess that is what we will get in Heaven...full understanding.
I suppose the correct answer here would be that I need more faith, and I shouldn't worry so much about gaining more knowledge. After all, many of the greatest saints who walked the earth never had any fancy degrees or roles in the church. St. Maria Goretti for one. Joan of Arc for two. Therese of Lisieux, for three. Perhaps I should just sit tight, keep my mouth closed, and sit in the pew and be a quiet, well-behaved little sheep.....
I think I need a stronger faith. No, I know I need a stronger faith. I think I need to try and accept what I do not see more often. That is what faith is all about anyway, right - believing without necessarily seeing ? Perhaps I ask too many questions. Perhaps I should focus on just being a sheep following the Good Shepherd, instead of trying to be a Junior Shepherd. Perhaps arrogance is my greatest sin and I need to walk....no run....to the nearest confessional?
Lent is a time for conversion. I think I need one.
This is what I figure...when you love someone a whole lot, you want to know everything about them, right? You want to know what makes them tick and why they think the way they do, and what their childhood was like, and what is important to them. Am I right? Well, I love Jesus so why shouldn't I want to know everything about Him and everything about His Church? What is the harm in that? I may not get the answers to all my questions, but I can ask them just the same. I guess that is where I'm going to leave the discussion for tonight.
So, if you see someone walking around town with a sweatshirt that reads: "Catholickie in training"...it is probably me.
Mar 4, 2010
America runs on "Dunkin" ? Are ya crazy ?
I've got nothing against coffee, or Dunkin Donuts, or caffeine in general, but it is a springboard for what I have to say today...
Due to some recent circumstances in my life, I have found that I have had total downtime for the last week or so. It has given me a lot more time to think than usual. It was during this time that I started this blog. I also did my taxes, wrote a newsletter (2 actually), organized some stuff, did some reading, and lots of reflecting and thinking, among other things. I also rested a lot. I thought a lot about Jesus, my prince of Peace, and talked to Him about a lot of things.
When Jesus walked upon the earth He had a very active ministry. But as active as Jesus was, it also seems to me that he was a reflective kind of person. He made really good use of his downtime. Scripture says that he would go off and pray. He spent those 40 days in the desert. He spent all that time the night before His crucifixion in Gethsemane praying. He didn't have TV or the Internet or a cell phone. When He was growing up, and was fully grown, it seems to me that He naturally had a lot more opportunities for silence than we do today.
I imagine Jesus walking in the countryside as a young person, enjoying creation and thinking and talking to His Father in Heaven. I imagine Him reflectively watching the people around Him on a day to day basis, watching Joseph doing carpentry, and watching His mother knead the bread dough.
A long time ago a friend said to me, "Imagine Jesus, God Incarnate, walking upon the earth. Maybe he was six feet tall, but within His human frame, He held all the power and majesty of the One True God." I would think about that and I would think "Wow!What a charismatic person to be around! People must've just flocked to Him!".
I remember when someone asked Pope John Paul II why young people were so drawn to him, an old man, the Pope responded by saying that it was the Holy Spirit they were responding too, not him. They knew the Pope was a holy man and that the Holy Spirit freely flowed through his open soul. Imagine then, the power of the Holy Spirit emanating from Jesus when He walked the earth!
Silence and reflection are CRUCIAL for the health of our souls in 2010. We have to make time for it even if we have to literally schedule it (ex: 5-6 PM - Appt. with Jesus). We have to find a way to have more time for reflection, silence, and prayer in our daily lives.
I think people today are starving for silence and don't know it. Scripture says that God will speak in a "still small voice". How can we hear His voice then with all the technology, activity, and noise we have going on around us all the time?
I think one of the biggest lies of the evil one today, that ugly little creep, is that we think there is no way we can make time for Jesus. That is nonsense. We have more control over our schedules than we think we do. We can find 10 minutes to wander into Dunkin' Donuts for coffee and are taught that "America runs on Dunkin", and sadly we believe it, but don't have time to stop into a church, or pick up the Bible and read the daily Scripture verses our church provides for us. America, by the grace of God, runs on the power of the Holy Spirit. If God were to stop thinking of any of us, we would literally cease to exist ! It is His power we run on. I think that is totally incredible!
I would like to challenge everyone out there reading this to make a little more time in their day for silent reflection. Only got 10 minutes ? Take it! Try and make it "focused silence" where perhaps you slowly recite the Lord's Prayer and think about every word. Or you look at a picture of Jesus ( real or imagined ) and just gaze into His eyes and listen with your heart.
Sure, have your caffeine and donut, but also make time for Jesus and partake in the real sustenance He gives us - the Holy Eucharist at Mass.
Due to some recent circumstances in my life, I have found that I have had total downtime for the last week or so. It has given me a lot more time to think than usual. It was during this time that I started this blog. I also did my taxes, wrote a newsletter (2 actually), organized some stuff, did some reading, and lots of reflecting and thinking, among other things. I also rested a lot. I thought a lot about Jesus, my prince of Peace, and talked to Him about a lot of things.
When Jesus walked upon the earth He had a very active ministry. But as active as Jesus was, it also seems to me that he was a reflective kind of person. He made really good use of his downtime. Scripture says that he would go off and pray. He spent those 40 days in the desert. He spent all that time the night before His crucifixion in Gethsemane praying. He didn't have TV or the Internet or a cell phone. When He was growing up, and was fully grown, it seems to me that He naturally had a lot more opportunities for silence than we do today.
I imagine Jesus walking in the countryside as a young person, enjoying creation and thinking and talking to His Father in Heaven. I imagine Him reflectively watching the people around Him on a day to day basis, watching Joseph doing carpentry, and watching His mother knead the bread dough.
A long time ago a friend said to me, "Imagine Jesus, God Incarnate, walking upon the earth. Maybe he was six feet tall, but within His human frame, He held all the power and majesty of the One True God." I would think about that and I would think "Wow!What a charismatic person to be around! People must've just flocked to Him!".
I remember when someone asked Pope John Paul II why young people were so drawn to him, an old man, the Pope responded by saying that it was the Holy Spirit they were responding too, not him. They knew the Pope was a holy man and that the Holy Spirit freely flowed through his open soul. Imagine then, the power of the Holy Spirit emanating from Jesus when He walked the earth!
Silence and reflection are CRUCIAL for the health of our souls in 2010. We have to make time for it even if we have to literally schedule it (ex: 5-6 PM - Appt. with Jesus). We have to find a way to have more time for reflection, silence, and prayer in our daily lives.
I think people today are starving for silence and don't know it. Scripture says that God will speak in a "still small voice". How can we hear His voice then with all the technology, activity, and noise we have going on around us all the time?
I think one of the biggest lies of the evil one today, that ugly little creep, is that we think there is no way we can make time for Jesus. That is nonsense. We have more control over our schedules than we think we do. We can find 10 minutes to wander into Dunkin' Donuts for coffee and are taught that "America runs on Dunkin", and sadly we believe it, but don't have time to stop into a church, or pick up the Bible and read the daily Scripture verses our church provides for us. America, by the grace of God, runs on the power of the Holy Spirit. If God were to stop thinking of any of us, we would literally cease to exist ! It is His power we run on. I think that is totally incredible!
I would like to challenge everyone out there reading this to make a little more time in their day for silent reflection. Only got 10 minutes ? Take it! Try and make it "focused silence" where perhaps you slowly recite the Lord's Prayer and think about every word. Or you look at a picture of Jesus ( real or imagined ) and just gaze into His eyes and listen with your heart.
Sure, have your caffeine and donut, but also make time for Jesus and partake in the real sustenance He gives us - the Holy Eucharist at Mass.
Mar 3, 2010
The Princess and the Pea
I never liked peas. They taste horrible, and they are ugly.
I am quite aware that at this very moment, while I am writing this, there are people and animals in the world who are suffering. Suffering is something that no creature on earth can escape. It happens to all of us at various times in our lives.
Sometimes when I complain, another person will tell me that I should feel lucky because there is someone else in the world who is worse off than I am and I should count my blessings. But when I start thinking of that, then I feel even worse than before!
Sometimes it can be overwhelming for me to think about the amount of suffering in the world. Sometimes I wonder how I can even lay my head on the pillow in peace at night when I know at that very moment, someone is dying, someone is terrified of something, someone is being raped, a child is being abused or aborted, someone is being killed in a war, an animal is being hurt, or someone is committing suicide. These are the strange thoughts I have sometimes. These thoughts call me to pray.
Do you know the fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea"? Sometimes I feel like the princess in the story who was so super sensitive to a little tiny pea at the bottom of a pile of mattresses that she just couldn't sleep.
What are we to do with the problem of suffering? This is a good question to think about during the Lenten season. When I was in school we talked about the difference between redemptive suffering and senseless suffering. Redemptive suffering was described to me as that which in some way had the capacity to bring us closer to Christ, and made us a bit more holy. In that way, the suffering was not meaningless. When in pain we can unite our suffering with the passion of Christ and thereby make it redemptive. My close friend Diane, did that a few years ago, when she was dying of cancer. It gave her peace to know that her suffering was not in vain.
We have some control over senseless suffering because we can stop some of it - we can break up a fight, we can be a peace maker, we can call 911 for someone, we can stand up for someone else, we can rescue an animal, we can pray in front of an abortion mill. Sometimes people bring suffering upon themselves by the choices they make. Suffering can be senseless especially when nothing is done to stop it.
Perhaps one purpose of suffering, at least it seems to me at this point in my life, is that it should jolt us to our feet and make us act, and in acting, especially when we do it in the name of the Lord, makes us a bit more holy and brings God's peace into another's life.
Look, the devil is out to cause as much grief on this planet as he can get away with. As my pastor once said, "evil will get in where it can", so we have to be vigilant and get as many peas out from under the mattresses as we can.
I guess in short, I want to say that we should not let ourselves become too complacent because every day we can make a difference. We can pray. We can stand up for others. We can stop suffering to some extent.
Jesus said, what we do to others, to the least, we do to Him. Many of us would think, that if we lived back at the time when Jesus walked the earth, and He was about to be crucified, that we would scream and yell and try to stop it from happening !
We say that we wouldn't run away like his disciples did on holy Thursday night in the garden, and we wouldn't deny that we knew him like Peter did. But, don't we still do that today sometimes? We see injustice and evil, and we run the other way. We deny that it exists. It may be a pea the size of Manhattan, but we pretend not to see it. "What we do to the least" we do to Jesus......yet we walk by....
We have to be sensitive to the peas under our mattresses. By being sensitve and attentive to the suffering around us we show the world that we are truly princesses (and princes) of the King of Kings.
Maybe I'm off base here. I don't know, but that is what I'm thinking about today.
I am quite aware that at this very moment, while I am writing this, there are people and animals in the world who are suffering. Suffering is something that no creature on earth can escape. It happens to all of us at various times in our lives.
Sometimes when I complain, another person will tell me that I should feel lucky because there is someone else in the world who is worse off than I am and I should count my blessings. But when I start thinking of that, then I feel even worse than before!
Sometimes it can be overwhelming for me to think about the amount of suffering in the world. Sometimes I wonder how I can even lay my head on the pillow in peace at night when I know at that very moment, someone is dying, someone is terrified of something, someone is being raped, a child is being abused or aborted, someone is being killed in a war, an animal is being hurt, or someone is committing suicide. These are the strange thoughts I have sometimes. These thoughts call me to pray.
Do you know the fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea"? Sometimes I feel like the princess in the story who was so super sensitive to a little tiny pea at the bottom of a pile of mattresses that she just couldn't sleep.
What are we to do with the problem of suffering? This is a good question to think about during the Lenten season. When I was in school we talked about the difference between redemptive suffering and senseless suffering. Redemptive suffering was described to me as that which in some way had the capacity to bring us closer to Christ, and made us a bit more holy. In that way, the suffering was not meaningless. When in pain we can unite our suffering with the passion of Christ and thereby make it redemptive. My close friend Diane, did that a few years ago, when she was dying of cancer. It gave her peace to know that her suffering was not in vain.
We have some control over senseless suffering because we can stop some of it - we can break up a fight, we can be a peace maker, we can call 911 for someone, we can stand up for someone else, we can rescue an animal, we can pray in front of an abortion mill. Sometimes people bring suffering upon themselves by the choices they make. Suffering can be senseless especially when nothing is done to stop it.
Perhaps one purpose of suffering, at least it seems to me at this point in my life, is that it should jolt us to our feet and make us act, and in acting, especially when we do it in the name of the Lord, makes us a bit more holy and brings God's peace into another's life.
Look, the devil is out to cause as much grief on this planet as he can get away with. As my pastor once said, "evil will get in where it can", so we have to be vigilant and get as many peas out from under the mattresses as we can.
I guess in short, I want to say that we should not let ourselves become too complacent because every day we can make a difference. We can pray. We can stand up for others. We can stop suffering to some extent.
Jesus said, what we do to others, to the least, we do to Him. Many of us would think, that if we lived back at the time when Jesus walked the earth, and He was about to be crucified, that we would scream and yell and try to stop it from happening !
We say that we wouldn't run away like his disciples did on holy Thursday night in the garden, and we wouldn't deny that we knew him like Peter did. But, don't we still do that today sometimes? We see injustice and evil, and we run the other way. We deny that it exists. It may be a pea the size of Manhattan, but we pretend not to see it. "What we do to the least" we do to Jesus......yet we walk by....
We have to be sensitive to the peas under our mattresses. By being sensitve and attentive to the suffering around us we show the world that we are truly princesses (and princes) of the King of Kings.
Maybe I'm off base here. I don't know, but that is what I'm thinking about today.
Mar 2, 2010
Something Small for God
At the top of my blog I have a quote from St. Therese. Therese is my confirmation name after Therese of Lisieux. I was confirmed in the 5th grade and I picked Therese just because I liked the name. I was young, what did I know about picking a saint's name? It wasn't until years later that I started to read about her. Now after quite a few years, it makes sense that I picked her for my Confirmation name.
St. Therese tried to make a difference in little ways. I try to do that too. Like St. Therese, I know I have many faults but I know I'm called to try and do better, and to try and be better. Sometimes I mess up big time, but other times I do have my moments of being a real shining disciple.
I agree with her that we can all do something, however small, for God. Maybe this Lent we can think about some little things we can do to make a difference in the world in honor of our love for Jesus. It isn't always necessary that we announce that we are doing something specifically for God either. God knows. Wasn't it St. Francis who said "Speak the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words."? But sometimes when we do share a good deed it encourages others to do the same.
The way I see it is that we are all muddling through this life together. We are on this blue marble called Earth, spinning slowly around the sun, day after day after day. None of us is perfect. Doesn't it make sense to make life a little easier for each other than harder ? This is especially true when we realize that God's spirit runs through each soul. When helping others, we help Jesus. Read the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus talks about when we feed, clothe others, etc, that we are really ministering to Him.
It is hard though, isn't it? People get on our nerves. People can be rude and antagonistic towards us. Sometimes the people that are the cruelist to us are our family members. I am learning that even if the only thing I can do for someone is offer a little prayer for them, then that is something good. God will take care of the rest.
Perhaps you are on the other side of the world reading this (which I think is very cool), I want to challenge you to go out into your day tomorrow and do little things in the name of Jesus to help others. Here are some suggestions:
* Speak a kind word to as many people as you can.
* Give a card of encouragement.
* Make a quick phone call to say hi.
* Give someone a flower (even if you just draw one!)
* Say a prayer for every person you run into.
* Thank someone for how they have touched your life.
* Shovel your neighbor's driveway if it snows.
* Make some brownies for someone.
* If you are a kid, make your bed without your mom having to ask.
* Use good manners.
* Make your community cleaner - pick up some trash.
* Donate money or time to a charity.
* Adopt a pet from the local shelter.
* Pray a rosary for someone.
* It is the year of the priest - do something nice for a priest.
* Treat the person behind you in line to a donut.
* When you hear an ambulance, pray for whoever is in trouble.
If St. Therese can do little things for God, so can we.
It just takes a little heart and a little faith.
St. Therese tried to make a difference in little ways. I try to do that too. Like St. Therese, I know I have many faults but I know I'm called to try and do better, and to try and be better. Sometimes I mess up big time, but other times I do have my moments of being a real shining disciple.
I agree with her that we can all do something, however small, for God. Maybe this Lent we can think about some little things we can do to make a difference in the world in honor of our love for Jesus. It isn't always necessary that we announce that we are doing something specifically for God either. God knows. Wasn't it St. Francis who said "Speak the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words."? But sometimes when we do share a good deed it encourages others to do the same.
The way I see it is that we are all muddling through this life together. We are on this blue marble called Earth, spinning slowly around the sun, day after day after day. None of us is perfect. Doesn't it make sense to make life a little easier for each other than harder ? This is especially true when we realize that God's spirit runs through each soul. When helping others, we help Jesus. Read the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus talks about when we feed, clothe others, etc, that we are really ministering to Him.
It is hard though, isn't it? People get on our nerves. People can be rude and antagonistic towards us. Sometimes the people that are the cruelist to us are our family members. I am learning that even if the only thing I can do for someone is offer a little prayer for them, then that is something good. God will take care of the rest.
Perhaps you are on the other side of the world reading this (which I think is very cool), I want to challenge you to go out into your day tomorrow and do little things in the name of Jesus to help others. Here are some suggestions:
* Speak a kind word to as many people as you can.
* Give a card of encouragement.
* Make a quick phone call to say hi.
* Give someone a flower (even if you just draw one!)
* Say a prayer for every person you run into.
* Thank someone for how they have touched your life.
* Shovel your neighbor's driveway if it snows.
* Make some brownies for someone.
* If you are a kid, make your bed without your mom having to ask.
* Use good manners.
* Make your community cleaner - pick up some trash.
* Donate money or time to a charity.
* Adopt a pet from the local shelter.
* Pray a rosary for someone.
* It is the year of the priest - do something nice for a priest.
* Treat the person behind you in line to a donut.
* When you hear an ambulance, pray for whoever is in trouble.
If St. Therese can do little things for God, so can we.
It just takes a little heart and a little faith.
Mar 1, 2010
How does He do it?
It is so amazing to me how Jesus hears every little prayer. How does He do that? How does He hear our every thought, every prayer, every sigh of frustration, and every cry of pain or joy that every single human being on the planet makes? What is even more amazing to me is how He answers our prayers. Sure, sometimes he says "no" or "wait", but it is totally spectacular when the answer is "yes" and the prayer is granted within seconds, or even instantly. That's what happened to me today.
I prayed a prayer this morning. There was something that I needed today that I couldn't get on my own. It wasn't life or death or anything, but it was important to me. Before I got out of bed, I said my morning prayers, and at the end of my prayer time, I let Jesus know of this particular need. I told Him that I didn't want to bother anybody to do this particular task for me, so I asked Him to please send me someone. Somebody who would offer instead of me having to ask and bother them. About 15 minutes later I got up, started my water for tea, and then turned on my computer. I opened my e-mail and this is what it read: "How are you doing? Do you need anything today?". I looked at the time that the e-mail was sent, and this person sent it to me at the exact time I was having my prayer time. How cool is that ? This person doesn't even know me that well, but sensed that she had to ask if I needed something. So, I wrote back and let her know that I did need something and what it was, and she said "no problem" and gave me a time today that she could do this for me. You can bet that I let her know she was an answer to my prayer!
So you would think that this is one of those ordinary ways that Jesus touches our lives because He used a regular person to fulfill a regular task for someone else. But is it really ordinary? I mean, Jesus heard my prayer and at the very same instant He heard my prayer, He inspired someone to send me an e-mail asking me what I needed.
To me, there is nothing ordinary about Jesus, our Prince of Peace, Savior of the entire world, and how He works in our lives. He may use ordinary things and people, but His attention to detail, timing, and sometimes special effects, makes how He helps and reveals Himself to us quite extraordinary indeed.
He took the time to help an insignificant creature like me with a small, but necessary, thing. St. Therese tried to do small things with great love. I guess she learned that directly from Jesus.
I prayed a prayer this morning. There was something that I needed today that I couldn't get on my own. It wasn't life or death or anything, but it was important to me. Before I got out of bed, I said my morning prayers, and at the end of my prayer time, I let Jesus know of this particular need. I told Him that I didn't want to bother anybody to do this particular task for me, so I asked Him to please send me someone. Somebody who would offer instead of me having to ask and bother them. About 15 minutes later I got up, started my water for tea, and then turned on my computer. I opened my e-mail and this is what it read: "How are you doing? Do you need anything today?". I looked at the time that the e-mail was sent, and this person sent it to me at the exact time I was having my prayer time. How cool is that ? This person doesn't even know me that well, but sensed that she had to ask if I needed something. So, I wrote back and let her know that I did need something and what it was, and she said "no problem" and gave me a time today that she could do this for me. You can bet that I let her know she was an answer to my prayer!
So you would think that this is one of those ordinary ways that Jesus touches our lives because He used a regular person to fulfill a regular task for someone else. But is it really ordinary? I mean, Jesus heard my prayer and at the very same instant He heard my prayer, He inspired someone to send me an e-mail asking me what I needed.
To me, there is nothing ordinary about Jesus, our Prince of Peace, Savior of the entire world, and how He works in our lives. He may use ordinary things and people, but His attention to detail, timing, and sometimes special effects, makes how He helps and reveals Himself to us quite extraordinary indeed.
He took the time to help an insignificant creature like me with a small, but necessary, thing. St. Therese tried to do small things with great love. I guess she learned that directly from Jesus.
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