Have you ever seen that bumper sticker that reads "Life is Hard, then you die." ? Well, typically I don't like it because it implies that all life is made of is hard work. But ya know..........
Some days are very hard and sometimes I wish for Heaven to come at this very second. Do you ever get tired of working so hard and having hardly anytime at all for fun or relaxation ?
I've been working really hard lately in many areas of my life and that includes manual labor and I am one tired cookie tonight. Everything aches and it seems like the work is never ending.
So tonight I am thinking of sweet Heaven - no work, no aches, no conflicts, no anxiety, no calories, no sickness, no trials of any kind. Just heavenly bliss and hanging out with everyone I know, Jesus, the angels, the saints...Ahhhh..... can't ya just see it now ? Wait..... is that a light at the end of the tunnel I see at this very moment ????? Nope. Just a car coming down the road with its lights on. LOL!
I don't know about you, but I long for peace. I don't mind hard work, but sometimes there is no balance and work is all there is. A year and a half ago I had major surgery and I could't work. I could only lay around and heal. No work. But that was no fun because for one, I was feeling lousy, and for two, I didn't have the strength to do anything fun. At that point I wanted to be able to get up and work. Today, so many months later, I am able to do a lot of things and I am grateful. I'm just tired!
I think one reason Jesus told us about Heaven and a mansion is because He knew we needed to hang on to that image when the going got rough down here on earth. Last week as a matter of fact, I cried out to Jesus and said "Can ya cut me a little slack down here? Just a little peace, relaxation, fun, and friends for a while?"
I don't mean to complain. Ok. Yes I do. But its my blog and I can complain from time to time. But I am also rejoicing in the reality that Heaven does exist. And someday, God willing, I will be there. I will probably have to spend a couple of thousand years in Purgatory first, but I think I am a good enough person to eventually make it into Heaven.
Do you know that scripture verse that says "Work out your salvation in fear and trembling"? Well, I've got that one down! Now I just have to hold on to the prayer from Mass that says "Protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
I tell ya what. I'll pray for you, and you pray for me, okay ? Deal? Deal.
May 31, 2010
May 28, 2010
Lost in Assisi
One time I was lost in Assisi Italy. I was trying to get to the hermitage where St. Francis used to spend time in prayer and silence. It was one of those comedy of errors where everything went wrong. Obstacles got in my way. I spent a good amount of the afternoon trying to get to this hermitage. I never got there.
I won't go into all the things that got in the way of my getting there other to say that it involved an italian coin, a bus driver taking a really long break, people I heard speaking english who all of a sudden didn't speak english when I asked them for directions, rain, a lady tending to her geraniums, getting my leg jammed in the bus door,and a staircase in the woods. Oh yes, and I can't forget a poppy field.
I was in fairly constant communication with Jesus while I was trying to get to the hermitage. I asked for his help. I used all my girl scout skills. I smiled and was gracious to the people I was trying to get to help me. I tried to be brave and patient. I tried to have a sense of humor about it.
I had a map of Assisi and I tried to walk to where I needed to go, but I think the map was wrong because even though I followed it, I still became lost. I am generally good with maps so this was quite frustrating.
Finally, after several hours of going nowhere but in circles, or getting lost in the woods, I sat down on some steps I found in the middle of the woods - yes, some steps. As a matter of fact there was an entire staircase of concrete steps down a hill in the middle of the woods. I sat down, folded up the map and put it in my back pocket.
I looked up to Heaven and told Jesus that I was totally giving up because I tried everything in my power to get where I needed to go and it wasn't working. So I asked Jesus to please just help me get back to my hotel. It was too late to try to reach the hermitage. I basically said a prayer of surrender and told Jesus that I was just going to say the Lord's Prayer over and over and walk without looking at the map. I was done asking people questions, and he had to get me back to my hotel before dark.
So I walked. I prayed. I walked. I prayed. I walked...you get my drift. I'm in the woods at this time. Alone. Lost. Finally I came to a road and walked along it. I was in the country. Don't ask me how I got out of the city of Assisi into the woods, but I did. I walked down the road for quite a while and came upon a beautiful poppy field. I couldn't resist stopping because I figured that hundreds of years ago St. Francis might have walked through this field. So I sat under a tree and rested a little bit. Then I continued walking.
Long story short...I finally made it back to find a bus. I got on the bus. The bus stopped at the "Temple of Minerva" which became a Catholic church at some point in history. I got off the bus and went right into the church to thank Jesus for getting me back to the area I was familiar with, but I was still a good hike from my hotel. After thanking God in the church I got back on the bus and we continued on. The bus stopped at an intersection and there was some sort of car accident. Both drivers were yelling at each other in italian and waving their arms around. One guy lunged at the other through his window and started to grab him around his neck. It was chaos.
Finally the bus continued and I finally made it back to my hotel. I was relieved and exhausted. Sad to say, nobody from my tour group missed me except for my travling roomie who was very angry because when I left the room to go on my adventure, somehow I inadvertently locked her in the room. She could not figure out how to unlock the door nor could she figure out how to use the italian phone to call the front desk. She she was stuck in the room for the many hours I was lost in the woods.
What an exhausting, stressful day. I never did make it to the hermitage. Maybe someday I will. But I did learn that it is important to keep one's wits about them and to try everything humanly possible to solve a problem. However, I also learned that when nothing else works, stop, pray, and ask Jesus for help. Then trust and keep walking. Oh, and enjoy the poppy fields on the way because eventually things work out because God said He would never leave us or forsake us and if we ask we will receive.
This is what I've been thinking of tonight...because even though I'm not in Assisi, I am a little lost. So I am walking and praying and I know that at some point, Jesus will get me back to where I have to be. Along the way, I hope to have a few poppy field experiences.
I won't go into all the things that got in the way of my getting there other to say that it involved an italian coin, a bus driver taking a really long break, people I heard speaking english who all of a sudden didn't speak english when I asked them for directions, rain, a lady tending to her geraniums, getting my leg jammed in the bus door,and a staircase in the woods. Oh yes, and I can't forget a poppy field.
I was in fairly constant communication with Jesus while I was trying to get to the hermitage. I asked for his help. I used all my girl scout skills. I smiled and was gracious to the people I was trying to get to help me. I tried to be brave and patient. I tried to have a sense of humor about it.
I had a map of Assisi and I tried to walk to where I needed to go, but I think the map was wrong because even though I followed it, I still became lost. I am generally good with maps so this was quite frustrating.
Finally, after several hours of going nowhere but in circles, or getting lost in the woods, I sat down on some steps I found in the middle of the woods - yes, some steps. As a matter of fact there was an entire staircase of concrete steps down a hill in the middle of the woods. I sat down, folded up the map and put it in my back pocket.
I looked up to Heaven and told Jesus that I was totally giving up because I tried everything in my power to get where I needed to go and it wasn't working. So I asked Jesus to please just help me get back to my hotel. It was too late to try to reach the hermitage. I basically said a prayer of surrender and told Jesus that I was just going to say the Lord's Prayer over and over and walk without looking at the map. I was done asking people questions, and he had to get me back to my hotel before dark.
So I walked. I prayed. I walked. I prayed. I walked...you get my drift. I'm in the woods at this time. Alone. Lost. Finally I came to a road and walked along it. I was in the country. Don't ask me how I got out of the city of Assisi into the woods, but I did. I walked down the road for quite a while and came upon a beautiful poppy field. I couldn't resist stopping because I figured that hundreds of years ago St. Francis might have walked through this field. So I sat under a tree and rested a little bit. Then I continued walking.
Long story short...I finally made it back to find a bus. I got on the bus. The bus stopped at the "Temple of Minerva" which became a Catholic church at some point in history. I got off the bus and went right into the church to thank Jesus for getting me back to the area I was familiar with, but I was still a good hike from my hotel. After thanking God in the church I got back on the bus and we continued on. The bus stopped at an intersection and there was some sort of car accident. Both drivers were yelling at each other in italian and waving their arms around. One guy lunged at the other through his window and started to grab him around his neck. It was chaos.
Finally the bus continued and I finally made it back to my hotel. I was relieved and exhausted. Sad to say, nobody from my tour group missed me except for my travling roomie who was very angry because when I left the room to go on my adventure, somehow I inadvertently locked her in the room. She could not figure out how to unlock the door nor could she figure out how to use the italian phone to call the front desk. She she was stuck in the room for the many hours I was lost in the woods.
What an exhausting, stressful day. I never did make it to the hermitage. Maybe someday I will. But I did learn that it is important to keep one's wits about them and to try everything humanly possible to solve a problem. However, I also learned that when nothing else works, stop, pray, and ask Jesus for help. Then trust and keep walking. Oh, and enjoy the poppy fields on the way because eventually things work out because God said He would never leave us or forsake us and if we ask we will receive.
This is what I've been thinking of tonight...because even though I'm not in Assisi, I am a little lost. So I am walking and praying and I know that at some point, Jesus will get me back to where I have to be. Along the way, I hope to have a few poppy field experiences.
May 23, 2010
The importance of things
We know that all things on this earth are passing away. Things will not last forever. So why do we put so much emphasis on things?
Currently I am thinking of the little fixer upper of a house that I live in. It is so much work and there are still so many more things I need to do to before it becomes a real home. It costs a lot of money too, which is one reason why it is taking so slow to accomplish my goal. I just don't have the money and am trying to do what I can myself to save money.
But I am also aware that this is really a labor that is futile because some day this little house will be gone. I will die and someone else will take it over. They will make the changes they want to make, and all my work will be undone. Maybe someday it will be destroyed in a flood or fire, or maybe the end of the world will come and it will just go "poof".
So then, I am asking myself, why do I spend so much of my life on this house? That is a really good question. Well, everyone needs a place to live. For all my adult life, until I bought this house, I rented. I gave my hard earned money to a landlord and I had restrictions to live by: don't paint the walls, no guests for more than a week, no pets, etc... So in some respect having my own house gives me more freedom. That is a good thing. So I am using my money to buy a certain amount of freedom.
But then I think, if I were still renting, I would have extra money to do things like travel. That too is a different kind of freedom. A trade off. A choice.
I have to decide how I want to spend the rest of my time on this earth. Do I want to literally be a "house wife" and tend to this house forever, or do I want a different type of freedom?
One reason I like having a house is for security in the sense that there is no landlord to tell me that I have to move out. There is supposed to be some financial security in owning a home but I haven't figured out how that works yet.
Still, this house will disappear someday, so unless I give another meaning to why I'm putting so much work into it, it will all be in vain. I think for me, the meaning behind all the work I am doing in this house is because I want to have a wonderful place to live - my only little country of sorts - it will be a peaceful country. It will be comfortable and serene and welcoming. It will help me to enjoy guests and will give me space to accomplish some of the other things I want to do in my life - business wise, but also in regards to writing and creativity.
Giving meaning to things - sentimentality - can be a good thing, but it can also cause us to be too attached to things. Our faith tell us to have a healthy detachment to things. To use them, but to realize that they have their place in our lives, and that place is temporary, and they can be used for the good of others.
If we use things selfishly then we have our priorities wrong. I think that is something that is happening in the USA now. We have so many things, especially techno-things - iPods, MP3's, cell phones, mini computers, etc... and people are really attached to those things. At that point, having things can lead to greediness if we take it to such a level as some people have today.
As for me, I will use my little house until either it, or I, am no longer here. Now someday when I will hopefully be in Heaven, I will have a new home, a mansion, according to Jesus. I betcha I won't have to do yardwork, fix-ups, or laundry in that house!
Currently I am thinking of the little fixer upper of a house that I live in. It is so much work and there are still so many more things I need to do to before it becomes a real home. It costs a lot of money too, which is one reason why it is taking so slow to accomplish my goal. I just don't have the money and am trying to do what I can myself to save money.
But I am also aware that this is really a labor that is futile because some day this little house will be gone. I will die and someone else will take it over. They will make the changes they want to make, and all my work will be undone. Maybe someday it will be destroyed in a flood or fire, or maybe the end of the world will come and it will just go "poof".
So then, I am asking myself, why do I spend so much of my life on this house? That is a really good question. Well, everyone needs a place to live. For all my adult life, until I bought this house, I rented. I gave my hard earned money to a landlord and I had restrictions to live by: don't paint the walls, no guests for more than a week, no pets, etc... So in some respect having my own house gives me more freedom. That is a good thing. So I am using my money to buy a certain amount of freedom.
But then I think, if I were still renting, I would have extra money to do things like travel. That too is a different kind of freedom. A trade off. A choice.
I have to decide how I want to spend the rest of my time on this earth. Do I want to literally be a "house wife" and tend to this house forever, or do I want a different type of freedom?
One reason I like having a house is for security in the sense that there is no landlord to tell me that I have to move out. There is supposed to be some financial security in owning a home but I haven't figured out how that works yet.
Still, this house will disappear someday, so unless I give another meaning to why I'm putting so much work into it, it will all be in vain. I think for me, the meaning behind all the work I am doing in this house is because I want to have a wonderful place to live - my only little country of sorts - it will be a peaceful country. It will be comfortable and serene and welcoming. It will help me to enjoy guests and will give me space to accomplish some of the other things I want to do in my life - business wise, but also in regards to writing and creativity.
Giving meaning to things - sentimentality - can be a good thing, but it can also cause us to be too attached to things. Our faith tell us to have a healthy detachment to things. To use them, but to realize that they have their place in our lives, and that place is temporary, and they can be used for the good of others.
If we use things selfishly then we have our priorities wrong. I think that is something that is happening in the USA now. We have so many things, especially techno-things - iPods, MP3's, cell phones, mini computers, etc... and people are really attached to those things. At that point, having things can lead to greediness if we take it to such a level as some people have today.
As for me, I will use my little house until either it, or I, am no longer here. Now someday when I will hopefully be in Heaven, I will have a new home, a mansion, according to Jesus. I betcha I won't have to do yardwork, fix-ups, or laundry in that house!
May 20, 2010
Dealing with the Dirt
It is amazing how we can get theological lessons from every day practical things.
Today I had a load of Top soil delivered. There is A LOT of top soil in my yard. So much that it overwhelmed me. I pictured about half of the amount but received so much more!
So now I have to deal with the dirt.
I have to find places in my yard to put it, and I will. I already worked an hour on doing that earlier this evening. But for the next week or so, each day I will have to deal with the dirt, until it is all put away and the yard looks nice.
This gets me thinking about SIN - the dirt on our souls. We have to deal with the dirt of sin on a daily basis.
I am thankful for my wheelbarrel because it makes it easier to get rid of the dirt and put it where it belongs. I am thankful for the Sacrament of Reconciliation because it is my wheelbarrel for sin - it helps me get rid of it and put it where it belongs.
That is all I wanted to say tonight.
Today I had a load of Top soil delivered. There is A LOT of top soil in my yard. So much that it overwhelmed me. I pictured about half of the amount but received so much more!
So now I have to deal with the dirt.
I have to find places in my yard to put it, and I will. I already worked an hour on doing that earlier this evening. But for the next week or so, each day I will have to deal with the dirt, until it is all put away and the yard looks nice.
This gets me thinking about SIN - the dirt on our souls. We have to deal with the dirt of sin on a daily basis.
I am thankful for my wheelbarrel because it makes it easier to get rid of the dirt and put it where it belongs. I am thankful for the Sacrament of Reconciliation because it is my wheelbarrel for sin - it helps me get rid of it and put it where it belongs.
That is all I wanted to say tonight.
May 19, 2010
...and he cried so hard
Today I had the surpreme privilege of ministering to the suffering Christ in the form of a 12 year old boy.
Jesus said "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers you do to me."
Jesus said to love others.
Jesus said whenever we receive a child, we receive Him.
Jesus said to let the children come to Him.
Hopefully I did all of the above today.
A boy I work with was very distraught. Life has thrown him so much pain. His family is upside down. His heart is breaking. He has been brave for a very very long time. He is finally in a place safe enough where he can start letting his guard down.
Today he had a major meltdown. He ran into his room and hid under his covers, sobbing so hard that I swear I could hear his heart cracking in two. For a while he just sobbed. Then he started to repeat over and over "stupid" "stupid" and other derogatory words. He was speaking about himself. From the depths of his being he cried out that he wished he had never been born, and that he beleived everyone hated him. His whole body was shaking. His future is uncertain and he is incredibly afraid.
I offered reasurance for quite some time. I just sat in silence with him for a while too because he didn't want me to leave him alone. I did most of the talking for a while too. Then I asked him if he believed in God and he shook his head yes. I spoke to him about God's love for him and how God was available 24/7 and I encouraged him to talk to God about his needs - non-material needs that is. I could tell he was listening because he stopped shaking and crying and became quiet and still.
After 45 minutes or so he was up and about but looked exhausted and drained. And he was. He remained quiet. If you are reading this blog, please pray for him tonight. Pray that at this very moment I am typing these words (about 10 PM) that he is either sleeping soundly or talking to God.
Today I saw the suffering Christ in this boy who was so broken by the world. I hope he will soon experience a resurrection of sorts in his own little life. I'm also glad that I was there with him and pray that I helped him in some small way, if even to give encouragement, comfort, and a little hope.
As much as I saw the suffering Christ in him, I hope he experienced Christ in me - that I was the hands, feet, and heart of Christ to his own soul.
May all the children of the world sleep in peace tonight.
Jesus said "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers you do to me."
Jesus said to love others.
Jesus said whenever we receive a child, we receive Him.
Jesus said to let the children come to Him.
Hopefully I did all of the above today.
A boy I work with was very distraught. Life has thrown him so much pain. His family is upside down. His heart is breaking. He has been brave for a very very long time. He is finally in a place safe enough where he can start letting his guard down.
Today he had a major meltdown. He ran into his room and hid under his covers, sobbing so hard that I swear I could hear his heart cracking in two. For a while he just sobbed. Then he started to repeat over and over "stupid" "stupid" and other derogatory words. He was speaking about himself. From the depths of his being he cried out that he wished he had never been born, and that he beleived everyone hated him. His whole body was shaking. His future is uncertain and he is incredibly afraid.
I offered reasurance for quite some time. I just sat in silence with him for a while too because he didn't want me to leave him alone. I did most of the talking for a while too. Then I asked him if he believed in God and he shook his head yes. I spoke to him about God's love for him and how God was available 24/7 and I encouraged him to talk to God about his needs - non-material needs that is. I could tell he was listening because he stopped shaking and crying and became quiet and still.
After 45 minutes or so he was up and about but looked exhausted and drained. And he was. He remained quiet. If you are reading this blog, please pray for him tonight. Pray that at this very moment I am typing these words (about 10 PM) that he is either sleeping soundly or talking to God.
Today I saw the suffering Christ in this boy who was so broken by the world. I hope he will soon experience a resurrection of sorts in his own little life. I'm also glad that I was there with him and pray that I helped him in some small way, if even to give encouragement, comfort, and a little hope.
As much as I saw the suffering Christ in him, I hope he experienced Christ in me - that I was the hands, feet, and heart of Christ to his own soul.
May all the children of the world sleep in peace tonight.
May 17, 2010
Before they were Saints
I was reading an article today that really brought to light another aspect of saints. This article stated that we can look back and see saints like Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, and Theresa of Avila and see all the reasons why they became saints. We have history on our side and we know that they became canonized saints. The thing is, they didn't know they were going to be saints! Maybe they wanted to be saints. Maybe they never thought they would make it. Maybe they never considered sainthood and it just happened to them as they lived out each day.
The article also pointed out that many people who became saints did so in the midst of big struggles in church history and it went on to point out how the church today has some big struggles as well - the sex abuse scandal, not enough priests, closing of parishes, etc... At times they were called to challenge priests, bishops, and even the pope! Can you believe it? I guess you could say that some of them were both prophets and saints.
It was an encouraging article for me because most days I don't think I have it in me to be a saint, although I would like to be canonized some day. I would also like to win the lotto, but if I had to choose it would be sainthood without question! If I won the lotto I would become a philantropist and do a lot of good, but still I'd choose sainthood.
So tonight I am thinking about this article. What sort of things went through the minds of these people? Did they second guess themselves? Did Francis, even for a second, regret leaving his family and his father's money? Did Catherine have doubts as to whether she should communicate with the pope? Did Joan of Arc, just a teenager, ever question her sanity in doing what she felt called to do?
Wow! This stuff really excites my mind. Seriously...think about the day after Francis decided to leave his home. He is alone. He is praying. Did he ever get a sinking feeling in his stomach and did he think "what have I done?".
Now we have Mother Theresa's writings that talk about some of her doubts and struggles. I know she probably wouldn't want anyone to read her words, because they are very personal, but her words are encouraging because if someone who is so great in God's kingdom can struggle, than so can we. Maybe we, or I should say I, still has potential to be a saint someday.
That is reasuring to me because I've really messed up lately and have had some life and spiritual struggles. My prayer has been rather dry and I have been frustrated with many things. My enthusiasm for Jesus remains however, so that is good. But I daresay that I need a retreat and I won't be able to go on one until perhaps next December or January. So I will have to increase my prayer time, my spiritual reading, and I am going to try to be very quiet and listen.
The article also pointed out that many people who became saints did so in the midst of big struggles in church history and it went on to point out how the church today has some big struggles as well - the sex abuse scandal, not enough priests, closing of parishes, etc... At times they were called to challenge priests, bishops, and even the pope! Can you believe it? I guess you could say that some of them were both prophets and saints.
It was an encouraging article for me because most days I don't think I have it in me to be a saint, although I would like to be canonized some day. I would also like to win the lotto, but if I had to choose it would be sainthood without question! If I won the lotto I would become a philantropist and do a lot of good, but still I'd choose sainthood.
So tonight I am thinking about this article. What sort of things went through the minds of these people? Did they second guess themselves? Did Francis, even for a second, regret leaving his family and his father's money? Did Catherine have doubts as to whether she should communicate with the pope? Did Joan of Arc, just a teenager, ever question her sanity in doing what she felt called to do?
Wow! This stuff really excites my mind. Seriously...think about the day after Francis decided to leave his home. He is alone. He is praying. Did he ever get a sinking feeling in his stomach and did he think "what have I done?".
Now we have Mother Theresa's writings that talk about some of her doubts and struggles. I know she probably wouldn't want anyone to read her words, because they are very personal, but her words are encouraging because if someone who is so great in God's kingdom can struggle, than so can we. Maybe we, or I should say I, still has potential to be a saint someday.
That is reasuring to me because I've really messed up lately and have had some life and spiritual struggles. My prayer has been rather dry and I have been frustrated with many things. My enthusiasm for Jesus remains however, so that is good. But I daresay that I need a retreat and I won't be able to go on one until perhaps next December or January. So I will have to increase my prayer time, my spiritual reading, and I am going to try to be very quiet and listen.
May 12, 2010
Who is God?
I was taking a walk with a three year old boy the other week. We'll call him Joey. We were walking down a long driveway with trees on either side. He has a lot of stressors in his little life and so I was trying to give him some joy and hope. I had him looking around at the trees, squirrels, etc.. and asked him to look high into the sky. Of course, knowing me, the subject of God came up. He looked at me and said "Who is God?".
Wow.
I stopped walking and knelt down in front of him, holding his little arms in my hands. I told him that God was the One who made him. In the childhood innocence of a 3 1/2 year old I saw in his eyes that some grand answer was given to him to a question that he was not even able to put into words. He accepted the answer without hesitation.
Then I told him that God also made me and the squirrels, and the trees, and then he asked me where God was.
Wow again.
So I told him that God was all around us and that he loved us very much, especially little children like him. I told him that even if we couldn't see God with our eyes ( I didn't want to get into the intricacies of how we see God in our daily lives due to his age ), that we could know God was around. I then asked him to close his eyes and to listen to the sound of the breeze, and to feel the breeze on his cheeks. He did so, and his little face was just so open and accepting! I told him that the sound of the breeze was like God's voice and the breeze that he felt on his cheeks was like the breath of God, and it was also like God was giving him a hug, telling him he was near and that he loved him. Again, he accepted this.
Joey started to look really relaxed and pensive. So the three of us - Joey, me, and God - continued our walk together in silence for a little bit. I firmly believe that a tiny mustard seed was planted within him and that it will grow in time.
Thank you Jesus for that opportunity.
Wow.
I stopped walking and knelt down in front of him, holding his little arms in my hands. I told him that God was the One who made him. In the childhood innocence of a 3 1/2 year old I saw in his eyes that some grand answer was given to him to a question that he was not even able to put into words. He accepted the answer without hesitation.
Then I told him that God also made me and the squirrels, and the trees, and then he asked me where God was.
Wow again.
So I told him that God was all around us and that he loved us very much, especially little children like him. I told him that even if we couldn't see God with our eyes ( I didn't want to get into the intricacies of how we see God in our daily lives due to his age ), that we could know God was around. I then asked him to close his eyes and to listen to the sound of the breeze, and to feel the breeze on his cheeks. He did so, and his little face was just so open and accepting! I told him that the sound of the breeze was like God's voice and the breeze that he felt on his cheeks was like the breath of God, and it was also like God was giving him a hug, telling him he was near and that he loved him. Again, he accepted this.
Joey started to look really relaxed and pensive. So the three of us - Joey, me, and God - continued our walk together in silence for a little bit. I firmly believe that a tiny mustard seed was planted within him and that it will grow in time.
Thank you Jesus for that opportunity.
May 11, 2010
A Lobster named Fred
Tonight somebody told me they had a lobster as a pet named Fred. Fred died today, may he rest in peace. But for some reason, this topic really got me thinking....here is Fred, a lobster who is a pet. Another lobster, who will remain nameless, lives in the supermarket and is sold not as a pet, but as something to be eaten. I'm glad someone respected Fred's life and let him live life as a pet,but what about all the other lobsters out there facing death by boiling?
Believe it or not, Fred got me thinking about pro-life issues. Isn't it interesting that in some TV news they say, for instance, that a pregnant woman and her unborn child were killed, but at other times a baby in a womb is just considered a "fetal parasite" as one person put it, and not a human being at all? And then my mind flashes back to Fred the lobster, who, in one home is a pet, but in another, might be boiled alive for dinner. Don't we sometimes do the same with babies - if the baby is in a well to do woman's womb who can afford the baby or who can bring the baby into a loving home, then that is a baby, but if the woman is very young and poor, then perhaps it isn't really a baby after all and should be discarded until the woman can afford a baby or has a husband? I'm wondering how fair that is to any baby in the womb who just wants to be loved by their biological mother, or adoptive mother.
Fred was blessed to be a pet, and would be cursed if he lived in the supermarket. Perhaps you are laughing at my loose connection and perhaps some of you think it is in poor taste to compare a lobster with a human being. I don't, and I'll tell you why. We Americans are fickle when it comes to standing by issues. We have this "sometimes it is" and "sometimes it isn't" mentality when it comes to pro-life issues. It depends what suits us and our needs at any given time. If it is convenient or is the moral high ground at the time, we might be pro-life, but at another moment it might be more convenient to not be pro-life. That is how our media seems to be and I think it trickles down to the mainstream people on the street. Fred is just an example that got me thinking, so in that respect, his little lobster life was used by God to get me thinking. God can work wonders with even the smallest things. In that respect alone, his little lobster life was worth living. Again, rest in peace little Fred.
Now, if only all babies would be as lucky as Fred was and be given the chance to live.
Believe it or not, Fred got me thinking about pro-life issues. Isn't it interesting that in some TV news they say, for instance, that a pregnant woman and her unborn child were killed, but at other times a baby in a womb is just considered a "fetal parasite" as one person put it, and not a human being at all? And then my mind flashes back to Fred the lobster, who, in one home is a pet, but in another, might be boiled alive for dinner. Don't we sometimes do the same with babies - if the baby is in a well to do woman's womb who can afford the baby or who can bring the baby into a loving home, then that is a baby, but if the woman is very young and poor, then perhaps it isn't really a baby after all and should be discarded until the woman can afford a baby or has a husband? I'm wondering how fair that is to any baby in the womb who just wants to be loved by their biological mother, or adoptive mother.
Fred was blessed to be a pet, and would be cursed if he lived in the supermarket. Perhaps you are laughing at my loose connection and perhaps some of you think it is in poor taste to compare a lobster with a human being. I don't, and I'll tell you why. We Americans are fickle when it comes to standing by issues. We have this "sometimes it is" and "sometimes it isn't" mentality when it comes to pro-life issues. It depends what suits us and our needs at any given time. If it is convenient or is the moral high ground at the time, we might be pro-life, but at another moment it might be more convenient to not be pro-life. That is how our media seems to be and I think it trickles down to the mainstream people on the street. Fred is just an example that got me thinking, so in that respect, his little lobster life was used by God to get me thinking. God can work wonders with even the smallest things. In that respect alone, his little lobster life was worth living. Again, rest in peace little Fred.
Now, if only all babies would be as lucky as Fred was and be given the chance to live.
May 8, 2010
Close encounters
I love learning about the lives of the saints. The way they lived their lives has a lot to teach us if we would only listen and follow their lead. But that is easier said than done because we can be weak, easily distracted and fall into temptation.
As I encounter various saints, I am seeing that they seem to have some things in common. They are faithful to a fault and that would often put people off but at the same time their faithfulness would inspire others. They seemed to have had passion for something - Mother Theresa for a cause to help the poor, Joan of Arc to follow through on what she was told to do, Francis of Assisi who radically lived for Christ.I also see that they were single hearted for God, and everything else came second. I also see that they annoyed people. People thought that Joan of Arc was an arrogant youth, that Francis was embarrasing, Therese of Lisieux annoyed the other sisters in her convent because she was so obedient to a fault, etc... They also were joyful too, but not in a superficial way. It was like they had some interior secret that gave them a great perspective on life and that perspective influenced all their words and actions. They realized that they were sinful. They were prayerful people. They loved deeply. They weren't materialistic. They loved the Church even with its faults. They were open to do God's will at the cost of their lives.
Now, what about you and me? Do we have it in us to become saints? Since we are called to be saints I suppose somewhere deep inside we must have it in us. Perhaps our life's work is to find out how to do what they did and be able to leave this world as bonafide saints when our death comes? I don't know....but this is what I'm thinking tonight anyway.
Dear Jesus, give us the strength to become saints. Protect us from temptation and distractions and sin. Help us stay focused on our calling. We can only do this with your strength and grace. Thank you. Mother Mary please pray for us. Amen.
As I encounter various saints, I am seeing that they seem to have some things in common. They are faithful to a fault and that would often put people off but at the same time their faithfulness would inspire others. They seemed to have had passion for something - Mother Theresa for a cause to help the poor, Joan of Arc to follow through on what she was told to do, Francis of Assisi who radically lived for Christ.I also see that they were single hearted for God, and everything else came second. I also see that they annoyed people. People thought that Joan of Arc was an arrogant youth, that Francis was embarrasing, Therese of Lisieux annoyed the other sisters in her convent because she was so obedient to a fault, etc... They also were joyful too, but not in a superficial way. It was like they had some interior secret that gave them a great perspective on life and that perspective influenced all their words and actions. They realized that they were sinful. They were prayerful people. They loved deeply. They weren't materialistic. They loved the Church even with its faults. They were open to do God's will at the cost of their lives.
Now, what about you and me? Do we have it in us to become saints? Since we are called to be saints I suppose somewhere deep inside we must have it in us. Perhaps our life's work is to find out how to do what they did and be able to leave this world as bonafide saints when our death comes? I don't know....but this is what I'm thinking tonight anyway.
Dear Jesus, give us the strength to become saints. Protect us from temptation and distractions and sin. Help us stay focused on our calling. We can only do this with your strength and grace. Thank you. Mother Mary please pray for us. Amen.
May 3, 2010
Swimming through cement
Sometimes life is like trying to swim through cement. Sometimes our faith journey is like that too. We seem stuck in cement, wanting to swim and move along, but the difficulty of life seems to stop us dead in our tracks.
Sometimes I wonder........Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, right? We are all called to use our gifts for the benefit of others in the world. Some of us know we have gifts and want to use them, but we are prohibited to use our gifts by those in power over us. That is a frustrating feeling. It is like trying to swim through cement.
The person who has the gifts may want to share them with others. He or she may approach the people in charge or in power to ask to use them. There may be a need out there, but the person is rejected and told "not today" or "there is no need", when today is when the gifts are needed and there certainly is a need out there.
But there are some people in the world in power who like to lord it over others. They always have to be in control. The image I get is when countries donate food to poor countries and tons of it, and the food just sits on the docks and rots away because the politicians in power won't give it to the people in need. That is what powerful people do sometimes. There may be needs out there and people willing to give their gifts, but the people in power won't let the gifts be given, so they rot away and people suffer.
So, as people of faith what are we supposed to do? Pray of course. Speaking up is another way. Waiting is another thing to do...waiting on the Lord that is. A challenge for those waiting is not to become bitter. We have to trust that God is in control more than the people in power think they are. The challenge is to stay faithful. The people who misused their power will be accountable for it someday, and the meek shall inherit the earth.
When the meek inherit the earth they will swim in peaceful soft waters instead of cement, and those who misused their power will be no where nearby to mess things up. That is what I believe anyway.
Sometimes I wonder........Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, right? We are all called to use our gifts for the benefit of others in the world. Some of us know we have gifts and want to use them, but we are prohibited to use our gifts by those in power over us. That is a frustrating feeling. It is like trying to swim through cement.
The person who has the gifts may want to share them with others. He or she may approach the people in charge or in power to ask to use them. There may be a need out there, but the person is rejected and told "not today" or "there is no need", when today is when the gifts are needed and there certainly is a need out there.
But there are some people in the world in power who like to lord it over others. They always have to be in control. The image I get is when countries donate food to poor countries and tons of it, and the food just sits on the docks and rots away because the politicians in power won't give it to the people in need. That is what powerful people do sometimes. There may be needs out there and people willing to give their gifts, but the people in power won't let the gifts be given, so they rot away and people suffer.
So, as people of faith what are we supposed to do? Pray of course. Speaking up is another way. Waiting is another thing to do...waiting on the Lord that is. A challenge for those waiting is not to become bitter. We have to trust that God is in control more than the people in power think they are. The challenge is to stay faithful. The people who misused their power will be accountable for it someday, and the meek shall inherit the earth.
When the meek inherit the earth they will swim in peaceful soft waters instead of cement, and those who misused their power will be no where nearby to mess things up. That is what I believe anyway.
May 1, 2010
The Long and Winding Road
"The Long and Winding Road"....those are words from a song from the 1970's I think. Life is like a long and winding road. Sometimes there are road signs and sometimes there are not. As Christians we are called to keep our eyes on the sign of the Cross and when we do we are headed in the right direction.
Our goal is Heaven. Nobody gets into Heaven without being a saint. So either during this walk on the winding road of life we either become a saint or we don't. If we don't, then Purgatory is the next phase. Purgatory: A place that makes saints. Another destination might be Hell for some, but I don't wan to talk about that. I want to be hopeful that someday we will all be saints because the alternative is just too depressing.
This is what I know about Purgatory and sainthood. When we are on this earth there are many temptations and obstacles that try to block our vision of Heaven. Sometimes we take our eyes off of the goal of Heaven. But in Purgatory there are no obstacles. The people in purgatory have only one focus, and that is to get to Heaven. That is their only work. On earth we have so many distractions that pull our minds and hearts away from Jesus. But in purgatory there are no distractions. I believe that the people in Purgatory are passionate about wanting Heaven. Their pain is a joyful pain because they know the joy that will await them once they have fully worked out their salvation. HOw do I know this? Well to be honest, one day I was praying and this is what came into my mind. It made sense at the time, and still does.
I think that the people who have gone before us and attained sainthood while still on earth must have been very focused people. They had the goal of Heaven before them and they tried to focus on it, and they did, at all costs. Look at Mother Theresa or Pope John Paul II. These are two people in our time. Look how they worked so hard for Jesus while they were here. They tried to be the best people they could possibly be. They were passionate, focused, prayerful, and humble. Oh how I wish I had those qualities in the quantities they had!
I don't think I will mind Purgatory because in the end it will get me to Heaven. I am pretty much thinking that it will have to be Purgatory for me after death because I just don't know if I have it in me to be a saint while I'm still on this earth. I am too much of a sinner. I make way too many mistakes. I mess up daily, despite my trying. I put my foot in my mouth frequently. I let my emotions get in the way. Yes, I have passion for Jesus and lots of it. But sometimes I lose focus. I am so far from sainthood that it isn't funny.
The great saints of our Church....what made them so incredibly focused and passionate? What made them so courageous ? I know....the Holy Spirit. But what made them so incredibly open to the Holy Spirit? I think if I can find the answer to that, then I will be able to be that open too, and that might have a shot at sainthood during this lifetime.
Scripture says "work out your salvation in fear and trembling". Well, I have the fear and trembling part down, but I don't know if it is the kind that brings about salvation, or if it is just anxiety, emotions, or cowardice.
This might be a good thing to ponder more often as I stroll down the long and winding road.
Our goal is Heaven. Nobody gets into Heaven without being a saint. So either during this walk on the winding road of life we either become a saint or we don't. If we don't, then Purgatory is the next phase. Purgatory: A place that makes saints. Another destination might be Hell for some, but I don't wan to talk about that. I want to be hopeful that someday we will all be saints because the alternative is just too depressing.
This is what I know about Purgatory and sainthood. When we are on this earth there are many temptations and obstacles that try to block our vision of Heaven. Sometimes we take our eyes off of the goal of Heaven. But in Purgatory there are no obstacles. The people in purgatory have only one focus, and that is to get to Heaven. That is their only work. On earth we have so many distractions that pull our minds and hearts away from Jesus. But in purgatory there are no distractions. I believe that the people in Purgatory are passionate about wanting Heaven. Their pain is a joyful pain because they know the joy that will await them once they have fully worked out their salvation. HOw do I know this? Well to be honest, one day I was praying and this is what came into my mind. It made sense at the time, and still does.
I think that the people who have gone before us and attained sainthood while still on earth must have been very focused people. They had the goal of Heaven before them and they tried to focus on it, and they did, at all costs. Look at Mother Theresa or Pope John Paul II. These are two people in our time. Look how they worked so hard for Jesus while they were here. They tried to be the best people they could possibly be. They were passionate, focused, prayerful, and humble. Oh how I wish I had those qualities in the quantities they had!
I don't think I will mind Purgatory because in the end it will get me to Heaven. I am pretty much thinking that it will have to be Purgatory for me after death because I just don't know if I have it in me to be a saint while I'm still on this earth. I am too much of a sinner. I make way too many mistakes. I mess up daily, despite my trying. I put my foot in my mouth frequently. I let my emotions get in the way. Yes, I have passion for Jesus and lots of it. But sometimes I lose focus. I am so far from sainthood that it isn't funny.
The great saints of our Church....what made them so incredibly focused and passionate? What made them so courageous ? I know....the Holy Spirit. But what made them so incredibly open to the Holy Spirit? I think if I can find the answer to that, then I will be able to be that open too, and that might have a shot at sainthood during this lifetime.
Scripture says "work out your salvation in fear and trembling". Well, I have the fear and trembling part down, but I don't know if it is the kind that brings about salvation, or if it is just anxiety, emotions, or cowardice.
This might be a good thing to ponder more often as I stroll down the long and winding road.
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