I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas Day and continue the celebration throughout this joyous, holy season. This was a wonderful Christmas for us. See, the focus was on the birth of Jesus and not as much on the gifts, the cookies or the like. While all these things can be good, they should be the least priority. It was the Christ Mass that, while being unwrapped, filled my soul with a joy and peace that cannot be found in material possessions.
It is very easy to get swept into materialism, but this is not the way of the Christian. God has better things in store for us. No treasure on this earth can even slightly compare to our treasure in Heaven, which is being prepared by God for those who love Him.
If you have been away from the Church for whatever reason, make this the year to Come Home. If you don't belong to a parish or are feeling apprehensive about attending Mass because it has been so long, ask a friend to go along with you. If you are someone who does attend the Sacraments regularly, invite someone to attend with you. We can never know what is in someone's heart, for they just may be waiting for someone to ask.
God has placed various people in our lives for various reasons. A single word or smile can not only brighten someone's day, but can change their whole disposition. Choose your words carefully, as you never know if someone is silently struggling or suffering and your very words could trigger despair. Remember the words of our Mothers: "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." Though I would go further and remember the words of our Lord: "Bless those who curse you." God is never outdone in generosity - He will see to it that your blessing is returned and then some.
My prayer for you this Christmas is that you be filled with His Love and Peace and that the Holy Spirit renew your Hope that we all can become new. Merry Christmas!
"No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire." St. Ignatius of Loyola
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
A Life Worth Living
Sometimes, we can get caught in a spiritual (not to mention physical) rut. I tend to think that we have only ourselves to blame, for we are the masters of our soul....or are we? If we allow our flesh and worldly passions to rule, then we can hardly presume that we are prudently caring for our soul, thus leaving the soul to become the servant. However, it is true that God sometimes allows such a state as a means to purify us and to test our love of Him.
So, what are we to do when are overcome by this state? First and foremost is prayer. St. Therese of Lisieux said in her autobiography, Story of a Soul, that when she experienced a spiritual dryness, she would say slowly the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. Imagine this beloved Saint having to force herself to say those three simple prayers, yet she realized their efficaciousness. Even if you cannot bring yourself to pray these prayers, a simple prayer will do, such as, "My Jesus, Mercy" or "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you, Save Souls". Perhaps you might prefer to meditate - the Passion is of utmost value to meditate on, for this is the truest love story. It is in this meditation that Jesus will tug on the strings of your heart and awaken your soul to love and serve Him.
In addition to prayer, we can fast. A fast does not necessarily consist of bread and water. If you have never fasted before, you can begin small by cutting out coffee, sugar or salt (assuming you prefer these). Another means of a fast is to give up a social network for the day. Be sure to add prayer to your fast or you could very easily retreat. Be reasonable with yourself: If you need your strength to take care of your children or a sick or elderly parent, it would not be wise to adhere to a strict fast.
It is also essential to receive the Sacraments. Are we in a state of grace? If not, do not delay in receiving the Sacrament of Penance, which is a free gift from Jesus that is too often taken for granted. Attend Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist. This is our faith. This is why Christ died on the cross for us some 2000 years ago. He did not leave us alone to fend for ourselves for He knows that without Him, we cannot live. Allow Him to recess in your soul and bring you to life - a life that is very worth living.
So, what are we to do when are overcome by this state? First and foremost is prayer. St. Therese of Lisieux said in her autobiography, Story of a Soul, that when she experienced a spiritual dryness, she would say slowly the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. Imagine this beloved Saint having to force herself to say those three simple prayers, yet she realized their efficaciousness. Even if you cannot bring yourself to pray these prayers, a simple prayer will do, such as, "My Jesus, Mercy" or "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you, Save Souls". Perhaps you might prefer to meditate - the Passion is of utmost value to meditate on, for this is the truest love story. It is in this meditation that Jesus will tug on the strings of your heart and awaken your soul to love and serve Him.
In addition to prayer, we can fast. A fast does not necessarily consist of bread and water. If you have never fasted before, you can begin small by cutting out coffee, sugar or salt (assuming you prefer these). Another means of a fast is to give up a social network for the day. Be sure to add prayer to your fast or you could very easily retreat. Be reasonable with yourself: If you need your strength to take care of your children or a sick or elderly parent, it would not be wise to adhere to a strict fast.
It is also essential to receive the Sacraments. Are we in a state of grace? If not, do not delay in receiving the Sacrament of Penance, which is a free gift from Jesus that is too often taken for granted. Attend Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist. This is our faith. This is why Christ died on the cross for us some 2000 years ago. He did not leave us alone to fend for ourselves for He knows that without Him, we cannot live. Allow Him to recess in your soul and bring you to life - a life that is very worth living.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Do What He Tells You
So, it's been quite a while since I've posted. After many nudges of encouragement and even some warnings, I have decided to get back into action on this Feast of St. John Vianney, who once he discovered his talent as a Confessor, used it for the Glory of God.
Part of me was discouraged into thinking, "Eh, this is a waste of time" or "I'm not holy enough to be writing such things." Then, an answer came as I picked up the book Introduction to the Devout Life by the great St. Francis de Sales, who is not only a Doctor of the Church, but also the patron saint of writers. In his preface, he states, "It is too true that I who write about the devout life am not myself devout, but most certainly I am not without the wish to become so, and it is this wish which encourages me to teach you." Thus, I will follow what I believe are the promptings of the Holy Spirit and "Just Do It", as the saying goes.
God has given each of us a talent, sometimes many. While some are obvious, others can be hidden. It is then that we should invoke the Holy Spirit that they may be revealed. Recently, I asked specifically which talent it was that God was calling me to use for His service. On the very same day, I received a call from my cousin. She indicated that she had a converation with a mutual friend who had wanted to write a heartfelt letter to someone leaving our community, however, she was at a loss for words. My cousin instantly thought of me, then called me that same evening to ask me if I would be willing to write such a letter. When I gave the letter to our friend, her first words to me were, "you have a talent!" I suppose that was my answer! Ask and ye shall receive.
Some prayers, however, are not answered in such a fashion. Sometimes, the answers come gradually and are not seen until God is done His handiwork. Usually, work is required of us to obtain the answer. This work can consist of (though not limited to) perseverance in prayer, purging of our sins or simply keeping the faith. Other times, it can take actual physical work. Consider the Wedding feast of Cana. I love how Mary, in her care for her children, goes to her Son in the hopes that the newly married couple may be saved from humiliation. Her Son, in turn, out of love for His mother and of His neighbor, performs a miracle. Surely, Jesus could have created wine from nothing, but He asked the servants to fill the jugs with water and bring them to Him. Mary, assured them, "Do what Jesus tells you." In other words, follow His commandments and He can perform miracles for you.
Recently in my case, that work seems to mean using my God-given talents in order to bring glory to God. In the meantime, I will not let the inspirations pass and will continue to share them. Perhaps, it could lead someone back into His arms, which, no doubt, is the ultimate goal.
Every moment comes to us pregnant with a command from God, only to pass on and plunge into eternity, there to remain forever what we have made of it. St. Francis de Sales
Part of me was discouraged into thinking, "Eh, this is a waste of time" or "I'm not holy enough to be writing such things." Then, an answer came as I picked up the book Introduction to the Devout Life by the great St. Francis de Sales, who is not only a Doctor of the Church, but also the patron saint of writers. In his preface, he states, "It is too true that I who write about the devout life am not myself devout, but most certainly I am not without the wish to become so, and it is this wish which encourages me to teach you." Thus, I will follow what I believe are the promptings of the Holy Spirit and "Just Do It", as the saying goes.
God has given each of us a talent, sometimes many. While some are obvious, others can be hidden. It is then that we should invoke the Holy Spirit that they may be revealed. Recently, I asked specifically which talent it was that God was calling me to use for His service. On the very same day, I received a call from my cousin. She indicated that she had a converation with a mutual friend who had wanted to write a heartfelt letter to someone leaving our community, however, she was at a loss for words. My cousin instantly thought of me, then called me that same evening to ask me if I would be willing to write such a letter. When I gave the letter to our friend, her first words to me were, "you have a talent!" I suppose that was my answer! Ask and ye shall receive.
Some prayers, however, are not answered in such a fashion. Sometimes, the answers come gradually and are not seen until God is done His handiwork. Usually, work is required of us to obtain the answer. This work can consist of (though not limited to) perseverance in prayer, purging of our sins or simply keeping the faith. Other times, it can take actual physical work. Consider the Wedding feast of Cana. I love how Mary, in her care for her children, goes to her Son in the hopes that the newly married couple may be saved from humiliation. Her Son, in turn, out of love for His mother and of His neighbor, performs a miracle. Surely, Jesus could have created wine from nothing, but He asked the servants to fill the jugs with water and bring them to Him. Mary, assured them, "Do what Jesus tells you." In other words, follow His commandments and He can perform miracles for you.
Recently in my case, that work seems to mean using my God-given talents in order to bring glory to God. In the meantime, I will not let the inspirations pass and will continue to share them. Perhaps, it could lead someone back into His arms, which, no doubt, is the ultimate goal.
Every moment comes to us pregnant with a command from God, only to pass on and plunge into eternity, there to remain forever what we have made of it. St. Francis de Sales
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