Today I ran five miles. During this run I thought about many things, as I often do while I run. I started to think about something that happened last night. We were at the men's house (a christian household of men living together), for a social night, and I was standing in the kitchen with two of my brothers. One of them fixed his hair in the window, I laughed a little, and our other friend thought it was gender role switch. I thought this was really funny. I was like, he really cares that much about his appearance? I don't even that much about my appearance, there are more important things to be concerned with.
Today I started thinking about that last part - "there are more important things to be concerned with." Now, this is just my personal opinion, and some would argue otherwise, I know. However, what I'm getting at is that we don't need to be overly concerned with our appearance. Make sure the hair is at least decent, my favorite is the messy bun :) No smudges, cover the basics with modesty etc, and that's about it. My vocation is as a nursing student, I don't need to be concerned with my appearance, I need to be focused on school. I am called to be a servant of of Christ, I need to be focused on laying my life down for Him. If we're constantly consumed with thinking about whether or not our outfit was fitting for this occasion or if hair is perfect we begin to lose sight of our purpose in life - to know love and serve God.
Now, if you type in "love letter from God" into google you'll find a variety of letters that are compilations of various bible verses. This weekend I found a new one, that was different than the one I was more familiar with, here's what it says:
"I made her pretty, but not beautiful because I knew her heart, And I knew she would grow to be vain. I wanted her to search out her heart and lean that only ME in her would make her beautiful..."
It is Christ in us who makes us beautiful. The women who are filled with the joy of the Lord, are the most beautiful. Christ shines through those who are close to Him in ways beyond our greatest imagination.
Sisters - hear me here, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Just as you are, you are beautiful. The Lord is the root of our beauty. Allow Him into your heart so that He may shine through you. Let us not permit our looks to keep us from serving the Lord in the way we are called. Let us allow our Lord and God, Savior and Redeemer, and Friend to make us beautiful.
You are all beautiful my beloved, and there is no blemish within you. -Song of songs 4:7
Friday, April 27, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday Memo!
(God the Father speaking to St. Catherine): I can love you more than you can love yourself and I watch over you a thousand times more carefully than you can watch over yourself. The more trustfully you give yourself up to Me, the more I shall be watching over you; you will gain a clearer knowledge of Me and experience my love more and more joyfully. -St. Catherine of Sienna
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday Memo
"When tempted to despair, I have only one resource: to throw myself at the foot of the tabernacle."
-St. John Vianney
May we always throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus, that he may be our strength and source of life!
God bless!
-St. John Vianney
May we always throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus, that he may be our strength and source of life!
God bless!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Made for Love
So I recently read this article (http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html) and you should probably go read it before reading the rest of this, though you can proceed without reading it.
There are two things that I have learned over the past three years that I absolutely love. These lessons came with learning about Catholicism, in my own journey, you may have learned them another way.
One - we are made for happiness:
Although man can forget God or reject him, He never ceases to call every man to seek him, so as to find life and happiness. (CCC #30)
Two - We all desire to love and to be loved. It's just how God made us.
Lately, I seem to have noticed more and more how people are not as happy and how people aren't loving. Often times, I find myself frustrated because I see a lack of love and an increase of self-centeredness. It strikes me more and more each time I think about myself over another, or place myself on a higher level than another person.
Today, my parents were talking about taking a little vacation. They never really had a honeymoon when they got married, so they just want to do something special, they've been together for a total of 25 years, married for 22, which is beautiful, and honestly, it seems to be rare these days. Anyway, as they were talking about their little vacation, I found myself thinking "ugh they don't deserve a vacation. they don't work nearly as hard as I have been." But who was I kidding - seriously, my mom had 4 kids. My dad works full time, always has, and he has always worked to provide for our family. My mom was a stay home mom, heck that's harder than being a working mom, I think, because there's less income, and she was with us rascals all day, but it paid off since we turned out to be pretty decent specimen. My point is that I was so focused on thinking about me, myself, and I that I didn't think about how hard my parents have worked to provide me with all that I need, and helped to form me into the person I am. They deserve a vacation, without any kids. Just the two of them celebrating the milestone of sending two kids through high school and surviving, while fighting many other battles.
That's just one example where I thought of myself over others. There are other times, but that's not exactly my point. Now if you read the article I posted above, you'll now the direction this is going.
I was never really around people who openly talked about their sexuality, the idea of same sexes being attracted to one another was a rather foreign idea to me. Maybe it was just because I'm good at being oblivious, or maybe it was because there just wasn't much of it where I grew up (farm country). Anywho, something I've realized is just how much each person is a person, and they deserve to be loved.
I had a really interesting conversation with a friend the other day. Being in a conservative Catholic community, there are many people who are Pro-life (obviously) and people who kind of hmm I don't the word, but I feel like "gayness" for lack of better terms is frowned upon. I obviously understand why. It's against the Church. God made man and woman for a reason, and with being pro-life - well all I have to say is a life is a life, no matter how small. However, what my friend and I talked about was how those who work with pro-choice groups honestly think they are doing the right thing to help the women they are working with. The women they are working with probably feel trapped, and that's why they're seeking their options. The people who work for abortion clinics, etc are people too. I feel like they're almost looked at as 'monsters' (for lack of better term) because they want women to feel like they have a choice.
And as for the gay/lesbian community - well, they are people too, who desire to love and be loved. When I think of this battle being fought in America, well I think about the times I feel lonely, and I just want someone to love me, to hold me, to comfort me. I think of those times when I long for human comfort, and touch. And in thinking in this way, I've learned to see how they are people too, I know that sounds weird, mean, judgemental, whatever you want to call it, but I'm being honest here.
My question - doesn't everyone want to be loved?
Then, why is it so hard for us to love our brothers and sisters who are pro-choice, or support gay/lesbian?
Brothers and sisters, this has been something weighing so heavy on my heart. We're all sinners, and I guess well, I wanted to remind all how all people are in need of love.
I remember when I first came to St. Patrick's Veritas youth group winter mission trip my freshman year of high school. I remember being welcomed into a community of love, of life. There was so much joy, so much love. In middle school, I was teased, a lot. People I didn't know said I was gay because I never had a boyfriend (though I had plenty of crushes). I had countless days where I came home crying because a friend told me she didn't want to be friends with me anymore. I remember being called a bitch, a backstabber, and other mean things. And as a freshman in high school, coming into that community, so filled with love, I was grateful, grateful to know so many people who loved God, and loved me too. I want the world to be like that - a community of love.
If someone comes to me and tells me they find their same sex attractive, I want to embrace them with open arms. I don't want to try to change them. I want to love them. I want them to know they are loved. I want them to know God, and know his love - and chances are, if this person has been placed in my life, then I'm supposed to love them, with the love of Christ within me.
If someone comes to me and tells me they are pregnant and considering an abortion, I want to be able to embrace them with open arms. I want to be able to love my sister in that moment. I want to be a listening ear for her. Most importantly - I want her to feel love, to feel safe, to not feel judged, but loved.
Let us be a people of love, a people who embraces each person with whatever their challenge/struggle may be. If there is a person in our life, chances are they are there for us to love. I know I'm not perfect at this, I know there will be times when I'll jump to conclusions, but brothers and sisters, can we work together to become a people of love, rather than a people of judgement? (And I'm not saying people are judging, but sometimes it comes off that way when we desire mainly to change people) Let us love people with the love God has placed within us. Let us love.
I just want to leave you with this - Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”And when Jesus saw that [he] answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions
As I was adding that Gospel passage, the word understanding stood out to me. Here's a little blurb I found on understanding - I think it sums up what I really want my message to get across tonight.
There are two things that I have learned over the past three years that I absolutely love. These lessons came with learning about Catholicism, in my own journey, you may have learned them another way.
One - we are made for happiness:
Although man can forget God or reject him, He never ceases to call every man to seek him, so as to find life and happiness. (CCC #30)
Two - We all desire to love and to be loved. It's just how God made us.
Lately, I seem to have noticed more and more how people are not as happy and how people aren't loving. Often times, I find myself frustrated because I see a lack of love and an increase of self-centeredness. It strikes me more and more each time I think about myself over another, or place myself on a higher level than another person.
Today, my parents were talking about taking a little vacation. They never really had a honeymoon when they got married, so they just want to do something special, they've been together for a total of 25 years, married for 22, which is beautiful, and honestly, it seems to be rare these days. Anyway, as they were talking about their little vacation, I found myself thinking "ugh they don't deserve a vacation. they don't work nearly as hard as I have been." But who was I kidding - seriously, my mom had 4 kids. My dad works full time, always has, and he has always worked to provide for our family. My mom was a stay home mom, heck that's harder than being a working mom, I think, because there's less income, and she was with us rascals all day, but it paid off since we turned out to be pretty decent specimen. My point is that I was so focused on thinking about me, myself, and I that I didn't think about how hard my parents have worked to provide me with all that I need, and helped to form me into the person I am. They deserve a vacation, without any kids. Just the two of them celebrating the milestone of sending two kids through high school and surviving, while fighting many other battles.
That's just one example where I thought of myself over others. There are other times, but that's not exactly my point. Now if you read the article I posted above, you'll now the direction this is going.
I was never really around people who openly talked about their sexuality, the idea of same sexes being attracted to one another was a rather foreign idea to me. Maybe it was just because I'm good at being oblivious, or maybe it was because there just wasn't much of it where I grew up (farm country). Anywho, something I've realized is just how much each person is a person, and they deserve to be loved.
I had a really interesting conversation with a friend the other day. Being in a conservative Catholic community, there are many people who are Pro-life (obviously) and people who kind of hmm I don't the word, but I feel like "gayness" for lack of better terms is frowned upon. I obviously understand why. It's against the Church. God made man and woman for a reason, and with being pro-life - well all I have to say is a life is a life, no matter how small. However, what my friend and I talked about was how those who work with pro-choice groups honestly think they are doing the right thing to help the women they are working with. The women they are working with probably feel trapped, and that's why they're seeking their options. The people who work for abortion clinics, etc are people too. I feel like they're almost looked at as 'monsters' (for lack of better term) because they want women to feel like they have a choice.
And as for the gay/lesbian community - well, they are people too, who desire to love and be loved. When I think of this battle being fought in America, well I think about the times I feel lonely, and I just want someone to love me, to hold me, to comfort me. I think of those times when I long for human comfort, and touch. And in thinking in this way, I've learned to see how they are people too, I know that sounds weird, mean, judgemental, whatever you want to call it, but I'm being honest here.
My question - doesn't everyone want to be loved?
Then, why is it so hard for us to love our brothers and sisters who are pro-choice, or support gay/lesbian?
Brothers and sisters, this has been something weighing so heavy on my heart. We're all sinners, and I guess well, I wanted to remind all how all people are in need of love.
I remember when I first came to St. Patrick's Veritas youth group winter mission trip my freshman year of high school. I remember being welcomed into a community of love, of life. There was so much joy, so much love. In middle school, I was teased, a lot. People I didn't know said I was gay because I never had a boyfriend (though I had plenty of crushes). I had countless days where I came home crying because a friend told me she didn't want to be friends with me anymore. I remember being called a bitch, a backstabber, and other mean things. And as a freshman in high school, coming into that community, so filled with love, I was grateful, grateful to know so many people who loved God, and loved me too. I want the world to be like that - a community of love.
If someone comes to me and tells me they find their same sex attractive, I want to embrace them with open arms. I don't want to try to change them. I want to love them. I want them to know they are loved. I want them to know God, and know his love - and chances are, if this person has been placed in my life, then I'm supposed to love them, with the love of Christ within me.
If someone comes to me and tells me they are pregnant and considering an abortion, I want to be able to embrace them with open arms. I want to be able to love my sister in that moment. I want to be a listening ear for her. Most importantly - I want her to feel love, to feel safe, to not feel judged, but loved.
Let us be a people of love, a people who embraces each person with whatever their challenge/struggle may be. If there is a person in our life, chances are they are there for us to love. I know I'm not perfect at this, I know there will be times when I'll jump to conclusions, but brothers and sisters, can we work together to become a people of love, rather than a people of judgement? (And I'm not saying people are judging, but sometimes it comes off that way when we desire mainly to change people) Let us love people with the love God has placed within us. Let us love.
I just want to leave you with this - Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”And when Jesus saw that [he] answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions
As I was adding that Gospel passage, the word understanding stood out to me. Here's a little blurb I found on understanding - I think it sums up what I really want my message to get across tonight.
Understanding is using your mind to think clearly, paying attention to see the meaning of things. An understanding mind gives you insights and wonderful ideas. An understanding heart gives you empathy and compassion for others. Understanding is the power to think and learn and also to care.
You are practicing understanding when you …
- Concentrate and pay close attention
- Reflect on the meaning of things
- See the whole picture
- Resist distractions
- Put yourself in other people’s shoes
- Forgive others and yourself when you make mistakes
May we grow in love, and understanding. May we seek the intercession of our blessed Mother, Mary, Help of Christians, to grow! I believe in striving after this - we will see a greater happiness in this world, that we may be able to serve in joy, and in love!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Waiting, Wanting, Desiring --- Discerning?
So I'm a freshman in college, but I already am like "okay - I'm over this college thing, lets get married and start having babies." I know people who are engaged and like "okay - lets just have our wedding and have babies." I know someone who's pregnant and is like "okay - I just want to have my baby." I know someone who is like "okay lets have all my kids and have them all be over the age of 5." My point - we're always looking to the next step. Sometimes, we look forward to the next step so much and get so caught up in living for the future and the next step we miss what's really happening around us. I know just the other week I was telling two of my friends how I can't wait to be done with college, and they were like don't rush it and be sure to enjoy it. At the time they were saying how they would never want to do it again, but it was good while they were in it.
This something easy to do. For women, we're made to be receptive and to submit. We discern, often earlier than men, and if we discern our vocation is marriage then we just have to sit around and wait for a man to pursue us. This is hard. But the man is supposed to be the leader of the relationship, so we need to wait, that way he can actually lead. But this waiting time is hard. And it's even harder when you are the youngest one in your circle of friends, and you watch person after person transition in their life.
A friend of mine talked about this the other night to us, and I really began to take it to my prayer, and I want to share it with you.
We get in a rush in our lives. We want to fast forward through college so we can have babies (that's going to be my example because that's where I'm at). I'm a freshman in college, in my second semester, and I'm already ready to be done. I just want to be able to get married and have children, be a mom, be a nurse. BUT I need to be a student right now. I'm not ready to get married. Right now I need to focus on growing in relationships with my sisters especially, and with men and brothers/friends. I need to learn to see each person as a precious gift from God. I need to have a consistent prayer life. There is a reason God has not placed in my life who is pursuing my heart. He has a different plan. However, it's easy for me to get frustrated, so what do I do? Here are a few tips I have. Some of these are my own, and some from friends.
1. I have 3 years left of school. I ask myself -- Could I actually be in a relationship for at least 2 years before getting engaged? Do I want to plan a wedding my last year of school? Do I even have time for a boyfriend right now?
2. Sister relationships are necessary. I can always build them stronger. I have time to build them when I'm single.
3. More time for Jesus. I have the freedom to go to adoration as I please. I have time to pray. I need to continue to grow closer to God. Is the Lord my everything, or will it be easy for some man to become my everything, in place of God?
4. Homework/time management. As students we have a lot going on, including homework. We need to be sure we live our vocation as a student, and focus on our studies.
Those are a few practicals to think about. Now, some tips for when you're feeling frustrated.
1. Be grateful for what you have. Make a list each day of what you're thankful for, and thank God for what he blessed you with this day.
2. Sisterly love. Seek out your sisters. When you're struggling, talk to someone, ask them for some advice and to hold you accountable.
3. Embrace your singleness. Be content with the ability to have 'freedom'. I don't know if I like the word freedom, but there's time that you would give to a boyfriend that you have right now that you can give to God, homework, sisters, or yourself.
4. Scripture. Memorize a few good one liners to just pull out when you need that reminder of God's love and embrace.
Basically, we need to learn to be content with where we are in our lives and embrace. Now for a few scriptures that really help me.
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for your woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope. -Jeremiah 29:11
This something easy to do. For women, we're made to be receptive and to submit. We discern, often earlier than men, and if we discern our vocation is marriage then we just have to sit around and wait for a man to pursue us. This is hard. But the man is supposed to be the leader of the relationship, so we need to wait, that way he can actually lead. But this waiting time is hard. And it's even harder when you are the youngest one in your circle of friends, and you watch person after person transition in their life.
A friend of mine talked about this the other night to us, and I really began to take it to my prayer, and I want to share it with you.
We get in a rush in our lives. We want to fast forward through college so we can have babies (that's going to be my example because that's where I'm at). I'm a freshman in college, in my second semester, and I'm already ready to be done. I just want to be able to get married and have children, be a mom, be a nurse. BUT I need to be a student right now. I'm not ready to get married. Right now I need to focus on growing in relationships with my sisters especially, and with men and brothers/friends. I need to learn to see each person as a precious gift from God. I need to have a consistent prayer life. There is a reason God has not placed in my life who is pursuing my heart. He has a different plan. However, it's easy for me to get frustrated, so what do I do? Here are a few tips I have. Some of these are my own, and some from friends.
1. I have 3 years left of school. I ask myself -- Could I actually be in a relationship for at least 2 years before getting engaged? Do I want to plan a wedding my last year of school? Do I even have time for a boyfriend right now?
2. Sister relationships are necessary. I can always build them stronger. I have time to build them when I'm single.
3. More time for Jesus. I have the freedom to go to adoration as I please. I have time to pray. I need to continue to grow closer to God. Is the Lord my everything, or will it be easy for some man to become my everything, in place of God?
4. Homework/time management. As students we have a lot going on, including homework. We need to be sure we live our vocation as a student, and focus on our studies.
Those are a few practicals to think about. Now, some tips for when you're feeling frustrated.
1. Be grateful for what you have. Make a list each day of what you're thankful for, and thank God for what he blessed you with this day.
2. Sisterly love. Seek out your sisters. When you're struggling, talk to someone, ask them for some advice and to hold you accountable.
3. Embrace your singleness. Be content with the ability to have 'freedom'. I don't know if I like the word freedom, but there's time that you would give to a boyfriend that you have right now that you can give to God, homework, sisters, or yourself.
4. Scripture. Memorize a few good one liners to just pull out when you need that reminder of God's love and embrace.
Basically, we need to learn to be content with where we are in our lives and embrace. Now for a few scriptures that really help me.
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for your woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope. -Jeremiah 29:11
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
-ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8
Prayer for April
It's already 11 days into the month of April, but there's still plenty of time go around. So, a group of my friends recently started a facebook group with a monthly novena and prayer. For April we are doing the Divine Mercy Novena. Here's a link to the novena http://www.praymorenovenas.com/divine-mercy-novena#axzz1qPx9fwHg
And our Prayer of the Month is:...drum roll please...
And our Prayer of the Month is:...drum roll please...
The Divine Praises
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
God bless & happy Easter!
Monday, April 9, 2012
So Much Noise
Driving back to school after a break filled with lots of food and sleep, I had the windows rolled down and the radio blasting, naturally. There was a lot of noise. Noise from the semi's. Noise from the wind. Noise from the radio being turned up super loud. 'By Your Side' by Tenth Avenue North was playing, one of my favorite songs, and in the song when it goes: .
As the words "I love you" are practically being shouted out over all the noise (like I said my radio was turned up), I realized how often God, our Father in heaven, who loves us so much is constantly trying to shout over all the noise in our lives I love you
The past couple weeks, I've been in a dry spell in my prayer. Whenever this happens, it causes me to question my faith, and makes living my life so much more challenging. I often feel as if the Lord is saying to me: "I love you, is that not enough?"
We allow noise to distract. Everything in life is a choice and sometimes we make poor choices, for example: instead of praying, I'm going to go watch this movie, that will influence me to sin because it's filled with sex, alcohol, and partying. I'm not saying all movies are bad. I'm not saying watching movies is a bad activity. There are very good movies out there. What I'm getting at is the when there are times when we know we need to pray, but that takes effort because prayer hasn't been fruitful, and living a Christian life hasn't been easy - and then, in the struggle we choose the easier option, to lay and watch a movie until we fall asleep, ignoring our struggle & our pain, when maybe we should be talking to God and trying to sort out the problem.
So what am I even getting at here? Well, I suppose it's that we need less noise. We are so busy, and there is much noise. I look at my life and every night of the week I typically have something, of some form going whether it's a meeting, work, homework or dinner with a friend - my life is in a constant 'go' state. There is a lot of noise - especially when I need times of silence, I typically fill it with noise. Like my 20 minute drive to work - this could easily be time used for praying a rosary, but I typically fill the silence with music blasting away trying to forget my stresses of school.
Therefore, I encourage you, my dear friends to embrace silence, to take advantage of opportunities to be silent. I desire for all of us to be living for the Kingdom of God, loving each person exactly where they are at for who they are (that will be continued in another post). I want all of us to know the love of God, and to be able to live in peace & love.
"Pray, hope, and don't worry" -Padre Pio
God bless!
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go
As the words "I love you" are practically being shouted out over all the noise (like I said my radio was turned up), I realized how often God, our Father in heaven, who loves us so much is constantly trying to shout over all the noise in our lives I love you
The past couple weeks, I've been in a dry spell in my prayer. Whenever this happens, it causes me to question my faith, and makes living my life so much more challenging. I often feel as if the Lord is saying to me: "I love you, is that not enough?"
We allow noise to distract. Everything in life is a choice and sometimes we make poor choices, for example: instead of praying, I'm going to go watch this movie, that will influence me to sin because it's filled with sex, alcohol, and partying. I'm not saying all movies are bad. I'm not saying watching movies is a bad activity. There are very good movies out there. What I'm getting at is the when there are times when we know we need to pray, but that takes effort because prayer hasn't been fruitful, and living a Christian life hasn't been easy - and then, in the struggle we choose the easier option, to lay and watch a movie until we fall asleep, ignoring our struggle & our pain, when maybe we should be talking to God and trying to sort out the problem.
So what am I even getting at here? Well, I suppose it's that we need less noise. We are so busy, and there is much noise. I look at my life and every night of the week I typically have something, of some form going whether it's a meeting, work, homework or dinner with a friend - my life is in a constant 'go' state. There is a lot of noise - especially when I need times of silence, I typically fill it with noise. Like my 20 minute drive to work - this could easily be time used for praying a rosary, but I typically fill the silence with music blasting away trying to forget my stresses of school.
Therefore, I encourage you, my dear friends to embrace silence, to take advantage of opportunities to be silent. I desire for all of us to be living for the Kingdom of God, loving each person exactly where they are at for who they are (that will be continued in another post). I want all of us to know the love of God, and to be able to live in peace & love.
"Pray, hope, and don't worry" -Padre Pio
God bless!
Monday Memo
Prayer of Abandonment, one of my favorite prayers.
Father, I abandon myself into Your hands;
do with me what You will.
Whatever You do I thank You.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me,
as in all Your creatures,
I ask no more than this, my Lord.
Into Your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to You, O Lord,
with all the love of my heart,
for I love You, my God, and so need to give myself--
to surrender myself into Your hands,
without reserve and with total confidence,
for You are my Father.
-Bl. Charles de Foucauld
Father, I abandon myself into Your hands;
do with me what You will.
Whatever You do I thank You.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me,
as in all Your creatures,
I ask no more than this, my Lord.
Into Your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to You, O Lord,
with all the love of my heart,
for I love You, my God, and so need to give myself--
to surrender myself into Your hands,
without reserve and with total confidence,
for You are my Father.
-Bl. Charles de Foucauld
Sunday, April 8, 2012
I Have the Right to Complain?
"You have no right to complain because I..."
I'm a selfish person. I always used to think I was rather selfless, but as I have come to know God more, and come to know more about myself through God, I've realized how selfish of a person I am. I tend to whine and complain a lot. For example, this morning when I woke up there was no coffee that I liked in our house, only really black coffee, which I don't like. Because there was no coffee, and no normal coffee makers, only a keurig, I grew flustered because I just wanted my morning cup o' joe. Instead of being content and thankful with what I had, I was angry. It's easy for us to think of ourselves.
What struck this thought this night - Wednesday night I was woke by my friend, long story short we ended up calling 911 and going to the ER around 2 am, I had to work at 9 am. I didn't think about it at the time. However, at work Thursday morning, someone complained they were tired and I thought to myself 'ughh they have no right to complain, they got a sufficient amount of sleep, uninterrupted by a trip to the hospital'. Now don't get me wrong, I was very thankful to have been able to be present for my friend and be with her and be there for her when she needed me; however, the next morning I was feeling the effects a little differently. The person who had complained she was tired at work had work about 15 days straight - and some of them really awful shifts. She basically had every right to complain, but all I could think of in that moment was myself.
Sometimes, it is easy to think of others. Most of the time, it is easier to think of ourselves. It is easy to be consumed by our own wants, desires, feelings, etc. In reality, I don't have the 'right' to complain, and neither do you. Our lives on earth are not meant to be lives of ease. There will be great suffering in the time we will spend on earth, in order to prepare our hearts for heaven. We are imperfect beings, though we may be striving for holiness (the perfection of charity), we will always fall short of the glory of God and loving perfectly until we enter our home in heaven.
However, there is hope! There is hope in Christ. This night Christ has risen from the tomb. Our God is alive, He reigns.
There is hope in the Lord for us to overcome our selfishness. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of sacrifice. Mary is the other perfect example for us to follow. Jesus - the perfect example of love, in laying down his life, that we may be able to enter the eternal Kingdom. He died, and rose to fill the void between God and man. Mary - who proclaimed "be it done unto me according to Thy word" She gave her yes to the Father, knowing she was saying yes to living a life of sacrifice, of selflessness. She is one whom we can turn to, and seek her intercession that we may grow out of selfishness, and draw closer into the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, hope in the resurrection. In this Easter season may we rejoice in the gift of salvation; may we find hope in Christ.
Alleluia, the King has risen.
Happy Easter!
God bless.
I'm a selfish person. I always used to think I was rather selfless, but as I have come to know God more, and come to know more about myself through God, I've realized how selfish of a person I am. I tend to whine and complain a lot. For example, this morning when I woke up there was no coffee that I liked in our house, only really black coffee, which I don't like. Because there was no coffee, and no normal coffee makers, only a keurig, I grew flustered because I just wanted my morning cup o' joe. Instead of being content and thankful with what I had, I was angry. It's easy for us to think of ourselves.
What struck this thought this night - Wednesday night I was woke by my friend, long story short we ended up calling 911 and going to the ER around 2 am, I had to work at 9 am. I didn't think about it at the time. However, at work Thursday morning, someone complained they were tired and I thought to myself 'ughh they have no right to complain, they got a sufficient amount of sleep, uninterrupted by a trip to the hospital'. Now don't get me wrong, I was very thankful to have been able to be present for my friend and be with her and be there for her when she needed me; however, the next morning I was feeling the effects a little differently. The person who had complained she was tired at work had work about 15 days straight - and some of them really awful shifts. She basically had every right to complain, but all I could think of in that moment was myself.
Sometimes, it is easy to think of others. Most of the time, it is easier to think of ourselves. It is easy to be consumed by our own wants, desires, feelings, etc. In reality, I don't have the 'right' to complain, and neither do you. Our lives on earth are not meant to be lives of ease. There will be great suffering in the time we will spend on earth, in order to prepare our hearts for heaven. We are imperfect beings, though we may be striving for holiness (the perfection of charity), we will always fall short of the glory of God and loving perfectly until we enter our home in heaven.
However, there is hope! There is hope in Christ. This night Christ has risen from the tomb. Our God is alive, He reigns.
There is hope in the Lord for us to overcome our selfishness. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of sacrifice. Mary is the other perfect example for us to follow. Jesus - the perfect example of love, in laying down his life, that we may be able to enter the eternal Kingdom. He died, and rose to fill the void between God and man. Mary - who proclaimed "be it done unto me according to Thy word" She gave her yes to the Father, knowing she was saying yes to living a life of sacrifice, of selflessness. She is one whom we can turn to, and seek her intercession that we may grow out of selfishness, and draw closer into the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, hope in the resurrection. In this Easter season may we rejoice in the gift of salvation; may we find hope in Christ.
Alleluia, the King has risen.
Happy Easter!
God bless.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Rely on the Lord
Lately I have realized how I have been given a gift to remain calm in stressful situations. When my younger brother was in an accident, I had to be the adult (note I am only 18). My dad was in Tennessee, my mom had just had surgery, and my older has really bad anxiety in situations like the one we were in. Therefore, I had to be the one who remained strong and calm throughout the night and into the next day. Recently, I had to call a squad for a friend who was ill. This was a situation that would be considered scary, stressful, and one where most people would not typically be calm. There was another time where we had to call a squad because a friend overdosed on medicine, and was essentially on the verge of suicide. I remained with her, allowing her to lay on me and rest in me as we sat there together waiting on the squad to come. Again, I remained entirely calm, and helped others around us remain calm.
This is indeed a gift granted to me by God. However, there is more to it my ability to remain calm. During these stressful times I prayed, especially to the Blessed Mother seeking her intercession. I would pray Hail Mary's continuously because it was a simple prayer. Often during these situations I was very panicked internally, but externally I was able to remain calm.
This day, Good Friday, the day Jesus died, and filled the void between man and God, I encourage all of us to look at the Carrying of the Cross, when a strange man helped Jesus to carry His cross because Jesus was so weak from being beaten.
Brothers and sisters, we need our Father. God wants us to turn to Him. He wants to be the rock on which we rely. He wants to be our strength, and he is with us, even when don't acknowledge his presence in our lives. Dear friends, I simply want to encourage you to rely more on our good and gracious Father for strength. The more we pray, the more we come to know God, the better our lives will be and the better we will be able to handle stress and anxiety.
God bless!
This is indeed a gift granted to me by God. However, there is more to it my ability to remain calm. During these stressful times I prayed, especially to the Blessed Mother seeking her intercession. I would pray Hail Mary's continuously because it was a simple prayer. Often during these situations I was very panicked internally, but externally I was able to remain calm.
This day, Good Friday, the day Jesus died, and filled the void between man and God, I encourage all of us to look at the Carrying of the Cross, when a strange man helped Jesus to carry His cross because Jesus was so weak from being beaten.
Brothers and sisters, we need our Father. God wants us to turn to Him. He wants to be the rock on which we rely. He wants to be our strength, and he is with us, even when don't acknowledge his presence in our lives. Dear friends, I simply want to encourage you to rely more on our good and gracious Father for strength. The more we pray, the more we come to know God, the better our lives will be and the better we will be able to handle stress and anxiety.
God bless!
Monday, April 2, 2012
One Little Bit at a Time
Please read John 12:1-11 and Mark 14:1-15:47 before continuing in reading this post.
In my prayer this morning, after hearing these two Gospel readings over the past two days I found myself asking a few questions. Will we be greedy, as Judas was? Will we deny Jesus as Peter did? Are we really willing to lay down our lives for Christ?
My honest answers: I have been greedy as Judas was. I have denied Jesus as Peter did. Am I ready to lay down my life? far from it; however, I'm going to do all I can to lay it down anyway.
I have set Jesus aside in order to be part of a group, in order to fit, in order to fulfill an expectation. I've allowed things of this world to consume me. I've set aside that which keeps me alive, in order to be liked and wanted.
Living our faith in this world is challenging, especially in college. It's a daily fight to choose to live for Christ. It's a daily challenge to get up a little early to be able to have time to pray, to start the day with Christ. It takes a conscious effort to pray, especially when we don't feel like it. I could take a nap instead, or I could have slept in this morning. Instead I got up at 5:30 to pray with my sisters, to start my day and my week with Christ. I came back to have personal prayer time, when I could have just gone back to bed. But I made the effort to seek to deepen my relationship with Christ.
There have been days where I didn't get up to pray. There have been days where I went back to bed. There have been days where I rejected God. It's easy to do. The hard part is giving our lives to Christ, one little bit at a time. Luckily, we have a gracious, patient, generous, merciful God.
Brothers and sisters, I know how challenging living our faith out can be. I'm there right now. The past two weeks, remaining faithful has been a challenge for me. My prayer has been almost non-existent, my relationship with God dwindled, and was set aside...for ? well I don't know what -- I suppose the busy-ness of the world, of life.
Last week, a friend of mine gave a talk on the crucifixion. I took something from that talk that I wish to share with you now --
Jesus filled the void between man and God; therefore, rejoice in the crucifixion. There was a void, an emptiness between man and God and Jesus came to fill that void. Jesus came to save, not to condemn. Because of this, we should rejoice in the crucifixion.
To adore God is to acknowledge, in respect and absolute submission, the "nothingness of the creature" who would not exist but for God. To adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is his name.14 The worship of the one God sets man free from turning in on himself, from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the world. CCC#2097
As I said, it is challenging to live counter-cultural, to live a consecrated life (to be consecrated means to be set apart); therefore, we should rejoice in the death of Jesus and find strength and hope in that God sent his only Son in order to be able to draw us to himself.
I want to leave you with this quote:
Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you remember Christ crucified and be silent.
-St. John of the Cross
In my prayer this morning, after hearing these two Gospel readings over the past two days I found myself asking a few questions. Will we be greedy, as Judas was? Will we deny Jesus as Peter did? Are we really willing to lay down our lives for Christ?
My honest answers: I have been greedy as Judas was. I have denied Jesus as Peter did. Am I ready to lay down my life? far from it; however, I'm going to do all I can to lay it down anyway.
I have set Jesus aside in order to be part of a group, in order to fit, in order to fulfill an expectation. I've allowed things of this world to consume me. I've set aside that which keeps me alive, in order to be liked and wanted.
Living our faith in this world is challenging, especially in college. It's a daily fight to choose to live for Christ. It's a daily challenge to get up a little early to be able to have time to pray, to start the day with Christ. It takes a conscious effort to pray, especially when we don't feel like it. I could take a nap instead, or I could have slept in this morning. Instead I got up at 5:30 to pray with my sisters, to start my day and my week with Christ. I came back to have personal prayer time, when I could have just gone back to bed. But I made the effort to seek to deepen my relationship with Christ.
There have been days where I didn't get up to pray. There have been days where I went back to bed. There have been days where I rejected God. It's easy to do. The hard part is giving our lives to Christ, one little bit at a time. Luckily, we have a gracious, patient, generous, merciful God.
Brothers and sisters, I know how challenging living our faith out can be. I'm there right now. The past two weeks, remaining faithful has been a challenge for me. My prayer has been almost non-existent, my relationship with God dwindled, and was set aside...for ? well I don't know what -- I suppose the busy-ness of the world, of life.
Last week, a friend of mine gave a talk on the crucifixion. I took something from that talk that I wish to share with you now --
Jesus filled the void between man and God; therefore, rejoice in the crucifixion. There was a void, an emptiness between man and God and Jesus came to fill that void. Jesus came to save, not to condemn. Because of this, we should rejoice in the crucifixion.
To adore God is to acknowledge, in respect and absolute submission, the "nothingness of the creature" who would not exist but for God. To adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is his name.14 The worship of the one God sets man free from turning in on himself, from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the world. CCC#2097
As I said, it is challenging to live counter-cultural, to live a consecrated life (to be consecrated means to be set apart); therefore, we should rejoice in the death of Jesus and find strength and hope in that God sent his only Son in order to be able to draw us to himself.
I want to leave you with this quote:
Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you remember Christ crucified and be silent.
-St. John of the Cross
Monday Memo! Monday Memo! Monday Memo!
It's Monday of Holy Week - Sweeet :) And it's Memo Monday. I purposely searched to find a quote fitting for Holy Week! And I found two!
"As Lent is the time for greater love,
listen to Jesus' thirst...
'Repent and believe' Jesus tells us.
What are we to repent?
Our indifference, our hardness of heart.
What are we to believe?
Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor --
He knows your weakness.
He wants only your love,
wants only the chance to love you."
-Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
"Nothing, how little so ever it be,
if it is suffered for God's sake,
can pass without merit in the sight of God."
-Thomas a Kempis
"As Lent is the time for greater love,
listen to Jesus' thirst...
'Repent and believe' Jesus tells us.
What are we to repent?
Our indifference, our hardness of heart.
What are we to believe?
Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor --
He knows your weakness.
He wants only your love,
wants only the chance to love you."
-Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
"Nothing, how little so ever it be,
if it is suffered for God's sake,
can pass without merit in the sight of God."
-Thomas a Kempis
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