Quick look at last few days and today

Sunday was a day filled with visiting Marian sites. The Tomb of Mary, birthplace of Mary, and the pool of Bethsaida. Before those sites, we went to the Temple Mount and Western Wall (also known as the wailing wall).

Monday was probably my favorite day so far. We celebrated Easter Mass at the tomb of The Resurrection, went to the upper room (where 4 of the 7 Sacraments were instituted), Garden of Gethsemane, Rock of Agony, walked through the Kidron Valley to the home of Caiaphas (now it is the Church of St. Peter Galicantu) and got to go down to the cave prison Jesus was kept on Holy Thursday night. Which means that after Mass we basically did what Jesus did on Holy Thursday! What an amazing experience.

Tuesday was almost just as wonderful. We began early with The Via Dolorosa (way of the cross), had Mass on Calvary, toured the Holy Sepulcher, went inside the tomb of the resurrection, Dominus Flevit (place Jesus looked at the city of Jerusalem and wept), walked half of the Palm Sunday road, and ended the day with evening Eucharistic adoration at Gethsemane.

Today we are currently on our way north towards Galilee (Tiberius) with a stop in Cana (for Mass and married couples will renew their wedding vows) and Nazareth (to see the home of the Holy Family, St. Joseph's workshop, Church of Annunciation), and then to the Mt. of Beatitudes. 

I can't believe this trip is almost over. It has been such an amazing and spiritually renewing trip so far...and I can't wait for the next few days. 

Friday and Saturday...a great beginning

It has been a few days :) Every time I try to sit down and write, I either get interrupted to hang out with people...or the more often result is that I fall asleep. But, let me try to give you a few things I've been struck by the last couple of days.

On Friday we went to Ein Karem, which is the place of the Visitation. Then we went to the birthplace of John the Baptist, and the Church of The Nativity (had Christmas Mass in a Church near there).

I had a great sense that John the Baptist is a marvelous example for me. He had great amounts of humility and good will...he knew who God was, who he was, what his mission was, and lived to build the greatness of Christ even to his own seeming detriment. So many times I feel that I struggle with both of those virtues, so it was great to have this tangible experience to lean on in the future. 

We need to take time each day asking ourselves: who is God? Who am I? What is my mission? And how am I living it out?

Then on Saturday we went to the Jordan River (renewed our Baptismal Promises), Jericho to temptation monastery (where Jesus was tempted by Satan the first time during his 40 days of fasting), and then to Jacob's Well.

I don't want to say much about it here, but this is the first time we experienced the reality of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is a hard reality to face.

But, on to the other parts: I have tried to vocalize my reaction to the experience at the Jordan...but I was simply blown away while we renewed our Baptismal Promises. It was such a moving experience to get to be where John called the Israelites to conversion to Christ and where he Baptized Christ into our death...so we can be Baptized into his life.

Then we went to Jericho which is the most ancient human settlement...10,000 years old! Reading all the stories in scripture I don't understand how they walked all of these places (they had to be in fantastic shape)...luckily we drove from the River to Jericho. :) Temptation Monastery was crazy. It is a labyrinth of many caves and now has a beautiful facade (it won't let me use that fun letter instead of c) on the side of the mountain. To get to pray where Jesus withstood Satan was powerful...asking for that same power to overcome Satan in my life. It was also very interesting getting to the monastery (which has been there since the 3rd century I believe-I don't remember exactly). We went up a gondola and then had to climb almost 200 steps up the face of the mountain.

Last for Saturday, we got to draw water from Jacob's Well. I actually helped bring the bucket back up to the surface! Jacob's Well is where Jesus met the Samaritan woman and asked for water...then talked to her about His life giving water. 

That day was amazing also! But, I need to go eat breakfast and then go to High Mass at the tomb of Jesus. Hopefully later I'll get a chance to talk about Sunday and today.

Always seek out time to be with Christ daily...it will change your life and bring you great freedom. I am praying for you always.

Quieting, surrendering, loving, living

The first day was very surreal. We got off the plane in Tel Aviv...and it seemed like there was an immediate sense of quieting. The quieting of my mind and soul...a huge wave of peace entered as we began this entry into Israel. On our bus, our tour guide struck a nerve. He said (I didn't write it down, so it isn't verbatim): if you came here to see beautiful place and artifacts, you have completely wasted your time...because America has more beautiful places. But, if you have come like the 3 wise men...searching for the great king to bring meaning and understanding and understanding to your being and wanting to live in the reality of the king...then you have come with the right mindset. 

The reason it struck me is not because I came only to see these places...but because I never really equated myself with the 3 wise men and why they journeyed to the nativity. 

Getting to the hotel, I was excited to see that they were still cleaning our room. So, within 30 minutes of being done traveling...I was standing in The Holy Sepulcher! My first distinct spiritual reality was that my life's identity...who I am...has it's center at this place! The fact that I could be there and give praise and thanksgiving for not only my life, my family and friends...but also for the ability to have true, real, deep freedom and Hope!

Today, Friday, we are going to the place of the Visitation and Nativity!!!! I can't wait to get to continue this spiritual renewal and strength!

It has begun! Finding the tomb empty shook up the disciples...has it shaken you?

As we live in this day of waiting...waiting to see our Savior once again...remember that today was the first day without Christ for all of his disciples.  They probably had a sense of question, doubt, confusion and fear.  They probably were trying to figure out what all they are supposed to do because of Christ's actions for the past 3 years and especially the last couple of days.

What do you do because of Christ's life?  We know what is going to happen tomorrow...but how does it affect you?

For me, I feel very blessed that I was encouraged in my heart to do this blog.  I have learned a lot about myself and my fears.  I have learned most especially the power of prayer.  Life really is a lot more free when I seek the love and truth of God each day.

I know that I don't have the time to try to do this every day.  I think I will keep this blog and perhaps share some things.  But, I also am so excited about sharing some of wonderful things about our Church.  I have thought about sharing a Saint and their life on the blog.  I may decide to do that.  Who knows.

I wanted to share Pope Francis' homily for Holy Saturday.  It is long so you may need to save a couple of minutes before reading it.  He does such a great job at reminding us how we can live the reality of the first Easter Sunday.

I pray that as this day of waiting draws to a close...we are able to find ourselves challenged and taken away from our ordinary life.  Live in the promptings of the Spirit.  Understand more truly that in following the Father's will (as Christ did) that we are able to find hope in the goodness that will be brought from any struggle.

It has begun...how will you proclaim it to the world?

Taken from http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/03/30/full-text-of-pope-franciss-homily-at-the-easter-vigil/

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. In the Gospel of this radiant night of the Easter Vigil, we first meet the women who go the tomb of Jesus with spices to anoint his body (cf. Lk 24:1-3). They go to perform an act of compassion, a traditional act of affection and love for a dear departed person, just as we would. They had followed Jesus, they had listened to his words, they had felt understood by him in their dignity and they had accompanied him to the very end, to Calvary and to the moment when he was taken down from the cross. We can imagine their feelings as they make their way to the tomb: a certain sadness, sorrow that Jesus had left them, he had died, his life had come to an end. Life would now go on as before. Yet the women continued to feel love, the love for Jesus which now led them to his tomb. But at this point, something completely new and unexpected happens, something which upsets their hearts and their plans, something which will upset their whole life: they see the stone removed from before the tomb, they draw near and they do not find the Lord’s body. It is an event which leaves them perplexed, hesitant, full of questions: “What happened?”, “What is the meaning of all this?” (cf. Lk 24:4). Doesn’t the same thing also happen to us when something completely new occurs in our everyday life? We stop short, we don’t understand, we don’t know what to do. Newness often makes us fearful, including the newness which God brings us, the newness which God asks of us. We are like the Apostles in the Gospel: often we would prefer to hold on to our own security, to stand in front of a tomb, to think about someone who has died, someone who ultimately lives on only as a memory, like the great historical figures from the past. We are afraid of God’s surprises; we are afraid of God’s surprises! He always surprises us!

Dear brothers and sisters, let us not be closed to the newness that God wants to bring into our lives! Are we often weary, disheartened and sad? Do we feel weighed down by our sins? Do we think that we won’t be able to cope? Let us not close our hearts, let us not lose confidence, let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change, there is no sin which he cannot forgive if only we open ourselves to him.

2. But let us return to the Gospel, to the women, and take one step further. They find the tomb empty, the body of Jesus is not there, something new has happened, but all this still doesn’t tell them anything certain: it raises questions; it leaves them confused, without offering an answer. And suddenly there are two men in dazzling clothes who say: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; but has risen” (Lk 24:5-6). What was a simple act, done surely out of love – going to the tomb – has now turned into an event, a truly life-changing event. Nothing remains as it was before, not only in the lives of those women, but also in our own lives and in the history of mankind. Jesus is not dead, he has risen, he is alive! He does not simply return to life; rather, he is life itself, because he is the Son of God, the living God (cf. Num 14:21-28; Deut 5:26; Josh 3:10). Jesus no longer belongs to the past, but lives in the present and is projected towards the future; he is the everlasting “today” of God. This is how the newness of God appears to the women, the disciples and all of us: as victory over sin, evil and death, over everything that crushes life and makes it seem less human. And this is a message meant for me and for you, dear sister, dear brother. How often does Love have to tell us: Why do you look for the living among the dead? Our daily problems and worries can wrap us up in ourselves, in sadness and bitterness… and that is where death is. That is not the place to look for the One who is alive!

Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life! If up till now you have kept him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms. If you have been indifferent, take a risk: you won’t be disappointed. If following him seems difficult, don’t be afraid, trust him, be confident that he is close to you, he is with you and he will give you the peace you are looking for and the strength to live as he would have you do.

3. There is one last little element that I would like to emphasize in the Gospel for this Easter Vigil. The women encounter the newness of God. Jesus has risen, he is alive! But faced with empty tomb and the two men in brilliant clothes, their first reaction is one of fear: “they were terrified and bowed their faced to the ground”, Saint Luke tells us – they didn’t even have courage to look. But when they hear the message of the Resurrection, they accept it in faith. And the two men in dazzling clothes tell them something of crucial importance: “Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee… And they remembered his words” (Lk 24:6,8). They are asked to remember their encounter with Jesus, to remember his words, his actions, his life; and it is precisely this loving remembrance of their experience with the Master that enables the women to master their fear and to bring the message of the Resurrection to the Apostles and all the others (cf. Lk 24:9). To remember what God has done and continues to do for me, for us, to remember the road we have travelled; this is what opens our hearts to hope for the future. May we learn to remember everything that God has done in our lives.

On this radiant night, let us invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who treasured all these events in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19,51) and ask the Lord to give us a share in his Resurrection. May he open us to the newness that transforms. May he make us men and women capable of remembering all that he has done in our own lives and in the history of our world. May he help us to feel his presence as the one who is alive and at work in our midst. And may he teach us each day not to look among the dead for the Living One. Amen.

'By you holy Cross you have redeemed the world'

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,

Jesus, the Son of God,

let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 

but one who has similarly been tested in every way,

yet without sin.

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace 

to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.-Hebrews 4:14-16

Christ's actions should be powerful to us.  We need to remember that Christ was very active in his death.  He took on humanity.  He invited people to be his close friends to learn how to lead people after he was gone.  He loved all people...even those that were unloved by the rest of society.  He shocked people with his teachings, and pushed people out of their comfort zone.  He challenged people to greatness.  He brought his friends into his life and love in a literal way by establishing them as authority in his Church.  He accepted his Father's will in the Garden.  He allowed the Jewish priests and Roman authority to condemn him to death.  He carried his cross.  He allowed himself to be crucified.  

He chose to do all of this FOR US!

He was not passive at any moment of his love for us.  What was the point?  Does it really matter to us at all? So many people take our Lord's actions for granted.  So many times we forget what is asked of us, and how we are to properly respond.  But, if someone took a bullet for you (or saved you from some embarrassment or even just helped you out a lot with an issue or project) we feel like we have some sort of debt to pay...and we don't forget the actions of the other person.  Why do ignore the actions of Christ?

Today, at 3:00 we celebrate Christ's death.  It should be a day of great somber attitude.  We should spend time today reflecting on how we can also carry our cross with more determination and active acceptance.  He gave us this example and helps us in our journey...but we have to be willing to be active and accept our crosses and live out his mission in our lives.  We can not be passive in this life either.  We must, however, actively open ourselves to the love of God and let him penetrate our very being so that we can actively proclaim truth and love to the world.  

His cross is powerful.  But, he tells us that he is sending us.  If we ignore this commission than we are not allowing his cross to be as powerful.  Let us journey with Christ today to Calvary.  Let us be open to his love.  Let us allow his sacrifice impact who we are.

The other day I encouraged my students to allow the stations of the cross to inspire some change this weekend.  I gave them the list of the Stations that are traditionally used and had them only pick two of them and find a way that Christ's actions/feelings (or that of the other person described...like Simon or Mary) and how they can use that as an example for a way they can do something differently this weekend.  I think it is a good thing for us to be able to use the example of Christ's actions.  And this weekend most of us spend time with extended family and have a lot of things that have to get done.

So, I have included the list of the Stations of the Cross and a small description of what is happening.  I challenge you to find a way that each station can illicit a change in your life.  How can you appreciate the love of Christ's life and death more today and into your life?

I pray that today you spend some time at the foot of the Cross.  It is the best place to be.

Stations of the Cross (taken from Catholic Online)

First Station: Jesus is condemned to death

Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. Nobody helps defend you. You devoted your entire life to helping others, listening to the smallest ones, caring for those who were ignored by others. They don't seem to remember that as they prepare to put you to death.

Second Station: Jesus carries His cross

Jesus, as you accepted your cross, you knew you would carry it to your death on Calvary. You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you accepted it and carried it just the same.

Third Station: Jesus falls the first time

Jesus, the cross you have been carrying is very heavy. You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you. The soldiers are interested in getting home, so they yell at you and try to get you up and moving again.

Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother

Jesus, you feel so alone with all those people yelling and screaming at you. You don't like the words they are saying about you, and you look for a friendly face in the crowd. You see your mother. She can't make the hurting stop, but it helps to see that she is on your side, that she is suffering with you. She does understand and care.

Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross

Jesus, the soldiers are becoming impatient. This is taking longer than they wanted it to. They are afraid you won't make it to the hill where you will be crucified. As you grow weaker, they grab a man out of the crowd and make him help carry your cross. He was just watching what was happening, but all of a sudden he is helping you carry your cross.

Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Jesus, suddenly a woman comes out of the crowd. Her name is Veronica. You can see how she cares for you as she takes a cloth and begins to wipe the blood and sweat from your face. She can't do much, but she offers what little help she can.

Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time

This is the second time you have fallen on the road. As the cross grows heavier and heavier it becomes more difficult to get up. But you continue to struggle and try until you're up and walking again. You don't give up.

Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Jesus, as you carry your cross you see a group of women along the road. As you pass by you see they are sad. You stop to spend a moment with them, to offer them some encouragement. Although you have been abandoned by your friends and are in pain, you stop and try to help them.

Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time

Jesus, your journey has been long. You fall again, beneath your cross. You know your journey is coming to an end. You struggle and struggle. You get up and keep going.

Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of his clothes

The soldiers notice you have something of value. They remove your cloak and throw dice for it. Your wounds are torn open once again. Some of the people in the crowd make fun of you. They tease you and challenge you to perform a miracle for them to see. They're not aware that you'll perform the greatest miracle of all!

Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross

You are stretched out on the cross you have carried so far. The soldiers take big nails and drive them into your hands and feet. You feel abandoned by the people you loved so much. People seem to have gone mad. You have done nothing but good, yet they drive nails through your hands and feet.

Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross

As Jesus hung on the cross, he forgave the soldiers who had crucified him, and prayed for his mother and friends. Jesus wanted all of us to be able to live forever with God, so he gave all he had for us.

Thirteenth Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross

Jesus, how brutally you were put to death. How gently you are taken from the cross. Your suffering and pain are ended, and you are put in the lap of your mother. The dirt and blood are wiped away. You are treated with love.

Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb

Jesus, your body is prepared for burial. Joseph gave you his own tomb. He laid your body there and rolled a large stone in front of it, then went home. What a sad day it has been for so many people.

It Has Begun...Redemption by His Cross brings redemption in our cross

As my day progressed I wondered if I was even going to have any sort of spiritual inspiration in this day.  I had so many things that I needed to get done.  But, my day began in exhaustion (I did get some sleep) and so it started with this desire to just sit in my exhaustion and let the day slip away (I could do those things tomorrow).

But, luckily I pushed myself to be productive.  By the evening, I had done all the things I needed to and was driving home thinking about Mass that I wanted to go to in the evening.  I figured my feelings would go one of two ways: I was either going to be so focused on the things that just happened and my mind wasn't going to be able to focus and I would walk out of Church wondering what just happened; or the busyness of the day was going to come to such a screeching halt and I was going to be surprised and enamored with what was happening that I wouldn't be able to control my emotions.  Fortunately, the second happened.  It took about 5 minutes sitting in Church and then my heart began to remember all of the past Holy Thursday Masses I've been to, all of the Masses throughout the year that I participated in, and all of the ups and downs of the past year for me.  

So, by the time Mass actually began a different type of anticipation hit me...an anticipation of all of the things I, along with the entire world, was going to be blessed with beginning this celebration.  The Eucharist, the Priesthood, the example of service, the gift of love, the sacrifice of self, the grace in waiting, and soon...the power of the Resurrection!  But, I was enjoying with my whole being the ability to celebrate tonight (Holy Thursday Mass).  

Sometimes I wonder if Peter understood more than the Gospels seem to give him credit for (maybe not...after all he probably would have said something).  But, when Jesus tells him that his feet have to be washed if Peter wants to be in Jesus' kingdom.  If I was sitting there and Jesus told me that I needed to have this done I think I would be thinking, "I need all the help I can get so you better clean my entire person".  

I also like that it is Peter in the Gospels that asks this.  He is the one who is going to become the first Pope, and so he becomes an example for us...we must allow God to wash our feet, so that we have the example of how to wash the feet of others.  So many times we only look at the Pope as God's Vicar-someone we should be able to look at and see an example of Christ (and we would be right to do that).  But, at least in my life, we often forget before that...the Pope is an example to us of ourselves and how we are respond to the love of God!  Scripture seems to show Peter doing a good job at both of those things after the Ascension...and I feel like all of the Pope's I've been alive for are also doing both of those things.  I think we should challenge ourselves not only to look at what the Pope teaches us about God...but also what he teaches us about ourselves.

I also was reflecting on whether I have done a very good job at washing the feet of my family members, friends, students, co-workers...much less strangers and those in need.  Have I taken on Christ's example in my life (he says that we must do as he does)?  I hope that I have done so sometimes.  But, I fear that I have neglected that act of love, humility and service as often as I am given the opportunity.


Why did I title this blog as I did?  Because the biggest feeling I had before Mass was how grateful I am that God meets me in my suffering.  He doesn't just wait for me, and he definitely doesn't just let me deal with it alone...but he meets me and does most of the work in the suffering!  After Mass I was walking to my car and I was thinking about Jesus walking to the Garden of Gethsemane.  He is taking his Apostles there to pray with him.  He asks the Father for the cup to pass him...but he wants only to do the Father's will.  He knows that it is going to hurt, and he is going to struggle, and lose his friends...but he knows WHY he does it...because the Father loves him, He loves the Father, and He LOVES us!

And so as we have already begun recalling the greatest love story...let us remember that just as Christ's Cross brought redemption to the world...he is inviting us to share in that suffering and redemption.  He is inviting us to look up while we carry the cross and see him with his arms open to help us.  He is inviting us to become open to his life and let it cause an explosion of love to radiate out of us.  He is inviting us to serve others and to follow in his example.  HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!  Let us follow The Way to the eternal kingdom!

The need for perseverance of faith

Today is called Spy Wednesday (by some) to describe that today is when Judas agrees to betray Jesus for the price of 30 pieces of silver.  He then becomes like a spy finding a time to turn Jesus over.  Just like yesterday, the Gospel today accounts the Last Supper, but the focus today is the conversation between Jesus and Judas.  Jesus warns that he will be betrayed and right before Judas leaves to betray him, he says, “Surely it is not I, Lord.”  Very shortly after that, he falls into the temptation of the devil and betrays Jesus.

I feel like today we must learn perseverance in our faith.  Jesus is teaching difficult things, especially this week.  We have been blessed to be here after the fact.  We have an understanding about how he has lived the truth, and can see how his prophecies about his death came about.  But, if you put yourself in the place of the people at that time…I think it would be hard to live in his teachings.  You have a person who you are very attracted to and want to follow…but he teaches so many difficult things and demands that you change your view of how the Old Testament prophets spoke of him. 

There are many times even in today’s culture in which we must persevere in our faith.  We are tested in our commitment to things like: At what point does a person exist (fighting against abortion activists) and what is the definition and dignity of marriage.  People are saying that the world is different and we have to give up teachings of God because that is what the culture demands.  As we continue in our modern culture, there are many people who are turning from the teachings of God because they seem too difficult to understand in our world.

That is when we must live in our perseverance.  Jesus knows that Judas will betray him…yet he continues to show the people the truth and he challenges his disciples to be strong and stick to him. 

Today, we also must challenge ourselves to reflect on times that we have fallen in our faith and betrayed Jesus.  We need to find ways to continue to be strong amidst the tides of culture and boldly proclaim the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

There's a Tuesday in Holy Week? :)

Today just seems like a weird day.  I feel like having the climax of the entry into Jerusalem a few days ago...and preparing myself for the climax of the Cross in a few days...I'm not really sure what I am supposed to be doing and feeling today. :)

During these days Jesus spent time with all the people in Jerusalem and tried to continue to teach them this week.  The Gospels are filled with some of those stories.

However, the Gospel reading for today was one of the accounts of the Last Supper.  In this account, he warns of Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, and talks about going somewhere they can not follow at this time.  What can this mean to us on Tuesday of Holy Week?  One thing I am taking from this passage is the extreme need to grow my friendship with Christ.  If these men, who even a few days ago seemed to be so loyal to Jesus will soon deny him...how do I keep from denying him daily?  I go back to something I've written about a couple of times.  Our need for daily prayer.  If I am going to withstand temptations and persecutions...I have to let him strengthen my heart.  I can not take for granted his presence in my life.  And, there are many times, daily, that I start to wander away from his protection.  It is then that we must turn back to face him and open ourselves back up to his peace.  I think this story in the middle of Holy Week reminds us of those feelings.  We aren't celebrating anything huge today.  It seems like it can be natural to take for granted Tuesday...what ever happened on a Tuesday?  :)  He wants to make sure that we don't do the same with him.

In addition to the Gospel was a beautiful passage from Isaiah.  Following are a few of the lines:

The LORD called me from birth,

from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.

Though I thought I had toiled in vain,

and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,

Yet my reward is with the LORD,

my recompense is with my God.

I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,

and my God is now my strength!

I realize that this is about Israel...but when I put my name in place of 'I' it makes me smile with great gratitude.  And, the reality is...I was called from birth to be God's, my reward is with the Lord, and I am definitely made glorious in the sight of the Lord (and the same is true for you)!  But, how many times do we forget our own dignity?  Forget just how important we are for the building of the Kingdom?  And, how many times does God call us back to this understanding?  We have to believe that God has created us with a plan, and when we follow the will of God (especially during the times that we are confused by his plan) we will see more clearly how amazing and fruitful our life is.

I do like the fact that these were the two readings for today...such a middle of the road, nothing important type of day.  We must look to the dignity that God has placed on us so that we will have the strength to withstand the struggles of our time; and to turn back to him daily to remember and re-enlighten our soul.

As this week continues, let us continue to turn our focus to the Cross and beg the mercy and grace of God to help us carry our crosses along-side his.

Surrendering our weaknesses

I know it is late in the day…and man am I tired. :)

I really liked the words from Jesus to Judas: "Leave her alone.  let her keep this for the day of my burial.  you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

When I first read those words I thought of all the times I’ve been asked why the Church has so many beautiful and extravagant buildings and icons and there is so many poor in the world.  I don’t know that I explain it so well, but I help them to understand that these buildings are part of our tradition…they point us to a time when Christians were finally able to freely worship in public and so they (the rich and poor) gave what they could to build beautiful displays of their love for God.  And, sometimes in our American culture I feel we have lost some of that connection to displaying our love for God in that manner.  There is also a reality that the Church is one of the highest contributors to impoverished people.  Can we do better?  Yes.  But, should we tear down a people’s sign of freedom and love for God?  I don’t believe so.  And the words from Jesus might sound a little arrogant and selfish…but I think if you really look at these words he is reminding us that we cannot forget his love and friendship if we are to live his freedom.  We cannot stop praising him through our gifts and art. 

Today I also focused a little on surrendering.  I think this fits in this story as well.  Judas had to surrender his own greed and doubt.  Mary had to surrender some of her humility and possessions by using expensive oil to wash Jesus’ feet.  And, I think Jesus also shows us a surrendering to the Father’s will…allowing this event to take place to help other people to begin to understand what is taking place.  Many people can understand where Judas is coming from.  What was happening seems opposite of what Jesus typically preached and did.

Where in your life do you feel like Judas wanting to know why God is allowing something to happen?  How can you surrender you life more to God to allow his burning love shine brighter in your life?  We need to take these to the altar and place them in front of Christ.  Take some time surrendering your fears, temptations, struggles, and doubts to God.  Let him open your eyes to the beauty of freedom from these things.  And, practice accepting (with joy) all the obstacles and places God is placing you.  Today is a day of surrendering. 

I came up with a phrase today that I want to try to tell myself every day…Be open!  Be joyful!  Become free!

Palm Sunday #2-Pope Francis' homily

Below is Pope Francis' homily today on Palm Sunday.  He has such wonderful insight and just in case you don't know how to get these things...I wanted to provide it.  I got it from http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-homily-for-palm-sunday-mass-full-text

Here is his homily:

1. Jesus enters Jerusalem. The crowd of disciples accompanies him in festive mood, their garments are stretched out before him, there is talk of the miracles he has accomplished, and loud praises are heard: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Lk 19:38). 

Crowds, celebrating, praise, blessing, peace: joy fills the air. Jesus has awakened great hopes, especially in the hearts of the simple, the humble, the poor, the forgotten, those who do not matter in the eyes of the world. He understands human sufferings, he has shown the face of God’s mercy, he has bent down to heal body and soul. Now he enters the Holy City! This is Jesus.This is the heart that looks on all of us, watching our illnesses, our sins. The love of Jesus is great. He enters Jerusalem with this love and watches all of us. 

It is a beautiful scene, the light of the love of Jesus, that light of his heart, joy, celebration.

At the beginning of Mass, we repeated all this. We waved our palms, our olive branches, we sang “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” (Antiphon); we too welcomed Jesus; we too expressed our joy at accompanying him, at knowing him to be close, present in us and among us as a friend, a brother, and also as a King: that is, a shining beacon for our lives. Jesus is God, but he humbled himself to walk with us. He is our friend, our brother. Here, he enlightens us on the journey. And so today we welcome Him And here the first word that comes to mind is “joy!” Do not be men and women of sadness: a Christian can never be sad! Never give way to discouragement! Ours is not a joy that comes from having many possessions, but from having encountered a Person: Jesus, from knowing that with him we are never alone, even at difficult moments, even when our life’s journey comes up against problems and obstacles that seem insurmountable, and there are so many of them! It is at this time that the enemy comes, the devil comes, often disguised as an angel who insidiously tells us his word. Do not listen to him! We follow Jesus! 

We accompany, we follow Jesus, but above all we know that he accompanies us and carries us on his shoulders. This is our joy, this is the hope that we must bring to this world of ours. Let us bring the joy of the faith to everyone! Let us not be robbed of hope! Let us not be robbed of hope! The hope that Jesus gives us!

2. A second word: why does Jesus enter Jerusalem? Or better: how does Jesus enter Jerusalem? The crowds acclaim him as King. And he does not deny it, he does not tell them to be silent (cf. Lk 19:39-40). But what kind of a King is Jesus? Let us take a look at him: he is riding on a donkey, he is not accompanied by a court, he is not surrounded by an army as a symbol of power. He is received by humble people, simple folk, who sense that there is more to Jesus, who have the sense of faith that says, "This is the Savior." Jesus does not enter the Holy City to receive the honours reserved to earthly kings, to the powerful, to rulers; he enters to be scourged, insulted and abused, as Isaiah foretold in the First Reading (cf. Is 50:6). He enters to receive a crown of thorns, a staff, a purple robe: his kingship becomes an object of derision. He enters to climb Calvary, carrying his burden of wood. And this brings us to the second word: Cross. Jesus enters Jerusalem in order to die on the Cross. And it is here that his kingship shines forth in godly fashion: his royal throne is the wood of the Cross! I think of what Benedict XVI said to the cardinals: "You are princes but of a Crucified King"that is Christ's throne. Jesus takes it upon himself..why? Why the Cross? Jesus takes upon himself the evil, the filth, the sin of the world, including our own sin, and he cleanses it, he cleanses it with his blood, with the mercy and the love of God. Let us look around: how many wounds are inflicted upon humanity by evil! Wars, violence, economic conflicts that hit the weakest, greed for money, which no-one can bring with him. My grandmother would say to us children, no shroud has pockets! Greed for money, power, corruption, divisions, crimes against human life and against creation! And - each of us knows well - our personal sins: our failures in love and respect towards God, towards our neighbour and towards the whole of creation. Jesus on the Cross feels the whole weight of the evil, and with the force of God’s love he conquers it, he defeats it with his resurrection. This is the good that Christ brings to all of us from the Cross, his throne. Christ’s Cross embraced with love does not lead to sadness, but to joy! The joy of being saved and doing a little bit what he did that day of his death. 

3. Today in this Square, there are many young people: for 28 years Palm Sunday has been World Youth Day! This is our third word: youth! Dear young people, I think of you celebrating around Jesus, waving your olive branches. I think of you crying out his name and expressing your joy at being with him! You have an important part in the celebration of faith! You bring us the joy of faith and you tell us that we must live the faith with a young heart, always, even at the age of seventy or eighty.! A young heart! With Christ, the heart never grows old! Yet all of us, all of you know very well that the King whom we follow and who accompanies us is very special: he is a King who loves even to the Cross and who teaches us to serve and to love. And you are not ashamed of his Cross! On the contrary, you embrace it, because you have understood that it is in giving ourselves that we have true joy and that God has conquered evil through love. You carry the pilgrim Cross through all the Continents, along the highways of the world! You carry it in response to Jesus’ call: “Go, make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19), which is the theme of World Youth Day this year. You carry it so as to tell everyone that on the Cross Jesus knocked down the wall of enmity that divides people and nations, and he brought reconciliation and peace. Dear friends, I too am setting out on a journey with you, from today, in the footsteps of Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI. We are already close to the next stage of this great pilgrimage of Christ’s Cross. I look forward joyfully to next July in Rio de Janeiro! I will see you in that great city in Brazil! Prepare well – prepare spiritually above all – in your communities, so that our gathering in Rio may be a sign of faith for the whole world. Young people need to tell the world: "It is good to follow Jesus, it is good to go with Jesus, the message of Jesus is good, it is good to come out of ourselves, from the edges of existence of the world and to bring Jesus to others!" 

Three words: Joy, Cross and Youth.Let us ask the intercession of the Virgin Mary. She teaches us the joy of meeting Christ, the love with which we must look to the foot of the Cross, the enthusiasm of the young heart with which we must follow him during this Holy Week and throughout our lives. Amen.

Palm Sunday #1-personal reflection on welcoming Christ

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.”

What a welcome!  These are the words of Jewish people when Jesus was entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  They are words of hope and excitement.  Hope for their future.  Hope for their nation.  Unfortunately, within a week these people will do the exact opposite and scream...”Crucify him, crucify him.”  Cries of desperation and fear.

How many times do we experience the same thing?  Every Palm Sunday I get a sense of reality when I’m at Mass.  Some years it is hard to explain, or I try to ignore the feeling.  But, this year I feel like I got to experience it in a different way.

The biggest change is that I was able to reflect on the reality of how I have welcomed Christ in my life in the past.  I have been blessed that I felt the need to do this blog during Lent.  Again, I don’t know if anyone even read them…but it required that I spend time each day meditating on Scripture.  Even the few times I couldn’t get something written, I read the passages and thought about how they can change who I am.  The biggest thing that happened is that each day I was given the opportunity to ignore the negative feelings I had about my lot in life.  I was given an opportunity to look at the gifts and dignity that I can bring to the world.  I was given a chance each day to grow in hope and joy.

When I went to Mass yesterday (thanks to snowpocalypse #3 it was the safest time for me), I was given a small glimpse of past times that I had to be at home recovering.  I struggled with myself, others, and especially God.  I didn’t want to hear that he had a plan for me because it didn’t seem like I really liked his plan.  I was able to see the desperation that I have had in the past.  Also, I got a sense of my faith before and after each time I got hurt.  I have a great desire to help people.  And, although sometimes I feel like I don’t suffer very well…I do believe that my faith and hope in God allows me to suffer a little easier than people without a relationship with Christ.  And, when I witness someone who seems to be struggling a lot, I have spent many times in prayer asking that I take on that person’s pain if it be God’s will.

Yesterday during Mass, and this morning in reflecting, I started to see that I was similar to these people.  I have this great sense of hope and joy about helping God alleviate a person’s suffering…but when I’m in the moment of suffering, I have a hard time believing my life can be good for anything.  I think some of the reason I was able to have this experience is to give me a sense of how much growth I have made…and that it happened through the grace of God and through taking time each day with his words and love. 

I am so grateful that God encouraged this challenge this Lent.  I have been given a greater sense of welcoming Christ into my heart.  I have had the strength the overcome most times of struggle and frustration.  I have been able to let go of a lot of worry and believe that God will continue to make my life beautiful…and that the discipline I have received will help me now and in the future as well as help other people who are suffering.  I think this Lent I have been given a new beginning and peace in my soul. 

Getting to welcome Christ at Mass and then recalling his passion and death, the reason for his entry into Jerusalem became more real.  Just as his entry leads to his death…and resurrection, Jesus wants us to welcome him (with each breath) into our lives so that his cross and resurrection will overpower us and cause our crosses to become life saving.  I hope to always remember this growth and strength that Christ has given me to continue on living his will.

I don’t know if you have had a similar experience.  But, I think today is a great day to reflect on how we welcome Christ in our lives.  It is important that we understand how we have been changed and believe in the power of God’s grace.  This week we are going to experience the rise and fall of the hope of the Jewish people.  We will get to experience the greatest love story ever…a love for each of us.  We will get to experience the greatest event…the gift of eternal life!

If we have not taken time this Lent to seek the forgiveness of God, to be like the repentant thief being crucified with Christ, we must challenge ourselves to do so.  Finding forgiveness allows us to live in peace.  This is a great week to focus inward.  Meditation and the Sacraments will give us insight to the story of love God is speaking in our hearts.  He will give us the grace to step into our struggles and moments of discipline with boldness.  When we allow him in also, we will see more clearly how we can take up our crosses with hope and joy!

Welcome Christ into your life and keep watch with him!

"Even if you do not believe me, believe my works"

Today’s readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; John 10:31-42

In a week we will be celebrating the love of Christ choosing the cross. This next week is important and should encourage reflection.

But what about the passages today? It seems that they fit well with pointing us to next week.

In the Gospel, Jesus is trying to help the people to see that he is the Son of God. But, they are having a tough time because they believe he is blaspheming. And so he responds: “If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."

In my life right now I believe it can teach me a few things. First, in order to know who Christ is more, I need to look at his works. I'll come back to this one.

I think it also gives us an example about how we are to act. His works showed the world who he was. He told them with his words and his actions. And he was not afraid to speak the truth. We should be the same! We call ourselves Christians. But, do our works show the world who Christ is and how to properly follow him? Or do they point to a different reality (an unfortunate one) where people see our actions and see prejudice, selfishness, pride, arrogance, apathetic toward the struggles of others? This is not who Christ is, and it can't be the image we portray either. Our lives must be a testimony to the infinite and welcoming love of Christ.

Also, he told the truth about who he is. Sometimes people try to tell us not to talk so highly of ourselves. I would agree and disagree. Beginning with the realization that humility is seeing ourselves the way God does...then we have to learn to have true humility. You have to be strong enough to stand up and announce to the world who you are and how you fit in the kingdom of God. On the contrary, we should not have arrogance in our heart. We have to understand that God did not come to save only a handful of people...and our faith in him (or the talents he has gifted us with) does not justify our stand-offish attitude toward others. We all have ways to help others, and areas in which we need help. But, we can't be used properly by God, ourselves, and others if we don't speak truthfully about who we are and what we can do. Be bold and be humble...just like Christ!

Back to the first thing I'm taking from these readings. If you read the Gospel of John in its entirety, this reading is not long after the feeding of the five thousand and right before bringing Lazarus back. But, having it a week before his crucifixion should be telling to us.

He says that even if we can't believe him, believe his works so we will believe the father. Starting this Sunday we enter into Holy Week when we see action after action of Christ living the truth of his father's love. I think the Church is using this passage to say to us...get ready because next week you should have your soul open to receive great love and care!  It should be both exciting and thought-provoking…we know that the Cross leads to the Resurrection and so we should be excited that we will be celebrating all of the life giving acts of Christ.  But, we also need to remember why he gave up his life…why he did all of these things.  IT IS FOR YOU AND ME!  So, next week we must be mindful of all of these things and live differently…with our eyes to the Cross! 

We have one week before we celebrate Christ handing his life over for us. What do you need to do in the next week to be able to receive him more completely? How can you live by his example of bold humility more so that the world can see your works and believe in Christ?

Knowing God so that we can live forever

Today’s readings: Genesis 17:3-9; John 8:51-59

‘You and your descendants must keep my covenant.’

God promises so much to us...a land, protection, family, life...to name a few. And what we are to do in return is to keep his covenant. 

So, how do we keep his covenant? Christ has told us...we must know Him. To know someone the way Jesus says, requires a desire to listen to them and follow them. That means that we must spend time with God, or we will not know him.

Every day, Jesus went up a mountain to pray. If Jesus, being one of the three persons of God needed to constantly be in communication with the Father an Holy Spirit...then it should not be surprising that if we want to know God...we HAVE to spend time each day in prayer. And that prayer must include some time to allow God to encourage and challenge us to change. It must give us the ability to follow the will of God and to seek his goodness.

It seems that is what the readings are trying to tell us. If we want to have true freedom, and to have it eternally...we must strive to meditate on the love of God and how we fit into his family.

Today, let us spend time in the presence of God through prayer, for it is in knowing God and living in that covenant that the world becomes open to us.

How have you been affected this Lent

When I think about the Gospel today and the Gospels throughout this week, I think Jesus is trying to teach and remind us how to gain freedom.

He tells us that he is connected to the Father, and if we want to be free then we must also become connected to the Father.

We are all slaves to sin, but when we allow the love of God to overpower us-we will be able to live in that freedom.

What a difficult yet beautiful reality. We all have our struggles, and we have pride and selfishness...and we have to learn to let those go.

That is what Lent is all about. For my own reflection I feel like Christ is telling me that if I haven't let God change me this Lent then what was the purpose this whole time? I can say that I have read scripture every day...but if I haven't let it have a lasting effect on me-why did I spend all this time?

And I feel like that is what we should be asking ourselves...what was Lent all about for us? Did we let the moments of fasting, prayer and alms giving change who we are? Did we give God more of our hearts so that we can live in freedom and love people into freedom?

There are only a few days left to open our hearts to the Cross of Christ and follow his example...so that we can more completely rejoice in the Resurrection!

Let us take some time reflecting on the mission God is calling is to. How have you lived it out this far? How will you connect yourself to the Father more? How will you open your eyes more to the truth of Christ in your life?

Looking to our father's protection and example

Today’s readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16; Romans 4:13,16-18,22; Matthew 1:16,18-21,24

Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary.  Today I am thoughtful of 3 people:

St. Joseph (obviously), my dad and Pope Francis.

St. Joseph was a humble and strong example to Jesus and the rest of us.  His concern for the protection of Mary began even before their marriage.  He wanted to make sure that she was not looked down upon for being pregnant before wedlock.  But, once he receives word from God to continue with the marriage and be the father of Jesus, Joseph responded with obedience to the will of God.  All the stories of Joseph give us a glimpse into the strength and protection of a father for his family.  He kept them away from the political persecution, he kept a protective eye on them during any struggles, and showed Jesus his trade.  In other words, he taught, listened, protected, lead, and gave direction to his family…and he did these well because he allowed God to be an example and followed the will of God at all turns.

My dad has been a strength for my family.  He has been an amazing example of love and service.  I am reminded today of all of the things my dad has done for us.  There is no way I would be able to recount all of the experiences of love.  Whenever my dad hears of something that one of us needs, he immediately gets on the task of providing it for us.  He has a fun sense of humor and tries to pass that light heartedness to us.  He has always been a beacon of protection whenever we are in danger.  And he, and my mom, show us (as the leaders of our family) that humility, gentleness, and laughter are key ingredients to being a true leader.

Pope Francis has been Pope for less than a week, and he has already given us an example of a father’s protection and leadership.  He has given us great challenges and leadership, and shows that care for the entire family of God has to include (in a very purposefully manner) those who are in the greatest need.  I am blown away by his humility and ability to step into this huge position with certainty and strength.  In a world of need and darkness, he has been asked by God to be a great light.  But, his leadership will be challenged and it is important for us to help him in his duty.  We must pray for him, and help in caring for our brothers and sisters.  He is to be a visible sign of God’s fatherly care and love for us, but he will need our help to ensure that the Christian family continues on the course of salvation.

All three of these people are great examples to me of what strength is.  Strength is shown in our humility, gentleness, and care for those in need.  The second reading today gives us a glimpse as to how we can proceed with this leadership.  St. Paul says that God’s promises come to us through the righteousness of faith.  We must have faith not only in God, but in his promises and covenant.  We must “believe, hoping against hope”.  In our crazy world there are so many persecutions and temptations that want to darken the truth and light of Christ.  Abraham, the father of many nations, lived his life in hope!  He believed the word of God, even when it seemed to make no sense.  The same is true for Joseph and the need to take Mary and Jesus into his home…and with strength and hope about the future, Joseph followed the will of God.

As Christians we must continue in their footsteps.  We must have strength!  We must have compassion! We must protect!  We must strive in all things to follow the will of our true and everlasting father!

As we have this last week of Lent before Holy Week, let us challenge ourselves to be light.  We must use the discipline we have developed thus far in life and especially what we have learned this Lent.  We must not forget the promptings of heart.  And we must remember that  loving service is the key to leadership.