The other day, as I was moving back into my dorm after Easter break it was pouring! And I mean POURING rain!! Driving conditions hadn’t been their best, and I wasn’t looking forward to carrying my loads in the rain, thankfully though a lot of what I had taken home had stayed home, but carrying everything in one load would have been disastrous. So I decided to try evening the load out into 2 loads. Which in hindsight was indeed a good idea. As I was carrying my laundry basket containing mostly clean clothes, my laptop in its case, my brand new Vera Bradley bag stuffed with books, and some leftovers, plus a bag of groceries hanging in the nook of my arm… I slipped on the mud and fell flat on the ground. For two Masses over the weekend I wore my 3 ½ inch pumps, one of them with a bent heel even! And no damage, yet one rainy day as I was wearing flat flip flops (white ones no less!) I slipped, somehow rolled my ankle, and skinned my knee. I can honestly say that I don’t remember the last time I skinned my knee.
But as I tried to stand up, testing the ankle that was giving me some pain, I was struck at how metaphorical the moment was for life. We fall all the time, sometimes it’s just a little stumble that really doesn’t affect us much at all, other than having an excuse to laugh at ourselves or a little wake up call to pay attention, but other times we fall down hard. When we experience those big falls, they usually scare the crap out of us once we realized what’s just happened, then we try to stand again on our own. Sometimes we can’t and sometimes we can. Sometimes we’re hurting too much to get back up right away and other times we know that if we don’t try to get up right away, we’ll be stuck sitting on the ground for who-knows-how-long. And even other times when we know that we probably have the ability to stand up, we just don’t feel like it and would rather wait until someone else comes along to push us up and cleans up our mess for us.
We can’t always depend on others to clean up our messes or give us a shoulder to lean on. Sometimes when God allows us to fall, He is cheering us on so that we know He has given us the strength to get up and move on again. Once we take into account all that has happened around us, we have to try to stand. Even when the entire world is raining down around us. God is there, cheering us on or waiting for us to ask for help when we can’t carry our overloaded laundry baskets by ourselves. Or maybe He’s even there holding an umbrella over our heads. It’s up to us though to at least try to get up, get ourselves together and move on. It’s just life. Even if we have to limp around for awhile.
Not only that, but God is also letting us be humbled. Sometimes, that even means our sins- our eternal short fallings, but not always. Jesus allows us to stumble when we’re trying to carefully watch out for where we’re going, perhaps it’s for us to wake up and realized He’s there, hand extended waiting for us to reach out to Him. Maybe He allows it to prevent us from vanity and pride. Let you heart rejoice in each humbling experience, that God found you worthy enough to be humbled.
Next time you fall, what will you do?
Love and warm wishes!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Offer It Up
“40 The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? 41 And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Lk 23:40-43
Now, read 42-43 again.
What did you notice? Did you perhaps notice that this criminal was hanging on the cross next to Jesus and suffering (though probably not from the same beating) from the same horrific death, and even when Christ acknowledged the criminal’s faith in Him and accepted his faith, Christ did not free him from the suffering. Christ allowed the man’s suffering to continue. Christ allowed the man to continue to share in Christ’s suffering. “…he still experienced much suffering after he surrendered his life to Jesus. He hung on the cross for a several hours longer and had his legs broken. Jesus could have easily had him taken down from the cross to remove his suffering the moment the thief surrendered to Jesus.” (http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/why_catholics_love_suffering.htm)
Too often we view suffering as a bad thing and a curse, but without suffering we could not “Be put through the furnace as gold and made pure” (Wis. 3:5-6). Our trials are lessons and opportunities to grow forming us into the people our Lord desire us to be. When we exercise and work out, our muscles break and mend in order to become stronger, so do our souls. God allows us to suffer and be broken at times in order that we may become stronger. “…it is not necessary always to be consoled… if this were true, neither St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa, nor St. Paul would have served the Lord well” (Padre Pio, Letters, Vol. 3, 932).
How and why have you suffered in the past? What did you learn from it? How are you different? There is no way that you are the same person you were before your suffering. Why shouldn’t we be thankful for these opportunities and gifts from God that He offers us to allow us to learn and grow in? Christ suffered horribly, as we should be fully aware of right now in this holiest of seasons. He allowed the criminal beside him to continue suffering with him. “Offer it up.” It’s an old saying, but one that our world should bring back. Whenever we suffer or go through trials we should graciously “offer it up” for God’s glory and be thankful that He is allowing us these opportunities. Thankful that He is allowing us to suffer, though not as severely as Christ died, but it’s still suffering.
During this holy season, especially these last few days we have been able to “relive” the worst of our suffering in our faith- the suffering that we cause our Lord. “Every time we sin, we offend eternity, because God is eternal, living in every moment of all time.” (Fr. E. Culler). BUT because of the suffering, Christ was able to overcome death for us and raise us up with Him. Truly, this is why we should rejoice in our suffering.
Love and warm wishes!
Joyous Easter!
Now, read 42-43 again.
What did you notice? Did you perhaps notice that this criminal was hanging on the cross next to Jesus and suffering (though probably not from the same beating) from the same horrific death, and even when Christ acknowledged the criminal’s faith in Him and accepted his faith, Christ did not free him from the suffering. Christ allowed the man’s suffering to continue. Christ allowed the man to continue to share in Christ’s suffering. “…he still experienced much suffering after he surrendered his life to Jesus. He hung on the cross for a several hours longer and had his legs broken. Jesus could have easily had him taken down from the cross to remove his suffering the moment the thief surrendered to Jesus.” (http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/why_catholics_love_suffering.htm)
Too often we view suffering as a bad thing and a curse, but without suffering we could not “Be put through the furnace as gold and made pure” (Wis. 3:5-6). Our trials are lessons and opportunities to grow forming us into the people our Lord desire us to be. When we exercise and work out, our muscles break and mend in order to become stronger, so do our souls. God allows us to suffer and be broken at times in order that we may become stronger. “…it is not necessary always to be consoled… if this were true, neither St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa, nor St. Paul would have served the Lord well” (Padre Pio, Letters, Vol. 3, 932).
How and why have you suffered in the past? What did you learn from it? How are you different? There is no way that you are the same person you were before your suffering. Why shouldn’t we be thankful for these opportunities and gifts from God that He offers us to allow us to learn and grow in? Christ suffered horribly, as we should be fully aware of right now in this holiest of seasons. He allowed the criminal beside him to continue suffering with him. “Offer it up.” It’s an old saying, but one that our world should bring back. Whenever we suffer or go through trials we should graciously “offer it up” for God’s glory and be thankful that He is allowing us these opportunities. Thankful that He is allowing us to suffer, though not as severely as Christ died, but it’s still suffering.
During this holy season, especially these last few days we have been able to “relive” the worst of our suffering in our faith- the suffering that we cause our Lord. “Every time we sin, we offend eternity, because God is eternal, living in every moment of all time.” (Fr. E. Culler). BUT because of the suffering, Christ was able to overcome death for us and raise us up with Him. Truly, this is why we should rejoice in our suffering.
Love and warm wishes!
Joyous Easter!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Plain Jesus
Last Saturday morning our TEC team was gathered and preparing for the arrival of our retreat candidates. We gathered that morning to celebrate Mass and join in the magnificent wedding feast. It was during the liturgy of the Eucharist that I was struck at just how amazing the miracle before us was. I love the Eucharist and its total awesomeness and usually can comprehend- as well as anybody is able to- the miracle that happens during the Mass, but on this day I was in the old Our Lady of Consolation Shrine church, which is across the street from the Basilica and Pilgrim House. Inside the old, plain church there was only about 15 people- including our priest- gathered. We probably could have comfortably sat in three pews, but we were spaced out in four pews. It felt like the church was empty, even though 15 people is probably an average number for weekday Mass.
In case you’ve never had the opportunity to step inside the old shrine, it’s very plain. Bare white walls with only crosses representing the Stations of the Cross, simply decorated stained glass windows, but the area for the tabernacle is a fine example of great craftsmanship and woodcarvings, however the alter is small and plain too. No great carvings on it, no high polishing- just a plain, simple, dark wooded alter, yet upon this alter is where one of the greatest gifts God could give us occurs. Remind you of something? Maybe of God becoming fully human and laid in a plain wooden manger? Well, it is on this plain wooden alter that bread- “that the earth has given and human hands have made”- became the flesh of Christ. 2,000 years ago He gave Himself fully to us. 2,000 years later, He still gives Himself to us every day and sacrifices Himself every day for us.
It was difficult to imagine angels of the Heavenly host taking the gifts upon the alter that was in front of us to the alter in Heaven. It was difficult to imagine the saints and angels in all their splendor surrounding the plain alter in a pretty plain church, yet Heaven was still bowing down to kiss earth, and the angels were still rejoicing with us. There is quote that I’ve had hanging on my wall these two years of college, by St. Maximillian Kolbe, “If angels could be jealous of men, they would be for one reason: Holy Communion.” The angels have never consumed the Body of Christ, yet they follow him more faithfully. We are given the opportunity to consume his body and blood at least once a week, yet how well do we follow him?
It was in this small, almost empty, and unfancy church that 15 people gathered to offer ourselves with all our brokenness, sin, and shortcomings that God still made Himself present to us in the Blessed Sacrement. 2,000 years ago He thought that we sinful creatures were important enough that He sent Christ as a sacrifice to die for us. 2,000 years later He continues to value us so much that He still presents Himself to us. How could we not rejoice? How could we not celebrate the wedding feast that we take part in during the Mass? That’s truly what it is. The Eucharist is the wedding feast of the Bridegroom (Christ) and His Bride (the Church) being made one, or at least that’s how Scott Hahn puts it. If Heaven is truly bowing down to kiss earth in that moment, and heaven is outside of this world and time, then we are sitting down to a moment in “time” when everyone who has ever partaken in this miracle is celebrating it at the same moment. It is a moment when the Bride is whole and is one body, fully and amazingly united with her glorious, saving, healing, and loving Groom.
Are we returning His kiss?
Love and warm wishes.
In case you’ve never had the opportunity to step inside the old shrine, it’s very plain. Bare white walls with only crosses representing the Stations of the Cross, simply decorated stained glass windows, but the area for the tabernacle is a fine example of great craftsmanship and woodcarvings, however the alter is small and plain too. No great carvings on it, no high polishing- just a plain, simple, dark wooded alter, yet upon this alter is where one of the greatest gifts God could give us occurs. Remind you of something? Maybe of God becoming fully human and laid in a plain wooden manger? Well, it is on this plain wooden alter that bread- “that the earth has given and human hands have made”- became the flesh of Christ. 2,000 years ago He gave Himself fully to us. 2,000 years later, He still gives Himself to us every day and sacrifices Himself every day for us.
It was difficult to imagine angels of the Heavenly host taking the gifts upon the alter that was in front of us to the alter in Heaven. It was difficult to imagine the saints and angels in all their splendor surrounding the plain alter in a pretty plain church, yet Heaven was still bowing down to kiss earth, and the angels were still rejoicing with us. There is quote that I’ve had hanging on my wall these two years of college, by St. Maximillian Kolbe, “If angels could be jealous of men, they would be for one reason: Holy Communion.” The angels have never consumed the Body of Christ, yet they follow him more faithfully. We are given the opportunity to consume his body and blood at least once a week, yet how well do we follow him?
It was in this small, almost empty, and unfancy church that 15 people gathered to offer ourselves with all our brokenness, sin, and shortcomings that God still made Himself present to us in the Blessed Sacrement. 2,000 years ago He thought that we sinful creatures were important enough that He sent Christ as a sacrifice to die for us. 2,000 years later He continues to value us so much that He still presents Himself to us. How could we not rejoice? How could we not celebrate the wedding feast that we take part in during the Mass? That’s truly what it is. The Eucharist is the wedding feast of the Bridegroom (Christ) and His Bride (the Church) being made one, or at least that’s how Scott Hahn puts it. If Heaven is truly bowing down to kiss earth in that moment, and heaven is outside of this world and time, then we are sitting down to a moment in “time” when everyone who has ever partaken in this miracle is celebrating it at the same moment. It is a moment when the Bride is whole and is one body, fully and amazingly united with her glorious, saving, healing, and loving Groom.
Are we returning His kiss?
Love and warm wishes.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Teens Encounter Christ
I’m going to attempt talking about what’s happening this weekend without giving too much away. This weekend is the final TEC of the TEC season (Nov. – April) in my home diocese. TEC is an amazing experience! Throughout the weekend, when we retreat from the world, we take a look at the Pascal Mystery- of how Christ died, rose, and went forth. We learn how to see the Pascal Mystery and Christ in our own lives- in everyday circumstances. We look at how there are certain sinful things that we need to die to. We look at the hope God surrounds us with and how to go forward in our lives while holding all we learn this weekend close to our hearts.
No TEC weekend is exactly the same as any other. Simply because at each TEC God has brought these specific people together at this specific time for a purpose. Each person is a piece of a gift from God, and when all these pieces are put together, He is giving us just a little glimpse into heaven. Each picture is different because each individual is a unique piece of the picture, and the combination of different people means a different picture, each picture is beautiful though.
Once you’ve experienced a TEC weekend, you’re instantly part of that family. My family is the April one and we are a part of the world-wide TEC community. Yes, world-wide. There’s a link on the side bar here that will take you to the TEC website if you’re interested in seeing where all the TECs are. But we are a family, some of us are broken, some are nurturing, and some are completely confused about life, but the bonds we form over a time of 3 days are truly mystical gifts from God. We may never see some people ever again, and certainly not everyone will be united at one time ever again, but the bond that occurs is one that is forever held dearly in our hearts. He truly teaches us about love and just how unconditional it is.
Another thing we learn at TEC is that we should “participate, not anticipate.” It’s saying that I’ve heard many people laminate how much they hate it, but I think its meaning extends far beyond the activity we’re doing next. It has been a lesson in life that I’ve found myself reflecting on. God has brought me to this moment right now with some purpose. I should be participating in whatever He has planned for this moment rather than looking off into the distance trying to figure out what’s coming next. He brought me to school so that I should participate in education, not that I might constantly be thinking about where I’ll live in a few years or what I’ll be doing then. He has placed me in my current vocation for a reason, I should not be anticipating one vocation or another. Today He allowed half our campus to be without electric, how does He desire us to participate in these moments? It is indeed a difficult thing to learn. If only we could pause in our lives, look around and see what God has surrounded us with and be thankful for it. If only we could see what He has brought us to and how He desires us to participate in it.
Love and warm wishes!
No TEC weekend is exactly the same as any other. Simply because at each TEC God has brought these specific people together at this specific time for a purpose. Each person is a piece of a gift from God, and when all these pieces are put together, He is giving us just a little glimpse into heaven. Each picture is different because each individual is a unique piece of the picture, and the combination of different people means a different picture, each picture is beautiful though.
Once you’ve experienced a TEC weekend, you’re instantly part of that family. My family is the April one and we are a part of the world-wide TEC community. Yes, world-wide. There’s a link on the side bar here that will take you to the TEC website if you’re interested in seeing where all the TECs are. But we are a family, some of us are broken, some are nurturing, and some are completely confused about life, but the bonds we form over a time of 3 days are truly mystical gifts from God. We may never see some people ever again, and certainly not everyone will be united at one time ever again, but the bond that occurs is one that is forever held dearly in our hearts. He truly teaches us about love and just how unconditional it is.
Another thing we learn at TEC is that we should “participate, not anticipate.” It’s saying that I’ve heard many people laminate how much they hate it, but I think its meaning extends far beyond the activity we’re doing next. It has been a lesson in life that I’ve found myself reflecting on. God has brought me to this moment right now with some purpose. I should be participating in whatever He has planned for this moment rather than looking off into the distance trying to figure out what’s coming next. He brought me to school so that I should participate in education, not that I might constantly be thinking about where I’ll live in a few years or what I’ll be doing then. He has placed me in my current vocation for a reason, I should not be anticipating one vocation or another. Today He allowed half our campus to be without electric, how does He desire us to participate in these moments? It is indeed a difficult thing to learn. If only we could pause in our lives, look around and see what God has surrounded us with and be thankful for it. If only we could see what He has brought us to and how He desires us to participate in it.
Love and warm wishes!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Seriously Hysterical!
How often do you laugh at yourself? Once a month? Every day? How often do you share some joy with others and make them laugh? I really hope it’s at least once a day. Laughing at yourself is an essential part of life. I mean really, think about all the things you do that if you were to see someone else doing it, would you laugh at them? Too often we take life too seriously. We take our friends too seriously. And angry check out workers at Wal Mart too. I mean, that are times to be serious and topics that should be serious, but if we can’t find some way to look at life with some humor- even some of the bad times and the serious things- then life is just going to be kind of dim. We have to smile and we have to laugh. If not for ourselves, then for others. Laughter is, after all, contagious! And so is joy and happiness.
Happiness is a choice, depending on how you choose to look at life. Do you see life as endless course with obstacles, mountains, and valleys that are going to take lots of trying work? Or do you see it as an exciting adventure filled with opportunity? If someone tries to offend you, do you allow yourself to wallow in the anger they cause you, or do you choose to step back from the situation, try to see it from a different perspective, and then silently laugh the other person’s insults because you know who you really are? Being able to laugh at yourself is a sign of confidence and makes it easier for people around you to laugh at themselves too.
From my own experience, more than once I’ve tried to say something or do something in a light hearted manner with the result being that people take whatever is happening too seriously. Life is about joy. If we can’t find joy- or choose to be happy in a moment- in the little simple things in life then what about the big, and ubber-stressful times of our lives? Padre Pio once said, “I laugh at your suffering, as you, many times, laughed at mine… If you can, laugh at yourself with me, and pray that I too can laugh at myself with you.” There are moments where it is just better for us to laugh and choose happiness rather than allow ourselves to be consumed with stress, anxiety, anger, or deep sadness.
Here’s some facts about laughter from about.com:
• Hormones: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine(adrenaline), dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.
• Physical Release: Have you ever felt like you "have to laugh or I'll cry"? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release. (Which means that it can also help relieve physical pain.)
• Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart. (you can get the same benefits from laughing 100 times a day, as you can from 10 minutes of rowing.)
• Distraction: Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions.
• Perspective: Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a 'threat' or a 'challenge'. Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as 'challenges', thereby making them less threatening and more positive. (For more on changing your perspective, see this article on cognitive reframing.)
• Social Benefits of Laughter: Laughter connects us with others. Just as with smiling andkindness, most people find that laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!
Now, go look at yourself in the mirror, make some funny faces, try to pull off some epic dance moves that you’d never try in public, and laugh at yourself! :)
A cheerful heart is a good medicine. Proverbs 17:22
Love and warm wishes!
Happiness is a choice, depending on how you choose to look at life. Do you see life as endless course with obstacles, mountains, and valleys that are going to take lots of trying work? Or do you see it as an exciting adventure filled with opportunity? If someone tries to offend you, do you allow yourself to wallow in the anger they cause you, or do you choose to step back from the situation, try to see it from a different perspective, and then silently laugh the other person’s insults because you know who you really are? Being able to laugh at yourself is a sign of confidence and makes it easier for people around you to laugh at themselves too.
From my own experience, more than once I’ve tried to say something or do something in a light hearted manner with the result being that people take whatever is happening too seriously. Life is about joy. If we can’t find joy- or choose to be happy in a moment- in the little simple things in life then what about the big, and ubber-stressful times of our lives? Padre Pio once said, “I laugh at your suffering, as you, many times, laughed at mine… If you can, laugh at yourself with me, and pray that I too can laugh at myself with you.” There are moments where it is just better for us to laugh and choose happiness rather than allow ourselves to be consumed with stress, anxiety, anger, or deep sadness.
Here’s some facts about laughter from about.com:
• Hormones: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine(adrenaline), dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.
• Physical Release: Have you ever felt like you "have to laugh or I'll cry"? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release. (Which means that it can also help relieve physical pain.)
• Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart. (you can get the same benefits from laughing 100 times a day, as you can from 10 minutes of rowing.)
• Distraction: Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions.
• Perspective: Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a 'threat' or a 'challenge'. Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as 'challenges', thereby making them less threatening and more positive. (For more on changing your perspective, see this article on cognitive reframing.)
• Social Benefits of Laughter: Laughter connects us with others. Just as with smiling andkindness, most people find that laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!
Now, go look at yourself in the mirror, make some funny faces, try to pull off some epic dance moves that you’d never try in public, and laugh at yourself! :)
A cheerful heart is a good medicine. Proverbs 17:22
Love and warm wishes!
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