Can anyone really live the Catholic faith? Sure. It's easier to strive for holiness when you have a traveling companion on your spiritual journey, though. Come walk along with this Catholic mom who shares life day by day, both the joys and the sorrows, the saints and the demons, our Lord Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother. Mary will help us live our Catholic faith!
I'd like to encourage you to participate in the Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort. This book is an excellent guide to use daily for about a month prior to making a consecration of oneself to Jesus through Mary, concluding with the consecration on a Marian feast day.
On the day of this writing, according to the suggested schedule included in the book published by Montfort Publications, it is now day eleven into the devotional. Part I focuses the faithful, for twelve preliminary days, on the opposing ways of the spirit of the world, and that of the spirit of Jesus and our Blessed Mother.
Following this, the devotion is a terrific aid in gaining knowledge of self, of Holy Mary, and of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.These sections consist of seven days each. The book concludes with the Consecration of oneself to Jesus Christ, Wisdom incarnate, through the hands of Mary. The recommendation is to renew your consecration at least once a year, on the same day. Though, perhaps you'll find, as I did, that this booklet is valuable as a daily devotion that enriches your walk of faith with a glorious growth in virtue.
The contents include portions from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin by St. Louis de Montfort, and passages from the Holy Bible, along with Catholic prayers appropriately selected for the different topics in the book.
Pray with me my daily mini consecration prayer, taken from St. Louis de Montfort: "I am all Thine, and all that I have is Thine, O my sweet Jesus, through Mary, Thy holy mother. Amen." Totus Tuus!
"Clippety clop, clippety clop," sang little James, as he galloped along on the broken broom stick. His father had smoothed the wood on it, before he'd asked his son to put out by the trash containers. As James carried the stick, he was quickly lost in a world of fanciful imagination, where he had become a royal knight pledged to serve his King in the kingdom of magnificent castles and, well, headless horses.
There was a frail old man that the little boy spied rummaging through the trash containers just as James had decided to find and serve his King. James found it to be a startling thing, to look around for his regal ruler and suddenly see this little old man in such a sorry state, instead. The man was dressed in worn and tattered clothes, handling the filthy garbage, and he was leaning on a baby buggy for assistance in standing. Immediately, the boy began to gallop away in the other direction in search of a better dignitary to pledge his allegiance to. He proceeded back toward where his amused father stood watching him play. James passed him by singing out, "clippety clop, clippety clop, find us the real King, Clippety Clop."
James pulled back on the stick horse using invisible reins, looked back proudly at his father, the peasant, and addressed him with a voice he deliberately deepened, asking "Sir, have you seen the King?"
"Oh, yes, I have seen the King, my Lord," the man responded as he bent forward in a long graceful bow. "Your majestic steed, Clippety Clop, will take you back to him straightway. Go forth, noble horse, bring your master to his King, for His Majesty awaits your service, and he needs his royal scepter," he chuckled, pointing back over to where the little old man was digging in the trash containers.
"Dad," grumbled James, "you're not doing it right. That dirty old garbage picker isn't my king. You just want me to give away my new stick horse. Watch, you'll see that he is not a king," James scowled, and trotted over to the old man. He looked at the man, who pulled a mangled aluminum can out of a container, and placed it in the baby stroller with the others he'd collected. James came closer, trying to see if the old man could possibly be a real king. This startled the old man, who lost his balance and banged his knee, and let out a painful groan.
"Sir, are you a king?" James asked with his deepest possible manly voice as soon as the flustered old man looked at him. "King? King, did you say?" the old man seemed to shout out as he rubbed his knee. James thought he should shout, too, and loudly stated, "I'm looking for the king! Are you a king, Sir?"
The old man let go a great bout of laughter and cried out, "Oh, heaven's no, child, I'm no king. King of the trash, maybe, yeah, you could say that." James was amazed to hear this, and taking the old man seriously, he bowed deeply, with obvious genuine respect. Then James handed him the broom stick willingly, saying, "very well, Your Majesty, this is for you." Then James looked over at his father, who nodded his approval. The little old man smiled then, and his eyes grew bigger. He put some of his weight on the stick and felt the place where the hand grip had been sanded smooth for him. "Why, it's just perfect for me, child, its a great walking stick. Thank you, my boy," came the man's voice, wavering some. "This is an answer to my prayers."
"Why would a great king pray for a broken old broom stick?" James scoffed, but felt concern for the man who was wiping away tears with his coat sleeve. "Oh, I didn't pray for any old stick, child," the old man cleared his throat to correct the boy. "No, child, I prayed that people would see me the way God sees me, instead of as a garbage picker. But I never dreamed He would honor me like a king."
During the night Ileane was overcome with one of the seven deadly sins. She had no idea how it happened. It may have been something as innocent as scratching an itchy spot on her body. It may have been an all-out demonic attack. Or some combination of things. In any case, it was extreme temptation that Ileane was in the midst of, and it was as if there was nothing else that existed but herself and the overwhelming excitement and enticement of sexual sin. Ileane was intoxicated and delighted about it.
For many years this kind of thing would have just been a part of life, something Ileane didn't even know to fight against. She used to go along with such lusty temptations, and acted on these feelings in many sinful ways. Some people call it being horny. Ileane called it "being in the mood." Rolling with the flow of that energy used to be natural to her, and wonderful.
However, once Ileane's spiritual eyes were opened, and she had come to a place in life where she had denied herself, picked up her cross, and was following Jesus in obedience to strive for holiness and to love others; she found that she had to fight against sinful temptations. Ileane understood over time that some sins are more easily overcome than others. Some are taken care of through miracles of God. Some call for hard work on her part. Some call for one to be ever-vigilant and valiant in many spiritual battles waged by the evil one, who intends to keep repentant sinners from holiness and closeness to God.
Ileane come out of this wretched darkness after having spent much of her life embracing vile imaginations and acting upon them. She was given no instruction manual for holy saint wannabes. There were bad habits that needed to be broken, new ways to learn to look at things, and Ileane began to submit her will to that of our Heavenly Father more and more as time went on.
From time to time Ileane still struggles with the temptation of lust. There are preventative measures that she takes to help her to persevere and stay pure. She prays. She participates in the holy sacraments of our Holy Catholic Church for the grace of God. She keeps herself from experiencing things and places and people that bombard the senses with sinful enticements. She wears a wrist Rosary at night, and Ileane often feels for it and prays during the night. She has entrusted her life to Jesus and Mary. Ileane reads the Scriptures. She performs acts of reparation. All this she does not out of fear or scrupulosity, but for love of Jesus and Mary.This is, no doubt, why her battles with lust are few and far between.
One day, though, in the early morning hours, Ileane found herself ensnared in a wicked trap with no functioning rational intellect to depend upon for assistance. There was no thought of prayer, or pleading for the mercy of God. She could not even think to choose to fight against this evil, but rather she was strangely engulfed and consumed with lust.
Suddenly, there came a single thought, which proved to be a light that penetrated the darkness and dispelled it completely. Somehow, seemingly out of nowhere, Ileane remembered that this day is the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. She did not understand the mystery of her fascinating experience, but it was really as if she had found herself bound in heavy inescapable chains, and yet somebody had miraculously broken her out of them. She had been captured, and held captivated, but as it was now her way to flee and to fight, she was miraculously set free from this captivity of depravity by the merciful grace of God.
The law, the book of St. John tells us, came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. "The most pure Temple of the Savior, the most precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Treasury of the glory of God is led today into the house of the Lord, bringing grace in the Spirit of God. God's angels praise her in song; she is the heavenly Ark." (Kontakion)
Opening the door to greet his friend, Hector nodded hello and smiled, but he did not open his mouth to speak, though he did appear to be mumbling something. He extended his arm toward the sofa, bidding his friend take a seat. The crucifix dangling from a string of rosary beads explained for the young man that he was finishing up his prayers. Hector resumed a kneeling position at a little prayer area where religious pictures graced the wall and pretty statues of saints adorned a small table, and several books were stacked up neatly underneath. Hector took a couple of minutes there to finish praying.
The visitor waited with patient, curious interest, observing Hector as he prayed, self-consciously rolling one bead after another around with his fingers. When Hector concluded the Rosary by making the sign of the Cross and rising to his feet, his friend stated, "I know I'm early, I didn't mean to disturb you praying, sorry about that." "No problem," Hector responded, placing the rosary into his jacket, and locking the door behind them as they headed out to a Bible study together. Hector thought it might be a good idea to share this devotion, and he said, "I can teach you how to pray the Rosary some time. Do you want to know more?"
"It's superstitious to pray repetitious prayers, you know that don't you?" came the unexpected objection. Hector stopped walking and looked at his friend with a puzzled scowl. "Who told you praying the Rosary was superstitious? What do you know about it, anyway?" he asked defensively.
The other young man answered this way: "Sorry, man, I don't mean to offend you, but as your friend I think I should tell you the truth. The Bible tells us not to pray with vain repetitions. You know that, right, so why are you still praying that old-fashioned way that your grandma taught you. She didn't know any better, but I know you do, Hector. Just pray from your heart. I mean, you're not even thinking about what you're saying. It isn't talking to God at all. Do you think praying is like magic, you pray a certain numbers of prayers and God'll finally hear you? Carrying on saying the same memorized thing over and over again is nothing but babbling, Hector. It's just nonsense."
Hector walked on in a confused silence. He was pensive, and had no idea what to say in response to such a reasonable argument. He was feeling hurt and offended because his friend had negative ideas about his family's religious beliefs. His grandma sure hadn't been any kind of saint, for all the Rosaries she had prayed, so what did she know? The Bible does speak against vain repetitions, he thought. Maybe his friend was right.
After Bible study ended, Hector headed home in better spirits, but the practice of praying the Rosary had become a mystery to him. His mother was there and greeted him when he entered. He hugged her, but avoided making eye contact with his mother. "What's on your mind, son?" she asked. She always knew when something troubled him, and as much as he didn't ever want to let her know if he was having a problem, he always would trust her with his concerns. Hector confided in his mother saying, "Mom, why do we pray with old-fashioned vain repetitions? Why do we pray the Rosary instead of just praying right from our hearts?"
Hector's mother smiled in an assuring and consoling manner, explaining it this way: "When I pray the Holy Rosary, I am praying from my heart, Hector, with all my love for Jesus and Mary, entrusting everything to our Blessed Mother to intercede for us. Hail Marys are theologically sound prayers right out of the book of St. Luke. Praying the Rosary is praying the Gospel. At the wedding feast in Cana, Mary interceded for the people there, and so Jesus performed His first miracle at his mother's request. You could say that Hail Marys are like roses you give to your mother, or that praying a Hail Mary is like saying, 'I love you, Mom.' You can't tell your heavenly mother that you love her too many times, you know."
Hector was amazed at all his mother knew and how she had explained to him so clearly. "How do you know all this, Mom? he asked. She smiled and held his face close to her own. "Well, for one thing, Hector, I'm your mother."
As a Catholic, you may have had the experience of being told that our devotional prayers like the Memorare are lacking something, they are memorized, and they aren't from you; and that spontaneous prayers that come from your heart are better. Unfortunately, this is a view from ignorance that lately, even some well-meaning Catholic Charismatics believe. Is it "superstitious" to pray a certain number of repetitions when we pray? Doesn't the Bible tell us not to pray vain repetitions? Isn't it better to pray "in the Spirit"?
Let's take a brief look at our traditional Catholic prayers and why it is valuable to continue in our practice of praying them.
Those old-fashioned prayers that are memorized and recited by Catholics are powerful and they are theologically sound. They have an amazing history to them as well. And they have been approved by the Church. Catholics have devotions for Mary and the saints because over the centuries, miraculous events have been attributed to them. These are the main reasons that they are prayed and passed down from generation to generation. We pray traditional prayers because it works!
The Memorare, for example, has an awesome history of miraculous intervention by the Blessed Virgin Mary. It brings healing and the conversion of sinners as we trust and rely on our Blessed Mother to intercede for us. Accounts of St. Francis de Sales, and Father Claude Bernard, who popularized the prayer, can be read at the link. Check the original sources there at the bottom of the page for additional reading.
It is always a good thing for us to pray for one another. At the same time, this doesn't mean that we shouldn't avail ourselves of the holy saints and angels who are there for us. Spontaneous prayers are great to pray, and Catholics do pray these prayers, too. Yet when somebody prays memorized devotional prayers, it does not mean that the person does not pray from their heart. No, it is just the opposite, for the devotee finds it so dear that it is given a regular place of importance in the Catholic's life. And lastly, even Jesus prayed the same prayer three times for the cup to be taken away from Him by our Heavenly Father. Clearly, our Lord has no problem with repeating prayers. Let's just remember, that when we pray, we likewise agree to accept that God's will be done in the matter, as Jesus did in His repetitious prayer. It is the Son of God Who taught us to pray The Our Father, and The Lord's Prayer, which is not spontaneous, is repeated to this day by all Christian denominations.
Treasure the tried and true. Remember that when we pray traditional Catholic prayers given to us by our Church, we can be sure that we are truly praying "in the Spirit" for it is the Holy Spirit Who guides our Church. So come on, and pray the Memorare with me, with love from our hearts:
Father greeted the college students and motioned for them to take a seat in his office. He was intrigued by his visitors and made time to fit the interview into his busy schedule. It had been explained to him by his secretary that the women were not Catholic, and that having an interview with the pastor of a different Christian sect or denomination was part of their philosophy of religion course assignment.
Father was knowledgeable and gladly answered basic questions about the Catholic faith. He found the conversation with the students invigorating, as he had not been one to evangelize much. He appreciated the respectful interaction on the part of the Evangelical Protestant women. It was such an inspiring experience for Father to be with Christians who had so much zeal and love for Jesus. They scribbled notes as they proceeded along with the interview. Father hoped the students were learning that Catholics Christians are just like they are.
When he was asked questions about Mary, the students maintained a professional tone, that Father very much appreciated. He was pleased to share authentic Marian dogma with them and clear up some misunderstandings that Protestants have about the Catholic Church when it comes to the Mother of God. One of the students took down the dates with the information Father shared, while the other woman looked at him in a hard way that made him feel uncomfortable. He expected the Evangelical in this college student to step forward and begin typical anti-Catholic attacking of the Catholic faith. He believed he would handle things well in politely showing them the door, if such a confrontation should occur.
However, the young woman remained silent, listening intently as he answered the other student's questions about the Holy Eucharist. Father explained the doctrines of the Catholic Church in a concise and clear manner. Father suspected that this young woman already knew something of the teachings of the Church.
Upon concluding the interview, the students thanked the priest for his time, and Father escorted them to the door. The woman who had been obviously studying the man more than the material did not go along with her friend, but paused at the top of the stairs and turned to face Father. Her question caught him off-guard because it was of a personal nature.
"Father do you pray the Rosary?" Father stammered, "Uh, no, not really. Go in peace. Have a good day now." She placed her hand on Father's arm, preventing him from closing the door. She smirked, "Father, you don't really believe that Jesus is present in a piece of bread do you?" Father raised his eyebrows as a sympathetic nervous smile came to his face. His head lightly moved from side to side as he removed the woman's hand, and while closing the door, Father responded reassuringly, "No."
From the Litany of the Holy Ghost:
Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy Love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire us in the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.
Edeson had just graduated from high school. He would enjoy a couple of months of vacation time and then begin studying at the university where he had been accepted. After four more years of studying, he would be able to walk right into an engineering position in a big corporation. Edeson's parents had their hearts set on their son marrying a certain girl from a good family line, so he began a pleasant courtship with the sweet maiden. It was easy for Edeson to try to please his parents, because cooperation with them never failed to work out best for him.
Secretly, though, Edeson was becoming conflicted within himself. He couldn't put his finger on it to articulate the issue and examine it objectively, but there was a disconcerted feeling that he had about where his life was headed. The practicality of his life plan was as perfect as it could possibly be, but it didn't seem to be one that would affect the lives of the less fortunate in the world. Edeson was sure that he could somehow make a difference by healing some broken hearts and building some bridges between people.
Once a month for over a year, he had been involved in a ministry that fed the homeless in the inner city. There was real satisfaction for the young man in serving the poor and needy. Edeson smiled as he recalled how special last week's outing had been for him. That one precious little girl who he had brought hair ribbons for a couple of times previously came running up to him upon his arrival. Excitedly, she gave him a picture that she had drawn for him of their new apartment. He couldn't think of anything in his life that had ever made him happier than sharing in that wisp of an angel's happiness over finally being able to leave the homeless shelter and move into her own home with her mother.
There it was again, that peculiar feeling. It was as if an invisible presence was standing beside Edeson with a gentle hand of guidance upon his shoulder, as the parting words spoken by that little girl came back to haunt him. Perhaps she said it because he had been wearing black that day. "Thank you for the ribbons. Do you see how pretty they make my hair? I love you, Father Edeson!"
Today's readings: Leviticus 23:1,4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37, Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11, Gospel: John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42
From the Litany of the Holy Ghost:
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governs the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fills the universe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.
Dulce, like most people, had a few good friends that she hung out with. They were a lot like her, which is why they got along so well. They enjoyed some of the same activities and they felt a special closeness in discussions because they all had similar views about most topics.
One night the five of them decided to go to the singles group on a college campus and check it out. They teased one another, while they mingled, about liking one of the guys there. Dulce was the lucky one who was asked out by him. She and her friends shared their excitement about this afterwards in the car on their way back to their homes. They praised the teen for catching a fine college man, and joked about her finally losing her virginity and joining the sweetest rank of womanhood.
The last of the girls to be dropped off was Dulce. Her best friend pulled the car up to her home and turned off the engine. She turned toward Dulce to give her some advice about sex. Dulce hadn't known her best friend was so experienced with men. Dulce listened in fascination to her friend's stories filled with details that explained how things that seem unpleasant and gross to a virgin are really just the opposite when you actually enter into the realm of lovemaking. With all that her friend recounted from personal experience, Dulce found it reassuring to know that she could have a lot of fun without ever even losing her virginity if she didn't want to to. Taking her advice, Dulce accepted the condom and placed it in the zip pocket in her purse, just in case she decided to go all the way.
That night as she was lying in her bed, imagining that she was kissing her boyfriend, Dulce remembered the instructions that her friend had given her. She had been informed that the romance builds and the sex is more meaningful when you try to string it out. You don't get it on quick like in the movies. You create and savor the intimacy and tease him for awhile, making your boyfriend fall madly in love with you. You make him want you more than anything, but you don't put out--at first.
Dulce played the first-date scenario out in her mind. She was already starting to feel it, she was already beginning to fall in love. It was so wonderful having a man's attention, being in his strong arms, laughing over silly things together by candlelight.
After a couple of dates, the seemingly innocent imaginary scenes in Dulce's mind had been heated up quite a bit. She easily embellished her memories of the intimacy that the two of them had shared together. She could taste his chocolate kisses. She sensed his desire for her and she felt the same way about him. She felt his tantalizing touch and it thrilled her. She could see reaching a point where she could no longer resist his passionate need for her love. It would be such a sweet surrender.
Dulce didn't think there was any harm in having fantasies. There's a difference between fantasy and reality. If it was all just in your mind, it never really happened. Why would you get the idea that some day it would?
Today's Scripture readings: Exodus 40:16-21,34-38, Psalm 84:3-6,8,11, Matthew 13:47-53
From the Litany of the Holy Ghost:
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.
Charles is a responsible person, and a dedicated husband and father. He can boast of the success he's had in life. According to this Catholic, he is a self-made man. By being practical and determined, he went from the bottom to the top in the first company he ever worked for. From there, his reputation in the field and his exemplary work ethic had brought him bigger and better opportunities. And he seized every one.
It wasn't too hard for Charles to conclude that he did everything just right. Being hard-working brought him recognition, which brought him wealth. He took pride in the fact that he provided only the best for his family. They never had to do without anything. On top of that, Charles was putting money away for future retirement. Following in his father's footsteps, Charles had married a good Catholic woman who was raising their children to shine in their academic and athletic achievements, he takes his family to Mass every Sunday, and he keeps the family traditions.
Before his father died, Charles made time to spend a few minutes with him at the senior hospice center. He had praised Charles highly for being a good man and raising his children to make a name for themselves. But then, as a tear trickled down one cheek, the frail old man asked him to take him to stay with his family, saying, "let's go home."
Charles was shocked to hear his dad make such an outrageous request. His father had too many medical needs to have to deal with, and he was on the way out. He couldn't put that kind of stress on his wife. It would be a major embarrassment having the old man hacking and wheezing when friends visited. Certainly he didn't expect to die at the house and put everyone through that kind of emotional trauma. That's what insurance is for.
Charles sighed and shook his head, but he reassured his father that he was in good hands there at the facility, and he promised that the two of them would stop by to see him again soon. He reminded his father that the staff at this place had taken excellent care of their mother a few years ago. His father's words came out choked in a tearful whisper. He said hat he was sorry for being away at work all the time instead of being there for him and for his mother while Charles was growing up; and that in the end, things did not matter. Charles looked over at his wife, perplexed, and he could easily read the expression on her face. "The poor old fool, he must be out of his mind."
Today's daily Mass readings: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99:5-7,9, Matthew 13:44-46
From the Litany of the Holy Ghost:
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us.
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming fire, have mercy on us.
Ardent Charity, have mercy on us.
Spiritual unction, have mercy on us.
Ben can't tell you exactly when it began, but he is aware of the fact that he doesn't respect his mother's authority. Ben finds it infuriating that his mother sees him as disobedient and defiant and unrepentant. Why can't she just shut up and give him a break? She is always thinking the worst about him. Ben rolls his eyes whenever his mother says that she loves him. Some love, huh?
He yells at her when he needs to make his mother understand his hurt feelings, and he still sobs when voicing his objections to his mother's critical corrections. He was not being mean to animals or bothering his sisters! She always thinks that he is a troublemaker and that he needs to go to confession. She always thinks that Ben is the same way he used to be. But Ben knows that if he was really as bad as all that, he would have killed her by now. He hadn't even punched her once for several years now. That shows contrition, but for her, that isn't good enough. (Shrug.)
That would be the day that he went to confession. Ben refused to go to confession way back when he got too big for his mother to force him to. Imagine that; what in the world would he need to talk to a priest about anyway? Maybe one day he'd go talk to somebody about what a lousy life he's had because of his father abandoning him. And how God stuck him with that irritating woman for a mother who never gave him a chance. Those aren't Ben's sins. They are the ones who need to go see a priest. As for Ben, he is just doing his best to get along in the world. He doesn't have anything to be sorry about.
The world is all messed up, Ben could see that. Ben knows that he isn't perfect, but he has more on the ball than just about anybody he knows. He had learned a lot about life and how people operate from school and movies. He prided himself on making a couple of good friends to hang out with and get rides from. And he is cool in their eyes, because when it comes to the ladies, he is a heart breaker.
One important thing that Ben understands about himself and life, is that his mother is the one who is wrong. She even admits it. In the middle of her yakking, she always says that she's sorry. She was sorry for arguing. She was sorry for not understanding him. She was sorry for getting angry with him. She was sorry for not loving him more, and better. Yeah, she is sorry for a lot of things. Just like she should be.
From The Litany of the Holy Ghost:
Father all powerful have mercy on us.
Jesus Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.
Holy Ghost, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who are equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Daily Mass readings: Exodus 33:7-11, 34:5-9, 28 Psalms 103:6-13 Matthew 13:36-43
Amanda found a lot of things funny during Mass, and she shared these things with her friend. The two of them couldn't help themselves, they chuckled and hit one another playfully, oblivious to their own distracting behavior. Amanda liked her church. She was involved in some of the activities available for the young people there, and she enjoyed the Liturgy.
She was uncomfortable, though, whenever the homily went into what she considered the political arena. She wished that Father wouldn't talk about not using birth control, and she really didn't think that pictures of unborn babies near the main door was appropriate. After all, she came to Mass to hear about Jesus, not to worry about anything or to feel guilty about something.
Mass was only about an hour long, and this didn't cut into her day too much, though it was a pain to have to get up in the morning after being out late on Saturday night. Maybe it was time to start going Sunday nights, she thought.
Amanda told her boyfriend that this seemed like a good idea. It would get her mother off her back about staying out late and not being able to get up to get to Mass on time. He agreed that it was a great idea, telling her that sometimes he could pick her up at home and they could spend more time together. Though not at church. But they could go out dancing, eat at her favorite restaurant, or maybe go to his place for an hour. Wouldn't she rather be with somebody who loves her than wasting her time sitting in a pew listening to myths and fables? Her boyfriend was very assuring. Like he said...nobody will ever know...
From the Litany of the Holy Ghost:
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Today's readings: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126:1-6, Matthew 20:20-28
We can learn a lot about our Blessed Mother, and we can apply her words of The Magnificat to our lives today. She gives credit to God for everything that happens to her and calls these "great things". She even speaks to a positive and blessed future. She praises and glorifies God, rejoicing, filled with faith in God's providence and protection and provision. She speaks of God's mercy for those who have a high regard and reverence for our Lord. And she recounts how God keeps His promises.
Stress, uncertainty, fear, disappointments, wicked ordeals may indeed be a part of your life. I know I have much to deal with on a daily basis. Sometimes we can get stuck focusing on the negative pieces and not see the positive side of the whole scenario. Think about it--we also have unexpected resolved difficulties, various talents to make use of, joyful experiences, and many freedoms to be grateful for.
We may not be able to avoid dealing with the bad things in life, but we certainly can make the decision to trust in Jesus, to be thankful to God for all of the good, and reflect on the better things. Remember the bottom line--God loves you! Roses are beautiful and soft and fragrant. And they have thorns. Can you imagine not noticing the glorious flowers and only seeing the smaller thorns?
I like the idea of making The Magnificat my own, as if I had composed this beautiful prayer about my own life. Try it. Pray the words spoken by the Virgin Mary, making them your own:
The Magnificat My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour,
Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid:
for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He that is mighty,
has done great things to me; and Holy is His Name.
And His mercy is from generation unto generations,
to them that fear Him.
He has shewed might in His Arm:
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has cast down the mighty from their seat,
and has exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has received Israel,
His servant, mindful of His mercy.
As He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his seed, for ever.
Noise. Children squabble. Neighbors fight. Mothers yell and cuss. Fathers slam doors. A car stops nearby with the radio blasting disgusting obscenities toward women. I hear the train sounding a long warning. I hear above me, the air traffic, is low today. The threatening storm will bring thunder. There are automobiles with their horns being blown repeatedly by impatient, insistent drivers. The television, the cable, the internet videos are loud with violence. Several people need something from me, right now. They are all talking to me at once. There is the demand for prompt intervention. An angry critical voice expects an answer immediately. Sibling rivalry escalates, needing the referee. I shout instructions from one room to another, "don't answer the phone! It's a bill collector." A delivery person rings the doorbell. The dog barks dramatically, relentlessly, broadcasting her intruder alert. The washer has become unbalanced, bam, bam, bam, bam! The baby wakes up, startled, and wails. Noise.
Some days are worse than others. Hang in there. Remember, this too shall pass :)
Ave Maris Stella
Hail bright star of ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest
Taking that sweet Ave
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva's name.
Break the captives' fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.
Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine
Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus
Joy for evermore
Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three
Father, Son, and Sprit
One same glory be,
Amen.
There was a time in my life when I thought that since I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior life should get a whole lot better. I remember thinking God would do anything for me, all I had to do was pray about it. My faith took a big hit when I prayed for somebody to be healed miraculously. And then she died. I was totally shocked. How could God be my all-powerful Father, be a good God, but not listen to my prayer, and not care about healing this woman? This made no sense at all--to me--at that time.
There are things that we will never understand about God this side of heaven. The Holy Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are excellent sources to learn more about God. Be attentive to the homilies at Mass. Listen to God. Accept the message.
In time, I began to understand that God does not heal everybody physically. His main interest is your soul. Will a healing bring eternal salvation? Will a healing cause you to live on in a lifestyle that will cause the loss of heaven? Will suffering in the body be better for those around you who have not yet learned to give of themselves, to have empathy and mercy, or to see the value in people who are not otherwise viewed as perfect and able-bodied?
Pick up the Bible and read here and there in the Old Testament and in the New Testament to gain a few clues about how God works in the cases of healing miracles. Read from the writings of the saints to understand more about how and why God brings about miracles. There are some common elements involved, but there is no set formula to receive a supernatural healing from the Lord. The one obvious shared constant is faith. You must believe God can heal. One cannot presume that ending a prayer "in Jesus name" are magic words that make our Lord obey us.
There is no harm in praying for somebody's healing. And it is right to expect a miracle rather than limit God with human understanding, such as thinking, this is a terminal disease that God cannot help with. Pray with faith that God can do anything as long as it is in accordance with His will. Revisiting the scene of the agony in the garden, Jesus prayed that the Father's will be done. God is love. Everything He does is out of love.
Grace and magic are two completely different things. Nobody commands God to do anything. Whenever saints prayed and people whom they interceded for were healed, it wasn't their doing, but miracles were wrought by the power and the grace of God. God heard them, though, and He acted. Have you ever wondered why their prayers were so effective? Find out about the saints, read about their lives, and read their writing to find out more about the depth of their faith. The saints lived holy lives. That is a big clue right there. Every single one of us is called to holiness. Even you and I can become saints. Let's rejoice and give glory to God as He spiritually heals us. Ultimately, this is the best healing of all.
When I cannot pray because I am sorrowful, my heart cries out to God in silence anyway.
When I cannot pray because I am bitter, my body kneels in submission to the Lord anyway.
When I cannot pray because I am upset, my tongue receives Jesus in peace anyway.
When I cannot pray because I am disheartened, my actions reflect hope anyway.
When I cannot pray because I am lonely, my arms embrace Love anyway.
When I cannot pray because I am doubtful, my legs stand in His Presence faithfully anyway.
When I cannot pray because I am too busy, my mind prays anyway.
"You're not the boss of me!" you most likely have heard one child say to another. Though adults may not speak as glibly and candidly as little children, most of us think the same thing. Here are some of our silent thoughts when challenged or corrected: Who are you anyway? I don't have to listen to you. You are no better than I am. What makes you think you're right? I've got as much right as anybody to...
This carries right over into our thinking about the Catholic Church. We don't want religious leaders in our bedroom. One of the chants at pro-life rallies goes: Get your rosaries off our ovaries! Many Americans refer to our country as one having a separation of church and state. And some Catholic politicians set their religious views aside when they vote.
A lot of Catholic families learn about our faith from everywhere except the Church, the Catechism, and the Bible. When I was growing up, the only time I heard about what anybody said who mattered in the Church, like the Pope, was if it happened to be on the nightly news. I had no idea that these are intelligent individuals who actually wrote profound encyclicals and books. I accepted whatever was said about them as if it were the gospel truth. Little did I know that my authority, who I listened to, was the liberal reporter on my TV screen. I had no idea there was a liberal bias, nor that quotes are often taken out of context. I assumed that I was getting objective information from a trustworthy source, and that it was the truth.
We may not easily warm up to the authority of the Catholic Church initially, because it seems to come down on our lifestyle. We don't want the Church to be the boss of us. We have life experience and think we know how things work just about as well as the next guy. However, if you think about it, we really do listen to somebody and accept what that authority says. Just as I accepted what was shown on the news, you accept some source as your authority for what you believe. Like it or not somebody in some way IS the boss of you. Even if you want to believe that this person is you.
Since the truth of the matter is that we learn from many different sources and incorporate those ideas into our lives, why not let one of those voices of authority be from the One who gave His all for us, Jesus. Jesus, we see in the Scriptures, is the Truth. He came, the Bible tells us, to build His Church. He thinks the Church is pretty important. He said that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. There's power in the Church, then, according to our Lord. Christ finds His Church authoritative. The Holy Spirit knows more than we do, thank goodness. Isn't it time we stopped playing god and/or allowing unbelieving teachers to influence us to doubt our faith and embrace sinful ways; and rather take as our authority she who has safeguarded the Truth for us for about 2000 years, our holy Catholic Church.
“Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.” - St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
Especially when one is from a disadvantaged background, you can get caught up in hustling for a buck and falling into all manner of sin as you manage to struggle through one day and waking up to the next. The next day happens to be another like the one before more or less, and you are a victim of circumstance, reacting the best you can and rolling with the punches. There were times I thought that if I could just make it through the night until tomorrow arrived, it would be a better day; and I was surprised to find that the bright sunny day did not bring with it the miracle that I needed.
I tried to fight off the cruel oppressive world, I'd battle with myself, and try once more to stop sinning. I tried to have false hope because it was better than no hope. I tried to do the right thing in the midst of a gone-wrong life in a confusing and conflicted society. I tried to make better decisions. I tried to dig myself out of a deep hole. I could see the financial crisis and the losses of all sorts in my life. But I did believe God existed, somewhere out there, maybe He even resided in my heart, I knew I had a good heart.
Life was like a roller coaster ride for me. Maybe you've been there. Maybe you're there right now. If you're dealing with addiction, with an impossible work situation, or you feel like you will never find love; all is not lost. I've been there. Sometimes I still have to fight off those demons. Just about the time I've mastered one area, another temptation raises up to try to entice me to do something else that I know would not be pleasing to our Lord.
These days things are very different, though. I am not directionless, adrift in the midst of a great deadly ocean without a Life Savor. This change did not come about because I learned how to kick a bad habit or to master a new technique in some innovative psychological methodology. I stopped focusing on me and my pain and demanding all of my wishes come true. By the grace of God I understood that my whole life was spent trying to have my own way, and it was, big shocker, God whom I was really resisting. I responded, I surrendered to Jesus and Mary. I'm one of those "late arrivals" spoken of in today's homily (provided here below for your convenience.)
I know what is happening now that I am walking in the light. I am able to recognize that sin is always there at my door, and refuse it entry. There is spiritual warfare going on in our lives. There is testing and purification that is on-going, too. So I may fall down, but I am not out. I get up again, dust myself off, get to confession, and hold my head up once again. It is defeating to look at all the times I have fallen rather than remind myself of all of the times that I stood back up. And with Jesus and Mary to help me, and smile upon me and my little victories over sin, I am strengthened all the more to gladly say yes to God's will. I want to set those vices aside that are shameful and lead to ruin, and replace them all with life-transforming holy virtues. Don't you?
Today's Gospel Reading: Matthew 12:38-42
{12:38} Then certain ones from the scribes and the Pharisees responded to him, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
{12:39} And answering, he said to them: “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign. But a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
{12:40} For just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights, so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
{12:41} The men of Nineveh shall arise in judgment with this generation, and they shall condemn it. For, at the preaching of Jonah, they repented. And behold, there is a greater than Jonah here.
{12:42} The Queen of the South shall arise in judgment with this generation, and she shall condemn it. For she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, there is a greater than Solomon here.
My son was working on his own at computer programming, which is pretty impressive at his young age; and he called me over to show me how it was going. He typed "hello mom" without realizing that the cursor was in the middle of the title. "Amazing!" had quickly become "Amazhellomoming!" When you have a great mother, you don't have to search too much to see her right there in the middle of the most amazing things that are going on in your life. When you realize that Mary is your mother, you'll find her easily in all the bad times comforting you, and in all of the good times helping to make them happen. Blessed Mother, together we are Amazhellomoming!
Hail, Mary! Full of grace,
The Lord is with thee;
Blessed are thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Last year after my children and I went to the doctor for physicals, the doctor asked me about what all four of us were wearing and if it was something to do with our religion. I explained that they are scapulars and that we are Catholic and that they are a part of our faith. She remarked that this was odd, since she had been working at the clinic for 5 years and had never seen one before, and the majority of her patients are Catholic.
Prior to that visit, she had never seen one on any of us, either. I had heard someone say that it was a good idea to wear a scapular, but I saw no need to wear some superstitious magical trinket when I was walking with the Almighty God. I didn't even know anybody who wore one. It is such a rare thing in America to wear one, that even the priest was surprised to see it when my grandson asked him to bless the one I gave to him.
In my family, because I have been learning more about Mary, and have adopted her as my mother, we all now wear the brown scapular. I didn't know much if anything about it the day I saw them and bought them. It's just that Mary, the mother of God supposedly liked them, or so I'd heard. So I figured it couldn't hurt. After all, Our Lord and Our Lady want us to be a people of faith. Let me put it on right here and now, and I'll learn about it later, was my thinking.
I've since learned that Mary, our Lady of Mount Carmel gave us this promise: "Wear the Scapular devoutly and perseveringly. It is my garment. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of Me, and I in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life." Wow! This is no magic, it is a garment of grace. Speaking as one who has innumerable sins every single day of my life, this is good news. We all do things wrong, things that hurt others, things that we wish we'd never done. But you know what? Our Blessed Mother can help us with that.
It is a good idea to wear the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Holy Mary assures us: "Whoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire."
