It’s Monday again and I’m still amazed that the weekends can pass so quickly. Brian is off at work and the kids are still snug in their beds so I thought I’d make a post. This morning I can’t stop thinking about a conversation I had with a dear friend of mine who has a serious illness. It has made me really think about the brevity of our lives in comparison to eternity. It reminded me of a promise I made to God that I wouldn’t just settle for being comfortable in life, but instead, I’d try to make a difference. I promised to love God with all my heart and to do whatever He asked of me to help others come to a greater love for Christ. It made me reevaluate how I have been living this promise.
I know we all need a little relaxing “downtime,” but I think we can get caught up in a lot of frivolous things that, although not bad in themselves, can keep us from doing what we are called to do as Christians – to love God with all our heart, mind and strength and to evangelize the world so others may do the same. So I challenge you to join me in asking God this question: “Lord, is there something in my life that is taking up too much of my time and energy? And if so, please give me the wisdom and strength to correct it.”
Category Archives: catholic faith
Monday Morning Ponderings
Confession: Working on the Nitty Gritty
Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn – Return of the Prodigal Son
I’ve been thinking a lot about confession lately, particularly after just receiving the sacrament on Saturday. I try to go every two weeks at best and once a month at worst. I remember a time years ago when I was living with serious sin and not frequenting confession. Thankfully, the grace of God got me back on track and I am no longer a stranger to the Sacrament.
However, I now find myself in another kind of confessional quandary. I sometimes fall into the trap of thinking, “Well, I’m not doing so bad…at least I am no longer (fill in the blank with a serious sin.)” This attitude always creeps up on me when my night prayers/examination have been on the weak side. Knowing I had to correct this, I made an extra effort with my exam and went to Confession to a new priest from a local parish. Normally after I state my sins, I receive a few words of direction and then my absolution of a Hail Mary or two. However, this priest wasn’t going to give me a quickie-confession. He spoke to me in a gentle but straightforward way that actually brought me to tears.
It was if the grace of God was poured down upon me and I got a glimpse of how much Christ loves me and how my lack of love hurts his Sacred Heart. In that moment, I felt like a selfish wife who takes her husband for granted but figures that as long as she is not cheating on him, it’s okay. However, “not cheating” on your husband is much different from truly “loving” your husband.
After I left the confessional, I walked over to the sanctuary, with Bella and Andrew in tow, to pray before Our Lord and say my penance but I didn’t even have enough time and had to do my penance later in the evening. Instead of the usual two Hail Mary’s I had to say a whole rosary. It was as if God was bringing the point home and saying to me loud and clear, “I love you but don’t mistakenly think that those “little” sins don’t matter, especially since you know better. Where much has been given, much is expected.” Ouch. Point taken.
Our Lord wants all of me and I haven’t been doing that lately. I know it is a constant work in progress but I am grateful for these times when I’m given a reality check and reminded that Christ must stay at the center of my heart in order for me to selflessly love Him and sacrificially love those around me. Thank you, Lord, for your patient and merciful heart! (And to that unknown priest, thank you for giving me just what I needed! May God bless you and strengthen you!)
“Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph 5:1-2)
PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd or Instagram (It’s set to private but I’ll approve you.) š
PPS – This post may contain affiliate links.
Lighthouse Media: Catholic CD of the Month Club
A friend was telling me about a Catholic CD of the Month Club and it sounds great! Each month you receive a CD from one of a number of Catholic speakers. Some of the CD’s sent out these past months include: The Face of God by Mother Teresa with bonus talk by Dr. Scott Hahn – Understanding the Eucharist (Jun 2008), The Seven Levels of Intimacy by Matthew Kelly (May 2008), and A Guide to Raising (almost) Perfect Kids by Dr. Gregory Popcak & Lisa Popcak with bonus talk – Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime by Dr. Ray Guarendi (Apr 2008). That’s some good stuff! In fact, in the time it took to type this, I decided to join.
The cost is $5 a month for one copy and or you can get discounted bulk prices to pass along to friends. Check it out at Lighthouse Catholic Media.
Dealing with Infertility, Miscarriage and Suffering in General – Part II
I was thinking about yesterday’s post this morning and it got me to thinking about suffering in general. There are various degrees but whether you are suffering from infertility, the loss of a child, the death of your husband or any number of things, there seems to be a point where you are able to lift your eyes and see that you are not the only one suffering.
A friend struggling with infertility told me about a book she was reading about a Japanese woman who was persecuted for her faith – they tortured her and her 3 yr old child. Despite the horrors she faced, she kept her faith saying, “Remember that life on earth is very short and eternity is very long.” It brought to mind friends who have suffered tremendous loss – a newly married friend whose husband was accidentally killed while she was pregnant with their first child, another friend whose mom was brutally raped and murdered, and an acquaintance who suffered eight miscarriages in a row. They could not comprehend why God allowed these things. The internal anguish was acute but they relied on God’s grace and only He was able to bring them through it.
This was a tremendous example to me. I don’t think the pain of loss ever fully goes away but it helped when God’s grace allowed me to take the focus off of myself and realize that there are many who suffer, and suffer greater than I do. After some time, I finally reached a point of saying, “Ok God, you obviously have a different plan for me right now, so what are you asking of me?” And He let me know. There was work for me to do while I was single (looking for a husband,) childless (praying for a baby,) parent of one (missing my miscarried babies) etc. It was difficult but God used these opportunities to bring me out of myself so I could stop focusing on only what I wanted from God and start focusing on the larger picture (eternity) and asking God what did He want of me?
A Blessed Easter 2007!
The Light of Christ
by Brian
by Brian
One of my favorite parts of the morning is the dawn. Watching the sun slowly appear over the eastern mountains is an awesome sight. It’s beautiful to see the various shades of yellow, orange and red slowly taking shape and ushering in a new day and pushing back the darkness of the night.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn. 1:5) Like the dawn, the light of Christ dispels the darkness, pushes it back, and reveals the majesty, beauty and love of the Most Holy Trinity. This light is not for a chosen few, but is for everyone. It is a light that radiates the glory of Heaven and the love God has for the world. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16)
Each baptized Catholic is called to be a bearer/channel of this light. As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before men…” (Mt. 5:14,16) Christ needs each one of us to share His Light with others, by following his commandments, especially to love God and neighbor, while listening to His Bride the Church. By being channels of His Light we will push back the darkness of sin and evil and become “living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.” (Rom. 12:1)
This heavenly light that permeates the world and is the focal point of the Easter season, can never be manufactured or produced, but is a free gift from the “Father of Light.” Like an icon that captures the depths of light radiating the holiness of the person or Biblical event depicted, any man or woman whose heart is filled with the Light of Christ will also radiate holiness.
When I reflect upon the life of Pope John Paul II, I see a man who was filled with the Light of Christ, and because of it, produced remarkable fruit for the Kingdom. How many people, who were of other faiths or beliefs, recognized his love for them and all the good works he initiated? Because of this, many hearts were turned toward Heaven and many people could be heard giving glory to God.
The light that radiated from John Paul II bears witness to its beauty and power. It attracts those trapped in sin, it warms those bitten by the coldness of evil and nurtures those stunted by spiritual darkness. Where the Light of Christ is, there you will find Christ Himself.
I encourage all of you during this Easter season, which ends on Pentecost Sunday, to reflect on the theme of Light and how each one of us is called to be channels of that light, instruments of love and people of holiness. I also encourage you to pray daily to the Holy Spirit who will gladly answer your prayer and fill you with the Light of Christ.
Happy Easter!
God bless.