A Change of Mentality

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist



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Brothers and sisters: On the subject of fraternal charity you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. Indeed, you do this for all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Nevertheless we urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more, and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

Today is the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist.  Most of us are very familiar with the story of John the Baptist's beheading. We read it over and over again throughout the liturgical cycle.  However, we can still harvest new meaning with every read.

Saint Paul speaks to the Thessalonians about aspiring to live a tranquil life, minding our own affairs. It is way too easy for us to blame others when life is messy and chaotic. We may meddle in other people's business in order to compensate for our own inadequacies.  A tranquil life is free from resentment and anger; gossip and meddling; envy and jealousy.  A tranquil life flourishes when we trust in the Lord and follow his teachings.  Sculpt and mold ourselves into better Christians through compassion and charity - not apathy and laziness.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote the following as presented in Magnificat's "Meditation of the Day:"

"The task set before the Baptist as he lay in prison was to become blessed by this unquestioning acceptance of God's obscure will; to reach the point of asking no further for external, visible, unequivocal clarity, but, instead, of discovering God precisely in the darkness of this world and of his own life, and thus becoming profoundly blessed.  John even in his prison cell had to respond once again and anew to his own call for metanoia or a change of mentality, in order that he might recognize his God in the night in which all things earthly exist."

What struck me about this quote is the call for metanoia -  a change of mentality.  Saint John the Baptist experienced a transformation as he accepted God's will despite the difficult situation he was in.  In the darkness of the world, light shines through as we accept life's uncharted courses.

Many times we go through our routines as if on automatic pilot.  We work 8+ hours a day.  We spend the weekends attending sporting events with the kids.  We surround our lives with a bunch of activity, but do we make time for God?  Do we make it a priority to pray every day and to attend Mass every Sunday?  Are we catechizing our children in the Catholic faith?  Are we setting aside time away from all of "fun" stuff in order to thank the Lord for his abundant blessings? I think it's time for each one of us to go through a mental "check" in terms of our spiritual health.  If our faith is out-of-balance; our beliefs off center; or our trust in God in decline it's time for real change. Just think if everyone adopted the "change of mentality" challenge maybe we'd see more people in the pews, less shootings on the television, less rates of divorce, a decrease in addictions, and a greater respect for all human life.  

Saint John the Baptist, Pray for Us!


 -J.

The Beauty of Sisterhood

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary


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Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter! Do not go to glean in anyone else’s field; you are not to leave here. Stay here with my women servants. Watch to see which field is to be harvested, and follow them; I have commanded the young men to do you no harm. When you are thirsty, you may go and drink from the vessels the young men have filled.” Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, Ruth said to him, “Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your notice?” Boaz answered her: “I have had a complete account of what you have done for your mother-in-law after your husband’s death; you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know previously.”


While meditating on today's first reading from Book of Ruth, images of sisterhood come to mind.  Nuns pray the Divine Office in choir; sorority sisters dress up in identical t-shirts while engaged in community outreach; biological sisters enjoy a cup of coffee as they reminisce about childhood; women of faith gather together in prayer and fellowship....  

Sisterhood is all about connection and formation of relationships centered around common interests, traditions, passions, and even misfortunes. 

Deep in our psyches humans desire to live in community.  God did not create us to remain alone in isolation.  We are meant to bond and unite in ways that nourish and build up the Kingdom of God.   In our technological world, we remain "connected" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Sadly, we now lack many one-on-one physical connections.  It's easier to text than pickup the phone and have a lengthy conversation.  It's quicker to look at a photo on Facebook than to meet an old friend for a meal and see how they look in person.  I think about all of my fellow "sisters" who I regularly follow on social media.  Some I have not seen in person in 2 or 3 years.  They even live in the same city.  

Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth are the perfect example of the beauty of sisterhood.  Even though not blood related, they share the grief associated with widowhood, losing the caretakers in their lives (husbands and sons).  Both women decide to travel together away from famine in order to start a better life.  They remain bonded together as they adapt to the new vocation of widowhood, gleaning for food and relying on the generosity of neighbors.  Naomi accepts her daughter-in-law even though she is a "foreigner."  The acceptance is reciprocated by Ruth.  They love one another like biological mother and daughter!  A shared faith in the Lord gives them the strength to persevere despite all of the tragedy they've endured.  Incredibly, Ruth could have decided to cut ties with Naomi after her husband's death, yet she loved her mother-in-law so much that she remained committed to her care. I wonder how many Naomis & Ruths exist in our modern day society.  We so often complain about annoying and frustrating "in laws."  Maybe we should step back and reflect on the relationship between Naomi and Ruth.  Perhaps we can "glean" inspiration from their story and improve  our own personal relationships.

Naomi plays match-maker as she introduces Boaz to Ruth. Of course, as all good love stories end, the couple gets married.  They give birth to a son they name Obed.  (Naomi is one proud grandma!) We know from biblical tradition that Ruth's son is an ancestor of Our Lord Jesus.  Wow, who ever thought the bond of sisterhood could become an important contribution to salvation history?!

"Holy Mary, comfort the miserable, help the faint hearted, cheer those that weep, pray for the people, be the advocate of the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God; may all who celebrate your memory feel the might of your assistance. Amen." (The Sancta Maria Prayer) 

-J.

Mary Arrayed in Gold

Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth.

As I prepare to sell my home, it's amazing the amount of "stuff" I've accumulated.  Some items haven't been touched since I moved in over 5 years ago. Words from Pope Francis such as "consumerism" and "throw-away culture" come to mind as I fill trash bags full of old clothing, house hold goods, and miscellaneous knick knacks.  Hopefully, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift will profit from my donations.

I find my prayer life has been set on "delayed" mode as I scramble to get the house in good sell condition.  Replace the dishwasher; install new carpet; fix the fence; paint the walls, etc. etc.  So much stress!  This is when I should be praying even harder!  

Sadly, as part of staging my home, I must remove all of my religious images including pictures of Our Blessed Mother. Her image always gives me peace in the middle of chaos, so storing her away in some old cardboard box doesn't seem right.  However, I understand that I could turn away potential buyers who may find my choice of religious art offensive.   Fortunately. once I move into my new apartment Our Blessed Mother will regain prominence.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Assumption of Mary.  Personally, this is one of my favorite Marian feast days.  I like to imagine Mary being pulled up into heaven as if carried on an invisible elevator.  Angels play their trumpets announcing to everyone in heaven, "The Blessed Mother is coming!  Alleluia!  Our Queen is here!"  The angels drape her in clothing made out of gold as a crown of twelve stars is placed on her head.  The gold is brilliant and shiny.  Nothing like we see here on earth.  As Mary enters heaven, she is greeted by her only Son!  They warmly embrace each other as the entire universe celebrates.

Before I became Catholic, I didn't pay much attention to Mary. I only thought of Mary around Christmas time as part of the manger scene.  Then as my love for the Catholic Church grew I finally realized that we cannot exclude Mary.  Her role as the mother of our Lord, and the spiritual mother of each one of us, is substantial.  We miss so much of our Christian faith if we exclude Mary.  

I encourage all Catholics to display an image of Our Blessed Mother in their homes or wear a Miraculous medal around their necks.  We should pray the rosary daily and set aside time out of our day to thank Mary for saying "Yes!"   Maybe consider going through the 33 Days of Consecration of Jesus through Mary or consider registering for a Rosary Confraternity.  Give Our Blessed Mother the recognition she deserves.

Saint Pope John Paul II wrote:

"Today the liturgy invites us to contemplate Mary, taken up body and soul into heaven. By a special privilege, she was enriched by divine grace from the moment of her conception, and Christ, who ascended to the right hand of the Father, opened the doors of his kingdom to her, first among human creatures. Now from heaven, where the Queen of the angels and saints is crowned, the Mother of God and of the Church is close to the Christian people before whom she shines as the “new and immaculate woman (who) mediated for the guilt of the first woman.”  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for Us!

-J.

Share God with a Friend

Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest

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Moses said to the people: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates."

One afternoon while in the check-out line at Target, I noticed a clever marketing campaign.  A small cardboard tower displayed bottles of Coke Zero.  Written on the label of each bottle were the words "Share a Coke with [A Name]."  I like personalized stuff, so I sorted through the bottles looking for the name Jennifer.  Sadly, I came up bottle empty! Either nobody wants to share a Coke with me or Jennifer just so happens to be one of the most popular girl names in the English language! My disappointment didn't last long when I discovered an even cooler name: Share a Coke Zero with Dominic.  Since I am a new Lay member of the Dominican family, the name "Dominic" is quite special.  I took a photo with my smartphone and posted it on our group's Facebook page.  Several "likes" followed. 

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers.  He was known for his good nature, joy, wisdom, piety, and miracles.  In the 13th century, Saint Dominic recognized the urgent need  to combat the Albigensian heresy rampant in France and Italy. He educated and reformed several communities of religious women as one of his first apostolic works. Because most priests and monks lived in monasteries, the idea of the itinerant (traveling preacher) caused quite a bit of controversy. Along with the preaching, Dominic encouraged the friars to pray the Divine Office and undergo rigorous study in doctrine and scripture as part of formation.  As a result, Dominicans became known as an intellectual order, often associated with universities..  The Truth (Veritas) was best proclaimed armed with knowledge.

In modern day, Saint Dominic would be considered quite an eccentric.  He walked from town to town, carrying with him the Book of Matthew and the Letters of Saint Paul.  He preferred to walk on bare feet as a form of penance.  Those who traveled with Dominic recalled how he often sang hymns while on the road.  At night he spent many hours in prayer. Dominican brothers and sisters often found him asleep anywhere in the church except in his bed.  As for meals, he refused to eat meat and fasted regularly.  Saint Dominic is best known for his Nine Ways of Prayer and the early devotion to the most Holy Rosary.

I can write on and on about Saint Dominic, however, for sake of brevity, I encourage blog followers to read further about his life.  Much of what is known about him comes from interviews taken during his canonization process.  Unfortunately, Dominic left very few written records.  He was too busy preaching, walking and praying!

The Order of Preachers will be celebrating their 800 year Jubilee beginning in November 2015 through the early part of 2017.  It's an exciting time for the Dominican family with lots of events planned.  In fact, I will be traveling to Rome in February 2016 to see some of the sites related to Saint Dominic.  I'll be staying at one of the very first convents Saint Dominic reformed. I plan to blog about my pilgrimage.  Stay tuned.

We can share a Coke with a friend.  However, it's much better to share God with a friend.  Who needs a bunch of empty calories and artificial sweeteners when we can can nourish our bodies with the divine sweetness of Jesus Christ!  Saint Dominic loved to preach the word of God and spread the good news. We can do the same thing if we put our hearts, minds, and strength to the task!

"A man who governs his passions is master of his world.  We must either command them or be enslaved by them.  It is better to be a hammer than an anvil" - Saint Dominic

 -J.

A Major Change on the Horizon

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

"Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people."

This evening as I type this brief meditation my head is in a tailspin.  Some BIG changes are on the horizon.   I'm nervous, anxious, excited, and fearful.  I don't quite know how my final game plan will turn out.  I'm weighing my options and doing the research.  I'm praying to the Lord above for a little divine intervention.  Ideas are rushing into my brain  like waves from the Reed Sea, crashing against the delicate neurons.  Hopefully I will stay sane through the next few months...

What's going on?  I'm starting the process of selling my house.  Ever since I took a job at a lower salary and with a long commute, I've struggled financially.  It's gotten to the point my home needs some needed improvements that I cannot afford without going into deeper debt. So, the best option is  to sell.  A part of me feels the release of a huge burden, but then the other side feels a loss.  It's like I failed at achieving the American dream.  I'm disappointed at myself for having to return back to noisy and cramped apartment living.  Then again, maybe the Lord is pushing me to sell.  The housing market in my area is super hot.  It's definitely a seller's market.  I may be able to  make a nice enough profit that will provide me with a fully-equipped emergency fund and extra savings.

I do not know what God has planned for me in the next 12 months, but for the first time in several years I think it's another major turning point in my life.  I've always loved to travel, yet this house has kept me from going to places I want to go.  I've always wanted to become more social; however, living out so far away from most fun events keeps me home bound.  I've always wanted to be able to save more money for emergencies and retirement, yet unexpected home repairs and maintenance overstretch my budget.

A home can be a huge blessing but also a curse....

Honestly, I shouldn't be too hard on myself.  I was able to afford a mortgage as a single woman.  That's an accomplishment in itself.  Some families can never afford a home on their own. 

I thank God for giving me the wisdom to realize when it's time to let go, time to make a change, and time to move on.

If selling this house is what is meant to be, everything will go smoothing just like when I first bought my adorable little home.  I think it's time to pass it along to new owners who can hopefully enjoy and care for it as much as I do. 

God favors his people at all times.  When we are unloving and unkind, he forgives.  When we are ungrateful and unappreciative, he still loves.  When he knows it's time for a life change, he is there as our guide.

-J.

Snow White as a Leper

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Numbers 12:1-13

So angry was the LORD against them that when he departed, and the cloud withdrew from the tent, there was Miriam, a snow-white leper! When Aaron turned and saw her a leper, he said to Moses,
“Ah, my lord! Please do not charge us with the sin that we have foolishly committed! Let her not thus be like the stillborn babe that comes forth from its mother’s womb with its flesh half consumed.” Then Moses cried to the LORD, “Please, not this! Pray, heal her!”

Sadly, nothing shocks me anymore.....

Back in bible times, hearing the story about Miriam turning into a snow-white leper for acting against God would've frightened people.  Yet, for today it's just strange and odd; not anything as gruesome as what we see on social media and news websites.

My coworker told us last Friday that our boss will be out of commission and we will have to continue projects on our own.  She seem to be holding a secret.  I figured it was something personal.  However, the news didn't really phase me since I'm used to my boss working from from home most of the time,  handling conference calls and "fighting fires" as she likes to call it.  Well, today she told me that she is pregnant again.  This time with twins.  She first joined our company pregnant two years ago.  So, now we get to repeat the maternity leave, but this time with a possibility of bed rest since it may become a high risk pregnancy.  I am happy for my boss' news from a pro-life perspective.  I'm happy she did not chose to terminate the unexpected pregnancy.  However, I cannot help but be concerned from a business perspective.  We are a very small team with not many resources, and we don't have a strong back up manager.  So, for the next few months will be a challenge.  I pray to God that we will pull through.....

In the meantime, maybe by some miracle I can find a new job, one with better pay and less drama. God speed, please!

I think today's scripture reading from the Book of Numbers is quite eery in light of The Center of Medical Progress release of video number four of Planned Parenthood Exposed.  The passage alludes to the image of a stillborn child with the flesh half consumed from the mother's womb.  Wow....

Watching the video this afternoon, I nearly threw up all over myself seeing a frozen fetus being picked apart.  It's eyes, liver, neural tissues, and a severed leg manipulated on a large dish.  The workers in these videos acted like it was all no big deal.  They talk about baby parts and gestation stages with so little concern.  It's all part of the job.  When at the end of the video, the Director of Research and a technician at a large PP clinic in Texas said, "Oh, some of the other Texas affiliates are saying what we are doing is illegal." I was appalled...What if a mom who just aborted at 22 weeks and discovered that was her dead baby picked apart and crushed into fragments for "medical research"?  I cannot imagine the nightmares, the tears, and the remorse

Eventually, God healed Miram.  He didn't allow his anger to brew for a long time.  We know God also heals the women who've undergone abortions.  He heals those who work in the abortion industry.  He allows the Truth to be revealed slowly but surely.  As I wrote earlier this week, God willing, Planned Parenthood will go down.  

Keep praying for a greater respect for all human life.  Keep praying for an end to the evil of the abortion industry.  Keep praying for a conversion of hearts to Christ!

-J.

God's Seal of Approval

Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel of John 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”

Are you hungry?  Did you wake up this morning with a growling stomach?  If Jesus drove by in a food truck handing out free breakfast burritos and coffee, would you stop by?  I think most of us would say "yes."  I mean, free food is free food, right?  Just drive by Jesus' truck and grab a quick bite to eat before heading off to work.....

However, what if Jesus asked you to stay a while to listen to the good news? This is the only thing he asks.  Just sit down on the green lawn and eat your breakfast slowly and meaningfully while also chewing on the Word of God. Perhaps share what you hear with your friends and coworkers.  It's not so difficult, is it? Sadly, I think most people would pass on the preaching:  No time, Jesus.  I need to go to work.  I need to make money for my family...Oh,.By the way, Jesus, will you have the food truck open for dinner? I can stop by around 6 and bring the familly.  Thanks for the free food.

God does not stamp his seal of approval when we demand things from him or his Son.  He frowns when our prayers are shallow and self- focused, if we pray at all.  Even worse is when we complain about the blessings God does provide us because we think they are not good enough. 

 Do we only turn to Christ when we want something for ourselves?  Do we pray for the superficial instead of the substantial? Do we think Our Lord is a magician who can make our lives instaneously free of worry and regret?  Do we "use" God?

When our relationship with Christ is a healthy one, praying for the needs of others and sharing the Truth in compassionate ways, God's seal of approval is branded in our hearts.  He is pleased because we take the initative to live authentic Christian lives.  We are not only spiritually fed but take that spiritual food and share it with others.  

Invite a friend to mass.  Organize a bible study group.  Get involved in a pro-life or social justice cause.  Become a prayer warrior.  Evangelize, evangelize, evangelize!  Do not fall into the temptation of the lackluster Catholic who consumes but does not produce. 

Spread Christ's message to others and receive God's seal of approval for the valiant effort!

-J.

You Can't Always Have What You Want!

Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

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Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

One Saturday morning I stopped by Costco to buy mega rolls of paper products.  As I wheeled my bulky cart toward the exit, I came across a boy throwing a fit in the food court.  He sat on the concrete floor stomping his feet as tears streamed down his red face.  He whined and cried out: "Mom, I want cheese sticks!  Why can't I have them?  Waaaah!"  Not surprising, his mom just stood with her eyes glued to her cell phone, ignoring her son. Perhaps she was Google searching "How to stop my child from throwing a fit" or texting a friend for advice. Highly unlikely....

 Did the other Costco customers find this kid as disturbing as I did? Maybe similar thoughts entered their minds: What is wrong with you, Lady? Put down your silly cell phone, pick up your kid, and get out of here now! Your little boy needs a spanking, time out, or something! We'd like to enjoy our dining and shopping experience here in Costco-land without kiddie drama, thank you very much!

Is it just me or does today's society produce record numbers of clueless people?  Everywhere I go I see children, and adults alike, acting inconsiderate, ignorant, or just plain indifferent....

I'd like to kindly throw out this reminder:  You can't always have what you want!  Keep not-giving-a-flip about other people. Keep living your head up in the clouds. Keep acting like a jerk.  Keep pitching that fit.  Keep demanding things your way. The results you want may never meet your expectations.

By now, most Americans are aware of the Planned Parenthood Exposed videos released by The Center for Medical Progress.  I've watched each video in utter repulsion.  I won't go into the gory details, but selling aborted fetal parts in a black market scheme is way beyond safe reproductive healthcare.  Clearly, PP thinks they can continue to have what they want -- tax payer funds under the shadows of secrecy and controversy; a powerful lobbying force that kills for profit without a care. God willing, Planned Parenthood will go down as the Truth of their shady operations become more visible.

In today's gospel reading, John the Baptist is arrested for saying quite matter-of-factly that King Herod has no right to his brother's wife.  Yet, Herod doesn't want to hear the word No! How dare this "wild man" of a prophet who eats honey and locusts tell him what he cannot have!  In the ultimate plot of revenge, John's head is cut off and delivered on a platter.  Problem solved.... However, an unwelcome side effect looms; he will always have the blood of a martyr stained on his conscience.

Is getting what you want going to make you any happier?  What if you turned away from your own selfish desires and asked God what He desires best for your livelihood?

Saint Alphonsus Liguori, whose feast day we celebrate today, wrote the following: 

"Our Savior says, if you have not received the graces that you desire, do not complain to me, but blame yourself, because you have neglected to seek them from me." 

Wow, such powerful morsels of wisdom!  The next time we shuffle out the selfish card and think that I can have whatever I want, think again.  If it's something unhealthy for us or will put us into a state of mortal sin, it's probably best that it doesn't happen.  Those times when we do unfortunately lack something that is meaningful for us, remember that the Lord has something else better planned.  

I'll conclude with another quote from Saint Alphonsus worthy of reflection:

"If you wish to strengthen your confidence in God still more, often recall the loving way in which He has acted toward you, and how mercifully He has tried to bring you out of your sinful life, to break your attachment to the things of earth and draw you to His love."

Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Pray for Us!

-J.