Speak from the Heart

Monday of the First Week of Advent

Romans 10:9-18

Brothers and sisters:  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.

Yesterday, I stopped by Target to buy groceries.  As I pushed the shopping cart down the diary aisle, I recognized a woman I went to high school with.  I took a double take:  Is it really Erin?  I thought she lived out of state?  Wow, the last time I saw her was at our 20 year high school reunion....

Erin stood right next to me as she checked out the dairy foods; however, I couldn't get the courage to say a word to her.  What kept me silent?  What was I afraid of?  It's not like I despised the woman.  I thought she was pretty cool back in high school.  She was absolutely brilliant - a National Merit Scholar and later became a successful IT professional.  We played in the orchestra together ever since middle school.  She never minded lugging around her heavy and bulky string bass to and from practice.

Come to think about it now....I looked absolutely dreadful with no make-up on and ratty looking hair.  I allowed vanity  to stop me from calling out "Hi Erin!" with a pleasant smile on my face.  I was too worried  if she'd remember me or if I could carry on a conversation for five minutes.  I quickly pushed my cart into another aisle to avoid the interaction.  

Words are sometimes difficult for us to say.  Maybe we feel awkward around the person or just do not understand where they are coming from.  On the other hand, maybe it's a case where we have nothing in common and silence is the golden option.

The tragedy happens when we speak out of anger and not out of love.   We get upset with our spouse and curse them out.  We get impatient with our children and yell at them.  We throw our middle fingers up at God saying, "How could you do this to me?  What kind of God are you?  My life is in the gutter!  Things are just so awful!  I just can't take it anymore!  You disappoint me, God!  I just don't know if I trust you anymore."

Calm down, think, meditate.....Remember that God isn't the enemy.  He is the caretaker. He does not want us to blaspheme him or say cruel words to others.  He wants us to speak from the heart.  That is, speak with respect and love.  Speak with honor and compassion.  Sometimes if we do not have something nice to say it's best to zip our mouths shut!  Trust me, I've blabbered mouth enough to get myself in trouble over the years.  

During the Season of Advent, let us see where we may be weak in our interactions with others.  Are we quick to speak before thinking?  Are we quick to criticize instead of compliment?  Do we have a solid relationship with the Lord?  Have we gone to confession lately?

Speak from the heart but with love and kindness.  Be honest and truthful.  Do not be scared of what others may think.  Now that I look back, I should have said a friendly "Hello, great to see you!" to my long-ago friend.  Well, maybe I'll have the chance next time.

-J.

Lights Camera... Advent!

First Sunday of Advent

(Click Here for Readings)

1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts,  to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father  at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

Happy 1st Day of Advent and Happy Liturgical New Year!  In 2015-2016, the Sunday readings will be taken from Cycle C, the Gospel of Luke. Today as we light the first candle on the Advent wreath we meditate on the theme of Hope.

We can all use quite a bit of hope during this extremely busy time of the year.  We hope to find great deals on gifts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  We hope to "get-along" with annoying friends and relatives we see over the holidays.  (Without going completely insane...)We may even hope for that bonus or job promotion to help pay for our shopping sprees.

Hope is much more than material possessions or getting what we desire.  Hope is that longing in our hearts for something special; something that will heal our brokenness and give us the strength to keeping moving forward.  Hope sustains and illuminates.  The one lonely flickering light on the Advent wreath signals more to come!  Jesus hasn't arrived yet, but he will be with us shortly.  Also, the end times haven't arrived yet either.  Hope remains that we can change our sinful ways way before the Last Judgment.

During the Advent Season, I have made a personal goal to post a daily meditation.  I've been a little lax in my writing over the past several weeks.   Doing something that I love to do, like writing, is the best way for me to prepare for the coming of the Lord.  

Please stay tuned and invite others to read my meditations.

Lights, camera....Advent!  It's time to prepare for the coming of our Lord.

-J.

Trapped By Surprise

Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

By JENNIFER BURGIN

(Click Here for Readings)

Jesus said to his disciples:“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.  For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth."

As we approach Advent, the scripture readings take a darker turn.  We read from the Prophet of Daniel about terrifying visions of beasts.  Jesus warns his disciples about the heaven and earth passing away as the Kingdom of God draws near.  

Today, some people believe the "end of the world" is happening sooner than later. Terrorist attacks, catastrophic weather events, cyber security threats, and unending wars -- such realities keep us in a state of fear.   However, we should remember that evil has always been present.  Human beings remain cold and calculating; selfish and sadistic; blunt and brutal just like they did 2000 years ago.  The only difference is bad news travels instantly, thanks to the Internet and technology.  What used to be a localized scandal is now a global one.

By now most people know that the famous actor Charlie Sheen is HIV positive. He contracted the virus 4 years ago but paid millions of dollars to keep it a secret. He continued to engage in unprotected sex with various women. Trapped by his life-threatening disease, knowing full well his surprise could ostracize him in the entertainment industry, he paid for silence.  Now that his medical condition is out in the open he must live with the stigma.

Like Charlie Sheen, many people engage in risky behaviors and make incredibly poor choices. The "anything goes" mentality give them the false sense of security.  They'd never dream of contracting a deadly disease or losing their fortunes.  Moreover, they'd never imagine the effect their addictions would have on friends and family. Trapped by surprise these individuals are unable to deal with the fallout.

Do you ever feel trapped?  Do you ever pray to God, asking him for a way out of the crazy maze?  Do you feel like he doesn't listen?  God listens!  He drafts away your life's course with a delicate touch of an ink quell pen.  But, wait! The scene hasn't arrived yet!  Like a movie film the video needs editing.  God notices you chose a wide, rickety path  filled with boobie traps!  He cannot always rescue you at a moment's notice.  Perhaps you need to learn a lesson.  Perhaps he has already provided you tools for the way out of the mouse trap.  Perhaps he wants you to use your intellect to make positive changes.

I find surprises interesting.  They keep life fresh and invigorating.  Yes, sometimes surprises aren't so great like when a person is diagnose with cancer or gets involved in a car accident.  Other surprises, like the announcement of a pregnancy or a new job offer, are dreams come true.  Surprises make life worth living; God hands out baskets full of them, day and night. 

As Jesus warns his disciples, we should remain vigilant and prepared when he does return at the end of time to judge.  Personally, I do not see the end happening anytime in our lifetimes, so we can take that off our our worry lists!  Too much work remains in evangelizing the good news. Too many souls close to conversation.  Too many good people alive who continue to carry out godly work despite unending evil.

Do not feel trapped by surprise.  Life happens and its not always so neat and orderly.  All we can do is accept what the Lord gives us.  We all experience small "end of the world" dramas when we lose a friend, spouse, parent or even a child.  We must remain strong, turning to Our Lord and his Blessed Mother in humble and contrite prayer.  

Advent begins tomorrow!  Let us prepare for the coming of the baby Jesus by letting go of the areas in our lives which leave us trapped and vulnerable.  

The rains continue to fall as the temperatures reach the seasonal chill.  No, the apocalypse is not now!  Just another day, another hour, another minute, another second....Hearts continue to beat as the world keeps turning.

-J.

  

Give Thanks

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."
  - Meister Eckhart

Every Thanksgiving my mother and I, along with my dachshund, make the long drive to my grandparents' house in East Texas.  Usually my aunt's parents join us from Florida.  I always enjoy visiting them.  But, I noticed my aunt's father didn't appear his normal talkative self.  Turns out he will be undergoing a special heart procedure.  He's experienced difficulty breathing for many weeks now. We are all very concerned and pray the surgery goes well.

My doggy was in canine heaven feasting on pieces of turkey my uncle dropped on the floor.  Uncle makes sure every last morsel of meat is trimmed off bones for all of us to enjoy.

This year my mom got out her iPad and played funny videos.  By the time everyone watched them, I'd seen and heard the videos 5 times.  Well, I can't complain too much.  One  thing my family does like to do is share funny stories and laugh!  I never knew about mom's teen adventures in Acapulco until my grandfather told a story from 50 years ago.  Wow, my mom really attracted attention from the men!

It was nice to get my mind off of my troubles and enjoy great food and companionship.  Even though my head once again gave me sinus trouble, I kept a cheerful disposition.  During the Dallas Cowboy game, grandma and I had a chance to catch up.  She gave me a few lozenges to help my throat and sinus pressure. She's always good at home remedies.

 I am so incredibly thankful for family members who are intelligent, caring, loving, and helpful.  I realize not everyone family is so blessed!  Sometimes I am quick to take family for granted.  I do not feel like driving an hour and a half out of Dallas for a country visit.  I much rather stay home and do whatever I want.  However, during special holidays like Thanksgiving I remember that my grandparents are aging.  Our Lord may decide to take them into the pearly gates at any time.  I should relish in those precious moments I do have with them as well as my mom, sister, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Thanksgiving is about sharing and caring.  It is a day to stop and be thankful for all of the many blessings in our lives.  Thanksgiving encourages us to look at the positive.  What has happened this year that has been really great?  Who has helped the most?  How have I changed?  What do I thank God for the most?

We should make it a habit to say more THANK-YOUs! Sometimes we are blessed but too stubborn to realize it.  We focus so much on the complaining that the blessings are often ignored. Let's change this!

I thank the Lord for a wonderful family, a terrific new home situation, gainful employment, awesome friends, and the beautiful Catholic faith. Of course, God has a hand in all of this and so much more.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

-J.

The Writing on the Wall

Wednesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28

When the gold and silver vessels taken from the house of God in Jerusalem had been brought in, and while the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers were drinking wine from them, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.

Suddenly, opposite the lampstand, the fingers of a human hand appeared, writing on the plaster of the wall in the king’s palace. When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, his face blanched; his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook, and his knees knocked.

Imagine the Lord watching you from heaven's telescope video recording something truly awful.  You cheat on an exam; take a watch from a store; sleep with a neighbor's husband or wife; steal a church's gold & silver communion cups melting them down for money!  Do you think God would be happy?  Certainly not!   Do you think you can just get away with doing something dishonest, unethical, and downright illegal without repercussions?   

Our action and inaction always produce consequences.  We may not see the writing on the wall (i.e. how much harm we caused) until its too late.  We receive an indictment, divorce papers, or hefty fine.  We may sincerely regret our evil ways, or we may deny anything wrong!  How easy for us weak humans to justify every little thing we think, say, or do.  That writing on the wall is illegible!  What do the words of honesty, integrity, and truth really mean?

Imagine once again you are in the middle of a terrible act and a hand magically appears.  Out of thin air, and not necessarily a brick wall, the following words appear:  Stop Look Listen  

What on earth is this all about?  Simply put: 

STOP doing what you know is wrong.

LOOK into yourself and realize the sin is not worth the negative consequences.

LISTEN and follow your conscience.

It doesn't take a the prophet Daniel to help us interpret our sinful ways.  It doesn't take a creepy-looking hand appearing magically to spell out for us how much our wrong offends God, our neighbors, and even ourselves!  What makes us truly understand right from wrong is faith in God.  Moreover, we must be committed to live in holy, honest ways.  Follow The Commandments and the Beatitudes to the best of our abilities. Amazing how we can change for the better by letting go of acts that separate us from God and replace them with actions that unite us to Christ and others.

-J.

Christ, King of the Universe

The Solemnity Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Gospel of John 18:33B - 37

Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

[My apologies for the delay in posting  this past Sunday's meditation.  I hope to write more during the Advent and Christmas seasons. I appreciate those who read my blog faithfully!  -J.]

When I think of the word "universe" I conjure up images of stars and galaxies far away.  Meteors shower and the moon eclipses in the night sky.  Satellites and space stations float above the earth's atmosphere taking pictures of the mysterious abyss.

Moreover, I think of Miss Universe beauty pageants or Mr. Universe championships.    Miss Universe contestants, faces caked with thick makeup, wear revealing evening gowns.  They give silly answers to interview questions.  Then, Mr. Universe contestants flaunt their biceps and triceps. They are all too proud of their bulk and size.

All of this focus on physical beauty and the entertainment value of human body makes the idea of Jesus Christ as "King of the Universe" difficult to swallow.  Isn't the whole idea of King (or Queen) centered around attractiveness, wealth, and power?  Isn't a King supposed to be someone who is living and breathing?  Isn't a King something that we all wish to be:  King of our families, our careers, our selfish desires and needs?

I recently heard from a priest on Catholic radio:  If we give up our desires we will feel less burdened.  No need to obsess, worry and fear if we want of nothing!  Give complete control over to Jesus Christ Our Lord - King of the Universe - realizing He created and formed us in his holy image.  He has a special plan for each one of us.  When we are open to the movements of the Holy Spirit; when we are open to change; when we are open to spiritual growth amazing things happen!

A Prayer to Christ the King

O Jesus Christ, I acknowledge you as universal King. All that has been made has been created for You. Exercise all Your rights over me. I renew my Baptismal Vows. I renounce Satan, his pomps and his works; I promise to live as a good Christian. And, in particular do I pledge myself to labor, to the best of my ability, for the triumph of the rights of God and of Your Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, to You do I offer my poor services, laboring that all hearts may acknowledge Your sacred kingship, and that thus the reign of Your peace be established throughout the whole universe. Amen.

-J.

Solidarity Through Our Blessed Mother

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary


(Click Here for Readings)

So he called in all his Friends and said to them: “Sleep has departed from my eyes, for my heart is sinking with anxiety.

I said to myself: ‘Into what tribulation have I come, and in what floods of sorrow am I now! Yet I was kindly and beloved in my rule.’ But I now recall the evils I did in Jerusalem, when I carried away all the vessels of gold and silver that were in it, and for no cause gave orders that the inhabitants of Judah be destroyed. I know that this is why these evils have overtaken me; and now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land.”

The Seasonal Blues    My body whines in discomfort as my mind oozes with sadness and anxiety.  This time of the year begins three long months of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  The lack of sunlight, colder days and seasonal allergy symptoms leave me tired and irritable.  I feel like Scrooge with "Blah Humbug" as my middle name.  I ask Our Lord the same three letter word every year  - WHY?  Why do I feel so dreadful?  Why do I have difficulty getting into the holiday spirits?  Why do I dwell on all the wrong in my life instead of  the good?  Why is prayer and meditation such a greater challenge?   Sometimes I wonder if life as a bear would be better.  Then I can hibernate during the dreary months of  November thru February...   

One thing for certain is I always turn to Our Blessed Mother during these tough months.  She gives me encouragement when I rather mope around, depressed and isolated from others.

The Presentation of Our Blessed Mother  Today, the church celebrates the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Although not mentioned in the New Testament, the story is found in the apocryphal book Protoevangelium of James.  Grateful for a child after years of infertility, Anne and Joachim wished to consecrate Mary to God. Tradition states that at the age of 3 years Anne and Joachim presented Mary at the Jerusalem temple where she remained with other young girls, educated in the Jewish faith.  

In Solidarity   When I feel depressed, the last thing I want to see or hear is bad news from the media.  So, when terrorists attacked Paris, killing 129 people including an American, I mourned like the rest of the world.  I imagined Our Blessed Mother wrapping the entire country of France in her arms with tears streaming down her cheeks.  When her children hurt, she hurts.  When violence strikes, Our Blessed Mother protects.  When life is full of despair and sadness, Mary comforts us in special way only a loving mother knows. 

"Oh Mother of God, some may rejoice in their innocence, others may be glad of their plentiful merits, let others exult in God's mercy shown to them without intermediaries; but you, my Mother, you are the only hope and solace of my life.  When I completely despair of God and of myself, thinking of you, recalling you, my spirit comes alive again, as if out of the deepest darkness.  You are my glorying, my well-being, my honor, and my life."  - Blessed Henry Suso

-J.

Render Justice

Saturday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time


(Click Here for Readings)

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’”



Monday's Nocturnal Distress    Peacefully asleep in my bed, I suddenly woke up feeling lightheaded and clammy all over.  I recognized the signs of an approaching fainting spell, so I began deep yoga breathing as I removed my bed covers and nightshirt.  I reached over for a glass of water, placed on the nightstand, but found it empty.  Soon I passed out.....

I found myself lying on the carpet unable to open my eyes or move my hands and legs.  Ringing filled my ears. I do not know how long I was unconscious.  Maybe only a few minutes or as much as an hour. The inside of my mouth was filled with ulcers.  My nose bled non-stop and the right side of my head screamed in pain.  I noticed a scrape on my left knee, the result of a carpet burn.

What caused me to faint?  How did I fall off the bed like this? Then I remembered the new medication I took earlier in the evening. I succumbed to its serious side effects...

The next day I stayed home from work while I nursed bruises around my eye, nose, and chin.  I searched Google for info on the malicious Rx.  Turns out the drug dangerously lowers the body's sodium levels which causes lower blood pressure, fainting and a laundry list of other adverse effects.  Evidently, the drug company was sued by the FDA five years ago for improperly marketing the drug.  The drug company had to pay millions in fines.

When I filled the prescription, the pharmacist seemed to be especially concerned about making sure I was aware of the potential side effects. I blew him off thinking I'd be okay.  Boy, I should have heed the warning!

I felt like I came close to death experiencing this nocturnal distress.

Domestic Distress   Thank the Lord I did not seriously injure myself from the fainting spell. However, many women and children who are regularly abused are not so fortunate.  They live in daily fear not knowing when the next yell, slap, or punch will strike next. Their physical distress is endless.  A battered wife may think to herself:

What is wrong with me?  Why does he punch when he gets liquored up?  Why does he slap me around when he's mad at someone else?  I do not know where to go or where to turn to!  The  make-up may cover up the bruises on the outside but I'm bleeding on the inside --so much pain and hopelessness. Will I ever get away from the violence?  What about the safety of my children?  Dear God, please help me!

Like the battered wife, the widow in today's gospel reading felt the sting of the adversary's abuse. We are not sure what her problem was.  Did a land owner treat her unfairly?  Was she being forced into slavery of some sort?  Did some how she get cheated out of her property?  All we know is that she was fed up with the judge's inaction. She demanded justice, a resolution of some sort.  Her hounding and pleading bothered the judge so much that he gave in and granted her request.  How come he was so scared that she would strike him?  I can't help but think of the judge as a cranky old wimp too unmanly to deal with a strong, resilient woman.  The widow had enough of the injustice!  She remained persistent and eventually got what she asked for.

Render Justice   Remember these words:  Pray always without becoming weary!  When bad things happen to us, lift them up to the Lord.  Seek help when things seem hopeless.  Get away from a dangerous situation however difficult it may be.  Be resilient and strong when life whips us around in the most unexpected ways.  Remember that God does not wish for any of his children to be abused and neglected.  Do not give up on justice!  Sometimes we think those who hurt us will never get punished.  However, God has an amazing away of handling people and situations.  We just need to remain faithful and trust in his Holy Will.

"Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty."

-Blessed Oscar Romero

-J.

An Arrow Through the Heart

Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time


(Click Here for Readings)

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”

My freshman year of college I registered for an Intro to Archery class.  I thought:  What a cool opportunity to learn one of the oldest methods of hunting and defense.  Maybe I can "Wow" a Handsome "Bo" with my bow and arrow skills! 

Unfortunately, my inner romanticism clouded my judgment. I believed the archery class would be easy "A", but it turned out painfully difficult.   Each class left me with bruised arms, callused hands, and sore shoulders. I hit areas of my body more than the target itself!  Mid-point through the semester the instructor noticed my struggles.  She began working with me one-on-one and determined that I am left-eye dominant. Simply wearing an eye patch helped better aim the  arrows toward the bullseye.  Eventually I hit the target consistently and stopped bruising my arms.  I felt like Miss One-Eyed Robin Hood but without Little John or Friar Tuck.

I never picked up a bow and arrow ever again after I barely passed that archery class....

God knows our hearts.  He knows what we think, how we feel, and why we do what we do. We may think he doesn't notice our struggles.  We may curse him when we believe our lives are going nowhere.  The bow is broken and the arrows are used up.  We've shot an arrow here, there and everywhere  but out of reach of a target.  Do we even realize God's unconditional love is the target of choice? Why do we shoot off  arrows of fear, insecurity, rage and jealousy in all directions possibly wounding ourselves and others? 

We shoot an arrow into a pot of fool's gold only to discover riches do not buy happiness.  We knock over a whiskey or prescription pill bottle with arrows thinking we can drink away the pain.  We waste arrows promoting sexual indecency all in the name of personal freedom.

Why use the bow and arrow in sinful ways?  Hand the archery equipment over to God and trust in him.  He will not let us down.  In fact, through our faith he will pierce our own hearts with  arrows of unconditional love.   To God, we are his precious targets.  He hunts us down not to destroy us but  bring us the comfort, support, and wisdom that we all so desperately need! Our ultimate target is to get to heaven someday.  Why not let Our Lord, the perfect marksman, lead us on the right path?!

"Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hand he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows."

-Divine Office Saturday Morning Prayer Hymn


-J.

For The Souls of Our Faithfully Departed

All Souls Day 2015

Granary Burial Ground along the Freedom Trail
(My Trip to Boston, Massachusetts - October 2009)

For it is not the nether world that gives you thanks, nor death that praises you; Neither do those who go down into the pit await your kindness. The living, the living give you thanks, as I do today. Fathers declare to their sons, O God, your faithfulness.  

-Excerpt from the Morning Prayer Canticle, Divine Office for the Dead

This morning I woke up with another one of my weather-related headaches; however, I've channeled the pain into my blog. My mind works at its sharpest point when I consistently pray and meditate on scripture.  Funny how several feast days in the row can inspire words...

Today Roman Catholic churches throughout the world commemorate All Souls Day.  Books of the Dead are reverently displayed with masses and novenas offered.  This is a somber time of the year for many, especially those who may have recently lost a loved one.  I think about my parish friends Jan and Vincent who passed away this year.  They were beautiful children of God and so in love with their faith!  I miss them dearly but realize they are finally at peace away from pain and suffering.  With the rainy and dreary weather this past weekend, I haven't visited a local cemetery or columbarium.  This is something I normally do during the Trilogy to All Souls as I like to call it (Halloween, All Saints, All Souls).  Hopefully I can make a visit later this week.

The cooler temperatures and darker days propagate remembrance and a sense of mourning.  Friends dead for years like my old violin teacher and childhood babysitter return to mind.  I still own a few sentimental gifts like an old bookmark and a nightgown given to me when I graduated from high school.  These are priceless treasures that I will always keep.

Why do people fear death?  Is it the not knowing where our souls will land?  Is it related to the fear of getting old or the pain associated with a sickened body?  If we are close to God and Our Blessed Mother, we should not be fearful of death.  So much eternal reward lies on the other side of the heavenly rainbow!  Yes, we may need to spend some time in purgatory before we can make it up to heaven.  Hopefully none of us will be destined to the fire pits of hell.  I figure anyone reading this blog is on their way up to heaven!  For the most part, I think people are inherently good.  We just make poor decisions that cause us to disconnect from God and become disillusioned with not only life but also the afterlife.

Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls Days allow us to reflect back on those significant others in our lives who have made a profound impact.  Hopefully we can look into ourselves and see where we may be following incorrect paths.  Are those who have passed along before us good role models to follow?

 Maybe we do not behave in ways that are pleasing to God.  Maybe we believe in horoscopes, tarot cards, or psychic mediums.  Maybe we rather look up to an immoral celebrity than a chaste Saint.  Maybe the grief we experience from the death of a loved one has gone on for too long and we need to let go.  Praying for those who have passed on may shed light into our own lives.  How can we become better Catholic Christians?

I pray for the souls who have passed on.  I hope they are experiencing eternal peace.

-J.

Fall Back to The Beatitudes

Solemnity of All Saints 2015

Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12A

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,  for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.   Blessed are they who mourn,  for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek,  for they will inherit the land." 

I woke up Sunday morning with a pounding headache.  My body felt sore from all of the tossing and turning because of the new puppy in the neighborhood.  An irresponsible pet owner kept his furry companion on the patio where it barked, whined and howled all Halloween night.  Maybe the idea was to mimic the sounds of a wolf to scare non-existent Trick or Treaters. Or, perhaps the owner just had enough of the high pitched yapping so he thought the rest of us might enjoy a puppy Howl-a-Long....

Thanks so much, kind neighbor!  Now because of the time change we will need that extra hour of sleep after being up all night! @$!#!

Thank goodness my alarm clock auto resets itself during Daylight Savings because I was an inaugurated member of the walking dead when I did manage to get out of bed on time.  I slowly got dressed and then like a premature old lady stepped into into my silver hot wheels beginning the 35 minute commute to my parish.  Sadness swelled my heart as I realized I'd be with my parish family only two more Sundays.  I will miss everyone at St. Joseph.

As I drove along my thoughtfully planned toll-free route, all the sudden an orange warning light displayed on my car's dash board:  !! Tire Pressures Low!!  I started to freak out.  Why do car issues always happen when nothing is open??  The last thing I need is a flat tire on a brand new car! 

Thinking about the tires and not paying attention to my driving I cruised through a yellow light and caught the attention of Mr. Red Light Camera. (More of a source of city revenue than safety. I thought these things were outlawed?  Evidently not!)  "Flash, flash, flash, Flash" as I drove through the intersection.  I felt like the paparazzi surrounded me...  Let's take pictures of cranky Jen and later we will interview her and see how she likes that $75 ticket in the mail!

Uh... All Saints Day morning not going so well.  JESUS take me away! 

I arrived to the church safely and transplanted a smiling face on my frustrated head.  My analytical mind couldn't stop thinking about a "solution" to my tire problem. Where can I fill up my nitrogen tires?  No gas stations offer nitrogen and dealerships are closed.  Then I remembered Costco Tire Service Center uses nitrogen inflation only and they open on Sundays.  Tension relief at last!  I can fix the tire problem in a jiffy.

Despite a rough Sunday morning, I found the mass liturgy soothing.  I imagined all of my favorite Saints sitting with us in the pews.  Some prayed and others sang.  Some whispered to one another while others read the Missalette.  I wondered if I could ever be a Saint like these beautiful people from times past.  Sadly, I doubt I will reach sainthood.  I am too emotional, nervous, judgmental, and jealous.  I think the worse of people and situations sometimes to the point of mistrust.  I fail as a human being over and over again. Plus, it's not like I write brilliant tomes on theology, minister to the poor, or wear the stigmata.  I am limited in my capabilities.  However, I should never lose hope.  Keep striving to be saintly in my thoughts, actions, words and deeds.

When we feel pessimistic, we should "fall back" on the Beatitudes.  Read them and think, "How can I be more meek and humble?  How can I become more poor in spirit instead of arrogant and impatient?  How can I be a better child of God?"

Comforting to know that God always watches and keeps us safe.  I am thankful to be able to fall back on the Beatitudes when life gets challenging and a little freaky.  The Beatitudes provide us with a guide to living wisely that many of us forget about.  With Advent coming upon us soon, I challenge my readers to pray with the Beatitudes and think of ways to live them out to the fullest. 

"Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints. Therefore let us be extremely patient with each other's faults and failures."     

 -Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta

-J.