Go Away, Satan!

First Sunday of Lent

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Gospel of Matthew 4:1-11

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

He fasted for forty days and forty nights,

and afterwards he was hungry.

The tempter approached and said to him,

“If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply,“It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

Oooh La La! Temptations lie all around us. Each day we are presented with delectable pleasures:  delicious food, beautiful men or women, fancy cars, fine jewelry, trendy techy gadgets, or  expensive "toys" of some kind.  Temptations lead us to make foolish and dangerous decisions.  Have you ever run a red light?  Have you ever driven a car drunk?  Have you ever been involved in a one night stand?  Have you ever done illegal drugs?  Seems like whenever we're told NOT to do something we want to "experiment" and do it anyway.  This is particularly true when we are young and maybe not so innocent.  I did some crazy stuff in college. Stupidity was my middle name! Thank the Lord I didn't end up in jail or destroyed my life forever.  

Jesus' Own Temptation For the First Sunday of Lent each year, we read about Jesus' temptation in the desert.  The devil tempted Christ with sins of the flesh, pride, and greed.  Jesus was very wise!  He knew what the Devil was up to, even welcomed the temptation, but didn't fall for Lucifer's lies.  Remember Our Lord's sinless nature.  He didn't have to undergo temptation.  However, he felt temptation would help him empathize with his fellow man.  He could better relate to our plights and struggles.

God's Electrical Grace The Devil loves to use the weapon of temptation to weaken us.  He desires people to become infatuated with lust, pride, vanity, greed, gluttony, and envy.  He welcomes us to follow paths that disconnect ourselves from God.  The long extension cord of life unplugs when we sin.  We no longer receive the surge of electricity needed to power up our souls!  When we successfully avoid temptation, God's electrical grace remains within us.  In fact, we can "electrocute" the Devil, pushing him away for good!

Satan isn't as powerful as most people think.  He's a fallen angel who God allows to roam around earth.  God gives man free will.  We can choose to follow Satan's lies or we can choose to follow Christ's way, truth and life.  Honestly, I think of the Devil as a pathetic, annoying creature.  All he does is go around making people's lives miserable. Is he really that intelligent?! If he was, he'd never selfishly separate from God in the first place! The Devil may be "street smart" but within limitations.  We can outsmart the prince of darkness through our strong faith and obedience to God!! How sad evil will forever be present in our world because Adam and Eve fell for the serpent's deception.  

 Let us courageously proclaim:

 "Go away, Satan!  You are not welcomed in my life anymore.  I'm no longer going to fall for your cunning traps!  Others may fall for your evil but I won't!  I have Jeus, Mary and the Saints protecting my soul.  I believe in God and not you.  So, shoo away!  Go mess with someone else.  I've made a promise to follow God's commandments.  I can use the tool of confession to wipe away your influence during those times when you do bite, pinch, and poke at me with your vile filth!  Go away, Satan! "

St. Michael the Archangel, Pray for Us!

-J.

Spiritual Tax Refund

Saturday After Ash Wednesday

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Gospel of Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.

The Tax Man Cometh Nobody likes to pay income taxes.  Old Uncle Sam isn't known to be a favorite family member!  This time of the year most Americans file taxes.  We cross our fingers (and pray to God) that we correctly calculated the math.  We don't want to owe any taxes.  We prefer to receive that big fat refund check! What will we do with the money?  Pay off debt?  Take a vacation?  Splurge on expensive electronic gadgets or the latest fashionable accessory.?....But wait!  Remember we're in Season of Lent.  Didn't we decide after receiving the ashes on "Dirty Forehead Wednesday" that we'd restrict our diets and abstain from our pleasures and habits?  Maybe we should use our spiritual tax refund for some heavenly good!

Spiritual Taxes In today's gospel reading, Levi (a.k.a. Matthew) the tax collector decides to follow Jesus.  How could this be?  Isn't this man forever robbing from the poor?  Levi was like Uncle Sam demanding tax payments at a certain time of the year.  ....And people who couldn't pay up faced fines and penalties just like the I.R.S protocol.  Tax collectors were often thieves in their own right charging above the tax amount and pocketing the difference.  (I think of out-of-date tax laws where the middle class take most of the tax burden.) Why on earth would Jesus invite such a low life to follow him? Why sinners in general? The Pharisees and Scribes didn't understand Jesus' intense healing power.  Sinners became attracted to Our Lord like a magnet.  They felt an outpouring of love. This love ignited a fire within themselves ready to burn away sin and become quenched in the living water of the Spirit.  Levi the Tax collector left everything behind - his desire for wealth and riches, his desire to manipulate and coerce people into "paying up."  It's as if Levi instantly issued everybody in Judea a spiritual tax refund! A tax refund initiated by Jesus himself!  No W2 required.  No filing a form through  Jerusalem Turbo Tax.  No audits for accuracy. Spiritual wealth refunded to all believers, inviting them to conversion and discipleship.

Use the refund wisely  As Christian stewards, we are called to use our spiritual refunds wisely.  We should treat others fairly with respect and love no matter if we like them or not.  We should utilize our treasures in ways that lift up God, not diminish him as eternal nothingness.  The fact that Jesus is willing to dine with fellow sinners says a lot about his character:  He loves us so much that he wants to always be near us!  

We pay our income taxes in order to help the government maintain social programs, internal operations, military protection, and infrastructure. At the same time by "paying" our "spiritual taxes" we invite others to a more intimate relationship with Christ.  We show God that we believe in him and wish to share his good news with others.  

St. Matthew, Pray for Us!

-J.

Fast for Christ

Friday After Ash Wednesday

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Gospel of Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, buy your disciples do not fast?"  Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?  The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

Fast for Christ  Before I became Catholic, I didn't pay much attention to fasting as a Lenten practice.  None of my Protestant friends fasted.  Nobody discussed "fasting" unless they were heading off to the doctor to get blood work done.  I'll be honest.  I didn't think fasting was a very healthy practice.  It gave me images of anorexic/bulimic women or starving children in Africa.  Food in America is plentiful.  We should eat and enjoy!  Doesn't fasting only affect those super devout Catholics, especially the pious monks who whip themselves??  

Interesting as I've grown in my conversion process I recognize the importance of fasting.  It's not just something to "give up" as a sacrificial act but a charitable act.  Fasting is saying to everybody:  "I love Christ so much that I'm willing to forgo a meal or two for his sake! He died on the cross to save us from our sins. Let's all Fast for Christ as a way of honoring him!"

Less is More  I think skipping a meal or two may not be so bad.  Our American diets certainly are not the most nutritious.  Obesity is still at epidemic levels, especially among our children. Staying away from the cookie jar or not eating a greasy hamburger with french fries helps us keep those extra pounds off!  In fact, changing the way we eat can be a form of fasting.  When we turn away from the junk food and eat healthy, we are honoring the bodies that God gave to us.  We are nourishing a beautiful body formed in his image.  Why not eat a little less and love Christ more?  When we do eat, why don't we choose healthy alternatives that give us energy and make us feel better?  Imagine if diet cokes and potato chips were invented when Jesus was on earth.  How would he react to people over-consuming bad food?  He wouldn't be too happy about it. Gluttony would become a frequent preaching topic.

Fast with a smile  As we fast during Lent, let us do it with a smile on our face.  We shouldn't look gloomy like we're in pain and agony.  Refusing to eat a big juicy steak isn't going to kill us.  In fact it may just make us into better Christians.  

Saint Dominic never ate meat while he was alive.  In fact, he limited food consumption to the bare minimum. I look to him as a religious role-model for fasting.  It gives me courage to forgo culinary delights, especially during Lent. 

Fasting can be a beautiful act of penance when done properly and as a tribute to Our Almighty God.

-J.

Choose Life with the Cross

Thursday After Ash Wednesday

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Gospel of Luke 9:22-25

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever lose his life for my sake will save it.  What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit it himself?"

Ashes overnight I slept last night with ashes still on my forehead. Normally I wash them off immediately after I get home from Ash Wednesday service. This morning I was surprised to see the neatly printed ash cross un-smudged. I thought I'd wake up with ashes all over my hair and my face.  I think of this as a sign that God is with me and in me. He's present in every aspect of my life no matter if I'm experiencing fruitful times or disparaging times.  During this Season of Lent, he is calling me to take up my daily cross and follow him.  Lose my own life for the sake of his.  Choose life surrounded by God's eternal love and infinite mercy.

Ashes in the mirror While getting dressed I stared at those ashes in the bathroom mirror. I wondered to myself, "What if Jesus suddenly appeared in the mirror staring right back at me with a smile?  What would I say to him?"  

Jesus, it's so wonderful to see you!  I can't believe you've come to visit me.  I'm sorry I do not look as presentable as I would at Mass.  But, you caught me at an unexpected time.  See, I still have the ashes on my forehead from last night.  I never removed them.  I thought they'd bring me closer to you as I slumbered.  Obviously it did because you're here with me.........I'm a little tongue tied right now, Dear Lord.  I don't know what to say.  I guess I should thank-you first of all.  Thank-you for all of the blessings you've given to me! Thank-you for my job, my family, my friends, and for your Church.  For Lent, I really want to courageously take up my daily crosses for your sake.  Humbly follow your Word and deeds.  I know, it's so difficult!  I've messed up so many times.  These ashes definitely prove that I'm a sinner! I pray that you will lead me and guide me to a change of heart and attitude.  These burdens I carry around every day are no picnic!  In fact, I sometimes labor in pain from just the weight and the stress.  However, I know these crosses bring me closer to you.  By managing my crosses in ways that mimic your heavenly will, I just may bring others to love you as much as I do.....I do need to get dressed and head off to work.  I hope we will be able to talk again soon.  I love you very much.  I look forward to spending time with you in Adoration soon.  

Let us not lose ourselves in egoism and selfishness but lose ourselves in God's love!

-J.

Ashes & Secrets

Ash Wednesday 2014

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Gospel of Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:

   “Take care not to perform righteous deeds

   in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father...."

What are you giving up for Lent?  Around this time of the year, friends who know I'm Catholic begin to ask the familiar question, "What are you giving up for Lent ?"  I used to say things like: "Oh I'm giving up caffeine" or "I'm giving up wine" or "I'm swearing off swearing - no more cuss words coming out of my mouth!"  In hindsight, all of these "Lenten resolutions" seem somewhat trivial and superficial. This is why I don't really give up anything for Lent anymore. Yes, it may sound strange and unorthodox.  However, I think it's more important to give of my time in prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  During this season, I make an extra effort to live simply.  I want to better observe my environment and the people in it.  In quiet stillness, I can better examine my conscience and discover things I've been doing that are not very Christian-like.  Lent encourages repentance.  Lent encourages us to better understand ourselves and our relationship with God.  Lent encourages us to turn away from sin.  

Pray, Fast, Give When we practice the three main pillars of the Lenten Season - pray, fasting and almsgiving - we shouldn't look gloomy or depressed. In fact, these acts should be performed joyfully.  

In prayer, we speak intimately with Our Lord sharing with him our deepest darkest secrets.  He listens to our prayers even if we think he ignores us.  He may not answer us immediately but if we faithfully pray good things will result.  Whenever I take the time to pray, my whole soul feels at ease.  Stress and anxiety lesson.  I feel the Holy Spirit's silence taking those inner dark secrets and transforming them.  My secret sins, my secret habits, and my secret weaknesses buried deep inside the recesses of my heart get warmed by the light of the Spirit.  During the Ash Wednesday mass, when the priest places the ashes on my forehead I feel those secrets vaporized.  I feel cleansed!  I immediately recognize that I should praise God for his healing touch.  His love for me is so great.  Those simple ashes allow me to enter into a period of intense renewal and reawakening.  I'm encouraged to fast.  I'm encouraged to give of my time, talents and treasures to others in need.  I'm encouraged to be a better Christian.  Make changes in my life that will carry on even after Lent is over!

Go to Mass today and receive your ashes!  Don't be afraid of the healing touch of Christ.  Allow your secret sins to turn into ash, buried away for good!

-J.  

Pancakes for God's Sake

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

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Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus,
“We have given up everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age...."

Have you eaten your pancakes?  Today is considered Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.   In countries such as the UK and Ireland, traditionally people eat pancakes.  "Pancake Day" is set aside as a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar before the 40 days of fasting.  Eating pancakes seems quite reserved compared to the overindulgent festivities of New Orlean's famous Mardi Gras.  I confess that I have never eaten pancakes on the American "Fat Tuesday." They sound delicious as I'm writing this meditation. Nothing better than breakfast for dinner!  I've never over-indulged myself right before Lent. The thought of waking up with a stomach ache and a nasty hangover lying in bed next to a stranger frightens me.  This scenario would most likely happen in one of my bizarre dreams than in real life!  Some people may call me prudish but I'm super cautious.

For God's sake  At first glance, Peter sounds like he's complaining when he says to Jesus, "We have given up everything and followed you." He's really not complaining at all but searching for an explanation.  What does Jesus have planned for his disciples?  Will they be granted salvation?  Will they ever be able to understand what Jesus is all about?  Jesus says that his disciples will be blessed a hundredfold as they leave behind everything for the sake of Christ and the Gospel.  This is a huge!  Even though the followers of Christ will be subjected to persecution, their faith will be worth it at the end of time.  Christ's followers will be blessed with eternal life in heaven.  

Are you ready?  Are you ready to turn your life around?  Are you ready to perform acts of penance?  Are you ready to fast?  Are you ready to give of your time, talent and treasure?  The upcoming 40 days of Lent are a huge opportunity for us to reflect on ways we have offended God and make reparations to live a life full of faith and holiness!  

During this Lenten Season, resolve to:

• Display a positive attitude - Don't be the negative!
• Forgive one another - Don't harbor a grudge!
• Pray for God's mercy - Don't give up!
• Give to people - Don't be stingy!
• Reflect with a smile - Don't mourn with a frown!

Have a fruitful Lent!

-J.

Spiritual Snippet -- 2014 Lenten Makeover

After reading Extreme Makeover: Women Transformed by Christ, Not Conformed to the Culture by Catholic Radio Host Teresa Tomeo, I began to think of ways that we as Catholic Christians can participate in a 2014 Lenten Makeover.  

Lent starts tomorrow - Ash Wednesday!

Are you ready to cleanse your souls?  

Are you ready to exfoliate away your sins?  

Are you ready to manicure your heart? 

Are you ready to moisturize your mind?

Are you ready to transform your heart, mind and soul to Christ as we prepare for his Resurrection?

Lent is a time for renewal and rebirth.  
What about doing something charitable and different from your normal routine? 
Action:  Volunteer at a homeless shelter, volunteer at a food pantry, or volunteer in a parish ministry

Lent is a time to perform acts of penance - a little spiritual spring cleaning!
Why not dump out the trash and cleanse your inner soul of filth and decay? 
Action:  Experience the healing powers of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Lent is a time of fasting.  
Along with fasting on Fridays of Lent why not eat a healthier diet?
Action:  Participate in a 40 day food challenge striving to only eat good wholesome, nutritious food. 

Lent is a time of almsgiving.  
Do you have some extra cash that you can donate to a charitable cause?
Action:  Research to see if your diocese participates in an Annual Bishop's Appeal for Catholic ministries.  Pledge an amount as a Lenten contribution.

Lent is a time of fervent and devoted prayer.  
Why not set aside extra time during the day for prayer?
Action:  Pray a prayer of Thanksgiving in the morning.  Pray a decade of the Rosary in the evening followed by an Act of Contrition before retiring for the night.

The Lenten Makeover can be totally designed to fit your own schedule and needs!  Make an effort to attend Daily Mass, if possible.  Attend a Lenten Mission at a local parish.  Watch or listen to Catholic programming.  Focus on Christ during these beautiful 40 days of renewal.

You can turn your life around in 40 days and 40 nights to become more Christ-like in your thoughts and your actions.

-J.

Rich Man, Poor Man

Monday of the Eighth a Week in Ordinary Time

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Gospel of Mark 10:17-27

So Jesus again said to them in reply,“Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
“Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

Rich Man vs. Poor Man  Society inherently values the rich over the poor.  It's been this way for centuries.  Monetary wealth is a sign of success and achievement.  Immense wealth guarantees recognition: powers and privileges rarely available to the lower "common man."  I've known some very humble and charitable rich people.  They use their wealth for the benefit of others.  They aren't arrogant or proud.  They acknowledge their wealth as a gift from God!  However, other rich people could care less about helping others.  They only think of themselves and how their "riches" rank against others.  They hoard their riches in the form of lavish houses, fancy cars, pricey furniture, and expensive clothes.  They use their riches in outlandish ways flaunting their expensive appetites.  I think of all of the "House Wives of XYZ" shows popular on the Bravo channel.  As millionaires, these men and women live such ridiculously shallow lives obsessed with cosmetic surgeries, pricey dinner parties, lavish vacations, and raunchy behavior.  I know a lot of these shows are purposely overly-dramatic in order to increase viewership.  After a while, watching the lives of these rich people makes me sick to my stomach.  Why take their wealth to such extremes?  Why do people think being millionaires/billionaires somehow makes them better than the poor?  Why do people with tremendous wealth act in such diabolical and horrendous ways?   I've come to the conclusion that wealth does not correlate with intelligence, high morals, or empathy.  What a sad reality!

Our Lord says that it will be darn difficult for the rich to enter into heaven.  This may sound polar opposite from the view of the rich on earth.  We prize the wealthy for all of their possessions. But, none of those possessions will mean a hill of beans in heaven.  In fact, we can't take our expensive automobiles, high dollar jobs, fancy houses, and fortunes when we've passed on to the other side.  So why all the emphasis on it? 

I say this time and time again:  Wealth doesn't buy happiness.  It certainly won't "buy" an instant ticket into heaven.  However, I don't think the Lord is going to exclude ALL rich people from his Kingdom.  If we are wealthy but live a good, holy life I think God will give us a thumbs up.  Yes, we may need to spend some time in purgatory cleansing ourselves.  We may have used our wealth in displeasing ways.  

We need to remember that some of the poorest of the poor are rich in love and compassion.  They open their hearts to God.  Their selflessness is admirable despite all that they lack in material possessions. Our Lord will definitely remember these people at the gates of heaven.  These monetarily poor are spiritually wealthy in God's eyes!

Are you willing to let go of your material possession and follow the Lord?  If you are blessed financially, are you willing to donate to good charitable causes? Use your riches for the benefits of others.

Nothing is impossible with God.  Let us become more spiritually wealthy!

-J.

Do Not Worry

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Matthew 6:24-34

If God so clothes the grass of the field,which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’All these things the pagans seek.Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,and all these things will be given you besides.Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

Are you a worrywart?  This Sunday's gospel reading is something I can identify with.  I'm a worrier by nature.  A "worrywart" by trade.  I always envy people who can let things go and don't seem to worry about anything.  I'm the opposite.  It's hard for me not to become anxious, almost physically ill worrying about something.  For example, on Friday my AC/furnace guy came over to the house for semi-annual maintenance.  He discovered the gas yard service line isn't up to code.  In fact, the pipe is severely rusted and could potentially start leaking.  Plus, I don't have a special safety tracer line.  The good news is I have the cash to fix it.  The bad news is that money was going toward paying off repairs I had done last year. Not only am I worried that my house could eventually blow up, I'm worried that the contractors will start digging in the yard and find more problems.  I'm worried at how unsightly my yard will look after trenching.  I'm worried, worried, worried!!! Worry intensifies until I begin what I call "catastrophic thinking": 

I just need to sell this stupid house.  I'm tired of being house poor! I'm never going to get out of house debt!  I can't stand not having enough equity to sell.  Those stupid old owners that let stuff slide so now I have to fix everything!  Uh!  If I was only married, my husband could help me with all of these expenses.  A duel income would certainly help.  Oh, why me?  Why can't I ever get ahead?  So tired of my crap life!!

My catastrophic thinking is precisely what Our Lord does NOT want me (or others) to go through.  How important to pause for a moment and think: God has everything under control. I can't waste away precious hours of my short life all worried about things I cannot control.  In fact, it's a good thing the gas piping issue was spotted BEFORE a leak, an explosion or fire took place.  Sometimes the right thing to do when Mr. Worry knocks on the door to is to pray:  

Dear Lord, please calm down my racing thoughts so I can think clearly!  I feel so stressed right now with more unexpected issues.  I see that you are here with me and you don't want me to worry. These catastrophic worries are not from you but from the Devil.  He loves to make me feel miserable and anxious!   I am handing my worries to you, Jesus!  Please make me feel at peace and give me the strength to positively endure my inconveniences and burdens.  Amen!

Do not worry about tomorrow.  It's amazing Christ's wisdom and sensitivity toward his people.  He understood the worry and anxiety that ravaged peoples lives on a regular basis.  Life in antiquity was hard.  The Israelites farmed all of their own food.  They most likely worried about droughts and bad crops.  The women handmade all their clothes and probably worried about the availability of fabrics and the time consuming process of garment making.  Then, there was always the threat of pagan influence, thieves, and encounters with enemy tribes.  People worried about the debts they owned to merchants.  Mothers worried about their children and how they'd feed them during years of famine.  Interesting, many of these same worries affect us today.

Worry is definitely a part of the human framework.  A little worry is ok when it comes to recognizing danger and safety.  However, worrying about things of the future that we cannot control or worrying about things we did in the past doesn't help us live the present in a healthy way.  

Worry & Over-Consumption We must remember:  God always grants us what we need not necessarily what we want.  I think a lot of our useless and catastrophic worries stem from  over-consumption and materialism. We worry because we don't have what we want! We worry about our looks so we opt for cosmetic surgery.  We worry about our weight so starve ourselves.  We worry about how "good" we look to others so we buy the fancy cars and big houses.  These are all useless, trivial worries! 

We should turn our worry into action.  Drop our worries into the palms of Christ's loving hands.  Stop allowing our distorted thoughts and outside influences to kill our connection with Christ.  Turn to him in fervent prayer so that the worries of our lives do not bog us down to the point we see only bad in ourselves.  God created each one of us in his own image. He loves us so much. Seek his Kingdom first.  Amazing how so many worries relieve themselves and don't seem so bad.

Always remember:  Tomorrow will take care of itself!  Live for the present!

-J.

Blessed are the Children of God

Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

One of my favorite parts of mass is the children's offertory.  The priest holds a large wicker basket at the foot of the altar. Children approach dropping offertory envelopes inside the basket. Brothers and sisters hold hands as they walk up. A shy child requires a nudge of encouragement from parents.  Other children race up to the basket occasionally dropping in "surprise gifts" instead of money envelopes! My heart lights up observing the smiles that radiate from the young faces.  I think to myself: "These young children are such blessings! How can a woman consider aborting her baby? How can anyone neglect, abuse, or harm a child? These children are so beautiful and full of joy! They should be loved and cherished!"

In today's gospel, the disciples rebuke parents bringing children to Jesus.  Did the disciples not like kids?  Did all of the crying and whining give them headaches?  Just like many people complain about the child crying in a nearby pew, I'm sure the disciples were annoyed at the little ones making a ruckus! Our Lord made it clear:  Let the children come; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

How beautiful is childhood innocence: the carefree spirit, the playfulness, and the natural acceptance of others. Jesus didn't pass over the children as insignificant.  He didn't ignore them like many parents ignore their own children today.  He lovingly accepted and embraced his little children.  He saw their innocence, unconditional love and trust as something good.  In fact, Jesus instructs adults to be more childlike.  

In what ways can you become more childlike? We are all children of God regardless of our age!  

We live in a society where children grow up way too fast.  The childhood innocence is short lived, no longer cherished and nurtured.  Why the hurry to be all grown up?  Why rush into adulthood?  We need more childlike wonder! Encourage a little girl to play with her Barbie doll instead of dressing her up as Barbie for a beauty pageant crown.   Allow children to be friends with one another without the pressure of "pairing up" as boyfriend and girlfriend.  Encourage the exploration of nature and outdoor play instead of the exploration of violent video games. We should encourage our children to be children! Prematurely exposing our children to adult concepts doesn't benefit them. God never planned it this way.  Yet our society encourages, even conditions, our children to behave like little adults.    

Children are amazing instruments of grace and love. They are the future of our Catholic Church.  As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. we have the responsibility to properly catechize our youth.  We have a responsibility to protect them from harm as best we can.  Yes, it's impossible for parents to completely shelter their children from evil in the world.  However, parents can teach their kids good manners, kindness towards others, and a solid understanding of right from wrong.  If we wish for the Catholic Church to thrive, we must make an effort to pass along the faith to our children. It's not easy.  Sometimes our efforts fail.  Our children may leave the faith. But, as long as we make the effort, Our Lord will bless us. We must never give up hope!

As the Season of Lent fast approaches, instead of giving up something why don't we spend more time with our children!  Play with them.  Pray with them.  Eat with them. Read to them.  Teach them. Show them how much they are loved.  Always remember our children are blessings  from God.  Never take them for granted.  We can learn so much from our children just like they can learn so much from us. A touch of childlike wonder benefits all of the Children of God!

"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven." (Henry Ward Beecher)

-J.