Preaching the Gospel

Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.

Many of you may be familiar with this quote, often attributed to St. Francis. There can no doubt that he lived the meaning of those words. After reflecting on this quote one day, I came up with a couple of reflections I would like to share:

Preach the Gospel- This can take the form of many actions; from community service and charitable work, to simply putting a smile on and waving to strangers while in a public area. How often do we see people whose faces are looking down, afraid to even have eye contact with others whom they do not know?  While in college, I would see this situation many times. Just a simple nod to another person or even better, a smile and a hello, can add a bright moment to any one’s day. We preach the Gospel when we echo the message of Christ.

At all times- This means every single second of our existence on earth. Every fragment of our interior disposition and outer actions must be pointed to helping others see the Good News of Our Lord. Isn’t it an exciting challenge? One that Our Lord calls us to take, one that Saints inspire us to succeed in. Our message is one of urgency.

Use words if necessary- Sometimes, words are needed to preach the message. This quote doesn’t say that words are bad, but that they are useful only when they are required. We are called to speak the truth, by how we act and by what we say. Words are powerful in themselves, but become indestructible when the actions of the speaker reflect the same message.

There can often exist a perception of a conflict of preaching with words vs preaching with actions. But just like faith and reason are both needed and promoted in our Church, so too must our faith be enshrined with the words of hope and the actions of charity.

The Mystery of God’s Plan

This Mother’s Day I received a Mother’s Day greeting card in the mail.  A few words written in the card:  ”You have countless children that all love you very  much.”

You see, I have had no children of my own.  My husband, Tom and I tried everything under the sun that is faithful to God’s law.  Yes, even adoption – five times and each time the door closed.  Oh yes, I can write pages of our experiences, the tests, the waiting, praying and hoping.  This November we will celebrate 35 years of marriage!  In the first few years of our marriage, so many asked “do you have any children?”  Or “how many children do you have?”  And when they learned that “we were trying to get pregnant”, many expressed their sympathy or wanted to pray over us, some wanted to give us remedies to try.  We understood their responses and were touched by their sincere concern. 

 One person had the perfect answer.  It came when I became a “spiritual mother” to a young woman whom we met through a social worker; she had been living with friends, abusing drugs and became pregnant by someone she couldn’t remember.  She decided to give her child for adoption.  I became her ‘labor-coach’ and was present during her long delivery.  I was the first to hold her newborn son in my arms.   That is when the “answer” came, it penetrated by heart.  I heard the Lord tell me in my heart – “You see, you have come a long way, as you hold this child in your arms, this is beautiful – but I have other plans for you.”  Immediately I sensed a deep peace while at the same time, I shed many tears.  They were tears of sadness, but there were also tears of relief because the Lord gave me the grace to let it all go. 

 Many pages can be written on the opportunities God has given us to nurture others.  We could not have done this without the grace of God. 

 There are many married couples unable to bear children of their own.  While it can be difficult, they can be consoled with the love for each another and for those around them.  God will lead the way and always provide opportunities for them to nurture others with love. 

 

Next time you meet a couple trying to get pregnant – Tell them you’ll pray for their intention and then rejoice with them in their love for each other. 

 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.”          2 Corinthians 1:304 

How I Met Your Mother

Even though I returned with fervor to the Catholic faith following my “Mary Magdalene” conversion, I could not understand one of the Church’s pinnacle teachings – the importance of the Blessed Mother in our spiritual growth. I didn’t grasp why a devotion to the Blessed Mother was necessary to draw closer to our Jesus. He was the one that rescued me from the edge of despair and He was all I needed.

The women in my first group Catholic faith study made me question if I was missing something. As a wife and mother, I loved listening to how their faith helped them tackle the daily struggles of raising a family. It became apparent that the women who were most fulfilled and content spoke of their devotion to the Blessed Mother. Why?

I wanted to know so I asked her Son, “My Lord, if you want me to know your Mother, please introduce us.” Immediately Jesus made it very clear to me, He wanted me to meet her. It seemed that Mary, the ever virgin and Mother of God was the subject of every Catholic TV show, radio program and article I came across over the next few weeks. Following a program I watched that spoke of Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter titled Redemptoris Mater (Mother of the Redeemer), I looked up the letter myself on the Internet.

In it I read in words what I witnessed in these women,

“In light of Mary, the Church sees in the face of women the reflection of beauty which mirrors the loftiest sentiments of which the human heart is capable: the self-offering totality of love, the strength that is capable of bearing the greatest sorrows, limitless fidelity and tireless devotion to work; the ability to combine penetrating intuition with words of support and encouragement.”

“Christ on the Cross with Two Marys and St. John” by El Greco (1588)

No wonder these women are so content, I thought. This letter speaks to the dignity in all the roles we women hold; and I can achieve that in light of Mary?!

The pope goes on to write how our Lord gave His Mother to us at His Passion:

…we perceive the real value of the words spoken by Jesus to his Mother at the hour of the Cross: “Woman behold your son” and to the disciple: “Behold your mother” (Jn. 19:26-27). They are words which determine Mary’s place in the life of Christ’s disciples and they express the new motherhood of the Mother of the Redeemer: a spiritual motherhood, born from the heart of the Paschal Mystery of the Redeemer of the world.

This letter convinced me how important it is to Jesus that we know His Mother and that meant it became important to me. I went to the ‘go to’ way our Catholic faith teaches to meet and spend time with her: the daily rosary.

What I soon discovered is that walking with Mary in her ‘rosary garden’ is a twenty minute visit with the woman who best knows Jesus and who never tires of revealing her Son’s love for us. It is never about her; that’s not her style.

J.K. Huysmans writes, “She soothes us and places us in the hands of her Son; but her hands are so light, so delicate, so soft, that the soul touched by them feels nothing.”

During May, if you have yet to open this gift, then take advantage of this month of Mary and meet your Mother.

Catholicism: A Love Story

There are many beautiful treasures that our Church possesses to which the Holy Spirit can call people.  For me, it was the intellectual richness of the Catholic faith which drew me to appreciate it again. My mind was absorbed in the vastness of what our Church taught and how we came to that belief. Yet despite the mental feast, I still was not in love.

How could I not be in love with my Church? The one I knew factually as the Bride of Christ. The one whose treasures I was so eager to study.  I, like many Catholics, couldn’t help but see the Church as merely an institution. Because of this, even though I knew it had the fullness of truth,  I was not allowing myself to be in love with the Church.

Pope Francis has done an amazing job reflecting on the fact that the Catholic Church is not simply an organization, it is not simply a charitable club, but instead is a ‘love story.’

As my good friend and co-worker Angela reflected on at the Catholic Women’s Luncheon, God is always inviting us to a candle light dinner with Him, in the Eucharist.

This is where my love story began. Standing in adoration; being able to allow the information in my mind to pierce through my heart and grasp the full understanding of God’s love for me, as expressed through the Church.

In truth, we love the Church because we love Christ. We are often accused by separated brethren of not having a personal relationship with Christ. I never truly understood that accusation. The entire Church is built on the foundation of a relationship with Him. The Sacraments, for one, usher in an outward presence of a true and inner reality; in a similar way, as physical acts and expressions between couples reflect deeper notions of love. In fact, the greatest mystics of the Church described the intensity of their relationship with Christ in the metaphor of a marital union. This is what St. John of the Cross called a ‘Mystical Marriage’ with Christ.

This is the climax of our spiritual union with God; to be so in love with God through His Church that we become intimately united with Him. This is the journey all of us are called to take in this life. It is a difficult path, but one that will lead to full happiness and holiness. It will lead us to be Saints.

You Never Know Who’s Watching!

There are always people in our periphery view. They’re the ones with whom we may hardly exchange a, “Hello.” They’re the ones who move in and out of our everyday lives, and we hardly give them a thought. These very people have surprised me over the last few years.

• ‘Mary,’ shared some classes with me in college. She was vocal about preferring science over religion, and about her love of animals. Years later, she sent me a Facebook message; her beloved pet had died. She vulnerably asked what my Catholic faith said about animals; “Do they go to Heaven?”
• ‘Arthur,’ similarly shared classes with me in college. He was not into God. Several months ago, he sent me a message asking, “What’s the difference between a sister and a nun?”
• ‘Sarah’ had been part of the popular crowd in high school. A few days ago, she sent me a message with questions like, “How could God let bad things happen?” and “How can you be so strong in your faith?” Sarah was raised in a religious home, but has never believed in God. Now, she seems to be searching.

My point is this: You never know who’s watching. I cannot recall ever having had a single conversation with any of these three people.

In his April 14 homily, Pope Francis said:

In God’s great plan, every detail is important, even yours, even my humble little witness, even the hidden witness of those who live their faith with simplicity in everyday family relationships, work relationships, friendships. [...] Let us all remember this: one cannot proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the tangible witness of one’s life. Those who listen to us and observe us must be able to see in our actions what they hear from our lips, and so give glory to God!

I’m not a Catholic apologist, or Church history expert, etc. But I know that Mary, Arthur and Sarah found me approachable. They observed my words and actions, and they wanted to hear from me…but I never would have guessed it! You, too, have people who silently observe your words and actions. As Christians, we have to ask ourselves: Am I truly living my faith? This is key because, in Pope Francis’ words,

Inconsistency on the part of pastors and the faithful between what they say and what they do, between word and manner of life, is undermining the Church’s credibility. But [consistent witness] is possible only if we recognize Jesus Christ, because it is he who has called us, he who has invited us to travel his path, he who has chosen us. [...] This is important for us: living an intense relationship with Jesus, an intimacy of dialogue and of life, in such a way as to recognize him as “the Lord”, and to worship him.

Take up this challenge — Jesus has called you by name. Are you willing to answer Him in each action you take? Live that “intense relationship with Jesus” in prayer, in Scripture, in the Sacraments, in the Church. From these sources, you will grow in your Christian and Catholic witness. Jesus needs each one of us to witness truthfully to who He is.

(Read Pope Francis’ full homily here.)

My Reflection on Becoming Catholic

“On the Banks of the Tiber” by Camille Corot (1826)

One year ago, I lived in Houston…was discerning in which direction to take my life…and still a Protestant. Today, I live in San Antonio…work for a Catholic evangelization ministry…and am now a confirmed Catholic. What happened? I fully believe God has a plan for our lives. Although we may not know what it is – He does – and that is what matters.

On an unsuspecting afternoon, in a restaurant, I met a Man of God from the Roman Catholic Church. The Holy Spirit hit me with a “2 x 4″, wave upon wave of revelation breaking over my stunned mind, and I knew within minutes that my life was about to go in a dramatically different direction. After this conversion experience, I could not get Catholicism out of my system – or the question, “Is this God’s will for me to become a Catholic?” out of my mind. Powerful forces were calling me to follow.

On September 10, 2012, I began working for Pilgrim Center of Hope. Following the example, and under the guidance and teaching of Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox, and my co-workers, Angela Sealana and Daniel Quintero, the seeds that had been planted a couple years prior were watered and found roots. Here at Pilgrim Center of Hope I have found peace, devotion to God, and service to community.

Then, on September 12, 2012, I began RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), taking my first steps in the direction of becoming Catholic; my mind still not comprehending how I had gotten there – my heart knowing I was exactly where I was supposed to be. With each RCIA meeting every week for six months, my journey with Christ deepened and took on greater meaning. And what I learned about the Catholic faith only strengthened my conviction that I was on the right path.

At the Easter Vigil, on the most majestic and holy of nights, and the high point of my life, I became one in the Body of Christ and came “home” to Holy Mother Church. I can honestly say that I have found everything I didn’t know that I was looking for.

Where’s YOUR Galilee? – Rediscover Your Love for Jesus

Galilee

“O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!” (from the Easter Proclamation chanted during the Easter Vigil Service)

The Easter Season is my favorite liturgical season, for many reasons. First of all, the biblical readings are taken from the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospels concentrate on the Lord’s apparitions after His Resurrection before He ascended to Heaven. Secondly, the readings referring to the Apostles encountering the Risen Lord at the Sea of Galilee remind us of the Lord’s omnipotent patience with us. In Mark 16:1-8, we read about the Resurrection of Jesus. Mary Magdalene and other women came to the tomb and encountered a young man sitting (Mark 16:5) inside the empty tomb. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. …But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told’” (Mark 16: 6-7).

Jesus was to meet his disciples and Peter in Galilee. Why Galilee? It was in Galilee when they first encountered Jesus, it was in Galilee where Jesus called them and they left everything to follow Him. The disciples left Jesus during His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemani, and Peter denied Him. The beloved disciple, John, was the only one at the foot of the Cross. The disciples were now to “go to the place where they first met Him.” To remember how they first fell in love with Jesus, to remember they left everything for Him. In John’s Gospel, chapter 21 we read about the Resurrection appearance in Galilee. As the disciples are fishing, Jesus again calls out to them.

How amazing! Jesus gently reminds Peter and the disciples of their “first love”, their first encounter with Him, whom they learned to love.

Are there times we have lost “our first love” for Jesus? Have we allowed the fire within our souls to die simply because we have become too busy, or have denied Him, or have simply allowed daily routine to control us? If so – return to your Galilee! Remember when you encountered the mercy of Christ, or when you experienced His presence in your life for the first time! He is there! He remembers! He has gone ahead and waits for you again and again to embrace Him.

Jesus said from the cross: “I thirst.” (John 19:28). He continues to thirst for mankind to seek Him. Don’t let time get away from you and say – “Later…” or “Not now, I’m too busy with…” He never tires, we do! Encounter Him again and again. Let us remember the words that were chanted on Easter Vigil: “O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!”

The Easter liturgical season leads us for 50 days to the Feast of Pentecost, the birth of the Church.

Learning what it means to participate at Mass

“Adoration of the Lamb” by Jan van Eyck (1429)

What does it mean to participate at Mass?

It took the calendar page changing from February to March to clarify for me what the difference is between attending or going to Mass and participating at Mass. Every March since I don’t know when, this proverb from my childhood pops into my head: “March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb.” Hey, I thought, that is just the opposite of the way Jesus blew into my soul.

As gentle as a lamb, Jesus embraced the desolate landscape of my soul, melting its hardness from years of selfish choices. With a desire to always feel His warmth, I returned to His Church and my Catholic faith to be with Him as closely as possible in the way He gave us; His Presence in the Eucharist.

Softly and patiently He guided me until I was ready to fully embrace my place that He has prepared for me in His Kingdom. I transitioned to repentant sinner, grateful believer and committed disciple. It was at this point, Jesus revealed Himself to me as King; Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Be still and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth. (Psalm 46:11)

“The Lion of St. Mark” by Vittore Carpaccio (1516)

The best way I can describe it is that I witnessed His awesome power at the same time He tenderly held my hand. Jesus Christ first as a lamb and then as a lion conquered my soul with His gentle might. And just like the powerful lion that defends his pride, Jesus the King stationed Himself at the gates of my soul both protecting me from the evil outside and from the enemy within. His mighty roar both lifted my heart with trust in His protection as it brought me to my knees in His awesome Presence.

With this revelation of His power and might after first knowing Him as friend and redeemer, the Mass changed for me. Yes, I desire Mass so as to receive His love; but it’s no longer just about me. When He revealed His majesty to me He called me to serve Him; and the best way for me to do that is to come to His altar and worship Him as He deserves and that means my full participation. My duty as a Catholic became a privilege as His daughter, friend and disciple.

I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain… (John 15:15-16)

Our Catholic faith teaches us about this. The Second Vatican Council produced a document on just this subject titled, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, in which they write:

Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people’ (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.

In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else . . .

So what does participation at Mass mean? A few points:

• We arrive before Mass starts and present ourselves before the Lord.
• We vocally pray and sing in communion with our brothers and sisters.
• We actively pay attention to the readings and homily.
• We mentally offer our prayers, needs and our life at the Offertory in union with Christ.
• We reverently receive Communion.
• We stay until Father recesses, leaving in unison with one another.

If Mass has become a dull routine for you; consider the roles our Lord has called us to: a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a redeemed people and what now may simply be a box to be checked off as your Sunday duty will become an honor and the joy of your week.

The Gift of Silence Can be Sweet: Lent + Valentine’s Day

This year, Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fall side by side; Valentine’s Day is the day after Lent. They are dissimilar – Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent and reminds us of penance, fasting and almsgiving; Valentine’s Day reminds us of lovers, sweets, flowers and feasting. The Lenten period of 40 days begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, in preparation for the celebration of Easter. Valentine’s Day is well – one day.

Forty days is very symbolic in the Bible; here are a few references, although there are many others:

• It rained 40 days and 40 nights during the Flood (Genesis 7: 4)
• Noah waited 40 days after the waters receded and the Ark settled on Mount Ararat before he sent out the raven (Genesis 8: 3-8)
• The Israelites spent 40 years “wandering” in the desert (Numbers 14: 33; Deuteronomy 29: 4)
• Elijah fasted 40 days in the wilderness (1 Kings 19: 8)
• Purification of Mary is 40 days after birth of Jesus (Luke 2: 22-4)
• Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert after His baptism (Matthew 4: 1-2)

My husband, Tom and I, had the opportunity to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land during Lent. Pilgrimages are journeys of faith, a time to think about God and experience the land He sanctified with His very life. Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert after His baptism in the desert near the River Jordan, a 10 minute bus ride to the vast Judean Desert. Our pilgrimage includes spending 40 minutes in this desert! Our bus driver leads us off the main highway into a gravel pathway leading to an area where he parks the bus, turns off the motor…and immediately one experiences the silence of the desert. As pilgrims get off the bus and walk up the hill, their breath it taken by the view of the vastness of the desert, and most especially the silence! They are asked to take this symbolic 40 minutes (remembering Jesus’ 40 days) and experience a time of prayer and total silence. For Tom and I, this time passes too quickly! The view of the desert, realizing Jesus was in that area and spending time just embracing the silence is an unforgettable moment! Numerous pilgrims have told us how much they appreciated this experience. One man in his 40′s said, “I have never experienced a silence like this, never!” Others have commented on how this experience of silence gave them a desire to include silence in their daily lives upon their return home.

How can we choose silence in today’s world filled with noise from television, radio, traffic, music, conversations? It’s possible – it’s a choice! Consider a time in your daily schedule when there is less noise. (Early morning? Late evening? Lunch period? When children are sleeping?) What do we benefit from silence? Personally I become more aware of God’s presence and I experience a peace.

Blessed Mother Teresa explains it well in a way that is called the Simple Path:
The fruit of silence is PRAYER.
The fruit of prayer is FAITH.
The fruit of faith is LOVE.
The fruit of Love is SERVICE.
The fruit of service is PEACE.

What does silence have to do with Valentine’s Day? Spending time in silence with someone we love is a gift, perhaps greater than the best chocolates or beautiful flowers. A time when one appreciates the other and experiences the ‘inner beauty and sweetness’ of that person. My husband and I enjoy sitting in swinging bench in the yard and just enjoying being with each other without conversation or outside noise to distract our moment of silence with one another.

Consider giving the gift of silence to someone you love this Valentine’s Day. Begin the Lenten Season by planning time for silence.

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.” – Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Soul Searching at Mardi Gras

My family loves Mardi Gras parades. My husband, two sons and I return often to our hometown New Orleans so we can join this annual party. If you’ve never experienced a Mardi Gras parade, let me tell you it’s quite an interactive event. As floats roll through the streets, throngs of people line the route yelling, jumping and waving their hands in the hope of getting the “throws” that are tossed or more often hurled at the crowd by the masked riders. These “throws” are traditionally plastic bead necklaces, plastic cups, stuffed animals, plastic swords, and wooden spears; in other words, pretty worthless junk. I am not a fan of crowds so I prefer to stand back while most, including my family, push their way up screaming, “Throw me something, Mister!” It’s very entertaining to watch all the ways people try to get the attention of the riders and what lengths they will go to get this junk.

“Miss Louisiana” by thepipe26

One year, an interesting revelation came to me when I noticed what often happens after the victor gains his treasure. Without even a backwards glance, the throw is tossed in a pile and forgotten. I realize that it’s not the throws but getting them that is the fun. The whole value of a throw then is the few brief seconds from when it is spotted in the rider’s hands until it makes into the victor’s grasp. After that, it reverts to junk and will soon be stuffed into a box and stowed in the attic or garage until an industrious spring cleaning day relegates it to the curb.

…which is just how Satan views our souls.

Satan will try any antic to get our attention and like a Mardi Gras throw, once he wins our souls we are tossed away never to be thought of again; left to the boxed confines of our sins. Because you see, the devil has no desire to spend eternity with us; he only wants to get us so he can make sure God does not. He hates God; we are simply a means to an end.

The good news is that the devil is not the only searcher of souls. Our Lord is there as He always is, waiting for us. But unlike that pile of beads that ends up in the trash bin, garages or storage sheds in New Orleans, He has wonderful plans for you and me. . .

I know well the plans I have in mind for you; plans for your welfare and not for woe. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Why then, if our Lord desires such great plans for us, do we more often feel as worthless as those discarded pair of plastic Mardi Gras beads?

“Christ Embracing St. Bernard” by Francisco Ribalta (16th-17th century)

I received the answer to that question over ten years ago when my choices had brought me to my knees lost, alone and weary from battling the grasps of darkness. My Lord came to me, picked me up, put His arms around me and loved me out of my debilitating depression. He promised I would never feel alone again as He gently led me back to His Church and my Catholic faith.

In my return to the faith of my youth that I so ignorantly dismissed as archaic and unnecessary for my happiness, I discovered that God does not want to get us, but rather He wants to be with us now and forever in the complete and continuous exercise of our free will. We cannot be passive and expect to find the joy we so desire. God wants us to want to be with Him and joins us in discovering our happiness through Church teachings, His word in Scripture, through the Sacraments and most significantly by joining our suffering with His in the Eucharistic Celebration of Mass.

God does not view our souls like cheap plastic beads to be tossed at the mercy of the rider, but rather active participants in His wonderful plans for our happiness. We have a choice in whose hands we land.

The devil could not care less whether we cooperate with him or not. Since the beginning he has lied and tricked to get his way like when he told Eve, “You certainly will not die! God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil,” (Genesis 3:4-5) but failing to mention that along with the knowledge of evil will also be the desire for evil and the consequences to pay. He flat out lied when he told her you will not die. He will make any effort to grasp our souls and keep them away from God and His wonderful plans for us.

My Catholic faith has taught me that I am not to find happiness on my own and there are two good reasons why. Firstly, no matter how intelligent, educated, willing or brave any of us may be, we are no match for the cunning and sinister ways of the devil.

Secondly and so very wonderfully, that is not God’s plan for us. We need our God with us just as He has wonderfully planned, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

I look toward the floats and imagine the people clamoring for God rather than throws. I see our Lord reach down and pull people up into His arms calling each by name. He searches the crowd and when our eyes meet, He holds out His arms for me.

I run to join the party.