Mass (Distraction)

I enjoy attending Mass and go often during the week as well as on Sundays. I work at my parish so it is not difficult do to at all.
The drawback is finding time to pray without interruption. Last week, I decided to attend the 7 am Mass instead of the 8 am as there are fewer people which always means less distractions. As i was sitting in the silence before Mass began, I felt the gentle tap of one of our deacons, "Would you mind reading the scriptures, the lector is not here?" "Of course", I whisper back. "Oh, and could you also help serve as Extraordinary Minister? We've lost some people to the parish mission this week." "Sure, no problem. Is the homily covered?"
This is pretty constant and while it is always an honor to serve at Mass, the desire to sit and pray without interruption is always there in the background.
Since I have been on vacation since Friday and my travel plans changed due to weather I was home today. And was adamant that I would not go to my parish (aka where I work) for Mass. So, husband and I went to another near-by church and it was lovely. There was nothing special, but I was able to sit for an entire Mass next to my husband and act like a regular person. Not the one who needed to jump up if something was going wrong or help was needed. (I could make a list, but just trust me, something always happens!)
What a blessing!

Holy Week

This year Holy Week begins on April 5. We begin as always with Palm Sunday and we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The palms remind us of the palms the people laid on the ground to smooth out the road and those that they waved as they sang “Hosanna.”

On Tuesday of Holy Week, our diocese celebrates the Chrism Mass, so named because this is where Bishop Barbarito, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, blesses all the oils that are used for baptism, confirmation, and anointing of the sick. At this Mass, all the priests of the diocese take part and those who are celebrating special anniversaries are recognized.

We then move to Holy Thursday, the day we remember as when Jesus institutes the Eucharist, washes the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, is betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane by Judas and eventually sentenced to death. It is also an opportunity to sit with Jesus in prayer and adoration while he is present at the Altar of Repose until we meet him once again at the Easter Vigil.

Good Friday is spent in prayer and quiet as we remember the day Jesus died for us. It is a day of fasting and abstinence; a good day to pray the Stations of the Cross. This is the only day of the year when no hosts are consecrated and Jesus is not present in the tabernacle.

Holy Saturday is spent in watchful anticipation of the Resurrection. How different our day must be compared to that of the apostles. We know He will rise on Easter, while they were unsure and fearful.

As darkness descends, a new fire is lit outside of our church and the Easter Vigil begins. We light the Pascal Candle and bless the water in our Baptismal font that will be used to baptize those coming into the Catholic Church. The Easter Vigil is the culmination of months and study and prayer for those be received into the Church. It is the beginning of each person’s new life in Christ as members of our Church. The Vigil also reminds all of us that we are called from darkness into light and are renewed by the waters of baptism.

On Easter morning we rejoice as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and triumph over death. At Mass that day we renew our Baptismal promises, and are sprinkled with holy water to remind us that we belong to Christ and have salvation through his death and resurrection. The Easter season ends on Pentecost, May 31.

Each of these liturgies brings the last days of Jesus' life here on earth as man like us sharply into focus. I spend as much time as possible entering this time of Passion, Death and Resurrection. I pray you are able to as well.

First Communion Dresses

Now that I am no longer a DRE or have young children, I am out of the loop of needing First Communion dresses. If I was in need though, I'd send folks over to the Catholic Company to check out the selection of dresses and veils. They are quite tasteful and appropriate, something I would consider buying if I needed a dress for a special girl. What I like most is that they do not look like mini-bridesmaid or wedding dresses, but are still pretty and stylish.

Friends

Often in our hectic, busy lives we don't have time for close friendships or those which nourish us spiritually. I am so very blessed to have 3 women in my life whom I meet with each week to help keep me focused. The other day when listening to John's gospel (John 5:1-16) about the crippled man who cannot get into the pool to be healed and says to Jesus "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up" it struck me as what it is these women do for me.
They put me in the pool when I can't get there myself! A month or so ago I had a very difficult emotional situation, actually more than one at the same time. I had no words to describe my pain and just did not want to talk or see anyone. So, they prayed me into the pool, lifted me right up and made sure I was healed through their prayers. What a blessing to be able to have friends, spiritual sisters, that do this for you. Who walk along side you and are there, no matter what, putting you into the pool. I thank God for them every day.

Catholic Carnival

It is the Feast of the Annunciation, go enjoy the latest carnival.

A Catholic Mom climbing the Pillars: Catholic Carnival #216: Dia daoibh!

A Catholic Mom climbing the Pillars: Catholic Carnival #216: Dia daoibh!

The Samaritan Woman at the Well, John 4:5-42

This is from an RCIA talk.

In scripture there are major encounters which help us to see how an encounter with Jesus can change us, change our hearts. This scripture passage is one, another is Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10; Woman caught in Adultery, John 8:1-11; Curing of the Blind Man in Mark 10:46-52.
Looking at the Samaritan Woman, she is a sinner and an outcast. We to are sinners and can feel like outcasts because of it. What can help us change? Only one thing, an encounter with Jesus where we allow ourselves to receive what he has in store for us.
Before we talk about what Jesus has for us, let’s look at the story. Jesus says, “go call your husband and come back,” it’s almost as if it is a test for the woman. She can deny the truth or not. She tells what I think is a half truth- but then seems relieved when Jesus tell her the rest of the story. Then she runs back to village and again seems happy to tell them that Jesus knew all about her. And of course, they knew all about her too, which is why she was alone at the well at noon. But she must have been so compelling and full of awe for having met Jesus that they too began to believe. So much so that Jesus stayed among them for 2 days.
So what gift does Jesus give her? Living water, which we all thirst for. Living water is the water of baptism, purification, a precursor to the Holy Spirit; it is life itself. You cannot survive without water, either the physical kind or spiritual kind. I want to pose to you that this living water is grace, because grace is what transforms us in our encounters with Jesus. We see certain things through our physical senses. We see water, feel it; we taste the Eucharist, we see it, touch it; we do not see grace, we only see what it allows us to do. So what is grace?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that there are many forms of grace: sanctifying or deifying (#1999), sacramental, and special graces known as charisms (#2003). Within sanctifying grace is “Habitual grace, the permanent disposition to live and act in keeping with God's call and actual grace which refers to God's interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification” (CCC #2000). Sacramental graces are those which we receive when one of the Church’s seven sacraments are conferred upon us. The grace is given, but it still requires acceptance on our part. Special graces are the gifts or charisms given to people to use to build up the body of Christ. Some examples are teaching and healing.
By God’s communicating with us and giving us grace “he makes man share in the very nature of God” (Rahner). The idea that grace is God’s self communication and that it allows us to share in his nature is what propels me forward every day. Grace comes to us not only through the sacraments but also through prayer and others' responses to events in our lives. Grace is a transforming power if it is accepted; I often compare grace to strength, a power that enables you to do and say things you may not want to do based on external motives but know internally it is the correct path to take.
Through the grace we receive at Baptism we are ontologically changed to be radically configured to Christ and are now to act on our call as prophet, priest, and king. We are constantly receiving grace and it calls us to be changed, to be more radically configured towards Christ, to be more Christ-like and to share our grace with others as God does. The gift of God’s grace “reaches in Jesus Christ its eschatological, irreversible culmination towards which it tended from the start and throughout, and which determined and formed the basis of its whole course from the beginning” (Rahner). To call ourselves Christian, we need to act on grace.
To change our hearts we must first look at them, but maybe instead some people may find it more helpful to think about looking at our soul. What is there that needs to go? Are you thirsting for things which bring passing pleasure, but not lasting? When Jesus was tempted by the devil, he resisted because he knew that what his father offered was eternity, while the devil offered things which would pass away. If Jesus were sitting in front of you what sin would he want to root out from your heart? We all have sin. I hear people explain why they do not go confession. "Well, I really don’t do anything major that is wrong. I don’t kill, steal, I come to church, sure I yell at my kids, complain about my co-workers, nag my spouse, but that’s not really bad." But it is, because it is a slippery slope from walking with Jesus and believing the precepts of our Church and not. The devil does not appear to us one day and say, come on, let’s let loose, but rather it is a slow process. The Samaritan woman did not have five husbands at once, but eventually she wound up branded by her village as an outcast and other women had little to do with her. That can happen to us, unless we are vigilant about walking on the narrow path.
That’s why we need each other, the Church, sacraments, prayer, scripture. All of these help us to live the way that is pleasing to God and ultimately good for us. Grace is there for all of us. The Eucharist is a constant source of grace in my life, it is the food Jesus talks about in this story, “I have food to eat of which you do not know, and my food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.” (4:32, 34) At that point the disciples do not know about this food since the last Passover with Jesus has not yet happened. What a joy it is to receive this sacrament. If we look at the sacraments, three can be received more than once. Eucharist and Reconciliation can be had as often as you wish. Anointing of the Sick as often as necessary, when you are sick, need surgery, etc. But think about this, we have access to God’s mercy and grace in Reconciliation and then we have the that same grace in the Eucharist to help us stay the course. That is the purpose of those sacraments, to help us draw closer to Jesus by rooting out the sin that is in our souls, those thoughts and actions which prevent us from being one with God and each other and then the Eucharist sustains us.
There is a prayer I frequently say after I receive communion and at other times as well. It was written by St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. It is called Dedication to Jesus: Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding and my will. All that I have and cherish you have given me. I surrender it all to be governed by you will. Your love and your grace are wealth enough for me. Give me these Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more. The other day I was with a friend and we were discussing this idea of Jesus taking everything and giving us his love and grace. At first it seems unimaginable to do this, whatever will I hold onto, who will be in control, will God really be paying enough attention, maybe I should just give up this part, not all. But that is the point, if Jesus takes it all, but gives back his love and grace, what else do I really need. Nothing at all. Because grace is what propels me forward and gives me the ability to accomplish what God wants.
So the Samaritan woman receives the grace to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the one who will save. She takes no water from the well at all, just the water of Jesus’ words that fill her and take away her sin and shame. He is the water we all seek and he alone can fulfill out desires, quench our thirst. But first, we must empty ourselves of sin, by letting Jesus look at our soul and help us root out what needs to go, then we can be filled with grace and move forward on our journey of faith.

Sleep

I like to sleep. It prevents me from being crabby and short tempered. It helps me stay focused and clear headed so I can work efficiently.
However, for the past week, I can only sleep every other night. On the nights I can't sleep I take what could be said is a long nap, anywhere from 3 1/2 to 5 hours. I need 7 hours, that's all, but it's not happening.
So, what do I do with this extra gift of time I have been given? Pray, write, surf the net, go to work very early.
I am ready to return the gift. Where is the return department?

Catholic Carnival

If you are in need of Lenten Reflections (who dosen't) check out this week's carnival at Deos Omnis Gloria.

In Another's Words

For happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.

David Steindl-Rast

Beloved Son

Today we hear the Gospel reading of the Transfiguration. In it, God speaks from the clouds and says "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him." Mark 9:7b

Another time in scripture we hear the words "my beloved Son" is when Jesus is baptized in the Jordan. In Mark we hear "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (1:11)

In praying with these two scenes from Jesus' life I came to understand two important things. One is that I want very much to listen to Him. However, like many, I often fall short because I want to listen to Jesus the same way I listen when I speak with others. And it just doesn't work that way. Often we beg and plead for the answer from God as to what we should do in our lives? Often, we would have the answer if we only listened to Jesus. But to listen means that we must stop talking. It also means we must study scripture and pray the scriptures. It means spending time with him in different ways; at Mass, before the Blessed Sacrament, praying with others and praying alone.

The other is that just as the Father is pleased with the Son, he is also pleased with me. And with each of us who are trying, to the best of our ability to serve him.

Lent is always a good time to turn ourselves closer to pleasing our Father and listening to Jesus. It is only by taking an inventory of our lives and cleaning out the sin, that we can have room for our Savior on Easter.

Catholic Carnival

Broken Alabaster put together the Catholic Carnival this week.

Lenten Sacrifices

If you haven't decided what to do for Lent this year, this list may give you some ideas. Actually, I think we should do this year round!

What to Give up
Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism——become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement——be full of hope.
Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred——return good for evil.
Give up negativism——be positive.
Give up anger——be more patient.
Give up pettiness——become mature.
Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy——pray for trust.
Give up gossiping——control your tongue.
Give up sin——turn to virtue.
Give up giving up——hang in there! (author unknown)

Cravings

And I am not talking about food here. I am talking about quiet, the quiet that is both inside and outside of me. It is a strange new phenomena for me. You see, I am an extrovert. When I had my office on the other side of the parish hall, I had ample alone time. When I was on the phone, no one else could hear me. I even had my own bathroom. So, I guess I never noticed I needed time alone since I had it to a degree. Now, actually since last January, I have been in my office literally surrounded by people. On the other side of the wall (which stops about 2 feet from the ceiling) sits the music minister and his clocks! Yes, clocks, three different ones to be precise. Two which chirp various bird sounds and one which sounds like an organ. Add this to the pastor's co-co clock and every half hour and hour it's a bit loud. However, none of the clocks go off at the same time as they are each set with a few minutes difference. If I keep my door closed it is somehow viewed as anti-social or office or something. Then there is the phone issue! The two people across the hall hear me and sometimes I think one of them is just listening on purpose. The music minister never pays attention to me nor I to him, so why these other people do is beyond me.

Back to the thought, quiet. Absolute quiet, silence. The only thing to hear is my own beating heart and breath. So, today after work I went for a drive and then to Adoration. Excellent decision on my part. I feel like I've had a good night's sleep.

And it's not as if my house is noisy, it is just my husband and me. So, the other need is for solitude and Jesus answered my plea before I even realized it because when I first went into the Adoration chapel it was just the two of us. Selfishly, I like it best that way. When person number 5 entered, I said good night.

Quiet is again what I have in the house, no tv, no music, just the keyboard sounds and the wind.
I really like this. WOW!

Four Pillars

These thoughts come from a book I am currently reading/studying for my class, "The Holy Longing" by Ronald Rolheiser. He explains that there are four non-negotiable pillars of the spiritual life: private prayer and morality;social justice; mellowness of heart and spirit, and community as a constitutive element of true worship. These four are the essentials of Christian discipleship. The essence of the spiritual life. And when we have all four, there is balance.

In my own life, I can see that what I long for is balance. And each time I feel close to achieving that balance, something tips me way out of balance. But as I contemplate this, I wonder, is that what actually happens or do I choose to allow my emotions to overcome rational thought? I do think that often that is just what happens.

These forty days find me trying to focus more on staying in balance.

Mark 1:12-15

"The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days,tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts,and the angels ministered to him.
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.Repent, and believe in the gospel.""

This first Sunday of Lent is our call to go into the desert, as Jesus did. I was struck how it says "the Spirit" is who drove Jesus into the desert and so we too must allow the Spirit to do the same to us. What desert are you being called into this Lent? Will you allow the Spirit to drive you or do you have it all figured out yourself?

I had little figured out when Ash Wednesday came. But today, it is clear what I must do for Lent. I pray that we all allow the Spirit to lead us into the desert and remember, we will be ministered to while there.