One of the Lenten daily meditation books that I'm reading is called 'Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Lent & Easter, written by Kenneth G. Davis, OFM, CONV (Conventional Franciscan).
This is his reflection for Wednesday of the first week of Lent:
"The marriage of heaven and earth"
The bride and groom blanched, because the gospel I proclaimed during their wedding was taken from the crucifixion of Christ. The entire assembly seemed to gasp, "Why did this crazy priest read about the death of Christ on a day that is supposed to be about happiness and love?"
Actually, the passion of Jesus has everything to do with marriage. Remember that our first sin had separated what God had joined. Along with Adam and Eve, we have all eaten of sin. And we have all known the sour fruits of that tree: rejection, isolation, and loneliness. God had given us paradise, the perfect union between man and woman. But our sin isolated us from that Eden and separated what God had meant to be always joined.
Thankfully, however, God is also merciful. The Father sent the only one who could pay an eternal price: Christ. The Father sent Jesus who took on our flesh to bridge the gulf between God and us. He healed that division when he endured it in his own flesh at the moment of his final, desperate prayer. Loneliness and isolation died on the cross with Jesus.
The sacrament of marriage is a taste of that ultimate union with the Divine, won for us by Christ. Marriage is a foretaste of our eternal union desired by God. With Christ, spouses heal the separation begun at original sin. Their constant forgiving and mutual understanding is their share in the passion of Christ, as well as their part in recreating the original harmony God intended for our world.
(Becca)
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
So That's How it Happens...
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/come-si-elegge-il-papa/
Quite informative! Thanks to Fr. Chris for sharing!!
-Nick & Becca
Quite informative! Thanks to Fr. Chris for sharing!!
-Nick & Becca
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Enacting Your Free Will, and Making a Choice
On the 5th of February, we celebrated the 2nd Anniversary of our marriage vocation. And just like most things where we don't fall into a cultural norm, we didn't really do anything. I mean, we had a nice lunch after church the Sunday before, so that was our date outing. But on the day of, the most important thing we could have done, we accomplished by going to Mass together. And then we spent the afternoon together, with no real plans. We did all this by our free choice to simply be in each other's presence, and we started with being in His presence. It was quite wonderful.
And I believe that because we chose to honor God first before having our time together, he blessed us with a little encounter that I like to call "Holy Spirit-prompted". Becca needed some vehicular fuel, so just 'happened' to think of a gas station nearby. Whilst fueling her car for her (because real men do this for their wives on their anniversary), I glanced to the east and there was a furniture store we hadn't tried yet, as that afternoon we decided to continue the quest for the elusive kitchen island that's right for us. And, by happenstance, I was still donning an Our Lady of Mercy work shirt, and upon entering an employee asked about it. I said I worked for the school, but she proceeded to talk about going to Mass at the church, so I let her go because she looked as if she needed to tell someone. She said she's been going to Mass off and on again, but she hasn't been to confession in over 30 years! We, as lovingly as possible, encouraged her to make an appointment with a priest there to make a very thorough confession. It looked as though a little encouragement is exactly what the Holy Spirit ordered. And we continue to pray for her.
But just think about the choices we make, the ones ordered to God's Will for us, and how when we surrender and go with these promptings, the Holy Spirit will lead us to one good thing after the next. And just the possibility of being a hugely minor participant in the reversion or salvation of a fellow soul, is an extremely enthralling idea! When we choose to do things ordered inwardly and away from God and others, well, just look around you, the results of that are everywhere.
We also chose not to participate in certain Mardi Gras parades. Actually, we didn't make it to any because of inclement weather. But mostly because of what it has become, we don't believe it's appropriate to expose ourselves to temptations of any sort. Most of them aren't exactly exhibiting a family-friendly atmosphere.
And now Lent has begun, beginning yesterday with fasting and abstinence topped off with ashes on the forehead. We choose to receive them, reminding us that one day, we will die. We choose to give up things or do some other penitential act for the season, something meaningful that better prepares us for the Lord's coming at Easter (and at the end of everything else).
As of Monday, the Holy Father has announced his abdication of the See of Rome.
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-benedict-xvi-announces-his-resignation-at-end
The pope says "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God". This can, and in most cases should, be a fundamental aspect of choices we make. He obviously wouldn't make a decision like this on a whim, or out of anger. He's much too wise for that, and we could definitely gain great insight from his humility.
Like most, this really hasn't processed or "sunk-in" for me. Many are quick to compare him to Bl. John Paul II, who was the latest to go the Heavenly Father while in the Chair of Peter. It wasn't a requirement, it just hasn't been done in almost 600 years, so most of us just haven't heard of such a thing. Plus, he'd been trying to retire since the 90s, and the Lord kept calling him to continue, and now, I guess the Lord has said he can stop. His great love for us, the Church, is shown here. He knows he can't physically do the job, he knows that the leader of Christendom needs to keep up with the daily demands of being our shepherd here on Earth, and has only arrived at this decision after repeatedly bringing it before the Lord.
But since he's been pope, he's guided the Church with extraordinary wisdom and love. I've only read the first volume of his 'Jesus of Nazareth' series, and that alone showed me that there's an infinite depth to scripture, and his Holiness was only talking about a few sections of the gospel accounts. It also showed me the great wealth of John's gospel, and how little I payed attention to it, and now it's probably my favorite.
At the end of the month, the See of Peter will be vacant, and the College of Cardinals will have to convene to elect a new pope. So, there may be a new leader for the Church by Easter, maybe. Upon his retirement, Benedict XVI will once again be Cardinal Ratzinger, and will live out his days on the Vatican grounds, in peace and solitude. His hope is to continue to pray for us, the Church. Needless to say, he'll have a lot more time for it. But it is ever so comforting, to have such a holy person choose what's best for us ahead of himself. And to have him praying for us! And after he's gone to the Father, I'm sure the prayers will be even more efficacious for us poor sinners!
So, let us improve our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (more on these later) for Lent. We must choose these if we want to decrease, and to allow Him to increase.
~Nick
P.S.
Here's a good post for a little Lenten boost!
http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2013/02/12/laughing-at-lucifer-in-lent?utm_source=Catholic+Spiritual+Direction+blog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=d9e93215c9-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN
And I believe that because we chose to honor God first before having our time together, he blessed us with a little encounter that I like to call "Holy Spirit-prompted". Becca needed some vehicular fuel, so just 'happened' to think of a gas station nearby. Whilst fueling her car for her (because real men do this for their wives on their anniversary), I glanced to the east and there was a furniture store we hadn't tried yet, as that afternoon we decided to continue the quest for the elusive kitchen island that's right for us. And, by happenstance, I was still donning an Our Lady of Mercy work shirt, and upon entering an employee asked about it. I said I worked for the school, but she proceeded to talk about going to Mass at the church, so I let her go because she looked as if she needed to tell someone. She said she's been going to Mass off and on again, but she hasn't been to confession in over 30 years! We, as lovingly as possible, encouraged her to make an appointment with a priest there to make a very thorough confession. It looked as though a little encouragement is exactly what the Holy Spirit ordered. And we continue to pray for her.
But just think about the choices we make, the ones ordered to God's Will for us, and how when we surrender and go with these promptings, the Holy Spirit will lead us to one good thing after the next. And just the possibility of being a hugely minor participant in the reversion or salvation of a fellow soul, is an extremely enthralling idea! When we choose to do things ordered inwardly and away from God and others, well, just look around you, the results of that are everywhere.
We also chose not to participate in certain Mardi Gras parades. Actually, we didn't make it to any because of inclement weather. But mostly because of what it has become, we don't believe it's appropriate to expose ourselves to temptations of any sort. Most of them aren't exactly exhibiting a family-friendly atmosphere.
And now Lent has begun, beginning yesterday with fasting and abstinence topped off with ashes on the forehead. We choose to receive them, reminding us that one day, we will die. We choose to give up things or do some other penitential act for the season, something meaningful that better prepares us for the Lord's coming at Easter (and at the end of everything else).
As of Monday, the Holy Father has announced his abdication of the See of Rome.
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-benedict-xvi-announces-his-resignation-at-end
The pope says "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God". This can, and in most cases should, be a fundamental aspect of choices we make. He obviously wouldn't make a decision like this on a whim, or out of anger. He's much too wise for that, and we could definitely gain great insight from his humility.
Like most, this really hasn't processed or "sunk-in" for me. Many are quick to compare him to Bl. John Paul II, who was the latest to go the Heavenly Father while in the Chair of Peter. It wasn't a requirement, it just hasn't been done in almost 600 years, so most of us just haven't heard of such a thing. Plus, he'd been trying to retire since the 90s, and the Lord kept calling him to continue, and now, I guess the Lord has said he can stop. His great love for us, the Church, is shown here. He knows he can't physically do the job, he knows that the leader of Christendom needs to keep up with the daily demands of being our shepherd here on Earth, and has only arrived at this decision after repeatedly bringing it before the Lord.
But since he's been pope, he's guided the Church with extraordinary wisdom and love. I've only read the first volume of his 'Jesus of Nazareth' series, and that alone showed me that there's an infinite depth to scripture, and his Holiness was only talking about a few sections of the gospel accounts. It also showed me the great wealth of John's gospel, and how little I payed attention to it, and now it's probably my favorite.
At the end of the month, the See of Peter will be vacant, and the College of Cardinals will have to convene to elect a new pope. So, there may be a new leader for the Church by Easter, maybe. Upon his retirement, Benedict XVI will once again be Cardinal Ratzinger, and will live out his days on the Vatican grounds, in peace and solitude. His hope is to continue to pray for us, the Church. Needless to say, he'll have a lot more time for it. But it is ever so comforting, to have such a holy person choose what's best for us ahead of himself. And to have him praying for us! And after he's gone to the Father, I'm sure the prayers will be even more efficacious for us poor sinners!
So, let us improve our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (more on these later) for Lent. We must choose these if we want to decrease, and to allow Him to increase.
~Nick
P.S.
Here's a good post for a little Lenten boost!
http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2013/02/12/laughing-at-lucifer-in-lent?utm_source=Catholic+Spiritual+Direction+blog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=d9e93215c9-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN
Friday, February 8, 2013
Unexpected Pro-Life Message...
Here's a little snippet about the real Jane Roe. Bet you may be hearing about this for the first time, like I did.
http://vimeo.com/49600976
~Nick
http://vimeo.com/49600976
~Nick
Fat (yet chaste) Tuesday
This was the 1st Reading for today's Mass:
Hebrews 13: 1-8
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The Word of the Lord.
______________________________________________________________
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
This verse struck me as an extremely important reminder to everyone who will participate in Mardi Gras parades & festivities over the next few days. Don't get me wrong. Mardi Gras season is my favorite time of year. I love the colors and the music, and especially king cake. I don't, however, think that a time for feasting & celebrating right before a lengthy time of solemn prayer and fasting should be translated into a time where debauchery is acceptable and even encouraged.
Here is an excerpt from a chastity lesson I gave a few weeks ago: (this was geared toward 8th graders, but this all applies to EVERYONE, with your spouse or future spouse in mind)
‘Will this lead me or lead someone else to sin or to be tempted to sin?’
Hebrews 13: 1-8
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The Word of the Lord.
______________________________________________________________
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
This verse struck me as an extremely important reminder to everyone who will participate in Mardi Gras parades & festivities over the next few days. Don't get me wrong. Mardi Gras season is my favorite time of year. I love the colors and the music, and especially king cake. I don't, however, think that a time for feasting & celebrating right before a lengthy time of solemn prayer and fasting should be translated into a time where debauchery is acceptable and even encouraged.
Here is an excerpt from a chastity lesson I gave a few weeks ago: (this was geared toward 8th graders, but this all applies to EVERYONE, with your spouse or future spouse in mind)
We are made in the
image & likeness of God, by God & for God.
Every person, single or
married, is called to be CHASTE & to respect the sexuality of self &
others.
Sex is a gift from God, so He has the right to give
us the instructions on how to use this gift.
- He created & intended for sex to be expressed
only between a man & a woman who have entered into a covenant of exclusive,
lifelong commitment = MARRIAGE.
Married couples
are the physical image of the Holy Trinity and the physical representation of
Christ’s love for the church in the whole world.
- Each family unit of Husband + Wife (and +
children) is called the Domestic Church, and is the foundation for all of
society.
-
Families exist because of the gift of sex.
-
When sex is misused, families suffer.
-
When families suffer, society suffers.
The 6th
Commandment: You shall not commit adultery.
-
Adultery = any form of sex outside of marriage.
-
Outside of = pre (before) and ‘other than’
- This means that having any form of sex with anyone
other than your spouse, before or during
marriage, is a sin.
- Any form of sex includes passionate kissing,
inappropriate touching & exposing parts of your body, in person or in
pictures.
-The way to
respect the gift of sex is to practice CHASTITY.
- Chastity is the
virtue by which a person deliberately does not act on sexual desires and firmly
chooses to avoid those things & situations which will bring about his or
her sexual temptation.
Careful thought
and lots of prayer need to be put into every aspect of your life so that you
can make good choices. You need to ask
yourself:‘Will this lead me or lead someone else to sin or to be tempted to sin?’
- If the answer is yes, then this whatever (or whomever)
should be avoided.
- Choose only healthy, pure, Godly
images & messages to enter your mind.
- Impure and unhealthy
images & messages can lead to sinful desires,
and when you willingly allow or invite these messages to come into your mind,
the more easily you will act on these desires.
and when you willingly allow or invite these messages to come into your mind,
the more easily you will act on these desires.
- Your mind is your most
important sex organ, so protect it!
- Pray the Our Father:
LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION
Remember, Satan is always trying to lead you to
sin, so you must always be on your guard.
I hope you all have a very safe and happy Mardi Gras.
With Love,
Becca
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