What's Been Happenin'

Howdy do?  Hopefully good.  I've been busy, with work mostly, and with some home projects.  The home workings don't seem so much like work, and can mostly be enjoyable, especially when a creative idea of ours comes to fruition.   The other day I completed a large planter box for planting veggies, check it out.

Next is a triangle shaped one that will fit in the corner of the deck.

 As my 27th birthday approaches, I've been thinking about where I'm at, confident it's exactly where God wants me.  I received a book as a gift at work, The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Matthew Kelly, and so far it has changed the way I'm doing things.  The first two sections/signs, Prayer and Study have now made a constant routine in my life.  I highly recommend this one, and I haven't even finished it.  It is sure to change many lives and parishes.

We've been neglecting our Year of Faith Bible Study, but we've got time to finish.  I've also been neglecting my journal entries, and the Imitation of Christ, only because they've been in my car and I forget they're there during the day.  So before I typed that sentence, I went to the car and got them out, and placed them in my 'reading corner'.

We read Fr. Kevin Scallon's 'I Will Come Myself' and Sr. Breige McKenna's 'Miracles Do Happen', which were both wonderful stories of their lives, and incredible witness to the Faith.  We'll have to do a post about their visit to St. John's in Zachary during the Lenten Mission, that I did put in my journal.

I also had an encounter with Fr. Mitch Pacwa at OLOM, after a talk he gave on social justice. He just struck up a conversation as if I was an old friend, and I felt the Peace of Christ emanating from him.  After a brief questioning, and my answering that I was indeed married, and we were trying for kids, he suggested that we write to Mother Angelica and the sisters in Hanceville, AL.  As he put it, "There have been a whole slew of babies born through the prayers of those nuns!".  So we did, and I think the letter made it there just in time for her 90th birthday.

Fr. Chris finally came for dinner, and we had a nice lesson in aerating wine (always check the gasket).  After dinner, he so kindly blessed our home, and enthroned the image of the Sacred Heart.  It was wonderful, and there was an obvious change to us in the 'atmosphere' of the house as any evil was expelled.  Having the image on the wall, across from Our Lady and Her Immaculate Heart, just makes it all feel completed, despite all the projects awaiting me.

But something that happened recently, that I'll never forget, happened the other day when I went to confession.  I went early, because there's always a line (that's a good thing!).  So I go in, and confess my sins to a priest in the shadow behind the little wall, one whose voice I didn't recognize.  He had a very soothing voice, and an accent I couldn't place at all, some words could have been Latin American, others Scottish, so who knows.  His advice is also something I'll never forget, he said, "Do not despair.  Ask the Blessed Mother to stand beside you always, and help you to make your life a prayer."  And while I was still absorbing this, he requested the act of contrition, so I did, and then he began the prayer of absolution.  And that's when it happened, and upon hearing it my very being was set alight (and although I couldn't see myself, I'm sure there may have been a slight deer-in-the-headlights-look).  As he spoke, there was another voice laid over his, a stronger and deeper one.  I know it was the voice of Jesus, adding his with (or through, I guess) the priest's.  Afterwards, I thanked the priest and walked out of there, with all that had just occurred resounding in my soul.

I don't know why that happened, I guess it could be for any number of reasons.  But if Jesus did it, then they're all good reasons.  Maybe he was reminding me who I'm coming to when I seek reconciliation.  Maybe you reading this now, is the one who needed reminding.  

I'll continue to persevere, and ask God everyday to show me the way.  I'll continue asking the Lord for children.  "Knock and the door will be opened to you", is how I think about it, and maybe He is seeing how long you'll stay there knocking.  Well, I'll knock until my hand falls off, then I'll use the other.  But I always ask God for His Will to be done in my life, and not mine.

I often get frustrated, because the things we have to endure aren't usually so clear-cut.  Is it just a consequence of something we chose, or is it suffering sent to us for good reasons?  Or is it all of the above?  

I've been wondering about what to do career-wise, do I stay where I am? Have I accomplished what God sent me there to do or learn? Discernment. Do I explore using my degree again, although I'm about 2 years out of practice? Discernment.  Do I schedule a meeting with the office of vocations about info. on the diaconate? Discernment. I know we can't always have our ideal job.  But we can have the one God provides for us, because at whatever point in time, it's his ideal for us. Uh, discernment.

Sometimes we all move too fast, and these moments to think are lost.  That's where my morning prayer routine is helping, I'm trying to give that time to God, so that I can have the time to listen.  Prayer isn't always about talking and asking for things, it's a conversation which requires listening, too.  Another area-for-improvement for me.  I tried to go to the chapel for a while and just listen, and I know it will take work to listen well, but I just couldn't seem to turn my brain off.

In progression news, The Fathers Know Best is going well, taking that one section at a time.  I usually read a Chesterton chapter before bed.  And I'm up to page 104, paragraph 410 in the Catechism!  That big green book is astounding me every morning I pick it up.  Wouldn't you like that, to be astounded every morning? 

Take care, and please pray for Becca and me as we work down the Lord's path for us.

~Nick

Habemus Papam! ("We Have a Pope!")

In this technological age, I was keeping an eye on live video feed of the smoke stack with my phone.  I felt the great anticipation that was holding the entire world in suspense.  And just after 1 p.m. local time, the white smoke poured out of the stack above the Sistine Chapel.

As the joy overtook my afternoon, I reflected upon the time of Sede Vacante, or vacant chair of the Chair of Peter.  There has been intense prayer everywhere I've gone, for the College of Cardinals and the workings of the Holy Spirit.  Becca and I went to Adopt-a-Cardinal, and it randomly assigns you a cardinal for him to pray.  So we wrote their names on the back of the prayer card we got from St. John's.  And we were praying it daily until a pontiff was elected (no, we didn't 'win').

Yesterday was a wonderful votive mass at OLOM in honor of the beginning of the conclave, with a great historical homily by Fr. Miles.  And after a nice reminder of "who we live for" by Mr. Al, I went to mass again today at lunch, and I believe that it readied me for the gift of joy, in which I'm still saturated.

The message went around the school like wildfire that white smoke was spotted.  Everyone was encouraged to tap in to the live streams and show it in all classrooms.  I found one to join.  And I waited as the suspense, excitement, and joy seemed ready to knock me down.  And then they turned on the lights in the room! And another 5 minutes passes...

Then the Cardinal Deacon came out to announce the Successor of Peter.  I didn't recognize the cardinal's name, but I did catch the "Francesco".  And to the roar of the hundreds of thousands in the square, the newest Holy Father, Pope Francis, stepped out on the balcony.  I wonder what his first thoughts were at the sight.  In looking at him, I was infused with a great comfort and reassurance that the Holy Spirit had done His work.



And then he spoke:
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-his-first-words

Being a student of Italian, I caught most of what he said.  The joy in my soul was revved up again as he asked for prayers for the Pope Emeritus with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory Be (isn't tradition great?!).  And then asked everyone to pray for him in silence before he gave his blessing.  The roar of the square dropped out in a second, and became nothing but a whisper, as I can imagine that the whole world watching did likewise.  He bowed to the crowd, and the presence of his humility was transmitted around the globe.  He blessed his new flock, and with it imparted a plenary indulgence!

He is the first pope from Latin America (although I prefer South, have you seen where Buenos Aires is!?), the first who is a Jesuit, and the first non-European pope in 1282 years!  It's very good to remember, that God always gives us what we need, and what's best for us.  So in the leader for the entire Church Militant, He is surely not going to go with a popular vote from secular media (and that's all I'll give mention of those folks).

Well, we know the Holy Spirit knows what He's doing, so let us pray everyday for our new Pontifex Maximus, and that he continue to be open to the Spirit and shine the Light of Christ in the world.

I just told Becca, I feel like the entire world got a really awesome birthday present today!

-Nick

P.S...On a cute side-note, a passing kindergarten class was asked if they'd seen the pope in class, and they cheered and yelled in the affirmative.  "What's his name?" was inquired of them, to which one little gentleman responded, "Uh, um, uh, Marvin, Marvin!!!"

A Lenten Reflection

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)

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

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

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

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)

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 6^th 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.

                        - 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