True Presence

One of the most difficult ideas to come to terms with in my renewed embrace of the Catholic faith (besides Confession) was the idea of the Eucharist. Growing up, we always had a rather light-hearted approach to the Eucharist: just the “bread and wine” or “juice and crackers.” I grew up in a church and community where there was no real reverence for the Eucharist. The priest just went through the motions during Mass. Everyone I knew received the Eucharist without Confession (I did not know that was a rule, even bound in Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27 Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.)—there was never a feeling of “being unworthy” to receive Him; it was just another part of the Mass. God forgive them, but I even saw my junior high/high school classmates take the host and put it in their pocket, or drink the entire chalice of wine.

 

Almost nothing truly instilled in me a sense of awe, wonderment, understanding, or love for the Eucharist, which is truly the holy body and blood of Christ Himself. It is not a mere symbol, but His true flesh and true blood.

 

Why do we believe this to be true? Well, it is clearly written in Scripture. Every Catholic should know where to find this: John 6, the Bread of Life Discourse. John chapter 6. It is a bit lengthy, so you can read the whole thing here. I have just included the key verses below:

Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (31-33)
 

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. (35)
 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (47-51)
 

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (52-58)
 

Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you?  (60-61)
 

As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. (66)

 

Jesus said it Himself, and we certainly do not take Jesus to be a liar. Probably one of the most important things to know here is something that we do not see in English. The original word used for “eat” which I have underlined above, is the Greek word τρώγων (trogon) which literally means to “gnaw” or to “chew.” There’s really no mistaking “gnawing” or “chewing” for something symbolic. Whereas in English we could say something like “I ate up his words” meaning “I listened,” but we don’t say, “I gnawed up his words.” That just doesn’t make sense because gnawing implies something physical.

 

We can further prove from the passage that Jesus used strong and literal words for “eat” and “drink” referring to His own flesh and blood because the Jews that He was speaking to were offended and said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” By Jewish Law, this would be something very “unclean” to do, so it’s no wonder that they didn’t want to hear it. But instead of Jesus saying, “Wait, come back! You misunderstood me. I didn’t mean literally eat my flesh and drink my blood! I meant it symbolically, so that you can just ‘have’ Me, My words, My Spirit, in you, without any eating (gnawing).” Jesus didn’t say that and He did not retract His statement. He just knew that people would find it difficult, and “as a result of this, many [of] His disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Him.”

 

So are we the disciples who think this is too hard and walk away from it? Or do we believe Jesus and follow the tradition of His Apostles? (If the Apostles and first Christians did not believe this saying to literally mean eating/gnawing/chewing His flesh and blood that give eternal life, they would not have even written it that way.) If you believe Jesus’ words, there is no need to do any “mental gymnastics” to try and justify His words in other, more complicated ways. As St. Augustine said, “If you believe what you like in the Gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.”

 

I’m being a little harsh, but I will be the first to attest that coming to believe this through my complicated, overly-rational, educated mind was not easy. It is very tempting to be like the unbelieving disciples and walk away, discounting Jesus’ words. But this is because we have made ourselves too complicated. We are indeed overly rational. We are not what we are commanded by Jesus to be: like a child. Jesus told us that we have to have childlike faith. If you tell a child something, he or she does not try to complicate it. They just accept that what you say is true. So, too, should we accept Jesus' words for what He says, because of all the people to ever walk this earth, Jesus is the one person that we should never question.

For me at least, it still took time to try and "unlearn" my mind to become more childlike. I work on it every day in every aspect of my faith, but I could not do it without the help of the Holy Spirit, Who is the only means that we can come to know Jesus. (1 Corinthians 12:3 And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit). It is that same Spirit that is called upon by the priest to turn the simple bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord: "Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

A woman in the Bible was healed by simply touching the hem of His garment because of her faith. Imagine what kind of effects His body and blood can have on us if we believe with that kind of faith! Holy Communion is a Sacrament, so it is a visible sign of an invisible grace. We might just be able to move mountains with a deep yet simple understanding that what we receive is His flesh and blood, His Spirit, and to be open to His special graces. Don't walk away from Him because it is too hard to accept, but rather pray to understand better, accept it, love it, and be thankful for it!

 

I Conquered a Huge Fear

After years of claiming to be pro-life, praying for the unborn babies and moms, reading pro-life news, and even following the 40 Days for Life campaign through my computer, I finally found enough strength and courage to get in the game, instead of just cheering from the bench.

 

The first step came just over a week ago on Fat Tuesday. Our local 40 Days for Life coordinators held a kick-off rally at our local Planned Parenthood. I thought that seeing some faces, meeting my peers, and getting some information would make me less afraid to get involved in the pro-life scene. I wanted to see where I would be standing and praying for the next 40 days.

 

Our Planned Parenthood is visible from the main drag through town if you’re looking for it, but it appears mostly hidden. I drive past it on my way to and from work every day, but I’ll be honest, there have been many times that I never even noticed it and forgot that it was there. So when we got out there for the 40 Days for Life kick-off, it was my first real look at the front of the building—where the workers come and go, and where scared, pregnant women and their babies go. I got a very eerie feeling being out there. Even from the parking lot, the building is almost hard to see. Even this side of the building lies very hidden behind three huge pine trees. When I look at it, the trees seem like a mask, like this building has something to hide.

Screen capture from Google Street View

 

From what I could see through the front door (only from the sidewalk, of course), the inside looked more inviting. Warm colors on the walls and nice artwork. But still, something caught my eye in the front lobby that gave me that eerie feeling again. I saw a box of tissues sitting between the chairs. I can only imagine how many women have sat there and cried from fear or feeling like this is their only “choice.” Just like at any Planned Parenthood, if those walls could talk, it would be heartbreaking..

 

Being there that night made it all feel very real to me. Part of that experience made me feel more afraid, but I knew God was pursuing me to be His hands on earth. I told God that I didn’t really want to get in the game; the bench seemed much safer and more comfortable. But I also knew this was a test of faith. When you pray for a deeper faith, God doesn’t just give it to you; He gives you opportunities to be faithful. To rely on Him, offer it up, and let Him work through you, while you release your inhibitions and simply “follow Him.”

 

Friday of that same week, typically abortion day at our clinic, I did it. I took that huge leap of faith and conquered my fear. I went back there to pray in front of Planned Parenthood. My heart was beating hard and my stomach felt a little uneasy. I didn't know what to expect or really what to do. What really helped me was repeating a prayer that I came up with after the 40 Days for Life kick-off:

 

Take me. Make me. Mold me. Transform me into what You want.

Let Your grace flow through me.

 

Thanks be to God, when I first got there, I saw three of my friends standing there. He sure knows how to provide. We all prayed a Divine Mercy chaplet and then they left. Now it was just me, my husband, and Planned Parenthood. I felt a little awkward, unsure of what to do next, but the time actually flew by. Standing in silent prayer, feeling God's presence, feeling love and compassion for every person in that clinic and in clinics across the world, was food for my soul. I felt surrounded by the communion of saints after calling upon our Blessed Mother and St. Michael to protect those inside. I felt very nervous each time someone came in or out of the building, or each time a car drove by, but it got easier as the time went on.

 

An hour went by quickly and I felt spiritually refreshed. I have been back twice since then and I will go back many more times. I'm at the point now where I wonder what held me back for so long. Why was I so afraid? Yes, doing God's work can be scary and uncomfortable, but it's easier and even enjoyable when you pray for grace and allow it to work in you.

 

Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.

 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.

1 Peter 3:13-18

 

 

Living in History: Pope Benedict XVI to resign

 

Pope Benedict XVI announced this morning, February 11, that he would renounce his position as the Bishop of Rome, effective February 28. His announcement both shocked and saddened me. I have only known two popes my whole life. Anyone who was born after 1978 also has only known two popes, and I dearly love them both. But his resignation was also a shock because the last pope to resign his position was with Pope Gregory XII in 1415--that's almost 600 years ago!

I deeply admire Pope Benedict's humility and grace to step down as Vicar of Christ. In a world and a culture that is so focused on success and "me-me-me," his choice must be difficult to understand. But he understands the difficult times that the Church is facing, where hostility and intolerance of Christianity is strong. He understands that the world is evolving and modernizing quicker than we can blink. He understands that the Church needs a strong mind and body to shepherd over one billion Catholics, and he has accepted that he can no longer fill such large shoes. (Read his full statement here.) God bless the Holy Papa for such humility and selfless wisdom! My admiration for him has only grown stronger.

His announcement shouldn't be a total surprise. In 2010, Pope Benedict told a German journalist that "if a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically, and spiritually capable of handling the duties of office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign." He is a man true to his word. Also in a world where hindsight is 20/20, the pope also dropped a very subtle hint that went under the radar. In April of 2009, the Holy Father visited the tomb of Pope St. Celestine V (1215-1296) in Aquila, Italy. After praying at the tomb, he left his pallium (the symbol of his papal authority, pictured left) on top of St. Celestine's tomb. St. Celestine was elected shortly before his 80th birthday (Pope Benedict was 78 when he was elected in 2005), and was one of those few popes who resigned from the pontificate.

In such a weird transition time, we must not stop praying for our Holy Father, but rather, increase our prayers for him and for his successor. We must pray for those cardinals who will go to conclave soon, for the complete guidance of and trust in the Holy Spirit, who has guided our Church for 2000 years.

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Jesus: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." John 14:1

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

 

And of course we should not have any reason to be concerned about the future of the Church (the bride of Christ) and the successor to Peter, because Jesus said:
 

"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven." Matthew 16:18-19

 
There's really no need to worry or go on speculating about who the next successor to the throne of Peter might be. It is not for us to decide who we think is "right" for the Church or "wrong" for the Church at this time. God, in His infinite wisdom, is the only One to know. Whatever will be, will be. God's will be done, and the Holy Spirit will guide His bishops to the right leader.

So for now, let's remain the pope's faithful flock, steeped in prayer, and strong in faith.

 

Additional reading about the Supreme Pontiff:


From the Catholic Church's Facebook page:

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16:18, Jesus says to Peter “and so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Among Jesus’ twelve apostles, Peter is given a unique mission to preserve the purity and sanctity of the Holy Church, and lead his fellow brothers and sisters in the one true faith. In like manner, Jesus endowed the other apostles with the authority of bishops, with Peter as their head. In this way, they formed a “college”, or stable group dedicated to teaching, and defending the faith. Just as Peter and his fellow apostles together formed an apostolic college, so too does the pope, successor of Peter, and bishop of Rome, along with the other bishops, form an episcopal college, dedicated to instructing and preserving the faith. Since the Church was intended to endure through the ages, until the return of Jesus, succession was necessary in order for this to be fulfilled. In fact, there has been an unbroken succession of popes from Peter to Benedict XV1, the 265th successor.

Peter, along with succeeding Popes and bishops were and are given the authority to govern the Church, make doctrinal judgments, and implement definitive teachings regarding faith and morals. However, the Teaching office of the Church may be exercised by the Pope alone when he teaches officially, or by the whole “college” of bishops together with the Pope. It must be stated however, that the Pope is not infallible on all matters. The word “infallible” does not mean that the Pope is perfect. It also does not mean that the Pope knows everything. Instead, “infallibility” only applies when the Pope speaks about solemn, official teachings on faith and morals. This does not happen very often and usually is in response to a doctrine that has been called into question. This teaching is based on the promise Christ gave to His Church in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit would “guide you to all truth.” However, on the occasion that the Church declares a particular matter as infallible, this means it is something believed to be revealed by Jesus Christ and is without the possibility of error. When a particular matter is declared infallible, Catholics are obliged to adhere in the spirit of obedience. In the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, the nature of infallibility is explained:

“Bishops who teach in communion with the Roman Pontiff are to be revered by all as witnesses of divine and Catholic truth; the faithful, for their part, are obliged to submit to their bishops’ decision, made in the name of Christ, in matters of faith and morals, and to adhere to it with a ready and respectful allegiance of mind.” (Lumen Gentium, 25)

The primacy of the Pope, and the recognition of the universal authority he has been given to instruct the faithful, sustains and safeguards the unity of the Church as the communicator of truth. It has been said that the Pope is the servant of the servants of God. That is to say, the Pope’s primary mission is one of service to the people of God, to uphold the oneness of Christ’s Church.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

880 When Christ instituted the Twelve, "he constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them." Just as "by the Lord's institution, St. Peter and the rest of the apostles constitute a single apostolic college, so in like fashion the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, and the bishops, the successors of the apostles, are related with and united to one another."

881 The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head." This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.

 

882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."

 

895 "The power which they exercise personally in the name of Christ, is proper, ordinary, and immediate, although its exercise is ultimately controlled by the supreme authority of the Church." But the bishops should not be thought of as vicars of the Pope. His ordinary and immediate authority over the whole Church does not annul, but on the contrary confirms and defends that of the bishops. Their authority must be exercised in communion with the whole Church under the guidance of the Pope.

 

869 The Church is apostolic. She is built on a lasting foundation: "the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (Rev 21:14). She is indestructible (cf. Mt 16:18). She is upheld infallibly in the truth: Christ governs her through Peter and the other apostles, who are present in their successors, the Pope and the college of bishops.

 

891 "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed," and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.

936 The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. The bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is "head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth" (CIC, can. 331).

 

 

 

 

From the Code of Canon Law:
 

Can. 330 Just as by the Lord’s decision Saint Peter and the other Apostles constitute one college, so in a like manner the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter, and the bishops, the successors of the Apostles, are united among themselves.

 

Can. 331 The bishop of the Roman Church, in whom continues the office given by the Lord uniquely to Peter, the first of the Apostles, and to be transmitted to his successors, is the head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ, and the pastor of the universal Church on earth. By virtue of his office he possesses supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church, which he is always able to exercise freely.

 

Can. 333 §2. In fulfilling the office of supreme pastor of the Church, the Roman Pontiff is always joined in communion with the other bishops and with the universal Church. He nevertheless has the right, according to the needs of the Church, to determine the manner, whether personal or collegial, of exercising this office.

 

Can. 334 Bishops assist the Roman Pontiff in exercising his office. They are able to render him cooperative assistance in various ways, among which is the synod of bishops. The cardinals also assist him, as do other persons and various institutes according to the needs of the times. In his name and by his authority, all these persons and institutes fulfill the function entrusted to them for the good of all the churches, according to the norms defined by law.

 

Can. 335 When the Roman See is vacant or entirely impeded, nothing is to be altered in the governance of the universal Church; the special laws issued for these circumstances, however, are to be observed.

Washing away the filth

“Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been almost 9 years since my last confession….”

 

Those were some hard words to muster this past August.

 

I remember the last time I went to Confession, back in 2003. My high school held penance services twice a year. Several priests from throughout our deanery would come and were scattered about our gym, far enough apart so that you couldn’t hear the confessions nearby. It was my freshman year; I had gone to Confession that winter for Advent. I remember sitting on the bleachers around my friends, examining my conscience. And then I got up and went to my parish priest. When I was done, I didn’t know my next Confession would be as an adult, a married woman with another name, living in another state. I remember my school’s penance service again that spring (Lent) of my freshman year. I can still hear the moment that I really de-railed from my authentic Catholic faith, becoming just a nominal Catholic, when one of my old friends said, “I don’t need to tell a priest my sins. I can just tell God myself and He will forgive me.” I believed the lie, and I did not go to Confession. I threw away the 2000-year-old, perfected road map and picked up something else that took me in another direction during the most vulnerable time of my life.

 

Fast-forward almost 9 years and here I am in Montana. A lot of things happened all at once in the summer of 2012. I realized how much free time I had outside of work, so I started renting books from the library. In particular, I started reading books by Venerable Fulton Sheen. We were getting to know some great Catholic couples who were very well-versed in their faith and took it very seriously. It was very inspiring. The battle for religious freedom from the unconstitutional HHS Mandate was still red-hot, and I really wanted to understand why the US Bishops were fighting it so hard. Still, on top of all these outside influences, the most important was what was happening inside me. I can only describe it as the Holy Spirit pursuing me and moving me. It felt almost as though He had found that road map I had thrown away almost 9 years ago and was urging me to take another look at it. I was able to truly look at myself and see the sick state of my soul. I continued to learn more because although a large part of me wanted to live that authentic Catholic life, a part of me still wanted to stay “comfortable” and not challenge myself, so I was looking for a way out. A part of me still wanted to keep things simple (“don’t interfere with my life or conscience”) because I did not want to be a “crazy” Catholic (read: different from modern society). I thought I would lose a lot because the Church seemed to have so many “rules” and in my selfish, resistant spirit, I couldn’t yet see that those “restrictions” are actually freeing.

 

The road back to the confessional was not easy and it was not quick. It took months. I would constantly recall my sins and they still weighed heavily on me, but I tried to ignore it. I read Your Life is Worth Living: The Christian Philosophy of Life by Fulton Sheen and the Diary of St. Maria Kowalska Faustina. Between those two books, I found the guts I needed to face my fear of the confessional and I found a true conversion of heart, an essential step for a good confession. I had made up my mind that I was going to go.

 

Even after I had made up my mind, it still took me almost 2 months to gather the courage to actually do it. I had to figure out what in my life was gravely sinful and make the decision to live that way no longer. I had a great fear of something unfamiliar to me. How do I make a good confession? Is it face-to-face in our confessional? Will the priest recognize me? What will he think of me? I don’t know the Act of Contrition. What if I forget what to do once I'm in there? 

 

I spent a few weeks examining my conscience, trying to recall my sins of the past 9 years. I wrote them down as I remembered them. I ended up with 3 full pages of notebook paper. I thought I would start out with my worst (mortal) sins to try and get them out of the way as soon as possible. The night before my confession, I was very focused. I was steeped in prayer, constantly going over my examination of conscience list and my written confessions. I did not eat anything after dinner and was determined to fast until I was back in full communion with the Church. Before bed, I thought it would be best to practice saying everything out loud, in my own voice. That was one of the hardest things I ever did. Saying things in your head is infinitely more different than saying things out loud. Halfway through, I started to cry, and I cried hard. I literally felt as though I had outwardly covered myself with dirt and filth. When I was done, I went to my husband and told him that I thought I was the worst person on earth, because surely no one can have an awful list like me.

 

The next morning I woke up to go to Saturday morning Mass. I denied myself the Eucharist, which hurt, but I should have been that doing all along. My heart was racing as I got in line after Mass, and I fervently prayed for help. I wanted to speak to Father (acting in persona Christi) as a child would, without pride or embarrassment. I entered the confessional, knelt behind the screen, and pulled out my list. I began to cry again halfway through, but I made it. When Father had absolved me, I felt like all that dirt that I had smeared all over myself the night before had just been washed away. I could breathe easier and walk taller than I had in years because the Sacrament of Reconciliation is real. I was back in full communion with the Church and I felt the graces abound from the Sacrament. There were sins that I confessed that I was sure I would commit again just because they had been such a part of my life, but the graces received through the Sacrament are real and I have been able to keep from many of those sins.

 

My journey back to the confessional was long, but I do not regret the choices or lifestyle changes I have made in order to return to my authentic Catholic faith and an authentic relationship with Jesus.

 

My timing in sharing this is not a coincidence. I dearly pray for Catholics to return to the confessional, especially during this season of penance. I know it took me a long time to “get ready,” but we are about 2 months away from Easter. Use the Lenten season to just take a look in the mirror at least. Spiritually, are you where you want to be? Are you aware of mortal sins? How is your relationship with Jesus? Do you associate your sins with His suffering? How well-formed are you in Catholic catechesis?

 

Just Google, “Returning to Confession.” It’s never too late and you won’t regret it.

Something big is ahead. Are you ready?

Here we are: Wednesday, February 6. If you haven’t glanced ahead at your calendar lately, maybe you’re surprised to know that the countdown to Lent is now at one week! T-7 days!
 
Have you given it any thought yet? Have you made the decision to really throw yourself into the Lenten season? Could you make this the strongest and most meaningful Lent you have ever experienced, especially given that we are in the middle of the Year of Faith?
 
Here’s some of what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about Lent:

540      Jesus’ temptation reveals the way in which the Son of God is Messiah, contrary to the way Satan proposes to him and the way men wish to attribute to him. This is why Christ vanquished the Tempter for us: “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sinning.” By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert.

 

1438    The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice. These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).

 
Did you get that? Jesus wandered in the desert for 40 days, surrounded by temptation, living in prayer, and sacrificing those earthly and bodily comforts. In our 40 day journey through Lent, we too can join in Jesus’ journey, because after all, we are called to be like Christ. How?

• Spiritual exercises: more prayer, more often; adoration; reading Scripture; did I mention more prayer? Do you pray a daily Rosary? Have you ever done a Novena? Do you know of the Liturgy of the Hours or the Angelus? Even more basic, do you know how to meditate, to simply listen to God?

• Penitential liturgies: It is good for the soul to seek God’s word to move our hearts, to acknowledge our sins, and seek a genuine conversion in our lives. What should follow is to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I was away from the confessional for almost 9 years, which I wrote about here.

• Pilgrimages as signs of penance: if you have the means to travel (Middle East, the Vatican, Turin, Mexico City, el Camino de Santiago, etc) by all means, go! Closer to home, there may be a particular shrine, or basilica with particular saint or religious remains, that could serve as a small pilgrimage.

• Voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving: Most typical and highly encouraged is to give up meat on Fridays. Why? In denying ourselves the flesh of another animal, we remember Jesus who sacrificed His flesh for us on That Friday. A lot of people also fast from things they love: sweets, soda, coffee, alcohol, fast food, along with non-food things like TV, computer time, or eating out. The idea is to deny yourself not only the earthly things that you enjoy, but also things that end up as a higher priority than God. How much more time do we spend watching TV instead of reading Scripture or praying? How often do we indulge our bodies with candy or huge meals, without teaching ourselves obedience by restriction, or standing in solidarity with the poor? Fasting from things like your favorite foods could easily turn to almsgiving, where you use the money that you would have spent and instead donate it. Overall, these are excellent ways to humble yourself.

• Fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works): Are there homeless shelters, soup kitchens, or places in town for people in need? Does your church need help with clothing or food drives? Just find extra ways to love your neighbor.

 

Lent doesn’t have to be so complicated. In fact, it’s a time to simplify. It’s a time to really remove the clutter from our lives. The comfortable things we can live without, and most importantly, the things that take our focus off of God. It’s a time to set our eyes upon His face, a time to look at others and see Christ in them, a time to remove the clutter from our souls and sweep away the dirt and cobwebs.
 
So what will you do?

Sick with a Fever

Some days are harder than others, and today is one of those hard days. After breaking an almost two month stretch of snow on the ground and temperatures below freezing, we have been in the 40s lately. I have noticed that, although my morning drives to work still require headlights, the sky is a little more blue and a little less black these days. We have even finished a couple dinners before it is pitch black outside. We are headed toward spring, but up here in Montana, we still have a ways to go. To make a long story short, I’m getting a little bit of spring fever.

 

But that’s not all. Some days, I get terribly homesick.

 

I have grown personally and spiritually out here, and our marriage has grown so strong when all we have had to rely on is each other. I have gotten my first “real” job and have met some amazing people and live in an amazing little town, nestled in God’s Country. We live in a place where going to Yellowstone National Park or Glacier National Park are not once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, but weekend trips. It’s a fantastic place. But being 1700 miles away from home—from my nearest family member or friend—is tough some days. Combine my homesickness with my spring fever, and you’ve got a girl with a heavy heart. Today is such a day.

 

Never in my life did I ever think I would muster these words, but I miss my Midwestern summers. I might be shedding off some pride by admitting this, but I really do miss it. I miss those clammy, musty, moist summer mornings. I dearly miss lightning bugs (no, they do not exist in Montana). And I very dearly miss the sounds of sitting on the porch on a hot, summer night.. the cicadas and katydids (also, no such sounds here). I miss the flowers in the spring and the birds who announce their return from their winter get-aways. I really, really miss the color green. Real green, like Crayola crayon green. Here, it is not green. Well, okay, technically it is green year-round with the enormous amount of pine trees, but that’s a dark green. We really don’t have green grass or green deciduous trees here, and oh how I miss those big, leafy trees! I miss the vast farmland of corn and soy, with plants swaying in the sunlight from a warm breeze. I miss the summer storms—another thing lacking in western Montana: severe weather; that’s tough for this meteorologist.

 

I’m a Midwestern girl, and more specifically, an Indiana girl (but don’t you dare call me that “H” word—I’m a Boilermaker.) Some days, it’s just hard to be away. But I know it’s for the best. I know that at any moment, I am exactly where I am meant to be, in the palm of His hand, and I know it’s all for a greater good that I can’t understand right now.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

There is an appointed time for everything,

and a time for every affair under the heavens.

 

A time to give birth, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.

 

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to tear down, and a time to build.

 

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

 

A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;

a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

 

A time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

 

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to be silent, and a time to speak.

 

A time to love, and a time to hate;

a time of war, and a time of peace.

 

What profit have workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to mortals to be busied about. God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done. I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life. Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil—this is a gift of God. I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it. Thus has God done that he may be revered. What now is has already been; what is to be, already is: God retrieves what has gone by.

 

 

So for now I will just set these words in my heart, continue to grow, continue to pray, and continue to look at pictures from home.