It's Still Christmas!

            Christmas has arrived!  The Gloria is sung at Mass, we see our relatives and friends, then we open gifts….  And guess what?  It’s not over. 

            Soon, it will be New Years Eve, sending us into the big 2020 (I know, right?!)  Even as we consider taking down the Christmas Tree and the festive decorations, it is so important to keep up the spirit of rejoicing at Christ’s birth.  I had the joy of seeing my niece, an adventurous toddler, on the big day.  Because of her presence, I like to think of how the Baby Jesus must have looked at that age.  After all, who can pass by a baby without being drawn to him/her? 

            So keep singing “Joy to the World” and “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” with the spirit of gratitude in our hearts.  Merry Christmas!

Today and Now

Let’s make today the day,

When we choose to be different.

Deciding when we will have what it takes,

Or let it wash away.

                It doesn’t have to be Christmas, or even a holiday; but the ordinary One that determines if we will change.  Mind you, I’m writing this for myself too.  Can we be brave together?  Maybe take a risk?  It’s about stepping closer to the truth and love of what is good.  What our mind, body, and soul are for.  Let’s no longer give in to slack.

Let today be your day.

Preparation and Reverance

      It’s a busy time of year, making presents, attending parties, and putting up lights.  But have we ever paused in our steps to recognize what Christmas is all about? This is why the advent season is here, to prepare our hearts for the Child Jesus’ coming. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be with loved ones, for truly, it is a time for gratitude.  Just remember that it is also a time for encouraged reverence at some point of each day. Believe me, I am striving to remember this too.  So together, let us prepare for the day of celebration of Christ’s coming into the world. 

      Maranatha!  Come, Lord Jesus!

Welcome to Advent

          Welcome back to In the Presence of God!  I would like to officially welcome you to the Advent Season.  It’s the beginning of a new liturgical calendar, and we also flip our “regular” calendars to the month of December. 

          It’s a joy to see Advent Wreathes not only in our churches, but also in homes where our families can take the time to begin Christmas traditions.  Every evening this week, my family lights the first candle to reflect on the coming of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, hidden away in a stable located in Bethlehem.  Please join me in urging the Christ Child into our lives:

          Maranatha!  Come, Lord Jesus!

Life's Chapters

Today, I would like to talk about life’s chapters.  I don’t mean those from a book, but the idea of sectioned off pieces of the different parts of our lives.  I used to think they had to be profound transitions, like entering a monastery, at long last.  But they don’t have to be as intense or broad, to be a unique chapter. 

It’s been a few years since I left that beautiful place, yet it wasn’t until recently that I started to look at things from another perspective.  We can make each day a new chapter, to help us stay present.  Or we can see it as a means to personal holiness because of the new opportunity.

A Reminder For Our Times

            This evening, I will be among the people who come from far and near to watch the latest movie on St. Faustina and Divine Mercy, (Love and Mercy: Faustina).  It is neat to think that the limited showings is placed between our beloved saint’s feast day of October 5, and that of All Saints Day, November 1.  I also think it is a relief that we don’t have to be visionaries or mystics to become saints.  We have these privileged souls as our guides, with whom God works through to show the greatness of His love.

            To tell you the truth, the chaplet of divine mercy is one string of beads I can really focus in on.  I walk with Christ to Calvary, and offer every part of His Passion for my sins, and those of the whole world. 

            If you are planning to see this movie tonight, take full advantage of what reminders God is giving us!  If you are unable to see it, renew your trust that Jesus is a Merciful Father.  

            God Bless!

Image of the Invisible God

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God

                During my lectio divina the past couple of days, I have been drawn by the first phrase, in the Second Reading for this Sunday: Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

                I had to pause, realizing what St. Paul is trying to say to the Colossians.  How can we know who God is, if He is invisible and beyond what, or whom, we can ever imagine?  (After all, who He who is everything demonstrated in the Old Testament?)

                But then there is Jesus, the acclaimed Son of God, Who works all these miracles and takes notice of the meek and lowly.  He is our IMAGE AND EXAMPLE of this invisible God.  This God Who humbled Himself earlier in time, to be the flames in the bush that Moses came across.  Now this mysterious God comes in human form. 

                So Who is He?

                I have seen the Son of Man depicted as the Good Shepherd on holy cards, and holding the lamb that was lost.  I see Him hanging so vulnerably on a cross, dying for our sins.  And I see Him on a bookmarker in my daily mass subscription, in the divine mercy.  What a God we have!

                Coming back to St. Paul’s Reading today, we hear him praising this “image of the invisible God.”  “For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth….”  He loves us, and we are made for Him.  We are not gods, but we are called to follow the examples He gives.  Am I calling out to the lost, am I willing to give of myself to others, and am I merciful… like Jesus? 

                This is the image of, and truly is, the Word made flesh.  “How great is our God,” as it says in a song.

On the Journey

                I like the idea of going on a trip.  Summertime is especially the time everyone has this on their minds.  For pleasure, to help an elderly relative, or simply to get away for a while.

                In today’s gospel, (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20), Jesus sends the disciples on a mission.  And it’s no dream vacation!  With zealous hearts, they are sent by Him to proclaim the Kingdom of God.  And, like I already mentioned, not everyone will accept them.  Nor will everyone accept our exemplary opportunities fulfilled as Christians.

                He calls us to take nothing with us.  To walk from place to place just as we are.  Yes, we must prepare with study and prayer, but there is also the gentle way of not overthinking it (which believe me, I have done!). 

                Continue on the journey.  Protect your values and walk in the Freedom of what it means to be a Catholic; all “In the Presence of God.”

Remembering All He Said

Jesus taught the disciples many things, by word and example.  This means not only in His parables and miracles, but by His passion, death, and resurrection.  He also taught them this: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26)

Thank goodness Jesus promises to help them remember, and own up to, everything!  In my own life, I value all that I was catechized in, during my growing up years.  I am now able to grasp things so much better when I study these things at a more advanced level in books and CDs, and be a more confident leader at youth group.  This learning is an ongoing process, but the Holy Spirit has also been there to inspire me to have a relationship with this historical but also ever-present Person: Jesus Christ.  I can trust in His Divine Mercy and know why I’m praying the Chaplet’s prayers, because of its ongoing stories of grace in church history.  This is only one example of how alive this truth of Jesus is, and continues to be this day.  It shows me how I can lead a Christ-like life and be a more authentic disciple too.

Mary's Instruments

     I thought I would take advantage of this Marian month to share how I came to love and appreciate how Mary calls us to be her children.

     During my highschool years, I had the privilege of directing two play productions for my parish about two different apparition series (Fatima and Lourdes).  Both opportunities were ways of spreading Our Lady's messages not only to our audiences, but to myself as well.  As we became instruments to "Pray for the conversion of sinners" for example, I too started to pray for them and myself in this way.  The more I researched for each script, the more I took each intention to heart.  For example, I was not always able to pray a whole rosary on my own, so I would at least pray the Apostles Creed. 

     How is the Blessed Mother using you to be her instrument?  

"It is the Lord"

A Blessed Third Sunday of Easter to you all!  He is Risen!  Alleluia!

                          In today’s gospel, it takes the promptings of the unidentified Jesus for the disciples to have any luck at their own, skilled profession: fishing.

                          I agree that, when caught up in our own day to day lives, it is difficult to notice any special role Jesus is participating in it.  We base things on our own talents and strengths (like fishing), and begin to wonder if... maybe God really isn’t there. Or is He?

                         It is during these moments that we (even I) need to be the ones to look for Jesus, rather than the thought that Jesus is looking for us.  He is already Present!  I have found, that, living in a spirit of gratitude makes me more ready to see the good He is placing in my life.  This is why keeping up with grace before meals and morning and evening prayers are such “trademarks” for Christians to be ever mindful of the Presence of God- and this is only the beginning to an epic life in Christ!

                        Let us cry out with the disciples “It is the Lord” and other simple phrases of recognition to Him, and to one another.  As my Sisters in Christ practice saying at the end of their recreation times:

                         I remind you of the holy presence of God, and of Our Lord Whom we have received in the Eucharist….

Choosing to Trust Jesus

                “From the fear of being asked to give more than I have, Deliver me Jesus.”

                This prayer is taken from a litany written by the Sisters of life (sistersoflife.org).  I’m sure there are at least a few stanzas in it that each of us can connect with.  They all refer to trusting Jesus, and letting Him be, and act in our lives.

                The particular line I referred to stands out for me in a personal way.  It is my call to be more voluntarily vulnerable with Jesus, when life keeps trying to pull me down.  I remember as a high schooler at a youth group kick-off, someone was challenged to stand on a chair and fall BACKWARDS into the interwoven arms of two rows of teenagers, all of them ready to catch her.  How do you think she felt about that?!  Now, that person was definitely not me, but I still see how the purpose of the activity was to indicate how much we trust Jesus.

                Do you trust Him enough, to let Him catch me?

Encountering Heavenly Light

2^nd Sunday of Lent

Encountering Heavenly Light

                In the Gospel of the 2^nd Sunday of Lent ((Luke 9:28b-36), Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John. He speaks with Moses and Elijah, and “a voice” establishes Him as the Beloved Son.  In the Presence of God, (and I don’t just mean in referring to the title of this blog), a sense of something far more remarkable than any thing, any person on earth, comes through. Visionaries throughout church history have glimpsed heavenly persons and their lives are forever changed. St. Bernadette, St. Margaret Mary, and St. Juan Diego, to name a few.

                But after an all-too brief time, each were called to continue their work on earth.  Their chores, their caring for family members, and to whatever they were obligated to do. It is the same with us.  After every retreat, every Mass, every prayer, and every time spent with a good friend, we must leave our own “Mount Tabors.”  But the ecstasy does not need to end there.  We can carry it with us to bring that same peace and Light of God to others.

                These beautiful, grace-charged moments may not always come as vividly to our hearts as it did more recently since the “celestial vision.”  After all, did not Jesus feel forsaken in Gethsemane, and more so, on the Cross?  This is why we are called to have Faith, and what a gift it is!  To hope against all discouragement, and to know that God is not just a feeling of consolation, but a Presence that promises that He will stand by us.

                So let us not hold back from these moments of Transfiguration, already dreading their conclusion.  Let us allow ourselves to be nourished and given the grace to give others this constant reminder that we never walk through life alone.  The resurrected Jesus (I’m getting ahead to Easter) guides us.

Levels of Lenten Practices

                We have now reached the 1^st Week of Lent, and I wonder if during these first four days (from Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, to now), we have been able to remain firm in what we have given up or added while crossing this figurative desert?  In the gospel today, Jesus Himself was tempted by the devil. 

                What pokes and pries at the resolutions we have so boldly chosen to make? 

                Sometimes, the things we choose to do for Lent give us a feeling of heroism.  Either we are walking valiantly (and maybe with pride in that respect) or we are crawling with surprise at what we have chosen to do.

                For me personally, I found it difficult to even decide on a resolution.  My current state of health so quickly contradicts my usual ideas to do more spiritual reading, longer devotionals, or a newer aspiration I’ve had, of visiting the sick.  There is nothing wrong with these intentions, but God does not shame us for being unable to do for the sake of personal growth and love for God. 

                But I recall how St. Therese, my little friend, sees the best things to be the hidden ones.  They are like a secret between two lovers, only you and Jesus know what great lengths it took, and yet how can lay it before Him with one innocent gaze into the eyes that notice.

                For example, it can be so easy for me to be down about my situation.  But I have found it now only helpful for myself, but a joy to others when I spare myself some relief by deciding to write a letter to a distant friend or relative.  Or, if I’m able to at the time, make some cookies and share them with a friend.  Oh no, I’ve given some of my precious deeds away!  Well, now you know!

                The desert comes in different forms and demands.  Extravagant or with a call to be creative.  Maybe Sundays can become a special day to pause and reflect on how these resolutions are going.  Keep going!  God sees.

First 24 Hours of Lent

                Well, it is the day after Ash Wednesday and the holy season of lent has begun.  I pray that this time in the “desert” is a fruitful time of growing in holiness and closer to Our Lord.  It made me wonder today about how I am living up to this Facebook Page’s title: “A Catholic Presence.”  Not that I need to be sticking it in people’s faces. But am I an authentic Christian in deed and frequent in receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion?

                Let us enter by the “Narrow Way.” 

                Come Lord, help us to understand what you are calling us to. Our Lady of Sorrows, in your fidelity at Calvary, help me to see and trust that Jesus is here for us in His redeeming love; and that we can be there for Him in His passion too. Amen.

Bernadette's Beautiful Aquero

     I'm writing this blog post at the spur of a moment, but I felt pressed to acknowledge the approaching feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11.  This marks the first apparition of eighteen in 1858. 
I have had a great admiration for St. Bernadette, but especially during my growing up years.  I collected many books on her life, the apparitions, and the beautiful lady's messages.  These texts ranged from children's chapter books to the thick, specifc accounts that great writers have quoted from the archives of accounts. 
     After my Confirmation (taking Bernadette's name of course!), I completed my accurate, elaborate notes and put together a radio theatre production of "Bernadette's Aquero" with my youth group and parish volunteers.  (By the way, the name Aquero is taken from the French dialect Bernadette identified the mysterious lady as "that.").
     What I have found to be most intriguing to me about St. Bernadette is her simplicity.  During every questioning by disbelieving authorities and every obedient response to the Lady, this fourteen year-end visionary did not press people to believe.  She was as faithful to her promise to come to the grotto of Massabielle every time, and took Our Lady's messages to heart.
     Even if be only Aquero's (February 11) and St. Bernadette's feast days (April 16), I hope we can take the time to see what these visions mean even in our own day and age- they don't have to stop at 1858. 
     "Penance, Penance, Penance!"P
     "Pray for the conversion of sinners."