The Call to Be Saints

                This week has been filled with a variety of popular saints' feast days: from the promising protection of the Guardian Angels, the bold, confident St. Therese of Lisieux, and the simplicity of St. Francis of Assisi, to name a few.  No two saints (or angels) seem to be exactly alike, yet they all portray themselves as followers of Jesus in their own day and age.  How can we aspire to the call to holiness?  Need we be exactly like them?  So long as we follow the Teachings of the Church, we don’t have to make the same steps of what it takes to be called Catholic.  Each and every saint was drawn to varying devotions, careers, and not every follower assumed the same vocation. 

                What is your calling, in this striving to holiness?  How will you say “yes” to Jesus?

Enduring Hardship

                During these past few days, we have celebrated two feasts and one Sunday that refer to the Suffering and Death of Our Lord (The Exaltation of the Cross, Our Lady of Sorrows, and the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time).  It has been during this time that I have been challenged to embrace my own suffering and inconveniences.  But why would I do something like that?  I know in my own life, I am not the most patient in this.  You see, the sorrows of this life are uncomfortable, and often a contradiction of what we would personally like to see in life. 

                But God is full of surprises!  And that will bring more value, more purpose to what we can offer to God.  Of course, it is alright to seek help from others and medicine to relieve a sickness, but what we do during the “waiting game” for relief can be part of our lesson in taking on what we must endure.

                I will mention again, I am far from perfect in the face of suffering, but there is always time to learn and grow.  (For example, St. Therese’s little way and “empty hands” have been a tremendous help for me.) 

Let us stand at the foot of cross with Our Lady, give what we have, and await the resurrection of Our Lord.

God be Praised!  Always!

Speaking Through the Darkness

Speaking Through the Darkness

                Pain is not an easy emotion to live with.  But it comes in various forms and different situations.  These include the physical and psychological.  Both burn, but take separate means of treatment. When they take place, it is as if time stood still.  The one I have experienced the most these past three years is the psychological.  It cannot be touched, but it can be experienced heavily.  And in difficult moments, I have had to remember that God is greater than the terror of what I might go through. In the end of each battle, we see our peers of the same earthly sorrows with empathy. 

                This unwanted emotional “experience” is not in vain. Many would definitely prefer to go without. But with each ounce of strain comes a learned lesson.  Not that we have done wrong, but what will make us stronger people. This is my own personal mission as I notice the silent cries of others, that I can speak to them through their darkness.  How will you learn from yours?

The Need for Courage

                I may have blogged about this before, but I have felt a need for courage that is stronger than usual.  I had called it upon the fictional characters of my stories growing up, and now it was being challenged in my own life. 

                But there is also this preference for remaining in the “shadows” of fear and paralyzing timidity. 

                “Do I dare?”  “What are the consequences?”

                Yes, sometimes it is best to pace ourselves in these “unnatural leaps and bounds,” but the need to push ourselves is still there. 

                Find a place of refuge, a childlike trust in Our Father, Who calls for us to do these things not only as practicing Catholics, but as a call to personal growth. 

                Let us go out into the deep.  Jesus is calling us!

Authentic Witnesses

                At the beginning of St. Paul’s letter in this Sunday’s Readings (Ephesians 4:1-6), he starts off by challenging us to “live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.”  It can be a little intimidating right?  But that’s because we must be more than just Christians in name.  He goes on to list different attributes.

                Let’s parallel it to other daily life examples.  Is it not part of a buisnessman’s job to behave professionally?  Do they curse and argue with clients?  No! 

                As Christians, we are not expected to be perfect.  But we are always working at bettering ourselves through prayer, the Sacraments (Confession especially, in this case), and mentors in the Church.  And we must not always be “good” at church, but be an example of virtue and love in our everyday lives.  I like to see it as being part of St. Therese’s “Little Way.”  We don’t have to take on huge roles in the Church (that is, unless you feel so called.)  But we can perform small, good deeds with the best of intentions to please Jesus and save souls.  Let us go forth with this commitment as authentic witnesses of God’s Love!

It's not always easy to stand up for the Catholic Faith.  It can seem so contradictory and misunderstood by our modern society.  I didn't feel ready when a new acquaintance asked me for the specifics of what I believe.  I have spoken at youth group so many times, but this time, I was just getting past a spiritual struggle.  Yet I wasn't about to leave them with their false assumptions.
St Peter says "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.". (1 Peter 3:15)
Be proud to be Catholic and do not let people walk away with misunderstandings and bad first impressions.  At the same time, it's not about forcing it down people's throats.
Let the Holy Spirit guide you!

Facing Fear Head-On
I am not the greatest at following directions to places; especially in unfamiliar surroundings.  I had to walk about 1.2 miles by myself today while living away from home.  I have been going for ten minute walks lately, but I would just walk straight one way, then turn around and come straight back to the house.  But now I was putting all my trust in Google Maps to get me to the store.
It's in situations like this that I have learned to face my anxiety that 1/2 the struggle is removed.  Yes, I still struggle because of my learning difficulty, but I don't have to be afraid.  If we give in to our fear and avoid all the time, how will we become our trust selves?  Not all anxieties are that easy to overcome, but practice makes perfect.
God be Praised!  Always!