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."

Happy (Belated) Feast Day Blessed Mother!

Feliz Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe

            I realize it can be difficult to celebrate feast days in the middle of the week as we scramble to finish the school semester or finish that one project before “winter break.”  But I encourage you to pause even for a moment to remember the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and Protector of the Unborn.  Let us look to her as a Mother and ask her intercession for our times.

            “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

            Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.”

(The Memorare Prayer)

Holy Anticipation

                Welcome to the anticipatory Season of Advent!  I feel like my own preparations started a couple months earlier than usual, in emotionally- and gift-wise- for the birth of my first niece.  True, she was not announced to my sister by the angel Gabriel or said to be our Savior, but she is the beginning of something new in both my sister and brother-in-law’s lives as well as in my own, meaning as a first-time aunt. 

                Boy or girl? 

                What would it be like the first time I hold her in my arms?  (I have found out by now.) 

                Amidst all this anxiety and excitement, I started to parallel it with Our Lady and St. Joseph’s own anticipation as they awaited that special time when the Savior of the world- their own baby- would be born.  What a responsibility!  And yet, during my first visit to see my own precious niece, I saw the new parents’ swiftness to heed to her little cries, and also the natural interaction between parents and child.  How beautiful! 

                As we enter into this blessed season in preparation for Christmas, may we see the sanctity of all human life.  Because, with them, the world will never be the same.