Sunday, October 3, 2010

Let's Talk About Common Misunderstandings, Shall We?

So, I have a dear friend who recently contacted me on Facebook about a post she read in here Theology Class group.  It was concerning a woman who is at odds with her in-laws with regard to their Catholic faith.  My friend asked me to please provide a means of response to this post because she does not feel that Catholics are in opposition to Christ's Teachings.  She feels this way because she knows some very devout Catholics (I am humbled to be on her list, in fact) who practice their faith fully and therefore, it's obvious to her that Catholics are, indeed, one with Christ and His Teachings. 

As I welcome inquiries into my faith and am thankful for a wonderful friend who asks questions rather than making assumptions, I was happy to oblige her.  Below is the excerpt of the post she sent to me and then, my response to her.  Perhaps some of you may find this helpful, as well?  Perhaps, it might give you pause? Ultimately, I hope that it will remind you that if we are following Christ and are "for Him" then we are inevitably "on the same team."

Peace be with you.

I am married to a converted catholic and have struggled for nearly 20-years with the issue of the crucifix with my in-laws. My mother-in-law believes so strongly in this symbol that she actually snuck one into the back of a picture frame that she gave to me at my baby shower. She knew that I disapproved of the use of the crucifix, so she figured that if it was taped in the back of the frame that her grandson would be protected by the power of it and that I would never know. Years after the birth of our son I discovered the secretly hidden object in his room. I was initially angered by the clandestine actions but through God’s grace I was able to eventually discuss it with her. God knows that at times we are unable to handle certain events and allows them when He knows we can deal with them. Had I found it the first few years of my sons life I would have been unable to peacefully discuss it.


Her belief in that symbolic figure is so important to her that she is unable to understand why I am so equally opposed to it. I guess that is why the first few paragraphs of this article really stood out to me. When he says, “a number of Christians feel that their gospel presentations should include simply the fact of Christ’s death, but not his resurrection. Some go so far as to have a crucifix in their homes or around their necks with a corpse hanging on it. Certainly such a picture elicits remorse and pity. But does it offer hope” I was immediately reminded of my in-laws and many of the other catholic acquaintances in my life. The idea that they seemingly worship a dead savior and not a risen one grieves my heart.


Wallace so clearly shows how vital it is to understand why the resurrection is so important for our lives. The fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy and the wiping away of our sin debt is a clear reason to display a bare cross to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of eternity. As Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”.


I do love you so dearly! :-) Thank you for coming to me and asking me the question. I am never offended or dismayed by anyone questioning the "why" of things we do as Catholics. Being a devout Catholic, myself, I often have to clarify common misconceptions.
  • Some are brought on by Catholics who are "Catholic" in name only.
  • Others are brought on by perpetuated myths and misunderstandings about our faith.
  • And still yet, there are times when it is a combination of both poor Catholic representation AND perpetuated misunderstandings...those are always fun! LOL

First of all, I think I explained the rosary, right? It is our way of keeping "time" or "focus" while praying. It helps us to keep "track" of where we are in the prayer, as well. As we've discussed before, when we are praying the "Hail Mary" we are repeating what was spoken to Mary by the Angel as well as her cousin, Elizabeth and then, asking for her help in prayer. We do not worship her and the full rosary is about meditation...focusing on Christ's amazing life and sacrifice for us while praying for an intention. When we ask for Mary's prayer, we are doing the same thing that anyone might do in a time of need...asking someone they love and trust to please pray for them and/or their need. :-)

Second, the post you sent is quite clearly tinged with significant emotions, indeed. You are correct in your assumption that it appears she has a strong bias toward Catholicism based upon her own upbringing. The strong language she uses to describe certain events and feelings indicates that wholeheartedly. I think that her case is a combination of misunderstanding and possibly, not a full or correct representation by her Catholic in-laws. Sometimes, too, there are cases where the Catholic is a devout Catholic, but perhaps lacks the skills of properly and clearly explaining our faith, which can also lend itself to a lot of confusion. Maybe that is what's occurred here? I'm not sure.

However, to properly explain...the crucifix is NOT our way of recognizing only Christ's death and ignoring His resurrection. It is a symbol - not unlike plain crosses to others - that reminds us of His incredibly selfless sacrifice. It is sacred as a symbol because Christ's life, death AND resurrection is sacred to us. We never want to forget all that He did for us so that we might be saved and receive hope of meeting our Father in Heaven...without His sacrifice...without His death AND resurrection...we would all be lost. Catholicism is also a combination of Scripture (mostly Scripture) and oral tradition. It's important to note that the Bible was originated by the Catholic Church...therefore...it cannot be in opposition to the Church's teachings because the Bible came from those teachings. Does that make sense?

A common misconception (one I had myself, before I learned about it and converted, actually) is that Catholics worship images/idols/statues rather than Christ and God. That is wholly untrue. The statues and artwork you see are simply more reminders - things we keep close to help us to NEVER forget why we are here...why were are blessed...why we are Saved! We don't worship those things, but they help to serve as constant reminders of what our faith is about...at its core. It is always and has always been about Christ's love for us and how He sacrificed Himself...how God sacrificed His ONLY Son for our sins...that because He did this, we are not doomed to Hell. He created that "bridge" between us and God. In our creed, we discuss what we believe and it clearly states that Christ "died, was buried and rose again" so we most certainly do not ignore that He is the RISEN LORD. :-)

Many people get hung up on things because, to put it in simple terms, they have been taught to believe that way by leaders of other denominations. I always like to remind people that "denominations" are not "of God" but rather, are manmade. Once Christ died, Catholics were made up of the Jews and Gentiles that chose to follow His way and His teachings...to answer the call He placed upon them. It wasn't until hundreds of years later that there was a split within the Church that gave us the thousands of denominations we have today. That split, while there were things that desperately needed addressing at the time, was the result of Luther taking it upon Himself to determine what Christ had ordained from the beginning...essentially, making the very mistakes in things that he so worried about. Instead of addressing them at the source, he simply created a new religion. From that...from him, stemmed all of the other Christian faiths we know so commonly today.

Before becoming Catholic, I wanted to find answers. I found them historically and Scripturally. It helped to lead me here and to a deeper found faith for which I am eternally grateful. Sadly, I find that many denominations spend entirely too much time worrying about Catholics and what Catholics "do" or "don't do" as opposed to focusing upon their own faith lives. I have yet to understand that. People get far too hung up on the differences and deciding "who" has the authority to preach the Gospel. And yet, do they not recall what was clearly stated by Christ, Himself?
"John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."

Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward."

Mark 9:38-41
Love you - miss you!
Christine

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Great Links to Amazing Speakers...

Over the years, I've been able to witness various speakers on our beautiful faith. Some have even written books. I've read some of Scott Hahn's writings and I intend to keep reading! Their journeys are amazing. They have a love, passion and knowledge that far exceeds my own. God truly does bestow particular gifts upon particular people. These are certainly some of the most gifted, indeed.

I hope you will enjoy watching them. Tim Staples and Scott Hahn are broken into smaller junks so you're not overwhelmed with watching everything at once. Fr. Corapi's is only 10 minutes long.

Peace be with you.


TIM STAPLES - CATHOLIC CONVERT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLWEE3H_sdo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73ShQ68WW8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT5_teL78_o&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpXnRbgOM74&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rDDO19VCzQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPi1PPl_xU4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpptEntC3nw&NR=1


SCOTT HAHN - CATHOLIC CONVERT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8RMvmrheE0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck1USy2m-oU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfkgY0YIsc8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE4hscgy9a8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ifKJSuKaNk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EwpN36bVTE&feature=related


FATHER JOHN CORAPI - RETURNING CATHOLIC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhAyEZR4gUk


Our faith is loving and beautiful.  It brings us into full communion with our Lord God.  We follow Christ and when we completely lend ourselves to listening to His Will we are able to more fully comprehend that "the greatest of these is love."

May you be blessed, always.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I'm Not a Chrisitan...What? Part III - The Bible

So, let's talk about another topic that was brought up early on in the debate on Facebook. It's one that he brought up in a couple of different ways:
1. The Catholic Church prevents Catholics from reading Scripture.
2. Catholics do not follow the Bible which is the ONLY source for Christian faith.
3. The Catholic Church's Teachings are contrary to the Bible.
We will take these points on one at a time to make it easier to follow. Some of these things are questions I had myself before converting. For those of you unaware, I was a Protestant my entire life until I came to be a Catholic, which was only a few years ago. I had many of the typical misconceptions and biases that were due, in large part, to the many "Cafeteria Catholics" I had encountered to that point in my life. It wasn't until I asked questions of educated persons...persons who actually follow the tenets as well as understand them that I began to I had been misled. Now, don't get me wrong, I realize that even with understanding the "why" of Catholicism, some people may never be able to make that jump. That is fine. It's ok to disagree with me. The only thing I ask is that a person be properly educated with the FACTS so that they actually know what it is they're disagreeing with. I think anyone would expect the same of any subject matter - religious or otherwise. Know the facts. It's common sense, really.

1. The Catholic Church prevents Catholics from reading Scripture.

Ok. I have to admit that this is not one of the misconceptions I had prior to my conversion. In fact, the first time I heard this accusation was on my Facebook page, yesterday. I was perplexed as to how someone may have gotten that idea in their head. Mind you, he was not referring to Church history where the population was largely illiterate (which prompted the creation of stain glass windows to "show" the stories of the Bible for those who could not read). No, he was stating that now...today...the Church tries to prevent our study of Scripture. Hmmmm...

I can attest to you, as a devout Catholic, that I have NEVER been discouraged from learning Scripture...studying it...understanding it. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The Church highly encourages us to know and read the Bible. We have more Scripture read to us during our weekly Mass than you get in a Protestant service. Here is a simple breakdown of the prayer and Scripture we encounter during our Mass, just to give you an idea of the flow:
Prayer
Songs of Worship
Reading from OT
Psalm
Reading from NT
Reading of the Holy Gospel
More Prayer

That is just an overview of the specific instances of prayer and Scripture. It doesn't even include the Eucharist, intentions, etc. Our Mass is centered on Christ from the moment we enter the Church until we leave. Everything we do, we do to honor God and give thanks to His presence in our lives.

In addition to Mass, there is no end to all of the materials at our disposal and classes, too, if we want to learn more about Scripture. We are never denied an opportunity for Bible Studies, RCIA (classes for those who want to convert - which provides in-depth discussions and Scripturally based foundations for the Catholic faith). If it were true...if the Church wanted us to remain ignorant of Scripture, then wouldn't it have banned Bibles from being dispensed in the first place...long ago before the People were able to become more educated? I have always found communication to be quite open within the Church about questions and discussions. If it had not been so, I would not have converted as I did...as an adult.

2. Catholics do not follow the Bible which is the ONLY source for Christian faith.
3. The Catholic Church's Teachings are contrary to the Bible.
(Let's combine these two and answer them together as they can tie together quite easily.)

First, let's travel back in time a little way. It's important to understand the origins of the Bible. It was, in fact, a Catholic book. It was put together completely by Catholics (the only Christians at that time). Therefore, it's important that we acknowledge the fact that anyone has a Bible at all is due to the Catholics gathering all of the writings and placing them into one, complete book. It was the Church that scrutinized all the writings and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit divined what to place into it and what was false writing. Not an easy task and certainly not something that could have been accomplished without God's Divine Intervention at the time. A point could be made, here, that for anyone to quote the Bible and give it authority would be to recognize the authority of the Catholic Church that gave us said Bible. It's logical.
Some Scripture to reference when discussing "the Bible Alone" theory:
Matthew 16:13-20, 18:18, 28:19-20; Luke 10:16, John 14:16, 21:25; II Thess. 2:15, 3:6; I Cor. 11:2, I Peter 1:25 and II Peter 3:15-16
It's important to note that "sola scriptura" (scripture alone) is not found in the Bible anywhere. First of all, the Bible even tells us that not everything Jesus said and did were written down, so we need to include oral tradition in our following of His Teachings. Even in II Peter, it is noted that Scripture can be very hard to interpret...we need an authoritative interpreter.

Do we not all recall that the Bible even tells us that to each person God bestows a different gift? All of those gifts are to be used for the purpose of God and that not all persons can receive the same types of gifts. Wouldn't it stand to reason, then, that interpreting God's Word is not a gift He has necessarily bestowed upon everyone? If He had...then, considering it came from God, then I argue that we would, in fact, have everyone interpreting the very same things. This, however, is not the case so it should call into question whether or not everyone should be just willy-nilly interpreting such Holy Words on their own without any guidance. It certainly should, at the very least, make you think.

Do not ignore, also, that since the case is the Catholic Church gave us the Bible. Then, it stands to reason that it cannot, therefore, contradict the Catholic faith. How is that even possible? Why would the Church, which came pre-Bible, put together something that would only discredit what they had been doing for 300 years by that time? Take away your religious thoughts on this for a moment and think about that in a logical manner. Does it make sense? If the Church was evil and trying to keep us from the Bible...keep us from God...keep us from following what Christ wanted...why would they comprise the Bible of anything to the contrary of what they wanted to have us believe? They didn't. The Bible is a further extension of our beliefs and Church guarantees the Bible. They walk hand-in-hand together, always.

My hope is that this clarifies some misconceptions about the beautiful and Christ-led faith that is Catholicism. I am not worried if someone decides they don't like my beliefs nor my faith. Disagreeing is something that happens. However, I ask that people please know what it is they're disagreeing with rather than simply taking someone's interpretations of our faith as the Truth. That can only lead to further misguided opinions. I once had opinions based upon false impressions and uninformed thinking, too. Perhaps what I've written will help further educate...perhaps it will give you pause. Whatever the case, I hope it will at least shed light onto some of the dark that is creeping around out there.

Peace be with you.

I'm Not a Chrisitan...What? Part II - Eucharistic Focus

Well, it would seem that there is a very personal vendetta being taken out on my poor Facebook page about why Catholics are "evil" not "of God" and "false Christians." Wow...really? The temptation for extreme amounts of sarcasm is quite high at this point because I am exhausted from this person's constant need to change the topic, deny what he has said and attempt to deflect, make sweeping statements that he cannot substantiate and ultimately, present his own and very personal opinion as FACT.
Ugh. Sigh.
And then...I stop...I listen to God...and I know that I am called to not raise my own ire...not equal the level of frustration, but rather...to back off a bit. I need to not make his same mistake and allow my human nature to override God's Will. He has a purpose in all this, I know that to be true. Hate begets hate and I cannot contribute to that. So, I must stop and remember to approach it with the Holy Spirit and not with my own and quite flawed human nature.

So, why do Catholics believe what they do? Where do all these traditions and tenets come from exactly? How can we believe all that we do?

Ok. Let's take it slow and account for things, then. In this way, it shall present education to those who may be unclear. In this way, it can address question and/or concerns. In this way, I shall respond with love and fact and not run the risk of my own emotions being raised to an unhealthy and certainly, not "of God" place. Remembering that I am called to explain and evangelize with charity is key. It's all too easy to get into the debating wars and then, completely lose sight of the original purpose of the debate...to answer simple questions. Those who want to skew things will continue to do so, but my task is finished...I have explained and evangelized. Even Christ allowed for people to make up their own minds about what He preached...he never forced it upon anyone and he certainly did not treat anyone poorly as a result of disagreeing. It's imperative, always, as we debate, that we literally think of it in terms of "What would Jesus do?"

In this blog, let's address the Eucharist since it's one of the points that came up during the "great debate" on my Facebook. In order not to overwhelm anyone, I'll post responses to other specific items in subsequent blog postings. It'll make it less taxing on everyone, I think. :-)

The Eucharist (one of the main points of contention between Protestants and Catholics, it seems):
Verses for Discussion: John 6, Mark 14:22-24, I Corinthians 10:14-17, I Corinthians 11:23-29, Matthew 26:26-28, Luke 22:17-20, Luke 24:30-35

In John, he discusses that we must "eat his flesh in order to have life." Jesus repeats this and is quite clear about more than once. John 6:55, "For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." As a Protestant, the disagreement comes from John 6:35, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." However, it's imperative that we go beyond that verse and understand the completeness of what is being stated, particularly in verses John 6:48-58 where Jesus actually calls HIMSELF the bread.

In some cases, the further disagreement comes from John 6:60-70 because Protestants believe it to be Jesus speaking symbolically. John 6:63, "It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." This is where fully understanding context in your Biblical studies is key. Jesus' reference to the Eucharist actually comes to a close in verse John 6:58. The verses 60-70 begin to speak specifically to FAITH. Furthermore, "spirit" is not symbolic - spirit is always used literally and is very real. When we move to I Corinthians (2:14-3:4), we are able to gain a clearer understanding of the meaning of using "the flesh" versus "my flesh." I find one of the more powerful statements to clearly outline the importance and reverence assigned (rightfully so) to the Eucharist in Paul's letter (I Corinthians 11:27):
"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord."

The Last Supper is one of the more obvious examples of Jesus leaving us with the teaching of "my body, my blood" that we should do "in remember of" Him. It's important to note that until the Reformation, all Christians believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Even Luther never moved away from it - and considering that he was so worried about misleading people, you would think that might be one of the first things on his "do not do this" list, right?

When you look at history, without interjecting your religious beliefs, there are many things that are simply fact. The Catholic Church was comprised of the first Christians (Jews & Gentiles). Even some churches that chose to split from it prior to the Reformation (Orthodox, Coptic, Armenian) still believe in the Eucharist and the Real Presence. What we do is not "re-crucifying" our Lord God...it is not blasphemy...it is not a heresey. It is following what Christ taught us...what He left with His Apostles...what has been handed down to all of us since that time of His GREAT SACRIFICE. We do this in remembrance of Him.

Peace be with you.

Monday, August 16, 2010

I'm Not a Christian...What???

Yes, this seems to be an ongoing misconception about Catholics in the general community. No, not within my friends or those who are Protestant that know me well. It seems to be rampant within the general community of Protestant believers, however, that Catholics are not Christians. When and where this belief began, I am not certain. I can say, however, that it seems to be dominant within certain extreme groups.

When I come across it, often, I ignore it. If someone is against Catholics, then that is their right. If someone chooses to judge me based upon my faith and the way in which I honor, love and obey God, then that is also their choice. Where I draw the line, however...where I choose to jump in the middle of things...is when I find someone misrepresenting our faith completely and totally...almost intentionally in some cases. There, I feel compelled to clarify the misguided rantings of someone who, for one reason or another, seems determined to tear down Catholics in general.

In part, of course, I hope that the person will eventually realize the err of their writings and correct themselves...but, mostly, I do this for the benefit of the uneducated readers. The ones who see the false writings and take them as factual and true. Those are the people that should be able to see the opposing view and then, hopefully, they will think about the fact that perhaps they don't have all the information in this matter. My hope and prayer is that they will choose to go to the source...to find things out for themselves and not be selective with their facts and resources as some choose to be...to realize that understanding something means you go to the source of that thing and ask questions of those who TRULY know it.

I have Protestant friends and we seem to get along fine. Sure, we realize there are differences in our beliefs and the way in which we go about worshipping our Lord God. But, we also understand that at the end of the day, we ALL follow and love Christ. We are all trying to do our best to follow Him and to be the Hands of Christ to all those we encounter. So, we don't waste time bickering over symantics...symantics that aren't going to the be thing that God asks of us on that Last Day. Denominations are Man-Made things...God will not be so focused on that as He will want to know what did we do for the least of His people???
How did we behave when we thought no one was watching us???
Did we clothe the poor?
Feed the hungry?
Heal the sick?
Care for those whom society placed as outcasts?
Christ came for those who had sinned...for those who did not know Him...He came for those in need of Him...
Christ did not come for those of us who know Him...know God...to pat ourselves on the back and show off how much of the laws we knew...how good at preaching we were...etc. He came to save those no one thought worth saving. He came to give ALL mankind hope. He came to show us a new way...a better way...a loving way.

I am Catholic. I converted over two years ago after participating in an indepth RCIA Program where I learned about the faith, Christ, Scripture, etc. My questions were answered. I studied and learned about history. During that time, I learned about myself...I became a better person...a better Christian. I began to realize Christ's message more fully and incorporated into every aspect of my life. Forgiveness...mercy...justice. All of it goes together...none of it can be separated.
For the greatest of all these things is love, as Christ told us.
Why then, do some feel the constant need to perpetuate a false vision of our faith and what it means to be Catholic? Is it because of the public image of those we refer to as "Cafeteria Catholics" (ones who pick-and-choose how to follow our faith based upon what is convenient to them and their lives)? Is it because of their fear of what they do not understand? Is it because of the lies that have been placed out into the general population that we worship statues, disregard the Bible and that the Church intentionally keeps us from learning Scripture?

Those are some of the things I've encountered. It's appalling, but I can understand it being a former Protestant. Sadly, in my case, it had much to do with listening to Catholics who were poor representatives of their faith to me. Even some of them who had grown up with the faith, I realize now, never truly understood it nor did they honestly and truly follow it. If they had, my opinion would have been completely different and perhaps, I would not have had as much trouble with the faith for as long as I did beforehand. I don't know.

However, when I did encounter people who were educated in the matter. When I did encounter proof of what was ACTUALLY believed...why it was believed and where/upon what it was founded, I at least (thankfully to God) had the sense to understand truth and facts when they were presented. I wasn't so grounded in my hate, distrust and misunderstanding that I turned my back upon the truth so that I could become even more comfortable with all the lies. This, sadly, seems to be the case with some of those I have encountered in the matter.

I have always encouraged people to openly ask questions of me with regard to my faith. If I don't know the answer or cannot properly explain it with the Scriptural text at that time, I promise to look it up or ask someone who is more educated. I'm not a "Walking Google" as some others are and information is not always retained in my little brain as well as say some of my friends or my dear husband. My brain capacity is limited to the most immediately vital information - everything else is pushed out as soon as I have used it for its purpose...LOL!!!

For those of you who have doubts about my Christianity due to my faith, I encourage you to ask questions...ask me...ask someone with more knowledge, but please, do not determine your opinion based upon someone else's research who claims they are being truthful about it. Trust in yourself and go directly to the source. Then, you still may well disagree with it, but at least you'll fully understand what it is you're disagreeing with and why...rather than basing it upon half truths, misleading information and at times, outright lies.

Peace be with you, always.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Letting Go and Letting God

So, we've all heard it...we've probably said it many times, too. "Let go and Let God." It's truly a simple concept and yet, all throughout the Bible, people never seem to quite get it. Right?

I mean, look at Moses even...God tells him to command the rock...NOT strike it...to bring forth water and yet, what does he do? He strikes it with the staff. God made it pretty clear and simple...God spoke DIRECTLY to him and he still messed it up...is it any surprise to us, then, that we mess up what God wants all the time?

It's a little humorous, but then again, it's not. We're a thick-headed bunch and God knew the moment that apple was bitten all of the strife we would endure from that point onward. He didn't stop loving us, but just as any parent gets to "that point" with their kids and decides that "tough love" is now needed...well...that's exactly what God decided with us. Since that time, we've continually had moments where you think (while reading the Bible stories), "Ah-ha! Now this guy finally gets it!" And then, we are reminded, not too much further into the story that, "Oh yeah, we're human! Well, poop!" And yet...AND YET...God still gives us chances, He constantly brings us opportunities for mercy, healing, love, courage and Grace.

Lately, in my Bible Study Course, I've been noticing a pattern in the stories. From Genesis through Judges, the stories vary, but the underlying message seems to always be the same..."Let go and Let God." Repeatedly, with all the tasks God assigns, with all the sacrifices He asks them to make, there is a constant message of Trust in Him...be obedient to your Lord God. Given the fact that these Books of the Bible were written by different persons at different times and to varying audiences, I am amazed at how easily it pieces certain messages together. Even all these years later, it's pretty clear what God is asking of us.

So, why don't we get it? Why are we still struggling with following the very simple outline God provided for us? Sadly...because we ARE human. God refuses to interfere with our free will and unfortunately, that means we are left to our own devices if not careful. What do I mean by "careful?" I'm glad you asked!

Many of us seem to be under the mistaken impression that as long as we are "good people" and believe in the Bible, well, we are good to go. No worries. I've often heard people say, "I know what is right. I'm a good judge of things, I don't need church to remind me." Really? Seriously?

True...simply "going to church" once a week isn't going to get it done. No, you have to be "going to church" in order to strengthen your relationship with God and have an honest desire for Him in your heart. You must be open to receiving His message and then, committed to living it out in your life outside the Church walls. If you're going only to pay it lip service, then, you're right...it's not going to do a bit of good for you.

When we are called to attend weekly Mass (as well as on Holy Days of Obligation), it is not only for us to give praise and worship to our Lord God. True, that is part of it. Of course!!! However, there's so much MORE to it than that. Attending Mass is for US...for OUR souls...for OUR salvation. It keeps us connected to Him. Being faithful to the tenants of our faith is what keeps the very real presence of Christ in front of us at all times. And, if we keep Him present in our DAILY LIVES then we are much less likely to stray or faulter when temptation rears its ugly head.

Try to think about it in these terms: If you are an athlete, then you MUST workout on a regular schedule and adhere to the diet and exercise that keeps you in shape. This is what makes it possible for you to continue to rise up to your potential as an athlete. If you decide to just go every once in a while, like before a big game...well...what do you think will happen? Maybe you'll have a great workout and feel good about yourself, but what happens when it's time to play your game and you're called upon to be strong and withstand what your athletics demand? Will you be able to keep up? Will you be able to rise to the challenge? Will you be successful? Or...will you crumple to the ground as your body gives out because you simply lack the strength and ability to do what is called of you to do?

The same can be said for our faith lives: Attending Mass during the Easter and Christmas Holidays alone gives you a great feeling and makes you "feel" as though you've done something good. But, what happens the rest of the year? What happens to you when the world of relativism closes in on you? Will you have a clear understanding and direction on the right thing to do? Will your conscience be able to easily direct you through the land mines of life or will you stumble and fall because your conscience is clouded with doubt and persuasion of things that go against our faith...only...you won't realize it at times because you are not strong enough in your faith to understand the evil that is being asked of you in that moment.

It is imperative that we consider how we live our lives. God asks us to follow HIM. He knew all too well what we would face and He wants to prepare us for it. Building our relationship with God takes consistency and commitment. Prayer, reverance, attending Mass regularly and being the Hands of Christ to ALL we encounter are all things that will keep us connected with Him. Keeping our souls in shape is necessary to reaching our ultimate goal and that is to be with Him!

Be blessed, always.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Being Catholic and Thoughts on Immigration

Today, I posted a comment on Facebook regarding a link about the Catholic position on the immigration issue (http://blog.archny.org/?p=652). As many of you may already know, I have long held the opinion that "illegals" should be immediately removed from our Country and that we should have a tougher screening process that included fortifying the borders, etc., etc. I was anti-immigrant without following the "rules" per sae. Oddly funny considering how I came to be in this Country, myself.

A quick history for those of you unaware:
I am of Hungarian heritage. My father and mother found out I was going to be born while living as teens in Hungary, then under Communist rule. My mother decided that she did not want her child to be raised in this environment. While my father initially recommended abortion, he eventually realized he wanted the same thing and together, they agreed to leave the country.

Now, leaving Hungary was forbidden without a temporary visa and certainly not allowed when a couple left in such a way. They always had to ensure that they had "incentive" for you to return. Leaving together would not have been allowed. They had to decide to leave without evening telling their parents, in order to protect them from the KGB that would inevitably end up at their doors. They snuck across the border in a small town during a festival where they escaped into the woods. Eventually, making their way to the Italian border. Had they been caught up to that point, they would have been shot on sight (my mother was 3 months pregnant with me at the time).

While crossing into Italy, they were caught by guards and picked up with a group of others. They feared the worst and thought for certain they were being turned in. Alas, they realized they were being transferred into a refugee camp in a town called, "Latina" just outside Rome. Hope was restored and their plight was not without success. Sadly, it would be months before they could contact anyone to let them know where they were and it broke my father's mother's heart into pieces. She never forgave my mother.

Eventually, I was born and we lived in the refugee camp until I was six (6) months old. At that time, we were accepted into the United States because we were coming from a country that was listed as one that oppressed its people, greatly. Therefore, our approval was much faster than those coming from other countries.

We came to the United States and my family continued to succeed - working from the ground up - and built a life that eventually led me to my husband and my life here in Oklahoma. I have been blessed by the opportunities afforded to me in this country and am grateful that Hungary was "on that list" which allowed us to come here so easily. Not all countries (such as Mexico) are afforded this same courtesy, however, and often are on "waiting lists" for ten (10), fifteen (15) and even twenty (20) years waiting for visas. Can you imagine having to wait for that long to enter a country where you knew you could help your family to survive???


Now, I continue with what I wrote on Facebook today and the view that has opened my eyes to the suffering and plight of others:


Recently (this year), I've been able to spend MUCH more time at Catholic Charities. As a result, God has opened my eyes to the truth of human dignity. When I realized that I was, in fact, going against God's Will and Christ's teachings, I was humbled and also, determined to change my heart, views as well as my outspoken opinion on the matter. Today, I have been given just that kind of opportunity.

You can see the link on my Wall at Facebook or, click on the link I provided at the top of this post, but below I am also providing to you the comment that I shared along with the link. Peace be with you.

MY COMMENT:

I used to feel very strongly about the immigration issue and thought that we should send them all back and secure the borders and make tougher laws, etc., etc., regardless of what led them here (after all, I am a "rules" follower).

God is amazing in the way He can work on your heart - even those hardened towards particular issues. I've spent a lot of time volunteering at Catholic Charities this year and it's opened my eyes to the wrong I was committing in my heart by thinking this way. Essentially, I was going against our very Catholic beliefs because I WAS DECIDING who was "deserving" of dignity. Who am I to decide such a thing? Can I say to those people that they deserve less because "Oh well, it sucks that you were born in a corrupt country with no hope of properly providing for your family." When I realized I could NEVER say this to another human being, I realized the error of my ways.

Sure, there are criminals that take advantage, there will ALWAYS be those that do. We cannot base our laws upon the few that will corrupt it and go against it anyway. If we are to do that and succumb to that way of thinking, then how can we stand against abortion? After all, isn't one of the arguments that there will be those who perform back-alley abortions if the law is passed against abortion?

We are called by Christ to extend the hand of mercy to all of His people. We should allow those who legitimately want to be here to work and provide and participate to do so. If we are so worried about crime, then simply invoke a better criminal check process. Don't make these poor and desperate people wait years for visas when they need help NOW. ... No, we need the system to embrace its founding principles...that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL...What ever happened to "Bring us your tired, your poor..." that was one of the reasons our Great Nation grew to such heights of success? What happened to caring for those whom the world had rejected?

[This last paragraph - beginning with "As for basing our support..." - was in response to someone who literally chose his support for the border law based solely upon the fact that he did not like the way this particular priest handled the abuse scandal, which is what led to my response here.]

As for basing our support of something upon a single man and NOT upon the teachings of Christ, well, the error there is clear. If we place our faith into the hands of a mere mortal man, then we will, indeed, be failed time and time again. However, if we realize that our faith is to be placed into Christ's hands, then we will always be choosing the right path.

Peace be with you.

I hope that my words may cause you to pause and think upon these things...to even pray upon these things. Let us not turn our backs on anyone in need. It is not for us to judge their circumstances, but rather, for us to help all in the name of Christ.

Glory be to Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Exhausted?

If I want to be perfectly honest, there are days when following my faith and the "right path" are, simply put, exhausting. Don't you agree? I mean, we are called by our Lord and Savior to preach the Gospel daily...using words only if necessary. That's a pretty tall order.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by it all? Are there ever those little doubts that creep into your mind? That little voice that throws out random questions about the direction in which you are walking? Was it meant to be this difficult to walk with God? If I'm doing what is right, what is just, should it be so darn hard to follow through sometimes? Are these thoughts and feelings normal or is my faith weak and on shakey ground? Am I wrong? Is all of this for naught?


Wow! That's a lot to think about, right? Just reading those questions can be somewhat exhausting by itself. Not to mention the questions that come flying at us from all directions. The work of our Lord is pretty tiring, indeed.

So, what are the answers? How do we go on? How are we sure our path is correct and true?

The answer could be made to be extremely complicated, but after all is said and done...after all of the various quotes that can be incited and various facts put out there...it all comes down to one thing...the Apostles new this, as did all the devoted servants of Christ that followed them...one word...

FAITH

This is the one thing we must, always, hold onto. Especially in our darkest hours. When we feel so battered down that there seems no more strength left in us to continue, we must remember our faith. God never abandons us, regardless of how lost or separated we may feel from time-to-time. There are tests that come our way, but there are also challenges put to us by the evil one, as well. In the face of all these things, it is our faith that must carry us through.

Faith is the difference between having a moment of being tired and feeling weak and allowing that moment to infect you completely so that you actually give up. Faith is the difference between having a doubt about something and realizing a doubt is all it was and that you must continue onward. Faith is the difference between knowing that you tried and leaving the rest to prayer and allowing being beaten down on something to cause you to further stumble in your walk with God. It is faith that carries us through the dark times and also, the very thing that helps us to fully experience the joyous times.

As humans, we are prone to failure. We are prone to sin and temptation. We are vulnerable to seeds of doubt that are planted all around us. This constant attack is exhausting and to endure it, you must remain faithful. Giving up and/or giving in may give you temporary relief, but will only cause you deeper harm and angst later as you attempt to walk through the fires without the guidance and Grace of our Lord. Hold true to your faith and you will prevail. Not always in the way you think you should, but nonetheless, you will prevail in the eyes of God. That is the most important thing and it is imperative that we not forget it.

For example...if one starts to doubt whether or not abortion is truly against God because, after all, the Bible does not specifically "call out" abortion as sinful, then I recommend you think of it in these terms (as simple and cliche as it may sound to you, now):

If you were pregnant and went to Jesus to ask Him to allow you to have an abortion, what do you believe He would say to you? Do you believe He will ask you about the circumstances of the pregnancy? Do you think He'll want to know if you are ready for a child or if you're too young to be a mother? Or, do you think His thoughts will turn to the babe inside your womb and the life already growing from within?

I think if you review those words and consider Christ in that decision, you'll undoubtedly have the answer to your question. Christ will never condone murder - especially of an innocent child. Christ came to save us - God knew us even before we were born.

It's easy to get off track by the people who use manipulation of words and phrases to stir doubt amongst the faithful. Did you not think that satan had the ability and skill to seed doubt inside us? He is, after all, the most skilled liar ever to have existed. Why we don't acknowledge his immense powers over deception is confusing to me. We should be ever vigilant and expect his attacks at all turns. He will never rest - he waits, patiently, for his way in and is at the ready the moment we present it to him.

Yes, I realize it is tiring to walk with God. He expects quite a bit from us on a daily basis. It is not by faith alone that we will win, but it is our faith that will give us the strength to follow through on all that He asks of us. Strengthen your faith as much as you can and extend the Hands of Christ to all you encounter. Whether friend or foe, we are called to be compassionate and just. We must be forgiving, but also, prepared to shed light onto darkness wherever we come across it. Having faith and walking with Christ is something that people should be able to discern without our having to tell them about it. Our actions and strength of faith whether good times or bad should always point to Christ.

If you are weary, take comfort in the faithful that surround you. It is alright to acknowledge your weakness and ask for help. Prayer is amazing. Pray for God's strength and help. Pray He sends angels to help lift you up. Talk with your friends in Christ and ask for their prayers, too. Ask the saints to pray for you, also. Our community is enormous and we have endless resources available to us. Never give up hope and never be afraid to say...I need your help!

God will never abandon you. He is there with us, always.

Peace be with you.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tests

Tests of faith come in all shapes and sizes. Attacks on faith come the same way. It's always difficult to assertain which one you are currently experiencing, however. Don't you think?

I mean, what are the differences between tests and attacks? They both feel equally as trying and are hard to endure. Neither comes with a quick, "How To" with it. And, for the duration, you can struggle with doubts, fears, frustrations, etc.

So, my take on them has become simple. In order to address the insanity that ensues with any particular test of or attack on faith, I have come up with a one-size-fits-all solution. Stick to your guns! What? What do I mean by that? Let me explain.

It's simple, really. Stay true to yourself...your beliefs...your foundation. Don't assume that because you are being tested or attacked that you need to dig up the ground and start over. No, a foundation took lots of time to build and if you built it well...based upon God's Word...on God's Grace...on God's Will...that you will endure whatever is thrown at you. Do not despair.

I answer all problems thrown my way thinking about God first. I learned this through much trial-and-error, however. And, I'm still susceptible to jumping the gun and getting in my own way at times. Who isn't, right? Yet, without fail, if I sit back and pray...if I think about God's Will on how to proceed, on how to handle things, there's an inevitable peace that accompanies my actions. I'm not saying it's ever easy, but there's a calm that I feel deep inside that comes from knowing I followed the right path. Knowing I relied upon and trusted in God.

At this time, I am going through a difficult and personal situation. It is family related and something that I saw coming for a long time. Although, I had hoped that there would be some way around...some OTHER PATH I could travel to avoid it. Yeah...that whole "gettin' in my own way thing again" I know. Rather than allow the despair of it all to latch onto me...mind, body and soul...I chose to look upwards and pray. I chose to follow God, completely.

I listened, carefully, and I followed His Will...not my own, but His. Not so easy for a control-freak like me. Ugh. Talk about hard!!! LOL But, I knew that I needed to do it because this problem is so much bigger than me. The situation is far from resolved, however, I have found peace in the way I've chosen to approach it. That tells me that God is "handling it" and I've done all He required. Otherwise, I know myself too well to think I'd be this calm about it. You see, my family has always been one of the most intragal components to my life. Regardless of some of the extreme hardships with various problems.

However, it recently came to a head and it was impossible for me to continue ignoring. At the same time, it was important to me that I handle things in a Christian and more specifically, Catholic way. I needed to pray and to let God lead me so that I took the path He had chosen. I needed to talk with my priest...to step outside of the emotions of the situation and pray for God's wisdom and help. Easier path? Uh...no. Does God give us more than we can handle...uh...no (not that we don't think maybe, sometimes, He does).

I suppose I'm writing all this because it's on my mind. I've been thinking on it and wondering why I'm so calm and not in despair over what's happened. The only explanation is God. That I am (finally) allowing Him to do His work in His time. I am finally "giving it up to God" as I always tell people to do, themselves. Practice what you preach!!!

You see, my natural instinct...if you take away my faith and my beliefs...is to simply allow my anger and hurt feelings to override everything else. To throw my hands up and say, "That's it...I'm done!" But, our faith teaches us to look past fleeting emotions and discern, most carefully, our responses and actions in any situation. Without my faith, you see, I would be at the total mercy of my emotions and incapable of making decisions without being driven by them. When I previously lived my life that way, I made many rash and seriously bad decisions. I also spent a lot of time having to apologize and make amends for poor behavior. Not fun at all!

It's not that things are suddenly easy as pie, either. Rather, that I am more accepting of the things that aren't going to be so easy in my life. My emotions don't DRIVE me and take over so that I cannot think through things. My faith takes over, instead. I'm realizing that God is here to guide me...to lead me...but He won't decide things FOR me. No, I still have my free will. But, because my Catholic faith has built a strong foundation within me, I knew the time had come to let God's Will be done. Simply, to do what He asks and not muck it up with my own ideas and solutions based upon a whim...emotion...or whatever else was not OF my faith.

Following our Lord is not always easy. We are often tempted to do things our way in lieu of following His Will...His Timing...His Way. However, when we do all that rebelling against God...where does it get us, really? Are we satisfied? Are we at peace? Are we ready for the next obstacle or are we still worrying about the previous three obstacles?

Peace be with you.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

God is Calling

Yep...that's the best way to describe it..."God is Calling!" What does it mean? Well, it means something different to each of us. God has this uncanny way of saying things to us so that we completely comprehend that message is MOST SPECIFICALLY for US. Now...what we choose to do with that message, that's ultimately up to us. However, it's important to realize that it was GOD who chose us...chose you...chose me. What we do after that is in response to HIS initial contact. Make sense?

My life has been one with many ups-and-downs. It's not all that different from many others out there. Some have had better experiences than me...others, much worse. The thing that we ALL have in common, however, regardless of our differences, is God. He loves EACH ONE OF US individually...He recognizes us individually...He loves us individually. To Him, it does not matter how we have sinned nor how often, nor that we are incapable of being perfect. No, what matters is the effort we put into this world and the lives we live here and now. God is calling.

I have found that He calls on me quite often. And, the more I do for my own spiritual life, the more I am able to discern His voice from others. It's truly amazing. Spending time on your spiritual life is KEY...it enables us to build upon a strong foundation so that we cannot so easily be knocked down by adversity. Our relationship with God is something that MUST be nurtured and NEVER taken for granted. Otherwise, we shall stumble and fall because we will be unable to see the sticks, branches, rocks, etc. in our path. Satan has many distractions ready and waiting, it's up to us to avoid them and keep things in moderation if we are to know the difference between a call from God and just white noise!

Recently, I've become much more active in my blogging, Pro Life activism, parish life and volunteering. I'm taking advantage of my jobless status and trying to fulfill things that I could not while working full time. It took me a while to get here, however. Why? Because I was listening to the "white noise" of Satan rather than taking the call from God, directly.

It's so easy to become distracted. We all have commitments and seemingly, they are harmless. A football game, soccer practice, gymnastics, dinner with friends, girls night out, bunco, poker night, vacations, work, bake sales, TV shows, watching the news, talk radio, etc., etc. It's quite easy to stay busy and distracted in today's society. But...what about God? When do we make time for Him in our daily lives? Is He an after thought? Is He to be paid attention to when the rest of our day is done and we're exhausted in His presence? Wow...really? Seriously? Can you picture yourself standing in front of Christ and saying to Him,

"I'm sorry I didn't talk with you more or listen more, but I had soccer practice, lunches to make, house cleaning to finish and American Idol to watch - I was too tired to pray the Rosary or say any prayer most nights. But, I tried to be relatively good - doesn't that count?"


Wow...really? Can you picture yourself standing in His presence saying all of that? Can you imagine feeling OK with it? Thinking you had done plenty and God should understand? Can you picture Christ hanging on the Cross and thinking, well, thanks for that, but hey, I got really busy???

We need to guard ourselves well against such things. Satan rarely comes at us head-on. No, he is king of deception. His way is subtlety. He wants to gain your confidence slowly and over time. He is patient. No. He'll make you think that you are doing enough, it's OK and God will understand. He makes it easy to justify the "busyness" of our lives so that we fool ourselves into thinking that attending Mass once a week and on Holy Days is enough. That we tithe, so we do enough. Sometimes, we volunteer for a bake sale and such - yep, that's good enough.

No. It's not.

Our Catholic faith calls upon us to do MUCH MORE THAN THAT! We are called to help our fellow brothers and sisters. We are called to set aside our own selfishness and help those in need. We are called to spend quality time with HIM...not at the end of the day when we are weary and not really paying attention. NO. We are called to spend as much time in His presence as possible. Oh...but how do we do that???

Pray. Pray in the morning. Attend a daily Mass or even, all daily Masses. Pray the rosary. Pray a novena. Pray at EVERY meal, no matter how small or regardless of who may or may not be watching. Give your time, talent and treasure...not just one or the other. Take some time to drive with the radio OFF. Turn off the TV. Spend quality time with the family fully engaged in conversation in some way each day. Join a Bible Study group instead of having a girls night out. Volunteer some of your time at one of the various programs offered by Catholic Charities as well as others out there. See Christ in others and choose to pray and love instead of reaching for anger, judgment or gossip. Give dignity to all those you encounter...that can be as simple as looking them in the eye and smiling. It's not all that difficult. Maybe smiling at someone who seems rude...perhaps, it could be that no one ever smiles at them and you are the ONE PERSON who reminds them they DO matter as a result of your kind gesture.

Now, I'm not saying you should never enjoy yourselves or participate in other things. No. God doesn't ask that of us. I enjoy many things in my life, too - of course I do! But, you and I both know that you COULD do more...you COULD make more time. After all, don't we make time for all the things we deem important. So, isn't God important??? We can ALL do more. How will our children grow up to realize the importance of Christ's sacrifice for us if we do not, in our own lives, with our own actions, show that importance to them by our example???

St. Francis of Assisi made a powerful statement once,

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words."


I think that really captures our duty as Christians. Don't you agree? If we are only giving our faith lip service, then can we truly be surprised when generations to come do the same or worse, lose their faith completely as they deem it to be of no real importance?

Remember...God is calling. It's about time that we all picked up the phone!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Spiritual Warfare...It's Real!

You hear about it. People tell you it's real. However, until you encounter it yourself, you never quite know what it's all about...in what form it will spring up...or what areas of your life will be affected by it. Personally, I haven't experienced it for a long time. Not to the extent I did just yesterday.

After being excited over attaining an on-call position at Catholic Charities (yay), I called a few people to share the good news. One lady I called is a dear friend who works full-time at Catholic Charities. She was thrilled for me and we agreed that God is doing great things in my life right now. Then, a warning. It's truly wonderful to make your life's work about helping others...however...there is a dark side to it. A constant battle of spiritual warfare that must be guarded against and taken seriously.

Oh, I told her she was right and that, yes, I would watch for it. Sad to admit, I only took it half seriously. After all, what kind of a threat am I? I'm not doing all that much...not as much as others. And, I probably won't deal with it full-on until I'm officially working there. Right? WRONG!

Not long after our conversation ended, my husband and I got into an argument or, better to say, we became highly irritated with each other over something that was trivial and really didn't deserve the type of attention we gave it. Not to mention, that I was being highly sensitive to something that normally would not have bothered me at all. Attack Number 1.

We reconciled shortly after and things were fine. I went about my day. Had some banter on the discussion boards with some PC and PL people. Then, a particularly irritable person began attacking those of differing opinions. I jumped in. Thankfully, he seemed to ignore my points because they were not really disputable, anyway, and I tempered my words carefully so as not to be cruel, but state the truth and facts. After that, I was attacked by someone else who became quite frustrated with my Pro Life stance as well as my Catholic views on things. Ugh...really? It was exhausting and really took it out of me. Attack Number 2.

Finally, it was the end of the evening. I got to see one of my most favorite people (a friend's son who needed a ride home - yay) and was spending the evening at home with Bill after that. Things were going well, although, I was not very happy with the way my fish turned out, but that's more of a Julia Childs-type story! LOL Anyway, as we sat down to do our Bible Study, we decided to quickly put to paper our Lenten commitments for this year. Amazingly, we got into an even bigger disagreement not four items into our list. And, something that should have warranted a simple disagreement that could be discussed, turned into a really ridiculous and emotional conversation. WHAT? What was going on here??? Seriously? Really? I was at a real loss. I didn't know what to do at this point because I felt like I had been kicked around plenty this day. Luckily for us, God is stronger than any demon that can try to stand against us. Bill and I were able to calmly discuss matters and resolve the issue in a manner that should have been our first response. Ugh. Sigh. Lessons learned. Attack Number 3.

So, in the matter of one afternoon...after one delightful phone call and feeling filled with God's purpose...I was knocked about for the remainder of the day by Satan and his little helpers. Oh yes, people, spiritual warfare is VERY real. I should have thought to pray after I got off the phone with my friend. Prayer would have protected me...protected us. Lesson learned, indeed.

Guard yourselves carefully. The closer you are to the truth and leading your life right, the harder things will become. And, it's never in the way you expect it, but the attacks will come. It may be in an area that has nothing to do with the good thing you've done or are going to do...but it will come. And, I've found in my particular case, it will usually come at me through the thing I love most in this world...my loving and devout husband. We underestimated the ability of one so evil to enter our lives. We cannot allow that to happen again. Pray for God's Grace, His Mercy and also, for His Protection. Sometimes, we take for granted that He is always there...watching us...but we forget to call upon Him when we should. Amen.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Oklahoma Catholic Women's Conference - My Account, Part I

So, this was my first year to attend the annually held Oklahoma Catholic Women's Conference. It was held in Oklahoma City and I was able to ride the bus from our parish along with 50 other Catholic women. It was an early start to a long day as we had to leave the parking lot by 5:45 AM. But, when all was said and done, it was well worth the loss of sleep!

I spent the time on the bus ride down there reading my book, Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. I'm truly enjoying it and figured that I'd need something occupy me on the way there and back. Perhaps even throughout the day, who knows. I knew a few women on the bus, but not many. I was allowed a seat to myself toward the back and I was grateful for that. After reading for some time, I became a little tired and drifted in and out of light sleep. We arrived at the hotel where the conference was being held around 7:45 AM. After disembarking, we made our way into the lobby, got our name tags and looked for a place to seat ourselves.

The day began with Mass held by the Archbishop. I had some trouble, I must admit, staying alert during Mass. At one point, while bowing my head in prayer, I nearly fell forward as my body attempted to regain some sleep. Needless to say, I was quite alert for the remainder of Mass.

Afterwards, we had about an hour break. In the halls outside the conference center was a sea of tables filled with various Catholic vendors. It was nice to walk around and look over everything. I restrained myself, however, knowing full well that there was nothing there I could justify purchasing with our already limited funds. God is great at keeping your priorities in front of you and I was thankful to have been listening to Him! :-)

Our first speaker of the day was Teresa Tomeo (her web site is: www.teresatomeo.com), an Italian Catholic who had spent more than 20 years working in the secular media. As a result of her career and falling away from the Catholic Church for so many years, she nearly lost her marriage as well as her soul to the non-Christian focused world around her. She entertained us with anecdotes, but also brought forth a powerful message. "The media IS trying to affect our culture!" Teresa warned against allowing the media to be the things that helped us form our conscience. She reminded us that The Mother Church MUST be incorporated into our daily lives.

In addition to her references to secular media and the way it can affect our lives if we're not careful to take it in moderation, she spoke to us about our responsibility as Catholic women. Men and women are meant to WORK TOGETHER...not against one another. We're meant to be one. The Church does NOT work to oppress women - on the contrary, Christ was the FIRST Women's Libber!!! Wow...powerful stuff and really, when you read the accounts of Jesus Christ encountering women in the Bible, you'll see that He never made them LESS...He always brought them forward to be signs of light and Grace.

We, as women, also need to hold onto our dignity. We've lost it...lost our way. As Teresa spoke, it all came together...We have been fooled into believing that being "objects" and sexual predators is what we were meant to do. There's no dignity in lessening the worth of our bodies by putting all the focus on how we appear, physically. It only takes away from who we are and who we were meant to be in Christ's eyes...nurturers, givers, counselors, care givers, protectors, pillars of strength, guides and examples to others. Pornography, extreme sexuality and the lust created by those things is only a way to further enslave us to the secular world and what it believes we should be to everyone...things...nothing more. It comes to us falsely as "empowerment" and "independence" - however - what we are left with after it all is nothing more than a shell of ourselves and who were meant to be.

Teresa's message really hit home with me. I was so lifted by her words and devotion to our faith as well as to our Mother Mary. Mary, who was the truest example of Grace, strength and love and is often disregarded by the masses. Teresa gave us a quote and I so loved it...

"When we are who we are meant to be, we will set the world ablaze." - A Quote by Saint Theresa of Avila.

All this came from the first hour of the conference. Wow...just wow! I can't wait to share what came next and will do so, soon. Be blessed!

Monday, February 1, 2010

I'm Religious...

So, I posted this title on a Facebook Group Page I belong to and got a lot of response. First, to come out and state that I'm religious was something to grab everyone's attention, indeed. Second, it was a way to start a discussion regarding the differences between what people claim to believe.

It's funny to me that the term "being religious" is something that can be used in a derrogatory or complimentary way alike. People who are uncomfortable with your faith life or views, will undoubetdly use this term as a way to cause offense. It's a way of stating that you are somehow "confused" or "less" when it comes to your opinions because, after all, you're religious.

There are also those who wear it as a badge of honor. I'M RELIGIOUS - they shout it from rooftops. But, are they missing the point? Being a very religious person myself, I often wonder about those who go out of their way to TELL YOU they are religious people. I mean, if you're religious...if you follow God, shouldn't we simply be able to tell that by your actions and the way in which you live your life? I would think so. Sadly, it's not always the case. Often, I find the most vocal "I'm religious" statement makers are the ones who tend to follow God by purifying themselves...trying to "save souls" quickly and daily and then, point their finger in judgment at anyone who disagrees, is lost or unwilling to hear them. That's where they lose me. We are called, as people of God, to love those especially with whom we disagree...to love our enemy. Those are the people who need to SEE God the most. After all, didn't Jesus come to save the sinner?

My favorites, however, are the people who claim that they're "spiritual." To me - and many on that group wall posting I mentioned - that is simply a cop out. A way to continue doing things as THEY see fit and to refuse being held to any higher standards than their own. I mean, hey, it's great if you think you are of high character and good moral standing...fantastic...however, if you ARE NOT beholden to God, to Christ, then aren't your values and morals in your "spiritual life" subject to how you feel at that time? As life goes by, as you change and change your way of thinking, don't your morals also bend if not guided by something that is steady and unchanging? That's a risk you run.

Spirituality is a great way to get a "pass" on things that are uncomfortable or cause one to realize that there are definite Rights and Wrongs in this world. You can easily "cop out" of any situation by saying, "Hey, it's not my problem. They do what they want. I do what I want." There's no real commitment to anything except yourself. Which is all well and good until you have a bad day ... a bad day that causes you to react or respond in a way guided by your faith and values ... oh wait, your faith and values are in yourself...so...what do you do now? If you are lost, how do you find your way if you are your own compass???

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

God Moves Me...

Wow...God is truly awesome! He moved me to help someone without my knowing it until I was in the middle of doing so. Only God has that kind of power. He saw that someone needed help and I am humbled that He thought I could be the one to provide that help. Through the Holy Spirit, I was able to find the right words and to give a little comfort to a friend in need. How amazing is that?

I am thankful for my faith more and more each day. Without it, I would be lost. Without it, I would never be able to find the joys of this life that are ever present and often, in the most obscure places. Yes, He is with me each day. It is for me to realize that He's never left my side...not once...not during my darkest hour nor my highest joy.

Here is a link to my other blog where I discuss this amazing moment in a little more detail: http://rachelsvineyardhealing.blogspot.com/2010/01/being-able-to-help.html

I am still in such awe of how perfectly He is always able to put me in exactly the right place in exactly the right time. I know that I shouldn't be surprised by it, which I'm not...just in complete awe of His power and greatness. To serve Him is such a humbling thing and I am thankful that He chose to call me to Him.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Conversations

So, talking with friends is always an interesting activity. You never know what will come up and in what direction things will be taken. An evening begins simple enough...go to the gym...hey, let's have dinner after...etc. The two of you are cracking jokes and talking about various things and then, after the evening is over you are left to think about the night.

I find that I learn a lot from my friends. Not only about them and their lives before we knew one another and since, but also about myself. I shouldn't be surprised by this any longer since I am a contemplative person and never can leave a conversation as just that...a conversation. No, I have some insane and deep-seeded desire to go over the conversation once again and think on things further. Even the things that may have seemed insignificant at the time.

My friend and I spoke about so many things. Some were just random, laughable topics that had no purpose other than to crack ourselves up, of course. Others were a real insight into the people we once were...the people who led us here, right to our places at this point in our lives. Ah yes, that's the most interesting stuff of all. Who you were when you felt the rules didn't really apply to you...not quite. Right?

It struck me tonight that my friend and I have a lot more in common than I realized. I knew she and I had very similar personalities and that we love to give each other the worst time. But of course! But, I didn't know some of things she went through with moving, friends and other things. It was such an amazing thing to listen to her speak on those past times. In some places, it was almost as if I were listening to myself. Crazy...I thought there was only one of me! Uh-oh, this may not be the best news for some out there...two of me? Oh dear!

Seriously, it was a great moment. She and I alone. Having a simple dinner and chatting the time away without any effort whatsoever. It was a brilliant exchange of stories and I let her in on some of my almost forgotten past. I think she was also a bit surprised by my "previous life" since I work so hard at living by the rules and walking the line, so-to-speak, nowadays.

At home, thinking on things, I realized that God was at work without us knowing it...yet again. He was there while we laughed and talked to one another. Not as rivals, not with any eye-rolling or "get me outta here" thoughts that girls sometimes think to themselves (yes, we women can be quite catty at times). No, we were two friends who trusted each other. We were at total ease with each other. Comfortable...two women who, in the past, rarely had female friends were sitting across from one other enjoying every moment of conversation.

Another thing that struck me, later, was the wonderful joy of being Catholic. Yes, I realize you already know how I feel about Catholicism, but this was another fantastic moment for me. In discussing my sordid past, I was able to share something imperfect about myself...something very human. I did this without regret, although, I do acknowledge that the way I lived my life at that time was far, far away from good or just or anywhere near right. No, what was wonderful was the fact that I could share it so openly and without chastising myself or fear of being judged. Also, that my friend could share her own human failings without being judged, as well.

Before I became Catholic, it was difficult for me to work to help others through their struggles with sin. Especially, if I was at a point where I was focusing on trying to "walk the line" for myself. At times, it seemed to be about passing judgment onto others for making mistakes...regardless of the fact that it is human to err - not to mention that I, myself, was no angel either. Compassion for others was there, but it had limitations. I was unfair and selfish.

Being Catholic has brought me to a more complete understanding. No, don't get me wrong. I don't rejoice in my sinful past nor do I promote it as, "Well heck, you are human. It's ok to do that." No, that's not what I'm saying. My point is that because I have accepted and dealt with those mistakes through my faith, I don't have to cringe at the mention of them. I no longer carry that burden with me ever place I go. I can talk about it with a friend to share something that we may have in common...something that might help a friend feel more comfortable talking with me about their own frailty. Something we ALL struggle with daily. It's a way to put our past sins to good use...a way to help others identify with each other so that they don't feel alone and ostracized from everyone because they think no one could ever understand them. Catholicism reminds me that we are ALL deserving of God's mercy. Certainly, justice will come, but it's not for me to pass on that justice. My role is to extend mercy and help to others as I am able...how else can I expect God or others to do the same for me?

Often times, due to the way in which I now live, I find it difficult for some to realize that I can and do understand shortcomings. In fact, it is as a direct result of living so poorly before and due to my FULL awareness of my own stumbling blocks that I live so strictly in many cases, now. Unfortunately, that sometimes means people get the impression that I won't "get them" or will be looking down my nose at them. That's not it at all. Of course, I will always strive to help someone make the right decisions and choose the right path...absolutely. However, should they fall, I'm also going to be there to help dust them off and help get them back on track.

Humiliating them or "burying their nose in it" won't help matters and it's not the way Catholics "roll." Something that I love about our faith. Certainly, we acknowledge the wrong of what was done, but we also accept human failings and try to help that person overcome their weaknesses by extending a hand of forgiveness and help. Judgment is for God.

Just a few more thoughts from a great evening spent with a good friend. God works on us all the time...we just have to be ready to recognize it, even when it's in the smallest of ways.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A New Year...New Thoughts...

So, it's been a while since I last wrote anything. Blogging is an interesting world. Given the time, you can speak about a lot of things. However, when wrapped up in the world around us, you find that blogging about something...even if it interests you greatly...just seems exhausting!

Now that I'm out of work and have been, well, I find that I have time for many things. It's an interesting feeling not having to get up at any particular time for any particular reason. Not having had children, I only get up to feed the dogs and then, it's back to bed if I so choose. After having worked for the past 17 years, it's a nice break, I have to tell you.

In due time, I will work again. The job market is tough out there. I've applied for positions on a weekly basis since losing my job. But, as we all know, the economy is not so good right now. It's certainly not that we can afford for me to be drawing only a simple unemployment check, that's for certain! However, I have found that my faith has carried me through all this with a great deal of Grace. Grace that can only come from our Lord God. My husband has also been handed a large amount of Grace for he has been the model of how to be a supportive spouse.

He knows that I look and apply for jobs. He knows that it's tough. He also knows that we are struggling, financially, and that things are harder now than ever before. Yet, he has supported me through it all with love and kindness. We speak about the role that God plays in our daily lives and that we know that His plan for us will be revealed, eventually. It's not that we don't give into worry on some days, however, we are able to get through those days with our faith and each other. This is something that only God could do for "going it alone" would have ended poorly for us by now otherwise.

My Catholic faith has been of particular comfort to me. I cannot express how much I gain from weekly Mass as well as the occasional daily Mass. It's such a source of strength for me. There are aspects that are uniquely Catholic that have been a great help, as well, such as the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It's more than a time to confess my sins against God and to find absolution for them, it's an intimate time to think beyond myself. A way for me to talk through my struggles and receive the tender love and Grace that God offers to each of us. In addition to my prayer life, I have found reconciliation to be a most cleansing and regrouping experience. It also forces me to deal with things on an external level rather than keeping it all inward.

Something that I never received as a Protestant was a sense of relief from my burdens. Yes, I confessed to God, privately, my sins. I apologized for them with great remorse. However, I never felt that cleansing from those sins. It was as if they were still there. Additionally, for many sins, it was much easier to repeat the offenses because I never had to "say them aloud" to anyone else. Knowing that, it was easier to justify things to myself. Not to mention that I seemed to carry those sins with me even after having decided to not commit them, again. Reconciliation is indescribable to someone who has not experienced it before. It literally feels that you've had a great weight lifted off of your shoulders afterward. I also find that it holds me twice as accountable for ALL my actions because the Catholic Church is quite clear about sins whether they are mortal or venial. It's something that allows you to become much more aware of all that you do. You cannot simply get away with justifying something to yourself.

Now, there are those who abuse this gift. Some look at it as a "get out of jail free card" and for them, I feel pity. They've lost the entire meaning of reconciliation and they will suffer those consequences when they face our Lord one day. Asking for forgiveness must be done with complete reverence and remorse. If your heart is only in it to make YOU feel better at the end of the day, but decide that you should not be held accountable further or that you can continue to do it over-and-over again without fail, well, you'll be quite surprised on Judgment Day. God knows our hearts better than we know them ourselves and if we come before Him in a dishonest manner, then He WILL know that. You've gotten away with nothing.

I do not allow those who abuse our faith to affect how I view the faith. People are filled with flaws and if I allow "Man" to determine my faith level and the strength of it, then I will also be disappointed and left feeling shorted at the end of the day. That is why I although I abhor any misconduct that leaders in the Church or lay people of the church commit, but it does not affect my commitment to our Catholic faith. When people sin, it is not because God or any particular Catholic teaching told them to do it...they sinned because they gave into a dark temptation that they chose no longer to resist. I try to remember to pray for those people as well as the people they harm, but I keep it separate from my own faith. My faith must always and ultimately be tied to God and His teachings, not the mistakes of Man.

Last year, a close friend of mine and my husband's committed an offense that is beyond belief and beyond anything that is comprehensible. He harmed a child. Although he was not a Church leader, he was someone that was very involved in many Church programs and someone that others looked up to. Not everyone knows of his offense, but I can tell you that my heart broke upon hearing it. I would love to have said that it was a mistake, misunderstanding or false accusation. Unfortunately, it is all too true and I had to come to grips with that. It was a difficult time for us and as hard as we took it, we could only imagine the pain inflicted upon the family. You see, his offense was committed against his own granddaughter. The pain that they have all experienced and the lives ruined as a result are beyond imagination.

This was a true test to our faith...to my faith. Not in my belief in God for I do not blame God for the actions of men. We have free will and sadly, many people make the wrong choices as a result. I know in my heart that God is torn when something of this nature occurs to one of us. Like any father, He wants to protect us from evil but to keep all evil from us, He would have to take away our free will. I don't blame Him for this anymore than I blame Him for some of the things I had to deal with in my own life. Some of them quite painful indeed.

No, the test came with what God calls us to do. It was a test of my ability to follow God's Will and not my own. It was a test of whether or not I could truly find a way to forgive this person for what he had done to a child. Wow. That was beyond difficult and not something I was able to do immediately. In fact, I had doubts about whether or not I could do it at all. I was so filled with hurt and anger. I was in pain for the child and all the lives that have been shattered by what one person did. It was the first time in my adult life that I came face-to-face with what I consider one of the most disgusting things a person can do...harm a child. A monster from within that had disguised himself as a true Christian. Someone who had helped me, among others, to grow in their faith.

I felt so lost and so confused as to how I couldn't see what he was on the inside. Why couldn't I see it? Some of our friends had always felt he was a bit "creepy" so-to-speak and I had always defended him. I had always tried to be the peace maker. I had always been supportive and told myself they just didn't get him. Ugh. Looks like it was ME that didn't get him. I felt so stupid and naive. It was something that I struggled with for a long time.

With all of that going on, I didn't know I could forgive him. I wasn't sure I had it in me. After some time, the immediate hurt, pain and anger dissolved and I took solace in prayer and support of other friends. We, of course, told our friends who also knew him right away. Especially since they had children of their own. They agreed that was the right decision. We all grieved in our own way and helped each other through the shock of it all. It's been a long road.

God, as we know, is amazing. He does so much in our lives, often without our even knowing it. He asks that we are faithful and stay the course, even when it seems most difficult. So, I trusted in Him and continued to have faith in Him. I prayed for all ... even for that man. I refused to give into hatred, although it was tempting. Honestly, in the beginning, I wanted to use his face as a punching bag. That's just me being truthful. Luckily, my faith protected not only him, but me from doing such a thing. It wouldn't have helped anything and would have taken away from my relationship with God.

One day, out of the blue, his wife sent me an email. She missed us...missed our friendship. Wow...that was a shock! She has chosen to support her husband and live in denial. Now, supporting your husband and standing by someone who is obviously ill is admirable. The problem I and others have is that she is doing so at the expense of her own granddaughter and family. She's not saying, "Hey, he is sick and I am standing by him so he can get help, but I love you guys and would never expect you to be able to be around him for obvious reasons." No, she's decided that they need to be more understanding of HIM. WHAT??? It's a long story, but suffice it to say that she's living in a bubble, which I assume is a defense mechanism for having to live through this type of horror.

Anyway, I wrote back to her, carefully. I prayed and asked God and the Holy Spirit to guide me. I needed them more than ever before right now. I told her that I did miss her, too. I love her and hate all she has gone through...what her family has had to endure. I also told her that I could forgive him and did...wow...I really did. BUT, that along with God's mercy also comes justice and that he must face justice for what he did, as well. Forgiveness doesn't come blindly and there's no "get out of jail free card" simply because you say, "I'm sorry." There was a back-and-forth exchange and he even emailed me directly. In his email, he basically admitted to what he had done and asked for my forgiveness. Wow again. And, I was able to grant it to him, as well, directly. I told him the same thing...with mercy also comes justice. And that I hoped he would not put this poor girl through anymore trauma but allow her to start to heal from this, which will take so much time.

That was the end of it. Without giving too many specifics, we ended the email exchange with his understanding what he had to do. At least, in email form. He's been going back-and-forth with the DA because he doesn't want to do jail time. It's only prolonged the agony for all involved and I am sorely disappointed, although, not surprised by his actions.

The amazing part of all this, however, was that I could forgive him. Until that moment, until I wrote those words, I didn't know if I really had. That is how unbelievably good God is at what HE does! He had been working on my soul this entire time even though I didn't actively know it. He allowed me to be freed from this terrible thing by helping me to extend the Grace of forgiveness. You see, forgiveness goes both ways...it's a way to extend healing and hope to someone else while also releasing you from carrying it with you. The entire time I had remained faithful to Him, attended Mass, kept my faith, prayed and prayed...all that time I was doing the work for others, He was doing the work for me and my soul. Isn't that truly wonderful?

I ask you, now...without my faith...without God in my life...without my Catholic experience...could I have been able to extend such a Grace to a man that is filled with a monstrous disease that will never leave him? I don't think so.

All-in-all, 2009 was a year of many ups and lots of downs. It was a year of growth and finding out that my faith is stronger than I could have ever imagined. I'm not saying that being a non-Catholic Christian wouldn't allow to go through all this with God's Grace. What I am saying is that for me, having been a Catholic is exactly why I WAS able to receive God's Grace in such a full and complete way. Only since I have been Catholic have I personally found peace in the midst of struggles whether they be external or internal. It's a combination of all that Catholicism teaches us, accountability it provides and the joy of weekly Mass and receiving the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. All of these things are Catholic and all of them helped me to become the person I am today. A person who doesn't hold onto hate or anger. A person that believes in the promise of God and that we are all in need of His Grace and Mercy.

Before I was Catholic, I never felt like I really "got it." Since becoming Catholic, it's not so much that I "get it" completely, but rather, it's that I now know it's ok to "not get it" all the time as long as I continue to remain faithful and stay true to Him in dark and light times, regardless. Sadly, before I was Catholic, I never really understood that part. I always grabbed onto the wrong parts of Christianity because what I was taught was incomplete. Catholicism has been able to provide me with the ENTIRE and COMPLETE picture of faith and what God really wants from us on a daily basis. Having God so centered in my life has been the constant that I was missing for so many years. And now, I cannot imagine being without it...without my faith, I would be lost. Without my faith...I would have no hope. The phrase "give it up to God" has so much more meaning to me now than ever before and it truly, truly works. Just as long as we sincerely do just that and allow Him to work in our lives. If we would get out of our own way, imagine what could be accomplished!