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Entrances
I was recently watching reels of extravagant entrances to weddings, sweet sixteens and other parties. In one the groom arrived riding on an elephant, another had a bride arriving in a Cinderella style carriage with six white horses, and a sweet sixteener had her entourage carry her in on an elaborate golden chair. With all of it there was lots of pomp and circumstance including music to accompany the entrance. All the people who awaited their arrival were dressed beautifully and excitedly clapped at their arrival. Now that the entrance had happened the real fun could start. It was definitely something to behold. While I was watching all of it, I could not help but contrast the quietness of Christ’s arrival.
The king of all creation arrives and there is no big hoopla. Scripture lets us know a few details. It occurred in the quiet of the night, during a busy time (a census), in a small village. Mary and Joseph found no space at an inn and in the humble abode of a manger (a cave used for baby lambs or a barn) Jesus arrives. No kings, no dignitaries were present, no friends, no family. Just a young holy virgin and her righteous husband. But heaven doesn’t let this go by in full silence. Angels excited at the new arrival- go and sing- not to the king or the rich tucked away in comfy inns surrounded by their wealth. They go to the fields – to the shepherds – the ones sleeping under the stars. They are the ones who get to see the angles light up the sky, sing and proclaim “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. (Luke 2 10-14)
Some biblical scholars think that the reason Satan didn’t know if Jesus was indeed the Christ is because of His humble entrance. Satan, who is the father of pride, would expect an entrance worthy of God. Not poverty, indifference and darkness. In a world full of noise where we strive to be seen and heard, how are we missing God’s daily coming into our lives?
Take the following interaction between Elijah and God
Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19 11-13)
Here in the silence is where Elijah can hear God speak to him.
We have come to believe that big entrances, opulence, and lots of noise equal important things. I remember a failing restaurant that put a bouncer and a stanchion outside and instantly became popular. Don’t get me wrong- I am not putting down the people described above and their entrances. What I did want to point out is that sometimes we miss God because He comes in simple ways. No grand entrances. And sometimes God misses us because we feel like we have to be something more before we can come to Him.
God is not calling for us to make big entrances, He is just asking us to be present. To allow ourselves to notice Him throughout the day and acknowledge Him in both His greatness and in the little things. Because He is indeed the creator of all good things – He will be found in all.
Why am I sharing this right before Lent and not during Advent? Because my dear friend, God wants to be found. As we approach the desert let us remember what He told Jeremiah “When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me” Jerimiah 12-14. So, this lent, come to God in your littleness. Walk into the desert as you are because “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). And if your heart is just as messy as a manger- don’t worry He has been there before and knows how to make it a home.
Have a blessed Lent!
All Hollows
Every October I start to cringe. It seems our world starts to display its fascination with death. Goblins, ghouls, zombies, and spiders abound. The scary and ugly part of what the secular world displays is a far cry from the beauty of what our Catholic faith teaches us.
And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? 1 Cor 15:54-55
So, what is the beauty of death? Did you know that you are part of the universal church? When we proudly proclaim we are all one body- it is because the church divided into 3 parts that celebrate together. The Church Triumphant (those in heaven), the Church Suffering (those in purgatory) and the Church Militant (that’s us! Struggling everyday in this valley of tears) Our goal as Catholics is to recognize that we are part of this one body- and one day we will rejoice with the saints in heaven and enjoy the beatific vision.
When I look at the lives of the saints I am filled with hope. I see saints like Padre Pio, St Catherine of Sienna, and others who’s lives on earth were so exemplary that after death God does not show us a rotting corpse, but an incorruptible body, some who hundreds of years later still are intact and emit a beautiful scent. This is a small foreshadowing of what awaits us all, when Jesus comes again, our mortal bodies will once again be joined to our souls not in the thoughtless meanderings of a zombie but in grateful contemplation of the Divine.
Death is not an end- I once heard someone say one day when you read my obituary it will say I died, but don’t believe a word of it- I will be fully alive more alive than I have been in my physical life. I will be in heaven rejoicing. That is the goal to know that we will spend eternity with the one who loves us best. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. John 14 2-3. When my kids come home to visit, I spend so much time making things perfect for them- preparing a place for them that they will enjoy and feel loved in. If I in my human frailty can do this, can you imagine what God is preparing for you?
So let October come, let the world clothe itself in the scary and spooky. I will keep my eyes focused on heaven where my help comes from, and my hope is made real.
3 Strands
I was recently invited to speak at a marriage retreat with my husband. I was so excited. I mulled over a few ideas and thought I would speak about the most famous married couple of all, Mary and Joseph. When I prayed on it further, I kept receiving a cord of three strands as the theme. Let’s get this straight, I am not a paratrooper – I have no idea of cord strength, the value of a 2 strand cord vs a 3 strand cord or anything else like that, but I just kept feeling that the three stranded cord was to be my direction. When I googled it- I just started laughing- little did I know God had already long ago written about a 3 stranded cord in the bible.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12
Two are better than one: They get a good wage for their toil. If the one falls, the other will help the fallen one. But woe to the solitary person! If that one should fall, there is no other to help. So also, if two sleep together, they keep each other warm. How can one alone keep warm? Where one alone may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord* is not easily broken.
I pondered this for a while. Why would you emphasize the importance of two, the strength of two and the benefit of two, then at the end just add in-as a by the way- a 3 ply cord is not easily broken. That last bit made no sense, until of course it did.
I remembered an article Scott Hahn had posted about marriage in Croatia. When you announce your engagement, people congratulate you on finding your cross. No one says wow you found your perfect person. On the contrary! Instead, they say to them: “You have found your cross. It is a cross to love, to carry it with you, a cross that is not to throw away but to treasure.”
When the bride and groom enter the church on their wedding day, they carry a crucifix with them. The priest blesses the crucifix. When the time comes to exchange their vows, the bride puts her right hand on the crucifix and the groom puts his hand on hers, so that both hands are joined together on the crucifix.
The priest covers their hands with his stole as they exchange their vows, according to the rite of the Church, to be faithful to each other, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, till death do them part. Then, instead of kissing each other, the bride and groom kiss the crucifix. Those who witness the ceremony understand from it that if one of them leaves the other, he or she leaves Christ on the Cross.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds bring the crucifix to their home and put it in a place of honor. It will forever be the point of reference and the place of family prayer. In times of difficulty, the family do not go to the lawyer or the psychiatrist, but kneel down together before the crucifix in search of help from Jesus Christ. They kneel down and maybe even cry and open their hearts asking the Lord and each other for forgiveness. They go to sleep with peace in their hearts because they have received forgiveness from the only one who has the power to save.
Husband and wife will teach their children to kiss the crucifix every day and not to go to sleep like pagans, without first giving thanks to Jesus. They know that Jesus is holding them in His arms and there is nothing to fear.
PS Here is where you find the lowest divorce rate in all of Europe.
This is the cord of 3 strands. In every marriage two become one. The Priest says “what God has united let no man tear asunder.” Jesus is the third strand of this union. Marriages that have Jesus as its center strand are stronger because, you don’t only lean on each other you can lean on Christ. I’ve been married for over 30 years, Jose and I made a promise to each other to always keep Christ at the center of our marriage. Have there been times where we got distracted, allowed other things or obligations to come between us? Yes of course, but we always come back to Jesus. We have found that our strength doesn’t come from ourselves, but is always found in Jesus. He is the very definition of love. His goal is always to draw you closer to Him and through Him each other. A Priest at my cousin’s wedding told them- “Judy – your job is to get Jason into heaven and Jason your job is to get Judy into heaven.” Many of us forget that love is sacrifice. But this is what Jesus teaches us on the cross. That love is sacrifice. It is willing the best for someone else and doing all possible to get them to heaven.
My prayer for you today is that you allow Jesus to be the third strand in your marriage. That you allow Him to be the glue that binds you and transforms you into love.
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A King’s Secret
“A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known” Tobit 12v7
This is a biblical verse I have carried around for many years. When I first read it, I literally stopped and let it settle in my heart. It is what compels me to share my faith-even (especially) when I’d rather stay silent. This verse is what motivates my blog and is why today I am sharing a testimony.
Lectio Divina- Many of us are familiar with this way of praying the bible, It’s a meditative way of reading the Bible in which we let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to what God is trying to say to us. For those who are new to this-here is a quick intro to Lectio Divina
- Reading. Read a passage slowly and carefully within the bible. …
- Meditation. Read the passage again, thinking deeply or dwelling upon a spiritual reality within a text. …
- Prayer. Having a loving conversation with God.
- Contemplation. Resting in God’s presence.
- Action. Go and do likewise
Earlier this year I was introduced to Lectio Divina in a zoom class I was taking through Encounter School of Ministry (https://encounterschool.org/) The verse we were given was Matthew 8 5-11 The healing of the Centurian’s servant.
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully. “He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.
I immediately became excited because at every Mass when we pray-Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed, I pray under my breath- “send your word to my children as well and meet them on their road to Emaus” Like most parents today, I worry over my children’s faith journey. A few of my kids no longer attend Mass. So being assigned this reading for our group, I felt like God was winking at me. He was, but not how I expected. Our group leader read the scripture three times- the first time we were to just receive it, the second time we were to ask God what part of the scripture He wanted us to rest at. The third time we read the scripture we were to ask God what message He had for us.
The second time we read the scripture I wanted to rest at “Lord I am not worthy that…” but I felt the spirit saying no, not there keep going, I was surprised but kept going “send your word” no, not there either- the fruit is further along. This is where I felt the Spirit say here- this is for you. “I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.” I remember being surprised and then I scrunched up my nose and said there Lord? Are you sure? What could you possibly have to say to me in this verse?
Are you ready? I sure wasn’t. I felt that gentle voice within say google the phrase “many will come from the east and the west” and find where else it exists in the bible.
Before I go on-the reason I am sharing this with you is because when God feeds one of His children, He expects us to share. His promises are not just for a few but for all His children. So, parents who are reading this – this is for you as well! I want to make sure that when you read this you know that this wasn’t just for me- it’s for you too! This is what I found.
I read this over a few times and just felt God hug me through His loving words. My kids are His kids. He is more interested in their salvation than I am. In His time, He will lead them all home. My job is to stay steady in prayer and thanksgiving, all the while planting seeds of love and faith that He will bring in.
St Peter says in his letters to always be ready to share the reason for your hope. Jesus is my hope. The way that God shares His abundant graces and continuously reassures us and feeds us demonstrates His love in a tangible way. I may not be able to touch it, but I can surely feel it in my soul.
I hope this testimony lifts you up as much as it did me. Anytime I read a testimony, I see it as food for the journey. It sustains us as we walk towards heaven.
Jesus Makes Me Feel So Full
When I was pregnant with each of my children I would go to Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament and marvel at how when I praised God my infant would move around in my womb. As soon as I stopped, the baby within me would stop as well. At first, I couldn’t believe what I knew was happening, so I tested it out a few times. I would begin to worship, and my baby would start to move in my womb. I would stop and my baby would stop. I knew that baby was praising God right along with me. I should not have been surprised, after all didn’t St John the Baptist jump in his mother’s womb upon Mary approaching with Jesus in her womb (Luke 1:39).
When my youngest Isabelle was around 4, I picked her up from preschool one day and took her to adoration with me. I explained how she needed to sit still and be quiet, since other people would be praying. She surprised me by how quiet she became when we entered the church. After we left, I asked her how she felt, and she responded “Jesus makes me feel so full” I think this little girl with the sweet dimples put it more eloquently than any adult I have heard explain it. The fullness she experienced was the fullness that only comes when you open your heart to God.
When we spend time in the intimate presence of God we are changed. It’s like when we go to the beach, while just lying there we are changed. We come home and everyone can see the visible glow of how the sun touched us. When we spend time in the presence of the “Son” we may think nothing has happened but there is a glow in our spirit that we walk away with. “All the angels in heaven gaze with ecstasy at the image made on your soul after each holy hour you make in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; (excerpts from Letters to a Brother Priest.)
For those of you not familiar with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; let me explain. The Catholic church believes that Jesus is fully present in the Eucharist; Body, Blood Soul and Divinity. At exposition a blessed host is placed into a monstrance (a beautiful vessel to display Him) The faithful come and sit in silence and sometimes with meditation music and spend time with Jesus. Our Lord asked the disciples to watch and pray with Him for an hour, so many faithful will do a full “holy hour.” The whole point is that we spend time with the physical presence of Christ. (http://www.stmaryanacortes.org/portals/stmaryanacortes/CMAdmin/Benefits_of_Holy_Hour.pdf)
Let us learn from the example of Mary. As soon as she is filled with the Holy Spirit and conceived Jesus, the first thing she does is go and visit Elizabeth. She doesn’t keep this joy and wonder to herself; she takes it and shares it with someone. When we spend time with Jesus, we become so filled with Him that our first response to His love should be how can I share what I have received? When I walk out of adoration, I take His beautiful presence with me and am called to share it with others.
I challenge everyone this busy Advent season to find some time to be quiet with our Lord. Sit in silence with Him and let Him whisper to your heart. In the end you will walk away like my daughter feeling full, not of the weariness of the season but of the peace of Christ.
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The Gift of Salvation
Years ago, when my youngest, Isabelle was about 5 we were sitting around the dinner table speaking about what we would be giving up for lent. As we went around the table, each one of us would select a Lenten penitence. Suddenly Isabelle says, “I don’t get it.” When I asked her what she didn’t get, she replied “lent”. So, we gave her an explanation (as much as you can give to a 5-year-old). She still had a blank look on her face and said “yeah I don’t get it” we spoke to her again of Jesus going into the desert for 40 days and how we joined Jesus in this mission. She still had the blank look… before going on- being the good and very patient mom that I am :D, I asked her what don’t you get? She replied “lent– what did we borrow? “
After the giggling and shaking of our heads, we replied, nothing lent, just given….
A few years later I unboxed that story and looked at it in a different way. I contemplated how fortunate we are that our salvation is not something borrowed- or on temporary loan to us. Our salvation is a gift freely given.
Ephesians 2 4- 10 says:
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
We are given Salvation as a gift. I started to contemplate this. I thought of all the great and not so great gifts I have been given throughout my lifetime. I thought of how I have treated all those gifts. Some with reverence and others I could honestly not tell you that I know where they are now. The more precious the gift, the more I needed to treat it with kid gloves, putting it away and bringing it out on special occasions, not wanting to have it damaged in any way. My most treasured gift is a ring my mother left me when she passed on to be with Our Lord. It is a beautiful ring, and I only use it on special occasions, each time I bring it out, it makes me feel close to her. Is this how I experience my gift of salvation as well?
Am I the Christian who comes to Mass and then returns my relationship with Christ to the shelf until next time we meet again? Returning to my gift as I need it or when I have time? Or, at times am I overwhelmed by this gift and feel unworthy of it? I know that when my father gave me the ring, I handed it back, I felt so unworthy, surely, she meant one of my other sisters to have such a treasure. The words “Your mother wanted you to have this”, brought tears to my eyes. How could that be? My sisters were all closer to her. This ring reminds me constantly that Our Father in heaven doesn’t give us according to our merit but according to His limitless love and mercy. I think many of us struggle with feeling worthy of salvation, so instead of basking in the love of the Father, we shy away. I know it took me some time to even wear my mom’s ring. I thought it was too much and I didn’t feel worthy of having received it. I hope we don’t do the same with the gift of salvation our heavenly Father has lavished on us. It’s not about being worthy, it’s about being loved.
I think that our relationship with Christ must become an everyday gift, not the one that comes out occasionally. When I wear my mother’s ring, I get to share her memories with everyone I meet- same with my gift of salvation. Let’s share that with everyone.
Years ago, there used to be a show on PBS-The Antiques Roadshow. I remember a gentleman who had a hat from one of the Conquistadores. It was all metal and beautifully engraved. All the antiques dealers came to his station to look at this precious item. The appraiser was asked to verify its authenticity and price. He went on about this object’s history. When asked about the price – he looked at the hats owner and asked him a question. Why is the hat so shiny? The gentleman sheepishly bowed his head and said it was extremely dirty and I was embarrassed to bring it here in that condition, so I spent hours polishing it. The price went from over 300,000 to about 10,000 – you see in polishing it up he took away the patina.
We should not be shy about our gift of salvation; it should make us stand out, for it draws others to Him. Sometimes the best compliment I can receive is not “have you lost weight?”; but “are you a Christian?” We need to be well worn Christians. Full of the patina of Christ. In today’s society we are often timid in showing our Christian patina. Being frail enough to say that amid my joy or sorrows I turn to Christ. Our frailty is what brings us closer to Jesus since this is where we need Him most. This is also where we draw others to Jesus. Because it is in the worn patches of our lives that God’s love and salvation shine through. When I can testify of His love at the darkest moments of my life others can be strengthened. This gift of salvation comes to us when and where we need it. Let us humble ourselves before the throne of mercy, implore God for it and realize that we are all in need of saving. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” So, when you find yourself shying away from this very lavish gift remember that Jesus earned it for us while we were still in sin. It is not something that we can earn, rather it is something God gives freely and all we need to do is say thank you and treasure it.
As we get ready to enter this Lenten season with Jesus, let us focus on this treasure purchased at so high a price. Let us honor it by daily giving thanks and becoming well-worn Christians letting God’s light shine through. May this Lent bring us all closer to the heart of Jesus.
Finding God In The Everyday 