Why Are You Anxious?

I'm a worrier by nature. I don't want to be, but it comes so easily. That's why I always enjoy the reassurance of this past Sunday's Gospel.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?

I hear these words. I want so much to live them. But I seem to fight an internal voice that desperately wants to argue back, How could I not be anxious? Have you seen my schedule? Do you know how many people depend on me?

Maybe you've had some of these thoughts, or others like, Did you hear about my job? Have you seen my financial situation? Have you met my kids? Do you remember my spouse? Did you hear the diagnosis? Do you know how I feel about myself? What if I fail? What are we supposed to do now?

I find myself wanting to debate Jesus. Then I realize the message doesn't end at the "don't worry" part. If it did, I might be tempted to keep asking questions all day. But the Gospel goes on . . .

Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

That "BUT" is the kicker. The way I see it, as long as I'm trying to do it on my own, worrying is part of the deal. BUT, if I seek God's help, peace will follow. God will provide. My part is to get connected and stay connected. The more I seek God, the more that connection and my faith and ability to trust will grow.

I'm a work in progress. How about you?

[Gospel excerpt from Matthew 6:24–34]

Friday, Friday, Friday

Happy Friday! Without delay, here's a little something to put a smile on your face for the weekend.

1.

A drought came to a small village. It lasted for what seemed an eternity. The crops died, the well dried, and the people suffered greatly. Without rain, there seemed no end to the misery that befell them.

As the problem worsened, a group of townspeople decided to call a meeting. They felt there was no hope. Then a wise elder suggested that the community gather for prayer. The people seemed shocked by the thought. They were not accustomed to praying together and certainly not in a town meeting. But left with no other options, the group agreed and the prayer service was scheduled.

When the appointed day arrived, all the people of the village were present. They shuffled to the town square with eyes downcast, reluctant to have others think they believed in something that seemed so childish. Arms crossed, they mumbled to their neighbors and searched the crowd waiting for someone to begin.

The wise elder, seeing that all were present, came forward. He climbed upon a small stone bench so as to be better seen. Clearing his throat, he opened his mouth to speak, but instead broke into a wide smile. The crowd grew curious and followed his gaze to a small child seated near the back. She beamed with excitement. On the ground next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella.

The elder finally broke the silence. With tears in his eyes, he said, “This child has taught us a lesson in faith. We came here to pray for rain. She came expecting it.”

~adapted from unknown author

2. Music is powerful. It can transform and transport us. Just watch and see. (The last minute is priceless!)

3. Finally, if you ever doubt the amazing gift of creation, watch this.

God is good! Happy Friday!!

Signs of Faith

It's Thursday and that means it's time to learn more about the Catholic faith. Today's topic: The Sign of the Cross.

The Sign of the Cross is a gesture recognized by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. But what does it mean and why do Catholics do that?

While some may think the Sign of the Cross is just a warm-up exercise, it is in fact a prayer in itself. It came into use as a religious gesture in the Middle Ages and takes several forms. The most commonly recognized is when a person traces the cross with their right hand starting from the forehead, ("In the name of the Father . . .") down to the breastbone ("and of the Son . . .) followed by first the left and then the right shoulder ("and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.")

The Sign of the Cross is typically used to begin and end other prayers. However, it is also made upon entering and leaving the church and several times during the Mass. Some people even pray it in isolation as a blessing or means of comfort. So what is it that we are actually saying with when we make this prayer?

We make the Sign of the Cross as a profession of our faith and a statement of our belief in the Trinity--the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The gesture reminds us of Christ's sacrifice and the ultimate gift of our salvation while also professing to the world that we children of God. It is a public witness of our faith.

"This ancient Christian gesture reminds the baptized that we are sealed in Christ--we belong to him--and that we are to do all things in God's name."

[Source: Fr. Dominic Grassi and Joe Paprocki, Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life, Loyola Press ©2005]

In case you were wondering, the Sign of the Cross is not just a "Catholic thing." Other faiths, such as Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, and a few other Protestant denominations also profess their faith using this gesture.

"Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in everything; over the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are on the way and when we are still. Great is that preservative; it is without price, for the poor's sake; without toil, for the sick, since also its grace is from God. It is the Sign of the faithful, and the dread of evils; for He has triumphed over them in it, having made a shew of them openly; for when they see the Cross, they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him, Who hath bruised the heads of the dragon. Despise not the Seal, because of the freeness of the Gift; but for this rather honor they Benefactor."

~St. Cyril of Jerusalem, A.D. 315–386

Receive me, O Lord

Yesterday, you asked God to help you be open to what he wants to teach you. You committed yourself to the "listening" part. What do you do next?

In his book, The Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola offers a vision of how to live, work, and love. By developing a more intimate relationship with God, you move from just listening to acting. At the end of the exercises, Ignatius shares a prayer he called the Suscipe. Drawn from monastic tradition, suscipe is the Latin word for "receive." In this particular prayer, you ask God to receive you. You offer yourself as the Lord's hands and feet on earth.

Suscipe

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

my memory, my understanding, and my entire will--

all that I have and call my own.

You have given it all to me. To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.

Give me only your love and your grace.

That is enough for me.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

This prayer is sometimes called radical. You can imagine why. If prayed with sincerity, you are making a powerful statement. You are giving yourself totally to God and letting him lead you where you are most needed. With this prayer, you commit yourself to be Christ for others. How will you live this today?

You Are Christ's Hands

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,

no hands but yours, no feet but yours,

Yours are the eyes through which is to look out

Christ's compassion to the world;

Yours are the feet with which he is

to go about doing good;

Yours are the hands with which he is

to bless us now.

St. Teresa of Avila

Are You Listening?

Prayer of St. Anslem of Canterbury

Teach me to seek you,

and reveal yourself to me as I seek;

for unless you instruct me

I cannot seek you,

and unless you reveal yourself

I cannot find you.

Let me seek you in desiring you;

let me desire you in seeking you.

Let me find you in loving you;

let me love you in finding you.

This is a great prayer to use at the beginning of each day. It gives us some perspective on our relationship with God.

After all, our faith journey is a conversation, not a monologue. We speak a lot, but do we ever listen? What is God trying to tell you today? Will you slow down long enough to hear? Think of what you might miss if you don't!

Happy President's Day!

Hope many of you are enjoying a President's Day holiday.

Today we remember and honor those who have guided our country throughout its history. We are blessed to live in a land where we have the right to speak freely about our most cherished beliefs and worship without fear of persecution. While we hold a definite distinction between church and state, a look at our former presidents makes clear that faith has and continues to play an important role in our nation and with its leaders.

Here are some interesting quotes and facts to ponder as we remember and honor our presidents.

"It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports."

George Washington (Sept. 17, 1796)

"The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forbears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that all rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God . . .Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty . . .With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."

John F. Kennedy (Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961)

"But what we can do, as flawed as we are, is still see God in other people, and do our best to help them find their own grace. That's what I strive to do, that's what I pray to do every day."

Barack Obama

Presidents can choose a Bible passage on which to solemnly swear at their inauguration. Here are a few chosen by different presidents.

Abraham Lincoln, 1865

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933, 1937, 1941, 1945

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (1 Corinthians 13:13)

James E. Carter, 1977

"He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8)

George W. Bush, 2005

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Happy Hour 2

It's Friday! Wow, this week flew by. Hope everyone enjoyed a sweet and loving Valentine's Day.

With all this love in the air, we thought it might be fun to start with a dose of reality. Does this sound familiar to anyone?


2. Here's a little something to consider at your next coffee break. . .



3. They say laughter is the best medicine. If so, we should all feel a little better after watching this guy! (Little language lesson: The words at the beginning "Kan man ha roligare?" are Swedish for "Can you have any more fun?")



Have a great weekend! Laugh, love, and live life to its fullest!

Love Follows Knowledge

We thought it might be nice to set aside one day each week to share some facts, teachings, and Traditions of the Catholic Church. This week we've been focusing on the theme of love. It has been suggested that love follows knowledge, to know something is to love it. Our human hearts often seek vision or understanding.

So no matter your background or current situation, we invite you to join with us as we learn a bit more about Catholicism. What a better place to start than Why go to church?

Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, priest and author poses this question in his book The Holy Longing,

So what can be a vision, a reason for going to church and committing ourselves in an irrevocable covenant to a group of very flawed men and women and agreeing to journey with them for the rest of our lives? What are the reasons that one should go to church?

The Church teaches us that we as Catholics should attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. (We'll talk more about those in coming weeks.) But it's not just about the obligation. Rolheiser outlines the following nine reasons why we should go:

1. Because it is not good to be alone.

Church by definition is walking to God within community. To attempt to make spirituality a private affair is to reject part of our very nature and walk inside of loneliness.

2. To take my rightful place humbly within the family of humanity.

The church--infinitely more inclusive than blood family and infinitely less abstract than humanity-- offers us a place to die to elitism.

3. Because God calls me there.

Spirituality is not a private search for what is highest in oneself but a communal search for the face of God.

4. To dispel my fantasies about myself.

Not being involved with church because of the church's faults is a great rationalization. What is too painful to deal with is not the church's imperfections but my own fantasies about my own goodness, which in the grind of real community, will become painfully obvious.

5. Because ten thousand saints have told me so.

The saints of old and the saints of the present day are fairly unanimous regarding the importance of church. It is hard to imagine Mother Teresa or Francis of Assisi apart from their connection to church.

6. To help others carry their pathologies and to have them help me carry mine.

We go to church so that others may help us carry what is unhealthy inside ourselves and so that we can help them to do the same. We should not be surprised to find every kind of sickness within our churches. This should not deter us away, but beckon us there.

7. To dream with others.

Alone I am pretty powerless, able to make a splash, but not a big difference. Together with others who share my dreams about justice and peace, I can change the world.

8. To practice for heaven.

Going to church is one of the best cardiovascular spiritual exercises available.

9. For the pure joy of it . . . because it is heaven!

After all, it is the place where we share the Eucharist!

Excerpts quoted and paraphrased from The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser ©1999

Join us Thursdays for a little Catholic question and answer session.

We're also open to answering your questions. Our resident theological consultant, Fr. Joachim Tyrtania, has been an ordained priest for 28 years.

Feel free to email any questions to blog@boundgracepress.com and he'll be happy to find you an answer.

See you tomorrow at Happy Hour!

Grateful

I’m born full,

but how quickly the bits

and pieces slip away.

The world empties

and I am left searching

for something to replace

the missing.

Somewhere inside

I remember,

as in a dream

a time when I was sated,

complete, known.

Now I’m a mystery.

Honeycombed and fragile,

I pray without knowing

if faith is enough.

But in truth

the Giver of what I need,

veiled by my own hand,

waits willingly and patiently

to feed my hunger

and quench my thirst.

My life is a constant balancing.

Just as I trip and empty

He fills me again and I am left grateful

for blessings from an

unfailing river of LOVE.

Love, Just Love

And one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” ~Matthew 22:36­–4

I love this teaching, but I also really like what comes right before it. Jesus has just had a lengthy question and answer session with the Pharisees and Sadducees. They’ve been trying to trip him up and confuse him. They start with a question about the lawfulness of paying taxes and then create this complicated scenario about a poor woman with bad luck and lots of dead husbands. Each time they want to prove just how smart they are. I can almost see them huddled together, each adding a new tidbit of information to make the problem more absurd and difficult. It’s like they’re playing an ultimate game of What if, and Jesus keeps beating them!

As a last resort, one scholar pulls out the zinger question. Which commandment is the greatest? These men are looking for a fight. They want to debate the issue. They're caught up in the thrill of the competition and the ultimate desire to be right.

That’s when Jesus replies with the simplest most beautiful response. LOVE. Before anything else, you need to love.

Sometimes I think we play out the role of the Pharisees and Sadducees in our lives. We like to complicate things. We want to be right. We add layers of meaning and degrees of deservedness to our definition of love. We like to sit in circles and debate our responsibilities toward one another. We throw out our own set of What ifs hoping to find a loophole to this love thing. Sound familiar?

“Do I need to love someone if I (and no one else) particularly likes him/her?”

“What about people who clearly don’t deserve my love?”

“Do I have to keep loving someone who doesn’t love me back?”

“What about people who look and act differently, do I need to love them?”

“How can I love someone else if I don’t really love myself?”

We throw out our questions expecting to be justified or pacified, agreed with or consoled. But each time, Jesus looks at us gently and responds. LOVE. Just love, no conditions, no clauses, no amendments, just love.

That’s our challenge today and everyday.

“We are here to love one another in the most radical way possible, without judgment, and to pray that others can love us in the same way."

from Find Your Way Home: Words from the Street, Wisdom from the Heart

by the Women of Magdalene with Becca Stevens

A Love Letter from God

Dear Love,

Today I wanted to remind you of how beautiful your are. I know you are reluctant to believe me. You are more apt to take as truth the words the world tells you, that you are not good enough, or thin enough, or strong enough, or worthy of love. But this is simply not true!

These lies make you believe that you have broken one too many promises, fallen one too many times, lived one too many lies, and have traveled so far in the wrong direction that it is pointless to turn back now. These LIES are what break your heart and tear you down.

You see, you are My creation. My workmanship. You have been borne of my thought, every part of you placed together by My hands. My mark is upon you, within you.

You are a precious, priceless gem. There is no ocean I would not swim, no mountain I would not climb, no price I would not pay to have you with me. I love you dearly, unconditionally and completely.

All this BECAUSE I know everything about you. I understand each emotion you have. I can name your weaknesses, failures, and fears. I know those hidden parts of you. The ones you wish would go away. I've stood in the darkest corners of your world when you thought you were alone. I stood beside you, and cried with you. All this I have already seen and not one second of it would change my love for you.

Remember, you are mine, and I will always be yours.

I love you now and forever.

I just wanted to remind you today.

With unmeasurable love,

God

Friday Happy Hour

While this is not your traditional "Happy Hour," we do believe your work week should end with a smile and a happy heart. Each Friday we will share stories, videos, quotes, pictures, and other goodies to help you begin your weekend smiling.

Let's face it, there are many things in life that are outside of our control. But we DO control the attitude with which we act, interact, and react. You have a choice. Will you frown or smile? Will you complain or be grateful? It's completely up to you. What will you add to the world today?

Enjoy this first edition of BBG Happy Hour!

1. Let's start off with something to relax you. Here's a peaceful one.

2. This one will make you want to say a prayer and hug your dog!

3. If you've never done so, read the book "The Little Prince," by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It will make you smile and cry. Here's a quote from it's lovely wisdom,

Grown-ups are like numbers. When you tell them about a new friend, they never ask questions about what really matters. They never ask: "What does his voice sound like?" "What games does he like best?" "Does he collect butterflies?". They ask: "How old is he? "How many brothers does he have?" "How much does he weigh?" "How much money does his father make?" Only then do they think they know him.

4. Here's one last video for the week. After all, you're never too old for Elmo wisdom. Think about it.

Extreme Kindness Challenges

Next week is Random Acts of Kindness Week! If you missed this website yesterday, I'm linking it again today. Visit to learn more about the Extreme Kindness Challenges that will be featured each day. Sounds like fun! Anyone up for a challenge?

If you participate, let us know and share your stories.

Random Acts of Kindness site

Quotes for the day:

Everything in life is most fundamentally a gift. And you receive it best, and you live it best, by holding it with very open hands.

~ Leo O'Donavan, 47th President of Georgetown University

The best portion of a good man's life--his little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.

~ William Wadsworth

The secret of life is that all we have and are is a gift of grace to be shared.

~ Lloyd John Ogilvie, former chaplain of the US Senate

You are on a Mission!

Did you know that you’ve been called to be a missionary? I’m not talking about traveling to faraway lands. Right now, at this moment, your call is to show God’s love to those in your own home, school, neighborhood, workplace, and circle of friends.

Some of you will share this message with people who already know God. Others will be introducing him for the first time. It's important to grow in and strengthen your faith, but most of your work will be done without ever mentioning religion. In fact, a great deal of it will be accomplished without speaking a word. Think about it. What lessons have you already shared today?

More Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness

missionary (n) one who is sent on a mission, especially to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Random Acts of Kindness

If you’ve ever experienced a random act of kindness, you know that a small gesture, a few simple words, or even a brief smile can make a world of difference.

I came upon this website with a unique idea for spreading messages of love and hope. Do you have a message of hope to share? How can you be a positive force of change in the world?

Read more about the HOPE REVOlution!

You Are the Light of the World

"Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." Mt. 5:16 (NAB © 1986)

In yesterday’s Gospel we’re reminded that our lives are not lived in isolation. What we do and say, how we act and speak, matter. Seems like a big responsibility to be called “the light of the world.” Notice it doesn’t say you are “a” light in the world. In other words, there’s no getting off the hook and hoping that someone else will shine in your place today. Not only are you always on, your light is showing everyone else what it means to be good and loved by God.

So the question of the week is, how does your light shine in today’s world. Technology has changed the way we communicate. Has it also changed the way we shine? It’s not hard to see yourself shining back in the reflection of someone’s eyes. But what changes when “you” are instead reflecting from the glow of someone’s screen?

Think about it. Do you speak and act differently when your thoughts are typed and read as opposed to spoken and heard? Should you? The opportunities to be connected are almost limitless. How can you use these opportunities for good? What light are you shining on others today?

Welcome to Bound By Grace Press!

Bound By Grace Press is a publishing company committed to offering families practical, interesting, and inspiring ways to grow together in their Catholic faith. We aspire to help everyone recognize the beauty of God's creation in the world around them. We are each called by God to be missionaries, not just in faraway lands, but in our homes, our schools, our offices, and and our neighborhoods. Bound By Grace Press strives to help each person find their place on the path to fulfilling this call.

Follow this blog for stories, history, ideas, activities, contests, and much more. Join us for the adventure and invite others to come along!

God Bless!

Bound By Grace editorial team