The Second Station

Jesus Carries His Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise You.

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

It seems like only yesterday that You spoke of a Cross.

If anyone wishes to come after me,

he must deny himself and take up

his cross daily and follow me.

Lk 9:23)

Now the full weight of a wooden Cross bears down upon Your shoulders. You are pushed forward toward a hill called Golgotha, the Place of the Skull. Surely this is not a destination suited for the Son of Man. Yet despite the humiliation and the physical pain, You lift Yourself against this heaviness and begin to walk.

The moment has come. Father, Your gift is upon me. This Cross I bear is not mine, but theirs. I carry it willingly. While I have agonized over this moment, I now rejoice that it has finally come. Because of this Cross I know their pain and sorrow, their failings and weakness. Because of this Cross they will know Your compassion and mercy. Father, stand ready to embrace Your children and comfort their sorrows. Blessed be this Cross I bear.

We pray. Heavenly Father, as humble sinners, we bow before you. We know Your promise of forgiveness, but still we struggle to raise our eyes and ask. The shame of sin is great. Remind us of Your gentle Spirit. Reassure us that we are always in a state of becoming. Give us the strength and courage to bear our daily crosses, and guide us on the path to carry them in Your footsteps.

What's your cross? We all have one. Do you carry yours willingly, or do you allow it to weigh you down holding you stuck in one place. Being a victim doesn't put you on Christ's path. On that journey, you forge your own way. As hard as it may seem, you've been called to love the cross you bear. Only in a spirit of love will you be able to carry it with strength, courage, and dignity. That's the attitude that puts you on a path of hope toward Resurrection.

[excerpt from Stations of the Cross by Denise Hemrich-Skomer and Fr. Joachim Tyrtania. ©2009. Nihil Obstat: Charles McNamee, J.C.L. Censor Librorum. Imprimatur: Thomas G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D, Bishop of Rockford]

The First Station

Last week, I wrote a bit about the Stations of the Cross devotion. It is typically prayed from beginning to end while walking from station to station. We reflect on the steps Christ took as he journeyed toward the Cross. I thought it might be interesting to spread this walk out over these last several weeks of Lent. So, I will be posting one station a day periodically over the next three weeks. We'll conclude on Good Friday with a closing meditation. These reflections come from a meditation published by Bound By Grace Press. You will find the entire booklet available at www.BoundByGracePress.com.

Let's begin our walk . . .

The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Standing before a crowd was not new to You. But standing with Your hands bound and a crown of thorns on Your head certainly was. Only a few short days before, You entered the city to the cheers of

Hosanna to the Son of David;

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord:

Hosanna in the highest.

(Mt 21:9)

Now You are mocked and jeered. Flashes of memory cross Your mind with faces of the humble, the lowly, the tired, the blind, and the lame. Grateful faces that felt the healing touch of Your Spirit. These human memories soothe Your heart as You are condemned to the final hours of Your Heavenly Father's plan.

Father, so much pain and anger remains in the hearts of Your people. I stand before this crowd and feel each hurt like a knife. I know this is only the beginning. Be with me as I walk the path to the Cross. Give me the strength to show Your children the depth of Your heart and the power of Your love.

We pray. Father in Heaven, You gave Your Son so that we might know how much we are loved. Sometimes we lose sight of this love because the weight of the world is heavy. We allow others to condemn us and even condemn ourselves. We carry so much pain and hurt that we leave little room for You to live. Remind us as we walk this Way of the Cross that only You can soothe our wounds and bring us safely home. Open our hearts enough so that we might invite You back.

Amen.

[excerpt from Stations of the Cross by Denise Hemrich-Skomer and Fr. Joachim Tyrtania. ©2009. Nihil Obstat: Charles McNamee, J.C.L. Censor Librorum. Imprimatur: Thomas G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D, Bishop of Rockford]

Forgive Me

Forgiveness can be a hard thing. It's made even harder when we feel truly and deeply wronged. Our hearts hurt, and we don't want to let the other person off the hook for having done the damage.

Today's gospel message shines a light on forgiveness. Peter asks Jesus just how often you need to forgive someone. He wants a number. Peter wants concrete data. He's already keeping score.

What you may not know is that Peter believed he was being very generous with his offer to forgive seven times. Rabbinic teaching stated that a person must forgive an offender just three times. This number was deduced from the opening chapters of Amos where a series of condemnations on the nations was interpreted to mean that God extends forgiveness three times and extends punishment on the fourth offense.

Peter's seven was, in his mind, going above and beyond the call. He doubled the law and added one for good measure. He probably expected to be patted on the back for his merciful and compassionate side. Instead, he was shocked into silence. "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times" packs a whole lot more punch when you know the backstory! In other words, Jesus was saying there is no limit to forgiveness.

This is a difficult concept for many of us to wrap our minds around. After all, isn't it hard enough to forgive once and forgive well.

Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don't want the other person to forget that we forgave ~ Ivern Ball

If you're like me, you've found yourself hanging on to the pain and suffering only to offer it up to the forgiven at a later date and time. Perhaps this is where we're called to remember the words we often mindlessly pray. We forget that they carry the ultimate lesson of forgiveness.

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

The last line of today's gospel advises us, 'forgive your brother from your heart.' Maybe that's the secret. Our head holds on to the details; our heart is free to forgive. Forgiveness from the heart lets love fill the place where the hurt used to be.

What hurt you are holding in your heart? How much better off would you be to forgive and replace that pain with love?

Since forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change, don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time. ~Sara Paddison

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~Paul Boese

Are You Thirsty?

You should not see the desert simply as some faraway place of little rain. There are many forms of thirst. ~William Langewiesche

We all have an inner thirst, an emptiness driving us toward a search for something to quench it. Some of us spend our whole lives searching. The world offers many enticing cups--power, knowledge, money, fame.

Water, water everywhere; Nor any a drop to drink. ~Samuel Taylor

Each cup we fill leaves us more thirsty than the one before.

Good as drink is, it ends in thirst ~ Irish proverb

We will never be satiated with drink from this world.

The thirst of desire is never filled, nor fully satisfied ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

It is only by looking to God that we will be truly satisfied. Standing at the well, Jesus is waiting. He offers living water so that we will never be thirsty again.

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13–14

What's in your cup?

Guilty Friday

Happy Friday!
I found this first "guilty" little pleasure a few days ago. I was a bit bummed to see it all over Yahoo News yesterday. If you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth a viewing, especially for all you dog lovers!! I only wish my dogs were this honest, or obvious!




This one comes from another blog I follow. There is something haunting and powerful in the sheer passion you feel from these dancers. Apparently this particular dance, and the video recording of it, were staged as a memorial to the brother of the guy in the white shirt. The brother died in a car accident.




Finally, this last one is nice way to end the week and begin the weekend. Be that SOMEONE who cares!




Happy Friday!

The Stations of the Cross

A popular devotion prayed during the Lenten season is the Stations of the Cross. Today the Stations are represented by images found in and around Catholic churches. They come in many forms and some rise to the level of great art. But did you ever wonder about the origin of this form of prayer?

From the earliest days of the Church, people told and retold the story of Jesus' crucifixion. Visitors coming to Jerusalem wanted to see the holy places where Jesus spent his last hours. These locations gave people a special connection to Christ. Pilgrims "walked with him" by following in his footsteps as he was led to his death. Unfortunately, for people who lived great distances from this land, travel was quite difficult. It might take a lifetime to make such a journey. In addition, this area of the world was (and still is) often unsafe for travelers because of frequent wars.

To solve these problems, people in medieval Europe (around 1400–1500s) created the Stations of the Cross. Artists made "replicas" or models to symbolize what happened on the way to Calvary. The stations took the form of paintings and/or statues. Many hung on walls of churches while some were places outdoors along a path. Different churches showed different parts of Jesus' journey. Some had only a few and others highlighted many. Eventually the Church decided upon fourteen stations of Jesus's Passion with a fifteenth showing his Resurrection. Today you will find these fourteen displayed in some fashion in every Catholic church.

The Stations are prayed by walking from image to image and meditating on the events that led to Jesus' death and resurrection. Some people prefer to pray in their own words. Others choose from one of the many meditations booklets that have been written to guide people in their prayer and reflection.

During Lent, many churches schedule communal prayer services to pray the Stations in a group setting. Beginning next Wednesday, I will be featuring a reflection a day for each of the stations. We will end the meditations on Good Friday. In the meantime, here are a few links to virtual Stations of the Cross that you can explore on your own.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church

Virtual Stations with images from Jerusalem

The Stations of the Cross for Children

This video uses puppets made by a Jesuit priest. Very interesting interpretation.

Help Wanted: Apostle

Imagine if Christ had written a help wanted ad for the job of Apostle. What qualities and qualifications might he have sought? How might the interview have gone for those brave and interested enough to apply?

What if you had viewed the final candidates? I am fairly certain most of us would have stood shocked and disappointed by the motley crew Christ assembled. In appearance alone they lacked the "it" factor we all crave. A bunch of burly fisherman, a tax collector, and a zealot don't fit the traditional image of chosen men.

I often wonder how this group of followers would fair in our world today. We pride ourselves in being "good judges of character" and "knowledgeable consumers." Judging people by their background, appearance, and performance seems to be woven into our culture. Recently it has even come to monopolize our choice of entertainment. How many one-liners can you recite that nightly judge and disqualify hopeful and/or desperate contestants? (You've been chopped, you've been eliminated from the race, you're not the Biggest Loser, pack your knives and go . . .)

We are constantly judging each other. But in truth, our vision is clouded.

Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

This is exactly what Jesus did in choosing his twelve. Their outward appearance and past mistakes did not exclude them from God's call. Through his divinity, Jesus saw in those men not what they were but what they could become.

There is a beautiful intercession that is sometimes prayed at Mass, especially at funerals. It goes something like this,

"We pray for all those whose faith is known to God alone."

I love this prayer because it is a constant reminder that we don't have all the answers. We can never really know the heart of another. Because of this, we are often mistaken and misguided in how we see people. In the end, it's not for us to judge. We are merely human and judging is a divine right.

Only God's eyes can see our deeper truth. Take comfort in the knowledge that He alone knows who you are and sees who you can become.

What's in It for Me?

I must admit, on more than one occasion I've asked this question in regards to my faith. I probably wasn't this direct, but I've certainly had thoughts like,

Why did this happen to me?

How could God do this to us?

I did everything right.

Why didn't this turn out the way I wanted?

Dear God, if you just let this happen, I will be good.

Sound familiar? No matter how pious we may be, I think we all suffer from narcissistic thoughts once in awhile. Even the disciples found themselves wondering how their actions and good behavior might land them a seat of honor at the right or left of Christ. We're human and in our humanity we are flawed. But we can still strive to be better. I very much like the following prayer from St. Ignatius of Loyola. I keep it around for those moments when I find myself thinking too much about myself. I hope you'll find some resonance of truth and grace in it, too.

Just Because You Are My God

Oh, my God, I want to love you

Not that I might gain eternal heaven

Nor escape eternal hell

But, Lord, to love you just because

you are my God.

Grant me to give to you

And not to count the cost,

To fight for you

And not to mind the wounds,

To labor and to ask for no reward

except the knowledge

that I serve my God.

~St. Ignatius of Loyola

Where Are You Headed?

If you board the wrong train it is no use running along the corridor in the opposite direction.

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I love the power of this quote. It makes me think about all the times I've worried over the small things in life while running full force in the wrong direction. More than once, I've been caught up in details and completely missed the big picture.

This second full week of Lent is a great time to consider the bigger picture in our lives. We've been focused on clearing out the distractions, giving up things, and adding new habits, but where are all these efforts leading us? Are we obsessing over how much we miss whatever we've given up or do our sacrifices serve as a reminder that we are dependent only on God?

Lent is a time to reorder and repurpose our lives. It's time to stop running for a moment and make sure we're on the right train. What's your bigger picture? Are the things around which you are ordering and organizing your life leading you toward God or away from him? What are your priorities?

Think about it.

Friday!

Happy Friday!

Let's end the week with a smile. Many of you may have already seen this cute baby video, but who doesn't love 59 seconds of cute baby video, right?!

Just in case you didn't have enough St. Patrick's Day celebrating last night, thought you might enjoy a little Irish music.

Finally, I have a very special Italian friend who wore red yesterday in protest to the lack of attention paid to St. Joseph, who has a feast day tomorrow. So in honor of St. Joseph and all the Italian Americans,

Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph,

whose protection is so great, so prompt, so strong,

before the throne of God,

I place in you all my interests and desires.

Oh, St. Joseph,

do assist me by your powerful intercession,

and obtain for me from you Divine Son

all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power,

I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph,

I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms;

I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.

Press Him in my name and kiss His find Head for me and

Ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, Patron of departed souls-pray for me.

Amen.

Have a great weekend!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here's a little something in honor of the saint we honor today.

The Prayer of St. Patrick

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven;

Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightening,

Swiftness of the wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of the earth,

Firmness of the rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me;

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

Afar and anear,

Alone or in multitude.

Christ shield me today

Against wounding

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through the mighty strength

Of the Lord of creation.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Memorare

In yesterday's post, I mentioned the starfish. I've been a starfish on more than one occasion in my life. Year's ago, my mother shared a very special prayer with me. It's called the Memorare. It's one of those wonderful little gifts that brings peace in just the right moment.

For those of you who like to know the history of things. Here's the history of this prayer. According to the book Familiar Prayers: Their Origins and History written by Fr. Thurston, Herbert S.J. in 1953:

Fr. Claude Bernard, known as the "Poor Priest", zealously dedicated himself to the preaching and aiding of prisoners and criminals condemned to death. Trusting his charges to the care and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Fr. Bernard employed the Memorare extensively in his work of evangelization to great effect. Many a criminal was reconciled to God through his efforts. At one time he had more than 200,000 leaflets printed with the Memorare in various languages so he could distribute the leaflets wherever he felt they would do some good.

Part of the reason Fr. Claude Bernard held the prayer in such high regard was because he himself felt that he had been miraculously cured by its use. In a letter to Queen Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII, he wrote that he was deathly ill once. In fear of his life he recited the Memorare and immediately began to get well again. Feeling unworthy of such a miracle, he attributed the cure to some unknown natural cause. Sometime later, Brother Fiacre, a discalced Augustinian, came to call upon Fr. Bernard. The good brother begged Fr. Bernard's pardon for disturbing him, but he desired to know how Fr. Bernard was getting along. Brother Fiacre then went on to say that the Virgin Mary had appeared to him in a vision, told him of Fr. Bernard's illness, told him how she had cured Fr. Bernard of it, and that he was to assure Fr. Bernard of this fact. Fr. Bernard then goes on to write in his letter that he was ashamed of his ingratitude in attributing the cure to natural causes, and asked for God's forgiveness in the matter.

I myself have found great comfort in this prayer at times when I was most in need. I offer it to all the starfish out there, and to anyone else who might be seeking a bit of comfort or healing.

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection,

implored Thy help

or sought Thy intercession,

was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence,

I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother;

to Thee do I come,

before thee I stand

sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,

despise not my petitions,

but in Thy mercy, hear and answer me.

Amen.

Lessons of Mercy

The Works of Mercy outlined in yesterday's Gospel instruct us in our duties toward the hungry, thirsty, naked, lonely, sick, and imprisoned. No doubt you've heard countless sermons on how to act toward those in need and been given hundreds of suggestions for ways to make a difference in the world. But what about the times when YOU are the one in need?

When hearing this Gospel, we almost always put ourselves into the position of the giver, the one possessing a basket full of goodies to share with the "least" in society. Have you ever considered that in order to give, there must be someone to receive? The fact is, sometimes it might be you.

I love the story of the starfish thrower. A lonely activist on the beach working tirelessly to toss helpless fish back into the sea. One at a time, he attends to the almost endless task ahead. This valiant optimist also instructs a passerby that while perhaps he cannot make a difference for every fish, he has made a world of difference for at least one.

In this story, I think we can find the three stages of our Christian life. At times, we are like the starfish thrower. We are strong, capable and full of energy. We see the many ways we can make a difference in the world. Like in yesterday's Gospel, we step up and do our part to feed, clothe, visit, and attend to the needs of many. However, we can't all be starfish throwers all of the time.

Sometimes in life, we are the starfish. Life gets rough. Our financial situation turns south. Our health is poor. We feel lost and alone. We become the "least" and need another to give us a helping hand back into the sea of life.

Other times, we find ourselves in between. We are the observer on the beach or the disciple in the crowd. We may be recovering, healing, or just getting back on our feet. We walk aimlessly along watching others do the work. We see the needy and either hope we don't end up in that position or remember what it was like. Either way, we are neither one nor the other. This in-betweenness is where we grow and build strength. We have lessons to learn.

Each element of the starfish story is necessary. The thrower is not the only one with an important role. Without the starfish to be thrown and the passerby to learn the lesson, there is no story. The same is true in life. In our humanity, we strive to be the giver. But sometimes we find ourselves to be the one in need, or at least in need of a lesson.

In the same way, each role in our life has a lesson about mercy. We should always strive to see and attend to the needs of others. This can be in big or small ways. We have a responsibility to be Christ for others. But sometimes we will be the one in need. In those cases, we can graciously and willingly accept the help and love of others. We must let others be Christ for us. Finally, we can learn from those who do good. Being supportive of others and letting them share their wisdom with us can help us grow in our faith and love for Christ.

Where do you see yourself today? Are you a thrower, a starfish, or the observer on the beach? How does the Gospel of the Works of Mercy speak to you at your place in life?

Works of Mercy

Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and, visit you? And the king will reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' ~Mt. 25:37b–40

Imagine you are the one asking the above questions. What answers do you think Jesus would give you today? If you're looking to add another Lenten activity, or still haven't decided on what to do this season, consider this.

Write each of the above questions on an index card. Put them in your car, on your desk, on your refrigerator, somewhere visible and accessible. Then start recording all the places you see Christ throughout your day. Where was he hungry? thirsty? lonely? naked? sick? or imprisoned? Don't just focus globally, look locally. Think practically.

Once you've found him in the needs and sorrows of others, think about what you can do. What kind of food and drink can you provide? How can you welcome and clothe? Whom can you comfort and visit?

These works of mercy don't need to be grandly orchestrated or financially draining. They are often simple gestures that seem inconsequential to observers but mean the world to the one in need. Maybe you share your lunch and a cup of coffee with someone at the office. Perhaps you take a family member shopping or run errands for a sick friend. You spend five extra minutes really listening to someone tell about their day, or you reach out to someone locked inside the prison of depression.

The message of this Gospel is truly very simple. Be Christ for others--no more, no less. How will you respond?

It's That Time Again!

Good Friday morning!

Here's a cute wakeup for all of you, who like me, would rather have had at LEAST five more minutes!!



Now that you're awake, how about a little entertainment? After 62 years of marriage, it's not surprising that these two have achieved perfect timing!



And lastly, a little something to make you feel good about the future. It's all in how you look at things.



Have a peaceful and blessed weekend!

FAQ about Ash Wednesday

Q. How did Ash Wednesday start?

A. It is believed the custom comes from the ancient Hebrew practice of public penitents wearing sackcloth and ashes as a sign of repentance from wrong doing. As early as the 300s, a similar custom was used by local churches as a way to temporarily excommunicate, or expel, public sinners from the community. Public sinners were those accused of the "capital" sins of apostasy, heresy, murder, and adultery.

Q. Where do the ashes come from?

A. The ashes are made by burning the palm fronds saved from the previous year's Palm Sunday. Then they are blessed by a priest.

Q. Are Catholics required to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday?

A. No, it is not required. However, it is recommended because the action serves as a visible witness to your faith and a reminder to adopt a prayerful, penitent attitude for the Lenten season.

Q. Does Ash Wednesday always occur on the same date each year?

A. No, it is a movable feast observed six and one-half weeks before Easter. It was set as the first day of Lent by Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604)

Q. Why does the priest make a cross with the ashes?

A. In the Bible, a mark on the forehead is a symbol of a person's ownership. Being marked with a cross shows that a person belongs to Christ. It's an imitation of the seal or mark placed on a person's forehead during baptism.

Q. What does the priest say while marking your forehead?

A. Either "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return" (Genesis, 3:19), or a more recent alternative, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Q. What does it mean to fast and abstain?

A. Catholics, as a group, are required to fast on only two days of the year--Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means eating one full mean in the day with no food in-between meals. It is understood that the other two meals should not total one full meal.

To abstain is to not eat meat. It is an act of penance that is observed on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. It should be noted that abstaining from meat and then partaking in a wonderfully decadent lobster dinner would not be appropriate to the season. The sacrifice of meat is a sign of penance. Part of this abstinence is also showing solidarity with so many around the world who are not able to afford meat or do not have access to it.

**For those vegetarians, it is suggested that they abstain from a favorite non-meal item on the Fridays of Lent in substitution for not eating meat.

Q. Is it just a Catholic thing?

A. Anglican, Lutheran, and some other Protestant churches also hold a special worship service on Ash Wednesday, but they usually do not include the ritual of ashes on the forehead.

Interesting Fact

By the 7th century, the custom had expanded in some churches into a public Ash Wednesday ritual. Sinners confessed their sins privately, then were presented to the bishop and publicly enrolled in the ranks of penitents in preparation for absolution on Holy Thursday. After laying of hands and imposition of ashes, they were expelled from the congregation in imitation of the expelling of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. They lived apart from their families and communities for the forty days of Lent. (thus our word "quarantine) Dressed in sackcloth and ashes, they were identified as penitents in the congregation and sometimes on the steps of the church. Common penances required that these penitents abstain from meat, alcohol, bathing, haircuts, shaves, marriage relations, and business transactions. Depending on the diocese, some penances lasted for years and even a lifetime.

Makes going back to work with ashes on your forehead not seem so bad, right?

[Fact source: Catholic Customs & Traditions by Greg Dues. Twenty-Third Publications. © 2000, 1989]

The Desert Journey

Today is the beginning of Lent. We are marked with ashes as a reminder of our mortal nature. All the things of this world, including our physical bodies, will one day be nothing more than dust. This harsh reality may seem a rather unpleasant beginning to a liturgical season, but in a way it is a beautiful awakening.

The Gospels that begin our Lenten season take us on a journey with Christ into the desert. There we, like him, are faced with a silence. The barren landscape offers no distractions, but instead forces an inner focus. We have but a brief time in this life. Being reminded of this fact gives us the incentive to truly reflect on the people we have become. How will you live? What will you value? Whom will you hold dear? What will others know about you by your actions?

I encourage you to really walk this desert journey with an open heart this year. Consider reading some spiritual reflections to help you deepen your knowledge and connection with God. I recommend beginning with one of the most famous spiritual writings of our time, The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton. One of the most well-known quotes from this book sums up the reason we should all take advantage of this time for contemplation,

What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves?

Are you ready to walk into the desert? I wish you peace on your journey.

Happy Paczki Day!

If you’re looking for a tasty way to celebrate the last day before Lent, often referred to as Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, why not enjoy a Polish treat known as the Paczki (Pounchki). In case you’re not familiar with this delicacy, here’s a little video to explain.




If you're interested, you better run out now and grab a few because they don't last long.

For those of you who would like to learn more about the traditions behind Fat Tuesday, here's a link for your reading pleasure. You can even send someone you love a Mardi Gras Day Card.

• Catholic history of Mardi Gras
  

Enjoy the day!!

Prayer Block

For a writer, there is nothing worse that suffering from writer’s block. For me, it seems to come for two reasons. The first is that I am headed in the wrong direction with an idea, kind of like trying to put a square peg into the proverbial round hole. I can sit and turn that peg a thousand different ways, but it will never fit.

The second, and all more common cause for me, centers on an innate ability to overthink things. I’ve felt the labor pains of crafting a piece of writing only to later discover that most of my work really involved peeling away all the stuff that wasn't really necessary. Once I got out of the way of the words, they came beautifully and bountifully.

Lately I've been thinking that sometimes we can also suffer from prayer block. We feel disconnected from God. It’s a struggle to communicate our deepest fears and innermost thoughts. We go through the motions, but are left feeling like we’re wandering around in the dark.

Maybe, like writer’s block, prayer block occurs because we overthink the purpose and meaning of prayer. We put up a million roadblocks. I don’t know the right words. It’s been so long since I’ve tried. I don’t feel worthy. I don’t even know if God is listening. The more we complicate the path to prayer, the more we feel lost in finding it.

One of the most beautiful parts of the Lenten season is its focus on peeling away all the unnecessary layers we’ve added to our life. We let go all that stands between God and us. We let go of all that we try to craft and control. God doesn’t need us to find the most sacred place to kneel, prepare the finest litany, or craft the perfect prayer. He just wants us to get out of the way of all the fears and insecurities that keep us from him.

As you prepare for Lent, ask yourself what stands between you and God. Are you ready to break free from the prayer blocks in your life?

For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.
- Saint Therese of Lisieux

Smile! It's Friday

It's raining in my neck of the woods, but that's just a sign that spring is around the corner, right?!

Until then, we'll need to use our imaginations.

Golf Anyone?

Francis Norton woke up Sunday morning and realizing it was an exceptionally beautiful and sunny early spring day, decided he just had to play golf. So... he told the Associate Pastor that he was feeling sick and convinced him to say Mass for him that day.

As soon as the Associate Pastor left the room, Father Norton headed out of town to a golf course about forty miles away. This way he knew he wouldn't accidentally meet anyone he knew from his parish.

Setting up on the first tee, he was alone. After all, it was Sunday morning and everyone else was in church! At about this time, Saint Peter leaned over to the Lord while looking down from the heavens and exclaimed, "You're not going to let him get away with this, are you?"

The Lord sighed, and said, "No, I guess not."

Just then Father Norton hit the ball and it shot straight towards the pin, dropping just short of it, rolled up and fell into the hole. It WAS A 420 YARD HOLE IN ONE!

St. Peter was astonished. He looked at the Lord and asked, "Why did you let him do that?"

The Lord smiled and replied, "Who's he going to tell?"

[source: http://www.jokesaboutspring.com/]

[cartoon source: http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/christmas/christmas_snowman.htm]

Here Comes Lent

Next week marks the beginning of the liturgical season known as Lent. We'll be touching on different aspects of this season over the next several weeks, but it might be helpful to start with a little background.

The Liturgical Year

In the Catholic Church, time is marked by a liturgical calendar. This calendar highlights the feast days and seasons of the Church year. The beginning of the liturgical year is not January 1st, but rather the first Sunday of Advent (usually the last weekend of November or the first weekend of December).

The season of Advent is followed by the Christmas season ending on the Epiphany. Then comes a brief period known as Ordinary Time. It's important to note that Ordinary Time does not refer to time without purpose or meaning. In fact it comes from the Latin word ordo meaning "order." These days refer to the ordered life of the Church. This is the time when we celebrate the life and mysteries of Christ. Anything but average!

This brief Ordinary Time leads to Lent and Holy Week, then Easter. The Easter season ends on Pentecost Sunday. After Easter comes a second, longer period of Ordinary Time that continues until the following Advent.

• for visual learners, here's a link to a helpful graphic

What exactly is Lent?

So now that we have a little perspective on how the year is structured, what exactly is Lent? Lent refers to the 40 days of preparation the Church marks before Easter. It is a solemn time characterized by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, which we'll talk about more next week, Lent continues until Holy Thursday.

For many, the idea of Lent conjures up images of people being miserably deprived of meat and candy. While a focus of this season is certainly one of penance and sacrifice, it should not be characterized as a time of misery. In fact, our goal should be just the opposite.

Lent is meant to provide us a time to free ourselves from the things of the world to which we have become chained. During this time, we remember that we are not meant to be beholden to technology, material goods, food, and unhealthy habits. Our freedom lies not in the ability to do and have whatever we want, instead true freedom is only in being able to shed these things and still know that God's love is all we ever really needed.

Each year the Pope gives a message at Lent. The full text of this year's message is linked below, but one part really struck me.

. . . we are moved to free our hearts every day from the burden of material things, from a self-centered relationship with the "world" that impoverishes us and prevents us from being available and open to God and our neighbor.

That's Lent in a nutshell. We follow Jesus into the desert and begin peeling away the layers we've added between ourselves and true happiness.

So perhaps this Lent, I won't focus on how hard it is to give up the things I think make my life richer. Instead, I'll reassess whether or not these luxuries and habits are actually making me spiritually poor. How about you?

• Pope Bendict XVI's Message for Lent 2011

Here I Stand

A few more thoughts on the topic of fear. This is from one of my absolute favorite authors, Henri Nouwen.

There is so much fear in us. Fear of people, fear of God and much raw, undefined, free-floating anxiety. I wonder if fear is not our main obstacle to prayer. When we enter into the presence of God and start to sense that huge reservoir of fear in us, we want to run away into the many distractions which our busy world offers us so abundantly. But we should not be afraid of our fears. We can confront them, give words to them and lead them into the presence of him who says: 'Do not be afraid, it is I.' Our inclination is to show our Lord only what we feel comfortable with. But the more we dare to reveal our whole trembling self to him, the more we will be able to sense that his love, which is perfect love, casts out all our fears.

[excerpt from A Cry for Mercy, Henri M. Nouwen, Doubleday, copyright 1981]

God's love is boundless. In my humanity, I struggle with this concept. I'm much more prone to look at myself with a magnifying glass and endlessly pick every flaw. Yet everyday I try again to stand before him and show him who I truly, fully am. How about you?

Good Advice

Hearing just the right piece of advice at the right moment can do wonders for me. It's like medicine for my soul. Perhaps the reason is I suddenly realize that I'm not alone. Someone else has felt the same way . . . and survived.

Growing up Catholic, I always loved the stories of saints. There was something so romantic and other-worldly about their passion. The stories of their conviction and courage sat me on the edge of my seat like the best adventures.

As I've grown, I now seek a quieter inspiration from these same stories. I look to the writings and thoughts of these men and women, searching for some bits of advice to help me survive the battles and struggles of my own life.

I love this particular one. It soothes the worrying heart.

Do Not Look with Fear

Do not look with fear

on the challenges and chances of this life;

rather look to them with full faith that as they arise,

God--whose you are--will deliver you out of them.

He has kept you hitherto.

Do not but hold fast to His dear hand,

and He will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand, He will bear you

in His arms.

Do not anticipate what will happen tomorrow.

The same everlasting Father who cares for you today

will take care of you tomorrow and every day.

Either He will shield you from suffering or

He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

~Saint Francis De Sales