A Permanent Tent

This reflection has NOTHING to do with St. John the Baptist!!! He just seems to be taking over them, so it's refreshing to not have to think about him.

Today's reflection talks about how we are nomads. We can't stay in one place for long. We set up our tent and then something happen and we take it down and pitch it elsewhere. When I was a senior in high school I was scarred shitless of moving away. So I went to a college in my hometown and lived at home. Well 3 years later I picked up my tent and pitched it 850 miles away. My high school self would've told you you were crazy if you would've told me that. Then 2 years after that, I picked up my tent and pitched it roughly 4493 miles away in Austria (the distance calculator let me choose Innsbruck, Austria not Gaming, so the miles are not perfectly correct). We humans on earth, have no idea what permanence is, we are always changing. When the Arc Angel Gabriel visited Our Lady at the Annunciation, he announces God's promise of 'forever' and 'will have no end.' No matter where we pitch our tents, they will never stay until we pitch them in Heaven. That's where I plan to pitch mine for the last time. Hopefully I get to!

Jesus has DNA!

Today's Gospel is kinda crazy. It contains many names. Some very recognizable (Isaac), some unpronounceable (Amminadab?), some hilarious (Ram! teehee), some that sound like exclamations (Jehosaphat!). I think it's really cool that sacred scripture can trace back Jesus to Adam, the first man. I can only trace my ancestors back to my great-great-great-great grandparents on my mother's mother's side of the family. This is only due to the fact that one of my distant cousins decided to put all this up on a website. What is even more cool is that even though Jesus didn't have children, you can still trace all of the popes back to him. I find it ridiculously amazing that this is documented so well. Yay for scripture!!!

Universal Love

In summary, the reflection today is about how it is possible to bring people together in love.  In today's Gospel (John 5:33-36) Jesus is addressing the Jews saying that John (oh, it's about John again ;) was a burning and shining lamp who gave a testimony. However, Jesus says that He has a greater testimony, the Father sent Him to accomplish many works. We are all given many works, some that are fun, easy, enjoyable. Others that are annoying, hard, boring. Which of these tasks do we accomplish with love, especially love that brings others together or even love to them? I really and truly like my job. I like what I do. I don't like the pay, but it is what it is for the time being. Even though I may like my job, it's not always easy. I care for combative residents that are usually not grateful for what I do for them. However, I need to stay positive and put love into what I do. When I do, I am not only happier, but there seems to be more of a positive atmosphere around me. That's how I spread love in my everyday routine.

John the Voice: Christ the Word

So there have been an awful lot of reflections about John the Baptist. This is another one. This one talks about how Christ is the Word and John is the Voice. Without the Word, there is no Voice, just a noise. John has said that Christ must increase and he must decrease. If we just have a voice and no word, what we are saying can just be a bunch of nonsensical gibberish. If we speak with the Word on our lips, we become wise and bring others to the Word. I definitely need to work on this.

Kindness and Truth, Justice and Peace

Today's reflection really didn't do anything for me. (I like saying that, cuz a lot of the times people give me a strange look when I say it). I think that it's okay. You aren't always going to get some profound thing out of everything and sometimes you read it and think, eh?! Carry on. I feel this way sometimes when I'm reading morning or evening prayer and then I read the scripture which is followed by the Lectio Divina. A lot of the times, nothing in that particular passage sticks out to me enough to read, pray, or ponder enough on it to make it mean something to me. If it was like that every time, some things wouldn't be as special as they are. Everything would start to get bland and mundane. The reflection is a beautiful contrast between St. John the Baptist and St. John of the Cross, but I got nothing. The title, came from the Psalms today (85:10). But still, I'm at a loss.
Ten days until Christmas....

The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor

I read this title and in my head I sing: "The Lord hears the cry of the poor, blessed be the Lord!" -Psalm 34:7a

Today's reflection was written by one of my favorite Catholics. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. It was taken from her book "Total Surrender" which I own and have read and LOVE! Total surrender teaches us how to be a Missionary of Charity. It was written as the rule book for Mother's order, but ANYONE can take her writings and teachings and apply them to his or her everyday life. She is so wise in this way. This particular selection is about being a good co-worker. We have to rise together and fall together. That apple doesn't fall too far from the "You're only as strong as the weakest player" tree. She ends this particular part with a quote as if Jesus Himself, is speaking it:

"I want you to be my fire of love among the poor, the sick, the dying,
and the little children - the poor I want you to bring to me."

 I get to work with the sick and dying, in fact when I arrived at work this morning, one of our residents had just passed. He had only lived in the house for about a week and a half, however I was able to care for him. He was a difficult resident and he required much more than we could give him, but we did our best. For most things, we needed to have 2 if not 3 of us doing cares at the same time for him. We had to come together as co-workers to help him and I really feel that we were living out Mother's call when we cared for this man. Not only him but for each and everyone of our residents. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May he and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

A Deed of Hope

Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

This reflection talks about our Lady and how she brings people closer to her son. The part I liked the best out of this reflection was this quote:

"Mary proves time and time again her willingness to take on our many colors and languages:  to become Mother to the Body of Christ in history."

 I have had the privilege of making a pilgrimage to four Marian Apparition sites around the world. Three are approved by the church, one is not (only because in order to be approved, the apparitions need to cease, and this one has yet to cease.) The four I have visited thus far are:

Our Lady of Knock in Knock, County Mayo Ireland. 

 Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal. 

 Our Lady of Peace in Medjugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina. 

And most recently, Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin USA.  

Each of these woman are the same. Mary, the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God. She has many different titles and each place she appears differently. If she is our mother, she has to look like us, and I think this shows the universality of the church. It relates to all and makes everyone feel accepted. The coolest thing about this is that Our Lady of Good Help appeared about 2 hours away from where I live, so I will probably be making a few pilgrimages out to Champion. I'm so blessed by that. I would love to go back to the other places, but we'll see where life takes me!

Rejoice and Give Thanks

St. Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. When I look at my week, if I go to Mass and receive the Eucharist, there's a completeness there. I can make it through the week. When I do not, like today (due to having too much Birthday last night and sleeping through it) I feel an emptiness. So for the rest of this week I will not feel complete. I'll most likely slack in prayer, most likely out of shame for being stupid at getting wasted and missing Mass. So back to praying without ceasing: With this new book it gives me petitions that the universal church prays and then I'm able to add my own petitions. There are always the general ones I pray for every day, such as the intentions of my sisters in Regina Angelorum and the ones that are random. Some dear to my heart and always for the requests of others. It's impossible to remember all what I was asked to pray for so they get lumped into a standard "for all those intentions I was asked to pray for..." If I am able to start my day off praying I seem to think about prayer throughout the day. Adding in standard prayers and just thoughts of things I want to talk to God about. The best thing sometimes about praying without ceasing is to thank God for things throughout the day. Especially when it's constant mental prayer. Inside your head, you are all giddy. Like a kid on Christmas. Well, I'm just going to end this random post because it's starting to not make sense. :)

The Spirit of John the Baptist

Today is my Birthday! I'm old now. Haha, I've been old for awhile, so what's new with that?!

Not to go into any detail but this part of the reflection means so much to an event (like I said, no details) that happened today:

"The certainty rising from all the graves of disappointments, that even the cry in the wilderness will be heard by someone, and that all that sowing of our tears will bring forth a harvest of joy, even if only in the storehouses of eternal life. Readiness to undertake a further journey even when we had thought that at last we were home forever."

That is all.

Fasting and Feasting

So today I read about how life does not conform to our expectations. In my everyday life, I refer to this as not seeing the sailboat. To make a long story short, in the movie Mallrats (which is a pretty raunchy movie, but it makes me laugh, don't judge) Wilhem stares at this magic eye all day without seeing it. As people pass by they stop for a moment and go, "WOW! A Sailboat!!!" which just irritates the crap out of Wilhem. Eventually in the end Wilhem does see the sailboat! However, we never see this. So to go back to life not conforming to our expectations, it talks about us not basically getting our way and we always end up with the response that we do not like the outcome. We all have days when we don't see the sailboat, and those days suck. However, if we were to ALWAYS see the sailboat, life would get boring and that would suck too. To tie in the title of this reflection, I can look to the days of not seeing the sailboat as my 'fasting days' when things don't go right, and when things do go right and I see the sailboat, those are my days to feast. In the end, they kinda balance out. Some of each, not one more than the other. I guess to appreciate each one you have to have the other. And that's my two cents.

Before the Foundation of the World

Ave Maria! Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception -ora pro nobis-

I often wonder what kind of spiritual warfare Our Lady had to endure. She was the strongest woman ever to exist! To resist ALL temptation!?!? I think I'm strong, but then again, I so easily fall. What kind of a person could I be if I had even an ounce of her strength? I guess I have to keep trying. I was called to exist for the praise of God's glory. I just need to try harder.

Festive Fellowship

Today's reflection talks about how no matter who you are or what you do, everyone can come into a church and not feel rejected. Well, good sir (Fr. Virgilio) I object! It may be my bitterness towards a select few who have basically tried to vote me off the island of teaching. I was told I didn't belong and should stop showing up. I basically got kicked down and then stepped on a few times. It hurt and it sucked. But to go on, I agree that you should come to the church when you are tired and burdened. That's what I did, I went to prayer. Eventually I got through it and I'm fine with the outcome (all though I don't think others were). God puts you in places and situations and gets you through them. I'm just glad I went to him instead of going with my first instinct to say "Eff You All!!!" and walk out. No I lifted my head high and I did the right thing! Not to be boastful or prideful, but I did what Jesus would want me to do. I still don't necessarily feel accepted into that particular parish but, at least it's over now.

Comfort, Give Comfort

Today's reflection is about mending any brokenness you may have with another. Whether it is a little thing, or a huge thing. Easier said than done, right? While that is a really good thing, I like better the ending of the reflection when it says to find someone to be extra gracious to today. I did that a few times today and it feels good too, as the reflections says: "Stand back and watch the kingdom break forth."

The One Who Comes

Today's reflection is a poem and instead of me giving my confusing two-cents about it, I'll just share the poem. Happy Monday!

The One Who Comes

You are the Other for whom we wait,
Jesus, Word and response,

you are our only song,

Emmanuel in our silences.

Are you the one who is to come

to make our deserts bloom,

to free our hearts,

to bring our seeds to life

by the waters of the Jordan?

You are the Other for whom we wait,

Jesus, Source of living water,

you are the springtime for the grain,

Emmanuel in our deserts.

Are you the one who is to come

and who comes each day

to free our lives,

to stir up breath

by the movement of your own?

You are the Other for whom we wait,

Jesus, the world's strength,

you are the Living One who returns,

Emmanuel, God-with-us.

20 Days Until Christmas!

Prepare the Way of the Lord!

"Where there is a loss of the sense of sin, the work of Christ in taking away the sins of the world becomes meaningless."
- Fr. Michael Casey

 As we are quickly plowing our way through the Advent Season, how are we doing in our sense of 'Preparing the Way of the Lord?' What have we improved on during the 1st week of Advent? Has our prayer life gotten stronger? Have we given anything extra to those who are in need? Have we looked at our lives and where there is a need for change? To confess a sin we may never have considered a sin before? The above quote is so true, I have found myself in the last few years realizing that I've been doing things that are sinful and through God's grace, especially in the confessional, I've been able to realize that they are sins and start to slowly overcome them. No one said it was going to happen overnight. Sometimes it takes years.

"In our own lives...if we are to prepare a way for the Lord we need to rediscover our own need for redemption, as individuals, as communities and nations, and as the church."

We may think we are doing good, but there are so many things that need healing, change and restoration by the saving blood of the Lamb. We all want a pure heart, whether we are to admit it or not. A goal this next week in advent could be to strive for that purer heart.

Generous Compassion

This reflection talks about a conflict between two tendencies: One is the tendency to pursue our own interests at the expense of those of other people. The other is to spend ourselves in the service of others even at great cost.  Basically: Selfishness vs. Generosity. The reflection leans toward the later and says that compassion is key to acquiring the tendency to be generous. I kinda struggle with this in my job. As a nurse aide, I give care to elderly people out of compassion. Not everyone can do this. I mean there are a lot of queasy things to deal with such as smells and body fluids, and aggression when they become combative (I have the bruises to prove it). Verbal abuse when you are called a 'bitch' 'dumb-dumb' 'the devil' just to name a few. I have to basically through all of this keep my composure and be nice to them. I try to keep myself thinking that I'm doing this out of compassion, but then again I get a pay check, which can be seen as selfish. I guess though, when you give out of generosity you then also receive. It's not selfish to receive if we are giving in return. This is a great paradox! I give a lot of myself in my job, even at the hardest times, in the end it's still rewarding. Whether I receive a 'thank-you' or a hug, (or a kiss cuz these old ladies love to give you a kiss on the cheek!) I guess it's going to be enough. My reward in Heaven will be the greatest. I don't make very much money doing this but I think it helps make me feel less selfish.

To See The Light

This reflection talks about spiritual blindness and the complacency that effects it. The first question asks: How on earth are we to break out of this vicious circle? I have an answer that's a little too easy. Well there is the new translation of the English Roman Missal. Mass is no longer something we go to blindly saying the lines. Now we are a little more aware of what we are saying. Sometimes the things we are saying are a little weird or awkward. We become curious as to why we are now saying those things. This can (I say can, cuz many won't) look into what those answers are by educating ourselves. Through this we come into a better understanding of the Mass and we are no longer complacent with it but are finding out new and exciting things about it everyday!
Question #2 (which is really a series of 3 questions): Let us ask if we are wholly and unreservedly living for God? Or do we allow ourselves to listen to the first whisperings of evil, of resentment, of anger against another? Do we give way to curious, interfering reflections on our neighbors, to doubt, anxiety, depression, scruples and so forth? We probably could say yes, (I envy those who truly can) but that is a very hard thing to do. If we are spiritually blind then we aren't seeing what we need to fix in our lives. Like the verse that says something like don't point out the splinter in another's eye until you see the plank in your own. Everyday we are faced with things that we need to say "Will going this way make me live for or against God?" It's an ongoing battle.

The Language of Justice

Wow, I've been majorly slacking!!! I blame it on the ridiculously intense work weekend:  Long hours, under-staffing and the fact that the Assisted Living I work at has pretty much in the last 3 weeks become a full-blown Nursing Home. I'm just physically and mentally drained and love that I get to sleep in tomorrow! I also get to work Noc Shift which will be a welcome change cuz I love to stay up all night!!

Now on to my reflection for the day (or for a few days ago)
In this reflection there are no questions so I basically get to ponder what I like about it! The Gospel from today is what I refer to as the "Three Little Pigs" Gospel. Except instead of Straw, Sticks and Bricks we have Sand and a Rock. If we are like the first and second pig, who built their houses out of Straw and Sticks we are like the fool who built his home on the Sand. However, if we are like the third pig and build our house out of Bricks, we are like the wise man who built his house on a Rock. The reflection tells us that: "Today's texts are utterly realistic; they force us to look at the world we have made." As I look at the world I have made I can see that in places I have been wise and my foundation is strong. As I said earlier my weekend was pretty intense and the only opportunity I had of going to Mass was last night at the UWSP Newman 6:00pm (sinner's) Mass. Even though that is always my last resort mass (for reasons I won't get into now) I still went because it was my only option.
After I had gotten done with work I went to my grandma's house since I had 3 hours to kill. She lives a mile away from my work and where Mass was. When I got to her house she asked why I was there, cuz I needed to go to Mass and I didn't want to drive 20 minutes home to turn around and come right back into town. She told me that I could've just went home and not gone to Mass. It doesn't matter if you miss one. She has lost her faith long ago so for her it's not important. What kind of foundation did my faith have that day? That of a rock. I was able to tell her that, no I have to go. I chose to go out of town Saturday evening and made the decision to go to the sinner's Mass. It would've been easy to say to her, you know what? You are right! I've been up since 4:30am and worked my butt off for 9 hours! I should just go home and sit and relax! That would be the answer, had I built my faith on Sand. This reflection states that: "Jesus is asking us to listen, to truly hear God's word so deeply that there is no question about what we are to do...But we are to act for justice, trusting in what God has told us through the words of His prophets and His Son." There is no question. I not only have to go to Mass but it's a need! If I would've skipped out, this week would've been empty, and weird. One of the hardest people in my life right now to defend my faith to is my grandma. I am glad that my foundation is getting stronger and that I can stick to my beliefs and tell her that it is important that I go to Mass because it's not always about my comforts but what I need to do for the sake of my salvation. I have to obey what God wants even though I am ready to pass out from exhaustion. I have now been spiritually fed and am glad I am because this week has only gotten more the crazy and I need the Eucharist to keep my going. So far it's working!