This young woman faced a heart-wrenching decision & chose life. Her witness is a powerful testimony of faith in God, hope in His Providence and sharing in His Love for all -- no matter what the cost. Please read her story & support her in your prayers (or even with a donation, if you can)...I don't think I have many readers out there, but sometimes you just have to share. God bless Amanda & her little daughters!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Faith & Hope & Love: Negative comments
Thursday, August 11, 2011
preview of coming attractions
True Freedom begins with Ultimate Dependence...
"The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just." (CCC 1733)
"The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just." (CCC 1733)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Love and do what you will
A common conversation I stumble upon amid young women of faith is this: "How far is too far?" Or, in other words, "Where is the line that I shouldn't cross when it comes to physical intimacy in a romantic relations?"
A question I know I've asked myself, though in most cases only as a hypothetical. When it really mattered, I was unprepared.
So the title of this post refers to a quote by St. Augustine...one often misused in these sort of exercises. If we are in love, why should we wait? Since love is perhaps the single-most over-used word in the English language, let's dig deeper. What did Augustine mean by "Love" -- since it is the first part of his famous condition.
Take 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Another approach would be to turn around our initial question. Instead of basing the physical intimacy on what you won't do or how far you won't go, how about thinking on what you really want, need, desire for the entire relationship. Take an honest inventory about what you are looking for from your boyfriend (or if you're a guy, your girlfriend). But don't limit yourself to questions on physical intimacy -- in fact, don't even start there. Why are you in the relationship to begin with? Is this really a person that you might one day marry? What activities do you love and would like to share with your boyfriend? Will you make time to pray together? To study together? To share experiences, feelings, fears, desires? What will you do together fun? What role does the physical relationship need to play and when? How important is that component in comparison to everything else?
Once you've really taken time to think on these things, then pray and consider the right time to share them with your boyfriend or even the guy you've dated a couple of times and would like to start a more serious relationship with.
If you are called to the married life, then these questions are essential. Not only will you become more prepared for that relationship, but you will learn about yourself -- about your wants, needs and desires -- and what God wants for you. Having some idea about all of these things before you get to the crisis moment -- did I just go farther than I really wanted to? -- is something you will never regret.
God loves you.
A question I know I've asked myself, though in most cases only as a hypothetical. When it really mattered, I was unprepared.
So the title of this post refers to a quote by St. Augustine...one often misused in these sort of exercises. If we are in love, why should we wait? Since love is perhaps the single-most over-used word in the English language, let's dig deeper. What did Augustine mean by "Love" -- since it is the first part of his famous condition.
Take 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never fails.
In terms of Christian charity, we should be able to replace our name with the word love in the above passage. Then, perhaps we can "do what we will". From another perspective, we know that love between a man and a woman is an image or reflection of the love that Christ had for the Church and He poured Himself out for her on the Cross. So the extent that the love in question mimics these two perfect states of love, then we may be free to follow Augustine's advice. Because once love is true, everything is ordered to the benefit of those loved -- everything is ordered to God first. Everything falls into place. Another approach would be to turn around our initial question. Instead of basing the physical intimacy on what you won't do or how far you won't go, how about thinking on what you really want, need, desire for the entire relationship. Take an honest inventory about what you are looking for from your boyfriend (or if you're a guy, your girlfriend). But don't limit yourself to questions on physical intimacy -- in fact, don't even start there. Why are you in the relationship to begin with? Is this really a person that you might one day marry? What activities do you love and would like to share with your boyfriend? Will you make time to pray together? To study together? To share experiences, feelings, fears, desires? What will you do together fun? What role does the physical relationship need to play and when? How important is that component in comparison to everything else?
Once you've really taken time to think on these things, then pray and consider the right time to share them with your boyfriend or even the guy you've dated a couple of times and would like to start a more serious relationship with.
If you are called to the married life, then these questions are essential. Not only will you become more prepared for that relationship, but you will learn about yourself -- about your wants, needs and desires -- and what God wants for you. Having some idea about all of these things before you get to the crisis moment -- did I just go farther than I really wanted to? -- is something you will never regret.
God loves you.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Really tired toddler on the metro
This title could clearly indicate a recipe for disaster on the evening metro ride home, but nothing could be further from the truth.
I love seeing little ones on the metro. Usually they are SOOOO excited to be on a moving vehicle that little giggles & shrieks just fill the air. Not everyone shares my enlightened views on this subject, but usually the iphones are blaring so loud, that those of a different opinion probably couldn't hear anything anyway...but I digress!
So when I got on the metro after a quick stop at the local Giant, there was a mom with her 2 year old son. He was clearly not having a good time. After about 5 minutes of watching her attempt to calm him and get him interested in anything that would quiet him down, I went over & tried to talk to the little boy...I wanted to try & be a distraction and they were Spanish...I love speaking Spanish cuando tengo una opportunidad, por supuesto!
I struck out completely. The little kid was not impressed -- not even a little! The mom, however, was at least grateful for my efforts and told me that her son was just overtired. After my defeat, the woman across the aisle offered a little smurf figurine to try & calm the little boy. That was also unsuccessful! Then finally, the wisest woman on the metro car came up and she was prepared. She had BUBBLES!
It was magical...the bubbles worked almost instantly in calming this little boy down. We were about 3 minutes from the stop where most of us got off the train. As the bubbles were floating around the metro, the giggles and the smiles came from not just the toddler, but from all of us in the car. It was one of those few fleeting moments where communities are formed...all in the effort to help this mom calm her little son.
The feelings of good will really warmed my heart as I hope they did for all on our metro ride home tonight. When there are so many stories popping up in local news outlets across the country about restaurants and stores having "child free" hours, it was a nice contrast to see how human hearts really don't like to witness suffering or discomfort -- so much so that they go out of their way to alleviate the pain.
Just a little hope in a little story of joy about strangers on a metro and the calming power of Bubbles :)
I love seeing little ones on the metro. Usually they are SOOOO excited to be on a moving vehicle that little giggles & shrieks just fill the air. Not everyone shares my enlightened views on this subject, but usually the iphones are blaring so loud, that those of a different opinion probably couldn't hear anything anyway...but I digress!
So when I got on the metro after a quick stop at the local Giant, there was a mom with her 2 year old son. He was clearly not having a good time. After about 5 minutes of watching her attempt to calm him and get him interested in anything that would quiet him down, I went over & tried to talk to the little boy...I wanted to try & be a distraction and they were Spanish...I love speaking Spanish cuando tengo una opportunidad, por supuesto!
I struck out completely. The little kid was not impressed -- not even a little! The mom, however, was at least grateful for my efforts and told me that her son was just overtired. After my defeat, the woman across the aisle offered a little smurf figurine to try & calm the little boy. That was also unsuccessful! Then finally, the wisest woman on the metro car came up and she was prepared. She had BUBBLES!
It was magical...the bubbles worked almost instantly in calming this little boy down. We were about 3 minutes from the stop where most of us got off the train. As the bubbles were floating around the metro, the giggles and the smiles came from not just the toddler, but from all of us in the car. It was one of those few fleeting moments where communities are formed...all in the effort to help this mom calm her little son.
The feelings of good will really warmed my heart as I hope they did for all on our metro ride home tonight. When there are so many stories popping up in local news outlets across the country about restaurants and stores having "child free" hours, it was a nice contrast to see how human hearts really don't like to witness suffering or discomfort -- so much so that they go out of their way to alleviate the pain.
Just a little hope in a little story of joy about strangers on a metro and the calming power of Bubbles :)
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Little Things
In a good discussion today with a friend, it became so clear how much truth there is in the wisdom of saints - especially St. Therese and Bl. Mother Teresa. Loving God -- doing His will -- is done in the little things, in fidelity to the tasks of the every day moments in our lives.
The great classic in spirituality - Abandonment to Divine Providence - contains an entire doctrine on the sacrament of the present moment. As humans, we are drawn to look forward by nature...particularly because at some level we are aware of the fulfillment of heaven and the great longing in our souls to embrace the divine. Our sinful, corrupted nature often & quickly can project this desire onto other things that we can truly access in a physical, concrete manner & from which we can obtain "instant gratification" or at least, gratification in the not so distant future. However, we are made for more. We are made for heaven.
The greatest temptation is to get caught up so much in the future - in guessing at what God may or may not want from us in the future to such a degree that we completely lose sight of His permissive will in the moment that is currently in front of us.
Each day, God wills good things in our lives & permits evil things in our lives. In each moment, He asks of us something - to complete some work that seems at times completely irrelevant and unimportant, but in the eyes of God, it is an irreplaceable necessity - an action that no one else can do in that moment. By His Divine nature God has no need of us, but in His infinite Wisdom and fathomless Mercy, He wills that we complete certain activities every day for the praise of His glory. But we cannot be faithful in small things, if we are constantly (or in some cases very, very frequently) looking ahead to time beyond the present moment.
Do small things with great love. This great spiritual maxim of Bl. Mother Teresa doesn't require planning, resources, and in some cases -- it does not even require great sacrifice...Every moment of every day God presents us with a multitude of opportunities to do small things with great love FOR Him. True love and true fidelity are found in these moments.
These thoughts might be particularly helpful for those who are discerning their vocation in life. Instead of looking for blinking lights & neon signs, attention to the "small stuff" -- to the opportunities, situations and events that God presents us every day -- is where the discovery of a vocation is made. Then it takes root and begins to blossom under the watchful eye of the Master Gardener...tending to the daisies, roses & lilies of the garden with unique love & tender care.
Live for today. Live for God. These are the keys to unlocking the great mystery of God's will for each of our lives. Much easier said than done, but more than worth the effort...for the reward is eternal.
Ego adsum, Domine! Mitteme!
The great classic in spirituality - Abandonment to Divine Providence - contains an entire doctrine on the sacrament of the present moment. As humans, we are drawn to look forward by nature...particularly because at some level we are aware of the fulfillment of heaven and the great longing in our souls to embrace the divine. Our sinful, corrupted nature often & quickly can project this desire onto other things that we can truly access in a physical, concrete manner & from which we can obtain "instant gratification" or at least, gratification in the not so distant future. However, we are made for more. We are made for heaven.
The greatest temptation is to get caught up so much in the future - in guessing at what God may or may not want from us in the future to such a degree that we completely lose sight of His permissive will in the moment that is currently in front of us.
Each day, God wills good things in our lives & permits evil things in our lives. In each moment, He asks of us something - to complete some work that seems at times completely irrelevant and unimportant, but in the eyes of God, it is an irreplaceable necessity - an action that no one else can do in that moment. By His Divine nature God has no need of us, but in His infinite Wisdom and fathomless Mercy, He wills that we complete certain activities every day for the praise of His glory. But we cannot be faithful in small things, if we are constantly (or in some cases very, very frequently) looking ahead to time beyond the present moment.
Do small things with great love. This great spiritual maxim of Bl. Mother Teresa doesn't require planning, resources, and in some cases -- it does not even require great sacrifice...Every moment of every day God presents us with a multitude of opportunities to do small things with great love FOR Him. True love and true fidelity are found in these moments.
These thoughts might be particularly helpful for those who are discerning their vocation in life. Instead of looking for blinking lights & neon signs, attention to the "small stuff" -- to the opportunities, situations and events that God presents us every day -- is where the discovery of a vocation is made. Then it takes root and begins to blossom under the watchful eye of the Master Gardener...tending to the daisies, roses & lilies of the garden with unique love & tender care.
Live for today. Live for God. These are the keys to unlocking the great mystery of God's will for each of our lives. Much easier said than done, but more than worth the effort...for the reward is eternal.
Ego adsum, Domine! Mitteme!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Let's start at the very beginning...
God is His great mercy has called me to His service. Each day contains a new surprise and a million new gifts from Him that I am -- by grace -- able to return to Him.
My hope is to post here from time to time on matters of faith, culture and Catholicism.
I pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be a faithful steward of God's many gifts to me.
Ad Jesum per Mariam!
My hope is to post here from time to time on matters of faith, culture and Catholicism.
I pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be a faithful steward of God's many gifts to me.
Ad Jesum per Mariam!
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