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“¿De Que Importa?”

Después de que lo ministros habían terminado de distribuir la Eucaristía a la congregación, nuestro párroco llevó el resto de las hostias consagradas y los puso en el tabernáculo. Mientras tanto, todos los presentes alrededor del altar se hincaron reconociendo que: “Es Jesús.” Y me pregunté: “¿De qué importa?” Por apariencia, textura, olor y sabor, todos se hincaron en reverencia a una cosa media pan, media galleta que ni sabe bien, así que, “¿De qué importa?”

Sabemos por la fe que solo tiene la apariencia de pan pero es verdaderamente Jesús.

Importa que hagamos reverencia a Jesús en lo que “solamente aparece” ser una cosa media pan, media galleta que ni sabe bien, para que podamos aprender a reconocerlo y amarlo en otros lados a parte de la Eucaristía también.

“Cuanto hicisteis a unos de estos hermanos míos más pequeños, a mí me lo hicisteis.” (Mateo 25:40)” A un nivel superficial, el cuerpo y la sangre de Jesús parecen ser otra cosa. Todos los sentidos humanos sugieren que cada domingo hay una comunidad mundial de personas quienes se inclinan ante una cosa media pan, media galleta que ni sabe bien y un vino barato. Pero cuando aprendemos a ver por la fe Quien está ante nosotros, lo reconocemos en los débiles y los vulnerables.

No tengo ninguna educación formal para el trabajo que hago, pero creo que me he estado preparando para mi trabajo por muchos años. Yendo a Misa y enamorándome de Él en la forma de lo que parece ser una cosa media pan, media galleta que ni sabe bien, puedo reconocerlo en lo que parece ser un extranjero tosco, fastidioso, y antisocial quien en realidad es una persona que necesita recordatorios frecuentes de cómo comunicarse bien con los demás.

Abre los ojos de la fe.

Reconócelo.

Ámalo.

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Unsorted Loves

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Lent this year, as everyone knows, began on Valentine’s Day. In its deepest meaning, we could say, Lent is about “sorting out our loves.” Today’s Liturgy of the Word shows us what happens when our desires and dreams are distorted and self-serving.

In the first reading from the book of Genesis (37:3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A), the jealous brothers of the boy Joseph plotted to kill him. Joseph was the youngest in the family and the favorite of his father Israel. “Let us kill him,” they say among themselves, “and see what happens to all his great dreams. We can tell his father that wild beasts attacked him.” So when the unsuspecting Joseph caught up to his brothers, they throw him into a cistern in the desert. Looking up, they see a caravan of Ishmaelites passing by traveling down to Egypt, and they sell Joseph into slavery, for twenty pieces of silver.

My own “unsorted” loves are not quite as dramatic, but possibly no less violent than the narrative we are presented with in the Liturgy today. When I perceive situations in terms of what is in it for me, or how I can avoid something I don’t like, or how I can assure I get what I believe I’m entitled to, I am thinking like the brothers in today’s readings. I jostle for first place (or the last place if I’m trying to avoid something I don’t prefer), and I manipulate situations and events so a thin layer of goodness covers the self-centeredness, because I don’t want people to know what I really am like.

What if the brothers of Joseph had stopped the action in today’s reading and gotten in touch with what they were saying to each other, what they felt, what was really motivating them in the heat of the moment? What if they had the presence of mind to choose a direction more in line with their most authentic desires and the glory of God?

When we are manipulating for control in our own self-interests, there may be underneath our behavior a legitimate concern or gripe or need. Joseph’s older brothers may have had enough of their father’s doting on Joseph. Maybe they felt it was unfair. Maybe they wanted attention or rest or a voice or a relationship they perceived was impossible as long as Joseph was in the picture. In the heat of the moment, what seemed like a great idea presented itself, everything fell into place, and the deed was done before they got in touch with what they really needed for themselves and from their father, before they could touch the deeper motivation that was leading them, honestly owning their mistaken and distorted “loves.”

There is a simple, but not easy, practice that can help us sort out our loves this Lent. When thoughts and ideas arise in daily life, be prayerfully and gently vigilant about them. Give yourself a heart-break and step out of the momentum to observe what is happening and to detach from the thought or idea and its hidden motivation.

Lent is a great time to build up more authentic motivations in our hearts. We can start doing this by filling our mind and heart with short prayers that help us turn to God: “I am here for You.” “My soul thirsts for You.” “I need You. I give myself to You forever.” If we fill our waking hours with these thoughts, we will find it easier to sort out our loves and choose what is truly in our best interest and that of others for the glory of God.

Sr. Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP is an author, an active team member of My Sisters, an online faith community, and a compassionate mentor and guide. Through her writing and online ministry she takes others along with her on her own journey of spiritual transformation, specializing in uncovering in the difficult moments of life where God’s grace is already breaking through. Connect with her website and blog: www.pauline.org/sisterkathryn or find her at My Sisters. Learn more at www.MySistersinChrist.org.

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Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

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What will persuade us of the truth, the power, and the incredible beauty of Christ’s resurrection?
After His death, the rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to those of his family who are still living to convince them of the need to change their ways, in order to avoid eternal torment. But no, Abraham replies, if they won’t respond to Moses and the prophets, neither will they repent because someone has risen from the dead.

For we who live in the time after Christ’s resurrection, this last line can be particularly powerful—and maybe a little bit frightening. Do we really live in the light of the Lord? Do we try, in every circumstance, to walk in His ways? When we fall short, do we have the humility to sincerely make amends?

This season of Lent is sometimes a kind of reset, other times it’s a deepening, or maybe it’s a little bit of both. We consider more deeply what it is of which we need to repent and what we need to remove from our daily lives in order to draw closer to our Lord.

The motivation, however, ought to be different than what the rich man understands it to be. We do not seek to serve God and our neighbors because we fear being tormented in the afterlife (okay, maybe a little, but that’s secondary). Rather, we are moved by love—by the charity and hope manifested in Christ’s death on the cross and His glorious resurrection three days later.

Fear can only take us so far. Love, on the other hand, can bring us all the way home.

CatholicMom.com was started by Lisa Hendey in 2000 to create a community for Catholic parents to share insights on living their faith with their family. The website has grown substantially over the years to become a rich resource for all Catholics seeking spiritual enrichment for their families.  It continues to provide fresh perspectives from the enriching columnists and contributors with daily articles and reflections as well as book and tech recommendations.

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Amores Desordenados

Como todo el mundo sabe, la Cuaresma empezó en el Día de Valentino este año. En su sentido más profundo, podríamos decir que la Cuaresma se trata de “ordenar nuestros amores.” La Liturgia de la Palabra de hoy nos demuestra lo que pasa cuando nuestros deseos y nuestros sueños están distorsionados y egoístas.

En la primera lectura del libro de Génesis (37:3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A), los hermanos envidiosos del niño José planeaban la manera de matarlo. José era el menor de la familia y el favorito de su padre Israel. “Démosle muerte,” dicen entre ellos, “Vamos a ver de qué le sirven sus sueños. Le diremos a su padre que una fiera lo devoró.” Así que cuando José, ignorante de lo que planeaban, alcanzó a sus hermanos, lo botaron a una cisterna en el desierto. Mirando a su alrededor, vieron pasando una caravana de Ismaelitas viajando a Egipto, y vendieron a José a la esclavitud por 20 piezas de plata.  

Mis propios amores “desordenados” no son tan dramáticos, pero posiblemente son igual de violentos de lo que la Liturgia se nos presenta hoy día con este cuento. Cuando percibo la situación en términos de lo que puedo ganar, o cómo puedo evitar algo que no me gusta, o como puedo asegurar que consiga lo que creo que merezco, estoy pensando igual que los hermanos en la lectura de hoy. Doy empujones para el primer lugar (o para el último lugar si es que quiero evitar algo que no me gusta), y manipulo eventos y situaciones para que una capa delgada de bondad cubre el egoísmo, porque no quiero que los demás sepan como soy de verdad.

¿Qué hubiera pasado si los hermanos de José hubieran parado sus acciones en la lectura de hoy y pensado lo que estaban conversando, lo que sentían, lo que les estaba motivando de verdad en la intensidad del momento? ¿Qué hubiera pasado si tuvieran la conciencia de escoger una dirección más en línea con sus deseos más auténticos y la gloria de Dios?

Cuando estamos manipulando para conseguir el control de nuestros propios intereses egoístas, puede haber al fondo de nuestro comportamiento una preocupación legítima, una queja o una necesidad. Quizá los hermanos de José ya estaban cansados de la preferencia que su papá le daba. Quizá sintieron que no era justo. Quizá quisieron la atención, el descanso o una palabra o una relación que percibieron imposible con José allí presente.  En la intensidad del momento, lo que pareció una idea excelente se presentó, todo sucedió ordenadamente, y se hizo el acto antes de que pudieron darse cuenta de lo que verdaderamente necesitaban ellos mismos y lo que necesitaban de su papá, antes de que pudieran tocar la motivación más profunda que los estaba guiando, tomando responsabilidad de sus “amores” erróneos y desordenados.

Hay una práctica sencilla, pero no tan fácil, que nos puede ayudar a ordenar nuestros amores esta Cuaresma. Cuando los pensamientos y las ideas surgen en nuestra vida diaria, podemos rezar y ser cuidadosamente atentos a ellos. Dale un descanso a tu corazón y toma un paso atrás para observar lo que está pasando y despegarte del pensamiento o la idea y sus motivaciones escondidas.

La Cuaresma es una época maravillosa para construir motivaciones más auténticas en nuestros corazones. Podemos empezar llenando nuestras mentes y corazones con oraciones cortas que nos ayuden a dirigirnos hacia Dios: “Aquí estoy Señor.” “Tengo sed de Ti” “Te necesito. Me entrego a Ti para siempre.” Si llenamos nuestras primeras horas de la mañana con estos pensamientos, será más fácil ordenar nuestros amores y escoger lo que verdaderamente nos interesa a nosotros y a los demás para la gloria de Dios.

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Pick Up Your Cross

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A few of my seminarian brothers have what are called “Comfort Crosses.” These wooden crosses are often made in the Holy Land or other pilgrimage sites and get their name from their smoothness in the palm of one’s hand. A few of us have started to jokingly call them “ergonomic crosses,” as even the idea of a “comfort cross” is incredibly ironic. Nonetheless, this harmless irony points to the desire that we all have: to avoid discomfort and suffering.

The first reading today is taken from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah; who certainly knows a thing or two about suffering. We learn that the people of Judah are contriving plots against Jeremiah so that they can “destroy him by his own tongue” (Jer. 18:18). He calls out to God, “Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life?” (18:19-20). He awaits suffering and persecution and begs the Lord to take it away.

Today’s Responsorial Psalm has a very similar tone. The Psalmist is aware of the snare set for him and can “hear the whispers of the crowd” (Ps 31:14). He calls out for the Lord to save him. While most of us haven’t experienced the intensity of persecution of Jeremiah, we can relate with the cry of both him and the Psalmist. At the first sight of discomfort, we are often asking for the Lord to take it away. Jesus speaks to the concerns of both Jeremiah and the Psalmist and teaches us an important lesson about suffering for the Christian.

Jesus has shared with his apostles that he “must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised” (Matt 16:21). Soon after the Transfiguration, Jesus once again tells his disciples that “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day” (Matt 17:22-23). At the beginning of today’s Gospel, Jesus tells them again “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day” (Matt 20:18-19).

But it doesn’t appear like James and John are listening to these stern words of warning from Jesus. Perhaps they are reflecting back on the splendor of the Transfiguration and want to share in his glory. They wish to sit to the right and to the left of Jesus in His Kingdom. Perhaps these sons of Zebedee anticipated another great transfiguration upon their arrival in Jerusalem. They are merely concerned about power and status and forget that Jesus is going to suffer and die. Perhaps when he asks them “can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” they imagine a chalice of sweet wine at a rich royal banquet.

Understandably, the rest of the apostles are indignant that James and John seek advancement. We, too, can become frustrated with James and John for trying to elevate themselves. But we, too, often want power, prestige or even a cozy life without the cross. We want a little cross we can hold in our hands that certainly won’t even give us a splinter. Jesus corrects his apostles noting that greatness in the Kingdom of God is about being a servant. He provides the example of this service in laying down his life on a giant, bristly cross.

Lent is a beautiful time of year to be brutally honest with ourselves. Are we able to drink his chalice? Do we call ourselves Christians for the comfort it brings us or are we truly willing to go to the cross with Jesus? This Lent, let us purify our hearts through penance so that we might follow Christ for his own sake.

James and John do offer us some hope. Despite their early insistence on power and prestige, both apostles were able to suffer with and for Christ. St. James is traditionally known for being the first apostle martyred in the year 44. While St. John wasn’t martyred, he is traditionally believed to have been at the foot of Jesus’s cross with Mary. Also, later in life, he was exiled for being a disciple of Christ. Both men later showed remarkable virtue and ability to suffer for Christ and his Church. Today we can look to both men as examples and ask their intercession, that we may accept the crosses of our own life.

Saints James and John, pray for us!

Noah is a seminarian for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI. He received his Bachelors degree in finance and economics from Grand Valley State University. He has a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and his favorite Saint is St. John Paul II.

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El Amor Perfecto Destierra el Temor

¿Que nos convencerá de la verdad, el poder y la belleza increíble de la resurrección de Cristo?

Después de su muerte, el hombre rico le pide a Abraham que mande a Lázaro a sus familiares que todavía viven para convencerlos de la necesidad de cambiar, para que eviten la tormenta eterna. Pero Abraham les contesta que no, si no responden a Moisés y a los profetas, tampoco se arrepentirán porque alguien ha resucitado de la muerte.  

Para nosotros que vivimos en un tiempo después de la resurrección de Cristo, esa última línea puede ser particularmente poderoso—y quizá da un poco de miedo. ¿Verdaderamente vivimos a la luz del Señor? ¿Intentemos, en cada circunstancia, caminar por sus senderos? Cuando fallamos, ¿tenemos la humildad de hacer reparación sincera?

A veces esta temporada de Cuaresma es una especie de reinicio, otras veces es ir más a fondo, o a veces es un poco de las dos cosas. Consideramos más profundamente lo que tenemos que arrepentir y lo que tenemos que remover de nuestras vidas diarias para acercarnos a nuestro Señor.  

Sin embargo, nuestra motivación debe ser diferente de lo que entiende el hombre rico. No buscamos servir a Dios y al prójimo porque temamos la tormenta de la vida después de la muerte (bueno, capaz un poquito, pero eso es secundario), sino nos mueve el amor, la caridad y la esperanza manifestada en la muerte de Cristo en la cruz y Su resurrección gloriosa después de tres días.  

El temor solo nos lleva hasta cierto punto. El amor, sin embargo, nos puede llevar hasta el final del camino.

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Sacrifice in the Ordinary Moments

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One of my favorite parts of my job is how ordinary it is. I spend the week assisting folks in everyday situations like buying a sandwich at Subway, opening doors or doing homework. All very ordinary tasks. Most people may find this boring and monotonous, and it certainly can be, but I’m grateful for their uncomplicated need for support.

Before I started my job as a Direct Support Professional, I was working as a Petroleum Transfer Engineer (a.k.a. a gas attendant). I had an opportunity for a college education, but I couldn’t finish and went back to my high school job at a gas station. It was pretty easy to feel bad for myself; the people around me were moving along through life just as they “should” and I was stuck. Ugh!

I worked at the gas station and other odd jobs for about 2.5 years before I found this job (which is a story for another time). By that time I just wanted out of the gas station and I didn’t care how.

The first person I served was a 15-year-old high school student who was doing second-grade math and reading. When I compared his challenges to mine, I didn’t seem to be in such a bad predicament. In fact, his simple need allowed me to serve gratefully: I now had a place in the world to do something meaningful.

I couldn’t and still can’t  do very complicated things. But the folks I serve don’t need complicated. They need simple service like being reminded to say ‘thank you’, to be handed a fork at dinner or to be congratulated when they learn a new skill.

I am still and may forever be a “college drop out”, but there is no room for that despair or self-deprecation in my heart after all of the gratitude and fulfillment I feel for doing something as important as helping a person learn to say “hello”.

Sacrifice self-pity for love of the other.

Come to life.

We’re all waiting for you.

During the week, Matt is a mentor for individuals who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. On the weekends, he is a drummer for Full Armor Band.
You can find more content by Matt and his band at www.fullarmorband.com
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Levanta Tu Cruz

Unos de mis hermanos seminaristas tienen lo que se llaman “Cruces Consoladoras.” Estas cruces de madera frecuentemente están hechas en La Tierra Santa o en otros sitios de peregrinaje y se llaman así porque se sienten muy suaves en la palma de la mano. Unos de nosotros hemos empezado a llamarlos “cruces ergonómicos,” en plan de broma, porque incluso la idea de una “cruz consoladora” es increíblemente irónico. De todos modos, esta ironía inofensivo señala el deseo que todos tenemos de evitar la incomodidad y el sufrimiento.

La primera lectura de hoy es del Libro del Profeta Jeremías, quien ciertamente sabe algo sobre el sufrimiento. Aprendemos que el pueblo de Judá está planeando maldades contra Jeremías diciendo “ataquémoslo de palabra” (Jer 18:18). Le suplica a Dios, “Señor, atiéndeme. Oye lo que dicen mis adversarios. ¿Acaso se paga bien con mal? Porque ellos han cavado una fosa para mí.” (18:19-20). La persecución y el sufrimiento lo espera y le suplica al Señor que se lo quite.  

El Salmo Responsorial de hoy tiene un tono semejante. El Salmista está consciente de la trampa que le han puesto y dice “oigo las burlas de la gente” (Sal 31:14). Le suplica al Señor que lo rescate. Mientras la mayoría de nosotros no hemos experimentado una persecución tan intensa como Jeremías, podemos relacionarnos con las súplicas de tanto él como el salmista.  Frecuentemente le pedimos al Señor que nos quite una incomodidad en el primer instante que aparezca. Jesús habla sobre las preocupaciones de tanto Jeremías como el Salmista y nos enseña una lección importante sobre el sufrimiento para los cristianos.

Jesús les ha dicho a sus apóstoles que “él debía ir a Jerusalén y sufrir mucho de parte de los ancianos, los sumos sacerdotes y los escribas, y ser matado y resucitar al tercer día.” (Mateo 16:21). Muy poco después de la Transfiguración, Jesús de nuevo les dice a sus discípulos que  “El Hijo del hombre va a ser entregado en manos de los hombres; le matarán, y al tercer día resucitará.” (Mat 17:22-23). Al inicio del evangelio de hoy Jesús les dice nuevamente “Ya vamos camino de Jerusalén y el Hijo del hombre va a ser entregado a los sumos sacerdotes y a los escribas, que lo condenarán a muerte y lo entregarán a los paganos para que se burlen de él, lo azoten y lo crucifiquen; pero al tercer día, resucitará” (Mat 20:18-19).

Pero parece que Juan y Santiago no están escuchando a estas advertencias firmes de parte de Jesús. Quizá están reflexionando sobre el esplendor de la Transfiguración y quieren compartir en su gloria. Desean sentarse a la derecha y a la izquierda de Jesús en su Reino. Quizá estos hijos de Zebedeo anticiparon otra gran transfiguración al llegar a Jerusalén. Están preocupados solamente del poder y del estatus y se olviden que Jesús va a sufrir y morir. Quizá cuando les pregunta: ¿podrán beber el cáliz que yo he de beber?” se imaginan un cáliz de vino dulce en un banquete royal muy rico.  

Se entiende que el resto de los apóstoles están indignados que Juan y Santiago busquen ascenso. Nosotros también nos podemos frustrar con Juan y Santiago por hacer el intento de elevarse. Pero nosotros también frecuentemente deseamos el poder, el prestigio, o incluso una vida cómoda sin la cruz. Queremos una cruz que podemos traer en la mano que ciertamente ni nos astilla. Jesús los corrige a sus apóstoles notando que la grandeza en el Reino de Dios se trata de ser servidor. Él provee un ejemplo de ese servicio al dar su vida en una cruz gigante y áspera.

La Cuaresma es una bella temporada del año para ser bruscamente honestos con nosotros mismos. ¿Somos capaces de beber de su cáliz? ¿Nos llamamos cristianos por la comodidad que nos trae o estamos verdaderamente dispuestos a irnos a la cruz con Jesús? Esta Cuaresma purifiquemos nuestros corazones a través de la penitencia para que podamos seguir a Cristo en nombre de Él mismo.

Juan y Santiago nos ofrecen un poco de esperanza. A pesar de su insistencia inicial sobre el poder y el prestigio, ambos apóstoles pudieron sufrir con Cristo y para Cristo. San Santiago está conocido tradicionalmente como el primer apóstol martirizado en el año 44. Mientras San Juan no era martirizado, la tradición enseña que estuvo al pie de la cruz de Jesús con María. También, lo mandaron al exilio por ser discípulo de Cristo varios años después. Los dos demostraron virtud extraordinario y la habilidad de sufrir por Cristo y su Iglesia. Hoy podemos mirar a los dos como ejemplos y pedir su intercesión, para que podamos aceptar las cruces en nuestras propias vidas.  

Santos Juan y Santiago, ¡ruegan por nosotros!

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El Sacrificio en los Momentos Ordinarios

Una de mis cosas favoritas de mi trabajo es que es tan ordinario. Paso la semana ayudando a gente en situaciones diarias como comprar un sándwich en Subway, abrir una puerta o hacer la tarea. Todos son hechos ordinarios. Quizá la mayoría de las personas lo encontrarían aburrido y monótono, y ciertamente puede ser, pero estoy agradecido por su necesidad de apoyo sin complicaciones.

Antes de empezar esta posición como Profesional de Apoyo Directo, trabajaba como un Ingeniero de Transferencia de Petróleo, (también conocido como empleado de gasolinera). Tenía la oportunidad de estudiar en la universidad pero no podría terminar y volví al trabajo que tenía en la preparatoria en la gasolinera. Era muy fácil estar avergonzado de mí mismo; toda la gente a mi alrededor avanzaba por la vida como “se debe” y yo estaba estancado. Ugh!

Trabajé en la gasolinera y varios otros trabajos por dos años y medio antes de encontrar esta posición (lo cual es un cuento para otro momento). Solo quería salirme ya de la gasolinera y no me importaba como.

La primera persona que atendí era un estudiante de preparatoria que tenía 15 años pero estaba a nivel de segundo grado en la matemática y la lectura. Cuando comparaba sus dificultades a las mías, yo ya no parecía estar en tan mal lugar. De hecho, su necesidad sencilla me permitía servir agradecidamente: ahora tenía un lugar en este mundo para hacer algo significativo.

No podría y todavía no puedo hacer cosas muy complicadas. Pero la gente que yo ayudo no necesita nada complicado. Necesitan un servicio sencillo, como recordarles a decir “gracias”, o que se les entregue un tenedor en la cena o que se les felicite cuando aprenden algo nuevo.

Todavía soy y quizá siempre seré alguien que “nunca terminó la universidad”, pero no hay lugar para esa desesperación o auto-depreciación en mi corazón después de toda la gratitud y realización que siento al hacer algo tan importante como ayudar a alguien a decir “hola”.

Sacrifica la lastima por ti mismo por amor al otro.

Ven a la vida.

Todos te estamos esperando.

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Great Is Our God

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“Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments!”

The Old Testament reading today starts out on a promising note–God is great and awesome–we can get on board with this. God is great and awesome; He loves us and is so happy with all of the ‘nice’ things we do.

We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; But wait, what’s this stuff about sin?  Wicked? I haven’t been wicked–I keep my lawn mowed and my snow plowed, wave to my neighbors, and smile at service people. I may lose my temper occasionally, or cut corners here and there, but nothing that’s wicked.

It can be difficult in our clean, well-fed, comfortable world to think we’ve done anything wicked. Our ‘problems’ aren’t sins, they’re addictions. You think my behavior is wrong, but I don’t see it that way. We just need to understand more, to be better educated and more tolerant; then God will look at us and smile.

…we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.

This all seems rather vague–rebelled, departed from commandments. I’m pretty sure I didn’t intend to do any such thing. But if, through no fault of my own, I did, please excuse me, and I’ll do better in the future.

The passage opens with the greatness of God–his awe-inspiring merciful covenant. Perfection itself has entered into a covenant with us, and we’ve ignored Him. And, to top it off, we don’t think doing that is so bad. We’ve stopped meditating on God, and instead are busy looking at ourselves. Our spiritual practices during Lent are just one more item on the to-do list, one more box to check. Instead of being the means to an end, they become the end itself.

In C. S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, Screwtape offers Wormwood on how to keep his human from prayer:  

“Whenever they are attending to the Enemy Himself we are defeated, but there are ways of preventing them from doing so. The simplest is to turn their gaze away from Him toward themselves. Keep them watching their own minds and trying to produce feelings there by the action of their own wills. When they meet to ask Him for charity, let them, instead, start trying to manufacture charitable feelings for themselves, and not notice that this is what they are doing….Teach them to estimate the value of each prayer by their success in producing the desired feeling.”

To know the mercy and love of God in Christ, we must keep our focus always on Him. And Lenten fasts, almsgiving, and works of mercy are tangible ways for us to do this, along with Stations of the Cross, praying (not just saying) the Rosary and countless other spiritual practices. These all increase our longing for Jesus.

So, the rest of this Lent, keep the words of the classic hymn in mind:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace.  (Helen Lemmel, 1863-1961)

Pamela Pettibone joined Diocesan’s staff in 2006, after a number of years in the non-profit sector. Her experience is in non-profit administration including management, finance, and program development, along with database management and communications. She was a catechist in her parish RCIA program for over 15 years, as well as chairperson of their Liturgy Commision. Received into the Catholic Church as an adult, Pamela’s faith formation was influenced by her Mennonite extended family, her Baptist childhood, and her years as a Reformed Presbyterian (think Scott Hahn).

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Grande Es Nuestro Dios

“Señor Dios, grande y terrible, que guardas la alianza y el amor a los que te aman y observan tus mandamientos.”

La lectura del Antiguo Testamento hoy empieza con un versículo alentador—Dios es grande y buenísimo—nosotros podemos unirnos a esta verdad. Dios es grande y buenísimo; nos ama y está muy contento con todas las cosas buenas que hacemos.

Hemos pecado, hemos sido malos y hecho cosas malas; pero espérate, ¿qué es todo eso del pecado?  ¿Mala? ¿He sido mala?—Mantengo mi pasto cortado, limpio la nieve, les saludo a mis vecinos, y sonrió a la gente de servicio. Puede ser que pierda la paciencia de vez en cuando, o por allí haga lo mínimo posible para que salga lo pedido, pero no haga nada verdaderamente malo.

Puede ser difícil en este mundo tan limpio, satisfecho y cómodo pensar que hemos hecho algo malo. Nuestras “problemas” no son pecados, son adicciones. Tú crees que mi comportamiento está mal pero yo no lo veo de esa manera. Solo tenemos que entender mejor, ser más educados y más tolerantes y así Dios nos va a mirar con una sonrisa.  

“… nos hemos rebelado y nos hemos apartado de tus mandamientos y de tus normas.”

Todo eso parece algo impreciso— hemos rebelado y nos hemos apartado de tus mandamientos. Estoy bastante segura que no era mi intención hacer ninguna cosa semejante. Pero si, por ninguna culpa mía, lo he hecho, por favor perdóname y voy a mejorar en el futuro.

El pasaje empieza con la grandeza de Dios, su alianza misericordiosa que inspira asombro. La Perfección Misma ha entrado en alianza con nosotros y lo hemos ignorado. Y para colmo, no pensamos que hacerlo es tan malo. Hemos dejado de meditar en Dios y nos ocupamos en mirar a nosotros mismos. Nuestras prácticas espirituales durante la Cuaresma son solamente una cosa más en la lista de quehaceres, una caja más donde poner ‘x’ de completo. En lugar de ser un medio para llegar a un fin, vuelvan a ser un fin en sí mismo.

En Cartas del Diablo a su Sobrino de C. S. Lewis, Escrutopo le ofrece a Orugario consejo sobre cómo prevenir que su ser humano rece:  

“Cuando están haciendo caso al Enemigo Mismo somos vencidos, pero hay varias maneras de prevenirlo. Lo más sencillo es voltear su mirada fuera de Él y hacia sí mismos. Mantenlos mirando a sus propias mentes e intentando producir sentimientos allí por la acción de sus propias voluntades. Cuando se reúnen para pedirle la caridad, deje que ellos, en lugar de eso, empiecen a intentar crear sentimientos caritativos hacia sí mismos, sin darse cuenta que eso es lo que están haciendo….Enséñales a evaluar el valor de cada oración por su éxito en producir el sentimiento deseado.”

Para conocer la misericordia y el amor de Dios en Cristo, tenemos que enfocarnos siempre en Él. Y los ayunos cuaresmales, los dones caritativos y las obras de misericordia son las maneras palpables de hacerlo, junto con los Vía Crucis, rezando (no solo recitando) el Rosario e innumerables otras prácticas espirituales. Todo eso aumenta nuestro anhelo por Jesús.

Así que, durante el resto de esta Cuaresma, mantengan en mente las palabras de ese himno clásico:

Voltean su mirada a Jesús, Miren directamente a su cara hermosa, Y las cosas del mundo perderán su lustre A la luz de su gloria y su gracia.  (Helen Lemmel, 1863-1961)

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Transformation in the Storm

Click here for Spanish version

 

I recall the first moments of redemption and freedom that I experienced during therapy. I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), an anxiety disorder where obsessions overflow into expressed compulsions of various types that then impact one’s daily living.  

For my particular form of OCD, I struggle with obsessions related to contamination and worries about what could happen to myself and loved ones in this crazy world. The compulsions that come from these obsessions of mine include intense hand washing, repeatedly checking locks and doors, and checking electrical plugs and devices (such as the oven) multiple times in a row to make sure that they are off. I can spiral into these compulsions if I let the obsessions take over my flesh, so I must expose myself to these obsessions and fight the compulsions: this is known as exposure response therapy.  

This battle is something I surely cannot win alone, but with God, I can be made new. OCD has a root reasoning for expressing itself out of a desire to be in control, but I am not in control throughout this storm of life. Rather I am transformed through God’s love for me, through the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

The beautiful fruits of this anxiety disorder, which I have come to realize since my diagnosis, is that I am able to unite myself with Christ as I call upon Him to save me from this mess. Through my struggles with loving myself in my lowest times, God whispers in my ear and speaks to my heart to remind me that I am created in His image and likeness, with a dignity that is uniquely given to me as His daughter. I am called to be transformed, to experience a conversion of heart. God loves me perfectly the way that I am, and I don’t need to pretend to be okay in order for Him to love me and call me to sainthood.

In today’s Gospel reading we see the account of the fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration. We see the beautiful imagery of what we are called to at our baptism  in the event witnessed by Jesus’s disciples:

“Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9:2-3).

Just as Christ showed His divinity before the apostles in the Transfiguration so we are called to be transformed in the Christian life through loving ourselves and others amidst the struggles we face. Others should look at our lives and be able to see Christ’s love shine through us. When we face trials in life God is giving us the gift of further clinging to Him and allowing ourselves to radiate His love, thus becoming a gift to others.  

Christ desires for us to draw ourselves closer to Him so that we may see Him in ourselves and others, the dignity of the human person. As St. John Paul II says, “In Christ and through Christ humanity has acquired full awareness of its dignity and the meaning of its existence.” Through Christ and His transfiguration, we are better able to understand our dignity and how purposeful our existence is. My OCD has a purpose within my dignity as a person and it is going to help me love others the best that I can as I lay the struggle at the foot of the Cross, just as your crosses will be transformed through God to help you to love others and lead them closer to Christ. Uniting our struggles to God’s love and peace will help us become more of who we are supposed to become through redemption in Christ.  

In order to continue to be transformed in Christ, we must trust in God’s promises. As we see in the first reading God promises Abraham that for his willingness to sacrifice the one he loves for Love Himself that his descendants will be as bountiful in number as the stars. God is merciful, just, and Love. Trust that your conversion through the crosses in your life will equip you to live out your vocation to love, the core vocation for all of us, for we were made by love, for love, and are called to share this Love with others. God promises to help us along our journey, and as we see time and again in Holy Scripture (and in the world around us) God always keeps His promises.  

I have experienced Love Himself through those in my life: my family, friends, and my fiance. Their example of love inspires me to keep going each day when my cross of OCD gets too heavy, and they encourage me to keep turning to Christ and accepting love so that I may grow in loving myself for the way that I was created. If I accept this love I may love them all better, and grow into the best someday wife and (God willing) mother that I can be with God’s grace. I have had doubts and fears about being able to live out my vocation of marriage with this disorder of mine, but I am reminded that God equips those who are called and not vice versa.  He calls me to sainthood through my soon to be marriage, the Domestic Church that my fiance and I will establish with our vows on our wedding day, and God will work through us both to help one another to Heaven no matter the crosses we carry. However, God calls you to live out your vocation to love in this life I pray that you may be transformed, embrace your crosses, and continue to give your struggles to Christ with hope. Be willing to truly receive His love and believe you are worthy of that love so that you may pour His love unto others.

Nathalie Hanson is a special education teacher and a joyful convert to the Catholic faith with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).  She loves to share her passion for Catholicism with others, including her conversion story and how God continues to work miracles in her life through her OCD.  Nathalie is engaged to her best friend, Diocesan’s Tommy Shultz, and she is beyond excited to become Mrs. Shultz this October.  Her favorite saints include St. Peter the Apostle, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II.  If you have any questions for Nathalie, or just want her to pray for you, you can email her at rodzinkaministry@gmail.com.