Prayer: Keeping in Touch with God.

 “I pray because I can’t help myself! I pray because I am helpless. The need just flows out of me waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God, it changes me.”

This is a line from the movie Shadowlands. In this movie, the well-known author, C.S. Lewis, played by Anthony Hopkins, was expressing his thoughts on prayer to a colleague. Have you ever felt this way? Has the need to pray been stirred up in you in such a way you wanted to do nothing else? In any life-long relationship communication is essential. Without communication there is no connection.

When saying the Rosary we are keeping in remembrance the One loved. In a way the Rosary is a walk through the liturgical year every week. This devotion also prepares us to receive the Eucharist at Mass (receiving Jesus!). By reflecting on the life of Jesus every day and receiving Him in Communion, we are abiding in Christ. So let us always treasure this devotion and allow Jesus to work in and through us.

May God bless you all in this new year.

 

Ave Maria!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Is Tradition Leading in the Right Direction? If not, what's the point?

When I started the Rosary Board back in March, the original plan was to talk about the Rosary and reflect on the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of His mother. As I have been studying and writing about my faith more, the question arose, “Why do I do the things I do?”  Prayer should conform me to the image of Christ. Jesus Christ does not look like me. I should look like Him. Is what I do a "tradition of men" or one that leads me to God?

Here are some key questions to ask when it comes to tradition in the Church.

1) Do we want salvation?  Here is a heads up: Purgatory will not correct bad attitudes, habits and dispositions. It will not correct an unrepentant soul. That is not the time to discover that we were wrong in our definition of morality. Mother Angelica, founder of EWTN, said years ago that some people live as if they are trying to get into Purgatory. What happens if you aim and miss? The only way left is straight down. As a quick review, Purgatory is purifying before coming into the presence of God. If we don’t want to live in God’s presence for all eternity, He won’t force us to be there!

2) Do we know what salvation is and how to attain it? Faith, hope and love are gifts from God. Grace is a gift from God. Forgiveness is a gift from God. Healing our diseases, opening our eyes and ears and driving out demons are all gifts from God. We don’t work for them. We can’t earn them. They are an undeserved gift. Be thankful by giving Christ your whole being and put off the deeds of the flesh!

Does the light that emanates from God make us uncomfortable? That seems like an awkward question, but it cuts to the heart of who God is and what we should ultimately attain. We should live as if we want to be in heaven! This is a call to look deeper into our lives and repent.

3) Are the traditions we observe leading us toward God or away from God? The Rosary is a means to focus on the Gospel message and pray for the needs of others. The Rosary is a reflection of the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of His mother. When was the last time we thanked the Mother of our Lord for being the Mother of our Lord? Think of what all a mother goes through in giving birth, nurturing and raising a child. Now think of the responsibility of being the mother of the Messiah.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, lets understand where this tradition leads us. Do the customs we keep point us to Christ or to ourselves? Do we anticipate “stuff” more than the coming of our Savior? As the Catechism states, “The first generation of Christians did not yet have a written New Testament, and the New Testament itself demonstrates the process of living Tradition” (CCC 83).

Like chaff among wheat, bad traditions and customs that take us away from God can manifest themselves. Don't assume that all tradition is bad or is a "tradition of men." The fruits of a bad tradition will always lead away from God. Some traditions at this time of year do just that. Sacred Tradition given to us by the Church leads us to Jesus Christ.  

The true meaning of Christmas is that God is with us!

Merry Christmas!

Ave Maria!

Praised Be Jesus Christ! 

Resource:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1994.

Rejoice! Say It Again. Rejoice!

On this third Sunday of Advent, the Catholic Church celebrates “Gaudete” Sunday. If you are familiar with the Latin version of the Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” you will notice this word means REJOICE. This is the way the archangel Gabriel greeted Mary. Here are a number of ways we celebrate this time in Advent.

1. The Advent Wreath is composed of 5 candles; 3 purple, 1 pink (rose) and 1 white. The purple candles represent penance. It is also the color of royalty. The pink or rose candle, lit specifically on the 3^rd Sunday of Advent, symbolizes rejoicing. Rejoice for the Savior of the world is coming soon! The white candle in the center represents Christ and Christmas. Remember that Christmas is not just a word; it is a celebration of the Mass of Christ.
2. The priest wears vestments that are pink or rose colored. Colors are a wonderful way we have to understand our faith. We prepare ourselves to receive Christ into the world and into our lives.
3. As stated above, colors are a wonderful way to reflect on and remember God’s truth. In the different liturgical seasons there are different colors that remind us of our mission to evangelize world.

Jesus, I Trust In You.

Ave Maria!

Praised be Jesus Christ!
 

I found a wonderful video of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" presented by the Derby Cathedral Choir in England. Rejoice!

A Special Advent Gift for my Parents

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The Alcove at Sacred Heart Parish in Miles City

It is in the heart of most parents to give their children the opportunities that they never had. This is a noble intention. But I do not think this goes far enough. The pursuit of the American dream can become materialistic. When this becomes a reality, life and liberty is shipwrecked in the desire to want more. Few pursue storing up treasure in heaven. I am not a parent, so it has taken me years to see that the best opportunity parents can give their children is eternal life. I see this now in the life of my parents.

In 2004, my mother suffered a stroke. Since then my father has taken care of his wife, my mother, almost continually. Now he is the lone caregiver and attributes all that he does to Jesus and Mary. He has never given up his vocation. I see how their relationship has deepened in these past years. My father spends time each day praying before the Blessed Sacrament. As he puts it, “I give Jesus and Mary two hours, they give me twenty-two.” I rarely see him without his rosary. As the child so blessed to have the privilege of being their son, I catch a glimpse what this vocation is all about.

Mary: An Example for Us All

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The Immaculate Conception is a very special gift given to Mary, the mother of Jesus, by God.  It was not by anything that Mary did. God’s desire to be reconciled to His creation is at the heart of what He did for Mary. Jesus could come to us in no other way. Because of Mary we all can receive eternal life through her son.

Saint Mom and Saint Dad

When a child becomes a saint, the parents are honored. How much more should we storm the gates of the New Jerusalem on behalf of those who gave us life? Who raised us? And in their desire for us to “have it better than they did,” still pattern for us the love Christ has for His Church.

Thank your parents for giving you life! Thank Mary for giving us Jesus. Thank Jesus for giving us eternal life. Let us make every effort to keep this gift by living a life of holiness. Put all that is not of God away from us and live out our ultimate vocation, eternal life! 

Be not afraid. Stand strong in the faith. Don’t let anyone take this precious gift of God away from you.

Ave Maria!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Making Mary’s “Yes” Our Own.

As we enter Advent this weekend I would like to give a brief summary of why Mary is important in our Catholic faith?

1.     “No Mary, No Jesus.” So said Mother Teresa to a question about Mary’s importance to her. We know that we need a Savior. Mary said her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior (Luke 1:47). We rehearse these words for Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. She was full of grace. How full of grace was she?

2.     The Spirit of God that was to overshadow her was the same glory that appeared above the Ark of the Covenant (Lev. 16:2; Luke 1:34-35). This was no ordinary individual. This is the Mother of Jesus Christ.  All of history waited for this moment. Abraham longed to see this day (John 8:56).

3.     God needed her “yes.” Pope Benedict references St. Bernard of Clairvaux in his recent book: “His power is tied to the unenforceable “yes” of a human being. So Bernard portrays heaven and earth as it were holding its breath at this moment of the question addressed to Mary.”* In Mary’s answer we seek to make Mary’s “yes” our own. The Catechism says that, “Grace is a participation in the life of God” (1997). “Let it be done to me . . .” (Luke 1:38). Mary was not a passive participant in the life of our Savior. This gives us more insight into the first Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. What else makes Mary special?

4.    Jesus was obedient to her. In the fifth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary we see the account of Mary and Joseph’s finding of Jesus in the Temple. One may be quite content to stop reading at Jesus’ response to His mother. But Luke adds that He was obedient to them (Luke 2:51). Did He still listen to His mother as an adult?

5.     At her request the mission of her Son began. The first three gospel accounts begin Jesus’ mission with His baptism and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him. John includes this account as well. He also goes on to add a request by His mother at the wedding feast at Cana. Jesus’ answer was not a rebuke. He performed his first miracle at her request. This began his way to the cross. (See John 2) Think about this when you come to the first and second Mysteries of Light in the Rosary.

6.     Mary was there at the cross. She stood by her dying son. This was another detail John gives us about Mary. In our preparation for Christmas, let us reflect on this in the fifth Sorrowful Mystery (See John 19:25-27). Jesus gives His mother into the care of the beloved disciple. So we receive her as our mother. Before becoming a Catholic, I always wondered that if God is Our Father, who is our mother? Question answered.

7.     Her Son is a King. Since Jesus is given the throne of his father David (Luke 1:32), Mary is the Queen Mother. In the history of King David’s family line, the queen mother is mentioned too (1 Kings). The book of Revelation shows that the mother of Jesus is crowned with twelve stars. Her Son rules the nations (See Rev. 11:19-12:6). Before becoming Catholic, I wondered since Jesus is the new Adam (1 Corinthians 15:54), how could Eve not be mentioned? Found her! (See Gen. 3:15). Do you notice a similarity in the Genesis and Revelation accounts?

God humbled himself, becoming helpless, being born of a woman (Galatians 4:4). When Mary approached her cousin Elizabeth, the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth had the special honor of being approached by not just her cousin, but as she says “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43)

What tremendous dignity God gives to all women. This Advent season let us prepare by seeking a deeper conversion to Jesus Christ. Be sure to thank your mother for giving you life. Let us also thank Mary for giving us Jesus!

Thank you mom for giving me life! Merry Christmas! I love you!

Ave Maria!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Resources:

All Bible quotations from the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2006.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1994.

*Pope Benedict XVI (2012-11-21). Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives: 3 (Kindle Locations 472-473). Image. Kindle Edition. 2012