Thankful Thursday - A New Normal

One month,

Thirty days,

Seven hundred twenty hours,

Four hundred thirty-two thousand minutes,

Two million, five hundred ninety-two thousand seconds,

Since life entered a new normal.

But who's counting?

A new view of Palm Sunday - Part 3

Continued from Part 2.

Branch from a thorn plant, similar to which would have
been used for Jesus' crown of thorns.  Ouch!

I have never enjoyed playing the part of the Crowd when we read the Passion of Our Lord.  "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!"  I don't want those words to come out of my mouth.  Yet, how easily I forget.  When I gossip or make a hurtful comment, I am crucifying Jesus.  When I desire something that isn't mine or I act with greed, I am nailing Him to the cross.  If only I could wrap my brain around the idea that my actions are screaming, "Crucify Him!" when I choose sin.

Lenten Struggle

Lent has been difficult for me this year.  I know; it's supposed to be a challenge.  However, I feel that I'm experiencing more than the 'usual' struggles.  Maybe it's because I'm looking at life differently since my pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  Maybe I'm being tempted more and unable to resist.  Maybe God is giving me the opportunity to wholly rely on Him, and it scares me. 

Regardless, my human nature complains.  'Why this?  Why me?  Why?'  There are no easy answers.  I do not know God's mind, but I do believe in God's plan, even when it's hidden or obscure.  It seems as though God is permitting numerous obstacles so as to deepen my faith.  I'm certainly not to the level of Job, but I have been contemplating his life in the face of trials.  He was desolate and devastated, yet he still praised God:  "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." ~Job 1:21b

Be My Valentine - You Are Mine

No, I'm not talking about a valentine's phrase, exactly, although it could certainly be God's valentine to us.  I'm referring to a song we often sing at church.  It was actually my penance after celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and it was absolutely perfect.  Let me explain.

First, a note about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  It really gets a bad rap.  If you have not had a a wonderful, positive, freeing experience with that Sacrament, you need to go again.  It is absolutely beautiful.  Let's set aside the discussion on confessing sins to a priest and focus on the deeper purpose:  reconciliation with God.

6th Sunday of Easter - bittersweet

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052514.cfm 

Quick recap:

1st Reading - Acts 8 - early Church, adding believers

Psalm - Psalm 66 - Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Epistle - 1 Peter - be ready to give an explanation of your hope

Gospel - John 14 - I am with you always.

Today is bittersweet. I participated in an excellent liturgy with Fr. Matt and our community at the Newman Center. Sadly, it is his last Mass at Newman before he begins his new assignment. I anticipated this and knew today would be difficult, but the reality was so much more. My liturgical time begins with music practice, and we started reviewing songs and Mass parts. We had great participation at Mass, with beautiful voices through the chapel. It was a joy to sing together. The psalm was very personal for me, as I was leading it. I got to proclaim the joy of the earth! I especially appreciated the last stanza, 

"Here now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness!"