Wednesday, November 5, 2008

We have asked for a king

Democracy was meant to challenge us to work and sacrifice for the common good. It has devolved into license to sacrifice others for our own good. Thanks be to God, we are in this world but not of it. We render unto caesar, but we belong to Jesus. We are called to offer ourselves up to the Father for His glory, for the salvation of souls and for our own good. This will never devolve. In the midst of this crooked and perverse generation we will shine like lights unto the world if we stay close to Jesus and Mary through the Sacraments. Many who love and serve Truth are sorrowing today. We are not sad as sadness leads to depression and despair. We willingly enter into Sorrow as, Blessed Mother did at the Cross, trusting that we will move through this sorrow to Hope.

In the midst of this Sorrow, I cried out to Our Lord, "but the souls, all the souls who will be lost, Lord!" He answered gently but firmly, "Not one. Not one will be lost by this. Extraordinary graces will be poured out, just like the ones you yourself received."

These election results are mysteriously a part of the Father's permissive will. Sometime Mercy takes the form of chastisement. We know the battle rages on. We know it will escalate. We know who wins.

Pray. Trust. Live Sacramentally. I was born on the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim. Joachim means, "God prepares." He is preparing us if we submit to the preparation. We who live in the light will be used to save souls if we sacrifice. In this day of worldwide celebration of "change" and "a new day" we know that there is nothing new under the sun, but we behold and adore He who makes all things new.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Shower musings

It seems that I do some of my best praying and receive some amazing insights while I'm getting ready for my day. As a mom it's a time when I am alone and have a chance to spend time with God. This morning I was thinking about what a beautiful day it is and was thankful for Spring and God's renewal of nature. It made me think about the silly thing we call, "Mother Nature". Whenever there's a natural disaster some newscaster will talk about "Mother Nature's wrath". As children we were taught to care for and love our Mother Nature. Where did this come from I wondered? I'm sure if I Google it I'll find out it comes out of some pagan religion but that doesn't explain it enduring into the 21st century. I believe it is another example of the enemy turning truth on its head. Instead of revering our Blessed Mother as Queen of God's Creation, he wants us to bow down to a spirit he has benignly named "Mother Nature". As the ruler of this world, he can do this and assign this duty as he wishes (for now). Instead of us being stewards of God's creation, he wants us to be its slave. Babies can die by the thousands each day but don't disturb the spotted owls' habitat. Of course, of course we are all called to tenderly and judiciously and frugally use the gifts God has given us in this world, but human life is most precious. It is not God's hand that causes the earthquakes and typhoons and volcanoes; He is not the current ruler of this world. This increasing destruction we see is at the hands of he who wishes our destruction, not He who wishes our eternal life. Only by turning to Him and asking Him to return His hand of blessing can the seas be calmed and the storms stilled. Only when science starts with prayer will energy solutions and cures be discovered.

Discovered. Who do you think is covering? He who loves you or he who wants you dead?

Blessed Mother please help us to imitate you and do as He wills that His blessings may return to his beautiful creation. Amen.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Happy Lent?

Having come through difficult Advent and Christmas seasons, I look forward to Lent with an odd mix of joy, expectation and resolve to do His holy will. I'm not sure what that will entail yet, but I am ready.

At mass this morning, the little church I attend for daily mass was full to the gills. The school children were all there, K-8, their parents, the regulars and all of the faithful. Father was in fine form teaching and ministering to all ages. Slowly, slowly we received our ashes and were reminded that's where we shall return. At the end of mass, when we were sent forth to spread the good news, we were radioactive dye entering the bloodstream. With the ashes you could see us this time.

I went on with my morning: groceries, Mom's doctor, preschool pick-up, start dinner, serve lunch. Thanks to the wonders of modern media I was able to pray the rosary with Father Groschel, listen to wonderful praise music and be inspired by Johnnette Benkovic while tooling around town in the minivan. Other women in minivans sped by going the other direction, on the move for their own families. Trying their best to do their best as best they know how. The void comes in at odd times, but they fill it up with lattes and cell phones, shopping and pta. Their longing is palpable, but they ignore it. Their stress level is static electricity in the air, but they plod on.

As women we should be all about the business of lowering the bar for each other. Cut your sisters some slack. Cut yourself some slack. Only then will you be able raise the bar on your spiritual life, your eternal life and those of your dear families. God loves you.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

St. Blase

As is usual for me, God's perfect plan for my life heavily utilized the Communion of Saints today. I am recovering from the flu and a bad sore throat, and who would today's Feast day be? St. Blase of course. A fourth century, Armenian bishop and martyr, Saint Blase's intercession is often called upon for throat ailments:

"Through the intercession of St. Blase, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Does this mean that, as a Catholic, I believe a man who has been dead for nearly 1700 years will magically heal my strep? Of course not. It means that I believe in the Communion of Saints. You may have recited this in a Creed at some point in your life. The Communion of Saints:

"By which the unity of believers, who form one body in Christ, is both represented and brought about. The term refers to the communion of 'holy persons' in Christ who 'died for all' so that what each one does or suffers in and for Christ bears fruit for all. We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always attentive to our prayers." CCC 960-962

We are One Body in Christ, and we do not walk alone. I ask my friend or my husband to pray for me for some intention or other. As One Body, might I not ask my brother Blase to pray for me, too? Is he not closer to God than I? He has beheld the beatific vision for centuries while I have years to go (hopefully) before I will. So I ask my brother Blase to ask my Father God if my throat may be healed and protected.

Not until I get to Heaven do I expect to understand why God has granted this particular grace to Blase over throats of all things. Tradition ties it to a particular story about Blase's life and a young child with a fishbone lodged in his throat, but God has responded to this with a Heavenly duty for St. Blase. I am glad of it and thankful for his prayers. God numbers each hair on our heads; why wouldn't he provide an intercessor for our throats?

This is my first posting. I'm not sure why I'm doing it, but I know the One who knows.