Mark 1:13

"He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him."

In the desert, there are wild beasts, tempting me to fear.  I focus on them, cowering, oblivious to the beauty, the distraction! of the heavenly hosts encouraging, soothing, protecting me.

Change my focus, Lord.  make me oblivious to the toothless wild beasts and fix my soul on You.  the angels are here because You are here.  With me.

Whispering, "Trust."

John 8:1-11  A Woman Caught in Adultery 

 1 while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”6 They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”8 And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.”And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

Why is God merciful?  Because of our fallen nature, the relationship, especially sexual ones, are deeply flawed and often unjust.  For this reason, Jesus was “extra” kind and merciful to women in his day as they were so literally (and often still are) subject to men’s physical strength, lust and lack of mercy.  So it follows that the reason Jesus is so merciful is because the whole societal system is grossly unjust.

Sociological Hogwash based on the false premise that there is a rational reason for God’s Mercy!  His Mercy goes way, way WAY beyond reason.  Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His Mercy endures forever!  Second only to His love, is His Mercy.  Because of His irrational love (the only thing irrational about God), His mercy is boundless.  Love and Mercy.  Mercy and Love.  And Grace. And Grace, free, unmerited favor. 

Love               mercy                        grace

The irrational trinity of God’s fundamental character.  These are his cardinal virtues.  All of His virtues and attributes flow from these.  Jesus does not choose to condemn me.  Jesus chooses Mercy.  Jesus, once again, chooses to give Life to me, telling me only to go and sin no more.  Knowing I will.  Knowing I will.

The people gathered around Jesus that day to hear him teach.  The Scribes and Pharisees were off trap-setting, but then all left, leaving Jesus alone with the woman.  Perhaps being with Jesus and learning from him they were open to realize that they had learned all the lesson they needed that day.  That lesson is Mercy.  In a way, The Lesson of the Christian life is Mercy.  Let go.  Give Mercy.  Receive Mercy.  Be Mercy. 

Why is the French word for “thank you”, to show gratitude, “merci”?  I need to look into that.  Our whole Christian walk should be in gratitude for Jesus’ Mercy.

Praise you, Jesus, for your mercy to me,

I do not deserve it

It is not rational

Yet you give it freely

Again and again and again

Your mercy is rash

Your mercy is foolish

Your mercy is unjust

By human standards

Thank you, Jesus, for mercy beyond measure.

Pope Francis and God’s Mercy in Marriage

My husband, John, and I were married outside of the Catholic Church in 1993. Back in those days we were smarter than the Church. We knew how to run our own lives and didn’t need a patriarchal, bossy church telling us what to do. So we shopped around for the most enlightened church we could find, that was also pretty and would look nice in wedding pictures. Classical music would be good, a nice long aisle and no teachings that infringe on “my body, my choice”. We wanted a male preacher for our wedding, but the possibility of a female preacher needed to be there for some other people who so chose. Next on our list: plenty of seating for our family and a communion service to make the whole thing feel “real”. Pretty deep theological stuff, no?

In His great Mercy, the Lord lead us to a patient and loving preacher who put up with my rabid feminism and un-supple demands and agreed to marry us, though we were not members of his church. After four years of living together, we were finally married.

Much to my surprise, marriage was different. I immediately felt different. I relished being called John’s wife and saying, “This is my husband.” It was very perplexing to me. Why should this antiquated and artificial social construct have such an effect on my well-being? But it undeniably did. Though we never darkened that particular beautiful church’s doors again, I knew that the time we spent there, presenting ourselves to the Lord for a blessing, was important. I just didn’t know why.

Fast forward five years and the not-so-newlyweds were going through our first real struggle. I had injured my back and was awaiting surgery. Through the grace of this suffering Jesus led me back to Himself and eventually to the Church He founded. After asking the Holy Spirit to help me with all of those patriarchal rules I objected to, He removed the scales, one after another, in very short order. Thanks be to God, Jesus brought John along very quickly afterward as well.

With surgery looming and our understanding of Church teaching widening, John and I realized we needed to be married in the Church. We spoke with our pastor, the late, great Fr. Robert Mack, about our situation and he quickly set to work to set things right. We planned our Catholic wedding far more quickly and simply than our first one. It would be two weeks hence, with Mass, just our parents and a few witnesses, no music, no photographer, but entailing three, count them, three Sacraments! After confessing our sins, we lived as brother and sister and refrained from receiving Jesus in Holy Communion until the day of our wedding. Confession, Communion and Marriage sure beat classical music, pretty pictures and an intact, prideful ideology.

On Saturday, June 19th, 1999 (my late grandmother Adele’s birthday) my sister, Cindy, surprised us with wedding flowers. It was a lovely, sunny morning, much like the day of our “first marriage” to each other almost six years before. Fr. Mack married us before the altar at St. Louis Church and took us through the traditional offerings to Blessed Mother and St. Joseph which we were still unfamiliar with. We received Jesus again, but for the first time as husband and wife. We had some treats and champagne back at our apartment afterward and two days later I had the long awaited back surgery. I went into it knowing that God had my hand and had set everything right. One month later, our contracepting ways behind us, we were pregnant with our daughter, Adele. Typical Catholics: pregnant after one month of marriage. Well, I guess it was closer to six years and one month, but with Mercy so great, who’s counting?




I write this little story from our life to illuminate God’s Mercy. The Mercy of allowing us back into the Church with open arms, despite our sinful past, gave us a new start in our marriage and our lives. This mercy set us on the right path. Fr. Mack was the instrument of that marriage and gently, so very gently, led us to all truth by showing us the blessings therein.

This same story is repeated around the world through many couples and many parish priests. It was also repeated on a global stage this past September 14th by Pope Francis. Many have tried to manipulate this beautiful little Sacramental story to demonstrate either that the Pope is somehow changing the nature of Catholic marriage, or to demonstrate that he is an apostate Pope.  Neither is anywhere near the truth. The truth is that Pope Francis is God’s chosen font of Mercy for this our day and time.

It is important to always consider the source when reading about the Church. Does the writer have an agenda? Does the writer speak from Mercy and with the mind of the Church? Does the writer even have a basic understanding of what the Church teaches and why? Consider the source. In an excellent article in National Catholic Register, John Grabowski, a professor of moral theology at the Catholic University of America is quoted saying:

"I think there is a perception out there, especially in some media circles, that Pope Francis is trying to undermine what the Church has taught and what the Church has practiced. I see absolutely no evidence of that. When he’s pressed on issues concerning the Church’s teaching on marriage, on sexuality, he is very firm, saying he is ‘a son of the Church. What he wants to do is simply put the Church’s focus on mercy, on an encounter with Christ as the heart of its life."



As so many other misunderstood actions of our Holy Father have been, this is all about Jesus’ Mercy. As St. Faustina teaches us, we are living in the era of Mercy. Why should we be surprised when our pope welcomes in sinners, offers mercy and healing and then sends them forth, telling them to sin no more? In the homily at their wedding, Pope Francis told the 20 couples that Jesus Christ “will bring them healing by the merciful love which pours forth from the cross, with the strength of his grace that renews and sets married couples and families once again on the right path.”

That’s what a good shepherd does. Catholic author, Charlie Johnston summarized Pope Francis’ works of mercy, especially regarding marriage:

The pope is reported to have mused that a good 50% of all marriages are invalid and is open to the idea of some remarried Catholics receiving communion without having had a proper annulment. This has inspired hope on the left that they have found an unlikely ally in their assault on marriage and the family. It has inspired fear of the same on the right. Both the hopes and fears are the unwarranted fantasies of those incapable of seeing things without the coloring of an ideological lens.

Those who appeal to the law are right that it was an unwarranted permissiveness that opened the gates to the wolves. But what a vanity it is to berate the sheep who were wounded when shepherds charged with defending them helped open the gates to the wolves! Pope Francis has two great charges in this. First, he must care for the wounded and try to nurse them back to health. Second, he must re-erect the fences that keep them safe.

Never forget, God calls all men to salvation. Man was not made for rules, but rules to bring men to salvation. It is a joy to me to see Pope Francis constantly thinking of how best to invite broken men back to salvation. We live in a time of great darkness, but the light is dawning and the darkness cannot overcome it. (http://charliej373.wordpress.com/)

In the end, Mercy is scandalous to the world, foolish and scandalous. The world cannot understand it and therefore has to pervert it according to whatever lens it is trying to view it through. Mercy cannot be viewed through any lens other than the eyes of Christ. Are changes coming regarding the Church’s teachings on marriage? No. Might there be changes in the administration of the Sacraments through the annulment processes and other Church processes? Yes. The teachings don’t change, but with every generation the way we bring folks to those teachings must adapt in order to keep Open Wide the Doors to Christ (to paraphrase St. John Paul II). God and His Truth never change, and never can, but His Mercy is ever new. Thanks be to God.

Our Lady of Sorrows

I wrote this poem during the Ignatian Exercises last year during the weeks we prayed with the Passion.  It seems appropriate for the beautiful memorial today of Our Lady's Sorrows.

The Seventh

Have you ever

Picked up a newborn

Only to feel your heart

And your womb

Contract at once and together?

This primal longing

Now completed and fulfilled

As Mary receives Jesus’ Body

At the foot of the Cross

That I might one day

Receive

His Risen Body as Eucharist

She now receives His lifeless Body

And that final sword in Her Immaculate Heart

At the foot of the Cross

Heart, womb, soul

Can they burst?

No

It must not be so

If it didn’t happen here

Mine, too, will survive anything God allows

My hand in Mary’s

Be All Fire

Burn, dross, burn

Leave no trace of web

Entangling wings of passion

Fire frees flight

Solders me to Him

New Golden Wings

Cannot fly low

Nor safely hover near

Fly high, they must,

And shout His Name

"Redemption!” Above the din. 

Simon, son of Jonah

The Gospel reading from August 24th, Matthew 16:13-20, included:  “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah…”

Weeks ago ISIS blew up the tomb, relics and church of the prophet Jonah.  The world, in its din, barely noted.  This Old Testament prophet, prefigurement of both John the Baptist and Christ himself, wearily and warily proclaimed repentance to the inhabitants of Ninevah. 

Though I doubt it had this much significance to them, it can be seen as an attach, by the Enemy of our Souls, on the Rock, the son of Jonah, Peter, and the Church herself.  That is the Enemy’s goal, and also, without a doubt, ISIS’ goal.

St. Peter, St. Jonah, all Saints, pray for us.  

"Dad"

In prayer there is Mary.  I can always go to Mary.  And so I do, wrapped in a mossy midnight blanket, I go to Mary and explain how little and how poor I am.

She knows.  She holds me.  She turns me to her Son.  He is waiting.  My big brother, so beloved of the Father, so trusting of Him and His love.

Together, we go to Him.  He immediately receives me in warm embrace.  Together they turn me to the Father.

In the middle of the workday yesterday, I let out a small word, almost a sigh, from I don’t know where:

Dad.

I miss my own dad always.  He loved so simply, so unconditionally.  Unmoved by both my talents and my flaws.

But this “Dad” that emitted from my soul, seemed more.

Back in my pre-conversion days, twice I called out, “Mommy”.  Bewildered and in pain, lost and despairing, I called out, “mommy.”  Even in the moment I knew it was not a call to the good, but imperfect woman who bore me.  It took me a while to discover the Lady I was calling out to.

Now that lady

She

Is my Queen

She is my Momma

I am all hers

Forever

Now, My Lady

Brings me, by hand

To Dad

Yes, in knowing Jesus,

I have known Him,

But

He is His own Person

This Father God of mine

He wants to dance with His daughter

Hand in hand

We head to the dance floor

The forest our ballroom

Dappled with sunlight

Pillared by cedars

A soft bed of pine needles

Beneath satin slippers

To bird calls and breezes

We dance

In an ancient Catholic hymn to the Holy Spirit, Veni Creator, there is this beautiful stanza:

Thou in Thy Sevenfold gifts art known,
The finger of God's hand we own;
The promise of the Father, Thou!
Who dost the tongue with power endow.

Like a small child, walking with his Father, too small to hold his whole hand, instead holds and owns his Father's finger.  The gift of the Holy Spirit is the means by which we, the beloved children, hold our heavenly Dad's finger.

On this memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary, I want to thank you, Blessed Mother.  You always gently turn me, by your spouse the Holy Spirit, with your Son, my Lord Jesus, to the Father, my God and my Dad.  

Black "Mass" and the Abducted Nigerian Girls

As members of the Body of Christ, we understand that all sin is corporal, that is, every time I sin, it affects the entire Body, all of us.  As the sad story of the 300 + Nigerian school girls abducted by Boko Haram continued to unfold on the World News Stage, something newsworthy happened at Harvard University on the other side of the world. Such vile and indefensible actions as the Black “Mass” have been going on in secret for a very long time.  However a new level of audacity by the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club was reached when they chose to callously advertise that they had a consecrated host (i.e. – Jesus) in their possession and that they planned to inflict their despicable ceremony on Him. 

The unholy convergence of a Satanic Temple and our nation’s most prestigious university highlights just the sort of extremist sin which tends to lead to more extremist sin at the other end of the cultural-political-philosophical spectrum.  As soon as I heard about the planned Black “Mass”, it was linked in my mind and in my soul, to Boko Haram’s kidnapping of the Nigerian school girls.  God seemed to be showing me something here.  In the Mystery of the Body of Christ, the evil plans to desecrate the Eucharist and gleefully publicize it under the banner of elitist education and tolerance directly led to the Nigerian school girls being kidnapped, some killed, others sold into slavery, others into sexual slavery, right out of their school. 

Then I learned that Boko Haram translates to “Western Education is Evil”.  This violent group exists to combat this perceived evil.  Suddenly the inevitable kernel of truth behind the warped and broken reasoning of Boko Haram is exposed.  Calling bigotry and mockery “cultural education” is evil.  Only in heaven will we see exactly how evil in God’s eyes.

The Nigerian school girls knew they were in danger.  They knew that attempting to prepare for testing to keep up with their now banned studies could cost them everything.  Sharia Law forbids all girls, Muslim or not, to receive an education.  These girls were not hoping to go to school so that one day they could be at a ridiculously costly university and have the opportunity to mock the very source and summit of faith for 1.2 billion people.  They just want to learn so that they can have a future with hope.

The irony that adherents to this Puritanism on Steroids religion will sell pure young girls into prostitution and call it service to those girls’ Maker, seems lost on Boko Haram.   The sin and evil that this Muslim group is encouraging by feeding the supply chain of child sex slavery is also the ever-present sin which forms the foundation of the Satanic Temple itself.  Check out their website if you can stomach it.  You might want to say a St. Michael prayer before and after, and keep your Holy Water and Blessed Salt handy. 

These lost souls aid, abet and boldly support sex crimes against children.  In fact their leaders are registered sex offenders for the crimes they have been convicted of.  Imagine what goes on in secret.  On second thought, don’t.  Just pray for them.    

Sadly, the words, “Boko Haram” do hold that kernel of truth these days.  The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club has proven it.  The hypocrisy of Boko Haram profiting and “serving God” with evil of selling girls into slavery, rape, prostitution and death truly boggles the mind.  But then so does the hypocrisy of calling hatred and desecration “tolerance” at a school founded by Christians.  Harvard’s motto is simply, “VERITAS”, Latin for “TRUTH”.  Perhaps the coat of arms should be inverted these days, as they seem to prefer to serve the Father of Lies. 

In the end the Black “Mass” was held above the Hong Kong Restaurant with about 50 lost souls in attendance, whilst downstairs patrons sipped or swigged the famous, “Scorpion Bowl” cocktails oblivious to what was going on over their heads.  Across the Square hundreds of the faithful and their friends of good will exercised their freedom to practice their faith and honor Our Lord.  In the end reparation was made and Love was loved. 

I pray that as we continue to pray for the lost souls of the Satanic Temple, the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club and of Boko Haram, those prayers and the acts of Love at St. Paul’s Church on Harvard Square will affect the Body of Christ in an opposite and over-abundance-of-grace-way.  I pray that the Nigerian girls will be freed.  Some are lost to their families forever already.  But none, not one, is lost to God.

Praise You, Jesus.

This year, Jesus has me doing the "Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life" with the good Jesuits (and associates) at St. Michael's.  It is blowing my mind.  It has also loosed my pen.  Back when I was in Mr. Ingerson's 6th grade English class (now dubbed ELA), I wanted to be a poet.  Somewhere in there the 11 year old still lurks:

I thought I saw a future

Arrayed in crimson glow

The heat, the want sustained me,

Til I perceived the foe,

Jesus did correct me,

He turned me right around

And offered, instead, shadows,

With love beyond all bounds

A bit precious, I know, I know.  It is a tendency of mine.  Even in the free-fall of Letting go into Jesus hands.  No matter, the landing will alter all that. 

Jesus:  You are now in your cocoon and liquefying.  As this happens, all of the things you were float past one last time.  Let them go.  Do not worry that you are becoming them again.  Let them go.  Fall into my hands.  As the nothingness overtakes you, be still, be quiet, choose your “inputs” wisely and sparingly.  Do not let in anything that is not of Me.  On the other hand, be immersed in Me and the things of Me – My Word, My Sacraments, My Music, and most of all Prayer.  I will come to you there and re-order every cell.  Then you will see other things you were, long ago, before you turned away.  Let them come.  They are a part of what you will become.  They are a part of my restoration of what the disturber attempted to destroy.  But remember, I have promised Double for your trouble (Instead of your former shame, I will give you a double portion – Isaiah 65:7).  Restoration is just the foundation.  THEN we build, you and I.  For now, quiet, still, prayer, let go and allow the darkness of winter to rest the houmous of your soul.  

God's Little Flower in Pink and Purple

I have been looking for a new, affordable purse for a few weeks.  No big whoop, but wanted something smallish, lightweight, durable and attractive without any flashy doodads or designer advertisements on it.  My old one has just plain worn out.  I used to be a clothes horse and would have had several others to choose from whilst I hunted.  Years of single-income family life has whittled away my store of such things and the only “spares” I have are ancient beaded evening bags.  If I got invited to a 90’s themed wedding, I’d have been all-set, otherwise I had to keep looking.  

My daughter and her peeps have gone through, and are pretty much done with, the Vera Bradley craze.  When she was in 4^th grade, she was accused of having a “fake” VB lunchbox, and it was true.  I just thought the lunchbox was cute when I bought it and that it wouldn't matter to 10 year olds that it wasn't designer.  Wrong, so, so wrong.  Well that is all behind the now almost 7^th graders, but I have finally warmed up to the appeal of the bright colored, soft bags.  They are generally way beyond budget, but I happened to find a tremendous deal on one after another fruitless search for above mentioned bag in traditional leather.  So I bought it.  I splurged and spent almost $30 on a purse for MYSELF.  I rationalized.  I am working part-time and am entitled to buy myself a nice Mother’s Day present.  My daughter could not believe it.  My husband was glad I treated myself.  I felt o.k. with it and liked the addition of color to my wardrobe.  It is a pink fabric with a multi-colored paisley pattern.  Pink and purple pretty much; girly fun. On with life.  Catching up on what was going on in the world I read the incredible story of the young Bangladeshi woman pulled from the rubble of the garment factory she works in seventeen days after its collapse.  

She was in the prayer room at the time of the collapse and her first public words were thanking God for saving her life.  Over one thousand of her coworkers did not escape.  They died keeping our garment prices down.  What was this beautiful, hauntingly beautiful, young woman wearing upon her resurrection?  Pink and purple.  We are all one body.  Everything we do effects the other.  We may be separated by half a world and vastly different circumstances, but that young woman is my little sister. 

Pope Francis is trying to remind us of our communion with the poor.  We are all poor and dependent upon God for everything from each breath we take to all the provisions we need.  The more we find our security in our bank accounts or our personal abilities the more we are in danger of losing everything.  Our nation has been given more gifts and blessings than any other nation in any time in human history.  We have been given the ability to change all human society by spreading basic technology, like water supply, medicine and hygiene, etc.  Many, many Americans have done those things.  Many, many more have adopted the lifestyle of hoarding and setting up stores for our own small circle.  We have not been faithful with our talents.  

We have plundered our land and killed our children for our own false prosperity and convenience.  From Gosnell in Philadelphia to Castro in Cleveland and thousands just like them across the country, we have shown utter disdain for all that is good and pure and beautiful.  We have preferred dumpster diving to God’s banquet and are proud of it.  We have cast God out and asked Him to remove His hand of blessing.  He is a gentleman.  He will continue to allow our free will.  As in Hosea, He constantly calls, “Come back to Me,” but we defiantly turn our backs. 

Our walls have been breached.  We mourn, make repairs, celebrate our strength and move on, forgetting the depth of our need of Him.  We ignore the signs piling up around our ears.  He is calling.  He is Mercy.  He is Love.  Repent.

Humility meets with Humility

Humble in His Red Shoes

So much has been made of our brand new Papa Francis’ humility during this precious media honeymoon.  Our new Holy Father eschews the trappings of his elevated status as the Servant of the Servants of Christ.  It is a beautiful thing to see, and to pray with him that our Church more truly reflect a love of spiritual poverty and detachment from this world which we are passing through. 

However, can one honestly look at Papa Ben in his red mozzetta or santa-like hat and not see his humility?  Thanks be to God we are not all created the same.  Someone may express his love for the poor by wearing shoes so worn out that his friends buy him new ones for his trip to Rome.  Others may do so by keeping alive a tradition of having a local cobbler continue his ancient craft of creating beautiful red footwear for the Vicar of Christ.  Why must we accuse one of pride, because another’s humility wears different trappings? 

Obviously Pope Francis is a humble man.  How can it be any less obvious that, when an aging, shy and retiring man, accepts the highest office of his Church, and brings back all that is beautiful and old, out of honor for the office and the Man it represents, that, this too, is humility? 

I am thrilled at the way the Holy Spirit is moving in our Church through the election of Francis in this new Springtime of Evangelization.  I am grateful to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI for his humility in obeying the Holy Spirit’s promptings to step down.  I am thankful to God for the great gift of the life and papacy of our wildly charismatic Blessed John Paul II.  I owe an eternal debt for all of the Holy Fathers our Church has been blessed with, and all of those we have struggled through.  All is from Divine Providence for the Salvation of Souls.  

Each flower of virtue is unique, but points to Jesus, the font of all virtue, truth and beauty.  Let us find ways to always see the good in each without denigrating the other.  I am falling in love with our new Papa Francis.  But it does not in any way lead me to forsake my old Papa Ben.  Long live Papa Francis; long live Papa Ben.

December 21, 2012 marks the end of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar.  Many people of varying backgrounds, beliefs and disciplines believe that this points to a cataclysmic event or even the end of the world.  Hollywood has been happy to capitalize on this frenzy with everything from “history” programs on television to enormous budget full length films.  What is the Catholic response to this, and other similar phenomena?  When we worry about things that we have no control over, we can think about what Our Lady said to Juan Diego in Guadalupe, Mexico:

Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that frightens you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing: Do not let it disturb you.  Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you or disturb you.

End-of-the-world dates come and end-of-the-world dates go.  But Our Lord reminds us that no one knows the day nor the hour, not even He, only the Father.  We are all called to work while it’s day, be in a continual state of growth towards Jesus, be in a state of grace and prepared for our own individual “end-of-the-world”, that is, our deaths.  As world and national events grow darker and more violent, we as Christians are called to be brighter lights and to ever deepening conversion.  If each Christian truly followed Christ, God could change the world very quickly.  Look what He did with Our Lady's one little, “Yes”.  So let us celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe this year, on 12/12/12, with full confidence in being her beloved children, who needn't worry about things beyond our control, but simply remain in Her arms and in His Love.

Nick Wallenda's Mercy Walk

Years ago I was given a vision of Niagara Falls as a symbol of Jesus’ Divine Mercy.  The vision started up in the hill country of Western New York, in the creeks and streams.  My eyes were drawn along the gathering waters, through small towns, past industrial sights, the waters working their way to Lake Erie.  I sensed that the water represented the events of our lives, but most importantly, our sins.  Where Erie flows into the Niagara River, the waters got rough.  The speed increased; the waters dashed against the rocks.  Eventually all of these trickles and flows lead to the Mighty Falls.  Each individual drop goes over, unheard in the deafening collective roar. 

The flow continues down the Gorge, carved out by millennia of movement.  Through whirls and swirls, a calmer, deep green area is met, near where Stella Niagara Monastery and Our Lady of Fatima Shrine are.  It’s as if Blessed Mother turns us around, after all that chaos and hurt, to finally look and see.  She says, “Find your sins.  Look for the drops of your sins in my Son’s Mercy.” Of course, we cannot find them.  When we throw ourselves into His Mercy, our sins are forgiven, they are gone, forever.  When blood and water gushed forth from His Sacred Heart, a Niagara Falls of Mercy began.  It continues to flow, needed more than ever in our time.  We look at the Falls from the Gorge and we see the power, the majesty, but not the individual drops.  Blessed Mother always turns us towards her Son and His Mercy.  In the deep green calm, she smiles and turns us to His Love. 

Niagara Falls has always been a sacred place.  As such it attracts all kinds of people and all kinds of spirits.  What should be a holy, inspiring place is surrounded by gambling and prostitution and your garden variety of human degradation.  But, to St. Faustina, Jesus said that the greatest sinners have more right to His Mercy.  Jesus also said that one day He will return and separate the sheep from the goats.  What is the island that separates the two main cataracts of Niagara?  Yup, Goat Island.  One can imagine a flock of goats scrambling up onto the island just seconds before going over to their demise.  Pray for the goats in your life.  Pray that they scramble up before they are dashed against the rocks. 

In St. Faustina’s vision she was shown the now very familiar image of Our Lord with one red and one white ray coming forth from Jesus’ Sacred Heart.  “Oh blood and water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, I Trust in You!”  The morning after I had this vision, I opened the “Buffalo News” to the picture page, and there, half a page large, was a photo of the Falls, one lit up red, the other white.  It was in honor of our fallen soldiers for Memorial Day, but it was a confirmation for me.  A confirmation of Jesus’ Love and Mercy.

So what does this have to do with Nick Wallenda?  Well, I must admit, when I first heard of Mr. Wallenda’s desire to cross the Falls on a wire, in the long tradition of his family (some 16 whom have died in this unusual profession, if I’m not mistaken), I thought it was foolish and irresponsible.  He is a husband and father; how could he even consider this?  Throughout his weeks of preparation I noted his Christian t-shirts, his ever present cross necklace and most of all his gentlemanly manners.  Then he submitted to the harness and I really wondered what he was about.  Still not really being my “thing” I didn’t pay too much attention, until the big day.  Then I started thinking about how the whole world was going to be focusing their attention on Niagara Falls, or as I think of it, Mercy Falls.  And so I watched.  Nick Wallenda, diligently prepared and humbly smiling, got up and walked.  Then it happened!  He started praising Jesus and giving thanks to his Heavenly Father.  The whole world was watching and He was giving Jesus praise.  How powerful!  Various newscasters and even his father tried to get him to stop, but Mr. Wallenda kept giving God praise.  Awesome.  What is noteworthy is that when the mist was thickest, the swirling winds heaviest, that is the moment when he was praying the Holy Name and giving praise the most.  “I will praise You in the storm!” 

Afterwards, when asked by Canadian Customs officials what the purpose of his visit was, Mr. Wallenda said, “To inspire people worldwide!”  Indeed he did.  We Christians especially should be mindful of his lesson to Praise Jesus in the midst of the storms.  Praise is a powerful weapon and should be wielded liberally! 

Although Nick Wallenda is not a Catholic and probably did not know it, the date he walked was June 15^th, which this year was the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  As Catholics we are taught that we can make “reparation” to Jesus’ Heart by our good works.  This means that when Jesus’ Heart is wounded by the sins of the world, we can comfort Him!  One very real, but almost disregarded way in which Our Lord’s Sacred Heart is wounded is by using His Sacred Name in ugly ways.  It’s against the 2^nd Commandment, and no, that did not change when “everybody” started doing it.  HOW BEAUTIFUL that, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Nick Wallenda, made worldwide reparation for this particular sin, by praising and speaking Jesus Holy Name with love and reverence. 

Nick Wallenda showed himself to be a complete gentleman, and a good steward of the gifts and talents God gave him.  God bless him and his beautiful family.  May the Sacred Heart of Jesus always be their grateful abode.  

Divine Mercy Red Velvet Cupcakes

I belong to an amazing prayer group at my parish called "Ladies of the Lord".  These wonderful ladies (and an occasional husband or two), lead by Dawn Curazzato, do the most important work of the Church; they pray.  Today they are running the now annual parish Divine Mercy Celebration, which means in addition to prayer, we offer food!  These ladies can BAKE.  I was asking Our Lord, "What could I bake that would be Divine-Mercy-ish?"   Goofy, I know, but this is my prayer life.  I kept asking and didn't feel drawn to anything.  Then I walked by my husband's Saveur magazine, which had a big slice of red velvet cake with white icing adorning the cover.  OOooH!  Red and white and bake-able!  So I settled on red velvet cupcakes as the Ladies always order a big beautiful cake for the reception.

As I was getting ready to bake I thought, "I wish I had gone to Michael's to get a pack of gold foil cupcake liners.  That would be really perfect for Jesus' big Feast."  I went hunting for my plain old white cupcake liners.  I have a pack of about 1,000 of them which I bought at a bakery supply store (I bake gluten-free goodies for sale).  I could not find the dern thing.  I searched all my usual spots; I think my Guardian Angel hid them on me.  Then I had one more spot to look where I keep some lesser used, holiday oriented things.  Nope, no white liners.  However, as I reached past the Valentine and Halloween items, my hand fell upon what felt like a brand-new pack of liners.  I pulled it out and it there it was, a pack of exactly 24 gold foil liners, pretty as could be.  Don't remember buying them, though I'm sure I did.    I joyfully baked my Mercy Cupcakes and will add them to the tables, heavy laden with God's bounty.  They probably won't be the tastiest offering there, nor even the prettiest, but to me they are just perfect.  Jesus, you are so good to me!

By the way, I looked again and my white cupcake liners were right there, in the same spot they always are...

Our Lady of Sorrows

For a couple of years now, I have had a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows.  In fact, my all time favorite statue of Our Lady is one depicting her as such.  It seems her beauty is in full bloom in sorrow.  “Be it done unto me according to thy word,” moves from vow to verb.  There are many ways to pray this devotion, but I have latched on to the simplest (and shortest) which allows me to pray it daily, and linger when possible:

The First Sorrow:  The Presentation at the Temple.  It is powerful that this is also one of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.  There is deep sorrow and deep joy out of walking in God’s will.   Here I pray against the spirit of disappointment.  Mary may have been remembering her own presentation at the Temple by Ss. Anne and Joachim.  She may have hoped Jesus would live a life at the Temple, absolutely absorbed in learning about His Father.   When we allow ourselves to be disappointed, we open ourselves up to bitterness and resentment.  Mary’s perfect acceptance of this first sword in her heart, and the prophecy of a difficult life, opened the Holy Family up to the grace they would need. 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…

The Second Sorrow:  The Flight into Egypt.  Every Passover Mary would have heard the story of her people’s deliverance from the Egyptians.  Now Joseph learned from an angel that they should seek deliverance from Herod in Egypt?  I pray against fear.  In how many instances does the Lord, through scripture, tell us to, “be not afraid”?  This is not something He suggests; it is a command.  He does not expect us to never feel afraid, but not to set up camp there.  Mary’s faithfulness in this trial would serve her well for the larger trials God was preparing her for. 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…

The Third Sorrow:  Losing the Child Jesus in the Temple.  For three days Mary and Joseph were without their son.  They were separated from the Lord in the only way these two pure souls could be.  They must have battled terrible feelings of failure and an anxiety unprecedented in the world.  Anxiety:  a most debilitating spirit.   How many great works has God graced His saints to do which were defeated by anxiety?  An ongoing fearful situation can whittle away at the strongest faith and cause us to look to ourselves, to others, to worldly solutions when we should be keeping our eyes on God.  Mary kept her eyes on God.  She felt the anxiety, but overcame it.  She countered the thoughts with the truths of God’s word.  She and Joseph persevered.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…

The Fourth Sorrow:  The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.  Joachim means “God prepares”.  Before Mary was even born God was preparing her for these hours, for these days.  What greater sorrow is there than that of a parent who cannot help their suffering child?  Yet Mary did help.  She defined the word “compassion” in these hours.  Mary suffered with the Redeemer, her Jesus, along the road.  Here I pray that we offer up our pain and that of our loved ones, when it comes. 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…

The Fifth Sorrow:  The Crucifixion.  Agony.  And yet she stood; Mary stood. 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…

The Sixth Sorrow:  Mary receives Jesus’ lifeless Body from the Cross.  Michelangelo’s Pieta so perfectly captures the beauty of this moment, done in pure white, though the scene certainly was not.  The word means pity, but I always think of the virtue Piety which is not about devotions and prayers, but doing the right thing out of love for God.  We pray the Rosary out of the overflow of love in our hearts for Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.  It is right and just to pray devotions because of Love!  In this most difficult moment, Mary did what was right and just; she cradled her son.  Mary’s willingness to receive Jesus’ lifeless Body, in some mystical way, allows us, her children, to receive His risen Body in Eucharist.  Here all her life’s “yeses” bear the precious fruit of the virtue of acceptance.  Mary accepts this moment.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…

The Seventh Sorrow:  The burial and sealing of the Tomb.  Now Mary must leave Him.  She must be separated from Him.  She must watch as the stone is rolled into place, and walk away.   Trust.  The virtue of acceptance, moved into future, is Trust.  Mary trusted that Jesus would rise in three days as He said.  But, she still had to put one foot in front of the other, walk away, and somehow do ordinary things like sleep and eat and wash and breathe, for three days.  Jesus, I trust in You!

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…

Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.



The Promises of this devotion, according to the visions of St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373):   Blessed Mother promises to grant seven graces to those who honor her and draw near to her and her Son every day by meditating on her dolors (sorrows) and entering into her grief.

"I will grant peace to their families."


"They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries." 


"I will console them in their pains and will accompany them in their work." 


"I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls." 


"I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives." 


"I will visibly help them at the moment of their death-- they will see the face of their mother." 


"I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy." 



Who could resist that?  I have received many graces and consolations through this devotion.  But, more importantly, I hope I have consoled Mary's Immaculate Heart as she continues to sorrow, in some mystical way, over her children.

A Second Chance on a Sin of Omission

About one week ago I was getting groceries at Aldi.  Money is tight.  I was keeping the tab running in my head and decided that I had all that we needed and it was time to check out.  Behind me in line was a man with a couple of empty containers waiting to get deposit money.  I let him go ahead of me and noticed his nearly bare feet in the chilly weather.  He then attempted to get twice the money out of the cashier, but she was wise and loudly called him out on it.  He was embarrassed, but resigned to this method of meeting his needs.

Out in the parking lot I felt a prompt to go and give him a dollar.  I ignored it saying to myself, "No, the employees have their hands full already; they don't need me encouraging troublemakers to hang around."  I felt a pang, but drove away.  The thought of this man came to me later in the day.  Then again the next day, and the next.  Finally, after reading Jesus' words about seeing Him in the least and the lowest, I realized He was trying to say something to me.  In the middle of the affluent suburb I was shopping in, this poor man was not merely looked upon as unfortunate, but possibly dangerous.  I repented and asked God for another chance, thinking it would be with a different person.

Later that same day, I went to that same Aldi and that same man was behind me in that same line with two more empty containers.  I let him ahead of me again.  Noted the nearly bare feet again.  Listened to the irritated cashier tolerate him again.  I knew what I was going to do this time, but OH NO, I realized I had no cash on me!!  I would have to give him a handful of change.  Ok, so it's a lesson in humility for me, too.  Then after I checked out, I noticed an error on the bill and the cashier has to give me a five dollar bill back.  Whoa.  Now all the cash I have is a five dollar bill.  I wanted to be generous, but that's a big chunk of my food budget.  Then I remember it all comes from God to begin with, and He can never be outdone in generosity!

The man put down his little plastic container-collecting bag before heading into the washroom.  Perfect.  God's timing and ordering of our days is always PERFECT!  I dropped the five in his bag and went on my way without anyone noticing a thing.  In the parking lot I noticed the man checking through the garbage cans, looking for more containers to turn in.  I imagined him experiencing a little bit of relief when he saw the bill at the bottom of his bag.  I know, it may be that he will use the money for something that is not good for him.  But then again, maybe he will just buy some food.  All I know is that God gave me another chance to see Jesus in this man and even provided a way for me to bless him.  Now I can pray for him, and maybe even start a conversation with him next to we meet at Aldi.  God's will be done.

The Kindness of Strangers

Why do we judge?  The other day I was taking my 85 year old mother on her weekly grocery shopping trip.  It was three days before Thanksgiving and the stress level was palpable among the busy people both shopping and working.  I entered the situation with a less-than-perfect attitude of defensiveness.  I really try to smile at everyone and alleviate the combativeness which seems ever present in the marketplace these days.  However my heart was not behind my smile this day, and the truth was about to show its ugly face.

My frail mother moves slowly and shakily.  People nearly bowl her over several times on each trip.  I want to protect her.  In the check-out line I placed Mom's items on the belt.  She was purchasing a bag of bulk cookies for herself and her grandchildren.  They usually sell for about $1.79 per pound.  I noticed that the  bag totaled nearly $6 and thought there must be some mistake.  The price on the cookies had gone up $1 per pound, more than 1/2, in one week.  So we asked for a price check.  The line behind us was not pleased.  The next lady in line asked the cashier if our sale could be “suspended” to move things along.  It was as if she said, "Move aside old lady; you're gummin' up the works!"  My shaky mother got shakier handling her change purse and shopper’s card.  I was instantly indignant.  I tried to glare at the woman, but she avoided my eyes.  How could she not see my mother’s age and disabilities?  How could she be in such a hurry that my mother’s need for simple customer service meant she should be pushed aside to not slow down the treadmill-like flow?

We left the store and that’s when my internal judgment of this complete stranger came back to haunt me.  “Excuse me, excuse me!”  The woman was running up to me with the $6 bag of cookies.  “I want your mother to have these.  My mother is very, very sick and your mother reminded me of her and I just want her to have these cookies.  Merry Christmas.”  She had tears in her eyes.  A merciful sword pierced my pride.  Ugh.  Thanks be to God, He did not allow the woman to see my disdainful glance at her back inside the store.  Thanks be to God, He showed me the true status of my heart.
 
My mother did not "need" these cookies.  The only reason she didn't buy them herself was to let the store know that she was not pleased with the extreme increase in price.   Though she didn't need the cookies Mom was very, very touched by this stranger's gesture.  She told the story to many people in the coming days, including the thought that, even though the news reports so many bad things going on, there are still many kind people in the world.  She was comforted and reassured by a stranger and a bag of cookies.

The truth is, we do not know what other people are going through.  We do not know their troubles and stresses.  All we can and should do is smile and pray for folks when their behavior seems less than courteous.  That driver on your tail may actually be in a hurry.  There may be someone sick and afraid waiting all alone.  The clerk having a conversation with another clerk instead of you may be doing her doggone best just to make it through the day and get home to her children.  And just when you least expect it, some harried soul may show you what true charity really looks like.

By the way, the cookie lady’s mother’s name is Mary.  Please pray for her and for her beautiful daughter.  

Archbishop Dolan Forms New Committee on Religious Liberty

On September 29^th of this year, Archbishop Dolan, current President of the USCCB, sent a letter to his fellow bishops.  At their June plenary session the bishops united to form an important new committee to defend the American right to live according to conscience.  In recent years there has been a steady increase in the amount of attacks on our ability to follow Church teaching and our bishops believe it is time to act.  At this meeting Archbishop Dolan and the Conference addressed an:

“Urgent need to safeguard religious liberty inherent in the dignity of the human person. We recognized our need to protect this foundational principle of our country…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

He went on to say that our religious liberties are, “increasingly and in unprecedented ways under assault in America. This is most particularly so in an increasing number of federal government programs or policies that would infringe upon the right of conscience of people of faith or otherwise harm the foundational principle of religious liberty.

As shepherds of over 70 million U.S. citizens we share a common and compelling responsibility to proclaim the truth of religious freedom for all, and so to protect our people from this assault which now appears to grow at an ever accelerating pace in ways most of us could never have imagined. “

In response Archbishop Dolan announced the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty which will be chaired by Bishop William Lori.  This committee “will work closely with national organizations, charities, ecumenical and interreligious partners and scholars to form a united and forceful front in defense of religious freedom in our nation.”  He enumerates the most serious threats to religious liberty Catholic Americans are facing including:

“The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued regulations that would mandate the coverage of contraception (including abortifacients) and sterilization in all private health insurance plans. There is an exception for certain religious employers, but, to borrow from Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, President of The Catholic Health Association, it would cover only the ―parish housekeeper. And the exception does nothing to protect insurers or individuals with religious or moral objections to the mandate.”

“The federal Department of Justice has ratcheted up its attack on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as an act of bigotry… in July, the Department started filing briefs actively attacking DOMA’s constitutionality, claiming that supporters of the law could only have been motivated by bias and prejudice. If the label of ―bigot sticks to us—especially in court—because of our teaching on marriage, we’ll have church-state conflicts for years to come as a result.”

“The Justice Department has also disappointed us in the critically important “ministerial exception”… (which provides) a strong protection of the right of religious groups to choose their ministers without government interference…the Department attacked the very existence of the exception.”

“The New York legislature passed, and the Governor signed, a law redefining marriage, with only a very narrow religious exemption. Already, county clerks face legal action for refusing to participate in same-sex unions, and gay rights advocates are publicly emphasizing how little religious freedom protection people and groups will enjoy under the new law.”

Stressing the importance of this new committee’s work the Archbishop writes, “Never before have we faced this kind of challenge to our ability to engage in the public square as people of faith and as a service provider.  If we do not act now, the consequence will be grave. “

Finally Archbishop Dolan urges the bishops to prayer.  The issuance of this letter on the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Rafael ought to direct our prayer.  St. Michael, whose name means, “Who is like God?” reminds us to walk in humility.  If we enter the public square with St. Michael’s motto, we will speak the truth in love, knowing God is still on His throne.  St. Gabriel, named for “God’s strength”, encourages us not to rely on our own reserves, but on God.  The battle is the Lord’s.  He will fight it through us, for the good of all.  St. Rafael, bearer of “God’s remedy”, can bring healing to our nation so wounded by the loss of the dignity of the human person.   Pope Benedict XVI’s so named “dictatorship of relativism” has wrought the wounds, but they are not beyond God’s power to heal. 

Let us wield the weapon of prayer with all authority as Christians and Soldiers of Christ!  Our bishops, and our country, need us as never before.  We need only remember to:

Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of His power.  Put on the full armor…or you will not be able to put up any resistance… or stand your ground even though you exert yourselves to the full.  So stand your ground...In all your prayer and entreaty keep praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion.   From Ephesians 6:10-18

It does not matter if the tide seems to be turned against us.  It does not matter if our opponents are well connected and well financed.  It matters only that we continue to pray and be willing to be God’s instruments for the good of our beloved nation.  Many souls are at stake.  Please pray! Archbishop Dolan’s full letter can be found at:  http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/upload/dolan-letter-on-religious-liberty.pdf