EWTN

The first apostolate I would like to highlight for aiding my faith journey is EWTN. 

Today, there was a blizzard in my part of the country, and we didn't want to risk driving into town for mass.  So, we watched mass on EWTN.  Although we were not able to partake in the physical Eucharist, we were able to receive Jesus spiritually into our hearts in a special way because of "Mother Angelica's TV station". 

I only started watching EWTN programs within the past couple years or so, but I am thoroughly impressed.  We Catholic Christians are completely blessed by this station.  I love watching Father John Corapi's programs, and my son and I have started watching some of the kids' programs in the afternoons sometimes.  I have caught the sung version of the Rosary prayer once before, which I found quite refreshing, because it has a different cadence.

There is so much more to explore, too.

Thank you, EWTN!

An Assignment

Happy Advent!

I have been MIA from this blog for many months now.  It's because my family finally did have to make another move.  Now that we are all settled in, I have more time on my hands.

One website that I have been thoroughly enjoying this Advent is Holy Heroes.  They have this amazing activity called "Advent Adventure" right now, and my son (4 years) and I look forward to it every day.  He's probably a little young to understand all of the information, but I am not.  I don't think that I was properly catechized when I was growing up, because I don't remember learning some of the things the Holy Heroes kids are teaching.  That's okay.  Better late than never.  Anyway, I feel very indebted to Holy Heroes for helping to increase my knowledge and love for Catholicism.  I hope all Catholics hear about their work.

I also feel indebted to several other websites and apostolates for educating me in my/our faith.  Because of this, I think I'm going to give myself an assignment.  I'm going to try to highlight one website, blog, podcast, etc. every week that I feel blessed to have come across.  I know this is not going to be difficult, because there are so many.  I can't wait--I already have a queue forming in my head!

Endless Open Doors

Today, I was reading my "Saint of the Day" e-mail from St. Anthony Messenger Press/American Catholic.org.  It was about an amazing modern day saint, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross  (Edith Stein).  I have heard about her before when studying educational philosphies, I believe.

The part of the e-mail that really struck me was a quote by Pope John Paul II: 

"Your life is not an endless series of open doors! Listen to your heart! Do not stay on the surface but go to the heart of things! And when the time is right, have the courage to decide! The Lord is waiting for you to put your freedom in his good hands."

The phrase "not an endless series of open doors" conjures up a clear and vivid mental image.  Our free will is a tremendous gift from God, and He wants us to give up our entire selves to Him, including our decision making.  The other day, on Relevant Radio, I heard a priest talking about how God never "uses" a person, but longs for our cooperation.  This is what Mary and Joseph did when they agreed to be Jesus' parents.  We are to follow Mary and Joseph's example and put our freedom into God's hands, knowing that when we do so, our decisions will be blessed.

Thanksgiving

Today, in the car, I heard Father Richard Simon (on Relevant Radio) talking to someone about the power of bringing thanksgiving to the Mass with you.  I didn't get a chance to hear the whole conversation, because we returned home in the middle of it, but I got the main idea.  I have heard Father Simon talk about how important it is to start out the Mass with your prayers of thanksgiving.  This point that I heard today was along the same line.  Basically, I think Father Simon was talking about how when there is something in our lives that we think is missing, we can feel desperate and try all sorts of novenas and petitions to God, but one thing that will help tremendously (in addition to attending Sunday Mass, getting right with God through the sacrament of Reconciliation, spending time in prayer every day) is being thankful for what you already have.

I have heard plenty about gratitude before:  "If you are feeling down, then count your blessings." "Tell God two or three things you are thankful for before requesting one thing."  I believe that studies have even confirmed the power counting your blessings can have on your psychological health.

All of this is a good reminder of a healthier attitude we can have about life.  I have been trying to teach my son about the importance of saying "thank you" to people and to God, which has led me to put more emphasis on my own gratitude.  On days when I remember to lift up my thanksgiving and joy for what I have to God, I feel better--physically and mentally.  It's quite a mystery that something as simple as focusing on what we have can quell the seemingly unquenchable thirst for what we do not have.

Divine Mercy

I have been wanting to find out more about the Divine Mercy devotion, so I looked up some information about it on EWTN's website today.  They have a wonderful section devoted to it.

The main gist of the background section focuses on God's vast supply of forgiveness to us and that we must reflect this mercy to others in our everyday interactions.  It also highlights the trap that we can easily fall into when we are praying--to go through the motions, but to not let the meaning enter our hearts. 

These basics are a good reminder to me.  Father John Corapi often talks about how he is teaching "kindergarten" to us, because our faith and knowledge are so elementary.  Well, sometimes, I feel like I'm only in preschool.  I recognize how very little I seem to know and understand.  But, I trust Jesus to guide me in my desire to learn more...in particular to know Him more.  Jesus, I trust in you.

Not My Home

It has been about three weeks since we have heard news of a possible move. We just moved into this house less than a year ago. We just returned to this country a year ago...after only living in that country for nine months. All of this moving around is exhausting. It's not just the physical move. It's also getting to know new people and getting settled into a new routine. It's tiring to just get everything figured out, only to find out that you might have to figure it out all over again. We recently found a preschool for our son, and now we might have to complete the scouting process all over again--if we even find any openings for next year. Yes, it's a little premature to be stressing about these things, as we don't even know if we will be moving yet. But, it's hard not to think about these possibilities.

This is a little bit of suffering in my life, so I'm trying to offer my discomfort of the unknown up to God. I can try to imagine my pain being united to the cross with Jesus. We are called to share in his suffering--this is what brings meaning to our lives.

This chapter of my life is yet another lesson in control and detachment. It's a tough lesson to truly learn, but I simply can't control everything that happens in my life. Also, this situation is a good reminder that this planet is a great gift from God, but it is not our final destination. This is not my home. Heaven is. In many ways, moving around is a good reminder that I should not get too comfortable here.