Sword Swinging and Bible Thumping

       “Then, Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.”(John 18:10)  I have had so many diverse reactions to this line over the years.  My reactions have ranged from “YEAH! Get ‘em!” all the way to “wow Peter way to be a doofus jerk!”  This year, my reaction was a new one.  This year I thought, “ I've done that”.

       Ok, you caught me I have never chopped a guy’s ear off.  I have, however, seen Jesus being attacked or disrespected and aggressively pounced on his assailants.  This habit had me not-so-affectionately labeled as a Bible Thumper by some classmates in my freshman year of high school.  Our faith is something that is so close to us, so emotionally charged that it is easy to get overwhelmed and bite off someone’s head (or cut off their ear). 

picture via La Vista Church of Christ

       Don’t worry if you are a “Bible Thumper” there is a better way! Jesus, as always, steps in to show us how to properly handle a situation.  Christ sees Peter and tells him to put his sword away. He then leans down to the servant, one of the men leading him to his death, and heals him with a gentle touch. 

       Peter was driven to violence and aggression to protect Jesus.  The problem is that he was missing the point (he kinda had a habit of that).  Jesus is God in human form; that means he is love and is not easily angered.  We see in Jesus’ act of healing that he is not here to condemn even those who persecute him, he is here to love and to heal all. 

       Like Peter, we may be motivated by our desire to protect Jesus.  The only thing is that Jesus doesn't need our protection; we need his.  He has shown us time and time again in the scriptures and in our lives that love is the greatest way to share God with others because God is love.

       So quit the sword swinging and the Bible Thumping.  Share God through love: patience, kindness, honesty, forgiveness, trust, hope, and perseverance.

       Have you ever been a “Bible Thumper” or Bible Thumped? Have you moved past that stage to a deeper understanding?  Do you struggle with loving your enemies?(I do) How do you react/relate to Peter in this passage?  Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Drop me a line in the comments below! 

The Sweet Smell of Sacrifice

           Yesterday morning I woke up, and as is my habit, opened up my Laudate app on my iPhone to read the daily readings.  The Gospel reading was the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with perfume and drying them with her hair (John 12:1-11).  This biblical account has captured my attention before because the scene seemed so bizarre to me, but yesterday something new caught my attention.

picture via
the Panama United Methodist Church

            The third verse of this passage was what really stood out to me, “Then Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” To me the part about the house being filled with the scent at first seemed superfluous, like it was a disposable detail.  However, I have come to know that nothing is included in the Bible for no reason so I reflected more deeply on this line. 

           This is the conclusion I came to; Mary had just poured out her most precious and prized possession onto Jesus’ feet and humbled herself to dry his feet with her hair (touching a man’s foot with my hair is something I would only do if I was 100% sure he was God).  Like Mary we are called to pour ourselves out, empty our most precious talents, skills, and time onto Jesus.  This is incredibly hard for us, we are living in the midst of an “it’s all about me” society.  We are taught in school that a big-shot career and six-figure pay check are the ultimate goals we should be working towards, laboring over, sacrificing for.  That is simply not the case (sorry UMD I do not want to be a CEO).

            When Mary was doing this incredibly humble and difficult and kind of scandalous/embarrassing act, her surroundings were completely filled with the sweet smell of perfume.  Everyone in that house benefited from Mary’s act of sacrifice and service, even if they were judging her harshly for it (ahem, Judas).  The same is true for us.  While the world may judge us for using our gifts in a way set apart from expectations all will benefit from our sacrifice.  The world will be made sweeter by your personal sacrifices, whether it supports them or not.

            Yes, it is difficult to pour out our most valuable treasures but when we empty ourselves to Jesus we give the world a gift, and God will never be outdone in generosity.

          

            In what ways do you pour out your gifts? Is there anything that stuck out to you in a reading recently?  Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Drop me a line in the comments below! 

Life's a Beach

Nothing renews and deepens my faith in God like a day at the beach.  If you have been following this blog you know that I spent the last week in Florida on Spring Break.  If not, I spent the last week in Florida on Spring Break! The beach never fails to place me in a state of awe at the power of the LORD, our God and our creator. 

I recently got the App PicStitch
which allows me to collage my pictures! LOVE!

            There are so many parts of a day at the beach that connect me with God.  First of all, the sheer beauty of the waves, sand, shells, and sun.  When I stand (or more likely sit) by the water’s edge I cannot help but marvel at the glorious imagination of our creator.  He designs each wave and colors every seashell.  He can count the sands on the shore and has promised to make his kingdom more plentiful.  WOW!  One of the most interesting statements I have heard made about atheism is this: What a sad existence it is to stand at the edge of the ocean and be overcome with a sense of gratitude but have absolutely no one to thank.  Well, what a blessing that we have an artist to praise for the beauty of his work.

            While I observe the beauty and majesty of the water I realize my relative size.  I am puny in relation to the Gulf of Mexico and less than microscopic in relation to the universe as a whole.  Yet despite my seemingly insignificant size I have all the significance in the world because I am a daughter of God.  WOW! How incredible is it to look at the beauty and size of the beach and to be thankful to God for putting such detail into this glorious picture; then to remember that he loves us infinitely more than he loves the beach?  All of the work and planning that went into creating the magnificent picture in front of me is barely a fraction of the love and planning that went into creating me!  Praise the LORD!

            Finally, the beach allows for time to relax, read, and reflect.  I reach many insights while sitting quietly on the seashore.  I see the couples and families surrounding me and think about my future.  I pray for my future husband and children (because my mind always goes there).  I pray about why the LORD has chosen to give me this season of singlehood and ask him to help me fulfill my purpose.  By the beach I take a baby step towards trusting God.   He has a plan for me greater than the seven seas.  WOW!  What an honor we all have, that our life, before it came into existence had a purpose. 

            There is so much to be learned from a day at the beach.  As they say life’s a beach, so pull up Adirondack chair and take notes!  

            Where do you make your best insights?  What is your favorite part of the beach? What have you learned about God while on vacation? Comments? Suggestions? Questions?  Drop me a line in the comments below!   

Good Clean Fun

            So often in today’s society I think that the idea of fun is horribly skewed.  I am a college student and I live on a very secular campus (although what I hear of fun on some catholic campuses isn't much better) and the pressure to “have fun” by today’s standards is crushing.  Last year I was but a lowly freshman and thank the LORD I found the Catholic Student Center early on.  I remember the girls in my dorm “dressing up” to go out not just on the weekends but nightly to parties on Frat Row (which absolutely horrified me).

            I had resolved before going to school that I would not drink anything alcoholic at school until I was of age.  I knew that I would want to have a drink or two every once in a while, but I also knew the slippery slope that drinking leads to (not to mention the illegality).  So I promised myself and my parents that I would not be the stereotypical college girl gone wild, and I am proud to say I have kept my promise.

(clockwise)mustaches on the beach(tradition),
snorkeling, Jenga, fishing, road trip stop

            This week I have been on Spring Break with about 8 of my closest friends.  Now I know Spring Break conjures up pictures of binge drinking, wet T-shirted, out of control girls; however, that is not what is happening here.  We (my friends and I) have been privileged to stay in my overly generous Aunts’ house in Florida and we have spent the weak having good clean fun.

            Starting with the road trip all the way from Maryland involving custom playlists and sing-a-longs to our board game nights and improve games, we are having great times (and we’ll remember them in the morning).  I want to take the opportunity here to remind you that you can have fun with out being completely wasted-faced, you can have fun without hooking up with a different person each night, and you can have fun without trying to be someone you aren't   So while good clean fun may not be as “cool” as downing several shots while dancing on a bar, it certainly isn't a lost art. 

(clockwise)Jenga box hat, road triplets,
pb&j on the beach, kayaking, twister

            Your actions now do play a role in your future.  YOU have the power to become who you want to be.  So put down the vodka bottle, pick up the Uno cards and have some good clean fun!

            What are your favorite ways to have good clean fun?  Did you do anything awesome this Spring Break? Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Drop me a line in the comments below! 

GOAAAAAAAAAAAL

As a part of my Lenten sacrifice I have given up listening to music on my computer and iPod and replaced it with Rediscovering Catholicism on tape (or mp3 or whatever it is).  I seriously LOVE Matthew Kelly.  He has so many awesome insights and a great way of communicating them.  I have been able to dive deeper into myself and my faith and ask some really essential questions. 

Today He asked, what is your ultimate goal?  I immediately answered, to get to Heaven.  Then I stopped and thought more deeply about my answer.  A goal is something we can reach, something that we work towards, and something we long to achieve.  Heaven is not a goal, Heaven is a gift. 

Picture from the motion picture The Truman Show 

I realized that even in my faith life I was focusing on what I could get; I wanted to get to Heaven. Even though getting to Heaven seemed like an honorable goal I was being selfish.  So I reconsidered what my goal should be.  This is what I decided: my new goal is to live each moment for the glory of God.  That is certainly a lofty goal but it is something that I can work towards.  I have control over how I act, I have no control over who gets to Heaven, because I am imperfect.  I know that this is not a goal that I will ever reach fully in this life, but it is something that I can discipline myself to improve upon. 

As Matthew Kelly states in his book, the most successful people have not gotten that way because of luck, they are that way because they have “unity of purpose”.  They do the things that help them reach their goal and do not do things that will not help them reach their goal.  That is the question with which I need to approach each seemingly minute decision I make, “will this help me reach my goal to live each moment for the glory of God?”  If the answer is yes, I should do it.  If the answer is no, I should not.  Simple enough, right?

However, as Kelly points out simple and easy are not the same thing.  I will struggle, I will stumble, but the beauty of a goal is the work you put in while moving towards it.  Heaven is no longer my goal, Heaven is a beautiful gift that has been awarded me through Christ’s sacrifice.  Thank you LORD for your generosity, I am so undeserving.

           What are your goals?  How do you discipline yourself to accomplish them? Any tips? Suggestions? Comments? Questions? Drop me a line in the comments below!   

Habemus Papam!

WE HAVE A POPE! Welcome Papa Frankie!  Get ready for lots of ALL CAPS and exclamation points! I don’t know about the rest of you but I had one of the most emotionally charged days of my life yesterday! It was honestly a little bit ridiculous, but something I will never be embarrassed of.

Picture of Pope Francis via Toledo Blade 

            Initially when Papa Bene announced his resignation I was shocked and heartbroken, but that fear melted away quickly to reveal an excitement I had never felt before.  What an incredible blessing to be able to see a conclave take place and understand the significance of such an event!   I adopted my cardinal to pray for during the conclave (Go Andre of Paris!) and I was ready to hunker down and pray for weeks.  Little did I know it would only take two days. 

            I had signed up on Popealert.com so I knew I would be receiving a text as soon as white smoke appeared.  I was napping due to a cancelled class yesterday and was awoken at 2:08 pm by that fateful text, followed immediately by a text from my Dad containing the same information.  I was in disbelief, already?  I went to the internet and couldn't find anything confirming the white smoke so I got nervous, like it didn't really happen.  I took to Twitter and Facebook and my friends and the twittersphere confirmed, WE HAD A POPE!  I was ecstatic; I jumped out of bed and danced around my room singing.  Then I panicked, where I was going to watch the new pope emerge!  I threw on some non-pj's and literally ran across campus to the CSC.

Pope Party at Frob's House!

            I arrived at the Catholic Student Center out of breath but overjoyed.  I found a group of about 20 packed into our chaplain’s living room crowded around the TV, waiting.  Every few minutes a new excited and panting student would burst through the door praying they made it in time to watch the Pope emerge. 

            Then, it happened, the new pope was announced; a Jesuit from Argentina who took the name Francis.  ALL FIRSTS! The room erupted with cheers and hugs, we ran out into the courtyard and rang our bell and jumped up and down for at least 15 minutes straight.  Then we began researching our new pope to make “Popesters” to hang around the center, the more we learned the more we loved.  I went to the convenience shop on campus skipping and shouting for joy, did I get weird looks? Yes.  Did I care? Absolutely not!

            Brothers and Sisters, that excitement is what we need to carry into everyday of our lives as Catholics.  This experience helped to remind me of why I love being Catholic.  I love being Catholic because it is the way to true joy.  I reflected on the events of the day later that evening and I realized that I had watched the same events as the entire world; I had celebrated with Catholics around the world, in unison.  We are the Global Church. We are part of something bigger.  God has created us for more than just ourselves, and what a blessing!  Let us take that unity that was felt yesterday and under the guidance of our new pope and ultimately the Holy Spirit add fervor and joy to our lives and show the rest of the world what they are missing! VIVE EL PAPA!

How do you feel about Papa Frankie? What do you want to know about him? Any suggestions for future posts? Comments? Questions? Drop me a line in the comments below!

Martha, Martha, Martha

This past weekend I got to enjoy my beautiful sister Annie’s baby shower.  My incredible mom, aunts, and sisters-in-law, with the help of our family’s men threw the most beautiful princess storybook party I have ever seen.  All the talent around me kept me thinking about Martha Stewart, honestly the skills of my family put Martha to shame.  As my brain works in completely inexplicable ways Martha Stewart and parties reminded me of the story of Mary, Martha, and their party.

dessert bar at the baby shower

            Like most of the accounts in the Bible I started off relating to the “wrong” character.  In the prodigal son I used to associate myself with the brother who stays, in this story I always thought of myself as Martha.  I mean, I didn't understand why Jesus was calling her out for doing what she was supposed to be doing.  She seemed to me like the hostess with the mostest. 

            My problem was my definition of what people “should” be doing.  I was thinking with the mind of the world.  I was thinking that I need to be perfect on my own.  The problem is that it is actually impossible for me to be perfect (or anywhere close) on my own.  The thing is that I didn't want to be the “good” character. Mary was a lazy sister who was hogging the best seat in the house, at least that's how I saw her was how I saw her.  I missed the ENTIRE point.

            One of the best things about Jesus is that he doesn't play by the world’s rules.  Our laws of etiquette don’t matter when Jesus is in your house preaching, you sit down and listen.  Well get excited because JESUS IS IN DA HOUSE! That’s right people Jesus is everywhere, which means when he starts talking  you stop and listen.  Stop trying to work your way to perfection, it isn't going to get you anywhere.  Slow down, sit at Jesus’ feet, listen to his voice, THEN put his words into action. 

Who? Me?

            Today I was asked to lead the Catholic Student Center’s Stations of the Cross.  I accepted, and nervously made my way to the front of the chapel.  As I read through the stations my voice shook a little and I tripped over a few words.  Then, I started to think about what I was saying.  This was a prayer, not a play.  I gained a little bit of confidence as the crowd (like 20 people, not big) seemed to fade into the background and Jesus into the foreground.

picture via NunEssential

            The reason I am telling you about this is because one verse really stuck out to me during this special time.  During the 11^th station, Jesus being nailed to the cross, the prayer quotes Luke 23:34.  Jesus says, “Forgive them father they know not what they do.” 

            When I was younger I thought that Jesus was awesome for saying that.  I mean those dudes just nailed him to a cross, I couldn't do it! Then at some point, I don’t remember exactly when, I realized that he wasn't just talking about those few men who physically nailed him to the cross.  He was talking about all of us.

            THIS was our moment, our redemption.  Jesus is offering up his suffering and death for our sake, yours and mine.  WOW! When I came to this realization my mind was blown, and I was both grateful and ashamed.  I was so overjoyed that Jesus forgave me, but I was ashamed that my sin put him there.

            Enter Frob.  This guy seriously has changed my life (if he ever knew how much I brag on him he would never let it go).  One of Frob’s go-to teachings is the difference between shame and guilt.  Guilt is healthy; it is a gift from God.  Guilt allows us to acknowledge our faults and therefore not repeat mistakes.  Shame on the other hand, is a different story.  Shame is feeling that nobody else has ever been through what we have.  That is dangerous.  That is when we start turning to ourselves instead of God.  The thing is we are not alone, Jesus experienced temptation, our brothers and sisters experience sin.  We are not alone. 

            So drop the shame and live a life of gratitude.  Jesus had your name in his mind when he was dying.  Not bitterly resenting you, but lovingly considering your unique value. 

            Do you go through the Stations of the Cross?  Have you ever considered this reading of Luke 23:34? What is your favorite station? Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Drop me a line in the comments!

God Moments: Weak in the Knees

     My mom used to tell me that scabs were God’s Band-Aids.  As a kid I loved that imagery, I still do, God as a father and caretaker gingerly placing a bandage on my boo-boo to make it feel better.  As I have grown older I have come to know that boo-boos come in forms much deeper and more painful than a skinned knee.  I always considered myself to be blessed; I was spared the hurt others had to endure.  I have loving parents, they never let me know if we were struggling, and I wasn't hooked on sex, drugs, or rock and roll.  So what was there to hurt? Why would I experience pain? What right did I have to feel broken?  Yet, I did.  I do.  I hurt from sin.

picture via cottoncandy the clown

 
     Sin is the self-inflicted wound that society has deemed acceptable all in the name of “freedom” and “fun.  Why then, if we are free and having fun do so many of us feel empty?  I have gone through years of ups and downs in regards to feeling empty and only recently have I allowed myself to acknowledge why.  That emptiness has come from me living for myself by society’s rules.

   
     Over the weekend I attended a retreat centered on the Holy Spirit.  During this retreat we talked about the Spirit’s ability to heal us and the priests participating in the retreat offered a laying on of hands.  This is something that a year ago I would have considered crazy fake showmanship.  But this weekend my view was changed.  As you know my last post before leaving for retreat was about trust, I just failed a test, and during confession my priest told me to open myself to the Spirit’s love and healing.  All of these factors contributed to the feeling that I needed to be open to God, on his terms.

   
      So as they were preparing us for the time available for the laying on of hands I found that I was trying to talk myself out of going up.  I heard in my head “you don’t need healing”, “you can always go to a healing mass another time”, and finally, “this isn't real.”  That last thought was where Satan revealed himself, he went too far. 

 
      I know in my heart that God can do all things and that includes knocking people over with his healing.  I’m not saying that people don’t abuse God’s love for show; I know that some people do that.  I am saying that God’s love and mercy and power knows no bounds and doesn't care about appearances.  Who am I to say that God can’t come and heal someone? Who am I to say it is impossible for God’s love to cause someone to go weak in the knees?  That is after all what we expect from earthly love, isn't it?

   
      That was it, I made up my mind to go to the priest and open my heart and mind to the power of the Holy Spirit.  I am SO glad I did.  I asked for healing from fear, fear that cripples me.  When Frob laid his hands on my head and prayed over me I felt peace, I felt calm, I felt reassurance. (I did not fall over)

 
      I made my way back to my seat (I had already been crying for 15 minutes) and cried (it’s kinda a thing I do).  I cried and just repeated the words “thank you” over and over again.  I could not stop thanking the LORD, I was overcome with gratitude.  I wanted to join in the singing of praise and worship music but my mouth could NOT form any words other than “thank you, thank you, thank you.” 

   
      My best friend Holly was sitting next to me and she started rubbing my arm, I closed my eyes and continued to thank the Spirit.  I could feel a comforting hand on my arm, but I opened my eyes and Holly was no longer trying to comfort me.  I knew then it was God holding me, healing me, loving me, and comforting me. 

   
     Many of you will think I am crazy after reading this, but THAT was a God moment.  Open yourself up to healing, even if it is not through the laying on of hands. 

   
     Have you ever had a healing experience? Would you ever participate in the laying on of hands? Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Drop me a line in the comments below!

Trust Fall

Today, or more accurately yesterday (sorry for the late night/early morning post), is Papa Bene’s last day as pope.  But our Father, God, is comforting us and telling us not to be afraid. But, you may ask yourself, how do we know that the church won’t fall apart? We trust.

picture via random-is-my-name

UGHHHH trust, trust is probably the thing that I struggle with most in my faith life.  Which, I intellectually understand is ridiculous.  I know that God has my best interest in mind, I know that he will give me what I ask for, I know that he will not forsake me, I know that he will provide.  Yes, I do know all of these things, but I don’t live that way.  I still go through my day to day life depending on myself.  I treat God as a back up plan in case my plan doesn't work out.  I’m going to let you in on a little secret, lean in real close, my plan never works.

            As humans we want to have control over everything, at least most things.  My sister-in-law’s sister once told me something that really resonated with me.  She said, “If we walk around life holding onto control our hands are closed in to fists, grasping what isn't there.  It is only when we let go and release the control that we can open our hands and receive God’s blessings.”  How awesome is that? So that my friends, that is what we need to do: LET GO!

            Now, to clarify myself, letting go does not mean apathy or complacency.  Letting go means relinquishing control we never had back over to Christ, the rightful owner.  We need to realize that we are created for relationship with the LORD, who wants to satisfy our every need and desire, that is our purpose.  All that we do should be for his greater glory.  In order to grow our relationship with him, like any relationship, we have to talk to him.  He wants to hear from us!  That is why prayer is so important.  I challenge you to set aside ten minutes everyday to talk directly with the LORD this month, especially as we enter this time of waiting.  I found a really great (and I think adorable) website adoptacardinal.org.  This website assigns you a specific cardinal to pray for during the conclave.  I am praying for the archbishop of Paris! How exciting is that?  So my friends I leave you with this simple but powerful cliché, let go and let God. 

            Do you have any suggestions on how to strengthen trust in God? Are you going to adopt a cardinal? Which cardinal will you be praying for? Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Drop me a line in the comments below!