Reaching for Heaven

Prayers & Pennies for Haiti

2010-01-13T13:19:00.001-05:00

Detroit’s archbishop Allen Vigneron is calling on the priests and people of the archdiocese— and all those in southeast Michigan— to be as generous as possible to the relief efforts underway for the victims of Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti. “We live in challenging financial times here in the Detroit area,” the archbishop says, “but that never seems to dampen the generosity of the people of this region when they have the opportunity to help their brothers and sisters in dire need.”

In these early hours, officials have yet to determine the precise toll of death and destruction in the impoverished Caribbean nation, but have predicted the loss of life and property will be staggering. “We offer our prayers for the victims,” Archbishop Vigneron says, “and for all those impacted by this tragedy, especially the survivors and the relief workers on site and those on their way.”

Among those killed in the quake was Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot of Port-au-Prince, whose body was found under the rubble of his residence Wednesday morning. One report says the cathedral, all the big churches, and all of the seminaries have been destroyed.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is among the first-line responders to disaster scenes and is already in Haiti.

The Detroit archdiocese is collecting contributions on the agency’s behalf.

Donate Online!

Donations also may be made by mail by sending checks to:

The Archdiocese of Detroit
CRS Relief Efforts (4th Floor)
1234 Washington Blvd.Detroit, MI 48226
(* please indicate "CRS Relief" in the lower left memo line)

Daily Prayer Reflection: Are we rooted in Christ?

2009-11-12T11:46:00.000-05:00

The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you." Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' (or) 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. Luke 17:20-23

Does it seem to anyone else that we hear more and more people these days trying to predict the end of the world or the second coming? With movies like 2012 hitting the big screen, it can be tempting to start to buy into some of the hype. As we've been doing all week, though, we must remain solid in our foundation and rooted in Christ, or we'll wander all over the place. In this passage from Luke, Jesus speaks to us so clearly today - it's as if he's seen the trailer and is shaking his head saying, "Listen, just stand firm and don't buy into the hype."

In fact, going beyond just telling us to not run after any possibility of his coming again, he tells us rather, that the kingdom of God is here among us. In that time, he was telling the Pharisees and his disciples that God was in their midst. Today, he tells us the same thing - Christ LIVES. We can begin to get into the mindset that Jesus was here 2000 years ago, we're around now trying to live up to his example, and then he'll come again one day (and we try to guess at when). We forget that our God is a living God, alive in our midst, made present to us in the Eucharist, in his in-dwelling Spirit that lives in each of us. If we worry about when Christ may come to the earth in physical form again, we lose sight of his very real presence among us now, and forget that we must continue to follow him today. Do we stay rooted in the living Christ or are we chasing the future?

Let us pray that we might recognize Christ as he reveals himself in our midst each day, remaining rooted in the living God now, following his call to us in the present rather than pining for a future we cannot predict.

Daily Prayer Reflection: Are we willing to stand our ground against evil?

2009-11-11T11:25:00.000-05:00

For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. Ephesians 6:12-13

We talk at great length about the power of God in our lives. In this current culture, though, to talk about the power of the evil one is not as comfortable a topic. No one wants to point the finger at something and claim it to be the work of evil. Yet, if we believe in the Word of God, we know that evil works in the world to separate us from God at every turn. From Adam and Eve in the garden to the present day, there is evil at work in the world. To be able to face our struggles, we have to acknowledge that. Once we acknowledge that evil is present, we are more apt to understand the great necessity to protect ourselves with a firm, solid faith - to understand that God does work for good, but He is not the only one at work. If we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we must be vigilant in protecting that temple. It should impress upon us the need to call upon the name of Jesus with certainty in the midst of our struggles and hardships, and to do so for those around us we see immersed in the darkness of the world.

To name evil when we see it is not to be intolerant of people in our midst. There is a great fear that we will be labeled as intolerant or some type of "-ist" if we speak the Truth about darkness. We must not fear. Truth must always be spoken in charity and without labeling people as evil, but if we do not call out the darkness and bring it into the light of Christ, then we are likely to be overcome by it. We cannot battle evil on our own - as much as movies may lead us to believe we can. The strength of our spirit is great, but it is Christ's Spirit within us, not our own human strength which gives us the fortitude and wisdom to fight the battle.

Make no mistake, the battle that began in Eden continues to this day. We know the end - we know Christ wins. The question is, are we willing to call on His name and stand our ground against evil in the world today?

Let us pray that we might readily call on the Holy Spirit and bring any darkness in our lives into the light of Christ, calling on the name of Jesus to overcome the struggles and battles we (and those around us) face.

Daily Prayer Reflection: Are we passive recipients of God's Word?

2009-11-10T11:09:00.000-05:00

Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined. Matthew 7:24-27

We continue on our theme of dwelling and building today with this passage from Matthew. Once again, our lives and our bodies are likened to a house. What strikes me in reading this passage is that it is not simply hearing the words of Christ that strengthen us, but acting on them. It is not enough to passively receive Christ - we must actively practice what He has taught us. We all know that what we learn we do not retain if it is not practiced. That is precisely the wisdom Jesus leaves us with here.

If we listen and act on what He teaches us, we begin to grow more firm in our practiced faith. If we merely listen and do nothing, when push comes to shove, there is no guarantee that we will retain what we have heard. To remain strong, we must be active in practicing our faith, and in living out that which Christ has taught us. Our faith community surrounds us to help us in this. We are called to help each other build ourselves up in Christ, to practice a living faith in our daily lives, to create a solid foundation for those times we are under pressure from the world. Are we helping one another to live out the faith we received from Christ?

Today, pray that we might find ways to act on our faith and remain attentive to the ways that the Spirit presents us with those opportunities throughout our week.

Come, Holy Spirit!

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do we make room for God to dwell in us?

2009-11-09T10:44:00.000-05:00

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

When we think of a temple or church, what immediately comes to mind? Most likely it is an image of a structure, a building, something external to ourselves. How many of us would readily say that we are worthy to be a house of God? I know I wouldn't. That is, however, exactly what Paul reminds us that we are - a temple of our living God. If we remembered this and really took it to heart, how would we change our lives? Apart from the blatantly physical ramifications (for instance, perhaps God does NOT like McDonald's quite as much as I do), how would our behavior toward others change? How would our churches change?

This verse is at the culmination of Paul's rebuke of some of the early churches who are already in their time creating division by claiming to belong to one or another apostle, acting out of a spirit of jealousy and rivalry. We, as children of God, have one foundation - Jesus Christ. We seek unity in and under Him, and in the one Spirit by which we were baptized. In today's day and age, the divisions are endless. How do we contribute to those divisions?

Let us pray that we might live in complete awareness of the one Spirit of God that dwells within each of us, and draw each other closer to the source of life that is Christ our Lord. May we work to eliminate all division in the body of Christ, calling on the Holy Spirit to remove any trace of jealousy, rivalry, selfishness and pride from our midst, making us truly one Body under Christ once again.

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do we hide in darkness?

2009-10-26T11:22:00.000-04:00

Everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." Ephesians 5:14

We are rarely in complete darkness. Even when I stumble around at night, eventually my eyes adjust and I can see enough to find my way around the house. In the same way, our spiritual lives are not ever in complete darkness no matter how troubled we might feel. Christ, our light, is always at our side. If we keep our eyes closed and choose to wallow in solitary darkness, that is our choice, but one that is completely unnecessary. All throughout the Scriptures, we are promised light, and we know that God fulfills his promises.

Too often, we walk around with our eyes closed creating our own darkness, instead of calling on the name of Jesus to give light to our lives, our fears and our worries. We would rather carry them around and it is a symptom of our unbelief. I know I am guilty of this myself. If we truly believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior, why carry around our burdens and stumble in self-imposed darkness? "Arise, O sleeper!" Basically - wake up already! God is here, Christ is alive and he brings us His light. Why in the world would we close ourselves to that?

Today, let's put all our cares, worries, concerns and doubts out into the light of Christ and pray that He may lead us in the Truth and free us from all our burdens. Amen!

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do We Watch What We Say?

2009-10-20T17:25:00.000-04:00

LORD, I call to you; come quickly to help me; listen to my plea when I call. Let my prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening sacrifice. Set a guard, LORD, before my mouth, a gatekeeper at my lips. Psalm 141:1-3

Do you ever have those moments during the day where you want to take back something you've said? Ideally, if our lips are being used in prayer, they're less likely to utter those things that make us hit our foreheads in disbelief of the things that sometimes come out of our mouths. Now, I don't know any of us who spend our entire day engaged in vocal prayer - so perhaps this little psalm prayer should be our first!

We sometimes forget the power our words have to wound one another. Even the slightest utterance, if taken the wrong way or spoken in a moment of frustration, can leave lasting scars that lead us no closer to Christ. Do we spend enough time in prayer to know when the words that are on the tip of our tongue are not of the Spirit...or are perhaps being used by an entirely different spirit?

Perhaps we might utter this prayer a little more often, or one of our own, asking the Lord's intervention. Let us pray that the Lord might keep us from speaking unless they are words that do Him justice, and keep us out of trouble!

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do We Thank God Honestly?

2009-10-19T09:09:00.000-04:00

You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever. Psalm 30:11-12

When we are in the midst of our own misery, it sometimes feels as though it will never end. Yet, even out of the greatest suffering, God brings joy and hope. I know in my own life, though it was a miserable walk through the most trying time of it, in the end I only recall the peace and hope that God had placed in my life...through friends, through the gift of Himself. I cannot imagine how one deals with sorrow and suffering without the hand of God walking them through it and lifting them up.

As much as I cherish that experience, I also know just how easy it is to fall back into the slightest bit of despair when life is not going your way. The challenge for us today is to remain aware of the transforming power of God in our lives, and to constantly give honest thanks to Him for all He has done and continues to do. It is not of our own power, or anyone else's, that we are brought out from situations of darkness and sadness - let's honestly give thanks that the Lord never abandons us, even in what seems to be the worst times of our lives. Even better, let's not be shy to share that work of God in our lives...

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do we lose sight of Jesus in our busyness?

2009-10-15T09:20:00.000-04:00

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." Luke 10: 40-42

Continuing on our theme of "busyness" this week, we have the story of Martha and Mary. It's a story I, and I'm sure many of you, know well. For my part, it is because I tend to be more of a Martha, always scurrying about, "serving." I am at first somewhat mystified when Jesus says that Mary has the better part, and then I hear him saying it to me. "Come, rest, be with me, listen to me, then go."

We busy ourselves, even with the best of intentions, but sometimes we end up spinning our wheels and getting frustrated because we have forgotten that even our action should rest in the Lord.

Today, take a moment, even in the midst of chaos, to sit at the feet of Jesus and see what a difference that can make.

Daily Prayer Reflection: Are we really too busy to worship?

2009-10-14T09:11:00.000-04:00

What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people." 2 Corinthians 6:16

Having just come back from Rome, it is easier to envision the masses of images and idols that served as objects of worship for the ancient people. Yet, in our own day and age, we lift up our own graven images and objects that take the place of God. Where are we on Sunday - church or in front of the TV? How about daily? How many of us take the time each day to worship God (and I don't mean just recite a few prayers, call it good and move on...)? I know I am guilty of that all too familiar "Sorry, Lord, I was busy!"

Busyness, as we touched on earlier this week, can be a great block to God's grace in our lives...or at least our openness to receiving the grace He offers. Busyness can be just as much an 'idol,' and perhaps worse, as it is often a figment of our imagination. How can we possibly be too busy for God? God promises to live with us, to move among us...and we're too busy for that?

Worship doesn't need to be a static practice, done only in the brick and mortar building of a church, with prayers that have been prescribed by others. Worship is a way of living, not just an action. Taking time to worship each day can be as simple as realizing that God is with us in our busy lives, as simple as offering our work for the day to Him, opening it to His blessing and His will.

Today, let's ask ourselves if we are really too busy to worship or if we've just forgotten how. If it is the latter, and let's hope it is, then let us also pray that God might send forth the wisdom of His Spirit to infuse our hearts with the knowledge and desire to live our lives in worship of Him.

Come Holy Spirit!

Daily Prayer Reflection: Are we working in vain?

2009-10-13T08:43:00.000-04:00

In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat; when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber. Psalm 127:2

We work harder and longer hours than ever before, trying to make ends meet, trying to live up to some standard set by some person we don't even know. We do all this to what end? The cry in Ecclesiastes comes to mind - "Vanity of vanities!" What does all this toiling accomplish? Is it even toiling or idle busyness that keeps us occupied all hours of the day and night? Television, internet, even books and socializing to some extent, can distract us from what we really need.

Where are we making time to rest in the Lord? It seems absurd in a culture obsessed with "doing" that sleeping might actually be a time for the Lord. Yet, studies continue to show that it is essential for our health that we provide ourselves that rest, that time of rebuilding physically - so why is it so outlandish to think that is a time for rebuilding spiritually as well? God often comes to us in our dreams, and God can work in us however and whenever He wishes. It just might be that it is easier for Him to do His work when we have finally stopped doing what we think is our work.

As we work today, pray that our work might be an outward use of the gifts God has given us to share, that our work may be rooted and strengthened by the work God is doing in us. And tonight, let's give ourselves a little more time to rest in and with the Lord...

Daily Prayer Reflection: Are we consumed with seeking signs?

2009-10-12T09:07:00.000-04:00

[This generation] seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Johan became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. Luke 11:29b-30

Signs, signs everywhere there's signs... Have we become a culture obsessed? There is definitely a pocket of people in a frenzy over the end-times. This hurricane, that fire...could it be the onset of the end times? Let's not forget the Mayan calendar ends in 2012! Isn't this just a new twist on the Garden...seeking to have the full knowledge and power of God?

As a people of God, our sign is the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us that we know not the day nor the hour, but that we must live our lives ready for that time. We constantly seek signs of his will for us, but I think what we truly seek is reassurance. We want to know that we are walking down the right path, that Jesus is at our side, that we are not alone. Yet, if we do not seek Christ, if we do not deepen our relationship and grow closer to the heart of Jesus, we cannot understand the "signs" he does give us. We cannot recognize the whisper of Christ if we are not seeking to be close to his Word. We cannot feel the nudge of His breath if we are not living in the Spirit.

Today, let's take a moment to let the breath of God into our hearts more fully and consider this: are we more interested in seeking signs or seeking Christ?

The Frugal'n'Fab ATL Challenge: Eating on $30/week

2009-10-09T12:23:00.000-04:00

The challenge? Eat for a whole week on $30. Read more about the challenge many Atlanta bloggers are participating in over the week. Frugal'n'Fab gives it a slightly different spin, reminding us that so much of the world eats for far less than that (try $1/day). In fact, she may begin a weekly Wednesday challenge, but you'll have to read her blog for that!

The question to you is this: could you live on $30 a week for food? How about $1/day? Would you even be willing to try? Stay tuned for our own Genesis Ministries challenge in the month of November. If you have suggestions for the exact details of what our challenge should be, leave 'em here!

Daily Prayer Reflection: How far does our mercy extend?

2009-10-09T10:28:00.000-04:00

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. Luke 6:35-38

It's a tough day for mercy for some, I imagine. This morning, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize was announced and I truly believe the news shocked the majority of the world. There are those who will revel in the excitement of this announcement, and others who will spew venom. It is the latter half that this morning's prayer seems aptly fitting for.

It is no accident that the Holy Spirit led me to this passage this morning - I myself was astounded by the news. As I sat with these words of Christ, the question that kept popping in my head (after the "Whaaat?" from the headline), was "how far does my mercy extend?" coupled with the reminder that it is not for us to judge the heart of another. Actions...sure. But we won't go into the specifics here - I want to focus on the heart of the prayer.

How far does mercy extend? Are we able to set aside our own judgments to let God work through us? Are we too quick to jump to conclusions and spew forth our opinions, whatever they may be? In this passage from Luke, Jesus reminds us that it is easy to love and forgive those who love us, those whom we love. The greater task of our Christian walk is to extend that same charity and mercy to those we do not have affection for, for those who may offend us at every turn.

In the end, the only actions we can truly control are our own. As much as we can influence others and pray that they may act wisely, we cannot act for them. Let our actions always reflect God's endless mercy and forgiveness. We can be skeptics and critics, but let it be of actions and not the core of a person, and let our criticism always be bathed in charity. Let us remember always that God is the one and only judge, and we are best left sometimes to hold our tongue and extend our hearts.

Daily Prayer Reflection: What Are We Asking For?

2009-10-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened...If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Luke 11:9-10,13

Ask and you will receive... I think this may be one of the most hopeful and yet disheartening verses of Scripture for many people. Hopeful, because Christ makes us a great promise. Disheartening because we stop reading after two lines and misunderstand him. So many times I've been asked 'why, if we pray and are faithful, do our prayers go unanswered? God promised to answer, that we would receive what we asked for honestly in prayer!'

If we read the full passage here, however, we see that what Jesus promises us, what it is that we should be asking for, is the Holy Spirit. Ask for the Spirit and you will receive. Seek the Spirit and you will find it. Knock at the Spirit's door, and he will answer. Ahhh...that's right, God is not a genie. We don't simply make our wishes and demands known in order to have him grant them. God most certainly answers all our prayers...it's just that he answers them according to His will, not ours, so sometimes the answer is "no"...or at least, "not yet."

The great lesson of this passage for me today is that what we should be asking for with more desire is the Holy Spirit - that is the great gift that God has for us...his own Spirit that lives with us and in us. Through the Holy Spirit, we grow closer to the will of God so that our deepest desires mirror his more closely. After all, what God desires for us is what in the end is most fulfilling. So...what are we waiting for? Ask, seek and find!

Come, Holy Spirit!

Daily Prayer Reflection: How do we get past a prayer block?

2009-10-07T09:29:00.000-04:00

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1

Of course, if you continue reading this passage, it leads us to Luke's version of what has become known as the staple Christian prayer of the Our Father. Many saints over the years have provided their prayerful guidance in the use of that prayer. Jesus leaves us with great direction in teaching us, through his disciples and the apostles, that prayer. But, what do we do when rote prayer becomes all we can offer? Is that enough?

The beauty of the "rote prayers" of Catholicism is that they are there when that IS all we can offer. It is no mistake that Jesus gave us words to pray, knowing that there would be times when we would be lost, feeling weary and without direction. It is no coincidence that the Church continues in the footsteps of Christ, through the saints and apostles of prayer, to give us other prayers to help us begin our conversation with God when we are at a loss.

Yet, it is not the Our Father or those prayers I wish to focus on today. While they are meaningful and good prayers, it is the question of the disciples in the passage above that peaks my interest. When we are down and out and feeling disconnected, how do we move past that block to prayer? Does pulling out an "oldie but goodie" standard prayer move us? Or do we use it as a crutch to fulfill a perceived obligation to pray?

The question the disciples ask may be the first clue as to the real mode of jumping over any hurdles to prayer - ask God. One theologian, (Richard Rohr, I believe), said something to the effect of 'the more we talk, the less it is prayer.' I think sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking in order to pray, we've got to find the right words. Yet, time and time again in Scripture we are reminded that we are able to connect to the Father and Son by the gift of the Spirit. It is the Spirit moving in us that inspires us into communion with God. When we are struggling, it is the Spirit we invite in to change our hearts, to silence us if we need, or to empower us with words if it be the will of God.

Sometimes, our need to be vocal in prayer is its own hindrance to deeper prayer. Next time you are having trouble praying, simply open yourself and ask the Spirit to pray in and through you, teaching you to pray and converse more closely with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May it lead you leaps and bounds beyond whatever prayer obstacle you faced!

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do we recognize the good in all God's creation?

2009-10-06T07:31:00.000-04:00

The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. Psalm 145:8-9

Kind, full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love...how many people do we know who fit that bill? I'd like to think that many of us come so very close, and yet, in that moment of carelessness, the snide remark, the angry retort, the closed heart creeps in. Is it that we are not "good Christians"? I don't think so. I think in the end, it is that we are of human flesh and blood and those human weaknesses are exploited at times.

I wonder, too, if part of the problem is that we are so conditioned to decide who is "in" and who is "out" from an early age, that our attitudes toward people are more apt to let us slide in Christian charity to those who are "less worthy" of our compassion, kindness, gentleness and love. But we are not to be of this world, though we most certainly live in it. We are to pattern ourselves after Christ, who recognized the goodness of all creation as the work of his Father.

I remember on one retreat, as we were talking about forgiveness, someone shared this little pearl of wisdom - even Jesus on the cross called upon his Father's name and power, not his own, to forgive those who were torturing him and killing him. Perhaps, when we are unable to see the good in someone or something that is causing us distress, we can offer them back to the Lord, asking his blessing on them when we are ourselves are not up to offering our own.

And let us always pray that the Lord, creator of all, might break into our own human frailty at moments we need to see his goodness in what surrounds us.

Come, Lord Jesus, enter our hearts...

From Respect Life Sunday to Respecting Life Always...

2009-10-05T13:33:00.001-04:00

Here is an uplifting story about a proactive initiative to help college age students faced with an unplanned pregnancy... Interestingly, Belmont is the home of Belmont Abbey College which has recently found itself in the midst of a tussle regarding the legality of the restrictions in its insurance coverage for employees. The College, in accordance with Catholic teaching, does not include coverage for abortions, prescription contraceptives or elective sterilization procedures. [Read more here]

Center Aims to Give Pregnant College Students True Choice
By Nancy Frazier O'Brien
Source: Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON —Lacy Dodd, a 33-year-old banking professional and mother of one, knows precisely where supporters and opponents of legal abortion can find common ground.

It's on nearly four acres donated by the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey in Belmont, N.C., where Room at the Inn, a Charlotte-based pregnancy resource center, hopes to build the nation's first campus-based maternity and after-care residence for pregnant college students.... [Read full story]

Daily Prayer Reflection: Who is in charge of our lives?

2009-10-05T07:31:00.000-04:00

O search me, God and know my heart. O test me and know my thoughts. See that I follow not the wrong path and lead me in the path of life eternal. Psalm 139:23-24

Have you ever seen those bumperstickers out there that say "God (or Jesus) is my co-pilot"? I always laugh at first and then am reminded rather quickly that they are just a little bit off on their enthusiasm. God is not our "co-pilot" - God is the pilot. We're not just passengers along for the ride, but neither are we in equal position with God.

If we read any story in Scripture, we are constantly reminded that great trouble begins when we think we can take the lead and see if God will follow. The same still rings true today. Though it is a lesson often learned not with any little effort, there is great release in getting to the point in our relationship with God that we can turn the reins over to Him and learn to take direction. It is entirely freeing to realize we do not always need to know it all or be able to do it all. A burden is taken off our shoulders when we live with the knowledge that God will prepare our way, even in ways we would never imagine. We have to work in cooperation with God, of course, but even when we screw up, as we inevitably will, God will make it right again if we allow him room to move.

So today, take a moment to pray about who is in charge of your life...is God your co-pilot or the pilot?

Sorry for the hiatus!

2009-09-24T13:02:00.001-04:00

My apologies for not posting before leaving, but we are on a hiatus until October 4! I am currently on my honeymoon in Rome, so you won't hear from me until we return. I will post some pics of Papa B and highlights of some of the sites when I am back.

Until then, God bless!
Rakhi

Daily Prayer Reflection: Can We Offer God Everything?

2009-09-15T10:07:00.000-04:00

How numerous, O LORD, my God, you have made your wondrous deeds! And in your plans for us there is none to equal you. Should I wish to declare or tell them, too many are they to recount. Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts and sin-offerings you do not require; so I said, "Here I am." Psalm 40:6-8a

Here I am, I come to do your will. That is all the Lord asks of us...all of ourselves. Yet, saying yes to the Lord is life-altering, and not always in ways we would anticipate or choose for ourselves. Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. We need only to look at the life of Mary to see the unthinkable ways in which the Lord leads us if we offer ourselves to Him. Betrothed, not married, she became with child. In the early years of her marriage, she fled her home to provide safety, trusting Joseph was being led by God. She raised a son, whom she loved as her son and God's son, only to see him brutally murdered, unable to help him...and asked not to do so as his sacrifice was for a greater cause. For her faith and for her suffering she was greatly rewarded with protection throughout her life and a glorious assumption into heaven at the end of it.

Now, we're no Mary, that's for sure! Like Mary, though, we need to keep our eyes focused on the bigger picture. It is easy to get stuck in the little trying details, but when we step back I think most of us would agree that God's hand has blessed us more than we sometimes acknowledge. Today, let's let go of what we hold back from God, and following Mary's example, offer our whole lives to him with expectant faith and trust in his providence for us.

Daily Prayer Reflection: Is the cross a stumbling block for us?

2009-09-14T07:52:00.000-04:00

...But we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block for Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

That Christ allowed himself to be crucified is indeed a weakness in the eyes of the world. The great and glorious God-man subjected himself to the torturous and humiliating death of a criminal. Foolishness? Stumbling block? Or as St. Paul so beautifully explains in Philippians, a perfect act of total humility, not humiliation?

This is the question we must ask ourselves. Do we understand the necessity and power of the cross, some two thousand years later, or has it become once again a stumbling block that confounds us or a glitch in the story that seems a little far-fetched and foolish? In addition to the physical structure of torture, the cross refers to our own struggles and suffering. There is no denying that in this life, we have been and are separated from God. This separation brings with it inherent struggles, varying in degrees for everyone. Add to that this notion: to believe in Christ, to LIVE in Christ is not a comfortable life. It is one filled with choices, and as foretold in the Gospels, one in which we will have to bear our cross. We have a choice. We can embrace that suffering, recognizing its ability to unite us with Jesus, or we can allow it to become a stumbling block in our faith. We can call upon the name of Christ, who endured crucifixion, in our suffering, or we can try to alleviate it through our own means. In the end, which is the real foolishness?

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do We See Ourselves as One in Christ?

2009-09-11T09:07:00.000-04:00

The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth. Isaiah 25:8

On this day eight years ago, we - a new generation of Americans - experienced a tragedy that we'd only heard equaled in our history books. For the first time in our lives, American soil had been attacked in grand scale. The fear, the sorrow, the disbelief - it was all overwhelming for some. Even in challenge, the spirit of the nation moved toward compassion and unity, if only for a moment. And then...we turned to revenge. The dark side of trauma came to light - the anger, the suspicion, and blatant racism returned.

Those are choices we face every day. In the midst of trying times, our weaknesses gain a little strength. It is up to us to continue to call upon the Lord to give us strength, to dry our tears, so that we may choose always to live in the light of compassion and mercy, guided by the Holy Spirit and not by the powers of darkness that reside in anger and vengeance.

Eight years later, we've moved on a little, especially if we feel we weren't personally affected. But then, can any of us truly claim that? How many of us know someone who lost someone, or someone who was safe but there? How many of us know someone serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, or someone who was lost there? In a bout of myopic self-centeredness, we might say "I am unaffected." We, however, belong to a greater body than our own - we belong to the body of Christ. In each others' misery, we are always affected...if we choose to acknowledge it.

Today, regardless of what side of the political spectrum we inhabit, let us once again put aside our own opinions and assurances. Let us pray instead for all those who lost their lives in that tragic day and in the years that followed, those who still mourn loved ones, those who are serving their country in the military and their loved ones...let us pray that we may see ourselves connected as one in Christ.

And perhaps even more difficult, let's remember to also pray for those who committed these atrocities and continue to use violence in the name of God.

Daily Prayer Reflection: Has the Golden Rule gotten tarnished?

2009-09-10T10:27:00.000-04:00

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you...Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. Luke 6:27-32

Ouch. That is the only thing I think every time I read these words of Christ. Well, "ouch" and "d'oh!" I'd say many of us probably read this thinking...oops - I'll get it next time... Unfortunately, our lives aren't to be lived for "next time" - we're supposed to embrace this now. What really strikes me about this passage is not the Scripture alone, but the impression that people make when they actually live in this peace and kindness.

Off the top of my head, I can think of a handful of people whom I have never heard say a nasty word about anyone. That's not to say that they haven't been upset or frustrated. Instead, it is to say that their reaction was not one of gossiping or badmouthing those who were the culprit of their frustration. It's easy to judge, saying "oh, they're just fake!" And yet, there is this undeniable peace in their spirit that exudes an honest joy, even in their sorrow.

Today, that characteristic is, unfortunately, rare. Judgment falls before mercy and compassion. Pride edges out humility. Infatuation and addiction replace Love. Fear overcomes trust. This is not what Christ intended for those who call on His name! "Fear not!" "Love one another..." "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." That, dear friends, is what our Lord calls us to.

Faith, hope and love - it's not just a trite verse to be used at weddings - it is a way of life to be seated at our very core. It is a way of life that lets us lead with mercy, to love without fear, to live with the knowledge that all we are is by the grace of God, and what a privilege He has given us - each and every one of us. It is what helps us to live out that Golden Rule. Has the gold tarnished in your own life?

Fr. Leo Patalinghug of "Grace Before Meals" takes on Bobby Flay of the Food Network!

2009-09-09T16:55:00.000-04:00

Father Leo Patalinghug believes that the key to a healthy family are healthy meals eaten together, and he's sending that message out through his web show, "Grace Before Meals." With 10,000 hits a day, Father Leo is able to share his wisdom and his family friendly recipes in order to feed his flock: body, mind and soul.

With dishes like Fusion Steak Fajitas, Father Leo is winning over his audience with every bite. But, will a little divine intervention help this Father when the Grill Master Bobby Flay heads into town on this episode of Throwdown?

To find out more about Fr. Leo and his ministry, visit the Grace Before Meals website at www.gracebeforemeals.com!

Watch the episode on the Food Channel tonight, September 9 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT or catch a repeat airing later in September!

Sep 10, 2009 @ 12:00 AM ET/PT or Sep 20, 2009 @ 11:00 PM ET/PT

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do we look for open windows when a door has closed?

2009-09-08T09:59:00.000-04:00

But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. Isaiah 11:1

The poetic and vivid imagery of this passage in Isaiah serves to illustrate the wonder of God, that from this stump, he called forth a new shoot of life, and not only just a shoot, but one from which a delicate flower would bloom and blossom. When we see a stump in a field or yard, we hardly think "oh! I wonder what will grow there..." A stump is usually what's left of a tree that will be no more, and if you're camping, can serve as a great table or chair!

Yet, in this passage, it is precisely from a stump that this new life springs. God can pull forth life out of things that we never could. Perhaps that is why so many people, drowning in their own humanity, simply choose to give up. It is so easy to think "no more can come of this", when something seems "over and done with." That is not the mind of God. There is no end, only new beginnings. With God, new life springs forth from what seems to be the deadest tree, if only a vine to wrap around it and reach new heights.

As the old saying goes, "When God closes a door, He opens a window." I myself like to add a wee bit more to that - when God closes a door, He opens a window, but we still have to jump out. Do we look for those windows and take the plunge or spend so much time looking back at the door we don't feel the fresh new breeze blowing into our lives?

Mass Prep: God chose those who are poor to be heirs of the kingdom...

2009-09-05T11:14:00.000-04:00

Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared. Isaiah 35:4-5

Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please," while you say to the poor one, "Stand there," or "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? James 2:1-4

And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!") And (immediately) the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. Mark 7:32-35

Jesus continues to challenge our way of thinking in this world. When we are deceived by the apparent importance of people, God chooses the "lowly" to transform our minds, if we only listen. This weekend, allow the Word of God to penetrate your heart, ask that Christ might cure our own deafness and blindness to those things he is trying so desperately to reveal to us. Let us come renewed in Christ to see one other through his eyes alone, and not by the measures of this world.

Come Holy Spirit!

AIDS, Africa and the Catholic Church

2009-09-04T16:40:00.001-04:00

There is no denying that the AIDS pandemic is still a serious issue in Africa. There is also no denying that the Church's stance on the use of condoms has come under attack by those acting in an effort to bring the spread of the disease under control. Recently, one scientist came on the scene to back up what the Holy Father has been saying all along - condoms may actually contribute to the spread of the disease, not the prevention of it.

Uh...what? Yes, I know, it doesn't seem a logical statement at first glance. The researcher, however, was pointing out the psychological, rather than physical, attributes of promoting condom use as a remedy. Promoting the use of condoms for "safe sex" gave people an unwarranted confidence in the safety of engaging in sexual behavior so long as a condom was used, increasing the likelihood that they would be less careful, and increasing the possibility of spreading the disease. Likewise, it was shown that in countries where the cultural attitudes toward sex were first addressed, efforts to decrease the spread of the disease was far more effective. (Read the full article here)

More recently, a delegate of US Bishops visited South Africa and saw firsthand the effect the church-run programs were having on those affected by HIV/AIDS. In a great example of how church and state can effectively work together, the Bishops visited with the staff of the US embassy in Swaziland to arrange for US government funding of these church-run programs. "The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, provides extensive funds for the AIDS projects run by the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, which includes the bishops of Swaziland, South Africa and Botswana."

To read more on the work being done by the diocesan clinics visited by the Bishops, read the full article at Catholic News Service.

Finding Faith on the Battlefield...

2009-09-04T16:28:00.000-04:00

God's time is God's time. God's ways are God's ways. And sometimes, those times and ways are completely unexpected. In the midst of chaos and violence, Cpl. Andrew Roy, Jr. found his way back to Christ and the Eucharist. Not only that, but in the middle of Afghanistan he is now leading others to explore the possibility of that reunion as well. When God comes in power, our transformation is unbelievable!

(from Catholic News Service)
Roy, who never made it past his first Communion to confirmation until adulthood, struggled with understanding and embracing his faith for most of his life, until this deployment to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division. "In May, he was bringing in books to disprove God's existence, and now he's willing to fight for it," said the Rev. Jeff Masengale, a captain and a Southern Baptist chaplain.

"I just wanted to rile things up," Roy told Catholic News Service. But over a three-month period, discussions between the two men led Roy back to his Catholic roots. Recently, he decided to turn his private research into a catechism class for other soldiers on this forward operating base, or FOB. READ MORE

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do we recognize our need for God?

2009-09-04T08:44:00.000-04:00

Those who see me in the street run far away from me. I am likea dead man, forgotten, like a thing thrown away. But as for me, I trust in your, Lord, I say: "You are my God. Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love." Psalm 31: 13, 15, 17

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Luke 15:1-2

Ahh, the Pharisees...always missing the meaning in the moment, lost in their own righteousness. If we are honest, we have a lot of moments like them too, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. The sinners and tax collectors (could there be a more unworthy bunch?) were all rapt with attention listening to Jesus, this man who actually gave them the time of day. Yet the Pharisees came only to judge, with no effort to listen to his teaching until it was pointedly directed at them. Even still, Jesus has reminded the Pharisees before that those who are well are not in need of a physician, yet, the lesson has not sunk in. This time, Jesus tells them that the Lord rejoices more over the repentance of one sinner than the existence of many righteous who have no need of repentance (or think they have no need of repentance).

In contrast, the Psalmist is quite clear of his own dire condition. "I am like a dead man..." He knows his own weakness. Even in that weakness, though, his trust remains in God and the ability and desire of the Lord to save us, if only from ourselves.

Today, let us ask ourselves if we are more like the Pharisees or the Psalmist. Let us pray that in true humility we might always see our need for God and find our strength in Christ. Amen.

Daily Prayer Reflection: What Do We Deem as Greatness?

2009-09-03T21:31:00.000-04:00

The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12

What is our motivation for doing what we do? Sometimes in the larger things, we may feel that we come with noble motives, but what about the smaller everyday things? When we work, what is the purpose of what we do? Is it to feel accomplished, to be able to recommend ourselves, improve our own status? Or do we seek to be of help and to serve those around us, seeking instead the greater end over our own recognition?

This is the heart of what Jesus is telling his disciples, and continues to tell us today. It's easy to get caught up in thinking that a job is "ours", that no one else could do it or do it better at the very least, that we are the best at something - the most generous, the most loving, the best parent. Christ implores us to look beyond ourselves, to realize that our glory is aligned with His. Everything we do - work, school, family life - all of it is in service to one another, and in service of Christ. When those things are in jeopardy, we naturally feel the need to promote ourselves. Yet, the greater glory, it sounds like, is in continuing to serve selflessly and trusting that the Lord will provide all the recognition and promotion we need. It may not look as we want it to, but all will be well in the end.

Grant us rest, O Lord, from the worries in our hearts and help us to seek our greatness in You alone. Amen.

Sex & Prayer: [Pillow]Talk is Cheap...

2009-09-02T14:37:00.000-04:00

Let's pray instead!

Ok, so if you're familiar with Scripture, you know that this is not a new concept. In the book of Tobit (one of the Catholic books not found in protestant bibles), Tobiah and Sarah pray before "consummation" the night of their wedding for Sarah to be set free from the demons that have plagued her. As a result, Sarah is set free and Tobiah does not join Sarah's other husbands in an early grave.

The Catholic Church has always held that sex is sacred - thus the Church's teaching on sex before marriage. The sexual encounter was created by God to be shared by man and woman to physically form a communion of persons. (Much more on that in John Paul II's Theology of the Body or any breakdown of that teaching.) Essentially, it allows us to participate in a special way in the unitive and creative powers of God, creating our own little trinitarian experience of husband, wife and Christ.

That is a little lost in today's world, and I'm sure there are many out there who will take issue with the synopsis of that teaching. The point is this, though - sex is, and always has been in the eyes of the Church, a form of prayer if entered into with the right mindframe. To create a written prayer for couples...well, perhaps that's a little strange, though maybe we have reached a point where having such a prayer will remind husbands and wives (and all others), that sex is not just a pastime or entertainment. Perhaps it will remind us that the sexual union of two people has a much deeper meaning, however adamantly we may try to downplay or deny that.

Read the full article here.

Scripture Symposium Talks Now Available on iTunes!

2009-09-02T12:22:00.001-04:00

Missed the 2nd Annual Scripture Symposium in August? You can download the edited sessions on the Genesis Ministries page in iTunes!

Scripture in Our Daily Lives (iTunes download* | listen online)
by Sr. Sarah Burdick, S.G.L.

Sr. Sarah Burdick shares her wisdom on how Scripture has played a great role in shaping who she is today. Hear her real-life stories about the importance of drinking in the Word, struggles in living it out, and the power of the Word to convert us when we least expect it.

Jesus, Prayer & Scripture (iTunes download* | listen online)
by Dr. Peter Williamson

Dr. Peter Williamson takes us through a journey in Luke's gospel, exploring the way Jesus prays, teaches us to pray and the centrality of Scripture in the life of Jesus himself. Be drawn into the life of the Word by his exploration of the texts, relating the living Word of God to our everyday lives and the life of Christ.

*Choosing the iTunes download will open up the iTunes application on your computer.

Daily Prayer Reflection: What crushes our spirit?

2009-09-02T08:57:00.000-04:00

For thus says he who is high and exalted, living eternally, whose name is the Holy One: On high I dwell, and in holiness, and with the crushed and dejected in spirit, To revive the spirits of the dejected, to revive the hearts of the crushed. Isaiah 57:15

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:3-7

There are so many of us out there walking around with heavy hearts, the weight of the world on our shoulders. Whether it be grieving the loss or sickness of a loved one, dejected by the injustice in the world, or fearful of what the future may bring, we each carry our own burdens...or do we? Sometimes in the midst of anguish, we forget that there are others out there who suffer with us. Though each one's agony is of their own variety, and it is not quite truthful to say we know fully what the other is going through, the fact still remains that we suffer together. More importantly, the fact remains that we suffer with Christ. Christ before us, Christ beside us, Christ behind us - whatever we need.

I am perplexed at how the "faithless" can get through the many struggles of life without the solace of knowing that someone walks beside them. I suppose in the end, I won't know the answer to that question entirely, and it would be presumptious and arrogant to say that in some way, they simply are blinded to an inherent faith that exists within (no matter how much I believe that). It only goes to emphasize, though, that we, who have kinship with Christ through our baptism, should remain ever mindful that when we feel dejected, that when we want to scream, there is always someone there to pick us up and to listen. The end we have in mind may not be the end He has in mind for us, but He is always there to show us His love and mercy if we seek it and open ourselves to the possibility of it.

Lord, have mercy on us now and always!

Daily Prayer Reflection: Are we seeking to become like gods, or belong to God?

2009-09-01T11:27:00.001-04:00

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" Mark 4:37-41

For centuries, there seems to have been a struggle between science and religion, one battling with the other, when in reality, they truly flow together if seen in the right perspective. Science flows from God as God is the Creator of all things, and God's wonderful artistry and imagination can be seen more clearly through the lens of science...if we keep it all in perspective.

In today's day and age, we are more and more inclined to try to control creation. Genetic engineering, weather manipulation, element creation...I can't help but wonder, are we trying to take over the role of God? It is the age-old temptation since the beginning of humanity - the serpent continues to whisper in our ears...you can BE like God...when the truth is rather that we can never be God as we are His creation, not His equal. We belong to God.

Through the example of Christ, we are asked to "be like" God, but not in the sense that we can "be God" - we are asked to put on Christ, to love as God loves, to humble ourselves as God did in taking on human form, to live and die with us. When the serpent whispers in our ears, tempting us to think we can become gods ourselves in this life, let us hope that the Holy Spirit answers back reminding us that we possess something greater than that temptation - the promise to live with God in all His glory by no merit of our own, but rather through the sacrifice, love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do we recognize our own poverty...?

2009-08-31T14:52:00.000-04:00

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. Luke 4:18

...or do we think we know it all? That question is at the core of whether or not we receive the Word of God and drink it in with passion. If we think we already know it all, then there is nothing to be gained by allowing the Gospel to mold us and shape us. There is no difference and no room for anything more from God. Even Jesus recognized that this would be the case with some, acknowledging that "no prophet is accepted in his own native place." When the Word of God conflicts with how we think life should be, aren't we truthfully tempted to make excuses?

Well, the writers of the Bible weren't familiar with other possibilities... (Isn't God the supreme Author and doesn't His knowledge encompass all infinite possibilities of what is and can be?)

Yes, but things in their day were very different and not as advanced... (Isn't the core of the Word always true? And didn't Jesus challenge the customs and authorities of his day?)

To live a gospel life is to live contrary to secular culture. To live a gospel life is to continue to die to ourselves each morning and to let Christ in more with each breath. As contrary as it is to modern thought to let another rule our lives, if we do not admit our own poverty, we can never obtain the saving grace our soul seeks, and we may never breathe that sigh of relief that comes with letting go and letting God do the work within us.

Daily Prayer Reflection: What does God find when he searches our hearts?

2009-08-28T09:24:00.000-04:00

O Lord, you search me and you know me, you know my resting and my rising, you discern my purpose from afar...For it was you who created my being, knit me together in my mother's womb...Already you knew my soul, my body held no secret from you...O search me, God and know my heart. O test me and know my thoughts. See that I follow not the wrong path and lead me in the path of life eternal. Psalm 139

You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you, oh Lord. St. Augustine

Today marks the memorial of St. Augustine, perhaps one of the most dramatic conversion stories from the early years of our faith. He's been known for such quips as "Lord grant me chastity...only not yet." Now, whether or not he actually said those words, I think many of us can identify with the sentiment. Deep down, we know we were created to be holy and blameless. Yet we have this strange fear that if we live our lives according to God's design, we'll be boring sticks in the mud.

We have only to look at our own history to know that the path God chooses for us is rarely boring. In fact, we are most fully alive when we are living in the way that God intends for us to live. Jesus came to share that Good News with us "I have come so that you may have life and have it abundantly." Those are not words of wallflowers!

Today also marks the day that three young women in our area are entering the religious life. One of them shared a bit of her journey of discernment with us, sharing that she enters today filled with peace and joy, but that the journey has had its share of running away from God's plan. She is certainly not alone, and God doesn't have to be calling you to the religious life for us to go running. When God comes calling, what does he find in our hearts? A desire for the truly good life, or a desire to get to that later while we live in the world for a bit and have our "fun"?

Daily Prayer Reflection: Do we complain or pray?

2009-08-27T09:54:00.000-04:00

Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith. Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:10-13

"Night and day we pray..." Can you imagine the struggles of the first apostles as they set out to tell people of this wondrous, but logically unbelievable news? What of Jesus himself, who was abandoned at every turn? I think I can safely say that I would most certainly "vent" at the end of the day. Ok, let's call it what it is - I'd have a few complaints. Yet, we hear Paul talk about how the apostles prayed night and day for those to whom they went. Jesus to his very last prayed for those who betrayed him.

Prayer has a fruitful end. Whether it is the end we wish to see or an end we will ever see is not the point. Prayer in the hands of God, for the right purpose, bears fruit. Our complaints, though they may relieve us of some frustration in the short term, do not really bear any worthwhile fruit. When I was really struggling with some people in my life, I received some wisdom through a friend. She had been praying about the situation, and asked if I ever prayed for the person. I admitted I didn't really, and she suggested I start doing so every day. If nothing else, entering into prayer rather than a litany of whining changed my own heart toward them, and in the end, the only thing I can control is me.

Today, challenge yourself to lift up those people and situations in prayer that most lead you to complain. Do so daily, even just for one week, and see where God takes your heart.

Morning Prayer Reflection: What holds us back from our "YES!"?

2009-08-24T09:10:00.000-04:00

But the LORD answered me, Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD. Jeremiah 1:7-8

Having entered the Catholic Church at a campus parish during my college years, I perhaps have fewer preconceptions about what it looks like to be a servant of God. The people serving the Lord around me throughout my conversion ranged from birkenstock-wearing college folks, to missionary priests and military personnel. Some were more holy than others, but all of them showed me the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ in a special way.

I think sometimes we get caught up in our own images of what we must be in order to serve God. We build up roadblocks in our heads - we're too young, too old, too imperfect, too busy. Even the prophet Jeremiah tried that line back in the day. The thing is, God doesn't fall for that. When I was struggling with whether or not I was qualified or able to go into ministry as a career, a friend shared with me a now familiar saying. God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called. In fact, the best servants simply take their direction from God and God alone. As baptized members of the body of Christ, we are given access to the Great Qualifier. If God is calling, He won't leave us to fend for ourselves.

Another roadblock sometimes grows out of a desire to see the fruit of our labor. We expect sensational results if we are serving God. However, we may not all be servants whose acts bring about glorious transformation - we can't all be St. Paul or St. Peter. Pope Benedict XVI, in writing about St. Bartholomew, whose feast day it is today, said, "Despite the scarcity of information about him, St. Bartholomew stands before us to tell us that attachment to Jesus can also be lived and witnessed to without performing sensational deeds." We have to struggle into the understanding that the glory is God's alone, and happens in His time despite our best efforts now.

What holds you back from answering God with a resounding "YES!"?

Morning Prayer Reflection: Do we recognize ourselves as part of a community in Christ?

2009-08-21T11:13:00.000-04:00

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

Jesus exists in community. Even the Trinitarian nature of God as Father, Son & Holy Spirit is communal. The implications for this are astounding as we drift further and further into individualism and isolation. We cannot exist in Christ outside of community - period. This is the fundamental answer for why we need "Church," of why we cannot exist as genuinely faithful people outside of a community of faith. Spiritual, but not religious, only gets us part of the way there. God does not exist in a vacuum for our experience alone. Our relationship with God, with Christ, depends upon how we interact with those around us. More than once we hear Jesus allude to this. "Forgive one another, love one another, proclaim the gospel to one another"...never does he say "leave one another."

It is easy to move on when we feel we are not getting something for our efforts. Sometimes, being in community, it is more about giving than receiving. (I think even Jesus mentions something about this...) Do we recognize ourselves as part of a community in Christ, or just as individual "Christians"?

Health Care Debate: Planned Parenthood vs. US Catholic Bishops

2009-08-20T11:33:00.000-04:00

I was sifting through the Facebook updates this morning and ran across a link to an article from the Catholic News Agency about an interchange between Planned Parenthood and a spokesperson for the US Catholic Bishops. In the heat of the healthcare debate, let's just say some words have been exchanged. This was, however, one of the more thought-provoking articles on the subject of abortion within the Obama health care plan.

Planned Parenthood's statement? "“Seems that, if the U.S. Conference had its way, the national health care system would make American women second-class citizens and deny them access to benefits they currently have,” she charged."

Second class citizens? Really? Funny, even Kourtney Kardashian seems to have done her research enough to know that abortion is not actually good for women. Perhaps she should have a chat with Cecile. In fact, it seems that little of Planned Parenthood's arguments actually stood up to the facts supported by research (and not just pro-lifer research either, for those that would claim bias).

For me, the most poignant part of the article was the response of Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the USSCB’s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. Calm, cool, no name-calling - everything the Church should be. In his response, he challenged Planned Parenthood's claim to be pro-choice, saying "“To get into the government-run health plan you must buy abortion coverage. That’s contrary to personal choice. Maybe she should be joining us in our effort.”"

Well, I don't see that happening any time soon, but kudos to you Richard! Apparently, the only approved choice is forcing those opposed to abortion to allow their tax dollars to pay for it.

I highly recommend reading the whole article - it was most definitely thought provoking. It's not a pro-lifer's dream statement, but it is the most cogent and reasonable compromise I've heard yet. It certainly challenges both sides. To our pro-life advocates, the challenge is to not use this bill to try to eliminate legal abortion, so that our poorest might receive healthcare. There is no question that we should continue to fight the good fight, but perhaps in another venue. To Planned Parenthood, the challenge is to demonstrate that they really do believe there is a choice and that both choices are equal and should remain choices.

And now, the ball is in Planned Parenthood's court.

full story

Morning Prayer Reflection: From Whom Do We Seek Knowledge?

2009-08-20T11:15:00.000-04:00

His care is to seek the LORD, his Maker, to petition the Most High, To open his lips in prayer, to ask pardon for his sins. Then, if it pleases the LORD Almighty, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; He will pour forth his words of wisdom and in prayer give thanks to the LORD,Who will direct his knowledge and his counsel, as he meditates upon his mysteries. Sirach 39:6-7 (NAB)

"Being smart is not the same as being wise." A friend shared these words of her pastor with me last night as we were talking, and the profundity of the simple statement struck me as so very timely. We can get so busy seeking out knowledge on matters, we sometimes don't stop to think where that "knowledge" is originating. Are we simply seeking to seem smart, or are we really asking to gain wisdom? They are two very different things. Google and Wiki can get us facts, but the veracity of them is not always so reliable. Having worked with college students, I can't even remember the number of times we had to remind them to not just rely on the internet, but to check the source of their information.

As you pray today, consider where you get your information. In this time of political and ideological debate, to whom do we turn for counsel and wisdom? If not God, are we getting the real truth?

Doesn't God give us the same instruction for life? There is a lot of information out there, and some of it seems like it is pretty true. Do we ever stop, though, to consider the source? Do we enter into prayer when it is a matter of justice, faith and morals, to open our mind to the counsel and wisdom of God, to ask for His understanding, which far surpasses our own? In the Gospel today, we hear Jesus proclaiming the Greatest Commandment - Love God with heart, mind and soul. If we consider that love is sacrifice, maybe what he is really asking is to surrender our minds to God, along with our hearts and souls, for God's goodness to fill that instrument as well.

Morning Prayer Reflection: What Do We Stand For?

2009-08-19T09:48:00.000-04:00

Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11 (NAB)

Oh, we've all heard it - that old adage that goes something like, "if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." That's just an old-fashioned platitude, though, right? I mean, in this day and age, when there are so many viewpoints and possibilities, none are better than the other, none are "more true" because then it would make someone else's ideas wrong, and that's not right, right?

What a mess we've become. We have become so fearful of offending others, especially as Catholics sometimes, that we have lost the beauty of knowing the fullness of Truth that resides in our midst. How can we begin to function as ambassadors of Christ if we don't even know what we believe among the sea of ideas and possibilities. If all ideas and beliefs are equally true, then it stands to reason that they are all equally false. That is not what Jesus Christ died on the cross for. He died for Truth with a capital T, and we squander it away for fear of offense. I am not in anyway advocating a ruthless or aggressive campaign for Truth. In fact, I'm a firm lover of St. Paul's imagery of the clanging symbol - from personal experience, no one likes a noisy gong. We must advocate in love, but that does not mean forsaking truth for comfort.

The old adage remains quite true - if we don't unite ourselves with the truth of Christ, we do fall for anything, however wise we may think ourselves. Let us hope to always stay in sync with the Holy Spirit that we might discern the Truth, speak in love and be open to new understanding as Christ wills it.

Just for Fun: BXVI & the Apple Tablet

2009-08-18T21:23:00.000-04:00

Papa BXVI & the Apple Tablet

No, no...this isn't some new-fangled diet supplement or euphemism for our fall from grace. This picture has been circulating on the web, showing our very own Pope Benedict XVI with the Apple Tablet. So, you make the call - think PapaB is giving the Tablet two thumbs up, or is this photo as doctored as his endorsement??

Morning Prayer Reflection: Do we move forward in faith?

2009-08-18T09:58:00.000-04:00

Gideon said to him, “My Lord, if the LORD is with us,why has all this happened to us?Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fatherstold us when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’For now the LORD has abandoned usand has delivered us into the power of Midian.”The LORD turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.” Judges 6:13-14

There is no denying these are tough times. Perhaps some of us carry the tune of Gideon in his despair: "Why have you abandoned us? If you are good, Lord, why are we in this mess?" Sometimes, the dark spiral of wallowing pulls us down into a place of helplessness and feeling powerless and abandoned. As people of faith, we know the promise of Christ to never leave us, and yet, in our humanity, Christ's presence with us isn't always what we think it should be. We can begin to think if God is with us, then we face no hardships, when the truth is, in this human life, hardship happens. With God's continual presence, we can bear those hardships with a little less sorrow. Perhaps if we are in the midst of trial, we are simply being asked to re-shape our minds in the likeness of Christ, and not humanity.

So many people, young and old alike, have been struggling in this economy. We do not downplay the serious problem that face us, but perhaps part of the problem is what we have grown accustomed to thinking is "normal" or "successful." Blessed Teresa of Calcutta is quoted as saying, "We are called upon not to be successful but to be faithful." In these tough times, are we trying too hard to be successful, to count on our own power? The Lord tells Gideon to go with the strength he has - what he is really saying is to go in the strength of God...go with what I have given you and do what I have sent you to do. In moments of helplessness, are we trying to dig ourselves out, or do we move forward in faith, relying on the strength and wisdom of God?

Just for Fun: Sin Across America

2009-08-17T22:38:00.000-04:00

A fun exercise by researchers from Kansas State University trying to explore the habits of people around the country has drawn a map of sin across America.

A Catholic News Service article breaks down the researchers findings based on patterns of behavior. The researchers collected census information, FBI crime reports and stats from the Dept. of Human Health and Services. How did they break it down? How else but by the seven deadly sins!

Now, of course, this is not a serious study...or is it? We certainly can't point fingers at regions of the country, but it gives us some insight into our vices...and it turns out we've got a few. You won't color me shocked at that. Though it is not a study meant to identify our greatest downfalls, it is a great starting point for a look inward. I find it quite interesting what variables they used to determine the deadly sins, and am curious what we would use to make the same measure in light of our faith.

From CNS:
Here is how the Kansas State researchers calculated the sinfulness of any one region:

-- Sloth: expenditures per capita on entertainment and recreation, such as video games and movie rentals, that tend to keep people isolated from one another as reported in the "U.S. Census Bureau 2002 Economic Census: Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Report."

-- Greed: comparing total per capita income with the number of people living in poverty per capita as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.

-- Envy: statistics from "FBI Uniform Crime Reports" related to stealing, i.e., robbery, burglary. larceny and motor vehicle theft.

-- Wrath: more statistics from the FBI, but for rape, assault and murder.

-- Gluttony: comparing the total number of fast-food restaurants per capita as reported by the "U.S. Census Bureau 2002 Economic Census: Food Services and Drinking Places Report."

-- Lust: the number of sexually transmitted diseases per capita from data collected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

-- Pride: With no data that could be related, the researchers calculated pride as the aggregation of the other six sins.

Morning Prayer Reflection: Can We Let Go of the Shadows of the Past?

2009-08-17T09:12:00.000-04:00

...Everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Ephesians 5:13-14 (NRSV)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentation 3:22-23 (NRSV)

Jesus calls us each morning to arise anew in him. Yet, how many of us can say that we wake each morning in the glow of the light of Christ, the shadows and thoughts of the prior day(s) lifted from our minds? The worries of so many years sometimes follow us around, it can become crippling. It is precisely these burdens and shadows that Jesus calls us to expose to Him. Darkness is not dark for the Lord, who is Light. We can keep our thoughts and worries swirling about in the abyss of our minds, or we can hand them over to the Lord who can shed his mercy and light on them. Though this may not erase the burdens that plague us, it does lighten the load we bear when we share the load with Christ. So this morning, I challenge us all to hand over to Jesus anything that keeps us from beginning our morning aglow in the light of Christ. Today will bring its own challenges that will require us to find new strength from God. Can we let go of the shadows of the past to be fully alive today?

Looking for music? Try Nichole Nordeman's "Mercies New" found on her Woven & Spun album.

...Your mercies are new every morning
So let me wake with the dawn
When the music is through or so it seems to be
Let me sing a new song, old things gone
Every day it's true, You make all Your mercies new...

Morning Prayer Reflection: Does our cup overflow?

2009-08-14T09:02:00.000-04:00

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction...For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Contrary to the belief of many in the Catholic Church of yesteryear, ours is not a private faith. As a new generation of Catholics, we are still recovering from that notion that one does not "impose" one's religion or faith onto others. From where it developed I cannot be sure, only to say that perhaps it was a natural reaction to the persecution many Catholics faced in their communities in the early years of this nation.

Yet, ours is a faith that calls us to embrace persecution. We are called to unite ourselves with Jesus Christ in those moments and allow God's grace and mercy to flow into us, not only to provide us with consolation, but to serve as a witness of the mercy of Christ to the world. Turning to Jesus in our moments of "affliction" we are filled. Uniting ourselves with Him in all things, we continue to fill ourselves not just to the brim so that we are satisfied, but to a point where we overflow with the love and mercy of God so that we can share it with others who need it. If we are not turning to Christ, however, if we take matters into our own hands, our own chasm of need remains too deep for us to proclaim what Jesus has done for us.

Does our cup overflow, or do we just keep a personal stash of Christ's mercy for troubled times? Let us pray, that inspired by the selfless sacrifice of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe whose memorial is today, we may never embrace a solely private faith - that we may be so united with Christ that his grace, light and mercy spill out of us to all those we encounter.

Come Holy Spirit!

Morning Prayer Reflection: Are we true friends?

2009-08-13T09:13:00.000-04:00

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13

Friendship is born of love, and love is born of sacrifice. In an era of Facebook and MySpace, friendship has become synonymous with acquaintance. I was taken aback a few years ago when I heard Fr. Larry Richards say that anyone who told you they had more than a handful of friends was lying. Now, perhaps Fr. Larry was exaggerating, perhaps not. The concept however, was not lost on me. Christ tells us that to live in his friendship, we must be willing to lay down our lives. We must be willing to sacrifice our desires, our will, perhaps even our lives. How many of your "friends" are you willing to do this for? How many of your Facebook "friends"?

I noticed recently that when you go to look at your friends on Facebook, they now call them "connections." This is, I believe, a better way to look at the many people in our lives. We are all very much connected, and Facebook is quite possibly the greatest examination of the six degrees of separation. However, I do not truly have 500+ friends, at least not in the way of Christian friendship. Would I go out of my way for many of them? Sure. Would I lay down my life for all of them? I have to admit I would not, as much as I would like to say yes.

When we call someone friend, how much are we willing to give up for them? Are we true friends? Do we count Christ as our friend? Scripture tells us he has chosen us as his...

Morning Prayer Reflection: How is God molding us today?

2009-08-12T10:44:00.000-04:00

O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands. Isaiah 64:7

This verse from Isaiah always leads me back to the second account of creation in Genesis. God created man out of clay and breathed life into him. We are all constantly being formed and reformed, given new life with every breath God breathes into our souls. What we are not, is always aware of this grace. God's work is not generally instantaneous, which can definitely be a struggle in this fast-food world. Much like the work of a master artist, the work is slow, sometimes painstaking, and sometimes...well, let's face it, sometimes it needs revision and fixing as cracks appear, or as our purpose changes.

Take St. Jane Frances de Chantal, whose memorial day is observed in the U.S. today. The Lord led her first to the life of wife and mother. Yet, after the death of her husband, she was transformed by the preaching of St. Francis de Sales and went on later in her life to found the Visitation nuns and established 85 monasteries before her death. God is constantly molding us in our environment, as our situation changes, so might the way in which we are called to serve Him.

Regardless of how much work we may need, we should rest assured that God continues to work on us, to refine us, to purify us, whether we are immediately aware or not. If we let the Spirit of God into our lives, if we are open to the work of the Lord in our hearts, the transformation can be magnificent, though it may only be in hindsight that we see a glimpse of what a masterpiece He is creating. Looking back over the recent past, can we see how God is molding us? Are there instances where it is clear that he has patched us up or reshaped us for something new?

Want some music to help you reflect? Check out this song by Christian artists, Caedmon's Call:

HANDS OF THE POTTER by Caedmon's Call
Lord if i'm the clay
Then i've been left out in the sun
Cracked and dry, like the mud from the sty
Still clinging to the prodigal son

But I'm on my way back home
Yes I'm on my way back home
Into the hands (into the hands)
That made wine (wine) from the water
Into the hands (into the hands)
The hands of the potter

Lord if i'm the clay then
Let your living water flow
Soften up my edges, lord,
So everyone will know

But i'm on my way back home
Yes i'm on my way back home...

And Lord, when you listen for the song of my life
Let it be, let it be, a song so sweet
Let it be, let it be, a song so sweet
Let it be...

Lord, if i'm the clay then lay me down
On your spinning wheel
Shape me into something you can fill
With something real

And I'll be on my way back home
Yes i'm on my way back home

Morning Prayer Reflection: To What Are We Attached?

2009-08-11T10:47:00.000-04:00

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. Philippians 3:7-9

Let me begin by saying that not all of us are called to a life of voluntary material poverty. I say this first because I believe that the extremity of such a view often keeps us from embracing the kind of poverty we are called to share. St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, is talking not only of his material wealth, but also of his spiritual mindframe, his very framework of life. St. Clare, whose memorial it is today, expressed that desire to have nothing but Christ in emulation of St. Francis, which was to take on material poverty. However, the call each of us has is to detach ourselves from those things that keep us away from Christ - to be poor in spirit, realizing that any and all wealth, material and spiritual, comes from Jesus alone.

Surrounded by a culture where less is hardly ever more, what is it that we are so attached to? Is there anything we possess that we feel we could not live without? If we were asked to do so, would it undermine our faith? Pray today to be released from all but the power of Christ, so that we, like St. Paul and St. Clare, may desire no gain, no good, but that of our Lord Jesus.

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Morning Prayer Reflection: Are we on fire for Christ?

2009-08-10T09:48:00.000-04:00

When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, the flames shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

Today marks the feast of St. Lawrence. Though much is not known about his life, it is known that he was set on fire for Christ, most literally. Under persecution, told to produce all the wealth of the Church, Deacon Lawrence brought with him all the poor, diseased and crippled to present as the riches of Christ. In response, Lawrence was grilled...again, literally set over coals to be burned to death.

We do not do well with suffering in our age. Suffering is thought a sign of weakness. In the eyes of Christ, however, suffering is solidarity and strength. It is solidarity with not only the weakest among us, but with Jesus himself. It is strength to turn over our own power and trust that amidst the struggles and flames of life, we will not be consumed if we remain in Christ. More than asking us to bear whatever may come, Jesus tells us that we must suffer for his sake! Being "on fire" for Christ is literally to be willing to come under fire for his sake.

In light of that, I wonder how many of us are, really and truly, on fire for Christ...

Read more about St. Lawrence

Mass Prep: Be imitators of God and live in love...

2009-08-08T14:30:00.000-04:00

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:2

The bread that I give is my flesh for the life of the world. John 6:51

Live in love... The word "love" has been so abused over the years, this simple instruction becomes more confusing. What is it to live in love? As we continue to meditate on the image of bread, Jesus gives us an even stronger image of what it means to love. His love is to give up his flesh, so that we may live and have hope of reconciliation with God. If we are to imitate God's love, then love is no less than sacrifice. Love is living in the Truth of God. Love is not just butterflies and rainbows and the happy thought that everyone is okay.

I once heard a priest brilliantly define an issue that plagues our current culture. He said that we all go around afraid to speak out, because we are taught that we're all okay - "I'm okay, you're okay." The truth, if we are to live as authentically in Christ as we can, is quite the opposite. We are none of us "okay" - we are all plagued by something, but Jesus, the Bread of Life, offers his flesh as food for healing. So it is more accurate to say, "I'm not okay, but in You I am made well, Lord."

If we are to truly live in love, we must be willing to live in the truth that each of us is somehow suffering. Out of love, we must lead each other to the only one who can make us "okay," to the Divine Healer, to the Bread of Life who came that we too may live.

Do we humble ourselves before Christ to admit our failings and allow Him to heal us through Reconciliation and the Eucharist? If we do not, pray this weekend that the Holy Spirit may reveal and heal what it is that keeps us away from the new life we are promised.

Come Lord Jesus!

In Our Prayers: Fr. Mirek Jordanek

2009-08-08T00:47:00.000-04:00

Fr. Mirek Jordanek is one of only few chaplains serving the armed forces stationed in Afghanistan. Together with others in the chaplaincy, Fr. Mirek serves as the spiritual leader of men and women who face challenges unheard of to us.

Read more about Fr. Mirek and the chaplains who are serving our young men and women in Afghanistan. Pray that the Lord may give them the strength to bring a message of hope, comfort and peace to so many who live in the midst of turmoil.

Upcoming Event: SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 - Fusion Young Adult Mass

2009-08-07T19:58:00.000-04:00

Join the young adults of Fusion Young Adult Ministry at Mass. Specially designed by young adults for young adults. Fr. John Martin from St. Benedict's Monastery in Oxford presiding.

Fusion is a young adult community ranging from college-age to young professionals in their 30s who live out their Catholic faith throughout their lives. Lively and welcoming, the group hosts a variety of activities open to all young adults:

Area Young Adult Mass (2nd Sundays)
Coffee and Conversation (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
Two annual retreats (Sept. & Jan.)
A weekly Rosary (Mondays)
And a variety of social events through the year!

To join the Genesis Ministries mailing list for updates on these and other young adult activities in the Oakland County area, email us at info@genesis-ministries.org.

Morning Prayer Reflection: Do we pass on the Good News?

2009-08-07T09:32:00.000-04:00

Let this be written for the next generation, for a people not yet born, that they may praise the LORD: "The LORD looked down from the holy heights, viewed the earth from heaven, To attend to the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die." Psalm 102:19-21 (NAB)

What an honor to know the full story of Good News! If you think back to the time when the Psalms were written, people were holding out in hope that the promise of God would soon be fulfilled. We live in a time where we know that fulfillment in Christ Jesus. We know that not only did God "look down" to see our misery, but that he came down in the flesh, took on a human nature, to not only share in our despondency, but to shatter our hopelessness by throwing open the gates of eternal life to us.

How is it, then, that over two thousand years later, there are still people who have not heard this great news?!? Worse yet, how is it we have come to this place where instead of marvel and awe, the story is met with disbelief, doubt and even worse, apathy - at least doubt and disbelief take some effort. It is easy to lay blame on "imperfect Christians" - to judge the Lord by the actions of his people would certainly cast a dark shadow many days. It is even more tempting to say that the divisions in the Church, the skepticism of its teachings, provide ground for doubt and disbelief. I personally believe that is the devil at work. All that does is throw a veil over the heart of the message of Good News. Jesus Christ, God become man, came down from heaven, he lived at a point in history, he died for our sins, and was resurrected, opening for us the doors to eternal life with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Christ is not to be judged by human standards - we are sinful, we fail. That's why he came for goodness sake (literally!)! I think the greater question is, in our own humanity, do we let our failings and faults hold us back from sharing this great news of our faith? Are we too scared to "rock the boat" or "offend" others? Do we ourselves really believe? If we do, how can we not share this message, which two thousand years later, has not been equaled in magnitude (and never will)? How do we pass on this faith to our neighbors and to future generations, that they may know and praise the Lord of all goodness and hope, the promise of God fulfilled?

Speak UP - Tell us about your favorite priest!

2009-08-06T15:30:00.000-04:00

Pope Benedict XVI has declared this the "Year of the Priest." As part of an effort to increase the awareness of all that our priests do for our parishes, families, communities and Church, Genesis Ministries is looking for your stories! Nominate your favorite priest in our "Year of the Priest Contest" by sharing a story of how he has impacted your life - it can be as serious or funny as you choose.

To enter the contest, please include the following in your submission:

Your full name (first & last), address, email and phone number.
Date of birth (including year, please)
Your parish name and city
Priest's name and parish or religious community
Priest's address (if known)
Your story! (please indicate if we can reprint your story in our blog)

Submit all information by October 5, 2009, to info@genesis-ministries.org with the subject: "Year of the Priest". Winners will be announced to the public on November 1 through this blog. (Individual winners will be notified personally prior to that date.)

Grand Prize is dinner for the winner and their nominated priest at a local restaurant and a gift certificate to Faith at Work for the entrant (restaurant to be determined with winner and priest at the end of contest). Up to 10 Runners-up will receive one of several books related to various topics of faith.

Prize eligibility requirements:

Must be between the ages of 18 and 39 at the time of entry.
Must reside and/or worship in Oakland County, MI
Priest must serve within the Archdiocese of Detroit area.

All stories are eligible for re-publication within our blog if so designated, regardless of above requirements. Entries will be judged by a panel of young adults within the Genesis Ministries network.

The Dunkin' Donuts of Afghanistan

2009-08-06T13:48:00.000-04:00

Too often all we hear of Afghanistan, if we hear of it at all amidst the conflict in Iraq, is more violence, more soldiers and civilians losing their lives. There is more to the story there, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) offers us a glimpse into the many efforts their workers are relentlessly pursuing to improve the lives of those who live amidst the turmoil.

In one such project, CRS organizes groups of women to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors, encouraging them to pool their resources and develop plans for businesses such as sewing curtains or raising chickens. The women also receive an education learning how to read, write and do basic math - all the skills necessary for them to be self-sustaining. One group of women began their own bakery as there was not one in town. They've since received a contract from the local police to provide them baked goods.

(photo by Laura Sheahan/CRS)

Now, it's nothing industrial and no images of Betty Crocker should pop up. As CRS describes,

As Woo enjoyed the freshly-basked cookies, she asked the women about challenges they faced. One hurdle is getting enough fuel for the bakery oven: wood is expensive, so often the women have to walk miles in the mountains to gather small bushes and load the bundles onto donkeys. The bushes are then dried and burned in the oven.

I don't think any of us can imagine putting that much effort into a batch of cookies. Yet, it is precisely this effort that allows them to earn enough money to feed and clothe themselves and their families.

To learn more about the efforts of Catholic Relief Services and how you can help, visit http://www.crs.org or subscribe to their blog. They have great ways for you as young people to get involved on the local level and learn more about the conditions throughout the world that need your energy and voice to be brought to light.

Morning Prayer Reflection: Do we radiate Christ?

2009-08-06T09:43:00.000-04:00

As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the LORD. Exodus 34:29

When he is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. In witnessing this holy event, the disciples Peter, James and John caught a glimpse of the glory that awaits us all in Christ. The radiance of his presence transmits the love of God for each of us. And yet, as Moses, by gazing upon the Lord in the fullness of his glory, the disciples cannot help but be transformed and called into action. Though, like us, they are a little bit at a loss as to what to do - they want to remain there, but the Lord directs them to move on and hold that moment dear in their own hearts.

The mystery of the Transfiguration always reminds me of my favorite prayer, written by Cardinal John Henry Newman and reported prayed by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta daily:

Dear Jesus,
help me to spread your fragrance wherever I go.
Flood my soul with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly
that my life may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with
may feel your presence in my soul.

Let them look up and see no longer me, but only Jesus!
Stay with me and then I will begin to shine as you shine,
so to shine as to be a light to others.

The light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be mine.
It will be you, shining on others through me.
Let me thus praise you in the way which you love best,
by shining on those around me.
Let me preach you without preaching, not by words but by example,
by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do,
the evident fullness of the love my heart bears for you. Amen.

As we go through our day, let's take the moment of the Transfiguration, the image of Christ in all his resplendent glory and let it flow through us. Let us radiate Christ!

A Whole New Meaning to Church Shopping!

2009-08-05T22:39:00.000-04:00

I have strolled past the Catholic Mass at the airport in Orlando. I've even seen the chapels at others. What I've never heard of is the Church at the mall. Now, I personally think it's relatively brilliant! Take the Gospel and proclaim it in places where people are - there is the evangelization of the 21st century! Bravo to the Capuchin Franciscans in Colorado Springs for such a concept, and bravo to those who are financially supporting it. You can rest assured you're getting a call from me to pick your brains and get the details!

Here is what they offer:

Daily 12:10 pm Mass Monday through Friday
6 pm Mass
Confession in English and Spanish all mall hours
Chapel for prayer
Spiritual guidance
Faith Inquiry
Vocation discernment
Parish and Catholic charities referrals

Interesting to note that there are many parishes who don't offer as much, mostly because they do not have the resources to do so. What a great way to complement what already exists! Hey Church out there, are you paying attention? It's time to take notice of innovation within faith and find out if it is working. If the answer is yes, maybe we should all consider it a lesson learned about taking risks in union with the Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. Playing it safe never brought a soul to Jesus. If that were the ticket, he wouldn't have reminded us so often to "be not afraid!"

If we had a Catholic Chapel in a mall or other such public location, would you swing by for Mass, prayer or any of the other services they provide? Would it take away from your attendance at your local parish?

Your Life on TV??

2009-08-05T12:46:00.000-04:00

Reality TV is a continually growing "genre" in today's entertainment lineup. However we may feel about the multitude of shows offered, it doesn't seem as though there is any end to the madness anytime soon. So Catholic TV in the Boston area has decided "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" And I say kudos to them. I've been a long proponent of starting our own reality-tv series focusing on the lives of Catholic young adults in the area. The hurdle? Getting time and talent to move beyond the storyboard given my own real life!

Now, I'm not saying that I would imagine a reality series quite like the one they're doing, but I've got some ideas. Here's my question to you: would you want to be on reality tv...even if it just starts on YouTube? Would you want to be involved even if you weren't on the camera? Let me know, and maybe you could be the next big thing! ;)

Read more about what they're doing in Boston: http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=149&videoID=714

Morning Prayer Reflection: Do we choose God?

2009-08-05T08:53:00.000-04:00

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6

Deuteronomy goes on to say that it is not for any reason due to us that the Lord has chosen us, but rather, out of his love and fidelity to the promises he has made. God chooses us, even in our imperfect state, he chooses us out of love. Each day, by our words and our actions, we have the chance to make choices, to choose to act in a way that shows our love for God. We can choose to react in anger, or choose to forgive. We can choose to gossip or spread rumors, or we can choose to remain silent or defend someone's honor. We can choose to be prideful, or we can choose to humbly realize God as the source of our goodness. We can choose to think we have it all under control, or we can choose to acknowledge that the only control we have is to give it all to God. We can choose to think our little actions don't matter, or we can choose to admit that every breath and movement shows some element of our character. So choose wisely...

As we go about our daily lives, do our choices reflect a love for God, a submission to his will for us, acknowledgment of the sacrifice Christ made? In short, do we choose God?

New Video Series from Busted Halo: Busted Borders

2009-08-04T10:06:00.001-04:00

Busted Halo has produced a video series entitled "Busted Borders" sharing the stories of undocumented immigrants - how they got here, why they are here, why they are "undocumented," in the hopes of adding the spiritual dimension to the debate, at least among the young adults the site targets.

We are called through the Scriptures and through Catholic Social Teaching, to welcome the stranger. Though many of us have different ideas of how the laws should apply to immigration, remaining faithful makes it necessary that those views should be informed by the command and call of God. Whatever our political ideology, our allegiance to Christ should come first and our treatment of those in our midst regardless of their origin or legal status, should uphold the same dignity that Christ would show.

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Read more on the series at USA Today.

View all the videos as the come out on Busted Halo.

Morning Prayer Reflection: Are we self-satisfied?

2009-08-04T09:29:00.000-04:00

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (NRSV)

God tends to turn the world upside down, topsy turvy. Now, He's God, so He can. We create our own standards, and then God steps in to show us just how wrong we've gotten it. Sound familiar? It is so easy to get caught up in the "rules" of our world and culture that we can forget that God measures on very different standards than most of our neighbors. Especially in our culture, we are surrounded by messages that tell us that what matters are very superficial things. How much we make, what we wear, where we live, how big and fast our cars are, how "successful" we are at work - those are the questions and judgments we so often get. Yet, God shows us through Jesus that it isn't about what WE do. The disciples were not learned men of the era. They were fishermen, tax collectors, sinners just like us. Yet, in them, Jesus found his closest companions and those to whom he would entrust the future of his mission.

In my own life, one of the most powerful things anyone ever said to me was that, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." How true it is if we examine the early Church. How true it remains if we truly look at our own lives. Not a day goes by that I don't feel [insert word here] to do what I am asked to do. Yet, even in those moments...especially in those moments, God sends confirmation that I am doing all He has asked me to do...if I really am, of course!

Do we judge our worth through God's eyes, or are we all too self-satisfied?

Morning Prayer Reflection: Do we let God be God?

2009-08-03T09:26:00.000-04:00

Lord God, you have made heaven and earth by your great might, with your outstretched arm; nothing is impossible to you. Jeremiah 32:17

It is you, O LORD, you are the only one. Nehemiah 9:6

Each Sunday, as we profess our faith in the Mass, we begin by saying, "We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty...We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ..." As we go through life, I think most of us have a inner knowledge of God as the only God, and yet, it is so easy to begin to let other things direct our paths. It is equally easy to think we have things under control, or if you are like me, that we must take care of everything. Yet, it is God for whom all things are possible, not us. It is God who is the one Lord, who has created us and whose will directs us to peace and joy - not any human, regardless of how admirable the may be.

Each day provides us a chance to begin anew with the Lord, to turn our lives over to Him again and again. The question is, do we let God be God?

Mass Prep: Do not live in the futility of your minds, but be transformed in Christ.

2009-08-01T10:08:00.000-04:00

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." John 6:27 (NRSV)

We continue from last week on the central image of food, of bread. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Just as God sent down manna from the heavens for the Israelites to nourish them while they were lost, he sends us Christ for our eternal and spiritual nourishment. More than simply food, the Bread of Life nourishes our souls, transforming them into a new creation in Christ. One cannot authentically encounter Jesus Christ and recognize him as Lord without being somehow changed. Every instance of such encounters in the Gospels lay evidence to that.

We not only encounter Christ, but in the Mass, he makes Himself one with us in the Eucharist. By consuming Christ, He is at work within us, helping to restore us into God's original image, holy and blameless in His sight.

How is the Lord calling you to change this week?

In Our Prayers: Fr. James Mukalel, Priest Slain in India

2009-07-31T16:01:00.001-04:00

Fr. James Mulakel
Born: June 13, 1950
Ordained: March 17, 1979
Died: July 29, 2009

Sometimes we forget how good we have it. Nope, make that most times. We may live in a country where political differences create heated discussions and divisions, where they have in fact invaded the unity of our Church, but for now, we remain fairly safe in our assumption that we shall not be slain for our faith. Not ours...for now.

In so many places throughout the world, that is simply not the case. A 2002 article at Zenit.org showed that 65%* of all Christian martyrs were made so in the 20th century according to a study presented by journalist Antonio Socci. The places identified with the highest threat were Molucca Islands of Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, East Timor, Cuba, the former Soviet republics, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries, Vietnam, China and others.

So today, we mourn the loss of this priest, beloved by his community, and pray for all those who continue to be persecuted for the sake of Christ. May they find their reward at the gates of Heaven.

Full story on Zenit.org

*Total number is estimated at 70 million. The 20th century saw some 45.5 million Christians slain for their faith.

Morning Prayer Reflection: Are we ever still enough to hear the voice of God?

2009-07-31T09:22:00.000-04:00

"I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts. They shall be my people and I shall be their God." Jeremiah 31:33 (NAB)

"In the silence of the heart, God speaks." These are the wise words of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. The mystics in the Church throughout the years can tell of the sheer ecstasy achieved when that contemplative union with God is reached in stillness. Yet, for most of us, even if we can still our bodies long enough to sit and pray, our minds are near impossible to silence. Henri Nouwen writes of the challenge to work through the infinte soundtracks of our minds and hearts, plagued with worries and thoughts, to reach that place where only the voice of God remains. It is not achieved in a day, but through a persistent practice of prayer (say THAT 10 times quickly!) where we invite the Holy Spirit to take from us all the cares of the world and allow us into that sanctuary within us where Christ resides, to do nothing but be with Him and listen to that voice of God that resides within us.

Are we so desperate for God that we seek that kind of prayer? Do we allow ourselves to be still - mind, body and soul? It is a perfect time as the weekend approaches to take that challenge - be still with God.

WYD 2011 Logo Revealed

2009-07-30T22:43:00.000-04:00

The new logo for WYD 2011 in Madrid has been revealed!

The logo designer, José Gil-Nogués, explained that the image symbolizes "youth of the whole world united to celebrate their faith together with the Pope, at the foot of the cross, and they form the crown of Our Lady of Almudena, patron of Madrid. "The crown, Gil-Nogués added, forms the "M" of Mary and of Madrid. And the cross, symbol of Christianity, presides over the event.

For the full story, check out the article at ZENIT: http://www.zenit.org/article-26595?l=english

Morning Prayer Reflection: Do we seek the will of Christ or our own?

2009-07-30T09:29:00.000-04:00

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. Ephesians 1:11-12 (NAB)

It was the horror of childhood - to be the last one standing as people were choosing teams. No one wanted to be that kid! Truth be told, I think even as adults we have some of that lasting anxiety. We want to be #1...or at least not the last. Here's the good news (and I mean Good News!) - Christ has chosen us. He has sacrficed his earthly life to open the gates of heaven...for us. How do we repay that sacrifice?

We are so bombarded with the idea that life should be exactly as we want it to be these days, that the thought of living it according to someone else's rules is shocking. The word "obedience" conjures up some medieval images, no? Yet, we have a Savior who has only our best at heart, what is truly for our best. Today's little Magnificat reflection before the morning Psalm says, "Obedience to God's designs in itself is an act of worship. Worship without obedience is hollow flattery. Yet both worship and obedience are less than Christian if they do not spring from the one root, love of God."

As we go about our daily business, do we pay attention to what God has instructed us to do, to BE? Or are we acting merely according to our own desires?

News Flash: Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them...

2009-07-29T14:38:00.000-04:00

Our prayers go out to the family of Fr. Richard Repsys and his nephew and to Divine Providence Parish in Southfield. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.

Official release from the Archdiocese of Detroit
Issued: July 29, 2009
Contact: Ned McGrath, infodesk@aod.org / (313) 237-5943

According to the Macomb County Sheriff, Father Ricardas Repsys (REP-shees), the 59-year-old administrator of Divine Providence Lithuanian Parish in Southfield, and his 13-year-old nephew, Toutvydays Skudas (TOUT-vee-dus SKOO-dus), both drowned while boating July 28 on Lake Saint Clair. The police report stated that Father was with his two nephews, who were visiting from Lithuania, and a fourth person. When Toutvydays encountered trouble swimming, Father dove into the water to help, but neither of them were able to make it back to the boat.

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, leader of the Detroit area's 1.4 million Catholics, made the following comment regarding Father's death: "The sudden loss of Father Repsys is a great tragedy, as is the loss of his young nephew, Toutvydays Skudas. I certainly offer my sincerest condolences to and prayers for all of their family members and friends, as well as all of the people of Divine Providence Parish. I hope it is some comfort during this very difficult time that the last act of Father Repsys was a heroic one. And now we commend the victims and all who mourn their losses to the God of compassion and mercy."

Monsignor John P. Zenz, episcopal vicar for the northwest region of the Detroit Archdiocese and pastor of Holy Name Parish in Birmingham, added the following: "Father Repsys was a dedicated, compassionate and generous priest who loved the Lord and His people – those in his native land of Lithuania and those he was serving in America. Father Repsys had a huge heart and a firm faith and trust in the Lord. I remember him telling me stories of the risks and dangers and loneliness he endured during the early years of his priestly ministry while taking the train to minister to Lithuanians in Siberia; these were the darkest days of Communism. It is not surprising that Father Repsys would die literally trying to save a drowning person; he was truly Christ-like. I know the Lithuanian community and our Detroit presbyterate will miss him. He had truly made a home with us here in the Archdiocese of Detroit."

Information on Father Repsys and his service to the Catholic church: Father Repsys, 59, was born in Kaunas, Lithuania in 1950 and ordained a priest for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary religious order in 1981. He later became a priest for the Archdiocese of Kaunas. At the request of his archbishop in Lithuania, Father Repsys came to the United States and began ministry to the Detroit area's Lithuanian Catholics. He has been serving as administrator of Divine Providence Parish in Southfield since April 2004. He was granted permanent legal residency in the United States in March of 2008.

One Step at a Time

2009-07-29T11:13:00.000-04:00

Someone just sent me an article on a six-week journey taken by four young men preparing to take their lifelong vows as Franciscan friars (accompanied by two current friars). They answered the call Jesus gave his disciples long ago - take nothing with you, but depend on the kindness of those you meet. Their story is fascinating - read the whole story from the Washington Post!

Morning Prayer Reflection: Is our life lived in love?

2009-07-29T10:25:00.000-04:00

Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and believe in the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love, remains in God and God in him. 1 John 4:15-16

Today is the memorial of St. Martha. You remember her - she did all the work while her sister lounged at the feet of the Lord, and she was none too happy about it! Yet, it was her sister who the Lord said had made the better choice. I've always wondered about that, being a bit of a Martha myself. Here she was, breaking her back working to serve the Lord, but it was Mary who got the praise - how could that be fair? In today's Psalm reflection in the Magnificat, I finally got an answer that made sense. It wasn't that Jesus was displeased that Martha was working to prepare everything. Rather, it was that in the details of the work, Martha had let her love be lost.

Jesus doesn't call all of us to just sit at his feet, though some he does. In our work, as in the rest of our lives, we are called by the Lord to remain in love, especially in service of Him.

Are we so lost in the "what" that we forget the heart of the "why," which is Love himself?

Morning Prayer Reflection: Do our words bless or curse?

2009-07-28T08:26:00.000-04:00

I will give you glory, O God my King, I will bless your name forever...
Let me speak the praise of the Lord, let all mankind bless his holy name.
Psalm 145:1, 21

It's a daily struggle to live out the lesson learned in kindergarten - if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. We didn't know then that it was more than a rule for childhood. This is direct instruction from our Lord. On numerous occassions we are encouraged to build each other up, but more than that, to first give praise and glory to God in all things. Yet, I know I can go through an entire day and not realize the praise I owe Him, or the glory of His works throughout my day. What's worse, I can go through longer periods of time not realizing that when my words and actions do nothing to build up those around me, when we gossip and mock, that we inflict that onto our Lord.

At the end of the day, have your words been those of blessing today, given praise and glory to God? If you struggle with this, you may consider starting a 'blessings journal' to help you. At the end of the day, reflect on where God was present and how your were blessed. Even on your worst day, pray that just one blessing might be revealed. In time, see how God changes your heart.

Be blessed!!

Future Sisters of America!

2009-07-27T14:13:00.000-04:00

Each one of you too is confronted by the challenge of giving full meaning to your life, the one life you are given to live. You are young and you want to live. But you must live fully and with a purpose. You must live for God, you must live for others. And no one can live this life for you. The future is yours, but the future is above all a call and a challenge to "keep" your life by giving it up, by "losing" it-as the Gospel has reminded us-by sharing it through loving service of others. You are called to be witnesses of the paradox that Christ proposes. "He who loves his life loses it, he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (Jn 12:25). And the measure of your success will be the measure of your generosity.

If one wishes to change the world, it is necessary first of all to change man's heart.

The experience of a vocation is unique and indescribable, and is only perceived as a gentle breeze of the clarifying touch of grace. The vocation is a breathing of the Holy Spirit, who, at the same time as he genuinely shapes our fragile human reality, shines a new light into our hearts. He instills an extraordinary power that merges our existence into the divine enterprise.

- Pope John Paul II

Our prayers go out to those young women (and men) who have answered God's call to enter the priesthood or a religious vocation. Here are four young women from the Oakland County area who will be entering a variety of orders in the coming month.

Morning Prayer Reflection: Why, and what, do we try to hide from God?

2009-07-27T08:57:00.000-04:00

If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:11-12

It began in the garden. Hiding ourselves from God, or parts of ourselves that we aren't sure are quite ready for Him. I should say, pretending to hide ourselves, since there is no hiding from God. I don't mean that in the fear provoking "God sees what you're doing!" sense. Rather it's meant to invoke laughter at our own silliness in thinking we can ever hide anything from the Almighty. Sure, we all have things we would rather God not see, either because we're embarrassed, or we'd rather just do our own thing, but in the end, well, He does. And we should take comfort in knowing that He didn't wait for us to be perfect to offer us redemption through Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 5:8). God's not waiting for us to be perfect - He's just waiting on our love.

So...why (and what) do you hide? Lay it before the Lord today and see how his light transforms it...

Mass Prep: We, though many, are one body, through one bread.

2009-07-25T11:43:00.000-04:00

Because the loaf of bread is one we though many are one body for we all partake of one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:17

The central image for the Mass this weekend is that of bread. A simple image in secular terms, yet those going hungry know the life-giving value of such a simple object. Jesus came as the Bread of Life, to give us life in a way we had never known since Eden. As you reflect on the readings for Sunday, let your heart illuminate the Word with that knowledge. Jesus is the Bread of Life. As you take in the Eucharist and carry Christ within you, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the depth of that action. Through that one bread, we are one body. How do we live that out? How can we overcome obstacles (both personal and beyond) that keep us from living that out with the charity of Christ?

It's a lot to ponder. Come Holy Spirit!

Question of the Day: Are we an imitation of Christ?

2009-07-24T11:39:00.000-04:00

Question of the Day: Jesus is compassionate, faithful, loving and has freed us to be joyful. Are we all those things?

I know in my own life, I'd like to think I am many of those things, but I routinely forget amdist the trials of the day. We are free from our tribulations if we turn our lives over to Jesus - Christ has freed us to be joyful. That doesn't mean we won't have our struggles, but in joy, we know the promises he's made, and that the end will be glorious - now that's something to give thanks and praise for, isn't it?

How about you? What saps your joy?

Question of the Day: What occupies your mind?

2009-07-23T10:33:00.000-04:00

If there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phillippians 4:8

Truth be told, God pops into my mind periodically through the day, but how often I purposefully dedicate my thoughts to Him...well, that's another story altogether. It's plenty easy to get distracted, and that's the honest truth from my end!

What occupies your mind? Leave the honest truth here - you can be anonymous if you like... :)

A Place for Your Thoughts!

2009-07-23T10:27:00.001-04:00

It's occurred to me that Genesis Ministries sure does disseminate a lot of information. What we don't do as often is find out what is going on in your lives. Well, no more!

This space is for you. Sure, we'll pipe in with questions and thoughts for reflection pretty regularly, but it's really a place for you to respond, to share, to inspire ... or to vent, if that's where life has led you at the moment.

Got questions about the Catholic faith? Ask us!
Have prayers you want to share? Post them!
Inspired by a brilliant thought or picture? Share them!
(you can email photos to info@genesis-ministries.org, subject "blog photo")

This is for you, with a little nudge from us.

Hope to "see" you here soon!!

Peace and blessings in Christ,
Rakhi