For us Catholics, the liturgical season of Lent started up this past Wednesday. I use to cringe every year around this time because Lent for me simply meant no TV. It wasn't my choice. It was something my family did and I was forced to follow suit. It was probably good for me in hindsight, but at the time I struggled through it - just counting down the days until I could get back to my early morning Sportscenter.
Only in these past couple of years have I truly come to appreciate this most holy season in the Church. You see, I use to think that Lent was only about giving up stuff. Turns out...I was wrong. It is about returning our hearts to the Lord. Lent, at it's essence, is a 40 day retreat. A time to pull us out of our everyday routines and prepare us for the biggest bash in the Church's calendar. Easter.
So you may now be asking yourself, "What does giving up chocolate or TV have to do with preparing myself for Easter?" Good question. If you are justing giving up sweets, or TV, or whatever just because you think you are supposed to, than it probably doesn't do much for your preparation at all.
The Catholic Church teaches, "Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before him, does not aim first at outward works, “sackcloth and ashes,” fasting and mortification, but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion. Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance" – CCC 1430.
You see, its not about the stuff. It is about our hearts. This Lent, I hope you find the grace to return your heart to the Lord. Take some time to ask God what you may need to repent from and what He may be asking you to change in your life.
"Rend your heart and not your garments. Now return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness" Joel 2:13
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Lovey Dovey
Uh, Valentine's Day is upon us once again. I can't escape it. Facebook. Twitter. TV sitcoms. Even my local supermarket has lined its isles with heart-felt paraphernalia. It is EVERYWHERE. To possibly state the obvious, Valentine's Day is pretty low on my totem pole of important holidays. I don't mean to be a Debbie-Downer; celebrating love is great. Letting your significant other know that they are loved and cherished is a wonderful, beautiful thing. But, overall, the day sort of bothers me.
As I sat back this week and thought about my inner angst with this beloved holiday, I thought, "maybe its the commercialism of the day that I struggle with." And although commercialism and consumerism do get under my skin, I realized that wasn't it. Then I thought, "it must be the pressure to get a great gift. My wife would love a great gift! Without the perfect gift the day would be a bust, right?" After sitting with that idea, turns out, that wasn't it either.
Then it hit me. I hate the fact that Valentine's Day, and all that it stands for, is just one day. Stay with me here. I realized this holiday challenges me to love in a special way for one day. That's cool, one day of love. But, as a Christian aren't I called to love in a special way all year long? Now, I'm not saying that I neglect to love my wife and close friends throughout the year save Feb 14th. What I am saying, or asking rather, what would it be like if our goal was to love others all day, everyday? Everyday!
How awesome would that be?
Personally, I stink at loving those close to me and I am even worse at loving those who I am not close with. However, 1 John 4:19 says that, "we love because [God] first loves us." The only reason I can love is because I have a God who loved me first. And if God loved me enough to come to earth to live for me, die for me and to save me, what does that say about how I am to love? How you are to love? And does that type of love reflect the love that we are going to celebrate this Sunday on Valentine's Day?
We love because he first loved us - 1 Jn 4:19
As I sat back this week and thought about my inner angst with this beloved holiday, I thought, "maybe its the commercialism of the day that I struggle with." And although commercialism and consumerism do get under my skin, I realized that wasn't it. Then I thought, "it must be the pressure to get a great gift. My wife would love a great gift! Without the perfect gift the day would be a bust, right?" After sitting with that idea, turns out, that wasn't it either.
Then it hit me. I hate the fact that Valentine's Day, and all that it stands for, is just one day. Stay with me here. I realized this holiday challenges me to love in a special way for one day. That's cool, one day of love. But, as a Christian aren't I called to love in a special way all year long? Now, I'm not saying that I neglect to love my wife and close friends throughout the year save Feb 14th. What I am saying, or asking rather, what would it be like if our goal was to love others all day, everyday? Everyday!
How awesome would that be?
Personally, I stink at loving those close to me and I am even worse at loving those who I am not close with. However, 1 John 4:19 says that, "we love because [God] first loves us." The only reason I can love is because I have a God who loved me first. And if God loved me enough to come to earth to live for me, die for me and to save me, what does that say about how I am to love? How you are to love? And does that type of love reflect the love that we are going to celebrate this Sunday on Valentine's Day?
We love because he first loved us - 1 Jn 4:19
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fear Factor
I recently was reminded of a great line from a movie that I saw a couple years ago. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." Great quote, huh? Curious about which movie that is from? Sure sounds like a line from Braveheart or Gladiator, doesn't it? Ah...I wish that was the case. That line actually comes from the 2001 blockbuster chick flick, The Princess Diaries. Don't judge me. The point is not what movie it came from but what the quote is saying.
I often hear people say that they are too afraid to stand up for what they believe in. They see someone is being bullied and slandered or someone is bashing their faith, but the fear of being different, isolated, or rejected keeps them doing what they know is right. These thoughts are known all to well by me too. My fears and insecurities have kept me from acting more times than I would like to admit. Whether in a school cafeteria surrounded by friends or at work with colleagues, I think we can all recall times when opportunities to stand up for someone or something have been presented to us.
I wish I could say there was a magical formula to ensure that in pivotal moments fear would not show its ugly face. I really, really wish I could, but I can't. Because of Adam and Eve's first sin, fear is going to be a part of our fallen nature. What I can do is echo the words that God said some many times throughout the Sacred Scriptures that gave peace to those who heard them, "Be not afraid."
Fear and courage are huge topics that I could write about forever. I could give more examples. Or maybe come up with some creative analogies to help explain the differences between a life lived with courage compared to fear. Then I could show the Church's teachings on the importance for taking a stand for the faith and speaking up for the lowly and weak. Then lastly, I could give Scripture verses that encourage and empower us against fear. Like I said, I could go on and on. Instead, I'm just going to ask you a simple question. But really think about it. Be real with yourself. And be honest.
What would you do if you were not afraid?
I often hear people say that they are too afraid to stand up for what they believe in. They see someone is being bullied and slandered or someone is bashing their faith, but the fear of being different, isolated, or rejected keeps them doing what they know is right. These thoughts are known all to well by me too. My fears and insecurities have kept me from acting more times than I would like to admit. Whether in a school cafeteria surrounded by friends or at work with colleagues, I think we can all recall times when opportunities to stand up for someone or something have been presented to us.
I wish I could say there was a magical formula to ensure that in pivotal moments fear would not show its ugly face. I really, really wish I could, but I can't. Because of Adam and Eve's first sin, fear is going to be a part of our fallen nature. What I can do is echo the words that God said some many times throughout the Sacred Scriptures that gave peace to those who heard them, "Be not afraid."
Fear and courage are huge topics that I could write about forever. I could give more examples. Or maybe come up with some creative analogies to help explain the differences between a life lived with courage compared to fear. Then I could show the Church's teachings on the importance for taking a stand for the faith and speaking up for the lowly and weak. Then lastly, I could give Scripture verses that encourage and empower us against fear. Like I said, I could go on and on. Instead, I'm just going to ask you a simple question. But really think about it. Be real with yourself. And be honest.
What would you do if you were not afraid?
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