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One of the things that has traditionally held people together throughout the centuries is the understanding that community was not only good, but necessary.
And three communities in particular: Country, religion, and family.
It was seen as good to love your country and be united to your countrymen. People were to strive to be good citizens and “promote the general welfare.”
Faith life wasn’t meant to be lived alone. Worship was done together to strengthen, support, and bond believers.
Families were to be the foundation of the other two. Sure, families are messy and even insufferable at times, but the understanding was through “thick and thin.” Take care of your own.
There is and has been a real push to tear these three communities down. A radical individualism has taken root which is spreading like a cancer.
We are told that we shouldn’t be proud of our country because of dark times in our past. Every country has ugly blights throughout its history. The goal should always be restoration and healing, not destruction and hatred.
We are told to keep our faith life private. “Don’t bring your religion out where I can see it.” Many a Christian has complied, declaring they don’t need a church, they can worship God by themselves out in nature.
The family has been attacked in numerous ways. Fathers have been told they aren’t needed, mothers are assured they can do it all without a father, children are forced into unnatural living arrangements all to satisfy the selfish desires of people who think they have a right to a child.
And through all this destruction we see each individual trying to outshine the next individual with more absurd and outlandish lifestyles. Because they aren’t bonding to fellow countrymen, believers, and an intact family, they seek attention and affirmation through shocking people. The only real community that exists that’s deemed acceptable is to be apart of the victim crowd in some capacity. Even then, they try to outdo each other.
God made us for community, Catholic Pilgrims. Strive to make your country better, get thee to Mass, and strengthen your family.
Have a blessed Thursday.
Day Two of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri The Arch was built between February 12, 1963, and October 28, 1965. Amazingly, there were no fatalities during the building of this incredible structure. You can ride all the way to the top, which is not for those who get weak in the knees over heights. (Looking at my sister) There is an amazing museum under the Arch, which actually gives loads of Catholic history. St. Louis was founded in 1764 by French Catholics and named after St. Louis IX, King of France. Very near the Arch is the Old Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis which is one of the oldest buildings in the downtown area and has survived fires. It really is a lovely church. If you are visiting the Arch, you can easily visit the Old Cathedral, as well. Have a blessed day, Catholic Pilgrims.
Continue ReadingIn a little more than 30 days, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. In a spirit of patriotism, I am going to take the next 30 days and show one US landmark per day until July 4th. My goal: To find some Catholic connection to those landmarks. It's not always going to be easy, but I will do my best. I have lived all over this country from sea to shining sea--literally. Our military life has taken us up, down, across, and back across numerous times. I've lived east coast, west coast, deep south, midwest, and lots of desert. Lots of desert. I've lived in big cities, mid-sized cities, smallish cities, and no city. Because I've lived here, there, and everywhere, I truly do know how great our country is and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. So, first up is Independence Hall where the document to declare our independence was signed. In 2015, my family went on a guided tour through Independence Hall. We went into the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. As everyone moved out of that room, I stayed back and stood in there all by myself. I said a word of thanks to the men who took a great risk to sign that document. I swear something about them still lingers in that room. The Catholic Connection? This one is easy. Charles Carroll of Carrolton was the only Catholic to sign the document. He is noted for being the longest-lived and last surviving signer. He died in 1832 at the age of 95. This series will only be positive, so if you feel the temptation to spout off some unpatriotic nonsense, Uncle Sam will see you to the door and promptly delete your comment. He and I are tired of it. 😎 Patriotism is a virtue, Catholic Pilgrims, and I hope this series reminds you that it's okay to love your country. Have a blessed day.
Continue ReadingWhen we were stationed in Turkey, my husband was commander of an air base squadron. The installation was literally on two floors of a hotel and, yes, we even had a commissary and a BX. We were a tight-knit group, as we were confined to a small space and saw each other frequently. I started to notice that when I would go into the club or, any place really, the younger troops would mind their P's and Q's. At first, I thought it was because my presence was like having mom around, but I later realized that when they saw me, they saw an extension of my husband. I knew it wasn't because they saw me as mom, as other older women did not affect the same kind of reaction. This always made me smile, not because I enjoyed the attention, but because it signaled the reality of the oneness of marriage. To see me, is to see my husband and vice versa. The other day, our oldest daughter was speaking to her dad and she said, "I don't know if what you are saying is coming from Momma's thoughts or yours." My husband said, "Well, that's hard to say, because your mom and I are pretty in sync about most things." Though it isn't perfect, I believe marriage is one of the strongest analogies for the Holy Trinity. Again, not perfect, but we can come to understand the Trinity just a bit by looking at a loving marriage. When my husband and I were married, we became one. Two distinct persons, yet still one. Most people will tell you that if you see me, they can't help but also think of Dustin. The same goes for him. The product of our love is our children. Our love created other distinct people and we are all united in the oneness of our family which is held by our marriage. God the Father is Lover, God the Son is the Beloved, and God the Holy Spirit is the Love that unites them. Because God is Love, Love is a person, the Holy Spirit. Three distinct Persons in One. It's a deep mystery and one that we can't fully grasp or comprehend. We will never be able to use human words to fully articulate the mystery of the Holy Trinity. That's because, well, we aren't God. But, these mysteries sure are wonderful things to ponder and be in awe of, Catholic Pilgrims.
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