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One of the problems with us, as humans, is that if things aren’t super entertaining or if they are an obligation, we do them half-heartedly and with little focus.
“I mean, I’ll do it, but don’t expect me to get anything out of it.”
The Mass often gets accused of not being “fun.” It’s not uncommon for people to leave the Church, lured away by churches that are focused on entertaining the masses.
Because if it’s entertaining, it must be better, right?
I’ve always amazed myself at my ability to focus on NOT being present for something that is important, yet put me at a concert or a football game and, boy, I can be laser-focused on the moment for as long as need be.
Put me at Mass sometimes, and I can start to do my grocery list in my head, think about what I need to get done the next week, wonder about some gossip I heard, etc.
It all boils down to my lack of discipline. Because when has a grocery list or a to-do list for the following week ever been that thrilling? Never.
I think of Simeon and Anna in our readings today for the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. Day after day, they were there spending hours in prayer and worship. Were they entertained? No, most certainly not, but they were engaged.
They made the choice to be present for God and to give Him time and attention. Did their minds ever stray? I’m sure they did, but it was worth it to them to keep at it.
Not everything in this life will be entertaining, Catholic Pilgrims, and usually the most important things won’t be. But, we need to show up and be present, engaged, and focused, especially when it comes to the Mass.
We will find that if we do, we will be rewarded with blessings we couldn’t have imagined, just like Simeon and Anna were rewarded.
Have a blessed Friday.
One of my favorite things to do with my kids is to read to them. Obviously, I don't read to my adult kids anymore, but all through their growing up years, I did. I still do, today, with my son. All the books they have to read for our homeschool curriculum are read by me. I will miss the day when I don't have one of my children sitting next to me as I read great literature to them. Also, at the end of the day, our family sits and listens to me read a book. While reading, I enjoy giving the characters "voices." From time-to-time, I'll purposely use the wrong voice for a character and it's funny to see how quickly they protest. Or, sometimes I'll pick up the book and start reading not using any voices and they will quickly stop me and tell me to "read it right." Oh, how I love reading to people. It's why I enjoy doing my podcast so much. I truly love reading out loud the writings of the Saints. I attend Daily Mass in this tiny little Blessed Sacrament room you see here in the picture. I'm grateful we have this reserved space here on base. There are just a handful of us that can make it, so I've become the unofficial Daily Mass lector. Most times when I read the first reading, I watch as those in attendance close their eyes and listen to the words. I find it to be a truly humbling experience to read the Word of God out loud to listening ears. Even though I'm reading to just a handful of people, the gravity of it all does hit me. I've been told that I have a good reading voice many times. Maybe it's the fact that I'm a Midwesterner. I used to think, "Well, what a no-big deal talent." But, maybe not. If God gave me such a talent, then it was meant to be used for good. Every time I read at Daily Mass and watch as people take in the words from the Bible, I'm reminded that with God, no gift or talent is menial or insignificant. Whatever your gifts are, Catholic Pilgrims, even if they seem insignificant or trivial, God gave them to you for a great purpose. Use them for His Glory. Have a great Thursday.
Continue Reading"You believe Mary is a goddess." "Stop giving worship to Mary." "She was just a regular sinner like you and me." "Mary was no different than the donkey Christ rode on for Palm Sunday." These are just a small sampling of comments I've heard over the years whenever I've written about Mary. Two things can happen when we look at Mary apart from Christ. The first thing that can happen is actually setting Mary up as an idol. I think it would be naive and disingenuous to pretend that there aren't people that give more attention to Mary than to God. The second thing that can happen is dismissing the Mother of Our Lord and giving her no more significance than apparently a beast of burden. Both are utterly and dangerously wrong. The Catholic Church teaches "What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines, in turn, its faith in Christ." CC 487 Mary is not a goddess and the Church has never taught that. She is, however, the Queen of Heaven. Why? Because Christ is our King and, especially in ancient times, the queen was the king's mother, not his wife. Mary should not be worshipped--worship is for God alone. However, she should be given special veneration and honor. Why? Because she is the Mother of Our Lord. In her womb, the Savior of the world grew. Mary is a human, just like you and me, but she, above all other humans, had the unique role of being the woman through whom the Christ-Child would come into the world. Mary was born and remained her entire life free of sin. She is the Immaculate Conception. Not by her own power was she able to do this, but by the special graces given to her by God. Why? Because it is fitting that the Mother of Our Lord be stainless. She assumed into Heaven not of her own power, but by the power of her Son. Why? Because it is not fitting that the woman who held Christ within her body, who nursed Him, who cradled Him in her arms, stood by Him at the foot of the Cross, should experience bodily decay. Everything we understand about Mary points us to Christ, Catholic Pilgrims. To have a proper relationship with her enhances our relationship with Jesus. Have a blessed Feast of the Immaculate Conception! Get thee to Mass!
Continue ReadingOn a friend's page a few weeks back, I saw a post that talked about not buying into consumerism during Christmas. (pun intended) Cool, cool. I'm with you. But, then it said, "For Christmas, just have a family meal and call it a day." And with that, my eyebrow raised in annoyance. The post was no longer cool to me. I understand the desire to not do the consumerism thing during Christmas. Too much emphasis is placed on truck-loads of presents, buying this, that, and everything. Christmas is not the Season of Buying. Or rather, I should say, Advent is not the Season of Buying. Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with buying gifts. I love finding meaningful, special gifts for people. The emphasis being on presents and things is the problem. But, nowhere in that post was the name of Christ brought up. Christmas isn't about family meals, presents, cookies, travel, parties or even Santa. My dad wrote me the other day and said, "You know something that drives me nuts? When people start talking about getting together with family and friends, decorations, Christmas trees, and presents and someone will say, 'Well, that's what Christmas is all about.' It's sad that it took Linus from 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' to get it right." Jesus. Jesus is Who the Advent and Christmas Seasons are all about. The post could have said, "Don't buy into consumerism this Christmas Season. Get your family and go to Church for Christmas and celebrate Our Savior being born. That's what it's all about." Church is free. Preparing for the coming of Christmas is free. Worshipping Our Savior is free. None of the other stuff is bad, Catholic Pilgrims. But, let's not just refrain from buying stuff, then just have a dinner, and call it a day. Let's lean into our Advent Season as it prepares us for the coming of Christ at Christmas and call it a well-lived season. Live the faith boldly and travel well this Monday.
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