I heard a younger person once say that they didn’t want to be married because, “you’d get so bored of the same person for the rest of your life.”
It’s an immature statement that was made by someone who didn’t fully understand love and the beauty of marriage.
It’s, also, an interesting statement because it’s never made about friends. Usually, you want a friend for life, at least one—that “same old person.”
Anyway, the thing with true love is that the relationship can never be exhausted. Each human being is a unique soul, capable of growth and change. My husband has grown so much in the 24 years that I’ve known him. It’s never once been boring getting to know him more deeply and intimately.
The thing is, is that I know parts of my husband will always remain a bit of a mystery to me. Yet, I strive to know him as best as I can and because of our deep connection, I can safely say, I know him better than anyone else on earth. He knows me in the same way.
There is this mystery with The Holy Trinity—three Persons in One God. How can that be?
It’s a mystery, but one that I want to spend my whole life trying to understand if even just a smidge more. I know in this earthly life, I will never fully understand the Triune God, but I want to try.
An atheist once said to me, “If God is so real, why doesn’t He just come here, explain Himself, and make it easier for us to believe? Why all the mystery?”
I said, “Well, what kind of God would He be if we could figure Him out in a simple explanation? If He did that, people would complain that He’s too ordinary and simple and not amazing enough. And, also, Jesus did come.”
Our lives should be in pursuit of loving and serving God and, in doing so, we will come to understand Him more and more, which, in turn, makes us love Him even more and know Him more intimately.
You can never exhaust the things to know and learn about God, Catholic Pilgrims. Somethings will remain a mystery, but that’s because The Holy Trinity is God and we are not.
Have a blessed Holy Trinity Sunday.
*Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham, Alabama
Day Seven of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Our feature for today: NIAGRA FALLS Anybody wanna hop back and forth between borders? The Falls are nearly almost divided in half between Canada and the US. Now, I've never been, so this isn't my photo, but I'm guessing this was taken from the Canadian side. Maybe? But what, Amy, is the Catholic connection, you ask? Well, these Falls were first documented in the 17th century by a Belgium monk named Father Louis Hennepin. He was a Franciscan missionary and his documentation really was his claim to fame. He explored lots of other territory in what would become the United States, but he often embellished his stories and this got him into some trouble. However, he did make an "engraving of the Falls of Niagara. It is out of proportion, but its general features give an accurate idea of the appearance of the Falls at his time." I do hope to go to the Falls someday and apparently in the surrounding area, both in Canada and Buffalo, NY, there are some excellent Catholic Churches to visit. Live the Faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims!
Continue ReadingDay Five of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Today's landmark: CENTRAL PARK Why does my picture from 2005 look ancient? In 2005 my family visited NY after attending a graduation for my husband's cousin in Connecticut. This is me with my oldest (now 24 years old) at the famous Bethesda Terrace with the Angel of the Waters Fountain. The Pool of Bethesda, if you'll recall from the Bible, was a famous healing site in Jerusalem. The Jews believed that an angel stirred up the water and when it was stirred up, whoever got in first would be healed. So, we have a Biblical connection here. Another one is that Pope John Paul II said Mass on the Great Lawn on October 7th, 1995 for a crowd of over 125,000. Also, one of our most visited Catholic Churches sits just south of Central Park and that is, you guessed it, St. Patrick's Cathedral. Archbishop John Hughes (1797–1864), was one of the most famous Catholics in NY history. He was around when Central Park was being created. He was the first archbishop of NY, when it became elevated to an archdiocese. So, there's your Monday morning Catholic history lesson! Live the Faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims.
Continue ReadingMost days when my son and I go to daily Mass, we are the first ones there. After genuflecting to Jesus in the tabernacle, my son immediately does his little "chores." He lights the candles, checks that all the holy water fonts are filled, and waters any plants around the altar in the main church that need it. I noticed the other day after coming into the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, that I let out a sigh and immediately close my eyes during the few moments of silence before others come in. The sigh isn't one of irritation or boredom. In thinking about it, it's one of relief. Being in the presence of Jesus is such a relief. It feels so good to just be there in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Anything that I was carrying, I can let it go and find some peace from all the noise of the world. Then, after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist--His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity--I'm even more revived as I'm filled with Sanctifying Grace. Who are we that Our Lord comes to us in the Holy Eucharist, Catholic Pilgrims? We can't even fathom how blessed we are that we are nourished on the Body and Blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. It gives us Life, just as Jesus said It would. May you have a blessed Feast of Corpus Christi. *Picture is from Our Lady of Peace in Santa Clara, CA
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