.png)
Last week, I made a light-hearted reel about the supposed rumor of celebrities' likenesses being used on the faces of Saints at the Cathedral in LA. While the building itself is not architecturally my favorite, the tapestries depicting the Saints are absolutely wonderful. They are all a long the side of the nave and all the Saints are oriented towards the altar. I don't know if the celebrities thing is true. The goal was just to make a fun reel to see if people really thought St. John's face looked like Leonardo DiCaprio. But, I got a scathing comment from a follower on Youtube. He said, "I would never step into that place! Anything out there is tainted with evil!" The most concerning part about his comment is his write off of everything in California, LA specifically, because of politics. He is, in effect, saying that no Catholic Church can even be walked into. Our Lord in any tabernacle in California is "tainted with evil." This is also to write off all devoted Catholics who try really hard to live out their faith well here. Did he think I was tainted with evil because I am stationed here? How could he even watch my channel given that I currently live in California? And what if Christ needed this man to go to California to evangelize or be a missionary, like my daughter was at Berkeley? Would he say no and refuse because everything here is a lost cause? Must we only ever go to places that are already pristine and pure? The other part that bothers me is how so many people lack the ability to laugh and just have a moment of fun. St. Teresa of Avila is quoted as saying, ""God save us from gloomy saints!" Amen, Sister. There are parts of living in California that I don't particularly like, but that's with anywhere. Not only are there beautiful churches to visit where Our Lord is in the tabernacle, but I've also met so many wonderful people who are solid Catholics. We live in a fallen world and it is true that evil can be found, but let's not be irrational and extreme in seeing only the bad. A soul will suffocate that way, Catholic Pilgrims. Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Monday.
Continue ReadingOne 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 Reading.png)
.png)
.png)