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As we were rumbling down the road to Sedona, my husband and I were talking about one of my recent posts on why it’s important to attend Mass. I was explaining to him the revelation I’d had after reading Thomas Merton talk about the necessity for joining others to worship God. My husband then said, “That’s a really great insight. Coming together to worship at Mass is participation in what we will be doing together in Heaven.” He continued, “I don’t think we think about who we will be in Heaven very much either. We need to think about that. Because everything we do on earth should be helping us to become our saintly self.” Josemariá Escrivá once wrote: “Conversion is the matter of a moment, sanctification is the work of a lifetime.” Sanctification is what makes us into who we will be in Heaven and who we were born to be. The reason so many are displeased, unhappy, and restless is because we haven’t reached our full potential of becoming a saint. We need to think about our Heavenly self, Catholic Pilgrims. That’s who we should be striving to become because a saint is one with a heart of Christ. Live the faith boldly and travel well this Thursday.
Continue ReadingSo, on Friday, when I asked you to guess where I was headed for Spring Break, I hinted by saying that the place holds one of the most architecturally interesting churches…or chapels. One of you guessed correctly, though I enjoyed reading all the guesses. As you’ve all found out, I went to Sedona, AZ and this was the chapel I was referring to—Chapel of the Holy Cross. In 1956, this little chapel was completed and, believe it or not, only cost $300,000. It’s built right into the rock and it creates a stunning view when you see it standing out of the rocks with the natural beauty of Sedona in the background. It also is a stark contrast to the pagan shops and energy parlors everywhere in town. There are dozens of them and, for the most part, they were empty. However, floods of people were flocking to this chapel to pray. I walked in and it was heartwarming to see people on their knees in front of the tabernacle worshipping the one true God. Even with all the people, it was relatively quiet. Believe it or not, three million people visit this chapel each year. My family came here as we were heading back home. It was a great place to come and cap-off our trip with prayers of gratitude for family and the wonder of nature. If ever in Sedona, Catholic Pilgrims, be sure to see this chapel and spend some time in prayer. Have a blessed Wednesday.
Continue ReadingJust the other day, I had an angry atheist show up ready to argue with memes. I’ve had plenty of atheists over the years come here to argue. It’s often the same MO. Show a meme with a supposed contradiction or a verse taken out of context and try to force the Catholic to defend. I used to fall for this, but not anymore. Years and years ago, not long after I became Catholic, an old friend became an atheist. One day, she threw out a “suspect” verse and told me to explain. I did and she immediately threw out another verse. I explained. Then another verse. I explained. After a bit, I said, “Are you just going to have me running around explaining things but we don’t ever discuss? What do you think about what I’ve said? Thoughts?” She said, “I don’t care what you say. It’s all myth!” That’s when I understood. She was never asking to truly understand; she was asking to try to get me to doubt and send me on a red herring chase. That’s why I don’t engage with atheists, especially online, about verses in a book they think is myth. The conversation must necessarily start at does God exist or not. I offered that conversation to the recent atheist and he did not take me up on the offer. My new parish priest said the other night at our Mardi Gras dinner, “To even begin to understand the spiritual life and all it entails, you must first want to understand.” “Knock and the door will be opened to you.” There are many things in the spiritual life that we will never fully understand, but we can’t even hope to begin if we don’t put some faith in God and ask for help. If you stand outside the door simply shouting and raising your fist in defiance, no door will open and you will forever remain in the shadow of the door. But, if one desires even a little to understand and knocks, it will open. A wonderful, amazing, mysterious world will open behind it and you can seek and finally find answers that satisfy the soul. Have a blessed Thursday, Catholic Pilgrims.
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