.png)
One of the oddest things to me is when someone shows up to disagree with Catholicism and says something like the guy from yesterday: "Jesus didn't institute the sacrament of marriage or ordain priests." Okay. (Sigh) This is the equivalent of a neighborhood kid running into a crowd of other kids and throwing a water balloon hoping to really upset them. Yeah, it might be annoying, but who cares? These kinds of declarative comments used to really get me upset, but now, I simply ask if they want to hear a Catholic response to their statement and if they don't, well, "Have a nice day." I have found people who make these kinds of comments, don't even know what Catholics mean when we say something is a Sacrament. I'd love to educate them, but rarely do they take me up on the offer to hear what it is and why we believe Jesus instituted it. But in case anyone is wondering: "A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace." Baltimore Catechism for the win! The other thing that is curious to me is that people are constantly trying to find ways to downplay the power of Jesus. "No, He didn't do this." "No, He wouldn't do that." "No. NO. NOOOOOOO. NO, GRACE, OKAY! Just NO!" Jesus is always looking for ways to give us grace and it just so happens that He loves to do it at some of the most important moments of our lives. Our Baptism Our First Confession Receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist Being Confirmed in the Faith Getting Married Becoming a Priest When we are near death and/or are extremely sick. All of these events in our lives are opportunities for God to infuse us with grace. They also happen to be areas where we need grace to live out that Sacrament well. Marriage needs lots of grace. Being a priest needs lots of grace. Being a child of God requires lots of grace. When your earthly life may end, you need lots of grace. We are truly blessed to have the seven Sacraments, Catholic Pilgrims. May we never try to limit the ability to God to give us grace. Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Thursday.
Continue ReadingAt dinner last night, I said to my husband, "Most women throughout human history have wanted a man who is a good protector and provider. Unless a woman is a raging-hot feminist, this is truly what women want from a man. It's unique to men. Both men and women want companionship, respect, love, and those universal things, but being a provider and protector are two unique things that women want from men. You're never going to hear a man say, 'I really want a woman who can provide and protect.' So, is there one word that defines what men want from women?" Very quick to answer, he said, "Well, there isn't one word that I can think of that sums it up, but men want women to be the heart. Only women can uniquely provide that in a relationship and a family. Women provide a warmth that a man just isn't equipped to give." My son piped in and said, "Moms make a home a place where you can relax." My husband agreed, "Yes, women make a place enjoyable to be in. All women have this ability and are capable of doing it, it's just that society has told so many that it's not important, but it is. No woman has ever said, 'I want a man to be the warmth and heart of a family,' and the reason is, is because women bring that to the table." I asked, "But, as a man, do you really notice all the decorations and things we do to a home?" "Men may not notice every little detail, but we notice the feeling it creates." He continued: "It all boils down to this: Women want men to provide the things and protect the family and the home. Men want women to take what they provide and protect and make it beautiful." Men, don't let anyone tell you that you are wrong for desiring these things. Women, don't let anyone tell you that you are wrong for desiring these things. They are good and wonderful things to desire and it creates a harmony in the family that can't be duplicated in any other way. Have a blessed day, Catholic Pilgrims.
Continue ReadingI've moved 11 times in 23 years as a military spouse. That's an average of moving nearly every two years, which is nuts. As we finish cleaning the house we are leaving, I always walk one more time through the house by myself. I want to cement in my mind that home, the memories made there, and what I've learned from that particular place. There is always a sting of sadness as that chapter closes and a bit of uncertainty as we head to the next duty station. At the closing of the door, there's a weird period of time between the old place and new place. All your earthly stuff is gone on a moving truck, your car is loaded down with plants, animals, treasures that you don't want the movers to touch, cleaning supplies, and all your suitcases. You essentially are a vagabond now. The feelings are weird, too. Part of you grieves for what you leave behind and then part of you is excited for the next adventure. Everything feels a bit out of sorts. Some chapters are easy to close, but some are hard. Vegas was an easy chapter for me to close, leaving Turkey was hard. I imagine the Apostles and disciples felt like this at the Ascension of Our Lord. The chapter of their time with Jesus on this earth was being closed and there was the in-between time of waiting for the next chapter to begin. Oftentimes, we don't know what to do with ourselves in the in-between time. We feel a bit lost, lonely, unsure, and melancholy. What we must do is just keep moving forward until it all works itself out. The Ascension marks a closing of a chapter, but a new one is about to begin at Pentecost. It is then that the world is set on fire and the new mission begins--to bring the Gospel to the whole world. We are still a part of that mission, Catholic Pilgrims. It will be this way until the Second Coming. Then a new chapter will begin, but until then, live the Faith boldly and travel well.
Continue Reading.png)
.png)
.png)