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When I was at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Colorado Springs for my talks this past weekend, I got to meet some wonderful ladies. In some way or another, the ladies were connected to the military--either they were active duty, active duty dependents, those who've retired from military life, and even a few moms whose daughters were connected. I'm telling you, if you wanted a cool story there, you needed to talk to the older ladies. Over lunch and dinner, I got to hear tales of adventure and courage that were amazing. One women's husband was active duty, but she was also a contractor for the government. She traveled all over the globe, usually into dangerous places. She did whatever it took to find Mass no matter what country she was in. She told us this one story, of how she discretely asked around in the markets for the location of Mass and one person told her, "Once the sun goes down, go out into this field, walk past the old gate, beyond that you will see a tree, head that direction and you will find the Mass." She did it, all by herself, and participated in a secret Mass in some obscure field. Story after story, several ladies wowed me with their bravery and spunk. I found that through giving them space and time to tell their stories, they blossomed. There's a song called, "Where Rainbows Never Die" and part of the lyrics say: "I'm an old man now, I can't do nothing Young folks don't pay me no mind But in my day, I sure was something Before I felt the heavy hand of time" My dad says this is so true. As you age, people stop seeing you and wanting to hear your stories and wisdom and, boy, does my dad have some amazing stories. In a culture that idolizes youth, we neglect the people that can give us the most insight. We don't even consider that older people have some pretty amazing stories to share that can teach us a lot or even inspire us. One of the ladies said to me, "God gives you a certain amount of time here on Earth and there is so much to soak up and see, to experience. My guardian angel has worked over time, but I can't just sit around and not see what the world has to offer!" Live the Faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims. *Picture is of the mule deer at the retreat center.
Continue ReadingWhen leaving California for Colorado last Friday, my plane was on the runway next in line for takeoff when the captain came on and said, "Well, folks, Denver just went on a ground stop for at least an hour, so we are on hold until we hear back from them." Immediately, everyone gave audible groans. The lady next to me got very upset. She snagged a flight attendant walking by and asked if she could get off the plane and go get another flight. The agent told her not at this time as we were sitting on the runway. The lady was ticked and quickly dialed a family member and started cussing up a storm about the situation. We taxied back to the gate and they allowed us to get off for 30 minutes if we wanted. I chose to get off and stretch my legs. When it was time to board again, I got to my seat, saw my grumpy row partner sitting there, and, smiling, I said, "How are you doing?" "Oh, I'm okay, I guess." We preceded to have a conversation and soon she was showing me pictures of her grandkids. When the other row partner sat down, he joined our conversation and soon all three of us were joking and laughing. As we took off, the lady who had once been grumpy grabbed her pillow and said, "Yep, I just try to take things as they come." Then she fell asleep. On my way back from Colorado, I was talking to a gate agent about something and she was clearly irritated. She wasn't super helpful and wasn't listening that well. As I was waiting to get on the flight, I stood right near her counter and could hear her conversations with each person coming up for help. Her responses were snippy and a bit strained with irritation. Once the line was gone, I turned and looked at her. She looked about to burst. I smiled and said, "Deep breaths. You got them all through the line." She actually took that deep breath, relaxed a bit, and said, "It's just been a bit overwhelming." Then she smiled for the first time. I smiled back, "I'm sure, but you've got this." It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own world and our own problems, Catholic Pilgrims. Sometimes all it takes to help someone is just to notice them. As Christians, our eyes should be looking for opportunities to connect with people and offer them charity even in the smallest of ways. Have a blessed Tuesday.
Continue ReadingI think a big reason that we struggle with going to Christ and receiving His mercy is because we struggle to give it to others ourselves. Don't get me wrong, I loathe false compassion and false mercy because neither one of those ever help anyone or anything. In fact, they only make things worse. But, when we have a true prudent moment to offer mercy, many of us find it hard to offer it. When we haven't asked Christ for mercy and felt the love that flows from His mercy, it's hard to understand how beneficial that can be for another. I don't remember all the words in St. Faustina's Diary when I read it for Season One of my podcast "Journeying with the Saints," but I do remember the overwhelming message of Christ's mercy. He wants us to come and receive it and be healed by it--all of us. Have a beautiful Divine Mercy Sunday, Catholic Pilgrims.
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