Leaning on Jesus...Literally

I can't get the image out of my mind.

For those who aren't Catholic, the tabernacle is where the consecrated Host is kept--the physical presence of Jesus; Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.  Think of it as a sacred vault.

Ours is in the wall behind the altar in our chapel.

The woman made her way behind the altar before Mass. She reached out and placed her palm against the tabernacle, leaned her head against it, and sobbed, her shoulders shaking with each gasp.

I beheld this with a mixture of emotions. You can't witness pain this complete without tearing up, and an ache started in my chest and rose into my throat.  But there was joy as well in watching a heart overcome with anguish as it reached out for Jesus.

So many times we rely on ourselves. Our egos tell us we can handle our problems. There's something we can DO to make the pain go away. But her complete reliance on our Lord, though heart wrenching to watch, was also beautiful.

I could almost see Him reaching His arms out to comfort her, because that's what He does, and I could almost feel His joy at her complete dependence on Him, because that's what He wants.

Catholic Apologists You Need to Know

Those unfamiliar with the term "apologist" might think it has something to do with being sorry. The definition of an apologist is "one who speaks in defense of".  No apologies necessary or given. Today's Catholic apologists are the defenders of our faith, and in doing so, they evangelize lukewarm Catholics and other members of society who seek the Truth.

We are so blessed to have so many men and women who are gifted by the Holy Spirit with the words and zeal to spread God's message.  I'll have to add onto the list later, because there are so many others I want to recommend, some who have single talks that are amazing. Here is a small but mighty list for your listening pleasure, in no particular order.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO RECOMMEND!  I've *  the talks that I listen to over and over and over!

 
Scott Hahn

A former anti-Catholic Evangelical minister, Scott Hahn discovered the Catholic Church when he read the Church Fathers. He found the Mass. He found the Eucharist. He found his new home, which is detailed in his book Rome Sweet Home. Be careful with your volume control when you listen to Mr. Hahn. His passion comes through in his speaking style. :)  If you want to unpack scripture to depths you never dreamed existed, he's the man for you.  Just listen to his talk on the Samaritan woman that Jesus met at the well, and he'll blow your mind.

Under the "Go Deeper!" tab on his site, there are free tools for Bible study that are very helpful. And his St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology site has free audio courses as well as reflections on this week's readings.

Here are the talks I have and love:

The Conversion of Scott Hahn
* Evangelizing Catholics
The Sevenfold Covenant
We Must Be Sworn Again
Why is There Hell?
Married Life as a Ministry (With Kimberly Hahn)
* Beads for the Battle
Counting Your Blessings



Kimberly Hahn

Scott Hahn's wife came to Catholicism after her husband, but once she discovered the additional blessings of a relationship with Mary, Jesus in the Eucharist, and the grace of Confession, she approached the Church with her typical warmth.  She is a delight to listen to, and her message is usually tailored for women and families.

In Rome Sweet Home, I found her experience with conversion especially touching and funny, such as when she asked if they couldn't be Episcopalians instead of Catholics.

While Mrs. Hahn doesn't have her own web page, you can find her books here.

Talks I have and Love:

* How to Apply Faith to Our Families
Signs of the Covenant


Jeff Cavins

Jeff Cavins left the Catholic Church when he was a young man. He spent years as an anti-Catholic Protestant minister until God called him back. Mr. Cavins' approach is a little more basic than Scott Hahn's (though just as exciting), so he's a great one for beginners. He does many Bible Studies for groups, and his Great Adventure Bible Study takes you through the narrative books of the Bible, so you can understand Salvation History like never before!  When I took his Bible study, the connections between the Old and the New Testament floored me.

His wife, Emily, is an archaeologist, and she's just come out with a book on St. Kateri!  Lily of the Mohawks: The Story of St. Kateri  can be ordered from Franciscan Media at 800-488-0488 or at Catalog.FranciscanMedia.org.

Talks I have and Love:

Shameless
* 15 Things to Do in the Midst of Suffering




Dr. Peter Kreeft

Dr. Kreeft was raised a Calvonist. When a professor advised him that, if he went back in time he would be more at home in the early Church than a Catholic, he eagerly dove into studies of the early Church and the Church Fathers.  He found them to be...Catholic. (Are you seeing a pattern here?)  Dr. Kreeft is a great debater, and he frequently uses J.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings to make his points. His talks are a joy to anyone who welcomes logic and reason, and his compassion and kindness come through every time.

He's a Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, and he has a large selections of books and audio available, including some free audio.

Talks I have and love:

* Winning the Culture War
Faith
God
* Lord, Liar or Lunatic
* Seven Reasons to be Catholic
* C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity
Shocking Beauty
Charisms: Visions, Tongues, Healing, etc.

Father Larry Richards

Fr. Larry is not for the feint of heart, which means he's exactly the person you need to listen to. His tapes include Confession, and The Mass Explained, and you will never view either the same way again. (His definition of sin is especially chilling, despite the humor.)   He has many recordings, including Knowing God's Will that are helpful for everyday living. He may resemble a cute chipmunk, and his talks are laced with humor, (which he often aims at himself) but if you want it straight, he'll deliver.

You can also subscribe to his homilies on iTunes!  He regularly appears on Relevant Radio, and he's the founder of The Reason for Our Hope Foundation.

Talks I have and love:

* Confessions
The Mass Explained
Truth
* Discerning God's Will
Living in the Holy Spirit




Father Robert Barron

Father Barron was the first priest to launch video blogs, and he soon discovered that people could comment...and he could comment back!  This led to Word on Fire.  He has a brilliant mind, and listening to his talks, his sermons, or his video blogs will open your mind. Just search youtube for Father Barron and you'll have more than enough to listen to and watch.

He regularly appears on Relevant Radio.  The good news (pardon the pun) for those of us in California is there is a Relevant Radio app available on iTunes and for Google Play and androids!

Talks I have and love:

* Conversion
* Following the Call of Christ
Reaching Out to Today's Culture
* Untold Blessing: Three Paths to Holiness
Who Do You Say I Am?
* Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues



Johnnette Bankovic

A woman of joy. A woman of God. A woman of grace. That describes this lady, and it's fitting that her blog and television show should be called "Women of Grace".  As one who has seen such sadness--the death of a child, the death of her husband, childhood sexual abuse--she has overcome all with God's help, and she radiates that incredible love that only comes from Jesus.

It's fitting in these times that her mission involves bringing women to Authentic Femininity.  Her television show is on EWTN, where she covers many important topics with guests. Her podcasts are on Women of Grace and her radio show is on EWTN radio and local affiliates.


Talks I Have and Love:

For Love and Marriage
* South Florida Spiritual Healing Retreat

St. Ignatius, Thank You!

I LOVE St. Ignatius. He taught us how to talk with God. We were already talking AT God, but Ignatius, guided by the Holy Spirit, took it a up a notch and made it a conversation.

Through The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, he teaches us how to recognize heart movements throughout our day, including desolation and consolation. A soldier, he lays out a battle plan for following our leader, Jesus, and counteracting the movements of the enemy in our lives.

I remember the first time I felt consolation during my prayer time. It blew me away. It obviously wasn't the first time I'd talked to God, but it was the first time I recognized Him talking back!  I was having a conversation with God! How unbelievable cool is that???

I also remember the first time the enemy slipped into the conversation. Not so cool. Sometimes he was obvious, like when I received a mimic of consolation over a thought that was not leading me to Jesus (there's a reason he's known as the Father of Lies), but just as I'd laughed off his clumsy efforts, he got me through a technique so subtle I shudder to think how I might have followed if I hadn't had an excellent spiritual director who pointed out the errors.

He taught us Discernment to help us do God's will. The choice between good and bad are obvious, but what if you need to choose between two goods? Which one is actually God's will?

He also gave us the Daily Examen, a structured reflection on the day and plan for tomorrow to keep us on track. It begins with gratitude for all gifts received, and when you regularly go through your day and find these gifts, it becomes easier to notice them "ïn the moment". Then you petition God to help you review your day, because you need His grace to do it properly. Then it's on to a review of the entire day, noticing God's movements and your reactions to them--your choices. Then you ask for forgiveness for your sins, which you'll have seen in your review.  Finally, you plan for the next day, asking for the graces you need.

And he teaches us detachment--from worldly things to events in our lives. It's difficult to not mind whether you are rich or poor, sick or healthy, but Ignatius taught that acceptance of whatever God sends us would set us free. On a practical level, when things don't go right, I try to open myself up to the possibilities of this new situation. What is God asking me to do?

Example. I have a doctor's appointment and I'm feeling particularly rushed. The doctor is late. Instead of getting angry, I remain detached. I wind up listening to someone in the waiting room who really needed an ear. God put me exactly where I was supposed to be to serve Him.

And the whole process, from the Spiritual Exercises to the Examen, will only work if you are completely honest with God. And that's just how He likes us.

Ignatius also founded the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, who were largely involved in the Counter Reformation, and for that we must thank him, too. The Jesuits are involved in everything from helping the poorest of poor to teaching. And yes, I know there are fringe groups, but aren't there always?

St. Ignatius, pray for us!  And thank you!

What's the Difference Between First Friday and First Saturday Devotions? And are They Important?

As a revert to the Catholic Church after many years absence (thank you, God, for calling me back) I have some catching up to do. Like many children raised in the 70's and 80's, my catechism kind of, er, lacked fullness. As Father Robert Barron pointed out in one of his talks, the Church was (and still is, in places) in a Happy Clappy stage.

When I heard about First Saturday devotions, I thought I was mistaken. Wasn't it First Fridays? That sounded more familiar. Turns out it's both.

(Note: the First refers to the first Friday or Saturday of the month.)

FIRST SATURDAYS

First Saturdays is an act for the reparation of offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as requested by Jesus.  The devotion was given to us at Fatima, and we've seen the consequences of Catholic ignorance of this practice.  Fatima was all about the conversion of sinners, including the consecration of Russia to stop the spread of communism and persecutions against the Church. Just open the paper (or read online) and you can see that persecutions are on the rise, and our own government promotes the three most evil isms--communism, socialism and Marxism.

Catholics need to get serious about honoring First Saturdays.

There are four acts to complete the devotion. On the first Saturday of the month, we must:

1. Attend Confession
2. Receive Holy Communion
3. Recite five decades of the Rosary
4. Spend fifteen minutes meditating on the Mysteries of the Rosary

All four acts must be done in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and though there is some leeway, it's supposed to be a sacrifice, so don't get lazy.

If you are unable to attend Reconciliation that Saturday, attend as soon as possible, preferably within eight days. Using Sunday obligation as your Saturday Mass doesn't really cut it.  That's like saying, "I'm allergic to dairy, so I'll give up cheese for Lent."  It's half-hearted.  Look up your local Mass schedules, and you'll find that many parishes have a Saturday morning Mass.

In Santa Clarita, St. Clair of Assisi has a 9 AM Mass, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help has 8 AM Mass and 8:45 Confessions. They also say the Rosary.

(Note that neither Mary nor Jesus, in their revelations to Sister Lucia--one of the three children present at Fatima--said anything about five First Saturdays.)

After reading up on First Saturdays at Fatima Family, I believe it is a very important act, and that Catholics should get off their lazy butts develop a habit of carrying out this devotion.

FIRST FRIDAYS

First Fridays is a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is made by receiving Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays.

From the writings of St. Margaret Mary:

"On Friday during Holy Communion, He said these words to His unworthy slave, if I mistake not: I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under my displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, my divine Heart making itself their assured refuge at the last moment."

My own home is consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It's like having, with respect, a "Beware" sign up for Satan. 

Both revelations are private revelations. Public revelation is binding on all Catholics and ended with the death of the last apostle, but one need not believe in a private revelation. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the role of private revelations is to help us live more fully by Christ's definitive revelation in a certain period of history. The Church recognizes and welcomes revelations that constitute an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church, as long as they don't surpass or correct the revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment. 

Bottom line, Jesus' first words in the Bible are a call to repentance, so a call to confess and make reparations makes sense. 

The Catholic faith is beautiful, with much more depth than I'd ever dreamed, and devotions are a special call to holiness.   As I discover more of these riches, I'll be sharing them. 

Do you have a favorite and fruitful devotion? I'd love to hear about it. 

God ADD...The Moment the Dinosaurs Start Eating People

My name is Jackie, and I...have God ADD.  (Dramatic pause filled with murmurs of solidarity from my fellow ADD folks.)

To live a Christian life, God must be at the center of all things, all the time. There's not enough room for God and me, so I must defer. There are specific moments in my life when God assumes His proper place. When I''m worried, or scared, or sick. Then, miracle of miracles, God becomes my focus as I pray, beg, or just pour out my heart.

It's more difficult to remain focused when things are going well (because I'm busy enjoying myself), though I often take time for a big, heartfelt Thank You, but the hardest time to avoid God ADD is when  life plods along at it's usual pace. When nothing too exciting or too stressful is happening, I find myself SQUIRREL!

These are the times I turn on the autopilot, when my subconscious thought is "That's okay, God. I'll take control for now."  And that's when the dinosaurs start eating people.

 

"You never had  control!

 That's the illusion!"   


Jurassic Park





First thing in the morning, I hand everything over to God and ask Him to make use of me. But how can I keep that promise in mind all day without OOH! SHINY!

St. Ignatius came up with the helpful Examen. If you've never studied Ignatian Spirituality, it might seem complicated at first to look for God's movements in your life. This Ignatian site is very helpful and filled with videos and articles. It's like a spiritual candy store! (As someone who's going through the exercises, I can't stress enough: Don't attempt them without a spiritual adviser!)

Here is an uber-simplified version of an Examen.

1. Be aware of God's presence.

2. Be aware of any offenses I've committed.

3. Be grateful for any gifts I've received.

4. Ask God for the grace I most need.

Don't hesitate to get specific. "God, give me the grace to talk to my eight-year-old's obnoxious teacher without snapping her head off."

A good evening Examen is offered by the Jesuit site, Pray-as-you-go.

I find it helpful to perform an Examen several times per day to help me adjust my course.  It's still difficult to keep my tiny mind from toddling away from a God-centered life, but practice makes perfect, ri--SQUIRREL!

The Lord's Prayer -- "Our"

A while ago, I saw blogger Sarah Reinhard take apart the "Hail Mary" word by word on The Snoring Scholar.  I LOVED the idea, and I want to do the same thing with "The Lord's Prayer".  Taking each word, one at a time, not only slows down the prayer to a thoughtful, reflective pace, but it forces us to delve deeper into the rich meaning behind each and every word.

Just about everyone knows the prayer, but just in case, here it is straight from St. Luke's gospel, Chapter 11, versus 2-4 (NAB). I've chosen this version with the five petitions rather than the version found in Matthew's gospel, which is a more developed version with seven petitions, because it's believed this shorter version may be closer to Jesus's actual words.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread;

and forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors;

and do not subject us to the final test,

but deliver us from the evil one.

And so we begin with "Our". 

It is unbelievably awesome that Jesus would have looked at the apostles and told them to address God as Our, not My Father.  Jesus is pretty generous with His family, as we saw when he gave us His Mother Mary on Calvary. I wonder that the apostle's didn't faint. Maybe they did but opted not to report it because they thought it would make embarrassing copy. 

Our.  Not my. 

So every time I'm tempted to refer to God with a proprietary air, I must humbly recall that Our includes everyone. He is Father to us all. And that's where it gets tricky. It's an all-inclusive word in a world that prefers to segregate between us and them.

That person on Facebook who regularly annoys me with hateful comments and political commentary?  God's his Father too. And that fanatical Muslim killing Coptic Christians in Egypt? And that woman screaming "Hail Satan!" at abortion protesters?  He's their Father, too.  Refusing to acknowledge your Father doesn't make you an orphan. 

If we look at, say, that abortion protester and realize she's a child of God, it makes it easier not to condemn her.  We're all sinners who struggle against our human nature, and she's just losing the battle. Hopefully, it's a temporary setback, and that's why she needs our prayers.

Remember when your sibling would do something wrong and you'd be ready to mete out punishment? And your parent would say, "I'll take care of it." And sometimes you'd be incensed because you felt they got off lightly? It can be the same situation with God, but it's His prerogative to judge people, not ours. We may judge actions--murder is wrong--but we don't get to judge people. And isn't it a relief that it's not our job?

Our. Yours and mine. Humility is remembering the yours  part. 

Celebrating Kateri Tekakwitha's First Feast Day as Saint Kateri!

Mural at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church

 On July 14th, we celebrated the feast day of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha at her namesake Catholic Church in Santa Clarita!

This was especially exciting because this is her first feast day as a saint.

Statue of Saint Kateri at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church

Known as the Lily of the Mohawks, Kateri Tekakwitha was born an Algonquin-Mohawk in New York in 1656. As a child, she survived smallpox, but was left an orphan, her face marked with scars from the disease. She irritated her guardians by refusing to marry, saying she had taken a vow of chastity. Shunned by her tribe, she left to live in a Jesuit mission village in what is now Canada. She began her catechism, and was baptized into the Catholic faith.

Upon her death at 24, her smallpox scars disappeared.

She gives us several excellent example to follow: chastity, living with an affliction, and living together with nature.

Saint Kateri is the patroness of the environment and ecology.