Pax Christi vobiscum! Come Holy Spirit!
...
That ellipsis stands for me catching my breath after the rush of amazing things happening this week, and I will tell you about all of those subito (translation: "soon"...a word rarely used in Italian...unless referring to the next meal). For this blog, however, I really wanted to focus on one thing, one lesson God has been trying to teach me that I have been slow to learn: Receive, receive, receive.
Here in the seminary, we often have a little problem called "Pelagianism," an early heresy in which Pelagius, its overachieving patron, decided that original sin hadn't really messed things up that bad and that we could reach God on our own, without His help. Two words: BIG MISTAKE. DOESN'T WORK. DOOMED TO FAILURE. I CAN'T EVEN COUNT WITHOUT HIS HELP.
Now, I am not saying we in the seminary are a bunch of heretics. Let me make that perfectly clear. Seminarians = good. But we have a tendency to want to be more good, and we think we have to do it all by our lonesome (and if I continue to use the words "by our lonesome," I will probably end up that way).
Okay, so my point, without digression, is that I need to receive God's love, not try to earn my way there. He's not sitting there in heaven eating Ben & Jerry's and watching Matlock, occasionally glancing down to see if I'm getting any closer. God is knocking at--scratch that--knocking down the door of my heart trying to get in so that I can receive His love for me. That's it: it's all about receptivity. God is the One Who by His grace accomplishes all things. So we just need to receive that grace and be thankful for it.
As this wonderful little pamphlet published by the Missionaries of Charity (Blessed Mother Teresa's Order) puts it, "I THIRST FOR YOU - just as you are. You don't need to change to believe in My love, for it will be your belief in My love that will change you."
I love that quote. It hits me every time.... And what a consolation! To know that I don't have to do it, I just have to let it be done to me...according to His word. Who does that sound like? I'll point you to chapter and verse using a hyper-link; you don't even need a Bible handy (the Catholics among you are already wiping your foreheads): The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, Verse 38.
So when you feel like you can't do it, just remember: you can't, but God can. Let Him.
"I thirst for you." Now that's a statement I can really drink in. God bless, and I'm praying for you. Oh, and some great stories are on the way.
Homework, Featherweight: Buy a flower for your Mom, just cuz.
Homework, Heaveyweight: Buy her a flower, then tell her you love her.
Homework, Heaveyweight Champ: Buy her the flower, tell her you love her, then pray with her.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Dad's on a Business Trip
Come Holy Spirit! Pax Christi vobiscum!
So I don't know how closely you've been following the news, but our Holy Father has left the Vatican...and gone on a business trip to the States. It really is kind of weird. Being over here, Pope Benedict has become a real father to us. Having him away, then, is really like having your dad leave for business. There's just something odd about thinking he's not in his rooms there just above the Piazza di San Pietro.
But, I am PUMPED for you all back home, who get to see just how wonderful, humble, brilliant, and holy a man the Holy Spirit has selected for our Holy Father. He is exactly who we need right now, and his two primary concerns: showing us God and loving us back to Him. Tune in to the broadcasts online at http://www.ewtn.com/ or on any of the news networks. Just remember that they're not all going to cover everything he says.
I ask that you pray for our Holy Father during this visit, and even more, I ask that you pray for our nation. He is a great source of hope to everyone, Catholics and non-Catholics alike...and it shows. Check the Dow-Jones. I'm not saying anything with utter certainty; but what I will say is that he arrived last Tuesday, and the stock market has climbed everyday since then. Coincidence? ...or Providence?
Easter Homework, a.k.a. Random Act of Kindness: Hold the door open for someone...and not just someone you would like to go to lunch with later (I'm talking to you, young men). To Kick it up a Notch, pray for them as they pass through the door.
So I don't know how closely you've been following the news, but our Holy Father has left the Vatican...and gone on a business trip to the States. It really is kind of weird. Being over here, Pope Benedict has become a real father to us. Having him away, then, is really like having your dad leave for business. There's just something odd about thinking he's not in his rooms there just above the Piazza di San Pietro.
But, I am PUMPED for you all back home, who get to see just how wonderful, humble, brilliant, and holy a man the Holy Spirit has selected for our Holy Father. He is exactly who we need right now, and his two primary concerns: showing us God and loving us back to Him. Tune in to the broadcasts online at http://www.ewtn.com/ or on any of the news networks. Just remember that they're not all going to cover everything he says.
I ask that you pray for our Holy Father during this visit, and even more, I ask that you pray for our nation. He is a great source of hope to everyone, Catholics and non-Catholics alike...and it shows. Check the Dow-Jones. I'm not saying anything with utter certainty; but what I will say is that he arrived last Tuesday, and the stock market has climbed everyday since then. Coincidence? ...or Providence?
Well, God bless you all as you seek Him during this Easter Season! Thank Him for everyday!
Easter Season Reflection (remember, it's still Easter until Pentecost): Easter Sunday was the one day the Son rose before the dawn.Easter Homework, a.k.a. Random Act of Kindness: Hold the door open for someone...and not just someone you would like to go to lunch with later (I'm talking to you, young men). To Kick it up a Notch, pray for them as they pass through the door.
Monday, April 7, 2008
I Can Relate...
Pax Christi vobiscum! Come Holy Spirit!
I just have been doing some reflecting lately (not in front of a mirror, like usual...uh wait), and I had something occur to me. Basically, as I've been discerning, I've been trying to figure out what it is I'm getting into here, seeking to live life as a celibate priest of the Roman Catholic Church. What have I found? It is fitting that in the Catholic faith we are seeking a relationship.
Allow me to explain: What are all of us looking for in this life? If we are all really honest with ourselves, we are looking for a relationship. We desire to love and to be loved. All of us long for someone to share our most intimate self with who will respond in kind: a true relationship. (Or maybe I'm the only one...?)
Then what do I find in the Faith but the fact that God has been doing the same thing and to a much higher degree. Get this: the Faith tells us that God so desires a relationship with us that He became a man, born of a woman, Mary, in order to seek us out and draw us back to Him. The second Person of the Trinity, the Word of God, fully God Himself, became flesh and dwelt among us (see John 1:14). Jesus Christ, "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8, emphasis mine).
Stay with me here. This means that the Son of God, Who already shared in the eternal glory and majesty of the Father before all the ages, humbled Himself to become human (it would be similar to one of us becoming an ant in order to draw all ants to a relationship with us) and then humbled Himself even more when He died for us. Now that's what I call seeking a relationship.
Even if you don't believe it, you have to admit the idea of it is staggering...and it's also exactly what we desire.
So that's where I say it is fitting. It is called an argument from fittingness. Our desire lines up exactly with what we find in the Faith. And if the God Who creates is the same God Who reveals Himself to us in the Faith, then this only makes sense: God created us for Himself (and our hearts are restless until they rest in Him, as St. Augustine reminds us), and so we should find that the desire within us matches up with the God we find in revelation. In other words, the person I was created to be should line up with the information I have about the God Who creates. And we do indeed find this correspondence between the claim made in revelation (that God created us for Himself and His love) and the fact found in my life experience (that I desire to be loved perfectly).
I mean, who doesn't want to be loved perfectly just as they are? I could sure go for some of that.
So in my reflection I have realized that I too will be entering into a relationship with my Bride-to-be, the Church, and through her, a relationship with God. That's right, as a Roman Catholic Priest, I will be marrying the Church.
The only difference is that in this marriage, I will wear a collar, not a leash.
God bless you all! And know that I pray for you constantly. St. Peter and St. Paul, pray for us!
I just have been doing some reflecting lately (not in front of a mirror, like usual...uh wait), and I had something occur to me. Basically, as I've been discerning, I've been trying to figure out what it is I'm getting into here, seeking to live life as a celibate priest of the Roman Catholic Church. What have I found? It is fitting that in the Catholic faith we are seeking a relationship.
Allow me to explain: What are all of us looking for in this life? If we are all really honest with ourselves, we are looking for a relationship. We desire to love and to be loved. All of us long for someone to share our most intimate self with who will respond in kind: a true relationship. (Or maybe I'm the only one...?)
Then what do I find in the Faith but the fact that God has been doing the same thing and to a much higher degree. Get this: the Faith tells us that God so desires a relationship with us that He became a man, born of a woman, Mary, in order to seek us out and draw us back to Him. The second Person of the Trinity, the Word of God, fully God Himself, became flesh and dwelt among us (see John 1:14). Jesus Christ, "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8, emphasis mine).
Stay with me here. This means that the Son of God, Who already shared in the eternal glory and majesty of the Father before all the ages, humbled Himself to become human (it would be similar to one of us becoming an ant in order to draw all ants to a relationship with us) and then humbled Himself even more when He died for us. Now that's what I call seeking a relationship.
Even if you don't believe it, you have to admit the idea of it is staggering...and it's also exactly what we desire.
So that's where I say it is fitting. It is called an argument from fittingness. Our desire lines up exactly with what we find in the Faith. And if the God Who creates is the same God Who reveals Himself to us in the Faith, then this only makes sense: God created us for Himself (and our hearts are restless until they rest in Him, as St. Augustine reminds us), and so we should find that the desire within us matches up with the God we find in revelation. In other words, the person I was created to be should line up with the information I have about the God Who creates. And we do indeed find this correspondence between the claim made in revelation (that God created us for Himself and His love) and the fact found in my life experience (that I desire to be loved perfectly).
I mean, who doesn't want to be loved perfectly just as they are? I could sure go for some of that.
So in my reflection I have realized that I too will be entering into a relationship with my Bride-to-be, the Church, and through her, a relationship with God. That's right, as a Roman Catholic Priest, I will be marrying the Church.
The only difference is that in this marriage, I will wear a collar, not a leash.
God bless you all! And know that I pray for you constantly. St. Peter and St. Paul, pray for us!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Picture This
Pax Christi vobiscum! Come Holy Spirit!
Just wanted to slap up some pictures for your viewing enjoyment. These are shots taken in Ars (French Pronunciation: "Ahrs", Pirate Pronunciation: "ARRRRRRRss"). Enjoy!
From the hilltop overlooking Ars, this picture shows St. John Marie Vianney speaking with a small Berger (French for "Shepherd", pronounced "Ber-GEHR") who had shown him the way to Ars. Upon finding the village, St. John Vianney said, "You have shown me the way to Ars, now I will show you the way to heaven." Hence, the hand pointing upwards.
You know a city is holy when it's roadsigns display the Mass times. Pretty sweet.
I don't know what's over there, but there are a lot of them. I'm glad they told me just how many though.
Just wanted to slap up some pictures for your viewing enjoyment. These are shots taken in Ars (French Pronunciation: "Ahrs", Pirate Pronunciation: "ARRRRRRRss"). Enjoy!
From the hilltop overlooking Ars, this picture shows St. John Marie Vianney speaking with a small Berger (French for "Shepherd", pronounced "Ber-GEHR") who had shown him the way to Ars. Upon finding the village, St. John Vianney said, "You have shown me the way to Ars, now I will show you the way to heaven." Hence, the hand pointing upwards.
You know a city is holy when it's roadsigns display the Mass times. Pretty sweet.
The Tomb of St. John Vianney. If you look closely, you can see that he still has his skin. He is what one calls "incorrupt." Certain Saints are discovered to still have their skin long after their death, usually when they are being moved from one burial plot to another. The reason? They lived such a holy life that their body does not suffer decay or corruption, a result of the first sin - see Genesis, chapter 3. These Saints lived a life so free of sin that God offers them as a witness to us: they do not decay after their deaths. They truly appear to be merely resting in peace.
The Basilica and the town from the hilltop where St. John Vianney spoke with the Berger (pronounced: "Ham-Ber-GERH!")
I don't know what's over there, but there are a lot of them. I'm glad they told me just how many though.
Shot of the French countryside, also taken from the spot where St. John Vianney encountered the Berger (pronounced: "Big Mac").
So there are some of the pictures from the trip. Again, it was an incredibly blessed trip, and it was really confirming in my call to the priesthood. If you get the chance, I suggest you read more about St. John Vianney's life. Then pray constantly for our priests.
God bless you all, and know of my prayers for you! Enjoy this Easter season! He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Happy Easter!
Pax Christi vobiscum! Come Holy Spirit!
A quick side note to begin: I thought about titling this post "A New Post," and then simply having the text read, "April Fools." But I didn't think that would be in the spirit of Easter. So instead I'm going to tell you about how I got to go skydiving above Vatican City....
April fools.
Okay, now that I've got that out of my system, a real post.
Wow, well I hope your Easter has been as grace-filled as it has been around here. So much has been happening. We had a beautiful Holy Week as well as beautiful Easter Triduum liturgies in the seminary, and then I was able, along with 25 or so other seminarians, to visit Ars, France, for a retreat. And if you didn't know, Ars is the town where St. John Vianney lived and moved and had his being. The whole town of Ars was converted by this parish priest's constant prayers and holy witness to the love of Christ. Did you know that later in his life, he would sit in the confessional for 14 hours a day, listening to countless confessions? (I would at least need a nice seat cushion.) It was amazing to see his confessional and the stone floor with grooves in it on which walked the thousands of penitents on their way to confess their sins. They literally wore the stone down over time. Holy erosion, Batman!
Just being on a retreat in France (which I also found very appropriate...retreating and France just go hand in hand...sorry to the French among you) was a gift in itself. Having the chance to discern in such a beautiful countryside, in a country with such a rich Catholic history, so close to the Patron Saint of parish priests...deep sigh. Praise God for His many gifts. It also really helped my discernment to read about and walk in the footsteps (literally) of this great Saint who lived his priesthood so well. In his own words (get ready), St. John Vianney said, "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Christ." If that statement doesn't pack a spiritual wallop I don't know what does. As a priest, God-willing, I hope to bring that love to the people I am called to serve. Start praying...now...a lot. Thank you.
But seriously. And pray for your parish priests. As we heard on our retreat, "There are no bad priests, only priests who are not prayed for." Another power-packed statement. Priests hang on every prayer you offer for them, so please, please, please, PRAY for them and for those on their way (not mentioning anyone specifically). Thank you, and God bless you for the sacrifices you make for them.
Well, until next time, Dieu ti benedique (pardon my French)!
A quick side note to begin: I thought about titling this post "A New Post," and then simply having the text read, "April Fools." But I didn't think that would be in the spirit of Easter. So instead I'm going to tell you about how I got to go skydiving above Vatican City....
April fools.
Okay, now that I've got that out of my system, a real post.
Wow, well I hope your Easter has been as grace-filled as it has been around here. So much has been happening. We had a beautiful Holy Week as well as beautiful Easter Triduum liturgies in the seminary, and then I was able, along with 25 or so other seminarians, to visit Ars, France, for a retreat. And if you didn't know, Ars is the town where St. John Vianney lived and moved and had his being. The whole town of Ars was converted by this parish priest's constant prayers and holy witness to the love of Christ. Did you know that later in his life, he would sit in the confessional for 14 hours a day, listening to countless confessions? (I would at least need a nice seat cushion.) It was amazing to see his confessional and the stone floor with grooves in it on which walked the thousands of penitents on their way to confess their sins. They literally wore the stone down over time. Holy erosion, Batman!
Just being on a retreat in France (which I also found very appropriate...retreating and France just go hand in hand...sorry to the French among you) was a gift in itself. Having the chance to discern in such a beautiful countryside, in a country with such a rich Catholic history, so close to the Patron Saint of parish priests...deep sigh. Praise God for His many gifts. It also really helped my discernment to read about and walk in the footsteps (literally) of this great Saint who lived his priesthood so well. In his own words (get ready), St. John Vianney said, "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Christ." If that statement doesn't pack a spiritual wallop I don't know what does. As a priest, God-willing, I hope to bring that love to the people I am called to serve. Start praying...now...a lot. Thank you.
But seriously. And pray for your parish priests. As we heard on our retreat, "There are no bad priests, only priests who are not prayed for." Another power-packed statement. Priests hang on every prayer you offer for them, so please, please, please, PRAY for them and for those on their way (not mentioning anyone specifically). Thank you, and God bless you for the sacrifices you make for them.
Well, until next time, Dieu ti benedique (pardon my French)!
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