New Novena for Life

Starting January 18, through January 26, please join our bishops in praying for an end to abortion.

On January 22, 2014 our nation will remember the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Since that tragic decision, more than 55 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and the lives of millions of their parents have been shattered.

In prayerful recognition, "Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage" will take place January 18-26, 2014.

There are four ways to join the bishops in prayer: an app, a text, an email, and/or go on their site.  Click here to do it.

Imageless Prayer

Fr. Philip Philebert, O.P. said, "breathing prayer might be helpful for you."  He said quiet down, center yourself, and concentrate on your breathing.  Inhale God into yourself--your body--your soul--every nook and cranny, let God seep in.  Then exhale Him back out to the world--everywhere--on all people--and things.

Even I can do this.  I may not be able to do centering prayer, where I am consistently and constantly fighting off distractions.  I may not be able to enter into an Ignatian exercise, where I can't find myself anywhere in the picture--what's wrong with me?

But I can breathe.      Ah....

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Usually in Sunday Snippets, there's a question, which I answer.  Well the question this week is what do I think of R'Ann's questions.  R'Ann is the blogger at This and That and The Other Thing.  She hosts Sunday Snippets.  So what do I think of the questions?  For some reason, they don't elicit discussion.  Bloggers just answer them, and that's the end of it.  I wouldn't miss it, if it ended.

My week:

Monday -- A little essay on gift giving.

Tuesday -- My thoughts on Matthew Kelley's 4 Signs of a Dynamic Catholic.

Wednesday -- A poem for the New Year.

Thursday -- Confession

Friday -- Did you know the Magi were gentiles?

Saturday -- I played around.

Why don't you go mosey over to R'Ann, and see what the other bloggers did?

Sophia is Catholic

Sophia I, wearing a ladder rosary.

Today, my granddaughter came over to play.  She brought over her "friends."  Her very best friend, since she was born is Ariel.  But at Christmas, a new friend enter her life.  The princess Sophia I, came to live with her and Ariel.  She's very nice.

I was happy to make her acquaintance.  We had tea together--Sophia I, and all the friends. During our conversation, we were looking and talking about my rosary collection, we learned that Sophia I, had never heard or seen a rosary.  She wasn't Catholic.  In fact, she wasn't anything.  She believed in God, after all she see's His evidence all around her, it's just that she didn't have any religion.

We explained what we could about Jesus and His Mother, Mary.  She loved Mary's Rosary, especially the ladder rosary.  We prayed our "three year old version" of the rosary, and Sophia I, used the ladder rosary, while we used regular ones.  Sophia I, loved the rosary so much that when we told Sophia I, about Mary's Son, Jesus, she loved Him, too.  I thought she was ready to be baptized.  So did my granddaughter and all her friends (We took a vote.)

We made a party of the affair.  We invited all the friends to Sophia I, christening party.  We made instant chocolate pudding, tea (of course), and even had a procession.  We processed to the kitchen sink, since it was near the table that was set for the christening party.

Sophia I, kept her own name, since Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.  Also, since my name is Faith, I know that St. Sophia, who is a martyr, had three daughters, named "Faith," "Hope," and "Love."  (Gee, I wonder why I would remember that?)

Today was a spiritually fruitful day.  We prayed; we learned; and we celebrated.  I love how Mary brought Sophia I, to Jesus.  Funny how she does that.  One of the candidates in my RCIA class is there because of Mary, too.  Mary brings people to Jesus.  She points the way.

Gentiles

In preparing for Sunday's Readings, (Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72: 1-13, Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6, and Matthew 2: 1-12).  I did a little Lectio Divina, using To Praise, To Bless, To Preach, Cycle A, by Peter John Cameron, O.P..

There are a lot of connections among all the readings.  The Gospel is the one about the Magi; after all this Sunday is the Epiphany.  The Psalm is about bring gifts and everyone coming to adore God.  The first reading from Isaiah is the prophecy about the Magi bringing gifts.  Finally, is my reading.  The one I have to proclaim, Ephesians.  Paul is trying to get the gentiles to go to God.  Like the Magi bringing gifts to adore God, Paul brings the gentiles to go adore God.  The Magi are gentiles.  Paul explains that they too, like the Jews, "are coheirs, members of the same body and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

God's Court of Law

You know when you go to Confession, it’s not the priest that you’re confessing to, it’s Jesus Christ.  The priest is acting in persona Christi. 

Only God forgives sins.  (Mark 2:5)  Since Jesus is the Son of God, He says of Himself, “The Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”  “Your sins are forgiven.”  (Mark 2:5, 10; Luke 7:48)  Further, by virtue of his divine authority He gives this power to men to exercise in His name.  (John 20: 21-23)  Catechism # 1441

God is there in the Confessional.  That’s Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  They’re not there to judge you.  Maybe because I’m a prisoners’ advocate, but I like to think They’re my lawyers.  They’re my advocates, so to speak.  They’re on my side. 

Remember Confession is called the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and that’s what my advocates are doing—reconciling me—bringing me back—making things better—reparation through my penance.  Remember that our God is a God of mercy, so He wants me back.

My team of Lawyers and I come out of this court confessional, as winners.  We’ve won the case.  I’m back whole again, with a clean slate.  

Happy New Year

The Bellman's Good-Morrow

From sluggish sleep and slumber
     good Christians all arise
for Christ his sake I pray you
     lift up your drowsy eyes
The night of shame and sorrow
     is parting clean away
God give you all good morrow
     and send you happy day

from all the rage of wickedness
     look that you strip you quite
in garments of true godliness
     see that your selves be dight
Shake off all shame and sorrow
     which doth your souls destroy
God give you all good morrow
     and send you happy day

And being thus attired
     you may in peace proceed
Unto the heavenly table
     of Christ our lord indeed
Where neither same nor sorrow
     shall you in aught annoy
God give you all good morrow
     and send you happy day

Then looke your lamps be ready
     and that with oil of store
to wait upon the bridegroom
     even at his Chamber door
Where neither shame nor sorrow
     shall you in aught annoy
God give you all good morrow
     and send you happy day

Then shall you rest in blessedness
     which never shall have end
enjoying Christ his presence
     our sweet and surest friend
where neither shame nor sorro
     shall you in aught annoy
God give you all good morrow:
    and send you happy day

Thus with my bell, and lantern
     I bid you all farewell
and keep in your remembrance
     the sounding of my bell
lest that with sin and sorrow
     you do yourselves destroy
God give you all good morrow
     & send you happy joy.                                             Anonymous, 16th Century