Blog schedule? Let's try it.

In an effort to keep me busy, my mind thinking, and my heart reflecting... I have self imposed a bogging schedule. My hope is to have 1-3 posts per week... I'm not making any promises, just setting goals that I can strive toward.

In order to have posts that are not random a 'topics schedule' will be put into place:

Monday: Sunday Reflections

     This will be my most consistent blogging day/topic (hopefully). Writing reflections on the upcoming week's readings helped me to focus my week on a singular message that the priest then broke open during that Sunday's Mass. I wrote them first for the Church bulletin, now I will be writing them for myself, and whoever else wants to read this blog (mostly my mom probably... but kudos to her, she's an awesome mom!)

Wednesday: Faith/Theology/Catholic topic or reflection

    It is an interesting concept to me - I have a collection of faith related thoughts that are neither here nor there, and they need a place to go. Finished thoughts, cool quotes with my reactions, interesting stories, or reflections on life and faith will all find a home here on Wednesdays. I will warn you - most of these posts will probably pertain to Theology of the Body, growing in your spiritual life, or what I happen to be reading.

Friday: Random Rants

     Here we are, the end of the week, how about something funny, positive, relaxing, etc. Well that's what I'll be trying to accomplish on the Friday posts. It could be song lyrics, a funny story from the week before, a movie review, or one of those crazy thoughts that come to you in the shower. Who knows - it's Friday!

So, that is what I'm hoping to accomplish - cheer me on, help me out, and don't get mad it if doesn't work. (Like I said, I make no promises.)

cheers! 


[Edit] So far, not so good with the schedule... like I said, all I can do is try. Thanks for reading anyway!

Sunday reflections - April and May

well, I've been horrible at keeping up with blog posts. (Consistency is not one of my strengths people... but I have others, like swing dancing, and eating pasta.) 

And well.. while my life is a bit upside down right now in many good ways, I have little to offer you in terms of reflection. So, what I did do was look back and see what thoughts I had shared in the last few weeks in my Church bulletin. I won't be writing them for much longer - more on that possibly later (but no promises...)

Bulletin Reflection based on Sunday April 28th's reading:

     We hear Jesus giving his Apostles the new commandment: “Love one another, this is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

     Do people know we are Christians? Do people know that we have given our lives to Christ based upon how we act? Teen, parents, kids, grandparents, does the cross around our neck change how we speak, act, or think?

      Sometimes we fail. You fail, I fail. We sin, we forget, we take the easy way as opposed to the right way.

     But in the moments we fail we have to look to the gospel once again. Jesus calls us to love, because He loves. We are able to love Him because He loves us. When we fail, let’s all run back to His love and forgiveness.

And another reflection from Mother's day Sunday - May 12th

 

     The other day a teen asked me “What do I say to my friends who think Catholics worship Mary?” It is a good question, and one that many Catholics are asked.

     What we do as Catholic is venerate and ask that Mary pray for us. And the most popular Marian prayer the Hail Mary, is mostly scripture.

    “Hail May full of Grace the Lord is with you”  These are the words that Gabriel said to Mary when she was pregnant with Jesus. (Lk 1:28)

    “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.” This is what Elizabeth exclaimed when Mary visited her. (Lk 1:42)

    Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Calling Mary the Mother of God was first done by Elizabeth in Lk 1:43 and the last phrase of the prayer simply is asking for her to pray for us.

     Mary was important because she said yes and trusted God. When we pray the Hail Mary we praise her example, and ask her to pray for us that we may also be an example. Talk to your mom today.

One last one from Pentecost Sunday May 19th 2013

 

     With 12 men, One Spirit and the message of Love the world was changed, the church began.

    In the psalm we sing “Lord send forth your spirit, and renew the face of the Earth.” But what does that mean? How does the Spirit renew the face of the earth?

     The world is full of faces—just look around! Each of us have a face, and we can use our face to look on others with kindness, to speak words of truth, and to listen to those in need.

     If we  each as individuals allow the Spirit to renew our hearts, the Spirit will shine through our faces!

    Today, right now at Mass, let’s pray for  the Spirit  to be renewed in us. We can all walk out of the Church with a face that shows love with each look.

     Imagine, each of  us walking away showing Christ to everyone. With the Spirit’s help, we can renew the face of the Earth. 

So those are my thoughts... at least a few of them. I'll hopefully be able to do more blogging as I move forward. We'll see if it pans out... if anyone even reads this. 

in any event - have a beautiful day.

 

Gospel reflections: Ordinary time/I have not rebelled

Part of my job is to write a section of the Church bulletin. So in between the "Don't forget to turn in permission slips," "Volunteers needed for..." and the typos, I try to share with others what the Holy Spirit has been up to in my thoughts and prayers that week.

And so, I give you, the September 9th and 16th bulletin reflections. 

September 9th: 

In our liturgical calendar, we are in the middle of ordinary time. But the readings continue to remind us of the extraordinary God that loves us and they also call us to respond with extraordinary love to others. The first reading from Isaiah  says “Be strong, Fear not! Here is your God, … He comes to save you.”  Sometimes we forget how wonderfully extraordinary our Lord is. That He comes down from heaven with his divine love to save us. That in ordinary moments of our lives, he comes with extraordinary love to take us up in his hands with his saving grace. In response to the love of God, we are called to act in extra-ordinary ways. The second reading tells us how important it is to act in these out of the ordinary ways. We are reminded to not judge based on material appearance, but to be extra-ordinary and look beyond physical riches to see the richness of faith. During this liturgical season of “ordinary time” let ‘s take the challenge to continue to live extraordinary lives of generosity, love, and forgiveness, so that our lives reflect the extraordinary love of God’s saving grace in today’s world. 

September 16th:

“The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled.”  - Isaiah 50:5. This first line from the reading is a hard one to hear, because for me, it is often untrue. “I have not rebelled.” How many times do we rebel when we hear the Lord God? But now, looking at the Gospel, we find some comfort in the person of Peter. In the Gospel Peter, the rock on which Christ build his church, first answers Christ’s question with flying colors; “Who do you say that I am?” “You are the Christ.” Peter’s ears were open, he heard what God was telling him and proclaimed it. But soon after, he went back to his human ways of thinking, and rebuked the Lord. He stopped allowing his ears to be opened.  We are all a lot like Peter. It is a constant effort to keep our ears open, and to not rebel against what God is revealing to us and calling us to do. Christ recognizes the struggle, and walks with us. He would not call us to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him, unless he was willing to do the same thing for us. He followed through - Lord, help us to do the same. 

I'm still marinating a longer blog post on another line from the Eucharistic Prayer. It will come eventually.

has the hibernation ended?

*swipe swipe* 
what do we have here
*continues to dust off*
no it can't be ... it is! my blog!  I thought for sure I lost this thing.

Nope Alexa, You haven't. The inter-webs save everything.

Since this is a blog of general reflections and humble thoughts - and since in my current employment I write these things almost daily - Why not blog them? Posting a few sentences here or there can't hurt right? And besides, I already have a FaceBook, Twitter, and Pintrerest  - what is one more social media outlet? As a communications major - I accept (or re-accept) the challenge of blogging.

In the past, ehh... we'll say 3 months. So in the past 3 months, my life has been busy - even busier than usual, and there is no hope for it slowing down. I have more responsibility at work than I did my first year, and as always, life keeps going and more things get added on no matter how busy you are in the first place. And in all this business - it's left me little time to think.

But how important is thinking! It is so important to make conscious decisions. To chose to act, rather than to react. To deliberately say something, do something, not do something, or to move forward on something in my mind holds more value than to react to what life puts your way. Now take that a step further into personal life and development. How important is it that we choose what and how we are going to continue to improve our lives and grow spiritually and intellectually. Rather than reacting in our spiritual life (when tragedy strikes - draw near to God in response) what if we took our spiritual life by the horns (so to speak) and became conscious initiators.

Starting each day with the conscious intention to draw near to God could radically change how you live.
That's been my challenge for the past few days. To live with the conscious intention that today, right now, I am choosing to draw near to God.

If we truly believe what it is we proclaim - then that conscious decision is the most important decision we can make each day. And to follow through means that we are consciously deciding to accept the grace that the Lord is constantly pouring upon us.

Think this week.

Peace.

Militia Imaculata

So, new years 2010 was spent in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Mary Town retreat center outside of Chicago. And it was amazing.
Like many retreats, we wrote letters to our future selves, this is the letter I received.

Mary, my mother and protector,
thank you for guiding me onto this retreat and through it.
As I continue to unfold the great mysteries of your son,
I ask that you may stay at my side and continue to guide my heart.

Wrap me tightly within your mantle,
nestled near the purest of hearts.
Carry me with you as you meed your Son and Lord.
I ask for your loving protection, especially during this time,
when so many things trip and consume the goodness of my soul.

Handmaid of the Lord,
give me your light to shine through the darkness,
and the weary recesses of my heart.

Oh great mother,
you love me as only a mother can,
through my failings and my mistakes.
You know the intentions of me heart.
Lead me on the path of fulfillment and
I beg of you to catch me when I stray.
My mind is stubborn, but help me
to always think of your example.

I am loving you with all my heart
and pleading for help and mercy
to rain on your unworthy daughter.

Take these prayers, my entire heart,
and place it at the foot of your Son.
All in His name.
Amen.

As I was running today this thought came to me. But first, let me set you up with the scene.

It is a beautiful day. Probably about 70 degrees, absolutely gorgeous. I am running, no music and hating every step. I'm frustrated with school, overwhelmed with work, and stressed out with my personal life. I keep having to move to the other end of the edge of the sidewalk too, because so many people have been spring cleaning their yards and there are tons of branches on their curbs to be picked up. this got me thinking..
The branches are dead, and are being cut away to make new growth. It truly is a positive thing. That is what spring is all about. I realized that the spiritual turmoil that I'm in is because I'm not allowing God to prune me, to cut away at my branches. And it is hard to allow him to take control, even Adam didn't want to follow God's lead.
So for the next few days that's my new prayer:
Lord, help me allow you to cut the noise, the hurt, and what is keeping me dead out of my life. It will hurt Lord, and I know that. That is why I'm scared. Do your worst Lord, so I can be your best. Amen.

BR: Wis 1.6

"For Wisdom is a kindly spirit,
but will not free blasphemers from the guilt of their words;
because God is witness of their inmost feelings,
and a true observer of their hearts and a hearer of their tongues."

~Wisdom 1:6

Wisdom is a kindly spirit. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit is often referred to as Wisdom. So this beginning part is about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is kind, but why? What do we know about the Holy Spirit? It is the third member of the Trinity, contains fullness of divinity, and even descends down on us during the Sacrament of Confirmation. But one of the most popular stories of the Holy Spirit is when the apostles were in the upper room and the Holy Spirit descended upon them. The story of Pentecost can sometimes be a bit intense. Imagine you are just sitting there and then you are overcome and speaking in tongues. But even in the intensity of the scene, we have to remember that Wisdom, the Holy Spirit, is kind. He is a comforter and gives courage. He is God as companion, following us through our hardest and most confusing times, giving us Wisdom and grace.