Holy Week on the Horizon--Are You Ready?

Wasn't Ash Wednesday just a few days ago? How can it be the Thursday before Palm Sunday? I am not ready for Easter!

I had big plans to read a deep spiritual book and to be more peaceful this Lent. I've read a little bit of the book, but it's weighty and I seem to be interrupted needed whenever I start to read. Or, maybe the problem is that my brain is too crowded right now to focus on the words. Obviously, the peaceful part hasn't been a big success either, except that one day in the garden. 

The past two days, I'd hoped to spend time in the garden, but it's been rather windy, and I have had a number of other excuses reasons for not working outside. April is always a busy month for my family. We have a couple birthdays, Easter, music competitions, and track practice. It seems every time I sit down to write or plan to cook or work in the garden, it's time to get back in the minivan for the next thing on the list.

Ten days remain until Easter Sunday. What can we do to get ready if this Lent wasn't the deep spiritual journey we'd hoped it would be? Here are some suggestions for the remaining days until Easter Sunday:

Thursday: Get to reconciliation.

Friday: Stations of the Cross.

Saturday: Attend a weekday Mass--perhaps try a Latin Mass if one is available in your area.

Sunday: Go to Palm Sunday Mass to begin your celebration of Holy Week. Maybe braid your palms.

Monday: Prepare lovingly for Easter--do laundry, iron, make sure everyone's dress shoes fit. Don't wait until Holy Saturday to prepare your clothing.

Tuesday: Grocery shopping and cookie/bread baking, especially if you're hosting the meal. Again, you don't want to be in the store on Friday or Saturday with everyone who is doing last minute preparations.

Wednesday: Attend a Tenebrae Service or pray an extra rosary.

Thursday: Chrism Mass at a Cathedral and Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper.

Friday: Good Friday Service and color Easter eggs. Begin the Divine Mercy Novena.

Saturday: Holy Saturday morning, take Easter food to be blessed. Attend an Easter Vigil Mass where Catechumens are receiving the sacraments.

Sunday: Easter Sunday, Praise God and love the people He has given to you!

If you haven't had the best preparation for Easter during this Lent, it's not too late to give your attention and heart to Our Lord.

For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, Have Mercy on Us and on the Whole World.

On Laetare (Joy) Sunday, Let Us Be Light

In today's Gospel from John 9:1-41, a man blind from birth is given sight through a miracle which Jesus performs on the Sabbath. The Pharisees questioned the man about how he had come to see. When he told them about the mud and washing in the waters of Siloam (more than once), they concluded Jesus must be a sinner because he healed on the Sabbath. The man testified and witnessed to the truth, in spite of being thrown out of the Synagogue. The Pharisees, in spite of their learning, could not put behind their hatred and jealousy of Jesus. They denied the Truth which was right before their blinded eyes.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said 
to him,“You have seen him,the one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.Then Jesus said,“I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” (New American Bible on USCCB.org)

We, like the blind man, are called during Lent to pass "from the darkness of sin and error to the Light of God, who is the Risen Christ."

The liturgical color for this Sunday is rose, just as in the third Sunday of Advent. Our Lenten journey is half-way over. Easter is in three weeks. Have you grown in the light of Christ this Lent? Although I'm excited for the coming of Easter, I'm honestly glad it's a bit later this year. I still have work to do in preparing myself spiritually for the Resurrection of the Lord, and I'm glad to have three more weeks in this penitential season.

Yesterday, I had the honor of helping with a Lenten retreat at my parish for the Confirmation students. The day began with an opportunity for confession. So many Catholics avoid and fear the confessional. We must keep in mind that the priest is not "waiting in the box" to judge us. Rather, he waits in "Persona Christi" to heal us. I have had more than one priest explain to me that when he leaves the confessional, he forgets what he has heard. This grace is a gift to our spiritual fathers--they are healers, not throwers of stones. Christ came to redeem us through his blood on the Cross. He does not call his priests to chastise us. When I confess my sins and then look to the priest, how many times have I heard, "Thank God for your good confession" when I think "What is wrong with me that I keep committing the same sins?" The more frequently I get myself to confession, the more grace God provides for me to deal with the struggles and frustrations of life in the world.

"The 'Easter duty' is still applicable" provides a fabulous explanation of the Church's "minimum requirements" for a Catholic to go to confession and to receive the Eucharist at least once per year.

Heavenly Father, 

You sent our Lord, Jesus Christ, into the world to be the Light for Our Salvation. Help us to be children of the Light, spreading His Truth and Love throughout the world.

Amen.

I Don't Live in Their House

I admit it. I'm a sinner. Therefore, I frequent the confessional. I try to get to confession at least monthly, but I'm much more peaceful if I go every other week. I'm grateful that our Lord is not a "three strikes and you're out" God, or I would have been condemned years ago.

One of my repeat offenses is "being critical of others." Mind you, I do not "judge" people, which really means that I "condemn them to hell." I know I'm not God and have no authority over another person's soul. However, I'm quick to think, and often enough speak, about what someone else should do to make his or her life better. I think things like, "Why doesn't he see that his decisions about X are the cause of his problems?" Or, "Why can't she just do things this way--then she would feel better, be happy, etc.?" My personality is such that I want to fix things, even if they aren't mine to fix. As a result, my mind races with solutions to all sorts of things that might not really be problems.

As I get older, I'm less critical than I used to be, but often enough I look at situations from my limited view and think I know better than the person in the situation. A friend of mine often says, "I don't live in her house" when someone is being criticized and gossip begins. This phrase is a good reminder to me of two things, not to gossip and not to be so quick to believe I have all the answers. I don't know the whole story of what goes on in that person's life.

How many people live in abusive relationships that are hidden? How many people battle with depression? How many people struggle with addictions? How many people are caring for sick loved one? We can be quick to anger or criticism when someone offends us or seems foolish, but the big picture would likely change our tune. The truth is, the only one who really knows the weight of the crosses we bear is the Lord. He took the weight of all those crosses up Calvary's Hill and stretched out his arms to save us all.

My first two weeks of Lent have included some little sacrifices and a little more prayer, as well as one visit to confession. My family usually makes it to Stations of the Cross most weeks, but we didn't make it the first two weeks of Lent. Honestly, without Stations, it doesn't really feel like Lent. We are planning to go this Friday, which will be a good reminder of Christ's sacrifice as we journey toward Easter.

Rather than focus on what others should do, I will strive this Lent to focus on how I can be a better Christian and witness to the Lord with my life. Instead of criticizing, I must pray for my brothers and sisters to allow God to work in their lives, in his time, not in mine.

And if you be unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your fathers, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15, RSV Catholic Edition 

The Sixth Spiritual Work of Mercy: Bear Wrongs Patiently

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the First Friday of the month.  The readings were all about repentance and turning back to God.  The deacon gave a beautiful homily about how we are all sinners, concluding with a question about whether each of us is “the one lost sheep” that Jesus is searching to bring back to the fold.

Our homeschool group usually gathers at a local parish for First Friday.  This year we rotated between a few parishes where we were always graciously welcomed.  In years past, a wonderful pastor offered a special Mass for the homeschoolers, but our numbers are smaller now and we have joined in regular weekday Masses at the parishes rather than having a private Mass.  This spring, we attended the parish close to my home where my children and I go to Mass every Friday.  After almost every First Friday Mass, especially last month when we did a May Crowning with all of the children bringing a flower to Mary while singing Marian hymns, a different parishioner would approach us and express delight at the children being present in the church.

The daily communicants tend to sit in the same spots, and are used to seeing me with my children on most Friday mornings. We generally smile and nod to one another before or after Mass.  Today, I noticed a woman I had never seen before when I came into Mass.  She was sitting close to the door where we entered the church.  I wasn’t sure why she stood out to me, but I was very aware of her presence. 

The First Friday gatherings for the homeschoolers have generally included Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation, and fellowship.  Today only two families were available to attend our last First Friday of the school year because of graduations and other scheduling conflicts.  This fact alone made me a bit sad since my eighth grader is heading to high school next year.   I contacted the pastor to let him know we would be a small group and that we wouldn't need the social center for fellowship, but I hoped he would still be available for Reconciliation.  He responded that he would be there.

Before I went to Mass, I was on Facebook where a friend had shared the lists of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The sixth Spiritual Work of Mercy—“Bear wrongs patiently.” I made that my status and expressed my opinion that it’s the hardest one!  It’s easy to complain when someone treats us badly. 

At the end of Mass, the deacon exposed the Blessed Sacrament.  On this Solemnity, I felt especially grateful for the gift of Our Eucharistic Lord and devotion to His Sacred Heart.  

We sang “O Salutoris Hostia” (O Saving Victim).  We stayed a visited with Jesus quietly in our pew.  Then we headed over to the back of the side of the church near the confessional (the sanctuary cross-like in structure with three sections facing the altar).  My friend has an energetic two-year-old.  The little one was pacing around behind the pews as we waited for Father to come for confessions.  She said a few things in her little voice, but she wasn't terribly loud or rambunctious.

I approached my friend to let her know Father said he should be available for us when I contacted him yesterday.   Today is a very rainy day in Massachusetts.  We certainly would have gone outside to wait for Father if the weather was fair.  I suggested that maybe we should go out in the hall and wait so the five older children could visit and the toddler could move freely.  Just as we were about to go into the hall, the woman I noticed before Mass, who was sitting in the last pew, turned around and asked us if we were aware that Adoration was going on.  I responded that yes, we were aware.  She chastised us for the commotion and specifically for disturbing her prayer time.  I gently commented that the little one is only two years old. The woman snapped, “Well her mother isn't.” I responded that I was sorry if we had disturbed her, that we were waiting for Father. I held my tongue and didn't say, “Do you even hear what you are saying?” 

I wanted to quote Matthew 19:13-14,

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away (RSV).

I wanted to tell her about bearing wrongs patiently.

I wanted to ask if she was the lost sheep.

I wanted to tell her that we were just about to go into the hall when she started chastising us.  

Instead, I looked at my friend, one of the kindest, gentlest souls I've ever met, and we quietly left the church and headed out into the rain. 

I said, “I guess she didn’t read the list of Spiritual Works of Mercy, especially about bearing wrongs patiently.  Well, I guess it was meant for me to bear wrongs patiently today.”  Praise God, I was patient with her in spite of the boiling feeling in my chest.

We didn't get to go to confession.  We didn't get to have fellowship.  Our school year ended with wrongs. 

My children were horrified by the behavior of the woman in the church.  They found her to be rude and disruptive. My 13-year-old daughter was visibly upset and told me she was especially sad that the woman talked to our friend that way since “She’s one of the nicest people I know!”  I asked the children if I dealt with the woman kindly.  I’m always afraid that my sarcastic bitter voice will erupt in moments like these.  My children assured me that my words and my tone were kind and appropriate.  I asked the children to be sure to offer an extra prayer for the woman who was clearly upset and needed that time with Jesus this morning.  

Dear Lord,

Bless the woman who was so angry with us this morning.  May her heart be touched with your merciful love.  Heal the wounds inflicted by angry words, especially my angry words in moments that I haven’t “Born wrongs patiently.” Comfort my friend who quietly accepted the stinging verbal attack of a stranger.

Amen.

Source: "Jesus is All I Need" Facebook page.

When People Don't Do What I Think They Should: Or, the Log in My Own Eye

Okay, that title is a bit verbose, but it reminds me of titles of novels in my Eighteenth Century British Lit class, so I'm just gonna roll with it.

Lately, I've noticed a lot of suffering in my little corner of the world.  Winter seems to be a "time to die" and many I know have lost loved ones this month.  Others struggle with relationships with family members.  Spouses forget the strength of their sacrament and when God is not the center of their relationship, the marriage suffers discord, some ending in divorce.  Parents argue with children who question the faith of their parents.  Children who are faithful to the Church lament their parents' lack of faith.  Cabin fever sets in, and even the most loving families start bickering and snapping at seemingly insignificant "injustices."

In my hypocritical little mind, I start thinking, "Why doesn't he just...." and "If only she would....they would be so much better off."  All the while, I'm snapping at my own family and complaining and whining about "stuff and nonsense."

What's a Christian to do?  Listen to our Lord!  We must remove the log in our own eye before we can help our brother notice the speck in his eye.  And identifying that speck must not be a self-righteous act.  That speck should only be noted in love and preferably at the request of our brother.

My youngest is preparing for First Confession, and our Catholic Heritage Curricula lesson plans recommend that the parents read sections of Fr. Leo J. Trese's The Faith Explained in preparation for instructing the children.  This little book has deeply enhanced my understanding of the sacraments.  The chapter on confession gives the formula for confession, but also goes into detail about the results of a good confession.  Of particular note is the following passage regarding "our reluctance to confess an ignoble deed":

The priest is not sitting self-righteously on the other side of the screen, ready to cluck his tongue at our misdeeds.  He is human, too.  He has to go to confession, too. Instead of despising us for what we have to tell, he admires the humility with which we have overcome our embarrassment.  The bigger the sin, the happier is the priest in the knowledge or our repentance.  If the priest should happen to know who the penitent is, his regard for the person will not decrease; on the contrary, his regard will be the greater because of the trust and confidence which the penitent has shown his confessor. (459)

At our baptism, we are called to be "priest, prophet, and king."  We, as non-ordained Catholics are not called to administer the Sacrament of Penance; however, we can remember the disposition of the priest Fr. Trese describes and share in it.  We do not sit in judgment over our brothers and sisters--that's God's job!  Our job is to pray for our brothers and sisters to find God in their lives and in one another.  We should despise sins, but we should love the sinner, especially when they seek forgiveness.

As for the log in our own eye, the easiest way to remove it is through regular confession.  Performing a daily examination of conscience, not to dwell on our sins in a scrupulous manner but to recognize them and ask the Lord's forgiveness, will make us mindful of our faults so we can work harder to avoid them in the future.  Confessing those faults and failings to a priest through the Sacrament of Confession cleanses us of our sinfulness and gives us the grace we need to live a Christian life.  Finally, when we recognize that our sinfulness has injured another, we ought to seek the forgiveness of that individual.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift of my family.  Thank you for the gift of my friends whom I love as family.  Thank you for the gift of your Holy Church.  Thank you especially for your Mercy and Love, shown so substantially in the Sacraments of Confession and Communion.  Thank you for the Gifts of Your Holy Spirit, particularly for the Wisdom to recognize the log in my own eye and to not worry so much about those moments when people don't do what I think they should do.  I pray for them to do Your Holy Will, which is far better than anything I could ever hope for them.

Amen.