Yeah, so I kind of didn't get around to posting last week. Yet another reason why I'm "not so perfect"!
Here's my recap of last night's Homily:
REJOICE! We're half-way through Advent and our focus shifts from anticipation to joy. In order to see the blessings of God, we must be filled with joy.
Our priest took care of a woman who had taken care of his parents up to the time of their deaths. She passed away last Saturday. I know this is a time of mourning for him; she was a mother-figure to him after his mother passed away. Yet, he insisted that we have to be filled wtih joy. After mass I asked him how he was doing, and he said he was doing okay. I told him I knew it had to be hard, and he responded that he has to put it in the hands of the Lord.
Earlier yesterday, I tried my hand at making some pastries. Everything seemed to be going great: the dough rose (twice!), but when it came to the baking part, it didn't work out. And I missed my mama something terrible. This is the second Christmas without her, and it seems like this one is harder than last year. She wasn't there for me to call and ask her what was going on with the pastry. She wasn't there for me to call and ask her to run over to look at them. Even though I called one of my sisters (who is 1000 miles away), it wasn't the same. I felt so alone.
Yet, I do rejoice in her passing. I know she is with our Lord, and I know she rejoices with me. As I drove to church, a thought popped into my head: this is why Mama didn't bake this certain kind of pastry. She had trouble with it, too...I just bet that she did. That was why she made a coffeecake and cinnamon twists out of that same recipe.
So, I will do what Father suggested: I will take time to rejoice so I don't lose sight of where I am going.
First Sunday of Advent
Happy New Year!
In today's Homily, Father spoke about waiting, which is what Advent is all about. How many of us pull out our cell phone when we have to wait? It distracts us so the time will go by faster, doesn't it?
Father used that analogy to underscore that Advent is a time of waiting...not "distraction" waiting, but waiting filled with hope and joy. He urged us to be active in waiting with God's presence in our lives.
We have so many distractions this time of year: the presents, the decorating, the baking...the GIVING. Advent should be a time of quietly waiting in anticipation of what is to come.
I love this time of year. I love lighting each candle in the Advent Wreath. I remember how it seemed like we'd never light that last candle when I was growing up. I loved the anticipation; in fact, I still do.
Best quote from today's Homily: Christmas has no meaning if we don't see the reality of Easter.
In today's Homily, Father spoke about waiting, which is what Advent is all about. How many of us pull out our cell phone when we have to wait? It distracts us so the time will go by faster, doesn't it?
Father used that analogy to underscore that Advent is a time of waiting...not "distraction" waiting, but waiting filled with hope and joy. He urged us to be active in waiting with God's presence in our lives.
We have so many distractions this time of year: the presents, the decorating, the baking...the GIVING. Advent should be a time of quietly waiting in anticipation of what is to come.
I love this time of year. I love lighting each candle in the Advent Wreath. I remember how it seemed like we'd never light that last candle when I was growing up. I loved the anticipation; in fact, I still do.
Best quote from today's Homily: Christmas has no meaning if we don't see the reality of Easter.
I Could Have Done More
Last week, as I was leaving a store, I noticed a woman walking across the busy street. She walked with a cane and a limp, and it looked as though walking pained her. There have been many times when I've seen someone walking on the road and have wanted to stop and ask if they need a ride. But, nowadays, you can't be too careful. Being a coward, I've always just driven on.
Something stirred inside me this time, so I pulled into the middle of the road (it's a 4-lane with a median) and asked if she needed a ride. She walked over to my car and told me she was just going to a neighborhood on the other side of the road. She told me her name, and then proceeded to tell me that she had been sleeping on a bench for the past few nights. She also told me a lot of her medical history. She fought back tears as she said she has a tumor that needs to be taken out, but no one will operate on her because she doesn't have the money. She said she's tired and hurting and may die. She told me that she found someplace she could spend the night, but it was $15 and she only had $8. I rarely have cash on hand, but I had a $20 bill and 6 $1 bills. I debated quickly about giving her the 20, but then decided I needed to hang onto it because I was going to see one of my sons on Saturday. I gave her the $6 and told her I wish I knew of someplace for her to go.
I didn't give her a ride; she said she could make it to where she was going.
Here's why I'm feeling like crap about this whole situation:
~ When she walked over to my car, I panicked just a bit. I thought, "What am I getting myself in to?"
~ I should've given her the $20. It wouldn't have been hard for me to get another $20 out of the ATM. Plus, that $20 is still in my pocketbook...I didn't even need it when I visited my son.
~ After I gave her the money, She leaned on my car & I could see a pack of cigarettes tucked in her bra strap. She could've used the money she spent on cigarettes for a place to sleep. I don't know how much they cost, but I'm sure they aren't cheap. I judged her, and I regret that.
She did say that she knew I was "righteous" because people she knows will honk & wave instead of stopping to help. I hope I brightened her day just a bit.
I don't know if I'll ever see that woman again. I live in a small town, but that was the first time I've seen her and it may be the last. I'm just not sure if I did enough.
Something stirred inside me this time, so I pulled into the middle of the road (it's a 4-lane with a median) and asked if she needed a ride. She walked over to my car and told me she was just going to a neighborhood on the other side of the road. She told me her name, and then proceeded to tell me that she had been sleeping on a bench for the past few nights. She also told me a lot of her medical history. She fought back tears as she said she has a tumor that needs to be taken out, but no one will operate on her because she doesn't have the money. She said she's tired and hurting and may die. She told me that she found someplace she could spend the night, but it was $15 and she only had $8. I rarely have cash on hand, but I had a $20 bill and 6 $1 bills. I debated quickly about giving her the 20, but then decided I needed to hang onto it because I was going to see one of my sons on Saturday. I gave her the $6 and told her I wish I knew of someplace for her to go.
I didn't give her a ride; she said she could make it to where she was going.
Here's why I'm feeling like crap about this whole situation:
~ When she walked over to my car, I panicked just a bit. I thought, "What am I getting myself in to?"
~ I should've given her the $20. It wouldn't have been hard for me to get another $20 out of the ATM. Plus, that $20 is still in my pocketbook...I didn't even need it when I visited my son.
~ After I gave her the money, She leaned on my car & I could see a pack of cigarettes tucked in her bra strap. She could've used the money she spent on cigarettes for a place to sleep. I don't know how much they cost, but I'm sure they aren't cheap. I judged her, and I regret that.
She did say that she knew I was "righteous" because people she knows will honk & wave instead of stopping to help. I hope I brightened her day just a bit.
I don't know if I'll ever see that woman again. I live in a small town, but that was the first time I've seen her and it may be the last. I'm just not sure if I did enough.
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
To say I had a difficult time hearing what the Priest was saying during his Homily today would be an understatement. I sit in the choir section which makes it difficult to hear very well, and he is hard to understand (I'm not sure if it's the frequency of his voice that I have trouble with.). Plus, I was having some difficulty paying attention.
Today's Gospel was JN 6:1-15, or the "Fish and Loaves Story". The priest did say some things that I understand that got me thinking:
God gives us more than we want and need. He uses this for reconciliation and to bring people together.
We may think we want & need more, but God knows best. He's giving us everything we need & want...and then some.
We still use food to bring people together.
Man, do we ever! Food was and is a big part of family gatherings. We always had more than we needed. I think most families' gatherings center around food. Summer get-togethers, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries: what would they be like if there were no food?
The parish that we attended in SC had "Supper Club" groups. It was a great way for parishioners to meet other parishioners they may not have met otherwise. Once a month, someone in the group was responsible for the main dish; others brought the sides & dessert. We met several people we wouldn't normally have met, and we even liked most of them!
Even at one of my schools where I work, when we have monthly meetings, food is offered. More parents come to them when food is offered.
I think Father definitely pegged it this morning...even though I couldn't understand half of what he said!
Today's Gospel was JN 6:1-15, or the "Fish and Loaves Story". The priest did say some things that I understand that got me thinking:
God gives us more than we want and need. He uses this for reconciliation and to bring people together.
We may think we want & need more, but God knows best. He's giving us everything we need & want...and then some.
We still use food to bring people together.
Man, do we ever! Food was and is a big part of family gatherings. We always had more than we needed. I think most families' gatherings center around food. Summer get-togethers, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries: what would they be like if there were no food?
The parish that we attended in SC had "Supper Club" groups. It was a great way for parishioners to meet other parishioners they may not have met otherwise. Once a month, someone in the group was responsible for the main dish; others brought the sides & dessert. We met several people we wouldn't normally have met, and we even liked most of them!
Even at one of my schools where I work, when we have monthly meetings, food is offered. More parents come to them when food is offered.
I think Father definitely pegged it this morning...even though I couldn't understand half of what he said!
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wow. I really haven't been doing well with keeping up with my posts!
This was Deacon Weekend...the Deacons were in charge of the Homilies.
With everything going on in the news lately, the 1st Reading really grabbed my attention, especially the "opener":
JER 23:1-4
Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.
The Deacon at the Mass I attended talked about the WWJD bracelets that were so popular some years ago. He talked about how, when it's his time to stand in front of God, he wants to be able to say he did and said everything he possibly could. He talked about how it's our responsibility as Christians to stand up for our beliefs.
As for those bracelets: I think it's time to bring them back.
This was Deacon Weekend...the Deacons were in charge of the Homilies.
With everything going on in the news lately, the 1st Reading really grabbed my attention, especially the "opener":
JER 23:1-4
Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.
The Deacon at the Mass I attended talked about the WWJD bracelets that were so popular some years ago. He talked about how, when it's his time to stand in front of God, he wants to be able to say he did and said everything he possibly could. He talked about how it's our responsibility as Christians to stand up for our beliefs.
As for those bracelets: I think it's time to bring them back.
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Yesterday's Homily focused on the gospel (MK 4:35-41). Specifically the part about being still. When my boys were little, there were times when I just wanted some quiet...and for them to be still. There were times when I thought it would be nice to be a nun so I could have some peace & quiet.
It's important for us to have some quiet in our life: time to just be still and hear what God is saying to us. To further emphasize the gospel, this appeared in my email yesterday:
It's important for us to have some quiet in our life: time to just be still and hear what God is saying to us. To further emphasize the gospel, this appeared in my email yesterday:
Just being still is one of the hardest things. I have so many things running through my mind, even when I try to be still and just be. There have been many times I've sat in the Adoration Chapel and tried to push things that need to be done out of my mind. Usually starting with prayer helps, but even then there are times when I'm so distracted that it's hard to even do that.
What do you do to quiet yourself so you can hear what God is trying to say to you?
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
As the 1st anniversary of my mother's death quickly approaches, I find myself thinking about her more than usual. Especially her seemingly unwavering faith. Not once did I see her not wanting to be at Mass. Not once did I see her miss Mass unless she was sick. This is why the 2nd Reading really spoke to me on Sunday:
"Brothers and sisters:
We are always courageous,
although we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him,
whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each may receive recompense,
according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil."
- - 2 Cor 5:6-10
The mustard seed gospel (MK 4:26-34) fit perfectly with my mom. She was always learning about her faith. She may not have had time when we were growing up, but once we were out of the house, my neighbor could see her early in the morning, reading the daily readings along with reflections. She was wise enough to know when to answer my questions about my faith, and when to let me figure it out on my own.
During the Homily, the priest said that as we move into Ordinary Time, this is a time of growth. We have planted the seeds of faith, but it's up to us to do the work. And boy, do I have a lot of work to do!
"Brothers and sisters:
We are always courageous,
although we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him,
whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each may receive recompense,
according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil."
- - 2 Cor 5:6-10
The mustard seed gospel (MK 4:26-34) fit perfectly with my mom. She was always learning about her faith. She may not have had time when we were growing up, but once we were out of the house, my neighbor could see her early in the morning, reading the daily readings along with reflections. She was wise enough to know when to answer my questions about my faith, and when to let me figure it out on my own.
During the Homily, the priest said that as we move into Ordinary Time, this is a time of growth. We have planted the seeds of faith, but it's up to us to do the work. And boy, do I have a lot of work to do!
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