Obedience

Yesterday’s readings from Mass asked us to give even more of ourselves. We are to empty ourselves in order to receive more grace, more blessings, and more of the promised gifts.

In the readings for today, God is sending us the message of obedience. We have developed a disdain for authority in this country and in our church. The Catholic Church does not run as a democracy. It has a “pecking order” and those of us who are the laity have a place and a purpose in this order.

Imagine how difficult it would be for a large company to run efficiently if all the employees decided, day by day, what position they would hold. An approach like that would lead to chaos. Eventually they would end up in a free-for-all if everyone chose the same position on any given day.

A very nice lady in Minnesota I am acquainted with just passed away at the age of 102. Every day this lovely lady went to Mass, and every day she prayed her rosary. She prayed for those in her life who may have strayed from the path that Jesus had given them. She did not criticize or complain. She understood her place in the church and her mission in the world. If the manner in which the Mass was celebrated was a concern of hers, she never said so. If her priests or Bishops, most of whom she outlived, did not perform up to her expectations, she just prayed more.

People like her are the backbone of the Church. They are obedient and prayerful. They recognize what the readings for today are saying. Walk in humility and obedience, and you can change the world. Guard your thoughts and your actions. A friend in AA is always saying, “I change me, and you get better.” That is the core of the message of Jesus.

"The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest" Matthew 23:11

Catechism of the Catholic Church

901 "Hence the laity, dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and prepared so that even richer fruits of the Spirit may be produced in them. For all their works, prayers, and apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit - indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born - all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Hug a Catechist for Lent

Very few catechists command the instant respect of a Scott Hahn or a Marcus Grodi. Most of them are ordinary people with ordinary lives and an extraordinary love of their faith.

The lay catechists in our parishes are seldom afforded the respect and admiration they deserve. In today’s church, when obedience has become a rather rare commodity, the laity fails to understand the authority of the catechist. The parish priest who has chosen this person for the position gives this authority. Their authority is not the same as the priest, whose authority is not the same as the Bishops, and so on. But they do have a position of authority.

Often they are marginalized and ignored. In many cases outright animosity is often the reward for teaching the truths of the faith. Just let their audience hear something they don’t want to hear and they run to the pastor. If the catechist is lucky, the pastor will defend them, assuming, of course, the correct thing was taught.

They also struggle with the issue of “familiarity.” It’s just so-and-so from down the street. What do they know or who do they think they are? I’m guessing that Peter Kreeft is just plain old Pete in his own parish.

Pope Benedict had this to say on February 8 concerning catechists:

"They undoubtedly deserve the gratitude, encouragement, and constant attention of their pastors," he said, "so they always systematically receive a solid Christian formation, taking into account as well that they are called to carry Christian values into the various areas of society: the world of work, of civil society and of politics."

To honor the catechists who give of their time and talent, I’m declaring this Lent a time to hug a catechist. Next time you see a good catechist, thank them for the job they do. It’s much harder than you think it is.

Called by God

In just a few weeks, the participants in this year’s RCIA classes at our parish will celebrate the Rite of Election. Our Bishop will be here and the Catechumens will sign the Book of the Elect signifying their next step in the journey to becoming a Catholic.

Every Monday night since last Easter, these fine people have spent Monday evenings with our pastor and a team of teachers. I am aware that not all RCIA programs are created equally. As I surf the web, it becomes apparent that many, if not most, RCIA programs place most of the emphasis on feelings, and very little on what I like to call the “nuts and bolts” of Catholicism.

At our church, we believe that a person who actually signs up for RCIA has at least a passing knowledge of what a Christian is, and is not clueless when it comes to how a Christian should live. That being the case, we move rapidly past that period loosely referred to as the “inquiry.” They are given a Catechism and the process becomes twofold - a conversion of heart, and a conversion of the intellect.

Through attendance at Mass and through prayer, having been taught some methods of discernment, their hearts are opened to the mysteries of God and His saving grace. This is the “feeling” part of becoming a Catholic. Feelings are not bad things to have but they are subject to change. If someone were to base their entire conversion experience on feelings, there would not be a lot for them to grab hold of when the first “dark night of the soul” rolled around.

It is the “nuts and bolts” that keep us moving forward when feelings have taken a mid-winter vacation. It is the authority, given by God, to the Catholic Church that allows her (the Church) to say, “I’m sorry if your feelings are not up to par today. That is why I gave you guidelines and rules. You see, I appealed to your intellect in order to win your heart.”

This year, as in years past, when our Catechumens take the next step at the Rite of Election, they will know intellectually why they are signing that book. And they will feel the words of scripture proclaimed that day from John 17;

Lifting up His eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in Your name that you have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are one.”

“As you sent Me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate Myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth”.

Discernment

   Over the past week or so, we’ve talked about some of the ways God speaks to us. I have not covered all the ways, nor delved very deeply into the ones we did discuss. I expect my readers to do further research on their own, and my only purpose is to get the ball rolling.

   Which brings us to discernment. I used to hear this word and immediately think of “spirits” as in witches and warlocks. After spending a year on my Ignatian Retreat, I had a much better appreciation of not only what discernment really was, but the importance of developing a keen eye for the truth.

   Discernment simply means that we exhibit sound insight and good judgment. We tend to be good at this when it comes to everyday objects or occurrences. If we don’t like a certain food, for instance, we don’t eat it. If we are cold, we put on a sweater.

   Yet, when it comes to our immortal soul, we often exhibit far less care. We live in an age of information overload. If you are reading this, you have probably already checked out the number of Catholic websites, blogs, and news agencies. Some of them are a source of great wisdom and some are a scandalous barrage of nonsense.

   And, let us not forget that “oracle of wisdom”, Oprah Winfrey and her ilk, which would have you believing you “have the power.” The messages of the quasi-New Agers and “feel good” merchants of deception are swaying far too many Catholics. New Age practices and thinking is no longer creeping into our churches; it is now a full gallop. Now, more than ever, discernment is needed.

   How do you protect yourself, gentle reader, from information that is not in tune with Catholic teaching? Well, first you must discern what is right and what is wrong, and to do that you must know your Catholic faith. It is part of developing that well-formed conscience we talked about yesterday.

   Try starting with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I’m shocked at the number of Catholics who do not own, nor have even read the Catechism. If you like your information on-line you will find the entire Catechism right in front of your nose. Catholic Culture provides reviews of Catholic websites that can be very helpful. Find a spiritual advisor who is authentically Catholic to help you discern.

   And, don’t forget prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you travel your road of conversion. I can’t say this often enough; conversion is not a one-time event – it is a life long commitment to growth and change.

God Calling

I have the same hope in God as they themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous.
Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Acts 24:15-16

As we continue to look at the ways God speaks to us we come to conscience. The Catholic Church teaches us to follow our conscience. But, in order for us to make moral and ethical decisions, we must first have a well-formed conscience.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
1783 Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.

Many Catholics have gotten themselves in deep trouble for not having, or even attempting to have, a conscience that is formed to the word of God and the teachings of the Catholic Church. I refer to it as “willful ignorance.” Many of us have fooled ourselves by doing what is convenient or “feels good” rather than what God demands of us.

When we are tempted to sin, God speaks to us through our conscience. If you are listening, the call of God to do what is good rather than evil is strong. If we ignore this call, it will become harder and harder to hear.

Prayer for God’s Help in Daily Actions

Our Father, may everything I do begin with Your Inspiration,
Continue with Your Help.
And reach perfection under Your Guidance.
With Your loving care guide me in my daily actions.
Help me to persevere with love and sincerity.
Teach me to judge wisely the things of earth And to love the things of Heaven.

God Calling

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23

Divine inspiration is another way God speaks to us. The dictionary says it is “inspiration endowed by God upon spiritually gifted persons.” To some degree, we are all spiritually gifted because God made us in His image and likeness.

We have all experienced potential danger averted at the last moment by some unforeseen circumstance. The first thing we are likely to attribute it to is luck when in fact it was the hand of God working in our lives.

It is not enough to know the truth – we must feel it and live it. By actively looking and listening we will learn to see and hear the supernatural inspiration. Just as God gave every animal instincts necessary for its preservation, if we open our hearts and our minds, God will give us the inspiration we need to live as He intended.

God Calling

A View from the Deck

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be, and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

Anne Frank

One of the many ways God speaks to us is through His created world. As I was cruising around my computer, this picture I took last spring popped up. It is looking north from our front deck, and for just a moment I was taken aback at how pretty it was. Judging by that picture I figure God had some pretty good things to say that day. I’m not too sure I was listening.

It made me wonder how many times I walked outside, preoccupied with how many weeds needed to be pulled, or which hoses needed to be moved, and completely missed God saying to me, “Look what I made for you. Isn’t it pretty?” He gave all of nature to us for our enjoyment and pleasure. When we treat lightly the wonders that surround us, we treat God lightly.

How God speaks to us is a subject I spend a lot of time on because it is so important. Over the next few days, I will chat about some of the other ways His will is communicated to us.

For now, gentle reader, look around at the wonders in your world and know that God is speaking to you.

Called to be Holy

When I did the year long Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL), I was most taken by the call of Isaiah (Is. 6:1-13). The first reason was my fascination with the Seraphim. Six wings are pretty impressive, and I went on a search for a likeness of this amazing creature. My search eventually landed me at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Picayune, Mississippi. They have beautiful statues of the Seraphim on each side of their altar.

Once I had satisfied my pathological “need to know” about the Seraphim I had to address this business of being “called.” I had already come to understand that not only had God always known me, but also everyone else. Not only had I always existed, but also God had a plan for me, just as He does for each of you, gentle reader. This can be a comforting truth, especially if you think yourself useless.

We’re told quite often our first and most important calling is to be holy. It is through our calling that we work toward our holiness. Some of us will have conspicuous callings and others will labor for the Kingdom of God in a more subdued manner. Not everyone can be the star on the top of the Christmas tree. Some of us have to be little ornaments. But together we make up the whole beauty of the tree.

Believe then, the Word of God. You are uniquely chosen, prepared, and guided. When we pray and ask “Thy will be done”, we are taking the first step toward fulfilling our destiny.

Meditation for the day: Isaiah 6:1-13 The Call of Isaiah and Isaiah 45:1-13 to see how God called Cyrus by name and prepared his ways.