A friend informed me, today, that Jay Leno is a "devout Catholic who is very outspoken in his Faith".
With all due respect to Mr. Leno, this really surprised me.
I was stunned that someone who has spent their entire career "talking trash" and "feeding the depraved desires of the flesh" of the millions of "voyeurs" who wish to "get a little piece of the action" of Hollywood, sex, drugs, gossips, and politically-correctness, would be a "devout Catholic".
This caused me to wonder something; which is why I am posting it here...in the hopes that you will share your thoughts with me.
It caused me to wonder how a person could justify a career that is so wrought with outward sinfulness and sometimes base and offensive words and/or actions that clearly contradict God's ways.
It caused me to wonder, further, if people, "in general", consider God and their career as co-existing. By this, I mean, doesn't everyone (at least all Christians and most especially "devout" Catholics) ask themselves if the job they are accepting is going to "jive" with their beliefs, convictions, and faith?
Or, is it just me?
Have I taken for granted that we should always make sure the employment we choose is not offensive to God; or, does not have a tendency to lead people astray?
I have been confronted with topics before where the answer was "less than clear" for me; such as:
I have a friend whose husband is a driver for a delivery service. He is a Christian. Well, very often, the packages he delivers to people's doorsteps contain their monthly subscriptions or bulk orders of pornography. My friend's husband needs his livelihood; obviously. They have family to support.
He is the driver. He does not read the materials. Yet, he feels AWFUL every time he leaves this garbage on someone's front porch. Usually, the way he has been able to deal with it, is that he prays for the resident of the home; that he/she will be convicted to stop using pornography and turn their hearts toward the Lord.
I honestly think I'd have to find another job. But, I speak out of turn because I've never been the sole bread-winner for a growing family; so, I don't really know WHAT I'd do in that situation.
Anyway, that's a bit of a divergence from Mr. Leno; however, not really, because it's sort of all lumped together under "What is our obligation, as Catholics, when it comes to the careers we choose...and/or do we HAVE any obligation, to begin with"?
What say you?
Showing posts with label thoughts to ponder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts to ponder. Show all posts
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Comfort for the Tough Times
Have you ever experienced a time of trial/suffering/testing of faith that is so troubling, so worrisome, so difficult and grave that you cease to be able to pray?
You know you should, you wish you could...but, you can't? The words won't come. One of those times when we are told that the Holy Spirit understands the gutteral moanings of our soul?
Recently, I was reading the writings of Blessed Mother of Teresa of Calcutta. If you are familiar with her story, then you know that she experienced what amounts to 2 decades of "a dark night of the soul"...dryness...emptiness...loneliness...feeling as Our Lord did upon His cross when He cried out,
"My God! My God! Why have You abandoned me?!"
I was immensely comforted (and thus, wanted to share this post with you so as to offer that same comfort) to read Mother's beautiful sentiments.
She said, that in those times, when all feels dark and lonely...when prayers with or without words won't come...it is then that JESUS goes before His Father, on bended knee, and prays FOR us.
Our sweet and loving Savior, does the praying that we CAN'T do.
This is not to say that He merely "prays for us" as in "Dear Father, please help Judy" in an intercessory way...
No.
He DOES do that, of course.
But, what Mother Teresa was talking about is something MUCH MUCH deeper....much more profound...much more unfathomable....
Jesus prays FOR us...meaning He "does the praying" that we should be and want to be doing but can't.
I spent the week pondering this amazing gift.
Kind and gentle Jesus...prays to His father for me...AS me...when I am unable to pray.
This led me to think of other times...such as when a marriage is in crisis...when one wants to love the spouse, but can't...or when one desires SO MUCH to BE loved by the spouse, but isn't.
Surely, if Jesus prays to His Father in our place...so too, does He LOVE OUR SPOUSE FOR US...when we are unable...and so, too, does He love US...when our spouse can not/will not.
The profound reality of these things is incomprehensible to me.
It means that there is NEVER and absence of prayer or love because for every person who ever lived, is living now, or will live...JESUS is praying for each when they can't and loving for each when they can't and loving each when they are unloved.
Mother Teresa's reflections overwhelmed me. Humbled me.
Comforted me beyond words.
May this also bring you, my brothers and sisters, in Christ, a bit of Lenten Comfort.
You know you should, you wish you could...but, you can't? The words won't come. One of those times when we are told that the Holy Spirit understands the gutteral moanings of our soul?
Recently, I was reading the writings of Blessed Mother of Teresa of Calcutta. If you are familiar with her story, then you know that she experienced what amounts to 2 decades of "a dark night of the soul"...dryness...emptiness...loneliness...feeling as Our Lord did upon His cross when He cried out,
"My God! My God! Why have You abandoned me?!"
I was immensely comforted (and thus, wanted to share this post with you so as to offer that same comfort) to read Mother's beautiful sentiments.
She said, that in those times, when all feels dark and lonely...when prayers with or without words won't come...it is then that JESUS goes before His Father, on bended knee, and prays FOR us.
Our sweet and loving Savior, does the praying that we CAN'T do.
This is not to say that He merely "prays for us" as in "Dear Father, please help Judy" in an intercessory way...
No.
He DOES do that, of course.
But, what Mother Teresa was talking about is something MUCH MUCH deeper....much more profound...much more unfathomable....
Jesus prays FOR us...meaning He "does the praying" that we should be and want to be doing but can't.
I spent the week pondering this amazing gift.
Kind and gentle Jesus...prays to His father for me...AS me...when I am unable to pray.
This led me to think of other times...such as when a marriage is in crisis...when one wants to love the spouse, but can't...or when one desires SO MUCH to BE loved by the spouse, but isn't.
Surely, if Jesus prays to His Father in our place...so too, does He LOVE OUR SPOUSE FOR US...when we are unable...and so, too, does He love US...when our spouse can not/will not.
The profound reality of these things is incomprehensible to me.
It means that there is NEVER and absence of prayer or love because for every person who ever lived, is living now, or will live...JESUS is praying for each when they can't and loving for each when they can't and loving each when they are unloved.
Mother Teresa's reflections overwhelmed me. Humbled me.
May this also bring you, my brothers and sisters, in Christ, a bit of Lenten Comfort.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
That Poor Man
At our recent Bible Study Class, we were discussing the many Scripture verses that are the basis for and connection to the Mass. The reading at Mass before our class had been about the man who was possessed by "Legion", the evil spirits that Jesus exorcised and sent "into the herd of swines".
Our discussion was a diversion from what we were actually studying at class, but our pastor was making note about the fact that MANY in the world today; albeit, even Christians, do not believe in evil or evil spirits!
One of our class members immediately drew the distinction that there were, it said in the Bible, THOUSANDS of swine in that herd. You will recall that when Jesus demands the evil spirit to reveal his name...he says that he is called "Legion...for there are many of us".
Never in my life did I make the connection...if there were thousands of swine and the spirits of Legion entered the swine...then, that means there were THOUSANDS of evil spirits in that poor, poor man.
My heart ached for him. My daughter lamented that it is a wonder he survived long enough to be healed.
And then, my thoughts turned to the current state of affairs in this nation. Today, I saw a video by Planned Parenthood, celebrating the recent decision by the Administration to force Catholic institutions to provide abortions and contraception in their health insurance packages. The woman at the center of the video...which was, essentially, a bunch of people from various ethnic backgrounds dancing in the streets; was dressed as a huge pack of birth control pills. We watch people petition for supposed "gay" marriages...I have received spam/emails from CATHOLICS regarding this topic...and more and more rights and freedoms are being stripped away each and every day.
I thought to myself, "This is Legion...or another group of evil spirits...that have loosed themselves upon our society". There are THOUSANDS, most likely.
I think of that poor, poor man...in fact, I always feel sorry for him at the end of that story, when he asks Jesus if he can go with Him and the Lord tells him no...that he must go back to his family.
My daughter says that, to her, this illustrates that each of us has a calling and not all are called to priests or religious...Jesus sends that man back to his "family" state in life. (Good point).
But, as I think of his tormented body...I think of the tormented bodies of the women who have had abortions and live to regret it...I think of all the women who are dying of breast cancers caused by their birth control pills...I think of all the tortured and confused souls who try to convince themselves that homosexuality lifestyles are not sinful...
...and I know that evil is real...and that evil spirits are real.
HOWEVER...GREAT is the mercy of CHRIST, JESUS...Lord and Savior!
And, just as He sent Legion fleeing in haste...He can heal the sinful souls of this modern world, as well.
We, who believe and trust in Him, must increase our prayers, fasting, penance, and devotions, so that those who are lost and those who are confused and those who are possessed...CAN BE HEALED.
Our discussion was a diversion from what we were actually studying at class, but our pastor was making note about the fact that MANY in the world today; albeit, even Christians, do not believe in evil or evil spirits!
One of our class members immediately drew the distinction that there were, it said in the Bible, THOUSANDS of swine in that herd. You will recall that when Jesus demands the evil spirit to reveal his name...he says that he is called "Legion...for there are many of us".
Never in my life did I make the connection...if there were thousands of swine and the spirits of Legion entered the swine...then, that means there were THOUSANDS of evil spirits in that poor, poor man.
My heart ached for him. My daughter lamented that it is a wonder he survived long enough to be healed.
And then, my thoughts turned to the current state of affairs in this nation. Today, I saw a video by Planned Parenthood, celebrating the recent decision by the Administration to force Catholic institutions to provide abortions and contraception in their health insurance packages. The woman at the center of the video...which was, essentially, a bunch of people from various ethnic backgrounds dancing in the streets; was dressed as a huge pack of birth control pills. We watch people petition for supposed "gay" marriages...I have received spam/emails from CATHOLICS regarding this topic...and more and more rights and freedoms are being stripped away each and every day.
I thought to myself, "This is Legion...or another group of evil spirits...that have loosed themselves upon our society". There are THOUSANDS, most likely.
I think of that poor, poor man...in fact, I always feel sorry for him at the end of that story, when he asks Jesus if he can go with Him and the Lord tells him no...that he must go back to his family.
My daughter says that, to her, this illustrates that each of us has a calling and not all are called to priests or religious...Jesus sends that man back to his "family" state in life. (Good point).
But, as I think of his tormented body...I think of the tormented bodies of the women who have had abortions and live to regret it...I think of all the women who are dying of breast cancers caused by their birth control pills...I think of all the tortured and confused souls who try to convince themselves that homosexuality lifestyles are not sinful...
...and I know that evil is real...and that evil spirits are real.
HOWEVER...GREAT is the mercy of CHRIST, JESUS...Lord and Savior!
And, just as He sent Legion fleeing in haste...He can heal the sinful souls of this modern world, as well.
We, who believe and trust in Him, must increase our prayers, fasting, penance, and devotions, so that those who are lost and those who are confused and those who are possessed...CAN BE HEALED.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Donning the Mantilla
Much controversy surrounds this beautiful act of humility before the Lord; this age-old custom/tradition of our faith. Many claim that the Church mandates the covering of a woman's head when entering the presence of God in His Tabernacle. They say that "Vatican II" did not "do away with" the teaching...the "mandate" and that all who do not wear the mantilla (veil) are in disobedience to the Church.
This post is not about the validity or lack thereof of such argument/debate/opinion/accusations.
This post is about another topic: Pride.
I've been pondering this whole thing lately because a dear friend of mine, whose family DOES wear the mantilla, has started her own online business where she is selling lovely handmade ones in a personal effort to restore this humble devotion in the Church community.
When I was a child (and, having been born in 1964, I am a *post* Vatican II child, but nonetheless) the mantilla was still commonly worn at Mass. I LOVED it. What little girl doesn't enjoy placing a veil atop her head?
In fact, when we were young and played "Church" or "Nun" as we often did, we used anything we could get our hands on to become a veil...bath towels, dish towels, sheets, blankets...you name it, we tried it.
I have been asking myself why I haven't encouraged my girls to return to this custom?
I have shamefully decided that the answer is "pride" (and a tad bit of a lack of courage).
My "good" motivation in raising godly children has always been to try to inculcate the idea that we are not to attract attention to "ourselves" but rather, to CHRIST, within us...mainly through our example of godly-living and Christian JOY. This has always been my answer to "But what exactly is WRONG with blue hair, Mom?"
It is "wrong" because it draws attention to "us" instead of to CHRIST, within us. (That was a general example to make a general point...not meant to evoke a debate on hair style choices and/or color).
Continuing in that line of thought...I have hesitated to return to donning a mantilla because we have been without one for so long (none of my girls have ever worn it) that I fear that if we suddenly start showing up at Mass with veils on our heads...it WILL draw attention...and I don't want that! (Several families in our parish DO wear the mantilla).
However, I hang my head as I type this...because I realize that even THIS is "pride". It is a lack of courage, as well...
Should I not be willing to have a few looks thrown our way...a few whispers here or there...a few questions or comments after Mass...if, in my heart, I feel that this truly is a lovely act of humility and devotion to bow before the Lord and "cover" ourselves in His presence?
My pride always makes me worry about "what others think". I wouldn't want someone to think we were just wearing veils to be "part of a holy crowd". Believe me, I have heard MANY awful things said (EVEN BY CLERGY) about those who don the mantilla; and have, on several occasions, risen to the defense of people who choose to show their humble devotion to the Lord in this way.
Do I fear such backlash?
Do I worry that some would "think" that I am trying to be "holier than thou".
(Although, as my friend has said...better *holier than thou* than *worldlier than thou*!)
My thoughts reach out to the wider congregation...as a whole.
Why won't ALL of us women return to this beautiful tradition/custom if we, in our hearts, believe that restoration is in order if we are to combat the ways of the world and rise up for Christ in an anti and post Christian society?
Why would we NOT want to take part in something so good, so lovely, so humble?
I am asking myself these things.
Part of my own, personal answer, I know...is that I don't wish to associate myself with that certain "sect" of people who actually DO claim that we are sinning NOT to wear a veil...that the NO Mass is not valid...that the current Pope and many Popes back to whomever are not valid, etc...Though this group is a minority in the Church...it DOES exist...and many of those who subscribe to these mindsets DO wear a mantilla...
So, again...PRIDE/LACK OF COURAGE...I, who do not wish to associate with that type of person, fear participation in this lovely act of devotion because someone "MIGHT THINK" that I "am ONE OF THEM".
Pride and lack of courage.
My girls would readily, eagerly, and wholeheartedly don a mantilla tomorrow if I handed them out and said, "Let's wear these as a sign of our humility and devotion before Christ's presence in the Tabernacle".
Perhaps, I will learn from my children...and do the same.
This post is not about the validity or lack thereof of such argument/debate/opinion/accusations.
This post is about another topic: Pride.
I've been pondering this whole thing lately because a dear friend of mine, whose family DOES wear the mantilla, has started her own online business where she is selling lovely handmade ones in a personal effort to restore this humble devotion in the Church community.
When I was a child (and, having been born in 1964, I am a *post* Vatican II child, but nonetheless) the mantilla was still commonly worn at Mass. I LOVED it. What little girl doesn't enjoy placing a veil atop her head?
In fact, when we were young and played "Church" or "Nun" as we often did, we used anything we could get our hands on to become a veil...bath towels, dish towels, sheets, blankets...you name it, we tried it.
I have been asking myself why I haven't encouraged my girls to return to this custom?
I have shamefully decided that the answer is "pride" (and a tad bit of a lack of courage).
My "good" motivation in raising godly children has always been to try to inculcate the idea that we are not to attract attention to "ourselves" but rather, to CHRIST, within us...mainly through our example of godly-living and Christian JOY. This has always been my answer to "But what exactly is WRONG with blue hair, Mom?"
It is "wrong" because it draws attention to "us" instead of to CHRIST, within us. (That was a general example to make a general point...not meant to evoke a debate on hair style choices and/or color).
Continuing in that line of thought...I have hesitated to return to donning a mantilla because we have been without one for so long (none of my girls have ever worn it) that I fear that if we suddenly start showing up at Mass with veils on our heads...it WILL draw attention...and I don't want that! (Several families in our parish DO wear the mantilla).
However, I hang my head as I type this...because I realize that even THIS is "pride". It is a lack of courage, as well...
Should I not be willing to have a few looks thrown our way...a few whispers here or there...a few questions or comments after Mass...if, in my heart, I feel that this truly is a lovely act of humility and devotion to bow before the Lord and "cover" ourselves in His presence?
My pride always makes me worry about "what others think". I wouldn't want someone to think we were just wearing veils to be "part of a holy crowd". Believe me, I have heard MANY awful things said (EVEN BY CLERGY) about those who don the mantilla; and have, on several occasions, risen to the defense of people who choose to show their humble devotion to the Lord in this way.
Do I fear such backlash?
Do I worry that some would "think" that I am trying to be "holier than thou".
(Although, as my friend has said...better *holier than thou* than *worldlier than thou*!)
My thoughts reach out to the wider congregation...as a whole.
Why won't ALL of us women return to this beautiful tradition/custom if we, in our hearts, believe that restoration is in order if we are to combat the ways of the world and rise up for Christ in an anti and post Christian society?
Why would we NOT want to take part in something so good, so lovely, so humble?
I am asking myself these things.
Part of my own, personal answer, I know...is that I don't wish to associate myself with that certain "sect" of people who actually DO claim that we are sinning NOT to wear a veil...that the NO Mass is not valid...that the current Pope and many Popes back to whomever are not valid, etc...Though this group is a minority in the Church...it DOES exist...and many of those who subscribe to these mindsets DO wear a mantilla...
So, again...PRIDE/LACK OF COURAGE...I, who do not wish to associate with that type of person, fear participation in this lovely act of devotion because someone "MIGHT THINK" that I "am ONE OF THEM".
Pride and lack of courage.
My girls would readily, eagerly, and wholeheartedly don a mantilla tomorrow if I handed them out and said, "Let's wear these as a sign of our humility and devotion before Christ's presence in the Tabernacle".
Perhaps, I will learn from my children...and do the same.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Wisdom in Our Youth
My 16 year old daughter was recently asked to write a talk for a Ladies' Retreat at our parish.
Her topic was to be "The True Meaning of Christmas and Keeping a Holy Focus During this Season" from a teen's perspective.
I was greatly inspired by several things my daughter shared.
I don't know about you, but whenever I have the opportunity to be exposed to faithful, zealous, devout youth, I instantly have renewed HOPE for the future. (I had this feeling when reading Kathryn's recent post on this blog about FOCUS)
Truly, it will be the grass-roots uprising of YOUTH who want to restore the Church, Family, and Nation that will change the world...loving Christ and sharing Him with others...one day at a time.
One of the things my daughter mentioned in her talk that moved me so was this: She said that she feels we, as people celebrating the Advent/Christmas Season tend to pay too much attention to "public influence" and not enough attention to "The Ultimate Influence".
I love that. "Ultimate Influence".
I wonder how different the average day in America would look if we would all strive to take these words of a young teen to heart...how would the streets look...and the stores...and the homes of families across the country?
My daughter also said that we need to enjoy the "present moments" of our lives more...and that "rolling out cookie dough and cutting out snowflakes, are far more important than they seem to us at the time".
Wow! Such insight from someone so young; and also, for me, as her mother, such a blessing to know that she "gets it" and that these moments in our own family life have reached her heart and have drawn her closer to God.
Finally, my daughter said something that has become my own meditation for this Advent Season. I thanked her for teaching me and leading me to Christ. She said that rather than trying to "make the best of Christmas", she feels that she needs to try to "make the best of HERSELF DURING Christmas".
Wow, again!
That, after all, IS the true essence of Advent, is it not?
Preparing our hearts, best we can, to meet Our Savior in His Coming; both at Christmas time and in the end of ALL time.
So often, the media and even the casual conversations of everyday people, seem to be flooded with stories of fallen away youth; irreverent youth, lukewarm youth, disrespectful youth.
I thank God for the glimpses He gives me of youth that are close to His Divine Son...youth that DO care about their fellowman, youth that understand the real point of holy days like Christmas, and youth that are willing and courageous enough to share their insights and wisdom with others...
This talk reminded me of another Youth...a Divine Youth, who was found teaching the teachers in the temple, one day. So too, was my daughter, "teaching the teachers" as she ministered to her own pastor and the ladies of our parish.
I am now trying to make the best of myself during this beautiful Advent Season.
I hope you will do the same.
Her topic was to be "The True Meaning of Christmas and Keeping a Holy Focus During this Season" from a teen's perspective.
I was greatly inspired by several things my daughter shared.
I don't know about you, but whenever I have the opportunity to be exposed to faithful, zealous, devout youth, I instantly have renewed HOPE for the future. (I had this feeling when reading Kathryn's recent post on this blog about FOCUS)
Truly, it will be the grass-roots uprising of YOUTH who want to restore the Church, Family, and Nation that will change the world...loving Christ and sharing Him with others...one day at a time.
One of the things my daughter mentioned in her talk that moved me so was this: She said that she feels we, as people celebrating the Advent/Christmas Season tend to pay too much attention to "public influence" and not enough attention to "The Ultimate Influence".
I love that. "Ultimate Influence".
I wonder how different the average day in America would look if we would all strive to take these words of a young teen to heart...how would the streets look...and the stores...and the homes of families across the country?
My daughter also said that we need to enjoy the "present moments" of our lives more...and that "rolling out cookie dough and cutting out snowflakes, are far more important than they seem to us at the time".
Wow! Such insight from someone so young; and also, for me, as her mother, such a blessing to know that she "gets it" and that these moments in our own family life have reached her heart and have drawn her closer to God.
Finally, my daughter said something that has become my own meditation for this Advent Season. I thanked her for teaching me and leading me to Christ. She said that rather than trying to "make the best of Christmas", she feels that she needs to try to "make the best of HERSELF DURING Christmas".
Wow, again!
That, after all, IS the true essence of Advent, is it not?
Preparing our hearts, best we can, to meet Our Savior in His Coming; both at Christmas time and in the end of ALL time.
So often, the media and even the casual conversations of everyday people, seem to be flooded with stories of fallen away youth; irreverent youth, lukewarm youth, disrespectful youth.
I thank God for the glimpses He gives me of youth that are close to His Divine Son...youth that DO care about their fellowman, youth that understand the real point of holy days like Christmas, and youth that are willing and courageous enough to share their insights and wisdom with others...
This talk reminded me of another Youth...a Divine Youth, who was found teaching the teachers in the temple, one day. So too, was my daughter, "teaching the teachers" as she ministered to her own pastor and the ladies of our parish.
I am now trying to make the best of myself during this beautiful Advent Season.
I hope you will do the same.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Preparing to Prepare
I'm not sure why, exactly, but I'm really looking forward to Advent this year. I always look forward to it...but this year my eagerness for this Liturgical Season to arrive feels especially "eager".
This morning, that thought made me laugh; that I'm looking forward to the season of looking forward...I am preparing to prepare; anticipating the anticipation!
Advent is such a beautiful season; as are many in the Liturgical year.
One of my good blogging friends wrote that her goal for this year's Advent season is to "simplify"...in all ways: decor, activities, music...everything.
That sounds good.
It sounds right.
It sounds like just what I need.
You know the Scripture verse (Psalm 46:10) that says, "Be still and know that I am God"?
Well, all I have to do to feel peace inside is to THINK that verse. Have you ever noticed that?
Just pondering those words brings a quietness and restful joy to the soul.
This is how I see Advent.
A time to be still. A time to wait on the Lord. A time to rest in His quiet presence and look forward to the great celebration of the day of His birth.
Prepare our hearts, oh Lord; that we may right our paths and ready ourselves for Your coming!
For now, I will keep looking forward to looking forward.
Care to join me?
This morning, that thought made me laugh; that I'm looking forward to the season of looking forward...I am preparing to prepare; anticipating the anticipation!
Advent is such a beautiful season; as are many in the Liturgical year.
One of my good blogging friends wrote that her goal for this year's Advent season is to "simplify"...in all ways: decor, activities, music...everything.
That sounds good.
It sounds right.
It sounds like just what I need.
You know the Scripture verse (Psalm 46:10) that says, "Be still and know that I am God"?
Well, all I have to do to feel peace inside is to THINK that verse. Have you ever noticed that?
Just pondering those words brings a quietness and restful joy to the soul.
This is how I see Advent.
A time to be still. A time to wait on the Lord. A time to rest in His quiet presence and look forward to the great celebration of the day of His birth.
Prepare our hearts, oh Lord; that we may right our paths and ready ourselves for Your coming!
For now, I will keep looking forward to looking forward.
Care to join me?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Each One Has a History
I stood in the middle of the Antietam Battlefield today.
This is hallowed ground.
The battles that took place here during the American Civil War were so fierce, so bloody and so devastating that more lives were lost than had been in the War of 1812, The Spanish/American War, and the Revolutionary War combined.
There we stood.
Monuments, as well as original and restored structures all around us.
The movie we had watched in the Visitor's Center told us that during the morning following the battle, all that could be heard in the air throughout the fields and surrounding town were the moans and cries of the men.
How sobering. How very sobering.
My children and I made the Sign of the Cross as we stood amidst the corn fields where so much blood had been shed. We thanked God for our freedom. We prayed for the souls of those who gave their lives and those who had to go on living without them. We offered the Lord's prayer and we sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee".
As we made our way along the roads and trails, we came to the National Antietam Cemetery.
Thousands laid to rest...many with "unkown" markers.
We lingered when we came to the rows and rows of Pennsylvania fallen.
My daughter, 16, kept slowly turning 'round in circles looking out over the vast expanse of plots, saying, "This is amazing. Every single one of these people has a history and yet, we'll never know what it is...even those in the unknown graves have histories".
What a thought.
I pondered this for a while.
I wondered about the wives, the daughters, the sons, the grand-parents, the employers, the brothers and sisters and neighbors and pastors...who had to "hear the word" that their loved one or friend had died in battle.
We do not know who they are nor what their lives were like afterward.
As I considered the events that led up to "this place", "this place of REST" and tried to formulate a "history" of each in my own mind...a thought came to me that was so comforting, so pleasing, and so real...
GOD knows their histories...every single one of them...He even knows the full name of each unknown soldier!
He knows how they died, where they died, why they died.
He was with them the day they were born and with them the day they fell.
HE IS WITH THEM NOW.
Not a single moment in their lives was in vain or remains unknown for GOD knows all...truer still...
GOD knows EACH.
On September 17, 1862, America found herself in the midst of the bloodiest single battle in her history:
23,000 killed, wounded, or missing.
God created every single one of those 23,000 and though we would not recognize many of their faces were they standing next to us today...HE would...for He was their Father as He is our own.
And so, as I turned to leave the cemetery and looked back over my shoulder one last time...I smiled...for there is really no such thing as "an unknown soldier", is there?
This is hallowed ground.
The battles that took place here during the American Civil War were so fierce, so bloody and so devastating that more lives were lost than had been in the War of 1812, The Spanish/American War, and the Revolutionary War combined.
There we stood.
Monuments, as well as original and restored structures all around us.
The movie we had watched in the Visitor's Center told us that during the morning following the battle, all that could be heard in the air throughout the fields and surrounding town were the moans and cries of the men.
How sobering. How very sobering.
My children and I made the Sign of the Cross as we stood amidst the corn fields where so much blood had been shed. We thanked God for our freedom. We prayed for the souls of those who gave their lives and those who had to go on living without them. We offered the Lord's prayer and we sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee".
As we made our way along the roads and trails, we came to the National Antietam Cemetery.
Thousands laid to rest...many with "unkown" markers.
We lingered when we came to the rows and rows of Pennsylvania fallen.
My daughter, 16, kept slowly turning 'round in circles looking out over the vast expanse of plots, saying, "This is amazing. Every single one of these people has a history and yet, we'll never know what it is...even those in the unknown graves have histories".
What a thought.
I pondered this for a while.
I wondered about the wives, the daughters, the sons, the grand-parents, the employers, the brothers and sisters and neighbors and pastors...who had to "hear the word" that their loved one or friend had died in battle.
We do not know who they are nor what their lives were like afterward.
As I considered the events that led up to "this place", "this place of REST" and tried to formulate a "history" of each in my own mind...a thought came to me that was so comforting, so pleasing, and so real...
GOD knows their histories...every single one of them...He even knows the full name of each unknown soldier!
He knows how they died, where they died, why they died.
He was with them the day they were born and with them the day they fell.
HE IS WITH THEM NOW.
Not a single moment in their lives was in vain or remains unknown for GOD knows all...truer still...
GOD knows EACH.
On September 17, 1862, America found herself in the midst of the bloodiest single battle in her history:
23,000 killed, wounded, or missing.
God created every single one of those 23,000 and though we would not recognize many of their faces were they standing next to us today...HE would...for He was their Father as He is our own.
And so, as I turned to leave the cemetery and looked back over my shoulder one last time...I smiled...for there is really no such thing as "an unknown soldier", is there?
Monday, July 25, 2011
ALL Things
Romans 8:28 ~ We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according his purpose. (NAB St. Joseph Edition)
During his homily yesterday, my pastor offered a commentary regarding this passage that was a true "epiphany" for me.
Often, I think this passage is misinterpreted to mean that "good things happen to us when we love God".
Some relate this verse to "All things happen for a reason".
What my pastor stressed, in sharing his thoughts, and what I had NOT paid much attention to before now, is the word "ALL". "We know that ALL things..."
"This means", said my pastor, "the joys AND the sufferings...the good times AND the trials....the feel-good days AND the sorrows and challenges....ALL things work together for good".
Perhaps it's just me, small, imperfect, finite, and not always the sharpest tack in the tool shed...but I had never considered it quite that way.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
It goes right along with the "Redemptive Suffering" that we discussed last week on this blog.
ALL things work for good for those who love God.
Without Christ, without His Sacrifice, without His Redeeming Grace, our bad days are just that: BAD DAYS.
But Romans 8:28 offers a whole new outlook on that, doesn't it?
Trusting in God's Word means that even our "bad days" are, for those of us who love God, "good days".
Each challenge, each trial, each sorrow, each test, each suffering, is working WITH each joy, each success, each adventure, each happy moment, and each celebration...ALL things...together...work for the GOOD.
I hope this thought brings you comfort, as it did me.
During his homily yesterday, my pastor offered a commentary regarding this passage that was a true "epiphany" for me.
Often, I think this passage is misinterpreted to mean that "good things happen to us when we love God".
Some relate this verse to "All things happen for a reason".
What my pastor stressed, in sharing his thoughts, and what I had NOT paid much attention to before now, is the word "ALL". "We know that ALL things..."
"This means", said my pastor, "the joys AND the sufferings...the good times AND the trials....the feel-good days AND the sorrows and challenges....ALL things work together for good".
Perhaps it's just me, small, imperfect, finite, and not always the sharpest tack in the tool shed...but I had never considered it quite that way.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
It goes right along with the "Redemptive Suffering" that we discussed last week on this blog.
ALL things work for good for those who love God.
Without Christ, without His Sacrifice, without His Redeeming Grace, our bad days are just that: BAD DAYS.
But Romans 8:28 offers a whole new outlook on that, doesn't it?
Trusting in God's Word means that even our "bad days" are, for those of us who love God, "good days".
Each challenge, each trial, each sorrow, each test, each suffering, is working WITH each joy, each success, each adventure, each happy moment, and each celebration...ALL things...together...work for the GOOD.
I hope this thought brings you comfort, as it did me.
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