Is it Vanity or Grace

 

While looking for a Bible verse for a completely different thought, I came upon this reading that touches on the pursuit of happiness in this life. It helped me answer: What is a gift from God and What is vanity? It all comes down the decision to live a life consumed in discipleship, or a life lived for ourselves. Which will you choose?

In pleasing God, we find grace, but if we displease Him we find ourselves laboring for others. Yes, there is work to be done to live, but how we do it and our reasons why determine its fruits.

 Ecclesiastes 2:22-26
   "For what profit comes to mortals from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which ...they toil under the sun? Every day sorrow and grief are their occupation; even at night their hearts are not at rest. This also is vanity.
   There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and provide themselves with good things from their toil. Even this, I saw, is from the hand of God. For who can eat or drink apart from God? For to the one who pleases God, he gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the one who displeases, God gives the task of gathering possessions for the one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chase after wind."

I have been pondering this awhile, while I groom my home with draperies and gardens. Where is the point where you deny yourself comforts? Where do simple pleasures become vanities? How can we determine if our happiness is fruits of grace from our hard work and good deeds? The answers have been given so beautifully in the Bible - Seek and you shall find!

Matthew 16:24-27
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.'"

 

“The soul is torn apart in a painful condition as long as it prefers the eternal because of its Truth but does not discard the temporal because of familiarity.”
― Augustine of Hippo, Confessions    

Mark 12:41-44 The Widow's Offering
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.  A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Have you been chosen to work for the Lord in any aspect of your life? What are we owed for our works and laboring? Nothing. God owes humanity nothing - yet he freely gives us the gifts of grace, mercy and love. Grace saves us and blesses us, but is given to those who have faith AND live a life exemplifying that faith with good works.

Genesis 3:16-19 Punishment of Adam and Eve
  To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

  And to the man he said,“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree bout which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

 

Ephesians 2:1-10 By Grace you are Saved!

  You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.  All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.  But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us  even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—  not the result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

 

James 2:14-26 Faith AND Deeds

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says,“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.



What can be our reward, if not in this life?

Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.  Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Not everyone catches on and becomes a Christian or Disciple right away. What of them? Is there hope for the stragglers?

Matthew 20:1-16 The Laborers in the Vineyard
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.   After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;  and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.  When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same.  And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’  They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 
  When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’  When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.  Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
 
What if I'm not ready to give up my treasures, my pleasures, my vanity?
  What is Vanity?
"Or vainglory, an inordinate desire to manifest one's own excellence. It differs from pride, which is the uncontrolled esrie for self-esteem, in that vanity primarily seeks to show others what a person has or has achieved. A vain person looks for praise from others and may go to great lengths to obtain it. More commonly, vanity is associated with an exaggerated importance attached to multiple details, especially external appearances, which in no way contain the value attributed to them. It is ostentation in fashion, wealth, or power regarded as an occasion of empty pride. thus where pride, though sinful, may have some foundation in fact for whatever one prides oneself on being or having done, vanity is the idle effort to obtain recognition or respect for what a person does not have a rightful claim to. Vanity is attributed to shams, which lack substance and are deceitful (like human praise); or to things without solidity and permanence (such as physical beauty); or to means that fail in their purpose (such as vaunting one's own reputation). It is an inflated pride and, as such, is venially sinful. " - by Catholic Culture
It is desirable to attribute all success to the Glory of God!

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Is there anything in your life that holds you down?
Does it put your family into deep debt?
Does it place a façade over who you really are?
Can you live without it?
Does it prevent you from being charitable or available to others?
Will it help you become the person God wants you to be?

Ephesisans 5:15-17
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise,  making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

In conclusion, vanity is when we need our possessions and pride in order to live. Vanity seeks to make tangible things gods - which is against God's commandments. It consumes our days, taking us away from Godly tasks and holy relationships. We'd  be willing to sin or make life difficult to have these things.  Vanity can destroy our path to holiness! However, grace is finding the beauty in our humility, our blessings, our sacrifices, and ourselves. Grace is a gift given to us that opens our eyes to see as God sees. With grace, the things we possess enhance our livelihood and God's creation. Grace is forgiving, fruitful, and selfless. Who wouldn't want grace!?

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Catholic Churches

Five children, a little less hair and a few pounds later…

We've been happily married for 10 years. So much has happened in that time, and looking back it's been 85% wonderful and the rest becomes hazier to remember every year. I must say, I LOVE visiting the church we were married in, as it still holds that same classic beauty. We recently visited there for our nephew's baptism. Tom is his Godfather. The second cousin to join the family, just a few months younger than our little guy.

Here are some more views of the church…

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A Lenten Reflection

By Fr. Campbell
Associate Pastor at Epiphany Catholic Church

At times, almost unnoticed by ourselves, we drift away from God. We get caught up in practices and routines that lead us away from prayer and God and into a lifestyle focusing primarily on ourselves. During lent, Jesus calls us to rededicate ourselves to the gospel values, focusing our efforts and attention on God and others.

Somebody said to me once, "I am giving up my New Year's resolutions for Lent." We have often thought of Lent in the context of giving up something. Jesus' invitation doesn't seem to be about giving up something, but rather changing the momentum of our direction away from self interest activities toward self giving. Before Lent begins, I always like to take an assessment on where I am and what God is asking me to improve upon. I have always found this little prayer helpful in getting the right frame of mind to do so and I would like to share it with you.

What to give up...
Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism——become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement——be full of hope.
Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred——return good for evil.
Give up negativism——be positive.
Give up anger——be more patient.
Give up pettiness——become mature.
Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy - - pray for trust.
Give up gossiping - - control your tounge.
Give up sin - - turn to virtue.
Give up giving up - - hang in there!

God bless you all and I hope you have a grace filled Lent.

HT: Thanks mom for passing this one onto me!
(it is also found here)

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The Mis-Conception with In-Vitro Fertilization

With all this media attention focused on the economy, there is a top contender for the spotlight. It is the story of the mother of octuplets, Nadya Suleman.

Her first interview on Dateline NBC was rather inspiring. While I do not condone her method of concieving children, and I do not know her real story, I was pleased to hear the pro-life story of those lonely frozen embryos. How Nadya has spoken up for the right to life for any child from the moment of conception. Of course, the media continues to pluck away at her and her family, deverging from the topic of life. Even Dr. Phil will have his say part 1 today, part 2 airs tomorrow.

Nadya may have the understanding that all children are a Gift from God from the moment of conception, but she has missed the point that it was God's gift to give or not - not her right as a woman to recieve them by any means necessary. I wish she could have seen her infertility as an opening to foster parenting or adoption.

I happen to know some couples who have gone through sterilization, fertility problems, etc. Closest to me is my parents who tried for 15 years to concieve, and instead of turning to unnatural ways - turned to adoption and NFP. Yes, first there was me who came naturally just over a year after they were married, then my beautiful adopted sister who's 9 years younger, than my brother who was naturally concieved when I was 15 years old. At that time it was an even bigger deal, because my mom was 41 and my dad was 48. A whole lot of love and miracles are wrapped up in our family, but all in God's timing and natural ways.

A Catholic married couple we know chose invitro fertilization (IVF) after years of infertility and trying natural methods available. Thousands of dollars later, they have twins through IVF. While I was happy for them, I was still disturbed that as Catholics they had never been told or advised against IVF. I decided it wasn't my place to tell them, instead I chose to pray. But just a short time ago, in conversation with the father, we discussed how both our families wanted more children. While he wanted many more, he came to the conclusion - on his own - that the IVF didn't feel right, it felt like "playing God." There's more to the story that points to the fact that God's reasons surpass our own understanding.

I have also heard through the grapevine, that a Catholic woman who has 2 children, had her tubes tied (has been told it is irreversible), is getting married again and wants to have children with her new husband. He, who is going through the RCIA program, seems to insist that he wants the child to be biologically theirs. But to make matters complicated, they want to use IVF with their egg and sperm - but have his sister be the surrogate mother. I ask those who understand the severity of this decision to pray adamantly for them and other couples who think this is okay. Pray that their engagement mentor couple will have the right words to teach them and help them understand that all of this is against the church's teachings. Pray that they will chose a spirit of love of children through adoption.

If so many couples and women are feeling this urge to have children, as is the natural order of things - shouldn't our government be facilitaing more effective means for adoption and foster parenting? Should we focus less on abortions, and more on efforts to provide healthy and productive lives for these children and their mothers? Shouldn't as parents our focus be to teach our children self control and selflessness, before these issues ever arise?

My mom sent me an article about IFV. Tim Drake is an excellent writer, who's most recent work was to write a book about the movie Bella, called Behind Bella. A wonderful story about chosing life and adoption. He is also a friend of ours through our homeschool group. Here is his excellent article as found on StayCatholic.com:

What’s Wrong With In-Vitro Fertilization

by Tim Drake - National Catholic Register

Catholic teaching has called in-vitro fertilization techniques immoral for decades. But most Catholics still haven't heard the news. California attorneys Anthony and Stephanie Epolite found out the hard way that in-vitro fertilization wasn't all it's cracked up to be. After years of marriage, and facing her 39th birthday still without a baby, Stephanie turned to a fertility clinic. Two years and $25,000 later, the couple had nothing but frustration and embarrassment to show for the time spent on in-vitro fertilization.

"We were emotionally, financially and spiritually spent," Stephanie Epolite said. "The clinic did no diagnostic tests. They loaded me up with fertility medication and determined the right time for retrieval of my eggs." But, after the retrieval and the mixing of the eggs with Anthony's sperm in the laboratory, still no embryo developed. "In the end, they told me I just had old eggs," Stephanie said. She wishes she had known at the beginning what she has since learned: The Catholic Church forbids fertility techniques that try to make babies outside of marital intercourse. "There is no education out there about the alternatives," she said, "so Catholics are flocking to the fertility clinics."

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects more than 6 million American women and their spouses, or about 10% of the reproductive-age population. About 5% of infertile couples use in-vitro fertilization. As to how many Catholic couples are among them, figures are hard to come by. But many Catholics seem unaware of the immorality of the procedure.

"Anecdotally, from our consultation experience here. Catholics using reproductive technologies are generally unaware of the Church's moral teaching in this area," said Dr. Peter Cataldo, director of research with the Boston-based National Catholic Bioethics Center. "They're not hearing it from the pulpit or elsewhere." In her teaching on human reproduction, the Church seeks to safeguard human dignity. God wants life "to be the result of an act of love by those committed to loving each other," philosophy professor Janet Smith has written. Anything that assists the conjugal act achieve its purpose of procreation is licit; anything that substitutes for it is not.

In No. 2377, the Catechism explains why the Church opposes methods that separate marital love-making from baby-making.

They dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act. The act which brings the child into existence is no longer an act by which two persons give themselves to one another, but one that entrusts the life and identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and biologists and establishes the domination of technology over the origin and destiny of the human person. Such a relationship of domination is in itself contrary to the dignity and equality that must be common to parents and children. Under the moral aspect procreation is deprived of its proper perfection when it is not willed as the fruit of the conjugal act, that is to say, of the specific act of the spouses' union.

In successful in-vitro fertilization, a human life comes into existence outside the conjugal act and outside the womb. Conception is the result of a technician's manipulation of "reproductive materials." The process for the collection of sperm often necessitates masturbation, which is itself immoral.

Father Tadeusz PachoIczyk, director of education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, explained that the Church teaches that the procedure is immoral for several reasons. "It undermines the meaning of sex. It violates the exclusivity of the couple's marriage covenant," Father Pacholczyk said. "It says that it is okay to manufacture life in a laboratory as if it were a commodity, when it should be the result of human love."

"There's also the ancillary evil of freezing embryonic humans that are later abandoned or poured down the sink if they are not useful," he added. In addition, Father Pacholczyk noted that babies created through in-vitro fertilization have an elevated risk of birth defects. "Studies have shown a six fold elevated risk for in-vitro fertilization children contracting an eye disease called retinal blastoma versus normally conceived babies," he said. "In-vitro fertilization is very unnatural. You're extracting ova from the woman, culturing them and inspecting the developing embryo in a laboratory setting. They are in a completely unnatural environment for a very long time before they are put back into the womb.

"Commercial interests offer in-vitro fertilization as standard practice," Father Pacholczyk said. "The Catholic Church is the only voice opposed to it." But there are morally acceptable alternatives to in-vitro fertilization, and Dr. Thomas Hilgers is trying to let more Catholic couples know that.

In response to Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI’s encyclical reaffirming the Church’s opposition to contraception, Hilgers devoted his life to the study of human reproduction, developing the Creighton Model System of Natural Family Planning and eventually opening the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction.

In 1991, Hilgers coined the term NaPro Technology (Natural Procreative Technology), a reproductive and gynecologic medical science that seeks to evaluate and treat a host of women's health problems without the use of contraception, sterilization, abortion or artificial reproductive technologies, thereby making it consistent with Church teachings.

NaPro Technology first identifies the causes of infertility and then seeks to treat them. That's not always the case at fertility clinics. "The aim of most fertility clinics is to skip over the abnormality to try to get women pregnant," Hilgers said. "Yet when you skip over the causes, you end up dealing with them one way or another.

"It's ludicrous to promote in-vitro fertilization as the help for the vast majority of 6.62 million with impaired fertility," he said. "When you listen to the national news and morning television shows, you think that in-vitro fertilization is the only thing available to infertile couples, yet less than 0.5% of infertile couples in the U.S. are helped by in-vitro fertilization each year."
Catholic theologians and ethicists would agree that NaPro Technology is morally acceptable Cataldo said. Cataldo pointed out that "certain drug therapies and egg-stimulating medications at doses that don't have disproportionate risks for the children engendered or for the mother" also are acceptable. But other technologies, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) fall into a gray area. "Some moral theologians and ethicists see these techniques as assisting the conjugal act. Others see it as replacing it," he said. "Until such time as the Vatican speaks, Catholics contemplating the use of IUI or GIFT should inform themselves of both sides of the moral and theological argument and then make a decision in good conscience."

Regardless of the artificial method chosen, the cost of such techniques remains high and the success rates low. According to the 2001 Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates report compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a survey of 384 fertility clinics showed a clinical pregnancy success rate of 32%.

In a 1990 article published in Social Justice Review, then-associate director of the U.S. Catholic bishops' Pro-Life Secretariat Richard Doerflinger noted that a survey of in-vitro fertilization clinics discovered that half of the clinics had never had a live birth after being in business at least three years, collectively treating more than 600 women and collecting $2.5 million for their services.

"Those with the extraordinary emotions that engulf infertile couples are extremely vulnerable," Hilgers said. "They are easy prey." Not only do natural and morally acceptable alternatives such as NaPro Technology cost far less, but they also are more successful. The Pope Paul VI Institute boasts success rates ranging from 38% to 80%, depending upon the condition being treated.
Following the Epolites' experience with in-vitro fertilization, Stephanie learned about the Pope Paul VI Institute from a Natural Family Planning counselor. In the fall of 2000, the couple applied to the institute, gathered charts they had kept that outlined vital signs related to fertility, and underwent diagnostic testing. As it turned out, both had reproductive issues that their previous fertility clinic had never diagnosed. Anthony's sperm count was low, and Stephanie suffered from endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes.

Six months later, following treatment of their conditions at the Pope Paul VI Institute and at the age of 42, Stephanie conceived naturally. Their daughter, Claire Marie, was born Oct. 3, 2002.
"At the Pope Paul VI Institute, we saw compassion, concern, help and love," Stephanie said. "They provided individualized treatment, versus the empty feeling that we felt from the fertility clinic. Whereas the fertility clinic bypasses all the laws of nature, the Pope Paul VI Institute works with the laws of nature."

The NaPro Difference
The Paul VI Institute collected these statistics about the NaPro fertility approach:
· It is two to three times more successful than in vitro fertilization at helping infertile couples have children — at a fraction of the cost.
· It is 79% effective at helping women have a successful pregnancy after they have suffered repeated miscarriages.
· NaPro Technology is 95% effective at treating post-partum depression, which afflicts as many as one in five new mothers, often getting results within hours.
· NaPro Technology cuts the rate of premature births in half — thus helping reduce the incidence of birth defects.
· NaPro Technology effectively treats women experiencing infertility with up to an 80% success rate.

Copyright © 2004 Circle Media, Inc., National Catholic Register

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A new online space for Catholics

Did you know about http://www.4marks.com/?

My mom just discovered and shared it with me. It looks a lot like a myspace for Catholics. I have not signed up yet, but wanted to know if anyone else out there uses it and their thoughts. It looks promising!

Here's the link to what 4Marks wants to accomplish.

Thanks much!
Melissa

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Things happen for a reason.

Hello readers. It appears there are more of you than I knew about. A so-so blog has turned into a hot topic link among family and friends, and some aquaintences. While it is nice to see that I have more readers, some who just choose not to comment until it affects them personally, it brings me to that point so many of you fellow bloggers have been at one time or another. You will never forget that post you made, when you got some comments or calls you weren't expecting and wish you never got??? Sound familiar? Then when you're already feeling bummed out, you have to decide if your blog is worth keeping. You have to decide whether to respond or delete. I'm there.

Most of you know that I have a family blog, where I post about family tips, and things that are happening with my family. It keeps our friends and family updated on our everyday things, and connects me to other mom's who are like-minded. It's a good thing.

So when I started feeling like journaling more about touchy subjects, like politics and religion, I figured I better keep that blogging separate from my family. This Growing in Grace blog has developed into a place where I can share silly MEMEs, interesting articles or videos worth sharing, and discussions I care about as a faithful Catholic. It's very personal.

A few weeks ago I realized that I enjoyed sharing more hot topics, because it brought readers and comments I was looking for. While reading other blogs, I saw there was a demand for blogs about living the faith in the public eye. So last week I decided to share a personal experience and how I was currently dealing with it.

I do admit, even though at the time I thought I was being vague, I was told yesterday that I gave enough detail to stir up ill emotions and cause some unexpected discussions to arise from those mentioned in the post. I have gone through the post the best I can to create anonymity for those people, without deleting it completely. It contains good points and things I want to share. My dad explained that politics and religious truths are already in the public eye and open for discussion complete with names, but I need to be careful not to publicize opinion nor fact about those in my private connections (or something like that), which may hurt them. So excuse me for stepping on toes that were put in my path. You'll either have to avoid my path, or rest assured that I'll keep your name/identity more private in the future.

So what's all this fuss about?

Well, I have put myself on the line to help others and find help from others. I have opened the pages of my life, the knowledge in my brain, and the understanding the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon me. Because of this, I have been hurt badly. I knew it was coming, and I promised God I would take with a grain of salt.

Sadly, my depresssion has elevated, possibly due to pregnancy hormones, but worse than before no matter how. I will never reach complete hopelessness, because I have God in my life. He alone has pulled me through each and every bottomed out moment. Yes, there have been many. Sometime God pulls me through it with His voice, or that of my husband's or dear friends and family. Yes, you must believe that God works on his own, AND through others. I often feel the presence of God urging me to do his work for others. It's funny how people love it until it challenges them to make a change in THEIR life.

In the midst of my dispair, I have found the TRUTH and the LIGHT and HOPE. It is God as the Blessed Trinity, which has shown me the real way to live with purpose. Of course, I am not perfect in my personal efforts towards sanctifying grace, I slip and fall, but unlike some others in my "private connections," I get back up and keep following. I DO find ways to strengthen myself, such as through the Catholic Eucharist, confession, bible study, and frienships which nuture this path. I DO NOT find ways to compromise my faith to feel better about my wrong decisions. I DO NOT stray from my faith and find another one that makes me feel better about the life I want. Because GOD'S WILL is so much better than my own. And that's a proven fact.

> This issue began with a post about disturbing truths about our President and his administration, and concern for those who support him regardless. We hoped to inform. We hoped for a respectful discussion. Instead we got rejected, bombarded with hatred for OUR beliefs and facts shared, ignored than ridiculed, and expected to reply in a nice, submissive and compromising way. Who the heck do you think we are? A bunch of gullable idiots who were raised by imbisuls? Quite the contrary. I am not sorry, I have not changed my opinon on the matter, and will not waiver on my faith for anyone.

I WILL NOT agree to disagree, or simply try to "understand" those who are following the wrong path. That is the most wimped out excuse to pretend and divert from the TRUTH. The friend I wrote about in my last post, who hurt me deeply and wants me to just turn this into a

"...success story where you could have then shared a beautiful outcome of
forgiveness and understanding"

She wrote "that the issues of the present and the past have been posted for the world to see before [I have] even taken the opportunity to discuss feelings with" her. Which is absurd, since a few weeks ago I tried to discuss this and got the silent treatment and the discussion was deleted and never readdressed privately."

She doesn't understand that even though her compromises in life which have separated us, and the bitterness of her family towards mine, a "beautiful outcome" has already been reached - she just can't see it. She needs to know I have already forgiven her over and over again, and do again today for the ways she has hurt me, how she turned her back on me and her faith. That I understand that she has been manipulated by others and her worldly thoughts away from the faith that she could have embraced, and hopefully someday will. I still see potential in her, and will continue to pray for her. But due to my own human frailty, I cannot resolve this all now. The beautiful outcome is that I continue to hold no grudges, even though I am serverly bruised by her and her family's actions.

With regards to others that were mentioned, some took it well and others not. The addition of those paragraphs about others were meant to emphasize the condition I am in. To let readers understand that it is not just this one incident that brings me down in despair. It is interesting that some have insisted in being a part of my life, yet want little to do with the part of me that cares for them back. It leaves me feeling used. I think I've made amends with those two particular people and there is some understanding of where we're both coming from.

Why do I tend to burden myself with such things?

I care too much? (especially about how people feel about me) Someone once wrote in my yearbook: "Melissa, you're too nice." What the heck does that mean? I didn't realize my concern for others was such a burden. I didn't realize that my love and hope for the prosperity of human kind was overreaching.

It is built into my nature to care more than most. To contemplate more than most. To feel personally attacked, when others can brush it off. A small portion of it is neurological, and will be numbed (treated) with medication after the baby is born. The kind of meds that make me not care as much, yet never get rid of the situations. Most of these feelings are a constant yearning and desire to help others, as embedded in my heart by God from the moment I was concieved. To deny this, is to deny God's will for me. To let go of it would be selfish. And to follow through with it to the full extent that God asks of all of us, is really a dying to myself. How did I come to this conclusion, you ask? Through gifts of the Holy Spirit, and enlightened by my current study of the book "Courageous Love" as I've written about before. The book really calls you to action.


SO UNTIL I AM PAST THIS SADNESS:

I will be consoling myself in God's love. I will be detaining my compelling desire to share my concerns and advice with others close to me. I am asking God to lift this cross, as it is too much to bear at this time. OR that He will show me how this fits into my path. I will gladly accept the other crosses I bear on a daily basis, per His instructions to me last Thursday night in adoration. To care for my children and household first. And I will gladly pick up that heavy cross with love and charity again when my soul is mended.

Last night I curled into bed around 5pm again, like last week. I was so overraught with concern and sadness, as well as physical pain from my shoulders and hips. My husband set up this week an at home massage with my usual people, and told me it was all taken care of. He ran over to Applebees to calm my craving for an Oriental Chicken Salad. Then cleaned up and put the kids to bed. He is so sweet and understanding. He is Christ-like to me every day, even when it seems like too much for him to bear. I guess I'm his Cross.

GOD SPEAKS: A REVELATION

Of course I turned on the boob tube, and watched AFV and That 70s Show for a good laugh, then Medium for a thrill. Anything to take my mind of how I felt. But then it came time for my usual reruns of Scrubs, which I watch almost every night. Well, this one (watch it here) actually spoke to me. The focus was on this head nurse who always talks about her faith in Jesus, who states that even bad things happen for a reason. And amidst this "wow" moment of mine, the nurse even quoted:

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU ARE CONCERNED?

What I need is respect and love from those who are in my circle. I ask that you continue with your positive encouragement and suggestions. They have indeed been very helpful. Here are some of my favorites...

"you have to let people love you, like, or hate you the way they want - it stinks sometimes, but at least it's authentic... ...do what is right and so what if you don't ever see or taste any fruits of your labors. You have to trust that He is tilling the fields for you"

"Our beliefs should be strongly and loyally held, otherwise why have them?!"

"I know that when my own personal pray life is in order, as well as my family’s prayer life…I am more successful in situations like these. ...when all this confrontation was happening to me, I figured this was a nudge from the Lord to deepen MY own relationship with him."

St. Theresa's Prayer (I recieved in an email today):

'May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.'

Something I once wrote which connects with last weekend's gospel reading:
Jesus touched the lepers, talked to them, healed them. It was contrary to what others had ever done. Contrary to the worldly view that politics and religion should be a private matter and unspeakable amongst friends... God is calling many of us followers to share his message on the issues that should matter to everyone - not just Catholics!

Thank you to all who took the time to read this long post. I hope it will clear the air, and help you see what I envision for this blog. I hope it will inspire you to pray to step up to what God is calling you to do with your life, and BE NOT AFRAID because God is present in every moment. And in a moment of dispair, realize that even then blessings can come forth - because God wills it to be so!

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Come Holy Spirit!

Come Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!

So many of my fellow bloggers have been posting information about the state of the American Mass and their being drawn to the conformity and old tradition of the Latin Mass. My recent post regarding old traditions and new positive changes coming soon, speaks to this.

But might I endulge for a moment about what I feel is a treasure to our Catholic Church, that has indeed changed my life forever. I wish more people who are inclined to increase their faith lives experience this level of worship.

The Charasmatic Renewal of the Catholic Church:

Shortly after I was Baptised (in Jan 1980), my parents began to attend a new parish forming, The Church of St. Paul. They were there at the ground-breaking just a mile from our house. They helped build that church, worked in the music ministry, VBS and bible study. I grew up not understanding completely the charisms that occured there, but loved how the Holy Spirit moved through this parish, through this Charasmatic Mass. It's worship, its call to evangelization, vocations and more. When my dad applied for the Deaconate more than 20 years ago, he was told that there was no opening for a Deacon at St. Paul's - so he moved on to my school's parish - Epiphany. We've belonged to many parishes since then, and my dad - Deacon Bruce - is now back at Epiphany. They are great leaders and incredible examples to me and others who witness their great love and knowledge of the Catholic Church and its teachings.

When I was attending the College of Visual Arts, I attended mass just down the road at the Cathedral. It was special to me, because it was the first time in my life I decided to live my faith without the push of my parents. I was deciding on my own, praying on my own - it was just between God and me. At one particular Mass, during the transubstantiation of the Eucharist, I felt God calling me in a loud voice... asking me to leave my college to go back home and be a minister to the youth of the area. Though I had no idea how or what - it didn't take me long to pack my bags and head home. Who am I to question God?

I applied for the NET Ministry team, and was accepted for their retreat interview. They told me that I was right for the vocation, but with limited openings - not quite yet. To reapply in 1 -2 years. I had to take some more time developing my personal understanding of the faith and the Holy Spirit. I don't read much, or often, but after that interview I read several books on evangelization, the Catholic Mass, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and Catholic Apologetics. I attended classes, and most importantly I attended Adoration. By that time my parents had begun a Monday Marian Cenacle and Adoration night. Somewhere in the middle of it all, I was invited to attend a Steubenville Youth conference with some friends and a local parish.

During the Steubenville [Franciscan Youth] Conference in Ohio, I opened myself to a new level of prayer - a Charismatic prayer. I spoke in toungues , was called to evangelization and offered my life up to the possiblity of joining the sisterhood. I gave my most devout confession, and reconciled the burdens of my past giving them to Jesus. It was beautiful. That year I also went to the adult conference in Ohio, then attended as a chaperone the next year to Steubenville of the Rockies CO, and the following year I lead my own parish and homeschool teens to Steubenville North At St. Thomas Univeristy, MN. IN these 3 years I was asked to lead the local Catholic Homeschool Teen group, which was a stepping stone for me in deciding to homeschool my own children. It was during all this, I saw how God's calling for me was being fulfilled. Imbedding the faith in teens and deeper in to myself.




CONSIDER SENDING YOUR TEENS - I BEG YOU!

While the Gifts of the Holy Spirit were renewed and released. The Spiritual Gifts - Charisms from the Holy Spirit I have experienced since are: Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation, Resting in the Spirit - possibly more?

Some of these, are enumerated by St. Paul in 1Cor.12. They are 9: "The word of
wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the grace of healing, the working of
miracles, prophecy, the discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues,
interpretation of tongues" (I Cor.12:4-10).

This is how I am certain that God has big things instore for me, and I am not nearly finished. My ministry will continue, as a wife and sister, in my motherhood and in my church. God will bring those oportunities to me in the right time. The original 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit imbedded in us at Baptism and released fully at Confirmation - are in each one of us.

[These] are specially intended for the sanctification of the person who
receives them: The seven gifts of Is 11:2-3: Wisdom, understanding, counsel,
fortitude, knowledge, piety (godliness), and fear of the Lord.

These are incredible, and I can see them in the words you all share with me in your blogs. In your lifestyles, teaching, and faith sharing. IF you feel your parish needs to be uplifted and renewed, consider the Catholic Charismatic Renewal...

The central goals of Catholic Charismatic Renewal include:

1. To foster mature and continuous personal conversion to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
2. To foster a decisive personal receptivity to the person, presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. These two spiritual graces are often experienced together in what is called in different parts of the world a baptism in the Holy Spirit, or a release of the Holy Spirit, or a renewal of the Holy Spirit. They are most often understood as a personal acceptance of the graces of Christian initiation and as an empowering for personal Christian service in the Church and in the world.
4. To foster the reception and use of the spiritual gifts (charismata) not only in the charismatic renewal but also in the broader Church. These gifts, ordinary and extraordinary are abundantly found among laity, religious and clergy. Their proper understanding and use in harmony with other elements of the church life is a source of strength for Christians on their journey towards holiness and in the carrying out of their mission.
5. To foster the work of evangelization in the power of the Holy Spirit, including the evangelization of the unchurched, the re-evangelization of nominal Christians, the evangelization of culture and social structures. The renewal especially promotes sharing in the Church's mission by proclaiming the gospel in word and deed, and by bearing witness to Jesus Christ through personal testimony and through those works of faith and justice to which each one is called.
6. To foster the ongoing growth in holiness through the proper integration of these charismatic emphases with the full life of the Church. This is accomplished through participation in a rich sacramental and liturgical life, and appreciation of the tradition of Catholic prayer and spirituality, and ongoing formation in Catholic doctrine guided by the Church's magisterium, and participation in the pastoral plan of the Church.

"These goals and the projects that flow from them have marked the Catholic charismatic renewal in individuals, prayer groups, communities, local, diocesan and national service teams and ministries."

This is just part of my renewal in the Catholic Faith - part of my "Conversion Story." Even though I was a cradle Catholic, I didn't always trust and I didn't always live as one. My conversion was when I decided for myself that this is what God is calling us all to. Of course it has only begun - I am still learning and growing in faith. So far, I love what I've found!

Have you?

*****

I would like to branch out and share my thoughts with others and see their comments - so please take a minute to mention me in your blog sometime. Thanks!

Growing in Grace: http://myunforgettableyou.blogspot.com/

St. Brigids Academy: http://stbrigidsacademy.blgospot.com/

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New & Old Catholic Traditions

While spending endless hours trying to catch up on reading blogs and emails after a few week break... I came across an interesting topic or set of topics regarding traditions of the Catholic Church. I thought I'd share my findings and opinions. Thank you to all who are participating in this - blogging and online research seems to be the new way of finding out the truths of our Catholic Faith.

The Roman Missal - A New English Translation by 2010

The USSCB has an article regarding the current english translation of the Roman Missal. This article as well as others, discuss how there is a committee appointed and blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, who's current studies show that there need to be a few minor changes in the American Mass. The Catholic Knight Blog seems to have sparked some interest in this being a positive move, as I agree - but for different reasons than he presents in his blog. He refers to an article about the current American Mass being "defective." This committee is working diligently to have these changes presented to bishops and priests by the year 2010. Of course, it will be awhile later before we see it in full at church. I am certain they want a smooth transition for all of us Catholics who are conformed to the almost 40 year old way. Making sure this was all "kosher" with the Vatican... I found this letter from the Pope blessing the committee.

I know many of my Traditional Latin Mass friends are excited about this change. But with all change comes opposition... so please pray for the souls of the faithful. I personally think that if something needs to be more defined or redefined, based on new translations stemming from new research... then let it happen. It will only make us stronger, right?

Will we see a return to Church Veils????
Again, this Catholic Knight seems to have gotten this discussion started. You may have read about it on Ora et Labora or Totus Tuus Family blogs or listed on the right side bar at Shower of Roses.

Their discussion stems from the tradition of women wearing veils or hats at Church prior to the change in the Canon Law in 1983. The previous tradition was enforced by church leaders, but is no longer stated in the new law. Those who still wear veils, want us to know that this is a right that was never taken away. It is no longer a law or enforced, but the tradition of it - and its original intent is still worth consideration. Am I understanding you all right?

Of course I wanted to know where this really all stems from - church documents or journalistic manipulations? I found this article helpful, from Fatima Family, which states there is no longer a force of this law, yet there is nothing restraining us from doing so either. It IS a personal decision and it is NOT a sin to not wear a veil to Mass or Adoration. But for those who chose to wear a traditional head covering when in the True Presence of Christ, they are always a good example of modesty.

I personally feel that wearing veils is up to the individual, if used respectfully and not as just another fashion trend. If it helps you be more devoted and modest, go for it. I personally believe that I will not have a better faith life or incur more blessings by covering my head while in church. I am not trying to disrespect God or the Angels by not wearing one. I however do attend in modest dress. I do not agree that it should be enforced as it was before the 1970s. I do agree that women who chose to wear a mantila or head covering be resepcted for their decision and let alone.

I think instead of a focus on whether or not to wear head coverings, there should be a nation wide effort to focus on teaching modesty in dress for all ages when attending Mass and in the secular world. I think if we simply enforce head coverings, you will begin to see baseball caps and other rediculous styles popular today - and/or it will lead to more vanity. It should be a choice just as much as it is a choice to wear slacks, a skirt, or a dress to Church. Hopefully more will begin to make the modest choices.

Isn't Fasting just for Lent?

I have heard discussions about fasting on all Fridays of the year, not just during Lent. Of course that peaked my curiosity. I went straight to the Code of Canon Law for my answer. You know, our faith is not just based on the Bible. It stands on three balanced legs of Writings, Tradition, and Papal Authority. Those things laid down for us by Christ and his first disciples. I figure their word is good enough for me, I don't have to refer to other websites or blogs for this.

The Canon Law has a section regarding Days of Penance:

Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do
penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among
themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are
prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to
prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling
their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and
abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.
Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday
of the whole year and the season of Lent.
Can. 1251 Abstinence
from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is
to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday.
Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday.
Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed
their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their
majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and
parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound
by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of
penance.
Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more
precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other
forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole
or in part, for abstinence and fast.

Well, I hope you enjoyed learning more about the Catholic Faith. I encourage you to say your peace here, whatever your thoughts. Just try to be respectful of people's decisions, because no matter what we wear or what language we say the Mass in.. we are still all Children of God trying to live our faith the best we know how.

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Accepting God's Will

The article below is in whole and discusses that even though things happen which do not seem to be of God, that it is still God's Divine Providence. It is God's Will for this election of Obama to occur inorder for our lives to move in a preconcieved way...



Catholic Family News Article - 11/5/2008


Abandonment to Divine Providence
By Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange

Why should we abandon ourselves to Divine Providence?

The answer of every Christian will be that the reason lies in the wisdom and goodness of Providence. This is very true; nevertheless, if we are to have a proper understanding of the subject, if we are to avoid the error of the Quietists in renouncing more or less the virtue of hope and the struggle necessary for salvation, if we are to avoid also the other extreme of disquiet, precipitation, and a feverish, fruitless agitation, it is expedient for us to lay down four principles already somewhat accessible to natural reason and clearly set forth in revelation as found in Scripture. These principles underlying the true doctrine of self-abandonment also bring out the motive inspiring it.

The first of these principles is that everything which comes to pass has been foreseen by God from all eternity, and has been willed or at least permitted by Him.

Nothing comes to pass either in the material or in the spiritual world, but God has foreseen it from all eternity; because with Him there is no passing from ignorance to knowledge as with us, and He has nothing to learn from events as they occur. Not only has God foreseen everything that is happening now or will happen in the future, but whatever reality and goodness there is in these things He has willed; and whatever evil or moral disorder is in them, He has merely permitted. Holy Scripture is explicit on this point, and, as the Councils have declared, no room is left for doubt in the matter.

The second principle is that nothing can be willed or permitted by God that does not contribute to the end He purposed in creating, which is the manifestation of His goodness and infinite perfections, and the glory of the God-man Jesus Christ, His only Son. As St. Paul says, “All are yours. And you are Christ's. And Christ is God's.” (I Cor. 2: 23).

In addition to these two principles, there is a third, which St. Paul states thus:

“We know that to them that love God all things work together unto good: to such
as, according to His purpose, are called to be saints”. (Rom. 8: 28),

and persevere in His love. God sees to it that everything contributes to their spiritual welfare, not only the grace He bestows on them, not only those natural qualities He endows them with, but sickness too, and contradictions and reverses; as St. Augustine tells us, even their very sins, which God only permits in order to lead them on to a truer humility and thereby to a purer love. It was thus He permitted the threefold denial of St. Peter, to make the great Apostle more humble, more mistrustful of self, and by this very means become stronger and trust more in the Divine Mercy.

These first three principles may therefore be summed up in this way;

Nothing comes to pass but God has foreseen it, willed it or at least permitted it. He wills nothing, permits nothing, unless for the manifestation of His goodness and infinite perfections, for the glory of His Son, and the welfare of those that love Him.

In view of these three principles, it is evident that our trust in Providence cannot be too childlike, too steadfast. Indeed, we may go further and say that this trust in Providence should be blind as is our faith, the object of which is those mysteries that are non-evident and unseen (fides est de non visis) for we are certain beforehand that Providence is directing all things infallibly to a good purpose, and we are more convinced of the rectitude of His designs than we are of the best of our own intentions. Therefore, in abandoning ourselves to God, all we have to fear is that our submission will not be wholehearted enough.

In view of Quietism, however, this last sentence obliges us to lay down a fourth principle no less certain than the principles that have preceded. The principle is, that obviously self-abandonment does not dispense us from doing everything in our power to fulfill God's will as made known in the Commandments and counsels, and in the events of life; but so long as we have the sincere desire to carry out His will thus made known from day to day, we can and indeed we must abandon ourselves for the rest to the Divine Will of good pleasure, no matter how mysterious it may be, and thus avoid a useless disquiet and mere agitation.

This fourth principle is expressed in equivalent terms by the Council of Trent (Sess. VI, cap. 13), when it declares that we must all have firm hope in God's assistance and put our trust in Him, being careful at the same time to keep His commandments. As the well-known proverb has it: “Do what you ought, come what may.”

All theologians explain what is meant by the Divine Will as expressed: expressed, that is, in the Commandments, in the spirit underlying the counsels, and in the events of life. They add that, while conforming ourselves to His expressed will, we must abandon ourselves to His Divine Will of good pleasure, however mysterious it may be, for we are certain beforehand that in its holiness it wills nothing, permits nothing, unless for a good purpose.

We must take special note here of these words in the Gospel of St. Luke

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in that which is
greater.” (16: 10).

If every day we do what we can to be faithful to God in the ordinary routine of life, we may be confident that He will give us grace to remain faithful in whatever extremity we may find ourselves through His permission; and if we have to suffer for Him, He will give us the grace to die a heroic death rather than be ashamed of Him and betray Him.

These are the principles underlying the doctrine of trusting self-abandonment. Accepted as they are by all theologians, they express what is of Christian faith in this matter. The golden mean is thus above and between the two errors mentioned at the beginning of this section. By constant fidelity to duty, we avoid the false and idle repose of the. Quietist, and on the other hand by a trustful self-abandonment we are saved from a useless disquiet and a fruitless agitation. Self abandonment would be sloth did it not presuppose this daily fidelity, which indeed is a sort of springboard from which we may safely launch ourselves into the unknown. Daily fidelity to the Divine Will as expressed gives us a sort of right to abandon ourselves completely to the Divine Will of of good pleasure as yet not made known to us.

A faithful soul will often recall to mind these words of our Lord:

“My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me”(John 4: 34).

The soul finds its constant nourishment in the divine will as expressed, abandoning itself to the Divine Will as yet not made known, much as a swimmer supports himself on the passing wave and surrenders himself to the oncoming wave, to that ocean that might engulf him but that actually sustains him. So the soul must strike out toward the open sea, into the infinite ocean of being, says St. John Damascence, borne up by the Divine Will as made known there and then and abandoning itself to that divine will upon which all successive moments of the future depend.

The future is with God, future events are in His hands. If the merchants to whom Joseph was sold by his brethren had passed by one hour sooner, he would not have gone into Egypt, and the whole course of his life would have been changed. Our lives also are dependent on events controlled by God. Daily fidelity and trusting abandonment thus give the spiritual life its balance, its stability and harmony. In this way we live our lives in almost continuous recollection, in an ever-increasing self-abnegation, and these are the conditions normally requited for contemplation and union with God. This, then, is the reason why our life should be one of self-abandonment to the Divine Will as yet unknown to us and at the same time supported every moment by that will as already made known to us.

HT: Catholic Fire & a homeschool friend named Karla

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Civic Duty as Catholics - this weekends homily

Jesus says in this weekend's readings...

'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,

and to God the things that are God's.'

I strongly urge you to read my dad's homily from this weekend about a Catholic's civic duty, click here!

OR visit his website anytime: A Wealth of Wisdom

God Bless you and yours!

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My First Hero!

A girl's first hero is usually her daddy. Well, I'll try not to exaggerate, but I think my dad is my hero not just because he is the best dad ever... :) but for all who he is and wants to be. My parents are already saints in my mind. So my way of sharing the wisdom of such a Godly Man was to create a blog page dedicated to his homilies, humor and daily thoughts. Because he's been endowed with such beautiful words of wisdom, and he always knows the right thing to say to make me think a little harder or smile a little bigger - it's a shame not to share.


Here is a peice of his homily from last Sunday that actually recieved applause. That doesn't happen at his church much. Read and find out why...


Homily by: Deacon Bruce Maltzen
September 21, 2008

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

I used to work at a job where I managed about 15 software and electrical engineers. It was my job not only to oversee their work, but also to determine their pay raises each year. I worked hard at being equitable, making sure that each person was paid according to their competence, quality, amount of work and number of years of experience. I tried to be equitable. I graphed out each person on a pay scale and then tried to determine from their effort and quality where they belonged on the scale in comparison with each other. If they were worked harder, smarter and more diligently than someone else more highly paid, I attempted (within the limits placed on me by the company) to make it more equitable, giving more to the harder worker and a little less raise to the one who wasn’t working up to the level I felt they could. I was trying to be just in the area of pay.

Needless to say when I read [today's] Gospel, I feel a little worried for the ones who started work in the morning and got paid the same as the one who only worked one hour. It didn’t seem to make sense in my terms of equitable pay for equal work. Actually I thought that if this guy kept this up, he’d go broke as most people would wait for work at the last hour, now expecting to get paid the same amount as those who worked all day.

But then I started to ask, just what is God trying to teach us here. He can’t possible mean that we should pay everybody the same no matter how much they work? Could he? There has to be something much more to this than that.

(Click here to read more)


It's not about religion, it's a matter of life!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (No 2271):

“Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.
Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law”.

My dad talks more about the Pro-Life cause within this homily. Please take a moment to read it, and any of his other homilies I've gathered on a blog for just for him. Add him to your google reader, and gain a "Wealth of Wisdom!"

The website for your reference is: Http://DeaconBruce.blogspot.com

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NFP

Mind you, this is [PG-20]

NFP
What does that mean to you?

No Fertility Pills
No Fruitful Pregnancies
Not Finding Patience
Never Fixing Privates
Not Forever Pregnant

Or perhaps it is:
Natural Family Planning

We'll go with that one... Most people know that NFP is a method of achieveing or postponing pregnancies through noticing the signs of ovulation and natural infertility.

There certainly has been a lot of discussion on blogs (Testosterhome, Jamie, Christine, and more) lately regarding this method. Some use it with no problems, some hate it but know its God's way so they do it anyways, some have had no classes and think they know what they are doing, and some think its a waste of time. So I wanted to share with you what I have read on the matter, regarding NFP and our moral obligation to be "Open to Life."

For Catholic's, let's start with A Contemporary Adult Guide to Conscience for the Sacrament of Confession by Fr. Richard J Rego.

>>Starting at Page 17 you will find "Sins Against Human Life" as an alternative description to "Thou Shalt Not Kill." There is documentation regarding abortions, direct sterilization, contraception, artificial insemination, and more. All of these are mortal sins that rob your soul of the state of grace. Did you know that? I thought I understood. But I guess I was missing some of the finer details of these subcategories of such a big sin.

>>This book asks "Have I practiced any form of contraception whatsover? Contraception is the use of a condom, IUD, diaphragm, the contraceptive pill, sponges, pre-mature withdrawl by the man, or ANY OTHER MEASURE THAT WOULD IMPEDE THE TRANSMISSION OF HUMAN LIFE." (A side issue is that Homosexuality is a sin for the same reason.)

>>It continues to talk about Contraception being an "intrinsically evil act, is never, under any circumstances whatsoever, morally acceptable!" That's a lot of words meaning really bad. "Natural Family Planning however is essentially different from contraception. Although its purpose it to limit births, it does so by taking into account the natural rhythms of a woman's body, built in by the Creator. The use of NFP for serious or just reasons is a morally acceptable way of limiting births. NFP can be used either temporarily or if justly required, permanently."

>>It does give a description of what these just reasons are. They are categorizes by Physical, Economic, Psychological, and Social hardships. Any other reasons are "purely selfish or less than just motives would constitute a sin against the very meaning of married life."

I took some time to think about this for awhile. Am I being selfish when I make love to my husband based on these guidelines? Yes. I won't talk about which ones, but we were wrong in our ways. So with lots of prayer and research, we have changed our ways. It's been a rough few weeks, but the act itself is more pleasureable, and our respect for each other's bodies and beliefs has grown. We still are able to use NFP to postpone pregnancy because of mental, physical and financial reasons. But when those issues are no longer there - the Church states we must be completely open. And we will be!

The question still remains for so many of you:
Are you using NFP for selfish reasons?
Is your mental and physical self suitibly stable and fertile?
Are your finances stable within reason?

Then according to the Catholic Church (by the Autority of God), you should be using NFP for the purposes of procreation.

Let's check out some more information from the
Catechism of the Catholic Church - which is like a rules and regulations book for Catholics, but speaks so honestly and intelligently I believe other faith lives would feel comfortable taking it to heart. It is gathered from a multitude of documents of the church and it's founding fathers.

>>Quick Reference: #1652, 2258, 2360-2400

CC 1652 "The openness to fertility""By its very nature the institution of marriage and married love is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and it is in them that it finds its crowning glory."

Children are not owed to us or planned solely by us - they are God's gift to us. So by not allowing moments when God can give us those gifts, what are we really saying to Him? He asks us to purely be open to His gifts, and accept them with love and gratitude. He knows what we need, what we are capable of handling, and He gives us generous Graces!

June 2006 we went to the MN Catholic Home Education Conference, to discern if homeschooling was for us. In the midst of the main talk given by Kimberly Hahn, she not only convinced us that that was the right path, but she opened my mind and I heard God's calling to try for more children. In the summer I miscarried a child (Baby Jo after St. Joseph) just after week 5 - days after I announced to the world I was pregnant. I couldn't believe it, why would God ask me to be open then take them away so quickly. I went into a deep state of depression that lead me to the ER, medication and a series of therapy visits.

The day of my worst breakdown ever, I was comforted by my husband, which lead to another pregnancy. I miscarried her (Baby Mary) at 5 weeks also. I finally decided that that was enough, and we stopped trying and we began charting to postpone pregnancy for the first time.

WELL - God had other plans. That December I got pregnant. I freaked out and anticipated a miscarriage. Nothing happened. So I waited to almost 12 weeks before saying anything to anyone. And happily by the grace of God, we now have our little Sabrina. And life wouldn't be the same without her. Because of the pregnancy, my hormones stabilized and my depression diminished for the entire pregnancy - no drugs. At the end of the 3rd trimester I saw my therapist who helped me through some baby blues. And every time I begin to feel depressed, my children raise my eyes to God in thanks and praise. God has abundant Graces for those things we think we cannot handle. God KNEW what we needed, and when we needed it. It was not our decision. NFP did not fail us, God simply allowed conception to occur despite our actions. Because we were using NFP we were telling God that we are still subjective to HIS WILL and His gifts...

CC2366-2379:
This section has the word "fecundity" many times over. It means:
The power or quality of producing abundantly; fruitfulness or fertility.

"The fecundity of marriage. Fecundity is a gift, and [part] of marriage, for conjugal love naturally tends to be fruitful. A child does not come from outside ans something added on to the mutual love of the spouses, but springs from the very heart of that mutual giving, as its fruit and fulfillment. So the Church, which is on the side of life, teaches that 'each and every marriage act must remain open to the transmission of life.'...Married couples should regard it as their proper mission to transmit human life... they should realize that they are thereby cooperating with the love of God the Creator..."

"[2370] Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality. These methods respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them and favor the education of an authentic freedom. In contrast, every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil. "

"Thus the innate language that expresses the total reciprocal self-giving husband and wife is overlaid, through contraception, by and objectively contradictory language, namely, that of not giving oneself TOTALLY to the other. This leands not only to a positive refusal to be open to life, but also to a falsification of the inner truth of conjugal love..."

In otherwords, if you are using ANY form of contraception, you are not being open to life nor are you totally giving of yourself to your spouse. And in my books, that's just sad and selfish.

For those who are blessed with many children, you may say - okay we are done! We are stretched out financially and emotionally with this many children. Or perhaps you have a medical condition, such as multiple c-sections, that make it difficult to be pregnant. These are valid reasons to use NFP as a permanent solution.

God knows you intimately, so you have to let Him have the final say. You have to still remain in a fertile state. But simply abstain during your fertile times. But you say - well if I am done, why not make it impossible to conceive? Why bother with all that charting. Well, unless you had a hysteretomy due to complications of a c-section or other diseases.... your body parts are not open to maring or mutilation. I read up on this after my third c-secion when determining if tying my tubes is a choice for catholics in medical extremes. I found such relief in the fact that NFP is not only the only choice for Catholics, but it is a natural choice, non-invasive, reversible, and beautiful in the eyes of God. It has truly been a blessing in our family and married life. I pray that it can be for your's too.

I have so much more to write, so I'll submit this much for now and see what comments come...

To conclude, here are some links to help you:

• Fr. William Saunders Article - this changed my decision from Tubal Ligation to NFP


• Birth Control: Catholic.com - what its all about.


• Sterilization Reversal - stories of families who chose reversal and its blessings.


• You are smarter than your cat - do you really need sterilization too?


• Father Knows Best: Catholic.com - includes multiple quotes from the Founding Fathers of the Church.


• NFP empowers women


• NFP Beads - a new charting bracelet! No more stickers!


• AWARE: NFP Tracker for your computer!


• ICAN network - for multiple c-section mothers, or those contemplating a first c-section

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