Catholic Faith Space
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Recently, I was at a meeting where a discussion of Mass came up. The conversation essentially centered around the million dollar question of, “how can we get people, especially young people/families, into the pews? The statements and comments that were made reflected the mindset that the mass should be about what we want and how we feel. We will never get anywhere as a church if we don’t understand that mass is about God and for God, not us.
Being at this meeting and hearing the comments and statements about what should be changed or added to mass was quite uncomfortable, especially considering these comments came from adults. There were comparisons of the mass to Protestant and non-denominational services. “We should have music that makes us want to dance in our seats.” “The choir should sing a new song every week.” “We should add special things to make it more exciting and lively.” “People should be more social and friendly before mass instead of just facing forward and sitting silently in the pews.” These were all real comments that were made out loud. The problem with these comments is that they all miss the point about mass. Being Catholic, we are set apart from any other denomination or service. Just because one church does “this” or “that” or does things a certain way, it does not mean that we should too. Another statement someone shared was that “they do not know why they show up to mass every week because they don’t feel happy and good after leaving, but they keep going because they might just get something out of the homily that day.” (We definitely can be inspired and touched by homilies and hear something we may need to hear. However, this should not be the sole reason we go to mass.) When we stop making it about ourselves and turn the focus to Jesus, it changes everything. Jesus makes Himself fully present on the altar in the bread and wine at every single mass and yet people are having conversations about how to make the mass more exciting? We can change the music, have the best homilies, and have the most vibrant community. But if Jesus is not enough for people, none of the other stuff matters. If people think the mass is for our entertainment, we have it all wrong. At every mass, Jesus is fully present in the Eucharist-body, blood, soul, and divinity, and He gives Himself fully to us. If that is not enough to bring Catholics to mass, nothing is. We don’t go to mass to experience warm and fuzzy feelings. We go to mass to worship and encounter the living God who has breathed life into us and given us everything. Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that you make yourself fully present to us at every mass. Help us to appreciate this amazing gift that you give us. Open our eyes and our hearts and deepen our faith so that we would strengthen our love for the Eucharist and the mass. Give us a desire to share this love with others. Amen.
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About a month ago, I started a new job. As I look back at the process and timing, I can easily recognize that it was completely God at work. Do we fully and completely trust in Him and His promises?
I had decided to pray a novena to St. Therese of Lisieux leading up to her feast day, October 1st. My intention for the novena was for a new job. I ended up being offered a new job on the last day of the novena. This seemed almost unreal. Was this just a coincidence or God? Two weeks later, on the first day of my new job, I woke up to see the organization I had just finished working for in the news, and not for good reasons. An arrest was made that morning. The crazy and perfect timing of me starting a different job seems unbelievable. I knew in that instant, without a doubt, that it was God. The prayer and desire for a new job, I realized, was secondary. Although that was my petition for the novena, what I was actually praying for was greater trust in God and confidence in His promises. Part of the prayer each day was “Your trust in God was complete. Pray that He may increase my trust in His goodness and mercy as I ask for the following petitions…(x). Pray for me that I, like you, may have great and innocent confidence in the loving promises of our God.” Those are some powerful and life-changing words. To be able to trust God in all things is a sign of true faith. We can see this in St. Therese and so many other saints. Their lives are great examples of how we can grow in our trust and love for God. We can pray for a lot of different things but ultimately, we need to be able to trust God and believe fully in His goodness, love, and mercy, regardless of how He answers our prayers. The more we trust God, the more it spills into every aspect of our lives. When we trust God, it becomes easier for us to see Him working in our lives. It becomes easier for us to recognize the gifts and blessings he pours out upon us. It becomes easier for us to count on His timing rather than our own. The next time you pray for a specific intention, you may just be praying for greater trust and confidence in God’s goodness. God, thank you for loving us and providing what we need when we need it. You created us and know our every need. Give us the desire to do Your will and to trust You with our lives. Help us to see Your goodness and mercy in our lives every day. May we never fail to recognize You in our midst. Amen. A few days ago Taylor Swift released a new album. I don’t pay too much attention to her, but talk about the album has been blowing up on social media and people were weirdly emotional about the songs that were released. While most of the discussion was praising Swift and hyping her up, I came across some commentary that was the opposite. What this person essentially said is, Taylor Swift has built her career on the hate she has for others. I agree with this opinion, as it seems some of her most recent music is a reflection of the anger, hatred, blame, and bitterness that is built up in our culture. As Catholics and Christians, we must do better. We cannot let ourselves fall into this trap of resentment and bitterness.
It seems as if almost every area of our lives is permeated by this attitude of revenge and destruction. Music, TV shows, and movies are just the beginning. People so often complain about being offended by the smallest things, yet, will blatantly speak curse words directly to or about another person. Using derogatory and negative language towards another person is what is truly offensive. When we walk over other people to try to lift ourselves up, we walk over Jesus himself. We are called to live in a way that reflects Christ- his mercy, forgiveness, humility, and love. If we all strived to be a little more forgiving, a little more humble, and a little more loving, the world around us would change. To do this, we must remember that we are all sinners who fall short of perfection. But even greater than our sinfulness and weaknesses is Christ’s life-giving healing and love. Look at a crucifix. Look at the wounds, the scars, and the beaten and bloody body of Jesus. This love that he poured out on the cross is for you and for me and for all who have ever lived. He died for every single person in this world; even those who you think have wronged you or those who you may have been hurt by. It is only by His example and help that we have the capacity to love, forgive, and humbly admit when we are wrong. Jesus, thank you for your unending love and forgiveness. Help us walk in your path. Give us the grace to live counter- culturally and in a way that takes others by surprise. We are far from perfect, but may all that we do and say be a reflection of You- who are perfect in love, mercy, and humility. Amen. “There are so many people who have been praying for you and who love and support you.” As I reflect on the last week and several days, these words that I heard from someone at the visitation before my dad’s funeral seem to sum it up well. The days since Friday, October 29th have seemed to blur together, at times it seemed like the longest week ever, and yet the days seemed to have also passed by so quickly. I cried more than I thought was possible, laughed as memories were shared while my family spent a whole week together, and received more hugs than ever before. My dad is the closest family member I have lost so far. Having really only lost grandparents before, this hit much differently and much harder than anything I have ever experienced. Something I have been reminded of over the last week is that God never leaves us alone in our suffering. He walks right alongside us and carries us through our weakest and most vulnerable moments.
It almost brings tears to my eyes to think about all of the people who have allowed Christ to love my family and I through them. I have been completely overwhelmed by the response of the community around us. The countless texts, phone calls, and messages from people reaching out to us. All of the people who have told us to let them know if they could do anything for us. The knocks on our door and people visiting to check in or bring food (So.Much.Food).The countless cards and flowers. All of the people who showed up at the wake and/or funeral. And most of all, everyone who has been praying and continues to pray for my dad and family. I have been reminded that the only thing we can do is accept the love and support that we are being given. It is a grace to allow others to show up and lift us up in times of need. Allowing other people to love us and pray for us gives them the opportunity to respond to the call to be Christ to others. It is okay to cry, mourn, and feel weak. When we reveal our emotions and vulnerability to others, we allow them to love us in different ways. Through that vulnerability and weakness, Jesus lifts us up and changes our hearts and the hearts of those who are helping to comfort us and lift us up. Jesus, help us to be open to receiving your love more deeply into our lives. Give us the grace and courage to be open about our sufferings and weaknesses and allow us to become vulnerable in times of need. May we see You in those around us and always be receptive to the ways they are praying for us, loving us, supporting us, and lifting us up. Amen. |
AuthorStriving to share hope, joy, God's love, and all of the good stuff, one blog post at a time. Categories |
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