marysgarden

Is the Bible the Sole Authority?

May 24, 2013 by maryscatholicgarden

Growing up Presbyterian I was taught Sola Scriptura: scripture alone. In other words, the only authority basilica, st. peter, st peters basilica picture, picture when it comes to our faith is the Bible. Interestingly enough, the Bible doesn’t claim to be the only authority. In fact, in 1st Timothy 3:15 the Bible calls the Church “the pillar and foundation of truth”. The problem with the premise of the Bible being the sole authority is that every single protestant denomination has their own interpretation of most scripture verses.

At the Reformation there were over eighty different interpretations of the verse in John 6:51 when Jesus declared “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die...The Jews quarreled among themselves asking ‘How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat”. Jesus reiterated his meaning by saying “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. “

Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists interpret this verse to be symbolic; when they receive communion it ‘represents’ Christ, but doesn’t actually become his flesh and blood. The Lutherans and Episcopalians believe the Eucharist truly becomes the flesh and blood of Jesus, but that it retains it’s properties of bread and wine. For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has interpreted Jesus’ words to mean the Eucharist is completely transformed, becoming his flesh and blood, and that it is no longer bread and wine.

So the million dollar question; whose interpretation is correct? Jesus emphasized his meaning again when he said “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink”, yet many protestant ministers claim we can’t take Jesus literally; of course he didn’t mean for us to eat his flesh! But in the first century Ignatius of Antioch, who was appointed bishop by John the Evangelist, warned the Gnostics they were in danger of losing their salvation if they denied the Eucharist was the flesh of Jesus.

I’m assured by protestant ministers the Bible is crystal clear, but it seems to be easily understood only if you agree with their interpretation. Look at all the confusion between so many different denominations concerning the meaning of just one scripture verse; and the controversies didn’t end after Jesus was crucified. In Acts Chapter 15 the question of circumcision arose; some were teaching the Mosaic law that one had to be circumcised in order to be saved. Paul and Barnabas and the others argued over the question of circumcision, and finally they decided to go to Jerusalem to meet with the presbyters and apostles to resolve the issue.

Their gathering became known as the Council of Jerusalem, and it was the first council to hammer out doctrine for the new church. Through much discussion they decided new converts did NOT have to be circumcised, thus establishing a precedent for resolving further issues. Notice they didn’t examine scripture, or claim scripture had the sole answer; instead they discussed the matter until Peter reminded the assembly that salvation came through grace, and they were able to reach a consensus.

Emphasizing the importance of the magisterium, in 2nd Timothy 2, St. Paul advises Christians to stay faithful to the doctrine he has given “And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.”

In the following years each century would bring fresh disputes and new councils. From the Kerinthians at the end of the first century, to the Valentinians in the second century, who believed Christ’s body was an optical illusion, the teachings of the apostles have been disputed. In the fourth century the Church lost three-fourths of it’s members to the Arianism heresy, which taught that Christ was created, so there was a time when he didn’t exist. Ergo, Arianism denied the doctrine of the Trinity.

Thankfully St. Augustine’s mentor, St. Ambrose, was able to lead many of the strays back into the fold. The result of the challenge to the doctrine of the Trinity was the Council of Nicaea, which took place in Asia Minor. In those days travel was difficult, so the Pope sent representatives, and some of the the western bishops were unable to attend, resulting in a larger number of Eastern bishops. After heated debate, the assembly formulated the Nicene Creed, affirming the existence of the Trinity from the beginning of time. Can you believe it took four centuries to hammer out the doctrine of the Trinity?

But there was still some controversy over the term “one in being with the Father”. Did the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father and the Son, or from the Father alone? This question would haunt the Church forever, rearing it’s ugly head in 1054, when the Eastern Church split from the Western Church, in part over this very issue.

Disputes continued with the Appolinarists in the fourth century (denial of Christ’s two natures), Donatism in the fifth century (belief that validity of the sacraments depended on the holiest of the priest, rather than on Christ’s grace), Monophysitism in the sixth century, Monothelitism in the seventh century, Manicheism in the eighth century, and on and on to this century and the Feeneyites. Presently there are dozens of mainstream protestant denominations and tens of thousands of non-denominational churches, all with their own interpretation of the Bible.

The book “Dissent From the Creed” lists every disputed doctrine from the beginning of the Church to the present day. After the apostles died, there was tremendous confusion and every Tom, Dick and Harry had their own version of Christianity. After much discussion, it was decided only doctrine personally received from the apostles would be acceptable; if it wasn’t personally handed down by an apostle, it was rejected. The writings of some of these first bishops are still available in a book titled “Early Christian Writings”.

Just as the Constitution of the United States has the Supreme Court to interpret it’s meaning, so too the Bible by itself can be confusing and hard to understand. In Acts 8, when Philip came upon the Ethiopian eunuch, he found him reading the Old Testament and asked “Do you understand what you are reading?” The eunuch replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?“

Before one word of the New Testament was written, the Church was active and vibrant, vigorously teaching and admonishing new converts. The bishops compiled the New Testament in the decades after the creation of the Church. The earliest books of the New Testament were written around 60 AD, but a complete list, or canon, of books wasn’t compiled until the second century. The list was not officially accepted until the year 393 at the Synod of Hippo. So it doesn’t make sense the Bible is the sole authority, since it was the Catholic Church which put the New Testament together!

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/authority-of-the-first-popes

http://www.stpeterslist.com/6270/the-apostles-appointed-bishops-9-teachings-from-st-clement-ad-97/

http://www.catholic.com/tracts/apostolic-succession

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19920708en.html

Posted in Doctrine, Scripture | Leave a Comment »

Antidote to Evil

May 13, 2013 by maryscatholicgarden

It seemed an ordinary, older home in a slightly run-down neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. Who could ever have guessed this unassuming house hid such horrendous, terrifying secrets. Three women were chained, tied up, held captive and regularly beaten and assaulted on a regular basis for a decade by a depraved man named Ariel Castro.

In the same week Dr. Kermit Gosnell, an abortion doctor, was on trial for the grisly murder of newborn babies who had somehow managed to survive their mother’s abortion. The details of their horrific deaths are too appalling and gruesome to list… Last month two Muslim terrorists (two brothers named Tsarnaev) displayed their hatred by setting off a bomb at the Boston Marathon, senselessly killing 3 people and severely injuring hundreds. One family lost their 8 year old son that ghastly day; tragically the same family’s beautiful little Irish dancing 7 year old daughter lost her leg in the explosion.

Hearing of the experiences of these innocent women, babies and children has literally left me heartsick. But evil is not isolated to areas far from my quiet little suburb of Atlanta. We recently found out that at the end of my tranquil, picturesque street, appropriately named Maple Lane, a single mom had a boyfriend who it turns out was running a dangerous meth lab in her house.

On my friendly street where we ladies gather for bunco once a month and chat with each other over our fences, one emotionally troubled neighbor simply exploded last fall, and kidnapped his wife with the intent to end her life. Miraculously she escaped, but her husband then committed suicide. Evil lurks everywhere and rears it’s ugly head in the most expensive neighborhoods, the ritziest schools and in the most prominent businesses.

I have spent time pondering the hearts of these monsters, Gosnell, Castro and Tsarnaev, and I simply can’t grasp the depths of such depravity. Torture is so prevalent in South America that there are clinics here in America to help survivors heal and somehow find a measure of peace. The sex slave trade of children and women is enormous, both here in the US and around the world, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Sin and evil flourish in the ghettos of New York City, and in the most sacred churches in Rome. How can such hatred and violence exist in souls designed to dwell in God’s covenant? I simply have no answer to the existence of such evil.

Through sleepless nights praying for the countless victims who suffer terrible anguish on a daily basis, the only answer I receive is to pray more and to strive to keep growing spiritually. As Mother Teresa tells us, we must become like “a pencil in God’s hand”. The more we strive for holiness, the more filled we are with God’s grace. The more we lose our selfishness and pride, the more God can use us to soothe wounded souls, and in the words of St. Francis, use us to bring light to darkness, hope to the despairing, and faith to the doubting. We’re more able to share God’s forgiveness and mercy with a world held captive by lust and shame.

^“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2nd Corin 10:4. Our prayer can tap into God’s mighty army of angels and disable the dark forces arrayed against us. In 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in Japan, a small community of eight Jesuit priests and their buildings completely escaped harm, even though they were located just blocks from ground zero! Everything else within a radius of 1.5 kilometres from ground zero was obliterated. One of the suviving priests, Fr. Hubert Schiffer, told the Eucharistic Congress of Philadelphia in 1976, that 200 scientists could find no scientific explanation for the sparing of his community. Fr. Schiffer believed the rosary they recited daily wrapped them under the protection of Mary’s mantle, shielding them from the atomic blast.

Prayer can convert the most perverted child molester, or the most heinous serial murderer. Serial rapist and murderer Ted Bundy, who was responsible for the horrific deaths of hundreds of young women, had a conversion experience shortly before his execution. He was lead to Christ by Attorney John Tanner, who met and prayed with Bundy at least 50 times.

Are you praying 30 minutes a day? Good…perhaps you can increase your prayer time to an hour a day. Are you trying to live a holy and sacramental life? Or are you part of the problem? Do you look at pornography, or graphic romance novels? Or perhaps you think the violent and sexually charged movies you watch, or those graphic video games you play don’t matter. Or that God doesn’t really care if you and your boyfriend are intimate before marriage. But it DOES matter – my sin affects you, and your holiness affects me, since we are linked as the body of Christ. God is calling us ALL to holiness, to become as Matthew Kelly describes in his books, the “best version of yourself”.

The bible is clear about the best way to fight evil. We’re instructed to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). But don’t make the mistake of thinking Christians are doormats. We have to stand firm against abuse and corruption every chance we get; to make a stand to help the downtrodden and those who are treated unjustly. When possible we must calmly confront those who are taking advantage or cheating others. I’m sure you have heard the cliche “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’“. But as any whistle-blower can tell you, when you expose those who are stealing or embezzling, or reveal the actions of a pervert, prepare yourself for all hell to break loose. Prepare to be shunned by family and friends; be prepared to lose your job.

When confronting evil, the bible instructs us “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). When you encounter pure evil, anger is useless; it simply fuels the fire, stealing your peace. Romans 12 also tells us “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Scam artists, corrupt politicians, apathy, alcoholism, racism, drug addiction, senseless murders…life can be grim. When faced with the worst life can bring, the above verse has brought me enormous comfort. We all desire for justice to prevail; for right to outweigh wrong. But too often evil appears to triumph. But remember, on the last day “everyone will be held accountable for every word spoken” (Matthew 12:36.) Gosnell, Castro and so many other degenerates will have their day of judgment; they will meet their maker and be held accountable for every single action. Instead of harboring bitterness, I can relax and let go of my anger, remembering God’s promise in Psalm 37:

”Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.”

So when you feel overwhelmed by the crushing weight of misery and sorrow in the world, remember in the final analysis that God’s peace and love will be victorious – the light of Christ will overcome the darkness of the world, as Christ himself said “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16

http://www.mysticsofthechurch.com/2011/10/story-of-holy-rosary.html

Posted in Prayer, Scripture | 3 Comments »

Why Can’t Women Be Priests?

April 23, 2013 by maryscatholicgarden

Four of the 34 ‘Doctors” of the Catholic Church just happen to be women: St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, and Hildegard of Bingen, who was recently added to the list last October. ‘Doctor of the Church’ is a title given to those whose writings are judged to be in line with the doctrine of the Church and worthy to be used as teachings.

So if these women and others such as Mother Teresa, can be held in such high esteem, then why in the world wouldn’t the Catholic Church allow women to be priests. This was certainly a pressing question for me when I converted to the Catholic Church in 1987. Back then I was a staunch feminist, and felt the Church was old-fashioned and sexist in the way women were treated. I felt women are intelligent, knowledgeable, and gifted with many talents, including leadership, and would make excellent priests.

Then in 1993 I read an amazing book called “To Know Christ Jesus”, by Frank Sheed. In it Sheed writes “To know Christ Jesus: if we do not know him as he lived among us, acted and reacted and suffered among us, we risk not knowing him at all.” Many people have explained to me the reason Jesus only had men for his twelve apostles is because it would have caused too much controversy, since their culture was opposed to women in leadership or positions of authority.

After studying the life of Christ and observing Jesus time after time upsetting the applecart, I knew this premise was false. Jesus caused tremendous strife and tension by many of his actions, especially those concerning women. He never, ever worried about the opinion of others, or whether they would accept his teachings. He scandalized everyone by visiting with despised tax collectors, healing on the Sabbath, touching lepers and ‘unclean’ women, and advising the rich young man to give up his riches; he even had the audacity to ‘forgive’ a man’s sins!

In Luke 7 “the sinful woman” came, “bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.”.

Jesus’ host, Simon the pharisee, and the other guests were scandalized at the sinful woman’s actions; they were shocked that Jesus allowed her to touch him so intimately. Jesus was unperturbed at their protest and simply proceeded to admonish the guests with a lesson on forgiveness and love, ignoring the trouble he stirred up.

In John 6 after Jesus told his disciples they must “eat his flesh and drink his blood for everlasting life” (and Jesus used the Greek word ‘trogein’, which means to literally gnaw or consume), many of his disciples were so upset and disturbed by his ‘supposed’ cannibalism, they vehemently argued with him. Jesus calmly affirmed his teaching saying “Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you“.” Many of his followers were appalled at his words, and simply deserted him. “As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” Some scholars believe Jesus lost over three-fourths of his apostles over this one teaching!

You can clearly see Jesus never hesitated to speak his mind, even when his very life was at stake. And in fact, when facing Pilate and Herod, Jesus remained steadfast and stoic, well aware his turbulent actions would result in his death. He spoke his mind even when his words went against the culture, or was opposed to conventional wisdom.

Everything Jesus did was deliberate and had a specific purpose, many times indicative of a deeper meaning, such as when he miraculously multiplied the fish and bread and fed 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13). This was a prefiguring of the extraordinary way he would multiply himself in the Eucharist, and feed millions with his own flesh and blood.

St. Paul absorbed Jesus’ parables and teachings, and was able to affirm Jesus’ deliberate exclusion of women apostles in 1st Timothy 2:12, when he proclaimed “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man…For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”

Wow! Bold words! Some claim St. Paul was a misogynist, but in reality St. Paul came to know Jesus and his thoughts thoroughly and intimately, giving him special knowledge and insight into the doctrine of the Church Jesus established. The Church’s exclusion of women as priests has nothing to do with women’s abilities, but everything to do with Eve’s sinful actions, which not only gave us original sin and pain in childbearing, but also consigned women to a lesser role in the hierarchy of the Church forever. St. Paul explains in Eph. 2:20 the Church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone”, so he and the other apostles certainly have a special advantage in interpreting Jesus’ words.

But women have definitely had tremendous influence in the Catholic Church throughout the centuries; in the 1300′s the popes resided at Avignon, France, and St. Catherine of Siena vigorously and repeatedly berated Popes Gregory XI and Urban VI urging them to leave France and return to Rome, which they eventually did. St. Clare founded the religious order “The Poor Clares”, whose vows of poverty and humility resulted in high levels of holiness, which became an example for many of the corrupt and immoral clergy during the middle ages.

So if you are struggling with some of the teachings of the Catholic Church, especially those concerning women, delve into the gospels and really come to “know him as he lived among us, acted and reacted and suffered among us”. Spend time in prayer asking Jesus to give you insight into his actions and words. I encourage you to read Pope John Paul II’s letter “On The Dignity and Vocation of Women”; I literally wept as I read his beautiful words regarding the respect and esteem women should be accorded, and as he described the ‘genius of women’, that “from the heart of the Church there have emerged women of the highest calibre who have left an impressive and beneficial mark in history. I think of the great line of woman martyrs, saints and famous mystics.”

Pope John Paul II tells us in his letter “But I am convinced that the secret of making speedy progress in achieving full respect for women and their identity involves more than simply the condemnation of discrimination and injustices, necessary though this may be. Such respect must first and foremost be won through an effective and intelligent campaign for the promotion of women, concentrating on all areas of women’s life and beginning with a universal recognition of the dignity of women. Our ability to recognize this dignity, in spite of historical conditioning, comes from the use of reason itself, which is able to understand the law of God written in the heart of every human being. More than anything else, the word of God enables us to grasp clearly the ultimate anthropological basis of the dignity of women, making it evident as a part of God’s plan for humanity.”

To paraphrase Proverbs 31:1, a “woman is a precious jewel to be treasured”. The Hebrew word for jewel is ‘treasure’; treasure is comprised of gold and other valuable and precious objects, meaning that in God’s eyes, and in the view of the Church, women are to be valued, cherished, prized and treasured!

Link to “On the Dignity and Vocation of Women”:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_15081988_mulieris-dignitatem_en.html

Related Articles: Understanding the Parables

http://www.rc.net/wcc/parable1.htm

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In the Garden

April 11, 2013 by maryscatholicgarden

“For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.” (From an ancient Holy Saturday homily).

I love to garden; I love kneeling in the warm soil planting hot pink double impatiens or ruby red geraniums, while gazing at the clear blue sky and admiring the lush, verdant lawn. Filling the earth with new growth gives me with a sense of accomplishment and well-being, and makes me acutely aware of God’s presence. As I water and fertilize my budding plants, I have a deeper sense of God’s power and majesty, knowing that everything is dependent on His grace and mercy, even the successful cultivation of my flowers.

The mundane task of weeding is even enjoyable as I bask in the warm sun and enjoy the magnificence of God’s creation. Yesterday I transplanted around 20 Lenten Rose seedlings into a new garden area and I felt such a thrill to participate with God in creating a pallet of beauty. It is incredibly rewarding to plant tiny seedlings in the fertile ground, and observe them blossom into vivid, magnificent blooms. Afterwards I wandered around my different flower beds, rejoicing at the dazzling array of colors before me; amethyst phloxx, fuchsia azaleas, candy apple dianthus, bright yellow and white daffodils, and the violet blooms on the redbud tree. My garden is where I feel the most intimacy with God, and where I experience extraordinary peace and joy.

But it wasn’t until Good Friday last year, that I fully realized the significance of ‘the garden’ in Jesus’ life. After the Last Supper, on Holy Thursday, ”as was his custom” Jesus went to pray with his disciples in the ‘Garden of Gethsemane’. Jesus often spent long nights absorbed in prayer in ‘the garden’ with his heavenly father; after all, only his father truly understood him. Most of the time his disciples were befuddled by his words; his own mother was unable to fully grasp his divine nature.

So while his disciples slept, Jesus contemplated taking on the sin of all mankind upon himself and asked Christ in Gethsemane Giclee Print God, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; still not my will, but yours be done”. (Luke 22:42) Anticipating the excruciating pain to come, “He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.” Then Judas was there, “betraying the Son of Man with a kiss”. Jesus was then arrested by the chief priests and temple guards, and taken to the High Priest. I can’t even begin to conceive the absolute agony it would take to sweat ‘drops of blood’.

Jesus’ cruel passion continued, and he was crucified. “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day, for the tomb was close by.” (John 19:41) After his resurrection, when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in ‘the garden’, poor Mary was so distraught that she didn’t recognize her newly resurrected savior; she thought he was the gardener!

Last year on Good Friday, I woke up early and decided to clean my two birdbaths and fill the bird feeders. As I was scrubbing out the birdbaths, I looked around my beautiful garden and had the eeriest sense that I was preparing ‘the’garden’ for the resurrection. Suddenly I felt immense sorrow at Jesus’ impending death, knowing he would soon be laid in the nearby tomb. But I felt an indescribable joy knowing the first image he would have after he was resurrected was similar to the scene before me: dew glistening on the wet grass, birds chirping happily as they busily built their nests, and the sunlight dancing on the jade green leaves of the bushes and trees. I realized I was given an amazing glimpse into the mixed emotions Mary Magdalene must have experienced during those tumultuous three days!

So ‘the garden’ is special to the heart of God; after all, he created man in the Garden of Eden; a luxurious paradise we were meant to reside in forever. It makes sense that Jesus’ act of obedience would take place in a garden, since Adam’s disobedience occurred in a garden. God created man in a garden, but through Adam’s sin, we lost everlasting life, and instead inherited original sin. In ‘the garden’ Jesus became the ‘new’ Adam, restoring us to eternal life (1st. Corin. 15:22) No wonder I have such a powerful awareness of God’s omnipresence when I am in ‘the garden’.

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What About Me?

March 21, 2013 by maryscatholicgarden

Do you remember the story of Joseph and the infamous multi-colored coat? Joseph’s brothers were resentful and angry because their venerable father, Jacob, “loved Joseph best of all, for he was the child of his old age” (Gen 37:3). As a sign of his favor, Jacob honored Joseph with an ornate robe, resplendent with vivid colors. “When his brothers saw that father loved him best of all his brothers, they hated him so much that they could not find a kind word to him.” The brothers’ envy simmered for years, until finally the day Joseph revealed a dream in which Joseph and his brothers were gathering sheaves. In the dream suddenly Joseph’s sheaf stood straight up, but his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to Joseph. His brothers were outraged at the image of them bowing to him! This dream was the straw that broke the camel’s back, causing the floodgate to open, and years of pent-up jealously spilled over. Callously his own kin sold Joseph to some traveling merchants for 20 pieces of silver.

Certainly Joseph’s siblings felt left out and unloved; Jacob’s single-minded devotion to their younger brother made them feel inconsequential and insignificant. They allowed their resentment to fester and grow until the green-eyed monster of envy reared it’s ugly head. Most people experience envy because they feel they don’t matter, and that those who receive the most attention are more important and more loved.

“Many times psychologists would say that envy is an indication that an individual didn’t receive the love or affirmation they needed during childhood. All of these examples can lead the envious to the distorted thinking that, somehow, because ‘other’ is perceivably more gifted, they are therefore better, or more loved or favored. These distorted views add to envy’s feeling of loss and sadness. Envy’s emptiness is ultimately a lack of self-love and trust in God’s love, which threatens one’s sense of self-worth, thereby causing insecurity and fear. ” (Fr. Robert Barron)

Growing up I was the youngest of five, and since mom was busy with five young children and her full-time job, I learned to stay quiet and out of the way. I didn’t have any special talents and was a terrible athlete; naturally when teams were picked I was always the last choice. So I can certainly relate to the brothers’ animosity of feeling unimportant and unappreciated.

In 1st Corinthian 12 St. Paul compares the body of Christ to our human body; every single person, whether brilliant and talented, or confused with dementia and crippled with arthritis, is equally important. Can a body function without a heart, or lung? Absolutely not! In fact, the weakest parts are the most honored in God’s eyes. One verse in this chapter reminds us that “If one part is honored, all the parts share his joy”. So if someone grabs your coveted promotion, or your sibling is “the favorite”, since we are the body of Christ and intricately linked, there is no need to feel jealous, as you still receive a share of God’s overflowing joy.

A few weeks ago the gospel reading was the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. A young man demands his inheritance from his father, and then proceeds to squander it on a “life of dissipation” Luke 15. In desperate financial circumstances the son returns home, and his father greets him with the “finest robe and fatted calf”. The older, obedient son had worked hard his entire life helping his father without recompense, and now his younger wayward brother was being treated like a king! Of course he furiously berated his father for his lack of appreciation for his years of hard labor.

Then the father looks at his older son kindly and lovingly and assures him that “everything I have is yours”. But the older son was too preoccupied with his anger and resentment, and couldn’t see the tremendous treasure staring him in the face. Just as we sometimes feel that God is uncaring when trials come our way. Yet God has shared his own divine life with us; in our lifetime we will experience sickness and loss, but we will never lose the presence of our loving Savior. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we have all the supernatural gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding and strength we will ever need!

God sacrificed his own son to bring us the gift of everlasting life; he held nothing back. Perhaps because of lack of time and money, you may be unable to travel to exotic locales such as Hawaii or Rome. But be patient, since even though we can’t visit all these places in this lifetime, in heaven every resort, every romantic city, and every exciting adventure awaits. In heaven every tear will be wiped away, and we will never experience pain or anger or grief ever again.

Next week is Good Friday, and a wonderful time to meditate on the agony of Christ’s passion, the suffering he experienced, just for you, because you matter so much to him. In today’s reflection from the Word Among Passion Jesus bloody face Us, we’re told to “Enter into the reality of the Last Supper, the Passover meal where Jesus provides a way to remember and receive him. He did this for me. Watch with Jesus in the garden, where he suffers so intensely as he awaits his betrayer. He did this for me. See him dragged before the high priest, Herod, Pilate, the jeering crowd. He did this for me. Walk to Calvary, stand at the cross, mourn with Mary. And know, at every step of the way: he did this for me. This is how much he loves me.”

The Word Among Us (http://wau.org/meditations/current/)

Posted in Scripture, Spiritual Growth | Leave a Comment »

Cast Down

March 14, 2013 by maryscatholicgarden

Many times in the New Testament Jesus refers to himself as “the Good Shepherd”, calling his children the sheep in his flock. “I am the Good Shepherd, and I know mine, and mine know me.” John 10:14

Many years ago I read a wonderful book called “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23″, by W. Phillip Keller, in A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Mass Market Edition - By: W. Phillip Keller which he compares us to sheep. Keller was both a sheep owner and sheep rancher, giving him peculiar insight into our relationship with the Good Shepherd. As he explains, if a shepherd was concientious and responsible, his sheep thrived; conversely, if the shepherd was careless and irresponsible, his sheep would struggle and might even starve. It’s no coincidence God likens us to sheep; as Keller explains “our fears and timidity, our stubbornness and stupidity, our perverse habits are all parallels of profound importance”. (From “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23)

In Psalm 23, King David describes the Good Shepherd, who would literally sacrifice himself in order to protect and save his sheep. Once we make the choice to accept his authority, this compassionate and considerate Shepherd would move heaven and earth to keep us from being lost.

The first line of Psalm 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want”. This isn’t meant in a material sense; instead we “sheep” are content because no problem is too small for our caregiver. We know deep in our heart that Jesus cares tenderly and passionately about every detail of our life; whether it’s an overwhelming trial like cancer, or a little piddling problem of finding the right outfit for a special occasion. “He will spare himself no pains to provide shelters from storms, protection from ruthless enemies and the diseases and parasites to which sheep are so susceptible.”

Next “He makes me lie down in green pastures; “. Sheep are nervous and highstrung, and easily spooked; if they are hungry, harassed by pesky flies, or disturbed by a coyote, they remain agitated and tense, refusing to lay down and rest. Sound familiar? Keller discovered that nothing calmed his flock as much as his presence, which never failed to reassure and relax them. In the same way, Christ’s presence “dispels the fear, the panic, the terror of the unknown”.

“He leads me beside the still waters” It is crucial for sheep to have a consistent supply of pure, sparkling water, and the shepherd carefully leads his flock to the cleanest and choicest sources of water. But there will always be a few stubborn sheep that wander off on their own, convinced they will find a better spot than one selected by their shepherd. Unfortunately these sheep usually find the muddiest and filthiest spots, polluted with urine and parasites. Echoing the obedient sheep who faithfully followed their leader, the most serene Christians are those that daily seek out the “quiet, still waters where they imbibe the very life of Christ. One comes away from these hours of meditation, reflection, and communion with Christ refreshed in mind and spirit”.

Instead of being quiet and content in Christ, many people try to satisfy their thirst by pursuing wealth, careers or travel, thinking this will satisfy their gnawing restlessness. Some turn to more destructive pastimes such as drugs, alcohol or sex, to quench their thirst. But as St. Augustine tells us “O God, you have made us as your own, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you”; only Christ can fill the vast hole in our hearts.

“He restores my soul” The term “Cast down” is an old English shepherds term for a sheep that has rolled on it’s back and gets stuck; it’s unable to get back up on it’s feet. Sometimes the sheep’s fleece gets too long and gets matted with mud, leaves and branches, making it top-heavy. If the sheep rolls too far on it’s back and the feet can’t touch the ground, it’s totally helpless. Because it struggles to regain balance, gasses build up cutting off circulation; this condition is extremely dangerous, and in warm weather the sheep can die within a few hours.

In the Old Testament, wool represented our pride and selfishness, and high priests were forbidden to wear it in the Holy of Holies. Just as sheep are sheared to get rid of their hot, heavy coat, filled with ticks, manure and sticks, so too does God use discipline to cut away our “coats” of materialism, arrogance and self-reliance.
^“Endure hardship as discipline, God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb. 12

“The toughness it takes to face life and the formidable reverses which it brings to us can come only through the discipline of endurance and hardship. In His mercy and love our Master makes this a part of our program. It is part of the price of belonging to Him.” In becoming the “new creation”, sometimes God prunes our heart of sin, of lustful desires, of the need to acquire more and more money, of our laziness and apathy, which weigh us down. But then comes the joy when we lose those tendencies, and the captive is set free to live life abundantly, without fear!

“You anoint my head with oil” Flies are an especially troubling problem for sheep; they lay eggs in their nostrils which burrow in deep causing severe inflammation and irritation. If left untreated, the sheep may harm or even kill themselves butting into trees and rocks in an effort to ease the pain. The treatment is a mixture of linseed oil poured over the sheep’s head, bringing instant relief from the annoying flies.

Christians are tormented by “flies” in the form of irritating family members or friends, misunderstandings, unforgiveness and hurt feelings, or by the ordinary frustrations of daily life; flat tires, broken appliances or a perhaps a traffic ticket. During difficult times God graciously pours out the gift of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, infusing us with wisdom, perseverance, peace and generosity, to transform our penchant for intolerance, envy and insecurity. As mentioned in the book of James, Chapter 5, since the beginning of Christianity it has been customary for Christians to be anointed with fragrant oil for healing from serious or life-threatening illnesses, and at baptisms, confirmation and ordinations. The oil was used in the Old Testament to sanctify priests and prophets, and in the New Testament represents the power of the Holy Spirit.

From the Catechism No. 1293 “Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength.” The “oil” of the Holy Spirit cleanses, consecrates, heals, strengthens and comforts us.

Excerpts are from “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23″

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A Year with Christ

March 6, 2013 by maryscatholicgarden

Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene after resurrection, Alexander Ivanov, 1835 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recently I had a wonderful time at a mom’s retreat lead by Betsy Orr. The retreat was based on walking with Christ through the liturgical calendar. We’re currently in the lenten season, which allows us to enter the desert for 40 days, delving into the time Jesus spent in a dry, barren place. The 40 days reflects the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness.

After the sadness of watching Jesus die on Good Friday, we then joyfully exalt as death is vanquished, and we can victoriously proclaim “He is Risen”! We triumphantly share in the 50 days of Easter, accompanying Jesus as he appears to Mary Magdalene in the garden, and later to his apostles hunkered down in a hidden room. We walk with him on the road to Emmaus, sometimes as blindly as the two disciples, who at first failed to recognize him.

Next on the calendar is the celebration of the birth of the Church – Pentecost! The Holy Spirit exploded into the room where the disciples were fearfully secluded, and “tongues of fire” descended on each, empowering and strengthening them. Over 3,000 new Christians were baptized.

Our Church year officially begins with the first Sunday of Advent, and while the rest of the world is singing carols and decorating trees, we spend time praying and doing penance, immersed in purple candles and advent wreaths. Then the long awaited Messiah is born, and we joyfully celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, God with us; he came as one of us, to personally lead us to salvation.

I grew up Presbyterian, with little emphasis on the liturgical season, so I loved some of Betsy’s ideas to decorate our houses, as a reminder to everyone of the significance of each season. Having little artistic talent, I went to Michaels and wandered through all the shoppers loading up their carts with Easter eggs, flowers and other spring decorations, feeling out of place as I searched for a simple wreath made from branches, and purple ribbon. After wrapping the ribbon around the wreath, I hung it on our front door to reflect our time of wandering in the desert, spending time praying, fasting and giving alms. I had a little piece of leftover purple ribbon, so I draped it on “El Cristo”, my statue of the risen Christ. Another idea is from one of my customers, who wears purple every single day of the 40 days in Lent, to help her stay centered in the Lenten season of penance and meditation.

Many dress in green for St. Patrick’s Day, and in Atlanta we have a wonderful parade downtown, although it isn’t nearly as exuberant as the extravagant parade and celebration in Savannah! There are lots of fun ideas we can incorporate into our daily lives to reflect our spiritual walk; on Pentecost wear red to reflect the Holy Spirit, and bake some cupcakes to celebrate the birth of the Church! Everyone has heard of the infamous Mardi Gras revelry in New Orleans which ends on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the custom of eating richer, “fatty” foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.

St. Joseph’s feast day, March 19, is quite popular in the Italian tradition, and many celebrate this day with large gatherings of friends and family, serving up huge quantities of mouth-watering lasagna and stuffed pasta shells. At Epiphany Catholic Church in Roswell, which is of the Byzantine Rite, St. Nicholas is an important saint, and his feast day is celebrated every year with a luncheon with the entire community. A custom many observe is to exchange gifts on his feast day, and in Europe children put out their shoes the night before; in the morning all the “good” children will find apples, candy and other treats in their shoes.

In America there is so much emphasis on separating our faith from the secular world, that sometimes our faith can get lost. When I visited Portugal many years ago, I was surprised to see statues and tiles of the saints in many businesses, with numerous Portuguese attending daily mass on their way home from work. There was little division between their daily lives and their faith. In Spain the celebration for St. James begins weeks before July 25, the towns are decorated with colorful banners and bunting, with the planning for the festive parade starting months before.

Some churches and groups have a party for All Saints Day, and to honor the saints, children dress up as St. Therese, St. Francis of Assisi and many of the other popular saints. They are absolutely adorable! One year I dressed up as Mother Teresa for the CCD children and gave them an opportunity to ask “her” questions they might have; the children were fascinated!

As she lead the retreat, Betsy described the chalkboard she keeps in a prominent place in her home, on which she highlights the name of the saint whose feast day it happens to be. Does your family have a devotion to a certain saint? If not, take a survey and pick one! Have fun celebrating that particular saint with your own traditions. With the recent retirement of Pope Benedict, the cardinals started meeting in preparation for the conclave to elect a new pope. Once the new pope is announced, a wonderful way to mark this significant event is to drape gold and white crepe paper in your home, or attach colorful balloons on your mail box, announcing your excitement to all your neighbors.

I converted to the Catholic Church in large part because of the holiness of Pope John Paul. He was “my pope”, and his passing was a moving experience. I memorialized his death with my neighbors and customers, by making two huge bows out of black satin and tulle and placing them on the front doors of my home and business. Decorating our homes, cooking ethnic meals on feast days, and gathering with friends and families are wonderful ways to integrate our faith into our everyday live,; and of course a lighthearted way to evangelize! Spicy Mexican tacos or burritos are a scrumptious way to celebrate the feast of Juan Diego, or Our Lady of Guadalupe. A Hawaiian Luau would be an enchanting festivity for the feast of St. Damien!