Facing the Deserts of Lent

Lent is only a few short days away and I'm not ready.

I now believe my parents when they told me that time does go by faster as you get older but I'm sure that having children is the biggest accelerator. I can't believe how fast they grow and change...just like I can't believe I haven't written on this blog since Advent 2012! Then, we were expecting our 6th child, now Gabriella Marie is just about walking.

Looking forward, it always seems like there is so much time ahead of you but then it's gone. I'll admit to being somewhat of a procrastinator so this is something I experience often. Usually, it's something that needed to get done yesterday. We'll, I still have 4 days before Lent starts; that's plenty of time. I am signed up for a men's retreat next Saturday so there's one thing in the plus column for me.

Of course Lent is not just about giving things up. It's also about positive additions to out lives and gaining strength from our daily trials to help overcome those struggles rather than escaping. Jesus knew is ministry would be difficult and end in a most difficult and painful way. He prepared for this by spending forty days fasting in the desert.

I get weekly email devotional from the Daughters of St. Paul.  Today's reflection was about spending time in the desert this Lent. Not the Mojave of course, but the reflecting on the 3 deserts in our lives where Jesus remains with us. The first is when we reflect on His suffering and death whether we pray the stations of the across or read a passion narrative. The second is living and accepting our own suffering and therefore remaining in the desert and being united with Jesus. The third, is recognizing the suffering others through prayer, solidarity, and actions.

How will you remain in the desert with Jesus this Lent?

Saying Yes to God

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you.

-Jeremiah 1:5

   I've been sadly reading the multitude of tributes and biographies written about Apple founder, Steve Jobs, who passed away yesterday. Now I am going to sheepishly admit that until fairly recently, I was not an Apple fan (sad but true), so I never really learned much him with the exception of the occasional news clip about a new product or program on The History Channel. Amidst the articles I've been reading (on my iPad of course), I came across an editorial in the Washington Times which highlights how important each and every human life created by God actually is.

Abortion, Adoption, and Steve Jobs

   Try, if you can, to imagine a world without the likes of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Alexander Flemming, Blessed John Paul II, or St. Paul. How different would the world be today if they never existed? Think about if your great, great, great, grandmother was never born, you wouldn't exist either, now would your children's children.. Every choice has a consequence just as every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Now think about the discoveries that will never happen, great literature that will never be written, and moral and theological insight that will never be know because of the more than 52 million babies aborted in the United States alone since Roe v. Wade.

Eighteen years later saw the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which paved the way for millions of legal abortions to take place in the United States over the following years. In 1955, abortion was nowhere near as prevalent as it is today. It was primarily rejected by society as the termination of innocent life.

   Rest in peace, Steve Jobs, and thank you for your contributions to soceity. More importantly, just as Mary said "May it be done to me according to your word,” (Lk 1:38) thank you to your biological mother, Joanne Simpson, and your adoptives parents, Paul and Clara Jobs, for their yes to life. God does have a plan for each of us, we just have to be ready to respond.

Be Blessed!

Small Miracles

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

I've been away from the blog the for a couple of weeks. If you missed my posts, I'm sorry. If you're sorry I'm back, then why are you reading this?

  
I had planned a reflection of the tenth anniversary of September 11 and the blessings that came out of that unspeakable act of terror. Reading some retrospectives over the past month, I've marveled at the stories of courage and survival that in themselves are miraculous. I was going to post that article fittingly on 9/11/2011 as well as either watch or attend some of the memorial activities that were happening on that day. However, in His perfect plan, God wanted me to commemorate this day of tragedy with the miracle of new life.

   I mentioned previously that we were expecting baby number five this September. In the early morning darkness on September 11, 2011, my wife informed me it was "time." It took me a few hours to even realize that our son's birthday would be on 9/11, mainly due to being caught up in the moment and lack of coffee. "What a day for a birthday," I thought. Then, my wife reminded me that our good friend's son also has a birthday today.  At 11:25 AM, we welcomed Andre Augustine Morin into our family.

   Was God trying to teach me something here? I think so. God wanted me to know that even in the darkest of days, He is still there and the miracle of new life continues. Every moment of every day, God is working miracles. Of course we will never forget the tragedy of 9/11, nor the men and women who lost their lives. But, in a beautiful way, my family will now associate this infamous date with our own miracle- our son Andre.

Be blessed!

The Real Cure for the Economy?

Having a large family means I'll have plenty of visitors in the nursing home while you sit alone and miss your big house and boat!





This comment gave me a chuckle when I read it a few weeks ago. But can it be possible that we can have large families and have them be engine(s) of economic prosperity?x No, this isn't a get rich quick scheme nor as a father of five (almost) do I think I'll be able to buy a boat anytime soon. It is however, what God commanded us to do from the beginning. (see Gen 1: 26-28)




We're constantly told by soceity that we need to reduce, reuse, and recycle which is true to an extent. We do need to be good stewards of God's Creation and of God's Providence. The following article in the National Catholic Register highlights the problem that Europe, Israel, Japan, and other developed nations face with an aging, declining popuation and fewer children to support them. These countries will also have to contend with a birthrate below replacement level which means the very fabric and identity of their culture is in danger if disappearing.

Large Families a Cure for Economic Woes?

But some couples are choosing to go against the trend and are welcoming and embracing the gift of human life with which God has blessed their marriages. While the challenges are many, the blessings are far greater, they say, so long as they maintain a strong faith in God, work hard and accept the sacrifices required of their vocation.

It can be scary to fully rely on God for our needs. Not to say that every family have to number 8-plus nor does God doesn't intend us all to do so. But, Jesus told us: So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’  All that matters is to seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. (Mt. 6: 31, 33) It's all about trust.

As we hopefully take a break this Labor Day weekend, it's a good time to reflect on where our treasure may lie, depend on God, and  focus on His will for our lives. Have a great weekend.

Be blessed!





Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/large-families-a-cure-for-economic-woes/#ixzz1WosCjaJB