Having 4 children and expecting a 5th, I definately feel like the odd man out at times- ok most of the time. In today's 2.3 children per family culture (if even), you really feel the stares, hear the comments, and see the reaction of so many others. Today, in a refreshing change of pace we were, not once, but 3 times applauded for our family size and the example we set.
We attended a different parish for today's (non-holy-day-of- obligation) Mass of the Asumption because of timing. Two different women came up to us, one in near tears, to say how much thy loved seeing us today and were really encouraging for them. Another compliment came from our waitress when we we out to dinner with some out of town family. This young woman was one of six and thought it was great to see another "big" family. She told us how much she enjoyed growing up the way she did and could see it in our children.
We don't look for compliments or approval from anyone as to our family size or how they act. We also are not out to shock anyone. We say yes to what God has planned for us and hope to do his will a best we can. Mary in today's Gospel travels to visit and help Elizabeth, despite the social stigma she must have faced. It was her "fiat" or "yes" that gave hope for all of us.
After thinking about the events of today, I told my wife that maybe the women we encountered today thought that no matter how the family has been marginalized today that there may just be hope yet for our domestic church and that we may see more couples saying "yes" to God, no matter what the call may be. Have you been listening?
Be blessed!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Faith Like A Child
My almost nine year old daughter is writing a book about Catholic Apologetics?
It's true. In her own words it's "something I've wanted to do for a long time." Yeah, probably since she was seven.
She's quite evangelist going so far as to write a letter to President Obama suggesting he follow the Commandments, go to Confession, and become Catholic. If only it were that easy.
Thankfully the Secret Service didn't come to my door but I'm probably on some kind of "subversive list."
It's no wonder that Jesus tells us to be "like little children" and why Our Blessed Mother seldom appears to adults. When our faith is pure and unbiased by the culture, it is easily expressed. My children have no problem praying in public or talking about their faith. Besides Sonja, six year old Joshua has no issue with calling someone out for leaving after Communion. (He has no filter and we're working on him.) I'm sure the teenage years will be more challenging, but I will enjoy it for now.
If only I was as comfortable proclaiming the simple truths of the faith to people. For now I'll just keep writing on this blog.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
My Favorite Things
It's the simple things I enjoy most. Right now I'm enjoying a beautiful July night, sitting outside by a fire with my family, listening to some Christian music. Nights like this really allow me to count my blessing and sit in awe of how blessed we are.
God is so good!!!
How is God speaking to you tonight?
God is so good!!!
How is God speaking to you tonight?
A Tale of Two Requiems
Requiem
— n
1. RC Church a Mass celebrated for the dead
2. a musical setting of this Mass
3. any piece of music composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person or persons
[C14: from Latin requiēs rest, from the opening of the introit, Requiem aeternam dona eis Rest eternal grant unto them]
I had the wonderful opportunity this week to perform in an orchestra Mozart's Requiem with a local choral group. (I promise I won't complain the entire time about having to move my timpani from one church to another in the pouring rain.) Even better that that, my daughter Sonja got to sing with the chorus. This was a "summer sing" where the public is invited to come and practice the piece with the group and end the night with a performance.
Sonja really loves to sing and I try to expose her to whatever I can to foster that. She
started with our parish children's choir at age 5 and began to sit in with the adult choir later the following year. Although I'm sure her head was spinning from trying to get through a major choral work in one night, she seemed to enjoy it. I think I'm going to attempt piano lessons next. I think I have enough skill to at least get her through "book 1."
Mozart's Requiem, his final composition and debuted at Mozart's own funeral, is an amazing work with unforgettable melodic themes and harmonies. Since it is a funeral Mass, it's lyrics convey God's loving plan of salvation by not only reminding us of our own mortality and failings but also bring us comfort for our grief and hope for an eternity with Him.
Remember, kind Jesus,
my salvation caused your suffering;
do not forsake me on that day.
Faint and weary you have sought me,
redeemed me, suffering on the cross;
may such great effort not be in vain.
I've been to many funerals both as a mourner and musician, with the majority being Catholic. And while we seldom hear anything like Mozart's Mass, the Rite of Christian Burial still captures the themes of rest for our deceased loved, reflections of sin and Christ's mercy, and our hope of eternal life with God forever. It also keeps us mindful of the fact that Heaven, while attainable by all through the death and Resurrection of Jesus, is a gift we must accept.
Sacrifices and prayers of praise, Lord,
we offer to You.
Receive them in behalf of those souls
we commemorate today.
And let them, Lord,
pass from death to life,
which was promised to Abraham
and his descendants.
Sadly this week, I also attended the funeral of a high school friend, who at 34, was taken from his friends and family much too early. It was surreal, first being at the funeral home with only an urn, and then being there with some people I haven't seen in 16 years.
I don,t think my friend or his family were particularly religious, but there was a local Assembly of God pastor who did a brief service. He read some Scripture such as John 3:16 and
Psalm 23 as well as gave a brief reflection of death and salvation. After some personal witnesses, most notably from his 2 young children (which was heartbreaking to say the least), the pastor led a prayer of committal and it was done.
Something seemed missing last night. Yes, my friend was definitely missing and missed by those gathered, but there was something more. Maybe I'm just used to a Catholic funeral with it's rubrics, ritual, and most importantly the Eucharist. During the service, I actually prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet for my friend and all those in attendance and hoped that in his last moments, heard Jesus' invitation and reached out for Him. I hope we all accept His invitation and accept His freely given gift of Salvation.
Please pray for the repose of my friend's soul an for healing and comfort for his family and friends. The last movement of the Requiem sums it up best:
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Requiem aeternum dona eis, Domine,
et Lux perpetua luceat eis,
cum Sanctus tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Let eternal light shine on them, Lord,
as with Your saints in eternity,
because You are merciful.
Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on them,
as with Your saints in eternity,
because You are merciful.
Have a blessed week.
— n
1. RC Church a Mass celebrated for the dead
2. a musical setting of this Mass
3. any piece of music composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person or persons
[C14: from Latin requiēs rest, from the opening of the introit, Requiem aeternam dona eis Rest eternal grant unto them]
I had the wonderful opportunity this week to perform in an orchestra Mozart's Requiem with a local choral group. (I promise I won't complain the entire time about having to move my timpani from one church to another in the pouring rain.) Even better that that, my daughter Sonja got to sing with the chorus. This was a "summer sing" where the public is invited to come and practice the piece with the group and end the night with a performance.
Sonja really loves to sing and I try to expose her to whatever I can to foster that. She
started with our parish children's choir at age 5 and began to sit in with the adult choir later the following year. Although I'm sure her head was spinning from trying to get through a major choral work in one night, she seemed to enjoy it. I think I'm going to attempt piano lessons next. I think I have enough skill to at least get her through "book 1."
Mozart's Requiem, his final composition and debuted at Mozart's own funeral, is an amazing work with unforgettable melodic themes and harmonies. Since it is a funeral Mass, it's lyrics convey God's loving plan of salvation by not only reminding us of our own mortality and failings but also bring us comfort for our grief and hope for an eternity with Him.
Remember, kind Jesus,
my salvation caused your suffering;
do not forsake me on that day.
Faint and weary you have sought me,
redeemed me, suffering on the cross;
may such great effort not be in vain.
I've been to many funerals both as a mourner and musician, with the majority being Catholic. And while we seldom hear anything like Mozart's Mass, the Rite of Christian Burial still captures the themes of rest for our deceased loved, reflections of sin and Christ's mercy, and our hope of eternal life with God forever. It also keeps us mindful of the fact that Heaven, while attainable by all through the death and Resurrection of Jesus, is a gift we must accept.
Sacrifices and prayers of praise, Lord,
we offer to You.
Receive them in behalf of those souls
we commemorate today.
And let them, Lord,
pass from death to life,
which was promised to Abraham
and his descendants.
Sadly this week, I also attended the funeral of a high school friend, who at 34, was taken from his friends and family much too early. It was surreal, first being at the funeral home with only an urn, and then being there with some people I haven't seen in 16 years.
I don,t think my friend or his family were particularly religious, but there was a local Assembly of God pastor who did a brief service. He read some Scripture such as John 3:16 and
Psalm 23 as well as gave a brief reflection of death and salvation. After some personal witnesses, most notably from his 2 young children (which was heartbreaking to say the least), the pastor led a prayer of committal and it was done.
Something seemed missing last night. Yes, my friend was definitely missing and missed by those gathered, but there was something more. Maybe I'm just used to a Catholic funeral with it's rubrics, ritual, and most importantly the Eucharist. During the service, I actually prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet for my friend and all those in attendance and hoped that in his last moments, heard Jesus' invitation and reached out for Him. I hope we all accept His invitation and accept His freely given gift of Salvation.
Please pray for the repose of my friend's soul an for healing and comfort for his family and friends. The last movement of the Requiem sums it up best:
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Requiem aeternum dona eis, Domine,
et Lux perpetua luceat eis,
cum Sanctus tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Let eternal light shine on them, Lord,
as with Your saints in eternity,
because You are merciful.
Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on them,
as with Your saints in eternity,
because You are merciful.
Have a blessed week.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
In God's Time
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly...
--Psalm 5:3
...but please hurry up!
We live in a world that demands instant results. We have immediate access to news, sports scores, entertainment, and information thanks to computers and the Internet. Actually, with the advent of "smart phones" we don't even need the computer anymore. We have microwave ovens and "fast food" when we get hungry and "EZ Pass" at toll booths. So, when we actually have to wait for something, we tend to get anxious and impatient.
Today, when the Keurig machine at my work made a cup of coffee in under 60 seconds, I found that to be too slow...and got the idea for this post. (Now I know where my kids get it. Sorry Sarah.) The same can be said when we offer prayers for a particular request. When we don't see immediate results we start to worry and maybe we question if our prayers are even being heard. I've written about God's will and God's plan and now want to focus on God's time.
God's time doesn't work with our 24/7 - me, me, me mentality. In fact, God is above and beyond our very concept of time itself. When we ask for something in prayer, we need to remember that we're not being ignored. Could it be that He wants us to learn something from the experience of waiting? Maybe patience or humility? The psalmist wrote that we should "wait expectantly" not impatiently. Just as St. Paul wrote in Romans 12:12, Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
God hears and answers all our prayers. Our faith tells us when we call on God, we should expect things to happen. But just as it is God's will and wisdom, it will also be in His time.
God love you!
--Psalm 5:3
...but please hurry up!
We live in a world that demands instant results. We have immediate access to news, sports scores, entertainment, and information thanks to computers and the Internet. Actually, with the advent of "smart phones" we don't even need the computer anymore. We have microwave ovens and "fast food" when we get hungry and "EZ Pass" at toll booths. So, when we actually have to wait for something, we tend to get anxious and impatient.
Today, when the Keurig machine at my work made a cup of coffee in under 60 seconds, I found that to be too slow...and got the idea for this post. (Now I know where my kids get it. Sorry Sarah.) The same can be said when we offer prayers for a particular request. When we don't see immediate results we start to worry and maybe we question if our prayers are even being heard. I've written about God's will and God's plan and now want to focus on God's time.
God's time doesn't work with our 24/7 - me, me, me mentality. In fact, God is above and beyond our very concept of time itself. When we ask for something in prayer, we need to remember that we're not being ignored. Could it be that He wants us to learn something from the experience of waiting? Maybe patience or humility? The psalmist wrote that we should "wait expectantly" not impatiently. Just as St. Paul wrote in Romans 12:12, Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
God hears and answers all our prayers. Our faith tells us when we call on God, we should expect things to happen. But just as it is God's will and wisdom, it will also be in His time.
God love you!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Who is Like God? The Feast of the Archangels.
The sea grew turbulent and the earth trembled when Michael the archangel came down from heaven.
-LOTH, Office of Readings.
This article highlights the true nature of the angels, not as whimsical characters portrayed in cartoons, but immensely powerful beings created by God to carry His message and assist us in our struggles. Scripture gives us no doubt to their awe inspiring appearence. Why else would they have say "Be not afraid" each time they apepar to someone?
Holy Angels and Archangels, ora pro nobis!
External: Messengers of God
-LOTH, Office of Readings.
This article highlights the true nature of the angels, not as whimsical characters portrayed in cartoons, but immensely powerful beings created by God to carry His message and assist us in our struggles. Scripture gives us no doubt to their awe inspiring appearence. Why else would they have say "Be not afraid" each time they apepar to someone?
Holy Angels and Archangels, ora pro nobis!
External: Messengers of God
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Work of the Lord
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.
Mt. 11: 28-30
Many of us will take a break from our work tomorrow to celebrate Labor Day. Let's not forget to give thanks to God for our livelihoods and remember our brothers and sisters who are desperately looking for work in these difficult economic times. Maybe that will help us think twice about cursing at the alarm clock when Tuesday morning rolls around. Let us give thanks to the Lord of our work and continue to do the Work of the Lord.
Have a restful and blessed Labor Day.
Mt. 11: 28-30
Many of us will take a break from our work tomorrow to celebrate Labor Day. Let's not forget to give thanks to God for our livelihoods and remember our brothers and sisters who are desperately looking for work in these difficult economic times. Maybe that will help us think twice about cursing at the alarm clock when Tuesday morning rolls around. Let us give thanks to the Lord of our work and continue to do the Work of the Lord.
Have a restful and blessed Labor Day.
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