present to the Present

At this evening's bible study session, the organizer, Jonathan, was able to get a local Franciscan priest to come and talk with us. We've always enjoyed the nights that Fr. Kevin comes over because he's funny, but also it's essentially "open mike night." It's our questions, rather than the theological verse-by-verse breakdown of Acts 8; although this is equally fruitful.

There was a good discussion going on homilies, what to expect, how to kindly and politely address issues with priests, pastors, etc. But there was one thing that stuck out to me this evening: "being present to the Present (Presence) in the present." It's being contemplative in action. It's being aware that when you and I speak face to face, Christ is right there with us. Can we shut down Facebook, Blogger, Xanga, LiveJournal, MySpace, LinkedIn, BrightFuse, CareerBuilder, Indeed, Monster, &c for just once to notice that these things are rewarding us for being distracted and distant from the Only One who should matter to us? No wonder our chapels are empty, the Blessed Sacrament is abandoned. No one knows how to just sit with Jesus anymore!

Dress This Way, Look the Other Way?

Case in Point

Rant:

This past Saturday was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. It was also my 2nd cousin's wedding. Before going to into the church building, I put on my shoulder wrap, covering up my nearly bare back and arms. Mom had a fit saying "God doesn't judge! God doesn't judge that way!" While I cannot bear Scriptural proof that God would or would not judge me for how I go dressed to Mass, I follow a few simple points. One of them being that when I enter the House of God, I'm literally standing before Him in the Tabernacle (albeit, Veiled in wheat). When I was working, I had to be dressed properly for the position. If you dress well for a mere mortal you call boss, how much more should you dress for the one you call Master and Saviour? You should give Him your best because He gave you His All.

I also dress formally for Mass (business casual or interview worthy) because I know how distracting casual and informal dress is: I don't want to see tattoos or bikini tan lines, or g-string triangles. If others (men and women) are distracting to me, how more so am I for someone else? Chapel veils help shield my side vision from other distractions, and I can reasonably assume that I'm not contributing to someone's near occasion of sin.

What's your reaction / opinion?

Fun with the Family

If it weren't spiritually agonizing, I'd howl with laughter at the plans my mother and father are cooking to keep me from the convent. I may not go this year, but hopefully I'll enter next year.

My Grandmother asks what is wrong with me for not wanting to marry. A friend told me to quip "I'm marrying Jesus" and while I am, I don't want to attend a funeral.

My mother wants me to attend business school, when I just graduated with a Masters in social work 2 months ago.

Dad said that he could barely afford to make my monthly loan payments if I don't get a job soon; yet he's willing to pay that and tuition if I go back to school.

Dad says I cannot collect donations from parishes and friends through the Laboure Society because I will be "taking it away from others." Pardon me, but this is Los Angeles! Where do you see other vocations?!? (Okay, so we exist, but we keep it covert.)

And the reasons I want to laugh:

1. whatever is not the Will of God will be thwarted.
2. Jesus came to separate Mother from daughter, father from son, etc.
3. I'm 24 & they can't force me to go to school.

Devil's Envy

God did not make death, nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living. For He fashioned all things that they might have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome, and there is not a destructive drug among them nor any domain of the netherworld on earth, for justice is undying. For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who belong to his company experience it.

I absolutely love this passage from last Sunday’s first reading; there’s so much meat to it.

God did not make death, nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living. He created us, male and female to be fully alive, eternally alive, and we can get a glimpse into how much the separation from Him and Adam and Eve caused after the Fall. He does not cherish death or destruction. It would be like Michelangelo’s reaction if the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel were to be damage beyond repair – it’s unwanted and heartbreaking.

He fashioned all things that they might have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome, and there is not a destructive drug among them nor any domain of the netherworld on earth, for justice is undying. All that He creates is wholesome: from dirt to sex, all are beautiful, but it is with the corruption introduced by the Demon that these good things of the Lord are perverted and distorted. It is upon this distortion that the image of God cannot be seen in the reflection of His creations.

For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who belong to his company experience it. Through the envy of the devil! Envy is, according to the Catechism (CCC 2539) a sadness and longing upon spying another’s possessions. Envy is wanting to obtain these things for oneself that disproportionate to the object of desire. What is it that the Demon wanted to obtain from Adam and Eve so badly, as to bring upon the whole human race perpetual death (prior to the sacrifice of the Lamb)? Would it be said that humility and charity are opposite roots of envy – as it is the suppression of the self and the desire to see other thrive? If so, then it can be seen that the Demon, lacking in charity and humility to serve Man, and in turn God-made-Man, wanted to deprive God of His creation, of His work of art? As for the children of the Demon, we know that we are not! For the humilty and charity of the Lamb has won out, and St Paul's word of "so once were you! but you are saved" ring out and reverberate across the centuries.

Vocation Donations

Hello Everyone!

As you may or may not know, my name is Megan Singer and I have been in discernment for the past 3 years. I was recently on retreat and accepted to the Sisters of Mary (http://www.sistersofmary.org).

The bad news is that due to my student debt I am unable to enter this August 28th as planned, but will enter Aug 28th 2010. The good news is that the Laboure Society has agreed to work with me. The Laboure Society enables me to collect donations in an anonymous and tax deductible manner.

I would love to send you more information with my vocation story. To do so, I need your NAME and ADDRESS.

Thank you so very much, & God Bless.

p.s. - if you know of anyone else who would like to help out, please pass this along.

Sincerely,

Megan Singer

lvngembrs@gmail.com