Hardened hearts and beginning anew

The first reading from Jeremiah today is quite a contrast from yesterday's reading.  The Lord instructs Jeremiah to say to the people:

This is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction.  Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.

Have we allowed our hearts to become hardened?  Apathy towards evil is like a sickness that spreads throughout the body, and we must now pay the consequences of not stopping the sin before it grew unwieldy.  Court cases dealing with abortion, protests at funerals, transgender equality, homosexual unions...all of these evils have now returned to haunt us.  We cannot blame God, for He has not been silent.  Perhaps He has been warning us in the forms of natural disaster -- He allows the aftereffects of our sinfulness to play out, so recently our world has faced earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados, fires, famine, floods, and unending war.

Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face!  Do not abandon us; do not leave us orphans.

Fr. Lou reminded us that we are only halfway through Lent.  This is the perfect time for us to review our Lenten resolutions; even if we have been failing, we can still rededicate ourselves to Jesus.  And to that, I say, Amen!

Not enough

I certainly don't consider myself perfect, but I must say I was feeling quite accomplished and proud of myself for my recent strides in the way of faithfulness.  And yet there is always something more we must do.  Fr. Hector stressed in his homily this morning the idea of sacrifice.  It is not enough just to come to Sunday Mass or even daily Mass.  Are we doing good works for others?  Are we striving every day to build up treasure in heaven?  Matt related a homily he'd heard recently on the Gospel of the corporal works of mercy -- "Whatever you did to the least of My brothers...".  The priest compared this a final exam for which we already know the answers.  If we know what we'll be tested on, why aren't we preparing for it?


On another note, we seem barraged these days with legislation from our corrupt government that supports a culture of death and moral degradation.  It seems discouraging at times, but we must remember to have hope, for the Lord is on our side.  Surely, He will see us through any trials we must face.  He will not abandon us but rather walk beside us every step of the way, often carrying us when we do not have the strength to walk.
                                                                                                                                                                  From this morning's first reading (Dt. 4:7): For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?
                                                                                                                                                                    How appropriate to our struggling world!  May Christ's justice and peace ever reign!

Forgiveness: As we forgive our debtors

In today's Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how many times he must forgive his brother.  I never realized just serious is the penalty for not showing forgiveness.  Jesus tells the story of the servant whose loan was forgiven by the King but who then showed no mercy to a man who owed him much less.  The King handed the wicked servant over to torturers!  We must be aware of what is in store for us if we hold grudges and live with hatred in our hearts.

Fr. Farmer encouraged us to look at a crucifix today, to remember that our sins nailed Jesus there, and yet still He is a God of mercy.  So must we also forgive all those who hurt us.

The morning prayer's intercessions from the Magnificat were particularly thought-provoking.  Reminded me somewhat of the Litany of Humility, though I found them even harder to accept, perhaps because I am unaccustomed to them.

(Each phrase is followed by "we pray, Lord, have mercy.")

Give peace to those who have destroyed our peace...
Give love to those who have refused us love...
Protect from injury those who have done us injury...
Grant success to those who have competed with us to our loss...
Give prosperity to those who have taken what was ours...

Peace in the moment

It's getting more and more difficult to be patient with housemates in these last weeks of the semester.  Everyone seems to be on her last nerve, and none of us can handle the stress at home when we're trying to struggle through the heavy workload.  I'm praying now for peace amongst friends, and in our world at large.  A particular group of picketers has been wreaking havoc on families mourning the deaths of their military heros.  When did our world reach this level of hatred and disrespect for one's fellow man?

Mass this morning was good to recenter my thinking, but I'm going to need regular reminders throughout the day to stay focused.  Jesus, help me!  I need You now.

How to be humble

Today in confession, Fr. Ray explained that my penance would be to pray for a spirit of humility and quiet service to God.  It surprises me that I never really knew before this year how prideful I am.  When Christ said, "The first shall be last and the last shall be first," He wasn't just asking us to share a piece of cake with a friend.  Why haven't I ever taken His words seriously?  I should be last.  Always.  Not settling for second, not the average joe, but last.

That isn't easy.  For those of us who have spent most of our lives trying to stay on top - to have the last laugh, the best grade, the most impressive connections - this comes as a major shock.  What, you want me to be a servant, to be lowly even in the face of mockery and contempt??

My Savior was.

God has never asked us to do anything He has not already done.  But He gave His very life for us -- is it fair for us to give Him any less?

Pride cannot stand if I see the face of Christ in others.  Love will conquer pride when I truly recognize all my brothers and sisters as created by God.

I think I'll be taking a lot of back seats over the next week.  May I see Christ shaping me into a servant worthy of His call.

Eye has not seen

You are my God, and You are my All, and I have never seen You.

This is my favorite line from St. Anselm's prayer.  I think it's beautiful and yet wistfully sad.  How strongly we desire to know Him, to see Him as He truly is, the God-man.  We are such a flawed human race, and we seem to need visual reminders of the reality of our Savior.

On another note, I attended Mass this morning -- beautiful, dedicated to Mary on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.  For some reason, I was a little saddened that Fr. Farmer wasn't wearing blue vestments, but perhaps white, which is saved for feast days, makes it even more special.

My Jesus, I love You.  I am so thankful for all that You have revealed to me and for the seed You have sown in my heart.  I desire only to do Your will.  Refine my heart, O Lord!

Southern Sunday

Praise Jesus for the warmth of spring!  Visiting Teresa and Shawn in Nashville and trying to do some wedding planning.  I don't think today will be very productive, but that's alright -- I suppose that's the nature of the Lord's day.  Spent the morning at Shawn's church and then at his sister's in-law's house for brunch.

It's been hard this past week, being out of school and away from my usual routine.  I haven't gotten any work done, but that's not the biggest thing.  I've been slipping spiritually.  Not in a sinful way, per se, just not centering my life on Him.  I can't wait to get back to daily Mass, which has been somewhat impossible with recent traveling.  Adoration, too, I truly miss.  The God-shaped hole in my heart is sadly not as full as it once was.  Oh, how dearly I want Him to fill it again to the point of bursting!

My Jesus, I love You!