Reactions

I heard something on the radio last week that just seemed to stick with me: "Acting like a Christian is easy, reacting like a Christian is hard."

As a waitress, my reactions are key.  Every night I work, I have those undesirable customers.  Customers that run me back and forth a hundred times, customers that think it's okay to treat me like their servant and order me around, and customers that leave me a two dollar tip after taking up my table for over an hour.  These are frustrating things.  Usually I can force out a smile and an extra dose of patience when I'm at my customers table, but when I go in the back, all bets are off.  Ashamed to admit, I don't react with the kind of love and patience in which God calls me.

"Acting like a Christian is easy, reacting like a Christian is hard."

Definitely a challenge for me.  I know I'm not perfect and I know I will slip up, but I need to make more of an effort to react like a Christian too.  Because really, the person that I am when I react negatively is not the person I want to be.  My actions and reactions should not clash.  The good news is that I am constantly being presented with opportunities to improve and react in a more Christ like manner.

Maybe take some time today to determine if your reactions match your actions.

Until next time,
Mel

Let go and let God

Today, I wanted to take a break from life reflections, and simply let you know how much God loves you. It's slightly past the middle of the semester, and I'm sure some of you are feeling the stress of everything; I know I am. But remember to turn to God during these times. He is always, always there for you and His strength and love will see you through hard times. If you're seeking direction on your life path, remember that He is always guiding you and has the perfect plan for you. Everything will work out in time. Have faith, take a step back, and focus on God. He makes everything okay. I know I often times get caught up in the petty little worries of my life, and I tend to stress out about a lot of things that I shouldn't let get to me. God has a purpose for everything, though, and I am beginning to trust Him more. It's so peaceful and it makes me so happy to put my trust in Him and let go of my worries. I hope that the images below can help you to let go and let God take control of your life. So have a great week everybody! Smile, because you're awesome and God loves you! : )

 God bless, 
Kathe  

Wherever You Go, I am Here

So I mentioned last week that I wanted to share a song with you. At the mass, one of the songs we sang was the Covenant Hymn and it really moved me. I love music and I always follow along with the songbooks, although I don’t always sing out loud which I am trying to do more, so the music is a way I connect His messages more during mass. This song really stuck out to me and stayed with me. The main message is that God will be with you no matter what.
It is easy to become separated from God with the busy schedule of college life, and really with the activities of daily life for anyone. Sometimes I feel like God is somewhere other than me, like He is in a Holy place far away watching me and the world; I pray to Him for guidance, but I don’t act like I’m sitting right beside Him, I don’t hear His response in my ear, I don’t see Him. This song says that wherever I live is His home. He’ll never leave me alone. Whatever I dream and clouds mist my future, we are together. When I fall, or am betrayed by others, He will raise me up. He is faithful to me. It is so different for me to think that God is holding my hand along the way, walking beside me all my life. If I ever feel far away or run from His love, He will stay faithful to me. God being faithful to me is a concept I’ve never thought of before. It is such a different way to think about my relationship with God.
The song also says that “wherever you die, [He] will be there to sing you to sleep with a psalm.” He will calm you and soothe you . It is a very comforting way to look at death. It is something that is hard to think about; completely leaving the world and not being a part of people’s lives anymore, but the song really shows what God’s presence does even in an unfamiliar and scary situation. He will relive our journeys and take away my fears and doubts. Our journey. We will be buried together. He will be with me always and forever.
This is such a unique and comforting message of God’s love for us. It is something to think about during your life. Remembering that God isn’t some far off idea and that He is actually walking beside us all through our days will strengthen our relationship with Him and comfort us when we need Him. I encourage you to listen to the song and I hope you reflect upon this and feel His presence with you always.

Link to Covenant Hymn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8FBGi-ZPr0

Blessings,
Katie

Our Personal Best

I had a revelation this week.  I am not perfect.  Wow shocker I know right?  We know we are not perfect but yet we strive so hard to be perfect.  Why is that?  I strive for that 100% on my test to get perfects, but in the end what it comes down to, is knowing how to take care of a patient in need.  I push myself a lot, to get moving in the morning even thought I slept only a good 5 hours.  My knee is killing me but I try so hard to ignore it.  I can’t tell you why that is either.  It is rather ridiculous that I don’t reorganize my day so that I can get to bed earlier or just call my doctor to give me some pain medication for my knees. 

Recently, I have felt my thought process change.  I have now tried the approach of doing/giving things a 110% effort.  We are not made for perfection, and to strive for that is overwhelming, and stressful.   And in some cases, we are only setting ourselves up for failure.  Why do we do that to ourselves? 

If we were perfect, would we know God as well?  If I had perfect knees, I don’t think I would pray to give me strength for the day.  If I had known everything that was taught to me, I don’t think I would be as open to the lessons I am supposed to learn through lived experiences.  If I knew how to approach every situation, I don’t k now if I would be able to see Christ in others as much as I do now. 

Being perfect, kind of seems overrated to me.  But, I do care.  I care a lot about my future patients that depend on my knowledge.  I care about academics.  I care about my love for others and my love for God.  But that doesn’t mean that we need perfection.  It means we have to give it our all.  God knows that we need His help and he doesn’t expect us to be perfect.  He wants us to share the talents that He has given us.  He wants us to just to continue our life journeys by continuously growing in our faith and making ourselves better.

Dana

Reliable Source of Relaxation

This week has and continues to be a very busy week for me.  It is during weeks like this when I try to find every way to gain a few extra minutes to get some work done.  The thought of maybe cutting back on my time in prayer or time spent on writing this blog also runs through my head during times like these.  I have done this before, cutting back on prayer time, and to say the least, it was not worth it.  It sounds like a good idea in theory, but when it comes to execution the theory falls short.  It seems that when I cut back on my prayer time and other times spent with God, my stress level begins to rise, even though I have more time to do homework.  It is funny how just a few minutes in prayer can relax you and relieve some stress.  When I seem to be very stressed out, I say a quick prayer multiple times throughout the day, and just those little prayers relieve a lot of pressure.  In today’s reading, there is a line that says, “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.”  Little verses like this one provide me with the feeling that everything will work out, because God is on my side and He will see that I am ok. 

My favorite verse to read when times are tough is Philippians 4:4-9.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!  Your kindness should be known to all.  The Lord is near.  Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.  Then the God of peace will be with you.

-Brent

The Medicine of Immortality

Today is the feast day of St. Ignatius of Antioch, a prominent figure in the history of the Early Catholic Church. As Bishop of Antioch and one of the Early Church Fathers, Ignatius provided a glimpse into the life of a martyr, and he also spoke on the teachings of the Catholic Church when it was still in its infancy.

 The city of Antioch was an epicenter of important events in the history of Catholic church. This is the location where the followers of Jesus were called Christian for the first time. This is also first center of outreach to Gentiles and the city where Paul and Barnabas set out on their missionary journeys.

Not much is known about the life of St. Ignatius, but his writings affirmed the values that live on in the Church today. During the reign of Trajan, a persecution broke out in Syria, and Ignatius, being the leader of the capital city, was apprehended and martyred because of his faith. While Ignatius was being transported to Italy for his official martyrdom, he wrote seven very important letters.

Ignatius was centuries ahead of his time, writing on issues that were not resolved until the First Council of Nicaea, which took place 200 years after his death. One such issue is the identity of Jesus Christ. Ignatius taught that Jesus is eternal, above all time and creation, truly God in the fullest sense.

During Ignatius's time, there were heretics called Docetists, who taught that Jesus was not human, but, instead, his body was merely an illusion. Therefore, they also believed that his death was not real but an appearance. Ignatius shot down these lies, and defended Jesus's humanity. While accomplishing this, Ignatius also describes the Early Church's understanding of the Eucharist, which he called "the medicine of immortality." He explained that the Eucharist is at the center of Christianity, one of the most important beliefs in Catholicism. Ignatius did not stop with establishing beliefs of the Church, he also spoke on the nature and the structure of the Church, acknowledging the necessity of hierarchical organization in the Church.

And if none of this exemplifies how amazing Ignatius was, he called the universal assembly of Christians "the Catholic Church," which is one of the very first instances of the phrase in surviving Christian literature. St. Ignatius of Antioch was a great man, who gave his life to laying the foundation of Catholic doctrine, and, today, we celebrate his extraordinary life.

“Christianity is greatest when it is hated by the world.”
-St. Ignatius of Antioch

Luke

Why material poverty deserves a second look

Poverty.  Scary and stressful.  But think about it...many religious people take vows of poverty.  As we heard in this Sunday's reading, Jesus asks us to be poor.  So maybe it's worth a second look.  I loved Kathe's post yesterday about clearing out the things that distract you from God or get in the way of your relationship with Him.  I think that is definitely a key element.  And this weekend at mass, Father Al talked about a similar idea.  But is there something to be said about physical poverty?

A few years ago I took a trip to a children's home in Guatemala.  Those kids had very little material things.  I didn't see a smart phone, a computer, closets full of clothes.  Those kids didn't have iPods or professionally manicured nails.  They didn't have their own room, Xbox's, or bikes.  They rarely get to see their family.  But do you know what they did have?  A knowledge and understanding of what's truly important in life.  They didn't need those possessions.  They had happiness.  They had love.  I would say that in many ways, they are much more "rich" than many communities here.

Because so many potential worldly distractions were non existent, they had time to develop their gifts and talents, to learn about God, and to enjoy the company of the people who God has placed in their life.  I'm not saying that material things are bad.  I'm saying let's reevaluate the way we use them.  So why would many religious people take vows of poverty?  Why would Jesus ask us to become poor?  Maybe it's because we have to learn that Christ is all we need.  Kind of like learning the hard way.  But once we recognize that we don't need our technologies and Tom's shoes, look how much freedom has been gained!  Everyone want's to be happy right?  What, then, do you think will gain you true happiness?  God's love or material possessions?

Do you know what your God given talents are?  Do you develop and use them for good?  Do you take time to be amazed by the stars?  Do you stop and thank God for the beautiful people He has placed in your life?  Or are you like me and often get caught up in your own agenda?

The truth is, we need God.  We need His guidance, His love, His companionship and His help.  We don't need our cameras and Pinterest.  Maybe we need to reevaluate the importance these things hold for us.  If we value our possessions more than our relationship with Christ or constantly put them before God, then maybe we should spend some time in prayer asking God why.

Until next time,
Mel