One of the most intriguing passages in John’s Gospel takes place within a dialogue between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee who would have been open to the reality of a coming Messiah, but as a member of the Sanhedrin, sought Jesus in the night so as not to be seen. His questions reveal a good-hearted man with an open mind seeking deeper understanding. During the dialogue Jesus said, “You must be born from above… of the Spirit.” (John 3:7-8) This concept was difficult for Nicodemus, who seemed more confused than ever, though such a man must have prayerfully reflected on it for many years. It is likely that he was in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost and so it is also likely that he came to greater insight as to what Jesus meant by being "born from above." While we have the advantage of the compiled Gospels and Acts of the Apostles as well as the teaching of the Church’s scholars and theologians down through the centuries, often it takes persistent, patient reflection to come to greater understanding. Therefore, the passage in which Nicodemus struggles to understand provides an excellent lesson in patiently waiting with a heart and mind open to all the Spirit wants to teach. 

Jesus knew that His disciples would not immediately understand some of what He taught, but that once the Holy Spirit came upon them, they would have greater clarity. When He appeared to them after the Resurrection, He enabled their understanding when He breathed upon them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” opening their minds. (Luke 24:44-49; John 20:22) However, they still had to wait for Pentecost to receive the fullness of the Spirit in order to be completely empowered with knowledge and spiritual gifts. Thus, it is always a process. St. Paul said it best when he wrote: “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully as I am fully known.” (1 Cor.13:12) Therefore, we can look to Nicodemus and the apostles for inspiration in asking sincere questions of God, to be patient in listening, and to trust in the grace of the Holy Spirit who will continue to open our minds and hearts. 

When the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost the apostles spilled out into the streets, filled with unimaginable joy and love, speaking in multiple languages to the extent that everyone there could not help but see and feel that something incredible was taking place. It was so powerful that 3000 people asked to be baptized. The same palpable spiritual power continued to pour forth from the apostles as they began to preach, heal, and baptize throughout the region: there were healings such as the beggar at the Beautiful Gate, and of many at Solomon’s portico (AA 3:1-10; AA 5:12-16). There were conversions such as Philip with the Ethiopian (AA 8:26-40), and the conversion and baptism of the entire household of a Roman centurion, Cornelius, an event often referred to as the second (or the Gentile) Pentecost. (AA 10:1-49). As Jesus had explained to Nicodemus, they had been born anew, that is, “from above.” (John 3:7) All these passages beg the question as to whether we believe that this still happens or if we think the Holy Spirit has somehow stopped sending these remarkable graces.  

Of course, the Holy Spirit has not ceased to act. If we do not see this action, perhaps it is because we need to learn more about Him in order to learn how to recognize His presence and action in our own life. We can begin by reading what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit in the Gospels.​* We can also reflect on our experience of the Sacraments. Do we believe, and therefore cultivate an awareness, that grace is present even if it is beyond words to express? Regardless of whether we feel something or not, when we receive a Sacrament something does move deep within our hearts and souls. That is, we have received the very same Holy Spirit as did the apostles in Jerusalem at the first Pentecost. We must remember, it is not that the power of the Holy Spirit has faded, but rather, it is our belief that these things can still happen which has waned. Because we have not been encouraged to do so, we fail to call upon Him as the first disciples did. It is not that the ‘big stuff’ was only for the first century, but rather, it is that we have not been taught to see and to recognize that the Holy Spirit is as active as ever, but is only as active as our cooperation! ** It is important to understand that miracles still do happen: every time there is a conversion or return to the faith, every time we are suffering, in darkness, or simply struggling over a decision and we come to peace, it is the action of the Holy Spirit. Every time the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus, it takes place through the power of the Holy Spirit. These are all miraculous since it is by the power of God and not our power that it is done. And if we invoke the power of the Holy Spirit in our prayer, He is equally present and active. With a heart and mind open to the Holy Spirit we can and will grow in holiness, evangelizing others simply by being witnesses to the powerful love of God.

May we be like Nicodemus, asking sincere questions, listening, and trusting in the grace of the Holy Spirit to open our minds and hearts! May we pray with the mysteries of Pentecost, seeking an enlivening of the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit! And may we work with the Holy Spirit in our efforts to spread the Kingdom of God! Let us meet in prayer, surrounded by the Holy Spirit! Peace!

​                                 ©Michele L. Catanese

* The main explanations that Jesus made are found in Luke 24:44-49 (after the Resurrection) and during the Last Supper Discourse in John’s Gospel, particularly in John 14:15-17, John 16:12-15; then after the Resurrection, John 20:22. Of course, there is the Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22) in which the Holy Spirit descended, as well as the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36) when again the Holy Spirit descends; thus in both events, the entire Trinity was manifested. (After the Resurrection in Matthew 28:16-20, baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a key understanding.)
** Remember that God respects our freedom and never forces Himself or His graces upon us.

Images:
1. Painting, Entretien de Jésus et de Nicodème (Interview Between Jesus and Nicodemus), by James Tissot (1886-94). Original in the Brooklyn Museum, NY.
2. My photo taken off the coast of Bar Harbor, Maine.
3. Painting, Envía tu Espíritu Señor y Renueva la Paz de la Tierra (Send Your Spirit Lord and Renew Peace on Earth), Chilean 
4. Painting, Bluebell Wood by Nicholas Hely Huntchinson.
5. Icon, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you would like to purchase a copy in one of a variety of mediums go to fineartamerica.com/featured/the-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-the-church-william-hart-mcnichols.html

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

May is a glorious month: Spring is well under way, it is the Easter season, there are new beginnings, and it is the month of Mary. If you have wondered why May has the designation as Mary’s month, as in all things there is a bit of history.* But while May ends with two major celebrations for Mary, (Mother of the Church and the Feast of the Visitation), ironically the ‘month of Mary’ begins with a celebration of St. Joseph! While there are liturgical reasons, it is not difficult to see how fitting this is. It is true that whenever we focus on Mary, Joseph is always silently in the background; without him, it would have been impossible for Mary to bring Jesus into the world alone without being in severe violation of Mosaic Law. Joseph was also needed to give Jesus the upbringing required for a young Jewish male, and to teach Jesus a trade, in this case carpentry. Finally, in a unique way both were the first disciples of Jesus, forming the first domestic church: the family. Together they are the best model for parenting and family life that we could imagine; we would do well to model our families after them, something which requires prayer and reflection. Therefore, we can find a message within the timing of these feasts. While celebrating Mary in the month we traditionally dedicate to her, it would be good to reflect on how we can be like Joseph, called to a similar role of assistance insofar as we unite our prayer to her and the intentions of her Immaculate Heart.

In praying about the feast we celebrated on May 1, St. Joseph the Worker, we can reflect upon some aspects of this hidden man who spoke not one word in the Gospels. We know little about his life except that he protected Jesus and Mary, guiding them to and from Egypt at the instruction of an angel. Joseph was a man of prayer who recognized the voice of God and trusted in Him, hearkening us back to his ancestor Abraham who, (like St. Joseph many generations later), did not know exactly where he was going when God asked him to leave his homeland, and did not know what to expect when he got there. St. Joseph also reminds us of another of his ancestors, the great-grandson of Abraham, the Old Testament Joseph who saved God’s people from starvation, (Genesis 37; 39-45), who knew how to hear God speaking in the midst of his dreams. Like them, St. Joseph embraced difficult times, followed God’s instruction through his dreams and protected those entrusted to him. It would be good to consider and then ask the Holy Spirit to receive the same virtues of patience, perseverance, discernment, and listening, as well as how we might serve the Lord humbly.

​In honoring Mary throughout May, it is important to reflect upon all that she did and exactly who she is: Mary is the humble woman who said yes to God continuously throughout her life, a life filled with single-hearted devotion, love, and service of Jesus. She was beloved by the followers of Jesus, central to their community in the time leading up to Pentecost, present with the 120 people gathered in the upper room. (Acts 1:13-2) The community had taken to heart that Jesus had entrusted her to John to be as a son to her, but that Jesus also gave her to all of us as our mother. John took her into his household; so, too, must we. Therefore, that we celebrate Mary as Mother of the Church the day following Pentecost Sunday is significant because we recognize that as Mother of the Church, she is our mother. And in celebrating the Visitation a few days later, we are called to do as she has always done, which is to serve God by serving His people: a heart filled with love for God will always express itself in this way. 

Just as St. Joseph assisted and supported Mary during his life, we are called similarly; just as Mary assists the efforts of Her Son to bring His message to the ends of the earth, we can assist her through our prayer and example. Mary aided the Church by her prayer at Pentecost; we, too, should call down the Holy Spirit on the world. Mary works to combat evil and build up the Kingdom of God; like St. Joseph we are called to support the work she indicates is needed for the reparation of sin and salvation of the world. Therefore, during our celebration and honoring of Mary this month, we should ask ourselves about the quality of our response to God, and how perhaps it could be better. It is a call to come closer to Jesus and to grow in gratitude for His mother, who He shares with us as our mother, too. She is the Queen of Heaven, and still is the humble woman who always puts her Son Jesus before herself. We are also invited to be like St. Joseph in bringing the Gospel to the world, humbly working without need of recognition. Together, Joseph and Mary remind us that we are one Church, one family, in need of guidance and protection in a world that presents a multitude of distractions and temptations. They offer the strength to persevere while inviting us to peace and joy in love of the Risen Jesus! Let us rejoice that we have them to show us the way!

May we accept the loving embrace of Mary and Joseph, letting them wrap our lives in theirs, guiding us to an ever deeper relationship with Jesus, our Lord! May we, like Mary and Joseph, learn to hear God’s voice as we prayerfully reflect and discern! And may we obtain the grace to offer ourselves as they did to serve God in whatever way we are called! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace! 

                                                                 
                                                                    ©Michele L. Catanese


Note:
*https://aleteia.org/2018/05/02/why-is-may-marys-month/?utm_campaign=EM-EN-Newsletter-Daily&utm_content=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid&utm_term=20230505
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​Images:
1. My photo, flowers by Lake Geneva, Montreux, Switzerland.
2. Icon, St. Joseph Mirror of Patience, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. ​If you would like to obtain a copy you can purchase one in one of many mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-joseph-mirror-of-patience-334-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Icon, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church by Fr. William Hart McNichols. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-the-church-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. My photo, family of Blue Herons, Rockport, Texas.
5. Oil painting, First Steps, after Millet (1890), by Vincent van Gogh. "In fall and winter 1889–90, while a voluntary patient at the asylum in Saint-Rémy, Van Gogh painted twenty-one copies after Millet, an artist he greatly admired. He considered his copies "translations" akin to a musician's interpretation of a composer's work. He let the black-and-white images—whether prints, reproductions, or, as here, a photograph that his brother, Theo, had sent—pose "as a subject," then he would "improvise color on it." For this work of January 1890, Van Gogh squared-up a photograph of Millet's First Steps and transferred it to the canvas." Description from https://customprints.metmuseum.org/detail/489071/van-gogh-first-steps-after-millet

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

​Stories are often far more impactful than detailed explanations, no matter how brilliant or deftly made. Because they are so effective I shared a short story with my Christian Spirituality classes to help them with a particular concept. The tale took place on a chess board, and all of the personified pieces were either caught up in yesterday or were obsessing about tomorrow; that is, until a unique character arrived to help them change their perspective, resulting in a joyful embracing of ‘the now.’* While the story was rather silly, the point was clear: being attuned to the present is essential to living a spiritual life. Just as we followed the footsteps of Jesus moment by painful moment to the Cross during Lent, after the Resurrection we follow His directive to bring the faith to the ends of the earth, looking toward eternal life, building up the Kingdom in the here and now. In other words, the Resurrection of Jesus and the graces that go with it sanctifies the present, the now, so that each moment contains the power of His love and mercy guiding His disciples in this life with an eye toward the next. 

Staying in the present is not as easy as it sounds, however. We are imperfect and our minds tend to wander, especially in this era in which there is a tremendous amount of information and stimuli available that attempts to entrap our attention. Especially difficult is the temptation to dwell on the past or to fixate on the future, tendencies which hinder our effectiveness as disciples. It is one of the reasons we have difficulty during prayer. Distractions often arise because our minds are somewhere other than in the present, contributing to the idea that we should just give up on prayer altogether. During spiritual direction sessions I have (on occasion) heard something like this: “I am not good at prayer. I do nothing but struggle.” The first issue is that we should never judge our prayer or the content of it. Prayer is a conversation with God, and He certainly is not judging it, so why should we? As for distractions during prayer, we all face them. I read somewhere that St. Teresa of Avila once said, “If you have distractions during prayer, it means you are alive.” It is true that distractions are a normal part of our humanness. But in order to deal with them we need to recognize that just about all of our distractions arise either from the past, such as memories that plague us, or from things we need to do, (or are hoping to do), in the future. These concerns need to be put into God’s hands so that we can be attentive to the present as He is speaking to us now. Simply put, we cannot be attentive to the movements of the Holy Spirit if we aren’t ‘here.’ **

Most of what ails us, so to speak, is a result of being unaware of the graces provided in our current moment. God is found in ‘the now;’ in truth, the only thing we can control in life is our response to Him in this moment. The past is over, though we can learn from it, rejoice in it, and God can heal it if need be; but we cannot change the reality of it. The future is not assured; and most of the time when it arrives, it is not what we had expected anyhow.  However, while making plans is prudent, we need to trust God and follow His call, something which requires opening ourselves to Him. As in all our relationships, the only way we can grow is by being attentive to the other in the present moment. If we dwell in the past or future, we are not truly paying attention to them, but rather, we are only paying attention to ourselves.

​Similarly, being attentive to the present moment will enliven our liturgical worship, particularly in how we receive the Word and the Eucharist. When we hear the Word we must not be tempted to think of it as a recitation of someone else’s past. It is our past, and it offers great insight; it is God’s message of love and mercy, made manifest in our present lives. And if we get distracted by the past or the future while participating in the Eucharist, (a sacred gift which should evoke reverence and awe), falling into a routine of receiving without being truly present to Christ, then we will miss an intimate encounter with the Living God who desires an intimate encounter with you.

We cannot hear God’s voice if we are not attentive to Him, and if we do not listen to Him, we cannot serve others effectively either. When we work at the habit of staying in the present, it will not only facilitate greater attentiveness to others, but it will also help us to become more self-aware; that is, we need to listen to what is going on within ourselves, too. Jesus came that we “might have life to the full.” (John 10:10, NIV) Living life to the full is about finding Jesus in the present moment, like Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb on Easter morning. She recognized Jesus when He pronounced her name, drawing her from the mourning of the past into the joy of the present. The Good News is that we, too, are called to nothing less than to encounter Jesus in the same way.

May we ask for the grace to be attentive to Jesus in the present! May we become less centered on self and more on others by being fully with them! And may we seek to be like Mary our Mother, in pondering what we receive in each moment so that we, too, may be able to say, "Your will be done!" Let us meet in this present moment in the Heart of our Risen Lord Jesus! Peace!

                                    ©Michele L. Catanese

*Twelve and One-Half Keys: Parable-Stories for those on a Mystic Journey, by Edward Hays, pages 65-72

**In general, most distractions hold us back from finding Jesus in the present moment of prayer. While some distractions appear to be random thoughts, distractions about the past might be an indication that we need to let go of something, or they can be an indication that we are in need of healing, whether it is something large or small. Thus, these concerns can sometimes be an invitation from the Lord to bring them (to Him) for healing. If it is some past failing that comes up, it can be a temptation from the enemy that is designed to keep us from progressing in the spiritual life. But Jesus offers mercy and freedom and whatever graces we need if we ask. (The Sacrament of Reconciliation is suggested for this, too.) If the distractions are about things we need to do in the future, we can pray for the grace to fulfill the task, ask God to heal our anxiety, teach us to trust in Him more, or something along those lines. We need to face the distractions head on, talk about them with God, listen for the movements within our heart that come from the Holy Spirit, put our cares in the Lord’s hands, and then move on in the prayer. And note that praying about some things is not a ‘one-shot deal:’ issues in need of healing and lessons to be learned take time. These issues can best be discerned and attended to with the help of a certified spiritual director who is trained in the practice of guiding people through these things. (By the way, one of the reasons we begin prayer with the Sign of the Cross is because the gesture is an acknowledgement that the time of prayer is not the same as what came before, intentionally inviting God to open our eyes to His presence as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in this present moment. We are basically acknowledging that this time is sacred.)

Images:
1. Photo, chess board with king and pawns, free stock photo.
2. Icon, St. Teresa of Avila by Fr. William Hart McNichols. This icon can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-teresa-of-avila-177-william-hart-mcnichols.html.
3. Painting, The Pond in Sunbeams by Aleksandr Dubrovsky, 2019.
4. My photo, Church in Nazareth, Israel. 
5. My photo, Lush forest in New Zealand, (North Island).
6. Icon, Our Lady of Silence, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. It takes entering into the silence of prayer to be able to say "Thy will be done." This icon can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/our-lady-of-silence-william-hart-mcnichols.html

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time

Easter finally arrived and it seems like it was not a moment too soon. That is part of the wondrous beauty of it: God appointed a time and place from the very beginning in which to work the greatest act of mercy and love ever known. It is important to devote the same amount time as we did during Lent to ponder the Easter mysteries, because the reality of the Resurrection is nothing short of breathtaking. It affects everything we do, everything we are as God’s adopted children, how we live our lives, our eventual deaths, and our eternity. We now shift perspective: in the weeks that led up to the Resurrection we looked toward the cross and waiting tomb, and from Easter onward we look away from the cross and tomb to Easter glory. We look at the power of the Resurrection and therefore, the effect the Risen Jesus had on the disciples and the growing community. The mercy of God is central to it all, obvious in that there was no condemnation proffered by the Risen Lord
who instead wanted them to understand all He had done. It is fitting, then, that the week after Easter we celebrate the Sunday of Divine Mercy. We must remember that the entire time Jesus suffered, particularly when He was on the cross, mercy was flowing from His stricken heart: He forgave those who crucified Him, and He even granted the gift of eternal life to a criminal crucified beside Him when he asked it of the dying Jesus. It was His mercy that descended to the place of the dead and released the souls of the just, bringing them into Paradise. And it was His mercy that rose on the third day, spared the frightened guards, appeared (no doubt) to His Mother,* and then to Mary Magdalene. One cannot separate mercy from love, any more than evil could separate the Son of God from us. He conquered sin and death. Alleluia! 

The mercy of Jesus is evident in His first encounters with the disciples who fearfully went into hiding. When He appeared in the Upper Room, they were not yet able to grasp that He would offer mercy rather than judgment. How surprised they must have been! Therefore, it would be good to reflect upon what it must have been like for them during those days between Jesus’ death and reports of His resurrection since we, too, often struggle with mystery, especially in the face of adversity. How would we have responded to such a situation? Perhaps like the apostles at first, we might be fearful or even compare ourselves to others, judging them or bearing anger toward them. We can guess that in those first days, in addition to their fear, there may have been some resentment among them. Perhaps they initially blamed Judas for his betrayal. Some of them may have even resented John, Peter, and Mary Magdalene who claimed to see Jesus resurrected when they had not. And just as they began to let grace take hold, Jesus did appear to them, but without Thomas present. Thomas, one who was so faithful during the ministry of Jesus, subsequently went into turmoil trying to believe how it could be true. After he considered their joyful stories and perhaps had an inkling of hope, would Thomas have resented that they saw Jesus and he didn’t? We do not really know, but they were human and they had just experienced the worst time in their lives; they must have wrestled with so many conflicting emotions and thoughts, including self-recrimination due to their actions. It is probably safe to say that until Jesus appeared to all of them and breathed the Holy Spirit upon them, they were in some considerable turmoil.

Fear, blame, resentment, and self-recrimination all take place in the absence of mercy. Therefore, when Mercy appeared before them, that is, the Risen Jesus, all of those feelings were washed away and their spirits were flooded with the joy of grace, especially when Jesus explained everything to them. It was as if their old selves had died and their new selves were raised to life in Christ; it was a ‘baptismal moment’ just as at our Baptism when we die to sin and rise from the waters with new life and in new relationship with God our Father. The mercy of Jesus dispelled all of their inclination to be afraid, or to have resentment directed toward others or toward themselves. Instead, they were filled with courage, wisdom, humility, gratitude, joy, and love, which are the ‘offspring’ of Divine Mercy. That is, these are the graces that fill us when we allow Divine Mercy to release what needs to be emptied. 

It was Divine Mercy that opened the eyes of two disciples who were fleeing Jerusalem and heading to Emmaus. Mercy is what Jesus offered Thomas when He let Him touch His hands and side. It was mercy that Jesus offered to Peter at the Sea of Galilee when He said, “Feed my sheep.” Therefore, as the disciples of Jesus today, we need to embrace the same great gift of Mercy, not only accepting it for ourselves, but in offering it to others as the best response of love that we can offer Jesus to express gratitude for all that He did in love for us. We do not deserve it, but the nature of God’s Mercy is that it is freely given. Indeed, Mercy died on Calvary, but in victory, Mercy rose on the 3rd day and is forever offered to us. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

May we rejoice at the gift of Divine Mercy! May we offer ourselves to serve Jesus as His disciples, renewed through the graces of Easter victory! And may we never fear to come before Jesus or to ask for the gift of His Divine Mercy which He lavishes upon all who ask! Let us meet in the heart of Divine Mercy! Peace!

                             ©Michele L. Catanese

* Tradition has it that Jesus appeared to His mother Mary before anyone else and that it is not recorded in Scripture because the moment would have been too personal and intimate to do so. Many theologians and saints, not the least of which was St. Ignatius of Loyola, believed that this encounter took place as such.

Final note: I must mention St. Faustina, the great saint of Divine Mercy insofar as Jesus appeared to her over a number of years explaining Divine Mercy and asked her to promulgate it. Her diary, known as The Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska, contains description of these appearances and all that Jesus told her. Of course, we cannot forget St. Pope John Paul II who established the Sunday after Easter as the liturgical feast of Divine Mercy. 

Images:
1. My photo of a Resurrection icon given to me as a gift. 
2. Icon, The Risen Lord Appears to St. Thomas, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, it can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-risen-lord-appears-to-st-thomas-257-william-hart-mcnichols.html.
3. Photo, Sunrise Over the Red Sea, unknown photographer.
​4. Painting, Taking the Backroad, by Kim Casebeer.
5. Painting, Divine Mercy, "Jesus I Trust in You." This painting was made based on a vision of Jesus experienced by St. Faustina. In the vision Jesus instructed her to have it made.
Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

As Holy Week begins our focus should move away from our own efforts in sacrificing to those of Jesus. The first three days of the week after Passion Sunday are actually the last three days of Lent, followed by the three days of the Easter Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The Triduum ends with the Easter Vigil, and therefore it is important to remember that we are at the tomb of Jesus until sundown; our prayer and sacrifice chosen for the season of Lent does not end until that point. Entering fully into those days is as important as what led up to them since they invite even greater immersion into the suffering and death of Jesus, freely chosen in order to complete the work of atoning for sin and bringing about salvation. In short, we turn our attention away from what we were doing throughout Lent, even though we were doing it for Him, and shift to watching and participating in the events that Jesus suffered during those days we call the Triduum. Our participation comes in the form of our private prayer and in reflecting upon the liturgies that are part of the Triduum, regardless if we are present in church or not. Every moment of those three days is about Jesus and what He suffered to enable what follows on Easter Sunday. 

Recently I read an excellent reflection by Heather King. In it, she referred to Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete, a Puerto Rican priest and theologian.* She quoted one of his books in which he used the term co-suffering in reference to sharing in the suffering of another. Msgr. Albacete said that it is not appropriate to be like the friends of Job who tried to explain suffering away, and that in fact, attempts at minimizing the suffering of another are harmful. Rather, he suggested, we should risk putting our own faith on the line by entering into the suffering of the one who does not have faith or who questions faith. This moved me to reflect upon what Jesus risked from the very first breath He took as an infant, becoming fully human while remaining fully God. How difficult it must have been when He came into conscious understanding of who He was and what He was to do, remaining in awareness of His full divinity while also living as fully human! How difficult it must have been when He was tempted in the desert as He fasted and prayed, knowing what was to follow in a few short years! How difficult it must have been to know that the people He chose as His closest friends would betray Him! How difficult it must have been with every healing and teaching to know that He would be rejected by His people! How difficult it must have been when He gave His Body and Blood as an everlasting gift at the Last Supper, knowing that some would not recognize His presence! How difficult it must have been to stand in the Garden of Gethsemane and say, “I AM,” and then choose suffering when the soldiers and Jewish officials came for Him!** Therefore, it is important for us to realize that Jesus’ sufferings did not begin at the agony in the Garden, but well before: the suffering of Jesus began with everything He did throughout His ministry. That isn’t to say that He did not have the joy that accompanied His good works and the love of His Holy parents and friends. But ultimately, Jesus knew that all He did would accompany Him to the Cross so that He could accomplish that for which He had come. 

A final thought on suffering: just as we would never dream of saying to Jesus (during His Passion), “There, there, you’ll be okay,” or “I understand what you are going through,” we should not say those things to those who suffer. Co-suffering means (to me) that we stand with the other, but we do not minimize or attempt to explain it away. Their suffering just is, and it is their road to holiness as much as it was Jesus’ road to our salvation. If there is anything at all we learn about suffering from Jesus, it is that suffering is a mystery, it’s causes, it content, the ‘why’ of it are not where we are invited; it is not about understanding, but rather about the experience itself and accompanying the one who suffers. Jesus suffered for us, and therefore suffering takes on value; if not, God would have chosen another way. What Jesus asks is that we accept what His cross won, and accept that no matter what happens in our life, no matter how little sense it seems to make, no matter how much our feelings seem to tell us that somehow God got it wrong, or at worst, that ‘there is no God because I am suffering,’ Jesus really is there with us. The suffering of Jesus teaches that He chose to go through worse things than we could ever imagine, not because He somehow deserved to take on the sin of humanity, or even that we deserved salvation, (because we certainly didn’t), but because His love for us is that great. We can pray and meditate upon this during our walk to the foot of the cross with Jesus this Holy Week. If we seek it, Jesus will help us more clearly grasp with our hearts rather than with our minds, what it means to be fully human through our suffering and fully loved through His.

May we who struggle with our faith during times of personal suffering find grace in Jesus! May we who struggle with being present to our loved ones who are suffering find Love in the wounded heart of Jesus! And may we, at the end of our Lenten journey, find joy in the knowledge that we are never alone! Let us meet on the road and at the cross! Triduum peace!

                                                                       
​                                                            ©Michele L. Catanese

* The article from Heather King was found in Angelus news on March 10, 2023. It is called Finding Freedom in Suffering. I highly recommend reading it. Toward the beginning of the article she wrote about Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete. The inspiration for my reflection here and the quote from Msgr. Albacete comes from his book, Cry of the Heart, as quoted by Heather. You can find all of this in her article at https://angelusnews.com/voices/finding-freedom-in-suffering/
** John 18:1-8

Images:
1. My photo; olive tree in an ancient olive grove in Israel.
2. Painting, The Guards Falling Backwards (Les gards tombant à la renverse), by James Tissot, 1886-94.
3. Icon, Jesus Christ Extreme Humility, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon at 
fineartamerica.com/featured/jesus-christ-extreme-humility-036-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. My photo, dry stream bed; Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas.

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time.

I remember learning a difficult lesson about sharing when I was a child. I was at my beloved maternal grandmother’s house for a meal, during which I took the last piece left on the serving platter. My grandmother quickly corrected me because I did not offer to share it with my brother. I was mortified because I loved her dearly and did not want to let her down in any way. However, the incident provided a valuable lesson mostly because in her correction she explained the reason sharing was so important. Although I do not remember her exact words, I know she said something about selfishness and that sharing was an act of love. When I got older the importance of sharing became clearer, especially as I realized that it is central to the message of Jesus. But it has also been my experience that all things are ‘improved’ when shared: food tastes better, material things offered to others are more satisfying, and experiences are wonderfully enhanced, all because the enjoyment is multiplied. Sharing is an act of love. Of course, the ultimate act of love was Jesus sharing Himself so fully that He poured out every last drop of His blood for us. The season of Lent, therefore, provides the opportunity to learn more deeply about love, and specifically the boundless, unfathomable love with which God loves us. In short, the heart of the message of Christ is that one must be willing to share everything; that is, to love without counting the cost.*​​

During Lent we are called to acts of greater almsgiving, prayer, and penance. But what we often overlook is that our sharing has to go to the next level if we are to enter into the challenge of the sacrificial love of Jesus. In other words, we need to be willing to enter into His suffering by sharing in the suffering of the people who are part of our lives, and no matter how briefly, of those we encounter but do not really know. It is good to share our goods with the poor via an agency or our church, but sharing is deeper when we actually become present to those in need, entering into their ‘world,’ letting their suffering become personal to us. It is also challenging to be attentive to the interior suffering of those who have the burden of bearing disease or serious woundedness, of those enduring a difficult situation, of those who can hardly cope because they are stressed and overwhelmed, or of those who are barely holding onto their faith. Until we share something of ourselves and accept what the other shares of him or herself, love is only on the surface and not fully in the heart. 

The most difficult sharing involves entering into the pain of another. It is so much easier to share when someone is at arm’s length, that is, when we do not enter in, but remain as if a dispassionate observer. However, when we do enter into someone’s suffering, we take on an entirely different kind of sharing, the deepest kind of love, that is, compassion.** When we truly enter into the suffering of another, (sharing it), we make ourselves vulnerable, a risky undertaking. Indeed, love is risky, but when we share in this way, we often find a kind of healing in it; we cannot take suffering away, but when shared it is less of a burden simply because we care enough to enter in. Of course, this holds true for our own suffering: it is an act of love to allow someone to enter into it with us, too. Remember, even Jesus needed someone to help Him carry His cross to Calvary.

As we enter more deeply into Lent, the challenge is to recognize that the sacrifice we are called to is the sharing of our love and our gifts in order to help someone grow in wholeness. It means that we have to listen, to sacrifice time in which we could be doing something else, and to be patient, all while risking rejection if the person is not yet ready for someone to love them in this way. This type of sharing also means we have to be willing to forgive time after time because the path to wholeness is not always one that the other may understand. It is also something that may be subject to ridicule and questioning by those who are observers of our action. In short, helping another person come to wholeness and healing, as well as the act of sharing our own pain, involves risk. All love does.

Sharing our lives in love is a priceless gift to those whom we accompany, especially because our love brings them to Christ. Further, when we share our lives as Jesus did, we enter into His heart more fully, coming to more insight into the sacrifice He made when He went to the cross. The call is to realize that it  is about more than giving up something for 40 days which we subsequently take up again, though those are real sacrifices and do have value. But the deeper Lenten sacrifice is to leave our comfort zone to immerse more deeply into the unfathomable love of God as we enter into Jesus’ suffering as experienced in the lives of our brothers and sisters; our prayer should be that our hearts are expanded permanently. Sharing in the sacrificial love of Christ is the call of all Christians, especially in this world of uncertainty. Indeed, it is at the heart of the message and of the life of Jesus.

May we ask Jesus to show us how to better accompany Him to the Cross and therefore, to holiness! May we learn more deeply the power of sharing through sacrificial love! And may our hearts be expanded and molded to be more like the Heart of Jesus! Let us meet on the road to the Cross upon which Love hung! Peace!

                                              ©Michele L. Catanese

* The following prayer about selfless giving, attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola, is what I had in mind here: “Dear Lord, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.” 
** Compassion means to suffer with. It comes from compassio (Latin): com = with; passio =suffering. 

Images:
1. My photo; a shared antipasto board, Ragusa, Sicily, Italy.
2. Painting, The Good Samaritan, by Vincent van Gogh.
3. Painting, Jesus Bearing the Cross, (Jésus chargé de la Croix, 1886-1894) by James Tissot. You can see Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus to bear the weight of the cross.
4. Photograph, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, (1901-1925). Bl. Pier Giorgio is an excellent example of one who gave without counting the cost. His selfless giving actually cost him his life when he contracted polio from a poor man he was aiding.
5. Icon, La Sangre de Cristo, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interesting in purchasing a copy, this icon can be found at fineartamerica.com/featured/la-sangre-de-cristo-242-william-hart-mcnichols.html
​6. My photo; a trail road on Copper Mountain, Copper, Colorado.

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

Not too long ago I had an experience that gave me some insight into a particular gospel passage. It came in the form of a laser procedure to remove some cloudy buildup in one of my eyes which had accumulated a few years after cataract surgery. To do this painless procedure the ophthalmologist had to dilate my eye, so although he said I would see more clearly about ten minutes after it was done, the dilation prevented true clarity. My sight was better than it had been, but the vision in the eye was still not as clear as is normal. Thankfully, once the dilation wore off, what had been incredibly cloudy was now completely healed. This experience reminded me of the gospel passage in which Jesus healed a blind man in Bethsaida. After Jesus put His spittle on the man’s eyes, the man said he could see, but indistinctly; he said that people looked like trees that were walking. Jesus laid His hands on him, praying a second time: “his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.” (Mark 8:22-26). It may seem odd that the man was not completely healed the first time, but rather it suggests that there was something deeper going on. Jesus fully intended to heal the man, but often growing in wholeness takes time and commitment. A process is much more impactful and revealing then something instantaneous in which we could conceivably learn nothing. Therefore, as we enter into Lent, let us be intentional about trusting in the 40 day process in which our eyes are gradually opened so we see more clearly, make progress in areas that are sinful or weak, and grow in our appreciation and love of the Lord.

​The Ash Wednesday liturgy was filled with imagery about things that render our vision unclear, emphasizing the effects of sin upon us.* Interestingly, even the act of receiving the ashes can have the effect of clouding our eyes: sometimes the ashes flake a little, becoming a bit uncomfortable and even somewhat annoying. But that is the point: recognition of our sinfulness should be uncomfortable and annoying. The ashes are a reminder that our vision is filled with the soot of our brokenness, clouding what we see. It is important to note that even after the ashes have been washed off, their presence remains in our hearts; the now invisible ashes serve as a reminder of the areas beneath the surface that are in need of purification and healing. The ash residue in our hearts calls us to name the areas of spiritual blindness we have, (sin and sinful attitudes), which cloud our vision so that we lose sight of who we are called to be and whose we are as beloved children of God. In turn, our penitence and sacrifice allows the Lord to enter into our hearts anew to heal us. 

Lent provides the opportunity to recognize the sinfulness that clouds our vision both individually and as a community: the Lenten journey is a call to the entire Church. Therefore, we are encouraged to increase almsgiving and works of mercy so we might look beyond ourselves to benefit the community in need, to minister to the Suffering Jesus in His people. Together at a liturgy, especially during the rite in which we received the ashes, we were called to the profound recognition that we make the journey and proceed in the process of Lent as a people. We are called to pray and sacrifice not only for ourselves and our own personal clarity, but also for the church and the world. The world has numerous areas of blindness which it has allowed to pass as sight; more frightening than anything else is when blindness is seen as vision, and sin is seen as virtue. Thus, we need to pray and work toward clarity both for ourselves and for our society in the face of accepted blindness. 

Jesus often confronted the Pharisees for that very reason. They were good men, but they had become blinded by their own hubris. We are basically good people, too, but if we want to avoid that kind of insidious pride and instead grow in awareness and wholeness, we must first accept that we are like that blind man of Bethsaida, that we need Jesus for healing to obtain greater clarity in our minds and hearts. It requires prayer, reading and reflecting upon the Scriptures, penance, and almsgiving (sacrifice and works of mercy). It is also good to be aware that if we are to stand against the sinful areas in our culture, we will need much fasting and prayer to persevere in faith and in living as true disciples of Christ. And remember, while Lent encourages fasting and abstinence, there are many important ways to fast besides omitting meals: “This rather is the fasting I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed,… sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked when you see them and not turning your back on your own.” (Isaiah 58:6-7)**

Fasting, abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving help us to gain the clarity we need to grow in love individually and also to be an instrument of healing for the wider community. God has always desired our hearts to be filled with mercy and love; hearts filled with mercy and love are hearts attuned to the Heart of the Savior, Jesus Christ. And hearts attuned to the Savior are close to Heaven, where, as St. Paul says, we will see distinctly. (Paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:12-13)

May we desire to see the way of God more clearly! May we accept the process of Lent, giving the time and commitment required for our growth! And when the process does not seem to make sense, may we trust in Jesus for complete healing! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                                                              ©Michele L. Catanese

* The first reading at the liturgy, Joel 2:12-18, and the receiving of the ashes are examples of the imagery that shows the effect of sin. Of course, it is also our need for penitence. 
** What God spoke through Isaiah is much the same as what Jesus taught in Matthew 25. Jesus said these actions are essential to our spiritual life. We now refer to them as the Corporal Works of Mercy.

Images:
1. Painting, Healing of a Blind Man, by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1308-11).
2. Painting, Composition, by Mark Rothko (1959).
3. My photo of people gathered at Mass, a community coming together for worship.
4. Painting, Works of Mercy, unknown.
5. Image, Heart of the Mother, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this at ​https://fineartamerica.com/featured/heart-of-the-mother-252-william-hart-mcnichols.html

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

A few weeks ago I heard a story that impacted my reflection on the upcoming season of Lent. Told by Fr. Mike Schmitz,* it was a true story of a man in China who was willing to give up his life in order to protect a priest and thus, access to the Eucharist. His home was raided while he was hosting an ‘illegal’ Mass, and unable to escape, he was arrested and tortured terribly. Never revealing information, he was finally set free and managed to flee to America. For the first time he and his family could openly practice their faith by attending Mass daily, a luxury they did not have in China. Soon he found work and could not attend Mass daily, but went on Sunday. Then he discovered that he could make more money working weekends, and therefore stopped going to Mass regularly. Eventually he stopped going altogether, having lost the ‘habit’ of doing so. In fact, this man who had been willing to give his life to protect the Eucharist, no longer believed. Fr. Mike’s final statement was disturbing, yet clear: what the atheistic communist regime in China could not do even through torture, our secular culture did! It is shocking, but important that we recognize the strength of our culture. None of us are immune to the subtle and not-so-subtle influences that work to move us away from our Christian values, tempting us to walk away altogether. Therefore, as we enter into the season of Lent let us take the opportunity to reflect upon the pull of culture and that which we need to do to increase and safeguard our commitment to the Lord. 

Perhaps we have never approached Lent this way, given the rightful emphasis on penitence and reflection on the suffering of Jesus. Making a sacrifice and taking the time for prayer and reflection are practices that do strengthen our faith. However, I suggest refocusing the question from ‘What will I give up for Lent?’ to ‘What am I willing to sacrifice during Lent for Jesus?’ This is about more than semantics; after all, we do not sacrifice for a season, but rather, we sacrifice for a person. In this case, that person is Jesus Christ. Thus, Lent implies more than a shift in attitude for 40 days, but rather, an impact that changes us: we leave Lent different than we ‘went in.’ The sacrifices we undertake, the sinful habits we are trying to overcome, and even the renewed prayerful practices we choose, are vehicles to Him. They are the means to an end, which is to know, serve, and love Jesus more deeply. Lent, therefore, involves pondering our lives into the future: Would I be willing to make sacrifices not only to safeguard my faith, but that of my family? Would I be willing to stand up for my faith if… no, when… challenged by the culture? (Truly, the challenges are here now.) 

As we traverse the road with Him, what if Jesus asked for a deeper, more challenging commitment? What if He asked: “Would you give your life for me?” It is a question that should give us real pause; even if it is not necessarily about physical death, but instead implies a change of heart (conversion), it is still quite a difficult question. To ‘lay down our life’ by accepting His will (and not ours) is not at all easy because it requires taking up a newer, deeper life in Christ, leaving comfortable ways behind, and living our faith more visibly; it is about trusting Him completely. It is difficult to resist the lures of our culture which lead away from growing in Christian virtue; and it is arduous to recognize and ask forgiveness for our sinful vices, weaknesses, and behaviors so that our hearts might be purified. But we need not fear because the good news is that Jesus is with us always, giving us the graces we need to live such a courageous life. 

In order to prepare and then enter into Lent here are some questions to consider: What if we sacrifice some of the time we spend on social media to study our faith and the Scriptures instead? What if we watched shows of value instead of spending time with movies and games filled with sex and violence? What if we became more intentional in defending or spreading the faith by not allowing those we are with to denigrate it? What if we tried something new, such as a new ministry, rather than be too fearful to leave our ‘comfort zone?’ What if we spent more quality time with our children and spouses in order to learn to be present to one another? What if we are called to reach out to someone we usually try to avoid because ‘they take too much of my time?’ All of these small sacrifices can help us to shift our priorities so that we might live for Christ, being as Christ.

Of course, not everything offered by our culture is bad; life is beautiful and we are meant to find joy in it. However, anything that pushes even the slightest wedge into our good practices and our faith will eventually tear us away from God altogether. What is important is that we put things into right perspective, discerning what leads us to God and what leads us away. The truth is that we are not called to undertake ‘heroic’ penances or any type of sacrifice simply because it is Lent. Rather, conversion deepened through our practices should open our hearts wider than they were previously so that we are willing to take the risk of loving as Jesus does. 

May we be willing to sacrifice, giving our lives more fully to Jesus! May we become more courageous in visibly and openly living our faith! And may we put our trust in Jesus completely! Let us pray for one another this Lent as we meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                                           ©Michele L. Catanese

* I was already inspired to write on the ideas in this entry, and then heard the homily by Fr. Mike Schmitz during which he shared this true story, told to him by the priest who knew the man. Hearing the story 'encouraged' me to develop my reflection. If you have not listened to Fr. Mike, he does some brilliant series' (podcasts): The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year. You can find the links to both of these on my Links page (tab above). Below is the link to the homilies.
​https://ascensionpress.com/pages/sundayhomilies?utm_campaign=gs-2020-10-16&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQiA54KfBhCKARIsAJzSrdo1_0Dzty3CKS2SB7BQ_Au5VhJOwESTcbzoX38lnwrkozJ5k9hHJMwaAjzeEALw_wcB

​Images:
1. Photo, priest praying Eucharistic prayer at Mass.
2. Clip art, Ashes.
3. Icon, St. Ignatius and the Passion of the World in the 21st Century, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you would like to obtain a copy you can find this icon at fineartamerica.com/featured/st-ignatius-and-the-passion-of-the-world-in-the-21st-century-194-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. Painting, Two Young Peasant Women, by Camille Pissarro (1891-1892)
5. Painting, Divine Mercy, Jesus I Trust in You!

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

Every so often we may hear a statement prefaced with the phrase “in a perfect world” indicating that what is to follow is not possible in this one. We know that this world, beautiful as it is, is nowhere near perfect, but even with that understanding we sometimes act as if somehow it can be made so. The world will never be perfect, and to think it could be is not only a false expectation, but it implies that we do not need the goal of Heaven since it can be perfect here. This is not our final destination; however, we are here now and so it is important to appreciate the gift of life while keeping our hearts oriented toward Heaven. Rather than throwing our hands up in despair or futility because of the suffering and darkness present in the world, we need to bring the light of Christ into this world to help people prepare for the next. Living the gospels calls us to do what we can to overcome evil and resist the degradation of Christian morals and values, to work at helping the poor, visiting the lonely, assisting the marginalized, welcoming the stranger, and bringing justice where it is absent. But expecting perfection will only bring about frustration and burnout. Only God can perfect anything, and our role is to work with Him remembering that we are not the source of grace and wisdom, but that He is. Therefore, it is better to work at being a blessing to others during our time in the world, while still keeping our eyes turned toward our true home in the perfect ‘world’ for which we yearn, that is, Heaven.

Expectations aimed at ourselves can be dangerous if they are unrealistic, especially if we ‘beat ourselves up’ when we fall short. Indeed we are to work towards perfection, but the operative word here is “towards.” Pursuit of growth in holiness is realistic, and it is our call, but perfection is for the next life, not this one. Once we get over false expectations for personal perfection and our subsequent belief that this life should be perfect, we are freer to work on getting to the life that is. In other words, we have to let go of that nagging set of expectations we have for ourselves and accept who we are with the same mercy that the Lord does. God will reveal the areas on which we need to work, and He will give us the needed graces. Our cooperation with Him will open us to greater freedom as we grow into the person He has created us to be. To be holy is to be free, and it is in this freedom that we best bring Christ into the world. 

By holding ourselves hostage to unrealistic expectations we run the risk of (unintentionally) adopting a judgmental and/or condescending attitude toward others. If we do not measure up, they never will either. This was exactly what Jesus experienced during His ministry: His family and friends from Nazareth thought He had lost His mind, while others claimed He was possessed. They expected Jesus to be ordinary because they were ordinary. Some of the Jewish religious authorities expected a military leader like David. Even one of His own (future) apostles expressed a form of expectation when he said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (Nathaniel, in John 1:46) No one expected Jesus in the way He came; their expectations led them into narrow-mindedness and spiritual blindness. Thus, they rejected the One for whom they had waited because He did not ‘fit the bill.’

In order to prevent ourselves from falling into the same mistaken thinking, it is important to continually work on our relationship with God. He reveals Himself to us as He sees fit; He never changes, but our understanding of Him and what He desires for us will continue to grow. If we expect Him to only act in a certain way based on past experience, misinformation, or on what the enemy tries to imply is ‘true’ about Him using the pull of our secular culture to lure us away, then we will not find Him. Therefore, it is important to learn to recognize the presence of God as He has revealed Himself throughout history and how He comes to us in this present moment. It is through study of the Bible and of our faith that we can learn more about Him, and it is in our prayer that we best come to know Him. Note the distinction between knowing about God and knowing God. Both are essentially important, but it is in prayer that we cultivate our relationship with Him; we learn to recognize Him, to discern His will more clearly, experience His mercy and love more intimately, and in turn, fall more deeply in love with Him. If we actively seek the Lord, we will find Him, although not always in the ways we expect. He has promised this, saying, “When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord, and I will change your lot.” (Jeremiah 29:12-14) To desire the perfect world of the next life is our goal, but it means that in the ‘here and now’ we heed the call to grow in holiness, that is, to grow in love and mercy. If we align ourselves to Jesus and the Truth He reveals, all things are possible.

​May we seek the Lord all the days of our life! May we strive for holiness and the freedom that it brings! May we work to better the world by being a blessing to others, revealing Christ’s love and mercy! And may we never take our eyes off Jesus, the Savior! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                          ©Michele L. Catanese

Note: As a spiritual director I must suggest a great way to get in touch with what leads to greater interior freedom: to receive spiritual direction. Because we are bogged down with a lifetime of experiences filled with perceptions both real and presumed, all of us are quite biased in how we see ourselves and consequently, how we see God. A spiritual director observes from outside those biases, and so the director can help the directee become aware of these things, helping them come to greater freedom and insight as to how God is working in them. The directee grows in greater intimacy with God through their prayer; they develop a greater understanding of God’s love and mercy extended to them, and grow in deeper love for Him accompanied by a greater desire to serve Him in order to express that love. Therefore, the person grows as a disciple, learning to discern what leads to God and what moves them away. They often begin to see God’s presence in everything, while simultaneously becoming more acutely aware of the power of sin in the world. Spiritual direction can help us to have a clearer understanding of how we are called to be His disciple in the midst of our present circumstances so as to withstand the power of evil and work toward the perfection for which we yearn.
- A song I really love kept coming to mind when I was writing this, Where I Belong by Building 429. Here is a link to a video of them performing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he32vwlKQPY

Images:
1. My photo, taken in Dunedin, New Zealand. 
2. Oil painting, Portrait of Dr. Gachet (first version) by Vincent van Gogh (1890) Of this the artist said, "I've done the portrait of M. Gachet with a melancholy expression, which might well seem like a grimace to those who see it."
(Vincent in a letter to his brother Theo)
3. Painting, Jesus Unrolls the Scroll in the Synagogue, by James Tissot. Jesus was not accepted in Nazareth after he did this in the synagogue there.
4. My photo, the Alps near Chamanix, France.
5. Icon, El Buen Pastor by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/el-buen-pastor-188-william-hart-mcnichols.html
Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

A number of months ago I tried to watch an old movie about St. Joseph of Cupertino, a saint that I knew little about. The film turned out to be so ridiculous that I only made it about a third of the way through before bailing out. However, a few weeks later I came across mention of St. Joseph again, so I decided to get to know more about him. The corny film notwithstanding, I was reluctant to pursue this saint because the only thing that I did know about him was, well… odd: St. Joseph of Cupertino had a propensity to ‘fly’ when he went into prayerful ecstasy. Trying to put that aside, I researched his life only to discover a truly inspiring man. It provided a good lesson: instead of relegating him or any other saint to the ‘disregard’ category, it is important to go deeper than what is on the surface. There are always good reasons why a person is canonized, but it especially serves as a reminder that evidence of spiritual phenomenon is not a criterion for Sainthood.* It is also important to remember that pre-judging and dismissing any person because of one thing we have heard can be dangerous and can lead to false conclusions. There is always more to a person than what we see. 

St. Joseph, often (unfortunately) referred to as the flying saint, was born in Cupertino, near Naples, Italy in 1603. He was considered stupid, clumsy, and unreliable, enduring cruel comments or pranks quite regularly. Today we would recognize that he had learning and perhaps physical disabilities, but during his lifetime there were no such sensitivities. Joseph had a compassionate, forgiving heart, so being mistreated did not seem to deter him from being who he was. He loved God deeply, and desiring to serve Him, he attempted to become a monk, though no congregation would have him. Eventually the Capuchins let him take care of their mules, but soon discovered his considerable holiness evident in his great humility and obedience. God graced Joseph with infused spiritual knowledge and wisdom, so even with his almost overwhelming disabilities he was able to be ordained to the priesthood. Joseph was beloved as a confessor, but even with his reputation for holiness, he still suffered greatly at the hands of those who did not understand him.

It is important to look past the distraction of the ‘flying’ and focus on the reality that the Church saw something in Joseph worthy of emulation as well as canonization. There are many reasons, but his humility underscores that God chooses the foolish to shame the wise. (1 Corinthians 1:27) There have been many saints throughout history to whom this could apply, and we should not forget that Jesus was also one who was scorned and rejected. The saints who were undeterred in loving and serving God openly, without thought of how they were treated, were in some ways the most like Jesus. St. Joseph approached God with a childlike trust that bore fruit so abundantly that he became well sought after as a confessor and even as a great preacher. He suffered greatly at the hands of those who only fixated on his disabilities and ‘shortcomings’ which were in reality the source of his strength and also his holiness. Rather than viewing his flying during ecstasies as a ‘turn-off,’ we should consider that perhaps his spirit soared with such joy in loving God that his body could not contain it and so it found expression in an unusual way. That St. Joseph loved God to that degree is quite inspiring. With his humility, compassion, and love for the Lord he truly is a saint one might choose as a patron and indeed, is someone to be emulated. 

The life of St. Joseph of Cupertino reminds us that followers of Jesus are outcasts, given that our society is becoming more hostile to Christian virtues with each passing year. From him we also learn that even the least likely people, including ourselves, can inspire others to reach the heights of sanctity, (pun intended), and that we should never discount anyone due to a disability or trait they possess that seems strange. In fact, all of us are sinners filled with imperfections, yet all are called to grow in holiness. St. Paul wrote, “[In Him]… you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:7) Paul wrote this to a community of people struggling with great sin. He would not have encouraged them in this way if holiness was not possible.

Throughout history the Church has continued to emphasize our call to holiness. The example of St. Joseph of Cupertino teaches that the expression of it will be different for each person. Therefore, it would be good to reflect upon whether we have a pre-conceived idea of what holiness ‘looks like' that could prevent us from considering certain people as the holy people they really are. Who inspires us, a canonized saint, a living person, or both? Do we approach God in gratitude for that person? Do we try to find inspiration to become holier ourselves through their example that we might inspire others in turn? Finally, our desire for holiness needs to be rooted in prayer, our relationship of love with the Lord. From this love our lives can become an offering of gratitude to God. If we can do this, then we, too, will take flight, not literally, but within our hearts, as we open our hearts to God’s love and respond in gratitude.

May we be inspired by St. Joseph of Cupertino to grow in holiness! May we cultivate a deeper relationship with God to better serve Him and therefore inspire others to grow in faith! And may we always turn to Jesus and His teaching for all that we need to grow in love and service! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                                 ©Michele L. Catanese

*Spiritual phenomena are not necessarily signs of holiness, and putting ‘stock’ in them is not a requirement of the faith. No matter how we feel about spiritual phenomenon, however, there are many accounts of saints who exhibited these gifts and it is a mystery why God offers them. We should never aspire to have a particular gift, especially one of the more ‘unusual’ ones, because they are just that: gifts bestowed by God for reasons known to Him alone. Also, we should not let the gifts that we do not understand, but which are evident in others, put us off, and neither should we scoff at spiritual phenomena we do not understand; God can do anything, and so He can (and still does) work through signs and wonders. No matter what we might think about these things, if witnessing outward signs serves to bring someone closer to Christ, then in fact, it has its purpose.

Note:
St. Faustina wrote in her Dairy about how much she loved the yearly pairing with a patron saint practiced by her religious community at the beginning of a new year. In some sort of random choosing, they would be paired with a particular saint who would ‘accompany’ them as guide and intercessor throughout the year. Sounds like a great way to get to know unfamiliar saints, and to perhaps let one particular trait or virtue of that saint serve as inspiration.

Images:
1. My photo, Mt. Vesuvius taken in a vineyard outside of Naples, near Pompeii, Italy. St. Joseph of Cupertino was from the Naples area.
2. Painting, St. Joseph of Cupertino. It is difficult to find a painting of St. Joseph in which he is not flying. He is quite stuck in that stereotype; I hope I dispelled it somewhat.
3. Icon, Jesus Christ Extreme Humility, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. The saints were people who developed the virtue of humility and of course, Jesus exemplified humility greater than any other. Many of them suffered throughout their lifetime, suffering sometimes silently and sometimes quite visibly. You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/jesus-christ-extreme-humility-036-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. Painting, Wheatfield Under a Stormy Sky, by Vincent van Gogh. 
5. My photo of a pelican taken in Rockport, Texas. I chose the pelican since they appear to be ungainly and clumsy, but if you watch them fly, they are incredibly graceful.
6. Icon Cross, The Cross of Life - The Flowering Cross, by Fr. William Hart McNichols.  If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this in one of a number of mediums in which it is available, you can find this at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-cross-of-life-the-flowering-cross-william-hart-mcnichols.html. (Remember, I get nothing from endorsing his work, except the joy of sharing it!)

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time.