Advent has begun, and though our intentions may be good, when the season comes to a close we could find that it came and went without our ever having delved into its richness and beauty, but that instead we spent the time trying to ‘beat the clock’ to Christmas. It is true that for some this time can be stressful rather than filled with the joy which is truly at the heart of the season. But these four weeks do offer us an opportunity to deepen our lives of faith as we await the coming of Jesus; there is a way to keep a healthy balance between our ‘secular’ activities and spiritual life. If we look to the Scripture readings for each Sunday of Advent (and better yet, if we pray with the readings for each day of the season) and reflect upon their message throughout the week which follows, we can immerse ourselves in Advent themes. It does take discipline to keep Jesus as our focus when things get busy, but we do not have to avoid the various activities and festivities which present themselves. In fact, we can sanctify every aspect of these next weeks by consciously doing everything with our heart centered on the coming of Christ.

Advent begins with a sense of anticipation for all that is to come throughout the season, culminating at Christmas. So when we hear the opening words of the first (Sunday) reading of Advent, we can begin to direct every aspect of our December journey toward becoming infused with the sacred: “The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land.” (Jeremiah 33:14-15)* With these words we are reminded that no matter what happens in the next four weeks, the most important thing is to remember that God fulfills His promises because of His great love, always within the context of mercy and justice. As we prepare for Christmas and desire to participate in the season of Advent without losing its richness, we can look to all of our encounters as opportunities for offering mercy and being just; that is, to act with respect for the dignity of others. Not only will Advent become a time of great depth, but we will grow in holiness, preparing for the return of the Lord in due course.

The Old Testament readings for the Sundays of the first two weeks of Advent, respectively from the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Baruch, are a good place to begin, and a little background will help in understanding the connection between the two men. Jeremiah was a major prophet and Baruch was Jeremiah’s scribe, recording his prophecies. Thus, the prophecies and letters in the Book of Jeremiah, the Book of Lamentations, and the Book of Baruch are all the words of Jeremiah as recorded by Baruch. They were friends, and to Baruch’s credit, he was one of the few who stuck with Jeremiah when all others turned against him. But Baruch was not a prophet! Despite this fact, Baruch teaches us a profound lesson: we can live prophetically without having to be a prophet!

​There is an important distinction about what it meant to be a prophet in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word which is translated to ‘prophet’ is ‘nabi,’ which means “God’s mouthpiece.” Prophets did not foretell the future; rather, they confronted the people when God was displeased with their behavior, (breaking the covenant), and then tried to encourage a return to God lest calamity would befall them. God did give the prophet knowledge of what could happen if the people persisted in their sinfulness, but the prophet had no way of knowing if it would actually happen or how it would happen because they did not know how the people would respond. The prophet was a messenger and therefore he (or she)** was not a judge of the people: judging was God’s job. Thus, Jeremiah was a ‘mouthpiece’ for God, speaking His word consistently for many years. Since Baruch was the man who recorded Jeremiah’s words, we could say he was ‘the mouthpiece for the mouthpiece.’ Or we could say that he learned to live prophetically by literally following in the footsteps of Jeremiah, going where he went, assisting him, and even risking his own life by rescuing him from prison as Jerusalem fell. Baruch made sure the words of Jeremiah found their audience, often doing so quite heroically and at great risk to his own safety.

In the Old Testament reading for the First Sunday of Advent, Jeremiah proclaims the fulfillment of God’s promise through the coming of the Messiah (Jeremiah 33:14-16). And on the Second Sunday we hear: “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning… put on the splendor of glory from God forever,” and that "God is leading Israel in joy by the light of His glory, with His mercy and justice for company.” (Baruch 5:1-9) In this, Baruch emphasizes another lesson in living prophetically: to live with hope. While the gospels for these same weeks are seemingly in stark contrast, and one describes the coming of Christ on a day that will “assault them” (Luke 21:35), we need to remember that the message there is intended for those who are not prepared for Jesus to return because they have rejected God outright or have neglected any kind of relationship with Him. For them, the coming of Jesus will be difficult: His judgment, even though accompanied by mercy, will be sudden and severe. But for those who have heeded the message of Jeremiah, as revealed by Baruch, hope lies in being prepared through the sincerity of our love, (not in our perfection): for the faithful, mercy will be the mainstay, and judgment will find them worthy and ready. These readings are a strong lesson in prophetic living, which is that we live with hope and that our hope should be shared.

Thus, Baruch teaches us that to live prophetically is to have the hope which prepares us at every moment for the Messiah to come into our midst. He teaches us that to be heroic in our hope we need to make sure the message is shared. He teaches us to seek mercy and to give it, and he teaches us to be just in order to work toward greater justice in the world. Finally, Baruch teaches us that we must learn to listen and discern. To have aligned with Jeremiah who was treated as a pariah, and to have spent his life writing and distributing his words meant that Baruch had to pray about what he heard and to recognize whether the message was consistent with what God had revealed in the past. Therefore, he had to truly hear the message, pray over it, and then act upon it.

​In order to enter into Advent more fully we need to act as a messenger in the way in which Baruch did. That means we listen to the Lord in our prayer and we reflect over the words of the Advent Scripture readings, letting them take root in our hearts. It only takes a few minutes each day to do this. And like Baruch, we must be willing to act a bit heroically with kindness, peace, and love. We do this by offering respect and dignity (through our time, talent, and/or treasure) to the poor, the lonely, the downtrodden, the depressed, the ill, the marginalized, and the outcast, welcoming them into our friendship. We need to let mercy and justice be our company, bringing love to those who are without it, forgiving those who have wronged us, and working for a more just world through our actions. We must break down the walls of prejudice and hatred by being open to the alien and welcoming to the stranger. We must be an example of mercy and compassion to those who are not merciful and compassionate. In doing so, we will be living the message of the One for whom we wait: Jesus.

This way of living is not only prophetic living, it is Advent living. It is inviting the Word into our world anew, preparing a place for Jesus in our heart so His love can transform our seasonal activities: all our celebrations with friends and families, our dinner preparations, gift choosing and giving, our singing and decorating, become the secular made sacred. Letting everything in our lives become sanctified is what the spiritual life is about. Therefore, we look to the day of Jesus’ coming with joy knowing that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:6) As we ready the stable for His arrival, and as we ready our hearts to greet Him, let us rejoice that when Jesus comes, He will have mercy and justice for company.

​May we welcome the season of Advent! May we have the discipline to spend quality time with the Scriptures of Advent every day! May we recognize the presence of God who comes with mercy and justice for company! May we be inspired by the friendship of Jeremiah and Baruch, that we might be filled with gratitude for the friends who accompany us! May we be like Baruch, willing to spread God’s message in word and deed! And may we find comfort in all the holy ones who come to us during Advent, John the Baptist, the angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, who teach us how to wait in reflection and joyful expectation, and then to act on what we learn! Let us meet in our prayer, awaiting the birth of our Lord, Jesus! Maranatha! Come, Emmanuel, come!

                                                    ©Michele L. Catanese

* The translation I am using for all the Scripture passages is the New American Bible.
** By the definition I have used, Deborah, (Book of Judges) was considered a prophet.
 
​Note: Next post will be December 17.

Images:
1. This is a photo I took on a rare snow day in Houston a few years back. The lemon on the tree, and all the plants, were 'surprised' by snow in December that year. I chose this picture for the opening of the entry because it seemed like winter, and obviously Advent, was in a hurry to come that year. There is a lesson in readiness here.

2. This incredible painting is called The Appearance of Christ Before the People, by Russian artist Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov. (1837-57) I love this because it shows Jesus coming over a hill into the scene as John the Baptizer points to Him declaring: "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The future apostles Peter, Andrew, John, and Nathaniel are there, as well as the rich young man who would have an encounter with Jesus later on. I found this on a website which is worth a look at, (Aletieia) along with other artistic works, and that is where I obtained the explanation as well. https://aleteia.org/slideshow/slideshow-russian-art-goes-to-the-vatican 
​
3. This is an icon of Jeremiah and Baruch which is housed in the Heritage Museum in Amsterdam. It was one of the few icons I could find which depicted both men.

4. I took this photo of Mont Blanc in the French Alps during a recent trip to Europe. I thought it would be appropriate here because it speaks of the glory and splendor of God.

5. Since I emphasized that prophetic living includes living with hope which we share, it only seemed right that I have this icon accompany the text. This is Mother of Holy Hope, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. It would be inappropriate, in my mind, to write an Advent blog without a pregnant Mary accompanying it. No one speaks to Advent more than Mary, the Mother of our Lord. You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/mother-of-holy-hope-263-william-hart-mcnichols.html

6 & 7. I chose to use the Advent wreath with one candle lit since this will be posted for the first week in Advent. But since I referred to the readings of week 1 and 2, and because I will not be posting again until week 3, it seemed like there should be both candles lit at the end of the post.

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 I get older the one thing which is increasingly certain is that every day is a gift. Life, (for better or worse), is never traveled solo and thus we are accompanied by our beloved friends and family who are with us sometimes for more and sometimes for less of the path. And of course, there is our one constant companion: God. So even as things change and our physical life becomes a bit less reliable than it once was, spiritual life can – and should – continue to grow and increase. If we exercise our faith, hope, and love, and if we pray, study the Scriptures, seek God around us and within those we meet, our spiritual life will become increasingly stronger, especially when we need it most. Every day is a gift, especially because we know that tomorrow is not guaranteed to be as it was today. In fact, it is not guaranteed at all! For people of faith this is not overly daunting: we know that though we do have to carry our cross, God offers assistance (graces) on the road and helps us to make it to our goal of life with Him forever. It is important, then, that we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit in order to learn to see and hear differently so that we come to realize that truly no day is ordinary at all. Each day provides opportunities to find Jesus in the midst of our own joys and sufferings as well as in those of the people we accompany. It takes trust and time to develop the ability to see and hear in this way, but if we are mindful of God in our midst, we can accept the gift we are given with grace and even with joy.

One such opportunity to grow is provided by the prophet Malachi. His book begins with the words: “I love you, says the Lord.” It is comforting, to say the least, especially because we know that what follows in the writings of the prophet will be confrontational. Yet even with his harsh rebukes, Malachi wraps the book in love: he begins with a reminder of God’s love and he concludes with God’s promise to actually send that love into the world, which is to say, that the Messiah would come soon. He also said that the Messiah would be preceded by a forerunner who would prepare the way before Him. The last passage says: “Now I am sending to you Elijah the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day.” (Malachi 3:22-23) However, when Jesus came He clarified that it was not literally Elijah who was the forerunner, but it was the one who was to act as Elijah, namely John the Baptizer. 

The Book of Malachi is interesting because of its position as the last book of the Old Testament. The Old Testament books are not presented in chronological order, (except the texts within the Historical Books.) The four sections are presented like this: the Pentateuch (Law), the Historical Books, the Wisdom books (historically written last, closest to the time of Christ), and the Prophetic Books with Malachi at the end of that section. One would expect the books written closest to the time of Jesus to be found at the end of the Old Testament, but the Prophets were placed last because of the final words of Malachi’s message: the forerunner is coming to prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah. Therefore when we ‘turn the page’ we are at the New Testament, starting with the Gospel of Matthew which begins with the genealogy of “Jesus the Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matt 1:1) Hence, because Malachi began his book with a reminder of God’s love and ended it with the promise of the coming Messiah, it directly connects us to the Good News of the culmination of that love, namely Jesus Christ. 

What comes between that first and last passage in the Book of Malachi is not as easy to hear because Malachi did what all true prophets do: he shook up the status quo with some rather sharp accusations. We know little of who Malachi was except that he wrote in 455 BC and was concerned about the impact his words would have. To protect himself he wrote anonymously by creating the pseudonym ‘Malachi’ which came from putting together two Hebrew words that translate to ‘My Messenger.’ Thus, all we really know about this prophet is that he understood his role as a messenger of God and that it meant he was to deliver a warning to the Jewish people who had been freed from a terrible exile about 100 years earlier and were slip-sliding down a dangerous path again. This time idolatry was not the issue at the heart of it, but rather that  God was displeased with their practice of intermarriage with pagans as well as the insincerity and abuses in worship which were being perpetuated by the priestly class. (The Covenant forbade marrying foreigners because the fear was that pagan practices would take root, driving the people further from God.) 

Malachi made it clear that God was ‘weary’ from the people’s perversion of the Law into what they wanted it to mean rather than what God intended. They would ask “Where is the just God?” as if to rationalize their views rather than accept the truth of the Laws which had always guided them and were given them by God as a sign of His love. Malachi prophesied that there would be judgment upon those who abused their spouses, were deceitful, deprived laborers of just wages, oppressed widows and orphans, and turned aside resident aliens without regard for God’s love and mercy. God’s message went on to say that He does not change, (His love does not diminish), inviting the people to return to Him lest they fall too far away.

​For the Book of Malachi to be meaningful, particularly at this time of year, we should spend time in reflection and in examination of our conscience in order to look at how we are preparing our own path for the coming of Christ at the end of our life and for His triumphal return at the end of time. We are invited to let the words  “I love you” spoken by the Lord be the ones which echo in our hearts and minds as we enter into each new day, desiring to see and hear the evidence of His love in whatever circumstances we might presently be experiencing. Therefore, in the spirit of Malachi, we might want to examine how we live our baptismal covenant with God with questions such as these:

• How am I living as priest, prophet, and king?
• How am I utilizing the gifts of faith, hope, and love?
• How am I preparing the way for others by “going forth to baptize the nations?” (paraphrase of Matthew 28:19-20)
• How am I living as a member of the Body of Christ?
• How am I seeking God on a daily basis, in order to see and hear more clearly?’

This process also encourages us to approach God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to seek God’s mercy in order to become better at passing it on. It is how we grow in holiness.

The message of Malachi to ‘clean up our act’ is something we need continually, not because we should focus on our sinfulness, but because we want to present something wonderful to the Lord when He comes. We should be grateful for Malachi’s willingness to risk the anger of his people in order to get the message of God’s love to them. And we should be grateful that as Malachi prophesied, Jesus did come simply because God loves us so much that Heaven could no longer ‘contain’ so great a love. Thus, we are reminded that to live prophetically means that we are to be ‘other Malachis,’ to become God’s messengers, intending our actions and words to announce: “I love you, says the Lord.”

Living prophetically means that we open our hearts to transformation by Christ, allowing each day to reveal the opportunities to see and hear God in new ways. Prophetic living means we are called to be a messenger of God’s love and mercy to all the people we encounter (loved ones, the poor, widowed, orphaned, resident alien, sick, lonely, and marginalized), and that we direct our efforts to preparing for the Coming of Jesus at the end of time. No day is ordinary if God is part of it. We are not ordinary if God is in our hearts and minds. And no love is ordinary if it is given by God and then shared with others. Readiness is essential for this to happen, so let us accept the opportunity and gift of these weeks at the end of the liturgical year. Indeed as implied by Malachi, the day of the coming of the Forerunner, John the Baptist, was not ordinary: no day ever is.

​May the end of the liturgical year be rich with God’s graces of mercy and love! May we be inspired to live prophetically like Malachi: unafraid to speak and act as a disciple of Jesus Christ! May we be God’s messenger as one who lives authentically according to our faith! May our lives convey the love and mercy of Jesus to everyone we meet, courageously reaching out to people who are especially unlike ourselves! May we appreciate the opportunity to see that no day is ordinary if it is directed toward God! And may we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ again in glory! Peace!

                                               ©Michele L. Catanese

Note: Next post will be December 3.

Images:
1. I took this photo in the town of Ticonderoga, NY. I chose to use it for the opening image because it stood out. This tree did not seem ordinary, but rather it was ablaze with beauty. Many people, like me, do not get to see beautiful autumn colors very often, and so this truly was a gift. But for those who do see colors often, it is important not to take the gift for granted.

2. I took this photo in Lausanne, Switzerland. This statue is on the facade of the Lausanne Cathedral in the Old City section. Of course, it is Malachi the prophet. That he seems to be peeking out almost surreptitiously spoke to me as a symbol of his desire for anonymity. He holds the text of his writings.

3. This is another of my photos. It is the top of Lower Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca, NY. I chose the top of the falls because of the reference to "slip-sliding" in the wrong direction by the Jewish people in the 5th century BC. If one leaves the path at the top of a waterfall, one is in danger! (To be clear, I was on the path when I took this photo!)

4. This is the work of Fr. William Hart McNichols called Retablo de San Jose Obrero. I chose it because Jesus is in a pose of total vulnerability and loving trust, asleep in the arms of St. Joseph. There is so much love in this image! For a full explanation of this work, and also to understand what a retablo is, go to the artist's site: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/retablo-de-san-jose-obrero-301-william-hart-mcnichols.html
While you are there you can order a copy of it or peruse the site for any other icons and images you like which can be purchased in many mediums. It is getting to be the holiday season and you might like to order some cards or a gift. (Again, I get nothing from my endorsement of Fr. Bill's work except the joy of sharing!)

5. This may seem like an odd choice: it is a painting by Henri Matisse called O Dalisque a la Culotte Rouge. (1925). I chose it, however, because the reclining woman can be viewed as being in prayerful reflection, perhaps doing an examination of conscience. But I also chose it because of something Matisse once said: "There are always flowers for those who want to see them." There are flowers throughout this painting, on the table behind the woman, and in the wallpaper. What Matisse said is exactly the point of this post: If we learn to see and hear differently, we will see God's presence in our midst.

6. This is an icon called St. John the Forerunner Also the Baptist, an icon from the work of Fr. William Hart McNichols. It seemed fitting to end with John the Forerunner since Malachi ends his writing with the prophecy of his coming. You can find it at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-john-the-forerunner-also-the-baptist-082-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. 

When we hear preaching which rambles or which seems to ‘do nothing for us’, there is no doubt about it: it is a turn-off. No one can hit a home run every time they are at bat and so it is bound to happen from time to time. Ironically, it was just such a homily which served as the inspiration for this reflection. I do not want to seem snobby or hypocritical, especially as a writer who may give others the same impression, but trust me on this one; it was pretty egregious. I will not repeat the Scriptural ‘miscues’ which I heard, but suffice it to say that the repeated reference to the two brother-apostles as “Jimmy and John,” is evidence enough of the quality of the preaching in question. Although the homilist's remarks were unlike anything I have ever heard in my forty years of studying Scripture, as I was struggling to stay attentive, an unexpected insight came. A comment led me to think about the encouragement and the often necessary challenge from others which helps us on the road to vocational discovery such as that which the brothers James and John received from Jesus. (Mark 10:35-45) What they experienced was essential to their vocational development as apostles. (You see, even a ‘poor’ homily can bear fruit if we are open to the working of the Holy Spirit!) 

​November 4-10 is National Vocation Awareness Week, the focus of which is on priesthood and religious life. In directing our attention to religious vocations, the emphasis is on the need for ‘laborers in the field.’ As Jesus put it, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” (Luke 10:2). Indeed, we do need to pray for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life, but we also need to actively invite men and women, especially those who are young, to serve in the church. Many priests have said that either their parents fostered their vocation by acting as faithful witnesses (by living faithfully and openly as Catholics, and raising them as such), or that someone approached them and asked if they had ever thought of becoming a priest. Others were influenced by a priest or Religious whose joy in serving God drew them into seeing that they, too, were called in the same way. There is in fact a shortage of priests because the older ones are retiring or dying at a greater rate than the younger ones are being ordained. Our parishes depend on these men because they are the ones who are empowered through their ordination to bring us the Sacraments. *

We need laborers of all kinds, especially those with a ‘fish story.’ To understand what this means, and in keeping with our “Prophetic Living” series, we now turn to the Book of Jonah. This short book was intended as a parable by its writer, an anonymous prophet, and so Jonah is actually a fictional character. In the story, Jonah was called by God to prophesy to the pagan Assyrians who were regarded as enemies. Jonah objected, and heading in the opposite direction, ended up being thrown off the ship upon which he was fleeing. He then was swallowed by a large fish, spending three days in its bowels until he was ‘released’ after praying to God for help. Therefore, the ‘fish story’ refers to the necessity for Jonah to experience God’s mercy and love in order to understand the need to share the message with the Assyrians. (It is also a prophetic reference to Jesus’ dying and rising.) God saved Jonah even though he had disobeyed, and so he had experienced mercy first-hand. Jonah proceeded to go to Nineveh and preached to his enemies as directed. Lo and behold, they listened, believed, and repented! But instead of feeling good about his success, Jonah angrily stomped off into the desert, still unable to connect God’s mercy to everyone; it was okay when God showed him mercy, but he was unable to extend it to those he perceived to be unworthy of it. The point the author was trying to make through this parable was as critical then as it is for us today: God’s mercy is for everyone and is not just for the ones we deem as worthy of it. He implies that we must be credible witnesses by offering ministry and a welcome to those who are in need. 

From the Book of Jonah we can apply many things to finding one's vocation in ministry. First, it is not uncommon for those who experience a calling to priesthood to be frightened by the enormity of it; or perhaps they could feel unworthy, or that they simply would not be happy in that life. As a result they become like Jonah, running in the opposite direction, doing all they can to avoid having to face the call which is persistent and almost annoying to them. This is actually not a bad thing, just as it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Jonah when he ended up in the belly of the fish. In those three days, he learned a fair amount, even if he did not fully comprehend the lesson. This is true of those who are being called to the priesthood as well: just as God knew Jonah was not perfect and that his understanding was not perfect, nor was he anything other than a work-in-progress, the priest is not expected to be perfect either. As in all vocations, the ministry of priesthood is a continual lesson in God’s mercy and grace. Often someone will run from it because no one has helped him to see that this is so and that he is not expected to go it alone, but will continually have the support of the Holy Spirit and of the community. Thus we need to help give that support to them.

Also like Jonah, the one running from a call to the priesthood may be doing so because they perceive it as a call of negation: that is, they may be focusing on what they would be giving up, rather than what they will be gaining. Just as Jonah did not want to face a way of life which was different than the one he thought he preferred, so too the priest needs to be open to a different reality than the one he has previously been used to. If we were to extrapolate the end of the parable of Jonah, because he was a good man we can assume that he did finally come to see the wisdom of God showing mercy to the Assyrians. Likewise, there is no reason for the one called to priesthood to believe that God has something other than his best interests, and the best interests of His people, in mind! Therefore the focus should be on their relationship with God and how they want to express their love and trust. God certainly does not ‘conscript’ anyone into a life which would lead to unhappiness. Rather, God knows us better than anyone and so He wants to lead us to that which will give the greatest freedom and fulfillment. 

Everything which we have learned from the Book of Jonah is applicable to all three vocations: ministerial priesthood, marriage, and single life. All of us were baptized as priest, prophet and king! We all need to discern our call and then to discern the daily living of that vocation. Each of us needs to pray for the grace to bring the faith to those who do not know it or who are somehow set against us. We all must be credible witnesses in our word and deed, living our ‘fish story’ which is the arena in which we learn the mercy, forgiveness, and love of God and in turn offer it to those who we meet. Our ‘fish story’ is truth, not a fabrication. And perhaps our ‘fish’ is Christ: remember that the Greek word ichthys, the acronym used by the ancients to identify believers, translates to “fish.” Thus we must adhere to our 'fish story,' our call, our faith.**

The way we invite people to explore and then accept the vocation to which they have been called is the same way we invite people to come to know God in the wider world. We model it, we live it, and we guide others to it through our faith, hope, love, and works of mercy. We must never apologize for our faith and we must never be afraid to live it as Jesus taught. If we want to be effective in loving and serving Christ, we need to do more than simply hear that it is National Vocation Awareness Week: we need to pray, discern, invite, and act with faith and courage in living our own vocation, always relying on the Lord from whom all good gifts come. Let us embrace our call with faithfulness, encouraging others to do the same, that we might all live the ‘fish story’ which is the truth of God’s mercy and care for His people.

May we be credible witnesses to the faith we have been given! May we actively pray, work, and inspire men and women to find their vocation in the priesthood and religious life! May we come to know the mercy God has offered us continually throughout our lives and embrace this gift with gratitude! May we have the courage to offer the same mercy we have received to those who are in need of it, no matter who they are or what they have done, without exception! And may we live our own vocation in truth, relying upon the Holy Spirit to guide us along the way! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                   ©Michele L. Catanese



Notes: Next post, November 19.

- While this week is part of the Catholic Church, no matter what church one belongs to, the need to fulfill the unique call given by God is part of everyone’s life, so we all need to pray for vocations to ministry.

* For more on National Vocation Awareness Week click here:
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/national-vocation-awareness-week.cfm

** Ichthys (ἰχθύς) is the Greek word for fish, which Christians in the early Church used as a way to identify themselves and other Christians. Each letter of the word stands for "Jesus Christ Son of God Savior." See the following link for more: https://ichthys.com/ichthys-explanation.htm

Images:
1. This is one of my photos, taken at Taughannock Creek, near Trumansburg, NY. I chose this photo because the creek was meandering just as the homily I heard was all over the place. But like this creek, it did lead somewhere, and so even in the midst of some 'strangeness' it brought me to unexpected inspiration.

2. This painting is called Sheaf-Binder by Vincent van Gogh (1889). It is a laborer at the harvest; he is alone, therefore symbolizing a dearth of laborers to help him. 

3. This acrylic on wood painting is called Jonah and the Great Fish by Luisito Magno an artist from the Philippines. I loved this the instant I saw it, so I had to include it here. Check out his work at https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Jonah-and-the-great-fish/797781/2565151/view.

4. I took this picture while aboard the ferry traveling across the Long Island Sound from New London, Connecticut to Orient Point, Long Island, NY. That is the Plum Island Lighthouse in the distance. I chose this photo exactly because the water was choppy due to some winds. It reminded me of Jonah on the boat, a beacon of safety in the distance as a symbol of the grace and mercy of God which is never far from us, and the journey through life which is beautiful, even if perilous at times.

5.I took this at the ordination to the priesthood of Fr. Richard Hinkley, a friend and a wonderful priest. I could not write a blog on vocations to the priesthood and not include a priest! Please keep Fr. Richard in your prayers while he recovers from a serious illness. Thank you!

6. This icon is called Nuestro Salvador De Las Sandias, written by Fr. William Hart McNichols. Two thoughts: First, I chose this icon because Jesus is shown in a position of offering peace and mercy, new life and grace. He is depicted in the Sandias Mountains of New Mexico, which reminds us that Jesus is present at all times and in all places. Second, the iconographer is a priest! Priests have many gifts, many ministries, many ways of serving and glorifying the Lord. You can find this icon in one of many mediums for purchase if you so desire at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/nuestro-salvador-de-las-sandias-012-william-hart-mcnichols.html. We are nearing the holiday season; if you are thinking of cards or a gift for someone, perhaps some icon from the work of Fr. Bill might interest you. https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/william-hart-mcnichols.html?tab=artworkgalleries

(Remember, I do not get commissions and I do not get any remuneration from recommending Fr. Bill's work. But what I do get is the joy of sharing beauty!)

7. This is one of my photos taken in Trumansburg NY. This is Lake Cayuga, one of the Finger Lakes in mid NY State. I chose it because it seemed to tie up the theme of the 'fish story' and the beauty which comes with our Christian journey.

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.

​The most important aspect of any relationship is the trust which comes from honesty and truthfulness. Truth is the glue which holds friendships together and it is what nurtures love and growth in all relationships, including that which we have with ourselves. Being truthful, and therefore authentic, can be incredibly challenging when we are facing difficult issues, especially personal ones, and it is equally challenging if we know we need to help another person face something which they do not want to see. Jesus said the truth would set us free, but it is one of the most difficult aspects involved in loving someone; it takes courage to live in the truth. This is why many people did not like prophets in biblical times. Prophets often pointed out harsh realities, and in laying out the truth without whitewashing it, many people were ‘offended’ because they did not want to hear that they were in need of making changes. The prophet Amos was such a prophet, faced with the burden of presenting the truth in the midst of a culture that did not want to hear God’s message. His words were biting, but it was because he cared intensely about his nation and he loved God deeply; therefore he regarded truth highly and was willing to carry the burden of garnering attention in the public forum with an unpopular message. But for all Amos’ challenging words, his message ends with hope, the sign of a true prophet: if God is truly behind the words, the message will always remind us that He wants His people to be near to Him in the joy and protection of His love.

Amos was not from high society, he was not a priest, and he was not anyone particularly important in his community. He was a simple man, a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore trees. Because of his humility, he did not reveal his background until the seventh of the nine chapters in the book which bears his name. At the time he was being confronted by Amaziah, the priest who ultimately exiled him from Bethel, a major city in Israel. In response to the priest Amos said: “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” (Amos 7:14-15) It seems that Amos was minding his own business, working two jobs to eke out a living, when God told him to go and speak a message which was going to anger many. That God chose him in this way is not a sign that God will swoop down at any time and randomly choose a person and throw him or her into the proverbial fire. Rather it reveals to us that Amos was a person of faith, who was no doubt very disturbed at the trends in his divided nation. Israel had separated from Judah and the people were morally corrupt, vulnerable to their enemies and headed for destruction. Surely Amos prayed faithfully to God about this situation, and when God decided to choose him, he freely accepted the ministry. He revered God’s truth because his relationship with God was based upon a covenant of love and trust.

Because of the themes of his prophetic message, Amos is often referred to as the prophet of social justice. He continually reminded the people of the commandments dealing with relationship to others, and of course, their relationship with God. The astringent words he spoke were meant to shake them up as he confronted their sins head-on, the worst of which was the idolatry which consumed them. Amos even stood up to the king, Jeroboam, because he had set up shrines all over Israel in fear that the people would defect to Judah where the Temple which housed the Ark of the Covenant was located. He decried their ‘worship’ because people were not only sacrificing to false gods, but they were participating in pagan practices which included sexual immorality and lack of proper care for their dead. He condemned how the rich were grossly oppressing the poor, spending money on luxury and abusing alcohol; and he refuted their corrupt business practices, because they accepted bribes and the like. The result of their hedonistic and self-centered lifestyle was that they had no concern about the true state of affairs in their broken covenantal relationship with God or with one another. And they had their ‘heads in the sand’ in regard to the disaster their nation was facing due to their rejection of God: their enemies were already crossing their borders planning to overtake and imprison them. Destruction was brewing and they refused to acknowledge that they were in any danger.

Prophets are called to disturb our complacency, so when we read them, (and I recommend reading the Book of Amos with an eye to seeing our own times within them), we must keep in mind that the harshness of the words is because the prophet must get our attention. Prophets intend to shock their listeners because the sins they point out are indeed shocking and destructive. The lies which people had accepted in place of the truth of God’s plan had so corrupted their hearts that Amos had to confront the lies with the light of reality, a light that often is painful, but necessary. The prophet’s role was, (and still is), to unmask lies and to reveal truth; when people are in denial as to the true path of justice, mercy, kindness and love, the only way is to tell them where the false path will lead them is with stark reality. But we must not miss the underlying truth in the Book of Amos which is that ultimately God is a God of concern who cares deeply about His people. Amos would not have stepped into this role had he not believed that God truly cares.

The words of Amos are of the utmost relevance to us today. His warning is of the danger of getting trapped in self-centeredness and therefore forgetting the gospel values we are called to live, and to beware of completely missing the mark by getting caught up in that which divides instead of that which unites. The life of Amos reminds us that even ordinary folk can live prophetically; we do not need a theological background in order to get the message of God out to His people. But what we do need is the courage to live the gospel as lovers of truth, as fierce defenders of our faith through commitment to our covenant of love with God, and as those who stand against greed, oppression, immorality, and idolizing people and things rather than placing our full attention upon the God who loves us. This is what will make us prophets, even if we are simply ‘shepherds and dressers of sycamores.’ We are not necessarily called to challenge in the same way Amos was, (though there is a need for that kind of prophet, too.) Rather, we are called to do as Jesus did, which is to live the truth by our words and deeds. We are meant to be active in combating sin and falsehood, injustice and mercilessness. Simple men and women can do extraordinary things if we adhere to the gospel and ground our lives on the truth of God which comes through prayer, reflection, Scripture study, and discernment and then putting into action what we have learned.

As disciples of Jesus we are meant to live prophetically, though it takes courage and conviction to do so. But everything we need is found in God and in the grace He gives to live out our call. The Book of Amos teaches us that even shepherds and dressers of sycamores can reveal truth in the face of lies; through the witness of our love we can confront those who are on the wrong path, leading them back to God and the way of the Gospel. Of course, love and mercy are the gospel way, though sometimes love must take on the form of challenge. Even if our efforts seem to fall on deaf ears, we must remain strong in our belief and in what Amos says in the final words of his prophecy: “I will bring about the restoration of my people Israel; they shall rebuild and inhabit their ruined cities, plant vineyards and drink the wine, set out gardens and eat the fruits. I will plant them upon their own ground; never again shall they be plucked from the land I have given them, say I, the Lord, your God.” (Amos 9:14-15) There is always hope found in God’s faithfulness to us which is shown throughout the Scriptures and especially through Jesus Christ. Let us then, live prophetically as ‘shepherds and dressers of sycamores,’ humble, yet empowered by the love of our good and gracious God.

May we find strength in the witness of the prophet Amos! May we have the courage to be faithful to the call of the Gospels! May we persevere in our prayer and in our efforts to discern how to respond in our world today! May we live our call to be prophetic wisely and humbly in the understanding that even if we are ordinary and lowly, all our efforts are important in building the Kingdom! May we call upon the intercession of the angels, saints, and holy ones that we might stand firm upon the power of love and mercy! And may we live in the Truth, that is, may we live in Christ, bringing His love outward in all we do!

©Michele L. Catanese

Note: Next post November 5.

​Images:
1. I took this photo of Mont Blanc, France, during a trip to the Alps recently. I chose to use it here as a symbol of the everlasting foundation we have in our covenant with God. 

2. This is an Orthodox icon of Amos the prophet. I chose it because I liked the simplicity of the depiction of Amos.

3. This painting is called Shepherd and Sheep by Camille Pissarro. (1888) It seemed to fit perfectly with the sense of the humble background of Amos. He may have spoken forcefully, but he was from Tekoa, a peaceful and simple area of Judah, which he left behind to go to Israel in response to the call of God.

4. This is one of my photos, taken in Big Bend, west Texas. I chose it because of the starkness of the desert, in counterpoint to the life which is found there. The words of a prophet might seem stark and harsh, but there is always a call to life which is within their words.

5. This icon is called El Buen Pastor, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I chose it here because it seemed quite appropriate to remember that Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd in the Gospel of John. He knocks: are we listening? If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this in one of a number of mediums, you can find it at ​​​fineartamerica.com/featured/el-buen-pastor-188-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

6. This is another of my photos. These flowers were in the beautiful gardens at Larnach Castle in Dunedin, New Zealand. They seemed to exemplify the words of God given by Amos in the quote.

7. This is also one of my photos. I took this is Switzerland as we were traveling. I chose to use it here as a symbol of the Church, the people of God, rising above that which seeks to divide us. It is intended as a sign of hope.

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. 

Saints are anything but boring, and I love that their ranks include all sorts of people, even those we do not expect. Unfortunately, sometimes we imagine holy ones as completely charismatic, near perfect, spiritually heroic people. Some may have been as such, but if we  limit our idea as to the nature of holiness, we are apt to discontinue any effort to strive to be holy ourselves because it seems too difficult to attain. In reality, the clearest attribute of holiness is true desire to find Christ and to love and serve Him by living the life we were given, as it was given, without trying to be someone we are not called to be. The holy ones, then, are the people who are authentic in their love and in their acceptance of the path they were given, which means that they might not be obvious in their holiness until we give them a closer look. Such a one was Caryll Houselander who is often looked upon as a wonderful spiritual writer, quirky of personality, but ordinary enough in her day to day life. And what is a holy person, (sometimes recognized as a saint), but an ordinary person who possesses extraordinary faith, hope, and love? Although Caryll Houselander has not been canonized or beatified, she was a mystic and was one who saw Christ in everyone, even in the midst of her somewhat nondescript life. If we would simply be ourselves as we were made to be, we would be like Caryll: a reflection of the love of God.

Caryll Houselander was a bit of an eccentric. Born in 1901 in Bath, England, she had a tumultuous childhood, and never really got along with her parents who divorced when she was 6 years of age. Her mother was rather distant and severe with Caryll, and while not a religious person herself, did have Caryll baptized, and did provide a Catholic foundation for her. She continually sent Caryll away to boarding schools where she never quite fit in and was never really happy, although she found ways to cope with the loneliness that her ‘exile’ brought her. It was in a boarding school when she was only nine years old that she had the first of three life changing mystical experiences. Caryll had walked in on a young Bavarian nun who for the most part only spoke German and was ostracized by the other nuns as a result. The nun was crying bitterly while trying to polish some children’s shoes. When Caryll looked at her, in a kind of vision she saw the nun wearing a crown of thorns and commented to her about it, saying, “I would not cry if I was wearing the crown of thorns like you are.” The nun was startled and asked what she meant; Caryll said she did not know and simply sat down to help her polish the shoes. Through this mystical experience she identified with the burden the young nun was bearing, lonely and isolated, and in her own way, reached out as if to help her bear the burden.

Her second mystical experience took place when she was seventeen: she witnessed what appeared to be an icon of the suffering Jesus filling the sky.* However, it was the third one which defined her life the most. She was riding in a subway travelling with all sorts of people and yet she literally saw Christ in everyone on the train and around her on the streets after she exited; the episode continued for several days before fading away. This occurrence resulted in her lifelong belief that every person mysteriously carries Christ within them, and so she began to treat everyone as if she was in the presence of Christ. Caryll was also a gifted artist and writer, having been encouraged to write by her Jesuit spiritual director, Fr. Geoffrey Bliss. She wrote many poems and a few books, but was most known for a short book about Our Lady called The Reed of God which is now considered a classic in Catholic spiritual writing. She helped many to be healed of their spiritual and emotional illnesses, but her own life was relatively short, as she succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 53 on October 12, 1954.*

If we could have met Caryll, I suspect that at first we might have been surprised at the thought of calling her holy because she appeared to be relatively ordinary, though decidedly eclectic, and she smoked, drank, and was subject to fragile health, both mentally and physically. She referred to herself as a ‘singular’ person, meaning that she never fit into any group, nor did she want to. But she was known as a gifted counselor, even though she never had any formal training; because of her own experience of receiving counseling she was able to help many others who also suffered from neurosis. Additionally, she had spiritual gifts which enabled her to have insights into people and to help them to find alleviation for their suffering. In all of this, unless one came into close contact with her, Caryll might not have been someone who would stand out as a holy person. Once again, we must realize that holiness does not ‘look’ a particular way, but rather it is about living the love of God we profess.

It is in her poetry and writing that one can most truly see into the depth of Caryll’s soul. She wrote: “I feel convinced that… the laughter, the dancing, everything you do with everyone, is a real fling of the heart to God every time, and the truest prayer.”** In this she seems to understand that it is in the simplest things – and especially that which includes another person whether in the simplicity of friendship or in the efforts we put into ministry – that we offer the truest prayer if we intend it as such. Everything is done for and in God; even enjoying a simple glass of wine and a night of laughter and love with friends can be an experience of God. Building on this, her goal was to become “Christed’” that is, to become another Christ; she believed that God intends us to be as other Christs to one another. While it may be difficult to think of treating everyone as another Christ, upon reflection it seems that the key to it is respect which is related to the spiritual gift of reverence. Caryll believed that when Christ comes to each person He comes differently and uniquely in the way best for us, which means that Jesus treats us with a certain respect and reverence, too. She wrote: “… He will always come in the way that the particular soul can most easily realize and most easily respond to…. The ordinary way – and how amazing that it is the ordinary way – is in the Blessed Sacrament….” ** Jesus reverences and respects us so much that He comes to us in the way we can best recognize and welcome Him! We do not have to search high and low: He comes both in the Eucharist and in the midst of our ordinary, day to day lives.

If Caryll’s characterization that everything we do is as “a real fling of the heart to God” and “the truest prayer,” it seems to me that all of our efforts can be an offering to God if we approach them this way. If we were to respect and reverence people by seeing them as other Christs and if we were to approach every action as something we do for God, it can bring the joy we often find elusive. Instead of being burdened over the lack of virtues in the world, or focusing on what is wrong with something, it might be helpful to view our efforts positively, offered as a fling of our heart to God. It would help us to reverence ourselves in realizing that we are filled with Christ, and thus we are sacred, and so too are our efforts, small as they might be. It can transform our efforts into His work and help us to see that it is no longer ours alone. This means our focus is on God, not on self. Our work then becomes compassionate because like Caryll and the young nun, we enter into the sorrow or joy of the other, simply as we are. That is what holiness is about: it does not mean we will never sin again or that we become perfect, but it does mean we enter into our relationship with God more deeply.

Our daily prayer, simple and honest as it may be, can help us to become agents of healing for others, propelling us to offer the gifts we have been given so that we can become holy in our own ordinary way. Perhaps it is time for us to have our “fling of the heart to God,” to become our truest prayer as Caryll Houselander teaches us to do. Though we probably will not have visions, if we treat each one as if we are indeed seeing Jesus, we can reverence others in a way that may open their hearts and their minds to the love of God. Let us, then, approach others as we would Christ, never losing sight that we too are filled with His presence. It is in reverence and respect for self and for the other that we find our truest prayer and the source of all healing.

​May we offer everything we do with everyone as a fling of the heart to God! May we realize that in our own unique, ordinary way, we can offer ourselves and what we do as our truest prayer! May we seek the grace of respect and reverence and then offer it to others, and especially to Christ who is present in them! May we learn to apply the gift of respect and reverence also to ourselves! And may we find joy in the love and mercy of Jesus in our relationships with others, and especially in the gift of Eucharist! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                              ©Michele L. Catanese

Notes: Next post: October 22

​For the most part, I used two books for my information:

*Caryll Houselander: Essential Writings, Selected with Commentary by Wendy M. Wright.
**A Rocking Horse-Catholic, by Caryll Houselander. This is her autobiography.

Below are some articles from which I also drew some information, but I also highly recommend Caryll Houselander's books, such as The Reed of God. Her poetry is also exquisite. (There is a fair amount of it in the book by Wendy Wright.)
https://owlcation.com/humanities/Caryll-Houselander-Modern-Mystic
http://www.catholicauthors.com/houselander.html

​Images:
1. I took this photo a number of years ago at Crater Lake, Oregon. I used it to begin this entry because of the mirror image of the mountains and clouds which appeared on the water. It is almost difficult to see where the mountains end and the water begins. This photo made me think of how Caryll Houselander had a sense of being as Christ to others; in a holy person it might be 'difficult' to see where the person ends and Christ begins, so to speak.

2. This is the photo of Caryll Houselander which appears on the cover of the book by Wendy Wright, mentioned above: Caryll Houselander: Essential Writings.

3. This is an icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols called Mother of God After Fra Angelico. I am very fond of the work of Fra Angelico and I am very fond of Our Lady, as Caryll referred to the Mother of Jesus. Thus, using this icon of Mary in reference to Caryll's book The Reed of God made sense to me. You can find this icon, and purchase a copy if you so desire, at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/mother-of-god-after-fra-angelico-168-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

4. This painting is one of the more famous paintings of Vincent van Gogh, called Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles France. (1888) I chose it as a representation of people having a "real fling of the heart to God" as they conversed and possibly drank some wine together. Upon researching it, however, I saw an article in which the author proposed that this painting contains a somewhat hidden reference to the Last Supper. That connection reminded me of Caryll's sense of people becoming "Christed." I am not sure about the theory, compelling as it seems, but in case you are interested: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/06/van-gogh-last-supper_n_6753294.html

5. I took this photo while on a boat tour of Lake Lugano, near Lugano, Switzerland. I chose to use it here as an example of a community of people, perhaps a community of 'other Christs.'

6. I took this photo in Hermann Park which is in Houston, Texas. It depicts people gathering together in the Park taking in the beauty of the day, engaging in fun and conversation with one another. Perhaps they are entering into the truest prayer, enjoying a fling of their hearts to God.  

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. 

This is the time of year for angels. That is, as September ends and October begins we have two feasts of angels which are celebrated only three days apart. The first is the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on September 29, an ancient observance with roots in the 5th century when St. Michael was venerated in what is now southern Italy. A few days later, on October 2, is the Feast of the Guardian Angels, another celebration which dates back many years to the teaching of St. Basil the Great (4th century) who taught that every person has a protecting guardian angel. In fact, belief in angels predates Christianity and has its beginning in the oral tradition of the Jewish people regarding creation and the choice of the angels to follow or disobey God. The first written mention of them is in the Book of Genesis when an angel spoke for God to Abraham. They appear in various passages throughout the Bible through to the Book of Revelation when angels are referenced as doing the work of God in the fight against evil. Therefore, to think of angels as our guardians is not new at all. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 334-336) teaches that each person has an angel who is assigned at birth who will accompany us throughout our life until we pass through death. Given how difficult life can be, it is comforting to know we have an angel who guides us and intercedes for us when we ask.

Angels, especially our guardians, are significant in our journey of faith. Just as many figures in the Bible were aided by them, we can also do with their help from time to time. Even Jesus had need of the assistance of angels during His life. The gospels tell us that the angels ministered to Him when He was tempted in the desert, and in the Garden of Gethsemane His guardian angel was present during His agony. Jesus was indeed fully divine, so the fact that an angel was at His disposal should be no surprise; but He was also fully human and as such needed the assistance of His angel to offer comfort when He was in His greatest spiritual need. Therefore, if we think we have less need of them than Jesus, we are mistaken. However, regardless of whether we acknowledge them, the angels are surrounding us, trying to guide us away from evil, though they do not interfere with our choices.

Many saints have attested to angelic visits and assistance from guardian angels, but it was St. Padre Pio who may have utilized his angel the most actively. It is said that he relied on his guardian angel to help him deal with the multitudes of prayer requests which came to him daily. In fact, Padre Pio is said to have received letters which were written in languages he did not understand; he told the Franciscans who assisted him that often his guardian angel would translate these letters and then assist him in responding in the same language, even though Pio only spoke Italian. He also said on a few occasions that he wished people would stop requesting that his guardian would take petitions to him because he was so overwhelmed by their requests that he could not keep up! Padre Pio clearly took his angel very seriously, something we should emulate in our times of need.

As for the Archangels, there are said to be seven of them, (referenced in Tobit 12:15), but only three, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, are named in the Bible. Michael appears four times in the Scriptures: in Daniel chapters 10 and 12, then again in the Letter of Jude, verse 9, and finally in Revelation 12. He is always depicted as leading angels in battle against the forces of evil. Gabriel, known for conveying messages of major importance, appears in the Old and New Testaments as well: he explains the visions of Daniel to him (Daniel 8 and 9); he is the angel who came to Zechariah in the Temple (Luke 1:5-20; identifying himself in verse 19); and most famously it was he who came to Mary at the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38). Gabriel is also presumably the “angel of the Lord” who spoke to Joseph numerous times in Matthew 1 and 2. The third archangel, Raphael, is mentioned only once in the Bible, but he dominates the book in which he appears, the Book of Tobit: he is associated with healing. However, there is also a tradition that it was Raphael, though unnamed, who stirred up the waters of the pool in Bethsaida (John 5:1-9) where many waited for healing. 

While angels are important, their role is as intermediaries. While we can ask them for assistance, we should not make them (or the saints) substitutes for growing in relationship with God. Our prayer should always be directed toward God so that we grow in relationship with Him, especially in the intimacy which comes through His love and mercy. We can entrust our petitions and intentions to the angels as intercessors, something guardian angels are meant to do, especially when we are praying for the needs of the world. They are undistracted and meant for just such a task. And we can also be inspired by the role of the angels, emulating them by reaching out to those in need, especially if they need a voice with which to speak when they truly have none. We can be a messenger by giving a voice to the voiceless, credence to the marginalized, and aid to the alien. We can speak up for victims, working for justice with mercy in the face of corruption and/or a lack of resources. Michael the archangel can be our patron as we seek to fight the inclination toward hate and divisive actions. He can be our inspiration against all that which separates the people of God. He is the one who battles Satan and we need to enlist him daily in that fight.

Like Gabriel we can bring the message of the Scriptures to others, living the Gospel as taught by Jesus. In short, we can become an evangelizing disciple by living what we read, study, and pray in the New Testament teachings. To do so we must set aside our judgments about where people are from or what their cultural bias may be. Unless we live the gospel message of inclusiveness and share the resources that we have, how do we expect others to want to hear that which we desire to speak? Living the faith means extending ourselves beyond our own prejudices and fears such that we open our hearts to those who may have nothing and to those who have been wounded. Just as Jesus did not judge the woman caught in adultery (John 8) or any other sinner He encountered, we can learn the message borne by the angels from Him, encouraging us to have mercy and compassion for the poor, homeless, and indigent. 

Finally, we can also emulate Raphael as agents of healing and hope. We can feed, clothe, and house people, but if we do not give them anything in which to place their hope then our efforts are somewhat in vain. It is easy to fall into despair if one’s health is gone, if one is carrying the immense burden of tending to a suffering loved one, or if one is filled with interior pain, sorely wounded by those who were supposed to protect and guide. One can lose hope if they are fleeing from poverty or terrorism with nowhere to call a secure home, or even if they are simply lost because they are without friends. And those who are caught in addiction or who try to find happiness in material things, yet continually find that they are empty, are also in need of the hope which comes from mercy, compassion, and love. Though we all have woundedness, we can be as Raphael, working to lead people to healing; perhaps we need to stir up the waters a bit in order to do so.

Our guardian angels can help us to accomplish that which we are called to do as disciples: they are messengers of God, and this is also our call. This is a time for action from the ground up, so to speak, and so we are called to live the gospel with more vigor and more intentionality than ever. We are in need of prayer and discernment, of fasting and penance, and mostly of justice with mercy and compassion. To do so, we need to live what we profess and pray for much guidance in how to do so. Our guardian angels can assist, protect, and guide; the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael can help us to fight evil, live the gospel message, and be a healing presence. The issues of our day are quite serious, but the angels are signs of hope that God is ever with us. Let us always cling to this hope with the help of the angels.

May we regularly call upon our Guardian Angel to guide, protect, and intercede for us! May we look to the Archangel Michael as our inspiration to stand up against evil through our commitment to Christ, and may we constantly call upon him to protect us from the temptations of Satan! May we call upon the Archangel Gabriel to help us be bearers of the Gospel message! May we turn to the Archangel Raphael that we might be a healing, peaceful presence! May we learn how to balance justice with mercy! And may we never forget who it is that we serve: Jesus the Lord! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                                           © Michele L. Catanese

Note: Next post will be on October 8.

Here is a beautiful prayer to the Archangels, should you be interested:
https://aleteia.org/2018/07/12/pray-this-prayer-to-the-archangels-for-protection-and-healing/

Images:
1. This is an Orthodox icon of the three Archangels. I really liked this one because you can see the symbol of each archangel depicted with them. Gabriel, on the left, is holding a medallion of the image of Mary at the Annunciation, while under it is the message he spoke to her on an open scroll. Michael, in the middle, is standing with sword in hand, overcoming sin and evil. Raphael, on the right, is standing upon the fish which he used for healing in the Book of Tobit, with the words of the book in a scroll in his hand. 

2. This is a painting by James Tissot called And the Angels Ministered to Him, (1886-94) depicting Jesus after the temptation in the desert. I love the gentleness with which the angels are depicted as they lovingly tend to Jesus who is utterly spent.

3. This beautiful work is indeed a painting, done by Russian artist Rufin Gavrilovich Sudkovsy (1880). It is called Cliff in the Moonlight. I love the light on the water and also the figure sitting on the cliff. In my imagination the figure is praying and an unseen guardian angel is taking his prayer to Heaven. What do you see? For a closer look, go to this site:
http://aesza.tumblr.com/post/148180549412/rufin-gavrilovich-sudkovsky-cliff-in-the

4. This is an icon called Archangel St. Michael by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I am named for Michael, and so I chose this because of my natural bias toward my patron. If you are interested in purchasing a copy in one of many mediums you can find it at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/archangel-st-michael-193-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

5. I took this photograph of clouds in the New Mexico sky while I was hiking. I chose to use it here partly because the cloud sort of looks like an angelic figure (if one uses ones imagination) and also because it seemed fitting as a symbol of heaven.

6. This is another of my photos, taken in a garden in Colorado. It spoke a message of beauty and seemed fitting to be matched with a section on the message of Gabriel.

7. I chose to use this painting of a loaf of broken bread as both a Eucharistic symbol and a symbol of feeding those who are in need.

8. I wish I knew who the artist of this piece is, but I do not. It was a print given to me by my mother when I was young, and so there is no way of knowing who to credit. I took a photo of it to use here. I had it on the wall in my bedroom when I was young; it has great sentimental value to me. I have always loved the translucence of the angel who guards and guides the little girl, unseen.

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.

On September 12 the Church celebrates the feast of The Most Holy Name of Mary, a memorial which is unknown to many because it is optional on the liturgical calendar. We have a number of well-known feasts of Mary, such as the Immaculate Conception, the Holy Mother of God, Mother of the Church, and her Assumption into Heaven; we celebrate her under many titles such as Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima, (and many others). Simply put, after Jesus no one dominates the liturgical calendar the way Mary does. Her presence is everywhere, it seems, and so celebrating a feast which emphasizes the holiness of her name is appropriate. While this feast and most of the others are not holy days of obligation, I do think we should be aware of these celebrations and titles for Mary because they tell us something about her. This particular feast, The Most Holy Name of Mary, reminds us that names are indeed doorways to our identity insofar as names are intimate and connote deep meaning. Therefore through this feast we are honoring Mary, but also getting to know her better.

​The name Mary (Miriam) was rather common in Israel, so of itself the name had no real importance although it was the name of Moses’ sister, as recorded in the Old Testament. We don’t know for sure, but we can guess that her parents chose this name for her because of their faithfulness to God and the rich spiritual history of Israel. We also know there were other women named Mary in the gospels, such as Mary Magdalene, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and Mary the wife of Clopus. Therefore, we might wonder how the name of this particular Mary is any different from the other women called by the same name. The answer lies in her identity, not just in the word ‘Mary;’ it is the woman who possessed the name that renders it sacred. Mary was, in fact, a most remarkable woman, one who was considered so pure that at the Annunciation the angel who greeted her did not utter her name as a sign of his reverence toward her,* and yet in her humility, she paid homage to him! 

Names are rooted in one’s personality and identity. Knowing a person’s name changes everything in the way we interact with them; our interaction becomes more personal and draws them closer to us. Names are also intimate. Think of Moses on the mountain when God passed by and pronounced His own name. “The Lord came down in a cloud and stood with [Moses] there and proclaimed the name ‘LORD.’ So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity, continuing His love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin...!’” (Exodus 34:5-8) The word LORD is written in all caps to designate that God’s utterance of His own name was so holy that Moses would not even pronounce it, leave alone attempt to write it: to make any attempt to repeat it would take away from the awe of hearing His name. But it is in the description of God’s characteristics which follows that Moses attempted to reveal something of the identity of who this good and gracious God really is.

In the same way that Moses knew the sacredness of the name of God, when the angel Gabriel greeted Mary he revealed his attitude toward her. He said: “Hail, favored one!” In not saying her name, he imparts to us that he recognized how special she was for God to have chosen her to be the mother of His Son. Gabriel knew he was addressing the one conceived without sin, yet who was completely free in her response. After her humble, but courageous ‘Let it be done’ the angel left her; Luke tells us that she pondered the meaning of everything that had happened. (Luke 1:26-38) Strangely, the angel is not named in the birth narrative found in Matthew’s Gospel when the focus on Jesus’ birth was more on Joseph than Mary. Instead he was referred to as the “angel of the Lord,” though it is safe to say it was indeed Gabriel. (Matthew 1:18-25)

​In light of the angel not addressing her by name, it is of interest that in the gospels, Jesus, who no doubt called her ‘Mother’ while He lived with her, publicly addressed Mary twice, and neither time did He refer to her as Mother or even as Mary: instead He called her Woman! He did this at the Wedding in Cana and as He was dying on the cross. But both times it was meant as a term of the greatest reverence and respect. He was acknowledging that Mary’s courage and humility, her purity and her willingness to suffer for His sake and for our salvation, places her above all other women. It is clear Jesus dearly loved her and that He wanted her to know what she meant to Him as her Son and as her God.

​Given all this, there is no reason for us to be hesitant to address Mary by name, however. Holy as she is, in saying her name we are acknowledging her identity as the humble and ever pure mother of our Lord and we are accepting her invitation to intimacy with her. Although the knowledge that she was never touched by the stain of sin may make it feel like she is somewhat inaccessible, the opposite is true: she desires that we become so close to her that we do say her name, and that we say it whenever we need her intercession. It must give her joy when we say: “Hail Mary, full of grace,” not because she has a ‘big ego’ and loves to be honored, but because in saying this greeting we are acknowledging all that God has accomplished through her. Thus we are actually glorifying God for giving us such great gifts by allowing her to be put at our service: in her humility and love, she wants to serve us through her intercession. And in that same humility, Mary would want us to remember that while we do revere her greatly and consider her name holy, we do not worship her. (We venerate her; worship is reserved for God alone.) 

​Throughout the years, Mary has given us great insight into her identity in addition to what the gospels reveal about her. She has appeared many times since her Assumption into Heaven and she has been given numerous titles based on these appearances. She has declared that she is the Immaculate Conception and she has repeatedly called herself our mother; she has openly cried, smiled, warned, and prayed, but always, she comes in service and with love. She serves God, but she is always respectful of the ones to whom she appears. For example, she speaks and dresses according to the customs of the ones to whom she appears, asking them to share messages with her children. Thus, we learn that it is important to address everyone we meet with similar respect and even with reverence. Perhaps remembering that Mary’s name is holy will help us bear in mind that every person’s name should be spoken with reverence and kindness because to that name is attached the identity of the person who bears it, and thus we are addressing their dignity as a brother or sister. In addressing another, we should always remember that they are a child of God, beautiful to behold and precious in His sight. Each one is a loved sinner, as are we. In these times in which a lack of respect and even abuse of one another seems rampant, we need to call upon Mary more than ever to intercede for us that we might treat others the way Jesus taught, with love, mercy, and respect. With her as our model and with the names of Mary and Jesus on our lips and in our hearts, perhaps we can also be bearers of respect, kindness, mercy, and love, standing against the hatreds and vitriolic words which seem to flow freely today. Perhaps we are being invited into deeper discipleship by praying for the reparation of sin, by being an example of Christian love, and by being true children of our Mother.

Revering Mary’s name as holy, therefore, is to recognize everything about her identity and her role in bringing salvation from God through her Son. ‘Mary’ is more than a word; her name brings to mind an entire understanding of who she is and what she continues to offer us. Calling on Mary by name reminds us to imitate her so that we become a healing presence, living what we pray. Therefore, let us have faith in God, and cling to our mother Mary, saying her name repeatedly as a prayer. She can offer us her mother’s heart, the pathway to being a disciple of Jesus and a way to coming to know, love, and serve her God and ours with deeper love and commitment. Hail Mary! Holy is your name!

​May we greet Mary every day with the words: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” May we take Mary as our role model, our confidant, and our intimate friend, so that she can respond: “I am with you and the Lord is with you, too!” May we remember that there is the power of humility, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and love in her name: Mary! May we always give Mary her greatest joy, which is to lead us to her Son Jesus! And may we learn to respect and love others in the same way Mary teaches, that we may bring healing and peace into the world! Let us meet in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Peace!

                                             © Michele L. Catanese

* From the September issue of Magnificat, page 156, this is a quote from St. Lawrence of Brindisi. (1559-1619)

If you are interested in Marian apparitions, there are many sites out there. I am only adding the one about the first apparition in Zaragoza, Spain. I have been to the shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar; the Church is quite beautiful.
https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/first-marian-apparition-our-lady-pillar/

Note: The next post will be on Tuesday, September 25.

Images:
1. This is an icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols called Maesta. Although the word 'maesta' translates to 'majesty,' I chose this icon because it spoke to me of holiness and simplicity. It is simply Mary; no words, nothing but her image. You can find it at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/maesta-224-william-hart-mcnichols.html. (A reminder that I have his permission to post his icons and images on my site.)

2. This is a photo I took at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth in Galilee, Israel. I thought it was appropriate to show the spot where the angel greeted Mary with the words, "Hail, favored one!" 

3. This image is by Fr. William Hart McNichols, called The Hebrew Name of Yahweh-adam Kadmon. I thought it was fitting here because it is the Hebrew letters of God's response to Moses at the burning bush: "I AM WHO AM." Presumably this is not what God called Himself when He spoke His name to Moses in the passage I mentioned (Ex 34) but it is who God says He is: He is one who has always existed. http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/hebrew-name-of-yahweh-adam-kadmon-183-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

4. This is my favorite work of Fra Angelico, The Annunciation. 

5. I took this photo in Ireland, near Adair. I chose to use it here as a scene of beauty, but which symbolically speaks of accessibility. The canoes make the beauty of the lake accessible from another vantage point.

6. This is a depiction of St. Juan Diego seeing the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tepeyac Hill, Mexico in 1531. I chose to use it here because it is a good example of Mary appearing in the garb of the person to whom she has appeared. She was dressed as a peasant and spoke the same dialect as Juan Diego.

7. This is one of my photos, taken near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I chose to use it here as an example of the beauty of God's gifts to us, particularly the beauty of the holiness found in Mary.

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. 

Of all the prophets, the one with the most heart-wrenching and poignant personal story is Hosea. Unlike all but one other prophet, (Jeremiah), his life and his emotions were a completely open book. He bravely laid it all bare in order to highlight the great love God has for His people, a people who had betrayed Him. The parallels Hosea drew with his own life meant that he had to become totally transparent in order to serve God and to get the message to the nation that God did not want to punish them so much as to bring them back to His love. In reading the prophecy of Hosea it is important to keep in mind that it is not about God getting some sort of perverse pleasure out of ‘smiting’ the people for their sins, but that it is the exact opposite: because He loved them, God sent the prophet to warn the people that in turning from Him they were choosing destruction. Thus, God chose Hosea to announce His message, a role which meant that Hosea’s life would become totally public: nothing about him would remain hidden. Faithfully Hosea accepted God’s call to prophesy in this total transparency, taking on the ministry as a loving response to God.

The Book of Hosea begins with God telling Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman God described as a harlot. One would think he only married Gomer out of duty to God, but surprisingly, he actually fell in love with her. This is evident in how he reacted when she ultimately abandoned him after she bore their third child: his heart was truly broken and the pain cut him to the core. Furthermore, because she ran off with another man, Mosaic Law allowed Hosea to easily divorce her and be done with the entire situation. But he did not. Despite the fact that everyone around him knew she had betrayed him, he openly professed how broken his heart was, begged her to return multiple times, and then forgave her when she finally did. (This ‘cycle’ happened more than once!) None of that is the sign of a man trapped in an arranged marriage. There is no doubt that he loved her deeply and truly wanted her back.

Hosea’s marriage became the metaphor he used in his prophecy. God inspired him to understand that when the people of Israel were ‘running off’ from Him through their pagan practices and selfish behaviors, God's feelings were similar to his.* Hosea made it clear that God did not want to lose them to their enemies, the Assyrians, who were looming on the borders of the nation, waiting to swoop down on the people made vulnerable by pushing Him away. In all that happened, Hosea chose to remain totally visible and transparent, letting the entire gamut of his emotions be seen as he put himself aside and channeled his love, his anger, and ultimately his sense of mercy, into speaking the message of God. Hosea, therefore, addressed Israel’s ‘harlotry,’ which refers to their adoption of pagan attitudes and behaviors. Their most serious crimes were idolatry and egregious abuse and oppression of the poor. The affluent literally withheld their aid from the poor, the alien, the widow, and the orphan in order to fuel their own hedonistic lifestyles. They worshipped in the temples to false gods, often participating in immoral activities such as pagan rituals that included male and female prostitutes, and worst of all, sometimes they immolated their first born children as offerings. In business they were often corrupt, and those with power abused it. However, we must remember that there was also a small segment of the population who were horrified at this and who remained faithful, despite those who were breaking the covenant with seemingly no fear of consequences.

Although many passages in the Book of Hosea seem filled with God’s anger, these statements arose not because He was a spurned, jealous lover, but rather that in His immense love He feared for His people. In contrast to the challenging words, there are also passages in which Hosea described God as both a loving father and a faithful spouse, sometimes speaking quite tenderly, such as when He says, “I will allure her… speak to her heart.” (Hosea 2:16) God wanted the people to return to Him through love, not threats, so even though He had Hosea outline in great detail what could happen to them, more than anything He desired to restore the relationship of love: “I will espouse you to me forever…in love and in mercy.”(2:21) The bottom line is that no matter what they did, God wanted to be merciful with them and He wanted to shower them with blessing and the spiritual prosperity which came with being His children. But God also made it clear that what He wanted was not empty ritual or for them to go through the motions to satisfy obligation, but rather He desires sincere relationship. He said: “For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God, not holocausts.” (Hosea 6:6) 

With the growing number of the so-called ‘nones’ (those who espouse no religious affiliation) in our present age, and with some people claiming to be ‘spiritual, but not religious,’ it is not a huge stretch to see echoes of the words of warning found in the prophecy of Hosea. We should be disturbed by the growing number of those who have grown up with a faith community and then have opted out of religious practice. Their reasons are many, however, although  perhaps some contributing factors are that some leaders have abused their authority and that our witness is simply not that strong; in our culture many are apathetic in living the faith, thus communicating that it is somehow unimportant or optional. But whatever their reasons, when people leave their community of faith, even if they still claim to be ‘spiritual,’ quite often the lack of accountability and the lack of exposure to worship and expressions of faith lead to apathy in prayer and finally to a loss of relationship with God. Outside of a faith community, our practices will erode, and so will our relationship with God: if there is nothing to feed it, faith will wither. However, if we want to change these attitudes, if we want to push against this exodus from churches, we have to live our own faith with purpose. That is, we must be prophetic, like Hosea, and live what we believe, giving witness to the goodness of God expressed through His faithful people.

Happily, the Book of Hosea ends on a resounding note of hope. Hosea urges the people to return to God saying that He will “forgive all iniquity and receive what is good.” (Hosea 14:3) God also says He “will love them freely” and that He “will be like the dew of Israel,” (Hosea 14:5-6) healing them and helping them prosper. The same is true today: God desires that His ‘runaway’ children would return to Him so that we would allow Him the honor of blessing and loving us! I suggest reading the Book of Hosea with our own times in mind. It is important to understand the prophets in order to have extra clarity not only about who God has always been, but because they also shed light on the words of Jesus in the gospels. Reading the prophets, particularly Hosea, can also inspire the faithful to live transparently; this means to live with our faith showing, not hidden. The point is not to be obnoxious or to fall into prideful behaviors, but rather it is to live humbly, with love and mercy, and to allow others to see us as we are: sinners who are loved deeply by God. 

It is our witness in living the gospel that will present our faith as authentic. As God said, it is love He desires, which means a certain humility in our actions; therefore it is not our piety which we need to wear openly, but it is our sincerity in living the values Jesus taught, (loving our neighbors as ourselves, giving generously to the poor, serving humbly), that will touch hearts to return to God. If we present God as love and mercy, and witness to the value of the Christian community, people will become interested in what it is we profess. But we must actively work at it by participating in our churches, which are our faith families, and we need to speak up if there is healing which needs to be done. In short, if we want to live as saints, if we want to show others the way to the Lord, then we must be active and we must be transparent. Jesus said, “Do not hide your light under a bushel basket, but let your light shine so that others may see it.” (Paraphrase of Matthew 5: 15-16) Shining our light is living as transparently as Hosea lived. Let us, like him, be true to our call in response to love and mercy. 

May we be inspired by the challenging, yet hope-filled words of Hosea the prophet! May we come to know the merciful love and mercy of God so that we might share it with others! May we be courageous in living our faith with transparency and sincerity! May we recognize that our actions, even the smallest ones, can make a difference in the life of another if we do them with great love! And may we let our light shine as we work at living the gospel values taught by Jesus, building the Kingdom of God through sincerity and love! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                           © Michele L. Catanese

* Remember, the writer is personifying God because there is no other way to communicate the depth of God’s love. The truth of the matter is that our sin ‘hurts’ God because He loves us. It does not diminish God, but it diminishes our relationship with Him.

Note: Next post, Sunday, September 9.

Images: 
1. This painting of the prophet Hosea was done by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1308-11). It is located in the Siena Cathedral in Siena, Italy. 

2. All the photos in this post are mine; the one here is a sunset over the Badlands of North Dakota. I chose it to symbolize Gomer and her lover heading for the hills, leaving Hosea behind. I wanted a beautiful picture, however, to remind us that Hosea remained in love with her and considered their covenant binding no matter what she did.

3. I took this picture in South Dakota and chose to use it because the exterior of the tree looked healthy, yet it was rotted on the inside, seemingly the cause of its fall. It seems that Israel was suffering from a similar ailment during the time of Hosea: they thought they were healthy and appeared to be so, but they were rotting on the inside and were destined to fall.

4. This icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols is called Jesus Christ Holy Forgiveness. It seemed appropriate to place it here because God was continually telling the people that He loved them and wanted to draw them back with cords of love. One could say that when Jesus hung on the Cross He was "bound" by love and tremendous forgiveness for the sins of the world. You can find this icon at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/jesus-christ-holy-forgiveness-040-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

5. I took this photo while hiking on Copper Mountain in Copper, Colorado, a few years ago. It seems to offer an easier path, but the lure of that which is easier is often a deceptive one. Cultivating a faith life and living as a prophetic witness takes a bit of work and is far from the easy road, but it is worth the effort since the goal is God.

6. This is a Catholic Church outside of Dallas, Texas. I wanted a representation of a community of faith as a reminder of the importance of fellowship and as an example of living as disciples.

7. This painting depicts the Corporal Works of Mercy outlined in Matthew 25. I chose to use it here because it is a beautiful example of how to make our faith visible through humble service.

8. I took this photo in the Boston Gardens. I chose it for the end of the post because of the reflection of the trees on the water as a symbol of us mirroring the love of God. I also liked the two people on the bench in the left corner as a sign of community.

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.

When people think about holiness quite often the first qualities which come to mind are love and humility. In contrast, when we think about ‘worldliness’ we might recognize the overriding characteristics of self-centeredness and ego-driven hubris, which we refer to spiritually as pride. As mentioned in a previous post, the humble ones are not meek wallflowers or doormats, but on the contrary, they are actually bold. They know God comes first rather than self and they embrace the call to live by Gospel values, empowered by God’s love and the desire to share that love. The humble are aware that it is not about the power of their prayer, but that it is about the goodness of the One who hears the prayer; they know that it is not about the size of their efforts, but that it is about an offering of love; they know it is not about their gifts, but that it is about God’s magnanimity. On the other hand, the prideful, even if well-intentioned, think that it is about the power of their prayer, and then act as if they are the source of all that is good; it is as if they believe that if it were not for them, progress would not be made, and often they seek accolades and attention to be paid to them in return. In truth, those who put themselves at the center will not be able to sustain their efforts even if they are ‘armed’ with all sorts of giftedness, for as the Scripture says, “Pride goes before a fall.” (Paraphrase of Proverbs 16:18)* Interestingly, the holy ones are also empowered, but rather than with ego driven acts, they go forth armed with nothing but humility and love.

An excellent example of someone who was armed with nothing but humility and love is St. Maximilian Kolbe. (Feast day, August 14) Many of us know about how he sacrificed himself for another prisoner while he was incarcerated at Auschwitz, but fewer are aware that he began a Militia which grew to include thousands. This was an organization of prayerful people equipped not with guns, but with love and humility. The “Militia Immaculata” was (and still is) an army of those dedicated to Mary as the Immaculate Conception, whose work is to lead everyone to her son, Jesus. (St. Maximilian called it a Militia, hence I have chosen to use the term “armed.”) Briefly, St. Maximilian was born Raymond Kolbe to working class parents in Zduńska-Wola, Poland, in 1894. One day when he was 12, he did something which displeased his mother who ‘lamented’ as to what might become of him, a comment which he found so troubling that he prayed to Mary for help, asking the same question. Mary appeared to him that night offering him two crowns, one white (for purity) and one red (for martyrdom) asking him which one he preferred. Kolbe said he would take them both. In 1910 he entered the Conventual Franciscans, taking the name Maximilian Mary and was ordained in 1918. A year before his ordination, he began the Militia Immaculata along with 6 other seminarians with the goal to “sanctify as many souls as possible under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”**

Maximilian consecrated himself to Mary as the Immaculate Conception, (the Immaculata), and drew others into the Militia to do the same. In imitation of Mary’s humility, and in true love for her and for Jesus, St. Maximilian devoted his life to promoting the Militia. Although he suffered from poor health and was even in a sanitarium suffering from tuberculosis for a few years, he founded what was called the City of the Immaculate, (Niepokalanów, in Polish) which was an organization devoted to the usage of mass media for all those who wanted to help spread the faith under the patronage of the Immaculata. The group eventually numbered in the thousands. They were devoted to prayer, poverty, and charity, as well as to publishing materials, specifically a daily newspaper and a monthly magazine called Knight of the Immaculate, in order to teach people about the gospel and to promote Marian devotion. Kolbe thought of himself as a missionary and as such he also founded “cities” (monasteries) in India and Japan. His publications eventually ran him afoul of the Nazis and he was arrested in Poland and sent to Auschwitz. During his time in Auschwitz, he was known for bringing hope and fostering faith among the prisoners until the event for which he is most known: he offered his life in order to spare a married man with a family who had been chosen for death by the Nazis in retaliation for an escaped prisoner. Kolbe laid down his life for another, dying a horrific death on August 14, 1941.  

We learn from St. Maximilian, who imitated Jesus and Mary, that humility and love are the best weapons we have in our spiritual arsenal when we do battle with that which stands against God. Thus when I say we must “be armed with nothing but humility and love” it means that as disciples of Jesus we do not take anything into our spiritual battle which might tear down, but only that which builds up: Jesus continually taught that humility and love build up. And we truly are engaged in spiritual warfare every day of our lives. The devil tries to deceive us at every turn and he especially wants us to become prideful so that we stray from our path to holiness; he wants us to think that we can go it alone without needing to call upon God for help. And the devil fears Mary because her humility is the exact opposite of what he wants for us. It is the purity of her heart, observed through her humble, but profound service of the Lord, which connects her to God and saves many souls on His behalf. If we reach out to others in humble service, then, we are indeed following the way of the Immaculata, taught in word and deed by St. Maximilian. His willingness to die for another speaks of selflessness in the face of self-preservation, and it gives witness to the peace within his own soul because he had indeed accepted both crowns offered him by Mary. Certainly the humility and love with which he was armed, buoyed by the prayers of the Militia, were the graces which enabled him to endure the suffering. 

With Mary as his inspiration, Maximilian stressed the virtue of humility when he taught seminarians. He put great emphasis on saying that the way to become holy is to accept God’s will as our own, an act of humility. Upon reflection, it makes sense to understand this in light of Jesus’ teaching that there is “no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Therefore, every time we join our will to God’s, we are truly ‘laying down our life for a friend,' since God is our ultimate and truest Friend. Laying down our will is the greatest gift we can give Him because in doing so we are acknowledging that although we may not understand His will, we trust His wisdom and love. Further, laying down our life does not mean we have to literally die, but it means we die to self, becoming less self-centered and therefore more humble, loving, and holy. Although he did give his life, Maximilian teaches us that the greater giving is to put God in the center so that we might truly serve our brothers and sisters, knowing that we are not better than they are, but attempting to live in true solidarity; that is, recognizing and believing that we are all of equal dignity and worth in God’s eyes.

We can imitate St. Maximilian by living our lives ‘armed with nothing but humility and love’ as we seek to work against anything in ourselves which moves us away from God such as complacency, consumerism, materialism, prejudice, fear, neglect of the poor, the spreading of lies and gossip, and the ‘me-first’ attitude prevalent in our culture. Only then we can begin the work against the sin of pride exteriorly by teaching humility through our example to those who preach ideologies which bring hatred and division, to those who misuse or waste our resources through selfishness, and to those who adhere to regimes which seek to conquer by violence, separatism, elitism, and philosophies that have no room in them for God. If we dedicate ourselves to prayer, also asking Mary and the saints for their intercession, and if we study Scripture seeking to grow in gospel values, (especially those of love and humility), we can make a difference in bringing others to God. All it takes are small deeds done with great love. And if we are armed with nothing but humility and love, shining a light upon Jesus rather than upon ourselves, we can be as St. Maximilian, ultimately victorious in his total imitation of Christ, our Lord.

May we be courageous enough to ask for the gift of humility, that we might imitate Mary, the Immaculata! May we seek the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe to learn how to be armed with nothing but humility and love! May we be willing to join our will to God’s so that we might truly grow in holiness and offer this as a gift to Him! May we be fitting examples of humble service, just as Jesus instructed the disciples in the Gospels! And may our works of mercy and compassion bring others to God, so that we might build up and not tear down! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                    © Michele L. Catanese

* In the New American Bible Revised Edition the verse reads like this: “Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

** The information, as well as the quote used, is from https://saintmaximiliankolbe.com/biography/

I also used this site which has is a good short video. (Caveat: it ends with an advertisement for jewelry.) https://catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=370

​Note: Next post on August 27.

Images:
1. This is one of my photos, taken in Colorado, just south of Kremmling. I chose to use this for the opening of this entry because I think it seems 'easy' to feel humble when one is surrounded by the beauty of nature, especially in the mountains. 
​
2. This is a painting of St. Maximilian Kolbe which shows him in prayer, seeming to be asking the intercession of the Immaculata, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Near the bottom is a representation of the concentration camp at Auschwitz with the watchtower and a barbed wire fence. I chose this painting because it contains all the important symbols which represent the life of St. Maximilian. My favorite part of this is that Mary and Maximilian dwarf the concentration camp, and that is as it should be. His humility, love, and faith are far more important than the mode of his death. This image is found on the page with the video mentioned above after the second footnote. **

3. This painting by Blessed Fra Angelico is called The Virgin of Humility. (Circa 1433-35) I love the work of Fra Angelico, and though it depicts Mary in Heaven, there is no doubt as to the purity of her soul and thus, her closeness to God to whom she intercedes for us.
https://museothyssen.org/en/collection/artists/angelico-fra-fra-giovanni-da-fiesole/virgin-humility.

4. Called Flowering Almond Trees, Cailhau, this painting by Achille Lauge (1909) is a beautifully fitting image for this paragraph. First of all, there is a town in the background, a sign of building up. But also the almond trees reminded me of the prophecy of Jeremiah in the Old Testament. (Jeremiah 1:11-13) Jeremiah had just heard and accepted the call to be a prophet and God showed him an almond tree, referred to as 'the watching tree' because it bloomed in late winter and thus it was a sign that spring was coming. That connection made me think of the new life of spring and also that God is indeed watching out for His people. You can find it and a bit of information at https://widewalls.ch/artist/achille-lauge/.

5. I took this close up of a pelican a few years ago, and thought it worked here because mother pelicans are known for sacrificing themselves for their young. If they cannot find food, they offer their own blood so that their chicks will survive.

6. This is an icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols called Holy Priest Anonymous One of Sachsenhausen. I chose to use this icon instead of another image of St. Maximilian because there were many priests who also died at the hands of evil regimes. That is not to say that we ever forget the countless others, but rather, it is keeping with all those who have laid down their lives for their faith, for their friends, and for their countries. You can find this at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/holy-priest-anonymous-one-of-sachsenhausen-013-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

7. Finally another of my photos, this one taken at Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool, TX. I chose to use it here in order to end with an image of beauty and of hope. 

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. 

One of my favorite Old Testament figures is Elijah the prophet. Though we know little about him prior to his call to speak the message of God in opposition to an evil regime, we may unwittingly harbor a few misconceptions about him. Perhaps one of these is visualizing him only as an old man. In ancient times, age was thought to be synonymous with wisdom, so while we can be sure Elijah was an adult when he was called to deliver the messages of God, he was perceived by those who revered him to be wise, thus he has often been depicted as elderly, though hardy. He had a long tenure as a prophet, culminating in a dramatic exit from this life when a fiery chariot brought him into Heaven. (2 Kings 2) Even with his auspicious and quite unique departure, he did give many years of service to the Lord, which means that during at least part of his ministry he was not an old man. We may also mistakenly think of him as imparting nothing but challenge, with vitriolic words directed towards evil leaders such as Jezebel and Ahab. While he did indeed do that, he also acted with sensitivity for the poor and downtrodden, such as that shown to his hosts, the pagan widow and her son to whom he repaid kindness when they were about to starve. In gratitude and sincere care, Elijah prayed for them, and thus their oil and flour miraculously lasted until God lifted the drought after three years. (1 Kings 17-18) 

For the most part, Elijah did what all prophets do: he shook people up so that they would examine their way of life and make some changes in order to return to a relationship with God. What is most important is to remember that he loved God fiercely and this was the motivation for everything he did. He was a rather sensitive man, even if it seems like he had a constitution of steel; he loved mercy and compassion, justice and truth, but he was also vulnerable, even struggling with his ministry from time to time, just as any person of faith might. There were times when he prayed with obvious boldness, and times when he was so desperate for God’s help that he seemed ready to give up. Indeed, this is a realistic description of a true person of prayer. Prayer does not always mean we will experience consolation, but it rests on trust in God and in His love which enables us to make a response of love in turn. God gives us the gifts we need to move to action, including the gift of discernment which can be best developed by learning how to recognize God and how He acts, something which can only be done through prayerful consideration.

The story of Elijah can help us to see that the foundation of prayer is our relationship with God, a relationship grounded in covenantal love. It is true that the more time we spend with God, the more we get to know Him and therefore, the more like Him we become. In other words, to become holy, we need to do more than to say we desire it; we have to spend time with God in order to be open to His grace and to learn how to discern what leads us closer to Him and what leads us away, choosing accordingly. In the Scriptures Elijah is presented without any introduction, but we can imagine that he spent a long time cultivating a relationship with God in order to know His voice and therefore respond to it. Through his prayer, the disposition of his heart moved him to greater openness to God’s call. He had to love God greatly and rely completely on Him in order to have had the ability to stand before his enemies and challenge them. He had to know God in order to know the message he was to convey. This is also true for us: if we are to serve God, no matter how we are called, we need to develop intimacy with Him to discern how to proceed. 

Our prayer, then, is an opportunity to get to know God better. It is also God’s opportunity to aid us in our ability to recognize Him, to share the depth of His love for us, and to empower us so that in whatever way we are gifted we might live a prophetic life, that is, a life in which our faith is obvious. (Remember, in baptism we were anointed as priest, prophet, and king!) A good example is found in the story of Elijah when he confronted the king and queen who were ruining Israel with their poor example and pagan practices. He had a public confrontation with their ‘prophets:’ through Elijah’s prayer God revealed His power, proving that the prophets were indeed false, leading to their demise and the people’s return to the one true God. But the evil Queen Jezebel sought to kill Elijah who fled out into the desert so depressed and frightened that he prayed for death at God’s hands rather than hers. The writer was not implying that Elijah, who had previously been amazingly bold, was retreating in a startling ‘about-face,’ but rather he was indicating that after a long, three year battle he was almost completely spent, having tried his best. (And who of us has never felt like that?) Therefore God sent an angel to guide Elijah to Mt. Horeb where He revealed His presence in the most gentle, tender way. God knew beyond Elijah’s words what the prayer of his heart truly was. Elijah did not really want death; but he was feeling desperately alone and needed friendship. And friendship is exactly what God gave him, both through His own loving presence and through the gift of Elisha, a prophet/companion who met Elijah as he came down from the mountain. (1 Kings 18-19) 

​The point of this is that we are all called to live prophetically as true people of prayer. Because prayer is about a relationship, we can be like Elijah, being moved to make a loving response to the call of God, accepting our vulnerabilities as well as our strengths. Time spent with God in prayer will help us to learn discernment so that we will have a sense of when it is time to act and when it is time to ‘retreat and recharge,’ just as Elijah so poignantly learned. Discernment also teaches us that not all are called to confront the power structures of the world face-to-face, but that we are called to confront anything that leads us away from God, something which can be done through the way we live our lives, the daily choices we make, how we vote, how we use our resources, and the witness we give by helping the poor, the alien, the lonely, and the marginalized. It is done by offering mercy, especially when mercy is absent, as a witness to those who have forgotten what it is to use power correctly. And like Elijah, one of the greatest of the prophets, turning to God in our prayer daily is essential in learning to trust that He knows the depths of our hearts and that He will always guide us to Himself.

Perhaps spending a little time with Elijah through reading and praying with the Scriptures from 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 2, we can be inspired by his actions, his leadership, and his sincere care and concern for others, even those of different faiths and backgrounds. We can even be taught by the vulnerabilities which led to the complete disposal of himself to God for help, something we should do when we feel like everything we do is turning to dust. Elijah teaches us to discern: he could have ignored the angel who instructed him to go to the mountain, but relying on his faith through prayer, he recognized that he was being led to God. Elijah shows us that the actions which lead us to God do save us and they do reveal the greatness of God’s love. Let us be like him, searching and acting, witnessing and trusting: ultimately accepting the gift of God’s love from which all life flows. 

May we trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us through the choices of our daily life! May we spend time with God in personal prayer so that we learn to recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit! May we grow in our faith, hope, and love as well as in our courage to act! May we offer mercy and compassion where it is needed, including to ourselves! May we recognize our call as prophets, enlivened at Baptism, so that we may have a clearer understanding of the witness of our actions and how they affect others! And may we come to a deeper intimacy with God so that we learn to recognize Him in every moment of our lives! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                  ©Michele L Catanese



Notes: The next post will be on August 13.

Also, a few words on distractions in prayer: Distractions are indeed part of prayer, and if all we seem to do is wrestle with them during any particular prayer time, we should offer these to God, too. He will accept our distractions as much as He will accept prayer which ‘flows easily.’ It is what is in our hearts that matters and it is our time spent with Him which He cherishes, not the ‘quality’ of our prayer. Distractions are not all bad, and in fact, they can help us to understand a lot about ourselves. They can reveal what areas need healing, where our weaknesses lie, what concerns us, what we might struggle with, and even can reveal who and what we love. Therefore, distractions can actually be useful if we pay attention to them.

Images:
1. This is a photo of the setting sun which I took in Silverthorne, Colorado. The fiery appearance of the cloud and the mountains made this seem like a fitting choice given that fire and cloud are Old Testament symbols for the presence of God's Spirit (Shekinah). The image also made me think of the fiery whirlwind which took Elijah into Heaven.

2. This is an icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols called Holy Prophet Elijah. It depicts the raven feeding Elijah at the beginning of his ministry in 1 Kings 17, (specifically verses 4-6). I like that Fr. Bill painted Elijah as a younger man with dark hair and confess to this being an inspiration for some of my thoughts on Elijah. You can find this icon at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/holy-prophet-elijah-009-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

3. This painting by Gustav Klimt called Apple Tree (1912) seemed to fit here for a lot of reasons. The first is that one has to be quite attentive to this painting in order to see where the tree begins and the flowers in the surrounding grass end. In other words, one has to spend time learning to discern 'what is what' in the painting. It also spoke to me of the bounty with which God nourishes us, not just through food, but by spiritual nourishment which comes to us through the graces with which He feeds our souls. You can find more description of this painting at http://www.reproduction-tableaux.fr/produit/klimt-pommier/

​4. In a completely different style and period of history, this is a painting by Tintoretto called Elijah Fed by the Angel. (1577-78) This is a depiction of Elijah in the desert just after he prayed for death, when God sent His angel who fed Elijah so that he had the strength to make it to Mt. Horeb where he was told that God would meet him. Again, I love that Elijah was painted as a younger man: his hair is brown, and if one looks really closely, one can decide if he even has a beard. (I cannot detect one, and if so, I suspect it is not to denigrate his wisdom, but to give a sense of his vigor, which is now seemingly stretched to the limit.) You can find this painting at https://wga.hu/html_m/t/tintoret/3b/2upper/1/ and also at https://wga.hu/support/viewer_m/z.html.

5. I took this photo of a rock under water in a crystal clear river in Colorado. I chose to use it here as a symbol of our need to be transparent with God. Transparency may make us feel vulnerable, but when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, and truly try to follow His movements, our transparency is what enables us to live prophetically. People will see God and His message through our words and deeds, even when we do small things.

6. This is a photo I took at the shoreline in Matagorda, Texas. This plover was running into and then out of the surf in what looked like a funny dance, but was actually its way of finding food. I chose to use it here, however, because the bird had to know when to be led into the water and when to move away from the powerful surf: it is an example of discernment as we seek to know whether something is moving us toward God or away from Him. And of course, we choose what moves us toward Him.

7. Finally, this image of the Holy Spirit is an inset from a larger icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols. He calls it Viriditas - Holy Spirit Detail. You can find it at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/viriditas-holy-spirit-detail-william-hart-mcnichols.html.


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.