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. 

Of the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit I think that joy is often a bit misunderstood. It is sometimes equated with happiness, and while there is obvious overlap, they are truly not the same. The ‘joy’ of the Fruits is spiritual joy, and that is the first important distinction. Second, we need to think of happiness as a response to a person or experience which emanates from within us, while we can define spiritual joy as a response to God’s presence, with God as its origin. In truth, all nine Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are virtues which reveal the presence of God. The term ‘fruit’ comes from something Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. Though He was speaking about how to discern true prophets from false, He said we know a tree is healthy if it produces robust fruit, and when the tree is unhealthy it puts forth diseased fruit. (Matthew 7:17-20) This is also true spiritually: when God is present virtues such as kindness, generosity, love, and joy are present. Because it is about God’s presence, it is just as possible to experience spiritual joy when things are going well as it is to have joy in the midst of suffering. In fact, if we look to the lives of the saints we see that many of them suffered immensely yet reported having spiritual joy. It was not that they were enjoying the suffering, (something which makes no sense), but rather that they knew God was with them and so His presence comforted them to the extent that they had a deep sense of gratitude and yes, joy in His presence.

Indeed, joy springs from a recognition that God is ‘in this place,’ or that God is present deeply within one's heart and soul. Happiness is a wonderful gift, too, and we enjoy it especially if we have come to understand what we truly value, such as who the important people in our lives may be and what the blessings we have received are, and to appreciate it all with gratitude. Happiness is a contentment that is no less important than joy, but it can be fleeting if we are placing it in material things or personal achievements or even in an inflated sense of self. Not to be misunderstood, we are meant to be happy and we are meant to enjoy that which we have been given. But what is always important is that we do not elevate material things, ambition, or relationships with people above our relationship with God. We are called to be good stewards, and that means that we do not really possess things, but enjoy their good use and also share our gifts with others, (as time, talent, and treasure.)

Spiritual joy comes directly from God: it is not necessarily elation, (though it can include it), but rather a deep interior sense that God is holding us close to His heart, an experience which can give us a sense that is so profound it can seem otherworldly, as if one is experiencing a preview of what Heaven will be like. When this happens a person is so filled with the Holy Spirit that the virtues arise, especially love, graces which they know do not come from them, but rather come from God. Some saints experienced this quite a bit, like St. Teresa of Avila. She would go into what appeared to be a swoon, but was actually what is referred to as an ecstasy, a unitive experience with God. Ecstasies are not common, but every member of the Body of Christ can experience the Fruits of the Spirit which are defined as “the virtues put into action through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.” * Whenever we respond to God and one of the virtues is put into action, God is present.

Luke’s Gospel is filled with examples of the joy which is brought by having a relationship with Jesus. In fact, it was so apparent to Luke that it is one of the main themes of his gospel. In the first two chapters alone the word ‘joy’ appears or is implied numerous times. Among the many examples, most notable would the joy which erupted when Mary greeted Elizabeth causing the baby (John) to leap in her womb, and Mary’s response through prayer, her Magnificat, an ode to the joy of God’s favor poured out to His people. Luke continued this theme in the Acts of the Apostles, best exemplified when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles at Pentecost, and again when Peter was with the family of Cornelius and they experienced what is often referred to as the Pentecost of the Gentiles. (Acts 10, particularly verses 44-46) We can see that when God acts and one is open to Him, joy ensues: when God is present, joy is present. And beyond the Scriptures, we have Saints like Ignatius of Loyola who not only experienced incredible moments of spiritual joy, but came to describe a type of joy as spiritual consolation. Briefly, he labeled as consolation all which leads us closer to God and to a deeper love for Him. 

A woman with a fascinating story which involves joy in the midst of suffering is St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American to be canonized. In 1658 Kateri was born in upstate New York to an Algonquin mother and a Mohawk father. When she was four, smallpox wiped out many in her village, including her parents, and the disease left her with a terribly disfigured, pockmarked face and severely impaired vision. She was sent to live with relatives, and while there, was exposed to some “Blackrobes,” (what the natives called the Jesuit missionary priests), who taught her about Christianity. She was baptized at 19, taking the name Kateri, (after St. Catherine). “Tekakwitha” was a nickname, however. It translates to “she who bumps into things and then puts them back in order,” a reference to her near blindness. Soon after becoming Catholic she had to flee because of animosity directed at Christians; she ended up in a small town outside Montreal, having made the 200 mile trip on foot. Kateri only lived a few years after that, dying in 1680 at the young age of 24. 

St. Kateri was known for her humility, kindness, charity, and intense devotion to prayer and sacrifice. Two characteristics that stand out, however, are that she meditated continuously on the “immense dignity of being baptized,” and the joy which this produced within her.** She was ridiculed for her appearance and her near-blindness as well as for her desire to live as a virgin, unheard of in Mohawk culture. But none of this dampened her joy in knowing, loving, and serving Jesus as taught to her by the Jesuits. She had come to understand that baptism was an extraordinary gift, bringing her the dignity of being loved by God despite her disfigurement or her disabilities. Her response to this great gift was to offer kindness to others and to offer penances as prayer for the conversion of her people. She suffered greatly, yet she was filled with the joy of God’s presence and with deep gratitude for being so loved by Him. An amazing testimony to the grace of spiritual joy within Kateri is that within a few minutes after her death her face became quite beautiful as she was totally healed of all the pockmarks and scars, and a smile crept onto her lips. 

What we learn from St. Kateri Tekakwitha is that we can open ourselves up to the gift of spiritual joy by growing in relationship with God through time spent in prayer and adoration. We also learn that it does not necessarily take a long time to become holy. Kateri, who only lived 24 years and who was nearly blind, found a way to see Jesus and His love in everyone to whom she ministered with kindness and charity. She prayed for a people who misunderstood her, continually offering penances on their behalf; we learn that while we can choose meaningful penances, in life they can also come unbidden and so we can offer all these up as prayer. She teaches that spiritual joy is a gift which assures us that we are never alone, especially in the midst of suffering when we may not feel God, but can rely on faith to know He is actually closer to us than ever. Like Kateri, we can learn to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit whom we received at Baptism and Confirmation, thus giving us great dignity and the ability to recognize the dignity of others. Through the life of St. Kateri we see that joy invites us to rest in the arms of Jesus and also to share the deep sense of being at home with those whom we meet. Perhaps we can be like St. Kateri, letting the inner beauty which comes from the dignity of being a child of God bring joy to others with a smile on our lips and gratitude in our hearts.

May we request the intercession of St. Kateri when we are burdened by cares and cannot see a way through! May we rely upon the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit which we have received through the Sacraments! May we learn to recognize the presence of God and open ourselves up to responding by putting the virtues into action! May we be an example to others by our desire to grow in holiness, doing small things with great love! And may we find comfort and inspiration in the presence of God who never leaves us, continuously guides us, and ceaselessly loves us! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                              ©Michele L. Catanese

Notes: Next post on July 30.

* This definition is found in the Catholic Encyclopedic Dictionary found in the back of the New American Bible Revised Edition.

** This information was taken from Franciscan Media found at https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-kateri-tekakwitha/

For more on St. Kateri, including the site where I found the meaning of her name, go to: 

http://www.catholicdigest.com/faith/spirituality/five-facts-about-st-kateri-tekakwitha/

​http://catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2012/blessed-kateri-tekakwitha-s-name-has-much-meaning-for-native-americans.cfm

​Images: 
​1. My husband Tony took this photo in an outdoor market in Siracusa, Sicily. I chose it here as a representation of the bounty of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

2. I took this photo while on an airboat on a trip up the Rees River in the Glenorchy area, north of Queenstown, New Zealand. I chose it here as an example of a spot where I truly felt that "God is in this place." 

3. This icon is St. Teresa of Avila, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I felt it was appropriate to present this icon here since it depicts St. Teresa in ecstasy. The hands are God's hands, a reference to her famous words saying that the only hands God has now are ours. You can find the icon, and purchase a copy in one of many mediums if you so desire, at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/st-teresa-of-avila-177-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

4. This is a photo of a stained glass window which I took at the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Israel. It shows the moment after Mary greeted Elizabeth. Elizabeth has one hand pointing toward Mary's womb, indicating that she, and her baby who had 'leapt', had recognized the special Child within Mary's womb: there is great joy in this image as they all know they are in the presence of God.

5. This is another of the icons of Fr. William Hart McNichols, called The Apparition of St. Kateri Tekakwitha. While this image of St. Kateri depicts an apparition of her after her death, it is nonetheless appropriate here. It shows her face clear, as she looked after death, but I particularly liked that instead of the usual halo around her head, there are rays which  speak of the joy of being in the presence of the Holy, and perhaps the spiritual joy which she experienced during her life. You can find the image at frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/the-apparition-of-st-kateri-tekakwitha-192-william-hart-mcnichols.html

6. I took this photo in the gardens at Larnach Castle near Dunedin, New Zealand. I loved the beauty of the butterfly which spoke to me of joy. God is present in simplicity and beauty.

7. This painting is Still Life with Peaches and Pears, by Paul Cezanne. (1888-90) I love the impressionist artists, but sometimes we get so caught up in their landscapes and outdoor scenes, that we forget their wonderful still life paintings. Again, it is the simplicity of the peaches and pears, sitting atop a simple wooden table on a tea towel which is evident; it seems like a scene which could be present in any ordinary kitchen. God is present in the ordinary, making even the simplest places and times extraordinary.

(In remembrance of Max Finney whose joy was contagious. Rest in Peace!)

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. 

​Near the end of June we celebrated the birth of St. John the Baptist, the Forerunner of Christ. It may seem odd at that particular time, but if we investigate closely, we would see that our liturgical calendar has this feast in its place to align with the celebration of the birth of Jesus on December 25. The solemnity reminded us of the story of John that we know so well, especially that he prepared people for the coming of the Messiah and that he put himself aside to do it. The action of pointing others away from self and to Jesus is the very definition of humility. Yet, I suspect when most people imagine John they do not think of humility right away. In fact, with his yelling at the Pharisees and King Herod and with his insistence that everyone repent, we might picture him as wild-eyed and even a bit 'rabid.' That depiction could not be further from the truth since he was actually quite prayerful and was obedient to God in all he did. Once John baptized Jesus, he directed his closest followers to leave him and follow Jesus instead, and in that process he publicly stated, “He must increase; I must decrease.” (John 3:30) John always knew that his life was not about himself, and so he freely gave everything to the service of Jesus. In love and with joy he embraced that call and therefore he revealed the path to holiness, a path which is true for each man or woman: if we want to be a follower of Jesus, we must lead by the way of humility.

If we want to imitate the saints, then, the one thing we absolutely must do is live a humble life. As we see in the life of John the Baptizer, being humble does not necessarily mean being quiet. In fact, sometimes it might require making a little noise. The ‘noise’ must never be about one’s own self, however: it must always point others to Jesus and to the way of the Gospel, particularly to mercy and justice offered through the lens of love. Recently, a saint who lived this way came to my attention. Most likely unknown by many, (except perhaps our friends from Scotland), I am referring to St. Kentigern, sometimes referred to as St. Mungo. In brief, Kentigern was born in Culross, Scotland in the 6th century, eventually leaving home to study with a holy hermit who became fond of him, nicknaming him Mungo, or “dear one,” (“Mwyn-gu” in the native tongue.) After his studies, Kentigern began his ministry, and after a number of years was made bishop, ministering to the community until his death in 603. *

​Stories of St. Kentigern depict him as leading an austere life of humility, yet he seems to have been larger-than-life when it came to standing up for justice. One story tells of his defense of a local queen suspected of adultery by her husband, the king, who imprisoned her mercilessly and then tricked the suspected paramour into relinquishing a ring the king had given his wife, but which the suspect now wore. Upon obtaining the ring, the king threw it in the river. Apparently, the queen sent for Kentigern, who subsequently dispatched someone to the river to fish. The fisherman caught the fish that had swallowed the ring and Kentigern was then able to return it to the queen, thus forcing the king to release her from prison. The story seems a bit far-fetched, but the point of it is evident: it highlights Kentigern’s mercy and his desire for justice which freed the woman from the violent wrath of her husband. The king had been cruel because he never even bothered to find out why the man had her ring, (perhaps he had stolen it), but instead used his power to entrap the suspected paramour and to punish his wife. For standing up to those who perpetuate cruelty, Kentigern, or Mungo, earned a reputation as the patron of those who are bullied. He also founded a large church community, calling it “Clasgu,” (which translates to “dear family”), and it eventually grew into the city of Glasgow.

While many stories of the early saints contain hyperbole, (exaggeration) there is always a kernel of truth which is being highlighted. The use of hyperbole should not cause us to dismiss to the realm of falsehood all anecdotes that seem ‘over the top’. And we should not let these fantastic stories turn us off on the saints, either. Hyperbole does not render a story false; rather, we need to look into the heart of it, realizing that hyperbole was common to the people who received these narratives. We, on the other hand, are so wary of being lied to (and justifiably so) that if we sniff out anything which seems 'a bit too much to take,’ we dismiss it altogether. Indeed, we need to use the gift of discernment and a whole lot of common sense to know what is true and what is not, but we also must be sure to look for the truth which is within any exaggerated story, whether it is told in a gospel – Jesus employed hyperbole in some of his parables – or in reference to the life of a saint. For the faith community to have accepted a particular story tells us that they understood the truth within, and so we should trust that which has come down through the ages, too, distinguishing the message from the elements in which it is set.

All that being said, what we learn from St. Mungo is that he was deserving of the nickname given him. He was not only a ‘dear one’ to his teacher, but he saw everyone with whom he came into contact as a dear one, too. What he received, he gave. He received mercy and wisdom from God, and so he shared that mercy and wisdom with everyone from serfs to royalty. His ‘dear’ community thrived because his imitation of the gospel was obvious. His life was centered upon Jesus and not on himself. Kentigern lived the humility which was evident in John the Baptist because he was willing to make some noise in championing the cause of those who were mistreated and he stood up to those who bullied them so that justice would be done and mercy would be taught. He teaches us that the humble one is the holy one, and that humility and meekness are not about becoming a ‘shrinking violet’ that hides away, but rather that these virtues require courage and the ability to act. 

St. John the Baptist and St. Mungo both teach that everyone is called to the level of spiritual heroism called holiness. If we attempt to live the gospels, we are to be seen and heard at appropriate times, but not so that the message or the focus is on ourselves. Rather, we are to do as Jesus did in standing up to those who bully while also reaching out a hand to the one who is victimized. Sometimes this means direct action, although for others it means to be of support through prayer and ‘behind the scenes’ work. Always it means living our lives with love, mercy, and in the truth of the gospel, even if we are not called (or are not able) to be an activist about anything. In living humbly we are activists because we call attention to the way of Christ which is about mercy and justice. If we can remember that Jesus must increase and we must decrease, and then act accordingly, we will be living humbly. Pointing others to Jesus is the greatest act of humility because it helps us to realize that we need to turn to Jesus at all times in this challenging world.

The lives of the saints teach us that no matter what we do, it must be done with love as our intention, and that even if our efforts seem fruitless or have come to ruin, we will have been true to our call. From St. Mungo we learn that all our brothers and sisters should be considered as dear ones, since this is how we are valued by God. Our community, the Body of Christ, would be deficient if we were to exclude any of those He considers dear simply because we are not up to the task of welcoming them. St. Mungo lived the humility of reaching out to holy ones and sinners alike, just as Jesus taught. Thus he challenges us to see each one as dear and to act accordingly, whether it is to challenge or to console, whether it is to work for justice with mercy, or whether it is to simply be as a friend. In all we do, we should strive to decrease so Jesus can increase so that His gospel message and His love might be evident to those who seek. This is our call to holiness, and it is what our world so desperately needs. 

May we learn from the saints how to live the virtue of humility, decreasing so that Jesus may increase! May we call upon holy ones like St. Mungo to intercede for those who are weak and to help us stand against those who misuse power! May we call upon the Holy Spirit to empower us with the graces necessary that we might use our voices and direct our actions for justice with mercy! And may we be true to our call to treat others as dear ones, bringing them to the Lord who loves all His children with tenderness and care! Let us continue to meet in the merciful and just heart of Jesus! Peace! 

             ©Michele L. Catanese


* For more details on the life of St. Mungo here are three sites you can check out: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Mungo
http://newadvent.org/cathen/08620a.htm
https://undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/m/saintmungo.html

​Note: Next entry will be July 16.

Images:
1. This is a photo I took of the Jordan River as it looks today. This is said to be the spot where John baptized Jesus. It does not look as it did then, of course, mostly because the water has become murky due to farming run-off and that sort of thing.

2. This is a mosaic of St. Kentigern, known as St. Mungo, which comes from Glasgow, Scotland. I liked it because it has the symbols of the little verse which goes with the story told about the queen and her ring and a few of Mungo's other reported miracles.

3. This is a stained glass window from the Cathedral in Glasgow where the tomb of St. Mungo is located. (I did not take this photo; I have not yet been to Scotland.) I liked it because it shows the fisherman with the fish which had ingested the ring, mentioned in the text of this entry. Here is the link to the site where I found the image. https://www.window-clings.uk/LNCECShowProduct.cfm?Id=59

​4. This is a painting called La route de Cailhau by Achille Laugé (1893). I chose it because the soft hues spoke to me of humility. However, there is a strength to the painting which comes from the image itself: the path is strong and defined, a reminder of how the way of humility gives strength, yet always points away from self. The image is painted from the viewer's vantage point, looking into the distance and hence, away from self.

5. This is John the Forerunner Also the Baptist, an icon written by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I want to point out that while he looks a bit rough, John is in prayer, and is filled with the Holy Spirit. He stands out, and will begin to shout out God's powerful message of repentance and salvation, which has become one with him. He directs us to Jesus always. You can find this icon at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/st-john-the-forerunner-also-the-baptist-082-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

​6. This is one of my photos. If you are a movie lover, you will recognize it as the town square featured in the classic film Cinema Paradiso. The town is actually called Palazzo Adriano and it is in central Sicily. I chose to use it here because both in real life, as well as in the film, it is a humble town. I loved the imagery of the church bell tower and the church worship space located right behind the fountain. I did not realize the sacramental imagery of that till I posted the photo here. The waters remind me of Baptism and the church speaks of the community who are joined through that sacrament... a connection to John the Baptist, of course.

7. This is a painting called Uisken, Mull (1997) by a wonderful British artist, Nicholas Hely Hutchinson. It is a painting of a small town, Uisken, which is located on the Isle of Mull which is a large island to the west of the mainland of Scotland. I had to include some scene of Scotland, of course, but I chose this because I loved the humility of the place. The goats are roaming the street on the softly rolling hills, with the water and sky a peaceful vista below. This painting simply made me smile; it made me wonder who the dear ones are that reside in this place who are neighbors to one another and are beloved of God. You can find it at ​http://www.nicholashelyhutchinson.com/gallery/uisken-mull-1997/

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. 

In all the years I have been writing a blog named in homage to one of my spiritual heroes, Blessed John Henry Newman, it is ironic that I have never written much about him. Even so, it is one of his writings, a poem, which will be the main focus here. The short poem is appropriate for today as a prayer of hope for when things seem a bit ‘out of hope’s reach.’ I purposely do not use the word ‘hopeless’ because we (Christians) believe that there is always hope, whether it be in this life or the next. The Father sent Jesus to give greater hope, not as some sort of panacea, but rather as the heart of the Good News: Jesus offers salvation, and we look to the day when we will overcome all that assails us here. Therefore, it should not be a surprise that we regard as holy those who heroically lived the virtues, especially the three baptismal virtues of faith, hope, and love. Blessed John Henry Newman was such a holy one. He held on to these virtues as he strove to discern and then follow the call God gave him with all the difficulties which arose as a result. The fruit of his struggle, and the hope he clung to, is most evident in his famous poem referred to by its first words: Lead Kindly Light.*

Briefly, Blessed (Cardinal) John Henry Newman was born in London in 1801 and died in 1890 in Birmingham. Biographers tend to focus on his brilliant theological mind, his ability to produce stellar writings, and his burning search for truth, all of which are accurate characterizations of him. But we must not miss his deep love of God which was the motivation for all of it. Newman was a great theologian, but he was also a poet with a sensitive heart; everything he did was the fruit of prayer and the graces which flowed from it. His life was seemingly defined by controversy which stemmed from his decision to become Roman Catholic after he was already an established Anglican priest. In short, after a serious illness followed by intensively studying the early Church Fathers, Newman became increasingly uneasy with his previous understandings and more attracted to Roman Catholicism. He converted in 1845 and ultimately went to Rome to become a priest. The conversion was incredibly costly; he lost all of his Anglican friends and simultaneously was not trusted by many Catholics because of his previous anti-Catholic writings. He eventually joined the Oratory, (a congregation of priests and brothers founded by St. Philip Neri in the 16th century), finding a spiritual home among these men. However, the pain of losing dear friends, many of whom now slandered him, caused a great deal of personal suffering for many years.**

Besides Newman’s extensive theological writings he also penned many poems, devotions, and prayers. These works offer insight into the depth of his relationship with God; we can see that only someone acquainted with the Gospels, and with the Lord who taught them, could have persevered through so many personal trials. It was his prayer that bore the fruit, both in cultivating his expression of theological knowledge and in helping him persevere through the pain. His aforementioned poem, actually named The Pillar of the Cloud but referred to as Lead Kindly Light, can be viewed as a work which reveals the place of hope in his spirituality. It was written after suffering an illness while in Sicily. Desperately wanting to return home, he had embarked upon a journey by ship when the winds calmed and they could not sail for days. It was during this time that he wrote these words:

​     "Lead, kindly Light, amidst th'encircling gloom,
     Lead thou me on!
     The night is dark, and I am far from home,
     Lead thou me on!
     Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
     The distant scene; one step enough for me.” (See below for full text.) *

Upon reflection, it seems as if the poem is a lesson in hope, offering a glimpse into Newman’s sense of reliance upon God’s help, something he knew was indeed available. He trusted that God would lead him through the darkness of loneliness, but it also reveals a deeper conviction that God would guide him through this tumultuous life to the ultimate destination of Heaven. It was hope which enabled him to write that he did not need to see the final result, but only to know that he was at least headed toward it. Truly, this is the essence of hope: to realize that we do not need to see the final destination, but rather that it is enough to know it is there. Newman held fast to the hope that God would guide him through the dark, and in gratitude for this and the many blessings he received, he stated: “So long Thy power hath blessed me, sure it still will lead me on.” And thus he knew he would see his home and his friends again, if not in this life, surely in the next. 

​This poem is appropriate for our times since we all struggle with various burdens. We may feel lost due to illness, lack of certainty in our economic situation, betrayal by a friend or family member, being misunderstood for a stand we have taken (particularly if it is for our faith), or a sense that we do not fit in for whatever reason; these are all serious burdens. We may worry about the state of domestic or international politics, injustices in the legal system or in the world at large; we may be concerned about our own choices, or perhaps we have lost our spiritual compass and feel far from God. Even if we are in a time of prosperity and happiness, if we are truly living the Christian life, we are not oblivious to the needs of others both in the wider world and in our own personal sphere, and thus we are carrying a burden. Therefore we can learn greater hope from Newman’s words, even praying the poem: “Lead, Kindly Light, amidst the circling gloom. Lead Thou me on!” 

We must call upon the spiritual gifts given to us at baptism. Jesus taught us to love, but it is because He loved us first that we can attempt to do this. His love never fails, and when we turn to Him, we allow His love to enter into our hearts in reassurance that nothing can separate us from Him. (Romans 8:38-39) We have been given the gift of faith, which does not mean we understand, but that we trust in His promises. And this is precisely where the gift of hope comes in: it is the glue that holds it all together and it is at the heart of the Good News. It is hope in our future with God in Heaven forever which enables us to love in the way Jesus teaches. If we did not have hope we could not forgive “70 x 7 times” (Matt 18:22) because we would not trust that it sets us, and the other, free; without hope we could not open our hearts to the poor because we would not accept that our work has any real value; and without hope we could not persevere through trials or overcome adversity because we would not realize that we are destined for heaven where there is no sorrow and there are no tears. Hope is what powers our love and our faith. It is what enables us to do more than ‘hang in there,’ but rather to find joy, peace, and acceptance because we find God when we most need Him for comfort and guidance; it is in the darkness that we find Him. Hope enables us to love the ‘unlovable’ because we see something in them we would not see without it. Hope enables us to trust in the message of Jesus which is to be merciful when we have the power not to be, and to be compassionate when we could walk away. Hope tells us there is a reason to live the virtues and to grow in holiness. And it is hope, not mere desperation, which enables us to let others reach out to us when we are in darkness. 

Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman was a theological master, and I suspect one day he may even be named a Doctor of the Church. But that is not why he attracts me. Rather, he is attractive because of the grace and humility with which he lived: despite being misunderstood and maligned, and that he was never truly welcomed as one who belonged for much of his adult life, he never gave up hope in His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In so doing, he left us a legacy of hope through his writings, especially the beautiful poem, Lead Kindly Light. He teaches us that the grace of hope does ‘spring eternal,’ that hope does not mean blind acceptance, but rather it means that while wrestling with the messiness of life we rely on the Lord to lead us onward. Hope is indeed at the heart of the Good News. Therefore, with Newman, let us pray: “Lead, kindly Light….lead Thou me on!”

May we rely on the sacramental graces given to us by God! May we always hope in the promises of Christ! May we have confidence in the presence of God in the midst of the darkness when we are in search of His light! May we help lead others to Jesus through the living of our faith, hope, and love! And may we take one step at a time, trusting in the guidance and never-failing love of God! Let us continue to meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                                   ©Michele L. Catanese

Notes: Next post, July 2.

* Here is the entire poem, The Pillar of the Cloud, commonly known as Lead Kindly Light, by Bl. John Henry Newman. (1833)

Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th'encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on.
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

- More on the poem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead,_Kindly_Light
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3668066/The-story-behind-the-hymn.html
​
- A wonderful original version of Lead Kindly Light, sung by Audrey Assad, a Christian musician: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g2xe7RlD9k

** A short biography of Bl. John Henry Newman: http://www.birminghamoratory.org.uk/oratorian-saints/blessed-john-henry-newman/

​Images: 
1. This is one of my photos of the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of Gulfport, Mississippi. I added the golden hue for dramatic effect. I chose it because it depicts the light coming out of the gloom of the clouds.

2. This is an icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols, simply called Blessed John Henry Newman. He gave the original to me as a gift, and it is especially beloved. You can purchase a copy of it in one of many mediums at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/blessed-cardinal-john-henry-newman-221-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

3. This is called Wheatfield with Cypress painted by Vincent Van Gogh in 1889. No one does clouds like Van Gogh! Enough said.

4. Another of my photos: This rainbow formed after a brief storm in Kaikoura, New Zealand, (south island). It brought to mind the rainbow, the sign of God's covenant with Noah and the people, which ensured God's protection and enduring love.

5. I took this photo on the north island of New Zealand. It is one of the famous Kauri trees. I chose this photo because the majestic tree brought to mind the strength of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.

6. I took this photo in the gardens of Larnach Castle in Dunedin, New Zealand (south island). I chose to use it here because gardens always speak to me of life and hope.

Finally, a big "thank you" to Lesley for assistance with a grammatical issue.

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 year we celebrated a new memorial instituted by Pope Francis honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of the Church. Celebrated the Monday after Pentecost, it is a fitting memorial given that Mary was in the center of the 120 people in the Upper Room gathered in prayer on what was a major Jewish feast day. The apostles had been instructed by Jesus to remain praying in that place until the Holy Spirit came upon them. They did not know the day or hour that the Spirit would come, but God in His wisdom chose a day when Jerusalem was crowded with people who had come for the feast of Pentecost, thus enabling thousands of people from around the world to witness the event. In the account found in the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles are described as spilling out into the Temple praising God and speaking in many languages, understood by all those peoples. However, we should not miss the emphasis given by Luke (the author of the Acts) about the role of Mary. Besides the apostles, she is the only person mentioned by name, something which reveals the reverence shown to her as the mother of their Lord and as the center of the community. Under the title of Mother of the Church, we are reminded that Mary was in the center of this group doing what she does best: praying and interceding for those she regards as her children.

It was the desire of Jesus that we have this relationship with Mary. In his gospel, John wrote that as Jesus was dying on the cross He entrusted His mother to us when He addressed her saying, “Woman, behold, your son.” Note the comma after the word ‘behold’ and the lower case ‘s’ in the word ‘son,’ a reference to John, not to Himself. The intention of Jesus was to offer John to Mary as proxy for the entire church. Thus we see that Jesus entrusted the Church to Mary so as to make her our Mother. And of course in His love for her, Jesus also entrusted Mary to the care of John when He also said: “Behold, your mother.” Therefore, if we take the intention of Jesus’ first statement to its logical conclusion, Jesus is also telling us, His church, to take care of Mary! (John 19:26-27) In other words, we are to regard her as our mother with the love of children and to never forget her role in bringing us closer to Jesus. She always points us to Jesus, never to herself, yet He in turn wants us to be aware of the perfect mother we have in her. It is clear He wants us to love her just as He dearly as He does; and fittingly, Mary’s intercession for us is made with the same love she has for Jesus. 

In the Acts of the Apostles Luke emphasizes that the community of believers had taken Jesus at His word to “behold” Mary as their Mother. Luke names the 11 remaining apostles – (this is just before Matthias is named as the 12th) – and goes on to say: “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.” (AA 1: 14) Then a few verses later in his account of the Pentecost event Luke subtly reminds us again of the relationship of all these people to Mary: “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.” (Acts 2:1, italics mine.) This reminds us that Mary is still at the center, thereby fulfilling the request of Jesus that she be as mother to the newly formed Church empowered by the Holy Spirit. It all comes full circle in Mary. Furthermore, we must not forget that Mary was already full of grace, having been freed from sin when she was conceived; and again at the Annunciation, it was the Holy Spirit who became her spouse, overshadowing her so that she became pregnant with Jesus. That Mary is our mother as Mother of the Church seems to have been God’s intention from the beginning. To this she said ‘yes’ freely: her yes was not only to the difficult task of being mother to Jesus, but to forever taking on the role of helping all her children who comprise the Church. 

The new celebration of Mary as Mother of the Church, then, is a cause for much joy; it also provides an opportunity for deeper understanding of the Church, of the Pentecost event, and of the role of Mary given as a gift to the Body of Christ. My own reflection upon all this was enhanced during a short vacation in the mountains of Colorado during the weekend of Pentecost. As I prayed the Rosary* on my daily morning walk, I was reminded of Mary as mother through meditation on the various Glorious mysteries. While walking, I routinely crossed paths with people who were going about the activities of their lives. The people were exceedingly friendly, so every encounter meant there would be a short break in the prayer in order to interact. What I came to realize was that these pauses were never an intrusion, but rather they became part of the prayer, making it richer. For example, there was a Japanese woman with two small children all of whom seemed to barely speak a word of English; she became as Mary to me and the children as the first Christian community, when the little ones would wait for me and wave joyfully as the mother bowed slightly, though a word was never spoken. There was a woman walking her Siberian Huskie: she would greet me with a comment about the beautiful weather, wishing me a day to match. There was a jogging man and woman who would smile and one or the other would say something along the lines of “Good morning! Fantastic day, isn’t it?”

Even though these short interactions occurred during a time of prayer, these folks became part of the mysteries. The Japanese woman and her children were linked to Pentecost because while we did not speak the same language, we understood each other; the woman with the dog was joined with the Assumption of Mary because her joy was contagious and uplifting; the jogging couple reminded me of the Queenship of Mary and thus our home in Heaven when we will be united as brothers and sisters worshipping God as one family. All of these encounters made the Rosary come alive. The people were enfolded into the prayer, teaching a powerful lesson about our purpose as disciples: we are children of the Father, entrusted to Mary by the Son, empowered by the Holy Spirit as one family, the Body of Christ. This unexpected experience was so enriching that I encourage reflection in this way upon the various events in the life of Jesus and Mary, taking the prayer into daily life, letting those whom we encounter add depth to the mysteries and thus, add beauty to our spiritual lives.

The doctrine that describes Mary in her role as Mother of the Church has always been taught, but now it is being brought to our attention in a new way.** The addition to our liturgical calendar serves as a reminder of her role, but it also encourages examination of our relationships with family, friends, and strangers alike, and to help us reflect on what it means to be children of God. Mary as Mother of the Church encourages the opening of our hearts to others, welcoming the stranger, and offering mercy to the one who is difficult to love. The memorial also helps us to realize that as a mother Mary understands her children because there is nothing we experience that she did not know in her own life. She knows the joys of being a spouse and raising a child, but also what it is to suffer the pain of losing her only Son; she knows what it is to see God’s hand in creation, but also the search for clarity when pondering things in her heart which were beyond understanding; she knows what it is to have an extended family in the Church, but also what it is to seek community when we are in need of companionship. 

Therefore let us do as Jesus requested by ‘beholding’ Mary as the Mother of the Church who can unify us as brothers and sisters under her care. By uniting our intentions with hers through offering prayer for the world and in imitation of her humility, prayerfulness, and love, we will be acting as faithful children. Through her example, we can develop an expanded understanding of family to include those of various cultural practices, personalities, and nationalities such as the ones who were present at that first Pentecost. And we can accept her care when we turn to her with our prayer intentions, or are in need of wisdom or comfort. Let us rejoice in such a great gift, continuing to grow as one Church, one family, one Body of Christ.

May we always know that we can turn to our mother Mary as members of the Body of Christ! May we rejoice in having Mary as a caring mother and intercessor who brings all our petitions to Jesus! May our meditations on the various mysteries in the Rosary, the events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, be enhanced by seeking to bring our daily experiences into the mysteries! May we be like Mary, always pointing others to Jesus! And may we come to a deeper understanding of what it means to be one Church family united by the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of God! Let us continue to meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                        ©Michele L. Catanese

* How to pray the Rosary - http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/rosaries/how-to-pray-the-rosary.cfm

​** An explanation (with footnotes) that shows historical references to the role of Mary as Mother of the Church is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (Paragraph 963)
​http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2C.HTM

Note: Next post will be June 18.

Images:
1. This is a recently completed icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols called The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. The icon beautifully portrays the centrality of Mary in the gathering of men and women on the day of Pentecost, with her hands outstretched in prayer and the Holy Spirit falling upon her, as seen by the dove representing the Spirit and the tongue of fire over her head representing the fire of love, the power of the Spirit falling upon all of them, as reported by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. You can purchase copies of it, if desired, in one of many mediums at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/the-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-the-church-william-hart-mcnichols.html.
​(Remember I gain nothing from endorsing Fr. Bill's work except the joy of sharing it. All of his work which appears in my blog is used with his permission.)

2. This is the work of Paul Cézanne, called Farm in Normandy. (1882) I chose it because it made me think of the early Christians hidden in prayer awaiting the descent of the Spirit upon them. The farm house in this painting is hidden behind the beauty of the trees, just as the 120 were hidden in the beauty of prayerful waiting. 

3. This photo was one I took while in Silverthorne, Colorado. This particular sunset was the most striking one of our entire stay as it turned out, so I was glad to have been able to capture it. It is as if the fire of the Holy Spirit is falling afresh upon the world. I pray that would be true!

4. I took this photo while I was on one of my daily walks in Silverthorne, as mentioned in the text. The reservoir beyond with the mountains was a stunning sight during my daily walk.

5. This painting is called Saint-Hilarion by Arthur Lismer (1925), one of the Canadian artists referred to as "The Group of Seven." I was drawn to the small cluster of houses around the church, a sight which is very common in rural France. http://www.group-of-seven.org/Saint-Hilarion.html

6. This is a painting by Richard Boyer which was painted in homage to Vincent van Gogh. It is called Le café de Van Gogh à Arles. I chose it because cafés are places where friends gather to share food and drink: in short, they share fellowship and community. You can find it at http://france.jeditoo.com/Paca/arles-van-gogh.htm.

7. This is a close-up of the figure of Mary from the icon of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church by Fr. William Hart McNichols, mentioned above. I chose to enlarge this section so that we could 'behold' Mary better. Her eyes are turned toward us and her hands are open, not only to accept the Holy Spirit, and not just in the orans (prayer) gesture, but in an invitation to us to come into her arms, too, as her children.

​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 saints are fascinating people. Each has his or her unique gifts to offer and lessons to teach, but to come to know them we have to get beyond the surface and see them as people not unlike ourselves, with similar problems, sufferings, joys, and triumphs. One of these, St. Rita of Cascia, is especially interesting because of how she responded to the difficult circumstances she had to endure. On first glance it appears that she was holy because of her long suffering since everything she prayed for seemingly went unanswered as she bore one dreadful blow after the next. But upon a closer look one can see that it was love which fueled her holiness and therefore, her response to her circumstances. Through her love for Jesus Christ she developed an incredible intimacy with Him, and so powerful is her prayerful intercession that since her death she has come to be known as the “Saint of Impossible Causes.” Her life was heroic, but it was based on deep love of God, both given and received. And as such, by her example St. Rita is also a powerful teacher.

St. Rita, whose feast day is May 22, was born near Cascia, Italy, in 1381 and died there in 1457.* She rose above some harrowing circumstances, bearing it all with grace. But because she is a saint let us not be fooled into thinking that somehow she was impervious to pain; rather, how she dealt with the pain is what made her holy. Each of the disappointments in her life was an immense challenge to overcome. First, she had to marry even though she was deeply attracted to religious life, and as if that was not enough, her husband turned out to be a cruel, dangerous man. She came to truly love him, though her love was often tested. They had two sons who became much like her husband, and though she always offered forgiveness she never stopped trying to help them see the error of their ways. When her husband and both sons died within a short period of time, her heartbreak was real, total, and intensely painful. 

After these losses, Rita unsuccessfully tried to enter the convent where she originally had desired entrance as a young woman. Her attempt was not an effort to hide away, nor was she feeling like she was ‘finally free’ as if experiencing some kind of relief; she carried the pain of loss with her for the rest of her life. However, Rita’s pain fueled a deeper sense of mercy and understanding for all those who suffered, and therefore her desire to enter religious life was to immerse herself in prayer and service. She spent hours in contemplation before a crucifix, so that she could continue to grow in love for the God she knew had never left her side through every disappointment and setback. 

Reflection upon the life of St. Rita brings up the issue of ‘unanswered’ prayer. When prayers are not answered the way we had hoped it is easy for us to feel let down, or even abandoned, by God. We may have prayed our hearts out, called upon living friends as well as our heavenly ones asking for their aid through intercession, and we know what we are asking for is good or is just, yet our pleas seem to go unanswered. This can be so painful it feels soul-crushing, and it can rock our sense of faith and hope to the core. In honesty, the reasons why this happens are too complex to be explained, (something we can come to learn about in the Book of Job),** but we can look to the inspiration of holy people like St. Rita to learn how to cope with this reality and to recognize that we are never alone. Her example points us to Jesus who underwent suffering in order to free us from the awful power of sin and death. Being God, He could have chosen to simply speak a word and it would have been accomplished, but instead He chose the most difficult path so that we might see the depth of His love. St. Rita knew something of this love because she spent hours contemplating His suffering, and she also chose to enter into it by accepting a form of the stigmata offered as prayer to alleviate the suffering of others. In so doing she cultivated an ever deepening relationship with Jesus, but she also grew in her own capacity for mercy and compassion by entering into her own suffering rather than trying to avoid it. Granted, hers was a unique ‘calling’ and we should not imitate it as if suffering is a good thing. Rather, what we learn is that if suffering should come our way, and it will at some point, we can ask God to help us walk the road with grace, offering our burden as prayer for others as well as for ourselves.

God has a wisdom which we do not possess. He sees clearly from above; we only see obscurely from below. It is important to remember that God does not cause the misery and losses we endure. On the contrary, He allows people and things to have freedom which is built into the way things are, a reality too complex for understanding. In other words, we will never be able to understand why sometimes our prayers for a particular intention do not seem to be heard, why some people seem to get away with evil, and others who are good, end up suffering. But what does help is to know that without a doubt, all of our prayers are always heard: God never turns a deaf ear to any of His children and He always responds. Sometimes the response is not what we had wanted and sometimes the answer is simply “no.” But we must not let the disappointments cancel out the times when He gave us many gifts which we never asked for yet enjoy, such as friends, health, family and even protections we will not know about until after we see Him face to face. And we must acknowledge the gifts we do ask for and ‘visibly’ receive. Gratitude for these gifts is our gift to God, but it can help us remember God’s generous love at another time when we experience a trial or disappointment. 

It seems ironic that St. Rita would become such an incredibly powerful intercessor that she is now given the title of “Saint of Impossible Causes.” We have in her an ally who understands our struggles and thus, brings our requests faithfully to the Lord. The testimony of many people about her effectiveness when they have requested her intercession throughout the years is great; it has also been my experience. But when it does not go as we hope, we can trust that perhaps persevering through a difficult situation or personal suffering is our own road to holiness, as it was St. Rita’s, and that without the suffering, we might not grow, we might never come to understand more deeply the mercy and love of Christ, nor would we be a witness to someone else who might be needing our inspiration to get them through their own difficulty. Let us trust in God’s mercy, as did St. Rita, that we might persevere in this life until we are ready for the joy of the next.

​May we come to appreciate God’s gifts and the times of joy in our life more deeply, and may we be moved to gratitude for them! May we turn to the intercession of St. Rita when praying for the alleviation of our own suffering or for that of another! May reflection upon the life of St. Rita move us to deeper imitation of Christ in the unique way we have been called! May we come to trust in the love and mercy of Jesus, knowing that even when prayer does not seem to be answered, He is with us! May we come to greater insight into the suffering of Jesus and the great love for us that empowered Him to accept it, so that we might be filled with joy and gratitude for such a gift! And may we never lose hope in the promise of the life to come in Heaven! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                             ©Michele L. Catanese

* I have written about St. Rita before. Last year at this time she was the topic of a post in which there is more about her life. Therefore I will not repeat what was said there, but rather refer readers back to that post if more information is desired. It can be found in the Archives on the right side of this page: click on May, 2017 and then on May 22, or click here.

** You can find more on Job by also going to my Archives. I wrote about Job on August 22, 2013. My style has evolved since those early days, but the information on Job midway through the entry might be helpful. You can click here to find it.

Note: Next entry will be June 4.

Images:
1. This is one of my photos, taken in Big Bend National Park, TX. I chose it for the beginning of the post because the location of the bird nest in the cactus seems like an impossible situation. It seemed to me that it was a good example of how we persevere and even can thrive in the midst of a tenuous situation.

2. This icon is called St. Rita of Cascia Patroness of the Impossible by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I especially like this icon because it depicts her suffering by the wound on her forehead as well as the crown of thorns behind her. But while it is clear she has suffered, her posture shows her receptivity. Her gratitude is observed in her hand which is raised in praise and prayer. You can find this icon at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/st-rita-of-cascia-patroness-of-the-impossible-206-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

3. This is another of the works of Fr. William Hart McNichols: Holy Prophet Job. It presents Job as stripped of everything, yet in a prayerful, reflective pose. He is trying to understand, and though he cannot, he has learned to accept with gratitude everything God sends. One can almost hear him saying: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" (Job 1:21) You can find this icon at http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/holy-prophet-job-264-william-hart-mcnichols.html.

4. I took this photo on the beach at Port Aransas, TX. It is one 'lonely' little shell persevering in the rushing tide. It reminded me of how some things seem insurmountable, but that we can 'hang in' with the help of God's grace, even if we think we are being battered by the tides of life.

5. This is a painting by Frank Johnston (1951) called The Fire Ranger. I chose it for this place in the entry because it reminded me that God sees the big picture, just as the plane is seeing if there is any fire in the immensity of the wooded area. He can see from above what we might not see readily from below. Johnston was a Canadian artist, a member of the famous Group of Seven. You can find this work at https://www.wikiart.org/en/frank-johnston/the-fire-ranger-1920.

6. Finally, this is one of my photos of a lily pond taken at a public garden, a hidden gem in the middle of Washington DC. It seemed appropriate to have something beautiful at the end of this post. It shows a few flowers in the midst of all the lily pads, which could be seen as symbolic of beauty in the midst of all the water. We have  brothers and sisters nearby, and thus we are not alone. And we can find Christ in them, just as we can in the saints.

Every year when I was teaching I would spring the same joke upon one section of freshmen as part of an extra credit question on the test over The Acts of the Apostles. The trick question was this: when the apostles began to spread the word as Jesus had instructed, how did they get from place to place? No one ever got it, even though I would let them get out their Bibles to look it up. The answer is found in Acts 1:14: “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer….” Thus, in an Accord was the sought after response. They would groan and I would explain that it was another example of ‘evil teacher humor’ which consisted of a number of trick questions, puns, and the like, throughout the year. As corny as it is, I suspect they never forgot the point of the story which is that the apostles, “…together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers” were united as one community. Unity is what Jesus prayed for on the night of the Last Supper, praying that His followers would be as much one as He and the Father are one! (John 17:20-23) That is an amazing prayer, but it highlights how important unity is to Jesus. Therefore, it seems the early Christian community, led by the apostles, put the words of Jesus into practice and prayed to be of one mind and one heart, knowing that it is only through God that we can “devote ourselves with one accord.”

At the beginning of Acts, Jesus told the apostles that the Holy Spirit would descend upon them, reminding them to continue to pray in the Upper Room in preparation for this event. Then Jesus blessed them, and lifted up on a cloud, ascended into Heaven. Two “men dressed in white,” (angels), were suddenly present, asking them why they were standing there staring at the sky: “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen Him going into Heaven.” (AA 1:9-11) The angels’ comments reminded the apostles that there was work to be done. Immediately they returned to the Upper Room in Jerusalem having transitioned from men in hiding to leaders in preparation for action. They “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer” and therefore their first action was to replace Judas, the apostle who had betrayed Jesus and had then taken his own life. Peter reminded them that they needed to be Twelve again, symbolizing the importance of the unity that Jesus desires for His people. Thus they prayed, chose lots, and ultimately trusted that the Spirit led them to Matthias. The most important part of this first chapter in Acts is the emphasis on prayer and unity. It is also a lesson about hope.

​Jesus had worked to conquer sin and death giving us the hope that we will one day be released from all the ‘ties that bind’ here; that which weighs us down will no longer have power and thus we will be set free. This means that all the material goods we care for, all our worries, all the obligations we are burdened with, and that to which we have been entrusted here on earth, will be over. Even our brokenness will be gone as we are released from our imperfections into the glory of God in Heaven. The urging of the angels that the apostles stop looking at the sky and ‘get a move on’ seems to indicate that for the Eleven, the time for standing by was over and the time for praying and discerning as a community had begun. It was time to place their hope in the future of the community which would soon be empowered by the Holy Spirit so that they could go about the business of spreading the Good News of salvation.

Thus, this first Christian community became the Church on the day of Pentecost, under the leadership of the apostles, and all went forth with a renewed sense of hope in the promise of Jesus who had told them to share the message of love, mercy, and hope with the entire world. This small group of people was unified in the communal life, in the breaking of the bread, in working to help the poor in their city, and mostly, in sharing the message of salvation in Jesus. (Acts 2:42-47) That message remains: all who believe and are baptized will indeed be saved. Sin cannot keep us from God, nor can death, now that Jesus has risen. We share the hope of the first Christian community in the wonder and beauty of being with God in Heaven forever, of every tear being dried, of no more suffering, and only joy. This hope is for everyone who commits themselves to Christ: no matter how badly we suffer in this life, we will not be alone and we will be given the joy of Heaven if we ‘persevere to the end in running the race,’ as St. Paul says. (Paraphrase of 2 Tim 4:7)

When I was in religious life, a very wise Sister once gave me an important piece of advice which has become central to my view of discipleship. I was stressed over the work I had been assigned, working as if it all depended on me. She took me aside and said that no one is here to accomplish, but rather to contribute. That is exactly what being in one accord is about: we are to work together as a community to bring about the Kingdom. The work is too large for any one of us, but together we can move mountains. What she said was also about humility, because to contribute means we must acknowledge our own littleness and recognize that we need others, and especially the Lord, in order to do anything at all. And we must remember that the Kingdom of Heaven is a community: Heaven is not a place we go alone, nor would it be Paradise if we were by ourselves. God created a people and intends for us to spend eternity together with Him. 
​

As one Body we can do these things: where we might struggle in forgiving someone, God offers us mercy so that we understand the power of forgiveness. Where we might not be able to do the loving thing in a situation, we can look to a saint for inspiration and recognition that love does not mean ‘like,’ but it means acting in kindness and compassion. Where we might be tempted to hold on to material goods rather than share with the less fortunate, there are organizations within the community that inspire us to be generous. Where we might become self-absorbed or too lazy to reach out and help another, there are Scriptures and inspirational writings which teach us to stretch outside our comfort zone. And when we are not feeling peaceful or do not believe in our own ability to make a difference in the world, there are brothers and sisters in the faith who love us into seeing our own beauty and worth. Therefore, praying and working as one Christian community encourages the hope needed that together we will make a difference in the world, just as Jesus taught His first disciples. And if we are tempted to think this is all some kind of naïve notion that sounds too good to be true, it is not. Along the way we will suffer for the sake of the gospel, which is evident in the lives of the apostles after Pentecost and in the lives of many great saints. But no matter how small our personal efforts may seem, when we are accompanied by others who share in the faith, when we assist a co-worker in Christ when they falter, and when we accept the assistance offered when we flag, we are in fact, one Church just as Jesus prayed we would be, devoted to the gospel with one accord.

We are called to be united in prayer and in action. This is a work of hope, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and should bring us great joy that we have been chosen by God as a son or daughter, which makes us also a brother or sister. We are an Easter people because we have hope in salvation and in everlasting life to come, not in what is passing. But while we are in this life, we are called to work as one people in unity, assisting the lost, feeding and clothing the poor, working for justice in our communities, through our word and deed educating our children and those who do not know Jesus, and praying for the Holy Spirit to come down upon our world anew. If we devote ourselves with one accord, we will be gathered as one people when Christ returns, ready individually and collectively. That is the gift of Easter, the gift of the Ascension, and the gift of those first Christians who did as Jesus instructed so that we might join them on the last day.

​May we work as a Christian community to be in one accord in prayer and deed! May we ask the intercession of those who went before us that we may act as One Body of Christ! May we work toward justice and peace so that we might achieve healing of that which divides us so that we may have unity! May we be courageous in living the gospel in a world which is often hostile to our values and faith! May we reach out to a neighbor who is struggling and also accept their help when we might need it! And may we embrace our discipleship, contributing to the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Let us meet at the table of the Risen Lord! Alleluia! Peace!

                       ©Michele L. Catanese


Note: Next post will be May 21.


Images:
1. This is a painting called The Ascension of Christ by Giotto. (1305) It appears in Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy. I chose this because I am particularly taken by the presence of Mary in the midst of the apostles and the two "men in white." I also love that Jesus is reaching toward Heaven and is being greeted by the angels and the holy ones. I also love the usage of lapis lazuli in the background, an element that was extremely expensive when this was painted, but which was the only way to make blue paint. Thus, this is not only a great work of art, but one in which the artist wanted to depict the richness of Christ. 

2. This is one of my photos taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. I chose this because the lone, prominent cloud spoke to me of the Ascension as if it was rising to Heaven.

3. This is #6 (Violet, Green, & Red) by Mark Rothko. (1959) I chose to use it here because it, too, spoke to me of the Ascension of Jesus. The violet is very full: that is, there is a lot going on within the violet space if one looks intently at the texture and shading. The green, which is seemingly infused with gold seems to speak of the glory of God in creation; the red of the vibrancy of the community of believers who will go forth and share what they have witnessed. These are my reflections; you may have your own insights when spending time with this painting. https://www.kingandmcgaw.com/prints/mark-rothko/no-6-violet-green-red-1951-180661#180661::media:0

4. These are two photos I took at the Gemstone Beach in far southern New Zealand, not far from Invercargill. I chose to contrast the single stone with the group of stones to symbolize the beauty of the one, but the strength of the many. As a community, the many sizes and shapes become a community where all our varied gifts work together.

5. This is also one of my photos: it is the path leading to (and in this case away from) Franz Josef Glazier in New Zealand. As I looked through my photos the people walking on the path reminded me of the apostles on the journey to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth.

6. This is a wonderful painting called Oarsmen by French artist, Gustave Caillebotte. (1848-1894) Oarsmen have to work together or they will go in circles, and these two are clearly in sync as they proceed on their seaside journey. Members of the Christian community have to work together to make progress, of course, which is the point of this entry. You can obtain a copy of this at 
https://www.gustavcaillebotte.org/Oarsmen.html and if you are interested, there is a short bio of Caillebotte found at https://www.gustavcaillebotte.org/biography.html.

7. This is a new icon by Fr. William Hart McNichols called St. Martha of Bethany. Martha's gift of service is legendary, in the best Christian sense. She is best known for laboring to serve while her sister Mary sat at the feet of Christ. Sometimes she gets criticized for her good intention, and while it is true we need balance between reflective prayer and action, one does lead to the other (in both directions!) You can find this icon, and if desired, can purchase the image in one of many different mediums, at ​http://frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com/featured/st-martha-of-bethany-william-hart-mcnichols.html.