I suspect we have all seen the phenomenon of birds flocking and then alighting on electrical wires. It always seems as if each bird knows what spot is assigned them. But what is most fascinating is that they do not get electrocuted. We know never to touch a power line, yet birds sit on the very same wires without any negative consequences whatsoever. There must be something in their physiology that protects them, but obviously they are totally immune to the electrical currents thrumming through the wires.* Observing this behavior led me to think of our spiritual lives and the protection we have been given. We are surrounded by dangers constantly, not just disease or mishaps on the freeway, but in the daily temptations to sin or to grow cool in our faith. More chilling is that often we are unaware of evil lurking, (Genesis 4:7). Even though we are created good, coolness in the faith, losing hope, becoming centered upon our own desires, etc., usually happen gradually, and therefore are of great danger. It is for this reason that God offers the Sacraments and other graces: He wants us to be fully protected against the dangers of everyday living which can take us away from our centeredness on Jesus. Therefore, this week’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is an important time for reflection because it reminds us of the gifts we have been given to withstand these temptations and ‘attacks.’ That Jesus was baptized, though He is the Author of Baptism, speaks loudly as to the importance of the power of grace and how much we are in need of it.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is the gateway from the season of Christmas to Ordinary Time. As we make the liturgical shift, we need to recognize the importance of this event. While it is perhaps true that Jesus wanted to model what His followers would need to do, the more important point is that it inaugurated His public ministry, giving witness to His presence as Messiah and Lord. The voice of the Father was heard saying that He was well pleased with His Son while a dove (the Holy Spirit) hovered overhead. Thus, the Trinity was revealed. But while this glorifies and identifies Jesus as the Son of God, it also reveals that our baptism fully immerses us into the life of the Trinity. It is not a mere symbol: when we are baptized we are immersed in and enter into the very essence of God as Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are given the power to have faith, to hope, and to love which grow when nurtured with prayer. These graces also protect us. Being immersed into the life of the Trinity means we have fully entered into love, mercy, compassion, peace, and all that makes up the Living God. Every Sacrament is an encounter with the Living God, but this one is an encounter that never ends: we encounter God every moment of every day, never less than fully immersed in Him.

Knowing this, then, should help us to realize that we are like those birds on the wires. That is, we have a spiritual protection system, namely that of grace. Interestingly, Jesus used the metaphor of birds when He said, “Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?” (Matthew 6:26) Jesus is not saying that life will be easy or without dangers, but rather that we should totally depend on Him. At this point the dangers around us are increasing as our culture encourages in sometimes subtle and often insistent ways that we live in opposition to the gospels. We are given the message that it is okay to devalue life, to forego worship or prayer because 'we have better things to do,’ (or worse still, that it does not work!), to abandon common courtesy, and to disregard the Commandments. We are often told that our values are false, and more and more we are persecuted in some way if we try to live them. We are in danger in a culture that devalues religion and denies God, perpetuating the notion that self is all-important. We are in serious danger in a climate that seeks to divide and not unite. 

But the Good News, and what we celebrate with the Baptism of the Lord, is that we have been offered grace; this power includes the mercy of God when we do fall into sin. We have the power of courage, discernment, self-control and to act justly; to be generous, kind, gentle, peaceful, and be willing to work together; to be patient in listening to those whose views are different than ours, and to even be joyful in the face of difficulties. (Galatians 5:22-23) We have these graces not only to protect and to guide us home to God, but also so that we would help Him in building the Kingdom. Especially in these difficult times, we must put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:12-17) to protect our souls from the assaults of the evil one who wants to sow division, discord, and despair and we must hold firm to our baptismal gifts of faith, hope, and love. Let us claim these gifts and rejoice in the love of the One who gives them, so that we might be like the birds that do not fear the electrical wires, but rather find rest there. 

​May we utilize the baptismal gifts of faith, hope, and love we have been given! May we use the power of grace to continue to ask God for that which we need! May we have the courage to stand against the culture when it demands that we forsake our faith and values! And may we work for peace and justice with civility! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace! 

                                                                           ©Michele L. Catanese
 * Since I opened a 'can of worms' here, (pun intended), you can find the explanation of the phenomenon of birds on electric wires at this link: engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/how-do-birds-sit-on-high-voltage-power-lines-without-getting-electrocuted/
​
Images:
1. My photo, taken in the Big Island of Hawaii. 
2. Fresco painting, The Baptism of Jesus by Blessed Fra Angelico. 
3. Photo of birds on the wires. This is not my photo, (it is in the public domain); the credits are found at http://pdpics.com/photo/1007-birds-on-electric-wire/
4. Image, The Holy Spirit The Lord the Giver of Life The Paraclete Sender of Peace by Fr. William Hart McNichols. It is important that we pray to the Holy Spirit for discernment and peace, particularly right now. You can find this image if you want to purchase a copy in one of many mediums at fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-spirit-the-lord-the-giver-of-life-the-paraclete-sender-of-peace-093-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. My photo, taken in Fulshear, TX. 

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

I admit to being one of those people who has to straighten out a frame that leans. I suspect this says something about my inner desire for things to be aligned, though I certainly know life does not work that way at all. Therefore, it was to my initial consternation to see that one of the boxes for some light switches, and hence the switch plate, was installed in our new house clearly leaning to one side (so it cannot be straightened with a small nudge.) It is in our dining area, clearly visible. But last week after an electrician had been here I saw that he had forgotten to straighten it. I accepted this however, because a day or two earlier a realization had hit me during prayer and reflection: Jesus was born, perfect God and man, into an imperfect world, a world out of balance, askew, a-tilt. Thus, the switch plate became symbolic of the imperfection which is part of life and suggests that the arrival of the Son of God as a newborn baby offers the path to perfection through His presence among us. Everything about God sending His Son challenges the out-of-balance, sinful world.  Even the parents intentionally chosen to raise Him provide this lesson through the contrast found between the perfect, sinless Virgin Mary and the imperfect, yet incredibly holy, Joseph. Perhaps this is a reminder that holiness can abound in an imperfect world, and that like Joseph and Mary we are called to be beacons of the presence of Christ in a world a-tilt.

Pope Francis dedicated this liturgical year to St. Joseph; therefore it is good to be mindful of his presence, often hidden, but oh, so important in God’s saving work. Remember that Joseph was asked to be the foster-father of Jesus, assured by the angel that Mary was pure. St. Joseph must have ascertained in his own quiet prayer that she was not like other women: to be chosen as mother and overshadowed by the Holy Spirit (that is, made pregnant) meant that she was full of grace in a way that he was not. But rather than to be jealous of this, he revered her and loved her deeply as a husband should love his wife. At the time of Jesus’ birth Joseph was able to provide what meager shelter he could in a world dominated by Romans, a world in which he and his family were totally unwelcomed. Even with angels singing and a star aligning,  when the Child arrived there were only two people at the manger, the perfect mother and the imperfect, but holy, foster-father. Note that in our crèche scenes we usually position the figures to flank the baby Jesus, so perhaps this can be a point of reflection upon the perfect and imperfect on either side of Him in harmony, a harmony that only God can bring about.

Soon after Jesus’ birth, the Holy Family went to the Temple so that Jesus could be circumcised and named in accordance with Mosaic Law. Often when meditating upon the Presentation we focus our attention on Mary, but we must not forget that Joseph had the larger role in the male-dominated culture. It was Joseph who held the baby and announced His name as Jesus. And Joseph was there when Simeon and Anna, prophet and prophetess, approached them with praises to God and words about who this Child was and would become. The perfect mother held Jesus and the imperfect foster-father stood by. What could Joseph have thought of this? Dire words were directed to his beloved about a sword piercing her heart. But did he wonder why he was overlooked? Whatever suffering that was to come would pierce his heart, too. Joseph, of course, had no way of knowing what the future would actually bring. Surely those words were disturbing to him, but they do not seem to have deterred him in his love, and hence, his holiness. 

That St. Joseph was not perfect should give us great comfort. He teaches us that we should never fear our own imperfections, but rather that our weaknesses are potentially our pathway to holiness. If we fear our imperfection then we will hesitate to ask God for healing and strength to grow, thus missing the opportunity to receive the gift of God’s mercy and love more deeply. Further, St. Joseph stands as a guide for us on this path. We can ask his assistance as one who knows how to be in the presence of God, to learn from him how better to approach with reverence, adoration, and love. Joseph can lead us closer to Mary and to Jesus, and he offers protection when we ask his intercession. Joseph responded to his call because he had a deep love for the Lord and had followed the Law with mercy and love faithfully throughout his life. Rather than focus on his shortcomings in the face of the perfection of Mary and Jesus, he allowed them to inspire his hard work which was done in great love. As we gaze upon the holiness contained in the Nativity scene this Christmas season we, too, can rejoice that we were created and loved just as we are and that we have been given the opportunity to be like St. Joseph in quiet but holy presence to others. Even a world a-tilt cannot overcome the grace God offers us, nor can it overshadow the saving power of God made present through the entire Holy Family. 

May our reflection upon our crèche scenes lead us to deeper appreciation of our call to holiness! May we learn from St. Joseph how to persevere in trials and how to rely totally on God! May we embrace our own imperfection, but work with God’s grace to grow in faith, hope, and love! And may we reflect the love of the Christ Child in word and deed! Let us meet at the crèche in worship and joy! Christmas Peace!

                                 ©Michele L. Catanese



Images:
1. My photo, Venice, Italy. The tower looked like it was leaning from this angle, a good representation of a world a-tilt.
2. Icon, The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. This icon can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-034-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Fresco painting, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple by Giotto, found in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. Notice the positioning of Joseph and Mary; Joseph is right behind her.
4. My photo, Puerto Rico. Notice that the water finds a way around the tree, symbolic of our path to holiness which could include imperfection or suffering, but nonetheless finds its way.
5. Icon, The Holy Family for the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. This icon can be found at ​https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-family-for-the-holy-family-hospital-of-bethlehem-william-hart-mcnichols.html

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

When I was a senior in high school I joined a prayer group that met in my church. We prayed in many ways, including song. One night a man sang something that touched my heart, a composition by a new group called the “St. Louis Jesuits.” The first line of the song was from Psalm 127: “If the Lord does not build the house, then in vain to do the builders labor.”* Years later, this verse has taken on greater meaning because my husband and I are in the midst of building a new house. Just as no person, thing, or process in life is ever perfect, the progression of construction has included a few bumps. In praying about these things, the song from the St. Louis Jesuits began to run through my head once again. At first I jokingly quipped about the song verse, since it seemed we would need heavenly help to get through the construction process. But with more earnest reflection, I realized that it is not the structure I should be concerned about so much as what kind of home it will be. That is, if we, the laborers, do not let the Lord build our inner life, the house of our souls will be lopsided, focused on self rather than God, and in danger of collapse. We cannot build the house ourselves: if we insist on going it alone, without God’s grace, we cannot progress in our growth in holiness. But if the Lord builds a home within our hearts, then we can prosper in holiness and become a refuge of mercy, peace, and love for those who enter into relationship with us. We become holy ground because God takes up residence within, and hopefully our demeanor will in turn make God’s presence evident in our domicile so that it becomes a place of welcome and peace.

​Advent began this past weekend with readings that emphasized being ready and alert. We heard from Isaiah that we should remain watchful so as to be found holy when the Lord arrives. He admonished that the people were in danger of God arriving and finding them steeped in sin. Isaiah acknowledged how much we need God’s help to stay on the right path when he wrote, “...we are the clay and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hands.” (Isaiah 64:7) Therefore, the Lord must be the builder, the potter, while we acknowledge that we are His creation and that He has created us for beauty. But these words clearly express that we cannot create ourselves: we need the creator to build and to sustain our lives. 

The gospel for the first Sunday of Advent continues the theme of readiness: “May He not come suddenly and find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:37) The potter can only be affective if the clay cooperates: if the clay is too dry it will crumble and if it is too wet if will not take shape. In other words, we have a responsibility to be ready, by nurturing the gift we are, drinking in what Jesus offers, (His Body and Blood as well as His words). If we do not reflect upon His teaching and also partake in His Body and Blood, our spiritual life will dry out and crumble. But if we take it upon ourselves to grow in the spiritual life without direction or discernment, we will drown in our good intentions as we attempt to follow our own counsel and not that of God. However, we should not worry about getting the balance correct because if we let God do the building and are open and docile like ‘healthy’ clay, then He will offer the graces needed to be formed in holiness. It is not about our perfection, but rather it is about His love. If we try to do as Jesus teaches in the gospels and if we spend time in prayer, the Lord is surely building the house.

While the readings for the first week this year do not mention the people and events we most associate with Advent, the themes are nonetheless important. Advent is a season of preparation and readiness for what is to come; but we do so with joyful expectation. Indeed, our focus is on the coming of Jesus and on the wonder of a beautiful, pregnant young woman who has willingly been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and on a man who is willing to build a house (a family) with her; we should remember that neither the man (Joseph) or the woman (Mary) fully understood, but both kept saying ‘yes’ to God over and again. Perhaps we can follow in their footsteps by letting the Lord lead, even though we do not understand, as He builds His home within our soul and His house within our world. We do not work in vain if we work with God, even if our heart seems to us like a crude stable, ill-fitting as His home. But remember that if God chose to be born into a stable 2000 years ago, He saw that place not as crude, but rather as the most fitting place for Him to enter into our world. He could have chosen any home, but He chose that one. So why, then, do we think He would even hesitate to build a fitting home in the humble space within our heart to be born anew? Be at peace, for He comes.

May we continue to prepare our hearts for the Lord to dwell within in a new way! May we allow the Lord to build the house of our heart and soul! May we be willing to labor with Jesus in serving others by evangelizing through our words and deeds! And may we be a welcoming presence, a refuge of love, for those who are lonely, lost, or neglected during this Advent season! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Marana tha! Come O Lord! Peace!

                                                                                  ©Michele L. Catanese
* The song If the Lord Does Not Build the House  was written by Dan Schutte and is found in the album Earthen Vessels by the St. Louis Jesuits. The name of the song, (also the verse quoted), is Psalm 127:1. You can hear it at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TN_ejm0LqM

NOTE: I will not be posting an entry on December 14, which ordinarily would be a scheduled posting date. (I usually post every other Monday.) I will be taking a short break through the rest of Advent. If you do want something to assist your Advent reflections, I suggest that you go to my Archives and explore what I have written for Advent in previous years. I will post again on December 28. Thank you and have a blessed, fruitful Advent. (FYI: The entry for December, 2017 would have been based on the same readings as those of this Advent.)
2017 https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/embracing-the-darkness-of-night
2018 https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/a-humble-season
2019 https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/where-god-is-found  

Images:
1. My photo. That is our new house in its beginning stages.
2. Painting, Chrysanthemums in a Chinese Vase, by Camille Pissarro. (1873) Though this is a painting it, depicts a complex piece of pottery. https://www.wikiart.org/en/camille-pissarro/chrysanthemums-in-a-chinese-vase-1873
3. My photo, taken at Masi Vineyards (Tenuto Canova) in Veneto, Italy. This photo has symbols within it that seem to have biblical relevance: the well, wine, and trees... ('He is the vine and we are the branches'...close enough)… all imagery used by Jesus in John's gospel.
4. Icon, The Mother of God Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this moving icon in one of many mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-mother-of-god-overshadowed-by-the-holy-spirit-118-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5 & 6. Prints, Advent Wreaths. 

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 the city where I live a Christian radio station has billboards placed around town which bear the message “God listens.”  It is a brilliant word play because it humorously implies that God listens to their radio station while simultaneously expressing the reality that God listens to us. This short statement is an encouragement to enter into prayer, reminding us that God is always available and listens to everything we share with Him. It also implies that God does more than merely hear; He also acts. However, we must realize that God acts with His own wisdom and not according to ours. When we say God is in control (and He is!) we must realize that it does not mean He is a ‘puppet-master’ or that everything will go the way we prefer no matter how good our desires are; what it means is that in the end the ultimate victory will be His. And it means that if we remain faithful and steadfast, we will have a share in that victory. To find peace and hope in the midst of a confusing world, then, we need not look to that which is external. Rather, wisdom directs us to look within for God’s movements: God acts most powerfully within hearts that seek Him. Therefore we, too, must listen so that our hearts will be moved to action. We are His hands and feet in the world, so cultivating a listening heart through prayer is essential, especially when living in times and situations that make little sense to us. In listening we gain wisdom, but also we grow in love for God. Indeed, God listens and God does hear us in perfect wisdom accompanied by boundless mercy and love. 

These last weeks in the liturgical year remind us that God’s wisdom is extended to us so that we can remain alert, prepared, and ready: during November the focus is on ‘end things,’ the month beginning with recognition of the saints and holy souls who have gone before us and ending with the Feast of Christ the King who will return victoriously at the end of time. A good example is the readings from the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (two weeks prior to Christ the King), which were about the wisdom we need in order to be ready for when Christ returns. In the first reading we heard that wisdom is “readily perceived by those who love her and found by those who seek her.” (Wisdom 6:12) God wants us to be equipped with all the spiritual gifts we need to withstand the temptations, difficult events, and sufferings which come into our lives. Therefore, wisdom is available to all of us, not just a select few, that we may use the gift to navigate the pathway through life. The reading goes on to say that wisdom, (the Holy Spirit), wants to be made known to us; that is, God does not engage in spiritual ‘hide and seek,’ but makes a serious offering to enable us to be ready, attentive, discerning, comforted, strengthened, and active. The author says that we shall not be disappointed if we go out to meet wisdom; that is, if we seek wisdom in our prayer, we will find it. But the last line of the passage is the most revealing: “… because she [wisdom] … graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.” (Wisdom 6:12-16) Solicitude means “an attitude expressing excessive attentiveness.”* Therefore the writer is saying that wisdom seeks us with excessive attentiveness. That is: God listens, God hears, God offers, God empowers and He excessively desires that we receive.

The gospel for the 32nd Sunday was the parable of the 10 virgins, 5 wise and 5 foolish. The ones who were wise were the ones who had previously sought out wisdom and thus they were ready for the Bridegroom’s arrival. They were listening for God’s movements, allowing His excessive attentiveness to be cultivated within them through their prayer, empowering them to do the same. Therefore, they were alert to His arrival. But they were unable to share any of their oil with the other 5 virgins, not due to selfishness, but because one cannot impart God’s wisdom to another; only God can give His wisdom. Thus, when the foolish finally went off to seek it, they missed entrance into the wedding feast. 

God is excessive in His attentiveness to us; we can seek the gift of His wisdom during our prayer and through our study of the Gospels knowing that God pays attention to our needs and desires. As we pray with Scripture we can observe what Jesus did, how He acted with mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and love that we might “go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37) If we pour out our hearts to the Lord knowing how attentive He is and listen attentively in response, we can find wisdom; and if are inspired by Him, we can in turn help others to find wisdom, too. Remember that since we remain imperfect ‘receptacles,’ having access to God’s wisdom does not mean our choices and understandings will be perfect. But the more we trust God, the more we will grow in acceptance of that which is beyond us, the more our hope will be inflamed against despair and discontent, and the more love will take up residence in our hearts. After all, wisdom is nothing less than God’s love embraced and shared. 

May we seek God’s wisdom through prayer, study of Scripture, and the example of the holy ones! May we trust that God listens and that He is excessively attentive to us! May we learn to listen to God and to one another more attentively! May we grow in our preparation for Christ to return! And may our hearts be moved through wisdom to offer compassion, works of mercy and justice, peace, and love! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                 ©Michele L. Catanese

* Definition from Dictionary.com

Images:
1. My photo, Crater Lake, Oregon.
2. Painting, Evening, 1907 by Frederick Childe Hassam.
3. Russian icon, The Ten Virgins. 
4. My photo, taken in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
5. Image, Jesus Listen and Pray by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining a copy you can find this image at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/jesus-listen-and-pray-251-william-hart-mcnichols.html. I also recommend looking over Fr. Bill's works for Christmas card ideas. https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/william-hart-mcnichols
(Remember, I receive no remuneration for endorsing the work of Fr. Bill McNichols. But I do receive great joy in 'sharing the wealth' in the beauty of his work!)

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. 

Children usually have dreams of what they want to be when they grow up. They go through phases, changing aspirations frequently. With maturity, some get a clearer idea of what they desire to pursue, while for others it gets cloudier. At some point, however, most people do find a passion for something, even if it is by stumbling onto it. Part of this process also involves developing a vocational sense; that is, we discover whether we are called to be a spouse and parent (if God so gifts us with children), to be a priest, deacon, or religious, or to remain single. It is essential to discern a vocational call, but having a deep desire can be a good indication that we are moving in the correct direction. However, no matter what way of life and career we discern, we all share a common call to know, serve, and love the Lord. And regardless of what career and vocation we are called to live, love is the root and center of every soul. God made it clear from the very first lines of His revelation (recorded in Scripture) that life is sacred because it is all about love: we were created from Love, in love, and to love. Thus, our every action should be a witness to love. To help us, God offers His grace: that is, if we draw from God Himself, we have an endless wellspring of love from which to drink. (John 4, John 6:54)

​Because God is Love, He wants us to share in His very being. Therefore, at Baptism He lays a powerful foundation by offering the grace of love (along with faith and hope). All the Sacraments provide graces which build on love because they all flow from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus who is the greatest gift of love God has ever offered His people: the salvation Jesus offers cleanses and heals all our unloving acts and tendencies, but it also empowers us to fulfill our mission as disciples. Therefore, it is our responsibility to offer the gift we have received as a gift to others. (Matthew 10:8)  In the gospel we specifically hear Jesus declare the importance of love when He states the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” In other words, love God with everything you are. Without the slightest pause Jesus continued, “The second is like to it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on it.” (Matthew 22:34-40) That is, if you want to love God, love His people: you cannot love one without the other. Everything depends on love.

If we are uncertain as to how we are to serve God, especially in trying times when the ways in which we used to proceed are either on hold or are tenuous at best, or if we are feeling like a boat adrift, unsure of how we can make a difference, it might be good to ponder our call, remembering that we are created for a purpose, a unique way to express our love. St. John Henry Newman wrote a reflection which could offer some insight; read it while remembering that we are created from Love, in love, and to love. Our love may take on different expressions, but the fact remains that all of us, if we can do nothing else, can love.
Newman wrote: “God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission …. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be an Angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling. Therefore, I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us…. He knows what He is about.” *

Let us accept the call to serve in love. This means allowing God to forgive us our trespasses so we can forgive those of others; it means accepting that others are loved by God equally as to the way we are loved by Him; it means praying for the grace to be less selfish and then taking challenging opportunities to do just that. It means not only praying for love to ‘somehow’ work in others, but acting with love in order to be a model, (we are the ‘somehow’), and praying for our enemies, but then acting like we mean it. This is not about being disingenuous, but rather it means that we are willing to enter into the struggle to love when we truly feel that we cannot. ** If we draw from our baptismal gifts (of which love is central) and spend time in prayer, perhaps we will also find some peace amidst the chaos. No matter what it is we do or what our limitations may be, we can all drink from the wellspring of love, who is God, so that we might live the purpose for which we were made.

May we trust in God’s love and let His love empower us to love in turn! May we discern and then live our unique purpose and mission as a disciple of Christ! And may we take to heart the words of Jesus, understanding that when we love, we live the entire gospel message through our efforts! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!
​
                                                                              ©Michele L. Catanese

Notes:
* Meditations and Devotions 400-401; Prayers, Verses and Devotions 338-339, St. John Henry Newman.
If you are interested in more on St. John Henry Newman I wrote about him in June of 2018, specifically referring to his famous poem, "Lead Kindly Light." You can find it in my archives for June 2018 or click here: https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/hope-the-heart-of-the-good-news   (You can access just about everything I have ever written in the archives, too.) 
** Remember that love does not mean ‘like’ nor does it mean that we condone everything.

Images:
1. My photo, lilies in a lily pad, outside Washington, D.C.
2. Icon, La Sangre de Cristo, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in this icon you can find it at: fineartamerica.com/featured/la-sangre-de-cristo-242-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Icon, Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. (At the time this icon was written Newman was not yet canonized.) You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blessed-cardinal-john-henry-newman-221-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. Painting, First Steps, After Millet, by Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh was recovering in an asylum when he painted this, inspired by the paintings of Millet. For more go to Van Gogh www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436526
5. My photo, mountains in Colorado outside Silverthorne. 

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. 

Years ago when I left religious life and moved to a new city I truly owned little. I got a teaching job relatively quickly, but it afforded an incredibly low salary. Because I had no credit history, I had to be ‘creative’ to convince the manager of an apartment complex to let me move in, and for a while I had no furniture to speak of. Often things were a bit desperate; to say the least, it was pretty tough. I learned a fair amount about poverty during that time. There were many nights when my prayer was to be able to pay for rent, food, and to keep my decrepit car from needing yet one more repair. But in all of that, I never despaired because the Lord was incredibly gracious in keeping me from ever getting down to that last penny. God never abandoned me or left me destitute, even if I didn’t have much. In retrospect I see that I was actually quite rich; that is, I was rich in the kindness of others and rich in the care of God. Whenever I was at the end of my money, someone would come through with a kindness, or something would happen that would help my needs to be met. The result is that I have never doubted that with prayer, God will meet our needs if we trust in Him. This does not mean that I got whatever I wanted, when I wanted it. Rather, it means that God gave me what I needed as He saw fit. Please don’t be mistaken: there was suffering involved, especially since there were no guarantees for anything. But I learned an incredible amount during that time especially in recognizing my spiritual poverty in the need to rely on God, to trust in Him no matter what, and to respond in gratitude when I felt His comfort or received His aid. Notice I did not say the gratitude was only for what was received; of course there was gratitude there, but what meant more was experiencing His love and His presence offered especially through family and friends. It taught me to embrace the poverty which is not about things or the lack thereof: it is about putting all of our trust in God, in His wisdom, mercy, and love. 

In his Letter to the Philippians St. Paul described this poverty.​* He wrote, “Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things, I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me…. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:12-13, 19, italics mine) The truth of this, often missed in the midst of difficult times, is that there are great riches in God and He freely offers them to us. While we do need the material to live, it is the loving touch of God that sustains and underpins everything: we are certainly not alone and have more than we think in our friends, family, and church communities. And whether we are materially rich or poor, the Lord will give the spiritual aid we need, the strength to persevere when we need it most. He is always with us and nothing can separate us from Him. (Romans 8:31-39)

We must also realize that we might be the ones to help those who see no end to their suffering. Just as people came to my aid in unexpected ways, perhaps we are called to reach out from our surplus to help those who do not have the means to survive financially or who need assistance at home for whatever reason. When we participate ‘in person,’ we become Christ to others, a strong message of evangelization as we offer mercy, kindness, care, and action. If the occasion also arises that we can verbally evangelize, such as praying with a person, we can also do that. No matter how we feel about our level of eloquence, a simple prayer is as powerful as one with lots of verbiage. The point is our sincerity and intention, not the amount or type of words used. We can also give ‘anonymously’ through donations of food, clothing, money, and goods (even blood!) to organizations that distribute them. 

It is important to let the Holy Spirit guide us to do and say what our hearts discern as we put the works of mercy into action. But above all, we need to cultivate in prayer the recognition of our own spiritual poverty; that is, that we can do nothing without God’s help and that with it, we can do all things. In this time of pandemic in which so many are suffering physically or economically (or both), it is important to ask for what we need as well as to offer what we can. Our poverty is our wealth: all of us are poor because we need to rely on God for everything, and as a result all of us are rich in God’s mercy, love, and compassion. As we share with one another of our mutual richness in poverty, let us continually trust in the love of God. Indeed, we will see that we can do all things in Him who strengthens us. 

May we have the courage to put everything we have and everything we are into God’s hands! May we turn to the Holy Spirit for discernment as to the best use of our time, talent, and treasure! May we find freedom in embracing our poverty and the richness of God’s grace! May we be diligent in sharing the trust in God and the holy poverty we embrace! And may we learn to love as Jesus does! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

                              ©Michele L. Catanese

* This was the second reading from the liturgy of the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Images:
1. My photo,  Mt. Cook, New Zealand: I chose this because of the low clouds which partially obscure the mountain. 
2. Photo, broken bread: Bread is the food of the poor and of the rich.
3. Icon, Seven Works of Mercy by Olivuccio di Ciccarello da Camerino: This is one of seven icons by the artist in the Vatican Museum Pinacoteca. 
4. My photo, Giverny, France: This was taken in the gardens of Claude Monet in Giverny. 
5. Icon, St. Francis Patron of Colorado, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I chose this because the saint who is most identified with both material and spiritual poverty is St. Francis of Assisi. You can find this for purchase, if you want a copy, in one of many mediums at ​https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-francis-patron-of-colorado-186-william-hart-mcnichols.html
​
NOTE: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

Any parent or anyone who has ever worked with children knows that once a toddler understands the meaning of the word “no” they will start exercising its power. We are all born rather strong willed and although we do not remember our own personal ‘terrible twos’ everyone goes through that phase. If all goes well, we outgrow it, (or at least we should). The mature have learned that their own will is not always the way things will be, or perhaps should be, done. But even the most docile do not naturally like having things go against their own will. That we want our way and not God’s is at the heart of original sin; we ‘deem’ what is ‘fair’ and in doing so, we arrogantly act as if we know better than God does. That is why one of the most profound lines in Scripture is the response of Mary to the archangel Gabriel when he announced that she would be the mother of the Son of God: “May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Mary did not grow up knowing this would be the role she had been chosen to fulfill. Therefore when she assented, Mary was knowingly letting go of many thoughts, dreams, and expectations for her future life, entering into an immense unknown. Years later at a wedding in Cana, she would reflect her lifelong commitment to trusting God completely when in reference to Jesus she said, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5)* 

​The first of Mary’s two statements was directed at God. She was willing to enter into the unknown because of her great love and trust in the Lord. What followed was a time of joy, but also great suffering: she had revealed her pregnancy to Joseph while they were betrothed, she had fled with her family when Herod wanted to murder Jesus, forced to live in a foreign land for a few years; she lost Jesus in the crowded city of Jerusalem for a few days, and sometime later became a widow. But in all of it she always did the will of God, and thus was able to let go of Jesus when it was time. She did not know that it set Him on the road to death, but as a widow, letting go of her only Son was a huge ‘yes’ to God. Therefore, her second statement to “do whatever He tells you” was directed at us, too: if we do as Jesus instructs, we accept His wisdom, which is far greater than our own. Further, we put ourselves into His hands so that even when we suffer, He is there to comfort and guide. There are no better hands to be in than God’s.  

Conforming our will to God’s will is certainly not easy. It wasn’t for Mary, nor was it for any of the other Saints. But a common denominator in their lives is that they placed themselves in God’s hands, allowing His will to be done. One such saint is St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, (1905-1938, feast day October 5). She suffered greatly during her life, especially when she was in the convent, but with the grace of God, she was able to put aside her will and in love, do that which God called her to do. Her life echoed the words of Mary, doing what Jesus asked of her. St. Faustina had visions of Jesus and Mary which she wrote about in her Diary and from which we can learn an immense amount about the “oceans of mercy” offered by Jesus. Because of St. Faustina, we have a special prayer, (the Chaplet of Divine Mercy), a wonderful image of Jesus which she described and had painted, and we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday on the Sunday after Easter.** It is clear she put God’s will ahead of her own.

If we want to know how to do what God tells us, we need look no further than the Scriptures. In Micah 6:8 we learn what the will of God is for each one of us: “Do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God.” In short, a life of prayer and discernment, and acting on it, is God’s will for us. Jesus taught that we are to love one another as He loves us: love, and the mercy which flows from it, is the foundation to ‘doing justice’ and this is the will of God. Therefore, we must continually return to the Gospels and learn from Jesus and from Mary how to live with trust in God’s presence no matter what befalls us, to trust in the gifts God gives which enable us to love, to bring peace through working for justice with mercy, and to recognize that sometimes the smallest things, if done with great love, can become the greatest miracles of all.

St. Faustina wrote, “Act in such a way that all those who come in contact with you will go away joyful. Sow happiness about you because you have received much from God; give, then, generously to others. They should take leave of you with their hearts filled with joy, even if they have no more than touched the hem of your garment.” Let us do whatever He tells us by living as St. Faustina suggests. What we are called to do is not always complicated, but it means letting go of our chosen way of doing things and doing as Jesus would. If we trust in Him we can make a difference in many lives, including our own.

May we ask Mary and Jesus to help us to have the courage to do what God wills rather than what we will! May we ask the intercession of St. Faustina for Divine Mercy to be at the center of our actions! And may we learn to trust in Jesus and thus to do whatever He tells us! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!
​                                                                 
                                                                      ©Michele L. Catanese

*In saying, "Do whatever He tells you," Mary was letting go of any future life with Jesus in her home, allowing her will to yield to God's. Once Jesus performed the miracle of turning water to wine, His public ministry began. Mary was well aware that once Jesus left home, she would be quite vulnerable since a widow was always put in the care of a son in Jewish culture. But she was also telling us to listen to what Jesus, as God, teaches in His gospel message.
​**​If you want to know how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet click here:  www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/how-to-pray-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy

​Images:
1. My photo, Isle of Skye, Scotland.
2. Fresco painting, The Wedding at Cana, by Giotto. This is found in the Scrovengi Chapel, Padua, Italy.
3. Icon, St. Faustina Kowalska, Apostle Of Divine Mercy by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining a copy you can purchase one at ​fineartamerica.com/featured/st-faustina-kowalska-apostle-of-divine-mercy-094-william-hart-mcnichols.html
​4. My photo, taken near Silverthorne, Colorado. 
5. Painting commissioned by St. Faustina Kowalska and her religious community of Jesus as Divine Mercy. 

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 I was teaching theology, my students would go to the chapel for a reconciliation service in lieu of class once each year. While in the chapel awaiting the Sacrament, they sat spaced apart, (a form of ‘social distancing’ I suppose) because teens are teens: they would be talking with each other if not for the spacing. I encouraged them to use the period for reflection, saying that they should view it as a gift, as it was the one time when nothing was expected of them: there was no pressure, there would be no quiz, they did not have to produce results, and they could just be themselves with the Lord. I cannot say they were always participating, but I trust that some prayer and reflection went on. Sure, there was some dozing off, too, but at least they did it in the presence of the Lord. Actually, this is a good approach to prayer for everyone, especially for those who are struggling with it or have not spent quiet time with the Lord on a regular basis in a long while. Therefore, consider this an invitation, a message of encouragement to spend time in prayer, a time when you can be totally yourself, when nothing is expected of you, and in which you can enjoy the luxury of being with your most loving, faithful Friend.

Often we are so busy that prayer goes to the bottom of our ‘to-do list’ because other things are deemed to be more pressing. Soon we lose the habit because we have convinced ourselves that ‘I can do it later, but if I don’t get to it I will survive anyhow.’ But aren’t we invited to do more than survive? And without prayer, are we really living our best life? If we approach prayer as a job to accomplish or a chore to be done then of course it will not be something we look forward to participating in. And if it becomes ‘something we do,’ rather than a relationship we engage in, there is no way we will desire to pray, other than perhaps uttering a rote prayer here or there. While rote prayers are wonderful too, they are only one part of prayer. There is no substitute for the time given to building a relationship with the Lord who desires this with all His heart! It is also a mistake to think prayer is ‘something I do.’ Rather, prayer is a mutual relationship with God who shares in the work. Not only that, but we really do not have to do anything but be there and open our hearts to Him. As with my students, there are no prerequisites, no quizzes, and we do not have to produce results, (God does that with our cooperation).  

The reason most people give for not praying, or not praying enough, is that they are too busy. On the contrary, St. Francis de Sales said: “Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer each day, except when we are busy – then we need an hour.” He knew that the busier we are, the more we will need God’s help and guidance to get through our daily obligations. Prayer is a time for resting in the arms of God; it is not an activity, but rather, it is sacred inactivity. That is, on the holy ground of our mind and heart we can simply ‘be’ with God. Of course, as in any relationship we need to share what is on our mind, what needs fixing, what is bothering us, what is going well, what is important to us, etc. We also need to allow God time to respond deeply within us, which does not mean we will hear or feel anything at that moment, but that we have opened the door to seeing and hearing differently throughout the day. And if we have nothing to say, then we can just rest in Him. If we approach God as a best friend with whom we are meeting, there will always be something to say and something to learn from Him. 

St. (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina (feast day, September 23) often said, “Pray, hope and don’t worry.” In prayer we put everything into God’s hands, especially our worries. Remember, prayer is not only for asking favors; and when we do desire something we should not expect to change God’s mind such that we will get whatever we ask for. Prayer is about our hearts being opened to greater mercy, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, service, justice, peace, and love. In this stressful time in our lives we can look to an insight St. Paul offered concerning a grace God can give: encouragement. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in every affliction so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) Prayer opens us to the grace of encouragement and acts as an aid to weathering the storms of this life. Encouragement leads to hope, and hope leads to joy and gratitude. Therefore as we rest in His arms daily, entrusting Him with our burdens and fears, let us accept the encouragement of God, His love and His grace, so that in being encouraged we might encourage others, too.

May we turn to God in prayer more readily during this time of uncertainty and the unfamiliarity of newness! May we enjoy time spent with the Lord, growing in love and holiness as we enter more deeply into our relationship! May we receive the graces we need, especially encouragement! And may we offer what we receive in prayer to those who are also in need of encouragement! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                               ©Michele L. Catanese


Images:
1. My photo, chapel in Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand: This of course, is not where I taught, but it is a small chapel.
2. Painting, The Sheaf Binder, by Vincent van Gogh.
3. My photo, taken at Direlton Castle and Gardens, Direlton, Scotland: Sometimes we need to simply be quiet, smell the flowers and meet God there!
4. Icon, St. Padre Pio Mother Pelican, by Fr. William Hart McNichols: If you wish to purchase a copy of this in any number of mediums, you can find it at fineartamerica.com/featured/2-st-padre-pio-mother-pelican-047-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. My photo, taken at the Dolphin Discovery, Grand Cayman Island: These amazing dolphins were being encouraged by their trainer who can be seen at the bottom left. Beautiful creatures!

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

​I was blessed to have a wonderful, wise spiritual director for many years. She was both a delightful person and a spiritual powerhouse. She offered many insights during our time together, but the one which impacted my spiritual life most came in the form of a question: “What difference does that make in the light of eternity?” This was a creative way to encourage discernment, to suggest that whatever I chose needed to lead me toward God, not away. It also was a great way of keeping things in perspective, balanced, with an emphasis on what is truly important, rather than trivial. This is important for consideration right now because of the added stress and tension in our everyday living. We are in a pandemic, have had natural disasters, and there are many justice issues that require immediate attention. Unfortunately, however, there are people suggesting that we are nearing the end of the world: indeed, there are books and articles about this, even one from a priest who suggested all sorts of ‘evidence,’ his priesthood somehow lending ‘credibility’ to the claim. Every age in history has been fraught with difficulties and calamities; this is not new. Therefore, we must remember to weigh everything in the light of eternity, that is, in the light of the Eternal One, God, and what He and He alone revealed when He sent Jesus. Everything we do should be directed in this way, no matter when He returns, whether it is to everyone at once or when we individually go to Jesus at the end of our natural earthly life. In other words, Christians should always live lives directed toward entering Heaven when we are done here on earth. We should live every day with a mind toward eternity.

Christians have been concerned about the Second Coming of Christ from the get-go; Jesus had only been dead and risen about 20 years when this issue cropped up. In the earliest written New Testament document, the First Letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul dealt with the misunderstanding the community had, that is, the mistaken belief that Jesus would return during their lifetime. Paul clarified the issue by reminding them that Jesus would indeed fulfill His promise to return, but that He had said no one would know the day or hour. * Paul wrote, “Concerning times and seasons, brothers [and sisters], you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night…. Therefore… let us stay alert and sober.” (1 Thess 5:1,6) In essence Paul was reminding them not to needlessly worry, but instead to live in the light of eternity: to be ‘alert and sober’ is to live the teachings of Jesus so as to be prepared for the time when we do enter into Heaven. 

At the end of his ministry Jesus offered three parables to illustrate what we should do to be prepared. (Matthew 25) The Parable of the Ten Virgins teaches about living our lives with mercy, generosity, and love. Jesus indicated that the wise virgins were the ones who were ready when the bridegroom unexpectedly showed up. The oil in their lamps was the graces they had ‘gathered’ through their works of mercy, something which could not be divvied out to the ones who never prepared and were not living in the light of eternity. In The Parable of the Talents, the wise are described as those who build up the Kingdom of God, growing in holiness as they share their faith, ‘making interest on what they have been given.’ Finally, in the third story, The Judgment of the Nations, Jesus described exactly what one must do to build the kingdom while growing in holiness: give food to the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned and ill, and welcome the stranger. In short, we will be judged on the quality of our love. If we are doing the best we can, (which does not mean that we have to be perfect), we have nothing to fear. This is what it means to live in the light of eternity.

We should live every day with a mind toward eternity while remembering that life is a gift. This means that we should not be in a hurry to get to Heaven or to read all the so-called signs which render us unnecessarily terrified. Eternal life with God is what we aspire to; messages which make getting there something to fear, however, cannot be of God because fear leads to a focus on self rather than on God. Living with a mind toward eternity means that we utilize the gift of life with humility and gratitude. If we are able, we can savor the gift of life by giving what we can, working for justice by being just, working for peace by being peaceful, treating all life from conception to natural death with reverence, working to help the poor by offering whatever small acts of kindness we can give, and so on. If we are suffering, ill, or unable to participate in much, we can accept the kindness of others as a way of living with humility and gratitude: it is a kindness to accept kindness. In treating life as the gift that it is, we will indeed be living with a mind toward the light of eternity, just as Jesus has taught.

May we continually discern our choices in order to live with a mind toward the light of eternity! May we learn to distinguish between that which leads toward unity, life, and God, and that which leads toward division, fear, and self! May we prepare for eternal life by offering our time, talent, and treasure to help those in need! And may our lives be signs of hope to those who feel hopeless and of love to those who feel forgotten! Let us continue to meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

* Jesus made it quite clear that there would be false messiahs claiming to ‘read the signs’ about when the world would end. Jesus said we should not listen to them: “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (Matthew 24:4-30; 36-44) 

Images:
1. My photo, sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, Biloxi, Mississippi. 
2. Icon, The Second Coming of Christ The King by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you wish to obtain a copy of this or any other icons or images from Fr. Bill's work you can find this one at fineartamerica.com/featured/the-second-coming-of-christ-the-king-149-william-hart-mcnichols.html. (Remember, I do not get any remuneration for posting how to obtain copies of Fr. Bill's work: it is solely for the joy of sharing.)
3. Painting, The Parable of the 10 Virgins by Phoebe Anna Traquair. This is found at Mansfield Traquair Church, Edinburgh, Scotland. 
4. My photo, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado near Estes Park.
5. Painting, Soliel by Vincent van Gogh.

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. 

Sometimes re-reading a novel after many years can be quite eye-opening. I recently made this discovery while revisiting Lost Horizon by James Hilton, written in 1933. Even with concessions for it being dated, it was a huge disappointment this time. Quite frankly, it left me a bit shocked. It was always a hokey premise: a plane crashes in the Himalayas and once the passengers climb a ridge, they find a beautiful populated valley, Shangri-La. Its ‘perfection’ includes incredible longevity for those who live there. What shocked me, however, was the philosophy described by the plane wreck survivors’ mysterious host  who said that their “prevalent belief is moderation…. avoiding excess of all kinds – even including, if you will pardon the paradox, excess of virtue itself.” In short, they practiced goodness in moderation, immorality in moderation, and so on. The host said that as in everything, their faith is approached with moderation so that they are even “moderately heretical;” later he states that “many religions are moderately true.”* This is not perfection, but rather it is dangerous, a type of relativism: anything goes… within moderation, of course! Since the novel was written, many have equated the phrase “Shangri-La” to mean a blissful place, but in the book Shangri-La is not a place of true freedom. As I considered this, I began to reflect upon Heaven as taught by our Christian faith in which it is clear that Heaven is not some ‘thing’ on earth, utopian in essence. Let me be clear: utopia does not exist, Shangri-La does not exist, and perfection on this earth does not exist. But Heaven does exist, precisely because it is not at all of this earth. Rather, Heaven is the one true Paradise which we will enter only after we leave this life. It is true eternal life with God forever based on His love and mercy. There is nothing perfect on ‘this side’ of Heaven, but the magnificent gift is that because of God’s mercy, we can enter into it someday.

When we recently celebrated the Assumption of Mary into Heaven we celebrated that when she died Mary went ‘whole’ from the earth; but where did she actually go? We know the answer is “Heaven,” but the truth is that Heaven is not a place. Rather, Heaven is a state of being which is totally different than that of this earth. It is outside of time and space as we know it, ** and it is where God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) dwells. In Heaven we will spend eternity with God “where He will wipe away every tear and there will be no suffering” (paraphrase, Revelation 21:1-4) We cannot attain Heaven and simultaneously still be physically alive on the earth, though we can get ‘glimpses’ of it in prayer or in spiritual experiences when we are overcome with joy that has no explanation as to its source other than that it comes from God. These moments are brief and fleeting, (though sometimes they can last much longer);*** but the effect of the experience ‘proves’ to the pray-er that it did happen. These experiences are nearly impossible to put into words, but that is also a sign that the experience was real. We simply have no words to describe the indescribable.

The reality is that we will have to experience all that life entails, the suffering and difficulties, joys and blessings, before we can get to Heaven. Jesus assured us that if we are baptized and have belief – (this means we freely accept the gospel teachings He gave and put it into action) – and we sincerely attempt to grow in holiness, we will end our earthly days with entrance into Heaven. After death, some of us will first have to deal with unrepented sin or sinful attitudes; that is, we will need to be cleansed of whatever has kept us from growing as we should have. (Like Heaven, Purgatory is a state outside of time and space, an experience of being purged or refined so that we become perfected for entrance into Heaven.) If all this seems difficult, it is. Jesus clearly said the road is narrow and the way difficult. But the Good News is that God freely offers powerful graces and we can freely accept them. In fact, He will give any graces we ask for to attain that end. It presupposes we have a relationship of love with Him forged through prayer. And it means that we are humbly grateful before Him because we know that we can do nothing without God’s help. 

There is no perfect place, nor does perfection exist outside of Heaven. Any attempt for humans to create Heaven on earth will fall short at best and end disastrously at worst. God sent His Son to offer that which no human can create: He alone offers everlasting life, the redemption and perfection that only exist within Him. While God never said our life here would be free of pain and difficulty, He does offer us freedom from those things at the end of our journey if we stay the course. The beauty lays in personal discovery of God’s deep love and mercy, which we can accept as gift and then offer to others. All we need do is seek, ask, and knock, and it will be given. 

May we seek after the true paradise, life in Heaven with God forever! May we ask the help of the Holy Spirit to attain the purpose for which we were created: to know, love, and serve God in whatever way we are called! May we spend time in prayer with the gospels, especially the proclamation of the Kingdom by Jesus! May we pray for the gift of discernment, that we might learn to recognize the voice of God and to reject the seductive voices of the world! And may we have the consolation of Jesus, who is always present, guiding us home to Heaven! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!
                                                                      ©Michele L. Catanese

* Lost Horizon by James Hilton, Digital Fire edition, 2020; pages 42-43; 62.
** Magnificat, August volume, Bishop Robert Barron, Daily Gospel Reflections 8/15/2020
*** St. Teresa of Avila, for example, had extended experiences of union with God or had a sense of viewing Heaven. Many others such as St. Catherine of Siena, St. Faustina, and St. Seraphim of Sarov also had visions of Heaven. Though this is rare, it is indeed possible not just for those who are adept at prayer, but God can break through to anyone at any time since these experiences are pure gift. It is my belief that on some level great artists, writers, composers must have an intuited sense of Heaven in order to create such works of beauty. For a bit more on this, see 
https://littlestsouls.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/visions-of-heaven-the-perfect-joy-of-the-blessed/

Images:
1. My photo, near Mont Blanc, Chamonix, French Alps. I know this is not the Himalayas, of course, but it was the closest photo of a snowy mountain and valley (with a stretch of the imagination) that I have.
2. My photo of a painting in a church in Verona, Italy: The Assumption of Mary.
3. My photo, taken in the highlands of Scotland, near  Grantown-on-Spey. If ever there was a place that made me feel like I was seeing Heaven, it was in the Highlands, particularly this spot.
4. Painting, inset of Tree Triptych for Rivera Funeral Home by Fr. William Hart McNichols. Within the leaves of the tree, there is a space that looks like a heart. That is what drew me to this painting. 
If you would like to obtain a copy, go to https://fineartamerica.com/featured/tree-triptych-for-rivera-funeral-home-220-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. Again my photo, a peaceful garden in Lerwick, on the Mainland of the Shetland Islands, Scotland.

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.