​In early January we often look forward to what a new year will bring. Therefore, this is a good time to reflect upon our spiritual progress, (something we should do often), since it provides an excellent opportunity to ponder how we might deepen spiritual awareness and grow in relationship with God, considering how we might better respond to His call. It is important to reflect upon the mysteries of creation, beauty, and most especially, who we were created to be. And it is important to remember that all of the answers we seek are found in God. However, we need to keep in mind that when we seek, we may discover more questions than we began with: it is wisdom to realize that the more we think we know, the less we really know, hence we continue to hunger for God to reveal Himself. Our trust in God must deepen so that we become content in the humility of simply being His child. And this is what the Baptism of the Lord is about: the humility of Jesus revealing whose Son He is, and His invitation to humbly grow in our understanding of being His Father’s child, too. 

As humans we have found many different ways to try to understand ‘the way things are.’ The sciences, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, are important ways to understand the intricacies of the universe and how we function within it. We must recognize, however, that all of these, no matter how much or little we comprehend, are different ‘languages’ by which God reveals Himself. That is, together with theology they are ways to express God’s revelation. As the Psalmist says, we are “wondrously made.” (Psalm 139:14) The sciences are not opposed to theology, but rather are ways to describe that which comes from the Creator who designed the way it all ‘works,’ and yet, who Himself is uncreated: He simply is “I Am Who Am.” (Exodus 3:14) To facilitate our response to beauty, that is, to God, we have the arts, including dance, music, visual disciplines like painting, sculpture, and photography, as ways to express without words. There is also language, spoken and written, including poetry, prose, essay, or simply the common parlance of speech. All of these, while grand or poor, are attempts to express the inexpressible, our response to beauty and the revelation of God. 

At its core, our desire to know is actually spiritual hunger. Therefore, we can marvel at that which we do not fully understand, and we can praise God for the magnificence and mystery of it all. This praise leads to a deepening of love and gratitude, since we deserve none of it, and yet the reality is that He created it all for us.* According to His plan, even after Adam and Eve destroyed the original beauty of Eden through disobedience, (bringing original sin into the world), God sent His only Son to save us from the power of sin and death, enabling the gifts which we are able receive through Baptism. As we just celebrated at Christmas, Jesus is the Son of God, true God and true man: He is fully divine as the Son of the Most High, and as the Son of the Immaculately conceived mother, Mary, He is also fully human, but without sin. So why then, did He begin His ministry by being baptized? He certainly did not need it!

​Among other things, the answer lies in humility and in love. Jesus came into the world in the deepest humility; God ‘leapt down’ from Heaven to enter our world of imperfection, experiencing pain, suffering, and death. It therefore makes sense that also in humility He would do that which He wants for us to do as well. But further, Jesus changed the nature of John’s baptism so that it became a Sacrament which by the power of His Holy Spirit cleanses all sin and ultimately changes our status to that of sons and daughters of God. As St. Paul pointed out, we became adopted sons and daughters of God when we were baptized.** Thus, we share the Father with the Son in a deeper way through the Holy Spirit. This sharing opens our capacity for faith, hope, and love, the graces which come from Baptism. Finally, we observe that the Father’s voice was heard saying how pleased He was in Jesus; and the Holy Spirit rejoiced, too, as He was seen like a dove hovering over Jesus. (Luke 3:21-22) This was the way God wanted to point out that indeed Jesus was the One for whom we had waited and that we should pay attention, learning from Him as we become His disciples.

In Jesus’ Baptism, we can observe virtues in addition to humility. He was obedient to the Father in being baptized without the need of it; He exhibited fortitude in His acceptance of His ministry, opposed long before He said a word and ending in death; He lived with prudence and temperance in how and when He did everything; we observe justice in His teaching and in His final victory, giving insight into how God’s justice is different than ours. Therefore, through Jesus' baptism we learn the virtues we must have to grow in the Christian life, graces offered by the Father to assist us in persevering in the faith and in our call. As we reflect upon what we hope for in this new year, we can draw upon what we have been given, approaching the Lord in prayer that our hunger for Him might increase.

May we adopt an attitude of humble, spiritual hunger, knowing that it can only be fulfilled in God! May we continue to drink from the wellspring of our own Baptism, that we might grow in faith and hope especially when we are most challenged! And may we strive to grow in mercy and love just as Jesus taught! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                        ©Michele L. Catanese

* The first chapters of Genesis reveal that we are to have dominion over everything, insofar as we are stewards, and we are meant to enjoy it all.
** John’s baptism was for forgiveness of sin, but he could not cleanse original sin; his baptism did not forgive in the sacramental sense. John's baptism was about repentance as he was readying the way for Jesus who could give us sacramental Baptism which imparts grace and changes our status to adopted sons and daughters of God. (See Galatians 4:3-7; Roman 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:4-5) Only God can impart grace, something John knew: “I baptize you with water, but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” John went on to explain that while he baptized with water, Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. (John 1:26-34) ~ There are many more reasons that Jesus was baptized though He did not need it, but I am only focusing on this aspect for the purpose of this reflection.

Images:
1. My photo; The Baptism of the Lord, by Giotto. Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy.
2. Image; Hebrew Name of Yahweh-Adam Kadmon, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you would like to purchase a copy of this, go to fineartamerica.com/featured/hebrew-name-of-yahweh-adam-kadmon-183-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. My photo; grotto garden in Portland Oregon.
​4. My photo; Spey River in the Highlands of Scotland, near Grantown-on-Spey.
5. Print; The Cardinal Virtues, artist unknown. This medieval print depicts Patience and Temperance on the top, left to right; Fortitude and Justice on the bottom, left to right. 
6. Oil painting; Louveciennes, Chemin de Creux (Winter Landscape in Louveciennes) by Camille Pissarro, 1872. Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
​
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. 

During Advent we considered the humility of Mary and Joseph, not to mention the unfathomable humility of God who bent low in order to become one of us. We reflected upon how Mary and Joseph each knew who they were before God, and loving Him, they said yes. At the Annunciation, Mary had completely given herself to God, and similarly Joseph had put aside his expectations, obeying the angel who came to him via a dream, taking Mary as his wife despite her pregnancy in which he had no part. As the Christmas season begins it is good to ponder more deeply the dimension of humility which enabled them to set aside their egos and follow what was asked of them. Neither of them would have been able to assent to taking on their difficult ministry, (and ministry it was), if they had not given all completely to the Lord. Therefore, in this Christmas season we are invited to reflect upon the actions of Mary and Joseph in everything that followed the birth of Jesus in the same way. We continue to observe in them what it means to follow the Lord as completely as we can: we must lay aside our ego, take on the mantle of humility, and live as if at the stable, lowly and simple. 

The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated only a few days after the Nativity this year. This presents a difficult Gospel to hear so soon after the joy of Christmas day: the angel tells Joseph to take his family and flee because Herod wants to kill Jesus. In the Gospel of this feast day, we see the contrast between the Holy Family and that of the inflated ego of Herod, the king who feared a baby so much so that he decreed all baby boys under two be put to death. Herod knew the prophecies, but rather than to consider the possibility of their fulfillment, his hubris would not allow him to accept that this king was indeed greater than he, not as a threat, but as his savior. It drove him to the worst evil through the horrific acts of murder he ordered; and it was this ego that ultimately led to his ruin. Joseph and Mary were not ‘ruled’ by ego, and therefore heeded the warning of God, uprooting themselves from their kinsfolk and everything they knew as home.

The Gospel proclaimed at Mass the following day is that of the Presentation of the Lord in which Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple for naming and circumcision.* They only had the offering of the poor: two turtledoves or two young pigeons. However, they found no shame in this, because what was more important to them was following the Law with their precious Child; they were unconcerned with how things looked to others. And it was in the Temple that they met Simeon and Anna, both of whom (individually) identified Jesus as the Messiah. Because of their holiness Simeon and Anna were blessed with long life as they longed to see the Awaited One. They trusted the Lord and His promises so greatly that the Holy Spirit gifted them with seeing who He really was when Jesus was before them. Their lack of ego enabled them to see, and therefore, to rejoice in the Messiah’s arrival. Simeon, however, left Mary with a somber message: “Behold this child is destined … to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce)….” (Luke 2:34-35) Mary, however, did not recoil or snatch the Baby out of his hands, nor did she respond as if he had spoiled their joy. Rather, she pondered what he said in her heart, again accepting whatever the Lord would bring. This was because it was always about God, and not about willfulness or superiority (something she had about nothing and no one).

During these few weeks of the Christmas season there is a tremendous amount to reflect upon. That God has humbled Himself and come as a man is something we can never stop considering prayerfully. That this is so makes the soon-to-come season of Lent as deeply shocking as it is and what makes the Easter mysteries to follow so astounding and rich. Without what we ponder at Christmas, the rest of the mysteries would be bereft of their intricacies and nuances, and the stunning reality of who Jesus is, why He came, and what He chose to do for us, would be diminished: we see with vivid clarity that in His own humility God did not choose Himself over us! If we do not consider, and therefore try to imitate, the humility of Mary and Joseph, we may fail to grasp that which snares our own ego, nor might we recognize the depth of our sinfulness and unworthiness. And without that we would not experience the depth of the love and mercy of God, who despite these things, sees us as infinitely worthy. In short, we would miss the unfathomable gift of love and mercy God offered us by sending His Son into the world. 

It is at the stable with the Christ Child that we are given the foundation for our faith: God loves us beyond measure, and the only fitting response we can give is that of casting aside our ego and agenda in a gesture of humility, trust, and love. This Christmas season let us arrive at the stable to become more ‘lowly and simple,’ that we might give the Lord Jesus our hearts as fully as we can.

May we enjoy the blessings of the Christmas season which has just begun! May we pray for the grace of setting aside our ego to say ‘yes’ to the Lord in love! And may we embrace the call to be lowly and simple as we follow where the newborn Lord leads! Let us meet in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Peace!

                                                        ©Michele L. Catanese

* Indeed, the sequence is backwards if one looks at it chronologically rather than how we celebrate these days liturgically. Chronologically, first came the Presentation of Jesus on the 8th day of His life, according to Jewish custom and Law. At some point after the Presentation, the Magi arrived staying there for only a short time since they received a message in a dream to leave by another route; almost simultaneously, Joseph experienced his own dream telling him to take his family away as protection from Herod, thus the Gospel heard at the Mass on the Feast Holy Family. Quick primer: the Gospel on the Feast of the Holy Family came from Matthew’s Gospel and the Gospel describing the Presentation was from the Gospel of Luke. Also, it is important to know that the Sunday Masses and the Gospel passages proclaimed follow the major feasts of the Christmas season, but the calendar may influence their order in the liturgical year: Christmas, Holy Family, Epiphany, the Baptism of Jesus. The cycle of the daily Masses, (during which the Presentation is celebrated) is completely different, though of course, very much revealing mysteries consistent with the season of Christmas. During the 8 days (the Octave) of Christmas we always have the feasts of St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, and the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God which ends the Octave (January 1). It can be confusing, so perhaps the following will help:
From Philip Koslowski at Aleteia, posted Dec. 27: “… in the Roman Catholic Church, the liturgical season of Christmas does not start until December 25 (including the vigil celebrated on December 24) and lasts through January. This is where it can get a little more confusing as the Baptism of the Lord is a moveable feast, depending on the day when Epiphany falls in the Roman calendar…. For those dioceses that celebrate Epiphany on January 6, the Baptism of the Lord falls on the Sunday after it. In other places where Epiphany is celebrated on the first Sunday that falls from January 2 through January 8, then the Baptism of the Lord could occur either on the following Sunday, or on a Monday (this happens if Epiphany is celebrated on January 7 or 8). The latest that the Baptism of the Lord can occur is January 13. Ordinary Time starts on the day after this feast.”

Images:
1. Image; The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-034-william-hart-mcnichols.html
2. My photo; The Holy Family fleeing to Egypt, bas relief sculpture on the wall of the Milk Grotto in Bethlehem, Palestine.
3. Oil painting; The Sheepfold, Moonlight, by Jean-Francois Millet, (1856-1860)
4. My photo; tree at Fort Davis, Fort Davis, Texas.
5. My photo; Angels adoring the newborn Jesus at the manger, found in the Basilica of the Transfiguration, Mt. Tabor, Israel.
6. Fresco painting; The Cortona Altarpiece: Adoration of the Magi, (left) and The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (right), by Blessed Fra Angelico (1400-1455)

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. 

During Advent a wonderful contemplation is to simply sit and gaze upon a creche scene. The figures do not move, nor do they make a sound; they do nothing except hold their position, as it were. However, while they do not make a sound, they do speak, though not aloud. They speak to our heart of who they are depicting and what we are awaiting. Not everyone does this, but part of my Advent tradition is to leave the baby Jesus out of the scene until Christmas Eve night. Thus, throughout the entire season the scene and all its figures seem to be awaiting the Lord. Yes, the shepherds and wise men are in my creche scene, but for me the shepherds are representative of the simple folks who knew of the prophecies and were waiting, and the Magi represent the journey which involves watching and patience in finding the place where the Star was leading. In these late weeks of Advent, the scene speaks of intensified waiting and of the need to pay close attention, a reminder of the words of that beautiful line of Scripture: “When peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, your all-powerful word from heaven’s royal throne bounded….” (Wisdom 18:14-15) 

​Everything about the stable scene is a contradiction of sorts, yet it is just as the Father wants it to be. Isaiah wrote some rather intriguing lines that point out the mystery involved: “No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, “This is the way; walk in it.”” (Is 30: 20-21) That is, the all-powerful Word will bound from Heaven and will be our guide. But in an earlier prophecy, Isaiah had revealed that this all-powerful Word would come as a child, (Isaiah 11:6). Perhaps the late Advent creche scene is telling us that the Teacher is coming, though as we least expect Him. Thus, the empty manger speaks of this child, our Teacher and King, whom we will see if we remain patient. This king comes in the deepest humility; indeed, what king is there who would assent to being born in a manger surrounded by animals? 

The next contradiction is the mother, a humble, holy woman named Mary, pregnant not in the usual course, but through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to the Son of God, who will be called Jesus, the Teacher and King foretold of old. Then we see Joseph watching over his pregnant wife, quietly contradicting the evil intentions of Herod by heeding the angel’s message: he is the father obedient to The Father. There are the animals whose home this family is occupying, yet who gladly share it. In what should be chaotic, peace reigns in the hopeful waiting. Isaiah said that there will be an eminence of light in the dark of this place: “The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be… like the light of seven days….” (Isaiah 30:26) Thus, the final contradiction: in the darkest time of the year, an unnaturally bright star is leading the Magi to this couple who are preparing for the Baby. And unbeknownst to anyone, this Baby is light because He is the Light of the World.

It is important to remember that Mary is the Immaculate Conception who defuses the light of the One whom she bears within her womb, and will always do so. It is important to remember that Joseph, the silent one, is able to hear angels speak because he is a listener who then acts upon what he hears. Perhaps this is the call of Advent this year; that is, Advent and the creche scene speaks of our call to defuse light by living as Jesus teaches, first by listening to Him and then sharing the gospel in all we say and do. The message is that we are all called to greater purity and simplicity of heart and to ask for the grace to let go of our attachments so that we might focus on the Lord above all else. We are called to be like Joseph, listening before speaking, so that we too might hear angels speak deep in our hearts. And yes, we are called to be bearers of God’s healing and mercy. As Isaiah wrote: “He [God] will be most gracious to you when you cry out; as soon as he hears he will answer you.” (Isaiah 30:19), And again, in the light “…the Lord binds up the wounds of His people....” (Isaiah 30:26) Thus, we are to trust that God’s presence in this coming Child who is both Teacher and King will bring healing to us and to our world, and we also must remember that for this to be so, we must do our part by working with Him, acting as He taught during His ministry. Jesus taught that ‘what we have received, we are to give as a gift.’ (paraphrase of Matthew 10:8 and 1 Peter 4:10-11)

As Advent grows late and the day is drawing nearer, we are called to imitate the virtues of those gathered at the manger. It is only in silence that we can open our hearts to truly hear the message, to recognize the gifts offered, and to ask for the grace to grow holier in the light of the coming Lord. Let us be ready for time and eternity to meet on that awaited day when peaceful stillness will compass everything.

May we gather at the creche in expectation, hope, listening, and receiving! May we imitate Mary and Joseph in living the call we have been given with listening hearts and purity of spirit! And may we welcome anew the Lord of Light, Jesus Christ, into our hearts at Christmas! Maranatha! Come, O Lord! Peace!

                                 ©Michele L. Catanese

Note: Since this blog is dedicated to St. John Henry Newman, it is only fitting that I include some lines from one of his poems which describe the mysteries of late Advent.
The Watchman (A Song) – St. John Henry Newman
Time’s years are many. Eternity one.
And one is the Infinite;
The chosen are few, few the deeds well done.
For scantness is still Heaven’s might.  (December 12, 1832)

Images:
1. My photo; Creche scene in my prayer room.
2. Painting in a style called 'gouache' (water is used as a medium); St. Joseph Seeks a Lodging at Bethlehem, (Saint Joseph cherche un gîte à Bethléem) by James Tissot (1886-94).
3. Icon; San Jose Flor de Jese, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested, you can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/san-jose-flor-de-jese-323-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. Icon; Mother of God of Medjugorgie by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested, you can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/the-mother-of-god-of-medjugorgie-084-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. My photo; New Mexico sunset.
6. Fresco painting; Nativity, Giotto (1303-1306) at the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy; public domain.

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. 

Advent is the quietest time of the year. Lest you think I haven’t left the house or watched TV in the last three months, let me clarify. Spiritually, Advent is the quietest time of the year. And this is exactly the point: we exist between the pull of the world and that of spirituality. The world is overly lit up, loud, and ‘bossy’ in that we are faced with music and lights far too early, as well as the not-so-subtle persuasion to purchase all sorts of things. It is not that we ought to avoid the joy of the season, but the reality is that we are in Advent, not Christmas, so our joys ought to reflect where we are now, not where we will be in four more weeks. If we get ahead of ourselves, we will miss the beauty and the incredible graces of Advent. Thus, Advent, the quietest time of the year, invites us into the silence which is filled with joyful expectation and messages of hope and wonder too beautiful to miss.

Our reflection must begin with Mary who is essential since her participation was crucial to God’s plan. And in considering her, we must also consider the importance of hopeful expectation: the beauty and wonder of this gift is evident since the Son came ‘down’ from heaven through the assent of this humble woman and therefore, in her time of pregnancy we prayerfully join in the joyful waiting. Within this mystery is our opportunity to receive messages of hope and wonder that are far too beautiful to consider missing. It is interesting that Mary is recorded as speaking only five times in the Gospels. The first two, at the Annunciation when she humbly said yes to God’s plan, and again at the Visitation when she responded immediately to serve her pregnant older cousin.* At that time, Elizabeth, who also knew how to listen in the quiet of her soul, upon seeing Mary approaching, cried out, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” We, too, should be continually asking how it happens that the mother of our Lord should come to us when we enter into the silent prayer of Advent (or any time that we invite Mary to join us as we pray.) In the silence we can consider if we react with joy in her presence, remembering the beauty of her love for the Son she brings, as well as the love she bears for us. 

With Mary we can respond: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior….” (Luke 1: 46-55)** Notice that Mary praised God first for who He is and then for the joy He has caused within her spirit. God is always first in her mind and heart, and it is to Him that all her words and deeds always point. In this beautiful prayer she affirms many of the ways God offers hope: He has mercy, He shows His might by casting down the arrogant and raising up the lowly, He fills the hungry with good things, He keeps His promises and remembers His servants. These words, just as in the words she spoke at the Annunciation, convey what God reveals as messages of hope and wonder. God revealed His wonders within Mary through her pregnancy with His Son, within an elderly woman (Elizabeth) becoming pregnant with the prophet long promised (John the Baptist) who would usher in the Messiah, and in His unfathomable mercy for all humanity. 

During Advent let us be with Mary in her joy and expectation which came through messages of hope and wonder too beautiful to miss. In our prayer, we can join her in the silence before the angel appeared and then again, in their encounter. We should pause there, entering into the wonder of moments such as these in our own life: how have angels come to us and what do they say? What is God’s message of hope and wonder for us? We can join Mary in quiet service, our response to God’s mercy. What is the hope and wonder we experience as we give to others and receive their gratitude? What is our experience of doing things no one knows about, that like Mary, we do in hidden ways? What is the hope and wonder of coming into contact with the Lord? Do we recognize the moments pregnant with the Lord as did Elizabeth? And do we respond with joy, as did both women? 

There are messages of hope and wonder too beautiful to miss in Advent which we can only receive if we enter into the season. We are not meant to insulate ourselves from the outside world with its lights, noise, and ‘bossiness,’ and there is nothing wrong with engaging in some of it so long as we do not lose sight of the opportunities for the quiet pondering which we are called to in this wonderful season, Advent, that we might prepare the manger within our heart for the Lord Jesus. Advent is a gift to all who follow Jesus Christ so that when He comes with even more hope-filled mercy and love, we will not miss those messages either. Indeed, Advent is a precious gift into which we can (and should) invite others, especially those most harried or burdened by this time of the year. Indeed, there are messages of hope and wonder too beautiful to miss that become even more beautiful when shared.

May we enter into Advent by joining with Mary in joyful expectation! May we receive the beautiful messages of hope and wonder contained in the mysteries of the season! And may we grow in relationship with Mary and the Lord Jesus for whom we, too, are preparing! Let us meet in the silence of Advent! Maranatha! Come O Lord! Peace!

​                                         ©Michele L. Catanese

Notes:
* When we first ‘meet’ Mary in Scripture she was in solitude and the archangel Gabriel appeared with his strange greeting, “Hail, favored one,” along with tidings of great joy. Mary listened to what he said and finally spoke: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” After Gabriel explained, Mary spoke a second time: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:26-38) The third time she spoke was the Magnificat. The other two times occurred in John’s Gospel when again she made two statements during the Wedding at Cana: “They have no wine,” and “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:3,6)
** The Magnificat was a canticle, a song. I have always envisioned Mary singing it with Elizabeth joining in as if in refrain. Remember, Mary’s words were based on the prayer of Hannah when the Lord revealed to her that she, who was thought barren, would be the mother of Samuel, a great prophet. (1 Samuel 2:1-10) By incorporating the prayer of Hannah, (which Elizabeth would have known) it seems Mary was including praise for the wonder of Elizabeth’s pregnancy as a once barren woman with her own miraculous and virginal pregnancy. Once again, this displays the humility of Mary and her sensitivity to all God’s marvelous works.
Images:
1. My photo: At an agriturismo property (farm/guesthouse) outside of Noto, Sicily, Italy.
2. Painting; The Visitation, (inset of a larger work), by Bl. Fra Angelico.
3. My photo; Mount Cook in the South Island of New Zealand.
4. My photo: close up of dew on a tiny plant, Lost Maples Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas.
5. Icon; The Mother of God Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you would like to purchase this in any medium, perhaps an Advent card, (or perhaps another of Fr. Bill's beautiful icons for a Christmas card), or an icon as a gift, you can find it at ​fineartamerica.com/featured/the-mother-of-god-overshadowed-by-the-holy-spirit-118-william-hart-mcnichols.html
​(Remember, I do not receive any remuneration for recommending Fr. Bill's work. I simply enjoy sharing messages of hope and wonder too beautiful to miss!)
6. Drawing; Advent Week 1 wreath and candles.
7. Photo; Advent Week 2 wreath and candles.

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 high school theology I would ask my students a difficult question as we began one of the units: “Where is your soul?” As they wrestled with it, I would continue, “Is it in your gut (solar plexus)? Or perhaps your heart or your head?” For the most part they would be perplexed, as would many people if they never considered it, I suspect. In short, our soul is immortal; it is the spiritual, sacred God-given gift of our consciousness and freedom, which in unity with our body makes up our one nature. (For more explanation, see the notes.)* Further, we do not have a body and a soul, but rather we are a body and soul, a unity. We are sacred beings since we are created by God in His image and likeness with a soul that is immortal and a body which will be separated from our soul at death, perfected, and reunited (with our soul) at the Final Judgment.** We are not like the angels who are non-corporeal, (without bodies), but are pure spirits. That we are a body and soul is unique to us; of all that God has made we alone are this way. This means that we are able to meet God uniquely within our soul, or as we often say, deep within our inmost being. Thus, the Uncreated and the created can meet as one; or put another way, our soul is where Heaven meets earth.

Indeed, our souls are where we meet God intimately, but we know there is more about Heaven to ponder, perhaps even the question of where Heaven might be, so let’s dive in. We often use the description ‘above’ for Heaven, but in truth this designation is symbolic of that which is actually a mystery at this point in our journey through life.*** In His preaching Jesus often used the term (‘above’) to give a sense that Heaven is where God is. As such, it is perfection, something which is above us. Scripture also tells of those prior to Jesus who had visions of Heaven: Isaiah, for example, saw the Lord of Hosts sitting on His throne, a place so holy, he lamented his own sinfulness or unholiness. (Isaiah 6:1-8) Thus, it stood to reason that Jesus would teach about Heaven and its importance, though the most important of the revelations concerning Heaven is His Resurrection from the dead, followed 40 days later by His Ascension. And over the centuries there have been experiences and visions of Heaven by a number of saints beginning with St. Stephen who joyfully cried out that he saw Heaven as he was being stoned to death. (Acts 7:56)

Jesus often taught about what Heaven is like in His parables. Additionally, He gave insight when in response to the Pharisees, He said: “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Behold, here it is!’ or, ‘There!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Some translations say, “within you,” Luke 17:20-21) For the sake of spiritual reflection, let us consider these words in relation to our prayer; that is, we always have access to God and therefore, to the Kingdom when we pray. But this access from within demands a response: Jesus instructed His followers to help build up the Kingdom through evangelization and service here on the earth and so we are called to action. In short, the Kingdom is within and all around us, and so the reality is that we cannot refer to the Kingdom as if it is a dot on a map any more than we can refer to any exact location of our soul within our body. Rather we must acknowledge that in a mystical and mysterious way, the Lord has offered us something of what is to come in the here and now, although the day will indeed come when all is perfected; rather than Heaven being 'within' us, we will be within Heaven for eternity. 

We are connected to God, the Saints, the angels, and our departed loved ones by nature of our Baptism. We are One Body in Christ. Thus, everything we do affects the entire Body, which means that we must be on the lookout for the temptations of the evil one who wants to distract us from Heaven at the very least, and separate us from it at the very worst. But if we stay vigilant, continually seek the love and mercy of God, pursuing a life of holiness in our prayer and service, we will grow in relationship with the Lord, and then surely Heaven and earth meet. Of course, while pondering is good and definitely encouraged, it is better to experience these realities. The good news is that we can do this readily: every time we go to Mass, in the Word and at the altar when the Lord is present in the Eucharist, Heaven meets earth; every time we go to Reconciliation and the words of absolution are spoken, Heaven meets earth; every time we go to Adoration, offering worship and praise, Heaven meets earth; every time we read Scripture, Heaven meets earth; every time we pray, Heaven meets earth; and every time we do even the smallest act of selfless giving, Heaven meets earth. In meditating upon this great gift of access we have during this life, let us recognize "the pearl of great price" we are given, that in great gratitude we may open ourselves to the Lord where Heaven meets earth.

May we rejoice that God calls us to meet Him daily! May we be moved to deeper prayer and reflection upon the great gifts God gives! And may we be moved to greater faith, hope, and charity, moving outward in love and service to others, sharing the Kingdom of Heaven and thus, enabling Heaven and earth to meet! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                           ©Michele L. Catanese

* The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC): “In Sacred Scripture the term “soul” often refers to human life or the entire human person. But “soul” also refers to the innermost aspect of man, that which is of greatest value within him, that by which he is most especially in God’s image: “soul” signifies the spiritual principle in man.” It continues: “The unity of soul and body is so profound that one has to consider the soul to be the “form of the body:” i.e., it is because of its spiritual soul that the body made of matter becomes a living, human body; spirit and matter in man, are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature.” (Paragraphs 363 and 365)
-- Also, from Catholic.com: “[The soul is] the spiritual principle of human beings. The soul is the subject of human consciousness and freedom; soul and body together form one unique human nature. Each human soul is individual and immortal, immediately created by God. The soul does not die with the body, from which it is separated by death, and with which it will be reunited in the final resurrection.”
https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-exactly-is-a-soul
​
​** CCC, paragraph 997: “In death, the separation of the soul from the body, the human body decays and the soul goes to meet God while awaiting its reunion with its glorified body. God in His almighty power will definitively grant incorruptible life to our bodies by reuniting them with our souls through the power of Jesus’s resurrection.”

​*** And truly we really should be more attentive in our reflection to what Heaven is. As in all things spiritual, our language doesn’t always contain ways to describe that which is beyond explanation in this life. We are forced to use language that suggests tangibility (matter) and time because that is all we know for now. Therefore, I hope you bear with me in this reflection for that reason.

Images:
1. My photo; The Creation of Adam, the Palatine Chapel, Palermo, Sicily, Italy. Notice God's breath entering Adam. This is definitely Heaven meeting earth.
2. My photo; clouds as seen on the way to Kalambaka, Greece. 
3. Painting; Jesus Dining with Pharisees, by James Tissot.
4. My photo; Blessed Sacrament exposed for Adoration in a small church in Amsterdam, Holland.
5. Icon; La Sangre de Cristo, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining a copy for purchase, go to fineartamerica.com/featured/la-sangre-de-cristo-242-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.

I read a fair number of spiritual newsletters, essays, books, and articles. I enjoy being exposed to new or deeper insights, but it is also beneficial to consider the challenges that often arise. Reflecting periodically upon the state of our spiritual life is important, especially to uncover and then work on areas of attachments and sinfulness, gauging whether or not we are progressing in our life of faith. The point is not to berate ourselves or to engage in feelings of guilt, but rather it enables the recognition of our need to ask the Holy Spirit for aid in spiritual growth and to tap into the mercy of God, something we often lose sight of when avoiding any reflection upon our own weaknesses. Unless we do this, we will not be fully accepting the unfathomable gift of God’s mercy which He wants to give, nor will we be able to grow into the person He created us to be, that is, holy. In Genesis, God revealed that humans are made in His image and likeness, calling us “very good” (Gen. 1:31). But after sin entered the world, we began to have need of His mercy; this action begins through the gift of Baptism, indeed a mercy of God, and we remain in a continual process of reclaiming who He created us to be through the gift of the Holy Spirit, without whom our efforts would be fruitless. Of this St. Paul wrote: “… where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.” (Romans 5:20) Thus, where sin increases within our lives, grace and mercy overflow “all the more.” Acknowledging our own sin, then, is to allow God’s mercy, to overflow within us enabling healing and growth. Let us never forget: He sees us. He knows us. He loves us.

Implicit in what St. Paul said is the understanding that if we desire to grow in our spiritual life, and therefore as disciples of Jesus Christ, we must strive to grow in humility. I am reminded of a comment I heard recently: “Being virtuous or exercising valor to gain attention is neither virtue nor valor.” * This rightly suggests that seeking to gain attention through our service or in overt displays of piety is the opposite of humility. It doesn’t mean that we should never pray in public or enact a work of service that someone witnesses; that is unrealistic, nor is it in keeping with some of what discipleship entails. But it is to say that we need to keep our motivations at the forefront as we do things others can see. Jesus taught this in the Sermon on the Mount: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them, otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others….” Similarly, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them…. When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret.” (Matthew 6:1-8) What Jesus is getting at is not that we should never pray openly, (if so, no one would go to religious services of any kind!) Rather, He is saying that we should not make displays of piety to outperform the next person or to garner attention so that people will think us holy. In short, our prayer and our works should be done to glorify God and not ourselves.

Of course, we must also remember the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector which Jesus told in response to the self-righteous. In it, both men entered the temple to pray. The Pharisee, quite full of himself, proceeded to “take up his position” and “spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity, greedy, dishonest, adulterous, or even like this tax collector.’” Meanwhile, the tax collector “stood at a distance, and would not even raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’” Jesus concluded by saying that the humble sinner went home justified, whereas the Pharisee did not. (Luke 18:9-14) Therefore, it is rather clear that God favors a humble, contrite heart to one that thinks of itself as justified because of their good works and therefore needs no interior work.**

It can be quite challenging to look into our own motivations, and likewise, we must be careful not to fall into the temptation of becoming overly scrupulous as we do so. Therefore, it is essential to keep the Holy Spirit involved in our prayer. In other words, we need His grace in order to grow in self-awareness rather than in self-repudiation. Being virtuous is what we all should strive for, but true virtue always springs from humility, that is, remembering who we are before God. I am reminded of a favorite quote, one which I keep on my desk at all times. It comes from St. Catherine of Siena: “Knowledge of ourselves gives birth to profound humility.” Indeed, if we were to recognize how little we are in comparison to God, and yet how greatly He loves us and responds to our prayers, our humility would grow, and our awe and gratitude at the enormity of His mercy would also grow. In this growth is holiness, and it is this response that the Lord seeks as our offering to Him. 

May we seek to grow in knowledge of ourself! May we grow in humility, responding to the enormous gift of God’s grace and mercy! May we grow in discipleship, witnessing to the Lord through our humble acts of service! And may God’s grace and mercy overflow! Let us meet in the merciful Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                            ©Michele L. Catanese

* I believe this statement was made by Robert Royal, the editor-in-chief of The Catholic Thing and president of the Faith & Reason Institute in Washington, D.C. 
** Reference to Psalm 51:18-19: “For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit, a contrite, humbled heart, O God you will not scorn.” Quite often in the Old Testament, especially in the Prophetic books, there are passages that emphasize God’s preference for sincerity rather than copious offerings, which are often represented by bulls, goats, and the many material sacrifices that were done as if to satisfy an obligation or to appear pious.

​Note: Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, one of which is “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) I would argue that each and every one of the Beatitudes is about having a humble heart. Perhaps something to ponder. By the way, I did write an entry about the Sermon on the Mount a while back. If interested go to https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/the-gospel-within-the-gospels
Images:
1. My photo; Creation of the World, by Giusto de' Menabuoi, (1378). This fresco is in the dome of the Baptistry, Padua, Italy.
2. Drawing; Old Man Praying by Vincent van Gogh.
​3. My photo; Lost Maples Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas. Some humble pines in the foreground and the more 'attention-seeking' colored maples behind them.
4. Painting; Gesù restituisce a santa Caterina la crocetta ricevuta da lei in veste di pellegrino, (Jesus Returns to St. Catherine the Little Cross She Received as a Pilgrim), by Crescenzio Gambarelli, (1602). This is found insided the Basilica of San Domenico, Siena, Italy. Wikimedia Commons.
5. Painting; Divine Mercy, Jesus I Trust in You.
6. Icon; Mother of God Asking for Humility, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this at ​fineartamerica.com/featured/mother-of-god-asking-for-humility-143-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.

I had the blessing of making a pilgrimage to Greece primarily to walk in the footsteps of St. Paul. This pilgrimage also included a stop in Turkey to visit ancient Ephesus where Paul had lived for a few years. No trip to Ephesus would be complete, however, without a visit to the house of Mary, who lived there with the apostle John for a number of years.* There were many blessings throughout our pilgrimage, and it was incredible to be in many places where St. Paul preached. However, going to the house of Our Lady was a singular grace which truly moved me. Her house is relatively small, as anticipated, typical of most houses during the time in which she lived. As we approached the house and entered in, there was a tangible sense of humility and of peace. Keep in mind that were crowds of people at the sites we visited, and this one was no exception. While it was not necessarily chaotic, as we approached and ultimately entered, all of that fell away. Visitors only get a few moments inside, which for me amounted to approximately the duration of an unrushed Hail Mary. Nothing profound transpired, no rush of spiritual insight or energy. Rather, it was peaceful, welcoming, and humble, an experience that was like entering into Our Lady’s heart. 

​After our time at the house, our group celebrated Mass in the chapel nearby followed by some time to ourselves. My husband and I walked back to Mary’s house, and amazingly, there was not one visitor there and so we were able to re-enter the house, having much more time to pray inside than the first time. Again, there were no overwhelming sensations, just peace and a sense of being welcomed into Mary’s home as if we belonged there as treasured friends. And in this realization was the gift she offered me during our visit. We know Our Lady as our Mother and as Queen of Heaven, but to be welcomed as a friend was a new depth of relationship with her that I had not ever really considered. In the past I have approached Mary with reverence, solemnity, love, and awe at her maternal relationship with me, but after reflecting on this, I realized I have always felt at ease in her presence. Entrance into her house reminded me that this at-homeness is both an element of her motherly love as well as a hallmark of friendship. 

​In truth, there should be some elements of friendship with family members, though we do not often think of it in this way. Friendship generally entails trust, enjoying similar values, willing what is good for the other, and even a sense of service for the other insofar as we care deeply for them and therefore want to help in any way they might need. Additionally, a friend is someone with whom we enjoy spending time. Therefore, it seems to me that as part of her relationship with us, Mary wants to develop a deeper intimacy in order to teach more about discipleship, to offer insights into mysteries, virtues, and prayer, as well as to empower us against the worldly attacks against disciples of Jesus. To do all this, she desires our growth in love for her Son, Jesus. In short, Mary is always doing what she does best: she always leads us to Jesus.

​It is important to keep in mind that in Mary we have the perfect model of what it means to be a disciple. In the Gospel of Luke, Mary is revealed as a woman pure of heart and intention, her eyes on God alone. Therefore, when the angel arrived, her heart was already prepared because God already resided within; her ‘Yes’ sprang from profound love. Though she knew she would suffer much, Mary did not know exactly what was to come, but she could respond without reserve because God already had a home in her heart, and thus, subsequently He could be at home within her womb in the person of His Son. Mary's last utterance in Scripture was at the wedding at Cana when she said, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5) This message sums up Mary’s entire life, and it is the most important thing we can learn from our dear Mother. (Pope Leo recently pointed out these same words, again reminding us of their importance.) Therefore, we ought to prayerfully ponder them and then heed what she says. Knowing the will of God and then doing what He tells us is the key to holiness. Mary, of all our friends, knows this better than anyone else. 

​Mother Mary has prepared her house and we are all invited in. I am not speaking (necessarily) of Ephesus, but rather of entering into her presence when she invites us, knowing that we do not have to wait for an invitation before we can enter in. We can run to her at any time of the day or night and she will be waiting for us. But let us not forget that we, in turn, can and should invite her into our home and the deepest place where we reside, that is, into our heart. We can make our hearts into a home for Mary through our prayer, particularly the Rosary, though simply saying “Hail Mary” often and from the heart with love can be enough. Our Mother invites us into the home of her Heart, and in turn, we should make a home for her in ours.

May we accept the invitation of our Mother Mary to enter into the home of her heart! May we in turn invite Mary into our hearts with the same kind of hospitality and welcome! And may we be hospitable to all those who Mary and Jesus wish for us to invite into the home of our hearts that we may show them the same welcome and friendship! Let us meet in the Hearts of Mary and Jesus! Peace!

                                                                ©Michele L. Catanese

​* Remember that as He was dying on the Cross, Jesus entrusted Mary to the care of John so that she would not suffer the fate of a childless widow, who in that culture would basically be the poorest of the poor: “When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple there whom He loved, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27) And one more note just to be clear, this house is a reconstruction of Mary's original house.
​
Images:
1. My photo; the house of Mary in Ephesus, Turkey.
2. Icon; Andronicus Icon of the Mother of God Consoler of Mothers by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you wish to purchase a copy of this icon you can find it at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/andronicus-icon-of-the-mother-of-god-consoler-of-mothers-123-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. My photo; bread and wine, taken in Athens at a wonderful rooftop restaurant overlooking the Acropolis.
4. My photo; ancient wine jug, taken at museum at Domaine Gerovassiliou Vineyard, Thessaloniki. 
5. Painting; Wheatfield and Mountains in the Background (1889) by Vincent van Gogh.
6. My photo; sunset near Delphi, Greece.

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 story of David and Goliath it is clear that given what was at stake for the Israelites, killing the giant opponent was the only way to survive the threat of the Philistines. Incredibly, David alone stepped up to Goliath’s challenge in a remarkable act of heroism. Let us consider the circumstances surrounding his act. In comparison to Goliath everything about David was small: his stature, his ego, his rock and sling, and his experience in warfare. Yet in all his ‘littleness,’ David emerged victorious. This was possible only because of his total commitment to God who he knew to be the true victor. When Jesus came roughly 1000 years later, His message was of peace, but do we realize that this peace also involved a kind of warfare? For example, He said we are not to judge others and to always forgive, but this did not mean we are to take abuse or that we should a turn a blind eye to ‘difficult’ things so as to avoid ‘unpleasantness.’ He taught his followers to use spiritual gifts, especially love, as warfare against the evil of the world. Jesus was clear that those who believe will have crosses to bear and we will experience spiritual warfare, but that in the end the faithful will prevail: that is, in Jesus is victory. 

The events of the last few weeks have been disturbing, to say the least. Therefore, I would like to highlight some of Jesus’ teachings that may help us keep in mind that He did warn of difficult and evil things to come. There is much more, but let us reflect upon just a few teachings. First, we must remember that Jesus said He did not come "to establish peace on the earth, but rather division. From now on a household … will be divided; … a father will be divided against his son… a mother against her daughter, ….” (Luke 12: 49-53) He knew that there would be division because of the forces of the world which would powerfully thwart the Truth He taught. Indeed, from the beginning of the Church there were many pagan parents who turned their own children over to the authorities who subsequently martyred them because they refused to denounce their Christian beliefs. Not much has changed: the forces of the world continue to oppose the Kingdom of God.* 

Secondly, Jesus said numerous times in various circumstances that we are to take up our cross and follow Him. (Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23) In each of these, Jesus indicated that there is a cost to discipleship and that each disciple would suffer something for the faith. Jesus suffered intensely during His Passion; prior to this, (throughout His ministry), He was clear that if we became His disciples, we should expect some form of suffering also since “no servant is above the Master.” (John 13:16) It is also interesting that Luke placed Jesus’ Transfiguration right after He outlined the conditions of discipleship. I wonder if he was trying help us understand that suffering can transfigure us into holy disciples. (I suggest prayerfully reflecting upon this possibility to see what the Lord reveals to your heart about it.) No matter, the fact remains: Jesus gave great meaning to suffering when He chose it as His way to save us. Hence, if we have committed to discipleship there will always be danger from detractors, a danger that is becoming more visible in the suffering that comes as the evil one is trying to silence our voices and our actions.

Finally, and perhaps the most important point to consider is that Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.” (Luke 12:4) He goes on to say that who we should fear is the one who has the power to cast into Gehenna: the evil one with his temptations and seductions. There is much power there, but Jesus reassures us that His power is greater: “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid…. I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God….” (Luke 12: 4-9) In this concise teaching Jesus said “do not be afraid” twice. (verses 4 and 7) Thus, we should take Him at His word and cling to it.

It is obvious that values are topsy-turvey these days. There are many voices clamoring for our attention in the media, social media, and in manipulative, seductive pressures everywhere. However, even with advanced technology, nothing is really all that different than it ever has been. Even so, there are (increasing) acts of vandalism against Christian churches, bodily attacks on worshippers and on those who live the faith openly as a true disciple of Jesus. Truth is attacked, Christian faith is mocked, and worst of all, it seems to be socially acceptable to do so. But we must always remember that in Jesus is victory. We must pray all the more and allow that prayer to move us to whatever action the Lord is calling us to undertake, but always by first prayerfully discerning what that call is. We do not have to be miracle workers; with the Lord our small acts can have great consequences for the good. Remember, not all Saints worked miracles while alive: neither St. Carlo Acutis nor St. Pier Giorgio Frassati worked even the smallest miracle (during life), yet both clung fearlessly to the cross of Christ and did so much good.** Let us be like them and always remember: no matter what, in Jesus is victory.

May we steadfastly put our faith in Jesus and in the power of His Cross! May we rely upon the Holy Spirit for the courage to live faithfully and to withstand spiritual warfare! And may we always remember that in Jesus is victory! Jesus, I trust in you! Peace!

                  ©Michele L. Catanese

NOTE: I am taking a blog holiday for the next couple of weeks, so there will not be a new post on October 6. However, I suggest the post from October 23, 2016 (revised for length) which is remarkably applicable after today's entry. It is a bit longer than my current posts, but perhaps that will tide you over till my next new post which will be October 20, 2025. Here is the link to the 2016 post: www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/st-john-paul-ii-be-not-afraid

* Remember that by the’ kingdom of the world’ I am referring to the Pauline notion of the difference between the flesh, (all that is not of God), and the spirit (all that is of God). This concept was best explained by St. Augustine in his monumental book, “The City of God.”  In it he describes the city of the world which is all that opposes God (the lures of fame, wealth, self-aggrandizement, idolatry, power, lack of the morals laid out by God, and an adherence to what today we would call 'my own truth.') The City of God is unity, humility, compassion, forgiveness, good works of selflessness and charity, and adherence to the teachings of Jesus and to The Truth as revealed by God, something which is not subjective.)
** St. Pier Giorgio stood up to the Blackshirts of Mussolini as fascism with its anti-church sentiment was growing. And he tirelessly worked to help the poor through his efforts at feeding and bringing medicine to them as needed. St. Carlo spent hours cataloging Eucharistic miracles so that the faith of others would be strengthened. He was also a ‘normal teenager’ and yet was known for his ‘lived faith,’ expressed whether he was speaking of it or exemplifying it through his actions.  For both of these men, their love for Christ and subsequent actions arose from the hours they spent in Eucharistic Adoration and at Mass, in addition to their other ways of praying daily. ~ In my last entry I wrote about St. Frassati and offered links, so in turn here are some links to St. Carlo Acutis. https://carloacutis-en.org/ and also https://www.carloacutis.com/en/association.

Images:
1. Painting; David and Goliath, by Titian (1542-1544)
2. Icon; Saviour of the Fiery Eye, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon at fineartamerica.com/featured/saviour-of-the-fiery-eye-227-william-hart-mcnichols.html 
​The Fiery Eye icons are variations of the Christ Pantocrator image, (Sovereign of All Things). The fiery eyes symbolize God's all-knowing and purifying power, a gaze that penetrates falsehood to reveal truth and holiness. I suspect now you may understand why I chose this icon. I have paraphrased from this article: ​https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/105508/are-jesus-eyes-like-a-flame-of-fire-in-revelation-meant-to-be-interpreted-lit#:~:text=John%201:9%2C%203:,holiness%2C%20and%20judgment%20(cf.
3. My photo; rocky path up Copper Mountain, in Copper, Colorado.
4. My photo; a lone plant kept alive in the waters of a stream in Krka National Park, Croatia. Do not be afraid!
5. Photo in the public domain; Exhibition of Carlo Acutis' relic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
6. Icon; Resurrected Christ Victorious, St. Constantine and Helena Orthodox Church in Bruges. iStock.com/sedmak 

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

​A number of years ago I participated in a pilgrimage that was “in the footsteps of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,” now a Saint, (canonized yesterday). Having never been on pilgrimage before, there was much to learn. We began in Rome and then traveled to many places where St. Frassati had either lived or which had connection to his Dominican spirituality. The culminating event of the pilgrimage was a climb up Mt. Mucrone, not far from where the family villa is located, in homage to Pier Giorgio’s love for mountain climbing. Part of the Biellese Alps, Mt. Mucrone is 7,661 feet in elevation,* so we took the funicular about halfway up the mountain and then began our ascent on foot. It was quite a workout, but by the time we made it to the top I understood better why St. Frassati adopted as his motto “Verso l’alto,” (“to the heights,” a phrase which was a reference to attaining the heights of holiness). The climb was one of the most challenging things I had ever done, physically or spiritually. It presented the realization that growth in the spiritual life requires embracing struggle, a lot of hard work, persevering through fears and whatever obstacles are encountered, and above all else, totally relying on and trusting in God. It is utterly impossible to do those things without Him.   

Pilgrimage is an important spiritual experience, and to be clear, one does not necessarily have to travel abroad to go on one.** Pilgrimage is a process which includes many aspects. The first is to realize pilgrimage actually begins before the travel; it is essential to be praying in the spirit of the pilgrimage before leaving home. Second, pilgrimage is not a vacation even though the travels can include places which are also typical of tourists. Third, it is essential to pack light, because with pilgrimage comes the discovery that we bring plenty of emotional and spiritual baggage which will be revealed by the Lord during the process, and of which we can expect healing to begin if we work with Him. Remaining open to the Lord, that is, to be in a spirit of prayer throughout, is essential to the experience. Finally, is the importance of remaining flexible; there are always surprises which emerge during the journey, not just in the externals of the trip, but in what God might reveal to a pilgrim who is traveling in this prayerful way. There will be many gifts, some of which may be apparent during the pilgrimage, and others of which will become manifest after the trip is done as one continues to reflect upon what took place during the experience.

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati often said that he felt an intimate closeness to God while climbing. Those who accompanied him attested to how he was almost as recollected during the rigors of a climb as he was during the long hours he spent in front of the tabernacle at adoration in a church. Interestingly, one of my other spiritual ‘heroes,’ St. John Henry Newman, (who as far as I know never climbed a mountain), wrote a passage that captures Pier Giorgio's attitude and sounds as if it was something St. Pier Giorgio Frassati could have written! Newman wrote: “Holy souls take a separate course; they have risen with Christ, and they are like persons who have climbed a mountain and are reposing at the top. All the noise and tumult, mist and darkness at its foot; but on the mountain’s top it is so very still, so very calm and serene, so pure, so clear, so bright, so heavenly, that to their sensations it is as if the din of earth did not sound below….” ***

It is not difficult to recognize spiritual parallels in both what is required for making the climb and in what Newman identified with arriving at the top of a mountain; the journey would make little sense if we did not keep the goal in mind. We have great resources such as Scripture and the Sacraments to help us in attaining our goal, and of these, the Eucharist is most special since it is Jesus who we receive into our bodies and souls. Even when nothing discernable happens, the greatest gift of all still takes place: we will have entered into the death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus by truly becoming filled with His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Encountering the living God in such a way, does change us, but what is most wonderful is the reality that the Eucharist is both food for the journey and a glimpse of the goal.

It is good to enter into prayer with the resolve of one making a pilgrimage or climbing a mountain. The process is the most important part, so my suggestion is to read and pray with the Scriptures and also read a book about or written by one of your spiritual heroes, a Saint or Blessed perhaps, so that it might inspire you to make the journey. We are made for relationship with God: He loves us and has given us the capability to attain the greatest intimacy with Him. By reading and praying daily, by receiving the Sacraments as often as possible, and exposing ourselves to things that encourage thoughts of God, we will find every day to be part of the great spiritual adventure of pilgrimage. Indeed, those on the journey are attracted to it because they know that at its goal is holiness, not for one’s own glory, but rather to enter with humility into the glory of the Lord and adore.

May we embrace the rigors of pilgrimage in order to come closer to the Lord! May we ask the intercession of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. John Henry Newman, and the saints that are our spiritual heroes! And may we find our home in the Lord when we come to the end of our pilgrimage! Verso l'alto! Let us meet in the heights! Peace!

                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

Note: For those unfamiliar with St. Frassati, he never went by Pier; he is called Pier Giorgio. For more on his life, you can find wonderful book suggestions about him at FrassatiUSA. https://www.frassatiusa.org/
 
*  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Mucrone
https://frassatiusa.org/mt-mucrone-pix-video
** In fact, we do not have to travel far; we can go on a retreat to experience a type of pilgrimage. Highly encouraged is making pilgrimage or retreat with a spiritual director who will guide and help in the discernment process along the way. Committing to a holy hour of prayer daily is also a type of pilgrimage.
*** Hidden From the World, a sermon by St. Cardinal John Henry Newman found in his Sermons Bearing on Subjects of the Day. This sermon is found on page 331 of The Heart of Newman, A Synthesis Arranged by Erich Przywara, SJ.

Images:
1. My photo; Mt. Mucrone from the point where the funicular stops, about midway up. If you look closely, you will see one of the members of our group tying his shoe in preparation for the hike. Even though this climb took place on St. Pier Giorgio's feast day, July 4, the white stuff barely seen on the mountain is snow.
2. My photo: Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zaragosa, Spain. I was on another pilgrimage, this one a Marian pilgrimage.
3. Photo from a prayer card; St. Pier Giorgio climbing a mountain with his motto printed on it. That is his handwriting.
​4. Painting; Disputation of the Holy Sacrament by Raphael (1509-1510). This painting is in the Stanze di Raffaello rooms in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. For more, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disputation_of_the_Holy_Sacrament
5. Icon; Our Lady of the Lake by Fr. William Hart McNichols. Our Lady's entire life on earth was a pilgrimage of total trust in God. Since her death, Mary has appeared in many places to which the faithful now make pilgrimage. Zaragosa, (depicted in image 2 above) was the first place she appeared, though it must be noted that she was still alive and living in Jerusalem when her appearance there took place. I love this icon because she seems to be beckoning the viewer to enter into pilgrimage with her. If you wish to purchase a copy of this icon, go to https://fineartamerica.com/featured/our-lady-of-the-lake-201-william-hart-mcnichols.html
6. Photo; St. Pier Giorgio Frassati.

7. My photo; our group arriving an 'extension' of the peak of Mt. Mucrone. I did not go to the cross because I volunteered to be the photographer. That turned out to be a good choice for me because I ended up with about 20 minutes of alone time at the other end of the peak area in which I had one of the most profound prayer experiences of the Lord in my life! It was as St. John Henry Newman described it in the quote above.

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 blog, Heart Speaks to Heart, dedicated to St. John Henry Newman, is named from his motto, Cor ad Cor Loquitor. Therefore, I am delighted that Pope Leo XIV announced that he will declare St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890) as the 38th Doctor of the Church.​* Newman is one of my heroes, not just because of what he wrote, but because of the life he led. Yes, he was a brilliant theologian, but he was also a great saint. Although his life was filled with the pain of rejection and misunderstanding as a result of his conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism, – (Anglicans reviled him as a betrayer, and early on, Catholics distrusted him) – it did not stop Newman from writing, praying, and living the faith. He was so influential that he was elevated from priest to cardinal by Pope Leo XIII, an honorary designation since Newman was already 78 years of age. As much as one could see this as a kind of vindication, he did not live as if it was, but rather, he lived with characteristic humility and wisdom, truly the mark of a saint.

​Given his subjection to ridicule, attack, and therefore, interior suffering, the sanctity of John Henry Newman is yet evident in his writing. He once wrote, “…as persons have deep feelings, so they will find the necessity of self-control, lest they should say what they ought not.…” ​** He recognized that while he was able to refute arguments theologically, something he did with brilliance and wisdom, he adhered to his Lord Jesus who taught that retaliation and retribution are simply not responses of love. What Jesus taught makes no sense to those who are ‘of the world;’ those without faith cannot fathom the mysterious justice of God and therefore they teach a justice that is based on ‘human-conceived fairness’ as opposed to what Jesus taught in loving our neighbor. Newman knew, and therefore taught, that people of faith know that love does not mean becoming a doormat, but rather, to respond as we ought; we beg for the grace of self-control, and after sufficient prayer, we then are able to do that which is ordinarily beyond us, offering a response guided by love.

​A little later in the text Newman wrote: “The world… cannot believe that men will deliberately sacrifice this life to the next; …. all the reasons which religious men allege, seem to the world unreal….”** Thus, he recognized that the core issue is the distinction between the values of the world and those of Jesus Christ. Beginning with Jesus, then the writings of St. Paul, there has been an emphasis on the life of the Christian as being different from those without faith. Indeed, the way we live is different; consequently, the values and actions of those who are of Christian faith can never be understood by the worldly, the forces which oppose God, because they do not accept Jesus and His teachings. And most certainly the world cannot understand that we put more value in the next life than in this one; we work not to gather up treasure on earth, but that which is “treasure in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:19-21) ​*** St. Paul wrote, “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Cor 4:18) 

We must always remember that this is not our home; our home is with God forever in eternal life. (Hebrews 13:14-16) Of course, we are to enjoy the good gifts of the earth, the beauty of creation, the love of family and friends, and all the wonderful gifts of God. And yes, we are meant to have pleasure enjoying experiences and the work of our hands. But we cannot cling to them, nor allow any of these things to become attachments such that the gifts are placed above the Giver of the Gifts. The world wants us to become attached so that we forget the Giver and place our attention on things that exclude God and His values. Further, the world will attack us whenever we do live the Christian life by placing our values not on that which is transient, but on the unseen and eternal. Therefore, we have people like the Doctors of the Church to turn to for theological insight, but let us not forget to look at the behaviors they exhibited throughout their lives which underscored their holiness. It is not by mistake that every Doctor of the Church was first declared a saint, then the extra title was added since they have so much to offer our understanding of the faith. 

It is important to ground ourselves in the Gospels and the Letters of St. Paul to deepen our sense of how we are called to live as Christians. It would also be beneficial to read some of the lives (and writings) of the Doctors of the Church. There are not a lot of books on some of them, but those such as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux and St. John Henry Newman, to name a few, are readily available. And finally, pray. It is the Lord Himself who is the source of all wisdom and of all grace. It is through consistent, daily dialogue with God that we grow in holiness and the wisdom which comes from Him. We are not at home here, and it is the Lord who shows us the way to get there through the wisdom needed to attain it. 

May we be inspired by the life and writing of St. John Henry Newman! May we live with humility and love as taught by our Lord! And may we take the time to read, reflect, and pray so that the Holy Spirit can guide us to our everlasting home! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                             ©Michele L. Catanese

Note 1: Ironically, even with a blog dedicated to St. John Henry Newman, I have only written about him once before, in June, 2018. In that entry I gave a fair amount of information on his life, and I provided a few links, one to a short biography, and one to his most famous poem which was highlighted in the entry. (Lead Kindly Light) The entry was titled Hope: The Heart of the Good News. Here is the link: https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/hope-the-heart-of-the-good-news
Note 2: Here are some Scripture references which highlight the teaching that this life is not our home: Colossians 3:1; Matthew 5:38-42; Romans 8:18-25; John 18:36; Matthew 26:52-53; Matthew 10:28-31; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
​
* The title Doctor of the Church is an official designation that is “bestowed by the Pope in recognition of the outstanding contribution a person has made to the understanding and interpretation of the sacred Scriptures and the development of Christian doctrine.” 
** The first quote is from page 325, section 1, in an essay found in The Heart of Newman, A Synthesis Arranged by Erich Przywara, SJ (Ignatius Press, reprinted 2010, originally printed in 1963). The second quote is from the same essay, same page, section 2. Newman wrote the essay in a compilation he called Sermons Bearing on the Subjects of the Day. 
*** I am referencing the focus of another essay found on page 331 of the book quoted above, writings which come from Newman’s Parochial and Plain Sermons. 

Images:
1. Print; St. John Henry Newman's Coat of Arms. This coat of arms with the motto, Cor ad Cor Loquitor was what he chose when he was elevated to Cardinal.
2. My photo; By the River in Cascade Canyon, Colorado.
3. Oil painting; The Angelus, 1857-59, by Jean-Francois Millet. These workers in the field stopped work to say the Angelus prayer. Christians do behave differently! 
4. My photo; Crypt chapel in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Colorado. This mosaic and chapel seemed to capture the reality that our home is in the next world, that is, Heaven. It is as if everything here draws one's eye upward, as if ascending.
5. Fresco painting; Doctors of the Church, by Luca Signorelli (1499-1502). Found at WikiArt.org, public domain.
6. Icon; Saint John Henry Newman by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/blessed-cardinal-john-henry-newman-221-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.