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. 

I am fortunate to have been able to visit some places associated with Mary the Mother of Jesus during my travels. On a trip to Ireland my husband and I visited Knock where Mary appeared in 1879, and a few years later we were able to visit Fatima and Lourdes. We also traveled to Israel where we prayed at sites which were part of the life of Mary, described in the gospels. All of these places were uniquely inspirational and beautiful, but the place that moved me the most was where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in Nazareth. The exact site of the Annunciation is beneath a sizeable church, in a simple, cave-like room, a place which is far from elaborate. The other sites also inspire faith and glorify God, but the little humble room, a place reflecting the humility of Mary, impacted me greatly. The spot seemed wrapped in prayer, Mary’s and that of all who have prayed there in the centuries since. It felt as if had I entered into the intimacy of her encounter with the angel kneeling before her who explained, “Nothing is impossible for God” along with the echo of her words: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be it done to me according to your word.”

We celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15. This feast celebrates Mary’s extraordinary entrance into Heaven: immediately after her death, Mary’s body and soul were reunited and she was taken whole into heaven. All of us will have our bodies and souls reunited and glorified at the end of time, but because Mary was pure, immaculately conceived and totally sinless, (because God had anticipated that she would freely consent to be the mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ), having lived a life of total disposal to God, she was given the honor of experiencing this body and spirit wholeness immediately, without having to wait for the Second Coming of Christ. There were witnesses to this event, and though it is not recorded in the Scriptures, it is part of what we call the Tradition of the Church. There is not a lot about Mary in the gospels, but of this we can be sure: Mary was true to her promise to the Father by caring for Jesus during His life and then by caring for His people forever after. Thus, Mary is our mother, too, a perfect mother who we can call upon at any time. 

​From Scripture and Tradition we learn that Mary is an excellent role model and so I suggest that we let her teach us through them.* She humbly reveals the value of listening and pondering prayerfully as we sit with her at the Annunciation. Mary teaches us to welcome angels, the message of God, and the grace of the Holy Spirit. She models humility, discernment, obedience, and openness to what we may not originally see as possibility. She models trusting in God even when we do not understand. As we travel with Mary to the hill country to serve her cousin Elizabeth, she teaches how to savor our relationships. She shows us how to respond to the gifts God gives by sharing those gifts with others in turn. As we witness the birth of Christ, we can learn from Mary how to share Jesus with ‘wayfarers’ who come into our lives, be they wealthy kings or poor shepherds, sharing especially with those who do not know exactly Who it is that they seek. When we observe her finding her ‘lost’ Son in the Temple, Mary teaches us to seek Jesus with patience especially during those times when He seems absent. She teaches perseverance in prayer, applying what Jesus said: “Seek and you shall find.” At the wedding in Cana Mary encourages that we do whatever He tells us: to be a disciple means to follow Jesus’ teaching, trusting in it. As we hold vigil with her at the Cross, we learn from Mary that although grief and pain will be part of our lives, we are never alone because Jesus remains present with us always. At Pentecost Mary shows us how to open our hearts to the joy of the Holy Spirit. And finally, as she did when she died and was assumed into Heaven, Mary teaches us to have courage in passing through death, trusting that we will indeed have everlasting life with God. 

There is much to learn from so pure and loving a mother as Mary. My suggestion is to ask for the grace to work on one of her ‘lessons’ at a time. It would also be good to ask for the grace to imitate her example of humility, love, mercy, and prayerfulness. And if we feel like even that is too much, then perhaps we can imitate her by interceding for others in our prayer, asking Mary to intercede with us for our world as we do so. Let us take this time of celebrating her Assumption into Heaven as an opportunity to reflect upon Mary’s life, to ask the Lord for the grace to be more like her, and as an opportunity to say thank you for having such a Mother who wants nothing other than what is best for our world so that we might have healing and peace. 

May we ask the intercession of Mary saying: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you!” May we take the time to reflect upon the gifts and graces we receive from God our Father so that we might be able to say: “I am the servant of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word!” And may we respond to the teaching of Jesus, Son of God and son of Mary, that we might become examples of mercy, justice, service, and love! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus!
                                                                           ©Michele L. Catanese

​* In Scripture, the Gospels of Matthew and Luke have the most about Mary: Matthew 1&2 and Luke 1&2 cover the Infancy Narratives, which includes everything from the Annunciation to the finding of Jesus in the Temple. The wedding at Cana is in John 2. All four Gospels describe the death and resurrection of Jesus, but Mary’s presence there is best described by John. (John 19:25-27) Mary’s role at Pentecost is covered in the Acts of the Apostles chapters 1&2. And the Assumption can be read about in the Catechism of the Catholic Church which includes that which is covered in Tradition.

Images:
1. My photo taken in the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel. This spot is said to be the site where the Annunciation took place, as told through Tradition.
2. Icon, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining a copy in one of a variety of mediums, you can purchase it at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-the-church-william-hart-mcnichols.html
​3.  My photo, taken just outside of Auckland, New Zealand.
4. My photo, taken in Dunedin, New Zealand. This rose makes me think of Mary as the Mystical Rose, pure and beautiful.
5. Painting, part of a fresco at San Marco Convent, Florence, Italy, The Annunciation by Blessed Fra Angelico. In my opinion, this is the purest, most moving artistic rendition of so sublime an event as the angel appearing to Mary. 

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

Every now and again it is good to pay attention to the little things that make us smile. One such thing has come to me from a rather odd place: a TV commercial. It is an animated ad for a supermarket chain which depicts a round, hairy-chested, workout-clothed guy sporting a long pony tail, but is balding more than a little. He never stops exercising while simultaneously drinking a green smoothie as the song “I’m Too Sexy” * is heard in the background. The little guy runs out of his smoothie, discovers an empty fridge, and thus drives to said supermarket, exercising to the beat the entire time. The ad ends with him making a new smoothie, still to the beat, with a facial expression that confirms that he does indeed think he is pretty sexy. This clever commercial, 30 seconds of lighthearted fun, never fails to make me smile. And it has helped me to realize that now more than ever it is important to find the simple things which bring joy, or at least a smile, and be grateful for them even if they are a bit silly. It is a reminder that it is good to pay a bit more attention to the seemingly insignificant things which we either take for granted or simply have forgotten how to see. This is not suggesting a denial of life’s realities, but rather that we need to stay balanced if we are to remain emotionally and spiritually healthy. To see and savor tiny moments is important. In fact, it is often in the little things that the greatest miracles are found. 

​To find joy in little things is related to the greater spiritual gift of wonder and awe. We receive this grace at Confirmation, but sometimes we under-utilize it because we forget it is there. Given that we specifically receive the gift of wonder and awe along with knowledge, wisdom, piety, counsel, fortitude, and understanding, it is therefore of equal importance with them. Some may say that we entertain easily if we go out to a river and see a shore full of rocks and find them fascinating. I do not believe that is the case; rather, we are utilizing the gift of wonder and awe. But if we can spend time gazing at a sunset, searching the sky for a rare comet or a meteor shower, enjoying gentle surf, or spending time in a peaceful garden, we can engage the gift of wonder and awe which can move us to glorify and praise their Creator. We can learn to savor these moments, and well we should, since our lives can be so busy that we become jaded to them. And if we can find wonder and awe in things, imagine how much we can find in experiencing other people if we let this gift take root.

St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556, feast day July 31) is one who learned to see with such clarity that he was often filled with ecstatic joy, a result of the gift of wonder and awe. Although he did not describe the experience in detail, on the banks of the River Cardoner where he nearly ended his own life in despair, Ignatius noticed joy. That is, he was invited by the Holy Spirit to embrace life and to let go of his sinful past which at that point overwhelmed him completely. He had been forgiven, but had been unable to accept it until he let the grace of God become all he needed to proceed into his future. Once he realized that we are all loved sinners and that God will give us the graces we need when we ask, he was able to start seeing and savoring that which gave him joy. Ignatius learned to recognize God’s presence in others and to see the giftedness within them that perhaps they themselves had not yet seen. It was this ability, (part of the gift of discernment, but also his unique gift) that enabled Ignatius to attract and then instruct men who shared his vision for mission and ministry. 

What convinces me most about the wonder and awe-filled heart of St. Ignatius is the Suscipe prayer which is found at the end of his Spiritual Exercises. Only someone with a heart moved profoundly by the Holy Spirit, who lets Love lead, could have composed the prayer which ends: “Give me your love and your grace. That is enough for me.” ** The entire movement of the Spiritual Exercises is meant to help the retreatant to arrive at this point; that is, to help them to embrace the joy of knowing that our purpose is to know, love, and serve the Lord in whatever way we are called. No matter what our personal expression of the call might be and no matter how much struggle we encounter along the way, if we give everything over to the Lord and trust in His love and His grace, we will begin to see joy in little things that others may see as ridiculous or insignificant. Let us savor that which brings wonder and awe, even the silly things, and let grace and our love of the Lord be the power behind our ‘evangelization by example.’ And because God is in those moments, they are indeed miraculous.

May we ask the Holy Spirit to help us with the gift of wonder and awe so that we may see and savor the little things which bring us joy! May we bring joy to others, letting them experience wonder and awe at the gift we offer them, and in doing so make their burden a bit lighter! And may we ask the intercession of St. Ignatius of Loyola to help us attain the graces we need that we might be able to say “your grace and your love are enough for me” for the greater glory of God! Let us continue to meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!
                          ©Michele L. Catanese
* I’m Too Sexy was written and performed in 1991 by Right Said Fred, a rock group from the UK. It eventually made its way to the US and was on the radio for a while before fading away. The song was originally meant to be a satire of those who walk the catwalk or who are body builders who think too highly of themselves.
** Full text of the Suscipe prayer: “Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. All is yours. Dispose of it wholly according to your will. Give me your love and your grace. That is enough for me.”
Images:
1.My photo, a playful marmot on Copper Mountain in Colorado: this little critter seemed a bit whimsical, and also a bit full of himself, so it seemed a fitting photo here.
2. My photo, rocks at a lake near Copper Mt., Colorado: I truly did find these rocks captivating.
3. Icon, St. Ignatius in Prayer Beneath the Stars by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you look carefully, St. Ignatius' feet are not on the ground. He is seen in ecstatic prayer, joyful in the Holy Spirit. You can obtain a copy at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-ignatius-in-prayer-beneath-the-stars-137-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. My photo, sunset in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico: If you look closely there is a man kneeling on the beach. Perhaps he is in prayer, filled with wonder and awe. 
5. My photo, a bobblehead I keep on my desk of St. Ignatius, (Iggy): While this may seem strange to end with, the statue is whimsical and makes me smile: I think Ignatius would approve.
 - A particular shout out to a Jesuit friend in Denver and to my two Jesuit friends in Puerto Rico, and also to all my friends in the Society of Jesus! To the Jesuits, Happy Feast Day!

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. 

While recently reading a book about St. Catherine of Siena, (1347-1380), I was struck by the practicality of some of her insights. In reference to our relationship with God she said, “Open the door to your heart, for it is really rude to let God stand at the door of your soul without opening to Him.” Leaving anyone standing at a closed door is rather discourteous, especially when it is God! St. Catherine is indicating that when we deny God entrance, we cannot grow in relationship with Him; but she is further implying that to keep Him outside is a sin against ourselves because we are also refusing His mercy and the opportunity to let ourselves be healed. The truth is that none of us deserve forgiveness, but in His great love and mercy God offers it anyhow. The whole of our faith revolves upon this reality: we are all loved sinners for whom Jesus the Lord died and rose in order to offer us something we could never deserve or earn. He simply offers the gift because He is mercy and He is Love. And in this, He wants us to learn to offer the same love and mercy to others for the good of everyone in our communities, churches, and world. In other words, it is how we evangelize and thus contribute to building the Kingdom.

A stumbling block to forgiveness is that sometimes we think forgiving means forgetting. To try to forgive is good, but to try to forget is to do ourselves violence. Besides, it is almost impossible to do anyway. In fact, if we were to forget we would learn nothing from the experience. Forgiveness is a process in which we must honestly access what the offense against us has been, the state of our relationship with the other, and what it will take for healing to occur. To forgive means we have to risk setting the other person free whether we think they deserve it or not. It means we offer the mercy and let God offer the judgment. And let us be clear, judgment and justice is not the same thing, though one flows from the other. Judgment is about deciding who deserves what, and only God can accurately do that, though He offers us the ability to discern and make informed decisions based on grace, common sense, and His teaching. Justice is what is done to atone, the action taken to right a wrong, to learn from an event or situation, and finally to heal. Offering mercy does not mean that we eliminate justice; remember, justice without mercy is cruelty and mercy without justice becomes an ‘anything goes’ mentality in which chaos will reign. Justice must be based on love so that we can move forward together. Without love and mercy, (which indicate that we have indeed forgiven), justice cannot take place.

In the gospels Jesus healed and forgave many people, but the healing of the paralytic stands out. (Matthew 9:1-8) When Jesus approached the paralytic, He first told him that his sins were forgiven, and then later He stated that the man was healed of his bodily infirmity. Only after Jesus indicated that healing the man’s soul was more important than healing the body, was the man able to get up and walk. Newly healed, the man could now do what was needed: picking up his mat, he got to work. This shows that God’s justice and mercy were affecting change within this man. Jesus offered him healing, but the man needed to get up and work at building a better life. That is, he needed to go out and offer to others the same mercy he had received. 

It is important to truly desire to forgive, but if we are honest, we need to beg for the grace so that we can mean it with sincerity. That is, we need to allow ourselves time to grieve the pain and hurt, and with the help of grace, to let go of what holds the other and ourselves bound. We must acknowledge that we are all sinners, and then be sorry for our part in sin. Only when we have humility can we begin to see that the other is as weak and prone to sin as we are. As long as we think we are somehow better than the other, forgiveness (true mercy and justice) is not really possible. We have to own that we are just as capable of the sin as the other had been. In other words, we cannot forget redemption. If we keep people stuck in their past mistakes by judging them based on it, we will never reconcile. And if we fail to forgive, we relegate everyone to the status of Judas, forgetting that even he was offered redemption. The problem for him was that he refused it, unlike Peter, whose sin was also a betrayal, but who did accept redemption because he allowed himself to be humbled, to trust in the promise of Jesus’ mercy, and  committed himself to work for God’s people, that is, to build the Kingdom of God where true Justice and Mercy reign. So let us continue to work on our own issues of sinfulness and to reach out to others so that we can let true justice, equality, mercy, and love grow in our communities, churches, and world. Let us not be rude to God: let us open the door to our hearts and let Him in. 

May we ask for the intercession of St. Catherine that we might learn to recognize the Lord standing at the door of our heart so we can open it! May we accept the gift of humility that we may offer mercy to others and work toward justice together! And may we ask for the graces needed to forgive those who have wronged us so we can move forward in love! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                         ©Michele L. Catanese

Note:  God’s justice and mercy have always been consistent. If we read the passages in the Old Testament in which God was angry with His people due to their massive sins, He always rescued them when they cried out in true sorrow, having learned a lesson. But then there was always atonement; they did not simply walk away, but had to work through the consequences of what they had done. That is, justice was meted out. The atonement was not a payback demanded by God; rather, the consequences of their sin helped them to learn from their mistakes. In the end, the atonement brought healing and freedom through the knowledge they gained along the way….until the next generation came along and the process began all over again.
Images:
1. Icon, St. Catherine of Siena - Guardian of the Papacy, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can obtain a copy of this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-catherine-of-siena-guardian-of-the-papacy-288-william-hart-mcnichols.html
2. My photo, a river on the North Island in New Zealand. This symbolically captures the flowing of justice and mercy as coming from the same source, God.
3. Painting, Peasants by Diego Rivera. 
4 Painting, The Good Samaritan, Vincent van Gogh.
5. Icon, El Buen Pastor, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can obtain a copy of this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/el-buen-pastor-188-william-hart-mcnichols.html

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