During this time of year the liturgical calendar contains some of my favorite saints (and angels) celebrated at Mass and in our prayer. Of course, the Church honors a diverse array of saints throughout the year, not only because of their holiness, but because they serve as inspiration to the faithful. The saints offer hope because their lives reveal that holiness arises in many ways, and they prove that everyone has the potential to become holy no matter who they are or how they express it. Generally, the saints we find most fascinating are usually the ones that draw us to Christ: therefore, the liturgical calendar invites us to know the saints who were martyrs, ascetics, itinerant preachers, cloistered religious, those who taught the rich, served the poor, and every variety of folk who lived the gospel as an expression of their love for God. There were even those referred to as holy fools, men and women who defied convention and societal norms, drawing attention to God by living the gospel radically. Each had a unique calling, responding uniquely in kind. Thus, we can approach each and every saint to prayerfully intercede or to act as inspiration in discerning our own pathway to attain holiness.

The holy fool is perhaps the most challenging to understand since they embrace lifestyles that may seem absolutely crazy. Holy fools literally choose to become the subject of derision, though to those who grasp their lived message they are as wisdom figures, despite incomprehensible behaviors that most people would never choose personally. These people might adopt ‘strange’ habits while usually living very simply. Often they give whatever they receive as alms to those they deem poorer than themselves. Sometimes the life of a holy fool seems a bit ‘off-putting’ due to its strangeness, and there are many who would consider them insane, but if we see with eyes attuned to the gospel, their selfless generosity, mercy, and love will become apparent. The choice of lifestyle of the holy fool can wordlessly challenge our own comfortability, obliviousness toward the poor in our midst, or even our vanity, which could be why we find them so distasteful and incomprehensible. Holy fools, however, are willing to be misunderstood, in response to Jesus who was also considered a fool and a threat during His life.

Challenging as they are, it is interesting that one of the most popular male saints in church history was a holy fool and few seem to hesitate embracing him: St. Francis of Assisi (feast day, October 4). Francis traveled throughout the Italian countryside, and on occasion beyond, working with lepers and the poor, while embracing Lady Poverty, a term he used for living with complete freedom from ownership. Francis was far more than the saint who loved nature; he was a renowned preacher who sometimes stood up to authority, always with love, determination, and humility. However, some of his behaviors led to rumors, even among the Franciscans, that he had lost his mind. Francis was aware that not everyone was called to live as he did, nor did he expect it of them, which is why near the end of his life he left the community he had founded, choosing instead to live in a cave. There he received the stigmata, dying blind and frail only a few years later (at the age of 45) having lived a life of joy even in his suffering, borne of his love for Christ.

If we consider the saints carefully we will see that living a life of holiness is a choice to live counter-culturally; any time we choose to live our faith, which is (unfortunately) outside of ‘cultural norms,’ we are choosing against the values of the world and for that which is deemed foolish. Thus, we have saints who chose varying states of ‘foolishness’ such as Thérèse of Lisieux who embraced a life of obscurity, and yet even in dying young had a tremendous impact; St. Peter Claver chose to spend his life working with slaves on the ships in which they were imprisoned, ultimately dying from disease he contracted as he worked to ease their suffering; St. Andrew Kim and his companions chose martyrdom rather than to renounce Christ; St. Jerome spent his life translating the Bible and penning volumes of letters and treatises; St. Wenceslas, a king, chose to give his wealth in aid to the poor (indeed that was seen as foolish!); St. Padre Pio chose to accept the stigmata so that his suffering would alleviate that of others; and St. Faustina was ridiculed by members of her own community during her short life, working in the convent arduously while simultaneously receiving Jesus in visions, and still managing to write it all down in a rather large volume, (her Diary). 

To choose to grow in holiness, a reality to which we are all called, ​* is what embracing our faith is about. We should never fear being considered a bit of a fool for following Jesus. As St. Paul said, “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom….” (1 Corinthians 1:25) Living the gospel will render us as fools in the eyes of the world, but if we are serious about our faith, then we should work at making God’s foolishness our own, while also inviting others into our foolishness. The saints are those who made that choice, serving humbly through works of mercy and love. They invite us to grow as they did; through their example they can guide us to live our distinct call, which in turn can inspire our brothers and sisters to go and do likewise. 

May we look to the saints for inspiration, guidance, and intercession in living the call we have received! May we embrace the foolishness of God in order to gain wisdom! And may we grow in holiness as we seek to love Christ more by loving those to whom we are sent! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!


                                                             © Michele L.Catanese

* One of the documents of Vatican II is called Lumen Gentium. The fifth section of Lumen Gentium is called The Universal Call to Holiness, and as the title suggests, it goes into depth as to how the call to holiness is not exceptional, but is something everyone should work toward because it is available for all the faithful. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html

Images:
1. Dome fresco, Paradise, ca. 1378, by Giusto de’ Menabuoi (Italian, ca. 1320–1391), Padua Baptistery, Italy.
2. Icon, St. Vasily The Holy Fool, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you want to purchase a copy, you can find this at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-vasily-the-holy-fool-246-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Painting, St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata, by Giotto. This is found in the Louvre in Paris.
4. My photo, climbers on Jugspitz in the Alps, Germany. This seems to be foolishness, but is it?
5. My photo, climbers on Jugspitz at their destination. Perhaps it is God's foolishness.
6. My photo, Tiffany stained glass in chapel on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Is the Nativity not God's greatest 'foolishness' of all?! Glory to God in the Highest!

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.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” Jesus spoke these words at the Last Supper as part of a long discourse given just before He went to Gethsemane to begin His agony. (John 14:27) These were not just words meant to be uplifting: before He went into the Garden He left the great gift which above all else connects us to Him, and hence, to the peace only He can give. That is, He left us the Eucharist. In His prayerful discourse that night Jesus made it clear that we do not have to wait until Heaven for peace, but that He intends it for this life. It makes me wonder, then, why we are so slow to grasp or accept the gift we have been given for the here and now. How often we spend our lives searching for peace and yet we already have it in and through Jesus Christ! As He said, this peace cannot be found in anything worldly, but it is the peace only God can give, and as such, it is found in Him. Rather than to simply instruct us to seek it, Jesus provided an everlasting gift at the very moment when He blessed and broke the bread. 

The peace of Christ is found in the Eucharist; everything we need for our spiritual wellbeing, as well as the graces we need to live the Christian life in a turbulent world, is found there. However, these graces need to be cultivated through prayer if we want to grow in holiness and in the peace He alone can give. Without a personal relationship with Jesus, peace would be fleeting because it would lack grounding in the trust that grows through time spent with the God of Love and Mercy. It is through prayer that we learn to recognize the presence of Jesus, graces offered, and are enabled in discerning the path to which we are called. Prayer ‘grows’ our trust in Him which in turn enlivens the peace Jesus gives. His peace is unshakeable: it remains deep within us no matter what we are going through. In other words, having peace does not mean we will not suffer, but that when we do, we trust that He is present in the midst of whatever it is we are dealing with. This peace is not something one feels, but it is His deep abiding presence within our heart that protects us from giving into fear and despair. 

​Jesus gave His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity as an eternal gift, the source of all grace and peace. Let me put it another way: the consecrated Eucharist IS Jesus. Unless we believe that in reality Jesus is present after the priest says the words of institution and consecrates the bread and wine; unless we have the reverent belief to accept that we are in the very real presence of God when this happens, we cannot fully appreciate or experience the power and grace He offers. He made it clear that this peace is not to be found anywhere but in Him: “…my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” And He concludes with this: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27) Notice that we have to choose to accept it as an act of humility and trust. 

I once read about an atheist who said that if he believed what Catholics claim to believe about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist then he would have to be torn away from the altar because he would never want to leave something as beautiful and wonderful as that.* Thus, Catholics should love the Eucharist as he inferred. It would be beneficial to reflect upon the Blessed Sacrament. While none of us, (even the monks), can live in front of the Tabernacle 24/7, we can grow in reverence and love, taking what we ‘feast upon’ within the church out into the world when we leave the building. That is the entire point: Jesus wants us to have peace so that we also have the courage and strength to live our faith unashamedly and boldly without any fear of what might happen if we do. He wants us to be as Christ to others, becoming His hands and feet, offering His mercy and His love. The Eucharist fuels this because as the saying goes, we are what we eat.

​The world is full of many deceptive claims for peace outside of Jesus. We are inundated with ideologies, practices, and messages that say power, money, and prestige can bring happiness, and hence peace. Unfortunately all of these are fleeting. It is not health or sickness, wealth or poverty, long life or short that determines our peace. It is in joining ourselves to Christ, accepting His gifts given through prayer and the sacraments, that we find peace and ultimately joy. Remember, the peace and subsequent joy offered by Jesus are interior dispositions and not feelings. We can be in outward difficulty or suffering, and still have peace. It is this peace that enabled saints like Padre Pio, who lived with constant physical and interior pain from betrayals and attacks, to still live with interior peace. So let us take Jesus at His word, accepting the gift of peace by immersing ourselves in the Eucharist. In it, everything we need is found because Christ Himself is present. There is no greater gift: All we need is found in Him!

​May we cling to Jesus especially through the gift of His Body and Blood! May we immerse ourselves in prayer more readily so as to discern the path God has for our growth in holiness and our service in mercy to one another! And may we trust in Him to find the peace that only He can give! Let us meet in the Eucharist! Peace!

                                                     ©Michele L. Catanese

* If anyone has any idea who said this, or to whom it was said, I would love to know. I cannot remember where I read this, though I am confident it was said to someone famous who then recorded it, perhaps a saint.

Images: 
1. My photo, Matagorda Bay facing the shoreline. Matagorda, Texas.
2. Icon, Nuestro Salvador de las Sandias, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. This icon can be found in one of many mediums at fineartamerica.com/featured/nuestro-salvador-de-las-sandias-012-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Painting, inset of Chalice and Host by Jan Davidsz de Heem
4. Fresco painting, Resurrected Jesus, (close up) by Blessed Fra Angelico.
5. Painting, Olive Trees in Bordigher (1884), by Claude Monet.

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. 

Whenever I read the parable in the Gospel of Luke about the 100 sheep with the one that wanders off, I usually think about its meaning by considering the Shepherd who went after the one and left the 99. This is often what is emphasized, insofar as Jesus exemplified how much each of us is valued, even the ‘wanderer.’ The message is powerful, filled with the truth of the unfathomable love God has for His children: all have great worth to Him. However, upon reflection my thoughts were drawn to that one wayward sheep; how would I feel if I was the one who had wandered off? Admittedly, I have been that one many times, and if we are honest, we know that everyone shares in this proclivity to wander, not necessarily away from the faith, but into a course of action that has unwittingly moved us away from God through some pattern of sin. And what is it like to be of the 99?  Most of the time we are among the faithful flock; but what is important for us to consider is how we have responded to the Shepherd who has subsequently left us to go find the one, and how we have responded to the one who wandered off. We all are members of the one flock, and when all is well, we graze safely. But even in the midst of the flock, if danger is lurking we must be alert, holding fast to our trust in the Shepherd. We are always safe, but it is our responsibility to be vigilant and to stick as close to the Shepherd as we can to let Him guide us through the difficulty. 

It is often said that sheep are stupid animals, but this is not necessarily true. Sheep are fiercely true to their shepherd. Stupid animals would not be able to identify their shepherd to distinguish him or her from the marauder or false shepherd. And if they were stupid they would not trust their shepherd with their lives, follow the instructions given them, or follow where the shepherd leads. Of course, they do need direction, and perhaps that characteristic is the source from which their reputation for being one of the lesser intelligent animals may arise. I have also heard that as with many animals, sheep protect their own; that is, a ewe will protect her lamb, and the lamb knows to seek out its mother if it gets a little disoriented. Therefore, if we are to understand the sheep symbolism that Jesus used in His parables, we must recognize that part of what He was saying is that as spiritually mature people we have a responsibility to remain alert and make choices based on that which the Shepherd has taught. He will lead us, but like the sheep in this story, we have the freedom to stay or to wander. He stays close, but He also provides the tools we need so that we can make mature, Spirit-filled decisions. Whether we sense His presence or not, the Shepherd is aware of our every movement, although sometimes for reasons unknown to us He seems to stay hidden so that, in freedom, we can use the gifts He has given to find our way back to Him.

Jesus used the image of being a shepherd because the people of His day could relate to it. Shepherding was a viable way to ‘make a living,’ but it was an occupation for those who were usually poor. Therefore, choosing to describe Himself as a shepherd could be seen as an odd choice; shepherds were looked down upon as unsavory at best, and totally reviled at worst, because they could not go to the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law. They had difficulty keeping the Sabbath and were often considered unclean, given that they did not have time for the rituals required in the cleanliness laws due to the demands of maintaining flocks. Shepherds simply could not walk away from their sheep, expecting the flock to be safe in their absence; there were no days off for a shepherd. But for Jesus the reference to Himself as a shepherd was deliberate and fitting: He knew He would be reviled as one who ‘broke the Law,’ not applying it literally, but teaching and living its spirit through love and mercy. He also knew that just as a shepherd would do anything to protect the flock, He would do the same, eventually laying down His life for His sheep. 

To understand this parable on a deeper level, it would be good to pray with it by composing Midrash. Midrash is the consideration of a story from the point of view of each of the ‘characters’ within it, delving into what their particular experience may have been like.​​* In this case, we can put ourselves into the shoes (hooves?) of one of the sheep among the 99 and then of the sheep that strayed. We can also imagine what the Shepherd may have been thinking. Praying with the passage in this way will open us up to more insights into what Jesus is trying to communicate to each of us (uniquely) in this present moment. Our earthly journey is perilous, filled with many rocky paths, enemies of the Shepherd who are therefore hostile to us, and precipices from which we can fall. Hopefully, as we pray, we will grow in trust for Jesus our Good Shepherd, ‘grazing’ safely by partaking in His Body and Blood for sustenance, knowing He is always present to offer protection, guidance, love, and mercy to the flock He loves.

May we learn to trust in Jesus, our Good Shepherd more deeply! May we graze continually, feeding our souls on the Body and Blood of Jesus that we may grow in love and mercy! And may we, like sheep, safely graze in the Kingdom of Heaven one day! Let us meet in the pasture of the Lord! Peace!

                                                                            ©Michele L. Catanese

Note: The musically inclined will have caught the reference to a beautiful, often performed piece of music by Johann Sebastian Bach called “Where Sheep May Safely Graze.” It was running through my head the entire time this entry was being written. It has been transcribed for just about every instrument you can imagine, but here is one version I particularly love, performed on classical guitar by Christopher Parkening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZuNr8r7yV0

​*Midrash was mostly used by Jewish scholars as a commentary to explain a passage more deeply. It was a way of thinking that would break open a passage by considering it from different angles, so to speak. Here, I am adapting the concept as a way of praying with a passage, so that the one who prays can unpack the parable for deeper understanding of what Jesus was revealing through each of the ‘characters,’ given that we know that every word Jesus spoke had great meaning. (My suggested application is similar to, -or rather I have derived it from- the way St. Ignatius would have one pray using the imagination.)

Images:
1. My photo, sheep grazing, taken in New Zealand.
2. My photo, lamb wandering, taken in Scotland.
3. Icon, El Buen Pastor by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/el-buen-pastor-188-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. Painting, Landscape from Saint-Rémy, (1889) by Vincent van Gogh. 
5. My photo of a mosaic of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This is in the San Vitale Cathedral in Ravenna, Italy.

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. 

We have heard that actions speak louder than words, which of course, is true. It is said that over 95% of the way we communicate is through our gestures, expressions, body language, and how we act. But what we say and how we say it, does have power; our words can inflict great damage, offer long-sought healing, shed enlightenment or insight, or lead someone to truth. The logical conclusion is to make sure we match what we say with what we do, and indeed, that is our goal. Words can be tricky, and often what we intend can be misinterpreted, even for the best of communicators, since all of us are ‘biased hearers’ formed by our past experiences or understanding. For help with how we might use our words and deeds rightly we can look to the clear teaching found in the gospel message of Jesus. Certainly what He taught should influence the way we use words, especially since He said that we should do all things with love, and that what we say can reveal what is in our hearts. This is not to minimize the effect of our actions, but it is important to also consider what we say since words are also a means of evangelization. Jesus instructed His followers to bring the Good News ‘to the ends of the earth,’ (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15) thus, it is important to consider the ‘tools’ we use.

Words convey meaning and intention. The intention of God was revealed when He sent His Son Jesus, who is the very Word of God; that is, Jesus is not only the ‘means,’ but He is the message. It is not an exaggeration that St. John the Evangelist referred to Jesus as the Word: in Jesus, God communicated His unfathomable love, and as a result everything Jesus said and did revealed God and His desire for us. (John 1:1-11) Because this is true, our words should give witness to the One whom we profess to follow. Therefore, what defines a person as a disciple is not only what they do, but also what they say since His followers are bearers of Christ to the world in every way. If we profess to be followers of Jesus, our words should be a way to evangelize, teach, heal, make peace, encourage, and even to lovingly correct. Words can also do the opposite if we are not careful, and the damage done by ill-placed words spoken in anger, for example, can last a lifetime. 

On one occasion when refuting the Pharisees who were attempting to discredit Him, Jesus said that it is not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out. (Matthew 15:11) That is, our words do matter, and reveal not only our intentions, but also what is really within our hearts. In his letter St. James elaborated on what he learned from Jesus, warning that “the tongue is a small member, yet has great pretentions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.” (James 3: 5) He went on to say: “from the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so….” (3:10) In other words, we have to learn to tame what comes out from us so that we are instruments of edification and of peace. We all know that words can slip out and hurt others; most likely more than once in our lives we have wished we could go back in time to retract something we said. We also know what it is like to be on the receiving end of words that cut to the core with hurt that can resonate through the years. The goal for us is to learn to tame our tongue, something which requires grace and is therefore attainable, but only if combined with our desire, prayer, and effort.

​In order to follow Jesus and to conform ourselves to that which God has called us to do we must continually discern what we do and what we say. To ensure we speak and act with love, it is essential to stay connected to Jesus, the Word, particularly through time spent reading, praying with, and reflecting upon the gospels as well as in the private, silent prayer of dialogue with Him. We need to be specific as to what graces we ask of the Holy Spirit, such as self-control, patience or whatever is needed so that we use words to build up rather than to tear down. It would be good to do an examination of conscience, or as St. Ignatius taught, an examination of consciousness, each night before we go to bed to discern what the areas are in which we need the help of the Holy Spirit.* If we ask, we will receive, but we need to be consistent in our efforts so that even when we struggle with it, (and we will), we can continue to trust in the power of God’s love and His desire to help us grow.

The process of learning how to speak the love of God so that our words are consistent with our actions will help us become more attentive to Jesus, to consider what He would have us say and do. In turn this gives Him the opportunity to let His forgiveness and love wash over us. Our hearts will soften and change as we conform our will to His and invite Him to show us the way to proceed. Let us become beacons of the Word, glorifying Him with our lives.

May we desire to unite our words and deeds as instruments of evangelization and love! May we let the Holy Spirit teach us so that we speak words of love, especially in difficult situations! May we utilize the gifts of wisdom and discernment that we might speak the Word at all times! And may we glorify God as we grow in our discipleship! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                                                              ©Michele L. Catanese

* In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola there is something called the Examination of Consciousness, often referred to by Jesuits as the Examen. A simple way to do this nightly examination is to address God the Father by mentioning the ways you responded to His gifts and graces throughout the day, and offering gratitude. Then address the Son, Jesus, mentioning the ways you failed to respond, perhaps in ways you sinned, asking for His forgiveness. Then address the Holy Spirit, asking for the appropriate grace to help with one of the patterns of sin you see, based on what you asked pardon for. This should take only a few minutes and is not meant to be a ‘fine tooth comb’ sort of thing such as we do before Reconciliation. Simply mention what comes up in a moment or two of reflection. 

Images:
1. My photo, Matagorda Bay, TX. 
2. Icon, Cristo Pantocrator by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining a copy you can purchase it in one of many mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/cristo-pantocrator-175-william-hart-mcnichols.html.
3. My photo, volcanic activity from Kilauea, Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii (the Big Island of Hawaii). I chose this because it shows the destructive force of lava, which also builds up the island; therefore it both builds up and tears down.
4. My photo, my Bible.
5. Watercolor, Self Portrait, by John Absolon, (1815-1895)

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 have a fascination with words, their etymology, usage, and meaning. I suppose it is because I have always been a voracious reader who as a child often read books with a dictionary nearby. It isn’t surprising, then, that I recently came across a word that attracted my attention, mostly because I was intrigued as to how to use it in a sentence: ‘coddiwomple,’ a verb. A bit whimsical sounding, it is English slang meaning “to travel purposefully toward an as-yet unknown destination.” A reflection ensued, which led to the realization that to coddiwomple is anything but what the Christian life is about. That is, although we do travel purposefully toward our goal, (and the road is not always easy), we definitely know our destination. We are journeying through life, with its ups and downs, to arrive in Heaven, hopefully growing in holiness on the way. We even have a roadmap to guide us there, given through the teaching of Jesus. That is not to say that we will always know exactly what the next step to take may be; rather, it means that we will need to put all our trust in the One we follow, Jesus. It will take prayer, discernment, and a desire to do the best we can to love, and therefore, to glorify Him. Thus, we do not coddiwomple, but instead we proceed with purpose.

St. Ignatius of Loyola (whose feast day is July 31) composed The Spiritual Exercises to help people learn how to discern and also grow in relationship with God. The Exercises begin with the Principle and Foundation which was designed to help the retreatant reflect upon his or her journey and to commit more deeply to it: to come into a more intimate relationship with the Lord so that we might live out the purpose for which we were created as a response of love to Him. The Principle and Foundation basically states that everything is meant to help us grow in holiness and that which hinders this growth needs to be let go. This statement guides us to understand that we are to prefer nothing specifically other than that which is for the greater glory of God, and thus to find great freedom. However, it is not meant to be utilitarian; rather, the point is to begin seeing that all is gift, to recognize God's presence more readily, to experience His love more deeply, and to help others grow through our service to them. St. Ignatius would not have put it quite like this, but our journey is not a coddiwomple. Rather, we have a purpose which is our own unique call to discipleship and our destination is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

This means we must accept that we have a purpose no matter how insignificant we think it is, and that we also recognize that our purpose includes others as we share the Good News in word and deed. To live the gospel message requires that we continually examine specifically how we are to contribute to the building of the Kingdom. This examination is done in our prayer and reflection; the time spent in this way helps us become more attentive in recognizing how the Holy Spirit moves within us, which in turn encourages growth in trusting God. It moves us to deeper intimacy and love of God so that our desire is to follow Him without reserve. A good example is Mary the Mother of Jesus, who spent her life pondering many things within her heart; in her total commitment and love for God she prayed and reflected upon the many mysteries and difficulties she faced in order to know how to respond. It is why she had the wisdom to know when to let go of Jesus so that He could begin His public ministry, as she did at the wedding in Cana when she told Him there was no wine. Her ‘sinlessness’ did not give her wisdom; God did, and He did it in response to her prayer and her desire to listen closely even when she did not understand. 

As the Principle and Foundation states, our purpose is in our own unique way “to praise, reverence, and serve God and by this means to attain salvation.”* The road consists of whatever helps us to praise and serve God, and the destination is to arrive at the Kingdom of Heaven. “All things created are to help us to attain our purpose;”* in other words, we must discern the correct usage of things, and to let the Holy Spirit help us to order all things to God. The details of how this will be are unknown, but the destination is sure. There is no ‘coddiwompling’ here; instead, doing all things for the greater glory of God is the road which leads to Heaven. As St. Ignatius knew, we will make mistakes, sometimes misinterpreting what we should do, or not recognizing the way to proceed; but if so, we always can, and indeed, must, return to the journey, asking for the graces we need so that we can grow in holiness and love for the Lord, building up the Kingdom here on earth as we proceed toward our heavenly home. As we grow, as we journey with our particular purpose, joined to the work of the Christian community, we will come to know more clearly the depth of God’s love for us. We do not coddiwomple, but rather, we rejoice in the gift of Heaven to which we set our faces resolutely, as Jesus did when He directed Himself to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51) 

May we call upon the intercession of St. Ignatius and the Blessed Virgin Mary when we need help with the process of discernment! May we grow in the freedom to let go of all that hinders us on the journey! And may we learn to recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit better each day! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                             ©Michele L. Catanese

* The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, paragraph 23, Principle and Foundation.


Images:
​1. My photo, walking trail in Palo Duro State Park, Canyon,Texas.
2. Icon, St. Ignatius and the Passion of the World in the 21st Century, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. This icon depicts a vision St. Ignatius experienced during prayer in which Jesus offered him the world in flames as a way of giving him his mission. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this you can find this at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-ignatius-and-the-passion-of-the-world-in-the-21st-century-194-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Painting, Peasant Women Planting Stakes, by Camille Pissarro (1891)
4. My photo, the sky and mountains at Loveland Pass, Colorado. (Continental Divide) 
5. Icon, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-the-church-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. 

My favorite Old Testament figure is Elijah, without a doubt. What I love most about this man whose name means “Yahweh is my God,” is his ‘gumption.’ That is, Elijah was willing to stand against those in power who were influencing the people of Israel to turn away from God and follow their pagan gods instead. It had gotten to the point where the Israelites were so far from God that they had become corrupt morally. There were some minor prophetic groups referred to as guild prophets, but they were totally ineffectual. It seems that no one would take a strong stand, except Elijah, who when called upon by God, did what had to be done. Not only did he confront the king and his conniving wife, but Elijah spoke and acted with such authority that the rulers felt threatened, desiring therefore to silence him. The fact is, the authority with which Elijah spoke was greater than theirs and they were right to be frightened of him as they persisted in their evildoing. Elijah’s authority came from God, and while we do not know why God chose him particularly, perhaps the clue is in his name: Elijah was totally dedicated to the Lord who alone was his God.

Elijah boldly confronted King Ahab and his wife Jezebel concerning their perversion of the faith, and hence, the people. Early in his ministry, he challenged the ‘prophets’ of the false god, Baal, to a kind of contest to show whose god was real, proving by the finish that the God of Israel is the only true God. (1 Kings 18) To accomplish this, Elijah had to trust God radically and completely, acting with an authority that was beyond that of the Israelite people who had swung over to pagan practice, hundreds of prophets of Baal, and the king and queen, all combined. Even though he proved whose God was real, he ended up fleeing for his life to escape the wrath of the queen. But Elijah had God with him, and although he became frustrated and tired, God met his needs lovingly and gently (1 Kings 19) subsequently providing a co-worker who would soon take over where Elijah would leave off. Knowing it was time, he took this protégé, Elisha, to the Jordan River and there Elijah was taken to heaven in a fiery whirlwind. (2 Kings 2) When Elijah was taken up, Elisha received what he desired, (symbolized by taking up the mantle which Elijah had dropped), following in Elijah’s footsteps, speaking and acting with the authority of God.

What also stands out is the behavior of the witnesses to Elijah being taken up. In the passage, (2 Kings 2:9-15), 50 guild prophets watched as the fiery chariot took him and Elisha received his mantle. Although they were witnesses, they did not seem to believe what they had seen. These people did have some sort of prophetic gift, but for whatever reason they would not believe, their behavior consistent with their continual reluctance to act.​​* The reason for this could be that they effectively rejected their own authority by clinging to the safety of ‘the background’ rather than truly taking any kind of controversial stand. This is comparable to what many did when Jesus was preaching during His ministry. If He said something they could not fathom or which seemed controversial, the people would abandon Him, such as when Jesus preached the Bread of Life discourse and everyone ran off except the 12. When Jesus asked them why they did not also leave, Peter replied, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life….” (John 6: 67-69) In short, they recognized the authority of God revealed in Jesus’ words and actions. There are also multiple passages about demons who recognized Jesus as the Son of God, and because of it, were cast out by Him because they could not stand up to His authority. 

There are also stories of Sts. Peter and Paul, other apostles, and numerous saints throughout history who spoke with authority, because in accepting the call to serve the Lord, they were empowered by grace to do so. One who comes to mind is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, (feast day, July 4). Bl. Pier Giorgio is known for heroically helping the poor, but many do not realize that he also stood up against the Fascists in the early 1920’s, participating in rallies and marches, often as the organizer. He once said, “To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth – that is not living, but existing.” In other words, if we are going to follow Jesus, we must be willing to act boldly with the authority that comes from Him, the authority to live the Truth we have been given through faith. While we might not be called to participate in public marches as was Bl. Pier Giorgio – (and some of us might be) – we do act with authority when we live our faith unapologetically through our moral choices, acts of kindness and mercy, forgiveness of those who have wronged us, speaking up and acting on behalf of the oppressed, sharing about Jesus with those who may not know Him, or even something as simple as being willing to pray in public before meals. As those baptized, we have been given the graces we need to live as Christians with authority, not to ‘lord it over’ others or bully them into submission, but rather to live like Elijah, St. Peter, or Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, acting with love and the strength love gives. That is all the authority we need since, indeed, God is love.

May we trust in the authority of Jesus given through His teaching and through grace! May we be willing to stand up for our faith in our everyday life! And may our faith truly be visible in our acts of love! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

               ©Michele L. Catanese

​* Guild prophets were groups that were formed for worship and cultic song and dance. They would go into a frenetic state when they prayed, and I suspect they were actually more of a distraction then they were helpful. However, they did live in communities outside of towns and were known to act as messengers and aids rather than to actually give any real prophecy. Mostly in the background, they were more like ‘groupies’ that followed whoever had the power and therefore, the attention of the public. But in reality, their function was limited and they were not that highly esteemed. (A description is found in Dictionary of the Bible, John L. McKenzie, SJ, page 694)

Images:
1. Icon, Holy Prophet Elijah, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find it at fineartamerica.com/featured/holy-prophet-elijah-009-william-hart-mcnichols.html
2. My photo, stained glass, Elijah in the Whirlwind.
3. My photo, Puerto Rico.
4. Photo, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.
5. My photo, on sand dunes by Lake Michigan.

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. 

There are all sorts of jokes and memes about forgetting things more easily as we grow older. I saw a comic strip the other day which depicted someone on the top of a high mountain who quipped, “I hate it when I go somewhere and can’t remember why I went there in the first place.”*   It was funny: those of us who are older will poke fun at ourselves about how we entered a room and forgot why we went there, or that we were searching for a phone that was in our pocket all along, (or worse, in our hand.) Jokes aside, I recently read an article that did not sit right with me at all. It was about measuring cognitive ability based on how older people dealt with money. The article highlighted the findings of an experiment in which they took a number of older people and created an artificial scenario that tested what they would do when they met strangers who presented a need. The subjects were 'allotted' a theoretical amount of money to keep or give. The testers connected those who gave more with having more cognitive decline than those who gave less or none at all. I guess that makes all of us (young or old) who live by the gospels, quite senile! If that is the case, count me in.

Psychology is a wonderful gift when a person desires help growing emotionally, is in need of healing, or has a particular mental health issue. But like all things, when something is taken out of context or when an issue is taken to the extreme, anything can become misleading and disturbing. Reading articles like this reinforces the wisdom of taking what we read or hear and keeping it in perspective using common sense, consistent with what Jesus taught about discerning right usage. For example, He did not say money was evil, but indicated it was what we do with it that makes it good or bad, such as when He told those who questioned Him, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but to God what belongs to God.” (Mark 12:17) Therefore, aside from avoiding the Pharisees attempt at trying to trap Him, Jesus was actually teaching about right use of what we have. Notice the wording: Jesus used the word “repay.” The Pharisees were asking about the Law and Jesus’ reply was about love. In our gratitude we ‘repay’ (or respond to) God with loving actions directed to everyone, but especially to those in greatest need. We are to give to the poor, but using discernment, we should decide how much we can give; impoverishing ourselves when we have children to feed or have other obligations would not be what God wants. We are to nurture a generous heart, but without taking things out of context and to the extreme.** ​

The one thing Jesus does want us to be extravagant with is our love, but even then we always need to discern what the truly loving thing to do is. That is, we must discern the greater good which will bring us closer to God and also does the greatest amount of good for the one to whom we minister without jeopardizing those to whom we are obligated, including ourselves. In order to live this way we must have a healthy prayer life. To discern is to pray, and in fact, it means we must pray constantly. To get a sense of the movement of the Holy Spirit we must dialogue with Him, to ask specifically, and then to listen with our heart and soul. And the best way to do that is to have an intimate relationship with God. If we desire a discerning heart we must spend time in prayer so that we can learn the way God works within our particular relationship and in how He calls us. In prayer we learn to recognize His presence and indeed, His voice. Like the disciples in Emmaus, unless we are listening to what is happening within our hearts, we will totally miss that they are burning within us. As we learn to recognize God's presence, and as we grow in love, our generosity will expand, our mercy will multiply, (especially in forgiving others), and we will grow in holiness.

There is nothing of a cognitive decline in being generous with a poor stranger. It is what we are called to do as Christians and what we do in response to our love for God. When we offer our time, talent, and treasure, we give to Christ present in our least brothers and sisters: “What you do for them, you do for me.” (Paraphrase of Matthew 25:40) Jesus taught us to give to those in need, whether it is food and drink, clothing, offering comfort through a visit to the sick or the imprisoned, or simply spending time listening and praying with someone. If the world laughs at us for loving with an open hand, then let it. And if they want to say we are losing cognitive ability for being generous… well, let them. I would rather be deemed a little impaired for being as Christ to someone, then to be considered ‘all together’ for being selfish or neglectful. Don’t get me wrong, there are times to give and times to withhold, so let’s not think that anyone is selfish when they do not give monetarily or otherwise. But the fact remains, that if we are appropriately generous in word and deed to our brothers and sisters, we will find a clarity like nothing else. This clarity is indeed what love is.

May we utilize the gift of discernment we were given at our Confirmation! May we grow in gratitude to God and respond with generous hearts! And in this month of the Sacred Heart, may we learn how to respond in love as Jesus would have us do! Let us meet in the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                   ©Michele L. Catanese

*The comic mentioned is called Macanudo by Liniers. His comic strip is one of my favorites. You can find the particular strip I referred to at https://comicskingdom.com/Macanudo/2022-06-19
More about the Argentinian artist, Liniers, and his comic strip can be found at https://comicskingdom.com/Macanudo/about

** Speaking of context: Some may be thinking, “But what about the widow who gave her two cents in Luke 21:1-4? Does it not say Jesus praised her for giving her entire livelihood?” Yes, He did say this, but again we have to put it into context. Jesus was using hyperbole, a Jewish teaching method of exaggerating a point so as to make it clear. In this case, Jesus was pointing out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who were pretentious and haughty, making a show of their giving, as opposed to the widow who was giving in obscurity and humility. This teaching was about humility and not about money, as such. 
Images:
1. My photo, birthday cake.
2. Painting, Caesar's Coin by Peter Paul Rubens, (1612-14). (Public Domain)
​3. Image, The Holy Spirit The Lord the Giver of Life The Paraclete Sender of Peace by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this image and if you wish, purchase a copy in one of many mediums at fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-spirit-the-lord-the-giver-of-life-the-paraclete-sender-of-peace-093-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. My photo of a painting of St. Benedict Joseph Labre from Santa Maria ai Monti in Rome, Italy. This painting hangs by St. Benedict Joseph's tomb in Santa Maria ai Monti. He died on the steps of this church. He was a pilgrim (beggar) who gave everything given to him to those poorer than himself. 
5. My photo of some stained glass in the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia.

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

On a trip to South Carolina I had the opportunity to tour historic Charleston. Part of the tour included walking on a pathway made from 200 year old bricks, some of which had tiny handprints embedded in them. These handprints are those of the children who made them; that is, the bricks were made by children who were enslaved. While children are known to enjoy leaving their handprints in wet cement, or in this case wet clay, it is obvious that these prints were not made for playful reasons. Most of them were probably made unintentionally, but it seemed to me that some of the handprints were perhaps left as a way of letting others know that they wanted to be remembered, to have their lives be noticed and given the dignity they deserved. Whatever the reasons, the handprints are a reminder that no matter what, we are always within the sight of God. Jesus taught His followers that although we may endure hardship in this life, God is with us and we will have joy in heaven with Him. However, it remains that while in this life, we all have a basic need to be validated and to know we are important to someone. Even though we know God sees us, we still yearn to be treated with dignity, to be noticed, valued, and to not be forgotten. But no matter what happens, we can cling to what Jesus told us: every hair of our head is counted and therefore we are never forgotten by God even for a fraction of a second. He is always surrounding us with His love and mercy, especially when we feel it least and need it most.

In regard to this, Psalm 8 is fitting, especially because the writer seems to understand not only the dignity of each person, but also that every human glorifies God simply by existing. The Psalmist expounds on the beauty of the heavens, the moon and the stars, and then asks, “What are we that you should be mindful of us?” That is, God made all the beauty of the heavens and the earth, and yet deems us more important than these, perhaps as more beautiful than the rest of creation. The tiny handprints on the bricks can be a reminder that all of us are made “little less than the angels… crowned with glory and honor.” In Psalm 139 we read that God knows “when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar…. If I go to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there. …if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall guide me and your right hand hold me fast.” (Psalm 139: 2, 8-10) God made us for more than one reason: of course, He made us simply because He loves us, but He also made us to contribute something to the rest of humanity, no matter how great or small, how seen or unseen by others. 

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus went into great detail about how God sees and cares for us.* He said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of our head have all been counted. Do not be afraid.” (Luke 12:6-7) The key is in taking to heart the last line: “Do not be afraid.” Indeed, we are always within His vision, but it takes radical trust to accept this. That Jesus repeats this assurance many times throughout His ministry and even after the Resurrection should be evidence enough that He really wants us to trust Him and therefore, to be at peace. Everything is in God’s hands and thus, His love and mercy are gifts to be savored. Once we accept in our heart that we are so loved by God, however, Jesus outlines the ways in which we are to do for others what God does for us. This means we are to be a witness to our faith unapologetically, that is, to live what we have been taught, and in all things act with love. To be a follower of Jesus means that ‘what we are given without cost we are to give as a gift.’ (Paraphrase of Matthew 10:8) Therefore, we need to look past our own selves, trusting that we are completely in God’s care, and with love, look to help others who may have great needs or perhaps who simply want to be noticed and remembered for the beauty of being our brother or sister.

The Church dedicates the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a celebration of His unfathomable love.** In light of this, it is good to reflect upon the love we have received and the actions of love to which we are called. Reading and praying with the Sermon on the Plain and the other Gospel discourses of Jesus, particularly in Matthew and Luke, would be helpful as a reminder of how loved we are and how we are enjoined to love others as we are loved. God’s loving handprint is on each of His children, and in a similar way we, too, are called to leave an imprint of love, no matter how small it may seem, upon everyone we encounter. And if we do so, we will see the beautiful handiwork of God ever more clearly as we build the Kingdom with Him, one loving act at a time.  

May we pray that the fire of love that burns within the Sacred Heart of Jesus would also burn in our hearts! May we live in the dignity with which we were created and acknowledge that same dignity in all our brothers and sisters! And may we be moved to put love into action through works of mercy and compassion! Let us meet in the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                 ©Michele L. Catanese


*The discourses in Luke’s Gospel and in Matthew’s Gospel share the same basic content, particularly the Sermon on the Plain and the Sermon on the Mount, respectively. For those who wonder why Matthew set this discourse on a mountain side and Luke did not: Matthew was writing to an audience of Jewish converts who were very familiar with God’s revelations upon mountains, especially when He gave the Law to them. This was representative of God as being on high and so they had great reverence for God’s revelation in this way. For Luke’s Greek convert audience a mountain setting would have been too intimidating; they would have wanted nothing to do with it because mountain revelations meant trouble. Remember, in Greek mythology the gods lived on Mt. Olympus and they did nothing but wreak havoc on humanity to accomplish their own selfish ends. Thus, to set this important discourse on a plain was symbolic of God ‘making level the field’ so to speak, entering into our world in a non-intimidating and radical way. However, the quote used above from Luke is found in a later discourse, the content of which Matthew used in the Sermon on the Mount. Simply, the authors organized their gospels differently to reach out to their different audiences.
**June 24 is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, but it is traditional for the entire month to be dedicated to this devotion.

Images:
1. Painted image, Isaiah 44-5, Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining this image in one of a variety of formats, it can be found at ​https://fineartamerica.com/featured/isaiah-44-5-william-hart-mcnichols.html
2. Painting, inset of the Archangel Gabriel from The Annunciation, Blessed Fra Angelico.
3. My photo, taken in Hawaii. (I know it is not a sparrow, but it works.)
4. Painting, Fields, 1877 by Camille Pissarro.
5. My photo of stained glass, Sacred Heart of Jesus.
​
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. 

​We have probably heard vignettes about giving a gift to a child and then discovering that they enjoy playing with the paper or the box seemingly more than the gift. On first glance this might seem humorous, or perhaps we surmise that the child has missed the point, or something along those lines. But if one really thinks about it, there is a lesson in this from which we can all learn: it is the small, simple things in life that often give the greatest pleasure. In fact, being ‘easily entertained,’ if you will, is actually Scriptural. Jesus used children as examples to emphasize the attitude we should have, saying that unless we become like little children we will not enter the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 18:3) There is much one can say about this teaching, but certainly it includes finding joy in simplicity. Being childlike allows us to find joy readily, so that we become beacons of the love and mercy of God, attracting others to the Lord by sharing our joy. Childlikeness is a type of honesty; that is, when children discover joy in simple things, there is no guile involved and consequently no need for approval. Small children have no need to ‘fit in’ or coincide with the opinions of others. Unhindered by these things, they simply enjoy much of what they encounter. While we lose this wonderful tendency as we grow older, it is not at all impossible to find it again, as evidenced in the lives of many of the saints. To have the ability to find joy in simplicity enables us to grow in the habit of having a grateful heart throughout life. And living gratefully, we learn to ‘see God’ all around us, receiving a glimpse of Heaven, a foretaste of things to come.

A favorite saint for many people, St. Thérèse of Lisieux is best known for her “Little Way.” Perhaps she was the most childlike of all the saints, truly taking to heart Jesus’ supplication that we become like little children. She referred to herself as “a little flower in His garden,” * hence she has been referred to as “The Little Flower” since her death and subsequent canonization. St. Thérèse had been the spoiled, baby of the family until she had a personal epiphany and then grew into a young woman, somehow moving from childishness to childlikeness. The transformation was built upon the purity of her love for Jesus; the source of her sanctity was accepting His love and allowing it to mold her, and her childlikeness was the expression of her response to Him. As a result she was able to find joy in the simplest way, even in the midst of the horrific suffering she endured in the last few years of her short life. She was quoted near the end of her life as saying, “During Matins I saw the stars twinkling and then I heard the Divine Office, and it pleased me.” ** Something as simple as these things gave her great joy even though she was unable to arise from her sickbed. Perhaps this was her glimpse of Heaven, a process begun long before that moment.

Just as Thérèse was not born with sanctity but grew in it as a response of love for Jesus, so too can we respond. However, it does take work, just as she discovered in her own life journey. She had to overcome great self-centeredness which may have arisen from insecurity due to the loss of her mother while she was still a small child. No matter, she did do it, not because she was gifted in some way the rest of us are not, but because she allowed herself to find signs of God’s presence all around her and therefore, within her heart, allowed grace to form and guide her. Therefore, we can work at finding joy in the presence of God and in that which is His handiwork just as Thérèse did. 

As we near the end of the Easter season we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus. Perhaps we can enter into a foretaste of heaven, considering what it is that gives us joy in order to ‘spiritually ascend’ with Jesus as we reflect upon this feast. In addition to material things or people, let us consider that which is part of our spiritual life: Have we ever thought to find joy in our relationship with our most holy mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary? Have we ever rejoiced over our guardian angel or at the thought of the presence of all the angels? Have we ever found joy in response to the Saints and holy ones who intercede at our request or who inspire us by their lives? Do we realize that we glimpse Heaven in the very Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus who becomes one with us when we receive the Eucharist? Do our friends (and/or family) give us joy, and do we realize that they are gifts of God? And finally, do we see God as did Thérèse, in the twinkling stars, a flittering butterfly, or in some other aspect of nature? Whatever it is that brings us even the smallest amount of pleasure or joy, and therefore brings us closer to God, is a gift. We do not need to enter into the depths of ecstasy in prayer in order to experience joy, but rather it is when we unclutter our hearts and respond to God’s love like a little child, that we find the greatest joy and therefore find a glimpse of Heaven.

​May we allow the grace of God to help us become as little children! Through the intercession of St. Thérèse may we find joy in the little (and the big things) in our daily lives! And may we find a glimpse of the life to come in Heaven as we unite ourselves to Jesus! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace! 

                            ©Michele L. Catanese

* St. Thérèse is often quoted as saying she wanted to be as a little flower in the garden of God, but it is actually a combination of two statements she made in reference to her desire for littleness. (From her autobiography, The Story of a Soul)
** St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Last Conversations, Yellow Notebook, July 3, No.7 (1897) Thérèse was dying at the point in which these conversations were written down by one of her sisters who sat at her bedside.

Images:
1. Photo, Little children at play.
2. Photo, St. Thérèse quote. 
3. Icon, St. Therese of Lisieux Doctor of the Church, by Fr. William Hart McNichols.  Her official name in religious life was (Sr.) Thérèse  of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. Her devotion to the child Jesus certainly was central to her spirituality, and therefore it makes sense that she would want to be as a little child, too. You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-therese-of-lisieux-doctor-of-the-church-043-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. My photo, Oaks at the entrance to Wormsloe State Historic Site, near Savannah, Georgia. 
5. My photo, sort of: I took a photo of this photo which was part of a display at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, a few years before the tragic fire which destroyed much of the Cathedral. I was struck by this unusual photo of her:  St. Thérèse is pictured with the hosts for Eucharist. I suspect the hosts were unconsecrated at that point and that perhaps she was acting as sacristan for a community Mass. Nonetheless, I loved the connection between Thérèse and the Eucharist.

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 few years ago my husband and I were fortunate to be able to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The entire journey through Israel and Palestine was filled with blessings and many insights into the Scriptures. The last site we visited was Emmaus, a small town to which most pilgrimages do not go because now it is a place which is hostile to Christianity; therefore, it was a gift to be able to go there. We hear about this small town during the Easter season because Jesus appeared (at first not recognized) to two disciples who were discouraged and on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. As they walked, not only did the Risen Jesus explain how the prophecies were fulfilled, but He did something that changed everything for them: at dinner He blessed and broke the bread, at which point they recognized Him and He vanished. (Luke 24:13-35) They were so excited, literally on fire with the Eucharist, that they ran all the way back to Jerusalem, no small feat since these places are not really close together.* After hearing this passage again, I realized that we know next to nothing about these two disciples, except the name of one of them, Cleopas. In fact, we do not even know if the second one was a man or a woman. They were ‘little,’ unnoticed but for their encounter, never to be mentioned again. And yet, both the disciples and Emmaus have an indelible, fixed place in our awareness because of what took place there: the Risen Jesus made manifest in the bread blessed, broken, and shared. The freedom which arose within the two disciples’ was immense. They let go of their discouragement and fear, becoming immersed in the joy of encountering the Risen Christ.

If we are honest, we all like to be noticed in some way even if we are the most introverted or shy of people. Everyone wants to know that they have caught someone’s attention, to be loved, to have made a difference, or to get credit for something we may have accomplished. Unfortunately for some, this desire can become a bit too strong, resulting in either self-centeredness or the sin of pride which overpowers everything we do. That pride can lead to envy and other sinful behaviors even in the most prayerful of people because sometimes it can be so subtle that we are not aware of this motivation until we have our eyes opened to it. If another person points this out to us, it can be quite painful, but it can also be a bitter pill to swallow if we realize it during prayer; that is, if it is the Lord who reveals this to us. However, it is in that revelation that freedom begins. Remember that Jesus said the truth will set us free? Well, at first truth can make us rather uncomfortable, but if we accept the graces offered by the Lord to let go of our sinful tendency, we will come to great freedom and joy. We will discover that there is great freedom in being little, unselfconscious, and even ‘under-credited’ by the world. When that happens and we accept it with joy, we are truly free, because it is in that freedom that holiness grows, noticed, if you will, by the One whose judgment is the only one that counts: our merciful God.

In the story of the two disciples who traveled to Emmaus with Jesus there are two important aspects to consider. The first is that upon reflection, they realized their hearts were burning within them during the entire time they were walking with Jesus, even though they were quite discouraged because they had thought that perhaps He had not ‘been the one.’ This teaches us to trust what is happening within our own hearts. If we are experiencing a true movement of the Holy Spirit or the presence of Jesus with us, then we ought to meet Him in our prayer to talk about it with Him. Just as with the two disciples, He will reveal what we need. The second is that they recognized Jesus when He blessed and broke the bread; that is, when He gave them Himself in the Eucharist.**  Of course, we have access to Jesus in the Sacraments daily. Thus, every time we experience the Eucharist we are in fact having the same encounter with Jesus that they did! And I might add that when we go to Reconciliation we are also having an intimate experience of Jesus since it is then that we encounter His Divine Mercy and receive grace to free us from our sins. Therefore, we know that through pouring out our fear and brokenness to the Lord we find true freedom to grow in holiness because in this letting go, we become comfortable with ourselves as we are, no longer needing recognition from anyone but the One we love. 

Finally, the story of the two disciples teaches us that God’s mercy brings the joy which heals all pain. In other words, God’s mercy brings the strength to endure any suffering we might have, and in knowing His closeness, we find great joy. Freedom from fear, discouragement, and from the need to be noticed with the rewards that come from the world, brings joy and peace; the wonderful truth is that God offers it through His death and Resurrection. It takes trust to let go in this way, and therefore our prayer needs to always be: “Jesus, I trust in you!” 

May we embrace Divine Mercy, allowing the Lord to transform our brokenness and desire to be huge in the eyes of the world into an acceptance of being little so that He can be big! May we grow in freedom to be who God created us to be, that we might give Him great glory! And may we find the joy that heals all pain in the Heart of the Risen Lord! Alleluia! Peace!

                                                                                   ©Michele L. Catanese

* Fun facts: The town of Emmaus, by the route they would have taken, is  a little less than 7 miles (11 kilometers) from Jerusalem. That should make it a bit clearer as to just how empowered the 2 disciples were as a result of everything that had transpired. To have run all the way back after taking all day to walk it is rather amazing. The Church that is in Emmaus/El-Qubeibeh today is called the Basilica of the Manifestation of the Risen Christ to Clopas and Simon, indeed a mouthful! (Traditionally it was said that the second disciple was Simon, but nowhere is that mentioned directly in the Scriptures.)
** Jesus disappeared as soon as He blessed, broke, and shared the bread because it had become His Body, and therefore He only needed to be present in one form. He was equally present in the bread, now Eucharist, as He had been when He had been standing before them. 

Note: Many great saints made themselves little as they let go of their desire to do anything but love God and do His will. The most obvious is St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, of whom I have written many times. I believe the desire to give everything over to the Lord in total trust so as to become little in order for Him to be more known is a hallmark of holiness. Another of my favorites, among so many, is St. Benedict Joseph Labrè whom I have written about twice. Since I will be taking a ‘blog holiday’ for a few weeks, there will be no new entry on May 16. Therefore, my recommendation is that in two weeks, you might read an Easter entry I wrote in 2016 in which St. Benedict Joseph was mentioned along with a couple of other saints, a full paragraph devoted to him. 
https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/who-will-tell-of-his-posterity
If you would like more information on St. Benedict Joseph Labrè you can click here:
https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-benedict-joseph-labre/​
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Images:
1. My photo, sculpture behind the altar in the Church in Emmaus, Palestine. 
2. My photo, taken in Big Bend National Park. This little flower stood out, obviously.
3. Icon, the two disciples with Jesus on the road to Emmaus and then at table.
4. Icon, Christ All Merciful by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/christ-all-merciful-022-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. Painting, Quebec Village (Saint-Hilarion) by Arthur Lismer (1926) You can find more on this painting at https://agnes.queensu.ca/explore/collections/object/quebec-village-saint-hilarion/

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