Of all the people who have influenced my life, I believe my maternal grandmother was the greatest. It was her faith in God, lived every day, which made the deepest impression. That she was a woman of prayer was evident; she did not hesitate to speak of her faith, though she never preached. While she was in constant pain from arthritis, she laughed a great deal. She had suffered much in her youth, losing her mother in a fire, followed by a cruel stepmother who also died, and then another stepmother, but I do not remember her ever bemoaning those events. I believe that my grandmother was quite holy, though like all people, not perfect. Although she only had a third grade education, the wisdom which flowed from her faith and love of God, habit of prayer, enormous generosity to everyone, and the way she lived the teachings of Jesus, all had profound impact upon my life. She had a heart filled to overflowing with the love which united her to Jesus through Mary. I came to realize that she had immersed herself in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Another great influence upon my life was that of Harvey Bankston, whose name might have been Hardy, but who eventually invited me to call him “Pop.” In short, his father was a freed slave who had lived in Virginia where Pop was born. I was a 25 year old religious Sister when I met Pop; he was 99. That first day he was hand mowing his yard in the sweltering heat of a Louisiana summer. As I was visiting with his wife Clementine, (Mum), Pop came in, changed his shirt, poured some homemade whiskey into a small glass and offered me some. I told him no thank you, and his response was: “A gentleman always offers a lady something to drink.” This dialogue became a daily ritual. I was smitten the first time he said it. There is much I could recount, but the two things that stood out most were his faith and his love. Pop taught me more (and more accurately) than any book or history course about what it was like “being black in a white man’s world.” (Pop’s words) There was no rancor; as he said, “it just was.” But when the man prayed, oh my, when he prayed! Pop was always soft spoken and gentle, but his love for God was so evident, it moved my heart tremendously. It was as if he had given me something to drink; not liquid, but rather Love from the Heart of Jesus.*

In June we celebrated the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, respectively. They are not holy days of obligation, but we celebrate them for a reason. The Church is not only encouraging us to praise and worship God, and to honor Mary for her role in salvation history, but it is reminding us that we can enter into a deeply loving relationship with God. That is, the love and example of Jesus and Mary should be great influences upon how we live, just as those who stand out in our memories as good and holy people also molded us in some way. And although our hearts cannot be sacred as Jesus’ Heart is sacred (because He is both God and man) and our hearts cannot be immaculate as Mary’s heart is immaculate (because she was conceived without sin), these hearts can and should influence us. In other words, our hearts can be sanctified by inviting the sacred to reside there; similarly our hearts can be purified through prayer and grace. It is because we are not perfect that we need to turn to the hearts of Jesus and Mary and let them be a refuge and a fountain of love from which we can drink. These hearts teach us to reflect or ponder prayerfully, to trust God, to forgive ourselves and others, to be humble, to have mercy, to let go of prejudice and fear, to find courage to live justly, to value all life, to be a peacemaker, and to always point others to God through our word and deed. These hearts also know what it is to suffer, and so they comfort us when we need their help.

It would be good to take time to reflect with gratitude upon the good and holy people who have positively influenced our lives by offering us something spiritual to drink. Perhaps after reflecting upon our experiences of them, we can share these stories with family, especially in the light of faith. But we should also reflect upon how we have let Jesus and Mary influence us, and perhaps grow in how we let their influence shape our lives. Then we can reflect upon the type of influence we have been or want to be upon others. This is a form of evangelization because what we say and do in living the gospel is a way of exposing others to God’s care and love. If we try to do everything with love, there is no doubt we will be affecting others, inspiring them to come to know the Lord, too. Love is a form of evangelization. Even the smallest gesture of care can change a life forever, whether we ever come to know it or not. This is what it means to enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary: it is about becoming a conduit of their love from which others can drink, too.  

May we enter into the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! May our words and deeds have a positive effect upon others, signs of love which enrich and bless! May we reflect upon the Scriptures, the lives of the holy ones and of those who led us to drink of Love, that we might emulate them! Let us meet in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Peace!

                       ©Michele L. Catanese

​*If you want a bit more on Mum and Pop go to my Archives from July 2013 when I first wrote about them. The entry was called “Falling in Love.” My Archives contain everything I have ever posted from 2013 through the present and are always available for reading or re-visiting. You can find the links on the right side of this page arranged by year and month. For now, here is the direct link: https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/falling-in-love
​Images:
1. My photo, glowing trees in a vineyard, taken near Schulenburg, TX. This photo represents the glow of holiness, and also that the fruit of the vine becomes the Blood of Christ at Mass, of which we can drink.
2. Painting, Farmhouse by Vincent van Gogh. This seems to depict the simplicity of Mum and Pop's farm house, but also that of their beautiful hearts.
3. My photo: statues of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They belonged to my mother, given to her by a close friend. They were blessed by St. Padre Pio!
4. Painting, Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah by Marc Chagall. This spoke to me of the influence of family and of shared love, too.
5. Icon, Mother of God, Life Giving Spring by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I loved all the images in this icon of water offered to slake thirst, especially for the suffering or ill. Perhaps it is timely to pray with this icon given our struggles with the coronavirus at this time. If you wish to obtain a copy in any medium you can purchase one at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/mother-of-god-life-giving-spring-179-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. 

The most difficult parts of staying at home these past months have been the inability to see friends and family the way we would like and the inability to be physically present in our faith communities. While some might be venturing back to church, others are unable to do so for various reasons. Being physically separated from worshiping with the Body of Christ also means we are unable to receive Holy Communion. Hopefully these ‘losses’ have led to reflection upon what indescribable gifts these are. Whether or not we have returned to celebrating within our churches, perhaps this past Sunday,  (the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ), felt extra special. And as such we should continue to reflect upon it, taking the time to recognize the privilege that it is to be a member of the Body of Christ and what an unfathomable gift it is to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ when we receive the Eucharist.*

We are part of the one Body of Christ which paradoxically is both ours and not ours. It is ours because each of us is part of the Body, united as one, joined to it by baptism. Because it is ours we have a responsibility to take care of the entire Body, that is, each member of it. And thus we should reflect upon what St. Paul said when he wrote that each member has equal value and importance no matter what their placement or function in the body might be. (1 Corinthians 12) Each member, then, is not only of equal importance and dignity, but each one has the responsibility of taking care of the other parts, as well as taking care of themselves both in a physical and spiritual sense. Therefore, if one member hurts, all hurt; if one member sins, all are diminished. Conversely, if one member is healed, all partake in the healing. The Body, then, is ours because we belong to it and are united “as one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:29) 

But the Body is also not ours. We do not own or possess it; rather, it belongs to Christ, the Head of the Body. We are not our own: we belong to Christ, 'purchased with His Blood’ when He chose to die on the Cross for us. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) At our baptism we became part of His very Body through the love given by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are His and we belong to Him. This does not mean we lose freedom, however; rather, it joins us to God in a way that reinforces the gift of freedom which we have always had. Remember that true freedom does not mean we can do anything we want, when we want. Freedom means we choose to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, something which actually leads us to greater freedom because it connects us more fully to God. God is the source of all freedom and we must remember that freedom is about Truth, (that which is revealed by God) not about our egos or wants: freedom is about what communicates love to our brothers and sisters and to our Lord in our so doing. True freedom, because it is based on love, builds up, it does not tear down. 

Freedom means that we are connected to the love that is God. Thus, loving our neighbor, whoever that person might be, (everyone, including those who are not members of the Body of Christ) is what it means to live in freedom. You see, freedom is also both ours and not ours. It is ours because the ability to choose is a gift we have all received; it is not ours because it has to be offered and shared, just as love has to be shared. We do not possess freedom all for ourselves. For freedom to be true, it has to be extended to others, but always grounded in love no matter what the response of the other might be. Therefore, we need to be prayerful and discerning about how we choose to respond to one another. Again, freedom does not mean ‘throwing all caution to the wind’ and doing what feels good: freedom means doing what Jesus would have us do, something which can be difficult at times. Loving our neighbor means listening to one another, forgiving wrongs, being willing to change, and trying to make the best choices, the loving ones which are grounded in Truth. Freedom is not an easy gift to bear, nor is love, if we are honest, because it means at times we must sacrifice our needs, wants, self-centeredness, our way of doing or seeing things, to follow the gospel of love. Jesus said the truth will set us free. (John 8:31-32) Yes, it will when we accept it. The truth is that we are One Body receiving from the source of Love: the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ which unites and empowers us as members of that one Body. Let us pray with this in the days ahead, reflecting on the gospels, praying for discernment prior to our much needed action, that what we do is grounded in love, and that we work toward justice and respect for all God’s people, recognizing that living with dignity, something we share with all people, truly does set us free. 

May we reflect upon the gifts of our membership in the Body of Christ and of the Eucharist! May we embrace the paradox that the Body of Christ is both ours and not ours! May we share freedom grounded in Truth and Love with all our brothers and sisters! And may we be filled with the Holy Spirit as we pray for discernment and then move to action, small or large, in order to heal the Body and build up the Kingdom! Let us continue to meet in the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                                                               ©Michele L. Catanese
​* Just a note: When we receive only the consecrated host, the Body of Christ, we are still receiving the fullness of Christ: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. We are not 'losing something of Jesus' if we do not receive from the cup. Each of the species, host become His Body and wine become His Blood, contain the fullness of Jesus.

Images:
1. Painting, St. Hilarion by Arthur Lismer, (1885-1969) Lismer was one of the Canadian "Group of Seven" artists.
2. Painting, inset of Chalice and Host by Jan Davidsz de Heem (1606-1684) .
3. Icon La Sangre de Cristo by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in a copy you can purchase one in one of many mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/la-sangre-de-cristo-242-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. Painting, Festival of Lights, by John August Swanson.  
http://johnaugustswanson.com/default.cfm/PID%3D1.2-3.html
​5. My photo: Paris city street, taken from the window in the hotel room in which I was staying on a trip a few years back: a bustling city, representative of all God's people.

I suspect I am not alone in occasionally wondering what it would have been like to have been present during a Biblical event. Sometimes I try to imagine the details of what occurred, the people there, and so forth. This wondering is actually prayer, even though it arises from the imagination. In fact, St. Ignatius of Loyola suggested the usage of our imagination when we pray with Scripture because our imagination is a gift from God, and through it, He can communicate insights about our faith. But even if we are simply doing a bit of prayerful daydreaming, imagining what an event would have been like is a good practice. To spend time immersing ourselves in passages of the Bible is a great way to open our minds and hearts to what God wants to reveal. Therefore, as we approach Pentecost it would be good to wonder about, reflect upon, or if you prefer, do some ‘holy imagining,’ of what it would have been like to have been in the Upper Room along with the apostles and Mary for the days leading up to the descent of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps feelings varied during those days of seclusion due to the unknown time of the event to come. But whatever it was like, I think it is fair to say that what got them through it were two things: the assurance from Jesus that the Holy Spirit would indeed come, and that they were in it together as a community. There is more than just power in numbers: there is also peace.

The Ascension of Jesus was followed nine days later by Pentecost * and so the period of seclusion during those days would have indeed been rather challenging. Remember that there were many people crowded into that Upper Room: “… there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place.” (Acts 1:15) These sequestered people had to eat and drink, and therefore a few of them must have been going and coming somewhat surreptitiously to the market to get what they needed, perhaps with their faces covered for protection. Others had to be preparing the meals and doing the work to keep house, perhaps ‘sanitizing.’ Remember, the Jews had strict laws about cleansing, of which Jesus emphasized the spirit of the law rather than the letter, but it still would have been part of their cultural upbringing to wash hands, feet, and utensils, (hopefully not all at the same time.) But in all of this, they prayed together as a group and also individually. In other words, when the Pentecost event happened this group was both the first domestic church and the first members of The Church. During all that time, they no doubt worried a little, wondered about the future, gave each other encouragement and strength in their faith, and in general supported one another in the seclusion of their ‘home.’ In that period of prayer and mutual support, their hearts were ready however, because they found peace and love shared among the community who were gathered. Once that love and peace were at a zenith, it was clear that the time of the Spirit was nigh.

Remember that the Holy Spirit has been described as the Love which unites the Father and the Son in a mutual and continual exchange. ** Therefore it is not a stretch to say that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them came when God saw that their hearts were at their most ready and had begun to overflow. Their hearts and minds opened, and the Love which filled them, and then overflowed, found its expression in joy beyond description, resulting in a unity of languages such that there were no barriers: all those diverse people gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish religious holiday of Pentecost understood. The Church, a community of believers, was born in Love and a joy and peace which are indeed otherworldly. Today, as the spiritual descendants of those first Christians, the Love of God which is the Holy Spirit is always here for us, among us, in us, and with us; it is what binds our Christian community together, and it is at the center of our domestic churches (our families), propelling us outward in service and love, potentially with the same fervor as that which marked the Pentecost event in the first century. 

Therefore, we have much spiritual power at our disposal. Our numbers are far greater than those early believers: through the sacraments, we have been given nothing less than what those first 120 Christians received. As they did, we prepare through prayer, individually and as a community, asking the Spirit to open our minds and hearts, that the gifts we have received would be enlivened and energized. The time is now: let us use the power of love through our own actions of respect, care for the poor and ill, service, stewardship, and mercy. It would be good to read and pray with the Acts of the Apostles, to observe how the church responded after Pentecost, in order to be inspired in our own going forth. But whatever we do, let us remember that we already have the promise of Jesus fulfilled in the coming of the Holy Spirit; that is, we already have the power of Love. We are one Community, One Body of Christ. There is power in numbers: we are in this together, and yes, that Love does lead to peace.

May we pray for the Holy Spirit to come upon us and our world anew! May we make it a practice to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, letting our thoughts and imagination take us past the words on the page and into the Heart of God! And may we be inspired to reach out to all our brothers and sisters, bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth through our word and deed! Let us continue to meet in the Holy Spirit! Peace!

                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

* In some dioceses around the world, Ascension is celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation on the Thursday which falls nine days before Pentecost, just as it did in the actual events. Others celebrate the Ascension on the Sunday before Pentecost as a way to include everyone who might not be able to attend during the week. It is up to the local Ordinary, or head bishop, to decide.
**As St. Augustine beautifully says, “The Trinity is the mutual exchange of Love between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit which is extended to us.”
Images:
1.Image, Holy Spirit Detail (part of larger work, Viriditas) by Fr. William Hart McNichols. It can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/viriditas-holy-spirit-detail-william-hart-mcnichols.html
​2. My photo, The Apostles and Mary gathered in the Upper Room at Pentecost taken in St. Anasthasia Church, Verona, Italy.
3. Mosaic, God Commencing the Creation of the World, Cathedral of Monreale, Monreale, Sicily, Italy.
(You can see God sending the Spirit to hover over the waters, as it states in Genesis 1.)
4. Painting, Boston Common, Childe Hassam.
5. Icon, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find it 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. 

While on pilgrimage in the Holy Land a few years ago, our group went to a place likely to have been where John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. I was surprised to see that the water was murky, an unexpected ugly brownish-green. Our guide told us that this was due to years of fertilizer run-off from farmers’ fields. My surprise was not just because of the murkiness of the water, but because a few days prior our group had gone to a site near Mt. Herman in the far north of Israel where we saw the source of the Jordan; the water was crystal clear, not at all like the water to the south. Remembering this experience reminded me of how our interior life can become clouded by choices, anxieties, pressures, obligations, and the details of daily living: we get so into everyday busyness that we can easily move away from the spiritual practices that we once adhered to. We gradually get distracted and do not even realize that a shift in priorities has taken place. That is, we lose clarity until something shakes us up, calling us to re-evaluate and perhaps re-prioritize. To have clarity, spiritual or otherwise, we need to return to the source, the Lord, from whom all wisdom and grace flows. 

We are clearly in a time of unbidden change. However, the present turmoil is not only an opportunity for reviewing our choices, but it gives rise to renewing our commitment to God and to a fuller spiritual life. And even though many of us actually  have more distractions now than before we needed to stay home, this is the time when we most need to re-think our priorities. While we may not have the clarity we seek, if we approach all things based on what Jesus taught and enter into prayer with a heart which truly seeks Him, we can trust that God will guide us to move toward Him and the merciful love He offers. To do so, we must keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open, and we must be willing to let God lead. This is a challenge which has never been easy, even for the apostles, saints, and holy ones, but it is the intention of our hearts which the Lord understands and honors. If all we have to offer is a little chaotic at first, then offer it. But the point is that this is a time when we can and should evaluate that which is truly important and brings us life in Him.

Remember that the apostles also began their ministry separated from the wider community. Even after the Risen Jesus appeared to them, they were told to stay in Jerusalem – (‘stay in the house, don’t go anywhere’)* – until the Holy Spirit came. They did accompany Jesus to Bethany (Luke 24:50) where He gave them their final instructions and then ascended into Heaven “while they were looking on,” (Acts 1:9), but they were instructed to return home and remain there until the Spirit came. Between the Ascension and Pentecost they prayed and re-prioritized their lives, knowing nothing would ever be the same. However, as they prayed in that Upper Room they had no real clarity as to what was about to take place. They trusted in what Jesus had told them and therefore were receptive when the Holy Spirit descended.

Even after Pentecost the apostles still had to pray and discern how they ought to proceed. What they had received was not complete understanding, but rather the gifts needed to help make things clearer. This is how the spiritual life works: the more we study the Scriptures and spend time in prayer, the more we come to recognize the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our decision-making. Many things will still be wrapped in mystery, but if we do everything with love, giving our best effort to let the Spirit guide us, we can make choices which are life-giving and holy. Our task is to learn to recognize the Spirit’s presence which can only be done by spending time with Him. 

Right now we have an opportunity to reflect upon our choices, priorities, and values, discerning which ones give life to our soul and have real value in the Kingdom of God. We are invited to re-evaluate our relationship with God, how we spend our time, and the quality of our love of neighbor. Like the apostles after the Ascension, we are called to reflect upon the charisms we received through Baptism and Confirmation, asking for guidance in using them. We can use a little more of our ‘home time’ for prayer alone and with our families, attending liturgies together even if we are in our living room instead of our church; we can pray for growth in gratitude for the simple things we do have, rather than lamenting the myriads of choices which have been ‘lost.’ We can reach out to those who are alone, unemployed, or in need. And if we are the suffering or ill during this time, perhaps we can accept the care given by others as a gift from God. What is most important is that we pray for guidance, turning to God, the Source of clear Living Water, in order to continue our growth in faith, hope, and love. We might not find all the answers we crave, but we will find assurance of His love from which we can never be separated.

​May we turn to the Father in gratitude for what He has given! May we turn to Jesus, the Source of Living Water, that He might slake our spiritual thirst and fulfill our desire for new life today! May we turn to the Holy Spirit to help us discern what we can do to move closer to God! And may we grow in our ability to follow the Lord who alone leads to life! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!
                                                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

* These are my words, meant to highlight the similarity between the experience of the apostles and our present stay-at-home situation.

Images:
1. My photo: the Jordan River in Israel at the representative spot where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer
2. Painting, abstract art, With the eagle, by Paul Klee (1918): I chose this because it seemed to have symbols which could be seen as home, out in nature, distractions, intentions and reflections, attempts at clarity, and even the chaos of a busy home. Yes, it is an eagle, as the title of the painting indicates, but it if we stretch, perhaps we could envision the Holy Spirit instead. Information at https://wikioo.org/paintings.php?refarticle=8LT4AG&titlepainting=With%20the%20eagle&artistname=Paul%20Klee
​3.  Fresco, The Ascension of the Lord by Giotto: Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy
4. Icon, The Holy Spirit The Lord the Giver of Life The Paraclete Sender of Peace by Fr. William Hart McNichols. It can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-spirit-the-lord-the-giver-of-life-the-paraclete-sender-of-peace-093-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. My photo: the source of the Jordan River, near Mt. Herman, Israel

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. 

Many years ago when I was a novice in religious life I was missioned to a social service center in central Louisiana. The point was to spend a summer doing something outside my previous experience in order to stretch and grow. I had never been to the southern US and thought it would be good to spend time in an area and cultural heritage that would be totally new to me. Therefore, I went to live among and minister to some of the economically poor members of a particular Cajun-Creole community. Honestly, while I was the one who chose that particular ministry, I became increasingly anxious as the day to go came closer. The first few days after I arrived were in fact difficult, mostly because I was still anxious and uncomfortable; but once I let go of my fears and truly began to open up to the people and the place, I fell in love with all of it. It wasn’t always easy, but that summer turned into a life-changing experience that still brings joy when I think back on it. It touched my heart in ways I  could never have imagined. In short, I realized that going there was actually a response to an invitation from God; had I not said yes to God’s call to follow Him I would have missed an opportunity for the new life, love, and joy which were present in the people there. An invitation to discipleship is often a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for entrance into the joy of new life offered by God. 

The Gospel readings for the first Sundays in the Easter season are filled with stories about invitations given by God to fearful followers. Mary Magdalene met Jesus at the tomb without knowing who He was at first. But once she heard Him pronounce her name, she opened to His invitation. Jesus invited her to be an evangelist and missionary of love when He instructed her to go tell the others what she had seen and heard. Jesus invited Thomas the apostle to touch His hands and put his hand in His side. That is, He invited Thomas to truly enter into the life of the Risen Lord by first believing and then responding. Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus: He invited them to eat of the Word and then of the Bread He broke and shared, thus inviting them to inspire others through what they had seen, heard, and experienced. And finally, during their encounter on the beach at the Sea of Galilee, Peter was invited to love the way Jesus loves, “to feed my sheep.” Peter’s invitation was to lead the new Church, but also to give up control, following where the Spirit led.

All of Jesus’ followers were invited to leave their old lives behind and enter into a new way of living. The early disciples had no idea where the invitations given them by the Lord would lead, but filled with trust and hope, believing what they heard and saw, they went where He led, each to a different aspect of ministry according to their unique invitation. As people of faith, we too are invited to follow in new ways, not just at this strange turn in the road, but throughout our lives. Just as for them, the unknown can feel daunting at first; but if we truly trust in God, even if we undergo suffering, we know that His invitation always leads to life in the end, never to destruction. All new things involve having to let go of the old ways which worked for us in the past, but are no longer effective or even realistic now. The post-Resurrection disciples had to grapple with change in everything they knew, everything in their entire lives, over only a few short days. They had no more sense of what the next days, months, and years of their lives would be than we do now. But they trusted in the invitation of Jesus, in the light and power of the Resurrection, and in the love and mercy offered to them.  

Of course, at present we cannot control what is happening either, but there is an invitation being offered. We are invited to be like Mary Magdalene, no longer sadly weeping because we do not know where Jesus is, but rather weeping for joy in His victory, responding by going forth to share the Good News. We are invited to be like Thomas, rejuvenating our faith by entering into the mercy of Jesus and going forth to help others do the same. We are invited to be like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, called to change course in order to go toward God rather than away, living in the joy of the Resurrection. And like Peter we are invited to feed Jesus’ sheep through acts of loving-kindness and selfless giving. Everything ‘lost’ for them was changed through the light and power of the Resurrection. Perhaps at this point the invitation is to enter into that same light, allowing it to transform our hearts so that whatever is fearful, anxious, grieving, or lost may be filled with new life and new purpose in the love and peace of the Risen Jesus. Things may be different now, but He is with us and we can go forward.

May we be patient during this time of newness, trusting in the joy of knowing that Jesus has indeed conquered sin and death and remains with us always! May we accept God’s invitation into a new future filled with possibility for seeing and loving Him in new ways, experiencing Him again (soon) in the Eucharist! May we be able to ask for help if we are in need, trusting in the discipleship of others! And may we enter into newness courageously, sharing in deeper life in the Spirit! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of the Risen Jesus! Peace! Alleluia! 

​            ©Michele L. Catanese

Images:
1. My photo, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, taken in 1983 during the summer mentioned in the first paragraph.
2. Icon, Mary Magdalen Rabboni - John 20:16 by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in purchasing a copy it can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-mary-magdalen-rabboni-john-20-16-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. My photo, taken in Silverthorne, Colorado.
4. My photo, taken in Matamata, across the street from the movie setting for Hobbiton (the Lord of the Rings) in the north island of New Zealand.
5. Icon, The Risen Christ by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-risen-christ-014-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. 

Many years ago I had occasion to travel to the beautiful city of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. While there I happened to visit one of the art museums. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but what was most memorable was an enormous painting which hung at the top of the stairs on the second floor landing depicting Jesus victoriously bursting forth from the tomb. I remember standing at the foot of the stairs, awe-struck, for some time: it seemed as if I was actually at the tomb at the moment Jesus emerged. Unfortunately, I have no recollection of who the artist was, though I believe it was a Canadian, and even with numerous online attempts to find this painting, I have never been successful. However, the experience is etched into my consciousness, even if I cannot remember the details of this particular painting. What I do remember is that the figure of Jesus Christ, surrounded by light, appeared to be radiantly happy. He was looking out into the world as if to say that He was ecstatic because His mission was accomplished so that we might live. That is, the painting made me realize that the total reality of the Resurrection is not only about Jesus and what He did, but it was about what He did for us. It was and is always about us, His dearly beloved friends. He died and rose for us! He died to offer us mercy, yes, but also to offer comfort for our afflictions, as well as the unfading promise that we will have joy in the Kingdom with Him forever because He indeed conquered sin and death. In short, the resurrection is about hope.

In his Easter Urbi et Orbi Pope Francis centered his remarks on hope. He said: “[Hope] is a different ‘contagion,’ a message transmitted from heart to heart – for every human heart awaits this Good News. It is the contagion of hope: “Christ, my hope, is arisen!” This hope is no magic formula that makes problems vanish. No, the resurrection of Christ is not that. Instead, it is the victory of love over the root of evil, a victory that does not ‘bypass’ suffering and death, but passes through them, opening a path in the abyss, transforming evil into good: this is the unique hallmark of the power of God.” Pope Francis’ comments took me back to the painting in Toronto. What gave me such a visceral reaction at the time I experienced it was that the painting spoke of the power of God, and thus it spoke of hope. It also reminded me that I can revisit my reaction to a painting of which I can no longer completely visualize its unique qualities, but which was a real experience; my memory and imagination, fueled by hope, allow me to envision Jesus in the joy of His Resurrection. In other words, we did not have to be present at the Resurrection of Jesus to experience the joy and the hope, and indeed the fullness, of that event. It is as real now as ever: all we have to do is place ourselves at the empty tomb and we are indeed there. The reality of it will never change.

This is similar to the ‘distancing’ we are experiencing regarding our worship. We are not physically in the space where we normally gather, yet our prayer joins our faith family together, uniting us to Christ and to one another. Further, that we are physically elsewhere does not mean the reality of what goes on there, or our connection to one another, changes. Remember, no one living today was present at any of the events recorded in the Scriptures and yet that does not change their reality or the lessons and graces we receive because of them. Their reality was not contingent upon our presence, but it is our faith and hope in them which enables us to receive the benefits of what God has already done. Just as my experience with the painting I cannot fully remember has had a lasting effect upon me, so too do the events of salvation history have lasting effects upon God’s people. As St. Paul said, “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.” (1 Cor 13:12) In this truth, then, lies the hope we receive at Easter: when we are with Jesus in Heaven at the end of our earthly lives, we will be one in a new way, no longer bound by the division between the physically alive and those already in Heaven. We will see not indistinctly as we do now, but clearly: our longing for Jesus now will be completely filled then. Thus, our longing, even the pain of it, is a sign of our hope and our trust in Him, and it is a foretaste of things to come. We are all one In Christ: we are all in this together. And in our acceptance of doing what we must rather than what we want, we are acknowledging that salvation is not something we can accomplish on our own, but it is our future: Christ has done it for us. Yes, it was all for us. Christ our hope is arisen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

May we be filled with Easter hope, trusting that Jesus has indeed conquered sin and death, and that our future awaits in unimaginable joy and glory with Him forever! May we persevere through this difficult time, praying for patience, for those who are suffering to have the hope offered by Christ, and for an end to all that which separates us from one another! And may we continue to reach out to our brothers and sisters in word and deed, bringing the light of the Risen Christ through our love for them! Let us meet in joy at the empty tomb of Christ our Hope! Peace!
                                                             ©Michele L. Catanese

Images:
1.Fresco, inset of the Risen Christ from  Resurrection of Christ and Women at the Tomb, by Blessed Fra Angelico. This fresco is in cell 8, within the Convento San Marco, Florence, Italy, the Dominican residence where Bl. Fra Angelico lived with his community. Of course this is not the painting I saw in Toronto, but Jesus was in this posture, holding the same victory banner. 
2. My photo, taken in the Rose Gardens in Portland Oregon. If you look closely you will see a bee in the middle of the central flower. The bee reminds me of the line in the Exsultet (sung at the Easter Vigil) with its reference to the candle being the work of bees.
3. My photo, taken in Sant' Eufemia Church in Verona, Italy. This empty church building seemed appropriate given what our churches are like at this time. Our churches are beautiful, but are even more beautiful filled with the community!
4. My photo of an icon which sits on my desk, The Resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is saving those who were in the tomb, if you look to His hands.

On March 27 Pope Francis did something extraordinary: he blessed the entire world with an Urbi et Orbi, (“to the city [of Rome] and to the world”), a special address and blessing that can only be given by a pope, and usually only at Christmas, Easter, and at his consecration. In his address Pope Francis spoke of the gospel passage about Jesus in the boat during a storm at sea. The accompanying apostles were terrified and Jesus questioned their fearful response. Upon reflection I realized that Jesus rebuked the storm, but not the apostles; He challenged their human weakness, (their lack of faith), but He did not judge them. Perhaps like the apostles we too are in need of the gift of greater faith. As we have had to surrender so much, we might also need to offer Jesus our fears and anxieties, knowing He will not judge us, but rather, offers us love. It is only if we offer our honest feelings and thoughts, coming to Him as we are, that we can let Jesus calm the storms in our hearts and heal the fears which can keep us from trusting as completely as we wish we could. As the Pope said near the end of his address, “Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Jesus is the one who cares for us, something we dramatically experience as we enter into Holy Week. The One who is God and man, the great I AM, humbles Himself in unimaginable ways, entering into suffering and death so that we can have life.

Holy Week offers an extraordinary opportunity this year, especially for those who have never experienced the Triduum: we can attend the liturgies via media and thus walk the entire Passion with Jesus, not alone, but with the entire community gathered together though apart, joined by love.​​​* It is a moment in which we can channel our longing for the Eucharist as we participate from our homes beginning with the Holy Thursday liturgy. As we celebrate the Institution of the Priesthood and the Institution of the Eucharist we can give greater thanks for both of these gifts. That we are physically separated from our priests can help us appreciate them all the more, encouraging our prayer for them and also for vocations. We can also grow in gratitude for the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ which would ordinarily be received into our bodies, but now are received only spiritually. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us rejoice and be grateful for these gifts during the Holy Thursday liturgy as we pray for full access to them to be returned. 

As the Holy Thursday Mass ends the Blessed Sacrament is usually removed from the Church, representing the absence of Jesus after His death. On Good Friday there is no Eucharist consecrated; we receive from the consecrated hosts that were reserved on Holy Thursday. (There is never reception of the Blood of Christ that day.) But although we have had to let go of these in the physical sense already, perhaps there is another invitation here: instead of bemoaning its ‘loss,’ we can become the Eucharist, letting what we receive spiritually move us outward in new, creative ways. We have to keep our distance from others, yes, but the distancing is meant to be physical, not emotional or spiritual. Therefore, reach out as far as you can by calling, messaging, checking on, volunteering, giving, sharing from your excess, and along with these things, by praying! Ask the intercession of the saints; beg for the mercy of God. Young or old, we can all do something!

Remember that Jesus is the great I AM: His suffering was not to humiliate Him, but to reveal and glorify Him as He offered the unfathomable gift of salvation. While Holy Week is meant to get us in contact with our sinfulness, our contribution to Jesus’ suffering, it does not end in death, but rather in new life. Death is not the end! Jesus rose and He will return again! And we need to remember that with every Resurrection appearance Jesus’ first words were “Be at peace!” These words remind us of His presence, His promises and assurances of the truth He revealed throughout His ministry: “I AM the Bread of Life;” “I AM the Light of the world;” “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life;” “I AM the gate;” “I AM the Good Shepherd;” I AM the True Vine;” and “I AM the Resurrection and the Life.”  Finally, Jesus said: “Before Abraham came to be, I AM.” (John 8:58)** St Paul attested to these words when he wrote, “What can separate us from the love of Christ? .... For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, [viruses]*** nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(from Romans 8:28-39) And St. Peter also attested to Jesus as I AM by saying, “Lord to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of everlasting life.” (John 6:68) Let us take these words to heart and be filled with joyful hope this Easter!

May we turn to Jesus our triumphant Lord with St. Paul’s hope and St. Peter’s trust, entering into the Easter season fully even if the darkness would rather we believe that Lent is unending! May we entrust our prayers to the intercession of the saints, especially Mary Most Holy and St. Joseph her chaste spouse! May we embrace Jesus, the Light of the World, the Risen One! May we remember that this present darkness shall pass and Jesus is already victorious! And may we find joy in knowing Jesus, the Son of God, is the great I AM, the Savior of the world! Let us meet in the Heart of the Risen Jesus! Peace!
                               ©Michele L. Catanese
​
* A resource for the Holy Week liturgies is https://www.archgh.org/
This is my diocese, but you can search for your own diocese and livestream the Masses as well. I also recommend Bishop Robert Barron at Word on Fire for daily Masses. He will televise Holy Week liturgies including Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday as well. https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/
** You can find a link to the verses from which these sayings of Jesus are found at https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/jesus-seven-i-am-statements/
*** I inserted the word 'viruses' for emphasis of my point: it is not in the actual quotation.
Images:
​1. This photo was taken as Pope Francis blessed the world at the end of the Urbi et Orbi. It comes from https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-urbi-et-orbi-blessing-coronavirus.html
2. Painting, The Last Supper by Duccio Di Buoninsegna (1308-11)
3. Oil painting, Eucharist in Fruit Wreath by Jan Davidsz de Heem (1648)
4.Icon, I Am the Resurrection and the Life
5.  Icon, Mary Most Holy Mother of All Nations by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I think this is appropriate for the end of this entry because it shows Mary holding the world, (which is surrounded by the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit), in a loving embrace. You can find it at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/mary-most-holy-mother-of-all-nations-080-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. 

This is not an ordinary Lent. As the season began, the reality of our connectedness with the entire world became more acute, and while the reason for this is not good, this new sense of global community is not necessarily a bad thing. We are all in this together: this is a time for us to think more about our neighbor, even if that neighbor lives in another country, in another continent. And of course, it is a time to reflect upon our local communities, too. This year it is more intense, but Lent is always about the gospel message of mindfulness toward what we do or fail to do for the least of our brothers and sisters. (Matthew 25:31-46) And to be able to do for our brothers and sisters, we must include self-care. This means exercising both caution and common sense (all the time, not just this year.) Lent also challenges us to look within; we are reminded to “return to God with all our heart,” committing to more prayer, sacrifice, and almsgiving. At the moment we may be struggling with how to do that, but we can be creative in our approach, a creativity that includes reflection in discerning our call to deeper reliance, trust, and faith in God. But with the present challenge a bit more ‘in our face,’ we know this Lent is indeed far from ordinary.

Something intrinsically Lenten is that we give things up, we make sacrifices. What makes this Lent different for most of us is that this year we are not the ones doing the choosing, but rather circumstances around us are compelling us to make them. For example, we have lost access to some entertainment venues, we are being inconvenienced by the inability to find certain items for purchase, and we cannot travel to places we had planned to go. We have to stay confined to our homes when we would rather be out, and some might be sick when they would (of course) rather be well. Many have livelihoods and sources of income jeopardized. We even have to let go of some of the familiar rituals at our houses of worship, compelled to avoid those places altogether for reasons of health and safety. Indeed, we are sacrificing in ways that were never expected, and which we certainly did not choose. 

​Therefore, rather than panic or get angry over that which we cannot control, (which is just about everything), we can instead learn to accept that our reliance on God must be total. This is not at all a new thing, nor is it something that is only relevant in times of trouble. In fact, this is what our spiritual life has always been about, and it is how we grow in holiness! We must remember that God has always been with His people and that He is always in control. When we say this we emphatically do not mean that He is behind whatever catastrophe befalls His people. Rather, He is with us through everything to guide, teach, and comfort, offering His mercy and healing. It means that in the end, we will be with Him in Heaven never suffering or shedding another tear (Revelation 21:4), a reality which is not promised here on earth. To grasp this in some way, we must look to the culmination of Lent, the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the very cornerstone of our faith. 

In that regard, it may help to include in our prayer the Stations of the Cross or the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. We can ‘apply’ our suffering from the unbidden restrictions now placed upon us to Jesus carrying all that angst and pain with Him in the garden: He did not choose the cup without a lot of anguish, but He realized He had to trust the Father to accomplish salvation. Meditating on the scourging at the pillar and crowning with thorns can aid in our reflection upon the ways we are called to beg God’s mercy for anything we have done to hurt another, helping us prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As we consider Jesus carrying the Cross (and falling) we can reflect upon our own crosses, asking for assistance and then moving outward to help others carry theirs, enhancing our works of mercy. And as we meditate upon the crucifixion of Jesus, we can stand at the foot of the cross with Mary asking help with pain and loss, and assistance with putting our present reality in perspective with the great gift Jesus gave us by dying so that we might have life.

Indeed this Lent is not ordinary. However with all the restrictions and cautions surrounding us, instead of focusing on what we cannot do, let us look to the unexpected opportunity being offered: we have a unique opportunity to delve into Lent in a deeper way than perhaps ever before. We have before us the invitation to more quiet reflection and prayer, to new ways to reach out to those who may be alone or worse off than we are, to be more selfless by not over-buying, leaving food and supplies for the next person; we have an invitation to penance and sacrifice, to fasting in unexpected ways, and to learn reliance upon God with completely new depth. It is an opportunity to grow in holiness. Indeed this is not an ordinary Lent. But then, no Lent ever is.

May we put our trust in the Lord, relying on Him to put our minds and hearts at peace! May we call upon the Holy Spirit for discernment so that we proceed according to the gospel in all we do! May we join in the unity of prayer, asking for protection and healing for all people around the world! And may we enter into the Passion of Jesus anew, so that we accept the invitation to holiness! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!
                                                                     ©Michele L. Catanese
Images:
1. The Earth, part of the Viriditas Triptych, an inset of the icon called Viriditas - Finding God in All Things, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find both at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/viriditas-finding-god-in-all-things-william-hart-mcnichols.html
2. My photo, the story of Abraham, a mosaic in San Vitale Basilica, Ravenna, Italy. On the left you can see Sarah laughing when overhearing the angels (center) foretell  her pregnancy and Abraham giving a lamb sacrificed  from his flock to feed them; they appear as angels, but are the Holy Trinity. (Note the bread on the table, a Eucharistic reference!) To the right is Abraham after God told him not to sacrifice his son, Isaac, something he almost did out of obedience to God, who was teaching Isaac about the depths of faith. (Note the lamb, another Eucharistic reference.)
3. Icon, Blessed Julian of Norwich who famously said, "All shall be well."  (That is what is written on the scroll she is holding.)
4. Painting, The Agony in the Garden, by Paul Gaugan. The agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is the first Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary.
5. Icon, St. Catherine of Siena - Guardian of the Papacy, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. St. Catherine was born during the Black Plague and spent much of her ministry taking care of the ill from that disease as well as those with leprosy. May she intercede for us! You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-catherine-of-siena-guardian-of-the-papacy-288-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. 

Lent, of course, begins with ashes. Having received them yearly and also having had the privilege of distributing them at Mass many times, I can say that ashes are truly a messy affair. When the minister of the ashes, whether clergy or lay, attempts to place them on a forehead, it is quite tricky to use the ‘right’ amount and to keep the ashes from flaking all over the face, or worse, the clothes, of the recipient. Then there is the challenge throughout the day to avoid brushing against the ashes on one's own forehead accidentally, making more of a mess. Thus, ashes are a messy business indeed. But that is what makes it so appropriate, and thus, such a powerful reminder to ourselves throughout Ash Wednesday; we receive ashes upon our foreheads as a sign of our penitence. They are not there as a sign to others that we are already holy, but are a sign to keep us focused on our desire to grow personally, as a community of loved sinners in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, and of course, with Jesus. It is to remind us that the season of Lent is different than what came before, and – if I may suggest – it can be a time to remember that life is messy. Being a Christian is messy insofar as we are called to roll up our sleeves and act as a response to Jesus: living the gospel is messy. Also true is that God loves us as we are, in all our messiness. Trying to grow in faith, wanting to love God better, that is, to grow in holiness, is messy because it involves the work of trying and failing, reconciling, and trying again. However, because this is true, we must remember that the season of Lent is actually a joyful occasion.

​That God would call us deeper by giving us the opportunity to repent, to become more generous with our time, talent, and treasure, and to grow in holiness, is a cause for rejoicing. In the words of Psalm 136, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.” The Psalmist makes a unique declaration of praise, joyfully extolling the boundless mercy of God. The realization that we are loved sinners should move us to desire wholeheartedly to make a deeper response of love to God. This response includes growing closer to God with greater intimacy through our prayer, asking forgiveness for our sinfulness through fasting, prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and movement outward in action to help our neighbors through works of mercy and almsgiving. But even in trying to fulfill these and our chosen Lenten offerings, we should do it all with a joyful heart. In the gospel reading of the Ash Wednesday liturgy Jesus said: “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting…. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you may not appear to be fasting….” (Matthew 6: 16-18) While Jesus was telling His followers not to be hypocrites so as to impress people by our ‘holiness,’ it also seems to be a reminder to keep a balance between the sorrow we have over our sin and the sin of the world, and our gratitude and joy for the greatness of God’s mercy.

It would be good to pray with the gospel of Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-8,16-18) reflecting on the purpose of the ashes we received even though they are no longer on our foreheads, but rather are now worn in our hearts. The Son of God, Jesus, entered into the messiness of the world when He became one of us, but He was not gloomy or depressive. Rather, His message had great energy: the joy of healing, wholeness, and mercy were the gifts He offered. It is for this broken world with its complicated and messy people that He suffered and died, acts unfathomable in their merciful, loving depth. We can also pray with Psalm 136, adding our own verses, always ending with the phrase, “…for His mercy endures forever.” This Psalm puts our response to God in perspective: we rejoice in the knowledge that His love and mercy are creative, without limit, eternal. Finally, we can join with St. Francis of Assisi in his Praises of God as a reminder that God is with us in this messy world, a cause for joy and a response of gratitude and praise: 

​You are holy, Lord, the only God, and your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong. You are great.
You are the Most High, You are almighty.
You, holy Father, are King of heaven and earth. You are Three and One,
Lord God, all good. You are Good, all Good, supreme Good,
Lord God, living and true.
You are love, You are wisdom.
You are humility, You are endurance.
You are rest, You are peace.
You are joy and gladness, You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches, and you suffice for us.
You are beauty, You are gentleness.
You are the protector, You are the guardian and defender.
You are courage, You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation.
You are our eternal life, great and wonderful Lord, God almighty,
Merciful Savior.

May we have the courage to stay faithful to our Lenten commitments to increased prayer, abstinence, fasting, works of mercy, and almsgiving! May we call upon the intercession of Mary our Mother, St. Joseph, and St. Francis to guide us as we seek to joyfully live and share the gospel message of Jesus! May we have no fear of entering into the lives of those in need with works of mercy, justice and peace! And may we journey through Lent with joyful, grateful hearts! Let us continue to meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!
                                                             
​                                                                     ©Michele L. Catanese
Images:
1. Charcoal: Ashes.
2. Painting: Celia Thaxter’s Garden, Isles of Shoals, Maine (1890) by Childe Hassam. The vibrancy of the flowers and the beauty of the scene gives joyful praise to God. You can find more on this painting at  https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/14930
​3. My photo: glacial lake in the Alps, Switzerland. "Mountains and hills praise the Lord!" (Daniel 3:75) This is another great prayer of praise to use in the same way I suggested with Psalm 136. You can add your own invocations and end with "praise and exalt Him above all forever" as the Canticle does.
4. Painting, St. Francis of Assisi, by  Jusepe de Ribera, 1591-1652. Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest Hungary. 
5. Painted image, The Galilean Jesus by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this image at ​https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-galilean-jesus-266-william-hart-mcnichols.html

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

When I was quite young the instructor in my CCD class (religious education for public school children) told a story which made a huge impression on me. Unfortunately, it was not a good one. The story concerned a little girl who dutifully prayed the Rosary, but because she was often distracted, she did not say it well; that is, the prayers were not ‘perfect.’ Thus, when she died, she was barred from Heaven! I was so horrified at this that I feared praying the Rosary, deciding it was better to avoid it altogether than to risk messing it up. Being so young, what I failed to realize was that the teacher falsely implied that God is rather petty, to say the least. Thankfully, as I grew in maturity, and therefore realized the ridiculousness of that story, I learned not only to pray the Rosary, but to love it. I realized that the teacher was trying to impress upon us that we should be attentive rather than rattling off a multiplication of words, but she truly had missed the mark. The truth is that the sincerity of our intention and the love with which we approach God matters more than whether or not we forgot or added one Hail Mary in the decade, or whether a prayer was said ‘properly.’ No human is perfect so we need to let go of the false idea that our prayer is not good enough in some way. The One who receives our prayer is perfect and His love for us is also perfect. Thus, contrary to the message I received as a child, every intention and every prayer we offer is received perfectly because it is received with the unfathomable love and mercy of God. 

Being nervous about the quality or quantity of our prayer renders the entire point to be lost. For one thing, prayer is not about rattling off words. Saying rote prayers does have great value, but we also need to pray in our own words as well as to prayerfully meditate, (to reflect or ponder). To distrust our prayer is actually to be distrustful of God because prayer is about a relationship, not about a ‘secret formula’ of words. Judging our own prayer as somehow deficient projects our lack of self-acceptance and self-love onto God and therefore limits our experience of His actual love and mercy. Prayer is time spent with God which means that we bring ourselves as we are, not as we think He wants us to be. In short, God does not judge the quality of our prayer and neither should we. Doing so is deadly to our desire to pray since our worries about quality will probably lead to giving up altogether. And best of all, when we sin we will be apt to feel comfortable approaching God for forgiveness and reconciliation knowing He rejoices when He can remove all that comes between us. He never runs out of mercy!

​Lent is a season when we concentrate on growing in prayer, almsgiving, penance, and abstinence; therefore it is a good idea to ask the Holy Spirit for whatever graces are needed for this process. Remember, it is not about ‘doing Lent’ perfectly, but rather it is about offering our love to God and the world in a more intentional way. It is also good to ponder the value of fasting and abstinence. Fasting allows for purification of our intentions and behaviors which can include more than simply eliminating food. In fact, it seems God has a preference: “This is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” (Isaiah 58:6-7) And throughout His teaching Jesus spoke similarly, best summed up in what we call the Corporal Works of Mercy. (Matthew 25:31-46) In other words, abstaining from food is important, but it should be part of an interior change that leads to living justly with mercy, kindness, and love. Therefore, we might consider ‘fasting’ from one of the following: fear, worry, selfishness, unkindness, lack of faith or hope, greed, gossip, sloth, impatience, anger, neglecting friends and/or family, or unforgiveness. We will need to rely on grace to do this, but by ‘giving up’ one of these things, we become stronger in our love and in our witness to others about the Christian life. 

​Finally, we should consider adding gratitude to whatever we choose to do. Part of what Lent provides is the opportunity for growth in appreciation of the depth of Jesus’ love for His people. In this light, we offer our sacrifices to God while asking His mercy and compassion for us and for the world. Thus, an excellent gift we can offer Him is our gratitude for all that He has done. A grateful heart is an unselfish heart. It is a heart which learns to trust, recognizing that what God desires most is that we bring ourselves to Him as we are. Therefore, let us not fall into the temptation to rate our prayer or our efforts at having a ‘good Lent,’ instead embracing this season as an opportunity for growth in inner peace and outer joy. 

May we enter into Lent asking the Holy Spirit for the graces we need so that it is meaningful to us and to the Body of Christ! May we have the grace to grow strong against fear, self-doubt, and anything which keeps us from the Lord! May we be beacons of love and mercy so that our actions draw others to Jesus! And may we grow in awareness of the depth of love that Jesus offered through His suffering and death that we may be inspired to deeper gratitude for such an unfathomable gift! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Happy Lent! Peace!

                ©Michele L. Catanese



Images:
1. My photo of a stained glass window, Our Lady of Lourdes, taken in Nevers, France. Notice the Rosary she had hanging from her belt. The first time St. Bernadette saw Our Lady, they prayed a Rosary together.

2. Painting, Old Woman Praying, by Paul Cezanne: Notice that the woman is praying the Rosary, the beads in her hands.

3. Painting of broken bread: To me it symbolizes sharing our bread with others.

4. My photo, taken near Noto, Sicily, Italy. As they day ends, our hearts turn to God in gratitude.

5. Icon, The Holy Spirit The Lord The Giver of Life The Paraclete Sender of Peace, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. The Holy Spirit showers graces upon us in the Sacraments and when we ask. This can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-spirit-the-lord-the-giver-of-life-the-paraclete-sender-of-peace-093-william-hart-mcnichols.html

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