The late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once said, “If we allow the love of Christ to change our heart, then we can change the world.” During the Advent and Christmas seasons we were invited as people of faith to do just that, to allow Christ to be welcomed anew into our hearts so that we could move outward, changed ourselves, to make a difference in the world. And if our hearts were changed in any way, deepened perhaps, we will remember that we are always called to be open to the angels who arrive with His message, to be pregnant and then give birth to Jesus in our relationships, to ponder the Scriptures, and most important, to continually say with Mary, “Let it be done according to your will.” These things are central to the gospel of Jesus and as such they bring peace no matter what our circumstances. This is the peace of which we heard, the peace that will dwell in our hearts, nourished through prayer. However, this peace is not about emotion; rather, it is a powerful force which is found in the person of the little child, Jesus: “He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord… And they shall remain …; He shall be peace.” (Micah 5:3-4) Who we received at Christmas is the Prince of Peace, and as His disciples we are called to bring His peace to those we evangelize  by the way in which we live our lives. This peace is indeed powerful; as Pope Benedict pointed out, with it we can change the world.

As Christians, we are invited and empowered to become peace. What makes this so beautiful is that we are called to do it through a paradox or contradiction, the very contradiction spoken of by the prophet Simeon at the Presentation of the Lord. (Luke 2:34) The contradiction is that a little child, Jesus, came with the strength of peace, to change a world which offers a different message than then one He brought. It should not be lost on us that when that Child was an adult  undertaking the mission for which He came, He said that we must become like little children, (Matthew 18:2-6) and that the Kingdom of God belongs to children, (Mark 10:13-16).* This is a clear indication that Jesus intended each of His disciples to be a contradiction: in our powerlessness, our littleness, and our weakness, He gives us the strength to change the world one word or action at a time. 

It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are called to do the work of healing and love, ultimately bringing peace into our encounters. We do it without extravagant measures, but simply through our daily living, strenghtened by prayer. The very same Holy Spirit that impregnated Mary when she assented is the Spirit written about in the Old Testament. When God led Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt, He led them as a fiery cloud, the cloud which Moses ultimately entered when he went up the mountain to receive God’s words. What enveloped Moses was the heart of the Shekinah, the protective power and glory of God, the intensity of God’s love made manifest. It was so profound that when Moses emerged from the Shekinah, he had to cover his face because he reflected the glory of God and could not be looked upon easily. 

Primarily, God’s glory made manifest was about leading them to freedom, but the reason He led them was love. That love is the same Love that came to birth in the person of Jesus, and it was extended to us after His death and resurrection. Through our Baptism, we also have that presence within; indeed, we are filled with the fire of love and the fire of peace.** This peace is strong when we are weak, a contradiction, and so it can burn away hatred and indifference, self-doubt and indecision, selfishness and all that which separates people; it burns away apathy and the thought that our ‘little’ actions cannot possibly make a difference, and it burns away our sins when we let that fire act upon our own heart through Reconciliation. 

It would be good to reflect upon the Old Testament passages that describe the Shekinah presence of God so that we can come to a deeper recognition and understanding of the fire of His love and peace.*** Then we can appreciate, like the holy ones, how we have the Shekinah presence of God with us. This understanding can open our eyes to His presence when we go to worship and intentionally immerse ourselves into the fire of love and peace. Like Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Mary, St. Paul and countless disciples who struggled with the same things we do, if we allow our hearts to be changed, to expand and grow, then we will change the world just as they did. The good news is that we don’t have to accomplish this on our own: the power of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, does the work, but needs our cooperation to act through us. It is in immersing ourselves in Him that we will find our hearts expanding, so that our little acts can be as a contradiction to the world, bringing peace where there is discord and love where it is absent. To be a Christian means that we have accepted the ‘mission’ to be a contradiction, to change the world. So let’s trust in Jesus and share the fire of His love and the fire of His peace.

May we allow the love of Christ to change our hearts so that we can change the world! May we commit ourselves to reading Scripture and reflecting prayerfully upon it! And may we trust that the Prince of Peace will continue to speak to our hearts so that we have the courage to imitate Him always! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                                      ©Michele L. Catanese


* There are numerous statements made by Jesus in the Gospels concerning children. Here are a few in no particular order:
Mark 9:36-37: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” (Also Luke 9:47-48)
Matthew 18:2-6: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven….”
Matthew 19:13-14: “….Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”(Also Luke 18:15-17)

** I am using the term 'fire of peace' as a symbolic reference to the Shekinah.  
*** My suggestions are these: In Exodus read and pray with the saga of Moses from start to finish. In 1 Kings 19 read how Elijah went up the mountain: there, God’s Shekinah was a contradiction, gentle and loving rather than visibly bombastic and cataclysmic. I believe that the gentle presence of the Spirit of God that was not visible but was felt, was more ‘fiery’ and powerful than the thunder, lightning, trumpet blasts, and earthquakes in Exodus. Unlike Moses, this manifestation of the Shekinah was not something that became visible in Elijah’s face, but rather burned in his heart. It burned so much so, that he burst into flames, so to speak, when he was taken up into heaven by the fiery whirlwind not long thereafter. In 2 Kings 2:1-14 pray and reflect with Elisha: the Shekinah fire of love and peace was so powerful that it changed Elisha’s heart forever, enabling him to continue the work begun by Elijah. Then pray with the New Testament by returning to the Annunciation, Mary’s encounter with the Holy Spirit and her response to it. (Luke 1:26-56) The last suggestion is to prayerfully reflect upon the conversion of St. Paul in the Acts: the Holy Spirit literally burned the prideful attitude out of him and set his heart ablaze with the message of love and peace. (Acts 9:1-19)
Images:
1. My photo taken in a church in Vico Equense, Campania, Italy. I have never seen anything like this before, but it is a beautiful representation of the presence of Jesus.
​2. Photo, children playing.
3. My photo, taken near Mt. Cook. The lenticular clouds reminded me of God's Shekinah. There is great beauty in the contrasts in this scene.
4. My photo, butterfly on a flower: so much strength in such a small creature.
5. Image, The Holy Spirit The Lord the Giver of Life The Paraclete Sender of Peace, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find it at fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-spirit-the-lord-the-giver-of-life-the-paraclete-sender-of-peace-093-william-hart-mcnichols.html
6. Painting, Taking the Backroad, by Kim Casebeer. 

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

In our culture many people are ready to ‘pack it up’ the day after Christmas and move on to the next holiday. What a shame since that would be truly missing the point. Those of us who are Christian know that what we were preparing for through Advent was the birth of Jesus, such a profound event that we celebrate it for nearly three weeks. It is too big a celebration to be ‘contained’ in only one day of feasting. Therefore, December 25 does not end a season, but rather begins one: Christians are only getting started with the festivity! The Christmas season is a celebration of how God bent low, as the Franciscans love to say, coming from Heaven to enter into our world so that one day we might leave our world to enter into His, so to speak; that is, to enter into Heaven.* This is the cause for our great rejoicing. Of course we might feel a little tired after all the preparations and gatherings throughout December, especially on Christmas Day. But should we feel a bit spent because the pre-Christmas celebrations took a bit out of us, all is not lost: since Christmas is just beginning, there is still opportunity to reflect upon the mysteries of this season, especially that Jesus came into the world in the most miraculous way with love beyond all telling. Hopefully our meditation will also focus on what happened after Christ’s birth with the coming of the shepherds and Magi, and with the time of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the Temple for circumcision and naming. For the Holy Parents this would have been as joyous as His birth because of the tremendous meaning contained in the rituals. And as for the shepherds, Magi, and a prophet named Simeon, they would have been ecstatic because they had seen the Lord. Thus, in this season we are invited to see the Lord along with them.

When Jesus was born the shepherds experienced angels from on high singing ‘Glory to God’ and the Magi had a star to guide them. But when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus into the Temple, Simeon had no such assistance. All he would have observed was a Jewish mother and father bringing their infant son in for his presentation to the priests. As observant, devout Jews, Mary and Joseph were driven by their love for God as well as their understanding of the Law; they would have looked to the 8th day after birth when their baby boy would be marked with the sign of their faith, circumcision, just like every other Jewish male. This sign marked their Son as a true son of Abraham, of which Jesus literally was. (See the genealogy in Matthew 1) It was also on this occasion that a baby was named and so this was when He officially received the name Jesus. Presentation was a tremendous milestone since it completed the birth, so to speak, a cause for great joy in their hearts. The Christmas season offers reflection upon this wonderful event and therefore, we are invited into their joy.

We are also invited to reflect upon the Holy Family as they were approached by Simeon while leaving the Temple. When the prophet laid eyes on Jesus he joyfully prayed: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace….for my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in the sight of all the people…” (Luke 2:29-32) God granted this holy, faithful man the desire of his heart which was to see the Messiah who he now recognized as God come to earth. But how did he do this? As a person of prayer and reflection, he had grown in trust and in love, learning to recognize the presence of God; it is as simple as that. Simeon knew the suffering, hardship, and oppression which the Jewish community lived with at that time, but he rejoiced in the fulfillment of God’s promise found in Jesus. And because he was a man of prayer, he also knew both the joy and the eventual sorrow that the mother of this Child would experience.

Like Simeon, we are called during the Christmas season to learn to recognize the presence of God more keenly. However, we have been given a greater gift than seeing God. Not only can we greet Jesus, but we can receive Him into our bodies. At every Mass, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus really present in the Eucharist is given to us. Simeon never had that, but because this Child came into the world, we do. Perhaps in our prayer after Christmas we can imagine the shepherds telling their families and other shepherds in the fields: “My eyes have seen God’s salvation! I saw God in a manger, the child named Jesus!” Or perhaps we can reflect upon the Magi returning to their land doing the same. In the Christmas season we are invited into their reverence and joy at being in the presence of Jesus. We are offered an opportunity to realize that we are so blessed that we get to do more than the shepherds, Magi, or Simeon ever could do. Christmas is a season in which we can adore God as a Child come down from Heaven, made available to all. Three weeks are dedicated to celebrating this glorious gift; along with both poor and rich, resident prophets, and foreign Magi we can take this joy into the rest of the year. That is cause for great rejoicing. And now, perhaps like Simeon, we can go forth into the new year in peace.

May we continue the celebration we began on December 25 throughout the Christmas season! May we greet Jesus with love as did the shepherds, prophets, and kings! And may we respond in joy every time we come before Him to worship and when we receive Him in the Eucharist! Let us meet in joy and adoration! Peace!

​                                                                   ©Michele L. Catanese

* I am speaking metaphorically (and hopefully poetically); our world is God’s world, and Heaven is for us to spend eternity with Him. 

Images:
1. Icon, The Holy Family for the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you like this, you can purchase a copy in one of many mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-family-for-the-holy-family-hospital-of-bethlehem-william-hart-mcnichols.html (Remember, I get no remuneration for endorsing Fr. Bill's work. I just want to share the beauty!)
2. Painting, Shepherd with Sheep, by Camille Pissarro (1888).
3. Painting, Simeon in the Temple, by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known simply as Rembrandt (1669)
4. Painting, Adoration of the Magi. I found this on a Christmas card many years ago; artist unknown.
5. My photo, Christmas light display on the Red River in Natchitoches, LA.

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. 

For most people December is a time of activity accompanied by an air of festivity. The thing about December, however, is that the festivity can also be somewhat chaotic as we are encouraged to cram a great deal more into this month than in any other. We attempt to accomplish everything ‘expected’, all the while trying to maintain a smile on our face as we offer “Merry Christmas!” greetings. Try as we might, the stress of all that can derail our focus, thus effecting our Advent meditation such that it is harried, or worse, slips past us almost entirely. If that description fits, then in some ways you are actually ‘doing’ Advent correctly because Advent is and should be a bit uncomfortable.* Yes, if Advent feels messy and uncomfortable, you are experiencing something like the first Advent which was most certainly just that. Nothing was in anyone’s control. There were essential preparations to be made, visitations with loved ones needed, and welcomes sought after, all in a rather short period of time with few resources to accomplish any of it. Please be clear: in the midst of the chaos and mess is great beauty, and indeed that is what we seek during Advent. But the key is to embrace the uncomfortable and let it be transformed into that which is grace-filled: that is, to adjust our focus so we recognize what God is asking us to prepare and for Whom we are preparing in the first place. If we focus our attention throughout all our activity in that light, then we are truly in the very heart of Advent.

At the first Advent the preparation for the coming of the long-awaited Messiah was quite a bit more uncomfortable than we often realize. The faithful had waited centuries for Him to come. The oppression had been consistent, their lives made miserable by the pagan Romans, and their future was uncertain. If we reflect upon some of the ‘Advent figures’ we can see just how uncomfortable it was.** For example, Zechariah was moved completely out of his 'comfort zone:' as a Sadducee he did not believe in a coming messiah, yet an angel showed up telling him that he would have a son in his old age who would usher in none other than the very messiah in whom he did not believe! It got even messier when he also lost his ability to speak. He had to learn to listen which enabled him to be opened to new understandings. This son, John the Baptist, eventually left home to live in a cave, wore rough clothing, and ate carob husks while preparing Himself for His role as forerunner of Jesus. Life for him was definitely messy and uncomfortable, especially when he brought upheaval to the status quo which eventually cost him his life. 

Mary responded in word and deed to the revelation that she would be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit to bring the Son of God into the world. She immediately left comfort behind to set out for the hill country in order to serve her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, while pregnant herself. The events of Advent radically changed Joseph’s expectations for his life; like Mary he, too, had to prepare in some haste for his role as (foster) father to the Son of God. And as if that was not stressful enough, at the ‘11th hour,’ came the decree that he and his family had to get to Bethlehem immediately because of a census. As they were preparing for a quiet birth in Nazareth, and just as Mary was going to be least comfortable on a donkey’s back, they had to travel. Once in Bethlehem, they attempted to find a place to give birth, turned down at all the lodgings until they found a messy, uncomfortable stable. 

What made the difference for each one was their absolute trust in God. “If God called me to this,” they may have thought, “then He will ‘see it through.’” This ought to be our disposition during this Advent: ‘If God has called me to this,’ whatever it is, whatever it entails, however it looks, and as messy or uncomfortable as it is, ‘then He will see it through.’ That is, together we will see it through. As long as we try to do it all on our own, fighting the discomfort instead of embracing it, we will get little out of Advent. But with God’s help, as we intentionally enter into the mysteries of that first Advent, it can be an inspiring and fruitful season; in fact, we will find peace and joy in the midst of the activity.*** In truth, all of life is messy and uncomfortable, but it is also beautiful; for those with eyes to see, it can be both at the same time. It is important to keep our focus on the manger and Who will be in it. What we do for family and friends during this busy season (especially when the going gets rough) is for Jesus. Our generosity to others, no matter how small we think it is, is also done for Him. Let us embrace the season with all its messiness, keeping our focus on what is most important, trusting God, and seeking Him in all we meet. If we do, Advent graces will flow as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Emmanuel, God with Us, Jesus the Lord. 

May we ask the Holy Spirit to give us the grace to enter into Advent rather than to accept the notion that somehow we are not ‘into it' the way we should be! May we make an offering to God of all that is messy and uncomfortable during our preparations! May we look within the mess and discomfort to find Advent beauty! And may we find the One for Whom we seek in the midst of every activity and relationship! Let us meet at the manger! Peace! Marana tha! Come O Lord!

                                                                    © Michele L. Catanese

​* I am not encouraging you to neglect to pray or reflect on Advent mysteries; of course we should! And it is not to say that if Advent is peaceful there is something wrong. Rather, if it is peaceful means you are most blessed because for many folks it is far from peace-filled.
** With meditation upon all the major figures in the Infancy Narratives of Matthew and Luke in addition to the Scriptures in John’s Gospel that are about John the Baptist, it will become clear just how uncomfortable things were in their lives as they prepared for the coming of Jesus. But each of them embraced all the discomforts and uncertainties with unwavering trust in God and His call to them.
*** It is important to include within our activities some outreach to the poor and lonely; our generosity to those who lives are more uncomfortable than ours is important. For some, doing this is uncomfortable, but that is at the heart of the first Advent, too, since the One we are welcoming, will come as a baby into a humble, materially poor family who were ‘residing’ in an uncomfortable place, a stable.

Images:
1. My photo taken in Natchidoches during the lighting of the river. 
2. Painting, Zechariah and the Angel in the Temple by James Tissot.
3. Icon, The Mother of God Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit by Fr. William Hart McNichols. I include this every year during Advent because it is so profound and beautiful. If you would like to purchase this icon in one of my mediums go to https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-mother-of-god-overshadowed-by-the-holy-spirit-118-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. My photo of my own creche scene in my home. Jesus is not yet come.
5. Clip Art, Advent Candles for Week 3, (Guadate!)

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 Advent season is one of the spiritually richest times of the year. It contains unique spiritual mysteries and opportunities that truly prepare our heart, mind, and soul for the coming of Jesus, not just in the historical way, but for His return at the end of time. It is in this regard that we need to expand our thinking: Advent is rich in prayer and meditation on the events surrounding the coming of Jesus, but it is also a time in which we are encouraged to assess that which we possess and the call to generosity in order to ensure that our priorities are in the right place. In other words, we think of things like gift-giving, sharing, and reaching out to the poor with more focus during this season. It is a good thing, indeed, but true entering into the season of Advent means that our hearts are not merely moved, but that they are changed. It is a time to discern what is within our means, but also to reflect upon our attitudes toward giving. What I mean is that sometimes even in our giving we are not truly generous. An example might help. Many years ago I was experiencing a time of financial challenge. At one point, a relative kindly sent me a little bit of cash and I bought a much needed item of clothing with it. When I thanked her, she was aghast at what I had bought as if somehow I had squandered it. I was very hurt by her reaction, but it also taught me a (painful) lesson: once we give to someone, we are not to judge what they do with it. True generosity of heart is about giving freely and knowing that once it leaves our hands, it is truly no longer ours, we no longer possess it. But if we judge what the recipient does with it, we are still trying to possess what is really no longer ours. Thus, Advent calls our attention to what it means to give humbly and with a truly generous disposition.

During Advent it is good to pray with the birth narratives contained in Matthew and Luke, (as well as with all the Scriptures of Advent.) We will see that each of the holy ones had a heart open to God, a generous disposition, allowing God to change what they had expected to be the course of their life. They gave in a way that may not have been noticed at the time, but was indeed a huge response of love to God. A common thread among them is that each of the ‘Advent figures’ spent time silently pondering what God was asking of them and how they were to respond in order to give from their hearts. Thus, each one gave in the way they were called, which means they gave of their time as well as from the storehouse of their personal spiritual gifts, most especially of their love. They shared unreservedly from their resources and did so freely.

This time of year Santa Claus is often a highlight, whether for children or for adults who simply enjoy the festivity. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as we keep our focus centered upon Christ; all of the music, decoration, and the ‘joyful uplift’ are a part of life and should not be discounted. We also turn our attention to giving Christmas gifts to friends and family, and some will even think about providing a meal for those less well-off. Of course, giving is part of Christian love, but the origins of Santa that are tied to Christmas gift-giving are also Christian: there really was a St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas of Myra, (also called St. Nicholas of Bari), a true imitator of Christ according to the way in which he was called. He was a 4th century bishop, and it seems that it was from him that the tradition of gift-giving arose due to his characteristic generosity. The most prominent of the stories stems from help he offered three daughters of a poor man in Myra. Apparently, the man was unable to provide the dowries needed for his daughters to marry and consequently they were considering prostitution. To help them, on three consecutive nights Nicholas stealthily threw a bag of gold coins through their window, saving the daughters from that fate and enabling them to marry respectfully. 

The story of St. Nicholas, though enlarged over the years, builds upon the truth of Jesus’ teaching about giving generously. Therefore, if we look to him as one who lived the gospel, and if we meditate upon the mysteries of Advent, the two do work together to emphasize the same message of humble giving: we give freely and without fanfare, as we are each called. When we are generous like the holy ones, we teach the gospel through every deed, and perhaps even our words. To be generous is to live Advent. The reality is that when we give, we love; it is a disposition of the heart, not limited to one specific season or kind of action. Thus, it can mean a gift of time, talent, or treasure, (or perhaps a combination of these).* But whatever it is, think of Mary’s yes, Joseph’s understanding, Elizabeth’s faith, Zechariah’s compliance, John the Baptist’s courage, and St. Nicholas’ giving without expectation or judgment. It would be most fitting this Advent if, like each of those holy ones, we would prepare a generous heart as an offering to Jesus at His birth. Happy Advent!

May we grow in a disposition of generosity of heart! May we look to the holy ones of Advent as inspiration for humble giving that is free and without expectation! May we offer our love in whatever way we are called! And may we trust in the Lord that even a small gift given with great love is a treasure! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace! Come, O Lord!

                             ©Michele L. Catanese


*And remember, it is not about the quantity, but the quality of our giving; giving small things with great love is a tremendous gift.

Images:
1. Painting, Give Drink to the Stranger, Water to the Thirsty, by Olivuccio di Ciccarello. (1365-1439)
2. Icon, Mother of God Waiting in Adoration by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in purchasing a copy,  an Advent card, for example), you can find it at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/mother-of-god-waiting-in-adoration-248-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. My photo of an ancient painting, St. Nicholas giving to the daughters of the poor man. I took this photo in a church in Locorotondo, Puglia, Italy.
4. My photo, a bowl I purchased in Israel with the pattern of loaves and fishes from the Shrine of the Multiplication of Loaves in Tabgha, Israel. Jesus' act of multiplying loaves and fishes was a magnificent example of the generosity of God.
5. Clip Art, Advent Candles for Week 1.

​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. 

Traveling is always a great way to learn things. Of course, the food, wine, sights, and friendly people are not to be forgotten, but traveling provides opportunities to learn about history, various cultures, architecture, artwork, and (especially for someone like me) there is always the discovery of a new saint. My most recent trip to Italy did not disappoint in in any of those ways. Celebrating All Saints Day this month continued the emphasis on the vastness of the communion of saints, those canonized and those who will never be recognized publicly, but are remembered by those who knew them. The feast day was also a reminder that not only have there been many ‘varieties’ of the sanctified, but that we, too, can grow in holiness in ways expected and unexpected. I say expected because we should all desire, if not expect, to become saints insofar as we all have the capability and potential; we all have that call. I say unexpected because the Lord will do it in His way, offering graces and opportunities to accept those graces, as only He in His wisdom can do. Either way, it means we need to actively seek to grow in holiness and to actively work at it. God gives the seeds, but we have to plough the field.

The saint who I met on the occasion of my recent travels is Sant’Oronzo, or Saint Orontius if you prefer. He is the patron saint of Lecce, Italy, a bishop and martyr of the 1st century AD. According to the legend, Oranzo was born in Rudiae (ancient name of Lecce)* in 22 AD and was converted to Christianity by a disciple of St. Paul, Titius Justus, who was shipwrecked off the coast while on his way to deliver a copy of the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. At his baptism, Justus changed the saint’s name to Oronzo and he began a ministry of evangelization, but because of his preaching he was beaten and denounced by the pagans in the area. He eventually made his way to Corinth where he was ordained as first bishop of Lecce by St Paul. Returning to Lecce, Oronzo once again began intensive evangelization, resulting in exile, but undaunted, he continued to preach and evangelize in the coastal towns to which he had escaped. Finally, in 68 AD he and one of his disciples were arrested, tried for high treason, and beheaded. Interestingly, it was not until a long time after his death that Oronzo became the patron of Lecce; the first patron was actually St. Irene, but in 1656, the people of Lecce believed their prayers to Oronzo saved them from the plague and as a result they elevated him to patron of the city. Unfortunately, we know little about the ‘demoted’ (but no less a saint) patron, Irene, except that she was martyred in the third century.

​In my reflection upon Saints Oronzo and Irene, I realized that while the details of their lives are now relegated to legend, they did spread the faith during their lifetime, and they continue to be impactful upon those who have remained devoted to their memory. In truth, the details are irrelevant, but what is important is that they brought the faith to many and offered hope to those who were searching simply by giving their lives completely to Jesus. Therefore, just as I am certain that the last thing on their minds was a lasting legacy, we do not have to concern ourselves with that either. Rather, our work will speak for itself through the lives of those we touch. Truly, we,too, have the ability to have an impact which is no less than that of the canonized saints. It takes dedication and love, cultivated through our prayer. We have to work with the seeds of grace the Lord plants within us; God provides the seeds, but we have to plough the field. However, the more we seek, the more grace we receive, and subsequently our love for God will grow and we will become empowered for the work. The ploughing becomes easier because of Him for whom we labor.

A final thought: throughout our trip I noticed that visibly prominent churches were the center of just about every town and city, but sadly, many of them had become museums, relics, things of the past. This serves as a reminder that our churches should be more than inanimate buildings and landmarks for geographical purposes, but rather, they should be living landmarks filled with faith-filled members assisting other pilgrims on the path to Heaven. The buildings are where the Church assembles and worships, which is indeed essential because that is what makes the church alive: the church alive is the people, empowered by grace, who spread the Good News through word and deed, kindness, generosity, mercy and love. If we participate, not only does the Church stay alive, but it thrives as we grow in holiness both individually and collectively.** Yes, we must be the ones to plough the field, but when the Father provides the seeds, we must also trust that Jesus waters them. In short, we serve and glorify God when we work towards becoming the holy ones He intends us to be, but we do not do it alone or by our own power. Rather, we contribute to building up the Kingdom through the love of Christ made manifest within us. That, brothers and sisters, is holiness.

May we cooperate with the seeds of grace which God plants within us! May we have the fortitude to stay the course as we work to grow in holiness! May we look to the example of the canonized Saints as well as the ‘hidden’ holy ones whom we have experienced! And may our faith be enlivened, our hearts be ignited, and our actions be emboldened through the love and mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                                               ©Michele L. Catanese
Notes: 
* Lecce is located in far south Puglia, in what some refer to as the heel of the boot shape of Italy.
More on Sant’Oranzo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orontius_of_Lecce
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-history-of-orontius-martyr-saint-and-patron-of-lecce/aQIii4zUcYj0Lg
A link to a small bit of information about St. Irene: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_of_Lecce
​
** This includes praying for vocations or considering a vocation to the priesthood, too. We need priests to offer the sacraments and to minister in our churches! 

Finally: Throughout the body of this entry I chose to use ‘plough,’ the old English version of the word 'plow.' ~ It is very biblical to consider ploughing (or plowing, if you prefer) because it is an act ripe with symbolism. There are many references in the Old Testament. The one that leapt to mind first is when Elijah threw his cloak over Elisha as he plowed his fields. (1Kings 19:19-21) Elisha stopped plowing, then slaughtered the cows and burned the plow, a symbol that he was offering himself to service of the Lord and that he would plow in a new field, or rather, in a new way. In the gospels, Jesus strongly indicated that we should put our hand to the plow and not look back; that is, we must trust that He will give us what we need, but that we need to put in the work once He gives the gifts. (Luke 9:62)

​Images:
1. My photo, countryside near Randazzo, Sicily. This is on the north side of Mt. Etna. 
2. Icon, St. Paul the Apostle by Fr. William Hart McNichols. There are few paintings of Sant'Oronzo. Like all those who lived so long ago, what they looked like is anyone's guess. But since St. Paul factored in Oronzo's story, it seemed fitting to use this icon. You can find this icon at fineartamerica.com/featured/st-paul-the-apostle-196-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Painting, Enclosed Field with Ploughman by Vincent van Gogh (1889). 
4. My photo, a closed church in Lecce, Puglia, Italy.
5. My photo, the view from Ravello, a town on the Amalfi coast in Campania, 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. 

An excellent description of hope is found in a poem written by Emily Dickinson. She wrote: “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all.” * Hope is often mischaracterized as something that is illusive, and at worst it is treated as if it was some sort of ‘wishing for a desired result,’ an attitude which implies that hope is tentative. Spiritually we know that hope is far from that; hope is about utilizing faith and love, (her ‘sisters’ in the three theological virtues given at Baptism), to orient one’s life with purpose toward the promises of Christ. In other words, to hope is to trust completely in what God has revealed and therefore in that which He has promised. It is accepting His will with love as we purposefully live what He has taught, knowing that the end result is life with Him in Heaven forever. Hope is not about having a struggle-free life, but it is believing the message of Jesus and living it as a response of love and humility. It means trusting that in the end, all shall be well. As Dickinson said, hope “never stops at all.”

We should never give up hope for any reason; we should never think ourselves to be ‘a hopeless case’ or to think that of someone else. Simply put, there is no such thing as a person who is beyond hope. That is why the story of Blessed Bartolo Longo is so relevant. If anyone ever seemed like a hopeless case, it was definitely Bartolo, and yet he is now beatified and on the road to sainthood. His story is fascinating: Bartolo Longo (1841 – 1926) was educated as a lawyer, but after becoming influenced by those who hated the Church, and simultaneously being disenchanted with life, he turned to mediums and fortunetellers, eventually ending up as a priest of Satan. He was still deeply unhappy, and invited by a friend to visit a Dominican priest, he repented and eventually converted to Catholicism. Sometime after this, as he began to despair over the thought that he could never be truly freed from being a Satanist priest, (a temptation,) he had a mystical experience in which Mary came to him. Afterward, not only did he find himself freed from guilt, but he began to pray the Rosary regularly and to propagate it as a powerful means of prayer. Becoming a Third Order Dominican, he went on to write books, built schools and orphanages, and with the help of a benefactor (eventually his wife), built a huge cathedral in Pompeii which is known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. He was also the inspiration for Pope Pius XII to declare the Doctrine of the Assumption of Mary and for St. (Pope) John Paul II to add the Luminous Mysteries to the traditional Rosary. ** ​

There may be few cases that seem more hopeless than that of Bl. Bartolo Longo, and yet as he desperately searched for meaning, God reached out. He is a magnificent example of why we should never give up hope or ever give up on someone else. And if God never gives up on us, who are we to think we know better than God? The mercy of God is so vast that He continually reaches out to all His children, even the ones who seem furthest from Him; in fact, the gospels indicate that God makes an effort especially for these. That God’s mercy is way beyond our comprehension is exactly why the gift of hope is so important. The world is a tangled web; there is so much that is beyond us, yet we have powerful resources in order to resist attack and enhance spiritual growth: we always have the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Sacraments, and access to God through our prayer. And in our prayer, we have the Rosary as an excellent weapon, as St. Padre Pio often said in order to emphasize that we have an potent spiritual resource to combat evil and temptation, and through it, we have an immeasurable wealth of spiritual depth. Praying the Rosary daily not only honors Mary and glorifies Jesus, but it also provides a source of meditation upon the mysteries of our faith by drawing us into the Scriptures, unlocking insights as we consider each of the mysteries that comprise the Rosary.

If you have never prayed the Rosary before or if your prayer with it is sporadic, I encourage you to pray it. *** (And if you already pray it regularly, keep it up!) Remember, the repetition of prayers is the means to focus on the events in the life of Mary and Jesus that are important to our faith. Praying it does not mean we will receive everything we desire, but rather that we trust in Mary’s intercession and God’s wisdom. As we make our intentions known we will receive spiritual graces, especially growing in recognition and acceptance of God’s will in preference to own. The Rosary is a dynamic source of consolation and of enhancement of our spiritual growth; Mary’s intercession is powerful and God’s grace is indefatigable. As we see in the life of Bl. Bartolo Longo, the Rosary became his lifeline and then his strength as he put all his hope in the Lord, thus transforming his life. “Hope perches in the soul and sings without words;” that is, the power of prayer is beyond our understanding because the wisdom, mercy, and love of God are wonderfully incomprehensible. And, if we immerse ourselves in hope, “it never stops at all.”

May we never lose hope! May we always rely upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit and all the graces given to us by God! And may we imitate Bl. Bartolo Longo, hoping in God and trusting in Our Lady through praying the Rosary! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                                            ©Michele L. Catanese

Notes:
* Emily Dickinson quote, first stanza of the poem:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42889/hope-is-the-thing-with-feathers-314
** For more on Blessed Bartolo Longo go to https://dominicanfriars.org/former-satanist-priest-became-saint/
*** All-in-one prayer resource for praying the Rosary:
https://www.newadvent.org/images/rosary.pdf
Important: I will be taking a bit of a "blog holiday" for a little while. I have been writing for 10 years (yes, indeed) and at this point there are times I need a short break so that I can keep my writing fresh. I will post something new again on November 14. Until then I offer this suggestion for October 17, which would have been the next post date: https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/countless-mirrors-reflecting-love. 
For October 31, I recommend this one: https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/surrounded-by-friends-we-have-not-yet-met
Remember, my Archives are always available, which means there is 10 years worth of material for you to read at any time you so desire. Thank you for your continued support.
Images:
1. My photo, kingfisher on a branch in the Badlands, South Dakota.
2. Photo, Bl. Bartolo Longo at age 22. (From the dominicanfriars.org site referenced above.)
3. My photo of stained glass, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, taken in Nevers, France in the chapel where St. Bernadette Soubirous was first interred.
4. Icon, Mother of God She Who Hears the Cries of the World by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon in one of many mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/mother-of-god-she-who-hears-the-cries-of-the-world-106-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. My photos, Notre Dame Cathedral before the fire. Paris, France. This cathedral is a sure sign of hope as it is being rebuilt.

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

During 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)

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