Silent Sunday

Ups and Downs in Faith

I spoke to a friend today.  She was telling me how she was recovering from some illness, I won't go specific on this.  But, she still seemed down and I asked if she was feeling well in her spirit.  She said, "No. I have had a lot of doubt and anger. I have had a lot of self pity and questions and just flat out lack of faith.  I don't know what to make of it.  I just get so frustrated and angry that I don't know what to do."

At this moment, I was not sure what I was supposed to do or say.  She called, she needed me. I just didn't know what she needed from me. I never know what to say to someone that is in this type of valley. I will share with you what I told her.

"You must understand that no one can strong faith all of the time.  Our love for God is not even flow.  There are times when we are ecstatic in our relationship with God and others when we just feel disconnected.  This is perfectly human.  In everything there is up and down. Everything.

Our faith today is not the same faith as when we were children, or even in our 20s and 30s.  We can't expect our faith to stay the same forever.  We can expect change in perceptions. We can expect to grow closer to or farther from God this way.  We just have to learn to discern meaning behind our lives and events. This is hard because many times we choose the selfish view of life, not the holy generous view of it."

I explained my own relationship with God and how I go in and out of boredom and passion on a yearly basis. I don't beat myself up over it.  Some things are out of my control.

I then told her that she didn't need to have perfect faith, that I would carry her faith for her.  She should just heal up an get well.  She can be angry if she wants, she can even walk away from her faith and come back to it later if she wants. She can take a break from christian perfectionism and just be human for a little while. She has the benefit of "human" God that understands perfectly well the feeling of being forsaken.

I told her to be sure to communicate and go to her spouse for support. She must not ignore her spouse in this. It matters and it will effect the relationship.

I wish I had know this would be sent my way.  I hope I said the right things. Sometimes, I wonder why people tell me things. 

Feast of Epiphany

Today is Three Kings day or the Feast of the Epiphany for us Catholics.  Epiphany is really on January 8th this year.  My friend is having a Christmas Party on Sunday.  Isn't that a fun idea?

Anyway, I love this article or page regarding a lesson plan for teaching children about this particular holy day.  I plan to make a special meal tonight (plan to anyway).  Maybe say a prayer at dinner but, make it more special than ordinary. And I will have my three little kings (2 kings and 1 queen) wear their crowns.  And no, I can not afford a crown roast so it won't be on the menu.

Read this article.  I love the modern day rendition of the story. It helps put the story into perspective for teens. I think it does a great deal of teaching for adults as well. 

The Feast of Epiphany (Article)

And of course, sing this song:

We Three Kings of Orient Are

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Cradle Catholics understand that "Sacred Mystery" is "Catholic" for "Just let It Go."

--Sister Mary Martha

Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom

Understanding

Knowledge

Courage & Fortitude

Counsel

Piety & Reverence

Wonder & Awe

Isn't it nice to know that some gifts come free of charge?

I love Christmas and I love gifts but, sometimes the material part of our lives takes over everything else.  I hope that you have a Merry Christmas with all the gifts (material or not) your heart desires.

Warmly,

Michelle

Sentiment Put into Pretty Words

I bought a book at a resale shop down the street for $2.  The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett.  It is a massive collection of single page literature (a few with more) with ties to virtues of character e.g., compassion, friendship, forgiveness, work ethic, etc.  I bought this because there are so many times when I can't think of an example of life to teach my children about a particular struggle or situation.  I bought this with the intent of teaching them.  But, as always, I get something fun along the way.

The Sin of Omission

By Margaret E. Sangster

It isn't the thing you do, dear,

It's the thing you leave undone

That gives you a bit of a heartache

At the setting of the sun.

The tender word forgotten,

The letter you did not write,

The flowers you did not send, dear,

Are your haunting ghosts at night.

The stone you might have lifted

Out of a brother's way;

The bit of heartsome counsel

You were hurried too much to say;

The loving touch of the hand, dear,

The gentle, winning tone

Which you had not time or thought for

With troubles enough of your own.

Those little acts of kindness

So easily out of mind,

Those chances to be angels

Which we poor mortals find--

They come in night and silence,

Each sad reproachful wraith,

When hope is faint and flagging;

And a chill has fallen on faith.

For life is all too short,dear,

And sorrow is all too great,

To suffer our slow compassion

That tarries until too late;

And it isn't the thing you do, dear,

It's the thing you leave undone

Which gives you a bit of a heartache

At the setting of the sun.

When we confess our sins in mass, we include "...in what I have done and I have failed to do..."  We think of the things that we haven't done--missed mass, or to forgive, or really big things.  But, I guess that we forget, that the little tiny things are what dirty up the soul.  Mostly because we think they are little and they won't make a difference.

I won't confess to not writing notes or unsent flowers as sin but, I will do my best to avoid regret. :o)

 I love the way God holds me too. Been feeling this kind of joy since mass on Sunday.