Faith In Culture

Faith In Culture

This is a little bit I want to try to once a week. But, that of course, is ambitious.  I will be finding the sacred in the secular world.  Because sometimes we need a little something that whispers God's love to us, it may not come in the form of a scripture or some holy book.

He may just send you an angel to sing to you and love you. 

This song is especially beautiful and resonates the comfort that God offers to us. It is our gift to accept. Perfect love, sung in an angel's voice.

May the ever-loving God bless your day.

Advent 2013

Some of the fun things about being a Catholic is the many traditions that are practiced.  One, which we practice at home, is the lighting of the Advent candles.

Traditionally, these are lit on Sundays each representing each of the four weeks of Advent. We light them throughout the week and eat candle light dinners by them.  My kids absolutely love this Advent tradition. There is something about handling fire that is very attractive to young people. Surprisingly, we have very thoughtful conversations during our dinners. 

For a great explanation of the symbolism of the Advent Wreath visit Catholic Education Resource Center.

 

The little reindeer advent calendar hangs on the door in the background.  It doesn't seem to warrant as much attention as the wreath.

Christ the King

Today is a special day in the Catholic Religion.  It is the end of the liturgical year and sort of like the New Year's Eve celebration. On this holiday, we don't really make resolutions, we ask ourselves if we have lived a year with Christ as our King.

Now, I know that many people don't like the idea of Christ being King.  They think king and their minds automatically run to oppressor, punisher, wrathful, untouchable, and even irrational the list goes on.  This is fine, it is how the world is.  Christ is a completely different kind of King.

So, this year I have asked myself the question with a true heart. I know that Christ was my King this past year. I wasn't a perfect Catholic. I don't think I will ever be perfect.  But, Christ was my center all year long. My life was for Jesus this year and for no one else.

So, here is to a great year of faith.  I am looking forward to another year as a Roman Catholic.  I hope the new year will be as blessed as this one.

God's peace to you.

Eau Christmas Tree

We haven't used (killed) a fresh Christmas Tree in years (at least a decade or more).  But, today as I walked into the local big box hardware store, I couldn't escape the intoxicating scent of the fir trees. 

I am woods person anyway. If I could have anything in the world it would be a forest of beautiful trees.  The dark cool shadows it casts on the ground, the rich clean scent of pine needles and earth mixed beneath my feet.  Yes, that is for me.

And then it occurred to me with great celebration in my heart.  There will be Christmas Trees in Heaven! Anything that smells that wonderful as it decays must absolutely be in the next life. 

I can't think of something else that smells better as it breaks down.  I mean you know jack-o-lanterns smell like gag while they rot, Easter eggs.... I don't think I need to explain this to you.  But, it was just an funny thought I had today.

Themes of Detachment

I listened to a homily on the subject of our call to detachment.  It really resonated with me.  In sincerity.    We are fairly willing to detach if what we are letting go is something we perceive to be bad or poor for us. 

I feel that sometimes this is not the complete act of detachment.  We are not called only  to give up what we dislike for our good.  Sometimes, we have to give up what we love for the better of someone else.  This could mean, instead of $40 worth of take out lunches, you donate that to the church soup kitchen, and you brown bag it to work for a week. Or maybe you give your time to a charity instead of hanging out at home in your arm chair.  Maybe, for the greater good, you let go of control of a situation.  Maybe you say yes, when you want to say no.

I believe there is balance to detachment. We are not to just give up things we dislike but, we must learn to give up what we adore.  This is by far the biggest of my challenges. 

So when I listen to the readings for leaving everything behind and following Jesus, I know what he is calling me to do.  I wish I had the courage to do that.  I wish I could just leave it all behind and follow him as I am called.  But, that would mean I would have to sacrifice everything, that which I detest along with that which I adore.  What a difficult act of devotion this would be.  To truly detach from this world and its experiences and completely rely upon God seems impossible.

Since you made it through my long entry, I will leave you with a great song by Building 429.

Participation is not what I normally do.

I don't normally participate in these things but, I figure I have just about nothing to lose at this point.
I hope I did this properly.  Check out Suscipio.


Thanking God for…
My children, food to eat, and safe place for retreat.

Looking out my window…
 I notice how quietly the wind blows through the leaves.

I am praying…
For Catholic Youth
For People who hate the Catholic Church
For People who are afraid to defend the Catholic Church


I am reading...
My Bible--There is always good advice in it.
The Oath by Frank Peretti 

I am creating…
I am working on my photography business.  So maybe that counts.  It is scary.

I’m learning…
I am learning that everything I do is scary and involves risk.

In the kitchen…
There is pumpkin pie in the kitchen and I caught my middle guy sneaking a piece before dinner.

Around the house…
 There is evidence of children.


I am looking forward to…
Fall and fall activities.  I am hoping to be invited to outdoorsy things during fall.

A favorite quote for today…
Peace be with you.


One of my favorite things…
I love Caldrea Soaps and detergents and candles and whatever they make! The fragrances are always very pleasing to me.


Captured…

Beautiful isn't she?

From my Altar

Here is a little piece o my prayer table.  I light a candle to remind me of my prayers for my family and loved ones.  It also helps me focus on the light of Christ, which permeates the darkness in my life.  A candle is such a wonderful symbol of God's love.  I burns bright, warm and is long lasting.   It doesn't burn hot and fast like desire. It burns slowly and cleanly like devotion.  I love that.

I have lots of people on my prayer list. Today, God answered two of my prayers for people I love--I thank you my God, you amaze me.  Just for the world to know, that when I say I will pray for you, I really do pray for you. 



God's merciful blessings to all my readers.  May you feel his warmth and comfort in your days. Amen.