Casual Cancer Connections

Cancer.  The word itself makes my heart pump.  I don't like the reality of the disease.  I don't like it at all.  But, I accept that it is here and it takes and it kills without prejudice.

I came across a woman (employee) at the neighborhood bulk store (which is decorated in RED and the employees wear red (and khaki) and I avoid wearing red when I go there) and she tried to steady herself on my cart.  When this happens one quickly checks on the person to see if they need help. So, I followed suit.  Then she leans over and tells me, "I am fighting cancer and I feel sick and nauseated too.  I had my chemo this morning and it is really taking it out of me."

I didn't know what to say.  People just say things to me, I don't always say something back.  Most of the time I just listen and let them talk.   I asked her if she needed to sit down or for me to call someone to come help her get to a resting place.  She declined, said she needed to work and that she was fine just tired and woozy.  She chatted with me about her four year old daughter and how she loves certain bubble bath and body washes.  And how she loves to play dress up.  We talked about skin care and eczema and motherhood.

She eventually said, "I am not worried. I have a good outlook on this thing.  I will go in for my numbers next week and they will go down." I told her that I am sorry she has this battle to deal with and that she is not alone. She smiled.  We exchanged pleasantries. I wished her well and walked away.

I haven't stopped thinking about her.  She made an impression on me.  Despite what she said, I know she is concerned about her well being.  But more so, I know she is concerned about her daughter.  So, I pray for the woman in red (and khaki).  May her spirit be held up and her courage maintained as she battles this horrible cancer.  May her worry for her daughter be soothed.  May she regain her healed body. Amen.

Beginning Catholic Spirituality

Catholic Spirituality seems like a mystery to many. I have had conversations with people of other faiths (christian and non christian) in which my religion is seen as lacking in spirituality.  Generally, I don't argue with people who don't know Catholicism.  I probe to find out what they know.  Even those that were once Catholic or even raised Catholic, have very little knowledge about our religion and spiritual practices. I am no different.  I learn much by listening, studying, and asking questions.

So, I decided to share some Catholic spirituality in several posts.  My fear is that this could drive away my [very few] readers.

The first act of spirituality I would like to discuss is the Catholic Crossing of one self.  This is not only the first act of spirituality taught to children and initiates but, it is the most recognized act or gesture across the globe.  When anyone crosses themselves, just about anyone knows that the person is of the Catholic faith.

Now, to many this just seems rote or reflex gesture.  And for many it is.  But it still means something huge.  It is our way of connecting hear and there.  Our link between seen and unseen, this realm and the next realm, what is know and what is unknown, it connects us to the trinity.  It is automatic, it is fast, it is special, it is a life line for Catholics. We do this when we can't even think of prayers.  Catholics do this at just about anything that touches their spirit.  We do it at church, we do it driving on the highway as we pass accidents or graveyards, we do it in the middle of the night when we wake up frightened,  we do it when we are happy or relieved, we do it to end and start our prayers, it is something that is appropriate at any time for us.

Some might say, well you don't have to do gestures to connect with God.  True, but we are not just our minds and spirits, we are also our bodies too.  We feel in more than just tactile or just heart.  We are with God more than just in mind and spirit.

Doing "The Sign of the Cross"  is the simplest and most powerful blessing that can be taught to anyone in the Catholic faith.  It automatically consecrates our beings to God and holiness in less than a minute.  It is the beginning of Catholic Spirituality for me.

Christmas Season

In the US, most of our world is run via the secular retail establishments.  And this year it seemed to affect me more than past years.

Most of my readers may already know this but, I am not a person that opens gifts and forgets about the rest of the Season.  Yesterday was Twelfth Night--(that's right the 12th Day of Christmas that people sing about but, don't seem to recognize anymore).  Today, is the Epiphany--(the day that Jesus was revealed to found by the Magis).  And we close the Christmas Season next week on the Baptism of Jesus.

So, this year it was just such a clinical run through on so many fronts.  I mean it seemed like culture was doing what it could to push past the season, to get it done and out of the way.  Gifts seemed so impersonal. And then Christmas Day came and the season shut down.  The stores were cleared out, the singing stopped.  And people stopped lighting their homes and Christmas Trees. There was a race to post on social media sites to report how quickly Christmas was removed from home decor.  People keep talking about how quickly Christmas is over.

For me, Christmas Season is still here. And I don't relish in removing the lights. I enjoy looking at my lights and my ornaments and all the little bits of Christmas around.  I am still going to light up my fireplace mantel and Christmas Tree.  My husband asked for a new batch of Christmas cookies.  I plan to make them today.  I am so happy that Christmas is not removed from my house just yet.  You are welcomed to visit us too if you need a dose of Christmas in January.

Merry Christmas!

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.