Jesus, our Saviour and our Example

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The tension builds.

Halfway through the week from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, hosannas still echo in the streets and Jesus is preparing for his passion. The disciples don’t understand; they still expect Jesus to conquer their political enemies.

But he knows better. He knows what he faces.

Betrayal.

Abandonment.

Death by crucifixion.

Most of us can understand and identify with betrayal and abandonment in this day and age, but it is a rare individual who can identify with the intensity of what Jesus experienced on a human level.

But none of us can—or need to—understand the depth of abandonment Jesus experienced on the cross. My God, my God! Why have you abandoned me?

Because of Jesus’ obedience, we know that God will never abandon us, will never betray us.

Nor will most of us identify with the cruel torture he endured. For those who can, my prayers and the prayers of many are with you, that you may find comfort and healing through Jesus’ sacrificial love and God’s tender mercy.

Jesus did not rescue the Jews from their Roman oppressors, nor does he rescue us from the human condition. But he rescued us from our ancient enemies:  sin and death.

Let us walk with Jesus through this Holy Week. Let us pray with him in the garden. Let us witness his pain, his death, which he accepted for our benefit. Let us in turn accept our infirmities, our suffering—and throw ourselves at the foot of the cross.

Not my will, but thine be done.

He bore all our sin on his cross; let us, in love, bear but a sliver of his.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Way to Eternal Life

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Editor’s Note: This month, several of our columnists have been reading The Way to Eternal Life. Today, Larry Peterson shares his review.  Thank you to Abbey Press for making this book available to our blogging team.

THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE: Contemporary Reflections on the Traditional Stations of the Cross

Written by:  Brother Francis de Sales Wagner, O.S.B.

Illustrations by:  Father David Walpole, O.S.B.   May 1, 1917—-January 27, 2012

Published by Abbey Press;  St. Meinrad, IN 47577       82 Pages

Let me say right off the bat—I loved this book by Brother Francis. I think it is the most beautiful journey along the path of the Stations that I have ever taken.  Having said that, now I shall tell you why.

You may think that using the word “beautiful” to describe The Way of The Cross is the wrong word to use but, for me, that word encapsulates this presentation of this devotion. We begin each station with a painting by Father Donald Walpole (Fr. Donald passed away in Jan, 2012, and his credits are listed in the book). First, we pause, looking at the picture which draws us into where we are going.  Then Brother Francis leads us along in meditation.  We walk along watching as Jesus is condemned to death all the way to when His defiled, dead body is laid in the tomb. As horrific as our Lord’s passion and death was, Brother Francis has managed to draw us into the full meaning of what happened and we are led to a deeper understanding of how we all are responsible for the journey Jesus had to make. The journey makes us stronger, wiser, and humbles us so we not only accept but also feel the love poured out by our Savior for us. BEAUTIFUL!

In the introduction, Brother Francis uses the analogy of a baseball player being asked to bunt (known as a sacrifice because the batter gives up his chance to hit).  The purpose of the bunt is to move the base-runner along and hopefully get him home. We are challenged to remember that all of us are base-runners and our job is to be smart on the bases and make it home. When we make it home and score it validates the value of the sacrifice. We, as Catholic Christians, are all part of Jesus’ team. The only way you can be cut from this team is if you decide to turn your back and cut yourself. But, here is another BEAUTIFUL part. You can always come back. How cool is that?

My personal experience with The Stations of the Cross is through attendance in church during Lent where the congregation uses either the traditional “Way of the Cross” from pre-Vatican II complete with the Stabat Mater, or a more modern version titled, “Everyone’s Way of the Cross”, which uses a more secular approach to the stations. Both of these familiar devotions take about 30 minutes to complete as the priest or deacon walks from station to station.

Bro. Wagner’s book takes us into an expanded more contemplative journey, and his book is wonderful for personal reflection.  It is meant to be read slowly and pondered upon, drawing the reader into a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Cross. If time permitted, it could be used in a church setting.

This year Lent begins on February 13 and I think Catholics should seriously consider adding this book to their Lenten devotions. You might find some quiet time alone and take just ten or fifteen minutes a day meditating on several of the stations in Brother Francis’ book. Then come back the next day and continue. I guarantee you one of the most profound Lenten experiences you will ever have.

 

The Christmas Octave–a Beautiful Yet Paradoxical Week

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Hi Folks and Happy New Year to all of you. Well now, the Christmas Octave has been one wild, week long journey, has  it not? We left  the depot wrapped with the peace, joy and love of Christmas Day, and our first stop was at the stoning execution of the first martyr, St. Stephen. We got a day off and then stopped at the massacre of the Holy Innocents, moved on to the murder of St. Thomas Becket, celebrated the Holy Family, and finished our trip today,  with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Paradoxical or what?

We have adorned our Blessed Mother with many titles (47 different ones I believe), and she is the greatest of all saints. She has been spared from original sin, and was taken into heaven body and soul, never having to die in this world. But, before she left here she lived here, as a woman, a mom, and a housewife.  I think we do not pay enough attention to the earthly life of our heavenly Mom.

Don’t forget, this woman had survived the possibility of execution by stoning  because she was pregnant prior to her marriage. You can’t tell me that she did not think about the potential consequences of her pregnancy. (Even her Son, the God Man, broke into a sweat in the Garden of Eden thinking about what was coming. Why wouldn’t  Mary be worried?) She knew she was pregnant, she knew this was an extreme violation of Jewish law, and she knew the penalty.  Her life was out of her hands, and her fate thrust into  the hands of another, a man named Joseph, her betrothed. Fortunately, he was the best fiancé ever, married her, took her in and accepted her child as his.

Then, at full term in her pregnancy,  she has to travel with her husband over 80 miles on a donkey to be counted in a census.  She survives the four or five day journey (no rest-rooms between Nazareth and Bethlehem) and the countless contractions she must have had along the way, to discover that her frantic husband cannot find a place for them to stay.  She winds up giving  birth in a stable with smelly animals,  lots of straw, no running water, and who knows how clean those swaddling clothes were. She was probably all of 14 years old.

Let’s not forget that after awhile word comes to them that Herod wants to kill her baby. Hey all you moms and dads, how would you like to know the head of the government has authorized your child’s execution? Can you imagine? So, this poor young mom  is forced to make a 300+ mile journey to Egypt, hiding her child as best she can, while all the time hoping her carpenter husband can elude the soldiers searching for them. Talk about anxiety. Talk about fear. Talk about having Faith and praying like you never prayed before.

It probably was a year or two before the family made it back to Nazareth. Here they probably lived in a typical baked clay and straw brick house. Each day Mary would have to sweep the beaten clay floor, go to the cistern for water, travel outside the town walls for daily necessities such as spices and grain which she would have to grind  into flour to bake fresh bread (no preservatives in those days). Of course, there was the laundry.  Trust me, there were no laundromats and there were no detergents. There were also no diapers or Pampers or band-aids or cough syrups or baby powder or microwave chicken nuggets or McDonald’s either.  Her husband would be in his shop doing his carpentry chores and her boy, Jesus, would be with His dad or maybe helping His mom. And life would go on, day after day after day and and ultimately transpose into the Greatest Story Ever Told. You have to LOVE IT, from Beginning to Never-Ending.

 

 

To Defend Our Faith We MUST Write

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I have finally come to the realization that there are many,  many people who call themselves “Catholic”, but out of those numbers, maybe 22% are actually “practicing Catholics”. That means that 22% go to Mass on a weekly basis. Interestingly, many of the 22% do not think it matters if you go to Mass anyway. (HUH??  Wherever did that mindset come from?) When the post-election polls showed that 52% of “Catholics” voted for the incumbent, I was stunned.

How can this be, I thought? Even our very own USCCB joined together and asked us to stand behind them and defend our faith. Good try Excellencies, but at least you did try. Oh yeah, and did “Catholics” ever respond. Talk about rejection. (Don’t worry–I’m not picking on you guys at the CWG. You are deep into the 22%. Actually, as writers, I figure we are in the  less than 1%).

Get to the point, Larry. Okay, okay, the point is this: We are under attack. It is an all out assault on our religious freedoms, and many of the leaders of this attack insist that they are one of us. It is a war from within. Many of those who claim to be with us are like the antagonists in the soap operas. They are running around and smiling and hugging and kissing folks and telling them that they are devout Catholics, while at the same time promoting abortion in all stages, euthanasia, abortifacient drugs, and even  infanticide.

And they do it in such a way as to make it sound virtuous (ie: protecting women’s reproductive rights). Then the mainstream media (print & broadcast) backs them up and suggests to the public that the men in charge of the Church are old, senile, and out of touch with the modern world. God help us. The challenge is great.

What should we do as writers to help repel this attack on our faith? Of course,  we must WRITE. The celebration of Christmas should begin on December 25, not end because Valentine cards and candy are on the shelves by December 26, but because the life of Christ has just begun and must be celebrated from that moment forward into perpetuity. This celebration can  begin with the power of the written word, stuck in small spaces, in blogs, in poetry, in newsletters, anywhere we can put something in print that defends the faith we embrace.

We can make a difference but we have to get busy. We have to get busy defending our Catholic family from the constant attacks by charlatans, interlopers, and theological impostors. Don’t forget, these impostors shoot back. Expect to get bloodied.

As writers we must be a force, a verbal Maginot Line, often times breached but always there to defend what is ours.

Being Thankful for Thanksgiving

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I’m a holiday kind of guy. I love the Christmas season with its “peace-on-earth” and ‘”joy-to-the-world” messages, and Santa Claus, and elves and Christmas lights, and all that comes with the excitement leading up to Christmas Day. Most of all, I love the “reason for the season”—acknowledging the birth of Christ.

I also am fully aware of the pressure and stress Christmastime can bring to so many. This year, besides the homeless, the unemployed, and  those with serious illness, we must factor in the death and devastation brought by “Monster Storm Sandy” on so many of our brother and sister Americans. Christmas for many will require much Faith in the ‘reason for the season’.

Then there are the many  parents with no money who desperately want Santa to visit their house on Christmas Eve.  Let’s face it, kids are kids and Santa is Santa; to them the “real world” has no place in their little, anxious hearts. The stress this can cause for a mommy and daddy who might be struggling just to make rent can sometimes be overwhelming. And what about the single parents with only one income, generally small?  Providing a Christmas for their kids can be one of the most stress filled times of the entire year. That is a whole other issue.  But first comes Thanksgiving—and Turkey and stuffing and pie and full bellies.

I LOVE Thanksgiving. To me it IS the best day of the year. Why? Because it is the one day of the year when we pause and simply give thanks for all that we have, even if it is just a little. A job, good health, a cancer in remission, connecting with a long lost relative, the birth of a child, so many things that we can be thankful for. People from every economic situation can have a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Homeless shelters and soup kitchens and prisons serve turkey. Folks who have little money are able to receive turkey baskets from various charitable organizations so they can have a turkey dinner at home with their families. No-one in America needs to go hungry on Thanksgiving Day.

You do not need to purchase gifts. All you have to do is show up, hang out, eat, and enjoy the uplifted spirit of family and friends that are with you, even if they are strangers in a soup kitchen. This year even the victims of “Sandy” will have a turkey dinner available to them no matter what their situation. It will be something to be thankful for that day and will generate a spark of hope in otherwise despondent hearts.

We should all be Thankful for Thanksgiving. It is a beautiful thing.

“If the only prayer you said in your WHOLE LIFE was,”THANK YOU”, that would suffice.”
Meister Eckhart 1260-1327, Theologian and Philosopher

 

Ms. Manners Goes to Conference! Conference Etiquette for a Better Experience

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Headed for Catholic Writers Conference? Are you excited? You should be! What an opportunity to rub shoulders with industry professionals, to put faces and personalities to folks you’ve met online, to renew friendships, and to network. This is a once in a lifetime experience; make the most of it. There will never be another gathering of exactly the same people at this point in their faith and writing journeys. Truly you are in Arlington, Texas, because God has called you to be there!

Each of you has a specific reason for attending, a goal you hope to accomplish. If this is your first conference experience, the coming days are likely to be a roller coaster of euphoria juxtaposed with self doubt. Be assured that you are not the only one grappling with these feelings. I hope this knowledge translates into a greater sense of ease in a new and sometimes intimidating environment. Here are some words of advice (of wisdom, too, hopefully!) for both newbies and veterans, for authors, for agents, and for editors, geared toward making this conference the best it can be for everyone:

1)      Everyone’s goals are the same, ultimately. Editors want to find the next diamond of a manuscript to publish. Agents want to discover the next author whose career they can guide to new heights. Authors want to find a publisher and/or agent to promote their awesome work. And in this particular setting, all of these people want to serve God with their talents and gifts in the way that pleases Him the most.

When viewed through that prism, competition loses the edge of greed and rejection loses its sting. We’re all on the same side, and God’s looking out for the good of each person’s life and career. This doesn’t mean you should fail to promote your product, just that there is no need for fear.  Which brings us to the next point.

2)     Be confident. You have something no one else does: your voice, and your work. These are gifts that God has given you, gifts that you have honed with hard work and prayer. No one can duplicate your contribution. Take heart in that fact, and know that your work will find its home. Maybe through this conference; maybe not – which leads to…

3)      Don’t take rejection personally. Sometimes it just isn’t a good fit for the publisher or agent. Imagine a library with thousands of books. You have three days to find the best two. You will have to create a system to sort and discard the ones that aren’t suitable for your purpose. Do you see that many wonderful, deserving books will be overlooked? This does not reflect on the worthiness of each one, the same way it does not reflect on your particular project. And in today’s climate, many options are available. So…

4)      Be open. There are many possibilities that we may not recognize in our limited, human view. Be open to new ideas, new directions, new options. You may discover a brand new path, or even a calling! You may discover it through…

5)      Networking. This is the whole purpose of a conference. Meet people! Ask them what they write, who they want to represent, what they want to publish. Have a brief answer for these questions, too, so you can give a nutshell sense of your project when it comes up. (I write ___, and my current project is about ___.)

This is a remarkably small community, and the contacts you make in the next few days will serve you for your entire career. Do not discount the importance of these interactions. They are crucial for your success. But remember…

6)      Be nice. This should go without saying, especially in this setting, but we are human and sometimes we need to be reminded. Keep your comments positive; you never know who might overhear or repeat something you said in a frustrated or disappointed moment. Again, this is a remarkably small community even though it may not seem that way.

Also, restrict your interactions to appropriate venues. Don’t try to pitch to an agent or publisher in the restroom, or shove your manuscript under the door of the stall. I have witnessed the first and have heard of the second, so these are not as far-fetched as they seem. Be considerate of folks. If the target of your interest has a headache or gets a pained look on their face when you approach, be brief. Introduce yourself and say you’d like to send them a query if that is acceptable; believe me, they will remember and appreciate your kindness. And that goes a long way. Which leads to the last point…

7)      Be yourself. This may call for leaving your comfort zone, though. If you tend to be shy (many writers are!) push yourself to be more sociable. It’s not hard; smile and ask people around you about themselves. You’ll be glad you did. If you are an extrovert, recognize your tendency to overshadow the more timid among us and let them shine, too.

I hope each one of you has a wonderful experience at the Catholic Writers Conference! And… Oops! I forgot the most important words of advice! HAVE FUN!

 

 

 

 

 

Art and Faith, as They Intersect in Writing

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We recently observed the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Fortnight of Freedom, and this might be a good time to look at writing as an expression of our journey and expression of faith.

Regular readers of this blog are most likely members of Catholic Writers Guild – which means we are Catholic, and we love to write. For many of us, these two passions intersect in what we write, as in blogs, articles, or books about being Catholic in today’s world. In nonfiction, this is straightforward. The audience and purpose of such works provide a framework for sharing both the writer’s journey and/or expression of a specific aspect of faith.

Fiction, my personal love, can be a bit trickier. How does an author express their faith within the conventions of their chosen genre? We’ve all read books where it’s done poorly, usually resulting in a preachy tone as grating as fingernails on chalkboard. I’m reminded of Barbara Nicolosi’s comment from the 2012 Catholic Writers Conference Online: My theory is that the secular world is not anti-Catholic as much as it is anti-bad art.

When viewed through that lens, our priority as writers or artists is to learn and hone our craft. It doesn’t matter how important our message is if it is badly executed. Read books on the craft of writing. Take classes. Ask for feedback – and listen to it. The most successful writers recognize that they need to continually strive to improve.

We also have a responsibility to learn and understand our religion. I’m preaching to the choir here, but there is always something deeper, more sublime, more elemental to discover about the challenges (and rewards) of being Catholic. We have to be well-catechized in order to articulate what we need or want to convey in written format.

The great news is, that in fiction, who you are will come out in your writing, even if you don’t spell out your beliefs in the imaginary world inhabited by your characters. Think of St. Francis of Assisi. Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words. Well, we can’t write without words, but we can write great fiction without being overbearing about our faith. Readers will accept just about anything in a character, as long as the character is authentic, has depth and complexity, and is true to his or her motivations, flaws and all.

We’ve all read stories where the characters act in ways that make us cringe or gasp or squirm, but we keep reading because the author has done such a good job.  We are eager to accompany the character on his or her journey. That’s our calling. To write so well that readers are willing to follow a character they don’t necessarily agree with because they want to better understand them.

I suspect most of CWG’s members pray before they write (or draw or make music or however we choose to create) and that’s where we all need to begin. Pray. Discern. Perhaps education or beauty is more important than exhortation. Keep in mind that your readers will not be in the same place you are on their spiritual journey – and we are all on a spiritual journey, whether we realize it or not. On a personal level, God has touched me through works of fiction in which I least expected to hear His voice. Never underestimate what He can (and will) do through us, whether or not we are aware.

Take courage, pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and use the gift of talent with which God has graced you. Create art that illuminates a vision of God. None of us can see God, but we can express our experience, and the light we reflect may aid a fellow traveler in life.

Now. Words matter. Go forth, write and create, and bear fruit in a world that hungers for it.

How do you approach your craft in a way that changes our world? How does faith inform your art? Do you think of those concepts as you toil over the keyboard, searching for just the right word to express the idea in your mind’s eye? What gives you joy as you create?

What I Love about Being Catholic Online

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Every week, I encourage you to keep going with your blogging. I share tips and advice to the best of my ability. I try to be candid and not too idealistic.

Blogging’s hard work. But, as I was reminded recently, so is life. Period.

Last week, I had a bit of a family emergency. It took over my life, and it also made me appreciate, once again, why I so treasure my online Catholic community.

I posted on various social networks, repeatedly asking for prayers. I did a blog post and stuck it at the top of my blog so that it was the first thing people saw for three days.

And my family was absolutely buoyed by the prayers streaming in from people who had no idea what exactly they were praying for.

Knowing that my brothers and sisters online, people who have never met me or my family, will so generously offer prayers and more for my intentions…well, it’s enough to make this hard work of blogging worth it.

image credit

When Lent Becomes Personal

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Part of the Lenten Journey series

 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. – John 13:5

It’s been a pretty pathetic Lent, or so I thought until about 10 AM on Tuesday morning.

It was then that I got The Call.

As I write this, I don’t know what the outcome of The Call will be. What will that test we worried about show? Will there be a new health challenge with a family member who’s had a fair share of them lately?

I’ve been reflecting about how this one call has changed my entire Lent.

Those reflections have led me back to how Gethsemane probably changed a few people’s perceptions of the Passover, too.

From the time I received that call on Tuesday morning, Lent changed for me. Holy Week, which I hadn’t even fully considered yet, became, suddenly, a time that would draw me closer to Jesus in his suffering and Passion.

What was it like to know what was coming, to want it not to happen, but to accept it anyway?

Lent becomes personal for me, most years, around Holy Thursday, when I find myself humbled and looking Jesus in the face.

This year is different already, and I’m trying to hold on and keep Jesus’ face in sight. He’s bowing his head, praying.

Sounds like a good approach to the unknown ahead.

Lord, hold us close as we face the insurmountable hurdle of Calvary. Let us feel the joy of Easter morning even though we’re struggling with the grief of Good Friday. Lead us into your arms, Lord, and help us to do your will. Amen.

Image source: MorgueFile

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Sarah Reinhard is online at SnoringScholar.com and is the author of the recently-released Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative, or Clueless.

Remember Your Priorities

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Last week, during the Catholic Writers Conference Online, I was reminded of something that I’m going to just go ahead and remind you of, too.

Because you know what? We all need to hear this.

Remember your priorities.

You are Catholic first, everything else second.

That means your big-V vocation–spouse, parent–comes before your little-v vocational pursuits or jobs–including your writing.

Blogging is something that’s easy to get into. But that doesn’t mean it’s right for you. It doesn’t mean you should blog.

When you’re not sure how you’re going to fit one more thing into your schedule, here’s my advice:

STOP. Pray. Listen.

I know, that’s so idealistic. You don’t have time to go to the bathroom unsupervised, and yet I’m challenging you to find somewhere quiet and turn up your ears? All you can hear is your own screaming. What the heck?

I was asked in two different chats, by at least four different people, how they should figure in blogging time.

“They,” after all, say that you should blog to build or grow your platform.

“They” say that blogging is a must.

But you know what? “They” are a bunch of idiots.

Do They have the same priorities you do? Are They called to the same Vocation and vocation as you? How are They even speaking to you?

Take what’s good and discern what’s not, and after you do, don’t look back when you leave it in the trash can.

Not everyone can blog, not everyone should blog, and hey! That’s OK!

We’re here to encourage each other, and I want to cheer in your corner.

Remember your priorities.

Frequent the sacraments, first and foremost, especially the Eucharist and Confession.

Spend time with Jesus BEFORE you spend time doing your work, whether it’s your primary vocation or your work pursuits.

Give it to him FIRST. Everyone else SECOND.

If you’re really stuck, take it to Adoration. Sit in the silence before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and lay your head in his lap. Let his mother stroke your temples and close your eyes.

This is where you belong. This is where you are headed. This is why you struggle through the day.

If blogging is something you are truly called to do, you will. You can.

It’s not easy to do God’s will, but it’s even harder when we’re deaf to what God’s trying to tell us.

Let’s pray for each other, shall we? It’s not an easy thing, being an artist. It’s not an easy call we’re heeding.

But easy isn’t what we’re after. Heaven is.

That rosary is one I got via Trendy Traditions.

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