Are You Man Enough?

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ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

Post # 1

“Gosh, I love Thursdays!”  Tim Biscotti glanced from his Excel spreadsheet to the time displayed at the bottom right-hand corner of his work desktop, smiling.  “Ten minutes to go.”  He tugged at the collar tips of his yellow button-down shirt and adjusted his black tie laced with yellow diamond shapes.

It was February 2019 in Nassau County, Long Island, New York.  Tim had been planning this night for a few weeks as a belated 42nd birthday present to himself.  After work, he was going to catch up on his novel in the library, eat dinner in that pizzeria that he liked on Route 27A, and then pray the Rosary in the Divine Mercy Chapel at Curé of Ars Church. 

Tim clicked his mouse and tapped on his keyboard. He peered at the surrounding powder-blue walls on which several flat-screen TVs hung, displaying that day’s closing stock prices. The name of the firm, Thawani Global Benefits, also hung in prominent bronze letters on one of the walls.

Coworkers hurried past his desk, throwing coats on and bidding him and each other goodnight.

“See you guys tomorrow,” he returned with a wave, keeping his eyes glued to the Aetna insurance census audit he worked on.

Just then, his desk phone rang.

Jolted, Tim viewed the caller ID.  The executive vice president of underwriting’s name and number appeared.

Tim answered. “Yeah, Albert?”

“Tim, can you come by my office for a minute?”

He probably wants to talk about this audit.  “Sure, I’ll be right there.”  Tim hung up and closed out the Excel file.  Then he rose from his desk.  Hopefully, this won’t take long.

Tim marched down the hall, passing by the open door to his direct supervisor’s office. She sat in there, tapping on her own keyboard as she pursed her lips. That’s strange. If Albert wants to talk to me, why isn’t Phyllis with him?

The suspicion grew within him as he continued walking, eventually reaching Albert’s office at the end of the hall. He entered, and a petite blonde HR assistant, who sat across from Albert’s desk, stoically raised her eyes at him. If Phyllis isn’t here but Karen, the HR admin is, and that can only mean one thing.

The tall Asian man behind the desk asked Tim to close the door and then take a seat.

Tim obeyed Albert as a large lump came to his throat.

Albert sighed. “Well, Tim. We have some difficult news. We’ve decided to discontinue your position.”

A charge ran up Tim’s spine. “Why?” he demanded, his voice raised and quaking.

“You’re not meeting deadlines.”

Tim’s body trembled like an earthquake.

The HR assistant stared at him as if to say, “Your personality’s not a good fit here.”

She’s embarrassing me. “Come on!” Tim pleaded. “This isn’t right. You know how hard I’ve worked here?” This was probably Phyllis’ decision.  We’ve been knocking heads like crazy over the past six months.  “Whose idea was this?”

“The company’s,” said Albert.

Tim raked a hand through his short dark hair. “This is not right,” he repeated, raising his voice. “I got bills to pay! You know how much this hurts me?”

Albert and the HR assistant kept silent.

“You can’t give me another chance?”

“The decision has been made. Karen, take Tim to Violeta’s office so that he can get his COBRA paperwork.”

Tim rose from his chair. Blood rushed to his face and hands. “I’m not happy about this. I just want you to know that.”

Karen walked Tim out.

After an equally cold meeting in Violeta’s office, Tim stormed back to his desk, Karen once again accompanying him. He cleaned it out and thrust his belongings into his backpack.

Karen, standing over him, then called over to the IT guy. “Chuck? Can you come disconnect Tim’s login? Today’s his last day.”

Geez, can you say it a little louder?

Chuck came by and took care of business without saying a word. 

How cold.

After Chuck left, Karen briskly walked Tim toward the steel door going out. 

How much more obvious can she make it that they’re in a rush to get rid of me? Tim glanced over his shoulder.

Across the room, people made eye contact with Tim and sympathetically shook their heads. 

Thank you. At least someone cares. Frowning, Tim wiped sweat off his forehead and waved to them.

Karen yanked the steel door open. “Good luck to you.”

Her insincerity, coupled with her slamming the door behind him, stung him like a slap to his face, but at least he would never deal with her again. Or Albert. Or Phyllis.

Outside, the evening air enveloped him. Tim exhaled, storming over to his parking space. He slid into his car and slammed the door. With his stomach in knots, he lacked the heart for all the festivities he had planned for himself.

“Okay, calm down,” he told himself. He called his recruiter friend, taking a chance that she would still be working at 6 PM. No such luck. Tim forced himself to sound pleasant and left her a voicemail.

His office had only been about twelve minutes from his house, but it felt like forever before he arrived home.

Tim walked into his kitchen. His two children’s playful noisiness made his ears ring. “Hi, kids,” he said without enthusiasm. Try not to take your frustrations out on them. Remember, they both have autism.

His wife kissed him. Her long light-brown hair bounced off her shoulders, framing a kind face across which a smile spread. “You’re home early.  I thought you were going out tonight.”

This is gonna be hard for her. How do I explain what happened?

Tim sighed. “Hillary, I have some bad news.” He tried easing his way into it, but his stammering made it worse.

Hillary’s smile dropped. Her eyes filled with fright. “Why?” she shouted.

“It just didn’t work out,” Tim stuttered.

Hillary slapped the legs of her black pants in disgust. “This is not good! First, the job at the bank? Now this?” Tears formed in her eyes. “What is going on with you, Tim? What are we gonna do now?”

I really don’t know where God wants me, but she probably doesn’t want to hear about God right now. “I called Renee, my recruiter. Left her a voicemail. Hopefully, she’ll call me back tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll figure this all out.” Tim’s voice was cracking.

Hillary huffed. “You better! Look, I gotta get out of here and clear my head. I’m going to Whole Foods. Keep an eye on them for me.”

Tim hung his head and avoided eye contact with his kids. What sort of a father am I? How am I gonna provide for Hillary and these kids now?

His six-year-old son grabbed him by the hand. “Wuh-wuh.”

“You want water, AJ?” Tim croaked. He sighed. “Okay, I’ll get it.” With his head still hanging, he trudged over to the refrigerator.

His eight-year-old daughter sat at the table. She clutched her green LeapFrog Academy tablet and glued her eyes to YouTube. “No Wi-Fi?” she suddenly shrieked. She started crying like the baby George on the Peppa Pig cartoon. Angrily, she banged her tablet on the table.

“Riley, stop it!” shouted Tim. “I’m in no mood for this!” He gritted his teeth, ripped his tie off, threw it, and knocked unopened mail off the counter.

Riley cried harder.

“This is all I need right now,” Tim muttered.

He called a few local churches to see if a priest were available. He could use a man of God’s help right now, but no luck with that, either.

Gotta cool it. Tim replaced his Samsung in his pocket. The kids are innocent in all of this. ”Riley, I’m sorry I got mad before, honey. Daddy just had a tough day.” He walked over to the table and hugged her. “How was school today?”

“Wuh-wuh,” his son repeated.

“Sorry, AJ. Daddy forgot.” He poured AJ some water.

Unable to think about dinner, he waited for Hillary to return and then asked if she minded him going for a walk.

Hillary twirled her hair and frowned. “No, go ahead.”

At least she seemed calmer now. Maybe she realized how bad he felt.

At around 10:30, Tim returned from his walk. Finally, the house is quiet. He tiptoed into the living room, sat on the black leather sectional couch, and grabbed his powder-blue rosaries. However, with his stomach still in knots, he lacked the motivation to pray. Maybe tomorrow after a good night’s sleep – if he even could sleep. But no way was he sleeping in bed with Hillary that night. He considered himself unworthy of that. His manhood felt shattered, as did his ego, and he doubted himself significantly. He even wondered if Jesus and the Blessed Mother were disappointed in him. 

I need to listen to some soft, quiet music. Tim clicked on the YouTube app on his cell phone, turned the volume down, and selected Corey Hart’s “Never Surrender”. He still held his rosaries as he listened to the soothing melody, and peace slowly grew within him. His new circumstances would take some getting used to, but the pain he had suffered that day subsided for the night, and he soon drifted off to dreamland.

TO BE CONTINUED…

© Copyright 2023 by Michael C. Vassallo

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/fashionate-7463871/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=6163564″>fashionate</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=6163564″>Pixabay</a>

Sometimes We Need a Coach in the Pulpit

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Sometimes We Need a Coach in the Pulpit

We Catholics hear much about how we must evangelize. Unfortunately, most Catholics do not know how to do it. Most of us even avoid discussions with each other about controversial topics in the Church. Indeed, few of us are going to stand on a milk crate on a street corner, hold up a Bible, and say, “Repent, repent!” So, how should Catholics evangelize?

 

Pope Francis: “Every baptized person has a mission”

On March 8, 2023, Pope Francis discussed Evangelization in Vatican City, saying, “Every baptized person, whatever his position in the Church or level of education in the faith, is an active subject of evangelization.” The Holy Father also said that every baptized Catholic has a mission to proclaim the Gospel. For the vast majority of Catholics, that seems to be a pretty tall order. Why? Because we are not sure how to evangelize and may even be afraid to try.

Imagine we Catholics are a football team. Our “head coach” would be Pope Francis and he would have a huge and experienced coaching staff in place. It would consist of many priests and bishops. The head coach would need these assistant coaches, because the Catholic Church has members (players) all over the world. The vast majority of players need guidance in being taught the faith, practicing the faith, and, of course, in spreading the faith. That part includes evangelization. Teaching their players is the job of the coaches.

 

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen—the greatest Evangelization Coach ever

Among them stands one coach who may be the most significant Catholic coach ever. This man taught over 30 million people the Catholic faith. His name is Fulton J. Sheen. He was so effective in his ministry that he is on the road to sainthood. On September 12, 2012, upon recommendation from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Benedict XVI declared Fulton Sheen a man of “heroic virtue” and elevated him to Venerable Fulton Sheen. His beatification is pending.

When I was a child, our dad tuned in to Life is Worth Living every Sunday evening with Bishop (he was not an Archbishop yet) Sheen. Dad loved this show, and we all sat on the floor, “quietly” watching with him. Truth be known, even though I was only a youngster, I liked the show. Something was mesmerizing about listening to and seeing Bishop Sheen.

 

Bishop Sheen once said, “I am worried about America—I am worried about her soul.”

Bishop Sheen had a big blackboard he used as he taught the viewing class. Without fail, the first thing he always did was draw a small cross on the top of the board and write the letters JMJ (representing Jesus, Mary, Joseph) under it. Then, the lesson would begin. The following quote from close to 60 years ago harbors a profound insight from the great Catholic teacher.

I am worried about America! I am not so much worried about its politics and economics, important though they be: I am worried about its soul. After all, politics and economics are determined by the sense of values which underlies them.

Bishop Sheen surely knew his business.

Maybe it is time we not only worry about our nation’s soul but maybe it is time to actually do something about it. Maybe we all need to somehow find our own way to stand up and follow the Holy Father’s admonition to Evangelize so as to help save its soul.

We have all witnessed over the years the destruction and heartache caused by floods from hurricanes such as Katrina in 2005, Andrew in 1992, Maria in 2017, and Ian in 2022. These are awful occurrences, but we all try to help by either going to those places to give hands-on assistance or sending money and food. Many of us, especially the elderly and homebound, simply pray.

 

Are we to be simply bystanders as our religious freedoms are stripped away?

But are we, the people of faith, doing our best to stem the flood waters of secularism pouring into our American life and smashing down the doors of religious freedoms? Are we just bystanders as the very spirituality that is the foundation of all our freedoms is slowly stripped away? Piece by piece they are being packed up and stuffed into the storage bin of what once was. Are we so concerned with not offending someone that we do not defend this great gift of faith with which we have been blessed?

I believe that for us, the “players” on the Catholic team, it starts with the priest, the pastor of our parish. He is our local Catholic coach. We need him to validate our game plan. He has the bully pulpit where he can stand before his congregation (team) and proselytize however he wants. If he has assistant priest(s) assigned to the parish, he can give them his game plan for the week.

 

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We need to be given an evangelizing game plan from our spiritual coaches

Sunday Mass would be an excellent time for a priest to give his flock some guidance. Most of the time, we hear about the Bible readings for the day. Rarely, if ever, are the issues facing us outside the church doors mentioned: abortion, LGBTQ issues, gay marriage, the woke agenda, euthanasia, drug use, obeying the Ten Commandments, and so on. These issues face the average Catholic/Christian the world over on a daily basis. We need an evangelizing game plan from our coaches. How should we defend our side of the field? And, can it be done without offending someone?

If we, the faithful, attend Church one hour a week, that leaves 167 hours (or the rest of the week) outside the Church. The problem is that by the time most of us leave the Church, we barely remember what the homily was about.  Our coach’s fifteen-minute talk was more “blah-blah-blah” than “fight-fight-fight!” Heeding the Gospel lesson should be like following the game plan we have just been given. We had better stop taking our faith for granted. Leaving church is like the opening kickoff. Game on!

 

The coaches should mention the rules of the game—OFTEN.

They can do much more to clarify Church teaching about marriage, family values, birth control, cohabitation, and contraception. We, the lambs, need to be guided by our shepherds. I believe the flock needs to hear about these topics, starting with the game plan presented on Sunday. The secular world we confront is a daunting foe.

And what about the Holy Eucharist and the Mass? It is said (Pew Research) that 70% of Catholics do NOT believe in the Real Presence. Fortunately, the Church has initiated a Eucharistic Revival that began in 2022 and will end in 2024.This is a great thing that is happening and parishes all around the world are participating in this revival.

We, in the pews, need to hear it from the pulpits. Then we need some guidance on methods of evangelization. When, where, how, with whom? How can we be lone evangelizers? Alone, we can always be setting Christian examples by giving a smile to someone passing by, saying hello to a stranger, opening a door for someone, giving some money to a person in need, or saying grace publicly in a restaurant. Those things can be our evangelizing warmups. From there we can advance toward becoming Christ-like.

 

The Greatest Commandment: know it by heart

The Ten Commandments (also known as the Decalogue) were given by Almighty God to a Hebrew man named Moses. He in turn handed them over to the Hebrew nation. These same commandments were embraced by Christ Himself and used as part of the cornerstone of His new Church. They still are the basic rules given to us to live by. But in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus simplified the Ten Commandments. We can go to Luke 10:25-28. This is when Jesus gives us the Greatest Commandment. He is asked by a scholar,

“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:25b-28)

Yes, our foremost Catholic roots come from a Hebrew man who was personally given them by God. Our Catholic roots come from Judaism. Our Catholic faith comes from Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And he was Jewish. We are all joined together in perpetuity.

In the 21st century they are described in detail in the Catechism of the Catholic Church beginning with paragraph 2052. (If you do not have a Catechism, you should get one—they are available at all Catholic bookstores and also online.) The world of the secularist frowns on the Ten Commandments. Why? It has a lot of “Thou shalt NOTs” in it and many people think that they should never ever be told what or what not to do.

Time to spread the Good News

I think most Catholics today would defend their faith and evangelize, but just do not know how to do it. My method of being a lone evangelizer is via social media. How many of you use Facebook and/or X (Twitter)? How about Linkedin or Pinterest? Youtube? Snapchat? Tumblr? Instagram? Jump on and spread the Good News. We all can be evangelists right from our own homes. How easy is that? Or is it? You may lose some friends. I have for sure. I have also gained some. I have also been removed from sites a few times.

You know, following Christ was never supposed to be easy and Satan and his people are a formidable foe. I, for one, think we need a more aggressive game plan.

©Larry Peterson 2023, All Rights Reserved
Image: Pexels

 

Giving Back to the Giver

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Giving Back to the Giver

We tend to think of our lives as entirely our own, to do with completely as we please, but they’re not. Our lives are a total gift from God, given to us out of God’s love for us, out of God’s desire to share his life with us. “Already to exist is a work of love!”[1] The fact that you’re here, that you’re alive, is, in itself, a sign of God’s love for you. You didn’t have to exist; innumerable others could have existed in your place. But God chose you. God chose to give you the gift of life, to offer you a share in the divine life. God chose you for a unique place within the Body of Christ. God chose you for a unique mission of love within the Body of Christ, a mission that no one else can fulfill.

Surrendering your life to God is then, in reality, merely offering back to God, in gratitude, the gift that you have already been given. Surrendering your life to God is an acknowledgment of that gift, and an offer to allow God to use your life in whatever way God wills for the good of the rest of the Body of Christ. To surrender your life to God is to offer yourself as a channel, a conduit, for the divine love.

Surrendering your life and your heart to God can begin right now, today, with a simple prayer. Maybe something like the following, or something similar, expressed in your own words:

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my life. I give my life back to you in love and gratitude for that gift. Do with my life as you will. Use me as your instrument in the world. Help me to see and fulfill the mission of love you have planned for me.

Learning to completely surrender our lives and our hearts to God is actually a lifelong process. We may sometimes feel the gravitational pull of our egos, seeking to draw us back into our old self-centered ways, away from God and our mission of love. That’s why it’s good to pray some version of this prayer of surrender on a regular basis: as a repeated expression of our love for God, as an ongoing request for God’s guidance and grace, and as a reminder to ourselves of the commitment that we have made to God and to our God-given mission.

[1] Hans Urs von Balthasar, Heart of the World. Translated by Erasmo S. Leiva. San Francisco: Ignatius, 1979, 26-27.

* This article is an excerpt from Rick’s latest book, The Book of Love: Brief Meditations (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVSXX6P9/)

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Copyright 2023 Rick Clements

Cath-Lit Live: Single Truth by Annie Harton

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Cath-Lit Live: Single Truth by Annie Harton

 

“Cath-Lit Live!” features brief interviews with Catholic authors who are releasing new books. Hosted by Catholic author and speaker Amy J. Cattapan, “Cath-Lit Live!” gives viewers a glimpse into the latest Catholic books while getting to know a bit about the author as well.

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Single Truth: You Are More Than Your Relationship Status by Annie Harton

Single Truth is written from the heart of a marriage counselor who shares her story of longing, heartache, and adventure as a single woman in her 30’s. Two years following an excruciating breakup with her first love, she committed to a year-long dating fast to dive deeper into her personal relationship with God, confront her deepest fears, and learn to embrace her season of singleness.

This book will help you to:

  • Experience a love that is free, faithful, and fruitful
  • Discover your true identity in Christ
  • Accept the gift of the present moment

Annie Harton provides a refreshing perspective on singleness as she integrates her personal experience with her background in theology and psychology. She learned the hard way to not let her relationship status define her. Join her on a journey of getting unstuck and thriving in the tension of “ready—but not yet.”

 

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About the author:

Annie Harton is a proud alumna of Saint Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and speaker. Her book Single Truth inspired her to start a business called You Are More. She specializes in helping singles and couples explore how they’re more than their diagnoses, their pasts, their jobs, and their relationship statuses; while also reminding them that God is more than any problem they bring Him.

 

 

You can catch “Cath-Lit Live” live on A.J. Cattapan’s author Facebook page. Recorded versions of the show will also be available to watch later on her YouTube channel and Instagram.

 

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Copyright 2023 Amy J. Cattapan
Banner image via Pexels

Should I Continue On as A Writer?

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 Should I Continue On as A Writer?

It’s very tempting to quit the writing business. If some of your books are not selling very well, whether they are traditionally published or self-published, it could affect your attitude. I saw an episode a couple of nights ago of the well-known television series The Waltons that focused on this topic.

John Boy (the main character) was a writer. He wrote a novel about World War 2. He mailed his manuscript to his editor, who lived in New York. A few weeks later, John Boy traveled to New York. He discovered his novel had been rejected because it was very similar to the other books selling on the market.

The editor advised John Boy to write something new. John Boy got really

upset about the rejection. He had hoped his book would be accepted because he needed money to support himself. His attitude affected not only himself but his work, family, and friends. He admitted to his editor that he wanted to quit the writing business.

Did he quit? Well, you will have to watch the episode and find out! My point is that it’s normal for any writer to have writer’s block or to feel down about their work. Even the most experienced writer will have moments when their story is not going very well or it is not getting the approval from readers that they were hoping for.

One writer said on his website that he reads not just the positive reviews of his work but also the negative reviews. Why is he doing this? He wants to learn from his mistakes and make the next book better.

Writing is not an easy career. Most new writers assume that they will become famous overnight. Wrong! One thing that bothers me is that some movies and television shows often show new writers as instant successes.

They make the audience believe that editors always accept new writers on the spot. It’s true that they do sometimes accept new writers, especially if a new story fits their guidelines and message that they want to pass down to future readers.

So don’t be discouraged if your book is not selling well. And most important of all, don’t compare yourself to other writers! Each writer has his or her own unique gifts and qualities.

Keep on writing! Don’t let your book get you down! Put your trust in the Lord; he will take care of you.

Copyright 2023 Angela Lano

Book Review: Dining with the Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to a Righteous Feast

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Review: Dining with the Saints:

The Sinner’s Guide to a Righteous Feast

Viewers of the long-running tv drama, Blue Bloods, have created a popular culture undercurrent of anticipation for the program’s Sunday supper scenes. In it, four generations of Reagans, New York-based Irish American Catholics dedicated to law and service, gather to pray, argue, commiserate, laugh, and reminisce over a family-prepared meal. There, they remind one another from whence and whom they came and where they are going. The elders, Gramps and Dad, preside from each end of the dining table like two Solomons, maintaining order and reason. Regardless of the strife and animosity that may have come between siblings or parent and child during the week, they now sit for a meal among kin. All ages participate in an unspoken understanding that the place is sacred and together they join in a reverent act.

What the fictional Reagans play out exemplifies “theology of food,” the concept behind Fr. Leo Patalinghug’s ministry, Plating Grace. In Dining with the Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to a Righteous Feast, he and co-author, Michael P. Foley, help diners create their own family altar and a feast for the body, mind, and spirit that recalls Psalm 34:8: “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” Countless studies have documented increased depression, loneliness, and poor health habits in this country. We are paying for the lack of tradition, family, and faith. Twenty-first century Americans starve not only for nutritious meals but an “encounter experience” with one another. The authors are keenly aware that the canceling of thanking God for His gifts and sacrifices, for which we hunger, and asking Him to bless our meals before digging in leaves a void within. “We fear that the loss of the family dinner will also have a bad effect on the very source and summit of our worship (page x).”

More than a cookbook, Dining with the Saints provides a framework upon which folks may fortify their bodies, relationships with one another, and with God. The volume packs ideas for meals, conversation, and prayer in its 353 pages. Most of the 140 recipes, designed by Fr. Leo to be tasty, convenient, and nutritious, require few ingredients and little prep and cook time to afford a nourishing homemade repast.

Father Leo is known for his affability and humor. His experiences include penning the book Saving the Family and Spicing Up Married Life, an EWTN cooking show, and a memorable “beat down” of Bobby Flay on the Food Network, all of which showcase the means and methods by which he evangelizes. His fans will want this latest. This work, however, is just as much Mr. Foley’s. The hardcover’s title, clever cover design, and organization all parallel his other books, Drinking with the Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to a Holy Happy Hour and the smaller Drinking with your Patron Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to Honoring Namesakes and Protectors. The Baylor University professor with expertise in the early church, charmingly and theologically contributes Food for Thought portions and saints and seasons and with the recipes. “Whenever possible, Dining with the Saints presents what a saint actually ate or a piece of advice he or she gave about eating and drinking.” (page x). Mr. Foley’s knowledge of hagiography (the lives of the saints) presents some twists and turns, even for saint devotees.

It’s well known that St. Padre Pio bore the stigmata, but how many could correctly name his favorite vegetable or how it reflects of his personality? Another curiosity is the Chicken Tikka Masala (April 21) that many would assume would be attributed St. Thomas who was “hailed as the apostle of India,” but not so. That honor goes to Italian-born St. Anselm. For our Doubting Thomas, the authors chose a German sweet bread, Saint Thomas’s Kletzenbrot (Dec. 21). Some dishes have rather straightforward names such as Angel Food Cupcakes (Oct. 2, Feast of Guardian Angels), but the intriguing gelatin mold made with fresh raspberries may be lost for the evening’s dessert because it’s called Blancmange (December 29, Feast of the Holy Innocents). Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of Jesus Christ (Feb. 2), offers the ever-delectable Lemon Meringue Pie.

The authors deliver a delightful glimpse into Catholic church past using the 1962 Roman calendar which has more feast days, many unknown to post-Vatican II generations. Even the most catechized Catholic will appreciate discovering some long-forgotten days, such as Drunkard’s Thursday and Quinquagesima Sunday. Part One of the book ties recipe selections with the Feasts of Saints calendar. Part Two addresses the Liturgical Seasons. A five-page reference shows a side-by-side comparison of the “new” date with the traditional. A practical index based on course or main ingredient helps the culinarian find a recipe more quickly. The authors, however, encourage preparing the dishes any time. Enjoy the savory Sausage with Onion Gravy dedicated to Gregory the Great on the “old” date of March 12, the “new” date of September 3, or whenever the occasion fits. St. Gregory’s Food for Thought reminds that “evangelizing requires fellowship with people . . .becoming a part of other people’s lives. . . . Breaking bread together creates a sense of communion . . .” (page 40).  Share it with those close to you and those you want to know. Download some Gregorian chants and enjoy food, fellowship, and God’s blessings upon you.

Copyright 2023 Mary McWilliams
Images and quotes used with permission, copyright 2023, Regency House

ANGELS AND DOWNTURNS

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ANGELS AND DOWNTURNS

The sound of anxious footsteps made me jolt awake.  My wife whizzed past the living room couch I had been sleeping on ever since that horrible night, heading into the kitchen. The morning sun peered in through our windows. The sound of coffee pouring into my wife’s mug from the kitchen Keurig machine filled the air, and she appeared back in the living room.

“Since you’re gonna be home today, you’ll have to drop AJ’s medication off at his school,” she whispered curtly.

“Fine,” I muttered.

“Have a good day.”  With that, she blew me a half-hearted kiss and walked out to her car.

I shook my head.  Gosh, is she ever gonna forgive me for losing my job?

After I dropped my son’s medication off with the school nurse, I walked back to my car, and an idea dawned on me. St. Frances de Chantal Roman Catholic Church was nearby.  I hadn’t been to that particular church in a while and wanted to stop in.

It was Lent.  A crown of thorns rested on a table in front of me.  Off to the side, a man was praying the Stations of the Cross. I surveyed the crown of thorns, negative thoughts filling my head. How could I let this happen? Boy, I felt like a failure. How long before I would find another job? As anger swelled within me, I picked up the crown of thorns. Studying it briefly in my hands, I wanted to put it on my head and hurt myself.

“Hey!” the man praying the Stations of the Cross whispered angrily.

I turned to him, and he was now glaring at me.

“Put that crown of thorns down!”

I defensively held my hands up and said, “I’m sorry.  Here.” I replaced the crown of thorns on the table.

The man charged toward me. He was built like a football player. Tattoos covered his meaty arms. “Don’t disrespect my Lord!”

My body trembled. “I wasn’t trying to,” I said, my voice cracking. “Honestly. Please, don’t get crazy.”

“I’m not crazy!” he argued.

“Okay,” I said, pivoting on my heel, “I’ll leave now.”

I started toward the exit. So much for quiet reflection in a different church.

“Wait!”

I paused and turned toward the man.

“I’m sorry,” he pleaded, his face now displaying a contrite smile.  “I didn’t mean to get like that. I have an aggressive personality sometimes. I’m just very protective when it comes to God. Can you forgive me?”

 “Of course,” I said, my awkwardness melting away. “And I wasn’t gonna walk out with that crown of thorns. Honestly. Can you forgive me?”

The man chuckled.  “I just did.  Can I just ask what you were doing, though?”

I mentioned my job loss, the anger I felt toward myself, the impulse to inflict bodily harm on myself.

“Do you wanna talk?” he asked, compassion in his eyes.

“Sure.  I’m Jeff, by the way.”

“I’m Justin.”

We shook hands and sat in one of the pews.

At first, we engaged in small talk. About my former career in the financial industry. About his twenty years with the New York City Fire Department. About my children’s autism. About his grown daughters and toddler grandsons. Then Justin revealed that he was a full-time demonologist. It was ironic how he had made a living putting out physical fires. Now he was putting out spiritual ones!

Our conversation progressed to a deeper level.  For the next ninety minutes, Justin shared details with me about God. About Jesus. About the Blessed Mother. Even about angels. And the devil. In fact, one of his tattoos was of Our Lady of Fatima. It was a wonder how such a macho man could have such a soft spot for the Virgin Mary. That intrigued me, but I was more impressed with the knowledge he bestowed on me. He revealed that when Peter denied Jesus three times, he was denying each of the Three Persons in the One God. He mentioned that when we die, Jesus will judge us from the Cross. He discussed the differences between Novus Ordo and the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass. And several other things, too.

As Justin talked, I appreciated that he forgave me enough to want to give me all this knowledge about our faith. He even encouraged me to consider my job loss a cross to carry during this Lenten season.

After our conversation, Justin walked me out, a bigger smile on his face this time. He grabbed me in a bear hug, and we went our separate ways.

For months after that chance encounter, I considered myself lucky. Had I still been at that miserable job getting screamed at by that tyrannical lady, I would not have dropped my son’s medication off and then stopped into that church. That conversation with Justin would never have taken place, and I would not have made a new friend.

Justin had been my angel that day, and in addition to everything that I learned from him, I realized that I needed to ignore the misconception that all angels are feminine and gentle. I learned that they can also be rough around the edges at times. But whether they are soft and delicate or rough and challenging, all angels serve the same purpose – to bring us closer to God.

 

©Copyright by Michael C. Vassallo

Image by lbrownstone from Pixabay

Hand It Over

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Hand It Over

To give the gift of self to God in love is to entrust our lives to God, to hand our lives completely over to God. Unfortunately, many of us find this to be rather difficult to do. If God has given us the gift of himself, the gift of his heart, in Jesus Christ, why are we so reluctant to respond with our own gift of self in return? There can, of course, be many reasons, but one of the main reasons is control. We want to be in control of our lives. But to give the gift of self in love requires that we give up some of that control. In fact, we have to be willing to surrender ourselves to the beloved.

Admittedly, the concept of “surrender” often carries with it some negative connotations—connotations like defeat, failure, weakness, etc. But nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to “surrender” in the context of love. Loving self-surrender is a sign of strength, not weakness. Loving self-surrender is actually the ultimate exercise of one’s power over one’s own life. Which requires more strength: to cling to one’s ego throughout a life lived in the self-centered pursuit of pleasure, power, status, etc., or to give one’s self away in love? As André Gide once observed, “Complete possession is proved only by giving. All you are unable to give possesses you.” To cling to one’s self is to be enslaved to the self, to be at the mercy of the self’s whims and desires, to be imprisoned within the walls of one’s ego. In contrast, to give one’s self away in love is, paradoxically, to be in full possession of one’s self, breaking out of the dungeon of the ego and into the infinite spaces of the divine love.

Still, the prospect of giving oneself away in love to another, even to God (and for some of us, especially to God), can be frightening for many of us. What would God do with my heart? What would God demand of me? What would my life be like if I handed myself over to God?

Well, in a word…better. Surrendering your heart to God makes your life better because surrendering your heart to God aligns you with the purpose for which you were made. You were made for union with God and your fellow human beings. You were made to share in the divine life of love forever. But to be able to flow within the Body of Christ, you have to be willing to let go of some control over your life. You have to be willing to let go and love. You have to be willing to hand your life over to God.

Copyright 2023 Rick Clements

* This article is an excerpt from Rick’s latest book, The Book of Love: Brief Meditations

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Cath-Lit Live: Becoming Wife by Rachel Bulman

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Cath-Lit Live: Becoming Wife by Rachel Bulman

“Cath-Lit Live!” features brief interviews with Catholic authors who are releasing new books. Hosted by Catholic author and speaker Amy J. Cattapan, “Cath-Lit Live!” gives viewers a glimpse into the latest Catholic books while getting to know a bit about the author as well.

 

 

Becoming Wife: Saying Yes to More Than the Dress by Rachel Bulman

Whether you are preparing to be or are already a wife, you likely are immersed in the external reality of marriage. But being wife is so much more: It’s a call to holiness and a vocation of incredible significance. Becoming Wife explores what it means for a woman to fulfill this vocation. Catholic wife, mother, speaker, and author Rachel Bulman shares – like a friend over a cup of coffee – how being a wife is at once a calling and a purpose. The more a wife makes herself a gift to her husband, to her children, and to the world, the more she inevitably becomes the person God created her to be. She becomes more wife, more woman, more Christian. Thus, she fulfills her identity as a daughter of God and cultivates the soil from which her motherhood comes to fruition. By exploring the life of the Blessed Mother and the guidance of great minds in the Church, like Saint John Paul II and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, this book unwraps the gift of becoming a wife and what it means to make a “total gift” of oneself through matrimony. 

 

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About the author: Rachel Bulman is a lover of humanity, especially her husband and six children. A national speaker and author, she also appears with her family in the show Meet the Bulmans, currently airing on the Word on Fire Institute’s YouTube channel. She serves on the advisory board of The GIVEN Institute and frequently gives talks at retreats, conferences, and other gatherings. In her spare time, she enjoys reading a good book, lifting weights, and perfecting her Old Fashioned cocktail recipe. 

 

 

You can catch “Cath-Lit Live” live on A.J. Cattapan’s author Facebook page. Recorded versions of the show will also be available to watch later on her YouTube channel and Instagram.

 

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Copyright 2023 Amy J. Cattapan
Banner image via Pexels

Learning a New Language

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Learning a New Language

Do you want to learn a new language?

Learning a new language can be a lot of fun. You can learn new words, phrases, and sentences. You can challenge yourself each day by setting up little routines in your daily schedule to help you in your language learning process.

Use flashcards

Flashcards can be a way for someone to learn a new language. Writing down a word or a sentence on a blank sheet of paper reinforces the pronunciation to come alive in your mind. If you mess up one time on the flashcard, don’t worry. Rewrite the word over again on another small piece of paper.

Say the word out loud

Saying the word out loud also helps your brain to think more about pronunciation. If a word or sentence seems difficult to you at the time, put it away in a separate pile for a while. Come back to it later when you want to try again.

Find a website

There are many language learning websites out there. Some of them have really good monthly prices. Pick a website that is within your budget.

Don’t overwhelm yourself

It’s tempting for people to go back and forth between two or three languages at once. Don’t do this! I made this mistake when I was getting started with learning a new language.

Pick a language that you really want to learn. Don’t pick one just because a friend or a family member suggested it.

If you are still having trouble deciding what language to learn, pray about it: ask God to give you wisdom about which one interests you the most. If, for some reason, a particular language keeps on coming back to you, like sign language, for example, that could be a sign, you should stick with that language.

Practice makes perfect

Just like we are more likely to stick with a prayer routine if we are consistent with it, the same is true for language learning. Pick a certain time during the day to work on your language skills. For some people, the morning will be best; for others, it might be the evening. Go to another part of the house so that you aren’t disturbing friends or family members.

If you are traveling, try sticking with your little routine. You can say what you know out loud in the car while your spouse or another family member is driving. If you skip a couple of days or a week during your vacation, don’t worry. You can come back to it again after you are done with your trip.

Copyright 2023 Angela Lano

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