Watching charity adapt itself to everyone…

Yesterday was Friday — a day when St. Augustine Catholic Church and Student Center has adoration from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., then Benediction and Mass. I prayed. I prayed the good fight prayer. I call it “the good fight prayer,” because I believe I’m fighting the good fight through my conversations with the Lord, the Holy Spirit and with Abba, the Father.

I humbled myself to Him. “Lord, am I right or wrong?” I asked. He answered me. “It’s not a matter of right or wrong.” I questioned the answer, and took a step further. “Then, what is it? Please Lord, tell me what I need to do?” I waited, and can only share with you, the reader, that I was given to wait — that the answer would soon come.

Waiting for the storm to pass, both figuratively and realistically.

Mass started...

The priest preached on the oil of the five virgins who were late for their Master’s arrival. When they knocked on the door, he told them to go away, that he did not know who they were. That’s because they lacked virtue. In their laziness, they neglected to bring with them enough oil to light their lamps — oil was representative of virtue.

Here we are...

I asked my Lord. I got a partial answer and was told to wait for the rest. I heard a sermon on the importance of virtue, and then I went home. I tuned into YouTube — as I’ve been doing for a few weeks — to listen to Bishop Fulton Sheen. The segment was on “Old Pots.” He quoted a passage from the Old Testament. Jeremiah 18: 1-6

“This word came to Jeremiah from the Lord. ‘Rise up and be off to the potter’s house. There I will give you a message.’ I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay, which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the Word of the Lord came to me: ‘Can I not do to you, house of Isreal, as the potter has done?’ says the Lord. ‘Indeed, like clay in the hands of the potter, so you are in my hand, house of Israel.'”

I understood that God is molding me into something new. Something that I am unaccustomed to. Something, that with God’s help, may, by His grace, turn out more pleasing to Him. I’m sure I have far to go.

What happened to me today…

Today I went to Holy Faith Catholic Church to view the movie “Breakthrough.” I cried from the beginning of the movie, all the way through to the end. Tears flowed, I think, because I was watching the Power of Prayer, in an indescribable journey from death, back to life, and all because of the incredible power of prayer.

I went into the church and cried to Our Lord. “Abba, please help me. Give me your will. Help me to follow it, in a definitive way, so that I may bring you the virtues I need to make my life a more living proof of your love.”

I had with me, the book, “Divine Intimacy.” I read the chapter on The Good Samaritan. Lines that stuck out to me were, on page 796. “There is not true religion without charity toward our neighbor, and above all toward a suffering neighbor.”

In another paragraph: “Unfortunately, even among Christians, there are found devout persons who are scrupulous about omitting a single exercise of piety but have no hesitation about abandoning those who suffer. They have not grasped the real inner meaning of religion, but have stopped at the exterior practices.”

And, in yet another paragraph, “…my God, help me to forget myself for others, and if need be, even give up my life as did many martyrs.”

And lastly, “O Christ, sweet Jesus, give me this holy charity, that I may persevere in doing good and never give it up…” Then came my one true final answer.

Ask everyone you know to pray for Father Marek!

At that moment, a women I’d known for years walked by and gave me a hug. She asked how I was and when she saw tears flowing she realized something was wrong. I asked her to pray for Father Marek and she said she would.

I was the last one to enter the confessional. I pulled the chair out some and said to Father John Phillips, “First time, Father.” I gave up all my sins and received absolution and penance. I prayed the Act of Contrition. Then, I told him the events of the last two days. I asked if he believed this was the word and work of God and he said yes. He responded, “Sometimes when we ask for an answer, it doesn’t seem to come across as what we are expecting.” I asked him to pray for Father Marek, and he said he would.

After Mass, another women passed me by who knows me. I asked her to pray as well, and she said she would. And here I put out a plea to all who read this blog entry. Please everyone, please pray the good fight prayer for Father Marek. I know God is listening to these prayers and will war on our side. Thank you and God Bless you Abundantly.

Peace!

Out into the deep…

I snapped this photo while on a ferry, with my dog, Buddy, in Newfoundland. These are fjords –not technically because the water was formed out of salt marsh, instead of the sea, but close enough.

Today is/was Sunday, and back to the Latin Mass I go. (I went, yesterday because in reality, it’s 12:07 a.m., so it’s technically Monday now. But yes. I drove to Ocala, an hour’s drive, to hear the Lord speak to me in Latin.

And, God did not disappoint! During Communion, I prayed the good prayer, an honest and open plea for God to speak to me. And this is what He said.

“Set out into the deep!“

Luke, 5:4
Into the deep. I snapped this photo while on a ship, crossing over the deep from Prince Edward Island to Newfoundland, by Ferry, in 2017, during a self-directed pilgrimage.

I heard it loud and clear — it sort of goes along with a recent voice that said to me, “Teach my children.” I looked up the meaning of the phrase, “Set out into the deep,” on Google, and it basically said that we are to “Evangelize.” According to the Website, Catholic Reflections, we are to make it our mission. Here’s the exact quote:

“This passage is not only about the physical miracle of catching fish; rather, it’s much more about the mission of evangelizing souls and accomplishing the mission of God.  And the symbolism of putting out into the deep water tells us that we must be all in and fully committed if we are to evangelize and spread the Word of God as we are called to do. When we listen to God and act on His word, committing ourselves to His will in a radical and deep way, He will produce an abundant catch of souls.  This “catch” will come in an unexpected way at an unexpected time and will clearly be the work of God.”

On the way home, I made a quick stop at the adoration chapel in Gainesville, where I asked the Lord exactly what he wanted of me. I thought it meant something entirely different. I thought it meant to literally set out into the deep, where others dare not go. Maybe it’s the same thing. I do not know. Time will tell.

If you want to listen the priest’s sermon, about ” the deep,” click the audio. If it’s too soft, try clicking on the microphone. Also, you can probably skip to the 7-minute mark to hear the meat of the matter.

Until next time. Peace!

Transcendence: time & space forever…

I love intelligent people … people who can think for themselves and transcend the moment, and space. It’s equivalent to cyberspace and the passage of ideas from one Website to another. Time has a way of healing all wounds. And, it burdens me not, when the world spins on it’s heels and offers up a word or two and takes us to a different cyberuniverse, like Mojave_Wolf did, when he figured out I’ve created a new blog site, separate and apart from livejournal.com.

Nice going, Mojave! I can’t even tell you who he, or she, is because I haven’t figured that out yet. I guess I’ll just have to refer to him, or her, as they. So, they saw I had created a new blog (here) and read it, from smarieack.livejournal.com. Then, they responded to my comment on their blog and indicated they read my blog by quoting one of my titles from here. How cool is that?

I have another cyberspace friend, who I met on Facebook more than ten years ago — Christina. She made me a quilt for my birthday this year. Can you believe it? I still can’t get over that. Christina also read and commented on one of my entries with an exclamation point! lol Thanks, Christina.

I have a priest, who is my spiritual adviser. I just found out that he friended my pastor (who hurt me badly) and I’m waiting to speak to him about it. My friend, Jane, cautioned me to confront him about this action, since he’s supposedly advising me spiritually. I’m still waiting for him to confirm me as a friend on Facebook.

“Time, takes time,” I guess. Beware the people who will betray you.

The Jerusalem Bible says, “Fight to the death for the truth, and the Lord God will war on your side.” Ecclestasticus 4:28 I’m here to say the truth is still the truth. Of course, no one in their right mind would take that as a duel, like in the old westerns, where they kill each other. We don’t kill people. We fight til we die if necessary, for the truth. Not the other way. Only an emotionally sick person would interpret that to a whole new level of feuding.

God knows the truth. And, He will always “war” on the side of truth, love, justice and mercy.

Until next time. Peace!

Always and everywhere…

God answers my prayers.

It continually amazes me how insignificant I am, and why God always hears me, sees me and responds to my needs. Even, and especially the ones I don’t verbalize or better yet — realize. Does that ever happen to you? Please leave a comment below, if it does. I’d like to know about it — and you.

I attended the Latin Mass again, yesterday. Not simply because I have been chased away from the church in my hometown, but this time because I was “drawn” to the power of the sermon of the resident priest.

Father Bartholomew celebrated his last Mass in Ocala, on Sunday, and his sermon was more of a farewell than a homily. It didn’t surprise me that he would do this because he’s been driving to Ocala from Sarasota, for the past six years to celebrate Mass. It was what he said and how he said it that surprised me. He humbled himself from the pulpit, something that priests never do, or at least I’ve never seen it.

Father Bartholomew asked the congregation for forgiveness. He said if he has ever hurt any of us, please know that he was truly sorry. It’s all the audio (below) if you’re interested in listening. I cried all the way through, not because Father Bartholomew ever hurt me — because he didn’t. I cried for myself, and how he talked about when it’s worse if a priest sins over his flock than if the laity does it. In case you don’t already know, my pastor has hurt me terribly. And, I could personally relate to what Father Bartholomew was saying.

Here is his sermon. Give a listen. I’m sure you’ll be moved to tears…

“Nothing, nothing is as sad as sin. Nothing. And, especially the sin in a priest.” Father Bartholomew .

The Universe & everything…

“In the beginning…”

I went to lunch at the Cracker Barrel, on Wednesday. They have the best lemon pepper grilled trout, and on Wednesdays, they serve cabbage. My favorite! Standing in line, the man and his wife in front of me were (sort of) complaining, saying, “I’ve never seen it like this.” I looked at my watch. It was 12:28 p.m. “It’s the noon hour,” I answered. And, he said, “Oh, that must be what it is. I didn’t realize it.” We all chuckled, including the ladies behind me. Even though I was having hard day, I kept it to myself.

On my way home, one day, I glanced off to the side of the road and saw this. I was enamored by the yellow reflection along the far side of the water’s edge. So, I bent down and captured the little yellow flowers on this side too. Yellow, is the color of friendship.

A little conversation ensued with him, and me and one of the ladies behind me. We were all talking, I forget what it was about. Really, it was just small talk — nothing special. But, the man said something that struck me strange. I can’t even remember the context. He said, “I’m interested in learning about what’s up there, motioning with his hands, the universe, and what’s beneath the sea. That kind of stuff fascinates me.” I remember having a thought, like, I should say something. But, the moment passed. The waitress came and swept them away. He turned and said, “Well, enjoy your meal,” and then he was gone. When the waitress came to get me, I noticed they were seated at one of the front tables as we passed.

Since I was alone, my meal came and went decidedly quickly, and I was finished. But, as I was eating, I remember thinking that the Lord was trying to tell me something. Yes. That was it. I should have said, “Ask God to give you the grace to understand the universe.” And, so as I was walking out, he and his wife were still sitting there, each deeply, or not-so-deeply, engrossed in something on their iPhones. So, I leaned in and said to him what I was given in thought.

He had a look of surprise on his face. And, he thanked me as I walked away. It was a sincere look of gratitude. I turned and left, but I was struck by the moment.

Hope Undimmed (on Formed.org)…

If you have Formed, you really need to check out “Hope Undimmed,” Session 3: The Human Person — Beyond the limits of Science.

How big is the universe? When did it form? How is time counted? Does it stretch? God and Genesis — It all coincides, according to a scientist on Formed.org.

It appeared in my email box this afternoon, and I couldn’t believe it. Was God trying to tell ME something on Wednesday? I returned home from a lively lunch with my friend (Jane). Remember her, from my last blog? I watched the whole episode, but the beginning talked about the creation of the world and Genesis. You should watch it too. Very enlightening. Peace!

The Day Before…

As I said in my previous blog entry, I had gone to confession the day before. It wasn’t planned. In fact, I walked passed the confessional and saw the priest standing there alone. In my hand, I was holding a rosary I had made sometime ago, which wasn’t blessed yet. So, I asked him to bless it.

Sometimes, you just have to create. This photo was taken the day of this blog event. I was driving home and happened to catch a beautiful sunset over the horizon.

After the blessing, I told the priest I hadn’t intended to confess because I had just gone the day before. But, realizing my sin, I felt compelled to do so. Interestingly, I felt pulled by the Holy Spirit to confess that I had “cut someone off” on the way to church that very same day. I could describe what I did, but I was lost on the sin. I didn’t know what sin I’d committed.

Then, a little miracle took hold of the moment. The priest, with great attention and reverence, mentioned the word “love.” It was a sin of lack of love! I was overwhelmed by the moment and felt the love he was giving back to me for what is probably the most numerous of all our sins.

Christ tells us that we must “love one another.” How could I miss that? Was I less loving than I ever thought I was. The moment wasn’t lost on me. I made a conscious effort to look upon everyone with more love. I know it’s hard, but it’s what we have to do, everywhere, with everyone, all the time.

It’s a given…

Just as God so loved the world, so we must also love Him, and others. Good night, and good morning, sweet world.

The sins of mortals…

On my 30-mile drive home from church last night, I passed through The Real Florida. There isn’t much left of it, but what there is, is beautiful. Here’s a photo of one of my sunsets (below).

One of the few remaining farmhouses in the area. It’s a well known ranch to many of the home folk around these parts. But, if you’re traveling I-75, you’ll never see it.

God is so good, but he allows us all to have trials and struggles, you know? Once, I seriously believed, I didn’t have to worry about Satan because I knew I was filled with the Holy Spirit. Mealy-brained me thought that “once you were filled with the Holy Spirit” you didn’t have to worry about Satan anymore because the Paraclete is our protector. Then, I met (Sue). Remember her from my previous blog? Well, she brought him up one day, and filled my head with fears and questions. She said she was “reading a book about him” because she wanted to know what to look for, etc., etc.

It wasn’t long before I began to have issues with Satan myself. Interestingly, when I spoke to my long-time spiritual advisor, he said, Susan, why are you talking about Satan? Do you ever hear me talk about Satan? I said, no. But, it didn’t dispel my concerns. And, I continued to think about him. You see, in the Catholic religion, there are two kinds of sin — mortal and venial. And, I ambled along aimlessly for years, in what they call a “dry period” of spirituality, not knowing or caring about learning of sin. I just took it for granted that I knew all my faults, and I didn’t see many.

That was then.

This is now…

Ask yourself, how many Catholics commit mortal sins? I asked this to one of my confessors this morning. He didn’t didn’t give me a definitive answer. Instead, he told me a beautiful story about St. Paul, the man who wrote much of the New Testament. “Paul once asked God, ‘why are you giving me this thorn in my flesh? I’ve prayed three times for you to remove it?’ And the Lord answered, ‘My grace is enough.'” The priest said his interpretation (and that of many others) is about forgiveness. God always forgives. It didn’t immediately register in my brain, maybe because I was distressed. And, the priest knew I was distressed because I was crying. It broke my heart to go to confession this morning, because I had just gone yesterday.

My penance was to say a decade of the rosary, and to pray for people who have been long away from confession. So, I did. I was happy for this penance. I went to a pew and knelt down to pray. And, the tears kept rolling on down. I almost couldn’t stop, which is rare for me. Was I regretful? I hope so. Was I also sad for my life’s circumstance at the moment? Probably. But, that’s another story, still being played out.

For another day, another time, another place. Let’s just say it’s not presently the halcyon of what was.

Sometimes…

You just have to get off the rollercoaster ride, and ride it out with God instead. He is the only one who I KNOW loves me. It doesn’t matter what other people say, or “think” about me. God intuitively assists me in every way. Once, my own self gets off the spinning wheel, it becomes apparent that nothing else will work. That’s all for now. God Bless!

Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

Sunday, June 16, 2019, was Father’s Day, and I tip my hat to Dad, wherever you are in the universe. But, more important than Father’s Day, was the fact that this was the celebration of the Holy Trinity. And, I wanted to hear and learn more about it. So, I drove more than an hour to get to the Latin Mass, in Ocala, Florida, to witness it for the first time in 55 years.

This was my view of the first Catholic Latin Mass that I have witnessed since I was a child, maybe 10 or ll years old. The priest gave his sermon from “the pulpit,” which can be seen on the left side of the photo (above).

Since this Mass was celebrated in Latin, and the priest’s back was mostly turned to us, I couldn’t understand what he was praying. However, when he came to the pulpit he spoke to us. And, I could hear him. His sermon was simple. It was powerful, and grace-filled. I could see and hear the power of the Holy Spirit in his words. In fact, I was so enamored by his thoughts and speech that I forgot to turn on my recorder until he was halfway through.

Here is basically what he said at the beginning…

The priest began his sermon with an eloquent explanation of the five months, on the liturgical calendar, that led up to and included the feast of the Holy Trinity. He talked about the seasons of Lent and Easter, and how they officially ended on Pentecost Sunday. And, he explained how these past five months have been devoted to the time of our fasting and almsgiving (Lent) in preparation for the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday; the days after Easter to prepare for the Ascension; and the week after that, which was in preparation for, and culminated on Pentecost Sunday.  Then, he explained how the Octave of the Pentecost, which ended on the Solemnity of The Holy Trinity, was in preparation for this feast day. And, it was all simplified for me, in one easy lesson.

The priest went onto speak about how the Feast of the Holy Trinity is in some way tied to every feast day of the year. He compared the feast to the sign of the cross, and to prayer, and to the indwelling of the three persons in God. “If we condensed the one feast day into one sign,” he said, “it would be the sign of the cross.” 

About this time in the sermon, I managed to grab my phone and begin the recording, which by the way, lasted for another 18 minutes. Interestingly, the priest managed to slip in a bit about St. Bernadette, who happens to be my patron saint. She was illiterate and didn’t even know how to make the sign of the cross, so the Blessed Mother taught her how, during the first visitation. The priest reminded me that St. Bernadette once said, “It’s important to make it well.” 

Here’s a recording. I promise you’ll feel blessed.

This 18-minute audio will inspire you to live more fruitfully…