Welcome to the Desert

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." – Mark 1:15

Hello Catholic friends! Guess what? During the month of February my blog turns a year old. Wow! I can't believe I've been doing this for a year now. I started blogging for Lent last year and never knew it would become more then just a few posts. I'm so happy to continue writing on here and to share my thoughts with each one of you. Thank you for supporting me with your love and prayers over the last year. For this, I am truly grateful!

So as you know today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Today Catholics around the world attend Mass and receive ashes on their forehead in the shape of a cross. This symbol is a reflection of our sinfulness and our willingness to change those sinful ways. During Lent we are given the opportunity to fast and grow in our faith by doing charitable deeds for others. As we enter into the desert we should be open to the Holy Spirit for direction and guidance. With His love we can endure whatever hardships our brought our way.

As we step out into the desert this year Catholics are faced with a shocking surprise. Pope Benedict XVI has stated that he will be resigning from the papacy on February 28, 2013. His announcement on Monday caught everyone off guard. He said his decision to resign was due to the fact that his age has made it hard to adequately fulfill the duties entrusted to him. Although I am sadden by this shocking news, I believe it is a good decision on his part. Since the Holy Father didn't feel he could actively lead the Church anymore I think someone who can should step up and take on those responsibilities.

Pope Benedict realizes that the Church needs someone a bit younger and healthier to fulfill the obligation as Pope. This is a very humble act. Even though Pope John Paul II suffered to the very end during his pontificate, demonstrating loyalty and compassion for the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict has shown us a different approach. Instead of waiting until it gets to that point, he has humbly decided to remove himself so another can lead his beloved Church in the way it should be led. I believe he is showing us a great love for his fellow Catholics by doing this. It is sad to see all of the attacks on him in the media when the Holy See is only trying to do what is best for the Church. So let us continue to pray for Pope Benedict XVI and his future successor with whatever may happen in the days to come.

As we journey our way through Lent, walking alone in the desert, we realize as Catholics that we will soon be heading along that path ahead without a Pope. Until the Cardinal conclave can determine who will fill the seat of St. Peter, we will be living in a transitional period. I can imagine the Catholic Church will be attacked even more in the media during the selection of the new pontiff. That is why we must pray for God's Holy Will in this decision making. Let us lift up our Lenten offering with a loving heart for the new Pope. I just hope and pray we will have a great leader who will serve our Church as best he can in both good and bad times.

Maybe we will even have a new Pope by Easter! Although this decision is crucial and shouldn't be made in a hasty manner, it would be wonderful to celebrate Christ's Resurrection with a new member of the papal household.

         

Feeling The Weight Of The Cross

"Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'" - Luke 9:23

Reflecting on Jesus' passion, this Lent, I have come to feel the pain and the weight of the cross in a much deeper way through sacrifice and prayer. I decided to give up Facebook for Lent so I could utilize this time to be with God instead. After spending a lot of time away from Facebook I realized how much more time I really do have for God and my schoolwork. So, during my Lenten prayers, I have been praying a 54-day-rosary novena for a beloved friend of mine. (Because this novena is 54-days it will continue for a little while after Lent.) It is said to be miraculous! Therefore, I fully trust in the Blessed Mother's miraculous intercession, before the throne of God, with my earnest petition.

Even though this wonderful novena has been a very joyous and peaceful experience it has also made me feel the weight of the cross so much so that it is very hard to bare. You see, the reason why I am praying for my friend is because he has lost his way and is in a really dark place right now -- even though he cannot see it himself. He used to have faith, and at one point wanted to be a holy, Christian person ...but somehow he lost it along the way with brokenness in his family. I really do care for him, so I have devoted my prayers for his conversion and openness to Jesus. I absolutely know that my prayers will not go unanswered... I'm just not sure how God is planning on answering them and when. But I do not doubt because I have faith.

However, I feel the cross most when I am with my friend and I see no sign of him turning to Christ. It truly hurts my heart. Some days are better then others. Every once in a while he will start randomly asking me questions about the Catholic faith, and I feel very much hopeful -- seeing that he has peaked an interest and curiosity. Nevertheless, many days are not like this. He closes off his mind and heart to accepting God. That is when it is really hard to keep the faith and continue day after day with the prayer.

I truly understand the power of God and know that He will come through in some extraordinary way! It is just very hard to see right now. But I am willing to wait on the Lord for His answer and His Will with patience, hope, and love. From past experiences I know God is capable of doing impossible things. He rewards those who seek Him and trust in Him fully. That is why when I feel the most weak under this cross, as if I'm about to fall, giving up, I ask God for His strength to keep going and keep persevering in prayer for a miracle. Just like Jesus fell several times on the way to His death we must get back up and continue forward. Because, after all, the resurrection of Christ always follows the death. It is just in these moments of sorrow we must find the patience and courage to surrender to God's Will, partaking in the cross of Christ, daily. For in the glorious resurrection we find the most joy! So continuing day after day to take up your cross in prayer and sacrifice will only find you a most rewarding Easter celebration when God's proper time is made known and exalted.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

Way of the Cross

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." – John 3:16

Today I went to the Stations of the Cross with my family after school. While meditating on the Passion of Our Lord I felt so much pain for what the sins of this world did to our Savior. My heart ached at the thought of my own sins causing Him such a tragic death with so much suffering. Yet I felt joy at the thought of God's mercy and infinite love for us that is so real, holy, pure, true, and divine. No other love can compare to the love of God. He gave up His own life so that we may live.

Recalling my trip to Medjugorje, in 2010, I remember climbing the Cross Mountain with my family and friends. As we climbed up we reflected on each station along the way. While climbing this mountain, which is very rocky, I thought about Jesus carrying His own cross up to Calvary. With every step I felt more tired and exhausted, but I knew this was nothing compared to the agony Christ endured for us. Along the way, pausing at each station, I felt a very strong physical and emotional connection to His Passion. No words can describe the feeling when we got to the very top—seeing the huge, beautiful white cross. It was a glorious sight and a rewarding experience!

During this Lenten Season let us reflect on the Passion of our Lord as written by St. Alphonsus Liguori with this prayer:

My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the sufferings You have destined for me until death. I beg You, by all You suffered in carrying Your cross, to help me carry mine with Your perfect peace and resignation. I love You, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended You. Never let me separate myself from You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me as You will. Amen.