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Oh, how my hubby knows me so well. Two days ago, I received my birthday present in the mail from him. It is an authentic Byzantine Empire Bronze Cross forged sometime between the 8th and 11th centuries. It's at least over a 1,000 years old. He got it for me for many reasons: 1. Because we lived in Turkey. 2. I love old things. 3. My Faith means everything to me. Before moving to Turkey, I was so incredibly ignorant on how important Asia Minor was/is to our Catholic Faith. Literally everywhere you go, some Saint had been there: St. John, Mary, St. Paul, St. Timothy, St. Polycarp, St. Justin, St. Blaise, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, St. Nicholas, and I could go on and on. There are so many places there that are important our Christian Faith. I compare it to living in Virginia where everywhere you turn, there is a historical marker, even in parking lots, telling you about some important event. This cross was forged by some Christian long, long ago. The five circles are representative of the five wounds of Christ. What I love to think about is who wore it. What Catholic wore this around their neck in another country, another time, with another language, and a drastically different life than mine? Did they ever wonder about who would wear it after them? Could they even imagine it would be an American woman half a world away, over 1,000 years later? Probably not, because they didn't even know about the continent of North America. Jesus sent out the Apostles after His Ascension and their effort is why someone forged this cross and I'm wearing it today. The faith has been passed on. This is why, Catholic Pilgrims, it is so important for us to continue to carry the light of Christ and keep the Faith--A thousand years from now, someone will trace their faith back to us. So, be sure today, to live the Faith boldly and travel well.
My maternal grandfather lived in a small, southeast Kansas town. In his yard, he had a big garden and whenever we would go visit, he would take us on the "5 cent tour." My brother tells this story about how one time, he was walking through the tomato plants with our grandpa and our grandpa said, "You know, Michael, a tomato that you buy will never taste as good as one that you grow yourself." To which my young brother said, "I don't know, Grandpa, I think they're all gross." Our grandpa just kind of chuckled and they continued on their way. Years and years later, as my brother was driving down to southeast Kansas for our grandpa's funeral, he was thinking of that conversation. In that moment, it hit my brother that our grandpa wasn't trying to talk about the taste of tomatoes, he was trying to teach my brother about the value of hard work. I've been thinking about wisdom a lot lately and this story of my grandpa keeps popping up in my mind. When he was in the garden with my brother, he knew that he wasn't getting the point of what he said, but he didn't sit my brother down for a lecture and monologue for an hour on the importance of working hard. No, he gave a little laugh and didn't stress about it. Somehow he knew that one day it would all make sense and it did. He probably knew that one day, too, my brother would like tomatoes...and he does. My grandpa was a simple, wonderful man. He was a carpenter. He had such safe, strong hands. He wasn't college educated, he lived in a little town, he wasn't a world traveler, and yet, he had such wisdom. Much like St. Joseph, I'm sure. Jesus, too, taught in parables and while He taught, He didn't browbeat people to death. He allowed His words to penetrate and soak in and that still happens today when we read the Bible. I know that wisdom cannot be attained through noise and bombastic talk. I know this, because three men that I overwhelmingly admire and love weren't that way--my grandfather, St. Joseph, and Jesus. I hope to be more like them. Live the faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims.
Isn't this old Communion Bread mould amazing, Catholic Pilgrims? This past weekend in OCIA, the head teacher and I were teaching on the truths of the Eucharist. As I was sitting listening to Andrew teach about the miracle of the Eucharist, many thoughts were running through my head. I thought back to how the Eucharist was one of the main reasons I converted. I thought about the journey I went on to understand it and how the moment it clicked in my head, I was desperate to become Catholic. Then I thought about how nearly all professed Christians--Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic--believe in the miracles found in the Bible. Sure, there are some offshoot groups that think they are Christian but aren't because they deny Christ's divinity or the Resurrection. However, if you asked most Christians, "Do you believe that God created the world?" They would say, "Yes." Do you believe in the parting of the Red Sea? Yes Do you believe in God giving Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai? Yes Do you believe Jesus walked on water? Yes Do you believe He healed the blind, deaf, lame, and diseased? Yes Do you believe Jesus rose people from the dead, like Jairus' daughter in today's Gospel reading? Yes. Do you believe He Resurrected from the dead and ascended into Heaven? Yes Do you believe in the miracle of the Eucharist? Many would say, no. Many people have told me that the Eucharist is too much to believe in. As if believing that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity took flesh, was born a baby in manager, was crucified, and rose from the dead after three days isn't too much. That's why those things are considered miracles. They are "too much" for the natural world. Why would belief in the Eucharist be anymore "out there?" God can do anything that is not contrary to His nature and turning ordinary bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus is not contrary to His nature, nor is it impossible for Him. In fact, it is the most amazing way for Christ to truly be present to us throughout all time. "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 Jesus is always with us in a very spiritual sense, but, also, He is physically present, every day, everywhere around the world in the Eucharist. He promised to be with us and He is. Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Tuesday.
Today, I want to show you our culture's "beatitudes." Underneath our culture's, I'll put Christ's words so that you can see the contrast. Respected are the proud. (Blessed are the poor in spirit.) Admired are those that celebrate death. (Blessed are they who mourn.) Successful are those that are crass and brazen. (Blessed are the meek.) Powerful are those who believe that the ends justify the means. (Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness.) Popular are those who seek to cancel people. (Blessed are the merciful.) Satisfied are the lustful and indulgent. (Blessed are the clean of heart.) Dynamic are those that cause a scene. (Blessed are the peacemakers.) Intelligent are those that reject Christianity. (Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of the kingdom.) Now, what is going to be everybody's tendency is to look to their political opponents and start to point out all the ways they promote the culture's "beatitudes." That's going to be the tendency, but don't do it. Each side has problems and we all know it. I don't want this to be a political debate. Instead, look at yourself. Do you follow any of the world's ways over Christ's? It's hard to do, and I'll admit, I don't want to be honest about how I fail to live up to Christ's Beatitudes, but instead slip into what the culture encourages. But if your fingers itch to type about this person over here or that group over there, just pause, and reflect on yourself. We cannot fix other people or control them very well, but we can fix ourselves. It is far too easy to lay all the blame at everyone else's feet and never look within. It'll make you uncomfortable to do this and not just shift your focus on someone else; it made me uncomfortable. But, looking into our own soul and seeing where we can be better is what matters most. Have a blessed Sunday, Catholic Pilgrims.
This is a picture of the little room I go to nearly everyday for daily Mass on base. For the next two weeks, our chapel is getting new carpet installed and this means we can't have daily Mass in here. Side note: Yes, our entire chapel has carpet. It's base life, just roll with it. 😅 Anyway, on Sunday, Father had a bunch of the men move all our Blessed Sacrament Chapel stuff into a RE classroom so that we could still have daily Mass. Yesterday, my son and I showed up and Father was in the classroom putting the finishing touches on making it look as much like a little chapel as possible. He turned and smiled at me and said, "See, we can make this work!" He had lit the candles, brought in the statues, the altar was all ready and prepared, our chairs with kneelers were in place, and our holy water font was by the door. The only thing we couldn't bring in was the Tabernacle because it's bolted to the wall. It was really touching how much care he put in to making our temporary space feel like a tiny Catholic chapel. As Father was sitting there before Mass praying, I thought to myself, "There is only one man on this base out of thousands that work here that can give me Jesus in the Eucharist and it's Father Joseph. We can move rooms, change decor, and all that, but without him, I don't get the Eucharist." I was immensely grateful in that moment for Father and for all priests who go the distance to give the faithful the Eucharist. Father could have just cancelled daily Mass until the renovations were completed, but he didn't. He still is showing up to provide this life-giving sacrament. And I can only get it through his hands. No other man on base could provide it for me. They could try, but it would just remain plain 'ole bread. Thank God for the Sacrament of Holy Orders and for the good men who answer that call. We need you, priests. Without you standing in persona Christi, our souls would starve to death. Have a blessed Tuesday.
What if you have an ugly, storied past like me? One that's full of awful sins and very bad decisions? What if you were the type of person who covered it well, or somewhat well? What if most people never knew all the terrible sins you committed? What if you think of yourself as damaged goods, the worst sinner, or beyond help? You may say to me, "No, Amy, you're the Catholic Pilgrim, you're just exaggerating your past. It couldn't be that bad." Well, it really was. Old Amy and Today Amy are like night and day. So, what gives? One thing that big 'ole sinners like to do is find some twisted victory in their sins. "Oh, I'm just too bad. Oh, God could never heal me. Oh, I'm beyond repair." There is no trophy for greatest sinner, yet a lot of people compete for it. Too many people want to see themselves as the one person that God couldn't possibly heal. Which is nonsense. Utter nonsense. Your sins don't make you unique or special. You are not bigger than God. So, you have two options: 1. Continue to wallow and lick your wounds forever hoping that your spit eventually will make you feel better. Or 2. Bring it all to Christ and let Him do what He does best--restore, heal, and cleanse. I was only ever beyond repair when I refused to let Christ in. Once I did, and surrendered to Him, trusting in His mercy and love, did things start to turn around. It didn't happen overnight and it was painful to be sure. I know now that everyday I need God to help me and give me the graces to keep moving in the right direction, which is towards Him. We all need Him, Catholic Pilgrims. Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Monday.
"The land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea..." One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone says to me, "Yeah, but we all believe in Jesus so that's the most important thing." This is usually said by a Protestant and as a former Protestant, it just irritates me to no end. While it is important to believe in Jesus, it is, also, of upmost importance that we follow what He wants and He most certainly does not want fractures in Christianity. He prayed that we all might be one, not divided up in different denominations all claiming that the Holy Spirit has led them to the truth. I would categorize it as blasphemy to claim that the Holy Spirit gives different truths to different people. It's silly but if you ask Alexa who founded the Catholic Church, she says, "Jesus Christ" If you ask her about Protestant denominations, she'll list off their human founders: Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, etc. This is exactly what St. Paul warns against in our second reading today from 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17. "I urge you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you. It has be reported to e about you, that there are rivalries among you. Each of you saying, 'I belong to Paul,' or 'I belong to Apollos,' or 'I belong to Cephas.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?" No, Christ never, ever intended us to be divided. He wanted us to be one, belonging to the Church He founded on Peter that was to last to the end of time. All these divisions are the result of pride and pride alone. "I know better," said the founder of each split off that you see as you drive around and move through life. The claim is: "The Holy Spirit has shown me the right way." Except the Holy Spirit is not in the business of giving different truths to different people. He is God and therefore that is impossible. Christ gave the keys to Peter and said "on this rock I will build my church" and He promised that the "gates of Hell will not prevail." Members of the Catholic Church are not perfect, Catholic Pilgrims, but that Founder of our Church is and that's what has held it for nearly 2000 years. This is nothing to feel prode over, but instead humble gratitude. Have a blessed Sunday. *Picture is of the Sea of Galilee
Today is a day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children. As many of you know, I got pregnant out of wedlock with my oldest in my senior year of college. When I went to confirm the pregnancy at the clinic on campus, the first and only piece of advice the nurse gave me was to get rid of my baby because she would ruin my chance at a career. No support, no compassion, nothing but the offer to kill my child. She's sitting right next to me on my right side in this picture. Our culture likes to pretend that women have this inherent right to choice. A choice to do what? End their child's life. People sometimes congratulate me for "choosing life" for my daughter. While I appreciate the intention behind the praise, it's a false assumption that I ever really had a choice to begin with. Nobody has a the right to choose to end an innocent life. Nobody has that right, especially not women whose bodies are specifically designed to grow new life in their wombs. Who does have a right, that too many neglect to see or acknowledge, are unborn children. They have a right to live and not be killed. They are dependent on their mother's body, but as any mother will tell you, even after a child is born, they are still utterly dependent on their mother's body to care for them. There has and never will be a right to choose death for unborn babies. It is a fever dream that anti-children people have cooked up in their minds and this make-believe right has resulted in over 50,000,000 babies having their lives snuffed out--and that's just in the US. So, today, we pray for the protection of these little ones who have no voice of their own. So, let us pray, Catholic Pilgrims, for an end to abortion in our country and in our world. Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Thursday.
In our second reading today, St. Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth. He says, "To you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ." It was the "called to be holy" part that caught my eye. St. Paul doesn't say we can live however we want while calling ourselves a Christian. He, also, doesn't say that we are straight up holy once we become a Christian. He says we are called to be and, that means, there is some participation on our part where we must cooperate with the graces given to us by God and be obedient to Christ's teachings and the teachings of His Church. God calls us to holiness, but we do have to desire it. If we think that we are just "good to go" because we call ourselves a Christian, it will be difficult to desire holiness. I know that I once didn't even desire it because 1. nobody ever talked to me about it. and 2. I thought calling myself a Christian meant I had an assured ticket to Heaven. Consequently, I didn't try to live any differently. In fact, unless you asked me, you wouldn't have known I was a Christian based on how I lived. To be holy means that we want to live out the virtues--courage, prudence, justice, fortitude, piety, etc,-- for love of God and for love of others. We want to orient our lives to look more like Christ's and make choices that don't follow the easy way. We are called to holiness, Catholic Pilgrims. God will work with our desire to answer that call if we ask Him. Have a blessed Sunday. *Church is Mission San Juan Baptista in CA
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Today, in our reading from Matthew, the Trinity is revealed. At the Baptism of Our Lord, the Father speaks of His love for His Son, The Son gives us the Sacrament of Baptism, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove letting us know that this action is sanctified. It is holy and pleasing to God. This is why we baptize in the Trinitarian formula and every single time we do the Sign of the Cross it is a beautiful reminder of our baptism and the saving grace we received from it. We must continue to cooperate with those graces throughout our life, but it/was our entrance into the family of God. So many things happen at baptism: You become a child of God and an heir to the Kingdom. Original sin is washed away and any actual sins if above the age of reason. Your soul is permanently marked as belonging to God. Your soul is filled with grace--the Divine life. You receive the three theological gifts of Faith, Hope, and Charity. You receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't need to be baptized, but He was showing us what He wanted us to do--this was the new covenantal ritual, circumcision would not be needed anymore. Baptism is the start of our Christian life with God, Catholic Pilgrims. Through it, we are brought into the life of the Blessed Trinity. Have a beautiful Sunday.
My husband and I were talking to our daughter on the phone the other day and as we were talking, my husband told her about all the different Masses we had been to in one week. We went to our first Latin Mass the Sunday after Christmas. Then, we went to a funeral Mass in San Jose. The day after that, we went to a bilingual Mass at Mission San Juan Baptista--my 12th California Mission. And this past Sunday, we were back at our base chapel with all the familiar faces of our friends that we live with on base. It never ceases to amaze me how good it feels to just walk into a Catholic Church and know that I belong. I don't even have to know anybody. It's always nice when I do know people, but, even when I don't, I feel a great sense of belonging. As the Catholic Pilgrim, I've visited literally hundreds of Catholic Churches in the 16 years since I converted. I've been to Masses where the people spoke French, Turkish, Portuguese, Polish, and Spanish. Latin can now be added to the list. I've been to Mass in enormous cathedrals and in small caves. I've attended Mass outside with over a million Catholics and I attend daily Mass on base where sometimes it's just my son and me. In all of these different circumstances, I sense the universality of the Catholic Church. Even when I'm surrounded by people that don't look like me, I feel such a connection because of our Faith and our one shared Feast at the altar--the Eucharist, which is Jesus Christ. What a blessing to be part of this one, big, universal family, Catholic Pilgrims. Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Wednesday.
We all remember how, after Charlie Kirk's death, attendance at church dramatically increased. People who had been away from church for years went back. Folks that had never been decided to walk through church doors and hopefully find answers. I saw many videos of people documenting their "return to church" experiences. It was good to see. Running to Christ is always the right answer, tragedy or not. But, then right after Christmas, I started seeing videos of Protestant pastors talking about how they were giving their congregation "time off to rest" for the Sunday after Christmas. It just kills me how low of a bar we set for Christians sometimes. Not even three months out from a huge tragedy in our country which spurred Christian revival are pastors giving their congregations time off to rest. Because, we can't be asked to go to church too much, I guess? It also kills me that we literally just celebrated the birth of the greatest gift God ever gave us and four days later people need rest from church. To be fair, many were not pleased with this "get out of church for free" pass. In today's reading from Mark, though, we see a crowd hungry for Jesus. They follow Him around to hear His teachings, they don't even leave when it's time to eat, they are willing to go without food just to be near Him. They realize that this time with Jesus is THE most important thing. This should always be our attitude, Catholic Pilgrims. Going to Mass is such a blessing and an honor. True rest comes from being with God, not staying away from Him. Because as St. Augustine famously said, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Tuesday. *picture is of Mission San Juan Baptista in CA
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