All Daily Reflections

New

I think our Gospel reading from Luke is a clear indicator that the idea of "once saved, always saved" doesn't work. If at the moment of being "saved," that was all that was needed, then there is no point in teaching us about fighting against temptation. One could argue that you still need to be a good person. But, why? If your salvation is assured, what does it matter? In fact, some have argued throughout the centuries that if you are "saved," you might as well give into temptation and do whatever you want, because "Jesus paid the price for everything on the Cross already." In Jesus' time in the desert, we see that temptations must be fought against, otherwise, why would Christ show us how to fight against them? Satan is actively trying to get Jesus severed from the Father. It's fruitless with Christ, but we need to see the danger there for us. Every time we give into a temptation, a bit of grace leaves our soul. With venial sins, we are taking small turns away from God; with mortal sins, we fully turn our back on Him. And each time we do that--give into sin--we are gesturing with our consent to either follow ourselves, follow Satan, or follow the world. What we cannot say is that we are consenting to follow God. St. Benedict XVI wrote, A Christian "must every day renew their decision to be Christian, that is, to give God the first place in the face of the temptations that a secularized culture constantly suggests." We are initially saved by grace through faith--that free gift. However, it would be wildly dangerous to think that we can't ever lose that. We can. Sin severs us from God. Grace is the Divine Life within us. Sin removes that. To be sunk in sin, specifically mortal sin, means we have lost the Divine Life within us. Confession restores it. Here in this earthly life, our faith in God is not a one and done event. It is, instead, the continually decision to stay close to Christ and allow the graces given by the Holy Spirit to sanctify us more and more. Have a blessed First Sunday of Lent, Catholic Pilgrims.

New

Happy Friday, Catholic Pilgrims! Today, Jesus talks about how when a man and woman marry, they become one flesh. This is never more evident in how older couples begin to look and dress alike. 😅 When I was a kid, there was one older couple at church that baffled me and my siblings. Every Sunday they matched perfectly AND they looked like each other. Like identical twins, just one male and one female. Boy, we used to make fun of them. And then…it started happening to me and Dustin. Every Sunday now, without thinking, we come out for church matching. We don’t plan it, we try not to do it, but, inevitably, one of us has to change. Our minds have become synced and we can’t help it. In a few years, we will begin the morphing transition to where we will begin to look like each other. Not sure how that will go for me seeing as my husband looks like he has a constant 5-o’clock shadow. So, to the poor look-a-like couple I used to make fun of, I’m sorry. You couldn’t help it. It’s just part of the married life. 😉 Have a great Friday, Catholic Pilgrims, and a good weekend.

New

My son asked me the other day, "What do you want to be known as the patron saint of?" "Well, thanks, Buddy, for your vote of confidence. Ummmm...well, I would most likely be the patron saint of clumsy people." "Are you saying that because all the groceries fell out of the Jeep this week because you forgot to shut the back door all the way?" "Well, that's just one of the many instances, but, yes, that embarrassment is fresh on my mind." Let me share with you, dear Catholic Pilgrims, my latest mishap. I left the grocery store on a chilly evening this past Saturday. I quickly loaded the bags into the car, pushed the button to shut the rear door, and jumped in the front. I heard a warning ding sound when I started the car, but I didn't think too much of it. The engine light has a glitch in it and dings. I pulled out noticing that I could hear outside noises better than usually, but off I went anyway. As I started to pull out of the commissary parking lot, I realized what the dinging had been for--the rear door hadn't fully shut. "Oh, no!" I thought. "I'll just pull over here and close it." But the door wasn't waiting on me anymore. It had warned me and I hadn't heeded. In my rear view mirror, I saw the door raise and then I heard all my bags drop out. I pulled over on one of the main roads on base, hopped out, and saw all my La Croix rolling hither and thither down the slanted road. Of course, I wasn't wearing tennis shoes, but instead high-heeled boots. There I was stuntedly running in my boots trying to chase down the rolling cans. I gathered up some in my arms and ran one load back to the Jeep. Back I went to get the rest. Cars drove slowly by witnessing the spectacle. I can only imagine how I looked to others as I ran around frantically. One can rolled too far and I was not about to go hustle after it. I yelled, "Fine! Go on! I didn't want you anyway!" Finally, I got back in my Jeep and drove off. Lesson learned: When the car is dinging at you in desperation, don't ignore it. So, that's my Friday story for you all, Catholic Pilgrims. Cheers to you with my beat up can of La Croix.

New

Over Thanksgiving, my mom brought me several old books that were once my great aunt's. None of them look particularly exciting, but I was thrilled to get them. I loved my aunt dearly and I still think of her all the time. Anything that was hers, helps me feel closer to her. She was such a proper lady. She always wore dresses and heels. She was an English teacher and always corrected me on my grammar. She was firm and no-nonsense, but fiercely loyal to family. She never let me slurp my leftover cereal milk out of the bowl; I always had to pour it into a glass and drink it properly. I have so many fond memories of her that there are too many to list off, but one of my favorites is playing kings on the corner with her while drinking lemonade and eating pound cake on her back porch. Among the books I received, was a book entitled "The Living and the Lifeless" by Dirk Coster. It is nearly impossible to find any information about either. Mr. Coster was a Dutch physicist, he discovered an element, and there's an asteroid named after him. That's about it. The book is even more mysterious. It's like a book of wisdom. It's composed of just short little thoughts and ponderings about life. For example: "A good conscience is the natural smile of a soul at peace." But, my favorite so far is this: "To know the truth is to know that which inspires happiness and a flowering of the soul. All else is but lies." Truth most certainly does cause the soul to flower, even hard truths. Because only when you accept hard truths or only when you accept The Truth can you really grow. One simply cannot flower, Catholic Pilgrims, if they live denying truth or believing lies. What a great commission we have to bring the truth of Christ to the world through the Catholic Church. Have a blessed Tuesday.

New

This past week has been one where pro-abortion advocates have come in hot in my world. Off of one little comment I made on a pro-life page, I’ve been inundated with comments and messages. I’m used to it by now and I know I bring it on by saying anything. Thankfully, the “yelling” at me in all caps online and all the horrible words directed at me don’t bother me anymore. I mean, they bother me in that it’s sad to see people so sunk, but I’m not wounded. Everything revolves around death for them. Some want to kill all the “embryos.” One guy wants to kill as many unborn and born people to eradicate bad genes. (Not surprising that all his pictures were of Satan.) Some want to kill anyone who might potentially suffer. (Which is every human, btw.) Some want to kill born people who are suffering. Some want me to “kill myself.” Death, death, death. Everything revolves around death. As I sat at Mass, I very clearly saw that it is because Christ has not been born in their lives and they lack belief in the Resurrection. And that may seem, duh, but a real lightbulb went off for me. There is no life for them. There is no joy in birth and new life, there is no hope in life with God. Death is all they can imagine for anyone because life—The Life—has not actually been welcomed into their hearts. John cried out in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” Prepare the way for The Life of the world to come. That is Advent—preparing the way for life to be born within us or to prepare for Him—Life—to grow our souls even more with love. Without that, a soul is in exile, shrouded in death and death is all they can advocate for and want for others. It’s incredibly sad. This second Sunday of Advent, let us be thankful for the Way, the Truth, and the Life. What hope He gives us. Live the Faith boldly and travel well.

New

Yesterday, I dropped my son off at his soccer game and had to run home real quick before it started to get a few things I forgot. It was a good thing I came home, because my neighbor called. She couldn’t find her keys and she asked if I could run her son and another teammate down to the game so they wouldn’t be late. The boys hopped in my car and as we went I listened to their conversation. One said, “Today, I finally counted how many cousins I have. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had time to count them. But, I was wondering and so I counted. I have eight.” The other one replied, “You didn’t know you have eight cousins?” “Well, when we travel around to visit family, I just play with the cousins that are there. I just play with them because they are in front of my face. Then we pack up and visit more family and there’s more cousins and I just focus on them. I’m always like, ‘Whoa, this is a lot of people. I don’t have time to count.’” The other boy said, “Yeah, that makes sense. It’s good you counted because now you know.” “Yeah, I wasn’t as busy today so I thought about it. Eight. That’s pretty cool.” I had to smile listening to this sweet conversation. May we be ever present to those that are in front of our faces, Catholic Pilgrims, and may we stop and find time to count our blessings. Have a good weekend. P.S. I realized that I have never actually counted my first cousins either, so I did. Thirteen. That’s pretty cool.