God Bless Pope Francis!!!

I posted on the other blog I participate on, but did not post anything here.  Here is a picture of our new pope--Pope Francis.  A pope of firsts:  First non-European in about 1300 years (he is the 11th non-European--first since Gregory III in the 8th century), First pope from the Americas, First pope to take the name Francis (from Francis of Assisi, not Xavier as had been speculated). 

Friday Abstinence

One of the reasons for Friday abstinence is as an act of charity; we remember those who cannot afford meat. We thank God for what we have and obey His Church in all that is good for our souls.

Canons of the Catholic Church on Abstinence and Penance:

Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.

From: The Code of Canon Law

“We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most yet reduced misery the least. The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers.”
--Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (now Pope Francis).

Don't Forget, It's Friday

Anger

Wow, did I get attacked today. 

I am feeling soooo unappreciated.  I have 6 Cub Scouts, 27 First Sacraments students, 3 homeschooled children, one son in college, one son in public high school, one husband working on his Master's degree, and I am working on completing a Bachelor's degree in theology.  No pressure on me whatsoever.

So, when a parent questions what is going on in our Cub Scout den, I answered his question and then suggested he be the leader of the den. I said I would be happy to relinquish my leadership role.  What does he do?  Goes on a rant about how an angry person shouldn't be a scout leader and quits the pack.  A simple, "Oh, wow, you guys have been doing a lot in the den."  Then, either tell me I'm doing okay as a leader or step up and do it himself.  I don't understand when someone is so demanding, then so sensitive when you answer their questions.  Yes, the suggestion that he take over as leader could be perceived as anger--but I meant it sincerely; he'd be a terrific Scout leader and it would be a lot less pressure on me.

I am so sick of being "responsible", not only for my own children but other people's, and not being appreciated or encouraged.  Not only do many of the parents not appreciate what others do for their children, whether it is a school teacher, an RE teacher, a scout leader, whatever, but get angry when you don't do it their way.  Well, parents, if your way is better, why don't you do it; you be responsible as a teacher's aid, an RE teacher, or a scout leader yourself.  If I hadn't stepped up, my son would not have had the opportunity to be a Tiger Scout last year--and there is no Tiger Den in our pack this year--no one stepped up.  Instead of critizing or getting your nose out of joint because the teacher/leader is not doing the job they way you think they should--help, volunteer, encourage!

This Lent, thank a teacher, thank a Catechist, thank a scout Leader, thank the volunteers in your parish for what they do.  Don't rag on them, thank them.

Rant over.

Don't Forget

Rules for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Lent Fast

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.  All Catholics who have reached age 18 and are not yet 60 are required to fast on these days.  All Catholics who are age 14 and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent.

 

Fast and Abstinence Requirements for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

--Eat only one regular size meal.

--Eat two smaller meals (or less) that do not equal your main meal.

--Do not eat or snack between meals.

--Do not eat any meat, soup made with meat, gravy, or broth, or any other dish prepared with meat.

 

However, if you cannot, for health reasons, fast think of another sacrifice you can make on those days.  My son is a type 1 diabetic, he is now 18 but he can not fast.  I suggested that he "abstain" from his iPod and computer for the day.  That is a sacrifice for him.

Let's not forget the most important things to remember during Lent: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving.

More Than Words

When I go grocery shopping in the commissary early on a Tuesday morning, it is so quiet I can actually hear the songs playing on the store’s radio.  This morning I heard Extreme’s More Than Words.  While I’m not advocating taking a rock band’s lyrics as gospel, I thought the words were rather appropriate for what should be our attitude toward God.  (I am not sure about copyright issues so I plan to use short quotes, not the whole song).

If you love Me you will keep My commandments.

(John 14:15, NJB)

Have you ever seen t-shirts that say, "I heart Jesus" or "I love the Bible" or something like that.  Do they really mean much?  The phrases “I love you” or “I love _____” are overused and tend to lose their veracity over time.  In the song, the singer says that he doesn’t want his girl to say “I love you.”  It’s not that he doesn’t like to hear it but that saying it doesn’t show him that she loves him.  He’s heard “I love you” enough; he wants to see love in her actions.

 You are My friends, if you do what I command you.

(John 15:14, NJB)

The singer says, “But if you only knew how easy, It would be to show me how you feel.  More than words is all you have to do to make it real.  Then you wouldn’t have to say that you love me, ‘cause I’d already know.”  What is it that the Church teaches us about our love for God?  We need to do more than just say it.  We need to show God how we feel.  It is not for Him, it is for us.  If you really love someone, you don’t just say it; you do things for the one you love.  You buy him/her gifts, flowers, treats.    

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,

and with all your mind….You must love your neighbor as yourself.

(Matthew 22:37, 39, NJB)

If everyone knew how easy it was to show God he loved Him, wouldn’t he?  It is, easy that is.  One of the best ways to show Him that you love Him is to take Him at His word.  He sent His Word, the Incarnate God/Man, to redeem us, the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and His Church to teach us and to guide us in His word.  We can receive the True Presence of Christ each and every day.  We can read Scripture and love our neighbor.  We can be patient and kind to our family, not just strangers and acquaintances.  We can do our best to be the best person we can to show God we love Him.

 

But you must do what the Word tells you and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves.

Anyone who listens to the Word and takes no action is like someone who looks

at his own features in a mirror and, once he has seen what he looks like,

goes off and immediately forgets it.

(James 1:22-24, NJB)

Really, “What would you say if I took those words away.  Then you couldn't make things new

Just by saying "I love you."  That’s why God blessed us with His Sacraments.  I am about to have my third class of second graders receiving the Sacrament of Confession in just under two weeks.  This is a great way to show God we love Him.  We go to confession to say we’re sorry for breaking His commandment to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.  We do penance to make up for our sins.  This repairs our hearts to love again.

 

The wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure;

It is also peaceable, kindly and considerate;

It is full of mercy and shows itself by doing good.

(James 3:17, NJB)

Loving actions, loving deeds help us show in more than words how we feel about Him.  The more we do for Him, the more we show love for Him, the more we will feel the words, “I love you.”

A man came to Him and asked, “Master what good deed must I do to possess eternal life?”

Jesus said to Him, “Why do you ask Me about what is good?  There is one alone who is good.  But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He said, “Which ones?

Jesus replied, “These: You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery.  You shall not steal. You shall not give false witness.  Honor your father and mother.  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man said to Him, “I have kept all these.  What more do I need to do?

Jesus said, “If you wish to be perfect, go and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me.”

(Matthew  19:16-21)