Thursday, July 09, 2009
St. Francis de Sales on love
God desires that we love each other as we have been loved. We don't have two hearts, one that loves God and one that loves others. We have only one heart that loves in varying ways. - St. Francis de Sales
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Sometimes you just have to muddle through homeschooling
One of my favorite homeschooling magazines is Home Education Magazine. It was the first home schooling magazine I ever read and what started me on my journey to learn more about, and eventually to embrace, homeschooling. Sometimes, though, when reading about homeschooling you get the one-sided picture - how wonderful it all is! How natural! How much your child will love to learn! All of which is true - some of the time. And then there are the other times . . .
Karen Vogel wrote an article on "Mom-Friendly Curriculum" for the May-June 2009 edition of the magazine. This is the time of year when homeschoolers are selecting their curriculum for next year if they haven't already done so. There is always the search for the perfect curriculum - the idea being that if the curriculum is just right, your child will automatically start loving math and spelling. I love this paragraph she wrote:
Listen closely - It doesn't really matter which curriculum, or math series, or grammar instructions you use. Yes, you should take into account your kids' temperament and ease with topic - up to a point. Beyond that, they really just have to suck it up and do the work. After a certain point, there are no shortcuts. Believe me, they have to learn to add, subtract, multiply, divide, even if they never like it.
Yup. Even in homeschooling, sometimes you just have to suck it up. (And that goes for the moms, too!)
Karen Vogel wrote an article on "Mom-Friendly Curriculum" for the May-June 2009 edition of the magazine. This is the time of year when homeschoolers are selecting their curriculum for next year if they haven't already done so. There is always the search for the perfect curriculum - the idea being that if the curriculum is just right, your child will automatically start loving math and spelling. I love this paragraph she wrote:
Listen closely - It doesn't really matter which curriculum, or math series, or grammar instructions you use. Yes, you should take into account your kids' temperament and ease with topic - up to a point. Beyond that, they really just have to suck it up and do the work. After a certain point, there are no shortcuts. Believe me, they have to learn to add, subtract, multiply, divide, even if they never like it.
Yup. Even in homeschooling, sometimes you just have to suck it up. (And that goes for the moms, too!)
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
New Encyclical and Oldest Christian Bible Now on the Web
All the Catholic world is abuzz today with the publication of Benedict XVI's new encyclical. I applaud all of those who had the time today to read it and report on its contents. Honestly, I haven't gotten there yet. For anyone who is interested in reading it, here is the link:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html
Also, the oldest Christian Bible is now on the web. Check it out here: http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html
Also, the oldest Christian Bible is now on the web. Check it out here: http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/
Sunday, July 05, 2009
The Thorn and the Hemorrhage
As I was reviewing this week’s scripture readings I came across quite a juxtaposition between the reading from the second letter to the Corinthians on Sunday (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) in which St. Paul speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” and the Gospel of Matthew on Monday (Matthew 9:18-26) in which a woman who has suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years reaches out to Jesus for healing.
In the first instance, St. Paul refers to an on-going trial in his life. He has begged the Lord “three times . . . that it might leave [him], but he has answered . . .‘My grace is enough for you.’” Basically, St. Paul has asked the Lord for help and the Lord has said, “No, this is something that you need to deal with. The suffering has a purpose. I am with you, but you need to endure and continue to be faithful.
In the second instance, the woman has suffered for twelve years. Not only has she suffered physically, but spiritually as well, for in the Jewish tradition she was ritually unclean. Yet, she summons every ounce of her courage and reaches out to Jesus, believing that if she just touches his cloak that she will be healed. What faith she demonstrates! And she is rewarded for that faith. “Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, ‘Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.’”
Both St. Paul and the woman have faith. Both have problems that are causing them great pain and suffering. Yet, one is healed and one is told to keep on bearing the burden. What is the lesson for us in these two scripture readings? The first lesson is that we need to ask the Lord for help. What are the thorns in our own lives? We all have some – the nagging problems that won’t seem to go away no matter what we do. These problems may be physical difficulties, mental or emotional struggles, or a struggle with temptation and sin. These problems may even be issues we have with another person in our lives. Whatever the particular thorn might be, we need to bring it to the Lord in prayer. We need to humble ourselves and, emulating the woman’s courage and faith, believe that God will heal us.
But, what if He doesn’t? What if like St. Paul, He looks at our pain and difficulties, and tells us, “I’m sorry. My grace is with you, but this suffering is something that you need to go through. There is a lesson here for you, and you need to learn it.” What do we do then? I believe that the answer is that we keep praying. We can accept the answer and accept the suffering while continuing to bring it to God in prayer, asking for help and healing. I found it interesting that St. Paul had asked the Lord for help three times. I understand that St. Paul had a much closer communication channel with the Lord than I do, but I have found in my life that there are times when I have had to pray to God for years to finally get peace and resolution to an issue. Yes, God had a lesson for me to learn, and in hindsight, I can appreciate the need for the suffering. I believe that the continued prayer helped me have the grace to endure the suffering, helped me learn the lesson that I needed to learn, and helped the resolution finally occur, often in better ways than I could ever imagine. God knows what is best for us. We simply need to have courage and always ask for help.
In the first instance, St. Paul refers to an on-going trial in his life. He has begged the Lord “three times . . . that it might leave [him], but he has answered . . .‘My grace is enough for you.’” Basically, St. Paul has asked the Lord for help and the Lord has said, “No, this is something that you need to deal with. The suffering has a purpose. I am with you, but you need to endure and continue to be faithful.
In the second instance, the woman has suffered for twelve years. Not only has she suffered physically, but spiritually as well, for in the Jewish tradition she was ritually unclean. Yet, she summons every ounce of her courage and reaches out to Jesus, believing that if she just touches his cloak that she will be healed. What faith she demonstrates! And she is rewarded for that faith. “Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, ‘Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.’”
Both St. Paul and the woman have faith. Both have problems that are causing them great pain and suffering. Yet, one is healed and one is told to keep on bearing the burden. What is the lesson for us in these two scripture readings? The first lesson is that we need to ask the Lord for help. What are the thorns in our own lives? We all have some – the nagging problems that won’t seem to go away no matter what we do. These problems may be physical difficulties, mental or emotional struggles, or a struggle with temptation and sin. These problems may even be issues we have with another person in our lives. Whatever the particular thorn might be, we need to bring it to the Lord in prayer. We need to humble ourselves and, emulating the woman’s courage and faith, believe that God will heal us.
But, what if He doesn’t? What if like St. Paul, He looks at our pain and difficulties, and tells us, “I’m sorry. My grace is with you, but this suffering is something that you need to go through. There is a lesson here for you, and you need to learn it.” What do we do then? I believe that the answer is that we keep praying. We can accept the answer and accept the suffering while continuing to bring it to God in prayer, asking for help and healing. I found it interesting that St. Paul had asked the Lord for help three times. I understand that St. Paul had a much closer communication channel with the Lord than I do, but I have found in my life that there are times when I have had to pray to God for years to finally get peace and resolution to an issue. Yes, God had a lesson for me to learn, and in hindsight, I can appreciate the need for the suffering. I believe that the continued prayer helped me have the grace to endure the suffering, helped me learn the lesson that I needed to learn, and helped the resolution finally occur, often in better ways than I could ever imagine. God knows what is best for us. We simply need to have courage and always ask for help.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Celebrating Freedom
This is a quote from today's entry in Living Faith:
As believers we are also called to celebrate our freedom in Christ - not just on July 4, but every day. . . Our freedom in Christ is a gift, and our obedience springs from love and a desire to please God. . . When we live according to God's wishes, we are free from the weight of sin and sadness and the consequences of our wandering. Remember, it was for freedom that Christ set us free. Let our lives be fireworks displays announcing the goodness of God." - Kristin Armstrong
Happy 4th of July!
As believers we are also called to celebrate our freedom in Christ - not just on July 4, but every day. . . Our freedom in Christ is a gift, and our obedience springs from love and a desire to please God. . . When we live according to God's wishes, we are free from the weight of sin and sadness and the consequences of our wandering. Remember, it was for freedom that Christ set us free. Let our lives be fireworks displays announcing the goodness of God." - Kristin Armstrong
Happy 4th of July!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Book Review; "It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life"
It's A Wonderful Imperfect Life: Daily Encouragement for Women Who Strive Too Hard to Make It Just Right
By Joan C. Webb
Ventura, CA: Regal, 2009
If I had the money, I would buy a copy of “It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life: Devotional Readings for Women Who Strive Too Hard to Make It Just Right” by Joan C. Webb for every woman that I know. We all try so hard to do it all and get so down on ourselves when we discover that simply isn’t possible. Webb offers reassuring words based on scripture and rooted in her own experience to tell us that it is all OK. It is alright to let go of some of the pressure that we put on ourselves.
The 163 one-page devotions are divided into sections focusing on relationships, emotions, bodies, life-work, service, churches, culture, dreams and spirituality. If one particular area is troubling you, you can focus on just that section, or you can read it cover to cover as I did. Each page has something worthwhile to offer. For example, Devotion #1, “Smiling Here,” Webb invites us to recall a time we made a blunder and to laugh about it! As she reminds us, “I goofed. No big deal! It doesn’t make me less valuable.” In Devotion #30, “You Mad at Me?” Webb challenges us to stop taking on other’s moods. Women tend to feel that we are the reason someone else is upset or to feel that we must cure it. “The next time a loved one is in a bad mood and you feel the urge to ‘take it on,’ step back emotionally and ask God for wisdom.” Devotion #151, “Management Contract with God,” reminds us to turn over control of our lives to God. “Working for our ultimate good, He counsels us how to heal past damage, overcome self-defeating habits and experience contentment as we trust him for the future.”
“It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life” has much to offer for any Christian woman trying to do it all. I think it would take a lifetime to learn all these lessons, and even Webb admits she is still working on them, but the ability to pick up this book, take a deep breath, and stop and reflect and let go for a little bit is a great gift!
Monday, June 29, 2009
The goal for all of us.
Today is the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and the second reading offers the goal for all of us to able to say when our lives are nearing the end:
I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord, the upright judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord, the upright judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
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