Love God. Love others. Make disciples.
Posted on: May 25, 2020
F.E.A.R. – Face Everything And Rise
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of heaven? Some may think of an incredibly happy place, free of the trials and sufferings of this world. Others may long for their loved ones who are already there. For most, I think we immediately look up into the sky because that is where we have the idea that heaven is. Jesus ascended, going up into the clouds into the sky, so by assuming heaven is “up there some place” seems fairly accurate.
Several years ago, when our six children were all young, two young religious brothers (both now priests) visited our home. I so clearly remember them asking me a question that literally changed my life. I was discerning and discussing with them where I should share my time and talents within the church. Then the question was asked, “What are you doing to get yourself, your children and others to heaven?” It was at that moment when I began to understand more deeply that everything I did should always have eternity as my end goal and should be done in complete union with the Holy Trinity. I felt a deeper conviction to know and experience Christ through Sacred scripture, prayer and the sacraments and also to live with apostolic zeal for souls.
Jesus’ life on earth finished not with his death on the cross but with his Ascension into heaven. It is the last of the mysteries of his life here on earth. Today’s feast reminds us that our concern for souls is a response of love given to us by our Lord. As Christ’s earthly mission comes to a close, our mission as disciples begins. His Ascension strengthens and nourishes our hope and desire for Heaven. Jesus departs, but he remains close to each of us.
As our province is continuing to gradually reopen, and especially our churches, many different feelings and concerns are being experienced. Some are excited to “get back to normal”, others are concerned if it is safe to do so. Just as the apostles were fearful and uncertain about Jesus leaving them again, we too, are feeling the uncertainties and may be fearful of what lies ahead for us and for the world. In one of my prayer journals, I came across the following: F-E-A-R has two meanings: 1. Forget Everything And Run or 2. Face Everything And Rise. The choice is yours! He invites us always to seek the things that are above. The hope of Heaven will fill our day with joy.
In Christ,
Shannon
Spiritual Communion
Many of us are earning for the Eucharist. As our parish continues to prayerfully discern how to best reopen our parish for Mass, here is something to keep in mind regarding how actual and spiritual communion differ.
A spiritual Communion is a genuine, though less sacramentally perfect, sharing in the Body and Blood of the Lord. Both in a visible, sacramental Communion and in a spiritual one, we feed on the Body and Blood of Christ by faith and love, and we receive the same effects in either case. Read more here.
Note: The Archbishop’s dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass remains in place.
Posted on: May 16, 2020
Infected by Love
The scripture readings this week once again re-iterate how the Blessed Trinity is longing to dwell in our hearts. Everlasting happiness involves both a knowledge of God as well as a clear vision of God – to live with Him and to be happy with Him. From this loving contemplation of the Blessed Trinity, an unlimited joy will arise in us. I have two stories to share that relate to these readings.
About a month ago, I heard about a new series called The Chosen. After watching all 8 episodes of Season 1, I was so drawn in that I watched it a second time and then listened to several interviews with the actors and writer. If you haven’t experienced The Chosen yet, I would encourage you to check it out on YouTube or download the app. Trust me, this is incredible. If you don’t have a clue what I am talking about, you are in good company with the disciples. For the past few weeks, Jesus has been preparing them for his ascension into heaven and they have no idea what he is saying either.
First of all, I will share a bit about The Chosen - but not too much, as I don’t want to take away from your experience. The series begins with the pre-ministry of Jesus and introduces us to the disciples and other familiar characters that we learn about in the scriptures. I am always reminded how Jesus chose ordinary people and taught them just as He has chosen each one of us - through our baptism - to know, love and share Him with those we encounter. Jesus also spent so much time with them so they could not only listen to His words and teachings but they could witness His love and mercy extended to those around Him.
I was really captivated with a few interviews by the actor, Jonathan Roumie, who plays the role of Jesus. Many viewers shared that seeing the human side of Jesus brought them closer to the deity of God. In order to approach the humanity of Jesus, Jonathan shared that he had to “empty himself of everything that is me in service to being open as a channel for the spirit to come and work through me and essentially raise my game as a human being. To be the best version of myself around everybody at all times on the set is how I approach the humanity of Jesus. How would He have interacted with people? How does He deal with conflict? The best that I can do is try to experience every emotion that I think is needed for a scene... It is so important for me to get it right. God has trusted me to represent His Son in this project, so I can’t dishonor that.
The second story focuses on love and eternal happiness. Last week, on May 5th, Pope Francis declared a young man a person of “heroic virtue” and gave him the title of Venerable Matteo Farina. His reputation for personal holiness was witnessed by many.
Matteo Farina was born in Avellino, Italy, on September 19, 1990. At an early age, he possessed a deeply spiritual side. He would recite the Rosary every day, read the Gospel, and he developed a devotion to St. Padre Pio and St. Francis of Assisi. One day Matteo had a dream in which St. Pio came to him, asking him to share this message as the secret to Christian happiness, “You must understand that who is without sin is happy, then you have to teach it to the others so that we can go all together happily in the heavenly paradise.”
This dream led Matteo to realize that his vocation was to evangelize, and he wrote, “I hope to succeed as an ‘infiltrator’ among the young people, telling them what God wants. I look around me, and I want to enter in young people’s lives quietly like a virus, infecting them with an incurable illness called love.”
At the age of 13, he was diagnosed with cancer. During his treatments his strong faith and love of life never faded. Even when recovering from surgeries, he would say, “It is useless to despair. We have to be happy and transmit happiness. The more happiness we give people, the more people are happy. The more they are happy, the more we are happy.” Matteo died on April 24. 2009 at the age of 19.
Matteo Farina’s mission may be summed up in his own words, “My God, I have two hands, let one of them to be always clasped to You in order to hold You closer in every trial. And let the other hands fall throughout the world if this is Your will … as I know You by others, so let others know You through me. I want to be a mirror, the clearest possible, and if this is Your will, I want to reflect Your light in the heart of every man. Thanks for Life. Thanks for Faith. Thanks for Love. I’m Yours.”
Venerable Matteo Farina, please pray for us.
Read the full story of Venerable Matteo Farina here.
This week, I encourage you to ask for the grace of being “infected with love” through simple and fervent prayer. Take a moment to sit quietly with God, empty yourself of everything and allow Him to fill that void in your heart with His love. You will know God loves you by the joy you will feel.
In Christ,
Shannon
Posted on: May 9, 2020
A Mother's Heart Leads Us to Jesus
For the past few weeks, our Journeying Together in Faith group has been learning about how Mary and the Saints are our “helpers” drawing us closer to the Trinity. Catholics are so often criticized for worshiping Mary and the Saints, giving them the same honour as we give to God. We must always remember that all worship is given to God alone; however, we do honour Mary for her important role in our salvation and for her acceptance of God’s will.
This Sunday as we honour our earthly mothers, who co-operated with God’s grace and gave us the gift of life, let us take a closer look at our heavenly Mother, Mary. If we love Jesus, we love his mother. “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it.” (CCC 964) Catholics honour Mary as Jesus’ first and most perfect disciple, making her the first among the saints (holy people in heaven). We must also remember that all those family members and friends who have gone before us can also intercede for us. We can always ask our mother to pray for us, whether she is still here or if she is with us in spirit.
Our gospel begins with the words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. The angel Gabriel spoke similar words to Mary at the Annunciation. Once again, we witness that complete trust in God’s holy will. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his Ascension and is explaining heaven to them. Do you ever think of heaven? Can you imagine what it will be like to arrive there and meet God, to see the beauty and the love which is poured into our hearts? We will not have to worry of losing what we have, and we will not want to have anything different. We will truly be able to say, it is well that we are here in the everlasting presence of Christ and the angels.
The disciples are confused at Jesus’ words about going to prepare a place for them and they are not entirely understanding the intimate relationship between God the creator and Jesus. We hear Jesus describe his union with God the Father as inseparable and one. To truly grasp the concept that God, who created heaven and earth, has come to be with us in the flesh and desires to share that divine life with us is very awe-inspiring. Jesus responds to Thomas’ question of ‘how can we know the way?’ with “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Even after a second explanation, the disciples still do not understand and ask for proof.
Many times in our life, we have difficulty in following Christ and understanding certain situations, especially really difficult ones. Our life here is a preparation for our eternal home. One way to prepare is to be mindful that Jesus is always with us. The words that we speak and the works that we do must always reflect Christ. Finding God’s will in our life is a continuous and on-going search. We may not always know the way but we do know who leads the way. We can always ask for “helpers” to lead us to Jesus, especially Mother Mary and the Saints.
To all mothers, may our love and appreciation for our own mothers increase (whether here on earth or in heaven) and may we continue to turn to our heavenly Mother Mary to place our prayers at the feet of her Son.
In Christ,
Shannon
Prayer for Mothers
Mary, on this day when we honour all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace. Dear Mother, thank you for your "Yes" to the invitation of the angel which brought heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to God's word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Dear mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your Divine Son to give them the grace of surrendered love so that they could join with you in giving their own "Fiat."
May they find daily strength to say yes to the call to the sacrificial love- the very heart of the vocation of motherhood. May their love and witness be a source of great inspiration for all of us called to follow your Son.
On this Mothers day, Mother of the Word Incarnate, pray for us.
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
*Fiat means saying 'yes' to the Lord. It is taken from the Latin meaning "Your will be done."