Resting in God. By: C.C.

"Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you." (St. Augustine of Hippo)

   Along the spiritual journey there are moments of great peace and there is also a sense of restlessness that can present itself as we try and live in relationship with our Lord. The "peaks" and "valleys" of our spiritual lives remind us greatly of our Lord's passion. It is through this experience that we are able to see that our longing to lead a devout life is very much in union with the suffering of the Crucifixion and the glory of the Resurrection.
   Our God is one of peace and love, and our world is not always as such. As children of God we must understand that we are created for our Lord alone and that our true sense of joy, peace, and happiness can only come through Him. St. Augustine reminds of this truth and also offers us insight into the restless that we will experience until we rest in our Lord. Seeking rest and peace with God is something that is not fixed, but rather, it is something that is continuous.
   There are many times that I have felt restless in my heart and was greatly troubled by this. I felt that I was not fulfilling the Lord's will for my life, or that I have in some sense been lazy in my spiritual life. However, I turned to the Lord in these moments and asked Him what He wanted of me through this experience of restlessness. I embraced it and offered it all up to my Lord. As I sought God in these moments I realized that this restlessness was a way to draw me nearer into the heart of God. I recognized that the Lord wanted more of me, more of what I even thought I had to give. The interior battle with restlessness reminded me of my own broken and human nature and also of our unchanging and all loving God who longs to give peace to each one of us. 
  In our moments of restlessness may we each draw nearer to our Lord...recognizing that our true rest and sense of peace is only found in Him. May we seek ways daily to detach ourselves from seeking comfort in our surroundings and may we wait for the Lord patiently, in stillness, and in fullness of faith. Amen (C.C.)
   

Having Faith Through the Storm. By: C.C.

   

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8: 23-27)

 

        I have been praying fervently for all of those afflicted by the recent hurricane. It seems that these events call us together in unity and simultaneously expose the most important things in our lives. Whether we are personally affected by the destruction and devastation or not, each of us can use this time to truly empathize and evaluate the state of our lives and of our relationship with the Lord.

      It takes great humility and also great faith to continuously recognize the need for God and the need for an intimate relationship with Him. Potentially we may live "simply" day to day and consider ourselves to have "control" over most of our surrounding circumstances.

      Events like hurricane Sandy reveal to us how much control we truly lack over the events that occur in our lives. Certainly we can take many precautions and make decisions that can aid us in living lives that will provide some sense of peace and serenity, but our true sense of stability is only found in Him who is unchanging.

   As we reflect upon this Scripture passage may we be comforted through faith and come to understand the importance of complete reliance on our Lord and trust in Him through the storms of our lives. I pray especially for those today who are dealing with hurricane Sandy, may each of them feel the presence of God and our Blessed Mother near them. May we all pause in gratitude for the many blessings that we have and for any sense of earthly comfort that we are given. Let us remember the importance of interior peace and relationship with God so that despite what is spiraling around us we may remain in a state of calmness. Lord watch over Your children during this time and always. Protect and provide for those who have yet to know You. Open up the hearts of all of us so that we may be used as Your instruments to help our brothers and sisters in need. Amen (C.C.)  

Growing Pains in Faith. By: C.C.

"Trials and tribulations offer us a chance to make reparation for our past faults and sins. On such occasions the Lord comes to us like a physician to heal the wounds left by our sins. Tribulation is the divine medicine."
(St. Augustine of Hippo)

     It is difficult in times of tribulation to remain in peace. No matter how faithfully we live our lives, how many prayers we pray, or Masses we attend- there is a spiritual drought that can often plague us along the spiritual journey. The very thought of being open to receiving these words from our beloved Saint during our trials may potentially "rattle" us all the more as we struggle to have even a single moment of peace and calmness.
  Despite the difficulties we may face amidst our storms of life, St Augustine offers us a very sensible perspective on tribulation. By humbling ourselves before God we are able to view our trials as an opportunity for reparation of our past sins. These moments present us with the chance of growing in virtue and becoming more who we are created to be.
   In making a simple choice to drawn nearer toward our Lord and not become boggled down in whatever it is that we are facing, we allow ourselves to be receptive vessels to the love, grace, and mercy of our Heavenly Father. It is in this way that we can prosper in our relationship with God. 
   Each of us will face tribulation; this is the unavoidable truth of our human condition. As Catholics and Christians (followers of the Cross) we are also aware of the presence of these trials as a means of spiritual growth and purification. May we each come to view tribulation as divine medicine and trust in the love of our Lord to bring us through.
   Lord tonight I pray for those who are facing challenges. Provide them with the strength, courage, and faith to reach for You amidst their trials. Help us to see Your loving hand upon each and every event of our lives. May we always praise You and glorify You, even when we feel that we are being overcome by our own Cross. May we reflect upon the sufferings of Christ and through this meet our Blessed Mother Mary at the foot of the Cross who understands our deepest pains, fears, and sorrows. Guide us in faith Lord to live with hope and trust for the goodness that only comes through living our lives completely and selflessly for You. Thank You for Your blessings and Your love. Thank you for calling us from sin and leading us toward union with You. Amen (C.C.) 

Interior Oratory. By: C.C.

"The parents of Saint Catherine of Siena tried by every means they could to put obstacles in her way as regards prayer and meditation. Our Lord then inspired her to construct within her own heart a little interior "oratory" where she could mentally retire, even in the midst of exterior activity, and enjoy the solitude of her heart. Therefore, from that time on, she advised her spiritual sons and daughters to construct a small room in their own hearts and to dwell within it." (St. Francis De Sales)

                                             
    Responding to the call of our Lord while living amidst the world is one that poses many challenges. There is the constant pull and influence of others, society, and daily pressures that can become great burdens to those trying to live a devout life. There is also a yearning and desire to be at peace- most importantly, a strong desire to be filled with the Lord and fulfil His call in our lives.
   We must not be discouraged by any of these exterior pressures, but through faith we must persevere. Regardless of what may be hampering us within our surroundings it is important to stay grounded in our faith and seek the peace of God.
     It is easy to deny ourselves interior peace and become consumed with external demands. We may often fall victim to the ways of the world and the perpetual pull of life's pressures. In these moments we may find ourselves in a sense of great unrest and ultimately complete exhaustion. These times are undoubtedly trying, And yet, they can also succeed in confirming our innate need for peace, tranquility, and for God. 
    St. Catherine of Siena offers us a very important message about the interior life. It is by building a place of tranquility and peace within our hearts that we can truly find a solution for coping with our exterior demands and pressures. This "oratory" that St. Catherine invites us to construct is only made possible with our Lord and a complete surrender to Him in all things. It is our Lord who can aid us in silencing the noise within our hearts and help us attain a safe residing place of solitude where He is able to dwell. 
    Lord, help us create a place for you within our hearts so that we may meet you there amidst our daily struggles and exterior activity. Provide us with a sense of peace so that we are able to shine as Your children in every situation. Help us Lord to understand our need for the Sacraments, consistent prayer, and courage throughout our journey. Amen (C.C)


   

Harry Connick Jr and Divine Greatness: Obligation to our gifts. By: C.C

Those who perceive in themselves the artistic vocation as poet, writer, sculptor, painter, musician, and actor feel at the same time an obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in order to put it to service of their neighbour and the humanity as a whole. (Pope John Paul II)
      It is sadly difficult to look around the music industry and find true talent. I was very blessed to be able to witness and experience Harry Connick Jr in concert this week in Niagara Falls, Canada. I was given the chance to attend both of his performances and they truly commanded respect and succeeded in capturing the essence of music in pure artistic form. It seems that our worldly understanding of artistic talent often falls short in grasping the beautiful gift that has been given by God. It is tragic when those with talent fail to understand and recognize the immensity of their gift and what it can offer the world through it's pure form. The sharing of an individual gift and talent with the world can attribute to making Divine greatness present and visible.
     Before attending his concert I had been rather unfamiliar with the immensity of his musical and performing abilities. As typical of our society, Harry too has often been portrayed and objectified as merely the "Cute guy on sitcoms and in movies", or "the handsome piano man". Regardless of the many fans that follow him as result of this, there is an element of Harry Connick Jr; the man and true gifted artist that might at times be overlooked. It is in fact through hearing his podcast interview on Busted Halo ( A Catholic online magazine) that I became more interested in Harry Connick Jr and truly gained more respect for him as a man of faith and family. Though he does not openly speak of the Lord on stage and in his music lyrics there is a loud voice speaking for the Lord through his music and through the way in which he carries himself on and off stage. Musically I have come to learn that Harry is among one of the greatest at what he does. After witnessing him in his element it is difficult for me to deny the Lord's hand upon his life and the reason for his worldly greatness and gift of song.       
      Blessed Pope John Paul II reminds us of this obligation to our gifts by encouraging us to "develop it in order to put it to service of our neighbour and the humanity as a whole." In this way we are truly sharing the greatness and glory of our Lord. Through surrendering our talents to Him, and by believing in ourselves , we can grow to embrace the "irrepeatable" gift that is given to us by God. It is by this surrender that we assist in making visible God's light and love for us to others. By nurturing our unique talents we offer something that no one else can duplicate.  To be able to do this we must first recognize that we are "enough" and that we can truly succeed. We must believe that our gift is not only one to be shared, but one that must first be embraced and respected by us. A surrender to His gifts will draw us nearer to our Lord and truly aid us in becoming who God has called us to be.  
     Many of you have potentially seen the "fruits" of this surrender in your own lives or have been blessed by witnessing this in the lives of others. The degree of the successes may vary, but the undeniable truth and testament of using our gifts to glorify the Lord is truly the peace and joy that is brought forth. When one responds to their natural and God given gifts with a sense of faith, ownership, and obligation it will surely be fruitful. Arguably, fruitful does not always mean worldly fame, but it will definitely carry one to reach their fullest potential and capacity. 
  After seeing Harry Connick Jr in concert it is clearer to me that Harry embraced his vocation and continues to develop it. He has succeeded in reaching the heart and soul of many people through what he does. The secular world may fail to acknowledge this aspect of Harry Connick Jr , and yet, they can not deny the presence of his greatness. We as Catholics witness his gift and recognize the greatness to be the working of the Holy Spirit and can applaud Harry for answering his call from the Lord and for striving to live out the fullness of his vocation as an artist. 
    I was also gifted with the chance to meet Harry backstage after his event last night,along with my boyfriend and his family. Meeting Harry and hearing him speak to us personally only solidified the reality of his unbelievable humility, professionalism, integrity, and also his compassion. He is truly a man of depth and great respect. It was a blessing to shake the hand of one in Hollywood who remains so rooted in reality. May God continue to bless him always. Amen (C.C.)

http://bustedhalo.com/podcasts/interview-harry-connick-jr - Busted Halo- with Harry Connick Jr.
   
    
     
  
      

Padre Pio. By: C.C.

"The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain" (Padre Pio)

  Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Padre Pio. I have always been drawn immensely to St. Padre Pio growing up due to the amounts of pictures of him that were hung up in my nonna's (grandmother's) home. I recall a specific image on her fridge of St. Padre Pio's bandaged hands. As a child this confused me greatly as I tried to understand what these wounds were and why this particular saint was so popular in nonna's house - and in much of the Italian culture also. Nonna's broken English and my poor Italian vernacular at that time made any dialogue rather confusing between us and I battled to understand who this man was and what these wounds meant....I was definitely seeking for answers and it would be years until I truly understood who he was and the impact that he left upon the Catholic Church. Quite frankly, years would pass before I even understood what it truly meant to be Catholic, and St. Padre Pio was quite instrumental in my willingness for full surrender to my Catholic faith.
   In 2008 I was in my final year of post-secondary studies and not a practicing Catholic. However, there was undoubtedly a deep yearning within me to feel peace, to feel home at Chruch, and the desire to live a Christ centred life. Given decisions I had made in my adolescent days and young adult life I cancelled myself out from being one who could live the way I witnessed others living. I admired those surrounding me who beamed with the light of Christ. Those who fully bore witness to what it meant to be Catholic and led rather devout lives. I dismissed myself from the reality that this could be attained by me. Suffering from the shame of sin and living for everything worldy. I felt that it was much too late for me to be anything more.
   I was raised with a respect for the Catholic Church, but this seemed to be a much more cultural affiliated respect than a truly owned and nurtured exposure to the Church. I was not taught the power of prayer or the reasons for this. I heard the messages in Mass (when I would attend) and growing up I would witness the intense nightly prayer routines of nonna before she closed her to sleep. I knew it was important- I did not know how to connect this importance within my own life. Everything began to change when I began to learn about this mysterious saint.
   As a student of literature I loved going into the local book store and walking up and down the isles for new finds to read. There is a section entitled "Italian interest" that I always gravitated to because in my final year I spent a lot of time studying Italian history. Within this search for historic books I stumbled upon a book entitled Prophet of the people- a biography of Padre Pio by Dorothy M. Gaudiose. There it was; that same familiar face from nonna's fridge. I bought this book and that is when "it all began".
   I read through this book in 3 days..often staying up throughout the night to read it because I could not put it down. I could not deny the power of our Lord as I read about the life of this humble and faithful servant. Not once did I doubt anything I read in this book but was captivated by the life of St. Padre Pio and began to understand and realize that I needed to change. I would weep, often sharing the pain and sadness that Padre Pio must have felt in his life. I cried over his love of sinners and his desire to help save so many souls and share the love of God through bearing the wounds of Christ and  heart so pierced with sorrow for the state of our world.
  My conversion was sparked then and the journey since that day has been one full of learning, growth and yes, pain. However, I can now say that there has been much "flowering of the soul" and I continue to strive to live the way God has intended me to live. I have held Padre Pio very dear to me and do not hesitate to share his story. Today I pray especially for his intercession in all of our lives, and in the lives of those who have yet to surrender themselves entirely into the hands of our Lord.

May God be with you (C.C.)

Persevere In Faith. By: C.C.

 

 

"When something happens and we cannot understand the reason for it, we are inclined to think that there is no reason behind the events of this world. However, it is a matter of faith that since God is the Creator and Master of everything, He guides everything carefully by His Providence; He directs and embraces all creation. Especially as regards ourselves, God often allows our lives to be turned upside down by many setbacks. He desires us to walk by faith and not by sight, so that we might seek peace in Him alone! (St. Francis De Sales)

     Even those living with faith in God battle with accepting certain realities in their lives. Our natural instinct is to hunger for reason, for answers, and for some sense of finality so that we can be at "peace". It is through faith and seeking God where one is met with the Divine mystery, the need for surrender, and the reality that one can not truly understand the Providence of our Lord- but rather, realize that the happenings in our lives can only become easier to embrace and accept by our complete surrender into the loving hands of our Lord. We must have faith.
     It is difficult to share these sentiments with someone who is suffering, who is going through a difficult time, a loss, an illness, desolation, and other various challenging circumstances. The concept of faith may seem like some unreachable ideology to them. A place that only the joyous can venture. However, in turning toward our faith and the lesson of the Cross, one can open themselves up to an immense healing.
     St. Francis De Sales writes " God often allows our lives to be turned upside down by many setbacks"..a potential question provoked by this statement might be "Why would our Lord allow these set backs to occur?" De Sales goes on to share the very answer to this question by explaining that God desires us to walk by faith and to "seek peace in Him alone".
The setbacks that our Lord may allow are overcome and made fruitful by seeking Him above all. By turning to our Lord fully, openly, and lovingly we can obtain a peace of heart and love that exceeds all understanding and expectation. Although it is difficult to keep this mentality and faith driven thinking during the circumstances that we may face..we must persevere in devotion to our Lord and help others to do the same.
     Lord, It is often hard to see the reason for what may be occurring in our lives. At times we do not know where it is You are leading us, or what You want us to learn through the process. Teach us Lord to surrender ourselves daily to Your plan. Help us remain faithful to You and give us the courage and trust to persevere. Thank you Lord for your unconditional love for us and for the chance each day to have the opportunity to love You more and to better serve Your will. Strengthen us in faith Lord and let us be Your instruments as we deal with those who live without faith. We pray Lord, for the intercession of all the Angels and Saints and for the love and compassion of our Holy Mother Mary. May we grow in faith each day and seek peace in You alone. Amen (C.C.)


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding"
(Proverbs 3:5)