Monday, June 14, 2021

Live from St. Andrew’s Abbey, subtitled: I TYPE IN ALL CAPS TO EXPRESS MY EXCITEMENT

Hello, Coffee Talkers! Can you believe this? I can barely believe it myself. I am writing on ye dusty olde blogge once again because for the first time in forever I AM ON A RETREAT!!! This is the first day that St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo has reopened to the public and I am here on an overnight private retreat. I didn’t bring anything with me except totally essential items and didn’t plan on blogging but once I got here I knew I needed to write something so I just lucked out and remembered the password to log in to this non-user friendly blogging site on my phone and here we all are together again! The formatting options on this version are beyond awful so don’t mind the messy presentation of pics and text to give you a sneak peek to the abbey, reopened! (Edited to add: I don’t think the pictures are showing up at all on the published version from my phone, so try to use your imagination for now if that’s the case, hahaha)

I went to this Abbey many times as a child with my grandparents back when they had annual festivals that were open to families and have lots of fond memories from those time. I came here a few other times through the years as an adult with groups for day retreats, but it’s been many years since I’ve visited. There were several factors that made it uncertain if or when I’d be able to return. Not only was the Abbey closed for an extended period of time due to the pandemic but it also narrowly escaped the clutches of a ravaging fire, which even came so close as to leave the sign at the entryway darkened by flames and smoke. Words fall short of describing how happy and grateful I am to be here again! 

Today was the first day of their reopening to the public. There were a number of people who joined for midday Mass, a few of us here on private retreat, a group who waited 16 months to be here, and of course the monks. There are people from all different places and from all different faith backgrounds joining together here in a spirit of fellowship, reflection, simplicity, sacred silence, and prayer. 

(For those wondering, they are currently requiring vaccination for those on overnight retreats and joining for meals due to current guidelines but anyone can come for Mass and prayer, etc. regardless of vaccination status.)

The grounds are so full of beauty and peace, a mix of desert flora and fauna with some greenery and a pond with fish and ducks as well. The beautiful Abbey angel artwork can still be seen throughout the grounds and building. Also, many of us have certain signs and symbols that appear throughout life to remind us of the presence of the divine and for me one of them is the number 13.  Look what room I got!

After evening prayer and dinner, I found a lovely spot to sit and do some reading before compline. It was just across from this neat old phone booth (which looks like it may still work!). After compline and singing the Salve Regina (which took me back fondly to my days with the Dominicans of St. Cecilia in a life long ago and far away) I stayed in the chapel alone for a while to finish my reading, reflecting, and prayer.

Y’all, this past year and half have seemed like a lifetime in some ways but the return to previous ways of living certainly can bring gratitude if we can take a moment to pause, to breathe, to reflect. Thanks to my husband for making this possible! If you’re anything like me and you’re craving some peace, silence, and a bit of a spiritual reboot, maybe a retreat can be on your agenda as well. It’s been amazing so far! 

If you’re reading this, know that I’ve said a special prayer for you and whatever intentions you hold close to your heart at this time. May grace and peace be with you and yours. 

As always, thanks for stopping by and be assured of my prayers. 

Pax et bonum,

Leslie


Monday, June 1, 2020

SAY HIS NAME: On George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, and the Failures of the American Catholic Church

Welcome back to Coffee Talk, ye olde blog which hath been collecting dust as I've been rather busy with family and work as a full-time music teacher. Once upon a time I worked for the Catholic Church and as a freelance religion writer, and I wrote mostly to answer questions about Catholicism and to give commentary on current events from a the worldview of a modern Catholic. The events of late have been so heavy that now I have to write for my own sake, to process what's been happening, to give myself some clarity and maybe even some hope in the midst of such dark and troubled times. Thanks for joining me for this journey.

It's been almost two years since I last wrote on this blog, and my last post was giving a template for letter-writing to folks enraged with the abuse and cover ups in the Catholic Church so they could more easily send letters to the people in charge and to demand some action from the hierarchy. And do you know what's happened since then? NOTHING. We wrote letters and demanded action. They stayed silent, said little, did nothing substantial except what had to be done for appearances (and even that was almost zero). And in time, most people did exactly what the leadership wanted - they kept going to Mass like normal, they kept tithing without question, and ultimately THEY FORGOT.

I sent many letters at that time. I received one response from my local Bishop at the time. It was very telling. As a response to my plea for him to take a stand against the physical, sexual, and financial abuse and cover ups in light of my own desire to continue to raise my children in a Catholic Church that I could stand with proudly, he replied by saying that his own Diocese had been doing a great job with Safe Environment Training (which was totally unrelated to what I was speaking of - abuses and cover ups WITHIN THE HIERARCHY ITSELF - and was also untrue due to my own personal experiences at my local parish at that time) and that he hoped that I would continue to "support the good work of my local pastor." In other words, he did not care about me, my family, or my concerns, but wanted to write back because he was mostly concerned that I might withdraw FINANCIAL SUPPORT from my local parish and ultimately from his Diocese. I never tithed to that parish or diocese again, except to give directly to people and charitable causes that I knew exactly where the money was going.

Now, a couple years later, people around the world haven't been able to attend Mass or any religious services in person for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Churches have shut down and are struggling financially like the rest of the public sector.  And protests and riots have broken out across the country in response to the brutal police killing of a man named George Floyd.


The world is filled with bitterness, division, and hate. Many side with the protestors and rioters, saying that there action (even violent actions) are the only thing which might hope to bring justice not only for George Floyd, but also for all people who have been, and continue to be, the victims of racism. There are others who approve the peaceful protests but condemn the violence and looting, saying that violence only begets more violence and dishonors the memory of George Floyd. 

But as I rack my brain over our current circumstances in our country, in the Church, and in the world, I can only find one answer that seems trite at first but in the end is all that really matters. LOVE. It's the only solution. Only, there's one problem. We don't always remember what the opposite of love is to combat it. Let me explain.

First, taking the case of the abuse and cover ups in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, if people believe that they will only solve the problems by covering for the "good" priests/bishops and forgiving the unconscionable actions of the others by "loving the sinner and not the sin" or whatever inspirational sentiment one wants to apply, we fail to recognize that the ABUSERS NEVER CARED ABOUT US IN THE FIRST PLACE. As John Paul II so aptly explained, the opposite of loving is not hating. The opposite of loving is USING. "Keep supporting the good work of your pastor" doesn't tell me that the Bishop cared about me or my family AT ALL. It tells me that we were merely numbers, cogs in his machine, being USED for our financial contributions to his institutions. He didn't even care enough about us to hate us at all. He didn't know us, and didn't care to. In a word, we were being used. Don't get me wrong - I don't think it was conscious, but it didn't have to be. 

Next, considering the case of the abuse and cover ups in the hierarchy of law enforcement, if people keep saying that "a few bad cops don't represent all the good ones" but all the good ones are complicit in the crimes by not saying or doing anything, we're also missing the real problem here. The problem is ultimately one of people being OBJECTIFIED AND USED. Whenever anyone commits a violent act against another person that is not an act of self defense, they must separate themselves from that person enough to harm them for the betterment of their own status or power, and whenever someone else within their same system (priests, bishops, law enforcement officers) knows of this deliberate OBJECTIFICATION AND ABUSE but looks the other way, moves them elsewhere, or even PROMOTES that person to a higher position of authority, we see the real enemy to love in action. 

THIS is why it is important to say George Floyd's name. George Floyd is a person who was loved and known by many in his life, but in his final moments he was objectified under the brutal, unthinking power play of another to the point of losing his life.

THIS is why it's important to recognize that Black Lives Matter. Saying that all lives matter, while ultimately true in the eyes of God, does not give adequate recognition to the fact that people of color have been SYSTEMATICALLY OBJECTIFIED AND USED for more of human history than it's comfortable to admit. How so many Americans can act as though slavery and open racial segregation are in our distant past is a mystery to me. We cannot forget. We MUST NOT forget.

Lastly, THIS is why the American Catholic Church is failing in many ways - because, sadly, most of our parishes are set up in a way that does not love and recognize each individual person and family but rather USES them for their tithe that allows them to keep going. I visited a parish in Brazil where every single member of the parish was regularly contacted by other members of the parish, where every person was invited to be a part of a prayer group and a ministry based on their own talents and abilities, where every single parishioner was supported during their times of need, and although it was not in the wealthiest area it was one of the highest tithing parishes in their entire country. This is because that parish did their best to involve everyone, to recognize the dignity and needs of each individual, and to LOVE every person. People gave freely because they knew they were being cared for and not simply being USED.

American Catholics, during these times of closure in your parish, did anyone from your parish contact you? Did anyone see how you and your family were doing during that time? Did even a single person reach out to you to care for you and your needs? When you think of your local parish and of your Diocese, do you feel more LOVED or USED?

I'm sad to say that I think most of us feel more used than loved at this point. And back to the larger situation in our nation and world, I think things absolutely need to change. We cannot tolerate USE and ABUSE of any person for personal gain of power, money, sex. It is NEVER RIGHT. We must start in our own homes. And then into our communities and churches. And then into the whole world.

The problems are so big, and I sometimes feel powerless. But I'll try today to see people more. To say their names. To genuinely care about them. To let them know that they matter, not for my own personal gain but for the sake of their own intrinsic dignity, for the sake of LOVE.

It's even harder to reach out in personal way in light of the separation of the pandemic. But if you're reading this, know that I'm thinking of you too and that I hope you feel known and loved in a way that lets you share that experience with those around you.

As always, thanks for stopping by, and be assured of my prayers.

~ Leslie


Monday, August 27, 2018

Demand Investigation and Action: Letter Writing Campaign and Templates

Hello, Coffee Talkers,

Some of you've read the 11-page testimony of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. If not, you can find it here. In short, Archbishop Viganò's testimony suggests  that many people in high ranking positions in the Church knew about the countless abuses of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and that Pope Francis himself not only knew but also lifted sanctions already imposed many years ago by Pope Benedict XVI against McCarrick for those continued crimes and essentially allowed the abuses to continue. Pope Francis has, so far, refused to comment on the allegations.


It's been suggested that we can send letters to call for a full investigation of these credible allegations, and some friends asked if there was a template to use for these letters. I've just drafted templates from my own letters, and will include all 3 below for your use. Of course, feel free to change them to personalize and suit your own situation.

Peace and blessings to you all,
Leslie

Letter #1 - letter to your local bishop

(If you don't know who your Bishop is, or need their contact info, do a Google search for "Who is the Bishop of [city, state]?" and you should get the information you need.)


[your address
your phone number
your email address]

August 27, 2018

Most Reverend Edward Joseph Weisenburger, Bishop of Tucson
Office of the Bishop
P.O. Box 31
Tucson, AZ 85702

Your Excellency,

I am writing to call for the full and thorough investigation of the abuses that have recently come to light in our Church, and in particular to investigate fully and thoroughly the credible allegations of the testimony of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. These allegations go all the way to the top of our Church’s hierarchical leadership, and have done much to harm the trust of the faithful. We put our faith and hope in Christ, and we turn to the faithful who remain in Church leadership to spur into effect a full investigation that will lead to corrective and purifying action in the Catholic Church, including the swift removal of those who abused others or enabled and covered for those abusers, and retribution for the many crimes committed in darkness under the veil of trust granted by so many to the clerical collar. These crimes must all be brought to light, and reform in our Church must begin today.

My family and I are parishioners at [your parish name] Catholic Church in [city, state]. My husband and I, along with five of our children, attend Mass there weekly. [Say something about your own situation here, of course. Or if you're not Catholic, but are a concerned non-Catholic Christian, or non-Christian person of good will, say that, too! Say why you're writing and what you're hoping for... But this paragraph is optional.] We hope that, as our children continue to grow and learn about the faith, we can turn them to a renewed example of truthfulness and justice, mercy and grace for those harmed, and absolute commitment to the truth of Christ, His Church, and her firm teachings. We thank you in advance for your leadership in this matter.

I have sent similar letters to the President of the USCCB and to our Apostolic Nuncio. We entrust you, and all the leaders of the Church, to our prayers. Words are not enough, and we are counting on your action, and the action of many others, in attempting to right the most grievous wrongs that have been committed by those in positions of authority in the Catholic Church.

Sincerely,


[your name]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Letter #2 - letter to the USCCB President

[your address
your phone number
your email address]

August 27, 2018

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
1700 San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002

Your Eminence,

I am writing to call for the full and thorough investigation of the abuses that have recently come to light in our Church, and in particular to investigate fully and thoroughly the credible allegations of the testimony of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. These allegations go all the way to the top of our Church’s hierarchical leadership, and have done much to harm the trust of the faithful. We put our faith and hope in Christ, and we turn to the faithful who remain in Church leadership to spur into effect a full investigation that will lead to corrective and purifying action in the Catholic Church, including the swift removal of those who abused others or enabled and covered for those abusers, and retribution for the many crimes committed in darkness under the veil of trust granted by so many to the clerical collar. These crimes must all be brought to light, and reform in our Church must begin today.

 My family and I are parishioners at [your parish name] Catholic Church in [city, state]. My husband and I, along with five of our children, attend Mass there weekly. [Say something about your own situation here, of course. Or if you're not Catholic, but are a concerned non-Catholic Christian, or non-Christian person of good will, say that, too! Say why you're writing and what you're hoping for... But this paragraph is optional.] We hope that, as our children continue to grow and learn about the faith, we can turn them to a renewed example of truthfulness and justice, mercy and grace for those harmed, and absolute commitment to the truth of Christ, His Church, and her firm teachings. We thank you in advance for your leadership in this matter.

I have sent similar letters to our local Bishop and to our Apostolic Nuncio. We entrust you, and all the leaders of the Church, to our prayers. Words are not enough, and we are counting on your action, and the action of many others, in attempting to right the most grievous wrongs that have been committed by those in positions of authority in the Catholic Church.

Sincerely,

[your name]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Letter #3 - letter to Apostolic Nuncio



[your address
your phone number
your email address]

August 27, 2018

Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, Archbishop
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
3339 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008-3610

Your Excellency,

I am writing to call for the full and thorough investigation of the abuses that have recently come to light in our Church, and in particular to investigate fully and thoroughly the credible allegations of the testimony of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. These allegations go all the way to the top of our Church’s hierarchical leadership, and have done much to harm the trust of the faithful. We put our faith and hope in Christ, and we turn to the faithful who remain in Church leadership to spur into effect a full investigation that will lead to corrective and purifying action in the Catholic Church, including the swift removal of those who abused others or enabled and covered for those abusers, and retribution for the many crimes committed in darkness under the veil of trust granted by so many to the clerical collar. These crimes must all be brought to light, and reform in our Church must begin today.

 My family and I are parishioners at [your parish name] Catholic Church in [city, state]. My husband and I, along with five of our children, attend Mass there weekly. [Say something about your own situation here, of course. Or if you're not Catholic, but are a concerned non-Catholic Christian, or non-Christian person of good will, say that, too! Say why you're writing and what you're hoping for... But this paragraph is optional.] We hope that, as our children continue to grow and learn about the faith, we can turn them to a renewed example of truthfulness and justice, mercy and grace for those harmed, and absolute commitment to the truth of Christ, His Church, and her firm teachings. We thank you in advance for your leadership in this matter.

I have sent similar letters to the President of the USCCB and to our local Bishop. We entrust you, and all the leaders of the Church, to our prayers. Words are not enough, and we are counting on your action, and the action of many others, in attempting to right the most grievous wrongs that have been committed by those in positions of authority in the Catholic Church.

Sincerely,

[your name]

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Blessed Are Those Who Hear the Word of God and Observe It

Coffee Talkers,

It’s been a while and, whew, news in the Catholic sphere has been a doozy to say the least. I’ve been blessedly busy with my two week old, not to mention the rest of my family, so that’s been at least a bit of a good distraction from the horrific scandals coming to the light of day. Honestly, it’s been too much to even completely process. It’s awful. Brutal. Heart-wrenching and soul-shaking. Bishops around the world, more than 300 named priests, and more than 1,000 known victims... It makes me want to vomit.

Last night, late at night while awake to nurse my baby, I checked my email to stay awake and found the readings for the Vigil of today’s Solemnity of the Assumption. And somehow, in the midst of that sleep-deprived moment, God shed a little bit of light for me.

The Gospel from the Vigil (Luke 11:27-28)

While he was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.”28He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Naturally, my thoughts turned first to the importance of Mary’s role as mother, as I nursed my own child so newly out of the womb. I reflected on her role not only as the mother of Jesus, but also as mother of the entire Church, so desperately in need of maternal care right now. But Jesus’ words shook me out of my motherly reverie — it’s not Mary’s motherhood that makes her blessed, but rather hearing and observing the word of God. In other words, don’t make excuses for not doing what’s right in the long, hard, uphill road of discipleship — “but I’m not sinless or holy like Mary, Jesus’ own mother!!” — but rather immerse yourself in God's Word and sacraments to find the true source of blessing. 

Also, it made me consider the ways that we hold people in certain honor or esteem due to their title or position, and during this time of scandal many of us are realizing at a whole new level that we can’t consider people holy or blessed just based upon title or status in the Church alone. We’ve been shaken to the core to find out the level to which some of the very men who’ve pledged themselves to a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience in imitation of our Lord have actually been using money and depraved sexual acts as they’ve risen to power in the very Church we’ve considered Mother and guide.

I know there are lots of people thoroughly scandalized right now by what’s going on, and all I can say is that we should be scandalized. There are lots of people who are considering leaving the Church and many more who are already gone. I can’t say that I blame you, but rather that (while I’m not personally leaving) I can truly empathize. Where can you go, who can you trust, when many of the Shepherds themselves have shown themselves to actually be predatory enemies of all that is good, true, and beautiful? 

Some of you know I used to work for the Church but am now just busy as wife, mom, and music teacher. I don’t have any inside connections or knowledge, and in fact have resumed the role of the typical Catholic in the pew who doesn’t even know who my Bishop is muchless if I can trust him — too busy trying to wrangle my kids at Mass while we make our way up the communion line. So I feel as lost and as hurt and as betrayed as everyone else.

However, in the middle of the night, God spoke to me through the Scriptures and said that I can find blessing by hearing his Word and observing it. We all can. We can each grapple with the reality of our own sinfulness, bathe in God’s limitless mercy, and consider the graces He offers us, even through the huge mess in which we find ourselves. We can do penance for our own sins, and for me that’s enough to focus on for right now. 

Please be assured that I’ll be praying for all of you as we journey through this trying and terrible time. There are still mercy and grace to be found; let’s pray for one another to find them.

Peace and all good,
Leslie

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

When Life Gives You Lemons, Start Reading Your Bible

Coffee Talkers!

Well, my hopes of writing every day were thrown out the window and that's okay. It's one of those times where I realized that the Lent I had planned out and the Lent that God had in mind were a bit different, and that I can accept that God's ways are better than my ways. Also, accepting the built-in sacrifices and penances of daily life is better than insisting that I "do my Lenten things," regardless of the needs of the people and reality of the situations around me.

Some unexpected trials popped up in these past days, and thankfully everything has continued to progress in a pretty manageable way. However, it makes me think of those extremely dark and difficult moments of life, which every person encounters sooner or later (or both), that well-meaning people start throwing out sayings like, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" or "God never gives us more than we can handle." The truth is, however, the lemons aren't always suitable for drinking and God frequently gives us more than we can handle on our own. That's why we have to rely on Him and on our brothers and sisters among our friends, family, and community of faith to help and sustain us!

Image result for bible and lemons

So instead of making lemonade or being upset when a trite saying is not enough to help us through our trials, let's take a look at the Scriptures to see what God has to say about our need to rely on Him and on the community of faith. Click here for ten Bible verses to get us started in our reflections on reliance on God and community.

As always, thanks for stopping by, and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie

Monday, March 5, 2018

Not According to Plan...

Hello again, Coffee Talkers,

     Today was one of those days where things did not go quite as planned, and that always throws me off a bit. But it was also one of those days where, somehow, all of the "unplanned" moments ended up working out in an unexpected way and fitting together like a puzzle, as though someone else had a better plan than I did.
     Life is like that sometimes, isn't it? Both in the minutiae of day to day life, and in the big picture of our plans, we can ask God for the grace and presence to be aware of and to accept the ways that the Divine plan for our lives may be far different from what we imagined.
     This week, I will pray for an acceptance of God's will. At the beginning of each day, I will ask God for the grace to see situations and circumstances from the perspective of faith. At the end of each day, I will examine the ways that things that went differently than I had planned for and expected, and consider the ways that those unexpected or challenging moments opened up avenues of grace and mercy. What opportunities for spiritual growth did I embrace, and which ones did I miss? How will I do better tomorrow to accept God's will with joy in all circumstances?
     As always, thanks for stopping by, and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Don't Take It For Granted

Hello, Coffee Talkers,

     Today, I stopped off on my way to work to get some gift cards to help out a co-worker who is on medical leave for the rest of the school year. Over Christmas break they found a tumor, which they removed and discovered was cancerous. She's undergoing chemo treatments now. She's young and was in otherwise very good health. She has kids at home.
     This week, I will consider how helping others in a time of need develops my own sense of gratefulness for the things I have and my sense of empathy. I will make a list of at least ten things that I often take for granted, but that I now realize are a special grace and blessing from God that I have done nothing to deserve. I will give thanks to God for the good things in my life, and even thank Him for the trials and difficulties, knowing that the Paschal Mystery teaches me that out of the greatest suffering can be brought about mercy, redemption, and salvation.
     As always, thanks for stopping by and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Giving the Gift of Time

Hello, Coffee Talkers!

     My apologies for not writing as frequently as originally planned -- as I mentioned in a previous post, I no longer have a computer at home, and blogging on a mobile device is not working well at all without an app available for it. In any case, I'll continue to post whenever I'm able and hope that you all are Lenting along well with or without Coffee Talk!
     Yesterday I took a personal day off from work to join one of my children as they competed in a county wide school competition. I have never taken a personal day before except for school requirements and medical leave, and was even a bit reluctant to do so as I know I'll need the time when I'm on maternity leave at the beginning of next school year. However, I figured this was one of those special moments for my child which, as a teacher myself in a different school district, I rarely get to be a part of and figured I'd regret missing the day more than I would using up a personal day. After we finished, we headed home and I was able to spend the rest of the day with all of my kids before bed time. It was so refreshing and unexpected to have some quality down time with the kiddos on a day that would normally be packed with other responsibilities. I even colored with my older kids -- something I haven't done in ages -- and we had so much fun together! It was a great reminder to me that part of our Lenten "almsgiving" can be giving the gift of quality time to our loved ones. 


     Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in all of the obligations of daily life that it's possible to lose sight of what's really important or why we do what we do. For example, if I really put God first, family next, and work third, it helps me remember that the whole reason that I do well at my work is to serve God and to serve my family. Some of us, who are of the more 'perfectionist' and/or 'workaholic' varieties, may find it hard to 'turn off' work even when we're home. We're physically near our family members, but not always truly present, as we check our e-mails and text messages and social media apps in case there's something that someone needs outside of our home. This week, I will choose a day to fast from non-work use of electronics, e-mail, and social media. I will also plan for a reasonable daily limit to my use of those things, and outside of that I will do my best to be completely present to the needs of those around me. I will put others interests ahead of my own, and let them choose what we do together instead of being too busy or concerned with my own pursuits.
     As always, thanks for stopping by and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Accepting Death — A Lenten Reality

Hello again, Coffee Talkers,

     Lent is a season for repentance, for accepting our own sinfulness and our own mortality, and for preparing for own inevitable deaths. This is why we start the season by marking our heads with ashes, while hearing this prayer: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Yes, our hope is in rising with Christ but before we can hope to rise with Him, we must die with Him. This is why, in full immersion baptisms, you can see the symbolism of being baptized into Christ’s death (the body is submerged into the water as Jesus was buried in the tomb) and coming back up again with new life (as Christ rose from the dead).
     There is a prayer from the Stations of the Cross, a popular Lenten prayer practice, in which we pray to accept our death. I believe that this particular reflection is from the Stations of the Cross by St. Alphonse’s Ligouri, although in the version I found here online there was no attribution, so please correct me if I am incorrect. In any case, the part of the prayer that struck me deeply and has stayed with me since I first heard and prayed it is this: “I accept in particular the death that is destined for me.” This entails not only my acceptance of the reality of my own mortality, but even the particular circumstances of my impending death “with all the pains that may accompany it,” trusting that God (being outside of time and being omniscient) already knows these circumstances and has His own purposes for them.
     How can I better prepare for my own death, both spiritually and materially speaking? How can I better prepare for my death (not knowing when it will be) so that I will be as prepared as possible in soul and in providing for the material needs of my family once I am no longer with them here on earth? Today I applied for additional life insurance for all of us. I’m no insurance salesperson, and I’m not suggesting that this is specifically what Lent is asking of us, but it was a realistic and tangible way that I can prepare for my own death and the death of my immediate family members so that it will be hopefully less burdensome to whoemever remains as they grieve the loss of someone close to them. Also, what are some ways that I can get my spiritual house in order? This week I will make a point to get to confession and to make prayer and sacraments a more frequent practice in my daily and weekly schedule.
     As always, thanks for stopping by, and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie

Friday, February 23, 2018

On Gratitude and Seeing Through the Eyes of Faith

Hello again, Coffee Talkers!

     My apologies for not blogging yesterday, for anyone who noticed. The last time my personal laptop punked out on me I decided to not replace it and to just use computers at work, library, university, etc. Overall it’s been a great decision — it keeps me more present at home and more focused when I need to do computer work. Anyway, yesterday and today I didn’t have a chance to blog on a computer and I’ve discovered that there is not an app for Blogger on mobile devices, so I finally found a way to type this on my tiny phone with my giant fingers on Safari. I can barely see what I’m doing, so please forgive me for even more typos than usual!
     Some of my readers know that I’m currently working full time as a public school music teacher. My undergraduate degree is in music education and performance, but I didn’t decide to teach in the public school system until a few years ago. Since that time, I’ve been teaching on a temporary teaching permit while finishing up the credential program for my state licensure, and it’s been a long and trying process to say the least. But now that’s it’s finally nearing its end (I jumped the last major hurdle yesterday), I can already see some of the silver lining on some of those cloudy moments in the journey.
     It’s so, so hard for me in moments of difficulty to really trust that God has a reason for the trials in my life, even though in the end I always see God’s faithfulness. Sometimes there are people and situations that inadvertently do us harm, and other times it is deliberate. It seems hard to imagine that God could be present in those moments, or even allow those difficulties for a greater good or for some ultimate purpose.
     I think of the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. Dude was having a really rough time — if memory serves, it was his  own brothers who had dumped him into a cistern and then sold him into slavery. Not cool at all. In time, the brothers found Joseph who, instead of giving them a piece of his mind for how they’d treated him, told them, “Even though you meant to harm me, God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Instead of holding their horrific behavior against them, Joseph forgave his brothers by seeing the situation through the eyes of faith, a perspective that actually made him even grateful for the good God had brought about through a very bad situation.
     This week, I will focus more on seeing difficult situations through the eyes of faith, and in being grateful to God in all circumstances even when I can’t see the good that may come from my present trials or adversities. I will thank God for all the good things He has done for me, and when others wrong me (inadvertently or deliberately), I will be quicker to forgive them and to thank God for whatever end He may have in mind from that particular difficulty.
     As always, thanks for stopping by and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie