Heavenly Father, I ask You in the name,
and through the Blood of Your Divine Son,
to rebuke Satan for taking captive
that which belongs to You.
I ask Jesus to place His Crown of thorns around
(Name the person)
so that those with wrong influences
will lose interest and depart.
Mary Mother of Jesus,
place your mantle of love around,
(your son and/or your daughter.)
Amen
St. Michael, protect them.
I had such trouble trying to decide what to write about today. There’s so many good themes across all the readings – conversion, light in darkness, newness, etc. However, I decided to bite the bullet and share with you all one of my not proudest moments.
When I was in college, I served as a room host – meaning prospective students making an overnight visit to campus would sometimes stay in my dorm room with me and my roommate. The first time we got to host a prospective student, I got so excited that I did what any millennial would do. I looked her up on social media. And I did not like what I saw. I didn’t think she was worthy to attend an awesome school like Franciscan. And I most certainly had preconceived notions as to how her visit was going to go. While I don’t remember much of the actual time I spent with this particular prospective student, I do remember what happened after she left. I wept.
That’s right. I cried. Why? Because I realized I had judged her (and unfairly, at that). I decided who she was as a person before she could even say hi and introduce herself. That wretched feeling of realizing what I had done and even just that I had judged another human being – it’s a feeling that vividly sticks with me to this day, almost nine years later.
I tell this story a lot … and I’m sorry if I’ve used it in another blog post already. But this lesson is just too big to let it go. This truth, that you and I were never meant to judge another human being’s heart, needs to be heard over and over again. God Himself is the only judge of our hearts and that is the reminder we get in today’s First Reading.
When we are about to pass judgment on another person, what is something that can help us in the moment? I offer this: picture Jesus standing right next to that person, with his hand on their shoulder, saying to you, “This is my beloved son/daughter.” That person is loved by God. That person has dignity and deserves not to be judged by you. It’s hard. Even after that experience at college, I’m not perfect at it. But it’s something I keep in mind and something I hope you will too.
Tuve tantos problemas tratando de decidir sobre qué escribir hoy. Hay tantos temas buenos en todas las lecturas: conversión, luz en la oscuridad, renovación, etc. Sin embargo, decidí hacer algo difícil y compartir con todos ustedes uno de los momentos de los cuales no me siento tan orgullosa.
Cuando estaba en la universidad, servía como anfitrióna de la habitación, lo que significa que los futuros estudiantes que visitaban al campus por la noche a veces se quedaban en el dormitorio conmigo y mi compañera de cuarto. La primera vez que recibimos a un posible estudiante, me emocioné tanto que hice lo que haría cualquier otro millennial. La busqué en las redes sociales. Y no me gustó lo que vi. No pensé que fuera digna de asistir a una escuela increíble como la franciscana. Y ciertamente tenía nociones preconcebidas sobre cómo iba a ser su visita. No me acuerdo mucho del tiempo que pasé con esta posible estudiante en particular, pero sí me acuerdo lo que sucedió después de que se fue. Lloré.
Así es. Lloré. ¿Por qué? Porque me di cuenta de que la había juzgado (e injustamente, además). Decidí quién era ella como persona antes de que pudiera saludarme y presentarse. Ese desdichado sentimiento de darme cuenta de lo que había hecho e incluso de haber juzgado a otro ser humano, es un sentimiento que me acompaña vívidamente hasta el día de hoy, casi nueve años después.
Cuento esta historia con cierta frecuencia, y lo siento si ya la he compartido en otra publicación de blog. Pero esta lección es demasiado grande para dejarla pasar. Esta verdad, que tú y yo nunca estuvimos destinados a juzgar el corazón de otro ser humano, necesitamos escucharlo una y otra vez. Dios mismo es el único juez de nuestros corazones y ese es el recordatorio que recibimos en la Primera Lectura de hoy.
Cuando estamos a punto de juzgar a otra persona, ¿qué es algo que nos puede ayudar en el momento? Te ofrezco esto: imagina a Jesús parado justo al lado de esa persona, con su mano en su hombro, diciéndole: “Este es mi hijo/hija amado”. Esa persona es amada por Dios. Esa persona tiene dignidad y no merece ser juzgada por ti. Es dificil. Incluso después de esa experiencia en la universidad, no soy perfecta en eso. Pero es algo que tengo en mente y algo que espero que tú también tengas en mente.
Erin is a Cleveland native and graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is passionate about the Lord Jesus, all things college sports and telling stories and she is blessed enough to get paid for all three of her passions as a full-time youth minister and a freelance sports writer.
Feature Image Credit: Tingey Injury Law Firm, unsplash.com/photos/6sl88x150Xs
Born in Skänninge, Sweden, in the 13th century, St. Ingrid lived under the spiritual direction of Peter of Dacia, a Dominican priest. She was the first Dominican nun in Sweden and in 1281 she founded the first Dominican cloister there, called St. Martin’s in Skänninge. She died in 1282 surrounded by an aura of sanctity. Miracles obtained through her intercession followed and led to a popular cult of this saint. In 1405, a canonization process was begun and the Swedish Bishops introduced her …
You govern your creation, O God,
and bring it to perfection by the work of our hands.
Hear the prayers of your people who ask for work
that will enhance their human dignity
and promote the upbuilding of your kingdom.
Enable them to provide for those confided to their care
either by family ties or by charity we owe to one another
for the betterment of human life.
We ask this blessing in the name of Jesus
who laboured with his own hands while he lived on earth.
Amen.
In the Gospel of Luke today, Jesus calls Peter to follow him. While Jesus was asking Peter to fill a unique role in the Kingdom of God, (After all, there can only be one first Pope, right?) we can use the path that Peter follows as a guide for our own faith journey.
In Luke’s retelling, Jesus had already gained a following before assembling the group later called “Disciples”. This means that when Jesus asked Peter to use his boat to teach to the crowds, Peter had already heard of Jesus. He knew Jesus was drawing crowds. He allowed Jesus to use his boat and heard what Jesus had to say for himself. When Jesus told Peter to put the nets down one more time, Peter politely informed him that they had already been at work all night, but he humored Jesus and put the nets down one more time. The nets were overflowing and Peter acknowledged Jesus as more than just another prophet. “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Jesus called and Peter left everything to follow Him.
Peter heard about Jesus. Peter heard Jesus speak. Jesus asked Peter for something entirely doable and Jesus went beyond Peter’s expectations. Peter realized the only logical response to meeting God was to confess one’s sins, give up everything and follow Him.
Just like Peter, God doesn’t ask us for more than we can do and when we comply with his requests, God goes beyond our wildest expectations. We get ourselves up out of bed on Sundays, brush our teeth and head to Mass. God asks for just a bit of our time, and he responds with a total gift of himself; body, blood, soul, and divinity. God asks us to come to him when we have done wrong or sinned, and he responds with a free gift of grace and another opportunity to start again. Whenever we give just a tiny bit of ourselves, God gives us back so much more.
When faced with such goodness, such immense love, like Peter, there is nothing we should do except leave everything behind and follow. But leaving behind isn’t easy for us humans. Peter left behind his livelihood, his family tradition of fishing, the community of fishermen who had lived and worked together for generations. Once he encountered Jesus, he was willing to leave it all, to follow God’s plan. And just look at what came of that!
We can reflect on what we are to give up. What are those habits and ways of life which are comfortable and familiar, but to fully follow Jesus, we need to leave them behind? What are the habits of our current world, the mass media, the constant availability of dopamine-inducing content that hijack our brain and our time?
We have heard about Jesus. We have heard Jesus speak through others. Jesus is asking us to follow him. What we need to do, like Peter, is follow him completely.
En el Evangelio de Lucas de hoy, Jesús llama a Pedro a seguirlo. Mientras Jesús le pedía a Pedro que desempeñara un papel único en el Reino de Dios (después de todo, solo puede haber un solo primer Papa, ¿verdad?), podemos usar el camino que sigue Pedro como guía para nuestro propio camino de fe.
En el recuento de Lucas, Jesús ya había ganado seguidores antes de reunir al grupo que más tarde se llamaría “Discípulos”. Esto significa que cuando Jesús le pidió a Pedro que usara su barca para enseñar a la multitud, Pedro ya había oído hablar de Jesús. Sabía que Jesús estaba atrayendo multitudes. Permitió que Jesús usara su bote y escuchó lo que Jesús tenía que decir por sí mismo. Cuando Jesús le dijo a Pedro que bajara las redes una vez más, Pedro le informó cortésmente que ya habían estado trabajando toda la noche, pero le siguió la corriente a Jesús y bajó las redes una vez más. Las redes estaban desbordadas y Pedro reconoció a Jesús como algo más que un profeta más. “Déjame, Señor, que soy un hombre pecador”. Jesús lo llamó y Pedro dejó todo para seguirlo.
Pedro oyó acerca de Jesús. Pedro escuchó a Jesús hablar. Jesús le pidió a Pedro algo completamente factible y Jesús fue más allá de las expectativas de Pedro. Pedro se dio cuenta de que la única respuesta lógica para encontrarse con Dios era confesar los pecados, renunciar a todo y seguirlo.
Al igual que Pedro, Dios no nos pide más de lo que podemos hacer y cuando cumplimos con sus pedidos, Dios va más allá de nuestras expectativas más grandes. Los domingos nos levantamos de la cama, nos cepillamos los dientes y vamos a misa. Dios pide un poco de nuestro tiempo y responde con un don total de sí mismo; cuerpo, sangre, alma y divinidad. Dios nos pide que acudamos a él cuando hemos hecho algo malo o cuando hemos pecado, y él responde con un regalo gratuito de gracia y otra oportunidad para comenzar de nuevo. Cada vez que damos un poco de nosotros mismos, Dios nos devuelve mucho más.
Ante tanta bondad, tan inmenso amor, como Pedro, no hay nada que debamos hacer sino dejar todo y seguirlo. Pero dejar todo no es fácil para nosotros los seres humanos. Pedro dejó atrás su medio de vida, su tradición familiar de pesca, la comunidad de pescadores que habían vivido y trabajado juntos durante generaciones. Una vez que se encontró con Jesús, estuvo dispuesto a dejarlo todo para seguir el plan de Dios. ¡Y mira lo que salió de eso!
Podemos reflexionar sobre lo que debemos renunciar. ¿Cuáles son esos hábitos y formas de vida que son cómodos y familiares, pero para seguir completamente a Jesús, debemos dejarlos atrás? ¿Cuáles son los hábitos de nuestro mundo actual, los medios de comunicación, la disponibilidad constante de contenido inductor de dopamina que secuestra nuestro cerebro y nuestro tiempo?
Hemos oído hablar de Jesús. Hemos escuchado a Jesús hablar a través de otros. Jesús nos pide que lo sigamos. Lo que tenemos que hacer, como Pedro, es seguirlo completamente.
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy.
Feature Image Credit: Pascal Müller, unsplash.com/photos/jyFynzFZ9-4
St. Giles, Abbot (Patron of Physically Disabled) Feast day – September 1 St. Giles is said to have been a seventh century Athenian of noble birth. His piety and learning made him so conspicuous and an object of such admiration in his own country that, dreading praise and longing for a hidden life, he left his home and sailed for France. At first he took up his abode in a wilderness near the mouth of the Rhone river, afterward near the river Gard, and, finally, in the diocese of Nimes. He …
You expired, O Jesus,
but the source of life gushed forth for souls
and an ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.
O Fount of Life,
unfathomable Divine Mercy,
envelop the whole world
and empty Yourself out upon us.
O Blood and Water,
which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus
as a fount of mercy for us,
I trust in You.
Amen.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
In today’s Gospel reading, we enter into just one of Jesus’ “days.” He had been teaching and healing non-stop for 24 hours at least. After he had left the synagogue [before today’s reading picks up], he went to Peter’s house, where he was asked to heal Peter’s mother-in-law who lay in bed with a severe fever. Jesus rebuked the fever and she immediately got up “and waited on them.” I imagine that meant cooking dinner, giving Jesus a bit of refreshment near the end of a busy day.
However, at sunset the house began to crowd with endless people pleading throughout the night for healing and hope. And now at daybreak, “Jesus left and went to a deserted place.” These are the words that are used in the Gospel of Luke to introduce the hours of solitude in which Jesus would be alone with his Father in prayer. These words are never used to indicate that Jesus was taking a break. He didn’t leave to escape the noise and demands of the crowds who needed him, but to reconnect with the Source of his Life, the Fire of Love that burned within him, his purpose, his desire. His great need was to stay in communion with the Father, and it was from this communion that he gained the strength and energy to give, to serve, to love, and eventually to lay down his life.
Saint John Paul II seemed to get his cue from Jesus himself. He received his drive, and his purpose, from prayer. The Pope’s schedule, according to Andreas Widmer, author of the book The Pope & the CEO: John Paul II’s Leadership Lessons to a Young Swiss Guard, ran something like this: The Pope rose before 6:00 and prayed in his private chapel before visitors joined him for Mass at 7:00. After Mass and an hour or two in the office, he would greet official visitors at 11:00, and then give his general audiences which were followed by lunch where he was joined by various Vatican staff. His lunches were the opportunity for him to be brought up to speed on what was happening in the various offices of the Vatican. Often he invited guests specifically to engage in a vigorous discussion on various theological or philosophical issues that concerned the life of the Church. After lunch, the Pope headed for the rooftop gardens of the Papal Palace to walk and talk with God. After this time of quiet prayer and rest, there were several hours of office work and more audiences until dinner at 8:00 where guests dined with him once more. After dinner he returned to reading and writing and praying well into the night, only turning out his lights at midnight or even later. We can imagine that this was a leisurely schedule compared to his schedule while traveling.
Widmer recalls that when John Paul II returned after being weeks on the road he didn’t head straight for his own apartment and collapse for a few days in exhaustion. As he arrived at the Vatican, he would stop and greet all the staff who had gathered to welcome him home and inspect the Swiss Guard lined up in honor formation, talking to each one and shaking their hands.
Widmer, who was a twenty-year-old Swiss Guard at the time and who was, like his fellow guards, in peak physical condition, describes how the young Swiss Guards were unable to keep up with the energy level of Saint John Paul II. He shared in his book how he tried to remember even once when he saw that schedule taking a toll on the pope. He couldn’t remember John Paul II ever exhausted, bleary-eyed, burnt out, irritated. The Swiss Guards who traveled with him on those trips were 40, 50, 60 years his junior, yet they returned home exhausted. The Pope instead was filled with energy and ready to pour himself out for others.
Just like Jesus, just like Saint John Paul II, each of us has a mission in life. Each of us have demands, are busy, have an overcrowded schedule. Each of us must deal with the rapid force of endless change and the fear of the uncertainty of what is right around the corner, the endless unknowns that could upset our life. Each of us is called in our vocation to pour ourselves out in response to whatever God asks of us.
Take your cue from Jesus today. Find your “deserted place” to recharge, regroup, renew. You may be able to stay there for moments, or it may be hours. You may find your deserted place in the car on a long commute or at night when the house has grown silent and all your family members are sleeping. Wherever it is and for whatever length of time you are able to be there, cherish your “deserted place” to commune with your God who will renew your energy, return your joy, and recharge your purpose in life.
Al día siguiente se fue a un lugar solitario.
En la lectura del Evangelio de hoy, entramos en solo uno de los “días” de Jesús. Había estado enseñando y sanando sin parar durante al menos 24 horas. Después de haber salido de la sinagoga [antes de que comience la lectura de hoy], fue a la casa de Pedro, donde se le pidió que curara a su suegra, que estaba en cama con mucha fiebre. Jesús reprendió la fiebre y ella inmediatamente se levantó “y se puso a servirles”. Me imagino que eso significaba preparar la cena, darle a Jesús un poco de refrigerio cerca del final de un día ajetreado.
Sin embargo, al atardecer la casa comenzó a llenarse con un sinfín de personas suplicando durante toda la noche por sanidad y esperanza. Y ahora, al amanecer, “Jesús partió y se fue a un lugar desierto”. Estas son las palabras que se utilizan en el Evangelio de Lucas para introducir las horas de soledad en las que Jesús estaría a solas con su Padre en oración. Estas palabras nunca se usan para indicar que Jesús estaba tomando un descanso. No partió para escapar del ruido y las demandas de las multitudes que lo necesitaban, sino para reconectarse con la Fuente de su Vida, el Fuego del Amor que ardía dentro de él, su propósito, su deseo. Su gran necesidad era permanecer en comunión con el Padre, y de esta comunión obtuvo la fuerza y la energía para dar, servir, amar y, finalmente, dar su vida.
San Juan Pablo II pareció entender el ejemplo del mismo Jesús. Recibió su impulso y su propósito de la oración. El horario del Papa, según Andreas Widmer, autor del libro The Pope & the CEO: John Paul II’s Leadership Lessons to a Young Swiss Guard, (El Papa y el CEO: Lecciones de Liderazgo de Juan Pablo II) para una joven Guardia Suizaera más o menos así: el Papa se levantaba antes de las 6:00 y rezaba en su capilla privada ante los visitantes, se unió a él para la Misa a las 7:00. Después de la Misa y una hora o dos en la oficina, saludaba a los visitantes oficiales a las 11:00 y luego daba sus audiencias generales seguidas de un almuerzo donde se le unían varios miembros del personal del Vaticano. Sus almuerzos fueron la oportunidad para que él se pusiera al día sobre lo que estaba sucediendo en las distintas oficinas del Vaticano. A menudo invitaba a los invitados específicamente a participar en una discusión vigorosa sobre varios temas teológicos o filosóficos que se relacionaban con la vida de la Iglesia. Después del almuerzo, el Papa se dirigió a los jardines de la azotea del Palacio Papal para caminar y hablar con Dios. Después de este tiempo de oración tranquila y descanso, hubo varias horas de trabajo de oficina y más audiencias hasta la cena a las 8:00 donde los invitados cenaron con él una vez más. Después de la cena, volvió a leer, escribir y orar hasta bien noche, y solo apagaba las luces a medianoche o incluso más tarde. Podemos imaginar que este era un horario pausado en comparación con su horario mientras viajaba.
Widmer recuerda que cuando Juan Pablo II regresaba después de estar de viaje por unas semanas, no se dirigía directamente a su propio apartamento a derrumbarse durante unos días por el agotamiento. Cuando llegaba al Vaticano, se detenía y saludaba a todo el personal que se había reunido para darle la bienvenida a casa e inspeccionaba a la Guardia Suiza en formación de honor, hablando con cada uno y dándoles la mano.
Widmer, que en ese momento era un guardia suizo de veinte años y que, al igual que sus compañeros de guardia, estaba en óptimas condiciones físicas, describe cómo los jóvenes guardias suizos no pudieron mantenerse al día con el nivel de energía de San Juan Pablo II. Compartió en su libro cómo trató de recordar incluso una vez cuando vio que ese horario le estaba afectaba al Papa. No podía recordar a Juan Pablo II alguna vez exhausto, con ojos llorosos, quemado, irritado. Los guardias suizos que viajaron con él en esos viajes eran 40, 50, 60 años menores que él, pero regresaron a casa exhaustos. El Papa, en cambio, estaba lleno de energía y dispuesto a entregarse por los demás.
Como Jesús, como San Juan Pablo II, cada uno de nosotros tiene una misión en la vida. Cada uno de nosotros tiene demandas, está ocupado, tiene un horario abarrotado. Cada uno de nosotros debe lidiar con la fuerza rápida del cambio sin fin y el miedo a la incertidumbre de lo que está a la vuelta de la esquina, las incógnitas infinitas que podrían trastornar nuestra vida. Cada uno de nosotros está llamado en nuestra vocación a entregarse en respuesta a lo que Dios nos pide.
Siga el ejemplo de Jesús hoy. Encuentra tu “lugar desierto” para recargar, reagrupar, renovar. Es posible que pueda permanecer allí por momentos, o pueden ser horas. Puede encontrar su lugar desierto en el automóvil en un viaje largo o por la noche cuando la casa se ha vuelto silenciosa y todos los miembros de su familia están durmiendo. Dondequiera que sea y durante el tiempo que puedas estar allí, atesora tu “lugar desierto” para comunicarte con tu Dios, quien renovará tu energía, te devolverá la alegría y recargará tu propósito en la vida.
Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, is the author of the newly released title: Reclaim Regret: How God Heals Life’s Disappointments, by Pauline Books and Media. An author and spiritual mentor, she offers spiritual accompaniment for the contemporary Christian’s journey towards spiritual growth and inner healing. She is the director of My Sisters, where people can find spiritual accompaniment from the Daughters of St. Paul on their journey. Website: www.touchingthesunrise.com Public Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/srkathrynhermes/ For monthly spiritual journaling guides, weekly podcasts and over 50 conferences and retreat programs join my Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/srkathryn.
Feature Image Credit: Josef August Untersberger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christ_on_the_Mount_of_Olives_by_Giovanni.jpg
Raymond was born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain. He was delivered by caesarean operation when his mother died in childbirth. Hence his name non natus (not born). He joined the Mercedarians under St. Peter Nolasco at Barcelona. He succeeded Peter as chief ransomer and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. He remained as hostage for several slaves when his money ran out and was sentenced to be impaled when the governor learned that he had converted several Mohammedans. He escaped the death sentence …
Lord Jesus, grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with one another’s weaknesses and grow from each other’s strengths. Help us to forgive one another’s failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self.
May the love that brought us …