This morning I researched the true meaning of All Saints Day and Halloween. Ofcourse, like most everything else, it all goes back to the Catholic Church. One of the many reasons I love being catholic is our belief in the Saints. I like to explain it to protestants that just as we ask each other to pray for each other here on earth, we ask the Saints and the Blessed Mother to pray for us. We believe that they are just as present here on earth as all of us. They are walking beside us waiting to be called upon for help. Is that not cool or what? The only difference is they are in Heaven with God our Father! I love it that Halloween is a mockery of evil. Isn't that great? We are saying ha ha Satan....you can't touch us because we love Jesus! I can't wait to teach that to my children when they are older. That makes me want to dress them extra scary so we can really laugh in Satan's face because we strive for holiness, not evil!
Below you will find the information I found at www.churchyear.net. Enjoy reading the history and becoming more educated about the Catholic Faith! And for those protestants out there, the Catholic Churh loves all religions and we are all in this together.....loving the same God and trying to get to the same place! I am not trying to push the catholic faith on you, but I think it is fun to learn about all religions!
The Feast of All Saints is a holy day of the Church honoring all saints, known and unknown. This is much like the American holidays Veterans Day and Presidents Day, where many people are honored on one day. While we have information about many saints, and we honor them on specific days, there are many unknown or unsung saints, who may have been forgotten, or never been specifically honored. On All Saints Day, we celebrate these saints of the Lord, and ask for their prayers and intercessions. The whole concept of All Saints Day is tied in with the concept of the Communion of Saints. This is the belief that all of God's people, on heaven, earth, and in the state of purification (called Purgatory in the West), are connected in a communion. In other words, Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe that the saints of God are just as alive as you and I, and are constantly interceding on our behalf. Remember, our connection with the saints in heaven is one grounded in a tight-knit communion. The saints are not divine, nor omnipresent or omniscient. However, because of our common communion with and through Jesus Christ, our prayers are joined with the heavenly community of Christians. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (AD 350) testifies to this belief:
We mention those who have fallen asleep: first the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers and supplications God would receive our petition...(Catechetical Lecture 23:9).
The Catholic Catechism concisely describes this communion among believers, by which we are connected to Christ, and thus to one another:
"Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness...They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us...So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.""...as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself: We worship Christ as God's Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples (CCC 956, 957)!
There are thousands of canonized saints, that is those individuals officially recognized by the Church as holy men and women worthy of imitation. Because miracles have been associated with these people, and their lives have been fully examined and found holy by the Church, we can be assured they are prime examples of holiness, and powerful intercessors before God on our behalf. There are also many patron saints, guardians or protectors of different areas and states of life. For instance, St. Vitus is the patron saint against oversleeping, and St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of air travelers. It may sound crazy to have a patron saint against oversleeping, but keep in mind the Church has something meaningful for every area of our human lives. All of these saints are celebrated throughout the year, as many have their own feast days (for instance, St. Hilary of Poitiers, whose feast day is celebrated January 13).
The vigil of the Feast (the eve) has grown up in the English speaking countries as a festival in itself, All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. While many consider Halloween pagan (and in many instances the celebrations are for many), as far as the Church is concerned the date is simply the eve of the feast of All Saints. Many customs of Halloween reflect the Christian belief that on the feast's vigils we mock evil, because as Christians, it has no real power over us. However, for some Halloween is used for evil purposes, in which many Christians dabble unknowingly. David Morrison explains the proper relationship between Christians and Halloween. Various customs have developed related to Halloween. In the Middle Ages, poor people in the community begged for "soul cakes," and upon receiving these doughnuts, they would agree to pray for departed souls. This is the root of our modern day "trick-or-treat." The custom of masks and costumes developed to mock evil and perhaps confuse the evil spirits by dressing as one of their own. Some Christians visit cemeteries on Halloween, not to practice evil, but to commemorate departed relatives and friends, with picnics and the last flowers of the year. The day after All Saints day is called All Soul's Day, a day to remember and offer prayers up on behalf of all of the faithful departed. In many cultures it seems the two days share many customs.
PRAYER FOR HALLOWEEN
Christ Our LordYou suffered and were tempted.You are powerful to come to the aid of those who are assailed by the devil,For you are the support of Christian people.O Lord, protect with Your Right Hand those who trust in Your Name. Deliver them from the Evil One,and grant them everlasting joy. AmenSt. Gregory of Khandzta (759-861)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
FORGET ALL OF THE RULES AND TRUST YOUR GOD GIVEN GUT!
Gospel Reading for today Luke 14:1-6
First reading Romans 9:15
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
"Does our Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?" Luke 14:3
"If any one of you had a son or an ox that happened to fall in a well on a sabbath, would you not pull him out at once on the Sabbath itself?" Luke:14:5
This gospel reading reminded me of all of the "rules" in mothering our children and life in general. Jesus is telling us in the gospel that sometimes you have to use common sense or your instinct instead of being so absorbed in the rules. Our society has their nose in a book more than they have a voice. There are so many rules on how to best "parent" your child, but what I have found (not that I know much) is you just have to use what works best for your family. Last night my middle child, Clementine (2.5), likes to have her back scratched while she falls asleep. I know I need to nip that one in the bud, but as I layed their scratching her back and watching her fall asleep feeling safe, I thought to myself that that is our job....to make our children feel safe and loved. She will grow up faster than I want her to so just enjoying the moment of watching my sweet little 2 year fall asleep is okay. We need to stop worry so much about what the books say and just use our instinct.
Some mothers don't mind leaving their children in the hands of someone else while they go and work outside the home, but the mothers who yearn to be at home with their children and be their first teacher, forget the rules and what the world says you should do. Give up all of the materialistic garbage or selfish desires that is forcing you to leave your child and go with your instinct. We are inundated with rules, opinions, worldly views and sometimes you have to go to the core of your soul and find out what is best for you and your family. This is just one example of how women are being ruled by man made regulations and Jesus is telling us in the gospel that you have to not be so absorbed with the rules that you let something so important "go".
So today, I hope you feel a little more free after you read this. Let it go! Let all of those darn rules and opinions of what you "should be doing" fly out the window. God gives us women an amazing intuition so let's use it!
Have a blessed Friday and a Happy Halloween!
First reading Romans 9:15
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
"Does our Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?" Luke 14:3
"If any one of you had a son or an ox that happened to fall in a well on a sabbath, would you not pull him out at once on the Sabbath itself?" Luke:14:5
This gospel reading reminded me of all of the "rules" in mothering our children and life in general. Jesus is telling us in the gospel that sometimes you have to use common sense or your instinct instead of being so absorbed in the rules. Our society has their nose in a book more than they have a voice. There are so many rules on how to best "parent" your child, but what I have found (not that I know much) is you just have to use what works best for your family. Last night my middle child, Clementine (2.5), likes to have her back scratched while she falls asleep. I know I need to nip that one in the bud, but as I layed their scratching her back and watching her fall asleep feeling safe, I thought to myself that that is our job....to make our children feel safe and loved. She will grow up faster than I want her to so just enjoying the moment of watching my sweet little 2 year fall asleep is okay. We need to stop worry so much about what the books say and just use our instinct.
Some mothers don't mind leaving their children in the hands of someone else while they go and work outside the home, but the mothers who yearn to be at home with their children and be their first teacher, forget the rules and what the world says you should do. Give up all of the materialistic garbage or selfish desires that is forcing you to leave your child and go with your instinct. We are inundated with rules, opinions, worldly views and sometimes you have to go to the core of your soul and find out what is best for you and your family. This is just one example of how women are being ruled by man made regulations and Jesus is telling us in the gospel that you have to not be so absorbed with the rules that you let something so important "go".
So today, I hope you feel a little more free after you read this. Let it go! Let all of those darn rules and opinions of what you "should be doing" fly out the window. God gives us women an amazing intuition so let's use it!
Have a blessed Friday and a Happy Halloween!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
GOD'S LOVE NEVER LEAVES US AND OUR LOVE NEVER LEAVES OUR CHILDREN
Gospel Reading today: Luke 13:31-35
First Reading: Romans 8:31-39
"Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?" Romans 8:35
I read the passage from Romans this morning and took amazing comfort that nothing here on earth can separate us from God's love. Just as I talked about yesterday that our love we have welled up inside for our family and for others is the Kingdom of God at hand, for nothing about love comes from ourselves but is only the pureness and goodness of God. We are all suffering with some sort of troubles right now I am sure.....troubles with finances, troubles with pregnancies, troubles with family, troubles with co-workers, troubles with neighbors, troubles with health, troubles with disabilities, troubles with anxiety....you name it, one of us has got it. How wonderful to know through all of these troubles, we are never separated from God's love. His love is like a warm blanket wrapped around us in the cold. His love is like our Mother's arms wrapped around us telling us everything is going to be okay. We are guaranteed in this life no matter what happens that God's love is always present among us and in us. This goes back to yesterday again with mother's being the kingdom of God at hand. Nothing can separate our love for our children....nothing! Just as our children need to be comforted by our love, we need to be wrapped in the arms of Jesus and comforted as well. This is one beautiful circle of love and LOVE is what it all boils down to in life. Are you loving your children in others the way God loves you? Are you constantly wrapping your arms of love around your children and husband reassuring them that everything is going to be okay? For this is what God does to us and in turn we are to be Christ (the kingdom of God) for our families. Never abandoning them, never forsaking them, but always loving them. They will know God's love by our love.
Whatever you are going through today, take a deep breath and rest in the arms of Jesus. He is all you need.....you need nothing more. His love will see you through all trials and heartaches. Just breath and pray.
Have a blessed Thursday!
First Reading: Romans 8:31-39
"Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?" Romans 8:35
I read the passage from Romans this morning and took amazing comfort that nothing here on earth can separate us from God's love. Just as I talked about yesterday that our love we have welled up inside for our family and for others is the Kingdom of God at hand, for nothing about love comes from ourselves but is only the pureness and goodness of God. We are all suffering with some sort of troubles right now I am sure.....troubles with finances, troubles with pregnancies, troubles with family, troubles with co-workers, troubles with neighbors, troubles with health, troubles with disabilities, troubles with anxiety....you name it, one of us has got it. How wonderful to know through all of these troubles, we are never separated from God's love. His love is like a warm blanket wrapped around us in the cold. His love is like our Mother's arms wrapped around us telling us everything is going to be okay. We are guaranteed in this life no matter what happens that God's love is always present among us and in us. This goes back to yesterday again with mother's being the kingdom of God at hand. Nothing can separate our love for our children....nothing! Just as our children need to be comforted by our love, we need to be wrapped in the arms of Jesus and comforted as well. This is one beautiful circle of love and LOVE is what it all boils down to in life. Are you loving your children in others the way God loves you? Are you constantly wrapping your arms of love around your children and husband reassuring them that everything is going to be okay? For this is what God does to us and in turn we are to be Christ (the kingdom of God) for our families. Never abandoning them, never forsaking them, but always loving them. They will know God's love by our love.
Whatever you are going through today, take a deep breath and rest in the arms of Jesus. He is all you need.....you need nothing more. His love will see you through all trials and heartaches. Just breath and pray.
Have a blessed Thursday!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
MOTHERS ARE THE MUSTARD SEED
Gospel Reading today: Luke 6:12-16
Gospel Reading from Tuesday: Luke 13:18-21
"The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. The plant grows and becomes a tree and the birds make their nests in its branches. Luke 13:19
When I read this scripture yesterday with motherhood in mind, a whole new meaning took place in my heart and it was such an amazing thought that kept reoccurring throughout my day yesterday. We are told in scripture that we can experience the Kingdom of God here on earth and I realized yesterday after I read the parable of the mustard seed that a Mother's Love IS the kingdom of God of at hand. For God is love and gives us mothers this perfect love to perform on earth by giving birth to new life and loving these little creatures like we have never loved before. A mother and father's love for their children is like no other love on earth. THIS is the kingdom of God at hand! We are to spread this love to our children and in turn they will spread the love to others in their life and then onto their family. Just like the seed that grows into a tree and the birds make their nests, so does a mothers love grow into a beautiful tree and from there, branches are formed and the tree continues to grow. How blessed we are as women that God chose US to be a pillar that is holding up the Kingdom of God. He chose us women to be the forefront of the battle of good verses evil. What we do as mothers is absolute goodness, which is only from God. Our day to day tasks that we perform in love is performing for the Kingdom. We humble our selves and say yes to life, we put ourselves aside as we grow life inside of us, we put all of our fears aside as we give birth to new life and become the care-taker of the soul that has been given to us. As mothers, we lay down our lives the rest of our life to care and nurture these souls. THIS is the greatest form of love and sacrifice and THIS is the Kingdom of God at hand!
Wow, powerful words from the Holy Spirit that wanted me to pass this on to all of you. The work you do is holy and good. The work you do is for our Lord Jesus and you will be rewarded abundantly in Heaven.
Have a blessed Wednesday and don't forget to water your seed with prayer and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus!
Gospel Reading from Tuesday: Luke 13:18-21
"The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. The plant grows and becomes a tree and the birds make their nests in its branches. Luke 13:19
When I read this scripture yesterday with motherhood in mind, a whole new meaning took place in my heart and it was such an amazing thought that kept reoccurring throughout my day yesterday. We are told in scripture that we can experience the Kingdom of God here on earth and I realized yesterday after I read the parable of the mustard seed that a Mother's Love IS the kingdom of God of at hand. For God is love and gives us mothers this perfect love to perform on earth by giving birth to new life and loving these little creatures like we have never loved before. A mother and father's love for their children is like no other love on earth. THIS is the kingdom of God at hand! We are to spread this love to our children and in turn they will spread the love to others in their life and then onto their family. Just like the seed that grows into a tree and the birds make their nests, so does a mothers love grow into a beautiful tree and from there, branches are formed and the tree continues to grow. How blessed we are as women that God chose US to be a pillar that is holding up the Kingdom of God. He chose us women to be the forefront of the battle of good verses evil. What we do as mothers is absolute goodness, which is only from God. Our day to day tasks that we perform in love is performing for the Kingdom. We humble our selves and say yes to life, we put ourselves aside as we grow life inside of us, we put all of our fears aside as we give birth to new life and become the care-taker of the soul that has been given to us. As mothers, we lay down our lives the rest of our life to care and nurture these souls. THIS is the greatest form of love and sacrifice and THIS is the Kingdom of God at hand!
Wow, powerful words from the Holy Spirit that wanted me to pass this on to all of you. The work you do is holy and good. The work you do is for our Lord Jesus and you will be rewarded abundantly in Heaven.
Have a blessed Wednesday and don't forget to water your seed with prayer and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
HI, I AM A MOTHER OF THREE.....and I lose it with my children from time to time.
First Reading today in Mass: 7:18-25
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:54-59
"For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want." Romans 7:19
There you have it, I confessed in the headlines what we all long to hear.....that other mothers lose their mind from time to time. I had to write the reflection on the first reading today instead of the gospel. I think it is a message all of us mothers can relate to. Whether we want to admit or not, we have all "lost it" with our children (maybe their are a few saints out there who haven't and I would love to know your remedy!). The momen we finally break we realize we did wrong and go to sleep at night with a heavy heart because we beat ourselves up for being human. So many times I wish I had handled situations differently instead of throwing something across the room and screaming at the top of my lungs, but dang it feels good at the time. After a few moments, I have to apologize to my children for my behavior....I have even put myself in the naughty corner from time to time. But I think the lesson is, we are human and sometimes we do things we wish we wouldn't have. However, I believe all of the goodness we show our children over powers the times we mess up. We have to give ourselves a break and realize we are human. A priest once told me in confession as I was confessing the anger I had shown towards my children, that the Saints struggled mostly with patience. That was music to my ears!
So today or the next day or next week, when you find yourself about to break, try stopping and saying a simple yet powerful prayer such as "Jesus, feel me with your presence." or "Mary, mother of God, be a mother to me now", a prayer taught to me by author Donna Marie Cooper Oboyle. These are prayers taught by very faithful women who have struggled through motherhood and other hard times. Keep in mind how merciful Jesus is and how He understands that we will fall many times on the path to holiness. He is walking by your side and picking you up when you fall. We can see His forgiveness through our children. They are so forgiving and merciful towards all of us dear mothers.
Have a blessed Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:54-59
"For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want." Romans 7:19
There you have it, I confessed in the headlines what we all long to hear.....that other mothers lose their mind from time to time. I had to write the reflection on the first reading today instead of the gospel. I think it is a message all of us mothers can relate to. Whether we want to admit or not, we have all "lost it" with our children (maybe their are a few saints out there who haven't and I would love to know your remedy!). The momen we finally break we realize we did wrong and go to sleep at night with a heavy heart because we beat ourselves up for being human. So many times I wish I had handled situations differently instead of throwing something across the room and screaming at the top of my lungs, but dang it feels good at the time. After a few moments, I have to apologize to my children for my behavior....I have even put myself in the naughty corner from time to time. But I think the lesson is, we are human and sometimes we do things we wish we wouldn't have. However, I believe all of the goodness we show our children over powers the times we mess up. We have to give ourselves a break and realize we are human. A priest once told me in confession as I was confessing the anger I had shown towards my children, that the Saints struggled mostly with patience. That was music to my ears!
So today or the next day or next week, when you find yourself about to break, try stopping and saying a simple yet powerful prayer such as "Jesus, feel me with your presence." or "Mary, mother of God, be a mother to me now", a prayer taught to me by author Donna Marie Cooper Oboyle. These are prayers taught by very faithful women who have struggled through motherhood and other hard times. Keep in mind how merciful Jesus is and how He understands that we will fall many times on the path to holiness. He is walking by your side and picking you up when you fall. We can see His forgiveness through our children. They are so forgiving and merciful towards all of us dear mothers.
Have a blessed Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
DREADFUL DAYS OF MOTHERHOOD....paves your path to Holiness
Gospel reading today: Luke 12:49-53
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" Luke 12:49
I was relieved when I read this verse today as we now how proof that Jesus dreaded tasks that he was given. I think we can all relate as mothers to Jesus today in the Gospel. I don't know how many days I wish things were "already a blazin' " without me having to do anything! The dreaded feeling of the days ahead of sickness and dog-beat tired when you find out you are pregnant or the days when you have been up all night with a sick one but you have to face a normal day of taking care of all your little ones. How about the dreaded 7 hour drive with screaming toddlers strapped into their car seats or the dread of another ordinary day of spills, screams, fights or in one word to sum it up CHAOS! Just as Jesus did, we dread tasks as mothers, but have to remember we have greatness to achieve through the dreaded days. We have work to be done to bring souls to meet Jesus. If life was easy and fun all of the time, we would take the good times for granted and not have anything to truly work for. Life is meant to be mundane, hard, dreadful, and tiresome sometimes but keeping your eyes focused on Heaven will help you through these days and keep you fixed on the eternal goal. Jesus' life was hard but look at the dreaded work that became fruitful.
So today, if you are in the dreaded trenches, lift your head up and look at the big picture. Your work is holy and the work you do is paving your path to sheer bliss and happiness. When you leave this earth, you will hear what we all yearn to hear someday..."well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the gates of Heaven." Today you are among the Saints and Angels helping you with the greatest task God can give someone on earth....seeing to every need of the Souls that He created.
Have a blessed Thursday!
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" Luke 12:49
I was relieved when I read this verse today as we now how proof that Jesus dreaded tasks that he was given. I think we can all relate as mothers to Jesus today in the Gospel. I don't know how many days I wish things were "already a blazin' " without me having to do anything! The dreaded feeling of the days ahead of sickness and dog-beat tired when you find out you are pregnant or the days when you have been up all night with a sick one but you have to face a normal day of taking care of all your little ones. How about the dreaded 7 hour drive with screaming toddlers strapped into their car seats or the dread of another ordinary day of spills, screams, fights or in one word to sum it up CHAOS! Just as Jesus did, we dread tasks as mothers, but have to remember we have greatness to achieve through the dreaded days. We have work to be done to bring souls to meet Jesus. If life was easy and fun all of the time, we would take the good times for granted and not have anything to truly work for. Life is meant to be mundane, hard, dreadful, and tiresome sometimes but keeping your eyes focused on Heaven will help you through these days and keep you fixed on the eternal goal. Jesus' life was hard but look at the dreaded work that became fruitful.
So today, if you are in the dreaded trenches, lift your head up and look at the big picture. Your work is holy and the work you do is paving your path to sheer bliss and happiness. When you leave this earth, you will hear what we all yearn to hear someday..."well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the gates of Heaven." Today you are among the Saints and Angels helping you with the greatest task God can give someone on earth....seeing to every need of the Souls that He created.
Have a blessed Thursday!
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