Have You Thanked Your Guardian Angel Today?

Today is the feast of the guardian angels. How many people ever talk to or thank their 
guardian angel for his 24/7 attention. When you have a close call on the road, when you meet a friend "by coincidence" when you need someone to talk to, when you take a serious fall but are spared any serious injury?  Was it, perhaps, the protective action of your angel always on watch?

The angels are powerful and eager to help us -- but only in things that bring us closer to God. Don't ask your guardian angel to give you the numbers for the big lottery win. How many people's lives have been ruined by quick riches? Too many to count. But praying before studying that you might be well prepared for a test or praying before taking up the Scripture asking for guidance in understanding God's word....

The angels will happily respond to those kinds of prayer.

Today's meditation in Benedictus is well worth quoting in part:

Sunday Meditation: Let us accept all our sufferings as a mortification for our eternal salvation.

Many of the meditations in the Benedictus Latin Mass prayer book share writings of Prosper Louis Pascal Guéranger (1805-1875).  A French priest and Benedictine monk, Dom Guéranger was Abbot of the monastery of Solesmes for almost 40 years. He also established the French Benedictine Congregation after the French Revolution. The architects of the Revolution. with their "cult of reason," did everything possible to destroy the Catholic Church in France. 

Sunday Meditation: Of Angels and Demons

Anyone as old as I am will remember the cartoons with Disney characters who have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other both whispering in his ears. I thought of that today during catechism class after Mass. We had a visiting Benedictine monk sharing about life in the monastery. At one point he discussed the thoughts and ideas and "voices" we hear inside our heads. He commented that we often think we're just talking to ourselves, but that isn't necessarily true. The Holy Spirit inspires those intent on doing God's will with holy thoughts. The demons, who are just as intent on our destruction as our guardian angels are on our salvation, love to tempt us. 

Fr. Tom Collins: A MORE DOCILE APPROACH TO AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

Lent begins in a few weeks, so it's a good time to think about confession which always begins with a serious and fruitful examination of conscience. Fr. Tom gives us a how-to approach.

The Rite for the Sacrament of Reconciliation encourages the use of God’s Word, found in Holy Scripture and in Church Tradition, for the examination of one’s conscience.

Nabi Sayeth: Didn't the Bishops Get the Memo or Did it Get Lost in their Piles of "Stuff?"

Luke 9: 58…..Jesus said, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

And then there’s our beloved St. Mother Teresa….

Mother Teresa served the poor in humble surroundings with none of the luxuries of modern life. 

Sunday Meditation: Control of the Thoughts, a Prescription for Spiritual Health

Today has offered a continual reminder that one of the keys to happiness is to control our thoughts. A constant litany of negativity is the quickest way to discouragement and depression. When I was on Facebook this morning, I came across a video of Zig Ziglar. It intrigued me so I took a look at his bio. His life wasn't all roses and bonbons. His father died when he was only six years old and his baby sister died two days later. His family was poor. He was a salesman who struggled to make enough to take care of his family. And yet, he never gave up and ended up a successful motivational speakers helping millions of people "overcome obstacles." Here's just one short video with an important message about life.

Do You Know Our Lady of Good Success and Her Apparitions to Sr. Mariana in Quito, Ecuador?

I wrote just a bit about them here. Any holy person described as an "industrious little bee" is an intercessor after my own heart. Sr. Mariana left Spain with her Aunt, an abbess, and several other sisters to found a convent in Quito in the 16th century. She was only 13 and a young postulant, but on fire with love of God. She bravely faced the dangerous trip across the ocean and then the long and arduous treck across the mountains of Ecuador where she spent the rest of her life. Sr. Mariana of Jesus, intercede for us that we might be as diligent to grow in the spiritual life as you were. Our Lady of Good Success, pray for us. 

"I've Never Been to Me" -- Do you know yourself?

St. Francis de Sales, the great spiritual director, believed that advancing in the spiritual life begins with self knowledge. He echoes the Greeks, saying "know thyself." On Ash Wednesday in 1612, he preached a sermon saying, "The first elements of a knowledge of God are in the knowledge of self."

When I listened to this wonderful song at the urging of a priest friend, I thought of St. Francis' admonition. It's only when I've "been to me" and seen myself in the light of God's grace, that I can truly begin to grow in the spiritual life. Too many people run from the Lord trying to hide in the pleasures and distractions of the world. Only when they stop running from the Hound of Heaven, and turn toward Him can they see themselves in His image and likeness.

This song is hauntingly beautiful and filled with the sad truth of the emptiness of a worldly life. Another "translation" of its meaning is the film, It's a Wonderful Life. When George Bailey sees his life reflected through his guardian angel Clarence he learns how important and valuable his "cursed" life was. And remember what happens next? He runs home and embraces his family. It's at the heart of the family, the domestic church, where true meaning exists.

Advent, the Season of Hope and Change!

It's the third week of Advent and the hope of the coming Messiah draws near. Advent is the season of hope. We remember Christ's coming 2000 years ago and recall all the predictions of the prophets promising a Savior. And we, with Simeon in the temple, are privileged to see Him! We look forward to the hope of the future when we will live with Him in eternal glory. And we live today in hope that, despite all the evils of the world and the darkness of sin that still permeates our world like a toxic spill, we renew our hope in Christ. "All things work together for good to those that love Him and serve according to His purpose." Yes, we have ample reason to hope.

And Advent is the season of change. We hear St. John the Baptist's call to "reform" our lives and, hopefully, we answer. If we do, what a joy the Christmas season will be! We will stand in the temple of the Lord rejoicing like Simeon the Prophet who said, "Master, now you may dismiss your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32). Rejoice and be glad for your salvation is near!

What a waste of a life....

So many times these days, I read something and think, "What a waste of a life." When I was watching the Elvis video with Martinal McBride the other day, I could only look at that handsome young man gifted with so much talent who died young of drugs and alcohol and think, "What a waste!" One could say the same about Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Janis Joplan and any number of Hollywood personalities who died young and some who are still alive like Madonna. But there's still hope for her to turn her life around.

Of course there are those who lived long lives, like Ted Kennedy. He could have been a champion of life defending the unborn and using his influence for good. Instead, he not only led a life notorious for drunkenness and debauchery, but he also led others into sin. Who can forget the Good Friday when Ted woke up his son and his nephew to go partying and they brought back women to the Kennedy compound?