My Catholic Life

"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends (those whom we love) Jn 15:13. Have you ever stopped to think about the phrasing of this verse? Have you wondered why Jesus used the words "lay down one's life' or "to give one's life" rather than just simply use the words to die? Jesus is about to physically lay down his life, to die, for those whom he loves, mankind, us. But physical death is not the only manner of laying down one's life, of giving one's life for another. Jesus gave us this example not just in his death but also in his life. He died for us, yes, but he also lived his entire life for us. Dedicating his life for us, giving up his own wants and desires for us, for our benefit, for our sake. In the preceding verse, Jn 15:12, Jesus says " This is my commandment: love one another as I love you" . We are commanded not only to love, but to love as Jesus loved. All Christians are called to...

Even to the death fight for the truth, and the Lord your God will battle for you. Sirach 4:28 People don’t get me….a lot. It’s not easy to march to a different drummer. More often than not, someone like me, has tried really hard to fit in. But no matter how hard we try we don’t, we can’t, that other drummer just won’t let us. It is a voice that tells us that we are not being true and a sense of integrity will not let us pretend. Sometimes we think we have found a place, a place were we are the same and then something happens and we find out that we are being called to be different there as well. Different drummer marchers are often warriors. Along with that drum we hear trumpets, bugles and shofars. We hear reveilles and calls to arms. We fight with all our might and we fight for what we think is right. Often you think we are fighting for one thing, to be right, to win, to be in charge or control, but we are not. We are usually fighting for an underdog or a principle or for yo...

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 It seems I have been inspired to write on the subject of unity in the Body of Christ today. I don’t think we realize how powerful that unity is in our prayers, how praying in “one voice” can bring us into the presence of the Lord. Or how the sound of the many in “one voice” strikes fear in the heart of the enemies of our soul. The Church from it’s earliest days has been attacked by disagreement, division, dissention, heresy and schism. Jesus said “ a house divided cannot stand” (Mt 12:25, Mk 3:25, Lk 11:17) and the Epistles are full of verses calling us to remain as one, one with each other and one with the teachings of the Church. This unity is such a position of strength for us, so great in its power that satan does his very best that it not be so....

Am I the only one to see a significance in the fact that we currently have two living popes? I am intrigued by what I have seen between Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict. I am wondering if events have transpired in this way in order to assist Pope Francis in a special and extraordinary way right now. The next question would be what is happening in the world and in the Church, or what is going to happen, that Pope Francis would have need of such extraordinary assistance? When Pope Benedict announced his resignation I was as surprised and questioning as anyone else at this rare occurrence in the Church. Why would the Pope feel led to resign for reasons of declining health and strength when almost all other popes had suffered through such things as well, yet still retaining their office until their deaths? There have of course been speculations ranging from Benedict’s mental capabilities to conspiracy theories that he had been forced out of office by corrupt men in the Vatican. I h...

Before I get to my thoughts on how we need eyes of faith to recognize God‘s action in our lives, I have some random stuff in my head that I would like to share. Maybe it will tie in somehow, maybe not. Yesterday, I finally got to listen to a live Vericast podcast. I found Vericast a couple of weeks ago and have been checking out their videos and recordings of past shows. Vericast for those who don’t know is “the hardest -hitting Catholic podcast on [or off] the Internet.” For my readers who haven’t seen it you should check them out at Vericast.net. I’m sure they won’t mind if I give them some props and pass along where to find them. My readers who do know Vericast, well, you are already in the loop. Anyway, I finally catch a live show. I don’t enter into the chat although I do follow it. I usually lurk at first, I like to get the feel of people sometimes before I just jump in. I was a shy child. Most people don’t believe me when I tell them that. Well, there is nothing ...