Next up: The Sacred Heart of Jesus

We have, ladies and gentlemen, reached Ordinary Time. Green vestments, normal stuff in your Sunday readings. You know the deal. And it’s good!

Do you during “ordinary time” look forward to the next big “thing?” As in - what is the next significant day in the calendar, the next feast, the next reason to celebrate?

The next big thing right now is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, coming up on June 24. Because I realize this is not something I know a ton about, I am going to a.) pray along with Pray More Novenas Sacred heart novena (sign up here), and as an intention pray to know Jesus’s heart better; and b.) do some general research. I’ll start here.

The heart being the thing we think of as the center of our love, I will certainly pray to love as Jesus does. Tall order, especially for ordinary time! But that’s a year-round prayer, anyway

By the way, I would be remiss not to mention that yesterday was the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua. I find my own devotion to him grows - it’s just a good idea to pray to St. Anthony, especially if you are looking for something. And I’d say most of us are looking for something.

May your ordinary times be blessed.

Praying the Truth

During Lent I read William A. Barry, SJ’s, Praying the Truth. From the back of the book:

The thought of being wholly honest with God can be a scary thought indeed. After all, it’s daunting enough for us to be completely truthful with our closest friends and family members. If we were to tell God the truth about everything in our lives - and about everything in our hearts and minds - God’s reaction might be too much for us to bear…

This is true. No matter how much we may tell ourselves “God, I give you all!” chances are, there is some way we hold back, or change the truth slightly, so it is more palatable for God, or really, for ourselves. This is done out of fear - of rejection, of our pride being hurt, of falling short of an imaginary standard, and so on.

I think about when I was very little and heard in Sunday school that I had to love God with my whole heart. And, knowing God read my thoughts, I remember thinking, “God! I really do love you with my whole heart!” and hoped he believed me. But it wasn’t true, because I didn’t know God, and was actually scared of Him.

As adults, there is absolutely the same tendency toward keeping things to oneself, or presenting a sanitized version of what we are experiencing, before God. This may be particularly true of Catholics, as we are presented with many examples of pious and holy people in the saints. Saints really seem to know how to pray, don’t they? And I think, yes, Jesus, if you’ll just believe me, really I want to abandon myself to your will as much as St. Therese did. I really mean it!

It’s as if there is a sense that if we show God our shortcomings, he will take His love away.

As Fr. Barry writes, God’s love is unconditional. Until we can be fully truthful with God, we will not experience that unconditional love. How can we, if our own fear stands in the way?

Further, God desires friendship with us very much, and honesty is the bedrock of friendship. And, as Fr. Barry writes, “God is not so much interested in giving me marching orders as in our friendship.”

Fr. Barry invites the reader to examine the places in our own lives where we may be holding back - your anger and rage, your fears, your attractions, your sadness, your sins. He presents the image of Jesus speaking to the two disciples of John the Baptist, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38) Your spontaneous response - not your crafted, careful response - is what you desire. Always present this to God. He can handle it.

This was an excellent book to read during Lent, and it is one I will return to in the future to be reminded of the truth of how God views me, and the part I play in bringing myself to Him fully in prayer.

In prayer, the truth really will set you free.

Latest radio interview: getting to know the newest saints

It was great to be back with John and Glen on Morning Air earlier this week, where I joined them to talk a little about the church’s 10 newest saints. You can listen to our conversation here, starting at the 8:53 mark.

This was an especially enjoyable conversation and we covered a few important things. One, generally speaking, the role that the laity has in the life of the church, including our own call to be saints. I talked about what we can learn from these individuals, as well as all the saints the church has given us. For example, each one answered the Lord, even when His plan was unexpected. God may close a door but will always open a window when you don’t get exactly what your heart desires.

Also, as with all saints, we should not be afraid to live in opposition to the world. And, in their diversity of race, class, and talents, our saints are witness to the universality of the Church, and the ability for each of us to reflect God’s love and mercy in this world through our own lives and actions.

So, have a listen. And, a very blessed Pentecost to you this weekend! It will be my 7th year as a fully practicing Catholic. Imagine that.

God bless you!