About the call to evangelize

Earlier this month I joined John and Glen on the Morning Air show, just after Ascension, to discuss the idea of how we are all called to evangelize in the wake of the ascension. You can listen here, starting at 21:45.

It is Pentecost Sunday! That also means the end of Easter, and the return of Ordinary Time. I have become partial to it, as you may know, if you read this blog regularly. I like it because I have learned how good it is to love and appreciate the ordinary, not just the extraordinary. This means I must put away my decorative bunnies, but I will lovingly take them down against next year, and thus goes the cycle of life.

Tune in tomorrow (Monday, 5/23) morning at 7:15 eastern as I will be joining John and Glen on Morning Air to discuss my reversion story, at this, the 7 year anniversary of my coming fully into the Church. Good times, everybody. You can listen live online here.

By the way, I am working on an article for Catholic Stand about the idea of what we can/should give back to God. It’s an interesting concept, because by his death, Jesus made animal sacrifice (or any kind of “sacrifice”) unnecessary. And yet, we may feel called to thank God for his blessings, and want to give back in return. I spoke on Morning Air about this a few weeks ago, and thus the idea. My recommendations: serve others, worship him, give your time and presence, and most of all, seek to be obedient.

Happy first Friday of May

May is here. The month of Mary! Queen of all hearts. And tomorrow is a first Friday, so if you are able to get to Mass, do.

My parish began doing adoration every Friday - what a gift! To have that time for contemplation.

Two St. Joseph resources for you (this is becoming a St. Joseph stan account, obvs):

How to Pray the Chaplet of St. Joseph (had never heard of this before - tell me how it is)

Vatican adds seven invocations to Litany of St. Joseph

Now that one is fun. Here they are:

The seven invocations, in Latin, are Custos Redemptoris, Serve Christi, Minister salutis, Fulcimen in difficultatibus, Patrone exsulum, Patrone afflictorum, and Patrone pauperum.

“The new invocations of St. Joseph can be translated in English as Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in Difficulties, Patron of Refugees, Patron of the Afflicted, and Patron of the Poor.”

I particularly like “Support in Difficulties.”

Here’s the full Litany of St. Joseph (Terror of Demons!).

Happy Feast of St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Three items:

One, the audio of my conversation yesterday on the Morning Air show. You can listen here, and highlights below:

We may examine all the blessings God has given us - health, work, family, home, vacations, creative endeavors - and want to give something back. How do we do that?

• We no longer have to make material/physical sacrifice, as with doves, etc. - Jesus took care of that!

• But there are ways we can "give" back to God

• Serve others: whatever you do to others, you do to God. Serve the poor and give alms. In that way, you give back to the Lord.

• Worship. Praise God for all his goodness. Share with him your gratitude for the blessing in your life.

• Tell others about Jesus. A gift is meant to be given - give the gift of your faith to others!

• Ultimately, the greatest gift we can give back to God is our own heart, will, and obedience. Spend time with God in prayer. Make time to BE with Him.

This past Saturday’s psalm was actually quite appropriate: “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12-13) A question we can ask ourselves each day.

Two: today (or tomorrow, depending on what you look at) is the Feast of St. Louis Marie de Montfort, parish priest and author of True Devotion to Mary (see also a pdf version from the de Montfort society here). He is also a significant a patron of the Legion of Mary.

Three: May 1 is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. You know I love St. Joseph, and that it is the year of St. Joseph. Here’s 15 ways to gain a plenary indulgence in this year of St. Joseph. Go to him, prayer to him, think about him holding the baby Jesus.

And let me know how you are “giving back” to God, participating in the endless loop of His grace!