Casting Shadows

"I wish that even my shadow might do good." Blessed Alfonso Marie Fusco                                                            

   This quote I found on a friend's profile page speaks to me of someone who deeply desires holiness and actively seeks God’s will. Of course if we consider the implications on a literal level it is only when we are doing good that our shadow will also be doing good.

     I like the richer meaning implied. If we are so steeped in

Angels Among Us

     Do you believe there are angels among us? I do. Years ago, I read a very moving book of true stories about angels coming to the aid of every day people. Where Angels Walk by Joan Wester Anderson changed my view of heavenly hosts.

     Before that, I had mainly thought angels were only sent in very important situations, such as to tell Mary she had God’s favor and ask the Blessed Virgin if she would be the mother of God. I hadn’t spent much time thinking about angels among us in more ordinary situations.

A Theology of Marriage

    

     Reading Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by Pope John Paul II ought to be required for every Christian couple that's married or will be soon.  It has changed the way I see so many aspects of the Catholic faith, but it’s really begun to transform the way I look at the vocations of marriage and religious life.

The Power of Prayer

     One thing that gave my dad hope, especially on the days when he wasn’t feeling well enough and had little to no energy, is that he could still make a difference in people’s lives by praying for them.

     I think it’s only now that he’s left this earth that he’s finally seeing the power of prayer. It was very difficult and at times discouraging for my dad when his illness kept him from the active life he used to lead.

Book Review: Mercy Minutes with Jesus by Rev. George W. Kosicki, CSB

Mercy Minutes with Jesus

by Rev. George W. Kosicki, CSB

Marian Press

     Reading this book, I was reminded of how close to Jesus we can be if we are willing to submit completely to God’s plan for our lives. He wants so much to give us His mercy. Oftentimes, we have to be brought to an acute awareness of our sinfulness and that of the world in order to yearn for Divine Mercy.

Are we there, yet?!

     Yes and no. Here and there. Now and then. In the meantime, the in between time, God wants me to go one way, but I can decide to go mine.

     At times, I would like more than anything else to arrive at an intersection on my spiritual journey where there awaits a crystal clear answer from God. Normally when I’ve gotten to the point when I’m ready to do whatever it is He asks of me, except wait longer for an answer, that’s what He asks of me. I can understand and empathize with whoever first came up with the prayer: “God, give me patience, and give it to me right now!”

Has it really been 10 years since...?

I’m having a hard time believing that it’s true. Not just some, but most of it seems to have occurred in another life. Yet, the date on this invitation means, it’s been ten years since…

Lord, have mercy!

    

     There was a time in my life when I honestly believed that God’s judgment was greater than His mercy. I pictured God sitting on His throne wearing a dark robe and shaking His head each time I messed up. He would add one more mark to His long tally of things I’d thought, said, or done that went against His will.

Cop an Attitude…of Gratitude

     Why is it that I can easily call to mind my current concerns and prayer requests, but it often takes me a little longer to conjure up the abundance of blessings God’s given us in answer to past prayers?

I Pledge Allegiance

     My experience of 9/11 will never be the same as those Americans on US soil had on that fateful day. Less than two weeks before it happened, Kevin had driven me up to JFK with my huge bags and kissed me goodbye as I set off to spend my junior year studying abroad in Paris, France. Kevin and I had seen the Twin Towers from a distance, of course, not knowing that the New York skyline would be altered forever in a matter of days.

Singin' in the Rain

    

     Besides being the title of one of my favorite musicals of all time, this is also something that God gives us the grace to do. Even in the tough times, we’re given reasons to smile, laugh, reach out to others, and perhaps even break out singing Broadway show tunes.

Riding the Waves

     I wasn’t prepared for the first wave powerful enough to knock me off my feet. The smaller ones I anticipated and handled well. Then the ten-foot white cap hit me, pulling me under, leaving me disoriented, with a salty taste in my mouth.

Joe's Impromptu Barbecue

     My definition of family has expanded considerably over the past five years. A friend says her family isn’t defined by bloodlines, but by love-lines. The same is true for me.

"With This Ring, I Thee..."

     Most people would finish this with “wed,” but Kevin has never been like most people. When we were walking through the St. Michael Church parking lot on our way to Mass, Kevin reached over and grabbed my butt. “Honey!” I said. “We’re in a church parking lot!”

Back to School

     I can’t believe today’s our first day of school. I have no clue what I’m going to wear, if I’ll make new friends, or like all of my new teachers. I don’t have a backpack stuffed to the gills with a million different pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, binders, and various other items deemed necessary for the new school year.