Why is Bible reading more difficult than "regular" reading? I can read a book in an evening. It took me five hours to plow through the last Harry Potter book. My daily Bible reading today should have been 15 pages. It should have taken me 15-20 minutes, tops. With a little time for reflection, it should have been a half an hour or so of prayer time.
I can't wrap my mind around why this should be more difficult. I take a few minutes at a time, but I have difficulty focusing long enough to get through a chapter. It is possible the material is just so much more challenging than light reading. It is possible it is daunting because it is "The Bible." Or it is possible I just have a hang up.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Shadow Stations of the Cross
For the summer, we attend Mass at a small Church a few miles away from our seasonal campsite. This weekend, we had a Boy Scout camping trip near there. We attended Palm Sunday Mass there yesterday. While we were there, they made an announcement about the Masses for Holy Week. So, this Thursday, we will be attending a shadow Stations of the Cross and Mass in Currie instead of here at home.
Shadow Stations of the Cross is how I fell in love with the devotional. Christian was in second grade and we had just returned to the Church. We took every spiritual opportunity that came along. We soaked up the experiences. Very early on, one Wednesday evening the high school students put on a Stations of the Cross devotional. A large white sheet was on the altar. The lights went down in the Church and the white screen was illuminated from the rear. It was magical as the fourteen stations were acted out behind the screen. Since then, I have wanted to experience the Stations of the Cross the same way, but I haven't had the opportunity.
We had originally planned to do a Seder Meal Thursday, but we won't be able to work that in with the trip to Currie. We will save that for another day. I have found a menu plan and prayer service for that, but I will save that post, too.
Shadow Stations of the Cross is how I fell in love with the devotional. Christian was in second grade and we had just returned to the Church. We took every spiritual opportunity that came along. We soaked up the experiences. Very early on, one Wednesday evening the high school students put on a Stations of the Cross devotional. A large white sheet was on the altar. The lights went down in the Church and the white screen was illuminated from the rear. It was magical as the fourteen stations were acted out behind the screen. Since then, I have wanted to experience the Stations of the Cross the same way, but I haven't had the opportunity.
We had originally planned to do a Seder Meal Thursday, but we won't be able to work that in with the trip to Currie. We will save that for another day. I have found a menu plan and prayer service for that, but I will save that post, too.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Fear
It is normal and natural to experience fear. It is okay to hope for a different outcome than what is expected. It is fine to pray for alternative answers. The key is understanding we must follow God's will. His answer to prayers may be "No!"
Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for the upcoming events to be taken from Him. He wanted God to say, "That's okay. You came close enough. You will not have to suffer the crucifixion." He was prepared for the answer to be "No", but he still asked. By the end of the third hour of prayer, he had resolved to accept his Father's answer as the one He would need to abide.
How often do I argue with the path I know I am to follow? How hard do I bargain, hoping for a different answer? Why is it so hard to accept God's will must be done?
Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for the upcoming events to be taken from Him. He wanted God to say, "That's okay. You came close enough. You will not have to suffer the crucifixion." He was prepared for the answer to be "No", but he still asked. By the end of the third hour of prayer, he had resolved to accept his Father's answer as the one He would need to abide.
How often do I argue with the path I know I am to follow? How hard do I bargain, hoping for a different answer? Why is it so hard to accept God's will must be done?
Saying Yes
How often are we truly called to service? How do we know? Do we say "Yes" when called?
Today, we attended the Farewell to Arms program at Southwest Minnesota State University. 400 National Guard members from our area are being called to Active Duty status effective 4/15/09. Some of them were recognized in our community at this event. Today was the ceremony to make that call official.
It was an awe inspiring sign as those men (and one woman) all said "Yes!" to their call to serve our country as well as the State of Minnesota. There had to be fear and sadness among them, but as each unit member's last name was called, he or she replied with their first name, middle initial and First Sergeant! as they ran to take their position in the ranks.
They said Yes!
Today, we attended the Farewell to Arms program at Southwest Minnesota State University. 400 National Guard members from our area are being called to Active Duty status effective 4/15/09. Some of them were recognized in our community at this event. Today was the ceremony to make that call official.
It was an awe inspiring sign as those men (and one woman) all said "Yes!" to their call to serve our country as well as the State of Minnesota. There had to be fear and sadness among them, but as each unit member's last name was called, he or she replied with their first name, middle initial and First Sergeant! as they ran to take their position in the ranks.
They said Yes!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Drawing To A Close
Lent is winding down already. This weekend is Palm Sunday. Next week is Holy Thursday, Good Friday and then the Easter Vigil. I can't remember a time when Lent has flown by quite so quickly. This week, I gave the final reminder to our class about Stations of the Cross. It seems like just yesterday was the first reminder.
For me, Lent has been a voyage of challenges in my journey to Christ. I finally feel a semblance of peace as we are entering the home stretch, though. I don't know that I understand it any better or have learned all that much, but I feel as though the struggles I am facing are a small reminder of the struggles Jesus had on His journey. My cross to bear is nothing in comparison with His.
For me, Lent has been a voyage of challenges in my journey to Christ. I finally feel a semblance of peace as we are entering the home stretch, though. I don't know that I understand it any better or have learned all that much, but I feel as though the struggles I am facing are a small reminder of the struggles Jesus had on His journey. My cross to bear is nothing in comparison with His.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Smell Your Hand!
My very excited 11 year old came up with that line in the car on the way home from the Chrism Mass in Spicer tonight. I could hardly believe the ball of energy chattering in the back seat was the same child who told me I would have to help him stay awake during the extra long Mass just two hours earlier. Shaking hands with the Bishop must have had quite the effect on him.
Tonight was the Mass where all of the holy oils to be used in the diocese for the upcoming year were blessed. We caravaned the hour and a half drive with some other members of our parish. The boys were barely sitting down when Father Jerry, our longtime pastor and the man who oversaw our return to the Church, came and sat with them for a couple of minutes. He ruffled hair and asked about school. He even made a suggestion about a future award they should work toward in Boy Scouts before he went back to put on his vestments.
All of the priests the boys knew from our diocese were there. Christian pointed out Father Brian, who had married Dave and me. Carter saw Father Jeremy, who was here when he received his First Communion. Christian had a chance to speak with Father Sam, of the daily Hail Mary fame. He was also able to speak to our own Father Paul and his assistant faith formation teacher from last year, who is now a seminary student.
The capper of the evening, however, was the Bishop. He is new to our diocese and this was his first Chrism Mass with us. Bishop LeVoir has a different approach than Archbishop Nienstedt, but it was still a beautiful and faith-filled event.
After the Mass was over, Carter went to the gathering area, firmly intent on finding Father Jeremy. Once he had a chance to say hello to him, the boy was on a mission. He was going to shake the Bishop's hand. He is small for his age and easily disappeated into the throng of people gathered around enjoying juice and cookies. It took just a moment before he was back for his brother. He had found the bishop by the doors and had been able to shake his hand. Now, he wanted the rest of us to have the opportunity.
We greeted Bishop LeVoir and said our good byes to the people we only see at the Chrism Mass each year. Of course, the biggest topic of conversation in the first few minutes was the chance to shake Bishop LeVoir's hand. Dave mentioned how he could smell the Chrism Oil and it must have rubbed off when he shook hands. Christian seemed a little confused, but Carter knew exactly what Dave meant. He closed his eyes as he held his right hand up near his nose. He took a deep breath and said "MMMMMMMMMMM". Christian was still a little confused and Carter said "Smell your hand, the one you used to shake hands with the Bishop!"
That was all it took. Christian figured it out. I have to say, the smell of Chrism is one of my favorite smells of all time. I am not sure how many times I have smelled my hand, the one I used to shake hands with the Bishop since we left Spicer, but it has brought a smile to my face each and every time.
Tonight was the Mass where all of the holy oils to be used in the diocese for the upcoming year were blessed. We caravaned the hour and a half drive with some other members of our parish. The boys were barely sitting down when Father Jerry, our longtime pastor and the man who oversaw our return to the Church, came and sat with them for a couple of minutes. He ruffled hair and asked about school. He even made a suggestion about a future award they should work toward in Boy Scouts before he went back to put on his vestments.
All of the priests the boys knew from our diocese were there. Christian pointed out Father Brian, who had married Dave and me. Carter saw Father Jeremy, who was here when he received his First Communion. Christian had a chance to speak with Father Sam, of the daily Hail Mary fame. He was also able to speak to our own Father Paul and his assistant faith formation teacher from last year, who is now a seminary student.
The capper of the evening, however, was the Bishop. He is new to our diocese and this was his first Chrism Mass with us. Bishop LeVoir has a different approach than Archbishop Nienstedt, but it was still a beautiful and faith-filled event.
After the Mass was over, Carter went to the gathering area, firmly intent on finding Father Jeremy. Once he had a chance to say hello to him, the boy was on a mission. He was going to shake the Bishop's hand. He is small for his age and easily disappeated into the throng of people gathered around enjoying juice and cookies. It took just a moment before he was back for his brother. He had found the bishop by the doors and had been able to shake his hand. Now, he wanted the rest of us to have the opportunity.
We greeted Bishop LeVoir and said our good byes to the people we only see at the Chrism Mass each year. Of course, the biggest topic of conversation in the first few minutes was the chance to shake Bishop LeVoir's hand. Dave mentioned how he could smell the Chrism Oil and it must have rubbed off when he shook hands. Christian seemed a little confused, but Carter knew exactly what Dave meant. He closed his eyes as he held his right hand up near his nose. He took a deep breath and said "MMMMMMMMMMM". Christian was still a little confused and Carter said "Smell your hand, the one you used to shake hands with the Bishop!"
That was all it took. Christian figured it out. I have to say, the smell of Chrism is one of my favorite smells of all time. I am not sure how many times I have smelled my hand, the one I used to shake hands with the Bishop since we left Spicer, but it has brought a smile to my face each and every time.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Daily Introspection
I started Lent with the intention of daily reflection on my spiritual life and relationship with God. At the beginning, I thought it would be easy. There were a lot of topics rattling around in my brain, things I wanted to explore, areas of my life I wanted to dissect.
As we are nearing the end, I am finding it to be a daily challenge. Just because there was an idea rattling around doesn't mean it is easy to examine and certainly doesn't make it easy to translate into writing. Some topics wind up being way too intense while others seem very superficial. I don't know if this is accomplishing what I had hoped when this started.
As we are nearing the end, I am finding it to be a daily challenge. Just because there was an idea rattling around doesn't mean it is easy to examine and certainly doesn't make it easy to translate into writing. Some topics wind up being way too intense while others seem very superficial. I don't know if this is accomplishing what I had hoped when this started.
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