Category: Parenting

By: Andy Baker, Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Palm Beach

One of my all-time favorite Christmas traditions is the timeless Charles M. Schultz cartoon classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Like many of you, Charlie Brown and the gang instantly transport me back to my childhood. For at least half an hour, I forget the hustle and bustle of today and relive a simpler time, listening once again with childlike ears, to the true meaning of Christmas. For me, the annual showing of this cinematic masterpiece paused our mandatory bedtimes and called together all of my neighborhood friends around a shared television and a multitude of Christmas treats. Yet, as I watched this year and reflected on the past, I was drawn deeper and deeper into a reflection on the need for trusted relationships and true friendships, and just how important those in our friend circle are to the development of our individual relationship with Jesus Christ.

Reflecting, I couldn’t help but be moved by Charlie Brown’s sense of being lost, his desperate search for truth, and at times lashing out in frustration at his friends who eventually turn away and leave him. It reminded me so much of youth ministry today because our young people are a lot like Charlie Brown. They also desperately seek the Truth (Jesus Christ) and, because they can’t see Him for all the chaos, they reject and walk away from Him, looking for solace in the dangerous lies of the world. As I pondered further this idea of trusted relationships, I recognized that none of this is reserved just for our youth, but for all of us; young and old, engaged or disengaged, we all desperately need a trusted friendship circle to get us in front of and keep us close to Jesus Christ. We absolutely need a Linus van Pelt to remind us of the Truth and to mobilize our friend circle when we need them the most. The Gospel of Luke gives us a great example of a friendship circle:

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set [him] in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:17-20 NABRE)

The paralyzed man had the ultimate friend circle… follow my thought for a moment, these companions carried their friend on a stretcher across villages and through crowds, never giving up on their goal of getting their friend in front of Jesus. Having met the ultimate roadblock in an impenetrable crowd, they climbed up on the roof, ripped it open, and lowered their friend down. But here is the best part, Jesus heals the man not because the man asked to be healed, but because of the faith of his friends. The man was healed because of the faith of his friend circle! He had the ultimate friend circle, and I am almost positive he had a Linus van Pelt.

Wrapping up this Christmas reflection on relationships, we come to the season of resolutions. Charlie Brown and Linus van Pelt have made me think deeply about my own friend circle. I realize I need more true friends than familiar acquaintances in my circle.  I need more friends willing to rip off the roof for me and fewer giving me a thumbs up or heart emoji. Humans are driven by relationships, it’s in our DNA and the purpose of our creation. In His image we were created to be in relationship with Him and together with the help of each other, to reflect Him to everyone else on this earth. This New Year, I invite you to join me in making a firm resolution to check and update your friend circle, to find your Linus, and, most of all, to be a Linus to someone else.

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

Genesis 1:26-27 – Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth. God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

John 15:5 –I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

John 15:13-15 – No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.

_{Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach}

On All Saints Day, the gospel reading begins Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this reading, Jesus teaches his apostles and the multitudes that follow him, the Beatitudes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land.  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3-10)

This sermon ends with “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:12) Interestingly, this sermon calls us to be poor in spirit, to be meek, to be merciful, to hunger and thirst, to be clean of heart, to be peacemakers, and then ends with “rejoice and be glad!”  Jesus challenges us to leave behind our old ways and live a new way.  He challenges us to love God with our whole hearts.  What bad habits or attitudes can we leave behind? How does God challenge us to stand up for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness while remaining joyful?  How can we make changes to the way we behave? 

The Church honors all saints, on November 1, both those who have been formally canonized and others who are in heaven. These saints are individuals who have lived lives of extraordinary faith and dedication to God, and they serve as our role models.  They have played a significant role in spreading Christianity and leading others toward holiness. The saints knew the joys and sufferings of the Beatitudes.  Many were patient in their heroism and remained joyful as they persevered through adversity.  They relied on simplicity and humility as they hungered and thirsted for righteousness.  Many saints overcame a life previously not lived for Christ, but they heard the call to follow Jesus and converted.  They learned that being clean of heart and becoming peacemakers was the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

 Thanksgiving celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, is a reminder to give thanks and to rejoice in our many gifts.  We celebrate our blessings, and maybe we even try to apologize for our shortcomings and forgive others.  The message of the Beatitudes is a checkup for us to see if we are “living in a manner worthy of the call we have received”. (Ephesians 4:1) We should ask ourselves if we are living the call of the Beatitudes.  Are we living in a manner worthy of being called a Christian?

Take time to review the Beatitudes that Jesus gives to those who choose to follow Him.  Look for changes you can make to grow closer to Him in holiness.  Rejoice when you receive glimpses of the Kingdom of Heaven, when you are satisfied, when you are shown mercy, when you see God, and when you are called a Child of God!  Rejoice when you find yourself “living in a manner worthy of the call you have received.”

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

Ephesians 4:1-3 – Brothers and Sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.

1 Peter 3:8-12 – Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called that you might inherit a blessing. For: “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers.”

Micah 6:8 – You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God

By Cathy Loh, Diocese of Palm Beach Director of Marriage, Family Life, Faith Formation and Youth Ministry

As the old song lyric goes, “I never promised you a rose garden.” Indeed, Jesus never promised that the Christian life would be a bed of roses, besides roses have thorns. Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and hurdles, and following Jesus is no exception.  Indeed, Jesus admonishes his disciples that they must pick up their cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24). At the end of John’s gospel (21:18), Jesus warns Peter that when he is old, he will be carried where he does not want to go.

Even Jesus’ own Mother experienced her share of sorrows. As prophesied by Simeon when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple: “…and a sword will pierce through your own soul also…” (Luke 2:35). That prophecy was fulfilled as Mary stood at the foot of the Cross, watching her only Son die the agonizing death of crucifixion after being brutally scourged.

Why would we expect our experience to be different? A quick reflection on my own life bears this out. The joys of growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and of married family life, educational accomplishments, career and ministry highlights, have been punctuated by the sorrows of loss, sickness, fears, trials, and disappointments. Currently, many of my colleagues are struggling to balance the challenges of caring for aging parents with the joys of becoming grandparents. Some are facing their own physical struggles and health scares while looking forward to freedom in retirement. There are many joys and sorrows in life. That is life as we know it.

How are we supposed to navigate life? Like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, we need to allow Jesus to accompany us on our journey. There is one constant in life: Jesus Christ who promises to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).  This is a promise that we can absolutely rely on, to give us the hope, comfort, and courage to keep going. I often wonder how people who do not know or believe in Jesus Christ face the challenges of their lives. How do they avoid falling into despair? Thankfully, we who are disciples of Jesus Christ know that He is with us, that He can redeem all of our sufferings and bring a greater good out of them. That knowledge should give us hope and consolation.

During this month of October with the feasts of Divine Mercy and Our Lady of the Rosary, we are reminded of the power of prayer and invited to join Jesus and Mary in the heart of prayer. Of course, Jesus is also present to us in His Word, the Holy Scriptures, and in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. And where Jesus is, Mary is also. Thankfully, our Creator and Father, who knows us intimately, provides us with physical reminders of His presence, His love, and His mercy, so we can confidently face each day knowing that He is by our side.

Here’s What Scripture has to say…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 – Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxieties on [God], for he cares for you.

Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

John 14:27 – Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

Have you ever considered that there might be fruits, or consequences to your opinions? Our opinions should depend on right judgment. The noun judgment signifies the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions, and the verb to judge means to evaluate, assess, form an opinion or conclusion about, decide, or determine.

How can we better form our opinions?   Do we go to God first and ask Him for clear judgment, or do we follow the opinions of others, perhaps those with the loudest or most popular voice?  Do we hastily form an opinion about something, or do we take time to evaluate what is good, right, and true?  How can we prayerfully discern what is good when we form our ideas or opinions?

Using right judgment can mean different things.  Learning to judge rightly is important because it helps us discern right from wrong and form our conscience. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul helps us understand the importance of not believing everything we hear in the news, or from other people.  Chapter 12:2 teaches, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”   When we have a clear vision, when we consider others, and align with God’s will, we are considering right judgment.  In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1787) it is clear, “Man is sometimes confronted by situations that make moral judgments less assured and decision difficult.  But he must always seriously seek what is right and good and discern the will of God expressed in divine law.”

It takes courage to stand up for truth and goodness.  It is what we are called to do, in doing the work of God.  If you witness people who are radiant with joy, they are most often joyful because they rest in the knowledge that “they hold the power of love and self-control.” (see 2 Timothy 1:7) To exercise correct judgments is not always the easy road, but it is the path to an abundant life and a way to accept and give God’s love.

As stewards of creation, we should also consider how right judgment affects our relationship with the world and other people.  If the outcome of our opinion, thought or idea harms another, perhaps it is not the “will of God”.  If our conclusions have selfish or prideful motives, it seems that we have not been courageous, and most importantly, we have not taken a stand for truth and goodness.  We, with humility, should present our judgments to God and seek His direction.  Faith in God is required to know Him and to understand His ways.

Here’s what Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church have to say:

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.

Philippians 4:8-9 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.  Then the God of peace will be with you.

CCC 1785 – In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path, we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice.  We must also examine our conscience before the Lord’s Cross.  We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others, and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church.

Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence, rely not; In all your ways be mindful of Him, and he will make straight your paths

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

Do you ever wake up in the morning and say, “Today I’m going to turn over a new leaf or start fresh!”   At the end of the day, do you remember what you promised, or did you slip right back to yesterday?  Just as bad habits are difficult to break, new habits take time, energy, and perseverance to form.  Why is it so tough to persevere and create positive habits in our lives?     Why is it that we know something is vital, but never seem to be able to make it happen?

We all know the words we speak reveal something about us.  If we choose to use slang, swear or speak sarcastically, this tells a little about the kind of person we are.  On the other hand, when we think before we speak, choose words that are pure, and decent, and find ways to build others up, this too reveals a little about the kind of person we are choosing to be.  But we all know the saying, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’  Our habits, good and bad, are the actions which reveal who we are as a person.

We each have good habits we are proud of and bad habits we desire to break.  St. Paul’s letter to Ephesians 4:28 encourages us, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” St. Paul is telling us we do not have to be defined by our bad habits.  By making the choice to stop stealing and instead do honest work the thief is no longer defined by his stealing.  We might rephrase this scripture to speak directly into our own lives.  Let the sloth no longer sit on the couch.  Let the glutton no longer overeat or overdrink.  Let our Bibles no longer sit on the shelf.  Let our Sunday be filled with Holy Mass and family time.  If we no longer want our bad habits to negatively influence our identity, we should make the choice to change or eliminate these activities.  Whatever bad habit we desire to break, it is important to remember it will take time, patience, accountability, and perseverance to break.  However, these changes WILL transform our lives.  The good habits we develop to replace the bad WILL lead to integrity, helpfulness, and greater virtue overall.

It all begins by establishing good daily habits of prayer.  With our Father in Heaven and the Holy Spirit who dwells within each one of us, we can overcome the obstacles we are sure to encounter as we seek to transform our lives.  In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 12:1-2, he says: “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.  Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

How do you strengthen, build, or begin a good habit?  Prayer, practice, accountability, and perseverance!  Pray for the Lord to give you the graces you need to exercise virtuous habits.   A great way to start your day is with a morning offering to help you ‘turn over a new leaf’ and start fresh.

Morning Offering O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

Philippians 4:8 -Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Romans 12:1-2 – I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.  Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Mark 7: 20-22 – But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles.  From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

What is revival?  The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition defines Revival as A restoration to use, acceptance, activity, or vigor after a period of obscurity or quiescence.  Imagine placing defibrillator paddles on someone’s chest to restart their heart, this is a physical revival of a human life, a restarting of a human heart, but what about the revival of our spirit, our human soul? 

Because God created us as a body and a soul, we must strive to keep both body AND soul healthy.  Scripture warns us in Revelation 3:14 not to become lukewarm in our faith, warning, “…Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”  We can grow indifferent or worse, cold in our faith, even as good Christians.  How do we realize when there is a need to take action to restore our spiritual zeal or vigor?   How do we restore, revive or even supercharge our faith and, if necessary, rekindle the love of God?  How can we renew our faith and thereby “defibrillate” our soul?

First and foremost through prayer.  Our prayer should be for continuous revival!  Each day, in our prayers, we should ask the Lord to revive us again, and again and again.  Second, taking time daily for an examination of conscience is always helpful.  If through this examination we realize our faith was stronger yesterday than today, it is time to change direction and repent.  Turn to God!  Third, if we have lost sight of what is most important, that is, if we have lost sight of the Truth, it’s time to remember. We can allow God’s Words, Holy Scripture, to revive us and give us instructions about how we are to live! 

By taking time to read and learn about our salvation history, recorded in both the Old and New Testaments, we can avoid the things that caused our ancestors to fail and try to repeat their successes.  Time and time again, the people turned away from God, only to fall into darkness.  When they remembered God, repented, and followed His Commandments, they were revived!

And like our ancestors, we cannot do it alone.  Another important resource to help revive, or restore our soul is to seek accountability, by asking someone to help us when we are falling away.  It is important to surround ourselves with like-minded people and create boundaries with those who tempt us to turn away.  Walking together with those who understand our faith is fruitful and a source of encouragement.  And this can include the Saints!  Take time to read their writings, especially those who are patrons of the things you are dealing with. 

Lastly, the most effective tool for personal revival is participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receiving the Eucharist as often as possible.  At least on Sundays, but if possible, come to Mass during the week.

In Matt Maher’s song, “Just Like You”, there are words we can take to prayer (and as you know, when we sing, we pray twice!).  Let us make these words part of our prayer for revival: 

Revive my heart, renew my soul; In You, oh Lord, I am made whole; Cause you’re my God, my Lord and lover.  Like a burning fire, be my one desire.

I want to be holy, just like you; I want to go where You lead me to; With reckless abandon to Your Truth; I want to fall deeper in love with You!

Here’s what Scripture has to say:

Revelation 3:14-22 – I know your works: I know that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either cold or hot.  So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say, “I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything”, and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Matthew 24: 11-13 – Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.”

Ephesians 4:1-32 – I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:  one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Psalm 19:8 – The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.  The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

Psalm 119:88 – In your kindness give me life, to keep the decrees you have spoken.

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

What does it mean to spend quality time together? How often do we make another person the focus of our time?  How difficult is it to remove all distractions during a conversation?  How long can we stay focused when talking with someone or praying?  Many of us can only make it, at most, a few minutes without distraction.  Maybe our phone makes a sound, or someone walks into the room and sidetracks our thoughts or conversation.   Whether with God, our spouse, our children, a family member, or a friend, spending quality time with someone is one of the best ways to show you care about them.  Time well spent is a great way to have a positive impact on someone as well as build and strengthen relationships. 

St. John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta are great examples of people who knew how to listen.  In his book, I Served a Saint: Reflections of a Swiss Guard, Mario Enzler relates this to his readers: 

“Somebody once asked me “What is it to be a saint?” And I always say, “Well, I spent a lot of time with him (St. John Paul II) and a lot of time with Mother Teresa, and the two of them had something in common, which was when they were talking to me, they were focused entirely and solely on me.” A saint focuses on one person at a time. How many times we talk to people and we’re thinking about a million other things or we’re looking at things around the person or whatever. But with His Holiness, I always had the feeling that I was the center, and his attention was on me.”

(Enzler, Mario. I Served a Saint: Reflections of a Swiss Guard in Honor of the Centenary of the Birth of St. John Paul II. Newman House Press, 2020.)

When we actively and consciously listen to another person we show them they are important, valued, and loved.  In St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians 4:5, he instructs us, “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.”  We should look for ways to “conduct ourselves wisely.”  We can show interest in the other person by making eye contact and noticing their body language because it reinforces and adds meaning to our words.  It also helps with the flow of the conversation and clarifies our message.

Another great way to improve quality time, especially with children, is to ask open-ended questions.  These are questions that require an answer of more than “yes” or “no”.  Ask open-ended questions like: “What was the best part of your day?” or “What did you do to help someone today?”  Give everyone in the conversation a chance to answer the same question. 

Spending quality time is a way for others to receive your love.  When you know that someone is actively listening and sacrificing time for you, this is when you know they care.  In Galatians 6:10, St. Paul tells us, “While we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith.” Take time to go beyond simply just hearing the words another person speaks.  Paying attention to someone, listening to understand, being attentive, and encouraging one another is what we are each called to do.  When we are attentive to another we are loving as God calls us to love. This summer, make it a priority to spend quality time with God, your spouse, your family, and your friends.  Practice focusing on the conversation and not the distractions.

Here’s what Scripture has to say:

Luke 1:39-56 – During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Psalm 116:1 – I love the Lord, who listened to my voice in supplication, who turned an ear to me on the day I called.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – Love is patient, love is kind.  It is not jealous; love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Psalm 133:1 – How good it is, how pleasant where the people dwell as one!

Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach

During the 50-day Easter Season, we celebrate the promise of new life both in Heaven and on Earth, we rejoice and are renewed in faith.  We anticipate an even greater renewal and the boldness that the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles on Pentecost. The Apostles also received the courage and wisdom to preach to many nations and peoples. How can we be renewed at Pentecost this year?  How can we fully participate in the Descent of the Holy Spirit?

Psalm 104:1-2 invites us to sing the praises of God the Creator!   “Bless the Lord, my soul!  Lord, my God you are great indeed!  You are clothed with majesty and glory robed in light as with a cloak.” This is the psalm that we will pray at Mass when we celebrate Pentecost. It is part of the scriptures the Jewish Apostles knew and recited as children and throughout their lives. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph sang this Psalm that gives us a perfect image of God’s intimate involvement in the world He created.  Verses 10,14, and 15 proclaim, “You made springs flow into channels that wind among the mountains …You raise grass for the cattle and plants for our beasts of burden.  You bring bread from the earth, and wine to gladden our hearts.” How often do we stop to praise God for the gifts of creation?  God made everything.  We belong to Him, and we should delight in Him!  How often do we sacrifice a luxury for the protection of God’s creation? How often do we share our witness of God’s greatness with others?  How often do we dust off the scales of the world and delight in Him?

In the Easter season, we hear about the Apostles and their life after Christ’s Resurrection. As we approach Pentecost, imagine them gathered together,  reciting Psalm 104:30, “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.”  At Pentecost, God sends us An Advocate, he fulfills his promise by sending the Holy Spirit. We can wake up each day and be refreshed by the Spirit.  The gift of the Holy Spirit was breathed on the Apostles and Jesus said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  At Pentecost Jesus’ Paschal Mystery is complete and we, the Church, have what we need to carry on His work in the world.  We can show others the glory of heaven by sharing the Gospel.  We can witness what we know about Jesus to others.  It doesn’t have to sound like a theology textbook.  Our witness to others can be seen by living the Truth, by outwardly showing forgiveness, and by being servants to one another.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we who are baptized and confirmed children of God, are strengthened to be sharers of the Word and to be warriors for the Truth. We need to daily renew our faith and look for ways to draw closer to Jesus. We can do this with constant prayer, repentance, and faith.  We can ask the Holy Spirit to be present in our life.    Take a moment to pray with the words of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman:

Come Holy Spirit!

Make our ears to hear. 
Make our eyes to see.
Make our mouths to speak. 
Make our hearts to seek. 
Make our hands to reach out. 
And touch the world with your love.  AMEN.  

Here’s what scripture has to say:

Psalm 104:24-35 – How varied are your works, Lord!  In wisdom you have wrought them all; the earth is full of your creatures.  Look at the sea, great and wide!  It teems with countless beings, living things both large and small. Here ships ply their course; here Leviathan your creature, plays.  All of these look to you to give them food in due time.  When you give to them, they gather; when you open your hand, they are well-filled.  When you hide your face, they are lost.  When you take away their breath, they perish and return to the dust from which they came.  When you send forth your breath, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord be glad in these works!  If God glares at the earth, it trembles; if God touches the mountains, they smoke!  I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live.  May my theme be pleasing to God; I will rejoice in the Lord.  May sinners vanish from the earth, and the wicked be no more.  Bless the Lord, my soul!  Hallelujah!

Author:  Catherine Loh, Diocese of Palm Beach Director of Marriage, Family Life, Faith Formation, and Youth Ministry

We have finally made the journey through Lent, through the Passion, and now we can celebrate Christ’s Resurrection! Happy Easter! We are an Easter people!

However, let us remember, without that 40-day journey toward the Passion and the actual Passion itself, we cannot get to the Resurrection. Without Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, we have no hope for restoration as God’s sons and daughters, co-heirs to Christ’s Kingdom. Perhaps we should take some time to look back and contemplate our Lenten journey.

First, let’s consider where we were when it all started.  Were we blissfully journeying through life?  Or did we notice some clouds on the horizon?  Or were we already immersed in a period of struggling and suffering, a “Dark Night of the Soul” as described by St. John of the Cross?  Did we have a plan for Lent?  Perhaps we desired to grow in holiness and to grow closer to the Lord. Perhaps we wanted to overcome a bad habit or develop a new virtue. The good news is that we did not have to make the journey or achieve our goal all on our own. Jesus issued an invitation to each one of us to journey with him, to accompany him towards the Resurrection.

Just like the blind man in the Gospel of Luke 18:35-39, Jesus asked us, “What do you want me to do for you?”  In one biblical translation, the blind man responded that he wanted to recover his sight. “Recover” is an interesting word.  It means to regain or return to a normal state.  That means the blind man was not always blind. Somehow, he had lost his sight, but now he placed his hope in the Lord Jesus to recover his vision.

How did you respond when Jesus asked you what you wanted? What did you hope to recover? Had you lost something you once possessed or enjoyed or maybe even took for granted?  Had you somehow lost your vision? Had it become cloudy? What obstacles did you encounter?

Like the blind man, did you tell Jesus what you hoped to recover? How did Jesus respond to you? Did he immediately grant your request? Or did he come alongside you on the road to that recovery? Did you allow him to accompany you toward the Resurrection?

Maybe you are still waiting or even struggling to recover what was lost. The Resurrection is not a destination but a promise.  We are all on that journey toward our own resurrection. Allow the Lord to remain with you on your journey and keep heading in the right direction.  Avoid turning back and giving up what has been or is still in the process of being recovered. Stand firm in the promise that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Let us not lose hope. We are an Easter people whose hope rests in the Lord (cf. Psalm 71:5). Behold, with the Lord, all things are new.

Here’s what Scripture has to say:

Luke 18:41 – …Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?” 

Matthew 19:26   – But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Psalm 71:5a – You are my hope, Lord;

Revelation 21:5 – …Behold, I make all things new.

Do you know who made you?  God made you!  Why did God make you?  He made you because He loves you!  This is the reality that many of us learned when we were young. We pass it on to our children because it is how we form our faith.    As we learn more about God, our faith grows, and we find security in God’s love.  God’s love never changes, it is always present. Knowing God’s love is the basis for our faith and securing this love in our soul takes care and practice.  To know and receive God’s love, our hearts must be open.  We spend our lives discovering God’s love, and we should delight in it often.  Morning, noon, and night are the perfect times to turn our thoughts to God.  They are perfect times to delight in His love and give praise and thanksgiving.

God made you because He loves you.  God, who is love, is a communion of three Divine Persons.  These three Persons are united in an inner life of love. God the Father is the giver, He gives the gift of self.  The Son is the Receiver, who receives the Father’s gift of self and gives back His own gift of self to the Father.  “They are distinct from one another in their relations of origin: ‘It is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds.’ The divine Unity is Triune.” (CCC 254) There is so much love between all three persons, they are one single Being. This inner life of love is eternal and never broken.  The love of the Trinity is fruitful and life-giving. We can access this love through prayer.

This new year is the perfect time to return to the prayers we learned in our childhood.   Remember that we are to pray the “Sign of the Cross” with humility and reverence.  Our outward prayers are a witness to others. Our prayers are not just words we have been saying for years.  Our behaviors as adults are shaped by the experiences of our childhood.  Can you remember a time when someone taught you about Jesus or taught you to pray?  Does that childlike curiosity still inspire you to love the Lord?  When you enter a Catholic Church or pass by a Tabernacle, do you remember to show reverence for the presence of Jesus?  Find ways to honor your creator.  Find ways to love the one who first loved.   “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

 Love wants to be with the beloved.    

Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:

1 John 4:8 – God is Love

Psalm 139:14 – I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works!

Jeremiah 33:2-3 – Thus says the Lord who made the earth and gave it form and firmness, whose name is Lord:  Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell to you things great beyond reach of your knowledge.

Hebrews 4:16 – So, let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.