The Feast of the Holy Innocents

Today is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Innocents in the Catholic Church.  What does that mean to me?

In Ancient Egypt, Pharaoh feared the Israelites were becoming to numerous and he might lose his control over them.  He ordered that all male Hebrews be killed as babies by being thrown into the Nile.  Many children must have died.  Moses was spared by his mother and the charity of Pharaoh's daughter.  He would eventually lead the Israelites from Egypt.  

Years later King Herod heard of the birth of the King of the Jews in Bethlehem.  Fearing he might lose his control, King Herod ordered the massacre of all boys in the area under the age of 2.  Many innocent children must have died.  They are considered the first Christian Martyrs.  Jesus escaped with his parents to Egypt and stayed there until it was safe to return.  Jesus would eventually lead the Jews and become the Savior of the World.

Today our society fears losing control in their own life.  We allow the killing of many innocent children on the womb.  Who knows how many of those children could have led us to making the world a better place by advancing medicine or technology.  I hope we haven't murdered our times Moses before we even get a chance to spare him or her.

I pray for all the innocent children who have perished at the hands of those who fear they will lose control.  I hope they reside in Heaven with Jesus.

That's What Christmas is All About, Charlie Brown

 In 1965, Charlie Brown asked what Christmas was all about.  Linus quoted the Bible to explain what Christmas really meant.

That scene is my favorite of all the Peanuts holiday specials.

It makes me sad that not only have we as a society forgotten what Christmas was all about-focusing on trees and presents and vacations-but this special would never be made today.  Quoting the Bible would be difficult to get any producer of mainstream media to allow.  It would be looked at as not inclusive enough.

We, as a world, seem to have forgotten today is the day that:

"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life."

Maybe through all the hustle and bustle of Christmas we can take a moment to remember that. 

My Relationship with the Eucharist

I'm not sure if this is actually true, but I remember receiving my first Communion on Christmas Eve.  So today is the the anniversary of the day I started my relationship with the Eucharist.

Since then, every time I need to be reminded about my faith it is through my Communion with Jesus in the Eucharist.

1978?-Received my first Communion.

1988?-During my preparation for Confirmation learned about the miracle of transubstantiation, where the bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Jesus.

1996-Became an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist in the Navy.  When we were deployed and at sea there was no Priest on board.  I was allowed to possess the consecrated hosts and held communion services at sea.

2004-After my Navy time was over I returned back to the Church where I first received Communion and became an Eucharistic Minister.  Over the years I must have given communion to thousands of the faithful.  I continue to do this, and look at it as one of the most important things I do.

Now, I look forward to the moment every week when I am reminded that God gave his begotten Son for us so we can live on in eternal life.  It is through the Eucharist that I become closer to Jesus.

Why I Feel So Close to Mary

I think I might have already talked about the reverence that The Catholic Church has for Mary the Mother of God is one of the things that separates us from other Christian religions. 

My personal admiration towards Mary is rooted in the fact that she has the closest human relationship to God.  When she was chosen to become the mother of God, Jesus grew in her womb.  Her flesh and blood supported the Baby Jesus.  Eventually, Jesus was born from and of her flesh.

So when we celebrate the Eucharist at Mass and partake in the union of the body and blood of Christ, we are in some way celebrating the woman who agreed to let Jesus grow in her body and become man.

If not for her giving her body to do God's will, we would have no Christ to give his life for our redemption.  Mary is not God, but definitely is someone God favored, so why shouldn't we also honor her? 

When John the Baptist Met Jesus

 

In today's Gospel we hear the story of the Visitation, where Mary came to visit Elizabeth before the birth of their children.  The center of this story is where Elizabeth proclaims "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."  This eventually became part of the Hail Mary prayer which is recited countless times every day since it is the root of the Rosary.

But the Visitation is also  the first time John the Baptist met his cousin, Jesus.  Still in the womb, John leaps for joy at the presence of the Savior.

We should all have that same joy that John had when we meet Jesus in mass, especially in the moment of the Eucharist, where we are allowed to become one with him.

Is It Right to Call Jesus My Friend?

I look at the title of this blog and I think to myself is it ok to call Jesus my friend?  Afterall Jesus is my Lord.  He is not my buddy.

I came up with the name of the blog one night after church.  I do not like singing at church, but I try to participate.  One of the songs I do enjoy is called "Because the Lord is My Shephard."  The chorus of the song says:

"Lord, You are my shepherd,

You are my friend.

I want to follow You always

Just to follow, my friend."

Jesus was friends to his Apostles. I want to be his friend as well.

Sometimes when I pray to him I talk to him like I would talk to a friend.  Sometimes I might get a little sarcastic, or even crack a little joke.  I think he knows when I do this it is not out of a lack of respect or worship.  Afterall, he knows everything about me.  It is because I long to be closer to him, to be his friend.

I hope He and I can walk together, both as my savior and my friend.

Morning Prayer

I believe it is the best habit to form to start every day with a morning prayer to God.  It is a good opportunity to thank him for all He has dome and to ask him for guidance for the day to come. 

Personally, I listen to the Gospel for the day and a reflection on how to apply its message to my day.  If I have time I might also pray The Rosary if I have time.

Today I was watching one of my Catholic resources on YouTube, The Religious Hippie, and she had a video on her daily prayer routine.  I absolutely love a couple of the options she uses for her morning prayers and am trying to incorporate them into my daily wake-up regimen.  Here are my favorites:

“O my Jesus, I offer this day, with all of its joys and sufferings, for the holy souls in purgatory. I ask that You grant them the relief they need and hasten their entry into Heaven. May this offering bring them comfort and bring glory to God.  Amen.”

“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. Amen.”

 “Dear Lord, I give You my heart this morning. I dedicate all that I am and all that I do to You today. May my thoughts be focused on Your goodness, my words speak Your truth, and my actions be a reflection of Your love. Help me to carry Your presence throughout the day and to be a witness to Your grace.  Amen.”

I am not comfortable enough to write my own prayers, but there are parts of all 3 that I would like to incorporate into something for me.  Maybe that's a preview of an upcoming post where I write my own prayers.