Today was a very special day because my eight year old daughter received the sacrament of reconciliation for the very first time. In May she will make her first communion.
As the children lined up to go to confession, I looked at the other parents sitting in the pews waiting anxiously. I wondered how many of the parents went to confession on a regular basis? Both my wife and I go at least once a month, I more frequently since I am the greater sinner. My wife and I definitely try to make the sacrament of reconciliation a priority in our spiritual lives.
I had a thought... In order to encourage more parents to go to confession regularly why not require them to go to confession prior to their children. Not only would it open the door for parents to receive God's mercy and love in a special way, but it would allow them to stand out as witnesses to the importance and relevance of this beautiful sacrament.
God bless!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Day 3 of Lent
Today at work, my department, remembered a co-worker who passed away a year or so ago from cancer.
This day of remembrance also helped me reflect upon the first "reality" of what we Catholics would traditionally call the "Last Four Things," death.
If there is one thing in this world that is a sure bet, it is that each one of us will one day die. As Our Good Lord said, "no one knows the day nor the hour," therefore we should always be ready to meet God face to face.
One principle that has helped me prepare for death, is to live my day as though it were my last. As I have discovered, it is not an easy principle to put into practice, but on those rare occasions when I have, I tend to pray more devoutly, perform my daily duties with greater patience and resignation and practice a greater degree of charity.
Of course I have a long way to go before I can put this principle into motion on a regular basis, so maybe I should use this Lenten season as a spring board to consistently get into the habit of living my day as though it were my last?...
This day of remembrance also helped me reflect upon the first "reality" of what we Catholics would traditionally call the "Last Four Things," death.
If there is one thing in this world that is a sure bet, it is that each one of us will one day die. As Our Good Lord said, "no one knows the day nor the hour," therefore we should always be ready to meet God face to face.
One principle that has helped me prepare for death, is to live my day as though it were my last. As I have discovered, it is not an easy principle to put into practice, but on those rare occasions when I have, I tend to pray more devoutly, perform my daily duties with greater patience and resignation and practice a greater degree of charity.
Of course I have a long way to go before I can put this principle into motion on a regular basis, so maybe I should use this Lenten season as a spring board to consistently get into the habit of living my day as though it were my last?...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Day 2 of Lent
Our God is a God of surprises and blessings!
This morning at work my supervisor approached me and handed me a beautiful medal of John Paul II. He received the medal when visiting St. Peter's square and later that same day the Pope blessed it. What a wonderful and awesome gift!
Of course I thanked my supervisor for the medal, which I am currently wearing around my neck, and pondered the spiritual significance behind it. After considerable reflection, I came to the conclusion that Jesus wants me to use John Paul II as another guide, beside St. Alphonsus Ligouri, for my Lenten journey.
I have now placed John Paul II, along with St. Alphonsus, upon the 4th mountain. As a wise man once said, "the more the merrier!"
Today, St. Alphonsus reminded me that Jesus' love for me is so great, that he offered Himself up to the Father for my redemption and salvation.
See you all tomorrow...
This morning at work my supervisor approached me and handed me a beautiful medal of John Paul II. He received the medal when visiting St. Peter's square and later that same day the Pope blessed it. What a wonderful and awesome gift!
Of course I thanked my supervisor for the medal, which I am currently wearing around my neck, and pondered the spiritual significance behind it. After considerable reflection, I came to the conclusion that Jesus wants me to use John Paul II as another guide, beside St. Alphonsus Ligouri, for my Lenten journey.
I have now placed John Paul II, along with St. Alphonsus, upon the 4th mountain. As a wise man once said, "the more the merrier!"
Today, St. Alphonsus reminded me that Jesus' love for me is so great, that he offered Himself up to the Father for my redemption and salvation.
See you all tomorrow...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Ash Wednesday
Day 1 -
In today's liturgical readings, the Church, reminds me of the three pillars of Lent:
1) Almsgiving
2) Fasting
3) Prayer
Of course they would be the three things I have most difficulty with, but with God's grace nothing is impossible!
During my lunch break I went to a local parish and visited Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
I asked the Lord to grant me a spiritual map to use as a guide during my Lenten journey, the map I received consisted of seven mountains --
Mountain number 1: pray the sorrowful mysteries each day.
Mountain number 2: make the stations of the cross.
Mountain number 3: read the Passion narrative from the Gospels.
Mountain number 4: have St. Alphonsus Ligouri be my guide.
Mountain number 5: Live in the present moment, not in the past and not in the future.
Mountain number 6: Have a special devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows.
Mountain number 7: Make a good examination of conscience every night.
So there you have it. My spiritual map for Lent.
More to follow...
In today's liturgical readings, the Church, reminds me of the three pillars of Lent:
1) Almsgiving
2) Fasting
3) Prayer
Of course they would be the three things I have most difficulty with, but with God's grace nothing is impossible!
During my lunch break I went to a local parish and visited Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
I asked the Lord to grant me a spiritual map to use as a guide during my Lenten journey, the map I received consisted of seven mountains --
Mountain number 1: pray the sorrowful mysteries each day.
Mountain number 2: make the stations of the cross.
Mountain number 3: read the Passion narrative from the Gospels.
Mountain number 4: have St. Alphonsus Ligouri be my guide.
Mountain number 5: Live in the present moment, not in the past and not in the future.
Mountain number 6: Have a special devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows.
Mountain number 7: Make a good examination of conscience every night.
So there you have it. My spiritual map for Lent.
More to follow...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
40 days of Lent with Brian
Spiritual Fragments --
For the next 40 days, starting tomorrow - February 17th - Ash Wednesday - I will daily jot down reflections, spiritual insights, happenings and everything in between about my spiritual journey through the season of Lent.
God bless and see you tomorrow!
For the next 40 days, starting tomorrow - February 17th - Ash Wednesday - I will daily jot down reflections, spiritual insights, happenings and everything in between about my spiritual journey through the season of Lent.
God bless and see you tomorrow!
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Spiritual Combat
In our darkening and immoral society, Catholics must understand that they are in a war! This war, which began in Bethlehem when the Eternal Word became flesh and will end when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords returns with the Heavenly Host to judge the nations, pits the army of satan against the army of Our Heavenly Mother.
The question that each Catholic is confronted with at the beginning of this New Year is: What banner do you wish to fight under? The banner of the Immaculate Heart or the black banner with skull, crossbones and pitchfork.
Each one of us must decide! Not to decide is playing into the hands of the enemy.
Make this New Year a Holy Year! If you are a prisoner of war, wounded by serious sin, go to confession and once again take up the banner of Our Lady's Immaculate Heart. If you are a faithful soldier, keep fighting the good fight and remain in a state of grace. Souls depend upon it!
Happy New Year!
God bless,
Brian.
The question that each Catholic is confronted with at the beginning of this New Year is: What banner do you wish to fight under? The banner of the Immaculate Heart or the black banner with skull, crossbones and pitchfork.
Each one of us must decide! Not to decide is playing into the hands of the enemy.
Make this New Year a Holy Year! If you are a prisoner of war, wounded by serious sin, go to confession and once again take up the banner of Our Lady's Immaculate Heart. If you are a faithful soldier, keep fighting the good fight and remain in a state of grace. Souls depend upon it!
Happy New Year!
God bless,
Brian.
A New Year with the Mother of God
Mary Most Holy
Reflection:
Holy Mother of God
My Mother
My Love
Fair and Pure
We pray to Thee:
Guide us this New Year
Lead us to Thy Son
Deliver us from all evil!
Strengthen us in faith, hope and charity
Make us into Living Flames of Love
Mother we love you!
Amen
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