World Cup Brotherhood

Yesterday, was an emotional rollercoaster for all Mexicans who support the World Cup team.  After a great first half our dreams were shattered during the second as three goals slipped through our beloved curly-haired goal keeper.  My dad who never drinks, took a Corona from the fridge and downed it in total despair.  My sister called me to tell me her coworkers were in a terrible state and I felt like my heart might break... Yet, in moments of total desperation there was a glimpse of hope.  Minutes after our devastating loss, we prayed that Germany would draw so that we could still be part of the 2018 World Cup and South Korea with two surprising last minute goals became our hero.  Through South Korea’s win, Germany left the series and the Mexican league qualified into the next round.  We lost badly, but South Korea kept our dream alive, South Korea allowed us to not pack our bags and of course social media exploded with gratitude towards our Korean brothers. 

Four Years Ago

I mostly never pay attention to sports, the only time I get invested is every four years during the World Cup.  I love the way the whole world unites in sportsmanship.  In my home I have fond memories of gathering every World Cup and screaming in support of our Mexican team.  Then when they exit we cheer for whatever team is left from Latin America, just to keep the cup within our grasp.  That’s our philosophy if Mexico can’t have it then go Latin America (smile).  Yesterday’s loss helped me see and experience a pain so real and so strong.  I hurt like it was seriously my loss and I saw the same devastation in my dad and in disappointed friends- the dejected faces of the Tri players was contagious.  As I went throughout my day wearing my Mexico jersey I met many and heard lots of commentary and testimonies on how World Cup enthusiasts were equally feeling the rollercoaster of emotions over the game.   That’s when I realized that when we live in authentic community the pains of my brother become my pains too.

This Year

Our Catholic faith is about community about family and during the World Cup it’s evident that the world too needs community.  There’s something beautiful about unity and a healing power so great when we live together, when we live in a manner sensitive to the hurts and needs of the other that’s Christian living.  Pope Francis constantly reminds us that we must never lose sight of the person, of the face behind every violation of human rights.  When we live in community and see others as our brothers it’s easy to see their needs.  Yesterday, Mexicans needed a hug and the amount of support we received gave me hope and a glimpse of what Jesus wants for us.  He wants us to love one another as He loved us, so deeply that the hurt of my brother becomes my hurt.  It is only in experiencing the hurt of another that we can really come to love them how they need to be loved. Go World Cup keep showing us the Spirit of God so alive in the world.

What are our moral obligations as Catholics?

Catholics believe that a faith without actions is dead.  It’s not enough to proclaim Jesus as Lord, we must also strive to live authentic Christian lives, lives so full of the works of the Spirit that people will recognize that we belong to Jesus simply by our actions.  With our baptism we become part of the Catholic family and as members of a family each of us have a set of responsibilities much like we do in our own families.  For example, my nephew has to play the piano for twenty minutes and complete his homework daily before can play one hour of video games.  In its wisdom, the Catholic Church throughout time has worked on guiding us in the way of perfection giving us doctrine to help keep us in the path to holiness.  It has taken biblical narratives, like the Parable of the Talents and given us a clear translation of what each of us must do with the gifts God has given each of us.  Gifts that not only help in our personal sanctification, but also in the sanctification of those we encounter. 

What must we do:  

1. Be in communion with the Church, our actions should strive to keep us together as one body of Christ.
2. Lead a holy life, working daily to become better versions of ourselves in Christ and promote the sanctification of the Church.
3. Evangelize: Spread the message of the Good News in our families, communities, striving to get the message of Salvation to all the corners of the world.
4. Practice Christian obedience to our pastor and prescribed leaders in as much as they represent Christ.
5. Assist with needs of the Church so that the church has what is necessary for divine worship, works of apostolate and charity and decent support of ministry.
6. Promote Social Justice and help the poor from our own resources.
7. In exercising our rights we must take into account the Common Good of the Church.
8. Give Witness to Christ
9. Acquire knowledge of Christian doctrine. Read books, take workshops, join bible study groups, take classes… Make the time to learn our faith.
10. Married People must work in their marriage and family to build up the Church. Parents must educate their children in the faith.

God is a very clear God, even so our Catholic Church helps us understand more what it is to be sons and daughters of the King.  As members of one heavenly family we still have duties to help one another reach heaven.  These obligations are ways to help sanctify us and His Holy Church.  

Taken from Canon Law

The Habits of a Catholic

Though Catholics live in the same world as the rest of the population our lives need to reflect a living witness to the transcendent values of the Christian life and be a living witness to the Gospel.  Our testimony must reflect the work of Jesus Christ in our lives and this personal relationship with Christ should energize our service to the Church.  We are all called to a life of holiness, but what does that look like? 

Love of God- The greatest commandment is to love God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), His Church, Our Holy Father and God’s people.

Authenticity of Life- Faithful practice of the faith.  Christ invites us to follow him and live a life of holiness.

Personal Prayer- Setting a daily moment to be alone with God in conversation, interceding for others and eventually making our lives a living prayer.

Missionary Zeal- A desire to share God and our Catholic faith with others.

Active Participation- Attendance at every Sunday Eucharist and involvement in Parish Life.

Devotion to Mary- She’s the example and model of what a “Yes” to God looks like.  Through her we are able to have a deeper understanding and love of the Eucharist.

Practicing Catholics must participate fully in communal worship and the life of the Church, it is this participation that enables us to change and to reach others.  We are all attracted by honesty and can detect hypocrisy quite easily; thus, a practicing Catholic lives what he preaches.  It was Saint Francis of Assisi who said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words if necessary.”  Our living testimony speaks louder to others than any words we might utter; so, we must constantly need to ask ourselves what would Jesus do and act accordingly.

National Directory for Catechesis

A Person is a Person No Matter How Small

After the Mexico victory, we all cramped in my car to attend Mass and I quickly noticed that my nephew had taken off his Mexico jersey.  When we went inside the parish he jokingly didn’t want to sit near me because I was still proudly wearing mine.  Thus, on the ride home he got a big lecture on how he needs to be proud of his Mexican heritage.  I highlighted on the beauty of our Mexican traditions and hardworking people and told him that if continued being ashamed I was going to show up at his elementary graduation with my jersey, huaraches and a large sombrero and scream in Spanish that he was my nephew.  He giggled hoping that I was merely joking.  Developmentally, he’s at an age where he’s starting to show embarrassment towards things that set him apart from his friends at school.  I get it.  Something happens as we grow, that innocence without judgment is challenged as we subjectively learn what’s cool and what’s not in our peer circles.  It’s part of growing up.  At his age kids don’t want to stand out; however, throughout this phase kids need to hear and be reminded that at home with their families they can be themselves without fear of judgement.

I wasn’t always proud of where I came from or the family that I was born into.  My parents are both very humble people and this humility for some time made me ashamed of them.  I wanted successful parents with booming careers and connections.  Instead, I acted as translator on their behalf, going with them to all types of meetings and doctor appointments.  I remember I was checking them in one day and the receptionist looked at me and said, “Don’t you get tired of having to come and translate for them?”  Truthfully I did, many times I was angry that this responsibility fell on me, and perhaps like my nephew I didn’t want to sit next to them in fear that someone from school would see me and make the association.  I am not sure when we learn the lie that appearances dictate the worth of a person… My parents haven’t changed, they are still two of the most beautiful-humble beings who need help in ways that other parents do not.  I still need to translate and to drive them around; but, I have changed because God taught me that a person’s worth is not subjective to who they are, what they have, what they do or the friends they keep.  Dr. Seuss said it best, “A person is a person, no matter how small.”  The challenge is to see, to not miss the humanity and worth of another when they are showing signs of smallness.

Am going to continue working on my nephew to challenge whatever lies his little peer group feeds him.  By the end of the world cup this kid is going to wear el Tri’s colors with pride (smile).

We are All Works in Progress

Yesterday, a man and I were heading back to our floors after lunch, he pushed the seventh floor I the tenth.  A few seconds later, the elevator stopped and the doors opened on the second floor.  A girl was about to step in when she realized that we were going up and she had accidently pressed the up button instead of the arrow going down. Realizing her mistake she apologized and retreated back to waiting for the proper ride.  The man next to me grumbled, “She must not be very smart if she can’t even tell the difference between an arrow going up and one going down.”  We reached the seventh floor and still grumbling he stepped off the elevator, while I rode up thinking about how easily we critize others.  We are critical people not only with others, but also with ourselves.  Recently, I was feeling quite insecure, even felt like the green monster was in residence in one of the rooms of my being and I judged myself harshly for holding these jealous emotions.  Christians are not supposed to have these type of feelings I kept telling myself and the more I wanted to put myself on check the worst I felt. 

I did the only thing that always works, I went to chapel and I spent an hour in front of Jesus praying.  When I arrived I told Him how I was feeling and then I prayed the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and my Saint Anthony of Padua novena.  The first rosary mystery said “do not be afraid” and the second “peace be with you” as I listened to these “consejos” from God, my soul began to settle.  When it was at peace God told me something that really inspired me, “we are all works in progress.”  We can all be so critical, it’s quite easy to see the flaws in others and in ourselves; but, we must be like God who sees our weaknesses and only sees a canvas for holiness.  He’s like a father who sees his own child falling in attempts to learn to ride a bike and instead of growing impatient with the failures of the child, he comes to help guide, cheer the small victories and share in the joy when the child finally rides that bicycle. 

In the Book of Philippians God says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”  In other words “God is not done with me yet.”  He’s still molding us!  So, instead of growing impatient with our flaws or those of others we need to remember that we are all works in progress.  In the book of Romans, He says that we are still being molded and shaped to Jesus’ likeness.  Thus, if we are all in the process of being chiseled why do we judge others and especially ourselves for not being perfect?  I’m in the process of becoming a saint, but boy do I have a long way to go as am sure most of us in this world do too.  When we take the time to run into the arms of Jesus - when we are overwhelmed by our own imperfections- we come to the conclusion that like our Father we must see with eyes of patience and hope, always seeing the best in one another.  And looking at our mistakes not as flaws, but indications that God is not done with us yet (smile). 

4 Ways to Grow in Trust in God

Yesterday’s Old Testament reading, from the Book of Genesis, in which Adam hides from God in shame is a perfect illustration of what happens when we distrust God. 

“The Lord God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked so I hid myself.””

Adam forgot God’s mercy and hid from Him believing that his sin was greater than God’s mercy.  As I listened to the reading and Father’s homily, I understood Adam in a way I hadn’t before because when I am afraid it’s hard to not let my fear dominate my knowledge of God.  It’s difficult to think about God’s mercy and providence when I am stuck in a jam and my mind is so focused on the problem at hand.  A friend once told me, “Don’t forget in the darkness, what you learned in the light.” 

The other day, I went to chapel to pray, when I arrived my problems seemed so much bigger than my trust in God.  As I sat switching my gaze from the tabernacle to the enormous Divine Mercy painting of Jesus I realized that when I doubt- it doesn’t have to do with doubts in whether I believe in God, but rather my doubts have to do with my trust in Him. Trusting His involvement during my trials and tribulations on my most pessimistic days is my struggle. During Mass yesterday I realized that I am not the only one with this struggle, there are countless biblical testimonies of how much people struggled to trust in God.  In all these examples God remains faithful never giving up on us.  So, what can we do when our fears seem too great to give God our trust?

Remember: Recall the many times you called on God and He came to your rescue.  A good way to remember is by keeping a prayer journal that way in your dark hours you can read back to times when God delivered you.

Submerse in the Word: Read scripture, stories that have to do with people’s lack of trust in God.  When I read that even the apostles lacked trust in God it’s like going to a support group with others who have the same struggle.  Prepare ahead of time making a bookmark with the many biblical accounts of others who lacked trust in God, that way you know exactly what page to turn to in your bible.

Talk to someone: I am not very good at seeking others to help me when I am down.  Usually when I am feeling blue, I keep to myself- which is probably not the best thing to do.  I just don’t want to worry or burden my family with my problems, so I can bottle things up.  BUT God created us to live in community so that we can share not only our joys, but also our troubles.

Pray: I have a fuel gage that lets me know exactly when I need to get down on my knees and pray.  During moments of inner turmoil my normal praying is not enough, I usually seek refuge at a nearby chapel and I let all of it out in front of Jesus.  When I have emptied myself of my worry and fear I then sit and wait to be filled with His Spirit. –You can also ask others to pray for you, something I need to do more willingly. 

Life is full of the unexpected, things that will move us closer to God and times that will challenge our trust in Him.  As I sat in front of Him at chapel, I realized that I already made the decision to follow Him and now I just need to work on growing my TRUST and poco a poco it's doable (smile).  I had a meeting this morning so am a little late.

Aristotle: Types of Friendship

Aristotle believed that there are three types of friendship.

Friendship of utility- These can be described as people that you need because they are useful to you, you benefit from each other much like most of your coworkers.  Usually the people we work with are friendships created with goals in common, working together to build the company, etc.

Friendship of pleasure- Think back to college and the wild times of fun, partying and binge watching television shows together.  These friends are usually people we share hobbies with or are our drinking buddies, but if interest change or one stops drinking these friends will disappear.

Friendship of good- These friendships are a small intimate group with mutual admiration and respect, in which getting to know one-another involves falling more deeply in love with God and growing in virtue.  These are perfect, permanent friendships that require time, commitment and intimacy, “The perfect form of friendship is that between good, and those who resemble each other in virtue.  For these friends wish each other’s good in respect of their goodness, and they are good in themselves; but it is those who wish the good of their friends for their friends’ sake who are friends in the fullest sense, since they love each other for themselves and not accidently…”

I went to confession a few months back and as I confessed my sins, Father asked me if I was lonely.  It struck me as kind of odd that he would ask me that question because I certainly don’t think that I am.  I have a thriving social life and a family that I am very close to.  However, the more I have meditated on Father’s statement I realize that while I have many friends, I don't share my faith with most.  Father is right my soul needs friends that share my faith in a more intimate way.  Others who are not afraid to speak about theology, to grow in virtue and to pray with me.  Though, I think I am to blame because I can be very private about my faith in non-Catholic social gatherings afraid of offending others…  For sometime, I have been thinking of starting a Catholic book club, to bring other women together and foster deeper friendships while sharing our faith.  It's just an idea, hopefully with God's help I'll be able to put it into action.   

If you find yourself also needing more intimate friendships, pray with me through the intercession of Saint John the Apostle, model of friendship:

“Lord, you are our best friend and love us like none other. May my own best friend share in your goodness and love for me. Help each one of us to have a good friend who truly wants what is best for our souls. Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer.

St. John, we pray too, for each one of us to have a stronger, Christ-centered, prayer-focused friendship in Communion with the Saints, Angels, and Holy Trinity. May we enjoy going to Mass and Adoration with our friend, praying the Rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, and other devotions, learning about the Lord through Scripture and Church teaching together.

Pray that we bring new people into the Church as friends.

O Glorious Apostle, who, on account of thy virginal purity, wast so beloved by Jesus as to deserve to lay thy head upon his divine breast, and to be left, in his place, as son to his most holy Mother; I beg thee to inflame me with a most ardent love towards Jesus and Mary.

Obtain for me from our Lord that I, too, with a heart purified from earthly affections, may be made worthy to be ever united to Jesus as a faithful disciple, and to Mary as a devoted son, both here on earth and eternally in heaven.

St. John, please intercede for us with God so that we may all be blessed with friendships centered in Your teaching.

May we never stray from the path of goodness and always seek out a friend who will help us stay in the faith.

Amen.”

May God help us free or open up our schedules to friends who inspire us to do good and live a life of virtue.

Catholic Graduations

In the last class I took on Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, I was taught that we shouldn’t treat the RCIA process as an academic program; rather, a way of conversion.  Yet, I do believe that taking concepts that people are familiar with to bring them to an encounter with God also has some merit.  This, Sunday we came to the closure of our RCIA year and I think I would have made my professor cringe because we had a huge graduation type celebration.  Throughout the year, we compare the process of RCIA as a type of formation leading to conversion and eventually initiation into the Catholic Church.  This initiation is like a graduation from university where after a period of study the pupils graduate to enter into a life practicing their chosen career.  In a similar way, becoming part of the Catholic community through the celebration of the Sacraments means that as fully initiated Catholics we have a life to practice and live out our faith. Though graduations are an end of a phase of life, they are also the beginning to a new adventure.  I think my professor in his fear that people will equate graduating from RCIA as an end to their Catholic life wants to eliminate such erroneous assumptions by asking that the RCIA team steer away from graduation style celebrations and allusions.  However, it depends on how you approach the subject.  Our team, for example, throughout formation shares about how we prepare ourselves much in the same way a doctor does to practice medicine.  After a doctor completes his study he can then practice medicine, his academic preparation leads him to the true objective.  In other words, we form ourselves, come to encounter God and begin our life long conversion.  Once we are part of the Catholic community our personal mission begins, we are sent forth to bring others to Christ, while continuing our own conversion.

 This year, my teammate had the great idea of making graduation caps for our students and those red caps really had our new batch of fully initiated Catholic brothers and sisters smiling.  The cap helped them realize the importance of coming to the end of meeting in our small RCIA community and now their responsibility to continue forming part of the larger community every Sunday at Mass.  The graduation style ceremony with the presentation of Sacrament Certificates took a concept that they are familiar with to send them off to spread the Good News.  I saw it in their faces and their smiles confirmed that they understood that these past nine months were indeed special.  That receiving their Sacraments and now completing this phase in their lives is truly important because now they are called to live their faith for the rest of their lives.  The only end is the formal Sunday meetings, but this graduation style celebration points to the lifelong practice receiving their Sacraments of initiation called them to.  If I have learned one thing about Catholicism is the importance of ritual to express spiritual truths, and our graduation style RCIA closure is just that.  Taking a secular ritual to point the path all of us are called to walk.  Enjoy the pics. 

They look adorable in their caps!

The Catholic Graduates.

The best RCIA team.