Reflection from Lifeteen.com

Here is a really neat reflection from www.lifeteen.com that I figured I would share.

Are you holy? Most people would say “no.” They would say that Mother Teresa and the Pope are holy, but they themselves are not. A priest that led a retreat I was on in Italy asked us what the opposite of holiness was. He said that the opposite was FAILURE. That would mean that a lot of us in this world who aren’t holy are really failures. That’s because we are all made by God to BE HOLY. Today’s first reading tells us to be holy because the Lord is holy. Holiness is what we were designed for. To not reach holiness is to fail in becoming who God made you to be. And holiness has to do with that surrender to God and being in line with his will. It is being all that he calls you to be in this very present moment.

Lets all try and be Holy during this season of Lent.
ForeverSearching77

Vocations

I just read an interesting article on Catholic.org linked below. The article deals with how many American Catholics are not moving towards vocations, but instead are letting this void be filled by immigrants. The article mainly deals with the influence on culture upon discernment. I could never agree any more with the article.

Americans tend to be on the side of materialism. If you think about it, a life of riches and pleasure sounds a ton more enticing then one of simplicity, humility, service and celibacy. That is the message today's society is giving.

Lent is a time for us to meditate on simplicity and what we truly value. Happiness can be found, it is just a matter of where. I am not sure where and that is my lifelong quest.

Final thoughts, it is amazing that immigrants have such deep faiths. Why is it that when we feel settled down we allow God to slip from us easier? Do we forget the many blessings he has given us? Certainly we are more blessed with a stable standing then when we aren't? Does God only work in change? Why is it that we seek Him more in times of trouble? How can we find God in our daily life? In our daily conversations? Is today just another day, or will I truly find joy in it?

These are all questions just to think about, but I know I don't meditate on them enough. I pray that God will continue to bless me and allow me to see His love.

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18837

Stupidity

I am sorry about posting this... But I simply have to. There are some things that you should just not do, and this is one of them.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/13958688.htm

This article deals with how Clemson University's newspaper, (well there affiliated newspaper) has decided to publish the cartoons of Mohammed. On one side, yes people are curious, but when 100+ people have already been killed due to this exact same act, wouldn't you think twice about publishing? Are they really that stupid at clemson? I thought it was a university, obviously I was wrong.

In my perspective, yes I do agree that the outrage in the Islamic community is way overdone, however, I would also be upset if I saw a cartoon depicting Christ in a bad manner. I probably would not kill over it, but I would definitely be angry and would boycott the paper. The Islamic world is very different from the Christian world, and sometimes, they should try and stick to their teaching, but to disgrace another's faith is terrible. Almost certainly the publisher for the Clemson observer is a Christian, and I wish that they realize how terrible their actions are. Just as the outrage in the Islamic world is not true Islam, neither is this true Christianity. Whatever happened to turning the other cheek? Sometimes it is just forgotten. Sorry about the rant, but that is simply how I feel.

ForeverSearching77

HOME

So Friday was insane. It was nonstop. I was in class from 10 to 5, with only a break for lunch from 1:30 to 3. Most of that was at the center waiting for one of G's appointments, while he got a rental car. How annoying!!!

Then I went to class and was stuck in there for an hour and a half as the professor worked every single homework problem. (My homework was 20 pages long) so yes, it took a while. Only about 25% of the class was actually there, mostly wanting to pick up the homework assignment, but it turned out that he did not have it. Instead we will get it on Monday and it will be due after SPRING BREAK. Very, very annoying. I am not the most pleased with this professor. We recently got our tests back and the class average was only 35/100. I got a 51 and the highest grade was a 66. Something is wrong there.

After class, my friend J. D. Gave me a lift home so that I could wish my sister a happy birthday and do some laundry. The cake and party was fun, and what was even better was the fact that I got 11 hours of sleep. I woke up at 11 to get a haircut at noon and then do some shopping. It was a very peaceful and restful trip home. I absolutely loved it. Afterwards, I got a ride back to school with my mother and some ladies who had a function in Columbia. That was a long ride. They were all chatting, and it was raining, so I was truly stuck in the car. To make it worse, the driver was going 80 mph down the interstate in the pouring rain. I thought we were going to crash for sure. We hydroplaned a couple times on the interstate. I could tell just in the back, so I was holding onto the car handles for the entire ride. Fortunately we got here safely and my mother will be riding home with my father who is a very safe driver.

So now I am back and simply working on my blog. What a break from this crazy life. God Bless.

ForeverSearching77

Last Week

Last week was crazy.

First, after getting back from the retreat on Sunday, I had Newman basketball on Monday night following Students for life. Both were fun. *I hit a three while playing basketball, which was cool even though we lost.*

On Tuesday, we had adoration during the afternoon. For some reason, I didn't feel as if I got anything out of it. I didn't even achieve a sense of peace which normally occurs. It was very odd and I think it was due to exhaustion. The irony comes in that our Newman club topic was on prayer and the problems in prayer. I just found it quite interesting to come right after I had struggled so.

Wednesday wasn't so bad in that my Mass transfer class was cancelled. Further it was engineering week so I got to play with the Baja Car on Greene St. That was awesome, until it started to rain and I was forced to go to my French class. I somehow managed to finish all my Mass transfer homework that day though. I think the rain helped.

Thursday involved my making the bulletins which took two hours. I really dislike the busy work when there is noone else at the center. Normally it is fun, but it was just ugh... Oh well. That was followed by a Bible study on Matthew 11 that night. We discussed John the Baptist, and further the importance of living a simple life.

I will finish the week in the next blog entry. There is just a ton of stuff.

Updates (retreat)

Hey, sorry about that. Life is Crazy!?! doncha know?

Well anyways, the retreat was awesome. I met some really cool people and definitely have several new memories. It was neat to see the usual suspects, but I do love meeting the new ones. The social aspect was excellent. The spiritual one, could have used some work.

As for the speaker, he was decent. I have seen better speakers, but Fr. Digacamo sp? Was suffering from Laryngitus sp? I seemed to agree with most of what he had to say and didn't question much. I understood most of it and already knew a good part. However, on the last day, he definitely brought up some interesting discussion. He dealt with the current crisis in the Church. A lack of harvesters for the harvest (i.e. priests). He suggested women priests and it was completely out of nowhere. Everyone was shocked as he seemed to be very conservative about everything else he said, only to throw out a chunk. I am not sure that it was his point, but everyone seemed to be discussing it afterwards.

As for my talk, that was excellent. I led a discussion very similar to a small group bible study. The first time was awesome. There was about 10 people in my group and everyone was willing to share and speak. We covered a ton of stuff and I could have easily gone for another 30 minutes. We started by discussing the two disciples' walk to Emmaus where they met Jesus on the road, and then went into the seven habits for Evangelical Catholics. It was great. Everyone seemed to enjoy the speech.

The second time wasn't too bad, but I had about 25 people in it and only a few were willing to share. I received positive feedback, so I must have done something right. I enjoyed giving the speech and I hope that some good turns out.

On a personal level, I felt very moved by my own talk. I teared up both times while discussing the Scripture. While relating the taking, blessing, breaking, and giving of the bread in Emmaus, I related it to the Eucharist and also the crucifixion. For some reason, whenever I mentioned the crucifixion, I started to tear up. I was moved and hopefully others were too. My heart was definitely burning.

Wow... Very moving.. A couple cool links

Wow, I just read two awesome articles off www.catholic.org. The first one dealt with the forgotten Valentine. Of course this talked about St. Valentine, an early bishop of the church who was beheaded. It was pretty amazing.

Then I saw a second article of a homily given to Pope Benadict XVI by Father Cantalamessa. He dealt with the issue of Faith and Works. Do I need some work if what he says is true. Check out the links.

On Valentine
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=18661

Father Cantalamessa

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=18021

God Bless,
ForeverSearching77

Prayer

For some odd reason, lately my spiritual life has been pretty poor. I don't know why. I wasn't able to focus very well this morning in Mass. I caught the readings, but during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, I was just flat out of it.

Every once in a while, I have days where I am not able to focus on the Mass as much, but today I could really notice it. My mind was constantly wandering and thinking of other things. This didn't just happen during Mass, but also during my personal prayer last night. My mind has just been bothered by several other things. Other concerns in life. It does not make being a spiritual person any easier. Possibly it is just due to a lack of sleep. (I woke up early due to the cold last night.) However I don't think that that is the reason.

I spent a good bit of time reading "The Alchemist" last night (A personal favorite) and I was reading the story of a boy who talks to a wise man to find out how to live a happy life. The wise man tells him to carry around a spoon of oil for two hours and then return without loosing any oil. The boy does so and walks around the entire castle before returning. Upon his return the wise man asks, "Did you see the hall of tapestries or the rich garden that I spent 10 years building?" The boy, rather embarrassed replies, "No." So the wise man tells him to go again and wander the halls. This time the boy returns and enthusiastically tells the wise man how he loved it. The wise man replied, "But what about the oil? You have spilled it. The secret to happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon." I think that this is so true.

I don't know where I would place myself. I think often I am the little boy who cares more about the oil. I fail to see the beauty in my friends or in prayer. Often I am just caught with the current worry and desire. How hard it is. I found it especially rough last night as I read one part that said. "and when every day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises." How true this is. The number of days that I have simply let pass by. One really doesn't know how beautiful each day is and I can only wish to have those days I have given up back. Life really hits you hard once one realizes this. One is truly blessed and we should daily look for these small blessings. Each day will be worth so much more and our lives would be much fuller.

Well I hope to remember today and hopefully find some joy and peace in my life. As for now I must get back to the homework.
God Bless!!!

Dorm Life

So, one would think that by paying several thousand dollars for housing and tuition, that one would at least have hot water and heating. Well I have found that this is not always the case, especially this past weekend as I have been freezing in my apartment. The heat and hot water have not been working at all. Not to mention the fact that this has probably been one of the nastiest and coldest weekends all winter. (At night at least.) It is supposed to drop to 24 degrees Fahrenheit tonight.

Well, housing has finally done something. My RA has been gone all weekend, but now as he has returned. He has been trying to contact everyone to solve this problem. It has affected my entire building and noone is happy. Noone has been able to take a hot shower and this has been terrible for the past several weeks. At least now the hot water seems to be back. Lets hope it stays that way.

I have woken up the past two days with a sore throat which I accredit to the cold. Five heavy blankets didn't cut it last night. You would think that I would be alright. Well anyways, I woke up this morning and took some ibuprofein before going to Mass. As for now I should be doing other things... Such as homework... ugh. Oh well. I will say more later, but I really dislike housing. They may say one thing but they do an entire other one. (They told us we would be out heat and hot water on Thursday... Never mentioning this weekend.) Oh well.

Have a WARM blessed day!!!

ON Fire Catholic

Next weekend, I am going on a statewide campus ministry retreat and am expected to give a 45 minute lecture on being an "On Fire Catholic." I have absolutely no idea what I am supposed to do and am looking for a couple of ideas. So I am going to throw out some of mine and let others add their opinions.

Here is the list of the 7 Habits of "On Fire Catholics" (Thanks due to U.W. St. Paul's Evangelic Catholics)

1. Interior Conversion
2. Rich sacrament Life
3 & 4. Lectio Divina (Word and Prayer)
5. Christian Community
6. Evangelicalism
7. Obedience

Other keynotes

8. Evangelizing
9. Establishing
10. Equipping

Done through:

11. Small groups
12. Large groups
13. One-on-ones
14. Discipleship Training

principles to implement

15. Supplicate
16. Select
17. Send
18. School
19. Supervise
20. Supply your ideas
21. See your pastor

Alright. That is my list of things needed for an "On Fire Catholic" Now all I have to do is organize my thoughts.

Any ideas??? Maybe a quick ice-breaker before going in-depth or what?

Thanks,
ForeverSearching77

ugh... help please

Ugh... I was just reading my friend's blog... he just updated it. He is my dear friend Kim's fiance and they were supposed to get married this summer. However Kim has been in the hospital in Atl Ga for several months. Well tonight he posted this entry. How should I respond. Or what should i do?

so i have been having a really really bad day... kim isnt feeling good and her chest is burning again.. hopefully it wont lead to coughing up blood again... i love her and cant stand to see her hurt so much... i am also losing it... i just cried for an hr straight... i just want her healthy so bad... i know with God she could be healed over night and i pray for that every second of every day... im tired of handling this and just cant handle it any more... i thought it was promised we would never be given more than we can handle and i am certainly not handling this anymore... i would give anything to get her healthy... i just want things to improve and to go back to normal... im tired of people getting mad at me for trying to stay updated and trying to talk to kim... kim is mad at me at the moment because i called at 2,4, and 6... 4 i talked to her mom who said to call back around 6-7 to see if she was feeling better... she wasnt in the room when i called, so kim answered the phone and automatically got mad because i had called... i dont like it when shes mad at me... i know before she got sick we loved each other... and i still think i love her... but honestly i am no longer sure, for the simple reason over the last 16 months both of us have changed a lot and i really dont know her anymore... i do know that when her and i talk and shes feeling some good that she still makes me very happy... but thats so few and far between i really dont know what to do... i want to stay with her because i do love her... and i believe when she is healed we will get to know each other again and be just as strong and great a couple as before (probably better), but this whole not getting better thing is getting old... i mean 16 months and instead of getting better, shes gotten worse... i just want her to get healthy and for us to be able to go on a date again, to cuddle during a movie, to talk for hours like we used to, to make each other happy by knowing excatly what the other wants, to be able to go dance under the stars, to sing to her, to be with her...please GOD heal her... i cant take it any more... if yall have any idea of how to make things better or how to deal with this please help... i am starting to lose faith in everything, including kim and i, and GOD... i dont want to lose my faith, but its hard to mantain my faith when nothing ever goes right... i know if she got better i would never doubt my God... i think God can heal her and believe he will... and thus i hold onto faith... but please GOD heal her soon... like tonight please... please pray for her and for me...

Ugh... What does one say? or should I not say anything?

-ForeverSearching77