Love

     Around this time last year, I was inspired to write poetry. I had read and reread Love Poems From God, by Daniel Ladinsky, and it truly opened my heart to a greater understanding of Love. The book, a collection of poems from Eastern and Western tradition is a treasure trove. I love it! In fact, one of my favorite Love poets is an Islamic saint. Her name is St. Rabia.

Unknown artist of Rabia Basri

     Her expression of love for God is so raw; it is fearless and unadulterated.   All her poetry is such, and there is no doubt in my mind that she was in touch with God.

"O God! If I worship You for fear of Hell, burn me in Hell, and if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for Your Own sake, grudge me not Your everlasting Beauty.” 

     Isn't that a glorious notion? You can read more about the muslim saint and sufi mystic, St. Rabia here. If I could come to the place in my Catholic faith where I could say, "Oh God, let me love you for love's sake only", I think I'd be a saint myself.
     I have to admit though, that there's a bit of angst interlaced with my faith.  And I don't mean a reverent angst.  I guess if I were to give an honest assessment of this angst, I would have to agree with St. John's explanation, that perhaps I haven't been "fully formed in love." 
     The Message translation of St. John in 1 John 4:18 puts it like this: "God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love."

    On my journey of faith, I have observed that one hallmark of a mature faith is that of a fearless love---and a  sincere respect for another's faiths.  Mother Teresa possessed that.  She lived the Gospel, but never feared encouraging Hindus to become better Hindus.  I think a debate of religious beliefs would have hindered her work, her mission.  Her mission was that of Love. It was active Love!   St. Pope John Paul II kissed the Qur'an, which created some controversy, but again,  I believe it was an act of love, fearless love. 

     It's interesting that most world religions have more in common that not, but what I have ascertained is this. Most religions teach Love---a compassion for others is to be practiced.  And contrary to what the media presents and others tell you, the theme of Love in action is the core teaching of the Qur'an.
     According to Karen Armstrong, one of the foremost scholars on religious studies has expressed on many occasions that Religious people too often don't want to be compassionate, they want to be right. And what is compassion, but Love. She reasons that the Prophet Muhammad, like Christ, wanted a society that "respected the poor and vulnerable."  
     Adherents were to pray, fast and give alms.  Humans were "to behave with justice, equity and compassion."   Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the three world monotheistic religions all profess Love as a central theme.  Now I didn't say Love is practiced by its adherents but it is a central teaching in the three traditions.

      Also, let me clarify what I mean by love.  When I speak of  Love, I don't mean the fuzzy feelings that might accompany Love.  I'm implying here that love is an action---an action that might involve sacrifice, an action that might be painful.  For love is never a feeling---feelings are fickle.  
     Charity, or compassion for neighbor---that is Love. If the religion doesn't teach this, then the religion is synthetic, and it has no transforming power.  The saints knew this.  Here is a famous mystic...a much celebrated Catholic saint.  St. Francis of Assisi puts it like this in his beautiful poem, Because He Gave Birth.

                                                

Image by Jen Wojtowicz

So

precious

 is a person's faith in God,

so precious; 

never should we harm 

that.

Because He gave birth 

to all religions. 

     

     I believe that Love can transform anyone. If one knows Love, one knows God. In my tradition, Christ is God. And God is Love. The great mystics and saints from my Catholic tradition got to know God.  But how do we get to know God?  We get to know God in the silence.  Those who would want to seek God, would need to learn to enjoy the silence.  Scripture says God speaks to us in "a still small voice." 

    

     It is in the silence that I learned to express myself.  Jacob Needleman, in his forward of The Gospel of Thomas, by Jean-Yves Leloup says this, and I think it is a true and eloquent statement: "The proper level of the mind is to function at two levels, the level of silence and the level of expression...[and] it is expression that is secondary---that is truth in the form of words and formulations come only out of silence...".  In silence, I got in touch with my fear.
     One might think that hate is the opposite of Love, but I believe it's fear. When we fear, we aren't free to love. Fear stifles, fear inhibits unity; it inhibits dialog, and it inhibits transformation.  In my tradition, it goes against one of the most important commandments that Jesus taught---to love neighbor.  How can we love in fear?

     I want to share so many poems with you from Love Poems, but I would rather you hold the book in your hands. Perhaps your local library carries it. I just know you'll love it.

Image found on  Etsy

 It's filled with splendid poems from those whose "minds were nourished by the silence of the fertile void of pure Being...".  Here's one from St. Teresa of Avila, doctor of the Church.  It's called  Not Yet Tickled.  It might  seem irreverent, but I think she was like St. Rabia, completely in love with God---having no fear in her expressions, and especially her poetry.

Not Yet Tickled

Not Yet Tickled

How did those priests ever get so serious

and preach all that 

gloom.

I don't think God tickled them yet.

Beloved----hurry.

    Please allow me, before closing, to share some of my very own poems---written while listening to the the still quiet voice of Love.  This next poem was truly inspired by some of St. Teresa of Avila's poems and another marvelous Persian poet called, Hafiz, who wrote I Heard God Laughing, also translated by the talented, Daniel Ladinsky.  Again, it may seem a bit irreverent, but when I was writing, I felt completely one with God. Perhaps that is why Christ could say, "Fear not."

I heard God chuckle.

Oh in church I should be so reverent and pious---

until God pulls one of his stunts.

I was shuffling along, hands folded, down the Aisle,

pew by pew, I sailed.  Waiting my turn to receive the

body and blood of my Lord---

When he flung a little old lady in front of me---

with her wig on backwards.

I wanted to jerk a knot in His neck.

I heard God chuckle.

God's like that---

you know.

He believed.

A blind man once asked me

if God exists?

I said, "Why yes."

He asked, "how do you know?"

I let him touch my breast

while my newborn

suckled.

Baptized

I went in search

of a proper 

baptism, 

After three tries

I finally got one.

My father died

in his kid's arms.

     I was inspired to write this next poem when I was meditating on St. Paul's letters on Love, written to the Corinthians in chapter 13.  I have adapted it to my Catholic practices.  And it's titled: 

If I have not Love

If I pray my rosary daily and have not love, my prayers are in vain.

If I receive the Eucharist every Sunday, but have not love, I am an empty vessel.

If I mortify my flesh, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and have not love, I am just a wounded bag of bones.

If I gaze on images of Saints , Angels and the Holy Mother of God, but have not love, I am a sightless soul.

If I read the scriptures with great understanding, as to teach, but have not love, I am a talking head.

If I make the sign of the cross and say "Bless Us Oh Lord..." at every meal, but have not love, I am a just a full stomach.

If I listen to defenders of the faith morning and night and feel a certainty of my belief, and have not love, I have only felt right, and that is my reward.  

Theotokos

     And Lastly, I want to thank you kindly for letting me share my Poems. I hope you enjoyed them. Be inspired and seek love in the silence of the mind.  Here's a final couple of poems---my favorites and one of my firsts:

Love

Love poked her head in my heart

And I eye-balled her

Next time she pokes her head in,

I think I'll wink at her.

In Us

God Loved me into being 

And in me, God is.

God loved you into being 

And in you, God is.

I asked God, "Are you really in us?

God said, I AM!

The Tao of Jesus.

     I recently attended a three part series Untold Blessings:Three Paths to Holiness, by renowned Theologian Fr. Robert Barron.  I love the way he brings concepts into perspective, and although I would have to view the DVD again and again to thoroughly instill the principles he taught, I did finish with a newfound understanding gleaned from the broader presentation of  "Finding the Center," "Knowing you Are a Sinner," and "Your Life is Not About You."

Ethiopian icon

     I narrowed what I learned down to what I call The Tao of Jesus.  What or rather who did Jesus love? He loved people. If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to love what he loved.  Loving God is loving people--- and that's the big challenge.           When we choose to love people, we choose nonviolence, we choose vulnerability, and we choose a path of resistance.  This is the good life, said Fr. Robert Barron.  He used the beatitudes from the gospel of Matthew, but used the word "lucky" in place of blessed:
     You are lucky if you...are poor in spirit, or humble.  The opposite is prideful.  If everyone were prideful, everyone would be out to get the other, to seek revenge and no one would ever have peace.
     You are lucky if you...are meek.  A meek person is never weak, rather he exhibits self-control.  He doesn't run in fright from his enemy, but his humility gives him an edge in that he allows nothing to disturb him.  Fr. Barron talks about three ways to react to an aggressor. One, is to hit back.  Two, is to flee in fright, or three, is to stand up to the aggressor with a posture that says, "I'm not playing your game."  The Tao of Jesus is to "turn the other cheek," which on the surface appears weak, but is it?  No.  It's the third option, and it's not passive.
     Rev. Martin Luther King jr. took this same stance during the civil rights movement in the 1960's. King taught his followers a path of nonviolence. Oh but it wasn't passive.  Learn more about this at  King Philosophy.
      You are lucky if you...can show mercy toward others.  You are building a road to peace.  Again, you aren't controlled by your mind and it's lower nature to seek revenge.  Barron referred to Gandhi's posture in saying that if we adhere to an eye for an eye, then we eventually make everybody blind.     But again, this is not passive.  It's not caving.  It's saying, "I'm not afraid of you, but I'll not participate in your violence."

     Count yourself lucky if you are persecuted or mocked for the sake of God.  If you are persecuted, then you can smile, even experience joy in knowing that you are doing the will of God. Fr. Barron concluded with the not so complicated idea that, "your life is not about you."  And the good news is this: It's about loving what God loves, and what God loves is freedom indeed.  Biblical freedom, Barron says, is "freedom from."  It is freedom from the domination of the human will that seeks a love of self, a protection of self, a self that excludes others--- which is ultimately not the Tao of Jesus.
         
     
   

The Most Popular Man on Pinterest

     A couple of summers ago, I found myself in a deep depression. I was unemployed. I had moved to the city from the country.  My children were all grown up and I was not adjusting well to being an empty nester.
     If ever there was a calling, I had fulfilled mine---motherhood.  I've got two grandchildren, another on the way and I just don't see them often enough.                Nevertheless, I had to accept this new chapter in my life, and it was very trying.   So--- that lonely summer I became addicted so to speak. Well, sort of---I got hooked on Pinterest while in the valley.
      Since I love images, photography indeed, Pinterest fit my personality to a T.  It's somewhat of a social network, but not like Facebook.  Let me reiterate; not like Facebook.  Pinterest derives its name from the words "pin" and "interest."  Thus Pinterest is a site that allows you to pin your interests.
     One day, as I perused the site, I stumbled across a photograph of an unknown man and unknown photographer.  He looked interesting enough, so I pinned the image to my anthropology page.  
      I then commented on the image based on my meager National Geographic education.  I wrote: "According to science, people of the earth began in Africa, and the more people migrated around the world, the more physical changes would develop because of adaptations to certain areas.  People who evolved in the same spot for a long time did not change much."  See National Geographic's The Human Journey, if you are interested in the migration of mankind.
      Now I must agree that my mystery man is an interesting looking fellow, and his eyes and expression speak.  But on Pinterest (interesting faces), I've seen thousands of captivating faces, interesting people with much more impressive expressions and much more appealing photography.  
     However, this image, this man--- manages to get repinned at least 50 times a day. How do I know?  Well, I get notice on my smartphone every time he's pinned. I used to be annoyed by this, but now I am utterly fascinated.  Like I said, there are thousands of interesting people pictures on Pinterest, so why this image? 
    It could be, and I would venture to say that it is perhaps what I had written in the comment section about him.  The comment awarded the image more meaning. I believe that what I had written about him created more meaning because of the phrase "people of the earth began."  
     You see, mankind never ceases to wonder, never ceases to ponder and never ceases to puzzle over his existence. Why? is the cry of every human. And the answer to that cry is God. I know that sounds presumptuous and I wish I could give every human being the ability to believe, but it doesn't work that way. 
      Each of us has to come to a belief on our own. St. Augustine, after wrestling for many years put it this way, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.”
      Why are we here; how did we get here and where did we come from? Well, we don't really know for sure, and the mystery seems to be part of that journey, but a faith in God and Jesus can help you understand more than you ever dreamed of.  Allow me to explain. 
      I began my journey pretty early, but then fell away.  I eventually came full circle on the religious merry-go-round and came back home to the Catholic faith.  I personally believe that God calls all of us to him.  It's just that some of us are not listening, and I'd like to invite you to listen.  
     The Catholic Church teaches 2000 years of tradition in interpreting scripture.  And through this Church, you can learn about God. I remember watching Marcus Grodi on The Journey Home, a program about Catholic converts from all walks of life.  He interviews Jews, Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists and agnostics--- Catholic reverts, like me, Anglicans, Protestants, and atheists who have all come home to the Catholic faith.  
     I was interested one day and watched an interview of a convert named Kristine Franklin. About half way through the program, she describes her experience with an Irish priest who insisted she could have all her questions answered. Kristine gasped, and said, "All?" I thought, wow, that's pretty compelling.  
     But as I watched, I began to be humbled, and I began to pray.  It was a simple prayer---something like, "God, help me know."  And I began to seek. remembering the words of Jesus, "Seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be opened." I didn't get a burning bush experience, but with an intelligent approach to learning about my Catholic faith, I began to have my eyes opened.  
     Won't you join me on this journey.  You won't be disappointed, in fact, you will probably gain courage.  Life won't all of a sudden be easy, but again, you'll gain a courage that will be near you even unto death.   Read this inspiring article, from Divine Mercy News. It's about a man and a plane crash.  Ironically, that's one of my biggest fears.    
     No disrespect to my protestant brothers and sisters, but I would also like to introduce the Bible to you in a new way.  My Catholic tradition has taught me that the Bible is sacred and divinely inspired; however, Catholic tradition also teaches that the Bible is not an island unto itself.  For Catholics, it's not Sola Scriptura, and it's not necessarily a literal book. Inspired yes, but not literal.  And something else to know is that the Bible is not a book.
     The Bible is a compilation of ancient  documents from a variety of sources.  It even contains letters.  The Catholic church gave the Bible to all christians, so allow the Catholic church to explicate it.  From Genesis to Revelation, it must be studied and understood in the context of the culture, specifically, the ancient Hebrews.  
     One has to understand the use of literary genres (styles of writing that convey important spiritual messages).  All this must be taken into consideration.  But know friends---it's God breathed. And with the help of the Catholic church, it can become a living text.  Scott Hahn, a Biblical scholar and Catholic convert, might be a good place to start.  Here's some facts to pique your interest.
     Some of the literary genres used in the Bible are the parable, the allegory, the beast fable, the short story, the historical novel and even speeches, songs and letters.  Each book if studied in its context will convey or teach us about the nature of God. 
    Let's poke around in Genesis, man's beginnings.  It's an inspired book, it's not a literal story, but rather an allegory. An allegory is a story with lots of symbols. It's a "figure story with veiled meaning."(1)  

     Faith and Science don't have to be at odds. I've found on my spiritual journey that science increases my faith in God because of the intricacies and beauty found in the physical world. Man can probably explain everything with science, but Man can never explain why we find something beautiful. 

     Why do we find sunsets beautiful? Afterall, they are just waves of light bouncing off molecules. Right?  Physics could easily explain what a rainbow or a sunset is.  But again, why do we as humans find it beautiful!  
     Back to Genesis. Consider this fascinating observation. The book of Genesis was probably written 3 to 4,000 years ago. But it seems that the order of creation described in Genesis lines up with science and it's order of how life developed. 
     Whether everything evolved or not, the creator, seemed to reveal some knowledge of scientific order which is in harmony with Genesis. In Genesis 1:2 we see God bringing "an orderly universe out of primordial chaos." (2) "...the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the earth." Science wouldn't argue that.
      The next sequence of events, described in "days" continues with separation of the heavens and earth with a dome. vs. 6. "Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other."

     Interestingly, this dome is the atmosphere which does contain water vapor. Humm. How did ancient man know this? Well, maybe since it rained, he concluded that there must be water up there. But wait. Then the sequence continues with the oceans swarming with life, then land teeming with life, then mankind is created in vs. 27. "God created man in his own image, in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them." (3).

      The sequence is in harmony with geologic time, and man being the climax of God's creation. Man intuitively senses this, but God as our creator knows this!  Mankind is the pinnacle of God's creation.    
     We belong to God. We are not our own, as Father Robert Barron eloquently expresses in his Paths to Holiness presentation---a must see. 
     You can order from this website: Word on Fire.  He says, "God calls us. And God sends us. It's his Theo drama. The only audience worth playing for is the divine audience." It's the posture that scientist Monsignor Georges Lemaître had (see previous blog for his bio).  This is God's idea, not mine.  Some of us are messengers. 
     Give the God of my beautiful Catholic faith a chance. Study sacred scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  I promise you won't be disappointed. It will open your eyes to many mysteries and take you on a splendid journey. It might even answer questions you have about your existence. 

      I want to end with a Carl Sagan quote. (see previous blog for more on Sagan) "There is no other species on Earth that does science. It is, so far, entirely a human invention... It is not perfect. It can be misused. It is only a tool. But it is by far the best tool we have, self-correcting, ongoing, applicable to everything"(4). Even the study of God.


(1,2, and 3) New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition, 1986, order info here: http://www.christianbook.com/st-joseph-nab-student-edition-softcover/9780899429502/pd/29505?dv=c&en=google-pla&event=SHOP&kw=bibles-0-20&p=1179710&gclid=CjwKEAjwlsSoBRDoid2ihqnjjlISJABZoG9-gh2Lu-8zlfFOJmG5XE8NzVWpJBufsCve040-qFkiSRoC1Fzw_wcB
(4)Carl Sagan's cosmos from:http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/sagancosmos.pdf

Pale Blue Dot

     Take a look at the picture on your left. It's a picture of earth taken from Voyager 1---four million miles away. Take in the muted colors. It's really quite a boring picture until you understand what it actually is.

     Now read the quote from one of the most important, privileged and distinguished scientist in America---Carl Sagan. Google his name and read about him. Read his impressive titles and credentials. Look at his important smile. He knows he's important.
     In fact, even pot smokers love him. Here's a quote from the web hailing Sagan for his pot induced genius. "Astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist...It’s hard to argue for pot slowing you down when you look at Carl Sagan’s record. Apparently a confirmed and admitted stoner, among his many achievements are a Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy, a best-selling novel, as well as more than 500 science papers and articles. He was a founding member of the Planetary Society, and he won a pipe load of scientific awards. Hardly surprising, he is said to have believed in the validity of stoned insights." (1)

     Now I'm not by any means proposing that we all jump on the marijuana bandwagon.  In fact, I'm a non smoker and believe that genius comes from God, not cannabis.  I believe that we can tap into the genius of God if we so choose.  In my humble opinion, it's a matter of faith. The mind is a powerful and influential organ. Psychologist have purported for years that our mind, out thoughts and our beliefs truly make up how we live, who we are. Scripture and great spiritual writers have captured the essence of this reality: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
     But---This is a blog about God and our significance, so allow me to continue.  I could write forever on Mr. Sagan, but he's not really that important---or is he? God says he is! Let's read Psalm 139 and imagine that this is Carl Sagan expressing his importance.
     "Oh God, You have searched me, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue...you Oh God...know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb...I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be...."

      Now wouldn't it be nice for some of us if we were insignificant. We wouldn't have to take responsibility for anything. Our actions would just be undirected, random chemical reactions and haphazard happenings. No one on this pale blue dot would ever have to seek truth, strive for any virtue or commit any noble deed. 

     But consider the following: Our earth is just the right size, just the right distance, tilt, revolution and rotation around the sun; it has just the right temperature, just the right moon, just the right atmosphere, just the right amount of water, just the right amount of life giving oxygen or has just the right conditions to be alive! This pale blue dot is alive! We are not a lonely speck. And the consciousness in us is the same consciousness in the universe.  There is power emanating from that pale blue dot. 

     Close your eyes.  Now imagine. Imagine you are on Mars. It's cold. It's dark. It's lonely. It's desolate. It's lifeless. Did you visualize that? Wow! You can visualize things. You can visualize yourself beyond the universe into another universe. You can visualize great things...anything in fact! Anything! You can visualize anything good or evil. The pale blue dot is nothing---without God!
     My Catholic tradition has taught me that God, the creator of the universe has invited me into history; she's taught me that God has invited me to participate with him in his creation. My Catholic tradition has taught me that everything in the universe has his fingerprint on it. My Catholic tradition has taught me that God is concerned with this pale blue dot. My Catholic tradition has taught me that we as humans are made in his image. And that doesn't surprise me in the least. 

     In fact, many before me believed as I do.   Monseigner Georges Lemaître, renowned astronomer, physicist and priest influenced Pope Pius XII, although he didn't like to mix science with religion according to a web article.  The Msgr. also expressed that "the cross and the gospel were enough."           So I feel certain that he would have agreed with me in saying that God is the ultimate scientist.  "He" is also author and finisher of our faith, that God is interested in more than just our existence, that God wants us to experience with "him" all that "he" is, and that science is a gift from "him." Learn more about Monseigner George Lemaître  here: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8847 .  Also, take a peek at the many other Catholics who were also very influential scientists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Catholic_scientists.  And remember, our importance is not a delusion---perhaps a mystery, but not a delusion.  

(1) http://coed.com/2011/02/02/the-10-smartest-pot-smokers-on-the-planet-cool-enough-to-admit-it/

Lucille Ball, Aliens and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

     My husband loves the T.V.  And although I prefer to read, I do enjoy catching glimpses of some of his shows.   Of course what American doesn't enjoy T.V.?  Admit it. Americans have had a love affair with the tube for what seems like forever.  Can you imagine life without it?        My mother can.  She's a very young 71, but certainly remembers the days of Radio.  Before the tube, it was all about the radio. Yes, the exciting world of radio stirred many imaginations in the early 1930's and 40's.

     Families sat around the radio much like we sit in front of the T.V.  In fact, I was doing some Internet searches and happened upon one of my favorite actresses---Lucille Ball.  Who doesn't love Lucy?  Go ahead and google My Favorite Husband and check out the radio program that launched that wonderful and zany sitcom I Love Lucy.
     Lucille Ball, a.k.a. Lucy, yes that adorable, bright eyed redhead even---not surprisingly, captured the imagination of my little girl, Beth.  Our downtown library housed about 45 videos of I Love Lucy, and she watched every tape.  Each videotape had at least four episodes per video.  So for four years in the mid 1990's, Beth was chock-full-a-Lucy. 
     She was so enamored with Lucy and Ricky, that she became grieved and actually shed tears of sorrow when later in her teens, she learned that Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were married in real life and then divorced.  But oh what a glorious and wholesome sitcom it was.
     Another interesting fact regarding radio programs is an incident that occurred in 1938.  This is funny, well kind of.  A radio drama was misinterpreted as real life, and it caused public hysteria. Yes, real people like you and me truly believed we were being invaded by creatures from outer space.  According to reports, the public reaction looked like something out of an old godzilla movie.  You can read about the incident here: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/welles-scares-nation.  
     Speaking of history. One of the shows my husband loves to watch comes on the history channel.  It's a series called Ancient Aliens. The channel runs and reruns this series quite frequently, so it must be very popular with the public.  I have to admit, it is fun to watch.  But what fascinates me the most is the program's presentation and claim that humans couldn't have possibly produced such monumental structures.       
     Some examples include the Nazca lines in Peru, Egyptian pyramids, and other massive architectural formations from around the globe. They present a common, and not so scholarly belief that aliens from outer space must have built or at least contributed to the ancient structures.  Check it out here: http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens.  Like I said, it's fun to watch.  You'll learn some real geographical history; however, the facts about the subject matter may seem a bit far fetched and fantastical.  
      One show in particular really caught my interest this past autumn. I rather enjoyed this one episode because it showcased one of my favorite Catholic relics.  It's a piece of cloth, or garment, called a tilma, and shines with an image of The Blessed Mother of Jesus.  The piece is housed in a basilica in Mexico, and is called Our Lady of Guadalupe.  

It's a beautiful piece of religious art, and rightly so, as it's artist is God.
     I know---that seems far fetched and  fantastical, but I believe it just as strongly as Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, from Ancient Aliens believes in aliens.  
     Here's an aside:  I love Giorgio Tsoukalos and his zany personality.  He is such a lively character and fun to watch just for sheer entertainment.  Although I pray he comes to know Jesus through his research.       
     Back to the Tilma.  I do hope my blog piques your interest in this piece of art.  Do some research today; you'll be amazed. This treasure is so magnificent and mysterious that even the History Channel decided to present it on Ancient Aliens.  Too phenomenal to have been done by man.  
     Consider this. The piece has over a dozen captivating mysteries surrounding it.  One of the most fascinating to me is the microscopic image in the eyelids.  And more discoveries are being revealed all the time.  Consider also some practical applications God could have intended.  Christianity replaced the Aztec religion where millions of innocent lives were sacrificed to the gods. Here's a site to get you started: http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/science-sees-what-mary-saw-from-juan-diegos-tilma.html and another cool blog to feed your spirit: http://embracingyourgreatness.org/tag/our-lady-of-guadalupe/

Ashes to Ashes; Dust to Dust

     So I recently photographed an abandoned home with a dear friend and fellow photographer. It was haunting. Not haunted---but haunting. I was fascinated by the worn shoes throughout the old home, and I wondered who had worn them. Perhaps I'll find out another day, as I'm sure there is a life filled story to know. 

The people in the scene were dead, but alive.  I could hear them.  I heard their smiles and their cries.  I saw their laughter and their anger.  I felt their exhaustion and their vulnerability.  

I heard complaints of sore feet, sore backs and sore hands.  I heard cooking and the clanging of pots and pans. I heard mothers screaming at children. I heard fathers sighing and I heard the ruffling of the pages of his escape in a newspaper.  I saw ladies fidgeting with their corsets.  And I even heard church bells,

     Speaking of church bells.  Of course I  thought about these 40 days of lent, and how difficult it has been to practice the virtues we are called to practice. You know, Lent is commonly called The Penitent Season.  That is very fitting for me--- because as I have expressed in a previous blog---I'm having trouble.  My cry is "Father forgive me; Father, help me to do that which I am called.  

    

  In the Catholic tradition, we begin Lent with Ash Wednesday.  We go to church, are reminded by our Pastor why we are at church, and and then the penitents or parishioners gather in lines to receive something. This something is a symbol.  This symbol, however denotes a profound meaning for us church folks.  This symbol is a reminder of our death, our end...our own apocalypse.  

     It may seem morbid for some, but receiving the markings of ashes on our foreheads, one by one as the the words "remember...you are dust" were repeated, was a sacred experience for me. It reminded me of my utter dependence on God.  My Photographic opportunity, this haunting home, full of life once lived, just drove the point home.  With each photograph  I deeply pondered how short life is. 

In Defense of Church.

     Continuing on the subject of Lent....  In my last blog, I talked about what a miserable lent participant I was.  And I closed with the idea that perhaps by day 40, I would have created a habit. With that in mind, I'd like to focus on that aspect of Lent and tie it into the notion of why it's so important to go to church.  Let's face it.  Lent is a religious practice that we learn at church.

     Even if you don't believe in God, you should still go to church---regularly, like at least once a week.  That is why I love being Catholic.  I can go every day, if I choose.  What?  I can see you now, big eyed, teeth grinding...puffs of smoke.  Well how's this for a reason. You need to avoid the fires of Hell!  You need to get right with God.  Humans ain't animals; humans understand the concept of justice---to make things right. God is Holy.  We are called to be Holy. And that doesn't happen in a vacuum. Get to church! 
    How's that for reasons?  Wow, the smoke is getting thick. I hear ya, "this talk of a Holy God sounds like something out of one of those 1950's epic films like The Ten Commandments, with Charlton Heston. 

      But let's look at church from a sociological or anthropological perspective.  Maybe, just maybe...God is more in tune with our line of thinking than we give him credit.  Maybe he want's what is best for us as a species.  And church is where we learn about this God who is madly in love with all creation and yes madly in love with us!  The love God has for us is so deep, that he commands us to go to church!  I'm going to list seven good reasons for going to Church. Besides, seven is a Biblical number. Google it. Hang with me though, I think you'll appreciate these.

1. Success.  Success in other areas of life. And not necessarily because God is rewarding you, although he might be,  but because church is where you fellowship with others outside of the confines of work or school.  Humans have always gathered in tribes or in groups.  In groups, humans bring the knowledge of resources.   I've never been successful on my own.  "Man is not an island unto himself." 
2. Self-esteem.  God values us individually, and we should too.  This isn't an arrogant, narcissistic and conceited self esteem, but rather a nurturing of our intrinsic worth.  In the Christian tradition, we are taught to build each other up, encourage one another, love one another, value life and the talents we bring to each other.  It's been my experience that church is a safe place to exploit our God given talents. Church gives us a sense of belonging, otherwise we flounder.
3. Protection.  From what you ask?  The elements. Tornados, ice storms and famines are still a part of our modern world.  And church folks are compelled to readily assist. Jesus commands us to love our neighbor.  For followers of Christ, it's not a option. The Bible says it like this in 1 John 3:17.  " But if a person has material possessions and sees a brother in need and that person doesn't care---how can the love of God remain in him?"  It is interesting to me that the great physicist, Stephen Hawking, and now an atheist---- was cared for by a practicing Christian.  Would he even be as successful today without her help?
4. Health.  Did you know that studies have shown that going to church regularly can increase health.  I know, exercise, proper eating and meditation can too, but Google it.  Google this:  "Studies have shown that people of faith live longer."  Scientists have known for a long time that folks who are regular church attenders are healthier.  Look at all those old folks you see in church.
5. Intellectual stimulation.  The Church has a rich, intellectual tradition.  I'll let one of the greatest modern day theologians convince you of this.  Here's an excellent video on this topic.  No one, not even an atheist can watch Fr. Barron and not be changed, even if it's "gnashing of teeth" anger. 

   Moving right along to number six.
     6. Faith.  Church helps to increase our faith in something outside of ourselves.  Corrie Ten Boom, the Tramp for the Lord and holocaust survivor said this.  "Look within and be depressed, look around and be distressed, look to Christ and be at rest."  Google Corrie Ten Boom.  Her story is magnificent!  It's even a movie.  
     Without faith, our anxiety increases.  We begin to realize our own limitations, and suddenly we are seeking something beyond ourselves to "fix" things.  Even if it's done subconsciously, humans are wired to pray. Secularist scientists have acknowledged that humans have a faith instinct.
  7.  Virtues.  Who in their right mind doesn't appreciate a person of virtue?  Church is where we learn to be good.  The Christian faith teaches the highest moral standard on the face of the planet!  I didn't say Christians practice the highest moral standard.  I said, The Christian faith, and especially the Catholic Faith always teaches the highest moral standard! Read any Papal encyclical, I dare ya. In fact, start with Pope Paul VI's on Humanae Vitae at Papal Encyclicals.   The Church takes the high road. Why?  Jesus does?  
     That little ole nazarene troublemaker tells us that if we are merely angry at our neighbor, we are in hot water. Why? Anger leads to violence, and violence leads to murder, and life is precious.  Church gives us a moral standard...a law if you wil.  And practicing that law saves us the heartache of what vices can bring.  Alcoholism, drug abuse, human exploitation and ultimately suicide are possible results.  Is this what we want for our offspring.  No!  Secularists fight for these virtues, and  where can we best learn these virtues?  Not in the world.  It's at church that I learned them.