PathToHoliness

Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) is to make more disciples. So this is the Discipleship Award. I was humbled to receive this award a number of weeks ago from Jean at Catholic Fire, who is a great disciple herself. As I was reflecting on what I was thankful for last week, one of the things that came to mind was the many faithful bloggers out there, taking advantage of the new media to witness to the truth. Since today is the feast of St. Andrew the apostle I thought it might be appropriate to point out some of these modern day disciples.

First is Jennifer at Et-Tu. She is an atheist convert and always has beautiful reflections on all aspects of faith and spirituality – many things that I find myself taking for granted, having been born and raised in the faith.

Then there is Mark Pickup at Human Life Matters. I love Mark’s blog and link to it frequently at Reflections. Mark is a triplegic with advanced multiple sclerosis and has many wonderful observations on life, death and suffering.

Besides Jean’s blog, here are some more of my other favorites:
Thoughts of a Regular Guy
Alive and Young
Driving out the Snakes
The Catholic Knight
Kansas City Catholic
Pro Ecclesia, Pro Familia, Pro Civitate
Causa Nostrae Laetitiae

This one is a new favorite of mine:
Moniales OP – Dominican Nuns of Summit New Jersey

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father (Mt. 5:14-16).

Do unborn children have tears? I don’t know, but this will be my prayer for our country from now until election day. It comes from a passage I recently came across in the Diary of St. Faustina:

Once after an adoration for our country, a pain pierced my soul, and I began to pray in this way: “Most merciful Jesus, I beseech You through the intercession of Your dearest Mother who nurtured You from childhood, bless my native land. I beg You, Jesus, look not on our sins, but on the tears of little children, on the hunger and cold they suffer. Jesus, for the sake of these innocent ones, grant me the grace that I am asking of You for my country.” At that moment, I saw the Lord Jesus, His eyes filled with tears, and He said to me, You see, My daughter, what great compassion I have for them. Know that it is they who uphold the world.

Since I have written a few times about Mother Teresa and her spiritual darkness, I thought I’d also share this video of Stephen Colbert interviewing Fr. James Martin about just that.

Previous posts:
Blinded by the Light
Darkness Within Faith

I know that Veteran’s Day was technically yesterday, but since the public offices are recognizing it today, I figure I’m ok getting this post up a day late. I have mentioned before my affection for our military men and women. It started with movies depicting the bravery and sacrifices of our soldiers in the wars of history (Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers are my two favorites). And it continues with the knowledge that we still have men and women living, and dying, in these extreme situations. Pictured here is James, a soldier in the 173rd Airborne Brigade currently serving in Afghanistan. James is my adopted soldier via Adopt a Platoon. Please keep him and all our veterans in your prayers today.

Mother Teresa’s darkness, highlighted in a recent book of her letters, has been criticized by many in the secular world, like this article in Newsweek by atheist author Christopher Hitchens.

The recent edition of the Catholic World Report contains an article on the Missionaries of Charity and the 10th anniversary of Mother’s death with a sidebar on the controversy of her “anguished faith.” There is no link available but here are some of the highlights. Archbishop Henry D’Sousa of Calcutta says,

“The book shows that the Mother was an ordinary human being and went through difficulties like others. Despite her doubts and problems, she always committed herself to God and service to the poor. That’s the model of a great soul.”

Archbishop Lucas Sirkar, Abp. D’Sousa’s successor adds,

“Those who are questioning the faith of the Mother have no idea of what spiritual life is. The more you move forward in the path to saintliness or holiness, the more you have to struggle against that which is not holy

From Sister Nirmala, Mother Teresa’s successor,

“This is a trial only few souls go through. It happens when God enters their hearts in a very powerful way. The light is so strong and the human capacity is so small. What happens when you look at the blazing sun? You are blinded. It is like that.”

I am pretty sure this trial happens to more souls than we think and indeed may perhaps enter the soul of every believer at some point in their spiritual journey. But we should not fear in time of trial for our Reasons to Believe are more than mere feelings.

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:6-9).

See my latest blog entry at Reflections of a Paralytic: Love the Suffering.

Today we remember all those who have died. While we mourn for the dead, we also have hope for though, “all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” They are now

“justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, through the forbearance of God – to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.” Rom. 3:23-25

But in order to stand in the presence of God, one must “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48). That is why we believe in the, what I call, “cleansing fire” of purgatory. Though one may be justified by faith on earth, there may still be attachments that one must be purged from in order to see the glory of God, though some souls may have experienced this cleansing here on earth.

Here is a song that I have dedicated to a girl I knew in high school who died in a car accident (just 11 months before my own accident) – she was just 14 years old. I did not know her very well, but had a few classes with her. One of those was a speech class in which she gave a speech on Lynard Skynard. It didn’t hit me until I had a dream about her after my accident and started really thinking about her and praying for her, that she played this song, the lyrics of which sound prophetic to me now, during that presentation (probably a month or so before she died).

O Lord, we beg of you, through your loving kindness, have mercy on the soul of your servant (N…), and now that he/she is set free from the defilements of this mortal flesh, restore him/her to her heritage of everlasting salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Today’s readings are beautiful to reflect on when we think about the dead.

Be sure to thank the special saints in your life for all their inspiration and intercession. My patron saints are St. Anne (Anne is my middle name) and St. Mary Magdalene (my Confirmation saint).

Besides Our Lady I also am inspired by, and often call on St. Joseph, St. Therese, St. Anthony, St. Bernadette and Padre Pio. My dad, who hasn’t had much time to post on here recently, enjoys the patronage of St. Charles Boremmeo and St. Francis of Assisi. As a cooperator of Ospus Dei he is also very close to St. Josemaria Escriva, naturally. Who are some of your favorites?

Oh I am also very close to our late Holy Father, JP II, who our whole family had the wonderful privilege of greeting in 2001. Read my post on the two year anniversary of his death: JP II and the Culture of Life: