Minute Meditation 2/7/12

The Holy Spirit is the vehicle by which we leave off the old self bound by sin, slavery, fear and egoism, and embrace the new, open to grace and freedom and love.

— from Making Sense of God
From AmericanCatholic.org

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This pregnancy has been super tough on my spiritual life.  It has been such a struggle to step outside of myself and try to focus on my faith.  I find it so hard to spend any amount of time in prayer or reflection.  There have been some really really bad days, where I just feel like I have lost myself altogether, like I am not me...just an incubator and a wife and a babysitter.  I know that sounds awful, but I can't help these damn hormones!  Literally, thank God for Sundays.  I would love to go to daily mass more, but it's so hard to take a 2 year old.  
Woe is me....lol.
Enough of the pity party...see what I'm talking about?
I like this quote because when I was going through my conversion, the Holy Spirit was what really kept me motivated and made me feel like my faith was the most important part of me.  I really need to go to confession soon, it always helps with the "old self" issues and the egoism.  I am sadly, not looking forward to lent this year, I don't want to give up something stupid, I want to focus on getting my faith back on track, but I doubt my ability to follow through.  I was thinking of saying the rosary every day, which I don't do now.  I was thinking maybe going to daily mass at least once a week.  I haven't figured it out, but I am really hoping that I can make an effort this lent...stay on track.    

 

Minute Meditation 7/26

Moving Forward 

The desire to be a better person, to grow in love, compassion and forgiveness is the Word within urging us to grow into the likeness of God for which we have been created. When we actually engage in forgiveness, compassion and love, it is the Christ consciousness breaking through our lives. 

— from Wake Up to God's Word


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This is a great quote.  It is undeniable that our human hearts yearn to be happy and good.  For me, I am always trying to learn and better myself, I want to be the best "me" that I can be.  I think most people are like that.  If they are not, then they used to be, they just need to be reminded of the good in the world.  Humans have that desire and it doesn't just come from nowhere, it comes from God.  I challenge anyone to truly trust in God's plan and allow yourself to receive the love of God, it will change your life.  Do not forget that you are not alone.  Do not forget that God is with you and that you are special and have a purpose.

Minute Meditation- Repent

Repenting is Powerful


Repent is a powerful word. And it means the same as it did to the people walking around the dusty pathways in their sandals, trying to inch closer to Jesus as he passed through their town or village. Repent means “to turn back to God.”


— from Rediscover Lent

Today's minute meditation from American Catholic is a thought provoking quote that I feel compelled to share.  The word "repent" has always been a negative and confusing word for me.  It is not a negative word at all.  I agree it is powerful.  In my studies of the catholic faith, I am constantly trying to lose the gap in time and to not view today's culture as smarter and more enlightened than Jesus's generation.  Do you know what I mean?  I like to think more about if we were living at that time, rather than if Jesus were living in our time.  His disciples were some of the most intelligent men and women that have ever lived, they were no dummies.  I think most people view them as followers.  They were not followers in a negative way, they knew the truth and the truth had to be shared.  It is a shame that our generation cannot see Jesus in the flesh, that we have to go by faith alone.  I am lucky to feel repentant, to be able to "turn back to god" at this stage in my life.  I am becoming a more complete and fulfilled person.  I hope that my loved ones can at some point repent and find happiness with our creator.  God has a plan for all of us and when we open ourselves up to his love and guidance, we can all fulfill our paths with purpose and happiness.  I know a lot of my friends do not like to be preached to.  It is a big part of the catholic faith to share the message with others, whether they want it or not.  It is not being pushy, it is being open.  You can take it or leave it, but it is important for me to fulfill that part of my faith journey.  I can suggest that you repent, I can pray for you, what you do with it is up to you and I will not judge you.  I only love you and so does god.

Today's Minute Meditation

Our new home (hopefully)

God Satiates the Heart The world's deepest problems—and ours as well—cannot be resolved with more money, more houses, more food, more “things.” Only God truly satisfies the human heart. Only his word fills us and leaves us fully content and satiated. — from The Sacred Heart for Lent ******************* This is a really good post for me.  I have been trying for the last year, to train my brain to think less is more...that I don't need material things to be happy.  It's really hard to do.  I have spent my whole life being materialistic, not always in a bad way, I just like nice things and when I want something I have to have it.  It's tough to look deeper into yourself to see why you want those things.  I don't NEED anything except a roof over my head, food and loved ones.  We have been pretty broke this year, which has actually been a gift from god.  I am glad that we have been on a strict budget, it has given me perspective on what is important.  When I do get to splurge a little, and splurge is like $10 here and there, I am so thankful for it.  When friends or family buy or make us dinner or give us a hand me down, I truly feel thankful.  Holidays this year were heightened because I was humbled compared to previous years, and I like that.  We are getting our new home in less than a month.  It is what I have been wanting, a cute place, not too big, with a nice yard that Alex and I have been day-dreaming about...specifically how we are going to try to be more self-sufficient by growing our own foods and just living simpler.  When my life at home is simple and fruitful (pun intended), I have more time for focusing on my mind and my faith.  It is a beautiful thing to live simply, it opens doors for so many more possibilities in your life. Link for Sunday Poderings Link up

Minute Meditation 12/10

Today's emailed minute meditation:

Hidden in Plain Sight 

We often miss the prophets in our midst. A few signals might point them out: they disrupt our cozy routines, present new ideas we find unsettling and ask us to reach beyond our comfort zones. 

— from Catholic Update: Advent Day-by-Day

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"Prophet"...that is a term I would not have used for someone that gets me all riled up.  Dictionary.com says that a prophet is a person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration.  For me, it is a lot easier to think of a prophet as a guy with a beard in a frock and sandals, circa 100a.d.  I have a hard time seeing someone in today's light, as a true prophet.  It is a good idea to keep an eye out for who is one.  I know for me, the Deacon who teaches my RCIA class is a prophet. Each wednesday night, when I leave class, I am always full of ideas and I am ready to take on the world.  After a couple of days though, I start to fall back into my routine of selfishness.  Luckily I have sunday mornings to put me back in my place.  I guess that is the importance of attending and using the church, our home for faith, as a tool to keep the faith in Jesus and God alive in our hearts 24/7.  The church is full of modern day prophets, people who can disrupt our routines and make us try harder and be more like Jesus.  

Minute Meditation

Devotion to Angels 

If we sincerely want to do the right thing, angels can help us. So we should cultivate a devotion to the guardian angels. They're powerful spiritual beings who want us to succeed at being good. They want us to end up in heaven. 

— from Angels of God

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I get emails daily, from americancatholic.org, which I found through my parish's website, of "minute meditations".  It's basically the smallest and laziest way to have at least one moment of your day be about god.  I love it.  It would be nice if we could all be like Jesus all day, but that is not really possible for most of us.  I am taking this one day at a time, after all, we are all just sinners.  I am not in any way content in being a sinner, but I am aware that I am, and that is progress right?  

Today's minute meditation is not one that I can really meditate on...yet.  I have not been schooled in the ways of angels in my RCIA class yet, so this is something I will need to seek knowledge of.  I am just now getting the whole "saints" thing, which I am devouring books on, and really enjoying.  I am a little sad that I didn't have all these saints to look up to as a child, growing up protestant.  But, a family friend of ours a catholic, recently told me that the way I am going about it, is the right way.  She meant, that I am an adult, finding out the true meanings and teachings, and actually learning them and enjoying them fully.  I think that's what she meant.  So, angels will be my new task.