Which Way to Unity?

The week of prayer for Christian unity has been on my mind a lot in the last few weeks. Recently I was in an extended conversation which touched on the question of what, actually, the unity among Christians is. The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of how the Church is "the great sacrament of divine communion" because the Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of communion" and is like the sap of the Father's vine which bears fruit on its branches" (CCC 1108). So, we could say that the unity among Christians is the action and presence of the Holy Spirit who gathers us together.

Seen from one perspective, this unity is not something which anyone can ultimately destroy. But I believe we can be ignorant of or darkened toward God's plan of unity, and therefore we can resist it, we can hinder others from it, we can sin against unity.

How do we foster Christian unity? Dialogue can help, but a program of dialogue is likely to be nothing more than an intellectual exercise, limited in its ability to change lives. If the stuff of Christian unity is the life of the Holy Spirit present in us, then "let us walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25)! Jesus reveals that unity is the desire of His heart in His high priestly prayer before the passion (Jn. 17:20-23). Let us give ourselves fully to the Holy Spirit, to move where he leads. Let us submit ourselves fully to the church, to those who are "over us in the Lord" (1 Thess. 5:12) and to the fullness of that which God has revealed. Let us daily pledge our allegiance to the Father and entrust all that we have and are and do to Him. Let us ask in return the grace to be obedient to His every directive to the fullest possible extent.

In this way, open, listening, watching, following, we will be available to the unity the Lord Himself will build among us.

What's On My Mind

The week of prayer for Christian unity: January 18-24. Hope to be back to blog about it shortly.

Loving That Rebounding

Two months ago I posted about my introduction to rebounding. Some time later, thanks to Angela's eagle eyes, I scored a very cheap rebounder from a local thrift shop. And some time after that, namely last week, I decided to give it more than the occasional bounce.

And I'm hooked!

I've been giving it at least a good 10 minute go for over a week now (yes, every single day -- this is amazing for me!). I have never really enjoyed exercise before this, although there have been times when I have been somewhat diligent (like during pregnancy). But I find myself actually looking forward to my rebounding minutes.

I probably don't need anything to boost my appetite (for food) any higher, but I have sensed my metabolism speeding up as I am even hungrier than usual. And, there have been rumors circulating that I actually have muscles in my stomach as my little post-operative (endometriosis) pouch has changed shape somewhat. But the weirdest thing I have experienced is that my sleep cycles have been very different. I have actually been tired at night and awake in the mornings. I am hoping that by blogging about this I will jinx it, because this is not the way my life is used to being structured! I have actually felt rather energetic during the day, but this getting tired at 9pm just will not do. For one thing, no one has given my children the memo. For another thing, how do I get in the swing of blogging when the sun is shining?!?

Well, I'll deal.

And now I'm hoping this will wear off.

But, if I could manage to eat chocolate at night and still fall asleep, I might just try to get used to early morning blogging. Time for a little caffeine experimentation!

You Are Three

Tonight, my daughter had some trouble getting to sleep. Well, no, she went to sleep just fine, only she couldn't stay asleep. Seems pinworms or something of the sort were causing her great grief and aggravating every other possible minor discomfort into something that demanded attention and wakefulness. I gave her the appropriate medicine, and as we waited for it to take effect, she said she wanted to go downstairs with me.

So, we sat on the couch, and I tried to encourage her to lay down and try to sleep. She flopped herself into my arms.

Watching her drift off to sleep, I couldn't help but be overcome. Still the same face that greeted me moments after birth with eyes wide with exploration. Only so much bigger. I wept with sheer gratitude for her existence. I thought how so soon she would resist my kisses, as her big brother already does and has for at least a year. I thought how soon she would be far too big for me to hold like this and to carry down the stairs.

But for now, I thought, you are only three, and here you are cuddled up in my arms!

I carried her, now sound asleep, back up to her bed -- all 38 pounds of her. She stirred a bit and remembered she had had reason to be uncomfortable earlier, but then dropped back into sleep.

I just want to hold this moment, this day, like the treasure it is. Not because I don't believe tomorrow will be an equal treasure, but because as long as I can marvel in today, tomorrow takes care of itself.

Testimony

I came across this testimony today. It is a beautiful account of a "nerdy goth girl" who encounters Jesus at a Latin Mass.

God is good!

Fr. Robert Barron

I recently discovered this priest and his preaching ministry. Here is Fr. Robert Barron talking about Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose which has become widely famous due to its exposure through Oprah Winfrey's book club.

Good stuff!

Maybe Congress Has Had Too Much Lead Exposure

Perhaps you've heard of the new law that has gotten a lot of press today.

In an attempt to protect children from lead exposure (thanks to all those toys from China with copious amounts of lead in them), a law was passed in August, 2008 that will require all children's products (toys, books, clothes, electronics, you name it) to be tested for lead content or be scrapped, beginning February 10. Items testing over a limit cannot be sold, even if they were produced before this law was drafted.

It sounds like a fine idea to protect our children from lead, doesn't it. But guess who will be able to afford the testing of these products, and who won't. Mega corporations can test one of their little products and sell their other hundreds of thousands of them. The mom corporation, selling books or fabric toys to help manage to stay home with her kids, will not be able to do so. Lots of small or medium sized companies are staring bankruptcy in the face.

Read all about it:

U. S. Consumer Protection Agency Statement
World Net Daily news story
Hearings on the implementation of this law have been "postponed"

By the way, I have to add that only one (1) member of the House of Representatives voted against this bill. Who was it? Of course, Ron Paul.

Updated:
Click here for the latest developments to help put sanity back into this picture.

Anne to Speak in Steubenville

Evening of Eucharistic Renewal
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Christ the King Chapel
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Begins at 8:00 p.m. and includes:
Introduction by Fr. Michael Scanlan, Chancellor of Franciscan University of Steubenville
Talks by Anne, a lay apostle and Dr. Mark Miravalle
Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction

Who Doesn't Love Mint?

Here's a chance for you help a Michigan family farm avoid mortgage foreclosure by buying a dram of essential peppermint or spearmint oil. They also sell candles and candy. In the spring, look for their soil rejuvenator! Check out www.getmint.com.

Give Me This Author's Face to Kiss!

Bringing up children properly is a helix sport forcing you to realize no boy or girl on Earth is just like another. If you do understand this you also understand there can exist no reliable map to tell you all you need to do. Process kids like sardines and don't be surprised when they come out oily and dead. In the words of the Albany Free School, if you don't make it up as you go along, you aren't doing it right.

John Taylor Gatto, The Underground History of American Education, p. 90.

Seeing God in the Day-to-Day

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory.
Is. 60:1-2, from the first reading for Epiphany Sunday.

There's that wonderful verse again that keeps catching my attention in Handel's Messiah. It caught me again hearing it read at Mass on Sunday.

At School of Community on Saturday my friend Suzanne asked a question that I'll rephrase (because I have forgotten the exact wording she used) this way: where is the glory of God being revealed, where are we encountering the reality of Christ, right here, right now in our lived experience. This is a pretty basic CL question, but I feel nudged to seek for an answer in a particular way, in focusing not in the realm of my life that is either interior or virtual -- both of which are real -- but in the realm of life that involves other real people with whom I rub shoulders with from day to day. Do I see God in this kind of day to day? This is the question that has echoed in my heart. How much do I overlook or take for granted?

I didn't have to look too terribly far for a nice example to share Sunday. (It's after midnight; I can't say "today" anymore.)

We arrived at Mass when the clock in the car already said 11:00. Fortunately, Mass had not actually started yet. Fortunately or unfortunately, as you choose to see it, the church was jam packed and few seats were available for two adults and two small wigglers. Except the ever-faithful pew behind the choir. Since becoming a cantor I have been more aware that those seats are often available. Strewn with coats, but available. (Great, now all my friends from my parish know our secret!!)

So I led my kiddos back there, and hubby followed after parking (he does the chivalrous thing by letting us off by the door, even, or especially, when we run late). I already had many strikes against me (running late because of waiting for my son, who was cranky, it was raining, packed church, cramped area). But none of this really got under my skin by some great grace.

Then as we sat, one of the singers greeted me with a big smile and a suggestion that maybe I should just sing along, too. I smiled back and said "sure," just kind of playing along. Ten seconds later, I heard "Is she singing?" "Yeah." "She's a cantor, you know" "Oh! great" and then I had music in my hands. The three men who had been conversing turned around and smiled with genuine happiness. At the sign of peace I received other grins from the alto section. I sang all but the last hymn (my daughter demanded my attention through that one). But it was so evident that I was very welcomed, unconditionally, into this choir community. It didn't matter that I hadn't practiced. It didn't matter that I had two children banging into me. I was treated as a gift to be received, not an intrusion, or someone messing things up. Afterwards the choir director (who also is the organist I work with when I cantor) smiled and said "So, we'll see you Tuesday at 7:30, right?" Several members of the choir have asked me from time to time since I joined the parish whether I would join the choir. I've generally begged off because of small children, but even this hasn't caused anyone to turn away from me. I know that in many parish settings, no one might ever extend any personal invitation to me, let alone welcome me like I was welcomed today. I was really being welcomed as Christ, and as by Christ.

When Perfect Feels Awful

Here is something to ponder: What might our lives feel like to us when from heaven's perspective, everything is going perfectly, that is, when we are right on target in moving towards our destiny? God's "perfect" might just feel like our "yuck!" or "arrg!"


On the first of every month, Our Lord gives Anne a new message about His call to service.

January 1, 2009

Jesus

Dear apostles, today I wish to bring you heavenly encouragement. You often feel the opposite of encouragement, that is, discouragement. While this experience of discouragement is an unavoidable part of your time on earth, I want you to be aware of My presence in this cross. Talk to Me about your feelings of discouragement and you will move through these periods safely and more comfortably. If you talk to Me, you will be better able to understand that your discouragement comes from your humanity and not from heaven. In other words, feelings of discouragement are not accurate reflections of heaven’s feelings about you, your service or your effectiveness. It could be that all is going perfectly with you from heaven’s perspective, and yet, you are unaware of this for many reasons. Perhaps we are allowing a cross of suffering for you to bring benefits to you and to the world. You feel this as discouragement and yet heaven is not discouraged. Indeed, it is often the case that heaven is pleased with your faithfulness in the face of your cross. Human discouragement must be viewed with Me, Jesus, so that its cause and benefit can be understood. As an example, someone suffering in their body with sickness or limitation can justly understand their struggle with discouragement. An apostle struggling in this way can accept that he is both receiving graces himself and obtaining graces for others. Beloved apostles, allow Me into your struggle. It will become lighter. I will keep you encouraged if you remain united to Me.

I saw the funniest thing....

Sunday afternoon we were driving home from Ontario. Not far into our trip, along the mouth of Lake Ontario, one of the major skyway bridges was closed off due to extremely high winds. This meant a detour of four lanes of racing highway traffic onto a two-lane service road. Ok, no problem; I'd rather creep along for an hour than be blown into the angry waves of Lake Ontario.

When we actually got to the service road itself, we had a great view of the lake, and it was then that I saw the funniest thing. It was a seagull, flapping in the air for all it was worth, and essentially hovering in the air motionless. I mean, minus the wing-flapping part. It looked like an invisible hand was holding it while it tried in vain to get away. I wondered to myself if it was doing this for fun, for sport, or if this is the best survival technique birds have in the face of raging winds. Since we were nearly at a standstill ourselves, I had a few minutes to watch it and marvel at the sight.

We See a New Beginning...

Oh come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

For as in Adam, all die
Even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Cor. 15:22)

Thank God for 5-HTP

And what is 5-HTP, you may ask. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is an amino acid that naturally occurs in plants and in the human body, and works to regulate serotonin levels in the brain. Low serotonin levels generally bring on problems like depression, insomnia, and sometimes mood-induced overeating.

Depression so insidious, and yet it need not be feared. I've lived with depression for probably as long as I can remember, although it was only in the last few years that I've been aware of it and taken my propensity for it seriously. Like high blood pressure, it is a medical condition that can be treated. And as is the case with high blood pressure, while there are lifestyle changes one should make to stay healthy, depression is not something one can "snap out of" simply by willing it.

I'm no doctor, and I don't play one on this blog, but I have to testify that 5-HTP works for me. Christmastime can trigger depression for many, and it is for this reason I wanted to pass on this information about this non-prescription, inexpensive and safe supplement that can help you back into balance. Talk to your ND about it, or talk to ours if you don't have one of your own.