Ordinary Times

January 23, 2018 No Comments

Receiving communion from Father Leonard at Capernaum Peter Church, Israel

It took three years to be certified to teach adult catechism. As I returned to my service to God as a Catholic (after leaving for 15 years), I had to acclimate to the calling. Sunday, January 14, 2018, was my second class of teaching catechism, and the lesson was to reflect on the reading (1 Sam 3:3b-10,19, Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-8, 10; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 and John 1:35-42). We are all called to serve God; to some, our calling comes early in life and to others as adults. The adults in the class are all making a commitment to serve God as Catholics, and this is a one year process, in which catechumens must attend RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). These catechumens are not influenced by peer pressure or parents because it is truly a calling at this time of their lives. Each of them has a story, but the common bond is the love for God. Some are moved to tears of joy as they share their experiences, some to tears of pain that lead them to where they are. It does not matter to God where we are when we say yes because He always there waiting. The Holy Spirit is patient but is also referred to as the Hound of heaven, which means that God never gives up on us, we are the ones that do that by not giving up our sinful nature.

About two years ago a friend of mine attended a non-Christian wedding in which the bride and groom were unequally yoked. The person officiating the service asked the bride if she wanted to become the same religion as her husband. A few words were exchanged and she was yoked into her husband’s belief.

It’s not that easy to serve God. A commitment is more than simple words, it’s when your mind, heart, and spirit come together in agreement that what you are feeling bring a sovereign sense of peace.

Before I teach each class, I have to be prayed up, be in the Spirit, and have a clear understanding of the Scripture. I want to be certain that what I am teaching is in alignment with the Word of God.

Father Leonard consecrating the Eucharist at the House of Mary, Mt. Koressos Ephesus, Turkey

Alida washing my feet in the Upper Room, Old City Jerusalem

Before attending the classes to become a teacher, I wanted to become an Eucharist Minister (EM). To become a EM, a person must attend a meeting and training. I remember the night before I was to give out communion when I could not sleep. I wanted to make sure that what I was doing was pleasing to God. I kept thinking that I might trip coming down the the few steps or that I was just unworthy of the task. Mike was sitting next to me when it was time for me to go up. He nudged me and said, “Don’t trip.” Such comforting words to a mind that was racing with many doubts. It has been almost three years and I continue with my service as an EM, participating in daily Mass. I was explaining to the catechumens that as an EM, if there is any wine left over in the cup we must consume it ourselves. Why? Because it has been consecrated and represents the blood of Christ. Jesus instituted the New Covenant in the Upper Room at the Last Supper. Jesus first washed the feet of his disciples and then gave them the Bread and Wine. This is mentioned in all of the Gospels, because it is of utmost importance.

Matthew 26:26-28King James Version (KJV)

²⁶And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

²⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

²⁸For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

As a teacher, I am also being catechized with these studies. We are in “Ordinary Times” which means it is not a part of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. The Latin meaning of ordinary is “in order or sequence.” The first week or Ordinary Times was in celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. All Sundays have the numbers in the titles of what we celebrate. I am learning this for the first time.

Wherever you travel in the world, the Catholic Mass will have the same reading, the communion rituals, etc. You do not have to know the language because we already know what to expect.

My Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I pray for those that are still in limbo and asking if you are real. Reveal yourself to them, let them understand that with You in their lives all things are made better. Give them hope in their uncertainty and allow them to feel Your perfect love. Amen

My Heart of the Matter

Excerpts from 2011 Travels with Best Friends

January 16, 2018 5 Comments

November 4, 2011

On November 4, 2011, we arrived in beautiful Rome, my favorite city (aside from Jerusalem). Our hotel, Rome Cavalieri, boasted of original art by Giovanni Battista, and French clocks panning the time period from Louis XIV to Napoleon III are placed throughout this beautiful hotel. The 18^th Century furniture was gold and all fancy, and was hand carved, the down filled sofas beckoned to the weary traveler. The halls, are very wide and paved in marble that causes even rubber soles to clanked on its surface. Stepping out into the grounds was my favorite activity; huge sculptured unicorn statues greeted us, and life-size lions surrounded the secret view of the gardens for the guest. Topiaries, tall Italian cypress trees, stood guard. Oh to be five years old again, so many places to run and hide. Everywhere you looked was another sign of tangible art. This five star hotel belongs to the Hilton group, that allows us to use Mike’s travel points, how blessed we were to experience this.

We took a taxi to St. Peter’s Basilica. When we arrived the line was wrapped around the building, going through the pillars. Too long the wait to enter the Basilica, besides we have all had the pleasure of a personal tour two years ago with Father Anthony. I love the Vatican, and God willing, I will return. Later that night we had a wonderful dinner at AB Hoc, a restaurant not far from the Spanish Steps. Why do the bread and the wine taste so wonderful? I love to drink wine in Italy and the even cappuccinos are better there; the froth is smoother and the overall presentation, wow! Italians know how to make everything taste better.

The Roman women here are decked out in knee-high boots and colorful coats, though the weather is in the 70’s. Almost everything I packed involved the color black. Black is the most wonderful color and it does make you look great. Knee high boots are not all the rage for me; it takes me over five minutes to put on my ankle boots, so attempting anything higher is too much of a bother. No one seems to be overweight here; the average size of an Italian woman is size three to size nothing.

The cars are all small, and if you have more than one child, the ride to school could pose a problem. Lunches would have to be sent ahead, and you can forget about carpooling, unless you want your child to be strapped to the hood. Public transportation seems to work in this large city; the underground subways are very good, and the buses are packed with people who do not want to bother getting into a mini anything.

November 5, 2011

Our next venture was to leave Rome and head to Travenelle vi di Pisa. Although we had a navigation and Helen with her iMap App from her iPhone, we were still lost. Mike was the driver while Larry sat shotgun. I sat in the back seat with Helen, who was calling all the shots. I like being lost over here; you can really appreciate how the Romans live. The residents in the outskirts of Rome live mostly in apartments or condos; there are no long driveways leading to grand homes, not in this neighborhood anyway. We made several attempts to leave Rome but we couldn’t seem to find our way out. Only in restaurants and shops in the big cities do Romans speak English. In the real Roman world, the people speak Italian, and when you ask them for directions it is in metric, so we had to translate double. Three kilometers, then they waved their hands like a snake for the turns we had to make to get on the highway. We were finally on our way, and aside from the Italian flags and few ancient ruins, I felt like we were traveling on the 101 in California heading towards Santa Barbara.

Breakfast, and dinner at Castello del Nero

We were headed to Castello del Nero; this means we were staying in a castle. Castello de Nero is nestled high in the hills of the Chianti region. It boasts of acres and acres of farmland. This castle produces their own olives for olive oil, grapes for the Castello de Nero wine and grows all of their vegetables. The castle was originally the home to the Nero family; it has been completely renovated and restored to somewhat of an original state. The region is as beautiful as the view that surrounds the entire Castle; the natural beauty overwhelms you as you catch your breath in aw.

After settling in, we began relaxing and drinking screwdrivers with fresh squeezed orange juice. Screwdrivers for the ladies and wine for the gentlemen, hey we are on vacation!

My Heart of the Matter

The Recovery

December 31, 2017 18 Comments

I had foot surgery on December 27th to correct the hammertoe that had been ruling my life for the last couple of years. With this I discovered that my husband Mike is one step away from becoming the venerable Mike. If he could he’d be taking my vitals as well. So much free time at the mercy of my recovery made for watching ridiculous shows like Hollywoods news. Rita Wilson was being interviewed and all I caught was her response, which was, “Well we have a president that gropes women, what do you expect?” The reporter had no comeback. Any good and honest reporter would have brought up President Clinton’s behavior and asked, “So you’re ok with President Clinton’s behavior while in office?” Nope, not going to happen! The arrogance of these people! This is why I will never watch another movie with these buffoons.

Another equally disturbing news feed was how different police departments are incorporating meditation, as a the new way of relaxation, thank you Oprah for opening another door to the world, I am not a fan, I never follow what she has to say. The word of God says “And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Luke 12:48 Oprah needs to be careful with all the followers she leads astray.

Let’s talk about facts on meditation; this is a religion with Pantheistic beliefs. In the mantra you are calling to Hindu gods. I do not open those doors because it separates you from the one true God; everything the enemy does starts off innocently and then leads to bigger things. 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3“You shall have no other gods before me. Ex 20:2-3 If you don’t believe me read the story of Father Kneemiller, www.courageouspriest.com who for years, before becoming a priest dabbled in this New Age belief. Father Kneemiller’s article on the dangers of New Age is-eye opening and I pray that you read it with an open heart.

In every Yoga pose, its meaning is praying to a spiritual Hindu god, but not too many yoga sizers are aware of the dangers attached to this practice. Back in the early seventies I too fell into the routine by watching a program on television, and participating in the excerise. When I started serving the Lord I realized that this was questionable. At that time I was a “Born Again” Christian, and when you are a baby in Christ, all you want to do is convert others, and please God. There are plenty of misguided Christians as well as Catholics who still practice these New Age religions. A well known priest, Father Jose Gallegos, an exorcist from the Archdiocese of Barcelona, Spain, warns against the practices of reiki and yoga. Now why would an exorcist warn against this?

I tapped most of Hallmark’s Christmas movies; they are clean and offer hope. Granted they all share the same story line, and just about anyone could write the script. It’s either Hallmark or watching Game Of Thrones with Mike; just a five-minute segment was traumatizing. It was scene with a sword fight in which the victor not only slashed the opponent’s throat but savagely yanked out the man’s tongue and waved it at the onlookers. The way Mike explains this program is that it’s about real life. I walked out of the room dazed and confused.

I posted a picture on FB post op bragging about not taking any pain pills, but my pain became so intense I removed the picture. The opioids prescribed are making me sick to my stomach, my hair is developing dreadlocks and my back is out, Other than that I have no complaints. All my concerns are temporary and trying my patience, but so far I’ve only called a couple of my friends to register these lightweight laments. I cannot drive for one month, Dear Lord, help me with that trial!

New Years Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone who has ears to hear the truth, and for this year to be a year of reckoning with all we have not done to please you. Keep us from temptation and guide us to hear Your still small voice, and do what is right and pleasing for You. Allow us to operate in your pure love, and let us be grateful for all you have given us. Restore health to all who are suffering, repair broken hearts and bring healing to your land. Amen!

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