This week we are entering the holy season of Lent. For 40 days we are to prepare our minds, bodies and spirit to draw closer to God. The number 40 appears in the Bible over 140 times. The rain that God brought down to destroy all living creatures in the Book of Genesis lasted 40 days and nights, The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, and Moses stayed on Mount Sinai in the presence of God, are a few examples of 40 days. Moses is a great lesson of what 40 days represents.

When Moses went up to Mount Sinai, he was there for 40 days and forty nights. The mountain top was billowing with smoke, the earth was shaking, the skies were thundering, all because of the presence of God. The Israelites witnessed this cataclysmic event, and were terrified. Imagine beholding this supernatural event, to see and smell the mountain filled with smoke, to feel the earthquake, to hear the rumbling of the loud thunder and still not understand the presence of God?

Exodus 34:27-28 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁷ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” ²⁸ So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Why did the Israelites not discern this? The main reason is that they were spiritually inept and unequally yoked with the Spirit of God. They grew impatient with Moses, and took matters into their own hands. Together, with Aaron (Moses’ brother) they did the unthinkable, and molded a golden calf. Aaron, the same man that God used to come alongside his brother, caved into the demands of the masses.

There is a strong correlation between the Israelites and people of today. We’ve become the ones waiting impatiently at the bottom of the mountain. We no longer want to hear from God, so we take matters into our own hands. The golden calves are springing up everywhere in the hearts of the disillusioned. We fail to see the hand of God because we’ve become complacent. Remember, Moses was on Mount Sinai because God had entrusted him with the Ten Commandments. The 40 days that Moses was in the presence of God was mighty, so much so that when he came down from the mountain, his countenance was radiant because of the glory of God.

Exodus 34:35 New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁵ And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

Each year the Lord graciously allows us a period of 40 days to reexamine our lives. These 40 days are set aside to reflect on our inward self. This is a time to purge ourselves of the things of the world. This is a time for conversion, a time to pray, fast, and to give of yourself to others.

Praying is time set aside to be with God. If you do not pray on a regular basis, you can start with just 15 minutes of quiet time with the Lord. Talk to Him as if you were speaking to your best friend. Read the Bible, you can start with Proverbs. One Proverb a day is just enough to keep going back for more. Proverbs are rich in instruction for everyday living.

Fasting: years ago I could fast for as long as 10 days. Those days are long gone, but this year I am going to fast by offering up one meal a day. Fasting is a not only ridding your body of toxins, it is also clearing your mind of all that clutters and keeps you from focusing on God. Fasting, along with prayer, will help you attain a newness within your spirit because this is a true sacrifice.

Almsgiving, or giving of yourself, is allowing the Holy Spirit to not only move on you but to bless others by giving your time unselfishly. With our busy schedules, you can plan to do something to help those in need. Sometimes the Lord calls us to give money to a cause close to your heart. 

Philippians 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

This is one of my favorite passages from the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while he was in prison in Rome. These are simple instructions on how to grow spiritually with a foundation of love. Paul uses Jesus as the model for humility and selfless love. Paul also uses himself as an example of how to endure through trials and challenges.

Paul’s words are a perfect recipe for living a loving Christian life. He starts with whatever is true. In this world of deception, we must always look for truth. Truth is the first ingredient because we must all operate in truth.

The word truth appears in the Bible approximately 237 times, depending on what Bible you use.

Whatever things are noble. There is no substitute to Christ, this is a lifestyle that Paul is trying to get across. To be noble is to recognize the dignity of being part of God’s creation. To be a child of God is of great nobility. if we do not recognize the nobility of ourselves and others, we are falling short on how to treat others.

“But we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

 Whatever things are just is relying on your conscience to filter out thoughts that are not Christlike. Self-discipline includes choosing words that are seasoned with love.

Whoever things are pure is to see people through the eyes of Christ. We must put into practice moral virtue, to understand how Jesus lived his life, as a perfect example of virtue. Jesus was the first liberator of women, always respecting their positions in life and giving them honor, and restoring their faith without question.

Whatever things are lovely is to find the beauty that God sees in every area of creation, especially human beings, because we are made in his image.

Whatever things are of good report is to share the Good News of the Word of God. To encourage those who are hurting with loving words. Do not attend pity parties, because the celebration is meant to bring you down too. You should instead become the friend that brings good news.

It does not matter how bad things may appear; if we learn to meditate on this passage, the circumstances will change for the better.

Purge yourself of all that is not of God; all negative things must go. Press through, and slowly the Holy Spirit will manifest. We must clear our minds to make room for God. It is there where He will meet you. Go into the Holy of Holies in your prayer closet. What do I mean by this? In the Old Testament only the Jewish high priests were allowed to enter the most holy place. When Jesus died on the Cross the curtains from the Holy of Holies were torn in two, and now we have access to these holy things.

Ask God to lead you there, and don’t stay in the outer courts, where you can only receive a partial blessing. Seek Him until you feel His holy presence.

This is a powerful experience, but it takes discipline and perseverance. This type of growth is developed when the Lord recognizes that you are ready to eat this holy meat.

Whenever the Lord opens a new door, the enemy is right there, to distract us from going further. It could be an argument with a loved one, an illness, or anything to take your eyes off God. Remember what Peter experienced when he took his eyes off God. Peter fell into the water, in a instant, a thought of distrust took him down, and yet he was an apostle. If Peter can be distracted where does that leave us?

²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:29-30 NKJ

This Valentine’s Day I pray for Jesus to fill your heart with the true love that is noble, just, pure and lovely…give your heart to Jesus, He will never break it!

Every Democrat voted against Sen. Rand Paul’s amendment to end federal funding of Planned Parenthood, Sen. Paul explains that Plan Parenthood’s abortion business “ends the lives of 320,000 babies every year. That’s about 900 babies every day.” (Article from the Washington Examiner, April 23, 2018)

LifeSiteNews.com reported that Planned Parenthood received more than $543 million in fiscal year 2016-2017. The site added, “It is forbidden from spending that money directly on most abortions, but pro-lifers warn that subsidies earmarked for non-abortion purposes ultimately enable abortion groups to commit more abortions by freeing up money from their other revenue services. Duke University healthcare analyst Chris Conover estimates that taxpayers end up covering almost 25 percent of all abortion costs.”

How did we get here? New York’s 2019 Reproductive Health Act doesn’t just permit abortion — it removed protections for infants born alive during an abortion attempt. And we watched it happen. How, in God’s name, does a politician who champions such a law keep getting elected? And how many Catholics and Christians handed him that victory at the ballot box?

Clichés are a coward’s exit from hard conversations. “To each his own” sounds tolerant — but tolerance of evil isn’t a virtue. It’s cowardice dressed up as charity. The Catechism is not ambiguous: since the first century, the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion, and that teaching has not changed and will not change. Ignorance of that truth doesn’t just hurt the person who holds it — it shapes votes, forms culture, and costs innocent lives.

Abortion is not a political issue to me — it’s a matter of personal passion rooted in faith. Every election, I vote pro-life. The rest I leave to God. But the numbers are hard to ignore: there are very few Democratic politicians who are pro-life, yet nearly half of Catholics continue to vote for the ones who aren’t. And many Christians do the same. That is a scandal — and we should name it as one.

Some will say, “But what about the poor?” Serving the poor is not only good — it’s obligatory. Solidarity is a pillar of Catholic social teaching, and no one disputes that. But solidarity with the poor cannot justify abandoning the most defenseless human being of all: the child in the womb. You cannot claim to defend the vulnerable while voting to leave the most vulnerable of all without a voice or a chance.

The Book of Revelation warns that God will spit out the lukewarm (Rev. 3:16). Making the Sign of the Cross and receiving Holy Communion are gifts from God — but they are not a substitute for a formed conscience. No Catholic can take a “pro-choice” stand when the choice in question is the taking of an innocent life. Catholic politicians who campaign against the very teaching of the Church on human life are not just in error — they risk leading others into serious sin, and they will answer for it.

The liberal media has done its work well. It has cozied a lie deep into the spirits of too many Catholics and Christians, making them believe that caring for the poor and caring for the unborn are in competition. They are not. They are both demands of the same Gospel of Life.

The Church does not need louder voices. She needs bolder ones — Catholics formed in prayer, grounded in doctrine, and unwilling to go silent when the innocent have no one else to speak for them. Unity on this is not optional. It never was.

The call is not to rage. It is to clarity. Not to condemn persons, but to defend truth — without apology, without excuse, and without retreat.

How can the Church unite when half of her own seem lost — and when some of the shepherds themselves have lost their way? It is almost unfathomable, yet it must be said: there are priests, bishops, and even pastors who have either gone silent on abortion or actively given cover to those who promote it. How can the lay faithful be led when the leaders won’t lead? We are called to win souls — but division within the Church makes that mission nearly impossible.

And then there is the question that demands an answer: how do Catholic politicians who publicly champion abortion get away with presenting themselves for Holy Communion, Sunday after Sunday, as though nothing is wrong?

The Catechism is clear that anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before approaching Communion. Canon 915 is equally clear — those who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion. This is not a judgment about the state of a person’s soul. Only God knows that. But the public act of a Catholic politician advancing laws that permit the killing of unborn children is a public scandal, and the Church has both the right and the responsibility to respond to it publicly.

That is why Cardinal Dolan’s refusal to act on Governor Cuomo demands a response — not out of anger, but out of love for the truth and for the faithful who are watching.

Canon law is not the obstacle here — it is the framework for action. Canon 915 exists precisely for situations like this. The argument that canonical stipulations prevent any response is not a reading of the law — it is a retreat from it. And when a shepherd retreats, the flock notices. When a prince of the Church declines to act in the face of public, persistent, grave moral scandal, it does not project mercy — it projects confusion. And confusion about the sanctity of human life has a body count.

This is not about personal condemnation. It is about clarity. The Church does not excommunicate to punish — she excommunicates to correct, to protect the faithful from scandal, and to call the sinner back. Withholding that correction is not pastoral charity. It is a failure of it.

The faithful deserve shepherds who shepherd. They deserve leaders who lead — not leaders who manage optics while the most defenseless members of the human family are destroyed without consequence. Dear God, help us raise up such shepherds. And in the meantime, help the lay faithful to hold the line when the leaders will not.

To the 40% of Catholics who continue to support politicians that champion abortion: the question must be asked directly — if your faith is not about life and love, then what is it about? How do you bow your head in prayer knowing your vote gave power to those who permit the killing of the innocent? How do you receive the Body of Christ on Sunday and then, on Tuesday, cast a vote that contradicts everything He taught about the dignity of human life?

Abortion is not one issue among many. It is the preeminent moral issue of our time — the words are not mine alone, but those of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. When a candidate supports the destruction of innocent life, no other policy position — not immigration, not healthcare, not poverty relief — can morally offset that support. This is not political opinion. It is Catholic moral teaching.

And yet here is where the challenge must be honest: supporting a pro-life candidate does not mean pretending that candidate is without sin or without fault. No politician is. No person is. But the Church has always taught that a candidate’s position on intrinsic evils — acts that are always and everywhere wrong, regardless of circumstance — must weigh more heavily than any other consideration when forming a conscience for voting.

That is why, in good conscience and with clear eyes about his flaws, supporting a pro-life president is defensible — not because he is a saint, but because he has used the office to defend the lives of the unborn. That matters. It matters enormously. And any Catholic who wishes to debate his personal sins is welcome to do so — but those sins do not erase the lives that were protected because of where he stood on the most fundamental question of human rights.

As for this Catholic — the faith is not going anywhere. The fight to clean up the Church, to call her back to clarity, and to defend the most defenseless members of the human family will not stop. That is not stubbornness. That is faithfulness.

I wrote and copyrighted this song a few years ago:

The Door

I still quite don’t understand. The mother of all nature cries out because she can. Who will hear the thunder of the voices not allowed to speak? Who will rise up for all the strong, the young, and old, and weak?

They are all abandoned to the ways of not. What was good was soon to be forgot. They look the wrong direction seeking trust. Where can they turn in a world of lust?

Pound the doors of Heaven when you sin, Then you go back and do it all again. What do people tell you when you look for good advice? Does it really matter in this place unsupervised?

Oh, the lost soul, the lost hope — Pound the doors of Heaven when you sin, Then you go back and do it all again.

The innocent delight in the attention of the present light. Who will hold you to it when you cannot even fight?

Pound the doors of Heaven when you sin, Then you go back and do it all again.

In the world of plenty, much is given to the lost. Who will they remember when looking in despair? What a world we live in, in need of great repair!

Pound the doors of Heaven when you sin, Then you go back and do it all again.

© Lynda Ciriza