My Heart of the Matter

Wake Up Call

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Photo via www.catholiccourier.com
Photo via The Catholic Courier

 

I’m a normal American wife, mother, and grandmother who is scared for the future of our country.  You will never see me post anything on social media that is offensive, because you can’t win people over with hate.  I have quietly unfollowed several friends and family members who continually bombard their space with controversial, disrespectful and demeaning information about the candidates running for president. One pattern that I found in these postings is the anger that is attached to their beliefs. This unfiltered anger goes a lot deeper than they realize.

White Privilege

It’s painful to watch white people being so degraded that they are being shamed for being born white. No one should be behaving in this manner or apologizing for something that they had no responsibility for. Antifa and Black Lives Matter have made themselves a goose down bed and have comfortably become one. Antifa has its roots dug deep in the hearts of white college students being taught to hate our country and the color of their skin. It is these white students who should hold the infamous title of “white privilege.” Their parents have paid an average of $50,000 for their education, and they have repaid them with the hatred that they learned in their Ivy League colleges.  I am so tired of seeing this scene played out in the news. We have so many forces allied against us, so I am praying that all my grandchildren attend Christian colleges that are grounded in truth and not based on Cancel Culture.

Hollywood

Do you realize how many so-called celebrities donated to the “freedom fund?” Do you know what the freedom fund is? This was funding to bail the rioters and looters out of jail. Chrissy Teigen generously donated $200,000 to help the looters in Los Angeles get a free pass. It would take too much time and effort to name all the Hollywood elite who have contributed millions to bring our country down.  Kamala Harris posted on her Twitter account information to help with the funding. And she’s is running for Vice-President? How can people not open their eyes to what is happening? Are they blind to the truth? Hollywood has to protect all the filth they put out, so they need the help of politicians to continue to corrupt the masses. There are only a small handful of faith-filled actors who still believe in the truth in this unscrupulous, exploitative culture of Hollywood. They are not alone because, though we may not be carrying signs in support of our Christian faith, we are many.

To The Sleeping Christians

I was once a liberal in every sense, but this led me to irresponsible thinking. My thoughts were not Christ-centered; I only thought about myself. I had the mindset to save the world by being vocal and making sure that what I had to say was heard. If you did not side with me, then you were mistaken, and it was my duty to make you think as I thought. That did not go over well, and I learned a hard lesson in life: the only thing you can change is yourself. Slowly my walk with God became the focus of who I am becoming today. The media is behind all this radical chaos. This is how it works: if you keep hearing the same thing over and over again, your mind starts to believe it. For instance, you may tell your child everyday, “You are stupid, and you will never amount to anything!” What is the child going to believe? Please! I’m begging you from one Christian to another! Stop believing the lies the media is feeding you. This is what is destroying our country! If you really believe in God, do what is right in His eyes. The Bible teaches us how to be good citizens, God wants the nuclear family protected. God wants us to follow the Ten Commandments. Serve only one God, don’t use the Lord’s name in vain,  go to church, honor your mother and father, don’t kill, don’t cheat on your spouse, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t take things that do not belong to you. How hard is that?

A Mind of Your Own

Just because your parents were of a certain political group does not mean you are bound to follow them. Things have radically changed and Christians need to come together and do the right thing. I vote Pro-Life because I follow God’s Ten Commandments. I recently read a post about minimizing the killing of babies through abortion. It was addressed to Christians, making them feel that it was perfectly acceptable to kill the unborn. “If all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed…That’s not pro-life. That’s pro-birth.” This quote was by none other than the radical, feminist  nun, Joan Chittister, who did a play with words by changing pro-life to pro-birth. Pro-Birth? What this radical feminist is leaving out, there is no birth because she is making it acceptable to kill the unborn.  This nun is among the shameful, secular religious who use God to quote the Devil. Yes, I am afraid that there are still many wolves in sheep’s clothing among us Christians, but we serve a God Who will expose all. I pray that all Christians who are misguided will have a great awakening before it’s too late. I was liberal because I was raised that way. God changed who I was so that I can hold that lamp for those who seek the truth. To God ALL lives matter!

The Unborn

We never gave them a chance to live. Among them were the climatologist who would develop new ways of slowing climate change. Among them were the great physicians who could have found the cure for cancer. Among them were the great college professors, who care about teaching the truth and not rewriting history. Among them were the fathers of the fatherless, willing to raise their children. Among them were the true religious anointed to lead the lost. Among them were the peacemakers who would have brought us out of this mess. Among them were the senators, governors, and future presidents. Among them were the ones who could have created a vaccine to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Jeremiah 1:5

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, 
and before you were born I consecrated you; 
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

I have mentioned this statistic in a past Blog. African Americans represent only 13.3% of the American population; yet more black babies are aborted than any other race. 36% of all abortions are by black women. The number one killer of black lives in the United States is  Planned Parenthood through its legally sanctioned abortions. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  state that abortions kill more black people than HIV, homicide, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. So why is Black Lives Matter aligning themselves with Plannned Parenthood? Because to them not all black lives matter. According to a study by Protecting Black Lives, 79 percent of surgical abortion clinics are located within walking distance of minority communities. Instead of  donations to Black Lives Matter, donations should be made to Protecting Black Lives because this organization works to protect black lives.

 

Seek the counsel of God

My Prayer

Dear Lord, unite us to become a force to protect all lives. I pray for the revelation of Your truth to guide us always. Lord, let all evil be exposed. Shed Your light upon those who struggle making important, life-changing decisions. Amen.

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My Heart of the Matter

Atonement

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Ushering in the Ten Days of Awe

 

This is the beginning of the Jewish New Year 5781. I may not have a full grasp of the rich traditions in the celebration of this High Holy Day, but I do know the greatest Jewish man that ever lived. Jesus celebrated this holiday with great reverence because he knew the One True God, His Father, and He was raised by Jewish parents.

Rosh Hashanah

This year Rosh Hashanah began on September 18th and ended on the 20th. This High Holy Day lasts two days, but both days are considered one long day of 48 hours. It is celebrated on the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah is also known as the Feast of Trumpets, when the shofar is blown. According to tradition, this is a time of great repentance, when God judges all creatures.  During the ten Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, God inscribes the names of the righteous in the “Book of Life:” those who fail to make the list are condemned. Those unfortunate souls must perform a “Teshvah” or repentance. You have ten days to look inward and atone for all your sinful behavior. This is a time for the Jewish people to remember their history and to pray for the Jewish nation of Israel.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is the holiest of all the Jewish holidays. Traditionally on this day the Jewish High Priest would set aside seven days away from his normal family life to prepare for the sacred Day of Atonement.

Leviticus 8:33 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

33 You shall not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the day when your period of ordination is completed. For it will take seven days to ordain you;

The High Priest withdrew to his chambers in the Holy Temple. Throughout the week he would immerse himself in the studies of the Law relating to the task that he had to perform on the sacred day. There was always a designated High Priest in case he inadvertently became defiled. On the Day of Atonement no one was permitted to witness the performing of the incense because they followed the strict rules of the Torah.

Leviticus 16:17 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition   17 No one shall be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the sanctuary until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel

The High Priest placed both of his hands on the red heifer’s head between its horns and made his confession for himself and that of his household:

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Leviticus 16:6
6 Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house.

 

Image from the Temple Institute, two red heifers born in Israel

The Red Heifer

Once a year the High Priest would sacrifice a red heifer. He would sprinkle the blood from the cow on the Mercy Seat, and the ashes were used for purification of the Jewish people. It has been 2,000 years since the Israelites have atoned for the sin of their nation in this manner. The red heifer was used on the Day of Atonement in both Temples; the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, and the Second Temple destroyed by the Romans.

Temple Institute Menorah
Temple Institute Table of Show Bread and other sacred vessels
Temple Institute Third Temple Replica

On several of our visits to Jerusalem we have visited The Temple Institute. This organization has dedicated their time and efforts to reconstruct all the vessels needed to build the Third Temple. One of the last things they needed was the red heifer. This cow cannot have any blemish and no white hair can be detected. The last time I visited the Temple Institute, they were still working on the DNA for the red heifer. Two years ago two red heifers were born; they are closely monitored for any defects. The news of the birth of these special cows can only mean that Jews are going to build their Temple in anticipation of the Messiah. This cow can not be older than four years. These are strict Levitical rules they must adhere to.

Numbers 19:1-2 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Ceremony of the Red Heifer

19 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 2 This is a statute of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect, in which there is no blemish and on which no yoke has been laid.

The Scapegoat
 Two goats were chosen for the sin offering; one goat was for the Lord and the other was the scapegoat. The Hebrew word Azazel (scapegoat) was the name of the place where that scapegoat was sent. Azazel is a high cliff in the Judean desert from which the goat was cast to its death. Upon this goat were the sins of all Israel.
On the Day of Atonement, we should all come alongside our Jewish brothers and sisters to pray for our country, looking inward, stirring our spirits to purify us before the Lord. We as Christians believe that when Jesus died, He was the ultimate sacrifice. Upon His death the curtains were torn,  allowing us into the Holy of Holies. (Mat 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45)
My Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for our nation to come together in peace during Yom Kippur. Lord, You are our High Priest, and we wait in anticipation of Your Second Coming. Lord, fill the earth with the sweet-smelling scent of Your holy incense. Allow us to hear the trumpets as they hail Your holy presence. We place all of our petitions upon Your Holy Mercy Seat. Consume them, and let them be a pleasing sacrifice. Forgive us of all transgressions, and bless us to become better servants in Your Kingdom. Amen.

Hebrews 9:12-15   New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

 

 

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My Heart of the Matter

Ciriza, Spain

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The famous sign

When Mike and I were newlyweds  his father would always tell me about a small village in Spain named Ciriza. Miguel, Mike’s father, wanted us to know his  ancestry. I never forgot his stories about this small village in Spain; I neatly tucked them away in my mind for another time. Mike and I had been to Europe several times before we considered visiting the land of our ancestors. A cousin of Mike’s took on the task of tracing the family name back to the Moors. His cousin Chris blessed us with this thick report  but because, it was mostly written in Spanish, it was too time consuming to read. I filed it away for safekeeping. We had arranged to meet Chris, but something came up and we had to cancel our meeting. After all that painstaking research, Mike’s cousin took his own life. We never met, and, sadly, Chris left behind a young wife and child.

Transition

When we sold our business Mike needed to rejuvenate. Larry, one of Mike’s dear friends, has a buddy named Jose who has family in Spain.  While he was visiting he went to “Ciriza” and texted a photo of a sign  to Larry. Mike received the text that same day. This stirred up something sentimental in Mike, so before long a trip to Ciriza was planned. I’m a missionary, so if I’m going to Europe, it’s going to be for a religious purpose as well. I remember looking at a map of Spain;  there in the tiniest font was Ciriza. I looked to the north and about three inches away was Lourdes, France. Now I needed to convince Mike that if we traveled up three more inches on the map, we could go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Mike was not having it, so I started to pray. Finally, after much pleading, he agreed.

 

Balcony of San Miguel Catholic Church Ciriza, Spain
Baptismal Font, San Miguel Catholic Church Ciriza, Spain

Ciriza

When we arrived at our quaint hotel in the heart of Pamplona, we inquired about hiring a guide to visit Ciriza. It was as if God’s hand was used in the details of the trip. We were told about a lady, Maria (Tota) from Pamplona, who was an excellent guide. The irony was that she and her family have a home in the village of Ciriza. We arranged to meet with her the following day. Tota picked us up in her car and we drove to Ciriza. This small village is about 20 minutes from Pamplona. Since our tour guide is from this village of less then 150 inhabitants, everyone knows each other. In Ciriza the main street leads to San Miguel Catholic Church. We were privileged to have the sanctuary opened for us by a friend of  Tota’s.  As we passed through the over- sized wooden doors we were in awe of the simple, unscathed beauty of this tiny church with cathedral ceilings. We walked up to the balcony,  breathed in the holiness and prayed for our loved ones.  In the village’s recreational room, casually hanging on the wall is the Ciriza Coat of Arms. Mike took several pictures but accidentally deleted them. Ciriza produces its own wine, but the winery was closed on the day we visited. This village is surrounded by windmills set high on top of the Echauri mountain range. Its pristine scenery was left in my memory bank, so when I close my eyes it all comes back to me.

 

Two of Mike’s favorite bullfighter
Miguel Ciriza

The Bullfighters

I was piecing it all together: Mike’s father Miguel was a bullfighter who loved the sport and wanted us to experience first hand where his family tree originated. In his youth  Miguel was a brave  bullfighter in the large arenas in Chihuahua, Mexico. When Mike was younger his father took him to Spain on several occasions to watch the bullfights.  Mike can still name some of the famous bullfighters he and his father saw in Madrid: Paco Camino and “El Cordobes.” El Cordobes  had long hair, and the fans would waves their combs while cheering him on when he came out to the arena.

 

 

San Fermin

On the route of the running of  the bulls in Pamplona is a statue of San Fermin. Before running with the bulls the participants ask for the saint’s protection by touching his permanent icon set in the old city walls. St. Fermin is the patron saint of Pamplona. He was the first bishop of Pamplona during the time of the Roman persecution of Christians. San Fermin was beheaded in Amiens, France. The connection between St. Fermin and the Running of the Bulls stems from his master San Saturinus’ martyrdom, not  St. Fermin. the legend says that San Saturinus was arrested and condemned to death because of his faith. Saturinus was tied by his feet to a bull and dragged through the city until he finally died.  Another legend:  the farmers needed to transport their bulls to market, so in order to make the bulls move faster, they coaxed them into running. This soon became a contest as whose bulls  could reach the stalls first.

We ate wonderful paella and for several days strolled through this town made famous by Ernest Hemingway in his 1926 novel   “The Sun Also Rises.”

Genealogy

Both Mike and I have ancestral roots in Spain, so I am still researching my maiden name Urquidez. This name also has a Basque heritage, originally it was spelled Urquidi.

When we are aware of our background, we can understand who we are. According to Ancestry. com  I am 46% Spaniard and 46% Mexican. My family’s background has always been Catholic on both sides. Father Arturo Lozano Ciriza, Mike’s uncle, was a Jesuit priest. From Chris’s research, I found the baptismal records of Mike’s grandfather in San Miguel Catholic Church in Ciriza. The time and effort that Chris Ciriza put into his research is greatly appreciated. I wish I could thank him and tell him that what he accomplished for the Ciriza family was an unselfish act of love.

The beauty in this discovery is that you do not have to come from nobility to be engrafted into the family of God. In the end we are all His children, and this is the only place where you will find peace. God called us from every race and creed and welcomed us into His family. I sing praises to Your Name, Lord, and give You the glory for You are my Heavenly Father.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray for the repose of the soul of Christopher Aaron Ciriza. Father God, Chris was searching for his identity but did not find it on earth. Embrace this precious soul and allow him to feel Your loved. Lord, I pray for all lost souls contemplating suicide. Father, speak to them in night visions and give them a reason to live. Surround them with people who will help them find meaning in this crazy world. Comfort their brokenness and allow them to hear Your powerful, still small voice. Amen.

 

 

 

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