Building the City of God

On this feast day of St. Anthony the Abbot, I thought it appropriate to write about the necessity and beauty of deep prayer, prayer in solitude. Having read briefly about St. Anthony, and having become familiar with Carmelite spirituality in recent months (especially through Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M.), I have a greater understanding of the necessity and inexplicable beauty of prayer in my life.

I have been inspired to spend more time preparing myself for contemplative prayer; and to spend more time alone with God, without any distractions. St. Anthony spent many years in total isolation from humanity, but emerged "vigorous in body and mind" after twenty years. This simple statement is evidence that time spent with God, and total reliance on His sustaining grace, can refresh and reform our bodies and souls. I only wish I had a bit more time to spend alone with Him.

God Bless.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and
sold all that he had and bought it.”

These words of Jesus Christ have echoed through my brain all day. In some ways, they have even been reverberating through my mind and soul for weeks, even months.

As I have meditated in front of the Blessed Sacrament and contemplated God’s will for my life, I have been particularly focused on a certain idea: self-sacrifice for the sake of building the City of God on earth. Over the course of days and weeks, the idea has crystalized in my mind and heart. Now I can share it with you.

God is calling me to forsake the things of this world and pursue Him to the fullest! Yes, that sounds very vague, and even difficult for a married man such as myself. But, there is a simple answer. My situation calls me to live not in total physical or economic poverty, but in a perpetual state of spiritual poverty; without attachment to mental and bodily desires and the standards of my culture.

Further, my sacrifices (physical, mental, and spiritual) should all be directed toward the ultimate goal: finding and gaining the kingdom of Heaven. Indeed, it is the “pearl of great price” that I must desire above all else. And, I must not allow anything to impeed my progress toward that goal; I must only engage in activities that allow me to draw nearer to my crucified Lord; I must become detached everything that does not help me to bear spiritual fruit.

These things are possible, but only through lots of prayer and support from those who are closest to me. I do pray that I can please God in such a way, and that those around me will offer their prayers on my behalf. Please pray that I might, one day, be transformed into the person God desires me to be. (I’ll pray for you as well!)

God Bless.

Pope Benedict XVI continues to build the city of God here on earth, even in the simplest of ways. Yesterday, he visited a Roman soup kitchen and brought gifts to those being served.

Click here to read the report from Catholic World News.

[Posted picture is from Catholic News Service]

God Bless.

Merry Christmas! Why, you ask, am I still proclaiming such a phrase? Because the Christmas season has yet to end. In fact, we still have three full days of Christmastide. So, fellow Catholics and Christians, shout with joy: Merry Christmas! (The twelve days of Christmas begin, not end, on December 25.)

How might such a rant be connected to the Catholic Word of the Week? Because our CWOTW happens to be the liturgical solemnity that marks the official end of Christmas. That word, and corresponding feast day, is “Epiphany.”

When the word is capitalized (as above), it is a reference to the liturgical feast celebrated by Catholics the world over on January 6 of each year. The feast is a celebration and commemoration of the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem after their journey from the distant east. (And, it just so happens that January 6 is twelve days after December 25. Coincidence?)

When the word remains uncapitalized, it refers to the following (as defined by Merriam-Webster): “an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being; a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something; an intuitive grasp of reality…; an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure”.

Is there any question as to why the feast celebrated on January 6 has its particular name? It really is quite simple. As Christians, we are to seek Christ as the Magi did so many years ago. When we truly find Him, He is manifest to us; we perceive the essence and meaning of life; we receive, through the power of the Holy Spirit, “an intuitive grasp of reality;” our minds, hearts, and souls are illumined.

The Solemnity of the Epiphany is particularly special to me because I am reminded of my own (ongoing) illumination and transformation. Just over three years ago, I began my journey from the “distant east” of secularism, giving in to worldly desires, and general laziness. Since I have allowed Christ to be manifest in me, I have a greater cognition of my reason for being, I understand (though not fully) true reality, and my soul is lighter and brighter than at any time prior.

So, my friends, I urge you all to celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany with the utmost reverence and desire to let your lives be changed.

God Bless.