Articles published in My Daily Visitor
Friday October 11, 2013
Mass Readings: Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2/Luke 11:15-26
Darkness, Struggles and Hope?
There will always be battles, small and large. Life’s a roller-coaster; it’s one struggle and then another. One day its financial another day health – struggles from living on this physical plane. Then there are battles against evil, both the physical and spiritual, dwelling amongst us.
Both our readings today start darkly, but conclude, with our Lord triumphant, almost, as the Gospel ends with one demon joining with seven others. They are always searching, never resting, taking enjoyment out of bringing suffering to us, the children of God. (Maybe they’re jealous).
Unlike the witnesses of demon cast out, we know He has the power. We know Who wins in the end, but the struggles continue; the negative thoughts still come. Every day is a battle; everyday is an opportunity to help someone.
Lord, help me see beyond the struggles. Let me see enough to see Truth.
October 12, 2013 Saturday
Mass Readings: Joel 4:12-21/Luke11:27-28
Beyond Bloodlines.
Today’s readings raise our spirits. Joel gives joy and Jesus tells us our physical heritage doesn’t matter for those who are obedient to God’s word. Bloodlines denoted so much more than what we can imagine from our ‘modern’ perspective.
Today, heritage still matters. Heritage can dictate our paths in life. Financially, socially, emotionally, medically, there are impacts, pluses and minuses. To some extent, my illnesses are inherited. There’s no one to blame; it’s no use saying ‘what if”. It’s just taking one step at a time, if that much. And guess what – Our Lord takes all this into account. He knows us better than we do. So I should read Joel over and over until it sinks in that we can win, we’ll be with Him.
Help me see, Lord, that my path chosen by You, leads to You.
Sunday October 13, 2013
Mass Readings: 2 Kings 5:14-17/2 Timothy 2:8-13/Luke 17:11-19
Consistently Ungrateful?
Through work, I received a little chart called, “The Village of 100”. It cleverly denotes the world population down to 100 individuals. Some of the data given is understandable, such as 61 villagers would be Asian, 14 African and 5 from North America. There are the eye opening notes: only 33 have cellular phones, there will be only 18 cars, and 70 will be working and 28 of them would work in agriculture. Then there are the disturbing notes: 30 would be unemployed or underemployed, 53 would live on less than $2 U.S. a day, 18 would be unable to read or write and 63 of our neighbors would have inadequate sanitation. One (too many) is starving. I am, at times, one of the nine ungrateful lepers. Everyday should be a day of thanks.
May I always be thankful and grateful and never forget my global family.
October 14, 2013 Monday
Mass Readings: Romans 1:1-7/Luke 11:29-32
Time to Learn
Today’s reading, St. Paul’s letter and the life of, St. Callistus are both full of struggles, pain and sacrifices, for the Church, for the future, for me and buttress my belief that I too must carry my weight, learn and become absorbed by our Church’s great offerings.
There is such glorious riches in our Church; riches of the spiritual, theological and historical. And what do I do? I look at the cultural works of our society and instead of bringing myself closer to the infinite I look at the finite. I need to remind myself to take that leap of faith, spend time with the saints, the writers and the builders of our Faith. A good secular story is fine, but it’s time to leave this cultural grid and see so much that is offered.
Lord, lead me to what improves my soul, not what improves the temporary.
Tuesday Memorial Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church October 15, 2013
Mass Readings: Romans 1:16-25/Luke 11:37-41
Displays of Courage
The most difficult strength to possess is probably not physical strength, but moral and spiritual strength, especially in the face cultural decay sown by wealth and arrogance. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and St Maximilian Kolbe are two individuals that come to mind, but many are unknown to the books of history. There are gravestones from Iwo Jima to Normandy to the nameless who pray outside abortion clinics, each generation has their trials and we know our Savior stands besides us.
We are called in some way to deliver the message of God. Saint Theresa of Jesus defied those of her own faith who could not accept her. Saint Paul’s first eight words in today’s letter displays courage beyond my gasp. Too many times I may have backed away. I hope the future will be different.
From the most demeaning task to the most profound, may I have courage of faith.
October 16, 2013 Wednesday
[Saint Hedwig, Religious; Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin]
Mass Readings: Romans 2:1-11/Luke 11:42-46
Illness, Stigma, Judgment.
Teased, bullied and mocked, as one who suffers from mental illness, I’ve experienced immature and childish judgment. As an adult, I’ve seen and experienced judgments of ‘first impressions’, comparisons and ignorance. I fight it where I can. Others campaign as well. The Associated Press understands the stigma and announced it will improve, clarify methodology on reporting the news and its relationship to mental illness.
Judgment, mentioned in both readings, should alone come from God or from an authority that recognizes themselves as subjected to God seeing themselves as fallible, not flawless. But, we judge constantly: on ones clothing, weight, hair, color of their skin. It seems a natural reflex, but is it a human trait or a cultural one? Either way, we have a long road of hard work to become what we could be.
Please help me right the wrongs of those and myself when we judge others.
Thursday Memorial Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr October 17, 2013
Mass Readings: Romans 3:21-30/Luke 11:47-54
Our Unknown Paths.
From soldier, to priest, to Saint, from persecutor, to believer, promoter, advocate to Saint. As we celebrate this Feast day of Saint Ignatius and the Letter of Saint Paul, life as exemplified by them, , can have many diverse paths, encounters, ‘coincidences’. Where I should be, is an unanswered question, until arriving confidently at the ‘here’ where God wants me. Saints and many faith-filled individuals underwent drastic transformations, which must have been quite psychologically painful, maybe physically and soul wrenching as well.
From accountant to masters degree, mental illness (inherit) to freelance writer, a healthier, enhanced, faith filled Catholic, my life has taken drastic, painful changes. The inner self has grown, is growing, improving maybe becoming a better person, a better Christian. However, I wish it was less painful, with a lot less agitation.
May I know my path, its markings, signposts and detours that are fashioned by You.
October 18, 2013 Feast Day Friday Saint Luke Evangelist
Mass Readings: 2 Timothy 4:10-17b/Luke 10:1-9
Alone, Uncertain, Afraid
Hospitalizations can be a most trying, challenging moment in a patient and their family’s life. Abandoned, overwhelmed, away from the familiar, confronting an uncertain fate while questioning faith can test the capacity of human endurance. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, may have felt similar abandonment, distress and agitation.
My psychiatric hospitalization was years ago in 2005, (five times in as many months), the mental, soul-searching pain was acute. With mental illness, one is fighting both a biological disorder and a psychological one. With mental illness, diagnosis is not obtained through blood analysis, x-rays and scans, but through very subjective behavior analysis. Meanwhile, medication can be guess work trying to find the chemical and psychological drug combination needed. With mental illness, hospitalization is only the beginning of a long, strenuous, treatment toward well-being.
Let us remember and help all those alone, uncertain, in all our medical facilities.
Saturday Memorial Saints John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests October 19, 2013
Mass Readings: Romans 4:13, 16-18/Luke 12:8-12
Absolutely No Forgiveness
Luke’s passage frightens me: to be without hope – forever – for having sinned against the Holy Spirit. I had to search the web for a listing of the aforementioned sins and then search my soul. It’s like looking up physical symptoms on the internet and seeing what disease one may have. (I rarely do this creates – too much anxiety.) With my obsessive thoughts and human emotions, I need to be careful and discuss with my pastor for more clarity. I believe, however, that what our Lord intends is something beyond normal human actions and reactions. It’s worth a brief conversation, for the sake of knowledge, peace and scrupulosity.
If you want to be frightened some more, read about the lives of the saints honored today; the ordeals suffered for we take for granted.
Guide my Lord, away from what actions and thoughts that harm one’s soul.
October 20, 2013 Sunday
Mass Readings: Exodus 17:8-13/2 Timothy 3:14-4:2/Luke 18:1-8
Proclaim and Persist
Recently we established a parish library of about one hundred books and videos. Books can unlock the mind to opportunities of spiritual growth, opening wide the gifts of Faith, that some manuscripts had done for me. Having that one text connecting with the right person is priceless. The hospital where I work and receive therapy, we established a small library for patients and employees, containing various selections including spiritual texts. One book can provide moments of peace away from the difficult circumstances life offers.
In our own way we follow Paul’s command to Timothy to – “proclaim the word”. In today’s parable, persistence is encouraged. It was difficult collecting the volumes, finding bookshelves, etc., but we kept going, hoping with prayers that our ideas and work would have meaning and value.
While proclaiming you Lord, give us strength to persevere in fruitful and fulfilling work.
Glenn Slaby Blog