Catholic Faith Reflections

Mardi Gras / Carnival Time

2012-01-16T14:34:00.000-06:00

Many parts of the world celebrate "Carnival" or "Mardi Gras Season!" Mardi Gras is of course fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The Carnival and Mardi Gras Season begins when Christmas ends and goes through midnight on Mardi Gras. Traditionally this was a time to celebrate and rejoice, knowing that during Lent, there would be serious spiritual work to do. People would eat meat, eggs, and other food items that they would soon give up during Lent. Some people celebrate with "King cakes," cakes with a small baby Jesus hidden in them. The one who gets the baby makes the next cake. Other parts of the country (New Orleans, Mobile) have parades and huge parties.

Is it easier or harder to give up something if you indulge in it now? So, if we indulge in chocolate, ice cream or other sweets now, will we be sick of them by Ash Wednesday, or more addicted to them?

"Everyone for himself"...said the Elephant dancing among the chickens

2012-01-05T10:22:00.000-06:00

The full quote, "Well, every one for himself, and Providence for us all--as the elephant said when he danced among the chickens." Charles Reade, A Simpleton (1873).

Think of this quote every time you hear a politician calling for less regulation, more freedom, and that God will help those who help themselves. There is a great attraction for us as U.S. citizens toward radical individualism. We love the story of the self-made man or woman. We are drawn to the idea that each person should strive for him / her self.

But who are the people calling for deregulation, less strict environmental and safety protections? Does that person have a great advantage over the rest of us, like the elephant among chickens? Is that person the one who thinks that God will take care of us, ignoring God's call for us to care for one another? Beware of the person who promotes less regulation, and individual freedom above all other virtues.

Practice Being Good

2012-01-02T13:50:00.000-06:00

I resolve to make more and more New Years Resolutions.

Others make resolutions and get overwhelmed. Some make resolutions and give up. Some people give up on resolutions and never make them again.

I never want to stop making resolutions. Each New Year or at the beginning of Lent, I resolve to do something to make me a better person. Sometimes it lasts only a day, sometimes a week, but often the new, good action becomes a habit. These positive habits collectively form virtues in me. They become second nature - a propensity to do good.

The good habits, the virtues begin with a resolution.

2011-12-15T13:25:00.000-06:00

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus." (Luke 1:31)

Gabriel says these words to Mary who accepts the will of God, and brings Jesus into the world. What if Mary accepted Jesus into her life, and stopped there? What if she could have just conceived Jesus, but not brought him into the world? That would have really been a case of saying "no" to God.

We receive Jesus into our lives through scripture, prayer and Eucharist. Do we stop there, or do we allow Jesus to be born into our world? Do we allow Jesus into our lives because we want God's will to be done in the world? Too many people just accept Jesus into their lives and then continue on as before. Accepting Jesus into our lives should cause us to bring about God's will, God's kingdom in our world.