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Showing posts from September, 2019

Being Catholic in an Age of Exodus

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"You are my beloved." Those were the words a benevolent Irish priest told me to meditate on before giving me absolution. After revealing myself as a fraud and all too Pharisaical, this priest chose to remind me of my status before God. I am His beloved. Where else could I expect to receive such gentleness after reciting my hideous sins? Rather than face the admonition I truly deserved, I was met with tender encouragement. Tears welled up in my eyes as I prayed before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Love and mercy overcame me. I was no longer relying on myself. I was back to being a humble child, reliant on my Father for everything. I've had to confess the same sins multiple times, but our Lord never tires of forgiving me. I love my Catholic faith. I love the sacraments, the saints, the incense. I love the reverence the altar commands. Sometimes, I sit in an empty chapel, just to feel His presence, thinking of nothing but the sweetest love I have ever known. My fai...
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Should I Testify?

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While the decision to take the stand and testify in court may be something a number of people are grappling with, for purposes of this post, I will focus on criminal defendants. I will note that if you are a victim of a crime, it is incumbent upon you to state the truth in court so that fewer people will be victimized by your assailant. ***If you are a victim of a crime and are afraid of repercussions, contact the DA's office handling the case and express your concern. They will point you to resources that can help you. If they don't or you feel unsatisfied after talking with them, please contact me through my website. I will help you.*** As a criminal defendant, you always reserve the right to testify. You may feel pressure from your attorney to testify or not testify, but ultimately the decision is yours. As a prefatory note, you generally can trust your lawyer to know what the best decision will be. Your lawyer knows the case, the judges, the local court syst...
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One Star Among Millions

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As I've said previously, creating this blog was a practice in humility. Revealing my weaknesses to all those who care to read is truly humbling. Though some may receive certain grace from reading these posts, I wanted to explain a bit more about what inspired all of this. A song called "Star of Bethlehem" by Danielle Rose describes the humility required in answering the call to lead others to Jesus. I first heard this song when I was in high school, but I had rediscovered it last year. It never ceases to comfort me in reminding me that I do not have to do anything big in order to have a big impact. I can lead a simple life, and through that simplicity, I can move mountains.  I am only one among the millions. Look at all the different stars up in the sky. What can I do for my Lord Jesus? He was born in Bethlehem this starry night. Then the Lord said unto me, "O little star of Bethlehem, I want you to be the one ...
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Popular posts from this blog

Let It Be

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  Over the past couple of months, the Lord has been challenging my sincerity of surrendering to His Divine Will. “I want everything,” He said, “your livelihood and wellbeing, your pain, your suffering. Your children, and their pain, their suffering. Their very lives. Could you hand them over to me?”
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The Charism of Raising Babies

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  “Remind yourself of this constantly and strongly establish this truth in your spirit and in your heart that the best way, and even the infallible way, of being in continual prayer is to keep one’s soul at peace before the Lord.” Venerable Father Francois-Marie-Paul Libermann Before having children of my own, I had heard all the complaints that parents who had come before me had about taking care of newborns. The sleep deprivation, the constant crying, the utter delirium that takes hold. What I had heard less often, quite rarely in fact, was the way love can pervade the monotonous routine when you stop thinking about yourself, and how you can fully experience the present moment, and fully delight in it, despite the trials that persist.
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St. Francis of Assisi Novena for Freedom from Distractions

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  “Worldly and frivolous thoughts, stay here at the door until I return.” St. Francis of Assisi Oh venerable Saint Francis, I ask for all humility, peace, and love through your intercession. I especially ask for your help in obtaining the sublime contemplation you so exquisitely displayed. Through harmony with God and nature, I wish to be completely and utterly lost in the present moment, not to give into distractions or my ever-wandering imagination. Help me, sweet brother Francis, by your intercession and through the immaculate hands of Mary, that I may become ever more conformed to the person of Jesus Christ. I love how you love. Help me emulate that same love in my everyday life. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love, Where there is injury, pardon, Where there is doubt, faith, Where there is despair, hope, Where there is darkness, light, And where there is sadness, joy. Oh Divine ...
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