eCatechist

A Good Enough Lent by Kate Bowler

Hello my dear,

We live in a world that loves it when we are shiny. But, when you are like the rest of us—which is to say—fragile and dependent, then Lent is made for you. Lent is that moment in the Christian story where we get to tell the truth: the world is capable of incredible beauty, but it can also be filled with so much suffering.

This year, I’m inviting our Everything Happens Community to give up on the idea that life is always getting better and settle in for a life and a faith that is good enough. I have created a free reflection guide that will lead us through Lent.  Together, we’re going to take ourselves off the hook for perfection. Perfect lives. Perfect bodies. Perfect relationships. And realize that this is the beautiful work of being human… again today. Thank God we get to do it together.

Kate Bowler

Free Reflection Guide

Reflections for the Year of St. Joseph

Joseph, Man of Great Spirit

Joseph of Nazareth is a “just man” because he totally lives by faith. He is holy because his faith is truly heroic. Sacred Scripture says little of him. It does not record even one word spoken by Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth. And yet, even without words, he shows the depth of his faith, his greatness. Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the word of the living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in readiness to accept the truth contained in the word of the living God. In order to receive it and fulfill it with love. Therefore Joseph of Nazareth becomes truly a marvelous witness of the divine Mystery. He becomes a provider for the tabernacle that God has chosen for himself on earth to carry out the work of salvation. 

—Pope St. John Paul II 

Stations of the Cross: A Devotional Guide for Lent by Mark D. Roberts

The Stations of the Cross, also known as The Way of the Cross, are often a series of scenes that depict the passion of Christ, and help us reflect with more intensity and emotion the events and meaning of Jesus’s death. This devotional guide includes 15 devotions for the Lenten season and invites you to come, to read Scripture, to reflect, to pray, and to draw near to the Lord in anticipation of Good Friday and Easter.

Our hope is that this written version of The Way of the Cross will enable you to enter into a deeper understanding and experience of the passion of Jesus, so that you might be ready to celebrate Easter with new joy and freedom.

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Vincent Van Gogh and the Beauty of Lent

Vincent van Gogh devoted his life to light.

The light of creation, the light of painting, the light of God’s grace – and the light in humanity, mind, body, and soul. The son of a Christian pastor, Vincent fervently set out to be a preacher and missionary himself, but his ministry eventually took the form of nearly 900 paintings shimmering with dynamism, with passion, and above all, with light.

The word “Lent” refers to the “lengthening” light, the growing days that, in time, will coax the sunflowers to open, the wheat fields to rise again, and the irises to bloom. What better companion on this forty-day pilgrimage, then, than Vincent van Gogh, this apostle of light?

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Virtual Choir of West Michigan performs "Dona nobis pacem"

A production we did over a year ago, for a different reason, but seems appropriate today. "This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before." - Leonard Bernstein

The Virtual Choir of West Michigan performs "Dona nobis pacem", with violin and other instruments. In these troubled times, messages of hope and peace are hopefully a welcome reminder of our shared life. (NP, 2020)

From Nicholas Palmer's Facebook

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Reflections for Year of St. Joseph

Joseph the Man of Faith

Joseph is a man of faith: because of this he was just. Not only because he believed, but also because he lived that faith. He was a just man. He was chosen to educate a son who was a true human but who was also God. Only God could have educated such a person but there wasn't anyone like this. The Lord chose a just man, a man of faith, a man capable of being a man and also capable of speaking to God, of entering into the mystery of God. And this was Joseph's life. To live his profession, his life as a man and enter into the mystery. A man capable dialoguing with the mystery of God. He wasn't a dreamer. He entered into the mystery. With the same naturalness with which he carried on the precision of his craft, adjusting an angle precisely on the wood or to sand down a millimeter of the surface of the wood very accurately. But he was also able to get into the mystery that he could not control. This is Joseph's holiness: to carry on his life, his work with righteousness, with professionalism; and at the same time, to enter into the mystery. 

—Pope Francis

Just War Thinking in the Catholic Tradition and the Recent Invasion of Ukraine

Just War Thinking in the Catholic Tradition and the Recent Invasion of Ukraine

Tuesday, March 1, 7-8:30 p.m. EST

Presented by Dr. Robert Marko, onsite

$10 donation suggested

Join us in person or online

Registration required

 

This session will examine the Church’s teaching on justified war. First, we will consider the historical approaches toward war and peace in Christian tradition and their value. Secondly, attention will be given to the criteria as found in recent official pastoral letters of the Catholic bishops in the United States and the Catechism of the Ukrainian Greco Catholic Church. Third, participants can then discuss the application of the tradition to the most recent invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.

 

Dr. Robert Marko is professor emeritus of theology at Aquinas and was a US Fulbright Scholar at the Ukrainian Catholic University in 2008 and 2015. His most recent teaching there in 2019 was a course in their Licentiate program on War and Militant Non-Violence.  

 

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Dr. Bob Marko - Biography

The Way of Suffering: Readings for an Enlightened Life

Suffering is hard and painful. We do not wish it for ourselves or those we love. But whether we wish it or not it is part of the human condition. It can cause us to wither and despair. But it can also be a path to insight, depth, and compassion. Welcome your meditations into the company of Mary Oliver, Thich Nhat Hanh, Dorothee Soelle, Eckhart Tolle, Joseph Girzone, Pope Francis, Henry Nouwen, David Steindl-Rast, Robert Ellsberg, and many others.

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Reflections for the Year of St. Joseph

Joseph, Shadow of the Father

In his relationship to Jesus, Joseph was the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father. Joseph watched over Jesus and protected him, never leaving him to go his own way. Joseph acted as a father for his whole life. Fathers are not born, but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child. Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person. The logic of love is always the logic of freedom, and Joseph knew how to love with extraordinary freedom. He never made himself the center of things. He did not think of himself, but focused instead on the lives of Mary and Jesus. Joseph found happiness not in mere self-sacrifice but in self-gift. In him, we never see frustration but only trust. His patient silence was the prelude to concrete expressions of trust. 

—Pope Francis

Study the Sunday Gospel This Lent from Good Ground Press

If you haven’t tried Sunday by Sunday Online yet, you owe it to yourself to read a sample Lenten issue. Let reading and praying the Gospels be your Lenten practice this year. Nothing beats sharing the Gospel message with friends and family, especially during Lent.  These digital issues are easy to take everywhere and can be viewed on any device (computer, tablets, phones). You can also download and print each issue off. Once you place your order, Lacy will send you the link to the Sunday by Sunday Lent page and the password. Our special price for the eight Lent/Easter issues is only $5.00 per person.

Good Ground Press

 

Praying the Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis

An Invitation from Pope Francis

The stations of the cross invite us to enter more deeply into the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our Christian faith urges us to look to the cross we can see God’s desire: violence is not answered with violence, death is not answered with the language of death. As we reflect on the various events of the stations using the scriptures, we might well ask ourselves: Who am I? Who am I, before my Lord? Who am I, before the suffering Jesus? Where is my heart? Which of these persons am I like? May these questions remain with us throughout this Lent and Holy Week. So let us walk together along the Way of the Cross carrying in our hearts this example of love and forgiveness. Let us go with Jesus through his suffering, knowing that his death is not the end but through God’s power he will be raised to new life.

Download 2022 Pope Francis Stations_1 col

Living in the Light of Christ's Peace: A Conversation Toward Nuclear Disarmament by Archbishop Wester

On January 11, 2022 Archbishop John C. Wester, of Santa Fe released his pastoral letter Living in the Light of Christ's Peace: A Conversation Toward Nuclear Disarmament on the urgent need for nuclear disarmament and avoiding a new nuclear arms race.

Click here to view press conference and to read the pastoral letter.

Pope Francis has made clear statements about the immorality of possessing nuclear weapons, moving the Church from past conditional acceptance of “deterrence” to the moral imperative of abolition. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has a special role to play in advocating for nuclear disarmament given the presence of two nuclear weapons laboratories and the United States of America’s largest repository of warheads located within its boundaries. He therefore believes the archdiocese has a unique role to play in encouraging a future world free of nuclear weapons. Archbishop Wester states, “The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has a special responsibility not only to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, but also to encourage its active implementation.” He goes on to “...invite us to have a conversation together about what it means to follow the risen, nonviolent Jesus who calls us to be peacemakers, put down the sword, and love everyone, even the enemies of our nation.”

Sharing the Wisdom of Time by Pope Francis and Friends

"To walk toward the future, the past is needed" —Pope Francis

One day, while at prayer, Pope Francis was inspired to shine a light on the vital role of grandparents and other elders and the life-changing wisdom they have to share. Sharing the Wisdom of Time is the culmination of the Holy Father's vision. Elders from over 30 countries share their wisdom carved from lifetimes of experience. From a blind basket-weaver in Kenya to a centenarian midwife in Guatemala who has delivered 10,000 babies, every story is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, human resilience, and love. Pope Francis contributes as a fellow elder, offering the Preface and his own story in each chapter, while also reflecting on dozens of others' stories. 

Loyola Press

Inspiration for the Netflix series Stories of a Generation with Pope Francis

In candid and heartwarming stories, inspiring women and men over 70 share poignant life lessons and pivotal choices from their remarkable journeys.

 

Netflix

 

 

Reflections for the Year of St. Joseph

Joseph, Loving Husband

In the course of that pilgrimage of faith which was his life, Joseph, like Mary, remained faithful to God’s call until the end. At the moment of Joseph’s own “annunciation” he said nothing; instead he simply “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Mt 1:24). And this first “doing” became the beginning of “Joseph’s way.” The Gospels do not record any word ever spoken by Joseph along that way. But the silence of Joseph has its own special eloquence, for thanks to that silence we can understand the truth of the Gospel’s judgment that he was “a just man” (Mt 1:19). Above all, the “just” man of Nazareth possesses the clear characteristics of a husband. Joseph, in obedience to the Spirit, found in the Spirit the source of love, the conjugal love which he experienced as a husband. And this love proved to be greater than this “just man” could ever have expected within the limits of his human heart.

—Pope St. John Paul II

eCatechist and Dan Pierson on Facebook

For additional ideas, inspiration, and resources for spiritual enrichment and formation, visit my Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/dan.pierson.94

Thank you,

Dan Pierson

Prayer at the Threshold of the New Year by Stephen J. Binz

Merciful God, at the threshold of this new year, we pray that you will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. Thank you for all that you have allowed us to experience this past year, the joyful along with the difficult, which have reminded us of our need to trust in you. Forgive our failings, for the times we have let worry and fear control our lives, for allowing pride and selfishness to keep us from living close to you. By relying on your mercy, gives us hearts open to compassion and forgiveness. In every situation, may we cease judging and seek for the ways our hearts are being stretched. Make us steadfast and courageous for the road ahead. Let your grace flow freely through us in all our ways so that you will be honored by our lives and others will be drawn to you. Give us wisdom and discernment to listen to your voice, to understand your will, and to follow the path you have laid for us. May we reflect your mercy and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing. And may we, at the doorway of this new year, commit ourselves to a genuine and living relationship with Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Stephen J. Binz

 

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Steve is the author of Threshold Bible Study Series from Twenty-Third Publications.

Return to the Root by Joyce Rupp

 

For more than a decade, bestselling author and international retreat leader Joyce Rupp has written a monthly newsletter offering personal reflections and inspiration from her heart to ours. In Return to the Root, Rupp expands on the best of those reflections to invite all of us who feel overwhelmed by busyness, cut off from the Divine, or adrift in the world to reach solid ground.

 

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Reprinted here is Joyce Rupp's February, 2022 Reflection: Who are your life-shapers? To subscribe to Joyce Rupp's Monthly Reflection, go to Joyce Rupp's website.

 

Reflection - February 2022

Not long ago, I read The Book of Hope. In this inspiring resource, Douglas Abrams interviews Jane Goodall, the well-known English primatologist and naturalist who made amazing discoveries about the life of chimpanzees in the Gombe jungle. Now, at age 86, Jane continues to be a vibrant speaker and activist regarding environmental concerns. Early on in the book, Jane describes how she managed to end up in Gombe. Her story reminds me of how each of our lives unfolds in unanticipated ways because of the people who show up and influence who we become.   In Jane’s situation, she longed to continue her education at a university but her family could not afford it. At the advice of her mother, she went to secretarial school and got a job which Jane described as “boring stuff.” Then a friend moved to Kenya and invited Jane to visit her. While Jane was there she learned that not far away lived Dr. Louis Leakey, the prominent paleoanthropologist who focused his life’s work on finding fossils of humanity’s earliest African ancestors. She chose to visit him, not knowing his secretary had resigned two days before she would see him. When Leakey learned of Jane’s secretarial background, he hired her immediately.  He soon recognized Jane’s intuitive skill with animals and sent her out on her own into the tangled jungle to study chimpanzees in their natural habitat. And thus began Jane’s world-renowned achievements.   Our lives may seem miniscule compared to Jane’s but we, too, have our life-shapers, people whose surprising presence makes a significant difference. Whether briefly or for a long stay, they influence the direction we take on our life’s path. We might not know this until decades later when we look back at our journey and see how differently things might have turned out had it not been for how these persons affected the outcome of our development. As often happens, the persons who point us in a certain direction arrive without our knowing the future significance. Trace your personal-growth lineage and you may well be awed by how you’ve become the person you are today because of these encounters.   Desmond Tutu, the beloved archbishop of South Africa, was fond of speaking about “ubuntu” as a central foundation for the way he viewed life: “I am because you are. You are because I am.” David W. Robinson-Morrisdescribes ubuntu this way:  (It) is a Southern African philosophy that has been commonly translated as “I am; therefore, we are.” However, ubuntu can best be understood as an embodied practice that South African philosopher Michael Eze defines as, “A person is a person through other people.” Our humanity is a collective endeavor; we create each other and sustain one another.”   We “create one another”—we are intertwined with humanity and specifically with those persons whose presence shapes our lives and influences our destiny.  The more we recognize this, the better our world will be for it.  Valentine’s Day is not far away. Why not acknowledge some of your life-shapers? If they are still alive, send a message of gratitude for how they made a difference as you stepped ever more fully into your personhood. If they are deceased, pause and place your hand over your heart; honor them by your memories of how they assisted you in claiming your true identity and path of life.   Abundant peace,   Joyce Rupp

Reflections for the Year of St. Joseph

Joseph, God’s Trusted Instrument

As we read the infancy narratives, we may often wonder why God did not act in a more direct and clear way. Yet God acts through events and people. Joseph was chosen by God to guide the beginnings of the history of redemption. He was the true “miracle” by which God saves the child and his mother. God acted by trusting in Joseph’s creative courage. Arriving in Bethlehem and finding no lodging where Mary could give birth, Joseph took a stable and, as best he could, turned it into a welcoming home for the Son of God come into the world. Faced with imminent danger from Herod, who wanted to kill the child, Joseph was warned once again in a dream to protect the child, and rose in the middle of the night to prepare the flight into Egypt. A superficial reading of these stories can often give the impression that the world is at the mercy of the strong and mighty, but the “good news” of the Gospel consists in showing that, for all the arrogance and violence of worldly powers, God always finds a way to carry out his saving plan. 

—Pope Francis