Have you ever checked out Catholic Pinterest sites? I help edit the Catholic Pinterest Board, Awestruck, while the South African owner, “Äna” sleeps. I was shocked at first when I noticed most Catholic pinners are so focused on Christ’s suffering, they post images of the Crucifixion all through the Easter season, right past Pentecost without pausing…… Continue reading Living The Gospel of Easter
Tag: joy
Appreciating the Little Things is a Key to Joy
I received free cognitive therapy because I was surrounded by a crew of little people who greeted each morning with wonder and awe. Gratefulness is the key to spiritual joy, no matter how little we think we have in the eyes of modern society. In fact, St. Teresa thanked God for the Things she did NOT own.…… Continue reading Appreciating the Little Things is a Key to Joy
Catholics Are Easter People
In fact, everything that exists and moves in the Church – the sacraments, doctrine, institutions – draws its strength from Christ’s Resurrection. (Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, Life in Christ, 67) Even though the Church continually invites Catholics to live in the Resurrection of Christ, many of us cling to our suffering. As a result, our spirituality is…… Continue reading Catholics Are Easter People
Lent, Light and the Birthing of a Child
Lent. We tend to think of Advent as a time of joyful anticipation and Lent as a dismal period of sackcloth and ashes. How ridiculous. We are preparing to celebrate THE most joyful event in the history of humanity, the death and resurrection of our Saviour. Lent is the most joyful, light-filled season for me…… Continue reading Lent, Light and the Birthing of a Child
Worth Revisiting: Finding Christ’s Joy In My Deepest Wounds
“In my deepest wound, I saw your glory and it dazzled me.”- Saint Augustine. Most people assume they will automatically feel cheerful during Christmas. Not only does the Church celebrate the birth of our Saviour with joy, secular society also promotes the idea that everybody is happy during this season, bombarding us with images in the media…… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: Finding Christ’s Joy In My Deepest Wounds
Secretly Cynical, Surprised by Joy on Christmas Morning
Do we wait for Christmas morning with a joyful expectation or has life’s disappointments left us jaded and closed to any spiritual surprises or gifts from God? Many of us are actually just like Scrooge, that traditional symbol for someone who has been so wounded by disappointment and jaded by life that he cannot…… Continue reading Secretly Cynical, Surprised by Joy on Christmas Morning
Pope Francis Challenges Us to Live The Joy of the Gospel
“How I would love a Church which is poor and for the poor.” – Pope Francis Pope Francis consistently proclaims traditional with joy. Even better, he has joyfully lived out what he has preached for decades. Ironically, conservative American Catholics are outraged when they hear Pope Francis criticize individualism and unbridled consumerism. They feel threatened…… Continue reading Pope Francis Challenges Us to Live The Joy of the Gospel
Light Just One Candle This Holy Saturday
Do we grasp the ramifications of this historical event on Holy Saturday? Do we allow the reality of the Resurrection to sink in and save us, transform us into a light?
Join the Angels and Children in The Cosmic Dance
It is easy to become so busy addressing serious moral and religious issues that our spirituality is relegated to Sunday Mass and a few Hail Marys rattled off on the run.
Presence Evangelism
This move of the Spirit is quiet, subtle and entirely grassroots. The stars have fallen. The big names have grown old. Society is weary of huge, dazzling Christian shows. People crave reality. Evangelism of the Word Evangelism has gone through many stages to reach the place we are today.Up until the late 60’s, evangelists were…… Continue reading Presence Evangelism
You Can’t Make a Silk Purse Out Of A Sow’s Ear
Man cannot transform himself into a holy being. As my Irish grandmother would say, “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” In other words, only Christ can transform us into His image and draw us into the heart of His Father. As a Catholic, I am invited to answer a call…… Continue reading You Can’t Make a Silk Purse Out Of A Sow’s Ear
Worth Revisiting: Laugh and Grow Strong
Just a few quotes from the Saints, Scripture and fellow Christians to remind serious-minded Catholics to laugh. Somehow the average Catholic does not associate joy with holiness but believes holiness is synonymous with misery and suffering. However, suffering is not miserable when we are suffused with the love of God and filled with His Spirit. In this post,…… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: Laugh and Grow Strong
Worth Revisiting: Discovering the Fountain of Youth
God created people to be in communion with Him, connected to His light, love and energy. In fact, many who call themselves atheists are in fact spiritual people who are hungry for communion with the Holy Spirit but at least find some consolation in communion with nature. That’s why people seem to crave outdoor activities; they…… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: Discovering the Fountain of Youth
Faith + Humour = 36 Years of Marriage
My husband, Michael, and I have been married for 36 years, and we are happy and still in love. Surprisingly, we have become one in reality, deeply in tune with each other’s spirits even though we are still opposites in personality. Our tangible joy is inexplicable through secular eyes, because from all outward appearances our life…… Continue reading Faith + Humour = 36 Years of Marriage
Joy IS for Catholics
Somehow the average Catholic does not associate joy with holiness but believes holiness is synonymous with misery. I have written articles on the theology of joy but in this post I will simply overwhelm you with quotes from the saints and the Bible, all affirming the fact that joy is at the core of our…… Continue reading Joy IS for Catholics
New Wine Skins For New Joy
Gospel for September 04, 2015: Luke 5:33-39 The disciples of John the Baptist were upset with Jesus’ disciples because they did not fast. Jesus simply explains the obvious; there’s a time for fasting and a time for feasting. The disciples of Jesus are experiencing joy, just like the joy of the wedding party in celebrating…… Continue reading New Wine Skins For New Joy
Worth Revisiting: The Common Sense Approach To Childbirth
My Doctor celebrated each birth with joy. “Good. The head nurse is on coffee break .” Our family doctor and my obstetrician, had warned us to come into town immediately with my first labour pains. My eighth child was going to come quickly . Dr. H met me outside the hospital, helped me out…… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: The Common Sense Approach To Childbirth
Worth Revisiting: A God Led Life of Joy
Outwardly, my life is diametrically opposed to anything I could have imagined as a teenager. Yet this strange life I find myself living has brought me more fulfilment and joy than I ever could have imagined. At sixteen, I was still an avid reader, who loved school. As expected, I completed an Honours Degree in English Literature. By 23,…… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: A God Led Life of Joy
Joy IS Prayer
As a Christian, living in the Mystical Body off Christ, I can choose to live in the joy of the Lord or stay in my misery, isolated from the Spirit of God who dwells within. When I live in my head, I live in a prison of whirling thoughts cut off from others and God. If…… Continue reading Joy IS Prayer
WORTH REVISITING: Stop. Look. Listen. Give Thanks.
the sky alone is an extravagant present There is much to be grateful for if we will simply stop for a moment and really see the details which surround us every day. Children delight in the plethora of tiny details all around them. They are born with a sense of wonder and the ability to…… Continue reading WORTH REVISITING: Stop. Look. Listen. Give Thanks.
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