Gentleness and Normalcy

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

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This feels like a different type of Word for the Week entry! Mainly because the past few weeks of Sunday Mass have felt so normal. Which, in turn, feels unusual for me. I feel like both being on tour (which I was three weeks ago) and being at home feel comfortable and "typical" now. It's really comforting.

Three Sundays back, my Word for the Week was, “very small matters.” The context was the Gospel of Luke, chapter 16: “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones”

I felt the Lord asking me to stay true to my personal boundaries, and to be content in this season of sabbatical without rushing to pick up other projects. Even though I was on a previously-scheduled tour, I ended up saying no to a number of new invitations. Already, I’ve seen how those invitations are being presented again in healthier ways, and I’ll be able to say “yes” from a stronger position!

Then, two Sundays ago, the word that stood out (at our normal Mass time, at our normal parish in AZ) was “pursue... gentleness,” from 1 Tim. 6:11. In prayer over the course of last week, I felt the Lord inviting me to be gentle with myself.

I’ve been a runner since I was 16! I’ve gone running regularly, and kept up a very fast pace in so many aspects of life.

These days, I run maybe once a week. Even the weekly run is interspersed with walking. It reminds me of St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians chapter 9, when he writes about running so as to win the race. The next line, verse 25, says: “Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.”

I’m realizing lately that recovery is crucial in an athlete’s life. Whether from the normalcy of training or in the aftermath of an injury, recovery makes continued exercise possible. Is there anywhere in your life where you sense a desire for more rest?

Maybe that desire is the Lord inviting us to be gentle with ourselves, even if it’s in the “very small matters.”

In closing, the word I’m carrying with me from Mass on Sunday is, “the vision still has its time.” The reading from Habakkuk reassured me that in the midst of all this gentleness and even as I’m pacing myself, God is still unfolding His promise in my life. I’m not going to miss out on what He has for me by resting a bit more. Quite the opposite!

Amen. :)

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Passover

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

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Last Sunday, the first line of the first reading stood out to me in particular.

Lately, on the drive to Mass, David plays a recording of the Mass readings for our family to listen to. It seems to help the kids to calm down a bit from the chaos of getting into the van on Sunday morning.

Why is that so chaotic? Anyway.

This week, I sense that the Lord is asking me to have courage for whatever events transpire. Here's the passage:

"The night of the passover was known beforehand to our fathers,

 that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith,

 they might have courage."

The main word that I've been carrying with me is "passover." I'll keep this reflection brief, because I'm en route for a therapeutic treatment experience. It'll be a retreat to address a lot of the healing that I've been going through in this time off from full-time touring.

Want to pray with me?

Jesus, please help us to trust that whatever events happen in our lives this week, you are sovereign. We trust you to protect us through any storms that come our way. Thank you for being our ultimate Lamb of Sacrifice in the Passover meal that you give to us.

Amen.

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Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
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Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
Carrie Brzezinski
Frances Jones
Elizabeth Herberg

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When the Word Is "Irritating"

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

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Two Sundays back, I attended Mass in Green Bay, Wisconsin! There was an accordion player in the choir, people were excited to talk about the Packers after Mass, and excitement to soak up the final warm days of 2021 was palpable! The word that stood out to me seemed both quirky and a bit foreboding: “irritating.”

That was a first!

When I’m researching the verse now, I’m finding two different versions of Wisdom 2:12:

a. “The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us”
b. “...Let us lie in wait for the righteous one, because he is annoying to us”

Annoying, obnoxious, irritating. Same difference? Thankfully, my spiritual director taught me to ask the question, “How does this word speak positively to my life?”

As I traveled across the Midwest last week (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio!)—the Holy Spirit prompted me to speak very openly, honestly, and perhaps irritatingly to some on the receiving end of my words. I not only needed to work through challenging conversations in ministry, but I felt responsible to share about it with those who follow me on social media.

Even now, as I sit down to write this reflection in the airport, I just received a note on Facebook from a concerned acquaintance. She asked me to “please pray about whether to leave that up,” regarding my very open sharing on social media. One of the beautiful and challenging parts of trying to live by God’s word, is that sometimes it will not be pleasant.

So, yes, I am praying. And even still, I believe the Spirit lead me to share a glimpse into the annoying/obnoxious/irritating parts of life as a missionary. In a nutshell: it was a difficult week. I wasn’t feeling my best, emotionally or physically. I traveled many miles alone. There were disheartening happenings on the ministry front, particularly with Fr. Matt Fase and our work with his community. However.

The Word of the Lord is alive! The Word of the Lord is good news. And I believe that even when our response to the Spirit is irritating to other people, we can trust God to bring His word to fruition in us.

So, I'll end with a prayer of both uncertainty in my own actions and trust in God's Providence. Because maybe I'm wrong! Maybe I'm being irritating all on my own, rather than because I'm following God's prompting. I'll leave it all in God's hands with this prayer by Thomas Merton:

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."

Amen!

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Dick Safranski
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Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
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Frances Jones

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"Have No Anxiety." Okay, Thanks.

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

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We’re back in the weekly-Mass-attendance zone with our family.

Low and behold, Serra (now 4 years old) is still in rare form. We don’t usually have to leave with her in the middle of Mass these days, but I find I’m still on edge most of Mass. Probably I’ll blink and she’ll be 17, right? In the meantime, it’s hilarious and nerve wracking to attempt to participate respectfully at church with our entire family.

For instance! Last week, as Serra pointed to a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, she said loudly from behind her face mask, “There’s Mary with Baby Jesus about to come out of her ‘you know!’” Yes, we’ve been talking about the biological birthing process. And yes, she identified that Mary was pregnant. 

We sat on bleachers for Mass, since our new parish doesn’t have enough room for social distancing in the main church. Serra routinely tottered on the edge of the bleachers throughout the liturgy. Fittingly, the word that stood out to me was, “Have no anxiety at all.” This advice was instantly applicable. 

Throughout the rest of the week, as well, as I asked the Lord how to live out this Word, I was inspired to follow the rest of that same verse from Philippians 4:6. In entirety, it reads, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.”

Any time I’ve been inclined toward worry or anxiety this week, I’ve felt a gentle tug deep in my chest to make my requests known to God. It's been more involved than my typical prayer when I’m stressed out. Usually, I just pray, “Lord, help me!”

This hasn’t been the calmest of weeks. I’m smiling. The Lord knew what this week would be like in advance! What a joy that going to Mass can give me such direction that suits my heart and mind so perfectly from week to week. And even though gearing up for Mass with the family tomorrow seems a little daunting, the results really do cancel out any anxiety along the way.

Is there any anxiety in your life today? I’ll invite you to join me in this prayer exercise, courtesy of the Apostle Paul: 

-Pray. (Be aware of God! Prayer is always our response to God first calling us.)
-Make your requests known. (State internally or aloud what you’re asking for)
-Thank the Lord! (He hears us, He knows what is best, and He wants to give us the desires of our hearts.) 

This structure has made for beautiful and calming conversations with the Lord all week long. I pray it'll be a blessing for you, as well. The Lord knows our needs, even in our small or large battles with anxiety. 

In closing, I realized at the end of this update that today is World Mental Health Day! I'm so grateful that the Lord is sovereign over every aspect of who we are: heart, mind, and body. Praise the Lord that He blesses us through therapy, doctors, reflection, community, and in so many other ways. And that through it all, ultimately!, He is the source of all healing.

Amen?

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Kim Moline
Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Sara Chacon
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Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
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