Rejoice(?!)

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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I arrived at Mass super early this week! Yet I was simultaneously a few minutes late for rehearsal. Some things never change. The good news is, I got to play with the music ministry team!

It was glorious to play an acoustic piano again! While I’m grateful for my full-length Roland keyboard at home, there’s nothing like a grand piano (except maybe the Nord Stage 3, but I digress). My soul soared when I sang in harmony with other professional vocalists again. And on top of that to also lead the congregation in song? *Happy sigh*

I’ve missed liturgical music ministry a lot.

And the homily! I’ve heard some pretty poor homilies on Trinity Sunday in the past. This one was thoughtful, eloquent, and it took me on a surprising journey. Our pastor preached on the Divine Revelation of the Triune God through the words of Christ. He explained how Christ pointed us to the strongest image of God’s love through the fruitful union of man and woman.

Then, Fr. John asked whether the dignity of the individual always stands, regardless of the circumstances of conception and birth. He gave many examples, from broken marriages to couples who happened to hook up once. With each example, he affirmed that life is a sign of God’s love!

At the very end of the homily, Fr. John emphatically stated, “And THAT is why racism is wrong.” And then he sat down.

The word that stood out to me in Mass was “rejoice!” This week, I feel called to keep finding things to rejoice about, and to share that jubilation with others. Specifically, I need to keep sharing through my songs and writing. And I believe I’m called to in turn invite my friends to rejoice.

So, it’s my turn to ask you: what blessings have you seen in the past 24 hours worthy of rejoicing over? In our family we like to talk about our “rose and thorn” for the day, but earlier this year a friend taught us to add in our “rose bud” (that would represent a sign of hope)! What are some roses or rose buds in your life right now?

Let’s rejoice together?! Here are some images of me as a child, in hopes that I can receive the Kingdom of Heaven as a child this week. In hopes that we can answer this call together: “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” -2 Corinthians 13:11

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Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

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

To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive exclusive rewards, signup at amandavernon.com/patron.

Joy, Joy, Joy + Go, Go, Go

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.

--- 

{Disclaimer: I’ve shared openly about overcoming a 3-year experience with Postpartum Depression! Still, I work vigilantly to foster healthy mental patterns now that I’m past that season of life. In today’s “Word for the Week,” I’m going to describe some of that process. I believe mental health is a crucial part of being a healthy individual.}

My sister, Veronica, and I parked in the side lot of the church. There were a dozen cars. I fished a black piece of fabric from my purse pocket and studied it in my hand for a moment. Then, with a resolute sigh, I stretched the cloth with both hands to secure the loops around my ears. My family has dual enrollment; at our other home parish, masks are optional. This was about to be my first time wearing a mask throughout the entire Mass. It was more challenging than I imagined.

There were plenty of humorous moments to balance the internal struggle. For instance, when we arrived, the greeters extended hand sanitizer to us instead of the hugs and the holy water that we normally receive. Also, the sound of 45 people attempting to sing hymns through cloth coverings? That was mostly hilarious until the lack of air became a problem. I realized it’s not going to be safe for me to sing with a face mask. Mostly, Mass felt like a circuitous mind game!

First, was gratitude to be back at church. Followed by anxiety that I wasn’t getting enough air. Then, the idea would arise to slow my heart rate by taking a deep breath. Yet each time I tried to take a deep breath, I instinctually reacted as though someone had their hand over my mouth. That wasn’t helpful. So I would pray harder, and focus on the wonderful fact that I was back in church! Gratitude would resume.

The Word continued to speak even in the midst of my attempts to stave off a panic attack. It was a 3-fold word, this time! First, it was “...speaking about the kingdom of God.” (That’s how Acts 1:3 describes what Jesus did with the apostles after His resurrection.) Then, it was “joy, joy, joy” and “go, go, go.” Those words were repeated in that order in the psalm response and in the offertory hymn (based on Matthew 28:19), respectively.

God is calling me to speak about the kingdom *right now*! And to be myself while I’m at it! #JoyIsMyMiddleName—Looks like social media is the way. So I may or may not need to become that Catholic mom/big sister on TikTok very soon. :0)

Do you need encouragement to proclaim the joy of the kingdom of God today? Here’s some! I learned from Catholic apologist Steve Ray that while John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” is often referred to as the shortest sentence in the Bible, it’s actually 1 Thess 5:16, “Rejoice always!” Because, according to Steve, “the first (verse) has 13 Greek letters but the second has only 12 Greek letters.”

So I’ll invite you to consider with me that even as Jesus weeps with us, He calls us to rejoice. And that's something worth speaking about.

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Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

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

To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive exclusive rewards, signup at amandavernon.com/patron.