Hello Friends,
I am happy to welcome the month of February. I never mind the sleepy days of winter when things are still and we find comfort in warm soup, layered clothing and fluffy blankets. In the winter, my physical health takes a plunge, when the cold sets in. I make the best out of the good days; I rest on the harder days and pray that those do not come when we are going to have family time.
I have taken a longer break, away from the newsletter than intended. This was to work and pray on the next edition.
Being an introvert, I do not mind the quiet and time of reflection that comes with the winter, and a slower pace of life. Those working and those who are extraverts may be thinking the opposite. In this new year, your life may be busy, often we are busy doing ordinary things: work, home life, running kids or taking care of aging parents. Even the church’s liturgical calendar puts us in “Ordinary Times”.
The interesting thing is that this time for Jesus, was less than ordinary. From now until the start of Lent. Jesus is embarking on a great mission. Something only, He can do. He, in this time is going to radically transform the faith. He is going to walk on water and cure the sick. He is going to preach and teach a new gospel. He will form the Church. People believe that he is the Messiah, (because He is!). Even demons will be afraid of him as he rebukes them and casts them out. Jesus will be seen as a radical.
In this time, Jesus slowly by his words and actions is converting hearts. He is sharing the good news. He is choosing people to be His Apostles, and people willingly will be his disciples and followers. Jesus is also seeking you!
My Tipping Points!
Depth of one’s faith, is relative to that person. It takes time to nurture and cultivate. Over time, my faith has grown and deepened; there has been a continued death of self, and times of metanoia. In this time, there has been mountain top experiences and low valleys, but the consolation is that God is always with me, and I cannot do anything without Him!
My conversions came with a few tipping points. In 2003, I had this longing, something was missing. Physically my body was already starting to experience changes, pain, and fatigue. In prayer I asked for the intersession of Mother Mary. In that time, I was given two things that I needed to do. One was to help with our Italian Feast for Mary and the other was to go on a retreat. I was seeking something. I did not know then, but that which I was seeking was being opened up to me by the working of the Holy Spirit.
First, I did join the committee for the Feast for Mary. Many miracles happened to me as being part of that committee. Second, I decided to go on a faith retreat with a friend. In that time of retreat, I discovered some things about myself and my relationship with Jesus. I came from that weekend wanting to know Him deeply. I am a cradle Catholic,
however, I did not know my faith. I did go to Catholic School and made all my sacraments. However, I had fallen away from the relational and piety needed to actually have a strong faith and a relationship with Jesus. The beauty of our faith is that it is infinite. There is so much depth and breath to it. We will always be called to go deeper.
On the retreat, I reacquainted with a woman that I knew. She talked about how she had made a Cursillo weekend. Funny, the Holy Spirit had already put making a Cursillo weekend on my heart. She affirmed it for me.
I came from that retreat, filled with the desire to look into Cursillo and make a weekend. In 2004, that is exactly what I did. That weekend and the events and ministry work, retreats and friendships that came from that weekend are still with me to this day. These events in combination were my Tipping Points.
What is your tipping point(s)?
Maybe you have a lot of questions. Society makes it difficult to follow Jesus. It is countercultural. We all have dry times when we just do not know if Jesus is really there. Is He really listening when I pray? We may have fallen away from going to church every Sunday. Or we go to church but do not further our knowledge of our faith. Has there been past hurts that have been caused by the church? Maybe you find the church not progressive enough.
Wherever you are, that is where Jesus will meet you. No step towards Jesus is a small step. Consider that in this “ordinary time”, that Jesus is seeking you. He is seeking you with love, just like he did those many years ago when He called men and women to follow him.
Michelangelo’s creation of Adam
Where to start? Ask yourself a few Questions.
What do I believe? What would make me want to know more about Jesus? Do I feel a longing of some kind? Do I want more than the earthly things that are around me? What would it take and be important enough to make me break away from the earthly routines and seek my faith more deeply?
Resources
There are many resources available. Consider your starting point. Start with something familiar, comfortable and what you want to know about. Or try a type of resource that you enjoy. If you like to read, pick up a book about Jesus. If you like to listen, look for a good podcast. If you like, walk in nature. It is important to understand that what we are seeking is Jesus. How we find him can take many forms.
The beauty is there is no judgement. There is, however, a responsibility. When you seek to understand, consider; is what I am doing leading me closer to Jesus or is it bringing me farther away from Him.
- A relationship with God starts with prayer. It is about listening as well as talking.
- There are many books on our faith. Emily Stimpson Chapman is a theologian with great faith resources. She is an author and speaker. She also has a Substack that you can subscribe too. It is called “Through a Glass Darkly”. Also, theologians/authors like Scott Hahn, Jeff Cavins, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Henri Nouwen, and Matthew Kelly, are great resources.
- Research your Favorite Saint.
- Pray the Rosary and Devine Mercy.
- Look for a Podcasts like: Bible in a Year, Catechism in a Year, Catholic Classics, Fr. Mike Schmitz, or Danielle Bean.
- Canadian, Chris Bray is also someone to consider following. He is a musician and speaker. Spreading the Good News all over Canada.
- Your local church may have retreats, weekend events or a Lenten Series. The Lift Jesus Higher Rally is coming to Toronto on March 4, 2023, Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
- Join a group of likeminded people so that you can grow your faith with others. I am blessed to have such a group. We meet every two weeks. We have all grown and learning so much about our faith through our conversations.
- Look at faith inspired art. I did this during Advent through the C. S. Lewis Institute. Each day I was sent a piece of artwork and a reflection. I enjoyed the way the bible came alive through the interpretation of the artist.
- Christian Music is also my go to when I need to be lifted up. I enjoy Christian radio through USB Canada or the FISH radio out of Ohio. You can find your own local Christian radio station and take the thirty-day challenge. Listen to it for 30 days and see what fruits come form the experience.
In church, this came to me during Father’s homily. He was talking about New Year’s Resolutions, with one of them being Deeping your faith. A time to refresh and renew. The other was about using your gifts. In the use of our gifts, we are evangelizing others. I thought and prayed through; “What are my gifts?” It came to me; I am a messenger. I am not St. John the Baptist; however, I do love to spread the Good News.
In the two years since I started this newsletter, I have always discerned what to put in it. Actually, this one is a bit late because, I was still praying through what words needed saying. I have always brought you along with me. In my need to answer my own questions. Hopeful I taught you something new. I bring you where I am, in hopes that it
inspires you, in where you are. In this, you have choices, and the spiritual journey you are on is your own. I am here to support and journey alongside you.
Going back to Father’s homily, I thought about what the next step in evangelization. What is the tipping point for those who have been evangelized too. My place, I provide the resources and information. That is the Holy Spirit working through me. You as the receiver now have a choice. If you open your heart to the possibility of something new in regard to your faith. The Holy Spirit will work with you.
Lent Reflection
Lent begins in a few weeks, and you may be considering what you will add or give up for the Lenten season. Each year as Catholics it is a tradition that we give up or add something to our routines to remind us of the suffering of Jesus during His passion. This year I want you to consider 1 Samuel 17; this is the reading in the Old Testament of David and Goliath. Like David we all have a Goliath in our life. That thing that is so big, that lingers and taunts us. Telling us that we are not good enough. Keeps us prisoner in our own thoughts. Imagine, giving that thing up or confronting it this Lent. Let me explain.
We often give up things that are fairly easy. I know that I have given up chocolate covered almonds on more than one occasion. It is more of an inconvenience not a real Goliath size challenge.
My Goliath comes from fear of being rejected and ridiculed. Since I started Rise Ministry four years ago, I have slowly put myself out in the public eye. Last year, I started on social media. I have slowly started to post on these sites however, not truly letting go and surrendered to God’s will. I would like to spread the Good News on social media more frequently. This makes me anxious and fearful. One fear is not being relevant. Another is the fear of expressing myself to much and putting myself out there in a harsh world.
I have decided that through Lent I am going to reach out more on my social media pages. Even with this anxiety I am going to bring Jesus out to the people. My Lent will not be about fasting but will be about movement. It will be about conquering my fear and letting the world see Jesus. Please pray for me!
The question is “What is your Goliath?”. What is that thing that you can not live without. That thing that makes you not be the best version of yourself. What is it that you need a break from or do more of, that will make you uncomfortable but will in the end change you.
David and Goliath by: Caravaggio
1 Samuel 17:37 David continued: “The same LORD who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the LORD will be with you.”
This newsletter was originally published in February of 2023.
