Monday, June 04, 2018
Friday, March 16, 2018
Sunday, March 04, 2018
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Friday, February 09, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
Another from Fr. Barron
Every daily reflection of Fr. Barron's is good. Just thought I'd share today's. Ambition often wants immediate gratification and, for me at least, this reminder resonates. And "He wants to involve us, through freedom, intelligence, and creativity, in what he is doing." Well that's just a great thought to carry around.
Friends, today’s Gospel compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed that "when it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants." It seems to be a law of the spiritual life that God wants good things to start small and grow over time.
We’re tempted to say, "You’re God. Just get on with it. Do it!" But why would God work the way he does? We might attempt a few explanations. It is a commonplace of the Bible that God rejoices in our cooperation. He wants to involve us, through freedom, intelligence, and creativity, in what he is doing. And so he plants seeds, and he wants us to cultivate them. Consider what God said to St. Francis: "Francis, rebuild my Church." God could have rebuilt his Church without Francis, but he wanted him to get involved. When things start small, they can fly under the radar while they gain strength and heft and seriousness. Also, those involved can be tested and tried. Suppose you want to do something great in the life of the Church and you pray and God gives you massively what you want. You might not be ready, and your project will peter out. So be patient and embrace the small invitations. |
Friday, January 12, 2018
Greg
It's been over three years since Greg got his diagnosis, and that's a very long time to fight stage 4 brain cancer. We just got confirmation from Dana that what were some disturbing new symptoms last week, indeed, signal the beginning of the end. I'm heartbroken for her. And simply dumbstruck when I try to imagine what it's like for Greg.
I've attached a link to their gofundme site. Not to solicit donations, but because it has today's update. It's where Dana has kept Greg's entire community updated on his progress for three years.
And below comes from an email she sent to us girls this morning. I hope I'm not overstepping by sharing. But I know her and I don't think she would mind. At the same time that her words bust open the heart, I also find they speak to the universality of how cancer effects those closest to its victims. And somehow I find a slight comfort in that.
We've had a lot of time to prepare for this. I mean, he was given a terminal diagnosis, I knew this time was coming. I thought I'd be handling this better, especially after all the shit I've had to deal with over the last few years, and how different Greg has become in a lot of ways. I've been losing him slowly and part of me is ready for this but most of me is just sad. These last few days what I've been mostly sad about is losing the life we had before Greg got cancer, like I've finally fully processed his diagnosis and am just dealing with it now. I'm also scared about what his death is going to be like and how much pain he will be in and how drawn out it will be. And of course I'm scared for may kids and what they're going to have to deal with and process their whole lives. If I can handle being a single parent for them. If I can be strong enough for them.
https://www.gofundme.com/dhq07s?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-151578102302-cfd07846fa9243db&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cta_button&utm_campaign=upd_n
I've attached a link to their gofundme site. Not to solicit donations, but because it has today's update. It's where Dana has kept Greg's entire community updated on his progress for three years.
And below comes from an email she sent to us girls this morning. I hope I'm not overstepping by sharing. But I know her and I don't think she would mind. At the same time that her words bust open the heart, I also find they speak to the universality of how cancer effects those closest to its victims. And somehow I find a slight comfort in that.
We've had a lot of time to prepare for this. I mean, he was given a terminal diagnosis, I knew this time was coming. I thought I'd be handling this better, especially after all the shit I've had to deal with over the last few years, and how different Greg has become in a lot of ways. I've been losing him slowly and part of me is ready for this but most of me is just sad. These last few days what I've been mostly sad about is losing the life we had before Greg got cancer, like I've finally fully processed his diagnosis and am just dealing with it now. I'm also scared about what his death is going to be like and how much pain he will be in and how drawn out it will be. And of course I'm scared for may kids and what they're going to have to deal with and process their whole lives. If I can handle being a single parent for them. If I can be strong enough for them.
https://www.gofundme.com/dhq07s?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-151578102302-cfd07846fa9243db&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cta_button&utm_campaign=upd_n
Fr. Barron's Daily Reflections
I subscribe to Fr. Barron's daily gospel reflections. And I am the worst about skipping over them. Which is really the worst. Because his summation is two or three short paragraphs that profoundly effect my day. But first it usually brings me a quick bout of tears (thanks, Dad). Below is from today's. Do you see what I mean?
One of the most fundamental statements of faith is this: your life is not about you. You’re not in control. This is not your project. Rather, you are part of God’s great design. To believe this in your bones and to act accordingly is to have faith. When we operate out of this transformed vision, amazing things can happen, for we have surrendered to "a power already at work in us that can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." Even a tiny bit of faith makes an extraordinary difference.
https://dailycatholicgospel.com/sign-up-daily-gospel
Also this. 2018 marks the 50th year anniversary of Humanae Vitae.
https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/bishop-barron-on-contraception-and-social-change/5677/
One of the most fundamental statements of faith is this: your life is not about you. You’re not in control. This is not your project. Rather, you are part of God’s great design. To believe this in your bones and to act accordingly is to have faith. When we operate out of this transformed vision, amazing things can happen, for we have surrendered to "a power already at work in us that can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." Even a tiny bit of faith makes an extraordinary difference.
https://dailycatholicgospel.com/sign-up-daily-gospel
Also this. 2018 marks the 50th year anniversary of Humanae Vitae.
https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/bishop-barron-on-contraception-and-social-change/5677/
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