Keep the end in mind

Faith, hope, charity-- these are not ends, but the means to the end, which is union with God.

Do not allow a virtue to become a false idol. They are merely there to bring us closer to God. They are at the same time a result of being closer to God. But they are not to be pursued in and of themselves. The only One you are to pursue is God.

Children at Mass

Mark 10:13-16

"And they were bringing children to Him, that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it He was indignant, and said to them, 'Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.' And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them."

I was reprimanded by a priest recently for having my infant son at Mass, as he makes noise. He insisted that if I bring him, I must go to the cry room at the back of the Church so that he is not heard. 

I do not bring my son to Mass for entertainment. I bring him that he might be touched by Jesus - that he may be in His presence and receive the graces that are available at the Mass even to those who cannot receive communion. I will not be segregated for having been faithful to my vocation, nor allow my child to be segregated for being a child. The sounds of Bethlehem were not silenced by the Infant Jesus' divinity, for He was fully human. We will not be amputated from the Body of Christ because you prefer your voice to his.

Mass is not a movie or concert, merely for entertainment. The faithful gather that they may receive the Eucharist and be physically united with their Savior and Lord. They gather to praise God with the angels and the saints, to add their voices to the Hosannas in heaven. Perhaps some voices are too young to articulate the words, or to know exactly what is happening - but is their understanding really that much worse than ours? The mystery of the sacrifice of the Mass is so beyond our human intellect, that really my infant son has, on that scale, just as good a grasp on it as the most learned theologian or mystic. It is recognizing this Truth that enables us to humble ourselves and become like children who may enter the kingdom of God.

Father by lust

"The Lord struck the child that the wife of Uriah had borne to David, and it became desperately ill. David pleaded with God on behalf of the child. He kept a total fast, and spent the night lying on the ground clothed in sackcloth. The elders of his house stood beside him to get him to rise from the ground; but he would not, nor would he take food with them." 2 Sam 15-17.

David had fathered this child out of lust, committing adultery and then murder. And yet, when the life of his child is threatened, he fasts in sackcloth despite the desires of the elders. If only men today would stand for the life of the children they father in lust; perhaps some would live.

He loves you

You are struggling. Is this any surprise, when you have lost sight of His love for you? Ask yourself, "Do I really and truly believe that God delights in me?" If the answer is no, ask Him to show you. It is only when you know His love for you that you can find joy in being His daughter and nothing else.

You must give Him more time with your heart.

The Rosary

When you say the Rosary, you are like a little baby cuddled in her Mother's arms, gazing lovingly up at her eyes, patting her face, saying "Mamamama". The baby is full of life, as only one who is fully trusting can be, and the Mother delights in this trusting love by recommitting all of herself to her little one.

Your way

The longer the list of things that have to be your way, the surer you are to be unhappy.

Seek the will of God.

Trinitarian friendships

Think Trinity for friendships: you, the other, the relationship.

Every two people have a unique relationship and draw different dimensions to the fore.

It is easy to become jealous of friends of your spouse, not because they threaten your relationship with him, but because they share something unique that you will never share with him. But yours, as spouse, is deeply unique as well! The friendships enrich your spousal relationship because they help him to develop other dimensions of self that he will then be able to share with you.

This, of course, assumes a healthy friendship. Bad friendships bring out bad dimensions, and should be rectified or terminated.