Twas a Week Before Christmas...

Today begins the fourth and final week of Advent. How exciting it is to think that in one short week we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior.  This will be the first year, in many, that I will get the pleasure of attending midnight mass.  As a child, it was the one time of year that I would beg to go to Mass.  Celebrating in the dead of night when the world is quiet and sleeping gives Christmas an almost magical feel. We as Catholics follow in the footsteps of the angels and shepherds, who gathered to look upon the newborn Savior. In the stillness it is easy to imagine the quiet awesomeness of that night so many years ago. The special knowledge of his magnificence was known only to a few.  Now in this world we are that few, who knows the wondrous things that Jesus was sent to earth to accomplish. So through much yawning I will be quietly celebrating that beautiful birth in the stillness as did those on that first night.

Can You See?

In formation this month we got into an interesting discussion about visions.  Some people in our group have seen many visions and others have had none.  I only recall ever having two.  The first vision is still as clear as day even though I was only preschool or kindergarten age at the time.  I was in the living room of my grandparents home sitting on the couch watching TV.  My grandmother was doing dishes in the kitchen.  The layout of the house was such that I could see into the kitchen from where I was sitting.  A bright shining light came in through the window by the kitchen sink, flew through the kitchen, into the living room and out through the living room window.  I sat there in awe of this light that I was convinced was Jesus Christ.  I don't really know why I thought that it was Jesus, but I was definitely sure that it was and I had no qualms about telling everyone about this vision.  The second vision was during my retreat at Broom Tree which I previously posted about.

I have had far more experiences where I have heard His voice or just had a feeling that I had to do something.  For example, one morning I woke up with the overwhelming feeling that I had to go to Mass that day. There wasn't anything particularly special about that day, but it turned out that the homily was exactly what I needed to hear.

I would love to hear what your experience has been with visions or other encounters with God. Did your vision effect a change in you or were you directed to do something for God. Please post them in the comment box.

Our Time

The Foundations of St. Theresa of Avila is a fascinating study of the trials and tribulations St. Theresa faced in setting up her monasteries in sixteen century Spain. While there are some very stark differences between her time and ours, there are some eerie similarities. As in her time and ours, obedience seems to be in short supply.  News report after news report lists the transgressions and dissent of church laity, priests, nuns and bishops alike. Some in the Church visibly defy the hierarchy and what it teaches. There seems to be an endless supply of self-appointed interpreters of God's law who feel it necessary to tell the Church how it is wrong in all things, while still maintaining they are devout Catholics.

Some of those in defiance of the Church may never understand that when they defy the teachings of the Church, they are defying God. We must have hope that they will see the error of their ways before it is too late to repent.  Until that day comes, we must follow St. Theresa's example of total obedience to our Church.  From this obedience we can reform the Catholic Church and drown out those voices of dissent.  St. Theresa led the way in reforming the Church in her time, it is our turn to do so in our time.
 

Broom Tree Pictures

Here are a few pictures of Broom Tree Retreat Center.

This is the retreat center and hotel.

Inside Sts. Isidore and Maria Church on the grounds

One of the many beautiful sun rises that can be seen across the  prairie surrounding the retreat center.

Our Lady of the Prairie

One of the outdoor Stations of the Cross

God Speaks

Be careful what you ask of God, He might just give it to you. I am one of those people who St. Teresa says sins so often that they can't see their sins. The examination of conscience guides have been no help, so I've struggled with confession. My walk on Saturday opened my eyes.  God gave me the grace to see all of the wrong that I had been doing.  It was very hard to take this reality check. It's a real shock to discover that you're not as good as you think you are.

I had the luck of going to confession that night and left Sunday a much more humble person.

Thank you for opening my eyes, Lord, so that I may be more like you.

In Silence

Today is the end of the first full day of my silent retreat at Broom Tree Retreat Center near Irene, SD.  It started yesterday at 6, but today was really the first day.  I thought that not chatting would be the hardest part.  Was I ever wrong.  The hardest part was getting all of the voices in my head to shut up so that God could talk.  I am so used to all the noise of everyday life and all of it's distractions that my mind didn't know what to do in all this quiet.  As the day has gone on the noise has been going away and God's voice is getting clearer.

Last night after Mass, I got the clear vision of Jesus with hand out beaconing me to walk with him.  With all the noise in my head I avoided him. Being the patient and merciful God he humored me and just stood on that path all day.  Until tonight that is. At eucharistic adoration He spoke again. He said, "Tomorrow you will walk with me."  I, of course, could only answer with "Ok."  To be perfectly honest, my mind was starting to wander when he spoke up, so I was a little startled.  So I guess tomorrow I better be ready to listen.

Getting My Religion On At Walmart

I discovered a couple of things about working chaotic hours at Walmart.  First, that chaotic hours are no fun!  Especially when you work late and have to be up early the next morning.  Second, that I have a lot more prayer time than I did before.  Strange, I know.

In an office setting you make friends and get distracted by idle chatter, lunch dates, etc.  At Walmart my schedule is unique and rarely do I have a break with someone I know.  Thanks to the Divine Office app on my phone I can say morning or evening prayer while on break.  My phone also allows me to read electronic books, so instead of watching whatever mindless program is on the TV I open one of my many books.  Right now I am about half way through Welcome to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites by Aloysius Deeney, OCD.

The book is a compilation of speeches given by Aloysius Deeney on the Vocation of OCDS.  As an Aspirant  I am required to read the first speech on discernment.  The others are for my own personal reading.