Confirmation- A Promise to God

As I sang with my choir for the confirmation mass yesterday morning, I smiled as I watched 58 young people make their promise to God to be lifelong members of the Church. Confirmation is a big event in a young person's life. As one of the Sacraments of initiation, it confirms or "seals" the grace of Baptism. In Baptism, the parents make the decision to initiate their child in the Church. It is only in Confirmation where the child makes his or her own decision to become a lifelong servant of God. It is his or her free will...it should not be based on anyone else's decision.

I pray for every young person who is confirmed. I pray that they wholeheartedly nurture their faith for the rest of their lives.

"Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of right judgment and courage,

the spirit of knowledge and reverence.

Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen"

(The Rights of the Catholic Church)

A Response To My Last Entry

I've posted my last entry "How Can One Be Spiritual and Not Go To Church?" on Facebook and I have gotten this response:


" this particular post called my attention. i suppose you are inviting dissent, considering that you have made it a public announcement.

It seems that your targeting of those who do not attend the Church or who do not follow the Commandments the way you see it fit (and yes, your way, because I doubt God literally calls you up) is based on a western Christian way of thinking. No wonder we have so misunderstandings among cultures!

How can you ignore the fact that people have different-spiritual rules that exist outside of the Church and even inside those who consider themselves Cristian or Catholic, it seems as you strategically forget that the Church, aside from preaching rules from God, are also based on rules that perpetuate elitism, gender discrimination, and many times classism and hidden forms of racism. I love God and respect God, but I do not need to follow an institution that alienates me or the communities I live in. Perhaps you need to step outside of what those norms mean and where do they come from before accepting them as universal truths.

this criticism is a joint effort by my best friend and I. we're also open to your opinion/response."

***

Here is what I had to say:

"Thank you for taking the time to read what I had to say and for posting your comment. I know that religion is a very touchy subject and can cause a lot of anger and "dissent." However, from reading your response, I felt you may have took what I had to say personally. It was not my intention to "invite dissent." It was not my intention to discriminate or judge anyone who is outside of my faith. I do feel it is important to express my faith...even if it means being scorned by those who do not share the same beliefs.

My entry was mainly addressing Catholics and other Christians who say they are spiritual but do not see it as a priority to go to church. Church is a huge part of the Catholic Christian faith because it is God's House. I do not see it fit for a Catholic Christian to say "I'm spiritual but I don't see the need to go to Church." They are contradicting themselves because they are denying a huge part of their spirituality.


It sounds like you are having doubts with church because you feel they are run by "hypocrites." Please read my blog entry: http://insideacatholicmind.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-go-to-church-if-it-is-run-by.html

Thank you... I will keep you in my prayers. God bless."

How Can One Be Spiritual And Not Go To Church?

I know Catholics and other Christians who say "I'm spiritual but I don't go to church." (Please note I'm talking about healthy people who are able to go out, not people who are bedridden). As long as they are good with God and live a good life then they should be fine, right? People who don't like to go to church see it as an inconvenience. "I don't have time for it...it's not in my schedule." Others don't like to go because it is "too boring" and a "waste of time." The most common reason why people don't go to church is because they don't like rules--they do not like to be told what to do.

The truth is God has rules and they are called the Commandments.

We cannot avoid rules...they exist inevitably in our lives. We especially cannot avoid the rules made by our one Creator.

How can you be spiritual and see it a burden to worship in God's House? How can you be spiritual and not let your spirituality grow by not going to church and sharing your faith with others?

Because everyday is a struggle with all today's distractions, there is no such thing as achieving 100% spirituality. We need to be constantly reminded of trusting in God's love. Going to church helps his followers share faith with others as a family. Praying, reading the scriptures, and listening to the teachings from the Gospels all help us grow as faithful Christians. Like food and water, we must nurture our spirituality.

Going to church doesn't make us any more holy or righteous. It doesn't make us immune to all sin. Going to church must be done from the will of your heart to express your praise and love for the Lord. God doesn't want people to be forced to go to Church...that's why He gave us free-will to decide for ourselves whether or not we want to express our dedication for Him.

Otherwise, a person is not spiritual if he or she does not make the effort to make time for God.

Magnificat: A Must Read!

According to New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, "Magnificat" is the title commonly given to the Latin text and vernacular translation of the Canticle (or Song) of Mary. It is the opening word of the Vulgate text (Luke 1:46-55): "Magnificat anima mea, Dominum", etc. (My soul doth magnify the Lord, etc.).

Composed of daily readings from the Scriptures, passages, hymns, daily meditations, biographical passages of saints, and prayers, MAGNIFICAT is a monthly subscription I highly recommend for every Catholic. Reading this everyday has really changed my life. It allows me to focus my prayers and concentrate on the readings. I am thankful to have it as a resource to my faith because it makes it so much easier to understand the Scriptures. The daily meditations reflect each gospel and are truly inspiring. Check out the official Magnificat website at: www.magnificat.com to order your subscription. It will greatly supplement your faith!

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

beside restful waters he leads me;

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me in right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk in the dark valley

I fear no evil; for you are at my side

with your rod and your staff

that give me courage.

You spread the table before me

in the sight of my foes.

You annoint my head with oil

my cup overflows.

Only goodness and kindness follow me

all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

for years to come.

-PSALM 23

Being Ready

This reading from 1 Peter 3:13-15 stood out to me:

***

Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope."

***

I remember when I was younger, I would be asked why I believed in God. I would just shrug my shoulders and say, "I don't know. ..because they told me to." I would also be embarrassed to talk about God to my peers because I was afraid of what they would say about me. It wasn't until I was older, I began to see God's presence. Now I am able to explain my reason for my hope because of my experiences of his miraculous gifts and blessings.

I once knew a girl who said that she didn't need to go to Church because she was young and that only old people go to Church all the time because they are at the end of their lives. This shockedand saddened me. It doesn't matter how old you are! Old or young--we ALL need to be spiritually ready. We never know when our lives on earth will end. When my time comes, I want to be able to be ready for the Lord. Do you?

Why Go To Church If It is Run By Hypocrites?

I asked Father Jim Doogan, associate pastor at my parish Church of Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood, this question:

What would you say to Catholics who don't go to
Church because they feel that people there are hypocrites?

Here is his answer:

None of us are perfect. If we waited until we were perfect we would
never pass through the doors. What makes us Christian is the
realization that we are not perfect and that we need help from our
Savior; we need grace, and we need forgiveness for our errors ---
anger, gossip, partying too much . . . All we have to have is the
desire to follow Jesus' message more nearly, dearly, clearly ;).
Church is our spiritual home. Would they avoid their parents for being
imperfect children.

Going to church is not about perfection - it is about a journey. And
we have the support of others and give support. We have the desire to
be good -- but the flesh is weak. Unless you are telling them that you
are better than others you are no hypocrite.

It is odd that so many people who criticize church goers for being
hypocrites, often see themselves as open minded. Meanwhile, they are
judging the intentions of others. The very things that are in the
hearts of others. Can you not go to church and be a hypocrite --- I
think so.

Simply put -- we all enter the doors to find God -- including me.
Where ever 2 or more are gathered in Jesus' name he assures us he will
be there.

I hope this is of help.
Remember you are countercultural, a radical, a rebel. You stand up to
the peer culture of your time and go to church. --- Also, often the
ones who criticise the most - most desire faith themselves. You are a
great symbol for them. God Bless you and your ministry to people to
whom I have little access.


Padre Jim