If you've been following this blog for any period of time, you know that at times I post wonderful things that I myself did not write. This is one of those times. The following was written by Megan Francis:
Labeling yourself as a catholic is fairly easy-there are a number of easy ways to display your faith: Wear a cross around your neck. Go to church every Sunday. Say grace before a meal. Celebrate Christmas and Easter with big family dinners. Maybe even honor the Holy Days of Obligation. Be able to recite the Nicene Creed, Our Father. Know the proper prayer responses at appropriate times throughout mass.
Complete these activities. Receive the seven sacraments. Make it through eight years of religion classes –then you can officially, confidentially label yourself as a catholic. However there lies a large distinction between labeling yourself as one and actually living as one.
Living as a devout catholic requires more than just passing tests, reciting prayers, and following traditions-those are merely “requirements” to join the faith community.
challenge you to take your faith a step further, a step deeper than just the label. Constantly keep God as your center. Ask yourself what would Jesus do in this situation? Pray when you don’t have to. Help someone when no one is watching. Go to church even when it’s not Sunday or when there is no one is forcing you to go. Thank God just because. And really LIVE the faith you label yourself a follower of.
Granted living as a catholic certainly is not easy- especially on a college campus in the midst of friends who do not see religion as important. It is a day-to-day challenge that sometimes calls for a great deal of commitment and sacrifice. But it is worth it. Re-evaluate your own faith and see for yourself!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Just in case you had the urge to talk religion in a foreign language
I don't know if anyone would have any need for this, but I seem to keep finding uses for it. It's a website with access to the Bible in every language ... and various versions of the Bible in every language.
http://www.biblegateway.com/
All you need to do is type in what passage you're looking for and in what version of the Bible. (For example New International Version or New American Standard Version for English or Reina-Valera 1960 or Nueva Version Internacional for Spanish). It has 42 languages.
I think it's more interesting than actually useful. but i figured I'd share.
http://www.biblegateway.com/
All you need to do is type in what passage you're looking for and in what version of the Bible. (For example New International Version or New American Standard Version for English or Reina-Valera 1960 or Nueva Version Internacional for Spanish). It has 42 languages.
I think it's more interesting than actually useful. but i figured I'd share.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
hello again
it's been a long and joyous summer, and I'm sure at some point that i will let you know at least a little bit about it. but for now 3 very important things
1. as you begin a new year of living life as a Catholic in both a social and educational environment, never feel alone, there's always others out there for you
2. best of luck with your studies, sports, clubs, theater, singing, musical instruments, and whatever else it is that you pour your passions and energy into.
3. A long-awaited for reading reflection:
Today’s second reading admonishes us for the amount of time we spend worrying about and comparing ourselves to other people. If instead, we focused on being peaceful and understanding others from their own point of view, wars and conflict could cease.
So many times in our daily lives we find ourselves jealous of others: they’re smarter than us; they’re faster than us; their family life seems better than ours. But without knowing the whole story, this jealousy is unfounded. Perhaps their intelligence and speed was not easily attained, but worked for diligently. Or perhaps, that intense speed comes at the cost of being the most ungraceful being to walk the earth.
Most likely, that same person you angrily watch thinking their life is too easy, is jealous of some part of your life as well. The truth of the matter is, we cannot envy a person unless we become that person. Otherwise, the possible circumstances are too great for us to understand.
So this year, instead of feeling greed or jealousy when confronted with the person who seems to have it all, I challenge you to befriend them, find their suffering, and improve their life. Dragging others down will get you nowhere; it’s a utilitarian world, and the happiness of others will lead to personal happiness in your own life.
1. as you begin a new year of living life as a Catholic in both a social and educational environment, never feel alone, there's always others out there for you
2. best of luck with your studies, sports, clubs, theater, singing, musical instruments, and whatever else it is that you pour your passions and energy into.
3. A long-awaited for reading reflection:
Today’s second reading admonishes us for the amount of time we spend worrying about and comparing ourselves to other people. If instead, we focused on being peaceful and understanding others from their own point of view, wars and conflict could cease.
So many times in our daily lives we find ourselves jealous of others: they’re smarter than us; they’re faster than us; their family life seems better than ours. But without knowing the whole story, this jealousy is unfounded. Perhaps their intelligence and speed was not easily attained, but worked for diligently. Or perhaps, that intense speed comes at the cost of being the most ungraceful being to walk the earth.
Most likely, that same person you angrily watch thinking their life is too easy, is jealous of some part of your life as well. The truth of the matter is, we cannot envy a person unless we become that person. Otherwise, the possible circumstances are too great for us to understand.
So this year, instead of feeling greed or jealousy when confronted with the person who seems to have it all, I challenge you to befriend them, find their suffering, and improve their life. Dragging others down will get you nowhere; it’s a utilitarian world, and the happiness of others will lead to personal happiness in your own life.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
