Day 23
SAVING GRACE: (5 minutes) Saint of the Week: Bl. Jose Sanchez Del Rio
Jose lived in Mexico in the 1920's when the Mexican government took over and declared Catholicism to be illegal. They shut down churches and murdered priests. The Cristero War broke out as the Mexicans fought for their religious freedom. Jose Sanchez Del Rio was only 14 years old, but he wanted to join the Cristeros. They told him he was too young, but allowed him to carry the flag of Our Lady of Guadalupe during the battles. During one battle, a general lost his horse, so little Jose got off of his horse and gave it to the general. In doing so, he was captured by the enemy. They didn't want to execute Jose, he was only 14...so they forced him to watch other men being executed and told him he could go home if would just say "death to Christ the King". He refused. So they took a knife and sliced the bottom of his feet, then made him walk across the town to the cemetery to look at his own grave. They gave him one last chance and told him..."Just say 'death to Christ the King' then you can go home to your mom and dad." That young boy, who was suffering in pain, cried out, "Vivo Christi Rey! Vivo Christi Rey!" which means, "long live Christ the King!" So they shot him....but before he died he used his own blood to draw a cross in the sand. At 14 years old, Jose understood it is better to die with God than to live without him.
Think about how you witness to your faith. Do you have that kind of courage? If you had to choose between your job and your faith, what would you choose? If you had to choose between your hobbies and your faith, what would you choose? If you had to choose between your friends and your faith, what would you choose? If you had to choose between your life and your faith, what would you choose? God should always come first. If He is not first, then everything we are is dead already.
Athletics: (30 Minutes) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days.
Virtue of the day: Obedience....Often times coaches tell us things we don't want to hear and have us do things we don't feel like doing. A coach's job is to make you the best you can be, so you must obey. There is no better coach than Jesus Christ and his Church.
Need some motivation to keep going? Watch this clip from Rudy....listen to those who have gone before you and learn from their success and failure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27D4k3dCXPg
Exercise 30 minutes today. Offer it up for somebody else.
Instructor's Manual: (5 minutes) Get the memo http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Need to Know Him (5 Minutes) Questions of the Day
Why is it that there are so many Catholic Priests that are misusing funds, children, etc. I understand that these are human beings and that we are all sinners, but it makes it so much more difficult to bring others to our faith when the Archdiose's of these areas are standing by doing nothing? How do we get our priests to show more leadership from the pulpit and not worry about being politically correct? /How should on-fire Catholics deal with a lukewarm/don't-rock-the-boat kind of parish priest?
There were quite a few questions submitted regarding this topic. I understand your frustration. I call to mind a scene from the movie Braveheart, when William Wallace led the Scottish Army in a seemingly insurmountable task of defeating a much larger English Army. The King of Scotland offers his support to William Wallace, but due to poor advice from his aging father, he decides to secretly make a deal with the English King before the battle. The Scottish Army had a plan that actually fools the English and they are about to win, when suddenly the Scottish King's troops turn around and leave. William Wallace is heartbroken, and when a masked soldier knocks him off his horse he pretends to be dead, only to surprise and unmask the man who knocked him off his horse. He is shocked to find his own king behind the mask... a king who lost hope in victory and so made a truce with the enemy. You can see the pain in William Wallace's eyes, and his will to live is seemingly gone, betrayed by his own king after fighting so courageously. Sadly, some of our own leaders have done horrible things in the name of the Church. They have abused those they were sworn to protect and they have disobeyed an authority they made a vow of obedience to. However, I want you to know, that they are a small minority. Maybe it doesn't seem that way, but rarely are the brave priests who live and proclaim the truth exposed in the spotlight, but when a priest makes a mistake it is always in the spotlight. I am not making excuses for their actions, but they are human beings as you said. They do make mistakes and they are under a serious attack. I once heard that when a man is ordained a priest, he is given an extra guardian angel, since the enemy will be attacking him so much. You should always pray for your priest. You should always show them respect. You should always support and encourage them in their daily tasks. You should always do everything you can to lighten their load, especially pray for an increase in vocations. If and when they speak something against Church teaching, I encourage you to approach them privately and ask to have an honest conversation about it in a respectful way. A priest is under a great deal of pressure to "gather the lost", and they must be very careful in speaking truth in love...to welcome sinners but challenge them at the same time. Sometimes it is easy to think you are loving but you sacrifice truth. Sometimes you are so zealous in speaking truth you forget to lead with love. You must also remember that the burden is not theirs alone. We are all "priests" in a certain sense, as we are all called to live and speak the truth and to offer sacrifices for the sake of souls. You can focus on the handful of priests who don't know what it means to be a priest, or you can focus of the countless brave priests who are rebuilding God's church one soul at a time. My younger brother is in seminary, about to be ordained, and getting to know those seminarians I can tell you that the future of the Catholic Church is bright, not so much because of the quantity of priests, but because of the quality.
In the end, every man and woman must fight their own internal battle. Play your part....win the war within and it will bring external fruits. Our Church can't be healed by a Pope, or bishops, or priests, anymore than our country can be healed by a president or law. They can point us in the right direction and inspire us, but we must begin to choose to be the saints we are called to be. The world needs saints who are priests, but also saints who are politicians, athletes, engineers, bankers, farmers, teachers, musicians, college students, parents, and grandparents. The world needs you. As they say in Braveheart, people don't follow titles, they follow courage. Be the difference that makes the difference.
Theology of the Body: In his own little way, Bl. Jose Sanchez Del Rio echoed the words of his savior, "This is my body given up for you." The same witness every martyr has given us....a witness desperately needed in a culture where the prevailing attitude seems to be "This is my body...don't tell me what to do with my body." Remember that you were purchased for a price. Glorify God with your body in all that you do.
SACRIFICE AND SERVICE: Make a difference Monday:
"To lay your head on the pillow at night and know that somebody else breathes easier because you live today. That is where the fulfillment comes." -Matthew Kelly
You were created to serve, and you will never be happy as long as you are focused on yourself. Your potential to make a difference in another person's life is unfathomable. Today, FIND A WAY TO MAKE SOMEBODY'S DAY. The possibilities are endless, here are a few ideas...Write a short note of encouragement, send a handwritten letter, send an email to old friend, call your Mom just to check in, go to a restaurant and pay somebody's bill, google an address from anywhere and anonymously send them some money and a note of encouragement, smile at a stranger, let somebody go ahead of you in line, tell somebody you appreciate them, compliment a co-worker, encourage a child, visit a nursing home, encourage a flustered parent, spend time with a child, send flowers, visit an elderly person, open a door, do more than you are asked at work, write to a prisoner, pray for somebody on death row, offer a prayer....
If you want your life to flood with passion and joy. Do this challenge. It doesn't take that much.
SAVING GRACE: (5 minutes) Saint of the Week: Bl. Jose Sanchez Del Rio
Jose lived in Mexico in the 1920's when the Mexican government took over and declared Catholicism to be illegal. They shut down churches and murdered priests. The Cristero War broke out as the Mexicans fought for their religious freedom. Jose Sanchez Del Rio was only 14 years old, but he wanted to join the Cristeros. They told him he was too young, but allowed him to carry the flag of Our Lady of Guadalupe during the battles. During one battle, a general lost his horse, so little Jose got off of his horse and gave it to the general. In doing so, he was captured by the enemy. They didn't want to execute Jose, he was only 14...so they forced him to watch other men being executed and told him he could go home if would just say "death to Christ the King". He refused. So they took a knife and sliced the bottom of his feet, then made him walk across the town to the cemetery to look at his own grave. They gave him one last chance and told him..."Just say 'death to Christ the King' then you can go home to your mom and dad." That young boy, who was suffering in pain, cried out, "Vivo Christi Rey! Vivo Christi Rey!" which means, "long live Christ the King!" So they shot him....but before he died he used his own blood to draw a cross in the sand. At 14 years old, Jose understood it is better to die with God than to live without him.
Think about how you witness to your faith. Do you have that kind of courage? If you had to choose between your job and your faith, what would you choose? If you had to choose between your hobbies and your faith, what would you choose? If you had to choose between your friends and your faith, what would you choose? If you had to choose between your life and your faith, what would you choose? God should always come first. If He is not first, then everything we are is dead already.
Athletics: (30 Minutes) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days.
Virtue of the day: Obedience....Often times coaches tell us things we don't want to hear and have us do things we don't feel like doing. A coach's job is to make you the best you can be, so you must obey. There is no better coach than Jesus Christ and his Church.
Need some motivation to keep going? Watch this clip from Rudy....listen to those who have gone before you and learn from their success and failure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27D4k3dCXPg
Exercise 30 minutes today. Offer it up for somebody else.
Instructor's Manual: (5 minutes) Get the memo http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Need to Know Him (5 Minutes) Questions of the Day
Why is it that there are so many Catholic Priests that are misusing funds, children, etc. I understand that these are human beings and that we are all sinners, but it makes it so much more difficult to bring others to our faith when the Archdiose's of these areas are standing by doing nothing? How do we get our priests to show more leadership from the pulpit and not worry about being politically correct? /How should on-fire Catholics deal with a lukewarm/don't-rock-the-boat kind of parish priest?
There were quite a few questions submitted regarding this topic. I understand your frustration. I call to mind a scene from the movie Braveheart, when William Wallace led the Scottish Army in a seemingly insurmountable task of defeating a much larger English Army. The King of Scotland offers his support to William Wallace, but due to poor advice from his aging father, he decides to secretly make a deal with the English King before the battle. The Scottish Army had a plan that actually fools the English and they are about to win, when suddenly the Scottish King's troops turn around and leave. William Wallace is heartbroken, and when a masked soldier knocks him off his horse he pretends to be dead, only to surprise and unmask the man who knocked him off his horse. He is shocked to find his own king behind the mask... a king who lost hope in victory and so made a truce with the enemy. You can see the pain in William Wallace's eyes, and his will to live is seemingly gone, betrayed by his own king after fighting so courageously. Sadly, some of our own leaders have done horrible things in the name of the Church. They have abused those they were sworn to protect and they have disobeyed an authority they made a vow of obedience to. However, I want you to know, that they are a small minority. Maybe it doesn't seem that way, but rarely are the brave priests who live and proclaim the truth exposed in the spotlight, but when a priest makes a mistake it is always in the spotlight. I am not making excuses for their actions, but they are human beings as you said. They do make mistakes and they are under a serious attack. I once heard that when a man is ordained a priest, he is given an extra guardian angel, since the enemy will be attacking him so much. You should always pray for your priest. You should always show them respect. You should always support and encourage them in their daily tasks. You should always do everything you can to lighten their load, especially pray for an increase in vocations. If and when they speak something against Church teaching, I encourage you to approach them privately and ask to have an honest conversation about it in a respectful way. A priest is under a great deal of pressure to "gather the lost", and they must be very careful in speaking truth in love...to welcome sinners but challenge them at the same time. Sometimes it is easy to think you are loving but you sacrifice truth. Sometimes you are so zealous in speaking truth you forget to lead with love. You must also remember that the burden is not theirs alone. We are all "priests" in a certain sense, as we are all called to live and speak the truth and to offer sacrifices for the sake of souls. You can focus on the handful of priests who don't know what it means to be a priest, or you can focus of the countless brave priests who are rebuilding God's church one soul at a time. My younger brother is in seminary, about to be ordained, and getting to know those seminarians I can tell you that the future of the Catholic Church is bright, not so much because of the quantity of priests, but because of the quality.
In the end, every man and woman must fight their own internal battle. Play your part....win the war within and it will bring external fruits. Our Church can't be healed by a Pope, or bishops, or priests, anymore than our country can be healed by a president or law. They can point us in the right direction and inspire us, but we must begin to choose to be the saints we are called to be. The world needs saints who are priests, but also saints who are politicians, athletes, engineers, bankers, farmers, teachers, musicians, college students, parents, and grandparents. The world needs you. As they say in Braveheart, people don't follow titles, they follow courage. Be the difference that makes the difference.
Theology of the Body: In his own little way, Bl. Jose Sanchez Del Rio echoed the words of his savior, "This is my body given up for you." The same witness every martyr has given us....a witness desperately needed in a culture where the prevailing attitude seems to be "This is my body...don't tell me what to do with my body." Remember that you were purchased for a price. Glorify God with your body in all that you do.
SACRIFICE AND SERVICE: Make a difference Monday:
"To lay your head on the pillow at night and know that somebody else breathes easier because you live today. That is where the fulfillment comes." -Matthew Kelly
You were created to serve, and you will never be happy as long as you are focused on yourself. Your potential to make a difference in another person's life is unfathomable. Today, FIND A WAY TO MAKE SOMEBODY'S DAY. The possibilities are endless, here are a few ideas...Write a short note of encouragement, send a handwritten letter, send an email to old friend, call your Mom just to check in, go to a restaurant and pay somebody's bill, google an address from anywhere and anonymously send them some money and a note of encouragement, smile at a stranger, let somebody go ahead of you in line, tell somebody you appreciate them, compliment a co-worker, encourage a child, visit a nursing home, encourage a flustered parent, spend time with a child, send flowers, visit an elderly person, open a door, do more than you are asked at work, write to a prisoner, pray for somebody on death row, offer a prayer....
If you want your life to flood with passion and joy. Do this challenge. It doesn't take that much.
