Month: April 2021

Lenten Reflection #40

Everyday in our home there is homework, sports, and the occasional meeting.

They all involve practice and devotion.

A concerted repetition combined with dedication to the work.

For the last 40 days, I did my best to write one post a day. I shared a story, quote, quip, feeling, or situation.

Whether 15 or 100 people read the posts, I loved sharing my stories. I am so grateful to you for joining me on my Lenten Reflection Journey.

Stay tuned for more.

Thank you so much for reading and God Bless!

Take care,

Lucretia

On Faith and Fitness:

Think about this…

By the practice of meditation, you will find that you are carrying within your heart a portable paradise.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

Lenten Reflections #39

The expectation when we uncover or open something is one of wonder, curiosity, doubt, maybe even fear.

As Jesus was laid in the tomb, Roman guards watched over it, in an attempt to stop His resurrection. When the women returned to the tomb Sunday morning the stone was rolled away. The tomb was found empty and the Lord had risen.

Holy Saturday invites us to move the rock, and lean into the reasons we feel broken, worried, sad or unsure.

Tonight at Mass, Monseigneur reminded us that we all have big rocks in our lives. Major obstacles that prevent us from finding joy, tapping into our creativity, finding our true selves. If we always focus on the heaviness of the stone that blocks our own resurrection, our own renewal, the stone will be harder to budge until we allow our faith to roll it away and find our joy. Will you move the rock, who will conquer the stone?

Perhaps we should think of Matthew 17:20: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.”

On Faith and Fitness:

Roll your stone away…you may have to go on several walks to get to it, but stay strong and have faith.

Lenten Reflections #38

“Don’t worry, you’re not going to Hell!” I yelled back.

Then I stopped and thought for a second. I suppose I can’t really promise where any of us are going, in the BIG picture, but I can guess.

I figured…he’s a really great kid, so I was confident with my response.

I had some time, so I did a little research…just in case St. Peter needed a good explanation at the gate other than “My mom told me it was fine!”

Here’s what I learned:
As most Catholics know abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is a way to remember Jesus’ Passion and to offer a small sacrifice for God. Fridays are seen as a time to fast and pray (or say Rosary’s, like we did growing up).

According to the Code of Canon Law, “Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday” (Can. 1251).

What is a day of “solemnity”?

Days of “solemnity” are the highest order of liturgical feast, meaning that Catholics are to observe it similar to a Sunday. Both St. Joseph’s feast day and St. Patrick’s Day are considered days of solemnity. They are days of celebration, therefore any type of fasting or abstinence from meat is not requited on those days.

So…

IF for some reason you have made, eaten and digested a large roast beef sandwich while taking an Algebra test on a Friday during Lent like my son, you really are okay. Why? Because there was no intent to disobey the Church by eating meat. For a sin to be a sin, it requires active engagement of your will. Sins aren’t accidental.

There can be, however, a venial (smaller) sin involved if we simply forget the day — which shows we have become too distracted by other things and should focus on keeping God at the center.

That was my goal today…focus on God.

Jesus held my inner gaze today. Typically Good Fridays are rainy and dreary. Today it was cold, but sunny…so I worked outside, washed the cars, weeded, mowed the lawn and cleaned inside, my prep for Easter Sunday, the Resurrection.

The best part of the day was going with my daughter and two of her friends to Good Friday services. I’m always amazed and so pleased when teenagers show up to mass after they are confirmed. Usually that’s their ticket out..the moment they figure out they really don’t need to go.

Today we showed up for services willingly and gladly, kneeling together, praying side by side, all sharing the same intentions and values. Jesus at the helm.

Whether you ate meat today or didn’t hold to your Lenten promises every moment for the last 40 days, it’s okay. As for me, I misspelled, fell asleep writing posts, and posted late. But I have felt every word, every moment, every day. My small struggle to get words on a page will never compare to Jesus’ sacrifice.

I do hope I have touched you all…thanks for reading.

Until tomorrow. Have faith and stay fit.

-Ghandhi

Lenten Reflections #37

Stepping out of the last car at carpool with very little motivation to exit the warm, cozy SUV was a sweet Pre-K student with shiny jet-black hair and eyes. He gave his Dad a slight glance as he walked away, partially annoyed (in a 4-year-old kind of way) that Dad had to leave…and he had to stay. So I grabbed my cold coffee and told him I’d walk in with him, chatting in Spanish as we walked. His already slow pace geared down and waited as I caught up.

As we walked through the school entrance, we each chose a sectioned-lane lane headed toward three thermometers. After eight months of the same routine, he stood on his tip-toes, forehead aimed toward the freestanding thermometer the school nurse lowers for the little ones each day. I held my wrist up to the device in my line and we both heard the same “not yet” beep and saw the big, read letters “Lo”. Instinctively we both waited about five seconds and tried again. “Normal temperature” the thermometer voices declared. One small success under our belts for the day.

The moment reminded me of Navy Seal, Admiral McCravey’s Commencent Speech and famous line, “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

We started out our day with the correct temperature reading. Made bed or not, it’s a win to start a school day in 2021.

We walked in silence through the gym (shout out to Walt Whitman) and as we entered the hallway he conquered the quiet and mumbled, “fifth grade and sixth grade”. We were in the upper grade hallways and he was very interested in the big kids filing through those hallways.

As we made our way down the stairs, we talked about all the grades. He continued saying the words as slowly as he stepped, “kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.”

“Then what?” I asked.

“Then we go to MEDIUM SCHOOL.”

“Next?” I asked.

“Then big school.”

“Then what? I probed.”

“Then I’ll get to drive the car.”

“Next?” I asked.

“Then I’ll have my own babies.”

Curious, I continued, “Then what?”

“Then I’ll die.”

Just like that, a four-year-old put the back-of-the-book definition of life into a few sentences and it felt strangely safe, simple and calm.

It’s easy to get caught up in between the lines and fill them with stress and fear. Instead, let’s embrace the moments, keep them simple, serve others and as Ghandhi said,

“Live simply so others may simply live.”

-Ghandhi

On Faith and Fitness:

Walk briskly for 30 minutes. Good Friday will be dawning soon. Take care and be grateful.

Thanks for reading.