Diet Time (again)

I need to go on a diet. Not the kind of a diet you may be thinking of, however 10-15 lbs wouldn’t hurt. No, I need to put my soul on a diet. There is a verse from the bible that really scares me. Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” I’m sure my physical body would be able to make it through, but that is not what this verse is referring to. There are things that we carry that could possibly keep us from getting through that door. Pride, anger, and lust are just a few of these. What scares me is that it is saying that ‘many will try, but few will succeed’ What that means is that many who are living good lives, those that are living lives that they feel will get them into heaven, will not get through. They are trying, seeking to enter, but many will not be able. So we all need to shed those things that can keep us from getting through the door. The “Seven deadly sins” are things that we definitely must strive to rid ourselves of. These are - wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.

When we are overweight, our doctor advises that for our health we should lose a few lbs. In the same way, to keep our souls healthy we need to shed those things that harm it. Another verse from the bible that helps us recognize some of those things is Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy,[a] drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

It is hard in todays world to see many of these vices as sins because they have become so acceptable. But they are still sins nonetheless. Gods word (the bible) is the same today as it was hundreds of years ago. Many things have changed – technology, styles, music, but values and morals, our core being, shouldn’t change. God created us in His image and these values are a part of that image. Just because our present society teaches that many of these things are acceptable does not mean that they are. It is up to us as disciples of Christ to teach others the values that He taught us. Our baptism gives us that responsibility.

Once we recognize some of these traits in ourselves we can work to correct the way we live, but to cleanse/shed them we must go to confession to completely rid them of our souls. Confession is a beautiful sacrament that was instituted by Christ to free us of our sins, but it should not be misused. After confession, one must truly try to correct those things that brought them there to begin with. We are human, God knows this, and we will fail and fail again, and God in His infinite Mercy will forgive us again and again. But we cannot use confession like a bar of soap, knowing that we are going to get dirty and just plan on going to confession to get clean. We must honestly make an effort to not do those same things again. God knows in our hearts our true repentance and He is there to lift us should we fall again.

So, think about that door. Are you ready to go through? Are you ABLE to go through? If there is any doubt, take a look at the list God gave us and check off any that need a little work. Time to shed a little soul weight. Hope to see you on the other side!

Divine Mercy Sunday

This past Sunday was Divine Mercy Sunday.   One of my favourite Sundays of the year.  It is not an official holiday or a Holy Day of Obligation, but if the world really understood what this day celebrates, it would be!  I remember as a child playing a game called 'Mercy'.  It's where two people clasp there hands with their fingers entwined together then when someone yells 'go', each person tries to bend back the wrist of the other person until they call 'Mercy!'  When you couldn't stand the pain any longer is when you would finally yell out.  Well, our souls are very similar.  When they are in pain they are crying out for God's Mercy.  For without it we are unable to gain eternal salvation with Him. We are sinners.  Because of Adam and Eve we are born into sin.  We cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven with this sin staining our souls.  Because of Gods great mercy for us, He sent His only son to suffer and die on the cross so that this sin can be removed.  Christ then rose from the dead to give us everlasting life!  Is there any greater gift that God could have given us?  Even the gift of life means nothing if after we die there is nothing more.  But why did He give this to us?  Why did He sacrifice His only son for us, mere sin stricken mortals?  Why?  Because of his bountiful mercy for us.  But it is a gift we have to be willing to accept.  We accept it by acknowledging our sin and asking for forgiveness.  This is the beautiful part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  It is through this sacrament that we receive the gift of mercy.  Will we sin again?  Probably, but Gods mercy is endless.  He knows we are human but just asks that we admit our weakness and ask Him for the strength and desire to grow closer to Him.  We pray "God have mercy on me a sinner!"
There is a picture I'm sure most of you have seen.  It is a picture of a garden cottage and Jesus is standing at the door.  However the symbolism of this picture is missed by many.  If  you look closely, you will see that there is no door knob on the door.  Jesus is waiting for us to open the door to Him.  Waiting for us to open our hearts to Him.  Will you open the door and accept Gods mercy?

Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve,
Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve.

I hate my life!

Ok, well maybe I don't hate my life, but maybe I should. This past Sunday's Gospel reading had me really thinking. Especially John 12:25 "Who ever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life." I certainly did not understand that. I read it over and over. Then it dawned on me, "in this world" What is different about this world than Christ's heavenly kingdom world. Well, for one thing, stuff. Material things. This is what most of us live for. A nice house, an expensive car, jewelry, toys, country clubs. These are the things that we love that make us happy. I think Christ is asking us to hate that stuff. Maybe not hate, but certainly not love more than we love Him or others. We can enjoy these things but not at the expense of others. Also, we may hate our lives because of pain and suffering, trials and tribulations. The crosses that we have to carry. But these are things that can bring us closer to God. If, because of having to endure these things, we hate our lives, we can take comfort in knowing they are helping to preserve us for an eternal life with Christ free of them.
I'm not completely sure this is what Christ meant when He said what He did, but it's something worth thinking about.

The Rosary

I have been working on a little project today that I have been meaning to do for a while. I have a pocket size pamphlet of how to say the rosary that I keep in my wallet, but it has seen it's better day's. I have looked for another one, but haven't found one I like as much. So today I made my own. It is about 6"x3" and slides right in my wallet. It's tri-folded and has the 3 original mysteries on it, along with all the prayers needed for saying the rosary. If you are unfamiliar with the rosary or one of those misdirected souls that thinks we as Catholics "worship" Mary by saying the rosary, please read this passage I wrote on Mary - "Mary, Christ's mother, Mary, our mother". If you would be interested in one of the pamphlets I made just let me know and I'd love to send you one. I wish I could put up a link for you to download it but I'm not computer smart enough to know how to do that. I think I can send it as an attachment though. As you can see I am still working on my spiritual block, and the rosary is a wonderful start!

Spiritual Block

I'm sure you've heard of writers block, well I'm suffering from spiritual block. I just haven't felt Gods hand in my life lately. I know it's not Him, He is always with me. But just as gunk builds up and blocks a drain, I have gunk in my life that is preventing God to be able to work in my life. I know this, Im just having a hard time eliminating it. I need some spiritual Drano. I need the Holy Spirit's help to give me the strength and courage to do what I need. I am praying, maybe not as much as I could, maybe not as sincere as I could. What ever it is I'm blaming myself, not God. He has told me He would answer my prayers, I believe Him, I just need to ask for the right things, then I need to do my part. I can't expect Him to part the Red Sea for me. My mother taught me this saying - "Pray as if everything depended upon God and work as though everything depended upon you". I need to get to work.

Sesame Noodle Salad

A friend brought this in to work and I couldn't get enough! Great dish for a Pot Luck affair.

Sesame Noodle Salad

1 lb Angel Hair Pasta (cooked al dente)
1/3-1/2 cup Tamari (Soy Sauce)
1/3-1/2 cup Sesame Oil
1/3=1/2 cup each Black and White Sesame Seeds
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1 Tblsp Hot Pepper flakes, to taste

Mix, then chill overnight. Toss and serve at room temp.

I haven't tried making it yet, so I don't know how difficult it may be to get the ingredients, but it is worth it!

Note: I have been told that the seeds are much cheaper if you can get them at an Asian grocer.

Other site

My latest inpiration has been posted on my other site. Please feel free to visit me there if you haven't already. I'll be back here soon. I have a recipe I want to post. Have a blessed day!