Happy Holy Week dear friends!
I pray that we all use this time to unite ourselves to Christ's suffering, that we may better prepare ourselves for His coming on Easter Sunday.
Writing this blog was initially a Lenten promise, a little something extra to do in the name of Jesus. While it still is a beautiful fruit of Lenten prayer and sacrifice, I will continue to write in it after Lent.
Today, the day before Holy Thursday, I challenge anyone who is reading this to several things.
1. Pray pray pray!
2. Use the cross as a guide for meditation. Unite yourself to Jesus' suffering and Passion
3. Go on a bread and water fast for the Triduum (or do something extra, on top of your current Lenten promises)
4. Add the word Triduum to your computer's dictionary (because my computer didn't think it was a word)
5. Go to confession before Easter
6. Go to mass on Easter, and celebrate!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Peace, Love, Economics
This past Christmas, one of my favorite gifts from Santa (read: mom) was a mug. It is large enough to hold as much tea as I could drink (I don't drink coffee), and, displayed around the outside of the mug it says "Peace, Love, Economics", with lovely pictures to illustrate the words.
In case anyone reading this blog doesn't know, I love economics. I am majoring in economics at one of the top universities for Public Choice in the country, and I have even been able to learn from world renowned professors and Nobel laureates in economics.
My personal attraction to economics is a unique one. I fancy myself a hybrid of libertarian thinking/Austrian school of thought/ subscriber to Stigler's Economic (capture) theory, and also a Roman Catholic who loves social justice.
I am basically using this tidbit of information as a plug for my own opinions regarding current events and the faith. So here goes:
In lieu of the recent health care legislation, I attended a debate the other day about government involvement in health care. During the audience-question portion of the debate, someone stood up and asked something along the lines of "I am a devout Christian, and I value every human life. I believe that we should care for every human, regardless of the cost. How do you argue the moral side of this argument?"
This question brought me back to a blog post I contributed to the Catholic Economist blog, and my opinion hasn't really changed.
In case anyone reading this blog doesn't know, I love economics. I am majoring in economics at one of the top universities for Public Choice in the country, and I have even been able to learn from world renowned professors and Nobel laureates in economics.
My personal attraction to economics is a unique one. I fancy myself a hybrid of libertarian thinking/Austrian school of thought/ subscriber to Stigler's Economic (capture) theory, and also a Roman Catholic who loves social justice.
I am basically using this tidbit of information as a plug for my own opinions regarding current events and the faith. So here goes:
In lieu of the recent health care legislation, I attended a debate the other day about government involvement in health care. During the audience-question portion of the debate, someone stood up and asked something along the lines of "I am a devout Christian, and I value every human life. I believe that we should care for every human, regardless of the cost. How do you argue the moral side of this argument?"
This question brought me back to a blog post I contributed to the Catholic Economist blog, and my opinion hasn't really changed.
In an application for a summer seminar with the Institute for Humane Studies, I submitted another essay about the role of government involvement in health care. If you care to read that one as well, let me know. It's only a few paragraphs, but I don't want to bore you with politics too much.
And I do apologize for not staying on top of things and writing on this blog as often as I ought. I have been utterly swamped with school work, food poisoning (I'll tell you all the wonderful details about that another time), and the other little blessings in life that keep me keeping on. I think now I will recline back with a cup of tea in my wonderful mug, and try to brainstorm some good blog ideas so I don't leave my wonderful readers without a post.
And I do apologize for not staying on top of things and writing on this blog as often as I ought. I have been utterly swamped with school work, food poisoning (I'll tell you all the wonderful details about that another time), and the other little blessings in life that keep me keeping on. I think now I will recline back with a cup of tea in my wonderful mug, and try to brainstorm some good blog ideas so I don't leave my wonderful readers without a post.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Retreat High
Anyone who has been on a retreat knows the feeling of "retreat high". It is a small but glorious glimpse of the joy of heaven. I was on an Ignatian style silent retreat. Those retreats usually last for a few weeks-one month, but because we are just a bunch of college students, we had to pack it into one intense weekend.
In case you wanted to know the structure if an Ignatian Silent Retreat, click here. I began explaining it in this blog post, but it was getting too lengthy, so I am making it optional.
Going into the retreat, I had no expectations. I had no idea what to expect, and I didn't know a single thing about the structure of this particular retreat. I wish I had known more of what to expect, because once silence began, I felt awkward, and uncomfortable. I suppose that could have been a natural reaction. But as the weekend continued on, I actually began to savor the silence, and relish in it. Silence is truly God's loudspeaker! Although I didn't hear an audible voice, God gave me an opportunity to really look inward in a way that I could never do without silence.
I truly enjoyed my retreat experience. It was wonderful growth in my personal relationship with God, and because it was so personal, I won't get into any details, but I will share one insight I had that I shared with the entire group on the last day during large group sharing.
At the retreat center, there was a beautiful courtyard with lovely paths, trees, and benches to sit and pray. At the center of the courtyard was a large golden statue of Jesus and His Sacred Heart. He was glancing slightly at the ground, with his arms in front of him. One night (after walking around the entire courtyard to make sure no one was there), I went to the foot of the statue. This was after an intense examination of conscience, so I was almost afraid to be near anything that resembled Jesus, so I sat and just stared at the feet. You could see the marks where the nails had been driven through on the cross. The way the moonlight played off the statue, it looked like a scar. I reached out to touch the scar, and was utterly surprised when I found that it was not a scar, but a deep hole.
There was a piece of the body of Christ that was missing. My sins helped put the nails through those feet. Because of my own sinfulness, the most holy, kind and beautiful human to ever walk the earth was tortured and shamed.
We are all part of the body of Christ, and when we sin, we are not fulfilling the awesome call to sainthood each of us have. When we take ourselves away from God, we take away a piece of the body of Christ.
But do not despair dear friends! We are saved! We are redeemed! All we have to do is stop sinning (easier said than done, I know). God gave us the beautiful sacrament of confession, where our sins our forgotten, cast as far as the East is from the West.
I am so excited for Easter.
In case you wanted to know the structure if an Ignatian Silent Retreat, click here. I began explaining it in this blog post, but it was getting too lengthy, so I am making it optional.
Going into the retreat, I had no expectations. I had no idea what to expect, and I didn't know a single thing about the structure of this particular retreat. I wish I had known more of what to expect, because once silence began, I felt awkward, and uncomfortable. I suppose that could have been a natural reaction. But as the weekend continued on, I actually began to savor the silence, and relish in it. Silence is truly God's loudspeaker! Although I didn't hear an audible voice, God gave me an opportunity to really look inward in a way that I could never do without silence.
I truly enjoyed my retreat experience. It was wonderful growth in my personal relationship with God, and because it was so personal, I won't get into any details, but I will share one insight I had that I shared with the entire group on the last day during large group sharing.
At the retreat center, there was a beautiful courtyard with lovely paths, trees, and benches to sit and pray. At the center of the courtyard was a large golden statue of Jesus and His Sacred Heart. He was glancing slightly at the ground, with his arms in front of him. One night (after walking around the entire courtyard to make sure no one was there), I went to the foot of the statue. This was after an intense examination of conscience, so I was almost afraid to be near anything that resembled Jesus, so I sat and just stared at the feet. You could see the marks where the nails had been driven through on the cross. The way the moonlight played off the statue, it looked like a scar. I reached out to touch the scar, and was utterly surprised when I found that it was not a scar, but a deep hole.
There was a piece of the body of Christ that was missing. My sins helped put the nails through those feet. Because of my own sinfulness, the most holy, kind and beautiful human to ever walk the earth was tortured and shamed.
We are all part of the body of Christ, and when we sin, we are not fulfilling the awesome call to sainthood each of us have. When we take ourselves away from God, we take away a piece of the body of Christ.
But do not despair dear friends! We are saved! We are redeemed! All we have to do is stop sinning (easier said than done, I know). God gave us the beautiful sacrament of confession, where our sins our forgotten, cast as far as the East is from the West.
I am so excited for Easter.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Sound of Silence
Growing up, my parents were not pop music connoisseurs. Certainly I had piano lessons for a short while, and even clarinet lessons for an even shorter while (terrible idea on my part), but the only music I ever heard around the house was Gregorian chants, one of my dad's favorite things to hear, and once or twice some Simon and Garfunkel.
My immediate reaction to this limited introduction to music was two-fold:
1. I hated Gregorian chants, they were totally uncool, and my dad was so strange in my elementary school eyes. How embarrassing!
2. I always remembered the words "neon signs" from Simon and Garfunkel's hit, The Sound of Silence. I'm not sure why those words in particular stuck out, but I'm guessing it's most likely because it created an actual picture in my head to remember.
But I am brought back once again to both of these musical influences on my life because tomorrow I will be leaving for a silent retreat. Silence + retreat made me think of those two songs. I have never been on a silent retreat before, and I am absolutely puzzled. I can't say I am excited, or even anxious. It is a strange feeling, how I feel about this retreat, because it will be a completely new and unique experience.
I have talked to friends who have gone previously, and I hear nothing but positive feedback. I am however worried just slightly. Some people have come back from this retreat changed completely (for the better of course), and they seem to know exactly how to live their lives, more so than just having teachings and precepts laid before them. You could witness a concrete change. What if that happens to me?
Does that seem like a strange preoccupation? Of course it does. For now, I will prepare myself, maybe by listening to some Gregorian chants, or listening to The Sound of Silence, or maybe just the sound of silence.
My immediate reaction to this limited introduction to music was two-fold:
1. I hated Gregorian chants, they were totally uncool, and my dad was so strange in my elementary school eyes. How embarrassing!
2. I always remembered the words "neon signs" from Simon and Garfunkel's hit, The Sound of Silence. I'm not sure why those words in particular stuck out, but I'm guessing it's most likely because it created an actual picture in my head to remember.
But I am brought back once again to both of these musical influences on my life because tomorrow I will be leaving for a silent retreat. Silence + retreat made me think of those two songs. I have never been on a silent retreat before, and I am absolutely puzzled. I can't say I am excited, or even anxious. It is a strange feeling, how I feel about this retreat, because it will be a completely new and unique experience.
I have talked to friends who have gone previously, and I hear nothing but positive feedback. I am however worried just slightly. Some people have come back from this retreat changed completely (for the better of course), and they seem to know exactly how to live their lives, more so than just having teachings and precepts laid before them. You could witness a concrete change. What if that happens to me?
Does that seem like a strange preoccupation? Of course it does. For now, I will prepare myself, maybe by listening to some Gregorian chants, or listening to The Sound of Silence, or maybe just the sound of silence.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Did you remember to wear green so as not to be pinched?
It's important to remember that today is about more than just wearing green, so to make this post not totally useless, here are some facts about St. Patrick:
-lived 385-461
-he is not actually Irish! he was born in Roman Britain and was taken as a slave to Ireland when he was 16
-being the saintly man he was, he decided to go back to the place he was a slave, and bring the gospel with him (incredible)
-he came up with an analogy about the trinity, using the three-leafed clover
-he gets credit for getting rid of all the snakes in Ireland
I don't actually have time to make this, but how cool would it be to make red velvet cupcakes (that are actually green)!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Estrés
The word "stress" was not in the Spanish vocabulary until relatively recently. Because they didn't have their own word for it, they invented one, and by inventing, I mean they added the letter "e" at the beginning and threw in an accent mark. Isn't that incredible?
What I wouldn't give to live in a world where stress wasn't even a concept! I am back to my first day of classes and I have never felt so stressed and anxious. Classes and work and responsibilities seem to be piling on me like they have never done before. Even my own personal life is hectic, coming back from break and having to readjust and see people I haven't seen in over a week.
An even bigger challenge is making time for prayer. Luckily every Monday night, the chapel here offers adoration in the evening. Prayer is one of those things that can seem to be a time consuming activity, one that would add to stress because while in prayer, I am not getting work done. But something miraculous happens there. You talk to God, and He hears you! How mind-blowing is it that the God of the universe listens to you? It's something I am not awed by enough.
Hopefully, prayer will be fruitful tonight, and I will be able to finish my Spanish paper due tomorrow on a novel I have yet to read. This is very estressful.
What I wouldn't give to live in a world where stress wasn't even a concept! I am back to my first day of classes and I have never felt so stressed and anxious. Classes and work and responsibilities seem to be piling on me like they have never done before. Even my own personal life is hectic, coming back from break and having to readjust and see people I haven't seen in over a week.
An even bigger challenge is making time for prayer. Luckily every Monday night, the chapel here offers adoration in the evening. Prayer is one of those things that can seem to be a time consuming activity, one that would add to stress because while in prayer, I am not getting work done. But something miraculous happens there. You talk to God, and He hears you! How mind-blowing is it that the God of the universe listens to you? It's something I am not awed by enough.
Hopefully, prayer will be fruitful tonight, and I will be able to finish my Spanish paper due tomorrow on a novel I have yet to read. This is very estressful.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Friends
I am enjoying spring break in lovely Charleston, S.C. It's been a little while since my last post, so here is a rundown of what's going on:
I am in Charleston, S.C. with 7 of my friends. The guy girl ratio is perfectly even, 4 guys and 4 girls. The guys are staying at a hotel, and us girls are at one of my roommate's sister's house. We are loving the hospitality down here, from the entire community, and especially from my roommate's sister and her husband.
The days are fairly warm, but the nights are cold, most likely because it is still March, and we are right on the coast. I have to change outfits around dinner time to adjust to the drop in temperature.
Yesterday was our first full day and we spent it sleeping in just a tad, and then a few people went to daily mass, and the rest of the group went and scoped out a good spot at Folly Beach to park our cars and eat lunch. We soaked up some rays, played a little beach football, looked for sea glass, and even smoked cigars! Well, the guys were the cigar smokers, although I had a few puffs. I must say, I think I will leave cigars to the guys, because my breath was terrible after that. Then we were able to walk out the the end of the Folly Beach pier, and we saw and old man catch a small shark!
We ended the afternoon with dinner at the best taco restaurant with the coolest bathrooms. So cool in fact, that I took pictures of the inside of the stalls. This picture doesn't really do it justice, but there were mirrors on either side, giving it that cool optical illusion, and the walls
were covered in the menus. And, my face is actually that red from the sun that day.
During all of these fun events, I was with a group of great friends. We might get on each other's nerves about all the close quarters, and planning that is entailed with a large group, but at the end of the day, we build each other up. I can't help but think about the stories of the saints that were friends and roommates, like St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal and St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. They shared their lives with each other, and look where it got them!
A good analogy is one of a group of burning coals. Together, they stay lit, but if one strays, it grows cold and loses it's heat. I'll make sure to stick close to my friends, especially at night when the temperature drops.
I am in Charleston, S.C. with 7 of my friends. The guy girl ratio is perfectly even, 4 guys and 4 girls. The guys are staying at a hotel, and us girls are at one of my roommate's sister's house. We are loving the hospitality down here, from the entire community, and especially from my roommate's sister and her husband.
The days are fairly warm, but the nights are cold, most likely because it is still March, and we are right on the coast. I have to change outfits around dinner time to adjust to the drop in temperature.
Yesterday was our first full day and we spent it sleeping in just a tad, and then a few people went to daily mass, and the rest of the group went and scoped out a good spot at Folly Beach to park our cars and eat lunch. We soaked up some rays, played a little beach football, looked for sea glass, and even smoked cigars! Well, the guys were the cigar smokers, although I had a few puffs. I must say, I think I will leave cigars to the guys, because my breath was terrible after that. Then we were able to walk out the the end of the Folly Beach pier, and we saw and old man catch a small shark!
We ended the afternoon with dinner at the best taco restaurant with the coolest bathrooms. So cool in fact, that I took pictures of the inside of the stalls. This picture doesn't really do it justice, but there were mirrors on either side, giving it that cool optical illusion, and the walls
were covered in the menus. And, my face is actually that red from the sun that day.During all of these fun events, I was with a group of great friends. We might get on each other's nerves about all the close quarters, and planning that is entailed with a large group, but at the end of the day, we build each other up. I can't help but think about the stories of the saints that were friends and roommates, like St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal and St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. They shared their lives with each other, and look where it got them!
A good analogy is one of a group of burning coals. Together, they stay lit, but if one strays, it grows cold and loses it's heat. I'll make sure to stick close to my friends, especially at night when the temperature drops.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Confreshion
They say that you should go to confession at least once during Lent. I am not sure who "they" are, and when I heard this, but it sounds pretty fantastic to me.
I feel a little fickle about confession. Before I go in, I am a mix of dreading it/knowing it's good for me. When I walk out, I am so elated. Why am I so weird? And I know I'm not the only one! Most people I talk to about the sacrament of confession feel about the same. It's one of those things you know is great, and you always feel fantastic when it's over with, but actually getting there is the hard part.
Something I can very easily relate this to is waking up early. My roommate in the bedroom next to me knows too. I let my alarm go off until the last possible snooze, and the walls here are paper thing (sorry roomie). And each time the alarm goes off, deep down in the part of my brain that isn't drugged with grogginess, I know I will be glad that I was up earlier.
But alas, I sleep, and sleep, until my alarm gives up on me and I am sprinting to class, with lines on my face from the sheets, bedhead, and hunched over with a backpack. I'm sure everywhere I go, people just think, what a freshman. (To clarify, I am a junior).
So, to the wonderful confessor who heard my sins this past weekend, thank you. Thank you Jesus for wiping the sin drool off my face, and combing through my messy morning hair of vices and sin, and even dressing me appropriately, with absolution and graces, instead of a tee shirt and jeans.
And one more note: SPRING BREAK TOMORROW! YAHOO!
I feel a little fickle about confession. Before I go in, I am a mix of dreading it/knowing it's good for me. When I walk out, I am so elated. Why am I so weird? And I know I'm not the only one! Most people I talk to about the sacrament of confession feel about the same. It's one of those things you know is great, and you always feel fantastic when it's over with, but actually getting there is the hard part.
Something I can very easily relate this to is waking up early. My roommate in the bedroom next to me knows too. I let my alarm go off until the last possible snooze, and the walls here are paper thing (sorry roomie). And each time the alarm goes off, deep down in the part of my brain that isn't drugged with grogginess, I know I will be glad that I was up earlier.
But alas, I sleep, and sleep, until my alarm gives up on me and I am sprinting to class, with lines on my face from the sheets, bedhead, and hunched over with a backpack. I'm sure everywhere I go, people just think, what a freshman. (To clarify, I am a junior).
So, to the wonderful confessor who heard my sins this past weekend, thank you. Thank you Jesus for wiping the sin drool off my face, and combing through my messy morning hair of vices and sin, and even dressing me appropriately, with absolution and graces, instead of a tee shirt and jeans.
And one more note: SPRING BREAK TOMORROW! YAHOO!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
NUNS ON OPRAH
That's right folks.
Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist were on the Oprah Winfrey show!!!
Here are the videos (there are multiple because they are broken up in segments between commercial breaks)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
And, just because I am kind of proud and want to brag a little bit, one of the sisters that was interviewed is coming to my school to visit the Catholic Campus Ministry (yeah, we rock).
Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist were on the Oprah Winfrey show!!!
Here are the videos (there are multiple because they are broken up in segments between commercial breaks)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
And, just because I am kind of proud and want to brag a little bit, one of the sisters that was interviewed is coming to my school to visit the Catholic Campus Ministry (yeah, we rock).
Spring Break
My school's spring break is rapidly approaching, and it is making it harder and harder to stay focused on what I should be accomplishing in my life right now. Homework is impossible to even care about, sleep is left for when the sun is out, and a well rounded meal means it just needs to come out of a box, into a bowl, and be eaten with a spoon.
As Catholics, we certainly don't (or shouldn't) treat our celebrations like that. Currently, we are anticipating Easter Sunday, the biggest celebration ever! But instead of acting like college students, we live in a more ordered fashion, by preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. We order our prayer lives in a way that aligns with our physical being, by praying and fasting together, and we change the gospel proclamation. Some people even dare to go so far as to not check their facebooks (those are the crazies).
If I am supposed to be living and integrated and ordered life, that means not just my "Catholic girl" life, it means all of me. Being a Christian is to give every facet of your life to God, including studying. While I certainly have much to work on to live a more ordered life, I have found that making your work a prayer is helpful. Your desk is your cross (I think a saint said that?). Scary, but true.
I will begin living an ordered life now. The sky is still dark, and I ate food that required a fork today. Perhaps I will even get some homework done.
As Catholics, we certainly don't (or shouldn't) treat our celebrations like that. Currently, we are anticipating Easter Sunday, the biggest celebration ever! But instead of acting like college students, we live in a more ordered fashion, by preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. We order our prayer lives in a way that aligns with our physical being, by praying and fasting together, and we change the gospel proclamation. Some people even dare to go so far as to not check their facebooks (those are the crazies).
If I am supposed to be living and integrated and ordered life, that means not just my "Catholic girl" life, it means all of me. Being a Christian is to give every facet of your life to God, including studying. While I certainly have much to work on to live a more ordered life, I have found that making your work a prayer is helpful. Your desk is your cross (I think a saint said that?). Scary, but true.
I will begin living an ordered life now. The sky is still dark, and I ate food that required a fork today. Perhaps I will even get some homework done.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Internships
I have applied to a couple of internships for economics this summer. One was due tonight at midnight (it is currently 11:45pm) and I just submitted it. Part of the application was to write a "roses are red" poem. I would like to share:
Roses are red
Keynes is dead
So why does he still haunt my dreams?
Violets are blue
Road to Serfdom is true
And we’re heading down it, it seems.
Sugar is sweet
Please hire me.
I do hope they take me seriously.
Roses are red
Keynes is dead
So why does he still haunt my dreams?
Violets are blue
Road to Serfdom is true
And we’re heading down it, it seems.
Sugar is sweet
Please hire me.
I do hope they take me seriously.
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