MyFaithJourney

Father Olds said something to me on the phone a couple of weeks ago that turned the little light bulb in my brain on. Something short and sweet this morning... maybe. Unless, as I am wont to do, I blather on too much. I'll try not to. I told him I was working hard on my prayer life, trying to deepen my spiritual connection to God. I listed all the ways I'm praying. I pray either the morning or bedtime prayers in the little Magnificat magazine most days. Sometimes both. If I don't do the formal bedtime prayers from Magnificat, I'll often do a simple Our Father, Hail Mary, and an Act of Contrition.  I read the Bible almost daily, 3-4 days per week. I'm using the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible and I'm reading all the notes that go along with my daily readings. I read from the Catechism 3-4 days per week, too. I read various inspired books. I have a pretty good collection building up. Right now I'm reading The Eucharist by Lawrence Feingold. It's probably way...

This morning, I'd like to share, in the simplest way I can, why I'm still a Catholic. Why am I back to this church, and not some other? Aren't there hundreds of other choices? I'm not going to use this post to make an argument or tally all the Church's merits and demerits. Let someone else do that. This isn't a scripture vs. tradition post. It's not a faith vs. works argument. It's not to address prayer to Mary or the Saints. None of that. For me, there is one, unavoidable reason I'm here and can't be somewhere else. If you do not share this belief with me, I do believe you CAN, and if you're reading this, very likely that you WILL enjoy the fruits of Jesus' messianic, salvific work. Yes, you can and will get to Heaven without it, but I can't and won't live here on Earth without it. Without what? The Eucharist. So Jesus said to them: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, ...

My Great Adventure Bible and family heirloom Rosary. The mini Pieta alongside was a gift from my grandparents to my parents after my "nonni" visited Italy in the 60's. I pray every day, and as a part of my prayer life, I pray the Rosary at least once a week. I found this stock image online. Is the Italian language easy to learn? It's not impossible, but easy isn't a word that comes to mind to describe the learning. I also study Italian every day. Mostly I listen to podcasts and watch YouTube lessons and videos, but I also read, study grammar and vocabulary, and practice talking and writing. It's become a bit of a challenge. How much can I learn? How much can I improve? So, one thing I've done is I've started practicing the Rosary in Italian... o, il rosario in italiano . There is a synergy. But, in a way, it feels a little like prayer, and a little like studying Italian, but not a lot like either of the two. Just for fun, tell me what you think: Is it ...

10 days ago I abandoned all political commentary on Facebook. I had been struggling with the negativity and toxicity of it, and how it impacted my life: lost friendships, estrangement and strained relationships, and a loss of my own inner peace. I still care deeply about my country, and remain quite aware, critical of actions and words from both sides.   Within a couple of days preceding that day, I think specifically it was January 9th, I had been blocked on "X" by a Mets fan because I made a fairly innocuous comment NOT in support of New York's new Mayor, and nearly simultaneously a woman in Kentucky also blocked me because I responded reasonably and fairly, at least I think it was fair, critical of President Trump. She, like the Mets fan, found my difference of opinion intolerable. How many former friends have turned away from me because they find my opinions intolerable? Way more than a few.   I reflected on things. I recalled things friends and relatives said to me o...

My Ignatius Catholic Study Bible I love my Iganatius Catholic Study Bible. It took a team of biblical scholars, led by the great Dr. Scott Hahn 26 years to complete this masterpiece. We Catholics, we don't get a whole lot of credit for studying or reading the Bible. In a way, I'd have to say, "Rightly so." On the other hand, truth be told, the Bible, aka "The Holy Bible" is at the root of Catholic prayer and life, and most especially, the Catholic Liturgy. Not only is there an Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel reading every Sunday, but many other prayers and passages in the Liturgy are straight from the Bible. But, I digress. This blog piece is about the Bible and me. Me? I love the Bible. I think I have six Bibles. But, of all of them, my Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is my favorite. In Catholicism there's an ancient tradition called  lectio divina . Lectio divina is a contemplative and meditative use of scripture as prayer. It's not an in depth st...

Good afternoon, friends. Same old me. New blog. I don't know where it's going, but I know what it's about. It's about me, and my faith.  What is my faith?   That there is a triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That the Son is Jesus, who is Messiah, Redeemer, and Savior. That this Jesus is the Christ, God become man, and that He walked and lived among us, and ultimately, died for our sins, thus creating a path to salvation for all people. That the Bible is the word of God. That the same Jesus is His Word made flesh, and in flesh the same as ours He dwelt among us. That even though He was killed, He conquered death on the third day. He ascended into Heaven. That He will come again to judge the living and the dead. That His Kingdom will have no end. That Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Things I may write about here: Prayer life and prayers. Bible reading and study. Just because I'm Catholic doesn't mean I don't read it and love it. T...