The Tightrope: Reflections For Busy Catholics

As stay-at-home orders extend, we’re relying more and more on screens. They’re one thing that keeps everyone pacified, and it’s especially tempting to keep kids entertained in exchange for a few hours of quiet. There are definitely positive uses for screens, like education, communicating with friends and family, and spiritual devotions, but we have to be careful when it comes to mindless entertainment. Here are some ideas to keep a balance in your home: * Pray - Pray the St. Michael prayer often. Keep the Rosary going in your home. * Keep to a schedule - Don’t panic if it doesn't hold, but having some train tracks is a good thing. * Seek a balance of screentime - Find other ways to entertain yourself, and your kids will be likely to follow suit. * Have a list of alternate activities for children. * Filter your internet for porn and bad content. * Make rules about screens in bedrooms and in private spaces. * Don’t let up. Be a force for positive interaction.

As we enter into this Easter season, we see that the Resurrection is not just a reason for joy and hope, but invites us to go on a mission to spread the good news and make disciples throughout the world. Snippet from the Show For us, in this unprecedented time, we will be empowered for a mission by the resurrected Christ.

If this Lent didn’t go the way you wanted it to, you are not alone. But God can take our disappointments and failures, and use them to do something good in our lives. One good thing is to humble ourselves and realize that we are deeply in need of a savior. We can’t save ourselves, and luckily we don’t have to. Jesus is our hope and our salvation. As we enter into Holy Week, I’m praying for you and your family to experience fully the saving power of Jesus’ sacrifice.

The extraordinary “moment of prayer,” the Urbi et Orbi blessing of March 27,2020 was the first ever of its kind offered apart from the election of a pope, Christmas, or Easter. On a bleak Friday during Lent and in the midst of worldwide pandemic and upheaval we witnessed the Vicar of Christ express the eloquence of his office. He pleaded, intereceded, and blessed. He taught with authority and spoke to weary hearts words to rouse.

Catholic parents have become the abbots and abbesses of 1000’s of domestic monasteries. Like all good monasteries yours needs a workable schedule and a focus. Unlike most monasteries, yours may or may not include brooding teenagers, sassy six year olds, or active nine year olds who have just had all of their team sports cancelled. In our home—so far—we’ve experienced lots of trial and error and reset. I’ve learned about weaknesses in my own leadership and have witnessed God’s grace bringing me along day by day. The elements we are trying to balance are: prayer, work, study, and community.

As many of us are practicing social distancing, we’re confronted by the things right in front of us. For me this brings to mind this line from The Little Prince, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” This line shows us that while we’re preoccupied with statistics and never-ending news cycles, what’s most important is what’s right in front of us: Our communities, our families, and our God. Snippet from the Show “It’s hard to make sense of everything that is happening, and yet we believe that the God who made the stars made each and every one of us individually.”

“What does Lent mean to you?” This question really made me think about why Lent exists. We know it’s derived from Jesus’ forty days in the desert, but what caused Jesus to go there in the first place? Matthew 4:1 says, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” So the origin of Lent, the reason Jesus went into the desert in the first place, is because he was led by the Holy Spirit. We too, are prompted by the Holy Spirit to fast, pray, and give alms for these forty days. These practices help us empty ourselves so we may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit as Jesus was. Snippet from the Show “Come Holy Spirit, come and breath into our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving so that what we do this Lenten season would unite us deeply and firmly to Christ.”

If you’re struggling with your Lenten commitment already, that may be a good thing because the purpose of Lent isn’t to do it perfectly, it is to reveal the things we’re putting before Christ. When we realize that there are things we prefer to Christ, we can go to the root of the problem and ask God to enter into that temptation. St. Benedict recognized this when he established his rule for monks. The rule ensured that their ascetic practices pointed to their ultimate goal of preferring nothing to Christ. If we employ this balance in our own Lenten fast, we find that by the end of Lent, our hearts will be ordered properly, with Christ first. Snippet from the Show “The whole goal of Lent is to orient ourselves so that we prefer nothing to Christ.”

A face-to face encounter can be a powerful thing. I experienced this with my own son while praying for someone who was sick and suffering. His sincere prayer for their deliverance brought me to tears. It’s something we can all do. Before Lent, come face-to-face with Jesus, and make a sincere offering. Snippet from the Show “An encounter that’s face-to-face is really the heart of the spiritual life. We seek to look into the eyes of Christ.”

How should we be preparing for Lent? By enjoying the good things God has made (celebrating Carnival/Mardi Gras) and planning out our fasting, almsgiving, and prayer for the forty days of Lent. Here are some resources to help you plan for Lent! * 25 Weird Things to Give Up for Lent (http://media.ascensionpress.com/2019/03/04/25-weird-things-to-give-up-for-lent/) * 20 Out-of-the-Box Things to Do for Lent 2020 (http://media.ascensionpress.com/2020/02/14/20-out-of-the-box-things-to-do-for-lent-%ef%bb%bf2020/) Snippet from the Show “In fasting, we say ‘no’ to things not because they’re bad, but because we love God more. They’re things we hold back from so that we can be empty and God can fill us.”

What is love? It’s seen as a feeling, but more than that, it’s two things: Desire and willing the good of another. The first part craves unity with the beloved, and the second part wants the best for the other. When we love others using both parts of this definition, we are able to do so much more in our relationships. Here are three guidelines to make sure we’re living out the right definition of love. 1. Give, don’t assert. 2. Don’t use people. 3. Surrender to God. Snippet from the Show “Fulfillment is never found when we assert ourselves, it’s only found when we make a gift of ourselves.”

What is pettifogging? It’s what happens when we put undue emphasis on petty details—which many of us do a lot in our spiritual lives. Pettifogging is the first thing St. Ignatius of Loyola warns against in The Spiritual Exercises. He reminds us that we are made to know, love, and serve God. All other things are minor in comparison. Snippet from the Show When we’re anxious sometimes it’s because we’re fixed on some minute detail and we’ve lost sight of the grander scheme of God’s great providence over our lives.

You’ve repeated yourself multiple times, you’re getting frustrated and flustered, you’re raising your voice—you’re just not getting through to other people. We’ve all been there. By looking at the reasons why we’re not getting through, maybe we can approach these situations differently in the future, both in our homes, and with others. 3 Reasons We’re Not Getting Through 1. The person we’re trying to talk to isn’t in a position to hear us. Maybe they’re tired or hungry or extremely preoccupied, and the present moment just isn’t a good time to talk to them. 2. The person we’re talking to doesn’t understand us. Maybe the language we’re using isn’t ubiquitous and trying a different way of explaining would help. 3. You’re perceived as an adversary, and therefore nothing you say is affective. Anger is a sure way to get someone to shut down.

Of course parents love their kids, but we may not realize how little we communicate that love to them. Using the five love languages, we can uncover the most effective way to show our love. Whether that’s writing a letter, or sharing a hug, or saying “I’m sorry” for something we’ve done wrong, it’s important to find out what your children respond to. Here are the five love languages: Words of affirmation Quality time Gifts Touch Works of service How do you show love to your family?

Epiphany is the feast where the Magi come to pay homage to the infant Jesus, but it can also be used to describe a moment of sudden revelation or insight. In the life of Jesus, there are three epiphanies, and each one reveals a truth about ourselves and how we can grow toward God. 3 Epiphanies and What They Mean for Us: 1. The Magi - the Magi are instructed to go back a different way. * We turn toward Christ and follow his teachings, and follow a different path. 2. Baptism of the Lord - Jesus’ identity as Son of the Father is confirmed. * We recognize our own identity and dignity as sons and daughters of God. 3. Wedding at Cana - Christ is revealed as bridegroom and Mary says, “Do whatever he tells you.” * We follow the commands of Christ. Snippet from the Show “The three epiphanies are three ways in which Christ dawns upon the human condition.”

One of the biggest witnesses to the gospel in my life is Leo, my nine-year-old son. His strategy for growing closer to Jesus in 2020 is to pray, listen to his parents, go to Mass, and go to Adoration, which sounds like a great plan. He also says that confession is easy because all you have to do is ask a priest. The things Leo talks about in this episode (Mass, confession, Adoration, reading scripture, and evangelization) are cornerstones of our Catholic faith, and worthy of a special devotion this year. What’s your 2020 resolution to grow closer to Jesus? Snippet from the Show “I like being Catholic because you get to receive Jesus, go to confession, and go to Mass.” -Leo, nine-year-old

This January, don’t just make a list of goals for the new year—try developing a vision. I don’t mean a vision for your career, your finances, or even for your family. I'm talking about a deeper, more integrated vision that encompasses the entirety of who you are and who Christ is. Developing a vision like this is only possible if you understand where you come from, who you are, where you’re going, and how you can get there. If you’re clear on all four of these questions, I guarantee you’ll be clear on what’s important for you in 2020. Snippet from the Show _If you begin this year rooted in the sacraments, rooted in the Scriptures, and rooted in a confident awareness of your identity as a beloved son or daughter of God, God will give you a clear vision for 2020. _

The Nativity is an invitation to learn more about Scripture and ponder it as Mary did. The excitement, beauty, and power of Scripture can be lost on us Catholics if we only hear the Bible at Mass. Let’s dive deeper into the Word this Christmas, and continue through the new year. How is God calling you this Christmas? Snippet from the Show “The Nativity itself is an invitation to study Scripture and to reflect more deeply, as Mary did.”

If you’re struggling with stress and anxiety as we get closer and closer to Christmas, you’re not alone. There are stressors that reemerge for each of us this time of year, from family struggles, to holiday preparations, to aches connected to the past or uncertain future, but we don’t have to just push them aside and put on a happy face. We can bring it all to Christ. Here are some ways to actually find joy this Christmas: Make time for prayer 1. Go to confession before Christmas 2. Go to Adoration 3. Do an Advent reflection. Here’s an Advent series from Fr. Mark Toups. (https://youtu.be/XPok8oKw0BM) Snippet from the Show “If we’re not rooting ourselves in Christ, then things will be a drain.”

As the feast of the Immaculate Conception passes, we turn to Mary at this point in Advent. Her sinlessness, virginity, and virtue are especially important to us as we look to grow in holiness. Our Lady has many things to teach us, but here are three things that come to mind as we meditate on the immaculate conception. Sinlessness is not boring. We think sin is interesting, edgy, and fun, but in reality it just makes us enslaved. Holiness is what sets us free. Our bodies and souls are united. What we do with our bodies affects our souls, and what we do with our souls affects our bodies. Chastity is not devoid of intimacy. The fulfillment of human life is not dependent on physical intimacy. Snippet from the Show “Mary, in her perpetual virginity, shows us that the fulfillment of human happiness is not dependent on physical intimacy.”