Soul Scribe

During Lent, we often chose to do penance by depriving ourselves of something that we love, but can live without. I recently received an Operation “Rice Bowl” from Catholic Relief Services. It gives a daily program that is great tool to learn how to use our sacrifices to benefit those in need, especially for families and children.

But how often do we confine this only to Lent? How can we sacrifice daily to help others? How can we be more mindful of our mission to walk with Jesus and be our brother and sister’s keeper?

Now, don’t rush out and don a sackcloth (whatever that is), move to a cave and eat bread and water for the rest of your days (unless you’re so inclined).

Sometimes the problems seem bigger than us. The suffering in the world today is bigger than us. We can’t solve the problems alone, or possibly even ever. But we can make a difference by taking responsibility for our part in solidarity with our brothers and sisters. We must break the barriers between ourselves and those in need. Find ways to help them in a way that preserves their dignity.

Think back to Matthew 27:24 when Pilot washes his hands of the situation surrounding the condemnation of Jesus.

How often do we wash our hands?

It’s simple to say a problem is too big – but it doesn’t mean we can wipe our hands of it and go on with life.

We are called to be God’s people, and that doesn’t mean only when it’s convenient. Jesus called us to be his brothers and sisters, and as a family to care for one another as he cared for us.

“This is the meaning of true love, to give until it hurts,” Mother Teresa said.

Who’s hurting today? Who needs what you have to give?

Not everyone is cut out for the sackcloth, but we are all able to do something. And to do more — prayers, donations, kind words, talents, time, compassion – all of these things make small miracles every day.

Will you wash your hands or offer it to your brother and sister today?

This is part one of an ongoing series on the themes of Catholic social teaching and how to integrate them into our daily lives. Please leave a comment with any insight you’ve gained from this post or thoughts you’d like to share.

When I was a little one, I met Mother Teresa. She attended some kind of presentation at a baseball field. She was in the state to possibly bring the Missionaries of Charity there (which she did, and the sisters are still there today).

I was determined to meet her. My Dad went with me to where she would go to her car.  I wanted to shake her hand – me and a 100 or so others.

I was almost there too – until an adult shoved me out of the way, and another and another and another. By the time my Dad found me, it was too late. She was already in the van to leave.  We made it to the edge of the bleachers as the car slowly exited the field.

As her car drove past, she looked at me and smiled.

So when I say that I met her, it wasn’t anything grand. It was a small acknowledgment. But in that moment, Mother Teresa saw me. And I saw her.

I always felt a special inspiration from her life. Her life is an example for all of us – of humility, service, simplicity, devotion, faith.

Some criticize her for not doing enough. She didn’t try to save the world. She merely took care of a basic need, one at a time.

God doesn’t ask us to do everything. God asks us to do something.

So when I say that Mother Teresa didn’t try to save the world, it means she showed us how to do just that.

By “doing small things with great love,” Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta did what God asked of her and more.

What will you do?

If you’re looking for God, stop. What?!? Why?!?

Because God is already there with you. Stop looking for God and find Him.

It’s not hide and seek. Or even rocket science. It’s about faith.

Let’s face it. As humans, we’re skeptical and curious – and all of these are great – but we’re really not all that strong on faith.

So many things in this world tell us that faith isn’t enough – that God isn’t real. This makes us question God and test Him. And God understands this – and puts up with it. He did after all give us the gift of life and free will. We’re not toys to God or chess pieces. He doesn’t orchestrate us. But he’s always there for us to turn to – when we make that choice.

God is a mystery. He can’t be fully explained. He can’t be proven or unproven. He just is. He’s I Am Who Am. He’s God With Us.

Yet, we still ask – just who is that “Am” anyway?

It’s God. The answer’s that simple. And He’s right next to you if you’re looking. Find Him and get to know Him.

He’s waiting for you.

No one is really happy merely because he has what he wants, but only if he wants things he ought to want.

St. Augustine

Man is what he believes. 

Anton Chekhov 

Broken things are precious. We eat broken bread because we share in the death of our Lord and his broken life. Broken flowers give perfume. Broken incense is used in adoration. A broken ship saved Paul and many other passengers on the way to Rome. Sometimes the only way the good Lord can get into some hearts is to break them.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

God calls us to lead lives of holiness.  Jesus gave the most perfect example with his own life.  But he gave us other examples of holiness in his own mother, the Virgin Mary, and the saints.

Saints are people to whom we can relate, essentially role models for the faithful.  Saints do not forget those of us on Earth.  They follow Jesus’ commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:39) even after death.  In following this, saints pray intensely for those of us on Earth.  And thank goodness, because we really need it!

While we ask saints for help, it is by God that our prayers are answered.  Saints help us at the request of Jesus and through God’s power.  When you pray to a saint, you’re not worshiping that saint.  You’re asking for the saint to pray for you and ask God to help you.

God is the one acting in our lives, not the saints.  They’re just the messengers showing us the way to reach the Lord.

We know that every effort to better society, especially where injustice and sin are so ingrained, is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us.

Archbishop Oscar Romero

March 24, 1980

Last homily before he was martyred for the people of El Salvador