Lyrics to Inspire

I know this song has been out for a really long time, but I can't help but cry or come close to doing so whenever I hear it on the radio around Christmas time. It's all the more fitting for Easter time and therefore for lent... so please, read the words and think on them. Remember what lent and Easter are all about...

Song: Christmas Shoes
Artist: Bob Carlisle

"It was almost Christmas time
There I stood in another line
Try to buy that last gift or two
I'm really in Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing around like little boys do
And in his hands he had
A pair of shoes

And his clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want it to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight

They counted pennies for what seems like years
And cashier says son there's not enough here
He searches is pockets franticly
And he turned and he looked at me
And he said Momma made Christmas good in our house
Most years she just did without
Tell me Sir
What am I gonna do?
Some how I gotta buy her these Christmas shoes

So I lend the money down
I just had to help him out
And I'll never forget
The look on his face
When he said Momma's gonna look so great

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want it to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight

I know I won't regret some help as he thanked me and ran out
I know that God sent that little boy to remind me
What Christmas is all about

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want it to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight

I want it to look good
If Momma meet's Jesus tonight"

Don't ask, don't tell...

We commonly refer to the military's policy on homosexuality in the armed forces as the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. But I like to use this phrase in a different way. It is the policy we use in this country regarding our leaders. "Don't ask about my personal ethics, and I won't have to tell you that I don't really have any."

Nowadays, it seems that the personal ethics of politicians have gone by the wayside. People like John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) supporting pro-choice movements, promoting the culture of death, yet calling himself a faithful Catholic. The public seems to think that politicians like that are pushing their personal opinions and ethics aside in order to better serve this country. However, I can't help but ask myself how somebody could push true moral convictions aside! The answer is that it is not possible. Politicians like Kerry, use false pretenses (like going to Mass and calling himself Catholic) in order to gain a certain vote (in Kerry's case, the Catholic vote). They hope the public policies they put forth will be casually overlooked in favor of their ridiculous and (hopefully) transparent pretenses. Their public policies ARE their personal ethical convictions. A politician cannot push for a pro-choice bill but be pro-life in his or her heart. What is on the inside shines through to the outside! So when we see politicians pushing certain policies, we can safely assume that that is what they personally feel as well, whether they admit so or not.

Through these ugly and murky political waters, there are a few points of clarity shining through. In the news recently General Peter Pace was quoted supporting the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. He said that he personally feels that homosexual acts are immoral and that the military is right in not allowing homosexual citizens to serve openly. He rightly likened it to adultery (another offense that calls for dismissal from the military). Shortly thereafter, Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), a potential presidential candidate, supported General Pace's remarks. Brownback was quoted saying, "We should not expect someone as qualified, accomplished and articulate as General Pace to lack personal views on important moral issues. In fact, we should expect that anyone entrusted with such great responsibility will have strong moral views." My point exactly!

The leaders we need to support are the ones who show a distinct congruity between their words, beliefs, and actions. These are the true leaders. So let's stop the use of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy in protection of our leaders. We must ask, and they must tell. Their actions are reflections of their heart, not a separate entity altogether. We as a country must recognize this and force our leaders into accountability.

A Lenten Pick-Me-Up: Laetere Sunday

Flashback to a few months ago on Sunday, December 17. Remember anything special about that Sunday? Those distinctive rose-colored vestments worn on Gaudete Sunday during Advent will be seen again this Sunday, March 18. The fourth Sunday in Lent, known as Laetere Sunday is a sort of pick-me-up for the faithful. Both gaudete and laetere are Latin words for "Rejoice!" During the most austere liturgical season, the Church recognizes the difficulty we face in staying faithful to both Church-wide and self-imposed Lenten restrictions. Laetere Sunday reminds us of the joy that is to come during the Easter season and refreshes us in our faith and in our worship that is needed to prepare for rejoicing of the Easter season.

So as we near the half-way point in our Lenten observance, do not get discouraged, do not not give in to temptation. All will be well! Let us celebrate the remaining days of Lent in faithful observation and look forward to rejoicing in the Resurrection of Christ during the coming Easter season!

Do Not Hide from God.

Lent is a time for reflection, a time for being honest with ourselves and with God. He knows anyway, so why lie to Him? Why hide from Him? And yet we do. We hide from Him every time we give in to temptation. I say we hide because none of us have the ability to stand directly in front of God and still sin, I can only imagine His radiance to be beyond our ability to think for ourselves, let alone sin. So engaging that we stumble towards him, scared beyond belief, but also yearning to be embraced.

And yet, when challenged with giving up for Lent, we do not. Or we say we do, we try, and we still falter. Even if it's not on purpose, we fall short. The first Friday of Lent, I ate meat, twice. I had completely forgotten it was Friday! But if I had known, if it had registered, and if then I still ate meat... cowering in a corner with meat in my mouth, then I would have been hiding from God. And for what? A turkey sandwich? Trust me, there isn't turkey anywhere in existence worth turning our back on God. I made it up to Him on Saturday.

This Lent, try not to hide from God. If you're struggling, if you're craving something you've vowed to give up, talk to God about it. Let Him know that you're struggling, give up that pain, that anxiety for those unfortunate enough to not have much of anything to give up. Remember, there are children out there that if they gave up a meal for Lent might not eat at all that day. How sad is that? Do not hide from God, step into the light, expose yourself, and be a beacon for others to do the same. God Bless you.

Ecumenicism or Loss of Catholic Identity?

I've been battling lately with the idea of ecumenicism and how to reach out to other Christians. It my various attempts and soon-to-be attempts to reach other Christians, I've found that what's commonly seen as "ecumenicism" is really a giving-up of Catholic identity. This isn't always the case, but seems to often be. For instance, if I was creating an ecumenical site promoting living as a Christian at work, one ecumenical approach to doing just that would be to give advice that non-Catholics wouldn't take offense to. This means not mentioning prayers to Mary, Saints, etc.

I've come to realize that this is sugar-coating, not ecumenicism. Catholic identity is important for Catholics and the Church because it is through that identity that we come to actively participate in the reality of Christ and His Church. Are we not denying the importance of the Blessed Mother to all Christians by purposefully leaving her out of "ecumenical" discussions?

My thoughts are a bit jumbled right now, so I hope what I'm trying to say is coming out more or less clear. When we need in the Church is Authentic Ecumenicism, at every level... even the local, grassroots level.

Note! Read Sarah's response and in-depth musings on this subject!