2020 Rediscover the Saints

Teresa of Avila: The First Routine

Have you ever been taught how to pray?

Today’s Guest Blogger is: Abby Hendersen, Assistant Director of Faith Formation, Grades 6-8

I know I was taught to pray as a child, because I can rattle off Our Father, Hail Mary, and Bless Us, O Lord even when I’m sleep-deprived or wildly distracted.  But I don’t remember being taught how to have a conversation with Christ until I was older. 

Did you know you can yell at God?  Scream at Him?  Laugh, whisper, cry, and simply shake your head in wonder or dismay?  His shoulders are big enough.  Trust me, he can handle it. As St. Teresa of Avila says, “Mental prayer is, as I see it, simply a friendly intercourse and frequent solitary conversation with Him who, as we know, loves us.”

Like any friendship we need to spend time with God, talking to Him, listening to Him, sometimes just “wasting” time with Him together in silence.  “For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.”  (St. Teresa)

That might include finding a quiet spot in your house, a favorite place outside, or in the chapel at church.  The location isn’t as important as the time spent.  Maybe every morning while you brush your teeth, in the car on the way to school or work, or just before bed, once the lights are off but you haven’t yet fallen asleep. 

Start small, of course.  Big plans are wonderful, but friendships take time to build and grow, so give yourself permission to start with a moment of two here and a few minutes there.  It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the words.  Start with a thought. 

In our home we have taught our children easy little prayers, like “Jesus, I love you.  Jesus, help me.  Jesus, thank you.” And then helping them expand on those thoughts.  How do I love Jesus?  How can He help me?  What am I thankful for today? 

Start today.  Start small, and know that God is waiting right there to grow your offer of friendship.

Benedict: Life-Giving Daily Routines

Do your daily routines reinvigorate you?

Today’s Guest Blogger is: Tom Primmer, Director of Faith Formation, grades 9-12

Some people love routines and find them life-giving. Some people find routines to be daunting and the mere thought of the word “routine” is so boring that the “spice” of life just withers away. However, there is a happy medium between these two extremes. It is never healthy to live in the extremes of life. If you haven’t read the Rule of Benedict, I would encourage you to give it a try. A warning is in order, because, you may not draw practical connections to your daily life at first. But given time, you will begin to see the wisdom within the Rule.

We all practice routines on a daily basis, even if we are not aware of what they are. I think today’s reading challenges us to become aware of our routines and ask ourselves, are they life-giving? If they are not life-giving, then perhaps we need to pause, take stock, re-evaluate our routines and make changes that will breathe life into our daily moments? The good news is, the Holy Spirit of God is within us to empower us to take the small steps necessary to keep our routines focused on life-giving tasks.

Irenaeus: Fully Alive

“When was the last time you felt fully alive?”

Today’s Guest Blogger is: Randy Hendersen, Director of Youth Ministry at OLIH

 YOLO: “You only live once!” We’re quick to chalk this bit of popular jargon as reckless, selfish, hedonistic, and short-sighted.  And let’s be honest, when this phrase first became popular not so long ago it was often evoked with a pleasure-seeking, consequence free reality in mind.  However, it also contains a bit of wisdom that Saint Irenaeus expands in his famous quote, “The glory of God is man fully alive.”  Likewise, Jesus Himself said, “I have come so that you may have life and have it to the fullest.” (John 10:10).  I think in the year 2020 we might ask ourselves, am I “fully alive,” and am I living my life to the fullest?  And what does this look like when the circumstances in our lives are not always super cool, but instead are tragic, grief laden or full of confusion.

         The temptation we face in our time and place is to numb and distract ourselves.  We binge watch, binge drink, binge-you-name-it.  We compare ourselves to others and often become consumed with a feeling or sense that we don’t have enough, that we ourselves are not-enough and that we are not worthy of love. Or maybe we rightfully worry about the authenticity of your relationship with others and with God.  A unique offering that St. Irenaeus brings to us is the suggestion that God is singularly interested, intrigued, and GLORIFIED in you and I.  Jesus not only loves us, but experiences Joy in seeing us live life to the fullest.  We are enough.  

          So coming back to YOLO, what does such an attitude offer that’s of any worth as Christians?  YOLO inspires action over inaction and a sense that we shouldn’t wait around for life to find us and this part of YOLO is spot on.  Sometimes we really need to “step up” and “step out” in life and know that despite our best efforts as people of faith, we might really mess something up - at work, at school, at home, in our relationships. 

      Irenaeus wants us to raise the bar on an attitude of YOLO and suggest that our deepest desires are also God’s deepest desires for us.  God doesn’t want to restrict us; God wants to set us free.  God wants us to live fully alive with the knowledge that Jesus isn’t a passive observer, or worse a distant judge of our lives.  Rather, we are asked to welcome Emmanuel, “God with us,” who is ready to inspire our greatest acts of Christian kindness as well as offer forgiveness and healing.  Through Saint Irenaeus’ words, we’re invited to wake up from any part of our life that is only being partially lived and invite Christ into that part where our deepest desires will be realized and lived fully, not just once as YOLO suggests, but forever and ever.     

Walter: An Overwhelming Love

“Have you ever allowed yourself to rest in God’s love?”

Today’s Guest Blogger is: Becky Robovsky, Becky is the Business Manager at OLIH

Have you ever allowed yourself to rest in God’s Love?

Years ago, as my father was dying, over many months I commuted between Ankeny and Marshalltown.  My go to music for the drive was David Haas’ CD “Where the River Flows.”  As I look back on that time, I have to say all that lyrical prayer brought me closer to God, taught me how to feel the presence of God in my life.  Not so much on the rides themselves, but as I went about my business outside of the prayerful cocoon of my car.  And one of the most precious manifestations of this fertile prayer life was as I lay down to sleep, especially when I was in my own bed, away from my mom and dad.  I was able to allow the loving arms of God to wrap around me, and off I went for a sound and much needed restful sleep.  It was the sweetest experience, and I actually looked forward to the moment when I would release it all and just let God be with me.  I sometimes forget that I can still do that, anytime.  I have found God always a willing participant in loving me.

Augustine: You have a Future

“What do you believe about your past that is keeping you from your future?

Today’s guest blogger: Amy Wall, OLIH Parish Secretary

These are comforting words for me to hear; “YOU, have a future”

Several years ago I went through a divorce and my world was turned upside down. I wanted to give up.

I felt as if I had no future; no hope.

One night as I lay awake in bed contemplating my future; what little I could come up with; I felt as if God grabbed my hand and said I will walk with you.  I felt all my restlessness quiet.

We all have a past and no matter what that looks like; we can walk into the future knowing that God is waiting for us. He will walk with us giving us hope and encouragement for our future.

I’m looking forward to beginning this Christmas season with a new confidence.

What does your future hold?

Did you pick up your book at Christmas Mass? If not, there are some left to pick up this weekend!

Join the parish in reading three chapters a week. We will have a guest blogger share their reflections on each chapter - blog will post Monday, Wednesday and Friday, starting Monday, December 30. Take your time reading the book and the blog, then join in on conversation - via the blog, FaceBook, or email with the blogger!

What Saints inspire you?
What Saints lead you closer to Christ?

May your Christmas Season be filled with the love, joy, and peace of Christ!