5th Week of Lent — 2 weeks lockdown
It is the 5th week of Lent. It’s been two weeks since my parish offered public Mass. It’s been three weeks since I’ve sat in the pews. This season of Lent has been completely different for me and my family–as I can imagine it has been for every family. This week has hit me especially hard.
The Gift of Starting Anew
November 2nd was All Souls Day, and it was the first time my parish celebrated our Lady of Purgatory. I woke up in the morning excited to join our parish in our All Souls’ Day event. My kids were excited, and we were ready. Then Z2 woke up with a fever and all the plans were squashed. Instead of feeling disappointed, or annoyed, I was feeling full of love. My son needed me and I was there to help him. Yes, I know this was the first time for the celebration and remembrance of our loved one, but God willing there will be another one next year. Instead, I spent my Saturday with my family and thinking about my loved ones. All those who were laid to rest before me like my father, friends, and acquaintances. I thought how not much separated me from them—only a few feet a dirt. I seriously thought about all the plans they had for tomorrow. What they will do when they will retire or when they get that day off. They never thought that the day they died would be their last day. That they—like everyone would have to make an account of their actions. It’s terrifying when you think about life and death that way. While praying my Liturgy of the Hours this came up: Now that is terrifying! Our Lord is so good and so merciful, that he waits for us in Confession. He forgives us our sins, and do not hold them against us. When we are forgiven for our sins, we have a chance of heaven again. We will...
Relieving The Worry Bug
For as long as I can remember, I have always worried. It was something that was part of who I was, and what I did. My mind would wander off to the worst possible scenario. Even when writing on my blog, I would worry about how I would be perceived, who would take me the wrong way. Sometimes, I would worry about if I would be taken too serious, or not too serious enough. These thoughts plagued me all the time. Here are just some insights that I’ve realized that helped me put my worrying into perspective. I wanted absolutes One of the things I struggled with was not knowing. I wanted to know every detail of the procedure. Every bit of knowledge of anything that was bothering me until I’ve exhausted all materials I could find. The problem was, I was looking for absolutes in a world that is not certain. No one can promise today, or tomorrow. I worried about preventing things. From helping my family out, to making sure that I’m doing everything I can health wise for them. Honestly, I can just do the best that I can. I do what I can (and afford) for my family, and then leave the rest up to God. I can’t say that I stop researching information–I think that’s just hardwired in me to do now. However, I’m not obsessed about it. When I feel like I have received the answers that I was looking for, then I start applying what I have learned. Separate what I can do from what I can’t ...
