A Day of Rest

I came across an article this morning about keeping Sundays' a holy day of rest. As simple as it sounds, this is a commandment that I greatly struggle with!

As a student, Sundays were always a homework catch-up day for me. I remember believing that after I finished school, I would finally be able to keep the Sabbath holy. It's been a couple of years now however, and my Sundays have now often become a day to catch up on errands and chores. My new excuse has become "when I have a family, I will get really serious about resting on Sundays".

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body,” (No. 2185).

As young adults, we often feel "in between", when it comes to family life. We don't always have a typical Sunday routine, like we may have experienced while growing up at home. Our own families may not be established enough to create new traditions. Regardless, there are so many ways that we can keep Sunday a day for our Lord. One very challenging goal that my husband and I have attempted to follow, is to refrain from eating out, shopping, or participating in any activity that requires of others to work. This is much harder than it sounds! Another idea that a friend recently shared with me is going to adoration on Sundays. Turning off the television and doing some spiritual reading, calling a friend, or going for a walk are other great things we can do.

What do you do to keep Sunday's restful??

Our Father's Love

Yesterday, my daughter took her worst fall yet, and survived, but with a big fat blood-blistered lip to show for it. It was a minor spill, as she just head-butted the ground while crawling, but it was one of the most agonizing moments I've experienced. I felt similar pain when she was sick and vomited for the first time a few weeks ago. I felt so impotent, watching her suffer, knowing there was nothing I could do to take it away, and yet I would've done just about anything to make it stop.

This made me think, how much our Blessed Mother suffered! When Simeon said "A sword shall pierce your heart," he wasn't kidding. I can't imagine anything comparing to watching your child suffer the ultimate in suffering. But she accepted it, as the Lord's will, for she knew that He was saving us. How her heart must ache when we reject that salvation.

All the more, how much LOVE does God the Father have for US! Holy Moly! Now, I love you girls, but I don't think I would sacrifice my daughter's life for yours or anyone else's (no offense). God the Father, willingly put his son on Earth to do just that. Even when His Son was pleading with Him to take the cup away, He still allowed Him to suffer and die for us all. THAT IS LOVE!

So I look to Our Lady of Sorrows in awe of her sacrifice and God the Father for His, and I thank them both, along with Our Lord, Jesus Christ who offered himself to save us all. Who'd of thought a little boo-boo would lead to such a meditation!

Unless you live in a bubble, it is likely that you have heard of the Jon & Kate Plus 8 buzz in the media. In the past few weeks, tabloids, magazines and entertainment news shows have been focusing on the couple's struggling marriage. And from the looks of it, Jon and Kate are riding this media wave despite the effects that it has on their family; the show's ratings are higher than ever.

I've been a fan of the show since its beginnings. Like many, I've enjoyed watching the adorable Gosselin children interact, and have been fascinated by the methods Kate uses to run her large household. For most of us longtime fans however, we started noticing changes long before the affair accusations began. In the past few years the Gosselin family home has become a platform for endorsements and product placement, and it has become difficult to ignore Kate's physical "transformation". Even more, in most recent episodes it became clear that Jon and Kate's playful banter during their on-screen interviews was becoming less playful, and much more bitter. I remember feeling a little sad after watching certain episodes, because Jon and Kate seemed so unhappy.

My dilemna is as follows: I have yet to watch this season's premiere. I have seen a few heartbreaking clips from the episode, and I am struggling to decide whether watching a couple's marriage fall apart is an appropriate form of entertainment. Of course with all of the drama surrounding the family, the temptation to watch is stronger than ever. At the same time, I can't help but to be angry at Jon and Kate for continuing to film, despite their broken marriage. They are clearly not putting their children's needs above the show!

Do you think that a boycott of the reality show is needed? It is unlikely that my personal decision not to watch will make a difference to TLC producers, but will it make a difference in my own life?

Full of Love

The past few weeks have been wonderful, chaotic, exhausting, blessed... and there are so many other contradicting words I can think of to describe it. Six weeks ago my husband and I welcomed our first baby into our family. The experience has been unforgettable.

My labor and delivery did not go at all as planned. In fact, it went exactly as I had hoped it wouldn't. Having endured a long and challenging pregnancy, I was convinced that God would "cut me some slack" for my baby boy's birth. After all, he never gives us more than we can handle... and I had had enough! Instead my little one arrived after almost 4 full days of labor, 4 hours of pushing and a c-section delivery. It was the most exhausting experience of my life thus far.

Unexpectedly, the hours and days after D's arrival left me with a surprising reflection. Any event physically, emotionally and psychologically equivalent to D's birth would have put me into a self- pitying recovery hibernation for months. But as I drifted in and out of consciousness (partly due to pain medication, partly due to exhaustion), I still managed to joyfully nurse and attend to our new baby's needs as much as possible. Instead of waking up and feeling tired and in pain, I truthfully felt so full of joy that I thought my heart might burst. I couldn't do enough for D! And as the days continued I was sure that I would eventually run out of adrenaline and have to face reality, but I was wrong-- I never ever ran out of love. Most significantly, there is no doubt that this love was not from me. I was blessed with God's love and grace pouring out of me to take care of His new little soul.

Meanwhile, I had never felt so loved in my life. I was loved by each and every nurse in the hospital, who helped me do simple things we usually take for granted, such as walk or shower. I was loved by my family and friends who were there to support me in their presence and in their prayers. I had never felt more loved by my husband, who stood by my side for the entire experience and was doing all in his power to take care of his newborn baby and his postpartum wife. God's graces were flowing all around me in so many ways. It was amazing!!

From this experience, I have a new understanding of Jesus's love through His cross. Although my suffering is nothing compared to His, I feel that I have had a personal glimpse of His walk on Cavalry. Our Father's love poured through Jesus, to the point of death. We are so blessed to be Christians, because from this cross comes new life, and incredible JOY! This quote by Mother Teresa definitely sums up what I have learned from my experience:

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.
-Mother Teresa