Got newbie questions? You’re not alone! I do, too. Here’s one that I wonder about every time we read it at mass. I would love any help with the answer!

In the below Gospel reading, how do the people Jesus is speaking to know what He’s talking about when He tells them to “take up their cross” when He has not died on the cross yet? Is it because this was a common occurrence at that time so people were familiar with the reference? Or do they not understand the reference yet? That one always gets me thinking…

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk 9:23)

Thanks for the help!

As I hear Pope Francis exhort over and over how important it is as Catholics and Christians that we get out on the fringes of society and be with those who need help or a kind word or just human interaction, I see more and more how this is an area in which I am lacking. We are measured not just by what we do, but what we don’t do. Ignoring that person on the side of the road whose tire is blown may be just as much of a sin as actually speaking an unkind word.

But in  my mind I think how in the world am I going to add in time for such volunteer work? I’m already running a full-time (probably MORE than full time) business, serving as mom to two elementary-school age boys, trying to be a good wife to my husband and, of course, make time for mass (often daily), adoration, prayer, blog writing, a daily rosary… you get the idea :). How do I work in one more thing?

Well, I received a review copy of this wonderful book recently that provides a wonderful solution. In “I Like Giving,” author Brad Formsma suggests that instead of making giving a once a month, or one-off, task, change to a lifestyle of giving. And what I liked best of all about this book is that giving doesn’t need to be a big act of generosity that drains the funds of someone already struggling or takes up a day of your time, though it can, of course, if you choose. But rather, giving can be the smallest act of kindness that takes no more than a second but requires a spirit of generosity.

One of my favorite parts of the book is that it is filled with stories of giving from everyday individuals like you and I. These serve as a wonderful repository of ideas and inspiration for all manner of generosity — from buying a house for someone so they never have to worry about rent again to cleaning out someone’s car for them without ever mentioning it. I’ve already come up with several creative ideas to make someone’s day without them expecting it. What joy that gives me to see the joy in them!

Formsma also gives tips along the way about things like when someone rejects a gift, when someone squanders a gift, whether or not to give gifts anonymously, how to look for giving opportunities and more. He also shares stories and statistics on how giving has affected the lives of so many from increasing happiness to changing someone’s entire outlook on life.

Perhaps my favorite quote is from a story written by his then 8-year-old son, which I have shared with both of my boys. It tells the story of his decision to give the money he’d made shoveling 125 sidewalks of snow for a young girl to have cleft-palate surgery:

“It’s easier to live life trying not to see things. To think it’s all about you. But it’s not. There’s a whole world out there. You just have to open your eyes and see it. There are opportunities all the time, but you only get one life. Why not spend it making a difference in somebody else’s?”

I don’t think Pope Francis could have said it better himself :). Go to ILikeGiving.com for stories of giving and to start changing your lifestyle this Lent.

Reprinted from The Secret Diary of Elizabeth Leseur:

“I believe that suffering was accorded by God to man with a great intention of love and mercy.

I believe that Jesus Christ has transformed and sanctified suffering and made it almost divine.

I believe that suffering is the great instrument of redemption and sanctification for the soul.

I believe that suffering is fruitful, as much as and sometimes more than our words and deeds, and that the hours of Christ’s Passion did more for us and were more powerful with the Father than even His years of preaching and earthly activity.

I believe that there is coursing through souls — those on earth, those in Purgatory, and those who have attained to true life — a great unending stream made up of the suffering, merits, and love of all these souls, and that our least sorrow, our faintest efforts can by divine action reach certain souls, whether near or far, and bring them light, peace, and holiness.

I believe that in eternity we shall find again the beloved ones who have known and loved the Cross, and that their sufferings and our own will be lost in the infinity of divine Love and the joy of final reunion.

I believe that God is love, and that suffering, in His hand, is the means used by His love to transform and save us.

I believe in the Communion of Saints, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.”

Beautiful!

Confession is a scary word to most Catholic RCIA candidates. It looms in the distance as the big hurdle you must cross before joining the Church.

Truth be told, I was more nervous about this sacrament than any other part of joining the Church. I was sweaty, nauseous and nervous as all get out.

I suspect I’m not alone in my trepidation. It’s not that I didn’t welcome confession/reconciliation — I thought it was a wonderful opportunity — it was just the “doing” it that had me shaking!

But Catholic newbies and RCIA candidates, I want you to know something about confession that you won’t understand until you experience it several times.

Reconciliation is about forgiveness but it’s about a LOT more, too.

After I went to confession a time or two, I noticed that not only did I feel relief at being forgiven, but it seemed the very things I was struggling with sometimes just completely went away!

So, for example, if it was custody of the tongue that was an issue, suddenly the temptation to say what I shouldn’t just up and vanished or I gained an improved ability to control it.

I didn’t know quite how to explain or put into words exactly what was going on, but I new that confession brought me a benefit beyond forgiveness.

In reading Vinny Flynn’s “7 Secrets of Confession” (a great book for newbies, by the way, to help you fully understand the sacrament), I realized what I was experiencing. It was “healing”!

He beautifully puts into words the amazing power of the sacrament of Reconciliation. It IS forgiveness, but Christ already “took away” our sins when He died on the Cross. We are reaching into time and accepting that “taking away” that he has already given for all sins that have been or will be committed.

But because the priest acts AS Christ, we also encounter Jesus here just as we do in the Eucharist in the form of bread. It’s one of TWO opportunities to encounter the living Christ. And when we meet him with true repentance he heals us.

So that’s what I want you newbies to know — it’s also about HEALING.

When you go to that first confession, yes, you can unload all of the things you’re sorry for and breathe a big sigh or relief that you’ve been forgiven.

But expect MORE! You will be healed, too, and our Lord will help you overcome your temptations going forward.

So don’t go just one time to complete this step on the road to becoming Catholic. Make it a habit to go at least monthly. Why would you want to pass up the opportunity to meet Jesus and gain strength in overcoming temptation?

Newbies, I want to hear your worries and anxieties or excitement as you get ready to experience this sacrament! I’m happy to help answer any questions you have.

Experienced Catholics, please share this post with any RCIA candidates you know and lets show them the power of Reconciliation!