Raised Catholic

Today we're talking about blessings, the many varieties of them and the why, when, where, and who of blessings.  I hope these resources will help you to put language to the many ways you can bless people and the world in your every day.  God bless you!

1. The Blessings Archive from author and podcaster Kate Bowler - here you'll find blessings for lots of relatable circumstances

2. A Blessing for the Unemployed, Unimpressive, and Underrepresented, a modern twist on the Sermon on the Mount, by Nadia Bolz Weber

3. A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal, edited by Sarah Bessey

4. My favorite Traditional Irish Blessing

5. To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, by John O'Donohue

6. Song: The Blessing (Live) by Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes

7. Song: Forever Young by Audra Mae

8. Podcast: Eternal Current - here you'll find fresh thoughts on worship, blessing, liturgy and more

9. Journal Prompts:

Can I remember a time when I was blessed by the words or actions of another person?

If I could write a blessing that I'd want said over me, what would it say?

Who in my life might receive a blessing from me today?

When was the last time I remember receiving or witnessing a physical manifestation of blessing through hands, water, or oil?  How did the physicality affect that experience?

10. Fr. John Unni at St. Cecilia's in Boston - his excellent homily from the sixth Sunday of Easter on just who it is that we should bless as a Church. Especially timely for this week ahead, but something we can all be thinking about moving forward as we are church to one another.

11. Song: The Lord Bless And Keep You, arr. Lutkin

Today we're talking about blessings, the many varieties of them and the why, when, where, and who of blessings.  I hope these resources will help you to put language to the many ways you can bless people and the world in your every day.  God bless you!

1. The Blessings Archive from author and podcaster Kate Bowler - here you'll find blessings for lots of relatable circumstances

2. A Blessing for the Unemployed, Unimpressive, and Underrepresented, a modern twist on the Sermon on the Mount, by Nadia Bolz Weber

3. A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal, edited by Sarah Bessey

4. My favorite Traditional Irish Blessing

5. To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, by John O'Donohue

6. Song: The Blessing (Live) by Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes

7. Song: Forever Young by Audra Mae

8. Podcast: Eternal Current - here you'll find fresh thoughts on worship, blessing, liturgy and more

9. Journal Prompts:

Can I remember a time when I was blessed by the words or actions of another person?

If I could write a blessing that I'd want said over me, what would it say?

Who in my life might receive a blessing from me today?

When was the last time I remember receiving or witnessing a physical manifestation of blessing through hands, water, or oil?  How did the physicality affect that experience?

10. Fr. John Unni at St. Cecilia's in Boston - his excellent homily from the sixth Sunday of Easter on just who it is that we should bless as a Church. Especially timely for this week ahead, but something we can all be thinking about moving forward as we are church to one another.

11. Song: The Lord Bless And Keep You, arr. Lutkin

Today we're talking all about "church people" and the wide range of ways that church people are described and perceived today.  Here are some resources I hope will help you to no longer "go to church" but instead to "be church" both inside and outside of church walls.

1. the art I referenced from Scott Erickson (the chapel in an hourglass) on his Instagram account - follow Scott today!

2. Podcast: More Than Small Talk - How to be a Friend When Life Hurts

3. Podcast: Human Hope - How to Have Healthy Hard Conversations With People You Disagree With

4. Podcast: That Sounds Fun - Francis Chan

5. Podcast: Be The Bridge with Latasha Morrison

6. Be The Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation, by Latasha Morrison

7. Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People, by Nadia Bolz-Weber

8. Song: May You Find a Light, by The Brilliance

9. Song: We Are One, by Ginny Owens

10. Song: Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), by Hillsong

11. Journal prompts: 

Who have been the "church people" in my life who have brought me closer to relationship with God?  What did they do/say that impacted me?

Who are the "church people" who have pushed me away from relationship with God?  Is there a particular instance I can remember? How can I process the pain of this experience?      

How can I make my heart more hospitable to others today?

In what ways can I learn or adjust in order to love people better?  Where are my potential blind spots?

As I look at my church community, how is God leading me to make us more joyful, friendly, inclusive, and spirit-filled?

PS- An anthem for Being Church, no matter whether or where we "go to church". Let's go love the world like Jesus does.

Today we're talking about the many ways and places to find God outside the walls of church. In upcoming episodes we'll explore how to encounter God within our own churches and churches of other denominations but for today, let's remember the BIGNESS of God and how we can find Him in nature, music, art, and people.  Here are some ways I'm finding God and some suggestions for you to find Him too.

1. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67:2 Andante con moto - (the whole thing, but I find God from 8:34-9:00)

2. Appalachian Spring, by Aaron Copland (the whole thing, but I find God in the last two minutes, especially those three bells)

3. Marvel at produce.  Seriously!  I recommend cutting a full head of cauliflower in half, holding an orange or grapefruit segment up to the light, examining the beauty of an avocado or lemon, but it's all great! 

4. Devotions: Selected Poems of Mary Oliver

5. Visit a museum, wonder at how God inspires and works through artists, then make art yourself!

6. Visit a forest, a beach, a park, a cave, a waterfall, or a field at night where you can see stars.  Get yourself out of your everyday and appreciate the beauty that God has made.

7. My Little Epiphanies - a collection of my writing about finding God in the details and everyday parts of life

8. Journal prompts: 

What can I see - hear - smell - touch - taste - right now that God had a hand in making, just for me to enjoy? 

How is God working through me today to help others encounter God? 

Author Elizabeth Gilbert says EVERYONE is an artist.  What kind of creative "something" am I uniquely created to make or enjoy?  What do I love?

9.  Podcast: Abiding Together: The Power of Play and Leisure

10. Podcast: Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert: Season 2 episode 12: Brene Brown on Big Strong Magic

11. Podcast: Things Above with James Bryan Smith: Beauty, Goodness and Truth

12. Shop for, make, or purchase something tasty and delicious for one of your meals today.  Really take it in and enjoy it as a gift.

Today we're talking about our Mother Mary.  Here are some resources I hope will help you to bring Mary down off of the statue and live in relationship with your Heavenly Mom who is crazy about you! Thanks so much to Peter Vaughan-Vail for the beautiful harp music you'll hear once again in this episode - I have finally figured out how to balance the audio and I'm so glad you can enjoy his music once again. 

1. Mary and Me: Catholic Women Reflect on the Mother of God, by Ginny Kubitz Moyer

2. Looking for Mary: The Blessed Mother and Me, by Beverly Donofrio

3. Song: Mary, by Patty Griffin

4. Song: Ave Maria, Schubert, performed by Andrea Bocelli

5. Song: Ave Maria, Franz Biebl, performed by Chanticleer

6. Art: Modern Depictions of Mary in the Annunciation

7. Rosary: Recorded Rosaries from Fr. Frank McFarland at Boston Catholic Television 

8. Video: A Primer on Mary from Fr. James Martin

9. Journal Prompts: What has been my experience with Mary so far? What words would I use to describe Mary today? If I could speak to Mary as a mother, what would I say? 

10. My past writings on Mary, Statues, and the stitching of our lives together as a mother would

11. The story of Pope Francis' devotion to Mary under the title 'Undoer of Knots'

Today we're exploring the reality of grace with a story about my pup, Bailey, and a perfect tuna sandwich. Here are some resources I hope will help you recognize how grace is moving in your one beautiful life.

1. Perfect Tuna Sandwich: half sandwich with chilled tuna, just a hint of mayo on good bread such as marble rye or sourdough.  Add crumbled feta, leafy lettuce or spinach, diced English cucumber, and a few grinds of black pepper.  Enjoy with a ripe clementine and a handful of potato chips and be blessed!

2. What's So Amazing About Grace, by Phillip Yancey

3. Grace (Eventually): Thoughts On Faith, by Anne Lamott

4. Devotions: Selected Poems from Mary Oliver

5. Gracelaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through Seasons of the Heart, by Ruth Chou Simons

6. Song: He's Always Been Faithful to Me, by Sara Groves

7. Song: Amazing Grace, by Aretha Franklin

8. Song: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), by Chris Tomlin

9. Song: Amazing Grace, Prelude, Traditional, Yo Yo Ma

10: Song: Your Grace Is Enough, Here I Am Lord (Live), by Matt Maher

11. Song: Christ the Lord is With Me, by Steffanie Gretzinger and Amanda Lindsey Cook

12. Journal prompts: How did God come to meet me in this day?  As I look back on my life, where have I felt the Hand of God change my path for my good?  In what person or book or music did God reveal Himself to me this week? How can I respond to the grace that is offered to me?

13. Just heard of this! Grace Trail in Plymouth, Massachusetts and I'm definitely trying it!  If you live in the area, this would make a great walking meditation. 

In today's episode we're talking about something which has become so clear to me this past week: we have reached an inflection point for the Church in America. If you have complicated feelings about church right now, this episode is for you. 

Here are some voices I trust that are naming the current time we're in as American Christians, and some voices that are calling out in the wilderness toward authentic and deep relationship with Christ in this time.

1. Emily P. Freeman.  Read this post first, then follow for more.  Her graceful, honest voice is so needed right now. Hear her talk about her friend, Jesus, and you'll get to know Him more for sure. Her podcast, The Next Right Thing, is a must listen. 

2. Carlos Whitaker. Read this post first, then follow for more. His accessible teaching on racial reconciliation and hopeful Christianity makes him an appealing, fun, and challenging follow.  

3. Sarah Bessey.  Read this post first, then follow for more. She's a happy clappy Jesus girl from way back and her writing, speaking and podcasting on Evolving Faith is hard-won and true.

4. Shannan Martin. Read this post first, then follow for more. She is after the heart of God in things little and large and her gorgeous writing will help you on your own path.

5. Matt Maher. Read/listen this post first, then follow for more. I've loved Matt's music forever but his turn toward preaching and ecumenical Christianity is welcome and so needed right now. 

6. Lauren Winter. Read this post first, then follow for more. Her beautiful account gets to the heart of faith for women especially but all are welcome. 

7. Alissa Molina. Read this post first, then follow for more. This spunky and spirit-filled lady is leaping into her calling to love well in all departments by way of her Catholic faith. 

8. Beth Moore. Read this post first, then follow for more. Her authentic love of and service to Jesus is breathtaking to watch and she is often also hilarious. She sees the failings of the church, calls them out, and unapologetically chooses Jesus every time.

9. Fr. John Unni at St. Cecilia's Church, Boston. Watch this mass first, then follow on YouTube or the parish website for more. I was face-down on my carpet praying after listening to his Holy Thursday message, it was so beautiful, both grounded and profound - Fr. John always has good insight to share and his challenging voice leads us well in the church in this time.

10. More Than Small Talk Podcast. Listen to this episode first (Christian Culture or Christ), then subscribe for more episodes. 

As we enter into this Holy Week, we're contemplating the story of how a perfect Savior took on the penalty for our sin in order to reconcile us to God. Today we're talking about the reality of sin, and how looking at our sin honestly can be an unlikely door to personally experiencing the great mercy of God. Here are some resources I hope will help you draw close to Jesus this week:

1. If you'd like to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week, you should be able to find it offered at a number of area parishes, retreat houses, missions, shrines, Catholic colleges, and hospitals. Check their websites for details and feel free to travel a ways from your home parish - it can be a good opportunity to take some time in silence and prayer. Here's a primer on how to receive this Sacrament if it's been a while. 

2. In addition, check your area for Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, services for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, and other Lenten programming.

3. Podcast: That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs, guest John Eldridge. This recent episode helped me gather in my thoughts about the last year and how to bring them to Jesus this week. 

4. Podcast: That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs, guest Sally Lloyd-Jones. This episode pairs so well with the one before - unknowingly they both spend a good amount of time on psalm 23, the psalm we need this week. 

5. Podcast: Abiding Together Lenten Study on This Present Paradise. This is part 5, but you'll want to go back and listen to them all.

6. Video: Making a Good Confession with Fr. Mike Schmitz

7. Book: The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Henri Nouwen

8. Song: Shadow Step, by Hillsong

9. Song: Even Unto Death, by Audrey Assad

10: Song: Run to the Father, by Matt Maher

11. Song: Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus), by Chris Rice

12. Song: Met by Love, by Capital City Music

13. Song: Mercy, by Amanda Lindsey Cook

14. Song: O Happy Fault, by Audrey Assad

15. Read the Gospel account of the last days of Jesus. Prayerfully journal or sit in silence as you contemplate just how big His love is for you.

Next week we'll return to some faith re-building topics such as sin, grace, and ecumenism but before we enter into the story of Jesus's death and resurrection this Triduum, let's take a look at our own stories, the below-the-surface things that we and God are writing together in the story of our souls.

Here are some resources I hope will help you to know and understand your own story, and some that will help you enter into the Passion story of Jesus:

1. Journal or meditation prompts:   

If I could write a title for the chapter of life I'm currently on, what would it be called?

What do my early chapters have to say about my story?

If I were writing my autobiography, what would it be called?

At the heart of it, just between me and Jesus, what are illustrative words that describe my story?

As I consider the Passion of Jesus, where do I see myself in His story?

2. Story of a Soul: the Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux

3. Biblical account from the book of Matthew: Jesus's passion, death, and resurrection

4. He Chose the Nails, by Max Lucado

5. Good Friday: The Meaning of the Cross, a video by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Ascension Presents

6. The Story and Character, pieces I've written in past years on how to find yourself in the Passion Narrative. 

7. How He Loves Us, cover by Sarah Reeves

8. Receiving the Passion story through a different lens is a good way to find yourself in it. For me, Jesus Christ Superstar can always help me do just that.

9. I Am Because You Are, by Amanda Lindsey Cook

Today we're taking a step back and considering just what we're building, as we consider our faith lives and our post-COVID lives. Here are some resources I hope will help as you consider this question for yourselves. Connect with me on Instagram or on my blog to engage with me on this topic. 

1. Bob Vila explains what a plumb line is and what it's for (for those of you who, like me, did not previously know). 

2. Please listen to this one all the way to the end. Song: The Clearing, by Amanda Lindsey Cook 

3. Mini-pilgrimage: go to a beach, a forest, a church, or some other holy place all by yourself.  Let God speak to you there (maybe through journaling or in silence) about what you should keep, what you should leave behind, and what knowledge or wisdom you can carry with you from this last year. 

4. Praying this one over all of us: Song: Rainbow, by Kacey Musgraves 

5. The Next Right Thing, by Emily P. Freeman - companion journal is also available 

6. Podcast: The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman I love every episode, but Receive A New Beginning would make a great first episode for you. Minute 5:10 to the end is my favorite three minutes of any podcast ever.  

7. Song: Better Boat, by Kenny Chesney & Mindy Smith 

8. A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal, edited by Sarah Bessey 

9. This is what it looks like when something that's been confined for a long time and has done lots of growing in the dark, starts to emerge.