Let me hit ya’ with ‘em

1

If I never had to call anyone again, I would be more than ok with that! Phone calls are so awkward, especially when you have to hang up. Even if it’s someone you know really well. “Ok, well, I’m going to go. Ok, talk to you later, I’ll see you soon. Have a good night, Bye. Good bye.” I want to leave the conversation on a good note, but the end always ruins it!! Phones suck!

2

Auburn football has returned. It’s nice to see all the alumni come back with their cute children and tasty food!

3

Why is it when people are drinking, all they talk about is drinking? I don’t mind alcohol, but being around people who are drinking is BORING! “Last weekend I had some beers with so and so”. “Oh, she doesn’t drink.” “I like Coors light better than Miller lite” “This one time, my friend got wasted and…”. I hope when I turn 21 I can come up with a bit more interesting topics of conversation.

4

Did you know it is illegal to brew your own beer in Alabama? That means I know quite a few persons doing unlawful things... Oh, the responsibility!

5

Disclaimer: These lists may not be every week, and I can’t promise 6 thoughts, because I may not be able to think of six things. And I don’t really like the number six.

6

Labor day is tomorrow! Sleep and no classes= great day!

Kindness and honesty

Do you remember the saying, I asked God for patience and he gave me opportunities to be patient instead (or something to that effect)? Yeah, today was just one obvious opportunity after another. My problem isn’t patience (or at least it’s not at the moment), but sharing my faith. Once upon not so long ago, I had so few conversations about religion (let alone my religion) that people didn’t even know I was Catholic. It just never came up, ever. Perhaps it’s because I’ve moved to Alabama, and I’m sure it’s because I have since completely surrounded myself with all things Catholic, but I find myself in random religious discussions all the time. It happens with (of course) my Catholic friends, most of my other friends, and even complete strangers. But I still feel like I miss opportunities all the time. Remaining silent, when I know I should speak, bringing it up when others are dancing around a topic. It’s something I’ve really been trying to work on. I’ve pledged to not pass up any more opportunities that present themselves.

Today was a pretty obvious opportunity. I was supposed to go swimming at 10am, but when I called to find out the open hours, I learned that we couldn’t go swimming until 11. This left me in my apartment for an hour essentially just waiting. Just then, I heard a knock on the door. It was the man who was going to fix our refrigerator. It had been leaking for a few days. He quickly diagnosed the problem as ice build up, which meant he would have to melt all the ice that had frozen in the drain. He was going to be here for the next 45 minutes or so.

He started light conversation by asking where everyone in the apartment was from. Never actually thinking about this before, I realized that all my roommates are from different states. He asked how we knew each other and I said we met at church. Thus, finding out we’re Catholic. The conversation led to military life, college life, then back to faith. And as he heated water and scraped out chunks of ice, he told me his entire story. About how lost he was in high school and really searching in college. About the people he meet that influenced his life and the directions they led him. He told me he decided he couldn’t be a Christian if he was hypocritical in his beliefs and actions, and that he wanted to give up because he felt he couldn’t truly follow Christ. After going through details of where his life led him, he ended up pentecostal (although he said he belongs to an independent church and not the pentecostal church). He told me the exact time and day that he was saved.

We didn’t debate really, which I don’t think I could really do with a total stranger, but I feel as though I did share my faith with him. I’m getting better at having normal conversations about these things, but I need to improve. One thing he said, that I really wish I would have responded to better, is that he wanted to go back to the teachings of Jesus. He didn’t want anything added or taken away from it, no traditions, just follow what Jesus taught.

I thought of what I should have said later (and I will share as an attempt to redeem myself). Traditions should be looked at to make sure they have merit, but to do away with them just because they are traditions is wrong. Traditions always have a lot of meaning, most of which points us to things we may not understand. But through performing the traditions, they help us know and bring us to believe what the meaning points to. Jesus himself participated in traditions, such as the Passover Seder, but he also did away with traditions if they lost their true meaning. We should strive to do the same.

So anyway, that’s just one of the encounters I’ve had today. Other lessons: If you are simply kind to someone, by smiling and wishing them a great day, or by giving a ride home, it can impact them more than just the act itself. It really caught me off guard.

6 Shots Sunday?

In the spirit of 7 Quick Takes Friday (mine will be 6 Shots Sunday, maybe...), I'll be giving short thoughts, in an attempt to not seem scattered (which, of course, I am).

1

I started RCIA last week. Although I feel a bit out of place (as I have no real reason to be there), I’m already glad I decided to go. It’s great to see so many people interested in the Catholic Church. Some people have been going to Mass for many years while most people there hardly know anything at all. To my surprise, my mechanics of materials professor is also going through the class, although she converted over 20 years ago. I think she wants her non-Catholic husband to come to RCIA with her. Please pray for those flirting with becoming Catholic.

2

My classes are going well. I’m finally taking an actual aerospace class (my very first) and am very excited about it. I’ve already learned how sound works. Pretty cool stuff. I’m also taking more math (differential equations) and a class (mechanics of materials) that is basically a continuation of my favorite class from last semester (statics). I’m looking forward to this semester, now all I have to do is my homework… I hope I can manage…

3

I’m also taking a world literature class. I never know what to think about these sorts of classes. I’m not the best at writing and analyzing, but I am very interested in the material. My only problem with classes like this is that it requires me to think too much, too quickly. Much like my ethics class, we go through a lot of material and ideas in one class discussion. I try to keep up with what is being said, taking in the main ideas, forming my own opinions, thinking of whether this new idea fits in with my belief system, and then trying to formulate a comment to share with the class, all before the next person starts talking. It requires a lot of my brain. I’m also not sure what I think of the professor yet. Right now we are reading creation stories, and while talking about the main ideas, he sneaks in some comparison with the bible or some comment on Christianity as a whole, even though we haven’t started talking about any part of the bible yet. It’s a bit frustrating, especially with the way he explains “Christianity’s basic beliefs“.

4

I found this new background and decided to change the look of the place. How do you like it?

5

I went on a retreat this weekend and had the opportunity to meet a great youth minister (check out his podcast). One of the things that I believe made him such a powerful speaker and an easy person to identify with is that he was so open with us. He talked to us about some of his struggles as a kid with his dwarfism and how it affected his life and faith. In discussions, he would share extremely personal stories with ease (even though that's his job, I'm sure it can't come completely natural). Later on, long after he left to drive back to northern Alabama, we were asked to be open with each other about our struggles and needs. In theory, being open doesn’t sound so hard, but in spontaneous real life, it’s a very hard thing to do, especially when you don’t get to pick the place or time, and you aren’t necessarily close to those whom you are sharing with. It would have been very easy to close off, give short and simple explanations to my trivial struggles and just leave it at that. I’m sure some chose to do that, as I almost did, but being honest with myself in front of others was a liberating experience, and I felt real prayer and concern. I guess it becomes what you make out of it. Being open is hard but is very worth it.

6

The readings this week were powerful. In the second reading, we are told to “keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27) I like this image. We must be careful what we expose ourselves to, and more so, what we let into our hearts. God “planted” in us the word that can save us, but we must not smother it with the pollutions of this world. The Gospel was deafening. “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile”. We can’t make excuses for how we are because of things that may have happened to us. We allow sin to come from us, we allow ourselves to be stained.

A day in the life...

Over the summers I tend to forget why exactly it is that I’m in ROTC. Thinking of all the getting up early, ironing, protocol, endless email, long meetings, and working out (which is not one of my favorite things), I start to question my sanity. It seems I like to torture myself. But then the school year starts, and right off, every semester, I’m reminded why I put myself through all these things.

In the course of a day I can go from being totally apathetic towards it, to being mad, to being extremely inspired and then motivated, only to remember I hardly have time to do my homework. It can be a tiring process, but I normally go to bed happy with my decision to stick with it for another week.

My cadre (the actual Air Force officers and Airmen who are in charge of us) are some of the best people I’ve ever met. My class instructor, who I meet with at least twice a semester, is what I hope to be in the Air Force. The man is just so genuine and doesn’t feed me petty compliments or unnecessary criticism. Yet, he inspires me in a way I believe I can do anything and that everyone will be willing to help. Honestly, some days during field training the only thing that kept me going was not wanting to disappoint him.

He is showing me what it means to be a great leader. True respect, appreciation and investment in each person, while helping guide, and at times pushing, someone a certain way. I hope one day to gain enough respect and trust so that someone doesn’t want to disappoint me.

I’m also so thankful that I’m a part of the Air Force. From day one they stress how this is a family, which I always thought was pretty cheesy. Now, looking at the officers who help me out, I can really see that it is. I watched my friends grow up, in a way. Hearing of their struggles, seeing them succeed, and even better, getting scholarships, is fulfilling to me. I can’t see myself turning my back on it. From stories I hear from the other branches at Auburn, I don’t think they have a sense of family like we do. There is something about the Air Force that does feel like home, although I’m not completely comfortable. But maybe that’s a good thing.

A tid-bit of what we hear all the time:

I hope that the United States of America has not yet passed the peak of honor and beauty, and that our people can still sustain certain simple philosophies at which some miserable souls feel it incumbent to sneer. I refer to some of the Psalms, and to the Gettysburg Address, and the Scout Oath. I refer to the Lord’s prayer, and to that other oath which a man must take when he stands with hand uplifted, and swears that he will defend his Country.

None of these words described, or the beliefs behind them, can be sung to modern music. But they are there, like rocks and oaks, structurally sound and proven. They are more than rocks and oaks; they are the wing and the prayer of the future.

Whether we venture into realms of Space in our latest vehicles, or whether we are concerned principally with overhauling our engines and loading our ordnance here on the ground, we will still be part of a vast proud mechanism which must function cleanly if it is to function at all.
...Crank her up. Let’s go.

-General Curtis E. LeMay, US Air Force

The silent calm

For the first time in a long while, I feel strangely calm. I don’t have this sense to change everything in my life and do it all at once. I feel really good about where I am.

I think sometimes God tells us to just keep on doing what we’re doing, because that’s what I’m getting right now. It isn’t that He has stopped leading, maybe it’s that I’ve stopped resisting. I talked to my mom last night. It was the first time I really talked to her about field training. After catching her up on some highlights of that month, she asked about when I would submit my packet to the pilot selection board. And for the first time I explained, without crying, rage, or extreme frustration, that I will never be a pilot. I said again that there are no waivers for height, and that being a pilot is no longer an option for me. For the first time, I accepted it when others have not. It is not my place to question God’s plan. I have to do what He says and believe in the Truth. All other fantasies I may dream up from that, I must let go.

It’s not an easy path, at least it hasn’t been for me. God has asked me to do many hard things, and sometimes I feel as if I’m not strong enough to endure them. I wonder if God is making a mistake by calling me to some situations. What do I have to offer? I think others can always do a better job than me, and say much more eloquently what I’ve been rambling on about. He has made me slow down. I have had to be still and silent so many times in order to feel His tapping, and barely make out His whisper. But those are the times He knew I would be listening closely. Whenever I’m on a crazy roller coaster with the tracks in the wrong direction, God has thrown Himself at me and has shown me miracles. He knew only that could have caught my attention at the time.

I can’t question anymore. If I did, I would be the biggest idiot in the world. I’m going to wait and see where He takes me. It’ll be much better than anything I can think up anyway.

Lord of peace, enter this house.

Finding the devil in church

One thing I have always been disappointed with about going to Latin Masses isn’t the Mass itself, it’s the discussions that follow afterwards. Like I’ve said, meeting dedicated people can be difficult sometimes. I want to talk about the Mass, how beautiful it was, what the priest was doing and why, the homily, the history of the church building, and maybe a number of similar topics. But normally, and I’m not quite sure how, it quickly turns to talking about the battles of the Latin Mass, or more appropriately, the battles with other people who disagree about some aspect of the “traditional mindset”. Frankly, it sounds like a hundred nails scratching against a fresh chalkboard compared to what had just went on inside the church. It is ugly and harsh, and they make themselves, who want everyone to love tradition as much as they do, sound like the arrogant bashers they are complaining about. If I could change one thing about the Latin Mass community, it would be this. (and of course, this certainly doesn’t apply to all lovers of the Latin Mass, it’s just a general observation).

The devil takes good and beautiful things and twists them so they can divide and cause sin. To me, it’s obvious he has snuck his way into the church and is using the Mass (the most Holy Mass!) and sacred liturgy to tear people apart and harden hearts. Pride and semi-hatred is easy to find within the Latin Mass community and, honestly, it saddens me. What a great treasure they are trying to show the world! But instead they throw insults at those who probably weren’t properly exposed to the Latin Mass in the first place. It’s a bit frightening to hear glimmers of this trap coming from a priest. This must be combated. On a subject such as this, that is very close to the heart and is firmly in place, it’s hard to see where the other person is coming from, especially if they dismiss all that you hold dear. However, it is the Christian’s duty, and more so, the Catholic’s duty, to be patient and understanding and love the person first. The Holy Father’s example in this matter has been most excellent. We are so fortunate to have such a holy and wise pope as the one we have now. His letters ooze with Truth.

Also, we can’t forget that the Holy Spirit led the Church here, and is using the situation to bring good things. One such example that I have recognized is how the Traditional Latin Mass is awakening a sense of awe and reverence for the Eucharist. In both the Novus Ordo, and the Latin Mass (of course) it seems as though there is a revolution to worship the Lord more perfectly through the Mass, and have more reverence in his presence. Would this be the case if the transition to the Novus Ordo never occurred? Maybe decades from now, we will see how the two forms influenced each other to bring about greater faith and love for God. Overall, isn’t that the goal?

Peace and love!

Which Mass?

I’ve gone to a few Latin Masses (strangely enough, never at the same church), and I’ve come to really enjoy the Extraordinary Form. It has deep symbolism for the mind, rich visual cues for the eyes, incense for the sensitive sense of smell, and beautiful music to really pull everything together. Also, I find, the use of Latin brings about a totally different mindset during Mass than in English. It is another Catholic jewel that I’ve been exposed to since moving to Auburn, and has only deepened my love of the Church and its beauty.

However, my trips normally don’t end with the Mass. Out of about half of the times I’ve attended the traditional Latin Mass, I meet up with other lovers of the Latin Mass. I suppose, as with many other less understood things, these people can come across as, shall we say, dedicated. They love the Latin Mass, tradition, and all things related. And they are willing to debate and defend because they know what they are talking about. At first, I was a bit intimidated with this immersion of things I knew little about. But after going to more Masses, and talking to them more, I think I see why they are so stubborn in their ideas.

The Traditional Latin Mass offers a new (or actually, old) level of worship. I’m not sure if I can adequately explain it here, especially if you’ve never experienced it for yourself, but it gives instantly the sense of the entire Trinity’s presence and is very graceful, which is fitting for praising God. Those who are quite fond of it normally think it should be the only form and have negative things to say about the Novus Ordo Mass (or the Ordinary Form of the Mass in English).

But I’m not convinced. Looking at the only thing I truly know well, my life, I can say that if I had experienced these sorts of people earlier in life, or even the Latin Mass, I probably wouldn’t have gone back.

The Novus Ordo is a big part of what led me to where I am in my faith journey. I remember, as a child, really liking the idea of coming to Mass as you are and not having to change clothes. Jesus wants you there no matter how you look. I talked to my mom a lot about what was happening at the alter, or having short discussions of the homily or the responsorial psalm. Also, the responses were very helpful throughout my childhood, as normally one would just “click” one day, and Mass would change a little for me. It led me to explore the beliefs of the church on my own time and to make the decision to become confirmed.

And although I really love the English Mass, I feel the traditional Latin Mass is helping me develop an adult Catholic faith. There is just so much more there. Just going to these ornate and ancient churches for a Mass is enough to get a person hooked. The Latin Mass, in itself, has shown me just how powerful the Mass is.

But on thinking if this form of the Mass was what I grew up on, would I appreciate it the same? The idea is children will ask lots of questions (which of course they will) and get solid answers from their parents and then they would love Mass for all that it is and be devout Catholics. However, I see how this may turn into being confused and frustrated and maybe not getting the perfect answers they were hoping to find. Or worse yet, not seeing how it connects with modern times. Looking at what really pleased me about the Church in my childhood, I may not be able to find any of those at the Latin Mass, although this is just speculation.

Should we return to the Latin Mass and dismiss the Ordinary Form as a mistake of Vatican II? I think that would be disastrous. Forcing something on to anyone never turns out well. Instead I think we should use the Latin Mass to help deepen faith and spread knowledge of it to those who will listen.

As Pope Benedict states in his Summorum Pontificum:

There is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal. In the history of the liturgy there is growth and progress, but no rupture.What earlier generations held as sacred, remains as sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful.

So what is my conclusion? The Novus Ordo is quite necessary as a base line for faith (not saying that a person wouldn’t be able to find that in the Latin Mass straight away, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the Novus Ordo is better suited for this task). The Extraordinary Form is also quite necessary in order to convey just what the Church is and keeps within it (and again, this may also be found in the Novus Ordo Mass). I certainly am not in favor of doing away with either as both showcase the glory of God.