God has a cape for every CAPE

Have you ever heard anyone making reference to "Chreasters"? You know, the people who come to church only on Christmas and Easter? Perhaps you have used the term yourself? I have, and really, it does not denote anything positive in its typical use. Some Catholics may reach that notch "above" being a Chreaster. They may also come to church on Ash Wednesday and Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday). Would such a Catholic then be a "CAPE"?

It's Them Against Us

I don't know, but I do know that "they" take "our" parking spots, sit in "our" regular seats, cause additional "unnecessary" planning, use the wrong responses (not "ours"), etc.

"And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." - John 12: 32

Siblings of the Prodigal

When I read the parable of the Prodigal Son, it's always comforting to see myself as the returning Prodigal, knowing that my Father is always more than ready and willing to accept me and embrace me, giving me so much more than I deserve. But then, there's that brother of his. He's perfectly content with his life and all that his father has given him, until he sees his father celebrating the return of his wayward, "lost" but now "found" prodigal brother.

Sadly, I remember some of my spiritual "siblings", making remarks or comments that I found hurtful. What those were or who made them is insignificant. However, this Prodigal felt "drawn" back to Jesus despite not being a CAPE or even a Chreaster. Yes, I had really been lost for a very long time, and I'm not sure that I would have allowed myself to be embraced by my Father without some others who were able to cooperate with Him, helping me to feel welcomed and a part of the "family" again. It's true that there was much work to be done in order to mend the broken "family" relationships, but I am thankful for those who helped me to feel welcomed again.

So it especially hurts me when I recognize that I may not have always extended the same welcome to others. Even if I didn't verbalize such unwelcoming thoughts or feelings, the fact that I thought or felt them lends itself to conviction that I did not act or speak in a manner that would make my "siblings" feel welcomed. How sad that I can ever be "that guy", that sibling.

"Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me." - Matthew 25: 45

Capes for the CAPES

This post is my reminder to myself, and perhaps to you as well, that God is drawing our "siblings", brothers and sisters to Himself. In order for them to feel welcomed, to begin their own mending, I...we...have to cooperate with our Father. That can begin with recognizing that "they" are part of "us" and "our" spots are "their" spots, and "our" responses in the Liturgy are the responses prescribed for our participation in God's work, thus they are His anyway.

After all, God has a cape for every brother and sister.

cape - part of a garment that fits closely at the neck and hangs over the shoulders;
Like a hug

cape - probably from Spanish capa (cloak), from Late Latin cappa (head covering); 
Like being cloaked (covered) with the Blood of the Lamb or crowned with the Crown of Salvation

cape - a point or extension of land jutting out into water;
Like "HE drew me out of the deep waters" - Psalm 18: 17

All are welcomed

...There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidently hope for forgiveness, provided his repentance is honest. Christ who died for all men desires that in his Church the gates of forgiveness should always be open to anyone who turns away from sin. - Catechism 982

Guest Blog: The Truth about Christmas

- by L. Cowell

Christmas is not about joy, peace, love, or happiness; best wishes, dreams or hope, family love, friendship or any other squishy feeling. I love all those things, but if that was all it was about, I could much easier get all that from hugging a teddy bear. It's also not about trees, bells, tinsel or other sparkly things. Material things are wonderful and have their place, but they don't define Christmas.

And most of all, Christmas definitely is not about making it mean whatever we want. Christmas is about one thing only, the birth of Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity; born out of the love for all mankind. He came to teach us how to be fully human, how to be what we were created to be. Only when we embrace the Truth that He is, will we then know true joy, peace, love, and happiness. Only then will our best wishes, dreams and hope have meaning.

Only then will family love and friendship be aright in our lives. If we allow Him to define us, we then truly will be whole. In giving up ourselves, we gain all.

This Christmas, lose yourself in Jesus Christ the Person. And know True Love.
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L. Cowell is a Catholic wife and mother. She writes from Pittsburgh, PA.

December 26 is a big deal in my house

December 26 is much more than the day after Christmas in my house. It'as a big deal for multiple reasons.

For starters, Christmas lasts more than just one day. It lasts about 3 weeks until Epiphany.  But that's for everyone, not just us.

December 26 is also the Feast of St. Stephen, the saint I chose as my patron at Confirmation. And, I know that might not really excite many.

December 26 is also the anniversary of my youngest son's Baptism, and that alone makes the day special for us. Many Catholics are not aware of their own Baptismal anniversary. I really encourage you to discover this important date. I'll spare the catechesis for now. ha ha.

And it is the event of Brandon's Baptism that God used to work through, not only the Ordinary means by which He operates in the Sacrament but also through Extraordinary means as well. It's a good example for me of God's work in the kairos. Here's a few examples of what enhances this event for us:

• It was one of multiple instances that God used to affirm His call of me to stand strong in my return to Him
• It was the first time that my wife Kendra and I attended Mass together at our parish in Arabi, LA
• It was one of many moments that God used to remind me that I am a silly little man and He is God
• It was, I believe, the first time that my wife understood how God speaks to our hearts and how He was speaking to hers
• Thus it was also the day He planted the seed of the "desire for Baptism" in her heart as well (although that was revealed later)
• St. Stephen was a deacon in the early Church. This is very appropriate as the ministry of the diaconate through several deacons  has been special to us
• This includes the deacon who baptized Brandon and earlier gave the Homily that put me in my place and was the vehicle by which God delivered his message to Kendra; all at once
• On this date in 2004, it was also the Feast of the Holy Family. I believe this to be the time that began the formation and foundation of our family's preparation for the events that led us to our current location

Of less significance, but will always be remembered by me is that just minutes before the Baptism, Brandon peed on me; all over the front of my white shirt..

Yep.

Saint Nicholas; More than the legend of Santa Claus

Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra. While many know of Santa Claus, most are unfamiliar with the real man whose life inspired the legend. Click here for a nice short piece for your enjoyment and edification from today's Divine Office.

And if you have children, you may want to consider the DVD "Nicholas the Boy Who Became Santa".

Nicholas was still a young boy when he discovered the love of Jesus and the gift of giving that changed the world. Based on historical fact and tradition...this is a beautiful Christmas classic for children that helps them get to know the real Saint Nicholas!

 If you do, please use the link I provided. Your purchase will benefit the ministry of Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio.

Celebrate the life of Saint Nicholas!!!