Soul Surfer: Mainstream Movie with a Message

I've heard good things...

Soul Surfer is based on the biography: Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. Both the book and the movie are about Bethany Hamilton, a 13-year-old girl who survived a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii. Encouraged by the love of her parents, Tom (Dennis Quaid) and Cheri (Helen Hunt), and supported by her youth minister Sara (Carrie Underwood), Bethany refuses to give up and begins a daring return to the waters that almost killed her. (Full Review)

Is Jesus my role model?

Yesterday I came across a video asking a simple question: is Jesus my role model?  Take a look:

1 John 2:6: Whoever claims to abide in [Jesus] ought to live (just) as he lived.

I find this video very challenging, because as a 21st century American, my life doesn't naturally aim toward humility or servanthood.  Far too often, its a daily power struggle.  Even the little things like taking out the trash or loading the dishwasher become a bitter internal battle -- "It's not my turn.  I did it last time.  It will be okay if the trash isn't taken out today.  The dishes will be fine sitting there overnight."

My choice boils down to 1) do I serve my family as Jesus would, imitating his servanthood? or 2) do I become caught up in keeping score?

TODAY: One Day Without Shoes

Lent is about Solidarity-inward and outward.

One of the 7 Principles of Catholic Social Tradition is Solidarity...literally walking in someone else's shoes...or lack there of. 

Toms (shoe company) is embracing the principle of Solidarity with it's One Day Without Shoes program. Join in through practice and prayer.

This is Why I Love (and am Inspired) by this Guy

Actually, i'm talking about the one on the left...though the one on the right too..as a matter of fact, some recent big news about him!

Inspiring and informative writing from NY Archbishop Tim Dolan's blog (...internal dialogue..."What? Bishops have blogs?"...yea some do, and usually it's a sign that the Bishop is awesome)!



Archbishop Tim Dolan, the current Archbishop of NY, meeting with the late Pope John Paul II

April 3, 2011: Gospel Reflection II

Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind

John 9:1-41

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

-Jesus rejects the Jewish teaching that the man was born blind because of his own sin or the sin of his parents. Jesus says that brokenness in the world (like the man being born blind) allows for God’s grace to shine through. 

What physical or emotional brokenness are you aware of in your life or the lives of others around you? How can you bring God’s healing love and grace through that brokenness?

-Jesus talks about blindness in this passage not as a physical blindness but a spiritual blindness. 

What are the things that can keep us from seeing God’s presence in the world and in others (pride, security, apathy, envy, contentment, etc.)?

April 3, 2011: Gospel Reflection I

Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind

John 9:1-41

Jesus used physical ‘stuff’ to communicate God’s grace even though he didn’t have to. He used mud in today’s Gospel, in other passages he uses water, bread and wine, the touch of his hand, his breath, etc. What is the reason that Jesus does this when he doesn’t have to?  By using physical stuff as agents of God’s grace Jesus allows us to imitate him through our rituals to help bring about the transformation of the world.

God created the world and enfolded within everything in creation the potential seed for that thing to help communicate God’s love and grace. God created in us that same seed but made us in His image and likeness so that we could be co-creators with God. We are called to not only let our own lives give glory to God but to help make all creation come alive to give God praise; we are called to transform the world!

In our Church, especially in our seven Sacraments, we use the physical objects or signs that Jesus himself used, like bread and wine. We do what Jesus did: break it, give thanks and eat. When we enter into this ritual we are joining with the millions of people who have done the same thing over and over again throughout history. God transcends space and time and his words and Presence is made present, re-membered (brought back together), through our ritual prayer. This is why we gather in our church, sit together, listen to the stories from our Christian family history, break bread, say the words (‘This is my Body…do this in remembrance of me’), eat the bread of sacrifice and go forth. When we enter into this ritual Jesus is made present as he was at the Las Supper. We physically receive Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist that it may transform us so that we may go out and transform the world. 

Friday Inspiration: Remember

"Take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children." - Deuteronomy 4:9

In the Silver Chair, in the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan (who represents Jesus) tells the two main characters, Jill and Eustace, to recite four signs every day, for signs will help them along their journey. Slowly they come to forget to recite these signs and eventually find themselves in a dark situation -- being cast under an enchantment by a witch in a cave deep inside the world. It takes a third character, a rugged soul, to break this spell by remembering that there is a better place elsewhere, that there is such a place as Narnia, and there is such a person as Aslan. As it turns out, had Jill and Eustace remembered these signs all along, they wouldn't have come so close to being ensnared in darkness.

Christianity requires remembering. Remembering that Jesus is our Lord and Savior in and through everything in life. Remembering that there is a heaven so that this life on earth isn't meant to be perfect. Remembering that we are sinners, so we need to reconcile ourselves with each other. Remembering that there are people in need and so we need to help them. Remembering that our faith is about love so we should love all we come in contact with. Remembering that Jesus didn't die just for me but for us, so in community we can find God. Remembering that everyone else in life is also struggling with something, so love one another.

What do you need to remember?  Who do you need to remember?