Practicing Catholic

I didn't realize until recently, when a relative used the term "practicing Catholic", how much I dislike the term.  The term is used commonly, even in the Church, to describe those people who normally go to Mass on Sundays and adhere to the Church's teachings.  The term seems to be more of a description of what I do, much like my job title.  The job title indicates to others what functions I have and what expectations they can have of me.

I do not see myself as a "practicing Catholic."  I am Catholic.  Being Catholic is part of who I am, not what I do.  Being Catholic is a unique relationship with Jesus and His Body of followers, the Church.  What I do as a Catholic flows out of this relationship with Jesus and the Church.  In much the same way one can view a parent.  This label can bring to mind all of the things one needs to do as a parent.  But the term "parent" speaks also of the love/bond with the child which transcends the doing and is a part of being.

I could do all sorts of parenting things for my children, but if I didn't love them, I wouldn't really be a parent.  Going to Mass, fasting, even saying prayers doesn't make me Catholic either.  My relationship with Jesus, the Eucharist, is what makes me Catholic; and through Jesus, the Eucharist, is my relationship with His Church.  The depth of being a parent or being a Catholic depends on the bond, the relationship. The stronger the bond, the relationship, the more one is a parent - or a Catholic.

I do Catholic things because I am Catholic; I am not Catholic because I do Catholic things.

Grudges

"If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."  Matthew 6:14-15

It is easy to hold on to a grudge from someone else's perceived transgression.  A grudge can be nurtured through bringing back memories of the perceived transgression, magnifying it and giving it holding power over us.  a nurtured grudge can lead to bitterness towards the other person.  a grudge has only as much power over us as we give it.  Satan is always willing to whisper thoughts to us to encourage the grudge.

God commands us to forgive.  His grace can empower us to forgive and break the hold of the grudge on us.  We can then in turn bless the other person whenever Satan tries to get us to pick up the grudge again.  All we need to do is to ask God for the grace.

Seconds - I Am Second

Seconds - I Am Second

Scott Hamilton Gold Medal winner. Cancer survivor. Brain Tumor victor. God’s trophy.

"Olympic Gold Medalist and figure skating commentator Scott Hamilton knows a thing or two about preparation and dedication. His sport demands that a competitor come as close to perfect as possible. No break or fault goes unpunished by the judges. Scott mastered the sport and its nuances to become the world’s best.Yet as good as he was, he could not on his own handle some of life’s biggest challenges to his health. Cancer. A re-occuring brain tumor. In the times that he needed someone by his side, there was always Someone there. Someone he has grown to know, to love,. The one who introduced him to his wife and who has made having children possible. In this film he recalls a journey that many others are also traveling, and its telling never gets old."