What a Mother Should Tell Her Children About Life - And When

I'm copying this because of a comment I read on the Shoved to Them blog, which in part reads: "Furthermore, is that kind of frank conversation even welcome in my devout Catholic homeschooling circles where teen sex is whispered about in anxious tones?"

It got me to thinking about something I'd read in the Mother's Manual, a prayer book my mom gave me, which is still in print. Let me know your thoughts on if this little instruction is just right or doesn't go "far enough" in having a conversation with your children about life, sex, and babies. I apologize for the length.

It is a frequent question asked by mothers: "What should I tell my little girl (or boy) about life? When should I speak of these matters? And how should I go about it?"

     Probably no one who knows much about the matter would venture to set an age specification for such information. The answer to "when" is: Whenever the child begins to show curiosity about such matters.

Little Johnny, age seven or eight, may come to mother and ask where little babies come from. The question should not surprise or alarm; it should be answered. A wise mother will take a calm interest in the question, draw her baby to her in a motherly fashion, and explain that God sends the little baby to parents. Little babies come from God.

3 1/2 Time-Outs Tuesday (SuperHero Edition)

Hosted by Larry D at Acts of the Apostasy

1. I have no "flight" response.

2. I have only a "fight" response.

3. I found this out today when I foiled a would-be robber from stealing my car keys, gave chase, shouting him down until he threw my car keys down on the ground and kept running.

3 1/2. If you ever value your life, don't cross a redhead when she's mad.

Tempted to Leave Mass Early?

Found this through the phatmass directory and thought it needed to be shared. I had a moment of choking up right before receiving the Eucharist, that our Lord and Savior would deign to give Himself to me in the Eucharist...I just about lost it. It also made me so sad for all those who do not understand the gift of the Eucharist, or who receive with the stain of mortal sin on their souls. At any rate, I remembered reading this, and wanted to share it with you. It is very moving. (The original link to the article is broken, but if you know who wrote this, please let me know so that I can give them credit.)

Have you ever been late for church, or have you ever left early?

I have. We have been trying to address this problem in our parish for some time, but I have never been seriously, repentantly, convicted of it, until lately.

I want to share my experience with you. We went out of town to visit our daughter at college. We were making our plans, and it appeared that it would be better to go to church Saturday night so we could get up early Sunday morning and return home before the traffic got too bad.

We were having a wonderful time. Our daughter had bought five tickets to the ice hockey game. She was so excited to get them because it was a sell-out. For a college girl she really splurged. She wanted to make this night special.

On the way to church, she asked if we could leave right after communion because the traffic would be backed up, and the center was quite a distance away. Right away, I thought, "If only my pastor were here, he would not like that at all." I said that we couldn't leave until we received our final blessing. I began to feel myself waiver and said, "We'll see what time it is at the end of mass, and I guess it will be all right if we left a little early," knowing that we would be missing the final song. We sat in the back, so we wouldn't be too noticeable.

The worship was beautiful, and I prayed that our eyes and hearts would be open to see and hear, and receive all that Christ would want us to receive. I prayed for all of us to receive a tangible experience of Christ's presence that would change our lives forever. Little did I know that I would be so blest.

At the parish we visited, they had a mission priest, and he talked about the power of Christ in a community. He went on to say that this is where we will see the miracles of Jesus, and more, because Jesus is interceding for us and is present in the word and in the Eucharist. He talked about how essential the liturgy is. It is in the community and the liturgy that we hold each other accountable. It is in the liturgical community that we have someone we can turn to, who can pray for us, and we can pray for them. The more we love one another, and the more we know one another, the more manifestations of Christ's miracles we will see. He said that if we come only for ourselves without getting to know one another in our community, we will not see as many manifestations that is possible. He also talked about how important it is that we gather each Sunday to receive the nourishment and encouragement we need to be empowered to be sent forth again. It is in the committed faith and love of community, with the word and the Eucharist, that we'll see Christ through one another. He also talked about how important fathers are, and how essential is their faith commitment for healing relationships with the family and the church. It was just lovely.

Musings on Secrets

Our world thirsts for "secret" knowledge. Our society constantly obsesses with the secrets of celebrities, presidents and other high profile people, what they really said and did; and secret knowledge of the universe. And isn't that the original sin? Or the impetus of? A thirst for secret knowledge.
     In the Litany of the Holy Ghost, there's a line that says: "Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge." I pray that also the Holy Ghost would protect us from wanting to know "the secret" knowledge of the world.

Harsh Measures

Gospel John 2:13-25

"He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area...His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, 'Zeal for your house will consume me.'"
     "Zeal, properly speaking, signifies an intensity of love, whereby the one who loves intensely does not tolerate anything which is repugnant to his love." (St. Thomas Aquinas)

I went to Confession the Friday before the 3rd Sunday of Lent, and for my penance, the priest asked me to reflect on this part of the Sunday's readings in particular because Jesus wants to drive out all in me that is crowding him out, that is separating me from God.

As I was reflecting on this, I realized that Jesus has such a burning love - a zeal - for me and that I may have union with God the Father, that He will sometimes have to use harsh measure to get rid of all that separates me from God - and yes that it will hurt to have to let go of these things I treasure, whether it be money, or pride, or my temper.

Have more compassion than animals

Gospel Luke 16:19-31
"Dogs even used to come and lick his sores." I was puzzled by this seemingly gross and unnecessary phrase in the Gospel. Why would Jesus include it? Then in reading the Lenten Magnificat companion, which said in part: "The cry of Lazarus must not be left to the dogs to assuage." Jesus was trying to drive home the point that the only comfort Lazarus had in this world was provided for by dogs, an animal, a being that we don't believe has an immortal soul. A being that has no immortal soul is more merciful to Lazarus than human beings are, who do have immortal souls. Animals should be the ones who ignore the plight of human beings, who show no love or mercy or compassion. Instead, all too often, it is other human beings who are blinded to the woes of those most in need of help. Blinded by wealth or power or just even the comforts of their lives.

How am I blinded to the needs of those around me? That's what I've been pondering, and praying that my eyes may be opened to the least around me.

Fruits of Discipline

Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Gospel Luke 9:22-25

"Take up his cross daily and follow me" by "walking in His ways", "heeding His voice", and "holding fast to Him".

Even going back to the Old Testament, it's not an easy life to follow God. The commandments are many.  Anyone who says that Jesus did away with all the hard stuff that comes along with believing in God is kidding themselves.

I can fall into that trap as well, thinking that because someone looks like they have the Christian life together, that it's "easy" for that person. But I see none of the struggle, none of the attacks from the devil that will come upon a person striving for the Christian life, striving to walk in His ways. All I can see is the fruits of their discipline of taking up their cross, daily, to follow Him.

I think that's one of my problems, is constancy. I hit a rough patch, and there goes everything. Instead of clinging all the more to Him, I run away, just as Peter ran away.

I am hopeful that this Lent is proving to be training season for my soul - to train me in self-discipline and constancy. Today I failed because I didn't want to get up early and pray. I am hopeful tomorrow is better. May I hold fast to the cross, walking behind Him on the way to Calvary, heeding His voice.

3 1/2 Time-Outs Tuesday: Ranter has lost it version

1. We're supposed to number these volumes? Oh. Um. Ha Ha. I think this is number 4?

2. I'm so tired! Not enough sleep, too much on my mind. Yesterday I wanted to crawl into a corner and cry for awhile, just to release the pent-up emotional and physical stress. But of course, I didn't. (Predictably.)

3. I'm going to endeavor to take a nap today. Hopefully that will help my anxiety/stress level. Bad part about naps is that I always wake up wanting to puke.

3.5 I would like to stop having demonic nightmares. In all the dreams, it's been the same demonic girl taunting me. Not exactly something restful, if you know what I mean? I put blessed salt around my bed and I'm hoping that'll do the trick.

Go see Larry D for more time-outs!

Preoccupied

My household has been slightly preoccupied.

With this:

Yes, the cartoons are as awesome as I (and you) remember them. My kids and I are loving them.