Ite Misio Est

Ite Misio Est

(Written May 2005, for Catechists & Aides & Helpers, but meant for all)

    “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,” are the words we hear at the end of Mass.  The words from the Latin Mass are “Ite Misio Est,” which speak of going forth to share in the mission.  That mission is to bring people to God through Baptism, proclaiming The Word of God, discerning its meaning and applying it in the lives of believers.

        I think we are all called to be disciples and share in the mission that Jesus gave in “The Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20).  Each of us has faith in our life, and as Catechists, Aides and/or Helpers, we are sharing that faith through this ministry.  What I am continually discovering, and maybe you are already there, is through the preparation in the classes is the life in my faith.

        Sharing in the mission as Jesus challenged helps me identify with the disciples on the Walk to Emmaus.  Their hearts were burning as Jesus connected them through The Word, which is a sensation I too have felt when I realize a flash of a revealed message.  Even that brief insight creates some excitement about the powerful message God has revealed.

        The messages that each of us receive, whether in small pieces or huge chunks are always the right size to continue the mission,  Anytime we have a connection with Jesus, whether at Mass, with family members, in the classroom, by ourselves, in nature or elsewhere we are changed.  Then the people that God has brought into our lives are affected also.

        God blesses us through each other.  Thank you for your “Yes Lord,” to include this ministry in your share in the mission.

A Relationship With The “Not For Sunday Only" God

 A Relationship With The "Not For Sunday Only" God

(written September 1993)

    When I was a teen or even younger, God didn’t seem important in my life.  My experience of God was limited to the one hour on Sunday at Mass; and that was because someone else told me I had to be there.

        I would hear that “it was my obligation as a Catholic to attend Mass on Sunday,” so I did, not tuned to God speaking to me, rather making my appearance so others could see.

        Even my prayer life was virtually non-existent, consisting of “God, I need this,” or “I want that, or “Help me or someone else do this.”  That’s not what real prayer should be like.

        It wasn’t until years later that I found a need for community and I sought it through a Catholic Church young adult group.  I started to experience God in my life beyond the Sunday Mass.

        Through that group I was linked to a larger community around the diocese, and my relationship with God was developing beyond anything I had previously known.  I could talk to God about my feelings, my concerns, my true needs.  Those conversations became more frequent, happening in the car, at work or anywhere else.

        I had a desire to make God part of my community and that gave me confidence that there was never a moment when I was without someone with whom I could talk.  I had experienced the “not for Sunday only” God and I liked the relationship we had.

        Since I realized what God could mean in my life the journey has been filled with phenomenal revealings about what love is, what is important in life.  I have learned what being rich means, how to enliven my prayer life, lessons on being humble and many others.

        As a result of my opening up and letting God in, I have been offered many opportunities to share parts of my faith walk with small and large gatherings.  Each time I communicate about the works of God in my life I am renewed and refreshed with life, and the thirst in my soul is quenched.

        I have brought God into my daily life in simple ways, including whispers and thoughts as prayer.  There are many things people use as an escape from life, but how about escaping to the presence of God.

        I have not yet discovered anything to cope with life as effective as turning to the One Person who is always there for me.  There’s no other answer than a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ; one with communication beyond “Sunday only.”

Invite Them To Celebrate

Invite Them To Celebrate

    Our lives are filled with celebrations, and some are ones we invite others to join us in the festivities.  But to make it a greater occasion a larger gathering adds much to the event.

        When we invite people to celebrate the togetherness builds up the community.  We are strengthened into an incredible communion.

        The reuniting can make a significant difference how we see one another.  Asking someone to be part of the group can be a boost for their psyche.

        Recharging a person’s way of seeing themselves can take them to newer levels and may send them soaring to heights thought unreachable.  The invitation to be part of something they had not imagined might be the needed spark beyond anything they thought achievable.

        Eye-opening experiences give us opportunities that reveal things to us we didn’t think possible.  Being asked into an occasion is a way to make the impossible possible.  Saying “Yes” can be an opening to ……!

We come together to celebrate Mass, and we can invite others to join us in that assembly.  It is enhanced when we build up the gathering.

Be In Balance (not im-balanced)

Be In Balance (not im-balanced)

    Being balanced greatly contributes to our serenity in ways that increasingly brings peace into our lives.  The scales can tip toward a more even spot.

        We may be in tune with another that helps solidify our positioning in ways beyond our previous imagining.  Being able to see ourselves comparatively against others puts a newer perspective in view.

        The weights that measure alongside us comparatively pit us against ourselves in ways that reflects so incredible the understanding about our situation.  To fit against the expectations of another is not a way we should see what our own image reveals.

        Better than we used to be should be so competitive enough bringing us to places that renew our spirits, maybe lifting us to some new levels.  Plus analysis from others may be eye-opening to what we realize about ourselves.

        The measuring context can reflect such goodness about us that we are balanced in our environments.  Our stability perception is a renewed progression toward hope filled future and actions that move us in these directions.

Possible and Pause-ibile

 Possible and Pause-ibile

     Our lives are filled with things that are possible, but do we take time to ponder through the experiences we might be living.  In breaks we incur there is much to learn.

        When we fit the pauses into our days richness can be added that makes perspectives enhanced.  Seeing what lies beyond the obvious gives us incredible outlooks, while opening up points we didn’t consider.

        A lapse in continuing may expand possibilities we had not sought until now.  The things we’re capable of can be renewed happenings.

        Such relatable items may be brought to us in ways we didn’t see coming.  The immense occurrences with much potential will fill our lives with phenomenal greatness.

        We can absorb various things and taking the needed breaks to take in what we have consumed filter into our bodies to change us effectively.  The range of what can be good for us is wide and encompasses amazing diversity.  Receive and be PAUSE-ible.