Think about those times in your life when you have felt inspired to something really great. Where does that inspiration come from?
The Holy Spirit. God inspires us to do great things with our lives.
----Matthew Kelly

Welcome to The Not So Perfect Catholic!

Disclaimer: I am not a theologian, just a Catholic empty-nester trying to figure it all out. The views on this blog are my own.

Letting the Lion Loose

Yesterday, a coworker talked about the Funeral Mass she attended the day before for a neighbor. This was the first time she had ever been in a Catholic Church. She said (chuckling as she said it) that as they were leaving, her husband looked at her and said, "And that is why we're Southern Baptist". I looked at her & said, "What did he mean by that? I don't understand." Then she started back-pedaling and said that he thinks church is being yelled at by the preacher. I was so hurt & offended that I didn't know what to say.
I did tell her that if you didn't know what was going on during the Mass, I could see how it could be confusing. I also told her that every single part of the of the Mass comes right out of scripture and the Bible. Another co-worker grew up Catholic but does not attend Mass; she piped in and said that she feels more at home going to Mass than she does in a Protestant service.
I went on to tell her that the wonderful thing about Mass is that I can attend anywhere in the world and know what's going on, because it's the same anywhere you go. I referenced when I was in Denmark a couple of years ago: Once I knew where in the Mass we were, I followed along without any trouble, even though I don't understand Danish.
My co-worker used the words "intense"...but she also used the word "creepy". Even though I've lived in the South my entire life, it still puzzles me that people can be ignorant and intolerable of others' religion...not just Catholicism.
I ran across this quote this morning in an article on Catholic365.com and thought it was perfect:

The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it, let it loose, and it will defend itself."
-St. Augustine of Hippo



Sixth Sunday of Easter

This Sunday, being Mother's Day, the Homily was all about love. Father spoke of Woodstock (!); a time when we all about love and were excited about love.  Somehow, we have lost sight of that love. God calls us to love one another, even when it is difficult, and even when the receiving person doesn't want it. It was at this point he brought in Mother's Day. How many of us who are parents can identify with the receiving person not wanting our love? (Think about those teenage years with our kids...or even with us.)
What do we have to give Jesus?  We have nothing but our love. We will receive abundance in return, but all He asks is that we give Him our love.
This was the first Mother's Day without my mother, who passed away very unexpectedly last July. We never placed that much emphasis on that day; I told my father that every day was Mother's Day. That didn't keep me from getting teary-eyed at the end of the Homily. Father said that he enjoys seeing the crowd on Mother's Day, because that's the day that mothers can guilt their children into coming to Mass with her. At the end of the Homily, he referenced it again, and asked everyone to pray for those of us who would give nothing more than to be sitting next to our moms in the pew.
I can honestly say that I gave my mother all of my love, and received an abundance in return. Father said that "love is when you don't get anything in return", but I would have to disagree with him on this point. I don't think it's when you don't get anything in return, but rather, when you don't expect anything in return.
For it is in giving that we receive.  (Prayer of St. Francis)

The Maker

As I was driving to work this morning, I had to stop on the side of the road and take a picture of the view:
As I pulled back onto the road, this song came on the radio:
Perfect start to the day! I floated the rest of the way to work!

Fifth Sunday of Easter

I skipped last week's post. I went to Mass, but I just didn't get around to writing last week's post. It happens. LIFE happens.  I'm back at it this week, though!
I had a hard time keeping my focus during last night's Homily. I play my flute during Mass, and I really flubbed up the Gloria. It's in a style that I've never been comfortable playing, so I practiced it all week and ended up psyching myself out. Anyway, that's my excuse for not being able to focus on what Father was saying!
He began the Homily by saying that we all make mistakes. (Thank you, Father, for starting out like that!) 
His main message (or what I understood to be his main message) is that God puts us where he wants us to be...it's up to us to follow through with that. If we choose not to, He will still be there for us and will guide us back.
After Mass, I talked to a friend who will change jobs next year. She said she really prayed about it, and felt bad about leaving her current position. She said the Homily really spoke to her and couldn't have been more perfect. 
I truly believe what Father said: God puts us where we're supposed to be. It may not be where we want to be or think we should be, but we do have to put it in the Lord's hands.
Did the Homily or your service speak to you?