Wanna Get Revenge?

Jonah (star of the “Jonah and the Giant Fish” saga in the bible) is the quintessential wimp and drama queen. He runs away from God’s voice like the cowardly lion from Oz, hoping that he can escape the call to convict the entire city of Ninevah (capital of Assyria) of their sin in order to lead them to repentance. But Jonah is not a fan of the Ninevites. They are mean people. Imagine Gotham City people—corrupt, immoral, evil—and then imagine no indoor plumbing, and you have the Ninevites. Jonah, as a Jew, wants God to give these pagans what they deserve. He wants God to smite them with His all-powerful arm and turn them into a pillar of salt like that dude’s wife back in the day. When the city does repent and God shows them His mercy and graciousness, Jonah whines like a little kid whose parents won’t let him go to space camp for the summer, but send his friend instead.

Jonah, like many of us, does not love as God loves. Jonah, in his concupiscence, does not want the best for these people, but wants them to get what they truly deserve. And Jonah was not even personally close to these people! How hard is it, then, for us to love and want the best for those who have hurt us, especially if they are close to us? What about those who have abandoned us? Betrayed us? Abused us? Well, without God, it is impossible. But with God, all things are possible (Mt 19:26), and we can do ALL things because He gives us the strength (Phil 4:13).

In our humanness, we want to hate and hold grudges, gossip and compare, wish harm and get revenge. Since not all of us are as naturally virtuous as St. Therese of Lisieux, who purposely showered her “enemy” with as much love as possible, what can we do? The first step is to pray for the people who have hurt us or those we can’t stand. Why? Well, for starters Jesus told us to (Mt 5:44). Secondly, because prayer will not only affect that person, but even more will transform us. If we pray for humility for that person, we, in turn will also become humble. (I personally think praying for “humility” is the best “revenge” prayer.)

Next, we must forgive. Not seven times, but seventy times seven times. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Forgiveness is a high-point of Christian prayer; only hearts attuned to God’s compassion can receive the gift of prayer. Forgiveness also bears witness that, in our world, love is stronger than sin. The martyrs of yesterday and today bear this witness to Jesus” (2844). Maybe we’ve been told, “Forgive and forget,” but the truth is, “it is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession” (CCC 2843).

If we want to truly be Christians–“Little Christs”—we must be merciful as God is merciful and forgive trespasses as God forgives ours. Love will conquer all.

“Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.” – Romans 12:21

“Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a [pure] heart.” – 1 Peter 1:22

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God* whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” – 1 John 4:19-21

7 Books I’m Reading Right Now

If you didn’t know already, I’m a big nerd. I love reading, especially when it is helping my soul and my intellect. Some books I can finish in a day or two (“Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor”) and others I can only read a few pages at a time either because of the spiritual depth (“World’s First Love”) or because of the intellectual intensity (“Love and Responsibility” by JPII).

These are a few books I’m reading right now, plus a few bonus books I just finished reading at the bottom. I like to have a mix of theological, historical, spiritual, inspirational, devotional, referential, practical in my reading, so I hope these are representative of that!

Walking With God: A Journey Through the Bible by Tim Gray & Jeff Cavins

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

7 Levels of Intimacy by Matthew Kelly

Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila

My Life With the Saints by Fr. James Martin

How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul: 21 Secrets for Women by Jason & Crystallina Evert

Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly

Aaaaaaaaaand, I just finished reading 2 AMAZING books:

The World’s First Love: Mary, Mother of God by Fulton J. Sheen

Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love: Practical Insights on JPII’s Love and Responsibility by Edward Sri

Where Are Your Children? by Fulton J. Sheen

There is one page in Fulton J. Sheen’s World’s First Love that I cannot forget and I cannot stop sharing.

It happens to relate to today’s Gospel reading, so I am thrilled to share it with you!

To set up the framework of this quotation, in the chapter, “Virginity and Love,” Fulton Sheen talks about how Virginity (specifically referring to those in consecrated, celibate vocations: priests, brothers, sisters, lay consecrated) is neither the opposite of love nor the opposite of generation (meaning “bearing life”). He makes a case that bearing children of the spirit is greater than bearing children of the flesh (physical parents are supposed to bear both), using today’s Gospel as an example.

TODAY’s GOSPEL: Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you.”
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

FULTON SHEEN, p. 170 of World’s First Love:
“When the woman in the crowd praised the Mother of Our Lord, He turned the praise to spiritual motherhood, and said that she who did the will of His Father in heaven was His mother. Relationship was here lifted from the level of the flesh to the spirit. To beget a body is blessed; to save a soul is more blessed, for such is the Father’s Will… There would, therefore, seem to be implied in all virginity the necessity of apostleship and the begetting of souls for Christ.
God, Who hated the man who buried his talent in the ground, will certainly despise those who pledge themselves to be in love with Him, and yet show no new life–converts or souls saved through contemplation. Birth control, whether undertaken by husband and wife, or by a virgin dedicated to Christ, is reprehensible. On Judgment Day, God will ask all the married and all virgins the same question: ‘Where are your children?’* ‘Where are the fruits of your love, the torches that should be kindled by the fires of your passion?’ Virginity is meant for generation as much as married love is.”

*the bold is my emphasis, not Sheen’s

How to Find Your SOULMATE…

I just bought the book How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul: 21 Secrets for Women by Jason and Crystallina Evert.

I am so glad they wrote this book, so that I wouldn’t have to!

This book is perfect for young women to help them recognize their dignity and worth, and to make a stand never to SETTLE!

I would even say guys should read it, to know what kind of man NOT to be, and what kind of woman they should look for: a woman who knows who she is in Christ and leads others to him, as well.

CLICK HERE to buy the book

You can even buy in bulk (over 44 copies) at $2 per book, so if you want to do a book study at your church or girls’ group, you can do it for cheap! There are also downloadable study questions on their website.
CLICK HERE for the study guide

This is a PERFECT way to continue a “girls’ session” you may have experienced at a conference, retreat or convention. It’s also a great GIFT for any young woman you know!

Rosary Novena Book

If I mentioned a 54-day Rosary novena that I did in a women’s session you were at, here is the book I used:

Rosary Novena Book on Amazon.com

This novena is powerful, because Mama Mary’s intercession is powerful! (James 5:17)

When you pray for someone, pray with faith, for faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains!

God bless you!

Running the Race

EWTN: Life on the Rock

This Thursday, May 26th, I’ll be on the TV Show “Life on the Rock” on EWTN, 9pm CST (so 7pm for you California people!). (It will re-air on Friday, as well).

EWTN is the largest Catholic TV network in the world and reaches between 6 to 7 million viewers!

I am flying to Birmingham, Alabama to tape the show, and I will be singing 3 songs (2 from the first album, and 1 from the forthcoming album!).

I’m super excited!

Here is the link to “LIFE ON THE ROCK” page:
http://www.ewtn.com/tv/live/lifeontherock.asp

Here is the link to find out what station EWTN airs in your area:
http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

peace and joy!
jackie

What’s the point of the Eucharist?

I hope your Holy Thursday is beautiful!

Music Runs in the Blood

I always joke that my family is like the VonTrapp family, singing in 3-part harmony at even the birthday song. But it’s true. Music runs through our blood.

My dad sings and taught himself how to play both guitar and piano. He also used to be a mean disco dancer back in the 70s, with his tight white John Travolta Saturday Night Fever-inspired suits, and he still can cut a rug out on the dance floor. There’s no doubt I get my moon-walking skills from him (see here: Jackie Moonwalking)

And over on my mom’s side (which is of Polish/German descent), half of the siblings formed a Polka band, and we can’t have any type of wedding reception, reunion or anniversary without doing the Polka!

My Uncle Bob, who is #4 out of 11 kids on my mom’s side, recently got inducted into the Concertina Hall of Fame!

I am so proud of him, and I have video, so you can see for yourself:

Why GLEE is wrong about SEX

After I saw last week’s Glee episode, i thought to myself, “No wonder tons of teens think it’s impossible to live a life of chastity.” When all we see are people on TV acting like sex-crazed animals, with no capacity for the virtue of self-control, how can we think that it’s possible to live otherwise? We need more examples in our culture (especially in Media) of people who are LIVING chastity in all relationships. Hopefully YOU who are reading this will use your gifts to build the Kingdom of God and a culture of LIFE-GIVING LOVE!

Here are my responses to the some of the scenes in the show:

MYTH: Chastity and Celibacy are the same thing
The writers of Glee are already showing their true colors when they call it a “CELIBACY CLUB” and not a “CHASTITY CLUB”: they have no idea what the difference is between the two C-words.
TRUTH: Everyone is called to be CHASTE, but not all are called to be CELIBATE.
Chastity is the “successful integration of sexuality within the person” (CCC 2337) and, thus, the integration of body and soul. We are called to live chastely in all relationships: friendships, dating relationships, and married relationships. While celibacy simply means “not having sex,” chastity is a virtue that is lived out differently depending on our state of life (single, married, or consecrated). For instance, chastity for a single person (like myself) includes not having sex (or anything that arouses one to sex), while the married couple is not celibate, but is still chaste (e.g., staying faithful to each other, not viewing pornography, etc). Priests, religious (brothers and sisters), and consecrated men and women take a vow of celibacy, which is, therefore, one way chastity is lived out in their vocation. See the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) for more on this topic (especially #2331-2356).

MYTH: Chastity is a repression of sexual desires
Emma Pillsbury (Teacher and Celibacy Club Leader): “I am very inspired how both of you are showing how celibacy is a viable option for teens who simply aren’t ready for intimacy…and for those who are older and terrified of the hose monster.”
TRUTH: Chastity is not a REPRESSION nor an INDULGENCE of SEXUAL DESIRES, but a FULFILLMENT of them
I love food, and so my favorite analogy about our sexual desires is Christopher West’s: The STARVATION Gospel says, “Repress! Starve yourself. Shove those desires back down because they are bad!” The FAST-FOOD Gospel says, “Indulge in your desires and don’t worry about the consequences.” Fortunately there is another way. The WEDDING BANQUET Gospel (which is the real Gospel message) says, “Your desires are good, but need to be untwisted and redeemed.” It IS possible to be transformed in our sexual desires and not just give in to every temptation we encounter. When we do this, we will be more healthy with the virtues of peace, joy, love, etc., than when we turn to the fast-food and get sick with lust.

MYTH: Chastity is stupid and only for dull/boring people
Holly Holiday (Sex-Ed Substitute): “[Celibacy] sounds pretty lame.”
TRUTH: Giving into peer pressure and the “everybody is doing it” mentality is lame
I can say that the most joyful, peaceful people I have ever met are people who live a life of chastity and know that God alone satisfies all our desires–not another person, and not any thing. Personally, living a chaste life has NEVER been boring or dull.

MYTH: We are just animals with fiery instincts/passions and no self-control
Emma: “So I’m curious as to why you don’t think celibacy is a valid choice for teenagers.”
Holly: “Well, I do, I think it’s a valid choice, I just don’t think it’s that realistic. It’s like saying vegetarianism is an option for lions.”
TRUTH: We are human beings who have the choice to love people as children of God or USE people as objects
Pope John Paul said in his “Love and Responsibility” that the opposite of love is not “hate,” but “use.” Sexual love is a gift of self and demands tremendous humility and self-lessness. Lust and use, on the other hand, are all about “me” and what I can get from someone by way of pleasure. I can’t stand when people say, “Teens are going to do it anyway, so you should just give them condoms.” I say in response, “Actually, I’m 27 years-old and I’m a virgin, not because of circumstance, but because of choice.” We are not animals, but human beings who are called to life-giving love.

MYTH: Catholics are stupid, frigid, and naive about sex
Holly: “We’ve got to educate these kids.”
Emma: “I strongly disagree. I don’t think that we should barrage these kids with graphic information: they’re kids. I don’t want to steal their innocence.”
Holly: “Are you, like, some crazy Pope lady?”
later scene…
Rachel Berry: “What about those of us who choose to remain celibate?”
Holly: “Oh, well, I admire you. Although I think you are naive and possibly frigid, I do admire your choice.”
TRUTH: The Catholic Church has the fullness of Truth based on Christ’s teachings and 2000 years of Tradition and knows the GOOD NEWS about SEX and MARRIAGE
God created sex to be GOOD, and the Church is a steward of handing on this Truth. However, sex is like fire (to use Pam Stenzel’s analogy). Fire within a fireplace is beautiful, cozy and can warm the house. Fire on the living room floor, on the other hand, is destructive. Sex is similar. Within the bounds of marriage between a husband and wife, sex can and should be beautiful and life-giving. Sex outside of marriage, however, can be very destructive (as we’ve seen with STDs, teen pregnancies, abortions, etc.)

MYTH: Sex is only about pleasure and what we can get out of it
Brittany (Glee member): “When Artie and I are together we talk about stuff like feelings.”
Santana (Glee member): “Why?”
Brittany: “Because with feelings it’s better.”
Santana: “[Sex] is better when it doesn’t involve feelings. It’s better when it doesn’t involve eye contact.”
TRUTH: Sex is a GIFT of self and its two purposes are 1. PROCREATION and 2. BONDING of a HUSBAND and WIFE
Our culture forgets about the whole “PROCREATION” biological purpose of sex, and just wants the pleasure. The truth is, sex is for having babies, so if you’re not ready to be a parent, you’re not ready to have sex.

MYTH: Only experienced people know how to have good sex
Will Scheuster (Glee Teacher): “Go out with me.”
Holly: “You don’t want any of this. I’m damaged goods. Yes, it makes me terrific in bed, but, it also means I tend to break nice guys like you into wasa crackers.”
TRUTH: Good sex is less about experience, and more about the selfless, sacrificial love between the husband and wife
There is a bodily chemical called oxytocin that is released in both a man and a woman during sex. This chemical BONDS the two together emotionally. The more people you have sex with, the more people you are bonded with. Is sex really better with someone who’s bonded to a whole bunch of other people? I think not. (In fact, the only truth presented by Glee was this:
Holly: “So just remember whenever you have sex with someone, you’re having sex with everyone they’ve had sex with.”)
Also, if you HAVE had sex with a bunch of people, you are NOT damaged goods. God’s healing power and mercy are greater than any sin we have committed. Frequent the Sacraments (Reconciliation and the Eucharist, especially), and know that you are worth more than your sin.

I wish I could’ve written more about contraception as well, but this was a very quick response. Go to www.chastity.com for more information and resources.