Saintly Intercession

November is a great month to focus on the saints.  Catholics believe that saints are holy men and women who followed God's commandments and went above and beyond what most people do in their daily life.  In other words, these are the people who most fully embraced God's plan for them, and as a reward, are now honored in the Church.

Now, to quash a common misconception real quick-- Catholics DO NOT worship the saints.  I've heard this a couple of times, most notably from a Protestant friend of mine, but it is not true.  Yes, we pray to the saints, and yes, we ask for their intercession, but we don't worship them as though they were gods or like God.  There is a big difference.

This is an analogy my Dad gave me, and I think it really helps to illustrate the point: when you want someone to do something for you, and you don't want to ask them directly (for whatever reason-- you're scared, you think they will say "no", etc.), who do you ask?  Well, you ask someone close to them, someone they care about.  For me, I might not do what you ask, but if you ask my brother to convince me, and HE asks me, then I will be much more likely to step in.  Of course, this doesn't mean you get to cheat the system.  God doesn't say "Oh, well you found the one loophole there, so I'll do whatever you want!" but it does help.  Our faith is founded on a community of prayer, so it would stand to reason that asking a saint to pray for you--because that's what asking their intercession means--that God will hear those prayers as well as yours and answer them.  Sometimes, however, the answer is still no, but that a topic for a different post.

To take my dad's analogy a bit further, think of it this way.  If I'm having computer trouble, who do I go to for help?  Well, I'd go to someone who is good with computers!  And that's what we do when we pray to the saints.  Each saint has their own special focus.  And there are saints for EVERYTHING.  Snowdays (St. Scholastica), the Internet (St. Isodore), lost causes (St. Jude), parking spaces (St. Mother Cabrini), lost items (St. Anthony), belt makers (St. Alexius of Rome), the list goes on and on.  You can read about some more of these holy men and women here.

Now, there is one more saint I wanted to mention, and I'll be honest, he's the reason why I'm writing up this post.  I'll explain in a second, but the saint I'd like to introduce all of you to is not one of the more common ones we always hear about (eg. St. Patrick,  St. Bernadette, St. Anthony, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Joseph, St. Joan of Ark, etc.).  This saint only came to my attention recently because of a rather embarrassing need that arose, and I sought out a saint to intercede for my particular ailment.  It is with honest and heartfelt thanksgiving that I introduce Saint Fiacre, the patron saint of gardeners, cab drivers, and...hemorrhoids.

Yes, dear readers, the other day I was horrified to discover my first hemorrhoid.  I did a bit of research on it, looked some stuff up online, and in the end, decided it was best to pray about it.  I've been a bit weak in my prayers lately, so I came before God with my tail between my legs, as it were, and asked that he please heal me.  I also prayed to St. Fiacre for his intercession, promising that if he would help me, I would tell people about him.  So, this is the first step in that evangelization.  Yesterday, I went to bed with a painful hemorrhoid, and this morning I woke up with no pain, and the hemorrhoid itself greatly diminished in size.  Between lunch and dinner, it had all but disappeared.  It has been just over 24 hours since I discovered the problem, and just under 24 hours since I prayed for healing.  If that's not a testament to the power of God's healing power and the intercession of saints, then I don't know what is!

Before this post becomes too long, I'll wrap things up.  I want to extend yet another grateful "thank you" to St. Fiacre, which, if he doesn't see on his own, I hope St. Isadore, the patron saint of the Internet will convey my sentiments.  Hopefully, all of you will not have to pray for hemorrhoid healing, but if you do, pray to St. Fiacre and he will help you.  Additionally, if you are a gardener or a cab driver (or have a friend or loved one who is) then this is also a wonderful saint to pray to.  And I strongly encourage you to do so!

God bless!

In Defense of Planned Parenthood

For those of you out there reading this, I know what you're thinking.  In defense of Planned Parenthood?!  Come on, Little Sis!  What are you thinking? And during 40 Days for Life, no less!  In response to that, I say don't worry.  Just watch the video.

Tough sell. Planned Parenthood is the victim of a smear campaign. Here's the proof from your friendly, neighborhood pro-choice activist.
Posted by AskDrBrown on Wednesday, September 23, 2015

40 Days for Life

We are approaching the start of 40 Days for Life, which will start this Wednesday, September 23rd, and run through November 1st.  This is a time of fasting and prayer with the intention of bringing an end to abortion.  No matter how you feel about abortion, whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, you have to admit that there are some things in this world which are just evil--intrinsically evil.  Abortion is one of those.

I pray that you join me, as my brothers and sisters in Christ in fasting and praying to bring about this great evil.  Please follow the link I've included here to learn a bit about the movement, and join with people all over the world as we come together in silent protest for a common cause.

As part of the movement, we are asked to spend just one hour in front of an abortion facility in silent protest.  I know I'll be there.  Maybe I'll see one of you.  Maybe you'll see me.  Of course, we won't know each other, but even so, all that matters is seeing the solidarity of pro-lifers coming together.

Even so, I hope I see you there.

God bless!

Do Catholics Worship Mary?

"Their God is My God"

One of my favorite Bible passages of all time comes from Luke.  Jesus is dying on the cross between the two criminals and one mocks him, saying "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!"  But, the other rebukes him saying "Do you not fear God?  We are justly punished, but this man has done nothing wrong," and turning to Jesus says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus says to him, "Truly, this day you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:39-43)

I always get choked up when I read this.  The magnitude of what Jesus is saying here is amazing.  Even after all that he did, this thief is being given a second chance because he has turned to God.  That's really powerful.  In the face of great suffering, he finds God.

I'm thinking about this passage for two reasons.  One: it's Holy Week, and this is a Good Friday sort of passage.  Two: I read this article by Right Wing News.

ISIS was murdering a group of Egyptian men because of their Christian faith.  They had captured 20 Coptic Christians, but had accidentally brought along one more man (to make 21) who was not a Christian.  As he saw all these men dying for their faith, he was amazed.  And when his captors demanded that he renounce his faith (even though he was not Christian), he said in reply, "Their God is my God" and was killed alongside them.

How powerful!  How many Christians--or really, members of any faith community, do you know who are willing to die for their faith?  I'm willing to bet it's not too many.  I would like to think that in that situation, I would also stand by my faith, but we don't know how we will respond in times of crisis.  Even the apostles abandoned Jesus during His Passion.  I will say, however, that my God gives me strength, and if He wills that I be placed in a position where I have to defend my faith, even with my life, I believe that He will also give me the courage to stay true to Him.  Remember Psalm 23:4-- Even though I walk in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side, with your rod and your staff that give me courage.

I'm still in awe over this story.  I think it goes to show that even though our Christian brothers and sisters are persecuted in the Middle East, our God is still with us.  And we show our faith through our works, not just through our words.  It is one thing to say that you are Christian, but are you willing to die for your faith?  That is the ultimate test.

Your Inspirational Thought of the Day

This is your inspirational thought of the day.  Remember: God loves you!  And you're kind of a big deal :)

I Learned that in an Anime #1: Dr. Hiriluk and Second Chances (One Piece)

Hello, everyone!  This is the first post in what I hope is going to be a new series on this blog: I Learned That in an Anime.  Basically, each post is going to focus on a certain character, event, or symbol in an anime series, and show how this character or moment shows the universality of Catholicism.  I'm sure that when I say "Japan" or "anime," Catholic is not the first thing that comes to you mind.  It certainly wasn't for me.  But, remember, Catholic means "universal" and so there are times when religion bleeds into other forms of media, including those where you would not expect to find it.  Please read and enjoy!  One quick note, these posts will contain spoilers, so please be warned before proceeding.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Drum Kingdom arc from One Piece introduces us to the quack Dr. Hiriluk.  Despite his heart being in the right place, Dr. Hiriluk continues to torment the people of Drum Kingdom with his cockamamie "cures" which end up doing more harm than good.  But, he honestly believes he is performing a service--after all, there are no doctors left in the kingdom after the corrupt King Wapol drove them all away, keeping a small collection of medical men at his beck and call, forcing the people of Drum Kingdom to beg him for their services.

What makes Dr. Hiriluk such a powerful figure is the life he leads.  While he is a terrible doctor, he genuinely tries to help his fellow citizens.  And when he finds Tony Tony Chopper, the blue-nosed reindeer who ate the Human-Human fruit, injured in the woods, Dr. Hiriluk not only takes him in, but treats him like a son.  For me, though, the story that he tells him is perhaps the most powerful aspect of the character.

He tells Chopper the story of a terrible thief who had been diagnosed with an incurable heart condition.  He went to many doctors, but no one was able to cure him.  Then, one day, he witnessed the most beautiful sight: cherry blossoms blooming.  He was so moved by the sight that when he returned to the doctor, he was told that there was no heart condition.  He had been completely and miraculously cured.  Because of this, he came to believe that no disease could not be cured, and returned to his home village of Drum Island to cure the people there of their apathetic, icy hearts by making cherry blossoms bloom in the eternal winters there.  (In case you weren't able to guess, this thief was actually Dr. Hiriluk).  He flies a pirate flag with cherry blossom petals on it, saying that this is a symbol that anything is possible.  Even for a man like him to be given a second chance.
 
In the end, of course, things do not go well for our good Doctor.  First, he discovers that the grave illness that had plagued him all his life has finally come back to finish him off.  He kicks Chopper out of the house so the little reindeer won't have to watch him die.  Chopper returns bringing a poisonous mushroom which he believes will save his friend (confusing the skull and crossbones in the field guide to mean "cure," like the doctor's pirate flag, instead of "poison").  Dr. Hiriluk is so touched by Chopper's gift he eats it anyway.  Then, when he learns that King Wapol's private doctors have all fallen ill, he goes to save them, falling into a trap so that Wapol can finally have him killed.  Before the guards shoot him, Hiriluk ends with this inspiring quote:

When does a man die? When he is hit by a bullet? No! When he suffers a disease? No! When he ate a soup made out of a poisonous mushroom? No! A man dies when he is forgotten!  --Dr. Hiriluk

He dies shouting "I lived an extraordinary life!"  This was, for me, one of the most

inspiring and heart-wrenching scenes in One Piece.  After all the love and kindness this man has shown, even in the face of death, he manages to keep his pride and his compassion.  I am not ashamed to say that I bawled like a baby while watching this.

Now, what does this mean for Catholics (or Christians, or really anybody)?  Well, it deals with the concept of second chances, which is very near and dear to my heart.  I had a rough time at the start of my teenage years.  I was bullied to the point where my self-esteem was so bad, I wouldn't say that I had any.  I honestly felt like dirt on the ground, unlovable and discarded.  Through the support of my family and the love of God, I was able to pull through.  But, at the time, and for years afterwards, I didn't think of it like that.  I was angry that I had been made to suffer, and I held onto that anger like a lifeline.  In fact, I held onto it for so long that there came a point when I didn't even realize I was angry anymore.  It was just how I was.  And then, one day, on a beautiful retreat, I had my moment when I realized that God was giving me a second chance.  I had decided that I was worthless and that nobody cared about me.  I had given up on God, but He had not given up on me.  In that moment, he brought me back, and showed me that while the scars are never going to go away, I should not allow those experiences to define who I was.  I had to change how I viewed myself if I wanted to change my life.  I needed a second chance. 


God gives all of us second chances.  Again and again.  He never gives up on us.  And like Dr. Hiriluk, we should use these opportunities for good.  God allows us to start over, gives us a clean slate, and we should take that message of forgiveness to do something great with our lives, to reach out and help other people.  Like Dr. Hiriluk, my heart was changed.  And perhaps God is calling me to melt the icy hearts of a world that has stopped caring.  I'm really not sure yet.  But, I'm open to hearing what I'm supposed to do, and I am so grateful for my second chance!

Perhaps there is something going on in your life right now.  Perhaps you feel like you're in a slump, or maybe you've done something and feel like you can never be forgiven.  Don't allow yourself to fall into that trap.  No matter what you have done, even if you've killed someone, God is ready to forgive you if you are willing to ask for his forgiveness.  When you do, take that forgiveness and use it to help someone else.  Melt the icy hearts of those around you, or help someone else to find meaning, forgiveness, or love--just as Hiriluk helped Chopper to find acceptance and love when everyone, even his own family, wanted nothing to do with him and drove him away.

Second chances, forgiveness...what beautiful concepts.  God's love is infinite, and so is His willingness to give us second chances.  Embrace them, and make the world a better place!