"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!

The Germ (GK Chesterton)

This is one of my favorite poems....I hope you enjoy it!

The Germ (GK Chesterton)

God spake to the Red Adam

(Earth and sky in a stormy kiss):

"Out of night and the things that were not,
This."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Lo, thyself to thyself I give.

Out of void and the dust that lives not,

Live."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Lo, I break thee thyself as bread
By my hands through the long, proud ages

Fed."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Lo, I pour thee thy blood as wine

To the last fierce drop in the veins of madness
Mine."

God spake to the red Adam:

"This is the first of life, and sweet.

Love me or mock me, curse me or worship,

Eat."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Sins I punish and sins forgive.

Yet thou shalt keep my first commandment,

Live."

God spake to the red Adam:

"For all thy works hath a breath sufficed.

Live: defy me, Prometheus: serve me,

Christ."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Curse my universe, curse thy brood.

I made thee for an end and find thee

Good."

God spake to the red Adam,

Close in a dim collossal strife,

Bowed and spake with the lips of earthquake:

"Life!"

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Happy St. Valentine's Day!  Whether you're single or dating or married or divorced, remember, this was not always a holiday about lovey-dovey chocolates and candlelight dinners.  This is the feast of St. Valentine, a Christian martyr from ancient Rome.  For all of you who are in relationships, I hope you have a great day with those you love.  As for me, St. Valentine is the only Valentine I need :)

Click here to read a little about St. Valentine

Wait...so that means......

 Huh!  Well, how do you like that? ;)

Just a little comic about St. Valentine....Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

And now for some St. Valentine...well, Valentines!

A romantic gift for your favorite person...

And a little bit of history...

Have a safe, blessed, and very happy St. Valentine's Day :)

~Little Sister

How about "Fifty Shades of No"?

Valentine's Day is coming.  And I'm sure that many of you are planning beautiful romantic dates with your significant others.  Maybe you're going out to dinner, or having a quiet evening at home.  Perhaps you're going to see a movie.  And perhaps that movie is going to be Fifty Shades of Grey.  Now, I'm sure you've been able to figure out that since this is a Catholic blog, this is not going to be a post about how wonderful this movie is going to be and how I hope that you'll all want to watch it with your significant others this Valentine's Day...Nope.  It's going to be one long listing of why you SHOULDN'T.

Included here are some of the best articles and videos I've found about the Fifty Shades Phenomena, and what people are saying about it.  I hope that you find this both helpful and educational.  And by the way, please feel free to share these articles and videos with your friends.  You never know who might benefit from hearing or reading about this.

Let's start with fifty things you should know before watching this movie.  This is a great video for people who are planning on watching the movie, and for those who have no interest in it whatsoever, and have no plans to read it.  This will provide you with the needed background to fight back when people say "Well, have you seen it?  Have you read the books?  Then how do you know what you're talking about?"

The best way to arm yourself for a debate is to bulk up on knowledge about the topic.  Here's a bit more you should know about the lies and falsehoods perpetuated by the upcoming film.


Had enough yet?  If not, here is some light reading material about the darker side of E.L. James's popular book series:

• "Real Love and the Urgency of Evangelization" from the Southern Nebraska Register
• "50 Shades of Pain: Sterile Sex and the Problem with Porn" from The Catholic News Agency
• "Dark 'Shades of Grey'" from Mercator Net

I think that's a good enough start.  Stay informed; that is the best way to win battles against falsehoods and evils like this.  Stay strong, and God bless you!

Vocation

When I was a kid, I started to consider if I wanted to spend my life as a nun.  As I got a little older, my plans changed, but because of my interest, I still receive information from the local seminary, such as their newsletter, every couple of months.  I believe that we are all called to vocations, whether that is religious life, married life, or even just to be single.  This was a very powerful video and very thought provoking.  I pray that you take ten minutes out of your day to watch it.

This video was found on the wonderful site Catholic Memes.  If you would like more information, or if you're feeling called to explore your vocation, please visit the official site here.