Dwelling Among Us

"And the Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us." 

John 1:14

Does anyone else feel that strain in your neck when you are looking up at your church's crucifix? I know the one in my church is placed pretty high up. From certain vantage points, it feels super awkward to gaze upon the face of Jesus... and I feel bad but my neck is practically touching my back and I am sure I look stupid. 

It was during adoration one time that it hit me. I looked up at the crucifix, and then my gaze slowly dropped to the monstrance in front of me. And I realized, that Jesus doesn't want us to look so high- He doesn't want us to find Him in Heaven on our time on Earth. Because he is dwelling with us, eye to eye. That's why we can adore Him and consume Him in the Eucharist, because He is present with us on Earth. 

So not only did the kinks in my neck cease, but my kinks in the thoughts of Jesus being so far away released. Because He's not far away at all; He is waiting in our hearts! Pretty darn amazing, if you ask me. 

If God is for Us, Who can be Against Us?

"Brothers and sisters:

If God is for us, who can be against us? 

He who did not spare his own Son, but handed Him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with Him?

Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?

 It is God who acquits us, who will condemn?

Christ Jesus it is who died-or, rather, was raised-

who is also at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us." 

Romans 8:31-34; Second Reading of the Second Sunday of Lent

If God is for us, who could ever be against us? What is in our way? With God, we can push away our laziness, we can go against the crowd, we can defeat the Devil. With God we can have the "courage" to wake up in the mornings...on time. We can have the will power of the Holy Spirit to ace that quiz. We can have the strength to help out a friend in need, even when you don't want to.

This Lent, rather than giving advice like I did in my Lenten Series last year, I am instead going to document my journey. So expect more heartfelt, random musings (wow you are so cool Maddie for using your blog title) and things that make no sense, but make total sense. 

I wish you all a great, faith-filled Lent. :)

All through Christ,

Maddie

You Know your Catholic when...

These always make a laugh!  Here (and here ) are some of the places I got these from, and others I made up myself. :) Take a laugh and pass it on!

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A CATHOLIC WHEN

When you use the Confiteor to apologize

When you and your friend make eye contact during Mass



The waiter politely stares off into space as your family prays the meal time prayer.
-
You have a specific problem so you Google its' patron saint.
-
When your flip open your Bible to find a really inspirational verse

When you are really feeling God's love and you just need a hug

You feel really awkward kneeling when the person directly in front of you is sitting...
-
You are always explaining what the Holy Trinity is and why Catholics don't worship Mary.
-
"It's okay if you fall asleep, the angels will pray the rest!"

"And also wi- AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT" 

You're at a pizza party... on Friday... during Lent... you know the rest.

People stare at you when you do the Sign of the Cross in public

"YOU'RE CATHOLIC TOO?!"

You forget about the "don't eat within an hour before Mass" rule

Hope you guys enjoyed it! Have a wonderful week!

All through Christ,

Maddie

God is so Amazing

God is really so amazing. So, so, so very amazing.

Last night was a roller coaster for me. It was my school's biannual Father Daughter Dance. I was actually pretty excited! I loved my dress, and I made my hair look all fancy (which I don't get to do very often. :D).  My dad, my sister and I went to a nice, quaint little Italian restaurant. It was all going pretty well, and I loved it so far!

I got to the dance, and not a lot of people were there. So we took some pictures, went into the Photo Booth, and got a picture with Elsa. (Yes, the Elsa from Frozen was actually there. I was quite excited.)

As more and more of my classmates showed up, more and more groups were being formed. I am a floater at nature, so I just went around and started to talk to people. They all pretty much said the same thing . "Oh, hey Maddie, I like your dress," and then they would go back to talking to their "friends". The more people I would talk to, the sadder I felt. I realized no one really wanted to talk to me. It wasn't like they were trying to be rude, they just would rather talk to other people. Some of them wouldn't even say hello.

I sat down with my dad, and we started talking. It was actually really cool, because most of the time I talk to my mom about my social problems and stuff. But to hear it from my Dad, I realized how much we are alike.

For some reason, I had a longing to go talk to God. The church was actually open, and empty, so my Dad and I went in there. It was dark except for the candle that is on almost the whole year. And all of these messy and raw emotions were pouring out of me, and I couldn't stop crying. I didn't get it. I just didn't get it. I felt like I have always been there for all of my friends. I would help them if they needed a ride home, or if they were feeling sad I would cheer them up. If their family member died, I would always try to tell them it would be okay.

So shouldn't they want to talk to me? Am I not social? Am I awkward, or weird? Why don't they want to socialize with me?

Click here for inspiring verses

I realized that all this emotion was bottling up inside of me for awhile. In school, anyways, I don't really have a best friend. I am friends with pretty much everyone, but nothing more than just simple "Hey, how's it going?" friends. I don't get invited to much, and they probably wouldn't want to hang out with me outside of school.

During conversations, I am always that person who is like "So what did you guys do?" Or "What are you talking about?" Because most of the talk consists of stuff they did together outside of school. I know I shouldn't be jealous, and I know it shouldn't bother me.... but some how it still does.

I remember one time I was invited to go bowling. I was so excited because like I mentioned before, I don't get invited to much. Turns out, I couldn't make it. Our family commitment this year has been Adoration. We will never miss Adoration unless it is an emergency. Well, guess when my event was? Right in the smack dab middle of our hour.

It's okay though, I went to CVS and my mom bought me some Oreos. I ate them all (it was a small box) and I didn't regret it.

So anyway, here I was, in the front pew of a dark church, crying. I didn't get it, I didn't get anything. But the only thing I did get is how amazing God is to let me cry out all my feelings to him.

My dad, who was with me during some of that time, left to go check on my sister. So it was just me and God, in an empty church.

I started whispering to God everything that I felt that time. I feel like God took all of my anger, and sadness, and turned it around into grace and comfort. I could feel Him working inside of me, comforting me.

Then a big realization jumped upon me.

What I was feeling, what I was sobbing about... is what Jesus feels every single day. 

I feel like I was always the good friend. I did everything right and I was always there for them... yet the still didn't want to hang out with me.

Jesus is ultimately the best friend anyone could ever have. Everything He does is perfect for us. He will always be here for us, and yet sometimes we ignore Him in turn for our other "friends". He is constantly crying for our sins. But He still has the time to comfort us, even with our piddly little human ramblings.

He died for us, and we just continue to turn our backs. So who was I to complain about not having girls want to talk to me?

I sat in God's presence for awhile.. then I heard a crack and realized that someone else was in the church. So, as you can imagine, I skedaddled out of there. I apologize to that person if they heard my ramblings.

But God, being amazing and always wanting His children to have fun, prompted me to go back
downstairs and join the party again. Well, join I did. I found some of my friends and started dancing to "Let it Go", with them. Turns out, I also won a raffle! God is really hilarious, because I never win anything, and the one time I do, I wasn't there to hear it!

All in all, the last part of the night was wonderful. We went out for ice cream afterward... a perfect end to a crazy day.

God really will take all your sorrows and mold them into something better. I remember telling God in the church "I know something good will come out of this, but I am not sure what." Well now I do.

God, you are so amazing.

All through Christ,

Maddie

January 22nd 1973

January 22nd 1973. The court ruled that a fetus does not have constitutional rights.  In other words, on that very day, abortion became legal.

It's been more than 40 years since this decision, and since then over 55 million babies have died. 55 million. That's 5 times more than people who died in the Holocaust, and 55 times the amount of American soldiers who have died in every war that the United States has fought. *

According to Bound 4 Life, a baby is aborted about every two seconds. In America, about 24% of all pregnancies end in abortion. 80% percent of women who have the abortion report belonging to a religion. A sad 27% percent of those women are Catholic. 

In a way, this is the new Holocaust. 

Webster-Merriam dictionary defines holocaust as 

"A thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life..."

At that time, Jews were not seen as people with rights. Today, unborn children aren't either. Millions upon millions died in the gas chambers, and millions more die in the womb before they have a chance to speak for themselves.

Many people argue that it is the woman's choice. Yes, woman do have choices, but they cannot choose to end another's life, no matter how young someone is. Yes, they have control of their body, but only theirs. How many people realize that that "lump of tissue" is actually a growing miracle? How many people know that a baby that they decided to kill could've grown up to do amazing things? They could've been the first woman president, or a doctor who cured cancer. They could've saved someone's life down the road, or become a model for everyone. Millions of children have never had the chance to play in the rain, or go to school. Some will never see the light of day, or the stars at night.

These children were robbed of their chance to live, all because many people cannot see that there is a life growing in the womb.

So, what can we do? 

Look out for a Pro-Life group at your church, youth group, or school. 

Wear a button, bracelet, or t-shirt promoting the Right to Life.

Pray at a local abortion facility.

Pray daily for lives of the unborn, and their mothers. 

Even though it may seem like we aren't getting anywhere, we are. I believe that if we keep our complete trust in God and ours hearts set on Him, we can win this. :) So put on your helmets and grab your shields. Are you ready to fight?

All through Christ,

Maddie

*This is a rough estimate. 

after emptiness follows God

Author's Note: This is an original poem, written by your's truly. :) Enjoy, and comment if you feel inspired. 


after anxiousness follows peace

after hate follows love

after despair follows hope

after emptiness follows God

every adjective has a counter-part

every feeling has an opposite
it is up to you to find which one to choose

anxiety or peace?

hate or love? 

despair or hope?
emptiness or God? 

they are two sides of the same coin of emotion

there is consciousness of what is right

and there is pressure of what should be right

there Satan whispering insecurity in your ear

and there is God sighing hope and love

which one will  you choose? 

insecurity or security?

regret or comfort? 

for God so loved the world

 He gave His children free will

for God so loved the world

he gave up His only Son

who suffered and died for us

all so that we could choose to say 

"yes"

how beautiful is the love that doesn't force

how beautiful is the love that never will punish

only love

only beautiful selfless love

how lucky are we

to be able to choose love against hate

light against darkness

how lucky indeed

after  anxiousness follows peace

after hate follows love

after despair follows hope

after emptiness follows God

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

During my DC trip, my family and I got the awesome opportunity to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (long name, I know). It is the largest Catholic church in Northa America, and it is among the 10 largest in the world! It was sooooo beautiful! If you ever get the chance to visit this amazing place, take it! There are more than 70 chapels, and there is a bookstore and cafeteria. There are two "churches" (places were they celebrate the Eucharist) that I know of, but there might be more. The architecture was flawless and the reverence they had for Jesus and Mary... wowza. 

Here is an excerpt from the Basilica's website on the history. 

"In 1846, an excerpt from a Massachusetts newspaper told of "a magnificent Catholic church [to] be built at Washington, D.C. after the manner of the great cathedrals of the Old World from subscriptions of every Catholic Parish in America.” 

Spanning the late 19th, 20th and now 21st century, American Catholics would indeed build a sanctuary that rivals those of Europe and the world, not only in size but in stature as well—in sacred art, architecture, history and heritage.

Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica is the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine. With over 70 chapels and oratories that relate to the peoples, cultures and traditions that are the tapestry of the Catholic faith and the mosaic of our great nation, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is indeed, America’s Catholic church."

If you would like to learn more about the Basiclica, just click on the blue link above and it will take you to it!

WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL TOUR

NOTE- One of the things I don't really like about Blogger is it is sooooo hard to put in pictures! So bear with me as the pictures are scattered everywhere. Sorry about this inconvenience. 

Here are the opening views of the Basilica. Huge and beautiful, right? And the funny part is, it is located in a not-so-great part of town. So in the midst of "darkness" (that's a metaphor, just saying) here comes the light! :) Even from the outside, I already knew this was going to be an amazing experience. 

A closer view to the Basilica. In the picture below, you can see the brightly painted dome. That is the dome of the main part of the main church. 

This is the main "pretty looking" entrance to the church. If you want to get in, you have to go through the side though. We almost missed it! :) 

 

What?!

 The picture to the right is proof that this article of clothing was actually worn by JP2! The caption reads "Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow, 1976 August 9, Sacristy before Mass in the Upper Church."








Pope Francis' zuchetto? I don't know if this can get any better. There also was JP2's zuchetto as well as Pope Benedict the XVI.

First class relic people. Ah-mazing. 

These statues of numerous saints greeted us as we walked into the basilica. There was a little museum exhibit like thing to the side where we found the relics, zuchettos, and different things like that.  

 




              I believe that is St. Katherine Drexel. 

This chapel is dedicated to the Crucifiction, i believe. (Just by the way, this is all based on my memory. I don't really have a way of knowing the exact dedications, so bear with me. :) )

Our Lady of Japan

 Aren't these beautiful? 
The chapel on your left (wow, I sound like a tour guide) is one of the bigger ones. Most of the chapels were as small as a bedroom, maybe a tad bigger. 

If you are wondering about the picture on the right, the words above the painting say "Follow my Counsel." 

I can't get over how amazing these are... everything was so unique and artfully made!

Now it's time to go into the Upper Church (what I call the main church). It is HUGE! 

 This is the view right as you walk in. Tell me about breathtaking. Imagine seeing it in person! There was murals and mosaics covering every inch of the ceiling. To your left and right (after the pews of course) were more chapels. In the picture to the left, you can't see it too well, but the big red thing in the very back of the church is the end. (Spoiler- It's a mosaic of Jesus!)

Here it is again from a different angle.  

For the picture on your right- This is at the foot of the steps leading to the first altar. Yes, there is more than one altar. Jesus' mosaic face is covered by a statue of Mary. I have close ups later. 

 Here we go, there's Mother Mary! She is "watching" over the church! The dome she is standing on covers the main altar. 

Different view of Mary...

 Here are some ceiling views... all of them so beautiful and decoratively made. 

Here is a floor view

Sepia-ed version of Jesus. 

Full color! 

Better view of Jesus with Mary

I can't get over the ceilings...

More ceiling love.

Now for some more chapels! (Is anyone still with me? :) )

 

In the far right is Elizabeth Ann Seton 

Juan Diego! 

Rose of Lima

This chapel is obviously dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. This was my second favorite chapel. I loved how on the sides it had the mosaics of a bunch of different saints commemorating our mother. 

"To Restore all Things in Christ"
"Give us this day our daily bread" 

The Pieta

Finally, my favorite chapel. The Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.

The altar reads, "Food for angels, food for men.
All you lowly come and eat."
Wow, talk about powerful. 

Is it not one of the most beautiful things
you have ever seen?

One last shot! 

Yes, it's the same shot as before, just bigger. You can't stop appreciating the beauty though! 

God's presence was so beautifully obvious in this wonderful place. I really wish I lived near by so I could go to a different chapel everyday! 

I am sorry if I overwhelmed you with pictures, or if they bored you. But to me, this was one of the most God-speaking, divinely beautiful places I have ever been to. Thank you Lord, for this wonderful experience.

Quick shout out- please make sure to participate in my poll! So far only one person has responded. (Thank you!) I would love to hear from you guys! You don't even have to state your name.You can be anonymous in the contact box, or just vote! Thank you all so much, and God bless!

All through Christ,

Maddie