Hearts, Hope, and Questions Burning

When I mention the Lenten song "Jerusalem, My Destiny," many people nod and say something along the lines of, "Yeah, we sang that all the time in my parish growing up." Interesting...we never did. Maybe it's a midwest thing?

Here's how it goes:

Refrain:

I have fixed my eyes on your hills,

Jerusalem, my Destiny!

Though I cannot see the end for me,

I cannot turn away.

We have set our hearts for the way;

this journey is our destiny.

Let no one walk alone.

The journey makes us one.

Other spirits, lesser gods,

have courted me with lies.

Here among you I have found

a truth that bids me rise. (Refrain)

See, I leave the past behind;

a new land calls to me.

Here among you now I find

a glimpse of what might be. (Refrain)

In my thirst, you let me drink

the waters of your life,

Here among you I have met,

the Savior, Jesus Christ. (Refrain)

All the worlds I have not seen

you open to my view.

Here among you I have found

a vision bright and new. (Refrain)

To the tombs I went to mourn

the hope I thought was gone,

Here among you I awoke

to unexpected dawn. (Refrain)

I honestly heard it for the first time this year, and for some reason it struck a chord with me. I haven't been able to shake it since. I've been to Jerusalem, yes, but I don't think that's it, or at least it's not the only reason. I think, instead, that it's the idea of being fixed on our destiny, which is heaven, the "new Jerusalem." And if you really dive into the lyrics, the references to scripture are simply beautiful. But even more than these individual parts is the overarching theme of hope - a hope that is shown to us in a "bright and new" way, something that is "unexpected."

So as this Lent draws to a close and we enter into the Triduum tomorrow, I can't help but meditate on what it means for me to "set my heart for the way." What am I doing that allows me to live with a singular focus on Jesus Christ? What's is distracting me from the ultimate end goal of heaven? Who has walked with me and with whom have/am I walked/walking?

My dad always quotes a recording of a preacher talking about Good Friday in light of the hope of the Resurrection - the man says, "That's because it's Friday...Sunday's a-comin'!" Sunday is "a-comin'," and we, as Christians/Catholics, can find so much hope in that. God fixed His eyes on His people, and He sacrificed His only son so that we might have eternal life. This Easter season, let us, in turn, fix our eyes on Him and work to right our steps for our journey home.

What the world needs now...

...is mercy.

I am so blessed to have been reminded of this today on retreat with fellow young adults at a local church. Through prayer, Scripture, witness, Adoration, confession, and fellowship, God's mercy was made truly tangible. For me, it's easy to fall into the role of the older son in the parable of the prodigal son - one who has always followed the rules, doing what he's supposed to do, but in reality not as close to the father as he may think (or want). How many times do I do things because I know they're the right thing to do or because I really just want to check off a box? Said morning prayer - check. Prayed the Rosary - check. But life isn't about check boxes. God loves us and showers us with his mercy in a prodigal (wasteful) way. We don't do anything to deserve this - He has chosen us. He loves us and comes to meet us even when we are a long ways off from him.

And if that wasn't enough, I went with a friend to bring communion to the nursing home after retreat. (Part of me had wanted to stay for Mass, but I decided to go tomorrow - and Marisa came too.) All of the residents were welcoming. One woman told me that she hopes she meets me again in heaven. (I told her that I hope I meet her again before that too.) I hadn't brought communion to anyone outside of the regular Mass in quite some time, so it was a wonderful experience, albeit different from bringing communion to the hospital. I look forward to continuing to go in the weeks to come. Eventually I may switch over to a hospital if that is where the need is.

My life is far from perfect, and it is far from ideal. But it is beautiful because I am loved by God, and I am called to show that love to others in that same prodigal way.

Our Journey Home

"We're in the Easter season until May 24th (Pentecost)," our visiting priest reminded all of us at Mass this morning.

And then he said, "Is anyone familiar with the movie 'The Wizard of Oz'?" Hands shot up, some with more gusto and excitement than others.

"What did Dorothy have to say and what did she have to do to get home?" Click her ruby red shoes together three times and say, "There's no place like home."

"And who were the three characters she met along the way?" Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion
"What did each one need/lack?" Scarecrow = brain, Tin Man = heart, Lion = courage
"Dorothy already possessed all of these things, didn't she? She just didn't know it at first..."

Fr. Larry - Yes, we have two Fr. Larry's - went on to connect this with the idea that during this season of Easter we are like Dorothy: Easter is our opportunity to realize the gifts God has given us to help us on our journey home (eventually) to heaven. He then challenged all of us to show love to others (Tin Man) and courage in tough situations (Lion) this week. He said we already used our brains (Scarecrow) for learning every day anyways.

Good one, Fr. Larry. (It did take a little debriefing with the 6th graders after Mass for them to "get it," but I think they ended up taking away the message.)

May God bless all of us this Easter season so that we may choose to live each day as beacons and signs of His love and mercy. He is Risen. Amen! Alleluia!

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On an unrelated (but Church) note, so many videos, interviews, and articles have been converging on my Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds, but this (short) one in particular struck a nerve. Oh, to have the faith of a child, especially in the face of imminent death. Beautiful...

On a different unrelated (but, amazingly, still Church) note, this quote was included in today's ND prayer reflection, and it conveys an incredible sentiment, so, naturally, I had to share: “O God, to those who have hunger, give bread; and to us who have bread, give the hunger for justice.” (Fr. Hesburgh)

What an Amazing Grace It Is!

I was never a huge fan of the song "Amazing Grace" growing up - it was one of those ones that, when we sang it, I didn't really feel anything special. It was just a song, one we had to sing every so often because it sounded good. (So, needless to say, I have, over time, committed it to memory.)

However, last night at my church's contemplative Mass, I had a different experience. I think what hit me this time was the word grace (which clearly is in the title, but which, also clearly, I have taken for granted) - it's not by any means of our own that we earn salvation; it's already been won by Jesus who died for us on the cross! (How many times have I sung this song and not really thought of that?!) I think all of the weekly Fr. Barron Catholicism lessons are finally starting to hit home...

It was, to sound cliche, amazing to finally (after all these years) come to this realization - what an amazing grace God has given us! Now, it's our turn to go out in the world, accept it, and share it with others!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On an unrelated note (but one that, in some way, has to do with graces), I am so grateful to the family and friends who helped Marisa and me celebrate our birthday this weekend. From enjoying a fish fry after conferences on Friday to phone calls and texts to St. Patrick's Day festivities to getting ice cream to gathering together for margaritas and chips after Mass last night - wow.

Now, if only Michigan State had won their bball game versus Wisconsin yesterday, it would have been pretty perfect... c'est la vie...