One Pope Brings Hope

 

The Church in Spain where I got married

 

I have always had a strong faith in God, and I have felt him throughout my life. Not so much with organized religion—I’m a non-practicing Catholic. My mother was a devout Catholic, went to Church regularly, prayed daily and wanted her children to follow in her faith as well. Unfortunately, I had a hard time taking to the church. I didn’t believe in some of the sermons, and I always felt that the bible is just a small guide for our faith and that we shouldn’t take it literally.

Now that I married in a Catholic Church, I find myself wanting to return to the Church, but take from it what helps me with my faith. For example, several weeks ago, the priest we sat and listened to (well, since it was in German, I sat in my own thoughts while my husband later interpreted what the priest said) was a radical priest. He condemned so many people that there wasn’t anyone left to condemn. If the Catholic Church wanted to bring in parishioners, he wasn’t the one to assign to the task. My husband felt disgusted after mass, and didn’t want to go anymore. I told him all we have to do is avoid that priest’s masses. There’s nothing wrong with going to mass and following God’s word—taking away from it what guides our faith. At least, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.

Religion, like many things, is very personal. Some don’t believe at all, some are up in the air, some are like me, and some have strong religious convictions. But no matter what, I couldn’t help watching CNN the past few days, waiting to hear from the new Pope. I’ve never done that in the past, but for some reason I found so much hope and change hanging in the air. Flags from different countries stood high in the crowds of people gathering in St. Peter’s square. Anderson Cooper interviewed several people from all parts of the world, and they also stated that they were looking for hope and change.

With all that’s gone on in the Catholic Church regarding sexual abuses, people want action and punishment against these priests. Catholics also want to see a change in bringing the church up-to-date in relation to the parishioners.

I couldn’t help but tear up watching all the people from all walks of life gather together in peace to find out about the next Pope. There were many Americans hoping Cardinal O’Malley would become Pope, but instead, a Pope was chosen from outside Europe—Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who chose the name Francis. I didn’t know much about him, but I found him to be humble, and from what we were told, to be one who lives in the faith, not in the wealth. I wish him well and hope his legacy will be one of positive change.

God and Church,

Bea

Frohe Weihnacht und ein Gutes Neues Jahr!

These three candles symbolize faith, hope and love. The year is coming to an end, and I’ll be taking flight for the holiday, but I wanted to leave you with a few thoughts. Each year is filled with good times and bad. Here are some events that happened around the world and in the U.S. in 2012.

- Protests intensify in Syria and women and children are slaughtered

- The worst case of Presidential Election Bullying I’ve witnessed in my life

- Riot at Soccer match in Egypt kills 73 people

- Over 300 killed at a prison in Honduras

- U.S. Soldier kills 16 Afghan Civilians

- Tornadoes hit South and Midwest (17 States), killing at least 27 and injuring hundreds

- 7 Die in California School Shooting

- Job recovery slow most months

- Earthquake hits Italy killing at least 5 and leaving 3,000 homeless

- United Nations declares Civil War in Syria

- Wildfires spread in New Mexico and Colorado

- 12 killed in Colorado Theater Shooting

- Over 100 people die in Russia from floods

- U.S. Military death toll reaches 2,000 in Afghanistan

- 6 people killed at Sikh Temple shooting in Wisconsin

- Manila submerged by floods killing at least 50 people

- 4 killed when gunmen storm U.S. Embassy in Libya

- 87 deaths from West Nile

- Truce in Syria for Muslim Holiday (How nice of them not to kill anyone during a religious holiday)

- Sandusky is sentenced up to 60 years in prison for 45 counts of sexually abusing boys.

- Meningitis spreads throughout the U.S.

- Hurricane Sandy hits east coast, killing 44, and storm changes and grows to 1,000 miles leaving 8 million without power.

- Obama wins re-election while congress and the Nation remains divided

- 26 killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School

I don’t know about you, but this list is very depressing to me. The way I see it, people all over the world have a lot of hate in their hearts. I’m not overly religious, but I have always had a strong faith and love for God. I look at this list of deaths caused by man and Mother Nature, and wonder if someone’s trying to tell us something. Maybe it’s time we start putting God (whatever God you believe in) back into our hearts, homes, courthouses, schools, and corporate buildings. We seem to have strayed, and I worry if we continue on this path, we might not be able to find our way back.

I’m looking forward to waving good-bye to 2012. I hope 2013 keeps you safe, happy and allows your dreams and prayers to come true. I’ll see you in the New Year. Frohe Weihnacht und ein Gutes Neues Jahr (Merry Christmas and a Good New Year)!

New beginnings and goals,

Bea

Belief!

Belief, a clever unanswered word
that leads blindly from gut and heart.
Defending the need to hold onto it
past sorrow swept with punishment.

Legend says he died on the cross for sins
committed, along with continued acts.
A Savior we obey and ask forgiveness,
Love held true to our dying days, thereafter.

Believe

When I was lost, you helped me find my way

without a request, or promise to obey

When I was sick, you brought me back to health

then showed me all of my life’s wealth.

When I was sad, you held my hand for joy to appear

growing more towards you with revere.

When I gave up hope, you led me to your heart

where I knew it was a new start.

When I needed help, it was you who encouraged me

to learn to thrive and feel nothing but free.

When I was successful, I knew you played a role

always helping me to become whole.

Through virtue and sin, you walked with me all the time

‘til one day I hope to have achieved the climb.

God, thank you for loyalty, you’ve been a best friend,

which I hope to see when I come upon the end.