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

I’ll stop the world…

…for you. Over the past few days people have been talking about the end of the world. I guess some guy predicted today at 6:00 p.m. will be our demise. Was that 6:00 p.m. central time? I don’t know. And if I can recall correctly, I thought the bible says the world will end by man’s hands alone. Hmmm…nuclear power plants come to mind so I can believe that.

This talk of the world ending brings up some good questions about life. Could you answer “yes” to all of the below if the world was about to end?

1) I have no regrets

2) I’ve kept in contact with everyone important to me.

3) I’ve spent quality time with friends and family

4) I’ve lived a fulfilled life

5) I accomplished my goals

6) I’ve done everything I wanted to do

7) I worked hard to get and keep what’s important to me

8) I fixed any poor choices I made

9) I’ve worked hard to become a better person

10) (If you’re a Christian) I kept God as an important part of my life

11) I’ve worked at living a healthy life

The list could go on and on, but these are just a few. A few I’ve asked myself at different times in my life. When I’ve made these statements in the past, they sometimes put me back on track in life. I think it’s important we ask ourselves such things every now and then because it puts things into perspective.

“I’ll do it tomorrow”. Tomorrow may never come. “I will when I have enough money”. You may never have enough. “Let’s wait until the children are grown”. You might not be here when they’re grown. “I don’t have time”. This is true—you don't have much time—so get going.

If anything, reach out to someone special today. Hug a stranger who looks like they could use one. Write down your goals and start achieving them. Mend the past and learn from it. Work every day to become a better person. Keep God in your heart and mind.

I can’t stop the world for you but I can lend you a hand.

Easter Day by Oscar Wilde

Another poem in celebration of National Poetry Month and Easter.

THE silver trumpets rang across the Dome:
The people knelt upon the ground with awe:
And borne upon the necks of men I saw,
Like some great God, the Holy Lord of Rome.
Priest-like, he wore a robe more white than foam,
And, king-like, swathed himself in royal red,
Three crowns of gold rose high upon his head:
In splendour and in light the Pope passed home.
My heart stole back across wide wastes of years
To One who wandered by a lonely sea,
And sought in vain for any place of rest:
'Foxes have holes, and every bird its nest,
I, only I, must wander wearily,
And bruise my feet, and drink wine salt with tears.'

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.

Neighborhood Walk

Today, I took a walk around my neighborhood with my camera in hand. There are several old churches by me, some I’ve passed numerous times, but this stopped me in my tracks. I took this picture from a church a few blocks away. “God so Loved the World.” It’s odd to find such encryption above the front doors of a church. I read the words several times realizing ‘loved’ is past tense. Does this mean, God doesn’t love the world anymore?

Even though I’m not practicing any organized religion, I’m still a believer in God. If I was attending mass at this church, I would definitely ask the priest why God doesn’t love the world anymore. I mean, where is the inspiration in going to church when he no longer loves us? I’ll admit I don’t agree with this encryption if intended literally.

Maybe in time, He will lose that love, but I believe he still has faith in humanity. He hasn’t given up on us yet.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend. Enjoy the week!