Author Archive
Protecting a Pregnant Woman’s Health
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who accuses the Church of sentencing pregnant women to death because it doesn’t allow abortion? Or someone who is against abortion “except in the case of the mother’s health”?
There is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation about the teaching, especially for those of us who aren’t medical doctors.
“Abortion is never permitted…Operations, treatments, and medications that have as their direct purpose the cure of a proportionately serious pathological condition of a pregnant woman are permitted when they cannot be safely postponed until the unborn child is viable, even if they will result in the death of the unborn child.”
This one-page article from Zenit clarifies the teaching and offers concrete examples, and I highly recommend reading it.
Even Catholics who have heard bits and pieces of the story of St. Gianna Beretta Molla might not understand why she is a saint.
At two months pregnant, she found out that she had a uterine fibroma. The doctors gave her three choices:
- have an abortion to end the pregnancy which was increasing the pain of the fibroma and later have it removed; have a hysterectomy to remove the entire uterus, including the fibroma and her unborn child; or have a myomectomy to remove just the fibroma.
Abortion is never permitted. A hysterectomy would have been permissible if it could not have been safely postponed until the unborn child was viable. Being a doctor herself, she knew that it was possible to carry the child to viability, so she chose a myomectomy to preserve the life of her child.
When it came time to deliver her child by C-section, she knew there would be complications. She was very clear that she wanted her child’s life preserved over her own, if the choice needed to be made. Though she made it through the pregnancy, she died a week later.
Gianna’s sainthood stems from her acceptance of suffering for the sake of her baby’s chance at life. Sadly, in 1973, the U.S. court said of abortion, “Medical judgment may be exercised in light of all factors–physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman’s age–relevant to the wellbeing of the patient…All these factors may relate to health.” This practically means that if the mother is suffering in any way, a doctor can decide whether it would be “healthier” for her to kill her child.
We must continue to pray that we ourselves accept the suffering in each day (as Christ suffered for us) and that, like Gianna, pregnant mothers and medical doctors value human life over comfort.
Speaking of Grace
Any day that I wear my ”Grace if Enough” tee shirt, I’m bound to have an interesting conversation with someone. In fact, sometimes that’s exactly why I wear it.
One day I was at Teaism in Dupont Circle and a man who was there with his daughter asked, “What does your shirt mean?” Great question!
The quote (and the title of a song by Matt Maher whose concert is where I purchased the tee) comes from 2 Corinthians 12:9:
Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Today was no different. I was at the grocery store, and as I was checking out the cashier said to me “Is your name Grace?” I giggled and said, “No, it’s the Grace of God!”
As I left the store, the lyrics of another musician came to mind…my fav, U2:
Grace, it’s a name for a girl, it’s also a thought that changed the world.
Why is it that people don’t know that Grace is more than just a name for a girl?? Why? Because we don’t speak about grace enough. When was the last time you answered someone’s question with the word “Grace”?
“Wow, how did you do so well on your exam?”
“Wow, aren’t these flowers gorgeous?”
“Wow, how did your mother make such a quick recovery?”
Sometimes we forget who’s in charge and how much He loves us. So let’s start remembering and calling His gift by its proper name: GRACE
Arlington National Cemetery from a Different Angle
I know that Msgr. Pope honored our fallen soldiers with a blog post on May 30th, but I wanted comment from a different angle…literally.
On Sunday, I went with my father and my brother to pray at my grandfather’s grave in Arlington Cemetery. He served in the United States Air Force during World World II and Korea and died in 1993.
After we prayed the rosary, I turned around to survey the cemetery and found myself looking at the back sides of the grave stones. While most of the stones were blank white marble, a few were also carved on the backside. My eyes quickly swept across the field: Edna, Lora, Lisette, Mady, Eleanor…the wives.
I thought about what it must have been like not only for wives who lost their husbands in combat but those wives who “lost” months and years of their married lives while their husbands were deployed. Even today, there are thousands of wives (and now husbands) who are currently living this reality, and my prayers go out to them.
If any reader has a way to support these families or knows of organizations who help this cause, feel free to post. Thank you!
Theology on Tap Comes to You
This spring, the Office of Young Adult Ministry hosted Theology on Tap on the topic of “Marriage is Forever”. During the series, we had 4 couples come speak on the sacrament of marriage and how their marriages are flourishing after 26, 3, 18, and 41 years respectively!
It was an incredible series featuring some of the most real, courageous, sweet, Spirit-guided, passionate stories I’ve heard on the topic of marriage! We recorded all of the talks which can be found at the link below. Enjoy them, and pass them on!
Deliver Us From the Evil One. Amen.
This morning on TV there was a commercial for a retirement community out in Virginia. You know, the ones where seniors can be found playing golf, swimming, reading, laughing, etc. in a carefully manicure and controlled environment? Nothing out of the ordinary really…but a sinister thought struck me.
Has anyone read C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters?
Ever since reading that book and seeing the play two years ago, I look at the world differently…as a place where a spiritual battle is truly being fought.
What does this have to do with retirement communities? Well, let me give the genre a crack.
Dear Wormwood,
With age comes wisdom. All humans know that. Life experience is often the best teacher, and every year a human lives, he or she gets wiser. They can’t help themselves; it’s just written in their souls. Through every relationship, hardship, success, experience of death, experience of new life, they see clearer glimpses the one who calls himself love. Ugh! Unfortunately, we can’t stop this revelation, but we can certainly try! Wise, old people are our worst enemy, especially if they are happy!
Our goal is to do everything in our power to keep these wise, old, happy from sharing their wisdom with anyone, especially children! So, what can we do? Seclude them of course! Get them far away from their families and neighborhoods.
It’s particularly helpful if these retirement communities are smelly or dimly lit or unattractive in any way. That way children will not want to go talk to the old people, even if they are family. Consequently, they won’t receive any of the wisdom these happy, old people have to offer.
Now, a word of caution. We must be vigilant about young people who work at these retirement communities, school groups who volunteer there, and families who for some reason force their children to visit their grandparents. Do everything you can to distract them, confuse them, interrupt them, etc. All conversations, story-telling, and letter-writing must be blocked.
Silence and seclusion. That is the key.
Signed,
Screwtape
Spring Cleaning
You know that blog I wrote last month about bikinis? The one that started an in-depth conversation about modesty? No one wants to be a hypocrite…but until last weekend I kind of was. Let me explain.
I was doing some spring cleaning in my closet last weekend and came across a little black dress that I own. I purchased it about a year and a half ago while shopping with a non-Christian friend of mine who convinced me that it looked “hot” and that I should buy it. So I did, though I had never worn it.
Last weekend I tried it on again and stood in front of the mirror. My conversation with myself went something like this:
“Hm, it certainly is fitted. Do I look a hooker? Well, I would never wear it in public. But my future husband might like it! He might…or he might think I look like a hooker. Do I really want to present myself to him like this? I mean, I don’t feel very feminine. In fact, I kind of feel like a hooker. Well, maybe I should give it away to charity. Geez, it was $109! Bummer. Well, at least it’s going to charity. Wait, do I really want someone else to look like a hooker?? Not really. So do I just throw it away? Geez, I’ve never even worn it! But I guess that’s the best thing to do.”
As the pile of black satin sat at the bottom of my trashcan, all I could see was $109 going down the drain.
I called this blog “Spring Cleaning” though ”Virtue in Progress” would also have been appropriate. In every season of our life, we are called to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As Christians, we want to more and more closely resemble Christ. Little by little, we make changes to live a more authentic Christian life. For me, this has meant fine-tuning the virtue of modesty.
Quitting bad habits that we’ve nurtured for years is tough. Ending destructive relationships that we are so comfortable in is tough. Plugging up the venomous words that come out of our mouth is tough.
What do you have in the “closet” of your life that needs to be thrown out?
Or, what tools do you have in the “toolbox” of your life that don’t work anymore or need their edges sharpened?
“No one pours new wine into old wineskins.” – Mark 2:22
Spring is here so get cleaning, and allow the Risen Christ to draw you to Himself!
[Catholic] Kids Say the Darndest Things!
My sister was telling me that a few weeks ago she was at Mass with her 4 year old, Nora. When they began to sing the Holy, Holy, Holy Nora said “This is my favorite song!”
My sister said, “Why?”
Nora replied, “It about my favorite food! The one that I eat aaaaall up whenever you make it!”
My sister was confused and asked her to clarify.
“Lasagna in the Highest!!”
What is your favorite [Catholic] kids say the darndest things moment?
Why am I here?
Last week, a colleague asked me, “If there is one truth that you want young adults to know, what would it be?”
My answer?
“God has created me for some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another.” -Cardinal Newman
Young adulthood is one of transition, uncertainty, and longing. It may be moving to a new city, searching for employment after graduation, or praying God sends you your spouse…soon!
Many young adults make life decision on their own, determine what success is on their own, pursue relationships with their own criteria without asking what God wills. And often, they end up feeling lost, empty, and hurt.
If young adults (or anyone for that matter) knew in their hearts that God loves them and has a unique plan for them, they could move forward into adulthood with confidence and joy! Here are some tips to consider if you are at a crossroad in your life:
* Remove mortal sin from your life with the help of a spiritual director and/or Catholic psychotherapist. It’s impossible for grace to get in if sin is blocking the way.
* Develop a prayer life through daily Scripture meditation, weekly Mass (or more often), and monthly confession (or more often). Jesus is in the sacraments; go find Him there!
* Learn to correctly discern how the Holy Spirit is guiding you. Recommended reading includes: “Finding God’s Will For You” by St. Francis de Sales and “What Does God Want?: A Practical Guide to Making Decisions” by Fr. Michael Scanlan.
Feel free to share with the blog how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have guided you toward God’s Will!
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.” John 14:16
Thank God It’s Friday!
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a little down about what I’m hearing from the media about our Church, the Body of Christ. Don’t worry, I’m not about to go on another rant about the sc…in fact, I’m not even going to mention the word.
Instead, what I’d like to do today is give everyone an opportunity to share some good news! Post what you are thankful for today! Do you have a story about your church you’d like to share? Has someone inspired you in the last week? Is there something you’d like to share about your family?
Let’s Thank God It’s Friday!
Catholics at the Beach
As the temperature inched toward 90 this week, I’m sure we all started dreaming about warm, sunny days at the beach with friends and family!
What will you, your friends, and your family be wearing?
I went to Miriam-Webster Online today to look up the difference between equality and equity (the state of being equal vs. justice according to natural law…in case you were wondering). On the homepage was a list of the “Top Ten Words from Place Names.” Here was the first listing:
#1 Bikini
In July 1946, the United States detonated two nuclear bombs at the Bikini atoll, an island in the South Pacific, which of course was big news around the world.
A year later, a French fashion designer introduced a scanty two-piece bathing suit and named it the bikini.
Unable to find a model immodest enough to wear it, he debuted it on a stripper – and it too became big news.
It was debuted on a stripper…and now little girls as young as 4 are sporting bikinis, not to mention blossoming 17 year olds? Hm.
I’ve had conversations with both men and women, Catholic and non-Catholic, about the objective morality of wearing a bikini and have gotten a variety of opinions. Today I’d be interested in discussing it with you all.
If you wear a bikini or allow your daughter to wear a bikini, what virtue do you see in this? What vice do you see in this?
If you do not wear a bikini or do not allow your daughter to wear a bikini, what virtue do you see in this? What vice do you see in this?
(The 1922 photograph above documents Bill Norton measuring a woman after Col. Sherrell, the Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds, issued an order that bathing suits at the Washington, D.C. bathing beach must not be over six inches above the knee.)
