Clearly I should stop requesting seasonal books to review, as it takes me so long to get to them. In the middle of Lent last year, I saw this title as a review option and jumped at the chance for a copy. For I love to read Chesterton. His wisdom is timeless. Recently, I found a draft of a review handwritten and decided this is an ideal time to finally post it and fulfill my obligation to TiberRiver.com.
Lent and Easter: Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton by the Center for the Study of C.S. Lewis and Friends is truly a gem! The book, like several in this series, is divided into two parts: Readings for Lent and Readings for Easter. Readings for Lent includes forty-six daily meditations beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with Holy Saturday. Readings for Easter contains eight daily meditations covering the Octave of Easter from Easter Sunday through the Second Sunday of Easter.
Each meditation includes a carefully chosen excerpt from one of Chesterton's writings, a Scripture verse or two that ties into the spiritual theme presented, a brief prayer, and a Lenten Action. The excerpts include portions of Chesterton's nonfiction works, as well as quotes from characters in his works of fiction and lines of his poetry. Their topics range from asceticism to hospitality to miracles. The Scriptures are an excellent elaboration on Chesterton's own words, and the prayers help the reader focus on his/her own life. Each prayer leads one to examine his/her soul in light of some personal conversion called for in the Scripture quoted and turned into practical application with the "Lenten Action" paragraph. These action items are diverse and simple to do, yet always challenging the reader to a deeper practice of his/her faith.
I especially enjoyed how the Chesterton quotes, incredibly deep by themselves, lead to even deeper meditations by the addition of Scripture and prayer. For example, we read how God created "a play he had planned as perfect but which...left to human actors...made a great mess of it," from Chesterton's Orthodoxy, identifying the reality of free will. Yet 1 Corinthians 15:22 reminds us "all will be made alive in Christ." Then, in prayer, we are reminded that God "sent [His] son to...do what no human could," to cover our many sins and wash us clean. Finally, the suggested Lenten Action asks us to choose a Biblical movie to watch and reflect back on Chesterton's analogy.
To be entirely honest, I cannot wait to read these meditations this coming Lent and Easter. In fact, the slim volume is one I will slip in my nightstand where I keep books of quotations and short meditations to read when I can get a few minutes of quiet to myself from the chaos of my busy family! I love that the entire reading for each day takes less than five minutes, but the potential for spiritual growth through these thought-provoking meditations is endless.
This review is a part of the TiberRiver.com Catholic Book Review Program.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I've got it all figured out!
Happy New Year! The priest at Mass this morning on this sacred solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, focused much of his homily on how blessed we are to be here for 2013. He reminded us that God's divine plan specifically includes each one of us to be alive and participate in His will at this moment in time. We can choose to say "yes" just like Mary did by embracing the joys and struggles we face this year with faith in Our Heavenly Father's providential care.
And I do feel exceptionally blessed starting this new year! I have a thriving, growing family, a joy-filled marriage that continues to astound me with sacramental grace, loving, creative, and healthy children, a beautiful home, the privilege to homeschool, so many caring and inspiring friends, a successful new business, and much more! But today, I am holding my breath. I am enjoying one more lazy day at home with my family before I dive back into the myriad of tasks my vocation requires. (And I am watching a lot of college football - great games!)
I am also avoiding making resolutions. I've been thinking about them. I just haven't written any down. And this lover of lists has been feeling a bit guilty for putting off the formal acceptance of any resolutions by the simple act of jotting them down.
Then a very sweet email this morning helped me see clearly why resolutions are evading me (or I am evading them) this new year. Another mom told me how grateful she is for our acquaintance, especially because (she says) I seem to have it all figured out while she is still learning (she doesn't know me very well yet). That's it! I realized that I have it all figured out! I don't need to change! No need for resolutions here! (Can you see the sarcasm dripping from these words?!)
In reality, I actually might have a lot of things figured out. So do you. We all know the things we ought to do. We have heard the advice about sticking to daily prayer, consistently yet lovingly disciplining our children, keeping order in our homes, giving others the benefit of the doubt, preparing thoughtful, meaningful lessons for our children, and more. Yet, just like St Paul, we do not do what we ought.
How could we possibly choose just a few resolutions out of all the things we know we should do but don't? The only real resolution that would be meaningful to me is to resolve to do what I ought every moment of every day. Unfortunately, that is a resolution destined for failure. For I am a broken, inadequate sinner. My will is weak.
Fortunately, one of the remarkable realities of our God is that He is a God of infinite mercy, and while we do not deserve the repeated chances he gives us to reform ourselves, He is generous beyond compare. After all, here we are at the start of another year, given yet another day to better prepare ourselves for eternal life, to grow closer to Him as we grow in holiness. And we, as Catholics, have access to tremendous graces available through the sacraments and the Truths of our faith.
Many people today will make small, achievable goals, because they can help us in some way. I think what God really wants for me to do is make a daily resolution to do what I ought to do that day, better than I did the day before. That is my resolution for 2013. Each day I will recommit myself to disciplining my own will and doing my best to serve my family through my faith in Jesus Christ. My decision to make this simple, daily pledge already brings me so much peace. I do not have to agonize over lists of detailed goals that, for me, are far too easy to give up on achieving at my first failure. And so, today I pray for the fortitude to persevere and accept the mercy of God over and over and over...for myself and for each one of you, dear friends!
How about you? What is your top resolution for 2013?
And I do feel exceptionally blessed starting this new year! I have a thriving, growing family, a joy-filled marriage that continues to astound me with sacramental grace, loving, creative, and healthy children, a beautiful home, the privilege to homeschool, so many caring and inspiring friends, a successful new business, and much more! But today, I am holding my breath. I am enjoying one more lazy day at home with my family before I dive back into the myriad of tasks my vocation requires. (And I am watching a lot of college football - great games!)
I am also avoiding making resolutions. I've been thinking about them. I just haven't written any down. And this lover of lists has been feeling a bit guilty for putting off the formal acceptance of any resolutions by the simple act of jotting them down.
Then a very sweet email this morning helped me see clearly why resolutions are evading me (or I am evading them) this new year. Another mom told me how grateful she is for our acquaintance, especially because (she says) I seem to have it all figured out while she is still learning (she doesn't know me very well yet). That's it! I realized that I have it all figured out! I don't need to change! No need for resolutions here! (Can you see the sarcasm dripping from these words?!)
In reality, I actually might have a lot of things figured out. So do you. We all know the things we ought to do. We have heard the advice about sticking to daily prayer, consistently yet lovingly disciplining our children, keeping order in our homes, giving others the benefit of the doubt, preparing thoughtful, meaningful lessons for our children, and more. Yet, just like St Paul, we do not do what we ought.
How could we possibly choose just a few resolutions out of all the things we know we should do but don't? The only real resolution that would be meaningful to me is to resolve to do what I ought every moment of every day. Unfortunately, that is a resolution destined for failure. For I am a broken, inadequate sinner. My will is weak.
Fortunately, one of the remarkable realities of our God is that He is a God of infinite mercy, and while we do not deserve the repeated chances he gives us to reform ourselves, He is generous beyond compare. After all, here we are at the start of another year, given yet another day to better prepare ourselves for eternal life, to grow closer to Him as we grow in holiness. And we, as Catholics, have access to tremendous graces available through the sacraments and the Truths of our faith.
Many people today will make small, achievable goals, because they can help us in some way. I think what God really wants for me to do is make a daily resolution to do what I ought to do that day, better than I did the day before. That is my resolution for 2013. Each day I will recommit myself to disciplining my own will and doing my best to serve my family through my faith in Jesus Christ. My decision to make this simple, daily pledge already brings me so much peace. I do not have to agonize over lists of detailed goals that, for me, are far too easy to give up on achieving at my first failure. And so, today I pray for the fortitude to persevere and accept the mercy of God over and over and over...for myself and for each one of you, dear friends!
How about you? What is your top resolution for 2013?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
San Antonio Catholic Homeschooling Conference
Please pray for the 2012 San Antonio Catholic Homeschooling Conference to be held this weekend. This is the first year in a long time there has been a Catholic homeschooling conference in San Antonio! It started as a dream between two friends and has become grander than even we had hoped. God's generosity is overwhelming. Thank you for praying for the success of the conference, for the speakers (who are mostly volunteers), and for the planning committee to make it through these last few days (including me)! Thank you.
Blessings,
Blessings,
The Survey Explained
It is that time of year when readers are searching for my old webinars and the sort-of-famous Personal Reflection Survey! I wanted to pop in here to put up something I have been intending to do for quite a while. This is a basic explanation of the survey for anyone who cannot watch the full webinars or did long ago and just wants a refresher. The link to the survey is at the bottom and here. Please, as always, let me know if you have any trouble accessing the webinars and/or survey. May they bless you and your homeschool!
Prayerfully
Reflecting on Last Year
This
reflection is meant to be used in an atmosphere of prayer. Please take it to
your quiet time or Holy Hour if possible. If your season of life insists your
prayer be done while toddlers are in the tub or children play outside, bring
along this reflection! As mothers our work should be a constant prayer, because
our interior attitude of prayer is much more important than external
appearance.
Jesus frequently
spent time in prayer when He was not teaching. From this prayer He received the
grace to be an effective educator.
Take
a moment to think about the life of Jesus. He frequently spent time in prayer
when He was not teaching. From this prayer He received the grace to be an
effective educator. The same is true for homeschooling mothers. We need the
graces that time with God provides, so let me suggest we pause, right now, and
pray.
When was the last
time you took time to evaluate yourself, your home, and your homeschool?
So
often, as mothers, we keep going full speed ahead without stopping to see if we
are on the right path. We fall into the temptation of trying new things
constantly without taking the time to identify the true source of the problem.
Are you settling
for survival or actively seeking an abundant life?
There
are seasons of a mother’s life that must focus on basic survival skills: when a
new baby arrives or a pregnancy has complications; when there is illness or
significant strife in family life; during a move or after a death in the
family.
Nevertheless,
there is certainly more to life than simply surviving. God desires to bless us
abundantly and draw us closer to himself, not only through struggles, but also
through daily serving Him in our vocation as wives, mothers, and homeschooling
teachers.
What we did with
our local group
Several
remarkable women and I put together a three step process to help Catholic
homeschooling mothers in Miami
- Personal
Reflection & Self-Evaluation Survey: First, we created this survey and
had each mother fill it out on her own prior to our first group gathering.
- Day of Reflection:
Next, we met to share and pray about what we had learned through the
survey, focusing on what we felt God was telling us through the questions.
- Planning Day: Finally,
we met again to give one another practical help, only giving advice once
we had prepared to receive it.
Planning: Curriculum,
Materials, & Lesson Plans, Oh My!
Some
days homeschooling can be overwhelming…at least once a week, right? So,
preparing for the next academic year can be daunting. Especially for those of
us who modify existing curriculum to suit our family’s needs, it can seem
impossible to know where to start with our planning. This process is an attempt
to help you sort through that difficult process.
The Personal
Reflection & Self-Evaluation Survey
The
survey itself is 61 questions long and divided into four sections. It is not a
test, and you will not turn it in. This survey is meant to be a tool to help
you evaluate how things are going in your homeschool. It is for your personal
reflection over the course of several weeks. Please print it out and take it to
your quiet time on several separate occasions, perhaps to Adoration, responding
to the questions carefully and honestly. Be sure to reread it all the way
through several times before considering it complete. The survey is lengthy and
detailed, deliberately redundant at times. This is by design to provoke thought
in a variety of areas. It is fine, if after considerable reflection, you leave
a question blank. Attach additional pages as necessary. Begin in prayer.
The Four Sections
- Personal
spirituality: This section of the survey is mostly about Mom.
- Struggles and
challenges: Here you examine the tough stuff that needs solutions.
- Successes and
blessings: These questions echo the previous section but celebrate the
positive.
- Goal-setting: At
the end you figure out where to go from here.
Prayer and Fasting:
A Challenge
My
challenge to you is to take one day before you begin planning for next year
(but after you finish this survey) to pray and fast amidst your daily duties,
however you choose, for the intentions of your homeschool. Scripture teaches us
the power of prayer and fasting, and I believe our homeschooling can benefit
from this practice.
Prayer and Support:
A Promise
With
this survey, I send my prayers that every mother who prayerfully completes the
evaluation will receive the graces she needs to truly enjoy the spiritual journey
of homeschooling and treasure her children more every day.
I
also offer my support to you. My homeschooling journey is not long, but what I
lack in experience, I certainly have replaced with extensive research and
reading. If I do not know the answer, I will try to point you to those who do.
Feel
free to email me at antonina31 at gmail dot com whenever you need.
Blessings,
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Divine Mercy for Our Children
I am not putting up any links today. Instead I want to share a gift of understanding the Lord gave me at Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday. I was appropriately pondering the mercy of God and how He continues to embrace us despite our weaknesses. My reflection focused on how I continue to fall short in the same areas over and over again.
Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary,300)
Just then, my toddler needed redirecting. Mission accomplished, I refocused on the homily. Jesus' mercy is open to us all at all times. It is a free gift given generously, not begrudgingly to us. He looks upon us with love when we accept His mercy despite our numerous failings.
Souls that make an appeal to My mercy DELIGHT me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion (Diary, 1146).
Just then, my toddler needed redirecting. He was a little more indignant this time, wishing to do it "his way." When he settled down, I began to listen again. Jesus' love for us is tender and ever-patient. We cannot imagine the magnitude of His mercy. It is waiting for us to submit to His love.
O my Jesus, the life, the way and the truth, I beg You to keep me close to You as a mother holds a baby to her bosom, for I am not only a helpless child, but an accumulation of misery and nothingness.(Diary, 298)
Just then, my toddler needed redirecting. I started to feel frustrated. I could feel the heat inside. Why won't he just sit still? Right. He's a toddler. In Mass. But, I have to correct him over and over again in the same way. It gets old. Right. I am his mother. It is so challenging to repeat the same redirection over and over with such little change in his behavior. I love him, so I must persevere. And, here is where the 2x4 hit me in the head.
I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it. (Diary, 1317)
This is how Jesus must feel when I repeatedly sin. He is the perfect parent and looks upon me not with frustration or scorn but with pure love. Perfect love from the Father is merciful love. I am called to share that mercy with my children, but most importantly, I must first accept it from Him Who loves me perfectly. Every day, no matter my inadequacies, He offers His mercy to me.
My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners…[I]t is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell in the tabernacle as King of Mercy. (Diary, 367)
If I can accept His mercy every day, He will enable me to pass His mercy on to my children. I can pass on His gift of mercy to others only when I allow it to pour over me on a daily basis. I simply must acknowledge that I need His perfect mercy every single day of my life and will continue to need it until the day I die.
Blessings,
Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary,300)
Just then, my toddler needed redirecting. Mission accomplished, I refocused on the homily. Jesus' mercy is open to us all at all times. It is a free gift given generously, not begrudgingly to us. He looks upon us with love when we accept His mercy despite our numerous failings.
Souls that make an appeal to My mercy DELIGHT me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion (Diary, 1146).
Just then, my toddler needed redirecting. He was a little more indignant this time, wishing to do it "his way." When he settled down, I began to listen again. Jesus' love for us is tender and ever-patient. We cannot imagine the magnitude of His mercy. It is waiting for us to submit to His love.
O my Jesus, the life, the way and the truth, I beg You to keep me close to You as a mother holds a baby to her bosom, for I am not only a helpless child, but an accumulation of misery and nothingness.(Diary, 298)
Just then, my toddler needed redirecting. I started to feel frustrated. I could feel the heat inside. Why won't he just sit still? Right. He's a toddler. In Mass. But, I have to correct him over and over again in the same way. It gets old. Right. I am his mother. It is so challenging to repeat the same redirection over and over with such little change in his behavior. I love him, so I must persevere. And, here is where the 2x4 hit me in the head.
I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it. (Diary, 1317)
This is how Jesus must feel when I repeatedly sin. He is the perfect parent and looks upon me not with frustration or scorn but with pure love. Perfect love from the Father is merciful love. I am called to share that mercy with my children, but most importantly, I must first accept it from Him Who loves me perfectly. Every day, no matter my inadequacies, He offers His mercy to me.
My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners…[I]t is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell in the tabernacle as King of Mercy. (Diary, 367)
If I can accept His mercy every day, He will enable me to pass His mercy on to my children. I can pass on His gift of mercy to others only when I allow it to pour over me on a daily basis. I simply must acknowledge that I need His perfect mercy every single day of my life and will continue to need it until the day I die.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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