tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76133973193294100042024-03-08T06:41:26.027-08:00The Fiat Diariesmaryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-69293873392702275592012-04-03T10:06:00.000-07:002012-04-03T10:06:24.079-07:00"The Feeling"You know that feeling you get sometimes.<br />
<br />
You know the one I'm talking about. That feeling where everything is just wonderful. Total Euphoria. You have continuous chills, the good kind not the bad kind. And you're so happy you want to cry. The one where it doesn't feel like anything could go wrong?<br />
<br />
You know that feeling?<br />
What is that feeling for you?<br />
What does it mean?<br />
When do you get it?<br />
<br />
With your boyfriend or girlfriend? With your friends? With your tv shows? (hey whatever floats your boat I guess).<br />
<br />
I get it rarely. It's always the same way though. I don't get it from my boyfriend (well, I don't have a boyfriend. But I don't think I'd get it from him). Not really from my friends, and I don't watch a lot of TV.<br />
<br />
<br />
I do get it, however, when I'm with my Lord. It occurs when I'm in adoration, or after I've received the Eucharist. Sometimes it happens when I'm at youth group or in silent morning or evening prayer. I really only get it when I'm with my Lord.<br />
<br />
I guess I'm blessed in that way. It really and truly makes me feel like God is giving me a big old hug. It's like a blanket of grace covers my entire body to make me feel secure, happy, loved.<br />
<br />
Now, let me back track a bit. I have gotten somewhat of this feeling before; from guys, or "friends". It's a little bit different though. Its darker, not as sensational. It doesn't feel like euphoria, it feels like pride. It is pride.<br />
<br />
I realize that the only way I can get the truly happy at peace euphoria that I was talking about is with God. Not with a handsy guy or gossipy friends. That was all fake.<br />
<br />
Fake love.<br />
Fake admiration.<br />
Fake everything.<br />
<br />
It's what the devil puts in our lives to make our sins feel good. To lure us into the temptations of him, and not of Him.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What makes you feel good?<br />
Is it God? OR the devil?<br />
<br />
I challenge you to figure it out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Trust me, its a struggle. It's not going to stop being a struggle. I struggle with it all the time. Its worth trying though.<br />
<br />
Tell me the attempt to getting into heaven isn't worth trying for.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
xomaryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-46934494663132025502012-03-14T22:38:00.001-07:002012-03-14T22:38:33.010-07:00Trust in Him.maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-57853477685394436372012-03-12T09:33:00.000-07:002012-03-12T09:33:42.817-07:00Whats so important about being important? My daily struggles with the devil.I struggle a lot with pinpointing things that are important to me.<br />
<br />
I mean like, REALLY important. Not just things I care about for a second or a day. I can group a variety of things in this category that do actually mean a lot to me, like friends, family, my dog, ect.<br />
<br />
But where does my faith fit in?<br />
<br />
I end up pondering that question a lot, especially as of late. Where does faith fit into my life, and more specifically, where does faith in His timing fit?<br />
<br />
Do I really have faith in His timing? Or only look to my own? What does it even mean to have faith in His timing?!<br />
<br />
That last one is a dozy(sp?).<br />
<br />
I spend my entire life rushing from one thing to the next, barely even thinking about the idea of timing; any kind of timing really.<br />
<br />
So where does that leave me?<br />
<br />
Rushed<br />
Stressed<br />
Anxious<br />
Upset<br />
Confused<br />
Lost<br />
Miserable.<br />
<br />
But why?<br />
<br />
You see the devil constantly throws these negative emotions at us. They all stem down to one little lie: You are not good enough.<br />
<br />
Now, let me just tell you, I battle with the whole "not good enough" thing ALOT.<br />
<br />
And when I say ALOT I mean like, constantly. Literally every five minutes I counter myself saying "I guess I'm just not good enough".<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Is that okay? Oh no, definitely not. It's easier to believe the devil's constant decree of not good enoughness.<br />
<br />
I get down on myself a lot. I have found, however, that silence helps to fill my heart. It used to be the opposite. Silence used to make me more anxious, more upset, most scared. I try to be silent as often as possible, which let me tell you, can come of rude I guess. I don't mean it that way.<br />
<br />
Silence is just a way for me to think about things. I get lost in my thoughts a lot of times, and here's where it always brings me. It brings me to one of two places.<br />
<br />
1. It brings me to say I suck. I will never be good enough, I'm not good enough to be on a core team, I'm not good enough to go to mass, I'm not good enough to be friends or a girlfriend.<br />
<br />
-or-<br />
<br />
2. It brings me to say all of the things in #1, and end with but you really DO make me good enough. Even though its hard to believe, even though its hard to agree with, you do make me good enough because you made me in the first place. And although my human actions go against what you originally made, I'm still, deep down, exactly who you want me to be; your daughter.<br />
<br />
So from now on I'll be a perfect little princess always remember that I'm good enough for You and never battling with it again; right?<br />
<br />
haha, yeah right. I wish.<br />
<br />
Reality is, that's not going to happen. It never will. I will always battle with myself, I will always battle with the idea that I'm not good enough for anyone or anything, but should that stop me from doing what I love for who I love?<br />
<br />
What is truly important to me? What is truly important to you?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
xomaryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-81207661433219435072012-03-11T12:26:00.001-07:002012-03-11T12:26:19.724-07:00Struggling.maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-21868094122944473422012-02-22T10:51:00.000-08:002012-02-22T10:51:34.117-08:00You have dirt on your forehead....Today is the official beginning of the Lenten season. We, as Catholics, are called to receive ashes on our forehead on this day to signify the beginning of Lent.<br />
<br />
So I went to 11 am mass at the Cathedral this morning and it was pretty awesome. I started the Lenten season off with confession so I was able to receive Communion completely free of sin. (Uhm, how loving is our God?!)<br />
<br />
Anyways, I was sitting in Starbucks before class today and I saw a guy from one of my classes. He came over to me and we started talking about our group project and other stuff. He noticed that I had ashes on my forehead and goes "Oh, is today Ash Wednesday? Are you Catholic?"<br />
<br />
I was like yep, I am! Are you? And he basically told me that he had gone to Catholic school his whole life but kind of stopped as he's grown older. It was a really awesome conversation about Lent and stuff.<br />
<br />
I don't know, I guess the reason I was so filled with joy is because sometimes it is really hard to wear ashes because it is such an outward symbol. Over the years I have gotten a lot of different responses to the wearing of ashes on Ash Wednesday, everything from "you have dirt on your forehead" to "what is Lent?".<br />
<br />
Sometimes it's easier for us to just wipe off the ashes right after mass to avoid any awkward conversations that may come up.<br />
<br />
But, remember that this is a simple way to Evangelize. As 90.5 spirit fm says "If you were baptized, you're a missionary". Be a missionary today and this Lent and wear your ashes proud!<br />
<br />
I hope this Lent really brings you deeper into the Sacrifice that is our Lord and Savior.<br />
<br />
Remember, no meat today or on Fridays!<br />
<br />
xoxoxmaryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-29553267623132732692012-02-21T16:06:00.000-08:002012-02-21T16:06:43.405-08:00This Lent I'm giving up...So about 3 Lent's ago I really started to feel the effect of the Lord's love.<br />
<br />
Now, that doesn't mean I'm perfect, deserving, or without fault. In fact, I am with fault more times than not. I struggle a lot.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I started to look into myself and the question of "What are you giving up for Lent" was constantly coming up.<br />
<br />
Thats the year I decided that I would never give anything up for lent again.<br />
<br />
Let's be REAL here. How does not eating chocolate or not drinking soda bring you closer to God? If it doesn't bring you any closer to Him than what is the point of it?<br />
<br />
Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights as a sacrifice to God. If your sacrifice isn't for God in order for you to get closer to Him than what is the point?<br />
<br />
I just feel like so many people use Lent as a "diet" scheme. So many people use Lent as an excuse to not eat something, so that when they want to their head instantly goes back to "No, I'm giving it up for Lent. I can't.".<br />
<br />
That doesn't make any sense.<br />
<br />
Lent is about sacrifice, trying to make yourself ready for the outpouring of God's love that IS Good Friday. If it's anything less than I challenge you to rethink your Lenten sacrifice.<br />
<br />
<br />
xo.<br />
<br />
P.S. in case you are wondering, this Lent I'm going focus more on the power of prayer. This past few weeks I've been struggling a lot with the devil and such. I went to confession today and feel a lot better. Anyways the priest talked to me a lot about prayer and the power of it. So I'm really going to spend my days in silence, praying and trying to go deeper.maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-56114851710838327832012-02-15T07:47:00.000-08:002012-02-15T07:47:40.941-08:00I cannot boast about my love for God because I fail Him daily, but I can boast about His love for me because it never fails.Do you ever get lost in your struggles? Do you ever feel dejected in your weakness?<br />
<br />
I'm feeling it today.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you."</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> 2 Corinthians 13:4</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 2 Corinthians 12:9</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span>maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-18372675245340567002012-02-14T19:41:00.000-08:002012-02-14T19:41:54.574-08:00But... what do girls want?I feel like every article you find that is entitled "What girls want in a guy" and "What guys want in a girl" don't ever get to the point. They are all like, ooh I want a boy how gives me flowers and calls me baby (bleh). I want a girl who rubs my feet and cooks my dinner. Uh no. FYI Girls don't want to rub your feet, no offense. Anyways, all of these articles just get to the surface. They never speak about the HEART. There is so much more to a relationship than flowers and cooking. Its about sacrifice. It's about finding the one.<br />
<br />
But when a girl looks for "the one" what do they find?<br />
<br />
Let me tell you a story...<br />
<br />
I was recently told about a conversation between a few friends.<br />
One man was talking about his recent venture to the strip club.<br />
When asked about the girls, he said they were "sexy" and "hot", but that the woman he wanted to marry he wanted to find at church.<br />
<br />
Yep. You read that correctly, someone who goes to strip clubs wants to meet his wife at a church.<br />
<br />
Now, I don't know about you, but this makes absolutely no sense to me. Lemme tell you, the type of man I want to marry isn't one that you find in a strip club on Fridays and church on Sundays.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I understand that we all have our struggles, but if we don't admit to them, when will they be faced? If we continue to justify our actions, when will they get better? Will the switch automatically turn off with the "I do"?<br />
<br />
You see, it is so often in this day and age (for men and for women) that we justify our actions. We justify them because one day we'll find something better and on the tip of a hat we'll change.<br />
<br />
Think about it, though. The desires of our HEART are for a perfect man. If we skew the desires of our heart to artificial love of things like sex, pornography, strip clubs, ect. we will never truly find the one we love, the one that our heart truly likes. Society has taught us that we should look for our Prince Charming, our Perfect man. Until we realize, however, that there is only one perfect man (aka GOD) we will only pick the wrong ones.<br />
<br />
So what do women want in a man? Women (and not all women, but those at church who you want to marry) want the Lord. Plain and simple. If you find the Lord, you find your love. Remember, <b>God is love.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>xoxo</b>maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-4292491917628071212012-01-30T17:44:00.000-08:002012-01-30T17:44:41.506-08:00To friend or not to friend...This past Sunday (at youth group) we talked about the chain reaction of sin and got on the topic of friends and the struggle they sometimes pose.<br />
<br />
Now, lemme back track (I think I backtrack in literally every single post I make. Oh well)<br />
<br />
Mary Blenke Timeline<br />
<br />
2006: Had my first boyfriend, had my first breakup.<br />
2006: Had my second boyfriend, had my second breakup.<br />
2006: Went to High School (St. Petersburg Catholic High School)<br />
-> now, my freshman year I'm not going to lie, I was pretty dang outgoing. I like to think I had a lot of "friends", as in, people to hang out with, people I knew, just people who knew me.<br />
2007: Was introduced to my third boyfriend through friends.<br />
2007: Had my first heart break (wahh, sob sob sob)<br />
<br />
Now comes the interesting part.<br />
<br />
In 2008 I started a long distance relationship with a guy who lived in Ohio. Never met him, we started talking through myspace (whats that?).<br />
<br />
I still had friends.<br />
<br />
But the deeper I got into this relationship the less prevalent my friends became. Over the next two year I had basically lost all my friends.<br />
<br />
ANYWAYS, I think the reason it was so devastating was not because I actually liked the people I called my friends or looked up to them, it was the idea that I had no one to hang out with. I had no group to go to prom with, I had no group to be a part of.<br />
<br />
I walked into school everyday and sat at the same picnic table with the same people, didn't really talk, didn't really listen, just sat there.<br />
<br />
I couldn't decide what was worse: going to school and having no one or being at home on the weekends and having no one.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, almost 2 years later, I finally realize why I was so upset about being alone.<br />
<br />
I was in mass yesterday and the homily spoke about the lies the devil puts on our hearts because of original sin (there are two):<br />
<br />
<b>1. That something is wrong with us. </b><br />
The devil puts this lie on our hearts so that it will create an extreme uneasiness. That every time someone says a comment against or even to compliment us we scrutinize it and in the end scrutinize yourself.<br />
<br />
and ...... (pay attention!)<br />
<br />
<b>2. That you are alone. (</b>moreover that it is not okay to be alone)<br />
A.K.A. the quietness that the Lord calls for we perceive as NOT OKAY. The devil puts this on our heart so that we fill our days with useless things so that we do not have to be alone, with our own thoughts and ultimately with God.<br />
<br />
So, this is what I have learned from my last two high school years, especially my senior years. (I broke up with my boyfriend right before my senior year)<br />
<br />
Those years CHANGED MY LIFE for the better.<br />
<br />
Those years are when I truly found the Lord in my silence. I learned that its ok to have time to myself. I learned that when I spent time alone I actually was with my Lord and Savior because the truth is that YOU ARE NEVER ALONE.<br />
<br />
When you feel alone, it is the devil telling you that you are alone. You aren't alone. Never.<br />
<br />
I'm sitting in my car writing this right now. Technically I am alone, no one is around or with me. But I'm not alone.<br />
<br />
First of all, I'm with you cool cats. Second of all, I'm with my Lord. All that I write is of Him.<br />
<br />
I encourage you to become friends with HIM. I guarantee after you do (or even just continuously attempt too) you will NEVER feel alone.<br />
<br />
I never feel alone.<br />
<br />
<br />
xo<br />
<b><br />
</b>maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-55552587119806286172012-01-15T11:46:00.000-08:002012-01-15T11:46:54.953-08:00Fearfully and WONDERFULLY made. My Beloved.Let me just tell you, I freaking LOVE the word Beloved.<br />
<br />
I long to be called Beloved. I was journaling about it a few weeks ago and said something along the lines of "Lord, when will I find someone to call me Beloved?"<br />
<br />
He was straight up like "uh hello Mary, nice to meet you I'm RIGHT HERE".<br />
<br />
I mean, it says it in the Bible doesn't it?<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (John 4:1)</i></span><br />
<br />
Yep, right there.<br />
<br />
He calls us Beloved! As if He knew we would be reading this word one day, all of Christianity reading it as a Holy and personal account from the Lords mouth.<br />
<br />
Isn't it crazy that the Bible was put together on the premise that one day millions of people would read and learn by it? SO CRAZY.<br />
<br />
Ahh, I love being called Beloved.<br />
Lets break it down.<br />
<br />
Be-Loved<br />
<br />
Be. Be you, Be the Lord. What is our calling in life? Who knows. There is one calling we all must know is ours and act upon it. The call to be the Lords.<br />
<br />
The Lord calls us all to His table. To believe in Him and to love Him.<br />
We are called to love Him through our love to others. Our neighbors.<br />
<br />
Be what the Lord is calling you to be, Loved.<br />
<br />
Loved. So many different meanings from one simple word. I see it in two ways. Loved, to be a loving and thoughtful member of society so that when people think back to who you are they can say "Mary really Loved the world, the society, and everything God has created for her.". Loved. Loved is a past tense of the word Love, sometimes anyways. It is also an explanation.<br />
<br />
She is Loved. She Loved.<br />
<br />
She Loved is past tense<br />
She is Loved is present tense.<br />
<br />
Be-Loved; be loving.<br />
Be-Loved: be loved.<br />
<br />
Beloved: what the Lord calls us and what we are called to act as.<br />
<br />
We are HIS Beloved.<br />
<br />
We were fearfully and WONDERFULLY made.<br />
<br />
He Loves us above all else.<br />
<br />
Beloved.maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-87541233958697973672012-01-05T13:30:00.000-08:002012-01-05T13:30:39.554-08:00I can't get any holier.I once heard someone say "I'm as Holy as I need to be, I don't think I can get any better". Truth be told, up until a few years ago I agree. Now that I know better, my heart truly aches at the thought of not being able to dive deeper, to become Holier.<br />
<br />
When I joined the Life Teen movement almost 6 years ago my whole world twisted a little. The more I've been involved with this movement, the more I realize that statement up there is completely false. Thats something that I find different about the Catholic faith, there's always room to grow more. I have a friend-boy (I did that on purpose) that is Presbyterian Protestant (I think that's how you say it) and we talk a lot about faith. If I may explain his position without his permission I would say that he longs to go deeper but just doesn't know how, like he's stuck.<br />
<br />
Stuck? Stuck where? Mary, what in the world are you talking about.<br />
<br />
Well, reader, I am talking about this. The Catholic (and Christian) faith in general is full of mysteries. The mystery of the Virgin Mary, the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the mystery of the Eucharist.<br />
<br />
I mean, look at the rosary! There are the Joyful mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious mysteries, and the Luminous mysteries.<br />
Whats the key word here? <b>mysteries.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
Ding Ding Ding!<br />
<br />
We have all these mysteries that cannot be solved other than by the Lord. I can't explain to you why or how or when Mary ascended into Heaven. I can't convince you with my own words who the Holy Spirit impregnated a 14 year old Virgin girl with the Savior of the world. I just don't have the words or the power. Sure, I can tell you about them, but I know no root. I just know what I read and what I have faith in.<br />
<br />
This brings us back to my post on the Eucharist, kind of. God doesn't call us to understand everything about our faith, but he calls us to have faith in it. To believe in it and hope to one day understand it <i>better </i>(not fully)<i>. </i>That is why they are called mysteries.<br />
If we did not have mysteries, there would be nothing to dive deeper into. Our faith would just be cut and dry, with explanations to everything and understanding of everything.<br />
<br />
What fun would that be?<br />
<br />
Dive a little deeper, I promise you'll never reach the bottom. (until heaven, and once you're there pray for those seeking to go deeper on earth!)<br />
<br />
Peace and God's love.maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-16651865876322260612011-12-25T09:54:00.000-08:002011-12-25T09:55:15.546-08:00Merry Christmas!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"In the beginning was the Word,<br style="font-size: 12px;" />and the Word was with God,<br style="font-size: 12px;" />and the Word was God.<br style="font-size: 12px;" />He was in the beginning with God.<br style="font-size: 12px;" />All things came to be through him,<br style="font-size: 12px;" />and without him nothing came to be."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Not your Ipods and Dvds. Not your perfume, not your video games. None of it came to be without Him. He is the Savior of the world. </span></span>maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-40322023275994092862011-12-24T23:10:00.001-08:002011-12-24T23:10:36.876-08:00Is it sometimes hard to focus in Mass?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">An hour?! What? I have to spend one whole hour every Sunday at some huge place that has random flowers on it and stuff? Uh.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">I feel as though we all have though this at one time or another. Right? That was about the first 18 years of my life. I really wanted to enjoy Mass. I really wanted to dive deep. But how? I just couldn't wrap my mind around it. I was tired, bored, distracted, oh hey there's a cute boy over there let me send vibes so he turns around. It was one of those kinds of things. yah know?</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Well, I recently purchased a beautiful leather journal from barnes and noble. (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/home-gift-brown-leather-antique-lace-embossed-lined-journal/22817764?ean=9781616807078)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Its actually kind of a sad side-note, the paper part disconnected from the binding. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Anyways, I started journaling through the Mass. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">I write down the 1st reading, the verses, and a reflection or verse that really sticks out to you. Then do the same thing for the 2nd reading. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">During the gospel I write down the verses and listen. Usually I journal through the homily just awesome things the priest is saying and stuff like that. Its pretty legit. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Its making me dive deeper into Mass. I've legitimately felt more in love with the Lord over the past few months that I've been journaling. It opens my mind up and helps me focus on what I'm reading and listening too. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">So, if you have a problem focusing and hearing what the message of Mass truly is, I propose that you go out, get a beautiful journal, and pray through it during Mass. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Its helping me become more in tune with the Word and with the Lord. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Remember, they are one in the same. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Merry Christmas!</div>maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-60776607119848402062011-12-15T17:45:00.000-08:002011-12-15T17:45:50.635-08:00Tweet TweetSo, I have a twitter. (@homerun_mary if you care)<br />
<br />
Yep, I said it. I admit. I'm a twitter-holic. Well, not really. But I use twitter mostly to talk about one of my favorite past times (baseball). So you can imagine how down my twitter feed gets during this part of the year. Yep, the off season.<br />
<br />
I decided, however, that at the end of the baseball season I was going to try and "follow" more Catholic people. More inspirational people so that I could dive a little deeper each and every day on one of my favorite social media outlets.<br />
<br />
Insert: the key to twitter is to have something to talk about.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I was on it today, as I am every other day, and I follow some pretty awesome people. But someone retweeted this verse and it really hit me.<br />
<br />
hard.<br />
<br />
it said:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 27px;">Jesus said, "Stay awake and pray so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38)</span><br />
<br />
Now if you remember this part of the bible, Jesus was speaking with his disciples who had already fallen asleep once. This was one of Jesus' last moments as a "free" man. It was right before he was fully betrayed by Judas. It was His last few moments with our Lord before he was taken to suffer. Yet, was he worried about himself?<br />
<br />
Well yeah, a little. But it wasn't all about him. He told his best friends to "Stay awake and pray so that you won't enter into temptation"<br />
<br />
hmm. "so that you won't enter into temptation" that sounds familiar.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"> "Our Father in heaven,<sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23292C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> hallowed be<sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23292D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> your name.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23293" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">10</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23293E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>Your kingdom come,<sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23293F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> your will be done,<br />
<sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23293G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> on earth as it is in heaven.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23294" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">11</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23294H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> Give us<sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23294I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> this day our daily bread,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23295" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">12</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj">and forgive us our debts,<br />
as we also have forgiven our debtors.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-23296" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">13</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj">And<sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23296J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> lead us not into temptation,<br />
but<sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23296K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> deliver us from<sup class="xref" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23296L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> evil.<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-23296d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]">"</sup></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-23296d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]"><br />
</sup></span></span><br />
Matthew 6:9-13<br />
<br />
oh yeah. thats where I remember it from. In the prayer that Jesus taught the disciples to pray it says "Lead us not into temptation". But how do they connect? In the Lords prayer, Jesus is telling us to pray to the Lord so that we will not be tempted by the evil one. In the passage, Jesus tells his disciples (also us) to stay awake so that we may not be tempted.<br />
<br />
aka; he tells us how to pray to not be tempted and how to act to keep from temptation.<br />
<br />
But what does stay awake mean?<br />
<br />
Stay awake, thrive. Be aware of your surroundings. Jesus didn't want his disciples to fall asleep because He knew that He was about to be handed over to evil. He knew He was about to die. He wanted his disciples there with him, fully alert, fully ready to see the power of God be strengthened by the most powerless act of courage.<br />
<br />
"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak".<br />
<br />
We are human (in case you weren't sure. We are.). Therefore, we are weak. We can build up all the adrenaline our bodies can handle but it doesn't mean we are necessarily strong. We, in our human form, are weak when it comes to this kind of stuff. Jesus, in his human form, was weak. He was afraid, but his spirit was willing to complete the prophecy put into place. He hoped his disciples to do the same.<br />
<br />
This saying is kind of like a moral code. Its kind of like the famous St. Jerome quote "Practice what you preach". The spirit is our soul. The spirit is our moral compass, and sometimes our flesh, our humanity, causes us to go off of our moral compass. But Christ calls us back on track. Just like Christ pulled the disciples back on track.<br />
<br />
<br />
Amen.maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-9101802667981906532011-12-14T10:54:00.000-08:002011-12-14T10:54:33.606-08:00Mary, whats your faith like?<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My faith can probably be described in a few words. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">For one, it’s ongoing. I will never be able to dive deep enough into my faith because it’s a never-ending pool. I am constantly learning and growing, deepening my knowledge about scripture and the Lord. Over the past year I have come to yearn for a deeper knowledge of what I, on a daily basis, call my faith. Which brings me to my next word.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">My faith is a struggle. A constant struggle that I believe will last for the rest of my life. Probably because I’m human (well, definitely because I’m human). I used to try and deny my struggle, saying things like my faith is awesome and Jesus is my best friend. Over the past years I’ve tried to be honest with myself about my faith and the most honest answer I discerned about was that it’s a struggle. I have trouble believing in things I can’t understand. The Catholic faith is called a mystery. Although a struggle, this past week at youth group kind of opened my eyes to something. I was asked to speak on the Eucharist and I was reading different stories in the Gospels. I read John 6:60-68 (which is quickly becoming one of my favorite passages ever!) which, and I quote, says: <br />
<br />
<i>“<b>Many, therefore, of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can hear it?’ </b>When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, ‘Does this offend you?...’ <b>From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. </b>Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Will you also go away?’ Then Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have the words of eternal life.’”</i> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p>I get a lot from this passage. Mostly, however, that this passage kind of describes my faith. They’re talking about the Eucharist as a hard concept, hard to understand, therefor hard to believe. The people who came from all ends of the earth to see him had trouble understanding and many left. His best friends, the 12, had trouble understanding. But when Jesus asked his 12 “Will you go away also?” will you leave too? Simon Pete said “Whom shall we go?”. I read this and my faith, in a way, made sense. My faith is a struggle because Catholicism is full of hard concepts and I don’t always understand them. I have learned, however, that I’m not called to understand them, just to believe in them. If I don’t believe in what is so clearly written for me, what has been so clearly passed down for me, then where else would I go? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-90568350745629555022011-12-10T20:43:00.000-08:002011-12-10T20:51:26.506-08:00This week in youth ministry...<!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I was asked to speak on the Eucharist. Its an incredibly touchy, confusing, wonderful, and dear topic that is extremely close to my heart. The mystery of the Eucharist is completely profound. The church teaches that the Eucharist is the Source and the Summit of our faith. It is the Body, Blood, SOUL, and DIVINITY. We sometimes forget that the Eucharist isn't just his body but His entire being. We as Catholic are called to believe that in every bit of Host and every drop of the Wine is the entirety of Christ.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> The hardest part of the Eucharist I think for many of us to remember is that although it is visually a piece of bread and a cup of wine the particles have changed into the Body and Blood. We know this big word transubstantiation, which in basic terms means that during the consecrations of the bread and wine the elements of each is changed into the real Body and real Blood of Jesus.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">But wait. Where do we get this from?</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> "<b>14</b> When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. <b>15</b>And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; <b>16</b> for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” <b>17</b> And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; <b>18</b> for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” <b>19</b> And when He had taken somebread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” <b>20</b> And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Luke 22: 14-20</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">A.K.A He said straight up THIS IS MY BODY. Take this all of YOU and eat it! He said This is my body which will be GIVEN UP FOR YOU.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Lets backtrack real quick. This was the Last Supper. This was before he went to the garden. Before He begged the Lord's pardon, before Peter cut off the guards ear. Before Judas even finished the deed. It was before ALL OF IT. The Apostles didn't even know what was about to happen! This is crazy!</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Jesus said to his best friends this is MY BODY. This is it. I'm giving it to you. Here it is, take it and eat it. I am giving you myself because I LOVE YOU. Loving someone is an act of giving of yourself, right? He said take this all of you and eat it. Take this all of you and drink it. Its for you because I love you. Here is this little piece of unleavened bread. This simply wine made from grapes. Here are two simple things that will create the greatest mystery of all time.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Jesus said take this bread. Take it, take this piece of bread. The smallest, least expensive piece of bread. Take it so that you can take me. He said because I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, TAKE THIS PIECE OF ME. He said I am going to humble myself down into something so simple so that all may take it. So that when someone receives this bread they are also receiving me. He humbled himself into something that could fit in our hands. Something that could enter our bodies so that he may have a more intimate relationship with our human self.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">The Eucharist is one of the hardest things to understand. Even Jesus' own disciples had trouble.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">John 6:51-58- “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and <b>the bread that I will give is my flesh</b>, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. <b>Whosoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, WILL HAVE eternal life</b>; and I will raise him up at the last day. <b>For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed</b>. <b>He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood</b>, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so <b>he that eats me, even he shall live by me</b>.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These were his friends. The one's around him, coming from all ends of the earth to hear him speak, to touch his cloak, and he gives them something that will last for eternity, and they don't want it? They are troubled. They see how uneasy it is. How unnerving it is. They are caught up in the logistics that they ignore what the Son of Man is actually saying. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life." I don't know how much more straightforward you can get! </span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But, read a bit further. Jesus does not stop those who do not wish to understand from leaving. He says "go". He turns to his disciples. His best friends. It says (John 6:60-68- )“<b>Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it? </b>When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?... <b>From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. </b>Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">AKA His BFF's weren't sure either! But they knew that this was God. They knew that although it was hard to understand, it was worth trying. Jesus knows that its hard for us to understand the Eucharist. That's why it is called a mystery. But we are called to do just as the disciples did and say "To whom else shall we go?". We are called to say "uh, yeah I don't always understand the Eucharist, I don't always feel you here, but I know you are here, I know you are the true presence and I know you are the true God and what you say is the full truth so where else can i possibly go? Who else can I possibly turn too? </span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Amen.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-24872508340875997502011-12-10T08:07:00.000-08:002011-12-10T08:07:46.853-08:00The first Fiat.A couple thousand years ago came the first Fiat.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. </em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(Luke 1: 26-38)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Phew, a lot to live up to right? Now, I'm not going to lie to you and say that I've read the Bible cover to cover (I'm trying to work on it though, Praise God!) but, I do try to familiarize myself with what I'm writing about. Although the entire section is extremely intimidating, its nothing that we as Christians can't strive to achieve. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">But first, lets pray. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Lord, help us to open our hearts to Your will and guide us to Your will instead of our own. Let Your will be done to us. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">So, Mary. The yes. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Mary gave the most important "yes" anyone could ever give. She allowed the Lord to become present in her through the Holy Spirit. Thats crazy! I pray that one day I can even come close to not being freaked out by God's plan for me. I pray for her unending faith! </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The thing is though, Mary's Fiat was not just a one time thing. No "yes" to anything is just a one time thing. There must be work involved. There must be more in order to fully give yourself to something. Mary is the prime example of that. Not only did she say Yes to the biggest question on earth. She bore the Son of God, the savior of the world! THEN not only did she do that but she went to her cousin and PROCLAIMED GLORY TO GOD. She didn't say "Man I"m going to be the mother of God aka I'm really awesome bow to me and give me grapes". no. She definitely did not. She said, and I quote:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i>"</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i>My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His handmaid; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name."</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">For the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is HIS name. God has blessed me, so continue to praise him. All generations will call me blessed because God has made it so, but praise HIM. not me. You can call me blessed, ask for my intercession, but praise HIM. For it is Him who has done this for me. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">She said yes. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Amen. </span></span>maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7613397319329410004.post-24863296400111520052011-12-05T22:24:00.000-08:002011-12-06T20:24:04.767-08:00Intro Hey, my name is Mary Blenke. I'm a sophomore at the University of South Florida, Barista at Starbucks, and core member of the Tessera Youth ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle.<br />
Let me backtrack really quick. When I was born, I was baptized Catholic. From then on I never really practiced. Sure, my parents and I (well, mostly my mom) went to mass almost every Sunday. But hey, going to mass didn't exactly mean <i>going to mass</i> (as the teens in my youth group like to say). All it meant was spending an hour every Sunday where I didn't want to be. This lasted until my freshman year of high school.<br />
Upon trying out for the volleyball team, I met a girl that went to youth group. She was from a different Catholic middle school than I knew her briefly from school dances and competitive sports. We got called back, but neither of us made it much farther, as volleyball players that is. We quickly became friends and soon, she invited me to youth group. My first trip was to the March for Life in 2007. The fellowship, love, and community I felt made my hear jump. I knew I was being called to something greater.<br />
For the next semester I immersed myself in the idea of youth ministry. I loved Sundays because it meant I could go to youth group and meet new people. We met our new youth minister and with it our new program; Life Teen. I wasn't sold.<br />
That summer, I went to my first "retreat". Steubenville Atlanta, Matt Maher, and my youth group friends. It was a blast. I wasn't ready. I had no idea what faith was, I had an idea of what fun was. Hanging out with people who (I thought) had my same morals. It was a blast, but I felt something more. I was being called to something greater.<br />
For the next few months my life was nice. I started pining for a relationship with the Lord. I started feeling the way he was pursuing. I yearned for it, but I just didn't know. I felt lonely, I felt nothing from the Lord, I felt as though I was being called for more, but what? I felt nothing.<br />
My loneliness Sophomore year left my heart feeling empty. I filled it with a guy, and not the best one. The next two years I spent under his reign instead of His. My demeanor got sadder and sadder as I allowed my heart to be pulled away from the Lord. I let this guy have my heart, and my life. I said no to what I thought I was being called too, and yes to what was leading me away. The next two years, I spent under the supervision of my boyfriend. I was emotionally and physically abused daily. I figured I wasn't good enough for more. I figured I just wasn't good enough for the Lord anymore.<br />
The summer of 2009 came quickly (actually, really slowly. I was miserable). Anyways, I went to a Life Teen summer camp. That week changed my life.<br />
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Welcome to it.maryblenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169237354797885995noreply@blogger.com0