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Friday, January 21, 2022

A challenge every season



The Lego Church Project that I do every year is an epic undertaking. In the span of about two months, I take and assemble free hand a massive Catholic parish of my own design and creation. By massive I mean a project that measures about 47 inches long. 25 inches wide. With a height to the tip of the bell tower around 23 inches. I have inside a full interior full of lights, flooring, and over two-hundred mini-figures. This is all built by one person. With no extra help. 

It is a challenge to build this. Not only am I testing the limits of the medium, in this case, LEGO. Creating a building using several thousand inter-locking plastic bricks. I am also challenging myself to come up with a new and creative design each year. Something that I've been doing for well over twenty-two years so far. I am also running headfirst into every single fear and insecurity I have ever had. Learning what each year brings me and the strength that I gain from each completed season. Sometimes this can be a great internal struggle. Yet it is one that I look forward to. It is also a time of a lot of prayer for me. As I spend nearly the entire build process in prayer. Either with words or just with my hands as I'm working on each section. Everything I do with my work is connected to prayer in some form. Such as praying for every aspect of our lives. Disability and its related issues. Along with our parishes. 

The next challenge I face every season is being able to take my project on the road to locations for public displays. The displays allow people to see my work in person and see the creative side of what someone with a disability (or challenge) can do. What makes things difficult is being able to find the needed transportation to make these displays happen. As I do not drive, nor do I always have easy access to transportation. I am always thankful when God works things out. My project is built for everyone and is meant to be shared not hidden inside my apartment for no one to see. Without the kindness of others this would not even happen. 

One of the often-unasked questions is why I do this year after year. I have a mild form of cerebral palsy. The challenges I face are not easily seen or noticed unless you get to know me. I have struggles that impact me daily. Often in ways most do not realize. I also have a deep love for Christ and the Catholic faith. God has blessed me with this very unique talent. To allow me to build and display these massive creations of mine year after year. I use The Project to show that no matter what challenge or disability that you face. God can still use your talents in amazing and creative ways. That is more than just a mission statement as it is something that I am living in my interactions with others. I desire to give hope to those who face these challenges and to remind people that God does have a purpose for everyone. 

Within the last few years, I have been able to take the project father than I could ever hope or dream. Given the disability advocacy that is starting to develop thanks to the recent print interviews and various podcasts I've been on. I am slowly starting to use my work to open the doors to conversations that are needed. Reminding people that those with disabilities often face an uphill road when it comes to the life of the Church. More so if that disability isn't easily seen or noticed. That everyone should feel welcome, no matter what challenge they face, when they step inside our parishes. I am praying that this advocacy is something that I can do more of in the coming seasons. 

I close this out with a final though: I don't do this for myself. I do this out of a deep love and passion for Christ. This has always been about the work God is doing though me and my efforts. Without HIM. This would not even be happening. This above all else is God's project. I'm just the humble and unlikely builder. -


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Sunday, January 16, 2022

Prayers for Season 23

 

The Project has always been about prayer. Now I could use some prayers myself. 

I have found over the last few seasons that I have a neat ministry that can open doors to important conversations on the issues of disability and how we relate to the church. I do this by blog posts and various interviews that I've given. Along with sharing my work. Either in person with my displays or via social media. 

Because of the focus on issues related to disability. I want to do more in that area and expand the ministry. Ideally, I would like to get in contact with either Priests and/or groups within the church that have a focus on disability. If you know of anyone, please send them my way. 

Part of my goals for this coming season is to try and develop two talks. One with a focus on using our talents for God. The other on is how I live my faith even with the challenges. While I am decent at writing. This is a little bit out of my comfort zone without some guidance. Which is why I need the help.

The other issue is prayers for wisdom on the displays themselves. Including timing on a few of them. There is a decent chance that we might move the Christ the Good Shepherd display earlier than Christmas. Along with trying to fill the season up with a few other locations and the transportation to work things out. I spend countless hours build this work and I have a deep desire for people to see it. However, I must also take into consideration the timing of things. 

As I start preparing for the Season 23 build in Feb. I will be taking everything in prayer and hoping that some good things can develop for my work overall. 

I once again ask that you join me in asking for the intercession of Blessed Solanus Casey. That wisdom for direction and help can be given. 

To those who support my work. You have my deepest thanks. 


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Monday, November 8, 2021

Living Examples of the faith.

 


Catholics and Christians have something that is rather unique. The fact is we learn not only from what is taught in the Bible and in the case of Catholics, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We also tend to learn by the example set by others around us. Friends, family, other people that we look up to and admire. We follow the lessons that they teach us. Even when they may not always realize it.

Over the years of my life I have learned much about what it means to be Catholic. One of those people who I have learned a lot from is my own mom. I have learned about the faith though her eyes and though the challenges she has face. Over the last twenty years or so. My mom has had to face some difficult health issues. With the road being way more difficult than most would ever realize or understand. It is the kind of up hill climbs that give someone more questions to life than answers.

I have found in my mom a deeper level of faith most do not see easily. A witness to what God has done for her though out her life. A understanding that God's will be done and that sometimes it is just a matter of riding out the storm. Even when that is challenging itself. Sometimes the road takes us down a path of endless frustration and bitter sadness. Yet my mom has always held out a strong faith that never seems to waver. She knows that she is a child of God and that He is always with her.

It is the kind of lessons that I hope I can take to heart in my own walk with Christ. To follow the examples of what I have seen in this life. In ways most may not even realize. The people around us teach much about our walk in the path of Christ. I pray every day that I can put those lessons into practice. To never give up hope in the time of challenge. To embrace God's will. Even if we cannot always see the path in front of us.

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Thursday, October 28, 2021

Gifts and Christmas: a better focus.

 


Recently I've seen a lot of postings with the message of "due to supply issues, Christmas may be a little different". Personally I'm wondering if it should be different. We have gone out of our way to turn the holiday into a festival of over spending and shopping and not enough time on what should be important in our lives. We would rather spend our days rushing from store to store trying to find the most expensive gifts we can. Instead of reflecting on the gifts we already have. Putting more effort into prayer and making every effort to take a more active role in the life of the church. If we have not been to Mass in a while. Advent would be the perfect time to make a deeper commitment to follow Christ. To come back to our parishes that have been neglected for far too long. 

Coming to Mass can be a challenge for many of us. Either due to the pandemic or news that keeps troubling our hearts. Yet I am constantly reminded of why I make that effort. I follow the teachings of the church. My faith is in Christ and I truly believe fully that Christ is present in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. I understand that humans are capable of doing great good in the world. Yet I also understand that we are just as easily able to commit acts that words cannot fully express how evil they are. Making Christ a priority is path that we can take to bring light to the darkness that we see. We cannot combat the evil from the outside. Rather we must make more of an effort to go to Mass and combat any evil we see from within. We are at a point now where running is not the answer to the problems at hand. 

As Advent starts and we are on the way to Christmas. Let us make our faith in Christ first and foremost. It is a prefect time to reflect on the blessings that we have and share those blessing with others. -

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Friday, August 27, 2021

The Empty Church: Unrealized Need


This post highlights an issue I see with in the church. While for the most part my own needs have been taken care of. Not everyone has those same connections.

 Finding a ride to Mass can be a struggle for someone who does not drive. We get told all the time by those around us that we should make every effort to attend Mass only to find, that because of a lack of transportation, our options are limited at best. Bus service in many areas do not run on the weekends. More so in smaller cities or rural areas. While commercial ride sharing or cabs do exist. It may not be practical or could be cost prohibitive due to someone being on a fixed income such as SSI or Social Security. Many of us have reasons why we do not drive or own a car. Some of that is related to the daily challenges or disabilities that we content with. Which only adds to that frustration. Many of us who struggle to find rides have a deep desire to take part in the Mass. Yet we keep finding roadblocks in our path. 

If you do not have friends or family in the parish already. Attempting to establish the right kind of connections can be difficult. Just the simple act of asking someone for help can generate a high level of fear and anxiety. Those fears exist because many times in our lives we have to content with that out right rejection that sometimes comes. Or, even worse, total silence as the reply. It adds to that frustration because it fuels the feelings of being a burden or inconvenience on someone. We just simply do not know who we can ask that would be willing to offer us a ride so we can take part in the Mass. 

This issue of transportation is one that is often overlooked. Most don't even realize such a need exists in our parishes. Often times we are left fending for ourselves in trying to find that ride. Since in most parishes no real options exist. This is a combination of factors such as lack of over all funding, a lack of volunteers, or insurance issues that seem to make a basic spiritual need out of reach for some. A truly untapped way to evangelize that is really is needed. Even if that need does not seem out right apparent. While it may not be the intended result it does send the wrong message. That while the church is welcoming. It is not friendly to those who have no easy way to get to Mass. If we, as a parish community, want to be a truly welcoming place. Then every effort should be made to help those who have limited resources be able to attend Mass in person. So that way those who do not drive know who they can rely on. -JM


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Monday, June 14, 2021

May 10th Reflection

 This bit of writing was originally posted to my personal FB feed on May 10th. Decided today that I wanted to add this to my collection of writing.

Our faith in Christ should not be based on our faith in humans. Or what they do or don't do in our eyes. God gave us free will and we make some major missteps in judgement. Leaders tend to fail us. They often make choices that at times we question. If we belong to the faith on the understanding of what humans do. Then we will never be happy in our walk. We will become discouraged and disillusioned. We will always see the flaws and mistakes that we feel are being made. Never seeing the good going on around us. Instead we become bitter and angry. To the point that at every Priest, Bishop, or Pope that sneezes wrong we will spend our days grumbling about it.

We have to have a deeper faith than that. It has to be about Christ and the Eucharist. Which for all who say they are Catholic should be the source and summit of our faith. We should know in our hearts what God has done for us. Even in our own missteps. Which for some can feel like an epic mountain to move past. God gave us this amazing gift of free will. Some times we abuse it in ways that are purely evil. You look though out history and you see what has taken place. In each generation we have had great leaders and then we've also had our share of rotten trees. The church has had to content with many scandals, heresies, and even a schism or two. Some of them recent. We've seen in our history great leaders. We've also seen some vile ones. But our faith in Christ should not be based on that. If it is then we are going to be broken and hurt.

The challenge is riding out these storms and remaining faithful to God. It is not always easy, even for me, when it seems that news keeps getting worse and we feel that leadership isn't doing anything. More so with some of the more recent controversies. For me, personally, I've follow the path of Pause, Reflect, and Pray.

By stepping back from social media (Pause) for a bit. So that my anxiety and anger is not being fueled. So that I can have a better handle of what it is that I am seeing. Which then leads me into reflecting on God's blessings in my own life. That no matter what evil or injustice that we see. Christ has already won the victory. To open my heart deeply as to why I remain Catholic. Then lastly to spend time in deep spiritual prayer. Praying that our leaders would be guided by the Holy Spirit. That they would uphold the teachings of the faith with Mercy and compassion. That we ourselves would also uphold those same teachings. More so in this current world.

History can teach us a lot of things. We know the kinds of crisis we see with in the church are not anything new. It is how we chose to deal with them that makes the difference. Do we stand with Christ. Or do we turn our backs. The choice has always been ours to make. For me, I have trust in God. Even when things look bad.

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Thursday, May 13, 2021

Help needed for Season 22!

I have the project currently set up in the commons area of my apartment complex where I live in Saginaw. Given the current nature of the pandemic and the slow return to normal I am working out the details for this current season. If their is enough interest I can either do an indoor display or I can bring the project outside for a mini-display. Either way I would still need some major help to make this happen. Mainly with helping to move the project and/or providing transportation.  So if your in the Saginaw, MI area drop me a an email.

One of the other plans for Season 22 is to attempt to get on a few more radio programs/podcasts. I've had people reach out and suggest a few good ones. This is where you come in. If you know of a show let them know about my work. The main issues I talk about are related to the Catholic faith, disability, and of course The Project. Would really like to branch out and expand my over all ministry. I was able to do a lot of that last year and it is something that I enjoy. Just need a hand in making it happen.

Support for what we do is not always about money donations. It is helping to share the talents of others. It is also about prayer. Which for me is even more important. Prayers for wisdom and direction are very much needed as I'm trying to navigate a difficult road with this pandemic. -JM

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Friday, April 30, 2021

Reflection 4/29



 The Catholic church has an impressive rich history and teachings that are rooted in Christ. Dived into deeper with the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). We also have the advantage of the communion of Saints. Many of whom wrote on the matters of life within Christ.

We are called to live holy lives. Those lives emulated by the Saints. The road is not an easy one to follow. Many of the teachings of the church are harsh and unforgiving. At times we as Catholics struggle with those teachings. Challenges to our very faith and at times our very identity. More so when we feel that leaders have abandoned us in that walk with Christ. 

It is easy to be discouraged when we see this unfold in front of us. Leaders that seem to have no regard for our faith while they push an agenda that clearly is not of Christ. A deep sadness and anger over takes us when we see this play out. Because of our love for Christ and our love of the Church. We feel that it is some how tainted and stained with what we see.

Yet this is not the first time we have seen this kind of stuff play out. Though out the history of the church. Many who considered themselves Catholic went down paths that were very far removed from what we hold to be truth. Yet even with all that the church has remained firm. Even as we struggle within this current world that has made a greater push to reject God in all areas of public life. Leaders will come and they will go. Still the Catholic church remains like the tree with it's roots deep into the Earth.

The greatest sadness that we have is when Catholics openly support things that go directly against Christ. While it would be easy to lash out with anger. It would be far more worth the effort to pray for them. That the Holy Spirit would guide them and that we would be more encouraging so that more would be drawn to Christ. While are living in troubling times and have leaders who are less than ideal. God has shown us many times how strong the church truly is. Perhaps now is the time to remember an important saying: "Jesus I trust in you." -
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Sunday, April 25, 2021

Of Prayer and Bricks


 One of the aspects of the Lego Church Project build is the large amount of prayer that goes into my work. Often times is though my work that I am praying. With each brick I place and each section I build. I am praying with my hands. I pray for the hopes and dreams that we all have. I am taking all that is on my heart and putting it into the bricks that I am working with. It really isn't unlike when we come to the church and we carry with us our own struggles and personal conflicts as we sit down readying our hearts for the Mass.

As I'm working on the build my thoughts are constantly traveling around the various issues that I see. I see the weariness in our eyes as we contend with the chaos of the world. The challenges of getting a loved one to Mass. The desire of all of us to see our parishes grow. Not just in the number of people who make the Mass a priority. But also growing deeper in our faith. I'm also praying for those who face challenges daily that we never know about. Or those, like myself, who deal with some kind of disability. Lastly I'm also praying for vocations. Since we need more people to answer God's call. 

The prayerful aspect is something that I don't always get to talk about in great detail. However it is also extremely important aspect of what I do with the Project. It is a prayer for our future. As the challenges of the world often become more extreme. It is a desire that everyone should be welcome in our parishes. That no one should be looked down on or judged for their level of faith, personal struggles, or disability and challenges. These are the things that I pray for when I'm working on the project build. That we would all desire to draw closer to God and to live our lives as Saints. -



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Thursday, April 22, 2021

Have you prayed for your enemies?


 "Have you prayed for your enemies today?" This was a question recently asked on twitter by Fr. Joseph Krupp. It is something that I've been thinking on. The short answer is yes. Not that I would really consider myself to have any real "enemies" in any sense of the word.

I've clearly over the years of my life have had conflicts with various people. Disagreements over matters of life, politics, and in some rare cases the Catholic church. Sometimes these disagreements have gotten way more out of hand to the point that in rare cases. Relationships fracture. Over time some of those have been mended. Though the amazing power of prayer. Some of those conflicts have been resolved in ways not even I could expect.

A classic example is that many years ago now. I managed to get into a major conflict with one of the residents in the complex over my riding around with The Trike. It got pretty heated and cops got called on me. In most cases it would be understandable that I would hold on to some resentment or a personal grudge. However I spent more than a few months praying for this person. Over time a peace has developed between us and we now get along pretty well. Enough that I make it a point to check in with them to see how they are doing and to offer to pray for various issues.

Questions like the one Fr Joe asked are a good way to remind ourselves of how important it is to pray for those we have disagreements with. For you never know where God will take things. That our prayers should not be limited to just the people in our lives we care about. Or even those who ask for prayers. God calls us to love everyone. Even if we disagree with them. -


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Friday, January 8, 2021

Pause, Reflect, Pray

On Jan 6th of 2021, protestors stormed the Capital Building in Washington D.C. while both houses of Congress were certifying the election of the presidency. This post/reflection was written in the middle of the chaos and was in response to both my own personal anxiety over things. Along with the reactions from people on social media. I present this post as it was originally written on FB. -JM

It is way too easy to give into the fear and hysteria that we have seen played before our eyes. At the end of the day it doesn't matter *who* (or which group) is causing the insurrection today. That doesn't make it any less wrong. What happened today was travesty in our society. For a nation that wants to be progressive we clearly have gone in the wrong direction.

The hardest truth to accept is that in some ways this constant bickering and not being able to have a reasonable disagreement with someone has added fuel to these fires. We have lost sense of how to debate and how to disagree with out it turning it into something it shouldn't: A name calling slug fest where friendships are broken. If this was truly a progressive society then such disagreements would not lead to open conflict of this nature. We as society have lost our ability to have a reasonable debate with someone we may not agree with. To the point that ability may never come back.

To me a lot of it stems from the fact that we have in so many ways abandoned Christ. We turn our politics and at times the very church into idols to be worshiped. So many times we have let our vision of what Christ should be taint our perceptions to the point that the Church is no longer what it was intended. We dive into our camps and groups and wave the flags and yet what does that accomplish? Instead of coming together unified we spend our days pointing out the splinter in the other person's eye while ignoring the 2x4 in ours.
So what can we do?

Pause. Step back from our screens for a while and let our hearts calm down. More so if our anxiety is getting the better of us.

Reflect. Focus on why we are followers of Christ. On what Christ means to us and what the Church (in my case Catholic) is about.

Pray. That we would follow the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit instead of our own desires and wants. That we should truly be open to what God is asking of us.

Then when all that is done. We follow though on what we have learned. Picking up our Cross and committing our lives in service of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

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Thursday, January 7, 2021

Praying to be stronger


 

Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks. -Solanus Casey

As someone who faces challenges on a daily level. The words of Blessed Solanus Casey speak deeply to me. More so lately given the events of the world. It is a reminder that while we indeed have limits placed on us. God can still give us the much needed strength to face those limits and over come them.

Sometimes it seems like the task going forward feels almost impossible to understand. We are thrown things that by all points and reasons should knock the boat over and throw us into the water. Still we are able to find a way to keep the boat upright. More so when it seems like those challenges are endless and keep coming at us. Yet by seeking the Wisdom that God offers us. We can find an inner strength that allows us to do things even we didn't think we could do.
It can feel at times that the best way to take care of things is the easiest. To avoid our responsibilities when they seem too complex for us to understand. Yet if we are willing to seek out God. The more difficult path can in turn be the most rewarding for us. By embracing the challenges head on we find out that things are not always as bad as they look.

One of the greatest personal prayers that I have: "Lord, Grant me Strength, Wisdom, and Courage." This prayer ties in to what Fr Solanus speaks of. At times we can be on top of the boat riding out the storm. Then we have days when we are hiding below decks holding on for dear life. We want the storms of our lives to end. Perhaps it would be better for us to ask God to give us the strength to face those storms head on. Even when it seems extremely difficult to do. 

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Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Thoughts of Elections


 

As the election results come in. People on both sides of the political parties are going to be freaking out. No matter who wins the election they will be upset/angry and challenge the results. Violence and protests could very well break out and innocent lives ruined because "the wrong person won". You can even expect to see calls to abolish the electoral collage. Even though that is what keeps things fair and in balance. It will not be an easy time for days and weeks on end. Sadly this cannot be helped. More so when we are living in a pandemic and people are getting weary of the restrictions and lock downs.

The results don't bother me. As someone who is a bit of a political neutral such things do not change how I feel and will not change how I am conducting my life. Who is president changes nothing with me over all. As a Catholic who is strong in the faith. I will pray for the conversion of hearts for all of our leaders. That they would be guided by the Holy Spirit instead of being driven by the temptations of the world. I will not invest my time in being overly critical. I will include them in my daily Rosary. So in that respect nothing will really change. In fact I will go so far to say that I don't care who you vote for. If your family and friends I will not disown you. I will not treat you with any less compassion. I don't expect people to agree with me and I hope people understand that I may not always agree with them. But that won't change how I feel. For me family is important and that cannot be abandoned.

If their is one change that I will make in all of this. It is the same one that I have been working on. Being even more of an evangelist for Christ in an age where Christ is being attacked and put down. Even worse being minimized by people who claim to be his followers. Seems to be this notion of "separation of church and state" which to me is a fancy buzz term "keep your faith private and out of the public." As a Catholic I cannot do that. I cannot keep my faith in Christ private. We have an obligation to live our faith and we must hold true to that faith. More so now in this current age. I end this post with a verse of wisdom and the best take when it comes to how I will live my faith: Isaiah 62: 1 "For Zion's sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,".


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Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Rising above fear


They say that the greatest thing the evil one was ever able to do was to convince the world that he no longer exists. That he is no longer a threat to our society or to our world. To that extent this is true. He has become nothing more than the mythical boogie man that children are no longer afraid of. Yet fear is something the evil one is taking a direct role in these days. As people no longer believe that he exists he is free to do what he pleases. Which includes putting fear into the hearts of those around him.

These days we are more afraid of the world around us than ever before. We are afraid of being close to one another. To give family and friends a hug or a handshake. To gather together in our homes and in our businesses. To even be together for the holidays. Worse we are afraid to gather together in the name of Jesus Christ in our church buildings. The reasons are clear. A house united cannot be destroyed. While a house divided can easily fall apart. The evil one does not want us to be united because to be united means that he cannot win. So he applies the tools of his trade to seek out and to destroy us from with in. Using fear and worry to rob us of our very peace and to use that turn us against one another.

The challenge in all of this is to find the path that allows us to rise above that fear so we can live our lives. To not give into this desire to be afraid of one another. As Christians the answer comes from scripture itself. In fact going though the Bible the one phrase that is shared and repeated in some variation is "do not be afraid". Though out both the old and the new testament. Even Christ says those words a few times. If we accept scripture to be true than we must accept that God is with us. Even when the storm it at it's worse. Perhaps with in our fear we can take the time to pray. It seems to be something that we have lost touch with during the challenges as of late. Prayers for healing. For peace. For unity. Along with praying for an end to the fear that overrides our better sense of judgement.


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Wednesday, August 26, 2020

More than an identity


I think one of the things that many people don't fully understand is that when I say that I am Catholic. It is more than a "label". It is a total embracing of a way of life that calls us all to be true disciples of Christ. By saying that I am Catholic it is accepting that their are rules and responsibilities that we must follow. The path of Christ is not always an easy road to be on. We are witnesses and in many ways evangelists for the faith when we live our daily lives. We truly embrace the faith and all that it means.

Which why I probably get irked with many "Catholics" who are in public office. They often claim they are people of faith. In their private lives, to some extent, I'm sure they believe that. However the actions they take and the things they support publicly often put that faith into legitimate question. More so when they are called out in public over the missteps. They want to have the best of both worlds. To embrace public life and elected office while openly supporting things that go directly against the teachings of the church.

The Gospel of Matthew highlights this issue in 24th verse of the 6th chapter: "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

To say that we are Catholic is to fully embrace Christ. That includes the very teachings of the church. It is not something we can pick and chose. More so when your in the public eye. To embrace the views of a party that run counter to the teachings of the faith. Comes across as embracing mammon instead of Christ. It also sends the wrong message to those who may be considering joining the church. That we are not strong enough in our faith when we embrace the sins of the world instead of embracing Christ. It is one thing to have a private issue with the faith on some element of it. But something else altogether to publicly reject the teachings for the name of a party. In that respect your trading Christ for another master.

As a Catholic in my own way I am a representative of the faith. So is everyone who publicly says as such. It is more than a culture. More than an identity. It is a way of life that is more important to me than the world itself. It would be nice to see more of us who call ourselves Catholic take that same road and truly, publicly, embrace the faith.

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Saturday, July 18, 2020

The Risks of Following Christ





  Recently the news has coming out about attacks and vandalism at Catholic parishes around the world. This is not really unexpected given the current state of the world. However we should look at this though the lens of history and realize that this kind of stuff is not really new. It was not different in the days of Christ and it is no different now. The evil one does not like God or what the church itself stands for. Thus he will use any means he can to destroy us. Even in the Gospels Christ warns us several times that following Him carries risk. That not all will be accepting of the truth that He has given us.

  Seeing places of worship being destroyed is always a sorrow filled moment. The Catholic Church stands for something for more profound. Holding fast to the Gospels and all that Christ teaches. These lessons and wisdom passed down though the generations in the lives of the Saints. Not all accept this truth. They will hate and fear what they don't understand. If they did not then we would not have anyone who would be considered martyrs: Those who died for accepting Christ.

  We must remember that we are more than the buildings and the statues. If the suspension of public Mass during a pandemic has taught us anything is that our faith has to be deeper than the foundations of the buildings. Statues can be vandalized and topped. Churches can be set on fire and destroyed. They are a focal point for the faith but they are not the faith itself. Our faith lies in the path that Christ has given us in this life. Doesn't matter what happens around us so long as we hold true to the Catholic faith and not make compromises because the world demands us to. We have a commitment to Christ that goes past the world. When we commit to walking with Christ. Nothing should stop is at all. No matter what evil the world will throw our way. Much like the days of the Apostles we must be willing to face the hatred. Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me." True words to live by in an age where the faith is under more attacks than ever before.


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