November 28, 2023

Weekly Digest of the Regnum Christi Daily Meditations: November 26 – December 3, 2023

THE WEEKLY DIGEST
OF REGNUM CHRISTI
DAILY MEDITATIONS

Sunday, November 26, 2023 -Sheep and Goats

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Matthew 25:31-46

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for this chance to spend time with you in prayer. You are the Prince of Peace and the Lord of Mercy. I trust in your goodness and love. I love you and earnestly long to love you more each day.

 

Petition: Lord, help me to translate my faith in you into good deeds done for others.

 

  1. Judgment Day: All of our life is, in a sense, a preparation for the judgment we face at life’s end. That is when we go before Our Lord and give account for everything we have done or failed to do. No excuses will be accepted, no more “second chances” given. Jesus’ mercy doesn’t mean he ignores justice. “Mercy differs from justice, but is not in opposition to it,” wrote Pope Saint John Paul II in his 1980 encyclical, Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy). Would I be ready to face the Lord this very day? If not, why not? What facet of my life do I need to change right now?

 

  1. The Sheep: The sheep to be saved are the people who helped others, who showed mercy, who didn’t turn a cold shoulder to someone in need. Our Lord doesn’t praise them for their many prayers so much as for their good deeds. Prayer is important, of course. But it’s not enough. Christ wants our love for him to be reflected in our love for others. Oddly, many of those to be saved will not have realized that it was really Christ they were helping. Do I see Christ in those who need help? Do I see Christ in my family members? My co-workers? The demanding boss? The unpopular classmate? The smelly beggar?

 

  1. The Goats: It’s scary to think that those who will be lost were not necessarily “bad people.” In this passage Our Lord doesn’t chide them for doing wicked things. He doesn’t accuse them of starting wars or peddling drugs or committing acts of terrorism. Rather, he faults them for the sin of omission, for things they didn’t do. “You gave me no food… You gave me no clothing.” We may think ourselves good Christians because we don’t cheat on our taxes or look at pornography or miss Mass on Sundays. But acts of charity are key, too. We should do these without neglecting the others.

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I don’t want to end up with the goats at the Last Judgment. That’s why I want to take my faith seriously. I want to have a generous heart. But do I limit my generosity? Why can’t I see you in my neighbor? You have loved me unconditionally. Help me to respond to your love by loving others unconditionally.

 

Resolution: Before noon, I will perform one small act of charity for someone close to me.

Monday, November 27, 2023 - The Richest Gift

Monday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 21:1-4

 

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

 

Introductory Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe that you have blessed me with life and with a vibrant faith. Thank you. I dedicate this time and prayer to you. I love you, and I offer you all that I am and all that I have with the desire of becoming a joyful gift to you.

 

Petition: Lord, teach me to share joyfully all that I have received!

 

  1. Some Wealthy People: Jesus sat before the temple treasury. What did Jesus see as he looked on? He saw more than we do. He saw the heart. Wealth tends to captivate us with desire and enslave us with concerns and worries. Jesus saw many hearts squeeze out just a couple drops of their abundant security, a gesture that was neither painful nor difficult. The act of fulfilling, or thinking they were fulfilling a duty to God, caused them to glow with self-satisfaction. Some were even bloated with pride for having given so much, and yet their act was empty of real self-giving. They gave with routine indifference. Their giving lacked love. What does Jesus see in my daily or weekly gifts? Do I generously give God my all when I see him on the altar? Do I generously give him my all when I am on my knees in prayer? Do I give him my all on my feet at work?

 

  1. A Poor Widow: Only Jesus could have seen that this widow was now reduced to total dependence on family or friends. She gave more because she gave herself with a heart full of surrender. Is there anything we can give God that he has not already given us? We can give God our trustful surrender. The poor widow gave to God with trust since she knew that he would continue to care for her. She had no other real desire but to be with him and be enriched by him. Her giving was serene and resigned, not despairing, but rather full of hope. She had the hope of one who knows deep down how much God loves her. How much do I trust and depend on him, particularly when other securities begin to disappear?

 

  1. Offering My Whole Life: Jesus shows the great importance of how we give—not only of what we give. What we have—our possessions and those, which in some way we have made our own—are not for us. We have them so that we might give them, and we should give them back to God, for they are his. We give them as an expression of our love for God. I give my life when I work diligently, practice charity, pray, or sacrifice for love of Christ. All these acts of love, if not made explicit before, are made into an intentional gift to Jesus, when I mentally place them upon the paten along with the hosts to be consecrated during the Offertory at Mass. Do I give him my whole life?

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, awaken me to all you are for me, and let me realize all that you have given me. May I never cease to thank you through my own self-giving. You are my living and constant invitation to be more generous, to give more often and with more love. Open my heart, Lord, to your work!

 

Resolution: In prayer, I will make a list of all that I can do for Jesus this week and offer this to him. Then, on Sunday during the Offertory, I will mentally place before him on the paten all the sacrifices I have made during the week—my real gift to him, given with faith and love.

 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 - Why so Glum?

Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 21:5-11

 

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for this special time I have with you. It’s one of the few calm moments of the day. Your presence reassures me that I don’t have to endure the trials of the day alone. You are my strength and my peace. I wish to abide in your love.

 

Petition: Jesus, help me to keep hoping despite the crises in my life.

 

  1. Temple of Doom: For the Jews, the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of religious and cultural life. It contained the Holy of Holies, the sanctuary that once housed the Ark of the Covenant. The people were proud of the Temple, but Jesus warns them that the day will arrive when it will be destroyed (as indeed it was, in A.D. 70). Yet the end of the Temple will not be the end of religion. Jesus himself will remain with us, as he does to this day, in the Eucharist. Likewise, no matter what else passes away—our house, our office, our school—Christ remains. Does that belief fill me with confidence?

 

  1. Be Not Deceived: Jesus doesn’t directly answer the question about when the Temple will be destroyed. Rather, he tries to get his listeners to focus on what is really important: their faith. Our Lord warns them not to listen to the wrong people. Throughout the course of a normal day, to whom do we listen? Whose voices are on our radios, our TV sets? Who really has our ear day by day? Worldly talk-show hosts? The news media’s “instant experts”? Hollywood stars? Jesus cautions us that the people we listen to might affect the quality of our lives—and the quality of our eternity. Do I judge carefully, then, the voices I listen to?

 

  1. Do Not Be Terrified: Terrorist attacks, wars, abortion, euthanasia, natural disasters—is the world a nicer place today than in Jesus’ time? Our Lord was no stranger to bad news. He knew about the tower in Siloam that killed 18 people (cf. Lk 13:4)—and he knew what awaited him on Good Friday. Yet he always remained hopeful and encouraged the best in people. As his followers, we too must be witnesses to hope. We need to brighten the lives of those around us. More importantly, we need to remind others that God will win in the end. “Good, not evil, has the last word,” Pope Saint John Paul II told the general audience of Oct. 17, 2001, “God triumphs over the hostile powers, even when they seem great and invincible.”

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know in my mind that you will win in the end. If only my heart would believe that, too! Grant me this grace. Grant that my life will show that kind of optimism at every moment.

 

Resolution: I will make a small sacrifice or offer up a special prayer for someone suffering today.

 

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 - Costly Catholicism

Wednesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 21:12-19

 

Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

 

Introductory Prayer: Jesus my Savior, thank you for another day and another chance to grow in holiness with your grace. I love you and wish to make you the true center of my thoughts, desires, and actions.

 

Petition: Lord, help me face the difficulties of practicing my faith day-to-day.

 

  1. Persecution: Opposition from the world is the price we pay for following Christ. No pain, no gain. Why should that surprise us? If living the Gospel were easy, all the world would be saints. But the Gospel is demanding. It rubs against our fallen human nature. It demands of us—and even makes us unpopular. Why? Because people who do good are a thorny reminder to those who don’t. It shouldn’t surprise us that the neighbors look down on us for having so many kids. Or that the guys in the dorm snicker at us for living chastely. Or that the boss overlooks us for a promotion because we wouldn’t donate to that pro-abortion group last Christmas during the company fund drive. Do I realize that to be a Christian is to be persecuted?

 

  1. No Defense: When Christ tells us not to prepare our defense, he’s not telling us to sit back and do nothing. Rather, he wants us to use our talents for the Kingdom. Christ is inviting us to trust that ultimately the victory of good over evil belongs to him. God has his time and place for everything. In the meantime, we are called to build the Kingdom wherever we can—in our families, our offices, our schools, our communities. How am I building the Kingdom in the areas around me?

 

  1. Wisdom from Above: “I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking…” When we stay close to Christ in prayer and deed, he takes over our lives little by little. And that’s good. Our selfishness fades. Our heart grows. We die to ourselves. “He must increase; I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). But we have to ask ourselves: Do we really believe in the Gospel? Do we believe in it enough to use Christ’s words when we have to respond to the nonbelievers around us? How often do we identify ourselves as Catholic in public?

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you know it’s not easy to be seen as your friend. People laugh at us—if they don’t feel sorry for us. They don’t understand where we are coming from. Help me understand some of the loneliness you must have felt when you went against the world’s standards. Help me be faithful to you regardless of the cost.

 

Resolution: In conversation or in an email or text I will use a line of Christ’s wisdom from the Gospel.

 

Thursday, November 30, 2023 - A Decisive Response

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

Matthew 4:18-22

 

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

 

Introductory Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe that you have called me to follow you more closely today. I trust that in this prayer, you will help me see the concrete implications of following your will. I love you and want to respond to all that you ask of me, today and always. Thank you for watching over me and guiding me home to heaven.

 

Petition: Make me a fisher of men, here and now, Lord!

 

  1. As Jesus Walked By: One summer afternoon a priest just happened to be in the area and visited my home. Within three years, two of my brothers and I were following Christ on the road to the priesthood. Jesus didn’t just happen to walk by these two pairs of brothers! He had every intention of inviting those brothers to become “fishers of men.” How much happens in my life, prepared and intended by God, to help me follow him more closely? And all I see is an accident, a coincidence? Ask him when was the last time he just happened by.

 

  1. At Once They Followed Him: Jesus never calls someone when it’s perfectly convenient, when that person has nothing better to do. No, he calls precisely when we are in the middle of living our life, doing what we do best, what we do most, “casting or mending our nets.” “What a losing formula!” we are tempted to conclude. Yet what is it he really wants of us when he calls? He wants a response—a reply of love. Love is all about preference and priority. If I love him more than myself, I can follow him “at once.” If I prefer him over my own activities and life, I can follow him “immediately.” What is the response of love I am giving or want to give Jesus today in my life?

 

  1. They Left Something Behind: God created us with free will. He wants us to choose our actions, but he is not indifferent to what we choose. Every choice implies the rejection of other options. We cannot follow someone somewhere without leaving something and someone else behind. Peter and Andrew left their nets behind. James and John left their boat and their father behind. This was possible only with Jesus before them. Yet we, too, often try to follow Christ without leaving things and others behind: the world, comforts, my preferences… We think that we can have it all. We can’t. We are in danger of “taming our faith,” bending to the demands of our passions and the world’s insistence. Love requires a choice, a choice for the real, complete Jesus. It asks me to reject everything in me that is not him. How wholehearted is my following of Christ?

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have called me and continue to call me throughout this day. Help me to respond with love, a love that trumps all my other loves, likes, and desires. I don’t want you to have to wait for me, Lord. Just show me what you want and give me the courage and generosity to give it to you, no matter the cost.

 

Resolution: I will give up something today that diminishes the attention that I give to my spouse, family, or friends.

Friday, December 1, 2023 - The Kingdom is Near

Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 21:29-33

 

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

 

Introductory Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe in you and in the Kingdom you are building in and through me. I believe in the value of my sacrifice and struggles united to yours. I hope to arrive to heaven when you say it is time. I wish to spend myself for those I should love the most.

 

Petition: Thy Kingdom come, both now and forever!

 

  1. See for Yourselves: In today’s Gospel, Jesus is responding to the disciples’ anxious plea for a “when” and a “with what warning” the end will come (Lk 21:7). He tells them some signs that will precede the imminent fall of Jerusalem as well as the coming of the Son of Man “on the clouds.” But these will all be very apparent, like the coming of summer. So, don’t be obsessed with figuring out the “when.” Focus on living and knowing the Kingdom of God now. How easily we are distracted with all that happens around us, yet how difficult it is to be aware of the Kingdom and its demands in my heart and my relations to others in my life! What efforts do I make to discover and to know the present demands of his Kingdom in my life?

 

  1. The Kingdom of God Will Come: Jesus has used many images to describe the Kingdom of God. Like the mustard seed, it is hard to recognize at first. It begins small and grows slowly. But it will come, and this must be our daily prayer of desire: “Thy Kingdom Come!” We must resist a very real temptation. Almost unconsciously we want it to be a worldly Kingdom that will come during our lifetime. We work and pray as though we will soon arrive at our goals and rest from all our spiritual labors. This leads us to get easily discouraged at our lack of progress in prayer and virtue, no less than with the problems that surround us. No, we must live with hope, pushing forward with growing confidence that the Lord will bring his Kingdom to fulfillment, both in us and in the world—when the time is right. Whose kingdom am I seeking?

 

  1. My Words Will Not Pass Away: Another temptation in awaiting the Kingdom is to despair of the times of trial through which we must pass. But in the words of St. Theresa of Jesus, “all things pass,” only God remains. Nothing we suffer will remain as the Kingdom approaches. And yet all these “trials” are the most valuable and powerful means to bring about the Kingdom in our own souls and in the lives of others, especially in those who wander. Use the tools of the Kingdom: Suffer trials with faith and respond with a love that gives them an eternal value. May we never lose a moment in which to merit graces and to build the Kingdom that comes. In the end, only what we have done for God and for our brothers and sisters remains.

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, give me a greater faith and confidence that every cross and burden, no matter how trivial or small, is a means to love. I want to build your Kingdom with you. Keep me focused on the opportunities and demands of the present moment.

 

Resolution: I will make one small sacrifice at a meal today for someone I wish I could help more.

Saturday, December 2, 2023 - Ready or Not

Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 21:34-36

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

 

Introductory Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe in you and in the Kingdom you are building in and through me. I believe in the value of my sacrifice and struggles united to yours. I hope to arrive to heaven when you say it is time. I wish to spend myself for those I should love the most.

 

Petition: Rouse my heart, Lord, to live in you!

 

  1. Drowsy Hearts: Our life is a time of preparation, not only for an eternal friendship with God, but for the “assault” of the “tribulations” that must come first. The spiritual battle is real, whether or not we are aware of it, whether or not we want it. We fight each day and in many ways, but the battle is ultimately won in the depths of our hearts. All that puts our hearts to sleep and gives us a false sense of security that must be avoided. I may not “carouse and get drunk” in the typical fashion, but do I wander about seeking satisfaction from the world? Am I superficial in my judgments? Do I become so engrossed and absorbed in material matters, works, and worries that I am unable to pursue my spiritual life and vocation with a clear and focused attention?

 

  1. That Day: It seems that none of us will escape the trial of that last day. For some it will be sudden and painful; for others it will be prolonged and difficult. But we are all mortal creatures. The great saints all lived with their end in mind. Death was a healthy meditation that moved them to live the present day to the full. Death is the door to my real life. The anticipation of that day need not rob us of joy; rather, it must call us to love. How I live this day determines how I will live “that day” and the everlasting day of eternal life with God. How do I want to live that day?

 

  1. Vigilance and Prayer: This is how Jesus invited his closest friends, the Apostles, to live “that day” of his Passion: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Mt 26:41). The final words of the Our Father must find resonance with how we live. Vigilance requires awareness not only of the enemies and threats that surround us, but also of the weaknesses within us. These elements are at work each day, and so we must be on guard each day to check their influence. This must be the simple and serene priority in our life. But it must always lead us to Christ, to stand before him sincerely and trustingly in prayer. Prayer and vigilance lead to each other. If we do not make prayer the air we breathe, we will suffocate in a polluted world. How much importance am I giving to my habits and life of prayer?

 

Conversation with Christ: Grant me, dear Jesus, a sense of urgency. Wake me up from any drowsiness or spiritual carelessness. Allow me to see both the threats and opportunities for my life of grace. Keep before my eyes the real meaning of my life and the limited time I have to conquer and to grow in love.

 

Resolution: I will pray today for the soul in purgatory who was most distracted or least prepared for “that day” of his death.

 

 

Sunday, December 3, 2023 - Always on the Watch

First Sunday of Advent

Mark 13:33-37

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

 

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I all too easily forget that you deserve the first spot in my life. In this moment, though, I recognize you as my King and Master. I know you are present with me now and that you wish to fill me with your grace. Thank you for your friendship; I offer my weak love in return. I love you, Lord, and wish you to reign in my life.

 

Petition: Lord Jesus, help me to stay vigilant and attentive to your holy inspirations.

 

  1. “You Do Not Know When the Master of the House Will Come”: Lord Jesus, I am not the master of my life; you are. I therefore ought not to fritter away my time simply doing as I please. I will need to render you an account of my stewardship over my life, which really belongs to you, my Creator and Redeemer. What will you ask of me when you come for my soul? Do my daily actions demonstrate your ownership of my life?

 

  1. Keep Alert: Lord Jesus, this Gospel may sound a bit harsh, but I thank you for its message. You’re reminding me how important it is to live my Christian life in a state of healthy tension—a tension that doesn’t imply frustration or anxiety of any sort, but rather is a constant desire to draw closer to you and be more like you. Just as a lover is exquisitely attentive to fulfill the every desire of the beloved, I should be watchful for the least occasion to please you.

 

  1. When He Comes, Will I Be Asleep? This Gospel makes me reflect on my need to receive pardon in the sacrament of reconciliation. The definitive moment of my death, that very special face-to-face encounter with you, Lord, might come when I am not expecting it. I must be ready for that moment. I want to be able to look you fully in the eye. I have sought to please you in my actions, and when I have failed, I have turned to you through confession to be washed of my sins. I want to hear you say to me: “Well done, my good and faithful servant… Come, share your master’s joy” (Mt 25:23).

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to “stay awake” in my daily life, keeping heaven as my true goal in all that I do. Help me to be ready in every moment of my life to be called into your presence.

 

Resolution: I will set a regular time to receive the sacrament of reconciliation frequently, when possible.

 

Weekly Digest of the Regnum Christi Daily Meditations: November 26 – December 3, 2023 Read More »

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: Could My Boyfriend Stay Overnight on the Couch?”

Q: My boyfriend and I are both Catholic and saving sex for marriage. We are currently dating long-distance as I am in grad school. We are both on a limited budget and don’t have friends in the area yet. Would it be immoral when he visits if he sleeps in a different room in my apartment on the couch? Thank you very much for your advice! – T.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It’s good that you and your friend want to save sex for marriage. That is in accord with God’s plan for the great gift of sex.

In order to guard the purity of your relationship you would want to be prudent. Having your friend stay overnight in your apartment poses some risks.

First, it brings the both of you closer to the near occasion of sin, for obvious reasons.

You might think that you have everything under control now, but prolonged proximity in the same apartment can start to change the chemistry between the two of you.

Moreover, the chance of bumping into each other during late-night trips to the bathroom, and getting accustomed to seeing each other in pajamas (or less) could start to chip away at the healthy barrier of discretion and reserve that should mark a chaste courtship.

Then there is the chance of scandal. People who notice that your boyfriend spends the night might assume that you are having sex. This could be particularly scandalous to someone who perceives you to be a devout Catholic.

Whether to allow your friend to stay overnight is ultimately a matter you need to decide.

Be aware, though, that more than a few couples who wanted to save sex for marriage have ended up having a big fall in chastity. And those falls usually began with little concessions.

Remember, too, that the devil is always lurking around, looking for chances to wreak havoc. You don’t want to open any windows of opportunity for him.

Perhaps some of this is worth taking to prayer. Count on my prayers.

 

“Ask a Priest: Could My Boyfriend Stay Overnight on the Couch?” Read More »

My Retreat With St. Teresa Part 4: THE WALLS OF AVILA AND OUR CALL TO GO OUT Reflections on the beauty and challenge of our Regnum Christi mission

My Retreat With St. Teresa Part 4: THE WALLS OF AVILA AND OUR CALL TO GO OUT Reflections on the beauty and challenge of our Regnum Christi mission

This is part 4 of a series of 6 blogs where Lisa Small, a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, shares about her 8 day silent retreat in Avila and what St. Teresa of Avila and the current Carmelites living there had to teach her about her own vocation as a lay consecrated woman called to evangelize and sanctify the world through her Regnum Christi spirituality. 


“…Christ sends them out and accompanies them as they collaborate with him in the evangelization of people and society” (Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation #8).

The walls of Avila are simply spectacular – you can see them from every angle, any time of the day. They appear regal, strong and impenetrable – protective arms around the ancient city, sheltering its people from dangers. It is not hard to imagine where St. Teresa’s image of the Interior Castle comes from or to contemplate what the psalmists were thinking when they wrote “God, you are my stronghold, my fortress, my refuge” (cf. Psalm 18:2).


Each time I saw the towering walls of Avila, I was mesmerized. As I sat on the quiet hillside, contemplating their beauty and majesty, I felt as if St. Teresa was sharing with me her town, her country, her ‘refuge’ where her vocation and call to reform were nurtured. I was filled once again with such gratitude that God had brought me here to set aside this week just to be with him in a special way.


At the same time, I also sensed her gently tugging on my heart, “But you… you are called to go out!” I continued to contemplate this and what that might mean. Thousands of pilgrims come here, to enter the walls of the city or the walls of the convent or monastery, in search of God. I too desire a ‘refuge’ I can go to encounter my Lord in the quiet of the Blessed Sacrament chapel and the intimate union with him in my soul.


Yet, it was true, my heart also seeks to go out and bring him to others as the RCF statute #8 concludes, “…he sends them out and accompanies them as they collaborate with him in the evangelization of people and society.”My lay consecration is a call to union with God, so that I can bring him to others, ‘incarnating God’ in a certain way within the world. And then I invite them to go within to find God – within their own hearts, within the motherly embrace of our Church and within the actual walls of our churches.


As Regnum Christi members, we do this through our own daily pursuit of holiness within our vocation, witnessing to God through our lives and then through concrete apostolic action. As the Vatican document Christifidelis Laici says “Therefore, to respond to their vocation, the lay faithful must see their daily activities as an occasion to join themselves to God, fulfill his will, serve other people and lead them to communion with God in Christ” (Christifidelis Laici #17).


Many times I am asked “What do you do as a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi?” and it is never an easy, simple answer because the way that we seek to make Christ’s Kingdom present is so varied. Really, we share the same mission as any other Regnum Christi member and many times do what they do within a school, chaplaincy, youth clubs etc. We are all called to live out the mission as stated in #8 of the Regnum Christi Federation Statutes, “To fulfill our mission, we seek to make present the mystery of Christ who goes out to people, reveals the love of his heart to them, gathers them together and forms them as apostles and Christian leaders, sends them out and accompanies them as they collaborate in the evangelization of people and of society.” This same number is also found in the first chapter of the other Constitutions of the Legionaries of Christ, Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi, and our own as Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi.


Maybe the answer to this question lies more in how we do it, and the way we bring our specific vocation to this common mission. Our 2020 Consecrated Women’s General Assembly communiqué hints at how we evangelize with our very lives, “We want to be signs of the Kingdom in the midst of the world through a deeply evangelical life that announces prophetically and serves with humility; that participates in people’ s lives in a simple way, bringing a vision of genuine hope to the world. We recognize in the living out of our vows, especially the vow of chastity, a privileged way of making the Kingdom of Christ present in the midst of the world, by living from a belonging that shapes our whole being” (Communique #66).


My current apostolic assignment is overseeing the RC Mission Corps program for young women in North America, as well as coordinating the Communication department for Consecrated Women. I hope that what I bring to the mission, is how I serve – as a spiritual mother, sister and friend. I have just been renewed for another 3 years in this apostolic assignment. This process meant a time of discernment to ask God what personal gifts he had given me for the mission and see how I could best offer them back at the service of others.


During this discernment process, I discovered that I have a deep desire to create freedom and space for people to truly flourish and live fully who they are as God’s beloved son or daughter. I love bringing people into an encounter with themselves and God and encouraging and supporting them through formation and accompaniment. So my role with the Regnum Christi Missionaries brings me life and seems to be something that I can contribute to the Regnum Christi Federation in North America and thus the wider Church. I also realized that I love teamwork and that I thrive when I work with an engaged group and get lots of people involved so they too can bring their gifts and talents to the table. And I pray that I do all this as a spiritual mother and sister who believes that each person is a gift, affirming their existence and their irreplaceable role in the history of salvation. So, during my months of discernment, accompanied by a council member of the Consecrated Women, we saw that God seems to be affirming that this is a place I am finding life and being able to give life to others, thus the decision to renew my apostolic assignment for another three years.


I am not the only one who has done this personal discernment – it is now an integral part of our life as Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi as a fruit of our renewal. We recognize much more than we have in the past, that the mission is going to look a bit different in each one of us, depending on our natural gifts, talents, charisms, desires, weaknesses and personal history. We each have been given a specific way in which Christ is made present in the world and we are all needed as part of the body of the Church. This can be expressed in how we dress according to our age, culture and environment we work in, as well as the specialization in a field of study or career and where we might serve. The 2020 General Assembly of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi beautifully stated, “We are aware that our greatest treasure is people, and for this reason we wish to ensure that each Consecrated Woman is cared for and developed in an integral way as well as our mission” (Communique #166).


This continues to be a journey for us and our general assembly acknowledged that we still have a ways to go in understanding and living into this. But our desires are clear that we want, as St Paul states, to “become all things to all people” (1 Cor 9: 22).  “We want to be where man and woman are today, being competent to enter into dialogue with them, learning to encounter them, approaching both the non-believer and believer, those who are hesitant and those who doubt” (Communique #67).


This demands that we continue to study and form ourselves to understand more the people we serve, and to be accessible to all people, and that our life as a lay person seeking holiness is attainable for every person. “In order to bring the Gospel to the various sectors of society we have to know them, to learn to relate to the people who live in them, to understand the language that it is spoken, their concerns, joys, fears and hopes. To know the ways in which culture, thought, currents and social movements develop. To grow in a true inculturation in the places where we live and work” (Communique #68).


Contemplating the walls of Avila and praying about my current mission, reaffirmed my Regnum Christi call to go out and bring Christ into our secularized world. I want my life to be so united with Christ that my hands are his, my voice is his, and my heart is his, so others may experience how much God delights in them. I just love this invitation from the Church to all lay people: “Humanity is loved by God! This very simple yet profound proclamation is owed to humanity by the Church. Each Christian’s words and life must make this proclamation resound: God loves you, Christ came for you, Christ is for you ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life!” (Jn 14:6)’” (Christifidelis Laici #35).


 

 

My Retreat With St. Teresa Part 4: THE WALLS OF AVILA AND OUR CALL TO GO OUT Reflections on the beauty and challenge of our Regnum Christi mission Read More »

Letting Christ be My King

Dear Friends in Christ,

The feast we just celebrated of Christ the King is such an important feast for us members of Regnum Christi. Our mantra, “Christ Our King! Thy Kingdom Come!” is something we pray so often that we can take it for granted that everyone understands what we mean when we say it. This mantra that becomes our prayer is a desire of Christ’s heart that we make our own.

In this prayer we invoke His Kingdom in our lives, in the lives of others and in our world. It is to first pray that Jesus will be King of my heart and reign in my thoughts and actions. Then to pray that He will come and be King in others’ lives, those we know and those we do not know. That Jesus’ Kingdom will reign in this world is our prayer as well. May this King, whom I know and love, be known and loved by the world!

The best way to bring His Kingdom is to be His Kingdom. Be His! Belong to Him! It’s noticeable and it’s attractive. Striving to open our hearts more to His love and grace through prayer, the sacraments, and charity — this is our first apostolate. It is a testimony of who Jesus is when we choose to be His Kingdom.

All of this starts with an invitation, His invitation: Jesus invites me to let Him be my King. Being His, belonging to Him, is a free choice. I choose Him when I choose virtue over vice: repentance over despair, forgiveness over revenge, charity over selfishness. These free choices make us free and give witness to Christ’s Kingdom coming in my life. As we begin Advent, let’s open our hearts to the King who comes to us as an infant and invites us to be His.

Your Friend in Christ,

Nicole Buchholz

Letting Christ be My King Read More »

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Uncle Eddy

St Catherine Labouré

Dear Kathy,

I am following closely everything you send me about your ongoing “conversation” with your biology professor.  I am frequently puzzled by the great faith that men like him have in atheism.  Why is it, I ask myself, that they claim to disprove so definitively something that can be neither proved nor disproved with scientific exactitude?  Yes, I have run into many such folks in my day, and be sure that I will join my prayers to yours for his conversion.  Judging from your notes, you’re doing just fine.  One little “argument” that you may want to pull out some time is the argument from facts.  It seems that the good professor is trying to write off much of Catholic spirituality and experience as irrational superstition.  For some people, perhaps the faith is indeed connected with certain cultural taboos or superstitious traditions, but this is hardly a reason for its dismissal.  You see, he is arguing against facts: the fact is, that prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary have obtained countless miracles by her intercession through the centuries, as have prayers to saints, novenas, relics, and a whole host of other devotions that Mr Biology would discard as “superstitions.”  If we were only dealing with a dozen incidents, or even a few hundred, I would give weight to his prejudiced conclusion.  The facts, however, indicate thousands upon thousands of incidents.  How rational is it to dismiss so many as mere superstition? … the argument from facts – it may come in handy some day.

Today’s saint is a perfect example of the kind of thing that has been happening since the dawn of Christianity, the kind of thing that frustrates dogmatic atheists to no end.  St Catherine Labouré was born to a large family in central France.  When her mother died and her older sister entered the convent, she took over the housekeeping responsibilities and helped her father as best she could, until she too felt a call to the religious life.  Reluctantly, Mr Labouré allowed her to pursue her vocation, and she joined the Sisters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul.  She was sent to their community in Paris after she professed her vows, and soon thereafter was graced with a series of visions in which the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her and spoke with her.  It turns out that the Blessed Virgin wanted her to have a medal struck for the benefit of the faithful throughout the world (later known as the “miraculous medal” because of its origin in these miraculous visions).  It was to depict the Blessed Virgin standing on a globe with shafts of light streaming from her hands, surrounded with the words “O Mary, conceived free from sin, pray for us who turn to you!”  On the back, there was to be large letter “M” with a cross above it and two hearts, one encircled by thorns and one pierced by a sword, below.

At the conclusion of her visions, St Catherine confided the heavenly task to her confessor, who went and carried it out.  Funny thing was, she made him promise not to reveal her identity, she didn’t mention the visions to anyone at all, she kept herself in the utmost obscurity, and she was persistently unwilling to appear before ecclesiastical authorities, even when the bishop of Paris was undertaking inquiries into the authenticity of the visions.  Of course, as you know from your own experience, the medal was cast, and has since become a common and fruitful devotion for millions of Catholics throughout the world.

How does one explain this and the countless other similar phenomena (like the fact that a child of 12, crippled from birth, was instantaneously cured at St Catherine’s grave a few days after her death) that surround the Catholic faith in every age?  Either by admitting that God cares, or by burying one’s head in the sand, I’d say (but don’t tell that to your bio professor).

Your loving uncle,

Eddy

St Catherine Labouré Read More »

November 28, 2023 – Why So Glum?

 

 

 

Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

 

 

Luke 21:5-11

 

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for this special time I have with you. It’s one of the few calm moments of the day. Your presence reassures me that I don’t have to endure the trials of the day alone. You are my strength and my peace. I wish to abide in your love.

 

Petition: Jesus, help me to keep hoping despite the crises in my life.

 

  1. Temple of Doom: For the Jews, the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of religious and cultural life. It contained the Holy of Holies, the sanctuary that once housed the Ark of the Covenant. The people were proud of the Temple, but Jesus warns them that the day will arrive when it will be destroyed (as indeed it was, in A.D. 70). Yet the end of the Temple will not be the end of religion. Jesus himself will remain with us, as he does to this day, in the Eucharist. Likewise, no matter what else passes away—our house, our office, our school—Christ remains. Does that belief fill me with confidence?

 

  1. Be Not Deceived: Jesus doesn’t directly answer the question about when the Temple will be destroyed. Rather, he tries to get his listeners to focus on what is really important: their faith. Our Lord warns them not to listen to the wrong people. Throughout the course of a normal day, to whom do we listen? Whose voices are on our radios, our TV sets? Who really has our ear day by day? Worldly talk-show hosts? The news media’s “instant experts”? Hollywood stars? Jesus cautions us that the people we listen to might affect the quality of our lives—and the quality of our eternity. Do I judge carefully, then, the voices I listen to?

 

  1. Do Not Be Terrified: Terrorist attacks, wars, abortion, euthanasia, natural disasters—is the world a nicer place today than in Jesus’ time? Our Lord was no stranger to bad news. He knew about the tower in Siloam that killed 18 people (cf. Lk 13:4)—and he knew what awaited him on Good Friday. Yet he always remained hopeful and encouraged the best in people. As his followers, we too must be witnesses to hope. We need to brighten the lives of those around us. More importantly, we need to remind others that God will win in the end. “Good, not evil, has the last word,” Pope Saint John Paul II told the general audience of Oct. 17, 2001, “God triumphs over the hostile powers, even when they seem great and invincible.”

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know in my mind that you will win in the end. If only my heart would believe that, too! Grant me this grace. Grant that my life will show that kind of optimism at every moment.

 

Resolution: I will make a small sacrifice or offer up a special prayer for someone suffering today.

November 28, 2023 – Why So Glum? Read More »

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!