The Pope, Our Father

I’ll be honest… I’ve been somewhat disappointed with Pope Benedict’s pontifical term so far. He seems a lot colder and less willing to reach out to his people. It’s my perception of the media coverage which very well could be just that. We all know that the media isn’t always exactly unbiased in their reporting.

I guess it’s hard because as a young woman, all I’ve really heard about Pope Benedict is all the things that he disagrees with regarding World Youth Day, the way that the youth enjoy music, the liturgy… And whatever else – especially in terms of his visit to the United States. As someone who learned how to appreciate the Catholic faith through this “unliturgical” music, it’s quite frustrating. World Youth Day Toronto was an AMAZING experience. To be with hundreds of thousands of other Catholics and celebrate Mass together in one place is one of the greatest experiences. I got to visit University of Stuebenville my first year of high school and went on the weekend conference. This is the moment my Sacrament of Confirmation really kicked in. I knew that I was Catholic, I owned my beliefs.

I agree that liturgy is really important! I don’t want the Church to fall victim to the world’s ever changing standards and moral code. I believe that the Holy Spirit works through Her and the Pope to guide God’s people. I also would agree that while these experiences are great, may not be essential to the foundation of our faith. But it’s still frustrating to not feel the same connection that I did with John Paul II who loved the youth of the Church. These extraordinary experiences help to keep us going.

That really is another topic but the truth of the matter is, no matter how disconnected I feel, Pope Benedict was appointed to his position for a reason. Because I believe the Holy Spirit works through the Church, I know that he has a purpose for our Church. And like God’s law, obedience is vital. Even if I don’t understand or quite feel right with it.

I think it’s important that as Catholics we stick by our Pope. Now, this doesn’t mean that we have to be quiet and not be willing to question or try and clarify when we disagree or don’t understand. I think some amount of discord helps to get us all thinking and learning. But when it comes down to it, I think we’re called to obey the Church. I realize that this is pretty controversial among the youth. Shoot, most of young adults seem to shy away from the Church because they feel this disconnect and it’s really hard to obey when you don’t feel a connection.

So while Pope Benedict may not be as charismatic as his predecessor, that’s ok. He has his purpose and he is the figurehead of the Catholic Church. God has a purpose and a reason for his strengths as well as his weaknesses. The Holy Spirit is doing something through him.

Lover of my soul

Happy Valentine’s Day/Black Hearts’ Day/Singles’ Awareness Day…

I’m not going to lie, I was pretty depressed yesterday.
It’s hard not to be when you don’t have a “Valentine.”

And it’s not that I’m jealous of those who aren’t single, and it’s not even that I think people are rubbing it in.

It’s that I know that the person meant to be my significant other has a lot of standards to hit! So it’s a little frustrating that so many men just don’t… cut it.

But then, that’s me trying to do MY will instead of GOD’S will again…

It’s actually quite amazing, because after being depressed all day, right after my PSR class last night, I just got this total inspiration to be productive and be on top of things and just be… happy. So I conquered my desk at work, plowing through a covering of literally at least 2 inches of paper EVERYWHERE. Granted, it took me four hours to do so, and I left the church at a little before midnight, but it felt GREAT.

Then I had the energy to clean a whole lot at the apartment this morning too!

And I was thinking about this sudden change of mood, and you know what? It’s a prayer answered. I asked Jesus to be with me… and then He just was.

I have this prayer card posted on my cabinet at work — we made them for the Young Adults this summer, and it’s just so great. It has JPII on one side, and this quote on the back, from his address at World Youth Day 2000 (I WAS THERE!). It just sums up exactly what I was feeling and what just happened.

Funny… almost makes you believe in God…

It is Jesus in fact that you seek when you dream of happiness, he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fulness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.

Okay, God, I hear you.