In My Heart I will always be....

So I went to Mass w my Mom today in Atlanta. I haven't been in a while.

The readings, songs and sermon were very good.....it confirmed to me why I will always be a Christian, pretty much always be a Catholic, no matter where I chose to attend church. This was the faith and wisdom that formulated who I am today. While I may find similar good values and direction in other faiths, deep down this is the one I most identify with and believe. The readings pretty much summed up my whole life philosophy and core values.

Today's readings were:
Isaiah 58:7-10
Psalm 111(112):4-9
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Matthew 5:13-16

The first reading was very good about: "Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own."

Altho today's gospel was about us being the "salt of the earth" (that I never quite understood until today--he used a great analogy/metaphor of salt making french fries taste better) and the "light of the world", in his sermon, the priest said that Jesus's Sermon on the Mount (otherwise known as the Beatitudes) was the core of his teaching.

This really struck me b/c even tho I have known that all my life (i taught RC Religion class on the high school level for goodness sake), it just seems like so many Christians focus on what others are doing wrong, rather than putting into action what Jesus taught us to do: feed the poor, clothe the naked, comfort the sick...etc. (see Matthew 25: 40 "And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'").

And this is why the Unitarian Universalist Church has so much appeal b/c part of our mission is "service is our prayer." Perhaps I need to find a more justice-focused Catholic parish? Or I need to stay put b/c the UU church is where my husband and children and in-laws are most comfortable?

ahhhhhhh....this spiritual discernment process is maddening!!!

one last observation or wisdom I gained today....working at SRVS and supporting people with disabilities is CLEARLY what Jesus is telling us to do!!

something for ME

I traveled to Atlanta to visit my mom and sister ALL BY MYSELF....I could feel the relaxation start seeping into my body as soon I sat down at the airport gate (i was a little crazed b/c it was the first time I arrived only ONE hour before a flight). But the fact that I didn't have 3 other people to worry about and only myself made me feel so much relaxed and calm and happy!

I love them and miss them, but i needed this little break to be alone w my Mom and big sister. We're just gonna have a girl's weekend.

Of course I woke up w my mind racing about work stuff this morning and could NOT stop that, but at least I will have a few days where I don't have to answer to the constant "MOMMY!" that always seems so darn urgent and when I reply "yes", I usually get "Did you know Darth Vader was on Spongebob today?"