Catholics have this great thing about sacrifice and suffering. We like it. Perhaps that’s a little misleading. I think I can rightly say we appreciate it. You see, when Jesus chose to die on a Cross for us, to suffer, He gave meaning to suffering. Your suffering, my suffering, the pain of the cancer patient, [...]
Entries Tagged as 'sacrifice'
I Don’t Believe in Giving Up Pizza for Lent
March 9th, 2011 · 33 Comments · Mary and Martha Moments
Lent is designed to be a time for sacrifice and self-denial, the point of which is to deepen one’s relationship with God and strengthen habits of self control. What you “give up” you can “offer up” as a prayer, united with Christ’s sacrifice of the Cross. Fasting is a powerful way to make an impact [...]
Advent Daily Dose: Busy Prayer, Part 2 – The Gifts
December 1st, 2010 · 4 Comments · Mary and Martha Moments
Yesterday I explained my philosophy of busy prayer, of integrating prayer into your busyness rather than letting your to-do list rule you. I gave tips for praying while baking and shopping. Today it’s gift time. Here’s how to pray while you: Make homemade gifts, cards Settle in to appreciate the simplicity and ability to pray [...]
Tags: Advent·Advent Daily Dose·gifts·homemade·prayer·sacrifice
Advent Daily Dose: A Gift for Baby Jesus
November 30th, 2010 · 4 Comments · Mary and Martha Moments
So, what are you getting Jesus for His Birthday? I emailed Him for a wish list along with the rest of my family, but He hasn’t replied yet. I thought maybe I could look into His Book to see if it gave me any ideas about what He might appreciate. It seems to me that [...]
What Was it Like to go Gluten Free for a Week?
April 12th, 2010 · 28 Comments · My Story, Special Situations
Sometimes I make hasty decisions. When I decided to go gluten free for Holy Week, I just did it. It wasn’t until I was writing a post about it that I began to realize it was going to take a lot more effort than I had given it credit for. Gluten is in wheat, rye [...]
Tags: gluten·gluten free·meal planning·sacrifice·soaked grains
Mary and Martha Moment: On Sacrifice and Suffering
March 18th, 2010 · 9 Comments · Mary and Martha Moments, Prayerful Kitchen
Why sacrifice? Why suffer on purpose? During the season of Lent, Catholics and many others choose to accept suffering, even bring it on themselves through voluntary sacrifice called fasting. To the outside observer, it may seem meaningless, even a bit insane to call suffering a form of prayer. I couldn’t disagree more. I’ve mentioned before [...]
Mary and Martha Moment: Celebrating Lent with Children
February 17th, 2010 · 14 Comments · Mary and Martha Moments
When my almost-five-year-old son heard that Lent was coming, he exclaimed, “I remember Lent! I hate Lent!” Surprised at his fervor, I fought to remain calm and detached myself and asked, “Oh? What do you remember about Lent that was so bad?” “I don’t get desserts in Lent!” he fired back with an earthy groan. [...]
