Knowledge/Learning – LadyEm ~ Under Mary's Mantle

View from about halfway up of Ischia and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Dear ones,

Imagine this… I celebrated Veteran’s Day by having a family hike with my Veteran and our youngest son, in the ruins at the Cuma Archeological Park. The history is awesome, the views are spectacular, and just being with family is priceless (especially when your teen is 16 and your hubby works so hard).

This was my second visit to Cuma. The first time I went with one of my besties and her mama who came to visit. Cuma was a bustling port town, and the history dates back to 900-850 B.C. Did you see that date? WHAT! That was my reaction. You walk up hill and around. There are burial sites, places where you can see wagon tracks indented in the rocks, and there is even a Holy Water Font in a Temple. I really have no words. Check out the link above.

After we spent a few hours there, reading, imagining, and standing in awe of God’s creations, we went for coffee and came home. The rain started shortly after, so we timed it well.

Part of the Ruins they are still working to uncover.

My little family standing in the Temple of Apollo. I kid you not. Amazing.

I can not imagine a better way to Honor Veteran’s Day than to thank a Veteran. And for us, it was a perfect day.

But now it’s time to get to my post… When I got home and read the Magnificat for yesterday, I cringed. That brief – “AACK – I’m so imperfect” cringe. I love Saint Therese of Lisieux, I really do, but dang I wasn’t ready to come face to face with this Meditation of the Day. This daily feature in the Magnificat usually relates to the Gospel, which was Luke 17: 1-6.

The Gospel was about forgiving someone as many times as they ask. And about our Faith, and how it can seem so tiny (mustard seed) and yet be so strong because Jesus is in us. Sigh.

Read this real quick and we will chat on the other side:

This is from a page in my Magnificat. I give them all the credit. And Saint Therese of Lisieux for writing the passage.

How hard is it to ALWAYS try to see the good in others. If you have read my blog for a while, you will know that I struggled when I first moved here. There were two women who really enjoyed their “perceived” power. Not only that, they blatantly started rumors about me that were not true (like that I reported one of them for leaving her children in her car, when I a) wasn’t on base and b) don’t even know how to call security… or that I yelled at their children! – neither ever happened. And yet, small-minded “good” Catholic women chose to believe her/them. and very few even speak to me due to the gossip, etc. .

I backed out of everything I was asked to do by the Priest just so I wouldn’t have to deal with them. I am not involved in the women’s group either, though I am working on re-entering on some level. I just don’t know if I can be nice to people like this. I say that – and then I read this passage and I think – “I have to look for Jesus in her?” I apologized for things I didn’t do, to keep the peace, and she still goes out of her way to be ugly to me… and I have to find GOOD in her/them?

One thing Italy has taught me is I have to master humility. I don’t think of myself as a prideful person. But I really am. And life is NOT all about me. We all want to be given chances in life. And we want for people to see Jesus in us, even when we mess up. We need to remember that when we stand in judgement of others. None of us is perfect. And if we are truly doing GOD’S work, we need to give Him the Glory and stop being bratty. (That last part was for me).

It’s hard to smile in the faces of people who you know do not like you. Seriously hard. But it seems, that this is something we are called to do. Sigh…

I leave you with this… armed with the Commandment to Love everyone as Jesus loves me, I am going to be working on this flaw of mine. Love kept Him on the Cross for me (and you all), and I can set my ego/pride aside and follow His Commandment.

And if you have any tips for me, please share them in a comment. Pray for me too. I’m so flawed. Sigh.

It’s rainy here in Italy and I have chores to do (don’t be jealous). I have a pot of beans on the stove and I believe I’ll bake some bread.

Love and Hugs All,
LadyEm

Dear Ones,

Happy Feast Day of Saint John Capistrano. He is the Patron Saint of Military Chaplains.

Happy Wednesday. Please join me in praying for good men to join the Chaplaincy. We need Catholic Priests to serve the military. If you knew how taxed our Priest was. Sigh. Saint John Capistrano PRAY FOR US!Let us ponder the Gospel of Luke today… Specifically Luke 12:48. Here are a couple translations:

“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much.” or “To whom much is given, much will be required.” What does it mean?

If we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that we benefit others.

When I was young, people used to always tell me that as a leader, others looked up to me so it was so important I act a certain way, dress appropriately, etc. I used to think the things school administration, teachers, and my parents & grandparents said to me were manipulative. But you know what, they were for my own good – mostly. I say mostly, because… I am the person who puts a LOT of pressure on myself to get things right. I am a naturally anxious person who likes for things to go a certain way (aka a Control Freak)… So much so, it’s a regular item in confession because at this point I am so stressed out with it, my quality of life can be diminished by it.

I say to you all, MUCH HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO ALL CHRISTIANS! Yes yes it has. We must be vigilant in our faith. We must memorize prayers and parables, and as much of the Bible as we can. Why, you ask? Uh – because we don’t know when Jesus is coming back to get us and we need to get this right. In today’s reading from Saint Luke (12:39-48) the bottom line is – those of us who know better are held to a higher standard and WILL be punished for not doing the right things in a much harsher way than those who do not know.

We must remember we are sealed by God and have made vows, through our Confirmation as Catholics to be disciples and live a Godly life – to the best of our ability.

Additionally, I believe these verses tell us what not to do – but in a bigger way, they tell us what to do. And I tell you – no matter where you live, you must do for others. You must live like the Saints before us. You must buy that cup of coffee for a stranger, or pick up the items someone dropped, give clothes, groceries or even cash to those who don’t have. All of them, no matter what they look like, no matter what you THINK they may have or may do with the items you give them – YOU MUST serve them as if you were serving the Lord.

My grandmother and all the influencers in my life, taught me to do for others. I love to serve…. and I’m good at it. Truly – it’s such a blessing! I can’t always spend $$, but I can give my time and talent for CCD or in volunteering in umpteen ways. And remember… I don’t do things because I always want to or because I am a great person. I do things because GOD said to do them…. The Glory is GODS! Trust me.

I leave you with two things.

We serve a forgiving God. But forgiveness is NOT an excuse to go sin. We, through the Sacrament of Confession, promise to try our best NOT to sin.
We must be vigilant.