My Love letter to God: The Eucharist

In light of the recent survey that revealed that half or more Catholics do not believe in the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, I have decided to share my own personal reflection on this teaching of the Church. Today I'm not going to go deeply into the teachings of the Church on the Eucharist, I would only encourage you to read John Chapter 6 especially verses 43-71 which are just some of the many passages that Catholics go to when studying the reasons why we believe that when Jesus said, "This is My Body," "This is My Blood," He meant it literally. I would also advise reading the works of the Early Church Fathers, the first Christians who were disciples of the Apostles. 

Instead, I just want to present my own experiences of and thoughts on the Eucharist and the ways in which Christ has come to me through the mysteries of His Body and Blood. 

My Love Letter to God:

The Eucharist

A friend of mine once asked me a question about the Eucharist. She said that a friend of hers had been to a Catholic mass and saw that there were a lot of the hosts leftover after Communion. The friend had wondered what the priest did with the leftover hosts. Did he go in the back and eat them all and if so, why would he do that? My answer was basically this, Catholics believe that the Eucharist or the host/communion is the actual Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. He is truly present in the flesh in a way beyond our understanding in that moment and in that place. The Eucharist is kept in a place fit for a king, a golden throne, the Tabernacle until the next mass when He is taken for the Faithful to again receive. 

This led to another point that I can't remember how it was brought up. What would happen if someone stepped on the host? What would happen if someone spit on it? I said, I would still receive Him faithfully into my body. If we are truly to believe this is God and that God had meant for us to receive Him Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity into our bodies and spirits then nothing will keep me from receiving Him to honor and glorify Him the way he deserves to be honored and glorified. 

If we are to believe that this is true, it should take all of Heaven and Earth to dare to tear us apart from this Blessed Sacrament. The God who created the whole universe humbled himself enough not only to come to us as a human like us but even more humbly to come to us as a tiny piece of bread that we have the absolute privilege to receive into our very selves uniting us to the God who created us in a way beyond our imagining. In a similar way to how spouses are united physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually through Matrimony and through the marital act, we are united to our great Lord physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually every time we receive Him in the Eucharist.

When I was about 18 and was regularly attending daily mass, I would pass by the tabernacle daily as I made for the old wing of the church to sit before the start of mass. I began to notice that people would bow before the tabernacle. Then some would genuflect just as we do before entering the pew. I began to pay particular attention to those that would genuflect. There was one woman in particular that caught my attention. She used a cane and obviously struggled to walk and even get around at all, but every day, faithfully, she would go to the ground and drop one knee before the Lord acknowledging that in the tabernacle resided her King and her God. After noticing that, I never passed by the tabernacle without genuflecting again.

In the past, I also had the habit of referring to the Eucharist as "it" or as just a piece of bread, but I desire in my heart to leave no room for misconceptions. The Eucharist is Him, our Lord Jesus not just a piece of bread.

At about age 23, I became an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and with that came an even greater admiration for the mystery of the Divine Presence of Jesus. Christ told the apostles and all of us to go out and make disciples of all nations. By this, the apostles would be sharing Christ with the world. From the first instance of giving Christ to others in the Eucharist, I knew that I was answering the call of Christ. As an EMOHC, I lift Jesus eye level with the person receiving Him and I say, "The Body of Christ" trying with all my heart to emphasize that this is indeed Jesus, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

I've shared two of these experiences before but for the purposes of this post, I feel it is important to share them again:

When Brandy and I attended Catholic Underground in New York together for the first time, Brandy had a vision of Jesus walking among all of us. As I was worshiping Jesus in the Eucharist, I felt compelled to bow. Brandy reported to me later that she saw Jesus put His hand on my back guiding me as I bowed before my God and King.

Another first, Brandy and I attended St. Dominic's in Southington. During mass when everyone was walking up to receive Christ, Brandy who was not Catholic at the time was talking to the Lord. He again appeared before her and ushered her forward to receive Him. At the time she didn't understand what this meant but later understood that He was calling her to become Catholic and to receive Him in the Eucharist as she had seen me do many times before.

When I was a Master of Ceremonies, I was serving at mass one morning, and I had my own mystical experience that I have not shared with many others. I was struggling with my belief at this time and was asking the Lord to strengthen my Faith. At this time, the consecration was taking place. Christ in the Eucharist had been lifted and now the cup of wine was to become His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. The priest lifted the chalice, called the Holy Spirit, and spoke the words of Christ. As this happened I saw steam rise from the chalice like steam rising from an open wound on a freezing cold day. I knew in my heart that what rested before me in the chalice was indeed the Blood of Christ.

Finally, and this happened recently, I was attending a daily mass and I went up to receive Jesus. When I received Him, I tasted honey. It felt as if I had taken a spoonful of honey which had never happened to me before. Then as I was returning to the pew to kneel and pray, I felt God saying to me that His love for me was as sweet as honey and I felt a great sense of calm and peace come over me as I acknowledged for myself that I was truly, madly, deeply loved by God.

We are all in fact loved so deeply by God so much so that He comes down as bread and wine to share in a relationship with us that is unlike any other. When Brandy and I go up to receive Jesus every mass, we always tell Daniel, "We are going to receive Jesus." Christ is always present with us spiritually as he promised that where two or three are gathered, He is there, but Christ comes to us in no more special a way than in the Eucharist that we receive into our bodies and into our hearts every mass.

Lord Jesus, please help me to remember that you are never far from me. You reside deep in my heart for I receive your very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity every time I attend your mass. Please help me to share you fearlessly with the world as you have shared yourself so selflessly with me. I love you Jesus. We are one now and forever. You are mine and I am Yours forever my beloved Jesus. Amen!

Look to the Cross

Look to the Cross 
Written by: Michael Pavano

Everyone knows that ever since I was young, all I've ever wanted was to bring the love of God to others, to be helpful is some way, just to make this world a little brighter for someone who needed to see the light. I would try to smile when I didn't feel very happy, lift a helping hand when my hands grew weary, or give of myself when I had nothing left to give. There were many moments in which I failed to act for others, but in those moments when I did, I would always give the same response to their appreciation. As those I helped in some way would offer me thanks and praise, I would point to the cross hanging around my neck and say, look to the cross.

I know deep in my heart that the only reason that I can do good deeds for others is because I was first called by the Father, taught by Son, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. God is goodness incarnate, therefore, all the goodness in the world comes from Him. It's vital to recognize that without God we can do nothing. Even someone who doesn't believe in Him could be doing great acts of kindness as a result of the grace of God. 

When someone receives our Lord's grace and puts that grace into action through a work of love, it becomes something that attracts others causing them to do the same. I have two examples I would like to share that I thought were fitting to this message. 

My brother and his girlfriend at the time (We'll call her Ashley) were planning a surprise birthday present for me several years ago. They said that it was something special that they had worked hard on. I asked them to please not do anything extravagant but they insisted that they would continue working on this special gift. The day of my birthday had arrived and they handed me this huge box. I again insisted that it wasn't necessary. I reluctantly opened the box and found a bunch of items that made absolutely no sense to me, pieces of paper, cards, pencils, money, a box of chocolates, and other random items. I gave both of them a look of pure confusion and asked, "Thank you so much... What?" They responded that they thought that from what they knew about me that I would like nothing more than to take my birthday to go out and serve others. They gave me a list of activities that we would be following that day and encouraged me to join them on this journey. And so had begun our day performing several random acts of kindness all across Southington, New Britain, and Berlin. 

Every one of those activities has left a special impact on my heart. There are a few, however, that I would like to include in this post. The first act of kindness we performed was to ask a random stranger if they needed a hug... scary right. Ashley took this one. She went up to a gentleman that was walking by the road and asked him if he wanted a hug. He said yes and hugged her. Before they parted ways, he said tearfully, "You have no idea how much I need that." We were all shocked but realized that we were about to make a difference that day. 

The second act occurred outside of Goodwill. We were giving away cards to random people we encountered. They didn't have much in them, just a note of love that we all wrote up and a few dollars. One lady who received the card looked so happy to receive it. She said, "Thank you so much... you know this is the only card I will receive this year. (It was around Christmas time)" 

The third act also occurred outside of the Goodwill. One of our assigned tasks was to give that box of chocolates to someone who needed it. There was a police officer parked near the side of the building. I went up to his window and handed him the chocolate. He looked so startled at first and didn't know what to make of my gesture. I said, "This is for you. You can share it with your fellow officers at the precinct. Thank you for all that you do." He smiled warmly and thanked me for my kind deed. 

It's so important to mention that if I didn't give off that vibe that other people are more important than I am, all of those amazing things that happened that day would never have occurred. The reason I included this story will make more sense in my sharing of my second story which actually occurred a couple of years later which is more significant and more telling about myself. 

When I worked for CW Resources as a job coach, I would spend many days delivering Meals on Wheels to home bound citizens. On this particular day, I was finished with my route and was returning to our main office in my truck. I was stopped at a green traffic light behind a vehicle that was refusing to move. I went around this vehicle and noticed an elderly woman inside of it and asked if she needed help. She nodded and I parked my truck in a safe place beside her. I got out and spoke to the woman. She spoke primarily Polish and was therefore unable to tell me what was wrong with the vehicle in English. I, myself, knowing absolutely nothing about cars couldn't have helped her even if she spoke fluent English but stopping made a difference regardless as a soon found out. While I was standing on the side of the road with her waiting for the police to arrive, a car stopped and I saw a familiar face getting out. It was one of the volunteers from the Berlin Meals on Wheels that I knew very well.

She was there with her fiance, both of whom spoke fluent Polish. They were able to get her vehicle to the side of the road safely and were able to help her start up her car in record time. It was wonderful, but I felt so bad because I was unable to help her. The volunteer I knew look to me and said, "Michael, to be honest, if I hadn't seen that it was you, I wouldn't have stopped. She would have still been standing there." It wasn't me... look to the cross. 

The scriptures say that they will know that we are Christians by our love. Love is not a feeling in the Bible. Love is an action. Love is a core value system. Love is God Himself, and what is the greatest act of love? Look no further than the cross. There, Christ, God made flesh bore the wait of our sins, our sins, and the sins of the very people that were killing him upon his weakening shoulders and died, so that those very sins may be forgiven. That, again, is the greatest act of love we could ever imagine...

"This is my Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I commanded you..." John 15:13-14

By acting in such love, we are giving the world an example to follow just as our Christ did when He walked this Earth. We may never know the full implications of our actions, but trust me, others our watching. We need to be examples of the love of Christ because through that we may bring to others the greatest gift that we can possible give... The greatest act of love ever performed... Love that died on a cross for us so that we may live... Christ Himself... Look to the Cross. 

Only Jesus- By Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXIBP2BdYR8

The Power of Prayer: Personal Testimony

The Power of Prayer

Personal Testimony

Written by Michael Pavano

Everyone is at least somewhat familiar with prayer, the idea of connecting with God through conversation. It could be a recited prayer, a prayer of petition, or just a little "Howdy God" in the middle of the day. Whatever prayer looks like to you, developing a strong prayer life is one of the most important things you will do in your spiritual life. Developing my prayer life is always on my mind, and though it is a work in progress, God is leading me in the right direction. In this way, I will develop a stronger relationship with Him. This is the primary purpose of prayer. You can't have a relationship without good communication. This will be a central topic in a future post on prayer, but for today, I would like to share just some of those times in my life when I have seen the power of prayer, in particular prayer for petitions, work in my life and in the lives of those around me.

Perseverance in Prayer

Before I begin, I think it's important to share a story of two Saints that always comes to my mind when I think of this person. Saints Monica and her son Saint Augustine are prime examples of the power of prayer. I will give a shortened version of the story but I encourage you to read the full details when you have the chance. Saint Monica was a devout Christian in the early 300's married to a non-Christian who mocked her Faith. Her son, now Saint Augustine, was also a non-Christian who was very lost and in need of God. Saint Monica prayed for them and prayed and prayed. Her husband converted a year before his death and Saint Augustine converted at the age of 31. Saint Monica was persistent in her prayer and was reminded many times that all things come in God's timing. 

It is no secret that I  am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend St. Paul's Elementary School through grade 8. I was able to receive an amazing education all while laying a strong foundation for my spiritual life. Every morning, all of us students from the smallest preschoolers to the biggest eighth graders would gather in the gymnasium for morning announcements and prayer. The school principal would call upon each grade and would ask if anyone had a special intention that they would like the school to pray for. I knew just who I wanted to pray for and every staff and student in that school for almost 6 years prayed for this person. 

Lucy (For the purpose of protecting this person's identity/privacy, I am using a different name), a family member, struggled with drug and alcohol addictions, self-esteem issues, and so much more for far too long. She seemed already lost and would eventually either end up in prison forever or be killed. After a terrible accident, Lucy's life was forever changed. She had a child and acquired a very well paying job. She became free of the trappings of addiction and now lives a healthy productive life. All of those persistent prayers from the hearts of children helped in God leading her back towards the right path. 

Healing through Tragedy

A few years ago, my uncle passed away. It was unexpected and tragic. Unsurprisingly, my grandmother was hit the hardest by his death. She was also greatly struggling with back pain that was unbearable for her. She and I began talking regularly after his passing as I tried to help her through it. She mostly just wanted someone to listen to her. We prayed for her as often as we could, and I felt God leading me toward something that would help her. Catholic Underground in Cromwell just happened to be only a few miles from my grandmother's house, so I invited her to attend with me. She agreed and attended. 

As worship came to an end, I noticed my grandmother was still in prayer and was staring at an image. I approached her and she began to cry as she said something was in that image looking at her. I told her that I would pray with her. She continued to cry as the priest walked by and noticed her. He asked what was wrong and she shared her story. She said that she felt that God had abandoned her and she didn't think she could deal with the pain anymore. He got down on his knees and told her that he thinks that she had been choosing to deal with this pain alone. She had not been asking God to help her carry this burden. She needed to put the pain in His loving hands. She admitted that he was right and that she was choosing to face this without Him. A look of relief came upon her face and she thanked him for his advice and kind words. 

The next day, my grandmother called me and sounded much more cheerful than she had the day before. She said that the pain in her back was gone suddenly. God worked through our prayers and through the priest to heal my grandmother in a way only God can. 

The Works of the Great Physician

Last but not least. I would like to tell of our story. For those who have not heard or read about our son Daniel, he was born with the conditions called Esophageal Atresia and Tracheaomalacia. Basically, his esophagus was not connected at birth and was attached to his trachea requiring surgery to correct it. Brandy and I did not know before Daniel was born that he had these conditions, so of course, we were quite shocked when he was choking as he tried to eat for the first time outside the womb. Immediately we called for reinforcements. Daniel was baptized on the same day he was born by our priest, and he was prayed for by thousands of wonderful people from all different churches. These were answered prayers, each and every one. 

We stayed in the hospital for another 5 weeks as Daniel recovered from the surgery and learned to drink from a bottle. We learned that his condition could have been far worse. He could have been in the hospital for many more weeks. This happens to many of the children born with this condition. They have to wait for the esophagus to grow before having the surgery. Daniel was also born exactly on his due date which is another miracle, most are born premature. These are just some of the miracles. 

Daniel was first treated by Connecticut Children's Medical Center but is now being treated by Boston Children's Hospital for some additional symptoms of his condition. Both teams have been amazing gifts to us as God used them to heal our son. Though his journey is not over, he has come so very far and so have we. 

The true miracle of prayer, I believe, is that it gives us yet another opportunity to connect with and receive graces from our Beloved God. God strengthened Brandy and I even as we grew tired and frustrated with the bumps along the way. God helped us cling to each other, to our loved ones, and to Him instead of pushing everyone away. That support is God's beautiful grace here among us. It's His power on the Earth. 

There is true power in prayer, and though we may not always understand or sometimes even accept what God does with our prayers, He is hearing them; He is listening. May we never cease to pray for God's grace to come into all areas of our lives, and the lives of those around us. God bless you always. Lord we love You! Amen!

Give me Jesus: The Great Physician

Give me Jesus: The Great Physician

Written by: Michael Pavano

Where I Belong- Building 429
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he32vwlKQPY

We all have wounds. We all have a void to fill. Something in our lives has left us feeling weak or even broken at one point or another. Hurtful words, physical abuse, betrayals, failures, and breakups only to name a few are some of the ways that we have been wounded. There are also mental illnesses and physical illnesses which some of us have been born with. There is not one person on this Earth who has not be wounded in some way, so remember that you are never alone in your suffering. We all have wounds. We all have a void to fill.

The first question we ask is how do we deal with these wounds? How do we go about our daily lives when the past torments us and hurts us? Each of us has a vice, something we use to numb the pain. Alcohol, drugs, pornography, food, Youtube, Netflix, the list can go on forever. We spend so much time with each of these things before ever asking the right question, how do we heal and who will heal us?

Jesus- The Great Physician

I love the song, Where I Belong. It the was the first Christian song I ever heard. It felt like it really summed up what I wanted my life to be about and how I wanted to live it. My favorite line from the song is, "Take this world, and give me Jesus." The world and everything in it is only temporary. Life with Jesus is forever. We are given more of the world, a new Iphone, a new computer, a new car, or a new house. We get more money and more things, but does it fulfill us? Does it heal that wound or fill that void? For me at least, the answer is no. The problems will still be there. Jesus wants to heal our wounds and set us free. 

It's a sad truth that we often know the answer to our struggles but choose not to follow through with it. Jesus is always the answer because He will take us on the journey that heals us. It may be prayer. It may be offering or accepting forgiveness. It may be seeing a therapist or a doctor. It may be an instant healing. Jesus knows the way. We need only follow. Of course, that is easier said than done.

When I was in therapy, my therapist and I talked at length about depression. I asked, why do we choose not to accept help and to stay in our state of pain and suffering? She responded, sometimes we get comfortable sitting in the darkness and are afraid to look beyond to find the light. Jesus is that light, and He will lead us out of the darkness, but we need to allow Him to do this for us even when is uncomfortable and difficult to do. 

I can't tell you how many times I've passed by my little prayer closet to go downstairs to grab something to eat when I was feeling anxious keeping in my that I had just eaten and wasn't hungry. There is no greater way to illustrate filling a wound through consumption than using food. I would stuff my face to avoid facing what I was anxious about. Instead of passing that room, I should go in and embrace the hug from the Lord that is there waiting for me. 

About a year ago during prayer, I was thinking about how everyone has a void to fill. I've had my own personal experiences with trying to fill this void. I considered how often I have tried to avoid the issue entirely by using my own vices of choice. I realized that attempting to fill the void and numb the pain with the world only lead to pain and captivity, but when I filled it with Jesus it lead to healing and freedom. Then I received the following visions:

When we consume to heal our broken hearts, it leads only to more heartbreak and a larger wound. It also has side effects like greater suffering, loneliness, confusion, and shame among other things. There is also hatred and vengeance that we consume or rather that consumes us. It feels good to get back at the person that hurt us, but it only leads to greater heartbreak and suffering. Only forgiveness which comes from Jesus can heal us. 

When we read from Scripture, receive the Eucharist, pray, help others, forgive others, and care for the weak, we are inviting Jesus to work inside of us to heal our wounds and to transform us from the inside out. All of these wonderful actions summon the Holy Spirit to bring the power of God into our wounds providing strength and healing. 

 May each of us invite Jesus into our hearts to heal our wounds and fill the void that only He can fill. 

Our declaration today and always, Give us Jesus!

My Love Letter to God: Answering the Call

My Love Letter to God: Answering the Call
Written by: Michael Pavano

The Gospel from the May 14th daily Mass on the day of writing this post. God's timing :)

John chapter 15: 9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments
and remain in his love.

"I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another."

We are called. I am called and you are called. We are all called by God to relationship and to duty, to love Him through serving our sisters and brothers. Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love your God and the second was to love your neighbor as yourself. Something so simple yet so profound. God is calling us each and every single day in all of life's moments and decisions. Are we listening? Am I listening? The world today needs us as it has always needed people of Faith. We are the fighters and the lovers. We are the ones who fight for the good of all and we are the ones who love the way Jesus would have us love. That's what we are called to do. To love and to serve. Each of us is called in our own unique way for our own unique mission because each and every one of us has been created by our Loving and Adoring Father. 

It has been my greatest desire in life to answer this call to love and to serve in my own unique way. We all have purpose in this. Life's greatest purpose is revealed when we actively listen for God's call and our greatest adventure begins when we choose to answer that call and go where the Lord is leading us. It may not be where we expected, but it will always be an amazing journey.

Part 1: A Look Back

I felt a call from God when I was very young. My parents were pursuing a new Elementary School for me to attend because I wasn't having a good experience at my present one. All I can recall now is that my parents found St. Paul's and that was when I began attending both the Church and School. I learned later that I informed my parents about the school saying that it was a commercial I had seen on television that led me to want to go there, but there was no commercial around at that time that I would have seen. God had led me there. 

I began to fall in love with what I had witnessed. I saw the other students hands folded and praying all together thanking God for the coming day or asking for blessing over food. What captivated me most, however, was when I began to learn more and more about this Jesus, who He was and is and who He desires us to be. Christ commanded that we not only call His name but follow Him and do as He commanded us to do. Something in me always desired righteousness, to follow rules and I had come upon the source of all righteousness and goodness, Jesus. 

I think for me the hardest part was always in two parts. The first: Following Christ, and the second: Knowing what Christ needs specifically from me. 

As a child following Christ was easier. There was less responsibility and less difficult decisions that had to be made on a daily basis. As I grew older, the decisions that had to be made were more frequent and more complex. Jesus tells us to follow Him wherever He leads and sometimes that means passing through suffering and rejection and even giving up what we want.

I had always had a difficult time figuring out where God was leading me and as many know, still today there are parts of my life that feel clouded in uncertainty, but that's OK. I'd rather be led by Christ on the righteous path through the fog than to take my own path through the clearing to find myself more lost than ever. Remember this most importantly, Christ has a plan for each and every one of us, a plan for you and for me. 

I had for a long time deeply considered priesthood. It started at about the age of 16. I fell madly in love with Jesus and His Church and had this deep desire to serve. I got to know many amazing people as I discerned my calling whether it be the calling of a priest or husband and father. Each step of the way I learned more about myself and I learned so much about the amazing journey to becoming a priest. There have been so many priests that have had amazing impacts on my life. Some have passed on and others have moved on to other parishes but each of them have helped me in developing my relationship with Jesus. They have also helped me in many ways personally teaching me what it means to love as Jesus has loved us, without counting the cost. I invite everyone to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life because they are so clearly needed. Priests and religious will always be the leaders and guides of his Earthly Ministry, the Church.

As I discerned priesthood, I began to have deep feelings that God was calling me to have a family of my own. I remember during a Knight's of Columbus meeting I had this very deep feeling as I was gazing upon the cross that there was someone I was about to meet who would impact and change my life tremendously. That person was my wife Brandy, and it is definitely true that my life has certainly changed and that God has touched me in so many beautiful ways as a Father and Husband. This is my calling, my vocation as a layperson with a beautiful family. Within that calling lies a great deal of responsibility which is what this post is truly about. It is often a misconception that priests are the only ones called to be saints and to lead souls to Heaven, but all of us are called to be saints of God and bring disciples to Christ.

Part 2: A Leap Forward/The Call of the Laity

Pope Francis has called the Catholic Church a field hospital for the wounded, the weak, and the broken of the world. He calls the Church into action to not stand back hidden behind walls but out into the world to bring Christ's love and healing to all who need it. This is where I believe the laity play a key role and I have seen it myself many times.

We need to show that we are followers of Christ. As stated in scripture: "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men know that you are My disciples." John 13-34-35. We are often the soldiers on the front lines, fighting the battles day to day. We see all different kinds of people in all different situations at work, at school, or in our own neighborhoods. They each have their own struggles in their daily lives and all of them like each of us are looking for answers and ways to get through it all. They are also watching us intently. 

When I worked for MARC, I would pray each day in my car before going inside. I would make the sign of the cross say a brief morning offering to our Lord, and again cross myself. One day as I was leaving my vehicle, I was approached by another staff member who mentioned the fact that I pray every morning. I responded that I didn't realize that anyone had noticed me. She said, "Trust me, we notice." I'm always amazed that people know that I am a man of Faith because I am also a man of few words, but again they notice. 

When Brandy and I would go to New York for Catholic Underground, I would feel God telling me to bring bags filled with food and drink and daily items for those in need. Inevitably in New York City, people will come up to you asking for assistance. Giving them food, I feel is often the best way to help followed by a God bless you and a short prayer. The idea has again occurred to me with one small addition. When driving around Connecticut, we see people asking for help. A bag filled with some kind of food and drink and a Bible can be the best way to help them, I believe. We all need help at some point in our lives and there is no greater way to help than to show others the love of Christ.

When I was younger, I was so afraid to share my Faith with others for fear of how they would respond. I choose now not to be afraid. As freely as I talk about Brandy and Daniel whom I love, I should feel just as free to talk about the God whom I love and whom loves me. Jesus is the greatest gift bestowed on the world. I feel so deeply in my heart that I want the whole world to share in the glory of this great gift, and that includes my beautiful family. As we grow stronger as a family, we become a more shining example of Faith. Daniel himself will be that great example someday as he shares how an army of believers prayed for him and got both he and us through his surgery, his time spent in the hospital, and the challenges that followed. I want the world to know that we couldn't have done it without our Lord. When I am weak, He makes me strong.

Christ strengthens me to love and to be the best version of myself. I am far from perfect and I am now in a better place to admit that this is ok. Without God, I would fall into sin more often and wouldn't realize the affect that it has on those arounds me. I want to do better for them and for my God. Anytime I resist temptation as a child of God, it is a victory for Heaven. I have the temptation to not give my all on a daily basis, to be lazy in many things, but I cant do that as a disciple of Jesus. Jesus calls us to give everything for everyone as He did when He died on the cross. We need to show the world that to truly be yourself, you need to follow Him and allow him to transform you every day. This is the only way to love others with the sacrificial love of Jesus. 

As laity we are called to bring Christ to the entire world which is itself a lifelong mission. May we never forgot that each of us is called by Christ to do something that only we can do because we are all special in the eyes of the Lord. Thank you Jesus for taking us on an amazing journey! Amen

My Father's Will: The Source of Freedom and Peace

My Father's Will

The Source of Freedom and Peace

Written by: Michael Pavano

God made known to me, what true love consists in and gave light to me about how, in practice, to give proof of it to Him. True love of God consists in carrying out God's will. To show God our love in what we do, all our actions, even the least, must spring from our love of God. (279) - Diary of Saint Faustina

Hillary Scott & The Scott Family - Thy Will

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp4WC_YZAuw

One passage from the Gospels that I find most shows Christ's humanity comes from His time spent praying in the Garden before He was to be sentenced to death on a cross. This was truly the moment of calm before the storm from a storytelling perspective, but for Jesus, this was a horrifying moment that was anything but calm. He was in agony thinking of His torture to come. In prayer, He begged the Father to take this pain, take this responsibility from Him... But only by His Father's Will. Jesus being human of course did not want to experience pain and death, but He refused to put Himself before His Father and before us. He died for us because it was the Will of the Father. Truly amazing, that in that moment of agony, Jesus prayed that His Father's Will be done before all else. There is so much for us to take away from this, but I want to focus today on how following God and His Holy Will can allow us to experience true freedom and true peace even in the midst of the most difficult moments.

I had a conversation with a co-worker a few days ago about God. He believed that God exists but had some challenges committing Himself to this God. His major complaint which I have heard many times before is that if God is personal, if God is a loving God, then why does He allow bad things to happen to good people. How is that a God he can follow? It's a valid point especially with all the horrendous things that have happened throughout history even in recent history. I had another family member that after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary said that God cannot be real because otherwise this would not have happened. How do you respond? What are your thoughts on all of this? I don't pretend to have an answer to this question. Sometimes we must learn to live with the mysteries of God. What's most important for us to remember is that God loves us and that He has a special place planned for those who believe in and follow Him. But it's also important to remember that this is a broken world. 

My co-worker believed he had an answer. We have free will to do whatever we desire, so if we choose to do bad things, God will punish us, but if we choose to do good things, God will reward us. I disagree but there is one valid truth in this. We do have free will and from free will comes natural consequences. If someone decides to take the life of another, do you believe this was God's Will? Did God pull the trigger? The answer is no. I also don't believe that God will punish us here on Earth based on our choices. Whether we choose to follow God or not will have natural consequences on Earth and Divine consequences when we leave this Earth, whether we spend eternity with God or Eternity separated from God. The Bible teaches us that God Will's the good of the people, and I believe this with all my heart. We may suffer here which Jesus promised. Scripture says, "Then Jesus told His disciples, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.…'" There will be suffering in this life, but God desires that He walk with us through the suffering. Knowing this is our greatest source of peace. 

Following the Will of the Father is also our greatest source of freedom. You hear a lot these days that freedom is merely doing what you want to do, but in the life of Faith, freedom frees you to be your true self and to align your Will with God's Will. In my life, there has been so much that I thought I couldn't live without, video games being one example. In reality, I must be OK with the idea of living without all worldly things because I am destined for the things of Heaven. I have often felt trapped into needing video games or needing to overeat or needing to engage in television or videos that only hurt me because I was stressed out or just feeling lost. But in reality, I have the freedom to choose God rather than these things. If I did only what I wanted, I would be at home playing video games or stuffing myself at an all you can drink milkshake buffet all day. That won't save me, that won't help me. Only God's Will can save me and lead me along righteous paths. 

People have often told me that following God will only lead you into this "safe zone," but the more I sought out the Will of God, the further I delved from my comfort zone. I went to college, got my first job, and had a family out of God's calling me forward. Following the Will of God will lead us only to good because that is all God desires for us. Happiness is fleeting and following after the righteous path may come with sorrow but in the end, it is for our greatest good. 

The final point I wish to make is that God gave us free will. He does not force us to love Him. He does not force us to follow Him, but it's through following Him that we can live our greatest life and become our greatest selves. I will forever choose to serve my loving God rather than be a slave to sin, hate, and the things of the world. There is no greater freedom than being able to be your true self and to love freely as God would have you love. 

Renewing My Commitment: The Season of Lent

Renewing My Commitment: The Season of Lent

I often think about Daniel, my son, and how his journey with Christ is only beginning. Born twice in the same day, Daniel was born of flesh and then again of the Holy Spirit. In time, he will come to know the Lord from whom he has come and to whom he now belongs. As he grows older, he will renew that belonging, that commitment in a number of ways: every time he prays and attends mass with his family, every time he receives one the Lord's sacraments, and every time he chooses to love Him in each step and season in his life. This is a journey that we all must take, and one that is perhaps life's most challenging and without a doubt its most rewarding. There is one such season that serves to gear us toward that idea of renewing our commitment to Christ, a season that serves as a great journey within a journey, and a season that reminds us that Christ first committed Himself to us forever when He died on the cross for us, even before we came to know His name. This season is the season of Lent. 

My family knows that Lent is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time in which we make sacrifices from financial to physical. From giving to the poor, to telling my friends that I will pass on the chicken on Fridays because it is my day to abstain from meat, to making a chosen personal sacrifice that may surprise those around me like choosing to pray rather than go on Youtube, there are many different sacrifices that we make during Lent. But to what purpose do they serve? Self-sacrifice or giving something up for Lent shouldn't be done just for it's own sake or for some secular reason, which is something I had done often when I was younger, but for a far greater reason. We should take something out of our lives that is unnecessary or even that may seem necessary to make more room for Christ in our lives. 

This happens in secular life too. When I made a commitment to Brandy in matrimony, I decided that I would be choosing her over myself and my wants in my life. I would think of her in my decisions, not just once but every day. I remember when we first got together, I told her that I was All In. I truly meant that and I still mean it, and I remember being amazed when I learned that this is the exact phrase she said to Jesus when she gave her life to Him. 

Today, instead of spending most of my time on Youtube, I chose to downgrade my phone, so I could spend more quality time with my son and less time with technology and WatchMojo videos. Even going to the gym, which is beneficial means nothing compared to spending time with my family. I can find other ways to stay physically fit like going for walks with Daniel and Brandy and doing some cardio at home. By removing other things from my life, I am making more room for my family, though it can often be very challenging.

When I choose every Sunday to go to Mass rather than just staying home and playing a video game or choosing something else that is often without meaning or purpose, I am making more room for Christ in my life. By choosing to read the bible daily instead of fantasy novels which are my personal favorites :), I am choosing to enhance my relationship with Christ rather than choosing entertainment. 

These are smaller examples of a much larger picture. Putting Christ first and choosing to commit ourselves to Christ each day, and in each decision we make in life is the key to having a good one. We often think that we know what's best, but truly God does, and He not only knows what's best but dearly wants it for us. I've made many decisions and done a lot that I thought would make me happy. There was a point in my life when I thought I couldn't live without playing video games. There truly was and to this day, it's still a struggle. I want to invest hours in it, but I have not committed myself to video games, I have not committed myself to sexual thoughts or pleasures, I have not committed myself to any television program or series on Youtube, and I have not committed myself to any part of this world. In my baptism, on the day I was Confirmed, on the day I took my vows in Matrimony, I committed myself to God and ultimately to loving Him through my devotion to His teachings, to my spouse, to my future children, and to my Church. 

But that commitment did not end on any one of those days. Baptism is not the end, it's the beginning. Each day I can choose to renew my Love for Christ by choosing to follow Him in word and deed, by choosing to seek forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation, by choosing to get to know Him through reading Scripture and celebrating the Mass, and by choosing to make room in my heart, so that I may forever have a place for Him there that is free from sin, free from unnecessary baggage, and free to Love Him without ceasing just in the same way as He loves me. There is no better time than Lent to take a look at our hearts and to see where we can make room to renew our commitment to Him.

Father, You are our glorious and beloved God, and You are the Great One deserving of all love and devotion. Thank you for choosing me even before You knit me in the womb. Please help me to renew the commitment, the promise made at my Baptism, that I would forever devote myself to You and to Your Will. This is hard Lord and many days I fail. I choose not to pray, or I choose not to love someone desperately in need of it. Please help me to follow You and to answer your call not just during the Lenten Season but each and every day of my life. I love You Lord now and forever. Amen.