Throughout his letters to the various communities of faith, St. Paul offers some excellent advice. In next weekend’s second reading from his letter to the Philippians (Phil 4:6-9) he urges them to “…have no anxiety at all…the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7). Of course, that’s great in theory, but the reality of living through the last seven months of 2020 with all its struggles may have us remembering the old adage, “easier said than done.”
 
But St. Paul is trying to remind us that if we trust in the Lord, if we turn to the Lord regularly, if we view the Lord as our constant companion and supporter, many of the trials we face and many of the burdens we bear will be easier. Not gone…not resolved…but easier.  People who have a consistent and faith-filled prayer life understand both what St. Paul is saying and the truth of what he says.
 
Two important facets of the Catholic Christ life are prayer and trust. Too often we may become overly self-reliant, trying to carry our crosses alone without the help of the Lord. When we develop a prayer life and an awareness that Jesus is there to help, every day in every way, the world can be a much more positive place. As St. Paul tells us in the final verse of next weekend’s second reading if we do all of this “then the God of peace will be with you.” So each day, we each need to do our best to hand over our worries to the Lord and trust Him because He’s got this.  I promise.

All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Isaiah 55:1
 
If you awoke this morning with the power to solve the global COVID-19 pandemic, I just know you’d go right out and do it. You’d barely stop for a breakfast at Bay Family or a cup of coffee or tea from Crystal Coffee, just thinking of those needy millions depending on you in their suffering. You would use this power even if it involved sacrifice and difficulty because you’re a good person. You care about your fellow human beings. You feel compassion. Your heart works.

The funny thing is that, in fact, we do have the power to end this pandemic. What we don’t have is the will—that is, the personal or political will—to get behind the policies that would make it happen. While as individuals we’re well-meaning and kind, in the realm of public policy, we’re self-protecting, self-serving, and self-absorbed. Our hearts may work. But we’re also scared of the cost of caring.
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When we think about doing justice, we often think about giving of our surplus because that doesn’t affect how we live our day to day lives. That solution works fine, so long as we’re not unduly affected or we don’t have to give up too much. But what if we actually have to sacrifice for others? What if we actually have to get out of our comfort zone? If that’s the case, are we still willing to work for justice?  This is the conversation we don’t want to have about justice: that it will cost some of us the lifestyle we’ve grown accustomed to. We could solve the COVID-19 pandemic if we dared. But what kind of miracle would it take to get you and me to make the sacrifice?
 
Reflection Question. To what extent are you and I willing to sacrifice so that this pandemic can end? St. Mother Teresa used to say: "Live simply so that others may simply live." Are you up to the challenge?

So this is my first blog post of 2020 and the first one I’ve felt compelled to write since last summer.

A recent Gospel passage stoked the desire to write again. It related a story of people bringing a blind man to Jesus and begging Him to touch him (Mark 8:22-26). As I reflected on the story, several questions surfaced.  Why didn’t the man ask Jesus for healing himself? Was he physically unable to ask for help? Or was it something deeper? Was there no light at the end of the tunnel for him?  Had he given up hope for healing? Was his suffering so overwhelming that he could no longer find the motivation or desire to seek help for himself?

Those questions don’t seem so unusual to me because I’ve been there. Over the past two years, my struggle with my physical health has directly impacted my spiritual, emotional and mental well-being.  Like the blind man in need of healing, I’ve often felt there was no hope left for me. And although I’ve verbally voiced a belief in the promises Jesus makes in Scripture, I’ve lacked the internal confidence to trust Him with my most vulnerable needs. I’ve been a hearer who forgets (James 1:22-24). I understand God’s Word, but I don’t always let it penetrate my heart.

Are you like me or the blind man in Mark’s Gospel story? Is your own healing process moving at a snail’s pace? Is it painful, sad, confusing or scary? Do you feel like there’s no hope left for you?

We’re coming up on the season of Lent, a season of mercy and repentance, but one that can seem to last forever (40 days of giving something up can seem like a lifetime).  Lent can seem painful, sad, scary and confusing as we march towards Jesus’ torture and death.

But we need to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there is hope at the end of Lent.  Jesus’ resurrection, bringing us healing…from death to new life, promises that light and that hope.

I’ve recently undergone new treatment and therapy to help alleviate the partial facial paralysis left over from my bout of Bell’s Palsy, and for the first time in a very long time, I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  And although it’s still painful and sad and confusing and scary, my hope has been restored.

If you’re suffering today, take a moment to look for the light.  Let Jesus take you by the hand and ignite that tiny spark of hope in your heart. It might take patience and work, but He will relieve your suffering.  He promises.
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Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E. Gretz)

So I read Becky Eldredge’s Busy Lives and Restless Souls: How Prayer Can Help You Find the Missing Peace in Your Life as part of a book club this summer. Through a series of personal stories, Becky shares how Ignatian spirituality transformed her life as a person, as a wife, as a mother and as a daughter of God.

And while I’m still not sure if Ignatian spirituality is for me, as I came to the end of the book, the chapters turned to praying through tough times, and these two questions stopped me in my tracks: “Are you still in if the answer is no? Are you willing to remain in a relationship with me [God] if the answer to your prayer requests is no?”

Whoa.  Dang.

Although I don’t remember God ever asking me that, I have definitely been in situations in my life where I felt compelled to address that question.  And while I’ve never answered that question definitively “no,” I have, at times I’m ashamed to admit, put my relationship with God on hold…stepped back as it were to figure things out. But as I continue on my journey of faith, I’ve discovered that my life WITHOUT God is much more difficult than it is when I walk WITH Him.

Looking at the world around me, I believe too many people answer those questions definitively and negatively. “No, God, I will not remain in relationship with you in the tough times especially if you don’t answer my prayers the way I want you to.” But if we stop to think about our lives, how often do we get what we want? How often have we been told “no?”  How often have we told others “no?”  When we get told “no” or when we say “no,” so often it’s to protect us from something.  Perhaps our unanswered prayers (or when God tells us “no”) is for the same reason.  As parents protect their children by saying “no,” God in His infinite wisdom is protecting us as well. And as we remain in relationship with those we love even when they tell us “no,” we need to remain in relationship with God who might also tell us “no.”

So as perhaps we should keep in mind the lyrics from country artist Garth Brooks sings, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers. Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs that just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care…Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers” as we remain in relationship with the One who loves us most…who loves us enough to tell us “no.”

Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E. Gretz)

People have all sorts of excuses for refusing to follow Jesus. It might be family commitments or the ties of home. For some, following Jesus conflicts with their career aspirations or challenges their view of the world.
 
We fall into denial and the excuse of ‘if/then.’  If/then thinking is deciding not to do something because we assume the ‘then’ happening must take place before we take action. For example, in this weekend's Gospel, the would-be disciples tell Jesus “If I can bury my father, then I can follow You” (Lk 9:59) and “If I can say goodbye to my family, then I can follow You” (Lk 9:61). In the 21st century, we might say something similar like “If the sporting event gets cancelled, then I can go to Mass this weekend” or “If I had a few extra hours in my day, then I can make time to pray” or “If I had a few extra dollars, then I can donate it to the church.”
 
But Jesus reminds all of us that Christianity is a challenge, and our excuses are just that…excuses. Jesus values God more than safe sleep, more than family events or job obligations, even more than courtesy to relatives and friends. And so should we.  
 
Jesus is clear; He must come first. And while this might seem harsh and “unloving,” Jesus gave everything for us. He laid down His life to rescue us from sin.  Should He not expect the same from us?
 
So be aware of the excuses you give yourself.  Take action.  Place more value on what really matters and run toward the One who loves you most.

Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (no R.E.-Gretz)

So it’s been a couple of months since I last blogged. I could make hundreds of excuses, but truthfully I haven’t felt like I’ve had much to say.

I’m still wrestling with the same demons as I was back in December. Some days are better than others, but most of the time, the struggle is very real.

So this was on my mind as I finalized the notes for a talk I’m giving today.

With each presentation I give, the Spirit moves me to talk about certain people. And I don’t always know the reason why. 

For this talk, He wanted me to focus on the Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42), Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18) and St. Paul (Acts 9:1-22).

As I reflected on these Biblical figures, I realized that they all encounter Jesus when they least expect it.

• The woman at the well had been married multiple times, was currently living with someone out of wedlock, had been shunned by her community, and felt cloaked in sin and shame.
• Mary Magdalene’s life was in shambles. She had witnessed Jesus ’crucifixion and death. She had lost the one who cast the 7 demons from her. She brought her heavy heart to the tomb to process her sorrow and grief.
• St. Paul was on the way to Damascus to murder more Christians. His anger and hatred consumed his life.

And Jesus met all three of them where they were on the journey.  In the middle of the mess. And loved them through it.
So, just like our ancestors in faith, encountering Jesus can happen to us too when we least expect it…even in our sin and shame….our sorrow and grief…..our hatred and anger.  He meets us where we are…no matter how messy or stormy our lives can be.

He’s walking with me through my mess….through my sin and shame….my sorrow and grief….my anger and rage.  And He loves me through it.  Even when I least expect it.

Holy Week begins tomorrow. And we get the opportunity to, once again, walk with Jesus through the mess of His betrayal, suffering and death. Can we meet Him where He is?  And love Him through it so He knows He’s not alone?  He does it for us time and time again; perhaps it’s time to return the favor.

​Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E. Gretz)

This question was posed to me yesterday by a priest I am acquainted with prior to a talk I gave at an ALPHA retreat. I hadn’t seen him for awhile so he didn’t know about my struggles with Bell’s Palsy for the last 5 months. He didn’t know how much I’ve struggled for more than a year: physically, emotionally and spiritually.  So to be honest, up until that question, I hadn’t thought about finding many fruits with this illness.  Because I’ve focused more on the struggles and sadness. And I’ve sat and wallowed in that well of self-pity and sorrow.

But this priest was prompted by the Spirit to ask the question which continues to haunt me: what fruits have you found with your illness?

As I thought about my answer to that question, I realized there were plenty of fruits but I had been too stuck in my well of self-pity and sorrow to notice.

Fruit #1: My friends and my family have been insanely patient with me. They have listened to me, helped me and challenged me.
Fruit #2: A Facebook article offered me a chance to look at things differently. The mantra ‘only love today’ has definitely helped change my attitude and lift the tension.
Fruit #3: I’ve been blessed to help others in a wide variety of ways.
Fruit #4: I have been reminded about the amazing families in my RE/YM program.
Fruit #5: I’ve been inspired by Scripture, especially this weekend’s readings.

I don’t know that I will stay in this positive state of mind. But I will definitely try. I plan to go to confession this week with my HS students, and begin the season of Advent with a clean heart and a fresh start with a God who mercifully gives us a second chance so I can focus on the fruits of my situation rather than the struggles.

So now I pose the same question to you: What fruits have you noticed in the struggles affecting your life right now?  If you haven’t noticed the fruits, can you use the season of Advent to lift your soul to the Lord? To let Him know what’s on your heart? To challenge yourself to be different when Christ comes at Christmas?

I’ll be praying for you.

Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E. Gretz)

Most of you know that the last year has been very rough for me health wise.  Between my struggles with vestibular neuritis and continued difficulties with Bell’s Palsy, there have been times (especially recently) when I have felt more than useless…a burden…more trouble than I’m worth.  And at my very lowest, I have felt that the little I had to give was not important, valuable, worthwhile or able to serve much purpose.

Today’s readings were rough wake up call for me because they teach otherwise. The poor widow in the first reading (1 Kings 17:10-16) gave food and water to the prophet Elijah out of her meager supplies for her and her son. The second reading (Hebrews 9:24-28) reminds us that Christ gave up His very life so that we might live.  And the Gospel reading (Mark 12:38-44) shares the story of the poor widow whose simple offering of a few cents was worth more than all the other people who gave to the treasury. Where others gave from their surplus, but she gave out of her poverty because she gave all she had.

Like the examples given in the readings today, we each have areas of poverty in our lives. For me, it’s been my bouts of illness. For you, it could be illness too or a financial strain.  But it could also be impatience, exhaustion, feeling overworked, stressed, depressed, or anxious. It could be addiction, family challenges, loneliness, or a season of sorrow. At any of these points of the journey, we can feel that we truly have nothing left to give or that the little that we do have is not worth very much.  I know I have.

But Jesus shows us another way. Our “few cents” can become an offering of great value. Holiness can be found in the day-to-day moments when we complete the small tasks that seem insurmountable. These can be amazing achievements, especially when we don’t want to do something or feel particularly limited by additional challenges that seem to get in the way from doing what we can and offering the little that we have to others and to God. Because it can be SO difficult to keep going when we feel like we have nothing left to give. But let us draw strength from others...let us share our stories….let us remember that our “few cents” are always worth something…and let us remember that even when we feel we have very little to offer, it is indeed a great treasure when offered to God from a sincere and humble heart.

Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E.-Gretz)

Note: Today's blog post was inspired by Mary Catherine Craige of Blessed is She

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​I’m not always as inspired by the Holy Spirit as I would like to be. Then again, maybe I’m just not listening hard enough. But yesterday’s readings really resonated with me so I thought I’d write down a few of my thoughts.
 
In the gospel reading yesterday (Luke 10:1-12), we hear that Jesus sends out 72 of His disciples because “the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” Seasonally, the harvest is abundant here in Wisconsin.  The time of the year has come to reap the benefits of the seeds planted in the spring. And when we pray Psalm 27, “I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living” at this time of year, we do tend to see all the good parts of the earth that God has created for us.  Food like apples and pumpkins….sustenance for the animals like hay and corn….leaves changing colors which reminds us that God has the best set of crayons…..
 
But what else are we supposed to harvest? What seeds have we planted?  I’d like to suggest that we use our stories to ‘harvest’ the seeds we’ve planted in others to bring them closer to Christ. Because those people are also the “good things in the land of the living” (Psalm 27) and unique, beloved members of the Kingdom of God.  And we should use our stories to rebuild the Church because at this time in history, although the Kingdom of God is at hand (Luke 10:9), the Church is struggling to survive in a world that loves materialism, relativism, individualism and selfishness.
 
But the harvest requires work….hard labor….persistence….and perseverance. We have to be ready to answer Jesus’ call…to go out…to forsake distraction, to forsake sin and do this work.  We have to be open to letting Christ rebuild our souls so that we can help rebuild His Church.  And we should look towards saints like St. Francis of Assisi (feast day-Oct 4) and St. Faustina (feast day-Oct 5) who inspire us and challenge us to be like the 72 disciples that Jesus sent into the “land of the living” because the “harvest is abundant.”
 
May we all be inspired by the Spirit to answer God’s call and enter the harvest.
 
Peace and blessings,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E.-Gretz)

Early this morning, I found myself awake…a victim of insomnia at 2am. I laid awake for almost an hour before deciding to get up and pray. I started with Blessed is She, my favorite devotional website. I read through the readings of the day and then the reflection posted by Joan Geiger. The question she posed was based on today’s Gospel reading of the ten virgins – five who were wise and five who were foolish (Mark 25:1-13). The question Joan posed was this: what fills your spiritual lamp?  And that got me to thinking.

One of the things that fills my spiritual lamp is providing service to others – using my time, talent and treasure – to help those in need. This past Wednesday, my children and I got the chance to help with an ecumenical service project through cityServe and work at Jefferson Elementary School in Green Bay helping a special education teacher named Kathy set up her classroom. We spent two hours doing menial tasks for her: testing markers, sharpening pencils, building a cart, assembling binders, etc. And while none of the tasks were difficult, ultimately they made her life easier and allowed her to get her classroom ready on time for open house that night.  It was a great feeling to know that we had helped Kathy and her students in some small way.

And through my ministry at St. Agnes, I try to provide many opportunities for students and their families to serve others both inside the parish and outside in the community. To give them a chance to fill their spiritual lamps, as it were. Our website has a flyer of options that can be downloaded under the ‘Youth Ministry’ tab.

But maybe service doesn’t fill your spiritual lamp.  Maybe it’s spending time in prayer, going to Mass or Adoration, participating in the Sacraments, listening to Christian music or podcast, or reading a book that brings life to your soul…whatever it is, take some time today to figure out what fills your spiritual lamp because our Lord tells us “therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour" when He is coming.

Peace and blessings,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E.-Gretz)