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As you know, I am fascinated (enraptured, enthralled, intrigued, allured) by all things Catholic! And so, I really want to know what the Church teaches. One way to get a “bird’s eye view” (Don’t you just wonder where these phrases come from? I sure do and some nights I just sit up puzzling over it! Which I did for a spell [short period of time as in an instant, jiffy, little while, minute, second, stretch] on this one. You can find out what I discovered below. So many words, so many phrases, so much linguistic intrigue – and so little time! It near makes me batty – as in crazy or eccentric nuts or wacky– none of which really applies to me, thank goodness!).

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Hello,

I’m Lexi Conner and I am so excited to be part of the Women of Grace blogging family! 

Perhaps you can guess from my name that I have a very special interest. I LOVE words! Some might say that makes me a “geek” or a bluestocking, bookworm, or highbrow (See! I just can’t help it!). But it was this very interest that Johnnette found so intriguing (compelling, captivating, fascinating, riveting, titillating – pick one!).

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(Taken from Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life by Johnnette Benkovic)

On yesterday's Women of Grace Live radio program, I shared a teaching on discerning God's will, much of which came from by book Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life.  Here are the Seven Steps to Discerning God's will, in case you missed the program or didn't get a chance to jot them down.  You can also listen to the program in it's entirety at the podcast link here. God bless you!

1. Is the prompting fully in line with Sacred Scripture, the Ten Commandments, and the teachings of the Church? There is no contradiction in God.

2. Is the prompting proceeding from virtue or the flesh? “What is my motivation?”

3. Has this prompting been confirmed in other ways? God confirms His will for us in a variety of ways.

How Does God Speak To Us?

A. Through other people

1. Directly - someone speaks the prompting to us

2. Indirectly

a. a homily at Mass

b. radio

c. television

d. something we read

B. Scripture

C. Events of the day

4. Has the prompting withstood the test of time? There is a difference between enthusiasm and zeal.

5. Am I going through an emotionally difficult time or am I suffering from mental instability?

6. Have I sought the counsel of others -- my spouse, provincial, superior, bishop, spiritual director?

7. Is the prompting or inspiration of grace in conformity with my state in life? There may be sacrifice, but there will not be conflict.

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When I came back to the Faith in 1981, one Scripture passage became the rudder of my spiritual life. It is Ephesians 1: 3-4. Through the years, this passage has spoken to me in many ways and has sustained me through many trials.

Verse 4 , however, is particularly relevant for this time of the year, and was echoed by Pope John Paul II in a Christmas reflection. It states this, "God chose us in him before the world began to be holy and blameless in his sight, to be full of love." Those first five words tell us something about ourselves that is amazing and astounding -- each one of us was distinctively and individually chosen by God to have life.

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In yesterday's blog, we discussed the necessity of evangelization in the modern world and why this call applies in a special way to the lay faithful.

But the question remains, how do we effectively communicate the Catholic faith in the world today? This remains a challenge especially given the competing voices in today's market place of ideas.

Indeed, secularism and relativism have captivated the mindset of the culture. However, St. Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 4 that our mission is to preach the Gospel "in season and out," and the reality is you and I have been chosen by God to do so in our day and time. And, in the end, truth is on our side.

Following are four steps that help us share the faith with others.

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The Incarnation of Jesus Christ has forever changed the destiny of mankind. Through His birth, death, and resurrection, the chains of death are broken, the gates of heaven are flung open wide, and eternal life has been restored to man. However, accepting the salvation Christ has won remains an individual decision to be made by each human being.

I remember well when I made that decision for myself. It all started with a woman who shared her faith in Jesus Christ with me.

Though she was going through an emotionally difficult time, she was certain God had a plan for her in the midst of it. Her trust stood in stark contrast to my own faith experience which had not recovered from my college years. Like living water flooding the landscape of my soul, her words and her witness brought me new life and led me back to Catholicism.

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St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein, 1891 – 1942)

She was a brilliant scholar, a contemplative mystic, and a “liberated” feminist. At various times she was also a devout Jew, an atheist, a philosopher, a Catholic, and a Carmelite nun. Hers was a heart that hungered for truth, with a passion that burned with such purity and clarity that Pope John Paul II, whose own Mulieris Dignitatem and “Letter to Women” bear the unmistakable imprint of her spirit, canonized her less than fifty years after her death at Auschwitz.

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Dear Friends,

Here is the prayer to the Holy Spirit that I prayed today on Women of Grace Live (M-F, 11:00 AM ET). As I mentioned, I can offer no attribution as it has none on the card I received. I hope it truly blesses you.

Blessings,

Johnnette

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your holy gifts.

Let my weakness be penetrated with your strength this very day,

that I may fulfill all the duties of my state conscientiously,

that I may do what is right and just.

Let my charity be such as to offend no one, and hurt no one's feelings;

so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me.

Assist me, O Holy Spirit, in all my trials of life,

enlighten me in my doubts,

strengthen me in my weakness, help me in

all my needs, protect me in temptations

and console me in afflictions.

Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour your light

into my heart, my soul, and my mind.

Assist me to live a holy life and to grow in goodness and grace.

Amen

 

 

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Woman of Grace: St. Scholastica (480 – 543)

St. Gregory the Great recounts this story from the life of St. Benedict’s beloved twin sister, St. Scholastica, which shows how expressing our petitions to God with childlike faith and confidence sometimes yields immediate and amazing results.

After Benedict founded a monastery for men, Scholastica remained very close to her brother, founding a convent for women some miles away. Every year Scholastica went to visit Benedict at a little place just outside the monastery gate.

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Today is our 25th Anniversary in Catholic communications. I can’t believe it!  What a joy it has been to proclaim the Good News of Our Lord, Jesus Christ around the world!  And what an absolute pleasure and privilege it has been for both Fr. Ed and I to work together in this apostolic work.  We appreciate your love and support!

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