Month: November 2017

Detroit-Saturday, November 18, 2017

Joy, yes, really the only way to describe everything:

So, it has been over a week, and I still can’t figure out what to say. I was there, I experienced something which I have never experienced before. I have reflected and prayed about this, but how to describe it? Surreal, joyful. Those are the only words I can really find. You can read about what happened lots of places on the web, like here or here.

There are lots of facts, but you can read those other places, what really happened? Well, honestly, the Holy Spirit is the main thing that happened. Joy, starting several hours and miles from Mass at Ford Field on Saturday, and lasting well into the next week. That is it, and that is everything. I am so glad I attended and I just pray that I can spread that gladness and joy to everyone I meet everyday. I know I fail at this, but I pray that I can do better.

To the world this Joy, happiness, this peace, is completely out of place and seems stupid and silly. I know, I have been told as much by many people. They ask “why are you so happy?” Well, sometimes, no matter what happens, yes, no matter what, you just can’t keep from smiling. This reminds me of 1 Peter 3:15 …..Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.

That is just about all I have to say, but this is enough, the more I write about this, the less I say. This was awesome and I am so glad I went.

May God bless you in Jesus Christ,

Your brother

Mark

Who are Radical Catholics?

From: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radical

Definition of radical

1 :of, relating to, or proceeding from a root: such as a (1) :of or growing from the root of a plant radical tubers (2) :growing from the base of a stem, from a rootlike stem, or from a stem that does not rise above the ground radical leaves

b :of, relating to, or constituting a linguistic root

c :of or relating to a mathematical root

d :designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue radical surgery radical mastectomy

2 :of or relating to the origin :fundamental

3 a :very different from the usual or traditional :extreme

b :favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions

c :associated with political views, practices, and policies of extreme change

d :advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs the radical right

4 slang :excellent, cool

— radicalness noun

Radical Christianity, radical Catholics, yes that is me. I am a radical Catholic. Or, at least I am trying to be. Work in progress you might say.

Ok, I first heard about this the other day while listing to the radio. “Do something radical brothers and sisters, we need to shake up and startle the world; pray, fast, go to Adoration, celebrate Reconciliation, ……” You get the picture.

Well, that didn’t do much to start me on this path, no, not until I heard, the very next day, when I was listing to Deep Adventure Radio with  Bear Woznick. He talked with Jason Jones, one of the authors of a new book: The World on Fire, a Whole life Reader, by by Jason Jones,‎ John Zmirak.

Bear challenges men to gritty and deep masculine christianity. I agree with him when he says, “The most radical thing you can do in life is abandon yourself to the wild adventure of God’s Will”. It is a wild adventure, in fact, when I decided God’s Will was way more important than my will (yes I still have to work on this everyday) it has become, “good morning Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, how are you going to surprise me today.”

So, what will I do that is radical this week? I am going to Reconciliation this afternoon at 3 pm. I am going to daily Mass everyday this week. I will spend a hour tomorrow in Adoration. And, I guess most of all I will be going to Detroit this weekend for the  beatification of Father Solanus Casey at Ford Field. To me, none of this seems radical. But to my non Catholic friends and especially my friends who don’t attend any kind of church, all this seems at best a colossal wast of time and at worst signs that my mental health may be in question.

Finally, read the second definition above. Doses it remind you or anything from scripture?. What about  John 15: 5  where Jesus says he is the vine and we are the branches. Jesus is radical! The Saints are radical, I am going to be radical too.

And, yes, at least for me, starting this blog is radical.