Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Menu
  • Home
  • About
      • About Amazing Catechists
      • Patron Saint of Amazing Catechists
      • Donations
  • Topics
      • Art
      • Campus Ministry
      • Catechetics
      • Catechism
      • Catechist Training
      • Catholic Spirituality
      • Church Documents
      • Columnists
      • Culture
      • Elementary School
      • Evangelization
      • Family Life
      • Featured
      • Games
      • General
      • Grief Resources
      • High School
      • Homeschooling
      • Liturgical
      • Mary
      • Middle School
      • Music
      • New Age
      • NFP/Chastity
      • Prayer
      • RCIA & Adult Ed
      • Reader Suggestions
      • Sacraments
      • Scripture
      • Special Needs
      • Spiritual Warfare
      • Technology
      • Theology
      • Therapeutic
      • Video
      • Vocations
  • Contributors
      • Alice Gunther
      • Amanda Woodiel
      • Cay Gibson
      • Christian LeBlanc
      • Christopher Smith
      • Deanna Bartalini
      • Dorian Speed
      • Elizabeth Ficocelli
      • Elizabeth Tichvon
      • Ellen Gable Hrkach
      • Faith Writer
      • Father Juan R. Velez
      • Gabe Garnica
      • Jeannie Ewing
      • Jennifer Fitz
      • Justin Combs
      • Karee Santos
      • Lisa Mladinich
      • Marc Cardaronella
      • Maria Rivera
      • Mary Ellen Barrett
      • Mary Lou Rosien
      • Maureen Smith
      • Msgr. Robert Batule
      • Msgr. Charles Pope
      • Pat Gohn
      • Peggy Clores
      • Robyn Lee
      • Rocco Fortunato
      • Sarah Reinhard
      • Steve McVey
      • Tanja Cilia
      • William O’Leary
      • Alex Basile
  • Shop
  • Contact us

Sink or Swim

By Mary Lou Rosien

swimWhen I was a very young child, my dad took me out onto Canandaigua Lake. He put out his arm and let me rest on it while I kicked my arms and legs around trying to swim. After a few minutes, he pulled his arm out from under me and walked away! I was terrified, desperate as I kicked and moved about in the water trying to chase after him… I swam.

He knew that I would find a way to stay afloat and although I momentarily felt abandoned, I knew he wouldn’t really let any harm come to me. I felt this way when I heard about Pope Benedict’s resignation. At first I was sad, scared, but soon reasoning took over and I realized that he would not leave us in harm’s way. God, our Father, my Abba, had a plan and we would swim until He revealed it to us.

This development has given me new insights into Lent and even the suffering at the crucifixtion. I have pondered how the apostles felt on that Good Friday. They knew there was more, this was the Messiah after all, but they must have felt alone and even a little abandoned. They had to hold their breath and trust. Just as we have to trust now.

I have also sought a deeper Lenten experience due to these unexpected circumstances. We have a new opportunity to offer our sacrifices up for the current Pope, the new Pope and the Catholic Church! That brought me to thinking about what a sacrifice is…

Is it a sacrifice giving up meat on Fridays, only to replace it with a huge fish fry at your local church? How can we really dig deeper to give something up so that we are a little uncomfortable? What can I personally give up this year to challenge myself and increase my discipline and self-control? What can I add to give something back to The Lord and to the Holy Church He left us?

In our diocese we are particularly challenged this Lent, as we are not just without a pope, but we currently are without a bishop as well. So, it is time to trust, sacrifice and to swim. God, our Father, will not let harm come to His people, but He is providing an opportunity for us to strengthen our Lenten practices and deepen our faith. We have the opportunity to grow in, what Pope Benedict calls, this Year of Faith. God bless you.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission. There will be no added cost to you. Thank you!

Read all posts by Mary Lou Rosien Filed Under: Catechetics, Featured, General, Prayer, RCIA & Adult Education, Special Needs

About Mary Lou Rosien

Mary Lou Rosien is a Catholic, Wife and Mother to seven children plus one foster-son. She is an author and the RCIA Coordinator at St. Leo's Church in Hilton, NY. She writes for AC in between loads of laundry, driving around kids and speaking engagements.

Search

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Join our email list and get immediate access to the free guide 'High Impact Lesson & Classroom Management Tips'.

Help us to serve the Church by patronizing our affiliates.

FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission. There will be no added cost to you. Thank you!

Sock Religious

That One Sheep Shirts

That One Sheep Shirts

Stickers

Stickers

The Catholic Store

Catholic Bibles

Catholic Bibles

catholic-jewelry

Catholic Religious Jewelry

Holy Heroes

holy-heroes

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2023 Amazing Catechists. ยท Log in