In Matthew 5:28, Jesus says that, “Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
When Jesus said this, it was completely radical, because he revealed that lust (something that happens inside your heart) is a sin just as much as an external action. What we think with our minds and desire in our hearts is a big deal.
My image of God the Father, enthroned in heaven in flowing white robes and Birkenstock sandals, was overshadowed by my certainty that he didn’t want me to have any fun. Not only was God all about rules, he’d drop anybody that strayed off his path. Parochial school should have taught me how to live but instead I learned how not to die and burn. The result was that I treated Moses’ Commandments with the same reverence I reserved for one of Letterman’s “Top Ten” lists.
I wish I could say that seeing how hurt she was cured me of any desire to ever speak ill of anyone. I felt bad. But I also experienced the power of words for the first time, and the power of sharing a secret, fact, or observation about another person was intoxicating. While I knew it was wrong, I often resorted to gossip to garner attention. I operated under the assumptions of “I’m just saying what everyone already knows,” “I’d totally say this to their face.” Or, the ever popular, “Well, I’m telling people so they can add it to their prayer intentions.” While this used to prick my conscience, like any sin, the more I spoke the less I felt bad.
The idea of stealing something is totally scary to me. I can’t even imagine the amount of fear that would paralyze me if I ever went to steal something like shoes, cash, or a camera. I would be shaking like a wet puppy in winter. But I would be sweating like it’s Phoenix in July. And I’m also pretty sure that the sick feeling in my stomach, the shame, and the guilt would drive me to return the stolen item the next day. I’m a sensitive person.
So, why am I writing about this commandment?
“You Shall Not Kill” Exodus 20:13 As a little kid, I was jealous of my neighbor. He was my age, but he could hit the baseball better than I could. He would smack the ball into the outfield and everyone would shout “Run! You can do it!” I never heard “Run!” shouted to me. It was usually “Duck!” or “Open your eyes!” or “Put down the snow-cone until after the game!” We’ve all experienced knowing someone who’s better than you at something or has something you lack. If you feel happy for them and aspire them to grow and get [...]
“Behold Jesus Christ crucified, Who is the only foundation of our hope; He is our Mediator and Advocate; the victim and sacrifice for our sins. He is goodness and patience itself; His mercy is moved by the tears of sinners, and He never refuses pardon and grace to those who ask it with a truly contrite and humbled heart.” -Saint Charles Borromeo
The concept of having a name is an interesting thing. Don’t you think? A name is one of the most basic necessities we possess. Think about it. Without a name we would not be able to differentiate one person from another. How different would your interactions with other people be if there were no such thing as names?
I stepped into the confessional and kneeled down at the kneeler. The priest opened the partition and I froze. I could not for the life of me remember what to say to the priest. Luckily he sensed my nervousness and walked me through the whole thing.
Because I know that sometimes we forget what to say I’ve provided a basic structure of what you should say at the beginning of your confession. I hope it helps!
Not sure if you’ve broken any of the Ten Commandments? Or maybe you don’t know what the Ten Commandments even are? (It’s okay, 10 is a lot to remember.) Print out this Examination of Conscience to take with you when you go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
God doesn’t play Words with Friends. Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Is 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25; Ps 41:2-3, 4-5, 13-14; 2 Cor 1:18-22; Mk 2:1-12
I’m so excited for you to watch this video if you haven’t already seen it! I love this band and when I first heard this song I couldn’t help but play it over and over again. It’s a great reminder of the way that the Sacrament of Reconciliation wipes our soul clean and in God’s eyes we are an innocent and pure as the day we were baptized.
It was a day of challenges and facing fears today at Camp Tepeyac. The campers took on the high ropes course and the paintball field today, spending time with their brothers and sisters, affirming each other and working as teams. After their challenges outside, the teens were challenged to enter deeply into mass and reconciliation, led by worship leader Mikey Needleman and host Lisa Garcia. God’s grace and mercy were abundant tonight and the campers celebrated with a bonfire.
Day two at Covecrest was a fun-filled day. Teens started the day with Mass after some organized free time, celebrated by Fr. Joe Fitzgerald. After Mass it was time to get messy! Parishes spent the afternoon participating in messy games which included throwing water balloons, pouring oatmeal on each other and diving into the mud pit! Campers cleaned off to head to an evening session led by Randy Raus, this week’s host, on “Epic Rescue.” Following the session was a chance for everyone to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Camp Tepeyac enjoyed some cooler weather and a lot of fun and mess on day two of the second Edge week of camp. The day started off with a bang thanks to praise and worship led by Gabe Reyes and a bible study sparked by host Joe Chernowski on the parable of the Prodigal Son. Organized free time, including a hike to the Lookout, was next. Afterwards, everyone was excited to get covered in paint, water, and “yuck” during messy games. The evening presented a skit and a witness from one of the summer staffers, leading into a session and reconciliation. It was certainly a grace-filled and exciting day!
Campers at Covecrest spent day two getting messy! The afternoon was filled with messy games complete with water slides, oatmeal and mud! After all the messy games, teens cleaned off for an evening session. Br. Paul Kostka, this week’s host, gave a talk on Reconciliation with Joseph Summers leading praise and worship. The evening concluded with a chance for campers to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Day two at Covecrest began and the teens wasted no time getting messy! They spent the morning in organized free time and then it was time for messy games! Teens enjoyed the water slide, jumping in mud pools and pouring oatmeal on each other. Messy games concluded with the infamous mud pit! After a fun-filled afternoon of oatmeal and mud, Matt Smith, this week’s host, kicked off a session on Reconciliation with Ben Walther leading praise and worship. Everyone was then able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Camp Tepeyac and the Life Teen campers didn’t let the rain keep them down today. The morning started off strong with guys and girls session and some quality time with the campers’ sisters and brothers. Organized free time, including a hike to the Lookout, followed. Next, the campers got up to their necks in paint, water, and “yuck” during messy games. Later that night, worship leader Francis Cabildo teamed up with hosts Tricia Tembreull and Richard Rivera to bring mass, beautiful worship, and a talk on reconciliation. Finally, campers got to experience God’s mercy and grace first hand during an adoration and reconciliation session.
The campers played hard and prayed hard on day two of Camp Tepeyac’s first Edge week! The morning started out with a bible study led by host Brian Kelsch, followed by organized free time. Next up were the weekly messy games, with plenty of paint and water flying around. Worship leader Grae McCullough led music for mass at the outdoor amphitheatre before dinner and a beautiful reconciliation service. Afterwards, we celebrated God’s mercy with a bonfire!
Campers kicked off day two of “Epic Adventures” with some messy games! Teens enjoyed the water slide, a nice messy game of Drip Drip Drop and diving into the mud pit! After spending the afternoon getting messy, teens gathered for a session on receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This week’s host, Joe Farris, started the session with a talk followed by a chance for campers to go to Reconciliation.
Campers started day two of “Xtreme Adventures” with some free time in the morning to play games and hang out in the Art Barn for some arts and crafts. They were also able to hang out with Greg Boudreaux, this week’s musician, for a jam session. After some free time, it was time to get messy! Campers enjoyed sliding down the mud slide and pouring oatmeal on each other during messy games. Everyone then cleaned off to gather for a session on Reconciliation. Campers were then able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
