This Catholic is learning a huge life lesson.

J.M.J.A.T.K.A

Last night I settled down for a night of facebook and finishing up a research paper. Right when I logged on to facebook I saw that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. I quickly turned on the TV to CNN so I could confirm it.

And there it was...The world's most wanted man had been killed by US forces.

Time to celebrate.

I grabbed a beer from my fridge just as my neighbor knocked on my door with a alcoholic beverage of her own. She too was shocked and amazed that bin Laden had been killed. We knocked on my other neighbors door- after she heard the news, she quickly grab a margarita from her fridge. We then toasted that he  was dead.

I went back to my room to continue watching CNN and the reactions on facebook. Many status's where of jubilation but then it started- the posts from people saying they refused to rejoice over a man's death.

It was the prefect definition of the word: Kill joy.  

Then the 2x4 of God smacked me on the head. It was Divine Mercy Sunday. I was at Mass not three hours ago agreeing with the Priest that we all need to have mercy on each other- and ourselves- when we wrong one another. Since then I've been in a constant state of confusion...but also openness to hard questions: 

How do I look at him and not feel hatred?

How should I feel towards him?

How should I feel towards my fellow Americans that post disrespectful things?

Should I forgive him?

I'm not going to tell anyone how they should react to all of this because I don't know how to react. All I can do is to pray through this process and hope to come up with some understanding.

I don't want to know it all right away. I want to patiently be in this moment. To learn as much as possible. (hope you do this same)

To start, here's what the Vatican had to say about bin Laden's death:

Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions for this purpose.
In the face of a man’s death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion  for the further growth of peace and not of hatred.

And I'll be working that research paper that's due next Monday...

--AC

A deep Theological Question

J.M.J.A.T.K.G

I haven't posted since Monday...sorry. But to make up for it I have a deep theological question for you to ponder this weekend:

Usually when something shocking happens to us, we say "Oh my God!"

Do you think that when something shocking happened to Jesus, he said "Oh my Dad!" ?

(Ok so technically Jesus is God but he refered to God as his Father in heaven...so go with it.)

Discuss.

Awkward Catholic Moment #3: Sacrifice

J.M.J.A.T.K.A

All of my life I have been told that if I were to sacrifice something, say like candy or soda, I would free a soul from purgatory. "They" have also told me that if I endure a difficult task and "offered it up" souls would get freed.***
During this Lenten season, most people give up something, I however, add something- like more prayer or writing in a journal. So I have never given up anything tangible like soda or candy. (This Lent I decided to wake up an hour early to pray. With coffee available this is not difficult.)

Now that I'm of legal drinking age I thought it would be good if I gave up drinking alcohol for a upcoming retreat this weekend. I have to say I love my alcohol, especially speciality beers. I was going to free many a soul from purgatory.

Apparently I don't understand the concept of sacrifice as I have failed miserably. Now don't get me wrong, I haven't gotten completely drunk. It's just that when someone asks me out for drinks I usually go.
This is what goes through my head before going out:
You can't drink, you gave it up.
But they asked me out for drinks. I want to drink.
But you gave it up.
But not drinking is hard.
That's why it's called a "sacrifice".
Go away.
(Goes to bar)

I promise I'm not crazy.

I've just had a thought. Hypothecially speaking say two people are freed from purgatory and go to heaven. Here's a conversation I think they would have:
Todd: Hey, Bob good to see up in heaven!
Bob: Good to see you too, Todd!
Todd: So, Bob how'd you get up here?
Bob: Well Todd, some kid decided not to drink a soda today so here I am!
Todd: That's great Bob! How's your cousin Tim?
Bob: Poor guy, some stupid college girl went out drinking so he's still stuck in purgatory...

Puts a whole new spin on Catholic guilt doesn't it?

***We also give up things to be in solidarity with Christ's suffering.

--AC

Random things that teach us life lessons: Slow Cars

J.M.J.A.T.K.A

A couple of weeks ago I was driving to one of my music classes at our North Campus. It's just straight down the road about a mile from Main Campus, where I live. And like always I was running late. Of course, I encountered a car going 20 mph (speed limit is 30 mph). Frustrated, I got on the guy's back bumper to "remind" him of the speed limit. He wasn't speeding up. So I lagged back, saying to myself : "doesn't this guy know college students speed up and down this road everyday?"

All of a sudden, I had to slam on my brakes to keep from hitting him as he turned. (He didn't use his turning signal.) About ready to honk (even though my horn didn't work) I saw where he was turning....the cemetery.
My stomach turned. I suddenly understood why he was driving so slow. I've never been one to speed off to the cemetery either.

I've thought about that moment a lot ever since. The guy didn't mean to make me late for class- he was probably visiting his deceased wife or child or friend. I would drive slow too.
So now when I get behind a slow car I try to take in account that a person is driving that car. I take that time to pray- for that person and for really anything that's on my heart.
(I also make sure I leave earlier for class or wherever I'm driving)

Things that Catholics do all the time but don't know why they do it: Making the Sign of the Cross

J.M.J.A.T.K.A

Last night after I prayed with the Sisters, a person came into the chatroom and asked why Catholics make the sign of the cross. I got excited. I quickly leaned forward in my seat, fingers at the ready to answer the question when I suddenly realized: I don't know why Catholics make the sign of the cross. Awkward.
Luckily, someone answered something to the affect that we are acknowledging the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
Here's what wikipedia had to say about the sign of the cross:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_cross

So, now we know why Catholics (and other Christians) make the sign of the Cross.

You know the nice thing about having "awkward" in your blogs name is that you can end the blog awkwardly without worrying if it'll sound awkward- it's supposed to be awkward.

Awkward Catholic Moment #2: Explaining the new Mass Translation of the Roman Missel to your Grandma

J.M.J.A.T.K.A

Actual dialog between my grandma and I.

Grandma: Why are we switching back to Latin?
Me: We're not switching back to Latin. The new translation of the Mass is just more Latin based. It's all still in English.
Grandma:  I never knew why we switched to English from Latin in the first place.
Me: Well, you know, it was a decision they made during the Vatican II council to change it.**
Grandma: What's Vatican II?
Me: (Silence-bury's head in hands)

I've had this same conversation with other parisheers in my hometown. This is not anyone's fault. A lot of these people where out of school when the changes of the 1960's took place and never had the opportunity to learn why it changed- or never bothered asking.
You may not agree with the changes, however with this new translation, we have the opportunity as Catholics to reeducate ourselves and to ask questions as why we do what we do.
(Steps down from Soapbox)

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here is a link to what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has about the new translation: http://usccb.org/romanmissal/

**VERY simplified answer. There's way more to this than what I gave to Grandma.

Awkward Catholic Moment #1: Standing at the end of the pew

J.M.J.A.T.K.A

The Church is packed. You come in late. You frantically walk back and forth in the back of the church looking for a place to sit. You finally see a space available.  But as you walk up you notice there is someone sitting on the end of the pew.
So you must stand there without saying a word until they notice you and hopefully move over.  The seconds tick by, there's no where else to sit-everyone is looking at you- except the person at the end of the pew. Your back starts to get hot. You start to sweat. This person must be having an intense prayer moment because they are not noticing your pathetic threats to jump over them.
At last! They finally notice you...and give you the dirtiest look they can muster, their eyes telling you to go to Hell and finally begrudgingly move over 2 inches.

You spend the entire Mass debating whether or not to shake their hand at peace time.

At peace time, you eventually shake their hand and wish them peace.

This is my metaphorical introduction to the blog world- standing awkwardly until you notice me. You may give the death glare but I will shake your hand as a sign of peace.