I have heard many a reference to Paul’s advice in 1 Thessalonians (5:17) to “pray without ceasing.” I have often thought, as perhaps you have too as new Catholics, how in the world can I do that? After all, I’m running my own business, being a wife, mothering two active boys, grocery shopping… you get the drift of excuses, right? I can barely work in my rosary, praying at night and perhaps a lunchtime prayer.

But I think I figured it out, and it’s all tied up with redemptive suffering, which I’ve talked about in previous posts. Light Bulb moment: We can offer up our entire lives as a prayer to God!

Every morning now, I say a prayer to Mary offering her all my sacrifices, sufferings and good works for the day for her to distribute as needed since she’s the one charged with distributing her Son’s graces. I am working hard to make “little” sacrifices as I can during my day in line with St. Therese of Lisieux‘s “little way.”

Maybe that’s forgoing the cookie I want to eat (by the way, I am NOT so good at this one), accepting a humiliation from someone’s comment, reading that last story to my kids even though my eyes want to close with exhaustion, etc. Moms out there, you know there are a million little “sufferings” we can offer up each day.

Instead of just doing them, though, “offer them up” as a prayer to Almighty God. Let them work for your benefit or for another’s. Put them to good use!

And any good works you do that day — perhaps stopping to help someone or just offering a smile, earning a plenary indulgence, folding the laundry with care and love, or all small acts of charity — put those to work too.

I think perhaps this is what St. Paul means when he says “Pray without ceasing.” It would be impossible as humans, especially those of us living in the lay world, to verbally pray constantly. But who says prayer needs to be verbal? Let’s let our actions — our professional work, our family activities, our household duties, our kindness — all of it serve as a prayer to God.

By dedicating these things to God, you’re also likely to be more aware of what you’re doing and less inclined to sin. It’s a win-win!

What do you think? How do you pray without ceasing?

I am a big fan of Matthew Kelly, a Catholic author, best known for his inspiring “Rediscover Catholicism” book. After hearing someone mention it one day as I was just becoming interest in Catholicism, I sought it out at the library and it really “sold” me! He is around my age (30’s-40’s) and has a very down-to-earth way of making Catholicism relevant to today’s world, even some of the most ancient and seemingly out-of-date practices. You actually can get a free copy of Rediscover Catholicism at his website, which I highly encourage you to do!

I recently read his new book “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic” and attended one of his seminars in Indianapolis. One of the biggest messages I took from both are simple ways you can become more engaged in Catholicism. Why would you want to do that? Because you will feel better, in turn your family will feel better and ultimately, the world will be better! We have to start with what we each can do. As I quoted from the “YouCat” (Youth Catechism) in a previous post:

“God gives himself to each one of us individually, and he wants to transform us through communion with him. Once we are transformed, we are supposed to transform the world.”

Here are some recommendations from Matthew Kelly that you can slowly start to add into your life to become more engaged:

1) Pray daily – Kelly found that the most engaged Catholics all have a daily prayer routine. He provides a great 10-minute prayer ritual in his book (I made several copies and have them sitting around my house) that includes thanking God for what you’re most grateful for today, reflecting on when you were/weren’t your best self that today, considering any ways God may be talking to you today, praying for anyone you feel called to pray for and concluding with the Our Father.

2) Read the Gospel – He suggests spending 15 minutes a day reading one of the four Gospels for a year. He says keep reading them over and over for a year to help get to know Jesus. Then you can move on to other parts of The Bible.

3) Donate or volunteer – Make a conscious effort to increase the amount of time you give to volunteer work or to increase the amount you donate to your church or charities a little bit each year.

4) Pray the rosary – Try praying the rosary on a regular basis (I am working toward daily). Here’s a great blog post from a fellow blogger on the power of the rosary.

5) Go to confession monthly – No one wants to do this one, but already confession has become a favorite of mine! It’s truly a joy to be forgiven and be handed a clean slate. You’ll be amazed at how it effects your outlook on life and your ability to reel in sinful tendencies.

6) Make Mass more meaningful – Kelly suggests keeping a Mass journal and asking God before each Mass to show you one way you can be a more holy person. Pay attention during Mass to that one message that speaks to you (and it will!) and write it down. Review them periodically and see how well you’ve followed God’s guidance.

7) Read a Catholic book – Try to read 1-2 Catholic books a year. Start with Rediscover Catholicism! Kelly maintains if we all read just one more Catholic book a year what a difference that would make to the church and the world.

Kelly’s “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic” book aims to encourage Catholics to be more engaged so we can have a more powerful positive effect on the world. If we can just get a few more people engaged at each parish, that could have a huge impact on our country and the world toward goodness and peace.

Get started doing your part by adding one of these simple steps to your daily routine. Keep adding a new one every month or so and let me know how it impacts your life. I am working on this also and will share my progress! Come on, Catholics! Let’s engage the world!

I once read somewhere to keep a list of “signs” or little miracles that happen to you on your journey of faith. When you have a moment of doubt or are going through a particularly difficult time, it can be a wonderful list to review and revive your faith. What a beautiful idea!

Since I’ve begun my journey toward Catholicism I have had so many little signs that have confirmed to me that I’m on the right path. I never took the time to write them down and I’ve forgotten many, of course. But whenever I stop and start to question myself on this path, which I never could have imagined myself headed down, I remember some of the little signs and go “oh yeah!”

For those who are struggling with Catholicism, let me assure you I did, too, for many, many years. Let me share with you some of the things that have happened to me that have quelled my skepticism and filled me with faith:

• I can’t count the number of times that I read one Bible verse somewhere only to come across it within 24 hours in another totally unexpected place. It seems whatever I’m reading on my own that theme reverberates throughout my life in countless ways. As one of a gazillion examples :), I’ve been reading the Bible daily and was working through First Corinthians. One of the readings at Mass Sunday was on the unique spiritual gifts we all receive. What do you know? I got to that verse during my own reading the very same evening. To experience this, I encourage you to go to daily Mass when you can, read books, sign up for emails like the Catechism in a Year, tweet, read blogs, etc. This will allow the “themes” you’re meant to see to come to you.
• I am surrounded by others in my life, who also somewhat unexpectedly came to the Catholic faith, just as I did. This assures me that it’s not just me and it’s meant to be for all of us right now.
• When attending a silent retreat, the idea for this blog was given to me clear as can be after much prayer.
• Several changes in my career/vocation in life have come to me seemingly as divine messages delivered in my every day life (not at Mass or church) by people who just happen to be Catholic. I like to think God is using them, unbeknownst to themselves, as secret messengers to me :).
• There are certain people in my life who seem to serve as earthly guardian angels to me, who always seem to pop up at the right time with just the right encouragement, support or advice. I would say it’s uncanny, but it’s not. It’s divine!

These are the little signs that show me I’m on the right path. Not that I needed them, because the “feeling” I have is so right, but in case I forget, there they are… It’s amazing when you are given the eyes of faith, how much you “see” and “hear” and “feel” and how that leads you right to where you should be.

What are some of your little signs? Please share!

Today I thought I’d share thus far my favorite Bible verse that I’ve come across. While the Bible isn’t new to me, knowing it intimately and well is and I feel like I’m discovering it for the first time.

We all have a passage or two that speaks to us and this is one that has spoken loudly to me when I’ve come across it in reading and in Mass. It provides me with a sense of comfort, calm and peace and reminds me THIS is the right path.

The verse is spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 11, Verses 28-30:

“Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

We all carry heavy burdens in life. Don’t we want a way to rest, to allow someone to take the load for a little bit? My favorite is the last sentence which I repeat to myself in times of worry, in times of noise and in times of uncertainty. It is so very calming. I find myself declaring, “Yessss….!!!”

“Gentle” and “lowly” also stand out to me as key words. Humility is something I am working on and this is a reminder, and I love the thought of “gentle” Jesus. It makes Him seem so approachable.

How does this verse speak to you? What is your favorite Bible verse? Thanks for reading today and sharing your thoughts!