rose amongst thorns











onetwozerothree: Party all week! Yeeeeeeeeah! SOLEMNITIES(spring break + birthday octave) = PARTYIN’ PARTYIN’ YEAHHHHHH

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

What Love Really Means - JJ Heller

Think of this as an audio companion for my previous reflection. Enjoy!

I think I’ll make uploading a song a day a new habit, because I’m the type of person who, when he hears a really good song, just HAS to tell people about it. 


“We have that swagger, it is a humble swagger, because we know that this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.”

Happy Easter everyone! To all you who gave up tumblr & are getting back on your dashboards, welcome back! 

Also, to everyone who greeted me a happy birthday: thank you! I will be responding to all the messages in my inbox as soon as I can.

I’m on spring break this week, so expect reflections on my Lenten fast (against vanity) and on playing Judas Iscariot for this year’s Passion Play 2012. 


“The art of losing myself to bring You praise”

He cries in the corner where nobody sees
He’s the kid with the story no one would believe
He prays every night
“Dear God, won’t you please
Could you send someone here
Who will love me?’ 

I heard this song on the radio a few weeks ago [“What Love Really Means” by JJ Heller], and knew I had to get my hands on it immediately, based solely on the first verse. It really hit home, because, well: that kid was me. 

Read More


bethestraw:

7LW: Allen Mendoza - “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

“I have more than just my sexuality, I have my faith. And that’s something that no one can ever take away from me.” - Allen Mendoza

Catholic blogger Allen Mendoza offers his reflection on Jesus’ words: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Allen explores what it means to offer one’s spirit, one’s whole life to the Father. Hear him reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice in parallel to his own journey of faith as a Catholic with same sex attraction.

For more on Allen and his faith journey, check out his blog: amongstthorns.tumblr.com

For a playlist of all of the 7 Last Words reflections click here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1834649E4ADDC34C



bethestraw:

7LW: Lisa Emperador - “… my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Young professional Lisa Aquino Emperador shares with us her reflection on Jesus’ words: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

As a survivor of sexual abuse, Lisa humbly shares how these words and the image of Jesus on the cross has had a profound effect on her faith, her life, and her attitude toward suffering and weakness.

Lisa echoes the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians: “… for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Coming soon: Listen to Colin Wen share about Mother Teresa as he reflects on Jesus’ words “I Thirst.”

(via liseezy)



"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew."
—  St. Francis deSales

"When I was growing up, many of us thought the real Catholics in the community were the priests and the nuns, and the rest of us were just hanging around. But when we say that each of us is called to holiness, it means each of us has the same responsibility of taking care of the Church, and the same call to be part of the Church."
—  Archbishop Jose Gomez (Los Angeles)

(Source: the-tidings.com, via fathershane)