Humility

Every great religion has had a form of the Golden Rule, “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” It seems easy doesn’t it? If everyone were to follow this rule, the world would be a happy place full of rainbows and smiles and nothing but warm and fuzzy feelings right? Well, not necessarily so. People would be a lot nicer to one another, but we’re all so different and we all want to be treated in different ways. Someone who is blunt and honest would rather be told straight up what they’re doing wrong, where if you were to do that to someone with a softer personality, you will probably end up drowning in a puddle of their tears. I’m not trying to say that this teaching is wrong, I’m just saying there are other factors which come into play. 

So let’s look at what Jesus said when the Pharisees tried to trick Him by asking which the greatest commandment is, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” That brought it back to my favorite of all topics LOVE - but I already wrote a blog about that for ya’all. This left me stumped on what to write about, but then I went to Mass, where I seem to find all the answers to my small woes. On Holy Thursday, I was sitting through the washing of the feet and the priest was giving a homily on Humility. The way he put it, humility is the potting soil in which love can grow! YES! I get to write to you about two of my favorite topics: love and humility!

Let’s focus on humility first. When some people think of humility, they tend to picture a meek, innocent little girl who is constantly placing herself down in order to praise someone else. That is not entirely accurate. Yes, humility is placing the thoughts and needs of others before your own, but that doesn’t mean letting their negative thoughts influence you or placing yourself down from the

viewpoint of confidence. Luckily, if we ever get confused on the definition of humility, all we have to do is open up the Bible. Jesus is the perfect example of humility. He literally loved us so much that He was willing to take on our sinful form and give us back our likeness to God. Then, as an even greater act of love for us, He took on the punishment for our sins (just a reminder - He had none). Through every lash of the whip and every jeering comment from the crowd, not once did He turn around and remind us this was for our salvation. He didn’t put down the cross and walk away, knowing that He was perfect and didn’t deserve this, He didn’t even think it. Instead, He followed God’s will for Him, and then as we drove nails in His hands and feet and lifted the cross, He asked for the forgiveness of all the wrongs done to Him. Because even though we tormented Him, He acknowledged that, we “know not what [we’ve] done.”

You’ll probably notice that I switched out the them for we. Yeah, it hurts to think about, but the crazy Jews weren’t the only ones who lashed the whip that cut Jesus’ flesh to ribbons, we’ve done it too. I think too often we forget about how we play our sins on repeat, to the point that it becomes like one of those terrible raps you can find on youtube that are all techno like. We get tired of repeating it to our confessor and even slightly embarrassed that we’re back again for the same thing. It’s exhausting, and sometimes we just don’t want to do it, kind of like how Jesus spent hours in the Garden praying that this cup passes from Him. But in the end we know God wants our unity with Him, so like Jesus we take up the cross and come back for forgiveness. That’s humility in our love for God, which is first on the list of importance. It’s giving up our own pride and confessing so we can have that great relationship with Him again. Humility with God is giving up our own plan for our life and allowing God to work His instead. It’s accepting that God knows us better then we know ourselves and knowing that His plan for us can bring us greater joy and happiness then anything we can even imagine.

So that’s humility to God, which is first, but what about humility and love to our neighbor? Well, once again, God came through to me in a homily. This time Father spoke of what a humble man looks like and instead of using Jesus as an example, he decided on a more achievable figure for most, and quoted C.S. Lewis. Here he describes a humble man,

“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.”

I personally think this is a lot easier to understand. Have you ever talked to someone and just felt that they truly cared about what you had to say? They didn’t just listen to your initial complaint or story, but asked for details as well. They wanted to know how it made you personally feel and what you were thinking about. They truly cared about how the event turned out and they just made you feel like you had been heard. I bet you felt loved when the conversation finally ended! This person never seems to complain, or if they do, they incredibly always have a positive spin to it. It’s like nothing can sink their boat, they were made to float.

This person is probably not caught in the bubble of self. That is my own creation. About a year ago, I began to notice a pattern in my life, when I was thinking about myself, I tended to feel worse, but if I simply thought about something or someone else (in a positive manner) I felt better. It makes sense and even seems so simplistic that it’s not even worth a mention, but I think sometimes we forget that

children are the happiest because they place importance in the simple things. For example, if I was home and I spent time thinking about how no one invites me out, I’m going to end up feeling pretty down. If instead I simply bite back my pride and invite someone out or rather in to watch a movie, I’m a much happier person. It’s literally that simple. The bubble tends to encompass us with self-doubt and pity and pride. But we have the power to pop it! The humble man isn’t thinking about himself at all. All he cares about is his love for each person that he encounters. He thinks less about himself and suddenly the pride fades and he gets the amazing opportunity to witness Jesus in all that surround him. I mean let’s be honest, once you truly listen and get to know someone can you help but love them? As soon as we love them we view them as God does, and that is the most amazing gift in the world.

To conclude, I challenge you. Pop your bubble. Let’s place down our pride for this week and invite someone out to coffee or lunch. When you’re with them, don’t focus on what you have to say, focus on the words that they are saying. Ask a few questions, and truly focus on getting to know them. Then see how great your love is for them. By doing this we are following God’s will: we are loving each other. 

Sara Bushland is a Sophomore at Stephen F. Austin State University. She is studying Rehabilitation Services with a Specialization in Orientation and Mobility, largely inspired by her youngest sister. Sara is fearless when it comes to grabbing people's attention on campus, enjoys making people laugh with her, and is pretty fond of #authenticrelationships. Feel free to e-mail her at sbushland@gmail.com!

Trust in God

Trust in God. How many of us really do this? When we say the Apostles' Creed in Mass we say we believe...we believe in Jesus...we believe in the Holy Spirit...we believe in the resurrection...we believe in life after death...but is believing and trusting the same thing?

I have had a pretty strong relationship with God for the past five years now, but every once in a while something happens that causes my relationship to go to the next level (I love it when that happens!). This time, it was the realization that I actually had zero trust in God. I would pray to God, go to Mass (even daily mass), I believed all the teachings of the Church, I believed that if I followed Christ's commandments then I would be able to be with Him one day in heaven; but honestly, I didn't trust Him with my life at all.

Personally, I do not like being in situations where I do not know the right next step, so I tend to plan things way in advance. I am one of those people that has to plan an entire conversation in my head before I can even say hi to someone (even though the conversation never goes as I planned anyways). Even my future career I had had planned when I was four years old - I knew I wanted to be an elementary school teacher, and have six kids (and what all their names would be).

Many college students are at that point in their life where they are starting to realize that the real world is coming quickly. We are starting to wonder if we will be able to find a job once we graduate and if we will ever find "The One" or if we will really be #foreveralone. I personally had been feeling those typical fears about planning my life after college and, as always, trying to plan my future.

About a year ago, one of my dear friends texted me a prayer I really needed to hear, and it literally made me cry the first time I read it. It was a beautiful prayer and I loved it. I continued to pray it often over the next year. Recently however, one part started to really stick out to me, "I want you to stop planning and stop wanting, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan ever existing–one that you cannot even imagine." This one line made me start to think. Does this mean I'm not actually supposed to be planning and worrying about my future? But if I didn't plan, then how would I ever end up where I wanted to be?

Luke 1:26-38 tells the story of the
Annunciation of our Lord, and Mary's
perfect "yes" - "May it be done to me
according to your word!"

These thoughts were in my mind for a while, then one day I was driving in my car and decided to turn off my radio and just pray for a bit. God and I had a fabulous, long conversation and then, at the end, one Bible verse was in my head: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to YOUR word." It was a prayer. It was a prayer that God wanted me to pray to Him. It was a prayer that would tell God that His will and divine plan for me came before my own wants. I couldn't pray it. I tried and tried, until finally I said it out loud. It was only a simple Bible verse I had heard a million times before so I was confused - why was it so difficult to say this one simple line?

I realized it was because I didn't have trust in God. I was so caught up in what I wanted with my life, that I forgot to ever ask God what He wanted from me. Once I finally stopped planning my own life, I was able to actually listen to the plans that God had in store for me. I could now finally start living as the prayer said "a more thrilling plan than I could have ever imagined." Once I finally stopped planning, I actually could relax because it no longer was about IF all MY plans would come true, but instead just waiting for the beautiful plan God had in store for me to happen.

So now I have a challenge for you. Give yourself completely to God. Tell Him, "I am your humble servant Lord, let it be done to me according to YOUR will." And then you will no longer have to worry about if your life will go according to plan but instead be able to enjoy the life that God already has planned for you.



Katherine Theresa Elizabeth Janusa studies elementary education at Stephen F Austin University. She absolutely loves Michael Bublé music and anything that's related to the 50's! She's super excited about co-coordinating SFA Awakening 50 this fall! She loves being a member of Dancers of the Son and Dancers Against Cancer where she can use her passion of dance to help others both physically and spiritually!

Momma Mary

As Catholics we have a very great and very deep devotion to Mary. She is an amazing figure in the church and she is quite a beautiful woman! Growing up though we get all sorts of questions about our faith; "Worshiping Mary" being a prominent one.

I spend my summers working for an amazing ministry through The Pines Catholic Camp in Big Sandy, TX.  9 weeks with upwards of 2000 kids….we get these question all the time. The campers that attend this summer camp are on fire for the Holy Spirit and crave to know about their faith. As counselors we have developed and passed down creative ways to explain the faith to these amazing kids in a way they will understand. This explanation isn't dumbing the information down, just explaining it in a way that make Mary approachable.

Growing up you we are taught to respect out elders and obey our parents. Easy Peasy. If you did this all would be swell and you probably wouldn't end up doing extra chores or sent to you room without dinner. When your mom asked you to take out the trash or set the table your probably did it…right? You listened and responded, and now that you are older the same thing probably happens. Mom calls and asks you to do something for her and almost immediately you do it for you want to please her. 

This is a very similar concept to the relationship between Jesus and his mother. We, as Catholics, do not worship Mary because we think she is mightier than God or even on the same level. We don’t worship her period. The only one to worship is the Holy Trinity(God is Jesus, Jesus is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is God). We respect Mary because she is Jesus's mother and ours. What we do is pray to Mary for her intersession; we ask her to talk to her Son and pray for us as well. This is how I imagine a conversation between Mary and Jesus.

Mary: Jesus, my son, there is this lovely girl who is need of your help and she has asked me to talk to you and figure something    out.

Jesus: Yes mother, anything you say.

Short, sweet, simple, and to the point. Mary is Jesus's mother, and as I explained earlier respect and obedience to our parents is pretty high up there. That is who Mary is for us. She receives and takes our prayers to her son, who in return will always obey her. Regardless if you are praying to Mary, the saints, or God directly, instant gratification isn't a thing usually. There is still time needed for God to work out his plan, but know talking to Momma Mary only helps with hearing the answer.

So in now you know a nice nugget that is used to explain our relationship with Mary. Hope that it cleared the question up a little bit and put it in a way you can explain to others. Mary is here to love you. Let her, she can do some amazing things through her intersession!

Come to Me, All Who Labor and are Heavy Laden...

Today, I'm tired. Like the kind of tired where I can't get enough coffee in me (trust me, I've tried). The kind of tired where I legitimately have bags under my eyes (the concealer wore off hours ago). The kind of tired where I crashed on my couch when I went home for lunch. Actually, the fact that I went home for lunch speaks to how tired I am; especially because today I also feel heavy laden, as if every time I cross off something on my to-do list, at least 5 things get added. A busy couple of weeks at the ministry (combined with company in town for the weekend) have left me struggling a bit to get through it all.

So why am I taking the time to write this blog? Surely I have important things to be doing! Well, yes, many things are on my to-do list. But somehow, I have a feeling it will all get done when it needs to get done. Somehow, in the midst of this crazy day/week/month, I encountered the Lord in an unexpected way, and I couldn't help but share it with anyone who takes the time to read this blog.

My story of this unexpected encounter actually begins about a month ago, when I was discussing my prayer life with my Spiritual Director. I was explaining to him that I tend to fall into the same vacation trap as all of my students. You know the one - prayer is going awesome when you are living your normal daily schedule, but as soon as that gets interrupted your prayer habits go out the window as well! Prayer at home with my family is just a little different than it is when I spend 10-14 hours a day actually AT the Church, but I probably shouldn't be too surprised by that. We discussed briefly how I could build in prayer habits that would be easier to travel with me; nothing too intense, just something practical.

So I put my Bible on our dining room table; luckily, my roommates haven't complained. Actually, I'm pretty lucky that they haven't complained about the fact that I also have books lying on almost every surface of our apartment. They realized how nerdy I was a long time ago, and they just deal with it. So, with my Bible on our table, I began a morning routine of getting up about 15 minutes earlier and reading from the Gospels as I eat breakfast. Only today my morning was slightly different, so I read when I went home for lunch. It was so much easier to do when my Bible was just lying there on the table! (#forminghabits)

I'm currently reading through the Gospel of Matthew, and today I was in chapter 11, which ends with those comforting words of Christ:

"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."

I couldn't tell you how many times I've read that passage. How many times I've grappled with it ("Jesus, your yoke feels awfully difficult to me..."), yearned for that rest, or been beautifully consoled by it. But somehow I've always missed the context of these words. Always. Today, however, I caught it. I realized that in this passage Jesus doesn't suddenly turn to some really tired person and says, "Come to me and sleep." The words aren't spoken in a moment of compassion, or even teaching. Look them up and take note - they are spoken in the context of prayer and intimacy with his Heavenly Father. 

Let's look at the three preceding verses a little more closely:

"At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Here's the thing - there is no break between these passages, though we often treat them as entirely different stories. It doesn't say, "the next day, Jesus spoke to his disciples..." In most translations, the quotation marks don't even close until the end of verse 30. That means this is the same prayer. It means that when Jesus says to his Father "no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him," and then goes on to speak of the heavy laden laborer, he is telling his Father that those are the people he chooses. Did you catch that? In a moment of great intimacy with his Father, Jesus prays for those who labor to be brought to him. 

Jesus doesn't just have compassion on the tired and broken down. It's much more beautiful than that. Jesus yearns for those who labor. He prays for them. And not just that they would be comforted, not just that they would take on his yoke. In fact, the heavy ladened are the people Jesus most deeply desires to reveal his Father to. 

Listen, I get it. Sometimes the Christian Life seems difficult. Sometimes it feels like the yoke is hard, and the burden heavy, and we just can't seem to get the rest we need to deal with all the daily struggles. But when I read that oh so familiar passage today, I was immediately consoled by the prayer of Christ's own heart. Jesus was calling me to his Father. It was me he was praying for, yearning for, preparing an easy yoke for. And I promise you that as he sits at the right hand of his Father, Christ's prayer hasn't changed. So go to him, you who labor and are heavy laden, and experience the rest that Christ offers; let him reveal his Father to you.

p.s. Last night, I fell asleep at a Super Bowl party. I just thought I would add that to the list to prove how tired I am. I'm a pretty social being, but my friend has a really comfy couch that just eats you and begs you to fall asleep, so I couldn't help it. But go Patriots! I'm American, so I feel like my team won.

Jodi Phillips is a Campus Minister at St. Mary's Catholic Campus Ministry. Though she misses the cold and snow of Nebraska (also known as "The Good Life"), she counts herself incredibly blessed to be serving the students of Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, TX. Jodi loves to sing and dance and laugh, and looks for any opportunity to dress up and celebrate (especially if it includes a costume). Stop by the ministry if you want to hang out, or contact her at phillipsjm1@gmail.com.

For the Better: What I have learned so far in 2015

On the journey home from SEEK2015, my friend for life and I talked a lot about how to apply what we learned at the Conference to our lives this year. I boiled it down to the six topics you see below, and I wanted to share it with all of you! I hope it will edify you as much as it did me. 

Can I be comfortable with Christ in my life? Hey Christ!

Add Christ to your daily vocabulary. I don’t have to go around like a Jesus freak to share him in my life and affect others’. If we can be so comfortable with telling our friends where we went to lunch and the last movie we saw why can’t we just as easily mention that we went to mass earlier? Or share the funny joke we heard in the homily? Or tell people we are going to the circle tomorrow night? Do not be afraid to use casual Christian language even with people outside of our typical circles. Be Bold!

Make work fun. Make faith fun. How? Do it with others.

I once heard a story: There was a man dancing on the side of a busy street and everyone thought he was crazy. Another man came to dance with him and everyone thought they were weirdos. A third person, a woman, came to dance with the two men. Everyone thought “Awesome! They are having so much fun!” Yes, they were a little bit strange, but how much fun is it to be different with real, authentic people who accept who you are? Now take that to heart on the matter of faith. Share your faith life with others and you’ll never be lonely or bored.

Pandas are flagship species, name an actual endangered species.

Pandas get all of the attention in the conservation world - and your heart - but in fact hold little to no essential value to the environment. They rarely even move. Yes they are cute, but other species like the Proboscis Monkey (look it up) hold a higher value to the environment and are actually critically endangered, but ignored. Transition! Choose a passion to follow in life where the market is not already flooded. Everyone jumps on the fads and cultural buzz words for about five minutes. Right now let’s jump on the (insert current cool thing to support) band wagon. Everyone wants to save pandas but are they the most important thing in the world? What about intrinsic truth? How are you working now for the truth and how do you plan on sharing the truth in the future and a lifetime? Have you considered mission work, working for a church diocese, and a vocation either to the religious life, priesthood or sacred marriage? Just think - you could work both for the church and important current issues!

Are you investing properly? Who is in your 401(k)?

Friends come into and leave our lives often, and what a blessing it is to have and have had them in our lives when we do. But are you investing as much time and energy with your own family members. Sometimes I offer too much to my friends (and Hulu) neglecting to call my brother, texting my sister hello in the morning and sending a letter to my grandmother. Family is forever, don’t forget it. Relationships aren’t easy but are you giving fair time to them. Maybe if you invest they will improve.

You are who you… eat?

Surround yourself around people that are positive. Make real decisions to determine who you want to be in your life. At the same time remember that you are the person that other people surround themselves with. Are you a good example for them?

Don’t pick up the phone it’s yo Mama! (I learned this a long time ago, but needed to share it due to immediate insistent need. So just do it already)

People of today are digitally addicted; fact. TV, Phones, (un)social media, Netflix, Hulu, texting, video games, candy crush, et cetera. Please, for the sake of humanity consciously take a minute to consider how much digital intake you are consuming. Could you be using your tech too much? Do you look at it unceasingly? Can you go an hour during class time without checking Facebook? Do you sleep with your phone? Could you spend your time doing something else? What would you do without your phone glued to your face you ask. What about studying, praying, serving others, spending time with others, working a hobby, visiting friends,and having a face to face conversation, antiquing, going star gazing... good heavens entertain yourself! Challenge yourself to cut the amount of attachment you have with a technology toxic relationship; you will be happier without him.

Good Luck!

BONUS SECTION! Choose 5! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. 

Last year I used this method to help me find tangible ways to grow spiritually, and I've decided to continue it each year. 

1.      Pick a virtue to focus on for the year; e.g. year of humility- Think as often as you can about your virtue and how you can apply it to your daily life.

2.      Then pick two- Pick two things to add to your daily life. Think outside the box, but here are some ideas: daily mass, daily devotional, rosary, smiling at everyone you pass, saying a short prayer while you wash your hands, et cetera

3.      Then pick two- Pick two things to eliminate from your daily life. You know what they should be... but here are some examples: cracking your knuckles, cursing, slothfulness, complaining, et cetera.

My best tip is for you to be simple, be genuine, but be serious.

Happy New Year! My prayer is that we will all grow closer to Christ this year. 

Andrew Wayne Lusk (known to Campus Minister Jodi Phillips as A-Dubs, A-Dub-a-Bub, A-Dubalicious, and so on and so forth) is a Senior at Stephen F Austin State University studying Art History. He is passionate about his faith, and loves to share it with others. His other passions, aside from Proboscis Monkeys, include making crazy exclamations ("What the hey-ho?!"), winning at Nerts (it's a crazy card game), and inviting people to fun parties at St. Mary's. Oh, and he has great hair. That's real. 

Love

Love. This word, these four simple letters, have been thrown at us since before we were born. We get used to hearing, “I love you,” from parents, family members, and friends and replying in kind. As we get older, we dream of a passionate love, the kind Nicolas Sparks would write about in one of his oh so addicting novels. We want to be swept off our feet and you can bet Hallmark plays this up to make a buck. This word is literally everywhere, whether it’s talking about the kind of love mentioned above or love of yourself, it’s hard to walk into a store without seeing the word placed decoratively somewhere. And why not? As one of my childhood favorites Aquamarine would inform you, “Love is the closest thing we have to magic.” Maybe that’s why people so desperately cling to the idea of love, because if someone doesn’t love you, what importance do you really have?

Okay I know that took a depressing turn, but bear with me for just a little bit longer. I was recently scanning the aisles of Half-Price Books, one of my favorite ways to pass time as long as I have my Starbucks, leggings, oversized sweater, and all other Basic White Girl attire intact. As I sipped my Vanilla Macchiato, I wondered aimlessly over to the religion section. My normal area being fiction, I was surprised to find a small section devoted specifically to Catholicism. I quickly scanned the books and picked out a few that visually caught my eye. Well for anyone who knows me, I have a hard time picking out food to order off a menu so picking out a book takes me all day. An hour later, while I’m placing the discarded books away I came across a battered copy of No Greater Love which is a compiled set of Mother Teresa teachings. She’s my role model so all other books went back to the shelf and I practically skipped up to the front as I bought the book. I made myself read only a section a day, allowing myself to truly take in what she was saying, and I’d like to share with you what I learned.
         

Mother Teresa was often described as being simple or childish in her ways and words. Personally I disagree. She saw and understood this world better than anyone because she wasn’t looking for the world, she was looking for Christ. She seeked and she found, but it wasn’t just in the Church that she found Christ, she found Christ in each and every person she encountered. Take a second and imagine what that is like, to see your God in every person you meet. That means the janitor, and the sorority girl, and the professor that assigned you that long essay, and that girl that just doesn’t know when to shut her mouth, and that boy that sits alone to eat lunch everyday… yeah it means everyone, not just your friends. If you saw God in each of them, can you help but love them? I would hope that answer is no, I want to love them too. This kind of love is a special kind though, it’s not one manufactured by Hallmark, it is so much more than that.

This is the love we see in children. Jesus told Nicodemus to, “Become as a little child.” That doesn’t mean to grab your blanket and throw a tantrum when you don’t get your way. This means to give love freely and to pray honestly with “an earnest desire to love much and to make loved the one that is not loved.” YOU GUYS WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE SOMEONE FEEL LOVED. This is like the worlds coolest superpower that God gave to each and every one of us.  Even cooler is the fact that it doesn’t take a grand gesture to show somebody that they are loved, it is the intensity of the love we put into our gesture. That means that if you honestly mean the smile that you give to the stranger in the street, it means more than the Christmas gift you spent $49.95 on due to a feeling of obligation. To Mother Teresa that smile was more than just a way to spread the love, it was a way to change the world.

One of Mother Teresa’s main themes was that love begins at home. Since we are all either on break or have recently returned back to campus dwelling spaces, I’m sure we have a good picture of what life at home is like. For me, home is a combination of loud voices, high emotions, hectic schedules, but more than anything love. My beautiful sister reminded us of that tonight at dinner when we were all light heartedly teasing my brother and she said, “Okay listen guys, I just want you to know that I love you always.” The teasing instantly stopped as all seven of us recited that we love her too. Naturally, we tried to beat each other out with the amount of love, but our cup overflows with love for each other regardless. After we have taken the time to love each other at home, our love then easily pours out to our neighbors. Thereafter the lovebug takes like a virus and spreads.

To end the blog, I feel obliged to inform you that true love is not an easy love. A famous quote from Mother Teresa is, “I have found a great paradox that if you love until it hurts there can be no more hurt, only more love.” Love is sacrifice, it is putting someone else’s needs before your own. Love is humbling yourself to know that in order for someone to open up to you, you have to first be willing to open up to them and you have to be willing to see the world from their point of view. God made each and every one of us in His hand and with unconditional love. God unconditionally loves you. He wants the same from you, and the best way to show God that love, is by showing each individual the same love. So you probably want an answer to my original question, if someone doesn’t love you, what importance do you really have? Well the question itself is illogical because God loves you. He says, “I have called you by name and you are mine.” You are important and you have the power to make someone else feel that way as well.

Sara Bushland is a Sophomore at Stephen F. Austin State University. She is studying Rehabilitation Services with a Specialization in Orientation and Mobility, largely inspired by her youngest sister. Sara is fearless when it comes to grabbing people's attention on campus, enjoys making people laugh with her, and is pretty fond of #authenticrelationships. Feel free to e-mail her at sbushland@gmail.com!

Year of Consecrated Life

With the beginning of Advent yesterday, we not only started a new Liturgical Year (Happy New Year!!!), but also a year dedicated to Consecrated Life. Over the next 12 months, we will be hearing a lot about Religious Life - what it's like, and how to discern whether you are called to it. 

I wanted to share the two blog posts below because it is comforting to know that other people are struggling with their vocation as I am. We all need the reminder that the only way to salvation is to surrender to God’s will and to follow in his steps. Pray for vocations. Pray that not only will we have strong leaders in our church, but we will also have strong, faithful leaders in our families. For this is where the seed of faith is grown!

http://imaginesisters.org/surrendering/

http://tylertenbarge.blogspot.com/2014/10/we-are-counting-on-you.html

Check out Imagine Sisters for more information about the Year of Consecrated Life! 

Elyse Dishman is a Senior Theatre major working towards her BA in Education. She will graduate in May 2015 after student teaching in Fort Worth in the spring. She enjoys singing, reading, and saving souls.

Dancing and Dating

Men, God gave Adam the simple task to protect and cultivate the garden of Eden, to shamar.  In that same way, we are called to shamar in our own lives.  We fail to do this so many times because the world we live in has a very misguided idea of what it means to be a man, in particular in the area of dating.

Living out in East Texas, one of my favorite pastimes is dancing.  I think there are several lessons men can learn from the dance floor that can be easily translated to dating.

Leading.  On the dance floor, the men are the leaders.  It is our job to make sure our dance partner doesn't bump into anyone and to gracefully lead her around the floor.  How many of you have tried to learn how to dance from a woman?  It usually doesn't work! Why is this? No, its not because women don't know how to dance or women make  bad leaders.  But rather, we have different roles on the dance floor.  The steps are mirrored! Sounds easy enough to know both sides, but it takes leaders to show others how to lead and it takes followers to show other how to follow.

So, men, if we don't know how to dance we must learn from a man how to lead.  

Yes, a woman can show us the basic step, but to understand the subtleties and intricacies of leading on the dance floor it must be from someone who knows them themselves.

In this same way, if we don't know how to be manly men, and society's view of what it means to be a man is backwards, how can we learn to be a man of God and pursue good and holy relationships?  Through fellowship with other men.  There are good, holy, men all around us in our churches and communities.  We must learn from the good examples around us on how to be men and pass those along to our brothers in Christ.  It is very hard to learn how to be a man of God from those who aren't men of God themselves.  Because of this, men we can't learn what it means to be men of God from women.  They can give us the desire to be better men, but without the knowledge of what it means to be a man it is misguided.

Also, ladies we can't teach you to be women of Christ - because of that all I will say is to grow in fellowship with other women to know what that means.

Another lesson on the dance floor - be bold but not bossy.  I'm as guilty of this as anybody, but men do not be afraid of rejection.  In dating or dancing, it is important to have confidence in what you're doing.  No one is "out of your league."  Even if you get rejected, you've taken a huge step out of your comfort zone and you've flattered her in asking her to dance.  

Ladies, too often I've heard the complaint that "there aren't enough guys that ask me to dance."  Remember, you are God's crowning jewel of creation.  Bluntly, step away from the table with your 4 friends.  Show gentleman you want to dance without being desperate.  Be creative! Stand by the dance floor swinging with the music.  Strike up a conversation in line for drinks.  Make eye contact from across the room.  Smile. But do something!

Now the third lesson from the dance floor.  Don't take it too seriously! Its fun!  You're going to mess up.  A dance is just that.. a dance.  It doesn't mean that as soon as you say yes to a dance you have to go on a date and start a relationship and family and STOP!  It lasts 4 minutes.  You meet the person.  Have a small conversation.  Spin around a little. Its over.  What happens next is a complete toss up.  You may never talk again.  You might decide to exchange phone numbers.  No commitment has been made.  Similarly, a date doesn't automatically mean a relationship.  A date could just be going to get ice cream or the cliche coffee date.  Especially the first date is just to get to know the person better.  

On that same line make your intentions clear.  On the dance floor give the proper signals to show a spin or change in direction.  In that same way, be clear about whether or not you want to continue going on dates or to just be friends.

So, build relationships with other strong men and women of God to learn and fully understand what it means.  Men, be bold but not bossy when asking women to dance or on a date.  Women, show guys your interested without throwing yourself at him.  And lastly, make sure its fun!  Dancing and dating are supposed to be fun activities to meet people and to learn more about each other.  Remember, its just a dance!

David Jarzynka is a sophomore Computer Science major at Stephen F. Austin State University. Between his active membership in the Knights of Columbus, leading a Bible Study, and serving on the Leadership Team at St. Mary's, David is quite busy. But he still finds time to dance!

Seek 2015

For my blog post this month, I’d like to tell you all more about an opportunity open to all students at Stephen F. Austin (and any college in United States). This opportunity is SEEK 2015! I had the opportunity to go to SEEK 2013 almost two years ago, and I can honestly say that it changed my life and brought me closer to who the Lord is calling me to be. I could talk about my experience at SEEK all day, but first I’ll tell you more about SEEK 2015!

• WHO: YOU and all college students in the United States
• WHAT: SEEK is a gathering of college students on a journey. It’s a place where we can come together to take on some of life’s BIGGER questions and, like guides along the way, learn from one another where wisdom and experience lead. Life is meant to be lived and in order to live it to the fullest, we need to heed the wisdom that calls us to ‘ask, seek and knock’ to discover who we are, where we’re going and what motivates us.
• WHEN: January 1^st-5^th
• WHERE: Nashville, Tennessee (How exciting!)
• WHY: to grow in your relationship with Christ and meet people from around the world who are doing the same.

While at SEEK, you will be able to experience talks from many different speakers, Mass every day with over 8,00 college students, confession, and many other powerful things. You don’t want to miss it!

The only thing needed from you is a $100 check to cover your spot on the bus, and the rest will be fundraised by YOU! For more information you can see any of our wonderful missionaries: Colin, Nathan, Hannah, Danielle, or Jessica. You can also email me at: hollychapnick@yahoo.com

Holly Chapnick is a Junior at SFA. She loves anchors, cute clothes, and fake butter (also known as margarine). Most of all, she is passionately in love with Jesus Christ and desires to make him known. 

St. Frances of Rome

            

    When I was beginning the process of Confirmation, and they told me I had to pick a saint to be my very own patron, I was more than a little intimidated by the task. How in the world was I supposed to pick which one I liked the best? How could I judge them? I felt awful going through the lists and marking names off as if I was some sort of holiness Simon Cowell. However, the Lord guided me to find the perfect role model for me, St. Frances of Rome.

                This woman, as beautiful, wonderful and relatable as she is, is not that widely known. A part of me is a little bit saddened by this. A bigger part of me likes that she is less widely known, though, because it means I get to talk about her, and introduce her to so many people! Which, as you probably guessed, is what I am doing now. You’re welcome, by the way, in advance.

Before I really get started, just know, I cannot do her incredible, holy life justice here (if you do want her whole story you can find it here http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=49). However, I do just one to share a few elements of her life that inspire and help me every day.

At the age of eleven, St. Frances knew that her calling in life was to be a nun. However, her wealthy and noble father had other plans for her, and arranged her marriage to a man from an equally influential family in Rome. Frances resisted and fought this, constantly praying that the Lord would prevent this marriage. Her confessor finally pointed out to her that she was praying for God to do her will, not for the desire to do God’s will. And so, after a period of miserably starving and straining herself, nearly to the point of death, she consented to the marriage, and the brand new lifestyle that came with it.

Now, it is key to know that Frances was born at the end of the 1300’s and grew up into the 1400’s, in Rome. As many church history geeks know, this was a time that was more than a little difficult for the Catholic Church. With multiple people claiming to be the pope, Rome became a battleground, and not just one for souls. At one point, St. Frances’s husband, the influential and noble man that he was, had been injured and captured and her oldest son, Battista, was to be taken as ransom for another family member’s life. When her son was taken, she ran immediately to a church and began praying unceasingly. As she was doing this, the kidnappers were trying to make away with her son, but every horse they put him on refused to move, no matter what they did. They had no choice but to set the boy free, and he found his mother in the chapel, praying through her tears.

There is something about these two little elements of St. Frances’s life that gives me hope. Here was a woman who had a stubborn streak wider than my own, and fought God on everything in her life. It took her nearly dying to trust in the Lord once, and even then she needed constant reminders to seek out His will and not her own. Maybe this is what gives me hope though- despite her stubbornness, she let God’s will be done in her. She let God take over her life time and time again, and trusted him to care and provide for her.

St. Frances gave herself and her own desires up, only to discover God’s greater plan for her life. God did eventually grant her request to become a nun, in her own order. But through her marriage, he gave her the resources to help the sick and the poor in ways she never could have in a convent. She converted the souls of her husband’s family, through her love and service, proving that God had better things in mind for her than she could ever have dreamed of!

St. Frances could also have just run off with her son, upon hearing the threat of his kidnapping, but she didn’t. In doing so, she was able to spare her family member's life, and no harm was done to her son. If she, with her headstrong ways can trust the Lord to the point of giving up her own son, then surely I can trust the Lord with my degree plan! Then surely I can let the Lord’s will be done in my daily life!

This woman who fought God on every issue is now someone who the Church holds up as an example for holiness. She is someone who we can point to and say “Look, she overcame her own stubbornness, and the Lord rewarded her for it! What is to stop me from doing the same?” The Lord wants amazing things for us, things we cannot even imagine. He knows who we are, what we need, and who we can become, before we are even born!

If St. Frances, in all her struggles, can become holy through trusting the Lord, then what is to stop each and every one of us from becoming a saint as well?

St. Frances of Rome, help us to see the difference between what we want to do, and what God wants us to do. Help us to discern what comes from our will and what comes from God’s desire. Amen.

Keara King gets excited about the little things in life-like bagels on Friday and swinging on swing sets. She is a sophomore student at SFA, from Flower Mound, Texas. She is a social work major, and her dream is to work with children at St. Jude's.