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This Will Pass – Our Faith Will Endure

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St. Philip Neri: priest; missionary; founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, a community of Catholic priests and lay brothers. Known for his knack to engage people in conversation, which, in turn, would lead people to Jesus, and charitable work for the sick and the poor. He was born in 1515; he died in 1595.

Fast forward to 2020.
Have you paid attention to the human-interest stories of late? Stories about surviving COVID; stories of neighbor helping neighbor; stories of first responders; stories of nurses and doctors battling this virus, amidst many obstacles; stories of recovered patients donating their blood. So many stories, so much faith.

St. Paul traveled all over his known world, preaching the gospel of Jesus. He did his best. He didn’t look back to those who would not listen, because he did his best. Paul’s message was delivered with conviction and joy. He evangelized, as did Philip Neri.

Are you, today, recognizing Evangelization? In most of the stories I listed above, have you noticed one thing in common? Almost all of those involved thank God, thank Jesus, credit their survival, hard work, care, and love of one another to their faith. “God was with us,” “God will see us through,” “I get strength from Jesus,” “I couldn’t carry on without my faith.” These are just a few of the ways that these folks express their faith.
I believe they are all sincere. I choose to believe that not one of these folks is “just saying it” because it seems like the right thing to do. They are evangelizing, without the benefit of a pulpit.

Can we do the same? When all this has passed away, will OUR faith endure?

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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What is Love?

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Every evening, several TV channels run an ad for Shriners’ Hospitals for Children. Sometimes they can be a bit annoying, but some are very cute when featuring the children Shriners’ serves. In one of these commercials, the boy in the wheelchair asks, “What is love?” The children try to answer: “Love is when someone likes someone.” “Love is a new prostetical leg” (his word). “You have to call the love doctor.” And my favorite response, “I got nothin!.” Ah, isn’t that the truth for most of us. We got nothin!

I believe love is probably the most difficult emotion to define. Most of us can’t even put into words what we feel when we think we are in love. Ask the old folks who have been married fifty or more years what kept them together, and even their answers are somewhat vague. Although I enjoy the responses, She’s always right, never go to bed angry, get used to apologizing, learn to laugh at yourself, etc. My guess is that it goes much deeper than these responses. The human language just falls short.

John’s Gospel is full of love. Coupled with his discourses about the Bread of Life, we get the epitome of love, in the person of Jesus. While on earth, Jesus tried desperately to impart the essence of love to those who would listen. Sometimes it seemed that his followers caught on even before his disciples. The disciples got it over time, as did John, who lived the longest and wrote his Gospel after many, many years of reflection on his experiences with Our Lord.

Jesus’ final act of love, while with his disciples, was to let them know that, even after he returned to his father, they would not be alone. The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will come to remind them of what Jesus was all about, and how to find the love. I especially like the fact that the Holy Spirit will not teach anything new, but will remind us of what Jesus said and bring us to an understanding. Part of that understanding is to forget the frail words, and put love into action. Put those unexpressed feelings into acts of love. It is genuinely a case of ‘actions speak louder than words.’

As the weeks go by and we look forward to Pentecost, hopefully, gathered together again as a community in our churches, open your hearts to the power of the Spirit to help you understand how you are to live and love as Jesus taught. “Come Holy Spirit” is a simple prayer, but it works! As time goes by and we learn to trust the Spirit’s guidance, we’ll no longer say, “We got nothin!” Yeah, we will have somethin!

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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But if it Comes from God

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As I was struggling to get a start on this post, my phone rang. It was from Ann, my very good friend and neighbor. She had a “present” for me. I was working in my downstairs office, so I had to take the stairlift up to meet her at my door. She was able to find some of my favorite yogurt, Siggi’s Triple Cream Lemon. My supermarket stopped carrying it, and since I don’t get around to other stores anymore because I am unable to walk the long aisles, I have groceries delivered. It was a pleasant surprise to find Ann had found this for me. This yogurt is one of the simple pleasures of life that I enjoy.

Yes, I know. You are thinking, “what does this have to do with today’s readings?” Well, the yogurt has nothing to do with it. But the love and friendship of Ann do! Ann’s friendship comes to me from God. I try to be there for her, and she tries to be there for me.

This begs the question we all must at times ask ourselves: is what we say, do, experience, share, come from God? Or do those things have another origin?

Have you taken notice when contemplating the things of the world, who or what makes the most significant impact on human life? I have. I have come to believe that the people and organizations that do the most good are those that come from God. The motivation in the hearts of these people is to uplift and care for everyone. Mostly to care for their wellbeing – which in the end will result in the care of the soul. Especially today. Look to the many “good news” stories and film clips we are seeing of people reaching out to make life a little better for those confined, or ill, lonely, or just in need of a bit of yogurt!

Gamaliel was right. If it comes from God, it will survive and make a difference in the world. I won’t be remiss in reminding you that the story from Acts clearly shows us that Jesus’ ministry, his words, his teachings of love have continued to spread and have lasted over two thousand years! This, in spite of the hardships his followers have experienced over the centuries; in spite of the evil that has, at times, tried to bring down the Church but have not succeeded. They were not “of God.”

But you and I are. Maybe not in perfection every day, but in the continued striving to make Jesus’ teachings our guideposts. Whether in easy times or hardships, cling to the words of Gamaliel, here paraphrased: “If it comes from God, it will not be destroyed, or we find ourselves fighting against God, instead of working with him.” All for the greater good and the glory and honor of God!

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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And We Call It Good

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I have a favorite prayer for after receiving Holy Communion. The Anima Christi. Most of you should be familiar with this prayer. It has been around for a long time. Some encyclopedia says since Medieval times, some attribute it to St. Ignatius Loyola. It doesn’t matter. It is a beautiful pray most suitable for Good Friday. And I happen to love the old language:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me. 
Blood of Christ, inebriate me. 
Water from the side of Christ, wash me. 
Passion of Christ, strengthen me. 
O Good Jesus, hear me. 
Within Thy wounds hide me. 
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. 
From the evil one defend me. 
In the hour of my death call me. 
And bid me come unto Thee, 
That with all Thy saints, 
I may praise thee 
Forever and ever. 
Amen. 

One prays for oneself in this prayer. But I want to offer you this next version to use in prayer for others. Especially for those in dire need of your prayer. And perhaps, it’s for all of us on this Good Friday on which we pray alone in our homes, unable to gather together. Fill in the name of the person for whom you are praying:

Soul of Christ, sanctify _____. 
Body of Christ, save _____. 
Blood of Christ, inebriate ______.  
Water from the side of Christ, wash _____. 
Passion of Christ, strengthen _____. 
O Good Jesus, hear me. 
Within Thy wounds hide him/her. 
Suffer him/her not to be separated from Thee.  
From the evil one, defend him/her. 
At the hour of _____’s death, call him/her 
And bid him/her come unto Thee. 
That with Thy saints, he/she may praise Thee forever and ever. Amen 

And may your prayer be answered by our Good and Suffering Christ who died for us this day, and rose on the third day to give us eternal life. May your Triduum prayers be fruitful and your Easter most joyous! 

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Now More Than Ever

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“Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are at my side.”

Psalm 23 has to be the most well know psalm ever written. And how appropriate that it would show up as our Responsorial Psalm in today’s readings. The world is traveling through a “dark valley” right now, wondering if it will ever find its way out. But I believe for many of us, the lack of Masses or any other Christian services is a dark valley in itself. We feel disconnected from our worshiping communities, and perhaps even from the Lord in the Eucharist. What we need to remember is that Our Lord does not distance himself from any of us, just because we can’t gather in the church or any large group.

As with many of you, I have always had a great love for this psalm, and have always used it in times of trouble, sorrow, doubt, pain, loss, or illness. It gives comfort. It uplifts. It so beautifully tells us of a God who is always looking after us, always looking for us when we need him most.

As we fast approach Easter, with all services canceled, we may find ourselves feeling as if the church has abandoned us. When in any of our lifetimes have we experienced this? When? We haven’t. And as with all uncharted territory, we are trepidacious in moving forward.

Open your bible to Psalm 23. Read it every day. Read it several times a day and let the words of comfort swell in your hearts and souls and then move on to the rest of your day. If you get a little down or feel somewhat claustrophobic, reread it. It will not, just as Our Lord will not, let you down.

“He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.”

I wish all of you courage. Courage to move forward toward the far end of this dark valley that will soon open up to those verdant pastures of hope, comfort, and peace. All will be well!

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Do You Want to be Well?

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“Do you want to be well?”

This may seem like a crazy question to someone who has been ill for 38 years. Why did Jesus ask it?

The lame man’s answer may give a clue. He does not say yes. He shifts the problem to the circumstances around him: he has no one to put him into the healing pool, which was said to cure the first person to enter it when the water was disturbed. He is alone. No relatives or friends to help him.

Perhaps, having been alone and sick for so long, he had simply lost hope. He was accustomed to his aloneness and his inability to get into the water. His solitude and situation had become familiar and somewhat comfortable. He went to the pool where he might be cured, but without any real hope that it was possible for him. His difficult rut had become his permanent reality in his mind.

Jesus stirs up a new possibility by looking at him and asking, “Do you want to be well?” Do you want to change? Do you desire something new? Because something new demands something of you! Are you ready for this? “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”

Jesus never forces himself or his way on us. We must desire it. That is why he tells us elsewhere to ask, seek, knock in order to receive. We have a responsibility to direct our desires and our hope toward the good and true and beautiful, toward God’s will for us, toward true happiness in Christ. This demands something of us. We must be willing to leave some things behind, to encounter the Truth in Christ, to embark on the spiritual adventure of grace.

Jesus tells the healed man and us, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.”

In order to love, we must leave behind our grudges.
In order to serve, we must leave behind our pride.
In order to be whole, we must leave behind our woundedness.
In order to walk with Christ, we must leave behind our own ideas and agendas.

Do we want to be spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically well? Do we want to be true followers of Christ? Are we willing to open ourselves fully to all God wants to pour into us and through us? Are we ready to be well?

What do we need to let go of?

During this time of social isolation (a friend called it “the lentiest Lent”!), we have the opportunity to spend more time in prayer and reflection. Let’s imagine Jesus himself looking us in the face and asking, “Do you want to be well?” and ask him to show us what our true answer is. And then he can begin to set us free.

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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including newly ordained Father Rob and seminarian Luke ;-), and two grandchildren. She is a Secular Discalced Carmelite and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 25 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE. Currently, she serves the Church as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio, by publishing and speaking, and by collaborating with the diocesan Office of Catechesis, various parishes, and other ministries to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is https://www.kathryntherese.com/.

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A New Heaven and a New Earth

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Given the state of the world today, amid the Coronavirus pandemic, doesn’t the sound of God, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, bring about a longing to change all that is happening? Oh, that we could reverse everything and start over. I don’t mean going back to the Garden of Eden. But, could we instead hope that the world, as we know it today, would revert to love, kindness, no illness, no death, no weeping, no pollution, no fears — Oh, that we could!

Isaiah speaks of a new earth. A renewal of our commitment to God and all the good we can experience when we believe and follow.

Jesus, then, in the Gospel, brings healing and wholeness to a family facing the death of a child, reminding us that Jesus IS the Resurrection and the Life.

Our lives in today’s world, as in times past, will not be free from pain, sickness, or tragedy. We cannot expect that. But what we can expect from our commitment to Jesus is the peace he alone can bring. And that peace will give us the strength to get through the toughest of times.

To all of you who are plagued by fear or troubled by what is happening in our world of 2020: I encourage you to continue to pray and hold close to the heart of Jesus.
To all of you who are plagued by fear of what is happening in our world, but do not have the strength of Faith, don’t despair. Look to someone you know is secure in Jesus, and seek the help that will bring you close to the Savior and, in the end, free of fear. You will find yourselves calmer in coping with this unknown attacking our world.

“You changed my mourning into dancing; O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks. And I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”

God Bless

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Save Me, O Lord, In Your Kindness

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Jeremiah faces much opposition from the people. Note the line: “And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.” Sound familiar? Much like the political climate today. Opposition to a political figure will find whatever that person has said, past or present, to tear them down. It was no different in Jeremiah’s time or throughout human history.

Jeremiah’s prayer, however, is wonderful: “Heed me, O Lord…Remember that I stood before you to speak on their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.” Jeremiah does not pray for their destruction because of the opposition. Instead, he prays that God will spare them despite their evil intentions.

The prayer of Jeremiah shows much love for the people of Judah, much the same say Jesus continued to show love toward the Sons of Zebedee, rather than rebuke them, or their mother, for her request for her sons to be among the greatest at the Lord’s table. Neither she nor her sons understood what it would mean to be at the Lord’s table. It meant to suffer as Jesus would suffer. This is how one becomes great in the eyes of God. Not by human standards, but by God’s standards. Where have we heard this before? All through the Gospels.

The apostles would someday come to know that they would suffer great pain for their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.  We sometimes also suffer for our faith. In many parts of the world, Christians are physically persecuted. In our own country, it seems Christians are being looked down upon and vilified for our beliefs. Since when has the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of love or one another, become the enemy civilization? It is hard to imagine for those of us who have lived long lives and grew up in the day when Christianity was the standard, not on the outside fringe.

The question all of us must ask is this: How do we continue to show the world that the teachings of Jesus are the only way the world will be saved? That our love for everyone and the salvation of their souls is primary? Well, let’s look again, to Jesus: “Rather, whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Ransom = freedom. Many = all.

The season of Lent is the perfect time to look into our hearts to find that kernel of truth hiding among the weeds of pride. The truth that only when we serve others, can we be among the greatest in the eyes of Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the word slave. It is not “slave” in the sense we understand today, but rather the “slave of love” to another. Voluntary slavery to serve the greater good. In my 70 years of life, I am quite amazed that many people still do not understand that living by the Gospel, the Commandments, and the Beatitudes, brings about peace. Instead, today we seem intent on sowing the seeds of true slavery to the whims of the world. Please don’t fall into this trap!

If there is hope in all of this, it is that Lent, every year, calls us to examine our hearts and where we stand with Jesus. Even the smallest change in our lives will blossom. The seeds planted in our souls and cannot be eradicated. They will remain there until we commit to growing in love and service.

“You will free me from the snare they set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands, I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.  Save me, O Lod, in your kindness.”

God Bless

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Lessons in Humility

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Today’s readings are all about being humble. The Gospel tell us to not worry about being the greatest, but rather to be as simple as children. I could attempt to wax eloquent on the subject, but who better to teach the lessons of humility than great writers, past and present. Here are some of the best:

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?

“As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.” C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” (Abraham Lincoln)

“True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.” (Martin Luther)

“Learning to believe you are magnificent, and gradually to discover that you are not magnificent: enough labor for one human life.” (Czesław Miłosz)

“Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” (Andrew Murray, Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness)

“Until you have suffered much in your heart, you cannot learn humility.” (Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica, Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives)

“The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.” (Thomas ᾲ Kempis, The Inner Life)

“Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” (Ann Landers)

“Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.” (Andrew Murray, Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness)

“Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.” (St. Vincent de Paul)

“You cannot exalt God and yourself at the same time.” (Rick Warren)

“Our humility before God has no value, except that it prepares us to reveal the humility of Jesus to our fellow men.”  (Andrew Murray, Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness)

And, on this day before the start of Lent, a little humor to get you started:

“On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.”
–Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays

May your Season of Lent lead you closer to our Lord and nourish in you a humble spirit.

God Bless.
(Quotes taken from Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/humility)

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Who’s Your Superstar

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The day I started to think about this post was the day Donald Trump held one of his rallies in New Jersey. The news reported that people were lining up at the venue as much as 48 hours before the event, camping out trying to be the first into the arena. Think about it. Someone so popular with some folks that they go to great lengths to show their fandom.

In the summer, the Today show on NBC holds Friday concerts. People crowd Rockefeller center to be a part of the event, lining up days ahead of time. Thousands and thousands. It is mind-boggling to see the streets wall-to-wall with people, screaming in support of “their star.”

In Gennesaret, the people saw Jesus coming onshore and crowded around him. “They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplace and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on this cloak;”

Do you see any difference in these three scenarios?

In the Trump rally, one gets the satisfaction of supporting a favorite politician; in Rockefeller Center, people get emotionally frenzied at the thought of seeing a star and get caught up in the music; in Gennesaret, Jesus goes quietly around the countryside, gathering with the sick and healing them, and, as the Gospel tells us, “as many as touched it (the tassel)” were healed.

My question to you is:  who is your real superstar? I hope you will answer that it is Jesus. In Jesus’ day, he was very much like a famous politician or music star. His fame spread far and wide throughout the region, as folks looked for him and immediately responded, knowing that what they heard about his power to physically heal them, was true! Who else is going to do that for you? Who else, but Jesus who will also heal your soul and calm your spirit.

Do you ever participate in the Sacrament of Anointing for the healing of the sick when offered at your parish? I recall once, many years ago, I was experiencing a very emotionally trying time. While attending the daily Mass, Father decided to offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  I went forward with everyone else, praying that my burden be lifted. When I returned to my seat, my head bowed in prayer, and I felt the physical sensation of warmth starting at my feet and moving up my body to my chest. I swear this is true. At that moment, though my trouble was still there, I somehow knew that everything would be okay. I only had to believe and trust. And, eventually, it was okay. My trust in Jesus’ healing power saw me through. It will do the same for you! And as for physical healing, miracles have happened and will continue to happen. But it is also a miracle of healing to be given the strength to endure and acceptance of what is to be. That peace of mind is priceless.

Now, you may still rally around your favorite politician, music star, actor, or other famous people as you like. You should, and you should enjoy doing that. But you must remember that is only Jesus who will genuinely give you something of worth. In the end, rallies and concerts will leave you with only a ticket stub or a program book. But Jesus, alive to us in the Eucharist and Sacraments, will leave you with everlasting healing and peace. The eternal promise of the Greatest of the Superstars.

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Our Strength is in our Unity

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So often we have heard the phrase “A house divided cannot stand.” The exact words from today’s Gospel are, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” The key to understanding Jesus’ words is unity. There is strength in a united front and only weakness in a divided effort for anything.

Jesus is telling us that the scribes who accused him of being possessed by the devil were so stupid and so wrong. How can Jesus, if a devil himself, cast out devils and defeat the devil’s own purposes? He cannot. “And if Satan has risen against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him.”

Today’s culture is divided on so many fronts, and it is a wonder we are still functioning. Well, we are barely functioning. So how do we remedy the situation? By standing firm in the principles of Jesus’ teaching in the face of any contradiction, and not give in just because it is easier to cope.

Jesus came to unite us to a common way of life. That way is love for one another and ourselves. We love and are joined with all people by affirming that all people are inherently good. Those of us who cannot recognize goodness and only see evil, are the instruments of the devil’s attempt to separate us from one another.

Ultimately, the followers of Jesus will gather together in the strength of their conviction to his teaching and form a solid front, a strong team that will dispel sin. But the followers of Satan will weaken and scatter, because evil, in any form, does not stand on firm ground. The foundation of Satan’s house will eventually succumb to the strength of those of us who refuse to weaken resolve to goodness. Following Satan leads to death: the eventual loss of the soul. Following Jesus leads to life: our ultimate unity with God in the everlasting, undivided kingdom of heaven.

“Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.”

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Goliath Has Many Faces

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Have you faced any goliaths recently? Did you run in fear, or did you face the battle? Was the outcome good or bad? How did you meet your goliath: with grit and tenacity alone, or coupled with your faith that God will help you prevail? All good questions to ask and answer, and only you and I can answer them.

My cat, Sophie, was just diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer. She just started a regimen of prednisone and chemotherapy. Now, she doesn’t know how or why she’s feeling the way she is. But I do. And I am, honestly, terrified of losing my companion. She has been with me since the death of my mother, and she has truly established a relationship with me. She spends a lot of time on my lap and nestles in looking for comfort.

Now, I know that some will say to me: I’m sorry you and Sophie have to go through this. And others will say: Hey, it’s just a cat! True. I have friends and family that are also battling cancer, and they have family members and friends to comfort them and give them strength. Sophie only has me. At this moment, her cancer is my goliath.

Today’s first reading is one of the iconic stories of the Old Testament, the triumph of David over the giant Philistine, Goliath. As we know, David prevailed. I have to admit that one of my guilty pleasures is any story or movie in which the underdog betters the “giant,” the bully in the story, and I cheer at the end when the big guy is deflated. This storyline is used over and over again with different characters and slightly different circumstances. I love a good “David won” ending.

We can make these same storyline comparisons to our times of struggling with significant obstacles: illnesses, job issues, divorce, loss of a child or loved one, etc., so we can all relate. The big question is how we overcome these struggles. David trusted in God, the Lord of Israel, to be his backup and strength. David trusted, and, coupled with his knowledge of the sling, faced the giant and defeated him. I believe each of us has a few “slings” in our arsenals of defense when fighting our goliaths, but none stronger than trust in God and faith in the fact that God will shore us up when we are in need. Very simple to say, but more challenging to put into action. The alternative is to run in fear and be defeated. That is not an outcome any of us want. Facing those fears with faith can only serve to make us stronger than we were when we started the battle.

Do you pray daily, hourly, minute by minute when fighting your goliath? Do you pray for faith even in the good times and not just rely on God when feeling defeated? Sophie may only be a cat, but I still pray that I will have the strength to see her through the tough times and, perhaps, even have to lose her to keep her from suffering needlessly. Her cause is just as important to me at this time of my life than any of the other things I’ve faced. Nothing is too small or insignificant to warrant prayer and trust. Whatever you face will need your prayer and faith to overcome.

Today is the National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Here is the goliath in the room of today’s culture, among other issues. The faithfulness and prayer of millions, working in the fields of medical science and political legislation, have helped in making great strides in limiting the destruction of these innocents, but there is much more work to do. Can it be done? I believe it can. Think of the great things our country, as well as the world, has overcome through prayer: the fall of Russia, the Berlin Wall, the great world wars, equality, to name just a few. These accomplishments are not only through military might but the might of prayer, especially the Rosary, to change people’s hearts. If we learn anything from all of this, it is to not give up, ever, in the face of injustice.

So, hang in there! In the end, God will always prevail. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.