7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 2)

It's been a while since I've done this... but I've got lots to say today, so here we go!

1.

To use the words of my pastor: this week, I "experienced the demise" of my car. 

And that was the last I saw of it.

Yep... it died. In the middle of a state park in the hills of Indiana, on the way back from a wedding. To be honest, it didn't bother me all that much; it was a good little car, and a huge blessing to own it in the first place! Going down with 260,000+ miles on it... now that's going down fighting! It was rather dramatic, with smoke and dripping liquid; yes, it went out with a bang (not literally - although the teens in my youth group had previously nicknamed it the "bomb" car).

And so, I raise my glass to the little car that could. It took me to Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Canada, all the states in-between... and of course, all around Ohio. It survived numerous starter replacements, a ghetto wiring/button arrangement, and even hitting a deer. It was a good four years, little buddy. Rest in smashed-up, junkyard peace.  

2

As a side note: the whole adventure from Indiana to Ohio is actually a pretty great story of God's providence in my life. Let me tell you, he really knows how to take care of me! I've seen his goodness time and time again, and I'm always amazed.  

Even in the midst of these material troubles (which also include my laptop not working, and to top it off, the air conditioner in my office breaking as well!), I have been able to experience some of what St. Francis of Assisi called "perfect joy." It's hard to explain... but basically, when "everything" goes wrong and you should be mopey, you still can rejoice in the goodness of God. It was definitely stronger earlier in the week, and I've had to struggle a bit to persevere in this detachment over the last couple of days - but at the same time, such a blessing! Pray that God keeps it going for me, yes? Also, I'd appreciate prayers for my car shopping this weekend!

3

Read this! Just do it: How to Become an Annoying Catholic (In 8 Easy Steps). I definitely have a friend crush on Emily Stimpson! Her writing is bomb (I loved her book, The Catholic Girl's Survival Guide for the Single Years.)

4

This:

Handing out roses to random women? Definitely, definitely a win!

5

So, I'm currently reading this:

And I just found out that our parish staff is going to be reading and discussing this:

I'm psyched! I've already read Rebuilt through once, and I was hoping to pass it around to others anyway. Has anyone else read it yet? Any insights you'd care to share?

6

Y'all need to read this: Why the world doesn't take Catholicism seriously. Again: JUST READ IT! It made me so psyched to go out and evangelize. And it's challenging. I also highly recommend his new project, The Radical Life.

7

And last but not least:

This has gone viral over the last few days, so you've probably seen it. I can't help sharing, though; it's reminded me that it is time to live. I think I'm going to use it to start out our youth ministry nights this summer! It strikes a chord with everyone, and it's the perfect lead-in to talking about what it means to be a saint. We don't have time to waste on petty arguments and distracting ourselves with mindless activities. It's go time! This is life, people... as Kid President would say, "You got air coming through your nose! A heartbeat! That means it's time to do something!"

It's God's Boat

"Throughout history, the Church has frequently been in difficulty; those difficulties often come because of that 'little faith' or lack of faith for which Jesus chides Peter. A Church in difficulty or crisis is, typically, a frightened Church: a Church that has lost sight of the Lord, that has fixed its gaze on another horizon, and that is awash in troubles because it is no longer looking as closely or as intently as it should be on the Risen One who comes to his people in ways they often do not expect. Then the situation is rectified and the disciples' fears are relieved (as Catholic crises through the centuries will be rectified and Catholic fears for the future relieved) by the Lord's initiative: the Risen One, the Son of God, gets into the boat of the Church, on the Sea of Galilee and throughout the millennia, and puts things right. 

     "Through this story, Matthew's gospel constantly reminds the Church that, for all our cleverness and skill, we are impotent in matters of salvation - that we are the saved, not the saviors, and that all attempts at self-justification come to naught. Put another way, the Church is Christ's Church, not ours, and we start sinking when we try to make it ours."

-George Weigel, Evangelical Catholicism