Pope Francis' namesake and showing mercy

I felt a tug on my heart to share a few things that I heard at Mass today.

First, the new pope choosing the name Francis, coming from St. Francis of Assisi, reminds us of how much we are in need of more peace and love in this world.  I’m sure many of you have heard this prayer of St. Francis before, but may these words sink into our hearts today just a little bit more so that we may live them:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Tying into the St. Francis prayer where it talks about forgiveness and understanding, I also wanted to share what we heard on the story in the Gospel of John about throwing the first stone (John 8:1-11).  This story is not really about the woman who committed adultery, but about how we are to carry on Jesus’ mission.  The scribes and Pharisees were testing Jesus to see what he said should be done to this woman because of her sinning.  Jesus responds by saying “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Jesus is trying to show the scribes and Pharisees (and us) that the way we should minister to others and treat them is by showing love and mercy.  That long after Jesus died, the way they were to continue Jesus’ ministry is by treating others not with condemnation, but with love, mercy, dignity, and respect.  The church’s mission is not to point the finger, but to show mercy and forgiveness.  May we all strive to live this way each day.

Strength for the Journey

We sang this song at Mass today.  It is so encouraging to know that God is right by our side, every step of the way on this journey called life.  I have posted the lyrics below...hope they are as encouraging to you as they are to me.

Strength for the Journey by Michael Poirier

I will be, I will be,
I will be strength for the journey.
I will be, I will be,
I will be strength for the journey.

There is a road meant for you to travel.
Narrow and steep is the shepherd’s way,
and as you say, "Yes,"
letting me guide you,
I will be strength for the journey.

There is a cross meant for you to carry.
There is a cross meant for you alone,
and as you bow down
in humble surrender,
I will be strength for the journey.

How many times have you doubted my word?
How many times must I call your name?
And as you say, "Yes,"
letting me love you,
I will be strength for the journey.

Taking a stand for life

Matthew and I were blessed to be able to participate in Tucson's March for Life this weekend.  The dignity of each human is something that has always been important to both of us.  It was interesting to reflect on how this March differed compared to the one we participated in last year in Dallas, and where we were in life just a year ago...with Matthew applying at different schools, us giving a pro-life testimony prior to the Dallas March to the youth group, and living in Dallas.  Here we are in Tucson, just a year later...having experienced many things since then...and looking forward to what God has in store for our future.  See below for pics.  We continue to pray for an end to abortion and seek ways in which we can do our share to make that happen.

Before the March.

The Cathedral where the March started.

The March.

The Rose memorial for the victims of abortion. We marched four miles from the Cathedral to the Cemetery where this is located.

The Bishop speaking.

The Knights of Columbus.

For each year that abortion has been legal, a person (representing the year they were born) carried a rose and placed it on this memorial representing all of the lives that have been lost due to abortion.  I believe this little boy represented 2006.

It is hard to see from this view, but the two adults in this picture have a 1 year old and a newborn (being carried) , representing 2011 and 2012.

At the end, they let out a flock of doves.  This was very neat to watch, as they symbolize the hope that one day abortion will end, as minds and hearts are changed.

Pasta-less lasagna

1 medium onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb ground beef

1 t salt

1 t dried oregano

1 t dried basil

1 spaghetti squash, peeled, seeded, and shredded

1 ½ c homemade tomato sauce

1 ½ c grated cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef with onion, garlic, salt, oregano, and basil.  Cook spaghetti squash in oven at 375 for 40-60 min, depending on size, and shred.  Grease bottom of casserole dish and spread out half of the spaghetti squash.  Pour half of the tomato sauce over the squash.  Next, add a layer of the ground beef over the sauce.  Sprinkle half of the cheese over the beef.  Repeat the process again, using up the remaining squash, sauce, beef, and cheese, ending with a layer of cheese.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, or until cheese melts.

Homemade tomato sauce

6 roma tomatoes

1 clove garlic

¼ c water

1 T basil

¼ t parsley

½ t salt

¼ t black papper

Peel, core, and dice tomatoes.  (To peel the tomatoes ,immerse them in boiling water for 20-30 seconds and then dip them in cool water.  The peels will slip off.)  In a large saucepan, add tomatoes, garlic, water, basil, parsley, salt, and papper.  Bring to a boil and then reduce the hat, simmering uncovered for 45 minutes and stirring occasionally to make sure the tomatoes are well mixed.  Makes 1 ½ cups.

Thanks to the book Recipes for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet by Raman Prasad for these recipes (modified slightly)!

Homemade Lara Bars

1/3 c. almonds

1/4 c. chopped dates
1/8 c. dried cranberries

1/8 c. raisins
2 T. peanut butter
1/8 t. cinnamon

Handful of M&Ms

Chop almonds in food processor.  Add all other ingredients except M&Ms and process until everything starts to stick together.  Place 1/3 of mixture in plastic wrap and form into bar.  Place a few M&Ms on top and finish covering bar in plastic wrap.  Repeat for other two bars.  Refrigerate for a couple hours.  Makes three bars.   See here for more ideas.

SCD - the basics

Here's a link to the basics of the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet).  A very general definition is that it is a diet which eliminates grains, starches, and refined sugars.  The carbohydrates allowed are monosaccharides.  This diet is not for everyone, but has helped me, and I am very thankful to have found it.

Almond Flour Pizza

Crust:

1 c. almond flour

1 egg

½ c. shredded cheese

1 tsp. EVOO

¼ tsp. salt

Italian spices to taste

Penzey’s pizza seasoning

Toppings:

Meat, cheese, as desired

In a bowl, mix the above crust ingredients together and form a ball.  Line a pan with parchment paper and add the dough ball, pressing down with hands to form crust.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.  Add toppings and bake for another 10 minutes.  Thanks to comfybelly for this recipe (slightly modified).