“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38) How have you heard this question phrased over the past year? As a college campus minister, I was blessed to listen to it articulated numerous ways through a group of college-aged women of color who came together to pray and share their collective sorrows and crosses. While each woman spoke of her wounds and the her of their trauma, I recalled the Seven Sorrows of Mary. I encouraged them to turn to Our Lady of Sorrows to seek comfort, and hesitantly they did, slowly pressing their open wounds to the crucified wounds of Christ. The healing they experienced was astonishing. The pierced hearts they kept hidden from the world reflected Our Lady’s as Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce her heart, “so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34). Our Mother Mary may not have cried out, “Father, do you not care that my Son is perishing?” but her stabbed heart likely silently wailed similar words. She hears our cries and holds us as close just as she cradled Jesus beneath the cross of Calvary, gently kissing our cuts as only a mother could. Mary journeys alongside us, speaking the same truth Jesus says over the storm in Mark’s gospel, “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). He’s not just telling the waters to calm; no, he is commanding the Apostles to quiet themselves and pay attention to the storms thrashing inside them, the fears and trauma they would rather ignore. Christ is inviting us to be still and process our pain to fully heal body, mind, and spirit. Too often, we want to experience resurrection before our time in the tomb. The tomb is where we heal! When the storms of life trigger memories you would rather not revisit, invite Our Lady to intercede for you. She not only relates to your sorrow, but she has experienced even greater sorrows watching her children suffer and grieve. But remember, according to Tradition, she embraced her Son’s resurrected, glorified body, and one day God willing, she will hold ours as well. Sister, ask yourself the question Jesus asked the Apostles, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” (Mark 4:40) [bctt tweet="The tomb is where we heal. // @SoCalTriciaT " username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion  

Why is it so hard to love one another? Loving each other is what God commands us to do in today's Gospel, John 15:12, and it’s one of the ways we disobey God regularly. Loving one another is tough. It’s difficult to put someone else’s needs before our own and chose to sacrifice for another with a generous heart. Loving someone online or in-person we disagree with and praying for them, rather than lashing out with our words, requires incredible virtue, grace, and love. It might appear impossible to turn the other cheek and love someone who intentionally wounds us, or worse, wounds someone we love. Sister, it can be hard to see a beloved son of God as our brother in Christ rather than look at him lustfully. It can be tough to love without keeping score or expecting anything in return. It seems unimaginable not to raise your voice in frustration when the volume in your home is at a decibel for which the police might knock down the door to silence a neighbor’s complaint. It can be challenging to see someone as God sees them rather than judge or tear them down to feel better about yourself. It’s courageous to forgive and even more valiant to forget. But I’m here to remind myself and you that love requires us to do the difficult, hard, unbearable, sacrificial, challenging, courageous, unimaginable, tough, impossible, and dangerous thing. This is the greatest way to love. Love that requires much produces the most incredible fruits. 1 John 5:3 reminds us that God’s commandment to love one another is not mean to be burdensome. Love frees us from the weight of pride, greed, lust, envy, anger, and apathy. Love bears the fruits of patience and kindness found in 1 Corinthians 13:4. Love was never meant to be easy; just look at how Jesus loved us on the Cross! He is commanding us to love in the impossible and challenging circumstances of our lives. Surrender what makes it difficult to love one another. He already knows what lies in your heart, sister. How can you choose to love Him through how you love one another today? [bctt tweet="Choose to love Him. // @socaltriciat" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Loving Jesus, may I love my brothers and sisters in Christ as You do.  

If I could go back to any moment in history, I would want to be present on this night in the Upper Room. After days of chaos, fear, and confusion, Christ is in your midst, extending His overwhelming peace. Touch His hands and His feet and inhale His fragrance as it permeates the room. Pay attention to the words He uses to unearth how His death and Resurrection accomplished the prophet’s prophecies. As Catholics, we don’t memorize every word of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy like the Apostles did as young Jewish boys. I was barely expected to memories Scripture verses in my Catholic grade school, let alone the Pentateuch. But the Apostles did and knew the prophecies of the great prophet. Most memorized beyond the Torah, singing Psalms and awaiting the Messiah foretold in Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, and Jeremiah. And on this night, in a concealed room, their hands touch the pierced body of the Messiah foretold in Zechariah 12:10. I cannot fathom hearing Jesus break open all the Old Testament prophets, showing a new and deeper meaning. God brought to fulfillment all He promised His people through His Son, Jesus. If I were in the room, I would be hanging on every word while still being in shock that my Lord and God had risen from the dead and was eating fish before me. All the pieces of the puzzle come together for the Apostles at this moment. The years of following in Christ’s footsteps pieced together with His Passion, death, and Resurrection create the most powerful lesson of their lives. No longer is Jesus speaking in parables. He speaks clearly and withholds nothing. How I wish I had been in that room on this extraordinary evening! Place yourself in this moment in the Upper Room and walk through how you would react to what Jesus says. Re-read Luke's Gospel to listen to Our Lord. Is Jesus calling you to preach in His name? Pray about what that would look like for you today. listen to today’s devotion [bctt tweet="Preach in His name. // @socaltriciat" username="blessedisshe__"] Lord Jesus, help me hear Your call.  

You should love the Lord your God with all your . . . Heart How is your heart, dear sister? Mine is tattooed with scars from loving others deeply, and I’m thankful for the beautiful and messy art covering my beating heart. It also has holes where family and friends once dwelled and are no longer with me. Maybe your heart is like mine and has some blocked arteries from armoring in the midst of trauma or wounding relationships. We are all in need of some stints to open our arteries and allow the healing Blood of Christ to flow. Soul How is your soul? Right now, my soul feels like it just ran a half-marathon and wants the chocolate milk at the end so desperately that it’s the only thing motivating me to the finish line. It’s fitting for the Lenten season we are in to thirst for the Lord. Today, I recognize my thirst and run to the Lord to pour into my soul till it overflows. Mind How is your mind? Mine is tired. It has been a year since the pandemic began, and our lives pivoted over and over again. I am loving God by listening to the body He gave me, including my mind, and resting and recovering from the twists and turns that come at me daily. Our minds need to rest in order to hear God speak. So allow yourself to rest to hear Him say, “I am the Lord your God: hear my voice” (Psalm 81:11). Strength Where do you find your strength? All too often we rely on our strength alone and not the strength of the Holy Spirit. I know I do this daily. Only when I pray an examen at night do I see where I failed to rely on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, specifically the gift of fortitude. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This is key; we must first love ourselves in order to love our neighbor. How are you allowing God to love your heart, soul, mind, and strength? When we receive His love, we are able to return it to Him, apply it to ourselves, and give it to our neighbor. [bctt tweet="Run to the Lord. // @socaltriciat" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Walk through the Gospel reading again today.  

This image in Mark’s Gospel of Jesus seizing “Legion” and casting him into the swine is a scene straight out of a horror film. You can practically hear the swine squeal as they plummet off the steep bank and into the sea. Sister, close your eyes and just hear Porky squeal and do a little cheer, please! This is by far the best exorcism recorded in Scripture, and I celebrate it with a plate of bacon as I share this with you. Now, we can choose to focus on the evil that possessed the man, or we can focus on my favorite verse from this Gospel, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you” (Mark 5:19). Why does it seem sometimes that we prefer to focus on the chaos Satan creates over the miracle Jesus performs? He freed this man from a legion of demons! A legion is an armed regiment of nearly 6,000 Roman soldiers, so this was a massive departure of evil spirits from this man’s soul! For some reason, we fall into the trap of preferring drama over healing, fear over peace, conflict over freedom. Even when God has performed great miracles in our family, careers, friendships, health, and spiritual lives, we chose to hold tight to the pity party rather than celebrate God’s mercy, truth, and love for us! Sister, I have been hurt, rejected, and manipulated and went on to use these situations and relationships to guard my heart so no one else will hurt, reject, or manipulate me again. They are large and small stones I have built around the garden of my heart. But the Lord wants to till the soil of my soul and yours. He wants to take the dung in our lives and use it to fertilize a lush and vibrant garden. He respects our free will and only does that when we choose to focus on the grace God pours over us versus the manipulative lies of Satan. [bctt tweet="The Lord wants to till the soil of my soul and yours. // @socaltriciat" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Will you allow Him in today?

At the beginning of this pandemic, I struggled to go to virtual Mass and not have the Sacraments easily accessible. I grappled with not being surrounded by my brothers and sisters in Christ and not being able to hear their voices alongside mine as we proclaimed, “Alleluia!” I’d love to say I struggled with not receiving the Eucharist, but I didn’t. I chose to focus on what I was able to feast on, the Word of God, versus what I was unable to consume, His precious Body and Blood. Let me tell you, I spiritually devoured the Word and was deeply satisfied. Saint Paul’s letter to the Hebrews spoke truth to me during the quarantine. “The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Do we believe this? Are we even aware of the numerous moments when we venerate the Word of God at Mass? The Catechism, as well as Vatican II, teaches, “The Church has always venerated the divine scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord, in so far as she never ceases, particularly in the sacred liturgy, to partake of the bread of life and to offer it to the faithful from the one table of the Word of God and the Body of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 103.) Veneration of the divine scriptures occurs from the moment of the procession to the kissing of the Book of the Gospels. The Book of the Gospels is lifted high in procession by a deacon at the beginning of Mass. Again, it’s raised from the altar of sacrifice to the ambo as we unite our voices in praise of “Alleluia” before the Gospel proclamation. Then again, when a Bishop blesses his flock, indicating the presence of Christ in his Word. I will always long to receive the Eucharist and seek to adore Jesus in His most precious Body and Blood in Adoration, but sister, I will always place the Living Word of God on an equal pedestal. God’s Word can satisfy your starving soul, fill the empty recesses of your weary heart, and provide light in the darkness hours. “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life” (John 6:63c). [bctt tweet="God’s Word can satisfy your starving soul. // @socaltriciat" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Have you been fed spiritually lately? How can you refocus on being spiritually fed?

“To what shall I compare this generation?” (Matthew 11:16) As a campus minister to college students, I can tell you how I would compare this generation of women. I would compare this generation to our Mother Mary. A faithful woman of this generation lives her fiat confidently and directs all she meets to the Blessed Mother's Son, Jesus. Some days her fiat hesitates and becomes a maybe, and occasionally a no, after which she seeks forgiveness and mercy. Regardless, she strives to live a life of virtue and obedience to God and returns to the arms of God. When the world seems upside-down, her heart is pierced by a sword similar to our Mother’s seven sorrows felt at horrendous moments in Jesus’ life. She fights for injustices and speaks the truth in a world that would rather go deaf. She seeks equality while still retaining the feminine beauty that only a woman wrapped in Mary’s mantle can display. When she gets knocked down, she rises and continues her mission with her eyes fixed on God. She is wise with the wisdom and understanding of the Holy Spirit. She is prayerful and peaceful when she surrenders this world’s tension to God and trusts in His provision and will. She compares herself too often to others, only to be reminded that she is a beloved daughter of God who is worthy, capable, and loved. She has been bruised, broken, and hardened but chooses to lean into the loving, merciful, and grace-filled arms of God. She is compassionate and forgiving. She emanates charity and kindness. She strives for truth, beauty, and goodness. She is my sister, mother, aunt, cousin, friend, and grandmother and her works vindicate her. [bctt tweet="This Generation of Women // @SoCalTriciaT" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Pray a new prayer from these litanies for Catholic women.

Dear Saint Paul, It’s 2020, and I need a little chat with you regarding this letter you wrote to Saint Titus. You see, I’m a single woman whose momma, the “older woman” you referenced in your message, taught me self-control, chastity, and exceptional homemaking skills (Joanna Gaines has competition is all I’m saying). Yet, I’m void of a husband and children to love the way you described. I have searched and prayed for a man who is, “temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance,” and have come up empty-handed. Men like this seemed to have disappeared when Charles Ingalls left the Little House on the Prairie and it went off the air. I’m starting to think that God has chosen a different path for my life, and I’m okay with that. I’ve read a few of your other letters, and they’ve helped me embrace my singlehood. Like when you wrote to the Corinthians and said, “It is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do” (1 Corinthians 7:8). Like you, being single allows me to devote time to prayer, study, writing, and God’s ministry. I’ve obeyed God by living with my mom after my dad’s death, serving in the Church, and opening my home to sisters who need a break from their families for a Blessed Brunch. I do this all because I am single. You also said that, “An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit” (1 Corinthians 7:34). This message resonates deep in my soul. I do not perceive it as anxiety; rather, it’s a freedom to do the Lord's will alongside people who inspire and call me to great holiness. I’m not against being a self-controlled homemaker but in 2020, I can do that as a single woman. God might call me to a different vocation down the line. But, until that day, if it comes at all, I will embrace the intimacy I have with God as I “await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:14). God’s beloved daughter, Tricia [bctt tweet="It’s a freedom to do the Lord's will alongside people who inspire and call me to great holiness. // @SoCalTriciaT" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion What would you say in a letter to Saint Paul?

It seems impossible to not give into anxiety in this season of pivots and uncertainty. Providentially, Saint Paul (Philippians 4:6-9) provides us with a lens to reflect on, so we don’t give into the anxiety that appears to surround us. Here's how I'm approaching anxiety right now: Whatever is True Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). When I can't hear truth in the world, I turn to the Word. So, if you don’t know who to trust and feel manipulated by social media comments, links, and news sources, turn to the Living Word of God. Whatever is Honorable When Jesus taught us to pray, He begged God to lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. I regularly reflect on who holds me accountable and leads me from temptation and immorality. Whatever is Just When Christ’s Bride, the Church, defines justice, She always starts with the dignity of the human person made in the image of God. I start by pondering how I've seen justice magnified recently that reflects the dignity of all God’s children. Whatever is Pure “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit” (Psalm 51:12). Purity comes from within. I ask myself, Where is God calling me to reconcile with Him, so I'm able see myself as pure, holy, and without blemish? Whatever is Lovely “Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good” (Romans 12:9). When wickedness is at hand, I pray the Saint Michael the Archangel prayer. Maybe for you, get outside in nature, journal your blessings, or sing shouts of praise and thanksgiving. Contemplate what is true, good, and beautiful in this season God has given you. Whatever is Gracious “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Grace is unearned and freely given. The grace in the Sacraments is greater than any division we experience from sin. So, I choose to trust in the grace poured in me through my Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharistic feast, Confirmation (and you can trust in any other Sacraments you've received). It may look like we are surrounded by lies, dishonor, inequalities, corruption, ugliness, and wickedness in the world. While those are present, let's not forget we are surrounded by God and His victorious army of Saints and Angels! Do not be deceived into despair, sister. [bctt tweet="Turn to the Word. // @SoCalTriciaT" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Re-read today's reading and ponder it in light of this wisdom.

Years ago, I was a Missionary Director for a Catholic Movement in Arizona. We followed a set of "Rules of Life" based on Saint Benedict’s Rule which helped me prayerfully form the community and mediate conflicts. When missionaries would come to me with their communal drama, I would ask them two simple questions before they shared: 1) Is what you are about to say going to change my opinion of someone? 2) Have you already brought this situation to them? Christ gives us an incredible model in Matthew’s Gospel (18:15-20) to overcome the sin of gossip. Instead of talking behind someone’s back, Jesus asks us to go directly to the person we have fault with and talk. If they listen, fantastic! If they don’t, invite one or two neutral souls into the conversation, being careful not manipulate the dialogue. This allows for unbiased ears to hear the testimony of each person so resolution and healing can be accomplished. After all, that is the goal, isn’t it? Finally, if that does not work, "tell the Church" (Matthew 18:17). What does this mean? I believe God is telling us to seek the wisdom of the Church however it is available to you. I have taken conflicts to my spiritual director, met with a priest to mediate, turned to Scripture to hear God speak to my wounded heart, and gone to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Saint Benedict’s Rule reminds us that Christ is present in each person we encounter. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Everyone must be loved, respected (the Rule 4) listened to (the Rule 3) and received as Christ (the Rule 53). Everyone without exception is to be treated with gentleness and compassion (the Rule 64:36). So, the next time you’re tempted to gossip, ask yourself the two questions above and turn to Saint Matthew for wisdom. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:15:20). listen to today’s devotion [bctt tweet="Christ is present. // @SoCalTriciaT" username="blessedisshe__"] Learn more about this remarkable Benedictine order of monks.

The air was sticky and dense. Escaping the heat, I walked into an intimate museum that was once home to Saint Bernadette Soubirous. This one-room dungeon, formerly a jail, holds few treasures, just the necessities to house a family of eleven: a fireplace, a few wooden stools, a crucifix, and a rosary. As I stood in this simple, dark room, I thought how full it must’ve been when Bernadette’s family prayed and ate meager meals together. My kitchen is full of gadgets to make cooking simpler and Home Good purchases to decorate seasonally. “I’m happier with my crucifix on my bed of pain than a queen on her throne,” Saint Bernadette said (source). Comforts such as a bed ceased to exist for her family, and minimal space afforded no excess. Instead, they slept on the hard floor using one another as blankets of warmth. I have a queen bed and central air and heat to keep my room the perfect temperature no matter the season. Our Lady of Lourdes revealed to Saint Bernadette, “I do not promise to make you happy in this life, but in the next” (source). Bernadette greeted Mother Mary in the grotto in the same meager dress and babushka. Conceivably she possessed not much more than the clothes on her back. My closet is full of clothes I rarely wear, and I concern myself more with external appearance over my interior life with God. “From this moment on, anything concerning me is no longer of any interest to me. I must belong entirely to God and God alone. Never to myself," Saint Bernadette reminds us (source). It’s no wonder Mother Mary chose this meek, holy child to appear to and reveal who she is, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Nothing distracted Bernadette from her destination, saying, “I shall do everything for heaven, my true home.” She knew her treasure was in Heaven and thirsted solely for eternity. Lord, make me more like Saint Bernadette and rid me of needless comforts. Provide what I need to obtain Heaven and nothing more. “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me, a poor sinner” in her final words. listen to today’s devotion [bctt tweet="Lord, make me more like Saint Bernadette and rid me of needless comforts. // @SoCalTriciaT" username="blessedisshe__"] Saint Bernadette, pray for us!

Every day I drive from the beaches of Orange County to the cement jungles of Los Angeles. And every day I drive past torn tents and boxed cities that house 58,000 of our homeless brothers and sisters in Christ. For two years, I’ve driven past a homeless man in a particular encampment. But one day, his entire encampment was removed, and the street swept clean. The sight of the camp was replaced with a disturbing void. I had one thought, “Jesus knew his name, but I didn't.” I behold misery and sorrow every day on my commute and fail to respond to how unfortunate brethren depend on me (see Psalm 10:14). I used to have a heart for serving the homeless. When I lived in Phoenix, some friends and I would hit the streets to sit, talk, and learn the names of our homeless brothers and sisters. I had a heart and eyes to see the external reality of their lives and their interior soul. Now, I'm almost callous to their struggle. I recently visited a pharmacy in the midst of a migraine and was stopped by a homeless gentleman who saw my pained face. He asked me for a favor and his favor was to see me smile. He saw me. He wanted to make sure I was ok! Why did I only see his external circumstances? Even then, why was that not enough to act with compassion versus assumption and prejudice? Am I alone in this awakening? I don't believe I am. Brothers and sisters, we need to live today’s Psalm, “Do not forget the poor, O Lord!” Let us see the poverty in everyone, ourselves included, and be moved by compassion and act with love. [bctt tweet="He saw me. // @SoCalTriciaT" username="blessedisshe__"] Consider supporting missions like this Order who serve the poor and homeless.

The priest extended his hand, saying, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” He smiled and as I left the confessional and said, “Go and sin no more.” Sister, quick question. After confession, do you ever feel like a shiny, new car with great value, but then you drive off the lot and your value decreases? Not sinning is so hard! And today’s Second Reading makes it even harder, “You too must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6: 11). I would love to think of myself as dead to sin but sometimes sin and temptation are more palpable than receiving the Body of Christ at church. I do everything I can to resist gossiping, coveting what others have that I don’t, and viewing men as brothers in Christ versus desiring them. But I’m not always successful. So, how do we become dead to sin? Perhaps we begin by recognizing that Christ has done everything necessary to conquer sin and death. He’s paid for every sin we grapple with long before we seek absolution (1 Peter 2:24). He has sent His Spirit to live within us to aid us in moments of our moral frailty (Joel 2:28-29). And He will secure our union with Him in Heaven (Philippians 1:6). As long as I live, I will labor to put sin to death. Although I see myself as a cheap, used car, in the eyes of God, I’m vintage. My value has not decreased, it has only increased. I’m a carefully repaired and invested in creation of the Creator. [bctt tweet="So, how do we become dead to sin? // @SoCalTriciaT" username="blessedisshe__"] Dig deeper into what the Sacrament of Confession means and does.