(SQPN) CATHOLIC FAMILY EXERCISE
Hello dear members of the Catholic Family Podcast Family. And from what I see and hear – many of you are also members of the greater SQPN Family: listening to other podcasts, becoming members of their families as well. If you are new to all of this – welcome. I hope you come to know and care for the podcasters, their personal families and their extended families as much as we have.
For those who have been around for awhile – do you remember when Greg (of www.gregandjennifer.com and Rosary Army and the Catholics Next Door fame on XM Satellite Radio) was training to run a marathon in Georgia? He helped inspire many to support him with prayers and best wishes. He also helped inspire many of us to want to do some good things for our bodies. And wasn’t it fun to hear the sound-scene-recording of Greg’s race day? Wasn’t it great witness to hear how much Jennifer and family were there encouraging – cheering Greg on to the finish? It was so wonderful to hear Jennifer’s loving congratulations to her husband as he completed the goal! (Congrats on daughter Lilly, too!)
And then what happened? Well, I remember our own resident (fearless) Catholic Family Podcast leader, David Sweeney working and getting physically active. He did quite a bit of training and then David accomplished a half-marathon. Thanks David for your example and call for us to do good things with the gift of our bodies.
And friend Lisa Hendey (From www.catholicmoments.com and www.Catholicmom.com) – she started work on a grueling prep program for doing a race in southern California. She gave us regular updates on her progress until she did her race. Lisa has since added a personal trainer to help buff and shape.
Good job Lisa! Good job all! You SQPN podcasters caught and taught the ‘family’ spirit and helped demonstrate what it means to be a walking (or in this case ‘running’) Gospel witness. (Now I could break into a sidebar story here and talk about pregnancies – another thing sweeping the SQPN family. But I won’t.)
You podcasters demonstrated something else. As with the clergy or with lay leaders in our Church – you have demonstrated what it means to give witness – and to share in the responsibility – the mantle of good example and leadership in the Body of Christ. And it is a mantle that needs to be continually shared.
In this year of St. Paul – the Holy Father and Church leaders are suggesting that we pray to… we look to and study writings of this leader who inspired hundreds of thousands of Gentiles. Paul was a podcaster before there ever was a computer or an internet.
One of Paul’s teaching approaches was his use of a racing metaphor to share with us that being a Christian requires effort – discipline – regular workouts. There are many PACE Catholics or Christians… you know what PACE means? Palms, Ashes, Christmas and Easter. That’s the ‘pace’ regimen they set for themselves. And while our loving God will be the final judge of every man and woman – I wouldn’t want to rest my hope of eternal happiness if I only set a ‘pace’ of four visits a year to Church.
Wherever you and I are as we run the race towards eternal life with Christ – we know that a regular routines of spiritual exercise will help get you into better shape. Recently, Lisa Hendey encouraged listeners to consider adding a daily Mass – perhaps just starting with one day a week.
David and Allyson give warm and great witness by the many ways they support the needs of their parish. And for years, the Willits family gave us example and encouragement to ‘make them, pray them, and to give them away.” They were of course speaking of the Rosary. Greg and Jennifer reminded many of us that closeness to Mary isn’t something that comes just from Mary. We need to spend time …. exercising and growing our relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mother just as we need to do with our own spouse.
On a recent interview on Relevant Radio – I talked about the simple act of surrendering ten minutes or more of sleep and getting up to spend completely quiet time with the Lord. This is nothing new – it isn’t something I created. I remember a very, very busy Colorado pastor – a popular, in demand pastor who did a lot of good in my old state of residence. More than once I heard him talk about getting up early in the morning – having a steaming mug of coffee and spending quiet time in silence – listening for the Lord to speak to him. Then, he went into prayer.
Is there any area of spiritual sluggishness that you’ve carried over from the old year? Would you consider starting a new ‘exercise’ program? Let me know what you’re doing… it may help inspire me. And I’ve noticed a few ounces of sluggishness on me. I’m waiting to hear your witness.
Blessings.
Deacon Tom
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