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The Many Faces Of Martyrdom

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Gary Zimak

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Mt 16:25)

Today, the Church remembers the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church.? These Christians, who were murdered by Nero in the year 64 AD, paid the ultimate price for the Faith.? While it’s important to recognize their heroic contributions, it’s even more important to imitate them.

WHAT?? Be a martyr?? Are you serious?

While we should all be willing to die for our faith if necessary, let’s not forget that there are many ways to be a “martyr”.??Any time we stand up for Jesus and His Catholic Church and are subject to insults, anger, verbal or physical abuse, we are being figuratively “martyred”.? Although it’s not easy, we can call upon the Holy Spirit’s?gift of fortitude.? We also can take comfort in Our Lord’s promise that we’ll be rewarded for our sacrifice.

Through the intercession of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church, may we always have the courage to defend our Catholic Faith…

even when it requires suffering!

Posted in Christian Living, martyrdom, suffering | Comments Off

An Unexpected Retreat

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Gary Zimak

I’ve been feeling really burned out lately…mainly caused by too much “burning the candle at both ends”.? Working a full time job, blogging, hosting a radio show and running to the hospital to visit my mother has really taken a toll on me.? The other day, I was telling my wife that I just wished I could take my prayer books and just go spend a few days with the Lord.? Eileen told me that I should “take a retreat” from my evangelization activities and just?spend some time in prayer with Jesus.

It sounded like a good idea, but how could I just drop everything?? I need to blog, tweet and post on Facebook or else the world will fall apart!? As He often does, the?Lord?found a way to make this happen.? Over the weekend,?my mother?was hospitalized with pneumonia.??Her illness?is complicated by the fact that she is 82 years old and has severe Alzheimer’s disease.? She has been fed through a tube for several years, as a result of forgetting how to eat.??She no longer walks, not due to anything physical, but because she doesn’t remember how. ?Throughout the weekend, my sister and I took turns visiting Mom in the hospital.? My sister wasn’t able to go today, so I made the decision to cancel my nightly radio show and go to the hospital.? I had no idea of the blessing that awaited me!

One of the tricky things about dealing with my mother is the communication aspect.? She’s hasn’t known who I am (at least she can’t verbalize it) for a long time and her speech is a mixture of random English words, some Polish and a lot of gibberish.??I try my?best to carry?on a conversation, but I honestly don’t expect too much in return.??I smile at?Mom and tell her I love her.? Sometimes she smiles back, sometimes she?tells me,?” I love you”.? Often she’ll start laughing and I’ll laugh too, never quite sure of what’s so funny.

For some reason, I?was really looking forward to seeing Mom tonight.??When I walked in the room, I was pleased.??Her color was?better, the cough was less pronounced and she was in a good mood.? As soon as I saw?her, my worries vanished and I was a child again.? I smiled at?my mother and she smiled back at me.? She laughed and I?laughed.??For a little while, the worry and stress?I’d?been experiencing disappeared.? I imagined the times that she?probably smiled to me when I was a baby and I would respond.? I felt a sense of peace as I stood by Mom’s bedside; a peace that I NEEDED to feel!

I learned about charity when a very compassionate nurse came in to take my mother’s vital signs.? She was obviously a very caring person who treated my mother with respect and dignity even though Mom was giving her a hard time (my mother?hasn’t forgotten how to be feisty!).?

At the end of our visit, I kissed Mom and told her I loved her.? I made the sign of the cross on her forehead and asked God to bless her.? Then I walked to the hospital chapel and spent some quiet time with the Lord.? Since this was a Catholic Hospital, they have a beautiful chapel (see picture), complete with the Blessed Sacrament.? As I sat alone with Jesus, I was at peace.

I walked to my car feeling a lot better than when I first arrived.? It then dawned?on?me that?I just had my?”retreat” and?it was a good one.? Thank you, Jesus, for being a great retreat master!

Posted in Christian Living, family, inspiration, peace | 1 Comment

How Can I Know The Will Of God In My Life?

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Great question, right?

Many of us are struggling to discern this on a daily basis.? Fr. John Bartunek addresses this difficult question?using very?clear and simple language.? One of the things that I really like about this post is his answer to the question of “When should I stop asking and just accept?my suffering?as God’s will?”.?

This entry really helped me and I’m sure will help many of you.? Don’t forget to pass the link to others who are struggling with this question in their lives!

How Can I Know The Will Of God In My Life?

Posted in discernment, spiritual direction | Comments Off

A Great Day In Philly

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Today I had the pleasure of visiting the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and meeting with Donna Farrell, the Director of Communications.? As someone who grew up and lived in the City of Brotherly Love for most of my life, this was really an honor.? Even though I now live in New Jersey, I’ll always be a “Philly Guy” at heart!?

Donna and I spoke discussed ways that we could possibly work together to bring the “Good News” of our Catholic Faith to an even larger audience.? I got to visit the Archdiocesan chapel, which was renovated?under Cardinal Rigali’s leadership.? We met in the Cardinal Foley room, named after the familiar voice of countless Midnight Masses on TV (and who’s currently battling leukemia and could use your prayers).? We discussed how the Archdiocese is using social media to meet the people “where they are”.

And you know what?? I got the same good?feeling that I got when I toured the Miraculous Medal Shrine a few weeks ago.? Donna and her staff are good people who really care about their duties.? It’s obvious that this is not just “a job” for them, but a vocation.? These are difficult times for Catholic dioceses and they could?use your prayers.??Mistakes have been made,?apologies issued, people are hurting.? However, we can’t ever forget that the bishops are the modern day Apostles and they have one of the most difficult jobs imaginable.

Knowing how dedicated these folks at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia?are, I’d like to suggest that you follow them on Facebook and Twitter.? In addition, Cardinal Rigali also has his own Facebook fan page.? Please keep our friends at the Philadelphia Archdiocese,?our bishops?and all?diocesan workers in your prayers, as theirs can be a very difficult job!

Posted in Church | 4 Comments

3 Reasons Why The Eucharist REALLY Matters

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Gary Zimak

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, commonly referred to as Corpus Christi, I thought it would?be a good idea to point?out 3 benefits we obtain by receiving?the Sacrament of the Eucharist.? Why must I do this?? Because, for many Catholics, receiving Holy Communion has become nothing more than a custom?- something that we do out of habit.? Unfortunately, that is the biggest mistake we can make.? Our Lord’s gift of His?Body and Blood provides us with what we need to reach Heaven.? Let’s look at 3 reasons why the Eucharist REALLY matters, direct from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1391 – 1401):

Holy Communion augments our union with Christ – The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus.? Do you want to know Christ?? There is NO better way than to receive Holy Communion.?

Holy Communion separates us from sin – The Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins.? Would you like the become a better person and eliminate some of your “favorite” sins from your life?? Here’s your answer!

The unity of the Mystical Body: the Eucharist makes the Church – Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ. Through it Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body?the Church.? Receiving Holy Communion not only allows you to get closer to Christ, it unites you with all the members of His Catholic Church – including your deceased relatives, friends and the saints.

Don’t get fooled into thinking that the Eucharist really doesn’t matter.? IT DOES MATTER, and?a sinner like me would have just about no chance of getting to Heaven without?this?Sacrament.? If you want to be a better person, if you?want to get to know Jesus, if you want to?live with Him in perfect happiness forever…

The Eucharist is the answer!???

Posted in Catechism, Communion, Eucharist, Sacraments | Comments Off

The Greatest Love Story Of All Time

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Gary Zimak

“Pause before the tabernacle by yourself, for no special reason, even without saying a thing, simply remaining in His presence, contemplating the supreme gestures of love contained in the consecrated Bread.” (Blessed Pope John Paul II – April, 1995)

On the eve of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, it would be wise for us to spend a few minutes meditating upon the mystery of Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist.? When you enter the Church and see the tabernacle, think about the birth, death and resurrection of the Lord. ?Jesus became man, suffered and died out of love for you.

As you genuflect before the tabernacle, think about that love.? It’s a love that we too often forget.? Then, when it’s time to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion, pause for a minute.? As the priest raises the little white host and says, “The Body of Christ”, remember the words of the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen:

“The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white host.”

Thank you, Jesus…I love you too!

Posted in Eucharist, Jesus, love | Comments Off

God Wants You Happy!

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Now that’s what I want to hear!?

I don’t know about you, but I find this to be a very comforting thought.? Mary DeTurris Poust interviews Fr. Jonathan Morris about his new book,?God Wants You Happy, over on the OSV site.??I think I just may have to put this book on my wish list.? See for yourself what Fr. Morris has to?say about this very pertinent topic and…?

SMILE because this is great news 🙂

Posted in books, inspiration | Comments Off

What If Today Is Your Last Day?

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Gary Zimak

“Since, when the hour of reckoning comes, you’ll be sorry for not having used this time in the service of God, why don’t you arrange and use it now as you would wish you’d done if you were dying?” (St. John of the Cross)

Six years ago, I started experiencing some scary medical symptoms.? My doctor was concerned and ordered a series of tests.? I suddenly became aware of my mortality and was forced to come to grips with the fact that I could be meeting the Lord soon.? Unfortunately, the thought of that meeting (and the accompanying judgment) was very frightening to me.? Although I was a “practicing” Catholic, I knew that I was just doing the bare minimum.? I decided that I’d use the rest of my life to learn and teach the Catholic Faith.? As it turned out, the doctors never did figure out what was wrong with me and the symptoms gradually disappeared.? If my time was really up, I would have been in serious trouble.

That experience taught me the meaning of Jesus command to “always be ready” (Mt 24:44).? Every morning when I wake?up, I kiss the crucifix and say, “Thank you, Lord for another day.? Please?help me to serve You”.? I try my?best to make good use of the time that he has given me, knowing that he doesn’t want me to?waste?it.? I don’t ever want to?take the chance that death will catch me?by surprise.???

How is your relationship with God?? Do you go to Church, receive the sacraments and try to lead a good life?? Is there a grudge that you’re holding?? Are you living in the state of mortal sin?? If you’re reading this, it’s not too late for you.? An hour from now, a day, a week…who knows?? Don’t take the chance that you’ll have tomorrow.? Make the decision NOW while you still have time!

Posted in "Four Last things" death judgment heaven hell, death, judgment | 2 Comments

The Cost Of Discipleship (And Knowing When To Shut Your Mouth!)

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.? But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.??”Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.? For I have come to set a man ‘against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.’?? “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;? and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.? Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.? “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.? (Matthew 10: 32-40)

As many of you know, being a follower of Christ has a price.? If we are to fully live and teach our Catholic Faith, we’re bound to ruffle some feathers.? Our Lord makes this fact very clear in the above “pep talk” to the Apostles.??What sometimes gets missed is the?fact that the Lord is most likely?using hyperbole in order to make His point.? Rather than telling us to “go out and make enemies of your?family and friends”, He is reminding?us?that?the Gospel?message can be challenging and will often cause?division.? We can’t be afraid to proclaim the “Good News”, but we also have to know when to “shut up”.

Father John Corapi’s recent decision to leave the priesthood has been discussed “to death” on many blogs, including mine.? I’ve made my point (and I won’t rehash it here) and there’s not a lot left to say except “please pray for all concerned”.? While some people agreed with me, others vehemently (and I do mean vehemently!) disagreed with my comments.? I tried my best to respond charitably and I apologize if I failed.? In an attempt to? “stop the bleeding” and get people focused on the bigger picture, I made some folks angry.? While there’s a time for boldly proclaiming the truth, there’s also a time to shut my mouth and for me…

the time is now!

Until something significant arises, I’m going to reiterate that we should pray for Fr. Corapi and all concerned and I really mean it!? Don’t think for a minute that God can’t fix this whole ugly mess.? I’ve recently been getting the feeling that this situation could still have a happy ending.? Will it?? Not knowing all the details and the mindset of the players, I really have no idea.

I’ve learned a lot over the past few days.? Many of your comments really caused me to think.? Was I being charitable?? Was I causing division?? Was my pride getting in the way???Should I have spoken out?? When should I stop speaking out??

Now I’d like to ask you a question.? Has there ever been a time when you needed to defend the Catholic Church or caution someone about sinful behavior, even though you expected to be met with resistance?? What was your approach and?how did it work out?

I’d really like to hear your comments.? I think it would help many of us as we try to spread the “Good News” of Jesus Christ in a bold, but compassionate way.

Posted in Christian Living, discernment, Father Corapi, Scripture, teaching | 8 Comments

Pray For Our Priests!

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Here’s a very nice prayer for priests, courtesy of Deacon Greg Kandra.? I couldn’t agree more with his sentiments that we need to pray for our priests more than ever!

Posted in prayer, priesthood | Comments Off