Sundays

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter by the narrow door...

Today was a very church- filled day! I started my morning by attending a Quaker meeting with my friend Maddie, who went to a Quaker high school founded by William Penn. It was interesting. I enjoyed it. It was really small and there were chairs set up in a like two half circle formation,  the members just go in, find a spot, and the one hour time is used for silent reflection. If someone feels called to say something, they do, then the silent returns  until another person wants to say something or until the hour is up. During my hour I thought about how rare it is that I just sit and reflect and give myself time to pray and tune out the rest of the world. It was nice and everyone was really welcoming.

Though I really enjoyed it, it's not really enough for me. I need to hear the gospel. I need to stand, kneel, and sit. I need to pray as a community. And most importantly I need to receive the Eucharist.  As much as I enjoyed the meeting, I couldn't help but think This is it. In the pamphlet I received about Quakerism it kind of talks down on the sacraments and traditional prayers that are so heavily utilized in the Catholic church.  For me the sacraments and the prayers are what keep my faith alive! They are tools that allow me to stay in relationship with Christ, even when I'm feeling far away.

Today, I wasn't feeling far though! I was able to go to mass at The Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in downtown Sacramento. I posted pictures above! It was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! I really enjoyed the priest's homily as well.  In today's gospel  Jesus tells us to enter through the narrow door. Why? It's much easier to enter through the wider door. But that's just it. We're accustomed to taking the easy way out. Is there a shortcut to heaven, give me the map! Is there an easier way to cook, order out! How can I make Christmas shopping easier, buy everything online! Jesus asks us to enter through the narrow door, through the door that is a little harder to get through. He challenges us to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Him. This was a good message to start my week with. Am I going to take easy routes this week or am I going to challenge myself to be the person Christ is calling me to be?
I'm hoping I'll rise to the occasion, but we'll see!

Also tonight after church I was able to go to a really cute music in the park concert series. There were tons of families and dogs! We had a great time and the weather was absolutely perfect!

Loving the Sac life!