"Words not Deeds" in our Baptism

At Mass yesterday, in light of the Baptism of Jesus in the Gospel, the priest encouraged everyone to consider their own baptism, and what it means to them. As Catholics, baptized as babies, we often seem to forget that we have been baptized or that it "did" something for us as Christians. 

In reality, our baptism is everything. It signifies that have become part of a community of believers, that we been washed clean of Original Sin, and that now, we have a duty because we have been anointed priest, prophet, and king. So, what does my baptism mean to me?

As a priest, I am called to celebrate the Mass with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am called to pray for others, and offer my own "sacrifices" to the Lord. Just as Melchizedek offered burned offerings, we offer are on failings, triumphs, lives to God each day. But we also offer the greatest sacrifice each Sunday in the Eucharist, recognizing and receiving God's Son. 

Baptized as a prophet, I am called to proclaim my love of the Lord! This means that I am to share my faith with others, to not deny him three times as Peter did, but to claim God as my own. This also means that I am supposed to bring others closer to God through my own life. Camp, church with Josh, prayer with my family and friends, all of these things are acts of a prophet for the Lord. 

King. I think this is perhaps the most difficult one - what does it mean to be a king for God? I think this is a call to leadership, in our own ways. For me, this being a camp director, a big sister, a future wife and mother, who will guide those in her care closer to God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

But ultimately, my baptism means action. It means walking my talk, and truly embodying what Christ has called me to be, a daughter of God, a priest in my own right, a prophet through the written word, and a king through leadership skills and opportunities Christ has blessed me with. 

Try to meditate on your baptism today - what does it mean to you? What do you do and what do you say that shows the world your fire that you have been baptized with? 

Tota tua, 

LeAnn 

P.S. the quote, "words not deeds" comes from Alice Paul, a suffragist and feminist who is totally worthy of a quick search today if you feel like learning about an incredible, hardworking woman! 

Sisters, Wives, Best Friends

Sometimes we just need to give thanks for the people in our lives, for those who have been around for years and stuck by us in the good times and bad, you did the same for them. True friendship, the deep friendship that changes as the two of you change  is a lasting one. My high school years weren't the best (whose are?), but I truly struggled in the friend-department, the people I considered my friends were not true friends, the person who I could have been the closest to I pushed away because of petty differences. I was entirely tunnel-visioned on what I needed as a friend, and not what my friends needed from me. But in college, like for most people, friendship became a choice rather than a demand. Instead of being trapped with the same people, you could truly choose your friends wisely. Which is what led me to the friendships I have today.

I mentioned on Saturday that I was having difficulties within the law school to find a lot of people who I felt connected to, who understood and respected me, but honestly, I'm not too terribly worried about it after some reflection, because for the first time, I live in the same city as two out of my three closest friends (besides Josh of course!). And these ladies I would do anything for, and have taught me so much about life and friendship. 

My "sister", Cearrah taught me early on the friendship does not requires constant communication or an identical set of values, although similar is nice. We met freshman year and grew together, the Cearrah I met five years ago is not the Cearrah today, and I love her for it. As I emboldened her, she evened me out. A dangerously introverted pair, who can sit on the couch and do nothing with great pleasure. Cearrah was the first friend who understood the introversion that I was learning about, and without her, I would not have survived freshman year. 

Myka, my bestie, we grew up ten minutes apart from one another, dated the same boy in high school, and somehow did not meet until college and even then, did not become close until sophomore year, when I was single actively seeking applications for second female best friend. She is so driven and focused, and those two qualities made me feel better about my own drive and focus. We held an internship together, planned one and now two weddings together, and have held each other up when things seemed impossibly big.

My wifey, my sweet Sharon who is my camp friend from many years gone by. As reform directors who finished each other's sentences after the first day to now, finally living in the same city- only ten minutes from one another too! Sharon saw me through so many dark spots, and she was such a light to me, her faith is the most beautiful thing about her, although she's not too hard on the eyes either. Sharon inspired me to live my faith more fully and deeply, she encouraged me to go for the camp director's position, and has given me her faith and support more times than I count.

You're probably rolling your eyes by now at this post, "we get it, you have good friends..." but wait there's a message here. All three of these women respect me for me, they cheer me on, and love me even when I don't. Surrounding yourself with people you admire and want to be like is a real thing- those three helped shape me in more ways than I even know. They are all blessings, and I wouldn't want to confront this world without them. Sisterhood is a very real relationship, and a necessary one to survive the burdens of life. Consider Ruth and Naomi, and how Ruth committed to her when she needed her, and how Naomi loved and protected Ruth because of this. There sisterhood and faith is what blessed them and allowed them to survive despite everything they were confronted with. Build yourself a community of sisterhood, to help support you in your faith and in your trials. There is more to friendship than hanging out, there is a real reason humanity is not meant to be solitary at all times.

So here is my challenge for all of you, make a list of your sisters, your best friends, your wifeys, and tell them thank you. And after that read the book of Ruth (it's short, don't worry), and consider what you can take away from this in regards to love, friendships, and commitments to those friendships. Those wonderful women were put in your life for a reason, what is it? What can you learn from them?

Tota tua,

LeAnn

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