Overcoming Temptation

Overcoming temptation. Well, that’s easier said than done. As we strive for victory during our Christian walk, I heard a great message which provides practical tips and Godly wisdom for success.

We all face temptations, but recognizing where they originate, and how to avoid or tackle them, I think will go a long way towards our happiness now and eternally.

Temptations versus Trials.

What’s the difference. The Greek word, peirasmos, is the same word for both temptation and trial, yet we know these words are different. Trial is a test of faith. Whereas, temptation whether from outside or within typically involves a temptation of the flesh.

As we read in the Catechism, “Temptation is an attraction, either from outside oneself or from within, to act contrary to right reason and the commandments of God. Jesus himself during his life on earth was tempted, put to the test, to manifest the opposition between himself and the devil and the triumph of his saving work over Satan (CCC 538).

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Speaking Truth in Today’s Culture

LUKE 4:24-30

By: Bishop Robert Barron, Lenten Reflections

Friends, today’s Gospel develops a theme that is uncomfortable. It tells how the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus. Authentically religious people, authentically spiritual people, will almost always be opposed. The logic behind this is simple and unanswerable: we live in a world gone wrong, a world turned upside down; therefore, when someone comes speaking the truth to us, we will think that they are crazy and dangerous.

Think for just a moment what would happen to you if you consistently and publicly spoke the word of God to our culture. If you spoke out against abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, human trafficking, rampant materialism, and ideological secularism, what would happen to you? If you presented, in a full-throated way, the full range of Catholic social and moral and spiritual teaching, what would they do to you? Trust me, they would throw you in a version of Jeremiah’s cistern.

 

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Find Healing Through Forgiveness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Brigid Curtis Ayer

Carmel — Forgiveness is something Christians are called to do. When Jesus was asked how often must a person forgive, his answer– “70 times seven.” Scripture scholars do not surmise the answer is 490, but rather that Jesus wants us to forgive a lot, or some suggest, infinitely.

But when a person is wounded by another, sometimes forgiveness doesn’t come easy said Eric Gudan, Ph.D. in Psychology, during a recent, presentation at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on the topic of Finding Healing Through Forgiveness.

As the presentation title suggests, when a person forgives, they are set free from the mental and physical toll that unforgiveness causes.  Gudan, a licensed clinical psychologist and health service provider at Integritas Psychological Services in Indianapolis, said that in therapy, the goal is to remove impediments to having authentic relationships.

Gudan provided a road map for the group to navigate forgiveness including a four-phase model. He said a large part of his work involves helping people forgive others and recover from the wounds they have incurred. Gudan offered a quote to reflect on from Pope Francis.

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Local artist creates Ark of the Covenant replica

Carmel, IN–In the early 2000’s, Jonathan Chamblee was best known around Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish as the theological intellectual who directed the high school youth program, however he gained a new reputation as an accomplished metal artist with the unveiling of his work– a life size, brass-laid, replica of the Ark of the Covenant with monstrance on top.

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Start Out Small, Build Something Great

 

 

 

 

 

Start small. That’s the message.

Bishop Robert Barron’s reflections frequently make me laugh. And I couldn’t resist re-posting another one of his great reflections. (See below italics.)

When we think of the mustard seed, and what it eventually becomes–a huge tree– it gives us an insight into God’s way of thinking.

We are so impatient as Americans. It’s no wonder we are impatient because we live in fast food, fast cash, quick text message, instagram culture. Everything is almost instantaneous, and in real time, FAST. But God doesn’t exactly work that way. And Bishop Barron has a really great insight as to why God has us start out small.

I hope you take the time to read this short reflection below by Bishop Barron.

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Praying for a Culture of Life

On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the decision which made abortion legal in the United States, it’s important to reflect a bit on how many people are not with us today because they were — well, aborted.  Abortion is a, “choice” which involves a very brutal and harsh act of violence rendered against a voiceless and marginalized child. Is this America in 2018?

Every day I read a reflection on the Gospel for the Mass readings by Bishop Robert Barron. His topic today was on Roe v. Wade.  I don’t think we can underestimate the impact abortion has on people lives and our society. Below is Bishop Barron’s reflection on Roe v. Wade decision & the Gospel of Mark 3: 22-30.

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Contemplative prayer group offers community and solace

By Brigid Curtis Ayer

Carmel—Silence is hard to come by in today’s noisy world, but not for those who attend a tri-weekly, contemplative prayer group at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, in Carmel.  Silence drives the experience of encountering Jesus.

Barb Gryna, who created and leads the prayer group, says the format draws together a small group seeking peace and conversation with God. The group’s genesis provided a way for Gryna to deal with her anxiety and depression and support others suffering with it. Gryna say one need not have depression or anxiety to attend, the group welcomes anyone who seeks to deepen his or her relationship with God.

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Cuperino Aviation Club takes flight and faith to new levels

By Brigid Curtis Ayer

Noblesville— The Cupertino Aviation Club takes flight and faith to new levels as it expands its scope in a club relaunch effort this fall.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishioner, Tom Beckenbauer, founder and president of the Catholic Aviation Association, said the local Cupertino Aviation Club, allows him to combine his passion for flying and his Catholic faith. “It’s a way that I can pass on all that God has given me to others.”

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Loaves and Fishes Ministry chair “Sees Christ” while Serving others

Father Ted Rothrock (in black) is flanked by St. Elizabeth Seton Loaves and Fishes ministry leaders. Father Rothrock blessed the many bags of donated food. They loaded into the trucks destined for the Merciful Help Center.

Carmel–Susan McIntosh, chair of the Loaves and Fishes ministry at St. Elizabeth Seton parish in Carmel says she “sees Christ in the people” she serves. The St. Elizabeth Seton food outreach ministry recently conducted its Blue Bag food drive.

Loaves and Fishes ministry partners with the Merciful Help Center at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to collect food, restock the pantry, and help clients ‘shop’ at the food pantry located on the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel campus on 146th street in Carmel.

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Pornography: Fighting the New Drug

 By: Brigid Curtis Ayer

National pornography education speaker Garret Jonsson shared personal testimony on his pornography addiction and the brain Science behind it with students at Guerin Catholic High School, Sept. 25.

Jonsson, presenter and ambassador for Fight the New Drug, a pornography education group, works to make inroads with young people and raise awareness of the risks involved with pornography. “It’s a movement for love, and a movement to help young people make informed decisions,” said Jonsson.

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