Be Defined by our Possessions — or our Generosity

by David Lins  |  07/31/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

This Sunday’s readings are not subtle.

The first reading begins, “Vanity of vanities, all things are vanity!” If you are familiar with the proper translation—this isn’t talking about self-obsession. This is actually saying everything is fleeting. Beauty, status, wealth. This life goes by incredibly fast and you can’t take any of it with you. As Rose Totino once said, “You never see a U-Haul hitched to the back of a Hearse.”

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Hidden Pain

by David Lins  |  07/24/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

often think one of the most difficult aspects of my back injury is that no one else can see it. It isn’t like my eyes turn red when the pain reaches a certain level. My lumbar doesn’t emit a low-level hum. And I try not to just yell when I’m hurting.

But I have come to realize that I’m not alone. Most people’s worst pains are hidden from the wider world. It might be physical pain that is so bad you understand why the lead character in the television show “House” became addicted to pain killers and was always cranky. It might be psychological pain caused by conflict, struggles, or the aftermath of tragedy. Well, the list could go on and on. The point is that most of the people we interact with on a daily basis are carrying invisible pain to one degree or another.

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Mary has chosen the better

by David Lins  |  07/17/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

This weekend, we hear the story of Martha and Mary. You know the one. Martha is getting things done while Mary (NOT his mom, different Mary) just sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to him.

Martha finally gets sick of it (like most people who get things done when they see someone “just sitting there!”) and asks Jesus to say something to Mary.

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Explaining the Church's Position

by David Lins  |  07/10/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

We sometimes forget that both politicians and media conglomerates hire professional writers to craft their messaging. These people are truly gifted at what they do and can quickly make arguments so persuasively that those who oppose their viewpoints are often quick to question themselves.

And a small army of these persuasion ninjas have been unleashed on the abortion issue. Stand strong in the facts, my friends. I am currently working on a series of videos that help explain the Church’s position to help remind you and share with others.

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Reassignment

by David Lins  |  07/03/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

I was in my mid-twenties. I was a youth minister at my second parish and I’d built the largest Catholic youth ministry program in California north of Los Angeles. And I was in Modesto, not a big city like San Francisco, San Jose, or Sacramento.

On a day like any other, I was summoned into a meeting with the pastor and the head of HR. I was informed that my services were no longer needed. (I confirmed later that the pastor’s friend—also a youth minister—was moving back to the smaller town.) I was shocked. I was hurt. I seriously considered walking away from ministry for good.

Then, something crazy happened. I went to one last Mass at that particular parish and I heard a line from this weekend’s Gospel. An amazing line.

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When You Feel the Pull Toward the Lord...

by David Lins  |  06/26/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

When I was a full-time youth minister (shorthand for coordinator or director of youth ministries in a Catholic Church), one of the most heartbreaking moments was just before a retreat or conference when a young person would say something like, “Thanks for the invite. I really want to go. And I’ll go next time! It’s just... I’ve got this ::insert random sport, social, or family event. My ::insert parent, coach, teacher, or friend:: really wants me to go.”

Most of the time, I knew (I KNEW!) that if they went, it would likely change the trajectory of their lives (and afterlives). But if they didn’t, the opportunity would be missed and the pressures and competing pulls of adolescence would prevent them from ever prioritizing their Faith again.

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Father's Day

by David Lins  |  06/19/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

On Monday, I dropped my daughter off at her new school for KinderCamp. The next day, she turned five. And this weekend is Father’s Day. Blend these up and you get a dad thinking quite a bit about his relationship with his daughter.

One day, there is a good chance some young man is going to come along and ask if he can marry my little girl. I’m going to ask him if he thinks he is worthy of her.

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Trinity Sunday

by David Lins  |  06/12/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

This weekend’s Gospel focuses on the central mystery of our Catholic Faith—the Trinity. The eternal Creator. The eternal Redeemer. The eternal Advocate. Three in one. Eternally.

The quick definition of mystery is “something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.” So, yeah. I’m not going to try and explain the Trinity in a small column. I’ll leave that to the ordained professionals. Instead, I want to focus in on that one word: “mystery.”

I’ve noticed lately that most of my close friends are geniuses. I’m serious. If Kim Jong gets us with a missile, I’ve got a friend who failed. Another friend is basically MacGyver and the government regularly asks him to invent things. And the list goes on.

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Pentecost

by David Lins  |  06/05/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Have you been confirmed? No? What are you waiting for!? If you are in 3rd or 4th grade, contact Sr. Susan Marie. If you will be in 6th-12th grade next year, reach out to our youth ministries coordinator, Mady. If you are a high school graduate and still alive—email me at dlins@oloj.org.

But if you have been confirmed... what are you so afraid of?!

The disciples were huddled up in a locked room. They were frightened for their very lives. They dared not speak the name of the Lord or they might be put to death.

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He Died for our Sins

by David Lins  |  05/29/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

The Catholic Church recognizes, understands, and even remembers that the Bible did not simply fall from the sky intact. It was written by the Holy Spirit through the followers of the One True God and compiled by the early Church.

The Church has always relied on the Magisterium, Sacred Scripture, and Sacred Tradition. All three. Put simply: God entrusts the same Church that He trusted to record His Word—to interpret His Holy Word. It only makes sense. That is what the Magisterium is responsible for. In that light, let’s look at the purpose of the Ascension.

Many just assume it is when Jesus’ purpose on earth was complete and he was finally able to go enjoy his home in heaven.

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I Love You Lord

by David Lins  |  05/20/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Parenthood seems to be one long string of graduations. No, I’m not talking about preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and college. Those are for the children. I am referring to the parents.

Kids just keep growing up and as the parents start to finally master that “level of parenting,” the kids evolve into something new. It’s the parenting equivalent of “Oh. You think you are running the show, high school varsity popular kid? Here comes college where nobody knows you!”

Here are some parenting graduation moments: when they become mobile, become verbal, recognize they have free will, discover the opposite sex, get a license... The list goes on and on.

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God is Love

by David Lins  |  05/15/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Humans have been trying to figure out love since creation. Look at the variety of ways it is treated in popular songs over the last 70 years. “Endless Love.” “Crazy In Love.” “All You Need Is Love.” “Love Me Tender.” “I Will Always Love You.” “You Give Love A Bad Name.”

Some think love means you can’t get someone out of your head. But love must be deeper than infatuation, because love shouldn’t be something that burns so brightly and burns out so quickly.

Some think love should be exclusive, reserved for those closest to us. But love must be wider than exclusive earned membership, or we wouldn’t have been commanded to love our enemies.

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The Lord is My Shepherd

by David Lins  |  05/08/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Since my entire ancestry is rooted in farming, it pains me to admit that not all farmers are honest 100% of the time. If they were, there would be no need for branding or spray painted markings on livestock. After all, livestock costs a small fortune and it is all too easy to go “shopping” for free animals on neighboring farms.

Before anti-theft techniques began being used, stealing from other flocks was quite common—and it is against this backdrop that Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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Passion

by David Lins  |  05/01/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

There are topics people are so passionate about that the mere mention elicits a landslide of opinion and thought. It is as if some unsuspecting innocent wandered a bit too close and set off a bomb.

I know someone who feels that way about firearms. I know another friend who feels that way about Star Wars. I know several friends who feel that way about their football team. And yes... I know too many who feel that way about politics.

I could NEVER know enough who feel that way about Jesus Christ and the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church he founded.

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