Advent IV with Fr. Robert Barron

Bishop Robert Barron celebrated the 4th week of Advent here for our Franciscan community. I thought it would be great to post his homily on entering into God's presence and direction for our own lives just as Joseph did. The message was to get outside of our own worlds and our own selves and simply enter into God's. "Learn how to Dream big" he says, because like St. Paul, we've all been sent. Here's the audio, enjoy!
 

Second, the band got some great positive feedback after playing in the mass. I also recorded the recessional song called "Come To Us" by Greg Walton, a third Order Franciscan who I meet in Los Angeles during the Religious Ed Congress. I entered his drawing to win a free CD that weekend. Well after the conference I checked my email and lo and behold, I had won that free CD! This song, was on that CD and I instantly feel in love with the words and the melody of it all. I had no idea I would be playing this exact song 8 months later for Bishop Robert Barron during Mass in Santa Ynez Valley California. Take a listen.

 

A Moving Will

Usually when we accomplish something we feel good about it, if we did not feel good about our accomplishments then there would be no reason to start. I think of my younger days when I would run up the water bill by leaving the waterhose on in the backyard to make a small river that trickled down from the patio all the way to the end of the yard. I would dig a small trench and make turns and curves for the water, make reservoirs where the water would gather then soon continue down the path I created. I tried so hard to keep the water from overflowing and out of control, I placed sticks and rocks to make it look authentic and then I would connect it all together, end to end to keep the water running. The fact is that when it was all done I was proud of what I had done, It was fun to watch, my toes got wet and muddy but it was an accomplishment in my eyes.

 In a bigger picture, in all eyes man has a moving will. Our will is moved primarily by Grace and secondarily our will may be moved by motivation, joy and even the outcomes that we foresee. What I mean by the will is our plan or our judgments of right and wrong, even our desire. God gives us free will, meaning we can choose to go left or right, we have the option to live a good life or a bad life. The reason why we have a moving will is because we do things, and we are moved. As humans we want to see the outcome, we want to see our accomplishments and we want to be happy and joyous because of them. Ultimately, God moves our will by the Grace he provides. God aids our will by his presence in our lives, and so it is by his aid of Grace that our will can be conformed to the will of His.

The past May I graduated from college, after four long collegiate years it is joyous yet at the same time, it is a reminder for me that God has moved and continues to move my own will. Free will is not so free, because God captivates by his love and Grace and He aids us to make the right moves in our lives. One Catholic musician by the name of Luke Spehar describes it well in a song he wrote, God as a Master chess player, knows every possible move, but plays the one that is best in fulfilling that goal. God in his love for us, wishes to move the will rather than the mind. This means that God wants to have an impact in our lives on helping us choose right over wrong, and good over bad. This is why we have goals in our lives. Today our lives are made up of 'finish lines' if you will. Finish lines like graduating high school, or graduating college, getting a new car, buying a new house, or learning that rainbow soccer trick. All of these are finish lines and goals, they are ends. The reason why we start in attempting to obtain these goals are well one, because we are naturally ordered to an end. We are naturally ordered to finish lines just like a flower is naturally ordered to full blossom and then on to it's withering, it is apart of life. The joy is that we have to work for these things and God allows us to work for these things, God allows us to strive for these goals, and He wants us to experience the joy in crossing that finish line. Since God desires to move the will, he allows it and aids it to be moved. If we are given perfect clarity in life and given no natural end then there is no practice in moving the will. If we know the outcome of our each and individual lives then it would harm the will, build up our pride and humble our minds.

So therefore, God in his love for us, allows us and aids us by his Grace in moving our will. As humans, we naturally have a moving will, that will is ultimately moving towards God. So when we accomplish something, recognize that God moves our will, He places motivation in us, He helps us be determined to accomplish, He helps us overcome adversity all by the help of His Grace and it is through all of this that our wills are being trained and moved to God.

I'll Leave (For You)

Everyday I know that I'm getting closer and closer to what I'm called to do. It's sort of scary but exciting at the same time. It's like starting another chapter but you don't know how it's going to be written. One thing is for sure, I do know what I need to do and that is to leave everything. Deep inside I don't want an amazing life, I don't want to be rich an famous an smart. I want to help and be there for those who don't have nothing either. The other day, I was praying in the chapel over my vocation there at school an I felt like leaving. I felt like getting up an walking out, I wasn't frustrated and I wasn't mad. It was me wanting to leave the good life and pick up a lesser life I feel like. That night I wrote a song about leaving everything we have, our pride, our homes and even the things that we want so badly like love, an materials. The thing is that I do want all of that, I just have to say no to those things I want. This song is called I'll leave (For You) click the link below or click the 'my music' tab at the top. Enjoy. 

http://www.soundcloud.com/vscarrasco/ill-leave-for-you/s-ZpJIw

Be Strong (Joshua's Prayer)

In the book of Joshua, we can find that the Lord instructs Joshua to 'be strong and courageous' a number of times, in fact more than usual. Now Joshua at that time, was Moses' right hand man he went everywhere with Moses and witnessed many things with him. Joshua was a brave soldier, a spy, and a man of prayer. When Moses had died, the Lord appointed Joshua to be his servant and to led his people, the Israelites to the land that the Lord had promised to them as inheritance. Joshua was a brave soldier, but he was discouraged and feared that he would fail. then again who wouldn't right? The reminder in the book of Joshua is to not be afraid, and to take courage. "Have I not commanded you? Be Strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

For me, there has been an absence of strength and courage, and what I mean by that is an absence to really defend everything that I stand for. Upon reading the book of Joshua, there is a reminder, a prayer and a desire to grow in strength and in courage. I think a lot of times, myself included, we are afraid to speak up against evil, we are scared to make that leap of faith or maybe afraid to go where he wants to lead us. Maybe we are down and out with no strength at all. Well God gives us strength, all we have to do is trust him, be strong and courageous and remember that he will be with us wherever we go, Just like he told Joshua when he was afraid. For me, as I felt this absence of courage, I began thinking of Joshua and how he might of felt the exact same way, felt somewhat powerless and not at all trusting in God and his divine plan for him. I wrote a song and prayed it over and over in my head as many times as I could. To remember the presence of God within me and in each of you. I pictured Joshua crying out to God, praying just as he loved to do and asking for strength and removal of his own pride. This song, for me is a reminder of the strength and courage that we can obtain through God in every circumstance. It is a reminder to be strong, endure and withstand any situation because no matter what God will never leave us and he is always with us.
In realizing the necessity of our own strength and trusting in the strength of God there is joy and a chance for rising an overcoming. As Joshua led the battle of Jericho in strength, so too, we can face our own battles with that same strength. In Psalm 31 we are allowing ourselves to be placed at the foot of the fortress of God, he will protect us, lead us and guide us. God will deliver us, he will rescue us, and he will not abandon us. These two scriptures, Joshua 1:9 and Psalm 31 can be reflected on together. It is in our strength we can overcome anything and any trial.

For the victims of the deadly tornado outbreak in Oklahoma, be strong and courageous for the lord your God will be with you. He has not left you, he will walk with you. Be strong, and trust in his divine plan.

Jesus, grant us courage to rise, strength to endure and everlasting trust in you. Amen.

To Listen go to https://soundcloud.com/vscarrasco/be-strong-joshuas-prayer

Like the Water Flows

For a long time, I felt like I was being held back. I was weighed down and tied up, tied up by what? It was my guilt, my sin, and my shame. I had gone to confession before but I felt like it wasn't enough. During my stay in Pecos, I remember sitting there in prayer for a really long time, I prayed long and hard that I be forgiven from all my faults, It was hard because I had to look deep inside of myself, and finally look at what it was that was keeping me from being a fully, functioning Christian. When I think about it now, It's like I really doubted the Mercy that God offers me, I never knew what it meant to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. All I did was stare into the eyes of a man who was given the vocation to resolve me from my Sins with the help of God, and then I would leave and pick it up, right where I left off. That kills me, that kills us. By the state of Original sin that was given to us, it's natural for us to sin, it's in our nature and always will be. However we shouldn't take the Mercy of God for granted and that's what was hard even for me to comprehend.
I was standing in the river there at the Monastery and I remember being so cold and so covered that It was so hard to walk and move. The wind blew up against my back and sometimes I would lose my footing beneath the current and plunge into waist high waters. I began to think of all the sin that I had brought with me and how likewise, it was the same. So heavy, so cold and keeping me unable to move, sometimes scared to keep moving forward because with all that weight you don't ever know if you'll go deeper with it all and drown or sometimes become carried away by the water that is pushing you.

I thought..

Even like the likewise, we push Christ away by our actions, we knock him down and repeatedly keep him from getting to where he would like to be with us. It's almost like our sinful nature allows us to be like this, like the water, where at one point, we become so strong and in favor of doing whatever we want to do. At the same time, I thought of how just like that raging water, and raging sin, so too, is the Mercy of Christ with us. So strong, so full that it's like a giant river that is cabable of covering anything, no matter how big or bad of a past we have. That same water, that brings us down and pushes us around, is the same water that lifts us up and holds us high.

When I returned home, that analogy has stuck with me ever since, and I wrote a song about it.. Remember, no matter where you've been or where you have gone, our God is a kind, loving and merciful God. Like the water flows, so does his Mercy. Here's the video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNxB5XJ9vQM&feature=youtu.be

By Your Love

You know what I was walking to class one day and I just felt the need to slow down and pray. Have you ever felt like that? Maybe your going to fast that you feel like you just got to slow down. We'll that's how I felt. I started praying in my head, then I came to wonder why us humans just want more of everything we get. We aren't satisfied with anything, I know I'm not. At the same time I am grateful for everything I have. But first of all, what makes us come to that thought? It is the Love of God. I think that we all know that God's love has made us to be who we are now.
Since I have been here I have been so grateful for what God has given me, with my education and a great chance to serve him. I know that it was only by the graces of God that made me who I am now, and where I am today. Everyday I praise God and thank him, because I know it was by miracle that everything worked out. I wrote this song when I was playing the guitar that same day, It helps me remember that God knows exactly what he is doing with us, some times we might forget that he is shaping us to be better people. Playing this song, I am reminded that everything happens for a reason, and that wherever we are in our lives would not be possible without God. Here is the Song :)

By your love, we are made new
By your Grace, we are drawn to You
Let Glory Fall, on you who made us all
Honor and praise, to you God we raise

Each and everyday I am drawn to you
Your love and mercy fall, it all surrounds
Living this life, and doing what you chose
I still seem to wonder if its around
Each and everyday its always me that you impress
You leave me searching, for love that cant be found
Draw me close to you lord, It's my soul that i'll undress
Everywhere I stand, Everywhere I go, I'll Know that...

Now is where I Stand, open to your hands
Living day to day, knowing that its all part of your plan
The Love you set before me, makes me hunger and thirst
The grace you implant in me, makes me praise and shout
Where I am now, would be nothing without the life you bring
Where I am now, just makes me want to lift me hands and sing!
I know why I am here. I know how you got my ear...

Lift my voice and sing, cause we are loved
Jump, praise and shout, cause our God Reigns
Let glory fall, on you who made us all
Honor and praise, to you God we raise!

You Illuminate

The One the thing to remember as we are going through our days is that Jesus Christ is present everywhere. All we have to do is look, and notice what he has set before us. These past few months has been something really special to me, not only because I have been tested so many times but because these trials that come bring joy. Thank God that I have finally noticed whats been going on. Everytime I feel empty, Something tells me I'm full, full of joy, full of happiness, all I have to do is search for it. The fact of the matter is, is that Christ never leaves us, he always shines brighter than any trial we are facing and it's him we should turn to. As I noticed this that seems so far but so close I have come to write a song about it. The moral of the Song comes to those who see everything the way Christ would see them. Here is the song...

From the Moment I wake up
To the moment I go to sleep
Your love surrounds me, it covers me
It's everywhere I go to be

From the moment of sun's first light
To the moment of moonlight's final cry
You are there Within, to help make things right
You are there within, The Apple of Every eye

Stain my skin by loves bright sun,
illuminate on me your heat of newborn love.
So real is your touch,
So Divine is this blush

Chorus
Lord, you Illuminate
Lord, you Illuminate,
I see you everyday,I'm walking your way
Cause you Illuminate,
Nothings left to say but You Illuminate.

Mission-Trip Oklahoma City

This past week I went on a mission trip with the Catholic Student Center to Oklahoma City. It was awesome, well It could of been better but missionary wise it was great. We stayed at a Catholic youth Camp on the outskirts of OKC about an hour away from the city. It was so beautiful out there, the stars were out every night. the trees blew with the fresh breeze, and the creatures churped almost with the sound of nature. Like a song that you already know the words. Our first night there I went outside to meditate a little bit. I remember looking up at the sky, watching the stars twinkle in the midnight blue. I remember saying,"Lord, I want to follow you, I wanna do what you want me to do. I trust you with all my heart. I just want you to allow your spirit flow through me like water, and reveal to me my calling." I said,"Lord I love you, I will go where you go, but If I end up on my knees I will crawl to you."and in that I ended my prayer and went inside to write in my journal, and I just started writing, I couldn't stop, for some reason those words just stuck to my head, so I wrote this song check it out...


If I end up on my knees, I will crawl, crawl to you.


This journeys so rough
One I can't seem to stand
I'd say I just about give it all up
But you hold me in the palm of your hand.


Lead me the way, through heated sun
Guide me to your sands of Endless love
God of mercy of grace show me the way
For its you I embrace, yea Its you I embrace!


Its you I will follow, You I will serve.
Anything you set, I'll do it for you
It's what I want, It's what you deserve
God my god, I will follow you.


This song, when I play it I get this since of peace and shadow of God. So throughout the whole mission trip I could not wait to go home only to play the song I had wrote through the holy spirit. Well as we went. We painted a pantry that this sister has started 10 years ago. "Sister BJs Pantry" we moved all the clothes put blue painters tape on the windows and trip, set up plastic. And started painting away. We used light blue, and dark blue. It took two whole days to paint the first and second coats. The second day also had us finish the gazebo in the garden. Stain it for the day to come. The day coming was the main part of the participation. We were to make sack lunches that had, water, chips, candy, a granola bar, and a sandwich. They were to be handed out to all homeless that got in line that morning. It was the butt crack of dawn but it was well worth it to see people who have no socks, no teeth. old clothes, but had smiles that ran across their faces from ear to ear. It was a trip I won't ever forget, One that will help me be what I wanna be; a missionary for Christ.