Ordinary Time – To Jesus Sincerely

An Introduction to the Theological and Cardinal Virtues

Virtues are the building blocks of a holy life. They’re the characteristics of how our relationship with Jesus is played out daily.

Virtue is tied up in our spiritual life.

So, don’t try to be virtuous for the sake of self-improvement.

Instead, try to practice virtue for the sake of growing closer to Christ, for the sake of being more like Him, whom we’re made in the image of.

“The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.”
– CCC 1803 quoting St. Gregory of Nyssa

Here’s the deal… I’m not a pro at virtue. I love studying them because I desire so much to grow in them.

So today, I’m going to introduce you to each of the theological and cardinal virtues, but I’m also going to draw on the wisdom of other bloggers who’ve been so amazing to share their knowledge and experience with us!

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February 12, 2020 by tojesussincerely Categories: Meditations, Ordinary Time, Prayer Life, Virtue Challenge 1 Comment

If You Want to be Happy, Say No to Distractions

Another confession, another life-changing piece of advice.

I’m going to open up with you about a struggle I brought up in confession just this weekend – that I think many of us deal with.

Distraction.

The internet.

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January 6, 2020 by tojesussincerely Categories: Meditations, Ordinary TimeTags: prudence, say no, the internet 5 Comments

What if You Could See the Supernatural World?

What if we could see the spiritual realm?

Look around you for a minute and see with your natural eyes. What are you surrounded by?

Four walls. People. Objects. Trees and plants, roads and buildings.

And space. Open space filled with invisible air.

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November 15, 2019 by tojesussincerely Categories: Meditations, Ordinary Time Leave a comment

How to Fulfill Your Holy Day Obligation

I have a new friend who is a Byzantine Catholic.

And I know, I’m butchering the terminology from line one, but I’m just figuring this whole Catholic rites thing out so gimme a break!

Anyways, I went to Mass on a recent Saturday and noticed it was the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

That Solemnity isn’t a Holy Day of Obligation for me (Latin Rite) but I happened to know (don’t ask me how) that it was a Holy Day of Obligation for my Byzantine friend.

So I got to wondering how she would fulfill her Holy Day of Obligation, since her Byzantine church is kinda far away.

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July 13, 2019 by tojesussincerely Categories: Ordinary Time, Prayer LifeTags: Byzantine Rite, Catholic Church, Catholic rites, Christmas, Holy Day, Holy Day of Obligation, Latin Mass, Mass, ordinary form, Solemnity, Sunday Mass, Vigil Mass 1 Comment

Our Rallying Cry: This is the Faith

#MyMassTakeaway for June 23, 2019, Corpus Christi. Cover photo by For the Taking Photography.

Do you have one of those phrases that pumps you up every time you hear it? I do.

In the liturgy of baptism, after the parents profess the baptismal vows, the priest prays, “This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Amen.

There’s something about the string of I do’s followed by the simple phrase “This is the faith” that rocks me to my core.

I want to stand up and clap and cheer and shout and hoot and holler.

It’s hard to explain.

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June 24, 2019June 24, 2019 by tojesussincerely Categories: #MyMassTakeaway, Ordinary Time 1 Comment

Catholic Trivia: The Liturgical Year

We play Catholic Trivia over on Instagram each month. These are the questions and answers to this month’s #4thFridayTrivia game.

What’s more familiar to us than the year?

We live it every day, every week, every month, year-in and year-out. You’d think we would know it like the back of our hand.

The liturgical year is packed full of amazing feast days and celebrations. And those feast days and celebrations are surrounded by traditions, customs, symbolism, history, debate, and meanings you may not know they had.

Let’s see how much you know about the liturgical calendar!

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March 23, 2019March 9, 2020 by tojesussincerely Categories: Advent, Catholic Trivia, Lent, Ordinary TimeTags: Advent, catholic, Easter, holy mass, holy water, Immaculate Conception, Lent, liturgical calendar, Liturgical Year, ordinary form, Saints, the mass 3 Comments

God: the only surgeon qualified to remove splinters (and boards) from eyes

#MyMassTakeaway for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This post contains amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through the links, I make a small percentage at no extra cost to you.

First of all, could these planks and splinters not be sticking out of eyes please? Cringe-city over here.

It doesn’t matter what size the wood is – if it’s in your EYE we have a major problem.

And for that matter, you shouldn’t by trying to take a sliver out of your friend’s eye, regardless of what’s in your own. Keep your tweezers away from my eye-splinters, thank you very much.

That job is for a qualified surgeon.

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March 3, 2019March 3, 2019 by tojesussincerely Categories: #MyMassTakeaway, Meditations, Ordinary Time Leave a comment

You can be your enemy’s greatest gift

#MyMassTakeaway for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Just imagine the world as a place where people were quick to extend mercy and slow to pass judgment. Where forgiveness prevailed over condemnation. Where enemies loved each other.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says,

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February 24, 2019February 25, 2019 by tojesussincerely Categories: #MyMassTakeaway, Meditations, Ordinary Time, Prayer LifeTags: #MyMassTakeaway, Gospel, Heaven, love your enemy, love your neighbor, Mass, Mass Readings Leave a comment

The Shock Value of the Backwards Beatitudes

#MyMassTakeaway for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Guys, Jesus is trying to provoke us with the Beatitudes.

Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false
prophets in this way.
Luke 6:20-26