Evidence for the Assumption of the Blessed Mother
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On this Holy Thursday, we enter into the Sacred Triduum with the commemoration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood. This passage from Pope Benedict XVI on the Last Supper leads us to contemplate the Lord’s love for us in this gift of Himself.
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15) With these words, Jesus began the celebration of his final meal and the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Jesus approached that hour with eager desire. In his heart he awaited the moment when he would give himself to his own under the appearance of bread and wine. He awaited that moment which would in some sense be the true messianic wedding feast: when he would transform the gifts of this world and become one with his own, so as to transform them and thus inaugurate the transformation of the world. In this eager desire of Jesus, we can recognize the desire of God himself – his expectant love for mankind, for his creation. A love which awaits the moment of union, a love which wants to draw mankind to itself and thereby fulfill the desire of all creation, for creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God (Rom 8:19) Jesus desires us, he awaits us. But what about ourselves? Do we really desire him? Are we anxious to meet him?” -Pope Benedict XVI, Holy Thursday Homily 2011.
It is easy to place our desires on the wrong things. If we desire to enjoy a family vacation in Hawaii for a week, we may work long hours and extra days to save enough money to afford the trip. If we desire to be healthy then we may choose to eat fresh vegetables as opposed to fast food hamburgers and fries. If we desire to strengthen a friendship or relationship with someone then we may sacrifice things in our day to allow more time to spend with that person. The same is true for our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
We work extra hours to afford an expensive vacation yet may not find time to spend an hour in prayer with the Lord. We make time to go the movies or enjoy a dinner at our favorite restaurant with loved ones, yet do not make time to go to Mass. Pope Benedict XVI spoke three powerful words we would choose well to contemplate: “Jesus desires us.” Whatever our greatest desire is at this moment, it does not compare to the desire the Lord of all Creation has for you and to spend time with you. Do you want to spend time with Him? How much do you really desire Him? When taken into context regarding the time and effort we spend achieving our greatest desires in this life, is Jesus really a desire of our heart or is He an item on a weekly “to-do” list?
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
