The best thing to give up for Lent (and it’s not chocolate)
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The disciples must have been staggeringly confused. They had witnessed Jesus calm the storm, raise the dead, heal lepers, cast out demons, and walk on water. He fed the thousands and spoke with authority when teaching. He was the Messiah. They were convinced of it. But now, he was dead, and they were left without him. What do they do? Where do they go? The Lord was gone…or was he?
“They took the body of Jesus, and bound it with burial cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day, for the tomb was close by.” (John 19:40-42)
There are times in life when it seems the world has beaten us down and we are defeated. We have been broken, battered, mocked, abused, and spit upon in countless ways. Jesus understands and He has not abandoned you. God is still there. He is amid the suffering, abuse, and grief you are enduring. He has not abandoned you. Just as Sunday was coming for Jesus. Your Sunday is right around the corner.
“On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.” (John 20:1)
God is still with us. He is with you right now. He loves you. When it seems that God is silent then we must remember that Silent Saturday was followed by Resurrection Sunday. We are to continue being faithful and trust the Lord even when we do not understand.
When it seems God is silent – pray anyway. When it seems God has abandoned you – worship anyway. When it seems God is nowhere to be found – trust anyway. When is seems God has been defeated by the world – believe anyway.
He may be silent, but He has not left. He is still there.
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
