Five Reasons Why I’ll Never be Liberal

Let’s be honest, the reason I don’t blog very often, is because my blog isn’t my personal diary. I have a spiritual journal for that. However, there has been quite a few exciting on-goings, but I suppose that’s just growing up and moving along with life. Most importantly with the Divine Will. Hooray for Momma Mary being the perfect example of absolute conformity, when I need so much help with that. Mother really does know best. 

Let’s talk about liberalism. You’re either liberal, or you’re a hateful and intolerant person who wants to watch the world burn. At least that’s how they paint it, though to be fair, I have met some nice libs.

While liberalism is a political leaning, it’s also a way of living, (barely) thinking and behaving. One day I began to think to myself, “What if I was a liberal? Wait a minute, nope.” 

I just couldn’t and can’t do it without lying to myself, here’s why: 

5) I value logic over emotions

Now, for the record, we’re talking about plain logic in general. What is logic? The principles of correct reasoning? The study of valid reasoning?  Well, yes, that and much more. It’s used in philosophy and mathematics, so it has to be important, otherwise we wouldn’t use it at all. Emotions are also important, but they have no place when it comes to logic, since emotions change. That’s natural, but not productive when it comes to logic. Just because I feel something, that doesn’t make it correct, or even true. This is because what we feel, is not what is the truth, because truth is not subjective. It’s always been objective. It doesn’t bend to our whims, and it never will. If you think it does, then it’s probably not the truth. This is a major pitfall in liberalism. If the sky is green because you feel it’s green, then by all means, it’s green. If anyone says otherwise, file a lawsuit and force everyone else to also acknowledge it’s green. However, that still doesn’t make it green. Sorry. But I’m not sorry. To explore a bit more in this ideology, if we all live however we think is correct, because we feel it’s correct, instead of living by what is correct, then we fall into being a morally relativistic society. 

But wait. 

We’re already there.

However, valuing logic over emotions doesn’t make you a robot. It makes you a truth seeker, and an eventual truth slayer, like Matt Walsh. If we are never open to being wrong, then we’ll never be open to being right.

4) I’m Open Minded 

 To have an open mind is to be willing to see the other side of things, willing to be wrong, and willing to learn. It takes humility. When we’re so close minded, we don’t allow ourselves to grow, and instead, we become grown children who are always right, even when we’re wrong. Yet the ones who swear they have the most open minds of them all, are the ones whose minds fall out, just like G.K Chesterton said. That’s exactly the case with your typical lib. It’s one thing to be solid on your opinions, but it’s a whole new field to be so close minded about it, that you can hardly fathom the idea that you just might be incorrect. 
What horror. I can’t bring myself to think that way, because it teeters on pride, and it’s unwise to assume you’re right on all matters. 

Sure, I might not agree, but I’m still willing to listen, think about it, and maybe change my mind, if it’s sound and true. If not, then at least I have your perspective and I was open to it. The end. It’s not that difficult. 

3) I value human life and dignity at all stages

From the womb to the tomb, my friends. We live in a culture that simply doesn’t respect life like it used to. It hardly respects life at all, though that tide is turning. However, liberals are notorious for failing to respect the lives of the unborn, and of the elderly. It’s ironic because they seem to forget that they were once unborn, and one day, God willing, they’ll grow to be one of the elderly. We see them clamoring for abortion on demand and without apology. 
Not far off, they’re for the right to euthanize those who need the most care. Not cool. All human life has dignity and value, no matter what the circumstance is. Circumstances are temporary, dignity is forever. 

2) I Believe in Personal Responsibility 

This one is pretty self-explanatory. We can’t run around expecting free stuff for the sake of free stuff, or blame others when we don’t get our way. Again, we become perpetual children who feel we’re entitled to everything and all things, just because we deserve it.
For what?

Who knows.

That doesn’t make for a productive society. It never has, hence why socialism doesn’t thrive. That makes a sub point, I also can’t ever be liberal because I don’t believe in socialism. My apologies, Mr. Branson. Before anyone blows a gasket, I fully realize that not all liberals are for socialism, but you can’t deny that this ideology leans towards it. As I exercise my right to free speech, I believe everyone has to be responsible for himself, because that’s how people grow up. What about the helpless, you say? By all means we should care for the truly helpless, nothing wrong with that, it’s what Christ calls us to do. However, to the people who are not helpless but just entitled; grow up, it’ll do you good. I promise. 

                                

1) I’m Catholic 

Hence, The Salty Catholic. Before I’m conservative, liberal, independent, green party or whatever, I am a Catholic faithful to the Magisterium, above all else. Complete truth lies in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, and what’s to be found outside of the fullness of truth? (not the fullness of truth, that’s what)
That’s exactly why I’ll always be Catholic.

It’s been said many times, that there are no conservative Catholics or liberal Catholics. Rightly so. There are faithful Catholics, and there are heretics. 

Oh, a heretic? 

For some reason, the word “heretic” has become taboo. It simply means one who believes heresy, which is what is contrary to Catholic doctrines and teachings. Which means that there’s lots of heretics running around, spreading more heresy. Not good, case in point being that the Church needs good, solidly catechized, and most of all, holy priests, religious and lay people to reverse this trend. It is happening though, Deo gratias.

Here’s the point, you can’t be both liberal and Catholic, because then you’ll end up an unfaithful Catholic. Again, not good, as it turns into a hot mess, since it’s all or nothing.
It usually goes like this, “Well I’m Catholic, but I don’t believe in a, b, and c.” 

or: “(I was raised Catholic, but) I just can’t agree with the Church on d, or e.” 

But there’s hope, because there’s always hope with God. We’re not talking about pseudo campaign “hope”. Too bad we couldn’t believe in it. 

Now, if you are a Catholic who struggles with accepting Church teachings, take some advice. Get yourself properly catechized and go to confession. I say (type) that with the utmost charity. I’m not salty all the time. It all boils down to, do (or don’t do) this out of love for God. But if you take my advice, you’ll find that out for yourself. 

’Till next time, pax. 

Praying for Peace

I have to beg all of my readers, fellow Catholics and Christians, to pray for the persecution of our fellow Christians in the Middle East. If you haven’t seen the pictures or read any of the news on their situation, which the mainstream media is being biased on, believe me when I say that the situation is absolutely heartbreaking. There is a genocide going on, and we cannot continue to avert our eyes, and remain in our comfort zones. Not while men, women and children are being slaughtered like animals, for believing in Jesus Christ. As Pope Francis recently said, this crisis offends God.

Please continue to pray, fast and offer sacrifices for peace, the courage of the persecuted and for the conversions of the persecutors. Also, especially pray for peace on August 17th.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace,
Pray for us

The Silent Drug

There’s a new plague in our society. It has been lurking over time, yet gradually growing, infecting, and spreading wherever it can reach. 
Sometimes it’s silent. Sometimes it’s a whisper. Sometimes it rears its’ ugly head, demanding to be seen and heard by all, only to take all down with it. 

Pornography. 

Yes, I’m finally going there. It’s nearly impossible to go anywhere, turn on any channel, any radio station, anything, without it being pornographic, even in the slightest away. More than anything, it’s pathetic. 

Pathetic because these organizations, producers, directors, designers and whatnot are reducing all to cheap sexuality to force-feed to the people. Our latest example is 50 Shades of Grey. But, we as people can rise above it, and be better than that.

What happened to human sexuality being special? Being treasured? Being revered instead of tossed everywhere and in everyone’s face? Porn is a disease of its’ own, and more than anything, it kills love. It really and truly does. 

Love is cool. 

Porn is not cool. 

It never will be, because nothing is better or cooler than real love. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it until my voice goes out. We all long for love, and that isn’t a bad thing. It shows that we desire to be unselfish, to think of and eventually give ourselves to another. However, love can’t be found in pornography, because porn warps and distorts the idea of love, by making it solely about yourself, instead of anyone else. The awesome thing about love is that it calls you to forget yourself, for the good of your beloved. 

Porn is the antithesis of love.

However, our modern society definitely isn’t understanding that concept, but that should only be part of our motivation to go against this tide, pursue authentic love, and rise above porn. Although pornography is rampant in the world today, not all hope is lost, because in the end, love always triumphs. 

Which is where I introduce to you, Fight The New Drug 

This is an organization I am very excited about, and if you haven’t heard of them or checked them out before, I strongly urge you to do so. Like, now. They’re doing an amazing job of spreading the word that porn is harmful, not only through the merch and media exposure, but also through the hard facts on the harmful effects of porn use. 

So remember kids, love is cool, and anything else opposite of that, just isn’t.

Our Lady, an Announcement & Salty Carmel

First off, happy solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel! May she bless, protect and save us all from everlasting death, through the means of the Brown Scapular. St. Simon Stock, pray for us. 

Now, you may or may not have noticed that something is different around here. I’ll give you a second to look around and find it.

Found it yet? 

That’s right. I’m no longer going by “The Cali Catholic Girl”. While the title was a cute creation, and I’m grateful it helped me make some sort of name for myself and my obscure little blog, it was time to move along. Not too drastically life changing or even shocking. The content won’t change at all, simply the blog title and url. 

So here we are. 

The Salty Catholic. 

Aside from inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I chose this name for a number of reasons, but I won’t bore you with the details. Let’s just make a short list instead.

• As Catholics, we are called to be the light of the world, and salt of the earth, as read in Matthew 5:13-16. Also, by renaming the blog as The Salty Catholic, it personally pays homage to a deal I made a long time ago; to be the light of the world and salt of the earth. You can find more on that in my memoirs, many decades from now. Stay tuned. 

So here’s our equation so far: Salt + Catholicism = a Salty Catholic

• In the Catholic Church, salt is viewed as a powerful sacramental when it is blessed or exorcised. I prefer exorcised, just to give it that extra oomph. Back to the drawing board: Salt + Catholicism = a Salty Catholic

• Lastly, in modern culture among our youth, the word “salty” has become an adjective to describe someone who is a bit bitter or testy. In all honesty, it perfectly reflects my personality, because I am Catholic, and I can be salty. For however long you’ve graced this little blog with your presence, you should already have an idea of that fact. I’m definitely not salty all the time, but I also won’t deny that that is how I can be. Again, Salt + Catholicism = a Salty Catholic. 

So, it makes sense. To celebrate today’s special solemnity and word play, I’ll be attempting to make salted caramel. Or should I say salted Carmel?

It only makes sense. Pax.

What time is it? It’s Novena Time!

It’s that time of year again. Summer has just begun, and that means Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati’s feast day is right around the corner! July 4th, to be exact. In celebration, please consider joining in the novena in his honor, which starts on June 25th. More details can be found here. It’s going to be awesome, and I’m looking forward to it. 

Here’s the thing about Bl. Pier Giorgio; he’s incredibly generous in Heaven, just as he was on Earth. In my own personal experience, when you faithfully and humbly approach him with sincerity, he’ll have you covered. Just one of the many, many reasons he’s my favorite man up in the Heavens. 

Besides, who can say no to this face? 

I hope you join this novena, and receive many blessings from our dear mountain climbing friend up above. 
Until next time, verso l’alto!

My Catholic Summer Reading List

St. John Bosco once said, “Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book.”

With summer beginning, more free time than usual, and my abhorrence with the California heat waves, there’s no better time to brush up on spiritual reading. I’ve always been a bookworm anyway. In elementary school I was one of those kids who helped in the library, just to be around the tangy scent of books and to get away from my sweaty, overheated peers out on the blacktop, under the scorching sun. 

Okay, it wasn’t that bad but the point is I preferred books to playing. 

So, as time allows I’ll be straining my eyeballs and strengthening my poor soul through the spiritual books listed below. 

The Life of St. Gemma Galgani by her Spiritual Director Ven. Fr. Germanus, C.P

The World’s First Love 
Mary, Mother of God by Ven. Fulton J. Sheen

The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Liguori 

Preparation for Death  by St. Alphonsus Liguori 


It’s going to be a very Liguori summer, I’ve already started The Glories of Mary and it’s one of the most beautiful Marian books I’ve ever read. It won’t be surprising if it takes a whole year to finish, because it’s one of those works where you have to stop and really think about what you just read. Simply amazing. 

Anyway, this reading list is short but more books might be added on as time passes. What’s on your summer reading list?

Wise Words of Sanctification

Praise be to baby Jesus, I'm done with high school. With that part of my life now being over, it's time to let the blogging juices start flowing once more. St. Teresa of Avila, pray for me. In the meantime, enjoy the cluster of my personal favorite saint quotes. We have much to learn from the saints, and we can't learn from them unless we know them. Without further ado, I present to you my most beloved quotes from our friends in Heaven. 

"Foolish is he who follows the pleasures of this world, because these are always fleeting and bring much pain. The only true pleasure is that which comes to us through faith." -Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

"Until we have a passionate love for our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, we shall accomplish nothing." -St. Julian Peter Eymard

"Love that cannot suffer is not worthy of that name." -St. Clare of Assisi 

"The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against itself; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain." -St. Padre Pio

"I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament, would that I be transformed into a hymn of adoration of You." -St. Faustina 

"God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint." -St. Therese of Lisieux 

"Our perfection does not consist in doing extraordinary things, but to do the ordinary well." -St. Gabriel Possenti of Our Lady of Sorrows

"Oh Jesus, how are you doing in my heart? In the narrow cell of my chest in love with You, tell me, oh Jesus, how are you doing there? Oh fire always burning, without ever dying down, if only you would let all of me go up in flames? Would You let this fire perfect me? Oh Jesus, oh Love! My life, my sustenance, my strength!" -St. Gemma Galgani 

"If you have devotion to Mary, Help of Christians, you will see what miracles are." -St. John Bosco 

"As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to Heaven by Mary." -St. Thomas Aquinas



Until next time, pax. 

40 Lenten Sacrifices

A week from today, Catholics around the globe will be sporting ashes on their foreheads, which commences the beginning of Lent. 40 days of sacrifice, prayer and spiritual growth.

The big question is: what are you giving up or doing for Lent?
For some help, I’ve recruited my sisters to help come up with a list of 40 Lenten Sacrifices, that go beyond giving up chocolate… although that is a legitimate sacrifice for chocoholics. 

   

   

So without further ado, here you go.


25 Corporal Sacrifices 

1. Don’t scratch at itchy spots
2. Give up some vanity (shaving, makeup, eyebrow tweezing, etc)
3. Sleep with no pillow
4. Sleep on the floor
5. Don’t snack
6. Don’t buy what isn’t necessary 
7. No video games
8. Do 20 jumping jacks every morning, after you wake up
9. Avoid secular/mainstream music
10. Don’t eat out
11. Check social media only once a day, or not at all
12. Wear your least favorite color
13. Don’t speak unless unnecessary
14. Be externally (and internally) charitable to someone who makes you a saint (aka is extremely annoying)
15. Practice mortifying your senses (i.e not eating that extra slice of pizza, not watching the next episode of your favorite series, eat your least favorite food etc.)
16. When arriving at someones house, actually go to the door instead of texting or calling so say that you’re outside
17. Fast from a common food, like cheese, potatoes or bread, for example
18. Use stairs instead of the elevator or escalator 
19. Say goodbye to regular TV, and hello to EWTN 
20. Give up internet time for prayer time
21. Wear the same (or two) pair of shoes for all 40 days
22. Do your homework the day you receive it, no slacking
23. Don’t hit that snooze button
24. Don’t use extra salt or pepper on your food, including french fries
25. Do one act of charity daily, and also consider joining THE PACT to keep it going, even when Lent is over.

15 Spiritual Sacrifices

1. Start a spiritual journal and write one entry daily, or write daily if you already keep one
2. Pray three rosaries daily
3. Learn holy humility by praying instead of complaining, eye rolling, etc.
4. Continuously read (and finish) spiritual books until Lent is finished. For starters, Preparation for Death by St. Alphonsus Ligouri, or anything by St. Francis de Sales.
5. Meditate daily on the Passion 
6. Kiss a Crucifix daily, 5 times, in honor of Our Lord’s Five Wounds
7. Read The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord, by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich 
8. Go to adoration as often as you can, even daily
9. Go to daily mass
10. Go to confession weekly
11. Pray the Stations of the Cross every day
12. Instead of listening to secular music, listen to Gregorian chant
13. Meditate daily on the sorrows of Our Lady, which led up to the Passion. For help, click here
14. Learn about a new saint every day.
15. Say a Hail Mary for every person you encounter

Don’t be a Lenten brat

As a last note, if you’re already dreading Lent or complaining about it, you’re doing it wrong. This liturgical season is a time for deep prayer and truly looking at the Passion of Christ, the ultimate act of love for you and I, in its entirety. With that being said, let us continue to prepare for Lent with an open heart and prayerful disposition, by preparing to join our sacrifices with Christ. Pax.

The Crumbling Cookie Monster

Since the beginning of Girl Scout Cookie season, not one box of deliciousness has been in my possession. Yes, I have joined the CookieCott. Technically, I haven't purchased Girl Scout cookies in years due to their affiliation with Planned Parenthood and radical pro-choice feminists, which they blatantly deny, yet the evidence is out in broad daylight. However, this year the boycott came out stronger than ever. Not surprisingly, the organization is not happy.

But hey, as a practicing Catholic, it would be imprudent to support an organization that tries to hide their support of another organization that does 1/3 of the nation's abortions, pushes graphic sex-ed on children and is morally relativistic. Even by buying (an overpriced, might I add) box of cookies. Sorry, little uniformed girls. It's totally not their fault, because I would totally buy their cookies if their up-top leaders weren't pushing this liberal, feminist, pro-choice agenda on them. We should be raising our girls to embrace their true femininity, not the former points which only degrade it. 

I applaud LifeNews.com for constantly uncovering and calling out Planned Parenthood on their foolishness, specifically this time around in regards to their connection with Girl Scouts. Much like Planned Parenthood, (remember Komen?) a GSUSA executive has threatened LifeNews because of the exposure. Lovely... not. 

So let's sum it up. In between the support of radical feminists tied in with the pro-choice/anti-life agenda, which is attached to strong immorality, and now the lies and threats, myself, and many others across the nation, will continue to boycott GSUSA, by withholding our funds and support, without apology.

That’s the way the cookie crumbles.

The Secret to Love

Happy Valentine's Day! A holiday that is so hated yet loved, but in reality the feast day of a great martyr. Despite being single, I personally enjoy Valentine's Day because I'm all for love. Authentic love, that is. Although I am not even remotely close to getting married, I'm already feeling bad for my future spouse because Valentine's Day and my birthday are nearly back to back. Sorry buddy, wherever you are. You'll get extra prayers today. Anyway, in the meanwhile, I have been busy living my community life, watching season 4 of Downton Abbey (I'll miss Matthew forever) and discerning life in general. I also gave a chastity/purity talk to middle schoolers, which was a pretty cool and fruitful experience. Now where were we? 
Oh yes, Valentine's Day.

Love is something that we all long for, whether we admit it or not. Today I'm not going to go on and on about how great chastity and purity are, even though they are pretty awesome and forge the strongest and best relationships. Instead, let's just talk about love. I've said it before, and I'll say it a million times over a million more: love is sacrifice. Where there is no sacrifice, there is no love. When selfishness enters, everything begins to turn to dust. Really. Let's take St. Valentine himself for example, since today is his feast day. He loved God so much, that he sacrificed his life by being brutally beaten with clubs and beheaded, rather than renounce his faith. If that's not love, I don't know what is. So when you see the day plastered in pink and red tones, cheesy bears, pretty flowers and cheap chocolates, forget about the commercialism and remember the day originally bloomed from one man's wholehearted love for God. Major Catholic win for the world.

From the heroic example of St. Valentine and many others, we will never understand or experience true love, until we learn to sacrifice. Yes, it can be painful and it hurts, but love is worth it. This we have learned from Our Lord, Who so willingly sacrificed Himself for love of us. Hence why I state the crucifix is the image of authentic love. So if you want true, selfless and everlasting love, go to Christ crucified. There's no greater love than His. As St. Clare of Assisi said, "Totally love Him, Who gave Himself totally for your love."

Until next time, single or not, I hope all of your hearts remain between the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, because there's where true love endlessly resounds. 

St. Valentine, ora pro nobis!

Later, Today and Forever

New Year, new blog look. Pink is cute but the eye can only take so much of the obnoxiously adorable color, so voila, I present to you dear readers, the new look. There’s also a few new extra tidbits around, but I’ll leave you to explore for yourself. I hope you all had a holy and blessed Christmas, and also a happy New Year. I personally didn’t make any resolutions, because I believe in making firm resolutions to improve oneself throughout the whole year, even every day if needed. I think of it this way; hell is forever and full of people who said, “Later”. The saints didn’t become saints by saying, “Later”. They turned that later into today. That’s where confession comes in handy, because we cannot change ourselves without first cleaning up our souls. That’s like having one foot on the brake pedal but still expecting the car to go. It doesn’t exactly work out very well. Remember that a state of grace equals a happy place.

So now that the season of Advent has passed, we’ll move into ordinary time, and then dive into the Lenten season. Before I get too ahead of myself, one of the many things I love about the Church is the changing of liturgical seasons. It allows us to walk with Christ from His birth to His death, thus forging a stronger relationship with Him, year in and year out, today and forever. Think about it; in just one year, we can meditate upon the Annunciation, the birth of Christ, His hidden life, His public ministry, His Passion, Death and glorious Resurrection. That’s not even mentioning the other subjects of meditation in between, like St. Joseph’s perfect obedience, the adoration of the Magi, the sorrows of our Blessed Mother, the miracles by Jesus and so, so much more that hasn’t even scratched the surface. So much meditation, so little time. Yet it’s all the better reason to not allow our minds to be idle, as idleness is the Enemy’s playground. In his book, “An Introduction to the Devout Life”, St. Francis de Sales mentions that the more we meditate upon the life of Christ, the more we’ll come to know and imitate Him in His perfection. St. Francis compares to it to a child learning to speak, sweetly lisping the words he emulates from his mother. You gotta love St. Francis de Sales and his analogies. 

Meditation can be difficult because of distractions, but it’s not impossible. For help, look to Our Lady, the Mystical Rose, who never denies to help any of her children. That title has to be my personal favorite, and one day I was wondering what it meant, and some time later the answer popped up on right on my very Catholic Facebook newsfeed. The Lord provides. She is the Mystical Rose because as seen in Scripture, she often kept things in her heart to ponder, and through her perfection, she is the highest mystic. The Rose part comes in as the rose is the queen of all flowers, and Our Lady is Queen of Heaven and Earth. Another legitimate answer can be found here. 

One of the many reasons I embraced more Traditional Catholicism was because of the silence. Especially when it comes to Catholic youth ministries, silence is nearly impossible to be found. It’s almost taboo. In the end of my experimentation with the modern Catholic youth ministry, which is usually loud and consists of Protestant influenced notions and happy-feel-good-but-watered-down teachings and ideas, I was aching for silence. It’s like the youth are being force-fed all this clanging noise in an attempt to be modern and “speak” to them, because allowing the silence of Christ to do that is apparently just too much to ask for. Anyway, after that ship sailed, the new harbor was very quiet. However, docked in that stillness, my soul wasn’t emptied and it didn’t disappear. Rather, I was able to embrace Christ in a whole new way, through simple meditation, and He completely flooded my soul with Himself and His mother. Silence isn’t only golden, it’s sacred. Through sacred silence we learn to quiet ourselves, to focus more fully on the Divine Mysteries and meditations. Holy Mother Church is so rich in subjects of meditation, not a moment of our lives should be wasted on idle or silly thoughts. 

We are all called to holiness. No one is exempt. Take a look at the great saints like St. Teresa of Avila, St. John the Cross, St. Gemma Galgani, St. Padre Pio and so many more. They all had one thing in common; they silently contemplated divine mysteries. My challenge for you this year is to take time to be silent and meditate. Meditate on the courage of the martyrs, the conviction of the Apostles, or even on the glories of Heaven. Especially when we meditate on Heaven, we’re contemplating an eternal joy with God, which doesn’t last a fleeting moment or a few hours, but forever. Ven. Fulton Sheen could not have put it more beautifully, 

“We become like that which we love: If one loves the material, one becomes like the material; if one loves the spiritual, one is converted into it in his outlook, his ideals, and his aspirations. Given this relationship between love and prayer, it is easy to understand why some souls say: “I have no time to pray." A higher form of prayer than petition and a potent remedy against the externalization of life-is meditation. Meditation is a little like a daydream or a reverie, but with two important differences: In meditation we do not think about the world or ourselves, but about God; and instead of using the imagination to build idle castles in Spain, we use the will to make resolutions that will draw us nearer to one of the Father's mansions. Meditation is a more advanced spiritual act than “saying prayers”; it may be likened to the attitude of a child who breaks into the presence of a mother saying: “I’ll not say a word, if you will just let me stay here and watch you.” -Ven. Fulton Sheen