Incarnation: Our Divinization

The Nativity at St. Peters in Rome

I thought that this would be a great opportunity to share how blessed I am. Contemplating the incarnation during this time of year always makes me very greatfull not just for the things I have been given (more than I need) or the people that God has placed in my life (better than I deserve), but also that God has come to our very selves in order to live with us. A person more powerful and larger than the entire universe has decided that he wants to come to us, come to me and gives himself to me in the Eucharist. He becomes human so we can become divine like him. Jesus has completely changed my life over the last couple of years, done things that I would NEVER have expected or dreamed, fathomed, thought of, or even conceived was possible (including this whole Rome thing, but much more wonderful things than that). I am thankful not just for what God has done for me, but for Himself. Just him, even without all of these things, in the goodness that IS Him. We have such a wonderful revelation of who Jesus is, he wants to be known, he wants to share himself, share his life, share the secret of who he is. He wants to whisper to our hearts how much he wants us for himself. Christmas is such a great reminder of His tenderness, and the vulnerability that I need to cultivate. The liturgy is so rich in Advent; we have seen the longing and waiting of those who sought to see the face of God. Now we see this child, kissed by his mother Mary. She kisses the face of God who had been so long awaited. I very much like the manger scenes during Christmas, and now they will receive Jesus after the long wait. I can't wait to see the Nativity scene and experience the liturgy in the Vatican next year (God willing), so rich in tradition and the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word Made Flesh.

Location, Location, Location

View Rome in a larger map

This is a map that I have been slowly putting together. It gives you a little idea of where the apartment is, where all the great things in Rome are....

No News is .... No News

I know it has been a long time since my last post....here's why. I have been waiting for exciting news about an apartment in Rome. Just to let you know, I am still waiting. It's one of those crazy Italian things I think (although it's kind of everywhere). I have been emailing Luigi (yes, a real Italian) about an apartment in Rome, not too far from the Angelicum. On the way there I would pass by St. John Lateran, the Holy Stairs, and Holy Cross which holds some of the most important relics in Rome, including a huge piece of the True Cross. (!!!) But this whole emailing back and forth, hearing different things from different people, and the 8 hour time difference, has made communication very difficult. Fortunately I believe that I will be able to get the apartment as soon as I write my declaration of sustenance which has been the hardest part of this whole thing. I am also in the process of setting up an online shop that would allow me to reach a broader audience for my paintings. It is on a website called Etsy. I had never heard of it before, but a lot of other people have. There is a lot of great artwork and craft-work there. And I have yet to put up pictures of all my work like I promised, so I should have that done in the next week. I hope with this new outlet there will be more people interested in purchasing my artwork.