My motto here at Integrated Life is "Christ at the Center". If you desire to grow in wholeness and holiness, there is no other way than to have Christ at the center of your life, your thoughts and your actions. Liturgical living is one of the best ways to integrate Christ in your life by providing a solid framework to your days which brings greater purpose to everything you do. I like the analogy of the earth rotating around the sun in a set orbit. So, too, does the Church revolve around the life of Christ, according to the pattern set by the liturgical calendar. Throughout the year (and years) we contemplate the great gift of our redemption and salvation through scripture, bible history, saints and the life of Christ. Every year, though we celebrate the same feasts and seasons over and over, there is always something new to be gained. New knowledge and understanding lead to new growth and graces. In the course of the year, (the Church) unfolds the whole mystery of Christ... Thus recalling the mysteries of the redemption, she opens up to the faithful the riches of her Lord's powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present in every age; the faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace."~CCC 1163 By attending Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation, you are on the threshold of liturgical living. Begin to actively incorporate other liturgies into your life, especially during Holy Week. Other opportunities are First Fridays, First Saturdays, Adoration, Eucharistic processions, Stations of the Cross, Saint Feast Days and Solemnities, etc. These practices help to keep you rooted in your faith and Christ at the center of your life, which in turn simplifies your life according to God's will for you. As I mentioned yesterday, Catholic All Year, founded by Kendra Tierney is a fabulous resource to help establish liturgical living in your home, bringing great spiritual benefit for your family. She says: I have found liturgical living in the home to be a beautiful way to connect with my family, my faith, my community, and the long history of our Church. Once you start making liturgical living part of you life and your family culture, it will become second nature. You are planting seeds of faith that will grow and bloom in the lives of your children and grandchildren. CATHOLIC ALL YEAR CATHOLIC SPROUTS
spiritual
"I'm calling on every Catholic in America to return to Our Lady and join in prayer."
– RAYMOND LEO CARDINAL BURKE
Have you heard that Cardinal Burke is calling upon all Catholics to join him in a significant novena seeking Our Lady's intercession? This novena begins TODAY...March 12th and goes a full 9 months to the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th. Our Lady has not forgotten her children: her care for us is as strong today as it was 500 years ago. Will you answer the call and join me and thousands of others in this profound prayer effort?
Here is the prayer card you can download and print if you would like.
self What do you need? If you were to ask me this question, I would likely respond with "NOTHING". I really do not need anything (except Jesus!). However, I am human and have needs for my body, mind and soul. As do you!
This is an invitation to become aware of your needs right now, not shaming yourself, but getting curious about how you view your needs, communicate them, and set boundaries around them.
There are 5 main needs that we each have at all stages of life:
The need to be seen, known, heard and understood.
The need to be safe and secure.
The need to be comforted, soothed and reassured.
The need to be cherished, rejoiced in and delighted in.
The need to be able to believe that others will your highest good.
Which of these strikes you the most? Think about how you can start expressing your needs and then try it out with family or friends.
"I could really use.. a hug/a break/a cup of tea.. right now."
"I would rather go shopping now so I can meal prep later."
“I just went to that coffee shop last week, let's try this one instead.”
When you are expressing your needs you are creating trust and strengthening your relationships. So, the next time someone asks you what you need, humble yourself and express what you need from your heart.
service Just a little public service announcement to remind you (me mostly) that there is to be no unnecessary spending during Lent! My daughter and I went shopping for a birthday gift and we made the mistake of walking through the shoe section. We were taken by all the new, fun arrivals for spring and spent a good 20 minutes trying on all kinds of shoes. I had selected two pairs for myself and she had chosen one super cute pair. Then it struck me that it's Lent and I'm on a simplicity kick. No spending unnecessarily. Darn! Those shoes were so cute, but definitely not necessary. I was a little sad initially as I put them back on the shelf knowing that they would be gone by Easter. But, even more sad that I lost 20 minutes of my day.
today's recipe ROASTED SOUTHWESTERN VEGGIE TACOS
It's Taco Tuesday, and you know what that means! Use a sheet pan to roast your perfectly seasoned veggie tacos. Serve these with avocado, sliced cabbage, fresh cilantro, and your favorite salsa or taco sauce.
Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 3-4 cups)
1 medium sweet potato, diced into ½ inch cubes
1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced in 1/2 slices
1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 red onion, cut into chunks
Optional: 1 cup frozen or fresh corn
2 tablespoons avocado oil
½ medium lime, juiced
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tbsp southwest taco seasoning (use more or less to taste)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. (You may need to use two pans in order to fit all of the veggies.)
Add all the veggies to the prepared pan. Drizzle with avocado oil and lime juice. Sprinkle seasoning over all the veggies. Use a tong or clean hands to combine all the veggies so they are well coated with the spices and oil.
Place sheet pan in the oven and roast the veggies for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through. They are done when the sweet potatoes are fork tender. During the last 5 minutes of baking, remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the rinsed and drained black beans right over the veggies and toss a bit. This is to warm the beans up without needing to use another pot or bowl.
Serve with your favorite taco shell/tortilla and all the toppings you love.
Thank you for following along. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or comments. katie@integratedlife.co If you are enjoying SIMPLE40, please share with a friend. Click the link to sign up. It's never too late! SIMPLE40
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