3rd Sunday of Easter

This week's Sunday, Sunday, Sunday podcast:

http://lifeteen.com/sunday-sunday-sunday-042212/

(This week's readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042212.cfm)

My favorite thoughts from the podcast:

• There's a lot more to learning than just the technique, you have to trust me. 
• A lot of times because we don't have God's divine perspective, that we can't see that certain situations that are happening in our lives right now, that God is allowing to happen because he's trying to grow us, to refine us. Because he intends to use that virtue and that skill later in life. 
• Whatever is happening to us today, God can use it for His glory, whether tomorrow or a few years from now. 
• We were being prepared ahead of time for what happened to Jesus. 
• It says he opened their mind to understand the Scriptures... He was trying to open them to a bigger perspective. 
• By pointing back, He's actually encouraging them to go forward.

Caravaggio, 1901, Source

Sushi and sisterhood

I know my life is going okay when I have time to have lunch with my sister and talk to her on the phone at night before bed...

And I know living in Portugal is going to be okay when I find I have fusion sushi walking-distance from my house! There aren't a lot of good Japanese restaurants here... and this is the first fusion Japanese we've seen. Sushi with cheese and rucola... who knew! We ate the all-you-can-eat buffet out of house and home, as we usually do... and just when we thought we couldn't eat anymore they brought out avocado-covered sushi.... WOW! It was an amazing experience. We discussed various theories on why we eat more than the typical Portuguese person and came to the conclusion that it's the type of food they eat here (meat, carbs, fried things, very few vegetables...) and lack of exercise/sports.

Closeness

If you've ever had a long-distance relationship of any kind, you know it's totally different (and preferable) to be with someone in person. Physical presence, even when you aren't doing anything, just hanging out, is different from talking on the phone, writing letters, etc. There's just something about closeness and touch you can't replace. We need it, it's good for you, it improves your mental health and in my opinion... all types of health!

Coffee dates

I love having coffee downtown with my friend Sofia. We have different views about many things... like girl baby names... but that's not what friendship is about. ;) 

My Sunday journeys home

Last night I walked home from the train station, a walk that I especially enjoyed, even though it was cold and windy. My Sunday evening journey home is usually bitter-sweet, I'm sad the weekend is over and to be coming home alone, but my heart is usually full, not only with weekend experiences but also because of my youth group and mass at my parish in Lisbon. The last four years at this parish have been full of opportunities for me to learn humility (translation: failure), conflict, hard work, giving of myself... but also forgiveness, friendship, family even (spiritual family), growth, adventure and especially communion.

Last night my heart felt especially "in communion" and full, and even though it was cold and windy, I was happy and at peace (except for the part of starting another work week of course... :o). Everything was quiet and so was I inside. It was a wonderful weekend. Hope your Divine Mercy Sunday was just as divine...! ;)