Hey Dana Jane

Tag: Jesus

  • A Nation in Mourning: Charlie Kirk’s Tragic Assassination

    I am overwhelmed with sorrow. I am seething with anger. Today, our brave, devout conservative friend Charlie Kirk was assassinated—struck down in cold blood while standing firmly for truth and faith at Utah Valley University. He wasn’t just a figurehead; he was a young father, a passionate believer, a warrior for Christ—and he fell victim to the hatred and division that poison this country.

    Charlie was brilliant. His mind was sharp, his insight clear. Whether he was debating on stage, speaking to students, or encouraging fellow believers, he had an ability to articulate truth in a way that cut through the noise. He was a leader who inspired countless young conservatives to think critically, live boldly, and never apologize for their faith. He had so much of life ahead of him—a life that should have been filled with more books, more speeches, more debates, more moments as a father and husband. That future was stolen.

    At approximately 12:10 p.m. MDT, a single gunshot rang out from a building roughly 200 yards away—hitting Charlie in the neck during a live public event. Within hours, he succumbed to his injuries and died at age 31, leaving behind a grieving wife and two young children.

    This wasn’t random violence—it was a savage act of political hatred. The perpetrators of this cruelty are the extremists who have poisoned our national conversation, who preach division, who despise Christians and conservatives, who incite fear and violence with their vitriol.

    To those who revel in chaos, who whisper that such violence is justified—know this: you have crossed a moral line. You have torn a family apart, left two children fatherless, and extinguished a vibrant life dedicated to faith and courage.

    I mourn Charlie’s life. I mourn the light he brought into conservative youth movements nationwide. I mourn his bold voice, his unapologetic Christianity, his unyielding commitment to truth. But I will not be silent.

    Let this crime spark a turning point. Let us confront and reject the hatred that divides us. We must stand united—Christians and conservatives in the face of extremist violence, in defense of free speech, in honor of Charlie’s legacy.

    Rest in peace, Charlie. Your brilliance, your faith, and your courage will not be forgotten.

  • 40 Days of Renewal: A Catholic Journey Through Lent

    A 40-day Lenten guide for Catholics focused on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This daily plan will help you reflect, repent, and grow closer to Christ, leading you through Holy Week and into the joy of Easter.

    Week 1: Turning Toward God

    • Ash Wednesday (Day 1) – Fast and abstain from meat. Reflect on your Lenten intentions.
    • Day 2 (Thursday) – Read Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 on fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
    • Day 3 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Pray the Stations of the Cross.
    • Day 4 (Saturday) – Do an act of charity: donate food or money to those in need.
    • 1st Sunday of Lent – Read Mark 1:12-15 (Jesus in the desert). Reflect on your own spiritual wilderness.

    Week 2: Deepening Prayer

    • Day 5 (Monday) – Spend 10 minutes in silent prayer with God.
    • Day 6 (Tuesday) – Pray for someone who has hurt you.
    • Day 7 (Wednesday) – Meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
    • Day 8 (Thursday) – Fast from distractions (social media, TV) for a day.
    • Day 9 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
    • Day 10 (Saturday) – Read and reflect on Psalm 51 (A prayer of repentance).
    • 2nd Sunday of Lent – Read Mark 9:2-10 (The Transfiguration). Ask God to reveal His glory in your life.

    Week 3: Acts of Mercy

    • Day 11 (Monday) – Forgive someone who has wronged you.
    • Day 12 (Tuesday) – Write a thank-you note to someone who has blessed you.
    • Day 13 (Wednesday) – Meditate on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).
    • Day 14 (Thursday) – Perform a random act of kindness.
    • Day 15 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Attend or watch a Stations of the Cross service.
    • Day 16 (Saturday) – Spend time with someone lonely or in need.
    • 3rd Sunday of Lent – Read John 4:5-42 (The Woman at the Well). Reflect on how Jesus satisfies your thirst.

    Week 4: Renewal of Heart

    • Day 17 (Monday) – Pray for peace in the world.
    • Day 18 (Tuesday) – Attend daily Mass or Eucharistic Adoration.
    • Day 19 (Wednesday) – Read Luke 15:11-32 (The Prodigal Son). Ask God for mercy.
    • Day 20 (Thursday) – Fast from complaining.
    • Day 21 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Give alms to the poor.
    • Day 22 (Saturday) – Make a list of things you are grateful for.
    • 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) – Rejoice in the mercy of God and reflect on Ephesians 5:8-14.

    Week 5: Drawing Near to the Cross

    • Day 23 (Monday) – Read John 8:1-11 (The Woman Caught in Adultery). Accept God’s mercy.
    • Day 24 (Tuesday) – Pray for those who are suffering.
    • Day 25 (Wednesday) – Write down your burdens and offer them to God.
    • Day 26 (Thursday) – Read John 13:1-17 and reflect on serving others.
    • Day 27 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Meditate on Jesus’ Seven Last Words.
    • Day 28 (Saturday) – Confess your sins in Reconciliation.
    • 5th Sunday of Lent – Read John 11:1-45 (Raising of Lazarus). Where is God calling you to new life?

    Holy Week: Entering into Christ’s Passion

    • Palm Sunday – Reflect on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11).
    • Holy Monday – Meditate on John 12:1-11 (Mary anoints Jesus’ feet).
    • Holy Tuesday – Read John 13:21-38 (Jesus predicts Peter’s denial).
    • Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) – Reflect on Judas’ betrayal and examine your own heart.

    Sacred Triduum

    • Holy Thursday – Attend Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Reflect on the Eucharist and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.
    • Good Friday – Fast, abstain from meat, and venerate the Cross. Read the Passion narrative (John 18-19).
    • Holy Saturday – Enter into silence and waiting. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries and prepare your heart for Easter.

    Easter Sunday: He is Risen!

    • Celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death! Read John 20:1-18 and rejoice in the resurrection.

  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: The Jesus Edition

    Ah, Christmas Eve—a magical time filled with last-minute shopping, wrapping paper chaos, and a fridge stuffed with ingredients you promised would turn into a “Pinterest-worthy” holiday spread. But let’s not forget, amidst all the eggnog and Amazon boxes, the real reason for the season: Jesus’ birthday.

    Let’s rewind about 2,000 years ago. Picture this: A humble stable in Bethlehem. Mary, exhausted but glowing (and possibly questioning why she agreed to this road trip so late in her third trimester), is settling into her makeshift maternity suite. Joseph is frantically Googling “how to assemble a manger” on his stone tablet. Meanwhile, animals are casually photobombing the scene. The original Nativity, folks—raw, unfiltered, and free from Instagram filters.

    Fast forward to today, where we celebrate this momentous occasion by…overspending on electronics and arguing over who forgot to buy the marshmallows for the sweet potatoes. What would Jesus think of all this? Probably that we need a little perspective.

    Let’s talk Christmas Eve traditions:

    1. The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service:
      You dress the kids up, bribe them with candy canes, and pray no one sets their hair on fire. It’s a beautiful reminder of the light Jesus brought into the world—and a lesson in patience when your toddler belts out “Let It Go” during “Silent Night.”
    2. Santa’s Cookies and Milk:
      We leave out snacks for Santa, but let’s give a nod to Jesus, the OG reason for the feast. Maybe a loaf of homemade bread or some fish sticks? Too much? Okay, cookies it is.
    3. The Christmas Story:
      Reading Luke 2 aloud is a must. Sure, you might have to pause to explain words like “swaddling” and “manger” to a roomful of 21st-century kids, but it’s worth it. Bonus points if you make them act it out. Yes, your dog can totally play a sheep.
    4. The Gift Wrapping Marathon:
      Remember how the Wise Men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Joseph probably didn’t roll his eyes and mutter, “Great, more myrrh. Just what we needed.” Take a lesson from them—your gifts don’t have to be perfect, just given with love.
    5. The Midnight Snack Debate:
      At some point, someone will bring out a cheese ball or leftover pie, declaring it’s a “holiday tradition.” It’s fine—Jesus turned water into wine, so I’m pretty sure He’d approve of impromptu feasts.

    The Big Picture:
    Christmas Eve is hectic, messy, and often filled with chaos—but it’s also beautiful. It’s about family, friends, and faith. As you gather around your tree tonight, remember that tiny stable in Bethlehem and the gift that outshines anything Amazon Prime could deliver: the gift of love, hope, and salvation.

    So light your candles, sing your carols, and don’t stress about the burnt sugar cookies. After all, the first Christmas wasn’t about perfection—it was about the perfect gift.

    Merry Christmas, and may your celebrations be as joyful and unexpected as shepherds meeting angels!

  • Embracing the Unbreakable Bond: Why Baptism Holds Eternal Promise

    As someone who shares my struggles with my faith and religion, I’m often asked what led me to stop attending Mass, and what led to my return to the Catholic Church. I’m one of many people who has questioned Catholicism and organized religion itself. Religion can be comforting for some and painful for others. I often hear stories from friends who have left the church for various reasons with no intention to return.

    Through prayer, I was able to ask God for His help in leading me to wherever he wanted me to be. I had contemplated other religions and none that I explored felt authentic to me, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was that made me feel this way. After reading a recent article written by Catholic priest, Father Billy Swan, I was finally able to pinpoint it. I realized that the Catholic Church has never abandoned me, even in my times of turmoil. The Church was always waiting for me, whenever I decided I was ready to come back. Father Swan writes about himself, and of Bishop Robert Barron, and how they view those who wish to leave the Church, as well as those who wish to never return.

    In a world where shifts in faith and affiliation occur, the unshakable commitment of the Church to its members stands as a beacon of hope. Bishop Barron’s reflections remind us of the ‘nones’ and those who have disaffiliated from the Church, prompting contemplation on the depth of their departure.

    The account of a young man seeking to sever ties with the Church highlights the profound connection formed through the sacrament of Baptism. It’s not a mere administrative record; it’s an indelible spiritual seal that forever identifies us as God’s own. The analogy of a birthright resonates — just as a child’s inheritance remains intact despite distance, so does the Church’s love and hope for those who have drifted away.

    This love finds roots in ancient times, seen in God’s fidelity to an unfaithful Israel. The prodigal son’s tale paints an eloquent picture: a son’s mistakes cannot erase his identity as an heir. Paul’s teachings on divine sonship reveal that we are adopted by the Father, sharing in His inheritance through Baptism.

    The Church’s refusal to cancel baptismal records isn’t a bureaucratic decision; it’s a testament to unyielding love. The Church holds tight to the promises made on the day of Baptism, mirroring God’s unwavering devotion. God’s chosen remain chosen, even if they waver or stray.

    The encounter with the disaffiliated youth, although met with initial anger, mirrors the transformative journey of St. Paul — a fervent critic turned passionate advocate. Just as God transformed Paul, there’s boundless potential for this young man. The Church’s prayers continue, echoing the sentiment that no one is forgotten.

    In the world of change, this truth stands unwavering: God and the Church never give up on those who have left. Like the prodigal son’s room, the door is always open. So, as we seek to re-engage and bring back the disaffiliated, let this profound theology inspire our actions and fill our efforts with unending hope. The Church’s love remains eternal, a light guiding us all back to our spiritual home. That love is what brought me home.