January-- New Beginnings
This month has been an amazing journey toward the goal of writing twice a month. So much so that I have met some great authors in the community who have inspired me to do other things. One thing I want to incorporate into my writing habits is a monthly roundup. I got the idea from Lauren Montgomery, who writes The Catholic Commons. First, let me say, what an amazing, devout person she is. I had a conversation with her after she shouted out my article on sin and blessing my children. That is actually how I found this practice. I can already tell she is going to be a force to reckon with in this space. Such heartfelt and real moments in her writing. That is an inspiration in and of itself. So thanks to her for this great idea of a monthly roundup-- I told her I would have to use hers as a template for some of my future writing. I will do my best to do that starting tonight.
This series I am calling “The Compline Quill”. The main idea is to invoke evening prayer and reflection of the entire month and see where it lands. This isn’t going to be an article that I write and put in the queue for later. It will be published as soon as I finish writing it. I will write it on the last day of every month, at or near the Compline prayer. A traditional prayer said closest to bedtime at night. We will see how this grows and morphs into what it will be. I am excited to try this, and we will adapt as needed. I am thinking we will have a thematic title for the month. Something that explains what we are discussing and provides an introduction to the theme.
Since this is the first time I am starting this, and there are a lot of new things I am starting this year, especially in reading and writing, within the first month of the year. We will call this theme “New Beginnings.”
What I Read
There isn’t anything about new beginnings without first closing out the old endings. It has been a slow start to reading this year. I am not going to be one of those people who tell you, we need to read as many books as possible in a year, or that you should slow down and read as few books as possible. I will tell you that we just need to read. It is important to read; it doesn’t really matter if it is fiction or nonfiction, historical or futuristic, what matters is that we read.
That being said, I started a book around Christmas. When I say I started a book, I mean I got more serious about it. The truth is, this book doesn’t resonate with me, and it is very easy to put down. I usually love all of Dan Brown’s books and was extremely excited to start Secret of Secrets. I can typically get past his oozing disdain for the Catholic Church because he is an excellent storyteller, and his remarks, though I disagree, usually propel the story forward. Not so much in Secret of Secrets. I have found many remarks that are distasteful, colorful, and don’t drive the story in any direction. It really pulled me out of the story, made me sit down, and question why I even care what Dan says about my faith.
Albeit, I still have soldiered on through this book, and eventually I will finish it. I don’t back down from a challenge. I will more likely finish it this weekend, so I will count the book here as what I read.
I can’t wait to finish Secret of Secrets because I am begrudgingly making my way through it, and the quicker I can put this one on the shelf, the better. But I also have a new book already on the table, ready to go. I look forward to starting February with shelving Dan Brown and opening “The Ministry of Time” by Kaliane Bradley. So, new beginnings start with ending old chapters.
Bible Scripture / Catechism from the Month
In this monthly reflection, I want to capture something that stood out to me through Bible Study or in the Catechism. A lot of my Bible study, prayer, and Catchises are done on my daily 1.5 to 2-hour drive to the office. So, I get some good time listening to homilies and other commentators much smarter than I.
This month’s scripture verse that has stuck out to me is actually from this past Thursday’s Daily Mass.
In the responsorial hymn, we said: “The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father.” (Luke 1:32b) This is part of the message to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A new beginning that has no equal in greatness. King David was a new chapter for Israel, and Jesus is the new chapter for mankind. He truly is a King and heir of the David Kingdom, a heavenly kingdom of the New Israel. How I long for that day when we can all walk together with him in that kingdom and leave the Old World behind. The sin, the torment, the pain, and the suffering. That is the old world, that Christ has come to not just redeem, but make new.
Though I can’t wait to be in that New World, it doesn’t mean we can wait. We are called to be the lights on a hill. We are already redeemed in Christ, and it is our job to shine like a lamp—not hide it under a basket.
In the Hallow App, Jeff Cavins discussed how we have dimmer switches for the light we receive from God. We turn it down in some settings and turn it up in others. It made me wonder how often I been less than generous with the light I am supposed to be shining on those that I am closest to? If I am truly redeemed and belong to the King, I should put the Old World behind me today-- and shine that lamp as bright as I can. I own the disgruntled veteran mantra, so I will let you know how that goes–but I will start today.
Articles / Quotes that stood out
This Substacker wrote a note about her rebranding to a “nonbrand”. As we, too, rebuild the brand here on Substack, it screams new beginnings. I loved what she had to say because it mirrors my exact sentiments about rebranding to Faithful Quill. What I want is messy words out into the world. Not AI slop, or well-groomed thoughts. I want to write without worrying about what others think of what I have to say. As long as I am speaking Truth and it aligns with God’s message, what do I have to care about?
This article is exactly what I have been looking for in Substack. A community of word lovers. I want to be exposed to words I have never heard of before, roots of words I couldn’t dream of actually using. I have longed for the art of writing and not the business of writing. Though both are equally important. I want to build a community of etymologists and beauty.
I would be remiss not to mention my new friend Lauren Montgomery, from whom I am stealing this template, and one of the articles that helped introduce me to her. Using candles is something I truly enjoy, and her humorous depiction of them, with her reference to how she thought she would use them, stands out. Of course, we all imagine ourselves as some form of hero or heroine using candles to write our magnum opus. Lauren imagined herself as Jo March in Little Women. I imagine myself as St. Thomas More writing Utopia. Spoiler alert: I am not, nor will I ever be as ingenious as my Confirmation Saint.
Past Articles
If you missed this past month’s articles. Then you missed the whole relaunch and rebrand. So please be sure to give these a chance, and even a few from before the rebrand. You can see where we were, and where we are going.
Of course, if you find this Substack personally beneficial, please subscribe and share it with your friends, family, and coworkers.
Chipping Away at the Wax
Every night, our house settles into a sacred rhythm. The lights dim, the world quiets, and I sit with my youngest son. We make the sign of the cross, say a select litany of prayers, and then I kiss his forehead. It is a moment that should feel holy, a moment of peace. All too often, it is clouded by a single, crushing thought that rises up from the dept…
When Your Name Becomes the Cage
If you have been subscribed for awhile, thank you for your patience. If you’re new, welcome. You may have noticed this space has been really quiet since the first “soft” launch. I intended to build up a month’s worth of material before having an actual launch, but life had other plans.
From Brotherhood to Purpose:
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
In Closing
I know this article has been a bit long-winded. I can see it as I finish it up. I also don’t think I have covered everything I want to cover in these monthly reflections. I didn’t even tell you about the Certificate in Philosophy I studied for. I am sure the process will get easier and the writing smoother. If there is something you think can be better said, or if you enjoyed any portion of the article. Share it with me. Share with your friends, family, and coworkers. I am looking forward to growing with you, and I pray for you every day, as a subscriber and as a friend.
Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
I’m not sure how I missed this a couple of weeks ago, but thank you ever so much for the shoutout! Looking forward to more of your writing!
This is so beautifully done! And I’m humbled by your words and shoutout. Very grateful to build community on here and just grateful that you and others like you are on here writing and sharing your faith and insights. Looking forward to more of these!