Palms & The Prodigal

Holy Week is almost here and it’s not too late to prepare your heart.

In this solo episode, I reflect on Palm Sunday and the parable of the Prodigal Son, diving into what it means to return to God, let go of distractions, and truly walk with Jesus—even when it’s hard.

If Lent didn’t go as planned, you’re not alone… and there’s still time to come home! 

Litany of Humility 

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Welcome to season two of Relatable Catholic. We're back with new conversations, familiar faces, and the same heart for making the Catholic faith approachable, honest, and lived out in everyday life. Whether you've been here since day one or you're just finding us, we're so glad you're here. Welcome back. Hello and welcome back to Relatable Catholic. It is Katie here with you this week, a solo episode. Of course, Carl is here. He is laying on the couch at the moment. So hopefully he does not see any of his enemies walking by. There is a black poodle that is his enemy, and like a black pit bull mix, also his enemy. So hopefully he doesn't see them. There are his favorite dogs who walk by and he does not bark at those dogs. He cries when those dogs walk by because he wants to play with them. So shout out to Bear and Scout and Spade, Carl's favorite doggies. But right now we're good. But hello everyone. It is a beautiful day in Iowa. It what didn't start as a beautiful day, um, but it is now. And we're in that weird, like one day it's cold, one day it's hot, one day it's sunny, one day it's cloudy. And last week was the real roller coaster of blizzard on Monday, like 80 degrees on Saturday. Almost too hot on Saturday. Like I wasn't prepared for that hot. But what I mean, the sun was shining and it was nice out, so that was good. I am ready for patio season is upon us, and I love a good patio. Um, so today we are going to be talking about a little bit holy week because it's crazy that this Sunday is already Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week, the holiest week of our church year. Um, I just can't believe that it's already holy week. Um, this is already Palm Sunday. It is the exciting day at Mass when you get to mess with the people around you with your palm. Um, so pick wisely who's you s who you sit by in church. I know who I won't be sitting by, and that is Angie, but that's okay. She'd moved to the other side of the the aisle, which let's talk about that. Like my family has a pew, like second pew on the left. It's always where we sat, always like we never strayed. Occasionally that section will be reserved for a baptism or anniversary or something like that, and we will move to the to the right side, second pew, same thing, you know, like you sit by the same people every time because everybody kind of has their pew. So like what a crazy phenomenon to move to the other side of the aisle. Like, that just is so foreign to me. And I don't know if that's at every parish or just our parish. I like to think it's every parish, but maybe it's just like our like habits here in town. But pretty much everybody sits in the same spot every single time, which is kind of funny if you think about it. Hmm, I don't know. Is everybody's everybody's church is like that or just ours? But when we if things are moving here, um there's likely gonna be less masses, more people at our church gonna have to fight for that spot. But that's okay. I will always get my spot because I'm there early. But what's interesting is on Saturday night I have a spot, but on Tuesday night mass, I have a different spot. And I've been toying with the idea of on Tuesday night masses switching to the right side of the aisle. I know, it's crazy. I haven't decided if I'm gonna do it yet. It's one of those big life decisions that you just don't want to go into quickly. It's something you really have to think about, pray about if it's time to jump the aisle to the right side. So they're set on that. But back to Palm Sunday. So this week is Palm Sunday. Um, I think like Palm Sunday is where the week definitely starts to churn. Like the mood in the church really turns to more of, you know, Lantis is like cassamber time, but it's still kind of joyful. And but I think that when holy week starts is where it really starts to become more of like a dark, cloudy, like moody place as we prepare for um, as we prepare for Good Friday, Jesus' death, and then um all that happiness that comes with the resurrection. Uh, but we're gonna start with Palm Sunday. So you have a very short amount of time that you can tickle people with your palms because when you get them at mass, they are not blessed when you pick them up. Okay, they are not blessed until Father comes down the aisle with the holy water. So you have a short amount of time to tickle people, and then it's not okay because as I say in school, it is a prayer tool, then not a toy. So you do have time to have a little fun with your palms. So this is like the funky mass where the gospel is read at the back of church, and um, and then the passion is read during the the normal gospel time. It's funny, we've had a lot of priests turn over here, and every priest does Palm Sunday a little different. So, you know, some are like, nope, we're going straight down the aisle, we're gonna get this done as fast as we can, which I appreciate. But some like I also appreciate the priests who really like do it up. Like, we're gonna parade around the church, we're going to, you know, go up and down the aisles. That's fun too. Um, so Father, not Father Andy's not here, so I can't I can't tell you what he's gonna do, or um, I think maybe we have Father Vu on this weekend too. So I don't know. We'll have to wait and see what what kind of fun they have in store for us. Yeah, so I thought we would spend today sort of kind of preparing for Palm Sunday and really thinking about ways that we can start to prepare for Holy Week because I do think that it's a week that um it seems like our Lenten sacrifices are almost bigger, more important during Holy Week. So we're gonna talk about that too. So on Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people were shouting, you know, Hosanna, Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. And then by the end of the week, we're going to be reflecting on those same people shouting, crucify him, crucify him. And like it's so easy for me to think, like, oh, like I would never do that to you, Jesus. Like, I would never be one of those people. And then I think about my own life. I think about like not to that extreme, obviously, um, when it's easy to follow Jesus, you know, like things are good and you know, things are going well. Like I really feel Jesus. I go to adoration. I really feel like the Holy Spirit is talking to me, and I can, you know, I understand what God is asking me to do. Um, I'm connecting with him, like I'm following the scriptures. I'm really in like a good place mentally and emotionally. It's easy to follow Jesus there. Like, yes, Hosanna, blessed is he. Like, thank you, Lord. And then I think about the times when I'm not in that place where I'm so quick to give up on him and to like almost blame him. Um, like, why are you doing this to me? Like, why is my life like this? And then it leads me to fall away from prayer because like nothing's happening. So, what's the point? I keep praying for this thing and nothing's happening. You're obviously not listening to me. So, like, I'm just gonna stop. Like, I think that that's the part where I'm saying to the Lord, crucify him, crucify him. I went from Hosanna when it's good to crucify him without even realizing it. I've let the enemy in. And it's hard to remember that the Lord is not abandoning me, he's not the one abandoning me. It's me who's abandoning him and not trusting in him. So now I am going to seamlessly tie this into the story of the prodigal son. So it seems like the prodigal son is everywhere this lent. I don't know if everybody's feeling this way or if it's just me, but I know like it's Prey 40 is is um focusing on the prodigal son. A couple of my devotionals are focusing on the prodigal son. Um, and like it just seems to be, you know, like one of those things where like you start thinking about it, then it's everywhere. It's the lent of the prodigal son. So we all know the story. The younger son asks for his inheritance to his father, and then he goes and he spends it all on sinful things, and then he comes back and the father forgives him, and they have this big party, like all the best things, because the son has returned. And then there's the older one who's like, wait a minute, I've been here the whole time, I've been doing what you've asked me, and like you're throwing a party for him. So I know the story pretty well. I thought I knew the story pretty well, because it's actually the parable that we use for reconciliation, especially first reconciliation, every year to prepare the kids for reconciliation, right? Because that's what the story reminds us of, right? We're the prodigal son, and God is the father. And even though we've done all these bad things, God is always there. The father is always there to welcome us back. Yes, you are loved, you are important. Um, I'm so glad you're back. Even you've done all these bad things. I still love you, I still want you back. So that's sort of where the reconciliation part comes from it. That no matter how far you've strayed, the father will always forgive you. And that is a beautiful message. But honestly, that message has never resonated with me because I like haven't really gone anywhere, you know? Like I've never thought of myself as the prodigal son because I've never really like strayed too far away, right? Like, I don't like to be in trouble with authority, my friends, like not necessarily in trouble. Like, I don't like to upset anybody, but I also have always like not wanted to upset God. Like, obviously, I have done my fair share of sinning, but like nothing wild. I can give you a little example, which I think is crazy now looking back. So this will tell you how I was as a high school kid. So I was I was senior in high school, and my friends and I went to a town nearby to Pizza Hut or something. And like we were all good kids, like we never like partied or anything like that. Like the most we did was like we would make scatters and like bake on school nights, which like we had so much fun. It was so fun. But some of my friends they started to like want to expand our friend group, and they were like, they wanted to go to this party at a friend's house. It wasn't a party, it was like a campfire at this friend's house that I didn't know anybody there except for the people I had come with, and it was like in the woods, and so like I think most kids would just be like, Yeah, this is fun. And I was like, This is terrifying. Like, I'm in the middle of the woods, I am going to die here. Like, my parents aren't gonna know where I am, like, nobody's gonna be able to save me. So I've always been a catastrophizer, obviously. So I actually called my parents in the woods in Makokoda. I was like, just so you know, I am in the woods in Makokoda. People are drinking alcohol. Can you believe it? But don't worry, I am not. And I just wanted you to know that I am not following your rules right now. Like, what a crazy person. Why did I do that? So I don't know. I probably fear of getting in trouble. So, anyways, that's just like paints the picture that I try to avoid trouble as much as possible. Um, I don't know why I told you that story, but anyways, there it is. So, you know, like I so like I've not I've never resonated with the prodigal son in the story. I've always, you know, like worked retreats. I never miss mass. I like always recited my prayers and tried to be kind and empathetic towards others. I try not to cuss. I don't drink, like, and I never thought about trying drugs. I watched too many heroin documentaries in my early 20s. So that is off the table. It's a real problem in the world. Long story short. I never resonated with the wrong, the younger son. Like, obviously, I resonate with a little bit. Like, we all have sins. Like, I resonate with like, yeah, I've sinned. I know that the father will always forgive me. But when I really started to reflect on it this Lent, I realized that I am not the younger son. I am the older son. Um, like that's me, you know? Like, why do all these people who aren't trying as hard as I am to get to heaven? Like, why are all these these people getting everything they've ever dreamed of? And here I am just praying to what feels like nothing, like just air. Like, I keep praying for all of these things to happen, and you know, like for this period of waiting to be over, and nothing. And I saw something and it said, like, sometimes we run away from God, like the prodigal son. And sometimes we stay close physically, but our hearts are just as far away. So I'm the older son, like I'm thinking, you know, like, oh, like I don't sin that much. Like, why are all these people getting this? Like, you know, like I've stayed here the whole time. Like, look at me. Why aren't you giving me anything? Um, so yeah, that that's me. My mind was blown, absolutely blown, when I came to the realization that I'm actually called to be the father in the story. And we all are. And let me tell you, I am very far away from being the father in this parable. Um, and I I think through that, luckily it was early on in Lent when I realized, like, oh, I need to grow in humility, like the father. And that's not actually something that I thought I needed to work on. I know how humble of me. Um, so so yeah, that's that's where my focus has been this Lent is really humble humility. Like it's not all about you, it's what God calls us to. Um, He didn't create humans for ourselves, He created humans for each other. And um, if if I'm not serving the person next to me, if I'm not happy for the person next to me, if I'm not helping people, if I'm if I'm only thinking about myself and how I feel and not about how others feel, then I'm I'm not growing in my faith. I'm not growing in um my path towards eternity. So, so it's something that I've I've really you know been been trying to grow in. So I've been praying the the litany of humility a lot more. Um, I will link it here and then I think there's some litany in the back of church, litany of humility. So this these areas, humility is a total work in progress for me. And I think that my it's going to continue to be. Like I think it always will be. I think humility is one of the harder virtues to really practice, you know, put into practice because it's hard. Yeah, it's just a hard one. So as we had into holy week, um, I do have some practical ideas that maybe you want to consider to make part of your week um to help your heart prepare for the passion um and the resurrection of the Lord. So um if you can, it is a really good time to go to confession before Easter. Even if you haven't been there in a long time, you can totally do it. I know it seems super scary, especially if you haven't been there in a really long time, been there. Um, but I think it's such a gift that the church gives us. And Hallow actually has a whole bunch of really good resources for preparing for the sacrament. So there's a ton of reflections and examination of conscience. I think I talked about it in the last one, um, in one of the last episodes, that it actually like walks you through the steps. And if you're like me, like if you're super nervous, write it down. Have a plan, you know, write it down exactly what you're gonna say, what you're gonna do. Um, you can write like sometimes I do this, like I actually write out like the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Bless me, Father, for I've sinned. And it's okay if you don't do it like exactly how you're supposed to. The priest will help you. Like, they'll tell you what to say. Like, you know, like you don't even really have to say the act of contrition. So um honestly, like, don't be worried about the logistics of confession because no one's judging you. Um, and if you've had a bad experience with confession in the past, just I encourage you to just try again and you know, go in prepared, really have thought about your sins uh and like try not to think about like, oh, I might I think I'm gonna do it wrong, or the priest is gonna think like, oh man, this person hasn't been here in a long time. They have no idea what they're doing because it's not what they're thinking. They're so, so happy that you're back and that you're in the confessional. So we have holy hour next on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. So next Wednesday, um, the day before, I think it's called Spy Wednesday, the day before Holy Thursday, there will be uh holy hour, holy two hours from 6 to 8 p.m. And then Father Andy will be in the confessional that night. So there'll be a full two hours there, and then there's always confession on Saturdays from 3 to 340. So yeah, so there are some good opportunities for you to do that in our church. Another practical idea that I saw was to read the passion slowly, like during holy week outside of mass and reflect on it. And can I say this is maybe a like a can you relate? I've always dreaded the passion reading, like it's so long. And it's like, ugh, will the priest let us sit? Can we sit comfortably, or are we gonna stand the whole time? And if I'm being completely honest, I'm always like super interested if any of the readers are gonna forget when they come in, like for their part. So that's usually what I'm looking for. Obviously, paying very close attention to the passion. Um, so definitely something that I am going to try to do before this holy week is to really sit, read the passion slowly, Jesus' passion, and really take my time, reflect on it. Um, and then one that I really struggle with is to sit in silence for five to ten minutes daily and just kind of like listen to where the Lord is leading you and maybe like calling you to do this week or even in the future, but really like taking some intentional time to just sit and listen. Five to ten minutes, not bad. And then If you have been slacking on your Lenten promises, guilty as charged, right here, uh, make me make it a point to like pick it back up and really commit to it, whatever that is during holy week. So whether you gave something up and you've kind of like been doing a little bit, like say, like, I'm not talking about anybody in particular, but um, maybe you gave up shopping and you've been dabbling with some online shopping. Um, maybe like stop for the week. Obviously, that's about me. I have been guilty of online shopping. I'm doing it for the sake of organization. So that is how I have talked myself into that. It is not a big deal because I'm just like in this organization mood, and I'm like, well, I gotta, you know, I need a shoe rack here, and I need a cubby here, and I need these baskets here, and everything's gonna be so organized. So whoopsie daisies, but that's okay. Like, I really I did a decent job during Lent, had a few slip-ups, and yeah, so this holy week I'm really gonna try to really think about those promises that I made, and not just like the giving up thing, but some other pro Lenten promises that um that I've made that I've maybe been slacking on a little bit and really buckle down during Holy Week. So think about that. Um, but ultimately, if we want the happiness of Easter Sunday, um, we also need to suffer through through a good Friday. So, all right, I've rambled enough. On to the can you relate? Can you relate? So there are things that I don't like and I feel embarrassed to not like them. And recently I have decided that I'm gonna speak my truth. I do not like spinach. I've been trying to force myself to eat spinach and pretend that I like it, but I don't like spinach, and that's okay. I can have regular old iceberg lettuce. I know there are less nutrients in it, but I don't like spinach. And why does it feel like I should be shunned for not liking spinach? Like I'm a little baby and don't like spinach. Um, and I also don't like coffee. Um, I've tried. I really like I want to like coffee. I don't feel like a grown-up because I don't like coffee. And can you relate? Like it's almost embarrassing when somebody when you have to tell people I don't like coffee, you have a third eye. So yeah, I don't like spinach, I don't like coffee, and and that's okay. But the can you relate is like why does it feel like do you ever feel like it's embarrassing because you don't like certain things that you like society thinks that you should like? So don't give me spinach, don't give me coffee, don't like it. All right, well, I am hoping that something that I said today will hopefully resonate with you and that you'll really go into Holy Week with intention to grow in holiness and to really focus on what the week means because it's a really important week. The next time we are talking again, it will be Holy Thursday. It's an exciting time in our in our church year. So, as always, we are praying for you and just wishing you a great week. Bye.