Hiding Self View This Holy Week

It is not an exaggeration to say that my life changed on May 15 of 2020. After two months of overwhelming Zoom burnout, I was introduced to a little button by a friend. The feature? “Hide Self View.”

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Now, instead of spending meetings constantly stealing glances at how I appeared to the group, making sure that my background was enviable and my hair smooth and shiny, I was free to actually engage. Instead of being distracted by my presence on the screen, I could click a little button (now set as a default) and enter into meetings more fully, and with far more freedom.

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This past weekend, I was working on a very exciting project (Coming in April, stay tuned!) I found myself with self view turned back on. My hair was frizzy and, even in the midst of an important conversation, I was distracted by how my roots were growing out way too fast and how obvious it was on camera. It was about eight minutes into this reflection that I saw a chat pop up on the screen. It was another person on the call, saying “Girl, you’re glowing in that light!” I laughed out loud (don’t worry, on mute). While I was stressing about how disorganized I looked, another person on the call didn’t see any of that – they saw something I didn’t. “Hide Self View” was promptly turned back on.

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It’s a poignant reflection. I often live my life with “Self View” on. I worry about what others think of me and how I’m perceived. I strive to present myself and my life in the most positive light. But living with “Self View” on isn’t fulfilling, nor does it bring me joy or purpose. It’s also rarely true. Much like on Zoom, it’s a distraction. It pulls me out of the moment and focuses the attention back on me. It’s not how I want to live, or how I’m called to live.

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If there’s ever a time to practice hiding “Self View,” it’s this week. Holy Week is my favorite week of the year. I love the tradition, the reverence, the long masses and quiet times of reflection. Why do I love these moments? Because it’s during this week that I feel my soul pulled closer to God. I gain a perspective so much bigger and so much grander than my own. I reflect on the love that God has for me, the invitation He offers me to be truly myself, not just a filtered, edited, polished version of who I think I should be.

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I am praying for all of us this Holy Week. It’s a weird one, but it’s still a tradition we’ve held for over 2,000 years. If you’ve never attended services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, or the Vigil, I cannot recommend them enough. Even attending virtually is a gift. Jesus invites us into His view – a view that makes me fall to my knees in gratitude and joy and humility. Meet Him there this week.

In Christ,

Jane

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This Week on The SundayMonday Show

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Episode Seventeen: Young Adult Groups 101

What’s the point of Young Adult Groups? Will I be welcomed? Isn’t YAG just a place to husband hunt?

Buckle up folks, because we’re tackling these questions (and more) in today’s episode.

If you’ve ever been in a Young Adult Group, or have an interest in joining, this podcast breaks down the best ways to plug in, find your people, and create a community of people who will call you higher and help you grow. Joining me is my friend, Kendra, who I met in a San Francisco Young Adult Group! Kendra shares her experiences in YAG programs in Minnesota and SF, offers advice for people who are looking to explore the world of YAG, and tells the story of how she (unexpectedly) met her husband in a YAG. It’s a good one!

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Leave us a voice message and let us know what’s on your mind! Send in questions, comments, and ideas for how you bring your faith into work.

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What we’re loving lately (on the blog and beyond!)

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​How to Be Fearless – This is Jen Podcast​

“You don’t wake up one day feeling courageous. That’s not how it works. You feel courageous through an accumulation of doing courageous things.” Gosh I love Jennifer Fulwiler and this episode was . Give it a listen, and while you’re there, subscribe to her podcast!

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Two Months. Twenty-One Movies.

My roommate and I accomplished something impressive (?) over the past two months. Yes, we watched all twenty-one Marvel movies, in timeline order. I had seen about two of them in full before starting this experiment.

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​Consoling the Heart of Jesus​

For the past two Triduums (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter!), I have done this three-day self retreat. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Order it today, or pick up at your local bookstore, and join me in diving into the mystery of Holy Week and the Lord’s personal and deep love for you.

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​Mission Statement Worksheet​

Why not take some time this Holy Week to reflect on who you are and who God is calling you to be? Setting a mission statement for my life has been life-changing. I also hosted a mission statement workshop on Instagram a few months ago – you can find the recording here!

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Have something you’re loving that you want to share with us? Respond to this email!

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Liturgical Living with Gabriela R.A. Doyle

• April 1 is Holy Thursday where we commemorate the Last Supper and the predecessor of the Mass’s Liturgy of the Eucharist. Try to stream Mass today even if you don’t normally go.

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• April 2 is Good Friday. If your parish is offering Stations of the Cross, try to attend. Otherwise, you can read the scriptural Stations here and spend some time in quiet prayer. Remember to pause for a minute of silence and reflection at 3pm.

• April 4 is Easter Sunday! Try to devote some extra time in prayer today and thank Jesus for his Passion. Offer up any frustrations you have today for others in need and focus on the signs of Spring all around you. Wear white, eat candy, and pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.

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Words of the Week

“Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”
// St. Gerard Majella

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Intentions for This Week

For peace. For presence. For hope, this Holy Week, and always.

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