Palm Sunday_C - For Crying Out Loud_0041325

Deacon Tom Writes,

“For Crying Out Loud” 

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year C

 

The tide of public opinion can change quickly. But the tide of public opinion is often nothing more than the collective mindset of the crowd that happens to prevail at any particular moment. Today the crowd gathers to welcome Jesus and to sing his praises. Why not? He has a good reputation. He speaks kind words. He does good things. He even challenges the religious leaders. Word of his good adventures has spread throughout the land. He is a healer, worker of miracles and an advocate for the poor and disheartened. To some he is a prophet; to others he is the Messiah; to the religious authorities, he is a pain in the .... well, let’s just say that he is a big problem!

 

Word spreads throughout Jerusalem that Jesus has arrived in the city to celebrate Passover with his friends and many turn out to welcome him. The people are in a festive mood and they greet Jesus waving their palm branches and raising a chorus of “Hosanna,” for somehow, they recognize the presence of God in their midst. As the spirit of hope fills the air, the Pharisees, the ones for whom Jesus is a problem, tell him to, “Rebuke your disciples”. They could not tolerate to see the adulations the people were placing upon him. But Jesus responds, “If they were to keep quiet, I tell you, the very stones would cry out.” (Lk 19:40)

 

What a difference a few days can make. As Jesus stands before Pilate several days later, the Pharisees don’t appeal to Jesus to control his disciples; instead, they’re fueling the crowd’s ignorance, stirring them up to advance their agenda – to get rid of the thorn in their side, Jesus. The finger pointing, the false accusations, the skillful manipulation of the emotions of the crowd work in their favor and Jesus is condemned to death. (Aren’t we all too familiar with this technique)??? The only spirit at work in the crowd on that day is the hardness of heart that, to this day, continues to blind many to God’s presence in their lives.

 

Our scripture readings today help us to see Jesus as both the hope for and the scourge of our world. For believers Jesus is the, “Way, the truth, and the life”. For others Jesus is a hindrance, an obstacle to living a life unchecked, unrestrained by any moral or ethical code. With Jesus out of the way, there are no restrictions to living a self-absorbed, it’s all about me, taking care of number one, a selfish, indifferent to the needs and suffering of others lifestyle. Any good that one may do in this state is done solely because it gives one individual pleasure, a sense of feeling good. There is no sense of any common good, let alone any awareness of belonging to the “Mystical Body of Christ.”

 

I suspect that many of the people in the crowd on Good Friday were also there to greet Jesus on Palm Sunday. Today we have a chance to imagine what we would have done if we were present at these two remarkably polarizing events. Better yet, we can look into our lives and see what crowds we side with today. Being champions of the poor, the alienated, the marginalized and the abused is the best way to let our hosannas rise above the crowd around us.

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold, those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

Recommended Reading: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis who explores the common ground upon which all of the Christian Faiths stand together.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Shortest Way Home: C.S. Lewis & Mere Christianity

 

Fifth Sunday of Lent_B - Old Problems - New Solutions_040625

Image Credit: Song of David by Hilary Sylvester

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Old Problem – New Solution”

 

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C

 

The language in today’s readings tells us how much the Lord does on our behalf… “The Lord… opens… ways in the sea / paths in mighty waters.” … “The Lord does something new.”  The Responsorial Psalm proclaims, “The Lord is doing great things for us, we are filled with joy.”

 

In today’s gospel, Jesus had another difficult encounter with the scribes and the Pharisees. They bring a woman who, witnesses say, committed adultery. They want Jesus’ opinion on whether they should put her to death. It’s a trick question and Jesus is aware of their insincerity. So, offering no opinion of his own as to the merits of the Mosaic Law, he simply tells the authorities and crowd that had gathered earlier to hear him teach, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

 

Jesus avoids their trap and sets their heads, and ours, spinning. Not surprisingly, Jesus had no takers. When everyone has left, Jesus is alone with the woman. The exchange between them is profound. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin any more.”

 

The new approach to the OLD problem of “sin” that Jesus demonstrates today is the NEW way of compassion. It is subtle yet profound. Jesus knows that the woman before him is frightened and ashamed. She may have even preferred death by stoning than public humiliation. Yet Christ does not condemn her for her sin, he does not quote her the citation from Leviticus she was guilty of violating; he does not accuse or blames or point the finger. He does none of these. What he does do is encourage her to go and sin no more. He gives her a new beginning, a fresh start.

 

What a grace-filled, inciteful, affirmative way to encourage someone to make a course correction in their lives. You are familiar with the expression, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink!” So too in our own experiences and those of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Being there to help others in their time of crisis, simply being available without judging or condemnation has the possibility of setting into motion real healing and the desire to make necessary changes in our lives. Or, as Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.”

 

What a new way to fix a persistent problem. What an experience of freedom… What a practice to make our own the remainder of this Lent, to remember that it is God who stands in judgment and it is our job to simply be there to listen and give comfort whenever the opportunity arises. Because who doesn’t like a fresh start every once in a while? Who doesn’t like the slate wiped clean every now and again? That’s the heart of the Easter message: Jesus will give all who follow his ways a fresh start by raising us to new life with him this Easter!

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold, those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it. 

OTHER RESOURCE

Recommended Reading:  Christ Among Us by Anthony J Wilhelm C.S.P is one of the most popular guides to modern Catholicism.

 

 

Recommended YouTube Video: The Spirituality of Everyday Life, Part 2 by Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O

 

 

 

 

Fourth Sunday of Lent_C - The More Things Change, the More They Remain the Same_033025

        Rembrandt: The Return of the Prodigal Son (1663) Canvas Gallery Wrapped Giclee Wall Art Print (D6045) 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“The More Things Change, the More They Remain the Same”

 

Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year C

 

There is much commentary today about the vanishing middle class, how they have been left behind in our new economy. There are many reasons for this and they have been long in the making: low paying jobs with no benefits, the persistent difficulty in finding full time employment, the lack of adequate training for the highly skilled jobs demanded by the technological revolution of the last two decades, perhaps because CEOs have decided to ship many of the high-tech jobs overseas to enhance profit margins – when will my microchips get here from Never, Never Land? Now we are in the throes of rapid changes unforeseen in the history of the inflation amid a military build to as we renew the cold or now perhaps hot war with Russia. These conditions are not new economic or social realities. We have seen how the combination of these factors has forced many mothers and fathers to work two, sometimes three jobs to provide for the basic need of their family. Stirred up by politicians and the media, people have become angry that they haven’t been getting their “fair share” and, there is ample evidence to support this sentiment. There is a spirit of bitterness, resentment and even hatred festering in the hearts of many people. As I read today’s gospel in light of these realities, I sense that old truism at work, “The more things change, the more things remain the same.” For, as we read today, the older brother felt that he too wasn’t getting his fair share; that, in his own way of thinking, he was cheated out of a better way of life because of the decisions of others.

 

I sense these are the same emotional struggles the older brother in today’s gospel had to contend with when his younger brother up and left, perhaps to “find himself” in the big city of his day. This older brother had stayed at home; he worked the farm, probably having to take on additional responsibilities because of his brother’s sudden departure. He probably felt that his father was giving away what was rightfully his by his birthright when his younger brother flew the coup. He was resentful and had every right to be because his brother violated the social norms of the times and, upon his return, seems to suffer no ill consequence. Even more challenging, he seems to be rewarded for his bad behavior. Most of us today identify with this older brother and sympathize with him.

 

If we spend some time with this reading, however, our eyes may be opened to the beauty of this parable wherein we are able to see how God not only refuses to see our bad behavior but also readily welcomes us back when we come to our senses. For the younger son, it was his errant behavior, his disrespect for his father and brother, his selfishness and wanton behavior that God overlooks. The older brother, too, is in need of forgiveness for his failing to recognize his father’s need to stand by his son who made a mistake and was contrite enough to admit it. This parable ends, however, and leaves us wondering if the older son ever comes to his senses and joins the banquet with his merciful father, penitent brother and joyful guests.

 

This parable gives us insight into God’s very nature, i.e., one of “unconditional love.” God willingly overlooks all our faults and sins and welcomes us home with open arms when we return. For God does not “count our trespasses against us.”  

 

We are called to forgive “seventy times seven time” Jesus tells us according to St. Matthew (Mt 18:22). Perhaps, if we practiced to forgive this often, we would become good at it. “Practices makes perfect, as they say!” Imagine if we practiced forgiving those who hurt us how much our lives would improve for the better!

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold, those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.

OTHER RESOURCES

 

Recommended Reading: The Return of the Prodigal Son – A Story of Homecoming by Henri J.M. Nouwen.  A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Henri Nouwen on a long spiritual adventure. Here he shares the deeply personal and resonant meditation that led him to discover the place within where God has chosen to dwell.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Centering Prayer with Thomas Merton.  This is a wonderful way to disengage from the world and tune into the quiet, tranquil world of meditation with one of the great master teachers.

 

Third Sunday of Lent_C - We've Got to Change Our Evil Ways_032325

 Photo Credit: Kevin Carter, “the Vulture and the Girl” 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“We’ve Got to Change Our Evil Ways!”

 

Third Sunday of Lent Year C

 

Carlos Santana’s hit song didn’t have the same meaning that St. Paul had in mind in when he was writing the Corinthians. But the title of his hit song, “You’ve Got to Change Your Evil Ways” is a message we could take to heart. In today’s reading Paul recalls the history of the Jewish people and their forty-year experience of wandering in the desert. He reminds the Israelites all during that time they, “all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink” nonetheless, they were “struck down in the desert” because their spiritual food did not change their evil desires.” Paul tells them to take heed because these words, “Have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come.” As we listen to these words today, do they give us a better awareness that the Eucharist is our “spiritual food and drink/” Do we get the message that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist to help us on our desert journey? Do Paul’s words lead us into a deeper awareness of Eucharist as a reality in which we experience Christ and, like the bread and wine, we too are permanently changed and transformed into the “Mystical Body of Christ”?

 

To live in the “Kingdom of God” that Jesus reveals to us throughout his ministry requires that we make some significant changes to the way we think, in how we live our lives, and how we relate and interact with one another. The process of making these changes is known by various names but they all are intended to produce the same results… “repentance,” “a change of heart,” “metanoia.” The need to examine our lives and change our evil ways are challenges we face not only during our Lenten journey but throughout our entire lives. It is hard work; it is necessary work if we are to become productive members of the Kingdom of God that Jesus invites us to seek.

 

The warning Paul gives us today is that we not become like the Israelites of antiquity who ate and drank the spiritual food provided them but to no avail. We have the food of “Everlasting Life” in the Eucharist and it is indeed life sustaining and life giving…if, and only if… this bread of Angels that we eat encourages us, no, better yet, gives us the heartfelt desire to “change our evil ways” and live as Children of God in whose image we have been made! In God’s divine plan, if there is no transformation there is no new life! And, if there is no new life, then our evil ways will have dire spiritual consequences.

 

Just as we read in the gospel, if there are no figs, of what use is the fig tree? If the Eucharist produces no new life in us, then really, we are no better off than our spiritual ancestors who, because they failed to change their evil ways, were struck down in the desert and never entered the Promised Land.

 

On to the rest of the day, with Santana’s hit song playing in my head!

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold, those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it..

 

OTHER RESOURCES

Recommended Reading: Fr. Martin Laird, O.S.A. “Into the Silent Land”

Sitting in stillness, the practice of meditation, and the cultivation of awareness are commonly thought to be the preserves of Hindus and Buddhists. Martin Laird shows that the Christian tradition of contemplation has its own refined teachings on using a prayer word to focus the mind, working with the breath to cultivate stillness, and the practice of inner vigilance or awareness. But this book is not a mere historical survey of these teachings. In Into the Silent Land, we see the ancient wisdom of both the Christian East and West brought sharply to bear on the modern-day longing for radical openness to God in the depths of the heart.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: This is a good Lenten practice that will feed your spiritual growth all year long. Give a listen...  Centering Prayer with Thomas Merton

 

Second Sunday of Lent_C - The Enemy Within_031625

Deacon Tom Writes,

“The Enemy Within”

Second Sunday of Lent, Year C

Today’s readings give us food for thought as we begin another Lenten season. Our first reading recalls the promise or covenant God made with Abram, that he would be the father of many nations and that his children would outnumber the stars…. Imagine that! You couldn’t blame Abram for holding back a little chuckle when God revealed his plan. Imagine if he was able to see the heavens through the eyes of the Hubble Telescope and realize how impossible it would be to count the number of stars in the heavens!!! God’s promise was simply beyond Abraham’s imagination. Lent is a time to reflect on the promises God has made and also fulfilled for our benefit. God made good on his promise to redeem the world from the darkness of sin and death through the sacrifice and obedience of his Son, Jesus, Son of God, and Son of Mary. If we understand in the slightest what God has done for us then we realize what a great gift we have received, for we have been given the gift of Eternal Life, the chance to live with him forever. This is the gift that Christ’s death and resurrection has secured for us.

Another theme flowing from our readings today to guide us on our Lenten journey is that of Jesus’ transformation. Peter, James, and John witness Jesus in the fullness of his glory and they are overwhelmed. This sneak preview of the Divine Jesus helps us realize that we too must be transformed into the mystical Body of Christ. St. Paul spoke directly about our need to experience this metamorphosis when he wrote to the Galatians… “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). A mature Christian mindset is one that is always seeking to follow in Christ’s footsteps, that is, to conform our hearts and minds to that of Christ so that we too can pick up our crosses and follow the rocky road of our lives. Not an easy thing to do, and so we take baby steps to learn to “let go and let God” so we can learn to surrender ourselves to God’s Will in the face of our trials and frustrations in life.

Finally, St. Paul gives us a dose of harsh reality, apparently something he witnessed among the early followers of Jesus. Believe it or not, some of those who called themselves Christians were, “…enemies of the cross of Christ.” Wow! Right from the beginning, people were professing to be followers of Jesus, when in fact they were living their old ways. Paul recognized this duplicity and confronts it directly. He admonishes the Philippians to, “join with others in being imitators of me.” What a powerful invitation into the life of Christ from a man who imitated Christ in every way. St. Paul is a model for us on our Lenten Journey. He knows very well how to subdue the enemy within – by constant prayer, fasting, and charitable works. Good activities to occupy us this Lenten season as we too try to quell our own “enemies within.”


Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold, those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it..

OTHER RESOURCES

Recommended Reading: Fr. Thomas Massaro, S.J., "Living Justice,” Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Through Scripture, Tradition, world events, and living examples of heroism and holiness ranging from the simple to the extraordinary, Living Justice develops your understanding of Catholic social teaching and inspires you for service.

Recommended YouTube Video: Mercy Not Sacrifice by Fr Mark-David Janus, CSP Reflecting on the musings of his new book, Paulist Father Mark-David Janus speaks about how Christians are often told that Lent is a time when we must sacrifice in order to be worthy of God. He reminds us, it is important to reflect instead on what God wants most—mercy.

First Sunday of Lent_C - Be With Me Lord When I Am In Trouble_030925

First Sunday of Lent, Year C

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Be With Me Lord When I Am in Trouble”

These words from Psalm 91 are subtitled “Security Under God’s Protection.” They are solid advice to get us started on the right foot this holy season of Lent.

“Be with us, Lord” through the days and nights that lie ahead.
“Be with us, Lord” to face the struggles that life has in store for us.
“Be with us, Lord” and protect us from all our fears and anxieties.
 

Think about our own experiences when problems arise. We turn to God in our desperation. That’s not unusual. When time are good, we might look up and give God a high five between errands. But when times get tough, we get serious and try to bargains with God.

Bargaining with God

We’ve all done it, sometimes intentionally, other times subconsciously.

“God, if you’ll just…” We bargain with God. Sometimes about small things, and others… a desperate cry for divine help to avoid the consequences of our bad choices to help our loved ones in their time of need.

 

God, if you’ll just keep my son safe while his is in the Army, I’ll pray the rosary every day.

God, if you’ll help my dad recover, I’ll volunteer at the soup kitchen. 

God, if you’ll take away this post-super bowl “celebration flu”, I’ll never even look at 

nachos and beer again. 

God, if you’ll just….

The funny part about this is that God doesn’t need our bargaining chip. God is there for us regardless. We just have to ask.

It’s a wise person that asks for help when the going gets tough. The Bible shows us that God answers. In today’s first reading, we have Moses remembering how God saved the people of Israel as the marched through the desert. Jesus sets the tone for this in the example of his life. Throughout his ministry, Jesus relies upon his Father to support and sustain him any time there’s a problem—during his ordeal in the desert as he confronts Satan, during day-to-day life, and even in his last moments of suffering.

Lent is our perfect reset
I encourage all of us to take full advantage of Lent—to really accept it as the gift God intends it to be. Too often, the Lenten greeting is, “What are you giving up?” The things we “give up for lent” are usually things we didn’t need in the first place. Alcohol? Cigarettes? TV? Junk food? These are even things we sometimes use as bargaining chips in our deals with God.

Instead, consider this: Consider using this Lent to deepen our relationship with God, putting our trust in him, that he will “be with us” always. Talk to him. Look around and notice the beauty in his creation—the little things we pass by. In the same way that you call, text, email, or talk to the people we’re closest… give that level of attention to a Lenten relationship reboot with abba, with daddy, the name Jesus called his Father.  

Lent is a very holy time to enrich our spiritual lives. We deepen our relationship with God by spending time developing and strengthening that relationship, as Jesus did. That gives us the confidence to know that God is always present, always willing to help us—during the hard and sorrowful times and the joyful moments, too.

Lent reminds us God is really present, that he really cares for us and loves us more than we love ourselves. It is so often hard for us to believe. Yet, it is true!

May we experience God’s presence as we begin our Lenten journey and be filled with his joy and peace as we pray, “Be with me, Lord” … now and forever.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold, those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it..

 

OTHER RESOURCES

Recommended Reading: Throughout the Lenten season, writers from the Ignatian network will guide us on a spiritual journey —"Take Heart" Join in to hear some during these precarious times when it is more important than ever to allow God to encourage us—literally give us the heart we need—to overcome our self-doubts and the doubts we may have about our neighbor; to meet hard-heartedness with the tenderness and mercy that is a gift of the Spirit. Sign up at: https://ignatiansolidarity.net/lent-2025/

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Lenten Meditative Music

 

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time_C - The Truth of the Matter_030225

Photo- Dalia at Enders Island, Connecticut

  

Deacon Tom Writes,

“The Truth of The Matter”

 

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

 

Do you recall the 1963 movie, “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World? It was a farcical comedy that brought some levity into our relatively simple lives back then. Today it seems that movie title all too accurately describes the world we are now living in: Mad... Mad... Mad. Confirmation of this can be found by putting on the evening news.

 

We all witness vast corruption and scandal in our world and in our church; we see political divisions and factions in a constant state of tension with both sides yelling and no one listening; we see families in distress because of broken relationships, drug and alcohol addictions, and a new alienation caused by the proliferation of technology that places in our hands the entire spectrum the good, the bad and the ugly for all to peruse and make their choice. We are indeed living in incredible times, the best and the worst as Dickens would say.

 

Today’s readings provide guidance on the choices we face. There is a clear recognition that the world has a different standard by which to measure success than we find in the teachings of Jesus. We all know the standards for success the world embraces... The world is enthralled with power and success with all its entrapments such as, fame, fortune, the display of extravagant wealth and the lifestyle that goes along with it. The world rewards succeed regardless of the costs and no matter what principles or people have to be compromised along the way. Isn’t it interesting how easily the faults of the rich and the famous are overlooked? People with these qualities will rise to the top and stay there. Yes, they are driven individuals who will succeed no matter the cost.

 

Today’s gospel lays out a dramatically different standard for Jesus’ disciples. It is a very simple standard. It is one Jesus observed in the beauty of nature. “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.” This is pure wisdom by which we can measure the integrity of those attempting to gain influence in our lives.

 

We are at a critical point in the history of the world. There are many powerful voices seeking to influence our spiritual, political, and economic lives. How do we decide what voices to listen to; how do we know what people to support for political office; what standard can we rely upon to help us navigate the world of commerce upon which we depend for our security, comfort, and quality of life?

 

The lesson from nature, and Jesus, is simple. Look at the fruit! “You don’t get figs from thorn bushes; you don’t gather grapes from brambles.” What kind of fruit are we producing?

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com for a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer.

 

OTHER RESOURCES

Recommended Reading: Looking for a good read this Lent? Try “Life of the Beloved” by Henri Nouwen.

 

Recommended YouTube Video:  The Taylor Marshall Show - The Catholic View of the End Times and Tribulation.