Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time_C - Busy As a Bee_070322

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Busy As a Bee”

 

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

 

In today’s gospel Jesus gives his disciples some instructions before sending them out to the towns and villages he intended to visit. He tells them “Go on your way; behold I am sending you like lambs among the wolves. Carry no money bags, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way…” It’s no wonder “the laborers are few!” And yet, surprisingly, 72 responded to the call; 72 brave souls willing to venture out into the world, materially unprepared in every way to confront the challenges they were sure to meet along the way.

What a test of faith. Imagine these disciples starting out on a journey with no money, no carry-on, nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Sounds unrealistic, doesn’t it? But that’s the urgency that Jesus gave to his ministry – announcing the Good News that the Kingdom of God was at hand and it is also a great sign of Jesus’ trust that his disciples would be provided for. People longed to hear this message and Jesus was eager to spread the word that indeed Kingdom of God had arrived. “Be as busy as a bee” seems to have been Jesus’ mindset in spreading the Good News. Nothing was more important, so no need to waste time with the things of this world…money, baggage and extra clothes. God will take care of everything. God will provide; He always does.

We all could take lessons from these first eager co-workers of Jesus by ourselves trusting in God more and relying upon our possessions less; trusting in God’s Divine Providence and care and knowing he is always by our side, especially when things seem to not be going our way. What a wonderful world it would be if we could dedicate our lives to promoting the Kingdom Jesus proclaimed as we went about our day-to-day activities; if we were his laborers tilling the fields. We would truly have reason to rejoice as we too would drive out the demons in Jesus’ name, the demons of poverty and ignorance, the spirits of want and greed, the delusions of those seeking power and authority over others for their own selfish gain. With the love of Jesus in our hearts we might overcome the racial, political and economic issues of our times that divide us and cause so much bitterness, suffering and even violence. It really doesn’t take much effort on our part to be a willing co-worker of Jesus, a simple “Yes, Lord” will do, and then placing our trust in God’s Divine Providence. Oh, would that not lead to “heaven on earth?” Yes, we would have reasons to rejoice and be glad for all the good things we could do in Jesus’ name, if, and it’s a big if, we choose to abandon our own vestiges of power and go about our daily business with the only things we need, the Minds, the Hearts and the Love of Jesus, our Lord.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Visit my blog at: www.deacontomwrites.blogspot.com

And tune into the www.deaconspod.com to hear a contemporary Catholic conversation exploring the treasures our faith has to offer

Recommended Reading: Discipleship for the Future by Fr. Frank DeSiano, CSP provides a vision of Christian spirituality for both those who are actively practicing their faith and those who are on the periphery of our churches.

Recommended Podcast: Where Peter Is Podcast presents contemporary topics of interest to keep Catholics informed about our faith.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, _C - Come, Follow Me_062622

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Come, Follow Me!”

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

We read several occasions today of people who wanted to follow those holy men who crossed their paths. First Elisha was willing to leave everything to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Elijah. In the New Testament someone calls out to Jesus, ‘I will follow you wherever you go’”. It’s easy to understand how this happened. People were amazed at the miracles these men of God performed. In Jesus’ case people saw with their own eyes the great miracles that he worked; they witnessed firsthand the gentleness and great compassion with which he treated people, not just his own but non-Jews also. They personally experienced his genuineness and sincerity of heart. They felt welcomed and comfortable in his presence. And, they wanted to stay in that comfort zone as long as they could. At first glance it is easy to understand why they wanted to remain with Jesus. But remember, Jesus wasn’t peddling la dolce vita. Jesus tells them up front that following him would lead them on a challenging journey, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” In other words, Jesus wanted to spell out that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, that to be a disciple, one must do as he did – pick up our crosses and follow him. 

We know that being a follower of Jesus is difficult. We don’t do a good job of denying ourselves or taking up our crosses, right? Having a discipleship mentality puts us at odds with the “real world” where all of our efforts go to build ourselves up, let everyone know just how great we are or show them how much we have accomplished. That’s really the only way to get ahead in life…this life, that is. The very fact that we strive so much to succeed puts us in direct competition with everyone else and it is those basic struggles of life that often breed resentments and envy, difficult vices that challenge and undermine our faith. They don’t have to, but truthfully, they often do. And, if the truth be told, this quest for power, success, egoism is the source of much misery and suffering for others. It seems that Paul had a crystal ball into these crazy days as he says, “if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.” Paul raises a clarion call that we need to change our ways.... before it’s too late. 

So, what’s the secret to living an authentic Christian life in our day and age? One way is to distinguish between what we want and what we truly need. Our wants are generally insatiable. Our needs are fairly basic and so much more easily attainable. If we are able to seek only what we need, we can begin to imitate the spirit of simplicity and freedom of Jesus. With less focus on our own needs and concerns, perhaps we can increase our love for one another which puts us on track to practice the greatest commandment… loving God and our neighbors as ourselves. This is how we begin to deny ourselves and open ourselves to the good things that God has in store for us, those things not present in our world, but rather those treasures that flow from the superabundance of God’s grace that are for everyone and that last forever – everlasting… Joy, ……Peace, and Happiness. 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom                                                                                                                         

Visit my Blog at: www.deacontomwrites.blogspot.com                                                           And tune into the www.deaconspod.com to hear a contemporary Catholic conversation exploring the treasures our faith has to offer.

                   Recommended Reading: Catholic Social Teaching - Our Best Kept Secret by                                 Edward P DeBerri and James Hug review the history of the Catholic Church's social                        teaching. 

Recommended Blog: The Francis Effect Podcast - is about the real world of politics and current events, seen through the lens of Catholic teaching and spirituality

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ_C_There's Plenty to Go Around_061922

Deacon Tom Writes,

“There’s Plenty to Go Around!”

 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year C

 

We live in an instant world. 

Can we ever be satisfied with anything? We want faster, bigger, better, more of everything and we want it now. We don’t want to wait or work long and hard to get things. We push a button and it’s here.

It’s interesting to watch how people are reacting the ongoing supply chain disruption.

Some are visibly upset. Others are outraged. Still others don’t seem dismayed at all. 

The last group appears to be the exception. We’ve become consummate consumers driven by immediate gratification. We’re well-trained by Fifth Avenue’s advertisements. We’ve swallowed their message hook, line and sinker. This message is everywhere--from self-help gurus, the media, and even from some pulpits, “We can have it all and we can have it our way... right now.” 

It's an interesting observation. Older generations remember economic downturns, wars, rationing, shortages, and even something as simple as needing to wait for the stores or bank to open or ordering from a catalog, sending in a check, and waiting two more weeks for the box to arrive. 

Technology’s changed all that. Even something as simple as snapping a photo with a cellphone is instant. I remember taking photos with my film 35mm camera. It was an intentional act. Each roll had either twelve, twenty-four, or thirty-six exposures set to a certain condition—outdoor, fast, lower-light, slow. I had to frame my subject clearly, take the time to focus, and then shoot. I didn’t see the results until I brought the film in to be developed. Even that had to be sent out and took about a week. 

The “great acceleration” of society hasn’t been sustainable, and now some have called this time period “The Great Reset,” a term first used as the title of the 2020 World Economic Forum meet but which has since taken on a life of its own.

Our instinct could be to say, “our expectations are not realistic,” but clearly, they are because science and man have developed things of convenience that have trained us to think that it’s always been this way (and for younger Millennials, Gen Z and below, they have been).   

But what if we look at the cracks in society today and become one of those supply chain optimists and say, “If something has to change, let it be me.” 

The truth is, we can’t change the empty shelves or prices. But the next time our favorite thing is “out of stock” we can change how we choose to participate. Let that be a reminder—a blessing, instead.

Our spiritual senses, if they are well developed, will tune us in to the fact that there is a problem when our addiction to the “instant” leaves us always wanting more. No consumer creation or human being can completely satisfy us or our hearts desires. It is only God who can satisfy the deepest longing of our hearts. 

Today’s Feast

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This is our time to contemplate the wisdom of God as God, the architect of the universe and the one who sustains all that exists within it. He designed us to seek the ultimate good, which, of course, he is by his nature, by his very being. 

He hard wired us, so to speak, so that we would come looking for him, seeing his image in all creation, and putting aside all else in our search for the “real thing,” the ultimate goodness, the one and only giver of life and of all that is.

Those who were fortunate to be in the crowds as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes may not have fully realized the gift they were given—the bread of life, food that would satisfy completely. What’s our excuse? We’ve had time to digest this miracle. 

As Catholics there is no more profound mystery of faith than what we experience when we receive the Eucharist – the Son of God coming into our lives and dwelling within us and satisfying us completely. God becomes, in a sense, the very fuel that energizes us to do our part in bringing about the reign of God in our times, in our lives, and in the world around us. 

That God would become really present in the bread and wine during the Consecration remains as difficult a teaching today as it was when Jesus first revealed it. Many walked away from Jesus because this teaching was too difficult.

Many still do. 

Jesus asked the apostles, “Will you leave me also.” And Peter responded, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

I hope this continues to be our answer, too.

The gift of the Eucharist reveals God’s desire to be a part of the very fiber of our lives. We give God our thanks for this precious gift by sharing our faith and our lives with one another as we await the fullness of his long-awaited kingdom on earth.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom 

Visit my Blog at: www.deacontomwrites.blogspot.com

Recommended Reading: Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton. One of the most famous books ever written about a man’s search for faith and peace.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Recommended Reading: Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton. One of the most famous books ever written about a man’s search for faith and peace.

Recommended Podcast: Forte Catholic Podcast. This Podcast exists to share the Joy of the Gospel... tune in...

The Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity_C - We Are God's Delight_061222

                                         Credit: Southern Crab Nebula: STScI-2019-25

Deacon Tom Writes,

“We Are God’s Delight”

 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year C

 

The reading from the Book of Proverbs summons our imagination to that moment in time when God, the master craftsman, is busy laying “the foundations of the earth.” Witnessing this extraordinary event is this mysterious figure, “The Wisdom of God.” God’s Wisdom is “poured fourth”, personified, given a physical reality, in order to be by God’s side as his craftsman to assist in bringing forth creation. God’s Wisdom is euphoric at what is happening, “being God’s delight day by day, playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of his earth; finding delight in the human race”. The Wisdom of God is such a cooperative, willing, and light-hearted assistant, and one so eager to find delight in God’s masterpiece of creation, the human race.

Today’s readings give us insight into the Holy Trinity whose feast we celebrate today. We recognize God, as the Creator, calling into existence the entirety of the cosmos. At work also is the Wisdom of God, God’s delight, the Holy Spirit, that “mighty wind” who swept over the waters of creation in Genesis. In the Gospel today, Jesus, the Logos, through whom all creation came to be, is completing his mission on earth. Before he leaves, however, he imparts to his disciples the Spirit of Truth that will continue to guide and teach them as they continue Jesus’ work of advancing the Kingdom of God here on earth.

The Trinity will always be a mystery for us, in this life and the next. We know that we will never be able to comprehend God’s essence completely. Yet, we do share in God’s very nature by virtue of our participation in the Sacramental life of the Church. In that divine community we encounter Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who delight in our human family.

The celebration of Trinity Sunday is a sign that our Easter Season is behind us. We have reentered Ordinary Time at a critical moment when our world is challenged in many ways, divided according to many ideologies, ethnicities, beliefs, colors, languages, hopes and desires. Jesus told his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to remind them of all he had taught them and to guide them through all the ups and downs of life. As we move beyond our Easter Celebration let us endeavor to live in the light of the Holy Spirit and act as disciples of Christ by loving one another, forgiving those who have caused us sorrow and pain and serving one another as Christ taught and gave us the example to follow.

In the days to come, may we be aware that in Baptism we too have received Jesus’ spirit, “the Spirit of truth. May the “Spirit of Truth” that abides in us help us to see ourselves, our loved ones, and even those we may hold in little regard as “God’s delight” also.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon To

Recommended Reading: Back to Virtue by Peter Kreeft is an insightful look at how Virtue serves as a roadmap on the pilgrimage of a life of holiness.


Recommended Blog: Things Not Seen - Dr. David Dault talks with people of faith who are seeking to live together despite deep differences in belief.

Pentecost - Lord Send Out Your Spirit and Renew the Face of the Earth_060522

                                                          Photo: Weeki Wachee Sunset_tjc

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Lord, Send Out Your Spirit,

And Renew the Face of The Earth”

 Pentecost Sunday, Mass during the Day, Year C

If you are among the diminishing number of Catholics that attend church on a regular basis, I think you would agree that we don’t show much enthusiasm about being there.

The event that set the world on fire, spiritually that is, has become routine, ho-hum, ordinary. That event, Christ sending his spirit into the world to complete the work he had begun, seems to have fallen on deaf ears. And perhaps you have notices this too, that our world, our communities, our schools and shopping malls and homes are at a loss because of this. Things change, we all know that. New ideas, trends, philosophies, come and go. I get that. But to surrender our faith, our core beliefs centered on God’s unconditional love for his creation in favor of the glitter and trinkets the world has to offer, well, I don’t get that. More than ever, we are in need of Divine intervention, help from above to guide us and direct our hearts and minds and enlighten them as to who we are and what God has called us to be. On this special day, a day that for these past two millennia has been called the birthday of the church, we pray to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, whose help we are most in need. We pray for the Spirit of God to come into our lives and revive our hearts so we may know God’s presence at work within us and in our world, renewing us and filling us with his love.

This Pentecost we pray that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will awaken in us a desire to know God and to do his Will. Yet, we really don’t need to ask for this gift…. Jesus told us that he would send… “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name -- will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you” JN 14:26. Our need is to be open to receive this Spirit of God deep within the fiber of our being. We need the Holy Spirit so that we can meet the demands of Christian discipleship … that is to grow daily in the knowledge and love of God and in service to our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who breathes into us the knowledge of God’s love so that we, in turn, can love and engender love in others as Jesus taught us. For indeed… “we have been given the manifestation of the spirit for some benefit” …. and that benefit is to realize God’s abundant love not only in ourselves, but in others also giving them the opportunity to discover God’s love for themselves.

Jesus sent his disciples into this world that hungered for the love and peace that only God can give and to find rest from the toils and anxieties of life. We have these same needs today! Can there really be any question about that as we witness the horrific suffering in our world, the political divisiveness, the economic disparity, and the hopelessness engendered by the degradation of the human spirit? We are in desperate need of the gifts of the Holy Spirit...wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord so that we can live together and realize our full potential as children of God. These gifts of the Spirit transform our lives and conform us to the life of Christ in every way. Too difficult? Yes, for us left to ourselves, but not for Christ to accomplish in us. That is the transformative power of Holy Spirit this Pentecost for all who strive to be disciples of Christ today. As Christ sent his first disciples into the world to dispel the darkness and give it hope, he now sends us into the world so we can continue to be people of hope…. who forgive and love one another, who act justly and work for a justice in this world, who look forward to the fullness of God’s reign. We, like those who have gone before us, have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit and, so empowered, are sent into the world to be witnesses of God’s love and to cooperated with his own Spirit so that together we can renew the face of the earth.

Enjoy the day
Deacon Tom

Recommended Reading: Against an Infinite Horizon by Ronald Rolheiser O.M.I - asks us to view our lives against the infinite horizon of God's love and power.

Recommended Podcast: The Way of the Fathers with Mike Aquilina, is about the Fathers of the Church—the foundational figures in Christian history.