Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ_B_060224

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Become What You Receive”

 

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

(Corpus Christi)

“Behold what you are, become what you receive!” These words of wisdom from St. Augustine are intended to help us thoughtfully receive Holy Eucharist. They have been used to help us understand this central mystery of our faith from as far back as the middle of the fourth century. It is a daunting command. It gives us cause to stop for a moment and reflect upon the reality that is takings place at that very moment. The ineffable Godhead comes into the fabric of our being to become united, to become one with the Christ in this most Blessed Sacrament. Our “Amen” is our saying yes that “we believe” and that we aim to become “Christ like” in all of our thoughts, in everything we do and in all that we say. When we receive the Eucharist, we commit ourselves to following in the footsteps of Christ and living our lives as faithful, loving and trusting disciples. 

Our Catholic Faith puts the Eucharist at the center of our faith. It is, according to our teaching, “the source and summit of our faith.” This is made evident in the Feast we celebrate today, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ also referred to as The Feast of Corpus Christi.

We are a sacramental people. Our spiritual well-being depends upon our participation in the sacramental life of the Church and the grace that is derived from its sacraments. The image of Jesus gathering his disciples into a table fellowship is pure genius. We come to the table when we are hungry, when we need to be nourished. This is the reality of our human existence. Jesus takes the ordinary and gives it an extraordinary meaning by calling us to the table to be spiritually nourished, to have our spiritual hunger satisfied and to be united to him in a communion of hearts and desires….

Our unique Catholic understanding of the Eucharist is that it is fully the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend." In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained." "This presence is called 'real' - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present." CCC 1374.

When we receive Holy Communion worthily, we truly become one with Christ. It is a very special moment, a time for us to reflect on Christ dwelling within us, for us to be in awe that the maker of heaven and earth would come and abide in us. Even more amazing is the fact that this is his plan, not ours!

Yes, “we are what we eat,” nutritionist tells us. The challenge we face as Catholics is to follow the instructions of St. Augustine and to “behold what we are and to become what we receive,” members of the one body of Christ who has become for us our spiritual food, the Bread of Life and who sends us into the world to spread the love of God to all we meet along the way. 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacs engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of coming into or leaving it.

 OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Falling Upward: a Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Fr. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up."
 
Recommended YouTube Video: Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life - Here is Fr. Rohr’s presentation on the First Half of Life.

 

 

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity_B - Chosen, Blessed, and Sent_052624

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Chosen, Blessed, and Sent”

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year B

Several words from today’s reading become a treasure trove for our further reflection throughout the day or Lexio Divina as it known. They are: chosen, blessed, and sent. In the first reading Moses does the Lord’s bidding asking the people if they have ever known of a time or a people who have ever experienced or heard the voice of God. Were they aware of any god who had taken a people to himself or saved them from their enemies with strong hands and outstretched arms? Not likely. The people to whom Moses speaks today are the people chosen by God. God chose his people so that he could be in relationship with them and they could be in relationship with him. The condition: the people must choose the Lord too, by keeping the statutes and commandments that he sets out to ensure that the relationship between God and his people is mutually beneficial, balanced, and productive. We are God’s chosen ones!

Those chosen by God and who live by the rules he laid out are blessed. That is the message we hear in the Psalm. God’s chosen ones are blessed with the knowledge and trust in God and in his ways. While the road may not be easy and challenges many, God’s chosen ones will persevere and never face their difficulties alone.

The reading from the Letter to the Romans goes beyond our sense of being chosen and blessed to say that those who are called by God take on the remarkable status of “sons of God” who receive a spirit of adoption so as to call God, “Abba, Father”. And, there is a rich inheritance that goes along with being adopted by the Father. We are so blessed to have been chosen as Children of God who stand to inherit eternal life if we remain faithful to our calling and our blessedness.

And finally, aware that we have been chosen and blessed, how can we not be animated to share our story with others. We too have been sent to spread the good news to others so they can enjoy the abundant riches we have received from the one who has chosen, blessed, and sent us to spread the good news of God’s love, mercy, and compassion.

Remember, we are all chosen, blessed, and sent. Have a great trip!

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacs engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of coming into or leaving it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Falling Upward: a Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Fr. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up."

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Living in the Presence of God Day after Day, Part 2a with Fr. Thomas Keating who continues his discussion on the practice of Centering Prayer

 

Pentecost_B - Since the Beginning of Time_051924

Image Credit: 26120210_hand_holding_earth: elements-furnished-by-nasa_on_123rf_com

Deacon Tom Writes, 

Since the Beginning of Time

The Feast of Pentecost, Year B

Mass During the Day

Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples that we celebrate in today’s Feast of Pentecost completes Christ’s Paschal Mystery. The Trinity is completely revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus’ ascension into heaven that we celebrated last week marks the completion of Jesus ministry here on earth. With Pentecost we celebrate the dawning of a new era as the Church is born and receives the Holy Spirit to guide and testify to all the truth Jesus taught during his ministry.

The Holy Spirit began his mission within the church on that first Pentecost, but it is not as if the Spirit of God has been sitting on the sidelines with nothing to do up until then. Since the beginning of time the Holy Spirit has been busy at work in our world. The invisible hand, so to speak, continuing the work of creation and the guiding wisdom moving the cosmos to its fulfillment in Christ.

In the opening words of the Book of Genesis we find a “Mighty Wind”, that is, the Holy Spirit, sweeping over the formless wasteland, bringing order out of chaos, generating the creative process that formed the universe and filled our world with life.

In Genesis 1:26 the Spirit gives life to the dust from which we are all made and shares his very divine image with us as is written, “Let us make man in our image and likeness”.

In the Book of Wisdom, the Holy Spirit is personified as wisdom itself. In Wisdom 9:9 we read, “Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works and was present when you made the world; Who understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what is conformable with your commands”. Verse 11continues… “For she (Wisdom) knows and understands all things, and will guide me discreetly in my affairs and safeguard me by her glory”.

The Holy Spirit is the Wisdom of God that is evident in all creation. We know from all of our teachings that God is faithful to his promises, and he has promised to send his Spirit to all who ask him to do so. And so, we wait for the Holy Spirit to continue the work Jesus told us the Spirit of God would do when he arrives... "But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming" (John 16:13). And so, on this Pentecost, at this time when people around our world are in such dire straits and in such need of God's Truth, it is fitting to raise our minds and hearts and voices to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives to guide and protect us and to give us, and those who rule over us, the Wisdom of God by praying:

Come Holy Spirit,

Fill the Hearts of your faithful

And kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit

And they shall be created

And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit

Did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit

We may be made truly wise

And rejoice in his consolation

Through Christ, Our Lord,

Amen

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacs engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of coming into or leaving it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Here and Now by Henri J.M. Nouwen is not a faint memory, but happening right here and now, spiritual living takes place in the present; the Spirit meets us in the ordinary. These inspirational reflections by Henri Nouwen succeed in convincing us that God’s presence is reliable.

 

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Living in the Presence of God - part 1b with Fr. Thomas Keating who discusses the practice of Centering Prayer.

 

Ascenstion Thursday - Seventh Sunday of Easter_B - Go, Make Disciples / Sharing in Christ's Joy_050924 - 051224

This weekend’s Liturgy is quite unique. Most dioceses in the U.S. have transferred the Feast of the Ascension to this coming weekend, May 15-16. Other dioceses, mostly in Northeast, will celebrate the Liturgy for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, having celebrated Ascension Thursday several days ago. To accommodate readers in both areas, I have prepared a reflection on the readings for each of these liturgies beginning with the Ascension of the Lord followed by one for the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Photo Credit: www.123rf.com/photo_31942799_ascension-of-christ

Deacon Tom Writes

Go, Make Disciples

The Ascension of the Lord, Year B

Today St. Luke shares his account of the post-resurrection experience of Jesus Christ. Luke tells us that Jesus “presented himself” to his apostles, “giving (them) instructions though the Holy Spirit”. The he departed leaving his hand-picked understudies to spread the Good News throughout the world. What an awesome task! Insightful too is that the Jesus left his disciples under the wings of the inspirational Holy Spirit to guide them as the built the kingdom of God on earth. Looking back over these 2000 years since, while not without its dark moments, the church Christ had entrusted to Peter has been very successful in following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Peter et al, the first messengers, did “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature”. This Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent and the Apostles received was the guiding Principal leading the church through its formative days and continues to do so today.

This effort to spread the Gospel message to all the nations was also intended, I believe, to bring about the “unity” Christ prayed for at the Last Supper... “Father, that they may be one, as you are one in me and I in you”. As St. Paul says elsewhere in his letter to the Ephesians, “There is one body and one spirit”. EPH 4:4

As I reflect upon these readings for Ascension Thursday in light of the state of the world around us, I ask “What chance do we have today of being .... “of one body and one spirit” as Christ intended us to be? It seems that every aspect of our lives is a source of division... one’s race, religion, ethnicity, culture, national origin, political affiliation, social class, etc., each serves as a distinction that more than ever is a source of friction or even conflict with others. How could we ever expect to “be of one mind” on anything let alone agree on the teaching of Jesus? What do you think would happen if a corporate CEO presented his executives, with a Business Plan he wanted them to implement and they failed to achieve it. It wouldn’t be good for the management team is my experience.

Yet, when it comes to the practice of our faith, it is not just the leadership that fails. It is we the community of believers that has a large share in failing to achieve what Christ has asked his disciples. Why is that? Well, in reality Christ’s teachings are quite clear. We are to love one another, forgive one another, not judge one another; we are to count all peoples as our neighbor; we are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, bury the dead, counsel the ignorant. We are not to judge others, or gossip... “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up”. EPH 4:29. Yes, we know the teaching of Jesus. The difficulty is that we are not following them the way he taught them. We have decided who our neighbor is; we have made the decision who is worthy of our charity; we have used our speech to tear down and revile those who disagree with us. We have cast aside the teachings of Christ and are acting in accord with our lesser nature by choosing to Christ’s call to be one in him. The consequences of our choice, I believe, is visible in the disorder and chaos we see around us.

If we are to be faithful to Jesus’ call to unity, we must decide to choose to follow his teaching and see the world as he sees it: a world redeemed by his death and renewed by his resurrection; we need to do our part to build up the kingdom for which Jesus laid the foundation; we must persevere in doing what is right and listen to the Voice of Truth. If we are to be disciples worthy of the name “Christian” we must do as Christ taught us by putting aside all that divides us through our “dying to self”, through our “picking up our cross” and by our “following him”, choosing to be one with all our brothers and sisters in his Mystical Body.

Enjoy the Day!
Deacon Tom

 

Image Credit:www123rf.com/photo_38788883_joy-written-in-the-sand

Deacon Tom Writes,

Sharing In Christ’s Joy

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B

We read in today’s gospel that Jesus wants to share His joy with us “Completely.” The joy that He wants to share with us has its source in the words the Father gave Him. But living those words, Jesus tells us, puts us at odds with the world, “I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world.” Jesus leaves little doubt about where our loyalties lie for His disciples. 

It is natural for us to want to have as much joy in this life as we can get. How we find that “joy” is the essence of our spiritual journey. How often we confuse happiness with joy! Happiness depends upon our circumstances and the events that happen to us. I am happy when something good happens to me such as making a new friend, winning the lottery, or getting that new car or job, just as I may be sad when I have a reversal of good fortune. Happiness doesn’t last. We always need something else each tomorrow to renew our happiness. If we don’t find that special something new to enthrall us, very often we end up down in the dumps. Here in America, it seems that happiness is available for a price. At least that’s what Madison Avenue would have us believe. Isn’t that the message that advertisers are selling…You will be happy if you drive this kind of car, or if you wear this suit or go on this vacation…if you buy this or that?

Joy is something else completely. It is an interior state of being. Being joyful has nothing to do with my circumstances or what is happening in my life. Joy has REAL staying power. As a matter of fact, one can be full of joy while experiencing extreme hardships in life. The Perfect Joy of St. Francis was in serving God completely by renouncing all but the necessities of life. Most of us wouldn’t find the joy in that! I have encounter people with true joy in soup kitchens, lying in a hospice bed, mourning the loss of a loved one…The Anawim, God’s lowly, disenfranchised, poor, humble people who had nothing of this world’s treasures or comforts seemed to have found the secret to the perfect joy Christ intends for his disciples. Their joy rests completely in the awareness that God loves them. 

Today we are invited to share Christ’s joy completely by listening to the “Word” and letting it take root in our hearts, elevating our love and service to one another. Let us grow deeper in our relationship with Christ so we can choose to live in that complete joy that only He can give and which lasts forever over the happiness of the world that never satisfies and always leaves us wanting for more. 

God's blessings and a very happy Mothers’ Day to all the mom, grandmas,great grandmas and those “grands” whom we have been blessed with many so many years.

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.

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: The Human Condition: Contemplation and Transformation. One of the founders of the Centering Prayer movement, Thomas Keating offers a reflection on contemplative prayer, the human search for happiness and our need to explore the inner world. The spiritual search for God, he says, is also the search for ourselves.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Living in the Presence of God Fr. Thomas Keating discusses the title topic and the practice of Centering Prayer.

 

Sixth Sunday of Easter_B - First Round Draft Choice_050524

Deacon Tom Writes,

First Round Draft Pick

 

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B

 

Being chosen for a special assignment can do wonders for our self image. In today’s gospel we hear Christ tell us that “...I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit…”. God’s way of doing things is a little different than the way things work in this world. Take Major League football or baseball draft choices. All the teams are vying for the best players to augment their teams. They need to have backup players who can step in and fill the position when a player gets injured or is having a bad game. That’s good strategy and essential for major league sports. It’s just not the way that God does things.

You see, in God’s plan every person has a role to play, specific work that is unique to us, something that only that person can do. If we don’t do it, if we are not up to the task, that work doesn’t get done. God doesn’t have a backup player ready to take our place to carry out the life-long work he has assigned specifically to us. When we are out of the game, so to speak, that good work we were given to do, doesn’t get done. That act of kindness that would have flowed through us to another, doesn’t get done. That righting of a social or moral wrong doesn’t get done. The same goes for that injustice that doesn’t get made just.

One important point to this thought is that our failure to act as God’s chosen ones does not in any way thwart God’s plan. His will will be done in his mysterious way. But we would have sat on the sidelines ignoring the field of play where the game of life is won or lost.

Understanding that we all have a role to play in bringing about God’s plan helps us to realize just how much God loves us and lets us see that he is there every step of the way to help us succeed. We are in every sense of the word God’s, “friends” because he shares his plans with us and gives us the resources we need to accomplish the mission he calls us to do. The secret for our success is “to remain in my love” he reminds us.

The Feast of Easter which lasts from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, a period of fifty days or seven weeks, is a time to renew our hearts and minds and fine tune our lives so that we can experience that “complete joy” that only God can give to us. The joy that comes from God is a joy that is also unique to us and to our circumstances, tailor made for us, just as the mission that comes from God is strictly ours. May these last couple of weeks of Easter help us to know what God is asking of us and may we experience the joy that comes with doing all that we can on our part to becoming his “First Round Draft Pick”.

Easter Alleluia!!
Deacon Tom

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

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Beginning to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom of Sourozh was a prominent writer and broadcaster on prayer and the Christian life, as well as the founder and leader of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh. His classic book on prayer leads us into a deeper experience of the one we seek.

 

Recommended YouTube Video:  Beginning to Pray - Listen in to hear the wisdom of Bishop Bloom as he guides us on how to have a richer prayer life that draws us closer to God.