Built To Last

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Deacon Tom Writes ©

“Built To Last” 

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

The author of the Book of Wisdom writes, “God formed man (and woman) to be imperishable…in the image of His own nature”.  In Jesus we get to see the image of God dwelling among His people. Jesus is tireless in preaching the kingdom of God. Mark relates numerous stories of Jesus working miracles as he encounters people who needed to be healed, reconciled, and fed. Today’s readings contain several such miracles.  After curing the man who was possessed, Jesus crosses the lake and encounters Jairus who implores him to come to his house where his daughter lies near death. But, as Jesus begins his journey, he senses “power had gone out from him”, power that had been usurped by the hemorrhaging woman who found herself healed.

Jesus brings about much healing in Mark’s Gospel. It seems as if Jesus is rushing off from one miracle to another the way Mark recounts it! It is interesting to note that the word that Mark uses for the “healing” is the Greek word “sōzō”, a word that not only means “to heal” but also “to save”. In other words, Jesus not only heals people from their sickness but also he saves and restores them to the original state they were created, as “imperishable” beings… made in the image and likeness of God and destined to share eternity with Him.

A challenge we face in our busy lives is that there are so many activities and so much technology available to entertain us that we have little time for spiritual reflection or very little time to probe the deeper meanings of our human experiences for that matter. And so we go from one activity to another, from work to recreation.  We get a little sleep, cut the grass, do the shopping, and bring the kids to this activity or that sport. We are so fatigued at the end of the day, we go to sleep only to rise the next morning and begin all over again. We seldom give any conscious thought to key spiritual aspects of our lives such as our mortality or what lies ahead when we die. For most people, this is “living the dream”.  We are rarely looking to seeing or experiencing God in any of our daily routines. 

Yet, I believe, we all long to experience the presence of God that touches and heals us and brings us his salvation. But in order to find that calming peace and healing presence, we must first look to find God’s presence in the ordinary…in the mundane… in the routine and boring events that are the bulk of our day-to-day lives. We must, as St. Ignatius discovered, “find God in all things” if we are to experience the divine and to recognize its imprint within us.  If we think about it, that is, if we take the time to think about it, we have already entered into eternity.  Life for those who believe will be changed, not ended, as proclaimed in our Christian funeral liturgy. For, as the Book of Wisdom reminds us today, we were made in the image of God’s own nature. So then, we can believe and trust that we have been made to go the distance. We were, as it were, “built to last”! So, once we have lived and spread the good news in this life, we can look forward to celebrating it forever in the life to come!

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom 

A Tough Nut To Crack

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                                           Deacon Tom writes ©

A Tough Nut To Crack

First Sunday of Lent Year B

The word “Contrition” comes from the Latin word contritio, meaning a breaking of something hardened…  Like our attitudes, perhaps?  We all become hardened to one degree or another by our life experiences. A homeless person will approach us on the street and ask for some change and we refuse him. We justify our actions in many different ways… They need to get a job…They will only buy booze… Those panhandlers make loads of money! …Etc. If only we were in their shoes for a little while, how our attitudes would change.

That is exactly what the Season of Lent is all about. It is a time to make some changes in our attitudes. And our attitudes can only change when we take steps to change the focus of our life.

I don’t think many of us enter Lent looking to do a complete makeover of our lives. Most of us know that even small changes in our behavior are very difficult to make. Just try to stop smoking or go on a low cholesterol diet!  We find out then how making small changes really impacts many other facets of our lives.

Maybe that’s why we approach Lent so cautiously. We are afraid to go messing around with some of those attitudes that need to be adjusted. Let’s face it; it is easier to give up a meal here and there than to try reaching out to a co-worker who is always making our lives miserable. It is much easier to say a Rosary than to say I forgive you to someone who has hurt us in the past.  Yet, Lent is the perfect time to look deeply into our lives and honestly confront those areas where change is needed.  Perhaps we need to be more forgiving of ourselves and others.  Maybe we need to be more appreciative of what others do for us, more thankful for the gifts we have, kinder with our words when we things aren't going our way.  If we just take the time to reflect on the events of the day and how we responded to them, I am sure our eyes would be opened to some of the changes we could make to improve our attitudes so that we could become better persons and more Christ like in the process.  

During these next forty days, let’s ask God for his grace that calls us to a spirit of “Contrition” so he may help us in our efforts to breakdown any and all of those attitudes that keep us separated from His love, mercy, and compassion.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom 

Time is Running Out

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Deacon Tom Writes ©

“Time is Running Out”

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Paul’s message to the Corinthians rings equally true for us today…  “Time is running out”. Who ever has enough time?  Ronald Rolheiser, OMI writes in his book, Against an Infinite Horizon, “In the torment of the insufficiency of everything attainable we come to understand that here, in this life, all symphonies remain unfinished”. What a sobering thought that reminds us that we all suffer from a chronic shortage of time. We will never live long enough to accomplish all that we want to do in this life.  This is the theme of the movie, The Bucket List.  Life is short! And life can take a dramatic turn once we realize that our days are numbered and that the clock is always running.  That's why it's so important for us to invest our time wisely while we can!  

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians wasn’t a lesson on time management!  He stresses the importance of using the time we have now wisely in light of a future event that he is quite sure will take place…the end of one era, and the beginning of a new one, when Christ will return in glory. This will be the final age when the things of this world will pass away and God’s kingdom will reign forever. The message St. Paul wants us to understand is that in order to prepare for this day, we need to live differently and act differently; we need to have a Christocentric mindset and view of the world; we need to live our lives as disciples of Jesus and not be in lock-step with the ways of the world. 

 

We look to Jesus to teach us how to be faithful to the gospel while living in this world. According to Mark the journey begins when we answer His call, as did His first disciples. Simon and Andrew, James and John dropped everything when Jesus invited them to “Come after me”. Jesus knew that time was critical and there was much work to be done. Nothing has changed!  There is still much work to be done and the clock is running as we wait for the kingdom of God to break forth on earth. A time when all Christ’s promises will come to pass and his followers will not have to worry about  "time running out”.

Enjoy the day… each and every one of them!

Deacon Tom

The Word Became Flesh

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Deacon Tom writes ©…

“The Word became Flesh”

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord completing our Christmas Season that began on the First Sunday of Advent way back on November 30^th. I suspect for many of us these six weeks have passed quickly, hastened, as usual, by our busyness preparing for all the festivities, not to mention all the traveling to visit family and friends. I hope these Advent and Christmas Seasons were joyful and memorable for you and your families. Even more so, I hope you were able to take in some quiet time to experience the mystery of our faith that liturgically comes to completion today… the mystery of the Incarnation, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…” (JN 1:14)

Yes, this simple yet profound message of the Christmas season… “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…” is not an easy message to incorporate into our daily lives. How do we who call ourselves “Christian” or who include ourselves as “members of the Body of Christ” reengage the world after celebrating the birth of our infant savior with a renewed level of energy and a deepened commitment to living the gospel message born by our infant savior?  The answer, I believe, comes from this notion that our Savior came down from heaven to “dwell among us”. Once we grasp this profound reality, we begin to realize that for Christians there can be no “packing away” our faith along with the Advent Wreath and the Christmas ornaments until next year. No! We don’t just celebrate our Savior’s birth and baptism then just pick up where we left off with business as usual, forgetting our uniquely Catholic-Christian identity.   Like Jesus, we too are called and we are sent… as his disciples, to make a difference in the world…for the better…to make his presence and his teachings known to all around us…by living them!  Yes, it is one thing to sing “O Come All Ye Faithful” at Midnight Mass. It is quite another to be faithful to the teachings of Christ…and the example he set, of forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, patience, and unconditional love for all, even his enemies, even those who put him to death.

We begin 2015 with a deep sense of hope; hope that we will all choose peace over violence; hope that we will choose reconciliation instead of retaliation; hope that we will choose love over hatred.  We hope to turn our backs to evil in all of its degrading forms.  We hope that by living in the way Jesus lived, we can transform this world into the kingdom ushered in by his birth.  If we have truly come to believe that, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…” all that we do will reflect the Christ Child’s abiding love and presence within us as we work together building the kingdom of God on earth.  

May the “Word become Flesh” dwell within your hearts.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

God's Wonderful Plan

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“God’s Wonderful Plan”

The Epiphany of the Lord

As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany today we recall God’s immense love for his people and his coming to claims us as his own. The Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer tells us how the Father “revealed the mystery of our salvation in Christ as the light of the nations…” This light dawned on that first Christmas day when Mary gave birth to her Son Jesus, who is both son of God… and Son of Mary.

It was difficult for the Jews of Christ’s time to understand that God willed salvation for everyone; that salvation was not reserved for the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob alone. True, God revealed himself through the Jewish people, but God intended Christ’s redemptive work to be shared by ALL.

This Feast we enjoy today celebrates the reality that God has not restricted or limited the saving work of Jesus Christ. It is through this revealing Christ to the World that, again, in the words of the Preface, “you made us new by the glory of his (i.e. Christ’s) immortal nature.”  What an encouraging thought in light of the challenges we face today…that we can tap into this newness of life and love that Christ offers each of us.

None of us have the power to change things very much on a global scale. But, each of us can do something to show that we have been renewed by Christ’s love. We can do little things that make a difference in the lives of the people we encounter every day. We can pray for one another; we can visit someone mourning the loss of a loved one. We show that we have been renewed by Christ’s love whenever we visit a sick friend, welcome a stranger, give hope to the despairing, write a card to someone immobilized by old age or illness. We, ourselves, are renewed whenever we are animated as a member of the Body of Christ to be stewards of God’s grace or give witness to God’s transformative power over all things. We are renewed each time we realize God’s wonderful plan is to make all things new, even us.  Yes, our destiny is be remade in the image of Christ… “to put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth”(EPH 4:24).

Have a wonder-fill New Year sharing God’s love with everyone you meet!

Deacon Tom 

Family Life or Family Strife?

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Family Life or Family Strife?

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

You can’t expect to be on a championship team if you aren’t willing to give it all you’ve got… and then some!  Anyone who has played sports or attended their kids’ practices knows the coaches’ constant demand for 100% from each player. Those who want to win bad enough do everything within their power to increase their performance so they can achieve their goal. Our human nature is such that we will do whatever it takes to get what we want once we want it bad enough.

St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, one of the optional readings for today’s feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, envisions a quality of life so desirous that we are willing to sacrifice a great deal to attain it. St. Paul is giving us incredible insight on how to live wholesome, faith-filled lives rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that we can succeed at having lives that yield peace, thankfulness, gratitude, and harmony for ourselves and those with whom we share our lives, hopefully starting within our own families.

Paul is creating within us the desire to be God’s family. He is giving us a clear image of what it is like to accept this generous invitation. In a world that was brutal, suspicious, violent, insensitive, uncaring, Paul offers a vision of hope that flows from our identity as being a part of God’s family. He says, “Put on… heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…” In addition, we must bear with one another…forgive one another…settle disputes justly so that “the peace of Christ control(s) your heart”. What an alternative vision compared to the harsh reality the Colossians’ day-to-day experience. Is it any wonder why Christianity grew so rapidly in those early days?

“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live,” we read in Deuteronomy 30:19. The life that we are called to imitate is modeled on the life of the Holy Family. Within the structure of that family Jesus came to know and experience the love of a mother and of a father. That is where Jesus came to know of God’s love for Him. Amid the day-to-day life of the Holy Family, Jesus’ conscience was formed, His love and dependency on God fashioned, His love for God’s Holy People realized. In the safety and security of the Holy Family, Jesus was able to discern the Father’s call.

As we celebrate this Feast of the Holy Family, let us strive to create an environment for our children and for one another that is healthy, safe, loving, respectful, joy-filled, generous, and full of laughter. Let us give our children and one another the space and atmosphere where we can all come to know God’s love, hear His call, and grow together as His children, members of God’s Holy Family, so that the peace of Christ controls our hearts.

Wishing you a most joyous and peace-filled New Year!

Deacon Tom

An Unfailing Prize

                 

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Deacon Tom Writes ©

"An Unfailing Prize"

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Today’s reading from the Book of Proverbs talks about the joy a man has in finding true riches in this life. Oddly enough, the sacred author does not take us on a search for silver or gold or for any material wealth for that matter. Rather he reminds us of the treasures we uncover when we find a worthy wife (or husband as the case may be)….We obtain an unfailing prize.

The marital contract is a sacred one. It is life giving and life sustaining. Like all living things, marriage is subject to the laws of nature that say “grow or die”. In order to grow, relationships must be mutually beneficial. It requires genuine love to make a marriage grow and prosper. It takes self-sacrifice, the ability to defer or abandon one’s own plans and desires, a willingness to be more concerned about the “other” than about “self”. It is a challenge to be successful in building a mutually supportive and lasting relationship. We are all aware, I’m sure, the high percentage of marriages today that end in divorce. Yet, all who are called to this vocation must be prepared for the work of a lifetime.

It is within this relationship of marriage that we participate in the creative work of God. In this sacramental union, we are God’s instruments working in harmony with His divine plan to bring forth new life, a visible sign of His love for us that allows us to participate in the very act of creation itself. This human family that we create is, in itself, a reflection of the divine love that exists within the Most Holy Trinity.

The Gospel today calls us to reflect on how we use the gifts we have received from God. The gift of our family deserves consideration here. Chances are we may have some room to grow in this area. That’s fine, because, no matter how successful we may be, our work in building good relationships with our family, spouses and children is never done. It’s like the ad for one of the airlines that said, “We earn our wings every day”. Being a good husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter is something we must strive to do every day. Some days we may find ourselves doing better than others. Some days we are colossal failures. We call that the "real world". What’s important to remember is that we see in our husband or wife, in our children, and in our families, the unfailing prize that we are to each other because God’s love abides within.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

For Great is the Lord

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“For Great is the Lord" - PS 96:4

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Have you ever had this experience: you were in a jam and needed some help, but all your friends, all the “go to” people in your life were busy with other important things and they couldn’t help you out?  Then, someone you never thought of comes to the rescue. Wow, you are totally amazed at how things worked out. You just know that God somehow had something to do with sending help during your time of need. 

The story of the liberation of the Hebrew Nation from captivity in Babylon at the hands of the Persian King Cyrus is a genuine sign of God using outside help in getting His plan accomplished in an amazing and awesome way. The Jews were in a hopeless situation; they were being held captive away from their home; their temple lay in ruin; their way of life altered forever. So they thought. Then Cyrus, the king of the Persians, defeats the Babylonians and comes to their aid. In 538 B.C. he issued an edict allowing the return of all the Hebrews to Jerusalem. Better yet, he ordered the rebuilding of the Temple and provided that the Israelites be given a royal subsidy from his treasury. He directed that the sacred vessels seized by the Babylonians when they destroyed the Temple should be sent back with the released captives. Finally, he urged all Israelites to contribute to the restoration of public worship. Isaiah tells how God took Cyrus’ right hand and led him, “subduing nations before him…opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred.”

We are often anxious and fearful when we confront many of the problems and difficulties in our lives, problems with our relationships, with our kids, our boss, or even fears of losing our jobs or our health. We struggle with forgiving those who have hurt us; we struggle with addictions and all sorts of impossible situations. Some even struggle with the teachings of our church. We ask ourselves, “How am I going to get through this?”  Or, “Where can I turn for help?” 

It’s always darkest before the dawn, they say. I am sure the Jews held captive in Babylon felt this way. But then God, who is the master of doing the impossible, comes to their rescue and turns their tears into laughter. Isaiah tells us today to keep the faith. There is no struggle or difficulty God cannot overcome!  There is no struggle or difficulty of ours that God does not want to overcome. We need to give our cares to God and wait faithfully, prayerfully, hopefully, and patiently for Him to come to our rescue while doing the best we can with the situation at hand.

Enjoy the Day!

Deacon Tom 

Guess who's coming to dinner?

The Institution of the Eucharist by Nicolas Poussin, 1640

 Deacon Tom Writes ©

“Guess who’s coming to dinner?”

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Jesus uses the story of a king who invites his subjects to the wedding banquet for his son and the people reject his invitation outright.  What an insult!  The King’s outrage is understandable. And so is his desire to have a banquet in honor of his son’s wedding.

The chief priests and elders of the Jews knew they were the ones Jesus was talking about and they certainly didn’t like the way the story ended. Jesus says how the King sent his servants out to the highways and byways and brought in others to celebrate this joyful occasion.

It’s interesting that history seems to be repeating itself. Every Sunday we are invited to celebrate a special Eucharistic banquet in honor of God’s Son, Jesus. It is a standing invitation to come and celebrate and to be one with each other and God.  We gather together to give thanks to God for sending His Son into our world and freeing us from sin and death….AND giving us Eternal life….but so many people today are just too busy, too tired, too involved with other interests, or simply not interested….too spent perhaps …to respond to this invitation.

I think it’s by invitation and example that those who come to Mass on a regular basis can help others to see how important it is to center our lives around this most holy banquet. We as Catholics know how important the Eucharist is to our lives, spiritual and temporal, for it is within the context of these sacred mysteries that we are renewed and strengthen for all that life throws at us. If our lives reflect the presence of Christ, others will notice the inner peace and joy in our lives and that may spark some interest for them. If others see that there is a connection between what we receive from the Eucharist and what we are able to give to our jobs, to our families - running the kids around to soccer practice, religious ed. classes and piano lessons, doing the shopping and chores – and to the community, they may want to find the source of that strength and peace for themselves.  As they say… “Imitation is the best form of flattery”.

The banquet is prepared, the table is set, and we all have our standing invitation that also says to bring a friend. Do you have someone in mind that is searching for some inner peace and joy that you would like to bring along?  Invite them and leave the rest to Jesus.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom