Easter Tuesday - Easter Monday - Pope Dies

 Although many of us had a sad feeling that Pope Francis' days were numbered after seeing him bless the crowds at Easter - passing only a few hours later quite the surprise.  At least he was able to be with the people that he loved serving for the past twelve years.  Like so many other world figures - some loved him - some did not - not on a personal level - rather different ideologies.  This just highlights how humans are so easily drawn to the dark side of personal relationships merely because they think - process - information differently. What people tend to forget - no matter which side of  the "coin" you are on - it is still the same "coin".  Something to really think about.

When God created the world - the universe - all was good - perfect.  Then He created Mankind - gave us the Gift of Free Will.  That is when "it hit the fan".  The information we are given as we grow into adults - the information that is placed before us - how that information is processed in our minds - how it is presented with various highlights - the twists and turns of propaganda - affects all of us.  Folks - all of us hold so tightly to our beliefs - refuse to open the door to new insights - possibilities - resulting in arguments - fights - all over the same "coin".  We are in the Easter Season now - maybe just maybe - the Words of Christ will settle into our Hearts - not just in our minds - as we attempt to work Together to minister to each other - solving the issues that face each of us.  Jesus rose from the Dead - assuring us that there is more to life than just this life - in this Easter Season - may we open our hearts - minds - to honestly come to the same "loving" solutions for the benefit of all.

Deacon Dale 

Easter! - Resurrection Sunday - New Life in Christ

Easter Sunday - Resurrection - New Life - the focus of this day - around the world - the Holiest Day of the year for Christians and those who believe in Jesus as the Christ - the Anointed One of God. Today we celebrate - we rejoice - we praise God for His awesome deeds done for us. Sending His Son to walk - live with us - to teach - preach - prepare us for a life after death - life in heaven - with Him - His Father. On one hand it seems impossible - impossible that any of us would be good enough to be granted this gift - for all have fallen short of the Glory of God. Yet in His awesome love for us - that gift is offered freely to all people. One does not even have to be a Christian - nor baptized - to receive this gift. All it takes is an open mind - heart - willing to accept Jesus into their mind - heart - to profess Him as Lord and God.

Jesus came for all - not all will accept Him - to those who do - New Life in Christ. Last night at the Easter Vigil - people were baptized and received into the Church. Following that Holy Mass they may now call themselves Christians - official members of the Church. Last night was not the end - rather the beginning of their formation into disciples of Christ. They along with those of us - renewed and energized by them and the sacraments celebrated - now called to go forward - to become intentional disciples - to spread the Good News - that lives can be changed - those on a path to doom and gloom - may change their focus - walk a new direction. To those on the edge looking in - the invitation is there always - come join us - the community of believers - invite Jesus into your life - He is waiting to be your own life saver.
Happy Easter!
Deacon Dale

The Triduum - Holy Saturday - East Vigil

Day three of the Triduum - tonight at sunset the beginning of the third day of the three holiest days of the Christian calendar. Today - the Church sits in waiting - contemplating the crucifixion of Jesus - the darkness - anguish - anticipation of what is to come.  In the morning - in most churches - decorating for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday - the blessing of Easter food baskets - final instructions for the Elect - preparing for tonight's celebration of baptism - reception - first communion - confirmation. The Triduum liturgy will resume at sunset with the lighting of the Easter Fire - the Pascal Candle held aloft as the Light Service begins the Vigil of all vigils.  Holy scripture - many readings - the Epistle - Gospel - an inspiring homily - all leading to the celebration of the initiation sacraments - leading to Holy Eucharist - the reception of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine.  Ending with the solemn blessing and proclamation by the deacon - go forth - proclaim the Gospel of Christ through your life.

The Church gives us these moments - throughout the year - moments in which we touch the Divine - draw nearer to God - reaffirming our faith - our belief - in the Easter event.  The one singular event in all lives - when we become one body - in Christ.

Deacon Dale 

The Triduum Day #2 - What's So Good About Friday

The Cross - our focus - Today - Good Friday - our attention drawn to the Cross - an instrument of torture - pain - death. It was upon a cross that criminals were placed naked - to suffer pain - public ridicule. Having the fact that you were an accused thief - sinner - put on display for all your neighbors - friends - family - more an embarrassment than anything - if one survived. Everyone makes mistakes - commits minor sins - nobody knows because it is kept private. On the cross - nothing hidden - everything exposed. Not everyone placed on a cross - died - most endured terrible pain - anguish - humiliation. There are records of a few who survived crucifixion - most left on the cross for many days - until death finally relieved them of the pain.

In Christianity - the Cross - adopted by the majority of Christian faiths - a symbol - reminding all of us of the crucifixion of Jesus -  His ultimate sacrifice - revealing God's love for all.  A piece of wood - cut from a tree - the tree itself a symbol of life - through Jesus's death - transformed in a symbol of New Life in Christ.  Many wear a cross around their neck - for Catholics a Cross with the Body of Christ - a reminder that a person - the Son of God - Jesus the Christ - made a personal sacrifice for each of us - not as a group - as a personal commitment to each - as an individual - He alone - out of Love - took our sins to the Cross - for us.

Deacon Dale 

The Triduum -Holy Thursday - Bye Bye Lent

Holy Thursday - the beginning of a spiritual three-peat - the three holiest days of  the Christian calendar.  Thursday evening after sundown - Holy Mass - the presentation of the Oils - blessed by the bishop at the annual Chrism Mass - celebrations  of the creation of the Priesthood - Holy Eucharist.  Leaving Holy Mass - in solemn procession to the Altar of Repose with the Blessed Sacrament - quiet time with Jesus - departing in silence.  Many staying in Adoration. Although greeted by the priest with the standard greeting - the Sign of the Cross - Peace Be With You - no dismissal - walking away - in silence - contemplating the Triduum liturgy - three days of services - all interconnected - yet each day's liturgy so very important in itself.  Friday - the Passion - veneration of the Cross - no greeting - no dismissal - looking forward to Holy Saturday - deep in prayer.

In the Triduum - the Three Days - three days of death - waiting - resurrection - mourning - tears - silence - anticipation. The Church - carries us along with all of its ministers - the faithful - from the Last Supper and betrayal - to crucifixion - resurrection. Feet washed - ministers recommitting themselves to the service of others - faithful - supporting everyone - with prayers.  Waiting....... In Silence....On bended knees.....Praying........

Deacon Dale 

Lent Day 43 - Last Day of Lent - Looking at A Three Peat

Yes The last official day of Lent - Our journey has taken us through many days of prayers - reflections - all preparing us for Easter.  Now we enter the Three Days of the Triduum - the three holiest days of the year.  Three-peat is a term used primarily in American sports to refer to winning three consecutive championships. In a similar vein a hat-trick is when a player - usually in hockey or football - scores three goals in a single game - not necessarily consecutively.  According to NBC Sports the term hat trick invented back on January 26, 1946 when Alex Kaleta of the Chicago Blackhawks - needing a new hat - unable to afford one - struck a deal with Sammy Taft - a Toronto haberdasher - for a free hat if he scored three times in one game. Kaleta went on to score four goals - thus the hat-trick was born. Today - in hockey - spectators throw their hats onto the rink when a hat trick accomplished. The hats - given to charities - the player - or put on display.  Tomorrow begins - The Triduum - the three-peat of the three holiest days of the Christian year. 

In those three holy days - the Church - gives us time to seriously reflect on the Gospel message of Jesus - God's Love - Forgiveness - the offer of New Life. Tomorrow's Holy Thursday Mass celebrates the institution of the Priesthood - Eucharist - Ministry to others. Flowing out of Jesus' declaration that His disciples would do as His did - serving others - the creation of the diaconate - ministry to  the home bound - feeding the hungry - clothing the naked - caring for widows and orphans - preaching  the Good News to all who would listen. As ordained clergy - our duty to do as listed above - no more - no less - the rest in God's hand. All of us - ordained or not - called to do the same. Today begins our call to ministry.

Deacon Dale 

Lent Day 42 - Covering The Bases

Now that baseball has officially started we are watching a lot of games. We had the privilege of watching one spring training game with the Chicago Cubs while in Arizona. It is interesting to watch the plays - the planning that goes into the training - learning just where to throw the ball and when - where to hit the ball - how to place it exactly where you want it to go. Most of the time - executed exactly as planned - often - not - errors - dropped balls - lost games. In this third day of Holy Week - those preparing to join the Church at the Easter Vigil - now going through the plays - what to do - where to be - what to say - everyone a winner - all will complete the play - become fully initiated into the Church.

When God set the world in motion - He had all the bases covered - people in the right places - everything planned out. Then things happened - had to deal with - Free Will. In spite of those who chose to ignore Him - He is still in control - covering all the bases for us. He is there - especially as we celebrate Holy Week - to give us special opportunities to touch the Divine - to catch the spiritual blessings - He throws at us. It is up to each of us if we participate fully - give
it our best effort - to catch - accept - everything sent our way.

Deacon Dale

Lent Day 41 - Oil Change

Changing oil is recommended periodically to keep many tools - vehicles- in proper working order. Oil is a lubricant and facilitates the smooth operation of moving parts - protecting them from wearing out - extending their usable life.  In earlier days - athletes would rub oils into their skin - to strengthen - aide them in competition. Many people use oils daily to aide in their health - cod liver oil - olive - canola - corn - peanut - safflower - soybean - sunflower - in cooking - preparing foods. Oils are used in religious services to anoint as in baptism - confirmation - ordination. During Holy Week - in the Catholic Church - the Bishop blesses new - fresh oil - in a special Chrism Mass. These oils to be used throughout the following year - replenishing the supply for all the parishes - around  the world. 

In Holy Week the Church gives us special opportunities to experience the Divine. At the annual Chrism Mass - often held on a Monday during Holy Week - the Bishop not only blesses the three oils to be used while celebrating the sacraments - also celebrates his priests and deacons - together - all renew their promise to serve the Holy People of God - the Church - to the best of their abilities. Attending the annual Chrism Mass - with all its pomp - reminds each of us - how much God loves us - lavishes His love upon all - anointing each of us - with His Love - Blessings - daily.

Deacon Dale 

Lent Day 40 - Palm Sunday

Palms - fingers - when discussing the anatomy of the extremities - one must obviously include - the fingers - hands - palms. All three are very important parts of the body - used to accomplish a multitude of tasks. Individually they have their own function - combined - still more. The fingers allow us to accomplish tasks such as typing - keyboarding - playing musical instruments - the hands - hold - carry - throw objects - baseballs - stones - rocks - the palm - the cradle of the hand - the pocket - received - carries various objects. When considering the palm with center area - fingers -  thumb - outstretched - looks very similar to a palm leaf - tree. This Sunday - Palm Sunday - the annual celebration in the Christian Church around the world when we commemorate the powerful entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.  I have been to Jerusalem - three times - never greeted with palms - the way Jesus was. He - the Christ - the Anointed One - me - a pilgrim - trying to get closer to my faith roots. My internal clock - telling me - maybe - I need to return to the roots of my Christian faith - one more time. Perhaps  that is why we have our very own palm at our Arizona house - a constant reminder of our faith roots - not a crucifix.

Mediterranean Palm at Casa Del Camino

God calls all of us - especially as we begin the holiest week of the Christian year - to go to our faith roots. We are asked to open our hearts - hands - palms - to received from Him the many blessing of this week. As we celebrate the blessing of Chrism by the Bishop - the institution of the Priesthood - Eucharist - Good Friday - the Passion - Holy Saturday - the anticipation - Resurrection - Easter Sunday. There is much to absorb in one short week - a lot to behold - very worthy. We need to walk into this week - eyes wide open - ears listening for His words - hearts - hands encompassing - every blessing sent our way.

Deacon Dale 

Lent Day 39 - Playing Dominoes

We were introduced to the game of Dominoes a few years ago and one thing we have learned - one game where the rules seem to evolve as you play.  With one group of friends - their rules - with another group - different rules.  Recently we gathered with four family members and as we advanced through each round - the rules kept becoming more and more complex. In an effort to explain one rule - we developed a new additional - revised rule. During the course of thirteen rounds - rules modified at least six times. To say that it became very interesting - an understatement.  Our relationship with God - often seems the same. 

When God created the World - when He revealed Himself to His people - simple rules - 
I will be your God - you my people - do as I say.  Jesus clarified those rules - after they had become more complex with so many do's and don't do's - Love the Lord your God with all your heart - mind - soul - and your neighbor as yourself.  What should be so easy - simple - we have made complicated.  Old rules - new rules - Rituals renamed - to clarify - only to create more confusion. This Lent as we prepare for the holiest week of the year - uncomplicate your life - 

get back to the basics - do as God - Jesus - said.  Your Lent will be much more meaningful.

Deacon Dale