Becoming your parents

Time for a rant here - there is a commercial on television that I see constantly that really irritates me.  The tag line - an older male “life coach” helps young people keep from becoming their parents by lampooning various things we’ve all seen our parents do - things that many of us older people have done - still do.  I am assuming this is done - tongue in cheek - as an older parent - it completely rubs me the wrong way.  Because of their ads - I would never buy their product - then again - I am not their target audience.  My reason - I never find any fun - pleasure - whenever anyone is made the point of ridicule.  Over the past years we have made it a point to avoid pointing fingers at racial - ethnic - gender - specific peoples.  So when did the older generation become an open target?  Years ago a study was done with high school students asking them who their heroes were.  A small percent named celebrities - sports figures - actors - and such.  The majority - however - named their parents - mom - dad  - their heroes - wishing to follow in their footsteps - achieving what they had accomplished - rising above numerous barriers - to achieve better education - occupations - lives for their families.  Most of us grew up with an appreciation of our own parents' struggles in an attempt to provide us with better lives - in turn - the majority of us have done likewise.  The feeling that parents have experienced when they were able to open new doors for their children - providing them opportunities that were not available to them as children is the fuel that drove the majority to excel and achieve all that they did.   

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When Jesus walked among the people He tried to help people understand that in God's eyes - all were His children - all were equal in His eyes.  What we have gained on one hand is unfortunately lost on the other - often in the attempt to make financial gains - at the expense of others.  What value is it for one to gain the wealth of the world - when they too quickly discard the value - wealth - of the very people around them?  As God loving people - all of us are called to avoid discrimination - to treat all others - no matter the - age - race - gender - ethnicity - equally.  With God in ones heart - this is an easy choice - a choice that we are called to make every day.  

Deacon Dale 

Valentine Blessings

Would it be redundant to say I love Valentines Day - basically saying - in effect - I love Love.  In my mind never wrong to admit that loving Love is admirable - a goal that all should attempt to attain.  Unfortunately there are many who have been hurt in the name of Love - taken advantage of - false love - love of things in place of persons.  True Love will never hurt - lie - make one feel bad - sad.  In Scripture it says in Corinthians 13:4-7, 13  "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is Love." (NABRE)  

When God made the decision to send His only begotten Son - His Love to live - walk - share life with humans - He who is Love - sent His Love to be with each of us.  Even today - although we cannot see - we can - do - feel His Love.  He is the author - creator of Love.  That Love is there for each of us - every day - not just on Valentines.  Open your heart to Him - let His Love fill you today and every day of your life.

Deacon Dale 

Through The Intercession....

In Catholic liturgy we very often hear - through the intercession - saints - faithful - those who we lovingly refer to as - Prayer Warriors.  The month of February begins with Candlemas - blessing of candles - on the Second and Blessing of Throats on the Third and for many - during this upcoming weekend liturgies - as parishes stretch these two special blessing to the weekend so that all parishioners may participate. Participation by the faithful is normally well attended especially since the blessing of throats happens during the cold and flu season.  The blessing of throats is attributed to Saint Blaise who according to tradition cured a child who had a fish bone stuck in their throat. He was a physician and bishop of Sebastea in historical Armenia who is venerated as a Christian saint and martyr.  His feast falls on February 3rd in the Western Church and in the Eastern Churches on February 11th - thus the floating date of veneration.  

Intercessory prayer is very common in various religions - a common way to share ones faith - praying for the needs of others - community - nation - world.  All that is required is to be a person of faith - to believe in God - however you call Him - to believe that He hears all prayers - answers all prayers - according to His will - in His time.  Today there is a serious need for prayer in so many ways - by so many people.  As a disciple - we are all called to intercede for the needs of others - family - friends - anyone who is in need.  No special training - no special words - are needed - only an open heart and a few moments of ones time.  Try it - you might like it. 

Deacon Dale