Lent #38 - T - 6

It is countdown time - now only six days of Lent left - in less than one week we will begin the Triduum - the three holiest days of the liturgical year.  In these final days of Lent we are very easily at the end of a successful Lenten experience - or - we are crying - where has the time gone - I have not even started yet.  Reminder - do not be like the Pharisee in the temple - (Luke 18:9-14) - do not be so quick to pat yourself on the back - nor does one need to beat themselves - rather - be grateful for where you are at this moment.  We are all individuals - our relationship with God is an individual one -not communal - although we walk together in community - each of us is walking our own path to Holiness - redemption.  My journey will never be like yours - nor yours like mine.  We all had a starting point - we all have a finishing point - they hopefully take all of us to the same destination. 

When Jesus was walking to HIs Death - Resurrection - often had to take side steps - life came at Him from all directions - like anyone who sets out on a journey - never a completely straight path. Rocks in the path - roadblocks - unplanned events - happen to all of us.  Our starting point may be - X - our goal - Z - but while on our own journey - Y - things always happen.  That is the story of life.  Each of us has our own story - no two stories identical.  Everyone's journey has an X - Y - Z - never - ever the same.  Does not mean one is better than another - just different.  God has blessed each of us as we walk our journeys - Jesus is with each of us - constantly assisting us - especially on the diversions - those are what makes our journey so beautiful - meaningful - ours.  So Lent ends soon - great - when that happens we transition on a new much shorter - three day experience - leading each of us to -  Easter.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #37 - Covenants

A covenant is a written agreement or promise - usually under seal - between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action.  In today's Scriptures - God makes a covenant with Abram - in which He changes Abram's name to Abraham - informs him that he is to be the - Father of all nations - (Genesis 17:3-9) - basically - "I will be Your God - you will be my people."   A covenant that will be perpetual through all eternity. In the Bible there are five covenants - the Noahic Covenant - the Abrahamic Covenant - the Mosaic Covenant - the Davidic Covenant - the New Covenant.  All agreements between God and various people throughout time.  Each one - to be honored specifically with God.  Even in this day - covenants are made - legal agreements between parties for numerous things -  very often involving business - financial transactions.

When Jesus declared to His disciples that - I AM - He revealed His Divinity - the Fact that He is God - in Human form. The promise He made with Moses - King David - Noah - Abraham - just like the one He has made with You - Me.  When we were baptized - anointed with Chrism - received Holy Communion  - each of us said - Yes - to God.  You will be My God - I will be your disciple.  As we reflect this Lent on our relationship with Him - we need to take time to ask ourselves - How well am I honoring My covenant with Him.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #36 - The Depth of Love

Love is an emotion - a feeling for many things - people - pets - possessions - homes - jewelry - sports - food - almost anything that one likes very much - often declared as loved. We tend to categorize these things into good - bad - acceptable - not acceptable and in each of  these categories - levels  of how much we like - dislike them.  For some things that we like very much - we declare our love for them.  In regards to people - we treat differently - different levels of being liked - disliked.  Before we can state our love for any individual - we process that information in a different way and when we finally decide to declare our love for another person - it becomes a matter not of emotion - rather an intentional decision to love them.  When we declare our love for a person - we state our love knowing full well their flaws.

When God created the world and all that is in it - He saw that it was good. He did not say he loved the things He made - in the instance of mankind - took a different turn - for people He stated His love. Love that knows no limits - no boundaries - always accepting - forgiving - a love that only God can possess - known as agape love - a love unknown by humans. That is the love that Jesus had for mankind - still has for each of us. For Jesus - God His Father - the depth of how deeply they love us - completely unknown by humans - a love that we will never posses. It is because of that agape love - Jesus could look down from the Cross - forgive them for what the were dong to Him. In Romans 5:7 we read "Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person - though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die".  Even as He was dying on the Cross - the last drops of blood flowing from His body - Jesus loved all of us - even those who rejected Him - even those who tortured Him - to a depth that we cannot imagine - He loved all - very deeply.  Coming towards the end of Lent - in our prayers - thoughts - a good idea for us to consider how much God loves us - wants us to be close to Him - wants us to cast aside our petty issues and love others as deeply as He  loves us.  With Jesus at your side - you can  do this.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #35 - Who Pays The Price

The price of sin - in Jesus' time - stoned to death - today - honest admission of guilt - confession - absolution.  Happily we have moved from stoning to - conversion - conversation - repentance - forgiveness.  If we follow the example set by Jesus we practice acceptance - compassion.  Nobody is perfect - all of us have done - will do things that we are not - will not be proud of.  When we sin there is a price to be paid. 

Jesus knew what the future held for Him - scourging - stripping - nailed to the Cross - not for what He had done - rather for what mankind had done since the beginning of time - what you and I have done in our lifetimes - what we will do in the future.  It is an inherent weakness in all of us - we cannot - will not be prefect - ever.  No matter how hard we try - we will mess up.  Luckily most of what we do wrong will be minor - not necessarily sinful - on some occasions - much worse. Looking down from the Cross - nails in His hands - feet - blood dripping from HIs body - He will look down at us - Father Forgive Them - those upon whom my eyes look at - For They Know Not What They Do.  Then in one final breath - Jesus dies - for you - for me - price of sin - Paid in Full.  By His Blood - we have been redeemed.  His Blood - not ours.  For our sins - not His.  Pray on that this Lent.  

Deacon Dale 

Lent #34 - The Price of Sin

In today's morning scriptures we hear of two instances of women who were accused of adultery - one falsely - the second - justified.   The remedy - stoning to death.  In the first case a false accusation by two men who eventually were proven to have told a false account.  In the case in the Gospel a woman who definitely was guilty - brought before Jesus for judgement.  His response - sure go ahead stone her - let anyone who is without sin cast the first stone.  All walked away - everyone a sinner. Before anyone could suffer death by stoning - first had to be brought to judgement.

Unfortunately too many people are very willing to judge others - often without complete information - jumping to conclusions.  As we reflect on our own lives - our own sins that we have committed - the things we have failed to do - the sin of omission - all have sinned in the eyes of God.  Jesus the only one who never sinned - the rest of us - guilty as charged.  The hardest sin to avoid - unjustly judging others - need to quit that - accept others in the spirit of love - forgiveness.  Offer your prayers to God - in the name of Jesus - Father forgive us - we know not what we do.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #33 - New Life

 Today - the Fifth Sunday of Lent - the third Scrutiny of the Catechumens -  Scriptures focus on resurrection - New Life.  The Gospel very clearly shares with us how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.  Just as He gave New Life to his friend - offers us the same.  Today marks the end of the Scunities for those preparing to enter the Church at the Easter Vigil.  In the past three weeks the scriptures have been focusing on the three elements of baptism - water - light - new life.  For those entering the Church - very special liturgies - for those of us - baptized many years ago - those baptized as infants - a chance to journey with the Catechumens - re-live that special moment in our own life.

In the Scriptures - daily - at every Holy Mass - we are offered New Life in Christ.  For those not in a state of grace - opportunity in confession to make things right -  to start lives freshly.  There is no magic - no special requirements - a repentant heart - commitment to leave the past behind.  Each of us is a work in progress - God working in our lives - molding us according to His plan - if we listen to Him - do as He asks.  Jesus always at our side offering His help along the way.  Palm Sunday - Holy Week - only one week away - time to still do what is necessary to prepare ourselves to be ready to celebrate the Easter Mystery.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #32 - God Is With Us

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation - the Scriptures contain a wealth of thoughts to contemplate during Lent. Considering that the Scriptures sound more like Christmas - all three readings contain words that fit in perfectly as we look for thoughts to meditate upon - on Scriptures that will help us draw closer to God - Jesus - the reason He became human to share our life experiences. In the first reading from Isaiah the Lord told Ahaz to ask for anything - His response - No - did not want to be guilty of tempting God - God responded - OK - here is the deal -  the virgin will bear a child and name him Emmanuel - which means God is with us.  WOW - That is one Scripture that really hits one heavily.  I want to know more about you God - BAM - you are going to come as a human! Really!  In the second reading from Hebrews we are told that it is impossible for the blood from bulls - goats to  take away sins.  So - God sends the Christ - His Son - His blood will do what could not be done with sacrificial animals. Again - WOW - human blood - a human becoming the Sacrifice! In the Gospel from Luke we read about the Angel appearing to a young girl - a girl so young that in our country she would not be able to drive a vehicle - not be able to vote - not be able to legally get married - here she is being asked to bear the Christ child - the future Savior of the World.  Her response - YES - let it be done to me as the Lord asks.  She could have said no - nope - she gave her approval - her YES.  These three thoughts will fill the mind of anyone and give you enough to meditate on for the remainder of Lent. 

Just writing this makes me think - who am I that God cares for me - that Jesus was willing to die for me - what have I done to receive this offer of New Life.  Everyone should have the same thoughts - just who am I - WHY?  Honestly - I could spend the rest of my life - asking those questions - day after day.  When did I say my YES - when did I choose NO instead.  What have I done as God asked - when did I close my eyes - go the other way. I am nobody - yet in God's eyes - I am somebody.  Meditate on that.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #31 - Magic Beads

It is interesting when discussing different prayer forms with Christians who are not Catholic when the conversation turns to Catholics and their - Magic Beads - otherwise known as - the Rosary.  Even though most faiths have prayers that involve some repetition - memorized words - chants - the rosary as a tool for prayer - seems to confuse some Catholics - majority of non Catholics.  Often it is hard to explain to others - without showing them - how to use  the rosary - letting them physically hold a rosary in their hands - saying prayers along with them.  Besides the official prayers of Mary's Rosary - chaplets - other short repetitive prayers prayed using the beads to help one keep track of where they are in the different sequences. Once properly explained - once personally experienced - many non Catholic develop an understanding - comfort using rosaries in their own prayer life.  A few become so comfortable that as non Catholics -  praying Mary's rosary becomes a daily practice. 

Getty Images Praying the Rosary 

When Jesus was asked to teach His disciples how to pray - the Lord's Prayer was the first.  Eventually - in addition to spontaneous - free form prayer - other prayers developed over the years.  Today the different forms - prayer styles - have developed so much - hard to keep track of all of them.  There are no bad - wrong - prayers - as long they are spoken to Our Lord - God - the Father - Jesus - the Son - the Holy Spirit.  All Prayers help lead us to God - closer to the Father - His Son - helping us to know Him better - helping us to draw closer to the Mystery that is Him.  At this point in our Lenten journey - prayer should be occupying the majority of our time spent with God. 

Deacon Dale 

Lent #30 - All Ready?

We are now well into the fourth week of Lent and very soon Lent will be over and we will be celebrating Holy Week and Easter.  By now everyone should be well entrenched in their spiritual exercises - fasting - prayers - meditations - devotions - quiet time - being able to be present to God.  For the past weeks so much has been happening - Holy Mass - penitential services - gatherings with others - seeking God - Jesus - in shared experiences.  In these final weeks of Lent - time to focus - attention - energy - leave all distractions behind - dive deeply into all that Lent is intended to be.

Jesus calls each of us to constantly improve our personal relationship with Him - His Father - Holy Spirit.  For many a lifetime of study - prayers - meditations - still lots to learn - experience.  In the end it is not about quantity - rather quality - all time spent with Jesus - extremely valuable.  Just as one may spend hours - days - weeks - at the gym developing their physical body - so too is it important to go to your personal spiritual fitness room - daily - developing your entire body - mind - spirit - into one unified holy person.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #29 - Seeking Faith

When one comes to Faith - has an experience - decides that it is time to learn more - about God - Jesus - the Holy Spirit - that can be a very daunting task.  Just trying to understand the Trinity - the entire idea that God is One person - yet - three persons in One.  How can this be - nobody - can ever make sense of the Trinity - how it exists - where it has its origin - how it gained its power - all one giant Mystery.  As an avid fan of sci-fi - mystery books - scientific explorations - mathematic logic - my poor small human mind - never will understand - comprehend - God.  Oh I can make assumptions - they will be wrong - I can discuss with those who have better educations - we will be wrong - never - will any of us ever truly understand God.  Faith - now that is easier I think - there is some logic - studies - that explain how one develops faith - grows in faith - lives a life of faith.  

Most of us grew up in religious families - in different denominations - varying structures of faith.  As children we were told point blank what we were suppose to believe - never questioned our parents - we couldn't because they did not have the answers either.  When people questioned Jesus - He shared stories - spoke in parables - attempting to explain.  The majority of the time - the Mystery was still as clear as mud.  His final answer to His followers - Trust in Me.  Now thousands of years later - it is all still a - Mystery.  All we can do is respond - Jesus I Trust in You.  In time our Faith will grow - even when we fail to understand - the peace in our hearts - minds - will fill that void.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #28 - Rise And Get Up

In today's Gospel we hear the story of the man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years - unable to walk - move about - forced to beg for a living.  Like others burdened with one illness - or another - he chose to lay by the pools at Bethesda - encouraged by stories that when the water bubbled up - moved by some sort of healing power - the first one to jump in the water would be healed.  It is not known if anyone ever was healed -  besides the natural fact that water cleanses - refreshes - it is possible that some minor issues may have been made better by the natural nature of water. When Jesus approached that specific man He did not automatically heal the man.  First he approached - asked him - do you want to be healed? Only after Jesus heard his yes - did He tell the man - rise and get up - take your mat with you.

Even today many come to God - Jesus - expecting cures for any and all issues.  They may be seeking physical - emotional - spiritual - financial - answers - often walking away - disappointed.  Jesus is not some sort of vending machine that grants healing - answers - on demand. Before one can receive any answer from God  - they have to first prepare their minds - hearts - approach in humility.  One needs to approach with the heart of a true believer - leaving any attitude - expectation - behind - placing  their wishes - desires respectfully at His feet.  Very often what some ask for - not what they really need - God knows our hearts - needs - better than we know ourselves. As we continue our Lenten journey - we are reminded - again and again - do not cripple ourselves with worries - concerns that we cannot fix ourselves - rise up - leave those things behind - take up the hope that is in Jesus - in time you will receive your answer.  God does answer all prayers - in His time.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #27 - The Works We Do

Turning words into works not always a difficult task - it takes some planning - selecting the project - often recruiting others to guarantee the success - making a final commitment.  There are so many opportunities available - one only has to ask - before one knows it - you are involved.  Some projects may be harder - more difficult to complete - always something almost anyone can do.  The number of groups seeking volunteers for community focused projects is endless - schools - sport clubs - youth groups - health - church focused groups - you name it - somebody is seeking people to lend a hand so their efforts are successful.  Over the years our family has participated in numerous events - scouts - sports - church groups - raising funds to benefit others - selling wreaths at Christmas - sitting at store entrances - asking for donations - most fairly easy.  One event that took more energy was walking in the yearly - March for Babies - fund raiser to help babies born prematurely - helping families with preemies - large financial expenses to cope with.  Happily the family was willing to assist - with brothers - sisters - cousins all joining in on the project.  Many hands make light work - working with friends - family - always a fun time.

Family Team Cugini - March for Babies 

As Christians - as those seeking to become Christian this Easter - it is imperative that this be ingrained in our minds - hearts - following the Gospel message of Jesus - following His example of how to live a life completely formed in Scripture - Tradition - living a life based in Worship - Service to others.  This Lent look around - somebody is looking for your help.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #26 - Words Are Not Enough

Today - the Fourth Sunday of Lent - Holy Scriptures - very powerful filled with meaning for everyone. The Lord speaking to Samuel - not as man sees does God see.  Paul instructing the Ephesians - live as children of the light - Gospel - Jesus opening the eyes of the blind - giving sight to those who see.  This Sunday also the second scrutiny for the catechumens - asking them to consider how well prepared they are on their journey towards baptism - confirmation - Eucharist.  For those - already full members of the Church - asking us to consider our own journey - have we followed what we were taught - are we being the active disciples - members of  the community - leading others to Christ.  All of us have heard the -Words - have we really listened to what we heard.  A difference in hearing - listening - contemplating - what those words were asking us to do.  For the catechumens - have  those words encouraged them on the journey - inspired them to make a real commitment to Christ.  For us - are we still deeply committed to the words we heard years ago that brought us to this day.

Jesus told His disciples - words not enough - once one hears - action demanded.  What naturally follows words - are works.  Inspired - encouraged by the Holy Spirit - words spoken by God - Jesus - our eyes having been opened - the darkness wiped away - born again as children of the light - we see - we believe.  In Lent - hours spent in prayer - meditation - study - adoration - leading to works of charity - service - to others.  For each of us - are we only saying words - or - have our words born fruit in the works we are doing.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #25 - A Little Humility Please

One thing social media has done is to help those - quite ordinary - inflate their egos - posting hundreds of crazy comments about themselves in an effort to make themselves look - better - more popular - more interesting - than they really are.  Not being happy with a normal life which most find very pleasing - these people forget the value of real friends - seeking instead - fame - popularity - over enduring lasting relationships.  We have been warned "for all who exalt themselves - will be humbled - all who humble themselves - will be exalted" (LK 18:14)

Jesus reminds us constantly that "He came that we might have life and live it to the fullest" (John 10:10) - does not mean that we will become wealthy - famous - exalted.  Living a full life means experiencing all that life has to offer - the bad - as well as the good.  None of us can expect to ever be perfect - nor can we expect our lives to be perfect.  As C.S. Lewis wrote in the graphic displayed above - think of yourself - yes - think of others - how you can help them - just as much - perhaps more.  One thing to focus on this Lent - humility - swallow one's pride - look outwards - not inwards - you might be surprised at the wealth waiting for you.  Jesus at your side - amazing things can - will - happen.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #24 - Not My Will..

When God created Man - one of the best gifts - to humankind - the gift of free will.  As much as God wants us to follow - worship Him - He will not force us to do anything we don't want to do - including things that He knows would be best for us.  He wishes to have people who chose to follow Him - not puppets - who blindly jump when He pulls their strings.  For humans that can be a challenge - doing what one knows is right - struggle between choosing attractive options - maybe not best for them - not as God would have them chose.  As a human - Jesus had the same challenges with which to cope.  With His experiences learned from living with people - knowing what others might often choose - Jesus had to balance His life experiences - knowing all along what the plan was that His Father had - do His will or make another decision.  In the end - when push came to shove Jesus knew He had only one choice - Not my will.....(Lk 22:42).

As His modern day disciples - struggling to make the correct decisions - sometimes a challenge.  Most of us have to admit - some past decisions have been questionable - if we could go back - we would not make the same decision a second time.  On our Lenten journey we choose how - when - we spend time with our Lenten exercises.  How many things - how long we are actively engaged - our decision.  Bottom line - God will not force us to do anything we do not want to do - He will nudge - give us hints - still our decision in the end.  With very difficult decisions - in the end best to stop fighting with God - instead - do as He has asked us - place our trust in Him - finally say - Not my will...

Deacon Dale 

Lent #23 - Weight Control

The majority of people today - everywhere - coping with all sorts of weight problems.  Bad diet - lack of exercise - foods filled with nutritional time bombs - old food myths - busted daily.  Low fat - no fat - bad tasting food - flavor added - sugar - sweet - dangerous - culprit.  For those who have understanding - realize - what tastes - sweet - looks pretty - shines like gold - not necessarily good.  There are other - just as important issues facing all of us.  Regarding impatience - being in a rush - constantly - going - too fast - ignoring warning signs.  Everyone - needs to chill - learn how to wait - control those urges - do it now - not always a good choice.  Planning ahead - not waiting until the last minute - developing better plans - becoming tolerant of others who failed to plan - in a hurry - rushing into danger.

Prayer is a great tool to help one learn - patience - tolerance - acceptance. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians he wrote "I therefore - beg you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called - with all humility - gentleness - with patience - bearing with one another in love" (Eph 4:1-2)  In prison - Paul had lots of time to think - pray - consider his life.  We may not be in prison - rather trapped in preconceived ideas - thoughts - situations that demand - waiting.  In Lent - each of us - should take on the attitude of - patience - place ourselves in the Lord's presence - wait for Him - to speak to our hearts - minds. In quiet time - in prayer - meditation - sitting in Adoration - in front of the Blessed Sacrament - we learn to sit in waiting.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #22 - Seeking Greatness

The majority of people are very happy living normal - quiet lives - doing mundane everyday things - taking care of those they love - basically - keeping it simple - honest.  A few - energetic - highly motivated - by money - fame - fortune - not happy with that life - instead spend their energy - seeking greatness.  Out of those - few succeed to the level sought - end up - very unhappy - miserable.  On the surface - media - especially social media - these days - makes it look - too easy - too important - to become - important - an influencer - wealthy financially - with thousands of total strangers - becoming - friends.  Unfortunately - fame - fleeting - fickle - does not last - quickly replaced by the newer - better - bigger - in the moment.

God sent Jesus - to walk - live among His people - to give direction - set them on the correct path of life.  Many ignored His words - for those who listened - took His words to heart - peace - forgiveness - a fullness of life became - a reality.  For over two thousand years that same story - told over - over again.  Even today - that same story Jesus shared - being shared this very moment.  He shared God's commandments - how to live - act - warned that those who ignored would be - the least - but "whoever obeys - teaches - these commandments - called the greatest - in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt 5:19).  Today - as you continue your Lenten journey - heed these words - just as true in 2023 as the day Christ spoke them.  Do as He commanded - greatness will be yours. 

Deacon Dale 

Lent #21 - Lucky 7s

Throughout history - the number seven has been considered very special - special to the point that it is consider lucky.  Seven appears in various religions - myths - historical stories.  Research points to the story of creation - God created the world - the heavens - the entire universe - in six days - rests on the seventh - final day.  Therefore seven understood to mean the perfect completion of His creation - making the number seven - the perfect number.  Being perfect - belief that anything perfect - also lucky.  In Holy Scripture we read (Matt 18:21-22) Peter asking Jesus "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." 

In this special time of Lent as we seek to correct our faults - failings - one needs to look at what is known as the sins of omission - things that we should have done - failed to do.  In this regard - one of the hardest things is forgiving those who have sinned against you - done harm to you - physically - mentally - spiritually.  Forgiving others - very difficult - especially when the other person fails to understand why - how they hurt you in the first place.  Quite often their actions - not intentional - done accidentally with out malice - other times - intentional - meaning to cause you harm - hurt feelings. Those intentional actions understandable - hardest to forgive.  As seen above Jesus's answer - remember the magical number of seven - and as often as necessary.  Eventually - with prayer - compassion - strength from His Holy Spirit - possible. You may not be able to forgive the first time you try - over time - Jesus at your side - forgiveness will happen.  Remember the Lord's Prayer - Forgive me my sins - as I forgive those who have sinned against me - take time - pray - let those words sink in this Lent.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #20 - World Classic

Sunday we had the opportunity to attend the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field in Phoenix to watch the baseball game between Canada and Great Britain as part of the World Baseball Classic - an international tournament - being played in Phoenix - Miami - Tokyo - Taichung - in cooperation with Major League Baseball.  It is interesting for those who follow baseball - normally thinking only of the teams that play in the United States - to be able to watch  international teams playing here in our country. This tournament in a small way - shows to peoples of all countries that we are all very similar - not always as different as we may think.

The one World Classic - known around the world for thousands of years - not a sport - rather the Christ Event - that day when God became Man - born of a virgin - He who is Lord - God for all. Religion may be considered a game by those who mock true followers - for those who are sincere - honestly believe - dead serious - much more important than any sporting event.  Jesus came for all - around the globe - young - old - men - women - no matter where one lives - He is there - for you.  Saint - sinner - no difference - all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)..  In our prayers this Lent - may we constantly pray - Lord have mercy on me a sinner (Luke 18:13) 

Deacon Dale 

Lent #19 - Well Well

Today - the Third Sunday of Lent - Cycle A readings - focused primarily on Catechumens - those preparing for baptism - confirmation - Eucharist.  Lent designed originally for those preparing to enter the Catholic Church.  Today marks the first of three Scrutinies - a period of deep introspection - focusing on the three facets of reception into the Church.  This week - the focus on water - thirsting - being filled with Living Waters.  Israelites wandering in the desert - thirsting for water - Moses with his stick - God pouring His Love into hearts - Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman - asking for Living water.  Water one of the basics of life - with out it - life would cease.  

Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink - told her she should be asking for Living Water

- a gift of the Holy Spirit - the water that flows through all baptized persons. For those of us who are already fully received into the Church - we journey along with the Catechumens - praying for their conversion of heart - a renewal of our own hearts - asking for forgiveness for our sins - praying for those who wish to become Catholic - that their sins also be forgiven - together in Mass - celebrating the Scrutinies - together for mutual benefit.  Come Lord Jesus Come.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #18 - Happy Feet

Dancing your heart out - beautiful partner - great music - for many - awesome experience - happy feet.  Enjoying life to the fullest - experiencing what Jesus wanted us to do.  Music - dancing - not everything that makes for a full - pleasing life.  Many other aspects to consider. Good food - drink - great friends - happy families - pleasant jobs - earning a good salary - being able  to afford the necessities - extras in life - worshiping God - time set apart from worldly obligations.  All these activities consume the majority of many lives.  The time - set apart from life's normal activities - time best shared with others - by oneself - enjoying the sights - sounds of nature - immersing yourself - in quiet - with God.  All that - life lived - experienced - to the fullest.

Too many people - trapped in a merry-go-round life style - too many commitments - not enough time in the day - constant pressure - to do - to excel - to earn - to acquire - often consumes their entire life - no time for themselves.  That is not what Jesus promised.  As we end the second week of Lent - for those who have - no time - time to get off the merry-go-round - just say no - step back from what controls them.  To truly experience the life that Jesus promised - need to realize that often - less is more.  If you are able to do this - take control of your life - how you spend your time - especially with God - Jesus - that will be a Happy FEAT.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #17 - Fry Day Fish Day

Yes - it is Friday - during Lent - abstaining today from eating meat - looking for dinner alternatives.  It has been sometime now that Catholics were expected to abstain every Friday from eating meat - now the mandate - applies only to Fridays in Lent - other special days of fast - prayer.  The idea of fasting - extremely old - even before Christianity began.  The idea - replace the act of eating - spending that time in prayer instead.  For many - not a problem - others - object quite strenuously.   Religions - philosophies that practice fasting include - not limited to - Buddhism - Christianity - Islam - Judaism - Taoism - Jainism - Hinduism.  Fasting can last for just a few hours - even a few weeks - usually with practitioners eating at night.  Interestingly - even within a religion - different denominations - sects may fast differently - at different times.  For example - within Christianity - several different denominations that fast at different times.  Catholics - no meat on Fridays during Lent - Coptic Christians - the main form of Christianity in Egypt - fast for different durations for a total of 210 days throughout the year.  - Some cultures even fast for non-religious reasons.  The town of Geneva, Switzerland - holds the “Jeune genevois” - “Fast of Geneva”  - a public holiday - day of fasting in the canton of Geneva occurring in September.  The holiday originated in the Middle Ages when some days were officially decided to be fasting days as penitence after calamities such as wars, epidemics, or the plague. 

Many benefits come from fasting - most current - intermittent fasting - for weight loss.  Others fast as a way to cleanse the body of toxins - body impurities.  All forms of fasting - secular - religious - definitely has benefits.  For those of us in Lent - a meaningful way to focus our thoughts on - ourselves - our relationship with - God - Jesus - others.  A very useful tool for all.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #16 - Tiny Houses

In our free time we enjoy watching the HGTV show Tiny House Living - focuses on people trying to minimize the size of their home - minimal financial burden - compact life style inside - allowing for a larger life - outside the home.  It is educational - listening to the logic of the buyers - justifying what they need to dispose of - what to keep - to be able to fit possessions in their new tiny space.  The process forces buyers to prioritize what possessions are important - how they may be able to live a life - meaningful - with less distractions.  In Lent we are asked to make a similar effort - to scale back what is necessary to live a meaningful life as a Christian - eliminating the distractions present in all lives.  In our spiritual homes - that part in our minds - souls - space devoted to time with God - often become cluttered with worldly concerns.  In Lent we take time to - clean our spiritual homes - remove that which distracts - helping us to focus on what really is important in our relationship with God.

Jesus told us that He came that we might have life - live it to the fullest. (John 10:10).  That does not mean that our lives will not be filled with distractions - good - bad - growth comes from experiencing all facets that life gives us.  In bad - sad - times - we learn - just as we do in good - happy moments.  It is up to us to discern - that which we hold on to - that which we discard.  Our spiritual homes confined to our physical bodies - the space in our mind - soul - that we have made space for Jesus - His teachings.  With Jesus' help - each one of us can put our spiritual house - our tiny house in order.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #15 - Teach Me To Pray

One of the most common comments from those who have newly started to develop a spiritual life - have entered catechism classes - preparing for baptism - confirmation - Holy Communion - please - teach me how to pray.  Most often various prayer books placed in their hands - told to read - learn - an assortment of prepared prayers.  This gives them approved - popular - prayers recited by many.  Adding common prayers normally prayed during Holy Mass - adds an additional assortment of common prayer.  Once comfortable with these - next step - teaching how to create - pray their own words - directly from their heart - free form - personal words - spoken to God.

When Jesus' disciples felt comfortable journeying with Him - as their personal relationships  developed to a deeper level - finally  they asked Him - teach us how to pray.  This obviously something people have been seeking ever since prayer - talking with God was discovered. For Jesus - taught as we do - starting with the Lord's Prayer - not in a booklet - rather straight from  His heart - now the most common prayer known to Christians.  In Lent our daily exercises - observances - always must include prayer.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #14 - Learning Tolerance

Tolerance is not something that everyone has a good handle on - in fact - something that majority have to develop.  Unfortunately - most of us have been raised with certain - attitudes - ideas about - some types of people - activities - driven by - life experiences - ancestors who lived before them.  Some attitudes go back generations - compounds the difficulty of changing attitudes - learning how to become tolerant.  In order to develop tolerance - takes time - getting to understand - accept - differences with which you are not familiar.  Prayer helps when seeking to become tolerance - accepting those with different beliefs - customs - experiences.

Jesus came to help mankind with those issues and many others.  When God created mankind - intent was peaceful co-existence - sin changed all that.  Today we have a big problem with numerous ideas - ways to live - that challenge many beliefs. In these confusing times - best to give to God - go deep into prayer - ask Him to help you understand others - their different beliefs - that you may come to understand - accept them even when their beliefs do not match yours.  Often others beliefs may be different - not necessarily bad - wrong - just think - act different because of their lived experiences - how they were raised.  With God - Jesus - at your side - all things are possible - even becoming tolerant of others.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #13 - Father Forgive Us

Once we have said our - YES! - need to continue the journey to - living a life fully as a Christian.  Study - worship - prayer - acceptance - tolerance - all parts of who a Christian is.  There are many challenges along the road on this journey.  One of the hardest is forgiveness.  Too often many feel that past behavior - so bad - severe - God will not forgive them.  Others have that worked out - readily accept the Father's forgiveness - unable to do the same for others who have harmed - hurt them.  In those situations - I recommend people say the Lord's Prayer - really stop - think - what they are saying in that prayer - especially - Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.  In that prayer we are asking God for forgiveness in direct relation to how we forgive others - if we cannot forgive someone - we are telling God - since we are not willing - He should treat us in the same way - definitely not what we really want - hope for.

Luckily God will forgive us any sin - none too big - too little.  His Divine Mercy - completely beyond our understanding - comprehension.  If He who is - Lord - God Almighty - can forgive even the worst of sins - who are we - unwilling to forgive others.  As followers of  Christ - those who seek to do as He did - to follow His example - who is - Lord - God - then we must - no option - forgive all who have harmed us - even before they ask.  For some this may take great effort - with Jesus at their side - very possible.  This Lent - consider someone who you have not forgiven - if that is a situation in your life - ask Jesus for the strength to do - as He has done for you.

Deacon Dale                                                                                                    

Lent #12 - Just Say Yes

The Second Sunday of Lent - today's scriptures remind us of God's promise to Abraham to bless him if he did as asked - in the second reading we are reminded that if we are to be faithful to the Gospel - there will be difficult times that we must endure - the Gospel reminds us of the  transfiguration of Jesus before the disciples' eyes.  These scriptures assure us that if we listen to God - do as he asks - are open to transforming events in our lives - that all will work out for  the good of all.  That is the key - things will not work out just for us - ourselves - rather all - people near - close to us - people we have no idea that they exist.  Blessings abound not only for us personally - for all mankind - who are to follow.  

We have all been told through Holy Scripture - various ministers of the Gospel - in media - by others around us - every week when we attend worship services - God loves us - Jesus died for our sins - that we have been granted salvation - there is a life beyond this present existence - so what are we waiting for?  Time to say - YES! - time to make that commitment - no reason to wait.  For all those who came before you since the beginning of time - for those who will follow - say - YES! - commit to that - get on with your new life in Christ.  Now is the time to improve on that - YES! - which you said before. Time to say - YES! - if you have never done it before.  You do not have to be with out sin - you do not have to do anything right now - except commit to Jesus. The rest will follow - cleansing of heart - knowledge of God - understanding - all flows rapidly - quickly into your life - the life of  those around you - once you make that statement.  Jesus I trust in you - Have mercy on me a sinner -  bless me with your Holy Spirit - fill me with your love - acceptance - that I may spend this time in Lent - growing closer to you - rejoicing in the - YES! - you said to your Father - on the Cross.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #11 - Pray Without Ceasing

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Paul says to pray without ceasing - never stop - never give up on your prayer - be constant - stubborn with your prayers.  That does not mean that you should avoid other tasks in life - rather - even when doing everyday activities - do those in a prayerful way.  When driving on a congested road - pray for patience - when helping others - pray that your efforts - glorify God - in everything you do - with all that you help - make those efforts - a form of prayer.  

Jesus showed His disciples that prayer was key to their relationship with His Father.  In this season of Lent - our number one task - drawing closer to God.  The best way to connect - communicate with God - through prayer. When you take time to improve your prayer life - expand the time spent in prayer - learn new prayers - include more people in your prayer intentions - your prayers become deeper - fuller - add more substance not only to your prayer life - also the life you are seeking to live.  Consider these days of Lent - your prayer workshop.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #10 - Going Beyond Hugs

Yesterday I suggested that if you were a serious committed Christian you would embrace Jesus.  I suggested - one only had to be serious about their faith - commit to Jesus - His mission on Earth.  That is an excellent way - to start - many more opportunities - exist.  One can focus their attention on God - Jesus - Him personally - other persons may be included.  The old neighbor next door who cannot shovel their driveway - cut their grass - drive to the store - unable to attend Church services - Holy Mass - all mean giving up personal time - investing your time - attention on others.  Others - who in Jesus' name -image the Lord - the One you wish to serve.

Too many people spend too much time - majority of their day - in Church - on their knees - in prayer - worshiping God - when so many people - those they can physically touch - hug - offer assistance - are ignored. Jesus told us that He came to serve - not be served (Matt 20:28) - yet opportunities for service to others ignored in the name of worship. Do not get me wrong - all should spend a sufficient time in worshiping God - that time balanced with Christian service.  This Lent - perhaps as part of your Lenten journey - you may find time to add service hours into your Lenten plans,  In doing so - you just might find Jesus.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #9 - Embracing Jesus

One of the greatest experiences in life - a good hug - even better - a great hug.  When God created humans He not only gave us arms to take care of ourselves - also ability to wrap around others - to draw people into our inner circles - to feel their physical closeness - a warm embrace - their presence.  As children - majority of us felt those embraces by parents - siblings - family.  As we grew - those who were allowed to enter into that private space - increased.  In those embraces we experienced - closeness - support - intimacy - love.  As we journey through this season of Lent - one goal - draw closer to God - His Son - Jesus.  Some may have already experienced that - many others - still on  the outside - wondering how to make that happen for themselves.  

Since the beginning - God has made Himself available to anyone who listened to His voice - a voice freely shared with all - not all bothered to listen.  For those who did listen - not all responded to His message.  To those His Word - became flesh - Jesus - who walked among them - made Himself available to all.  For those who sought Him - those who developed a close relationship - able to experience an honest embrace in His arms.  That same possibility exists today - not physically - but in a very personal way - if only one seeks Him.  The challenge this Lent - move your heart  - mind - closer to that of Jesus - to experience that special embrace.

Deacon Dale  

Lent #8 - One Down More To Go

Congratulations - you have completed your first full week of Lent - one week ago you were reminded that 'You are dust and to dust you shall return" as ashes were placed on your forehead.  That evening or perhaps the next morning the ashes were washed off - life returned to normal - or did it?  Did you go home from church with a renewed perspective on your life - where you were going - making plans for your personal Lent journey - or - nothing changed except the fact you attended a Lenten service.  Many people go out of their way to receive ashes - only to leave their observance of Lent at that one experience.  Perhaps you are one that takes the Season of Lent seriously - becoming involved with all that the Church makes available.  Now as we begin the second week of our journey - what are your plans - where do you see yourself in six weeks - at the foot of the Cross?  There are numerous options that we may take - and in that regards - a very personal decision.  For me and my household....... 

Jesus calls each of us - as individuals - to draw closer to Him - improve our personal relationship with Him - with His Father - to commit for the first time - recommit for the fiftieth time - or more.  Every day that we open our eyes - another chance to improve that relationship.  Every day we can make amends - take corrective action - improve upon that which we already have.  Every day we can say "Have Mercy on me Lord - a sinner".  Every day Jesus says to us "turn away from sin - be faithful to the Gospel".  Every day we can celebrate new life - will  this be that day for you?

Deacon Dale