Jesus - Gatekeeper

Today - the Fourth Sunday of Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday - in the Gospel Jesus talks about sheep - gates - pasture - crooks - thieves.  So what is going on here - what does this have to do with the Fourth Sunday of Easter.  Isn't Easter about celebration - pastel colors - happiness.   In Today's Gospel we hear - John 10:9  -  "I AM the Gate - Whoever enters through Me - will be Saved - will come In and Go out - find pasture". 

Yes we are still in the Easter Season - Need to remember what Easter is all about.  If we back up just a few weeks - Death - Dying - Torture - Sadness - Resurrection - New Life.  In today's Gospel - Jesus reminding His disciples - reminding Us - that Life in Christ means - Life.   Putting our Trust in Jesus - in His Words - Knowing that He - the Lord - really Knows each of Us.  He knows our voices - we know His - an intimate relationship - one that guarantees us - Life in the Fullest.  No gate to separate us from enjoying Life.  Freedom to come - go - In - Out - as we wish.  A challenge to really act like disciples - to share His message of - Forgiveness - Healing - Love - Acceptance - Tolerance - Becoming Christ Like in our own lives.  A challenge - a reality - for all things are possible with God.   When He met Moses - He told him - I AM.  Today He tells you - me - I Am - the Gate - I AM - Here to give you New Life.

Deacon Dale 

Burning Hearts

In Today's Gospel - (Lk 24:13-35) - We heard - "Were our hearts not burning" on the road to Emmaus - walking with Jesus.  Just imagine what that must have been like for those two disciples - walking towards Emmaus - no clue that their - Lord - their God - would encounter them in that - time - that - space.  That is a part of Our religious history - a part of the Truth - that is Christianity.  Imagine when I - along with my wife - 25 other deacons - wives - ended up at Emmaus - ourselves in 2010.  The words to describe that experience - not enough adjectives exist to properly describe - that very Gospel floating  through our minds at that moment.  Now thirteen years later - having walked that same path that Jesus walked at Emmaus - not once - rather three times - still an experience - hard to put into words - that Gospel reminding me - of my personal experiences in Israel.

Emmaus 

Just the idea that Jesus - showed Himself - shortly after His crucifixion - a moment in time few could experience.  I - like most of us - have never seen Jesus appear before my eyes - but I - have felt His presence in my life -  just as many others have - most notably - in the Breaking of the Bread.  As a Roman Catholic - as a Permanent Deacon - as a Believer for my entire life - Jesus has always been a reality in my life.  In sad - unhappy moments - joyful - happy times - Jesus - always near to me.  At Holy Mass - proclaiming His Words - sharing in Holy Eucharist - my Lord always so near.  As we continue our Easter celebration in these Fifty days of Easter - may each of you have your own personal moment when Christ becomes real to you. 

Deacon Dale 

23rd Anniversary

It is always special when an anniversary is celebrated - a religious anniversary - more so.  On May 5, 2000 Pope John Paul II declared that the second Sunday of Easter would forever after be known as Divine Mercy Sunday - based on the Diary of St Faustina Kowalski who the Pope had just canonized on April 30, 2000 - the Polish nun - known as the Secretary of Jesus - whose diary shared with the world her visions she shared with Jesus.  The great focus - primarily - the Divine Mercy of God - Mercy unknown to anyone other than God. 

Because only God is able to possess agape love - a love not humanly possible - all of us are benefactors of His Awesome - Unbelievable Mercy.  God with Jesus and the Holy Spirit as One Divine Person - can - will - forgive - anyone - any sin - any deed gone wrong - if only one is willing to ask - with a heart filled with faith - sorrow - for whatever might have been done wrong.  On this Sunday - the Second Sunday of Easter - this Sunday which ends the Octave of Easter - these special first eight days of the Easter Season - we rejoice in this Special Easter Egg - offered to all - Christian or not - a Gift worth celebrating everyday of our lives - most importantly on this Feast of the Divine Mercy.

Deacon Dale 

The 50 Days of Easter

Jesus Christ is Risen! Yes - 2000 years ago He rose.  Two thousand years ago - run that through your mind - what have We accomplished in that time - where are We as His people.  Is there Peace on Earth - All people Believe - Worship Him - unfortunately No.  That means WE still have work to do.

Looking To The Future

Jesus is the same today as He was two thousand years ago.  Today in 2023 - the need for Disciples to spread His Gospel message as important as when He instructed His first Disciples.  Many people hear - not all listen to the Message.  It is up to You - Me to not only speak His message - need to also Model - that lifestyle which He professed.  Now for the next Forty-Nine Days of this Easter Season - let us ALL see if we can do just that.

Deacon Dale 

Easter Sunday!

Alleluia! He is Risen! Yes - finally - Lent completed - Triduum finished - NOW - Easter for the next 50 days - until Pentecost. Easter Sunday - celebrating that day when Jesus rose from the dead - opened the doors to Heaven - for all of us. This is what we have been preparing ourselves for - throughout Lent. Prayers - quiet time - reflecting on our lives - now - finally - this is it - just as we hoped.

Jesus did exactly as He promised - preached - spread His Gospel to all. Many listened - some did not - for those who did - New Life in Christ. It just cannot be better than that. Praise God that you are a part of this Gift. Amen..

Deacon Dale 

The Triduum Day #3 Holy Saturday

Day #3 of the Triduum - silence - laying in the tomb - waiting - nothing to do until - the Vigil.  In many churches the morning is used to decorate for Easter Sunday - the Vigil Mass that will be celebrated after dark.  Masses typically not celebrated until after dusk.  Free time in the morning used to bless parishioner's Easter food baskets - review with the catechumens the liturgy - flow of the evening Vigil Mass.  For the catechumens - anxiety - final blessings - preparing for Baptism - Reception into the Church - Confirmation - Holy Eucharist.  

Lighting the Paschal Candle

This evening everything is new - starting after sundown - blessing of the new Paschal candle - blessing of a new fire that will light the new candle - singing the Exultant - the official chant as Holy Mass begins - the large number of Scriptures tonight - the blessing of the font - water for baptism - renewal of baptismal vows - after the homily - baptism - confirmation - Eucharist.  A night of beginnings for the Church - Catechumens - parishioners.  Meanwhile - Jesus in the Tomb - a night of waiting - anticipation - resurrection.   Easter morning will reveal all.

Deacon Dale 

The Triduum Day #2 Good Friday

What is so Good about Friday - that day in the life of Jesus filled with - lies - betrayal - judgement - crucifixion - death - sinking down to the bowels of hades - not what anyone wants to think about.  For many people - a day to quickly pass through - a bump on the road to Easter - flowers - fun - food.  For others - those more deeply invested in their faith - sadness - confusion - sometimes anger - always a big WHY.  No one really knows - understands the mind of God.  What made this event necessary - was there another way to accomplish the same thing - how - why - when - questions asked for centuries.

Basically it boils down to Mankind - not something God really wanted to do - His response to people - their poor use of - Free Will - being allowed to make bad decisions -  Time and Again.  He sent prophets - messengers - over and over - simply ignored.  Finally - as we all know - if you want something done correctly - have to do it yourself.  So God stepped down from His throne - Humbled Himself - was born of the Virgin - grew as any human would - grew into the man - Jesus.  In words - parables - miracles - He shared His Plan - Hope - Goals - for humanity.  The Result - Hanging on a Cross - Crucified - Pierced with a lance - Scourged - Flesh torn - Blood dripping from His Body.  For what?  For You and Me - for All of us.  He paid the Price - Debt paid in Full - that is what is so Good about Friday.  Jesus did it for US.  WE do not have to go through what He did - WE do not have to Suffer.  All WE need do is accept the Gift of Salvation - from Him - from HIs Father - through the Power of the Holy Spirit.  He did the work - WE stand besides Him - wave His flag of Victory - Victory over Death - over Satan. Today we Celebrate Good Friday because it is Good.

Deacon Dale 

The Triduum Day #1 - Holy Thursday

No Mass this Morning - unless the Bishop blesses Holy Chrism - that is usually done earlier in the week. Holy Mass tonight - Holy Thursday - focused on institution of Holy Eucharist and of the priesthood.  Special focus tonight - washing of feet of Mass participants.  Lent officially ends following Evening Prayer and the Triduum begins with the beginning of tonight's Holy Mass. The banners in church have been Purple throughout Lent - tonight - White - a celebratory color indicating purity - new beginnings - a very special event in the Liturgical calendar. 

Tonight at Holy Mass the oils which were blessed by the Bishop earlier this week are presented at the beginning of Holy Mass - Holy Chrism - Oil of Catechumens - Oil of the Sick. The Oil of the Sick - used anytime a priest wishes to bless those who are sick - often used near death - the final anointing. The Oil of Catechumens - used prior to baptizing infants - adult catechumens during the Baptism Rite. Holy Chrism - the most special of the three oils - used when a person is being confirmed - during infant baptism - ordination of priests - consecration of a bishop - anointing of altars - vessels - consecration of churches. Tonight celebrating that Jesus during His Last Supper - washed the disciples feet as a model of Christian service to others - telling HIs disciples - "If I - therefore - the master and teacher have washed your feet - you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow - so that as I have done for you - you should also do." (John 13:14-15)  At Tonight's Mass additional bread is consecrated to be used tomorrow afternoon - since no Mass is allowed - these Hosts to be shared in a communion service on Good Friday.  Tonight the tabernacle is left empty - the altar stripped bare - any consecrated Hosts moved to a special place where all may sit in quiet Adoration - meditating on the Mysteries celebrated this night - waiting in Vigil - Jesus taken away by the guards - tomorrow the Passion - sentenced to Crucifixion - by the people - trading Him - the Son of Man - for an insurrectionist - sending Him to Calvary - death on a Cross.  Them - you - me - by our Sins - we have all had a hand in that event.  Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow - He paid the Price - for what we have done - what we have failed to do - what we will do.  Tonight - we sit in darkness - praying - Jesus I Trust in You - Lord - have Mercy on me. 

Deacon Dale 

Lent #43 - T - 1 SPY Wednesday

The Last day of Lent - the end of the journey - finito - done - finished - countdown ended.  For many - SPY Wednesday - following the belief that Judas betrayed Jesus on a Wednesday prior to His crucifixion - Easter.  SPY because some believe Judas was recruited to spy on Jesus' activity - report back His actions - location - leading to His arrest - all for 30 pieces of silver.  Nobody can say definitely with one hundred percent accuracy - but it is a valid assumption knowing what followed as recorded in history.  That next day - Holy Thursday - the Last Supper - seems reasonable.  That should not be our main concern today - rather - an evaluation of how we personally handled our own Lenten experience.  Not how much we did - nor where we did anything - instead - what does our heart tell us.  Are we in a better place than we were back on Ash Wednesday - did we identify things that could be improved in our life.  Have we changed anything - did we stop doing things that were not appropriate - did we apologize to anyone for things we have done - anyone we offended - did we pick up our Bible - study the catechism - participate in a charitable event - offered ourselves in service - at no charge - did we pray more - sit in silence with God - did we do anything - only you can answer those and many other questions.  God knows what you did - what you did not do - one last day to complete Lent on a positive note.

It is so important to remember that God loves us - as we are - Jesus came for us - as we are - died for us - as we are.  It is up to us to make any changes necessary - nobody can do that for us - ours alone to do.  With God all things possible (Matthew 19:26) - everyone of us can improve - all we need is Jesus.  Think about that today - Jesus I Trust in You.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #42 - T - 2 - Twos-day

Yes - believe it or not today is - Twos-day - the final two days of this year's Lenten experience.  It is hard to believe that we are already in the sixth week of Lent - the time has passed so quickly - before we know it we will be participating in the Triduum and Easter.  At one time this seemed so far away - trying to figure out - plan what we each would do in our search for a rewarding - beneficial Lent.  Now  the prayers prayed - the Masses attended - the Scriptures we have read - the hours spent in meditation - adoration - are all accumulating - ending in these final days.

As with any journey - planning - beginning - an end - the value experienced - always on the journey.  Many of us perhaps thought the Gift to be attained at the end of Lent - not really correct. Perhaps during the three days of the Triduum - not really there either. Then Easter - perhaps - if you stop at Easter Sunday - the true Gift - still to come.  There is an entire Easter Season yet to be experienced.  At the Easter Vigil - New Life for those entering the Church - for those of us who are already members - the joy at welcoming new people to sharing that which we already have - Life in Christ.  Our duty - to help guide the new members - those still on the outside - looking in - a life of discipleship.  In two days we evolve like the caterpillar that turns into a beautiful butterfly.  In two days - a new experience begins.

Deacon Dale 

Lent #41 - T-3 - Holy Monday

Holy Monday is Significant  - two reasons - particularly important.  First - Holy Monday set up the events which happened on Maundy Thursday - clearing the temple - Jesus criticized the leaders who allowed - promoted the activity happening in the temple. His teachings rebuked the religious leaders overtly - telling a parable meant to criticize them (Matthew 21:45-46) -  religious leaders had been concerned about Jesus before this - his actions on Holy Monday - Holy Tuesday clinched it - they wanted him dead.  Second - Jesus describes these teachings - parables as being about the kingdom of God. They use different images - words but are all about two ideas - God will offer the kingdom to unexpected people - when the kingdom arrives in full - there will be judgment.  In simple terms - Jesus made corrupt leaders uncomfortable - exposing their wrong doings - making Him go away - permanently - their goal. Getting Judas to help - sealed that deal.

In Jesus' day - even today - corrupt leaders everywhere afraid of being exposed - loss of authority - power - money - too important to many - to lose.  We are now in our countdown to the end of Lent - only 3 days remaining.  Three days to reflect on those things that we are guilty of doing - not doing.  Very unlikely any of us as bad as the religious leaders in Jesus' time - our sins - more ordinary - much less serious.  In these last days - confession - prayers - placing ourselves in His presence - leads us much closer to that brass ring - holiness.

Deacon Dale  

Lent #40 - T - 4 Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem - an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels - marks the first day of Holy Week - the holiest week in the Christian calendar.  Palm Sunday - celebrated with Holy Mass in which the Gospel narrative of Jesus' entry - acceptance by the people - waving - laying palms in His path - the triumphant entry as a king enters His kingdom - - trial by those who did not understand - feared Him - eventual Crucifixion - Resurrection - all in God's plan to offer Salvation to all. Even to those casual Christians who do not regularly attend church services - highly attended - as is Most of Holy Week activities.

Jesus came for all - all did not accept Him - He came for every man - woman - child - people of all cultures - all beliefs - no one excluded from His offer of salvation.  Throughout the years many have become His followers - disciples - many others - turned to other beliefs.  In spite of this - they have not been abandoned - His offer still stands today as much as it did 2000 years ago.  Lent will conclude this coming Wednesday - three more days to complete our Lenten experience.  Three more days of prayers - meditation - reflection - helping each of us to seek holiness.

Deacon Dale   

Lent #39 - T - 5 and counting

So Lent is over and tomorrow is Easter! - April Fools! - Just kidding - we still have 5 more days of Lent left.  It is getting very close to Easter - tomorrow is Palm Sunday - the beginning of Holy Week - the holiest week in the Christian calendar. On Palm Sunday we listen to the reading of the Passion for the first of two times in this week.  Then on Monday the bishops typically celebrate a yearly Chrism Mass when they bless the Sacramental Oils that will be used throughout the year.  After blessing - the oils are distributed to all the parishes in that diocese.  Tuesday is normally a calm day - nothing special done on Tuesday or Wednesday - except note the end of the Lenten season.  Once that is accomplished - we move into the Triduum.  As for today - Saturday is basically the calm before the storm.  Last minute preparations for the celebration of Palm Sunday - making sure there are enough palms to be handed out to all the parishioners once they have been blessed - additional seating for the large crowds at Mass.

As in any grand celebration - a lot of work has to be done before the big day.  Anyone who has helped arrange a special birthday party - wedding - knows fairly well what that entails.  This is usually - in most parishes - a much bigger celebration that those - especially because it is a very special religious event - honoring God - Our Lord Jesus - His Holy Spirit.  Everything that we have been doing for the last five weeks has been leading up to this special sixth week.  For us as individuals - it reflects in a special way - our individual efforts during Lent - the prayers - scripture study - time in reflection - meditation - adoration - attending Holy Mass - confession - reconciliation - our personal efforts this Lent.  A few days remain - not time to stop - rather continue our efforts - Jesus asks to stay with Him until all is accomplished.

Deacon Dale