Flames and Glory

Today we celebrated Pentecost - that event that marked the Gift of the Holy Spirit - manifested by the Sound of rushing Wind - Tongues of Flame - Speaking in multiple Tongues - all a Grand Effort - God getting people's attention.  After Jesus returned to Heaven to be reunited with the Father - a Promise fulfilled - the Third Person of God - Spoken of in History - Revealed by the Son - United in some unexplainable Way - the Holy Trinity.  On this Pentecost Day - as in years past - celebrating the Birth of the Church.  The Birth of the People of God - assembled together in mass not church as in a structure - rather Church as People - Gathered together as the Human expression of God - His Love - His Forgiveness - His Healing - His Acceptance -  what we Call - The Body of Christ.

Two thousand years since the First Pentecost event - What we - the People of God - have Accomplished in that time - Amazing - Unbelievable - Fantastic - Things - all in His Holy Name. Now is not the time to sit back - brag about what we have done - Now the time to Accomplish even More.  Each of us has received his Spirit in - Baptism - Confirmation - Holy Communion - in Every Sacrament we have celebrated - Now is the time to Truly Act - Be the Body of Christ.  With that Power in His Body - All Things Are Possible with God!

Deacon Dale 

High Times

Today in place of the Seventh Sunday of Easter - we celebrate The Ascension of the Lord - this Feast of the Ascension commemorates Jesus' ascension into heaven 40 days after his resurrection. Thus Ascension Day falls 40 days after Easter - on the 6th Thursday of Easter - due to the  importance - moved by many Bishops to the Sunday Celebration of Holy Mass - making it available to more of the faithful to celebrate who normally cannot attend daily Mass due to work commitments - other obligations.  In this celebration Jesus gives His final instructions to His disciples - to Go - Baptize - to the Four Corners of the World.

What He instructed His disciples to do some two thousand years ago - still applies - today - to those of us who claim to be His modern disciples.  Ordained or not - each and every one of us - who professes the Creed- who tell others that we are Christians - called by Our Lord - to proclaim His Gospel - everywhere we go - whether convenient or not - that His Message reaches the ears of all people.  Today we celebrate that day when Jesus joined His Father in Heaven - that day when we - His disciples were joined with Him in His ministry to share the Truth with all we know.

Deacon Dale 

Easter Joy

 Yes - we are still in the Easter Season - Yes - plenty of Easter Joy to experience.  In today's scripture we start with Philip spreading the Gospel Message - just as Jesus said the apostles should do.  Bonus in that effort - unclean spirits - leaving many people - shouts of joy at being freed.  In the Gospel - Jesus reassuring His disciples that they will not be left alone when He ascends to Heaven - God sending the Holy Spirit to guide - help them. 

Even today - as modern day disciples - each of us - benefitting from the help of His Holy Spirit.  In so many ways - in so many circumstances - the Holy Spirit - helping His followers around the World.   We are after all - Easter People - those who have made a conscious decision to accept Jesus as Lord of our Lives - Our God - Our Savior - the One in whom we put our complete trust.  Yes - there is a reason to be joyful - every day of our lives.  No matter what may happen in our lives - Jesus - stands there - gracing you with His Love - truly-  something to be joyful about. 

Deacon Dale 

Landlord

Before anyone buys their first home - most rented an apartment - house - getting established as an adult - new graduate from school - moving away from parents - changing jobs - locations - career.  As we grow into adulthood - finish our years of education - training - settle into new situations - majority do not make the financial commitment to purchase property.  Instead we elect to rent - go through the process of credit checks - inspection by the rental agents - proving that we are worthy of a tenant - landlord relationship.  When all goes as expected - rental agreement is signed - sealed - delivered - we move in.

Hofburg Palace, Vienna 

In today's Gospel - Jesus tell His disciples - all of us - that when the time is ready - no house hunting required.  He already has a place for each of us - in His Father's house.  No inspection - security deposit - no credit check required.  Your place secured - the price - paid in full - by His Blood.  His Father's House much grander - larger than the palace shown here.  Our home in Heaven - with Jesus - a Gift from God - simply for being His loyal servants - followers - doing as He asked.  The way to Heaven - to His Father - always through Jesus - Him and no one else.  Jesus is the Way - the Truth - the Life.

Deacon Dale