Why Hide Your Talent?

This Sunday the Gospel (Mt 25:14-15, 19-21) focused on the talents (i.e. money) that the land owner left with his workers.  In those times a talent was usually a large heavy object worth a large sum.  At first look - we assume that the talent in mention is money - since that is very often what the average person thinks about. Money to sustain life - buying food - paying rent - affording all the things that helps everyone have a comfortable life.  That is very reasonable - however - the real talent - considering that God is the land owner - the servant - us - His disciples - workers - changes the whole focus of the Gospel.  The One who received - one talent - buried it - returned it back to the Land owner - God - unchanged - is our focus. That  One is not a sinner as many would guess - rather - an unfortunate - a person who did not have faith in the one talent - gift - they had received.  Questioning what they had - what they could accomplish - what they could achieve - in fear - hid that talent - that gift - that ability.  They are not alone - so many people in this modern day have received numerous gifts from God - completely unaware of those gifts - unaware that they have been empowered to accomplish many -mighty - things.  Those gifts - buried deep inside  their very being.  They walk among us - sit next to us in the pew - stand next to us in the shopping line - going about their life - completely oblivious of the talents they have. Many years ago when my sons were competing in sports - when they took first place - after congratulating  them on their  accomplishment - very often they would reply that they were not the best - only the best on that day - in that specific competition - acknowledging that there were others - much better than them - who were elsewhere - not at that specific event - acknowledging their talent - recognizing others also shared that same gift. 

For those who believe they have not received any special talents from God - need to take time - look deeply inside - to discover what the real gifts are that they have received.  Once seeing those gifts - time to dig them up - take out of the depths - share with those around them. So many talents - gifts from God - go undiscovered - unshared - because of a lack of faith.  All of us have to remember as children of God - as His disciples - as followers of Jesus - each - every one of us - have been blessed mightily.  As true disciples - our duty to share all that we have received.  With God - Jesus - the Holy Spirit - All things are possible - in Faith we share all we have received.

Deacon Dale 

Virgins & Oil & Wailing of Teeth

The Gospel this Sunday (Mt 25: 1-13) seems to focus on the ten virgins - half who were prepared for a long night - half who did not think far enough ahead.  It also seems to make oil the thing to focus on - how much is necessary for success.  While that is what what we read at Holy Mass - the real focus in on - us - the faithful.  As we near the end of the liturgical year and approach the beginning of Advent - the first season of a new liturgical year - we are being asked to focus on the - End Times.  All of us are journeying toward the end of our life on this Earth - every day moving towards that day when we will meet the Lord - face to face.  We hate to admit it - all of us have an end date - known only by God.  It is  not about how many days we have left - it is not about how much faith we have - it is not about how much we pray - fast.  The whole point is about being prepared.  If the Lord calls you to Himself today - will you be ready - will you be able to drop everything you are doing - will you be able to take His hand - let him embrace you - walk into eternity with Him.

Each of us has been told over and over again how much Jesus - God - His Mother loves us.  We have heard over - over again - repent - make things right in your life - prepare the way of the Lord - to be Lord of your life - to accept Him as Your Personal Savior - to walk with Him on a daily basis.  It is not a hard task - pray the sinner's prayer - Lord have mercy on me a sinner - accept Him into your life - then continue your journey in peace - harmony with Jesus.  It is never too late - today would be a good day to start.

Deacon Dale 

I'm Back!

 And - I am back.  Some may have noticed that I have not posted anything for the past few months.  Obviously - I have been occupied with things more important than this blog.  I am no different from any other person - more important things occupy all our lives compared to posting on a blog.  Family - friends - medical needs - helping others - preparing for an annual pilgrimage - all took precedent over this blog. Finally - some time to share a few thoughts with everyone. 

Number #1 - the conflict in the Middle East.  I have to admit that I do not understand that in this age - people are not able to resolve conflicts without killing each other. I understand we all have history - accepting change - different cultures - different belief systems - changing attitudes - new ways rethinking old ideas - developing new ones - none justify killing those who have different ideas - beliefs.  Acceptance - tolerance - the only way to cope with differences.  At this point - prayers needed. 

Number #2 - the Fatima - Lourdes Pilgrimage this September was excellent!  We had a group of 40 people - from various walks in life - in two days - melded into one happy family. Although we did this same pilgrimage in 2017 - different people - similar - different experience.  When we repeat a pilgrimage - always a chance that it might feel a bit - been there - done  that.  That did not happen - in retrospect - never has on any of our pilgrimages.  

Number #3 - total knee replacement - this time my wife's - mine in 2020.  Another repeat experience - same procedure - same surgeon - same hospital - she doing much better that me.  For  that I am very grateful - pleased she is doing so well.  God is Good - Prayers Work - Community Awesome.

Now beginning of November - time to start preparing for Thanksgiving - Advent - Christmas - New Years.  Unlike the past few months that were comparatively low key - the anxiety level starting to ramp up - not a real issue for people of faith.  We know from experience that God never gives us more than we can handle - when it feels that we are approaching our limits - He blesses us in ways unimaginable to help us get through the stress.  As in every single month of the year - in every single situation - Jesus - Our Lord - always there - holding our hands - leading the way.

Deacon Dale