Human Nature

What does it mean when we refer to "human nature"?  Is that a reference to some biological function - or a quirk - or oddball mannerism - or does it have to do with how we humans act in general?   From the NAB we read in John 2: 24-25 "But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well."   That scripture makes it sound like Jesus was less than impressed with how humans acted in general.  Like many of us - He must have experienced a lot of disappointing moments with humans.  I know all of us can attest to experiencing bad human nature - not everyone falls into this category - but enough do for a person to learn over time to lose faith in other people.


Losing faith in other people is one thing - losing faith in yourself is another.  As we begin our third week of Lent many of us want to beat ourselves up because we have either not started our observance of Lent or have fallen short in what we wanted to accomplish. The good news is that we can adapt and make changes now to insure achieving our goals. That is one great feature of human nature - our ability to adapt and comprise - to change what we have been doing or not doing and do something different to make it better. With God all things are possible.


Deacon Dale 

1001 Ways To Die

Death is never convenient and rarely welcomed.  Whether it is a new born or a very elderly person - death touches all who knew them.  It never seems right that anyone should die - not even the sick or injured.  As Americans - we value life very highly.  To us the gift of life means that there is a reason for our life and that in some way we add value to the people around us.  A baby creates joy and laughter and brings families closer as they celebrate the newness of a small life. Older members of a family - filled with wisdom and a wacky sense of humor - reaffirm that living a long life is important to everyone whom they have touched in their many years.


We celebrate life - we celebrate family - we celebrate births - we celebrate each other. When life ends - at an all too early age or at what we perceive as a normal life span - we mourn the loss of that particular life.  We grieve and in that grieving process we reflect on the value of life in general and the life of our deceased one in particular. We ask and question - we try to understand death and the whys of death.  In the end it is impossible - no one can give us the answer as to why or when or how.  Death never makes sense to us who appreciate life so much.  


It is comforting to us as Christians that we believe at the beginning of life - as we are born into this world - that God is holding our hand and guiding us towards a life filled with His presence and all the wonders that we will experience during our lifetime.  And in death we also believe that God is still there - still present in our life - guiding us through the dying process and re-birth into eternal life - filled with all the wonders that we have yet to experience as we go through this rite of passage - just as we are born into this world and then at the end of this mortal life - born into the eternal.  


There are many ways to look at life and death - the one way is to die in Christ.  To hold His hand as He leads you into eternity - to be One with Him.


Deacon Dale 

Bluetooth

Driving a vehicle and talking on a cell phone at the same time is an accident waiting to happen.  One argument against banning cell phone use while driving is that it is no worse than having a conversation with a passenger.  Well yes and no - when talking with a passenger both arms are free to turn the wheel, your ear is not obstructed, nor is your vision impaired and if you pause in mid-sentence - your passenger knows why and doesn't demand a response from you because you went silent.   


In reality there are a lot of things that distract us while driving - even driving itself. Often erratic driving by others (even on a divided highway going the opposite direction) may distract us from properly operating our own vehicle.


The solution is to focus - to focus on what you are doing - where you are - who is around you - what else is going on in and outside your vehicle.  Focus on doing the right thing at the right time and if that means not using your cell phone then do not use it or if it means using a Bluetooth device so your hands can be free, then use it.


Focus is not only very important when driving but also when you are trying to talk to God.  If you begin a prayer conversation with the Almighty and then are interrupted by someone or something you run the risk of not giving yourself or God the time needed to develop and hold a serious conversation.  Prayer cannot and should not be hit and miss - here and there. Prayer is meant to be here and now - exclusive between me and thee and nothing else in between.  When we seek God in prayer we need to go to a quiet place where we can avoid distractions - to our prayer closet and in the darkness of our lives we quietly sit in God's presence and communicate with Him.  We need nothing else - no friends - no food - no drinks - no Bluetooth - just ourselves and God. Try it you might like it!


Deacon Dale 

Instruction Manual

Almost every product that we purchase today comes with some sort of instruction.  There are technical specifications, instruction manuals (in multiple languages), parts list (really reassuring on a brand new item), and the last minute - "read this before" - before you read anything else or use the product or plug it in or fill it up or whatever you would have done before you bothered to read any of the included literature.


Any responsible manufacturer will always include this type of material in with your purchase so that you can enjoy the maximum benefit of your purchase with the utmost safety.  


Unfortunately for us and our parents - we do not come with an instruction manual nor safety warnings! Our parents welcome us into this world not knowing what to expect from their little bundle of joy. There is no schedule - can you say 3:00am feedings - or when we will sleep though the night - when we will start teething or any other significant life event. We come as we are born - naked to the world with no instructions but tons of expectations!  Before we can walk we are already dancers and firefighters and policemen and doctors.  If we are born into a Christian family our parents have already set us on God's path in selecting a good Christian name and are planning our christening even before we are born. Grandmother is making plans for our first communion and grandpa is thinking ahead to confirmation when he will stand at your side as the bishop anoints you with Sacred Chrism.


And then life is thrust upon us and before we know it we are expected to be making decisions on how to live a proper Christian life.  At this point you probably need to scream help!  And for us who have the gift of being born into good Christian families, we discover our personal instruction manual on how to cope with life and all that it entails.  It is called the Bible and a better guide on how to live a good life will never be written.  Perhaps today is a good day to pick up your Bible and see what it has to say about living a good Lent.


Deacon Dale 

Law & Order

When you hear the phrase "Law & Order" you either think of the television series or you think of civil rules and regulations.  Obviously law and order doesn't leave a lot to the imagination.  In most matters - in most organizations, including religious, - there must be both law and order.  The law spells out what can or cannot be done or when and how it may be done and by whom.  Once law is established for a group of people or an organization, the order helps to keep both the laws and the people organized for maximum efficiency and benefit.


Old Testament Israelites had more than enough laws to obey and follow.  In the Halakha is the collective body of Jewish law including biblical law (the 613 mitzvot) and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.(from Wikipedia)

Today all Christian Churches have their own set of rules and regulations.  The Catholic Church is no different.  Laws are established to help people do the right thing and to avoid that which might harm them.  In Lent we sit in judgement of ourselves and our lives and what and how we have been acting.  We reflect on what we discover and if we are legalistic we determine if we have broken any Church laws.  This is okay, but in Lent we should not become hung up on which rules we have broken.  We need to know that information - but more importantly we need to know how to correct those wrongs.  We need to know how to confess and we need to know how to ask forgiveness from those whom we have offended.   Just knowing the sin and naming the sin does not make everything alright.  We have to be forgiven.  If we offended an individual then we must approach them and seek their forgiveness - if a large group then we approach the group and if  that is not possible then we confess to our priest who sits in place of the large number.

As we continue our Lenten experience we strive for a new wholeness through forgiveness and reconciliation.  We seek order.

Deacon Dale 

Laundry Day

That dreaded laundry day - the one day of the week when you gather all the clothes that need washing, drying and ironing and then devote the majority of your day doing exactly that.. Of course in my house we have the pleasure of two laundry days - oh joy!  


Actually it is not really that bad - but the thought of all the work that goes into doing the laundry can be daunting for some.  First you have to stop and collect all the dirty clothes; then the sorting - the whites - the darks - the reds and if you are really diligent then you sort by fabric - sturdy cotton - delicate nylon and silks.  Then you start the process of washing - drying - folding and ironing.  In the end it is worth it because clothing that was wrinkled and soiled is now as good as new!


Lent is sort of like doing laundry.  In Lent we want to examine our lives and see where we can improve and become new again.  So we have to first gather our thoughts and review our lives - then sort - then process.  We look at the minor faults versus major faults (if any) and how they affect our lives.  We sort out the black and white issues - the immediate and those that can be processed later.  Once we focus our attention on those and deal with them and make changes - we can iron out our issues and then put them away where they belong.  We wash ourselves clean - just as we wash our clothes.


As we inspect the issues in our lives and relationships we see how God is working in us. We pray - we reflect - we do penance - we heal.  Throughout our lives God has always been there - even when we did not know it.  Today and tomorrow God is waiting - Jesus is stretching out His loving arms - calling you - to do laundry.


Deacon Dale 

Dynamic View

Have you noticed how modern computer capabilities allow users to present photographs in new and interesting ways?  Just browse the internet and you can see some awesome and inspiring examples. 


Some things - like photography - seems to be a natural for modern enhancements.  But what about others?  Is there a new way to present the Gospel message of Jesus in new and fresh ways?  Sure there are.  We have the same capabilities as others - it is more a matter of what is in good taste and what is not - when it comes to religion. It also depends on the audience - my sons would be very open to new ways to visualize and present the Gospel and yet others - more likely older - would find this not respectful.  I guess that I have not hit that age barrier yet as I tend to be more like my sons - open to new ways of bringing the Gospel message to seekers.  


Jesus did the same thing when He was alive and spreading the Good News.  Although He didn't have the benefit of modern technology - He did perform many miracles - which had the same affect.  Do something that has never been seen and you will attract attention. That is exactly what Jesus did - He attracted attention and got a lot of people to stop what they were doing and listen to Him.


Today as we continue our Lenten journey - Jesus asks all of us to stop - to be amazed at what He has done and to listen to His message of love and forgiveness with new and open ears and hearts.  He ask us to see Him in our lives and His Dynamic View.


Deacon Dale 

Shining Light

Have you ever sat in wonder at a stage show or concert when the featured performer stood stage middle and the main spotlight was turned upon them?  Although they were spot lighted and visible to everyone in attendance - that performer was most likely blinded and unable to see anyone.  The center of attention and yet blind to the moment.  


Maybe that is how Peter felt when Jesus was transfigured before his eyes and His Glory lit up the air like a high power spot light.  Jesus revealed in all His Glory to Peter, James and John - a real "eye opener" so to say.  What would you have said?  Would you have been even less eloquent than Peter?


That happens to all of us.  We desperately seek the Divine - we beg God to reveal Himself to us and then when He does - we go blank - we become speechless.  We think we know how we would handle the moment - we play out various scenarios to prepare us for that moment and then we go blank.  We get to experience an awesome moment and then poof - it's gone.  As we search ourselves this Lent so many of us are desperately seeking a special experience - a special connection with Jesus.  


We still have plenty of time left in Lent to accomplish our goal and thus we must remember that patience is a virtue and that we must be willing to wait on God as He has been waiting on us.  The days of Lent may feel like they are passing too quickly - but if we keep our eyes and ears - our hearts and minds open to God - we may see Him reveal Himself - maybe in a Shining Light.


Deacon Dale 

Electronic Prayers

Here is a quick tip for those with an iPad or iPhone.  If you are interested in praying the official prayers of the Church - you can download those prayers to your iPhone and iPad now for free. Simply go to ibreviary.com or click this link http://www.ibreviary.com/new/index_en.html
and click the link on the left side of that page to download the app.


Once installed on your device you can download up to a full week of official prayers. On the home page press the gear icon and download your prayers.  Then you can select your day and it will bring up the screen for iBrevairy. Press "pray" then select Breviary, then whichever prayer you wish for that day.  The Office of Readings is normally done by priests and deacons. Lauds is Morning Prayer - Daytime Prayers (is obvious) - Vespers is Evening Prayer - Compline is Night Prayer.  It is an easy app to use and eliminates the famous "page turning" that has to be done when using the official prayer books. 


For those with Android devices  your app is to the right of the iPhone app on the iBreviary home page.  It does not function quite as well as the iPhone but they have an upgrade coming that will fix those issues (hopefully soon)


Once you try it you will be glad you did! Happy Praying!


Deacon Dale 

Jesus Visits

As you wake up in the morning, is it your custom to growl and grumble about morning coming so quickly - or do you immediately thank and praise God for another day and a chance to accomplish whatever is set before you in the new day?  As I get older,  I thank God for another day of life each morning and I ask Him to help me make my efforts that day worthy of His gift of that extra day.  Maybe I can appreciate each day of life more than others as I had a twin brother who was born to eternal life about 18 months ago and that is a constant reminder that each day of life is a gift from He who created me.  In a matter of seconds I begin my first visit with Jesus for the day.  I return to visit Jesus for the second time when I do Lauds (Morning Prayer) a bit later.


Then, throughout the day I dot my day with prayer and - whether it is a very brief visit or a longer one - I continually visit Jesus in my thoughts and words.  A lengthy visit happens in the early evening as I do Vespers (Evening Prayer).  As a deacon this is expected of me - I am after all a Man of Prayer.  I was initially instructed by Bishop Raymond Vonesh very early in my formation as a deacon, along with my fellow classmates, that we were to first and foremost be Men of Prayer. 


All faithful Catholics should dot their days with prayer - with mini Jesus visits throughout the day in praise and thanksgiving and petition.  In Luke 18:1 - Jesus reminded his disciples to pray always and not lose heart - just as He instructed the Twelve - so He instructs each of us in this day and age to do the same.  Jesus calls us to visit Him often with both long and mini visits.  He encourages us - particularly as we travel through these forty days of Lent - to stay firm in our prayers.  As He remains close to each of us - we are called to stay close to Him.


Deacon Dale