There is nothing like sitting around and listening to old favorites from your youth. Depending on your age - your favorites might be different from my favorites. Each generation will naturally develop its own set or list of oldies. It is interesting that music from the 50s and 60s seem to be popular to almost all age groups. A little Elvis - he is still alive isn't he - or the Beatles - they will never die - draws people of all ages together. Of course there are other groups that fit into this category - I will leave you up to create your own list of favorite oldies. I find it interesting - especially at weddings - that there is no age discrimination when the "good" music starts and almost everyone starts dancing - everyone joins in on the same songs no matter what the age.
Religious music seems to fall into that latter category. Some songs and tunes just never grow old. "Amazing Grace", "Rock of Ages", "Awesome God" never seems to lose their appeal. People today warm up to those songs as readily as they did when they were first sung. Amazing Grace in 1779, Rock of Ages in 1775, and Awesome God in 1988. Unlike the first set of oldies mentioned which appeal to the ear the second set of oldies appeal more to the heart and soul of the individual - just as Jesus appeals to our inner soul and and brings us peace and comfort.
Deacon Dale
There are very few feelings that can compare to coming home. Going away to school - taking an extended vacation - serving in the Peace Corps or armed services - all these draw people away from home for extended periods of time. You steel yourself and make do - not many choices otherwise. Then the day finally arrives - you complete classes - you end your vacation - your time of service and commitment come to an end - and you return home. You return home to people - to pets - to places - to old hang outs. You return to those things that make your life comfortable. You rejoice that once again your comfort level is where you want it to be. In the process of growing up and leaving childish things behind as we evolve into adults - we often have to give up that comfort level and move on with our lives and away from things that made us comfortable.
For some that means moving away from their childhood religious practices and seeking and searching God elsewhere. Sometime this works and some people settle into a new and exciting worship life. For others - this seeking and searching creates a lot more questions and issues than it solves. The comfort level disappears and anxiety replaces peace and contentment. Even though they seek God elsewhere they never feel the comfort level they once had - finally after an extended time away from what was once comfortable - they return to their roots only to discover the exact peace and comfort that they were seeking elsewhere. In their searching - they have come full circle and return to the spiritual home where they began. Better informed they now make a decision on their own - to once again embrace God where they first met Him. Standing in the doorway as they return to their spiritual house of worship is Jesus - arms wide - a smile on His face - saying "Welcome Home".
Deacon Dale
Oh My! - No Way! - WOW! Exclamations such as these always leave you with your mouth wide open. It has to be almost impossible to utter such a phrase and keep your lips closed tightly. Exciting news - exciting results - exciting events - always leave the viewer with mouth agasp and wide open. It is a natural reaction to a special situation. Perhaps you witnessed a terrible tragedy or a spectacular moment at a sporting event - when you witness something like this - you have to just stand there with your mouth wide open - it is only natural.
This weekend began a stream of many churches celebrating First Communion. This will continue for the next few weeks as more and more churches celebrate this annual Rite of giving Holy Communion to their youngest members. These children will approach the altar - with hands folded - eyes wide open - hearts filled with expectation - waiting for those special words "The Body of Christ" and "The Blood of Christ". As they respond "Amen" - their mouths will open wide as they commune for the first time. An experience to behold - for all involved - the youth - the parents and families - the ministers - for all in attendance. What a Miracle - what a moment - receiving Jesus for the first time - with mouths wide open!
Deacon Dale
For most Americans May 5th is just another day in their lives - however - for those of Mexican descent this day marks a special victory for the Mexican people who commemorate the Mexican's army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco - Mexican War of 1861 - 1867. In Mexico this is a relatively minor holiday - but in the United States it has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. Although some people view this holiday as merely a gimmick of alcohol distributors seeking just another way to sell more beer and wine - which may be partially true - it has also had the beneficial impact on the American republic of making everyone aware of many of the beautiful customs and contributions that Mexicans and Mexican-Americans have made for the benefit of all. Today in America - all of us celebrate the beauty of life no matter what our cultural and ethnic background.
When God created the World and all that is in it - He created people - people for whom He has a special fondness. As humanity evolved and populated other areas it is only natural that due to climatic differences - differences in food supplies - differences in language development - that we as a people would end up with characteristics that set us apart from each other. In our differences - we are more alike than we realize. In spite of all these things that make us different - there is one aspect that is identical in all peoples. We are God's people - we share One spirit - we owe all that we have to One God - we are all - the children of God. As we share in the Mexican celebration of May 5th- God asks us to also celebrate in LIfe - the LIfe He has blesed us with - the good and the bad - the happy and the sad - for that is Life - and that is God - the joy and blessing of each of us.
Deacon Dale
When you take the time to look up at the sky you can see many interesting things. One very special object - often referred to as the "Eye of God" is the Helix Nebula - also know as The Helix, NGC 7293 or Caldwell 63. This is a large planetary nebula located in the constellation Aquarius. It was discovered around 1824 and is one of the closest to the Earth being a relatively close 700 light years away. When it was photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2003 it became more popular and with some color added - it becomes a very interesting object in the sky.
The thought that we could actually see God's eye in the sky is intriguing - is God watching us and smiling - or is He observing us doing something that we should not be doing? Does it make you more comfortable thinking that God is visibly watching over you - or do you feel threatened by that same concept? In reality - God sees all and knows all - He approves and disapproves - He smiles and He frowns - but no matter what we are doing - it is most comforting to know that when He does look at us - it is through eyes filled with love.
Deacon Dale
Now that the weather is finally warming up, many people are heading for the outside to enjoy the spring - either by working in the yard or garden - or participating in spring activities such as biking, running and golf - or in my case - bocce. As they participate in these annual rituals and rites of spring - many will be using their cameras and phones to capture photographic evidence of their involvement in these activities and recording their successes. My wife just posted photos on Facebook showing off the beginning of her annual work in the gardens. All these activities and the photos that we take - help in creating memories that we can and will share with others. In the sharing of these memories we stay connected with others - even when we cannot be physically close.
When we were baptized as infants and young children - our parents started us on the path of creating spiritual memories. Our first communions - helping at Mass as servers and lectors - assisting as ushers - our confirmations and weddings and ordinations - all these were recorded with cameras and videos and given a place in our memories and those of our families. Each and everyone of these events was overseen by God - approved by God and written in His Heart. Today it is our turn as we continue to grow spiritually to remember all those times when God was so near to us - it is our turn to appreciate their importance - it is our turn to write these special moments with God in our hearts.
Deacon Dale
Everything I know has a timeline. It is a list of events that follows a chronological order. Sometimes the timeline is historical - an event in the past and a timeline traveling backwards explaining the events that preceded it - in order to explain how it got to the point that you are studying. Other timelines are futuristic - a list of events that have yet to happen - and if and when they do occur - will result in a future event. Most project managers work with a timeline - a plan of events that have to be completed for the project to reach its final completion. In business - in personal lives - in almost everything we do - we work with a timeline.
When God created the world - He had a plan and a timeline. A time for Him to reveal Himself to His chosen people - time for those people to accept Him - time for them to challenge - to pull away - time to regroup and regather. Today God is still working with a timeline - your personal timeline. He knows where He wants you to be - and He waits patiently for you to move to that point. Perhaps you are challenging Him - perhaps you are in the process of walking away from Him - maybe you are moving closer to Him - or maybe no where - the great news is that God has all the time in the World and He waits for you - in your time.
Deacon Dale
I find it interesting that even with all the modern tools and systems today - it is not unusual for people to periodically run into issues that seem unsolvable - even with the use of modern technology. When faced with an unsolvable problem invariably an "old timer" will be sought out for their recommendation and help. Most often the "old timer" is able to solve that which was deemed unsolvable - simply using their experience and old technology. Putting aside all the modern tools and reverting to old systems is commonly refereed to as "old school" - using outdated systems to succeed where modern technology fails.
Today we have Bibles not only on CDs but also in digital format for easy use with all sorts of computer systems. Even The Breviary - the Official Prayer of the Church for the "Hours" - is now available in digital format. When I was preparing for ordination as a deacon - I purchased the official four volume set of The Breviary - today that exact same version lives very comfortably on my iPhone. Books on tape and CD is a popular way for many people to keep up with their reading by listening to rather than reading their books. Utilizing all sources available to each of us today provides many ways for each of us to stay connected - to do our daily prayers - to work on our relationship with God. Jesus says to each of us - come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28) - new technology - old school - it makes no difference - God is the same today as He always has been - patiently waiting for us.
Deacon Dale
I love how everyone you do business with today wants to offer you an automatic upgrade. Buying a new house - looking at 3 bedrooms - how about a "free" bonus room? All ready to sign up at the health club - pay the entire year now and get a free upgrade to 15 months instead of 12 months - no extra. Renting a standard size car - how about a free upgrade to a full size - no extra charge. No extra work - no extra anything - Enjoy your free up grade today - because tomorrow we may not be able to make the same offer.
When God revealed Himself to the Israelites and told them that He would be their God and they would be His people - He meant that they would experience the fullness of all that God is. They did not have to ask or bargain for any upgrades. They did not have to prove themselves to God first before He would give them His best - when God enters your life you get all of God - not just a part - you get all that God is - right up front - right away - no up grades needed!
Deacon Dale
Any baseball or softball fan knows those ominous words - strike three! - you are out! If you are the team at bat you really hate hearing those words - especially if it means you just scored the third out in the inning. Worse yet is when it happens during the 9th or final inning. Then again - if you are on the opposite team - those words could be music to your ears - strike three - you win! Those words primarily belong on the playing field - but very often the reference of three strikes and you are out - translates to some kind of failure in other venues. It could be another sport or at work or even in personal relationships. It is not unusual to have friends use that phrase when involved in social events - especially when trying to meet new people - especially those of the opposite sex. Strike three - immediate failure - the game is over.
Luckily for those who are busy working on developing a better relationship with God - they will never hear those words. It is very encouraging to know that no matter how many times we fall short of our expectations - God watches - smiles - and says - nice try. It might be developing a better prayer life - or improving our attendance at weekly services - or trying to develop a better spiritual life. God is always there - always encouraging - always patient - it is we who judge ourselves as failures - God - on the other hand knows that each of us is a work in progress.
Deacon Dale
Religious music seems to fall into that latter category. Some songs and tunes just never grow old. "Amazing Grace", "Rock of Ages", "Awesome God" never seems to lose their appeal. People today warm up to those songs as readily as they did when they were first sung. Amazing Grace in 1779, Rock of Ages in 1775, and Awesome God in 1988. Unlike the first set of oldies mentioned which appeal to the ear the second set of oldies appeal more to the heart and soul of the individual - just as Jesus appeals to our inner soul and and brings us peace and comfort.
