Maps

Maps are very helpful documents - they are most often used to show geography - cities and states - entire countries and places around the globe. Pirates were famous for their treasure maps - leading people to vast treasures of silver and gold. Today we have the technology to do brain mapping - DNA mapping and even extraterrestrial mapping.  Maps show us where we are and how to get to where we want to be. They may be global - providing an entire world view - or highly detailed - showing streets and individual homes. Modern computer technology allows us to even view mapped locations in real time views.  Without maps many people would not have any idea how to get to their destination. 

When God inspired humans to write down His words - to share with others - He was designing the first written map - a map on how to live our lives - how to relate to Him and to each other. His map - the Bible - is a story of God's love for us throughout the ages. His map takes us from the creation of the world - to the birth and death of His Son - to our future lives with Him in Heaven. If we follow God's map - we will see clearly where we are on this Earth - we will see clearly how we are suppose to react and travel with those around us.  He will show us the paths to avoid - the danger spots - the places of great joy - the location of our final home. Jesus is the guide who shows us how to read God's map - Jesus is the One who walks this journey with us - Jesus is the Son who shows us the way home to God's eternal treasure.


Deacon Dale 

Babysitting

Babysitting is probably one of the most charitable things that you can do for another person. Often the caregiver just needs some time away from the daily grind of taking care of their children - patient - spouse or whomever they care for. There is nothing wrong in admitting that you have been worn thin and need some assistance. Everyone who cares for others will come to a point in time when they have had enough of the pressure of being a caregiver and needs some respite - time away from their responsibilities - time to collect themselves - mentally and physically - so that they may return to their duty as primary caregiver with a renewed sense of mission. This does not apply only to parents with young children - but to persons who take care of the aged - ill and infirm. All of us have a limit to how much we can handle - and it is the smart person who knows when they have reached that limit and asks for help. For those of us on the helping end - we need to also realize how stressful care giving can become - and willingly offer our time to allow caregivers respite time.

Life - as lived in today's modern world - can become very stressful and we may often find that we need to escape the daily obligations - to give ourselves a rest. To escape from the pressures that surround us - to wander in the valley of quiet - could be one of the best things we can do for ourselves.  It may mean wandering away from the crowd - to a  secluded beach or park or even the back porch - anywhere where everyone else is not. In our search for healthy down time we seek peace and quiet.  When life becomes too much for you to cope with - you need a caregiver who can offer you that respite you seek - Jesus is that caregiver - He can take the burdens from your shoulders - He can lighten that load - He can offer you the peace you seek - all you need to do is ask.


Deacon Dale 

Eyewitness

An eyewitness is valuable in so many situations - they give credibility to statements of fact that would be difficult to verify otherwise. If you made a hole in one playing golf and were playing by yourself - who would believe you - without an eyewitness? If you set a Guinness World Record and wanted your accomplishment recorded as the new record - who believe you without an official eyewitness? If you were charged with a criminal act and wanted to prove your innocence - where would you stand legally with or without an eyewitness? Having another person - of record - who would be willing to speak out - is necessary when verifying unsubstantiated information and claims.

When Jesus rose from the dead - the event would have gone unnoticed if numerous eyewitnesses had not stepped forward to verify the truth of the statements.  If there had been none - or if nobody was willing to speak up - the way we worship and who we worship would possibly be very different from what we know.  Because humans are inherently good - people do step forward and tell about the events they have eyewitnessed - they share the details - the excitement - the sadness - the joy - the miracles of life. Jesus calls each of us to witness to others that we meet about how He has worked in our lives - to share the Truth that He is.


Deacon Dale 

Riposa In Pace

Riposa In Pace is Italian for Rest In Peace - a statement made at wakes and funerals after someone has passed away. Very often you will see these words in one language or another inscribed on funeral markers and headstones. But what does it mean?  Depending on your personal beliefs - it may mean something or nothing at all. The majority of people would probably take it to mean that the living are wishing a peaceful time in the here-after to the one who has died. Depending - again on your own beliefs - that may mean either total darkness - nothing at all - or a rebirth to an eternal existence - either in Heaven or Hell. Obviously - Rest in Peace - would be expecting an eternal life in Heaven - because everyone knows that there is no peace in Hell.

To Rest In Peace in Heaven - means enjoying the promises Jesus made to His disciples and to us - who believe in Him as Lord and Savior. A life away from this existence - and in a new and much better life - where there is no pain or suffering - no sin or temptation - no arguments or anxiety - no pills - no frustrations - only peace and harmony - celebrating all that God is - all that is good and wonderful. Sound too good to believe - people are just dying to find out!


Deacon Dale 

Network

Today it is all about networks and networking. To be able to connect with other people with similar interests either for leisure activities or for your job - makes it very nice to have the input you desire from others. The team concept - working with multiple people - rather than independently - removes a lot of the stress that normally comes with projects. Being able to maximize your personal skills - while allowing others with different skills manage other facets of the project - means maximized efficiency - with a lot less stress than you would have if you were doing it all on your own. Efficiency and economy of resources is the major benefit of networks.

When we come to God in prayer it is typically an individual experience. There are times - when networking with others who share the same faith perspective - is a bonus. Asking God for special blessings in intercessory prayer - is always better when you network with others who are willing to add their prayers to yours for special intentions. The same concept of shared prayer - networking - is what communal prayer at Holy Mass is all about - as we gather as a family of faith - and add our separate voices - to give life to prayers for others as in the prayers of the faithful - is the best example of our faith in action. God - Me - We!


Deacon Dale 

Mary Mary

Today marks blog entry #200 and it is only fitting that I begin the next set of one hundred entries by focusing on Mary. Throughout history there have been many famous women named Mary - Mary  Queen of Scots - Queen Mary I of England also known as "Bloody Mary" - Mary Magdalene - Mary of Clopas - and more. The most famous Mary has to be the Virgin Mary - Mother of Jesus. As the Mother of God incarnate - she is the most popular Mary spoken or sung about. A simple Jewish girl selected by God to bear His Son - catapulted her to a position of importance in both Christian and Muslim religions. It is interesting to note that there is more written about Mary in the Qur'an than in the Bible. While Catholics, Orthodox and Muslins hold a special place for Saint Mary - Protestants - in general - pay little attention to her - only acknowledging that she is the mother of Jesus. Many people misunderstand the place of Mary in Catholic and Orthodox theology - where she is honored and venerated - but NOT worshiped - as she is fully human and not divine. It is because of lack of education that some think that Catholics and Orthodox "worship" Mary as divine - which is not true.  To gain a better understanding of Mary - click this link:  Saint Mary for a video that explains this.

As we worship God - we acknowledge Him as the One God in three persons - Father - Son - Holy Spirit. As we worship Jesus - the Son of God - or God Incarnate - the God with flesh - it is only fitting that we honor and recognize the mother of Jesus - the young Jewish girl who had the guts to say "yes" to the angel - when asked if she was willing to bear God's child. As a twelve to fourteen year old girl - Mary had to make a very adult decision - to risk ridicule and expulsion and even possibly death - with her approval. You have to respect her just for the courage that she exhibited - you have to honor her for her level of commitment to God - you have to venerate her as the one human on earth who opened the gateway of Jesus' entrance on Earth - you just have to love her!


Deacon Dale  

Praying the Hours

All ordained men in the Catholic Church - Bishops - Priests and Deacons are obliged to pray the "Official Hours" of the Church.  Known as the "Liturgy of the Hours" or "The Breviary" - the Hours are comprised of five different sets of prayers which are prayed throughout the day. These prayers originated in the Jewish community and are for the most part based on the Psalms. The day begins with the "Office of Readings" which includes Holy Scripture and Apostolic Writings and prayers. Next is "Lauds" or Morning Prayer which includes Holy Scripture and prayers. Daytime prayers follows which has three sections - Mid-Morning - Mid-Day - Mid-Afternoon.  Next is "Vespers" or Evening Prayer which again consists of Holy Scripture and prayers. The day ends with "Compline" or Night Prayer.  Throughout the day - throughout the World - somewhere - someone - is praying the Liturgy of the Hours.  Bishops and Priests have committed to praying as much of the entire set as their day allows. Deacons make a promise to their Bishop at ordination to pray Morning and Evening Prayer.  Religious communities of Brothers and Sisters also pray the Hours according to their specific guidelines established by their respective Order. Something new - is the involvement of Lay people praying the Hours. These people pray the Hours either privately or in groups.  At our parish - the practice has begun in which - Adorers - people attending Adoration - pray Morning Prayer - Evening Prayer and Night Prayer with fellow Adorers.  Beyond that - the practice is growing. The effect is that the Holy Roman Catholic Church is being prayed for every single minute of every day.  Somewhere - at any given time - someone is praying the Hours.  Making it even more convenient to pray the Hours are new electronic versions.  Where the hardbound book form requires turning many pages and jumping from one section to another - the electronic form follows a straight forward format - making it less confusing and distracting to pray the Hours. The Vatican has approved the iBreviary format for the Hours. The app is free and is available for iPhone - Android - Blackberry and iPad.

Prayer keeps us connected with God - as individuals - as Church.  God devotes His constant attention on us and the World and it is only fitting that we as a body of believers should give God the attention He deserves.  As a committed Catholic Christian you now have the tools available to you to join thousands of other Lay people participate in the Prayer of the Church. Just as many pray the Rosary daily - now you can pray along with your Bishops - Priests and Deacons.


Deacon Dale 

Under Pressure

What do you think of when you hear the words"under pressure"? Do you immediately think of your job and a rapidly approaching deadline - perhaps an upcoming date with that special girl or guy - maybe you are in the first or last hours of delivering a new baby into the world - perhaps you are sitting for a special exam for college or a job application. As you can see there are a lot of situations when the words "under pressure" applies. Recently I was opening up a carton of soda pop and I could not find the perforated lines so I decided to carefully use a knife to open the carton - I diligently felt for the space between the cans and inserted the knife - voila! - I had just cut directly into the side of one of the cans.  Under pressure has a whole new meaning when you do that - pop spraying all over the place - and you cannot do anything about it until the pressure goes away.

Unfortunately a lot of people view their religious life in that exact way. Under pressure - from their family or friends - their co-workers - their minister or priest - from God. Although many people may pressure you about how you practice your faith life - or if you are a casual or serious believer - or how frequently you attend services - God does not. Sure He wants you to worship Him - sure Jesus wants you to accept Him as your personal Savior - sure He who loved you first - before you were in your mother's womb - wants you to return His love - but never under pressure. We know that we cannot buttonhole God and push Him around - we have to wait for Him to act in His time - so why would Jesus be any different? He knows your mind and your heart - He knows what is going on inside you - and He is ever patient - waiting for you to make the next move - no pressure.  After all - He has all the time in the world - but do you?

Deacon Dale 

Lack of Faith

In last week's Gospel the people just could not get close enough to Jesus - they all wanted to be next to Him - to be healed - to feel God's love in their lives. One woman - who had been sick for twelve years - even dared to touch His garments - seeking a miracle. The Gospel was all about Faith - faith as shown by the synagogue official - Jairus - by the woman - by all pressing in on Jesus. 


Today it is just the opposite - in today's Gospel of Mark 6:1-6  in the last line we read - " He was amazed at their lack of faith."  What happened from everyone showing great faith - to no faith?  It all had to do with location. In business everyone knows that to succeed - you must be in the right location. In the Gospel - Jesus - went from the lake to His hometown - where he was met with a lot of questions and a bunch of skeptical people. Two groups of people - with two completely different perspectives. Faith and no faith.

Jesus challenges each of us daily to follow Him and walk the journey of life with Him. It is not an easy journey - it is not without its challenges - it requires a lot of strength - it takes faith. Faith in Jesus - faith in God - faith in other people - faith in yourself. At the end of the day you have to ask yourself - will you be more like the people in last week's Gospel or this week's - will you have faith or no faith?


Deacon Dale 

Movement

Here is an interesting article I just came across - as posted in the Catholic News Service. 


"Anglican communities in California find 'new home' in Catholic Church
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (CNS) -- Two Anglican communities from Southern California are now in full communion with the Catholic Church. Members of the St. Augustine of Canterbury and Blessed John Henry Newman communities, based in Oceanside/Carlsbad and Santa Ana respectively, were received into the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter during a July 3 liturgy at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano. Established by Pope Benedict XVI, the ordinariate is essentially a diocese for former Anglicans throughout the United States who wish to be fully Catholic while retaining their rich Anglican traditions and liturgical practices. Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange was the presiding celebrant at the liturgy. His concelebrants included San Diego Coadjutor Bishop Cirilo B. Flores, his former auxiliary bishop; Msgr. Jeffrey N. Steenson, a former Episcopal bishop who heads the ordinariate; and Father Andrew Bartus, a former Anglican priest and administrator of the Blessed John Henry Newman community, who was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in the same liturgy. In addition to ordaining Father Bartus, Bishop Brown also received and confirmed members of the Blessed John Henry Newman community, including Father Bartus' wife, Laura. Bishop Flores similarly received and confirmed members of the St. Augustine of Canterbury community. In his homily, Msgr. Steenson reflected on the ongoing challenge "to be people -- men and women -- of communion." While noting the significance of their reception into full communion, he reminded the former Anglicans that their pursuit of unity must continue. He explained that all Christians must spend their lives working toward an ever deeper sense of communion with God and one another."

As a Catholic deacon I love reading about people of similar faith expressions who are able to be included under the rich traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.  Jesus came to call all of us to worship and honor His Heavenly Father.  Over many years what started as one body of worshipers grew into a multitude of different groups.  When we are able to reunite groups under the same umbrella of faith -to witness movement from difference to closeness -  then it means that we - as Catholics - are doing something right. As a Church - as individuals - we need to pray daily - "come Lord Jesus" - unite us as one!

Deacon Dale