Obsession is defined by the Free Dictionary as the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea - image - desire - feeling. Obsessions may be either healthy or unhealthy. A person who becomes crippled by an obsession - such as a fear of going out in public - would find themselves never leaving their home - as in agoraphobia. On the other hand - an obsession involving exercising every day would be seen as healthy - as long as that individual was able to function normally - merely including their exercise routine as a part of daily life. In this case the action might not truly be considered obsessive - since exercising daily would not occupy every minute in a day. If it did come to the point that exercising was all a person did or think about - then it would be unhealthy. A routine that is followed day in and day out - but does not occupy every moment of one's life would actually be considered religious. To be religious means that a person is faithfully devoted to an ideal or action. It does not specifically have to do with the practice of or following a religion. A person who stops by Starbucks every morning for a morning coffee could be considered as being religious about their morning routine which involves coffee and Starbucks.
Attending Holy Mass every morning to start your day would be considered religious since your mind would be involved with other things during the day - it would dot your day and give you an excellent start to your day - but not mean that you were unable to do or think about anything else - if it did - it would stop being religious and instead become an obsession. Since learning about the Camino de Santiago de Compostela I have joked about it being an obsession of mine - however - it is not- as I do not dwell or spend every minute of my day thinking about walking "The Way". I am very interested in the pilgrimage aspect of The Camino and find it intriguing and has become a goal to accomplish at some time in the future. At times obsession and being religious become intertwined - it is important for each of us that we keep our thoughts and actions in focus and in perspective so we do not confuse the two. God calls us to be focused about life - to live it actively and fully - to experience His presence in every waking moment of our lives - to be religious - not obsessive.
Deacon Dale
According to the Free Dictionary - "in concert" means "with a common plan - as to act in concert - together." When we hear "in concert" our first thought is usually a musical production of some sort. My granddaughter appears in concert at her college where she participates in various musical productions. On November 30th - at St Patrick - in Yorkville, IL - Tatiana will be in concert. There are other times when people come together - not for musical reasons - to gather to work on community projects. Last night I attended the local Knights of Columbus meeting where 42 Knights gathered together to work on one of many of their annual Christmas projects - in concert. In fact everything the Knights do - is in concert. Their projects are never the result of one person - always the result of many volunteers - working together - in concert.
Jesus recruited His disciples because He knew that He would be more effective working with other men to spread the Good News. In concert - He and His followers went to the public - ministering to all they met. Today you and I also work - in concert - to continue the works started by Jesus. Even when I pray the Breviary - alone by myself - I am - in concert - with other deacons and priests - also alone - but in concert - with each other as we say our prayers for our Holy Church. Ordained or lay - all of us are called to unite our prayers and works with each other - that Jesus may be brought to those who need Him the most - we act - in concert.
Deacon Dale
Literally spoken - a watchdog is a dog that has been trained or is bred to be a lookout for people and animals approaching a specified area. Our dog 'Bene" is a Keeshond - one breed that naturally guards its owners property. Originally keeshond were used by Dutch barge owners because they liked water and would bark when anybody approached the barge - warning the owner that a possible thief was lurking nearby. Our dog does not warn us about thieves - rather he barks at anyone and anything that approaches our property. Bene is a great watchdog. People train themselves to be watchdogs - observing and looking for activities that they do not approve of. Many neighborhoods have watchdog programs - looking out for each other's property and well being.
Mom & Dad with "Bene"
In today's world there are many people who have become spiritual watchdogs - looking out for the spiritual well being of others. Some people appreciate this - not knowing where to look for guidance - others resent those who offer unsolicited advice. Those who disapprove do so because they assume that those offering advice are making a negative statement that their spiritual lives are not developed enough - the truth is that they do so - because they know that they have a good spiritual life - and they only want to help make it better. Many times different people will ask me if I am aware of certain programs that they feel I would like to know about. - not because I am not a good enough deacon - but because they know I am always on the lookout for opportunities that I can suggest to others to help them grow in their relationship with God. For each of us - as disciples of Christ - we are the new evangelists - we are the spiritual watchdogs - seeking to help others - watching for Jesus - wherever He appears.
Deacon Dale
Today I have to pause and promote an awesome Christian performer - Tatiana Cameron also known as Tajci. She is a former rock star from Croatia who came to America when she was 21 years old - learned English fluently - met her husband to be - and now travels around the world sharing her message of God's love mixed in with stories about her life and how God helped her. Along with Matthew - her husband - she is accompanied with her three boys and crew members. I have heard her numerous times and I never get tired of her voice or music. I recently received an e-mail from Matthew that she had an opening in her current tour so I jumped at the opportunity and by the grace of God she will be performing at St. Patrick Parish in Yorkville, IL on Friday - November 30, 2012 at 7:00pm. Doors will open at 6:30pm. There is no charge to attend - but we will have a free will collection to help support their ministry. If you would like a sneak preview you can click here: PREVIEW
God reaches people through various ways - Holy Scripture - Homilies - Sermons - Pictures - Music - other people - good & bad events - just to mention a few. In art and music especially - He is visible to many who would not encounter him otherwise. As people of God - it is our mission to not only be aware of God's presence in our lives - but to point Him out to others so they may share in that same awareness and come to know Him as we do - that one day -they like us - will proclaim - "I Do Believe"
Deacon Dale
According to Wikipedia Poverty is the deprivation of food, shelter, money and clothing that occurs when people cannot satisfy their basic needs. Poverty can be understood simply as a lack of money, or more broadly in terms of barriers to everyday life. Absolute poverty or destitution refers to the state of severe deprivation of basic human needs. Because a person lives in poverty - does not mean that they have absolutely nothing - rather they have a greatly diminished supply of basic needs. As poor as they may be - there are people who do manage to live and exist in the face of poverty. In this day and age - many people who think they are living in poverty are actually not. These may feel like they are because they cannot afford extras in life which many others can afford - cell phones - cable television - designer labels - high end items. They may be poor compared to their neighbors and friends - but they are not necessarily impoverished. To possess anything means to not be in poverty
.In Mark 12:44 Jesus points out to His disciples that the poor widow gave from her poverty - not from her treasure. He compared her temple offering to others who gave large amounts - but could well afford to. You can consider two different concepts - the first and most obvious is about sharing your money with others - no matter how little you have. The second - and less obvious - is the concept of unburdening yourself of earthly possessions - money - property - material things. In disposing of these material things - you free yourself from the burden of managing them. You are no longer possessed by that which you possess - and being freed - you are now open to new experiences and options. When you become free - you are now open to God and what He wants you to do with your life. In your new found poverty - you have gained the world and all that God intends for you.
Deacon Dale
Inspiration is defined in various ways - as a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify them to receive and communicate sacred revelation - as an act of influencing or suggesting opinions - the action of drawing in such as breathing - or the state of being inspired. Inspire is taken from the Latin - to breathe or take in. In its most common use - inspiration suggests that an individual develops and idea from an outside force or stimulus. Perhaps when working on a project - a person who is unable to find a solution or answer finds themselves at a stalemate - a road block. They are unable to move forward - experience great difficulty in attaining their goal. Then in a sudden moment - the answer is given to them - revealed to them by a word or action unrelated to the project which helps them see the solution to the problem. We say that they were inspired by this outside force - the problem solved - the project completed. All of us rely on inspiring moments in our lives to keep us moving forward.
When a person moves forward in their spiritual development - we say that they were inspired by God - that they "breathed in the Holy Spirit". It is not unusual for ordinary people to suddenly become more fervent in their faith - it happens all the time. Through concentrated prayer - fasting - meditation - they are able to empty themselves of worldly concerns and open themselves to the presence of God in their lives. Each of us is called by God to a deeper relationship with Him - the author of life. We are asked to not only acknowledge His existence but to develop a relationship with Him - a relationship that grows daily as we seek meaning and purpose in our life. For everyone this is possible - it is not reserved only for spiritual leaders - but for followers as well. Prayer is the answer - in prayer you will be inspired.
Deacon Dale
A "meet & greet" session is a meeting in which people are gathered together to meet for the first time and become acquainted with each other. There are many reasons for these types of meetings - parents of school children - scouting groups - travel groups. I recently held a travel meet & greet for a group of people who will be traveling together on a pilgrimage to Italy. My wife and I made sure the meeting room was properly arranged and decorated to give an ethnic feel to the room - complete with Italian colors - glasses of red wine - international flags. It was a great success and in a very short time everyone felt as if they had been a group and friends for years. The pilgrimage will be very pleasant and a rewarding adventure for all of them since they are no longer traveling with complete strangers.
An important consideration in Jesus' ministry was the fact that He met people where they lived. Very often they met and shared their lives over a glass of wine and a piece of cheese or bread. Jesus knew that He had to make people comfortable with Him before He could have an effect on their lives. Following in His footsteps - many successful ministries today still follow the meet & greet format combined with shared food and drink. The next time you want to share your personal relationship with Jesus with others - stop - invite - share - food and drink first - then evangelize. It worked for Jesus - it will work for you.
Deacon Dale
Pacing has to do with the pace or gait established by a person, animal or team when moving forward - as in a race or march. Horses are trained to run, trot or pace - marching bands train for hours developing marching and playing skills - athletes train endlessly to develop their best pace for endurance and stamina. The goal in all three examples - to do the best - to maximize performance - to accomplish their goal. In our own lives we establish a pace - a rhythm - to how we live out our daily lives. We wake - prepare for the day - experience the day - end the day with rest. Even those whose lives are filled with numerous activities - fall into a rhythm.
As a good Jew - Jesus also had a rhythm to His life - daily functions and needs - daily prayers - religious observances - living life to the fullest. As He lived - so He asks us to live - as faithful people - observing God's commands - listening to Him who nurtures - breathing in the Spirit of Life - seeking balance in a world of confusion. In God's hands - we can have a normal pace - a normal pattern - a normal stream of a life lived well - in God's hands we experience Him - Father - Son - Holy Spirit. We live Life!
Deacon Dale
A validation is the act or process of making something valid - legal - official. It is common for people to validate all types of things - parking stubs - concert tickets - appointment times - test dates - relationships - friends on social networks. When something is validated it tells us that everything is in order and on schedule. As people of order - we are comforted when we validate these different things. In the Roman Catholic Church we frequently process marriages that were contracted outside the Church. Many people refer to this process as "blessing a marriage" - the correct term is a validation ceremony. In this ceremony vows are repeated and men and women recommit themselves - validate their relationship - in the presence of a priest or deacon - the marriage is validated - made legal in the Church.
In Mark 9:2-9 Jesus was transfigured before his disciples - that action by God validated His divinity and revealed to the disciples that Jesus was no ordinary person. Most of Jesus' ministry was validating the worth of people - to their friends - to their neighbors - to themselves. Today - just as in the past - Jesus reassures us and reminds us that we are worth more than we realize - that as modern day disciples we have a valid ministry - a valid challenge - to do as Jesus did - to validate the worth of each other.
Deacon Dale
Providence is a middle English word which comes from provident and is translated from the Latin pro = for and videre = to see. Therefore, providence means the action of being provident or seeing to the future - to prepare - to be prudent - as watching for future events. When one is being provident they might store up food for the winter - money for unforeseen expenses - time for future activities and the like. Years ago my wife was in a Christian praise band called Providence - their goal was to spread the Word of God to all who would listen - to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven - here and now - to encourage people sitting on the sides to become active Christians. It is not only singers and musicians who have the opportunity to touch the minds and hearts of the common person - all of us have the potential to spread the Gospel message of Jesus through our actions and words. Although doubted as an authentic quote of Saint Francis - he is accredited with the phrase "preach the Gospel constantly - when necessary use words". Futureyes was the name of a local youth group who were challenged by their youth minister to see the future and their potential to effect change for the good - to spread Jesus' Gospel as teens.
Jesus lived His life proclaiming His Father's message of love - forgiveness - healing - redemption - in what He said and did. Many times it was a touch or embrace - an admonition - words of encouragement. He was the Word that became flesh for the "life of the world". Jesus gave His all so that even today - 2000 years later - His words might heal and save souls. Each of us needs to pause and reflect on His awesome gift of life - life for today - life for eternity. Today we - like Jesus - need to proclaim His message to all we meet - we all should have futureyes.
Deacon Dale
