March

Mach is not only the name of the third month of the calendar year ---- it is also a term that means to walk steadily and rhythmically forward in step with others. When you observe people marching together - as a school band in a parade-  you will see exactly what is described - right feet together - bodies erect - not wavering - heads forward held high - arms swinging together - as one giant machine with multiple legs and arms moving in unison. Most marches - as seen in parades - celebrating holidays - sport victories - elections - are inspiring. However, there are those - such as marches of soldiers - that cause concern and fear - a sign of oppression - domination over others. Building a sense of pride - well being - is good - creating a culture of fear - is bad. Today - January 25, 2013 is the Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. - to celebrate life - to protest the 40 year old decision by the Supreme Court to legalize abortion. It is interesting to note that the majority of those marching are not middle aged mothers or doting old women - rather the March is filled with young women and men - the very ones who are coping with the issue of unwanted or unplanned pregnancy.

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus tells us "come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest". People on both sides of the abortion debate would do well to heed these words from Holy Scripture. For the pro-life people - Jesus says to hang in there - it may be a struggle - He will be with you - standing at your side. For the pro-choice people - Jesus says that He is there to help them in their struggle to make the correct choice - to turn to Him as they debate having an abortion or not - to turn to Him in prayer - to seek His guidance. In seeking one must ask - in asking one must seek the truth - in finding the truth - one finds the real Truth - Jesus. In finding Jesus - He will reveal the beauty of life - the sanctity of life - the only decision you can make.

Deacon Dale 

Backup

The word backup means everything in information technology - it is critical - to avoid loss of data - a system that stores a copy of data is one of the most important pieces of any good computer system. All large corporations make sure that a backup system is in place before they ever start collecting critical data. Some home users also utilize backup systems - most do not. I was one of those individuals - for over 25 years I was able to get away without any need for a system backup. All that changed about a month ago when my main computer went completely black. When it came back up all I had was the fatal blue screen of death. It took over an hour before I was able to get to a C:> prompt to see what was going on. When I asked for information the only thing I saw was that the hard drive was completely empty! Everything was gone - nothing. Now I have a new computer and the task to recreate all my lost data begins - the hardest part - trying to remember what I had saved on the old computer. It is not until I need old data that I even remember that I had it in the first place. I should be very upset with myself - but at this point there is no reason to stress myself - so I will proceed and cope with whatever issues come up.

I was baptized as an infant - I was raised in the Christian Church - I have been confirmed - married - ordained - all in the church founded by Jesus Christ. I have been comfortable with my faith most of the time and on occasion I have been uncomfortable - but throughout it all - I have never lost my faith. Some people feel as if they need a backup to their faith - in case they lose their faith - some turn to other religions - other beliefs - other options. When I made a decision as an adult to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior - I made a commitment then and there and I've never regretted it. In all my trials and errors - in all my situations - the only true backup I've ever needed is Jesus. He is always there for me and He will be there for you - you only have to ask.

Deacon Dale 

Cana

Cana, Israel is famous as the site of the first miracle performed by Jesus while attending a wedding there with His mother and disciples. Theologians and historians alike seem to have differing opinions on not only the location of the historical Cana - but also the significance. This past July 2012 I had the privilege of visiting the modern day site of Cana. Although not included in our original itinerary - our tour guide made last minute arrangements that allowed us a brief visit - enough time for us to renew our own wedding vows and capture it all on DVD. To be in the Holy Land and to renew vows with my wife - celebrating 43 years of marriage - is something that we will never forget. It was a simple ceremony - no party - no food - no cake - no wine - just ourselves - 33 other people and Father Matt - in Israel! That alone made it truly significant.

Fransician Church at Cana - Israel

When Jesus was invited to the wedding - He probably didn't think He would be revealing His divinity there - but He did. That is important for all of us - the implication that God blesses marriage - approves of celebrations involving community - joins us in our meals and feasts - with food and wine - shows us just how much He is involved in our lives. Jesus is our personal Lord and Savior - there is no reason not to believe this - He came that we would have life and live it to the fullest - in Jesus is the fullness of life!

Deacon Dale 

Ultralight

Ultralight is a term that refers to anything that involves coping with excess weight. The two most common topics that deal with excess weight is flying and hiking/camping. Ultralight aviation is the flying of lightweight - one or two seat fixed-wing aircraft - also called microlight aircraft in the UK, India, New Zealand and South Africa. In the late 1970s and early 1980s many people became involved with the hang gliding movement and began seeking affordable powered light aircraft. As a result - many aviation authorities established regulations and definitions for lightweight and slow-flying airplanes - thus opening up the door to ultralight and microlight aircraft.  In regards to camping and hiking - ultralight involves the same concept of utilizing very light weight materials for all gear. Light weight nylon tents replaced heavier canvas tents - as did lightweight aluminum and plastic poles for heavier metal ones. Today modern materials are incorporated in everything involved with camping and hiking - tents, poles, back packs, shoes, clothing and rain gear. To go one further - compressability also comes into play - how much space an item uses has also been re-engineered to allow for more lightweight items to be carried in smaller backpacks. According to Hilleberg The Tent Maker  - it is very possible for a camper to carry equipment easily in the neighborhood of 35 kilograms (60 pounds) up to 51.5 kilos (112 pounds). This involves literally everything one might need for a weekend or week long camping trip. Compared to this weight - when my wife and I walk The way of Saint James in Spain later this year for 6 weeks and some 790 Kilometers (500 miles) we will be carrying backpacks weighing about 7 kilograms (15 pounds) or less. To be able to walk day after day - some 13 to 18 miles a day - we need to be ultralight.

In Luke 9:3 Jesus told His disciples "take nothing for the journey - no staff, no bag,no bread, no money, no extra tunic". His disciples were to stick to the bare minimum - only what they were wearing - to rely on the kindness of those they met on their journey for food, lodging - anything they might need. They were the original ultralight trekkers! Of course - considering the climate of Israel - they did not need rain gear or much that a modern day hiker needs and they were not walking 800 kilometers. They did go - as sent by Jesus - obedient in  seeking to spread His Gospel message. On our personal pilgrimage - we who have been called - will not be walking alone - we will be walking at a time when thousands of others will be walking. In 2012 some 192,000 pilgrims walked The Way - in 2013 - we will be among them - walking by faith - not by sight - into the unknown - into the strange - with Jesus at our side.

Deacon Dale   

Safety Net

A safety net - in its original use - was a large net used in a circus to catch high-wire and trapeze artists - if and when they fall - to catch them and protect them from injury. Fire fighters would use a similar net to help people escape buildings that were on fire. In more modern use - a safety net is any means of protection from hardship or loss - such as insurance - savings accounts - any type of back-up system that affords protection from any kind of emergency or disaster. Safety nets may be equipment - such as netting and spare parts - or it may be people - as extra players on a team - or systems - such as computer back-up programs. Safety nets provide a level of assurance that disasters may be avoided - especially when attempting anything that means taking a risk - with your life - your finances - your reputation.

Spiritually - when seeking protection of our spiritual soul - most people turn to God. God is seen as the great protector - the Divine One who watches out for us - who protects us from all sorts of harm - if we stay connected to Him. For Christians - Jesus is that safety net - by believing in Him and accepting Him as the Lord of your life - He stands there - guiding - giving direction - protecting you from all harm. Make a serious commitment to Jesus - become His disciple and He will provide you all the safety you need.

Deacon Dale 

Vision Quest

A Vision Quest, as defined by Wikipedia, is a rite of passage in some Naive American cultures. The ceremony of the Vision Quest is one of the most universal and ancient means to find spiritual guidance and purpose - a Vision Quest may provide deep understanding of one's life purpose. Typically the process involves removing oneself from society and going deep into the woods - as on a retreat - for one to four days. In that time the person leaves behind the day to day distractions - living off nature in a basic manner - often with no running water or electricity - "roughing it" in an attempt to get back to nature - to get back to the basics of life and in that time of simplicity - seeking a new vision of the innermost needs of themselves and how they are to focus their energy - on their future - their goals - their purpose in life. Most individuals who participate in a Vision Quest - walk away from that experience - renewed and refreshed. When your life takes on purpose and meaning - life becomes more bearable and tolerable - knowing your personal goal and purpose.

Jesus knew what His purpose was - He did not need a Vision Quest - His Heavenly Father had provided the Vision - the Goal. Yet - He went into the desert - to fast and pray - to focus Himself on the task at hand. Fortified - He left the desert - to accomplish that task. Two thousand years later - we His modern day disciples - walk in His steps - attempting to continue the work He began. Often we stumble and hesitate - confused by the media around us - often we find that we ourselves need to go on our own Vision Quest. When we do - when we walk a different path from that of the World - when we dare to go another way - our true purpose and goal is revealed to us. If your life is confusing - leaving you unfulfilled - take time away from the world and walk your own Vision Quest - Jesus will be with you - every step of the Way.

Deacon Dale 

Heartthrob

Anything that makes your heart beat faster may be called a heartthrob. This term was popular years ago and is not heard as frequently today. It refers to objects as well as people - a shiny new car - a flashy pair of shoes - a very handsome guy - a pretty girl - may all excite a person to the point  that their heart rate increases and "throbs". Popular singers and actors are typically the most popular objects of excitement and affection. That which brings pleasure - real or perceived - generates an excitement above normal levels of interest. Being a heartthrob or having a heartthrob is common for many - a fleeting experience at best and never permanent. Although temporary - heartthrobs add value to life - if only to make us appreciate what we have and what we may attain. It provides hope - in a sea of disappointments and losses. 

Jesus was not the original heartthrob - people existed before him who caused the normal experience of excitement - He was the ultimate heartthrob - the One who has endured for thousands of years. Just as His disciples related to each other after meeting Him on the road to Emmaus - "were not our hearts throbbing..." - Jesus caused peoples' heart to beat faster - stronger - because of the excitement He generated as He preached about God's love and forgiveness. He turned stony hearts into fleshy loving hearts - He changed minds and attitudes - He changed how people looked at each other - He changed the World - that alone should make Him your heartthrob.

Deacon Dale 

Ordinary Time

In the Church's liturgical calendar we have now entered into that season known as Ordinary Time. To some this is interpreted as blah - boring - uneventful - mundane - time. The other seasons - Advent - Lent - Christmas - Easter - all seem to have a very special focus in which Holy Scripture has more meaning - more impact - more relevance - to our lives. It is true that each of these four seasons all have their special focus - and for many - special relevance to life itself. What many fail to realize - Ordinary Time - aside from its name - is in no way ordinary. It is just as special as the other seasons - filled with special events and moments - to keep our spiritual energy flowing between the other seasons. It is in ordinary time - the greatest time in the liturgical year - that we live and breathe - that we move and experience - life in its fullest. Our spiritual lives do not take vacations - do not take rest breaks - do not disappear - in ordinary time. It is then that we put into action all that we have learned and experienced in the other seasons.

Jesus lived His life in a very ordinary way - He ate and drank - He worked - He learned and He taught - He experienced life just as anyone else did in His time. How He lived His life was what made Him different. Unlike others - Jesus lived the Truth - spoke the Truth - breathed the Truth. He could do no other than be His ordinary self - and for each of us - we are called to be as ordinary as Jesus - to make our spiritual lives so much a normal part of our lives - that it becomes completely ordinary. The best thing you can do - is be as ordinary as Jesus was.

Deacon Dale 

Keeping the Journey Alive

Just a brief post to keep everyone updated on my plans to walk the "Way of Saint James" otherwise known as the "El Camino de Santiago de Compostela". While reading a forum that I belong to that discusses various issues of the Camino,  I came across these video clips about the making of the movie "The Way". See here for some insight into the movie and its actors and director. The Way

And a second interview here of Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez The Way

The practice walks are on going - as is equipment selection and testing everything for suitability. As I get back into the swing of normal posts (I am still coping with a dead computer - and have to borrow time on my wife's) I will not only get back to my regular daily posts but I will be starting another blog just about the Camino

Jesus calls each of us to journey with Him - to walk with Him and in His footsteps. The Camino
is a personal journey - even when walked with a companion - for each of us - our journey is our own - but never completely alone - as Jesus always walks with us.

Buen Camino
Deacon Dale 

To Be or Not To Be.....

Perhaps that is one of life's biggest questions - to be or not to be - that is the question. Each of us has an inner calling to be - to exist - to excel - to define - our life's purpose. Is it better to be a king or queen - priest or prophet - teacher or student - master or slave? Before we can answer that question - we first must know who we are - what we are made of - where we come from - what our heart and mind tell us. We need to think - research - pray - study - examine - the inner most depths of our being. What influences have we experienced in our childhood - youth - adult lives - what and who has formed us into the person we are today - what are the possibilities for my life for tomorrow? Will we be rich or poor - happy or sad - lonely or fulfilled - all possibilities and options open to us. In time - with a serious effort - we may finally discover the answer to the question - to be or not to be. 

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by his cousin John - He knew what He was about. He was sure of His mission - His goal - His purpose in life. When the skies opened and the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove and He heard the words "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased" - He and His disciples - knew that His was Divine - that His mission and purpose in life had been ordained by God. He taught His disciples - as a good role model - that they too shared in His baptism - in His mission - in His goal and that we - as His modern day disciples - also share in that same baptism and call to ministry. If we truly believe - then we will serve each other as He did.

Deacon Dale