Did It Hurt?

Did it hurt - a line used by men - women - when trying to introduce themselves to someone they wish to meet. When asked - did what hurt - the response - when you fell from heaven - indicating - that the person who asked the question thought the other person was beautiful - handsome - heaven sent. It is a funny line - has to make one laugh - a compliment paid - to create interest in the one asking. 

In Holy Scripture we never read if anyone asked Jesus - did it hurt. They knew - common knowledge - scourging - crucifixion - hurt - very painful. His disciples questioned Him - how was it possible that He was alive - how did He survive - never - did it hurt. Modern disciples - rarely ask - did it hurt. We know - we understand - we realize the pain Jesus endured for each of us. That is why we believe - why we worship - why we adore Him - the One who took all our sins upon Himself - who accepted death - death on a cross - for each of us. Because we know - we proclaim His death - His resurrection - His promises - to all we meet.

Deacon Dale 

Pilot Light

A pilot light is a small gas flame which serves as an ignition source for a more powerful gas burner. Originally - kept permanently alight - now - more common to light a burner electronically - only when needed. As a child when we entered a room and smelled gas - we knew the pilot light had gone out - needed to be safely re lit. With electronic ignition - the gas does not constantly flow - only when intentionally turned on - conserves gas - saves lives from unlit free flowing gas. Like many natural resources gas has the power to be friend or foe. It is up to us to see that it is used wisely - for the benefit of ourselves - others.

When God sent His only Son - Jesus - He intended Him to be His pilot light - the spark to ignite the fire of His love among His chosen people. Jesus came to start the fire - to fan the flames of faith - to draw the embers - growing dim - together as one body - in Christ. Just as kindle that has lost its flame - flickering itself into extinction - when mixed with other kindle - draws on the heat - the fire inside - to once again - glow with the light within - to become a fire burning brightly - so does Jesus draw us together - Christians around the world  - into one family of believers - creating a fire that cannot - will not be extinguished. We - the believers of today - are that flame - that fire - our flames burn brightly - to spread His message to the world. You are called - to burn brightly - to harness the power of God that is inside you - to radiate His love - to all you meet.

Deacon Dale 

On Target

One of the hardest things in life to do is to stay focused - on target - with long - difficult projects. Almost all - consume time - energy - create tension - become exhausting - stressful. A clear vision - good planning - creating the correct team - assembling materials - implementing - demand focus. Any distraction has the potential to drastically effect the project. A good project manager - necessary for successful completion. 

Jesus calls each of us to an active part in His ministry to others - as His - eyes - ears - voice - heart. We must be His hands and feet - listening with an understanding heart - moving into action when necessary. There is no need for special skills or tools - we only need - faith. Through faith we have been healed - through faith we have been empowered - through faith we have all that is needed to minister in this day and age. With our eyes on Jesus - staying connected through prayer - we can stay - on target.

Deacon Dale 

Lost and Found

When I made the decision to live in Arizona for the winter months I knew that I would not be able to continue my diaconal ministry while in Arizona. The process to receive faculties - to function as a Catholic deacon - involves red tape - lots of red tape. The Church moves slowly when approving ministers from outside their boundaries - giving permission to function when visiting - relocating. For four months I have been the - man in the pew - observing other deacons - praying along with the local community.  This weekend - I visited a brother deacon in California - invited to serve Holy Mass at his parish - welcomed by his pastor. It felt very good to proclaim the Gospel - announce the prayers of the faithful - distribute the Body of Christ at communion. It felt like home - serving the people of God - at the altar - a ministry lost - newly found - hope regained.

The primary mission of Jesus - seeking the lost - those who had strayed - drifted away from His Father. In three short years He not only located the lost -attracted thousands away from lives lived poorly - to relationship with Him - with God. This Easter - Jesus again found new hearts to bring into His Church - new souls to save. As we continue our Easter celebration - we rejoice that we who were once lost - have been found - that others still - in this day - may also be found - for a new life in Christ. 

Deacon Dale 

Go West

Go West! - The opportunities are in the west - chances for a new start - begin over.  When life seems stuck - not going where we thought it would - time to pick up - start over. A friend of mine felt very frustrated a few years ago - with job - location - future possibilities - going nowhere quickly. Sharing his frustration with his employer - new opportunity laid before him - in front of his eyes - to go west. Fulfilling a life long dream to relocate to the west coast - a reality - definite possibility. Within months - plans finalized - move implemented. A visit with him recently - at his new home - found a very happy person. 

Jesus calls us to be alive - mobile - ready to spring into action. It is not just our spiritual life - also our daily life - where He wants us to be happy. Too often opportunities are laid before us - we miss - ignore - avoid - refuse to believe are possible. As people of faith - God expects - wants us to seize the day - the opportunities - for ourselves. We need to keep our eyes - ears - open to the possibilities before us. We need to walk in faith - knowing that God - calls us - to new adventures - with Jesus. 

Deacon Dale 

Barking Buddies

There is a discussion currently going on in our community in Arizona in regards to dogs - people who own dogs - dogs who bark - people who allow their dogs to bark - telling dogs not to bark. Just as any other animal - including humans - needs to communicate - so do dogs. Dogs need to tell us when they are hungry - need to go outside - when danger is approaching - when the neighborhood cat is trespassing - among other important things. Dogs bark - at - to - other dogs - cats - birds - people. Depending on the tone - intensity - we know if they are welcoming or threatening. It is completely natural for a dog to bark - yet some - usually people with too much time on their hands - complain about dogs who bark. I am sure there is an occasional midnight howler who disrupts some body's sleep - but in my opinion - the exception - not the rule. Tolerance - is called for by all - especially those who do not have dogs in their home.

That is one of the most important things that Jesus tried to get across to the people - tolerance - acceptance - not throwing stones - building bridges instead. He never promised a rose garden - but declared it a possibility - if we would become more Christ like. It is not only our actions - also our reactions - that determine the person we will be - the effect we will have - in - on - our neighbors. Jesus asks all to walk proudly - but speak - with a tolerant bark.

Deacon Dale 

Rations

Rations - fixed allowances of provisions or food - especially for soldiers and sailors - civilians - during a shortage. Most people will never experience a time of rationing - a time of lack of enough for all. Some - in special circumstances - in wars - in natural disasters - will go without - receiving only the minimum of supplies - water - necessary to sustain life. During times of disaster - rationing done only until normal supplies are replenished - normal routes of delivery resumed. 

When God sends His blessings upon His people - no rationing occurs - His blessings - flow freely - upon all - whether they accept them or not. Renewed energy - healing - joy - peacefulness - comfort - poured freely - for all. Many will reject these blessings - refuse to acknowledge God's presence - failing to accept what is offered. For those of us who do acknowledge and receive - a burden placed upon us - to share the Good News - to proclaim to all - Jesus is Lord - God loves all - blesses all - enough for everybody. When asked how much He loves us - Jesus spread out His arms - and died.

Deacon Dale 

Heritage

In an effort to learn more about the native inhabitants of Arizona we visited the Gila River Indian Community HuHuGam Heritage center in Chandler, Arizona. This site is a repository for photographs - oral histories - historical documents and artifacts - relating to the pre-historic Huhugam and the Akimel O'odham - Pima - and Pee Posh - Maricopa - Native peoples.  The building sits by itself in the Arizona desert just off the I-10 highway. In photos and artifacts the story of  these people is told - how they went from a thriving community - to a struggling group - because of the diversion of the Gila River and their precious water supply.  Like many communities that suffered changes - due to development - housing projects - new people with modern methods - the natives had to cope with a quickly changing environment.  In the community where our Arizona house is located - the natives - those here for ten or more years - constantly comment - complain - about changes to the people - businesses - moving into the community - making changes. Nobody likes development that changes the way one lives.

Jesus found out first hand - people do not like change - happy with the status quo - even when it is not healthy - bad for them. Many preferred that He leave well enough alone - they were comfortable as was - with taxes - being ruled by others - being pushed around. He told them life could be better - they didn't want it. He told them they had a Father in heaven that loved them - they rejected the concept. Much of what He shared with them - they did not want. Same old - same old - comfortable - even with low quality of life - happy to not - rock the boat - become invisible - leave well enough alone. Jesus offered so much more - their life - back as intended - their heritage - as the promised people. Today He still makes the same offer - to you - to me - take what has been offered freely by His Father - take what is rightfully yours - accept His salvation - your heritage.

Deacon Dale 

Back In The Saddle

Years ago - more than I like to think - we owned horses - an appaloosa for me - a pinto for my wife - and a Shetland pony and a small mixed breed pony. Every day we mucked the stalls - feed the horses and ponies - shoveled manure - brushed and groomed them - on occasion - rode  them. Those were good days - good memories. Last week - while my son and daughter-in-law and grandson visited us in Arizona - we went horse riding - the first time for my grandson. Everyone had a great time - everyone - casual riders - did well - stayed in the saddle - none fell off their horse.  Afterwards - my legs - killing me - not as limber as when I was younger - not as flexible.  My legs spoke to me - for days - telling me - I am out of shape - no longer a young horseman. 

Returning to church - after an extended absence - as a Catholic - similar to riding a horse. The Catholic Church - moves slowly to make changes - an absence of years - hardly noticeable by most - lack in regular attendance - return to Holy Mass - back in the saddle - an easy adjustment. No major pains - no major adjustments - faces different - songs similar - Scripture unchanged - same old - same old. Jesus welcomes all - regular worshipers - casual Christians - to visit Him - often - the empty saddle - waiting for you.

Deacon Dale 

Holy Year of Mercy

Having just celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday - it is only fitting that we focus today on the Holy Year of Mercy - proclaimed by Pope Francis this past March - in which he announced that he is convoking a jubilee year to be called the Holy Year of Mercy. The year officially begins December 8, 2015 - a special year - a jubilee year - to receive blessing and pardon from God and remission of sins. Typically jubilee years are called every twenty-five or fifty years and on occasion also called on special jubilees years - the last jubilee year was held in 2000 - declared by Saint Pope John Paul II. The jubilee year will close on November 20, 2016 - the feast of Christ the King.

Those who have experienced God's Divine Mercy - celebrate His Mercy daily in their lives - a normal part of their life. Their obligation - to share their stories - how God acted in their life - their experience of Mercy - His Divine intervention.  This celebration should be an integral part of every one's daily life - not only on one day or in one year. Jesus has shared all with all - not all respond - but all should. As a committed Christian - we who have shared this gift - called to proclaim daily - in our lives - in others - God's Divine Mercy.

Deacon Dale