Eternal Father We Offer...

As one who has been born again in the waters of baptism - New Life - a reality.  A few months ago I had the opportunity to speak with a gentleman who had a spiritual experience - time when he touched the Divine.  He could not really put the experience into words - that special moment - defying common vocabulary.  Through our conversation - I could sense - feel - see in  his eyes - what he was attempting to share with me. He wanted to be baptized - following church rules - a waiting game - until the Easter Vigil.  I have not spoken with him yet - the experience to be shared at a future date when I return to Illinois - the news is Good.

Deacon Dale - Father Matt - Deacon Jerry - Commemorating Their Baptism in the Jordan River

When people come seeking God - they often find Him - in special ways.  Very often caught off guard - not expecting to touch - the Divine.  When it is real - one knows it - cannot be faked.  In the Easter Season - many opportunities to experience - again and again the real presence of God - Jesus - the Holy Spirit - in our lives.  

Deacon Dale 

Have Mercy On Us....

Mercy - we ask for Mercy - constantly from God. All have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) - none of us has been spared from sin - errors - mistakes. We are humans - not gods - therefore - none of us can ever expect to be perfect. Only One is perfect - Jesus - the Christ.  The One promised as far back as promises were made - salvation through God announced to His people.  In  the Easter Season - we celebrate those promises - commitment to us by God - we His people - He Our God.

God's Divine Mercy - unfathomable by many - those who either do not believe He will - has done merciful things - for His people.  It only takes an open mind - heart - to hear the stories shared by many - to realize how true those promises are. 

Deacon Dale 

For The Sake Of His Sorrowful Passion....

For the sake of His sorrowful passion -  Easter Sunday is over - gone for another year - the Season of Easter - just beginning. The Easter lilies still alive - our memories of an awesome Easter celebration - still on our lips - as we share our 2018 Easter experiences with family and friends. In the following weeks - many opportunities to live out our commitment to Jesus - to discipleship.

God calls all of us - not just the ordained - all of us - to respond to Him.  Through our baptism we have been immersed into the life of Christ - to be a modern day disciple. This should give all of us - food for thought .

eacon Dale 

Easter Blessings

There are so many ways to say Happy Easter - Buona Pasqua - Felices Pascuas - Wesolego Alleluja - Frohe Ostern - Paskalya bayramınız kutlu olsun - to name a few. Quite often - no spoken words - rather smiles - hugs - handshakes - kisses. This is truly the day the Lord has made - let us rejoice and be glad in it. Gathering today in church with parish family - meeting in homes with blood relatives and friends - all for the purpose of celebrating life - New Life.  Children searching for colored eggs - hidden in and around the home - real and plastic eggs stuffed with jelly beans and candy. A joyous day for all.

In all these celebrations - Jesus reigns supreme - King of the Universe - Lord of All. As we gather and share our stories - we are reminded of God's love story for mankind - recorded  in the Bible - through Holy Scripture.  God - the Author of Life - every day sending His Blessings upon us - today in a very special way.

Deacon Dale 

Holy Saturday

Day three of the Triduum - tonight at sunset the beginning of the third day of the three holiest days of the Christian calendar. Today - the Church sits in waiting - contemplating the crucifixion of Jesus - the darkness - anguish - anticipation of what is to come.  In the morning - in most churches - decorating for the Easter Vigil and Eater Sunday - the blessing of Easter food baskets - final instructions for the Elect - preparing for tonight's celebration of baptism - reception - first communion - confirmation. The Triduum liturgy will resume at sunset with the lighting of the Easter Fire - the Pascal Candle held aloft as the Light Service begins the Vigil of all vigils.  Holy scripture - many readings - the Epistle - Gospel - an inspiring homily - all leading to the celebration of the initiation sacraments - leading to Holy Eucharist - the reception of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine.  Ending with the solemn blessing and proclamation by the deacon - go forth - proclaim the Gospel of Christ through your life.

The Church gives us these moments - throughout the year - moments in which we touch the Divine - draw nearer to God - reaffirming our faith - our belief - in the Easter event.  The one singular event in all lives - when we become one body - in Christ.

Deacon Dale 

The Cross

Today - Good Friday - our attention drawn to the Cross - an instrument of torture - pain - death. It was upon a cross that criminals were placed naked - to suffer pain - public ridicule. Having the fact that you were an accused thief - sinner - put on display for all your neighbors - friends - family - more an embarrassment than anything - if one survived. Everyone makes mistakes - commits minor sins - nobody knows because it is kept private. On the cross - nothing hidden - everything exposed. Not everyone placed on a cross - died - most endured terrible pain - anguish - humiliation.  There are records of a few who survived crucifixion - most left on the cross for many days - until death finally relieved them of the pain. 

In Christianity - the Cross - adopted by the majority of Christian faiths - a symbol - reminding all of us of the crucifixion of Jesus -  His ultimate sacrifice - revealing God's love for all.  A piece of wood - cut from a tree - the tree itself a symbol of life - through Jesus's death - transformed in a symbol of New Life in Christ.

Deacon Dale 

Spiritual Three- Peat

Holy Thursday - the beginning of a spiritual three-peat - the three holiest days of  the Christian calendar.  Thursday evening after sundown - Holy Mass - the presentation of the Oils - blessed by the bishop at the annual Chris Mass - celebrations  of the creation of the Priesthood - Holy Eucharist.  Leaving Holy Mass - solemn procession to the Altar of Repose with the Blessed Sacrament - quiet time with Jesus - departing in silence. Although greeted by the priest with the standard greeting - the Sign of the Cross - Peace Be With You - no dismissal - walking away - in silence - contemplating the Triduum liturgy - three days of services - all interconnected - yet each day's liturgy so very important. Friday - the Passion - veneration of the Cross - no greeting - no dismissal - looking forward to Holy Saturday.

In the Triduum - the Three Days - three days of death - waiting - resurrection - mourning - tears - silence - anticipation. The Church - carries us along with all of its ministers - the faithful - from the Last Supper and betrayal - to crucifixion - resurrection. Feet washed - ministers  recommitting themselves to the service of others - faithful - supporting everyone - with prayers.  Waiting.......

Deacon Dale 

Eight Hundred!

WOW - 800 posts - reflections on things spiritual and not always spiritual. Yesterday's post was number 800 since I started this blog.  If you look back over the years you will see times when I was able to post frequently and other times when life did not allow me time or energy to write.  Deacon Dale's Blog evolved into the I of God - which was done to reflect what I was thinking personally - keeping God in mind - what He wanted of me - what I wanted of Him. I know I have a few official followers - as noted on the blog front page.  There are also many more who get email updates for each post.  In addition - I see from the statistics that I have readers from all over the world. Besides the USA I see readers from Brazil - France - United Arab Emirates - Canada - Poland - Ukraine - Germany - Portugal - Russia - Belgium - Italy - China - United Kingdom - Latvia - Philippines - South Korea - Peru.  There are possibly other countries who were not included in that report.

In all of these posts I have tried in a simple way to affirm all who read that - God is real - His Son Jesus is real - that the Holy Spirit is alive and well - that He loves us - each and every one of us. He created us - as His children - to be one very large happy family - accepting each other - helping each other - to live fruitful - peaceful lives. Now - in Holy Week - we look forward to the Triduum - the three holiest days of the year. In these final three days - before Easter - we fast - pray - prepare our minds and hearts for the celebration of His triumph over sin - death.  At Easter we celebrate Resurrection - not only that of Jesus - ours as well.

Deacon Dale 

Scream and Shout

There are a lot of reasons to scream and shout - to raise ones voice over all others.  Sporting events - cheering for a favorite team - dangerous situations - warning others to be careful - public protests - unhappy about current events - actions done to attract attention to a situation or issue being generally ignored.  All valid reasons to scream and shout.  In some instances - all one can do. In others - in addition to vocal demonstrations - additional actions possible.  Right now - in America - thousands of youth - adults - protesting current gun laws.  In spite of public mass shootings - hundreds of deaths of innocent people - those in power apparently failing to do anything about the issue.  Things are being done - unfortunately not fast enough or as well executed as hoped.  Youth marching out of schools - screaming that they want to study - gather in a safe environment. Youth are not the only ones who have that care - adults - parents - also carry that same wish - to be safe in any public space - gathering. People argue - more or less gun control - more or less police protection - more or less invasion of  government into personal lives. The old adage - guns don't kill people - people do - not a valid reason.  Unfortunately - life has consequences - how we are raised - the communities we live in - the parents who raise us - those who have major influence on our lives - shape us into the people we become.  Some - possibly many - at one point or another in their life - will act irrationally - going against the norms of society.  Most often - no danger to self or others - once in awhile - extreme action - harming - killing one or more as their only perceived option.  

God created all of us to be His children - living together in community - supporting each other - helping each other in difficult times. Unfortunately - His gift of Free Will - not always used as He would like.  For some - that Free Will - used to act out - harm others. What needs to change is - people - how we react and interact with each other - how we mentor  youth - how we treat people of different cultures - color - language - beliefs. We are all God's children - and should respect each other as such. If Jesus were alive today - He would protest - carry a sign - protesting how we act.  Many of the shootings in schools committed by youth themselves - against fellow youth - because of the way they were treated - singled out - ridiculed for different beliefs - life styles. Unfortunately the youth who are screaming for protection from their fellow youth - the ones who created the situation in the first place - failing to be inclusive - accepting - tolerant of others who are different. We do not need to change guns - they are tools made of metal - what needs to change is people - people who do not exclude - do not ridicule - do not single out those who are different.  God has given us the ability to be people of peace - joy - love.  It is up to each one of us to exercise our Free Will -make the decision to become all that God intended in the first place.  When we accomplish that - then we can gather to scream and shout in joy at what we have accomplished.  It is Holy Week - an awesome time to gather and become the Holy People of God - He created.

Deacon Dale 

Lube Job

Anyone who owns a vehicle knows that routinely certain things must be lubricated on their vehicle to keep it in good operating condition.  Keeping certain joints and moving parts well lubricated - essential - especially the vehicle's engine.  Most new vehicles have the option of original oil - semi-synthetic - full synthetic versions from which to select.  The cost of each is different with full synthetic being the most costly - also providing the benefit of lasting longer - equating to fewer oil changes - less inconvenience - promoted as being better for both the vehicle and the wallet at the same time. Oil wears out after thousands of miles of use - it looses its lubricating benefits - becomes dirty over time - thus the need for change. Monday - in many dioceses across the world - the annual Chrism Mass - the one Mass during Holy Week when the local bishop blesses new oils for the Church - to be used throughout the year - until next Easter.  Church oil - unlike the oil for vehicles does not wear out - does not become dirty - does not lose its properties.  Church oil - blessed only once during the year -gets used up - the annual Mass of the Oils - to replenish the oil stock in all churches in each diocese. These oils - Oil of the Infirm (Sick) - Oil of the Catechumens (Salvation) - Holy (Sacred) Chrism - used in the celebration of the sacraments. 

God imposes His blessings - grace to those who are anointed with the Church Oils. For those who are sick or preparing for surgery - for baptisms - last rites - ordination - consecration of churches - altars - all a very important part of these celebrations.  The oil - a tangible substance - carries with its slippery - oily feel - the presence of God - into the lives of people everywhere.  His oil - lubricates the heart - minds - spirits - of the faithful found around the globe. It is universal - one size fits all - every time - everywhere. Nothing synthetic - pure olive oil - perfume added to Sacred Chrism - authentic grace from our Heavenly Father - made available for all those who believe in the promises of God. 

Deacon Dale