Building Blocks

Psalm 118:22 - The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone - Jesus - the Christ - The Risen One - rejected by the priests - Sadducees -  would not accept the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead.  The disciples - filled with the Holy Spirit - could not keep quiet about the resurrection - as word grew - these few disciples - sharing their message with hundreds - thousands - grew the Church.  As all buildings have a cornerstone - that first brick - rock - creates the starting point that additional bricks follow.  As in all construction - be it a building - any project - there is always a starting point.  The Church was no different - Jesus - that starting point that led the way for the Christian faith.  

For those of us who call ourselves Christians - as our lives were formed - developed - at some point our spiritual formation was begun.  Most as young children formed by the faith - efforts - of our parents.  As we grew - the point in time finally arrived when we continued the process started for us - growing into mature adult Christians.  Each step of the way - building blocks added - to the point where we are today.  The first stone - laid by parents - the next stones - blocks put in place by relatives - family - friends.  Finally - blocks added by the Church - its ministers - a community which helped form us into  the faithful people that we are today.  An old African saying - it takes a village to raise a child - same for our development as a person of faith - it takes a faith community to raise us to maturity in our beliefs.  As we look back on our development - we see that first stone - laid for us - thousands of years ago - by Jesus.

Deacon Dale 

Storehouses

In today's first reading we heard about the crippled man who was healed by God in response to prayers offered by Peter.  In that scripture we can see ourselves - our current situation - as we wait - in prayer - looking for answers - response from God.  We pray for those on the front line - those most at risk - those closest to anyone hospitalized.  As people of faith - we know that the majority will live through this pandemic.  As people recover - as fewer experience symptoms - as the number declines - life will return back to the way it was - hopefully better prepared for the next crisis.  As we move forwards - our prayer is that those in control will make better efforts to be better prepared so that this crisis does not ever repeat itself.  There is no way anyone can reasonably predict the next crisis - what that crisis may be - building up storehouses of critical supplies for different scenarios - definitely possible.

Walking with Jesus at our side as we journey through life - we pray - contemplate our personal future.  As committed Christians it is important that each of us build our own storehouses - filled with our own prayers - acts of kindness - charitable deeds - concern for others.  God has given us the space - tools needed.  Our hearts -minds - contain so much space for us to fill - never reaching capacity - God always giving us exactly what we need - when we need it.  Today - as this world begins to heal itself - we seek wholeness in our own lives - discarding anything in our life that is not of the Lord - creating space for our personal storehouse.

Deacon Dale 

Warriors and Heroes

When we think of warriors and heroes who come into our minds - Saint George - King Richard I - Batman - Robin - Superman - Wonder Woman - Spider Man - Captain America?  A few years ago high school students were asked to list their super heroes - people they most wanted to grow up to be.  A small percent listed Michael Jordan of basketball fame - the majority - their parents - mothers - fathers - ordinary people - doing ordinary things.  They were teachers - lawyers - doctors - pharmacists - accountants - writers - motivational speakers - truck drivers - construction workers - police officers - fire fighters - stay at home moms and dads - employed by giant corporations - self employed - sole proprietors.  Most doing what is perceived as very ordinary jobs - not out of the ordinary.  Today - battling this unseen enemy - the Coronavirus - so small that only Ant Man might be able to see face to face - all are warriors fighting united in this battle that is threatening to claim too many lives.  Those who fight - warriors - those who follow official recommendations - sheltering in place - staying home - today's heroes.  One does not have to be on the front line in this battle - those staying at home - making it easier for our front line warriors to do their jobs - heroes.

Fighting the Coronavirus - a battle that will be short lived - in time - an all clear message will be sent - people allowed to leave home - return to work.  The one constant battle - ongoing since the beginning of time - battle of good against evil.  Those who fight against this enemy - both warrior - hero.  The struggle very real - not recognized by many - ignored by some - always on the minds of the Faithful.  As Christians our battle is not against municipalities - governments - the true battle is against - The King of Liars - the One who deceives - disrupts - causes division - creates - chaos.   Chaos - is not of the Lord -  (1 Corinthians 14:33) - He The Lord of Lords - The Prince of Peace - is the One who journeys with all of us - as we fight all the battles of life.

Deacon Dale 

Moving On

The phrase - rolling stones - gather no moss - very applicable right now - spiritually - morally.  We have just experienced a very unusual Lent - Triduum - Easter - sheltering in place - staying at home - in isolation.  For the lucky ones - with spouse - family - those alone - definitely more isolated.  We have come to realize that in this period of pandemic - we need each other.  When we first discovered God - Jesus - wandered on our own - joined a group - parish - community - we began to grow - with the help from others.  We learned that our faith journey was never in total isolation - God placing the right people along the path - to guide - inspire us.  With the help of others - God revealed His Truth - Love - to us.

Once you meet Jesus - you can not continue to walk the same path - your eyes set on new directions - avenues - to walk as you continue your growth as a disciple. The same with this pandemic - so much revealed - inadequate health facilities - unfair employment practices - unjust benefits provided by employers - government - lack of housing for those unable to provide for themselves.  Jesus told us 2000 years ago - the poor will always be with us - does not explain why - after 2000 years - nations still have not found a way to address - poverty - adequate housing - feeding - clothing those poor.  I recently read that in one part of the world - the people take mud - formed into patties - baked on the ground in the sun - eaten to fill the stomachs of those without food. As Christians - as people of God - now is the time to make changes.  Returning to what was the norm - no longer an option - now the time to make drastic changes - to correct these social ills.  As we work to do this - we will also grow in our relationship with Jesus - doing as He asked - feed His sheep - love His sheep - care for His people.  The time to act is now - not later - rolling stones - we the rocks of faith - gathering no moss - as we move forward - into His future. 

Deacon Dale 

Rolling Stones

From Scripture we read that on the first day of the week when the disciples went to visit the tomb where Jesus had been laid - found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance to the tomb - peering inside noticed that there was no body - nothing - inside.  The discussion about this event - how heavy was that stone - who could have moved it  - was it possible for a single person to move - multiple people involved - miracle?  

The majority of us know nothing about rolling stones - except for the famous English rock group founded in 1962.   For the majority  of believers - that issue no concern - rather a faith statement - that God moved that rock - released Jesus - to transition into the next stage of His ministry.  Resurrection - spreading His word to all - now a task of His disciples.  Bringing the Word of God - unbelievable story of death - resurrection - the story that got their foot in the door.  Today that task still ours - many still do not  know - many do not believe the resurrection event.  Now as His modern day disciples - our duty - continue His work - spread His message of love - forgiveness - acceptance - tolerance - healing - to all.  Nothing more - nothing less.  We leave rolling stones to God.

Deacon Dale 

He Is Risen!

Alleluia - Alleluia - Jesus Christ is risen today!  Nothing could keep Him down - The Lord of Lords - the King of Kings - around the world - social distancing in place - stores closed - churches closed - stay at home instructions in place - we may be down - but just as Jesus rose from the dead - we too will rise from these restrictions.

Today's celebration of Resurrection - the promise of New Life - Life after death - continues.  This Easter - your special opportunity to focus on your immediate family - those with whom you live.  Today we focus on them - Jesus - the gift each one of them is to us.  Together - with united voices - across the miles - across the internet - we exclaim - Jesus Christ is Risen!

Deacon Dale 

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday - the third day of the Triduum - this day spent in prayer - mourning the death of Jesus - lying in a tomb - His disciples left confused - trying to understand the events of the past three days.  Today - we who commemorate these events - know how it all turned out.  Now in modern times - we also wait - not for  the resurrection - the end of the current pandemic.  Had the internet existed at the time of Jesus - the entire world would have been in mourning - as it was - a handful of those closest to Him.  Instead we took our Easter baskets - to be blessed for our Easter Sunday celebrations - done at home by ourselves - for some - online.  This evening - the Easter Vigil - online - very few allowed to actually be in Church.  The Vigil goes on - people or not - just as Easter will come - people in church or not.  In faith - this is the final night of waiting.

The third day - many confuse Easter Sunday as the third day.  Jesus said - destroy this temple and on the third day it will rise.  In the time of Jesus - days counted from sunset to sunset.  Thursday - The Last Supper - Day 1 - Friday - The Crucifixion - Day 2 - Saturday - Day 3 - The Resurrection - The Triduum.  Easter Sunday - Day 4 - the people learn of the Resurrection.  Tonight - final preparation for Sunday's celebration.

Deacon Dale  

Good Friday

What is so good about Good Friday?  In ancient times when our vocabulary was very different - people used the word good to mean someone - something - that was holy.  The two words were interchangeable back then.  As time passed - cultures evolved - language changed - that connection has been lost - except in this particular case.  This Friday - definitely a holy day - time stands still - churches empty - the faithful - isolated in their homes - deprived of religious observances.  This is a memory that will not fade - just as the memory of the crucifixion of Jesus does not fade. 

Today in our own way - we remember that eventful day when Christ was crucified - not for His sins - rather for ours.  Our sins are the metal that held Him to the wood of the cross.  Our sins - the reason He came in the first place.  Our sins - that keep Him nailed there - even today.  Today is the one day - we reflect on what we have done - what we have failed to do - what God did for us.  His Gift to us - forgiveness - reconciliation - resurrection.  Our gift to Him.........?

Deacon Dale 

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday - the first day of the Triduum - the three holiest days of the Christian year.  No morning Masses today - the only Mass tonight.  We normally wash feet at this Mass - not tonight - all Masses online only - minimal people involved - we do listen to God's word - we commemorate the institution of the Priesthood and Eucharist - things definitely worth celebrating.  Normally - the Blessed Sacrament removed to a place of Adoration - while the altar and tabernacle stripped bare. The Mass - ending in silence - awaiting the events of tomorrow - Good Friday.  Not a lot to say - Jesus has said it all.

Our focus - our relationship to Jesus - God - what we are called to do - what we have done - failed to do.  Have we washed feet - carried a burden for another - offered a drink to the thirsty - given money to the poor.  Have we made an intentional donation to a food pantry - care center - resource center for those in need.  In these days of isolation - sheltering at home - have we called - parents - siblings - friends - anyone - have we accepted - with Grace - our difficulties - thought about those who cannot care for themselves.  These are the three Holy Days - it is up to each of us - to make them - Holy.

Deacon Dale 

It Is Finished - Maybe

Today brings us to the official end of Lent - Thursday marks the beginning of the Triduum - the three holiest days of the Christian liturgical year - Holy Thursday - Good Friday - Holy Saturday. Following those three very special days we begin the Easter Season - marked by the celebration of Easter Sunday. The Season of Easter is the period of 50 days - spanning from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.  One might wonder - why so long - first 40 days then 3 more days just to get to Easter - why another 50 days?

I could ask - how many days did it take for you to be born - the majority - nine months - 280 days - 40 weeks - of gestation - growing in our mother's womb - just to enter the world - helpless - none of us ready to walk - talk - eat - on our own.  As with most things in life a period of gestation - time spent developing - evolving - preparing - for life.  Many people wrongly think Easter is a day - similar to Christmas only a day.  In reality both Christmas - Easter are seasons - two very special days which deserve our extended attention.  Easter - the one major feast - celebrating life - death - resurrection - new life in Christ - deserves many days to celebrate this miracle of resurrection.  Today Lent ends - tomorrow the next season on our journey to the Easter miracle.

Deacon Dale