Eyes On The Prize

Ten years ago when my wife and I made the decision to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain the first thing we did - research.  We looked for the who - what - why - where - everything we could learn about the Camino.  We learned that many others who made the decision to walk this 500 mile pilgrimage - primarily on foot - jumped into it both feet first - no research - no preparation - often resulted in early failure.  No planning - bad planning - in a rush to reach the goal - ended their pilgrimage after only two or three days.  We did not want to be those pilgrims - spending time and money to fly to Spain - only to return home four days later.  Our preparation time involved research - selection of equipment - testing - returning - new selections - multiple times - as the pilgrimage had multiple variables.  Once we had settled on the equipment - actual training for walking began.  Our decision had been made in the late fall of 2012 - outside training delayed until spring 2013.  Finally - August of 2013 - we left for Spain - our focus on walking daily - through what I referred to as - the back yards of Spain.  Flat - hilly - mountainous trails through Northern Spain - Madrid to Santiago - to Finisterre - the end of the world. From the very beginning in the fall of 2012 through a long month of walking - through blisters - very hot days - our eyes firmly focused on the Cathedral at Santiago - to the sacred bones of St. James.

    Sonoran Desert Arizona

Jesus calls us to walk with Him - eyes on the prize - that golden ring of - holiness - never wavering - never losing sight of what is truly important.  The world is filled with distractions - some important - unavoidable - others frivolous.  In Lent we are asked to make a few decisions - choosing what is important versus unnecessary.  So often what we think is very important - not important after all.  One's eternal life - the most important to many - not all.  The individual is the only one who can honestly make that decision.  All have been called by God - not all with answer that call.  Because of the Gift of Free Will - that decision is up to the individual.  In Lent - we are called to choose - what prize do we seek - will we keep - our eyes on the true prize.

Deacon Dale 

And Left And Right And....

When anyone decides to take on a new challenge - the hardest part - starting.  One can think - plan - schedule - calculate time required - barriers - all sorts of variables - hardest part - actually starting.  Once that first effort is made - the first step taken - it is simply a matter of continuing the motion.  One foot after the other - left - right - until the goal is reached - project completed.  That is exactly how we should approach Lent.  There are many ways to observe Lent - silently alone - vocally in groups - sitting in church - Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament - Bible Study - attending Holy Mass - Stations of the Cross - meditation - reading inspirational articles - sitting on the back porch - making oneself present to God.  In the quiet - in the noise - in the peaceful moments - times of chaos - God is there.  It is important for everyone who has made a decision to participate fully in the Lenten experience to understand that quality not quantity is what is important.  When my wife and I walk through the desert - the greatest effort is not always the climb - rather the length of the journey.  A short hike up the mountains at a slower pace often is very relaxing compared to the temptation to walk quickly over flat terrain.

Sonoran Desert Arizona

As mentioned before - God is looking for quality - not quantity.  Better to spend fifteen minutes in deep meditation - rather than an an hour of distracted prayers.  As pilgrims on a journey - better to walk sure footed than run on a slippery slope.  Lent is forty days long - plenty of time for everyone to draw closer to Our Lord.

Deacon Dale 

Happy Trails

If you are old enough - you might remember the theme song of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans - the popular western acting and singing stars of the 1950s and 60s.  They would end their show with the song "Happy Trails" written by Dale Evans.  It was a nice way to end each episode wishing all their viewers "Happy Trails to You'.  All of us are on a journey - following various paths - trails as we navigate the way through our lives. For some the trail is very smooth - very few barriers with which to cope - for others - a rocky road - barriers at every twist and turn.  There are those who would proclaim that those who had few difficulties in their lives were more blessed by God - others - with a different perspective - would say that those who had to cope with the many struggles - barriers - difficulties - were more blessed.  The concept - that by allowing people to cope - learn - from their experiences gave them a better education - understanding of life and the issues with which many learn to rise above.  

Sonoran Desert Arizona 

As we begin our Lenten journey - many will stumble - fall - get side tracked - distracted by things of the world. Some will give up quickly - many will continue for a long time - eventually drifting away from their goal - finally those who are faithful to their selves - will continue to the end where they may reach their intended goal. That goal - what is hoped to achieve - will be different for different people. No two people are identical - and for each their goal very personalized. When Jesus walked in the desert - when my wife and I hike through the Sonoran Desert - although we walk a similar path - never identical - never the same goal. Jesus calls each of us to walk aside Him - not in His footsteps - rather our own - as only He can travel that path set out for Him by His Father - just as our steps are our own. For each of us - we pray for a meaningful encounter this Lent - with Our Lord - "Happy Trails"

Deacon Dale 

Walking In The Desert

Imagine walking in the desert with Jesus - 40 days in a very dry climate - sand - rocks - dust - little to no water - is this even possible?  In the time of Jesus - difficult to say the least.  Today - some two thousand years later - very possible.  Truth be told - my wife and I have spent the last eight years living in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona for the majority of the winter months or more - avoiding the winters in Illinois.  What was once thought to be complete wasteland - now a booming community.  Modern homes - farmers - abundance of crops - growing in the desert.  And yet - the desert is still there - undeveloped areas - thousands of acres - interestingly Arizona the only state in the USA that has four different deserts.  We spend the winter in the Sierra Estrella Mountains located in the Sonoran Desert with a lot of undeveloped desert areas.  While we are in Arizona we spend most of our free time cycling and hiking in and around the desert areas.  The southern most point of our community is located immediately adjacent to open desert land.  It is at that point the bike trails end and where we located what we refer to as our - Prayer Rock.  Sitting here - on the rocks - we look East - a tradition established by early religious communities who associated praying while facing the East - the Eastern sun rise - looking towards the Second Coming of Christ and more.  However in modern Christian theology - in the belief that God is omnipresent - the majority of Christians pray facing whatever directions they wish since being omnipresent means that God is everywhere - constantly around us - every which way we turn.  Our reason for facing the East - we look into the desert at the mountains - looking West - we would see a housing development.  Obviously when placing our minds and bodies in the presence of God - the fewer distractions the better. 

Sonoran Desert Arizona

Whenever we pray - we seek the place - time - with as few distractions as possible - to be able to focus our hearts - minds - thoughts - on God.  With words - in silence - just allowing oneself to - be - to sit - in His Presence - one of the best ways to communicate with God.  In Lent we focus on - prayers - fasting - almsgiving.  The best gift one can give during Lent - your presence to God.

Deacon Dale 

It Doesn't Look Good

It doesn't look good - often heard after a task has been completed - a critique of one's craftsmanship - quality of almost any task.  Most often this criticism means the task needs to be repeated - done over - a second attempt required to complete the task - project.  In life there are numerous opportunities for a do-over - an opportunity to improve upon ones efforts.  In some things - only one chance to get it correct - to do it right the first time.  Ash Wednesday presents us with a once in a year opportunity to - get it right.  For those who minister during Ash Wednesday services - serving at the altar - imposing blessed ashes on the foreheads of the faithful - one chance to get it correct.  In theory - blessed ashes - gently placed on the foreheads of those who approach the minister- ashes in hand - says a few words then - with their thumb - traces a cross on the penitent's forehead.  In more instances than one will admit - the cross appears more like a blob - a smudge.  

God does not expect perfection - never asked us to be perfect - never expected it.  What he does look for - faithfulness.  Ashes too dry - too damp - applied too quickly - does not matter.  The fact that one approached the altar - admitting they are a sinner - seeking help - on their journey to holiness - speaks volumes - especially to God.  The one who applied ashes - an imperfect result -  nothing to do with perfection - failure.  The real goal - place ashes on the forehead - no matter what it looks like.  One approached on their way to holiness - another there - in the moment - helping their fellow pilgrim - to achieve that goal.  In God's eye - a definite win - win situation.  As we join together over the next 40 days - all of us - by ourselves - with our community - walking our own journey - on our own path - aiming for the same goal - the golden ring of holiness.

Deacon Dale 

Becoming your parents

Time for a rant here - there is a commercial on television that I see constantly that really irritates me.  The tag line - an older male “life coach” helps young people keep from becoming their parents by lampooning various things we’ve all seen our parents do - things that many of us older people have done - still do.  I am assuming this is done - tongue in cheek - as an older parent - it completely rubs me the wrong way.  Because of their ads - I would never buy their product - then again - I am not their target audience.  My reason - I never find any fun - pleasure - whenever anyone is made the point of ridicule.  Over the past years we have made it a point to avoid pointing fingers at racial - ethnic - gender - specific peoples.  So when did the older generation become an open target?  Years ago a study was done with high school students asking them who their heroes were.  A small percent named celebrities - sports figures - actors - and such.  The majority - however - named their parents - mom - dad  - their heroes - wishing to follow in their footsteps - achieving what they had accomplished - rising above numerous barriers - to achieve better education - occupations - lives for their families.  Most of us grew up with an appreciation of our own parents' struggles in an attempt to provide us with better lives - in turn - the majority of us have done likewise.  The feeling that parents have experienced when they were able to open new doors for their children - providing them opportunities that were not available to them as children is the fuel that drove the majority to excel and achieve all that they did.   

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When Jesus walked among the people He tried to help people understand that in God's eyes - all were His children - all were equal in His eyes.  What we have gained on one hand is unfortunately lost on the other - often in the attempt to make financial gains - at the expense of others.  What value is it for one to gain the wealth of the world - when they too quickly discard the value - wealth - of the very people around them?  As God loving people - all of us are called to avoid discrimination - to treat all others - no matter the - age - race - gender - ethnicity - equally.  With God in ones heart - this is an easy choice - a choice that we are called to make every day.  

Deacon Dale 

Valentine Blessings

Would it be redundant to say I love Valentines Day - basically saying - in effect - I love Love.  In my mind never wrong to admit that loving Love is admirable - a goal that all should attempt to attain.  Unfortunately there are many who have been hurt in the name of Love - taken advantage of - false love - love of things in place of persons.  True Love will never hurt - lie - make one feel bad - sad.  In Scripture it says in Corinthians 13:4-7, 13  "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is Love." (NABRE)  

When God made the decision to send His only begotten Son - His Love to live - walk - share life with humans - He who is Love - sent His Love to be with each of us.  Even today - although we cannot see - we can - do - feel His Love.  He is the author - creator of Love.  That Love is there for each of us - every day - not just on Valentines.  Open your heart to Him - let His Love fill you today and every day of your life.

Deacon Dale 

Through The Intercession....

In Catholic liturgy we very often hear - through the intercession - saints - faithful - those who we lovingly refer to as - Prayer Warriors.  The month of February begins with Candlemas - blessing of candles - on the Second and Blessing of Throats on the Third and for many - during this upcoming weekend liturgies - as parishes stretch these two special blessing to the weekend so that all parishioners may participate. Participation by the faithful is normally well attended especially since the blessing of throats happens during the cold and flu season.  The blessing of throats is attributed to Saint Blaise who according to tradition cured a child who had a fish bone stuck in their throat. He was a physician and bishop of Sebastea in historical Armenia who is venerated as a Christian saint and martyr.  His feast falls on February 3rd in the Western Church and in the Eastern Churches on February 11th - thus the floating date of veneration.  

Intercessory prayer is very common in various religions - a common way to share ones faith - praying for the needs of others - community - nation - world.  All that is required is to be a person of faith - to believe in God - however you call Him - to believe that He hears all prayers - answers all prayers - according to His will - in His time.  Today there is a serious need for prayer in so many ways - by so many people.  As a disciple - we are all called to intercede for the needs of others - family - friends - anyone who is in need.  No special training - no special words - are needed - only an open heart and a few moments of ones time.  Try it - you might like it. 

Deacon Dale 

When Words Fail.....

If you ask anyone - the majority will admit that there were occasions when words failed them - unable to speak.  Moments such as this happen more often than most will admit - no words - choosing to turn - walk away - speechless.  When this happens - many become frustrated - angry - embarrassed that they had no answer - no reply.  For those who are open - in those moments God sends them - tears - hugs.  Sad occasions very often prompt such responses - funerals especially draw these emotions out of people who are compassionate.  Lacking the words required - a simple heartfelt hug - allowing tears to flow - speaks volumes to others.

As humans our basic instinct is to care.  Care for ourselves - care for others - care for our community.  This basic feeling distinguishes us from other animals.  In God's plan each of us was created for each other - the gifts He has given us - the abilities - skills - although beneficial to ourselves - intended to be freely shared with others.  In Genesis 2:18 we are told: "The Lord God said: it is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suited to him."  From that action God created woman and from that action followed - family - community.  Just as man benefited from a partner who would be a helper so did those who followed also become helpers.  None of us is an island - more than we sometimes want to admit - there are others available to assist - when words fail - there are tears - hugs - words spoken by others.  In this day and age we need to thank God for those around us.  In humility we need to thank - praise Him for this awesome gift.  Together - in God's name - as brothers - sisters - we can not only survive but excel in all we try.  

Deacon Dale 

If At First.....

We all know the saying - "If at first you don't...... fill in the blank here depending on your specific circumstances.." - often may lead to frustration - disappointment - depression - anxiety.  I am fairly safe in stating that all of us can say - been there - done that.  And so it was with our yearly arrival in Arizona where we go to escape the cold Midwest winters.  Settled in after a quick flight - inspecting our accommodations - checking that everything was in good working condition - anticipating a peaceful frustration free time in the warm sunny desert.  That lasted exactly four days - day five had other plans for us - in particular for me.  Half way through a morning bike ride a weird sensation that told me time to visit a doctor - immediately.  The result - eight hours in the emergency room doing various tests - being admitted - spending three nights in the hospital - going home with a stent in a coronary artery. Through-out the entire time and procedure - no pain - simply a weird feeling that something was not right.  Back home - out riding again - weird feeling gone.  

Flowers On A Desert Cactus 

I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as - normal.  Normal is a state that many spend way too much time trying to achieve.  The perception of what is normal for one - often night and day to another.  I think what we have is routine - customized by our personal preferences and life experiences. In simple words - my normal is not your normal - nor should it be.  When God created the world and all that is in it - He looked around and was pleased at what He saw. He saw you and me.  He saw that we were different variations of humankind. Creatures that can think - speak - reason - function in similar but different ways.  For all of  us - God speaks in various - different ways - though audible sounds - through sights - smells - touch.  No one of us is identical - even in the case of identical twins - differences exist.  Unless you live in the Sonoran desert you would never expect to see a multitude of beautiful flowers on a cactus which also grows long sharp needles.  In many lives those flowers belong on plants with soft flowery stems surround by grasses - not sand and gravel.  In my personal experience God was with me as much in that hospital as He was during that eventful bike ride - just as He is this afternoon as I sit writing this blog.  For all of us - He is always at our side - leading us - calling us - to come closer to Him and His Son.  When life feels weird to you - stop - pause - reflect - to many that is their normal.

Deacon Dale