Digging in..

All those who have grown any type of plant knows that one has to get down into the dirt - getting hands - fingers - dirty.  So many times - plants needing fertilizer - additional nutrients - time - to be given the best chance to blossom.  Getting deep into the project - planting - creating - all success - comes only after serious effort.  In Today's Gospel - a fig tree - barren - no fruit - about to be destroyed - the gardener - asks for more time - to fertilize - add nutrients - give it another chance. 

As we reflect on our lives this Lent - as many challenge us - judge us harshly - failures - weak  - ready to throw us aside - ourselves included - need to remember God does not make junk.  All of us - pearls - sometimes hidden in the soil of life - buried under - sick minds - sick hearts - disillusionment - beat up - beat down - seeking to be fertilized - given that spiritual boost - set back on the path to fullness of life.  As we honestly consider what we have done - what we have failed to do - where our successes lay - we need to realize - understand - in our weakest moments - that is when we need to ask Jesus for help.  On bent knees - hearts in hand - we look up - offer up to Him - our lives.  Take us Lord - as weak as we are - as incomplete as we may be - mold us - make us - into your Divine image.  Jesus we trust in you - Bless us this day and all days - Amen.

Deacon Dale  

Too Weak

From my experience working with people - one comment often spoken - unable to accomplish a task - project - just too weak - unable to get it done.  I am fairly certain that many of us have been in that same boat - get to a point when you feel completely exhausted - mentally - physically.  Nobody can ever blame anyone for having that happen.  There are times - hopefully few and far between - that it is used as an excuse - to stop where they are - being bored - unfulfilled - more attractive option available - just wanting to quit.  

We are now at the end of week two - hopefully not - weak too.  For some - Lent too long - too trying - too demanding.  For those whose faith is strong - just getting energized - excited by the options - possibilities - awaiting them.  Always at our side - Jesus - always ready to step in - help us - with our endeavors.  One has to remember in those times of trials - weakness - when our battery feels run down - somewhat similar to what Jesus experienced Himself during His forty days - in the desert.  He never gave up - ignored the temptations laid before Him by the Devil - as a model for all of those who would follow Him - as disciples.  Jesus - our role model - Our Lord - even today - walking in the desert - at our side - in these forty days of Lent.

Deacon Dale 

Meet Less

Avoiding meat on certain days of Lent - Ash Wednesday - Good Friday - Fridays between these days - routine.  Fridays during Lent takes on a very different aspect from the other days - stricter regulations - typically Stations of the Cross - avoiding eating meat.  Forced sacrifice - more time required for devotions - dietary restrictions - makes one think - why - what is gained - lost.  End of the work week - normally means end of job stress - bedtime brings an end to all weekday obligations.  

During the week - many distractions - obligations - deadlines - fill our schedules.  Our response - to reduce - stress - lighten our load - schedule fewer obligations - meet less.  It has become second nature for Catholics to avoid meat on Fridays - now time to also - avoid unnecessary meetings - gatherings.  In Lent as we try to become holier - draw closer to Jesus - Our Savior - important to put some things on hold - make more time for - our self - God.  Fridays new agenda - meet less.

Deacon Dale 

Rock of Ages

In the desert - lots of things to explore - plants - animals - rocks - many things to contemplate when walking through the Sonoran Desert.  As we hiked through the desert yesterday - flat land - hills - mountainous areas - up - downs - twists - turns - hiking on paths created for mountain bikers - created by mankind - on ground created by God.  Various ways that mountains are created - in very simple terms - rock pushed upwards through the crust of the earth - above ground level - forming mountains.  Most believe this process - estimated - occurred some 450 million years ago - long before people walked the earth. My favorite comment coined by me 25 years ago - flying with family to Arizona - "Mountains are a wrinkle in the fabric of the Earth" - "when God reached down from Heaven - pinched the fabric to create mountains" (©Deacon Dale Metcalfe - August 1994) The rock formations one sees - brings to mind the power of God - the power of Creation - the power of His Love - the power of His Forgiveness.

Sonoran Desert

Jesus told the people - come to Him - all who were tired - weak - worn out from life - stressed - afraid - confused.  He continues that call - even today - especially during Lent.  Jesus reminds us that we are loved - no matter what we have done - have not done.  During Lent we often are drawn to admit - we have sinned - are sinners - guilty on all charges.  Recognizing our sins - need to ask forgiveness.  One of the greatest sacraments available in the Church - Confession - available to anyone.  Some fear their sins - unforgiveable - too serious for even God to forgive.  Reality - no matter how big - grand - serious - the sin - God can - will forgive.  Many fail to acknowledge - God's Divine Mercy - His Love - Forgiveness - Ability to forgive the worst sinner - as long as they approach Him - honestly - with a repentant mind - heart - intention to not repeat that sin in the future.  Jesus calls all to healing - wholeness - holiness - is He calling you?

Deacon Dale 

The Journey Continues...

Distracted or not - our journey continues - issues with vehicle - switch vehicles - alternate transportation - back to the basics - walking. Today's adventure - back to the desert - this time not just looking - walking to its core. As mentioned before - we are staying in the Sonoran desert - homes - businesses - built in Arizona's desert - surrounded by the blank canvas of God's creation - desert living.  Not as barren as one might think.

When we started Lent - majority of people had no idea what they would do - what they would give up - sacrifice - how they might spend more time thinking about their life.  A few - fully prepared - plans in hand - ready to jump in even before Ash Wednesday.  The rest - trying to remember the previous Lent - what they did - if it was rewarding - beneficial - what to repeat - what to avoid.  A few - still have yet to start - no clue what to do.  When Jesus calls us to walk with Him in  the desert - bags packed - walking stick in hand - water supply arranged - waiting not an option.  Many are called - not everyone responds.  Some waiting for the next call - hoping for another chance - others - knowing this invitation may be their one and only call - act now.  The desert may be barren - surprisingly filled with beauty - wonders of nature - placed there by God for us to explore.  Faith is one of the gifts the Lord has blessed us with - a gift to be picked up - experienced - to the fullness.  Today - His Gift - your opportunity - to find out just who He is - who You are - how deep His love for you goes.

Deacon Dale 

The Best-Laid Plans...

 Yes - we have heard it time and again - the best-laid plans of mice and men - very often go sideways - not as planned.  So yesterday we took our car in to have a recall taken care of - arrived early - all set - surprise - part need to correct the defect - not available yet - the waiting game continues. This happens frequently in Lent - extensive plans - time made for prayer - reflection - Adoration - then it all falls apart - plans stalled.  

God's plan is perfect - in His time - according to His Will.  Unfortunately nobody knows His plan - one can only guess.  We walk in Faith - taking our cues from His Holy Spirit.  Even when our plans for Lent get side tracked - another road is always available to follow.  When one door is closed - another opens up.  As we spend time seeking a deeper relationship with God - we plan - make adjustments - change our route - open a new door - allow ourselves - to follow the promptings of His Holy Spirit.  We are now well into our second week - plan changes or not - we continue - one step after another.

Deacon Dale 

Recall

This morning we are taking our car in for yet another recall - something about it might possibly burst into flames - not ignoring this one.  The car is a 2017 so three recalls in five years not so bad?  I say even one recall is one to many - however - better that they learned about the issue(s) - willing to pay for it - only cost to us - some time at the dealer.  Only Jesus was - is - perfect - everything else flawed.  That is the number one reason for Lent - admitting our flaws - identifying them - dealing with them.  We just have to admit - we are a flawed people - God never intended any of us to be perfect.  Oh - He does expect us to come close - with His help - flaws built into our DNR - a reminder that we need to actively participate in our search for Holiness - not automatically guaranteed.

Jesus - even though He was perfect - had to struggle with many issues that we struggle with - making friends - building community - building trust - coping with negativity from others.  Even though Jesus was perfect - did not live a perfect life.  In Lent we follow Jesus as a model - strength - humility - focusing on His goal.  His goal - proclaiming the Gospel - leading people to His Father - our  goal - draw closer to God - become a holy person.  Perfection never a goal for anyone - accepting that we are flawed - need God's help.  No matter how often God calls us - issues a recall - we accept our flaws - take it in stride - continue on the path laid before us. In God we do trust - Jesus we trust in You - for all the days of our life.

Deacon Dale 

Some Days Don't Count

If ones does the math - more than forty days between Ash Wednesday and the Triduum when Lent officially ends.  Why the extra days?  The period of Lent was originally much shorter - a special time for those preparing to enter the Church at Easter - expanded to forty days of - prayer - fasting - sacrifice - to reflect the forty days Jesus spent in the desert.  Those forty days - along with Sundays - always considered - Little Easter - celebration of New Life - for a complete Lenten experience.  Because Sundays are not viewed as penance days they are not included in the forty days - adding six more days to the period of time.  This explains why some who have sworn to give up certain things - candy - alcohol - will consume these things on Sundays since they are not technically days of Lent.  One can argue that a promise of abstinence applies to every single day from Ash Wednesday to Easter - others taking advantage of the reality that Sundays are not Lenten days - enjoy those things they have given up for the other six days of the week. 

Jesus spent His forty days in the desert - did not break His fast because of Shabbat - the Sabbath - during that time.  In His time - the Holy Day - always a day of rest - avoiding work - not the same as Sundays celebrated by Christians.  Christianity did not evolve until after His death and resurrection - no comparison to how we observe the forty days of Lent.  As faithful Christians - observing Lent - all days - including Sundays - should take on a more serious practice of our faith.  Celebrating the Sundays of Lent should take us deeper into our Lenten experience - not remove the deeper level of devotion observed during the other days of the week.  As Christians - as faithful disciples - we should never say - some days don't count - rather every day of our life should count more - every day - drawing ourselves - deeper into our relationship with Jesus - God - Our Father.  No vacation days ever - from God.

Deacon Dale 

Courage

For those who hold religious beliefs - it takes a certain amount of courage to openly share their faith.  In these days when so many deny their faith - the faithful - ridiculed for believing.  Too many feel that belief in God - a sign of weakness - electing to claim their accomplishment - success - on their abilities alone - completely forgetting where those abilities - skills - came from in the first place.  Giving credit to good genes - education - life experiences - above those given freely by a Higher Power.  For those who freely give the credit to God - living in boldness - acknowledging God - the grantor - of all they possess - numerous blessings.

When Jesus called our name to become His disciple - He not only gave us His Holy Spirit - also the gift of Boldness - the ability to live our faith openly - free from fear that we would become a target for others to ridicule.  As we invest our time - energy - in these forty days of Lent - freely sharing our experiences with others - we boldly journey where many fear to go.  As we continue - we are encouraged by others who walk a similar journey - share the experience - in communal worship time - community events.  Together - as brothers - sisters - in faith - we continue towards that golden ring - Holiness.

Deacon Dale 

Signs and Wonders

So many people have difficulty accepting the Word of God as valid - real - unless they are accompanied by - Signs and Wonders.  Too many fail to accept Holy Scripture based solely on reading - hearing it proclaimed.  All too often we hear - yes - I heard - but I doubt it is real.  Just because it is written on paper - appears in Holy Scripture - does not make it real.  For some - not real - unless some supernatural event accompanies the Word.  Although the Bible is filled with miracles - we often hear - but that was back then - at the time of Jesus - never hear that these still happen in our time.  Sadly - this is a modern day myth perpetuated even by some clergy.  For those who are more open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit - miracles - signs - wonders - seen very frequently.  What many claim to be coincidences - over looked natural occurrences - really are modern day miracles.  For  those who close their eyes to the signs around them - missing out on special blessings God sends every day.

Camino Sign Post - Northern Spain 

When my wife and I walked the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage route in Spain - our eyes focused not only on the goal at the end - also on Camino sign posts - pointing the correct path to follow.  Most noticeable - concrete pillars like the one above - the historical sun shaped arrow with radiating rays - the modern arrow - always in yellow - on pillars - painted on walls - roadways - directing us on the Way.  Jesus very often pointed people in His day to the Way - not with yellow arrows - rather by using the miracles He performed.  Through numerous signs - wonders - Jesus got the peoples' attention - stopped them in their tracks - made them rethink things they thought they knew - corrected errors taught by others.  Even now in this day - in this Lent - Jesus constantly pointing us in the right direction - along the correct path - to His Father - to Holiness.  Blessed are we who see - believe - His Signs - Wonders.

Deacon Dale