Paying Tribute

The other night my wife and I attended a performance at the neighborhood high school performance center presented by UPTOWN - a tribute singing group.  Tribute groups typically select a single performer or group - learn their history - songs - all they can - when they perform - usually very similar to the original - very often - as good as the original.  

UPTOWN - A Tribute to Motown

When a person or group of people make the decision to form a tribute group - takes a lot of research - work - practice - before they are able to appear in public.  The goal is not only to provide entertainment - also to honor the person - group - their music - showing honor - respect - for their accomplishments.  When one makes the decision to become a disciple of Christ - requires learning all about Him - The Son - The Savior - The Lord - of Life.  One does not - should not make this decision lightly - committing oneself to living a life - honoring - glorifying - The Christ.  In Lent - we ask our self - do I truly reflect the values proclaimed by Jesus - do my words - actions - thoughts - honor Him - if not - why not.  We have begun week three of Lent - now is the time to get serious - to finalize our plans for a great Lenten experience - to jump in - both feet - mouth open wide - singing praises to God - now - paying Him the Tribute - He deserves - one that we know will surely honor Him.

Deacon Dale 

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