Needle's Eye

The needle's eye or more commonly the "eye of the needle" is the small oval opening at the head of a needle through which the thread or material being threaded will pass to facilitate the sewing process. Needles may be very small and thus difficult to thread or they may be large enough that actual cord is used as the threading material. The most common needles are those used to sew clothing and - from experience - are often very difficult to thread. Many times as a youngster I was asked by my mother to thread a needle for her. That I could do - the actual sewing - was always better left up to mother's hands. In Holy Scripture - in Jewish - Christian and Islam religions - scripture relates to impossible objects being passed through a needle's eye. The Babylonian Talmud refers to an elephant passing through a needle's eye. In both the Bible and Quran - reference is made to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. 

In Mark 10:24-25 Jesus tells His disciples that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. At first glance one might think Jesus is being highly critical of those with wealth - but upon deeper inspection we find that it is not the wealth that is the problem - rather how men handle their wealth and how many allow wealth to become their god.  To be wealthy does not necessarily mean to have a lot of money - anything that we might possess in great abundance - may be considered wealth - excess clothing - 100 pairs of shoes - hours upon hours of free time that goes wasted - may all divert our attention from God and those around us who need our help. Jesus warns us that following the law - knowing the rules - staying safely in our own space - does not guarantee anyone a place in heaven. Knowledge is one thing - putting that knowledge into action - freely serving God and His people - are what counts.  Today we all need to look at our wealth and ask ourselves - what are we doing with it - does it distract us from our commitment to God - or are we using our excess to meet the needs of those around us?

Deacon Dale 

Officiant

An officiant is a person who officiates at a service or ceremony such as a wedding, baptism or funeral. At weddings and baptisms the officiant normally is required to be ordained in a specific denomination in order to perform their duties.  At funerals - the officiant is not required to be ordained - but rather one who is trained and has experience conducting funeral services. In this day and age - it is not unusual for persons who have no affiliation with a religious community or organization to be buried without the assistance of a trained officiant. Very often people who are cremated have their ashes spread by a family member with no official service.  While this may be expedient - it often leaves family members with an uneasy feeling that their loved one was not given a dignified and proper goodbye. In light of this - my wife who is a hospital chaplain and I have recently begun a new ministry we call "Final Journey".  Through this new ministry we are offering funeral officiant services.  Our web site is located at www.yourofficiant.org - where we describe the services offered and to whom. It is sad that this type of service is needed - but rather than ignore the issue - we are extending ourselves in a Christian manner to help others.

Jesus came because of the Love that He and the Father have for all mankind. He came to save us from ourselves - from the sins we would commit - from the evil that poisons the hearts of people. He came for everyone - but everyone did not accept Him - He came for His own people - but even some of His own people rejected Him - and today people still reject Him - and search for other answers - to questions that will never be answered without Him. Although He was saddened when people rejected His Gospel - He still extended Himself to everyone who needed Him - He cannot deny Himself - nor will He deny you - if you only ask.

Deacon Dale 

What Me Worry?

According to Wikipedia - worry - is thoughts, images and emotions of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats.  Worry may be experienced by an individual about a real or imagined situation.  A small amount of worry is considered good - double checking on things - buckling your seat belt - avoiding risky ventures - may help to protect from unfortunate or bad outcomes. Excessive worry - on the other hand - may become crippling and prevent an individual from experiencing the fullness of life.  Being terrified of flying in an airplane - being afraid of water - avoiding situations based on rumors - may cause an individual to become excessively worried - to the point that they never fly in an airplane - never learn how to swim - never vote in an election.  I am saddened - when inviting people to travel with me on pilgrimages - that their only reason not to experience the awe and wonder of The Holy Land or the beauty of Italy - is because the are worried about flying - or going to a strange country - or eating different food.  Because of those worries - they miss experiences that contain great joy and pleasure - the possibility of experiencing God in new ways and in new places.

In Matthew 6: 25-34 and Luke 12: 22-25 Jesus told his disciples not to worry - especially about the little things - like what to eat or what to wear - worry has no place in anyone's life.  A small amount of concern about current issues is fine as long as it does not become a worry. It is said that worry is a tool of the devil - used to distract us from the numerous blessing that each of us receives daily from God. When we focus on worries - we take our eyes off God and that opens us to the dark side - where loneliness and self concern takes over.  The answer to being at peace in your own life - is prayer - not worry.  Prayer keeps us connected to God - to Jesus.  Through prayer we get to know ourselves better and in knowing ourselves better we know God better - we become more Christ like - we stop worrying and instead thank and praise Him - Our Lord!

Deacon Dale 

Superheros

Superheros have been with the American public since the year 1917 according to Mirriam Webster's Dictionary. It was not until 1938 that the public was first exposed to possibly the most famous superhero - Superman.  Then followed Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and the whole crew of characters who possessed supernatural powers - super vision - super hearing - super strength - the ability to fly.  One common trait among all superheros was the fact that they helped the common people - to defend them and protect them - from disasters and evil characters.  Some superheros - like Batman and the Green Lantern - did not posses any of the super powers - but were able to use technology and magical tools to enable them to fight crime similar to the true superheros.  Often these not so super heros were described as "costumed crime fighters".  Growing up as children - most of us imagined ourselves as possessing similar super powers - always for good never for evil.  It is admirable that as children our first inclination was to do good - not for ourselves - but for others.  Today many sports figures are viewed as super men and women - ordinary people who have been able to accomplish extra ordinary events.  Michael Jordan and Billie Jean King are among those famous men and women who have soared above others.  The value of modern superheros as role models cannot be denied.  Many a young person has excelled in their own lives because of the superhero - and have become positive role models themselves for others - as they have grown into adults.  The world needs superheros - we all need positive role models.

At the beginning of Jesus' public ministry - one of the first things He did was to go to His cousin John who was baptizing people and asked John to baptize Him.  At first John refused - stating that it was Jesus who should be baptizing John - but Jesus would not hear of that.  He knew what He was doing - He needed John to baptize Him - as a sign of submission to His Heavenly Father - as a sign of willingness to do what He would later ask others to do.  By submitting Himself - Jesus showed His disciples and us - the way to salvation.  By humbling Himself - He became the first true superhero.  One who would fight for the lives of those entrusted to Him by His Father - One who would use His skills to lead others to the waters of regeneration - One who would become the best role model anyone could ever hope for.  He truly lived and died for each and every one of us - He truly defended us against the Evil one - He died that we might have life and live it to the fullest.

Deacon Dale  

Stinger

There are various forms of stingers - the most common is a sharp organ which is found in various animals that delivers a venom by piercing the skin of another animal.  Bees, mosquitoes  wasps, hornets and scorpions all have stingers.  Some - such as honey bees - die after using their stinger as it is pulled from the body after stinging an animal. In medicine - a stinger - is a situation in which a nerve is injured and causes pain to the patient. In casual conversation - a stinger is a retort or comment made between individuals in which one person makes a comment that may be hurtful to the other.  In general - all stingers cause pain - whether intended or not.  Everyone knows of someone who has been hurt by a stinger - if not themselves.  Common traits of stingers is that they usually happen when least expected - are very quickly executed - and have effects that invariably leaves at least one person in pain.  Probably the worst kind of stinger is the verbal assault that is delivered in front of other people and leaves the person who was attacked in an embarrassing condition.  Verbal comments - attacks with words - often do more harm than physical attacks. 

When Jesus was chided by the Pharisees (Mark 7:1-23) about his disciples eating without first washing their hands - He remarked that what caused an "unclean" condition in men was not what went into the body but rather what came out of the body - that is spoken words. He told them that food went into the stomach - not into the heart.  Only that which was in the heart of men and the words spoken from the heart that was made up of lies - false comments - stingers meant to hurt others - was what made a person "unclean".  As we seek to grow in our relationship with Jesus - each of us has to focus our thoughts and words so we are not guilty of delivering stingers - rather we need to offer words of encouragement that builds up the spirit of others.   Do as Jesus would do.

Deacon Dale 

Fantastic!

Fantastic is an adjective used to describe anything that is spectacular, unusual, out of the ordinary, unbelievable, unlikely, or preposterous. It might be a person, a place, a thing or an event.  It is always something that catches the observer by surprise - an unexpected gift - an unusually kind or generous person - an awesome sight - an event that surpasses all expectations.  When we are allowed to experience these things - we describe them as fantastic and awesome.  Fantastic warms our hearts - restores faith in our fellow man - brings us to perhaps laughter or even tears.  Without fantastic - life would be dull - a little less hopeful - a little more dreary - much more mundane.

When Jesus told His disciples that He was going to leave them - to go to His Father's house - where He would prepare a room for them - they did not think that was fantastic.  They were scared because they still did not comprehend what Jesus was all about.  They wanted to believe - but in their hearts they still questioned and wondered - who was this man - the son of the carpenter?  Luckily for us - we know not only the history - but the results.  We have the gift of time - the gift of distance - in which we we have read and studied and learned - what Jesus is all about.  We know the Truth - we know the Way.  Yet - many question and debate - the words - the whys - the wherefores. Holy Scripture - for many - becomes a project to be dissected - torn apart - investigated - studied.  Blessed are they who have not seen - but believe (John 20:29).  To be able to accept the Truth at face value is a gift from God.  To those who still struggle - you are encouraged to take that leap of faith - to close your eyes - to close your ears - to ignore those who confuse - to step into the dark corridors of your heart where Jesus waits to shine His light on your life.  To experience the presence of Jesus in your heart - to feel His warmth - His love - as your personal savior - that is fantastic!

Deacon Dale  

Internal Battles

Everyone of us has internal battles that we have to confront and cope with - some are quite simple and the battle is easily won - others - years to finally come to a peaceful resolution.  Sometime it may have to do with personal relationships - husband and wife - father and son - mother and daughter. Other times it involves occupations - job relationships - work ethics - salary expectations. And even others - in the spiritual arena - what church to join - what doctrine to accept and which to reject - who to follow and what theology to believe. Struggling with faith issues can be one of the most complex and frustrating battles that anyone will ever cope with.  It is never easy - always difficult - keeps you awake at night - and very often ends up with alienation of family and friends. One wonders why God would make it so difficult to make - what should be a simple decision.  The truth be told - He has - He has shared the Truth in Holy Scripture.  It is man who has used that very Truth to confuse the people - twisting words and changing interpretation to their benefit - to their way of thinking. Recently I have been exposed to the concept of "reverts" - those who have left the Church - only to return after a long battle. One such friend - Christina - writes a blog Called The Recovered Catholic.  Another common and similar battle among those firmly entrenched in other Christian traditions - who are seeking a deeper truth in their own faith expression - are those who are drawn away from their tradition to the Catholic Church - one whom I just read is Jason - who writes "I fought the Church and the Church won".

The Internal Struggle To Break Free 

Truth be told - Jesus came to us - that "we might have life and live it to the fullest" (John 10:10). He established the Church that mankind would be able to "worship the Father in Spirit and Truth" (John 4:23) His intent was to create one body of believers - He also knew that men would not all accept His message - that there would be those who would accept His words and those who would reject them (Luke 12:49-53) because of God's gift of free will. He did not want to force us into belief - rather He chose to lead us to the waters of regeneration - that we would chose for ourselves and in that decision become true followers of the Way - the Truth - the Life - that He offers each of us.

Deacon Dale  

Sidebar

The term sidebar has long been used in newspaper and magazine layout. It is now common in Web design, where sidebars originated as advertising space and have evolved to contain information such as quick links to other parts of the site, or links to related materials on other sites. Online sidebars often include small bits of information such as quotes, polls, lists, pictures, site tools, etc.  Most blogs and articles presented on the internet always have a sidebar - a specialize area where the author adds additional information not contained in the main body of their presentation.  Often in personal conversation - people will make "sidebar" comments - comments not specifically pertaining to the issue at hand - but of some remote interest to the discussion taking place.  A few people - though not many - cannot converse in anything but sidebar comments - as they have nothing to add to the actual conversation.

When Jesus preached to the flocks of people who gathered around him - He stayed on target - avoiding sidebars. He did not beat around the bush - rather said what had to be said and in a manner that not only caught the attention of people - but moved their minds as well as their hearts.  Many popular preachers today have nothing to say but sidebars - avoiding the truth of the Gospel - tickling the ears of their listeners with what the listeners want to hear - rather than what they need to hear.  In our parish we are blessed with priests and deacons who preach the Gospel - from the Gospel - without sugar coating Jesus' message of confession - reconciliation - redemption - forgiveness - healing - and newness of life available to all.  If all you are hearing is sidebars - then seek out those who are not afraid to preach the entire Gospel message as Jesus did.

Deacon Dale 

Royalty

Down through the ages there have been numerous Kings and Queens and houses of Royalty. These designations normally acquired through family blood lines and passed down from one generation to another. It is interesting that to be considered of "royalty" -  there is really no requirement except that of being born into the family.  No special talent - no special gift - no degree of being any better than any other person - except being born into a "royal" family. When a royal line is traced backwards - very often we will find that the title was conferred onto an individual as a sign of gratitude for a job well done - particularly one of a military nature.  So in a  manner of speaking we have made "royal"  those who excelled at fighting.  Seems odd - when you think of it - that we should honor and hold in high regards those whose claim to fame was nothing more than a military accomplishment.  To compound this - the title was passed from father to son and in many places perpetuates to this day.  You might ask - why do we perpetuate  this system - why not honor others who have accomplished much more and in a peaceful manner - how about teachers - doctors - artists - builders?

When Jesus was proclaimed King of Kings - His was not a title won on a battlefield - but rather in the hearts of the people who heard His gentle words of peace - love - forgiveness - reconciliation.  Sure He showed anger in the temple when He chased out the money changers - but that was not all He did in the short time He walked this earth. He preached love - healing - hope - faith.  Unlike the kings and queens that came before Him - His kingdom was a heavenly one - a place where He would go to prepare space for each of us - that at the end of our time we could be with Him and His Heavenly Father in paradise.  Jesus - King for all - is He your King?

Deacon Dale 

Pearls

A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.  Most of us know someone who has either a pearl ring, ear rings or necklace - many are costume or inexpensive pieces - just as many are the real thing and valuable. On occasion the word pearl is used to describe a spouse, child or special friend - indicating how much you value them. When a person finds a pearl - they hold onto it for dear life - whether it is a piece of jewelry or a person - real pearls often are hard to find.

When Jesus shared the parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44) - He was comparing a treasure hidden in a field to the Kingdom of Heaven - then followed with the parable of the pearl which shares a similar teaching. To attain Heaven - to share in God's almighty blessing is a treasure  that no one in their right mind would ever pass up - yet many do.  For those of us who have accepted this special gift from God - when we accepted Jesus into our hearts - we know what it is that we have - we hold tightly to our hearts - we invite others to share in this gift from Jesus. To have and to hold is great - to have and to share - even better. Share the gift of Jesus with those whom you treasure.

Deacon Dale