Martha Martha

We heard that phrase this Sunday at Holy Mass - in the Gospel - when Jesus was trying to get Martha to relax and not be so concerned about Mary sitting at His feet - rather than helping prepare the meal.  For the most part - Martha has been portrayed as a bad person - ignoring the fact that Jesus was in her house - tending to mundane activities of preparing a meal.  Upon closer inspection - one has to realize that Martha had her hands full - in more ways than one. Most likely Martha was the head of the house - the leader in the family - the one expected to see that things ran well as expected. She is the one who ran out to meet Jesus when he first came to see what had happened to her brother Lazarus - and today - she is the one focused on treating her guest properly - seeing that preparations are being made to see to His comfort. She is also the one - who like Peter - called Jesus to task - "why didn't you come sooner and save my brother from death" - and - "tell Mary to get up and help me" - a bold action - one expected from the person in a position of responsibility. It was not only Jesus who she was concerned with - He did travel with His disciples and some women - Martha had a house full - about twenty people to feed and make comfortable. Her house had to be packed - room and seating stretched to their limits - and Martha attempting this huge task alone. Placing ourselves in her situation - we can easily see her concern.

Jesus was well aware of what was going on in Martha's mind - He knew the issues at hand - still His first thought was that Martha should not worry about earthly needs - rather that she should stop to focus - on that which was really important - allowing her to place herself in His presence - to allow Him to feed her - with His words - His love. He knew - as Mary had realized - the concerns of the world would take care of themselves - that worrying about what to wear - what to eat - who to invite - when to meet - how to do - would all be taken care of in due time. To be aware that you are in the presence of the Divine - to recognize a "God moment" when it is happening - to bathe yourself in all that God has to offer - is far better than anything else. God calls each of us to be both Martha and Mary - to see to the needs of others - to offer ourselves when needed - to stop what we are doing - when those God moments happen - to allow ourselves to touch the Divine. Those moments happen often - Jesus calls us constantly - it is up to us to stop and hear His call.

Deacon Dale 

Shrink Wrap

Shrink Wrap according to wikipedia - is a product made of a polymer plastic film that has many uses in industry.  The most common form of shrink wrap that most of us would encounter is that used in the food industry - to protect and preserve food items.  It is flexible and durable and conforms to almost any shape you desire. Depending on the thickness - it can be easily pierced or pierced only by sharp instruments. One of its best characteristics - is that it is transparent which makes it desirable for the food industry. Numerous food items are safely displayed - and on open display for all to see and touch.

Not everything in life is transparent or easy to see through. People are not transparent - many hide their real selves behind masks or identities that defy detection.  Many prowl about among the population looking for easy "marks" - those gullible enough to fall for scams and schemes that quickly separate them from their money and valuables.  Luckily for us - most people are honest - and transparent - in who they are - what they do.  Jesus was that way - what He said -He meant - what He did - was real - what He proposed - was life. There was no masking Him or His intentions.  He was open and honest - completely transparent - in all His actions.  He said that He came that we might have life - He meant it.  He said He forgave sinners - He did.  He promised to be with us always - He is. Jesus is not shrink wrapped - He is approachable and touchable - He waits for you - for your touch - your embrace - to experience for yourself - His divine presence.

Deacon Dale 

Forty!

Forty years ago we welcomed our first born son into our family - it was a very special day for us - first time parents - first time fears - first time joys. In what feels like only a few years - our son has grown into a fine young man - educated - well liked - honest - straight forward - a pleasure to be with.  With time - many changes have taken place in our lives and in his - learning - growing - understanding - coping with issues - rising above disappointments - succeeding. As parents we are very pleased with our son - and he pleased with our growth as well. We are friends - as well as parents - not always the case in some families. We are separated by miles - but connected by our mutual love for each other. Our relationship best described as steadfast.

When God sent His Son to us - he knew that there would be times of trials - times of separation between His people and His Son. In time His people grew to understand just who Jesus is. As in any family - the love steadfast - pure - true.  For all people - for all ages - Jesus is the best birthday present you will ever receive.

Deacon Dale 

Trekking Buddies

As my wife and I prepare to walk El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain - we are learning many things.  Camino "buddies" is one topic that comes up in many conversations that I read in the various camino forums and Facebook pilgrim groups.  The comments vary from the negative - snoring that interrupts your sleep - to the positive - great conversations and sharing of stories.  These "buddies" are those people who walk with you - either sharing their stories - or in silence - those who bandage others injuries and care for another pilgrim's blisters.  Some "buddies" share their trekking poles in difficult terrain - others share clothes - food - supplies.  Strangers when they started - friends for life - when their trek ends. Even here at home - "buddies" make the training more bearable - more friendly - less boring.  Our newest "buddy" is Dana - a friend from Poland who is visiting for a few months.  Little did she know that most of her time with us will be on the road ways and in the fields training for our Camino walk. Another person to share - to contemplate life with - to endure the many hours of training.

Arlene and Dana

As each of us walks our own "camino" - there will be many challenges and accomplishments - moments of sadness - times of joy.  Experiencing these moments alone can be a big burden - having someone to share them with - a joy.  In our spiritual lives - the same is true.  For those who have accepted Jesus as their personal saviour - no problem - He is always there - waiting - smiling - helping - consoling - for those who have yet to make a personal commitment to God - they walk alone. It makes no difference if one walks the Camino in Spain - or their own personal Camino - doing so alone can be very difficult - for many impossible.  Asking Jesus to be your trekking "buddy" throughout life - will lighten the burden immensely. If you need a "buddy" - ask Jesus - He is available.

Deacon Dale

Pond Skimmer

Last summer I redesigned my fish pond - tore it down to the dirt - rebuilt it from the ground up. One of the new features - in addition to a much bigger waterfall - the skimmer.  The skimmer is a device that draws pond water into a holding area where dirt and debris are filtered out of the water before the water is pumped back into the pond. I also have an oak tree by the pond.  This spring the oak tree dropped tons of flowers - called catkins - onto the ground and into the pond. These catkinds can create a mess and in the pond they did exactly that.  My skimmer has been working overtime just to filter all  those particles and tiny stems out of the water.  The fish do not seem to mind - but I do.  All these dropping end up on the filter inside the skimmer and guess who gets to clean the filter - me.  Last summer- after I installed the skimmer - I had to clean the filter two or three times until the winter - when I cleaned it once.  Now this year - so far - I have cleaned it a dozen times or so - sometimes as often as every three days. If I am diligent and keep up with this task - the fish will be able to live in a clean pond.

Pond Skimmer

When Catholics go to confession in the Rite of Reconciliation with their priest - the priest acts in a similar way as the skimmer. Through prayerful discussion - the "dirt" clouding a person's life is removed and handed over to Jesus - who deals with it.  After reconciliation - the penitent is returned back into the mainstream of life - purified - cleansed.  Jesus is there waiting for all of us - to realize that He can and will cope with any issue that dirties the waters of our lives.  It only takes a few minutes - for miracles to happen - for loads to be lifted - sins removed - healing begun.  If you are wading in murky waters - if your life is not as pure as you would like - seek Jesus - the ultimate healer of hearts and souls.

Deacon Dale 

To Walk Far - Carry Less

To Walk Far, Carry Less is the title of a book dealing with the issue of ultralight backpacking - specifically for those considering walking the 500 mile El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. In this book the author provides insight to her experience planning and walking the Camino.  She shares how she selected the lightest weight items to put into her backpack and other weight saving tips. The most drastic tip - suggesting cutting off size tags and manufacturer labels - once you made the decision to keep the item - and carry in the pack.  In her original book - published in November 2011 - she calculated that with all the tags removed she was able to trim almost one pound of weight. That translates into a lot of items with tags. Since that time many manufacturers have stopped sewing tags onto their clothing - using a new imprint method to eliminate tags.  Still - as my wife and I continue our training and selecting items for our backpack - we have noticed that only four or five items actually have tags - cutting them off would save us a very small amount of weight - but we did it anyhow.  Where weight on the Camino is important - we eliminate any unnecessary weight where we can.

In our personal lives and on our spiritual journeys - we need to follow the same mantra - To walk far - carry less.  Too many of us are carrying burdens that we should have given up ages ago. Old arguments - family squabbles - issues with work - things we have been unable to change - worries about our health - things we wished we had never done - sins committed - sins never confessed - to ourselves - to God.  All these things - are like "dust bunnies" - that we accumulate when we crawl under the bed and through dusty closets - we emerge covered with the "lint of life".  Unfortunately - too many - allow these issues to cling to their spirit - to weigh them down - to make life look worse than it is.  In confession - we are allowed to take this excess baggage and hand it over to Jesus - to give to Him - all our concerns - all our worries - all our sins - that we may be freed from this "lint of life" - to walk lighter - to walk refreshed - to walk anew in the Spirit.   Trust Jesus - He is there - waiting for you to unburden your life - to leave your baggage at the foot of His Cross - where He alone will deal with it.

Deacon Dale 

One Day Camino - Training Event

Previosuly I posted about walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  As a training tool - my wife and I have designed a one day Camino - here in Illinois.  Rather than walk this alone - we are inviting adventurous individuals to join us on this trek.

El Camino de los Santos - The Way of the Saints 

Click link above to read flier

There are two forms that are required to participate on this Camino.

Registration Deadline July 3, 2013

You must click the links provided below and print out each page. 

Your completed "Participation Form" should be mailed to:

 DeaconTravel Ministries  

PO Box 124   

Bristol, IL 60512

 OR

You may Sign and Scan your Form and send as an email attachment

to:  camino@deacontravel.org

If you want a commemorative Camino t-shirt, then indicate your shirt

size on the Participation Form and enclose your donation of $20 (if mailing)

otherwise your donation will be collected the day of the Camino.

Checks should be made out to:  St Gianna Molla Shrine Fund

Camino Participation Form (pdf)

http://www.deacontravel.com/uploads/CDLS2.pdf

Camino Participants Information Form (pdf)

http://www.deacontravel.com/uploads/CDLS3.pdf

Any questions?  Ask!

Deacon Dale 

Bargins

Today we began the estate sale I mentioned in a previous post - it was interesting - to say the least.  I enjoy meeting different people - observing how they act and react. At an estate sale   everything is priced to move - no desire to hold onto things that never belonged to you - goal to dispose of assets and clear the property - so everything priced very low. Even that being done - almost everyone wanted to barter. In this country there are very few places left for anyone to actually try bartering.  It is like a game - with money the playing pieces.  In Europe - in many countries - bartering is a way of life - and an insult to the seller if you don't want to play the game.  Everyone loves getting a good deal - or at least thinking they got one. So at the estate sale we bartered on everything - when neither party would budge on the price - an incentive was offered - a free item. - a promise to return and buy more.  On the selling end - we felt good letting people walk away with a good deal - the buyers all left with smiles and handshakes - a good day to barter and get some bargains.

  

With Jesus there is no need to barter - to try for a bargain.  Everything He has to give - love - forgiveness - understanding - healing - His Holy Spirit - salvation - is free!   Now that is a bargain!

Deacon Dale

Estate Sale

A friend of ours was born to eternal life a few weeks ago - now we are helping clear his house and get ready for an "estate sale".  In this process we are learning how much stuff people can collect over the years.  Some 40 bags of clothing was donated to charity - 40 bags for one person - many of them never worn?  I have half of one closet and a dresser - maybe my stuff could fill 4 bags?  I wonder what I am missing out on - maybe that is why I never can find anything to wear - yet - I do have enough - or so it seems.  Clothing is not the only thing our friend had in excess - collectibles - comforters - dishes - tools - a lot of stuff that he has no use for anymore.  My wife and I are in the process of decluttering our home - disposing of "things" that our children will not want or need.  When our time comes to be born to eternal life - our hope is that we do not leave our family with an eternal mess.  Sweet and clean and easy - if that were only possible.

When Jesus was preparing his disciples for His ascension - they were fearful of being abandoned - being left with nothing. Although He had no earthly possessions to leave - He did leave them the gift of the Holy Spirit - The Advocate - the One who would teach and help them in His absence.  Jesus did not need an "estate sale" when He left - but He did leave all of us the greatest inheritance we could ever receive - His Holy Spirit.

Deacon Dale

Trinity

The word trinity describes anything that is a combination of three parts. Three friends form a fellowship of three - a trinity of likes - yet different from each other.  A combination of three vehicles form a trinity - yet one may be a truck - convertible - coupe. Other trinities might be three identical object or persons - more commonly called a threesome.  Although there are three of each - there is nothing special about a group of three.

The Holy Trinity - on the other hand is quite unique.  The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons - the Father - the Son - the Holy Spirit - One God in three persons. The three persons are distinct - yet one - substance - essence - nature.  The Trinity is considered to be a Mystery - unable to be understood. . Each person is God - whole and entire - distinct from one another in their relations of origin - the Father who generates - the Son who is begotten - the Holy Spirit who proceeds - distinct in their relations with one another - they are one in all else.  It was the Holy Trinity that we honored this past Sunday - a reality - a mystery. Each day we acknowledge the Trinity as we begin and end our prayers - in this One Holy Trinity - we live our lives as commited Christians.

Deacon Dale