A Note to Myself

Dear Self,

Today, while you are thanking God for all those big things He has given you (and for all the petty things you think are important) please remember to thank Him for that breath you just took.

And while you are at it, thank Him for the breath you are about to take, too.

In your daily commotion, you kinda have a habit of taking gifts like that for granted.

Sincerely,

Michael

P.S.  Remember to wish all your blogging friends a Happy Thanksgiving, too.  You are very fortunate to have them in your life.

Thanks, Luke

Today, I simply thank Luke for writing my one of my favorite exchanges in the entire Bible.  (Which just so happens to be today's Gospel reading.)

"Jesus, remember me when you come into my kingdom."
 He replied to him,
"Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

I pray that we all hear that phrase someday.

God Bless.

Tick-Tock

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.  - Mt 25:13 

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This week started like any other week.

Then on Monday, I found out our Deacon's mother-in-law passed away over the weekend.

Tuesday, I received word that a distant family member died.

Wednesday, a very close friend told me his mother was diagnosed with stage four cancer - a week after his uncle was told the same.

Thursday, a friend at church told me that last month, his mother went into the hospital for a routine colon exam and died of complications within days.  His father died of a heart attack a week later.

But then on Thursday night, I heard one of the most uplifting stories I have ever heard.  

A woman at my church told us how she became an altruistic kidney donor - meaning she donated one of her healthy kidneys to a complete stranger who desperately needed one.

She has a large family of her own to worry about, yet put her own health at risk because she felt God calling her to do something.  

She didn't wait until her kids grew up, or until she found someone she knew who needed a kidney.  

She just did it.

Today, while reflecting on the week, I saw the message weaved into all these events:

Don't put off those things - large or small - that you are going to do for God, for none of us know how much time we have left.

God Bless.

Ok, But Someday I'll Know Everything ... Right?

I remember when I was a little kid - like Billy in the comic - and started to learn all the right words to my prayers and the meaning behind the words we say at Mass.

At this point in my life, I can (almost, sort of) confidently say that I use all the right words in my prayers. 

But I still constantly try to make our Mass more than just a bunch of repetitive words and actions - to find the meaning behind each action and every word.  


For example, during the Eucharistic Prayer and the Institution Narrative, I really try to picture Jesus present in front of us, and mentally walk through the sacrifices He made for us.  


Last week, in true "Billy" form, I just realized that when the priest displays the consecrated host to the people, and says "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World" he is quoting John the Baptist. (I knew John said those words, but embarrassingly enough I never put two and two together!!)


Now when the priest utters those words, I can imagine John announcing the Messiah to his followers.  I can feel the elation all of those present must have felt when they heard those words.  (Which, by the way, is how we should all feel at Mass since Jesus is present with us!)


Sure, I hit myself upside the head for not figuring that out sooner.  But at the same time I smiled inside, knowing that in this circus of life, God reveals different things to all of us at different times.  

God Bless.

P.S.  I'd love to know if any of you do anything like this to bring the Mass to life.  As you can see, I can use all the help I can get!