tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17175003537103370602024-01-28T04:01:47.071-05:00Reach ParadiseCatholic BlogMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-61336190309859555002018-02-25T12:06:00.001-05:002018-02-25T12:06:39.027-05:00Overheard about the Transfiguration<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our priest had three interesting things to share about the Transfiguration this weekend.</span></span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Mt Tabor, one of the possible sites that this event occurred, is not a small hill. It sits almost 2,000 ft high. (Mt Hermon, another possible site, is over 9,000 ft high!) It would have taken Jesus and the Apostles some time to reach the top. It was apparently not something you do on a whim one afternoon. Sometimes we overlook these things as the Gospels move around so quickly.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In those days, Jewish law said that you needed 2 or 3 witnesses to prove something in a court of law. During the Transfiguration, there were not only three living witnesses (James, John and Peter), but two "spiritual" ones as well in Moses and Elijah. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The view from the mountain is breathtaking as you can see all the land. When combined with the Transfiguration, and God's acknowledgement that He is pleased with His Son, the event must have been quite inspirational (albeit a bit frightening as well). Did God want to make sure Peter, James, and John saw this side of the journey to "balance out" the upcoming Crucifixion? That is likely beyond our understanding, but interesting to think about.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I hope you are having a spiritual Lenten season. God Bless you!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-24070684458385775852018-02-18T15:07:00.000-05:002018-02-18T15:07:19.281-05:00An Image to Reflect on to Start Lent<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of you know that I am a huge fan of Bishop Robert Barron. Well, he is posting a reflection each day during Lent on <a href="http://www.lentreflections.com/" target="_blank">this site</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I love his commentary, it was actually this image that I found quite moving:</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.lentreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/180218_LGR-Day5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lentreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/180218_LGR-Day5.jpg" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Why?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have never seen this painting of our Savior before. He looks like ... well .... He looks like he has been fasting in the desert for 40 days.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know about you, but every time I hear this weekend's <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/mark/1:12" target="_blank">Gospel</a> from Mark, I envision Jesus triumphantly beating temptation in the desert in all His glorious Holiness. Which is a nice visual, of course, but I think it minimizes what He went through to prepare for His Ministry for us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rarely, do I picture Him as this image does ... as Someone who is also fully human and showing the signs of 40 days of fasting in harsh surroundings.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you are as moved by this image as I am.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Blessed and Holy Lent to all of you!</span></span><br />
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Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-12283183939909243032018-01-23T08:12:00.000-05:002018-01-23T08:12:14.590-05:00Men with Sole, Net Results<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you couldn't tell from my titles </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://timeforreflections.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Victor</a>-like puns, t</span></span>he past two weekends really got me curious about fisherman in Jesus' time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some interesting thoughts I came across as I researched what life was really like for people like Andrew, James, John and Peter before the Lord called them to follow Him.</span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contrary to what I have heard over and over again, fishing was not a "poor" profession during that time. In fact, there are indications that the industry was successful - including the "business" that Peter likely ran. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is likely that these Apostles had others working for them, as boats often had multiple rowers and net casters. (Perhaps that is one of the reasons why they did not hesitate to follow Jesus?)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boats they used were around 25-30' long and about 7' wide, and made of wood.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, contrary to the image of "not intelligent fishermen", these gentlemen had to come up with clever ways to catch fish. One of the more effective is assumed to be a method where two boats work together with a shared net, and encircle the fish by rowing in opposite directions. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are like me, you envision these folks as dedicated, patient, and hard-working, and from all indications, that would be correct. Fishermen would often go out at night, make numerous runs, and sometimes had to deal with little to no reward on a bad day. In addition, they had to continuously mend, dry and washing their nets. </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All that being said, one thing really stuck with me this week. In today's day in age, we often think about a singular fisherman ... casting his line out to sea and catching one fish at a time. But Jesus called these fishermen ... who worked in teams ... to pull in large amounts of fish at a time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know about you, but I am ecstatic if I feel that I inspired one person, let alone a group. And yet, after reflecting on this passage, I can't help but feel our Lord wants much more - but is reminding us we cannot do it alone, and we must have patience and dedication.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Bless you. </span></span></i>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-88236066211210619072017-12-28T21:29:00.002-05:002017-12-28T21:29:47.910-05:00Overheard at Christmas Mass<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"For those of you that are disappointed that you didn't get a present you really wanted ... don't worry about it ... <b>IT ISN'T YOUR BIRTHDAY</b>!"</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope you all had a very Blessed Christmas! Sending you my prayers for a very Holy, Peaceful 2018! </span></span></i>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-91758077377683379812017-11-07T22:05:00.002-05:002017-11-07T22:05:50.287-05:00Running Towards Him and Taking it Slow<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi Everyone ... my apologies for not posting for a bit. Thank you all for your well wishes during this time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I witnessed two different actions at Mass this month that really made me think.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first action happened right before the Readings. The church I was at has a practice of calling up all the kids in attendance before the first Reading. The priest gives one of the children a big book of readings, and that child leads the procession out of the church and to the classrooms where they learn the Gospel in their own terms. Now, normally, the children are reluctant to be the "book carrier". For one, it calls attention to them, and they are usually quite shy. Second, the book is rather large for them and, I imagine, not the easiest thing to carry a decent distance.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But on this day, a lad who looked to be all of 5 years old, came sprinting to the priest to grab the book ... and then proudly held it high over his head as he attempted to proceed back down the aisle. (He didn't make it far before he had to get some assistance carrying it, but it was definitely an A for effort!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That action had an immediate impact on me. What if we all "raced to God's word" as quickly as that little boy did??</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second action that gave me pause was at a different church the following week. I don't know about churches near you, but when most of our priests perform the Consecration, they hold the body and blood up in the air for about three to five seconds. Ten at the <i>most</i>. The priest that was residing over this particular Mass held each in the air for a full <i>sixty</i> seconds!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I must admit, relative to the normal actions, those sixty seconds felt like ten minutes. And what felt a bit awkward at first, turned into something quite beautiful. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wondered to myself ... shouldn't we always take an extra minute or two to fully reflect on that most beautiful part of Mass?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Bless all of you. </span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></i>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-10288885199643672252017-07-24T11:24:00.001-04:002017-07-24T11:24:14.406-04:00Overheard: Wheat, Weeds ... and Cookies?<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's Gospel <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/matthew/13:24" target="_blank">reading</a> included the Parable about the Wheat and Weeds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the end of the parable, of course, the harvesters collect the weeds and tie them together to be burned, and the wheat is put into the barn. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The distinction is quite obvious to the harvesters. But note that the slaves are instructed not to try and pull the weeds out themselves.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perhaps there is a message in there that we are not try and determine who is "good" and who is "evil". God is the only one that can, and He allows them to remain until He comes again. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I reflected on that, I realized that we constantly try and label people as "good" or "evil" ... "right" or "wrong". But how often do we really know? How often do people change? How often should we be holding up a mirror instead?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It reminded me of the <i>Cookie Thief Poem</i>, attributed to Valerie Cox:</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A woman was waiting at an airport one night,<br />With several long hours before her flight.<br />She hunted for a book in the airport shop,<br />Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop. </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She was engrossed in her book, but happened to see,<br />That the man beside her, as bold as could be,<br />Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between,<br />Which she tried to ignore, to avoid a scene. </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She read, munched cookies, and watched the clock,<br />As the gutsy “cookie thief” diminished her stock.<br />She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,<br />Thinking, “If I wasn’t so nice, I’d blacken his eye!” </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With each cookie she took, he took one too.<br />When only one was left, she wondered what he’d do.<br />With a smile on his face and a nervous laugh,<br />He took the last cookie and broke it in half. </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He offered her half, as he ate the other.<br />She snatched it from him and thought, “Oh brother,<br />This guy has some nerve, and he’s also <i>rude, </i><br />Why, he didn’t even show any gratitude!” </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She had never known when she had been so galled,<br /> And sighed with relief when her flight was called.<br />She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate,<br />Refusing to look back at the “thieving ingrate.” </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She boarded the plane and sank in her seat,<br />Then sought her book, which was almost complete.<br />As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise.<br />There was her bag of cookies in front of her eyes! </span></span></blockquote>
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<div class="tx1" id="d7e25704225">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“If mine are here,” she moaned with despair,<br />“Then the others were <i>his </i>and he tried to share!”<br />Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,<br />That <i>she </i>was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hmmm ... all of a sudden I am hungry for some cookies. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Remember, no judging me!) </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God Bless you. </span></span></i>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-66921226274943406792017-05-28T09:12:00.000-04:002017-05-28T09:12:03.200-04:00It's All Greek to Me, Part II<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. - John 14:16</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I learned something new recently about this encouraging statement by our Savior. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I have read this passage before, I have always interpreted it as God was going to send us a different Entity. Meaning, Jesus was there at that moment He was speaking to the disciples, and then God was going to send the Holy Spirit .... Someone very different than Jesus. Why else would he say "another"?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That interpretation was in conflict with my belief in the Trinity, of course, and so there was a bit of an irreconcilable difference in my head. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Until I learned a little Greek, that is! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The English language has multiple definitions for <i>another</i>. For example, a restaurant might tell you "Sorry, we are booked this evening ... please come back <i>another</i> day." In that scenario <i>another</i> means a completely different day. In contrast, one might say "That was delicious, I'll have <i>another</i> piece of that cake, please!" In that scenario, <i>another</i> means more of the same.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, the Greek language uses two different words. <i>Allos</i>, meaning the same kind, and <i>hetero</i>s, meaning a different kind. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Greek word used in John's passage above is <i>allos</i>. Thus, Jesus is telling his disciples the Lord is sending another Helper just like him. The Third Person in the Trinity! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>God Bless you, and prayers that the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen us. </i></span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-60679923416754378812017-04-17T11:36:00.000-04:002017-04-17T11:36:18.063-04:00He Bows His Head, as if to Kiss You<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Glorious and Blessed Easter to all of you!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I came across this wonderful reflection from St Augustine of Hippo about St John's Passion, and wanted to share. I can assure you I will not look at the cross the same way again!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As they were looking on, so we too gaze on his wounds
as he hangs. We see his blood as he dies. We see the price
offered by the redeemer, touch the scars of his
resurrection. </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He bows his head, as if to kiss you.
His heart is made bare open, as it were, in love to you. His
arms are extended that he may embrace you. His whole body is
displayed for your redemption.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ponder how great these things
are.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let all this be rightly weighed in your mind: as he was
once fixed to the cross in every part of his body for you, so he
may now be fixed in every part of your soul.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ponder how great these things are, indeed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God Bless you!</span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-12669838250375428972017-04-02T09:09:00.000-04:002017-04-02T09:09:18.905-04:00Looking at Lazaruz Through A Different Lens<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I get to a Gospel reading that I have heard many, many times - especially one that has a pretty clear message like today's <a href="http://usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/john/11:1" target="_blank">Lazarus</a> story - I try and find a new perspective. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I usually look at the Lazarus story as a microcosm of our larger Faith story. Jesus raises a man from the dead, much like He will be raised from the dead shortly thereafter. His Apostles and other followers start to believe even more after watching the unthinkable happen right before their eyes... much like millions more will over the centuries that follow. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus talks about walking in the Light - a metaphor for all of us to follow the path that He illuminates for us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so on and so forth. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I looked at this passage through a different lens - time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the things that struck me today was that both Martha and Mary say the same thing to Jesus ... basically that "if only You had been here our brother would be alive". </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In their view of the world, Jesus was not there when they wanted Him to be. He was "late" by their clock. Likewise the near-term outcome was not what they wanted either. In their all-too-human plan, Jesus is with them when Lazarus falls ill and prevents him from dying. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(On a side note, twice in this reading John tells us that Jesus was "perturbed". That word really struck me.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus knew that not only were they going to get the outcome they wanted, but because it happened on HIS time, and not theirs, there would be an even greater good. They - like us - were thinking much too myopically.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In God's plan, this was a moment in time that could not only bring those present closer to Him, but one that would resonate for eternity. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I hope you are having a Blessed Lent.</i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-22450323869194740322017-02-26T11:10:00.000-05:002017-02-26T11:10:52.854-05:00Serving Two Masters: A Sports Analogy<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In today's <a href="http://usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/matthew/6:24" target="_blank">Gospel</a>, Jesus tells us we cannot serve two masters. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We must love one and hate the other.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This can be hard to explain or understand in a world that is not so easily seen in black and white.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One analogy that I came across tries to explain this in sporting terms ...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's say you live in Chicago. You have two baseball teams you can root for ... the American League White Sox, or the National League Cubs. (This analogy works for many cities and sports by the way... in England, for example, you could have Manchester United vs Manchester City in soccer/football). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some fans will tell you that you can root for both hometown teams, especially since, in the baseball example, they are from different leagues. They argue that they can watch both teams compete, and root for them against whoever they are playing. This would sort of equate to us saying we can serve both our material lives and God equally at the same time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the flip side, some fans will argue you absolutely positively cannot root for both teams. You must choose one, or the other, and throw all of your passion, loyalty and love behind that one team. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's go back to that first example, though - the fan that says they can root for both teams. This might be true for most of the season. But what if the White Sox and Cubs both made it to the World Series and had to play each other? (Or when Man U and City play each other for the Manchester Cup?) Wouldn't that fan then have to ultimately choose one? To love one and thus hate the other? And what about when the two teams are playing a game at the same time? How does the fan choose which team to watch? He/she either chooses one, or splits his/her attention ... and thus does not give their entire self to one or the other.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While this analogy is not perfect, I think it does help explain that when we think we can serve both masters (read: root for both teams), we end up, at best, only giving a piece of ourselves. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And we all know that God deserves all of us. Not just a piece!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We need to be more like the fan that knows this is not possible, and chooses one team to serve for with all of his/her self. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>God Bless you.</i></span></span><br />
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<br />Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-6749623902831317352017-02-12T08:48:00.001-05:002017-02-12T08:48:53.767-05:00World Marriage Sunday Humor<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="arial12" style="color: black;"><span class="arial14">Today is World Marriage Sunday, and I came across this little joke in a few different places: </span></span></span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="arial12" style="color: black;"><span class="arial14">A little girl, who was at her very first wedding Mass, whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?"
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="arial12" style="color: black;"><span class="arial14">The mother replied, "Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life."<br /> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="arial12" style="color: black;"><span class="arial14">After pondering that for a bit, the girl asked, "So why is the groom wearing black, then?"</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All in good fun, of course! My prayers go out to all the married couples reading, as well as those who have been married before, or are about to be married this year!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">God Bless you. </span></span><br />
<span class="arial12" style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="arial14" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"> </span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-44668537951011303902017-02-05T17:46:00.000-05:002017-02-05T17:46:03.603-05:00Take This Post With a Grain of Salt<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In today's <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/matthew/5:13" target="_blank">Gospel</a>, Jesus tells his followers that they are the "salt of the earth". </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He then reminds them that if salt loses its taste, it is "no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now ... I'm no salt expert ... so take the following with the proverbial grain of it: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back in Jesus' time, salt was quite valuable. Obviously, it was used for seasoning. But it was also used for wounds and for preserving food.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I recently learned, however, that salt could also be quite evil to agriculture. In fact, conquering tribes would often salt the land of the conquered ... thus ruining any current crops and sometimes preventing future growth as well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So which kind of salt are we?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kind that tastes good, preserves God's word, and cleans spiritual wounds?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Or the kind that has no taste, that increases blood pressure, and prevents others from growing in Faith?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>God Bless you, and may you be the salt of the earth and the light of the world!</i> </span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-82242124351040506342017-01-27T01:00:00.000-05:002017-01-27T01:00:09.696-05:00Sharing a Post: A song saves that lives<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My blogging friend Victor at Time for Reflections has a <a href="http://timeforreflections.blogspot.com/2017/01/song-saves-20-babies.html" target="_blank">beautiful post</a> about a song that has saved many babies from abortion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, on <a href="http://marchforlife.org/mfl-2017/" target="_blank">March for Life 2017</a> day, I thought it would be a very timely post to share with you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please pray for the unborn, and any mothers or fathers struggling with their decisions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>God Bless you, and thank you Victor for sharing this with us.</i> </span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-64407390523661376792017-01-22T11:53:00.000-05:002017-01-22T11:53:02.763-05:00What the Heck is Zebulun?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love this weekend's <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/matthew/4:12" target="_blank">Gospel</a> where Jesus calls His first apostles. I have always been impressed with the decisiveness that they dropped what they were doing to follow Him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But every now and then I remind myself to focus on all of the words in the Gospel, and every so often I dive into something I don't know a lot about. A word, person, or place that I just gloss over because they just become "words on paper" to me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew tells us that Jesus went to live in Capernaum, the region of Nebulun and Naphtali, and then quotes Isaiah who calls the people there "people who sit in darkness". </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I realized I knew something about Capernaum, but zilch about Nebulun and Naphtali. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, to be accurate, I had <i>forgotten</i> everything I knew about Nebulun and Naphtali from the Old Testament. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So here is the brief overview ...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nebulun and Naphtali were two of Jacob's twelve sons. They settled into an area in northeast Israel. Those areas and tribes were named after them, and the area became full of "pagans", and the Jewish laws and customs became diluted over time. In fact the area was known as "full of darkness" for this reason, especially when compared to the holy city of Jerusalem. They were also some of the first areas that faced attack from armies like the Assyrians. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So the fact that Jesus chose this area to shine His light is quite significant. He could have chosen the grand city of Jerusalem, with all its leaders and affluence. But instead he chose the darkest of areas, and lived among the lowest of people. (</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also important to note, is that Jesus left the small conservative village of Nazareth to preach in the more populated and diverse crossroads of Capernaum.) </span></span>His followers were people that, because of the Greek influence, were perhaps more open to new ideas. But they were still looked down upon. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But not by God. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He showed them the Light before many others. And in doing so, He gave them the chance to follow It. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Which is how we arrive at the usual theme of this Gospel ... that seeing the Light is wonderful ... but not enough. Peter, Andrew, James, and John took action. They followed Jesus, and helped Him bring Light to the poor, sick, forgotten, and hopeless. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A nice reminder for all of us ... that our roles, too, include stepping out of our comfort zones and shining Christ's Light into the Zebuluns of this world.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God Bless you. </span></span></i>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-37740895751259675552017-01-16T11:00:00.004-05:002017-01-16T11:00:59.727-05:00Transfer of Power<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you have not seen a newspaper, or been on the world wide web at all, over the past year, we have a pretty significant transfer of power happening this week in the United States. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That transfer, so far, has been ... not so smooth. Both current and elect seem to be ridiculing one another at every turn, trying to bring the other down or at least keep public opinion on their side. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which is why our deacon, this past weekend, reflected on St. John the Baptist. He commented on how hard it must have been for John to decrease, while allowing Jesus to increase - even for someone as Holy as a Saint. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After all, John had many, many followers ... that came to him in the wilderness and praised him often. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet, when our Savior arrived, John "transferred" quite seamlessly to Him ... and ended up dying alone.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems like such a sharp contrast to what is happening in the U.S. - and other parts of the world - and is something I probably take for granted without thinking about how hard it must have been for John. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Please pray for peace in our world, and God Bless.</i> </span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-29451414141194187212017-01-08T10:10:00.003-05:002017-01-08T10:10:32.681-05:00Random Musings from Christmas Season<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we celebrate the Epiphany, and close out the Christmas Season, there have been some random thoughts crossing my mind ...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>We hear much about the shepherds and wise men visiting the baby Jesus. </i> But what about the relatives of Joseph in Bethlehem? Did they spend time with the Holy Family? Every day? Did they clear space for them in their homes immediately? Or did they think they were just crazy? And how about the people of Bethlehem? Surely they heard the commotion, and were told what was going on. How many of them believed? How many of them took the opportunity to gaze upon the Face of God? And how many went about their merry way, oblivious to the Gift in their midst?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Speaking of the wise men</i> ... and the star they followed ... I realized at Mass that today there are millions of stars that can lead to Jesus ... <i>us</i>. The problem is some of us don't shine as brightly as we need to to get people to follow us. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I wonder if anyone found it odd that one of the gifts from the wise men was myrrh. </i> Why give a child something that is more common for the dead? (Although I am reminded of the saying that from the minute you are born you are constantly one step closer to death...)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What about Mary's family? When did they receive news of Jesus' birth? Did they make the journey to Bethlehem to visit Him? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I imagined the birth of our Lord happening in today's day in age.</i> So many things would have been different. For example, on the plus side, the world would have been able to watch His arrival because someone in Bethlehem would have captured it on their cell phone. On the downside, social media probably would have made it very easy for Herod to find the Holy Family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I still can't believe how fortunate we are that</i> God chose to come here in human form, and all of its constrictions, and suffer for us. His love is incomprehensible. </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season. God Bless you and your families. </span></span></i>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-54577480912545479872016-12-25T11:02:00.001-05:002016-12-25T11:02:20.496-05:00Merry Christmas!<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-8" id="en-KJV-24982"><sup class="versenum">"8 </sup>And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-9" id="en-KJV-24983"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-10" id="en-KJV-24984"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-11" id="en-KJV-24985"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-12" id="en-KJV-24986"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-13" id="en-KJV-24987"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-14" id="en-KJV-24988"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-15" id="en-KJV-24989"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>And
it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known
unto us.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-16" id="en-KJV-24990"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-17" id="en-KJV-24991"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-18" id="en-KJV-24992"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-KJV-24993"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-20" id="en-KJV-24994"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>And
the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-2-20" id="en-KJV-24994"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Merry Christmas to you and your families!</span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-2-20" id="en-KJV-24994"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">May the Baby Jesus be present in your homes and your hearts, and may we all be good shepherds this coming year.</span></span></i></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-72685257296637214892016-12-12T19:16:00.000-05:002016-12-12T19:16:16.464-05:00Mary Christmas<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've been thinking a lot about Mary lately. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Given the recent Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and the ongoing Nativity story during Advent, it is hard not to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mostly I have been trying to "feel" what it must have been like for her the day the Angel Gabriel came to visit her. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm trying to remove the numbness that hearing the same passage over and over brings with it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trying to get past the words I have heard hundreds of times. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trying to forget that I know the answer in the back of the book. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mary was given a choice. Say yes, or no, to a request that is almost beyond human comprehension. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In her early teens. </i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And by the way, saying "yes" to God's Will would bring with it the overwhelming threat of public humiliation and, likely, punishment by death. (Side note ... was Mary the first person that every risked her life for Jesus? Interesting.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In any case, we have the luxury of knowing how the story ends. Mary, at least to our knowledge, did not. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She had to say
yes to an idea that probably went against everything she had expected.
The Savior they had been waiting for was going to be born to a virgin?
In the poor area of Nazareth? To <i>her</i>???</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was her faith against all that. And her faith won.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May God grant all of us just a small portion of our Blessed Mother's faith ...</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I hope you are all having a Blessed Advent.</i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-90192877837179991902016-11-13T08:52:00.003-05:002016-11-13T08:52:59.959-05:00What to do post-election?<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, we have finally reached the end of a troubling election cycle here in the U.S. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people are happy, some are angry.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most are confused and now waiting to see what this all means.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there is one piece of advice we should follow no matter what platform we believe in - PRAY. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PRAY for our country and for all countries. And PRAY for the Salvation of the World.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prayer for the Salvation of the World</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Father, hear our prayers for the salvation of the world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grant Mercy to all souls that turned away from You. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open their hearts and minds with Your light. <br />Gather Your children from the east and the west, from the north and the south.<br />Have mercy O God on those who do not know You. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring them out of darkness into Your light. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are our saving God Who leads us in our salvation. Protect us from evil.<br />Bless and praise You O Lord, hear our prayers and answer us. You, our Savior, are the hope of all the ends of the Earth and the distant seas. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May Your way be known upon Earth; among all nations Your salvation.<br />We put the world in Your hands; fill us with Your love. Grant us peace through Christ, our Lord. <br />Amen </span></span></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-65642777192954488762016-11-06T06:41:00.002-05:002016-11-06T06:41:17.691-05:00Comprehending Marriage<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In today's <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/20:27" target="_blank">Gospel</a>, some Sadducees give Jesus a hypothetical scenario where a woman marries seven brothers, one by one. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They ask Him which of the seven will be the woman's husband at the time of the Resurrection. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus' answer, in essence, is that marriage is an earthly thing. It is not "needed" in a Heaven without death - one where our relationship with God is paramount. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is hard to comprehend, especially for married folks. But it is fair to say that we are just not capable of fully understanding these kinds of things yet. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I equate it to when we were young children, and the thought of marrying someone was "gross". We just didn't have the capacity at that time to appreciate how wonderful marriage could be, just like we do not now - at this point in our journey - have the capacity to fully appreciate what happiness in the Eternal Paradise is like. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully some day we will, and it will be more beautiful and amazing than we ever thought possible. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For now, we have Faith.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>God Bless you.</i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-41002431695313741152016-10-23T08:31:00.000-04:002016-10-23T08:31:21.568-04:00Inspiration from St Paul and St JP2<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is easy to get discouraged these days. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Between the poverty, suffering and endless bickering in society, it is not always easy to stay positive.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the "stars" of this weekend give us hope.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday was the Feast Day of St. John Paul II (Oct 22) and some of his more famous quotes include:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do not abandon yourself to despair. We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our Song!</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us. There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear that Christ has not already borne for us, and does not now bear with us.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God.</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in today's <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4:6" target="_blank">second reading</a>, St. Paul tells us:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These positive and uplifting reminders are certainly welcome at times like these. With them in mind, hopefully we can - like St. Paul - compete well, keep the faith and finish the race.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Bless you. </span></span></i> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span> </blockquote>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-20830674412062870272016-10-09T18:47:00.000-04:002016-10-09T18:47:00.827-04:00Quick Bytes: Where are the other nine(ty)?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't help but feel like today's <a href="http://usccb.org/bible/luke/17:11" target="_blank">Gospel</a> was being re-enacted right in front of me today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From my Church's half-filled parking lot, to the empty pews during Mass, I could feel Jesus looking around, asking "what happened to the other nine(ty)?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord gives so many gifts to us ... please pray that more people act like the Samaritan in today's Gospel and come back to praise Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Bless you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-90951118667801471272016-09-25T11:09:00.002-04:002016-09-25T11:09:44.862-04:00A Twist on Poor Man / Rich Man<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was listening to Bishop Robert Barron's <a href="http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/rich-man-poor-man/901/" target="_blank">podcast</a> on this weekend's Gospel, and he certainly gave me a lot to think about. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/16:19" target="_blank">Gospel</a> is one we all know well - about Lazarus, a poor man, and an unnamed rich man. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First things first, I have always considered all of us the "rich man" in this reading. After all, if you can read this blog, and type a response, you are richer than most of the world. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bishop Barron comments that being "wealthy" (remember, it is a relative term, and not just material) is not a bad thing. Perhaps, he states, God has given us this wealth so that it gets to the people that need it most. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What an inspirational comment! Rather than feeling guilty that we have three meals a day (plus dessert!), can read and write, can afford a roof over our heads and a computer to blog ... we can act as stewards of God's treasures and be his "distribution arm" on earth. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However,</span> just when I had absorbed that thought, Bishop Barron turned that idea on its head. He reflected that, perhaps, the rich are not just here to help the poor ... what if God also put the poor here to help the rich get to heaven? What if all those beggars in the street, letters asking for donations, and volunteer emails are opportunities for us to take a step towards our Eternal Home? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Either wa<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, the gui<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dance is clear. Love one another, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">share your <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gifts</span>, and care for th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ose in need. </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>God Bless you!</i> </span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-83738300231562826362016-09-05T11:29:00.002-04:002016-09-05T11:29:33.513-04:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I reflected this weekend on the <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/14:25" target="_blank">Gospel</a> (where Jesus reminds us that the Father comes before anything else) and the Sainthood of Mother Teresa. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started thinking about St. Teresa, and all she did to help the poor and needy. Of all the people she came in contact with - all the people God sent her way - I wondered what percentage of them she helped. Because she gave up so many worldly things so early, she probably helped a good percentage of them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I contrasted that with what my percentage would be. I wondered how many opportunities I missed because I was preoccupied with other things. I imagine I have missed as many as St. Teresa helped. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I began to despair over that fact, I came across this quote from her :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Never worry about the numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What an inspiring quote from our newest Saint. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Bless you.</span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717500353710337060.post-10515800255918073052016-08-29T16:37:00.002-04:002016-08-29T16:37:45.055-04:00Overheard at Mass: Humility<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's Gospel was all about humility. In the <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/14:1" target="_blank">passage</a> from Luke, Jesus talks about sitting at the lowest place at the table instead of the seat of honor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Mass, we were reminded of an excellent quote by C.S. Lewis:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In that quote, lies an important distinction for us Catholics. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God created us in His image - and gave us the gifts and tools we need to carry out His mission for us. Therefore it is probably not a great idea to think less of what God created! Besides that, sometimes this version of "humility" is forced and not genuine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rather, true humility is spending more time thinking about God, and others, than ourselves. This will lead us to more appropriate actions, like generosity of talent and means, as well as servitude. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>God Bless you.</i> </span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166363205001461183noreply@blogger.com1