It's Party Time

Yesterday I was told that the sign language movement for Hallelujah involves swirling your hands while raising them up above your head.   

And, that when you watch a Mass for the deaf, when the attendees "sing" Hallelujah before they hear the Gospel reading, it looks like one big festive party.  

Which got me thinking:  That's what it should be like for everyone.  We should all get as excited to hear the Word of God as we do to go to a big party.   (written as I look in mirror)

Which got me thinking more:  With Christmas coming up in less than a week, most people are getting ready for a big party.

The question is: Is it a present-exchanging, eat-lots-of-food, drink-lots-of-wine, party...

... or a birthday party?

God Bless.

I Wonder

I wonder what it was like to go from "nobodies" to the Earthly parents of the Most Important Person Ever to Grace the Earth.  In the blink of an eye.
 
I wonder what plans Mary and Joseph had for their future - before God laid out His plan.

Speaking of, I wonder what it was like to be sitting there minding your own business only to look up and see the Angel Gabriel speaking to you.

I wonder what it was like when Mary saw that Elizabeth was indeed pregnant.

I wonder how hard it was for Joseph to believe, when human logic told him otherwise.

I wonder what it was like to travel 100 miles while very pregnant (and with a very pregnant wife). 

I wonder exactly what that nativity scene looked like.

I wonder what it was like - to wonder what it would be like - to raise the Savior of the World.

I wonder what message God is sending us by choosing such an "ordinary" family, and modest setting, for the birth of His only Son.

I hope you are enjoying the wonder of this Advent season.

God Bless.

Today's Special: Fresh Jordanian Locust

Yesterday I went Christmas shopping.  The mall was a comfortable 70 degrees.
 






"John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea"






I strolled past luxurious, soft cashmere sweaters that people were snapping up by the arm full.










"John wore clothing made of camel's hair"

  Afterward, I had a delicious prime rib dinner with potatoes and vegetables while laughing with friends.  (Did I mention the red wine?)


"His food was locust and wild honey"








It was a good day.  I got a lot accomplished.

"I tell you, among those born of women there is none greater than John."

God, You raised up St. John the Baptist to prepare a perfect people for Christ. Fill Your people with the joy of possessing His grace, and direct the minds of all the faithful in the way of peace and salvation. Grant that, as St. John was martyred for truth and justice, so we may energetically profess our Faith in You, and lead others to the Way, the Truth, and Eternal Life. Amen.

God Bless.

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 

--------------------------------

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!