It Happens in a Blink

I wasn't quite sure what to write about this Memorial Day Weekend.

I wanted to acknowledge the sacrifices that many people made for our freedoms, but keep it motivational for our faith.

Then God presented me with this song. I heard it for the first time as I was staring at my blank computer screen...

(The line that really made me stop was "What is it I've done with my life .... it happens in a Blink")



Those that died for our freedom did something great with their lives.

This song really made me think about my own ...

God Bless, and have a wonderful Memorial Day.

Gifts

As I strolled through the airport this week, I passed a few men and women in military uniform. The large duffel bags they were carrying led me to believe they were not there for security purposes, but rather to travel.

When I reached my gate, I saw about five more waiting for the same flight I was.

I didn't think much of it at the time, but assumed they were on leave, perhaps off to enjoy a long Memorial Day week.

As I boarded, I noticed two open seats in first class - a rarity in a world where upgrades are used to buy loyalty.

Shortly thereafter, I noticed a flight attendant summoning two of Our Nation's Finest up to first-class to fill the open seats there.

A nice gesture, I thought to myself.

But it's what happened next that left me speechless.

One by one, three first-class passengers got up and exchanged their plush seats for the amenity-free joys of coach so that the other uniformed men could fly in luxury with their pals.

If you have ever glanced at the cost of a first-class ticket, you know what a generous gift that was.

The gesture took on even more meaning when we landed, and learned those five men were not on leave. They were headed off to serve the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I've been thinking a lot about those gifts this Pentecost Sunday. And I pray that the Holy Spirit strengthens you and I to be as brave in serving our Lord as those five men are in serving their country, and as generous as those three folks that gave up their first-class seats.

God Bless.

P.S. Speaking of gifts, Victor has written another wonderful book ... and is offering it to everyone for free. If you have read Victor's blog, Time For Reflections, you know that he is a very gifted and entertaining writer. If you haven't, you can check it out here. (Victor: I'm about a third of the way through the book and am enjoying it very much. Thank you for your gift.)

Go

Matthew tells us that the last command Jesus gave the Apostles (and by extension, us) was to "go and make disciples of all nations." (Mt. 28:19)

That struck me this weekend.

He didn't say, "go about your normal lives. Stay comfortable. Remain within your little bubble."

He said go.

I questioned myself. Am I going? Am I doing?

"Sure I am," I told myself, with a healthy degree of skepticism.

Then I started to do the math. I did a rough estimate of what percentage of my week was spent going and what part was spent not going.

Have I mentioned how much I hate math?

God Bless.

Could You?

Could you say yes to God's request?

Could you say yes if it meant changing your life drastically from what you had planned?

Could you say yes if you knew you would have a 50-50 chance of getting stoned to death in the next few months?

Could you say yes if you knew you would have to watch your son, daughter, or loved one, die a most gruesome death?

Could you say yes on the spot, without even thinking about it (like you might be right now)?

Blessed Mother, you said yes to our Father without fear of the hardships it might bring. Please pray that we, too, can say yes to all the little requests God makes of us each day.

A very Blessed Mother's Day to all mothers - living and deceased.

Life is Not A Snapshot

Those of you that read this post of mine from a while back, know that I wish I could sing.

If I could, then I would be able to proclaim wonderful messages like this one and disguise them in a catchy little song.

(It would sound so much convincing than than me saying "God has a plan for all of us - you just have to trust Him.")




And if you want to hear the inspiration to the song, watch this video on Josh Wilson's Facebook page (you don't have to be a member to watch).

There is an absolutely amazing line from the interview there that I wish I came up with on my own:

If we can trust God with our Eternity, we can certainly trust Him with our now.

Hmmm ... maybe that will be the title of my first album someday ...

God Bless.

They

They devote every day to God. Every single one.

They spend time teaching, so that we can be inspired.

They get up in front of a crowd every week, when many are afraid to do that just once.

They listen for countless hours as we pour our sins and problems on them, yet they rarely return the favor.

They are the vessel for the miracle of the Eucharist.

They are held to unreasonable standards of perfection, even though they are as human as you and I.

They suffer a disproportionate amount of backlash because of the mistakes of a small sample of their peers. (I can't think of a profession with a more unbalanced scale.)

They, despite it all, continue to serve and pray for us. Much more than we do for them.

They are our front line of defense against the evil one.

They need our prayers and our support.

Please say an extra prayer for the priesthood this Good Shepherd Sunday.

God Bless you.

Life Is Beautiful

I recently watched the movie Life is Beautiful for the first time in about 10 years.

It's a good thing, too, because I almost forgot how powerful a movie it is.

For those of you that haven't seen the movie, it's a heart-tugging story about a Jewish man who is so positive, and so uplifting, that he even makes the most of a Nazi-era Concentration Camp.

That movie, coupled with today's Gospel reading and the Easter season, led me to reflect on how beautiful our lives really are.

Sure, we all have our issues, our struggles, and our crosses to endure.

But they all pale in comparison to what life would be like if Jesus did not make the ultimate sacrifice for us, and if God wasn't eternally willing to forgive us.

Imagine, for just one minute, that there was nothing to look forward to. That, after taking our last breath, our souls would languish in emptiness for eternity.

Picture emptiness.

Forever.


(go on, I'll wait)


Kinda scary, huh?

Life would be pointless! Like a relatively short distraction on our way to perpetual gloom.

But thanks to Christ, we have Hope.

Hope that our lives are leading us to an eternity surrounded by God's love and joy in Paradise. That our future is a place where there is no sadness, no pain, and no emptiness.

Just our Father's never ending beauty.

Unfortunately, in the movie, Roberto Benigni's character is forced to make life beautiful for his son and everyone around him.

Luckily, in the real world, Jesus has already done that for us.

God Bless.