This post was originally published on Memorial Day 2015:
My wife and I went to Mass on Memorial Day and our priest told a story in his homily about a man he knew that grew up without parents. The man's name was Matt. Matt led a lonely life and it seemed that everything he did or tried was met with a closed door. He joined the military and eventually was deployed into active service in Afghanistan. On return home to the US while on leave, he seemed bitter and distant to the priest and others who knew him. His demeanor had changed now that he had been exposed to the brutality of war. Upon his return to Afghanistan for another tour of duty, he fought bravely for his country, but this time he was killed by enemy fire and returned home to the US again, but this time he returned in a flag draped coffin. He was given a proper funeral Mass and burial service, and this time he went through an open door, a door which led to heaven. At this point the priest got choked up and everyone could see that he was very moved by this story. The story of a person he knew personally, who had fought and died for his freedom as an American. A person who was not loved by many people on this earth, but was loved tremendously by God. We often don't think of the thousands of people, real people, real human beings, who lost their lives for this country, when we think of Memorial Day. We tend to think of the patriotism and the flags, but we quickly turn to thoughts of summer time, BBQ's and time off from our jobs to be with our families and enjoy a day off. When you think about people who were touched by a soldier who gave his life, it gets personal. We live in a great country because of people like Matt.
Monday, May 30, 2016
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Opening Day
They say the opening day of the baseball season in St. Louis is an unofficial holiday. Many baseball fans plan special activities surrounding the day's events. Even if they can't get tickets to the game, thousands of Cardinals fans flock to the downtown area surrounding the stadium for pregame pep rallies and to get a good seat or spot in front of the big screen TV's and monitors at Ballpark Village and other bars and restaurants, to watch the pregame ceremonies. Some call baseball a religion in St. Louis because the fans are so deeply devoted to their team and to the sport itself. The reverence that they have for the players and the history of the team, and it's former players and hall of famers, is legendary. It's not uncommon for parents to pull their kids out of school to attend a day game. Many fans follow the team on the road, especially to the cities of their rivals, like Chicago, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. Yes, opening day is great in any major league town in America, but in St. Louis, it is truly special. This is why they call the game, the national pastime. So we welcome the new season and the new players, returning players and veterans to a new quest for the World Series, to be the best team, to be champions! Play ball!
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Celebrate Easter
Today as we celebrate Easter, I share with you the Gospel reading for today in the Catholic church. This passage will be read by either a priest or deacon, during the Easter Mass that is celebrated during the day, throughout the world. It comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 1-9:
On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.
On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Holy Saturday
The following is an ancient homily written by an anonymous source, but one which sums up what today means for Christians around the world as we approach Easter:
What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.
Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam's son.
The Lord goes into them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: "My Lord be with you all." And Christ in reply says to Adam: "And with your spirit." And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying:
"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.
I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.
For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.
Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.
See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.
I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.
But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.
The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages."
Anonymous
What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.
Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam's son.
The Lord goes into them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: "My Lord be with you all." And Christ in reply says to Adam: "And with your spirit." And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying:
"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.
I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.
For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.
Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.
See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.
I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.
But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.
The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages."
Anonymous
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Lent update
How's your Lent going so far? Is it your best Lent ever? Are you having trouble fasting and giving up something? Do you feel any closer to God? Have you spent any additional time in prayer and/or service or ministry to God? Are you reading the Bible or any other spiritual or theological books to draw you into a more deeper understanding of God's purpose and direction for your life? Lent is a time for spiritual exercises to help you make your walk with God a better and more fulfilling one. Use these weeks before Easter to draw closer to Jesus and walk with Him as the Holy Spirit leads you. God is good...all the time!
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Lent
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Traditionally, many people choose to give up something like chocolate or desserts, in order to draw themselves closer to God during the 40 days of Lent. Others choose to do something extra, like go to morning Mass or say the Rosary every day, as a way to draw themselves closer to Christ. Whatever you choose to do, prayerfully consider how you might use the 40 days of Lent to make you a better person, a better Christian, a better parent, sibling, or friend. Use this Lent to make a difference. Let's make this the best Lent ever!
Friday, January 1, 2016
Happy New Year 2016
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year in 2016. I hope this is your best year ever. It can be if you choose to do things which will improve yourself and make a better version of you. January is always a great time to reflect on things that you can do to make your life easier, and more productive. The key is to write down your goals and start a plan to make it happen. Another idea is to write down things that you can cut out of your life or get rid of. Things that are non-productive or time wasting activities. Of course, down't make your goals too lofty. They need to be challenging but should also be attainable. Are you really going to lose 30 pounds or run 10 miles a day? Most people fail with their new year's resolutions either because they make them too hard or they don't write them down. Don't make that mistake. So good luck and make this new year the one that counts!
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