So today, I was able to deliver my first reflection at our Communion Service at Church this morning. The readings were from Jeremiah and the Gospel according to Luke. The theme of the readings was that of fidelity to the Lord, and how we lose that fidelity sometimes, but God is always calling us back to Holiness.
This is part of my training for becoming a deacon. We are allowed to bring a reflection on the readings, at a non-Mass service, such as a Communion Service. It's called a reflection, but it's very close to a "homily", but we can't call it that (wink wink).
The view from behind the altar while serving is something I am still getting used to. At first, I thought I would be too self conscience about what I was doing, or not doing, but as time passed in the first Mass, I started losing myself in the mystery of the Mass itself. Now it is a balancing act in that I need to be very aware of the movement of the priests, deacons, readers, etc. but still I am overjoyed by being part of the Mass, if only assisting at this time.
I look out upon the parishioners, and I see a multitude of different faces, each filled with a different expression, each there for different reasons, yet all faces are the same face (the face of Christ) and all are there for the same reasons (to worship Christ). I hope to be able to have the view from behind the altar for many years to come. I pray for the grace and wisdom to be able to help and lead those who are seeking Christ. I pray for humbleness (with my family, it's pretty easy....they keep me humble :-0), and I thank God for calling me into this vocation of the diaconate.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Couple Wins Suit, Doc Didn't Suggest Aborting Baby With Down Syndrome | LifeNews.com
Couple Wins Suit, Doc Didn't Suggest Aborting Baby With Down Syndrome | LifeNews.com
What a truly mixed up world we live in, when a couple can sue and win a "wrongful birth" lawsuit. It shouldn't be illegal to be born. I know many couples with Down Syndrome children, and they didn't get any extra financial help when their children were born. In fact, a good friend of ours was told her child had Downs and that she had time to abort. She told the doctor to "take a hike" (nicely of course), her son is beautiful and a joy to be around. His siblings love him very much, and the marriage of the parents is stronger than ever.
I hope and pray that this Mom and Dad's attitude and heart will change with the continued growth of their daughter. I pray that they never tell her that she was a mistake, but if they can't find it in their hearts to love this precious gift of grace from God, please give her up for adoption so that someone will give her the love and care she needs, she deserves.
What a truly mixed up world we live in, when a couple can sue and win a "wrongful birth" lawsuit. It shouldn't be illegal to be born. I know many couples with Down Syndrome children, and they didn't get any extra financial help when their children were born. In fact, a good friend of ours was told her child had Downs and that she had time to abort. She told the doctor to "take a hike" (nicely of course), her son is beautiful and a joy to be around. His siblings love him very much, and the marriage of the parents is stronger than ever.
I hope and pray that this Mom and Dad's attitude and heart will change with the continued growth of their daughter. I pray that they never tell her that she was a mistake, but if they can't find it in their hearts to love this precious gift of grace from God, please give her up for adoption so that someone will give her the love and care she needs, she deserves.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Obama: Killing Afghans as serious as killing Americans
Obama: Killing Afghans as serious as killing Americans
As I read this, I was amazed that we are still in Afganistan. There has been more than enough bloodshed in this "war". A war, in my opinion, should have never been waged to begin with. Americans were killed with guns that we supplied to the Taliban back when they were fighting the Russian Occupation.
This begs the question as to where real peace will come from. I appreciate your comments.
As I read this, I was amazed that we are still in Afganistan. There has been more than enough bloodshed in this "war". A war, in my opinion, should have never been waged to begin with. Americans were killed with guns that we supplied to the Taliban back when they were fighting the Russian Occupation.
This begs the question as to where real peace will come from. I appreciate your comments.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Our Travels
My wife and I are my no means rich, but we have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to various locations on this blue marble in space. Having said that, let me begin by saying that my wife was born in Michoacan, Mexico and we have traveled to her home town almost every year that we have been married, which will be 26 in November of this year. 25+ years of traveling to Mexico might sound dull or repetitive, but I assure you it is not. We have been in almost every state in Mexico, from Baja California Norte (Tijuana), to Quintana Roo (Cancun).
The people of Mexico are its true treasure. I have never been mistreated anywhere in my travels, on the contrary, I have been welcomed with open arms in every place I have traveled. But Mexico holds a certain spell on me, from the Mercados in Tijuana, where we would buy pinatas to the blue waters of the Caribbean in Cancun where we went scuba diving one year, Mexico is magical. I could spend years exploring its towns and villages and still not find all of her treasures.
My wife and I have had the pleasure of taking a couple of pilgrimages to Rome and Israel, with side trips to Greece and Turkey. The best part of all our trips have been the people we have met. From shop keepers to waitstaff at restaurants, we have been treated well.
I got to thinking about that tonight and wondered why we were treated so well. I believe it is perhaps that in our travels, we don't play the "ugly American" to those with whom we interact. People are the same all over the world, we all want to be treated with the respect we deserve as children of God, made in His image. Another thing that I think helped was trying to communicate with the "natives" in their language. Even if they know you have no clue what you are saying, it's the trying that counts. When they get that big smile on their face and start laughing, you don't know if they are laughing at you or with you, then you realize that they are laughing because you took the time to communicate with them.
I think we could use more of the "un-ugly American" ideals here in the USA when we are interacting with those living here.
The people of Mexico are its true treasure. I have never been mistreated anywhere in my travels, on the contrary, I have been welcomed with open arms in every place I have traveled. But Mexico holds a certain spell on me, from the Mercados in Tijuana, where we would buy pinatas to the blue waters of the Caribbean in Cancun where we went scuba diving one year, Mexico is magical. I could spend years exploring its towns and villages and still not find all of her treasures.
My wife and I have had the pleasure of taking a couple of pilgrimages to Rome and Israel, with side trips to Greece and Turkey. The best part of all our trips have been the people we have met. From shop keepers to waitstaff at restaurants, we have been treated well.
I got to thinking about that tonight and wondered why we were treated so well. I believe it is perhaps that in our travels, we don't play the "ugly American" to those with whom we interact. People are the same all over the world, we all want to be treated with the respect we deserve as children of God, made in His image. Another thing that I think helped was trying to communicate with the "natives" in their language. Even if they know you have no clue what you are saying, it's the trying that counts. When they get that big smile on their face and start laughing, you don't know if they are laughing at you or with you, then you realize that they are laughing because you took the time to communicate with them.
I think we could use more of the "un-ugly American" ideals here in the USA when we are interacting with those living here.
New to blogging
O.K. I have broken down and will see what this internet thing is all about. I think it is just a fad and will fade away soon, but I was wrong about Television too. Seriously, I am new to blogging, so I am just throwing this out to see how it works. A little about myself.
I am in my final year of formation for the Diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church, with the Grace of God I will be ordained in November of 2012. This has been a wonderful journey that has been a lifetime in the making, but that is for another time and another post.
I will attempt to bring pertinent themes to this blog, hopefully people will read them and comment, good or bad.
I am in my final year of formation for the Diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church, with the Grace of God I will be ordained in November of 2012. This has been a wonderful journey that has been a lifetime in the making, but that is for another time and another post.
I will attempt to bring pertinent themes to this blog, hopefully people will read them and comment, good or bad.
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