OK, so there I was at Mass at Ski Jesus Church in Denver, CO and the first reading is from the book of the Prophet Joel...so there Wayne-may be not the 13th Apostle, but a prophet none-the-less.
See Wayne asked me what the deal was with my new found interest in the church and spirituality (cuz I was giving him a hard time about not posting on the blog and missing Ash Wednesday) he asked if I was the 13th Apostle, as only Wayne can ask. See if he would go to the blog he would have a better idea...but this is not all about Wayne.
The homily of Ash Wednesday has to be the easiest homily to prepare...
REPENT-CONFESS-DO BETTER-OFFER MORE-ETC...
But the priest was a little different and he said we only have to do 3 things in Lent--
1. SUNDAY MASS (got that one)
2. DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER...(ok getting there)
3. FAMILY PRAYER-especially at meals (lots of work to do here)
Not hard though...certainly attainable. Discipline...dedication...I can do this. Look for posts more often--this is going to be part of my personal daily prayer.
The other thing he said was "Don't waste the crisis"-referring to the current economic crisis in the world. Literally, "don't waste the crisis". Huh??? Of course he went on to explain. This is the perfect time to reset your priorities. If God is #1 the rest will fall into place.
If you have a big crisis at work-you should get God in the right priority and then see about the crisis at work. Family issues-where is God in your priority list? Fix this and the rest will settle where they are supposed to be. So allow yourself the excuse of the current crisis to re-examine the priorities in your life-to restructure your list-and then work on the above 3 items to see where it takes you.
So far so good...
I still don't know what to give up for Lent-but I think cussing is going to be the toughest thing I can give up for now...the only bad part is that Sunday reprieve seems to be the wrong day to cuss, oh well. I guess no cussing till the day after Easter...let's all hope by then I have broken the habit and have new words to replace the old ones.
Still looking for posts from Dad, Wayne, and Mackey-although we will give him special dispensation until after the State tournament this weekend CONGRATS for making the State tournament!!!!
Stephanie--oops "S" you have not posted in a while either, what's up with that? You were the one saying that I needed to post more often...get up on it.
Last thing...Lord Have Mercy...start reading.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
7th Sunday
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time...and the last one before Lent...
With a visiting priest from the Holy Trinity Seminary, we prayed for the courage of those studying there. Holy Orders...
Also, the homily was about forgiveness. Interestingly, the priest said that forgiveness has an incorrect perception of denial...meaning if you forgive-you deny the wrong has occured. In fact, the opposite is true-forgiviness includes acknowledging the act occured, but also that it is no longer an issue, and once forgiven then it (like our sins) cease to exist.
The other issue of confession was how we all never seem to go...the four men from the gospel needed to lower us into the confessional-as they did the paralytic into Jesus' presence to be healed. Do you need to be carried into the confessional? I know I need to.
So, here we are on the brink of Lent-with decisions to make.
1. What am I going to give up for Lent (Peggy, what is the benefit of self denial?)
2. What am I going to do positively ( I think I am going to go to daily mass at least 1 time during the week...I should probably call it going to Mass during the week not daily mass...)
3. Who is going to win best actress?
OK--so you are also each challenged in this way...Read Lord Have Mercy (Hahn) and we will discuss it as we go.
Please wish me luck on trying to find a Mass in Denver or Chicago as I leave town Tuesday morning and return on Thursday night...
don't forget to write...Dad that means you too...
With a visiting priest from the Holy Trinity Seminary, we prayed for the courage of those studying there. Holy Orders...
Also, the homily was about forgiveness. Interestingly, the priest said that forgiveness has an incorrect perception of denial...meaning if you forgive-you deny the wrong has occured. In fact, the opposite is true-forgiviness includes acknowledging the act occured, but also that it is no longer an issue, and once forgiven then it (like our sins) cease to exist.
The other issue of confession was how we all never seem to go...the four men from the gospel needed to lower us into the confessional-as they did the paralytic into Jesus' presence to be healed. Do you need to be carried into the confessional? I know I need to.
So, here we are on the brink of Lent-with decisions to make.
1. What am I going to give up for Lent (Peggy, what is the benefit of self denial?)
2. What am I going to do positively ( I think I am going to go to daily mass at least 1 time during the week...I should probably call it going to Mass during the week not daily mass...)
3. Who is going to win best actress?
OK--so you are also each challenged in this way...Read Lord Have Mercy (Hahn) and we will discuss it as we go.
Please wish me luck on trying to find a Mass in Denver or Chicago as I leave town Tuesday morning and return on Thursday night...
don't forget to write...Dad that means you too...
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Lamb's Supper
So, the book is a pretty easy read...except I am not sure what I am reading most of the time. I understand the words-but am not sure what they REALLY mean.
I have read Part I and the best part was the very end when the different parts of the Mass were explained briefly...or at least that was the best part for me.
If anyone has anything to add about the book I am all for it.
I also would love it if someone would suggest a topic for the blog...contrary to most other things I am involved in...it is not all about me (that was a joke...kinda...no really it's a joke)
by the way I did 25 minutes of Yoga (carlos dvd) and am sore today, and it was hurting while I was in each pose...I am so out of shape.
I have read Part I and the best part was the very end when the different parts of the Mass were explained briefly...or at least that was the best part for me.
If anyone has anything to add about the book I am all for it.
I also would love it if someone would suggest a topic for the blog...contrary to most other things I am involved in...it is not all about me (that was a joke...kinda...no really it's a joke)
by the way I did 25 minutes of Yoga (carlos dvd) and am sore today, and it was hurting while I was in each pose...I am so out of shape.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Cast Out
So 8am Mass is a little less full and a little harder to get to early...at least it was today.
Just me today-no McKenna (she has pink eye) and no family of 6 beside me. Distractions lessened and the priest I was hoping for made today's Mass a much better experience for me on the outside.
It is easier to concentrate, and he seems to be better at what I am looking for in a homily.
So the readings today are about lepers and Jesus healing the leper. Of course he tells him NOT to tell everyone about what happened but he does anyway-and that keeps Jesus from going into any of the cities, he is relegated to stay outside the cities and the people come to him.
The homily, however, was about lepers-today's lepers. Homeless, or those with this problem or that one that we cast out-or away from our daily lives. Those who live without human touch and how we can reach out to them. It was also about what we can do to help others. Or more specifically, that if we spend our entire lives dedicated to making ourselves happy we should get ready for a life of misery. If we dedicate our lives to helping others and making others happy the result is much different. We get more out of helping others than we can possibly give. How true!
So how do we do it? How do we help others? When do we find time for them, when we act like there is not even enough time for ourselves...
On another note, I am reading The Lamb's Supper (Hahn) Steph you already gave me your copy. I think I will have to read it more than once to really get it...
Just me today-no McKenna (she has pink eye) and no family of 6 beside me. Distractions lessened and the priest I was hoping for made today's Mass a much better experience for me on the outside.
It is easier to concentrate, and he seems to be better at what I am looking for in a homily.
So the readings today are about lepers and Jesus healing the leper. Of course he tells him NOT to tell everyone about what happened but he does anyway-and that keeps Jesus from going into any of the cities, he is relegated to stay outside the cities and the people come to him.
The homily, however, was about lepers-today's lepers. Homeless, or those with this problem or that one that we cast out-or away from our daily lives. Those who live without human touch and how we can reach out to them. It was also about what we can do to help others. Or more specifically, that if we spend our entire lives dedicated to making ourselves happy we should get ready for a life of misery. If we dedicate our lives to helping others and making others happy the result is much different. We get more out of helping others than we can possibly give. How true!
So how do we do it? How do we help others? When do we find time for them, when we act like there is not even enough time for ourselves...
On another note, I am reading The Lamb's Supper (Hahn) Steph you already gave me your copy. I think I will have to read it more than once to really get it...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The mid week blog
Ok, so Steph is giving me a hard time about posting again-so here we go.
Peggy, who obviously paid attention in religion class at IWA-(should teach it these days) brings up resting the cares at the altar for help in resolving (or accepting)them. Interestingly, there was a family of 6 next to me at Mass and the oldest son was struggling with the younger brothers not behaving (I am sure that he was concerned for his spiritual well-being) but it dawned on me that sacrifice he (and I) was making with the distraction caused by the 2 boys was only there as a small cross to bear while I concentrated on Mass and my purpose for being there.
So here is my question today...
How do I take it all in?
I am distracted not only by the 2 young boys, or McKenna when she goes with me, but also by the opera singer during the responsorial psalm. What is for show, and what is REAL?
I don't want to feel like I am going to work at Mass, but I don't want to go through the motions either...Is this blog a continuation of Mass and His presence in my life (and therefore yours as well)?
Any suggested topics?
Peggy, who obviously paid attention in religion class at IWA-(should teach it these days) brings up resting the cares at the altar for help in resolving (or accepting)them. Interestingly, there was a family of 6 next to me at Mass and the oldest son was struggling with the younger brothers not behaving (I am sure that he was concerned for his spiritual well-being) but it dawned on me that sacrifice he (and I) was making with the distraction caused by the 2 boys was only there as a small cross to bear while I concentrated on Mass and my purpose for being there.
So here is my question today...
How do I take it all in?
I am distracted not only by the 2 young boys, or McKenna when she goes with me, but also by the opera singer during the responsorial psalm. What is for show, and what is REAL?
I don't want to feel like I am going to work at Mass, but I don't want to go through the motions either...Is this blog a continuation of Mass and His presence in my life (and therefore yours as well)?
Any suggested topics?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The First Post
So here I am a few minutes after returning from Mass this morning at St. John The Apostle Cathlolic Church.
I am wondering a few things...
First-who else went to Mass this morning?
B-what did you get from Mass?
Lastly, do you capitalize the M in Mass on a blog?
So for those of you that know me-and who else is on this blog-you can see that I will probably take a humorous approach to what I post. I also want to start an adult dialogue about Mass and the message.
I have debated about starting this blog for quite some time now, so here goes.
The priest at SJ focused the homily on the message to be drawn from the "whole city" coming to the house where Simon's mother-in-law was cured. (Insert your own in-law joke here, just think of what she was saying about Simon's friend who was coming over to "cure" her...but I digress). Why were all the people of the city there? Was it simply because they heard some guy cured some old lady? Or was it because they had selfish needs to be cured? Or was it just to be in the presence of Greatness?
The real question becomes-why are we going to the house? Are we? Should we? What do we hope we gain from going to the house (Mass)?
I am not sure how this will go over-but I hope that those of you that read it will please respond with posts of your own...this is not a monologue-or I don't want it to be, so please say what you think.
I am wondering a few things...
First-who else went to Mass this morning?
B-what did you get from Mass?
Lastly, do you capitalize the M in Mass on a blog?
So for those of you that know me-and who else is on this blog-you can see that I will probably take a humorous approach to what I post. I also want to start an adult dialogue about Mass and the message.
I have debated about starting this blog for quite some time now, so here goes.
The priest at SJ focused the homily on the message to be drawn from the "whole city" coming to the house where Simon's mother-in-law was cured. (Insert your own in-law joke here, just think of what she was saying about Simon's friend who was coming over to "cure" her...but I digress). Why were all the people of the city there? Was it simply because they heard some guy cured some old lady? Or was it because they had selfish needs to be cured? Or was it just to be in the presence of Greatness?
The real question becomes-why are we going to the house? Are we? Should we? What do we hope we gain from going to the house (Mass)?
I am not sure how this will go over-but I hope that those of you that read it will please respond with posts of your own...this is not a monologue-or I don't want it to be, so please say what you think.
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