On Wednesday a friend called to see how vacation was going. I assured him that this week was indeed a stress free and kickback week with three priest brothers at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. There were a number of important decisions to be made, though.
First, which Mass to attend on Sunday? I chose the "last chance before mortal sin" Mass at 4:30 Sunday afternoon! It was a good celebration for a summer beach parish Mass.
The other important decision each day involved "which restaurant" to visit. I must say that we did fairly well with those decisions. It was a great week of relaxing, but it is good to be home. My friend asked if I missed blogging, and the answer is a definite YES!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
A time away ...
Friends, it has been some time since I have taken more than a few days break from Journey Thoughts, but now is the time. I am heading to the Atlantic ocean on Saturday for a week, and look forward to some R & R. Unless something spectacular happens, or a great inspiration occurs, I will not be posting. I look forward to my return next weekend.
PS - The standard picture and experience of sunrise on the beach will not be among my vacation reflections. I did that once or twice ... and awesome as that is, once or twice is enough. I am a sleepeer! Have a great week.
PS - The standard picture and experience of sunrise on the beach will not be among my vacation reflections. I did that once or twice ... and awesome as that is, once or twice is enough. I am a sleepeer! Have a great week.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Small town blessings
Our diocese has very few cities, and none of them are large. We are small towns and boroughs, suburbia, and rural America. And in addition to great people, we have some charming and vibrant towns. I happen to live near one, the Borough of Irwin in Westmoreland County. This little town is always hosting something, going out of its way to make the town come alive.
This evening was one of those times. For the third time this summer (in June, July and August) the town of Irwin hosted an Art and Jazz night. Artists and musicians from the entire area perform at a number of venues in town - in restaurants, in the bank parking lot, on street corners and sidewalks from 5:00 to about 9:00 pm. People walk the streets, shop, dine, brings chairs and listen to some great music. It is wonderful. I went to one of my favorite little places in town - Romano's - for dinner. Sharon and Carl are the owners and chefs, and I frequent the place often. I feel very much at home ... actually I feel like Norm on the old Cheers TV series. When they see me pull up to park, they announce my arrival (everybody knows your name). Romano's was featuring a guitarist/vocalist by the name of James Hovan from the Churchill section of Pittsburgh. Good food, camaraderie, great jazz music, beautiful weather - what more could you ask for. Driving down main street on the way home, I thought of how cool this was. It was a "small town blessing.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
On another note:
Brian Williams had a piece on NBC news that caught my attention. In fact, it voiced something that has been bothering me greatly of late. It seems that the Presidential race to date - both candidates - have spent a record $512 million on TV and Radio ads. And we still have a long way to go until election day. I'm not sure if that includes the primaries (if not, then things are even worse). Granted, we have to know our candidates, but the level of negativity is so rampant in those ads that I'm not sure we are really learning anything helpful.
NBC gave some examples of what 512 million dollars could do for others, like feed 9.2 million starving children for 50 days, etc. I've asked myself the same question ... could this money be better spent? The moral side of me asks that question. And I find myself less and less comfortable with these huge expenditures of money, wherever they come from.
This evening was one of those times. For the third time this summer (in June, July and August) the town of Irwin hosted an Art and Jazz night. Artists and musicians from the entire area perform at a number of venues in town - in restaurants, in the bank parking lot, on street corners and sidewalks from 5:00 to about 9:00 pm. People walk the streets, shop, dine, brings chairs and listen to some great music. It is wonderful. I went to one of my favorite little places in town - Romano's - for dinner. Sharon and Carl are the owners and chefs, and I frequent the place often. I feel very much at home ... actually I feel like Norm on the old Cheers TV series. When they see me pull up to park, they announce my arrival (everybody knows your name). Romano's was featuring a guitarist/vocalist by the name of James Hovan from the Churchill section of Pittsburgh. Good food, camaraderie, great jazz music, beautiful weather - what more could you ask for. Driving down main street on the way home, I thought of how cool this was. It was a "small town blessing.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
On another note:
Brian Williams had a piece on NBC news that caught my attention. In fact, it voiced something that has been bothering me greatly of late. It seems that the Presidential race to date - both candidates - have spent a record $512 million on TV and Radio ads. And we still have a long way to go until election day. I'm not sure if that includes the primaries (if not, then things are even worse). Granted, we have to know our candidates, but the level of negativity is so rampant in those ads that I'm not sure we are really learning anything helpful.
NBC gave some examples of what 512 million dollars could do for others, like feed 9.2 million starving children for 50 days, etc. I've asked myself the same question ... could this money be better spent? The moral side of me asks that question. And I find myself less and less comfortable with these huge expenditures of money, wherever they come from.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Why?
I probably have been guilty of asking the question "Why?" when presented with a statement of fact or an experience of life or the unanswerable questions that plague our lives. It is a kids thing that sometimes lingers into adulthood. It is not just that "inquiring minds want to know", but sometimes it illustrates our frustration with what is.
Today's question is this: If we are made in the image and likeness of God, then why do we suffer and die, and why do our bodies corrupt in the grave? God does not corrupt, and his life does not end, so why do ours?
So we seek and answer. And the answer to this question that our ancestors arrived at was that the glory that is ours through our oneness with God, that which creates us in his image and likeness, was lost to sin and death by those that represented us in the beginning. Through their selfishness and greed another reality entered the picture, one that was not in the original plan of God. Through the sin of our first ancestors we now worked by the sweat of our brow, we suffered pain and hardship, we died, and our bodies decayed into dust. We were lost to the one who could not stand to lose what he had so lovingly created.
In time, restoration took place through the Creator's Living Word becoming flesh, dwelling among us, and taking our weakness, our sinfulness, even death itself to the tree of the cross - all done in total and pure love. From that moment on, we were raised to a higher level of existence. Our life was not just bodily, with its limitations, but now God's life existed within us, and we were gifted with eternal life, a spiritual life that reflects our Godlikeness. Even though we would see corruption of the earthly body, we were given the promise of a glorified body sharing eternal life and glory with God at a day of final judgement.
Today, on this feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, we celebrate her peaceful and joyous death and her entry into that eternal glory that is our destiny. She, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave human flesh to the Word of God, was given the privilege of "skipping a step" on her journey ... of proceeding with her Son from the moment of death into the presence of the Father for all eternity. She is our hope, the reminder of what is in store for us.
The answer to the question "Why death and bodily corruption?" is sin and the separation from God. The solution is found in the redemption won for us by Mary's Son, Jesus, by his death on the cross. And the promise for our future lies in the resurrection of Jesus and the example of Mary's being assumed into Heaven.
Today's question is this: If we are made in the image and likeness of God, then why do we suffer and die, and why do our bodies corrupt in the grave? God does not corrupt, and his life does not end, so why do ours?
So we seek and answer. And the answer to this question that our ancestors arrived at was that the glory that is ours through our oneness with God, that which creates us in his image and likeness, was lost to sin and death by those that represented us in the beginning. Through their selfishness and greed another reality entered the picture, one that was not in the original plan of God. Through the sin of our first ancestors we now worked by the sweat of our brow, we suffered pain and hardship, we died, and our bodies decayed into dust. We were lost to the one who could not stand to lose what he had so lovingly created.
In time, restoration took place through the Creator's Living Word becoming flesh, dwelling among us, and taking our weakness, our sinfulness, even death itself to the tree of the cross - all done in total and pure love. From that moment on, we were raised to a higher level of existence. Our life was not just bodily, with its limitations, but now God's life existed within us, and we were gifted with eternal life, a spiritual life that reflects our Godlikeness. Even though we would see corruption of the earthly body, we were given the promise of a glorified body sharing eternal life and glory with God at a day of final judgement.
Today, on this feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, we celebrate her peaceful and joyous death and her entry into that eternal glory that is our destiny. She, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave human flesh to the Word of God, was given the privilege of "skipping a step" on her journey ... of proceeding with her Son from the moment of death into the presence of the Father for all eternity. She is our hope, the reminder of what is in store for us.
The answer to the question "Why death and bodily corruption?" is sin and the separation from God. The solution is found in the redemption won for us by Mary's Son, Jesus, by his death on the cross. And the promise for our future lies in the resurrection of Jesus and the example of Mary's being assumed into Heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Diocese of Greensburg (Pennsylvania)
where I serve as a priest
was placed by Pope John XXIII
in the early 1960's
under the patronage of Mary,
our Lady of the Assumption.
On this, our patronal feast,
please pray for Bishop Lawrence Brandt,
retired Bishop Anthony Bosco,
and the good people of this part of God's Kingdom.
Thanks.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The word becomes flesh ...
We are a visual and auditory people in these modern days. I love my Nook for a variety of reasons, and even though I have not moved to "listening" to a book on an audio recording, I know that that, too, is very popular. We are a people of convenience ... which is okay. However, we are losing the "feel" for the texture of the paper, the size of the tome, and the experience of "carrying" the book or books.
What we hear, what we see, what we read is embraced through a variety of filters (time constraints, experiences, interests, attentiveness, prejudices, understanding, etc.). We pick and choose what we want to pass on. This is a part of human nature.
But the WORD entrusted to us by God is too important, too vital to be accepted, embraced and passed on through the normal filters of life. The reading from Ezekiel from the Hebrew Scriptures this morning has the Lord pointing that out to Ezekiel. He says to Ezekiel that this rebellious people needs to hear the call to repentance and conversion, a message of "Lamentation and wailing and woe!" But they can only respond if they hear, and the can only hear if it is proclaimed, and it can only be proclaimed if it is understood, and it can only be understood if the message become an integral part of the proclaimer, So he tells Ezekiel to take the written scroll that God has handed to him and to eat it, to literally eat the scroll. To eat it and digest it and allow it to become a part of who he is so that when he speaks in God's name, the WORD would be powerful and true. And Ezekiel found the the strong and bitter words on the scroll to be sweet as honey in his mouth.
We are entrusted with the written WORD of God in the Scriptures. We are presented with the WORD of teaching, instruction and guidance through the Church. And most importantly we are gifted with the living WORD of God found in our relationship to Jesus Christ and in his Eucharistic Presence. The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. And in doing so, the Word becomes flesh in our lives even today, unfiltered and unimpeded, bringing about that transformation in us that the Lord desires. What a wonderful God we have!
What we hear, what we see, what we read is embraced through a variety of filters (time constraints, experiences, interests, attentiveness, prejudices, understanding, etc.). We pick and choose what we want to pass on. This is a part of human nature.
But the WORD entrusted to us by God is too important, too vital to be accepted, embraced and passed on through the normal filters of life. The reading from Ezekiel from the Hebrew Scriptures this morning has the Lord pointing that out to Ezekiel. He says to Ezekiel that this rebellious people needs to hear the call to repentance and conversion, a message of "Lamentation and wailing and woe!" But they can only respond if they hear, and the can only hear if it is proclaimed, and it can only be proclaimed if it is understood, and it can only be understood if the message become an integral part of the proclaimer, So he tells Ezekiel to take the written scroll that God has handed to him and to eat it, to literally eat the scroll. To eat it and digest it and allow it to become a part of who he is so that when he speaks in God's name, the WORD would be powerful and true. And Ezekiel found the the strong and bitter words on the scroll to be sweet as honey in his mouth.
We are entrusted with the written WORD of God in the Scriptures. We are presented with the WORD of teaching, instruction and guidance through the Church. And most importantly we are gifted with the living WORD of God found in our relationship to Jesus Christ and in his Eucharistic Presence. The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. And in doing so, the Word becomes flesh in our lives even today, unfiltered and unimpeded, bringing about that transformation in us that the Lord desires. What a wonderful God we have!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Going for the gold
The 2012 Summer Olympics are history. Thousands of athletes from over 200 countries gathered in London for two weeks to compete for honors in their respective fields of endeavor. Just being there is an honor - to be able to run the race, to compete at that level, to be rewarded for their dedication and hard work. Those that made the winners platform, receiving gold, or silver or bronze, shared in the glory of being Olympic champions. I told our people yesterday that I love watching the Olympic Games, not only for the excitement but maybe because I can identify with those finely tuned athletes. (Thank God they caught the obvious tongue in cheek joke and laughed).
I am impressed by the tremendous hard work, dedication, training, support from so many, and willingness to sacrifice in order to attain the goal of being an Olympic champion.
I am reminded that we too are on a journey of a lifetime, a quest for eternal glory, a prize that is not limited to gold or silver or bronze, but one that is imperishable and eternal. The invitation to strive for this goal is given in the waters of baptism. The talent and ability to reach those heights are entrusted to us at that time. We are surrounded by supportive family in the community of believers, and given excellent coaches to guide and direct us in the teachers and teachings of the Church. And we are honored and strengthened by the love that God has for us as it is found in Christ Jesus. We are nourished with the bread of life, and no better spiritual food can we nutritionally desire or need.
Olympic athletes will tell you just to be able to compete and share in the experience of the Olympics is enough, even if they do not bring home a medal. In our journey, we know that to be one with Christ in this experience of life is to already shared in his glory, and to be counted among the elect, to be a winner. We do not have to wait every four years ... our invitation is permanent and ongoing.
I am impressed by the tremendous hard work, dedication, training, support from so many, and willingness to sacrifice in order to attain the goal of being an Olympic champion.
I am reminded that we too are on a journey of a lifetime, a quest for eternal glory, a prize that is not limited to gold or silver or bronze, but one that is imperishable and eternal. The invitation to strive for this goal is given in the waters of baptism. The talent and ability to reach those heights are entrusted to us at that time. We are surrounded by supportive family in the community of believers, and given excellent coaches to guide and direct us in the teachers and teachings of the Church. And we are honored and strengthened by the love that God has for us as it is found in Christ Jesus. We are nourished with the bread of life, and no better spiritual food can we nutritionally desire or need.
Olympic athletes will tell you just to be able to compete and share in the experience of the Olympics is enough, even if they do not bring home a medal. In our journey, we know that to be one with Christ in this experience of life is to already shared in his glory, and to be counted among the elect, to be a winner. We do not have to wait every four years ... our invitation is permanent and ongoing.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Loving support
In the late 1100's in a small town in the Umbrian mountians of Italy called Assisi, a tremendous conversion took place in a wealthy young man. He renounced everything that others had given him and he relied in great simplicity on the providence of God. He began a monumental spiritual awakening and transformation of the Church at the invitation of the Lord to "rebuild my Church". He became known, very simply, as Francis of Assisi.
In the early days of his conversion, as he listened to the message of the Gospel and proclaimed that message by words and actions, he would often preach in the square before the "new" cathedral church. Living just off of that square, and listening intently, was a young woman by the name of Clare. His words touched her heart, his example moved her deeply, and she probably became infatuated with Francis and his way of simplicity, which led her to fall more deeply in love with the Lord. Soon she wanted to dedicate her life to the Lord, and approached Francis regarding entering Religious Life. He took her to the Benedictine Sisters, who welcomed her and began the process.
Mom, dad and brothers were outraged, and forcefully took her home and set watch over her. Determined, she escaped and returned to the convent. Eventually she stayed, eventually she accepted the simple life of Francis and founded the Poor Clares, eventually she and her Sisters took over the small church that Francis had rebuilt - San Damiano - and established a community of women religious. She became a spiritual powerhouse in her own right, and was always faithful and loyal to Francis, providing loving support.
Clare's body is found in the Basilica of Saint Clare in Assisi, as is the image of Christ on the cross that spoke to Francis at San Damiano. Clare is one of those saints called "incorruptible". After 800 years, her body remains intact. On my first visit to Assisi I saw her remains, dressed in her habit. At that time her face was not covered (now it is by a wax mask with beautiful facial features). It had a "mummified" texture to the face, but you could clearly see the facial features. Not bad for someone over 800 years old. Francis is nothing but bones ... oh, the power of women. You could also see the locks of her hair that had been cut when she entered religious life. It was amazing. I have include a picture of the square directly in front of Sancta Chiara Basilica from one of my visits.
I mention this today, because the Church honors Clare of Assisi on this date.
In the early days of his conversion, as he listened to the message of the Gospel and proclaimed that message by words and actions, he would often preach in the square before the "new" cathedral church. Living just off of that square, and listening intently, was a young woman by the name of Clare. His words touched her heart, his example moved her deeply, and she probably became infatuated with Francis and his way of simplicity, which led her to fall more deeply in love with the Lord. Soon she wanted to dedicate her life to the Lord, and approached Francis regarding entering Religious Life. He took her to the Benedictine Sisters, who welcomed her and began the process.
Mom, dad and brothers were outraged, and forcefully took her home and set watch over her. Determined, she escaped and returned to the convent. Eventually she stayed, eventually she accepted the simple life of Francis and founded the Poor Clares, eventually she and her Sisters took over the small church that Francis had rebuilt - San Damiano - and established a community of women religious. She became a spiritual powerhouse in her own right, and was always faithful and loyal to Francis, providing loving support.
Clare's body is found in the Basilica of Saint Clare in Assisi, as is the image of Christ on the cross that spoke to Francis at San Damiano. Clare is one of those saints called "incorruptible". After 800 years, her body remains intact. On my first visit to Assisi I saw her remains, dressed in her habit. At that time her face was not covered (now it is by a wax mask with beautiful facial features). It had a "mummified" texture to the face, but you could clearly see the facial features. Not bad for someone over 800 years old. Francis is nothing but bones ... oh, the power of women. You could also see the locks of her hair that had been cut when she entered religious life. It was amazing. I have include a picture of the square directly in front of Sancta Chiara Basilica from one of my visits.
I mention this today, because the Church honors Clare of Assisi on this date.
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