A Catholic Deacon's Perspective

The Most Holy Trinity Is A Mystery To All Believers. And Yet, Without God In Our Lives, There Is No Hope. Accept Father, Son And Holy Spirit To Complete Our Lives.

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 02:49:52 +0200

Mysteries can be fascinating if you have a mind that enjoys being challenged. Though finding a result of this may be what is sought, the real satisfaction seems to lie in the varying paths one is led down to receive a solution of what is meant by each twist and turn. The hope is one will have a clear picture of what is meant at the end of the journey.

Pentecost’s Invitation Of Involvement Brings The Holy Spirit Into Our Hearts And Our Sharing Of The Gospel Message

Fri, 26 May 2023 22:47:13 +0200

God’s perfect plan for our involvement might seem over the top with the original Pentecost filled with a “strong driving wind,” “tongues as of fire” and speaking in different tongues, but why shouldn’t it be? We are created out of God’s love to build the Kingdom of God by bringing people to God. Without God’s help, we would not be able to accomplish this. We need to be of the same Spirit to spread His message of love through preaching, healing and forgiving.

Ascension Completes Jesus Earthly Work Of Redemption. For Us, It Is A Way To Rise Above Negativity And Hate To Help Us Follow God And His Ways Forever

Sat, 20 May 2023 19:22:02 +0200

In my earlier days, I travelled for work. Sometimes I was gone for a few days and at other times for a week. My wife, Candi, travelled extensively for years leaving on Sunday evening and returning Friday night. For many years, she averaged 30 to 35 weeks annually. Our standing joke is that it kept us together as a couple because we always have new stories to tell one another to keep our relationship fresh and alive.

Jesus’ Proclaims A New Advocate, The Holy Spirit, Will Be With Us Forever If We Follow God’s Ways

Mon, 15 May 2023 18:33:24 +0200

For those of us who have relatives and friends that are facing mental or physical problems that bring them closer to death, we often contemplate how we will conduct our lives after they pass. Aside from our memories, will we be able to adjust to do some of the things we did when they were alive? That is certainly the dilemma of the Apostles as Jesus tells Him of His leaving earth and returning to heaven to be with His Father at the Ascension.

Jesus Invites Us To Be Disciples Who Identify Ourselves With His Mission In Oneness With The Father And Us!

Fri, 05 May 2023 22:50:19 +0200

In the weeks after Easter, prior to Pentecost, the Sunday readings and Gospels introduce us to multiple ways of how best to be a disciple of Jesus.

In the Second Sunday of Easter it involved believing without having physical proof to help one believe. The Third Sunday was about overcoming the truth about scriptural references to Jesus’ resurrection. The Fourth Sunday was listening to God’s call for us as a shepherd calls His sheep.

Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, Calls Us To Follow Him! Let Us Respond To His Voice By Living Our Vocation!

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 14:00:00 +0200

In addition to celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Easter (known as Good Shepherd Sunday), it also is the 60^th anniversary of Vocations Sunday. It is usually the day when we hear a homily on praying for future priests, deacons and religious life vocations. Well, maybe, not so much for deacons.

The Road To Emmaus Can Be A Conversion Experience, If We Trust Sacred Scripture And Our Eucharistic Sacrament!

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 04:35:18 +0200

Life is filled with disappointments, but probably none was ever greater to Christian belief than between the death of Jesus and His resurrection. St. Luke’s Gospel of two disciples of Jesus on the road to Emmaus brings to light the frustration that follows the failure of expectations or hopes causing confusion about the future.

Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen And Have Believed

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:10:40 +0200

Too often, the mantra we hear and sometimes say is: Seeing is believing! In other words we need some physical proof as the Apostle Thomas in St. St. John’s Gospel today when he said: “Unless I see…I will not believe” in reference to Jesus being alive after His death. What makes these words even harder to accept is that they are spoken by a believer who for three years lived with Jesus hearing His words and watching people being healed from all sorts of incurable ailments. Is Thomas really a doubter, or is he a man of faith because if what he was told is true, why aren’t the other Apostles jumping for joy rather than still hiding behind locked doors?

Passion (Palm) Sunday Of Holy Week, An Awareness Of Who Jesus Is And Why He Did What He Did Out Of Love!

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0200

This week, beginning of Holy Week, end of Lent, celebration of the Triduum and introduction to the Easter Season, brings into perspective everything we ever want and need to know about Jesus and God’s love for us.

Jesus Said He Is The Resurrection And Life! Marth Believed And Lazarus Exited The Tomb! We Too Need To Believe That Jesus Is Our Savior Who Gifts Us With Everlasting Life!

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 23:03:40 +0200

In these days of instantaneous information about almost everything happening in the world, we need to discern what is important for us to maintain a level of truth that helps us understand what is best for us. An area that often is treated more as an afterthought is faith decisions, even though they concern our eternal life after death. The Bible and our readings and Gospel today address this very aspect to give us an insight to make it priority in our life.

Man Does Not See As Does God! Spiritual Eyesight Of Our Heart Overshadows The Appearance Of Sin

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 19:34:00 +0200

This Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare which means Rejoice) marks the halfway point of this season in which we are to assess if we are living up to our promises of prayer, fasting and giving of alms to those in need. It also is a reminder to us that we are called by God to change our lives and to embrace a Baptism of discipleship no matter what our state of life. This is especially pertinent to the Elect and Candidates who will receive Sacraments at the Easter Vigil celebration on April 8th.

Impatient And Angry With God? We Might Want To Rethink That Because He Chooses To Love Us!

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 18:35:30 +0200

Each one of us has our own journey of faith. Some have been given opportunities to practice it while others try to ferret out what they think will be a path that helps them stay ahead of what they believe to be life’s pitfalls. Our first reading from the Book of Exodus and St. John’s Gospel today represents these two types.

"Rise, And Do Not Be Afraid”

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0200

In the three fourths of a century that I have lived, I have seen fear rob people of their life in so many different areas.

The generation who lived during the Great Depression of the 1920s often became hoarders because they feared that if they didn’t save certain things they would run out of them and not be able to take care of a problem for which the items were made. My parents had about 20 boxes of bandages that would no longer stick to anything when I went through their belongings after their deaths in the 1990s.

Jesus’ Temptation By Satan Illustrates How We Need To Respond When Faced With Difficulties That Lead Us Astray

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 22:16:06 +0200

Every human since the beginning of time has been tempted, whether in his or her faith or in something not related to a faith. What is important about this rests on each individual’s response to the temptation. Did he or she act upon it for self-gratification, or was it squashed for a better action that would improve the life of not only the one tempted but others who may have been affected.

Jesus’ Earthly Life Provides Us With A Road Map To Avoid Sin And Live A Holy Life So We Can Be More Selfless And Less Selfish

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 01:03:16 +0200

To be holy takes effort when you consider many people think about themselves first before concerning the wellbeing of others. Most mothers can be excluded who have shown throughout the ages to what extent they will go to protect their child(ren) from any harm. That being the case, why do people still strive to have the virtue of holiness?

God Gives Us Free Will To Choose His Wisdom So Out Of His Love We Can Inherit Eternal Life Rather Than A Path To Sin

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 01:11:19 +0200

It is no secret that men and women seek wisdom. In the realm of earthly areas it could be as simple as learning how to properly use a vacuum cleaner or as difficult as rebuilding a car engine. In faith it is using one’s free will to seek a life of holiness by placing one’s confidence and hope in God’s wisdom rather than choosing a path to sin.

Belief In God Allows Us To Center Our Lives On Jesus And Grow As Disciples Of The Lord In Faith And Action

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 01:29:21 +0200

In one of the two parishes I serve at, their mission statement is the following:

“We, the Catholic community of [Church Name and Location], under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, center our lives on Jesus Christ. Together we grow as disciples of the Lord in faith and action.”

Jesus’ Beatitudes Provide Us With A Life Plan Allowing God To Work Through Us For Others

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 17:16:22 +0200

If we are seeking a plan for our life, the Beatitudes provide us with one blessed by God. The catch to following it calls us to accept the virtue of humility which allows God to work through us for others.

God’s Call For Disciples To Follow Him Is About Shining His Light On Them So They Can Repent And Share The Gospel Message

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 22:39:38 +0200

Last weekend I attended a men’s retreat from one of the two parishes at which I serve. The title of the retreat was: “Who is Jesus Christ? Who am I? Find the Divinity Within.”

One of the talks presented on the first day touched on how we discern our path in life’s journey. Do we choose ambition or vocation?

God Invites Us To A Life Of Service, Holiness And Honor, If We Practice Our Faith In Love To God And All His Creation

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 01:05:01 +0200

One of the things I enjoy doing is catching up with relatives and friends I have not talked with or seen for several years. If for no other reason, it gives me hope that our dysfunctional family is no worse than theirs. But the real purpose is to discover how they are coping with changes in life that happen for a multitude of reasons.