May 16 – The Ascension of the Lord

Many of you my age remember the song “Up, Up and Away in My Beautiful Balloon” sung by the Fifth Dimension.  As we celebrate the Ascension today, perhaps up, up but NOT away would be our song.  While Jesus is out of sight, he is not out of mind or presence.  His presence can be experienced in many ways, or as the Gospel accounts today, through signs.  Jesus reminds us that he is with us until the end of the world.  How?  First, in his church.  But not only in holy places or shrines, but in the people who are the church.  When I was pastor of St. Michael in Wheaton (2001 – 2012), the church was destroyed by an arson fire in 2002.  That morning one of the news reporters on the scene asked me, “Father, how do you feel about losing your church?”  I responded, “we didn’t lose the church, we only lost the building where the church gathers.”

On this feast of the Ascension, we celebrate the truth that Jesus has ascended and entered into glory and is seated at God’s right hand.  But just because Jesus has sat down, does not mean that his work is finished.  The Kingdom of God is not yet fully established.  There is still violence and injustice in our world.  Jesus will need to return at the end of time to finally establish God’s Kingdom in its fullness.  Until the time when Jesus returns, he expects us to be active.

Jesus expects us to work for justice, to proclaim the good news of God’s love.  This is what we are called to do.  The gospel makes it clear, Jesus says to the disciples, “Go out to all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole of creation.” The gospel also makes it clear that our mission cannot be successful unless it is accompanied by signs.  Signs make other people take notice.  They set us apart and validate the power and the truth of the message.  Words are not enough!  Signs are necessary if the gospel is to be fully confirmed and believed.

While the signs mentioned in today’s gospel may seem rather extreme, may I suggest a few “kingdom” signs:  What if some objected to having a co-worker or a fellow student belittled or refused to laugh at a racist joke?  What if someone stood up to defend another who was being ignored?  That could be a sign of the Kingdom.  What if someone decided to be patient with another person who annoyed them?  What if instead of discounting that person or saying offensive things to them, a person would choose to listen and perhaps understand where that person was coming from?  That could be a sign of the Kingdom.  What if parents occasionally set aside their work, set aside their household tasks and their multiple schedules and created a space where the family could simply gather and listen to one another’s lives?  That could be a kingdom sign.  Whatever causes people to notice, sets us apart, goes against the grain – if it is oriented toward justice and love – can be a sign of the Kingdom of God!

Have a blessed Easter Season!

Father Don

May 9 – Sixth Sunday of Easter

BLESSING PRAYER FOR MOTHER’S DAY

God of Love, listen to this prayer.
God of Holy People, of Sarah, Ruth and Rebekah;
God of holy Elizabeth, mother of John,
of Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus,
bend down Your ear to this request
and bless the mother of our family.

Bless her with the strength of Your spirit,
she who has taught her child/children
how to stand and how to walk.

Bless her with the melody of Your love,
she who has fed and nurtured
the life that was formed within her
while still helpless but embrace in her love.

Bless her today, now, in this lifetime,
With good things, with health.
Bless her with joy, love, laughter
and pride in her child/children
and surround her with many good friends.

May she who carried life in her womb
be carried one day to Your divine embrace;
there, for all eternity,
to rejoice with her family and friends.

This blessing and all graces, we pray,
descend upon the mother of our family:
in the name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN+

Reprinted With Permission
“Prayers for the Domestic Church by Edward Hays
Forest of Peace Publishing, Leavenworth, KS

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Father Don

May 2 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

One of the most challenging things that many of us struggle with is not allowing the past to dictate the way in which we live life today.  The past, which we cannot change, can often linger negatively.  It will always be part of our lives.  But, we can change the present moment.  We can always move into a positive way of living and thinking.  Through God’s grace, St. Paul with the help of Barnabas made his conversion experience known to the apostles.  His life was dramatically changed and his work began in the early Church.  The Holy Spirit was the driving force in his life and can be the same for us as well.  These remarkable readings from Acts of the Apostles inspire us throughout the year.  The liturgies we celebrate together pour those graces into each one of us.  ALL WE NEED IS THE WILLINGNESS TO SAY YES AND MOVE FORWARD.

The reading from the 1^st Letter of John reinforces the fact that the power of the resurrected Jesus can see us through the trials and tribulations of life.  When all seems hopeless, or at is seemingly at a dead end with nowhere to turn, there is always an incredible light to show us another way.  Through the love of God and one another, new ways of life can unfold.

The parable of the vine and the branches is a wonderful reminder to prune away the baggage in our lives that constantly wears us down and robs us of the energy to live our lives as fully as possible.  One thing we can learn in life is to be not only compassionate to others but to learn self-compassion.  We constantly need to forgive ourselves, acknowledge our mistakes or compulsions, fearlessly address them, and move on.  Otherwise, we run the risk of stagnating and making ourselves miserable.  It takes much courage to face our hardships and challenges in life.  God’s grace and a fearless self-honesty can work miracles!

Fr. James and some of our prayer team warriors are being trained in a special ministry of prayer based on the book “Unbound – A Practical Guide to Deliverance” by Neal Lozano.  If you would like to be prayed over using this type of prayer, please e-mail Fr. James.

Several people have asked how I am doing since the surgery I had on March 25^th to remove my isthmus, the bridge of tissue that connects the two lobes of the thyroid gland.  At the time of surgery tissue samples were sent to pathology and no classic features were displaying at that time.  However, the full pathology report received two weeks later show that I have encapsulated papillary carcinoma cells present.  Therefore, I now need to have my entire thyroid gland removed.  That surgery is scheduled for June 10^th.

Have a Blessed Easter Season!

Father Don

April 25 – Fourth Sunday of Easter

Every year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, we hear John’s gospel of the good shepherd.  It is easy to tune out because we have heard it so many times.  But, Pope Francis’ strong emphasis on the link between mercy and evangelization has cast new light of the risen Christ as the Good Shepherd. In today’s Gospel, the risen Jesus gathers his disciples, who were scattered like sheep when he was arrested and executed.  His first words to them are of peace – total forgiveness for their cowardice in his hour of need.

The image of lost sheep certainly describes many people today, including Catholics who have wandered away or feel abandoned by the church.  The thought that someone is out searching for them, eager to rescue them from the brambles of human temptation and entanglement, to bind up their wounds, lift them up on strong shoulders and carry them home – is a comforting message.

Mercy is first aid, no questions asked.  Pope Francis’ vision of a merciful church does not dismiss the need for justice or accountability; he simply puts mercy first.  The prodigal son, the ultimate lost sheep, might never have come home if he thought his father would only scold, belittle and punish him.  In his desolate state, the son must have sensed that his father was grieving for him and wanted him to turn homeward.  In fact, the story suggest that it was the father’s longing, his daily walks to the gate to see if his son was on his way, that prompted the son to consider coming home.

The Good Shepherd will not give up on a single sheep.  He knows each one by name, loves them so much he is willing to lay down his life to save each one.  There is no talk of “cutting his losses” or the kind of “tough love” that lets a rebellious child suffer the consequences of his own actions before there can be any intervention or negotiated return home.  God’s unconditional love leaps into action at the first sign of regret or repentance.  As Pope Francis has said, “We tire of asking for God’s forgiveness, but God never tires of offering it.”  God’s name is Mercy.  God cannot do otherwise, for it is God’s very nature to love and forgive.

Todays’ Gospel is for anyone responsible for others.  This includes parents, teachers, priests and bishops.  Anyone entrusted with others who are vulnerable and need guidance has a model in the Good Shepherd.

Today’s world is in need of more Good Shepherd’s.  Will you become one??

Have a Blessed Easter Season!

Father Don