Shine the Way....

Shine the Way....

   Tonight I had my discernment meeting and reality is setting in for me. The reality of a year of formal discernment and really taking the call seriously. The “reality” is for another blog because the picture along side this blog is what the focus is on tonight. After the meeting tonight I needed some time to just reflect on everything and let it sink in for me. I decided to go to Ocean Grove, walk the board and pray the Rosary. Along the board there are many benches and I decided after walking for a while to sit and say the rosary and look at the ocean. So I sit.... and in front of me, directly in front of me is the lamp post and I think to myself “ really, of all the spot you pick one with a lamp post in direct line of sight”... but as I was going to move, one thought came to me and then followed by taking a picture to remember it. Yet, when I look at the photo another thought came to me. 

    The first thought was “ hmmmm, it is almost like a fork in the road. It is splitting my sight into two equal parts.” One side seems to be the comfortable way with the bench and I can just sit down and relax. The second would be me standing up and ready to move instantly. I would have to be more focused and ready with standing. This is where I think I am now vs a year ago. Before this, my life and vocation call was being handled by me just sitting down and relaxing. Not ready to move anytime soon and just sat there looking at the world and relaxing. Not thinking about my vocation much but just a passing idea. Now, I am standing and examining it, moved when I needed to move and really focused on what my vocation is to be. Both had the same view, and I think that was the problem. I thought I was being active in some form of “discernment” before as I sat but it took me to stand to realize what I was really missing, an active stand of saying “Here I am Lord, send me”. I actually laughed to myself about this idea that was in my head. Then thought “ this could be my blog tonight”. Then got the phone out to get a photo for the blog. 

    The second thought as I looked at the photo was well, first “ This light in the photo is much much brighter then what I can see before me”, and second “ that in the center of what I see before me is a bright light. The bright light of Jesus and where He is calling me to go. What my eyes did not see as bright, really is. I have let other things and even people dim that light before me. It took me to see the light through another lens to get the reality of it to be seen. Jesus has been before me this whole time trying to direct me and my vocation but i was too busy just sitting back. I did not allow Him to be that center and shine the way I needed Him to. I took it onto myself and decided how bright I wanted Him to shine. We have to look through the lens of prayer and trust to really get the real picture of what is before us.  

     The problem is that no matter what side of the lamp I would be on, the reality of what is before me was the same. The reality of God’s Will is there before us. The difference comes in when we are either sitting down and not being active in it, verses standing up and be ready for God’s Will to move us. God’s will for me in my vocation has never changed, He never changed it, I just decided on how I was going to act on it. For too long I took the inactive role and just let it be. God does not force His will on us. It takes for us to be active and ready to see where His will is guiding us, 

     What side of the lamp are you on? Are you on the side where you are sitting down and not moving or on the side where you are standing waiting to move for God’s will? 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and see how bright Jesus is leading the way to your vocation in life and be ready to move.  

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Today is Prayer for Vocations Day. We all, as a church, need to pray for Vocations. Both Men and Women need to listen to God's Call to be a worker in the vineyard. Without these workers we lose Eucharist, Sacraments, Sisters, Brothers, and all the work they do for the church and for the world. It is important for us to prayer each and every day for Vocations. Here are some tips to do for the week:

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Will you make a special effort to ask the Lord for more vocations to priesthood and religious life?

Pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and dead.

Keep our parish priests in your prayers throughout the week.

Encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister.

Pray a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call.

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and let us continue to pray for vocations. 

Monk of Narcia

Monk of Narcia

  I came across this Documentary of the Monk's of Narcia and found it to be really good. It is just a day in the life of the monks and you see what they do in a day. I find their life very interesting. 

  As some may know from the blog I did go away for just a weekend with the Benedictine Monks and as awesome of an experience it was, I know my vocation was not to be in that direction. There are many aspecst I loved and most revolved around their prayer life but not the life itself. Below is the video or you can click here to view it on YouTube. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and find and stay true to your vocation. 

Third Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 47

Third Sunday of Easter

Lectionary: 47

Reading 1

ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19

Peter said to the people:

“The God of Abraham,

the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,

the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus,

whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence

when he had decided to release him.

You denied the Holy and Righteous One

and asked that a murderer be released to you.

The author of life you put to death,

but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.

Now I know, brothers,

that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did;

but God has thus brought to fulfillment

what he had announced beforehand

through the mouth of all the prophets,

that his Christ would suffer.

Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.”

Responsorial Psalm

PS 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9

R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.

or:

R. Alleluia.

When I call, answer me, O my just God,

you who relieve me when I am in distress;

have pity on me, and hear my prayer!

R. Lord, let your face shine on us.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;

the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.

R. Lord, let your face shine on us.

or:

R. Alleluia.

O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!

You put gladness into my heart.

R. Lord, let your face shine on us.

or:

R. Alleluia.

As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep,

for you alone, O LORD,

bring security to my dwelling.

R. Lord, let your face shine on us.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Reading 2

1 JN 2:1-5A

My children, I am writing this to you

so that you may not commit sin.

But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous one.

He is expiation for our sins,

and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep

his commandments.

Those who say, “I know him,” but do not keep his commandments

are liars, and the truth is not in them.

But whoever keeps his word,

the love of God is truly perfected in him.

Alleluia

CF. LK 24:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us;

make our hearts burn while you speak to us.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

LK 24:35-48

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way,

and how Jesus was made known to them 

in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this,

he stood in their midst and said to them,

“Peace be with you.”

But they were startled and terrified

and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled?

And why do questions arise in your hearts?

Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.

Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones

as you can see I have.”

And as he said this,

he showed them his hands and his feet.

While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,

he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

They gave him a piece of baked fish; 

he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them,

“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,

that everything written about me in the law of Moses

and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And he said to them,

“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer

and rise from the dead on the third day

and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,

would be preached in his name

to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

You are witnesses of these things.”

"Adjectives"

"Adjectives"

   Sorry that it has been a while since blogging and I wanted the first to be on the Priesthood and Vocation but as I sit to write it up, I have a hard time. Trying to sum up or even just put into words what has gone on these past few weeks are hard. I am almost speechless to be honest. So, I decided let me get back in the swing with a cartoon and a question for you. 

    Look at the cartoon and think if each time you hear Thomas in the Bible do you first think of “Doubting Thomas” or even when they say Disciples do you think of not Thomas but “Doubting” Thomas. It is almost like Thomas is his last name and doubting is his first. That is how we refer to him. Yet , as the cartoon depicts, we don’t say ‘denying peter” or “naked mark”. Why is that? Maybe it is because we know of them more so after those events and have other defining moments in the bible. While Thomas key point in the bible is that factor of doubting. I must say that I feel bad for him because that one moment defined him. We don’f focus on what he says as much to Jesus when he does see Him,“ My Lord and my God”. 

    In reality majority of them doubted. They did not think He was risen when they knew His body was gone. The difference is that they were able to see Jesus before Thomas. They got a grace before him. I mean... come on now... think how you would feel if you were him. You were late and walk in and everyone was like you just missed Jesus. I do not know I would have doubted but I know I would have been “ Oh... Just my luck.. I knew I should have left earlier.. or that darn donkey that was in my way... “ Seriously think how you would feel. The more I think about it, the sadder it is for Thomas. I mean, Think Jesus knows all so why not wait for me to show? Does He like me? Was He upset with me? Why wasn’t I here? Maybe it was easier to think that they were just playing a joke on him then thinking he missed seeing Jesus. I would feel so awful.     

    Now think about your own spiritual journey. Think of the not so great times you have had. If someone just saw those times, what would your “adjective” be? Think if that stuck with you for almost 2000 years. I have to say that I know I would not be thrilled with some of those adjectives for myself.  As I write this blog I am thinking I should do some research on Thomas and learn more about him then that one moment in his life that seems to define him. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and look beyond the “adjectives” and see the whole person. 

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

Lectionary: 271

Reading 1

ACTS 5:34-42

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,

a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,

stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,

and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel,

be careful what you are about to do to these men.

Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,

and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,

and all those who were loyal to him

were disbanded and came to nothing.

After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.

He also drew people after him,

but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.

So now I tell you,

have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.

For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,

it will destroy itself.

But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;

you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

They were persuaded by him.

After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,

ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,

and dismissed them.

So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,

rejoicing that they had been found worthy

to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,

they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (see 4abc) One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge;

of whom should I be afraid?

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

One thing I ask of the LORD

this I seek:

To dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD

and contemplate his temple.

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;

be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia

MT 4:4

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

One does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

JN 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.

A large crowd followed him,

because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.

Jesus went up on the mountain,

and there he sat down with his disciples. 

The Jewish feast of Passover was near.

When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,

he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”

He said this to test him,

because he himself knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered him,

“Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough

for each of them to have a little.”

One of his disciples,

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;

but what good are these for so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” 

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. 

So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,

and distributed them to those who were reclining,

and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,

“Gather the fragments left over,

so that nothing will be wasted.”

So they collected them,

and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments

from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,

“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” 

Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off

to make him king,

he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

So, Now What?

So, Now What?

Lent is over and so is the Triduum. So now what?.. Well first I have to say sorry that I have not been posting as much and that was due to being extremely busy the past week with everything at church. Also for the beginning of Holy Week between work and attending the Chrism Mass, Bible Study and decorating. I am still taking last week all in. I must start with it was truly an amazing week. One of the best Holy Weeks. 

    Over the next few days I am going to be blogging on the week and the lessons and reflections of it all. There were many moments last week that I was in situations where I stopped and could not believe how awesome it was. I really tried each day to truly keep myself present in the the moment and not of what else I had to do or what was to come next. I tend at times to get so caught up in what is to be and neglect the here and now. With doing this I really learned a lot this week and enjoyed the experiences that occurred. 

    Tonight was the last of the bible study on the sacraments. It was fitting that the last one was Holy Orders for me tonight. The Priesthood was in full effect this past week and that will be the first reflection tomorrow in the blog. Tonight I just want to ask for prayers for all those who are discerning the Priesthood, those who are Seminarians and of course, for Our Priests. With out our Priests we would lose the Eucharist. Thank You for doing this and please always pray for these men. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and pray for the Priesthood and Vocations. 

Happy & Blessed Easter

Happy & Blessed Easter

On this day when the tomb was found empty let us remember what we 

need to do to empty ourselves so Jesus can live within and through us.

Good Friday

Good Friday

       On this day let us remember what Jesus did for us on this day and let us give time today to stop and give thanks for all that we have been given. God Bless

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday

  May we remember today the institution of the Priesthood & Jesus giving us the Eucharist.