Will of the Father

The Fathers Day of all Fathers Day

Mike — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:09:00 GMT

Who said you have to die to go to heaven? This weekend proved to me that heaven can be experienced right here and right now. The last 2 days were as filled with joy, happiness and peace as one could ever want. It can’t get any better than my weekend (Father’s Day weekend 2011)

It started out with the wedding of my son Benjamin to Lindsay Cross. First let me tell you a little about these two amazing young people. They are the hope in this world. They are what God had in mind when he created man and woman. They are the definition of pride for a parent. T

Ben and Lindsay are the ultimate example of “good kids”. They are loving, caring, responsible, and kind. They are well adjusted and stable. They work hard; have wonderful goals for their lives and possess the determination to carry it out. In many ways they are perfect. Lindsay is the ultimate daughter in law and from what I am told by her family; Ben is the perfect son in law. The Cross and Olock families are blessed by their lives and we can rightfully be proud.

Their wedding day was superb. They exchanged Holy Spirit guided vows and both cherished every second of the day. My son was so proud to take Lindsay as his wife. Lindsay was so honored to become the wife of Ben. For a Dad, the day before Father’s day; “it doesn’t get any better than this”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, as I was totally overwhelmed with happiness and pride, Ben’s mother received a phone call, Father’s Day, that our daughter was in the hospital with contractions and was ready to give birth to our first grandbaby, Tatiana Marie. At 1:32pm, a new guardian angel went on duty to care for this 8 lb 13 oz., 20” bundle of joy.

Now let me tell you a little about this amazing new mother, Kate. She is everything a father could want in a daughter. She has a wonderful loving heart. She is tough but quite wonderfully gentle. She is confident yet reserved and humble. She is focused yet flexible. She understands the true meaning of “friendship” and knows how to give as well as receive the love of those in her life. She will be an amazing mother to Tatiana and those that will follow and will be a great partner (and hopefully, one day, wife) to Michael. She was a trooper yesterday in labor and was a proud, yet exhausted mother yesterday afternoon when I saw her for the first time since the delivery.

Last night as I smoked my celebratory cigar while reflecting on my son and daughters gifts to me this Father day; I realized that life is about what had happened within that 24 hour period between 2pm Saturday as Ben and Lindsay entered into the sacrament of Matrimony and Tatiana’s arrival at 1:32 – It makes the challenges of life all worth it. It erases much of any heartache and pain and it is a chance for renewal.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful life. Thank you for my amazing children. Thank you for another generation of Olock’s (& Urso’s). Thank you for my gift of salvation and all that comes with my faith. You showed me this weekend about the prize for trying to be the best version of myself. If I die the second after I click the submit for this blog, I will die a man as happy and at peace as one could be.

Thanks also to Ben, Lindsay, Kate & Michael. Thanks to Mona, Mona, Mike, Jack, & Sandy.

THIS IS REALLY COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Me, a Pop Pop and Stepfather

12 Steps to 3 Paths

Mike — Sat, 14 May 2011 11:08:00 GMT

I just finished watching part I of a DVD by Rev. Robert Barron titled Untold Blessing – The Three Paths to Holiness. For you who have followed this blog, you know that I have read and commented on the book by St. Alphonsus, The 12 steps to Holiness & Salvation and it appears that the three steps by Father Barron will encompass Alphonsus’ twelve due to their titles: Finding the Center, Knowing You are a Sinner, & Your Life is Not about You (the one I anticipate the most).

In the first part, Father Barron made the correlation about finding The Center by relaying the story of Martha and Mary, a story that has taken up lots of thought and discussion for me during this Lent. Father Barron notes that this is not about Mary doing the right thing and Martha needing to stop worrying about food and drink, but it is about being centered on Christ. He proposed that if Martha sat at the feet of Christ and Mary was preparing the meal, Martha would still be fretting about things and her mind and spirit would be going in many directions and that Mary would still be focused completely on Jesus even in the process of preparing supper. Jesus’ chastisement of Martha was not about what she was doing, but where her heart was; where her focus was not.

This led me to think a bit about my life and what and why I do what I do. Father Barron went on about detachment (Chapter 5 of the 12 Steps to Holiness & Salvation) and how we must separate ourselves from the worldly and be focused only on the Will of the Father. I pondered again how important it is not to worry about fortune; not to fret about success or popularity; not to be troubled about what is going to happen tomorrow. I am starting to see that it is truly not about me, even not about my friends, family, and community; but truly about my God; & if it becomes completely about the Lord, my life and the life of others around me will fall into place just as God wills it. Alphonsus wrote this about true detachment; “Faith teaches us that nothing g happens without the permission of God. If, therefore, we suffer the loss of our good name or our temporal possessions, God does not of course will the sin that is thereby committed, but He wills or permits the suffering that falls to our lot and He wills it for our good.” Here again is that lesson on the importance of suffering – does that mean more lessons coming on mortification!!!???

Father Barron then went on to talk about Finding the Center, which of course is Christ. He told the story of a famous stained glass “rose style” window in Paris named the Wheel of Fortune. This window depicts the struggle of life and how we go from being on top and rich and powerful and popular (and the anxieties of being on top and needing more to be satisfied) to the next position which is the inevitable fall to the bottom of the wheel and being down and out to the upswing of the wheel and climbing back (with the help of God) to start the cycle over again. He notes though that our goal is to climb from the spokes of the wheel to the hub, the center which is Christ. This part of the wheel that stays centered and all pivots around it. Logically, if we are centered in Christ we will not fret, we will stop worrying about loss of fortune and will simply accept our lot in life as God’s will for us. Again, it goes back to what Paul teaches us, “we are brought down in order to be strengthened, we are made low to help us to reach higher.”

It is becoming more apparent, even for a thick headed lout like me, that these paths to holiness are the true paths to happiness. The walk to holiness and sainthood is the only walk to contentment. It is not about the fading rewards of this world, but the everlasting riches of living a life in Christ. If Jesus is our Center, if God is what we live for, if the Holy Spirit steers the ship; no matter how bad the storms are in our lives, we will arrive safe and secure when we are called to face our Judge. I must keep my focus, no matter what - & the next two parts of the DVD – Knowing You are a Sinner and Your Life is Not about You will surely further my walk to Holiness and my goal, my Salvation.

Our Easter Duty

Mike — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:03:00 GMT

What Is the Easter Duty in Roman Catholicism?

Answer: Because of the central importance of Easter to the Christian faith, the Catholic Church requires that all Catholics who have made their First Communion receive the Holy Eucharist sometime during the Easter season, which lasts through Pentecost Sunday, 50 days after Easter. (They should also take part in the Sacrament of Penance before receiving this Easter communion.) This reception of the Eucharist is a visible sign of our faith and our participation in the Kingdom of God. Of course, we should receive Communion as frequently as possible; this "Easter Duty" is simply the minimum requirement set by the Church.

So, there is good news here – we have until Pentecost to complete this “duty” if you have not done this simple and grace filled task

Why is it so hard for us to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for grace? Confession, or more recently called Reconciliation is avoided, like the plague by so many people. My belief is that many do not understand the entire purpose of the sacrament – many think that it is simply a “duty” to confess our sins to a priest & therein lays the error

Confession, as I have come to know it (thanks Dennis O’Connor) is much more that confessing our sins & yes we can and should do that each night with God. Confession is Jesus’ way to impart grace on us to not sin again – Remember, to be forgiven of a sin; we must have in our hearts the true desire not to commit that sin again. If we go to confession to confess something we know we will do again and have not committed to try with our whole heart mind and soul to not do again – WE WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN and have not made a proper confession. I recently came to realize also that if we purposely leave out some sins (due to embarrassment or other silly reasons), that we will not be forgiven for the ones we confess.

So let’s get back to the true purpose of the sacrament; to gain grace not to sin again. Grace, that God given “boost” or power to do the will of the Father – that God given opportunity to turn our lives around and to live as saints (or at least to try real, real hard) is truly a gift from our Lord. My friends, that is why I write these things to you – to pressure myself to do what is right – I do this as part of my yearning for grace to be the best version of myself. Four years ago I committed to monthly confession. I have a confessor who I go to each month, when possible & I encourage all of you to find yourselves a confessor; someone you can sit down with and unload your sins and ask for the grace not to do them again. The screen and anonymity is OK but if the purpose is to gain grace; go face to face. Remember, the priest represents God & absolves you by the power given to the apostles when Jesus conferred on them “the power to bind and the power to loose sins.” They represent the people you sinned against as well – again remember, what we should do is ask forgiveness from the person we offended or sinned against – we really should confess to the person we stole something from and to make retribution - we really should ask forgiveness from the person we took out our anger on – we really should make right the lies we tell.

To sum this up, the sacrament of Reconciliation is about conversion and repentance. Check out what our Catechism says about this: 1439 The process of conversion and repentance was described by Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son, the center of which is the merciful father: the fascination of illusory freedom, the abandonment of the father's house; the extreme misery in which the son finds himself after squandering his fortune; his deep humiliation at finding himself obliged to feed swine, and still worse, at wanting to feed on the husks the pigs ate; his reflection on all he has lost; his repentance and decision to declare himself guilty before his father; the journey back; the father's generous welcome; the father's joy - all these are characteristic of the process of conversion. The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive banquet are symbols of that new life - pure worthy, and joyful - of anyone who returns to God and to the bosom of his family, which is the Church. Only the heart Of Christ Who knows the depths of his Father's love could reveal to us the abyss of his mercy in so simple and beautiful a way.

My brothers and sisters, for your own sake and for God’s sake; take advantage of this incredible gift – Make confession a major source of grace in your life – you want things to change for the better – start here.

A call to renewal

Mike — Mon, 02 May 2011 10:53:00 GMT

In Sunday Morning’s OOR, the third chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians contains lots of wisdom for all of us during this new season of renewal – “5 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Notice that it says, put to death; not just stop doing these but; put to death in a way that they will not be resurrected. We are again called to chant, it’s not about me!!!! How difficult is this? To live life for others, or more important; to live life for God. After all, marriage relations are supposed to be about each other; trying to help each other become the best versions of ourselves. After all, isn’t that the commitment we make when we have children; they must be the first priority along with God. Not newer golf clubs, not a bigger John Deere tractor each year, not graduating from a Saab to a Lexus, to a Cadillac or Mercedes Benz. That money should be in a college fund and we should all be driving car that don't cost as much as houses did not too long ago. We need to spend quality time with our Lord instead of countless hours in front of the TV watching the train wreck Wives of every state & county in the US. The desires that are evil are the longings to have revenge and to hold onto jealousy and distrust. And the part about putting immorality and impurity to death – don’t get me started – the pornography industry is worth billions, courts are spending time on cases like the to right to wear bracelets that say, I LOVE BOOBIES and stores are selling provocative clothes for 10 year olds!!!!!!!!! (****by the way, I support Breast Cancer research but, wander if there isn't a better way to raise awareness?)

If we keep it up, the next verse will become a reality in our lives - 6 Because of these the wrath of God is coming (upon the disobedient).

7 By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. There is no place for anger in our hearts; not anger that leads to fury, malice, slander, and gossip. Again, don’t get me started on the proliferation of obscene language that easily rolls out of the mouth of most Americans. The second commandment is nonexistent in this world and crude and foul language has become an acceptable part of our society.

9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all. You know my friends, we should be praying today for the soul of Osama bin Laden. Yes, he was the devil incarnate, like Hitler, Mussolini, and Saddam Hussein, but we must pray for our enemies – I think I recall something in the Bible about this; maybe something Jesus said while He was with us.

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. – On Saturday, I attended a Men’s conference where Deacon Ralph Poyo (a fantastic speaker and witness) reminded us that MEN are supposed to be the heads of families: that men are to be the examples of behavior and proper conduct. Men who exhibit compassion and kindness. Men who are the complete opposites of TV portrayals of husbands and fathers. Men who are humble and gentle; men who love their wives enough to say NO to excessive spending and obsession to material things and who will teach their daughters proper conduct when dating and who make it their top priority the salvation of the souls of their family. Men who cast off fear and shame – Men who look to God and their priests for advice and counsel – Men who are Men; not guys whose priorities are “their buds” & their Buds (Budweiser’s).

14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Then in the chapter of Divine Intimacy, we are reminded of the “invitation to the spiritual childhood for attaining salvation: “Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall NOT enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”

This is the beginning of the prayer at the end of the DI chapter, “My God, give me a simple, pure heart, free of malice and hypocrisy. “O Lord, grant me true purity and simplicity: in my looks, words, heart, intentions, works, and in all my interior and exterior acts. I should like to know, O Lord, what there is in me that impedes these virtues.” Indeed, what is in me that impedes my walk with the Lord. What do I have to put to death that will keep me from eternal life?

Our Mother Mary

Mike — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:58:00 GMT

last evening I spent some time contemplating what Mary went through during the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. Look at the Pieta, the Lamb of God in the arms of the His Mother Mary – the Son of God lay dead on her precious lap

She knew what Jesus was doing – She knew all along that her Jesus would sacrifice Himself. – She was told by Simeon that her heart would be pierced. She had it happen when the lance opened the side of her only begotten Son.

Imagine her joy when Her Son visited her after He rose from the dead – She had waited three days and He came – He did what He said He would do – He died to pay for our sins; then He Rose again – He was with her again – He had kept His promise

Her baby boy had saved the world

It is my belief that Mary was aware of Jesus’ plan. Imagine to yourself, Jesus and Mary spending nights on end talking around a fire - I believe that Jesus interpreted the Scriptures to Mary before He taught in the synagogue. She knew when He was 12 (fifth mystery – Finding Jesus in the Temple) that He was very, very special.

They lived together for 30 years. Mary traveled with Him. She listened to parables that are not recorded in the Bible. It is my faith that she knew what was to happen during the Last Supper. She listened to Jesus’ teaching for 18 years before He set out for His three years of public life. She may have prayed to the Father to spare her Son but, as Jesus did, immediately prayed, “Thy will do done”

How else could she have watched His scourging and then walked, step by step to Calvary. She knew He would conquer death, but He first had to suffer for our sins.

I propose that the next place Jesus went after the encounter at the tomb was to see Mary, His Mother. I’m sure Jesus couldn’t wait to tell His Mother how He found Adam and Eve and her nephew, John the Baptist – He told her that Elizabeth sends her love and that Zechariah is now with His father in Heaven. Before He finally ascended to heaven, she watched a few more times as Jesus spent time with the children.

He ascended to the Father but first He spent some quality time with His mother.

These are just my thoughts – If anyone knows if these thoughts are a very incorrect thing, please let me know –This Lent I have grown closer to Mary and pray that I will always increase my devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary.

My Mother, Jesus’ Mother, our Beloved Mother is very special. I pray for all of you - that her Immaculate Heart will add to the graces of the Sacred Heart of her Son.

Christ is Risen, Indeed He is Risen - 2011

Mike — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 11:27:00 GMT

Two days ago we were saddened by the remembrance of the death of the Son of God. Jesus of Nazareth had led a sinless, servant life and at the end, sacrificed himself for the sins of all mankind. He died a cruel and vicious death on the wood of the cross. Alone and forsaken, other than his Mother, John, and the women who loved him most, he breathed His last as He shouted, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me".

But then, at the instant of the death of His mortal body, His immortal soul was freed of the pain, hurt, and anguish and now immediately rejoiced in His next step; a step He was looking forward to since the fall of Adam; His entry into the nether world to free Adam and Eve and bring them into the bosom of His heavenly Father. Jesus descended to rise up Abraham and Noah and Moses and David. He took Joseph, His worldly father by the hand and led him to His Heavenly Father. Maybe He spent three days in the tomb because He greeted and embraced all those who had died before His death and presented them to His Father. He lovingly sought out Isaiah and Hosea; He smiled as He came across Solomon and Samuel. He tenderly hugged Job and thanked him for his faith. He welcomed Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and David. Jesus smiled a thankful and proud smile when He found Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He shed a tear of love for his cousin John the Baptist as he walked with Him to present Him to the Father.

This is the resurrection. This is the Jesus who waits for us. This is what I strive for - to have my Lord and Savior look at me with a big smile on His face and present me to my heavenly Father. (Had to pause here and cry a bit) – the same Father who held me so tenderly last year as I sought spiritual direction from my dear friend Paulette – the same Father who keeps reassuring me that everything will be OK and that I must continue to stay straight the path. The same Father who gave me the Truth and asked me to be there for Him. The same Father who challenged me to be a rod and to take what He has and give it away; and the same Father who said. “Don’t be so serious Michael, show joy”. And the same Father who challenged me to “make the turn”.

Easter is a time of joy, a time to start anew. My prayer is that all of you had a Lent that helped you to come closer to the Father. My prayer for all of you that I love; Rita and Patricia and Sue, Susan, Deb, Debs, Debbie, Maureen, Maryann and Pam is that you are blessed with joy and hope. My prayer for John and Dan, Robert, Charbel, and Brian and Rick, Billy, Brad, and Paul is that you are filled to overflow with grace and happiness. My prayer for you, Brother Paul and Father Brian and Father Kevin, Father John, Father Lon, Father Roger, Father Ron, Father Ray, Father Chuck and most of all Father Dan is that you will continue be embraced by the love of our Triune God. My prayer for you Kate and Ben is that you will continue to be the most precious gift a man can have; two incredible children who make me so, so proud to be your Dad. My prayer for my Daddy is that God will show him mercy and that he will see the face of God at the instant of his passing from this life to his heavenly reward. Finally, my prayer for all of my dearest friends is that you will keep the faith and that we all will celebrate our lives together throughout eternity. I miss my dear Jane and can’t wait to see her again in heaven. I miss my grandmothers and can’t wait to feel their hugs again.

Last night I attended the vigil, where the Easter fire lit the Pashcal candle with the light of hope. Last night, I heard the story of creation and the stories that led to the empty tomb. Jesus went first to see His mother, then to Mary, who He loved so much. He stayed with us for another season to continue to pour out grace and usher in the love between Him and the Father, the Holy Spirit. It is that love, the Spirit of God that is with us today as we celebrate Christ’s victory over death - His victory over sin. It is our challenge to embrace this victory. Not just by proclamation but a life of witness, a life of example, a life of holiness. We are all called to be saints - & for you that have followed my silly rants know how crazy that sounds for a crazy man like me; but that is where I set out to go. Imagine that, Saint Michael the Sinner. Imagine that Saint Michael, the beloved of the Father. Imagine that!!!!

THINK ABOUT THIS LONG AND HARD - THIS IS TRULY WHO OUR GOD IS

Mike — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:01:00 GMT

read this very carefully – it is the second reading from the OOR in today's Liturgy of the Hours - this is one of the most incredible homilies ever written!!!!

THE LORDS DESCENT INTO THE UNDERWORLD

Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell.

Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Good Friday 2011

Mike — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 04:23:00 GMT

“My most beloved Jesus, it was not the weight of the cross but the weight of my sins which make You suffer so much”.- this line in the prayer for the 3^rd station composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori hit me each Friday night during this Lent. Then later during the 6^th station we pray; My most beloved Jesus, your face was beautiful before you began this journey; but , now it no longer appears beautiful and is disfigured with wounds and blood. Alas, my soul also was once beautiful when it received Your grace in Baptism; but I have since then disfigured it with my sins.

As I ponder these prayers on this Good Friday, I fully understand that my sins of wrong thought were the pain of the crown of thorns. My sins of anger were the whips that scourged my Lord. My sins of the flesh caused Jesus to sweat blood in the garden of Gethsemane. I yielded the hammer that drove the nails into His hands, not the Roman soldier. I abandoned the Christ along with Peter, James and the rest of the twelve other than John, the Beloved. I along with Judas betrayed the Lamb of God by my addictions.

The prayer for the 10^th station is one I must repeat on a daily basis, “Help me to strip myself of all attachment for the things of earth that I may place all my love in You who are so worthy of my love. I love You, O Jesus, with all my heart; I am sorry for ever having offended You. Never let me offend You again. Grant that I may love You always and then do with me as You will. Its that last line, “then do with me as You will” that is the struggle. Abandonment is one of the 12 steps to Holiness and Salvation. We are called to give ourselves to God and focus on His will, not ours. But that is what is so hard. That means we all must abandon our control issues. We must swallow our pride and even though we may look like a fool, humble ourselves for our children and be patient with their walk. We must take time from our jobs and we must even sacrifice our prayer time and church time to give ourselves to our loved ones. We must have Christ like patience if our spouses, siblings, parents, or children are ill; mentally or physically. Lukewarm abandonment mocks our Lord. Jesus gave all of himself. He fell three times climbing the hill to Calvary because with every ounce of His being He wanted to spread His perfect, loving arms on the cross to embrace us in His love. We are not called to this level of sacrifice, we are simply called to accept His sacrifice and give up our pride and forget about ourselves and live for our God; to do the will of the Father. We are called to spread our arms to accept His love and let His Holy Blood wash us clean.

This is not easy, but neither was the Way of the Cross for Jesus. Neither was the unimaginable pain suffered by His Mother, who walked step by step with her Son. As I mentioned the other day, I recently faced this reality in my Dark Night of the Soul. I saw and felt what my sins did to Jesus and as I prayed the Stations during this Lent, I recalled what a wretch I have been, what a disappointment I have been to my God. Tomorrow night I will rejoice in my salvation, in my forgiveness; but tonight I must recommit myself to avoiding the near occasion of sin whenever I pray the Our Father.

We pray…as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be at the end of our prayers. What does that mean? It may mean that I am expected to trust God as Abraham and Noah trusted God. It may mean that I must reject the apple in the garden of Eden of sin out there in this crazy mixed-up world. It may mean that I must listen to every little detail like Moses did; and do exactly what God is asking of me. Not justify, not claim weakness, and not make excuses.

I had the honor to direct a retreat which had John 3:16 as its theme. I must recall God’s love each morning as I start my day. I must be still and know that God calls me “My love”. I pray that all of you that read this do the same. We are not in control, the Holy Spirit is in charge and we must get out of His way. Some of us need spiritual direction; some of us help from a colleague of Dr. Phil. We all need to take advantage of the grace of the confessional.
The closing prayer in the stations goes like this

My good and dear Jesus,

I kneel before you, asking you most earnestly to engrave upon my heart a deep and lively faith, hope and charity, with true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends.

As I reflect upon your five wounds, and dwell upon them with deep compassion and grief, I recall, good Jesus, the words the Prophet David spoke long ago concerning yourself: “They pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones.”

One last thing - pray for our priests, who give so much of themselves during Holy Week. Take the time to thank them for their priesthood.
**If the Holy Spirit moves you, scroll down the list on the left side and click on Good Friday to read my thoughts from previous years

My Holy Thursday with Ernest

Mike — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:16:00 GMT

Last week he was a Seventh day Adventist – Then he called Monday and left a message that he was now a Baptist – the third call on Tuesday was a wonderful heart-felt Easter greeting

On my way home today from work in NH my phone rang and it was Ernest again - I was tempted to let it go to voicemail but pushed the button and his deep voice said “Hi this is Ernest and I was wondering if you were going to church tonight”

I met Ernest a little more than a year ago when he called the rectory to see if anyone there was interested in giving him a ride to church – Ernest had been going to church in a nearby town but his ride was no longer able to pick him up on Saturday nights so he started calling churches to see if he could “get a ride”

Ernest lives with his wife in Groton and is in the DMR program for people who formerly lived at the Seaside Regional Center for the Mentally Retarded in nearby Waterford – tonight he told me that he lived there for 22 years after staying with his family until he was 6 – Ernest is now 56 and is the best 7^th Day Adventist, Baptist Catholic I’ve ever known – During this year, Ernest has been an on and off again Catholic more times than I can keep track of – After a few weekends, he would call and say he was not going to church again and then a month later he would call, as if he never stopped and ask if I could take him to Mass on Saturday night

I’ve prayed much about why I was chosen to be part of this man’s life – He undoubtedly is going to heaven when he dies, his mental retardation does not make it possible for him to sin and he truly does believe in God and understands in a beautifully simple way who Jesus is and what He did for us – my prayer is that I understand why I am given the grace of taking him to church – I often try to share my graces with others who may need some extra blessings – not that I can’t use all of the grace I can get, but many times I am busy doing other ministry tasks and have not been able to pick him up when he calls on a Friday and decides he wants to go to Mass this week – I ponder the question as to whether Ernest was intended to be my occasion for grace or was I supposed to find someone else to care for his spiritual needs – I have talked to our pastor, have sought many of my parish friends help and have asked God what I am to do – then, as I mentioned, he decides that he doesn’t want to go to church or changes denominations again and he is gone for months at a time - & then, the phone rings and it’s Ernest

Tonight I watched him as he prayed after receiving the Eucharist on the feast that celebrates Christ’s gift of His body, blood, soul, and divinity. Ernest understood completely what he just received as he bowed his head in prayer – As I said my normal prayer after receiving I added a blessing for my pal Ernest –

I had made other commitments for tomorrow, for the vigil and for Easter Sunday and won’t be able to take him to Mass – as we rode home, after I stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts to get his wife 4 donuts, at her request, and a raspberry iced tea with four Equals for Ernest, he told me that he would watch Mass on EWTN instead-If only all of us Catholics were that devoted, it would make our God very happy

I thank my Lord for the blessing of Ernest and pray for direction as to what to do the next time he decides that he wants to become a Methodist or Baptist again – for now, may God bless him and keep him, may His face shine upon him and may God’s peace be with Ernest this Easter season.

The Triumph of Jesus

Mike — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 11:24:00 GMT

They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks across its back, and he sat on it. (Mark 11:7)

Today’s Feast Day is truly bittersweet – We begin Mass with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The same Jerusalem Christ cried over just a short time ago. Jesus entered to shouts of joy…that soon will echo with shouts of Crucify Him!!!!

We wonder how the people of Jesus’ time could do that – Today they throw their cloaks and palm branches across the road and four days later they will be jeering at Him as he is beaten and scourged before continuing on that same road to Calvary. We wonder how the people could do that yet we sin soon after receiving the Eucharist, the gift He gave us before reentering that road.

I came face to face with this when I faced my Dark Night of the Soul 28 days ago on the Feast of Saint Joseph. That night I realized what my sins truly did to Jesus – I was the one that shouted the joy of His resurrection and then continued to let my weakness lead me to sin again. I read the Scripture before each Friday Morning prayer, “Your inmost being must be renewed, and you must put on the new man”, yet all I was doing was vainly trying to polish and buff the old man. “To be in Christ means being a completely new creature. Everything of old is gone, now everything is made anew (2Corinthians 5:17)

As we begin Holy Week, have the hope of Christ entering into Jerusalem with shouts of Hosanna in the Highest. Yes, this will lead to His passion and death on Good Friday; but also the joy of the Resurrection next Sunday. If you have not taken the opportunity for the grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation, please do so. The feeling I had on Thursday as I finished my confession was of indescribable peace. The guilt was gone…& Yes, it is very humbling and not very comfortable to tell my God and my confessor all that I had done to offend my God - but the reward is everlasting life – the reward is to be able to sit on the colt and enter into the promised land with Jesus as my defender, redeemer, and friend.

Here is the challenge in DI for today – “it is not enough to accompany Jesus in His triumph; we must follow Him in His Passion, prepared to share in it by stirring up in ourselves the exhortation from the 2^nd chapter of Phillipians: 5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, 6 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you, and may His peace, especially His peace be with you today and forever.

Gone for nine months but glad to be back

Mike — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 10:13:00 GMT

Well – it’s been nine months since I posted in this blog. Nine months that included some very dry times as well as a rebirth. During this roller coast ride, I have experienced my Dark Night of the Soul (On the Feast of St. Joseph) and have come to some incredible awakenings related to my faith. I have been blessed with the news of my first grandchild; due on June 18^th. My father continues to decline mentally but has pulled through some medical issues and is still with us. I have learned some lessons that I hope and pray will stay with me until I meet my Maker and have seen that some of the lessons I thought I had learned were in total error and in great need of fixing. So, this leads me to possibly beginning to post on a regular basis some of the things that the Lord has put on my soul as I continue my journey on my path to my salvation.

It’s 5:25am right now & I have been up since 3:30 praying and reading and a few things I read have led me to post what my eyes have been opened to. – As before, the book Divine Intimacy has triggered lots of contemplation as to where I am and where I am going. Yesterday’s chapter was on the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Think about these things from the first paragraph -“Yes O Blessed Mother”, says St. Bernard, “a sword has truly pierced your soul. It could penetrate your Son’s flesh only by passing through your soul. And after Jesus had died, the cruel lance which opened His side did not reach His soul, but it did pierce yours. His soul was no longer in His body, but yours could not be detached from it.” And later on-“She not only accepted, she offered, - And then the challenge from the Stabat Mater; “O Mother…make me feel the depth of your sorrow, so that I may weep with you. May I bear in my heart the wounds of Christ; make me share in His Passion and become inebriated by the Cross and Blood of your Son.” WOW, what a challenge! Then in today’s chapter, Love of the Cross, I was shown this-“the Lord Himself must make us suffer, not only in our body, but also in our soul, because we are so covered with rust, so full of miseries that our total purification is not possible unless God Himself intervenes directly. To plunge us into passive suffering is, therefore, one of His greatest works of mercy, a proof of His exceeding love.” – I stated often in the old posts that this is really, really tough but I am starting to see why! It is through our suffering that we become stronger; it is through our anxiety and hurt that we will one day realize true joy.

I was recently told in Spiritual direction (thank you Father Brian) that it is not only “Not about me” but also not about those that I mistakenly thought that I took on suffering for, but is only to be about Christ. I have spent too much time worrying about the salvation of those I love. I should have been accepting it all as God’s way of purifying them. I tried to help and that may have interfered with God’s plan to build them up. I t was pointed out that I must be there for those I love, but they must walk towards their God and my place is not to try and push them along, and Lord knows, not to try and carry them. – I am such a silly fool sometimes.

Saint Gregory Nazianzen makes everything very clear in this morning’s Office of Readings (OOR). “we must sacrifice ourselves to God, each day and in everything we do, accepting all that happens to us for the sake of the Word, imitating his passion by our sufferings, and honoring his blood by shedding our own. We must be ready to be crucified.” Accepting all for God, not for ourselves, not for those we love, but for God and God alone. That was my huge error. This is what needs correction in my life. Thursday night in DI, this was in the Colloquy (prayer), “I realize that my crosses have been permitted and willed by You, my God, to teach me to TRUST in You in spite of everything.” - Who was I to try and lighten or remove crosses from those I love. Who am I to get in the way of Grace poured out for those who have been blessed with these sufferings?

Again thank you Father for pointing out that all must be for the glory of God. My prayer is that I may truly get out of the way of the Holy Spirit. As I enter into Holy Week, I pray that all of us feel the gentle touch of our heavenly Father and if that gentle touch takes the form of a slap, that we realize that it is out of unconditional love that our God corrects our walk and places us firmly in the middle of the path to Holiness and Salvation.

My Family Golf Tournament

Mike — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:48:00 GMT

Dan Dufresne - My Family Golf Tournament

The Acadian side of my family has a golf tournament every year. Acadians are the French speaking Catholics originally from the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Our golf tournament is usually held on the first weekend of August. Last year during the event it was announced that this year’s tournament would be special because it would be the 25^th year. Our golf tournament is a full weekend of family fun. The golf part isn’t serious for most of us, but it’s a way to get to meet the extended family. We pick new teams every year and it’s always a good time. The initial gathering takes place on my Uncle Eric’s and Aunt Yoland’s farm. They have a farm house on many acres of land which is always brimming with an abundant harvest of vegetables. There is a road that runs right down the middle of the farm. It leads directly into the Canadian wilderness and ends at what has always been called the River. The road is about a mile in length from the farm house to the river and it seems like a whole world away.

My family used to be very Catholic in every sense of the word. On the Saturday night of the golf tournament weekend a great caravan of vehicles left the river for the church a few miles in town. That was only a few years ago, but there has been a great change in my family. I have to admit when I was much younger being the first to protest breaking up the party to go to Mass in French. I didn’t like it and I didn’t want to go, but for the most part my mother insisted and we went. These days my immediate family and I are the only ones who go. A few months before the tournament we were asked for suggestions for events at this year’s tournament. It was with this in mind that I suggested that we have a family Mass this year at the river. It had happened many years ago and I thought it fitting that it should happen again. I knew there were many who may not be interested, but it was a thought. It didn’t work out being that there are very few Priests in this part of Canada now. My family eventually decided we should gather for a prayer service. One prayer would be said in French and one in English. Since I suggested the Mass, I was asked if I would give the prayer in English. We have a little memorial garden just as you enter the area and that is where we gathered for prayer.

I had a difficult time thinking of what to say as I began to put my thoughts down on paper. There are so many things that go through my mind when I think about my family, Acadians and Christ. I looked for some prayers about Acadians on the internet and I only came up with one and it didn’t fit the moment. Acadians were French Neutrals who were rounded up by the English army in the mid 1750’s and dispersed all over the Americas and parts of Europe. My ancestors avoided capture or returned on their own to their homes after the hostilities with the British ended. A great deal of Acadians ended up in Louisiana and took the moniker “Cajun” which is an Americanized way of say Acadian. Anyway, I’m really getting off the subject here so I’ll continue with my story.

As I thought about what I was going to say for my prayer I remembered my Grandmother, Cecile Richard. She had many, many years ago given me a small ring shaped object which is used to say one decade of the Rosary. It had belonged to a Canadian Boy Scout who had lost it and never reclaimed it. My Grandmother had kept it and passed it on to me. She thought it was important that I had it and used it. At the time I had no clue on how to say the Rosary, but I thought the ring was pretty cool and I thought I might wear it around my neck. Many years later I picked it off my dresser and brought it back to Canada and to the river. My prayer started with a little talk about how we Acadians are coming home to be with family again and how important it is to know how blessed we are as a family. We’ve been doing this for many years and it’s always a wonderful time. I talked a little about those who were no longer with us and especially my Grandmother. Then I asked them to join me as I said one decade of the Rosary. I explained that we were saying the first mystery of the Glorious Mysteries, called the Resurrection. I talked about our family and friends coming together on the land that our ancestors had been driven away from so many years ago. It’s our own resurrection of sorts. Many in my family have become or married non-believers and I could tell there were some looking around wondering where I was going with this. There are also some who weren’t raised Catholic. All of them stayed and I pray they will all be resurrected on that final day when the real party starts. Please pray for my family.

Dan Dufresne

Michael & Michael 7-13

Mike — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:56:00 GMT

Days 165-178 14 hrs 215.5 to go

It is about the man pictured above – my father in his Aerosmith tour shirt – life given as a service to your family should not be rewarded with Alzheimer’s. the reward should be peace and good fortune; wealth and comfort; it should be happiness and joy

I visited my Daddy during the days I have not posted to this blog and he has been on my mind and in my prayers – his life and what he has meant to me as a father has stuck with me for these last two weeks – I miss him so much; he is there but he is not – he exists, but for what purpose; surely not for any personal development – those inflicted with diseases like cancer and heart problems can at least pray, they can, at least, consciously offer up their sufferings to God – my father can no longer pray, he can no longer cherish the presence of the Eucharist, he can no longer reach out to Mary for intercession

So where does that leave me and my faith in this – I could be angry, but instead am sad – I could be annoyed with my God but instead am confused; and in my confusion have come up with an answer – & that is that my life must mirror what my saintly father would be doing if he had his wits about him – I think that it is time that I lived more like him; be more gentle, more kind, more humble; as he was – I think that it is time to raise the bar and be what my heavenly Father intended me to be – my heavenly Father gave me the example of His only Son along with the example of an earthly father who lived his entire life becoming what God intended him to be

Who knows, the fate of losing my memories may be my own one day – I really should use my time to make a mark in this world – I need to be a better example for my kids – I need to be a better role model for my family and friends – I need to be a better son to my Heavenly Father and a better brother to my Lord Jesus – I need to take care of myself – I need to pray even more

Ephesians 6:18 & 1Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to be constant in prayer – the quote from Ephesians has been part of me for years and I have not yet fully acted on it – well, I am finally going to start reading The Cloud of Unknowing today and dive into contemplative prayer, at least I am going to try my hardest - I want so much to be able to rest in God’s presence & I think that would be good for me – I want to hear His voice again speaking to me in those short concise sentences – I want to honor the gift of the Truth – I want to be there for my God and take what He has and give it away

It’s time to make the turn

My chaplets continue to be for the victims of the Haitian & Chilean earthquakes & for that oil to stop gushing in the Gulf.

Michael & Michael 6-29

Mike — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:55:00 GMT

Days 162-164 4.5 hrs 229.5 to go

Inspired by my father, I have tried very hard over the past few years to obey the spirit of the 3^rd commandment. I rarely if ever miss Mass but have not always kept Holy the Lord’s day – I would go shopping, work on chores I could do during the other 6 days and in general not focus too much on God after I finished with Mass and other Sunday duties. My father and our family always used Sunday’s to visit family and friends and be in fellowship for most of the day – so I have spent my Sundays relaxing with loved ones and enjoying their company – if any of you are so busy you don’t have time to slow down, even on Sunday’s; try it – the theology is: if you don’t have enough time in your day, give God some more time and He will “arrange for” your time needs – it’s not mathematical but just faith – give God more time & He will make sure there is enough time for you to do what He knows you need to do!!!!

On Sunday, our pastor clarified the story from Luke where Jesus tells a man to not worry about burying his father (“let the dead bury the dead”). I always thought of it as the man needing to bury his recently deceased father; but it doesn’t say that – the father may still be alive, yes, may need help from his son, but may be alive for quite a few years – Jesus warns the man that he, & of course us as well, need to stop procrastinating and making up excuses for not “following” completely our Lords commands to preach the Good News and to love ourselves, our neighbors and our God. – That’s all God commands, three things! Love, love, and witness – once we do that, we are free to take care of our family while still being a follower of Jesus and being a servant as He has taught us – we need to do both and take care of the worlds issues and deriving our answers through prayer, sacrifice, and giving.

St. Augustine, in yesterday’s OOR, reminded us of a higher calling than the one Jesus gives us in Luke. Augustine noted that we should not seek our own glory by following Christ but that we should be seeking the glory of those around us; our families and friends. We must be cautious that our words and deeds do not cause others to follow us down a wayward path.

I want the thank the Lord for the gift of Psalm 20 – I was asked last evening to do the blessing for a friends parents’ 50^th anniversary & the words of Psalm 20 (which I read last night (Evening prayer) when I returned home after being asked) will work beautifully as the opening prayer: 2 May the LORD answer you in time of distress; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you! 3 May God send you help from the temple, from Zion be your support. 4 May God remember your every offering, and receive your sacrifice with favor 5 May God grant what is in your heart, fulfill your every plan. 6 May we shout for joy at your victory, raise the banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant your every prayer! 7 Now I know victory is given to the anointed of the LORD. God will answer him from the holy heavens with a strong arm that brings victory. 8 Some rely on chariots, others on horses, but we on the name of the LORD our God. 9 They collapse and fall, but we stand strong and firm. 10 LORD, grant victory to His anointed and answer when we call upon you.

My chaplets were for the victims of the Haitian & Chilean earthquakes & for that oil to stop gushing in the Gulf.

Michael & Michael 6-25 & 6-26

Mike — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:06:00 GMT

Day 160 &161 4 hrs 234 to go

The story of David & Saul have been the first readings from the OOR for the past weeks – though I have heard & read these many times in the past, they are more real to me this time around – I have learned that even the best, even men who God has singled out as great struggle mightily as we all struggle to do God’s will

Then as I have been writing about, St. Gregory of Nyssa has penned homilies that are so wonderful and profound that they should be mandatory reading for all Christians – the recent ones have been about the hope to see God and the importance of developing a pure heart – “Blessed are the pure of heart for they will see God” – that has always been a struggle for me – I have mentioned that the part of Psalm 51 – “create in me a pure heart & steadfast Spirit” always hits me square in the face as I read it each Friday – I will continue to pray – Saturday’s homily by St. Gregory clarified this idea of “seeing God” by explaining that to “see God” is actually to possess Him within ourselves. That is the answer; the Eucharist and prayer allow us to “possess” God within ourselves – that is when we see God; when He is within us and we are thinking and acting as Jesus did – that is when we are pure in heart, when we are without sin (see, another reason for frequent confession)

Friday morning’s reading was from Galatians and is the exclamation point to this concept of purity of heart, “19 For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; 20 yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.”

Then Saturday morning’s reading from 2Peter was the lesson on patience, “13 But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. 15 And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation”

This is amazing and incredible stuff and is the answer to dealing with all the crap the world throws at us to bring us to trial and to steer us away from being what is truly meant by the title Christian – “How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!” Romans 11:33

My chaplets were for the victims of the Haitian & Chilean earthquakes & for that oil to stop gushing in the Gulf & my rosary was for a safe pilgrimage for Father Brian, Father Darius and all those who are leaving for Poland on Sunday.

Michael & Michael - 6-23 & 24

Mike — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:31:00 GMT

Day 158 & 159 3 hrs 238 to go

If hope ever seems to be waning, read Psalm 103 from Wednesday’s OOR – “8 Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in kindness. 9 God does not always rebuke, nurses no lasting anger, 10 Has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our deeds deserve. 11 As the heavens tower over the earth, so God's love towers over the faithful. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far have our sins been removed from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on the faithful. 14 For he knows how we are formed, remembers that we are dust. 15 Our days are like the grass; like flowers of the field we blossom. 16 The wind sweeps over us and we are gone; our place knows us no more. 17 But the Lord’s kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age. He favors the children's children 18 of those who keep his covenant, who take care to fulfill its precepts.”

But then came instruction from 1John during evening prayer – 2:3 The way we may be sure ² that we know him is to keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: 6 whoever claims to abide in him ought to live (just) as he lived. – you know, this faith stuff is really all about balance – God showed His loved by the gift of His Son but there is a price to be paid on our part (remember these?!?!?! – trust, obedience, & humility)

I am about to celebrate a bit of a milestone (turning 56) & am going to commit myself to walking this walk with a more confident stride, to take on all challenges, and to try even harder to become what God intended me to be when I was created.

I’ll end today with a prayer – Lord, thanks for an amazing 55 years – thanks for the blessings and grace You have bestowed upon your very unworthy servant – you are my King and my Redeemer – please give me the strength and the wisdom to know Your will and the fortitude to act upon it – I ask this in the name above all other names, Jesus the Christ.

My chaplets were for the victims of the Chilean earthquake & for the US soccer team.

Michael & Michael 6-22

Mike — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:18:00 GMT

Day 157 4 hrs 241 to go

More from St. Gregory of Nyssa on what it is to be truly Christian – “For the purity of Christ and the purity that is manifest in our hearts are identical. Christ’s purity, however, is the fountainhead; ours has its source in Him and flows out of Him. Our life is stamped with the beauty of his thought. The inner and outer man are harmonized in a kind of music. The mind of Christ is the controlling influence that inspires us to moderation and goodness in our behavior. Christian perfection consists in this: sharing the titles which express the meaning of Christ’s name, we bring out this meaning in our minds, our prayers and our way of life.” - we are meant to be like Christ, to be saints, to be perfect as the Father is perfect – it is so hard, it is such a challenge; but that is what Jesus faced and did; that is what the lives of the saints are all about – again there is this call to sainthood, even for little old Michael

I spent some time thinking about this verse from Colossians – “Let the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you. In wisdom made perfect, instruct and admonish one another. Sing gratefully to God from your hearts in psalms, hymns, and inspired songs.” – When I first read this, I pondered the inclusion “rich as it is”. Paul could have simply wrote Let the word of Christ dwell in you. When I looked it up in my NAB the verse is written differently – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, …” – this makes more sense; it may be a call to not just let the word of Jesus rest in our being but let the word of Christ govern all that we think, we say and we do – we, mostly I must allow the word of God to bubble up and spill out of my being and stop being lukewarm – it is a call to holiness!

Last evening we had our bimonthly SCC men’s meeting where we shared our thoughts on Sunday’s gospel and the line, “Who do you think I am?” Great sharing and incite from the guys – I encourage any of you that read this blog to pray about starting or joining a small church community – share your life, ask for advice, witness to your faith – that was the life of the early Christians and should still be for all of us

My chaplet was for the victims of the Chilean earthquake.

Michael & Michael 6-21

Mike — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:04:00 GMT

Day 156 1 hr 245 to go

Monday’s second reading from the OOR was from a treatise by Saint Gregory of Nyssa about Christian Perfection – “No one has known Christ better than Paul, nor surpassed him in the careful example he gave of what anyone should be who bears Christ’s name. So precisely did he mirror his Master that he became his very image. By a painstaking imitation, he was transformed into His model and it seemed to be no longer Paul who lived and spoke, but Christ himself. He shows his keen awareness of this grace when he refers to the Corinthians’ desire for proof that Christ was speaking in him; as he says: It is no longer I that live: it is Christ who lives in me.” – this is a higher calling – is it a calling that everyone has? – is this something that Mike Olock should strive for? – is this a mission for all who call themselves Christian? – St. Gregory answered these questions with his closing sentence, “If we are not to lie when we call ourselves Christians, we must bear witness to it by our way of living.” – The title of this treatise is The Christian is another Christ. I pray that I may one day be Christ to others in all I do, not just in those few hours I spend in service and in prayer, but all the time, in all I do – got lots of work to do to get there!!!

As I thought about this I felt bad that I was so far from the goal but then the reading from Morning Prayer filled me with hope again – Judith 8: 25 Besides all this, we should be grateful to the Lord our God, for putting us to the test, as he did our forefathers. 26 Recall how he dealt with Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and all that happened to Jacob in Syrian Mesopotamia while he was tending the flocks of Laban, his mother's brother. 27 Not for vengeance did the Lord put them in the crucible to try their hearts, nor has he done so with us. It is by way of admonition that He chastises those who are close to Him."

I accept my chastisement and am happy that I am close to Him

My chaplet was for the victims of the Chilean earthquake.

Michaerl & Michael 6-20

Mike — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:01:00 GMT

Day 154 & 155 7 hrs 246 to go

Who do you say that I am? Lots of thoughts on this question raised in yesterday’s gospel – then when Peter got it right; Jesus “charged and commanded” them not to tell anyone – Jesus knew what He had to do & He knew what He had to do to succeed.

Who do I say that Jesus was? First, like Peter I would say that He is the Messiah. He was also a complex and brilliant man who loved to read, was a bit of a Mama’s boy and due to his trade was strong as an ox. He excelled at his craft and was confident and well spoken. He was extremely pleasant and probably was a very good listener. He did not have a bad temper, was well mannered and must have had a special smile. He was a peaceful boy and man and liked to spend time alone in prayer with His heavenly Father. Jesus was not at all the model Messiah for the nation of Israel. The Jewish people did not expect their Messiah to be God himself taking on the form of a man. They were looking for a general-king like David. The last person they expected to lead them out of tyranny once and for all was a carpenter from the hick town of Galilee. That poses the question – what are the Jews of today waiting for? Who could fit their criteria to be the Chosen One? – Give that a thought!!!

Last week I wrote about St. Cyprians treatise on the Lord’s Prayer and Saturday he ended it with these thoughts – “God taught us to pray not only by His words, but also by His actions. He taught us by his own example for He often prayed on our behalf. The Scripture says: He withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. And again: He went into the hills to pray and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. “He is not satisfied with redeeming us by His blood. He also prays to the Father on our behalf. Consider the love exemplified in that prayer. The Father and Son are one; we too are to abide in that oneness. – think a bit about this – Jesus, the Son of God not only died for our sins but continues to pour out His infinite grace upon us as He prays to the Father for our acceptance of His salvation.

My time at the nursing home was filled with sorrow for two women who are suffering – please pray for Liz and for Rita. Their pain brought tears to their eyes and they struggle with the question WHY??? – Why do they, in their 90’s continue to experience pain and suffering and why hasn’t the Lord answered their prayers and brought their souls to Him. They tell me that they are ready to die. I can only tell them that the Will of the Father is always for the good. I can only tell them that that God knows best and that their reward in heaven will far outweigh the pain from the broken hip and antibiotic adverse reaction.

My chaplet was for the victims of the Chilean earthquake and my rosary was for Liz and Rita.

Michael & Michael 6-18

Mike — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:55:00 GMT

Day153 1.5 hours 253 to go

The book of James is quite challenging – last nights evening prayer was from the first chapter of his epistle – “My brothers, count it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial. Realize that when your faith is tested this makes for endurance. Let endurance come to its perfection so that you may be fully mature and lacking in nothing.” Now I know what the last 40 days was about; I was gaining endurance!!!!!!!!

I also learned about patience yesterday. I helped my best friend prep for a yard sale and his wifey provided plenty of opportunities for patience. I also learned being quiet and not giving my two cents whenever my little brain conjures up two cents of opinion is the better course.

My pastor also reminded me to be tolerant and patient with a group that I have been challenged by - so patience may be the subject of some lessons coming up for good old “my time not God’s time” Michael.

My rosary yesterday was for my son, his fiancé, and my daughter – I pray that they all embrace their faith and continue to turn to God for answers. I want so much to make everything right for them but then read stuff like I read in James about endurance and realize that what I should want for them is the strength for them to endure their trials and learn how to fight their way out of life’s paper bag with the strength of the Holy Spirit.

I’m learining!

God bless