Some of my friends (on and offline) are already taking down, or preparing to take down, their Christmas decorations. "Thank God it's over!", one of them wrote.
Christmas is just beginning! Christmas is not only a day, it is a SEASON to be celebrated!
The online ministries of the Jesuits at Creighton University bear this out beautifully. Through Scripture, we can enter into the Christmas Mystery. From allowing ourselves to be present at the manger of the Christ Child with the shepherds and eventualy the Magi at the Epiphany, to fleeing to Egypt alongside the Holy Family to escape Herod's massacre of the innocents, to witnessing the cousins Jesus and John together again in the Jordan, one prophet baptizing the Greatest Prophet.
It is a journey we all too often miss!
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/Christmas-as-Season.html
A Blessed Christmas SEASON to All!
Thomas
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Daily Mass Readings
1 John 2:12-17
Psalm 96:7-10
Luke 2:36-40
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
My 2009 - This happened, BUT SO DID THIS!
Often I berate myself for not getting the things done I planned to or ought to be getting done. That was my initial reaction when I looked over my New Years Resolutions from last year. However, I've come to the realization that progress was made and things happened I didn't envision at the beginning of the year. There were at the very least silver linings for be grateful for.
So here's my Top Ten "This, BUT ALSO THAT" list for the waning year of 2009:
1. My beloved cat Archie passed away...BUT we welcomed Wall-E and Eva to our family!
2. I didn't reach my fitness goals...BUT my gym membership is still good for almost 2 more years!
3. I didn't take up a another musical instrument as I planned...BUT I 'donated' my bass guitar to my nephew, giving an old dusty instrument new life!
4. I didn't begin discernment to become a deacon...BUT I was accepted into the Secular Franciscan Order as a novitiate, became a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus, and am the Recording Secretary for my Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians!
5. The book I was planning to put together has not yet come to fruition...BUT I made time to create and regularly 'self-publish' my own blog!
6. I don't have all the answers yet...BUT I think I'm starting to ask the right questions!
7. Myspace has pretty much gone the way of the dinosaur...BUT I have kept much closer contact with friends and family via Facebook instead!
8. My job has gotten harder this year...BUT I have been doing it better!
9. I am losing more and more hair from the top of my head...BUT I have a nice beard coming in to make up for it!
10. I am not the man I am supposed to be yet...BUT I won't be until the day I die anyway!
Christmas Blessings,
Thomas
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Daily Mass Readings
1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96:1-3,5b-6
Luke 2:22-35
So here's my Top Ten "This, BUT ALSO THAT" list for the waning year of 2009:
1. My beloved cat Archie passed away...BUT we welcomed Wall-E and Eva to our family!
2. I didn't reach my fitness goals...BUT my gym membership is still good for almost 2 more years!
3. I didn't take up a another musical instrument as I planned...BUT I 'donated' my bass guitar to my nephew, giving an old dusty instrument new life!
4. I didn't begin discernment to become a deacon...BUT I was accepted into the Secular Franciscan Order as a novitiate, became a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus, and am the Recording Secretary for my Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians!
5. The book I was planning to put together has not yet come to fruition...BUT I made time to create and regularly 'self-publish' my own blog!
6. I don't have all the answers yet...BUT I think I'm starting to ask the right questions!
7. Myspace has pretty much gone the way of the dinosaur...BUT I have kept much closer contact with friends and family via Facebook instead!
8. My job has gotten harder this year...BUT I have been doing it better!
9. I am losing more and more hair from the top of my head...BUT I have a nice beard coming in to make up for it!
10. I am not the man I am supposed to be yet...BUT I won't be until the day I die anyway!
Christmas Blessings,
Thomas
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Daily Mass Readings
1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96:1-3,5b-6
Luke 2:22-35
Monday, December 21, 2009
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Advent is dying away and we can see the first glimpse of Christmas on the horizon.
Down and blue the last few days (Hell, the last few weeks!) I'd thought much of this Advent was a failure of sorts for me. I hadn't done much in preparation for Christmas; missed Mass here and there, gave up a half-hearted search for the Advent Wreath weeks ago, let myself get overwhelmed by big changes at work, and have generally been unhelpful (a kind word) around the house.
Something happened tonight that finally made me ready for Christmas. It was a blackout.
A good portion of Levittown and the surrounding areas lost power for a few hours tonight. To stave off boredom (and cold since the heat wasn't working either) we all snuggled in the den, talking about our days, playing word games, and we made up a ridiculous, silly, and hilarious version of the 12 days of Christmas, all by candlelight. We basked in the warmth of Family in place of the TV, the computer, and the dreaded Wii. We shared something we had forgotten about in our plenty..the joy of each other's company, and seeing the Love of God in each other.
Sure, we were happy to get power back. All the same, I hope I remember the Blackout of December 21st, 2009 for a long, long time. Regardless of what the calendar says, today is the day Christmas...the coming of God's Love...began. Or at least when I realized it was with me all along.
Peace and Advent Blessings,
Thomas
Feast of St. Peter Canisius, SJ
Daily Mass Readings
Song of Songs 2:8-14 orZephaniah 3:14-18a
Psalm 33:2-3,11-12,20-21
Luke 1:39-45
Down and blue the last few days (Hell, the last few weeks!) I'd thought much of this Advent was a failure of sorts for me. I hadn't done much in preparation for Christmas; missed Mass here and there, gave up a half-hearted search for the Advent Wreath weeks ago, let myself get overwhelmed by big changes at work, and have generally been unhelpful (a kind word) around the house.
Something happened tonight that finally made me ready for Christmas. It was a blackout.
A good portion of Levittown and the surrounding areas lost power for a few hours tonight. To stave off boredom (and cold since the heat wasn't working either) we all snuggled in the den, talking about our days, playing word games, and we made up a ridiculous, silly, and hilarious version of the 12 days of Christmas, all by candlelight. We basked in the warmth of Family in place of the TV, the computer, and the dreaded Wii. We shared something we had forgotten about in our plenty..the joy of each other's company, and seeing the Love of God in each other.
Sure, we were happy to get power back. All the same, I hope I remember the Blackout of December 21st, 2009 for a long, long time. Regardless of what the calendar says, today is the day Christmas...the coming of God's Love...began. Or at least when I realized it was with me all along.
Peace and Advent Blessings,
Thomas
Feast of St. Peter Canisius, SJ
Daily Mass Readings
Song of Songs 2:8-14 orZephaniah 3:14-18a
Psalm 33:2-3,11-12,20-21
Luke 1:39-45
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thomas Merton on Atheists
"Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God: for it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice and mediocrity and materialism and selfishness that have chilled his faith." —Thomas Merton
Back to the 2 sons, it seems...are we living our faith or merely proclaiming it and acting in contradiction to it?
Pax,
Thomas
Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 45:6b-8,18,21b-25
Psalm 85:9-14
Luke 7:18b-23
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Which of the two?
Today's Gospel speaks volumes to me and hits (once again!) what has been a constant sore spot in my walk with the Christ: proclaiming to do the will of God vs. actually DOING it.
In this, the Parable of the Two Sons, Jesus asks his disciples who did what their father asked: the son who said he would work in the vineyard but didn't, or the son who said he wouldn't work in the vineyard, but did? The answer is obvious when Christ makes it so in this parable, but what does it say to me today? Am I working in the vineyard, or am I not, whilst pretending to be? Do my actions contradict my words when it comes to what God asks of me?
In many instances, more than I care to admit in a blog, yes they do.
Now I'm not going to get into a breast-beating mea culpa here, enumerating my faults and specifically how I'm screwing up the vineyard work schedule (I'll save that for the confessional!) but here we are in Advent, preparing for the coming of the Lord at Christmas. As I mention in more than a few previous posts, I am unprepared. Christ will knock as he always does, but am I ready to let Him in?
Lord, help me prepare and make straight your paths.
Pax,
Thomas
Daily Mass Readings
Zepharia 3:1-2,9-13
Psalm 34:2-3,6-7,17-19,23
Matthew 21:28-32
In this, the Parable of the Two Sons, Jesus asks his disciples who did what their father asked: the son who said he would work in the vineyard but didn't, or the son who said he wouldn't work in the vineyard, but did? The answer is obvious when Christ makes it so in this parable, but what does it say to me today? Am I working in the vineyard, or am I not, whilst pretending to be? Do my actions contradict my words when it comes to what God asks of me?
In many instances, more than I care to admit in a blog, yes they do.
Now I'm not going to get into a breast-beating mea culpa here, enumerating my faults and specifically how I'm screwing up the vineyard work schedule (I'll save that for the confessional!) but here we are in Advent, preparing for the coming of the Lord at Christmas. As I mention in more than a few previous posts, I am unprepared. Christ will knock as he always does, but am I ready to let Him in?
Lord, help me prepare and make straight your paths.
Pax,
Thomas
Daily Mass Readings
Zepharia 3:1-2,9-13
Psalm 34:2-3,6-7,17-19,23
Matthew 21:28-32
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
My Grandmother, Irene - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Today marks the 33rd anniversary of my Grandmother’s passing, when I was 8 years old. She died suddenly in the parking lot of Roosevelt Field mall on a bright cold Christmas shopping-type morning, with my mom at her side. It was the first time I became acquainted with “Sister Death”. I thankfully still carry glimpses of her in my heart – her soft Bohemian-tinged accent, the dark blue cardigan she wore in the winters, the housecoats she wore in the summers, her smell, the warmth of her embrace, the priceless stories she weaved out of thin air for us. She shared with me, my sister and my cousins that fierce and primal love I think is only reserved for grandmothers and their grandchildren.
Gramma, I thank God every day for having been your grandson; I know my fellow grandchildren say and pray the same. You helped make my first years on this earth beautiful, magical, full of wonder and love. I feel your presence and I know you watch over all of us. You are just about my favorite person ever, and I am happy to be your grandson…still.
Pax,
Thomas
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 98:1-4
Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12
Luke 1:26-38
Gramma, I thank God every day for having been your grandson; I know my fellow grandchildren say and pray the same. You helped make my first years on this earth beautiful, magical, full of wonder and love. I feel your presence and I know you watch over all of us. You are just about my favorite person ever, and I am happy to be your grandson…still.
Pax,
Thomas
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 98:1-4
Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12
Luke 1:26-38
Friday, December 4, 2009
First Saturday Devotions and Mary - Some thoughts
I've admittedly not given much thought to "First Saturdays" devotions. I see them on my Church Calendar and mentally "pooh-pooh" them as archaic rituals meant to give older women in altar veils something to do with their weekends. However as time goes on, I'm learning that following the example of older women in altar veils isn't the worst thing in the world!
The Devotion originated as a recommendation from Our Lady to Sr. Lucia Santos, one of the Fatima visionaries, as follows:
Sometimes it is difficult for me to envision my prayers as an actual consolation to Mary's Sorrows. However, Brother Ed (our Fraternity's spiritual assistant) emphasizes that we must embrace our "pilgrim" soul, and seek out God with new eyes and new ways. Paradoxically this has led to to "old" ways; traditional Catholic devotions I may have dismissed or been unaware of in the past, like the Rosary, Novenas, Scapular, and First Fridays and Saturdays.
So, I begin my own First Saturdays devotion tomorrow. Though the prayer may be difficult, I can imagine the suffering of Mary between the Crucifixion and Resurrection - the First Holy Saturday. How her faith must have been tested! How anguished she must have been! She was no wispy, ethereal entity as she is sometimes portrayed in art. She was a middle-aged mother who had just witnessed her only Son arrested, ridiculed, abused, beaten, and executed in one of the most horrid ways ever devised. I can imagine her pain. The focus of my prayer will be to remember how I personally can hurt others - mentally and spiritually - with my actions and inaction, and to make prayerful reparation to them with the help of Our Mother through her Son.
God Love You!
Thomas
Feast of St. John of Damascus
First Friday
Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 29:17-34
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
Matthew 9:27-31
The Devotion originated as a recommendation from Our Lady to Sr. Lucia Santos, one of the Fatima visionaries, as follows:
Look, my daughter, at my Heart encircled by these thorns with which men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, strive to console me, and so I announce: I promise to assist at the hour of death with the grace necessary for salvation all those who, with the intention of making reparation to me, will, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the beads, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.
- Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia
Sometimes it is difficult for me to envision my prayers as an actual consolation to Mary's Sorrows. However, Brother Ed (our Fraternity's spiritual assistant) emphasizes that we must embrace our "pilgrim" soul, and seek out God with new eyes and new ways. Paradoxically this has led to to "old" ways; traditional Catholic devotions I may have dismissed or been unaware of in the past, like the Rosary, Novenas, Scapular, and First Fridays and Saturdays.
So, I begin my own First Saturdays devotion tomorrow. Though the prayer may be difficult, I can imagine the suffering of Mary between the Crucifixion and Resurrection - the First Holy Saturday. How her faith must have been tested! How anguished she must have been! She was no wispy, ethereal entity as she is sometimes portrayed in art. She was a middle-aged mother who had just witnessed her only Son arrested, ridiculed, abused, beaten, and executed in one of the most horrid ways ever devised. I can imagine her pain. The focus of my prayer will be to remember how I personally can hurt others - mentally and spiritually - with my actions and inaction, and to make prayerful reparation to them with the help of Our Mother through her Son.
God Love You!
Thomas
Feast of St. John of Damascus
First Friday
Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 29:17-34
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
Matthew 9:27-31
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