The Monarch of Heaven and Earth

Today is Christ the King Sunday, the final Sunday of the liturgical year.  Next Sunday we start advent and prepare for the birth of Jesus.

In the first reading today David talks about the coming of the Son of Man, coming in glory and kingship.  Pilate than asks Jesus in the Gospel if Jesus is a King?  

Jesus replies: "My Kingdom does not belong to this world. If my Kingdom did belong to this world, ay attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.  But as it is my kingdom is not here."

I have grown up in the United States where I am conditioned to think that the best form of government is a democracy (although the US does not really have a democracy), and all other forms of government are inferior.  No dictatorships.  No aristocracies.  No monarchies.

But it seems to me that the problem isn't the type of government, but it is the people who run that government.  We could have a kind dictator, who cared about his people just as easy as we could have a bad leader in a democracy.  The only advantage is we can vote out a bad leader in our system.

The short of it is monarchies can be good.  I am a member of God's Kingdom.  It's bigger than everything on this Earth.  Jesus is my King.  And he is a good King.  Good enough to suffer on the cross and give his life for his people. 

11/23/24-7 Stages of Grief

Seven is a number that comes up in many situations.  7 deadly sins, lucky number 7, 7-11 Slurpee's come to mind.  And we can't forget about the movie starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt (no spoilers here-but if you haven't seen it, you should).

I was doing a little reading on mental health.  One of the things that came up is the 7 stages of grief.  Most articles talked about the stages dealing with a death of some one close to you, but there are other forms grief, like dealing with an long term health battle.  There tends to be some variance in the actual terms, but for a quick summary:

1. Shock-I remember being surprised by my initial diagnosis.
2. Denial-I thought there must be a mistake.
3. Anger-I was frustrated by not only being sick, but all my future plans that I would never be able to do.
4. Bargaining-I thought if I had gone to the doctor sooner or paid better attention I could have fought the cancer.
5. Guilt-I felt guilty about the people around me and what they were going through due to my illness.
6. Depression-I felt sad about my situation and what I was not able to do.
7. Acceptance and Hope-I realize that what happens will happen.  It's better to make the best of the situation rather than waste the time.

The progression of grief is not a step by step flow chart.  I have found that over the last 6 months some days I find myself in bargaining, other days I'm depressed.  However as time has passed I find that I spend more time near the bottom than near the top of the list.

The overall feeling of peace is found with acceptance and hope.  It'd difficult to move through these levels of grief but being aware of them, and the ultimate goal of acceptance does help.  I can only speak for the situation I am going through, but I think that also applies to life changing circumstance that leads to heartache.

We know the steps, but how do we best progress through the stages to achieve that peace?  Well that's a question for another time and another day.  But remember if you are going through it you are not alone.  Friends and family and your faith will help you through.  And I'm praying for you to receive the relief you desire. 

St. Francis and the Sultan

I have been trying to learn more about the history the Catholic faith and how to apply the lessons of the forbearers of the church to our life today.  I read a story about St. Francis today and his dealings with a Sultan during the crusades in the 1200's.

The story has different versions as anything passed over 800 years tend to do, but I will try to get the gist of it here.  Basically, St. Francis went to meet the Muslim leader of Sultan Al-Malik al-Kamil.  In short, the Sultan was impressed by the faith of Francis and rather than killing him allowed him to preach.  Francis didn't waste time trying to convert the devout Muslim leader, but concentrated on befriending him.  To this day the results of this pilgrimage can be seen in Assisi, as relics from the Holy Land that the Sultan allowed Francis to visit are there.   

The lesson I got from this is that rather than trying to force faith on strangers we should befriend and listen to them.  Friendship is the bridge to introduce people to the faith.  Maybe rather than being missionaries we should first be friends.  It worked for St. Francis.

11/19/24-Bucket List Item-See the Blue Man Group (Again)

I realized only in the last 10 years or so how much I love going to see production level shows.  It is one of my highlights of our trips to Las Vegas where we have seen many shows of many different types over the years.  It is also one of my favorite parts of cruising.  The fact I can go see a different show every night is something I plan my evenings around.

My history with the theatre started when I was young.  my sister and I saw a number of Broadway plays with my Grandma when we were young at the theatre downtown.  I remember seeing Annie! and Guys and Dolls.  I don't remember much about the shows specifically, but I do remember enjoying the music and singing it for days afterwards.

After Cindy and I got together we saw Phantom of the Opera.  I loved it, but don't tell Cindy that because I like to make fun of some of the songs.  We also saw Aladdin together much later.  I liked that a lot as well.

But the one show I remember most when we were on a big family trip to Orlando was Amber and I taking our kids to see the Blue Man Group.  I had my reservations, mostly because I didn't know anything about the show.  We didn't sit in the "Splash Zone" or anything but the music was great and  the visuals were great.  I think the thing I remember the most about the show is it was fun.  I think now that I know more what to expect I'd enjoy it more.

I think that's one of the reasons I hope I am able to get to Las Vegas at some point again.  I know they are at the Luxor.  And now that the Beatles Circ de Soleil show is gone (I need to find another way to get my Beatles fix), I think that The Blue Man Group is my #1 want to see in Vegas.  After The Golden Knights of course.

So that's why seeing guys in blue make up are on my bucket list.

Standing Out

"Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was, but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus who was about to pass that way."         -Luke 19

As I was reading the gospel today.  I felt a connection to Zacchaeus, probably because I, short in stature, would have had to climb a tree in order to see Jesus over the crowd.

But the thought occurred to me, would I have climbed that tree?  Would I be willing to make a spectacle of myself and stand out from the crowd?  Honestly, for most of my life, probably not.  I have always been afraid to put myself out there, and felt more comfortable mixing in with the group.

Not Zacchaeus,  he not only climbed that tree just to see Jesus, but he did it in a place where he was probably not popular.  He was a chief tax collector of Jericho.  He might have swindled some of the people of the town out of their money.  He definitely took their taxes in the name of Rome.  He was living a rich life on the backs of their labor.  I am quite sure the people of the town did not look favorably on him.  But still he went up that tree so everyone can witness his desire to just see Jesus.

Maybe it's time I take Zacchaeus's example.  I'm not going to climb a tree, but I can't be afraid to stand out.  I can't be afraid to put my thoughts and feelings out there for people to see.

I really am starting to believe that this silly little blog might be my calling.  I am a cradle Catholic, and felt that just being part of his flock from birth was good enough.  But its not enough.  I am trying to learn about what it means to be part of God's chosen church.  I am trying to grow in my faith.

I'm not a great writer, but I do believe there are others out there who can benefit from what I am saying here.  Maybe they are on their own spiritual journey, maybe they just want to see what a small (in stature) person wants to say about his worship for The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit-His love for the Virgin Mary-His honor for all the Saints.

I will remember all who read this in my prayers.

Where to Pray?

I am still struggling with prayer over all still.  I am falling into a good prayer schedule, but I still know I can do better.

Moses climbed Mount Sinai to talk to God.  You don't have to climb a mountain to pray.  Prayer can be done anywhere and at any time. But what I am finding out is prayer is easier at certain places and times than others.  

So here is where I currently pray:

• In bed before I get out of bed I always try to do a morning prayer offering my day for Jesus and asking Mary to give me strength to get thru the day.  I also listen to the bible being read and a reflection on it.
• I try to pray one rosary in the morning using the daily mystery.  That might be driving, which is not a great place to pray because concentrating on the road is a built in distraction.
• In the afternoon I try to take some time to listen to a couple of daily reflections from other people on the Gospel, Saints, and the world in general.  Most of these are in front of the TV so I really don't count that as prayer time.
• I finish the night praying in bed.  I do another rosary, and try to reflect on the day, and thank God for all he did for me.

So bed is good, driving not as good, when it comes to where to pray there are other options.

But there are other places that I' like to use.  At church prayer difficult.  Sitting in the pews people are talking around you catching up on the week or whatever and its hard to concentrate on prayer.  If you find a quiet place its church is great.  If I want to pray in church I find kneeling under a statue works.  The best place is the Adoration Chapel.  Whether the Eucharist is exposed or in repose its accepted everyone is quiet in there concentrating on their prayer and their physical closeness to the Body of Christ.

I also find praying outside is good.  Whenever Mary has appeared either Lourdes or Fatima or the like, over the years it seems to be outside.  So maybe Mary like to be outside.  So sometimes I like to go for a walk and pray the rosary.  Or Ask for an intercession.  Or just meditate and try to her God outside. 

I do get a little jealous of people who have a prayer spot in their home.  Like a little chapel in a quiet place, free of distraction to sit (or kneel) and pray.  Just a small table with a crucifix or statue, candles and the bible tells people when you are there it is time for you to be with God.

I guess the lesson learned is Jesus is always listening,  no matter where you are.  Just try to find a place you can devote to prayer.  Realize that some places may lead to distraction, but try to keep in the moment and bring yourself back to prayer when you can,

Doubting Thomas

Traditionally when a Catholic gets confirmed they choose a Saint's name.  When I was confirmed that really wasn't done, but I chose a Saint anyway.  My Saint was Thomas the Apostle.  More commonly known as Doubting Thomas. 

I wish we knew more about the original members of the Church.  That includes Thomas.  We do have one story about Thomas that we pull directly from the Gospels.

Following the resurrection Jesus appeared to the Apostles.  But Thomas wasn't there.  When the others told Thomas about seeing Jesus, Thomas had his doubts.  He said ne needed to see the nail marks and feel the marks and the wound in Jesus's side or he would not believe.

When Jesus returned later, this time in Thomas's presence.  Jesus offed to allow Thomas to feel his wounds, and immediately Thomas believed.  Jesus said:

"Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed"  -John 20

So is it OK to have doubts?  In today's society we are filled with reasons to have doubts.  We have scientists explaining to us why things happen without God.  We have the secular media telling us religion is not necessary in the today's world.  We even have friends and family who are separated from their faith.

It's easy to have doubts.  But I think that's ok.  Jesus realized that its is hard to believe things that are unseen sometimes.  Jesus knows what's in our hearts, so we can take solace in the fact that he can see deep down that we believe.  But its important that we show on the outside by our actions that we believe as well.  We need to pray, go to Church and follow the Commandants.

We all have a little Doubting Thomas in us-but we are also blessed because we believe even if we haven't seen.