I've made big moves in the past.
From college, to Greenies, to Vibe, to Pfizer, to Lakeside.
Sometimes a plan.
Most of the time, faith in a dream.
Or perhaps just faith.
Everything I have ever done has been preparation for this week.
Every time I asked those questions about God.
And every time I ignored every whisper
or clanging cymbal.
All the music, interpersonal relationships,
Saturday mornings & afternoons
Friday night Bible studies
Apologetics, papers & exams
From the day I decided
that my life was no longer my own
But that it had to serve a higher purpose
For in that I would find my purpose.
I'm finally coming home.
Rome Sweet Home!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Luci & Lijah
I always write long and deep, so this is gonna be short and sweet.
I've changed more soupy-poopy diapers this week than I have ever imagined could exist. Please keep my family in your prayers, especially the babies:) And a special thank you to my parents who still give up their sleep and health to help their baby boy.
I've changed more soupy-poopy diapers this week than I have ever imagined could exist. Please keep my family in your prayers, especially the babies:) And a special thank you to my parents who still give up their sleep and health to help their baby boy.
Holy Week
Most Catholics would tend to view the Consecration of the Blessed Sacrament as the whole point of the mass - the true presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. But taking this perspective with regards to the mass is simply an echoing of how we like our (insert whatever). For instance:
We love Sportscenter because it gives us the highlights and the last-second shot. We choose Cliff notes because we get the gist despite getting lost in an age-old form of our language. We order take-out to save on the preparation, dishwashing and overall hassel of making food ourselves. Despite our advancements in technology and the sciences, we still seem to lack time to do everything we "need" to do. Thus, we find ways to take shortcuts.
An older theology went like this: if you get to mass before the end of the homily and stay until you've received the Blessed Sacrament, you're in the clear. In other words, this mass "counts" as your "obligation" as a Catholic. Many people still buy into this. But it's just plain neanderthal - no offense to the Geico guys.
Mass begins the moment you left the last mass, when you were sent out, filled with the Bread of everlasting life, to do your part for the Kingdom. Mass continues throughout the week as you live your life to the fullest, loving God with all your heart, strength, soul, & mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Notice that there is nothing here about everyone needing to become a priest or religious ... although bless their hearts!
Mass is in preparation mode when you arrive to Church EARLY! That's right ... we can get to work on time, to a wedding if you're the best man, to a Bon Jovi concert when Stryper's opening, and 50% or so of the people who get to church are coming in some 10-20 minutes late. You get there early to prepare: for the Word you will hear, for the congregation who is the body of Christ, for the Priest who acts in the person of Christ AND for the Blessed Sacrament of which you will partake intimately.
So we call this week "Holy Week." The culmination of the Christian liturgical calendar, "remembering" the single most important event in the history of humankind - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, and thus salvation available for all souls.
Yes, this week has a special place in our hearts ... and yes, we tend to do something special with those special times ... but should this week be drastically different than any other? Should our public piety and personal prayer be at all time highs during this week? Should we not, as we look at the mass, view the Pascal mystery (life, death & resurrection) as an everyday occurence ... one that we should cherish with all of our heart, strength, soul & mind each & every day? Every day would be precious. Every day would be filled with love. Every day would have more than enough time. Every day would be practice for heaven.
I write too much.
We love Sportscenter because it gives us the highlights and the last-second shot. We choose Cliff notes because we get the gist despite getting lost in an age-old form of our language. We order take-out to save on the preparation, dishwashing and overall hassel of making food ourselves. Despite our advancements in technology and the sciences, we still seem to lack time to do everything we "need" to do. Thus, we find ways to take shortcuts.
An older theology went like this: if you get to mass before the end of the homily and stay until you've received the Blessed Sacrament, you're in the clear. In other words, this mass "counts" as your "obligation" as a Catholic. Many people still buy into this. But it's just plain neanderthal - no offense to the Geico guys.
Mass begins the moment you left the last mass, when you were sent out, filled with the Bread of everlasting life, to do your part for the Kingdom. Mass continues throughout the week as you live your life to the fullest, loving God with all your heart, strength, soul, & mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Notice that there is nothing here about everyone needing to become a priest or religious ... although bless their hearts!
Mass is in preparation mode when you arrive to Church EARLY! That's right ... we can get to work on time, to a wedding if you're the best man, to a Bon Jovi concert when Stryper's opening, and 50% or so of the people who get to church are coming in some 10-20 minutes late. You get there early to prepare: for the Word you will hear, for the congregation who is the body of Christ, for the Priest who acts in the person of Christ AND for the Blessed Sacrament of which you will partake intimately.
So we call this week "Holy Week." The culmination of the Christian liturgical calendar, "remembering" the single most important event in the history of humankind - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, and thus salvation available for all souls.
Yes, this week has a special place in our hearts ... and yes, we tend to do something special with those special times ... but should this week be drastically different than any other? Should our public piety and personal prayer be at all time highs during this week? Should we not, as we look at the mass, view the Pascal mystery (life, death & resurrection) as an everyday occurence ... one that we should cherish with all of our heart, strength, soul & mind each & every day? Every day would be precious. Every day would be filled with love. Every day would have more than enough time. Every day would be practice for heaven.
I write too much.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)