Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Tuesday - Fifth Week of Lent 2020

In our Gospel reading today (Jn 8:21-30) Jesus warns the elders and the Pharisees of the consequences of their actions, and in doing so, warns us as well. If we are tied to the possessions of the world we run the risk of dying in our sin. While the reading may seem to be doom and gloom, Jesus still has a message of hope though a bit obscure. Jesus says, "If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins”. Conversely, if we do believe Jesus is I AM, and act accordingly, then we won't die in our sins. As we approach the end of this most unusual Lent nearly everywhere we turn the news is doom and gloom. Yet there are also signs of hope as communities and businesses work together out of love of neighbor - because we do believe Jesus is I AM.

In the peace of Christ,

Deacon Mike

Sunday, March 29, 2020

Fifth Sunday of Lent 2020

In the first reading today (Ez 37:12-14), we hear a message of hope for the people of Israel. God will create a new Israel and calls His people back from exile, promises to put his spirit into them that they may come to life. How easy it is to see this promise of God's infinite love and hope is applicable today. It doesn't take much of an imagination to think of being "stuck" at home as being our graves, and once the Stay Home, Stay Safe order is lifted, we may come out of those graves. God is putting his spirit in us now and in many ways we are coming to life. Neighbors are checking on neighbors. Families are doing things together as families. In many places, the world is coming together in prayer. When we are able to settle in our land again, let us pray that we keep God's spirit in us.

In the peace of Christ,

Deacon Mike

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Saturday - Fourth Week of Lent 2020

We do not hear from Jesus directly in our Gospel reading today (Jn 7:40-53), rather, we hear from those who have just listened to Jesus teaching during the seven days of the feast of Tabernacles, a great feast held in Jerusalem after the fall harvest. There is division among those who heard Jesus; some believe he is a prophet, others believe he is the Christ, while others want to arrest him. Our current state of Stay Home, Stay Safe has created a physical division among us, the mystical body of Christ. This division has left many of us feeling disoriented, maybe wondering how God allowed this to happen, or asking where is God in all of this. God remains with us as always. Jesus remains the living water for all who thirst, the Messiah who suffered, died, and rose again out of his infinite love for us. Our social distancing has not and will not change that.

In the peace of Christ,

Deacon Mike

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Is this Hell?


As I was laying in bed this morning, pondering what has been going on, what continues to play out before us, especially being cut off from Mass and the Eucharist, it occurred to me, this is a bit like Hell.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Hell as “The state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed, reserved for those who refuse by their own free choice to believe and be converted from sin, even to the end of their lives.”  Granted, our exclusion is not by our free choice.  However, through the suspension of public Mass, we are excluded from communion with God in a real way.  We are not able to be in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. 

As painful as this exclusion is, it is still only partial exclusion.  We can watch a Mass being broadcast in some fashion which allows us to hear the word of God being proclaimed and broken open to us in the minster’s homily.  We can use that hour to praise God, to worship Him and his son Jesus our Christ.  Every day we can, and should - pandemic or not - pause and pray privately.  But we are still excluded from the Eucharist, from full communion with God.

The pain from this exclusion is real for me, and judging by the reaction of Catholics on Facebook, the pain is real for others too.  So, if a partial exclusion from communion with God is painful just two weeks into the suspension of Mass, I can’t fathom what full exclusion from God… for eternity… would be like!  I pray that I don’t do something that would self-exclude me from God.  And without a doubt, I pray for everyone, especially during this global medical crisis.  While I don’t believe God did this to punish us, our loving father certainly will use this pandemic to bring about something good. 

In the peace of Christ,

Deacon Mike

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Goodbye to a Friend

Back in August 2006 my wife and I took into our home a Chocolate Lab puppy.  For a year we were to be his foster puppy raisers for Paws With a Cause to, hopefully, one day go on to be a service dog.  I had been sensing a calling to the diaconate, but I also put up hurdles to responding to the calling.  I was aware that the diaconate was a service ministry.  With that in mind, when we were given the opportunity to name our Paws puppy, I suggested the name Deacon. 

Our primary responsibility as foster puppy raisers was to provide the basic training and socialization.  This meant, of course, housebreaking, but included taking Deacon with us virtually everywhere we went.  After all, service dogs go everywhere with their "client" as the recipient of a service dog is often called.  Deacon accompanied us to Petoskey, Michigan for a Thanksgiving weekend.  He went with us to work.  He was with us to frequent training trips to malls and stores.  Deacon even joined us for Sunday Mass at the former St. Colman Catholic Church in Farmington Hills.

As our year with Deacon was nearing its end, not knowing how much more time we had before returning him to Paws, we made one more trip to Petoskey.  I snapped this picture while Juanita sat with him on the breakwater.  I thought the sunset was apropos as our time with Deacon was coming to an end.  

Sure enough, upon our return home, in the mail was an envelope from Paws with the paperwork for returning Deacon.  I don't recall how long after submitting the paperwork that we received a call from a woman at Paws headquarters.  They were "career changing" Deacon because his medical records showed he had signs of allergies.   As his puppy raisers, we were given first opportunity to adopt Deacon.  Without hesitation, we said yes!

This evening, after more than 13 years of being part of our home, our lives, and in our hearts, we returned Deacon to God.  Deacon had slowed down considerably.  Walking was visibly painful for him in spite of ours and his vet's efforts to ease the pain.  Any attempt to run was brief, involving a stride or two at most.  Even though we know his time had come, parting was heartbreaking.  Our home is noticeably empty tonight without Deacon's presence, without his spirit being among us.  We felt it almost immediately as our vet listened for and confirmed Deacon's heart had stopped.  

Our God is a loving God, the creator of all that is good.  Tears aside, I take comfort knowing that an all loving God never abandons what he creates.  While what that might mean exactly for Deacon remains a mystery, my faith in God assures me it is far better than even the most loving care we could provide him.  

So, this evening we thank God for entrusting us with caring for one of his creatures, and with heavy hearts, we return Deacon to his care.

In the peace of Christ,

Deacon Mike