Now is the Acceptable Time …2 Cor. 2: 6

It was a quick phone call. Linda’s oldest son had called to tell me that she had died in the ICU in Pittsburgh early that am. The last ten years had not been good to her. While sad, there was a feeling of relief and peace for her. But sadness quickly came thinking of her sons as I made my way to just be with them.

A week later, after Linda was buried, and we had celebrated her life, and our hope in the promises of a Savior who knows us more than we know ourselves, it came time to say goodbye. Tommy handed me a folded piece of paper. On it was a pencil pattern for a cross-stitch with my sir-name. It was dated with my anniversary. Tom said, “I came across this and figured it was one of those things she had hoped to get around to. ” She was very creative in her day. “I think she would like you to have it.”

I looked at Tom and immediately said, “Thank you, I guess it is the thought that counts.” It is nice to be thought of…isn’t it? I will treasure that cross-stitch pattern. It warms me just to think of it.

How was your week? What pressures did you face? Any crisis looming? Any worry? Weakness? Sense of powerlessness? You know, Our Lord has each of us in mind. His mind’s eye is not only on the sparrow — it is on us –you and me. He has written a pattern with our name in CROSSstitch at Calvary. Keep that gift in mind as you begin next week…as you kiss your loved ones, as you face life’s inevitable challenges…and praise the giver of life. Nothing can overwhelm us with Him as Lord.

A recent poll published by the PEW Research Center hit a nerve with me…and many who believe what the Church teaches and proclaims. The results of a poll of US Catholic revealed that two-thirds of those who call themselves Catholic do not actually believe that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. This is so shocking in that, the Eucharist is the “Source and summit of the Christian life.” To me it is also intensely sad.

But sadness is not a Catholic-Christian virtue. Hope is. So I want to ask you to join me in witnessing from our own PEW. Not from the PEW research center, but from our parish pew. Let us share what the Eucharist means to us. We celebrate it as a community. We worship together. We receive our Lord … He receives us. He sends us…what do we share with those we meet and encounter.

Today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila. During a tumultuous time in our Church’s history, Teresa of Jesus was a woman of great faith, great courage and incredible insight into spiritual life and devotion. Her exterior counsel and interior reflection protected our faith. Little wonder she was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.

I would like us to share. Let’s write a book or an e-book together. If you have some reflection on the Eucharist, an experience to share, a “miracle,” a story of faith to build up others…lets share it. Please email it to me at jfbird1963@yahoo.com. I have no idea how long this will take or where it will lead us. My prayer is it moves others to share our belief and faith…that Jesus, on the night before He died, took bread bless, broke and gave it….took wine, a wine of a new covenant in memory of HIM. His Body, His Blood. The real presence. Perhaps we can fill our PEW?

SEND your sharing to jfbird1963@yahoo.com

After my post of the other day, which stirred our great Facebook melting pot I thought I would throw out this reflective challenge. Only one rule to the challenge all I ask is a LIKE— so I know how many are part of the reflection challenge, because— your reflection is your reflection. 

So here is the 
UNACCEPTABLE CHALLENGE 

For a day 24 hours or your waking workday leisure retired day – let’s try to shred ourselves of how we or others define us— just be you. Not republic democrat, independent, male or female, white, black, tan, yellow or pale. For one day let us try to be and respond to the around us from our soul, our core, from the depth of our humanity. For one day let us reflect on what really gives us meaning, purpose, direction, freedom, connection — peace on this journey of sunrise to sunset—it is harder than we imagine — but so worth the first step.

This was the first word that came to my mind when I saw this photo. Unacceptable.

But what does that mean? To me it means that it is “unacceptable” that a father and child should drown ever—Let alone trying to come from one country to another. To me it means that it is “unacceptable” for one people to restrict another group from having proper entrance process into a country…a country only theirs by circumstance and arbitrary agreed-upon regulation.

Unacceptable. That a representative Congress abdicated responsibility for proper governance and control that would led to an out of control situation resulting in so many fatalities — if unintended consequences. I don’t know anyone with the name “unintended consequence.” Unacceptable.

It’s unacceptable that the president of a nation that wants to represent freedom and liberty and opportunity points his finger instead of leading and creating a process that leads to the goals he supposedly promotes.

It’s unacceptable on one hand we celebrate the tearing down of a wall in Berlin that kept people in and at the same time want to build a wall to keep people out. Unacceptable.

Yes, trust and verify! But I have to take a stand. In my worldview, all are welcome. The golden rule prevails—do unto others as you would have done unto you.

We need to make a choice of what is acceptable Behavior on the part of our elected officials. We need to take a stand about how people are treated, welcome and embraced.

No one is unacceptable.

Eddie Stroh.  That is from my family memory.  He was the oldest son of my maternal grandmother’s sister. He was a teenager.  He died on his way back from doing recognizance at the Remagen Bridge (actually the Ludendorff Bridge).  He drown in the Rhine.  The capture of this bridge ended the war in Europe weeks early.

As a little boy I remember hearing his name and about the bridge and about how he had died…laying down his life, like so many other military members, to free the world.  When we say HAPPY Memorial Day…we remember Eddie…and the members of your family who gave the full measure of themselves for us.

At Sunday Mass, the Opening prayers are some of the most beautifully written and moving prayers.  In Latin, it is called the Collect, for its purpose is to “collect us as one”.  Let’s be honest, we are never really collected enough to listen that closely?  Unfortunately, the Opening Prayer for the Sixth Sunday of Easter is one of those prayers.  If you missed it, here it is… 

“That we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy, which we keep in honor of the Risen Lord, and that what we relive in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do…

Both the Biblical and Jewish understanding and reality of Jesus’ passion and death is written in light of His resurrection.  Just as of Old, when Israel would “recall” or “remember” how God had made a covenant and had saved His people from slavery, that memorial was not a distant memory.  It was a present reality.  God was here now.  God was saving now.  That Opening Prayer calls us to the core of our Hebrew lineage – we remember—and God acts here and now.  “…(T)hat what we relive in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do.”  We are present in the upper room, on Calvary and at the empty tomb!  That is why Holy Thursday is HOLY; Good Friday is called GOOD and Easter is of course HAPPY.

As citizens of this great nation, fractured as it is presently, we are united today and we say to each other HAPPY Memorial Day.  To remember the sacrifice of Eddie and all his fallen comrades who have given us so much.  This day begs us to do something in return doesn’t it?  We are duty bound to seek unity over division.

More than that, as citizens of Heaven, living here on earth, we are collected by this prayer to relive in remembrace –AND to do something.  Our faith is being tested by betrayal, crisis, and sin.  But our “reliving in remembrance” is deeper than any Judas’ kiss or Peter’s thrice denial, an apostle’s doubt or a crowd no longer willing to follow the One who feed them and offered more.(John 6:66).*  As citizens of the Kingdom of God we are called, duty bound, “to hold to” what we believe “in what we do.”

*interesting numbering eh?

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Ask…take these days, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to light a fire in you— in your heart, your soul, your life! The past is done and the horizon of tomorrow is unknown…Ask, pray that in the power of the Holy Spirit WE may live the Sacrament of the present — that WE may be outward signs of the very presence of Christ.

Since Easter I’ve had “spiritual” writer’s block — until this morning. My wife is an amazing gift giver. Sometimes too much of a giver. I remember shortly after we were first married. We were shopping and she showed me something she was getting for one of her sister’s birthday. “Nice” I said, “when is her birthday?” Her reply was that it was not for about five months! Lord! You’ve got to understand— for a member of the Bird family five minutes before a birthday is plenty of time to shop! But seriously, DeAnna’s gifts are special and multi-layered and deeply meaningful.

Twenty days from today we will celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost. My DeAnna has nothing on the Holy Spirit — sorry dear! But to the point, 20 days from now we celebrate not just a memory but a reality. A promise was made and kept. The resurrected and glorified Christ promised that He would not leave us, He would remain present and guide His church, His community in Truth and Love. 

We don’t have to wait 20 days. We are living in The continuing unfolding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of the community of believers. These gifts: wisdom understanding counsel knowledge courage reverence awe (fear of the Lord). We have 20 days until the celebration of what has been given and remains — so what of these gifts in you need a booster shot? Which one do you think you lack? Need? Want? Ask!

Trust. Believe in the One who promised and fulfilled that promise. Ask…for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to renew your life, your soul, your spirit — the crucified and risen and glorified Christ reigns. 
ASK.

(DeAnna’s gifts are great—but God’s gifts are out of this world!)

Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Sunday is Confirmation. Some 70 young people, on the verge of adulthood, will process down the aisle of St Joseph Church and be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This past Thursday night we had practice. It went well; a little longer than I’d like, but it went well. 

During the practice I got to play bishop, closest I’ve ever come to that role. While stepping in for the Most Reverend, I had a very moving experience. As the candidates came forward, their sponsor spoke their chosen name for the sacrament. As Emily came forward, her grandfather spoke the name she had chosen: Louise. As I pretended to confer the sacrament and spoke that name while tracing the sign of the cross on her forehead, my voice cracked.

Why? I knew Louise. The Louise Emily honors is her late grandmother. Louise was a great woman of faith family and love. I’m sure the Daughter of Charity, St. Louise de Marillac, wouldn’t mind talking a back seat to the St. Louise that Emily chose.

As the practice came to an end, I couldn’t help but think of all the saints’ names chosen by the candidates.  Albert, Pio, Margaret, Thomas, Mary, Philip,Luigi, Christian…and the litany goes on.  Most of these names are attached to relatives…like Louise…moms, dads, grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins…all chosen as names to be joined and marked to each of these young people as their faith journey takes a new turn. They, like us, are surrounded by earthly and heavenly witnesses…Saints.  Some canonized…others familiar, recognized and remembered.

St. Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth as clearly as I saw it at this past Thursday’s practice.  We are called to be saints.  “Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sos’thenes, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”    -1 Cor 1: 1 -3

As this Second Sunday of Easter dawns upon us, and as these young people are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit and His gifts, may we embrace this call.  We are called to be saints. No higher calling here…to reflect the crucified and risen Christ.  Veni Sante Spiritus!

A little over forty-days ago, we began a journey.  From the head to the heart…just like Jesus. Think back. On the first Sunday of Lent, led by the Holy Spirit Jesus goes into the desert to pray. Satan joins him, and tried his best.  But Jesus answers his every temptation and his every question (Luke 4). Now fast forward, there is Satan again, entering Judas and leading him to thirty pieces of silver (Luke 22). The desert was a place of great trial as was the betrayal.

Right in the middle of Luke’s Gospel, the devil makes his presence known as Jesus is casting out demons.  The devil does it through confusion and deceit. The crowd witnessing the messiah’s handiwork, now questioned where the casting of demons originated…heaven or hell? (Luke 11:14f). Again, nice try Satan.  Just before this, Jesus told us not only who we were, but who we belonged to…Our Father.

During this season of Lent, we have been journeying with Jesus.  We have had our battles with Satan haven’t we?  What does the devil try to do? He tempts us, he fools us, he confuses us, he trips us up, he separates us and attempts to divides us.  The Father of lies, the one who comes to steal, and destroy. 

In the fullness of time, God sent a savior.  God sent a messiah. God sent one who looked like us, shared our nature, but at the same time was Himself God.  Why did he come?  To forgive us? Yes.  To save us? Yes.  To heal our falleness? Yes.  But deep, down…why did God come?  Because He loves us.  The Eternal, Immortal, all-knowing and all-powerful God is in Love with us.  He is love itself.  He came to reconcile us to Himself, because of His Divine desire for unity with His creation…the creation that is in His Image and Likeness.

Being the Father of Lies, the one who comes to steal, and destroy, I don’t think Satan saw that coming.  When Satan heard the crowds on Palm Sunday, he knew he needed to make his move. He needed to stir up the chief priests sense of insecurity in their precious position. He had to induce Judas to his rationalized betrayal.  He had to make people doubt.  He had to make apostles sleep in the Garden.  He had to make Peter first draw a sword and then draw his tongue three times. He had to make Pilate take the road of least resistance.  He had to move the crowd to seek a murderer instead of a Savior and leave the truth dragging up the path to be Golgatha.  Satan had a busy week.

 “It is finished.” When Satan heard Jesus utter those three last words from the cross, He felt victorious.  The last thing to fall at the foot of the cross were tears. And I am sure Satan danced on those tears.

So how did God respond to Satan’s dance on those tears? As Jesus lay in the tomb, the words of Psalm 42 came to life “ My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Yes, where is your God? In the resurrection we hear that question. Where is your God? He is not here… Nails could not stop him. The grave could not hold him. Death could not grip him. What was “finished” on the cross was his mission. Jesus was obedient and surrendered to the Father…and now, the Father, in the power of the Spirit raises Him from the cross, grave and our former enemy, Death itself.

At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus wept. I’m convinced, that at His resurrection, Jesus laughed! Tears became Joy. Darkness became Light. Separation became restoration. Satan’s Fake news (lol) was overwritten by the GOOD NEWS!  HE IS NOT HERE.  HE IS RISEN. ALLELUIA.

He who laughs last, laughs the best!

“It is finished.”  With those three words, the Savior pronounces his work done.  His ministry complete.  His sacrifice offered.  And he dies upon the altar of the cross. 

We are blessed.  We know something that those at the foot of the cross could not have dreamed or imagined.  We know that this is not the end, but merely the beginning.  We know the “end of the story,” as Paul Harvey use to say.  We know that death will not have the last word. 

However, like Jesus, we must surrender just the same. As our Lenten journey comes to its finish, we much surrender to silence.  The lifeless body was silent. No more words of comfort.  No more forgiveness and healing. No restoration.  No water to wine.  No sight to the blind or bread for the hungry crowd…there is no crowd to feed. Just like the wrappings that bound Lazarus are quiet on the ground, the dead Jesus is wrapped in silence.

Surrendering to the silence, let us sit with silence with the lifeless body of Jesus in the tomb.  Look at him.  Keep vigil with him.  Speak to him.  Whisper words of gratitude or sorrow or praise or adoration.  Let us once again, lament our continued pride, sin and selfishness that keep us separated from him – and each other. 

Surrender to the silence. 

“Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still” Psalm 4:4