Dad’s Lenten Blog

Thoughts during Lent

Tag: faith

  • Front of the Line

    Sometime ago  I was  told the story of a woman who had visions while she was in Mass. She could see all the supernatural things happening as the Mass went on. Well, as you know, this is one persons experience and we do not have to believe it. But something she saw really affected me.

    It was during the Presentation of the Gifts. When the bread and wine and the offerings are brought to the priest. Of course we are usually singing the Offertory Hymn.

    But it was in this moment that she saw something extraordinary. Directly behind the people who bring up the gifts was a line of many, many angelic figures. It was the Guardian Angel of every person in that church.

    In the front of the line, a handful of these angels were joyful and looking towards the altar. In their hands were golden chalices. In those chalices were gifts of prayers and petitions of those individuals in their care that were in the church that offered them at this Mass. As the passed, the angels placed their chalices at the foot of the altar.

    In the middle of the line, were another handful of angels walking up to the altar. In their hands were much smaller chalices, likewise containing prayers. Their faces were stern as they looked toward the altar. As they passed, they too, placed their small chalices at the foot of the altar.

    In the back of the line is where most of the angels were. Something looked very different about them. They were empty handed. Their heads looked down ,with sadness, to the ground as they passed by the altar with nothing to offer.

    You see, the first Guardian Angels had chalices filled with prayers and petitions to offer Our Lord. The second group with smaller chalices only had a few tokens of prayer and petitions. But at least there was something. Then the last group, the bigger group, they had nothing to offer.

    How did this affect me? It was pretty profound! And I will say that, at almost every Mass now I will always try to tell my Guardian Angel to for offer this to Jesus. First, I thank God for all my blessings, which includes all of you.  Second, I try to recall my sins and ask for forgiveness. Third, I pray for or ask for whatever intentions are on my mind. And Fourth, I resolve to do better! And then I ask my Angel to place those on the altar.

    This just takes a few moments, and it has the effect of settling me into the Mass. Sometimes I’m distracted and forget and then the Offertory starts and I try to do a quick one. ( no ones perfect :-). 

    Whether it is truly happening or not, I just love the thought that my Guardian Angel is at the front of that line.

  • Now that is a sacrifice.

    I have always wondered about St Peter. Being a husband, a father and a provider I have always questioned how he could do it. The real sacrifice he had to make.

    I have always struggled, admired, contemplated and reflected on Saint Peter’s decision. So without quoting scripture, the story goes that he was out fishing all night and caught nothing. We fisherman know how that feels. And so he brings his boat ashore and is most likely putting up all of his equipment. And then Jesus walks up, looks at him and tells him to put out a little and put your nets in. If I was Peter, I would be like “I’m exhausted, there is no bite, I wanna go home and sleep!” But of course, Jesus must’ve been very convincing. So Peter obeyed him and put his nets back out. You know the story, the nets filled with so many fish that it almost sunk the boat.

    But it’s what happens next. Saint Peter recognizes that Jesus is something beyond words, something truly holy. “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” These were Peter’s words. Jesus didn’t choose a highly exalted righteous educated man. He chose this working man, more than likely, rough around the edges. 

    “Come, follow me…. and I will make you a fisher of men.” And so Peter left his boat and nets and everything behind and followed him. Wait a minute…… what??? He left everything he worked for his whole life,  he left his wife and maybe his children??? His friends??  His home?? 

    Now that is a big decision. I can’t imagine the sacrifice. Not just for him but also his family. But I always come back to this. That sacrifice beared so much fruit. That “Yes, I will follow you”, though it must have been so hard, resulted in the foundation for Christ’s church on earth. So in your lives remember that even the smallest sacrifices will bear fruit whether you see it or not! 

    St Peter, Pray for Us!!

  • That little red light

    I’m pretty sure no one every told me what the little red light next to the altar meant.  As much as my Dad loved talking about our faith, I don’t think that ever come up.  

    Somewhere along the line,  I learned that when you go to church before you go into your pew. You genuflect. Bend the right knee and bless yourself.  I kind of thought it was a sign of respect or tradition. 

    Then, as an adult I really read into the history and set up of the church and specifically the altar. That’s when it came together for me. 

    You see, when that little red light is on next to the altar, it means the Holy Eucharist is present in the tabernacle. 

    Now maybe, and I hope, all of you know, and recognize this, but to me it was an epiphany. I connected the dots. 

    That little red light meant the Jesus was there. Fully present, body, blood, soul and divinity. He was there in that golden tabernacle.  

    And for the first time in my life, I realized that my simple acknowledgment of that incredible supernatural fact was to genuflect. 

    So to this day when I walk into a church I look for the little red light.  And when I see it, I will genuflect as I enter and exit the pew. When I enter the pew my thought usually is as I try to look at the tabarnacle. ” I’m here, Lord”. And most time when I’m leaving,  I usually think as I look at the tabernacle “Thank you”

    Every once in a while, especially if your visiting a church during the week or many churches in Europe that attract tourists there is no light on. For me it almost a little disappointing. It almost a great expectation whenever I walk into a church. 

    I’m always looking for that little red light. 

  • Why the Crucifix

    Why the Crucifix?

    We all know that a cross symbolizes Christianity . We could write a book about the depth of its meanings. But why the crucifix? Why the depiction of a man who was clearly tortured, beaten and whipped, nailed hand and foot to a wooden cross with a crown of horrible thorns on his head and blood dripping from his side? Shouldn’t that elicit a morbid response from us or anyone. Why would we display such a thing?? 

    I have had the same one my whole life. As long as I can remember, it hung in my room as a child , came with me to college and every apartment I ever had.  For the last 30+ years it hangs over my and Mom’s bed. 

    When I see a crucifix, wherever it may be, I can honestly say that I always have a reaction. It’s different then seeing just a cross, which certainly carries beautiful meanings, but its different.

    Sometimes I’ll look at the crucifix and see our Lord hanging there and I am filled with gratitude, so thankful for my blessings. Its like when something great happens, maybe an answer to a prayer, I’ll look up to the one in my office or anywhere in our house and just say thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

    Sometimes, when I see the crucifix, it reminds me of the trials and tribulations in my life. Everyone has trials, everyone. And the cross that He is nailed to represents them. ” Please help me with….” , ” Please take care of…” , ” Please guide me with…”. Deep in my core I know that especially Jesus, hanging from this cross feels, knows all that is in my heart.  And this gives me some sense of peace.

    Sometimes, I’ll look up at our Lord hanging there and wonder what wound was caused by me? He suffered the Passion for all of our sins, for every human being that will ever exist. Which one was mine? Was it the nail in his hand?  Or maybe one of the thorns sticking into his scalp? My heart is filled with sorrow and remorse. How many times have I said to myself or outloud while looking at Him, “I’m so sorry Jesus. “

    But even in those moments there is a sense of peace that follows.  Just a fraction of a moment during a busy day maybe. But to me there is almost always a sense of joy and really hope. Because it didn’t end with Him hanging on the cross. No. He defeated death. He defeated death to save me.  To give me a chance to be with Him forever. There is no Resurrection without  his death on that cross. 

    What does the Crucifix mean to me? Love.  That he loves me and  all of you so much  that he gave his life so that we may be with Him in heaven. Forever.