Advent Begins!!!!

This is a new beginning for us as we begin the Advent Season!!!!  What can we do to make this a meaningful time for each of us?  I think the readings for this First SUNDAY of Advent set the tone.  We need to be alert, prepared, and ready.  Jesus is coming again, not as an infant which we celebrate at CHRISTMAS time, but in all his glory.  There are two unknowns that we need to prepare for- the return of our Lord or the hour of our death.  The Lord did not tell us when or how this will happen, but we need to be ready and that means to live our lives accordingly.  Let this Advent Season be a time of renewal.  Take the time to examine your lives and your conscience and when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered, get there to be reconciled with God and the body of Christ.  God and the Church gives us the graces and sacraments that we need so do not take them for granted.  Being prepared and ready is the key message for all of us because we do not know so tell your family and friends how much you love them, care about them, and how important they are to you.  Do not let this time be one of regret but one of hope and renewal.  May God bless us as we begin this Advent journey!!!

Thanksgiving Blessings!!!!!

I want to wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!!!  May this time remind us to always be thankful for the gifts and blessings that God gives to us!!!!  Thanksgiving is more than one day a year, it is everyday!!!!  Many of us are taken aback because of how consumerism and materialism has taken hold of our society and many people who fall into the trap.  That stores are opening up on Thanksgiving Day is a tragedy.  Individuals should be able to enjoy these holidays with family and friends.  Unfortunately the power of money takes hold and everyone has to make it and spend it.  Some day, all of that will not make any difference.  Like a friend told me years ago, "In a 100 years will it really matter?"  No it will not because we cannot take anything with us.  We came into the world with nothing and we will live the world with nothing.  We send a very disturbing message, especially to our young people when we focus on the things of this world and not of God.  Let us realize that everything we have is a gift from God and some day we will stand before Him and be held accountable for our very lives.  We all have choices and options.  Let them be the right ones because how we live our lives and the decisions we make have eternal consequences.  May God bless you during this Thanksgiving time and let us make every second, minute, hour of everyday be a time to give thanks!!!

Where Am I Going?

That is a question that probably has numerous answers.  We are always on the move because our lives have become busy, but this question has an eternal answer.  Where are we going to spend eternity?  We have two options, Heaven or Hell.  As Catholics, we believe in Purgatory because who of us is worthy to go directly to Heaven?  The saints are there but for many we will need to be purified of the sins that were on our soul at the time of death.  The time to be answering that question is now, not later, because there are no guarantees.  Thank God for the gift of faith because we believe in the Resurrection.  Jesus is the firstborn of the dead.  He has broken the bonds of sin and death by his own death and resurrection.  As a priest said years ago, "Do you know why the Saducees were sad u see? Because they did not believe in the resurrection"!  We believe and we profess that faith each week in the Nicene Creed.  However, do we truly believe?  Our lives, our actions, our decisions, our choices, our options all have eternal consequences.  So do you, do I, know where we are going?  

A Lifelong Process

Conversion is a lifelong process!!!!  We always need that conversion of mind and heart so that we can live happy, holy, faithful, prayerful, dedicated lives.  Over the weekend, Zacchaeus was a great example of conversion.  His intention was just to see Jesus, but because he was short in stature he climbed a sycamore tree and when Jesus arrived at the spot, instead of passing by, he called Zacchaeus down and stayed at his house.  Zacchaeus' life was changed and in the gospel he told our Lord what he would to make amends.  We know that Jesus is all loving and merciful and that is the look that he gives to us.  As we live the call to conversion, we are also called to live and share the gift of God's love.  Last week, at the closing Mass of our evangelization workshop, Bishop John Brungardt of the Diocese of Dodge City gave us a homework assignment.  He told us, "Go forth and tell someone, Jesus loves you more than you can ask or imagine."  That has been his trademark saying and he is inviting us to go forth and announce the same.  I say that to you as you live your lives, your faith, and your continuing call to conversion: "Jesus loves you more than you can ask or imagine."