Identical Dates!!!

Once again, the snow has hit our area in Kansas, like it has around the country. No day off for our school but a two hour delay. Thus, there was no school students at Mass this morning. As I was thinking about what to write, I happened to look up at the calendar and see that the dates of February and March are identical, each falling on the same day, except that March has a couple more days to work with. I bring this up because one month from today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of Lent. Hard to believe that time is coming around this fast but it is almost here. We know that Lent is a penitential time, a time to examine our lives and consciences, see what sins we have committed and seek mercy and forgiveness. It is a time to improve in different areas, like service to others, more prayer time, etc. With our monthlong countdown, it might be good to start thinking about what we would like to do for Lent so that it will be a meaningful season for all of us. Let our thoughts and prayers in preparation for the Season of Lent begin. Have a blessed day!!!

Creation Continued

The first reading for our Mass today, again from Genesis Chapter 1, is the final days of creation. God created all the animals and then He created man in His own image, male and female, He created them. That shows how much every human life deserves our dignity and respect because we have all been created in God's image and likeness. The last part of that scripture passage is that God rested on the seventh day of creation, thus the Lord's Day, and we are to keep it holy. This first chapter of Genesis gives us something to think about and pray about. Let us reflect on the gift of life that we have received from God and thank Him for the day that He gave us to rest and keep holy. Have a blessed day!!!

The Beginning!

As we begin this new week, we also begin reading from the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The first reading for our Mass today is Genesis 1:1-19. God created the heavens and the earth and then He said, "Let there be light," and it happened. This particular reading is about the darkness and the light. An appropriate reading for us as we continue discussing the importance of being light. As you recall from the gospel on Sunday, Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells his disciples that they are the light of the world. Our light is not to be hidden but set on a stand for all to see. How we live our lives and our faith brings forth that light that our Lord is talking about. Today, we look to God who is the creator of all things. We know that in life our light can go dim or even dark at times but we turn to God who is the creator of the light and to His Son, Jesus Christ, who is forever the light of the world and ask for the grace to keep the light burning brightly. We are to always walk toward the light for the Lord lights our path at all times. As we read this passage from Genesis, let us thank God for the gifts of creation and pray that the light in our lives we continue to shine brightly for all to see. God Bless You!!!

This Little Light of Mine...

I believe we can finish the line to this title very easily: "I'm gonna let it shine..." If we listen to a song very carefully we usually find a message, hopefully a faith-filled, positive one. We can certainly find that positive message in this particular song, letting our light shine for the whole world to see. Light is the key word in our Mass readings for this weekend. Three of the four scripture passages have the word "Light" in them. The first reading from the prophet Isaiah, 58:7-10, says "then light shall rise for you in the darkness." Psalm 112 states that "The just man is a light in darkness to the upright." In the gospel, Matthew 5:13-16, and this follows the Beatitudes, Jesus says to his disciples that they are "The salt of the earth and the light of the world." We are not to hide our light, but to let it shine for everyone to see. That light can be how we live our lives and our faith. We are called to be disciples of Jesus, to be of service to our brothers and sisters. We can make a difference in the world, in the very communities in which we live. Let us follow the words of scripture and in particular the words of our Lord, because he has the words of everlasting life. If Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, then that is how we need to live our lives. Pray for the grace to be an example to one another and with a joyful heart, let us sing that our little light will shine for everyone to see. Have a blessed weekend!!!

Blessing of Throats!!!

I know I am a late in getting this blog out, but this is a blessing that will take place over several days. February 3 is the Memorial of Saint Blaise, the patron of throat ailments. I blessed throats today and then will do it again over the weekend for our parishioners. It will soon be 30 years ago that I went from the public school system to Catholic Schools. I mention that because I never experienced the celebration of Saint Blaise until I went to the Catholic School. I remember we went over to the church for an afternoon prayer service and blessing of throats. At the time I had no idea how it worked. I thought the candles were lit and placed close to our throats. Needless to say, I was wrong about the candles being lit but it was a powerful experience to feel those candles under my throat and that blessing being proclaimed. The blessing truly helped, my throat felt clear and trusted that Saint Blaise had interceded for any throat ailment that I had. I enjoy this memorial and giving the blessing of throats to people. If you have the opportunity to receive this blessing, I highly recommend it. God Bless You!!!

Presentation of the Lord

The opening to the Mass of the Presentation says it all: "Forty days ago we celebrated the joyful feast of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today we recall the holy day on which he was presented in the temple, fulfilling the law of Moses and at the same time going to meet his faithful people" (Magnificat, 43). There is more to that opening, but this part tells us what we are celebrating on this day. The gospel, Luke 2:22-40, presents the entire presentation in temple. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord. In that presentation, they encounter the prophet Simeon and the prophetess Anna. They had been waiting for this day and now they were at peace because their eyes had seen the Christ of the Lord. This day is also a time for candles to be blessed. We know that candles and the light from them symbolize that Jesus is forever the light of the world. We are called to let the light of Christ shine in our own lives. Pray that we may be an example to our brothers and sisters. Let the light of Christ shine brightly in our lives and when our journey is done, may we be presented to God in His heavenly Kingdom. Have a blessed day!!!

Is It Spring Yet?

I think this is a question that a lot of people would like to see answered and soon. We are experiencing another winter storm in our area. This is the second day that school has been cancelled and for us, it is Catholic Schools week, and we have not had a chance to celebrate it. Once school gets back in session, we will have to make up what we lost. However, we know that with everything in life, there is always positives and we have to find them. The positive in asking this question is that spring will be here soon. Just think, we have begun a new month today, so it gets us ever closer to warm weather, rain, and new life. You can say the ultimate answer to our question about spring is, "YES!" Everyday is a new springtime. God gives us each day, He gives us a new day of life, He gives us the opportunity to spend that time with family and friends, and He gives us everyday to grow closer to Him. That should bring us hope and the feeling of a daily spring. Yes, the snow is flying, it is cold, but with God and the promise of eternal life, hope does spring eternal!!! Have a blessed day!