Greetings! It is wonderful to be able to go away, and enjoy some real down time - relaxing by the pool, reading, watching old episodes of "Friends" and new Food Network shows (Sweet Genius)with little or no concern for time, schedules, etc. I gained weight - that my Doctor will scold me about - and I even indulged in one of the things that I miss the most about being a priest - going out to a "full on" Sunday Brunch! It probably sounds quite lame - but that was one of the highlights of the vacation! Yet after 16 days away - and as nice as Maui was - it is even more wonderful to come home.
To come home to a place where you can unpack, and be!
Also looking forward to seeing my family this Saturday Evening as we gather to celebrate my Dad's 75th Birthday. I ribbed him about being tree quarters of a century - and he took it well!
Peace
It is often said that ours is a world that is starved for love. I have come more and more to understand that our God’s deepest desire is that we answer His call to serve. Serve without discrimination, without judgement, to serve with open expectations, and to not simply be a spectator. It is often much safer to be a spectator. Yet Simon of Cyrene and Veronica were not spectators. Whether commanded or compelled from within, they took a risk. Yet the God of my understanding has always been a risk taker – his Son, a risk taker – why not me?
In that service his, and our blood mingles. There is fear that comes with this kind of vulnerability. My heart understands Jesus, in the garden asking God to remove his cup of suffering, yet a friend of mine says that: "courage is fear that has said its prayers."
Continue to show us the way on this road of service Lord. It will be unpredictable and sprinkled with pot holes. The possibility of betrayal lies at every turn in the road, yet I place my trust in the one who calls me forward to stoop and wash the feet of those who walk the road of life with me.
And having knelt before your people Lord, I now stand before them as they come forward to adore your holy cross. And I see in their eyes the light of discipleship, the pains and crosses that they bear, yet also the hope of your love, a hope in a new tomorrow.
In our service, may our God heal our woundedness so that His light may shine just a little bit more – always just a little bit more.
Amen.
Back in December (at our parish Advent Confession Service) I spoke with Fr. Roman Galadza, a Ukrainian Catholic Priest, about the possibility of an Icon of the Holy Family for our parish. I saw Fr. Roman again at our Lenten Reconciliation service and he said the Icon was on its way. By chance I saw him Monday evening - while I was with another priest - and he said the Icon had arrived. Tuesday afternoon, on the way back from the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral, Fr. Damian, Deacon Robert, Stephanie and I were able to pick it up! (We made it just in time before the parish secretary was leaving!)
This is the new Icon and we will display it during the Holy Thursday celebration of the Last Supper. We also plan to make holy cards of this Icon, to have ready for next December's Feast of the Holy Family.
Peace
P.S. The Oshawa Generals were eliminated Sunday night from the OHL Playoffs. A sad day for Geoffrey (even though it was his Birthday)
