Ties That Bind

Tonight is the first full moon following the vernal equinox which means Easter will be celebrated on the following Sunday as established by the First Council of Nicaea in the year 325.  The Jewish Passover, the slaying of the lamb, the crucifixion of the Lamb of God are all tied together with a thread that binds the Old Testament to the New.  

“Fess Up”

I have a difficult time with the sacrament of reconciliation.   Confession is far too interactive…I prefer the sacraments that don’t require so much participation.  I’m good with a little water poured over my head or some oil rubbed on my forehead. The best is just putting out my tongue and swallowing the graces.  Even the simple “I DO” was easy…the challenge came later.  But confession is too hard.  I suppose the trouble is my pride…the inability to “man up”. 

As part of my self-improvement program I’ve decided to take the face-to-face approach and stop hiding behind the little black screen.  After all, on Judgment Day the whole world will be watching and listening to my pitiful life story.  So, I best get some practice. 

I know God Loves me but I want God to like me.  As God runs his finger down the pages in the book of life I want him to smile when he comes across my name…not shake his head in disappointment…but give a little grin or even a smirk.  I want God to be proud of me.  I would definitely prefer that He like me.  I know that he loves me…that I’m sure of…Jesus proved it.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Give me the grace to run this race.

Not making haste that turns to waste.

But living in accord with your taste.

So that it puts a smile on your face.

Amen

It’s Later Than You Think

I awoke from my Sunday afternoon nap feeling guilty about not doing anything.  Mulling over the list stuff I needed to do...I realized how little time I had left.   According a Harvard Health Publication the average fast food eating male in this country lives to the age of 81.6 years.  My math tells me I only have 14.6 years left.  Subtracting 33.3 % for the normal 8 hours of sleep each night reduces the time significantly but when you throw in a 4-hour nap the number jumps to a whopping 50 % time loss…this effectively cuts the time to 7.3 years…7.3 years of being awake and in a conscious or semi conscious state.  

If you deduct the amount of time I spend daydreaming it cut the time to a shocking 3 ½ years.  It is much later that I thought.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Give me the grace to spend my time doing stuff you want me to do. 

Amen.

Bacon, Butter and Blue Bell

Food is my drug of choice.  One bite is too many and one thousand is not enough.  I am a food-a-holic that thinks the next bite will be better than the last…eventually I munch myself into a caloric stupor.  The next morning I awake from my carbohydrate coma promising to never eat again.  I recognize the fact that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth but it’s time to get rid of the spoon…knife and fork…push away from the dinner table and stop feeding myself.  Comfort food is not comfortable the next morning when I can’t button my pants.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  I need a little help in the self-denial/will power department. 

  

Dear Lord Jesus,

It’s better with bacon

There is no mistakin’

A pat of butter will do

But it’s better with two.

Blue Bell is the best

When on pie it does rest

While it seems so strange

I know I must change.

I need some help

Can’t do it myself

It’s too hard for me

This I can see.

Take the spoon from my hand

This is the plan

Turn it over to You

This I must do.

Amen.

Sixty-Eight And Counting

Today I celebrate the anniversary for my birth. It is unbelievable that I have survived 24,837 days on this planet.  Most of those 816 months I was unaware of the big picture.  I would like to thank my wife for all she has put up with and thank both Mom and Dad for all the sacrifices they made on my behalf but most of all I want to thank you, Lord Jesus.

For the wisdom I gain

With each little pain

As I grow old

I can see my goal.

While my eyes are week

It is You I seek

It becomes easy to see

What You mean to me.

You hung on the cross

So I wouldn’t be lost

You were willing to die

So I wouldn’t fry.

It seems so unfair

That you suffered there

And all I need to do

Is to follow You.

For all You have done

My heart You have won

Give me the grace

For my troubles to face.

You point me home

When I start to roam

You dry my eye

When I start to cry.

When the road gets rough

You help me hang tuff

Remarkably true, it’s always You

For You are the one who pulls me through.

Amen