Didymus

Today is the feast of Saint Thomas the apostle, the twin, doubting Thomas.

Father Bob’s two-minute sermon was most encouraging to me…me just another Didymus.  He explained that doubt was the seed of faith…for without doubt you couldn’t have faith.

So I take comfort in the fact that I am plagued but not paralyzed by doubt.

Thank you, Lord Jesus for doing the unbelievable.

And for all your grace that’s so receivable.

Although to my little brain it’s unconceivable.

Without You Lord nothing is achievable.

Amen.

Sundays

I got up early and piddled around finishing the installation of the clean out risers and caps on the sewer line for Mary’s bathroom before the sun broke the horizon and zapped me with its laser rays.   In less than an hour I was putting up tools and grabbing the Sunday paper before going back inside where everyone was still sleeping.  Out of boredom and not wanting to wake the sleeping bear…I began looking thru the plethora of ads that accompanied the so-called newspaper.  All the coupons for useless stuff…all the electronic gear that I had no clue as to what it even was…was mind-boggling.  Then I came across something that caught my eye…the women’s bathing suit ads.  Noticing the modest price for such an immodest garment…I was amazed.  But then again how much raw material is needed and how much labor does it take to stitch together a few bits of cloth?  Ok! Ok! I think I hear someone stirring.  It is time to put on my Sunday best and spend some time in prayer.  Sundays are great for not doing anything and not feeling guilty about not doing anything.

Thank you Father God for Sundays.

Thank you Lord Jesus for doing it all.

May the Spirit be with you.

Amen.

Contagious Smile

I have to admit that in my immaturity I married for selfish reasons.  But looking past that…I think there was some attraction to Mary Owen that was unique and strangely magnetic.  Her infectious smile was and is so genuine and irresistible.  It intrigued me and challenged me to find out what made her “tick”.  After 45 years I am not sure that I have figured her out, but I have come to one conclusion.  She has the big picture; she knows how God fits into the big picture.  She understands and follows the guidelines He has recommended for a happy life.  When I think back it brings a grin to my face.

Thank you Lord Jesus for smiling on me.

Amen.

Wannabe Writer

There is a part of me that wants to be a writer, but I’m afraid it is just a daydream.  Real writers write everyday.  Real writers can spell, conjugate verbs and possibly diagram sentences.  I don’t feel like writing everyday, sometimes I don’t feel like writing for weeks.  Then there’s the issue of having nothing to write about.  For the most part, my brain has flat lined. I go through each day in a haze…struggling to put one foot in front of the other and wishing I could remember where I buried the talent God gave me…so I can go dig it up.  Maybe I should just count my blessings and look on the bright side…I will not have to endure all those annoying book signings.

Thank you Lord

For all the blessings I overlook,

I don’t need to write no stinkin’ book. 

You’re the light that shines so bright 

And so I thank You every night.

Amen

Rules

     My friends at the “W” were giving me grief about eating a potato and egg taquito without any bacon on Fridays.  So in my defense, to prove my point I Googled the answer. 

     Most Catholics think that Vatican II did away with the requirement of not eating meat on any Friday of the year. This is what the new Code of Canon Law brought out in 1983 says about the matter:

Canon 1251

Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

     Of course, most Episcopal Conferences (The Catholic Bishops) have determined that, instead of abstaining from meat, Catholics may perform other acts of penance or acts of charity…like being nice to someone.  Well…that’s not happening…I’m just going to skip the bacon.  To my credit…I must also mention…that I abstain from “liver” everyday of the week, all 365 day of the year.  Actually liver and brussels sprouts should not even be in a food group.

Seriously, If you are going to be in any club you must follow the club rules…not make up your own rules…otherwise you are not really in that club.  Check with the “Country Club” If you don’t believe me.   They will kick you out if you don’t follow their rules.  Apparently the Pope is a little more lenient with Catholics.

Fig Tree

Today’s gospel (Mark 11: 11-6) was interesting…apparently Jesus must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed and skipped breakfast.   Because he was really “ticked off” at the fig tree when he couldn’t find any figs.  Then he went to the temple turned over all the tables and kicked out the moneychangers.  It seemed a little out of character for him.  But I can identify with the being grumpy part. 

Dear Jesus…

When the road gets bumpy

Help me not be grumpy.

Amen.

Don't Sweat It

     With my entire anatomy covered in grease and sweat…I had to ask myself why didn’t I pay more attention in class…why didn’t I study harder and become a brain surgeon.  If I had done less daydreaming…I could have been in a nice, clean, air-conditioned operating room wearing a white coat with nurses at my beckoned command.  But…no…here I am, all by myself, in a dirty, hot warehouse trying to repair an old worn out tire-changing machine that should have been junked years ago.

     Wait a minute, I can’t stand the sight of blood and I have a terrible bedside manner.  As air fills the bellows, the old apparatus wheezes and comes back to life.  What a feeling of accomplishment…maybe my job isn’t so bad after all.  Besides the patient did not die and no blood was lost during this operation. 

Dear Lord Jesus…

For the talent you gave

I need not put in a grave

Over the fence, is for the dreamer

Only perception makes it greener

Upon me it did not dawn

To just water my own lawn

For it shows no class

To ogle the neighbor’s grass

Thanks for the gifts YOU bestow

There’s no reason for me to woe

For YOU know what’s best

After all…it is just a test.

Amen.

Goose Bumps

As a youngster I did not understand why I had to go to church…because…and I quote “I don’t get anything out of it.”  Now, when I hear that same response from my children and grandchildren, it disturbs me and I can’t come up with a good retort.  I’m not sure when or why I changed. But now church feeds a hunger in me that yearns for more.  There is something mysterious about Mass.   Even though I daydream, fidget and fumble with the prayer book and lose my place…during Mass I always have a goose bump moment that convicts me, a moment of reassurance, reassurance that Jesus loves me no matter what.  It’s just an ephemeral feeling that holds some unexplainable truth that I can’t put into words nor put my finger on…but I know it’s real.  So I just want to be there…in church...I think that’s pretty much the answer my parents gave me “you just HAVE to be there”. They gave me no other option.

God will put you in your place

When His grace is in your face

You can hide and you can run

You can say you’re having fun

But

There will be no reason to frown

When

The hound of heaven tracks you down.

Amen

I Saw Stars

While making a simple repair to a customer’s material handling conveyor, I was feeling quite smug and thinking how smart I was.  The problem seemed simple to me yet the customer had no clue.  That’s about the time I saw stars.  The wrench slipped off and I hit myself in the face…what a rookie mistake…putting my mug directly in front of the action.  In an effort to hide my stupidity I dobbed the blood onto my shirtsleeve and after I regained my composure I could not help but chuckle at the thought that God has His ways of keeping me humble.

So as I place the band-aid of humility to my upper lip I thank God for the little reminders of who is in charge and who should get the credit for whatever gifts I may or may not have.

Thank you Lord Jesus,

A slap in the face has its place

When I could not be much 'blinder'

And so it seems to be the case

For sometimes I need a little reminder.

Amen.

Life

My life did not turn out the way I envisioned it as a child or even as an immature adult. I had some pretty egotistical ideas.  Now, I have to chuckle at all those grandiose dreams of fame and fortune.  For it…life, that is…turned out better than all of my selfish delusions. 

Trial and error is one way to figure life out, or you can just follow God’s rules to achieve the peace and joy that is our real goal.  From experience I can unequivocally say the latter method is easier than the former method.  For instance…I can remember all the self-centered reasons I had for getting married.  Fortunately God talks to me and He straightened out my thinking on that issue.  The difficult part is that God uses my wife’s voice most of the time when he talks to me.  And as much as I hate to hear the truth somewhere deep down inside I know…I know it’s the truth. 

Personally, I prefer my truth sugarcoated and easy on the nagging.   But I have to reassure myself that God knows what he is doing and I need to just listen and comply.

Thank you, Lord Jesus;

For my guardian angel mate,

Who knows what’s best for my fate.

Thanks for telling me before it’s too late.

And for so much more, I can’t ignore.

I thank you each night before I snore.

Hoping we will meet on that celestial shore.

You came to save me from myself.

Even though I am a spiritual elf.

This is a truth I cannot shelf.

Nailed to a tree just for me,

So this should be my only plea,

Which I make on bended knee.

Now when it comes to eternity,

It would fill my heart with glee

That I should spent the time with Thee

Amen.