So I've broken my pledge since lent to post something more regularly, but this time I have good reason! The Circle of Life! And no, it is not because of an extended marathon of the Lion King, which reminds me of this. Awesome.
No, as much as I love Elton John, nothing matches the love that has flowed since the birth of my first child; beautiful Jacinta Mary-Luisa Leyne! Being a new parent has definitely been a world changing experience 8 days in, and undoubtedly is just the beginning. And THAT is precisely the best part to me.
I mean finding out we were expecting in Fatima, Portugal, home to the three little shephards (Francesco, JACINTA, and Lucia) in the homeland of my wife's family was awesome. Having 9 months to marvel at life growing inside the womb, with kicks, pokes, and spins and hiccups providing wonder and awe and laughter will be cherished forever. To a wonderful experience of her birth on DIVINE MERCY Sunday and the feast day of St. Gemma, namesake of her grandmother another great experience. But what I relish the most - is what is, and what is to come. This last week has reminded me truly of God's unending mercy and life giving love. Moreover, the need for us to be amazed by the life giving moments around us all the time. How many times do I grumble each morning when its cloudy, snowing (especially in April!) or have negative thoughts throughout my day? How often do I consciously give thanks. I try for 5 times a day. Every morning I say a short prayer of praise and offering, one at night with my wife, and hopefully during 3 meals throughout the day. Sure, we could try to go all day and be awesome saints, but I just want to be better than I was yesterday. I think that's how we become saints, not by being perfect for 1 entire day, but being better than the day before.
The amount of new experiences one shares in new life is astounding! The first strolls, diaper changes, smiles, hiccups, first family photo, first meeting with Grandparents and cousins, it goes on and on. But how many more are in store! It only made me think of how I live my christian life personally and as a family.
The LORD needs not to work in great sweeping moments of miracles and apparitions all the time to show us his mercy and goodness. To live a faith dependent on them is not a deepening faith. Thomas was a faithful and good follower of Christ. But remember Christ's words that "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John 20:29 - It is good for us to believe in our every day experiences; connecting them to what we have seen and heard growing up in the faith. What we hear and proclaim on Sunday we must recognize and celebrate throughout the week.
I remember the first evening with Jacinta she was crying and so I took her and just held her, face to face for over two hours. Neither of us slept, but just stared into each other's eyes.In those silent moments, all I could do is praise God seeing the wonders of his work joined with our efforts. Bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh I kept thinking from scripture. I am so profoundly thankful for the grace to see the beauty that God wished to give to us and care for. It is my mission of thanks to care well, and bring her back to Heaven as beautiful as I found her so that one day I might hear; "well done good and faithful servant".
"But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31
So, let us believe through what we experience each and every day. Try to take some quiet time each day to reflect where you are in that circle of life; and nurture that attitude of gratitude. It may be as marvelous as a new child, or as simple as a sunny day - the point is we give thanks. There is much to be concerned about these days in the world, the church especially and it pains me to the core. But that is why now more than ever the need to love and give thanks grows even greater. Do not cherish it alone in your hearts, but let us fill the world with headlines of GOOD NEWS of what God has done.
After all Lent was 40 days, Easter is 50. Take that despair!
So most of us know the Pope's name, Benedict XVI (that's sixteen!) ... but do you know his name before that? Do you know where he was born? Did you know he is a genius?! It amazes me how sometimes we can say we know someone without really knowing them... kind of like friends on facebook.
I think Facebook says I have 500 or so friends... but honestly, I probably talk to about maybe, MAYBE 40 of them in one month. And if we narrow that down to face to face conversations over a meal or an outing, it gets even smaller. Now, I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing, but I think it is a real thing. I don't think then that the other 450 on Facebook aren't worth my time, or are there just to cushion my feelings of being popular and connected. I'm sure I can share a story about every single one of them.
But the reality is we can't be close to everyone, all the time. I like to say there are circles of friends, and we don't plot each other into them. It isn't like I meet Jim let's say, and say to myself "BFF for life". No... friendships develop over time, and they change. My best friend from grade 1 or grade 5 isn't my best friend today - but they're still dear friends of mine. My wife was a complete stranger to me four years ago! Four years ago I didn't even know she existed! So it should be obvious people come and go between these circles of friends. Family, Dear Friends, Peers, Associates, and the World... there are many different levels we could place our various relationships.
If we say we know someone as a true friend, shouldn't we be able to tell someone their name, where they are from, and something interesting about them... where we met, etc. My love for my wife only grew with getting to know her. It is in our becoming open to each other and sharing our stories that we come to a greater intimacy, a greater understanding and appreciation of one another.
This also can call us to examine our relationships. Do the people in our minds we value the most, our "inner circle", reflect the reality of our circle of friends. How well do you know your parents, grandparents, life long friend, teacher, pastor, hollywood star. Do we find it awkward we sometimes don't know our siblings birthday, or where our parents/grandparents were born or their middle names? Yet we probably know how many goals Alex Ovechkin scored this year or the date for international talk like a pirate day? (September 19 if you're wondering) Do we know more about the life of the people on the TV show Hills then the life of Jesus? It just makes sense that we
should know more about the people we say we care about. I don't think it is wrong to like tv shows, or follow hockey passionately (go HABS!). But we need to be careful we don't fool ourselves when the reality might be maybe I do value hockey over quality time with family and friends. Maybe I value my tv addiction a bit more than my faith. They are questions to think about.
So back to the pope to wrap this up...
So as Catholics we all know about the pope, we know he's our leader, whom Christ has blessed to guide us and nurture us as a faith community. He has many great thoughts and suggestions to help us on our journey of faith. I used to think of the pope as kind of a boss. But when I went to World Youth Day I saw a man, Pope John Paul II, who simply wanted to love me. It might seem odd to you, but it is true. I finally got the idea that he just wanted me to experience God's love and share it as much as possible just like he was doing. He wasn't a watch dog, or a judge.
I now look at Pope Benedict and really look to him as a wise old grandfather. Because he cares for me - I cannot help but care for him; I want to know him. This is the root of our faith; to love and be loved. So when you have some free time, google the pope, get to know an old friend a bit better.
I just wanted
to post a link to a video over at salt and light tv of a 30 minute interview of our soon to be ordained Bishop Bolen! Get to know how he grew up, where he studied, and what he hopes for in coming here to the Diocese of Saskatoon!
Above all else, pray for Him and for us that the Spirit may guide Him in leading us ever closer to our God in every moment of our lives. If you didn't get a ticket to the ordination, don't fret! The ENTIRE ordination is being streamed online at http://www.saltandlighttv.org Also, if you are free this Wednesday night at 7 PM, come to St. Paul's Cathedral for an ecumenical prayer service with Bishop Elect and many other faithful from many different christian communities! It looks to be a great evening!
And lastly, please comment below with your prayers, greetings, and desires that you would like to pass on to Bishop Bolen. I will make sure that he gets a chance to read them!
On Saturday March 13th we are heading to Table Mountain to go tubing, skiing or snowboarding down the hill. We will be meeting at St. Michaels at 10:30am and heading out shortly after. We hope to arrive at Table Mountain at around 12:45. We will be on the hill from 1-4pm which is a half day. For those of you who wish to ski or snowboard, feel free to do so, though you are not allowed to bring your own skies or boards for lack of space (ski or snowboard boots are allowed). We should arrive back at St. Michaels around 7pm (roughly). The cost is $5 per person to help cover the cost of gas; however you are responsible for paying your way into the facility and any rentals you may require (see below for prices). On the way home we will be stopping in North Battleford for supper. So bring a few extra bucks for supper and any snacks you may want.
As it stands we have limited seating available, so if you want to come, book your spot early. The registration deadline is midnight, March 11th, so please call Matthew at 374 - 7779 or Colm Leyne at 242-1500 if you plan on attending. You will also need a permission form which can download here or talk to your local youth minister. If you don't hand in your permission form and $5 by 10:30am on Saturday March 13th you will not be able to attend.
Lift Pass Prices Half Day: Tubing $8, Skiing: under 15: $15; over 15: $20 (ski rentals: $12), Snowboard: under 15: $15; over15: $20 (snowboard rentals: $21). For more information regarding prices see: http://www.tablemountainregionalpark.com/prices.htm
Come out and enjoy the snow! Bring the whole family!
Happ new year! Now with that said forget that it is a new year. When it
comes down to it, we are who we are by our decisions and by the grace
of God. We need to stop giving ourselves sole credit for the things
accomplished in 2009 and for working on our dreams for 2010. Let's try to be humble and know our
God and reflect on how He has worked in our life in this last year and surely will in the year to come.
The Lord has blessed each of us so wonderfully, and continues to send
grace whether we accept it or not! I know I especially give a
shoutout of thanks this year for my wife and child in her womb. Sharon and baby Leyne are my all in
all. My everything and the presence of God in my life.
Do we recognize the presence of God, of the indwelling Spirit among
those seen everyday? Be it our spouse, sibling, child, parent, dearest
friend? I know I struggle the most with one person in particular- the
man in the mirror. (just so happens Michael Jackson has an appropriate great song of that title...)
We must therefore strive to find our authentic self everyday and be THAT person, no body else. Do we need to be more humble and sincere? Then be that
person today. No three month plan, just get better. Striving not for
perfection of self for self gratification but to only let ourselves
shine forth the glory of God. For my brothers and sisters we are made
in the image of God and what a beautiful picture we are! Take heart for
you are good. Take heart for you are loved. Take heart that if you
strive each day, each moment to better reflect Christ to the world you
are not alone. You are making a difference being exactly who you are. Not so much what you do, but WHO you are.
So if you make a resolution, may it be each day as an offering to our
God to in small ways better become who God has made you to be. And each
night in the silence of our hearts may we examine ourselves to see our
successes and struggles. Perhaps at this gateway into a new year more than looking ahead we take pause to look back, and more important, look inward. Let us take heart and embrace the next day to
again be our true self. If we resolve everyday to do this, we open
ourselves to encounter grace and grow in holiness. I know I need to work on not living for myself, it does not work in acheiving true happiness. So join me in striving
to be holy, be saints everyday in every way by simply BEING our authentic self as God desires in every moment. If we do that, it is money in the bank that 2010 will be a year well spent. There is no alternative worth
considering.
Take heart for God is about to do something awesome through you, with you, and in you.
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