If you would like to receive these daily reflections (written by various parishioners) in your email box each day, contact darcy.wharton@rocklincatholic.org 

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Reflections for Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2020
Monday, November 30, 2020 – Ephphetha
I have a sweet memory of being seated on the lap of my grandfather surrounded by my whole family for ‘vidyarambham’, the ceremony of beginning the process of learning, writing and reading. I might have been 3 years old then. As I was seated on his lap, he held my little pointed finger and led me writing on a rice filled platter ‘Jesus’ as I repeated saying it after him. It is a custom well built into our Christian tradition too that we begin our learning in the name of God.
We even have a beautiful rite in the sacrament of Baptism – Ephphetha rite. The minister touches the ears and lips of the baptized saying this prayer: “May Jesus soon touch your ears to receive His word, and your mouth to proclaim His faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.” Though I don’t remember this important rite when I received baptism as an infant, when I later witnessed and celebrated Baptisms I realized I had already begun acquiring wisdom even before the ‘vidyarabham.’
Bony

Tuesday, December 1, 2020 - Family Prayer
My childhood days were pretty much spent with my paternal grandparents. I lived with them from 3rd grade to 7th grade. I can say that is where I was spiritually formed. Their strong prayer life instilled in me fear of God and taught me how to pray. Family prayer was never missed. That also paved the way to my priestly life. I am so grateful to my grandfather for showing me the right path. ‘A family that prays together prospers together. A family that worships together wins together’ – we remain connected with one another and with the Lord in our family prayers.
These days it is so easy to pray together even when we are not together in person. It is always good for the family to find a time of the day to pray together, even virtually, for the Lord has promised us that ‘where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Mt. 18:20)
Bony

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - Self Critique
My dad always said to us ‘be your first and best critic.’ From childhood times this motto has helped form my personality. A critical approach towards one’s own activities will bring out the best.  Whatever we do, even after we have given it much preparation and the utmost attention, can benefit from a careful look with a critical lens. This approach would help us to be open for change. In simple words it means to correct your ways as you go. One reason why we are keen to prepare something in errorless and perfect fashion is to gain the appreciation and approval of others; we like to present ourselves well before others.
But how about my spiritual life and discipline which is mostly only visible to me and God? How do I present myself to God and how pleased is He with my way of living my Christian call? Do I engage in any kind of critical analysis of my prayer life? Am I keen to correct my ways as I go? Let us spend some time every day to examine ourselves in the light of God’s words to evaluate our spiritual life.
Bony

Thursday, December 3, 2020 - Big Mirror in the Living Room
My maternal grandparents' home has a big mirror in the living room, right at the entrance to the house. Generally, we see such a big mirror only in the dressing rooms in our homes. I asked my grandfather once why the mirror was kept in the front room and not in the dressing room. His answer was that everyone who comes to our home should see their faces as they are welcomed and also see themselves again while leaving the home fully content and happy.
Every time I walk into the church I remember this big mirror in my grandparents’ home. With the Sacrament of Baptism we are welcomed into the family of God and Church is the holy Home we frequent. We enter this home joyfully to see our face in God’s mirror and leave fully content able to see God in others’ faces.
Bony

Friday, December 4, 2020 - Voice in the Noise
Luke 18: 35-43 narrates the miracle of Jesus giving sight to a blind beggar. As the beggar heard Jesus passing by, he called out loudly for help. Jesus heard the voice of the beggar even among the noise of the crowd. Yes, God hears the genuine cry for help.
Sometimes there are a lot of noises around us - all with frustration - political and social, mostly the noise of unrest. What shall I do among these noises filled with unrest?  And what is my voice? My voice is a cry to God for help - “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me” (Psalm 77.1). Most of the time I know only God can help me to get through the noises around me.
And God asks:  “what do you need?”, the same question he asked the blind man and my answer to God is “peace”.
Bony

Saturday, December 5, 2020 – Does God Have Faith in Our Faith?
I remember a parishioner commenting in a frustrated and disappointed tone after running from one retreat center to the other, “I went there thinking that I would be healed of my ailments, but nothing happened…” Sometimes we Christians are ‘Conditional believers’ or ‘Religious shoppers’! We try to buy miracles or place conditions before the Lord to have trust in Him.  In prayer, often what is sought are signs, not God and His mercy. We fail to realize that first we need to ‘seek his kingdom and his righteousness, and all that we need will be given to us.  (Mt. 6.33).
Does our disposition in prayer match Herod’s who was greatly pleased to meet Jesus for he knew him as a miracle performer? Or like the Centurion who surprised Jesus with his deep faith in Him?  Let us pray, ‘Lord, help my little faith’, have mercy on me.
Bony

Sunday, December 6, 2020 - Live Photo Mode
The feature of live photo is a somewhat new invention in cell phone photography. The photos captured in this mode have a little movement when we look at them at first on a cell phone screen. It shows that the picture is not still. It reminds me of how we need to be active and on the move. Jesus tells us to “Be alert!” Be watchful like the faithful and prudent servant. He is awake to the coming of the master, be it at any time of day or night and he is ready to serve him. In other words, our Christian call is to remain active in serving His people (ref. Mt. 24: 45) and staying awake to serve Him.
How about our spiritual life? Is our spirit active or still?  A dormant spiritual life can be like a parched land and lead to bareness. So, let us be awake, alert and watchful, awaiting the coming of the Master. May He find us in an active mode, in service and worship!
Bony

Reflections for Nov. 23-29, 2020
Monday, November 23, 2020 - Who Do You Say That I Am?
I often look to the daily mass readings for inspiration and today was no different.  Today there are the ordinary readings plus two possible options.  One of those options appealed to me: The Memorial of St. Clement I, Pope and Martyr.  When I was confirmed I chose the name Clement because I liked the meaning of “clement” which I took to be “peaceful” and/or “merciful”.  That is what was, and still is, what I aspire to be in my life, not just as a Catholic but as a citizen. 
The gospel reading is Matthew 16:13-20 which tells me one of the aspects of Jesus being a “true man” is that He was curious about who people thought He was.   He queried Peter a couple of times ending up with the question “But you, who do you say that I am?”  After Peter’s response that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus said “…you are a happy man.”
These two men, Peter and Clement, personify for me just what it is that I’m called to do:  Answer the question “Who is Jesus?” however it may be asked.   I am inspired by those two men and millions of people since then to respond:  He is the Son of God, the messiah.  I don’t aspire to the martyrdom that Peter and Clement endured but I do aspire to remain true to what I profess:  Jesus is my Lord and my God and I am a happy man. 
Deacon David

Tuesday, November 24, 2020 - It’s Not Easy
The month of November calls us to remember all Saints and all Souls: all of the people who have gone before us living and sharing their faith.  Today’s mass is a “memorial” especially remembering martyrs, those who gave their lives proclaiming their belief in Jesus despite torture and death.  This remembrance calls me to acknowledge just how easy it is to live as a Catholic Christian and how I often take for granted the practice of my faith.  I’m not often called upon to defend or proclaim what it is I believe and it certainly doesn’t require the strength of character lived by the martyrs we recall today.  We do however have people of faith all around us sharing the gifts and talents given to them by God in ways that threaten their lives.  As the Covid 19 virus continues to claim lives and health we are served by people in all walks of life from the most humble of delivery folk, restaurant and service workers, civil servants, medical personnel, Priests and ministers and all those we rely upon day to day to help us live.  In their own way(s) they are proclaiming what they have been given as a mission…and some suffer and die.  Not many, perhaps none of them, will be officially declared martyrs but I, for one, will continue to offer my prayers of thanks for what they do.  Our faith and in some cases our lives have been built upon the work of people like these and we continue, each November, to remember.
Deacon David

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - Who, Me?
Continuing with the readings from daily mass, today we have a tough gospel (you know, “good news”) sort of following along with what we’ve heard during November.  Luke 21:12-19 has Jesus telling his disciples (that includes us) that bad things are going to happen.  In the history of the Catholic Church in the USA there have been times that Catholics have been considered less than others and were actively not hired for jobs solely because of their chosen faith.  It wasn’t until John F. Kennedy was elected that the United States had a President of the Catholic faith.  The gospel goes on to say imprisonment would happen but that, in itself, would provide an opportunity to speak out; to “bear witness”.  The question I ask myself is this: Am I in a prison of my own making when I decline to speak out?  Jesus told His disciples that they shouldn’t worry because He would give them/us the words.  But, but, but…am I really to take the words of the gospel as pointing to me or do I let someone else stand up for the faith?  It is O.K. to be hesitant, heaven knows I have been, but I have been baptized with the Spirit of God and SENT into the world to proclaim the Good News.     Who, Me?  Yes!!  Me, and You.  Let’s pray for one another.
Deacon David

Thursday, November 26, 2020 -  A Special Thanks Today
I might have mentioned that I am a second generation United States Citizen.  Both sets of my grandparents emigrated from somewhere in Russia, leaving behind family, friends and jobs.  They took heaven knows how long to make their way through Europe to a port of departure, crossing the ocean to come to these United States in search of religious freedom and a better life.  Were it not for their courage and desire I might….well, you know, not exist.  They all settled in a sort of Russian enclave in East Los Angeles where my parents were born.  I went through public schools, junior college and college way back when taxpayers picked up most of the cost.  I had many part time jobs through high school and college to pay for my gas and books and dates.  I met the love of my life at 19, married at 21 and she has given me six wonderful children and 60 years of her life.  Through her I came to know Jesus and the Catholic Church.  Today, along with every other day of my life, I give thanks, THANKS, for all of what  I’ve listed above.  Today is special because most of us in the USA have the chance to stop, take a breath and reflect upon how we each got to where we are today…and give thanks.  Meanwhile I also think of those people who do not enjoy the same sorts of gifts I’ve recalled here.  Let us all pray for them as we thank God for His bounty and resolve to share what we’ve been given so that next Thanksgiving Day more of our sisters and brothers will be able to say “thanks” along with us. 
Deacon David

Friday, November 27, 2020 - Black Friday
In years past this was a special shopping day, the first day of Christmas shopping when “fantastic” buys caused people to wait outside stores in the wee hours so as to rush in a get a TV for $69 when the doors opened.  As I understand it “Black Friday” now begins sometime in October and goes on through and beyond 12/26.  I’m hopeful, in this year of Covid-19, that I might take a moment to think about how I spend this time of year.  The season of Advent begins two days from now and that means simply that we are preparing ourselves for the celebration of Christ’s birthday.   I hope I don’t sound like too much of a Scrooge when I say I don’t think Jesus would be very interested in the gift of a $69 TV.  I do think that He would be interested in how much of myself I give to Him.  A lot has happened in 2020 and many people have suffered loss of jobs, savings, homes as well as succumbing to illness and death.  That has given another sort of meaning to black Friday.  As we prepare for the joy of Christmas I want to spend a bit of time reflecting on how I will use the days of Advent. It is my hope to gift God with my attention in prayer and thanksgiving.  Oh, I’ll participate in gift giving but I don’t want shopping excesses to define this time of year.  Please pray for all of God’s children throughout the world in their hunger and need.
Deacon David

Saturday, November 28, 2020 - Marana Tha!
The last responsorial psalm for this church year uses Psalm 95 as its basis.  The word marana tha translates roughly to “come, Lord Jesus”.  We close out this old year and are heading into a new church year beginning tomorrow with the first Sunday of Advent.  It is appropriate for us to say “come, Lord Jesus” as we await Christmas Day.  This past year has been one in which I, a resident of Auburn which promotes itself as “the endurance capital of the world”, have often remarked to people that it has been a year of endurance.  Our country has been devastated by fire, hurricanes, tornados and floods to say nothing of Covid-19.  The long and drawn out election season seems to have caused some loss of civility as people took sides in support of their candidates or in putting down their opponents.  I am so happy that we will now have the opportunity to heal and to try to find common ground to rebuild trust in one another.  I am greatly blessed to live in this country where democracy reigns and I can respond to the needs of those who suffer from climate related events and illness.  How I do that depends upon realizing, once again, that we are each and all God’s children.  We are sisters and brothers who may squabble but who ultimately are called to love one another by our God.  Marana tha: Come, Lord Jesus.
Deacon David

Sunday, November 29, 2020 - Happy “New Year”
The Catholic Church calendar starts a new year with the first Sunday of Advent, which is today.  You’ll notice that the Priest’s vestments have changed from the green of Ordinary time to the violet of the Advent season which will be with us until 12/25 when the color will change to white.  One of the things I appreciate about our church is this visible sign of change which reminds me of how seasons change. One of the things that I do to commemorate the Church calendar new year is what many folks do at New Years: make resolutions.  My Church New Year resolutions call upon me to pay more attention to how I use/overuse the God given resources of the planet, to be aware of my treatment of all people regardless of differences as we are all God’s children, to realize that political differences are something I can discuss rationally and to practice being a “good Samaritan” sharing God’s bounty.  There are many more resolutions I could mention and it is my hope that you will join me in your own resolutions, masked and socially distanced for awhile, in making 2021 a better year.
Deacon David