If you would like to receive these daily reflections (written by various parishioners) in your email box each day, contact darcy.wharton@rocklincatholic.org
They also appear each day on Facebook. Find us at www.facebook.com/ssppcommunity
Reflections for Oct. 14-20, 2019
Monday, Oct. 14, 2019-Prayer
Recently someone questioned if it is proper to pray to a saint. Many believe, especially non-Catholics, that we should pray to God only, that praying to Mary or any of the other saints might be wrong and maybe even sinful. However once one understands the original meaning of the word pray it all makes sense. Webster defines pray in a couple of ways. As a transitive verb it means a request or plea, such as in “pray be safe”. As an intransitive verb it means to make a request in a humble manner, “I pray the court’s mercy.” Prayer is not just to a deity, it is a request made of anyone. It was used frequently in literature before the 20th century. It is only in the last 60 years or more that the word has been given a purely religious connotation. We have no problem asking a friend to pray for us. Why is it different to ask of those who have gone before us when as Christians we believe in eternal life. When we pray to a saint, angel or even a loved one in heaven we are asking them to pray or request on our behalf. It can be a request for God’s help or it can be something like finding our keys. We ask a friend to help look for our keys, so why can’t we ask St Anthony to do the same? What do you think?
Kurt Peterson
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019-Priests
The priest scandals have rocked our church to the core. With the publications earlier this year in both the Sacramento and Santa Clara Dioceses it was soul crushing to see the names on paper. However, we must not forget that there are so many priests and deacons that have given their lives to the faithful because of their love for Christ. Father Tom Foster, S.J. was one of them. He was my first encounter with a real priest. My only other knowledge of priest was from the movies with Bing Crosby. Father Tom was the kind of priest that Bing portrayed and so much more. His love for Jesus was at the core of everything he did. He was spirit-filled and that spirit created a tremendous faith community in San Jose. He died a couple of weeks ago and at the reception after his Mass, person after person spoke of the impact he had in their lives. He was a big part of our family’s life. He married us, baptized our children and helped shape my faith life. He was my spiritual mentor and friend. I could go on and on about what a caring man he was. We have been blessed to have been a part of two wonderful faith communities, Holy Family in San Jose and SS. Peter & Paul. Take a moment and keep in your prayers the priests and deacons that have or still are serving their communities. Tell them you care and do not take for granted the love of Christ that they share with us.
Kurt Peterson
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019-Miracles
Most of us have read about the miracles that Jesus performed in the Bible or have heard people speak of the miracles that have happened to them in their lives. But most of us have never experienced a miracle. But I say if you are Catholic you see a miracle every week. When the priest recites the Eucharistic prayer the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. We can experience the miracle of the Eucharist weekly and even daily. We are invited to come to the table and receive the Lord. When we do receive Him in the bread and the wine our bodies absorb His presence into us and we become the body of Christ.
Kurt Peterson
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019-Thoughts, Words, Deeds
While in San Jose at Holy Family, Fr. Tom would say before the reading of the Gospel as he made the sign of the cross on his forehead, lips and heart the words, “May the word of God be on my mind, on my lips and in my heart”. Though it has been at least 25 years since he was my pastor, I still recite theses words to myself at every Mass. It reminds me of how transforming the Liturgy of the Word can be. “On my mind” means for me to fully reflect on what the Word of God means to me and how it transforms the way I think about myself, my community and the world around me. “On my lips” reminds me of what St Peter said about our tongues as a double edged sword. We can build up others with our words or we can tear them down with our words. It is our choice and ours alone on how we use our words. Lastly, “In my heart” reminds me to take the time to understand what Jesus’ message of love and reconciliation means to me, that my actions are to be Christ’s actions in the world and that it applies to all my relationships.
Kurt Peterson
Friday, Oct. 18, 2019-Fate
The new season of the show “This is Us” began and that first episode started out very confusing. There were three new story lines introduced with new characters and for most of the hour I was trying to figure out how they connected with the original characters. Right near the end of that episode the connections were revealed. I liked how they showed the individual lives of the main characters before they met. It made me start thinking about how we live our lives separate from one another moving forward and then our lives intersect. For many, our paths just cross and we continue to move forward but sometimes at that intersection a new direction begins. Our daughter Rebekah’s life was moving in one direction. She was working in Sacramento building her career and living in Midtown. Josh was living in Roseville and working in Downtown Sac. They never knew each other until one night both were out with friends and their lives intersected when he asked her to dance. Last Friday, they got married. We may have plans for the direction we want our lives to go but we never really know where life will take us. For Josh and Rebekah their paths brought them together and it has blessed our family.
Kurt Peterson
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019-Weeds
I have a small pot in our backyard that holds a plant that I am trying to get growing again. While this plant was growing back to good health another plant grew up in the pot. This other plant developed a beautiful flower on it. But I did not plant it. It was a weed. The weed was starting to take over the pot and affect the plant that I was nurturing back to health. Eventually I sadly had to take out the weed to allow my plant to fully grow. Doesn’t that happen in life sometimes? We are nurturing certain things in our lives to help us grow and then something unexpected comes in and diverts our energy. Even though that new unexpected focus may be wonderful in its own right it may not help us grow in the way that we should. I know for me I can get involved in too many things and I have to ask myself if I am growing or stifling, so then I must decide which beautiful weed to remove.
Kurt Peterson
Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019-Clarity
The radio talk show host and author Dennis Prager has a phrase he uses, clarity over agreement. I like that a lot. To me clarity is the beginning of understanding. Once I have clarity on an idea or thought I can better understand it. This is especially true with some of the beliefs of the church. There is a lot of misinformation out in the world about what Catholics believe. Even in our own pews there may be confusion about what the church believes and teaches. As a convert to Catholicism there were quite a few things I did not agree with but I took the time to read about them and why the church believes it that way. What I found is once I understood what the church was saying, I could accept it more easily. I have to admit that I still can have doubts on some things but I keep myself open to understanding.
Kurt Peterson
Reflections for Oct. 7-13, 2019
Monday, Oct. 7, 2019-Unique and Best
In 2015 at St. Patrick Parish in Weaverville, we decided to make our own Christmas cards to send to parishioners. We asked our 21 faith formation students (ranking from 1st grade to 8th grade; it is a small parish) to use their artistic skills. They did it passionately and with imagination. Now we have 21 cards. I suggested to Cathy Black (DRE) that we choose the best and scan and print as many copies of it to mail it to the parishioners. But she said, “no choosing; each one is unique, precious and best.” Thanks to Cathy for shedding light on my mind. In the end, we made a beautiful card making a collage of everyone’s picture.
Didn’t God do the same thing with his creation? God did create everything here on earth: unique, precious and best. If there is any comparison, blame it on the humans. Even each one of us is different and unique but precious and best in the eyes of God. So the same we should treat every creature here on earth.
Bony
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019-Do you not care? (Ref LK 10: 38-42)
Do people care? Do we care? The answers may vary. We may say ‘it depends’. We have generated a format for ourselves which is influenced by many factors that happen and affect our lives. So we say it depends. But how many times have we thought about God in our difficult times asking: ‘Lord, do you not care?’ or do we just give into numbness in our gut and even hesitant to talk to God. May be, we have not always welcomed God into our life in particular situations.
The story goes like this: Jesus is visiting with Martha and Mary. Martha is burdened with serving but her sister sat beside Jesus listening to him. Martha complained, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?” Jesus said that Mary chose the better part where as Martha is anxious and worried about many things. We may debate on the basics of hospitality. Whatever it may be, a conversation (talking and listening) is the start of hospitality. Most importantly, Jesus teaches a basic lesson to us: listen to God first and our anxieties and worries be lightened.
Bony
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019-Teach us to pray (Ref. LK 11:1-4)
Jesus was praying in a certain place; when finished, the disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ And Jesus said,” ‘when you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test." Thus we got a beautiful Lord’s Prayer and it has become a formal prayer. Even though it has become a formal prayer, when said it should always come from hearts rather than just from the lips.
Is it not the request of the disciples, “Lord, teach us to pray” itself a prayer? - An expression of one’s deep desire to be connected to our Father in heaven. Sitting by the side of Jesus and in the presence of God, when our minds wander with many things, pray to him - “Lord, teach me to pray.”
Bony
Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019-Friendship (Ref. LK 11: 5-13)
A survey finding is that one in 10 people do not have a close friend or even feel loved. There are many levels and types of friendship. With widespread social media there are many venues for people to connect. We all need to have healthy friendships. Jesus, in speaking about prayer mentions a friend who knocks at the door late at night. The needy friend was helped out despite all inconveniences.
How many of us can identify with that needy friend in Jesus’ story? Even if we need help we try to contain it within ourselves. Why bother others, I do not want to disturb, I can manage, etc. many times we hear things like that or sometimes we are shy, intimidated, prideful and ashamed to reach out for help. But in true friendship we would seek support when we are helpless for we trust that we won’t be turned down by our friend.
What does it prevent us from knocking, asking and seeking help from God?
Bony
Friday, Oct. 11-Personal God
Sometime ago, I read a novel written about the times of World War II; two girls were looking for help on how they could stop the war. They heard from the elders that only God could help. So, they were looking for God so that could talk to him. They saw a Catholic church and walked in there. It was the first time both were in a church. Seeing people standing in line for confession they thought God must be in there and they joined every one standing in line to see God. At their turn they entered the confessional (just imagine the old confessional or oratory) in the dim light. To their surprise it was a priest sitting there when they announced that they were there to see God. The story has many witty and serious situations. But many have asked where can we talk to God or find n answer instantly or whether all prayers are answered or how to hear from God.
In Jesus we have a personal God who really talks to us. But at times we look for an instant answer. However, we strongly believe that God has his own way of answering our prayers. Our ways are not always His ways. Talk to Jesus in our everyday life.
Bony
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019-Screen Time Vs God time
How much time we spend every day before the screen whether it is TV or computer or tablet or phone or all of them! Whether it is for work or pleasure we do spend a lot of time before the screen. Yes, we can feel incomplete and helpless when we have no access to screen time.
How about our God time? God time is that time when we graciously acknowledge God in that moment, whether we are alone or with family and friends or with community. It is the moment we ‘taste and see how good our God can be” (Ps. 34:8). Knowing the blessings we receive in our everyday life, how much more we need to give God time.
Bony
Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019-Real ID: Real ME
From October 1, to fly domestically a driver’s license is not enough for a passenger but now we need to have a Real ID. As we know that Real ID is an authentic identification of a person in the hands of the government authorities. It is a requirement for the protection and safety of everyone. At the same time there is always a concern about privacy and the possibility of a data breech.
But there is Real ME, the data God saves about us (Psalm 139). It is between me and God. This is made with a deeper relationship with God who loves and protects us from harm. There is no concern about privacy for God knows everything and others do not. And finally this Real ME is needed to fly to heaven. “Search me O Lord and know my heart; see if there is any evil way in me and lead me to everlasting life.” Amen (Ps.139: 24)
Bony
Reflections for Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2019
Monday September 30, 2019-Ninja Inspiration
In a variety of venues I’ve admitted (confessed) that I watch way too much television. Well, here I go again…when I need to relax and wash away the struggles of the day, especially the political animosity that exists today, I want to watch people who are actively supportive of one another, even in competition. What fills that bill for me is the program American Ninja Warriors. I usually sit, couch potato like, in my recliner and wonder at the physical abilities the contestants possess and how they must work to attain those abilities. Much more importantly for me, though, is the way in which they compete. They don’t put one another down but completely the opposite; they cheer one another on giving advice and encouragement and groaning when someone fails to complete an obstacle. They are totally uplifting for me and they give me the feeling that truly we can “…all just get along.” I am then able to take myself to bed and go to sleep peacefully because there is hope, not only for the athletes but for all of us, everyone, regardless of belief, race, gender or political persuasion. When I wake and start the new day the feelings I experienced the night before linger and I can be hopeful that my day will be one of cooperation and concern for others and hope that our differences won’t lead to anger and rancor but the sort of brother/sisterhood of the ANW’s.
Deacon David
Tuesday October 1, 2019-The Time is Now
Amongst the people/authors I most admire is a Benedictine nun, Sister Joan Chittister. In her book The Time is Now, she asks many, many questions of the reader, of me, that demand answers. She offers choices but she does not give pat answers. For instance, in chapter 2, she asks who is better, the “doers (aka martyrs) or the changers (aka prophets)” but, as I said, she offers no answer. Now I am left to wonder, is this truly a dilemma or can’t one possibly be both or neither. The overall point of the book, I think, is that we are at a time in history that requires the Christian, indeed, every believer in God, to step forward and proclaim, by word and/or deed, what their faith requires of them. I guess this means that for people of faith it is a dilemma or forced choice because if she is right our world requires that we take a stand…that we do something. We, every human on earth, Christian or otherwise, are God’s children and all are entitled to what God has created and that this world denies to so many. Alas, I did not see all of this until I was well out of my teens. Now that I’ve realized the imperative to choose, I want to say: Thanks be to the doers and changers of our time for leading the way.
Deacon David
Wednesday October 2, 2019-The Keeping of Days
As I write this I think about the days of the week. Where I live Wednesday is the night that I put out the trash bin and the green waste bin for pickup tomorrow morning. That means that if I don’t put them out tonight I might miss the pickup as they come quite early Thursday morning. The other days of the week carry their own obligations to which I’m (sort of) similarly bound. Jane and I like to assist at daily mass on Tuesdays and often Thursdays. While we attend whatever weekend mass suits our schedules we’ve kind of settled on the Saturday 5 pm mass as “our” mass. Mondays, following our mothers’ schedules of old, is usually the day we wash clothing and bedding. Yard work gets done when the mood strikes me. Sundays are often family get togethers, sharing a meal and stories. All that said it is a wonder to me that our lives mesh with so many others who share similar schedules in an orderly way. That puts me in mind of the Church Year schedule: Ordinary Time, Lent, Advent, Easter and Christmas and how I am called to put out the trash during Lent, prepare myself during Ordinary time and wash away the old year during Advent, celebrating during Easter and Christmas. How fortunate I am to have the seasons of the Church and the daily sequences of tasks that give order to my spiritual and human life.
Deacon David
Thursday October 3, 2019-We are SS. Peter & Paul
Recently I was privileged to preside at the commissioning ceremony of the Saints Peter and Paul Catechists. Almost two hundred people showed up wearing T-shirts proclaiming “worship+discipleship+service+community , We are SS.Peter & Paul” under a rendering of the front of our Church. Looking back at the mass where this occurred gave me, excuse me for saying, great pride. Yes, I am proud to be a part of the community of Saints Peter and Paul Church and to be numbered amongst the catechists. More so, I am happy to see and acknowledge all of the people who have accepted the designation of “co-owners” of the parish, because everyone who participates in educating, training and mentoring people into the Church can claim some ownership of it. So indeed we each are co owners. And lest I inadvertently leave anyone out, it is not only the catechists who are co-owners but anyone who gives their time, talent and treasure to care for the Church can assume the same status. It gives me not only pride in this community of believers but also a feeling of obligation to live up to my own responsibility of being a co-owner of the Church. It is for each of us to maintain this attitude of not just being a part of a parish but truly co-owning the parish with the responsibility that comes with that ownership. By the way, anyone can own that wonderful T-shirt and wear it proudly just by ordering one at the parish office. Done with commercial break.
Deacon David
Friday October 4, 2019-St. Francis
Today’s mass celebrates St. Francis of Assisi. The entrance antiphon is “Francis, the man of God, left his home behind, abandoned his inheritance and became poor and penniless, but the Lord raised him up.” How, I wonder, did this man become so very revered over the ages? The answer I have come to is reflected in the entrance antiphon…”man of God…left home…abandoned inheritance… becoming poor”. It seems that these characteristics are admired by everyone, regardless of religious background. These characteristics are also found in Pope Francis who has chosen the example of Francis to define his pontificate. Pope Francis, a man of God, left his home in Argentina, the comfort of his bishopric, disdained the princely trappings of his Papal office and has made serving the poor a central point of his papacy . I ask myself: how can I, an ordinary family man follow these models? Well, I can be a person of God by making Him central in the decisions of my life and by consciously taking Him with me when I leave home daily. I struggle with managing “wealth”, balancing personal responsibility with detachment. But I can take the example not only of the Pope but all those in our parish who serve the poor: the poor in spirit, the poor monetarily, the hungry and homeless and all those who reach out in need. On this day honoring St. Francis it is time for me to reassess and do as much as possible to be like him.
Deacon David
Saturday October 5, 2019-Saints Abound
This past week I’ve made reference to two Apostles of Christ: Sr. Joan Chittister and Pope Francis and how they are models of Christian behavior, giving of themselves and not having any retirement date in sight. Each are household names to many and are destined, in my estimation, for sainthood. That prospect got me to thinking about people, ordinary folk, who I’ve met in my life, and who, although unknown, are also destined for sainthood. When Jane and the children and I were posted to Kenya 50 years ago I thought that I’d be somewhat of a model of what a practicing Christian looked like. Wow, was I ever wrong! It was there that we observed daily how people cared for one another, including the “missionaries” who’d come to show them the way. There was not a time when we’d go to a village to visit a student or parishioner that we were not given something, not out of their excess but from their daily needs: an egg, a bowl of soup, a chicken or some fruit. It was given with a smile and not out of a sense of duty but of loving kinship as a human. We experienced similar behavior in other places we visited in Africa, Mexico and Europe. This is all to say that saints abound throughout the world and I value the lessons I’ve learned from them as well as from Sr. Joan and Pope Francis.
Deacon David
Sunday October 6, 2019-Increase My Faith
I wonder how many times I’ve asked God to, as the apostles do in today’s Gospel reading, “increase my faith”. Jesus ‘response to them, and by extension to me as well, was not an answer but a declarative statement beginning “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed…” That indicates to me that I’d better look inward closely to determine if I have faith at least the size of a mustard seed (very, very small) and whether I truly believe that my faith can move a mulberry tree or a mountain. I have heard many people say that they hope to increase their faith by attending various classes or events and I wonder if the gift of faith that I’ve been given can be increased or if that amount has been granted me as enough to get me through life. I pray often in thanks for the faith I’ve been given and I am fortunate enough to know exactly when I realized I’d gotten it. I didn’t know or much care about God until I was in my late teens when it became clear that I was acting out my life in a state of ignorance and I was graced with people who helped brush away several layers of ignorance. From that time on (I was baptized when I was 20) I’ve wondered if that gift has, or could be, grown. I think I’ve grown more aware of God in my life and those layers of ignorance continue to be brushed away but the faith I’ve been given may be just big enough. Thanks be to God my Father, Jesus my brother and the Holy Spirit, my guide.
Deacon David