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Reflections for July 13-19, 2020
July 13, 2020 - Imperfect and Fragile
I was explaining mortal sin and venial sin to an adult group in a session on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To give an example, I began by saying, “if I deliberately sin knowing the gravity of the action…,” suddenly one of the participants blurted out: “you sin?” I paused and went on to explain this was just an example. Later, I realized that I didn't really answer the important question: “you sin?” I was pausing to be self-righteous.
Whoever we are, we are just fragile human beings and we are not perfect. How could anyone pose to be self-righteous when in thoughts, words and deeds we fail to do our part! The only person born of a woman who has not sinned is Christ. But He takes away our sins leading us to reconciliation with God and with our brothers and sisters. Knowing our imperfections and fragility can help us to be vigilant and hence lead to perfection in Christ.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Bony
July 14, 2020 - Mea Culpa
The world is going through a big pandemic and we know it is spreading all over the world. We pray that it gets controlled soon. When it began spreading in our country in March there was lots of anxiety and fear and still it is here. After reading the news, I was talking to Michelle Pfister, one of our parish staff about the management of Covid-19 in our country. In great frustration about the leadership and with a feeling of helplessness, I exploded :”Idiots!” I was not happy how things were being handled. But Michelle gently corrected me saying, “Father, please don’t call anyone idiots.” I realized that I committed a big sin of anger. Mea culpa!
It is not about a ‘none of my business’ attitude rather it’s about having dignified respect for others. So, do not despise anyone or belittle anyone (Reference Matthew 5:22). Yes, as a true follower of Christ let me put on Christ who had great respect for others, be it a sinner or a just man.
“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
Bony
July 15, 2020 - Earthen Vessel
A couple of years ago, when I began cooking homey food, I was using steel pots and vessels. My mentors were my 3 sisters in turn; I used dotted notes as they dictated. Sometimes online, waking them up in the middle of the night while I am cooking was fun for me but not for them. I was advised to use earthen pots for cooking especially for fish curry. Eventually, they bought some pots and seasoned them for me. These are handmade and unique ones. I brought them here and now I use earthen vessels for cooking. The change in taste is obvious. It is delicious! It is not because of the cook but because of the earthen vessel.
Look at each of us. God has carefully made each one of us with uniqueness. We are His seasoned earthen vessels. With His Grace, let us be tasty treats for others.
“Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:7)
Bony
July 16, 2020 - Not Alone
Are you not feeling lonely? We priests get this question often. [No one is alone; remember Jesus’ promise “I will be with you always.” (Matthew 28:20). The question here is not about that, but about human acquaintances] Many times I have even asked myself the same question. During the early days of priestly life, I did feel lonely sometimes. I thought I would get used to it or get adjusted to it eventually. After a while I realized that the truth is that though alone, I am not lonely. The people I serve and live with in my parish are with me; I am with them in their emotions and thoughts. How can I be lonely when I am part of their feelings, issues, and graces? I might feel lonely if I were rejected and denied by my people with their frustrations. But I am fortunate that I never had such situations; I never had such a mishap. Sometimes, very rarely, when someone has some issues, I totally understand their emotions and pray for them.
I want to comment that for the past four months I haven’t had contact in person with families and people in the parish, but I haven’t felt lonely. Moreover, we are all going through this, people around us are going through THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME. Everywhere, there is lots of discouraging news. But my positive energy is SSPP families. I am so grateful to SSPP FAMILIES - you’re my family! I am not alone, you are with me!
Bony
July 17, 2020 - Dependence on Providential Care
What to wear? What to eat? Where to stay? - Genuine concerns of every human being! Jesus says ‘Don’t be worried about food, clothes …Father knows that you need them all” (Mathew 6: 25 & 32). I remember meeting a young man, the only breadwinner of the family. He was on the verge of losing his job. While sharing his concern about a job to sustain his family, he said, “I am not worried about my tomorrow. Nothing happens in my life without His knowledge. After my studies, not a single day have I remained without a job. He brings me fortune through ways which I have never imagined.” His tearful eyes spoke volumes of God’s providential care in his life.
I am sure we all have experienced this loving care of our Heavenly Father, ‘who knows our needs’ and provides. “Worry is an insult to our Father!” – Why do we need to worry when we have a loving Father to whom we are precious? Let us pray for the grace to grow in the awareness that God is constantly watching over us, taking stock of our needs and fulfilling them in time. In this time of living in the fearful situation caused by Covid – 19, let us be hopeful and have faith in the caring love of our Abba. – “He will not allow your foot to slip …The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.” (Psalms 121: 5)
Bony
July 18, 2020 - Rest
How does one spend a normal day? We engage in a series of actions. It could be solo or involve others, friends, family, colleagues, etc. Generally those actions may tire us physically and mentally. But sometimes they could be stressful and might carry over days; things such as an uncompleted task, plans for another day, or conflicts in our relationships with others and so on. And it can give us a difficult night, for we are busy sorting out the day’s businesses. How can one leave behind everything before going to bed and be completely free from any stress and have a good rest? “When you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24)
It took me awhile to learn how to go to bed completely free of mind. “How do you do that”? some ask. It was not easy to shut down the mind and relax. Abstaining from media and devices before going to bed helped a little bit but not completely. I realized that I alone cannot do this. I turned to God for help. I created a state of mind – ‘do your part sincerely, and at the end of the day entrust everything in the hands of God. Just like God rested after creation it is your turn to rest’. I give my being to God and sleep well. God is the one who gave us sleep-time. “I lie down and I fall asleep, and I will wake up, for the LORD sustains me.” (Psalms 3:6)
Bony
July 19, 2020 - My Being
I was invited to bless a Doppler Ultrasound Machine donated to Sierra Pregnancy & Health Clinic, Roseville by the Knights of Columbus, Folsom on June 30, 2020. I was so impressed to witness what the machine does. There was a willing pregnant volunteer ready for the scan. We all saw a 26 week old baby on the screen. This was my first experience in life seeing a baby in the womb. It was an unexplainable heart throbbing experience. I stood in awe of God’s creation. An electrical impulse ran across my body as I remembered my mother and God.
In gratitude I just pray Psalm 139: 13-16 “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know. My bones are not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, fashioned in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me unformed; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be.”
Bony
Reflections for July 6-12, 2020
Monday, July 6, 2020 - Time Keeps On
The Steve Miller band sang in the 80’s “Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future….”, and the recent 59th Anniversary celebration of Father Dillon’s ordination to the priesthood brought that to my mind. In 2003 Jane and I moved to Placer County from Southern California and had the good fortune of being in the parish jurisdiction of Saints Peter and Paul. The first Sunday mass we attended had us warmly greeted in the narthex by “himself”, Fr. Dillon. He recognized us as newcomers and asked our names and, for the next week and thereafter, didn’t forget them. Since then Fr. Dillon has retired but continues to be a friend as well as a mentor. He is the one who often said that he read with the newspaper in one hand and the bible in the other and crafted his homilies using both of those for input. I’ve tried to emulate what Fr. Dillon has modeled in my own teaching and preaching. Of late the pandemic has removed me from participation in the church and on the altar due to my age and I can sympathize with other parishioners who are similarly distanced. It is true that time does slip away along with treasured relationships but we can enjoy the memories and knowledge that we have been fed with the Eucharist, the Word and one another as we look forward to experiencing those things again. Thank God for our time together.
Deacon David
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 – Reading It or Living it?
As a youth I was so proud of my reading that I tended to exaggerate what I’d read. In Mrs. Stanton’s 5th grade class she once asked me what I’d read over Easter break. I immediately said War and Peace. She followed up with the question, “…abridged or unabridged?” Without hesitation I replied unabridged. Truth was I didn’t know the difference. She, however, just went along with it. Since then I’ve actually read War and Peace and many other works of fiction and nonfiction. People often ask if I’ve read the Bible and, unlike my reply to Mrs. Stanton, I tell the truth: no, I haven’t read it from start to finish though I’ve probably actually read most of it. I admire our Protestant brothers and sisters who put great store in being able to quote the bible, chapter and verse but I’ll never be able to do that. What I cling to in my Catholicism is knowing and trying to live the principles revealed in the Scriptures through the model of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When my life on earth is finished I hope to have the time to read all of the books I’ve wanted to, foremost the Bible. Reading is a great gift; I have tried to give it to my children but didn’t start with War and Peace! But more importantly, I realize the importance of trying to model what living what’s in the Book looks like
Deacon David
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 - Room for All
You’ve probably heard my “story” of growing up without knowing or wondering about God and proclaiming myself an atheist without knowing what an atheist was or believed. Then I had the good luck of falling in love with a practicing Catholic who, with her family, gently taught me about living a faith. I tell this story again and again to let people know that God leaves room for everybody in His church. St. Stephen’s, where I was baptized, was pretty much Caucasian but over the years became integrated with people of color. Today it is mostly attended by people from various parts of Asia. At times when Jane and I visit our sons in New York, we go to mass at a “gay friendly” Catholic church and find people of various gender and color worshipping with the same liturgy and fervor as we have at our parish. There was a time, in my ignorance, when I wondered about people who didn’t look or act like me going to the Catholic Church and then I came to the truth that God created and loves all of us, each one, warts and all. I often think about how a patient God has given me the time to grow slowly out of my ignorance and realize that everyone, regardless of gender, skin color or even belief is a sister or brother. I’d like them all to enjoy the faith I’ve been given but they are entitled to the same patient God I now know. There is room for everybody.
Deacon David
Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Laid Off
Recently our Bishop instructed all the parishes in the Sacramento Diocese to limit active ordained and lay ministers to those less than 65 years old: Priests, Deacons, Lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers and so on. Some of us have been “laid off. I’ve been inside the church and seen how it is partitioned and how personal contact with anyone other than family members is prohibited. Saints Peter and Paul has the reputation of being a most friendly and welcoming community and it hurts me to see that that cannot be during this pandemic. It also hurts me to know that those who do attend must wear masks and perhaps gloves and can’t see the smiles of others or even perhaps, hear them singing. The Good News is that this will not last forever and we will be back to noisily greeting one another, sitting within six feet of another, filing up to receive Communion and meeting for donuts after mass. Please pray for those of us who have been “laid off” and know that we miss you and long to be in your presence. Remember that our Lord Jesus was separated from his family and friends on the cross and wondered aloud to his Father about why this was being done. Our task during our separation is to understand that we don’t know God’s plan but to accept, as Jesus did, and remain steadfast in our faith awaiting our return to fellowship and Eucharistic communion. Now, let us pray.
Deacon David
Friday, July 10, 2020 - Prophets Amongst Us
A Greek philosopher wrote an essay which, boiled down, opined “…the only constant is change.” This past Wednesday I wrote about how my life has changed. That led me to think about other changes I’ve witnessed including in my own family. My Dad, R.I.P., worked with and had friends of color, but he often referred to them at home with common racial slurs. At the time I accepted those slurs as “…just the way it was.” Over the years I too have worked with and been friends with people of color and various ethnic and religious backgrounds and today I would not accept another’s use of racial slurs or putdowns. I would like to think that I do this with the fervor I equate with the prophets of the bible but I fear I fall short many times. Jesus himself stood up and spoke for those who were shunned by the establishment. Jesus, remember, was of a Semitic race, not considered, as He is often depicted, as “white”. While his message was directed to the Jews, He included the gentiles: you and me. NO exclusions. That, I think, is what today’s “prophets” are retelling. Baptism calls us all to be prophets, now I just need to find the strength and the words.
Deacon David
Saturday, July 11, 2020 - Sharing
I’ve written a couple of times before of our (Jane’s and mine) affection for our parish and the people, who are remarkable for their widely known welcoming and helping attitudes. Amongst the many I have come to call friends there are several who have impressed me with their selflessness, both men and women. One example is a man of some years who shares not only his material possessions but his many talents and gifts. For instance, he is a gifted craftsman and has a great woodworking shop in which he has produced actual works of art with various types of lumber. I mentioned to him about a “neighborhood” book exchange box I’d seen in a Sacramento neighborhood and how I’d like to replicate such a box at my home. Awhile later I came home one day to find such a box and stand waiting to be installed in my front yard. Jane and I have now been able to pass along many of our accumulated books, fiction and non-fiction, via this box. There are other such people who offer their talents, possessions and gifts for others in need of those talents. I could write for days about the volunteers for the various ministries but those volunteers, much like my woodworking friend, would doubtlessly say something like “Oh, it was nothing” and then keep on sharing and giving. Thanks to all of you who give so generously of yourselves and give me something to shoot for. God bless you.
Deacon David
Sunday July 12,2020 - Saints Peter and Paul
On June 29th the Feast Day of Ss P & P slipped by without the parish being able to celebrate our namesakes together so I thought I’d return to June just to send a sort of late greeting card. Our two Saints weren’t friends and according to church historians differed on many aspects of what has become the Catholic faith. They didn’t, as far as I know, have any serious arguments but they were in disagreement. They are excellent Saints for us to emulate today as despite their disagreements, they agreed on Jesus, the Christ (Anointed). Today there are folks in the church who may disagree about how we should worship Jesus. There are traditionalists and there are progressives. There are those who revere one Pope over another and those who look for someone of a different bent. Some remember the “good old days” and some are looking forward to change. What we all have, though, is a desire to go to Church and be fed: fed with the Word, with the Eucharist and with one another’s presence. We seek the Good News of the Gospels. We, like Peter and Paul, may not “do” our faith in the same way but we share THE faith. So, perhaps I’ll take a moment to raise a glass to those two great men who are pillars of the church, think about and give thanks for the fact of their diversity and ours as we all journey together towards God.
Deacon David