Cultivating our Vineyard through Baptism

A few days ago I had the honor of baptizing my niece’s daughter.  This event was extra special to me because I had assisted at their Nuptial Mass.  It was a blessing for me to see this young couple’s growth in faith and love as shown through the baptism of their daughter.  I was reminded that our Catholic faith is a living and active faith that is calling us to respond to God’s love.

My niece and her husband have responded to God’s love by being active members in their Catholic faith and by following the teaching of the Church.  They have started their daughter on a journey that should cumulative with an eternity with God our father.  I find comfort in the thought that I could one day rejoin my departed family members praising God in heaven with all of his angels and saints.

The Gospel readings over the last few Sundays were about working in vineyards. God is telling us we have our own vineyards to work in.  My niece and her husband have found their vineyard. It is the raising of their daughter in the Catholic faith.  They will continue to cultivate the graces their daughter received at baptism. They will weed out any evil that tries to ensnare her.  They will give her the tools necessary to work in her own vineyard as she grows.

This would be a great time to recall your own baptismal promises.  Use the graces received through this sacrament to be fruitful.  Cultivate the vineyard God has entrusted to you.

Thoughts on Catechetical Sunday

This is from the Column I wrote for our Church Bulletin dated September 21, 2015.  It includes some words from a talk I gave at a retreat for our catechist.  Some of these thoughts were also included in my post of August 10, 2014.

Today the Church is celebrating Catechetical Sunday. This is when we recognize those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists. The word catechist comes from the Greek word “echo”. Catechists are people who echo the Word of God. Catechists teach those who seek to learn more about the Catholic faith. This includes our children in CCD classes (Parish School of Religion) and those in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity for all, not just catechist, to reflect on the role that every person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is a time for all to rededicate themselves to this mission of being a witness to the Gospels as a Catholic community of faith.

The Vatican II document Lumen Gentium states that in the Church not everyone walks along the same path, yet all are called to holiness. By Baptism we are all incorporated into Christ and become the people of God. We each play a unique part in continuing the mission of Jesus in the church and in the world. Lumen Gentium also talks about the vocation of the laity. Vocation is defined as God’s invitation to love and serve him and his church in a particular state or way of life. The laity’s vocation flows from the grace of Baptism. It is the special vocation of all to seek the kingdom of God. We show this by the witness of our life as we illuminate Christ to others. The National Directory for Catechist further emphasizes the vocational call by stating that the ministry of a catechist is a vocation, an interior call, the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Have you considered that through Baptism you are given a vocation? Have you thought about how God has given you an invitation to love and serve him through the passing on of the faith to others? This vocation, this invitation by God to serve him, guides your heart, mind and soul. It is the reason why catechist set aside time for prayer and preparation to teach both our children and adults who desire to learn more about the Catholic faith.

Strengthen your Baptismal vocation at every opportunity. Include in your spiritual life personal prayer time, a love of the Trinity, faithful practice of our Catholic beliefs, be convinced of the truth of our Catholic faith, have a devotion to Holy Mary and actively participate in our parish community, especially Sunday Eucharist. The strength of your spiritual life is an important component to your vocation. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Be guided and strengthen in your vocation.

Discernment of the Internet

I try to stay current with Church news and events throughout the world.  I feel this helps me in my Diaconate and as an active Catholic practicing my faith.  I think we all should all be aware of what is going on in the universal Church.  I gleam most of my news from blogs and Catholic news on the internet.  I have found the one thing that attracts the most attention in blogs and on Catholic news sites are stories about Pope Frances.  This is especially true when he grants spontaneous interviews.  I like these types of interviews.  They seem to give a truer portrayal of the faith of Pope Frances.  I noticed over time though how some bloggers immediately write a post trying to explain the meaning behind the words of Pope Frances.  Others immediately denounce his words and decried the fate of the Catholic Church.  Some writers try to shade their comments but the negativism still comes through.

I need to remember that God has given us free will and this includes disagreeing with the thoughts and writings of others.  I do lament the lack of any attempt by some writers to search for a more spiritual meanings to the words of Pope Frances.   Some writers immediately take his words at face value never considering that he may be deliberately calling us to examine our own Catholic faith and actions.  Pope Frances could also be evangelizing others by given them the opportunity to reexamine their own faith in the light of Catholic teachings.  Some writers assign a meaning to his words as if only they themselves know the heart and mind of Pope Frances.

It would be good to remember that blogs, including this one, express opinions only.  The posts are thoughts, opinions and interpretations by the writer.  There are very good blogs on the web that convey excellent Catholic spirituality.  There are many good news websites that report Catholic news with personal commentary clearly labeled.  I recommend we stay current in Church news but remember a college degree or a job description does not necessarily make one an expert.

Continue to search the internet for Catholic news and aids to spiritual growth.  I would recommend you respect the writings and thoughts of others while forming your own opinions.  Always keep yourself open to the Holy Spirit.  Discern what you read in the light of the teachings of Jesus Christ and Church.  The prayer of St. Isidore of Seville, Patron Saint of the Internet.

Almighty and eternal God, 
who created us in Thine image and bade us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful, 

especially in the divine person of Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, 

grant, we beseech Thee, 

that, through the intercession of Saint Isidore, Bishop and Doctor, 

during our journeys through the internet 

we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to Thee 

and treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter. 

Through Christ our Lord. 

 Amen.

Gathered together in His name

My wife and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary by visiting Walt Disney World in Florida. Spending a week at Disney World is really not a unique thing for us as both my wife and I enjoy Disney World. The employees are trained to treat everyone special and for a few days you can forget the demands of the world.

On our drive home I thought back on our trips to Disney World and wondered why we would go there so many times. Yes the employees are all nice but it has to be more than just the employees. The Sunday Mass readings from the Gospel of Matthew (18:15-20) may shed some light on my thoughts particularly: 

     "For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
     there am I in the midst of them.”

Now I am going to use a very simplistic view of this verse. Growing up I would always think Jesus was talking about gathering in a church, an actual building. It is where I would see people praying together as a group. Now imagine a group gathering everyday but at Disney World.  Every morning during our stay at Disney World my wife and I would go stand in a line to wait for the Disney World transportation. Each day the numbered of people waiting for these buses would vary. Some mornings there were only 4 or 5 people waiting while other mornings there would be close to 50 persons in line. The number of people in line never made a difference though because you always waited in the morning heat for the bus. The unique thing is everyone was happy and smiling.  During the long day of walking you could still see smiling, happy faces. I would see people helping others throughout the day and at the end of a long hot day they would give up their seat on the bus to those who seemed to need it more.

Our praying, our gathering together in the name of Jesus is more than reciting prayers.  It is a way of life. When we gather together in happiness and love we reflect our love of Jesus. Love is the prayer of Jesus. We are offering up to Jesus his prayer when we show love to others.

Maybe it is not the rides and attractions that bring us back to Disney World every year. Maybe it is the happiness and contentment that comes from gathering together in the love of God. Does Disney World give some the opportunity to love Jesus without our vanities getting in the way? I am sure each of us has a place we like to visit that seems to be perfect for us. Where we can let go of worldly expectations, let our guard down and truly be who God created us to be. Where is your place? Find it and try to keep that feeling with you even as you return to your daily routine. God is love. Gather together in love of neighbor and Jesus will be with you.