Summer time rages on here in the deep south, even though the calendar says it's just a few days old. Don't tell that to us here in southeast Louisiana. Not that I need additional reasons to dislike summer but man it sure has been wet; both rainy and uncomfortable high humidity. Tonight, as I arrived home from work, my intent was to cut even more grass. Alas, the conditions don't seem good to be driving a heavy tractor across the lawn and pasture. So I find myself inside on this Monday night, no grass to cut and an evening free from any ministry appointments.
Being this is a Monday, I took note this morning that more than a handful of my deacon buddies on Facebook went to great lengths to post happy Monday thoughts. It is very common for the vast majority of us, especially the working stiffs, to have a bad attitude towards our Mondays. Ironically, we would all be on Facebook just days earlier praising our Fridays, Saturdays and glorious Sundays. The impact on me, from these uplifting posts this morning, was to contemplate the gift of Monday and the responsibility to see Monday as another day that is pure gift from God. I need to apply the same attitude to summer as a season for summer too is pure gift from God. So tonight I hope with some confidence that I can pray that all had a beautiful Monday!
Over the past few days I have really been enjoying the ordination Mass, then the Masses of Thanksgiving, for the two newly ordained Priests affiliated with EWTN. I so enjoyed the ordination on TV that I plan to lobby our Archdiocese to televise these awesome celebrations. Today's Mass featured the preaching of Deacon Chase Hilgenbrinck, a good friend of the newly ordained Priest, who is well known because he gave up a lucrative professional soccer career to follow God's will and become a Priest. I plan on providing a link later on tonight to read up on his story!
Also, over the past few days, I have been concerned, yet not discouraged, about the continuing attacks on Catholicism in our every increasing secular society. I posted about the recent comments by former President Carter; utterly disgusting and remarkably uninformed. This week we will see more anti-Catholic venom whenever the Supreme Court rules on the two marriage cases before them. Whether the outcome affirms God's designed plan for man or caves to the whims of the times, count on a good dose of anti-Catholic commentary.
You know, forces of this world and the common culture, is not new to the Church. Even with the modern day attacks, the insults over our affirming the truth as it pertains to things like marriage, women ordination and the like, the Church cannot compromise and, in the end She cannot lose. I guess the real question is how firm can our resolve be in an ever loud and noisy opposition to God's plan. Even worse, I find the weak-kneed Catholics, many CINO, who are all too eager to side with the prince of this world over the King of Kings. I do notice, however, that my main emotion these days is not anger, or even a need to lash out at the critics of holy Mother Church, but rather extreme disappointment and maybe even sadness that so many of Her sons & daughters can be so easily deceived.
Yesterday brought an opportunity, as a Deacon, to be at a Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of our diocese. Our parish neighbors to the south at Mary Queen of Peace Parish were celebrating their 25th anniversary. They indeed have much to celebrate as this parish has grown to huge numbers and more importantly huge ministry accomplishments in His Name!! It was an honor to be there, along with about a dozen other Deacons, about 24 Priests and 2 Archbishops, Aymond of New Orleans and Rodi from Mobile.
So tonight, I am preparing for Monday dinner and a terrific Tuesday! And I won't even let summer get me down!!
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