One relatively new dimension to the GregCast is that I am gainfully employed as the Director of Liturgy and Music for my Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama. Each week, I like to send my team of folks a little reflection that points us to the following Sunday's Scripture, and what it can add to our ministry focus. Thanks to the joys of copying and pasting, I will include those reflection here whenever I think about it... So here's the latest:
Always Ready to Share a Reason for Hope!
This coming week, we begin the home stretch towards Pentecost and the true Easter call to live out our faith for a world that desperately needs it. Our purpose here, with these weekly reflection, is to always keep in mind the reason we sing, and the reason serve. Our song, helps others sing “The Song” of Christ’s love and promise for the world! This week, we’ll continue hearing advice from Peter, the fisherman who would be Pope… Peter, il primo Papa! “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear…” (1 Peter 3: 15-16) Let us all move through our week, our worship, and our lives, always ready to give evidence of God grace by the way we live and carry ourselves.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Monday, May 23, 2011
Free to Worship Without Fear!
Yesterday, there were another round of killer storms, this time in Joplin, MO. Too many are dead, and even more are left to pick up way too many pieces. From the folks in my neck of the wood here in Alabama, WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU!
Like last month, many will attempt to describe this act of nature as a sign of God's wrath, or His tool to help us all understand the true fragility of our humanity... Hence the response, We should all watch ourselves and be prepared, because next time, unless we change our ways, we might not be so lucky... We've been given another chance, so..."
For the record, I do not subscribe to such ways of thinking. Tragedy is just that... Tragic! It is not a tool, nor is it a way of saying something. God does not use such events to "slap us into submission", rather He is here with us when we fall. He is here with us, when trouble comes to town. He is here with us when the people He loves need him most. God is with us, always!
Jimmy Buffett is on my mind a lot lately, and here's a lyric from the song "Breathe In, Breathe Out (Move On)" from the Bama Breeze collection. It was written with the people of Katrina in mind, but it is oh so perfect for times like these:
I bought a cheap watch from a crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says now
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And If I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
The song goes on to reassure us of what we already know... "That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger!" May the people of Missouri do as the people of Alabama have done... Help one another and be the hands and feet of the Lord, for as the Canticle of Zech* says, "We are free to worship [and work with the Lord] without fear", for God is with us, and is here to help us all "breathe in, breath out, and move on"!
* CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH (Luke 1:68 – 79)
Like last month, many will attempt to describe this act of nature as a sign of God's wrath, or His tool to help us all understand the true fragility of our humanity... Hence the response, We should all watch ourselves and be prepared, because next time, unless we change our ways, we might not be so lucky... We've been given another chance, so..."
For the record, I do not subscribe to such ways of thinking. Tragedy is just that... Tragic! It is not a tool, nor is it a way of saying something. God does not use such events to "slap us into submission", rather He is here with us when we fall. He is here with us, when trouble comes to town. He is here with us when the people He loves need him most. God is with us, always!
Jimmy Buffett is on my mind a lot lately, and here's a lyric from the song "Breathe In, Breathe Out (Move On)" from the Bama Breeze collection. It was written with the people of Katrina in mind, but it is oh so perfect for times like these:
I bought a cheap watch from a crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says now
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And If I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
The song goes on to reassure us of what we already know... "That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger!" May the people of Missouri do as the people of Alabama have done... Help one another and be the hands and feet of the Lord, for as the Canticle of Zech* says, "We are free to worship [and work with the Lord] without fear", for God is with us, and is here to help us all "breathe in, breath out, and move on"!
* CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH (Luke 1:68 – 79)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Walking the Call Day to Day
In my world, and I'm sure its true for others, Saturday mornings are sacred. Maybe I shouldn't use such a special word for such a day other than the Sabbath, nor do I want to open up that argument; I'm just thinking that the quiet of a Saturday morning, with nothing to do makes for a joyous moment!
On the other hand, the spirit with which I write this should also be the Spirit that I take to my prayer life, and that time that I am trying to walk this path that has been chosen for and with me. A faith journey is definitely day to day, and should not just be celebrated when there is extra time.
The goal, therefore, is to harness this moment and make sure that it is a reality on Monday at 6:15am, or Tuesday at 10:45am, or Wednesday at 1:23pm, or Thursday at 4:15pm, or Friday at 5:00pm. Whether this time next week is relaxing or not, I hope that we all can say that we've taken "Our Time" each day to simply relax in the Spirit!
On the other hand, the spirit with which I write this should also be the Spirit that I take to my prayer life, and that time that I am trying to walk this path that has been chosen for and with me. A faith journey is definitely day to day, and should not just be celebrated when there is extra time.
The goal, therefore, is to harness this moment and make sure that it is a reality on Monday at 6:15am, or Tuesday at 10:45am, or Wednesday at 1:23pm, or Thursday at 4:15pm, or Friday at 5:00pm. Whether this time next week is relaxing or not, I hope that we all can say that we've taken "Our Time" each day to simply relax in the Spirit!
Friday, May 14, 2010
50 Ways to Get Through Easter: A Pulsating Soul & Clean Underwear!
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15: 13)
Easter Day #40 & #41:
A Pulsating Soul and Clean Underwear!
It’s 5:00pm on a Friday, and I’m looking back on a busy week, with a big weekend ahead!
Today’s quick installment, points to a faith that PULSATES with life and a SOUL that stays as clean a new pair of underwear!
Because its Easter (41 days have passed since Easter Sunday), it is becoming quite repetitive when I challenge all to live their faith, so I will not elaborate. I’ll just use a new word for the same ‘ol glorious challenge... Does your faith PULSATE, like blood through the vein? Does it flow throughout the “Body of Christ”, bringing life to the hands and feet of our Lord in you and me? I hope so, because WE need it, and WE need you!
Another focus has to be our SOUL! We can see the action of faith, flowing through the world, like blood in the artery! But the SOUL is different... You can’t see the SOUL, but you’ve got one. You can’t feel the SOUL, but it helps you feel your way through life. You can’t touch the SOUL, but when you see the work of God in your midst, your SOUL is touched! There is so much mystery around the SOUL, yet it is as tangible as any other part of us; so I will go ahead and make this not so comfortable analogy... The SOUL is like a pair of underwear. When its worn and old, you want a new pair, and when it is new and clean, you feel good all under!
I’ll stop there so I don’t get in trouble, but if you live your faith in a way that gives life to all, like a PULSATING vein, and you keep your SOUL clean, like a new pair of underwear, than all shall be well... Remember, the best thing we can do is give life to our friends. A close second, would be to follow that age-old advice from your mother, and make sure you wear clean underwear! :)
Easter Day #40 & #41:
A Pulsating Soul and Clean Underwear!
It’s 5:00pm on a Friday, and I’m looking back on a busy week, with a big weekend ahead!
Today’s quick installment, points to a faith that PULSATES with life and a SOUL that stays as clean a new pair of underwear!
Because its Easter (41 days have passed since Easter Sunday), it is becoming quite repetitive when I challenge all to live their faith, so I will not elaborate. I’ll just use a new word for the same ‘ol glorious challenge... Does your faith PULSATE, like blood through the vein? Does it flow throughout the “Body of Christ”, bringing life to the hands and feet of our Lord in you and me? I hope so, because WE need it, and WE need you!
Another focus has to be our SOUL! We can see the action of faith, flowing through the world, like blood in the artery! But the SOUL is different... You can’t see the SOUL, but you’ve got one. You can’t feel the SOUL, but it helps you feel your way through life. You can’t touch the SOUL, but when you see the work of God in your midst, your SOUL is touched! There is so much mystery around the SOUL, yet it is as tangible as any other part of us; so I will go ahead and make this not so comfortable analogy... The SOUL is like a pair of underwear. When its worn and old, you want a new pair, and when it is new and clean, you feel good all under!
I’ll stop there so I don’t get in trouble, but if you live your faith in a way that gives life to all, like a PULSATING vein, and you keep your SOUL clean, like a new pair of underwear, than all shall be well... Remember, the best thing we can do is give life to our friends. A close second, would be to follow that age-old advice from your mother, and make sure you wear clean underwear! :)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Consciousness!
“As the number of disciples continued to grow,... The word of God continued to spread...” (Acts 6: 1,7)
Today’s word: Consciousness!
The faith is alive and well, and many families in my area are CONSCIOUS of its presence in our midst. Today, my parish celebrated it’s First Communion with 121 2nd Graders! Sure they were cute, and they followed every direction we gave them... But most of all, they were filled with the presence of Jesus Christ for all to see! Because of the children, EVERYBODY in the Church was truly aware of the purpose of Church: We assemble as one community, singing God’s praises, fed by His Body and Blood.
If seeing is believing, then I saw Christ! If experience is everything, then I’ve seen it all! I’m CONSCIOUS today of Christ in my life, because I’ve seen Him in my midst. Try your best today to experience your faith in a way that makes God real. Look at the sky, listen to the birds, or even James Taylor... Just experience grace, and you will see!
That’s how this faith of ours grows... When the number of witnesses increases, the Word of God spreads! But that is only true if you share what you witness. Help people experience faith today in a CONSCIOUS way!
Today’s word: Consciousness!
The faith is alive and well, and many families in my area are CONSCIOUS of its presence in our midst. Today, my parish celebrated it’s First Communion with 121 2nd Graders! Sure they were cute, and they followed every direction we gave them... But most of all, they were filled with the presence of Jesus Christ for all to see! Because of the children, EVERYBODY in the Church was truly aware of the purpose of Church: We assemble as one community, singing God’s praises, fed by His Body and Blood.
If seeing is believing, then I saw Christ! If experience is everything, then I’ve seen it all! I’m CONSCIOUS today of Christ in my life, because I’ve seen Him in my midst. Try your best today to experience your faith in a way that makes God real. Look at the sky, listen to the birds, or even James Taylor... Just experience grace, and you will see!
That’s how this faith of ours grows... When the number of witnesses increases, the Word of God spreads! But that is only true if you share what you witness. Help people experience faith today in a CONSCIOUS way!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Carpe Diem!
“But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” (John 3: 21)
Today’s word(s): Carpe Diem!
Today I’m reminded of the old Saturday Night Live, Weekend Update gags with Chevey Chase and Gilda Radner as Emily Latella. If she were here today, and God bless Gilda’s place in our lives, she would say: “What’s all this fuss about a latin phrase meaning “the day of seizing fish?” Leave the Carps alone! Give them their day! Help them remain free and ...” (Chevy would interrupt and say) Uh, Ms. Latella... Ms. Latella! The phrase is Carpe Diem, and it means “seize the day”! It has nothing to do with carp, or any other fish for that matter.” Ms. Latella would respond, “Well, that’s different isn’t it? Never mind.”
Today’s words are “Carpe Diem”, a very familiar phrase indeed. It does call us to seize the day, and it does bring to mind an element of the Gospel quote above. We act on our faith in the light, so that ALL WILL SEE the glory of God! If we seize this DAY, and we ACT on our faith, then all will know of the love of CHRIST! So, seize your day today, and help the world know of this Easter miracle. Tell them, or show them; just make sure you bring them the light of our Lord’s peace, love and understanding!
And that’s your “Weekend Update” for today!
Today’s word(s): Carpe Diem!
Today I’m reminded of the old Saturday Night Live, Weekend Update gags with Chevey Chase and Gilda Radner as Emily Latella. If she were here today, and God bless Gilda’s place in our lives, she would say: “What’s all this fuss about a latin phrase meaning “the day of seizing fish?” Leave the Carps alone! Give them their day! Help them remain free and ...” (Chevy would interrupt and say) Uh, Ms. Latella... Ms. Latella! The phrase is Carpe Diem, and it means “seize the day”! It has nothing to do with carp, or any other fish for that matter.” Ms. Latella would respond, “Well, that’s different isn’t it?
Today’s words are “Carpe Diem”, a very familiar phrase indeed. It does call us to seize the day, and it does bring to mind an element of the Gospel quote above. We act on our faith in the light, so that ALL WILL SEE the glory of God! If we seize this DAY, and we ACT on our faith, then all will know of the love of CHRIST! So, seize your day today, and help the world know of this Easter miracle. Tell them, or show them; just make sure you bring them the light of our Lord’s peace, love and understanding!
And that’s your “Weekend Update” for today!
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