Being Open to the Needs of God's People

Gospel of the Day: Lk 13:22-30


This is the final line from today's Gospel. "For behold, some are last who will be first,and some are first who will be last.” This is an important line to think about and to carry with us always. The whole Gospel passage comes down to having a relationship with Christ and serving him as He has called us.
Today here at Mundelein, the academic department informed me that I would not be able to do an independant study. They gave some superficial reasons, but the truth is something different. The class was to be in the area of practicing and becoming comortable with leading the sacraments in spanish, plus becoming more familiar with the hispanic cultural expressions of faith. They said no without thinking. Of course, me being the one in charge of my own formation, I am appealing their decision and where it will go, we will see.
Within this experience, I find that last line of the Gospel, the first will be last and the last will be first. I will do what I need to do to make sure that I will be able to serve the people I am called to serve as fluently as possible. Who are to be first in my ministry, the people of God and their needs. Who will be last? Those that see no need for anything, those that do not want to come into relationship with Christ. Those that have it all figured out, those that do not care what happens or what you need. Now, we still reach out to them and offer our own example and the example of the Church, but they have to make the act of faith. They have to move into the relationship. Christ is ready and willing to have a relationship. It is these people especially that I pray for and hope they see before it is to late and Christ says, "I do not know where you are from." Rev. Mr. Arthur Nave Jr.

What people see in the ordained

Who or what do people see in the ordained? Tonight I had my first experience of being at a call as a deacon in my roman collar. It was quite interesting. I was coming back from having dinner with the last two of my guests, whom were in town for the ordination, and their sister. The pager went off and I was only about a half mile away. I pull up and the police officer was waiting in his car for the ambulance so I pulled past to the next property and waited for the ambulance. Once they arrived we went in and I was standing back just being present in case they needed anything. I did a couple of menial things, not to much. One of the police officers came up and asked me if I was Catholic and ordained. I told him I was and we started started chatting about my ordination and general chaplain stuff. Once the call was over, we went outside and I was chatting with the officers and this officer whom had talked to me earlier asked me to bless his recently received challange coin that he had received, which had an image of St. Michael the Archangel on it. I agreed and blessed the image and then he asked me to bless him. I gave him a blessing and his eyes twinkled and he thanked me.
What did that officer see in me? He saw Christ, I hope. The reason deacons and priests are ordained is to serve the people of God in a special way. What do I bring to an emergency scene? I bring Christ, the comforter, the compasionate. That is who I bring. Christ is who people yearn to come in contact with, I am a conduit for them. I am a reminder of what Christ has called us all to be and do. I hope I run into that officer again on a future call. He is doing his part for the city of Mundelein as a police officer, as a christian. I pray that as I begin to minister as Christ has called me, that He will use me as an instrument of peace and compassion for all that I come in contact with.

Cathoics in Politic Life: The role of the Laity

I found this short news blip on Catholic News Service. It is quite suscinct and lays out the truth quite well.


Pope says political field is for laypeople, but church must guide

VATICAN CITY (CNS) --Involvement in politics is a role reserved to laypeople, but Catholic Church leaders must explain and promote the moral principles that will contribute to the common good, Pope Benedict XVI said. "The church, while recognizing that it is not a political agent, cannot abstain from taking an interest in the good of the whole civil community in which it lives and works," the pope said in a message published Oct. 18. The papal message marked the 100th annual celebration of a week dedicated to studying Catholic social teaching sponsored by the Italian bishops' conference. Working for a just social order is a task that belongs to laypeople, the pope said. "As citizens of the state it is up to them to participate personally in public life," and to dedicate themselves "with generosity and courage, enlightened by faith and the teaching of the church, and animated by the love of Christ," he said.

article from:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20071019.htm#head9

facebook as missionary work?????

Cathoic News Service wrote an article on the use of facebook, myspace, skype, etc... and the value these services can be for vocations and ministry. Read the article, it is well written.
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0705974.htm

October 16, 2007- Ordination Preperations

So, I figured that I would post the official text of the invitation to my diaconate, so that all might know why I have been sorta busy and not posting as much as I would like. However, it is a good reason for I am still taking classing and trying to coordinate details for my ordination weekend. The text of the invitation states:

Mundelein Seminary announces the Ordination
Of those called by the Church to the
Order of Deacon
Through the imposition of hands and the
Invocation of the Holy Spirit
By His Eminence
Francis Cardinal George, OMI
Archbishop of Chicago
Saturday, October 27, 2007
At 4:00pm
Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
University of St. Mary of the Lake/
Mundelein Seminary
Mundelein, Illinois

Ordinandi
Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona
Arthur Nave, Jr.
Plus 16 other candidates

Ok so I was to lazy to type all their names out.........

With that said, time is passing quite quickly and I have a lot to do before the ordination. Thus, my next post will probably be a synopsis of my first homily in two weeks. Please pray for me as I complete my preparations for Diaconate!

October 14, 2007- 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kgs 5:14-17; Lk 17:11-19
My favorite words from the Gospel today was, "He was a Samaritan." The context is that he was the only one out of ten whom realized that once he was healed he turned around and went back to Jesus and gave praise and thanks to God. Hmmm. Where will I go with this one????


Wait for it.......


Wait longer for it.......


Patience is a virtue that must be fostered in all things.......


The analogy can be applied today to those who are excited and living out their faith. Not always, but usually those that are truly on fire in their faith are usually converts or those that have had a significant conversion experience. We cradle catholics just take it for granted and do not thank God for what he does for us in our lives. So who are we, the samaritan or the nameless nine???????

On other notes, it is twelve days and counting! I will be working as a transitional deacon at St. Joseph's in Round Lake which is a bilingual parish with a great diversity and welcoming people.

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

Gospel: Lk 9:46-50
In the Gospel today the second half reads,

Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent himbecause he does not follow in our company.”Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

This Gospel for me is such an affirmation for me today as I have been certified by the seminary for ordination to the Diaconate and Priesthood. Today is also the memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, who's theology and philosophy emphasized the simple way. It is not about the big things, but doing the little things in everyday life for Christ. People want to change the world, protect everybody from everyone else, take away all sin. However, St. Therese says this is not the way for if we take on these big things, we will become discouraged and nothing will be done. If we do the little things, praying throughout the day, helping someone across the street, smile at someone with a sad face, saying hello to those we pass, these are the things that will change the world one act at a time. These are the things that people will remember. As I approach my own ordination I hope and pray that St. Therese, will guide me and help me grow in the simple way.