Thoughts from the Deacon's Desk
I'm a "slow learner", as some of my deaconate formation classmates would say when they would talk of me and each other in good humor. It was our way of saying "... he doesn't get it yet!" Truly when I started to read the Archbishop's columns on Gratitude, I didn't get it yet. I kept thinking in theological terms not in real life terms s I might understand gratitude in my own life. However, the other day I did begin to "get it" when I was reflecting on my favorite line in all of the hymns we Christians sing. That favorite line is "....My soul rejoices in God my savior". I realized at that moment that the line is totally about gratitude and that gratitude is the fundamental basis for my own faith. I finally "get it"
In 1975, my eighteen month old son, Daniel, died very suddenly. The doctors weren't totally sure what caused his death and friends and family tried there best to somehow find words of comfort; but, nothing seemed to lift the agonizing sorrow from my heart and soul. Only a few months into the painful mourning, I made a Cursillo weekend. It was there that great light was cast upon the tragic event and much hope supplanted in my heart through an encounter with Christ. I had been away from the Church and my relationship with God had grown stale and dormant. But, through powerful graces that I was given that weekend and remain with me to this very day, my life has become one of joy and hope. I started to rebuild my relationship with God by living out the message of Mt. 25. I became a foster parent, I worked for the good of developmentally delayed children through a priest friend and I became part of a prison ministry team. The giving I was now involved in was bring me new hope and joy and confidence about the meaning of life and our calling as Christian persons. My soul was rejoicing in God my Savior as I walked forward in life's journey following the path He lit.
Do I know Christ as my savior? I sure do. Those saving graces that I have been given have kept me from a life of hopelessness, despair, depression, bitterness and anger. I am truly grateful to God for his saving gifts. In Psalm 40 it says:
He drew me out of the pit of destruction,
Out of the mud of the swamp;
He set my feet upon a crag; he made firm my steps.
And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.
These words ring powerfully in my life… they are indeed words of gratitude. My closing throught is that you also might have words from Holy Scripture which have special meaning of thanks to God for his gifts to you. Don't be a "slow-learner", "get it" today.
To really understand what it means, one needs to break it into pieces.
E……..Everyone. People, all persons, need not only to hear of the Good News as in first time hearers but all persons, cradle Catholics etc, need to hear about the Good News over and over as they move through life. Being evangelized is really an on-going process as in conversion. One can say they have experienced a conversion but then that should lead to a further deeper commitment to our Lord and His Church.
V…….Be Vigilant. Be vigilant for the opportunities the Holy Spirit presents to you in everyday life to step out and stand up for Jesus. If you truly are a committed Christian then that commitment will lead you to pray to the Holy Spirit to afford you the situations, circumstances which will allow you to present your witness, or to share your Catholic knowledge of scripture and or church teachings which will prompt others to think more deeply about their own relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
A……Argue. Don’t! One will never succeed in helping others to move closer to God by arguing with them. Often our zeal becomes an obstacle to success because we are so convinced of our faith that inadvertently, when challenged, our tone changes from one of love and kindness to one of argumentation and confrontation. Beware of this human tendency. Stay with the love and kindness approach.
N……kNowledge. The English language is an odd language in many ways….it would seem that K is better used in words like KICK or KISS; however, Knowledge is an indispensable element when we try to follow Jesus’ instruction as laid out in Mt. Chap. 28, one among many other similar teachings by Jesus. We don’t need to see ourselves as theologians or bible scholars or canon law experts; but, we do need to make a commitment to increase our knowledge of the faith so that when we respond to questions about any facet of our Catholic Faith we will be able to do Jesus proud. Pick up a book, pamphlet, copy of the CCC or commit to reading scripture more.
G……Get prepared. Imagine some situations at the workplace, maybe during lunch, or at the dinner table at home etc. where you may be engaged in a conversation of Christian faith because of a comment made regarding secular events or recent headlines. Consider some of the opinions, objections or questions that may arise. Consider what responses you might give which would be effective for pointing that person towards our Christian faith as the most logical and wisest way to understand an issue. All of this is called getting prepared or making a plan. Is there someone you already have in mind whom you’d like to present some Christian thoughts too? Start preparing and planning now.
E…….Ears, use yours! We must listen first before we can give an appropriate response. Listening is more than just processing incoming words so that a response can be formulated. Listening also involves understanding where the other person is coming from which prompts them to speak in a particular tone and using certain words. Be a patient, thoughtful, kind, compassionate listener. Don’t be in a hurry to “shoot back an answer”. Can you recall times when you have listened closely or NOT listened closely?
L……Listen. This is an awful lot like the previous letter E. This is so because the point cannot be emphasized enough. Good listening is an art. Strive to be a listening “artist”.
I……Ignore. Ignore peer pressure and what others think when you have that opportunity to stand up for Jesus. You were given the gift of courage when you received the sacrament of Confirmation. Don’t “wimp out” and choose the politically correct response or the least controversial position. When Jesus says “follow me” he asks that you take a path which is fraught with challenges and times of confrontation. Being a Christian is not an easy road especially in the social context. Be not afraid…heard that before?
S……Smile. Smiling from the heart reveals the Jesus-like nature of a Christian person. It reflects the kindness and love one has for others and for the peace which we hold as Christians strong in our belief. Our attitude, demeanor and body language give away the real “you”. Be conscious of how others perceive us. Our facial expressions tell a lot.
M……(1)Make a prayer & (2)Means of evangelization. Any evangelization effort which are unaccompanied by daily prayer will fail. We are an instrument of the Lord’s to others; but ultimately, the Holy Spirit is in charge of the situation. We only do our best by adhering to the meanings behind all the previous “letters“. Everything is possible with the Lord and prayer puts us in close union with the Lord. We must rely on him and allow the Holy Spirit to work with the hearer’s free will. Pray before you speak to a sister or brother and pray after the exchange that the words our Lord gave you will penetrate their hearts. Pray even at that split second before you address another person in an evangelization moment. Just say silently, “Jesus help me now”.
…….Means of Evangelism. There are many Catholic websites which will give free “hand-out” materials in the form of CDs or tapes or pamphlets which will on their own take much of the work out of your hands and act as providers of information and inspiration. These MEANS provide less threatening opportunities to hear the word of God and change a person internally, mind and heart, inch by inch. Take advantage of these tools and aids!! Give them to someone to listen to during their commute to work.