"The Good and Bad of The Basement"

  Recently I went to Mass in my churches basement which doubles as a church museum. We'd been holding it there this summer not only due to the fact that it's cooler down there but weekday attendance is a bit low.
   On that particular day on of my fellow parishioners who hasn't been to Mass very often gave his reason why.
    He doesn't like to attend Mass in the basement even if it doubles as a museum. His arguments made sense.
    He said that the main chapel upstairs was far more beautiful. With the stained glass, beautiful artwork, stations of The Cross, statues of the patron saints, the Crucifix, and the tabernacle which holds the host of the Eucharist.
     To be honest I don't blame him. Having something beautiful to look at while pondering the things of God and his kingdom can be nice.
     Certainly change can be hard. Whether it's moving from a beautiful chapel to a basement or moving from one city to another things change.
     New city means new neighbors. Now think of this, Moving from a large beautiful chapel to a small basement chapel can be similar.
     While upstairs the few people that attend are spread out quite a bit. Downstairs the setting is more intimate.
     I know that our pastor likes to see us as a close knit community in front of him while we celebrate Mass.
   I see his point. As a lector and someone who once saw myself desiring the role of Pastor/ Priest I know I would prefer to see more people at Mass.
     Just before Mass began I prayed for my fellow Christian. I prayed that God would ease his soul and help him to see the bigger picture.
     Some people would be lucky to have the option to worship in the first place. But there is a far more obvious piece when it comes to going to a place of worship. The most important part of worship is the one we are going to celebrate. For Christians that person is Jesus Christ.
     It's true that God is everywhere. No matter if you worship in a grand basilica, a basement, or in the privacy of your own home God is there.
    It also shouldn't matter if you are worshiping with hundreds, a dozen, or in solitude God is there. He appreciates out honest attention. He honors our prayers. And his presence can be felt if we just quiet ourselves an await his glorious arrival into our hearts and souls.        

"Zombies: A Satanic Obsession"

It's almost Halloween.
The TV is full of ads about where to get the best Halloween costumes.
One commercial has a baby dressed as a devil at the end.
Why?
I know people who have had miscarriages as well as stillborn babies.
I know how it sickens everyone that had to deal with these loses.
People claim there is no such place as hell. Is that why it's OK to dress a baby (who had no choice in the matter) as a demon?
Is that why Satan has become so popular?
If there is no hell then why bother creating it all around us?
Now let me get to zombies.
Zombies are what happens when evil takes over a dead body. The body now reanimated hunt the living in order to eat their brains.
Again why?
Why do we have charity events where people dress as the living dead?
Have you ever lost a pet? Did you cry?
Have you ever lost someone you lost dearly? Do you still cry? Do you still grieve?
Would you like to see your grandmother come back from the grave only to kill your family and friends?
Some people bring up Communion that takes place within the Christian church. They like to mention that the Eucharist is supposed to be The Body and Blood of Jesus who rose from the grave.
So lets mention it.
The sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross was a way of atonement for our sins.
His resurrection is proof that God has the ultimate power of death.
The Body of Christ is a symbol of eternal life. The Blood of Christ is what cleanses us from sin.
Cleanses us from sin.
It brings us back to God and our sins are forgotten.
It's the opposite of hell. It conquers death. It destroys the power of Satan. So much as we stop giving power to Satan by glorifying him with our entertainment.
Most people don't want to go to hell. Although there are those who are misguided who think that hell isn't so bad. Some think that hell is just one big keg party and orgy. Not true.
If hell is so great then why did Jesus and his disciples drive demons out of people?
And then when people were free of demons they were healed.
Being free of everything that Satan has to offer brings healing. When that happens you'll no longer wish to watch zombie movies.
The Lord warns us to depart from this wicked generation.
So won't you join me by doing so?
Please don't dress your babies like ghosts and goblins. Don't let your kids parade as flesh eating monsters. Especially if you are followers of Christ. It's not harmless. It's not funny. It shouldn't be entertaining.
In all things let us glorify God who created all things. That same Holy Spirit can rest within us.
       

"From Triumphant Entry to Innocent Martyr..."From Stranger to Best Friend"

During most of Jesus' life his message was met with confusion and opposition.
But through the many miracles that Jesus performed many people began to follow him.
The people which included his disciples, thought he was to be a miraculous new leader of the Jewish people.
On Palm Sunday the people of Israel lined the streets with palm branches at the height of popularity. Jesus was the man.
Then come Friday most of his disciples besides John had fled. The people had turned against him. They had been insulting him, spitting on him, and throwing stones.
Possibly the very stones in which Jesus said, "He who is without sin cast the first stone." They were hurling rocks at the only in human history that lived without sin though he had know temptation.
So the people perhaps were afraid that he would as many times before, would reveal their sins. So why not let him hang for their crimes.
And so they did. They watched as he was nailed to the Roman torture device which doubled as an execution device. Jesus was nailed to a cross.
Even while Jesus suffered for all our sins the people they mocked him while wearing his royal crown, which was made of thorns.
"You can heal everyone so why not come down from your cross? Show yourself."
When he died he indeed showed himself.
He showed himself again when he rose from the dead.
He showed death and hell who was in charge.
Now for many of us Jesus is a stranger.
You may know of Jesus but you don't know him personally.
Maybe you wear a cross but don't know the person it represents. Maybe you don't know the power of the one who died upon the cross.
Maybe you aren't aware that Jesus wants you.
As a disciple.
He wants you as someone like John who was an ever faithful companion.
Maybe Jesus wants to forgive you for once boldly proclaiming The Kingdom of God but you have turned from him.
As it was with Peter who denied knowing Jesus. He hasn't forgotten you.
Let The Holy Spirit rekindle renew the flame that was sparked when you first knew him and his healing touch.
Maybe you're like Paul who has been an enemy of God.
Jesus calls us all to allow him to be your best friend.

"Just What I Needed. Just What You Needed" (Messages From The Pulpit)

I had been in a funk as of late. I thought that perhaps I had exaggerated just how much talent I have as a writer.
To be honest it wasn't a funk. It was nearly full blown depression.
I had missed going to Mass for quite a while.
Then I went today.
God spoke directly to me through the words of The Gospel and the wisdom of the priest.
The Gospel passage spoke about hiding the light that God has given us to shine in what is often a very dark world.
I was convinced that my creative light had been snuffed out.
Not true.
I simply refused to acknowledge that the enemy of our souls was on the prowl seeking to devour me.
Listening to the words of the father of lies brought me low.
I was reminded today that depression can lead to regression.
I could mean moving back to a state where my soul was lost.
Today The Lord reached out to me and assured me that he has not lied to me nor has he taken gifts away.
I have a light to share.
I can not hide in the dark. For everywhere I go The Lord follows.
The Lord is faithful and just to finish the good work he has begun in me. To finish what he started in all of his children.

"Two Minute Drill" (Messages From The Pulpit)

In the world of American Football the last two minuets of the game is commonly referred to as the "two minuet drill."
This drill also acts as a free timeout.
This drill is especially important in games that are close or tied.
The time out is a small period when the coach gathers his team and hashes out the final strategy.
The coach may point out weaknesses of the opposition as well as the strengths of the team he's "in charge" of. What's working and what is not.
Many people are facing their very own two minuet drill. They may be laying on their death bed. They may be contemplating what and whom they are leaving behind.
More importantly they are likely trying to find courage when it comes to who and what lies ahead of them the moment they take their last breath.
Will there be angels, saints, and God? Or does Hell await?
The Bible tells us to be prepared for we know not the hour that your life will be demanded from you.
 There is a saying, "Live every moment as if it's your last." And so we should.
How would you spend your last day?
Would you go skydiving?
Would you have one last party and drink yourself into oblivion?
Would you seek one last sexual encounter (perhaps with a high price prostitute) that will indulge in your greatest sexual fantasy?
Maybe gather with family and/or friends for one last get together?
Or would you quietly prepare yourself to meet your maker? To ask for the peace that passes all understanding?
If so would you look back at your life and regret not spending more time with your creator?
I recently read an article from The Good News (a Christian magazine) that asked the question, (which was based on a true story) if you only had a short time to rescue your most prized possessions from your home which items would you grab?
Many would grab photos and keepsakes that remind them of their loved ones and cherished memories.
Some say they would grab their Bible.
But the writer of the article who had an experience of terrorism in which he grabbed his passport and plane ticket.
The writer went on to say that no matter what you chose to take with you, your character and soul would not be destroyed.
What do your prized possessions say about the condition of your soul?
If you were to rescue your Bible what would you do to show God just how priceless His word is to you?      

"A Royal Priesthood"

     For Christians Jesus is The Ultimate Priest. He is also the Lord of Lords and The King of Kings.
       So when The Bible speaks of the followers of Christ as being a royal priesthood what does that mean for us?
      We have been given authority by our king. Christ has set his seal upon us.
      Since his kingdom has no boarders we are on a mission of bringing the world into The Kingdom of Heaven. For every knee shall bow and every tongue confesses that Christ is Lord. From every tribe tongue and nation.
       We are to (through the love of God) bring freedom to the captives. Whether people are imprisoned physical or spiritual shackles. For whom the son sets free is free indeed.
     Jesus gave us power over the kingdom of darkness that covers the earth. It is in the name of Jesus (which is the name above all names) we can cast out demons.
     Through HIS power we can heal the sick.
      In his name we can raise the dead. This might be those who feel spiritually dead. Spiritual death is the worst kind of death. But for those of us who are the light of the world we can reach into the place where those who seem dead exist and show them the way out of the pit. For he who is within us is greater than he who is in the world.
     We have the God given ability to cleanse the lepers, the untouchables. We are to reach out the outcast. We are to reach out to the one who sits alone in the cafeteria. We can approach the person sitting in the back corner of the churches we go to.
      It means bringing a meal, a warm coat, and through charity bring the message of the our creator. The message of Christ to the lost and wounded souls we encounter daily. To bring hope to those who no longer know what hope means anymore.
      Our vocation includes praying for the nations. Praying for those who are in power and those who labor under the power of world leaders.
      We can pray for those whom the media casts as idols. A prayer who in many ways are also untouchable.
    

"The Cost of Free Movie Tickets"

     A few days ago I was given two free movie tickets. I planned on using them as part of a date night.
There was one major problem though.
      The movie was all about smuggling drugs and one of the characters was a stripper. The main characters were supposed to be posing as a family. The movie is supposed to be a comedy.
      My fiance and I are both Christians. We've both known people who have lost their lives in one way or another whether they died or are now dealing with the spiritual damage done by years of drug use.
      I'm soon coming up on 5 years without a drop to drink and not one single intake of my drug of choice which was Marijuana.
     So we could not condone seeing a movie that makes light of smuggling drugs simply to make an insane amount of money.
     For us there is nothing funny about drugs even what some people call a "harmless" drug such as pot.
     We have made a vow to ourselves and each other not to get involved in drinking or any other drugs.We made the very same vow to God. After all we will answer for our lives someday. I thank The Lord that my sins are forgiven.
    Forgiveness isn't a one time deal. It is not to be taken lightly.
     Though God is faithful to was away our sins and toss them into the sea of forgetfulness the point of repentance is turning our backs on our sins. Saying sorry must mean something. We must make a conscience effort to turn from those sins forever.
    You wouldn't want someone to say sorry for stealing money from your dresser and then continue to do it.
   Another part of this tale is the fact that my fiance and I agreed not to give those movie tickets away to anyone else.
     For me that would be the same as helping someone pay for a six pack of beer when they may be a little short.
    The cost of doing so would be something that would grieve The Spirit.
Freedom isn't free. Jesus gave his life for us. He died to set us free. And whom The Son sets free is free indeed.