Today’s Reflection from Father Dave

“How come I do not get one of the rings or the silver?” “Because you will just hawk it,” was the response of my sisters. One of the greatest gifts given to their children by my parents was sitting down with the clan and going through the family estate, dividing up the spoils. We sat around the dining room table, taking turns selecting articles that would be passed on to us. When it came my time to pick Dad placed the cookie jar in front of me and said, “This is yours; your hand was in it often enough.” Yes, my siblings got the wedding rings of grandparents and parents; some would receive the silver or fine china. My take that day was a cookie jar and a beer stein. Yet, I also received the richest gift: my dad’s cross.

I received an email from a parishioner who shared about the cross he carried in his pocket and the prayer that went with it called, The Cross In My Pocket. He would have liked my dad, as that prayer was what my father believed about the cross he wore. You see, when my father was soon to be shipped off to the war in Europe he purchased this cross and chain to wear. He wore it everyday for the next 60+ years and gave it to me on his death, and I continue to wear it. On this Friday in Lent I share the words of that prayer, adapted for my dad and me:

I wear a cross a simple reminder to me

Of the fact that I am a Christian no matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic, nor is it a good luck charm.

It isn’t meant to protect me from every physical harm.

It is not for identification for all the world to see.

It’s simply an understanding between my Savior and me.

When I touch my hand to my chest

The cross is there to remind me of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful for my blessings day by day,

And to strive to serve Him better in all that I do or say.

It is also a daily reminder of the peace and comfort I share

With all who know my Master and give themselves to His care.

So I wear a cross around my neck reminding no one but me

That Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life if only I’ll let Him be.

Father Dave’s Cross

You can see a photo of the cross and it is not blurry, just the images have worn down after 75+ years of resting against our hearts. Yes, we have a cross to carry during these uncertain times, but there is a comfort in placing it on my shoulders and over my heart, this cross that has seen other difficult times. It is a reminder of my father’s quiet, lived-out faith and the extent our Heavenly Father would go for His beloved children.

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Father Dave

Today’s Reflection from Father Dave

“You’re my son and I love you …” Mom never finished these sentences; they were often said when my mouth or actions got ahead of my brain. Sometimes I wonder if God has not picked up the same habit with me, and this is especially true this Lent.

All of us try to decide what we will offer up or do in the Lenten season. It is hardwired in us as Catholics. Now I decided to be more Christ-like and thought I had the perfect Lenten practices. I would hang out with sinners, upset religious leaders, tell stories that make people think, choose unpopular friends, be kind, loving, and merciful, and finally take naps (Jesus did on boats). I was doing quite well on the first two and the last one, and then I heard those words, “David, you are my son and I love you….”

Lent changed, and so did my resolutions about what I must and needed to do. One pundit commented: “I did not know I was going to give this much up for Lent!” Mom never finished those sentences; she knew that as soon as I engaged my heart, soul, and mind, I would know what to do or say. It was just a temporary lapse on my part in trying to be the person she knew I could and would be.

What is transpiring this year has made all of us stop and reflect. I am never one to believe that God uses evil or suffering as the means for us to change. I believe that God takes what is happening and reminds us with those simple words: You are my child and I love you! How we respond to all that has happened is possible because we know that in the midst of chaos those words are spoken over and over again.

My Lenten practices have changed. I push myself to write these daily reflections, to walk between churches, and film daily mass. They are probably more in line with the works of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving than the ones I started doing early in this season of Lent.

In Faith, Hope, and Love

Father Dave

Today’s Reflection from Father Dave

“Got to feed my fish today…we have six…their names are Sync, Blubby, Fish-fish, Noodle, and Burple…they are Tetras…Mine is named Sync.” So said a text message I received from a young parishioner.

A few days ago I began writing these daily reflections just as an outlet, as suddenly I found myself without a Sunday community and no mass. These writings have now become a regular part of my Lenten practice. (I’m not a big fan of writing; just ask our bulletin editor.) They’ve become a way to keep connected to my parishioners in this time of “social distancing.”

I find that phrase very misleading, as we are called to physically distance ourselves from one another, but now more than ever we need to reach out and share what is going on in our isolations. A simple message shared on social media can change an entire day.

It is ironic that in the season of Lent many had planned to sacrifice social media as part of their Lenten practices, and now they take to it more than ever. All of us without exception do one thing the same: we push the “share icon” in whatever we have written or read. We SHARE. In this time more than ever before it becomes very important to remember: SHARE.

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation when God first announced to Mary the fulfillment of His dream to share his only begotten Son with us. Just think, exactly 3 months ago the churches were packed (no “social distancing” at that time). Families were together; students were home for the break, and handshakes, hugs, and kisses were the norm. This Feast of the Annunciation is where it all began. Now in these trying times, in the very midst of our Lenten season, families are together; our churches are empty; we are told to keep distant from one another: “Don’t touch. Wash your hands.” Yet the message of this feast day is that God desires to share His Son with us. It would take the “yes” of Mary, a young person, to make this a reality.

Sometimes we struggle and wonder where God is in all this darkness. God is with us, Emmanuel, we proclaimed just 3 months ago. That has not changed, and today we proclaim the name Jesus, God Saves. Remember, God’s message of salvation came through the promise of Mary to share God’s love with the world.

My day was made brighter, more hopeful, in the message of a young parishioner: “Got to feed the fish today.”

So I continue to share, in Faith, Hope, and Love.
Fr. Dave