zenit.org/articles/cardinal-turkson-remember-the-seafarers-from-all-nations/
There is still a chance to learn something new every day. I was unfamiliar with "Sea Sunday" which was just celebrated this past Sunday. I read the article (link below) and gained a new awareness of the particular challenges facing mariners. It gives me deeper appreciation for the name of our parish, St. Francis by the Sea.
zenit.org/articles/cardinal-turkson-remember-the-seafarers-from-all-nations/
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I have been blessed through the years to live in different parts of the country. While relocating is always quite a hassle and filled with stress, the rewards of seeing new things and experiencing different ways of life helps ease the pain of moving.
I grew up in Missouri and appreciated the beauty throughout much of the state. Spending time on the Mississippi River as a teenager made me understand the writings of Mark Twain in new light. I always enjoyed going to Hannibal, Missouri to get a glimpse into the world of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Trips to the Lake of the Ozarks were quite memorable. After water skiing during the day, a trip to all of the tourist trappings on the Bagnell Dam strip in the evening made the experience complete. While trips to Branson, Missouri and Silver Dollar City were less frequent, the memories still abound. Crossing the border and going into Eureka Springs, Arkansas to see the Passion Play a couple of times was a good experience as well. No trip to that area of the state was complete without a stop in Springfield, Missouri at Bass Pro Shop. The Precious Moments Chapel and many other attractions also beckoned at one time or another. Living in Colorado near the Royal Gorge was a beautiful experience too. Hot summer days provided opportunities to scoot up into the mountains around Cripple Creek to reduce the temperatures by as much as 20 degrees. Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden and the Stations of the Cross in San Luis provided excellent pilgrimages within the state. My position in Wyoming provided an opportunity for me to visit all of the churches across the state. The different sections of the state each have their unique beauty. Obviously, the grandeur of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park set the bar pretty high for natural beauty. Devils Tower, the Wind River, Sinks Canyon, and other beautiful areas were always a pleasure to see as well (unless it was in the midst of a snowstorm). My book, Articulating Hope, has a picture of the Bighorn River on the cover that I took in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The transition from living at over 6,000 feet in Cheyenne to the low country of South Carolina is the most dramatic move we have had yet. The altitude, heat, humidity, and a two hour time difference are just a few of the basic transitions. However, walking through the neighborhood the past few days has revealed some of God's beautiful handiwork that I now get to enjoy. It is difficult to believe that a short half mile walk up the road permits me to experience such serenity and peace. Enjoy the photos. The first American (Naturalized Citizen) was canonized a saint on this day in 1946. Her feast day is celebrated on November 13. I invite you to read more about her life. Visit one of the shrines in her honor if possible. What hardships are you and I willing to undergo in the process of becoming saints? Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colorado
Being faithful in our prayer life is not always easy. Having a set time and a set place can certainly help us develop consistency. Obviously, this can be easier said than done based upon the circumstances of our lives.
A young couple with several toddlers running around the house will struggle to find any quiet time in which they themselves don't collapse when that quiet time finally arrives. On the other hand, an empty-nester or someone living alone may not face similar challenges. However, there could be other circumstances which make it more challenging for these individuals to pray. We each have our struggles in one form or another. The key is to be aware of what those challenges are, and then make a plan to minimize these obstacles to prayer as best as we are able. As I scrolled through some historical data for today, I saw that it was the anniversary of death for a couple of stars. Roy Rogers (cowboy actor) died on this date in 1998 at the age of 86. Thus, it has been 20 years since his passing from this life. Buddy Ebsen (actor) died on this date in 2003 at the age of 95. Thus, it has been 15 years since his passing. Why do I mention these particular things? Yesterday afternoon I spent some time in the columbarium area of our church grounds praying for the deceased. Since I am in a new place, I do not know any of the people who are laid to rest there. That does not prevent me from praying for them and for all the deceased. I regularly pray for my deceased relatives, friends, and benefactors--all those people who helped me to get to this point in life. I also pray for all the faithful departed, especially those with no one to pray for them. I am not a big fan of following what happens in the lives of celebrities. That has just never fascinated me. However, I mentioned the above two celebrities because I was familiar with their work and their information came to my attention today. There is one sobering reminder that we can take from the lives and deaths of celebrities. Regardless of fame and fortune, eventually we will all come face to face with Almighty God at the end of our lives. Our life of prayer will prepare us for that moment. As St. Alphonsus Liguori reminded us, "The time of death is not the time to prepare, but the time to find ourselves already prepared." The shortness of time on this earth and the length of eternity is something that should prompt us to meditate upon the four last things more frequently. When was the last time you seriously reflected and meditated upon: (1) death; (2) judgment; (3) heaven; and (4) hell? My encouragement to you today is to be a person of prayer. Allow God's grace to permeate every aspect of your life. Politics never seems to take a day off. As I scanned social media yesterday looking at photos of family gatherings, tributes to our military personnel, and other summer festivities, my newsfeed was also inundated with political swipes at one politician or another. It seems that we can't even celebrate a holiday without bickering.
As I reflected upon those political and personal attacks in my prayer this morning, one major question kept popping into my mind. How much time did we spend praying for our nation yesterday and its political leaders? How much time do we spend praying for our leaders at any time? Today, I simply encourage people of faith to be consistent and persistent in their intercessory prayer for our own leaders and all of the world leaders. The results may amaze us. My mind is on overload trying to digest so much new information at once. However, it is also quite exciting. The creative wheels are spinning in my imagination as I speak with co-workers about our ministry to build up the Kingdom of God. Looking back to last Sunday's Gospel, I want to walk in faith just as did Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhages. The possibilities are endless.
Although my body is feeling a bit fatigued from the heat and two hour time difference since arriving in South Carolina, I decided yesterday evening that I had to visit the beach. The last time I was on this beach was the second week of April when I first visited St. Francis by the Sea. There were only about a dozen people on the beach at that time. There were a few more this time. A slight breeze helped, but the nearly 90 degree temperature kept my visit to the beach quite brief. It was still nice to spend a little time just listening to the waves and appreciating the beauty of God's creation. The Church celebrates the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle today. Will we doubt, or will we believe in the Lord? I pray that we will see with the eyes of faith and boldly proclaim, "My Lord and my God." I arrived at church this morning just a little past 6:30. The schedule of Masses on Sunday at St. Francis by the Sea almost matches the old schedule at the Cathedral of St. Mary--7:30, 9:00, 10:30, and 12:15. There is no Sunday evening Mass. After preaching at all five Masses it was good to sit down and prop my feet up for a while.
I seriously intended to go to the beach at least for a little while this afternoon, but the air conditioning and the couch held a grip on me that would not let go. Maybe I will go out on July 4 and join all the tourists on the island for the holiday. My thanks to everyone who took time to visit with me after the Masses. It was amazing to see numerous visitors from around the St. Louis area--Webster Groves, Wentzville, and Washington, Missouri were all represented this morning on Hilton Head Island. I also met a person who frequently flew in and out of Wheatland, Wyoming for work. That was really surprising. This is my first time working in a parish with such a high tourist population. It will be fascinating to meet people from across the country. It was a privilege to preach at all of the Masses this weekend to officially introduce myself to the parish. My thanks to all of the parishioners who stood in line to greet me after the Masses. Your words of welcome are truly appreciated. I look forward to getting to know all of you and learning your names as quickly as I am able. Let the Gospel message motivate you all week. May the faith of Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhages be a reminder to you to be a person of faith yourself. The healing power of Jesus is present to each of us. |
AuthorThis is my personal blog. The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers. This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use. |