sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
Read John 3: 16-17 and reflect upon how this passage impacts your day-to-day life. Are you thriving in your walk with the Lord?
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! Read John 3: 16-17 and reflect upon how this passage impacts your day-to-day life. Are you thriving in your walk with the Lord?
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O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! The one who endures to the end will be saved. (See Matthew 24:13) How are you persevering in your journey of faith? Do you remain faithful in your prayer life even when you don't "feel" anything from it? Today is the beginning of the "O Antiphons."
O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! I have spent several weeks preparing for the upcoming parish mission, but these last few days have taken it to another level.
Prayer and study are always an integral part of preparing to preach or teach. Going to original sources to verify content is important. I want to be sure the message is accurate. Finally, assembling a message that has solid content, while also being full of life and energy in the delivery, is vital for creating an atmosphere where spiritual renewal can take root. I also like to do research about the parish where I am going. I want to feel like I know the congregation at least a little when I walk in the door. I don't use canned presentations when I preach a parish mission. A rural parish may have different needs than a large metropolitan parish. A parish struggling to overcome a crisis of one kind or another will have different needs than a flourishing congregation. It is my desire to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ and bring His love to the people in the most effective way possible. If I do my part by lifting the people up in prayer long before my arrival, I walk into the parish fully trusting that God is going to move powerfully among his people. This will be my first parish mission since the pandemic shut everything down. I look back and think of all of the speaking engagements that were wiped off my calendar almost in an instant. Parish missions were scheduled, days of recollection, and even a retreat for the deacons and their wives for the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa. All of it was cancelled in the blink of an eye. The urgency of the Gospel message in today's society becomes ever more evident with each passing day. People are in desperate need of the theological virtue of hope. I am feeling compelled to focus my time and energy on proclaiming the Good News of Salvation wherever I can. In 2023, I will have freed myself from the full-time workforce. Thus, having a more open and flexible schedule will allow me to accept invitations across the country to preach parish missions, lead retreats or days of recollection, and teach at catechetical workshops. There is a part of me that wants to kick back and relax, but the burden of responsibility that I accepted at ordination tells me it is not yet time. When Archbishop Rigali handed me the Book of the Gospels during the ordination ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis, he said these words: "Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you now are. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach." Ending 2022 with this parish mission in Marthasville, Missouri will set the stage for gearing up in 2023. It's not too early to start planning for Lent which is only a little over two months away. Ash Wednesday is February 22, 2023. If you would like a parish mission or retreat for your parish or group during Lent, or any other time in 2023, please let me know. You can email me at articulatinghope@gmail.com. Saint Ignatius of Loyola Parish--it all begins on Saturday evening. I look forward to meeting all of you. It's been over five years since I had my book published. There was an immense amount of healing taking place for me as I wrote it. It made me look at some hurts and pains square in the face. How could I have responded better to this aspect of the journey? Why did I make certain choices in the process? How do I grow from here? Thus, I figured even if no one ever read the book after it was finished, it would still have served a purpose for me in my own journey of healing.
Thankfully, a few people have read the book, and it seems to have been a positive influence on them. Family members and friends have mentioned how the book has helped them to process their own sufferings in the journey of healing. I am happy to know that my own sufferings have not been in vain if I am able to use what I have learned to bring consolation to others. A couple of days ago I had a new experience. I was at a family gathering in a public restaurant. Our private party, away from the general seating area of the restaurant, was being served by a very kind individual. After being by our table several times, she came and sat down in an empty chair next to me. She said, "I have wanted to meet you. Your book forever changed my life." We talked for a few minutes and then she quickly got back to work. I am not sure about all of the dynamics behind the scenes. How did she get my book? How did she find out at this gathering that I was the person who wrote the book? Was it simply a "God-moment" to encourage me in my ministry? I don't know the answers to all of these questions, and it really doesn't matter. I am just grateful to see how God moves through each of us. My book made an impact on her. She, in turn, made an impact on me by sharing her experience. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Being a deacon provides opportunities such as baptizing your grandchildren. I had the pleasure of baptizing Anastasia yesterday. Today, we sit and wait for the upcoming snowstorm (blizzard?). Oh joy! Once the roads are cleared, it will be time to head to Marthasville, Missouri for the Parish Mission. This is going to be a fantastic preparation for Christmas. Our Lady of Guadalupe--Pray For Us!
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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. |