Advent 2024

Advent

—> a season and a word not always comprehended! A penitential season – yep! – penance – many “oh not for me”!!!!

One only needs to look at the Cross with Jesus hanging there to begin to get a glimpse of penitential!
Yes to suffer for all others in spite of oh so many not aware!
Does anyone remember when sour wine was lifted up to touch His lips! Just before the objective of silencing the speaker of Truth! A reward???????
What did He say to us? Oh yea! Pick up your cross and come follow me!!!
A Penitential a season to be celebrated immediately before the time we give thanks and remember His birth in a stableChristmas!!
One who speaks the Truth in today’s world will soon receive “Sour Wine” lifted to touch one’s lips!
Hmmmm’. Brother and Sister — What’s that face???

In the Beginning Original Sin

The Real Time Spiritual War – Yes 2024

When I write about the current Spiritual War against the “One Flesh”God’s design for family I am recalling the Biblical Story found in the Book of Genesis as “In the beginning”!
The last 35 years of my life have lead me all the way back to “In the beginning”! It is the story of the nature of man know as “Original” sin largely cast aside by the modern world!
Jesus was there “in the beginning” and thus knew exactly the flaws and nature of humans! He knew way back when what would be required to penetrate the hard heart, stiff neck and stubborn nation of humankind to “blame” everyone except themselves!

35 Years ??  Wow!

The past 35 years I have sat and listened to humans looking into the mirror of “Truth” asking “Who am I” and “was I created this way”? Well the answer is clear —> “Yes you were created with the original Flaw called sin”!!!

Blame – Not my Fault:

Blame someone else – couldn’t be me – Yep – Adam and Eve!The wish to deny reality and Truth while placing the blame on the one testifying to the Truth!!

The Cross:

Take such a risk and one will find their cross! Listen to the voice of the one who sent me! “Pick up your cross 1st”. Then come and follow me!! Rejection and persecution of the one who dares to speak Truth and clarify who it is that seeks to deceive!
Not so easy to follow! Message triggered by Article in the “The Epoch Times” Nov. 20-26 2024 “Life&Tradition” C4!
Yep 2024 approaching 2025 – the great deceiver is still working hard!

Dogs, Cats, Signs, Symbols, Hope Hidden in Truth!

Last trip to prison, a lifer was able to attend the session! This man long ago poured himself into taking care of animals, primarily service dogs and then got involved with cats!
The prison is a different place especially for someone whose plans include one’s final days! A very serious reality not many encounter!
So what did he do? Well he poured himself into being the most dedicated care taker he could! The authorities in the prison noticed! Now these leaders insist he take care of the pets they bring to prison! One is a small blind dog! Yes he brings his various visiting pets to my weekly prayer service.
I must confess, it is obvious to me this lifer has convinced many leaders he is trustworthy with even vulnerable pets!
So today he tells me his next project is to write a children’s book to communicate the message of God’s design found in the pet animals he has invested himself in over many years!
For me his story of one who was angry and lost who has been paying the price of reacting in anger! No it’s more than that! His journey of encountering the suffering for his own admitted sin is “HOPE” somehow through the gift of giving himself away – in total – to care for God’s creation he found the treasure that was buried in himself!
Yes to use what has long ago been locked away where few one can it – the possibility exists the treasure of “HOPE” he found can be passed on to children through an openness to animals so very few ever encounter!
You know I am one Blessed man who gets to encounter the Truth hidden in the cross of suffering to many!

Standing in the Gap: Am I alone?

Standing in the gap is a lonely place & experience!
Not many venture where I have gone or where I go! Walking willingly into the reality of man’s “Free Will” choices! An encounter associated with the beauty in the garden in the midst of the fiercest great temptation to replace God’s design with selfie self (original sin)!
For 35 years now I have been wandering around in the garden where man’s confronts the great deceiver at his best!
Will you love me with the Truth?
This is the question asked not in known articulate words but in through the real presence of non-verbal walking/ talking behavior in the wilderness of a desert where the search results when one asks!
Do you Love me enough to tell me the truth as one looks in the mirror of death!
Who?  Will you speak up and answer?
Sure Seems I walk alone! Fact no one travels with me!  Seems many lack the courage to actually do something!  Time to look in their own mirror?
My prayer:
#1. What do you have in mind for me today Lord?
#2.  Help me do your will! I can dream! Perhaps One day perhaps someone will actually walk along with me?
#3.  I can’t tell how much I look forward one day to meeting that someone?  Yes!  Waiting! 

The Gift of Life in the midst of a Spiritual War Against God’s Design

New Hope for little girls and boys is in the air!
Future women and men created without error with a real chance to discover the gifts and talents they were created with before they were born!
I pray they one day can become all they were created to be!
Let the little children come to me!! Who said that?
Thank you Lord for the gift of new life!
Yes, Yes some of them may well be my great grand children! Pure gift in the eyes of this old man!

Steps Made of Rock

One of the things that impressed me most was how Deacon Alfred Mitchell’s (Jose) wife was treated at his vigil and funeral!!!

Honor a word missing in the Secular World:

Honor is a word not always fulfilled! All of the good Alfred accomplished was time his wife graciously supported his calling!

My Rock: Lynn

As a married Deacon my spirit can’t do much without the support of my wife!!
Thank you Lynn, my unseen partner, as I travel to places were so very few people ever venture! Unselfish love are the stable steps my feet walk upon! Unseen yet made of “Rock”!

War Against the Family:

Did you hear about RFK??

RFK support of Donald Trump is a clear demonstration the Democratic Party has abandoned the Great American Dream – a Government of the people, by the people and for the people!

By Pass the Will of the People:

The Democratic Party has bypassed for the first time the will of Democratic People in favor of people from two of the worst Political States in the Union!

Communism Rules the Democratic Party:

This is a clear Communist Lead Civil War against the American Citizen!
Time to caste out the WOK –time to be awake and save our nation from tyranny and the establishment of a new National Religion! The pronoun religion where man elevates self and replaces God’s design with fantasy!

The original War! A War against the Family!

Flipity Flopity – Flip / Flop: The Death of the American Dream & Truth:

Government of the People, by the People and for the People:

Who — Must mean the WOK:

Kamala Flip Flop has flipped!!!!

Not on the New National Religion:

She and Tim have not flipped on the new National Religion tough – anyone notice?? Gender / LBGTQIA+++!

Fantasy – Oh Yea Fantasy:

Truth is no longer TruthFantasy is their Law / Religion of the land!
Federal Government —> Sign up and use any description you choose – the pronoun thingy is now open to the great deceivers dreaming!
Well folks – is this the land of Truth or are our founding American Principles and Values now been totally shredded to satisfy those who support Kamala and Tim ?

And what about FB Zuck!!!

Well Zuk – who are you? You have been measured! Just who are you?

From Ancient Times:

As for me and my house we will continue to worship the one True God!
This weeks Gospel! Nothing from the outside can defile – only that which comes from within! Yep the Devil is a very Great Deceiver!
Oh by the way the “Apple” dates back to the original sin! Anyone paying attention?
New technology (Smart Phones) is being handed to the very young and vulnerable by mom and dad! Anyone paying attention??

The Spiritual War has Accelerated:

Yes we are in a Spiritual War against God’s design “In the beginning”. Right here & right now in the USA! “The One Flesh”!
Just what form of Law do we follow? Man’s or God’s? Where is it I might find God’s Laws? In Church’s that follow the one and only true God!
How about the ones that make up their own human / selfie Laws!

Little Kids – I didn’t Stutter:

Little kids are paying far closer attention to what mom and dad worship than most realize!!
Even inmates in prison have eyes that can see!
It’s be —> Awake not WOK!! Folks! Lord have Mercy! Save us from selfie!!!!

Hypocrite: Yes Jesus Christ Said it!

Hypocrite:

Sometimes we are deaf, can’t hear or read! Today’s Gospel! The Good and Gentle Jesus speaks to the leaders of His day!!
Anyone see the word “hypocrite’s”??
Human Doctrines flourish in our modern selfie focused day and endorsed by the “Main Stream Media”!
Yes modern man and oh so many of our Politicians endorse fantasy over

Truth!

He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.
Are you all Awake or Wok??
Did Jesus actually use the word “Hypocrite’s”? Yes he did!!! He nailed it!

Finding Self: Things you don’t know until you walk into the darkness:

How to Start a Retreat?  Yep!

Friday morning August 2, 2024.  Make it to Mass 8 AM.  Put six Hosts in my Pyx before Mass and set my Pyx on the table next to altar.  Listen to the Word!  Receive Communion.  At the end of Mass, Fr. comes to step in front of Altar and waits for me to come.  He gives me the Pyx.  Then He Blesses me as he sends me on my Mission to a State Prison.

The Story Unfolds:  Preparation for things yet to come:  Jump into my Chapel:

Get in my truck which has become my moving Chapel.  Begin my usual prayers on the way.  Well Lord “What do you have in mind for me today”?  Prison is the place I enter, where I have little control.  Six Heavy Doors I have no ability to open.  Usually don’t know who will show up for my Catholic / Communion service? Been going about – how come I don’t remember when I started?  Oh yea my first year was in the application process.  End of first year no joy!  Yep!  My prayer, “Lord I have done everything I know how to do”!  I guess “prison ministry” is not for me!  Lord, done everything I know how to do, I will stop pursuing this ministry!

About a week Later!  My cell phone rings!  I answer and to my surprise it’s the Chaplain from the Prison.  My answer, without thinking!  “yes”!  Next thing I know I am being finger printed – silly silly – I was in the military – I already have finger prints – what the hay!  Got my mug shot.  A locator Card – interesting – a card left at the main entrance gate in case – yikes – the prison goes Lock Down with me in there!  So they know to look for me!  Next I get a Badge with my picture!

Been going 14 Years now?

After 14 Years I encounter an Orphan:  Accident?

Today August 2, 2024.  Young man 39 in for drug offense’s, tells me he is an orphan adopted by Catholic Parents.  He started coming a couple months ago.  I have concluded he is looking to find “what the Hay” is this Catholic Religion his parents introduced him too!   Can I say this Catholic thing?  Yep!  He was Baptized and received the Sacraments.

My description something happened and now he has developed a Thirst!

My Calling:  To Speak about being Stretched:

My calling is to speak to inmates about being stretched.  Take them to a place that creates a stretch:  An uncomfortable place through the suffering prison incarceration creates, if they will begin to search for the “Open Door”.  So I am a story teller about the places (HIV / AIDS Prison) I was called and sent to be ever so “uncomfortable” so the really real discomfort would create a door for the “Holy Spirit” to conduct Class!  Oh my!  Way way outside the structure of Church buildings!

What?  What do You want me to do Lord – What?

Can you imagine it was my diaconate Catholic Church leaders who directed my class to embark upon a summer ministry that would make us each “uncomfortable”!  Holy Smokes!

Lord Help me lead them to your Open Door!

My constant prison ministry prayer is!  Help me Lord do your will so these men can find their way through the open and available door suffering creates so they may find the gift and treasure buried within themselves hidden in the suffering underway awaiting discovery!

A mouthful!  Wonder if anyone can understand?

In walk four Hispanic inmates.  One does not speak English!  My test he is!  Can I pause from time to time and ask his brothers to translate my stories for him that he may feel included!  Sometimes me talks too much!

This day – Friday August 2, 2024 the good Lord had something in mind for me!  After telling one of my “I was stretched stories”!   My 39 year old orphan brother speaks up!  He tells us, he volunteered for a job / task in the prison some time ago and it just didn’t work out!  So he began looking for another volunteer job.   Then he tells me / us!  ( I am all ears!)  He was assigned to work with a 14 year kid with a 30 year sentence!   More, “the kid” has been abandoned by his mother and father!  He is an angry kid!  Yet in his his anger he has managed to find things he can laugh at!

Anyone with me?  Yea the morning of the day I go on Retreat!  Can anyone hear me?

Imagine if you can!!!  An “Orphan” 39 looking for the meaning of his faith / religion has been paired up with a mere kid age 14, whose parents have abandoned him.  Yes – God was speaking to me and answering my prayer!  A grown man whose weakness is drugs paired with a kid!  Both orphans thrown into this prison independently, a place of suffering wondering – is there a chance to find the treasure of self hidden within prison walls!  My prayer!  Help my faith, trust and risk to share my story help anyone?

Next I turn to the Hispanics and ask them to relate my story to their Spanish brother!  I wanna cry!  Why?  You see this none English speaking man is much much older.  When he reads it reminds me of when I was in the sixth grade in a Catholic school and my teacher asked me to read a third grade reader out loud!  I was not a fluid reader!  I was embarrassed!  I still remember quite clearly!  Stumbling over words – aware everyone on my class was listening!  Yes, I am 81 and I still remember!!!

What the Reader can’t see:  I was Set Up:

In 1994 I bought 102 acres of land in the middle of tree growing country in central Georgia.  To be named “Whispering Pines”, visited by the Parish priest who woke me up to God was called me in 1979!  During his visit he named the place for me!  “Land of God’s good fun!” Whispering Pines talking to my soul!  The trees growing and stretching skyward in the background of the Chapel at St. Ignatius House.  Anyone notice many trees have very sparely spread limbs as if he stretch toward the source of Life is the primary objective!   My journey in 1990 among people with HIV/AIDS!  Lord what am I doing here!  I do not relate much to these people yet I sit her and listen to whisper of souls crying out to heard!

A Treasure Hidden:

My prayer and my stretch story to the orphan inmate who found himself paired with a 14 year boy, 30 year sentence whose parents had abandoned him!  Lord have mercy – how did that happen Lord?  A treasure unfolding hidden in the story of two men years apart searching to find what can not be seen in the midst of suffering where almost no one looks!

Yep, I somehow made it to the retreat some 73 miles from my home and wife.

A New Story Unfolding:

1st night I encounter a story about a “blob” standing outside the huge glass widow I stair!  As my eyes search I discover the journey of my day is unveiled.  A stretch where no one travels with me.  Next Friday I have a story to tell to orphans ears and to stretch Hispanic ears as they grasp for the words to translate the message to a brother patiently waiting.

Multitudes of humanity confined within Heavy Gates:

Multitudes of tress!  Young, older and old tress all stretching in hope to source of life high above in the sky.  Few limbs considering normal tress.  Yep those tress are in competition and stretching with all their might reaching for the source of light that assures constant life more abundant in the midst of suffering!  They are reaching from the floor of a natural cliff far far below where the vegetation is thick and dead leaves and branches cover the ground.  A level where the rays of the sun are effectively blocked.  Death abounds at the foot of the tress providing future nourishment for the growth of the trees.  A dying taking place necessary for the growth of new life high above.    A kind of natural area concealed in darkness and only when ones looks for the sky can one find and see the stretching of life seeking the precious source of light that sustains life and essential life sustaining new growth!

A Peek into the Darkness searching for the Light:

Yes, a peek into the prison I visit on a weekly basis!  Packed with humanity into precious few spaces!  Can anyone make a difference?  Although crowded with humanity, precious little space allowed for one to escape the darkness grasping from within to stretch and find the narrow crease one can chase the source of LifeAn escape from the darkness that seeks to hold one bound in darkness!  Only a creative imagination can find the narrow gap that allows one to find the path that leads one to the source of light – yes – the place where new life and hope hide far above the darkness!

Stations of the Cross:

Weeping occurs when wonderment escapes and embraces the light shinning in the midst of suffering of one who opens ones soul to encounter the spirit that unfolds the leaves surrounding the treasure that awaits in hiding!  Can you see?

to be continued ……….