Reaching, Preaching and Teaching

Good Morning, dear reader! We have completed another joyous week of Easter! I'm going to start with John's Gospel this morning because it is one we are all familiar with...Jesus walking on water. 

So, picture this, winds are blowing, the sea is roiling. You're out in your little boat being tossed around. You look out at the ocean and all of sudden, here comes Jesus, strolling along ON TOP OF THE WATER!!! While the disciples are fearfully staring at Jesus, He basically says to them "Hey, it's me! Jesus! Nothing to be afraid of!". Yeah, ok. How many people have you seen walking on water in the middle of a roiling blow!?!? This is just another ordinary day for Jesus. Talk about your signs and wonders!! This has to be His all-time best miracle!! But, then again, this is the same Man who could raise people from the dead! Yup, Jesus is definitely amazing!!  

As we leave this absolutely incredible story, we enter into a slightly more complicated one. We see some new people here, the Hellenists. The explanation given in my bible is as follows:

The Hellenists were not necessarily migrant Jews, but were more probably Palestinian Jews who spoke only Greek.The Hebrews were Palestinian Jews who spoke Hebrew or Aramaic and who may also have spoken Greek. Both groups belong to the Jerusalem Jewish Christian community. (Hiesberger et al., 1995)

As the number of believers increased, the efficiency of the ones in charge decreased. The Apostles could only do so much. In such great numbers of people, someone always gets overlooked. This seems to be what happened with the Hellenists. It was just one more group that needed help. So Peter came up with a plan. He would come up with a group of seven men who could aid in the service of the people. This way, it would free up others to help where they were needed most. This was the beginning of appointing deacons and elders within the church body who would oversee the various missions. 

Think of how many people it takes to run a church. You have the priest, the associate priest, eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and so on. Everyone has a specific task. This is so that all the members of the church, and the community, are reached and their needs met. Without all these people the church would quickly become inundated with the needs of others and would not be able to efficiently and effectively run. If everyone gives just a little bit, a lot can be accomplished. 

The next time you are at church or a church gathering, find out ways in which you can help. It could be something as simple as passing out the church bulletin or serving at a community supper. There is always a need for a helping hand, and it is always very much appreciated. As the old saying goes, many hands make light work. Just think, donating your time ensures that you will always be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection on today's readings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XSZEd15w9s

Reference:

Hiesberger, J., Breen, C., Lucinio, J., Marcheschi, G. and Mazza, B., 1995. The Catholic Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, p.193.

Healing Waters

Good Afternoon, dear reader. A little late with this today, but better late than never! Today we look at the healing powers of water. We all know that without water, we will perish. Water nourishes our body as well as flushing out harmful things in our systems. We know that all living things require water for life. Water IS life. And that's why water is mentioned throughout the Bible. 

We see stark contrasts of what happens when there is too much water or too little. There are floods, unending rain, streams, rivers, oceans... We also see what happens when there isn't enough water. Things dry up, fade away, die off, unending thirst. We cross ourselves with holy water when we enter church, a priest may spread holy water as he proceeds up the aisles, blessing us as he goes. When we are baptised, we are either submerged briefly in water or it is poured over us. It's amazing how something so simple is so important. 

Water can also be the symbol of God's word. His word quenches our thirst and renews our spirit. It gives us peace and reassurance. Water is also seen as a symbol of Jesus and His unending love and ability to heal. In John's Gospel, we see the man who had been ill for thirty eight years. He had no one to carry him to the water to be healed. But Jesus said to the man "Rise, take up your mat and walk" (John 5:8, NAB). The man stood up and realized he had been healed. The man realized that Jesus WAS the water he needed. He believed, he listened and he was healed. If we look further on in John's Gospel, we see Jesus likening Himself to water, "Let anyone who thirsts come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture says, 'Rivers of living water will flow from within him.'" (John 7:37-38, NAB). I could go on and on. But, you get the point. 

Water is a powerful symbol. Never underestimate its power. Pour it out, drink it, wash in it, be blessed by it. The next time you get a glass of water, or a bottle of water, hold it for a moment, really look at it. Remind yourself of its importance to life. And be reminded of Jesus. Be thankful for all of it. And, as always, dear reader...be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection on today's readings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezPWTLZ4KFU

Doing For Others

Read: Lev 19:1-2, 11-18; Mt 25:31-46

Today's readings center around food and helping others. Many years ago I volunteered at the church I had belonged to to help out at the community suppers that were held every Saturday. These dinners were free and anyone who needed a meal or was just looking for fellowship were welcomed. Those who needed more, such as clothing or spiritual counsel, were also taken care of. And, as the people left, there was a table with bread and other baked goods that they could take home with them. The whole thing was centered around Matthew 25. It was a good feeling to know that we were helping others in our community.

Doing for others, giving of our time and our compassion should be the foremost things in the life of a Christian. Jesus calls us to be disciples of men (and women). To be there for others. To give what little we can spare. It makes such a difference. Be that light in a very dark world. Reach out. Help each other. Walk in your faith, don't just sit and read about it. Show others the love and compassion that Jesus showed to all.

God Bless. And remember to be a blessing to someone. ❤

Pope Francis: Discover the beauty of prayer in adoration

This is a really great take on the Gospel message from Sunday, Aug. 17. There were so many ways in which that reading could be interpreted, which is really good because it sparks conversation and thought. 

Here is the reading:

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:49-53, NIV)

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-discover-the-beauty-of-prayer-in-adoration-72637?fbclid=IwAR0kv3zQ43bNzEAldBVyKpjDIlep-POcLiUuRHG9OC8EZ3p_tdriapN_I6o

Mental Illness, Faith, and Patron Saints

There seems to be a patron saint for almost anything and any place. So, when I came across this article, I found it really quite interesting that there are saints that we can invoke spiritual support from for our mental illnesses. The story of St. Dymphna was truly heartbreaking. I shared it with my daughter who thought the same thing. But, we can use her story as inspiration for our own trials. AND....we need to share our trials with others so we can inspire and uplift them, as well. God never gives us problems without a way to use them for the good of ourselves and others.


As one who suffers from anxiety and depression, it makes life really hard. Recently I ventured out by myself and went to an early evening Mass at a nearby Franciscan chapel. That was a big thing for me. I really haven't been anywhere on my own in quite some time. But, I felt I needed to be there, so off I went. And I was glad to have gone. Unfortunately, my anxiety wouldn't leave me alone enough to enjoy the peace and serenity of it all, but it still was an accomplishment. The whole idea is to at least do SOMETHING, no matter how small. AND... be proud of yourself for accomplishing it, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

Give this article a read. If nothing else, it will give you some hope that you can keep surviving and moving forward. https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/mental-illness-patron-saints-6296?fbclid=IwAR30K5Np3eQjI0mqkycPB_TkHzWudUmPrQ0Q1ydBEwcDU17JjVlTkrCpqCc

Sending Love and Blessings. 😊💙✝️