Pilgrims

In a couple of weeks we will be leaving for pilgrimage to Medugorje.  My wife has been organizing and leading such pilgrimages for the past few years.

Now, if you would have told me ten years ago that not only would we be going to such a place but that we would return again and again--I would have laughed at you and promptly labeled you a wacko.
Years back when I was a Roman Catholic deacon--the assistant priest at the parish gave me a book entitled Medugorje, by Wayne Weible.  I thought he was playing a joke on me.  After all, I was the soon to be ordained "new-breed-of-open-minded-progressive-priest"--so I threw it away.

Many years later, my wife brought the book into our 'Episcopal home'
And the rest is a story soon to be published--(with an ironic twist of who is instrumental in bringing it to print)

Here are some pilgrimage correlations that I believe are applicable to the spiritual quest.
1.  Ultimately God calls you and wants you.
2. satan hates it....satan doesn't want you, what he wants is to keep you from God--it's all about pride remember?
3. The Mother of God wants you to be with her Son.
4. Again, satan hates it....satan doesn't want you, what he wants is to keep you from God.
5.  God's greatest work was you, the creation of your soul.
6. satan's work is not creative--in the end it is destructive and he will use any means to that end--ergo the many pings throughout the day just to keep your heart and mind from praying and working for God.

There is a direct correlation between the soul's desire for union with God and satan's nonstop pinging.

My wife could enumerate countless 'events' that accompany pilgrimage planning--Years back all the deposit money was lost in some overseas bank transaction,  plane reservations have vanished,  phone calls dropped, computers crashing--all surrounding pilgrimages.  How about this one---an unseasonable snow fall on the morning we needed to make the first connection--then in the midst of the drive finding out that the back doors of the van were open with all the luggage exposed to snow, slush, and falling out---funny thing...no luggage was lost--weird?  Pings.
My wife also has a prayer that she shares with those on pilgrimage reminding everyone that they are a pilgrim and not a tourist.  It is a remarkable prayer that is applicable to the spiritual quest--i'll have to find it for you.

Pieta--Michelangelo   St. Peter's Basilica Vatican City

If we approach the spiritual journey as a pilgrim and not some entitled tourist then we begin to live with virtue and the greatest model of a spiritual pilgrim is the Mother of God.


Oh, and by the way--satan hates virtuous living.

Be a pilgrim.

In the end...

A few years ago..when I was an Episcopal Priest my Bishop was the Right Reverend Robert Rowley (RIP 2010)  Together we shared not only the same Roman roots but Benedictine since we both attended St. Vincent's in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

The story goes that while I was learning all things Anglican I often times would confuse not only some of the words in the Eucharistic Prayers but also which Bishop I was supposed to be mentioning by name during the prayers of the people.  During one liturgy, with the Bishop present, I replaced 'Robert' with the name 'William'.  When I returned to my chair in the sanctuary--He leaned over to me and asked; "Did you just replace me with a dead Roman Catholic Bishop?"
"Why, yes I suppose I did. My apologies Bishop."
There was a moment of silence and he leaned over once more; "You know...he was once my Bishop too!"

I've been thinking of him during the past Triduum--especially when, in Matthew's Gospel account the angel rolled the stone away and 'sat on it.'

Bishop Rowley used to say;  "In the end, Jesus always wins."



On another note and in keeping with title of this blog PRAYLIUM
Here is a battle being waged--I am sure this will upset some readers--check it out it is worth it--

Harry Potter???

In the end...Jesus always wins.

Holy Saturday

It is Holy Saturday here in Pennsylvania--the middle of the Triduum.  I would care to take a break from sharing some of the hard truths and challenges of this blog and offer a glimpse into some personal past.

I like to fly kites--especially during the Triduum. It started years ago during my first year of priesthood.  I was on my way back to the parish following the renewal of my priestly promises at that morning's Holy Chrism Mass at the Cathedral.  I remember my bishop addressing the clergy following the Mass.  He was torqued about a guy who left the priesthood and was talking smack on us.  It was a great experience for a newly ordained.

Anyways, I stopped at Wal-Mart and bought a kite.
That afternoon I trudged into the barren field behind the rectory and the 1.99 event was launched.
It never came down until after my last Mass on Easter Sunday.
It became known as the Triduum Kite.

When I first left the priesthood and moved away--some kids from the youth ministry secretly left a kite on my wife and I's doorstep, rang the bell and left.

So today my lovely wife asked if it was windy enough to fly a kite.
I'm interested, but now I fear my son may be too 'old' for such a silly event.  Maybe I can talk my brother into it--two old farts tripping and running with string.

I love Easter.
--cause I know the rest of the story.

Imagine the disciples who didn't have the pieces we do.  Imagine.
Imagine Mary--who did know--but what of her sorrow?
Imagine those who witnessed his passion and death--and the darkness and the earth moving.
Imagine satan's surprise and hate when Christ showed up conquered death.

Yeh...things to think about as we take breaks during the Triduum and prepare for the Eternal Light to shine.

God Bless you and go fly a kite.




Hours later.......

So the kite flying...

The photos say it all.

Following the fish kite getting stuck in a tree, we grabbed an additional Justice League kite and moved to a nearby swamp. 

My kite suffered considerable structural damage, entanglement, and a cut string due to my brother's numerous attacks from his gecko kite.

I found two more trees and eventually with the help of my lovely wife and four dogs--lost the end of the string.  As I chased it---well the photo below shows the result.

The kite found it's forth tree--at which point my brother,(or as my son referred to him, 'the kite whisperer') walked over, picked up the end of the string--and, as if on cue, the wind picked the kite out of the trees.

Yeh playing in God's Creation and thankful for our Salvation.












By the Way...in keeping things light.... 
I've added another link to the sidebar.  It is a special link because it comes from some graduates of a youth ministry program that I was part of.  They are solid kids who have a ton to offer the world and our Church.  I ask that you say a decade of the rosary for them and their intentions.....God has plans for them.