Mass
So I think its offical now I have found a parish home to rival STM. At least in kind. Tonight was my first night that I was an EM and it was nice being a part of the mass again rather than just feeling like a spectator. I know you are never a spectator at mass, but after 14 years of serving, ushering, EM, etc its kinda hard to just sit back and let the Mass happen.
It was also a really good homily today, well great and well timed readings in addition to a great homily. Father Justin spoke to the specifics about taking care of the disadvantaged in the community. But what really hit me was the bit he had about responsibility and the question that we ievitably ask God.... How can you let someone exist in that condition? The answer is always the same: Thats why I put you there. I know its probably a conclusion that most would not draw, but that is an answer that I have been looking for for a few years about why I love the army so much. Not because of the big guns and all the cool toys (they help) but because it affords me the oppurtunity to live out what I believe on a daily basis. In about an hour I will be heading in to work to take care of paperwork before everybody goes out to the Firing Center for the week. These kinda days royally suck. But the chance to work for a soldier and get them what they deserve is the best feeling in the world. It just so happened that 2 of my soldiers finally got their pay straightened out after several months of it being messed up. They both thanked me for it. I know it sounds cheesey as hell, but knowing what they have had to put up with for the last 2 months and that even after that they could thank me for getting them what they deserved is a great feeling. But soldiering affords me the oppurtunity to work among the less fortunate of the world (read Iraq and Afghanistan) and to hopefully answer the question that God will ultiamtely ask us.... Where were you?
The Gospel also spoke to me on another level as well. About pride and what a sin it can be. For the last few weeks I have been wrestling with the decision about how much to give to charity this coming year.... answer is about 5% with another 5% going to my parish. Its hard not to be prideful that I am able to do that both mentally and financially. But actually turning in the paperwork for the deductions on friday felt really good because I know that it will end up doing someone a whole lot more good than it does me. I think though that for the near term that is going to be the thing I have to work on is my pride. Not just for small things like that, but across the board.
Oh and I realized today that I won't be able to go to All Saints Mass because of the field exercise this week. That sucks. And its kinda upsetting cause believe it or not, the Church and going to mass is a highlight for me. Not because it is a relief from anything but because I always feel so much better once I walk out and know that in some way I am not that far from everyone I love because we are still one body.... I know its a kinda strange way to look at it, but its the truth. It still goes through my mind that when I am in mass here I can close my eyes and see the people that mean so much to me in STM or ST and my memories are as vivid now as they were the day that I was there.
It was also a really good homily today, well great and well timed readings in addition to a great homily. Father Justin spoke to the specifics about taking care of the disadvantaged in the community. But what really hit me was the bit he had about responsibility and the question that we ievitably ask God.... How can you let someone exist in that condition? The answer is always the same: Thats why I put you there. I know its probably a conclusion that most would not draw, but that is an answer that I have been looking for for a few years about why I love the army so much. Not because of the big guns and all the cool toys (they help) but because it affords me the oppurtunity to live out what I believe on a daily basis. In about an hour I will be heading in to work to take care of paperwork before everybody goes out to the Firing Center for the week. These kinda days royally suck. But the chance to work for a soldier and get them what they deserve is the best feeling in the world. It just so happened that 2 of my soldiers finally got their pay straightened out after several months of it being messed up. They both thanked me for it. I know it sounds cheesey as hell, but knowing what they have had to put up with for the last 2 months and that even after that they could thank me for getting them what they deserved is a great feeling. But soldiering affords me the oppurtunity to work among the less fortunate of the world (read Iraq and Afghanistan) and to hopefully answer the question that God will ultiamtely ask us.... Where were you?
The Gospel also spoke to me on another level as well. About pride and what a sin it can be. For the last few weeks I have been wrestling with the decision about how much to give to charity this coming year.... answer is about 5% with another 5% going to my parish. Its hard not to be prideful that I am able to do that both mentally and financially. But actually turning in the paperwork for the deductions on friday felt really good because I know that it will end up doing someone a whole lot more good than it does me. I think though that for the near term that is going to be the thing I have to work on is my pride. Not just for small things like that, but across the board.
Oh and I realized today that I won't be able to go to All Saints Mass because of the field exercise this week. That sucks. And its kinda upsetting cause believe it or not, the Church and going to mass is a highlight for me. Not because it is a relief from anything but because I always feel so much better once I walk out and know that in some way I am not that far from everyone I love because we are still one body.... I know its a kinda strange way to look at it, but its the truth. It still goes through my mind that when I am in mass here I can close my eyes and see the people that mean so much to me in STM or ST and my memories are as vivid now as they were the day that I was there.