Fourth Sunday of Easter ~ The Cornerstone

According to Wikipedia, "The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.”

On March 29, 1964, John and Rose Makosky presented a child to the Church to be baptized.  “What do you ask of the Church for your child?”  “Baptism.”  They made sure that their children were built on the solid rock of the church.  As faithful Catholic parents, they sent their children to Catholic School, taught them to pray, to treat their neighbor as themselves, and faithfully brought them to Mass every Sunday and every Holy Day. 

“What name do you give your child?”  “Christine.”  They started my life with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone and it was through their dedication to God that my life was set in reference to this stone, thus determining the woman of faith that I am today.    I think it is so fitting that today as the Parish of St. William welcomes three young parishioners to join at the table of the Lord, God gives us these words to hear once again. 

He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven

given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”   Acts 4:11-12

It brings me great hope in our future to witness families accepting Jesus, rather than rejecting him.  Like my parents, these young families are ensuring that their children are set in reference to this stone, namely, our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is such an awesome responsibility to pass our Catholic tradition on, not only to our children, but to any child of God, regardless of their age.  In the words of Pope Francis, spoken on October 27, 2013, “The family which experiences the joy of faith communicates it naturally.  That family is the salt of the earth and the light of the world; it is the leaven of society.”

I pray that you will be strong builders of the faith.  I pray that our Parish family becomes an extension of your own family so that together we are leaven for a just society.  I pray that you “take your candle and go light your world.”  

#jesusisthecornerstone #catholictradition #golightyourworld

Shalom,
Tina

Third Sunday of Easter ~ In The Breaking of the Bread

I love the gospel story of the road to Emmaus and how “He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then he broke the bread and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”  Luke 24:30-31

So often things are right in front of me and I do not recognize them or realize the significance of the event until a later time.  Bear with me as I share with you awakening experiences that happened to me on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Now I knew that those holy days would be difficult for me because, first of all, they are my favorite and second of all, they were my Mom’s favorite!  So, I had a pretty rough day Thursday and managed to get through most of Mass without losing composure until the very end when the body of our Lord was placed in the day chapel for adoration, the church was darkened, the altar was stripped and we sang “Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray.”

My Mom was not afraid to die but she was afraid to leave us behind.  Over and over she said to me that she wanted to be surrounded by us and wanted to die in the comfort of her home.  I will be forever grateful to our God that he granted that last prayer for her.  As she was approaching death I kept thinking that those weeks were her “agony in the garden.”  I did not realize it until Holy Thursday that Jesus was showing me both sides of that night; his perspective as the one approaching death, and the perspective of the disciples who were asked to “stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray.”  As the Gospel was read and those words of our Lord were proclaimed, the weight of that responsibility really came upon me.  As I sat and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament, I realized Jesus was not just asking that of his disciples one terrifying night, he asks that of each of us every day.  I wanted to curl up on the floor and stay in that chapel all night.  We are asked to be present to each other, to pray for each other, to stand by each other in times of trouble.  In the broken bread and in my broken heart I found the face of my savior.

In those final hours, she knew that her time was coming.  She told us that she loved us and she breathed her last.  She gave herself back to God whom she loved above all, “Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit.”  Jesus showed us how to live, how to care for each other, how to die and finally how to surrender our very self to God.  I pray that your eyes might be opened to recognize how Jesus is trying to reveal himself to you every day.

#staywithmepraywithme  #breakthebread   #receivejesus

Shalom,

Tina

Second Sunday of Easter ~ Disciples

Ok, so we left off with Mary running to spread the Good News.  I reflected on this as I drove to Chicago with my family.  We were heading out to Loyola University of Chicago for Welcome Weekend for our Anna.  One of my beautiful Aunts lives in Valparaiso, so of course, we were going to visit her on the way.

As I was driving, I reflected on all of the powerful women God has put in my life.  Good, Christian Catholic women who were not afraid to wear their faith on their sleeve.  It is no wonder that I have always felt kindred with Mary of Magdala, for I come from a long line of women of faith who stood by their Jesus Christ and spread his good news in both word and deed. 

I need to name some of these disciples of Christ. First and foremost my mother, Rose; my aunt and godmother Virginia; my grandmother Victoria; my aunts Debbie, Marian, Josie, Dolly, Mary, Dorothy; religious women Sr. Jean, Sr. Yvonne, Sr. Mary Cora and countless friends.  I name these women because they passed their faith to me.  They taught me how to be a solid Christian mother and I try to live by their examples of unconditional love and service to God and His church.  Now, it’s not like we sat around the table and studied scripture, rather, they followed the call of our Lord to worship and serve others; reaching the marginalized, caring for the sick, feeding the hungry.  This brings to mind the words of St. Francis; “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.”

Well, much to my children’s dismay, I love words!  I have much work yet to do to become a better Christian.  The words of Sirach often get me right in the gut “a silent wife (mother) is a joy to her home.”  Yikes – my poor husband and children!  I feel that one of my biggest responsibilities as a mother is to be sure that my children know, love and serve my God.  It is important to me that my grandchildren grow to know, love and serve God.

 

Who has passed the faith on to you?  I encourage you to take time and reflect on who has made sure that you know, love and serve God.  Take time this Easter season to thank them for being a disciple of Christ. 

#spreadthegoodnews   #knowloveserve   #passion

Shalom,

Tina

He’s Alive

Easter Sunday – my favorite day of the year – hands down.  The celebration for me begins at the Easter Vigil.  A few weeks ago, I saw Gary bringing in a large narrow box, and I wanted to shout, “The new Easter candle is here, the new Easter candle is here.”  I am filled with anticipation to see what Father Balash has chosen for us this year. 

 

I love how we begin outside with a new flame and then that flame is shared and breaks through the darkness as our candles are lit.  This to me is a beautiful, visual reminder that we each carry the light of Christ within us.  It is a light that shines brightest when it is shared with others.

I have always felt a connection with Mary Magdalene.  For me, she represents the epitome of pure Christian love.  I often hold in my mind the image of her going to the tomb to anoint the body of her friend, and upon arrival find the stone rolled away.  I imagine her dropping the holy oil and spices and running to see if someone has harmed his body.  She arrives in the tomb, only to find the shroud.  I imagine her picking it up and holding it tight to her chest in tears and confusion.  Where is her Jesus?  Suddenly He appears and she wants to touch him but he keeps her at a distance, and so she runs filled with joy and wonder to spread the good news HE IS ALIVE!

The image of the empty tomb came to life for me nine years ago when my sweet Grandmother died.  My grandparents have one of those large above the ground tombs.  As we were leaving the cemetery, mom wanted to pass by the tomb.  As we approached, I could see that Grandma’s stone was sitting to the side so that her earthly remains could be encased in the tomb.  My first instinct was to look inside because I wanted to see my Grandfather’s casket – I don’t know why – that little five year old girl just longed to see her grandpa.  Then I snapped back to reality and it hit me – the tomb is empty.  I know that empty space was waiting to receive Grandma but all I could think of was the TOMB IS EMPTY – she is alive and is rejoicing with the Holy One! 

“He’s alive and I’m forgiven, heaven’s gates are opened wide.”  Rejoice my friends; share your light of Christ with others; spread the Good News!

Shalom,

Tina