Seventh Sunday of Easter ~ The Ascension of Jesus

Have you ever experienced the joy in being reunited with a dear friend or family member whom you have not seen in some time?  Just to hear their voice, their laughter, to see the light in their eyes brings comfort and somehow makes you feel whole again.  Then reluctantly, you must return to your corner of the world and feel a little melancholy for a few days because you miss being in their presence.

This is something that I think about quite often when I reflect upon the resurrection and ascension of our Lord.  I often wonder what it was like for the apostles, friends and family of Jesus when he told them that he would be leaving them once again after rising from the dead.  I mean, really, that had to feel like their heart tearing in two all over again.  As I was thinking about this, I remembered a prayer that I submitted to be published in a book of prayers which I was lucky enough to help create with students and administration of John F. Kennedy Catholic School, Kennedy Prays.  I would like to share the prayer which I wrote for the second Glorious Mystery, The Ascension.

I feel such peace in Your presence but now You say You must go. Your father awaits You. I am afraid to be without You again. Yet – as You rise to the Heavens – to Your father – the Peace remains with me. You have left part of Yourself here. You reside within me! Thank you! Hallelujah!

 

When Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered death and was buried, his mother, family members and friends were left with a terrible sense of loss.  Their world was ripped in two just as surely as was the temple.  Three days of darkness and their world opened back up again just like the gates of heaven when Jesus stood in their midst in the upper room.  They came to realize that indeed he was the Son of God.  After spending 40 glorious days once again in his presence, he tells them he must go.  Did they beg him to stay?  I wonder. 

 

I tend to think that this separation did not bear the same agony as his death; for they could now be certain that he was going to prepare a place for them in heaven.  This separation brought them hope that they would be reunited with Jesus in the kingdom of God.

 

This is a hope to which I cling, especially since my mother went home to heaven.  I long for the day to be reunited with her in the presence of the Holy One.  Until then, I will do my best to  . . .

 

“live in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”                                       Ephesians 4:2-3

 

Shalom,

Tina

Sixth Sunday of Easter ~ Mother’s Day Blessing

Happy Mother’s Day!  This will be a difficult day for me as this is the first Mother’s Day that I and my family will experience with our Mother residing in Heaven.  Today is also my Father’s birthday, so we will be celebrating both life and death this day.  My Mom had an intense devotion to Mother Mary, so while I miss my Mom terribly, I can’t help but smile thinking of her celebrating this day with the Blessed Mother.  I imagine all the women in heaven gathering for a lovely tea as Mary shares stories of Jesus as a child.  Those years were not recorded for us, for Mary pondered them in her heart, but it is great fun to imagine Mary sharing those stories with other mothers in heaven!

My life has been filled with wonderful moments created by my mother.  In sharing some of the stories with you, I hope that some of my stories might trigger a happy memory of your own mother and childhood!

Birthdays ~ We had great family parties!  We were allowed to have what was then called “slumber parties” for a few of our friends.   Oh, the food she would make and the cake!  What I now realize is that while she created wonderful memories for me, this taught me a bigger lesson in life to not get caught up in materialism.  The important thing about celebrating is being with family and friends, not in the theme or elaborate setting.  The older I get, the more I understand this lesson. 

Vacations ~ our vacations were also focused on family.  My mom would often apologize to us for not being able to take us on a big fancy vacation but oh my gosh the fun we had visiting our cousins in Maryland and Indiana!  We thought that was great!  Our dad was very involved in the Optimist Club when we were young, so our vacations were often tagging along with them to conventions.   I do not know how my mother packed up six children, one husband, and everything needed for the hospitality room while in heels and looking fabulous the entire time.  Geez I can’t hold a candle to that!  Like my mom, I carry this guilt that our younger children have not been to Disney or Universal Studios or Niagara Falls. Our vacations have been to visit wherever their older brother lives and the yearly trip to the shores of Lake Erie with the McCue clan.  Another life lesson which I am still learning; it does not matter where you go but who you are with on the journey. 

Mother’s Day ~ as a young mother it bothered me that my mom was still the one doing all the work on Mother’s Day!  I would be fierce with my dad, husband and brothers that they should be doing the work.  Ah, another life lesson.  My mom was all about serving others.  Our Mother’s Day celebrations gave her the chance to once again feed her six children and their families.  This is a lesson that I need to learn, for in my selfishness, I want a day to be served rather than to serve.  I pray for the strength to daily remember “it is better to serve than be served.” 

So Mom, thank you for being such a wonderful Christian Mother, teaching me by word and deed how to walk like Jesus.  To all mothers and caretakers, thank you for being Jesus to those you love and serve.

Shalom,

Tina

Fifth Sunday of Easter ~ Remain In Me

Well, once again, God has provided fitting scripture for another milestone of our parish community.  Today, we celebrate with our high school seniors to honor and support them as they prepare to graduate from high school.   Life after Graduation is marked with a multitude of emotions for both the parents, and the teen who must learn how to become a young adult in today’s world.

We know that while scripture was written to a specific audience, it is at the same time speaking to us today in Northeast Ohio in the year of our Lord 2015.  I pray that all who read this blog are strengthened in their faith as I address the Class of 2015.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I hope that you pay heed to the words of Jesus Christ when he says to us “Remain in me, as I remain in you.  Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.”     John 15:4

YOU are the first class to which I taught Sacramental preparation.  I remember being scared out of my mind with the weight of that responsibility.  Just as I wanted to be sure that you were prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time, I want to be sure that you are armed with the knowledge of your Catholic faith as you walk onto the path of your adult life.

He is the vine – you are the branch.  Remember this little song “He’s the vine and we’re the branches, he’s the vine and we’re the branches, he’s the vine and we’re the branches, and that’s why we’re bananas for the Lord.” 

You will meet others, as no doubt you already have, who have no idea who Jesus Christ is or have heard how he suffered, died and rose so that we might enjoy eternal life.  Throughout your lifetime, you will come across people who will question your beliefs.  My prayer for you is that you REMAIN IN JESUS, AND ALLOW HIM TO REMAIN IN YOU. 

Count for a minute how many times you may have said to your parents, “Why do we have to go to Church?”  You must now look in the mirror and ask yourself, “How am I going to remain in Jesus and allow him to remain in me.”  It is solely your choice whether to stay attached to the vine or reject the vine. Every adult faces this same question.  I want you to remember when you make this choice every day, the rest of the scripture verse “a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine.”  I bear witness to you that a life connected to the vine brings joy beyond measure.  Being connected to the vine gives strength that is needed to survive the hardships of life. 

My friends, just as it is necessary to attend college or a trade school to learn skills and gain knowledge for your future, it is necessary to remain connected to the Church to help you stay connected to the vine.  It is not the Church who makes this command; it is our very God who asks this of us, for it is written, “Keep holy the Sabbath.”  When you make the choice to love others, to serve others and to keep holy the Sabbath, you glorify the God who created you, and you will be rewarded with gifts beyond your imagination. 

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.  By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

John 15:7-8

Know this, I love you because God loved you into being, and know that I am here should you need me.

Shalom,

Tina

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