Thought of the Day

Burnt salmon, countless dinners, and being blessed

I’ve learned never again to put salmon in the oven on broil temperature. Or maybe I should because it was through burnt salmon that I met someone as special to me as Rodelyn. She invited me over her home after my failed attempt to cook dinner and the rest is history.

Many people say that there lucky when they come across someone special. For me, I would miss the mark by making that statement. To be lucky, simply means that everything was by chance. No. Meeting Rodelyn and her family was not luck. Rather, it was a blessing; therefore I consider myself to be deeply blessed – being favored and loved by God for giving me such a beautiful living saint in my life.

Rodelyn and her family have journeyed with me these many years as I make my way to the priesthood. They have been my backbone and have cheered and supported me in making the decisions I’ve needed to make in my life that have sustained me in my journey.

But above all, she has welcomed me into her life and the life of her children and family and for that I will be eternally grateful. The idea of belonging is something that can never be wrapped in a box, but simply cherished as a precious gift from God.

Some people call this type of a relationship an adopted second mom or an older sister. Call it what you may …. Happy Birthday Rodelyn! Wishing you all the wonderful blessings of love, family, and friends! Thank you for constantly blessing my life with your love and presence …. Would I attempt fried salmon for another run? Sure. Any time in order to be blessed by you and your family all over again.

Response on the Youtube clip of Jefferson Bethke. Getting everyone’s attention!

As of today, Jefferson Bethke’s video is speedily making its way to 2,000,000 hits on Youtube. I admire Jefferson for his passion and in a sense he is taking on the Holy Father’s desire for the New Evangelization, namely, using the media to preach the Gospel of Christ  anew! It is obvious that he searches for Christ and is seeking a community that will resonate the gospel message authentically.

Some points for consideration for those who view this video:

• Through the faith of Saint Peter (cf. Matthew 16.16) Christ established his Church. He commissioned his apostles to begin the Church and gave the power to loose and bind (cf. Matthew 18.18). Even the Book of Acts tells the story of the early Church, living in community and hearing the Word and partaking in the Breaking of the Bread. In the modern day, it’s known as the Mass.
• We will never find a perfect faith community simply because we live in a sinful world. Yet, in the Church, through the sacraments, we will always find Christ. Find Christ where he is found.
• Further, to not accept the dirty laundry of the Church, is to not accept historical responsibility and moreover not to accept the action of the Holy Spirit in the world and throughout time. Through these lenses, we see how Christ keeps his promise to never leave the Church. His Church is the hall of saints and sinners.

These are only a few reflective thoughts. Christ is found where he is found: in HIS Church which HE established.

I am “always in love and always getting into trouble”

Tonight was no exception! It was one of those nights where grace permeated the room. A night of being with bishops, inspiring priests, and the San Francisco seminarians. Tonight was a night recalling why we are where we are. God called and we said, “yes.” And once you say “yes” to God, God never changes his mind.

“Always in love, always getting into trouble.” A thought shared by a good friend. That is the life of a seminarian and future Father-to-be. Always in love with Jesus Christ, always getting in trouble with the world. After all, there is no greater love that God and to preach God is to go against what the world thinks.

Birds, Peanut Butter, and the Christmas Tree

By this time, the city notifies that they will be picking up your Christmas Tree. Be sure you leave the tree in the drive way or you’ll be out of luck!

Funny enough, my good friend in Oregon, tells me she has the custom of leaving peanut butter on the Christmas Tree for the birds to enjoy!

Today, we close the Christmas Season with the Baptism of the Lord. These past few days we have watched the Lord closely in a three-fold epiphany: the Wedding at Cana, the Magi, and the Baptism. This is the Son’s way of revealing himself as the Light who has come to curse the darkness.

According to Joseph Ratzinger, Christ accepts the death the for sins of humanity in his Baptism (Jesus of Nazareth pg. 18). The Son accepts death as the consequence of sin, death as the ultimate God-forsaken state in his passion, death as the realm of distance from the Father. At the same time, his baptism is the foreshadowing of his Resurrection, his entering into the tomb and being the victor of death! What a way to end the Christmas Season!

Christmas is more than the sentiments found on the Hallmark Card. It is the eternal stamp of the Son’s mission. A mission of absolute committed love in obedience to the Father’s will.

So what? God goes the extreme out of love for us. What will our response be to such a radical love? As birds enjoy the sweetness of peanut butter on the Christmas Tree, perhaps we can relish the joy and mystery of the Christmas Season. We can taste and see the goodness of God found at Christmas. And after the Magi have returned to their country by another way, after the shepherds return to their fields and Mary and Joseph no longer reside in the cave – the work of Christmas begins! To find Christ and to serve Christ in our neighbor – the person right in front of us.