Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Guide

This Fr. Anthony’s homily from last Sunday, the Sixth Sunday of Easter.

Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Guide.

There is a saying, “We need Jesus Christ for our eternal life and the Holy Spirit for our internal life.”

The focus of today’s readings is on Apostolic preaching of salvation and the promise of the Holy Spirit by Jesus.  We shall reflect on the Holy Spirit and the continuation of the work of salvation in our daily lives.  In the first reading, we listen to how the Holy Spirit helped Philip, the Deacon, of his preaching for the conversion of the Samaritans, who received the anointing of the Holy Spirit through the imposition of hands by the apostles’ Peter and John.  In the second reading, St. Peter speaks of the opposition and persecution which was faced by those who believe in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

In the Gospel, Jesus says, “I shall ask the Father and He shall give you another Advocate.”  The context of these works is that the disciples were disappointed and troubled because Jesus was leaving them and thus comes the promise of sending His Holy Spirit.  Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus indwells in our hearts every day, and every time.  We are experiencing the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit through the reception of the Holy Eucharist and prayer life.  The word Paraclete refers to one who defends or pleads the cause of someone at trial.  Therefore, every time we face difficulties, sicknesses, problems, and trials, the Holy Spirit assists us and defends us from harm and guides us along the right way.  

Let us be open to the Holy Spirit, our Paraclete to indwell in us throughout our life to experience His power and presence of Holiness, and wholeness.  Many times we ignore the power and guidance that is available by the Holy Spirit.  We all commit sins that take away the presence of God.  “But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one” (1 John 2:1).  It’s because we are all imperfect.  St. Paul expressed this predicament thus, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do” (Rom 7:19).  Let us pray according to the Psalm 51:11, “cast me not away from your presence; take not you Holy Spirit from me.”  St Peter in his first sermon said, “Repent and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).  Let us also remember the Promise of Jesus in Luke 11:13, “if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give to Holy Spirit to them that as Him?”  St. Paul tell us, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16).

God the Holy Spirit helps us to see the truth in ourselves and to discern the right way.  He gives us strength in difficult times and times of pain.  Let us be assured that we are not left as orphans.  His presence is in the Church, family, Scripture, Sacraments, and in the praying community.

May we pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit 

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, and renew the face of the earth.”

Spiritual Jazz

Papoo’s office was in the back of his and Noni’s house.  You could always find him back there doing something, whether it be surfing the web, forwarding some email, reading a book, or talking on the phone to one of his many friends.  My fondest memories of my time spent with my late grandfather, Papoo, were back in his office talking about anything and everything.  In these conversations, he challenged me to be a better man and Christian.  And back in his office, all those years ago, he introduced me to Jazz!

I have loved jazz from the very first moment I heard Hello Dolly by Louis Armstrong.  Jazz is a unique kind of music where any note or rhythm is possible.  Jazz seems random… but it is also not random.  Playing jazz takes great skill and I admire the musicians that can control the notes and rhythms to produce a grand song that not only gets people to dance but also, like most music, can be felt deep down in their soul.  

In today’s world of quarantine and social distancing, the churches’ are closed and we are asked by our Bishops, Priests, and Pastors to become more spiritual people.  We are asked to embrace a type of faith that is not typical.  We participate in Mass live on tv while using the prayer of Spiritual Communion.  We are in a unique time.  Any note or rhythm seems possible.  But during this time, I see the people of God growing significantly spiritually and I am thankful for the Grand Musician that knows how to play the melody and notes just right.  I cannot help but feel that this Spiritual Jazz we participate in now, will be felt deep down in our very souls.  I, for one, can’t wait to listen and hear the next note.

 

Ryan

A Horse and His Boy — Horse Prayer

“The Horse and His Boy” is the title of a book by C.S. Lewis. It is part of the Chronicles of Narnia series. I don’t remember much about the book except the title. I love the title. I think it’s good for every boy and girl to have a horse, and a horse to have a boy or girl.

It’s interesting how I can still so clearly remember the story of Ryan and his horse. I can still remember praying to God for Turtle, and I still remember being at peace (and I still am) even when my prayer wasn’t answered the way I prayed for it.

There are to many things that I don’t understand, and this pandemic is just one of many. I find myself praying for it to end. I find myself praying for those who are sick and suffering. I find myself praying for the care givers. I find myself praying for the economic fallout. I’m not sure any of my prayers will be answered in the way that I think they should, but I am at peace.

And I know… God is involved.

Horse Prayer

Posted on May 23, 2007by dwinger

Publisher: dwinger      Volume No.  1     Issue No 15      Date : Nov. 21, 02

“Turtle is down in the pens and I can’t get him up.” Dad told me over the phone.

Turtle is Ryan’s horse, and he had come down with the West Nile Virus according to our local veterinarian. A mosquito carrying the virus had bitten him. Turtle couldn’t move his back legs. He could eat and drink, and he didn’t seem to be in any pain, but his back legs were as good as paralyzed.

The vet was cautiously optimistic because Turtle kept trying to get up and had actually gotten on all fours for a few seconds. We were to keep hay and water available for Turtle and the vet would come by morning and evening to give him a shot.

There is nothing sadder than a beautiful animal like a horse that is helpless and doesn’t know what is going on. It was August and he needed water often. Turtle seemed happy when I came by to see him. He gladly ate his hay and drank or played in his water.

Ryan liked his horse. You see, Turtle was a horse that not just anyone could ride. He could be ornery at times (sometimes all the time.) He was a horse that needed much riding. Granddad told Ryan if he would ride Turtle a certain amount of time he could have the horse. The riding was good for the horse and for Ryan.

Ryan took the news of Turtle and his situation well. On the second day of disease, Ryan went out with me to feed and water Turtle. I was across the pen when I saw Ryan giving his horse some hay, and then rub his ears and pet his head. My teenage boy, who usually doesn’t show compassion very easily, (and I would suspect is uncomfortable with that feeling) was loving his horse. It has been a few months since this scene, and Dad still can’t forget it.

I said a prayer for Turtle that night. I prayed that he would get up and be fine.

Turtle wasn’t up by the morning of day 4, and we had him put down, which by then was the humane thing to do. Granddad backed the tractor up to the dead horse, and I wrapped the chain around his legs and watched as Turtle was drug off. I was kind of sad.

I don’t know why God didn’t save Turtle, but I do know God was involved.

5th Sunday of Easter

Yesterday, the virtual Lectio Divina group met again. We are beginning to know one another. Our time was special. One member of the group shared this image of Jesus that she had seen before. Jesus is the way. (If you would like to join our group on Sunday mornings, please contact me).

5th Sunday of Easter May 10, 2020

Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33; 1Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12

It was soccer day! The boys were running to the field. Today, they were playing their favorite game, ¡Fútbol! 

The coach called two boys to the front. They were to be the team captains. They would be picking the teams. Many of the boys were anxious and ready to play. They were good athletes, and knew they would be picked right away. But some of the boys had a bad feeling. They were worried that they would be picked last. They would only be chosen because they had to be on a team.

It feels good to be picked first. It feels good to be chosen.

St. Peter says in the second reading, “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises’ of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful life.”

You have been chosen. Chosen by God.

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we read of the choosing of the first deacons. The community of believers was growing. The Apostles needed help. There were basically two different groups. One spoke Aramaic, and the other spoke Greek. A little like here at Sacred Heart in Spearman. We have two different groups. One speaks English, and the other speaks español, two groups in one community. So, the Apostles decided to have the Greek speaking community choose some men to represent them. These men were holy. Their job was to serve. They were the first Deacons. 

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus with his Apostles. The men he has chosen. He is with them at the Last Supper. Jesus has just finished washing their feet. He has shown them how to serve one another, and he will show them sacrifice, by sacrificing himself.

The Lord has chosen each one of us. We are his people. We are precious in his sight. Each one of us is like a stone. A living stone. Together, we are like a house built with living stones, and the Lord has chosen each stone of this spiritual house.

He has chosen you. He has called you to be holy. He has called you to eternal life.

“Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” (Jn 17:3)

When we know Jesus. We know God.

When we know God, we can become holy. He has called us to be holy, because we are his chosen ones. He has chosen you to follow in his way, to live in his truth, and to have eternal life.

And there is a place for you in his Father’s house.

The Josephine Tree

The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon. She loved to feel the warmth of the sun. The days were getting longer, and the weather was getting warmer. She hoped the girls would come out and play today.

All of a sudden, she heard the door slam. She could hear the girls running her way. They were coming to play! One of the girls said, “Come on let’s go see Josephine!” When she heard her name, she couldn’t help but smile inside. She was named after the woman of the home. Josephine was the matriarch. She was a sweet woman, but late in life, she had suffered from a stroke. She couldn’t talk, and she was partially paralyzed.

Her husband was a good man. He never left Josephine’s side. He cared for her during these hardest of times. He used to put Josephine by the window, so she could watch the birds sing and land in the tree. He called it Josephine’s tree.

After Josephine died, the house got quieter, and Josephine’s tree died a little too. But now the house has a new owner, and they have children! The story of Josephine’s tree was passed down.

The children play under the tree and call her by name.

Josephine is the happiest tree in town.

 

4th Sunday of Easter

Today’s Mary Mail is by Fr. Anthony Yanamala.

Fr. Anthony is the priest for Sacred Heart of Jesus in Spearman and Cristo Redentor in Gruver. Fr. Anthony is from India. He is a blessing to me and our parish.

Jesus is the gate for the sheep. Jesus is the way to eternal life, and way to the Father.  

On this Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Church reminds us of our call to become good shepherds of God’s flock and good  and invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and the consecrated life.

The first reading is taken from St. Peter’s first sermon, given on the day of Pentecost. He reminds his Jewish listeners that they have crucified their true Shepherd. Hence, they need to receive forgiveness for their sins by getting baptized in the name of Jesus.

The image of sheep dominates the readings today. The psalmist addresses Yahweh as his Shepherd.  Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd; nothing shall I want.” “He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand” (Ps.95:7).    Ezekiel foretells what the Messiah will do as Good Shepherd.  “I myself will tend My sheep …I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.  I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak” (Ezekiel 34: 15-16).   God is the ultimate Shepherd of His people, providing guidance, sustenance and protection (Psalm 23), and He intends their Kings and other leaders to be their shepherds as well. In the Gospel of John (chapter 10), Jesus declared that He is the Good Shepherd who not only loves and cares every time, even in difficulties, sickness especially who suffer with fear of COVID 19, and also  Jesus lays down His life for us. We are the Sheep of Christ; and we belong to Him at all times.

The Sheep know their shepherd: Christ knows his people, and God’s people know their Christ. The Shepherd knows his sheep intimately even by its name “I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands (Is 49:16). Jesus has intimate knowledge about each of us. One of the important ways to learn about Christ is to read the Word of God. St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is the ignorance of Christ”.

The sheep know His voice: we are being the sheep of Christ’s flock, must be familiar with His voice. These days there are many who claim to echo the voice of God, but in reality, they are thieves. Christ is one and His way is one; if the way does not lead to Christ, it leads away from Him. We need to be cautious to identify the voice of Christ.

The Sheep love and trust Him: God’s priority is the sheep and their wellbeing. In the book of prophet Isaiah, the Lord said, “I love you with an everlasting love.” We only reciprocate God’s love. “Like a shepherd, He feeds His flock; in His arms He gathers the lambs, carrying them in His bosom, and leading the ewes with care” (Isaiah 40:11). Because He loves and cares for us. The sheep follow Him: in the presence of Jesus we are safe; under the leadership of Jesus, we will never miss the way; for He alone knows the way to the heavenly Father.

We need to become good shepherds and good leaders.  Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd.  Hence, pastors, Deacons, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, and caregivers in this time of Pandemic, and among others, are all shepherds.  We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time, talents and blessings for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers.  Parents must be especially careful of their duties toward their children, giving them good example and instruction and training them in Christian principles. Jesus is the High Priest, the Bishops are the successors of the Apostles, the pastors are their helpers and the parishioners are the sheep. Let us pray for the vocations. Today, let us also pray for the protection from Covid 19 of our Parish family in Spearman and Gruver, and all the people around the World. Let us always remember that Jesus, The Good Shepherd is with us, and loves us with unending love. Amen.

Mrs. Delin and Houseboating

It’s surprising how one small encounter can stay with a person over the years. I can only think of a few times that I was in the presence of Mrs. Delin. Even though it has been almost 40 years, I can still remember standing in the Delin houseboat visiting with Mrs. Delin. I heard from Laura earlier this week that her mother passed away in her sleep last week.

I wrote this Mary Mail in 2003 about my encounter with Mrs. Delin, and how she challenged my paradigm of belief. I pray that Mrs. Delin will rest in the Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Publisher: dwinger      Volume No.  2      Issue No 2         Date Jan. 12, 03

It was the summer of ’81 and I had been dating Teague since the previous fall. She invited me to come to Dallas and spend 4^th of July with her. We were going to spend the 4^th with her best friend Laura and her parents on their houseboat at Lake Texhoma. (Now if you were a college boy who had been away from his girlfriend for a couple of months, would you stay in Gruver or go to Dallas houseboating?)

Needless to say I got on a plane to Dallas. If memory serves me, we arrived at the Delin houseboat on the 3^rd, Mr. And Mrs. Delin, Laura, a friend, and Teague and I. I had a great time. We cruised the lake and Mr. Delin even taught me how to make a Bloody Mary. I always have enjoyed meeting people, and the Delins were a fun bunch to be with.

We were in the kitchen when the subject of Teague and I came up. Mrs. Delin said something to the effect that we were a good match and that someday we might get married. To this I responded that it probably would never happen. “Why?’ she asked.

“Well, because I am Church of Christ and Teague is Catholic.” I said. (You see in my mind that would just not work.)

“Do you believe in Jesus?” Mrs. Delin asked.

“Yes…” I stammered.

Mrs. Delin then said, “Well, that’s all that matters.”

“What!” I thought. There is a lot more that matters than that. You see, I thought that believing in Jesus was not all that mattered. In my mind were quite a few “other things” that mattered.

Jesus had just confronted me, and He had used Mrs. Delin to do it on a houseboat on Lake Texhoma.