Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Saint Joseph's in Springfield - September 6, 2010 - Eric

What's Happening:
Really, I don't have much to say this week. Thank you to all who were praying for my mother, she is up and walking AND feisty. I intended for Mass Chaos to be a picture taking journey for me, it has turned into a people meeting journey for me. This week I met Brianne's father's parents, Pat and Don. It was a very interesting discussion, and it's easy to see why I like that family so much.

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Here we are at Saint Joseph's: Frank, Teri, Me, Joe, Kevin, Pat, and Don. Line of the week courtesy Father Gutowski "So, has anyone called you 'Roamin' Catholics'?"

Location and Architecture:
Saint Joseph's Parish, 102 South 9th Street, Springfield. One of the nice things about some of the smaller out of town parishes is how full they are. We were reasonably early and still had to look for seating. The church is modern, of non-tradition design, and clean, with the focus of the church on the altar. There was a lot to like about it.

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You can see the shape of the church here.

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The Risen Lord behind the altar.

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A more traditional piece of stained glass over the entry way.

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There aren't very many more, but you can see all of my pictures from Saint Joseph here.

Gospel:
"In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."Luke 14:33

Well ... I guess I know some people who consider themselves Christian who would actually be quite surprised and upset by this passage. Jesus lays the groundwork in this past Sunday's readings for exactly what is discipleship. Discipleship is everything.

Jesus lays out, again in so few words, exactly what he expects. So, go ahead, put it on the table. Whatever it is you have, bet it all on God. Go ahead, shove it all in, make it available for God. Your possessions, your time, your money, your family, all of it. It is so simple a concept, and so hard to execute.

This is the Christian journey, anyone can call themselves a follower of Jesus, it is that easy to be one. But oh the work that God makes you do once you claim Him. It can be frightening, awesome, exhilarating, and peaceful all at once. If the cost for belonging to God is everything you have in the world, then what is the reward? The reward is like the cost, it is too everything, being close to God for all eternity.

Lord, please teach me to let nothing come between me and you.

Prayers:
Please pray for:
Teri's mother who had surgery on her hand.
Tom who is being deployed to Afghanistan, and his wife and two daughters.
Amy for protection on her mission.
Shannon for protection on her mission.
Frank who is looking for meaningful employment.
Kevin as he prepares for his final year of seminary and the priesthood.
Marcus as he has been accepted into seminary and will be discerning the priesthood.
My friend M., who is pregnant, please pray for her and her baby.
Me, I applied for a new job.

Next:
September 12 @ 0900pm: Saint John's at Creighton University

Peace, Eric

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