Blessed Sacrament - June 26, 2010 - Eric

What's Happening:
If you did not read the "What's Happening" section of my blog post from Saint Robert Bellarmine, the following may not make any sense to you whatsoever.

It's really tough when your friends are struggling with life. I don't know about you, but I just want to jump right in and try to help them fix things. In reality however, usually people have their own solutions, and they just need the support to get it done. What they need is to know they are loved and that someone will be there for them, encouraging them, helping them bring their concerns before God. There is no glory in praying with someone, no earthly glory, but sometimes God lets His glory shine through us.

Brianne has been going through struggles lately. When you're struggling with larger issues, it's unfortunate how little things can get magnified out of proportion. Two weeks ago, when we went to Saint Robert's, Joe and Frank somehow got their wires crossed, and ended up at Saint Columbkille in Papillion. Fortunately, they were able to get to the right place and were only a few minutes late. This week, Brianne knew we were supposed to be at Blessed Sacrament, but when she got to church on Saturday evening, she too found herself at Saint Columbkille in Papillion. (obviously, I'm next) When she finally got to Blessed Sacrament she was crying. I tried my best to comfort her, but it wasn't going to work.

Enter God and His appointed instrument of His peace: Joe. Shortly after Brianne arrived, it was time for the collection, Joe pulled his wallet out, and on to the floor between us, plopped one thin dime. I reached down to pick it up, tears already welling up in my eyes, and I turned and dropped it into Brianne's palm. I don't think it made Brianne cry any less, but I do think it helped her to know that every tear she has will be dried by a loving God and Redeemer.

Me, Brianne, Ron, Frank, Joe, Lindsay, and Frank.

Location and Architecture
Blessed Sacrament, 3020 Curtis Avenue, Omaha. I like the comfortable feel of churches like Blessed Sacrament. I love the quiet and warmth (too warm for most) of a church with the sun shining through the stained glass. Blessed Sacrament is such a church; with the wood panels, accessible altar, and large stained glass windows. While not 'large', it obviously will sit hundreds easily. I played a bit with the camera this week, so I didn't end up with as many shots as I normally would, but I have the two 'panorama' shots, I hope you enjoy them.

You can see all my pictures from Blessed Sacrament here.

Gospel:
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Luke 9:60

So ... this is one of those readings that makes me squirm in my pew (full reading Luke 9:51-62). Having a relationship with God is the most radical departure from the world you can imagine. No other relationship, not professional, not friendship, not family, nor any kind of other worldly distraction is supposed to come between us and proclaiming the kingdom of God.

Listening to what Jesus says can be discouraging in light of how easily distracted I am. I am forever turning aside from the path to examine something interesting, new, or shiny ... hence my squirminess. I certainly know that I fail at this type of relationship all the time. I wonder who wouldn't want to say goodbye to loved ones before they embarked on any kind of journey? The starkness of the choice between God and the world can make me feel like I will always fall short of the demands Jesus places on us.

However, hope is almost immediately restored. Jesus goes on in the last verse of this reading to say "“No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” At first glance this might not seem like much of an improvement, but for me, the act of setting my hand to the plow is the overriding choice that I am making ... not the one where I am looking aside or back. I have journeyed thus far with Jesus, and not only am I not turning back, there is nothing to turn back for. Any looking back is transitory in nature, and quickly replaced with a resolute look to the future.

Lord, help me to keep my eye, and actions, fixed on my future ... You.

Prayers:
Please pray for:
Tom who is being deployed to Afghanistan, and his wife and two daughters.
Kevin as he prepares for the priesthood.
My friend B., who is struggling with herself lately.
My friend R., who does not know how to change her life.
Heidi who is on a mission trip to Haiti.

July 11th: Saint Columbkille (really)

Enjoy Independence Day safely.

Peace, Eric

Blessed Sacrament

So, I have to admit that I wasn't quite ready for the response that I have received since the article in the Catholic Voice came out. There were the unsurprising things like my mom wanting a copy of it. Then there was finding the article posted up at work, which was a surprise. And people starting to recognize us when we're at mass. When you start a project like this, it's not like your goal is to get noticed, though having a blog maybe points you in the other direction.

This week's church was Blessed Sacrament (3020 Curtis Ave.)

Our group for the week.

Left to Right: Bottom: Eric, Brianne, and Joe Middle: Ron, Frank, Lindsay and Frank

This was my first Saturday mass in a while. I have to admit that going to Saturday mass reminds me more of when I used to go to daily mass. Less people, less distractions. It gives you more a chance to reflect on everything rather than be swept up in fellowship.

The Gospel (Luke 9:51-62) is one of those unsettling passages to me. It's that reminder that despite all we say our faith is, we must prepare to back it up with action. You might wonder what makes me unsettled about something as easy as that, but it is a challenge to think about leaving everything behind for the Lord. We grow up and are encouraged to leave our mark, to be someone who stands out, to have ones who love us... but there comes a time where we can try to hold on to all those things and let them be our anchor to this world... or we can take actions that will lead us to the next. I know what I want my choice to be, I just hope I am strong enough when the time comes.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

And to another he said, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”

But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.

But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,

but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”

To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow

and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Blessed Sacrament - Brianne

This week I "pulled a Frank" (showed up at the wrong church... the same wrong one Joe and Frank showed up at last week... wonder if God is telling us something about St. Columbkille?)

Driving to Blessed Sacrament, I cried, a lot (seems to be a theme for the past few weeks). I found myself listening to KLOVE, and two of my favorite songs coming on back to back: "Better than a Hallelujah" by Amy Grant and "Your Hands" by JJ Heller. I realized I was saying under my breath "I need you... I need you... I need you..." as I cried. Sometimes I guess I don't realize just how much I need God's guidance.

I made it to mass about 25 minutes late (could I have chosen a church any further away? I went from Papillion to North Omaha... sheesh!) And missed the entire first half of mass. That being said, I don't really have a lot to say, other than the fact it was nice to see Fr. Craig Loecker again (he's at both Blessed Sacrament and St. Philip Neri) and pass on Mass Chaos information to him.

As new additions to our group are always welcome - it was great to have Frank I. and Lindsay join us! After mass we made our way downtown for the Summer Arts Festival (in sweltering heat) and dinner at The Michael's with some more friends. I continue to pray our numbers will increase at Mass as well (friends - you are always welcome to join us for fellowship, but we'd love to have you come to church with us as well!)