Sanctifying Sunday: Thankfulness-the 10%

Another Sanctifying Sunday with Matt... Enjoy!

Ten percent isn't bad, at least in regards to investments.  Many people would be happy to have that ROI (return on investment) these days.  Winning the lottery has the chances of one in 175 million, which makes ten percent look pretty good.  In today's Gospel only one out of the ten lepers returns to Jesus to say thanks. 

So, Jesus' stats are better than the market and playing the lottery, but somehow seem to fall way short of what is supposed to happen when you're healed of leprosy.  

Among all of the stories in the Gospel, today's has always been one of my favorites. Ten lepers come to him for healing and when they leave all ten are healed.  However, only one returns to thank him. 

I think of the other 9 who were healed. I heard a priest once say that maybe the other 9 didn't realize they were healed. I've never had leprosy, but I can imagine that if you did you would for sure know if it's gone.  For heaven's sake, leprosy still today sequesters people to the fringes of society, it's a terrible disease that eats away at your body.  Webster defines it as a contagious disease that affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves, causing discoloration and lumps on the skin and in sever cases disfigurement and deformities....

I like this Gospel story because it hits so close to home. Countless times I've prayed for myself or others for a physical, spiritual, and emotional healing. And through the power of God these healings DO take place!

Sometimes, I find myself like the 9 who don't even return to say thanks.

Other times, I'm like the one who returns to say thanks but doesn't fall down in adoration.

The best times, are when I return to say thanks and fall down before God in an action of complete thanksgiving.

This Gospel story is a reflection of God's infinite and unending mercy to save sinners.  There are no more racial or socioeconomic boundaries.  It is the foreigner among the 10 that returns to say thanks.  The other nine are of Jesus' blood- Isrealites.  This guy's a Samaritan and he's the thankful foreigner.  God's mercy knows no bounds.  

An attitude of gratitude goes a long, long way in our lives and the implications that follow from being thankful are far reaching.  If you're having a hard time with life, a specific situation, relationship, whatever it may be-- try focusing on the good things that God has already done for you.  Put on an "attitude of gratitude" and I guarantee things will begin to change for the better.  

Having a complete heart full of gratitude that impels one to return in thanksgiving will have profound consequences.  

I'm thankful for these 4 healthy kids. 

Don't be caught in up in the 90%, which chose to be thankless.  It's a bad place to be. It's way better to be returning in complete thanksgiving.         

Peace, 

Matt Loboda

Sanctifying Sunday- God's Poor

Matt is taking over for another Sanctifying Sunday. I was completely distracted by one squirmy Hopie girl and one talking Gracie girl, so my reading of his words helped me to get a better grasp on today's Mass readings. I hope it does the same for you!
Yesterday, as I was driving our little crew to a party for Br. Joachim, I was thinking of today's Gospel. It was a party celebrating his return from Nicaragua and 10 years of religious life. It reminded me of many things, but most importantly the abundance that exists here in the U.S.A. The night before Br. Joachim told me that the average daily wage is $4 US dollars in Nicaragua!  
We pulled off the interstate and at the end of the exit was a man holding a sign written: "HARD TIMES need HELP." I didn't have any money on me, but I thought I would at least make eye contact and shoot a smile. I wasn't uncomfortable in the least, but let's just say he wasn't interested in eye contact and smiles. So, we proceeded on our way with Grace serenading us with twinkle twinkle little star from the back seat. 

  I will warn you that the readings for the Mass (Amos 6: 1-4) today should have had you shifting in your seat. Simply put, the words from the Holy Scriptures are great action words calling us to fight for our faith.  
This is what I conjure up in my head as I listen to the words of Amos:

•       WOE to you that lie down on beds of ivory (in my case it's a Tempur-Pedic).
•       WOE to those that eat to excess (I just ordered Domino's low-cal Gfree pizza). 
•       WOE to those who drink wine from bowls (we have Reidel glasses made of crystal).
•       WOE to those who use the best anointing oils (we use DoTerra essential-oils). 
•       WOE to you for being materially blessed!

It's ever so interesting that the material blessings (like my beloved body molding, top of the line mattress) can lead to complacency, then to lack of faith, and ultimately to self reliance. All of a sudden all that "stuff" that we thought was from God is now from us and we've confused the order of things. Complacency is in direct competition for our faith. St. Paul (1 Timothy 6: 11-16) exhorts us to pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. These are all other orientated words not selfish words resting on the laurels of complacency.
Ok, now stay with me...
Then our Gospel for today is the parable told by Jesus about poor, hungry Lazarus who would gladly have eaten scraps fallen from the table of the opulent rich man. The vivid imagery is so thought provoking that Jesus drives this one home by telling us that dogs even licked Lazarus' sores. Lazarus was clothed in sores that were licked by dogs and the rich man who was dressed in fine purple linens was stuffing his face.
Sometimes I just want to say: "Jesus, I got it." Disgusting. The rich guy probably had to walk over/past Lazarus several times a day.  I wonder if he was uncomfortable stepping over him? The story goes that the rich man dies and Lazarus dies. Both succumbing to sister death. The rich man is buried, not an insignificant fact, because nothing is mentioned about Lazarus' funeral. Another significant point is that the rich man lacks a name and Lazarus has one, which shows that the poor are important to God. 
The story in Luke continues to jab at our chests for after the rich man dies he is so thirsty that he even requests if Lazarus with his fingers, most likely having dirt covered sores on them, could just dip them in some water so he could get some relief. When he is denied this, he then requests that someone go and tell his brothers of the impending doom. But, he's denied again.

A picture of our 4 little people to keep you with me.  So what is all this telling us?
God has a sympathetic heart for the poor. He cares for the poor and he cares about how we treat the poor.  It's not the lack of material possessions that is endearing to God. But that the poor CAN posses spiritual riches possibly easier than that the materially rich without all the "stuff" in the way. The poor don't have the illusion of self sufficiency. Nor do they presume that they can save themselves. Finally, the poor can more easily recognize the need for a Savior. Finally, Finally, (as a disclaimer) God doesn't mention Lazarus' lack of illusion, or disorientated sense of self, or a need for a savior. God just tells us that the poor are really important to him.
Paradoxically, often Jesus tells parables that start in the material world and move to the spiritual world. Likewise, parables often seem to be stating a lot about humanity, but in the end tell even more about the nature and essence of God.  
To me this parable actually seems to be more about God than it is about us. It challenges us to reconsider and rethink the poor in our lives and how we treat the guy at the end of the interstate exit. It's serious and addressed rather poignantly in Matthew 25: "What ever you did for the least of my people you did to me."
It's as if God is revealing to us the true gift of faith and the duty it brings to love and care for the poor. This gift of faith has to be something competed for, worked for, and not something that we can become complacent in our chase loungers or Tempur-Pedic beds. I love being challenged to go deeper (well, most of the time), to squirm in the pew and think: "Oh boy, this God loves me. REALLY loves me. And wants me to hear this message loud and clear and to LOVE HIS POOR."
We had a victory the other night here in the Loboda household. Isaiah, my oldest son, wanted to say the grace before dinner. Now, every time I've said grace for 15+ years I pray for the poor before I eat. Isaiah's prayer, though slightly revamped from my own, asked God to bless our food and to bless all of those that had no food this night to eat- AMEN. Tears welled up in my eyes. It can be easy to not be thankful, to be selfish, to be complacent, to take our faith and the poor for granted. I'm proud of Isaiah and I know that childlike prayer falls on the ears of God like a lead balloon. 

Our Zah catching a fish.

Tonight before I sit on my lush couch watching my $1,000 flat screen TV, I plan to pray for the poor and to ask God to help me to recognize them more in my day to day life.  Peace, Matt

Sanctifying Sunday

Happy Sunday y'all!

This is my Sunday Best, picture via Gracie.

And here is Matt ready to rumble in with his Sunday thoughts below. 

Hope you enjoy.

Photo again courtesy of Grace.

Gospel
LK 10:38-42
----------------------------
Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. 
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
"Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply, 
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing. 
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her."


FASCINATING.  This Gospel story is one of my all time favorites. Its meritorious worth, simply from a story telling stand point, is beyond telling.  

In this Gospel there is no one thing to focus on.  There are tons of different details present. So which one should we/I focus on.... well lets talk about being like Mary and about the way in which she sat and listened to Jesus.

Classically, there have been various interpretations proposed on this Gospel.  

One is that it is the description of the difference between the active and contemplative life, the active life being those in the world and the contemplative life like the sisters, nuns, monks, brothers, priests who pray all day long.   

Another classical explanation is the UNUM NECESITUM. Jesus tells Martha in a gentle/ rebuke reminder that worry and anxiety are worthless.  They produce nothing.  And, Jesus is the better part and is much more important than worry and anxiety.

Now, I've always had a soft heart for Martha.  She's trying so hard to clean and to fix the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords some fine baba ganoush.  I'm always thinking, come on Jesus give her a break.

Then I love the boldness and freedom of Mary.  She sits at the feet of Jesus. This would have been a place reserved for a disciple- A MALE disciple.  Yet, she sees the one thing necessary and sits down in front of it, or I should I say HIM.  These thoughts rocket my mind to think of my girls, Hope and Grace. I think of them being scholars, recognizing something or someone and sitting at its feet and absorbing wisdom and knowledge.... women couldn't do that back then in Jesus' time.  He got the the woman's lib movement started!

Lastly, here's my interpretation.  I believe I've never heard this one.  Where's Lazarus?  Remember?  He's their brother.  Seriously, where is he?  I'm speculating, but he must be distracted- he's not there.  If Jesus where at my house, I would know about it PERIOD.

So, this Gospel story is a very human story.  We can chose to sit or to do too much.  We can struggle with figuring out what the "one thing is that is necessary..." But, we shouldn't be like Lazarus- missing.  Don't miss out.  

I love how Mary is listening so intently in this picture. 

Sanctifying Sunday, Sunday Best, WIWS, Birthday Blog-- or whatever!

I can't help but love how he contributes to my blogo! He said he wanted to write something to make me laugh on my birthday, which really is so thoughtful of him. 

But before I turn it over to my Matt, just one little FYI that I thought you should be aware of. 

He did ask  me: "Do you think people are going to think I am funny or really weird for writing this." 

I had no answer for him. 

Now for da man of the hour (or 3.5 minutes, however long it takes you to read this)...

This ol' move to TizzyTampa (thats the Bronx coming out of me, which I'll push it back in, but someday I'll video my shimmy or shake depending on if you're from the Bronx or Harlem--- trying to keep ya in suspense) has got us crazy. Butt (I LUV using the the wrong "but"), I'm taking time out to hook up for Saturday or Sunday best or WIWS.

The deets on my apparel

Hat: Converse, Target 4 yrs ago. LUV hats and I'm simply fine with being the old dad w 4 kids trying to hold on to my converse hat. I'm not giving it up, BAM! Nor my red vans BOOM! But, I did by a wild hat from polo 70% off that may not fly to well with the wifey- I'll keep ya posted. 

Glasses: No name. Lost my favorite pair of glasses, which Kristin consequently HATED.  I tried to remind her that as Disciples of Christ we should not hate.  Well, the old glasses are floating somewhere with cement shoes in the Gulf of Mexico. These new suckas were $75 bucks. I walked in, told the optometrist my wife off'd my fab pair and he pulled this box out of the garbage and said pick one & I'll put your lenses in & they're yours for $75. I asked if there was a warranty and he laughed.  

Polo TShirt: 2XL at only 11.99. I waked into Ambrcrombie and Finchbigots and the guy who weighed a buck ten soak n' wet (my rt leg weighs more than that on a diet) informs me right off the bat, before I have even crossed through the threshold of the store, that "we don't carry your size." Whhhhooa. Maybe I should call my lawyer and y'all be whooping it up at Ambercrombie and Matt!  HAAAAHAAAAHaHAhizzyha.

Beard: Super trimmed up since last week.  I LUV it long, but Isaiah said that I looked like the guy on the side of the road asking for money the other day.  I took his words as a compliment. However, my poor brother on the side of the road held a sign that said, "will work for food."  My sign would have been like my other friend at another intersection in Tampa that says, "I'm not going to lie- I need a beer."  I give that guy $20.  It's HOT down here in Florida.

Now onto Some Sunday Meat: 

Thus says the LORD:

I will pour out on the house of David

and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem

a spirit of grace and petition;

and they shall look on him whom they have pierced (also translated as THRUST THREW),

and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son,

and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a firstborn.

From the Minor Prophet Zechariah.  

Jesus is close to us. So close to us. 
He opens himself up to be close to us so that we can identify with him and others.  It's tempting for me to hit auto pilot when I hear: "Thus says The Lord." Often times I am sitting at Church thinking: "I've heard this before...." Well, I have heard it, but understanding it is completely different! Jesus' Incarnation puts Him close to our hearts. One translation, as I noted above, is rendered "Thrust threw".  I think of all the people I know (knew and will meet someday) who have been "thrust threw"and my heart breaks. But, I'm sure God's heart breaks more..... And, Jesus knows--- he really, REALLY knows how excruciatingly painful it is to be "Thrust threw."

We have a God who became fully human and knows the pain to lose a first born child-- Jesus and us.  We have a personal God who knows the pain of betrayal- by others, by ourselves, our emotions, our bodies....

He's really closer than we think. 

Shifting gears again to some photo commentary:

The kiddos were starving and the table was set and they were soaked from swimming. So, I had to change 5 kids by my lonesome (super easy by way of this deficient daddy). I am the first born and see everything as a competition.  Unfortunately the picture above can show how my determination can be a little reckless.  I was changing my God-Daughter out of her wet suit (which why the heck is that SO HARD) and she was crying when I was taking her swim top off: "You're hurting me, you're hurting me!"  I responded: "Mia, since you are part of this family, you've simple got be tough." Well, look closely at the pic above. She did have a legit claim against me.  A little hair will grow back, right? No big deal.  

I seriously almost burnt my face off taking this pic.  This is a breakfast pizza that I made for dinner as the kids were swimming. G-Free. That's all I can tell you. I'm like a mad scientist in the kitchen and I don't measure shat.  Just a big dose of LUV.  

Isaiah said: "This is awesome dad. Thanks!" Gotta love a thankful heart. 

That's all he wrote folks! Till next time- Happy Birthday, Babe.  

Sanctifying Sunday Sabbatical and Sunday Best

Matt is back and in full action... 

I've been holding out.  Almost like the NBA lockout or the writers guild strike a few years back.... I think.  I was waiting for my HUGE fan base (there's only 2 and you'll have to read this whole thing to find out who it is) to rally behind me to just come out and post something, anything. It just didn't happen.  Then Kristin, way back when, called me over and said that some super popular girl from Camp Painting had given me a shout out because of my rarely found and unique dynamic mixture of prose, humor, and incredible insight. Well, that was the nail in the coffin.

So here goes an attempt at something...

My mother-in-law does this to me to all the time.  For example, a conversation will go something like this--

Sweet Mother-in-Law Gale: "Matt, couple of quick requests before our guests come for dinner."

Obedient Son-in Law Matt:  "Sure.  Whatever you need, just tell me."

Sweet Mother-in Law Gale with a little more seriousness in her voice:  "We have some really important people coming over, so please entertain us with some good humor, walk the line with your language and if you cross it just simply apologize for ill-humor and lack of poor judgement."

Internal Matt's thoughts: Well, that will be easy. As it is one of my trade marks and really draws the crowd in...

Sweet Mother-in-Law Gale: "Oh, and Matt, it seems as if you have been in a melancholic mood today.  Do you think you can snap out of it and just make us laugh and keep the conversation going. And by the way, the guy who wears the bow tie is a physicist.  Could you read up on something to have a conversation with him too?"

Favorite Son-in-Law Matt:  "Gale, I'll read up on some nano physics and the God particle- bet he doesn't know a Jesuit discovered it... most importantly, does bow tie guy drink whiskey?"

Sweet Mother-in-Law Gale: "Yes."

FlavaFlav Son-in-Law:  "I got this fo-sure.  (I used to hang out in the Bronx right across the street from the rapper with the huge clock around his neck and would yell up to his Penthouse, 'Yo, it's me, Brother Isaiah, let me in!'  His floor was way up there 45 floors or something.  I still hold to this day that if he did hear me he would have let me in." 

Favorite Son-in Law at the beginning of the dinner: "Great to meet everyone.  I have a question, does anyone know the difference between in-laws and out-laws?" DEAD silence.  I respond: "Well, out-laws are wanted!"

The response was weak at best, so I thought I would pull out another oldie but goodie.

Not so Favorite Son-in-Law or Husband at this time (I'm thinking, redemption time):  "Hey, does anyone know why it seems that husbands die before their wives?"  Now everyone thinks that we've moved from pathetic humor to a more substantial conversation.  There's serious discussion going on in the room: stress, poor eating habits, demands of providing for the family, genetics....  I finalized the conversation with a declarative statement: "It's simple, It's because they want to!"  SHINTO

Not so nice face from Mother-in-Law and the "you're not getting any dessert tonight" look from the ol' smokin' hot wifey, even if she has drank three bottles of skinny girl COSMOMARGARITAAAA.

BUT,  that's ok.  I'm still the favorite Son-in-Law, because there aren't any other son-in-laws in the family!  And Kristin is in this for LIFE.  It was a valid marriage, full knowledge and consent was present (maybe just a little coercion with my good looks), and it was with the absence of fear, ignorance, or violence- just a little bit of concupiscence.... that makes it like a good cocktail.  It was all good and neither of us are going anywhere.

So, that's the pressure.  It's like this girl from Camp Planet Smoothy put some huge pressure on me and shut me down.  Then another lady gave my wife one line comment out from NCR (thank the good Lord it wasn't NPR) and I didn't want to mess up their mojo- either of them....

I'm over it now after doing my link up with what I wore last week.  I've got more 5 favs to come and some "quick seven takes" too.

So, a super quick thought about Father's Day.  I think we should strike the Father's Day off the calendar for a few years until we men get our acts together.  If I hear Oprah say "crisis of manhood" one more time I'll scream.  But if I hear her say a "crisis of FATHERHOOD" then I yell, "ALLEILUYEAR!"

We should have two Mother's Days a year- the second on the kid's birthday.  It shouldn't be for the kid, it should be for the MOM!  She's the one who sacrificed her body for 9 months, went through excruciating pain (the whole birthing process is outrageous- I have a whole stash of smelling salts in my pocket and some hidden in my socks just in case I actually do hit the floor and can have easy access and not miss the birth of one of my children).  I'm mean, yeah it's beautiful in a really weird twisted way.  Beautiful after all the screaming, crying, and cursing stops AND all the nastiness all over the place cleaned up- then it's beautiful.

Let's not forget that mom won't sleep for another year while the wee little one cries, poops, eats (that's why I'm the National Male President of Le LECHE- I even have a bumper sticker that reads "Got Breast Milk?  Good, You'll get more SLEEP!"   Guys are honking at me giving me fake high fives all over the place.)

So, I'm back.  Two Mother's Days it is a year and I would like to thank my two faithful followers, Sarah Sahm and LeBron James.  I appreciate your support.

Sanctifying Sunday: Peter's Redemption

Hope y'all had a restful Lord's Day, as usual we spent ours in the pool. 

Matt has taken over again...Enjoy!

It sounds preposterous, but I want to be Jesus' favorite.

This weeks Gospel has been an ALL time favorite of mine. In this Gospel when Jesus appears to the disciples Peter puts his clothes on and jumps out of the boat to greet him!  I just can't get over the fact that Peter puts his clothes ON to jump in the water.  Most of the time, I'm pretty sure, people take their clothes OFF to jump in water.  

A quick side note, I'm pretty sure that if I was someone in the Gospel I would certainly be Peter.  I wish I could with utter certainty say that I would have been John the beloved. I mean hey, I even took my confirmation name after him because I thought --who would I rather be than the most beloved of Jesus?  I guess I'm finally realizing in life that who I wish I would be is very different than who I am (eg: I wish I was an Abercrombie model, but they don't sell 2X).  

Simply put, I have had this obsession with Peter and even more simply put my wife is confused by my compulsion.  This annoying back and forth relationship with Peter, not my wife, has been around as long as I can remember.  

I know why Peter put his clothes back on and stepped out of the boat. I think that the reason is REALLY important on a couple of different levels.  I've been in, around, and through Peter's mind and definitely know why he did it.  Maybe I am being blazingly bold, but please humor me.  

When John the BELOVED identifies the mysterious figure on the beach as Jesus, Peter puts on his clothes and jumps in the water.  Here's where I always get stuck.  Why put your clothes on unless you don't think you're going to get wet!

Peter puts his clothes on to jump out of the boat.  That's really counterintuitive (stupid).  I'm positive that something very human was taking place as well.  Something very Peterish.

I surmise that Peter has been "through the ringer" and had to go fishing to collect his thoughts.  It certainly was a confusing time.  The guy that he had followed around for 3 years just died, and to boot, he denied knowing him 3 times.  To make things even more confusing, Jesus has appeared to him twice, BUT Jesus' is supposed to be dead....  I would need to take a fishing break too!

Here it is, Peter once walked on the water for a few steps and then began to sink.  But maybe, just maybe, Peter knows that this is his chance for redemption.  There's Jesus and THIS time Peter knows that he can walk on the water, maybe just maybe, he would RUN on the water- TO JESUS.

Now, I know that this is a lot of speculation.  But, stories like this, ones we have heard a GABILLION times, deserve a thorough reading.  I don't want to miss moments of redemption.  If I can miss it in a story that is written down, I can definitely miss the moments of redemption in my life that go whipping by.  

This is consoling to me. Peter, who didn't get it time after time, just like me, was given another opportunity for redemption and an opportunity to TRUST- and walk on the water for a second time. Even though Jesus doesn't play favorites, I'm going to be his one way or another- John the Beloved (my confirmation name) or Peter the Slow Learner (my current experience).   

Santcifying Sunday- GET IN THE BOAT!

The main motivation for this blog is to capture our family life.  Things seem to be quickly moving along and we want to be able to look back on and to have something for the kids to look at as they get older.  Hopefully, I never come off as preachy! Just attempting to document and share the good, bad, holy, and sometimes ugly events of our young family.

With that said and out of the way...

Kristin and I are involved in a family ministry called "Families in Christ."  She claims that she is not involved, however, I beg to differ.  She watches the kids when I go to meetings, sneak away to read and write, and go to the actual event.  We're a team, even if it doesn't make sense to her... and I should at least get brownie points for saying this, right?

FIC in a nutshell is family catechesis.  So, all the kids that are involved in religious education have to come with their families once every four-six weeks from 9am-11am for a presentation on that Sunday's Gospel, with prayer, song, games and skits.  I imagine that there are close to 500 people that are present, whom we get to joyfully share the Gospel with.

Today's Gospel is from Luke's account of the calling of Peter, James and John and the BIG catch!  I love the Gospels because they seem to me to be so real and earthy.  When I share these messages I try to make them fun and give a couple of points that maybe, just maybe, families can take home.

Fishing in the Keys

This Gospel is earthy and dirty for several reasons.  For example, Jesus is being followed by a mob of people, similar to today's movie stars or  rock stars with fans and the paparazzi.  There are so many people that Jesus decides to get into Peter's boat.  But, this is when I think it gets really fun.  Peter's not even in his boat!  He's out washing his nets.  Can you imagine getting into your car and looking in the driver seat and seeing not your husband or wife, but, Jesus.  Jesus sort of hijacks his boat and tells him to get in...

So, in today's message I echoed over and over, following the Jesuit tradition of repetition to nauseam.  I would say, "get in the" and everyone would yell back, "boat!"

What's the point?  Well, when reading this scripture I've always focused on the big catch that happens when they listen to Jesus and almost break their nets and sink their boats.  If that didn't catch my attention I would focus on "leaving everything behind" or even the whole, "I'll make you fishers of men."  Certainly all of these elements have significant impact in the story.  But, this whole issue of Jesus just jumping in Peter's boat intrigues me.

Uncle Mark, a true fisherman.

For brevity's sake, I believe that Jesus needs to be in our boat and we need to "GET IN THE BOAT".  When he's in the boat and we get in we can catch so many fish, the symbol for life, that our ship may sink and the nets break.  When we're in the boat and he's not, we try to fish all night to no avail.... I guess it's not that unique of an insight.  I can now hear Carry Underwear singing, "Jesus take the wheel or rudder (Ha!  Get it?  car=wheel/boat=rudder)."

The second part of my talk which I started off with the joke, "this story sounds fishy" and got a laugh or two and giggle from the mom in the corner was focused on family life, peace, joy and conflict.

One of my favorite people in the world is Jean Vanier.  He says, "The most fundamental role for a parent is to help children believe in themselves, in their own value, and to develop their personal conscience, and not just to fit into society according to parental desires or pressures from peer groups."  This is the essential mission of the parents to affirm the uniqueness and dignity of each child.  Yes, we are all made in God's image.  We are made for love.

How did I tie this together with the boat theme?  Especially when Isaac picked up my iphone and proceeded to play games on it as I was speaking.  Or, when asking the kids who they would like to meet, John Fusco told me that Justin Bieber is in jail. Or, when one of the kids told me that they really, really want to meet Niki Minaj (which I replied that I really wanted to meet her so we could have a long talk- civilly of course).

Isaiah and baby Isaac fishing way back in the day with Mom.

Simply put, to land this plane, if Jesus is not in our boat and we don't get in, how can we really communicate to our children that they are created in love, for love, and destined for eternal love?  If I can't get this right, how can I get anything else right?

So this is what I shared today with the families of St. John the Evangelist in Naples Florida, as I juggled Isaiah (6 1/2) and Isaac (almost 5) at their table.

The boys don't really mind that I give talks- for now!  I ask them what they think when I'm up there and they don't say much.  I hope one day they can look back at this and realize that I wasn't perfect but I was really occupied by loving them as best I could.  That I was really trying to have Jesus in my boat and I'm trying to GET IN THE BOAT.

Right now I think they actually like that I do these things.  I heard Isaiah sheepishly but proudly say to his friend Liora, "Yeah, my dad's giving a talk today."  I'll take it for now!  It'll be a different story when the teen years fall upon us.

Liora and Isaiah 

Sanctifying Sundays - Anniversaries

Well, back by popular demand, that is my wife's request. I am writing again...

I love anniversaries! I really do for several reasons. Let me explain.

Celebrating our Anniversary in 2011

This Tuesday is the anniversary of when Kristin and I began dating.  I realize at this point that if there are any male readers that right now they are going to continue reading in disdain.  That is, if they continue to read at all!  I realize that a man of my stature should not publicly admit to such things, and that if a proverbial, huge beer can could fall from the sky and crush me, it would.

Celebrating with baby Grace in 2010

As I get older, I understand more the importance of anniversaries because they force us to stop and remember and recall.  Think of it.  The tide of life is fast and takes whatever is in its path. 

Forgetting is a terrible thing.  When people forget who they are and what they are about, they get lost.  Losing your identity, leads to losing your integrity.  This is usually when my wife reminds me to bring it down and tell some stories to bring it home.

So, 8 years ago Kristin & I confessed our love for one another, amid various circumstances on a beach at Wiggin's Pass in Naples, Florida.  I can remember it as if it was yesterday, the red shirt she was wearing, the perfume she wore and her long, blonde hair slightly curled underneath.  Don't get sick, but, we actually have sand from that spot.  Sappy Sapp Sapp!

The Luv sand sits on our bookshelf

For the record and inscribed and saved for all of eternity in the blog-o-shpere, it was her confession of undying love that led to 4 kids in 7 years of blissful marriage.  Our relationship has been more of a microwave than a crock pot.  We weren't even dating and began dating with a confession of love!  Slow down LUV BIRDS!

2005

So, that's why its great to have anniversaries.  It reminds me of why we are in this terrible, joyful mess. 

Christmas pic 2010

It was our intense love that led to us going to Trader Joes as a family and the spectacle of everyone's attention.  Three kids pushing miniature carts, a dad refereeing between who got to pick and put what in whom's cart, and mom with baby Hope in her Bjorn.  (Is that the right prepositional phrase?)

The end of our night at Trader Joes

It was our intense love that led us to going to Isaiah's first basketball game yesterday!

I'm also reminded that this day of celebration of our love in seminal form is also the celebration of my godmother's life, my Aunt JJ.  I'm afraid to think of how long ago she passed.  Maybe 11 years ago?  It would be easy to forget about her or the pain that it caused my family to lose such a special person, so quickly and so young.  But, I'm more afraid of forgetting her than the pain that it brings to remember her.  I guess the "remembering" is good, even when it hurts. 

J.J. had an unique gift to make everyone feel singularly important even when in a large crowd.  Her hugs were great, and you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that you were special.  She made things easy and fun and had a great smile.  She's missed- terribly. 

Aunt JJ

Lastly, if you're so inclined, todays readings for Mass are all about remembering, forgetting, identity, and integrity. I won't go into it, but its true. If we forget who we are, what we are about, we can get lost and lose our identity, and ultimately our integrity. I'm thankful for reminders. I'm thankful to remember the gift God has given me in Kristin and my JJ. I'm thankful for anniversaries.

Isaac's 3rd Bday party

Yes, the kids went swimming today :).