Musings of a Recovering Human

 This coming Sunday we will begin the season of Advent, a time for preparation both for Christmas and also the second coming of our Lord. Environmentally we will see noticeable changes in our local parishes. The first, the change in color from green to the penitential purple or violet. Notice that the Advent vestment colors are a brighter hue typically, as the penitential time this season brings us is different than that of Lent. During the Lenten season we participate on a journey reflecting on our own sin as we walk with Christ towards the great Paschal mystery of Easter. Advent’s penitential season is one focusing on cleansing our hearts in preparation for the Christmas season; a season focusing on giving, humbleness, meekness, and joyful penance. The change in colors continue with the addition of the four pillared Advent wreath, each a penitential offering lit every Sunday, encircled by a green wreath symbolizing that God has no beginning and no end and is full of life. The pin...

The song in the subject line just reminds me about what we celebrate this weekend. So many parishes have Eucharistic processions with the monstrance, etc for Christ the King (which is all well and good) ONLY if we understand the meaning of the solemnity. This feast teaches us to use our own authority to support the message of Jesus in the world and ultimately fulfill 4 key points in our lives: 1. Learning to live Christ’s presence in our own lives and sharing it with those around us. 2. Fighting against the enemies of the kingdom of God. 3. Use our voice to pass on Jesus’ message. 4. Make Christ the King of our own personal, social, cultural, and spiritual lives. Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus, Christus imperat! Christ conquers! Christ rules! Christ reigns!

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing. Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; so from the beginning the fight we were winning: the Lord was at our side- the glory be Thine! We all do extol Thee, Thou leader triumphant, and pray that Thou still our defender wilt be. Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

"Bring all the thirsty, all who seek peace; bring those with nothing to offer; strengthen the feeble, say to the frightened heart, "Fear not: here is your God."" ... A child of the poor. How often do we pass by the stranger, the hungry, the outcast? How often do we dismiss them? How often do we ignore them? Ultimately we end up ignoring Christ. The child born into the manger was born into horrible circumstances, but the hold was not miserable because he had two parents who loved him. Both parents loved the little child because not only was he their son but ultimately the Emmanuel that the prophets spoke of coming to save the world. The Christ child or God chose to be born into such "mean estate where ox and ass are feeding" to show us the power and mightiness of his love. If we ignore the fact that the manger was a trough full of feed and fecal matter where the child slept and if we ignore the plight of children and their families in poverty, whether in th...

 Hey all! So thankfully got a lot accomplished this week. As many of you know, I'm in the process of transitioning to a role with Norwegian Cruise Line. Friday I was able to complete the medical physical required for the position, along with enrolling to obtain my TWIC or Transportation Worker’s Identification Card. This document is required by TSA to enter the secure areas of all ports regulated by the Department of Homeland Security. So in a nutshell, they need to do a background check to ensure I’m not a terrorist and we’re good. lol. This honestly has taken a lot of stress off my shoulders which is exactly what I told my therapist on Friday too. In other news, I’m really not liking my Facebook memories for the last few days, as it was about this time last year that Veronika broke up with me. I’ve gotten over it for the most part the pain sometimes just comes back and stings a little bit. It also took me to some of the darkest places of my life for a period of a few months, so I...

Hello dear friends. This post will be short but I wanted to share that coming December 3rd, each Sunday, I’ll be bringing you a series entitled “Until the Son of God Appear - Reflections for Advent 2023.” Have a blessed week. I look forward to sharing with you as we journey towards Christmas.

Hi all. So just some life updates. First off- things are great out here in California. I start at Amazon on Nov 20, just as something temporary until I make my way to Hawaii in 6-10 weeks to work for Norwegian Cruise Line. I will admt it's been a little lonely here but I'm working on developing friendships. My biggest challenge honestly is that I spent so much time in a relationship that I alienated a lot of friends and likely pushed people away. This is something I am working on building back but recognize that it'll take time. I pray every day about it. I'm still at a loss for words about Beth's death. I think more than anything it reminded me that I can't take people for granted because just like that they could be gone. Treasure and hug your loved ones close today. Back to football. Go Lions and Go Knights!

Hey friends. Heaven gained another soul today with the loss of a dear friend, colleague and mentor, a fellow Disney Cast Member, Beth Wilkinson. Beth and I worked together for 6+ years with her as the area manager for Procurement while I was working as a leader for Inventory Planning. Beth was always an amazing partner, an advocate for her team and for our Cast Members, and more importantly, a great friend. We worked on multiple projects together, even had a few arguments, but all in all, Beth was a kind soul with one of the biggest hearts in the world. Today, please treasure your loved ones, give them a hug, and just appreciate those around you as you never know when they might be gone. To my peers who I used to work with, I wish nothing but sympathy and love as we mourn the loss of our friend. Blessings and peace.

 We’re slowly approaching the end of the calendar year but more importantly the end of the liturgical year and the beginning of Advent. This weekend’s Gospel reminds us that just like the ten virgins, we are called to remain alert for we don’t know when Christ will return to us on Earth. As we journey towards Advent, I feel compelled to write about the need for the peace that our Advent journey and the upcoming Christmas season are intended to bring. With the infighting taking place across the world, especially in Gaza and the Ukraine, the world needs peace more than ever. Scripture during the near Christmas season tells us “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, announcing peace  and proclaiming news of gladness.” Our need for peace around the world and in our own lives is more evident than ever, especially as death tolls rise across the Holy Land. I pray that on all sides of the Gaza war that the work be towards peace instead of hate.  May...