Be Present

Be Present

          In life we are given many opportunities to be in the midst of various experiences.  In each we are given choices about being aware of those around us, participating in activities for/with others, attending to relationships, building connections, and also encouraging and supporting each other.  It comes down to us being present for/with people, in situations and in environments.

          Awareness is so very important.  Not knowing – a person, situation, an issue, a problem – we act differently than when we’ve come to know that person, situation, issue, or problem.  To not know, we can dehumanize; but in coming to know, can personalize …..

          This gives one perspective to the “Be present” concept.  Another idea about “Be Present” is be the gift given to another, a treasure.  Be the valued/valuable blessing that lights up someone’s world, which enhances their joy.

          Giving can be an incredible blessing.  It creates a tremendous sense of wonder and awe to truly see the giving opportunities and fulfillment.  It is even more special to be affected and have the Christmas spirit continue into and through the year to come.

          The 1^st Christmas was the start of something new, the gift of God, THE PRESENT for all.  Each Christmas and New Year for us are opportunities for something renewed.  We should not remain wrapped.  We are meant to be blessings, be shared; Be Present!

1/19/22 -- As I recalled this story two ideas came up -- "Be current" and "Be now"

Flashlight & Cinder Block -- A Reconciliation Connection

On Sunday (Dec. 11th, 2016) we had a Reconciliation Service for our youth classes. During the Service I placed a couple of items on the edge of the altar area at Church (see the attached image, a flashlight and a cinder block). While placing the items on the towel, I asked the youth if the cinder block looked heavy; they agreed it did. Then before placing the flashlight on the towel, I shone it at each of them.

Then I told them a story about --
A Light Shone on _____, Exposing Vulnerabilities (this paragraph is a Nov. 2015 Post)
by Ian Mascarenhas
A few weeks ago I was traveling to an early morning meeting in a rural area. As I drove around a curve, my headlights shone, and I saw a rabbit along the side of the road. As soon as the area around the creature was brightened, the rabbit scurried for cover, and quickly disappeared.
I continued to my meeting, but realized a lesson that God was teaching me. The light that illuminated the roadway and the area along the side also exposed the rabbit and its vulnerability to predators.
The light of God also shines on us and what gets revealed is the way we are living, the choices we are making. But it is God, who in love is calling us to come closer. Do we avoid God, and rather run to cover up further separating/disconnecting from our loving Creator?
The choice we face is to do an Examination of Conscience, then choose to reunite with God or continue to remain apart, wandering around. God wants to have a personal relationship/connection with each of us. We make the choice to participate.

Then, about the cinder block, I said "When something is not forgiven we hold on to a weight way heavier than God ever inteded us to hold."

Forgive, seek (and ask for) forgiveness -- don't let an overwhelming weight become a limiting/controlling force in our lives.

By our faith we are bound!

By our faith we are bound!

by Ian Mascarenhas

   My faith is the foundation for everything in my life.  Through that journey in faith I have experienced so much in life, because I chose to let in Jesus Christ.
   There are some different ways to look at the title of this story.  One is that because of our faith we must follow certain rules, bound by God's Commandments.  Whatever God has said we must follow is not meant to limit the life experiences we can have.  Those Commandments are for our protection and fulfillment in life.
   Each part of life has positive and negative aspects to it.  The positive view of the Commandments is how does this help other people and me.  And from that angle following them brings fulfillment of life.
   Fulfillment of life is another perspective of 'we are bound,' which includes life on Earth and eternal life.  When we allow Jesus into our lives and follow God's Commandments we will experience life in a new way, seeing how God blesses us so richly.
   One of the Beatitudes reads, "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for holiness, they shall have their fill."  Our hunger and thirst for holiness makes room in our lives for God to be present.
   If my life is so filled with things of this world, where would God fit in?  Jesus said, "I stand at the door and knock, and he who opens the door, I will come in and be with him."
   I like the prospect of spending my life with Jesus, here on Earth and in eternal life.  I have already seen many blessings through my faith journey.  They have included family, friends, serving others, sharing Jesus with many, seeing more of Jesus in other people's lives.
   Even though sharing the love of Jesus has a powerful effect on so many, there are many more who still get hung up on the negative view of the Commandments; they focus on 'I don't get to do what I want.'  And the hurting others goes on and on.  A limited vision sees only the effect on myself, but a broader vision sees how others get affected too.  Then our actions must be for the benefit of others, a community/family perspective.  Someone said, "Loving doesn't start until we're giving and giving."

... we are bound -- with Commandments to follow.
... we are bound -- headed toward an everlasting life with God.

Stay Connected

Stay Connected

by Ian Mascarenhas
   Easter is about what Jesus accomplished to reconnect us with the kingdom of God. We were given the bridge to eternal life, but we have a part in its fulfillment.
   In John 10: 10 Jesus said, “I came that you might have life to the fullest.” To live life to the fullest we must stay connected with Jesus, His teachings, His instructions, the Church He established, and God the Father & Holy Spirit.
   Its not easy, but Jesus never promised easy. It is simple, a finite amount of steps, a few defined instructions. Jesus was all about the foundation that was already set by God — Moses didn’t get “The Ten Suggestions.” They were “The Commandments”, and still are.
   Jesus said, “I didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Everything Jesus did was built on what God already had in place. He took the practices the people were doing and elevated them to a new higher level, the divine. He made the Passover meal the Eucharistic feast. He took what was the sacrifice of the unblemished lamb and offered the final sacrifice.
   The only way we can accomplish His instruction, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” is to stay connected with His holy community, His family of faith — The Church.
   We are invited — Respond joyfully, attend, participate, receive, and be changed. Now go and share the mission.

The Significance of “40” and Beyond

The Significance of “40” and Beyond

by Ian Mascarenhas

   The # 40 has great significance in our Bible stories – 40 days of rain in the story of Noah and the great flood, 40 years of wandering in the desert by the Israelites in the Exodus (from slavery) story and 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert (includes getting tempted by Satan) before beginning His public ministry.  Another “40” that we don’t normally hear about is that is the # of weeks for a woman’s normal term pregnancy.  In each instance there was/is more life that followed/follows than we could have previously imagined.

   So when we look at our Lenten experience, these 40 days we spend are meant to help us get closer to God.  It is sometimes described as a desert journey.  Like the effect of sandpaper, we are rubbed for a smoother finish.

   Our relationship/connection with God and our family/friends/community needs developing and strengthening.  We are the Support Group for each other, encouraging and building one another up.

   Now that we are beyond Easter it is our opportunity to continue what was begun through our Lenten journey.  Don’t just revert back to those pre-Lent practices.  The whole point is to make the changes lasting.  That is why it becomes “more life beyond.”

   We are alive, and meant to thrive.  Eternal life is the opportunity handed to us; we must continue to do our part.

Reflection about growing , choices, weathering environments, dealing with damage and lesson about Reconciliation --

Reflection about growing , choices, weathering environments, dealing with damage and lesson about Reconciliation --

As I walked past this area I noticed this tree and where this tree was cut down. Some grow tall, some grow wide. They sway with the wind, they bend with affect from environmental conditions.

The one cut down started in one yard and over time grew sideways into the next yard. Over time it grew to overgrown. It wasn't pruned/trimmed. A few weeks ago, with the high winds, part of it blew over, damaging the chain-link fence and blocking the sidewalk. It got trimmed back at first, but then got completely cut down.

We grow in varied ways, affecting others by our choices. Without proper pruning and control, damage can be caused, sometimes devastating effects.

Yesterday at our youth Reconciliation Service I told about this tree and it's effect. Our choices can lead to sins, separation/disconnection from God. But God gives us a way to get reconnected.

Reconciliation: conversion >> confession >> celebration!

Not Starting Over, Rather Starting Renewed!

Happy New Year

Not Starting Over,

Rather Starting Renewed!

by Ian Mascarenhas

   We are into 2016, a new year, but it doesn’t mean we’re starting all over again.  Rather, we begin this month renewed for the journey ahead.

   Starting the year renewed means we carry forward from our past, holding onto all the memories that are our foundation and all the lessons we’ve learned along the way.  All that is in our past prepares us for the experiences, challenges and struggles ahead.

  Facing all these things that come our way can be overwhelming at times.  The ways we handle the challenges, issues and struggles that can storm our lives is best done with our Support Group.  These are the persons (and groups) — family, friends, and others — that we allow into our lives.  God can be a huge part of our Support Group, but only by our choice; God is always there, waiting to be invited in.

  There will be a lot of wandering and wavering without the true Guide in our lives.  There is incredible separation and disconnection that naturally occurs when we try to “figure it out” on our own.

  Relying on my Support Group, and for me God is the biggest part, has tremendous benefits.  And reinforcing the benefits happens by sharing the stories and experiences in/with various groups.  Other results from such sharings includes building and strengthening our family/community of faith.

  Our future is filled with opportunities for edifying and encouraging others and ourselves.  We are truly blessed in many ways.

Connect with God & God’s family of faith!