Ash Wednesday

A blessed Ash Wednesday to you all. May the ashes imposed this day cause you to rejoice in the forgiveness and life of your Saviour Jesus Christ. If He and His gifts are not the focus of this day, then all is lost. Do you know when that really hit home for me? When my son, my firstborn, first came up one Ash Wednesday, and I had to grind those ashes into his forehead and speak those words to him: "You are dust, and to dust you will return." How could that not create a gut-kicking knot in the stomach of a father? Yet thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ! So even though I hate the ashes, they're good for me and point me to my Saviour. May they do so for you today as well.

The Ascension of Elijah

Tomorrow's Old Testament reading for the Transfiguration of our Lord is the taking of Elijah to heaven (2 Kings 2:1-12). Where does this happen? Not at Gilgal, nor Bethel, nor Jericho (isn't it interesting how all of this is described in detail) . . . only after they pass through the waters of the Jordan is Heaven then opened to Elijah. Hmmm, coincidence? Or a picture of Holy Baptism!

Happy Birthday!

How blessed I am to have you as my wife!

Accepted

Upon my return from Kenya, I received my acceptance letter from The Catholic University of America to study in their Ph.D. program in Liturgical and Sacramental Theology. Now the real work begins . . .  :-)

Back Safe and Sound

I am back safe and sound from my teaching in Kenya. It was a great experience for me and one I will always be grateful to Dr. Quill and the Seminary for giving me. I am planning to create a new blog and post pictures and story on it for each day of my trip (so I don't clog up this blog!). When I get it going, I will post the link here. Thank you to all of you for your prayers for me and my family while I was gone.