Lent is both a time of shedding and adding. Sometimes we can get off focus and it becomes a time of shedding pounds instead of vice. Sometimes it becomes a time of adding weight to our spirituality not piety. This is what we mean by calling ourselves “to the observance of a holy Lent”.
Spring always seems to come during the observance of Lent and the advent of bright colors and textures after what seems to be a bland depressing landscape can often ignite feelings of cheerfulness and excitement. This is always a diversion from Lenten focus for me.
Many outside of the catholic Churches see Lent as a forced rite and therefore is of none effect. This COULD be true if it is done without the full desire of the heart. If you are forced to say a pray it is null if your heart isn’t into it. If you go to Mass with no intention of the heart then you are really wasting your time. If you are observing Lent this year because you HAVE TO, then you are again wasting your time and also are robbing yourself of one of the greatest opportunities for spiritual growth that the liturgical year has to offer.
Lent must be a desire of the heart. When we “shed”, we must be getting rid of vices and desires of the flesh. Desires of the flesh sometimes are seen as inordinate affections or evil intentions. While this is true, it also means a desire to do the things that we want to do without any thought towards God’s Will. These are very simple desires at times. Sometimes television occupies so much of our time that could be spent reading God’s Word. Conversations at the water cooler rob us of valuable prayer time. Sunday ball games take the place of the Sunday Eucharist.
We should use this time to replace our accustomed activities with holy acts. Don’t just plan to “do more reading” or “do more praying”. Set a real goal of praying a specified amount of time per week, possibly on Fridays. Set aside a particular book of the Bible or devotional aid to read during Lent and read a small portion each evening. It is better to commit to a small act done with love and faithfulness than to take on a big task that we can’t fulfill leaving us with a profound sense of guilt at the close of Holy Week.
Lent is a spiritual journey to the greatest holiday of the year for Christians – Easter! Use this time wisely. Make a holy Lent. Make definite plans and stick with them. Find something to shed or fast from like your favorite food or drink. Then prayerfully find something extra to take on like that Bible book or devotion. Stations of the Cross are popular and helpful this time of year.
I promise that if you make a holy Lent out of your own free will and with the consent and love of your heart you will truly celebrate Easter with more joy than you ever have. You will appreciate the sacrifice of our Lord given for us. Your relationship with Christ will benefit and you will become closer to him than ever!
+ Mason
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Monthly Update
Christmas and New Years are both over and now Lent is around the corner. Hopefully I will have a special Lenten message to post on or near Ash Wednesday.
My wife is doing great, Brendán is doing great and I am as well. I am busy running my Dad's business for him. He had another heart attack just before Christmas and has been slower than usual. The family business has grown so much that one person can't run the whole show anymore and therefore I come in. I am also busy with my work as Chaplain at my County's Sheriff Department. This is quite a unique ministry to say the least.
Several former members of the Order have requested that I revive the Anglican Order of St. Benedict. I am seriously contemplating this. If you have any interest, please post me or email me if you have my address.
Go ahead and start thinking of things to shed for Lent. I am, and am looking forward to this time of solitude, prayer, and fasting.
+Mason
My wife is doing great, Brendán is doing great and I am as well. I am busy running my Dad's business for him. He had another heart attack just before Christmas and has been slower than usual. The family business has grown so much that one person can't run the whole show anymore and therefore I come in. I am also busy with my work as Chaplain at my County's Sheriff Department. This is quite a unique ministry to say the least.
Several former members of the Order have requested that I revive the Anglican Order of St. Benedict. I am seriously contemplating this. If you have any interest, please post me or email me if you have my address.
Go ahead and start thinking of things to shed for Lent. I am, and am looking forward to this time of solitude, prayer, and fasting.
+Mason
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Latest Update
The Holidays are approaching and things are getting very busy here in North Carolina. I just realized that we didn't announce the birth of our son on my blog. Mason Brendán Paramore was born on September 23, 2007. He is changing every day and we cherish every fleeting moment.
Back to the priesthood? The jury is still out. I wish things would be more clearer but they aren't and so we still wait on the Lord.
This Holiday Season show your love for one another, spend special time with Jesus, mend broken fences with those you love, and don't let Santa Claus get stuck in your chimney.
+ Mason
Back to the priesthood? The jury is still out. I wish things would be more clearer but they aren't and so we still wait on the Lord.
This Holiday Season show your love for one another, spend special time with Jesus, mend broken fences with those you love, and don't let Santa Claus get stuck in your chimney.
+ Mason
Friday, September 7, 2007
Weekly Update
This week has been overwhelming. I have been out of town most of the week and Jessica has been in additional training as well. Other than that all is well. We are still studying the book “Neither Orthodoxy Nor a Formulary”. We are still considering the possibility of re-entering the Anglican ministry. Pray for us!
+Mason
+Mason
Friday, August 31, 2007
Daily Morning Prayer
I have added a link in the link list for Daily Morning Prayer. This goes to a Church of England website and will give you the service for the current date's Morning Prayer (Matins) Service. I hope you enjoy!
+Mason
+Mason
Thursday, August 30, 2007
A Great Book
Lately my wife and I have been studying a great book titled "Neither Orthodoxy Nor A Formulary" written by The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon. For me it is a re-read but it is new for my wife. It is an excellent take on the dangers of the 1979 (so-called) Book of Common Prayer of the liberal Episcopal Church USA. I would suggest all Anglicans on both sides of the fence read this! Father Toon is able to point out errors in this book that are commonly overlooked. He shows the subtle doctrinal suggestions hidden in the text of the book of 1979. This is a "must read"!
+Mason
+Mason
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Weekly Update
Things are very slow in the family business at present. The heat tends to bring things to a halt, but we expect to pick back up over the next couple of weeks.
The question continues as to whether or not I will return to the Anglican Church soon and if so to ministry. At this time I can respond the chances of this are likely. My time away from ministry has enabled me to see things as they really are without the distortions of man. I have been on a search for the meaning of Anglicanism and its' place in Christian worship. I have contemplated much the true duty of the priest whether parish or missionary. Having said thus, should I return I doubt I would be the same priest ever again that I once was. I have a fresh vision with much clarity.
All of the family are well for now.
+Mason
The question continues as to whether or not I will return to the Anglican Church soon and if so to ministry. At this time I can respond the chances of this are likely. My time away from ministry has enabled me to see things as they really are without the distortions of man. I have been on a search for the meaning of Anglicanism and its' place in Christian worship. I have contemplated much the true duty of the priest whether parish or missionary. Having said thus, should I return I doubt I would be the same priest ever again that I once was. I have a fresh vision with much clarity.
All of the family are well for now.
+Mason
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Still Alive
The past year has been overwhelming! Jessica and I are still doing quite well, though many changes have taken place. I will write more about these changes as I can. I am in the process of redesigning my blog. I will get this thing up and running as soon as I can! Bye for now,
+Mason
+Mason
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul
Serving the Poor is to be Preferred Above all Things.
Even though the poor are often rough and unrefined, we must not judge them from external appearances nor from the mental gifts they seem to have received. On the contrary, if you consider the poor in the light of faith, then you will observe that they are taking the place of the Son of God who chose to be poor.Although in his passion he almost lost the appearance of a man and was considered a fool by the Gentiles and a stumbling block by the Jews, he showed them that his mission was to preach to the poor: He sent me to preach the good news to the poor. We also ought to have this same spirit and imitate Christ’s actions, that is, we must take care of the poor, console them, help them, support their cause.
Since Christ willed to be born poor, he chose for himself disciples who were poor. He made himself the servant of the poor and shared their poverty. He went so far as to say that he would consider every deed which either helps or harms the poor as done for or against himself. Since God surely loves the poor, he also loves those who love the poor. For when one person holds another dear, he also includes in his affection anyone who loves or serves the one he loves. That is why we hope that God will love us for the sake of the poor. So when we visit the poor and needy, we try to understand the poor and weak. We sympathise with them so fully that we can echo Paul’s words: I have become all things to all men. Therefore, we must try to be stirred by our neighbours’ worries and distress. We must beg God to pour into our hearts sentiments of pity and compassion and to fill them again and again with these dispositions.
It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer. Do not become upset or feel guilty because you interrupted your prayer to serve the poor. God is not neglected if you leave him for such service. One of God’s works is merely interrupted so that another can be carried out. So when you leave prayer to serve some poor person, remember that this very service is performed for God. Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity. Since she is a noble mistress, we must do whatever she commands. With renewed devotion, then, we must serve the poor, especially outcasts and beggars. They have been given to us as our masters and patrons.
A writing of St Vincent de Paul
Even though the poor are often rough and unrefined, we must not judge them from external appearances nor from the mental gifts they seem to have received. On the contrary, if you consider the poor in the light of faith, then you will observe that they are taking the place of the Son of God who chose to be poor.Although in his passion he almost lost the appearance of a man and was considered a fool by the Gentiles and a stumbling block by the Jews, he showed them that his mission was to preach to the poor: He sent me to preach the good news to the poor. We also ought to have this same spirit and imitate Christ’s actions, that is, we must take care of the poor, console them, help them, support their cause.
Since Christ willed to be born poor, he chose for himself disciples who were poor. He made himself the servant of the poor and shared their poverty. He went so far as to say that he would consider every deed which either helps or harms the poor as done for or against himself. Since God surely loves the poor, he also loves those who love the poor. For when one person holds another dear, he also includes in his affection anyone who loves or serves the one he loves. That is why we hope that God will love us for the sake of the poor. So when we visit the poor and needy, we try to understand the poor and weak. We sympathise with them so fully that we can echo Paul’s words: I have become all things to all men. Therefore, we must try to be stirred by our neighbours’ worries and distress. We must beg God to pour into our hearts sentiments of pity and compassion and to fill them again and again with these dispositions.
It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer. Do not become upset or feel guilty because you interrupted your prayer to serve the poor. God is not neglected if you leave him for such service. One of God’s works is merely interrupted so that another can be carried out. So when you leave prayer to serve some poor person, remember that this very service is performed for God. Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity. Since she is a noble mistress, we must do whatever she commands. With renewed devotion, then, we must serve the poor, especially outcasts and beggars. They have been given to us as our masters and patrons.
A writing of St Vincent de Paul
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