Being a Mets Fan is Terrible, But...

... being a Dodgers fan is worse:

Fan (regarding Donnie Baseball's Coming Dismissal):

Too bad managers don't matter. Mattingly is just a fall guy for Ned.  Giving Ned Colletti a $200m payroll is like handing the keys of a Ferrari to a 16 year old, and then being surprised when he wraps it around a tree and [then] blaming the tires.

The Good Word

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John
and approached the other disciples,
they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.

Mark 9:14

And isn't this the way we are after Easter too?  The festal garments have been put away, green drapes over our chapels and churches again.  Instead of readings from the Acts of the Apostles and being washed over by the intricate Christology of  John, we find ourselves presented with the Gospel Mark and a classic situation at that: the disciples just don't get it.

This is me.  It is us.  We've been through Easter, we've met the Risen Christ, yet down from the mountain, here we are again, confused and alone, attempting to figure out our beliefs among out doubts and everything in between.

However, we are still changed, perhaps just a little bit by Easter.

And we're better for it.

The Craft of the Homily and Ontology

I'm beginning to work out a homily for Corpus Christi, the first homily that I will give as an ordained person.  Of course, I've had other opportunities to preach -- reflections at the monthly school masses, preaching on behalf of the Capuchin missions at a parish in New Hampshire, and other talks and conferences in a variety of situations.  And yet, this homily seems different: probably because it is different.  

I know that it will be different, precisely because in my ordination I will be conformed, changed really, in order to better break open the Word of God.  Of course, just as any gift, ordination will require a good deal amount of work on my part (in reality, my whole self -- duh), but as I reflect upon what it will be like to preach as a deacon, I realize that with the added gift of the office of Sacred Orders, so too does the responsibility increase.

And so, on the great feast of Pentecost, "Come, Holy Spirit!"

Capuchin Life and Ministry (Washington, DC Edition)

Great stuff from my novitiate classmate, Brian Stacy, OFM Cap.  Enjoy!

Back in the Saddle

Folks,

Thanks for all the prayers and wonderful messages of support over the past days.  I'm more or less exhausted and know that the work is only beginning, and it's only going to get crazier in the days ahead.

But you know, I wouldn't trade this life for anything.

Please keep the prayers coming and know of mine for you and your intentions.

And let's see if I can't start posting regularly again.

Yours,
Matt