This was a beautiful
day. It has been a great weekend and a month to remember in the Diocese of
Shreveport. Saturday, was the ordination to transitional deacon of Keven Muse. It
seems yesterday he was a baby faced underclassmen at Catholic Campus Ministry
telling me he was considering the priesthood.
Earlier this month,
Bishop Ducca ordained Fr. Duane Trombetta and celebrated the first profession
of vows for Sister Heather to The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. Next
Thursday is the fourth year anniversary of the ordination of my deacon class. Our
Diocese is joyous in these events.
This weekend is also the kickoff for the Men’s August ACTS Retreat.
That brings to mind the Army recruitment slogan from years past, "The Army is looking for a few good men." You probably would get in trouble for saying that in today's world.
But I can say this with confidence, God is looking for a
few good men (and women and young adults); a few good souls to complete the
work of His kingdom. God has called people, great and small alike, like John
the Baptist and the prophets to proclaim his Kingdom. God continues to call us
today.
The prophet Isaiah’s
words, The LORD called me from birth; from my
mother's womb… God spoke to Jerimiah: Before
I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you….. This
weekend, one of young man answered the call of God to carry on his
kingdom. Our own, now Deacon Kevin Muse is
a prophet of God called to this modern world.
But if truth is known
he calls all. He has called people throughout history. He is calling you. Maybe
not to the priesthood or the diaconate or a consecrated religious life; but,
God is
calling to you. God asks each of us to proclaim his kingdom come.
You’re looking at me
and saying, “Deacon I can’t do that I have no talent or gift of any kind.” No
one say they have no gift, no talent or is so poor or weak that they cannot
give what they have to God. God asks for what you have and that is who
you are.
It is natural to be
hesitant, maybe afraid.
That is
the story of Zachariah. An Angel of God appears to Zachariah and said God in
his mercy and grace was bestowing a son to Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth. This
caused Zachariah to be troubled and afraid. He and Elizabeth were old and
barren. He did not believe and Zachariah was made mute for his doubt.
After mass we are going
to have someone tells us about the Men’s ACTS Retreat to be held in August. It will be natural to be hesitant, maybe
afraid. But the ACTS retreat or someone you meet there may be your angel.
One thing about the
ACTS retreat, it is like what the Angels said about John – filled with the Holy Spirit
Men and women who have
attended an ACTS retreat will tell you it is a Spirit filled experience. And, when the Holy Spirit is present,
something always happens. Where the Holy Spirit is, things are never at a standstill.
It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the strength to achieve holiness in our
everyday lives.
And this was St. John’s
life. Filled with the Holy Spirit, John heralded the coming of Christ by
proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
God doesn’t call us all
to be a John the Baptist. He calls everyone from where they are. He calls
leaders like David. He calls prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. God calls
everyday people, all imperfect sinners. Abraham denied his wife. Moses killed a man. Noah was a drunkard. Peter denied Christ, three times. Paul persecuted his Church. Mark ran away. He even calls people who think their best days are past like Zachariah and Elizabeth.
He calls us in who we are to proclaim His
Kingdom.
That is what ACTS is about. ACTS stands for Adoration, Community,
Theology, and Service. In those we worship, praise, and proclaim his kingdom. ACTS
is a way for us to work for God in who we are as men, women, and teens.
My friends, God’s work
is not done by walking into a church. Gods work is done by walking out and
helping others. God needs people to bring His forgiveness and His mercy to the
world.
That can cause us
trouble and fear because it is outside our comfort zone.
Going to an ACTS
retreat may be outside our comfort zone. Yet, outside our comfort zone is where
Jesus asks us to live and work and proclaim the Kingdom of God. Anyone who
follows Jesus – loves. That is uncomfortable to the rest of the world. The
world makes it uncomfortable for us.
The love of Christ is
not a superficial sentiment. It is an attitude of the heart. We demonstrate
that attitude when we live as He wants us to live.
But the world calls to us
in worldly things. The people said his name would
be Zachariah.
Elizabeth
said “No, his name is John.”
The world never gives up trying pull you away from God. Then the people
went to Zachariah asking what the child’s name would be.
God always call us to
be his own. And he said, “His name is John.” And immediately
his voice returned to bless God by giving praise and thanksgiving.
God is looking for good
people, men and women to proclaim his kingdom. Christian
believers living to accomplish what Jesus taught: praising God, sharing, serving,
and loving our neighbors.
That’s what ACTS is
about. Ask someone who has been to an ACTS retreat. They will tell you it was
not what they expected. They didn’t think they needed to go.
Eight other deacon
candidates and I thought we didn’t need to go. It changed us for the better. Even, Fr. Rothell Price, who has been part of
several ACTS retreats, says the spiritual benefit he received has been off the
chart every time. These are spiritual benefits can prepare us for the Kingdom
of God.
A friend, a senior in
High School, is entering the military after graduation from High School. The recruiter
told him to lose 20 pounds, attend regular recruitment meetings, graduate, and prepare
for the aptitude test. For the military to be his future, he must change his
life and keep that change alive.
We say we want the
Kingdom of God. Are we preparing for that wonderful place? What are we doing to
build God’s kingdom? The ACTS retreat can put us on a path of growth and
strength in spirit to answer God’s call.
Scripture tells us seek
the Lord in prayer, He is the one who has called us. Congratulations Transitional
Deacon Kevin Muse, Fr. Duane Trombetta, and Sister Heather, you heard God’s
call; Happy Anniversary my brother Deacons.
For the rest, we must be
open to God’s call. Grow in strength and spirit. Consider
the ACTS retreat.
Live in the goodness
and holiness found in the love of Christ, grow strong in the Holy Spirit, and
you will preach the Gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.
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