FAMILY TREES

robert r. lackney, chaplain

The month of November marks the close of the Liturgical year.

The liturgical teachings are brought to an end and we enter Advent.

Adventime reminds us of new beginnings and the chance to

... “re-design” our lives:  to recognize who we are becoming.

The coming Advent celebrates another opportunity to ask:

Who made the world?  Who is God? Why did God make me?

We have entered the sacred time of “Beginnings and Endings“.

 

Recently, I had a conversation with friends regarding “Family Trees”.

… One claimed to be a descendent of French royalty from Paris.

… Bill Tischler translates as “maker of shoes”, cobblers from Austria.

… Tom, an Irish Catholic turned Anglican, brought out a large bound book,

thumbed through the pages pointed to page 930 to the name,

“Plunket”. Plunket is that saint, who we have heard about from time to time,

Mr. Plunket, had unwillingly lost his head protesting the king.

The old saying in Tom’s family gatherings remains:

… “Please don’t kill the messenger!”

Then someone asked Betty Lou, “Where did your family come from?”

She repeated her story as told to her by her mother, Elizabeth.

… “My mother a descendant of John Elkins of Elkins, West Virginia.

… The Elkins family settled in the hill country in 1715,

… And several married and raised families with the local Indians.”

“My great grandmother,” Betty grinned, “was Cherokee.”

“… Her name: … Sunflower that Smiles!

… My  great- great grandfather was  known as:

… Pulling a Canoe.

I have no idea this is true or not. It remains an old family legend.”

Many family backgrounds remain myths, fables, and mysteries.

… A mystery for some of us yet to be discovered.

The most common questions asked when meeting people

Where do you come from?... Who are you? ...What do you do?

Each of us is called to establish a personal vision of our life’s mission that will give shape to our personal values, beliefs, and behaviors.

 

Adventime may be just the kind of opportunity we need to think about our daily challenges as we travel in this wonderful thing we call life.

 

Only The Goodthings

deacon robert r.lackney, My 4^th Day Journal, November, 2012.

PS: The  things I  learned, this past year, from our scriptures that has helped me:

1^st … To discover the answer to the question: “Why did God make me?”

2^nd… To know God wants you for your ability to think, to struggle and to doubt.

3^rd… To be true to yourself -once you have discovered your gift, purpose, and mission.

 

The individual yearns to be of value, to be

Wanted ... Needed ... Worthwhile

To

Love... and to be... Loved.

 

Without this vision the individual will not discover the true

Talent, Skill, and Capability

That lies dormant within His or Her being.

 

 



RAINBOWS

r.r.lackney, liturgical architect, sketch



The Spritual Arch of Hope

Our Miracle: We Pass Beneath The Spiritual Arch of Hope as

We Enter The Gates of Paradise

Recently, I visited Gethsemani, a holy place.

“Did you see any miracles?” One of my friends asked.

Now, a miracle is a mysterious force that enters into our lives and profoundly changes our personal relationship with Christ.

A miracle, the church teaches, is beyond logic. Yet, the experience is personal, concrete, and unique. The experience is something that we enter into and allows us, for a brief moment, to “See- Something”.

Something outside of our normal experience.

“IT” happened. Yet, “IT” cannot have happened.

God has interrupted  our daily routine.

 

The mystical experience cannot be ignored.

An invitation has been made to you. And, requires your response.
What is left will continue to affect all your experiences and relationships.

On a hilltop in West Virginia, over looking the valley below and seeing the translucent colors of a Giant Rainbow, I was stunned by its

Simplicity, Silence, and Splendor!

There was no doubt, as an 8 year old boy, I was inspired.

Something in me changed on that walk down from that hilltop.

That powerful sense of Presence, Passion, and Promise

had invaded all the areas of my life, education, career, and family

right up to this present moment.

 Maybe you have a similar story? Many do.

 

Our minds tend to become fragmented over a lifetime and become unable to activate the whole nature of our being. The mystical experience “turns-on” our spiritual nature from time to time and we enjoy the opportunity to be liberated by a great sense of beauty, wonder, and awe for the mysterious. The Divine.

St. Therese, The Little Flower, asked,
“Do we not become responsive to Christ who is actualized within us?”
The great saint taught, “With God there always is more mystery.”

 There is wisdom in the thought that we are a “work in progress”, God is not finished with us.

As long as we have breath there will be more miracles and mysteries, more hilltops and valleys, and more and more Giant Rainbows.

Only The Good Things
deacon r.r. lackney, My 4^th Day Journal , October 2012
PS: The Rainbow that is in our imagination could be the
“ Spiritual Arch of Divine Hope as we open the Gates of heaven?

EUCHARIST: ULTIMATE FREEDOM

 

Eucharist: Ultimate Freedom

robert r. lackney, permanent deacon

 

Our bishops outlined the key issues of religious freedom in “The Fortnight of Freedom”.   The philosophical and theological topics focused on Freedom and Liberty included: 

•The Thomistic definition of conscience.

•The Aristotelian understanding of how the state relates to a person's conscience.

•The comparison to the Individual Health Care Mandate decided by the Supreme Court. 

•The Bill of Rights: distinction between freedom of worship and the exercise of religion.

•An analysis of God, Goodness, and Freedom found in 21st Century Society.

 

These presentations have awakened a renewed respect for the Church leadership in America, our own diocese, and hopefully,  our Saints Peter and Paul parish family.

Galatians 5:1, suggests a biblical perspective in our personal search for Freedom and Liberty.

 

" … For Freedom Christ has set us free. So stand firm and do not submit again

to the yoke of slavery…"

 

We might ask: “Freedom?”  “Liberty?”

What does this mean to me as a Catholic?”

 

Traditional Catholics believe that “Inner Freedom” flows directly from God and is experienced in our life of Prayer, Sacrifice, and Personal Witness.

 

True Liberty, the “Inner Freedom”, that we desire, comes from living in God’s Presence.

Religious, Economic, and Political Freedom, are always at the service of Interior Freedom.

Consider the Great Saints martyred for their beliefs. Thomas More, John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Saints Peter and Paul each laid down their lives for interior freedom.

These saints stood firm in the face of the Politics of a Collective Government determined to strip them of their religious freedom.  The life stories of saints always reflect the power of Prayer, Sacrifice, and Personal Witness in the midst of struggle, trial, and challenge.
 

Cardinal Dolan of NewYork, teaches that we lose our freedoms when:

We become silent and fail in our personal witness to the good things received in Christ.

 Liturgy is where we celebrate “Interior Freedom”.  This might be your experience, it is mine.

Christ  lives within our hearts and brings the:

Power to create the vision of Freedom, and the strength to fulfill the dream of Liberty.

 Christ gives to us the dream of Freedom and Liberty that no one can ever take away.
 

Peace and Only The Good Things

r.r.lackney, deacon,  My 4^th Day Journal, September 2012

PS: Just how free are we?

We remain free to the degree that Gifts of the Spirit are present in our lives.

St. Teresa says that Joy is the sign of God’s presence and this is:  Ultimate Freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

COME TO ME

COME TO ME

robert r. lackney, chaplian

.

It is the memories of

... The love held back

That is the only

... Real

Pain and Suffering

... That you carry throughout life

And

 ... Into Your Sick Bed.

.

I am often asked, “What do you do as a chaplain?” “What do the sick and dying talk about?” “What do you say to the sick and dying?” Other questions include, “Do they talk about God?” … Sometimes. “Do they talk about their religion?” … Sometimes. “Do they talk about the meaning of their lives?” …  Sometimes. “Do they want to pray?” … Well some do. Most do not. . “So what does a chaplain do?” … We listen. Mostly, people talk about their families, about their mothers and fathers, their sons and daughters. Many point to the love they felt, and the love they gave. Others talk about love they did not receive, or the love they withheld. A few remember how they learned what love is, and what love it is not. And sometimes they cry, like my friend, Arthur, who reached out with both of his hands calling to his wife, Dorothy, … “Darling, I miss you!” People talk to the chaplain about their families because that is how we talk about God. It is in our friends and families that is where we create our lives, this is where we find purpose and life’s meaning becomes clear. Family is where we first experience love and where we first give it. Our family is our center of love. Family is where we start to ask those big spiritual questions, and ultimately where the questions are answered. “What do you say to the sick and dying?” … It is not what is “said” that is remembered It is just being there that is the most important thing. deacon robert r. lackney, 4th Day Journal August2012 PS: If we really knew who is with you and has walked with you, whispered with you on the path you chose for your life, you would never again be afraid.

ULTIMATE FREEDOM

Holy Hour: Eucharist, Ultimate Freedom

Our bishops outlined the key issues of religious freedom in “The Fortnight of Freedom”.  

The philosophical and theological topics focused on Freedom and Liberty included: 

•The Thomistic definition of conscience.
•The Aristotelian understanding of how the state relates to a person's conscience.
•The comparison to the Individual Health Care Mandate decided by the Supreme Court. 
•The Bill of Rights: the distinction between freedom of worship and the exercise of religion.
•An analysis of God, Goodness, and Freedom found in 21st Century Society.

These presentations have awakened a renewed respect for the Church leadership in America.

Galatians 5:1, suggests a biblical perspective in our personal search for Freedom and Liberty.

"For Freedom Christ has set us free.

So stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."

We might ask: “Freedom?  Liberty? What does this mean to me as a Catholic?”

Traditional Catholics believe that “Inner Freedom” flows directly from God and is experienced in a life of Prayer, Fasting, and Personal Witness.

True Liberty, the “Inner Freedom”, that we desire, comes from living in the presence of God.
Religious, Economic, and Political Freedom, are always at the service of Interior Freedom.

Consider the Great Saints martyred for their beliefs. Thomas More, John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Saints Peter and Paul each laid down their lives for interior freedom.

These saints stood firm in the face of Politics of a Collective Government determined to strip them of their religious freedom.  The life stories of saints always reflect the power of Prayer, Fasting, and Personal Witness in the midst of struggle, trial, and challenge.

We lose our freedoms when:
We become silent and fail to witness to the good things Christ has done in our lives.

Liturgy is where we celebrate “Interior Freedom”.  This might be your experience, it is mine.
Christ comes into the heart with:
The power to create a vision and the strength to fulfill a dream.
Christ gives us the dream of freedom and liberty that no one can ever take away.

Peace and Only The Good Things
r.r.lackney, deacon,  My 4^th Day Journal
PS: Just how free are we?
We remain free to the degree that Gifts of the Spirit are present in our lives.
St. Teresa taught that Joy was the sign of God’s presence and this is:  Ultimate Freedom.

PATRICIA'S LIGHT

Mother/ robert r. lackney permanent deacon

Patricia’s spirit

Rising into the world that is invisible and,

… Upon arriving there

Has been embraced with indescribable Joy

… To forever dwell in paradise. We are taught by the Saints it is:

… An honor

… A happiness

To depart joyfully of this world

… To go forth in Glory.

Patricia,

… In one moment closed her eyes that looked on
You and me in this world
… And in the next instant
She opened them, and
… Looked directly into the eyes of Christ.
And
…Heard God
Call her Name.
Pat was suddenly withdrawn from this earth
… Embraced by Christ, and
She now finds herself in Paradise.
… With all those that
She loved and who loved her back.
And so:
… This is the reality  we know to be Patricia.
Pat had within her
… A special light
A light that would flow through her entire body
… Expressed in that Precious Smile, which
Radiated out into any room and fill everything
The walls, doors, plants, the furniture, and all
… The people who were present
Including me.
We could not imagine
… That her light would ever go out.
God saw that Patricia was getting tired and
…  A cure was not to be. 
And, the time was now
… So God put His arms around her and whispered:
“Come to Me”
Although, we loved her dearly
… We would not ask her to stay.
That good heart stopped beating.
…Hard working hands now rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us. 
… God only takes the best.
Pat and I had many conversations about:
… What is life all about, anyway? “Robert!” She said,
“ The only purpose in life is to
Taste God in everything and
… Receive all the blessings we can get.” She added,
“ Don’t forget we need a Great Big Heart to share
…All that LOVE with others!”

“ Light many lamps and gather around herbed.

Lend her your eyes, warm blood and she
Will live.
But, Death replied: “I choose her”
So she went, and
There was silence in the night.
Silence and safety
And the veils of sleep.
And in the far away
The sighs of the coming summer clouds.
“Yes.” She said,
“When it is your time then Go in peace.”
And, her heart answered:
“But, you will fight a
New fight Tomorrow.
Best you sleep while you can.”
Now you know why we loved her so
She was both times right.”
Every time the eyes of someone we love closes the last time in death Christ opens a door in heaven so that their light will shine into and fill our hearts forever.
Only The Good Things
robert r. lackney, permanent deacon

YOUR TOMBSTONE

Sketch Archangel Azeral

r.r.lackney

Mark’s Gospel ends the Lord’s Passion with, “Then, they rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Others watching took note where he was laid.” A few months ago I assisted at a funeral service in Danville’s oldest cemetery.  As we drove beneath the iron entry gates, the beauty of the cemetery’s lawn sparkled in the morning sunlight. The deep green grass was “sprinkled” with hundreds of white, gray, and pink tombstones. A cross here, an angel there, and headstones carved neatly with the names of the dead. Silent, lonely, and mysterious tombstones to mark a Kentuckian. Each tombstone telling a story of a life lived in the sight of God’s Love. I thought, “What is the most common thing about these tombstones?” “The name of the person?” … Yes. “The dates inscribed?”  … Yes “The little crosses at the center near the top?”  … Yes, this also. For me it is the “dash” … the dash between the between the dates, That, for me, is the most common thing on a tombstone. A little dash, 1-1/2 to 2 inches long, the symbol that represents a life of all that happened.  A symbol of the all the accomplishments and failures, all the hopes, and dreams, and all the good works initiated and work left undone. A life summed up in the little “ dash’” between the dates carved into the surface of the stone. Now, everyone’s dash is the same, the dash has a “beginning and end”. And, in my mid 70’s, death seems all too soon …time much too short. The understanding of purpose, meaning, the vision of one’s life much too vague. Our life becomes the story carved into a silent, lonely tombstone will for remain a mystery known only to God. Deacon robert r. lackney My 4th Day Journal July 2012 PS: Many turn from their tombstone with dread.  Others will watch. A few will wonder. The great wonder is in not knowing how our lives will come out. We only have the opportunity to enter into our futures, full of confidence, and the promise that Christ is with us. The stone that marks your grave might read:  “I have Gone to God!”

DIVINE PRESENCE

FLORENCE: MY CELESTIAL PALACE

robert r. lackney architect

Catholics feel that there something special about a Sacred Place.

Why do we feel this way about a garden, a tabernacle, a sanctuary?

When we look around the world or look into the past time we find that there are special places where people felt something different.

Some say there is sense of “presence”, of “holiness”, of an encounter with the “divine”. Others report that they were struck by a power, something miraculous, and the extraordinary.

So what is this?

People have for centuries built stones rings, temples, and cathedrals.

These holy places were built with orientation to the celestial rotations in the sky, the rising of the morning sun, and sacred geometry.

Notre Dame Cathedral, in Paris, was constructed as a gigantic sound chamber designed to capture the songs and melodies of the angels. Attending Mass in the cathedral feels like being inside of a huge guitar.

There is another thing as to why we build sacred places?

We build with “intention”.

There is the devotion within the people who built these churches, those who come to pray and sing, and to participate in all the ceremonies that have been celebrated.

I have wondered, and deeply humbled, as I recall all the people who have prayed here, funerals, Christmas’s, and 1st Communions over the past 100 years in our sanctuary.

The power of the holy place, the power of the structure and the power of human love combine to create divine presence that surrounds and saturates not only the building but those who come to worship.

Our sanctuary is imbued with sanctity by the congregation over time.

The Church is the most important place in the life of the Catholic.

The Church building is a place of privilege where dedicated people meet and experience Christ in the present moment.

For, me it is my Celestial Palace:

A place to experience the Light of Christ … Divine Grace.

Peace and Only Good Things

Deacon robert r. lackney, My 4^th Day Journal June 2012.

PS: Sacred space is the intersection point between our humanity and Christ’s divinity, where Heaven and Earth intersect, where Spirit and Flesh meet. Our sanctuary is the “jewel” that mirrors the mystery of Christ. Where the invisible is made visible.