It is late for me. Saturday night after a long day and a long week. At the office, it was a week of seeing an awful lot of patients along with preparing to move to a different office after eleven years in the one from which they moved me yesterday. A week in which I saw my wife off to Spokane, Washington to see a niece’s graduation that I wish I could have attended also.
Yesterday early, I went off to a furniture store where I had purchased a very expensive box spring and mattress about three weeks ago. There is a manufacturers defect in the mattress. I hate to have to deal with defective products. I get all anxious and bothered by it, hoping the merchant and the manufacturer will stand behind there product.
Then in the morning, I and several other deacons were able to vest and attend the ordination to the priesthood of one of our transitional deacons. I then had to rush home to get here before my mother and niece showed up. Unfortunately, I didn’t get home until nearly 4 PM and they had arrived an hour earlier.
Last night and this morning, I spent with my niece. Took her to a old theater last night, which she enjoyed, then I accompanied her to St. Mary’s University this morning for new student orientation. Had fun spending one to one time with her, which rarely happens. Saw her off at 1 PM, got a little rest and then got ready to assist at Mass and preach this evening. Homily, though well prepared, went a little roughly. For some reason I was distracted. Actually, I think I was (am) tired. I am reminded that words are not adequate for a good homily; one’s whole self has to be invested. If you leave any part of you somewhere else, the homily is ineffective. So I went home and practiced my homily once again, putting my heart and soul into the words. God is in the heart and the soul, so if I speak in his name, I had better go to him there and from those places break open the Scriptures for the parish.
After Mass, I was happily met by a deacon friend, Gordon Richards who frequently comments on this blog. All the way from South Dakota. Had the privilege to say hello again to his wife, Alma, and also for the first time to their son, David. Gordon and Alma conducted my home interview during the application process for diaconate formation several years ago.
I love preaching. I love being a deacon. I love the people whom I serve. Thanks be to God for all of this!
