[al_c]

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Repent, and be baptized, every one of you. (Acts 2:38)

Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Acts 2:36-41 Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22 John 20:11-18 Idleness begets a life of discontent. It develops self-love, which is the cause of all our miseries, and renders us unworthy to receive the favors of divine love.  -- St. Ignatius Loyola

The following is, as usual, from The Word Among Us:

Repent, and be baptized, every one of you. (Acts 2:38) These words of Peter to the crowd on Pentecost Sunday seem to have taken on a life of their own. For the first few centuries, this pattern of evangelization, repentance, and then baptism was the main way people experienced conversion and became members of the church. As time went on, however, the church began baptizing infants and then sought to evangelize them over time so that they would experience conversion.

While this model has brought millions of people to the Lord, it's important to remember that baptism is only the first step. The faith that a child receives at baptism is like a seed that must be planted in good soil. For children--or anyone else, for that matter--to receive the full blessings of baptism, evangelization and conversion are necessary. That's why the church teaches that parents are the "first heralds" of faith (CCC, 2225). It's parents who are called to create a Christian atmosphere, bearing witness to the joy of receiving the Eucharist, the blessings of prayer, and the freedom from sin that comes through Jesus' cross.

If you are a parent, you probably wonder whether you have the faith, the spiritual insight, or the strength of will to nurture your children's faith successfully. As parents, we want to nourish our family's faith, but our own faith doesn't seem strong enough. We want to build a Christian atmosphere in our homes, but we're not always sure how to do it. And then we face the ongoing challenge of the battle against sin and temptation in our own lives.

But none of this should discourage us. The repentance that Peter called for is not a one-time act meant exclusively for new converts. Every time we repent--and especially when we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation--the floodgates of heaven are opened, and our baptismal seed is nourished and strengthened.

Don't downplay this great gift of repentance. It may not be the entire answer to building a Christian home, but it does play a necessary role. Who knows? Maybe the witness of your repentance will cut your children to the heart and move them to ask you, "What can we do to know Jesus better?"

"Dear Lord, fill every home with your mercy. Show all parents how to be your first heralds of faith."

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God bless.

AC

[Havoc]

Guys, I have an announcement to make.

Some of you may already know. Ksen knows, and I asked him not to say anything; but, after some long thought today having been down sick yet again, I felt it is in the open now and maybe some would wish to know.

Many of you know my story from 4 years ago when I was hospitalized with pneumonia. At that time, I was also diagnosed with Emphysema.

I don't know what I should tell you beyond that. The doctor initially told me that the disease is pretty much terminal; but, terminal usually means 3-10 years.

I don't wear this on my sleave because I don't want people looking at me as someone with a disease. Nor have I ever wanted to be accused of using it for leverage. But in a heated couple of debates this past week on non-religious issues, it came out in anger. So it's out, and when ksen became aware, I was pretty much horrified at how ya'll would take it. I told him I can take care of myself. I told him I've lived with it and getting healed doesn't matter to me. I'd just as soon go home if I get that chance to go early. I'm not in a huge rush persay; but, given the choice ;)

I'm here doing what I can until the bell rings and it's time to go. The rest is in God's hands. I generally don't mind seeking help for my brother; but, for myself, I'm not one to put anyone out on my behalf if I can find a way not to. I walked a mile to work in subzero weather last winter and got really ill rather than put anyone out at the last minute. It ended me up in the hospital. So you'll appreciate that I'm pretty stubborn about doing what I have to to get a job done even if it kills me (lol). It is ironically humorous to me anyway.

So, there it is. I don't know what else to really tell you.
But I thought if you were going to find out, it should come from me.

Grace & peace.