Obituary of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary,
also known as Golgotha, the place of the skull. Betrayed by
the apostle Judas, Jesus was crucified by the Romans, by order
of the Ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were
crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture, and loss of blood.

Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the
house of David. He was the Son of the late Joseph, a carpenter
of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted Mother. Jesus was born
in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea. He is survived
by His mother Mary, His faithful Apostles, numerous disciples,
and many other followers.

Jesus was self educated and spent most of his adult life
working as a Carpenter and a Teacher. Jesus also occasionally
worked as a Medical Doctor and it is reported that he healed
many patients. Up until the time of His death, Jesus was
teaching and sharing the Good News, healing the sick,
touching the lonely, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor.

Jesus was most noted for telling parables about His Father`s
Kingdom and performing miracles, such as feeding over 5,000
people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and
healing a man who was born blind. On the day before His
death, He held a Last Supper celebrating the Passover Feast,
at which He foretold His death.

The body was quickly buried in a stone grave, which was
donated by Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family.
By order of Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in
front of the tomb. Roman soldiers were put on guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that everyone
try to live as Jesus did. Donations may be sent to anyone in need.

Author unknown

Easter Vigil Mass

Well all my fears were alleved and we had an awesome Easter Vigil Mass. For me the high point came from a little girl. She was being baptised tonight and as Father poured the water over her, she smiled a huge smile from ear to ear. The joy she showed was infectous and pretty soon the entire congregation was echoing her smile.

As we went through the Mass I couldn't help but think about the Easter Vigil Masses from my past. Like how beautifully Terry used to sing the Exsultet at St. James. And the times when Leah and I would help Fr. Bill at his parish in Memphis, MO. They were so thrilled to have music for their worship.

The one thing that struck me odd tonight was the lack of people. We had a very large group of RCIA related people, but other than that there were very few parishioners. It's said that people shy away mainly because "it's too long" or "it's too late". What an amazing liturgy that they miss and it only happens once a year.

Come Holy Spirit Come

Wow, ok so last night I went to the parish retreat night two which was on the Gift of God's Grace. During the night we had a reconcilliation service. As I was preparing to go to the priest, I was thinking of what really had been keeping me away from God. Mostly it seems to be stubborness to accept God's plan when it doesn't mesh with what I had planned. Ok so I definitely did not expect to be in Jacksonville, IL and single at this point in my life. I talked to Father about it and mentioned that I really wish I could figure out more of the why's. Well after the service I went to the school gym for the cookies and punch reception and ran into a couple in their 50's. The gentleman had been one of the speakers last night at the retreat and I noticed that he had a very good singing voice. Being ever the choir recruiter... especially for men, I went up and told him I thought he should join us for choir. He told me that he would, but that music would have to change first. I asked him what he meant and he started talking about how the parish needed more praiseful music and more modern music. Some bystanders (also older, well than me) heard him talking and came by to agree. I've been saying this for years, but I always figured I was just a very vocal minority. It seems that there might be more of an undercurrent than I thought. I encouraged them all to come talk to the music director about it. I'm beginning to think I've found my next goal from God. Rejuvinate Our Saviour's liturgical music. Eek I hope he helps me a lot.

Lenten Reflection

Once again the Mardi Gras celebrations are crescendoing towards Fat Tuesday and Catholic Choirs are getting their lenten assignments. For many Catholic choirs Lent means that it's time to throw away all notions of joy and hope and instead replace them with mea culpa inspired music that is more commonly found at funerals.

Contrary to the common belief implied by this, Jesus Christ has not died yet in the liturgical calendar and in fact I've peeked ahead at the next chapter and ... ready for this? Jesus Christ rises triumphantly from the dead and conquers the sins of the world. Wow now that's pretty powerful stuff.

Perhaps instead of focusing soley on the pensive pentitent side of the Lenten journey, we need to take a broader reflection on what it is that Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. Yes he suffered and died, but it was so that we could live fully in his kingdom after our human death. To me Lent should be more a time to reflect on what that means to us. We should celebrate the events of the Lenten journey as the steps that lead us to that fullness of redeption that Jesus provides for us. Am I suggesting that Lent be a party? No, but it doesn't have to be spiritually dead either. Even at the end of the journey, Jesus celebrated the Passover feast which was a joyous occasion. I can imagine Jesus and the Apostles eating and drinking like any group of friends. Likewise we can still enjoy life during this Lenten season and as a church I belive we should still be able to enjoy Mass.

Ok for those of you that are now saying "Enjoy Mass? Mass isn't for enjoyment," I say, yes it is. Mass is a celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus. It's not a funeral for Jesus. We honor the death of Jesus with the absence of a celebration of Mass on Good Friday. The rest of the year we celebrate the resurrection!

Well now that I've said my piece, I'll disappear into the crowd until the Easter season when the Church remembers what it's like to smile.