The Lenten Journey

A Journey into the Quiet
by Deacon Thomas Frankenfield

The Journey
The image of journey as our life's relationship with Our Lord and in our encounters with the People of God is a very prominent in our Catholic tradition. This season of Lent is another opportunity to travel on a journey within ourselves to strengthen the bonds relationships with both God and our Christian community. In that spirit, I would like to take a look at our personal journeys with Christ during this reflection.
A Call from the Ordinary
My life's journey has traveled to many countries of the world with my current stopping place in the midlands of Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha's rural flavor is starkly different from the inner-city lifestyle of my youth in Philadelphia. One of the most pronounced is the abundant accessibility to areas of farmland and woods. I recently sipped the richness of this rural/urban mix when I decided to wander in the wooded area about 20 miles from my home.
I hiked in snow-covered woods that carried the remains of a 15" snowfall-a real change from my suburban sub-division life. As usual, the deeper into the woods that I traveled, the more I became aware of its quiet surroundings. The barren trees, covered with snow; the frozen lake gleaming in the sunshine and the biting wind all dominated the pathway. This unusual setting was in sharp contrast to the ordinary times in my life. In the same way, Lent is a forty day walk in our spiritual woods that calls of us out the ordinary.


A Call to the Quiet
On this particular day, I reached a new awareness of the environment of the wood and heard a different call--a call to quiet myself. In this quiet, I could hear myself breathe and the brisk crackle of the frozen snow beneath my boots. Yet, as I traveled deeper in the woods, this sense of quiet began to fade. Gradually, I became aware of the sound of trees swaying in the wind and the chirping of the few birds that I judged to be tough enough to survive a cold winter. After another short time, real transformation seemed to take place. Rabbits darted across the path, squirrels seemed to become visible and suddenly I was aware of other squirrels dancing on the trees and swinging from tree to tree. Next, birds seemed to be everywhere--many different types and colors. When I let go of my personal thoughts and became present to the community surrounding me, life arose from the silence and barren. This transformation happened because I was willing to let go of my personal noises and immerse into God's creation.
The Lenten Journey
This journey to the snowy fields is like the Lenten journey with God. The trailhead of our journey into the Mystery of God's love happens when we take the time to release troubles and allow ourselves to be quieter in our ordinary surroundings. Even though it may seem loud or uncomfortable it takes faith to travel deeper. It is in the deepness that the rewards can truly be discovered.
For some it is slowing the pace of our daily routine to make a tough change that might go from the temporary to the permanent. For others, a new commitment of daily prayer fasting and almsgiving calls us to this quiet. As a Catholic community, it can be taking advantage of some of our Church's Lenten gifts by participating with our brothers and sisters at daily Mass, Eucharistic Devotions and Stations of the Cross.

Ultimately, it is in the quiet that we find a place to be more aware. So, as we continue our journey through our forty days of Lent, let us break away from the ordinary and take our own personal walks into the quiet. It is there that we can be more present to the Lord.

For your reflection:
From a Ministry Perspective:
Where in my life do I most need to "slow down" so that I can more appreciate the community I am serving?
In my Lenten journey, how can I show the Holy Spirit's love to those I minister?
From a Family Perspective
Where does my family most need to "slow down?"
In my Domestic Church's as parent, sibling, widow or single, how can I show the Holy Spirit's love?
I would love your feedback, thoughts, stories and ideas. Please email me.
Deacon Tom

It Is Important to Relax....Enjoy.

Hi everyone,

In the daily lives of those who suffer, we fill our days with lots of appointments, therapies and sleepless nights. All of these have their place and in their own way, they are critical.

My hope and prayer for is that you have people in your lives that support you during this part of your Journey. Today I will reflect on an other important facet--fun!

Fun is also critical. Studies have shown that laughter can help relieve pain, bring greater happiness, and even increase immunity.  Below is an article that further explains my point:

The Stress Management and Health Benefits of Laughter

http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/laughter.htm

 

 

 

Sickness Will Not Defeat Us

My brother and sisters.
YOUR SICKNESS is limited ...

It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot eat away peace,
It cannot destroy confidence,
It cannot shut out memories
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot reduce eternal life,
It cannot quench the spirit,
It cannot lessen the power of the Resurrection.


To all who suffer and are sick, please know that I care for you and love you. If I can ever do anything to help you--please let me know.

Joy,
Deacon Tom

A PRAYER FOR RETURNING HOME SAFELY

Praise you Oh Lord safe transportation home,  

Praise you Oh Lord restoring my strength.

Praise you Oh Lord for giving me the finances to have a vacation. 
Praise you Oh Lord for those who have cared for me,
 
Praise you Oh Lord for my wife who made everyday joyous.

Now that I am home,  give me the gift of wisdom to be aware of others who have needs and help me as I return to my vocation of guide others as You have always guided me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.


Love to all,
Tom

The Gift of Dolphins

Hello My Brothers and Sisters,

We had a wonderful surprise today.  While standing on a.pier enjoying the sailboat and the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico, we were visited by 2 dolphins.  I loved it.

The dolphins frolicked in the water, sliding up and down.  We were mesmerized.  Within 5 minutes, the mostly empty pier was full of people watching.  The small crowd laughed and chattered.  In general, the entire scene was transformed and and so were attitudes.

I reflected on my  life.  I discovered that when I was free and gay like.the dolphins, my life was joyful.  Although I don't draw crowds like the dolphins did, it is obvious that people around me are happier when I am free to be me.  In other words, when I am not burdened.

So, where are the areas of your life that are keeping you from being free?  Is it time to let go for the sake of your families, your friends, your community and yourself?  

Would you let our prayer team pray with you and for you?  Is it time to let stuff go.......???

With love,

Deacon Tom Frankenfield