My Beloved Friend’s Funeral this morning in Arizona

Fr Ron

I wanted to let you know that I lost the love of my life early Sat morning. He went to be with God and I have no doubt of that. It is my selfishness that let’s me mourn. I will miss him so much. I want to thank you for you friendship over the years. We moved to Arizona in June and Doug was able to enjoy his family for the last months of his life. He thought he would have more time but as we know we do not know the hour or the day that the Lord will come. Doug left this world confident that he would see Jesus soon. There is a memorial web site it is http://www.heritagefuneralchapels.com. Please remember us all in your prayers.

Love

Karen

www.heritagefuneralchapels.com

Doug and I use to work out together and play racquetball when I was first ordained a priest.

He helped me survive my time in Guantanamo Bay Cuba back in 1995. He and his wife nursed me back to health when I had a physical breakdown. He later became the administrator of St. Patrick’s and did a phenomenal and loving ministry. Doug was a wonderful confidant. Then, when I returned to GTMO for my last two weeks of active duty in 2005, again he was there. May he enjoy the beauty and love of heaven. I pray his beautiful wife, Karen, feel his assurance and embrace from heaven.

Life is changed…not ended.

WISDOM of the CROSS

Pope Francis reminded me that we should expect heavier crosses as we transfigure more into the image of Christ. The more I love and walk as Jesus walked, the more I will be rejected, insulted and humiliated. Just like Jesus was, is and will be.

When Saint Ignatius asks us to meditate upon the “three grades of humility,” his aim is to lead us to this anointing in its utmost radicality; the culmination of wisdom–the Cross of Christ (Sp. Ex., 165-168).

“The field of combat, so to speak, where the election of a state of life takes place, is in reality a dramatic battle-ground of desire: it is where we desire insults and contempt, or are disposed to accept them, all for the love of Christ. this is the Glory, this is the Wisdom, and this is the anointing that teaches us the way to go without fail.”

God so loved the world that He GAVE his only Son, so that whoever believes in Him might not perish, but have life in abundance. This Christmas, I am really excited to receive a Christmas Gift from Jesus…

My gift from Jesus is a Cross fitted perfectly for me. At first I will be disappointed. Jesus will PRESENT me with this gift.

I love Jesus so much that I want to be just like him. That means I must have courage to get on the gift of my Cross beside him with my Mother looking on.

In my dream last night I met a man who was insignificant, wounded, and disabled. I was so caught up in my own ministry that I believed it was not for me to do. I didn’t have enough time to do what I needed to. I was being practical and looking at the bigger picture. But somehow I began to clean up the man’s vomit and tended to his needs. I glanced at his eyes… it was Jesus in this ordinary differently-abled man.

I am reminded that if the paraplegic was not suffering, he would never have met Jesus.

Have you accepted the gift of your sufferings today?

Accept the beautiful nail!