During my sophomore year at Michigan State, I applied for Officer Candidate School (OCS) for the Marine Corps. At the time I was quite skinny, a bit of an introvert, and lacked self-confidence. These aren’t the attributes of a Marine officer. Not long after meeting with my recruiter, a squared away Gunnery Sergeant, I realized …
Deacon on Duty – Obey
Our Gospel reading this week continues with Jesus’ early public ministry. Those in the synagogue hear him and are amazed at his teachings because of the authority with which he teaches, though there is no apparent recognition of Jesus as the Christ. Yet an unclean spirit that was in a man does recognize Jesus, asking …
Deacon on Duty – The Wait is Over
The holiday publishing schedule for the bulletin is such that I’m writing this the day when the COVID-19 vaccine is being first distributed and administered to front-line health workers. Pictures of nurses and doctors, shirt sleeves rolled up, receiving the vaccine are splashed across the front page of newspapers and on news web sites. National …
Deacon on Duty – Rookie Season
This past Monday, October 5, was the first anniversary of my Ordination. I was going to reflect on this past year, which honestly has been fraught with one challenge after the other. Yes, some of the challenges have been common life experiences, the loss of a pet and the loss of a parent. But there …