Year of Mercy: Here's How You Can Feed the Hungry

The Jubilee Year of Mercy is off and running. If you're like me, you are thinking, "I want to do something, but I don't know what!"

Fear not. I have an easy solution for you that can be implemented in your church, school or even at work. It's the chance to feed the hungry (one of the  Corporal Works of Mercy) in your local community while participating in a program that stretches across the United States.

Souper Bowl of Caring, founded in 1990 by a youth group from Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, asks groups to collect canned food and monetary donations to support a local charity that distributes food to needy families. That's right. The funds are not funneled back to the parent organization. You are free to give the collected food and money directly to the local charity of your choice. 

The official dates for the drive are from January 18, 2016 to February 7, 2016 (Super Bowl Sunday. Get it. It's a pun!). The idea is to collect food and money leading up to the Super Bowl. 

Whether you collect a lot or a little is okay. Every bit collected will help a family in need.

Head over to the official website of Souper Bowl of Caring where you can download resources and register your organization to "officially" be part of the event. It's all free. 

Now that you know, why are you still hanging around here? Let's get busy feeding the hungry during this, the Jubilee Year of Mercy!

Chased By God

Am I a hot head? I like to think that I am not. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid confrontation in most situations. Especially in matters of road rage. There are too many news stories about road rage instances that have quickly escalated to one of the parties landing in jail for manslaughter. Frankly, I don't want to be either party in that equation.

I was surprised at my own reaction when a motorcycle tried to pass me on an exit ramp from a New Jersey highway. Clearly, the ramp is a single lane meant for one vehicle at a time; no exceptions for motorcycles who think they can go where ever they want because of their slender physique! 

I moved my car slightly to the left, sending the driver a message that I was not allowing him to pass. After all, I own that space! At the stop sign, at the bottom of the ramp, he makes another move to come up on my left. 

"I don't think so, buddy!" raced through my head as I hit the gas to make my left turn before he could beat me to the intersection; barely aware that I cut off a driver on the cross street.

I glance in my rear view mirror to see "the biker," as I now referred to the driver, make his turn. Once on the straight away, he revs the engine, zooming past other cars to catch-up to me!

"Oh, boy," I'm thinking, "this guy is asking for it!"

I come to a stop sign at a T-intersection as he catches up to me. Before I can make a move to get away, he is next to me motioning for me to open the window.  

Normally, I wouldn't engage at all. However, it is clear to me that if I drive away, he's going to follow, and frankly, there is no way I would be able to out run him in my minivan. 

"You have to be careful," I start to yell at "the biker," referring to his erratic driving as I roll down my window. 

Then, he said something that changed my world in an instant.

"I've been trying to catch you to tell you that there's something hanging from your tail pipe!" 

Wait. What? 

The whole time I'm thinking that this "biker" is being the biggest jerk in the world, he was actually trying to help me.

Sure enough, there was something hanging from my tail pipe (car trouble story for another day!). 

I felt guilty for having a preconceived notion of this guy as being the rudest, worst driver in the history of the world. When in fact, he was being a Good Samaritan. To his credit, he didn't give up on me when I clearly sped away the first time, not wanting anything to do with him! 

How many times have I run from God when He was trying to help me? How many times has God tried to get my attention that I have completely ignored Him. Thankfully, God has even more patience and perseverance than my motorcycle driving friend.

All it takes to listen to God is humility and understanding to see our situation from a different perspective. God uses many ways to get our attention. For some people he tosses a pebble; for others a larger rock; and when those don't work, he throws a brick! Or, in my case, he sends a man on a motorcycle! 

Here's to HOPING that I learn to understand other people's reasons for their actions, before I draw to a conclusion. What a great way to share mercy!

You Want ME To Do What?

Thanks be to Pope Francis, the Jubilee Year of Mercy has begun! There is a renewed sense of serving others that is palpable in our church. Even projects we have done for years have a new feel to them. 

My parish hosts a "Giving Tree" every Advent. Many parishes and organizations do some version of the giving the tree, possibly with a different name.

Ours is a Christmas tree with paper ornaments. Each ornament has a Christmas gift request written on it; for instance, it may say, "Women, 25, size 8" or "Boy, 9, toy" etc. 

Simple. Purchase an item that fulfills the request for a family in need and return it to the parish in time for distribution. 

This past weekend, when my family and I arrived at the 12:30 Mass (we tried really hard to make the 10:30 AM, but it just wasn't happening!), the vestibule of the church was crammed with packages! It felt great to be part of a community that is living the Year of Mercy. 

At the end of Mass, an announcement was made, asking if we, the parishioners-who-woke-up-late-and-had-to-attend-the-afternoon-Mass, would mind carrying some of the gifts to the church basement for sorting. 

I looked at my children, ages 13 and 16, and said, "Let's go help!" My wife and I headed in the direction of the gifts.

Looking over my shoulder, I noticed they had not moved. They stood frozen in shocked silence. Their faces dismay with the prospected of physical labor. Their entire body language shouting, "You want ME to do what?"

Mind you, my kids do their fare share of work for others. My son is a Boy Scout and is usually quick to lend a hand to anyone in need (except me, for some reason). My daughter is involved with several clubs service minded clubs at school; and she has a part-time job, as she is learning the value of earning her own keep. Point being, both have proven themselves capable of the task at hand.

I was surprised by their resistance. "We have to go," my daughter said, implying that we were much too busy for this spontaneous act of kindness. 

I pictured Jesus standing with the sheep on one side, and the goats on the other. I pictured Him asking, "When I was hungry, did you give food? When I was thirsty, did you give me drink? - When I asked for help of any kind, did you?

Matthew 25:34-40

As their father, I knew it was my duty to show them, not just tell them, the right thing to do. Much as my father had done for me many years ago.

When I was in 8th grade, I was lucky enough to receive a Commodore 64 computer for Christmas (that's right kids, a computer that had a grand total of 64K memory! And, we were happy to have it!). 

My father and I went to pick-up a desk for the computer at a big-box store. Nothing fancy. One of those put-together-yourself pieces of furniture. I couldn't wait for us to get home and assemble it! 

Once outside the store, with the desk's boxes balanced precariously on a shopping cart, a woman and her two daughters approached us. Her car broke down in the parking lot and she had no way of getting in touch with her husband. Back in the mid-1980s, cell phones were barely a thought, let alone an item the average person had. 

After chatting for a short while my father offered to give her and her children a ride to their home. "What is happening here?" I thought, "We have to go!" 

Yes, we have to go take care of MY business right now. We have plans that are far to important than driving a full 15 minutes out of our way to drive these people we don't know!

Much to my dismay, and stunned, silence protest, we helped the woman and her children get home that evening. 

After dropping them off, my father explained to me that even though we go to Mass on Sundays, there is much more to being a Christian. Helping others, he taught me, is as important as getting to church. 

It's a lesson than I never forgot. In fact, more than 30 years later, I'm reminded of it every time I sit at that desk, which I still own! It's become a symbol for me that we are called to serve others. That sometimes we need to decrease, so there is room for Christ to increase in us.

So, when my own children looked at me the way I looked at my father that night, many years ago, I knew the correct and best response was to simply say, "This is the right thing to do, right now." 

I'm not sure if they will remember. I'm not sure if I will make as much an impression on them as my father made on me. All I can do is HOPE! 

Safyre's Giving Us More Than She is Receiving

When I read the subject line, "we should do this at our next meeting," I figured my wife had sent me a link to a wacky icebreaker game for our youth group meeting. To my surprise, the link was to an article about an extraordinary young lady, Safyre Terry, who survived a fire that took the lives of her siblings and father, who has a special wish for Christmas 2015.

Nearly 3 years after the fire and having undergone nearly 50 surgeries to help heal the burn wounds that affect 75% of her body, according to People Magazine, Safyre's Christmas wish is to receive Christmas cards from around the world.

Safrye Terry with some of the many
Christmas cards she has already received.
Photo credit: SAFYRE SCHENECTADY'S SUPER SURVIVOR/FACEBOOK

What started as a simple Facebook post by her aunt, Safyre's request has gone viral, with cards and gifts coming in from, literally, all over the world. 

Last night, we joined the 1,000s of world-wide well-wishers by having our youth group members make cards for Safyre. It made perfect sense, after all, we have just begun the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

During the evening, something was happening in the room. I saw it during the youth group meeting as teens were asking each other if their card looked right. "Should I put the Christmas tree in the middle of the card or to the side?" one asked a friend. "Put it in the middle," he replied while glancing the card up and down to make sure his choice was correct. 

I watched as teenagers grabbed markers, paper, glue and scissors to craft their cards. They took their time. They wanted the cards to be the best ones ever made. Not because they were being graded or that Safyre would ever know them personally. No, they wanted them to be perfect because they were sincerely serving another person while their own hearts were full of mercy, whether they realized it or not.

Pope Francis has declared December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016 as the Jubilee Year of Mercy. 

Complete with a logo, catch phrase, and specially designated Doors of Mercy, the Jubilee year invites Catholics (and all of humanity) to engage in acts of mercy. In short: share some love; complete a random act of kindness; feed the hungry; convert a sinner (or two!). Bottom line, let's try and be nice to each other by seeing the other's needs first, and then doing what we can to fulfill those needs. 

Without realizing it, Safrye saw our collective need to love. She shared her story with the world and asked for little more than a simple token in return. In so doing, she gave us the chance to feel how good it is to help others; she allowed us to feel the joy of showing mercy.

Thank-you Safrye, for allowing us to walk through a "Virtual Door of Mercy." You have given us a Christmas gift beyond measure. You, my dear, are a true Beacon of Hope. 

Fear Not, Charlie Brown!

Advent is upon us! A time of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy. A time to celebrate Christ's incarnation, a time to anticipate His return and a time to watch "A Charlie Brown's Christmas" for the 50th time!

I've seen "A Charlie Brown Christmas" more times than I can remember. Snoopy's antic's were always my favorite. From skating with the girls to winning 1st Prize for his house decorations, Snoopy's comic relief was what I loved most about the television special. 

That is, Snoopy was my favorite.

While I'll still watch every year and giggle as Lucy runs from Snoopy's kiss to find some iodine to cleanse herself, I will be paying extra attention to Linus. Even as a youngster, the importance of Linus's speech, quoting from Luke's Gospel was not lost on me. But, I never caught the visual significance of his security blanket, until this year. 

During the infamous moment when Linus takes center stage, he is holding his blanket. He then proceeds to quote the Gospel. When he gets to the line,"Fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy ..." his blanket holding hand disappears from the frame for a moment, then returns to clasp his other hand, this time not holding a blanket! As the camera pulls back, we see his blanket lying on the floor. 

So, what's the significance? Well, Linus holds his blanket for security and comfort. But, at the sound of the Angel saying "Fear not," Linus symbolically lets go of his earthly comfort to trust in the Lord. After all, isn't that what our Hope in Jesus is all about? We do not have to be afraid; of anything!

A short while later, Linus and his blanket take center stage again. This time to help the puny tree that Charlie Brown picked. Linus explains as he wraps his blanket around the base of the tree, "maybe it just needs a little love." In that act, it is as if Linus is sharing the comfort and joy he has received from Christ with others. (Fast forward to 5:30 below).

We live in a volatile world. Bad things happen. We have a choice: give into the fear and hide in our rooms or step into the unknown, trusting that Jesus will be there for us.  

It's not always easy, but like Linus, I'm ready to set down my security blanket and trust that Jesus has a plan for me. Whether or not I get some bumps or bruises along the way is okay with me. It can be difficult to follow Christ; but I have found it to be a rewarding and exciting ride.

As Christmas inches closer, I'm keeping my heart open, full of hope, love, peace, and joy! 

"There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Savior was born - Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:8-12

Tom's Not-So-Secret Confession (READ WITH CAUTION)

My mom always warned me, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!"

Well, I have a confession for you. I prayed for snow! Phew, that feels good to get that off my chest. I've been carrying the guilt and shame of the winter of 2011 on my shoulders since the day after Christmas when the first big snow storm hit.

At first it was great. My street looked like God sprayed the entire contents of  a giant can of whipped cream all over the town. Which reminds me of another of my mom's sayings, "Too much of a good thing is no good."

Indeed, the streets are narrow and tight; my back hurts from all the shoveling and my balding head gets cold from spending so much time outdoors removing the snow.

Like the problems that pop-up in my life I have a choice when it comes to reacting to the snow: see it as a curse or accept it as a blessing.

I could complain every chance I get about how the snow is in my way of driving or how I have to take extra time out of my day to clean off the car and shovel the sidewalk.

Instead, I choose to look at this crazy Winter weather as a gift from God. Shoveling gives me the chance to spend time with neighbors. The time off from work allows me to have snow ball fights with my family and build forts and tunnels in the mammoth mounds of snow. I even went sledding on a giant tobaggon this year!

I pray that when we ask for something we appreciate it when it arrives. Too often, we ask for stuff that we don't truly need. Take time to ask God for the things that will bring joy and happiness to your life. As the good and loving father that he is, God will always provide for you.

He has for me; in fact, I think the reminder of how God answered my prayer for snow will be lingering around for quite awhile this year.

Jesus said:

"Ask, and you will receive;

Seek and you will find;

Knock and the door will be opened to you."

Luke 11:9