Gospel Reflections for May 27 2018
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
We start every prayer with these words and cross our self as we say them. You often see baseball batters and pitchers do the same. Somehow they connect athletic success with this sign. I am glad they do.
Much of the meaning of this prayer is found in the first four words, “In the name of…” That means we pray exactly as that person would pray.
There are important negotiations in the world now, especially in Korea and the Middle East. When ambassadors talk, they speak their leader’s words, not their own. They make sure their words match the intentions of their boss. Success happens when our words are authentic and true. That is the meaning of our Sign of the Cross as well.
Before you pray, you might ask yourself if what you desire is the kind of thing that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit would also want. Is it an intention that God would endorse? After all …you are praying “in His name!”
On this Memorial Day weekend, we also pray for those who have died in the service of our country. We know Our lord will bless those intentions for sure.
Sunday, May 27th, is my fortieth anniversary as a priest. In 1978, I promised that I would not only speak words that are “In the name of God,” but also live my life that way as a priest. I am an ambassador for the Lord, and seek only to communicate His will by what I say and do.
God designed us to feel great joy when we cooperate with His grace, no matter what our circumstances. Jesus found that joy in good times and in bad, and even on the cross, and I have found that joy for forty years, especially while a pastor in my home town of Thousand Oaks, and wonderfully now here at St. Bruno in Whittier.
How we start our prayers reorients us to God …and His will. We seek to fulfill God’s plans more than our own.
I continue to seek how to do His will more completely, and especially …to not get in the way. I am grateful to those who have corrected me along the way and helped me improve. I hope that continues!
I hope you will also begin each day …In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Vicki Delaney says
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Thanking God for you and your ministry to all of us Fr. Dave! How blessed we are that you have done and are doing God’s will for 40 years!
Your insights are so true, every morning I ask God what is your will for me today and the challenge is to do it, and “not get in His way”….
God Bless you Fr. Dave!
Father Dave says
Thank you!
Robert Altieri says
Congrats, Fr. Dave
Each time I face a problem, I ask God to “fire your best shot and let’s see how I do!” It’s remarkable the guidance he gives me!
Praise the Lord!
Stephanie Toland says
Congratulations, Father Dave, You have brought a lovely light to St. Bruno’s. We feel your sincerity always and enjoy your articles and homilies very much as well as you’re work with Relevant Radio and the Holy Rosary. I have always tried to say the Rosary at bedtime and many times I fall asleep so this is perfect at 5:00 o’clock. Father Jim and talked about that once and he said the same.
This is a holiday time to pray for the brave service men and women who died for America. My husband was an sergeant in the Army Engineers in the Korean War where he received the Bronze Star so my prayers are always felt for the souls of the fallen and their families. He went to be with God in 2003.
Bless you and hope the Diocese lets us keep you at St. Bruno’s for a long time.
Father Dave says
Thank you for your message! I am very glad you enjoy my articles. I feel lucky to be here at St. Bruno and especially blessed to lead the rosary each night for people across America. How wonderful that you pray for all our men and women who keep us safe each day.
Father Dave says
That is a great prayer! Thanks for sharing it.
Kathy McIntyre says
Many blessing Fr Dave,
I feel so honored to have known you and
Continue to hear your inspiring words of
help and direction!
May this weekend celebration with family and friends fill you with love and spirit of God !
I know Mngsr. John was looking forward to being there with you. Happiness always . Kathy & Mike
Father Dave says
Thank you for your message. Msgr. John Esseff gave the retreat for our class before our Ordination as Deacons back in 1977. It was the best retreat ever, and has lasted for over 40 years!
John McCarthy says
Father Dave, Happy, Blessed Anniversary. Thank you for your recent communication about the up coming trip to the holy land. Looking forward to walking the land Jesus taught and gave his life for us. Most importantly to me is to strengthen my rtelationship with Our Lord and His Beloved Mother.
Blessings
John McCarthy
Father Dave says
See you soon in the Holy Land!
salli bossard says
Father Dave,
Congratulations on your anniversary. Thank you for your many years of service, for sharing your time with our women’s bible study group at St. Max. and for all the many ways you have inspired and helped so many. You are truly a blessing to us all. Salli Bossard
Father Dave says
Thank you for your message. The many years I was with the St. Max Bible Study are some of my happiest memories.
Roger & Margaret Schueller says
Congratulations from Thousand Oaks on you 40th Anniversary.
Father Dave says
Thank you!
Bob & Rose Mary Swanstrom says
And it brings us great joy to read the words “I have found my joy for forty years, especially while Pastor in my hometown of Thousand Oaks”.
And, having shared your joy with our presence at your first Mass, at St. Paschal’s, and again at your 25th
Anniversary as our Pastor, we share your joy once again by knowing that you are fulfilling that. joy albeit in
far off Whittier.
We are profoundly thankful for all the countless ways that have been so fulfilling to us in the great gift of your selfless response to the Lord’s call.
God bless you and love you. Always.
Bob and Rose Mary
Father Dave says
Always great to hear from you as one of the founding members of St. Paschal’s. We go back many years!
franca dornan says
A precious, beautiful Fortieth Anniversary to you!!!What a beautiful life to share Jesus’ love with others and to give the gift of our precious Jesus to us in Holy Communion!! I so loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our loving Faith,our Beautiful lGod our,Beautiful Jesus,,our Beautiful Blessed Mother,and Beautiful You!!! Thank you for showing us and guiding us in living our precious Jesus’ love and sharing it with others!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!! May you have endless years of joy in your precious priesthood and make the world beautiful by your love!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,
Franca and Dick
Father Dave says
Thank you!
Kathy Herbert says
Thank you for being a priest. You have blessed many parishes and people who have been fortunate enough to hear and read your words.
Father Dave says
Thank you for your thoughts, and thank you for all your work in the University Series!
Kurt Heinl says
Fr Dave
Thank you for serving at St Paschals for 12 blessed years, We lost you but St Bruno gain a gold mine, a 1st rounder. You were missed in Thousand Oaks, I missed you my mom misses you, Like I said one time to you your homilies were out of this world, You will always be that special priest.
Thank you Fr Dave, blessings to you
Father Dave says
Thank you, Kurt, for your heartfelt message. I remember well when you came to St. Bruno some time ago to visit.
Nellie Garcia says
We still miss you here at St Paschal Baylon
In Thousand Oaks especially your homilies.
Hoping you could come visit us here and
Say mass🙏
Father Dave says
Thank you for your message! I very much appreciate it.
Philomena Gatto says
We congratulate you for your forty years of dedicated service to the Lord,
and to all of us, Fr. Dave! May He bless you with many more to come!
We thank you for making us aware of the joy and fulfillment that can be had
when we follow the Lord, and to have a greater awareness of God’s Presence
among us.
You say it so well.
Father Dave says
Well said!
Filomena Shaw says
Dear Father Dave,
Happy 40th year jubilee in serving our Lord and HIS Word!!! God put me in your WAY at St Paschal with the ICF when I moved to Moorpark in the 80s…… I thank you for bringing me closer to the Blessed Trinity and strengthening my faith with the University Classes and your love of Christ as witnessed by many…..and if it wasn’t for you I would never made it to the Holy Land either and come to walk in some of Jesus’s footsteps. I am forever thankful that you give many Catholics such an opportunity in their lives to get to know Jesus more deeply. Thank you, thank you, and thank you for serving our Lord and us for so many years. May the Blessed Trinity continue to bless you for all you do. And for who you are….. I am so blessed to know you Father Dave for ever more. You are with me in prayer always,
Filomena
Father Dave says
Thank you so much for your very heartfelt message! I am glad you were able to join us on the Holy Land trip. It remains my favorite event all year. Thank you for your prayers!
Kathleen Auth says
Dear Father Dave,
Forty years as a priest is a beautiful blessing. May our sweet and loving God continue to guide and bless you as you walk on His path of serving others in His name.
And so, “In the name of the father and the son and Holy Spirit,” congratulations on a life humbly and lovingly lived.
Kathleen
Father Dave says
What a gracious message. Thank you!
Wafa Argodale says
Dear Father Dave,
George and I want to congratulate you on your 40th year Anniversary of being a priest.
We were so blessed. to be part of your parish in Thousand Oaks. We envy your new parishioners.
May God bless you Always.. please keep us in your prayers as you are in our prayers.
Love,and prayers,
George and Wafa Argodale
From Flower Mound, TX
Father Dave says
Thank you for writing and your very gracious thoughts. Thank you for your prayers!
Madeleline Sorensen says
Hello Father Dave….. Happy 40th…and bontinued blessings from Almighty God in the days ahead, and for many years to come. We thank God for your gifts in the priesthood. Peace, madeleine sorensen
Father Dave says
Thank you for your prayers! I am always looking forward to the years ahead with Our Lord!
Rebecca McCann says
We celebrated Fr. Joe’s 40th and I remembered I need to congratulate you also. When I look back at the time you were at St. Paschals I remember things that really made a mark
1. When you redid the Church… It wasn’t just to redecorate. I remember when u would put your 2 fingers together saying how it was to be just right. I believe it wasn’t to be just beautiful but a beautiful place of worship to God and that it is.
2. When you had that Priest come over to talk about 24/7 in prayer and we had over 800 volunteers to pray. Wow that was really a blessing and there was so much answered prayer.
3. When I came back to the Church I was always praying for more education that as Catholics we would understand more about what our faith believes and you started the University. At St. Rose we are now having an class in Apologetics. One thing I hope for is that this spreads throughout the Catholic Church (no pressure.. hehehe)
God is using you in marvelous ways and I know He is going to continue to use you in marvelous ways. .
Love and appreciate all the leading of the Holy Spirit that you have followed.
Father Dave says
I very much appreciate your wonderful and kind thoughts. Yes, a great many good things have happened over the years at St. Paschal’s. I truly believe the Adoration Chapel is the cause of all of them!
Frances Calfo says
Father Dave, congratulations on your anniversary. You have been such an amazing influence of goodness To my family and we are so grateful for you. Bless you and thank you.
Father Dave says
Thank you so much for your kind words! I was always so glad to be with your family too.
Argyle Nelson says
Happy Anniversary Fr Dave. You are a wonderful ambassador for the Lord. God bless, Argyle
Father Dave says
Thank you, Argle. We learn from Our Lord, the greatest fisherman!
Karen M Brown says
Happy anniversary on your 40th year as a priest. I enjoy reading your weekly Saturday email writing. May God bless you and keep you in his care.