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Catholic | Deacon Allen Tatara Catholic Speaker - Part 4

Catholic | Deacon Allen Tatara Catholic Speaker - Part 4

On the Inside; On the Outside


 
Feb 23 2021
Love0

Are You Too Exhausted to Pray?

Posted by | Prayer | 2 Comments

During the first week of Lent, I listened to an audio book from Archbishop Desmond Tutu titled, ‘God Has A Dream.’ In that book, he makes this enlightening statement:

“Pray as you can – not as you can’t.”

He refers to the times when we are so exhausted that we can barely function, and we do not have the energy to give God our fullest attention.

The point is that we should not just give up or neglect prayer altogether because of our physical state of being. What we need to do is open up a dialogue with God letting him know that we don’t have it in us right now for “full-blown” prayer. Simply stating this to our heavenly Father is indeed a prayer in-and-of-itself. The purpose is to pray as you can – in the condition that you are. It doesn’t have to be a 15-minute litany. A simple prayer will do just as well. For it is better to pray short and simple than to not pray at all.

What we need to do is something that my spiritual director has told me for years. Instead of stressing over the fact that we cannot manage to pray in the manner that we would prefer, we just need to say something like this:

“Father, I am too exhausted right now to give you my complete attention or the praise that you rightly deserve. I will make the time to speak with you later. Until then, please continue to watch over me and keep me safe. Amen.”

Our intentions may always be good, but the body is often too weak. So, don’t be afraid to ask God to have the patience with us if we fall asleep in the middle of our prayer. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you fall asleep during prayer. As I always say, what better way to fall asleep than in the arms of our loving Father.

Don’t let exhaustion or extreme busyness pull us away from prayer. Make the effort to keep that line of communication with God always open and active. Remember, pray hardest when it’s hardest to pray and you will find true peace this Lenten season. Amen.

Sep 14 2020
Love0

7 Ways to Live Like a Monk (even during a pandemic)

Posted by | Everyday Life | No Comments

The year 2020 has certainly been one of those years for the record books. This global pandemic has really changed so many things in our lives – things that we used to take for granted. Our definition of freedom ‘to do what we want, when we want and where we want’ may never be the same.

I read an article about how our life in lock-down is forcing all of us to live like monks. As we have become somewhat accustomed to shelter-in-place and home-quarantine, this has hopefully given us the opportunity to get over our fear of solitude and fully embrace our spiritual connection with God.

Have we embraced our inner monk during this solitude? If not, here are seven ways that we can live like a monk every single day (pandemic or not). Read More

May 21 2020
Love1

We Are All in This Together

Posted by | Emotions/Feelings, Everyday Life | No Comments

Where is the one who brought up out of the sea, the shepherd of his flock? Where is the one who placed in their midst his holy spirit, who guided Moses by the hand, with his glorious arm? 

Where is the one who divided the waters before them— winning for himself an everlasting renown— who guided them through the depths, like horses in open country?

As cattle going down into the valley, they did not stumble. The spirit of the Lord guided them. Thus, you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name. ~Isaiah 63: 11b-14

 

Since the very beginning of this pandemic, there has been one phrase that we continue to hear: “We are all in this together.” It reminds us that you are I are not the only ones facing the challenges and struggles of COVID-19. Like it or not, we are all in the same boat.

As part of my day-job, I get to speak with people from across the globe every single day. This past week, I spoke with individuals from Japan, China, Sweden, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Every call begins with the topic of self-isolation, how we are surviving in this current environment, and if our families are safe. I see on a daily basis how we really are ‘all in this together.’ This is truly a global experience.

I have been thinking about this and how we can make a direct connection with our own Catholic faith. Catholic means universal. The Mass and the other sacraments are celebrated exactly the same throughout the world, bringing all Catholics together in a spirit of unity.

When I have attended Mass in other countries; even though I may not have fully understood the languages, I was fully aware of what was taking place. No matter where we may be, our Catholic faith is universal, centered around Jesus Christ and our belief in Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist.

But being Catholic is also about having an ongoing personal encounter with Christ so that we may be a witness of God’s love in the world. This means that we are called to live like Jesus and to work for peace and justice for one another by living out the Gospel.

We are part of this universal Church together, believing that God is not only present in the Eucharist, but is also present within us. This means that whatever we are going through, whatever comes our way, whatever obstacles we encounter, we are never left alone. God is always with us. Now I’ll admit, it’s not always easy to recognize Jesus when our eyes are cast down, when life is difficult, or when we find ourselves in our own personal pit of despair. But that is when we must fall back on our faith, trusting and believing that Jesus is the only one who can lift us out of our pit. We just need to be able to lift up our eyes and our hearts to see that Jesus is right there and to feel his presence.

My sisters and brothers, as Catholic-Christians “we are all in this together.” We always have been, and we always will be. May the spirit of the Lord guide us always and let us remember that Jesus is with us; Jesus is here – and we are never left alone.

Mar 26 2020
Love1

How to Work from Home (and not lose your mind)

Posted by | Everyday Life | 2 Comments

I am writing this as I sit secluded in my home office. Like all of us here in Illinois (and many other locations worldwide), we have been instructed to stay in and avoid leaving our homes. This, of course, is to prevent the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus. Thousands upon thousands are being mandated to work from home. Many of us have never done that before and may be struggling with this new concept. And if you have others at home with you (especially young children), you may be feeling the stress of wondering how you will be able to accomplish anything. Hopefully, I can help guide you through this challenging ‘remote worker’ journey.

        I’ve been fortunate to have been an exclusive work-from-home employee for nearly 8 years now. Prior to that, I was telecommuting several days each week for about 3 years. Over this period, I have learned how to be productive, efficient, and trustworthy. (Yes, trust is a big factor as your employer is trusting that you are doing what you are being paid to do – especially when not in the office and not directly supervised.) Therefore, I would like to share a few tips on how you can work remotely while maintaining your sanity as well as the sanity of those stuck at home with you.

  1. Start your day with prayer. There is no better way to begin your workday than by praying to your heavenly Father. By carving out a few minutes each morning for prayer, you will notice that your day runs more smoothly and that you can better handle what lies ahead. Remember, prayer changes everything.
  2. Make a to-do list. After praying, plan out your day and write down (either on paper or in an app) all that you need to accomplish that day. Prioritize your tasks and get to work. Having a plan is an excellent way to stay focused on what needs to be done.
  3. Find a space and create an environment. If you can claim a space in your home that is away from everyone, good for you. This is not always the case. If you cannot get away from the action, then find a space that is comfortable and functional. A kitchen table is not always the best choice, and neither is in front of a TV. Try a small desk in a bedroom or even at the dining room table. Create an environment that will put you at ease and let you focus on your daily tasks. Have some family photos nearby. Maybe light a candle or listen to some instrumental music, or even have a meditation fountain running. I like to have some religious articles in my sight to remind me that God is always with me during my day.
  4. Separate work (work) and home (work). A constant challenge for any remote worker is trying to keep your home life from creeping into your work life. It’s difficult to not think of all the things that you need to get accomplished at home, but you need to find a way to do this. If you need to put a sticky note on your computer to remind you to stay focused, then by all means do so. The mind always wants to wander. You must do whatever it takes to bring it back to reality – and to the work at hand.
  5. Set some ground rules. This is especially important if you have children at home. Make sure that they know that when the door is closed, you are not to be interrupted. Be creative. If the bathroom is the only isolation chamber in your house, then use it for those important phone calls. Setting some ground rules upfront will make all the difference.
  6. Take a break. Studies have shown that sitting and staring at your computer for a prolonged period of time is not good for your eyes, body, or mind. Set a timer for 50 minutes. When the timer goes off, take a 10-minute break. Don’t hit the snooze! Literally stand up and walk away from your work. Take a quick walk, do some yoga stretches, meditate or even pray. And don’t forget to eat. It sounds silly, but I cannot tell you how many times that I was so engrossed in my work that I had completely forgotten to eat. Try to stick with a similar time each day for lunch (or a walk). Doing this will re-energize your mind and body and better prepare yourself for getting back to work.
  7. Stay off of social media. Avoid the temptation of peeking at your social media accounts. Once you fall into this hole, it is extremely difficult to pull yourself out. If you are completely hooked, then at least try to save this for when you take your breaks or lunch.
  8. Be patient. Working from home is not always easy, and it’s not always for everyone. But cut yourself some slack. Noah didn’t build the ark overnight. It may take some time to find your groove. Just be patient with yourself. Ask God to help you if distractions keep making your mind drift. Perhaps God is trying to tell you something important with those distractions.
  9. Ask for help. In many cases, working from home will make your more productive. This is primarily due to missing out on some of the common distractions of being in an office. And as you become more productive, you may find that you are so involved in your work that you lose all track of time. This is truly the case if you have a private room tucked away from everyone else in the house. This is where my wife Stephanie has been invaluable to me. When I get too buried in what I am doing and it is getting late in the day, she will remind me that it is time to come out of my cave. I can’t tell you how many times I needed her to do that for me. Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help, someone who can remind you to come back to the family and back to reality.
  10. Adapt as required. Phones will ring, children will interrupt, dogs will bark, diapers need to be changed, etc. Life happens. Don’t lose your cool. Don’t turn a cut into an amputation. Once you realize that things happen (and you don’t get upset over these things when they happen), you will be in a better position to go with the flow.

One final thought. I always like to end my day with prayer. Whether doing an examination of conscience or any other type of prayer, it’s always a good idea to have the final words of your day be one of praise and thanksgiving to the One who made the day possible.

May God bless you and keep you safe during these difficult times.

Remember, we’re all in this together. I’d love to hear if you have some other tips that may be useful for others.

May 16 2019
Love0

Repping Jesus

Posted by | Discipleship | No Comments

If you follow the contemporary rap music scene, you may recall hearing the word “represent” quite frequently. For example, “You gotta represent” means that one should be publicly candid about one’s social status or geographical origin; to acknowledge and even be an example of one’s roots. A different form of represent is often called “repping.” This means representing, glorifying or praising. For example, a sports fan who wears his team’s colors is “repping” his team – or he is uplifting, praising, glorifying, and representing them all at the same time.

There are so many groups, platforms and causes that we can represent in our lives. There are so many different things that we are “repping” for – the things that drive us to be more passionate, active and involved. But are we also remembering to represent our faith?

In John’s gospel (John 13:16-20), we are told that whoever receives Jesus receives that one who sent him; and whoever receives the one Jesus sends also receives Jesus. This means that if we are “representing” Jesus to others, we are not only sharing Jesus but we are also receiving the gift of Jesus ourselves. And I cannot think of a better gift than that.

Today, let us bring to prayer these questions: are we representing Jesus in our day-to-day lives? Can others see that we are Catholic Christians by the way we live? Do we show the world that we sons and daughters of the Lord by the actions we take? When we are “repping” Jesus, we are representing, uplifting, praising, and glorifying Christ to others – for it is in giving when we truly receive.

Nov 15 2018
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St. Albert the Great

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Albertus Magnus, or St. Albert the Great, was born in Germany in 1206. He was fascinated by the relationship between faith and science so he studied astronomy and biology and loved logic and math. Therefore, he is the patron saint of medical technicians and scientists.

His family could afford the best education for Albert. But when he graduated, he joined the Dominican order over his family’s objections. (Ironically, the Dominican’s relied on begging and charitable donations to survive.) Albert was made a bishop of Regensburg, Germany in 1260 and was an advisor to the pope, but resigned after less than three years asking to return to teaching.

As a teacher, one of his most famous students was Thomas Aquinas, who was later canonized a saint. Albert helped prepare Thomas to write his books on theology which are still studied today.

Albert also helped Thomas to understand that God had given him the gift of intelligence that he could use to help others know and love the Catholic faith, and for Thomas to believe in his own talents.

The Gospel (Luke 17:20-25) reminds us that the kingdom of God is within our reach. We just have to decide if we want to receive it or not. However, it does not come by watching. We need to make a move. Therefore, we are called to use our gifts and talents to help bring the kingdom to others by living the gospel. We must help others discover that the love of Jesus can change their life; and that our world is in desperate need of Jesus right now!

Today, the Church honors Albert as both a saint and a great teacher. May we realize our calling to be great teachers of our faith as well – bringing the kingdom to others by the way we live our lives.

Sep 17 2018
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I Am Worthy

Posted by | Emotions/Feelings | No Comments

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you…” ~Luke 7:6-7

 

Photo courtesy of OdysseyOnline.com

Here I am, Lord. I stand before you a sinner. As I look at my life, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve used Your name in ways that I shouldn’t have. I’ve lied and cheated so it would benefit me. I’ve put my needs, wants and desires before the needs, wants and desires of others. There were so many times when I talked behind other’s backs, treated my friends and even family unfairly, and judged others unjustly. And let’s not forget the number of times I shouted angrily at other people on the road because they weren’t driving like I think they should be driving. How many times have I ignored the poor and needy on the street corner, or spent my money on something that I really didn’t need instead of helping out someone who was in real need?

Sometimes, I look in the mirror and don’t even recognize the person who is staring back at me. I can’t help but to wonder what happened, why I feel so empty, so abandoned, so unworthy.

And then, I stop what I am doing and simply sit in Your presence. For when I am with You in prayer, I realize how blessed I am. When I am with You, things become less cloudy, less stressful, less painful, and more peaceful.

When I am with You, I remember that I matter and that I am the most precious thing in Your eyes. I am reminded that I have a purpose and a calling. I may not always know what you want me to do, but I trust that it will be revealed to me in time. When I am with You, I realize that I am Your child, and that I am loved for who I am.

Lord, if it’s not too much trouble, I ask You to be with me and speak to me. Give me the strength to freely come to you.

I am ready. I am here. I am listening. I am worthy!

Jun 28 2018
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Rock-Solid Faith

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Whenever I hear today’s Gospel (Matthew 7:21-29), I can’t help but think about St. Irenaeus. He is hardly a household name among Catholics today, and it’s easy to understand why. The distance between his time and ours is about 18 centuries. But St. Irenaeus remains enormously important to the Church today, especially for those who want to better understand and defend their faith.

Irenaeus was crucially important in establishing the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist, Irenaeus writes, consists of “two realities, earthly and heavenly.” He describes Christ as the “perfect bread” of the Father who enables us to enter into full communion with the being of God: “He did this when He appeared as a man, that we, being nourished, as it were, from the breast of His flesh, and having, by such a course of milk nourishment, become accustomed to eat and drink the Word of God, may be able also to contain in ourselves the Bread of immortality, which is the Spirit of the Father.” These are not the words of someone who views the Eucharist as a symbol, but one who has a deep, rock-solid faith.

Irenaeus is also famous for recapitulation – the concept that all things are summed up, or, literally, brought back to their head – which is Christ. Irenaeus is saying that Christ, in a sense, re-enacted all the events and all the figures from the Garden of Eden, in the process of undoing original sin. Irenaeus writes, just as Christ is the new Adam, so also Mary is the new Eve. And just as tree was the cause of the curse, so also we were saved through a tree (the cross).

Through all his writings and by his actions, St. Irenaeus teaches us that if our faith is strong, we can overcome anything that is thrown our way. If our lives are built on the rock of Christ and we listen to his words and act on them, we will have a powerful foundation for the rest of our lives.

May 17 2018
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May We All Be One

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It’s the night of the last supper. Jesus has shared a meal with his disciples, washed their feet, given them a new commandment to love as he loves, and told them of his leaving. Now he prays. In today’s gospel (John 17:20-26) we overhear a portion of his prayer to his Father. He prays for us and asks that we would all become one as he and the Father are one.

If Jesus is praying for our oneness, then he is also recognizing and rejecting the boundaries and differences that divide us. There are divisions within ourselves, our families, our churches, our nation. We live in a world full of divisions – male or female; rich or poor; gay or straight; Christian or Muslim; conservative or liberal. We could go on and on, but for every boundary we establish there is a human being. Ultimately, boundaries and differences are not about issues. They are about real people, with names, lives, joys, sorrows, concerns, and needs just like us. I think we sometimes forget or ignore this. It is easier to deal with an issue than a real person.

We often deal with the boundaries and differences that divide us by writing agreements, covenants, and legislation that govern how we will get along with each other and behave in the midst of our differences. But that is not Jesus’ prayer.

Jesus does not pray for our tolerance, our getting along, or just being nice to each other. He does not even pray that our differences would be eliminated. Instead he prays for our oneness. He prays that we would be one as he and the Father are one so that our oneness would be the revelation of God’s presence to the world.

Oneness is not about eliminating differences. It’s all about love. God loves us the same as he loves Jesus. God loves our neighbor the same as he loves Jesus. God loves our enemy the same as he loves Jesus. If that is how God loves, how can we do anything less and still call ourselves Catholic-Christians?

Even though Jesus is praying to the Father, you and I will be the ones to answer Jesus’ prayer – and we answer it every time we choose who to love, where to love, when to love and how to love.

Feb 15 2018
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Take Up Our Cross

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What did Jesus mean when He said, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  (Luke 9:22-25) What does this look like in our lives?

I don’t think Jesus was referring to our daily toils and trials. To take up our cross and to follow Jesus starts with literally taking up our cross. We can’t take it up for someone else nor can anyone take it up for us. The point is, it is “your cross” to pick up and not mine, and neither is mine for you to take up, so first we must take up our cross, and only then can we follow Jesus. Our cross is not dealing with chronic health problems, dealing with disobedient children, experiencing a relationship issue, or having one of the worst jobs on the planet. I don’t believe we can say, “That’s the cross I have to carry,” if we’re referring to things that cause us problems in life. Jesus wasn’t carrying His cross of being mistreated and beaten by the Roman guards or falsely accused and arrested. His cross meant only one thing for Him; death, but His death would bring eternal life for us, so His cross wasn’t about Himself, but about others.

The only way to God is through the cross … and to follow Him means to take it up. The words, to take it up, are a challenge to us. We often think of the perks of faith and not of the costs. But following Christ is not a passive endeavor. We have to be active in our faith, and being active in our faith will, quite frankly, cost us. This means that if we want to follow Christ, then we must be prepared to nail ourselves up there.

But in order to do that, we need to strip away all those things we cloak ourselves with. We need to strip away selfish desires, rip off arrogance and pride, and scrape off stubbornness. It means making God’s will our will, not creating our own path, but following in the footsteps of Jesus.

Our Lord chose the cross as the means of our salvation precisely because of the great cost it meant for Him and for us, so that in recognizing that cost, we can appreciate the immense joy and peace we find in His victory. So be not afraid. Let’s take up our cross and follow Jesus. It is definitely worth it!