I found this in my file cabinet and wanted to share it as our Lenten season begins today.
Read More
fasting | Deacon Allen Tatara Catholic Speaker
On the Inside; On the Outside
Fast-ing for Lent
Posted by Deacon Allen | Emotions/Feelings, Everyday Life, Hodgepodge | No CommentsIt is hard to believe that we are in the fourth week of Lent – already. The days seem to be running faster than normal. Perhaps it’s time that we start fast-ing for Lent. Read More
If I Can Do It, So Can You!
Posted by Deacon Allen | Emotions/Feelings, Everyday Life, Prayer | 2 CommentsOne of the things I like to do during Lent is read spiritual books. This always seems to put me on the right path toward learning more about my faith and how I can improve my prayer life. Read More
Here we are in this season of Lent,
A time for reflection, a time to be spent
In prayer to our Father in thanksgiving and praise
To lift up our hearts, our hands we shall raise. Read More
How Is Your Lent Going?
Posted by Deacon Allen | Discipleship, Emotions/Feelings, Prayer | No CommentsLent is the time when we seek the Lord through prayer, by giving alms through service, and by practicing self-control through fasting. Each of us is called to a true inner conversion of heart as we try to follow God’s will more faithfully in our day-to-day lives. Read More
Just in case anyone’s stressing over this, getting ashes doesn’t mean we’re holy. In fact, getting ashes means we’re not holy. Read More
I love social media! In fact, I’m all over social media. I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. You can find me @DeaconAllenT. Make sure you check me out.
What’s great about social media is that you can make a connection with people across the globe in seconds flat. You can instantly communicate what is happening at any moment of your life. And it’s an excellent way to stay in touch with your family and friends wherever they may be. I just love social media!
However, there is a downside to social media. We often become so self-centered and making things all about us, getting consumed with how many likes we receive or how many people are following us. When we make things about us (which is a nasty form of vanity), we often neglect, we criticize, we say rude and crude things about others, and we spread lies and rumors in order to make us look better or more superior. Sometimes, we are just downright mean and not very Christian-like. And it doesn’t matter if we are not on social media. We all find ourselves doing these exact same things without being online.
We are living in a constantly-connected world but have somehow allowed ourselves to become disconnected from our God.
During Lent, we are asked to turn away from evil and return to the good. We are asked to repent sincerely, to openly recognize and admit that we are sinners and need to re-connect with God through fasting, prayer and sincere sacrifice. And this all needs to begin with internal conversion of our mind and heart.
I challenge all of us this Lent to stop the lies, negativity, anger, and hatred toward one another – whether on social media or in face-to-face reality. Let’s start this right now, by truly feeling the cross that will be traced on our foreheads. Conversion of our mind and of our heart must lead to loving God and others. It’s all about connecting with the One who leads us to conversion. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Ah, the “selfie.” We just can’t seem to get enough of ourselves. So much so, that we need to constantly take pictures of ourselves in order to show everyone where we are, what we’re doing, and even what we’re wearing. We always seem to find new ways to make things all about us! The Urban Dictionary defines “selfie” in the following ways…
- A picture taken of yourself that is uploaded to a social networking website.
- The taking of a picture of yourself and posting it online because you have extremely low self-esteem and you need people to comment to tell you how good you look. In reality you just look desperate for attention. And no matter how attractive you might be, you still look pathetic.
And speaking of pathetic, reality TV star Kim Kardashian is slated to put out a selfie book in April fittingly titled “Selfish,” of 352 of the best photos taken by, well, her. I think that “Selfish” is the perfect book title and the perfect theme for our Lenten reflection. Read More
If you have been following my blog, you have noticed that I lost my job three weeks ago today. Along with that, there have been additional health concerns that have developed within my family. Needless to say, it’s been a rough few weeks.
In today’s reading from Deuteronomy, Moses lays it out clearly for the people of Israel:
“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life then, that you and your descendants may live…” Read More
Everybody knows what a Cyclops is, right? It’s that strange monster with one big eye in the middle of its forehead. And we think, what a bizarre creature, this Cyclops, with one big eye. But for 325 days of each year, we are all Cyclopes! Let me explain. Read More