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truth | Deacon Allen Tatara Catholic Speaker

truth | Deacon Allen Tatara Catholic Speaker

On the Inside; On the Outside


 
Aug 14 2020
Love0

Song of Praise

Posted by | Prayer | No Comments

For the fruits of his creation,
Thanks be to God;
For the gifts to every nation,
Thanks be to God;
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while men are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safekeeping,
Thanks be to God. 

In the just rewards of labor,
God’s will is done;
In the help we give our neighbor,
God’s will is done;
In our world-wide task of caring,
For the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests men are sharing,
God’s will is done.

 For the harvests of his spirit,
Thanks be to God;
For the good all men inherit,
Thanks be to God;
For the wonders that astound us,
For the truths that still confound us,
Most of all, that love has found us,
Thanks be to God.

~Text by F. Pratt Green

These are the words to a hymn that opened up my Evening Prayer last night. As I read this words, I was deeply moved by its simplicity, yet poignant message.

With all that is going on in our world right now, it is so easy to simply forget to give praise to our Father in heaven. Between all of the hate and violence that surround us, the lack of love and support for our neighbor, and for the inability to respect the sanctity and beauty of human life, we need to pray this prayer more than ever. And not only that, but to simply know and believe that we are loved by our God.

My words today are short and sweet. I pray that all of us are able to find true peace in our loving Father. May we have the strength to praise our God no matter what we are experiencing in our days. May we be able to find the ability to take time in our busy schedules to pray, to find it in our hearts the ability to give honor and glory to our Creator and Savior. Let us find in our hearts the beauty that lies within, and the peace that can only be found in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

May the spirit of the living God be with you always. And always remember that you are loved. Amen.

Jun 25 2017
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Fear or Faith?

Posted by | Emotions/Feelings | No Comments

More than 19 million Americans have this, and it causes difficulty in some area of their lives. What is it? It’s a phobia. A phobia is an excessive and irrational fear reaction. If you have a phobia, you may experience a deep sense of dread or panic when you encounter the source of your fear, whether it is of a certain place, situation, or object. Unlike general anxiety disorders, a phobia is usually connected to something specific. Here are a few of the most common phobias:

  • Altophobia: Fear of heights.
  • Arachnophobia: Fear of spiders.
  • Claustrophobia: Fear of confined spaces.
  • Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
  • Theophobia: fear of God.
  • Ecclesiophobia: Fear of church.
  • Homilophobia: Fear of homilies. (Maybe even Deacon Allen’s homilies!)
  • Testophobia: Fear of taking tests.
  • Phalacrophobia: Fear of becoming bald.
  • Chaetophobia: Fear of hair (other people’s hair).
  • Xenophobia: Fear of the unknown.
  • Ephebiphobia: Fear of youth (teenagers).

There is an old proverb that goes something like this:

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things will be yours.

Notice, “Fear less” is at the top of that list of what needs to be done if all good things are to be ours. Moreover, “Fear less” was high on Jesus’ list of things you need to do in order to experience wholeness of life.

Jesus wants you to know beyond all doubt that you and I are important to God; that God wants to be in a relationship with us. You may turn on the busy signal if you wish, but God never will do that. We can always count on God’s constant care for us.

Each one of us is called to go out and serve those in need, the most vulnerable in our society – and that can be scary. We are often afraid to speak the truth, to stand up for what is right, or afraid of those who might try to hurt us. We might be afraid to try new things, or meet new people who are different than us. But Jesus promises us that God is in control: “Not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.” Jesus reassures us of the value that God places on us. You and I are worth more than many sparrows; and we are also precious in God’s sight. With God by our side, we have nothing to fear.

Feb 16 2017
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Identifying the Christ

Posted by | Discipleship | No Comments

Peter experiences a moment of clarity in today’s Gospel (Mark 8:27-33). Briefly the clouds part and he speaks from the heart: “You are the Christ.” It is the discovery of one who has followed, asked, watched, and questioned. But as our story unfolds we realize Peter knows almost nothing about the implications of his declaration. He speaks a seed of truth without knowing how, when, or where it will grow.

Jesus’ identity was widely debated. The disciples give a number of answers reflecting the speculations of the people: John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet of old. All they really know is this one is very different.

But no one has a clue just how different Jesus really is.

For the disciples the declaration implies political freedom, armies, war, riches, and power. God’s Messiah will set Israel free from the clenched fist of Rome. They are imagining a king, a court, and multiple thrones.

So Jesus begins the monumental task of redefining their expectations. He speaks plainly of suffering, rejection, death, resurrection. Peter offers his quiet word of correction. After all, no one will follow into battle if Jesus talks like this. They expect blood to be shed – but not the blood of Jesus.

Jesus’ words are clear but, with the exception of Peter’s rebuke, each time the disciples have nothing to say. Mark offers the only word of explanation later in the Gospel: “Though they failed to understand his words, they were afraid to question him.” (Mark 9:32).

After all, it is so unexpected. So Jesus must slowly open a space in which to reveal God’s suffering, death and resurrection which will lead the disciples to understand how they will be freed by the ultimate sacrifice of God’s love.

Let us pray that we may have that same revelation.

Nov 19 2012
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Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Posted by | Emotions/Feelings | No Comments

I am a worrier! I worry a lot!

I first became aware of this when I was younger. I worried about everything: taking tests, meeting girls, dating girls, being rejected by girls (which happened more than I care to admit), finding a job, finding a wife, being a good husband and a good father. Today, I worry about whether or not I will be able to keep my job, and having enough time to do all of the things that I want to do. Read More