The King's Corner

What follows is an article from the Cape Cod Times written by Denise Coffey who writes about business, tourism and other issues affecting Cape residents and visitors.  One wonders about whether this sort of storm damage is becoming the norm as we witness this and other world-wide damage caused by “unusually” severe storms likely the result of irreversible effects of human-induced climate change.   Pope Francis has sounded the alarm many times about the effects of climate change. Current and near-future generations will suffer the consequences of our disregard of planet Earth – our gift from God. Am I an alarmist and lemming?  No, just a realist with eyes to see and ears to hear.  Perhaps as my consolation I can reflect on my role as a deacon who proclaims the Gospel at Mass - the Good News, not the bad. (begin) DENNISPORT — Gina Eknaian couldn’t believe the damage wrought by Saturday’s storm. Cottage decks and staircases ripped away by the ocean. Debris littering the beaches. An oceanf

  Lent is not too far away.  It begins on February 14. On Ash Wednesday when the priest or deacon applies the cross of ashes, they say to us worshipers: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” He or the deacon also may say “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” We all hope for another 365 days and much more.  Returning to the dust and dirt is not a desirable destination, although it is inevitable.  Nevertheless, we wish for many more birthdays, and in the meantime, let's always repent and believe in the Gospel. Deacon David Pierce 

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!"(He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!") He asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us." And he

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.  In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.  All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. (Mark 1:21-28)

  I'm not too fond of the "Elf on a Shelf." However, I can buy into "Self on a Shelf."  We all do a lot of "bad stuff."  Self-reflection is important.   Let's beware.  We have "Christ On the Chest."  He knows when we have been bad or good.  So, let's be good for goodness sake. Deacon David Pierce

  Yes, it's ovah. And we fans grieve.  Actually, I've been grieving for a while, but at the same time being very thankful for all those many years of New England Patriot shared glory and joy. Deacon David Pierce

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:15-18) “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.”   I’ve always been uneasy about this claim as applied to today.  I understand Mark’s logic because it is a great pep talk or source of encouragement for those struggling with the harsh realities of their lives, especially persecution for following Jesus and his way. Baptism would protect them from harm, although that was not a guarantee for sure.  Nevertheless, it gave the baptized hope for l

  Social media can be our weapon of first choice.  Do we "pull the trigger" on the keyboard or pad to attack those we feel are "stupid" when we disagree with or simply don't like proven-right, irrefutable facts? Many of are guilty of "serious personal work" done in anger or spite.   Let's choose introspection for our personal growth rather than wear the masks of assassins, especially when we choose to do so for someone else's dirty work.  God help us when we voluntarily choose to be stupid, and cruel. Deacon David Pierce

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to  Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:31-35) What is the will of God? Country Western star Martina McBride gives us one answer in her 2009 song “God’s Will.”   I met God's will on a Halloween night He was dressed as a bag of leaves It hid the braces on his legs at first His smile was as bright as the August sun When he looked at me As he struggled down the driveway It almost made me hurt Will don't walk too good Will don't talk too good He won't do the things that the other kids do In our neighborhood I've bee

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons he drives out demons."  Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness but is guilty of an everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:22-30)

Cape Cod is well known for its whales. There are the endangered right whales and of course humpback whales so common in Cape Cod Bay and seen from many whale watching boats. Big mouthed, large whales launching themselves out of the ocean water and crashing on the waves stir the imagination and fascinate us. The biblical story of Jonah and the whale does the same and leads to this story. A little girl was noticed by her pastor, as she held her storybook, entitled "Jonah and the Whale." The pastor thought he would see if the little girl believed the story about Jonah. So, after saying “Hi” to the girl, he asked her to tell him about the book she was holding. The girl said the book was about Jonah, and how he was swallowed by a whale. The pastor asked: "Do you believe that really happened?" The little girl replied, "Yes, I believe the story of Jonah is true." You mean you really believe that a man can be swallowed up by a big whale, stay inside him all that t

  Oh yes, so spiritual and life changing.  Too many of us do not take advantage of God's creation.  We view it from windows or from afar.  Yet, we are surrounded by beauty and the miracles of God's creation (not mosquitos).   Noses against windowpanes are a poor excuse for touching the real thing.  The most incredible outdoor experiences can be had on Cape Cod.  The coastline, the woodlands, and everywhere in between need to be touched, at least with our feet as we walk that mile or soak in that beauty and exercise our bodies and souls. Too many of us are bumps on logs letting the moss grow over us.  Jesus never said, "Sit down and take a load off."  He said, "Walk with me, and at a brisk pace."  That's how fast we must go to keep up with him.  It's a long-distance walk or run.   So, let's tie our sneakers and make tracks for others to follow.  Jesus likes groups where relationships form and grow to usher in the Kingdom of God. And, let's rem

This year will be challenging for all of us while politics dominates the news, and followers of both candidates take pot shots at each other, even at Christ the King.  It’s all very understandable because many of our identities are linked to the candidate of our choice and the media we watch such as FOX News versus MSNBC.   We are entitled to support our preferred candidate whose policies are most attractive to us.  However, there is one “policy” that is very divisive and destructive, in my opinion.  It is covered in the following article written by Sarah Posner, MSNBC Columnist: "Trump just promised an authoritarian ‘task force’ to impose Christian ideology: The former president is still feeding the Christian right’s persecution complex." Yes, I prefer MSNBC.  Even so, this planned imposition of Christian ideology on all Americans based on a supposed “war” on Christians is alarming.  Moreover, Evangelical support for such a response to this “war” is explained in the Tim Albe

  The best case scenario really is to realize at the end of our lives that we have lived life to its fullest having loved and having been loved. Our lives need to be more than an okay movie.   We should strive for Oscar-winning performances in an outstanding movie with a strong supporting cast meaning we have helped bring God's kingdom to earth as it is in heaven.   For many people death is not quick and painless.   It is slow and tortuous especially death preceded by dementia or Alzheimer's Disease.  We need to be on the mountain with them helping them end their lives accompanied by care and compassion.   There are many caregivers having a starring role in the lives of those struggling towards the end of their days on earth.  God bless them and keep them safe. Deacon David Pierce  

David spoke to Saul: "Let your majesty not lose courage. I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine." But Saul answered David, "You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth." David continued: "The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine." Saul answered David, "Go! the LORD will be with you." Then, staff in hand, David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's bag. With his sling also ready to hand, he approached the Philistine.

What follows is a well-known story called "The Giving Tree."   (begin) Once there was a tree. And she loved a little boy. Every day the boy would come, and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest.  He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches, and when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree very much. And the tree was happy. But time went by, and the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone. 

BINGO!  I’m a huge fan of Richard Rohr and Brian McLaren.  Some, perhaps many Catholics, do not agree and have labelled them as heretics.  That’s an easy answer for some who refuse to listen to these enlightened men who follow Jesus – very closely.  Here is a recent article from McLaren entitled: “Engaged Christianity.” (begin) Brian McLaren traces how he and Father Richard have been on similar journeys, charting a path for a Christian faith that is engaged with the world’s needs: The titles of my books reveal that I was encountering something in my faith tradition that didn’t sit right with me…. I felt like I was peeling an onion. I noticed, for example, that people who spend a lot of time in church often seemed to be some of the meanest, more arrogant, and most judgmental people that I met. I noticed the same being true of me at times as well.... It seemed that Christianity had become for many people an evacuation plan (how to get your soul out of earth into heaven) rather than a tra

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was. The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, "Here I am." Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." "I did not call you, " Eli said. "Go back to sleep." So, he went back to sleep. Again, the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. "Here I am, " he said. "You called me." But Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep." At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD, because the LORD had not revealed anything to him, as yet. The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me." Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So, he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling

Recently I was asked if animals have souls. I thought to have a soul we must be human and have self-awareness – to be rational.  Then again, what is a soul?   Also, if animals have souls, does that mean they will be with us in heaven?  Now this is a tough question especially for those of us who have lost a pet we truly love.  Father Mike Schmitz has good answers to these questions.  YouTube him for his helpful response: “Will my pet be in heaven?”  What follows is another perspective from Ilia Delio, The Hours of the Universe: Reflections on God, Science, and the Human Journey (Orbis Books: 2021). (begin) It is almost a week since our beloved cat, Mango, was put to sleep. We had rescued Mango a little more than eight years earlier. He liked to sleep in the chapel and often joined us for prayer in the evening. Mango was real presence. And it is his presence that was sorely missed.

I know we are outside the Christmas season. Still, a Christmas-related Peanuts comic is always timely.  I got socks again for Christmas. Deacon David Pierce

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. (Mark 1:40-45) Do we stretch out our hands to Christ to be made clean of our sins?  Christ reaches out to us, always.  Do we take his hand?

  I suppose it's a bit unfair and inappropriate to treat anyone as a moron.  No one really is unless they or we act like Adam blaming Eve for his stupidity and craven behavior.  As if God didn't know he was guilty of eating what he knew he should not have consumed - the knowledge of good from evil. How many of us pretend we do not know the difference and then we turn the blind eye to what is unjust, cruel, and just plain evil to the nth degree?  We know it is anti-Christ behavior, but so what, if it serves our selfish interests.  That's moronic behavior especially when we fire our "guns" into the air and at each other. I suppose I should be a little optimistic about the new year and people in general.  Our nation is full to overflowing with good and moral people seeking the good of the other.  Unfortunately, there are those who think otherwise, especially those who fly the swastika and salute their Fuhrer.  For those who do, read Mein Kampf. That is a scary, evil

  By now you may want out of my blog.  As the Phantom of the Opera urged his protege Christine:  "Sing, to me my angel, fish!" Deacon David Pierce

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”  It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:7-11) What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?  It means we are committed to be a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon those who live in darkness. We can accomplish this formidable set of tasks with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God.  Unfortunately, many of us return these gif

I begin the new year with more Stephan Pastis’ Pearls Before Swine comics.  I cannot help myself.  They inspire me.  My New Year resolution is to limit my use of them.  Oops.  My first resolution goes down the drain.  The Holy Spirit speaks to me in strange ways. Like my writings in Cape Cod beach sand, the waves erase my resolution.  Perhaps the ocean is reminding me to be serious this Sunday and stop with the puns.  Jesus told parables.  I cite puns.  Not quite the same. Today is the Epiphany of the Lord.  Here is today’s reading: Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. 

I provide the following article from NPR because it is January 6, and I'm appalled by the comparison between the former president and Jesus Christ (see below). We all should be offended and greatly concerned.  By the way, I have often voted for Republican candidates for President.  I look for the best person - man or woman - with Catholic morality being my guide, as best I can assess candidates' moral values.  We all should do the same, in my opinion. The Trump campaign embraces Jan. 6 rioters with money and pardon promises January 4, 2024 NPR by Tom Dreisbach Three years after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the future of the government's massive investigation into the riot, as well as the fate of many rioters themselves, may hinge on this year's presidential election. In response to the violent assault on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump, federal agents and prosecutors launched one of the largest investigations in American hist

On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. was attacked by a mob of supporters of then U.S. president Donald Trump, two months after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. Trump knew the assault was happening but did nothing to stop it.  He expressed his love for the mob.  These are facts.  He likely will be the Republican nominee in an attempt to return him to the Presidency in 2024. I realize there are many supporters of Trump throughout our nation and certainly at Christ the King.  I find that to be startling in light of what he did and continues to do.   All are welcome to cast their votes the way they wish – a casting likely influenced by the social media we view and to which we contribute.  Votes are also influenced by our cable news choice.  I suggest we also be influenced by the USCCB document: “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship – A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States” especially about

Beloved: This is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the Evil One and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous.  Do not be amazed, then, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God i

Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous. Whoever sins belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil. No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God. In this way, the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:7-10) “John means that the man who is born of God cannot sin because he has the strength and guidance of the word of God within him.  The Christian is preserved from sin by the indwelling power of the word of God.  The word of God is like the seed of God which produces new life.”  This is the interpretation of William Barclay, the outstanding Scottish New Testament interpreter. I highly recommend all his books that delve

It’s the new year and time to focus on what is important.   I suggest we stress the importance of kisses.  I’m reminded of this importance after finding in my basement book stacks "Kisses" edited by Lena Tabori (Citadel Press/Turner Publishing 128 pp. 1991).  Here is an account of that book.  (begin) Remember the old movies, where the steamiest moment was when the lovers kissed – and “lovers” didn’t just mean “consenting adults?” In fact, the lovers often weren’t consenting. They fought the sentiment, tooth and nail – ignoring, avoiding, denying – until that first passionate kiss that admitted everything.  “Kisses” celebrates smooches with still photos from classic films: Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr entwined on the beach in “From Here to Eternity,” Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy finding new sparring ground in “Woman of the Year,” Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh on the road to Tara. Unburdened by explanatory text, the only words here are the pertinent film lines, guarant

Today is the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church.   Who were they?  They were complicated, very influential men. Here are excerpts from different sources. (begin) Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great was a bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. His ability to balance his theological convictions with his political connections made Basil a powerful advocate for the Nicene position.  In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. Together with Pachomius, he is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christ

  Today is January 1- the beginning of a new year. Perhaps I'll improve my chess skills.  At one time I thought I was a pretty good player.  I play well enough to enjoy the game made more attractive to me by the movie "The Queen's Gambit." Great movie with a focus on the perils of addiction to alcohol and drugs. Many of us fear being "checkmated."  We fear the future and possible failure.  In a way we sit at the chess board not wanting to make a move for fear of defeat.  Or, we are unwilling to accept defeat when it is unavoidable.  We avoid and hide.  We often refuse to play thereby preventing ourselves from achieving success and happiness.  There are always risks, and risk avoidance can lead to uneventful lives.  True there is the agony of defeat but there can be the thrill of victory.  So, let's play the game of life instead of waiting forever until we kick the bucket. When it is game over, we should be able to look back on our lives to take pleasure