One Bread

It's Been Awhile Since I Posted

2012-08-22T14:12:00.001-04:00

Hello all:

It's been awhile since I last posted on this blog, and it has become out of date. The following are some upcoming One Bread Activities:

Sales and Information Booth at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Irish Music Festival in Moore Square, downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 29, 2012.
(Tentative) Sales and Information Booth at the Holiday Craft Fair at St. Michael's Catholic Church, High House Road, Cary, North Carolina, Saturday, November 10, 2012.
Sales and Information Booth and marching in the Raleigh St Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 16, 2013.
Sales and Information Booth at the Ignited by Truth Conference, Jim Graham Building, North Carolina State Fairgrounds, April 12-13, 2013.

We'll post more information and pictures soon. God bless you.

Raleigh St Patrick's Day Parade: Catholic Youth Compete for Evangelization Award

2008-03-03T09:29:00.007-05:00

Raleigh area Catholic youth are invited to compete for the annual Catholic Youth Evangelization Award by marching in the Raleigh St Patrick's Day Parade with other One Bread Catholic Evangelists. The youth group with the best performance in the parade will win the prize.

To learn more or to register your group, click Catholic Youth Award Entry Form.

Informal youth groups made up of a couple of friends can compete for the award - your group does not have to be sponsored by the parish. So parents, encourage your son or daughter to gather their friends and join in the fun. Even if a handful of youth participate, they'll add so much to the spirit of the parade.

Below is a picture of last year's Catholic Youth Evangelization Award winners. They entertained the Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade spectators with their skateboarding skills.

One Bread Evangelizes in Raleigh St Patrick's Day Parade

2008-03-03T09:23:00.003-05:00

The Raleigh St Patrick's Day Parade is Saturday, March 15, 2008. One Bread Lay Apostolate will be marching in the parade again this year and invite you to join us in this fun evangelization activity for the whole family: Moms, Dads, Children, Infants, Teens, Young Adults, and Grandma and Grandpa. Anyone who can walk or be carried in a stroller is invited to participate.

Each year, One Bread Participants wear Catholic Evangelist T-shirts and distribute prayer cards that tell who St Patrick is and invite the spectators to attend Mass at a Catholic Church. Last year, we distributed over 2000 cards and hope to distribute at least twice that many.

"Many people are not knowledgeable about Church history," said Karen Matthews. "They think St Patrick’s Day is about shamrocks and leprechauns. We want to bring back the spiritual aspect of the holiday and use the parade as a teaching moment to tell the world about one of the world’s great evangelists."

Ms. Matthews said that last year the spectators were glad to receive the cards they distributed and to learn more about the man who converted the Irish people in the 4th Century from paganism to Christianity in a span of 33 years.

One Bread Lay Apostolate is a group that encourages lay Catholics to be proactive about spreading the truths of their Catholic faith and to seek ways to promote the Catholic identity in contemporary culture. They primarily evangelize on the Internet by providing free information about the Catholic Church to anyone requesting it from their website at http://1bread.catholic.org/.

After the parade, One Bread continues to evangelize by offering free information about the Catholic Church at their booth in Moore Square, where they also sell food, soft drinks and Catholic books and gifts.

A Faith Based on the 12 Apostles

2006-04-19T12:09:00.000-04:00

The Da Vinci Code. The Gospel of Judas. What's a Christian to Believe?

You may have been taught that our Christian faith is based on the bible. Well, what if I told you that the books that were deemed to be the inspired word of God were not declared so until around the 4th Century. And the first printed bible didn't exist until the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg in Germany. He printed the first bible around the year 1455. Read more about Guttenberg

The first mention of the official list of the books of the bible or canon ("kanonika biblia") was at the Council of Laodicea that took place some time prior to the Council of Ephesus, held in 325. The synod in Hippo in the year 393, and three synods in Carthage (393, 397, and 419) all listed the official books of the bible. This determination was made based on the oral tradition of the Church (what the Church leaders had learned from the Apostles) and the use of these scriptures in the Church services. St Augustine was a participant and leader in all of these synods.

As we are well aware today, just because someone writes something down, doesn't make it the truth. A written lie is just as much a lie as a spoken lie.

There were many ancient texts that didn't make it into the bible. Some of these are: Gospel of Thomas,Gospel of Truth, Gospel of the Twelve, Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Basilides Gospel of the Egyptians, Gospel of the Hebrews, Gospel of Matthias, Preaching of Peter, Acts of Andrew, etc. The reason these gospels didn't make it into the bible is because they didn't square with the oral testimony given by the Apostles. So the discovery of a gospel of Judas or a myth about Mary Magdalene shouldn't alarm us.

Our faith is not based on myths, it is based on the eye-witness testimony of 12 credible men, the Apostles who were personally chosen by Jesus. Albeit, Judas was one of the original Apostles, but after he betrayed Jesus he killed himself. And the remaining 11 Apostles chose Matthias to take his place (Acts 1:26). One of the criteria for choosing a replacement for Judas was that this disciple walked and talked with Jesus, in other words, that the person was an eye witness to what Jesus taught and the miracles he performed.

For more information read: Canon of Scripture

Lent

2006-03-24T11:51:00.000-05:00

In darkness shines
a lone light of faith,
and through the emptiness,
He comes to fullness in prayer.

Tears, my drink,
A heavy heart, my food:
These are His joy,
and His joy becomes mine.

Spend a Day

2006-03-24T11:48:00.000-05:00

Spend a day before God,
and what becomes of fear,
what becomes of pride?

Spend a day before God,
and what becomes of love,
and what of humility, too?

Spend a day before God,
and the talk between the two
that make the whole
is less a groan or mumbled breath,
and more an awakening,
a condition of the soul.

The Kingdom of God - Money and Possessions

2006-03-12T18:49:00.000-05:00

By Thomas Morehead

Jesus taught us that we cannot have two masters. If we attempt to do so we will despise one and love the other. This admonition is found in Matthew Chapter 6 and Luke Chapter 16 and is followed by these words; “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt 6 24b: Lk 16 13b). We have commonly interpreted Mammon to mean Riches. It is this context which I want to address today.

Jesus invites everyone to live in God’s Kingdom. This Kingdom is on earth! It is not only the heavenly Kingdom to which we all aspire. It is a Kingdom here and now. If we do not live in God’s Kingdom while on earth, we will not enter God’s heavenly Kingdom.

W. C. Fields was an atheist. He lived his entire life with the belief that there was no God, no higher power to which he owed any type of allegiance. He made no secret of his feelings and often scoffed at those that practiced their faith. Near death a friend came to visit him and was astounded to discover that he was reading the bible. When asked what he was doing Fields replied, “I’m looking for loopholes.” Let’s pray that he converted and now rests with Christ. The point though is that God wants us in His Kingdom for the entirety of ours lives. He doesn’t desire an eleventh hour conversion. And remember the bumper sticker that says ‘Those who are waiting for an Eleventh hour conversion may die at 10:30!’

At baptism we are charged with building God’s Kingdom. We live our life either doing so or tearing it down. God’s Kingdom is here! Jesus established it! What we do expands that Kingdom, or it doesn’t.

To actively build God’s Kingdom we must dedicate ourselves to Christ. We must make Him our purpose for being. When I wrote about Discipleship I touched on issues such as counting the cost before we begin our journey and that we must allow nothing to stand in our path as we follow Jesus. Nothing can stand in our path. To enter God’s Kingdom we must become as a child, innocent and helpless totally reliant on God. If we choose to rely on our abilities and accomplishments we will not enter the Kingdom of God! Take a moment and read Mt 6 25:34. To do as Jesus instructs requires great faith. We have to believe that God will provide.

When the rich man approached Jesus he asked what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus replied “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor you father and your mother; and ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself’.” (Mt 19 18b:19) The man replied that he had done all of these and then asked what he still lacked. Jesus responded by telling him to sell what he had, give to the poor, and then come follow Me.

We’ve tended to water down this powerful passage over the years, especially in the US where possessions are so plentiful and success has been defined by the wealth one has accumulated. Take a look at Lk 6 20b. Jesus said “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.” God’s Kingdom belongs to the poor! Time and again throughout the gospel Jesus sides with the poor, the marginalized of society. Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus, upon his death, was carried to the bosom of Abraham but when he died the rich man went to the netherworld where he was tormented. We are told of no sin that the rich man committed. All we are told is that he neglected to share with the beggar at his door step. This excluded him from God’s eternal Kingdom. The poor are reliant on God. They have no false sense of accomplishment. They place their faith in God. Jesus believed that most rich people placed their faith in their possessions and paid tribute to God.

I know what some people are thinking right about now. “Look, I give to parish every Sunday and the missions when they have special offerings. Not to mention the volunteer work I do at the fish fries and the picnic. Besides I work hard for what I have.” All of that may very well be true. But my question would be, “So what?” Everything we have and everything we do is God’s. We own nothing. We are stewards! Left in charge to increase the Masters Kingdom. Do you remember the parable of talents? We are obliged to increase God’s Kingdom, not our own wealth or comfort.

Being honest with oneself may be one of the most difficult tasks we face. But we must face it. Head on! The members of the early church shared all things in common and nobody was in want! Why with such abundance today are there so many in need? How are we going to answer that question when Jesus asks?

What master do you serve?

Inclusion in the Kingdom of God

2006-02-26T22:24:00.000-05:00

By Thomas Morehead

There was no greater bond in Old Testament times than that of family. The tie to one’s family was the paramount relationship in one’s life. A person was literally defined by his or her family. At that time family was much more extended than today and generally closer in proximity and interaction. One’s extended family could number into the hundreds all of whom would likely live and work in a close and relatively closed environment.

The parable of the prodigal son is much more powerful when viewed in this light. The sin the younger son committed began with his turning his back on his family. To request his inheritance and deny his obligations to his family would have been viewed by the Hebrews as hideous. One of the most terrible sins a son could commit. The balance of what he did, squandering his wealth and crawling back in shame, were not nearly as bad as the initial rejection of his family. Those who listened to Jesus tell this parable must have been dumbfounded when the father accepts the son back into the family with all of his original rights and privileges. This action on the part of the father was totally contrary to the norm. No father of that time would have allowed a family member to return once they had so rejected their obligations. In this light the reaction of the elder son is much more understandable as well.

At another point in the gospels Jesus was told that His mother and brothers wanted to speak with Him. He responded by asking “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And then referring to His disciples He makes an awesome and powerful comment, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Take a moment and read Mt 25, 31-46)

With these few words Jesus tells us who the members of the Kingdom of God are and what it is that we must do to be in God’s Kingdom!

Jesus believed there to be two Kingdoms; one of the world - ruled by Satan, and one of heaven - ruled by God. In His mind there were no neutral parties. You were either a member of one or the other. In Jesus’ time the kingdom of the Satan set boundaries, it divided people. Family against family, tribe against tribe, sect against sect, nation against nation, all of these divided and excluded. Associations were setup to exclude, to keep apart those not considered worthy of inclusion.

Jesus was criticized for associating with the poor and sinners. However it is important to point out that He also associated with the scribes and Pharisees. He ate with them, entered their homes, and engaged them in debate. He excluded no one from God’s Kingdom. He did identify behavior that was contrary to the Kingdom of God and was stern in His rebuke. He did not condemn or exclude anyone. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God was open to all. Any who chose to do the will of His heavenly Father.

This then is the first aspect of the Kingdom of God – It is non-exclusionary. God opens His Kingdom to all of His creation. We must do the same. Love all, accept all, even our enemies!

The Kingdom of God

2006-02-20T11:18:00.000-05:00

By Thomas Morehead

Before you read what I have to say here today I’d like you to try something. Get out of your chair and try standing on your head. Go ahead I’ll wait.

Waiting…

Waiting…

Waiting…

OK. At this point one of three things has most likely occurred; you dismissed what I said and didn’t try (that's OK), you tried and found it too difficult, you were able to do it.

In any of these cases you now have some perspective on how the Jews that heard Jesus’ message first hand must have felt. When He proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was at hand, Jesus stood the first century Jewish society on its head. The things they believed to be important He said weren’t and those things they dismissed or shunned as insignificant He said were paramount.

At the beginning of His public ministry the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke record that Jesus announced that God’s Kingdom was at hand. Repent and Believe! This initial supplication should have given his followers a clue. When Jesus enjoined the people to repent He was telling them (and us) to turn away from their present life and lead one that is entirely different - a complete restructuring of priorities. The Greek word that the Evangelists use is Metanoia. It connotes a complete transformation. One in which the loyalties of the person are totally realigned. Jesus beseeched those to join the Kingdom of God. What importance did Jesus subscribe to this plea? Read Mt 6, 25-34. The key verse in the cite is 33a, “But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness.” Matthew portrays Jesus placing the pursuit of God’s kingdom as the highest priority. That being the case I’d like to take a detailed look at what it is that Jesus teaches the Kingdom of God to be.

The first wonderful aspect to realize is that Jesus teaches that God’s Kingdom is now present on earth, albeit imperfectly. Membership in the Kingdom requires that the participants believe that Jesus is their King and adhere to God’s law. Laws revealed in the Hebrew Scripture, beginning with the 10 Commandments, and brought to fulfillment by Jesus. The following topics attempt to summarize the areas of life to focus on when we consider God’s Kingdom:

Community/Family
Authority/Service
Status/Prestige
Possessions/Money
Love of Neighbor/Stewardship
Conversion/Holiness
People of God/Church

This list is not all-inclusive but I do believe it addresses the major areas of consideration. I hope as you read what will follow in the days ahead you will consider what is written and how it applies to your life. I welcome your comments.

What I have and will write here comes from a number of sources. Two are of primary importance: The Catechism of the Catholic Church being the first and most significant and Jesus before Christianity by Albert Nolan, O.P. the second.
When we pray for the coming of God’s Kingdom do we truly understand the impact of that plea? Be ready to stand on your head!

Abba, Father

2006-02-16T14:35:00.000-05:00

By Thomas Morehead

Consider if you will Jesus’ message regarding our relationship with God. Jesus told us to call God “Our Father.” More specifically He used the word Abba, which is better translated daddy or papa. A term of familiarity and endearment that connotes a closeness that we may not experience in our daily lives, but one that clearly Jesus tells us we should.

By the time of Jesus’ ministry much of the Old Testament view of God had been replaced. The notion of a warm and caring God was supplanted with that of an all-powerful Lord who required strict adherence to His laws and harshly punished the unrighteous. The loving God of creation had been forgotten. There are many references to God as a loving and caring parent in the Hebrew Scriptures, Dt 1,31: Is 49,15: and Ho 11,1, just to mention a few. The Hebrews abandoned this, or at least ignored it. They no longer looked upon God as the loving protector that held them safe in the desert for forty years. Rather they focused on the God of righteousness that sent them into captivity because of their sinfulness. Jesus aspired to change this, and not change really as much as remind the chosen people.

If we focus on God in the way Jesus instructed, then our entire approach to Him changes. Who cannot imagine as a child running to their father and literally leaping into his arms? Wanting to share good news or in need of comfort or protection; whatever the reason, the desire and need to be close to our dad is powerful. This is exactly the way Jesus told us to relate to God, Our Father. Leap into His arms with the unbridled love of a child. Don’t fear God; for why would one fear the love of a caring and protective Father? Don’t walk on egg shells afraid to make a mistake. We cannot earn God’s love nor can we do anything to cause God to stop loving us. We can reject His love that is our free will, but our refusal to accept His love does not change the fact that He loves us.

At Baptism we are born of the spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit that leads us to call God Abba - Father. We are God’s children, born of the Spirit into the family that we call the Body of Christ. We are brothers and sisters. We are one in the Lord. Jesus is our brother; His Father is our Father! Let us embrace God our Father, leap into his loving arms by doing what is pleasing to Him as Jesus always did.

The "Tangible Emmanuel"

2006-02-12T17:29:00.000-05:00

As many have noted, Christianity is the only religion where God becomes man and unites His divinity to our humanity. But in doing this, He also invites us to realize a truth about His creation, a truth that some might find difficult to swallow. His created world is good. For Genesis 1:31 tells us that “God saw everything that he had made and found it to be very good.” True, original sin has wounded the creation, but it still retains the inherent goodness that it was created with. If not, then Christ could not become man, for God cannot become something that is not good, for he is all good. The fact that Jesus uses what is created to show His glory is further proof that the created world is still good. In His ministry, Jesus used water (John 2:7), mud and spit (John 9:6), bread and fish (Mark 6:41, Matthew 15:36), clothes (Mark 5:27), to name a few. Christ constantly used the ordinay to show the extraordinary. By realizing that God uses the created world, which is still good, to show forth His power, we are reminded that we are still inherently good, and that God can use us to show His glory here on earth. Of course, because of the gift of free will, we must choose to cooperate with the grace He gives us to do His will, for we can also choose to become instruments of evil and live our lives contrary to God’s glory. This is all evidence of what I call the “tangible Emmanuel” the God who is with us, working through His creation to draw us to Himself. Our God is a God that uses His creation to show us His glory, our God is not opposed to His creation. In saying that the created world is completely depraved and evil would be to make sin more powerful than the God who created the world and conquered sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Sin wounds, but it cannot take away the inherent goodness of the world. It cannot take away our inherent goodness, and the ability for God to use us, and for us to cooperate, in order to show the Glory of the Almighty.

*text above is an adaptation and a reworking from a chapter in a book that I wrote for a friend that is self-published called "Resurrection Documented".

In the Presence of God

2006-02-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

By Thomas Morehead

I went to a Christian Brothers high school, (more years ago than I care to remember). There are many things for which I am grateful for having had the opportunity to attend such an institution. One in particular is the tradition of the ‘Ringing of the Bell’. A small bell sat on the desk of a number of the teachers and they would, periodically, pick it up and lightly ring it. Following the ring they would simply state “Let us all remember that we are in the presence of God.” Then they would continue with class making no other reference to the interruption. It is something I have carried with me my entire life. An awesome consideration; I am in the presence of God!

I think we could all agree that most of us act differently when we know we are being watched. The test of true character comes when we act and no one is watching. How do we respond when we are unobserved? I’m not suggesting that we would something illegal or immoral just because no one is around; but I am saying that most of us clean up our act when other people are around. We care what others think of us, and how we are judged by them.
Some of the most personally rewarding times of my life have come in service to others. I taught GED classes to underprivileged prisoners for a time. Working with them was difficult at times however when an individual would pass I received a great deal of satisfaction. Their happiness and gratitude was overwhelming, so much so that it caused me to question my motivation. Was I teaching to help the students or to gain fame for myself? I discussed this with my spiritual advisor (a Benedictine nun) and she indicated that as long as my was primary motivation is to help those I was teaching, then I should accept the positive feelings as I gift; a reinforcement from God that I was doing His will. She asked me to consider the possibility the there are no truly pure motivations. Since we are imperfect beings we cannot be expected to have perfect motivations. Jesus, our best example, always did what His Father willed, and He did so because it was His Father’s will. Jesus was able to completely suppress His human wants and desires in deference to His Father’s. While we try to act as selflessly as He did, we must admit that we are unable to do so. Our acts of love and Christian charity are in part motivated by personal wants and desires. I constantly strive to minimize my personal wants and maximize the Glory of God in all my actions. God knows what is in my heart. I must keep in mind that I am always in the presence of God.

The Peace of Christ

2006-02-05T12:14:00.000-05:00

by Thomas Morehead

There is no greater feeling than the blessing of the peace of Christ. All things of this world are transient. They come and they go. Some things make us happy for a time others prove to be frustrating or even painful, but nothing that comes into our lives provides the lasting feeling of joy as does the peace of Christ. So how do we receive this wonderful gift? The good news is all we have to do is accept it. We don’t have to jump any hurtles or qualify in any way. We cannot earn it nor do we deserve it. It is a gift, freely given to those who live in Christ Jesus. All we must do is come to the realization that true happiness, ultimate peace comes from a life lived in Jesus. Once we understand how powerless we are to effect our own well being and turn our life over to Him, the peace that is Jesus Christ will envelop us like an all-protective shield. This He has promised and this He will do.

Throughout the Gospels Jesus refers to children and the poor. He does so in ways that cause us reflect on their situation. What is it about them that He finds so special? The innocence of the child and the total reliance of the poor. Whether they realize it or not they are reliant on others for their survival. Jesus does not condemn money or wealth, but rather the attitude that stems from those who have attained them. Whether we wish to admit it or not, we are not self-reliant. Any measure of ‘success’ that we reach is done so, not through our own doing, but rather by the utilization of the gifts God has given us. How we use those gifts determine our eternal fate. The attitude we have towards those gifts and the result they produce in out lives likewise will determine our fate. We come to Jesus as innocent children, ready to accept His teaching and ready to deny our ‘self-reliance’. We are not a society that easily gives up control. We like to think of ourselves as individuals capable of accomplishing whatever we put our minds to. The truth is that we accomplish nothing, but rather God working through us accomplishes all. The first step to becoming His vessel is acceptance of His Peace.

Have you ever observed that the more of something an individual has the more they want? It is because the things of this world do not satisfy the yearning in our souls for true and lasting happiness. St. Paul said it so beautifully: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,” (Ph 4, 6-7).

Pressure, stress… anxiety come into our lives many times because of our unsatisfied desires. When that happens we should stop and realize that maybe we are pursuing fleeting goals that do not result in true happiness. What is our aim, what is our life’s mission? Acceptance of the peace of Christ should be it. There is no better goal. Jesus time and again told us to not be afraid. Stop fearing!

May the Peace of Christ be with you!

A Call to Holiness

2006-02-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

by Thomas Morehead

We have all been in a restaurant or store and observed a small child misbehaving. And while we may become annoyed at the young one’s conduct, we are usually more critical of his or her parents. Now it is true that every one has a bad day now and then and that may be the case in the situation we are observing; the child could be hungry or ill. It is entirely possible however that he or she is just in need of parenting. Whatever the case may be, it doesn’t prevent us from judging the parents based on the conduct of the child. Which leads me to the Question;

“What do people think about Jesus or Catholicism for that matter, when they observe my behavior?”

In the 6th century BC the Jews living in Judah were taken captive and exiled to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel admonished the people of God by telling them that their captivity was imposed upon them because of their sinful behavior, they had “profaned the name of God” by not keeping His commandments. While in Babylon other nations ridiculed not only the Jewish people but God Himself: “These are the people of the Lord, yet they had to leave their land,” (Ez 36, 20b) implying that the God of Israel must not be very powerful if He was unable to protect His people. For this reason, Ezekiel goes on to say, God relented and allowed His people to return to Judah. “Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name,” (Ez 36, 22b). The remaining verses in this chapter of Ezekiel are beautiful and powerful, please take a moment and reflect on them.

God acted to protect His name. The chosen people had sinned and he punished them; however when that punishment resulted in others defaming Him, He relented. This episode in the in the history of Israel is insightful. God revels to us that He expects His people to act in a way that brings honor to Him. At one point in the Old Testament God says, “you shall make and keep yourselves holy, because I am holy… Since I, the Lord, brought you up from the land of Egypt that I might be your God, you shall be holy, because I am holy,” (Lv 11, 44b-45).

When God created us He did so in His image. Clearly, He expects us to maintain that image for His glory. In His beautiful sermon on the mount Jesus tells us, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Mt 5, 48).

We are called to holiness because that is our nature. We are created in God’s image, a holy and perfect God who beckons us to a life that brings honor and glory to Him.

I ask myself, “does my conduct bring glory to God?”

I have much more to say on what a life of holiness entails. I will over the next few days post my thoughts. I welcome yours as well.

May God bless us all on our struggle to bring honor and glory to His holy name!

Catholic Group to Evangelize in St. Patrick's Day Parade

2006-01-31T15:21:00.000-05:00

For the third year in a row, One Bread Lay Apostolate, a worldwide Catholic Evangelization group based in Sanford, North Carolina, will be marching in the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade to spread the good news. This year’s parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 11.

As with many holidays that have their origins as Christian feast days, St Patrick’s Day has become secularized and its Christian meaning obscured. One Bread seeks to bring back the true spiritual meaning of these holidays by using them as evangelization opportunities and a means to educate people about Christ, his holy Catholic Church and the heroes of the faith, like St. Patrick.

Parade participants will be wearing Catholic Evangelist T-shirts and distributing St. Patrick prayer cards with a bio of St Patrick and an invitation to attend Mass at nearby Catholic Church on the back of the cards. The Diocese Web site is listed on the cards so people can go online to locate a Catholic church close to them. They also include a link to the One Bread Website (http://1bread.catholic.org) where they can receive free information about the Catholic faith.

To encourage youth groups to participate, One Bread will be having its first annual "Catholic Youth Evangelization Award." The youth group with the best costumes, signs, and performance in the parade wins a trophy, St Patrick medals, and more.

After the parade, One Bread will be hosting a fundraiser by selling baked Irish goodies, drinks, and religious items including books, jewelry, rosaries, and many Irish gifts. There will also be FREE information about the Catholic Church available for people to pick up and take home.

One Bread is a Catholic lay apostolate dedicated to evangelization and primarily evangelizes on the Internet through their Web site http://1bread.catholic.org. Now in their fourth year of operation, One Bread has distributed hundreds of free pamphlets and rosaries to countless of people who have requested them from around the world.

A Prayer for Darkness

2006-01-26T08:08:00.000-05:00

Lord, thank you
for the clarity
of darkness,

and thank you
for the simplicity
of loneliness,

for alone in the dark
I find you,
my most bright companion.

--In Christ, our most bright companion,

Tim Guile, Okinawa, Japan

The Cost of Discipleship

2006-01-25T17:26:00.001-05:00

By Thomas Morehead

My faith is imperfect. I know this because I have over the course of my life slipped away. I have wavered at times. Often not following the path of righteousness outlined in the Gospels. Coming to this realization may seem to many the same as G. H. Chesterton’s man in the yacht. Chesterton described a man who, while sailing, journeyed off course and discovered England. A not so amazing feat considering he had set sail from Brighton. Awaking to realize what everybody else already knows is still no less a revelation.

The Scriptures are replete with stories of individuals of strong faith. People such as Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son because it was commanded by God. Jesus warns us to consider the cost before we venture out onto the path of discipleship. I can’t help but think that Abraham must have wondered at some point if this was what following God’s word meant. Did he really realize the cost of faithfulness? And yet scripture gives no indication that he did, rather he unquestionably proceeded as instructed. Faith that strong is an amazing gift. But like all gifts, material or spiritual, it can be accepted and strengthened or it can be rejected; watered down by rationalization. Called upon only when it suits our purposes.

In chapter 14 the evangelist Luke relates several stories Jesus told for our consideration, stories that we should think about before we venture onto the road of discipleship. First Jesus tells us that a person cannot be His disciple unless he hates his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life. The word hate is not to be taken literally but rather is intended to indicate that His disciple must love these less than they love Jesus, even their own life. Jesus then asks who would not calculate the cost of building a tower before beginning so as to determine if there are sufficient funds available to complete the project. We are told to consider the cost before we begin and we are told what that cost is; specifically that Jesus must be first in our life, that nothing must be allowed to stand in the way of our doing His will. We are not commanded to abandon our families and possessions when we become His disciples but we are commanded that we be ready to abandon them if our call requires it. Is our faith strong enough to accept this? I’ve already stated that mine is not, or at least hasn’t been. We cannot serve two masters.

As I meditate on the lives of the early Christians and martyrs and on the lives of the saints I am struck by the tremendous faith they had. The willingness to sacrifice everything that was dear to them in order to follow Jesus. Can you imagine the faith Mary had to respond to the angel’s announcement that she was to bring the Messiah into the world with the simple words “May it be done to me according to your will,”? To relinquish all desires and turn her life over to God, what better example could we ask for? Her faith was perfect. She had to know the impact of submitting to this. While she was betrothed to Joseph, she was as yet unmarried, still a virgin. To turn up pregnant before being taken into her husband’s house was a crime for which she could have been stoned to death. The strength of her faith allowed her to accept her fate, confident that she was doing the will of God.

And yet she could not have known the extent of the pain that lie before her; the rejection, ridicule and suffering that she was to endure. She could not have known that she would one day stand before the cross on Calvary and witness the horrible death of her own son. What she did know was that God called her to a mission, to be the Mother of the Messiah, and she had faith sufficient to accept this call. She must have believed that whatever happened to her as result of that call, God would give her the strength to handle. When asked by my Protestant friends why we Catholics venerate Mary, this is all that I need to say. She is the best example of faith, of discipleship that exists in the scripture.

When my son was a small child I told him to ‘Stop, Look, and Listen,’ before crossing a street. Isn’t that what Jesus is telling us? Before we cross the road of discipleship He expects us to stop our busy lives, look at the world around us, and listen in prayer to His call. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer we say “Thy will be done.” This is more, much more than a request that the will of God take hold on earth. It is a pledge that we will be open to hearing the will of God for us and a commitment that we will carry out that will. How is God’s will to be accomplished on earth if not by His disciples?

I pray every day that God’s will for me be made clear to me and that He give me the strength to carry out that will. My faith is not perfect, but I pray He will provide what I need as I need it.

Poems to Comfort the Soul

2006-01-23T07:51:00.000-05:00

When we go through troubles, stray from God, or just feel lonely, it's good to know God's consoling grace is there for us. Our board member in charge of prison ministry writes these beautiful poems to comfort prisoners, whether in the confines of an actual jail, or imprisoned by feelings of doubt, guilt, sorrow, or suffering.

Lift Away the Thorn, O Lord

O Lord, I am not
an instrument of your love.
I am, today,
the nail in your hand,
a thorn above your brow,
a spear in your side.
I cut you dying in the flesh,
and feel not your
life-giving spirit.
Yet you love me
who I hate.
Please, lift away
the thorn, take out,
O Lord, the nail,
the spear, and give
back to me this day
my life.

--Tim Guile, Okinawa, Japan

To All Things Broken

To all things broken,
I am a brother.
To the fallen, crumpled
autumn leaf,
I am a brother.
To the splintered mirror,
I am a brother.
To the shattered heart,
I am a brother.
To countries bound
and oppressed,
I am a brother.
To all human history,
I am your imprisoned
brother.
And I am your God.

--Tim Guile, Okinawa, Japan

Healing

Come my sorrow,
come my sorrow,
come my sorrow,
come.

Long I stumbled
over the naked plain
looking for sweet grasses
of my own choosing.

But these did not fill me.
How could they?
Oh come, my sorrow,
come.

The wind, instead, off
the stoney plain, my only
friend, except the howl
of wolves.

These became my fill.
And with what was I filled?
Oh come, my sorrow,
come.

Then, huddled under a camel thorn,
He found me.
He looked and loved and
folded me into His warm arms.

No more I hunger,
no more I hunger,
no more.

--Tim Guile, Okinawa, Japan

Evangel - Are You One?

2006-01-04T14:41:00.000-05:00

As Executive Director of a non-profit organization dedicated to Catholic Evangelization, I call myself a Catholic Evangelist. A few days ago, the Holy Spirit gave me the inspiration for another term for someone who evangelizes, no matter what denomination they belong to. That word is “Evangel” and comes from the words “evangelist” and “angel.”

Here are the attributes of an Evangel:

Spreads the Christian gospel in a respectful way
Never talks derogatory about any other Christian, no matter what Church they go to
Evangelizes as much by their good behavior as with words
Attracts people to the Christian faith by acts of love and kindness
Exudes holiness – do you see that halo?

What do you think an Evangel is? Do you have any attributes you’d like to add to this list? We’d love to hear your comments.

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

2006-01-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

"Our Father, who art in heaven, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:9-10.
How many times have we prayed this prayer? As I ponder these words, I wonder, "Has the Father's Kingdom already come? Do we really try do His will on earth?"

In John 18:36, Jesus said that his kingdom is not of this world. When Pilate asked Jesus if he were a king, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

In the above verse, Jesus indicates that he has a heavenly kingdom and it's not here yet. But elsewhere in scripture, Jesus indicates that his kingdom is already here.

In Matthew 5, verse 17, the scripture says: "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." And in Matthew 10, verse 7, he sends out his apostles to announce the kingdom to the people: "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Again in Matthew 12, verse 8: "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."

How can God's Kingdom already be here and at the same time, not be here yet? As I ponder the fact that Jesus is a King, I realize that since He is my brother, I am royalty too.

In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter says "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. "

Which brings me to thoughts of Jesus' Church. Shouldn't this King who has a Kingdom both here and in the therafter have a Church that resembles a Kingdom? It makes sense to me? So what is a Kingdom-like? Well, it has a court with administrators who carry out the work of the King...who govern the Kingdom according to the King's decrees and laws. So if the Church resembles a Kingdom, it should govern us, according to the King's precepts, shouldn't it?

Honestly, I can think of no Christian Church on earth that looks and acts more like a Kingdom than the Catholic Church. This Church with its headquarteres in the former capital of the Roman Empire, the Empire that put their King to death, but that the Church later conquered. This Church with a hierarchical structure of Pope and bishops from all over the world that govern this Kingdom with what some might call "an iron rod." [Revelation 2:27]. I hear of more people rejecting the Catholic Church because they don't think it has a right to tell them what to do, and yet the Catholic Church claims to have Christ's authority to teach right from wrong and to govern his flock when it comes to faith and morals.

This Church with majestic buildings filled with gold vessels that hold the body and blood of their King and house fine art masterpieces depicting their King and his subjects. This Church whose leaders parade around in royal garb conducting elaborate ceremonies to accept new souls into the Kingdom and annoint them with oil, bless them with holy water and incense and feed them heavenly food.

So is Christ's Church a democracy whose members decide what doctrines to believe and what preacher preaches to their liking? Or is it a Kingdom that lords over its subjects with edicts and decrees that it receives from the King, guided by the King's advocate, the Holy Spirit?

Is Christ's Kingdom already here or is it yet to come? I believe that His Kingdom can be experienced here "on earth" as much as it can be experienced here "on earth" in his holy, Catholic Church.

After all, Jesus did give the keys to his Church to St. Peter, the first pope, who was martyred in Rome and is buried underneath the Vatican.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven" [Matthew 16:18-19]

One Bread and Christian Unity

2005-12-13T10:09:00.000-05:00

"For we being many are one bread, one body, because we are all partakers of the one bread." 1 Corinthians 10:17

What is this bread that the scripture is speaking of?

In the previous verse, 1 Corinthians 10:16, it tells us what this bread is: "The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? "

So the source of our unity is Jesus' real body, represented to us in the form of bread. In John Chapter 6, Jesus states that He indeed is this bread:

"33: For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34: Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35: And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. "

But many did not believe him and found it repugnant to think of themselves as cannibals. John 6: 52:

"The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

But Jesus reinterated that it was true with these words in John 6:53:58:
53:"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54: Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55: For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56: He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57: As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58: This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever."

But many did not believe Jesus and as the scripture says in John 6:66:
66:"From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him."

Do we walk away from this teaching of Jesus, or do we hold fast and believe that this Jesus in holy communion is the source of unity as scripture tells us. Jesus turned to the twelve and said in John 6:67: "will ye also go away?"

Peter answered in John 6:68: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."

Which way will you follow...the way of the disciples who turned their backs on Jesus or the way of Peter who believed even though he did not understand."

For more information, see http://1bread.catholic.org
and http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/a.html