End of Year One

Sorry to pull an Isaac here, but no one's posted for a while and it's our last day in the parish! well at least for a couple of months! i am stoked to see you all back at ND for the summer. i like to think that i have matured a bit over the past year but that's probably not true.

anyway, what are people's plans for the weeks between now and ND? for me, my mom is coming out to visit and we will take day trips around here (Bethany Beach, PHL Art Museum, National Shrine, getting a new summer suit for me) and then go to Niagara Falls. Following that, we are going to Chicago to visit my cousins and then I go to a wedding before heading back for 16 credits in 6 weeks! woohoo!!!

My Mentor is a Catechetical Bada$$

http://www.usccb.org/catecheticalsunday/liturgical-catechesis.shtml

yup. that's my boss being published by the USCCB

If I had a hail mary every time I thought of you i'd have a glorious mystery!

JJ Abrams is to Star Trek what the J-Cav is to Theology

I'll explain the title later in the review. Let me begin by saying that unlike Genevieve Jordan's mother; I did not grow up a Star Trek fan. Never watched the Original Series. Only watched a couple The Next Generation episodes and watched one of the movies that my cousin made me watch. I preferred Star Wars growing up. Ok now that we got that out of the way

I saw Star Trek last night instead of studying for the final...and wow. just wow. so worth it and effing awesome. it was an exhilarating epic that had a lot of heart, space battles, great comedic timing, romance, etc. etc. the cast was pitch perfect in their roles and each had a chance to shine. ladies, there's enough eye candy in this movie for you to go around (william shatner and leonard nimoy never looked this good). guys, you will love uhura...and the green alien girl if that's what your type is (i know it is for jonathan!). themes of fate, destiny, daddy issues, friendship, sacrifice, struggle, heroism-nothing less from the genius of J.J. Abrams (LOST) here.

So what does this have to do with J-Cav and theology? Well, there may be some of you out there who say, "Why would I watch Star Trek? It's about aliens and spaceships and stuff. I hate sci-fi. It's just for a bunch of geeks." Yes, but what Abrams has done here is create a Star Trek/sci-fi movie for people who are not Star Trek fans. In fact, the fact that he deviates from some of the canon of the original series is bound to piss some people off. Abrams had made it ACCESSIBLE to people. In all lack of bias, he made quite a thrilling and energetic ride. He didn't necessarily water it down or dumb it down, but has made it relevant and if i may say so, pastoral, to people of all backgrounds. Go check it out. Live Long and Prosper.

If you're not convinced...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/05/the-onion-star-trek-fans-blast-new-movie-for-being-fun-and-watchable-.html

Isaac in HD

My parish recently had a retreat for the youth and adults going on the youth mission trip to West Virginia. During this retreat, I was part of the band that played.
We have a HD video camera at my parish, and we use it for things like this. And so, connecting the dots...

I Am Free! A good song and one I thoroughly enjoyed playing. There are more clips from that night, if you want to watch.
Happy exegesis!

In the midst of this swine flu crisis, you may want to check out this very helpful website:

http://www.doihavepigflu.com/

Don't try this at home...

I got this in a forward today, and I just about peed my pants. Two possible headings:

"Critical Swine Flu Prevention Tip -- Don't Do THIS!"

or

"Look at what this brat started!!" (my censored version of the real one I heard today...)

Joy: Not just for almonds

I wrote an article for my parish's newsletter about my experience during the Triduum at the parish and joy. I thought you might en-joy it (or it en-joy you, actually):

During the Easter Triduum I saw and experienced much joy.

The Holy Thursday’s foot washing brought tears to my eyes. The musical backdrop of “The Servant Song” (“will you let me be your servant?”) and other similar songs provided a perfect atmosphere to witness the foot washing of twelve parishioners: young, old, male, female, those I know, those I hope to know. The incredible joy of a child, smile from ear to ear, witnessed to what we as Christians believe and know: our call to service extends to those we don’t always think about; our need to be served and the humility to allow ourselves to be served; that the love of Christ knows no bounds.

On Good Friday we venerated the cross. I was moved as I saw how differently we expressed our relationship with Christ. Some kissed the cross, others bowed, rubbed different parts of the cross, kneeled, or did a combination of all the above. Still others might have been uncomfortable with the veneration and chose stayed in their seats. But all desired an intimacy with God, all wanted to reflect on the mystery of the death of Jesus Christ.

And of course, the climax of the Triduum and the entire Liturgical year, the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. There was such a joy and electricity present in the congregation, especially during the singing of the Glory to God and the Alleluia. Hungry with forty days of fasting and preparing for this moment, we were ready to rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord. Finally, let’s not forget the joyous reception of our brothers and sisters into the Church, faces glowing with holy oil and Holy Spirit. So much joy and excitement!

The Gospel of John says that “the disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord” (John 20:20, NJB). It’s no wonder the joy I found throughout the Triduum. The same joy that filled the disciples fills us as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. It is for this reason that we are Christians, because we believe that Jesus is the Christ; we believe that his resurrection saves us. His resurrection provides us with hope in the midst of our own “Good Fridays”. After all, we follow in a Savior who knows his way out of the tomb.

We are people of the resurrection; we are people of joy. As muffled as the joy may be at times, amounting to the tiniest trickle of water, joy drives us to seek more joy. The joy of Easter leads us out of the desert (of Lent and of our lives) as we follow the dribble of water, upstream towards the source, towards Jesus, the source of joy and new life.

As we continue in the Season of Easter and roll on into the summer months, I invite you to be on the lookout for joy. Joy found at home in your family, joy found in the lives of others, joy found at St. James, joy found in creation, and joy found in yourself. Rejoice in that moment of joy and thank God. Where we find joy, we may find the Lord.

May we be the loving presence of the risen Christ to our family, friends, and neighbors. May they be filled with joy. May we take to heart the invitation present in the hymn “We Are Called”: “Come! Live in the light! Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!”

Happy enjoying! See you in August!

Blessings,
Isaac Garcia, Echo Catechetical Apprentice