Catch-Up

I recently finished up my first continuing education class at the University of Dayton. The class was actually an online seminar. It was an introduction to the General Directory of Catechesis. There were about 6 students in my class and we were required to post a certain amount of times on the class discussion board. It was really good to share ideas with people from different parts of the country.

Today, Maddie didn't feel well enough to dance :-( . So I brought her home and the rest of the kids :-). Lori even was allowed to leave work early :-) yea an early evening with the whole family :-)

I ran 3 miles today with some guys at work. whew. I was tired after the run, but feel great now. I have a piece of flair on my flair board that says "Running is cheaper than Prozac". It really is.

While I'm typing this post up, I can hear my children at the kitchen table playing with clay. They are having a great time and getting along. :-) Life is good.

Real Presence of Christ in Eucharist

I've been asked to provide information regarding the Catholic beliefs of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Many Catholics and non-Catholics alike think that the Roman Catholic Church invented the doctrine of transubstantiation. Transubstantiation means that the bread and wine presented on the altar at the Mass become the the Body and Blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit at the consecration. The consecration is the time when the priest calls upon the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood. However, the Body and Blood retain the appearance of bread and wine. The Roman Catholic Church, that is, the Latin Rite Catholic Church, and other Catholic Churches in communion with Rome believe that the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul and divinity. The Orthodox Churches and most other Churches of the East do so as well. Anglican [Episcopalian] and other Protestant denominations have interpreted Christ's presence at the celebration of the Lord's Supper or Eucharist to be either only spiritual, or symbolic, or non-existent.

Below are 2 selections from the bible, both from 1st Corinthians...

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."~1 Cor. 10:16-17


"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord."~1 Cor. 11:23-27

I ask you, if the bread and cup are not truly represented as the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, why then will partaking of it in an unworthy manner make you guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord?

The early Christians, before the time of the bible, also taught the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A book called The Didache or "The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles" is a manuscript which was used by 2nd century bishops and priests for the instruction of catechumens. Many early Christian writers have referenced it making this document relatively easy to date.

"Let no one eat and drink of your Eucharist but those baptized in the name of the Lord; to this, too the saying of the Lord is applicable: 'Do not give to dogs what is sacred'".~Ch. 9:5

"On the Lord's own day, assemble in common to break bread and offer thanks; but first confess your sins, so that your sacrifice may be pure. However, no one quarreling with his brother may join your meeting until they are reconciled; your sacrifice must not be defiled. For here we have the saying of the Lord: 'In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice; for I am a mighty King, says the Lord; and my name spreads terror among the nations.'"~Ch 14

When Jesus first told his disciples that the bread he was breaking with them was His body, what did people think? Read John 35 - 66 Below...

35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

41At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"

43"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.'^[a] Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit^[b] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

Did Jesus go to those who turned back and no longer followed him and tell them that the bread and wine are only a symbol, come on back? No.

There are many more references that could be examined. I believe this to be a good starting point.

Peace be with you,
Mike Leach

Starting School Again?

I've signed up for continuing education classes at the University of Dayton. The classes that I've signed up for will go towards being a certified catechist. Should prove to be interesting. I'll keep you posted.

Starting school again? It's not really so much as starting again as much as it is continuous learning. When do we ever stop learning? In my line of work (the computer industry) there is constant learning and updating all of the time. And with the bible and church, there is always a yearning to learn more. No matter how many times I've studied something bible related, there always seems to be another layer, facet to look at. Like looking at an expensive diamond, it is beautiful from a distance, but becomes more brilliant when inspected under light and even more so when examined with a magnifying glass. That is how I like to approach things. First a broad look and then to start uncovering layers and to "dive deep" in to the subject all together.

So, please pray for me that this next endeavor goes well and is fruitful.

Peace,
Mike Leach

So...what's been going on you ask?

Lots. Dancing has started in full swing for the girls. So has Master's Academy and Homeschool studies and piano practice and the list keeps going on!!!

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I just accepted a new position at the hospital. I am now a Database Administrator (DBA). No more firewalls, security fluff, e-mail problems, surfcontrol, yada yada yada. No more Team Leader...and all that goes with management, employees running late, calling out, bickering,... ( :-) I was able to get monetary promotion with less responsibility... yea

I also just accepted a new position at the church as Sunday Morning Catholic Education Coordinator. Wish me luck!

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Sept 26th, 2008...only a couple of weeks away, my family will be walking in the "Light the Night Walk" for Luekemia and Lymphoma. We will be walking in memory of Martha Anne Twiggs.

Please support this walk by following this link. If the link doesn't work, then copy and paste http://www.active.com/donate/ltnAtlant/2324_mleach1990 into your web browser. This is the first time that I have tried to raise money this way. My goal is 500 dollars.

I would be gratefull if you would pass the link on to other folks that you think might be interested in supporting this walk. :)

Nutcracker Party Scene Practice

Today was day 1 of practice for the Nutcracker. I kinda knew what to expect... I mean, I've seen the Nutcracker several times. Helped out back stage several times. But to actually do it is something different. Don't get me wrong, it was tremendous fun. To be out there with Allen and Zan, Maddie filling in for the role of Drosselmier... (Mr. Charles can't be with us for many of the Saturday practices, so Maddie steps in and fills the void). It was just fun and I hope it stays that way.

The dancing took me back to middle school days when they would incorporate square dancing with PE. Back then I didn't really appreciate it. I do now.

I guess I will have to get Maddie to help me practice before next time. Yea Daddy/Daughter time!!

Secrets of Harry Potter

I was surfing around this morning and went to sqpn.com. It is a website dedicated to Catholic New Media. I was looking around and came across some information about Harry Potter. I've read all 7 of the Harry Potter books and loved them all! Anywho...there is a podcast series that goes into the signs and symbols in the series of books. I've listened to the first few podcasts and really enjoyed them. If you are a Harry Potter fan, then I invite you to listen to the series of podcasts.

The direct link to the spqn website is can be found HERE.

Alternatively you could subscribe to the podcast on itunes. Just search for "Secrets of Harry Potter"

Daughters...

I was reading a post on another blog earlier and one point stood out and made me think. The quote from the blog was “Coach each player like he was gonna marry your daughter” ~John Wooden.


What made me think about it was how I need to do things now for my daughters future. I need to be praying now for her/their future mate. These are not new ideas for me; it has merely been brought to the front of my brain. Off of the "back burner" so to speak.

I don't have a clue who he is...where he is from...what he looks like. All I do know is that he is growing and maturing and forming ideas about life and it is my sincere prayer that the Lord move in this young man's life in a good way. That he have positive role models that will teach him and guide him in what is right and just. That he knows/learns how do deal with conflict with dignity and that he treats women (all women) with respect. These things I ask in Christ Jesus name, Amen.

Early Church Fathers

I've started another Blog. I know that the Mike Leach blog has only been up for a few weeks, but I've decided to dedicate a whole blog to the subject of the early church fathers. There was a book that I read last year called "Four Witnesses: The Early Church in Her Own Words". Its s really good book and it is very hard to read. I hope to be able to go through the book and create a sort of book review of it and go from there. The link to my new blog is http://TheChurchFathers.blogspot.com.

Peace of Christ be with You!

Walkin' on Water

Gospel Reading from Mathew 14, 22-33

This Sunday's Gospel reading is about Jesus walking on water. After the multiplication of loaves and fishes, Jesus sends his disciples out on the boat while he goes and prays up on the mountain. The boat is a few miles offshore and is being tossed about by wind and waves. The disciples are a might nervous by this. Jesus comes down from the mountain and walks out to the boat on the water. When the disciples see this, they are scared. They believe Jesus to be a ghost. Jesus tells them to not be afraid and asks Peter to come to him. And Peter does! How amazing... a real leap of faith. Peter does well until he is distracted by the wind around him.

That is what happens to us. We get distracted by all the wind around us. The noise, needless distractions, sin. The distractions don't have to be bad either, they could be any number of things that distract us from Jesus. I believe that in a perfect world we could keep our focus on Him. If you have ever been to a retreat or a really good bible study or christian concert, you come away with a kind of euphoric feeling, a closeness to God and as time goes by, life goes by, the feeling does not always (I mean seldom) stays the same. We get distracted by life...

If we focus on God and always maintain focus on Him then we can all walk on water, if that is what we are called to do. Listen for Jesus's call. Listen for what he is calling us to do. Often times it is only a faint whisper and we will never hear it if we get distracted.

May the Peace of Christ be with you!

Prison Ministry - Aug 5, 2008

I've been a prison minister for about 5 years now. Once or twice a month I go to Calhoun State Prison and participate in a Catholic Communion Service. We are usually paired up with another volunteer. My usual partner is Deacon Jay Dallas. We swap off leading the communion services. One week its Jay and the other week is Mike. The leader is responsible for delivering the homily after the Gospel reading. Jay always does a great job...he is gifted in this area. I typically "borrow" other peoples homilies from websites such as homilies.com :-). This time it was my turn to lead and the Gospel reading was from Mathew 14, 13-21, the multiplication of loaves and fishes. I wrote my own homily. Yea!


I've posted my Homily below.


18th Sunday – Year A

Is 55, 10-11
Rom 8, 35,37-39
Mat 14, 13-21

Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes

This particular miracle, Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, is the only miracle that is recounted in all 4 Gospels. It is a very interesting note. Jesus did many things that could have been retold by all of the Gospel writers; however, it is only this miracle that made it in all four.

Let’s back up a little. Before all of this happens, Jesus hears of the terrible news of the death of John the Baptist. John was beheaded at the request of King Herod’s wife. Jesus was distraught and headed out on his sailboat for a little quiet time. The people heard about this and followed the boat along the shore. When Jesus got out of the boat, he was met by thousands of people. What would be your first reaction to being met by thousands of people, all needing something, at the moment when you would like to get away from it all? I would be a little upset, maybe overwhelmed. Not Jesus. His first reaction to the site was pity. “His heart was moved with pity for them.” He cured their sick the remainder of the day.

Evening was approaching and the disciples recommended to Jesus that he send them on their way. It was getting late, the people had nothing to eat and they should be going now. Jesus asks them how much there was to eat. The Gospel of John mentions that the disciples found a little boy that offered up 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Jesus ordered everyone to sit down on the grass. He then took the bread and fish, looked up into Heaven, said the blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. Does anyone see any similarities? It’s a lot like Mass. This is described as a prototype of the Eucharist. After everyone was satisfied…satisfied is another word for stuffed to the gills…Jesus asked for the scraps of bread be collected so that nothing would go to waste. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting the women and children.

Think about that for a moment. 5000 men. There is probably 1000…1500 men at Calhoun Prison? Imagine all of you gathering in 1 place and then tripling or quadrupling the size…and then adding women and children. There were probably at least 15000 people gathered on the shore! Now take the little bit that was offered, five loaves and two fish and try and feed 15000 hungry folks! Nevertheless, Jesus can do it! He can multiply whatever we give him and it will be more than enough. A little faith, a little encouragement for someone who needs to hear it, a little patience, a little compassion, a little generosity, a little of anything that you have to offer. That’s the miracle of it.

Jesus went on to walk on water, heal many more people, fed 4000 more people with 7 loaves and a few fish. Jesus and the disciples were headed back across the sea and the disciples were discussing among themselves that they forgot to bring bread to eat. Jesus said to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples concluded that “It was because they did not bring any bread”. Jesus said “You of little faith, why do you conclude among yourselves that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand, and do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many wicker baskets you took up? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you took up? How do you not comprehend that I was not speaking to you about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. In other words, beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

For me it is good to see that the disciples of Jesus weren’t getting the big picture on the first go around. It’s comforting to know that Jesus is there to point out the obvious to us, so we might follow the right path. It is also interesting to note that in the next few verses Jesus is preparing to give the power of binding and loosening to Peter. The power to teach and preach in the name of the Church. The power to make decisions on Earth that will be upheld in Heaven. Wow. That was a little bit of a side bar and I’m sure that we will discuss that in more detail at a later date.

To conclude, we all have something to offer. It might not seem like much, but Jesus can and will multiply it as He sees fit.

Peace of Christ be with You!

Flair

How is it that I can spend so much time on facebook, looking at flair? There are so many other things that I could be doing. At least it is fun, and I'm not hurting anyone. It brings joy to me and the ones on the receiving end of flair. I could actually say that, in a small way, I'm bringing world peace, one flair at a time. How about that. I've gone from "why am I looking at so much flair to.... world peace and harmony" in just a few sentences. :-)

These are a few of the rambling thoughts of mine.

Peace be with whomever stumbles across this site.

Hello World

'Hello World' is the first program output anyone does in a programming class. How appropriate is it that this be my first blog entry?

I don't have a real agenda for my blog...just random thoughts on subjects.

I better get back to work!