Washington Hotwire
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Patricia Overy’s Example To Christian Working Parents

March 8th, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

A week ago, last Monday, Patricia Overy, 40, wife, and mother of 4, in Lathrop, California, decided to give up her job so that a colleague would not be fired.

Among her reasons [see http://www.washingtonhotwire.com/?p=873 ] – the time it gives her to be with her young children.

A teenager, a 7-year-old, and 4-year-old twins. 

The children’s reaction is poignant.

“The twins were like, ‘Mommy are we staying home with you tomorrow?’

My son says, ‘Mom are you going to start taking me to school?’” 

Reacting, Patricia Overy says — “I want to be more of a participant in my kids’ lives and what they’re doing.”

And, that, really is Patricia Overy’s Example to Christian working parents.

To be there in her children’s lives. 

But, beyond that Joyful prospect, is a 2nd Example.

To learn to live on one salary.  That of her husband, alone. 

Things will get a little tight. 

However, Patricia Overy has the answer.  “Maybe a little tighter budget.” 

“But,” in the end, “we’ll be fine.”

We will be fine.  But, on what basis?

Says Patricia Overy – their needs are simple. 

And, that is the 3rd Example to Christian working parents.

Being an active participant in her children’s lives, and living a simpler life, doesn’t faze Patricia Overy.

Remember — that’s how our grandparents lived.

And, remember the result?  Well-adjusted children.

The product of a stable environment.

Because, Mom was always there.

When children went to school.  When they came back.

That’s all that children want.

Mom there all the time.  Dad home in the evening.

As for the sacrifices? – the tighter budget?

It will be of no consequence to the Overy family, the Overy children.

The Lord provides for those who care for others. [Matthew 6:30-33] 

And, it is this Lord we thank.

For this Christian wife.  This Christian life.  This shining example to us all.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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Act Of Christian Love — Patricia Overy Gives Her Job To A Colleague

March 6th, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

Last Monday morning there were some 21 million people unemployed in the US.

By Monday evening it was 21 million + 1.

Patricia Overy.

For, Patricia Overy, 40, wife, and mother of 4, in Lathrop, California, gave up her job so that a colleague would not be fired.

Of such people Jesus has said – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. [John 15:13 KJV – King James Version]  

Patricia’s kind of Love is akin to the Lord’s.  Who lay down His life for us.

And, it is rare.

But, even in its rarity it is a Joyful event.  For it peals out that most Christian of virtues, Hope.

The Hope, the belief, that this is still a world worth living in!

A world still worth living in — because of people like Patricia Overy, who help make it so.

Patricia’s reasons for doing what she did –

A husband who supports her Christian act.

He works.  They have Health-Care from his job. 

At 40 she is younger than her colleagues, and feels that can cope with a job loss better than they can.  And, has a better chance at getting a new job than them.  

And, besides, it gives her time with her young children – a teenager, a 7-year-old, and 4-year-old twins. 

“The twins were like, ‘Mommy are we staying home with you tomorrow?’

“My son says, ‘Mom are you going to start taking me to school?’” 

Patricia Overy — “I want to be more of a participant in my kids’ lives and what they’re doing. I’m going to re-evaluate that a little bit.”

And, finally, says Overy – their needs are simple. 

Things will get a little tight.  However, Patricia Overy has the answer.  “Maybe a little tighter budget.”  “But,” in the end, “we’ll be fine.”

Amen.  And, amen.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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Jesus’ Recruitment Model – Hand-Picked, Not Hired — Part 2 of 2

March 4th, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

Recruitment is the single most critical activity in a Christian Business.

It behooves the Christian Businessman, therefore, to Pray before taking a person into the Business.

The person being taken into the Business must be Hand-picked from the Community.  Not a hire off the street.  Or, out of a bunch of Résumés. 

It must be a person whom the Christian Businessman knows well.  A person whom he has observed in personal and professional settings over several years. 

Just as Jesus knew His Apostles.

He, working as a Carpenter, knew the fishermen Simon Peter and Andrew, and Zebedee’s sons James and John [Matthew 4:18-22 KJV], intimately.

And, they – Him.  Equally intimately.

They not only knew the Man, Jesus.  They, also, were aware of His emerging Mission.

Teaching people to Love.

Not – love your Neighbor as yourself.  But – Love one another as I have Loved you [John 13:34 KJV paraphrase].

No wonder they — the fishermen Simon Peter and Andrew, and Zebedee’s sons James and John – joined Him Immediately when He called!  Without any hesitation!

And, not just without hesitation.  Without reservations.

They were Unequivocally joined with Him in His Mission.

Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom [Matthew 4:23 KJV].

Here, then, is the Recruitment model for the Christian Businessman.

The Christian Businessman Prays to Our Lord for guidance in his Recruitment endeavor.

He calls – he Chooses — a person from his Community.

And, note – it has to be from the Community.

Just as the Apostles were all members of Jesus’ local Community.

The Christian Businessman’s Honor, his Integrity, his Righteousness, are so not in dispute that the person called / Chosen comes — Immediately.

And, not just Immediately, but, is joined so unshakably with the Christian Businessman – Stands with him — in the implementing of the Mission of the Christian Business.

Which is — the advancement of the Kingdom of God. 

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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Jesus’ Recruitment Model – Hand-Picked, Not Hired – Part 1 of 2

March 2nd, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

Would you like to have people in your Company who are –

Thoroughly Reliable? 

Completely Dedicated?

Given to Perfection?

Not Slackers?

Not prone to Absenteeism?

Satisfied with their Wages?

Happy with the Work?

Then, Recruit the way Jesus did!

His Apostles were model Workers.  All except Judas Iscariot, of course. 

And, serve as a model for Christian workers today.

But, so does Jesus’ Recruitment model.

The Recruitment of the Apostles is the seminal event in Christianity.

Without them, Christianity would have gone nowhere.

And, as if to underline its critical nature, the Recruitment of the Apostles is detailed by each one of the three Synoptic Gospels writers – Matthew, Mark, and Luke.   

In Mark 3:13-19.  Thrice in Matthew – Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9, and Matthew 10:1-4.  And, in Luke 6:12-16. 

Luke highlights the 4 Unique aspects of Jesus’ Recruitment system.

12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples…..[Luke 6:12-16 KJV – King James Version]. 

The 4 Unique aspects of Jesus’ Recruitment system are these –

First, Jesus Prayed before He made his decision. 

Second, Jesus Chose His Apostles.

Third, Jesus evoked an Immediate response from them.  The Apostles joined Him without hesitation.

Fourth, Jesus secured their complete loyalty.  They Stood with Him in the furtherance of His mission.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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Jesus’ Employment Model – Co-Owners, Not Co-Workers Or Employees

February 28th, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

Jesus did not hire Workers to send forth His Message. 

Or, Employees.

He chose Co-Owners.  The Apostles.

To take His work forward.

What’s the difference?

And, what difference does it make?

The difference is this.

A Worker, a Co-Worker, an Employee — is a Hired Hand.  In Jesus’ words – an Hireling.

A Co-Owner is, well – a Co-Owner.

Jesus talked about the Hireling in John 10:11-16.

“But he that is an hireling…..whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth…..”  [John 10:12 KJV – King James Version]

Why fleeth?

“The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”  [John 10:13 KJV]

Because an Hireling – Workers or Employees — careth not for the sheep, Jesus did not hire Workers or Employees to take His Message to the world.

He knew that at the first sign of Affliction, the Hirelings, any Workers and Employees he would have recruited, would flee. 

Leaving His flock to be scattered and slaughtered. 

A Co-Owner, on the other hand, cares.

And, that is why He handpicked the Apostles.

And, made them Co-Owners of His Mission.

Jesus talked about Co-Owners, also, in John 10:11-16. 

Likening them to the Good Shepherd.

“…..the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”  [John 10:11 KJV]

As the Apostles did.

The willingness to sacrifice their all is the essential characteristic of Co-Owners.

Being co-equal with the Owner, Co-Owners, like the Apostles, give everything.

Their Imagination.  Their Innovation.  Their Physical strength.  Their Spiritual energy.

Which led to the Surge of Christianity in its early days.

Christian Businesses, and Christian Businessmen, fail to Surge because they do not adopt Jesus’ Employment model.

They take in Hirelings.  Whose sole interest is their own welfare.

And, not Co-Workers.

Who, like Christian Business Owners, and Christian Businessmen, and the Apostles, work to the Glory and Honor of Our Lord.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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Can A Christian Businessman Employ A Worker? – Emphatically, No!

February 26th, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

So, what’s a Christian Businessman to do?

Simple.

Set up a One-Man Business.

That’s all a Christian Businessman can do.  If he follows the Example of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus said – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…..” [Matthew 28:19 KJV – King James Version]

And, each one of the Apostles went away on their Mission.  Individually.

Jesus could have trained teams of Disciples to go with them.  But, He did not.

Why this One-Man Business model?

Because, the One-Man Business model establishes a direct relationship between the Businessman and Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And, causes him to put his entire Trust, his entire Life, his entire Future, his entire Fortune, in Our Lord’s hands.

If a One-Man Business indulges in Unethical, or Immoral, or Sinful, behavior – the effects of these Unholy Actions are felt by the Business almost immediately. 

And, the Businessman, then, promptly reorders his steps along the paths of Righteousness.   

This is why Our Lord instituted the One-Man Business model.

To save Sinful Man from himself.  From his own, Natural, Sinful, self. 

So, if the model-Example that Jesus left us is that of the One-Man Business – can a Christian Businessman employ another as a Worker?

Clearly – no!

But, the Christian Businessman can employ another as a co-Owner.

A man, who, like himself, as co-Owner, would be utterly dependent upon Our Lord Jesus Christ for livelihood.

Quite unlike a Worker who would be dependent upon the Businessman.  And, not upon the Lord.

A situation quite unacceptable within the Christian ethos.

So, to answer the question – can a Christian Businessman employ a Worker?

A Worker – no.

A co-Owner – yes.

With a Worker the Christian Businessman’s devotion to the Lord is halved.

With a co-Owner, it is redoubled.

And, redoubled again – when the co-Owner leaves to establish his own Business.

All the while Praising both the Lord, and the man.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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Jesus Would Disapprove Of RiverHills Bank, Big Companies

February 24th, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

The RiverHills Bank began foreclosure proceedings against Terry Hoskins.

Two weeks ago Hoskins razed his $350,000 Clermont County, Ohio, home to the ground.

Would Jesus have approved of Terry Hoskins’ action?

No.

But, Jesus would not have approved of RiverHills Bank’s action, either.  [Vide Infra -- see below.]

In fact, Jesus would not have approved of RiverHills Bank.  Period. 

Or – and I’d better get this in before I get angry missives for singling out RiverHills Bank — any Big company, for that matter.

In fact, Jesus will not approve of any Company bigger than a one-man show.

Jesus could have trained teams to accompany the Apostles as they went forth to preach the Gospel [Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10 NIV – New International Version].

But, He did not.

Instead He sent the Apostles, one by one.

Each Apostles was a one-man show.  A One-Man Business.

This is the Example of Business Organization that Jesus left us.  The One-Man Business.

Why would Jesus only approve of a One-Man Business model?

Because, only in a One-Man Business is a direct relationship established between Man and Jesus.

Between the Businessman and the Blessings that flow from a relationship with Our Lord.

If a One-Man Business indulges in Unethical, or Immoral, or Sinful, behavior – the effects of these Unholy Actions will be felt by the Business almost immediately. 

And, the Businessman will promptly reorder his steps along the paths of Righteousness.   

Not so in Big Business, where behavior and ethics are far removed from each other.

Terry Hoskins found the $160,000 that is owed on his home.

But, RiverHills Bank refused. 

Saying, according to Cincinnati Channel 5 at http://www.wlwt.com/news/22600154/detail.html , “they could get more from selling it in foreclosure.”

Such rancor!  Such malice!  Such animosity!

This is what happens to human nature in Big Business. 

This is what happens when Businessmen do not have a direct relationship with Our Lord.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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A Christian Concept Of Competition Wins Lysacek Vancouver Olympic Gold

February 22nd, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

In the end, it was not Artistry, or Technical Skills, or, even understanding the new Scoring System.

What won Gold for Evan Lysacek of Naperville, Illinois, in men’s Figure Skating, at the Vancouver Winter Olympics on Thursday [02/18/2010], was his deep-seated, almost indwelt, understanding of the Christian Concept of Competition.

That — a Christian never competes against another.

A Christian only competes against himself.

To be better than before.

As Lysacek told nbcolympics.com  — “Each step [in the men’s Figure Skating event] wasn’t planned to win this gold medal. It was to have a personal victory…..”

A personal victory. 

That is — besting oneself. 

Not – beating another. 

The consequences of Christian Competition, as one might expect – are Godly.

No bitterness at the Result, no animosity towards the Winner, no protest of the Marking system, no questioning the decision of the Judges.

Or, as Lysacek put it – “My goal and my plan was to skate the way I skated and leave the rest to the judges and not argue their choices, their scores — just accept them whatever they may have been.”

But, a Christian Concept of Competition would be a very poor Concept, indeed, if all it involved was Self.

Getting better and better, personally.

Christianity is nothing – if it is not about The Other.

About, helping The Other. 

And, not just helping The Other.  But, helping The Other get better.

Just ask the young skaters at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California.

After Lysacek finishes his punishing workouts at the Center, say skaters, he takes time to help them improve their skating skills.

In the end, though, the Christian Concept of Competition is not about Self – and Others. 

It is about Honoring Our Lord for the Gifts, the Talents, He has bestowed upon us.

That these may be to His Honor and His Glory.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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Father Anthony Mary MFVA Homily On Jesus, Work, And Prayer – Part 3 of 3

February 20th, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

Editor’s Note:  Father’s Homily, edited version below, was delivered January 13, 2010 on EWTN [Eternal Word Television Network]

Part 3 — Reconnecting Jesus With Work – And, Finding Profound Meaning In It

And my Sister I remember being very amused by that.  “Sometimes I just sit.” 

Well, what?  “What do you do when you just sit?” 

And, he would kind-of chuckle.  And, he couldn’t explain that to us.  He always thought that was a kind-of funny, clever, little line to little children. 

And, sometimes that’s what we need to do to start out with the Lord.  Sometimes, I just need to sit. 

Jesus, on this occasion was communing with His heavenly Father. 

And, imagine what a child does when he or she wakes up at the crack of dawn. 

Notice little children.  They go to bed early.  They’re not worrying about burning the midnight oil.  They go to bed early.  And, they get up real early.  All of you have had children and you know how early they get up.  And, they’re ready to go. 

But, what happens when a little child first wakes up?  They don’t start running that instant.  But, many times they want to be just held for a little while.  And, sometimes they’re just very quiet.  They’re with their Mother.  Or, they’re with their Father.  And, everything is so quiet.  So, they’re kind-of quiet, too. 

Sometimes that little whispering goes on between a little child and their Parent.  And, they’re re-connecting with their Mother or their Father.  It’s a new day for them.  A whole new experience for them to be loved. 

And, that is, you could say, to a degree, what Jesus was doing with His heavenly Father. 

That’s what we do in those first moments of the day.  Sometimes, simply being with Him.  And, simply re-connecting with Him.  Recognizing this is another day to live in God’s service.  And, to live as a recipient of His infinite Love. 

Jesus was very busy in His life carrying out His Mission and Work of Redemption.  And, in all of the activity of His day – notice that the night previous people were coming to the door of Saint Peter’s house and Jesus was healing all of them. 

And, then, after this account, when the Apostles find Him He said let us go now to the other villages and the other towns in order to preach the Gospel to these people.  Because, that’s the reason for which I have come. 

But, in between all of that activity early in that morning He stopped to Pray.  And, He went by Himself to be alone with His Father.  And, so He united Himself – all of that Work – His Work of Redemption – all of His activity – His care for God’s people – is united to the Will of His heavenly Father. 

And, that’s what we are invited to do each morning. 

There’s the typical and traditional practice of making a Morning Offering. 

The beginning of one of the Morning Offerings, given in various Prayer books, reads – O Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary I offer you all my Prayers, Works, Joys, and Sufferings, of this day. 

And, there’s often a reference in the Morning Offering uniting everything we do with the Offering of Christ in the Mass.  The Sacrifice of Christ in the Mass. 

We unite ourselves with the Intentions of His Sacred Heart. 

And, so, basically, our life, then, has purpose and meaning. 

Everything that we do – all the activity of the coming day – all of the Fears, the Worries, the Concerns, the Joys, the Sorrows – anything we experience that day — has meaning and purpose because it is united to Christ.  And, to what He did while He was on earth.  And, especially, because of the work of Redemption on the Cross. 

And, so we don’t – we’re not wandering around all day without purpose or meaning.  And, everything seems as kind-of like a chaotic mess. 

All of a sudden [life] has this profound purpose of meaning because we’re living and being incorporated into the very Life, Mission, and Work, of Christ. 

And, all of that is done, particularly, through the Hands of Our Blessed Mother. 

We often encourage, and always encourage everyone to make the – live the – [life] first promoted by Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort.  And, everything he did — and he encourages us in living this [way] — is Offered to Christ by being a Slave of our Blessed Mother. 

And, so, renewing each day.  Either, our whole total consecration.  Or, part of it. 

These are words that we could say each morning as we begin our day. 

“In the presence of all the Heavenly Court I choose Thee this day for my Mother and Mistress.  I deliver and consecrate to Thee as they Slave my Body and Soul, my Goods both interior and exterior, and even the Value of all my Good Actions, past, present, and future, leaving to Thee the entire and full Right of disposing of Me and all that belongs to Me without exception, according to Thy good pleasure for the greater Glory of God in time and in eternity.  Amen”                                                                                     

Part 1 — Why Work Blocks Jesus Out Of Our Lives

Part 2 — Managing Work The Way Jesus Did — With Prayer
 

Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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Father Anthony Mary MFVA Homily On Jesus, Work, And Prayer – Part 2 of 3

February 18th, 2010 by Egbert F Bhatty

Editor’s Note:  Father’s Homily, edited version below, was delivered January 13, 2010 on EWTN [Eternal Word Television Network]

Part 2 — Managing Work The Way Jesus Did — With Prayer 

And, yet, if the true Savior of the Universe made time to Pray, then, we who are these mini-Redeemers in our own minds, or these little Saviors of our own Universe — if Jesus Christ Himself stopped to Pray to the Father, then there is no excuse for us. 

And, we recognize the lie and the trick of the Enemy that we always fall prey to.  He lures us into this idea, this notion without us realizing it, that we are our own little Gods.  A little God of our own World.  And, ultimately, we lose sight of our need for the True, One, Only, Living, God. 

In the Gospel today we heard the passage “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he Prayed.” [Mark 1: 35  NAB – New American Bible]  He was not driven out of the house early in the morning because Saint Peter was complaining that his Mother-in-Law was healed. 

But, Jesus got up on His own and went out very early in the morning. 

They say this time was right at, at the time of dawn, right before dawn.  So dark.  And,  the sun is coming into the world. 

And, we’re encouraged in listening to that to try this in our own lives and to imitate the very practice of Jesus Himself. 

‘Tis the time when the whole world is quiet.  It’s before all of the activity begins.  It’s the first moment of the day.  So what do we give to the Lord but that which is first to acknowledge Him? 

But…..we are hesitant.  It sounds almost frightening or torturous rising very early before dawn.  Most of just cringe by the very sound – Early?  Before dawn?  You have got to be kidding! 

A number of years ago the Seminarians from – the Seminary in Denver – many of them are now Ordained, I believe, did make this CD to help promote St John Vianney’s Seminary there.  And, they had this beautiful music and they had the voices of the Seminarians intermingled with some of the music, giving their reflections on what it was like to be a Seminarian. 

And in one of them – it was like we were hearing it …… Eeeh, Eeeh, Eeeh, Eeeh.  And the other Seminarians kind of just go Oooooh.  You know.  And, then you can hear like the creaking of the floor, and…..just steps. 

If you’ve been in a Seminary you understand that sound.  Everybody moving.  Then one of the Seminarian’s comment: we are all on a little pilgrimage each morning as we step out of our rooms, walk down the hall to go and Pray together in the Chapel.  And, to offer praise to God. 

But they have one Seminarian [who makes] a little sarcastic comment.  He says “I offer 3 snoozes in the morning in honor of the Trinity.”  [Congregation laughter] 

You know, so everybody has their little techniques.  But, he spiritualized that.  It’s in honor of God. 

And, yet, the challenge for us today in just taking that one line from the Gospel “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” [Mark 1: 35  NAB] would be the challenge for us to put things aside earlier in the evening. 

Many times you hear Parents say – there’s nothing good that happens after dark.  When parents are telling their teenagers to be in before midnight — because after midnight there is nothing to do but get into trouble.  I think we can say that same thing to ourselves as adults. 

Most of us can’t even make it to midnight.  So, we can say – there’s nothing good that happens after 8:30 [pm]. 

You know –so, go to bed early. 

And, just limit yourselves [to a] half hour.  I’ll go to bed [a] half hour early tonight. 

So that I can offer at least 2 of those snoozes to the Lord in the morning.  I’ll take 1 snooze but the other 2…..

Most alarm clocks give you about a 9-minute snooze period.  So if you take 2 of those – that’s about 18 minutes.

Just get out of bed – give yourself 2-3 minutes to get yourself sort-of oriented – and you give the Lord 15 minutes. 

And, you’ve given Him these early minutes of the day – the first minutes of the day. 

And, so the question would be — Father, what am I supposed to do in that time? 

Don’t worry about what you’re supposed to do. 

The intention initially is – OK, I’m making this effort to give these minutes – these first moments of my day — to the Lord.  And, to just simply be with Him. 

My Grandfather – he was getting older.  My Sister and I were still small enough to stand in front of him and look at him in his La-z-Boy chair.  And, I think, we wondered what he did.  What does an old person do?

And he would look at us and he would say to us – “Sometimes I just sit and think.”  And, then, he said – “Sometimes I just sit.”  [Congregation laughter]

Part 1 — Why Work Blocks Jesus Out Of Our Lives

Part 3 — Reconnecting Jesus With Work – And, Finding Profound Meaning In It

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

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