The Regional Directors continue their reflections.

All Souls Parish newly remodeled Sanctuary 
Picture by Joe Donelson

I was with a group of Boy Scouts hiking up near Bakerville CO. A crusty old man offered to show us his gold mine and we eagerly accepted. While entering the mine a wave of cold damp air enveloped us as the light of the entrance slowly disappeared behind us. Pulling out flashlights, we spied sparkling nuggets along the floor, stuffing them into our pockets, the miner said leave it be boys, its worthless Pyrite (fool’s gold) but we kept some just in case it was real gold after all. His lantern highlighted side tunnels that were from depleted gold veins that he’d dug up. Continuing deeper into the mountain, we came to a camp space off to the side of the main tunnel that was littered with empty kerosene cans, broken beer bottles and crushed empty food cans, old broken tools, a table with some magazines and a few cots were along the wall. We continued to follow the old man deeper into the mountain and our own flashlights began to dim and eventually they went dark, so we followed the old man with his lantern even closer.  He told us stories of the mine describing it as woman who revealed her secrets to him over the years. Some years the mine flourished and other times not, but he believed that she’d show him even more treasures if he just kept digging. As we came to another space that had several tunnels going in different directions, he said that while he would go on further, we had to leave.  At this point we panicked and said, “how were we going to get out”?

He simply said, turn around boys and she’ll let you go! Turning around we could see the entrance of the mine now far, far away, appearing as a barely visible and distant star. As our group got closer to the entrance the once small light got bigger and brighter, eventually we were free of the cold dark mine, and we gladly stood once again in the warm clear sunlight.

While this took place over 50 years ago, only recently did I realize that it would be a preview of my life experiences; searching, dreaming and running into dead ends; bouncing from good to not so good things whether it be actions, words or deeds. Most of us started out right having people help us become good members in the societies of family, school, work and daily life, and to pursue a life of faith. But life provides creative ways to enter into sin, or not: to sin or not has been, and will always be a choice we have to make.

Many of us make good decisions that include knowing the Lord and receiving Sacraments. Some ideas lead to the precipice of the proverbial dark side. When we find ourselves lost in the dark, chasing shiny things or pursuing selfish pleasures; admitting we need help is the first step to our rescue. God invites us to simply turn around and return to Him.

In this weekend’s gospel, there was an expectation of the Bridegroom's arrival; 5 ladies were smart (having extra batteries), 5 not so much, but I think it’s interesting that these people are somewhat familiar to us! Each person had become complacent waiting for the Bridegroom to appear, they desire to attend the wedding feast what we know as the Holy Mass, but someone in the story was alert enough to spread the word that the Bridegroom, the Lord, is here! Have we heard the news and are we ready for Him to return?

Deacon Kevin Leiner - Regional Director - St. Nicholas of Antioch

In Christ the Servant + Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Receive + Believe + Teach + Practice