Deacon Tom Anthony

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

The Advent and Christmas Seasons are behind us. We have entered into Ordinary Time and are examining the Gospel of Matthew and its relationship to our faith. These past few months have gone by particularly fast and I myself have felt overwhelmed by responsibilities and obligations in my ministry and in my family life. There were periods where I found myself making decisions regarding where I should focus my energy while cutting back in other areas. When I had time to reflect on this behavior, I was very surprised. In the past, I would have just kept going forward and expending all resources I had in order to accomplish everything regardless if the outcome was poor, average, or above average. The goal was to clear the table at all costs. I had discovered an area where I had matured in comparison to previous years and I even had time to acknowledge it.

We as Christians are encouraged to take time and examine our conscious daily. It is a spiritual exercise where we reflect on our accomplishments and shortfalls throughout the day. Where did we go wrong? What could we have done better? How could we have better made decisions that built up the Kingdom of God on this earth and not tear it down? Were we Christ-like in our actions and our thoughts? Where did we do well? With the answer to each question comes an opportunity to make the adjustments necessary to bring ourselves closer to Jesus Christ. With the start of a new day comes a new beginning filled with repentance and recommitment to our Christian Faith.

Slight adjustments lead to greater adjustments and an ability to recognize the presence of Jesus Christ more fully within our spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of our lives. These small adjustments lead to a strong foundation and will enable ourselves to achieve greater things as we progress forward. We are never fully complete in our transformation into a better person. The process itself is where we are able to discover the greatest joy. By fully living this experience and savoring every moment is where we will find contentment and satisfaction. Jesus himself said, “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” It is living through these adjustments where we truly experience the Kingdom of God.

I have been given the privilege of witnesses Jesus Christ through the actions of others. Those who answered the call of Jesus and have served in the Prison Ministry as well as in the Knights of Columbus brought Jesus Christ to me. As I have made my adjustments to experience Jesus Christ, so many have come forward to join in a shared experience that has exemplified Jesus Christ and taught me so much more. Surrendering to Jesus Christ invites one’s heart to be filled with His love. This love permeates through everyone and everything. Letting go and letting God is the key. It is not only through these ministries where I have experienced this but through all of my Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ. Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is truly in our midst. I am humbled by what has occurred and what is occurring.

This experience led to an apex about two weeks ago. While taking a mini-vacation, I contracted a bacterial infection in my leg which led me to be hospitalized for the first time in my life. I spent ten days battling the infection including two surgeries and tremendous pain. There was genuine concern that the infection had spread to my blood and to the bone. The loss of my foot was a possible reality. I felt that it was no accident that just a few days prior to the infection I mused during a bible study that I found it ironic that I felt called by Jesus Christ to Prison Ministry and found Hospital Ministry very foreign and intimidating to me. It was through that examination of conscious that I was united to the Suffering Christ and walked His Passion.

Jesus Christ humbled me and stripped me spiritually, mentally, and physically. I was lonely, hurting, and broken. It was through the prayers, visits, telephone calls, and constant pastoral care given to me by my Brothers and Sisters that dragged me through this time of hopelessness. I felt loved. I also experienced the needs of those who are sick and infirmed. It was a connection that Jesus Christ gave to me. It was as if He said, “To understand it, you must live it!” And live it I did. None of us are helpless and alone. No one should ever feel that way. It is up to all of us to bring Jesus Christ to the world through all of our thoughts and actions.

Now, I continue to heal. It is not just the physical healing but the spiritual one. To truly be able to minister to others, one must also be ministered to.

Thank you Jesus.

Deacon Tom