Beads of Joy Blog II (2025)

Walking by Faith: When Jesus' Word Is Enough  I've always been drawn to this scripture about the royal official who sought Jesus to heal his son. After spending two days with the Samaritans, Jesus continued to Galilee where, despite His saying that a prophet has no honor in his own country, the Galileans welcomed Him because they had witnessed His works in Jerusalem. In this story, I see a reflection of my own faith journey. Unlike the initial hesitation we sometimes see in Scripture, my faith in Christ has become the bedrock of my existence. When I read about the official taking Jesus at His word and departing without demanding proof, I recognize that steadfast trust in my own life. "Go, your son will live," Jesus told him. And the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. This resonates deeply with me. My relationship with our Lord Jesus isn't complicated at all by worldly distractions. I've worked diligently to orient my life toward...

The Journey Home: Finding Joy in God's Mercy I often find myself drawn to the Parable of the Prodigal Son during the season of Lent. In this powerful story, Jesus reveals the very heart of God's relationship with us. A father watches as his younger son demands his inheritance early, essentially wishing his father dead, and then squanders everything in dissolute living. Yet when this son returns home, desperate and humbled, the father doesn't wait for apologies or impose conditions. Instead, he runs to embrace him, clothing him in fine robes and throwing a celebration. "This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found," he proclaims with unrestrained joy. What a profound image of divine mercy! The father's boundless love mirrors God's overwhelming desire to welcome us home, no matter how far we've strayed. Just as the father in the parable watched the horizon daily for his son's return, so too does God eagerly await our homecom...

The Heart's True Prayer: Humility Before God's Mercy In today's gospel reading of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, we encounter a powerful testament to the robust nature of genuine humility and divine grace. This parable cuts to the heart of our spiritual journey, challenging us to examine the deepest motivations of our faith. The Pharisee stands prominently in the temple, his prayer a self-congratulatory monologue that echoes with pride. He meticulously lists his virtues, comparing himself favorably to others, particularly the tax collector standing nearby. His words ring with self-righteousness: "I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get." Yet, in his elaborate display of perceived righteousness, he misses the fundamental truth of our relationship with God. In stark contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, unable to even lift his eyes to heaven. His prayer is breathtakingly simple and profound: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."...

Love Without Limits: Embracing The Greatest Commandment In today's scripture, we have an encounter between Jesus and the scribe in Mark's Gospel. I am confronted with the most life-changing invitation of my spiritual journey. When the scribe approaches Christ, asking about the greatest commandment, he anticipates a complex theological explanation. Instead, Jesus responds with breathtaking simplicity and depth, distilling the entirety of divine relationship into two fundamental movements of the heart: love God completely, and love your neighbor as yourself. This isn't merely a religious prescription but a radical reimagining of human connection - a call that penetrates beyond ritual and reaches into the very essence of my being. The command to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength demands total surrender. Sadly, so many will not be able to do this. It's not a passive sentiment but an active, all-consuming commitment that requires us to orient every dimensi...

United in Christ: No Room for Neutrality In today's gospel, Luke 11:14-23 presents a profound spiritual confrontation that challenges the very essence of discipleship and spiritual allegiance. As Jesus confronts the accusation of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, He unveils a deeper theological truth that transcends mere religious rhetoric. The context is rich with tension: religious leaders attempting to discredit Jesus's miraculous work by suggesting His power originates from the evil one. Jesus responds with penetrating logic and spiritual insight. His argument dismantles their accusation by revealing the inherent contradiction in their claim. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? This rhetorical question exposes the fundamental weakness of evil – it cannot sustain itself through internal conflict. More importantly, it highlights the absolute power and unity of God's kingdom, which operates with perfect harmony and purpose. The most...

Fulfilling the Law: Seeing God's Law Through Love As I contemplate Jesus' words in Matthew 5:17-19, I am struck by the profound depth of His declaration: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them." These words resonate deep within my soul, challenging the superficial understanding of divine commandments that often plagues human religious practice. When I read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, I realize they are far more than a list of prohibitions. They are a blueprint for life - first with God and then with one another. Jesus reveals that these ancient laws are not merely external rules to be mechanically followed but profound invitations to transform our inner landscape of heart and spirit. He calls us to move beyond the letter of the law to its life-changing essence - love. My reflection leads me to understand that Jesus does not diminish the Old Testament prophecies but instead brings them to their ultimate fulfillment...

Radiant Surrender: Mary's Divine Encounter In the quiet solitude of Nazareth, a moment of extraordinary divine intervention would forever change the course of human history. The Gospel of Luke reveals a sublime encounter between the heavenly messenger Gabriel and a young virgin named Mary, an event that would become the pivotal point of God's plan of redemption. This celestial visitation represents not just a historical moment, but a profound invitation to participate in God's magnificent design of salvation, showcasing how an ordinary individual can become an extraordinary instrument of divine love. The angel's greeting is nothing short of remarkable, addressing Mary with unprecedented reverence: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." These words immediately distinguish this moment as something beyond the ordinary, signaling that Mary occupies a unique place in God's unfolding plan. Despite her initial confusion and natural human trepidation, Mary ...

Hometown Blindness: Recognizing Jesus Beyond the Familiar In today's scripture from Luke 4:24-30, we encounter our Lord in a moment of profound rejection. "Truly I tell you," Jesus declared to those gathered in the synagogue of his hometown, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown." These words resonate deeply as I consider how familiarity can indeed breed a certain blindness to the miraculous. The people of Nazareth thought they knew Jesus completely - the carpenter's son, the boy they had watched grow up among them. Their presumed knowledge became a barrier to recognizing His divine nature and mission. How often do I find myself in a similar position? The daily practice of faith can sometimes become routine, causing me to overlook the extraordinary presence of Christ in ordinary moments. The sacred mysteries I encounter regularly - in prayer, in Scripture, in the Eucharist - might lose their wonder simply because they have become familiar. Perhaps I no lon...

The Cultivated Garden: Repentance and Renewal In the quiet moments of my prayer this 3rd Sunday of Lent, I find myself standing with Moses before the burning bush, walking with the Israelites through the wilderness, and listening to Jesus speak of tragedy and fig trees. These readings weave together a powerful message of God's call to repentance and His abundant mercy that waits patiently for our response. In today's first reading from Exodus, scripture reveals God's self-identification to Moses: "I AM WHO I AM." This is not merely a name but an invitation into a relationship with Almighty God, an unchanging God who sees our suffering and comes down to rescue us. Just as God noticed the Israelites' affliction in Egypt, He notices our struggles today. He reveals Himself as a God who is present and active in human history, calling us to turn toward His voice that speaks from unexpected places - even burning bushes that are not consumed. In today's second rea...

The Father's Feast: Our Role in the Prodigal Story I love how the parable of the Prodigal Son begins with such a bold move - a son essentially tells his father, "I'm tired of waiting for you to die. Give me my money now." Talk about family drama! This young man takes his newfound wealth and heads for the bright lights of a distant country, living it up until every coin is gone. When famine strikes, he finds himself in the ultimate rock-bottom moment: envying pigs for their slop. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, his father watches the horizon daily, hoping for his return. When the son finally trudges home to practice his "Hire me as your servant." speech, his father spots him from a distance and runs - actually runs! - to embrace him, immediately planning the celebration of the century. The older brother, hearing the party music, refuses to join in, bitter that his faithful service never earned him even a small goat barbecue with friends. I think we all take t...

Stewards in the Vineyard: The Call to Faithful Stewardship In the Parable of the Tenants, Jesus tells of a landowner who plants a vineyard, leases it to tenants, and departs for another country. When harvest time arrives, the landowner sends servants to collect his fruit, but the tenants beat, kill, and stone them. Finally, the landowner sends his son, thinking they will respect him, but instead, they seize him, cast him out of the vineyard, and kill him, hoping to acquire his inheritance. The parable ends with judgment: the vineyard will be taken from these wicked tenants and given to those who will produce its fruits. This parable speaks profoundly to our role as stewards rather than owners of what God has entrusted to us. The vineyard represents God's kingdom, the tenants are those entrusted with its care, the servants are the prophets, and the son is Jesus himself. Each of us has been placed in our own portion of God's vineyard—blessed with talents, resources, relationship...

The Invisible Gap: Bridging of Abundance and Need In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Jesus paints a stark picture that continues to challenge us today. The rich man - clothed in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day - represents the epitome of worldly success. Yet at his very gate lies Lazarus, covered in sores, longing for even the scraps from the rich man's table. The physical proximity yet vast spiritual distance between these two men serves as a mirror for our own lives. How easily we become the rich man without realizing it. Our attention becomes consumed by career success, financial security, social media engagement, world travel, and endless entertainment options. These things aren't inherently wrong, but they create a dangerous bubble that blinds us to the suffering at our own gates. The rich man's sin wasn't his wealth itself, but his failure to see Lazarus as a fellow human being deserving of dignity and compassion. The chasm that separa...

The Silent Guardian: A Reflection on St. Joseph In the grand narrative of salvation history, some figures speak volumes through their silence. Among them stands St. Joseph, whose feast we celebrate today - a man whose quiet dignity and unwavering faithfulness echo across millennia, teaching us profound lessons about trust, obedience, and selfless love. Matthew's Gospel reveals the remarkable character of this carpenter from Nazareth. When faced with perhaps the most bewildering circumstance imaginable - discovering his betrothed was with child - Joseph's immediate response reveals his righteousness. Rather than exposing Mary to public disgrace, he planned to divorce her quietly, showing mercy even in what must have been personal anguish. But then comes the divine intervention: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." In these words, Joseph receives an invitation into a mystery far beyo...

Walking the Humble Path: Jesus's Warning Against Hypocrisy When I read Matthew 23:1-12, I'm struck by how Jesus addresses something we all struggle with - the gap between what we say and what we do. He speaks to his followers about the religious leaders with a message that still resonates today. Rather than condemning me, this passage invites me to a more authentic and joyful way of living my faith. Jesus points out how easy it is to get caught up in appearances - those impressive religious garments, special seats, and formal greetings that made the leaders feel important. I smile as I recognize this tendency in myself too! How often have I straightened my posture when someone important walks by, or mentioned my volunteer work in conversation just a bit more than necessary? These very human moments remind me that we all seek affirmation, but Jesus offers a better path. "The greatest among you must be your servant," Jesus tells us, and I find such freedom in these word...

My Decio-Dacey Family Heritage Our Arrival in America As the Dacey Family Historian, since 1983, and the inspiration of my Uncle Alphonse Dacey, I've devoted much of my life to uncovering our rich Dacey Family Story. It all began in 1875, when my ancestors, the Decios, first set foot on American soil. They arrived through the port of Philadelphia during a time when Ellis Island wasn't yet built as an immigration station. Philadelphia's busy harbor welcomed my family as they joined thousands of other Europeans seeking new opportunities in America. How We Became the Dacey's Even though my name is Irish (Dacey), I'm not Irish. Let me tell you all about it. When my family arrived, immigration officials at Philadelphia's port were known for their casual approach to recording foreign names. It was during this initial processing that our family name "Decio" was transformed into "Dacey" - an anglicized spelling that would better suit life in Amer...

Mercy and Compassion: Reflecting on St. Patrick's Example In Luke 6:36-38, Jesus delivers one of his most profound teachings on mercy: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you." These words establish a divine circle of compassion that begins with God's mercy toward us and continues through our mercy toward others. Like St. Patrick, whose feast we celebrate today, we are called to recognize that all we have received comes from God and to extend that same generosity to others. God's mercy serves as both our model and motivation. The Father's compassion knows no bounds—it seeks out the lost, heals the broken, and restores the fallen. This divine mercy isn't merely a sentiment but an active force that transforms lives. When Jesus instructs us to "be merciful as your Father is merciful," he...

The Transfiguration: Seeing Christ's Glory On this Second Sunday of our Lenten Journey, we are blessed with the account of the Transfiguration from the Gospel of Mark. Here, our Lord reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John – a moment of heavenly splendor breaking through the veil and giving the three disciples a peek into Jesus' Divine Glory. Our beloved Jesus leads these three disciples up a high mountain, away from the noise and concerns of daily existence. There, in that sacred place, He is transfigured before them. His garments become dazzling white, brighter than any earthly cleaner could make them. Moses and Elijah appear, conversing with Him – the Law and the Prophets bearing witness to the fulfillment of all God's promises. Peter, overcome with awe yet unsure how to respond, offers to build three tents – one for Jesus, one for Moses, one for Elijah. How like us! In moments of profound spiritual encounter, we often grasp for something practical to do, some...

Loving Our Enemies: Forgiveness Without Limits In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents one of his most challenging teachings: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." These words cut against our natural instincts for self-preservation and justice. When someone hurts us, our immediate reaction is often to hurt them back or, at minimum, get even. Yet Jesus calls us to a much higher standard - not just to tolerate those who wrong us, but to actively love them and seek their good through prayer. This teaching reveals the revolutionary nature of Jesus' vision for human relationships. By loving our enemies, we participate in the divine nature, reflecting God's impartial love that shines on both the righteous and unrighteous alike. This is not a sentimental love based on feelings, but a deliberate choice to extend goodwill toward those who may not deserve it. When we pray for someone who has hurt us, something begins to shift within our own hearts. The bi...

Reconciliation: The Path to Deep Transformation In Matthew 5:20-26, Jesus challenges the conventional understanding of righteousness by addressing the deeper issues of the heart. Jesus begins by stating that our righteousness must exceed that of the religious leaders of the time, establishing immediately that surface-level adherence to rules is insufficient. This sets the stage for his revolutionary teaching about anger and reconciliation, where he equates harboring anger with murder in terms of spiritual consequence. This radical equivalence demonstrates that deep transformation begins not with outward actions but with the condition of our inner lives. Jesus then provides practical guidance by prioritizing reconciliation over religious ritual. He teaches that before bringing a gift to the altar - before engaging in worship - we must first reconcile with those we've wronged. This teaching inverses the common religious hierarchy of his time, placing human relationships alongside div...