{"id":6790,"date":"2020-05-01T20:42:40","date_gmt":"2020-05-02T01:42:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/?p=6790"},"modified":"2020-05-01T21:08:08","modified_gmt":"2020-05-02T02:08:08","slug":"the-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/the-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wpimg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"309\" src=\"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/w_firsttime2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/w_firsttime2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/w_firsttime2-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/w_firsttime2-500x221.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/w_firsttime2-624x275.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Thought I\u2019d go back for this one. Back to when we were children and life was always serving up moments that we\u2019d never experienced before. We\u2019ve become quite used to them by now; they hold no special power to ponder and wonder about. Not so when they happened for the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember when:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You made your first successful ride on a bike? Wonderful! <\/li><li>You got sick to your stomach. Where was it? At school? In the car? In the bathroom? \u201cWhat the heck is happening to me?!\u201d <\/li><li>Mom told you it was only a \u201cnightmare\u201d? (What\u2019s a nightmare mom?) <\/li><li>You fell and got the wind knocked out of you? Can\u2019t breathe! <\/li><li>You bumped your nose and the pain and watery eyes blinded you? <\/li><li>You ripped your pants in the back and the whole 3rd grade class roared with laughter? <\/li><li>Your first roller coaster ride? (Most people loved it. It terrified me.) <\/li><li>You caught the fly ball, sank the basket, got a hit, scored a touchdown? There are many \u201cfirst times\u201d. Some are very personal and for your memory only. But we all have times that have thrilled us and those that have pained us greatly. (Looking at my list above it seems I mostly remember the pain!)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>What did we learn or how did these things shape us in life? May I suggest a couple \u201clife lessons\u201d that these memories can bring? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Life is a mystery. The wonder or shock that certain times can bring remind us that we\u2019re not in charge. Life is bigger than us and we must learn to \u201ckeep our feet\u201d and \u201cdeal with it\u201d. <\/li><li>Happy or sad, in the end, most things turn out okay. (I mean look at you . . . you\u2019re here and still standing!) <\/li><li>These moments give us tools for dealing with life. Happy events let us know that life is good. Really good. We can hope. Sad or hurtful times can soften our hearts and give us a compassion for others who suffer. \u201cI know how it is brother. I\u2019m here if you need me.\u201d <\/li><li>These moments can turn us toward God. Unfortunately, it\u2019s mostly the hard times that bring us to our knees. The happy times . . . well, they\u2019re . . . fun! Remember the 10 lepers Jesus healed? Nine went skipping off home &#8211; &#8211; &#8211; only one returned to give thanks. <\/li><li>No really, suffering life\u2019s moments can bring amazing things. It can increase love Jesus told us this, \u201cSo now you are in anguish, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you.\u201d <a href=\"http:\/\/www.usccb.org\/bible\/john\/16:22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"John 16:22 (opens in a new tab)\">John 16:22<\/a> Think for a moment. Haven\u2019t the most joyful moments been proceeded by suffering? Mom? After the birth labor? Dad? When you came home to us from Afghanistan? <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>So here we are with a First Time for all of us . . . Pandemic 2020. What will it bring to the world? How will it change us? \u201cDo not waste this time.\u201d Pope Francis urges us. He points to this moment as a time to renew our turning to God, our resolve to be better people, to realize we are all connected as brothers and sisters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s time to grow. It can be a new day for all of us.\nBut first we need to wear these silly masks.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t be afraid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fr. Tim <\/p>\n<a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-24 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-facebook nolightbox\" data-provider=\"facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.holytrinityweb.com%2Fweekly%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F6790&#038;t=The%20First%20Time&#038;s=100&#038;p&#091;url&#093;=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.holytrinityweb.com%2Fweekly%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F6790&#038;p&#091;images&#093;&#091;0&#093;=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.holytrinityweb.com%2Fweekly%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2Fw_firsttime2.jpg&#038;p&#091;title&#093;=The%20First%20Time\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:24px;height:24px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px;margin-right:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Facebook\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"display: inline;width:24px;height:24px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/image\/social\/regular\/48x48\/facebook.png\" \/><\/a><a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-24 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-twitter nolightbox\" data-provider=\"twitter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share on Twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.holytrinityweb.com%2Fweekly%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F6790&#038;text=Hey%20check%20this%20out\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:24px;height:24px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px;margin-right:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"twitter\" title=\"Share on Twitter\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"display: inline;width:24px;height:24px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/image\/social\/regular\/48x48\/twitter.png\" \/><\/a><a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-24 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-linkedin nolightbox\" data-provider=\"linkedin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share on Linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.holytrinityweb.com%2Fweekly%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F6790&#038;title=The%20First%20Time\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:24px;height:24px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px;margin-right:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"linkedin\" title=\"Share on Linkedin\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"display: inline;width:24px;height:24px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/image\/social\/regular\/48x48\/linkedin.png\" \/><\/a><a class=\"synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-24 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-mail nolightbox\" data-provider=\"mail\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"Share by email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=The%20First%20Time&#038;body=Hey%20check%20this%20out:%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.holytrinityweb.com%2Fweekly%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F6790\" style=\"font-size: 0px;width:24px;height:24px;margin:0;margin-bottom:5px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"mail\" title=\"Share by email\" class=\"synved-share-image synved-social-image synved-social-image-share\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"display: inline;width:24px;height:24px;margin: 0;padding: 0;border: none;box-shadow: none\" src=\"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/image\/social\/regular\/48x48\/mail.png\" \/><\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thought I\u2019d go back for this one. Back to when we were children and life was always serving up moments that we\u2019d never experienced before. We\u2019ve become quite used to them by now; they hold no special power to ponder and wonder about. Not so when they happened for the first time. Remember when: You [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-weekly-column"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6790"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6797,"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6790\/revisions\/6797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.holytrinityweb.com\/weekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}