A Fisherman’s Journey Through the Ten Commandments
The Third Commandment: “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.” (Ex 20:8)
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
December brings the lakes of Alberta to s llness. Ice forms, four to eight inches thick, reminding us that
the waters of our lives are quie ng, slowing, and wai ng. Walking carefully on this ice can be like Saint
Peter stepping toward Christ on the stormy lake; every step requires trust; every movement anchored in
His hand.
Like ice fishing, where careful prepara on, pa ence, and respect for the environment are essen al, so
too must we approach the Lord’s Day. The ice-fishing tent may remind us of a manger, a space where life
is given and nurtured, yet it does not replace the Sunday liturgy or the real presence of God in the
Sacraments. Christ waits for us in His Church, not in the tent, not in the catch, but in the Eucharist.
Walking Toward Christ
Through the Eucharist, Christ dwells in us. Like Mary, who welcomed the Holy Spirit and bore Christ, we
become living temples and mangers when we receive Him. The angel’s gree ng; “Hail, full of grace,”
reminds us that our hearts must be prepared, restored in Confession, to receive Him worthily (CCC 1990–
1991; 2132).
When Peter walked on the stormy waters, his gaze was fixed on Christ. Likewise, walking on the ice this
December invites us to keep our eyes on the Lord. Just as the days start to lengthen around Christmas,
the prophecy of John the Bap st points us to the coming Light of Christ, which grows brighter in our
hearts as we welcome Him.
The Season’s Feasts
Dec 6 – St. Nicholas: The Saint whose generous heart prefigures Christ’s love for us.
Dec 9 – Feast of the Concep on of the Blessed Virgin Mary (UGCC tradi on): Observed one day
later than in the Roman calendar; a reminder of the richness of liturgical diversity within the
universal Church and Mary’s prepara on for the Incarna on.
Dec 24 – Christmas Eve: A day of strict fas ng for Ukrainian Catholics, preparing our hearts to
welcome Christ, the true Bread of Life.
Dec 25 – Na vity of Christ: Christ comes into the world; our manger becomes our sanctuary, our
hearts His dwelling place.
Dec 26 – Synaxis of the Blessed Virgin Mary: We honor Mary, who treasured every Word of God
in her heart.
Dec 27 – St. Stephen, First Martyr: A witness to the faith, reminding us to live God’s
commandments in word and deed.Prac ces for the Season
Daily:
Begin and end each day with the Sign of the Cross, invoking the Holy Trinity with deliberate
reverence.
Pray the Jesus Prayer while moving, drilling, or jigging. Each repe on a spiritual “cast” of trust
into God’s mercy.
Reflect silently before speaking or ac ng, le ng reverence shape your words and choices.
Approach Confession to restore your soul, making it a fi ng dwelling for Christ.
Unite fas ng, prayer, and charity during the Na vity Fast (Nov 15–Dec 24, also called St. Philip’s
Fast in popular devo on).
Weekly / Special Focus:
A end Sunday Divine Liturgy fully and ac vely; the Lord’s Day is the heart of the week.
Meditate on Scripture passages about Christ’s Incarna on, the Blessed Virgin, or the early
martyrs.
Observe and reflect on the feast of the week, allowing each celebraprepara on.
on to deepen your spiritual
Ice-Fishing as Spiritual Metaphor:
Walk carefully on the ice as you would walk in grace, approaching the Sacraments with
reverence.
Each drill hole and jig is like a prayer or act of faith; inten onal, pa ent, and trus ng in God’s
providence.
December marks the start of the ice-fishing season, different from November: no boat, no
cas ng, but drilling and jigging; like pa ent, deliberate spiritual effort.
Closing Reflec on
The lakes are frozen, the air crisp, and the earth wai ng for the light of Christ. Just as fishermen respect
the ice, measure each step, and drill with care, so we approach the Lord’s Day and the Eucharist. Christ
comes to dwell in us, transforming ordinary space into holy ground. May our hearts become living
mangers, our words gentle nets, and our ac ons casts of love into the deep.
Please pray for me, as I pray for you. We are in the same boat, walking carefully, trus ng the Master
Fisher, and awai ng the Christ Child together.
Fr. Slavko Dumeč, State Chaplain
Vivat Jesus!
