Father Michael

June 5th, 2022 Feast of Pentecost Tongues of fire appeared over their heads A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “The Holy Spirit: Gift of the Father” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Pentecost (literally, 50-days…after Passover,) is the Greek term used to refer to the Feast of Weeks—originally, an agrarian celebration to commemorate the wheat harvest. On that day, special sacrifices were offered from grateful farmers, who brought the Lord the first fruits of their crops. In second-century-Judaism, the feast became a remembrance of the “gift of the Law,” to Moses, at Sinai (the Ten Commandments.) †Luke combines the harvest, moral formation, the Law, affirmation, new membership and the New Covenant, in today’s selection for our First Reading (Acts 2:1-11.) Therein, he highlights the Gifts of the Spirit, peoples gathering for instruction, and a vitalization of the very life of God in Christ. Just as Jesus was filled by the Spirit, and empowered for His ministry of healing and service, so also are we, His disciples. ~~~ A valuable lesson could be learned from †Paul’s attitude toward—and counsel to—those who claimed a monopoly on the Spirit by virtue of what they had received and the ministries they exercised. Our Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12: 3-13,) shows how the faithful were blessed by their plentiful gifts— varied and diverse in manifestation—through which they taught, counseled, excited and motivated their listeners. In order to preserve the continuity of the Gospel, †Paul did not favor one gift over another; nor did he condemn the unusual or condone the ordinary. Rather, he turned the eyes of all toward the Giver, the Source of their unity and the Reason for their existence. His metaphor of the body, with all its interdependent parts, (to denote “members” of the faithful,) was a familiar one for the Stoic philosophers of the time. As one so gifted himself, he often used his visions to motivate others to a deeper and more meaningful experience of Jesus, and His Gospel. ~~~ Today’s Gospel selection (John 20: 19-23,) reminds us of the Genesis account of creation, wherein God breathed love, peace and His own Likeness into a disordered universe: The exalted Jesus breathed upon His disciples, by which they received life, peace and a bond of union with Him that would sustain them until His second Advent. While He was still among them, and before His passion, Jesus had promised the Spirit, (the Paraclete,) to His followers. With His Spirit empowering them, they would be assured of every peace and joy. Motivated and defended by His Spirit, they would be able to do great works—even grander than Jesus had done. Perhaps the primary meaning of today’s Gospel is that the peace and forgiveness that had characterized the efforts of the earthly Jesus were being granted to Jesus’ disciples—in their power to forgive sins in His name (which has become our modern Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation.) The multi-faceted event of Easter-Ascension-Pentecost vindicated the moment of the cross and proved it to be a sign, not of failure, but of forgiveness. The Role of the Spirit We would find it impossible to live the life of a Christian without the help of the Holy Spirit. But to appreciate that role, we must begin with Jesus, Himself. Even He needed the Spirit, Who played a major function in His life—descending upon Him at His Baptism, and remaining with Him, continually strengthening and guiding Him throughout His public ministry. At its beginning, we read the lovely words of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1.) What a beautiful mission! And, how faithful He was to it. Jesus was filled with the Spirit, and power went out from Him through His gracious words and compassionate deeds. It was the Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead. It was the Spirit Who opened the minds of the disciples, helping them understand the meaning of His death. Jesus poured out the Spirit on those who were to carry on His mission—descending upon them, individually and collectively. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they began their mission, and we are witnesses to the great courage and confidence with which they did so. That same Spirit descends upon us, too, at our Baptism and Confirmation. The Spirit is not given for a moment, but accompanies us on our life-journey, in the “footsteps of Jesus.” The Spirit gives us power to participate in His work by granting us strength in times of weakness; being our guide in times of doubt; acting as our counselor in times of sadness; and our Advocate, always pleading “our case” to God. We learn of the gifts of the Spirit from the Old Testament (Isaiah 11:2:) wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. The first three guide our minds and assist our consciences in knowing “right” from “wrong.” As we mature, our knowledge expands. As we gain piety, we will utilize our gifts without conceit. Fortitude (courage) enables us to do the right thing even when it is difficult or unpopular. Having awe and reverence for God is what is meant by “fear of the Lord.” †Paul tells us the “fruits” of the Holy Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23.) Through these beautiful attributes, we find happiness in life. In contrast, he warns against self-indulgence, from which originates bad temper, fighting, jealousy, cruelty, meanness, revenge, fornication, idolatry and drunkenness. These ugly demeanors produce only misery. The more we renounce “ourselves,” and “walk in the Spirit,” the more “fruitful” our lives become. The Spirit we have been given does not promote “timidity,” but, “power.” Wind and fire/heat are symbols of power (signified in today’s Mass by the red vestments of the priest.) Wind has the power to move, to uproot. Fire has the power to refine and transform. The power, thus symbolized, is that of God. The coming of the Spirit provided the apostles with the energy, the courage, and the love to accomplish their task, which Christ had given them. The power of the Holy Spirit is there for each of us, too, ever-leading us along the path of righteousness toward our eternal salvation. We simply have to “ask, and it shall be given” to us The Miracle of Change People change when they are given hope—when someone believes in them, giving them purpose. Above all, they change when they are loved. Then, they “come out of their shells,” and hidden energies are released. The miracle of “human change” can be said to be the only “true” miracle! Each of us has the capacity for goodness. We have hands that can care; eyes that can see; ears that can hear; tongues that can speak; feet that can walk; and, above all, hearts that can love. But we also have individual “handicaps” that keep us from realizing our true, and full “selves.” We need someone, and/or something to awaken what is hidden inside us. Then we will find the joy in life, and we will grow. Profoundly disabled people, when locked away in institutions and effectively “abandoned” by society, often become even more withdrawn and despairing. A wounded body will heal, naturally, but not a wounded heart. It will “harden,” in an effort to survive, and often become filled with anger and bitterness. But plentiful evidence exists to show that when such souls are integrated into a community, where they are loved, intense changes occur. A vivid example for us is that of the apostles, who were psychologically “wounded” after the departure of our Blessed Lord—so much so, that they kept cloistered in the “upper room.” But after Pentecost, they were “changed” people! With the coming of the Holy Spirit, they left their hiding place and set out courageously to preach the Gospel. For us, the followers of Jesus, the gentle power of the Holy Spirit is there, to awaken our latent courage, and help us live, prosper and overcome our weaknesses and failures. May God Richly Bless You! "What Spring does to invigorate cherry trees, the Holy Spirit will do for us." ~~Pablo Neruda-Poet~~ To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here: https://youtu.be/XKOQ_sktXPY Be Present, Spirit of the Lord.docx

May 29th, 2022 Feast of the Ascension Jesus ascends into Heaven A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Heaven and Earth” Reflections on Today’s Scripture †Luke follows contemporary practice, in today’s First Reading (Acts 1:1-11,) he echoes the close of his Gospel. First we have a brief review of the Gospel, then a summary of the conversation with Jesus and His apostles after the Resurrection, and then, a description of the Ascension. The cloud, upon which He ascends into the presence of God, the Father, will be the vehicle in which He will return at the end of time. The Ascension comes as a solemn finale to Jesus’ mission on earth and the beginning of a new era—the mission of the Church. Although no longer earthbound, Jesus continues to guide and direct His community. The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to become Christ’s “witnesses” on earth. Through us, His message reaches out to ever-widening circles of humanity. ~~~ In today’s Second Reading, †Paul seeks to give us a “cosmic” understanding of Christ’s role among us (Ephesians 1:17-23.) God has raised Jesus above all nebulous powers to His due position as the Crown of creation. He is first-born of all creation, by nature, and first to be born from the dead by His Resurrection—He is first in every way! Christians who are baptized into Christ have risen with Him, and with Him have been exalted into heaven, and so also glorified. Our final exaltation will occur for us at the moment of our death, and the Ascension is the example of our own rising into everlasting life. ~~~ The Ascension is the culmination of Jesus’ life and the start of the Church’s mission. At the close of †Luke’s Gospel, we have been shown that the “time of Israel” yielded to the “time of Christ,” and thereafter, to the “time of the Church” (Luke 24:46-53.) It is a summary of the last commission of Jesus to His disciples, as we heard in the beginning of Acts Jesus cites the Old Testament as the basis for insight into the age of fulfillment, the suffering of the Messiah and His Resurrection. As always, there is the proclamation of repentance and forgiveness of sins to humankind. Knowledge of Christ, in the Biblical sense of acceptance and commitment, is the essence of Christian life; and is obviously the first requirement of an apostle. A Strange Path to Glory The apostles hoped and dreamed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. But when He was put to death, their dream was reduced to rubble. A humiliated, crucified Messiah was unthinkable. They searched the Scriptures for answers, but found none. However, gradually, their minds were opened and they realized there was another way of looking at Scripture. All the prophets had foretold that the Messiah would suffer and die, and then enter into glory. He would take this strange path to glory, and on the feast of the Ascension, we celebrate His glorification. The humble Jesus who suffered and died now reigns in glory at the right hand of the Father. From a worldly point of view, the hour of Jesus’ death was an abject failure, full of shame and humiliation. But by raising Him from the dead, the Father turned it into an hour of triumph for Jesus. His death was precisely the way in which that was realized. The apostles came to understand the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection: glory, attained through suffering—first the pain, and then the joy. Jesus’ place at God’s right hand is His by right of His divine sonship, but He renounced that right, and won it back by right of His loving service. It wasn’t His suffering that earned Him that glory, but the life He led—a life of service and self-sacrifice—even to death, from which He emerged victorious by His resurrection. In doing so, He didn’t seek His own glory, but that of His Father. Jesus’ path to glory was no easy one. But then, if it had been, it wouldn’t have been much help to us. After seeing Jesus ascend into heaven, the apostles returned to Jerusalem with joy, because they were convinced that their beloved Jesus was alive. In our lives, we may find ourselves going down a “cold and lonely road.” At such times, we must remember we are not alone—the Risen Lord journeys with us. He knows everything about human suffering, and is so close to us that our stories merge with His. Through His suffering and death we can make sense of our own challenges. The resurrection and ascension of Jesus open all our stories to the prospect, not just of a good ending, but of a glorious one. This feast is as much about us as about Jesus. His ascension shows us the goal of our earthly journey—a destiny that defies even our own imagination. This gives us an eternal dimension for our lives. Meanwhile, we have the task to preach the Good News and be His witnesses in the world. Presence and Absence Jesus ascension is the liberation from all restrictions of time and space. Rather than His removal from earth, it represents His constant presence everywhere on earth. Physical presence isn’t everything. In fact, it can sometimes actually get in the way of intimate communication. Many of life’s disappointments are caused by the fact that seeing and touching do not always create the “closeness” that we seek. Two people can be physically close, and still live separate, lonely lives—because there is no meeting of their minds and hearts—like shells on the shore. However, we know that people can remain close to one another even though they are separated by thousands of miles. For people to grow together there must be periods of absence as well as presence. In absence we see each other in a new way: we are less distracted by each other’s idiosyncrasies, and better able to appreciate each other’s worth. If we try to be fully present to our friends when we are with them, our absence will also bear fruit. The memory of that presence, its warmth, will continue to nourish the other person. So, not only our presence, but also our absence, becomes a gift. When we think of each other with love, a spiritual bond is created between us, and we enter into a new intimacy. For those who love one another, there is no such place as “far away.” We may look back with envy at the people who were fortunate enough to have seen the Risen Lord with their own eyes. But the Gospels show us that those who were in that enviable position did not truly know Jesus until the Scriptures were expounded and the bread was broken. Christians of the present day have those same means of recognizing our Blessed Lord—the Scriptures and the Breaking of the Bread. In the matter of encountering Jesus with faith, a past generation is not more privileged than the present one. Jesus' ascension was not a journey into “outer space,” but a journey home. We must not think He has abandoned us; that He once lived on earth but has now gone back to where He really belongs. If this were so, then Christianity would be no more than a “remembrance religion.” Jesus has gone to God. During His earthly ministry, He could only be in one place at a time. But now that He is united with God, He is present wherever God is present…and that is everywhere. May God Richly Bless You! There's always another level up. There's always another ascension. More grace; more light; more generosity; more compassion; more to shed; more to grow. ~~Elizabeth Gilbert~~ Lift Him Up.docx To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here:

May 22nd, 2022 Sixth Sunday of Easter A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Renewal, Guided by the Holy Spirit” Reflections on Today’s Scripture For the most part, the first Christians were Jews, who had recognized Jesus as the Messiah. They were instilled with a centuries’ old negative attitude toward those who were not also Jewish. When they preached “The Good News” of Jesus, they utilized Jewish heritage and Scriptures to present Him as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. Nonetheless, they saw Christianity as the logical “sequel” of Judaism and raised the issue of the place of those who were outside conventional bonds of the Jewish covenant. Our First Reading, today (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29,) marks the final appearance of †Peter (in Acts,) and from then onward, promotes †Paul as the primary missionary figure. Two distinct factions arose at this time: those who believed Gentiles must go to Christ through Moses—sometimes called “Judaizers;”—and those who did not understand Christianity to be contingent on the Jewish matrix, or relevant to their belief in Jesus. Faith in Jesus was the keystone, overriding centuries of heritage and hate, bringing together all people to the same Eucharistic table. ~~~ Thoreau dreamed of “Walden,” and Huxley imagined a “Brave New World,” but neither could compare to the Holy City that †John envisioned for his contemporaries (Revelation 21:1-23.) Writing at a time when the earthly Jerusalem had already been razed (ca. 70 a.d.,) he “sees” the new city as one constructed, not by architects and masons of stone and mortar, but by God, Himself, built with/upon His people. Liberally using the cosmic number “12” (i.e. Tribes, Apostles, months, Zodiac signs,) †John makes it clear that the Holy City and its inhabitants would be ascribed to God, not astral movements. It would be built on apostolic preaching and teaching, wherein all activities would be permeated by holiness—without tensions between Church and state, nor between the dark and light sides of human nature. It would be illuminated by the glory of God and His revelation. ~~~ In †John’s Gospel, we learn that Jesus wished to bequeath peace and the Paraclete as gifts to His own, to be experienced by them after His departure. Together, they would make Christian life possible and their trials survivable (John 14:23-28.) The traditional Jewish greeting, “Peace-shalom,” characterized brothers and sisters as a covenanted people living in general completeness, and perfection, in which nothing is lacking. It was seen as a wish for abundance and prosperity to all mankind. Because of Jesus, and through the work of the apostles, peace, with its healing governance, was to be the hallmark of the awaited King and His Kingdom on earth. Like peace, the Paraclete/Holy Spirit was given as an abiding Gift to the Church, sent to His disciples by the Father. His role would be to provide an ongoing understanding and interpretation of all of God’s revelations to His people, and an ongoing, creative exploitation of the Holy Gospel. Peace in the Midst of Turmoil Like a massive beast with feet of clay and angel’s wings, the Church is an institution at once both human and divine. Even when the friction of opposing free wills ignites controversy, the Spirit of God is present to bring about compromise and accord; and to fulfill Jesus’ promise with possibilities of growth and unity among His followers. For some, “peace” is represented by dreamy landscapes with rolling hills and lakes, without one ripple on the surface. Such a scene evokes contentment and stillness. To others, it might be better be represented by a realistic, thundering waterfall crashing to the rocks below it. Yet, amid the fury of the onrushing water, we might find small, budding plants, peeking out from behind the base of the falls, and a sparrow’s nest, within which a small bird closely guards her eggs in the mist. This contrast of power and serenity could be seen to be analogous of our bustling world— with peace conveyed amidst the natural chaos of life. Peace is a communion with God, and Jesus was in perfect, peaceful communion with His Father at the Last Supper, in spite of the turmoil around Him. Peace isn’t the same as tranquility—an external factor. It is a state of inner calm and designates “right relations” with the Creator. Righteousness is an essential component of peace, and so it is said there is “no peace for the wicked!” If we are at peace with our God, we can find contentment even when surrounded by conflict and unresolved problems. Jesus didn’t offer us His peace in order to escape from reality, but to bask in its deep contentment, independent of outer circumstances. His peace is something that the world cannot give us, and when we have it, cannot be taken away. Peace is God’s gift to us, but it is also our gift to one another. My Favorite Poem I discovered “Desiderata” sometime in the late 1950s, as part of my youthful research into American poetry. From that time, it has been part of my most treasured literary works, and forming no small part of my optimistic outlook on life. Authored during the 1920s by Max Ehrmann, its origins have been confused due to its inclusion in some devotional materials by the Reverend Frederick Cates, rector of Old St. Paul’s Church, Baltimore, MD, in 1967. (The compilation included the church’s foundation date [1692,] which was taken as the time of its composition.) However, it has been for me, and for many people, the world over, a source of inspiration and meditation. I humbly include it here, as poignant for today’s theme: Desiderata Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. ~~Max Ehrmann, ca. 1927~~ May God Richly Bless You! Spirit of God.docx To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here: https://youtu.be/jxFhVgh8UuY Spirit of God.docx

May 15th, 2022 Fifth Sunday of Easter “Love One Another as I Have Loved You” A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Love, Strengthened by Faith” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Our First Reading is the conclusion of what is commonly called “the first missionary journey” (Acts 14:21-27.) †Paul and †Barnabas are seen retracing their steps and encouraging the little communities they had founded. The left them under no illusion: they had to prepare for persecution. Of special interest is how they appointed “elders” in each Church: the presumption is of a generally accepted institution, thoughtfully occurring after prayer and fasting. It is seen as the beginning of the “hierarchical Church,” the precursor to what we have today. Meant to provide the means for administration, these tiers of management have never diminished direct reliance upon Jesus Christ as the ultimate advocate to the Father. ~~~ Today’s Second Reading (Revelation 21:1-5,) cites the vision of a new heaven and a new earth, and the setting of a new Jerusalem. The Holy City is of heavenly origin, as a tangible sign of the covenant the people of Israel and God. The defeat of satanic forces fulfills the promise of the most intimate sharing of life between God and His people—a constant theme in Jewish Scripture of the time. At the summit of creation, humankind is God’s pride and joy—with their destined home in the garden of delights of the New City. ~~~ Our Gospel selection’s general context (John 13:31-35,) is the Holy Eucharist—though not explicitly mentioned by †John—but implied throughout. Jesus urged His disciples to live by a New Commandment: to love one another. It has been perpetuated in the Eucharist, wherein He comes to them, in perpetuity. In this way, they kept His Spirit alive among themselves, and as long as they did so, in Christian love, the world will continue to encounter Jesus. God’s glorious presence so lights up our lives that it invites people to love, making us instruments of God’s providence in the lives of others. Our love for each other has become the channel through which we experience the love of God. The Role of Love in our Life Selfishness keeps us shut in, and confined by our erecting barriers, even walls, between ourselves and others. What frees us from this captivity is every deep, serious affection we feel and express for others. Being friends, being brothers and sisters, our love opens our “prison of unselfishness.” Survivors of the Holocaust have testified that those who focused on survival only, and shunned all other purposes in their lives, were the ones least likely to withstand the rigors of the concentration camps. Meanwhile, prisoners who lived for a parent, a brother, a friend, or even an ideal, had a better chance of getting out alive. It was through what they gave that they survived. Love always demands, and brings out, the best in us. Being loved gives a person surprising courage and energy. It is said that if you love, energy will be given to you. Where there is great love there are always miracles. Love is our connection to God and to one another; the flame that warms our hearts and energizes our spirits; and supplying passion to our lives. Those who love experience a more abundant and fruitful life. Those who opt for love open themselves to the possibilities of greater happiness than they have ever known. Love is well-being…but if we to refuse love we begin to die. While faith makes all things possible, love makes things easy. Love heals everyone—both the receiver and the giver. Varieties of Love Today, we understand, more than we ever have, the complexity of human nature, and the mixed motives that underlie everything we do. A plethora of tomes* have been devoted to the subject of “love,” but there are five, commonly recognized kinds of love: • Utilitarian love: Described as loving one another because we find usefulness in loving, but it’s really more like selfishness than real love—”I want something from you, but I don’t want you.” • Romantic love: We express this kind of affection because of the pleasure another person gives us (i.e., emotional, physical.) Often, it takes the form of infatuation with someone, but that’s not really love. We may think it is, at the time, but, in truth, we are really only loving ourselves. As a basis for lasting relationships, usually this doesn’t last, as is attested to by the great many failed marriages based on this “flavor” of love. • Democratic love: Based upon equality under the law, we respect others because they are fellow citizens, recognizing their liberties in order that ours, in turn, may be acknowledged. However, such contributions to the good of others have within them expectations for returned good for ourselves. • Humanitarian love: This is love for humanity, in general. The weakness of this type is that it is love in the abstract, rather than the concrete—at its extreme is the sentiment: “I love humanity (as a whole,) but can’t stand people (as individuals!”) • Christian love: This is unconditional love, as summarized by Jesus’ commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Here, we are talking about loving even when there is nothing “in it for us.” This love persists, despite hostility, persecution or any hope for its being returned. As the basis for an enduring relationship, not spasmodic enthusiasm, it expresses itself in affection, service and self-sacrifice. This kind of love can only be achieved with guidance from the Holy Spirit. It has been said that if you do a good deed, but have an ulterior motive, it would be better not to do it at all. One noteworthy exception is charity: Even though it is not as good as loving with a pure motive, acts of charity are still good deeds, benefitting other people, irrespective of their motives. Besides, selfishness and generosity coexist in us, which makes the good that we do all the more praiseworthy, as It arises from internal struggle and personal expense. People tend to see the problem of loving as being loved rather than being a loving person. All their efforts go into making themselves loveable…through being famous, successful, glamorous, powerful, or rich, etc. In the end, they are left without love, for they are loved, not for themselves, but for something they possess, or that they have achieved. Whereas, if they became loving people, they would more likely be loved in return…for themselves. All of us want to be loved for ourselves. (Those who are not loved often simply seek to be admired.) Here are three states in which people often find themselves with respect to love: 1) Those who do not love and are not loved in return. This bereft state seems like “hell on earth;” 2) Someone may love, but not be loved in return…“unrequited love:” the subject of so many “romance novels. Although painful, it is better than the first condition; 3) The luckiest people on earth are those who love and who are loved in return. This is the blessed state about which Jesus spoke: “As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you.” Love always brings out the best in the one who loves. People are at their best and brightest when they love, like a glowing lamp. Love is a choice, not just a feeling. If we refuse to love we begin to die. The worst human condition of all is “cold indifference,” a sure path to loneliness and despair. May God Richly Bless You! "Guidelines for a Happy Family" • Help each other; • Be thankful; • Know you are loved; • Pay with hugs and kisses; • Try new things; • Be happy; • Show Compassion; • Be grateful; • Dream big; • Respect one another; • Laugh out loud. ~~Fred Rogers~~ Desert Psalm.docx There is no recording of the Holy Mass today. *Note: Modern psychology has treated of many facets of love, that go beyond those I mention here. Several aspects of each I’ve subsumed into “my five.” For instance, ancient Greeks recognized eight kinds of love (Eros—romantic love; Philia—affectionate love; Storge—familiar love; Pragma—enduring love; Ludus—playful love; Mania—Obsessive love; Philautia—self-love; and Agape—unconditional love.)

May 8th, 2022 Fourth Sunday of Easter Jesus, the Good Shepherd A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Perseverance in Trials” Reflections on Today’s Scripture As we continue reading in Acts, our First Reading (Acts 13:14-53,) we hear how †Paul and †Barnabas continued preaching the Gospel of the Lord to the people of Cyprus, Turkey and then in Antioch, of Pisidia. Having initially been welcomed into the synagogues, in their second week, they encountered much resistance when they preached that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the divine promises of a Messiah, from Scripture. Although many who heard their proclamation accepted them, their leaders reacted with resentment and jealousy. At this, they finally “shook the dust” from their feet and left, to preach to the Gentiles in Iconium. ~~~ The visionary sounds of today’s Second Reading (Revelation 7:9-17,) must have been like a soothing balm for persecuted Christians. †John “the seer” described huge crowds of celebrants at the heavenly feast and held out the promises of “no more tears, no more hunger or thirst,” the real situation of his hearers was quite different. Written during the reign of Domitian (81-96 A.D.,) who demanded to be worshipped as “lord and god,” with cruel enforcement, their persecution extended throughout Asia Minor. Those who survived their present struggles were promised a hopeful, glorious and joyful future. ~~~ Part of a longer section, today’s Gospel discusses the mutual responsibilities which Jesus, His Father and His followers bore for one another (John 19:27-30.) As the Good Shepherd, Jesus annotates the care He provides for the “sheep of His pasture”—those who keep His commandments. Taking as an example the familiar sight of the day of many commingled masses of sheep leaving the city, even when amassed (as we are) with countless unbelievers, those who know Jesus as our Good Shepherd, harken to His call, leaving the others behind to follow Him. Belonging to Jesus’ Flock The image of Jesus as The Good Shepherd is one of the most endearing, we have of Him. He is no “hireling,” some disinterested caretaker, working for wages, who might run away from the flock at the first sign of trouble. The “sheep” belong to our Blessed Lord, and He is ready to die for them—as He demonstrated for all time on the Cross of Calvary. As members of His “flock,” we are heir to the most wonderful promises—never to be lost; never to be “snatched away” from His care; and always to be safe with Him because the Father’s power is in Him—and He will lead them to the pastures of eternal life. What a comforting feeling to be known and loved by Jesus! We are reassured of our membership in His flock if we do three “simple” things: • We must believe in Him. We enter the flock by becoming believers, but that is only the beginning. • We must listen to His voice. This means we must heed His teachings. • We must follow Him. To do so means to do His Word. Obviously, the relationship is “two-way.” The sheep have to choose to belong. Jesus won’t or can’t save people against their will. But it is wonderfully consoling to realize that if we do sincerely want and try to belong to Him, then He will care for us in life and in death. We can pin our hopes on His very words: “I give them eternal life…they will never be lost eternally” (John 10:28.) Rather than guaranteeing we will have an easy life on earth if we belong to Jesus, those who do are more likely to suffer persecution. But those who “suffer through” their trials, and accept the opportunity to prove their faith and obedience to the Lord, will share in the glory of His kingdom of Heaven. The “flock” is and image of a “community.” Even on a human level, we have a deep need for community. Jesus knew this, and this is why He wanted His followers to live in one. In community we find mutual support, encouragement and companionship. The privilege of belonging is not something that is offered to a chosen few, but to everyone! Facing a World of Challenges Someone who looks for a position with an organization usually has some idea of the requirements of the job they seek. If they are prudent, they will do research about the company, learning the most they can about its position in the particular sphere in which it operates. Then, they carefully craft a resume´, that speaks to how their particular talents and skills will provide service to the firm. Sometimes they even will look for public reviews, and discover how they are regarded in their industry. If they are a “public” company, it might entail working through financial analyses offered by such publications as Forbes, or Barrons, to acquire information about their market standing and potential. Then, if they are successful, when they are hired, their efforts will focus on becoming the most productive and innovative associate among the many others they encounter. (That being said, however, it doesn’t shield the conscientious employee from internal challenges from others who may be content with the “status quo.” A design for greatness will be opposed, sometimes loudly and forcefully by those who are content to “go with the flow.”) No amount of preparation, however detailed and precise, will equal that of the founders of the company. One may never be able to fully embrace the overall vision with which the business came into being. That is the purview of the “owners” of the enterprise. Theirs is the unique view of the challenges that must have been overcome, and continue to be, as time goes on. As such, they have a personal stake in the everyday operation and its eventual success or failure. This is the true meaning of “investment” that outsiders usually can’t or don’t appreciate. Using the analogy of a flock of sheep, which was familiar to people of early Christendom, Christ positioned Himself as the Good Shepherd—the “owner” of the flock…His congregation of believers. He knew sheepherders faced particular difficulties in managing their charges, and likened that to the persecutions would be experienced by the disciples. Not only were their forces bent on their utter destruction (like the weather, other shepherds and predators,) but other, perhaps more insidious “covert” undercurrents of dissent and conflict lay ahead and all around them. Today’s Christian faces numerous forces determined to undermine and dissuade people of faith from their beliefs, in favor of laissez-faire attitudes toward morality and decorum. Businesses face competition—from others offering similar goods and services, the vagaries of the market and even saboteurs—and the conscientious associate (or believer) will put themselves in the owners’ (or Christ’s) position if they would be of the most value to the company or the congregation. Similar to the “WWJD” approach, it means we must view life’s challenges, and our interactions with others from a divine perspective. So, whether we are dealing with matters of belief or commerce, our thoughts, words and deeds should be driven by an underlying basis of Christlike focus. May God Richly Bless You! "Gentle Shepherd, there is no other to Whom we can turn Who can help us face face another day; Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we need You to help us find our way." To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here: https://youtu.be/6Spuo-gTxC8Make a Joyful Noise.docx

May 1st, 2022 Third Sunday of Easter †Peter’s faith is renewed! A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Reaffirmation of Faith” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Luke’s writing highlights a constant paradox: faith brings joy, thanksgiving, praise of God for His wonderful works…and also…opposition and persecution, which serve to enhance this joy, thanksgiving and praise (Acts 5:27-41.) The effectiveness of Christ’s mission is demonstrated even in opposition to it—its effectiveness is what counts. Jesus told the apostles to expect persecution, and that prophecy was fulfilled to the letter, when they were brought before Jewish meetings, and suffered imprisonment. Undeterred, they continued to bear witness to the power of the Spirit and the power of the Resurrection, in direct contradiction to the Sanhedrin’s warnings not to preach. ~~~ Chapter 5 of †John’s Apocalypse depicts a transfer of power to the Lamb (the crucified and risen Christ,) in the form of a “sealed scroll,” which the Lamb, alone, has been found worthy to open (Revelation 5:11-14.) The “One seated on the throne” is named frequently throughout this book—interpreted to be God, as King and Judge—as well as the “living creatures,” from Jewish tradition—four angels who direct the physical world, and symbolize the created universe (later suggestions that they are the “four evangelists” have long been dismissed.) ~~~ Today’s Gospel (John 21:1-19,) is an appendix to the original, (having ended at 20:31,) and highlights the apostles’ mission—a great and abundant task, analogous to their great catch of “fish,” when they accepted Jesus’ help. It presents an effective way of making the point that Jesus had not returned to life as He was, before, but had passed, beyond death to new life, with God. Also, it’s noteworthy that His identity is not readily apparent to those to whom He appears. His familiar gesture at the lakeside breakfast— “Jesus took the bread and gave it to them,”—answers the question of how Jesus was made “present” to His disciples…and also to us, today, in the Eucharistic meal. †Peter, who had failed his Master, was reinstated, with a special pastoral mission: “Feed My sheep.” We must always remember, however, that our Blessed Lord is, and remains, our principal “Good Shepherd.” Second Chances We are sometimes quick to “write someone off,” when they fail to live up to our expectations. If the matter at hand is quite serious, pertaining either to business activities, or more personal, even going to so far as to become a “life and death” situation, we tend to become “once bitten, twice shy,” as the old saying goes. People don’t always present their best selves all the time. Sometimes, they may become complacent, and take the importance of their actions for granted, performing them in a less-than-stellar fashion. We can observe this in people who believe they are trapped in what they perceive as “dead-end jobs.” Then, there are moments, for all of us, wherein we discount the importance or significance of our performance. In such instances, we take the attitude that most of our efforts are routine, and therefore, not critical to our larger mission or calling. We can be rudely called to attention, however, if some crisis ensues. For the first-responders during 9/11, and even for everyday people in the surrounding areas, that “call to action” was an imperative none of them could ignore. It didn’t matter that someone was a stranger, even moments before the tragedy. In the heat of the moment, they became people who needed a targeted focus—and multitudes of otherwise “uninvolved” people were thrust into the fray, selflessly giving aid. Josef Stalin was someone, about whom it was said, “your first mistake would be your last.” He brooked no excuse when it came to people performing their duty—and his response to failure was often “lethal.” People said making one mistake with him was like “mishandling a detonator.” Very few of us would like to find ourselves dismissed for a single careless moment. Whether due to happenstance, or weakness of character, we usually want another opportunity to redeem ourselves after a mistake. †Peter’s denial of our Blessed Lord on Holy Thursday evening was the result of his weakness and cowardice. As the ersatz leader of the apostles, he set a terrible example for the others. Nonetheless, Jesus didn’t cast him aside for his denial—He didn’t even “demote” him. Nor did He level any recriminations upon Peter, for He knew there was no malice in his heart. †Peter was called twice to follow Jesus: Once early on (Mark 1:16-18,) and then again, as we heard in today’s Gospel. This could only have happened if Jesus knew there was a better side to †Peter. Strength and weakness can coexist in the same person. He was asked to declare His love for Jesus in public way, just like He denied Him in public before the Crucifixion. The best way to atone for one’s sins is through service. †Peter later wrote: “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8.) It’s a sure bet that †Peter never forgot His denial of our Lord…but he probably didn’t let it haunt him the way some people might be haunted by their sins. By falling from grace, he learned a great deal about himself: that he wasn’t as brave as he once thought. It’s far better and more satisfying to learn a lesson than to be taught a lesson…. When we learn from a fall, our recalling of it is more likely to evoke gratitude than self-recrimination. †Peter learned much about Jesus, too. He realized Jesus still loved him. And it was that love that brought †Peter “back to life.” It’s amazing when we are loved in spite of our weakness and sins. To love someone for their goodness is taken for granted. But to love someone in spite of their “badness,” is remarkable! That’s the true meaning of “grace.” When we thoughtfully consider the extreme gesture of Jesus on the cross, offered as a sacrifice for all the sins of mankind, we are brought to profound humility. But the unconditional redemption of our immortal souls that is represented by our Blessed Lord’s Resurrection—promising us eternal life in the glory of the beatific Vision of God—no human concepts or expressions can match. Courage fails us all. In the end, all of us are mere mortals who are inconstant in our beliefs. We must learn to forgive our momentary weaknesses and failures, and not judge ourselves or others by momentary lapses, but by commitments, made to our principles over a long time. Suffering for our Faith Very few of us will be called upon to truly “suffer” for our religious convictions. We may encounter resistance, occasionally, for one or another of our positions, we hardly risk life and limb for them. We read of the perilous journey of the apostles in the early years of Christianity, when they were openly chastised, persecuted and even imprisoned for their mission to spread the faith. But, except in developing nations, today, such treatment of dissenters from the status quo is, mercifully, infrequent. When we do hear about people who have undergone mistreatment for their beliefs, though, we can empathize. Constitutional freedoms are staunchly defended in our country, and have consistently been upheld against all onslaughts. “Fine-tuning” of their meaning is an ongoing legal process, however, as is attested to by myriad stories in our daily media. We can’t tell in advance where our Christian vocation will take us, or what it may demand from us. If we could see those places, perhaps our hearts would grow faint and courage would fail us. In that respect we are like †Peter. He had no idea that his response to Jesus’ call would lead him to martyrdom. But we must believe that whatever our Christian vocation demands of us will be returned with a “hundredfold increase.” We are disciples of Jesus, Who depends upon us to bear witness to Him in the world, today. Although we may not face persecution, we most likely encounter something almost as bad—the sometimes deadly indifference of our fellow citizens. Jesus, Savior, Blessed Friend.docx May God Richly Bless You! "Stand up for your conscience. Use light to reveal what is concealed in the darkness. Use truth to fight the lies, and the heart to fight the mind." ~~Suzy Kassem~~ To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here: https://youtu.be/60bBbNFxbAU

April 24th, 2022 Second Sunday of Easter †Thomas’ belief is renewed! A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Faith and Fellowship” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Note: Without the Acts of the Apostles, much information about the early years of the “Jesus Movement” would have had to be deduced secondhand and indirectly, from other sources. "Acts” provides the modern reader with a living account of the early Church’s faith in the Risen Lord, and of its subsequent struggle to balance that faith with the trials of persecution, growing pains, inner discord and delayed eschatology (expectations for the “endtimes” of human history.) Today’s First Reading (Acts 5:12-16,) is the third of three major summaries that describe the growth of the early Church (See also--Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35.) Each features the community as close-knit, sharing goods and talents in common, and gathering around the Twelve for liturgical and catechetical nourishment. Thereby, they actualized structures and institutions, and absorbed the reality of the Resurrection into their daily lives. ~~~ Our Second Reading, from the Apocalypse of †John (Revelation 1:9-19,) offers bold evidence that the reality of the promised persecution had come to pass, but also presents the promise of victory and the abiding hope of eternal life. Using mysterious symbolism, myths, numerology and visions to shape the message, the author wanted his readers to gaze beyond their present sorrows to a bright and blessed future. Holding all the keys, as Master of life and of death, the Risen Lord was present to offer the confidence of an eventual victory and peace to the persecuted. ~~~ Easter’s living legacy is beautifully told in today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31.) Jesus’ appearance is accompanied by the traditional Jewish greeting of “Peace,” and with the gift of the Spirit. Thereby, Jesus fulfilled the ancient prophecies of Joel and Ezekiel, as He began the Messianic Era. In the person of †Thomas we have a case for the value of doubt in the life of faith. As one who hesitated and questioned, and then moved from skepticism to firmer faith, he is a source of encouragement for serious believers of all ages. Jesus’ invitation to touch and examine His wounds underscores the very real quality of His glorified body, and put to rest theories that His appearances were simply illusions. †Thomas was called beyond the sensational aspects of the resurrection to a committed faith—not by actually “touching” Jesus, in being challenged to “believe.” †Thomas’ acclamation, “My Lord and my God,” unites the Church’s growing awareness of the Risen Jesus as equal to the eternal Creator and all powerful Lord of all—in one act of faith. The Wounded Healer Whenever damages are repaired, we tend to forget how those injuries were incurred. Perhaps that is why Jesus appeared to His disciples with a glorified body, that still possessed the wounds of His Passion and death. Also, those wounds enabled the apostles to recognize Him. The same Jesus Who, during His life, manifested His power over evil, is the One in Whom God has manifested His power over death. Additionally, those wounds were the proof of His love. Jesus didn’t simply “talk” about love, He gave every example—as proven by His mortal wounds—as the Good Shepherd, who suffered in defense of His flock. Jesus’ sacred and precious wounds have become a source of consolation, courage and hope to everyone who has to come to terms with their own challenges. By helping us not to be selfish, we are healed of self-pity and the sense of victimhood. Because we believe that displaying our “wounds” would deny us respect, we have a tendency to hide them. However, those who don’t disguise their own struggles, and instead, live through them, give hope to others. Understanding of one’s own pain enables people to convert their weakness into strength and to offer their own experience as a source of healing to others. Fundamentalism An increase in fundamentalism can be seen all around us, today. Frightened by the absence of certainties, many people have retreated into a strict, literal interpretation of Scripture. It can be very attractive, in that it provides a simple, straight path to understanding. But it also can be an impoverished way of seeing reality. By presenting life in a “one-dimensional” way, it deprives faith of its richness—resulting in a rigid, simplistic, moralistic and authoritative religion. Rather than remaining individuals, with separate stories to tell, people can be cajoled into following the same path. The fundamentalist faith can very well offer a safe way, protecting one from the difficult work of finding one’s own meaning and values. It spares a person the anxiety of dealing with choice, responsibility and a continually changing sense of self. Taken as faith, however, it is born out of insecurity…. For a fundamentalist, religion is just a part of life. For the non-fundamentalist, however, religion is life, seen and lived from a religious perspective. Every fact receives a two-fold, if not a three-fold, significance, and is, therefore, richer and more mysterious. Such faith fills our life “to the brim” with things without which they would have no meaning, and our souls would wither and die. Jesus didn’t encourage fundamentalism…. He didn’t want blind followers, instead, He tried to open people’s eyes. Rather than threaten or coerce, He invited, wanting people to follow Him freely, with both eyes open. And, He came that we might have life, not just in the hereafter, but here, on earth, as well—and live it to the full! Crisis of Faith Some people are “born into” a religious faith. In such cases, over time, they may find it increasingly strong and sustaining. To possess faith is a tremendous blessing. But for those without faith, life may become a constant, meaningless struggle. Some may even have to undergo a crisis in order to arrive at a deep and personal faith. Only faith can answer the most important and profound questions of life. But we must not expect faith to “clear everything up” for us. Just because we believe, doesn’t mean we know all the answers. Indeed, we don’t need them all, as faith is trust, not certainty. Leo Tolstoy may serve as an illustration. Having written his two great novels, War and Peace, and Anna Karenina, he had every reason to be satisfied in his life. Nonetheless, in 1879, at 51-years of age, he felt miserable and unfulfilled. He wondered if there was any meaning in life that would not be destroyed by death. In such a painful mood, he contemplated suicide, having searched in vain for life’s significance. Having been raised in a Christian home, he had long since discarded Christianity, due to the contradictions he saw in the lives of those who professed it. Nonetheless, these same beliefs attracted him, and seemed sensible when he encountered people who lived by them. So it was that he was drawn back into Christianity, and found it full of meaning. He wrote: “I thought there was no sure truth in life. But then, I found a sure source of light in the Gospel, and was dazzled by its splendor. In Jesus’ teachings, I found the purest and most complete doctrine for life. For [nearly] two thousand years, [His] lofty and precious teachings have exercised an influence over [people] in a way unequaled by anyone else. A light shone within me and around me, and this light has not abandoned me since.” Our Christian faith is centered upon a Person Who loves us, and has the wounds to prove it. At the heart of Biblical faith is not only our faith in God…but God's faith in us…. May God Richly Bless You! "The story of Doubting Thomas is told, not so that we shall admire Thomas, but so that we can admire the other apostles, in comparison. Thomas demanded evidence...the other apostles, whose faith was so strong they did not need evidence, are held to us as worthy of imitation." ~~Richard Dawkins~~ Canticle of Fellowship.docx To view a video of today's Holy Mass, click here: https://youtu.be/cNgJYNYkYl4

April 17th, 2022 Easter Sunday The Empty Tomb on Easter Morning A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “The Lord has Risen, Indeed!” Reflections on Today’s Scripture (Note: From now, until Pentecost, our First Readings are taken from the Acts of the Apostles, the second volume of the Gospel of †Luke.) Today’s First Reading (Acts 10: 34-43,) is a discourse in the home of the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, and gives an outline of the ministry of Jesus, ending with the narrative of His resurrection—emphasizing the encounters with Jesus, by †Peter and his companions. These meetings made it possible for them to preach the reality of redemption and the forgiveness of sin. Each successive generation of Christians can proclaim, and must proclaim, the reality and the significance of the resurrection as confidently as did †Peter. The risen Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever! ~~~ †Paul tells us that Baptism is our participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, symbolized by the ritual of being “plunged” into water (Colossians 3:1-4.) This real sharing in Jesus’ redemptive act has profound and far-reaching repercussions in the Christian’s present moral life—entailing rejection of all that is “earthly,” or opposed to God. It calls for pursuit of the “good life”—not by the world’s standards, but those lived by Jesus. In so doing, we participate in the reality of Christian freedom. By one’s sacramental “death,” we are liberated from past constraints and bound to lead a new life in conformity with the Gospel. ~~~ (Note: In the first Gospel, of †Mark, the risen Christ appears physically to no one, but by the time we come to the last Gospel, †John, †Thomas is invited to feel the nail prints in Christ's hands and feet and the spear wound in his side.) Today’s Gospel selection centers on †Mary Magdalene’s disturbing news of the “empty tomb,” to which †Peter and the unnamed “other disciple*” react (John 20:1-9.) Her concern that our Blessed Lord had “been taken,” rather, attests to His having “left His humanity behind.” The *Beloved Disciple believed, immediately, and represents the Christian disciple who is sensitive, in faith and love, to the presence of the risen Jesus. This is the only theological exception, of his seeing with the “eyes of faith,” that the empty tomb is ever regarded as evidence of the resurrection. Christ’s resurrection signifies that the Kingdom of God has come, and God’s saving promises have been fulfilled, in Jesus. Meaningless death, indeed, meaningless life, thereafter, has taken on true “meaning,” for us. The resurrection demonstrates that God is, indeed, the God of humankind, holding out to all of us the promise of life beyond death! As our risen Lord, Jesus Himself is present to us, and with us in our striving, to give substance to the Kingdom, here on earth. He is Emmanuel—God with us! Confirming our Faith †Peter’s weakness is a characteristic to which everyone can relate. He has been called the “stumbling saint.” He is a favorite with many, probably because his human frailty makes us feel kinship with him. Courage fails us all—in the end, we are mere mortals, who are inconstant in our beliefs. No matter how strong we purport to believe, in anything, for that matter, life’s vagaries and challenges rise up to test our convictions. In times of distress, we all are taken to task for our willingness to hold fast to our beliefs. At the lowest moments in our lives, we confront a very painful truth about ourselves: we have feet of clay! At such times we discover we are not as strong, or brave, or as generous as we thought we were. We should not judge ourselves, or others, by momentary lapses, but by commitment over a long time to our beliefs. As with †Peter, our Blessed Lord Jesus knows this about us, and doesn’t “write us off.” He continues to believe in us…. He knows there is a “better side” to us, and after considered contemplation, He knows we will once again proclaim our most fervent principles, and return to Him. This is the promise that He made to each of us—for unlimited “second chances” to repent and accept His grace. Until the point of our death, we have opportunities to assert our faith in our Savior, and God. It was Jesus who confirmed the faith of †Peter. The same risen Lord confirms us in our faith, too. We are a community of believers, whose common faith strengthens the faith of each individual…. Making the “Leap of Faith” Sometimes we envy the apostles and the first disciples. We are convinced they had an advantage over all later Christians, because they were actually present at the events related by the Gospels. They saw the risen Jesus with their own eyes, and touched Him with their own hands. We conclude, therefore, that faith was easy for them. And we are convinced it would be easy for us, too, if we could see Jesus, personally, as the apostles did, or if only we could see for ourselves the miracles He performed, as the first disciples did. It’s true, those first apostles and disciples had the advantage of seeing Jesus firsthand, but one wonders if that made their faith any easier, really…. When they looked at Jesus, they did not, and could not, have seen God—for God is not immediately visible and knowable. In Jesus, they saw a human being, like themselves. But to go from there to believe that He was the Son of God required a huge act of faith! This accounts for many that heard Jesus speak and saw Him act, who yet did not believe in Him! We learn from the Gospels that even the apostles were slow to believe. Seeing is not necessarily believing! The shock caused by Jesus’ passion and death on the cross was so great that the apostles were also slow to believe in the news of His Resurrection! When Jesus appeared to them on Easter evening, He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen (Matthew 16:14.) So, in our case, we can’t see Jesus the way the apostles and disciples saw Him. We can’t be present in the upper room, going over the events of Holy Week when Jesus “drops in.” We can’t put our fingers in His wounds, or look at His glorified face and say “My Lord and my God!” We must live by faith, not by sight. Yet, if we would believe in Jesus, we must see Him, somehow…. That means we must ask ourselves how people like us can be made to see Him—and what must we do in order to believe. In truth, we are disciples at second hand. That means some things are more difficult, but others are easier. In the nearly 20 centuries since Jesus walked the earth, a lot of “dust” has gathered; His “light” has dimmed. On the positive side, however, the notion that the Son of God walked the earth has become “naturalized,” over time, so, in some ways, it has become even easier to believe. But at the end of the day, all disciples are essentially equal—all have to make the “leap of faith,” and become disciples through faith! Jesus’ friends saw Him and heard Him only a few times after that Easter day, but their lives were completely changed. And by sharing their faith, our lives will be changed, too. We are able to travel in hope because we know that good will triumph over evil, and life will triumph over death…because Jesus has risen! May God Richly Bless You! "Let the Risen Jesus enter your life. Welcome Him as a friend, with trust. He is life! If, up 'til now, you have kept Him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms. If you have been indifferent, take a risk; you won't be disappointed. If following Him seems difficult, don't be afraid. Trust Him. Be confident that He is close to you. He is with you. He will give you the peace for which you are looking, and the strength to live as He would have you do." ~~Pope †Francis, March, 2013~~ To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here: https://youtu.be/1q3DsbhS7wQProclaim the Glory of the Lord.docx

April 10th, 2022 Passion (Palm) Sunday Jesus enters triumphantly into Jerusalem A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Death and Life” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Passion (Palm) Sunday and the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday,) are at the center of the Church’s Liturgical Year. They proclaim the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, and evoke the whole history of salvation. Recalling the two great sacraments (Baptism and Holy Eucharist,) they call for conversion, and encourage us to bear witness to the Risen Lord. In today’s extract from the Third Servant Song (Isaiah 50: 4-9,) the mysterious figure of the Servant, is presented firmly as a Teacher Who has to learn before He can communicate his message to others. This results in persecution of the Servant by the very people to whom He brings comfort—but it is part of His training. As it pertains to us, it is by suffering that our true “mettle” is tested and proven, and through which we are shown to be faithful. ~~~ †Paul adopted today’s Second Reading (Philippians 2:6-11,) from earlier literature, and makes Jesus Christ the subject of his poem. Rather than jealously guard the glory that was His due, as the Son of God, He “emptied Himself,” and was rendered powerless as would a slave, for our redemption. Jesus wished to share the full weakness of the human condition, except for sin, and was obedient unto death. From there, He was exulted to unparalleled heights in His resurrection and ascension into Heaven. Christology, the life of Christ, is not simply to be imitated from afar, but to be studied and used as a model for our own lives. ~~~ We see that today’s reading of †Luke’s version of the Passion (Luke 22:14-23:56,) resembles that of †Mark, but with its own emphasis. The Devil, who departed from Jesus after the temptations returns, and entered Judas, demanding to “sift” †Peter. Throughout his Gospel †Luke never portrays Jesus as distraught, agitated nor forsaken by God. Instead, we encounter Him serenely in communion with His Father throughout, to the very end; in death, He forgives His executioners and on the cross He brings salvation to a criminal. Typical of †Luke, Jesus pays special attention to women in a society wherein they were downgraded. The story is that of a disciple who relives the drama of his Master. Personal attachment to Jesus is expressed by the repeated affirmations of His innocence. He develops relationships between Jesus and the various characters in the tragedy, especially Judas and †Peter. To understand the Passion message, we have to keep in mind the other half of †Luke’s two-volume work, the Acts of the Apostles. Jesus is accused by the chief priests before the Roman governor, and prepares the way for †Paul being brought before the same cast of adversaries. The innocent Jesus who dies asking forgiveness for His enemies, commending His soul to God the Father, prepares the way for the first Christian martyr, †Stephen, who died voicing similar sentiments. It’s not surprising, then, to discover †Luke stressing the healing and forgiving power of God, mediated through Jesus. As such, we are presented a Passion whose tone is “midway” between the forsaken Jesus of †Mark, and the majestic Savior of †John. †Luke turns the question of Jewish authority into an affirmation of the highest Christian title: Messiah, and King. In between the questions, Jesus declared He would be “seated at the right hand of the power of God.” We also look forward to joining with our Blessed Lord in eternal life. This is brought to light throughout, as we perceive the forgiving love of God in our lives, which shone through the worst torments that humankind could wreak upon our Blessed Lord. The Triumph of Love Listening to the Passion, as we do every year, on Palm Sunday, we should be struck with the contrast between the crowds first hailing Jesus as their Messiah, riding into Jerusalem in triumph, and their shouts of derision by the end of the week. The cowardice of His followers is there for all to see, as they abandoned Him in His hour of greatest need. We are taken aback by the wickedness of the religious leaders who plotted His death, and the cruelty of the soldiers who carried out His execution. And we need to be reminded of these things, because we have a kinship with them! But that is not the purpose of the Passion reading…we hear too much bad news as it is…. Rather, the emphasis is on character of Jesus, the central character of the story. We are confronted with the fidelity, the courage and the sheer virtuousness of Jesus. Against the darkness of Calvary, His goodness shines all the more brightly. After all, the day of His death is not called, “Bad Friday,” but “Good Friday!” What makes it good is the love that He embodies. It is His love for us that we remember during this Holy Week. The early Christians saw, in the passion and death of Jesus, the conquest of failure. On the surface, it may seem as if He was defeated. But His was a victory—the triumph of good over evil; of love over hate; of light over darkness; and of life over death…. With the help of the Scriptures, they gradually came to understand that this was precisely how Jesus prevailed and entered into His glory. His exaltation cannot be separated from His passion. The Passion Story shows how Jesus responded to what was done to Him—by absorbing all the violence; transforming it; and returning it as love and forgiveness. This was the victory of love over all the powers of destruction. There was nothing but love in Him. Even when they nailed his hands and feet, He was loving. It helps to think about that when we experience difficult moments in our own lives. We should find our consolation and strength in Jesus’ suffering. Yet, His suffering would have been wasted if He had not endured it with love. His love saved the world, not His suffering! Anyone who pretends to love suffering is considered “crazy!” Misery and pain are things we would give almost anything to avoid—yet, we are happy to suffer them for someone we love…. Suffering that is merely endured does nothing for our souls—except, perhaps, harden them. It is the spirit in which we bear our burdens that matters. Our love gives meaning to our suffering. Jesus was the Good Shepherd, Who died because He loved His sheep. By uniting our sorrows to those of Jesus, we can find peace. There is no loneliness, hunger, oppression, exploitation, torture, imprisonment, violence or threats that have not been suffered by Jesus. There can be no human beings who are completely alone in their travails, since God, in and through Jesus, has become Emmanuel, “God with us.” The Passion of Jesus is the ultimate source of courage, strength and hope to all who suffer. It means we are not alone. It is important, therefore, to remember that it is not suffering that has redeemed the world, but love. It is not our anguish that God wants, but our love. However, as surely as love sometimes brings pain, it also brings great joy. Christians must not only accept suffering—they must make it “holy.” Only loves does that…. May God Richly Bless You! He Died for Us.docx To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here: https://youtu.be/4X0Q2wRABuQ

April 3rd, 2022 Fifth Sunday of Lent Jesus with the woman caught in adultery A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Racing to Grasp the Prize” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Isaiah speaks to the captives in Babylon in terms familiar to them from the book of Exodus—and their release from the bondage in Egypt (Isaiah 43:16-21.) He labors to lend hope and encouragement by exhorting his fellow Jews to remember the wondrous acts of God all through the stages of their development as a people. He challenges them to look to the future for divine acts of mercy and power, rather than dwell on memories of the past. In this way, Isaiah called his people to prepare themselves for the continuation of the process of redemption rather than a repetition of an ancient history. ~~~ †Paul looked at all his former advantages of Roman citizenship as “loss,” when compared to the wealth of blessings granted by Jesus Christ. In this way, in our Second Reading (Philippians 3:8-14,) he sought to defend Christianity against certain elements in Philippi who militated against the healthy spiritual development of the community. †Paul saw himself, and all Christians, at a “midpoint”—between being blameless in God’s sight, and having been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. He believed he had become justified because of Jesus—and by faith in Him—but had not yet been perfected. This placed him at odds with the zealous Jews and “righteous” new Christians of his time. The message to us, then is: redemption is a process that continues throughout our lives, as we seek to be more Christlike in our lives. ~~~ Today’s Gospel (John 8:1-11,) focuses on the attitudes of the self-appointed, righteous ones whose harsh judgments clouded their consciences to their own sinfulness. Jesus’ writing on the ground mirrored Roman legal practice, wherein a judge would first write down the sentence before reading it to the accused. There is now sure way of knowing what He wrote; it may be that He merely wished to show He was unmoved by the accusations of the self-righteous. However, whatever He wrote, and His statement about the first to cast a stone arrested His hearers and completely shattered the force of their argument against the woman. Later, alone with her, Jesus exercised His authority and pardoned her, not as a judge, but as a Savior—without ignoring her sin, Then she was invited to go on her way, resolute to obey the law and renew her conscience, as she reformed her behavior. We take the lesson that Jesus offers us with His loving mercy, in the same way. Hope for the Future In our everyday lives, we associate with people who are optimists and pessimists, and we recognize we have both these traits in ourselves. Pessimists take the gloomiest possible view of the human condition. Some are captives of the “good old days”—of what is not anymore and never will be again. They spurn creativity because they regard all efforts as doomed to fail at the outset. This strongly contrasts with the “Spirit of ’76.” Imagine if the Founding Fathers had fostered this kind of thinking! They were truly optimists, looking forward to a bright future—the most noble political experiment the world has ever known! As such, they were creative and dynamic. They had confidence in life. However many experiences we have had in the past, we must look the future! By definition, Christians are optimists. As far as the past is concerned, they believe in a merciful God, Who forgives the penitent sinner. As far as the future is concerned, they know that they will overcome misery and evil and build a better future because they have faith in Someone, Who is stronger than themselves. Life is a constant challenge: The future of our families, our successes in business or occupations, or our personal growth through human relations. With confidence in God, we joyfully accept these challenges. The challenges people face, even in the most adequate life, can be depressing. However, often it may be our own fault—due to the choices we make—that we find ourselves “in a mess.” Are we then to take refuge in the many remedies for depression recommended by the media—or perhaps turn to the escapisms of alcohol and illicit drugs? Better we try to heed the Bible messages of today’s Mass: If your faith is weak, ask God to strengthen it! That is the most efficacious use of “prayer”—to call upon your inner Spirit for personal strength and guidance. You have been given the talents and gifts to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Whatever the case, there is never too big a problem that cannot be solved by prayerful meditation, seeking guidance from “God within you,” or, sometimes in concert with others who face similar problems. So never lose faith in Christ’s promise: “I will be with you to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20.) Christ’s Way There is no more judgmental and condemnatory person than a self-righteous phony. Where others are concerned, such a one has such high standards; makes such exacting demands; accepts no excuses; makes no exceptions; and tolerates no slip-ups. But when it comes to themselves, they can be so blind and all-forgiving! The opposite is also true…. There is no more compassionate and understand person towards those who fall than one who is genuinely holy. This is exemplified in the lives of the saints, and especially in the life of Jesus. Today’s lesson about the adulterous woman is just such an example: on the surface, there appears to be only one sin involved—that of adultery. But there are other sins as well, and very serious ones, at that: • There is the horrible sin involved in the way the Scribes and Pharisees treated the woman—exposing her to the most humiliating kind of public shaming. People have been known to commit suicide rather than face public ridicule. They showed not the slightest regard for her feelings, nor the tiniest shred of concern for her as a person. She was someone they could use to entrap Jesus. She was to them what bait is to fishermen. The bait is gladly sacrificed in the hope of catching a fish. To use another person in this way is truly despicable. • Then there is the sin involved in their attitude towards Jesus. These were men pursuing the path of darkness with only one aim—to get rid of Jesus. In other words, they had murder on their minds. Yet, in spite of the way they shamed and humiliated the woman, and the murderous attitudes they harbored towards Jesus, there is something marvelously gentle and subtle in the way Jesus dealt with them. Rather than condemn them, He exposed them—but didn’t spell it out in public. He didn’t even judge them, but invited them to judge themselves. Instead of answering their accusations directly, He began to write in the dirt. This gave them time to examine their own consciences. And what a contrast there was in they way the Pharisees treated the woman and how Jesus did it. He corrected her, but ever so gently. Like a good surgeon, with a combination of courtesy, gentleness and tenderness while using a scalpel, He offered her mercy and forgiveness, not judgment. He did not come to earth to expose the sores of people, but to heal them. Jesus illuminated a dark scene with the radiance of His compassion. Here we have a wonderful lesson: it’s easy to condemn others, but in doing so, we commit another sin. Correction of others requires diplomacy and tact; kindness and honesty at the same time. We must look at ourselves and be willing to extend to others the same compassion we would like to receive in a similar situation. There is no more important thing in life than to show compassion for a fellow human being. And always remember that honesty for honesty’s sake can be very destructive…. May God Richly Bless You! "Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances." ~~Dr. Wayne Dyer~~ Lenten Meditation.docx To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here:

March 27th, 2022 Fourth Sunday of Lent The prodigal son returns home A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “God Has Reconciled Us Through Christ” Reflections on Today’s Scripture In our First Reading (Joshua 5: 9-12,) we read how the Israelites celebrated the Passover in the Promised Land, after their semi-nomadic life in the desert. They faced their future with anticipation and gratitude to God, Who had rescued them from Egypt’s sin, darkness and bondage. We hear how they ate of the produce of Canaan, no longer dependent on manna from heaven. ~~~ Today’s Second Reading (2 Corinthians 5:17-21,) contrasts the days of the Exodus with the great and glorious dispensation of our life in Christ. His redemptive act makes our lives nothing less than a “new creation,” reestablishing the friendship of God with humankind. We read, “God was reconciling the world to Himself,” arguably the very best Christological statement in the New Testament. Where Jesus is, there is God; and God is God for us. By His death in the flesh, as a sensible sign of the sinful world, and by His rising in a body made new, Christ Himself, and in Him, virtually, all humanity passed from the carnal to the spiritual life. His work has been continued by the Church, which calls people to repent by imparting Christ’s effects through the sacraments—to which we devote the season of Lent. ~~~ In our Gospel, today, we read †Luke’s account of the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-32.) Jesus staunchly refused to categorize people; to Him, no one is an outcast. The Pharisees, meanwhile, could not bear that Jesus welcomed sinners and sought them out—and, in horror, “eats with them!” They considered contact with these ritually unclean people tantamount to flouting the Torah. In the story, Jesus meant to depict God’s gracious forgiveness, and challenge us to see ourselves in the “older son.” Without reproof, God gleefully accepts the prodigal with complete forgiveness, without “strings.” The elder brother’s attitude of disdain is contrasted with the total repentance of the younger, and he is asked to welcome him, and enter into the joy of the homecoming. God’s forgiveness seems too good to be true! Nonetheless, we are called to accept others as our true brothers and sisters, irrespective of their past offenses. Loved In Our Sins The Parable of the Prodigal Son is probably the best known and best loved of all Jesus’ teachings. Yet some maintain that it is an “unfair” story. They feel sorry for the older son, convinced that he got a “raw deal,” believing the younger son “got away with murder!” He should have been punished—taught a lesson…. We understand the younger son was determined to have his “fling.” He set out for life in a city where appetites of every kind could be satisfied. But all too soon, the money ran out, the bright lights faded, and he was shunned by all his new acquaintances. Feeling sorry for himself, and duly repentant for his cavalier disregard for all the blessings of his life at home, he made the brave decision to throw himself on his father’s mercy, and go home. It’s easy to come back home, laden with “trophies” and glory. But without any achievements of merit, it’s a painful “pill” to swallow. Not only was he coming home empty-handed, but also full of shame and disgrace. He must have wondered how he would be received, and prepared himself for a joyless reunion. He had already punished himself for his poor choices, but he feared there would be more to come. His life had been full of pleasures, but he found no joy. He didn’t need to be “taught a lesson.” He had learned a far more important one about himself, about others and about life. Having to face further rejection would have destroyed him utterly. The discovery the younger son made by his father’s welcome was that he was “loved in his sins.” What an extraordinary experience! Such love is like a breeze to a dying fire, or rain, falling on parched ground! But this is what grace is all about: Those who have experienced this kind of love know something about the heart of God…. His forgiveness is not cold nor half-hearted, but warm and generous. The story does not give us license to sin, but it shows that if we do fall into sin, we can come back. Our past can be overcome and we can make a fresh start. The Revelation of Hearts Today’s story is also about hearts: selfish and generous ones; closed and open ones; cold and warm ones; broken and joyful ones; unrepentant and repentant ones; unforgiving and forgiving ones; and resentful and grateful ones. It reveals so much about the vagaries of the human heart. When all is said and done, it’s the heart that matters. Our “heart” is how we are “deep down,” or, what we might call the “real me.” Darkness of heart is like the blackest night of all. Emptiness of heart is the greatest poverty of all. A heavy heart is the most wearisome burden of all. And a broken heart is the deepest wound of all. All Christians experience the warmth of our Blessed Lord when we are absolved from our sins. Our “coming back to the Father” has been formalized for us Catholics, in the sacrament of Penance, or Reconciliation, as it is called these days. (Likened to its predecessor, the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, this annual, one-day ritual is the most solemn of Jewish holy days. The Israelite people were required to fast and do no work, and bring an offering of two goats to the high priest. One was sacrificed, while the other received the sins of the people, and was led out into the desert—the “scapegoat.”) Like the prodigal son, when we consider our own faults and sins, they usually fall into several well-known categories: pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony and sloth are the “seven deadly sins,” about which we all learned during our formative years in catechism class. To one extent or another, all human frailties touch on one or more of these. (No one knows exactly where the line will be drawn between pride and courage, avarice and self-preservation, envy and rightful desire, anger and justice, lust and love, gluttony and nourishment, or sloth and rest. While the line may be obscure, the cause and effect can often be more obvious. Pride blinds, anger devours, avarice overwhelms, gluttony consumes, sloth reduces and lust and envy betray.) Jesus’ life reflects the Day of Atonement in reverse order: At the beginning of His ministry, He was physically driven out into the desert to confront Satan. At the end of His ministry, Christ was offered in the divine sacrifice of the Cross. Through His death and resurrection, the victory of salvation springs forth from the Spirit of His own Baptism. Jesus’ disciples were commissioned to baptize all nations and forgive sins through the sacrament of Penance (John 20:23.) The priest is seen to intercede for our Blessed Lord, and given the power to forgive or retain sins. Our ability to once again celebrate, in union with Jesus, the warm glow of inclusion in the spiritual life—the “heart” of God, if you will—is the wonderful acceptance we experience as members of the Body of Christ. We should never feel we have “gone to the well” too many times for our sins to be forgiven, for the loving heart of God is immeasurable and everlasting. May God Richly Bless You! "Whereas others may misunderstand my good intentions, judge my words or deeds, find fault or blame, what they truly do not understand is that God knows my heart. He knows I am learning and endeavoring to be all I can be." ~~Anonymous~~ Come, Share this Feast of Love.docx To view a video of today's Holy Mass, click here:

March 20th, 2022 Third Sunday of Lent Parable of the barren fig tree A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “The Need for Ongoing Reform” Reflections on Today’s Scripture In our First Reading (Exodus 3:1-15,) we hear of Moses’ first encounter with God, in the “Burning Bush.” Having fled Egypt under a cloud of distrust, he was called by God while tending the flocks of his father-in-law. In the phenomenon of the flaming bush, not consumed by fire, the Divine Presence was symbolically announced. Moses is directed to remove his shoes, so as not to defile the “holy ground,” on which he stood—an ancient oriental mark of respect. Similarly, his reticence to “look upon the face of God,” was a recurring motif in the Old Testament, for fear that it would mean instant death. God is beyond definition either by metaphysicists or mythmakers—cannot be entirely known by humans—and tells Moses to refer to Him as “I Am.” God would continue to become better known—perhaps, more “familiar” to us—as the human story unfolded and evolved. ~~~ Today’s Second Reading (1 Corinthians 10: 1-12,)shows that †Paul advised Christians to reflect upon their past spiritual heritage so as to learn from the mistakes of their forebears in the faith. Taking God and salvation for granted, some in the community were guilty of naïve presumptiveness, thinking that the sacraments were guarantees of redemption. It may have resulted from a perversion of †Paul’s teaching of “justification by faith.” We must glean from this that our own complacency with sacramental grace cannot substitute for cooperative efforts at good living and loving service. ~~~ In our Gospel Reading, today, †Luke gives us an account of Pilate’s heinous treatment of some Galileans, which many, at the time, regarded as punishment for their sin (Luke 13:1-9.) In an effort to challenge everyone to reform, Jesus counseled that the light of life was as easily snuffed out for a good person as for an evil one—therefore showing that “absence of tragedy” should not be taken to mean approval for one’s life. God’s mercy gives everyone many chances to repent of their sins—second chances, as it were—for a new beginning. Using the lesson of the barren fig tree (a symbol for Israel,) our Blessed Lord shows us, when we accept another chance for righteous living, we can attain to eternal life. However, the lifetime process of conversion must be a continual effort for us to become more and more saintly. Second Chances In the normal course of events, it takes three years for a fig tree to reach maturity. If, by then, it is not fruiting, there is little likelihood it will be productive at all. Jesus’ parable of the barren fig tree demonstrates how, even in the best of circumstances, and with the most ardent care, some of us, like the fig tree, will not realize lives of holy potential. But, in His fashion, Christ shows how the mercy of God is unending for those who repent of their misdeeds, and strive for virtue. This Gospel is called the “Gospel of the second chance,” for good reason. We are not told what happened to the fig tree in question, but it doesn’t matter. Jesus had made His point: Just as the gardener was patient with the fig tree, so God is patient with us, sinners. The history of the Church is full of examples of such “barren trees,” that in time became “fruitful”—in other words, sinners, who repented and became saints. Moses, who is at the center of our reading from Exodus, is a good example. He had a fiery temper, we are told, and, although raised in the house of Pharoah, given an elite education and favored status, he had killed another man, taking the law into his own hands. But there was good in him. He was that rare being—the kind of man who couldn’t stand idly by when he saw an injustice or crime happening. Because of this quality, God chose him to lead His people from slavery to freedom. Another example is that of Albert Einstein, who was arguably the greatest mind of the 20th century. He didn’t learn to speak until he was two years old! His parents, notably worried, consulted a doctor. They didn’t judge him too soon, and even though not aware of his future greatness, allowed him to develop slowly. What such people need is someone to believe in them—and have patience with them. Otherwise, much potential talent could remain unrealized. We tend to be harsh with others until we need a second chance, ourselves. It’s important to extend to them the kind of patience and leniency we would like for ourselves. If we were “in charge,” we would probably be much quicker than Jesus to condemn those committing sins, especially sins that hurt us directly. How many times have we wished that a particularly unpleasant person would receive his or her due? However, if we treat others according to the demands of retribution, we would have to submit ourselves to the same form of justice—not a pleasant prospect! Sinners ourselves, we also would stand condemned. We can be thankful that God doesn’t work like that. While He knows we deserve condemnation, He withholds judgment in the hope that we will accept His call. God is not the author of retribution and misfortune, and does not rejoice in the destruction of the wicked—but offers us goodness and life, if only we will accept it. Our Scripture Readings today all make it clear that there is such a thing as a “last chance.” If people refuse one opportunity after another, the day finally comes, not when God has shunned them, but when they have, by deliberate choice, shut themselves out. Surely, none of us would want to be “barren,” when we might be fruitful.” In the end, we have yet another opportunity to accept God’s grace, and be welcomed into His fold. Holy Ground All of the earth that God gave us is “holy ground,” and deserves to be treated with respect. But the holiest “ground” of all is that within each of us. First of all, the body is holy—it is the work of God. That is reason enough for respecting it and caring for it. †Paul gives us a further reason for respecting the body: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (See 1 Corinthians 6:19.) The mind is holy ground. Many people fill their minds every day with all kinds of trivial things, garnered from social media, television, and so on. Henry David Thoreau put it this way: “How willing people are to lumber their minds with rubbish—to permit idle rumors and trivial incidents to intrude on ground, which should be sacred to thought. Shall the mind be a public arena, or shall it be a quarter of heaven itself?” We should strive to follow †Paul’s advice and fill our minds with “everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honor, everything that can be thought virtuous and worthy of praise” (See Philemon 4:8.) But the holiest ground of all is the human “heart” (one’s state of being, or personality—the manner in which we deal with others.) In our times there is a huge preoccupation with outer cleanliness. But this leads to a danger of neglect for inner cleanliness, or cleanness of heart. It’s from the “heart” that all our thoughts, words and deeds flow, like water from a hidden spring. If the spring is clean, then all that flows from it will be clean, as well. May we strive to keep our “hearts” clean and pure, therefore, avoiding the harmful accumulation of the trivial and wasteful. Something for Thee.docx May God Richly Bless You! To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here:

March 13th, 2022 Second Sunday of Lent Transfiguration of Christ A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Lift Up Your Hearts to God” Reflections on Today’s Scripture In our First Reading, we learn of the solemn covenant between God and Abraham, which is fundamental for an understanding of God’s relationship with Israel (Genesis 15:5-18.) at the exodus, God recalls the covenant with Abraham and the patriarchs, and in His faithfulness, saves Israel from bondage. The concept of “land” would become spiritualized to mean the plentitude of Messianic promises, the Kingdom of Heaven. As leader of a new people, Abraham would lead them through the desert of this world to their eternal rest, to the real land of promise—heaven. ~~~ Even the early Churches were not without fault, despite special graces. Christianity is indeed liberty, but it is freedom to live the Christian life, to come to know Christ and the power of His resurrection; it is the power to conquer sin and live in Christ, which was given by the Spirit of the risen Savior; it is the freedom to live a life in God’s friendship, which leads to the resurrection from the dead. †Paul relates to the Philippians (Philippians 3:17-4:1,) that Christians have dual citizenship: as citizens of heaven, they should perform their duties as worthy of the Gospel, setting their minds on their real homeland; while on earth, we must accept our duties as citizens of the human race, and see this world in perspective and so use temporal things in a manner in keeping with our eternal goals. ~~~ At Jesus’ baptism, the Father addressed Him as His beloved Son, in Whom He was well pleased. Today’s Gospel (Luke 9:28-36,) follows †Peter’s confession of Jesus’ identity, showing, that in the Transfiguration, Jesus is a prophet (like Moses and Elijah,) Whose teaching must be heeded. The three privileged disciples saw a glimpse of Christ’s glory, not yet a vision of the resurrection to come. It helped them see the glory of the risen Lord was hidden presently in Jesus of Nazareth. In this wonder, our Blessed Lord receives a revelation that His fate is to suffer and die, and His countenance is altered and His raiment shines with heavenly whiteness—the immediacy of God’s presence. Relationships Most of us have heard the classic story of the dedicated family man who exclaimed to his wife: “Honey, please do not ask me anymore whether I love you. I told you so when we got married ten years ago. I provide for the family and pay all the bills, including the notes on the new refrigerator and the diamond I gave you last Christmas….” These things may be outward signs of his love, but that is not enough! His wife wants to hear that he loves her over and over again—and he needs to say it. Partially, as a result, it’s not uncommon for people to drift apart and jeopardize their marriage, due to such behavior. Your relationship with God is also a sacred partnership, or covenant, clearly possessing marital overtones. Of course, no comparison is adequate. God does not “feel unhappy” when you do not encounter Him directly in prayer or fail to say that you love Him and appreciate what He is doing for you. But you need to express love for Him and show appreciation what He does for you. If you do not, you will likely drift away from Him, regardless of your charity to others. The Human Face Each of us has many faces. At different times we wear the face of happiness, sadness, courage, fear, peace, unrest, hope, despair, weariness, relaxation, joy, pain, friendship or hostility. There is nothing of which to be ashamed in all this…it is part of being a human being. The only thing of which we should be ashamed is a “false” face. These other faces are all real—they tell the truth, whereas a false face tells a lie. It’s amazing to consider the different expressions that can only be seen on the human face. That’s why faces are such an interesting study. The face always reveals who we are and what life has done to us. This explains why we use the word “face” so much in talking to others. Consider: We say: “You should have seen her face when I said this.” Or, we might talk about “losing face,” and “saving face,” in reference to a person’s words or actions. We might refer to a person as “two-faced,” referring to their alleged duplicity. And if we say someone is “faceless,” also implies they are deceitful. Some people are reluctant to let their real face—their real self—be seen. Instead, they often insist on putting on a mask. Perhaps they are afraid to be seen in their weakness. That’s why it’s so important that we always wear a smile, even when we may be crying inside. The transfigured face of Jesus on the mountain was very special, as it shone like the sun, but it was not His only face. It’s a mistake to think that was the real face of Jesus. What the apostles saw was real, and it did reveal something of His inner glory that at other times was hidden from them. But to say it was the real face of Jesus implies all the other faces He wore were not real—meaning they were false. Jesus had all the faces we have, except for “false ones.” At various times, His face showed signs of weariness, disappointment, anger, gentleness, compassion, sadness, fear, anguish and pain; and later, it was pale and frozen in death. All these faces were real. Behind all of them lay the person of Jesus, human like us, except for sin, but also carrying within Him the splendor of divinity. Even though a person’s face is called “the window of the soul,” every face conceals more than it reveals. Most times, the essentials about another person remain invisible. Each person is a mystery, except to God. Our own divine greatness as well as that of other is hidden from us. Like Abraham, we have to live by the faith that assures us that behind the most ordinary human face lays a son or a daughter of God; a brother or a sister of Jesus—bound for eternal glory. Glimpses of Glory People have the splendor of divinity inside them, because we are made in the “image of God.” This often-misunderstood analogy is one with many interpretations. Taken most simply, the “image of God,” means we can “act in a Godly manner,” toward others, when we express our benevolence, or goodness. If we strive to be fair and courteous to everyone, and routinely defer to their needs, this way of showing obeisance is how we might emulate Jesus’ way of being. No one believes we actually “look like” God, of course. God has no “mortal visage” for us to imitate. But our understanding of God means He is the embodiment of total perfection in all things. This image of God, is something to which we can aspire, and toward which we are called to strive as His creations. Many of us know people who we have considered “living saints.” I was fortunate to have had a mother who embodied such a bearing, and she had a formative influence on me, my brothers, and everyone with whom she interacted during her short life. (As my lovely wife, Danielle, will attest, there was another person, Ms. Mary Ann DeSalvo, of Wheatridge, CO, who was also the personification of “saintly” characteristics.) Such people give us hope through which we can be elevated. In any event, it is our calling as disciples, to be ever conscious of our beliefs, and to put them into action. Whether or not we ever have the vision of the transfiguration, about which we heard in today’s Gospel, it’s clear that something of the wonder of that day remained with †Peter, and illuminated his life. Many years later, he wrote: “We were eye-witnesses of His glory on the mountain…A Voice came to Him, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.’ ” (2 Peter 1:17-18.) But we can experience rare moments of light and joy. In them, we get glimpses of the promised land toward which we are traveling in faith. In His love for us, God allows us to taste the joys of the world to come. These moments of transfiguration are given to us to strengthen us for our everyday tasks, and to enable us to face the crosses which, in some shape or form, come to everyone. Such moments of glory do not exist for their own sake. They exist to clothe the common things with a radiance they never had before. Prayer and religion are not escapism. They are meant to help us face life with all its difficulties and challenges, to embrace the high and low moments of life, the hilltop and the pit. May God Richly Bless You! "God places us in the world as His fellow workers/agents of transfiguration. We work with God so that injustice is transfigured into justice--so there will be more compassion and caring; that there be more laughter and joy; that there will be more togetherness in God's World." ~~Desmond Tutu~~ God is Working His Purpose Out.docx To view a video of today's Holy Mass, click here: God is Working His Purpose Out.mp3

March 6th, 2022 First Sunday of Lent Jesus is tempted by Satan A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “The Profession of Faith” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Today’s First reading (Deuteronomy 26:4-10,) is eminently suited for reading at Mass because it describes a liturgical ceremony—with written-in-rubrics. It is the ceremony of offering of the “first fruits”—of the harvest, placed in a basket and taken to the shrine of Yahweh. There, we hear the words of the priest: “Today, I declare to the Lord, your God, that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” Then, reading the creed, he cites Jacob (the wandering Aramean,”) and his descent into Egypt—no longer as an individual, but the nation of Israel. This expresses an awareness that the Liturgy makes the saving event present, and brings the worshipper directly into it. ~~~ †Paul’s letter to the Romans shows us that faith is open to God’s future intervention and thus, brings us hope (Romans 10:8-13.) In Jesus’ day, faith was not “open,” human traditions having been made the “yardstick” for the relevance of God’s Word. They were not prepared to hear God’s Word spoken to them by/through Jesus. In our recitation of the Nicene Creed at Holy Mass, we affirm Jesus as our Lord, and risen Savior, Who died for our sins and was raised for our justification. This is our genuine faith, meant to proclaim our death to sin and life in accord with Christ’s “law,” a law of freedom (my episcopal motto….) Faith is accessible to all who have heard the Gospel, without distinction of person, Jew, or non-Jew, rich or poor. ~~~ In today’s Gospel, †Luke relates Jesus’ temptation in the desert (Luke 4:1-13.) The three scenes depict Christ as a dutiful Son of the Father, unwilling to use His power or authority for any reason other than that for which He had been sent. Jesus was tempted in every respect, just as we are, yet without sinning. He redeemed us, as “one of our race,” as reasoned by God. As a Man, He was to be “made perfect” through suffering, and “learn” God’s will for humankind. Thereby, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. In our temptations, we seek our own glory, even in religious matters: choosing the “easy way” and turning aside from suffering. In them, we are enticed to turn away from suffering, and forget that the source of Christian life is found in the death and resurrection of Christ. Self-Knowledge All of us are weak and prone to evil. This may be a disturbing truth, but it is one we ignore at our own peril. The great problem of our time is our failure to know ourselves, to recognize evil and deal with it within ourselves. Yet there is a kind of comfort and freedom in knowing and accepting this humbling truth. We have to struggle against evil that is in others and in society, but our hardest struggle is against evil inside us. We are born with conflicting impulses, so that doing good is always possible…but never easy. The most difficult victory of all is over oneself. Jesus’ temptation was not “play-acting”—it was real. People in all ages have been tempted to live for material things, alone; to seeking their glory, rather than God’s; and abandoning the worship of God for the adoration of worldly power and fame. Nor was Jesus’ victory over Satan, “once and for all.” He had won the battle, not the war. He faced other attacks, which needed to be repelled. The same is true for us—temptations are never over; they come at inopportune times, throughout our lives. Some people think they should reach a stage when they will be beyond temptation. Jesus never reached that stage, nor did any of the saints. But we should take heart: resisting temptation was not easy for Jesus; nor can it be for us. But in Jesus, we have a Brother, Who knows what we face. He forgives us, and raises us up when we fall. He enables us to obey God’s Word, to trust Him, and to worship Him, alone. Basic Needs Human beings don’t live on “bread alone.” Bread is only one of the historic “staples” of life for the body. (Today, in our modern world, many of us must resist eating “bread,” in its many forms, due to our collective struggles with carbohydrates/gluten, as well as all forms of sugars and starches.) But to nourish a human being is not the same as to fatten cattle! Our bodies need food, of course, but so do our souls. The story of Elvis Presley serves to illustrate this truth: Elvis became very “rich,” by the standards of his time. At the time of his death, he owned eight cars, six motorcycles, two airplanes, sixteen television “sets,” a vast mansion and several bulging bank accounts. On top of all that, he was idolized by legions of fans. Yet he wasn’t happy. In the midst of all his wealth and success, he experienced a spiritual malaise, and complained of loneliness and boredom. We are told that, early on, his mother simply wanted him to simply “come home, buy a furniture store, get married and have children.” In spite of all his material wealth, Elvis grew fearful and depressed. At age 22, he found there were “no more worlds to conquer.” This malaise could have been an opportunity—a stark reminder that “man does not live on bread alone,” that is, on material things, alone. We see this vital truth in modern society, although, in practice, it is not easy to “take it on board.” Life on “bread alone,” cannot provide “living to the full,” and nourished as human beings and children of God. One might imagine parents who fed their child, but never spoke a word to them. (Rod Serling, of Twilight Zone fame, produced an episode with just this theme, as I recall.) Without guidance, encouragement, affirmation, consolation—communication of peace, welcome, love or joy—a child’s body would be nourished, but their heart and soul would be empty! “Bread alone,” won’t always guarantee even physical survival. We know of prisoners, kept in concentration camps, who, although fed ample “bread and water,” perished, nonetheless. It’s not just the human body that gets hungry. The human spirit needs to be fed, as well. Unless we also acknowledge and address our deeper hungers and greater needs, as well as our corporeal ones, we cannot be whole. From time to time, like Jesus, we may need to get away from normal life, and experience time for solitude and reflection. We may not decide to “wander in the desert” for 40 days, of course, but we could find somewhere for reflection and meditation. At times, when we become overwhelmed by life’s demands, a lonely place might be what is required. Often, we might find ourselves living foolishly and un-spiritually, driven by desires and imprisoned by selfish habits. Surrounded by noise and constant activity, we may find our priorities misaligned. In that clamor, with all the pressures, there is no escape, no stillness. It’s no wonder, then, that some people find themselves, like Elvis, unhappy and unfulfilled. That’s when we might discover that seclusion is the answer. Solitude may afford us an opportunity to find the spiritual “bread” we need to find our place with God, and accept full responsibility for our lives. A hermit goes into the desert, not to lose himself, but to find himself. There we meet our demons, our addictions, our lust, our anger and our need for recognition and approval. We don’t go “into the wilderness” to escape from others, either, but to find them through prayerful meditation. Thomas Merton once said: “Only in solitude and silence can I find the gentleness with which I can love my brothers and sisters.” Such spiritual nourishment may lead us to a deeper, and more meaningful, living of the Christian life. May God Richly Bless You! "It is through temptation that we come to know ourselves. We cannot win our 'crown' unless we overcome [them;] "We cannot overcome unless we enter the contest; and there is no contest unless we have an enemy and the temptation he brings." ~~St. Augustine~~ What Does the Lord Require?.docx To view a video of today's Holy Mass, click here:

February 27th, 2022 Eighth Sunday-Ordinary Time A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Honesty in Christian Witness” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Our First reading (Sirach 27: 4-7,) authored by Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, saw extensive use in the early Church, as a primer for catechumens and the faithful. Imbued with love for the Law, the priesthood, the temple and divine worship, he was a wise and experienced observer of life. Tasked with teaching piety and morality, these four sentences make one point: a person’s speech shows one’s character. ~~~ †Paul continues speaking of Christ’s resurrection in our Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15: 54-58.) Telling the Christians at Corinth that death has been “swallowed up in victory,” and is “no more a tyrant,” for it has “lost its sting,” he equates sin with death—which leads to a false mode of being, in opposition to God. For †Paul, the only responsible way of living—the only way to authentic being—is to exercise our free will to make personal decisions. He assures us, meanwhile, that we have access to encouragement and grace through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Who is at work in us, and that all labor can be endured. The work we achieve is that of the Lord, within us, Who makes all difficulties bearable. ~~~ It is apparent in today’s Gospel, that †Luke understands one cannot attempt to guide others unless we have a good grasp of the Christian way of life (Luke 6:39-45.) We avoid being a “blind guide” by striving to be genuinely good people. We must guard not to see ourselves more advanced in the spiritual life than someone else. Similarly, we must not “write off” a neighbor as hopeless because they do not think the way we do. How quickly judgments form in our hearts—becoming so habitual that we do not even realize it. We should be ever willing to ask the Lord for help to examine our hearts in order to bring us deeper repentance and healing. So selfless was Jesus’ love for His fellows that even His last breath was not an appeal for our punishment, but a prayer for our forgiveness. He swallowed up the darkness of self-love with the light of His self-giving, and by His Spirit, He can empower us to do the same. Attending to our own Faults Without realizing it, we can become professional fault-finders and critics. But critics are not the ones who reform the world. Jesus tells us to take the “beam” out of our own eye before we can think about removing a “splinter” from someone else’s. We must put our own house “in order” before we dare to try to manage someone else’s. If we neglect this, we will not judge others from a sense of caring, but rather, from hatred—wishing to “expose” them. There are few things that give as much satisfaction to our egos as pointing out the mistakes and faults of others…. How anxious we are to correct others, thinking, “If only we could tell (them) about their faults, and get them to see the error of their ways, how fine our community would be!” When we think like this, we are thinking only of ourselves. But how we hate and dread being corrected ourselves…. We find it unbearable, especially if it is done by “certain people!” Jesus called it “pseudo-religion,” the hypocrisy of forever trying to make other people better. True religion tries to make oneself better. Leaders, too, can only lead effectively if they see the true way, for themselves. Likewise, teachers can only impart knowledge from what they have learned. If we are to avoid becoming that “blind guide,” we must exercise self-criticism. The “Sting” of Death Not so long ago, diabetes was a killer disease for which there were no remedies. But then, insulin was discovered, and suddenly, sufferers were given hope. Insulin doesn’t stop people from getting diabetes, nor does it rid them of its distress, but it does take the “sting” out of the disease. Those affected know it doesn’t have to be fatal anymore. That makes a huge difference in their lives, and enables them to “live with it.” Because of Christ’s victorious resurrection from the dead, we too know death does not have the “final say” for us. But this doesn’t mean all the pain, sadness and anguish have been taken from living. Maya Angelou once said: “I can accept the idea of my own demise, but I am unable to accept the death of anyone else. I find it impossible to let a friend or relative go into that country of no return. Disbelief becomes my close companion, and anger follows in its wake. I answer the heroic question, ‘Death, where is thy sting?’ with ‘It is here in my heart and mind and memories.’ ” (from, “Wouldn’t take Nothing for my Journey Now”) Death is an enormous reality. Today there is a tendency to deny it, or at least to cover it up. Undertakers do their utmost to make it “pretty.” Preachers often use soothing phrases and euphemisms when talking about death. The next-of-kin are sometimes given drugs to cope with it. However, all of this is counterproductive. People must be helped to confront death and to become reconciled with it. It is necessary to work through grief, and not deny it. Those who do so will find their lives enriched. Our Christian faith helps us to best confront death, with courage and hope, because we know we can conquer it in Christ. We know the “sting” is there, in reality, but it’s no longer fatal to our immortal souls. We may not have all the answers about what happens to us after death, but we don’t need to know. It is enough that we trust in God. In a world where many desperately seek to know all the answers, it is not easy to admit this. Each night, when we abandon ourselves into the “arms of sleep,” we make a big act of faith. We let go of everything, and for all practical purposes, become like dead people, in the hope of rising again the following morning. Many people like to say some prayer before abandoning themselves in this way. Mine is a simple one, I’ve remembered from childhood: “Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray dear Lord, my soul You’ll keep. But if I die before I wake, I pray, Lord, God, my soul You’ll take.” Then, I always add: “Thank you for my life!” Mother †Teresa’s prayer is also poignant: “Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I know will feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only You. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.” Our Blessed Lord knows our hearts and whether or not we are truly sorry for our sins and offenses, by the extent to which we have taken responsibility for them. Conducting ourselves in this way means we routinely attempt to make amends to anyone we may have harmed, or disadvantaged. (People who feel compelled to add a recitation of “contrition” for their misdeeds, to their nightly prayers, asking God for forgiveness—although a thorough nightly recounting of our transgressions could make this an elaborate regimen.) This takes us back to the subject of the previous section, wherein we may be guilty of being unfairly judgmental of others, and being harshly critical. Such sins and offenses sometimes escape our scrutiny. If we culture a pattern of continual self-examination to the point that it becomes our design for living, it will enable us to better emulate Christ at all times. God knows we are imperfect beings, and can only strive toward saintly lives. That is why He sent His only Son, to be our Savior; and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, as our help and refuge. May God Richly Bless You! To view this week's Holy Mass, click here: Let Your Light Shine.docx

February 20th, 2022 Seventh Sunday-Ordinary Time A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Growth in the Image of God” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Those who may say there is little relevance in Scripture might do well to reflect on today’s First Reading (1 Samuel 26: 2-23.) William Shakespeare took its reference when he wrote: “The quality of mercy is not strained…it is twice blessed—blessing him that gives and him that takes…” (Merchant of Venice.) We read that King David showed mercy to Saul, allowing him to live, when he might have justly killed him, taking the law into his own hands. Unwilling to repay Saul’s evil with his own, David is seen as a forerunner of Jesus, representing the love and mercy of the Father for a sinful humanity. He also reminds all believes that, just as punishment is the Lord’s prerogative, so it is the Lord, Who will reward those who remain just and faithful. ~~~ †Paul’s lengthy First Letter to the Corinthians, from which we have read these past several weeks, shows him working diligently at correcting a variety of abuses and misunderstandings that had occurred since his departure (1 Corinthians 15: 45-49.) Christians throughout the ages have benefited from his excellent insights on an array of topics: love, morality, salvation, community, conscience, charisms and the Holy Eucharist. In today’s conversation about the natural and heavenly natures of man, †Paul links us to our Blessed Lord, through Whom all believers are saved. His risen glory is a pledge of our own. As were the Corinthians, we are called to open ourselves body and soul to receive the gifts made available to us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. ~~~ Many friendships are based on “reciprocity”—doing something for someone in expectation of them doing something for us—dinner invitations, gifts, favors, and even compliments, for example. In today's Gospel (Luke 6: 27-38,) Jesus challenged His followers to engage in relationships that defied this pattern of reciprocity, calling those who would be His disciples to love one another and even enemies, with the heart and mind of God, Himself. Continuing last week’s selection of The Beatitudes, Jesus raises the love shown toward one’s enemies from a concept to a command! His urging of our giving love to them is measured not by the attractiveness or goodness of the recipient, but by the goodness of the giver…graciously given without measuring the deservedness of the one loved. It is this love that God has given to us, that is ordained to save the world. Incapable of fully reciprocating the love, compassion and generosity of God, those who are the beneficiaries of such goodness must show their gratitude in love, mercy and generosity for one another. Loving Our Enemies For most of us, it’s a difficult concept to even consider “loving” our enemies…. After all, “they are enemies,” for a specific reason, in most instances. By definition, they would seek to do us harm, if given a chance, so at best, we would consider it prudent to at least be “wary” of them—not “love” them…. But Jesus taught all His disciples, “to be compassionate…not to judge…not to condemn…and to treat others as we would be treated,” right? So, as “believers,” and His disciples, it is incumbent upon us to follow His precepts—including “loving” our enemies…. Jesus challenges us to respond to darkness with light. To respond with what is worst in the other with what is best in us. The most important issue today is how to resist evil without doing further evil in the process. Most of us think we have done our Christian duty if we refrain from doing harm to our enemy. But Jesus asks more of us—to “love them!” Even on a human level, Jesus’ teaching makes sense. The escalation of evil can be stopped only by one who humbly absorbs it, without passing it on. (One is reminded of how, in “practical jokes,” people are conditioned to repay their perpetrators with ever more severe “jokes.”) Revenge and retaliation only add darkness to darkness. By adopting a vindictive attitude, we become poisoned by hatred. We use enormous amounts of energy by hating; revenge might satisfy one’s rage, but it leaves the heart empty. It’s vital to keep our hearts free from hatred. In contrast, love releases extraordinary energy in us. Still, loving someone who hates you is one of the most difficult things in the world. Yet true love is love of the difficult, and the unlovable. Mercy is stronger and more God-like than vengeance. It’s a constant struggle to overcome feelings of bitterness and revenge that well up inside us, and can keep welling up, when we are badly treated by another. Forgiveness is never easy. We must struggle for it, daily; pray for it, daily; and win it…daily. Resentments can “smolder” for a long time. Prayer is the only answer. Anger cannot continue to develop where there is humble, sincere, meditative prayer. The “Golden Rule” In Jesus’ time, scales to weigh produce were not used in the marketplace. Rather, vessels were used to measure—a “panful” of wheat, for instance. But, of course, a “panful” could vary significantly from merchant to merchant. A miserly one might fill the pan “loosely,” and not “to the top.” A generous one would do the opposite, perhaps shaking it down to create more space, and then, “top it off,” for the customer. It’s easy to “give” to a friend or to someone from whom we can expect a return of some kind. It doesn’t call for virtue in us to do this. Jesus said, “Even sinners do as much.” If we love those who love us, we are not doing anything exceptional, and shouldn’t look for a reward for doing so. The real test is giving to an enemy or to someone from whom we have no hope in getting a return. This is the ideal that Jesus puts before us in today’s Gospel. Loving our enemies and doing good without hope of return is an imitation of the goodness and compassion of that we ascribe to the perfection of God. It may be difficult, but it’s not impossible…. The more we open our hearts to others—the more we open our hearts to the ideal we believe to be “God-like”—the more we approach being like God, ourselves. Although it is sometimes impossible to comprehend, in the “heat of the moment,” the vessel with which we “give” to others is that in which we will “receive” from God. Most people today, in one context or another, have heard about “karma.” It is an ancient principle from Hinduism and Buddhism that postulates, “the sum of a person’s actions in this state of existence decides their fate in future existence.” It has become part of our lexicon, suggesting that “what comes around, goes around.” We cannot do “cost accounting” on many actions we take. The results, rewards, retributions, etc., may come long afterward. So, if our focus is always upon doing the “best we can” in the moment—not tempered on “what’s in it for us,” but rather doing “what’s best in a particular situation”—we will be on the right path. Then we can expect “good karma,” or, as Christian believers, we can expect that the Lord, in His goodness, will see to it that the blessings we have bestowed on others will be returned to us, “a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” May God Richly Bless You! The Four-Way Test ( of everything we think, say or do:) 1. Is it the Truth? 2. Is it Fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? 4. Is it Beneficial to all concerned? (Rotary International) Due to technical difficulties, there is no Holy Mass recording today. We Will be Your People.docx

February 13th, 2022 Sixth Sunday-Ordinary Time Jesus preaches to the disciples A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “The Search for Happiness” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Today’s First Reading gives us a sample of wisdom poetry contrasting the wicked (those who trust in humans) and the righteous (those who trust in God) (Jeremiah 17:5-8.) A barren desert shrub is contrasted with a fruitful tree beside a flowing river. To rely on weak, human nature, “on the flesh and the things of the flesh,” as the Bible puts it, can only mean spiritual death. To trust in God means to rely on Him, turning to Him as the One Source of life. The Responsorial Psalm today conveys the same message (Psalm 1.) When ancient people put their trust in armies and alliances, abandoning the Lord, their cause was lost. ~~~ †Paul’s insistence on the bodily resurrection of Jesus is brought out today in our Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15:12-20.) Some of the new Christians in Corinth denied any resurrection from the dead. To this, †Paul argues that if there is none, then Christ has not been raised, either—making his preaching, and their faith “in vain.” If he has been misrepresented God, then their faith is meaningless, their sins have not been forgiven, and those who died, believing, have perished without hope! Indeed, Christ has not only risen, but He is the “first fruits” of those who have died. In other words, the resurrection is not only a reality, but it reaches to us. Jesus Himself is present to us and with us in our striving to give substance to the Kingdom. ~~~ The Gospels have two, notably different, versions of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12, and Today’s Gospel: Luke 6: 17-26.) Matthew has nine of them, whereas, Luke has only four—but with four corresponding woes. Both have an original “core” going back to Jesus, with the additions and adaptations being due to the evangelists’ interpretations. The blessedness promised to the poor and afflicted will wonderfully compensate them for their present state of being. In turn, the Beatitudes apply to Christians who are suffering persecutions, encouraging them in the midst of their difficulties. †Luke is a keen critic of, and challenges the wealthy. He envisages their conversion only by way of a radical renunciation of their possessions (truly charitable alms-giving) and their specific oppressive conduct (risky loans, oppression of those most marginal in society.) The Richness of Faith When Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor…” He is not blessing starvation and misery—those are evil things. Rather, He is blessing a reliance on God. As stressed in our First Reading, today, those who put their trust in human beings will often be disappointed. However, those who put their trust in God will not. Only God can fill our emptiness, and satisfy the hunger of our hearts. But often God is the last One to Whom we turn, rather than the first. Trusting in God means relying on Him as the one Source of life. Those who are rich tend to rely on their wealth—for them, the treasures of this world matter most. God is, more or less, redundant…and His “other world,” is remote and hazy. The poor, on the other hand, tend to turn to God instinctively, as the very hazards and difficulties of their lives make God and the other world close and palpable. Of course, poverty, in itself, is not a good thing. But as life becomes more challenging, and more threatening, it also becomes richer, because the fewer expectations we have, the more good things of life become unexpected gifts, that we accept with gratitude and joy. In the final analysis, riches and comforts leave us in a spiritual wilderness. Only by living the values of the Gospel will our deepest hungers be satisfied. To understand the Beatitudes, we need a “spiritual awakening.” Kahlil Gibran is credited with saying, “Spiritual awakening is the not the most important thing in life—it is the sole purpose of our being.” The Poverty of the Rich Sometimes, homes of the wealthy seem as though they lack “life and laughter.” Seldom will we see children playing on their lawns, and, while they are beautiful, an air of despondence seems to surround them. It’s been termed the “melancholy of affluence.” There’s a story about a housekeeper who lived with a wealthy couple, who occupied a basement apartment in a house with fourteen bedrooms. Her main job was to cook, clean and care for a wealthy California couple. Each day she would prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for them, and when needed, tend to their frequent guests, as well. As the couple grew elderly, they stopped entertaining, and retired to a sedentary life. Their meals became simpler, and their days often passed with little conversation. Meanwhile, the housekeeper would invite friends to share a meal with her, enjoy drinks with music, dancing and card games. Carefree conversation and laughter were the normal fare. One evening, amid the gaiety of the evening, the employers knocked on her door, asking her to talk with them. “We don’t mean to disturb you,” they said, “But you all seem to be having a wonderful time. We hear you and your friends enjoying yourselves, and we’d like to just ‘watch’ you.” They added, “If you’ll keep your door open a bit, your friends need never know. We’ll be quiet and just observe.” The woman agreed, but she found it sad because the couple owned a large house, with a swimming pool, multiple cars, lots of palm trees—yet no joy. One could picture the wealthy couple standing in a darkened hallway, peering into a lighted room where their servant and her friends were lifting their voices in merriment and camaraderie. This story illustrates one way in which the poor can be “better off” than the rich, who might have forgotten how to enjoy themselves. The secret lies in their love of life, and the ability to take great pleasure from small offerings. When things are “easy,” people expect good things to happen, but they bring no great joy when they come. But when life is challenging, it can also be richer, due to people having fewer “expectations.” In the eyes of the world, the wealthy seem to be blessed by God, while the poor seem to be cursed. Jesus spoke about that: • The strange poverty of those who live for the wealth of this world, in contrast to the strange wealth of those who trust in God; • The strange hunger of those whose only food is that of this world, versus the strange nourishment of those who seek the food that only God can give; • The strange sadness of those who laugh when compared to the strange joy of those who know how to weep; • The strange happiness of those who find themselves persecuted in the cause of right; • The strange weakness of the strong, rivaling the strange strength of the weak, who put their trust in God. “People who choose to earn money first, people who put off their real plans until later, until they are rich, are not necessarily wrong. People who want only to live, and who reckon living is absolute freedom, the exclusive pursuit of happiness, the sole satisfaction of their desires and instincts, the immediate enjoyment of the boundless riches of the world—such people will always be unhappy. It is true that there are people for whom this kind of dilemma does not arise, or hardly arises— either because they are too poor and have no requirements beyond a slightly better diet, slightly better housing, slightly less work; or because they are too rich to understand the import or even the meaning of such a distinction. But nowadays, and in our part of the world, more and more people are neither rich nor poor: they dream of wealth, and could become wealthy; and that is where their misfortunes begin." ~~Georges Perec: "Things: A Story of the Sixties~~ Blessed Is He.docx For a video of today's Holy Mass, click here: Holy Mass 02-13-22 Old Catholic Church, Tucson AZ Holy Mass 02-13-22 Old Catholic Church, Tucson AZ By Father Michael Schamp May God Richly Bless You!

February 6th, 2022 Fifth Sunday-Ordinary Time Jesus Calls His Disciples A Message from Father ††Michael Today’s Theme: “Awareness of God’s Presence” Reflections on Today’s Scripture A person cannot become truly aware of the Holiness of God without also recognizing their own sinfulness and unworthiness. This was Isaiah’s plight, as we read in today’s First Reading (Isaiah 6:1-8.) For him, the God of Israel and Judah was perceived as the “Holy One,” the wholly other and transcendent One. The use of “holy” signified a moral condition, demanded of those whose God was holiness itself. Relating his symbolic vision of the Holy One in heaven, he describes the Jerusalem temple as an external expression of the heavenly temple. Spiritual beings of heaven spoke to him with the seraphim’s triple “Holy,” which has been incorporated into both Jewish and Christian liturgies. (We hear his “Holy, Holy, Holy” in our celebration of the Holy Mass, at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer.) But the God Who called and commissioned him as prophet would also equip him for the task. ~~~ For many of the Corinthian converts to Christianity, raised in Greek culture and Platonic philosophy, the bodily resurrection of Jesus (and of the redeemed) was an insurmountable obstacle, defying reason and taking their faith beyond its limits. In answer to this †Paul reminds them of the authentic tradition revealed to him by credible sources. †Paul’s list of witnesses to the risen Lord was intended to give added weight to his argument in today’s Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15:1-11.) He sees himself as the least worthy of Jesus’ disciples, yet strives to disseminate the Good News with authoritative zeal. ~~~ Like Isaiah, †Peter felt unworthy and sinful in the face of goodness. He shows his awareness of Jesus’ divine power, referring to Him as “Lord,” rather than “master,” in our Gospel today Jesus speaks to †Peter, and to him it was said, “From now on, you will be catching men.” (This preeminent position of †Peter would be underscored by †Luke in his Acts of the Apostles.) Through his apostolic labors, in the service of the Gospel, others would be saved from the death of sin and brought alive or to the new life in Jesus’ kingdom. †Luke understood the calling to discipleship to mean renouncement of everything else—a commitment that severs all other bonds. Coping with Failure It’s possible to have done one’s best, yet at the end of the day (or night) have nothing to show for it, nothing but weariness and wounds. One might study diligently for an exam, and still not achieve the expected results. An athlete may train for years, but be the last one to complete the race. A parent might do their best, only to have a child become a delinquent. Jesus might have said to the apostles, “I’m surprised at you! You’re supposed to be experienced fishermen! How could you fish all night and catch nothing? How come the men (over there) made a good catch If He had said this, He would have also been blaming them for their lack of results. The last thing we need after expending our best efforts is blame. To fail is painful enough without someone “rubbing salt into the wound.” It’s terrible, if one’s best isn’t good enough…. We all experience failure at one time or another. There is no point in being sentimental about it—failure breeds despair. The person who can draw strength from failure is very rare. What we need is not blame but someone to believe in us, to encourage us, and to challenge us. Failure is not the “falling down,” but “staying down.” Besides, success is not everything. We can win an argument but lose a friend. Through competition and promotion, we may advance in our profession, but in terms of relationships we may be impoverished. Success is sweet at the moment it is achieved. But almost immediately, the cup of success is drained away and a feeling of emptiness sets in. Jesus did not blame †Peter and his companions, but He didn’t encourage them to wallow in self-pity, either. Nor did He allow them to rest in failure. He challenged them to try again, saying, “Launch out into the deep and let down the nets for a catch.” As Emerson once said, “Each of us has a greater possibility. We each possess a chamber, or a closet, that has never been opened. If we are to realize this ‘greater possibility’ we need to be challenged to go beyond ourselves, beyond that which we think we are capable and for which we have settled.” We need someone to say to us, “Launch out into the deep.” We all need someone who accepts us for what we are, and believes we are capable of more, and challenges us to realize it. At Your Word, Lord…. Most of us would probably admit there are very few people in our lives whose “word” we would take seriously and trust absolutely. Today’s Gospel story is not so much one about fishing, but about trust. What began as failure—not catching any fish—ended with such bounty as to endanger their boat with the load. Jesus didn’t just offer Peter and the new apostles a “new work,” but a cause to which to dedicate their lives. When leaders of “cults” call people to follow them, they turn them into their personal slaves. Jesus called the apostles, not to service of Himself, but to service of others. Our Blessed Lord still calls people, and the need is just as great today. And there still are those who respond. Some people (like priests and the apostles) are called to dedicate themselves totally and in a “professional” way to the following of Christ. But not all Christians are called to follow Christ in this way. By our Baptism, we were each called to follow Christ. For the ordinary person, it means to be a Christian where you are in and in your chosen profession. There are more ways than one of serving Christ and His Gospel. The call in the first instance is not to an apostolate but to discipleship. We read today about Isaiah, †Paul and †Peter being called to service. All three did great things for God, yet each of them had inferiority complexes—a low opinion of themselves. They did not put themselves forward, but were “called” by God. Isaiah said, “I am a man of unclean lips.” †Paul said, “Of all the apostles, I am the least—I don’t even deserve the name.” And †Peter declared, “Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” This was not false humility on their part, it was the plain truth…. Often times, in looking for a leader, we are met with those who proclaim their abilities with confidence and bravado, but who perform less than admirably in the end, seeking their own aggrandizement. But then, we may find someone of ability, who is fearful, reluctant, or even hesitant, we find that person much more believable, and much more human. This element of reluctance is of the essence of the matter, for the saint or martyr who seeks his fate, with eagerness, never rings true. When we acknowledge our weakness, God can strengthen us. When we acknowledge our emptiness, God can enrich us. Then we become available to do His work, and He accomplishes in us the things we formerly found impossible. Humility is the starting point. It’s not that we are corrupt, but we are weak, selfish and cowardly. ‘Without grace, we are unable to save ourselves, much less save anyone else. Through the working of the Holy Spirit within us, we can ask the Lord to give us humility to acknowledge our weaknesses and find the strength to rise above them. Then we will have the joy of discovering that it is when we are weak, we are strong, because the Lord’s power becomes available to us. May God Richly Bless You! "Success to failure is one step. From failure to success is a long road." ~~Old Yiddish Saying~~ Lord, Jesus, Think on Me.docx To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here:

January 30th, 2022 Fourth Sunday-Ordinary Time A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: "Fulfilling the Role of the Prophet” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Our First Reading (Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19,) has particular relevance to our day. Like his predecessors who accepted their mission with submission (Isaiah, with “eagerness,”) we also are called, but respond “reluctantly,” to our mission to speak the word of God’s truth and justice in our world. Jeremiah had to question God, in order to understand, and was not uncritically accepting of prevailing religious traditions. His calling led him to a feeling of abandonment. Nonetheless, he became the supreme example of the triumph of failure—until surpassed by Jesus Christ. (Note: Jeremiah is better known to us as an individual than any of the other prophets, for his book contains many passages of personal confession and autobiography, as well as length sections of biography. He is a lonely, tragic figure, yet his “failure” in the eyes of his people was a triumph as later ages were to recognize.) ~~~ The Corinthian’s question to †Paul had been, “Which is the highest gift—particularly, between prophecy or speaking in tongues?” His response was that there exists a “still more excellent way of love,” in light of which all other gifts may be evaluated. Our Second Reading contains perhaps the most articulate treatment of “love,” ever composed (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13.) It is vital to †Paul’s argument and is meant to help us see all the charismatic gifts in proper perspective. He personifies “love,” thus separating it from one’s personality. He challenges Christians to make it real by embodying that supreme virtue in their hearts, minds and wills. This chapter falls into three parts: • Charity is the Christian way par excellence. “Tongues,” righteous declarations and personal sacrifices have little meaning, without love. • Love is opposed to all childish rivalries. Here he expounds on the qualities of love: having all patience, rejoicing in right, bearing, believing, hoping and enduring all things. • Charisms are transient: prophecy and tongues will cease and knowledge will pass away, because they are “imperfect.” Love, then, is the “yardstick” against which all charisms are measured. ~~~ Continuing last Sunday’s reading, we are told Jesus’ audience were in wonder and awe at His understanding of Scripture—in spite of their knowing Him as the Son of a humble carpenter, †Joseph (Luke 4:21-30.) Such an image led them to question His authority, and eventually to rage at His seeming audacity. Not accepted by His own people, Jesus, like His prophetic predecessors, turned to the Gentiles, who, by implication, received Him. His ultimate fate, at the hands of His own people, is foreshadowed, in this selection, but His “hour had not yet come,” and He vanished from their midst. Today’s mission of the Church to the world should be understood and exercised in the same light and with the same fearless determination. Bringing Out the Best and the Worst Regrettably, religion sometimes brings out the worst in people, making their views narrower; their opinions and actions more bigoted; and occasionally, possessed of a tendency to hate and kill. We see an ugly example of this in our reading of today’s Gospel, from the citizens of Jesus’ hometown, Nazareth. But we are all too aware this kind of thing still happens in our supposedly “enlightened” society. Religion can be distorted and turned into something repulsive, such as fanaticism and bigotry. When this happens, religion becomes synonymous with narrow-mindedness, small-heartedness and intolerance. But religion can also bring out the best in people, making them more tolerant and most importantly, more loving. True religion liberates the heart and the mind, fostering harmonious relationships with others. Religion is beautiful when it is like this…. Each of us must ask ourselves, “What does my religion bring out in me?” Rejected by His Own Years after leaving his native village in the Transkei, Nelson Mandela returned home for a visit. By that time, he was a lawyer and lived in Johannesburg. Of that visit, he later wrote: “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you, yourself, have changed. The old place went on as before, no different from when I had grown up there. But I realized that my own outlook and world views had evolved.” In effect, he was saying that, while it was nice to go back home, he could no longer “live” there—it had become “too small” for him. It’s an experience many of us have had. Like Jesus in Nazareth, we want to share our “gifts,” acquired from a lifetime of learning and experience, with people who know us best. But often we are not appreciated. Their memories of us are colored by how they remember “who we were” when we left, and they have no faith in us. The example of the view one gets from the top of a great building can be illustrative: it is often quite different from that we gain when we are close to it. From a distance it stands resplendent in its setting—we can see its outline, its form and its beauty. But close in, all we may see are the grime and the cracks. Something similar happens with people. A genius is not likely to be discovered by his friends. The person near at hand suffers because his faults and limitations are clearly visible. The person far away, on the other hand, is held in esteem because only his virtues are visible. That is why, many of us, in our modern, mobile society, have found our fortunes and acceptance far from our native “haunts.” We tend to offer our best “gifts” to people who have no familial ties to us, at all, even if we have never been overtly “rejected back home.” When we genuinely provide service to others with a sense of love, not concerned with how we may be perceived, we maximize the value of that service. It may not be pleasant to be unappreciated, or unrecognized for what we can “bring to the table,” among our familiars, but we must persevere in doing so, with love. By seeking others’ well-being as our primary focus, we will be best able to affect sought-after results, that will be appreciated most, by those who are most willing to receive them. That is what Jesus did. Having offered His gifts of knowledge, truth and love to his native people, some of whom accepted Him, He went off and found others in need—outside that circle. In so doing, He embodied the “primacy of love,” that †Paul preached. †Paul said our essential qualities are love, kindness and charity—doing things for others. Other things fade and pass away, but love endures. When we truly love, we possess all other virtues as well. If we keep in mind our true goal in life is to “minister” to those with whom we come into contact, nothing can succeed more than a showing of love. May God Richly Bless You! "Sacrifice is usually difficult and irksome. Love can make it easy, and perfect love can make it a joy!" We are willing to give in proportion as we love. And where love is perfect, the sacrifice is complete." ~~Rite of Christian Marriage--1962-Rituale Romanum~~ To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here: Be Present, Spirit of the Lord.docx

January 23rd, 2022 Third Sunday-Ordinary Time Jesus reads from the scrolls in the Synagogue A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Fulfilled in Your Hearing” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Unlike the scene at another Watergate, where an unworthy act of political ambition eroded the people’s trust of their government, ancient Jerusalem’s “Water Gate” was the site of a more laudable attempt to reconstruct the moral and religious fiber of a foundering nation. In today’s First Reading (Nehemiah 8:2-10,) Ezra was sent to Jerusalem to do just that. His reform resulted in a dramatic transformation of the traditions of ancient Israel. Under his tutelage, the Law became a compendium of detailed, divine legislation. This emphasis of “the-law-over-and-above-relationship” introduced into the faith of Israel a legal orientation that was to become so evident in the New Testament. Whereas, Ezra spoke of “laws,” Jesus proclaimed “liberation.” ~~~ Much later, in Corinth, †Paul preached to the people near the city’s northern wall, where the temple of the Greek god, Asclepius was located—noted as a “god of healing.” There were separate, terra-cotta human limbs scattered about on the site, as tribute to cures that reputedly occurred there. In contrast to the image of “individual parts,” †Paul expounds on the loving “unity” of all Christians within the “Body of Christ” in our Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12:12-30.) Believers are united in their dependence upon the saving act of God—Jesus’ ministry, suffering, death and resurrection…the “Christ event.” Maintaining the unity of the body in harmony and vitality, God has given each “member” a function that contributes cooperatively and mutually toward the well-being of the “whole body” of the People of God. ~~~ (Today, we begin the consecutive reading of †Luke’s Gospel, which was originally joined to his other work, the Acts of the Apostles.) Today’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21,) starts with Jesus’ homecoming to Nazareth and His inaugural declaration, which scholars have called Jesus’ “magna carta of liberation theology.” †Luke explained Jesus’ mission as a proclamation of gladness for the poor; liberty for captives; sight for the blind; release for prisoners; and a year of favor for all. Liberty and release, in ordinary Christian usage, came to mean forgiveness from sin, and freedom from all its manifestations, whether physical or spiritual. The included portion of the reading from Isaiah 61 portends Jesus’ ministry of salvation as liberating, for the whole person. A persistent mission for the liberation of all peoples continues today in the activities of the Church. The Day of the Lord’s Favor It is quite normal for newly-elected heads of state to make a solemn speech, in which they outline their policies. Jesus did something similar at the start of His ministry: In the synagogue at Nazareth, He summed up His mission by reading a passage from Isaiah, that announced the “Day of the Lord” had come. He told His listeners it would be a day of favor for everyone, but especially the poor and the oppressed. Such was the Good News He proclaimed. He was the “new bailiff” sent by God to His debt-ridden people. According to the Pharisees, the Day of the Lord would be a day of judgment—and here was Jesus, declaring that it was indeed a day of the Lord’s favor, not just for the deserving, but for everyone. The Lord’s favor is not limited to a particular day. It can fall upon us any day—we can find fulfillment even on this very day. The Good News is that salvation is not achieved through our own merits, but through the goodness of God. This is the heart of the Good News. The only thing to be done is to open our hearts to the Savior, Who has come to bring us salvation and joy. At the root of innumerable wrongs in our world is the discrepancy between word and deed, that is seen everywhere in the weakness of Churches, parties and persons. This was the chief fault Jesus found with the Pharisees, when He said, “They do not practice what they preach.” Gandhi put it like this: “My life is my message.” And so, it could be with us, too. We must remember that Jesus didn’t merely announce the Good News and leave it at that. He began to make it a reality. The Church is the Body of Christ In modern medicine, we are accustomed to consulting “specialists” for particular bodily dysfunctions. We have cardiologists, internists, orthopedists, podiatrists, and on and on. Specialization is good, but it can have a downside…. Sometimes such practitioners are so concerned with organs and structures, they may forget the whole human being…. They may know virtually nothing about the individual whose eye, or heart, or hip they are treating. The human body forms a unity, in that it is composed of many interrelated parts and systems. Those “members” are quite different from one another and have unique functions. Some are, undoubtedly, more important that others, yet, to be complete, the body needs all of them—the members need each other. So, it is with the People of God. We, though many, form one Body in Christ, as †Paul told the Corinthians. By means of our Baptism, we have become members of the Mystical Body of Christ—the Church. Some might wish to “go it alone,” independent of the community. But there can be no such thing as an isolated Christian. Those who deliberately cut themselves off, wound the community. We are part of one another, and must not try to “go it alone.” Community makes demands upon us, to be sure. For this reason, the temptation to seek salvation independent of others is strong. But we need each other, just as the parts of the body need one another. And the Church, too, needs all of us. We need to have some sense of “belonging to one another,” and to Christ. We have to get involved even when we would rather just look after ourselves. Belonging to a community has obvious benefits. If we consider practical examples, such as a rope, the analogy becomes quite clear. Each strand of a rope is, in itself, rather insignificant, and weak. But when braided together with other strands, it produces a combined strength which belies such singular weakness. So, it is with people, who gain strength from “togetherness.” People take courage from knowing each other, encouraging each other and from standing together. Great things can be done when people work together. One particular consideration may not require a “physical presence,” to have an effect: community prayer. If one who is suffering truly believes people are “praying for them” to find relief, they can be buoyed in spirit by that simple comfort. The human psyche is more mysterious than we will ever realize, and gathering strength from even “assumed” community support has been shown to have a salutary benefit. The emphasis on community comes from Jesus, Himself, although He used a different image to describe it: the image of the vine and its branches, When He said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” It is a simple, but profound, illustration of unity and interdependence. It’s obvious that branches need the vine. But the vine also needs the branches, because they produce the fruit! This is how Jesus wanted it to be between Him and His disciples…and the way He wants it to be between Him and us. †Paul said, “Jesus is the Head of the body; we are the limbs of the body.” Without a sense of belonging together, of caring for one another and being responsible for one another, one is not really a Christian…. The fruit that Jesus desires from us is primarily that of unity among ourselves. By this all will know that we belong to Him—by the bond that exists between us, and the care we show for one another. May God Richly Bless You! "Human beings are frail and foolish. We have been told that grace is to be found in the universe, but in our human foolishness and short-sightedness, we imaging grace to be finite, and for tis reason, we tremble. But the moment comes when our eyes are opened and we see that grace is infinite. Grace demands nothing from us but that we awit it with confidence, and acknowledge it with gratitude. Grace makes not conditions and singles out none of us, in particular. Grace takes us all to its bosom and prclaims a general amnesty." ~~Isak Dinesen--ne: Karen Christine Dinesen, Danish author~~ To view a video of this week's Holy Mass, click here: Thy Word.docx

January 16th, 2022 Second Sunday-Ordinary Time Marriage Feast at Cana-Tintoretto A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “For the Lord Delights in You” Reflections on Today’s Scripture The destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. was a shattering blow for Jews. It was still in ruins when our First Reading (Isaiah 62: 1-5,) was written. The prophet tells his people that God is faithful and forgiving, and strives to remind Jerusalem of its former glory and reassures his contemporaries that it would be restored. He stylizes the people’s reconciliation with Yahweh in nuptial imagery. The Divine Architect is seen as the bridegroom who builds a new city for His bride—Jerusalem. ~~~ †Paul relates the charisms, or spiritual gifts, granted to the community in today’s Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12:4-11.) The significant, and perhaps disturbing point of his analysis is the insistence that not only is there a variety of gifts, but there is a variety of service—making them, essentially, “gifts of service,” given by God. Therefore, we must understand the Father as the source of all being and activity of mankind, to be used for service to, and the building up of, the community. ~~~ To discover the true importance of the event at Cana, we must go beyond the festivity of the wedding (John 2:1-12,) looking beyond the “choice wine” and Jesus’ conversation with His mother. (The key to the entire text can be found in verse 11: “Jesus performed this first of His signs at Cana in Galilee. Thus, did He reveal His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”) As †John’s Gospel continues, we read of seven “signs,” each successively revealing more and more of Jesus’ identity, and what He wanted to accomplish for the world. Those who witnessed them would look beyond the wonders accompanying the signs, to come to faith in Jesus, and thereby, to glorify the Father with Him. At Cana, He was revealed as the Messiah, and Host of the banquet of salvation. Further, He was One who was to bring to all peoples a new way of coming to God, through His teaching and redemptive ministry. The Wedding Feast of the Kingdom If we take the miracle at Cana literally, we reduce it to a “once-off” wonder, and greatly limit its meaning. It’s not really about the power to “change water into wine.” We already know how to do that…in our wineries and vineyards. The miracle is something far more wonderful: Attempting to describe the relationship between God and His people, the Bible uses the image of the Bridegroom with His bride (as we saw in our earlier reading from Isaiah.) The prophets of old promised an abundance of wine in pre-Messianic days—something that Jesus did, at Cana. And all those who tasted it, agreed it was better than the old wine. We see not only Jesus’ power, but also His generosity—six 20–30-gallon containers of “new wine!” Here we appreciate some of the “warmth” of His heart. The New Covenant begins with an act of compassion. Everywhere Jesus went, the “old” was made “new:” for the widow of Nain, He changed her tears into joy; for Zacchaeus, He changed selfishness into love; for the thief, on Calvary, He changed despair into hope; and on Easter morning, He changed death into life…. His very presence changed the lives, of those with whom He came into contact, beyond recognition. And He continues to do this for anyone who believes in Him, and follows Him. He transforms our lives into something wonderful, offering us something for which we pine, but can’t achieve by ourselves—a share in divine life—nothing less than the ecstasy of communion with God! But all of this remains at the level of “theory,” unless we experience it in our own lives…unless, in some way, Jesus changes water into wine in our own lives…. Water—a good thing, necessary for bodily survival, in fact—gives satisfaction, but not joy. Wine, on the other hand, intoxicates and raises the spirit. Blessed are those who thirst for the “new wine” that Jesus provides! The old is “promise;” the new is “fulfillment. Material things cannot do this. Only Jesus brings a new dimension—joy—to life. We must remember that He always uses human intermediaries to convey His gifts. He asks us to share the gifts He has given us with others. When the “Wine Runs Out” The typical marriage starts with a feast of joy and enthusiasm: the couple is surrounded by friends and well-wishers who shower them with gifts. Full of hopes and dreams, they set of on their honeymoon. The wine is flowing freely…. When they return, the real business begins—setting up a new home, and learning how to live with one another. At first, they find great joy in each other’s company. They are convinced their love was preordained in heaven, and meant to last for an eternity. The wine is still flowing…. However, when human beings are very close to one another for an extended period, inevitably problems surface. Tensions arise; they realize they did not marry an “angel” after all, but a human being, wounded by sin and selfishness. They are surprised by the “poverty” they discover in one another. The honeymoon is over; the wine has “run out,” and all that is left is the “water” of their own meager resources. Much the same occurs in careers, professions and even vocations to the clergy. The “wine runs out” there, too—the initial joy, enthusiasm and idealism ebbs. All that remains is the “water” of routine, dullness and possible disillusionment. But…back to marriages…. What are people to do, after the first wine has run out? Some may be tempted to run out with the wine…. An attitude of, “There’s nothing in it for me, anymore,” may well set in. While this may sound “reasonable,” it reeks with selfishness. For such people, marriage is only a passing alliance of two selfish human beings. So, when they have taken all they can from each other, they begin to look elsewhere for “more fruit” that can be “picked and eaten” without pain or effort. Such occurrences may happen far later in married life, rather than just at the outset, but the effect is the same. So, what can couples do? To begin, they must acknowledge that the “first wine”—all those preconceived, naïve, romantic notions—have run out. At that point, anyhow, they will have to make do with only water. They must not panic, or despair, when that happens. They must “hold on,” and resist the temptation to abandon the relationship and lose themselves in their careers or hectic social lives. They must commit to work on their relationship and try to grow as human beings in order to discover the true meaning of love. Such a crisis can become a rewarding opportunity. It may surprise some people that it’s necessary for the first wine to run out—otherwise the new wine couldn’t ever come in! “First love,” no matter how romantic and beautiful, cannot last. It is bound to wear out…. But it must do so, in order that a new and deeper love is to be born. The new love consists in putting the other person’s needs before one’s own. One has to forget oneself and find joy in loving, rather than being loved; in giving rather than in receiving. Love is a difficult adventure. To enter marriage is to enter a school of love, a school in which we are all “slow learners.” That is why we need the presence of Christ in our lives. The new wine is not just meant for married couples. Everyone must understand the adage that “new wines cannot be put into old wineskins.” This means we have to change our perspective, and give Christ a chance to touch our hearts and to love unselfishly. For those who seek His help, the miracle of Cana still happens—the water of selfishness can be changed into the wine of true love. And wonderful as the old wine may have been, the new wine is still better…. May God Richly Bless You! "Running out of wine was hardly a life-or-death situation, nor was anyone in physical pain. Yet, [at Cana,] Jesus interceded with a miracle to solve the problem. God is interested in every aspect of your life." --Christian Inst-"Wise Quotes"~~ To view a live stream of today's Holy Mass, click here: Communion Invitation, A.docx

January 9th, 2022 The Baptism of Jesus A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “The Servant of Yahweh” Reflections on Today’s Scripture In our First Reading (Isaiah 40: 1-11,) the prophet assures the exiles in Babylon that God is coming to save them. The prophecy was fulfilled in their return from exile. In his poetic vision, he hears the voice of God bid a crier run speedily to Jerusalem to carry the good news that the Lord leads His people to freedom. The restoration of their homeland is a sign of salvation; it is, in its measure, a redemption, a new creation. In moral terms, the “highway” to be made straight was one’s own life; preparation for the Kingdom was “repentance.” ~~~ In V.11 of our Second Reading (Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7,) the exhortation: “God, our Savior, desires everyone to be saved,” insists that Christians live “in the present age”—in the “real world.” God’s grace permeates human lives, and enables us to abandon vice and to embrace virtue. God has lavished His goodness and loving kindness upon us—His loving kindness manifested in Jesus, God’s only Son, Who came to cleanse and renew us. †Titus, a disciple of †Paul, echoes his constant teaching: The call to salvation is a gracious gift of God, independent of our deeds. Confronted with such generosity, there is no place for self-righteousness; our response to God’s Christmas gift must be one of humble thankfulness and acceptance. ~~~ Our Gospel gives us some of the Baptist’s preaching and concludes with a brief account of Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:15-22.) Hope for the coming of the long-awaited Messiah had been aroused by †John’s appearance, and people made the assumption that perhaps He had come, in this ascetic figure of a man. His denial looks to , Whom he designates “the coming One,” and “the more powerful One.” As †John knew, Baptism was a “preparation” rite, bound up with a summons to repentance and confession of sins—only in preparation for the Messianic age yet to come. Jesus’ presence among those others awaiting Baptism, approaching †John, points to His relatability to sinners—although He, Himself, was sinless. †Luke acknowledges Jesus’ prayer, to which the presence of the Holy Spirit (the descending dove) was a response. A well-known symbol of the people for hope, the dove shows Jesus to be the Spirit-filled Son and Servant—a messenger of God to His people. The Greatness of Baptism Our Scriptures today bring us ahead 30-years in the life of Jesus. The Gospels of Luke and Matthew, the only ones to contain “Infancy Narratives,” shed no light on Jesus’ early life, except for the “Holy Family” selection, wherein we learn of Him preaching in the synagogue, as an adolescent. It may seem abrupt, as we have so recently completed Advent and Christmas, but we now press, head-long, into Jesus’ public ministry. People can hold many “offices” in the Church, but all of these pale, in comparison, to the basic gift to all: Baptism. When we stand before the throne of God, those other offices will be of no importance. Our dignity will depend on one thing only—the extent to which we have lived out our Baptismal calling. Jesus’ Baptism reminds us of our own baptism. In the beautiful Baptismal ceremony, we were formally given a name and welcomed into the family of God’s people. Lovely prayers were said over us; our body was signed with the “Sign of the Cross”—the mark of Christ—as water was poured over us, and we were “cleansed” from sin. It is, more importantly, a symbol of the undying life of God. Not once, but twice, our bodies were anointed with holy oil. Just as the bodies of ancient athletes were smeared with oil to give them strength for competition, our anointing gives us strength against the forces of evil. And just as kings prophets and priests were anointed with oil, marking them as God’s ministers to the community, our anointings made us envoys of Christ in the world. The Holy Spirit also descended upon us, too, just as Jesus was called by the Father. We were also called by name, as a “beloved son/daughter” of God, in order to help us live the life of a Christian and to participate in the mission of Jesus. From a spiritual point of view, then, Baptism is the greatest thing that has ever happened to us! In our Baptism, we were christened, that is, “made like Christ.” But this doesn’t happen automatically, as a result of being baptized. We are required to learn what it means to be a Christian, and to grow into it. This is a task of a lifetime. As we lavishly celebrate birthdays, we should also celebrate our baptismal day! This was the day we were “reborn” as children of God. Every time we enter a Church and sign ourselves with Holy Water, we are reminding ourselves of our Baptism, and committing ourselves to live up to it. To do so, is to live as a disciple of Jesus. Vocations There are many vocations in the Church. But the one common to everyone is Baptism, wherein we received the vocation to be Jesus’ disciples. This is the “core” upon which all other vocations are built. It is a sad observation that many of the baptized live no differently from the non-baptized. Their faith, if they practice at all, is an immature one, based on non-decision and routine practice. Most importantly, we must believe with understanding, and to follow Christ out of personal conviction. It may be of value to consider in what is meant by the “Christian vocation.” In the words of the Gospel, we are called to be “the salt of the earth; and the light of the world.” Christianity is how to live, not just about what to believe. There should be no distinction between religious activity and that of our daily lives. Faith has to be translated into action. Christians have a very positive role to play in the world. We have something to offer, that the world desperately needs—even though it may not always welcome it. We should not be shy or apologetic about our role. A certain boldness with courage is apropos. For the ordinary person—and especially the clergy—it means to be a Christian where you are in your particular station of life. There are many ways of serving Christ and His Gospel. First of all, most people are not called to an apostolate, but to discipleship. We may well have an easier life if we had never received the “call.” But then, our lives may not have been happier, or as full. Jesus said, “I came that you may have life, and have it to the full.” The Gospel offers us a deeper and more authentic way of living—and it implants in us the seeds of eternal life. The Christian vocation causes the vision of a higher and a purer life to rise up within us, while, at the same time, inspiring sacrifice and service to others. It expands the possibilities of human love and courage. Further, the task is not one for the individual Christian only, but for the Christian community as a whole. It is easier to witness to Christ as a member of a supportive congregation. Fortunately, at our Baptism, we were welcomed into such a believing community. May God Richly Bless You! "At Baptism, I received grace--that quality that makes me share in the very nature of God." ~~Mother Angelica of the Annunciation/Poor Claires of Perpetual Adoration~~ Spirit of God.docx To view this week's stream of the Holy Mass, click here: Part one: https://youtu.be/wOGNRAUkr6M Part two: https://youtu.be/HY-JYRJ6lks

January 2nd, 2022 Feast of the Epiphany A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Jesus’ Royal Messiahship” Reflections on Today’s Scripture At times, the relationship between Yahweh and Israel sounded very much like a “weather report,” with “thick clouds and darkness,” “glorious light” and “shining radiance,” used as metaphors to describe God’s presence, His absence, His favor and disfavor, etc. Today’s First Reading (Isaiah 60:1-6,) is one of many examples, wherein the concrete phenomena of nature communicate deeper, intangible and transcendent realities. Therein, the prophet paints a picture for his people, in a series of poems, or portraits, of what Jerusalem would and could be, once the process of reconstruction had been completed. It would be a city “full of light,” made so by the consoling and healing presence of Yahweh--Who would manifest Himself to His people in the Good News of salvation. What God did for Israel in the Old Covenant, He has done for all of humankind, the New Israel, in the person of Jesus. ~~~ By the time the letter to the Ephesians had been written, the sharing in the manifestation or Epiphany of God’s plan of salvation by the gentiles had become an accepted fact. †Paul is thought to be the author, (writing around 63A.D.,) during his incarceration in Rome. Today’s Second Reading reveals the understanding of the Kingdom as universal, as comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, not as strangers or enemies, but as heirs of the same gift of Good News—members of the one Body of Christ (Ephesians 3:2-6.) In the light of Christ and by faith, all have become privileged to share in the dignity and grace of the Kingdom. Race and nationality, darkness and thick clouds have no place there. ~~~ Even if †Matthew had never written chapters 3-28 of his Gospel, he would have earned the title “evangelist,” because chapters 1-2 of his work contain the burden of the Good News of our salvation—and the proclamation of Jesus as savior. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12,) presents the persons of the Magi as “astrologers from the east,” and, in so doing, embodies all the gentile communities and widens the scope of the message of salvation beyond Judaism, unto its intended, universal proportions. Scholars regard the “gifts” they presented to Jesus as their belief in His kingliness and divinity. Gold and frankincense were gifts usually offered to God, alone. Myrrh is seen as an “omen” of Jesus’ passion, similar to Simeon’s prediction of the piercing sword to Mary’s Heart (Luke 2:35.) Parting of the Veil One meaning of the word “epiphany,” is “revelation.” Sometimes, on a cold, dull winter’s day, a break appears in the thick clouds, and through it, we catch a glimpse of a radiant sun. All too soon, however, the break is again covered by the moving clouds, but that short glimpse of a brighter, warmer world can do wonders for us. The mere memory of it can work its magic on our spirit. Daily life is filled with little “epiphanies,” for those who have eyes to see and minds to reflect. They slip “through the cracks” in our busy “armor,” and provide moments of peace, beauty and goodness. We see this Feast of the Epiphany as a mysterious “parting of the veil” that enabled the Magi to catch a glimpse of the radiance of the Child of Bethlehem. Some people surely saw the Christ-child as just another baby. Others, such as Herod, saw Him as a threat. But the Magi recognized Him as their Savior. Those people all had the same eyes, but they saw different things. Their faith allowed the Magi to penetrate the veil and appreciate the reality beyond their human senses. But, for them, too, the veil closed again, the star disappeared, and they returned home. They returned to their old lives, their occupations, and only retained a memory of their revelatory experience. Nonetheless, in that sense, it colored their vision of life, and gave them new hope. It had become a “shortcut” to the truth—a “flash of light” to illuminate their lives, that invested their every moment with significance. They would have needed time to reflect on the magnitude of the event in order to understand its full meaning. Like the Magi, we will go back to our daily lives when we leave our Eucharistic Communion today, but perhaps we may see our lives differently too. Possibly, in the Christ Child, we may even see our own divinity. A Light for All People Taken another way, the Feast of the Epiphany is revolutionary, in that Christ is revealed as the Savior, not of a select group of people, but of all people. Jesus’ ministry weakened the great barrier that existed between Jews and Gentiles. It could be said that all barriers of tribe, or kinship, are transcended by the His message, as the “Universal Brother.” The Epiphany is a truly beautiful feast because it brings everyone together, but that doesn’t mean these impediments have magically disappeared. Wherever we go today, we still can observe divisions among people, in families, communities, cities and countries. Obstacles remain due to race and ethnicity, as well as those arising from social and religious affiliations. These many divisions are reflections of our separation from our Judeo-Christian roots, and even from God. God sent Jesus into the world to reconcile people with Him and with one another. Therefore, as people who have been reconciled with God through Jesus, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation (formerly known as the “Sacrament of Penance,” or simply “confession.) “Talking across fences” is an important “first step” for anyone who is called to be an agent of love, which can bridge all divisions and heal all wounds. Opening our Treasures Everyone has a treasure to share. The question remains as to how they can be inspired to share their treasure with others, voluntarily, not because they have been coerced. If one is forced to make sacrifices, if they have their wealth or property taken from them, they become impoverished. Rather, if they offer it from their own generosity, they become enriched, in turn. People are essentially good, but this “goodness’ must sometimes be awakened, and called forth. Jesus is a prime example. If He had come to earth “in wealth,” we would have been immediately been made aware of our own poverty. He would have evoked feelings of envy in us, and done serious damage to our hearts. But He came “in weakness,” thereby making us aware of our own riches! To look at the poverty of the Infant King of the Universe causes us to open our hearts. It was Jesus’ poverty that prompted the Magi to open their treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and lay them before Him. And, instead of becoming impoverished, the Magi sere enriched. “It is through giving that we receive,” as goes the familiar strain from the Prayer of St. Francis, because in doing so, we discover our own riches. Jesus no longer needs our gifts, but other people may. He wants us to share ourselves with one another, and then, we also will become enhanced. May God Richly Bless You! "May we always remember, that in the Kingdom Jesus came to preach, there were no distinctions as to class, or race, nor can there be, in any Church that preaches Jesus as their Lord and Savior." ~~Patricia Datchuk Sanchez-Celebration Magazine~~ To view a live stream of today's Holy Mass, click here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=hXkNm1xHLYQ&feature=share Kneeling at the Manger.docx

December 26th, 2021 Feast of the Holy Family A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Family Life” Reflections on Today’s Scripture In today’s First Reading (1 Samuel 1:20-28,) we deal with the birth of Samuel, and his consecration to God. Hannah saw Samuel as a gift from God, a sign of God’s favor to her. It’s not surprising she dedicated him to the Lord. In due time, Samuel made his own dedication and went on to play a major role in the history of Israel. In truth every child is a gift from God. All parents have hopes and dreams for their children. But parents can’t determine the future for their children. They must find their own ways, sometimes in “conflict” with those of their parents. ~~~ Jesus had a “double identity.” He was the son of Mary, and also the Son of God. We share this relationship with our parents and with God. Our Second Reading (1 John 3:1-24,) makes it clear that we are part of God’s family. It was God Who first loved us. We did nothing to earn it—in fact, our very existence could be said to be a “sign” of God’s love. Children respond to their parents’ love by obeying them. Similarly, we respond to God by obeying His commandments, especially His commandment to love. ~~~ Our Gospel tells the story of how the 12-year-old Jesus got lost in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-52.) It shows the misunderstandings that can occur even in the best of families. We are inclined to say that Jesus got lost in the Temple, but it was there He began to find Himself, and discover His true identity. He was not just the son of Mary, but the unique Son of God. Many lost, homeless souls have come to God’s house, or have wandered into it by accident, and felt at home there; have found peace there; and found themselves there. In God’s house we discover who we are, too. Whatever the world may think of us, in God’s house we know we are God’s precious daughters and sons. As such, it’s very much the way we feel in our homes—where we are accepted as we are, with our strengths and weaknesses. Such acceptance allows us to “grow” into responsible human beings. What’s in a “Word?” “Family” is the traditional word for the deepest and most treasured relationship shared by human beings. Throughout the centuries, the traditional family has radically evolved in its application and significance. Where once, it simply referred to the nuclear cell of society, or to one’s clan and tribe, the term now embraces many other groupings, many of which may even be artificial and temporary. Earth has now become a “global village,” and “neighborhood” has earned a new definition because of the immediacy and relentlessness of the communication media. With these new definitions comes a frightening and perhaps, overwhelming, responsibility. In modern society, we are witnesses to the breakdown of the traditional family and its values—filial respect for authority, exercised responsibly by parents—and with it, there is a trend of rising juvenile delinquency. Of course, there is no easy remedy available for this cultural change. The Christian family is not immune to the effects of neighborhoods, schools, social media, friends and recreational patterns. However, even as in stormy weather a ship may get at least some guidance from a beacon, so authority from the earliest infancy must be exercised, but perhaps in a different way. Certainly, it cannot be completely eliminated. Parents must still impart respect for authority to their children. As is evident today, family values have deteriorated, due, in large part, to our mobile society, with the necessity of two-parent households requiring two (or more) incomes to survive, the growth of single parent families—and sometimes, NO-parent families, where children are left to “fend for themselves.” It’s clear Christians must work for a restoration of these family values that we hold so dear. While there may be no instant solutions, there certainly is hope! No substitute for sound family values has yet to be offered by any of the behavioral sciences. Without them, people are doomed to generations of anomie and despair, while at the same time, destined to inherit the earth. Dr. James Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” broadcast from Colorado Springs, CO, has been a beacon for family life to all who may have listened for many years. It has been reigniting the familial spirit, which remains alive, though somewhat dormant, in many places in our world. Throughout history, whenever the family unit has deteriorated, the fall of that civilization has soon followed. It is crucial in our time that we attempt to forestall any further deterioration. Parents and grandparents must take an active role in helping family members understand that values of a Christian way of life still constitute the “right” way for people to live. This purpose was set when parents first brought children into the world. We must never lose sight of our primary role in their lives. We must remember that it’s never too late to lovingly offer guidance, and continually pray to the Holy Spirit to give us strength to accomplish our goal! May God Richly Bless You! "In the word 'enfleshed,' God speaks the language of our flesh and blood--the pulsing of our needs and aspirations, and even in the shadows of our sinful, darker side." To view a live stream of today's Holy Mass, click here: Find Us Faithful.docx

December 25th, 2021 Christmas Day A Message from Father †Michael Today’s Theme: “Good News and Great Joy” Reflections on Today’s Scripture Our First Reading today (Isaiah 52:7-10,) exclaims the great joy and hope of the Jewish people, hearing of their release from exile and their imminent homecoming. For more than a generation, Jerusalem lay in ruins, a bleak witness to the political and military might of her Babylonian conquerors. During their time of captivity, with no rights to pray, live and worship in their custom, an enlightenment gradually took place among them, largely due to the presence of the prophets among them. Christians see today’s feast as the Christ event, where, in the Incarnation, Yahweh truly returns and restores Jerusalem. Thus we see our Gospel as a celebration of Good News, but also of persons and events. ~~~ In sort of a “before and after,” or “then and now” comparison, the author of Hebrews enunciated the differences between the revelation of the old and new covenants (Hebrews 1:1-6.) He points to the superior revelation of God, in Christ, that is whole and entire, living and absolute (as compared to the Old Testament, which had to be interpreted by the prophets.) Christ is God’s last word to the world; revelation in Him is final and homogeneous. He is elevated far above the prophets of old, and the angelic hosts. (Popular Jewish belief regarded the angels as mediators of the law for humankind.) Hebrews leaves no doubt as to Christ’s superior and unequalled position as the ultimate Mediator.. ~~~ The incarnation is the central thought of today’s Gospel (John 1:1-18.) Up until Vatican II, today’s text was proclaimed at the end of every Holy Mass, thereby earning for itself the misnomer, the “Last Gospel.” Though this practice has been discontinued, it did serve the purpose of climaxing every celebration of the Eucharist with the compelling and beautiful truth of the incarnation. For us who believe and who celebrate the “enfleshment” of the Word of God as the source of life, light and truth, today is a renewal of our faith, and our commitment to the challenge of that Word. We should remember that because of the incarnation, we respond, not to a concept, ideology or philosophy, but to a living and loving Person—Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God becomes Tangible Often in life, the day of greatest expectation turns out to be the day of greatest disappointment. This can happen at Christmas for many people. Sometimes unreal expectations for something extraordinary, or something that may change human lives forever, can overwhelm us. Thanks to an ever-lengthening build-up, as the great day approaches, our hopes soar. However, the substance of these hopes is often dictated by the marketplace—with a glut of things to eat, drink and purchase, and a plethora of multi-media presentations to entertain us. The first thing most of us realize when Christmas Day dawns is that it’s just like any other day…. No angels can be seen; no heavenly voices are heard—everything goes on as normal. And when the sun goes down, many people feel empty and depressed, and say with a touch of bitterness, “Christmas is only for the children.” But this day can be different, even though there are no signs in the sky. There are signs about—at least for those who know where to look. On this day there is more light, more warmth, more hope in the world. People are friendlier on Christmas Day. No one passes without a greeting. On this day we feel part of the human family, or at least have the desire to be part of it. To walk alone this morning seems strange, even wrong. Indeed, the Kingdom of God becomes tangible on Christmas Day. If we open our souls, we will feel ourselves touched by the Divine Presence. “I may not know Who God is, but I know where He lives. He surrounds me all year, but at Christmas, He comes up and digs me in the ribs.” (Hugh Leonard, Irish playwright.) That isn’t mere sentiment…. At Christmas, we can get a sense of the closeness, warmth and the goodness of God—a feeling that we are not alone; that our life has meaning; that “someone” is watching over us and guiding our way. That is the “heart” of Christmas. We shouldn’t be afraid to bask in this warmth, just as we might a burst of warm sunshine on a cold day. We also get a sense of our own goodness and that of others—a feeling that life is good and that it has meaning. We are not merely specks of dust or grains of sand, we are God’s precious sons and daughters. We have a divine dignity and a glorious destiny. An inner peace springs from our connection with God, Who is love. If Christmas leaves us disappointed, it means we have pinned our hopes on the wrong things…on merchants’ offers, perhaps. Those who do will always be dissatisfied, not because they promise too little, but too much…or the wrong things. That for which our hearts long is a taste of the “great joy,” which the angels announced to the shepherds of old. That is the real hope of Christmas. The only thing we must do to “tap into” this, is to open our hearts to “receive it.” Today, our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord is born to us! May God Richly Bless You! "In the Word, "Enfleshed," God speaks the language of our flesh and blood--in the pulsing of our needs and aspirations, and even, in the shadows of our sinful and darker side." To view a live stream of today's Holy Mass, click here: Mary, Did You Know?.docx