John 6:16-21

Sometimes we encounter great storms in our lives:  running late, missing the bus, being fired, death of a spouse or parent or child.  Perhaps we get so caught-up in that storm that we see nothing else.  Even in that, as today's Gospel reminds us, Jesus comes to us.  He comes across that angry stormy sea as if it were not there just to be near us.  Though it may be impossible to allow him into our hearts for everything that is going on, he is with us through the midst until we reach the stability of shore, and can walk with him side by side. 

May we not despair nor become despondent, but rather say within the recesses of our heart, "Jesus, I trust in you."

Luke 1:26-38 The Annunciation of the Lord

It seems off to have a Gospel reading about the Annunciation during the Easter Season.  Actually this reading should have been on Good Friday, but because of it falling on the Triduum, it is moved to the Easter season. 

This is a story of hope and deliverance, which echoes the Easter message.  Mary is our example of how we should each say yes to God's presence within us, to hold and foster him within us, and to share him with the world. 

The Gospel story is also a reminder of how sacred life is no matter how young, especially in this current culture of death.  Abortion always seems like it is being talked about, but it is still the killing of the innocent.  No matter what age, young or old, life should be seen as precious.  God chose to be made manifest in human form so that our sins and the death that came into being through evil could be undone so that we can have life.

He is Risen!

Jesus performed miracles and taught about the Kingdom of God.  We get a real sense from the way that the disciples hid and dispersed after Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday that their grief was so intense that they were lost.  They had such great hope in a man who lived humbly, but had such great love for them and had joined them together with himself.  With his death upon the cross Jesus and resurrection on the Lord’s Day, Jesus conquered death, and was raised into new life within the heavenly kingdom, and with him, because he joined us to him. 

In today’s Gospel of Matthew we encounter Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, whom St. Mark in Gospel identifies as the mother of the Apostle James.  They had come to anoint Jesus’ body with oil and spices as the burial tradition required.  These women had travelled with Jesus.  Remember Mary Magdalene was the one who was usually at the knee of Jesus to her sister’s dismay, listening to him as he spoke, interiorizing all that he said.  At the last supper Mary Magdalene had gotten down upon her knees and washed Jesus’ feet with the expensive oil and dried his feet with her hair.  The next time both these women would see Jesus was upon the cross.  Now at the tomb, Jesus is not there.  Their hearts leap with hope that Jesus’ words could be true, that he would rise.

As if it confirm their hopes, Jesus meets them right where they are, just like he meets us. Unlike the Apostles who doubt, these two Mary’s fall at the Lord’s feet and worship him even amidst the fears that they have that he may be an illusion or some sort of apparition.  He directs them to gather together all the disciples in his name in Galilee where they will be safe and where he will come to them.  How could they not be joyful or excited?  The Lord has come in his glory.  He has conquered death.  His kingdom is at hand.  We are to rejoice and be glad.   Alleluia, alleluia!

Happy Easter!

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Baptism of the Lord

There was once a woman who asked whether she should have her child baptized.  The woman's mother wanted the grandbaby to be baptized, but the mother and father didn't follow any faith, and the mother especially struggled because she had been raised Catholic and her first husband, who was a devout Catholic, had been killed in a tragic accident; In some ways she still blamed God.  In the end the mother decided that she did not live her faith; that she would allow the child to be raised in a home devoid of religion and he could decide for himself when he was an adult whether he would pursue faith.  The grandmother, when he was an infant, took Holy Water from the Jordan River and claimed him for Christ in the hope that if he should die, he would have the hope of attaining heaven through God's mercy.

In light of today's Gospel where we hear of the Glory of the Father descending with the Holy Spirit upon the Son, that cleansing, that holiness, and rich blessing, knowing that this is similar to the baptism that we experience when we are baptized into Christ, it is almost unfathomable that parents struggle to decide to baptize their children; this however is due in part to our current age of secular relativism.  God is not bound my time or current human philosophies.  We need to look to the Eternal and the meaning of our sacraments, instead of whether we find them convenient. Jesus was baptized with water and the Holy Spirit.  "The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.  He commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1257.    Let us pray that we do not prevent the little ones from coming to the Lord. 

Mt 4:12-17, 23-25

Jesus Christ was manifested to us.  We are called to acknowledge Christ in all we do.  St. John helps us ask the question, "How do we know where Jesus Christ is manifest?"  We need to discern the Spirit and what Jesus calls us to do by what he says and does.   

In today's Gospel we learn of Jesus' reaction to the arrest of John the Baptist.  What does he do?  He does not act rashly or build an army to storm the prison.  No. Jesus withdraws.  Often when we withdraw from a situation, what does that entail?  Often it is  deep consideration of where we are in our interior life.  Perhaps a reprioritizing of those things that are important. 

We are told, "From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand."   

This was a huge step forward in Jesus' ministry.  He is a light to all nations.  People from all around recognized him through his healing message and followed him.

Today is the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton who like Jesus, reveled in the Kingdom.  She is the first saint born a US citizen.  She was not a Catholic to begin, but her heart was touched by the fire of Christ's mercy. Despite her family and friends, she became Catholic.  She became a bastion of hope and mercy for others.  She is our example today of how to prepare our interior life for the kingdom; that it isn't our will that ought to be done, but that our desires should take a back seat to those of God.  This is one of her prayers:

O Father, the first rule of Our dear Savior's life was to do Your Will.  Let His Will of the present moment be the first rule of our daily life and work, with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment. Help us to follow it faithfully, so that doing what You wish we will be pleasing to You. Amen.

Luke 3:10-18 Gaudete Sunday

Rejoice in the Lord always!  (Gaudete in Domino semper)

In today's readings the crowds are asking John the Baptist what they should do.  They thought because of his wisdom and because he baptized people, that possibly here was the long awaited Christ.  John tells them how they are to live, as justly, with concern for each other, and to be satisfied.  He assures them, no he is not the Christ.  That he merely baptizes with water, but the one coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire; that Christ will gather the wheat and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. 

John is preparing the way for the Lord.  He is teaching the people how they must live to prepare for Christ.  He is telling them of God's loving mercy that those who follow in the way of the Lord will by caught up by Him and kept.  They will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  The prophet Zephaniah reminds us that in this baptism of Christ, God rejoices over us and renews us in his love.  How can we not be filled with excitement and joy at this?  The path to that baptism is the journey of love through Christ our Lord. 

Luke 3:1-6

In today's Gospel we hear about all the big name political players at Jesus' time: The Emperor, the kings, the high priests of the temple, and other rulers.  One expects that the coming Savior would be born and proclaimed from among them.  Instead the reading, as the convention in the Gospels, is to turn everything upside down.  From the lonely desert a prophet to the people from the Lord God comes quoting Isiah, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.  The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all the flesh shall see the salvation of God."

John is preparing us for the coming of the Savior.  Those who are elevated will be humbled, difficulties will cease when one realizes the straight path, the Way to the Kingdom.  All will come before the Lord in judgement and be witness to the salvation of the world.  Do we hear the prophet's words?  Are we preparing for the coming of the Lord?  How do we help others in our families and communities prepare as well? 

Matthew 9:27-31

In today's Gospel two blind men are following Jesus begging for his mercy and pity.  Jesus asks them, "Do you believe that I can do this?"

This Advent season we are preparing ourselves to receive Christ as the hope of the world.  Do we believe that he can do this?  Faith is a gift of God the Father through the Holy Spirit.  Christ Jesus stands knocking at the door of our hearts ready to lead us through the gates of eternal life should we seek him.  For those who follow Jesus as the blind men did, seeking to see the eternal Kingdom, the Lord will reveal it "according to your faith."  For these men, their eyes were opened. 

Jesus warns them, "See that no one knows about this."  We are told that "they went our and spread the word of him through all the land."   Did they miss the point?  When we receive a gift, do we focus solely on the gift, or the giver?  Perhaps that is Jesus is really warning of overlooking the One, The Father in Heaven, who has given them the ability to see and to attain the Kingdom and its eternal life, by instead focusing on the fact that Jesus has restored their sight.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Let us focus on that as we prepare to meet the coming of Christ this Christmas.

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Today's Gospel surprises us a little because it is a warning that if we do not heed Christ Jesus' words, we will not be able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  There are those who will cry out to him but do not follow him, and those who listen but do not obey. 

It seems really harsh in our current era of political correctness we want everyone to be equal and have a "fair share."  That isn't what Jesus is telling us though.  Jesus is reminding us to be vigilant and build within ourselves that firm foundation in Him, in the Father through the Holy Spirit.  Faith is always accompanied by good works.  Upon what does our faith rest?  It rests upon the word of God.  It is his will that we put before our own in faith.  To love God is to desire sincerely to love him.  Because we love him, we wish to be instruments of his love and peace for others in doing his will and spreading the Good News.  In this end, our faith will save us. 

Matthew 15:29-37

In today's reading Jesus goes up the mountain where those who are poor in spirit, those who are outcasts such as the blind, the lame, mute, etc. have come for healing.  Jesus is touched and says, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.  I do not want to send them away hungry."  Jesus then takes seven loaves and five fish, blesses them and the feed the crowds with seven baskets left over. 

Jesus first goes to the mountain.  Mountains have been used as a meeting place with God throughout history.  Jesus is man yes, but also the Christ, the door keeper who ushers us through the door to God, so we find it appropriate that he is gathered with those who are humbled, meek, and the poor in spirit.  He consoles them, he forgives them their sins, and heals them.  Are they just healed in body?  No, Christ heals the soul, the spirit, too.  As we read today's Gospel we are called to that mountain too, to be healed and made whole, to be purified and ready to meet God. 

Ask yourself, What do I need healing in my life?  Is there something physically wrong with me, or does it mask a deeper pain?  Is there something that I can find healing through in an Anointing of the Sick or through the Sacrament of Reconciliation?  In both there is great healing if we are open to it.  Perhaps this can be part of our Advent journey?

Luke 10:21-24

In today's Gospel reading Jesus teaches us how to praise God Our Father in the Holy Spirit.  Praise is nearly a forgotten form of prayer, but one that is so important.  Throughout scripture God is very insistant about praise.  Even in the Lord's Prayer we find praise in the words, "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done..."  Within these words and all other prayers of praise we acknowledge God's greatness, and conversely our lowliness.  Praise allows us in our humility to find room for God's love and for His will to be done in and through us.  Praise is also a thanksgiving.  Shouldn't we be grateful?  Our Father sent his Son to die for our sins so that we may be given eternal life.  Doesn't that deserve our eternal praise and thanksgiving? 

Think about a child.  Most young children are filled with such awe and reverence toward those they love and admire.  They seek to please them by doing what they know is right.  And they are grateful for the love shown to them and the gift they receive.  We are called to be childlike, to have complete abandon in Him, so that His love and Kingdom will be present to us and not hidden.  Praise can lead us to be worthy to receive and see.  May we in our humility lovingly turn toward Our Father in praise and thanksgiving with the heart of a child holding nothing back.  

Matthew 4:18-22

Feast of St Andrew, the Apostle

In this Gospel reading we hear the calling forth of Andrew and his brother Simon, called Peter, by Jesus.  They were fishermen along the Sea of Galilee. Jesus promises that they will be "fishers of men." After they are called, Jesus calls James and John.

We are each called to follow Jesus too in the ways that lead to the Heavenly Kingdom.  Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are his flock.  By living in his Way, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are to be known as Christians by our love. 

We are called not once, but repeatedly to follow in the ways of Christ.  Each time we say 'yes' that is a conversion where not only are our thoughts refocused on the Lord, but also our actions and words.  Every time we go through a conversion experience, we come that much closer to the Lord.  As we continue through Advent, let us take listen closer to the Lord's call, so that our hearts my be turned much more towards that Enduring Light. 

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Today celebrates the first week of Advent and the lighting the first candle.  The candle represents our hope as we await the Light of Christ at Christmas. 

In the readings today we are met with cosmic wonders, unsettling images, and the idea that "people will die of fright at the anticipation of what is coming upon the world."  Yes, these images were intended to scare the hearer.  They were also intended to bring hope.  We shouldn't take each day for granted.  We should live each day to the best of our ability to do what we know is right and loving.  Daily life can take its toll and make us numb to what is important.  We should aspire to keep our eye on God always and remember that we are merely journeying through this life to the next.  We should be prepared to stand before God.

Carpe Diem means "Seize the Day."  The phrase encompasses the meaning of today's message.  Don't waste the day, prepare, stay alert.  Take care though.  For many in the early 20th Century fraught with war and economic depression and for later decades including ours, the phrase takes on a more modern morally relativistic meaning with people who use it to justify lascivious lifestyles, addictions to drugs/alcohol, and the self-centered/'me first" mentality.   

We are a people in darkness awaiting our Savior, the Son of Man, for whom we prepare for as the Christ Child at Christmas, and also the one who will come to judge the world at the end of time.  Be alert.  Look to the Light.  He is the response to our hope.   

Luke 21:34-36

Today's reading is very short and very important, so much so that it will be repeated on Sunday.  What is the message?  "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap...Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man,"  Jesus says to us.

Be aware of the anxieties of daily life.  It is so easy to get caught up in work, taking care of kids or elderly parents, of planning for the future, of worrying about little things.  These are small tribulations.  We are being told to be aware, get a new perspective, the Lord should come first in our lives; we should be aware that we will stand before the Son of Man in our judgement.  Will we be found worthy?  This is why we should pay attention to what we do and why we them.  Prepare yourself by doing those things that you know to be right and just.   

Luke 21:29-33

In today's Gospel reading we have the parable of the fig tree in relation to the Kingdom of God.  The fig tree is special because it grows fruit twice a year, once in the early spring (tends to be bitter) and once in late summer (with sweet fruit).  If the coming summer is recognized by the fruit of the tree, so God's kingdom is recognized by the destruction of the world.  Another way to look at it is the fruit of the world is destruction.  Yet, as the summer of God's kingdom approaches we are bathed in the glorious warmth and love of our Lord in his eternal sunshine.  It is a wonderful thing to think of and the message is one of hope and also reflection.  "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will not pass away."  God is forever.  In His graciousness through His Son, we have an invitation to live in that eternal sunshine with Him forever.