SOCIAL JUSTICE IS MORE THAN CHARITY!

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POPE LEO XIV

                      God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God among ourselves, we will go forward.

THE GOSPEL OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne and all the nations* will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me

 Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?  And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me…..  

We practicing Christians take Matthew 25 very seriously.  It tends to sum up the whole Gospel of Jesus that we are to love God and our neighbor.  In fact, the most practical way of showing our love for God is how we love our neighbor.  At the end of Mass we are dismissed with the words go in peace and live the Gospel.

LAST JUDGMENT DISCOURSE MATTHEW 25:21 – 43

 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

CCC 2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC #1907) states that the Common Good presupposes respect for each person.  It requires the social well-being and development of everyone, including food, clothing, shelter, health care, work, education etc.  It requires peace and justice for security of a just order….  . (CCC 1928-1942, 2419-2449)The fundamental principles of Catholic Social Teaching focus on the dignity and sacredness of each human person, the solidarity that we experience within one another, the promotion of the common good and the proper use and distribution of the goods of this world.  The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches that compassion and love  should extend  to  all   people  whether they are an enemy or outcast.

 

 GOOD SAMARITAN

LUKE 10:37

SCRIPTURE

 On coming into this world, a person is not equipped with everything he needs for developing his bodily and spiritual life.  He needs others.  Talents and gifts are not distributed equally as we see in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians chapter 12.

“Now the body is not a single part, but many.  Even if a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.  Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended…” I Corinthians 12:4-26 

In comparing the human body to the mystical body of Christ-the Church, St. Paul goes on to say, “Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this….

God has so constructed the body that there may be no divisions in the body so that the parts of the body may have concern for every other part. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” Just as it is in the human body so it is in the body of Christ, the Church.”  Corinthians 12:4-11; 14-31

REFLECTION

 Charitable giving is not enough!  In fact someone could do charitable giving for all the wrong reasons, to save on taxes, to feel good about himself, to receive the acclaim of others. We must look at the causes of those in need and address them in our advocacy and at the ballot box.

“Anyone who says I love God and hates his neighbor is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

Don’t blame poverty or lack of resources on God,  He has provided us with all the natural resources we need.  God’s divine plan wills that each will have their needs supplied by their neighbors.  Many Christians will give food or clothing to a needy person but, at the same time, refuse to look at the structures and policies that create poverty in the first place.

We are obliged by justice itself to come to the aid of needy people. The present situation within the world, where some individuals and nations have excess while others lack the basic necessities, is immoral, goes against the teachings of Christ, and must be redressed.

The condemnation of injustice is part of the church’s essential ministry of preaching and is an essential aspect of the church’s prophetic role. At our Baptisms we are called to that prophetic role! Let’s get started!

WE ARE A MISSIONARY CHURCH

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA MAY 13

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OUR LADY APPEARS TO

FRANCISCO, JACINTA, AND LUCIA

May 13 is the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima, Portugal in 1917.

BACKGROUND

 Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three Portuguese children, Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santos received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria near the city of Fatima. Mary had instructed the children after the first apparition May 13 to meet here the following 5 months on the 13th.

Mary asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace, pray for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia. Mary gave the children three secrets.

 FATIMA SECRETS

The First Secret: the Vision of Hell

As the Lady was finishing the prayer, she opened her hands again. It revealed a very terrifying scene as the children were shown a vision of hell! It was only for a brief moment that they saw the fires of hell, the ugliest demons, and the poor charred and transparent burning souls of people suffering tremendously.

The Second Secret: WORLD WAR II

 WORLD WAR 1 is going to end.  But if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, (KRISTALLNACHT) know this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.  

 To prevent this, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart, and the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart.  If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace.

The Third Secret is revealed but Kept Secret at instructions of Blessed Mother.

When Lucia grew up, she wrote down the secret

 THIRD SECRET: ASSASINATION OF A POPE

 Pope John Paul II directed the Holy See’s Secretary of State to reveal the third secret in 2000; it spoke of a “bishop in white.” Many people linked this vision to the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981. 

 “a bishop dressed in white…the Holy Father passed through a big city half in ruins and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, he prayed for the souls of the corpses he met on his way; having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him….,

       LUCIA and FRANCISCO and JACINTA

 In a 1957 interview, Sr. Lucia, elaborated more on Persecution of the Church by adding the diminishment of the shepherding of the Church.  ie. pedophile priest scandals

REFLECTION

One of God’s harshest chastisements is when he permits his people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests in name only.  God cries out through his prophet Jerimiah, “Return, rebellious children and I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently!” Jeremiah 3:14-15

 Today, where are our shepherds???….a staggering number of Catholic Church leaders have fallen victim to the error of Modernism, the belief that some aspects of Catholic doctrine can change over time. It can’t!

Customs and Church discipline may change over time but not doctrine. Pray that our priests and bishops will be Good Shepherds in imitation of Christ that they may lead us faithfully to the Way, the Truth, and Life, of Jesus Christ.   Jesus did not go along to get along. And neither should we!

Satan, the Father of Lies, will say anything and do anything to entice us to separate from God just as he did with our first parents, Adam and Eve, …God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know* good and evil.

Genesis 3:5

 REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL!

 

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER MAY 1

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PATRON SAINT OF WORKERS

On May 1, Russia, paraded troops in Red Square to show their latest military hardware in front of huge, stage-managed crowds to celebrate the might of their working class.

In 1955 the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was promulgated by Pope Pius XII to be observed on May 1. This feast was added to the Church calendar to counter the Communist May Day celebrations.

 Saint Joseph is a faithful practicing Jewish man from the line of David and Foster father of Jesus.  St Joseph is a humble carpenter who knew what it was to work hard, often for meagre pay, in order to earn a living to support his wife and foster child. It was the Will of God that Joseph and his foster-Son Jesus should spend their days together in manual labor.

 By the daily labor in his shop, St. Joseph provided for the necessities of his holy spouse and of the Incarnate Son of God. He became a role model for laborers. The liturgy for this feast not only celebrates the dignity of work but the right to work.

Jesus, too, was a carpenter who learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. God allowed Himself to be taught carpentry skills by Saint Joseph in order to show us what sanctity can be attached to the simple and humble role of a workman

By work, human-kind fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth “The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.” Genesis 2:15

Humanity is like God not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ. .

REFLECTION.

Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.  We were created with a vocation to work. (Genesis 2:15) Work is a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment.

How do I view work?

 St. Joseph. Jesus’ earthly father, served as a model of manhood, demonstrating work ethic, faith, and love for God and family. Jesus learned what it was to be a human being from St. Joseph.

Do I have a mentor?

St. Joseph shows us the importance of sharing skills with others, as he did when Jesus served as his apprentice.  In these hard times we ask for St. Joseph’s intercession to find good, productive work for all those who are searching.

PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH

O glorious St. Joseph, Saint of the workbench…cheerfully toiling side by side with Jesus, , obtain for us the grace to work conscientiously with peace and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and frustration, Teach us also to value lives of hidden splendor.  Saint Joseph, we implore your powerful intercession in obtaining for us from your Divine son all spiritual blessings, particularly the grace of a happy death,

 

PATRON SAINT OF HAPPY DEATH

 

1 JOHN CHAPTER 1

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The Word of Life

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands is the Word of life

the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Fathe and was made visible to us—

what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

REFLECTION

Before we were was the Word and the Word was made flesh!  We are to PROCLAIM this truth with all our minds, all our hearts, and all our souls.

It is not enough to keep the word to ourselves.  We are meant tp be in relationship in image of the Most Holy Trinity as we journey home. Leave no one behind!

Rejoice, we are Easter people!

God is Light.

Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light,* and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. 

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves,* and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.  If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

REFLECTION

To walk in light or darkness is to live according to truth or error.

Fellowship with God and with one another consists in a life according to the truth as found in God and in Christ.

Denial of the condition of sin is self-deception. Forgiveness and deliverance from sin through Christ are assured through acknowledgment of them and repentance.

Embrace the LIGHT! Sometimes it may make us uncomfortable while we are being pruned but once pruned we are acceptable for homecoming.

EASTER SUNDAY ALLELUIA!

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INTRODUCTION

The Resurrection of Jesus is the central pillar of our Faith. “If Christ did not rise, our Faith is in vain.” I Cor. 15:14. 

 In His resurrection, Jesus overcame death, the consequence of sin.  Because of Jesus, we are no longer bound to sin or death but are liberated from both sin and death through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Hebrews 6:5, Paul writes, “As in Adam all die, so also, in Christ, shall all be made alive.  We live now not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.”

Christ’s resurrection takes place in history, in real time, and in real space.  This real historical event is attested to by hundreds of eye witnesses after his resurrection.  Acts 1:22

Some of the historical facts to support the resurrection are: the empty tomb and burial cloth discovered by John and Peter John 20:2, The eyewitness account of Mary Magdalene John 19:31, the eyewitness accounts of the apostles in the upper room, Easter evening John 20:19-23

HE IS RISEN ALLELUIA!

REFLECTION

 The final enemy Jesus must face down is death by His own death, a death on the cross. Oh, death, where is thy sting! 1 Corinthians 15:55

“Faith in the Resurrection is the basis of our hope in the inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”  I Peter 1:4

 For those disciples who follow Jesus…the same fate awaits…a glorious resurrection of our bodies on the last day…eyes have not seen…ears have not heard what await those who love Jesus…1 Corinthians 2:9

He is risen…He is alive…He goes before us….do not be afraid… the risen Lord has not gone away…He remains with us in the sacraments…in our faith…in our praye

EYE WITNESSES TO THE EMPTY TOMB

 “On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.  So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

 Peter and John ran to the tomb and saw the burial cloths and the cloth that covered his head.  They did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead and they returned home.

.But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been.  And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.”  When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. 

 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. 

MARY!

She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”

 Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.”  John 20:1-18

REFLECTION

Mary was weeping because she could not find her Lord…

Do we weep when we feel the Lord is not near?

Jesus appears to Mary, Mary did not recognize Him until He addressed her by name…

Listen for when Jesus calls me by name because He does…sometimes a whisper

Rejoice and be glad, for Jesus died and rose for me personally!

CHRIST VICTORIOUS

 

HOLY SATURDAY

HOLY WEEK

BEYOND THE CROSS

INTRODUCTION

Jesus did not go to sleep from Good Friday until Easter Sunday.  He has a mission from the Father to announce his victory over sin and death to those in the abode of the dead, Sheol in Hebrew, Hades in Greek and Hell in English.

Today there is great silence upon the earth, great silence and solitude. Great silence because the King sleeps … God died in the flesh… God, made man, entered into the extreme and absolute solitude of man, where no ray of love enters, where there is total abandonment without any word of comfort: “hell”.

According to Church Tradition, after dying on Good Friday, Jesus descended to the depths of the dead to preach His message to them, liberating all holy men and women held captive in past centuries.

 The People in the abode of the dead are deprived of the vision of God. The experiences of those in the abode of the dead are different, some await the bosom of Abraham; some await damnation eternal separation from God. CCC 631-637

THE LORD’S DESCENT INTO HELL

ANCIENT HOMILY FOR HOLY SATURDAY

“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages.

He wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains…

When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: ‘My Lord be with you all.’ And Christ in reply says to Adam: And with your spirit.

And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,… I am your God, Come forth, those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.

I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person….

Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.

‘See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back.  My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades…arise, let us go hence.

The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven.

“The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”

JESUS WELCOMES HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH

 

 

 

GOOD FRIDAY

HOLY WEEK

BETRAYAL ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

 They came out to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane like he was a robber, led by Judas his betrayer who betrayed him with a kiss.  Jesus, showing no animosity to Judas called him friend.

In chains they brought Jesus before the high priest where he was mocked, struck and spat upon.  The chief priests and elders condemned Jesus to death.   Meanwhile in the high priest’s court yard Peter denied he knew Jesus three times before the cock crowed.

Peter repented and wept bitterly.

REFLECTION

How often do I betray Jesus and turn my back on him?    

 Do I repent and ask for forgiveness, return to Jesus like Peter or like Judas stay away and separate myself from Jesus?

The Jewish leaders took Jesus before Pilate the Roman Governor, because under Roman law the Jews had no right to carry out the death penalty.  Pilate found no guilt in Jesus and tried to trade Jesus for a horrific revolutionary and murderer, Barabbas, but incited by the chief priests, the crowd cried out for Barabbas.

Pilate feared the crowds, so he had Jesus scourged.  Once more, Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”

 BEHOLD THE MAN!

JOHN 19:1-6

The chief priests and the guards cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood….”They cried out “let his blood be on us and our children”!

THE CRUCIFIXION

 Jesus is led out to be crucified, carrying the crossbeam of the cross himself.  Because of the severe scourging at the pillar, Jesus soon falters and the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to assist in carrying the cross..  .

At the place of the skulls, Golgotha, the soldiers nailed his hands to the cross beam, attached the cross beam to the vertical beam already in place then nailed his precious feet. The soldiers then cast lots for His discarded garments.

REFLECTION

 What a difference a few days make.  Today Jesus’ precious feet are nailed to a cross.  A few days ago in Bethany in the home of Lazarus, they were anointed by Mary and embraced with love and kisses. 

Do I embrace my Savior or nail him to the cross again? 

Jesus overcame hate with love, death with his own life.  “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:31. 

Do I forgive others, even unpleasant ones?

 Jesus looked on His mother and the disciple He loved and said, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” John 19:25

From the cross Jesus gives us one of our greatest gifts, His Mother Mary.  Mary is the finest intercessor with her Son, Jesus.  Don’t forget Mother Mary when you need something from the Son.!

 Do I ask Mary to intercede?

Bowing His head Jesus expired. “it is finished, and giving a loud cry, Father into your hands, I commend my spirit.” When the centurion who stood facing him saw how Jesus breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39.

 

“They will look upon whom they have pierced…when I am lifted up,

I will draw all things to me…who ever looks upon me and believes will be saved”

John 12:32

The pagan centurion gave witness, “Truly this was the Son of God!”  What prompts me to recognize God in my life? Do we ever bear witness to these God events to others? 

The veil in the temple that divided the holy of holies from the people was torn from top to bottom in two. No longer is God separated from his people by some veil, Jesus is the New Temple. Jesus is available now to everyone who seeks Him.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, Call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

BURIAL OF JESUS

 Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Having brought a linen cloth, Joseph took Jesus down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.

 CONCLUSION

 The burial of Jesus is not the end of the story.  Jesus descended to the abode of the dead to announce the good news…that soon those in Sheol will join Him in the exodus to eternal life…neither the tomb nor death will hold Jesus… Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLY THURSDAY

HOLY WEEK

When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover* with you before I suffer… Then he took a cup,* gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; ….Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying,

“This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. LUKE 22:14-20

 INTRODUCTION

 Two of our seven sacraments, Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders, were instituted on Holy Thursday.  Jesus at the Passover meal took bread and wine and told his disciples to eat and drink, for this was his body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins,

“Do this in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19

These words, “Do this in remembrance of me” are the foundation for our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist today and establishes the ministerial priesthood (Holy Orders) whereby this command will be carried out through the successors of the apostles until the end of time.

TAKE AND EAT; THIS IS MY BODY

MATTHEW 26:26-30

 In St. John’s Gospel we don’t find the institution of the Eucharist but we find Jesus, Servant of servants, washing the feet of His disciples and telling them to do likewise.

Jesus washing the feet of his disciples represents the service and charity of Christ, who came ‘not to be served, but to serve.’ Matthew 20:28

 And at supper, Jesus—although knowing that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God, and was to return to God— Jesus rose from his place, and, taking off his upper garments, tied a towel round his waist. He then poured some water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel tied round him…..

 Do you understand what I have been doing to you?” he asked. “You yourselves call me ‘the Teacher’ and ‘the Master’, and you are right, for I am both. If I, then—’the Master’ and ‘the Teacher’—have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet;  For I have given you an example, so that you may do just as I have done to you.” .

“In truth I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor a messenger than the man who sends him. JOHN 13:1-1-26

A SERVANT IS NO GREATER THAN HIS MASTER

 REFLECTION

Jesus Christ, is the fullest revelation of God that we can possess on earth. The Eucharist is the sacramental means to abide in Jesus. “”He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” John 6:54  Abide in me, and I in you” John 15:4. 

When I receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion, Do I truly believe I am  receiving Jesus body and blood or do I think I am just receiving a symbolic remembrance?

The washing of the feet of His disciples including Judas who betrays Him demonstrates God’s unconditional love for us.

God loves us with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:

What does God’s unconditional love of me say to me?

No one gets to heaven by their self. What am I doing to help others?

 How do I love others? Do I have stipulations or conditions? Like what?

PALM SUNDAY

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

JESUS TRIUMPHANT ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM

“….the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” Jesus sat upon a young donkey; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” John 12:12-16

INTRODUCTION

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week… So many mysteries to ponder.  From the triumphant entrance into Jerusalem to the Last Supper, the Eucharist, Good Friday, Christ Crucified, and then Easter Sunday, new beginnings… new life free from mortality of the body and soul.

 “Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king* is coming to you, a just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” Zachariah 9:9

REFLECTION

WHO IS THE KING OF GLORY?

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty
Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory PSALM 24

Jesus makes His triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. It is a remarkable event recorded by all four Gospels. Now is His hour.  He is in full command of fulfilling His Father’s will.  He allows people to praise Him even if that devotion may fade and evolve into condemnation.

 Jesus is King of Glory. Mankind could not do it on their own.  Abraham couldn’t do it.  Moses couldn’t do it.  David couldn’t do it. It took the Word Incarnate, son of God, son of Mary to open the gates of heaven to all of us so we too may walk the path of GLORY!

If Jesus is the king, then all his loyal subjects must recognize his kingship. The Jews recognized Jesus’ sovereignty by calling him the Son of David, and by spreading their cloaks before him. In this ancient custom; people threw down their garments to make a carpet for the royal procession.

We recognize his sovereignty by laying our hearts before him, throwing down our wills in absolute surrender, and asking Jesus to govern everything we think and say and do. Give praise to Him, our rightful King!

CONCLUSION

Palm Sunday is sometimes called Passion Sunday for good reason. While Jesus is King of Glory and our Savior and Redeemer we get a glimpse in the Mass readings of today… the Passion of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew.

FROM HOSANNA TO CRUCIFY HIM

They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him.

Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand.

And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

They spat upon him* and took the reed and kept striking him on the head.

And when they had mocked him,

they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes,

and led him off to crucify him.

Matthew 27:28-31

A week from now Jesus will make another triumphant entrance and deliverance on Easter Sunday. Jesus will rise triumphant over sin and death.  HOPE SPRINGS ETERNA!

How great a Savior we have!

 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

 

 

 

 

SACRAMENT OF MERCY

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

INTRODUCTION

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish

but might have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. JOHN 3:16-17

 We begin our discussion of conversion, repentance, confession and absolution with a God who loves us, a God who seeks us, a God who wants us to be part of His family, the Most Holy Trinity.

We must never forget that God always wills our good that we may bear good fruit. Some pruning may be necessary.

Today, Sin is often downplayed as character flaws genetic makeup or personality disorders. Sin first of all is an offense against an omnipotent divine God who made us in His image and likeness to know, love and serve Him in this world and be happy with Him in the next..

Baptism forgives original sin inherited from our first parents Adam and Eve and any other personal sin prior to Baptism, but something more is needed after Baptism. Original Sin left us with a clouded mind, unfriendly natural environment, division between people, and a weak will when it comes to facing temptations of the flesh.

Whether we like it are not the Spiritual Warfare begun in Genesis continues.  The same Satan and his minions go about the world looking for the ruin of souls.  We need spiritual medicine for our eternal souls the same as we need physical medicine for our bodies here on earth.

On the first Easter Jesus gave us the Sacrament of /Reconciliation to absolve sins committed after Baptism.

RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

WHOSE SINS YOU FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN

“In the evening of the same day…Jesus came and stood among them…Peace be with you.  He showed them his hands and side…Peace be with you.  As the Father sent me…so I am sending you…After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven.  For those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'” John 20:19-35

Today God the Father awaits us like the prodigal son to return home, confess our sins, and be reconciled to God and his Church.  The Church is the custodian today of conversion, forgiveness of sins, absolution and reconciliation.

JESUS SEEKS US OUT; WON’T YOU LET HIM IN!

“…When you give Me your sins, you give Me the joy of being your Savior.  There is nothing I cannot forgive and heal…Come to Me with your misery and your sins, with your troubles and needs…I stand at the door of your heart and knock… won’t you let me in!

 POSTSCRIPT

 PREPARE FOR CONFESSION? WHAT DO I SAY AND DO?

We begin with prayer, placing ourselves in the presence of God, our loving Father. We review our lives since our last confession, our thoughts, words and actions that did not conform to God’s love, to his law or to the laws of the Church.

 BRIEF EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

Do I attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation?

Do I take God’s name lightly or in anger or in blasphemy?

Am I envious, hot-tempered, impatient?

Do I forgive others?   Do I judge others?

Do I entertain thoughts of revenge, hold grudges?

Do I tell lies? Steal property or reputations?

In my marital relationships do I respect my spouse by faithfulness in words and actions?

If I am single, am I living a chaste life?

Do I use artificial contraception to thwart God the giver of life?

Have I ever had an abortion or encouraged one

Do I provide good examples to my children?

Do I honor and respect my parents?

Do I care and give to the poor and needy

Do I respect the environment?

Do I overdo eating, drinking, smoking and amusements?

The Priest receives the penitent with a greeting, a sign of the cross and invitation to trust in God’s mercy

 Confession of sins

Through the admission of our sins, we look squarely at our relationship with God and our neighbor and open ourselves to be reconciled with God and full communion with His Church.  We accept our Penance as satisfaction for the offense to God and the harm to His Church.

 Our act of contrition

Our act of contrition expresses our sorrow for offending God and our detestation of sin.  We are sorry that we offended God and our neighbor and intend to amend our lives and avoid these sins in the future.

SAMPLE ACT OF CONTRITION

 O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee.   I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven, and the pains of Hell; but most of all because I love Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.

Amen

 Prayer of absolution

The words of absolution by the priest, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and the reply by the penitent, “Amen” restores the penitent to God’s grace, reconciles him with God, with His Church, with himself, and with his brothers and sisters.