PARABLE THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN

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THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN

PRAY IN THE TEMPLE

LUKE 18:10-14

Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,

‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity–greedy, dishonest, adulterous–or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’

I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 REFLECTION:

The Pharisee boasted to God how good he was…

only God is good… Think about that for awhile…

the only thing I own are my sins God be merciful to me, a sinner

if I do good deeds it is because of God’s grace…

I have one Savior, Our Lord, Jesus Christ…by whose merits, my sins are forgiven..

PARABLE OF UNFORGIVING SERVANT

MATTHEW 18:23-35

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?  As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.

That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.

Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.  At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘

Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’  Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount.  He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back. But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt.

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’

Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

REFLECTION:

there are no limits on God’s mercy and forgiveness

There are no limits on the times I should forgive another…

 …we are told to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect…one way we achieve this is through forgiving others…

we live now in time of mercy…later there will be judgment… on judgment day the measure we measure will be measured out to us…

 

FEAST OF ANNUNCIATION MARCH 25

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“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 

 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God

 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:16-36

COMMENTARY

 The plan for our salvation originates with God. “….the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.”

The angel Gabriel addresses Mary, Hail, full of grace, identifying her and unveiling her hidden most being.  Mary is not becoming full of grace; Mary is full of grace now!  Mary was preserved from Original Sin from her conception through the anticipated merits of Jesus’ Passion and death.

Mary questioned the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Mary would not have asked such a question unless she had made a vow of perpetual virginity which Joseph was willing to accept as conditions of their marriage.

Immediately, the angel calms the Virgin, solving her dilemma, by revealing to her the virginal conception will be accomplished in her by the work of the Holy Spirit, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee”

Mary’s virginal conception by the power of the Holy Spirit assures us that our Savior will have both a Divine Nature and a Human nature, Only God can make adequate atonement for our offenses against God. And only a Human nature may atone on behalf of humanity.

REFLECTIONS

 The Angel Gabriel tries to calm Mary with the words Jesus used so often, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Do I live my life in fear or do I trust Jesus?

God has a mission for me like He did for Mary. I may not understand God’s plan but do I accept it? If not, why not? God loved me into existence for a reason Do I say to God be it done according to your will as Mary did?

As encouragement to Mary, the Angel Gabriel, gave Mary a sign of God’s omnipotence by announcing Mary’s elderly cousin, Elizabeth, afflicted with sterility all her life is now six months pregnant.

“And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Nothing is impossible for God! How does that affect my relationship with God. How do I interact with God and my neighbor?

MARIAN PRAYER

MEMORARE

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

 that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;

to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,

 but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

LENTEN PRACTICE OF FASTING

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JESUS PRAYS AND FASTS

40 DAYS IN THE WILDERNESS

INTRODUCTION

In our modern self-centered, self-indulgent, all-about-me world, the concept of fasting is very foreign and many Christians resist it. But according to Scripture and historic Christian writings (Tradition), fasting is supposed to be a ordinary part of our spiritual life here on earth….

We must deny ourselves if we are to choose God above all.

 BACKGROUND

 The Bible has a great deal to say about fasting and praying. Many of the Old Testament heroes and heroines of the faith, fasted and prayed. Prayer and fasting are combined in the Old Testament in times of mourning, repentance, and deep spiritual need.

           DAVID FASTED AND PRAYED OVER HIS SICK CHILD     

     2 SAMUEL                           .

Early on in the New Testament of the Gospel of Luke we see the Presentation of Our Lord in the temple.  In Luke’s account, Jesus was welcomed in the temple by two elderly people, Simeon and the widow Anna.

They embody Israel in their patient expectation; they acknowledge the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, Throughout the New Testament fasting and prayer are often mentioned together as with the widow, Anna, who worshiped day and night fasting and praying.”

PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38

Fasting, joined together with fervent prayer from the heart, demonstrates just how serious our prayer is. When a Christian practices the sacrifice of self-denial, he is joining himself to the sacrifice of the Cross. The power for good is unleashed and miracles are allowed to happen.

 REFLECTION

It was our appetite of the flesh that got us into mess we are in. “The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  Genesis 3:6

God created us for a mission, Let’s not get in the way of that mission by putting our own desires and wants before God’s will.

Fasting, self-denial may include more than food and drink.  There are many things we may deny ourselves from, for example, talking bad about someone, not watching your favorite TV shows, not gossiping on social media, etc.

 Pray for the grace to fast. Pray that your fast will move mountains in your life and the lives of others.  Pray in words of Scripture, pray from prayer books,…PRAY!PRAY!PRAY!

Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. 

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

MATTHEW 26:41

 

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH MARCH 19

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INTRODUCTION

 This Feast day of St. Joseph can give us hope in this trying time of uncertainty, divisions in our own country and in our Church.

St. Joseph had to deal with a pregnant wife who was carrying someone else’s baby.  When it was time for his wife to give birth he could not find an inn but was forced into a shelter for animals.

When Herod threatened their infant son. Joseph and the Holy Family had to flee in total uncertainty to a foreign land.  Joseph had to trust in God that he and his family would be cared for.  After Herod’s death Joseph safely returned Mary and Jesus to Nazareth. Matthew 2:13-16

JOSEPH, FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS

 St. Joseph was a faithful practicing Jewish man from the line of David. He lived in the small village of Nazareth and served as the town carpenter. The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment by calling him a “just man.”

By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted him to do. Joseph, betrothed to Mary, faced with Mary pregnant during engagement period and not by him had to hurt him severely.

Joseph didn’t want to take it out on Mary by subjecting her to charge of adultery.  Joseph planned to do this “quietly” because he was “a righteous man, unwilling to expose her to shame” Matthew 1:19. (Mercy vs Judgment)

 PATRON SAINT OF A HAPPY DEATH

 We do not know when Joseph died  but there is no mention of him during Jesus public ministry

Is it any wonder that the Church had declared Joseph the patron saint of a happy death? Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary.  Jesus and His mother Mary were not only supporters and consolers who supported Joseph’s frail body, but also provided powerful, soothing graces that refreshed the heart and soul of the dying Saint. St. Joseph can help us at our time of death by reminding us not to fear death but to rest in the arms and support of the Holy Family!

 PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH

 O glorious St. Joseph, Saint of the workbench, skilled and trusted craftsman…Cheerfully toiling side by side with Jesus, Teach us to value lives of hidden splendor.

We implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining for us from your Divine son all spiritual blessings, particularly the grace of a happy death. 

 O Guardian of the Word Incarnate, we have confidence that thy prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. In Jesus’ name we pray! Amen.

SAINT JOSEPH PRAY FOR US

 

 

 

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND COME FOLLOW ME

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Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”  They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'”  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.”

 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.  He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised…

 If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.   

 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?  Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. LUKE 9:18-27

 REFLECTION:

 .Who do I say Jesus is?…This will make all the difference in my relationship and life choices….

 Most do not and will not understand Jesus’ suffering.  What is my understanding? …

 whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it… the path to glory and to life is the way of the cross… How so?

 following Jesus means dying…dying to myself…offering myself up for others… am I striving to be a disciple of Jesus…How so?

 if I refuse to follow Jesus…then what… What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?…

  SILENT PRAYER

SUMMARY

 We have walked along the path with Jesus in towns such as Cana, Capernaum, Bethany, and Jerusalem, along the Sea of Tiberius, and Mount of Olives.  He has preached in synagogues, on mountains, and in the plain He has fed the hungry, quenched the thirsty, healed the blind and those afflicted, forgiven sins and admonished sinners.   He has touched and healed. Those who seek have found peace and wholeness.

He is meek and humble of heart.  A bruised reed, he does not stir.  Before his ignominious execution at the hands of this world, He is glorified on Mount Tabor.  He shares this glimpse of glory of what is to come with a few of his disciples that they might believe the Son of God will vanquish sin and death and reside at the right hand of the Father for all eternity.

      

I WILL FOLLOW YOU!

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.  I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing.  I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.  This I command you: love one another.

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. 

Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. JOHN 15:13-20

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASH WEDNESDAY “REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE DUST, AND TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN”

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

 

On Ash Wednesday, March 5,  when ashes are placed on our forehead, we might hear either “Remember yo u are dust and to dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Like Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and His own Son, God calls us out into the desert of Lent to test us to see where our hearts are… (Deuteronomy 8:2)  God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. Our world is full of noise, distraction and spectacle. This Lent, find time each day for quiet….Give God a chance!

.In MATTHEW 5:48 Jesus teaches how to  observe Lent by prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Fasting  humbles us, reminds us who we are and our dependence on God. When we fast from our favorite foods and drinks, we create more space in our hearts for God….hear his voice, notice his goodness and beauty.

Prayer must always be a part of fasting. Pray for the grace to fast. Pray that your fast will be effective. Pray that your fast will move mountains in your life and the lives of others. Fast for yourself, for others, and the Poor Souls in Purgatory.

What will your Lenten resolutions be?  There are things you might do (commission) acts of charity such as donations to food banks, clothing drives, visiting the sick, work on reconciling family disputes, praying for the Souls in Purgatory, adoration visits to Blessed Sacrament, attending a weekday Mass …

And then there are things you may refrain from doing (omission) such as:  talking bad about someone, refrain from seeking attention or praise, don’t watch your favorite TV show or eat your favorite snack….

Join your sacrificial offering to Jesus in reparation for sin and the salvation of the world,

Lent is the perfect time to clean the slate, wash the soul through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This Sacrament was instituted by Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate, on the evening of his resurrection.

Peace be with you…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)

The sacramental sign are the words of absolution, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Our sins are forgiven and sanctifying grace is conferred.  We are made ready to go home to the Father

RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

WHOSE SINS YOU FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN

May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation”  2 Corinthians 6:2

 Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in His word, in His sacraments and in our neighbor. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.   Then we will be able to experience and share in the full joy of Easter.

 REPENT AND BE SAVED!

 

 

 

GOD OF JUSTICE AND MERCY

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

MOST HOLY TRINITY

FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT

 

INTRODUCTION

 Many get stuck in their Bible reading because of the Old Testament. Some may find the God they read about in Old Testament is not the kind of God they are looking for.

Are there two Gods, one of the Old and one of the New Testament?  No, there is one God, in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. a God of Justice and Mercy

In the very beginning of Genesis when man disobeyed God by choosing his will over God’s will, man committed Original sin which we all inherit in our human nature.

GENESIS 3:8-16

 “…Have you eaten from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat?  The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it. “The LORD God then asked the woman: What is this you have done? The woman answered, “The snake tricked me, so I ate it…. Then the LORD God said to the snake…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; they will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.* 

God of the Old Testament in His Justice separates man from His kingdom but in His Mercy, promises a Savior that will crush evil and reunite us into God’s Divine Life.

At our Baptism, Original Sin is removed and (if adult) any other personal sins. Infused with Divine life we become heirs of heaven, brothers and sisters of Christ.

 COMMENTARY

The Old Testament is filled with blessings and curses. Man falls again and again, yet God in His Mercy remains faithful, calling man to repentance and reunion with Him.

THE GREAT FLOOD

 When the LORD saw how great the wickedness of human beings was on earth, and how every desire that their heart conceived was always nothing but evil the LORD regretted making human beings on the earth, and his heart was grieved. So the LORD said: I will wipe out from the earth the human beings I have created, and not only the human beings, but also the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air, for I regret that I made them. But Noah found favor with the LORD. Genesis 6:5-7

Even in the midst of such a terrifying judgment God’s rescue mission moves forward in the hands of his faithful shipmate, Noah. God demonstrates his justice toward humanity through punishment, and he demonstrates his saving love and mercy for humanity through Noah.

Death was a result of man separating himself from God (ORIGINAL SIN).  We inherit death in our human nature from our first parents Adam and Eve.  In the ancient world  life expectancy was very low.

God, in his righteousness sometimes  uses death as a punishment to restore the order of justice. When we reject the Author of Life, death results. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” Matthew 10:28

REFLECTION

 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father…John 14:9

 Jesus says to Phillip and to us Who sees me sees the Father!

We cry out for justice here and now on earth. But our expectations are seldom met in this life. Unlike earthly justice, God will bring all things together in his perfect justice in end times.

God provides time for the wicked to repent and obtain salvation.  I give thanks every day for God’s unlimited patience and mercy. God is a Just God.  The time God allows between now and the final judgment gives us an opportunity to become a recipient of his Mercy through  rather than a target for his judgment

We can’t ignore the Old Testament for that is when the story of our salvation begins.  It is where we first learn who God is and what man’s relationship to God should be.  We see that God is not only transcendent, but a God who intervenes in our history.

We see Divine Providence, creating a nation, Israel, to be a call, a light to all nations to worship the one true God. How is Divine Providence working in my life?

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good,

His mercy endures forever.”

Psalm 107

 

 

THE BEATITUDES A LENTEN MEDITATION

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Lent is the liturgical season that mirrors the forty days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for His public ministry.   As we prepare for the Lenten season, beginning with Ash Wednesday March 5, we gather many materials together for our Spiritual Reading and reflection. One of the best and most reliable set of meditations are the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

                    

 SERMON ON THE MOUNT

MATTHEW 5:1-12

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, He began to teach them, saying:  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you, because of me, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

 COMMENTARY

 We will now look at each Beatitude as they bring us closer to imitation of Christ.

 “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Was Jesus saying the economically poor were blessed?  No! The poor can be just as greedy and envious and proud as any other sinner.  Jesus is speaking of the poor in spirit who understand their human nature vs God’s divine nature and accept all they have comes from God in blessings.

“Blessed are the Meek for they shall possess the earth.”  The word meek comes from the Greek word which refers to a strong but domesticated animal like a powerful horse or ox.  A meek person is a strong disciplined person. A meek person proclaims not my will but thy will be done.  Obedience to the will of God brings us peace in this world and the next.:

.“Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Mourning in this beatitude is not mourning financial loss, loneliness, divorce, or even the loss of a loved one.  Faithful Christians mourn because they have sinned, dishonoring God and breaking communion with the Body of Christ.  Mourning our sinfulness creates in us a desire to repent and follow the Gospel.

.“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.” Righteousness refers to what is upright, virtuous, noble, and morally right.  To be righteous is to choose to act according to God’s will in every way.

“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” The merciful are tenderhearted.  They go out of their way, without judging, to help those in need.  God shows us mercy when we are miserable and powerless in our sinfulness. Blessed be God and Father of all mercy who comforts us in our tribulations so that we may be able to comfort others in the manner we are comforted by God. “

 “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.”  Everything impure comes from our hearts. For from within the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, greed, lust, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.” Mark 7:14–15; 21–23. We must attend to our hardness of heart to root out evil and convert.

“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called Sons of God.”  Peacemakers are not only those with great love for God but for all mankind as well.  They love, desire, and delight in God’s peace.  They want to preserve peace and restore it when it is broken.

“Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’s sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Persecution in our time may not be bloody but may come verbally in the form of ridicule and mocking,  Our kingdom is not of this world! “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate” 1 Corinthians 4:12–13

REFLECTION

are the Beatitudes active in my life?

 Do I offer kind words of encouragement to those suffering from affliction of mind and spirit?

 Am I merciful to others or does rash judgment get in my way?

Do I proclaim courageously and vigorously the Words of the Gospel or do I cower and compromise… into the culture and trends of this world… 

 Is my heart detached from false idols…

 does my heart seek the kingdom of heaven first and foremost?

 PRAYER

Merciful Father, Help us to be among the poor in spirit; to be among those who mourn for all that’s wrong and broken in this world; Help us to be among the meek, the merciful, to be a true friend to those who are hated, misunderstood, rejected, and disregarded … Help us to be peacemakers… to build bridges to restoration and reconciliation with family, friends, and the world at large. In Jesus name, we pray!

 

 

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

After Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan, He was led by the Spirit into the desert to prepare for his public ministry.  There He fasted and prayed for 40 days.  During this time, his faith was tested by the Evil One. Jesus was tempted by Satan with the usual temptations that we all face, to choose riches, power, self over God and others.

Lent begins March 5 Ash Wednesday and is the perfect time to clean the slate, wash the soul through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The sacramental sign of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are the words of absolution through which forgiveness of our sins and distinctive graces of sanctification are conferred.

RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

This Sacrament was instituted by Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate, on the evening of his resurrection. “In the evening of the same day…Jesus came and stood among them…Peace be with you…. As the Father sent me…so I am sending you…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)

God the Father of mercy awaits our return home as illustrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11) Today, the Church Jesus founded is the custodian of conversion, forgiveness of sins, absolution and reconciliation.  This is God’s will that none be lost.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives his disciples three spiritual exercises—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—as antidotes to “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” 1 John 2:16

If Adam and Eve had fasted from the tree of good and evil they would have never lost paradise and intimacy with God. Indeed, if we find it easy to indulge ourselves in food, then it is much easier for us to indulge ourselves in other “appetites” of the flesh as well.

Fasting brings the appetites of our flesh under control. By denying ourselves food, we help strengthen our wills in conquering sinful addictions.. Fasting reminds us who we are and our dependence on God.  Fasting is a spiritual remedy for “the lust of the flesh

Almsgiving is a spiritual remedy for the disordered desire for possessions (“the lust of the eyes”) Almsgiving is not optional for salvation. Jesus does not say in Matthew 6, “If you give alms…” but “When you give alms…” Jesus assumes that “almsgiving” or “acts of mercy” will be a regular part of the spiritual life of his followers.

Jesus clearly teaches that giving to the poor is necessary for salvation. Nowhere is this clearer than in his famous Parable of the Sheep and the Goats Matthew 25:31–46.  This parable shows the absolute necessity of almsgiving for salvation.  “Whatever you did to the least of my brethren, you did to me.”

We need, after all, every reminder we can get that God is the one in charge.  We are in need of his mercy.  We must deny ourselves if we are to choose God on a regular basis! Fasting is an important element of the cleansing process.  It humbles us.  It causes us to acknowledge our needs, go way beyond the needs of the flesh, and reminds us who we are and our dependence on God.  Fasting brings the appetites of our flesh under control.

What will our Lenten resolutions be?  There are things we might do (commission) acts of charity such as donations to food banks, clothing drives, visiting the sick, work on reconciling family disputes, praying for the Souls in Purgatory, or attending Mass one day during the week. and things we may refrain from doing (omission)

There are things you may refrain from such as:  talking bad about someone, watching your favorite TV shows, refrain from seeking attention or praise, refrain from dwelling on your real or perceived wounds.

Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.

 

 

 

 

 

RECEIVE THE MIGRANT: SHELTER THE HOMELESS

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH FLIGHT INTO EYGPT

 JESUS WAS A MIGRANT

 Immigration is a hot button issue in our country today.  Today,there are some people who seem to be against all immigration.  But the truth is almost all of us except Native Americans  are the descendants of immigrants!

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born homeless. (Mt.8:20)  He who created the world became a homeless person depending on the kindness of strangers.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph were themselves refugees fleeing into Egypt to avoid Herod’s massacre of newly born children.

“The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Mt 8:20).  Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, was born in a borrowed manger;  had no fixed address once he began his public ministry; and was buried in another man’s tomb.

Where are we on welcoming the refugee?  And how about our treatment of the homeless despite the reasons for their homelessness.  God loves the homeless!  .

The Catholic Church in the United States is an immigrant Church with a long history of embracing newcomers regardless of origin, race or religion. Our Church has responded to Christ’s call for us to “welcome the stranger among us,” for in this encounter with the immigrant and the refugee in our midst, we encounter Christ.

CORPORAL WORK OF MERCY

 The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise.

 CCC 2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor…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.

 I asked my oldest daughter who has some experience of working with the homeless hwhat supplies shelters needed, she replied, “new socks, gently used blankets, comforters, coats, hats, gloves will always be in high repeat demand— once these items become wet and soiled— our homeless have no way to dry them.. clean, dry supplies always needed.”

REFLECTION

For many of us, the line between our homes and being homeless is a thin one that can disappear with the death of a spouse, the loss of a job or an illness. This corporal work of mercy forces us to open our eyes to the misery of those who, for a variety of reasons, have no place they can call home.

Welcome the immigrant in your neighborhood; speak kindly to that homeless man or woman who you pass and offering a sandwich or buying them a meal. “Whatever you do to the least of these brethren , you do to me!”

Homelessness is invasive and may be found at our doorstep.  Let us not ignore it and walk over like the rich man, Dives, in the parable who ignored Lazarus the begger.   We often show more empathy for stray dogs or cats than human beings.  Pro-Life is more than anti-abortion!  Let’s give the same fervor to those already born!

LUKE 16

Jesus comes to us in disguises.  Remember his last judgment discourse in Matthew 23, “Whatever you do to one of these least of my brethren, you do to me.”

 POSTSCRIPT

 

 MOTHER TERESA

 DO IT ANYWAY!

People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

 If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

  If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

  If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. 

 The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

 Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

  For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

At the hour of death when we come face-to-face with God, we are going to be judged on love; not how much we have done, but how much love we put into the doing.