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.

 

 

CARE FOR THE DYING PALLATIVE CARE VS EUTHANASIA

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

 “God’s love requires that we give our best

to each and every one of our brothers and sisters,

even those who are in the final stage of their life. “   

Pope Francis REGINA CAELI address May 6, 2018 Vatican City

EUTHANASIA

Euthanasia, called by the secular state euphemistically “Death with Dignity” is always immoral.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2277 states it this way, Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

 HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES

 DEATH WITH DIGNITY (STATE OF OREGON)

I, __________ am an adult of sound mind. I am suffering from_________________ which my attending/prescribing physician has determined is a terminal disease and which has been medically confirmed by a consulting physician. I have been fully informed of: my diagnosis; prognosis…. I request that my attending/prescribing physician prescribe medication that will end my life in a humane and dignified manner

EXAMPLE OF CATHOLIC DIRECTIVE REGARDING MY HEALTH CARE

My Catholic faith teaches that all human life is a precious gift from God from the first moment of conception to the moment of natural death, therefore, I oppose any action or inaction that is intended to cause my death.

I always wish to receive basic care, which will allow me to be most comfortable including food, water, and pain control.  I wish to receive medical care and treatment appropriate to my condition as long as it is useful and offers a reasonable hope of benefit and is not excessively burdensome to me,

If my death from a terminal illness is imminent, I wish to refuse treatment that would only secure a precarious and burdensome prolongation of my life. I wish to be attended by a Catholic priest, receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum.

PALLIATIVE CARE

Effective palliative care allows patients to devote their attention to the unfinished business of their lives, to arrive at a sense of peace with God, with loved ones, and with themselves.

 “Suffering is part of human existence from birth until death, and every human person suffers in a variety of ways: physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. Suffering in one form or another accompanies each of us every day. It is an inescapable feature of human existence”…The suffering of Christ leads to his glory; so, too, does the suffering of Christians”. SAINT JOHN PAUL

Physical pain can cause depression, anxiety, and may negatively affect relationships. Catholic moral teaching accepts that although pain management can relieve physical suffering, it can also result in the patient’s loss of consciousness. If unconsciousness or a shortened life is not the intention of the pain medication, administering high doses is morally permissible.

When death is imminent, food and water are unnecessary and may even add to the person’s suffering. “nutrition and hydration should be considered, in principle, ordinary and proportionate, and as such morally obligatory, insofar as and until it is seen to have attained its proper finality, providing nutrition and hydration is not always prudent.” SAINT JOHN PAUL

If a medical treatment is physically painful, unlikely to be successful, is experimental, has severe side effects, causes a financial burden, or is psychologically difficult, it is deemed extraordinary and there is no moral obligation to accept it.  Patients and their families are not obligated to undergo extraordinary means… treatments where the burden outweighs the benefit.

Our hope and prayer is that when we grow old or sick that we be surrounded by people who care and respect each and every human life.

JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

PRAY FOR ME AT THE HOUR OF MY DEATH!

 

 

CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE FEAST DAY JANUARY 25

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

SAUL, SAUL, WHY DO YOU PERSECUTE ME

 SAUL’S CONVERSION

Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.

 On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Paul  said, “Who are you, sir?”

 The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one.  Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing;* so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. ACTS 9:1-8

COMMENTARY

Paul had acquired a zealot’s hatred of all Jesus stood for, as he began to harass the Church: “…entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment” Acts 8:3.

When Jesus said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” Acts 9:5 A great light illumined Paul. Jesus was mysteriously identifying Himself with the people that Saul was persecuting.

At that moment Paul experienced a mysterious transcendent relationship between the eternal and living Christ and His followers.  Jesus lives and is present in them and they live in him.

Conversion by faith in Christ is a turning away from sin and turning to the obedience of Christ.  St. Paul has captured the eternal struggle that we all go through. Paul laments in Romans 7:15 – “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing that I hate.” Paul then cries out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Like St. Paul we know the answer to that question.

CONCLUSION

 Conversion is a life-long operation, turning from sin back to Jesus Christ.  St. Paul continually reminds us of the moral imperative – Stop sinning! I Corinthians 15:34. Remember the day will come, at the hour of our death, when we will face judgment.  Romans 2:5

Paul says, “I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain” 1 Cor. 15:9-10

Paul acknowledges that he saved by the grace of God.  God alone can save us!  Good works are necessary but those are the result of saying yes to God’s grace. Life-long conversion requires repentance. Repentance conveys a sense of regret, sorrow, grief, or remorse for one’s sins, that leads someone to conversion.

St Paul responds“A great light from the sky suddenly shone around me.” Acts 22:6. This light of the risen Christ transformed Paul and impelled him to illumine the world by the light of the Gospel.

This Scripture quote reminds me of a trip my wife and I took to Rome in the Jubilee Year 2000.  I was looking to avail myself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

On leaving the confessional, I heard the most beautiful singing and organ playing but sight showed me no one was singing or playing any music.  I smiled to myself, gave thanks, and prayed my penance.  I will remember that “illumination” at the Basilica of St. Paul forever. “Only by the Grace of God,” 1 Corinthians 15:10

BASILICA OF ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS ROME, ITALY

 PRAYER

 Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and my Savior. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you to come into my life and heart.  I want to serve you always with my whole mind, my whole heart, and my whole strength.

REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL

MARK 1:15

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MARRIAGE FEAST AT CANA JESUS’ FIRST MIRACLE

MIRACLES OF JESUS, MIRACLES OF JESUS, SCRIPTURE

JOHN 2:1-11 THE WEDDING AT CANA

There was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.  When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”  Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.”  His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”  Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. 

 Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.  Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it.  And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew).

 The headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.”  Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

COMMENTARY

 at Cana, at some period of the entertainment the wine suddenly ran out. This was very embarrassing because of the passionate devotion of the Eastern people to hospitality.

It is very likely that the host laid in an abundant supply. The explanation for the deficiency is probably the fact that Our Blessed Lord did not come alone. He brought with Him His disciples, and this apparently threw a heavy burden upon the store of wine. Wine was a symbol of mirth and health to the people, it was important that their need be filled in the spirit of hospitality and charity.

 REFLECTION:

 When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”  Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” 

Jesus told his Mother “His hour was not yet come…. If Jesus revealed His Divinity now, He would begin the royal road to the cross.  Mary may not have understood the full extant of what she was asking but she did know enough to tell the servants,  Do whatever He tells you.

 Mary knows Jesus will attend to our needs when the time is right…Mary’s faith is remarkable as it was from her first fiat at the Annunciation, “Be it done to me according to your word!”…

 Mary is the model of faith…pray to Mary to keep our Faith strong..…As Our Lord mediates between us and the Heavenly Father, so the Blessed Mother mediates between us and Our Divine Lord

 Jesus performed this first of His signs… and the disciples began to believe in Him…what are the signs of Jesus’ intervention in my life…look closely…

 What was my life like while drinking the “inferior wine” of this world before Jesus served up the “superior wine,” …. How has the “superior wine changed my life?

.POSTSCRIPT

 THE GOODS OF MARRIAGE

 “Have you not read that in the beginning God ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:3-12

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1643), there are three goods of marriage. They are: unity, fidelity, and openness to children

This unity is beyond mere unity of the flesh; it demands permanence (indissolubility) for the entire life of the married couple. The union is so profound and total that only death can dissolve it.

The very nature of conjugal love, total union for life of a married couple, demands fidelity and prohibits any disorder such as adultery.

The good of “openness to children” is the fruit of total self-giving love. Accepting children and nurturing them leads the married couple to a deeper union and exclusive commitment to one another.

The Church does not demand married couples have enough children to field a baseball team.  The Church simply says that parents should exhibit generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood and not use any immoral means such as contraception or abortion as a means to demean their intimacy and frustrate God’s plan.

Using Natural Family Planning  a couple can use fertility tracking technology so if a couple wants another baby, they can choose to be intimate on a woman’s identifiable fertile days. On the other hand, if they don’t feel ready for another baby, they would simply choose to be intimate on an infertile day instead.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for hert

Ephesians 5:25

Marriage is not merely a legal contract. A Catholic marriage is a covenant, or a sacred pledge of loyalty with God as our witness between persons, a man and woman. This covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

SCRIPTURE

What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?

And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’

I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

REJOICE WITH ME

FOR I HAVE FOUND MY LOST SHEEP

LUKE 15:4-10 

 REFLECTION

Jesus is a master story teller. In this parable Jesus tells the unbelievable story of a shepherd leaving most of his flock to the wolves to search for one missing sheep.  That shepherd would soon be fired.

But the point of God’s love for each and every one of us is unmistakable…. there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Praise God!

God knocks until we open the door…no matter how far away or how long…God never stops calling us home…Hear Him…Listen to Him…

Repent and be saved…the kingdom of heaven is at hand…Come home…

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

MATTHEW 25:14-30

“a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two.

But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five.*

He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’

His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!* So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

REFLECTION

God gives each one of us special gifts ready made to fit us.  We must pray to discover them, cherish them, and use them as God intended.

God gives gifts to us according to our ability/personality…

What are my gifts…how am I sharing them…do I bury some….do I reject some…

Do I gift others…This little light will shine, Let it shine, Let it shine

Will we hear one day, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter my kingdom

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

SCRIPTURE

INTRODUCTION

The baptism of Jesus is not just another story of Jesus told in all four gospels but the story that says all we need to know about who Jesus is and our relationship to him. Jesus is our savior and we are the ones he came to save. Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21, and John 1:29-34

JOHN THE BAPTIST’S TESTIMONY TO HIMSELF.

 SCRIPTURE

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?”  he admitted “I am not the Messiah.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”* And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said.”

….*“I baptize with water;* but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” *JOHN 1:19-28

VOICE CRYING OUT IN DESERT

 REFLECTION

 John the Baptist asserts he is not the Messiah, the expected one.  John could have out of pride taken their adulation and sycophancy, but no, he told the truth.  There was no deceit in John the Baptist.  John was all about truth.

Repent, the kingdom is coming, be ready, prepare yourselves, your salvation is at hand.  John knew his place in the Divine Plan.  Do we know ours?

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD

 JOHN THE BAPTIST’S TESTIMONY TO JESUS.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God,* who takes away the sin of the world He is the one of whom I said, A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him,* but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John 1:29-34

 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:13-15

 REFLECTION

 John protests that he should be the one baptized by Jesus but Jesus says let it be done for now for sake of righteousness.  What is righteousness?

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 23:5

In the New Testament Joseph foster father of Jesus is described as righteous. Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Matthew 1:19

 Righteousness may be described as oneness with God….Jesus is telling John the Baptist it is the Father’s will, Let it be for now!

When Jesus was immersed in the waters of John’s baptism He took on all the sins of the world, and carried them to redemption on the cross. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened…the Spirit of God descended like a dove… And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” JOHN 1:26-32

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON

WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED

REFLECTION

 John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove* from the sky and remain upon him…. Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” John 1:32-34

John the Baptist witnessed the Holy Spirit affirming Jesus as the one sent by God. John testified to the others gathered, this man is the Son of God.  How are we in testifying to others that Jesus is the Son of God…there is no other to follow.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 Jesus is that sacrificial lamb who sacrifices himself for us that our sins may be forgiven… sin has no more dominion over mankind…Blessed be God!

 The Father affirms the Son’s mission…”This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased…Here is your Savior!

CLOSING

At our Baptisms we become adopted sons and daughters and heirs to heaven. At our Baptisms we reject Satan and all his works and empty promises. At our Baptisms we are made righteous, cleansed of our sins, infused with sanctifying grace, and configured to Christ…an initiation that sets us on our journey back home to the Father.

THINGS TO PONDER

HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE! JOHN 3:30

 

 

 

 

FEAST OF EPIPHANY

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

                                        

CELEBRATED SUNDAYS JANUARY 2-8

 RISE UP IN SPLENDOR, JERUSALEM YOUR LIGHT HAS COME .

ISAIAH 60:1 

Star of wonder, star of light Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to Thy perfect light

Guide us to Thy perfect light

 BACKGROUND

The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation). God appears to his people. (theophany) The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the oldest Christian feasts. Throughout the centuries, it has celebrated a variety of things

The feast of the Epiphany in the East celebrated four different theophanies, the Nativity of Christ; the Visitation of the Wise Men, the Baptism of the Lord; and Christ’s first miracle, at the wedding in Cana.

Eventually, the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany was separated out in the West, into separate feasts of Christmas, Epiphany, Baptism of Jesus, and Marriage feast at Cana.

In 1991 the United States Bishops reduced the number of non-Sunday Holy Days to six. One of those Holy Days, the Epiphany, was transferred to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.

.COMMENTARY

 “Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you. Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples. upon you the LORD will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. Isaiah 60:1-6

The Magi were most likely a caste of Persian priests who served Kings using their skills in interpreting dreams and watching movements of stars. Stars were believed to be signs from God, announcing important events.

“…and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage… they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” Matthew 2:11

COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD!

The gifts the Magi (Wise Men) brought were gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold was a gift for Kings; frankincense was offered to God in Temple worship. Myrrh was used by the High Priest as an anointing oil.( Exodus 30:23.)  It was also the Jewish custom of anointing a dead body for burial, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death and burial.

REFLECTION

There are those who seek God, find God, and serve Him, (Mary and Joseph), and those who seek God but haven’t found Him yet (the Magi). Which am I? Or am I indifferent?

“Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Isaiah 9:2 Do I seek the Light?  Do I radiate that light to the rest of the world?

Are my eyes open to the many Epiphanies in my own life? How does God manifest Himself to me today?

Let us walk in the LIGHT, radiating Jesus’ love by selfless service, unconditional forgiveness and compassionate care

SOLEMNITY OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD JANUARY 1

MARY MOTHER OF GOD

MARY MOTHER OF GOD

Solemnities are the highest rank of liturgical celebration. By celebrating a solemnity dedicated to Mary’s motherhood, the Church highlights the significance of her part in the life of Jesus.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, God with us. Isaiah 7:14

It is fitting to honor Mary, as Mother of God, following the birth of Jesus. We not only honor Mary, but we are also honoring our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully human.

Every year on January 1 the Holy Father marks the World Day of Peace, inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace.

On 1 January 2025 the theme of World Day of Peace is “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace As Pope Francis proclaimed: At the dawn of this New Year given to us by our heavenly Father, a year of Jubilee, I offer heartfelt good wishes of peace to every man and woman, especially those who feel downtrodden, burdened by their past mistakes, oppressed by the judgment of others and incapable of perceiving even a glimmer of hope for their own lives.

The “jubilee” recalls an ancient Jewish practice, when, every forty-ninth year, the sound of a ram’s horn proclaimed a year of forgiveness and freedom for the entire people Lev 25:10.

The blowing of the horn reminded the entire people, rich and poor alike, that no one comes into this world doomed to oppression: all of us are brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the same Father, born to live in freedom, in accordance with the Lord’s will.

Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace,” the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God honors Mary as the “Queen of Peace” Some may wonder why we refer to Mary as Queen..

 From the moment Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear a great son, the Lord Giver of life, who will inherit the throne of his father David. Mary becomes future Queen. Luke 1:26

 First century Jews would have known, under the reign of David the kingdom was ruled by both a King and a Queen. Unlike modern-day kingdoms, however, the queen of Israel was not the king’s wife but his mother. (the king often had many wives but only one mother) In the Hebrew tradition, Mary is Queen Mother.

From antiquity, Mary has been called “Theotokos“, or “God-Bearer” (Mother of God). The term was used as part of the popular piety of the early first millennium church.

This is seen dramatically in Mary’s visitation to her cousin, Elizabeth.. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. LUKE 1:41-42

BLESSED ART THOU AMONG WOMEN LUKE 1:42-43

Mary is the Mother of God because she carried Jesus in her womb and contributed the genetic material for His human nature. If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God.

In the 4th and 5th centuries there was much debate about Jesus’ divine nature. At the center of this debate was the particular title of Mary Mother of God.  Referring to Mary this way was popular in Christian devotion, but the patriarch of Constantinople from 428-431, Nestorius, objected on theological grounds.

Nestorius suggested that Mary was only the mother of Jesus’ human nature, but not his divine nature. Nestorius’ ideas were condemned at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, and again at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451.

The Council’s insistence on the use of the title Mary Mother of God reflected an effort to preserve the teaching of the Church that Jesus was both Divine and human, that the two natures were united in His One Person. Women give birth to PERSONS.

This wonderful title, Mary, the Mother of God, “Theotokos“, reveals a profound truth not only about Mary, but about each one of us. We too are invited to become “God-bearers

THEOTOKOS–GOD-BEARER