PENTECOST SUNDAY MAY 19 2024

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRITY ADVOCATE AND SANCTIFIER

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid… I will not leave you an orphan… The Spirit will teach you…inspire you…remind you of my word…and call to mind your sins that you may be reconciled and live… He will teach you through my church and proclaim the good news…

 I have so much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it all at once…trust me…trust the Holy Spirit who will guide you to all truth… you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” John 16:7-16

 INTRODUCTION

Pentecost means fiftieth. The Jewish festival of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, was first spoken of in Exodus 23:16 as “the feast of harvest,” and again in Exodus 34:22 as “the day of the first fruits. This Jewish feast celebrates the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai.

The Christian feast of Pentecost is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, We mark it as the birthday of the Church when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in tongues of fire.

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, equal to the Father and equal to the Son.  The term Spirit comes from the Hebrew word, ruach, meaning breath or air. His presence on the world stage is made known in Scripture in its earliest book, Genesis.

In the First Creation Story in Genesis 1:2 the Spirit of God was moving over the face of deep waters, bringing order out of chaos. In the Second Creation Story, Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the land and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.”

The Blessed Trinity is not complete without the Holy Spirit whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son.  “Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever.” …One God…three Divine Persons.

“By contemplating Himself from all eternity, The Father begets the mirror image of Himself, God the Son… The Father and Son see each other in infinite Divine beauty and embrace in infinite love.  The Spirit is that love that proceeds between Father and Son.” Catechism of the Council of Trent 1545

PENTECOST SUNDAY 33 AD

MARY AND THE APOSTLES IN THE UPPER ROOM

 Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised his disciples that he would pray to his Father that the Holy Spirit be given to them.   Jesus promised “The Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you.”  John 14:26

 “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:1-3

While the Holy Apostles were generally ignorant of the Holy Spirit at this time, the Immaculate Mary knew the Spirit intimately. Mary was possessed by the Holy Spirit and filled with grace at the first moment of her existence. Moreover, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary in a powerful way at the virginal conception of Christ our Lord.

The Holy Spirit overshadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation and she conceived the body of Christ, Our Lord. Now the Holy Spirit at Pentecost mystically conceives the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church.

Through the Holy Spirit, our faith is awakened.  We are inspired to know Jesus and the One who sent Him.  The Holy Spirit stirs up in us repentance for sin and conversion.  Until the end of time, the Spirit guides, protects, and inspires the Church of Christ and its members.

Come Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life.

 REFLECTION

 How do I interact with the Holy Spirit? What prayers do I say?   

Do I call on Him, before reading scripture…before making difficult decisions… for protection against temptation?

 How can my relationship to the Spirit assist me to overcome tendencies in pride, anger, lust, greed, envy, excess, and laziness…do I ever thank the Holy Spirit for his assistance.?

 If you feel God has abandoned you or stepped away, take heart. Consider the disciples after Jesus left the earth. We are not left alone but kept safe guided by His Spirit.

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26

 ST. AUGUSTINE PRAYER TO HOLY SPIRIT

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.

Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.

Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA MAY 13

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS, MARY MOTHER OF GOD

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.

                  LUCIA and FRANCISCO and JACINTA

FATIMA SECRETS

The First Secret: the Vision of Hell

As the Lady was finishing the prayer, she opened her hands again. It seemed to open the earth! 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 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:

 “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….,

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. 

FATIMA WARNINGS

 In the apparition of July 13, 1917 Our Lady warned the three children that if people did not stop offending God, He would punish the world “by means of war, hunger and persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father.

 Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, raising up wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer and various nations will be annihilated.”

 In a 1957 interview, Sr. Lucia, elaborated more on Persecution of the Church by adding the diminishment of the shepherding of the Church.  The devil found the easiest way to seize souls was to undermine those consecrated to God, especially priests and bishops leaving the souls of the faithful abandoned by their leaders. ie. pedophile priest scandals

 MIRACLE OF THE SUN

 On October 13, 1917, Our Lady of Fatima made her last public appearance with a great miracle, the miracle of the sun.  A great throng of 70,000 spectators witnessed the miracle of the sun. It had rained all during the apparition.

CROWD VIEW THE MIRACLE OF THE SUN OCTOBER 13, 1917

The sun spun rapidly like a gigantic circle of fire. Its rim became scarlet; whirling, it scattered red flames across the sky. Its light was reflected on the ground, on the trees, on the bushes, and on the faces and clothing of the people, which took on brilliant hues and changing colors.

After performing this bizarre pattern three times, the globe of fire seemed to tremble, shake, and then plunge in a zigzag toward the terrified crowd. All this lasted about ten minutes.  Finally, the sun zigzagged back to its original place and once again became still and brilliant, shining with its normal brightness.

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 who occupy places of responsibility in the Church 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. It is hard enough to live in this secular world without an undermining of the Faith given to us by Jesus Christ by those He left behind to shepherd us.

 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.  Stop watering down Church teaching… Jesus was unique; He didn’t 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

 How did that work out for Adam and Eve???? Things we seek to fill us up apart from God will not do the trick.  St. Augustine says it best, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”

 REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL!

ASCENSION THURSDAY MAY 9 2024

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

INTRODUCTION

 Ascension is one of the earliest Christian festivals dating back to the year 68 CE Ascension Thursday, is celebrated forty days after Easter Sunday and ten days prior to Pentecost.

This is a Holy Day of obligation when celebrated on Thursday in the US.  But in many dioceses it has been moved to the following Sunday.

This meaningful feast celebrates Christ’s entrance into heaven and foreshadows our resurrection and glorification in heaven. It also looks forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and beginning of the church.

JESUS RETURNS TO THE FATHER

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Before Jesus ascends to the Father, He sends His disciples on mission:

Go therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world” Matthew 28:19.

Jesus comforts His disciples with these words:

 … But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

 …And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, two men stood by them in white garment who said: You men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven?  This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven….Acts 1:7-12

 REFLECTION

Jesus ascended into heaven by His own power and will come to judge the living and the dead at the end of time by His own power.  Jesus is God after all. Jesus is our judge now and forever. We must not judge. Judge not less you be judged in the same manner.

Jesus promises them and us a helper.. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.  John 14:16-17 The Holy Spirit inspires us to make good choices and convicts our conscience when it chooses the wrong path. Pray to the Holy Spirit daily.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ascension Thursday should be a day filled with joy and hope that we will one day be resurrected and glorified like Christ.

Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed* we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

 Christ’s Ascension shows us that his work on earth was completed! God had sent Jesus with a very special mission. When that mission was complete – Jesus joined the Father in heaven.

We, all, are called to mission by virtue of our Baptism. . Go, therefore,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. Matthew 28:19

By Baptism we all have the “mission” of bringing the Gospel message of Jesus to the world, What does my mission look like? How am I fulfilling my mission?  What could I do better?

JESUS TAKES HIS THRONE

ASCENSION THURSDAY MASS

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:

a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

All you peoples, clap your hands,

shout to God with cries of gladness,

For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,

is the great king over all the earth.

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:

a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

Sing praise to God, sing praise;

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:

a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

 Responsorial Psalm

Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

 

 

FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER MAY 1.

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

PATRON SAINT OF WORKERS

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

 Saint Joseph was a faithful practicing Jew from the line of David and Foster father of Jesus.  St Joseph was 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 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.

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. 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

Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God.  By work, humankind 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 shares in God’s image not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Sure, we don’t create from nothing, only God can do that! But 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, the Church!

REFLECTION

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER WITH MARY AND JESUS

When I think of this feast day of St. Joseph the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, I think of the ordinary saints among us who have not been canonized and probably never will be.  My Father was such a man, a humble worker, through the depression era, providing for his wife and three children.

I had the privilege of witnessing his faith.  His attendance at Mass, leading a family rosary and inviting neighbors to join us, walking to Mother of Perpetual Devotions each Tuesday…  almsgiving when we didn’t have much to share, and his kneeling by the side of the bed to say his night prayers.  .

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 whatever it might be. Each of us have gifts. Use them for the salvation of the world.

Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment. We are the heirs of the work of those who came before us and must do the same for those who come after us.

JESUS, MARY. AND JOSEPH PRAY FOR ME

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, In Jesus’ name we pray@

 

COME FOLLOW ME

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, SCRIPTURE

Jesus summoned the crowd and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel* will save it.

MARK 8:34-38


TAKE UP YOURCROSS AND FOLLOW ME

I must lose my life to save it.  This saying of Jesus at first glance seems to make no sense. We cling to our lives. to what seems to make us happy and comfortable. We are number one. Are we? Who better to know what is good for us than the one who loved us into existence, our Father in heaven.

Jesus summoned the crowd. Whenever Jesus summons a crowd in Scripture you know He has some very important information to share. Jesus will lay out what it means to be His disciple. What it means to be a disciple is to conform to Jesus, to be Jesus in this world to others.

Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. MARK 8:34-38

I have always thought if we don’t pay attention to Jesus here on earth in this lifetime why would we want to spend eternal life with Jesus?  Would Jesus even recognize us if we have been a stranger here on earth?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,* but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven….  Matthew 7:21-23

WHAT DOTH IT PROFIT A MAN

MARK 8:34

“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” Jesus is talking about end times, for some of us sooner than later.  You can’t take anything material with you.  What would you pack if you could take a suitcase?

How have I loved?  Am I thankful for the life God has gifted me with?  Have I borne witness to Christ or have I been ashamed, embarrassed,or fearful, to bear witness to Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Is life eternal with God something I will be compatible with or have I been estranged in my life on earth?

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST MUST EVANGELIZE

JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

The baptized have become “living stones” to be “built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood.”74 By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ…They are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”75 

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1268

“The faith we have received is a gift that came to us, in many cases, from our mothers/grandmothers and fathers/grandfathers. They were the living memory of Jesus Christ within our homes. It was in the family that most of us learned to pray, to love and to live the faith.” U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.2016

All baptized Christians are called to do the work of God, not just priests and religious, All Christians are commissioned through our baptism to be other Christs in the world. All of us were chosen by God to be on mission.

To be a disciple of Jesus means a daily renewal of our relationship with Jesus. If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me… whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” Luke 9

  FOR MY YOKE IS EASY, MY BURDEN LIGHT 

                Matthew 11:30

We don’t give up anything when we turn our lives over to Jesus?  What are we afraid of?  Why don’t people want to learn more about Jesus??? Jesus is all about love.  What are we afraid of? We will never be asked more than we can handle.  Any cross we have to bear with Jesus is designed for us because Jesus knows it is the path to love!

What are some crosses we may be asked to bear?  Sometimes health, maybe even cancer, getting along with family members, providing for our family needs, welcoming children into our families, visiting the sick, taking care of elderly parents and so forth.

Witnesses testify not only with words but their lives. It is not enough to discover Christ for ourselves, we must bring Him to others.

We, on earth, are now God’s instruments, His voice, His deeds.  Imitation and proclamation of Jesus Christ is not an option.  Our mission is the salvation of souls.  It is unthinkable that a person accepts the Word for himself and keeps that light to himself, without bearing witness to others.

CLOSING PRAYER

With the guidance of the Most Holy Spirit,

we pray that we may accurately and lovingly pass on the faith given by Christ

 so that others may know Jesus in their hearts,

Worship Jesus in Liturgy,

and follow Jesus’ moral teachings in their daily lives.

 

TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

 

TAKE AND RECEIVE

According to Pew Research Center, only 31% of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The US CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS is addressing this issue by launching The NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL.

It’s mission is to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist,”

In summer of 2024, thousands are expected to participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage beginning from each corner of the country and ending in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress July 17–24.

 LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

”The priest takes the host saying these words of consecration, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you… 

Then the priest takes the chalice, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME

Jesus is truly present on the altar, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. The separate consecration of bread and wine represents the death of Christ by the separation of His Body and Blood.

To understand better the words, “Do this in memory of me,” we need the context of Old Testament stories like Passover. Biblical memorials were not just recalled but re-lived. 

A liturgical memorial brings the past and present together, making the long-ago event mystically present for the current generation.

We are then present at Calvary, a witness to Jesus’ bloody sacrifice for our salvation but this time in an un-bloody manner but the same sacrificial offering. Jesus is truly present, body and blood, soul and divinity

 HOLY COMMUNION

In the Book of Revelations an angel instructs St. John to write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (REV 19:9).

When the priest says, “Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb,” he echoes the angel’s invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb in the Book of Revelations.

We are being called to participate in the marriage feast of Jesus and his Church.  When we go to receive Holy Communion, as a member of the Church, we are coming to be united to our bridegroom, Jesus.

THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God fulfills the Old Testament by allowing Himself to be slain for the forgiveness of sins and rise again, conquering the consequence of sin, death.  We thank God that we received Christ physically hoping He receives us divinely.

Come back to Mass, you will be glad you did and the world will be a better place for your participation in the cloud of witnesses.   Hebrews 12:1

GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD THE CREATOR, GOD THE REDEEMER, AND GOD THE SANCTIFIER.  ONE GOD, THREE PERSONS!

WE REMEMBER, WE CELEBRATE, WE BELIEVE!

 

GOD’S COVENANTAL PROMISES

SCRIPTURE

The Promise of a Savior!

God chose to reveal His plan of salvation through His Covenantal promises. Covenants and contracts are not the same. . In a covenant you exchange your very being, “I am yours and you are mine.” In a contract, you exchange something you have – a skill, a piece of property, money.

The difference between covenant and contract in the Old Testament and throughout the Bible is profound. it’s the difference between prostitution (contract) and marriage (covenant). Or between owning a slave (contract) and having a son (covenant.)  .

Biblical Covenants
1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26–2:3)
2. Noah and his family (Genesis 9:8-17)
3. Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-14; 22:16-18)
4. Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 19:5-6; 3:4-10; 6:7)
5. David and the Kingdom of Israel (2 Samuel 7:8-19)
6. Jesus and the Church (Matthew 26:28; 16:17-19)
Each covenant in the Bible contain

* Mediator (the person God makes the covenant with) and his covenant role (whom the mediator represents);
* the blessings promises in the covenant;
* the conditions of the covenant;
* the “sign” by which the covenant will be celebrated and remembered. 
* the “form” that God’s family becomes as a result of the covenant.

The Covenant with Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26–2:3)

Adam is the covenant mediator in his role as husband. God promises blessings – that their union will be fruitful and their offspring will fill the earth and rule over it. God establishes a sign by which the covenant will be remembered and celebrated – the Sabbath, the seventh day of rest.  God imposes one condition that they must keep to fulfill their obligation under the covenant – that they not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And God attaches a curse for disobedience – that they will surely die. By this covenant, God’s family assumes the form of the marriage bond between husband and wife.

  

The Covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17)

God promises never again to destroy the world by flood. The covenant is made with all humanity, through the mediator, Noah, in his role as the father of his family.

The covenant includes blessings to Noah and his family (that they will be fruitful and fill the earth) and conditions that must be obeyed (not to drink the blood of any animals, not to shed human blood). The sign of the covenant is the rainbow in the sky. By this covenant, God’s people assumes the form of a domestic household, an extended family.

The Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-14; 22:16-18)

God promises to give Abraham a great land and to bless his descendants. God makes the covenant with the mediator Abraham in his representative role as chieftain. God promises the blessings of land and a great nationhood for his descendants, and through them to bless all the nations of the earth.

The sign of the covenant is the mark of circumcision.  an outward physical sign of the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people.  For the Israelites. circumcision was a religious rite representing God’s blessings and Israel obedience to God. Circumcision and what it represents is also the condition that Abraham and his descendants must obey in order to keep the covenant. By this covenant, God’s family takes a “tribal” form.

REFLECTION

 God’s covenant with Abraham is a promise of a great nation as long as they keep the sign of the covenant.  Of course, we know from history the many times Israel  lost their great nation by straying from God’s will, the Syrians, the Persions, the Romans…

How is our nation doing today?  What is my part in bringing our nation back to God?

 The Covenant with Moses (Exodus 19:5-6; 3:4-10; 6:7)

By this covenant, made with the mediator Moses in his representative role as the judge and liberator of Israel, God swears to be Israel’s God and Israel swears to worship no other but the Lord God alone. The blessings promised are that they will be God’s precious chosen people.

The conditions of the covenant are that they must keep God’s Law and commandments.  The covenant sign is the Passover, which each year commemorates Israel’s birth as a nation. God’s family assumes the form of a “holy nation, a kingdom of priests.”

REFLECTION

 Israel swears to worship no other God but the Lord God alone!

How about us?  How many false gods out there tempt us, riches?, fame,? pleasure? …

When we fall to temptation what do we do? do we deny it, make excuses, or reconcile with God?

The Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:8-19)
God promises to establish the mediator David’s “house” or kingdom forever. through David’s heir, To David in his role as king, God promises to make David’s son His son, to punish David if he does wrong but never take away his royal throne. “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever.” Through the blessings of this kingdom, God promises to give wisdom to all the nations. The sign of the covenant will be the throne and Temple to be built by David’s son, Solomon. By this covenant, God’s family grows to take the form of a royal empire, a national kingdom.

 

I AM THE WAY,THE TRUTH, THE LIFE

The sixth and final covenant is made through the mediator Jesus, who by His Cross and Resurrection assumes the role of royal high priest and fulfills all the promises God made in the previous covenants.

The Bible isn’t simply a collection of separate poems and histories and prophecies written over the course of centuries. It’s one book that tells a single story.  The Bible is the story of God’s love for His people. It’s the story of how God slowly and patiently unfolded his plan for the world, how He taught His people the reason they were created – to share His life with Him, to be part of His family, to be His children.  He wants us to share in His very Being in the most  Blessed Trinity.

 though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God

something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness;*

and found human in appearance,

he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death,

even death on a cross.*

Because of this, God greatly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name*

that is above every other name,

Phillipians 2:6-11

 

 

 

 

FEAST OF ANNUNCIATION MARCH 25

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

NOTE: BECAUSE THIS FEAST FELL IN LENT THIS YEAR THE UNITED COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS MOVED THIS SOLEMNITY TO APRIL 8

“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

REFLECTION

 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.

 This fulfills the prophecies of the Savior born of a virgin and born in the line of David and he will rule over the house of David forever. 2 Samuel 7:16

 And coming to her, the Angel said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

 REFLECTION

The angel Gabriel addresses Mary with an expression full of grace, (kecharitomene), Mary is not becoming full of grace; Mary is full of grace now! Mary was preserved from Original Sin from her conception through anticipated merits of Jesus’ Passion and death. 

 But Mary 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

 REFLECTION

 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.   

 Mary’s virginal conception by the power of the Holy Spirit assures us our Savior will have both a Divine Nature and a Human nature. Only God can make adequate atonement for a Divine offense.  And only one with a Human nature may atone on behalf of all humanity  Jesus has both a Divine nature and a Human nature.

 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

 REFLECTION

 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. Mary did not gloat and hang out with her girlfriends but hurried to her cousin Elizabeth to see how she could be of service to her elderly cousin.

When the pregnant Mary meets her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, Elizabeth greets her by saying, “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” LUKE 1:43

And the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy! Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant.

When the Ark of the Covenant was brought before David, he danced joyfully in the streets of Jerusalem, saying “How can the ark of the Lord come to me!” 2 SAMUEL 6:9   Now John the Baptist danced in Elizabeth’s womb when greeted by Jesus in Mary’s womb.

 REFLECTION

Do we dance at least figuratively in Jesus’ presence?

Do I say to God be it done according to your will as Mary did?

If not, why not?

God has a mission for me like He did for Mary.

 Do I seek God” plan/mission for me. 

God loved me into existence for a reason. God is a lifelong search. Search for that reason!

MARY THE NEW ARK OF THE COVENANT

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.

 

 

 

EASTER SUNDAY ALLELUIA!

HOLY WEEK

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, and 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 prayers

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. John 20:3-4

.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.” 

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…

How do I feel when the Lord does not seem near?

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

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

 Gently Jesus admonishes Mary…she must not cling to him…soon He will be ascending to the Father. Mary must remain his disciples without His physical presence….

Do we today believe in faith that Jesus is present in our lives?

Rejoice and be glad, for Jesus died and rose for each one of us!

May the infinite love of our Risen Lord give us all reason to embrace the mystery of faith and be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ, Savior of the world!

CHRIST VICTORIOUS 

WE ARE AN EASTER PEOPLE AND ALLELUIA IS OUR SONG

 

GOOD FRIDAY

HOLY WEEK

AGONY IN THE GARDEN

 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,* and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,* and began to feel sorrow and distress.

 Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death.* Remain here and keep watch with me. He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father,* if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.

Matthew 26:36-39

 

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 showed no animosity to Judas but 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 even knew Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Peter repented and wept bitterly.

REFLECTION

 We begin our Good Friday reflections with betrayal.  In the Garden Jesus’ best friends fled. Judas whom He loved betrayed Jesus with a kiss.  Later, Peter chosen to head Jesus’ church would deny in the courtyard three times before the cock crowed.

Do I ever betray Jesus and turn my back on him?    

 Do I repent and ask for forgiveness, return to Jesus like Peter?

 Or do I 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.”  So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak.  And Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”

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….

 

BEHOLD THE MAN!

 

REFLECTION

 Still fearful of the crowd, but not wanting the blame, Pilate chose the ritual of washing his hands of this affair.  Pilate tried to excuse himself from any guilt.

 Just because Pilate says he is innocent of this man’s blood does not make it so!

Do I claim innocence when I sin or make excuses like it wasn’t that bad or blame others?

Jews over the centuries have been accused as “Christ killers

Jews are not collectively responsible for Jesus’ death. Catholic Catechism #597-598

 All of us sentenced Jesus to death for our sins..”

Jesus redeems us by his sacrificial blood.  His blood of redemption will wash over all.

Jesus Christ is Redeemer of the whole world!

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, where executions were frequently carried out, Jesus was stripped of his clothes, tearing the scourging wounds apart only increasing the pain.

Simon of Cyrene in town to enjoy Passover festival never expected to have the cross of a criminal thrust upon him. 

 We never know where our crosses will come from, be ready!

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. “They divide my garments among them and cast lots.” Psalm 22

 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. 

“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 

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY NAILED HIM TO A TREE?

 Not only was Jesus mocked by the men executed with him but by the crowd, soldiers, chief priests, and scribes, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.  Mark 15:29-39. 

 Jesus overcame hate with love, death with his own life.  “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:31.  Jesus forgave the Good Thief in his dying moments and promised him a room in his mansion in paradise.

Do I forgive others, even unpleasant ones?

 Before His death on the cross, 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!  

Don’t forget Mother Mary when you need something from the Son!

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.  The veil in the temple that divided the holy of holies from the people was torn in two.

The centurion gave witness, “Truly this was the Son of God!”  

What prompts us to recognize God in our lives?

 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.

JESUS IS PRESENT IN OUR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES.

 JESUS IS PRESENT IN THE MASS.

 JESUS IS PRESENT IN OUR SACRAMENTS.

BURIAL OF JESUS

Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Having bought 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.  We get a hint because two Marys are checking out where they are burying Jesus and just like any good novel we wait to see what happens next,  what are these ladies going to do with this knowledge?

 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…He has conquered sin, and its sting…death…from the darkness of death a new hope will shine, the light of the resurrection. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!

Seek the LORD while he may be found,

 call upon him while he is near.  

Isaiah 5:6