”The ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold”

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St Mark the parable of the Sower…In the story Jesus presents three scenarios…In each a person hears the Truth of the Gospel, two of the three abandon the Truth and one embraces it……How can two people hear something that is Truth and “walk away” from it?…..”The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold”……..The words of Jesus Christ divide!….Never forget that….People must choose a side - There is no sitting on the fence….And what we say with our mouths does not reflect our commitment to God - Its how we live our life……We can not have it both ways…Following Jesus Christ in this world means that you will have to renounce the world and that decision, like it or not, will bring with it consequences…That translates into - Some people will not like you…One could ask - How could someone not like a person who embraces the Truth? - A good question indeed - The answer is - Those who reject Christ also made a decision - They have embraced the world and everything in it…And if they were to embrace Jesus, they would have to “put down” the “things” of the world…And they are not willing to do this…..Jesus was very clear when he gave to the world the Beatitudes……”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 [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you”…….As Catholics in the world today, to think we can have it “both ways” is a fallacy……..The Cross is forever before us and the reality of the Cross is the very thing the world rejects….And if you “pick up the Cross” - The world will reject you as it did Jesus Christ…..This my friends is reality and this is why two of three people in the Parable of the Sower walked away from Jesus - They did not want to suffer and sacrifice for the Truth…..A great choice is put before us today……..”I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them”………Make the right choice - Choose Life!

“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever”

Jesus tells us in the Gospel that - “The Last will be First and the First will be Last”……Over the course of my life I have traveled many times into what is known as the “third world” serving the poor - And when I walked among the poorest of the poor in countries like Haiti, India, Vietnam, Cambodia…I have often reflected upon the words of Christ - “The Last will be First and the First will be Last”….That means when Jesus Christ returns again as he said, the power structures of the world will flip!….Think about that for a second - The people right now who control everything, many of them will have nothing and will be “cast out into cold” - While the multitude across the globe who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” will be on top…..That is a wild concept to imagine but that is exactly what Jesus is telling us…..Here is some cold hard reality -  Following Jesus Christ as Catholics means we must “not be of the world” - But - That does not exempt us from working and raising a family in the world - What does that imply? - That means to a larger degree, because we do not “follow the rules of the world”, Catholics are at a great disadvantage - What I mean by that is, we follow the laws of God and the Natural law - And in doing so, we will in many ways be “passed over” by those who embrace secular thinking…That could mean loss of jobs - That could mean not being as comfortable as you may like - That could even mean in some parts of the world physically suffering or even being killed……The Truth to this very day has a cost!…Jesus today in the Gospel asks us - Are you willing to pay that cost?…..Many say they are - And that is great - However, mere words do not address the question…..It’s how we live that says everything….The daily choices we make as Catholics tell the world and God himself - Did you follow me!……This is how we will be judged at the end of time…..But for those who do follow Jesus Christ - For those who do “embrace the full weight of the Cross” - For those who endure and persevere until the very end - For that select group of people - Jesus makes a promise……..Those “seeds sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold”……That is a guarantee!…..Catholics must stay connected to the vine - That means doing things God’s way - All day! - Everyday! - Come hell or high water……“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 will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom”………We can not have other both ways - Choose life - Choose the Cross - Live, breath and die as a Catholic!

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages.”

Today at Mass St Mark tells us all a story many know very well  - The Parable of the Sower…While Catholics have heard this story many times - Do we really know what is asked of us when it is told?…..In this story we are presented with Life and Death and two of the three people in this parable choose death - Have you ever thought about that?…..So what do you choose?…..Most people reading this reflection will immediately say - “I choose life!”…..And that is the correct answer - But do you really mean it?…I ask that question because if we do indeed mean it - That means we must live a certain way…..The Cross is forever before us as Catholics - There is no such thing as “cheap grace” and there is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday…..As American Christians, we can not “sanitize” our belief in Jesus Christ…..Jesus was a man on a mission - He came to live and speak the Truth and he also came to die for the sins of the world…Now its our turn - What do I mean by that? - We have a “mission” too!…..To know the Truth - To Speak the Truth - To Live the Truth - And to Suffer for the Truth….The suffering part is not optional - And while we most likely will not be asked by God to be nailed to a cross - Make no mistake - As Catholics, we are all called to “die to our selfish nature” - And that takes time - And that takes grace!……So cooperate with God…Bend your will until it breaks!….And in turn, Jesus will form you into the person you were born to be……”I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus”……..And in the process, if you do as I suggest - You will bear fruit that will last in the here and now……..”The ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold”……….JMJ

”Pick up your cross and follow me” - This is how we get it done

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Mark Jesus tells us something very important….He does not give importance to empty words….” I believe in God”……”I am Catholic”….”I go to Mass on Sunday”….When you get right down to it - These things are easy to say and do….This is what is important to Jesus….....….”For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother”……………….Jesus is not looking for “believers” - He is looking for followers…We are also told this message in the Gospel of St John….“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me”….Actions speak and words are very easy to say……The best way we as Catholics transmit the Gospel to others is by the witness of our sacrificial love poured out to the world….This begins with our family…..Children many times will not listen to what you say…But trust me - I am a father of five children under eleven years old - Children watch what you do!……This is how the faith is passed on to them - Our children must “see” our Catholic faith prioritized in our home….The same goes for the world around us….As Catholic, the very way we live our live should scream of sacrificial love…….The way we are open to life in the womb - The way we live modestly and simply - The way we are kind and generous to our neighbor - The way we share of our time and resources with the poor…..When the world “sees” this - No words are necessary…..Jesus tells us today in St Mark’s Gospel that “ticking off boxes” as a Catholic does not “cut it” - We must do the “heavy lifting” of putting our words into action…….“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 will find it”………So to answer the question put forth today by Jesus to the crowd….."Who are my mother and my brothers?" - Its the people who bend their will - Its the people who are obedient - Its the people who live sacrificially for others…Those “people” are God’s people…Make sure you strive to be one of them!

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom”


My Catholic faith was passed on to me by my parents…While my Mom and Dad sent me to Catholic school and we went to Mass on Sunday - My parents did not do a lot of “preaching” in the house…They lived their faith by sacrificing deeply for both me and my brother…….And I took notice!….My parents never took fancy vacations - They never drove fancy cars - We lived in a modest home - They never shopped for fancy cloths for themself…And while all that was going on - They paid for my private education at Catholic schools…..They were always there for me when I needed them…..They provided and environment that I could succeed…..They witnessed a strong and faithful marriage that lasted up and until the death of my father at the age of 84 years old - And when my father was sick and bedridden, my mother cared for him in our home…..All these things spoke more then words ever could - This is how I am Catholic today…Not because of “words” but because of my parent’s witness….As Catholics today who want to see a societal change - If we are not willing to live sacrificially for others - Do not expect our culture to change….The world needs to “see” Christ within us….And that kind of witness is only found when we “give ourselves” away to others…And here is the paradox when one lives this way - Lasting joy and peace is found….….”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”……….Our world today does not need another “sermon” - It needs to see the Gospel radically lived out sacrificially - This is how many hearts will open and lives will be transformed - "Who are my mother and my brothers?"  - Its those who love in this manner - Sacrificially - That’s who!

“When he finished making these offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. He then distributed among all the people, to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel,  a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake. With this, all the people left for their homes”

Today in at Mass Jesus tells us what the definition of a disciple is - A person who follows him….This is what we as Catholics must strive to become - Disciples…..There is a very big difference between a “believer” and a disciple……And when you encounter an authentic disciple of Christ - That person leaves a deep impression - These are the “people” we must become….It simply is not enough to “tick off boxes” as Catholics….We must give witness to our love for the Lord - We do that by pouring our life out for others…..This “message” lived out in real time is antithetical to the message of the world and because of that, the world has no response - “You” can’t argue with a saint and that is what we must strive to become - Saints - So don’t miss the opportunity!……..Catholics will never argue anyone into the doors of the Church - However if we are consistent in living out the Gospel, the world will take notice and question choices made and maybe just maybe be transformed.....…..”Pick up your cross and follow me” - This is how we get it done……….JMJ

”So by their fruits you will know them”

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Mark, Jesus addresses a particular mindset that plagues mankind to this very day….Calling good evil and calling evil good……”The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,  “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons”…..We see this in our post-christian culture today…….Divorce is a common practice - Same sex marriage has become mainstreamed - Abortion is celebrated and encouraged……Many of these abominations are referred to by our society as “progressive values”……How does a person arrive at such a place in their life to call what is evil good and what is good evil?…..The devil is very intelligent and he knows all our weaknesses…..When we are not grafted into the life of Christ by living in and through the Sacraments, we are susceptible to the devil’s deception…..One of the biggest mistakes is to under estimate demonic influence, which is all around us…..If we do not have “eyes” to see….We surely will fall….“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?”….But “seeing” is not enough - We need grace to resist temptation…….Jesus established a Church for a reason and one of the driving reasons for the Church is that it is the means of our Salvation…If it was not for the Catholic Church - How would we receive the Sacraments?…..Our modern world takes the Sacraments for granted and this is a grave mistake….The Eucharist is refer to in academic Catholic circles as “viaticum”, which is a  Latin word that means “food for the journey”…If we refuse to partake in this heavenly food, we surely will be “blind”, not to mention lack the grace we all need to resist the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil….Again, the world would disagree - But how is the world doing?…Seems to me, we are failing….Have you ever considered the driving reason for our failure?….Could it be a lack of Sacramental grace?

“Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity”

Every year on New Years Day, people all over the world craft lists of all the expectations they would like to see happen in the coming New Year…In America we call these “lists” New Year’s resolutions….And while these resolutions are created with the best of intentions, most people find that within a short period of time, say around 30 days, the resolutions are abandoned….Nothing changes - Ever think about why that is the case?…..When it comes to life improving changes, more times then not, we need grace to make those changes happen…..Its very easy to find fault and list out how to address personal short comings - Its something altogether different to execute on this changes….This is where grace comes in…..Jesus gave us a Church so we can live a Sacramental life…..The Sacraments elevate our human nature and enable us to live the Christian life, no matter what state of life you are called to - Priest, Married or Single….To decide that we do not need Sacramental grace - And still believe that we will live up to the standards set by the Gospel is a fantasy!……And when we live a life devoid of this grace, we easily fall prey to the “values” of the world……We are told that the devil “prowls the earth like a lion seeking the ruin of souls”…..To some this is a “fairy-tale”…..But for those who “see” - This is very real…..One does not have to look very far to see people, many of them close to us, who have been greatly deceived and the witness of their life shows it! - They are a mess!……Jesus tells us - “You tell a tree by the fruit it bears”…….This is the standard by which we should weigh the ideologies and ideas of the world today……There are many today who have “a lot to say”, yet their life is in shambles - So the question is - Why do we follow them?…Jesus tells us very clearly - “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep”…….When the things of God are called evil, misery is soon to follow……And if light is called darkness, how very deep will the darkness be?

“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel”

Today at Mass we hear some of the people in Jesus’s day call him evil - How can a person call God evil?…Before we make sweeping judgements of the people who did this - Let’s take a good look at our own society……….Jesus gave us only one prayer during his three year public ministry - The Our Father - And in it we say…..”Thy Kingdom come - Thy will be done - On earth as it is in heaven”…….We were taught that prayer when we were children - Yet, do we ever stop and listen to what we say when we pray it?……”On earth as it is in heaven” should tell us that we are to live a certain way day to day, that means we must live differently from the secular world around us……..Do we live differently? - Are we a people “set apart” - Are we in the world but not of the world?…..Because if we are not, maybe we need to take a step back a reassess……Calling good evil is nothing new - Such a mindset has been around for 2000 years……So how do we know if we are on the “right side of things”…..A good question in deed….The answer is found in the “output” of our life’s choices - Remember - “You tell a good tree by the fruit is bears”…So if the “fruit” is “rotten” - Maybe the “tree” is “rotten” too?…..”A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”…………..”So by their fruits you will know them”…..JMJ

Speak with your life and “the many” will become one

Today at Holy Mass St Matthew tells us - “The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen”……Why is Jesus this light?…….There are many things that make us “happy” today? - Right?!?…So how can St Matthew make such a bold statement like that? - Implying without this “light”, which is Christ, there is only darkness - A bold statement indeed!……Because mankind shares a common Father, who is God, we are incomplete when we choose to separate from him….In fact, when mankind, through our free will knowingly turns from God the Father, something breaks within us….This reality was true 2000 years ago when Jesus walked the earth and its true today……This is why our Catholic faith is the answer to so many problems in the post-christian world we live in…..But how can we convince others of this reality?…..Jesus addresses this directly in St Matthew’s gospel as well…..“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”…….Before we can proclaim the gospel, we must repent of our sins…..We do that by confessing our sins to a Catholic Priest…And if we want to grow in virtue and keep open the channels of grace, we will go to Confession frequently (once a month as recommend by the saints)…..The over arching theme of today’s readings at Mass is unity…How can Catholics not be of one mind and of one heart?…..Everything we need to know is written down! - Yet to this day, as it was in the days of Jesus, there is division……St Paul speaks us this in the second reading about this problem…..”I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose”…..The Church has tried to address this problem of internal division for centuries - I would suggest approaching diversity within the Church in the following manner…..”In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity”……Each of us individually speaking are different, but again, we have one Father in heaven……We have one common belief……Far too many people within the Church are at each others throat - This must stop!…..A house divided can not stand……Focus on First Principals……Pray the Rosary every day - Go to Mass once a week and receive the Blessed Sacrament in the state of grace - Go to Confession with a Priest once a month…You worry about you!…..That is what I tell my children when they fight with each other…And God will take care of the rest!

“Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom and cured every disease among the people”

There are many voices on Catholic Social Media today who are trying to renew the Church….All I am going to say is - Are we going about this process of renewal correctly?……Renewal begins from within the person - Only saints renew the Church….”Loud Voices” on a podcast do not renew anything!……..Just as St Francis in the 13th century heard a voice from the Cross of St San Damiano - “Rebuild my Church”….We too must “play our part” in renewing what in some segments of the Church have become lukewarm…..How did St Francis do it?….He lived the gospel radically - He allowed God to totally transform him…And because the saints show us the way - This is what we must do today...…There was a time when I would get completely crazy when I saw various abuses committed within he Church….I would rant and rave on social media and to my wife…I have changed by approach…Every Wednesday, my wife and I fast for the Church…..We channel our frustrations into the fast…This process has worked and brought me peace - It has also brought me me closer to God….And I am sure God uses our Wednesday fast to renew his Church…..In the process, fasting contributes to making my wife and I holy - And only holy people impact others….Instead of “ranting and raving”, maybe its time to “double down” on our Catholic faith - Maybe its time to live our faith more radically - Pray more, Fast more - Live more sacrificially for others - In doing so, the Holy Spirit will animate our life …This is how we effectively renew the Church, as St Francis did….The Spirit of God is not divided and therefore nor should we be divided…We find unity in living a holy life defined by God, not ourselves…And if others can not appreciate that or rebel against such a life - As I tell my children and will now tell you - “You worry about you”……Remember this - The witness of a holy life speaks very loudly - No words are necessary!.....And the witness of a holy life brings people together - Why? - Because holy people reflect Christ and the “light of Christ” is attractive….Speak with your life and others will “hear” you loud and clear

“I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD”

One of the last things that Jesus said before he ascended to the Father in heaven was this - “I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.”……Division within the Christian world is a great scandal - Even more so within the Catholic world….While each of us are different, we can and must strive to be of one mind, one heart and one body…..And when lets call them “differences of opinion” arise - And when individuals seemly refuse to bend their will……Be patient - We can not “fix” others nor can we “fix” the Church….What we can do is “double down” on our commitment to become a saint…Why is that important? - Because only saints change the world and renew the Church….One holy life can impact many - Saints bring people together - So you worry about you!……..Diversity melts away into unity by and through the lives of the saints…..Speak with your life and “the many” will become one…..JMJ

From now on, you will be “fishers of men”!

Today at Holy Mass St Mark tells us something rather interesting about how those close to Jesus thought of him…..”Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,  for they said, “He is out of his mind”……How could people think the Savior of the world is “crazy”? - Especially those who were very close to him…..This account of Jesus’ public ministry should tell us something today…..Catholics are not to live like everyone else….Do you go along to get along?…….And if we live “differently”, some people in mainstream society frankly will think we are “crazy”…Why? - Because we do not “buy in” to the established norms of the day…..Far too many Catholics in America “blend in” to our pagan society - Their daily witness, their family life, the items they buy, and how they use their time all comport with the rest of our Post-Christian Society - We use contraception in our marriages - We divorce our wives - We have sex out of wedlock……To name a few of the ways many Catholics live in America…..And for the ones who do not “buy in”…Who have big families with many children - Who live modestly - Who stay married faithfully until death - These people are viewed as “crazy” by our society….Have people really changed since the time of Christ?….Jesus is very clear about how the world will view us in the pages of Scripture…..”In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world”…….If we are not experiencing this “trouble” that Jesus speaks about, maybe we are not living the way we should be?

“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son

I am the father if five children, all of which are under the age of eleven years old…I got married late in life, at the age of 43 and my wife is ten years younger then me…Professionally speaking, I work at an International European bank in New York City……When my wife was pregnant with our fifth child I was 50 years old…..I did not tell my boss at work until around one month before our youngest daughter Maria was born….I can remember my boss’s reaction to me telling him that I was about to have my fifth child at the age of 51 years old…..”Joe - You are crazy!!!”……This is coming from a man that makes a ridiculous amount of money - Who could offered to provide for 10 children!…..Some thoughts to ponder - Why is it crazy to have children?….Why is it crazy to use your money to provide for others?….Why is it crazy to live simply?…..The example I just shared is how the secular world views a Catholic witness - I am telling you this because this has been my experience - And while what I said is true - What we may not realize is, by living as Catholics in the world, we are “sowing seeds” even with those around us with seemingly impenetrable, hardened hearts…….Mere words will never pierce the hearts of a darkened conscience…..Only self-sacrificial love, witnessed in real time will make people “re-think” choices made, which in turn could lead to both individual and societal transformation…..Secular people may think you are “crazy” for living as a Catholic, but deep within their hearts, they “thirst” for what you have!……….”Peace* I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”………No matter who you are, all people want to be at peace and authentic peace can only be found in God…Remember the words of another man who experienced a worldly life only to change his mind….”The human heart does not rest until it rest in thee”…Those were the words of St Augustine, who had everything the world had to offer, only to “figure out” that without God, he had nothing!…..So embrace the reality that many people today in our Post-Christian society may think practicing Catholics are “crazy” for renounce the materialistic world….While this is true - But at the same time - What also is true - The witness of practicing Catholics will resonate deeply amongst the lost, the wounded and the lonely (More people then we will ever realize!) ….This is what the world needs to see - Witnesses!……So let the world “think” you are crazy…….And take courage!…….“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves”……..Its good to be “different” - Jesus was different….Maybe its time to redefine our terms?

“Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved”

Today St Mark tells us in his Gospel that people thought Jesus was crazy……And if we are honest and did not believe in God - We too would think the same thing……..But we do be believe in God and because we do, we must live differently!……When we were children in the school yard, each of us wanted to belong to the crowd - This is a very common human trait - The need to “belong” - And while this is true for all of us, if we are to follow Christ, we must be willing to be set this desire aside as we walk and live amongst a godless world….It is inevitable, that if you are a practicing Catholic living and working in our post christian culture, secular people will think you are crazy!…But remember what Jesus tells us - We must be “crazy as a fox”……….Catholics are not meant to isolate themselves, we are to live in the world but not be of the world…This is how our post-christian world will be impacted and ultimately transformed - Not by a lecture but by our daily witness…….These were the words of a future pope, Fr Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) said this in 1969…….”But when the trial of this sifting is past, a great power will flow from a more spiritualized and simplified Church. Men in a totally planned world will find themselves unspeakably lonely. If they have completely lost sight of God, they will feel the whole horror of their poverty. Then they will discover the little flock of believers as something wholly new. They will discover it as a hope that is meant for them, an answer for which they have always been searching in secret”………So let the world “think” you are “crazy” - And pick up your cross and follow me….,,,,From now on, you will be “fishers of men”!…….JMJ

That is reality - Authority is reality!

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Mark we hear how Jesus picked his first apostles……”Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve”…….Notice a few things here…First - Before Jesus made this very important decision, he “went up a mountain”, most certainly to pray…Before we make big decisions in life, do we take time to sit before the Blessed Sacrament in silence and pray?……What else do we learn from Jesus’ actions in this Gospel passage?…..St Mark tells is Jesus gave these twelve hand picked men - “Authority”…To do what? - “Drive out demons”…….How can Jesus give these men authority? - The answer - Because he is the only who with authority, he is God….This is a very important concept to grasp as a Christian…Only God has authority and because of that, only God can give that authority away…..In reading this, one can clearly understand the apostolic succession, which is found only in the Catholic Church….Only the Catholic Church has this “authority” Jesus speaks of - Why? - Because Jesus founded only one Church and that line of succession has never been broken to this very day…..But what about the task of “driving out demons”?…..Through our Baptism, each of us are grafted into the life of God - Our “original sin” is washed away…But sadly because of “the wound” passed down to us from our original parents - Adam and Eve - All human beings are flawed and continue to sin…We only overcome this “fatal flaw” sacramentally and by God’s grace….Modern man does not accept this reality and suffers as a result of this denial…Jesus is telling us today that he is giving his own authority to his priests, who in turn can forgive sin…..These priest, to this very day, can do this only by and through the authority given to them…This is why it is imperative that the world turns to the Catholic Church……The Catholic Church is the only place where by human beings can get the “medicine” we all need - And that medicine is Sacramental grace!……Without this “medicine”, we all die…How do I know this? - St John tells us in his Gospel….......“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever”…How true this statement is! - And if you don’t believe the words of St John to be true - Just look into the eyes of your pagan neighbors…..Do you see life within their eyes?…..Do you perceive peace in the tone of their voice?…….Without food and water the human body dies - Similarly, without Sacramental grace, the souls dies….This is reality and not “believing” in reality does not change it.

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation"

There was a time where before every Mass, priests would hear confessions…..Now sadly, Confession is only heard for one hour a week on Saturday….If we are not receiving the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday in the state of grace, we will not receive the life giving benefits of Sacramental living, which is God’s grace…..This is why frequent Confession must become a norm again in the life of every Catholic…..….Our world today disregards this essential model of living…….We do not emphasize the importance of living sacramental to our children in America anymore - And it shows!…..This is why our culture is “blind” and wounded!…….The problems in America will not be “fixed” from the “top down” - They will only be addressed from the “bottom up”……America’s problem is not a political issue - Its a Godless issue….And only the Catholic Church is equipped to solve this issue - Why? - Because Jesus gave his authority to the Catholic Church…America’s problem is, we deny reality and in turn try to redefine it on our own terms - This did not work for our first parents Adam and Eve and it will not and has not worked for American culture…..Jesus tells us….”For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink”……Only a Catholic priest can give us this “food and drink”….And only a Catholic priest can forgive our sins, which “weigh us down”…..How easy it is to over look what St Mark tells the world today at Mass….”He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach  and to have authority to drive out demons”…….Today as it was 2000 years ago, those same “demons” roam the world “seeking the ruin of souls”

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation"

Today St Mark reminds us at Mass of the importance of God’s authority….He tells us where that authority rests…He also tells us why we need to live under this authority…..And just as St Mark tells us all this very clearly - The world ignores it!….The reality of God should be so clear……….Our world today “thirsts” for God and does not even know it……..This is why Catholics must witness lives grounded upon the Sacraments….Frequent Confession and Frequent reception of the Blessed Sacrament……..This is how we must live! - And in doing so, the world will “see” for itself the reality found in the words of St John……”Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you”…How can St John say such a statement with certainty? - Because he was given authority!.....And only this who are “appointed” have this authority…..“Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly”…….Just as Jesus appointed the first twelve men to be apostles, he appoints priests to this very day and only they have Jesus’ authority - That is reality…The sooner we accept reality, the better off we all shall be……..God’s authority is reality - Deal with it! - Deny it and die - Accept it and live………That is reality - Authority is reality!…….JMJ

“Master, I want to see”

Today at Holy Mass St Mark tells us that people in large numbers were flocking to Jesus……His fame as a result of the many healings he performed was spreading……Were these people only interested in being healed physically or were they interested in what Jesus had to say?….One should consider that question, even today, as we pray for “this or that”….Should we instead pray to be transformed?…..Putting those questions and thoughts aside…St Mark tells us that demons recognized Jesus - Interesting - Do you believe that demons exist?……Jesus tells us that they do exist many times throughout Scripture…”And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known”………I believe there would be no arguments made about the reality of evil in the world - But many people do not believe that demons are actively working against our interests and the interests of God - Do we believe this? - If not, you should!…..Jesus seems to be able to see these demons - But how about the people in the crowd around him? - Did they see them?…….The same thing happens to this very day…Only when we live in the state of grace - Only when we pray daily and fast weekly - Only when we frequent the Sacraments will we “see” the battle for good and evil that is being waged around us continually….So many Americans have “mainstreamed” objective mortal sin…Our people do not “blink” at these actions any more….The use of contraception - Abortion - No fault divorce - Same Sex Marriage - Usury…To name a few…..Not only have these actions been “mainstreamed” in America but many in our society think nothing is wrong with them…….God however thinks differently!…..But how can we “see” as God sees when it comes to the intrinsic evil that has made its way into our culture?……..Only when we live in the state of grace can we “see”……That is why Jesus saw “unclean spirits” today in the Gospel - The question then becomes - What do we see?

“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel”

If you have ever gone to a funeral in America, everyone is utterly convinced that the person who died is in heaven…..This includes Catholic funerals…While no one is saying we should condemn people when they die, we should however think long and hard at what the Church has taught for 2000 years and what is required of us as Catholics to make sure we stay in the state of grace…..The Church is very clear - If we commit mortal sin and do not confess it to a priest, we do not go to heaven….Now people “only know what they know”, which is one of the conditions for mortal sin (Full Awareness) - However, just because society “thinks” something is “no big deal”, we as Catholics should not “go along to get along”……The presence of evil is deceptive - The devil does not walk around with a tail and red horns…Evil always presents itself as “a good” - Evil “sneaks” under our front door like a mist, it comes to us through our phones, computer and the television…Are we vigilant?…..The devil is smarter then we are and he plays the long game - The devil also knows all our weakness and each of us have weakness….This is why St Paul tells us…..”Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”……But before we defend ourselves and our family from this evil - We first have to “see” it…….And many do not “see”!……..Jesus warns us - “If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit”....…This image presented to us by Jesus of “the blind leading the blind” is what we “see” today in real time….Our society is for the most part blind and only when it turns to God will its sight be restored…..Most of our problems today stem from this “blindness”…..And for that very reason, just as Bartimaeus in the Gospel of St Mark asked Jesus - “Master, I want to see.” - We too should do the same - Ask and we will receive!

“For you have rescued me from death, my feet, too, from stumbling; that I may walk before God in the light of the living”

Today at Mass, we are told in the Gospel by Jesus himself that demons are a reality…..Jesus saw these demons because his heart was pure…..How about us?…The world today is “selling” us a very different “narrative” from the one told to us in the Gospel - Do you buy it? - Do you go along to get along?….Catholics are meant to be “salt and light” in this dark world - We are to live among people - Not to conform to this world but strive to conform the world to Christ…Before we do all that, we must “see” properly….Our “spiritual sight” has very little to do with reading books, as many think….…We can read all the right things and still be blind….Our sight rests in the condition of our hearts and only God can sanctify the human heart……What we “see” matters - What we “see” determines not only what you do - It determines ultimately who we are and where we will end up for all eternity……….“Master, I want to see”…….JMJ