Reality does not change because we reject it and when we reject reality - It becomes all the more real!

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of Luke how Jesus’s friends are rejected by a group of people who historically had issues with the people of Israel….And St John and St James wanted to address these people who rejected them with violence…Jesus had something to say about that….”On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village”…..Violence is the last reaction when the argument is lost and people have nothing of substance to say…While we are called to defend ourself and our family…To use violence politically or in the name of religion has nothing to do with God and has everything to do with human power and pride…God gives us free will - Which means we are free to reject God - However, there are consequences when making that choice….As a man who has lived 55 years…I have learned that we do not get away with anything in this life - I have learned that the hard way…Some in the secular world call that “karma”…There is no such thing as karma…What is reality and what we all must deal with, whether we like it or not is…”We reap what we sow”…..All our behavior both good and bad “catches up with us”…..That is reality….James and John wanted to address the Samaritans violently in St Luke’s Gospel…Jesus felt no need too…Why?…..Because like us….When we reject God - We will reap what we sow

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many”

I tease my children all the time - When I tell them: “Dad’s have super powers - I can predict the future”…I say that to them because when my children do the wrong thing - I know the outcome well before it happens…..Why?…..Because I have lived a lot longer then my children have, therefore I have seen with my own two eyes how certain behaviors manifest themselves over time….The same goes for the Catholic Church, which has been “around the block” for 2000 years….And has outlasted tyrants, empires, heresies, and scandals of all kinds…..The teachings of the Church are timeless and have proven not only to last but have proven to “bear good fruit” in the lives for those who embrace them fully - Yet, we ignore reality as we ignore the very thing that can help us - Our Catholic faith…..All we have to do is read what the Church teaches as opposed to what the New York Times Newspaper and other secular entities and organizations like The Times have to say about what the Church teaches…If we read with an objective mind and heart, we will find great wisdom and guidance, which can only benefit our life and family…….Shortly after I was married, my wife and I were asked to speak before young couples about to enter marriage at our parish…..When I would address these young men and women about to make the biggest decision of their life…I would always begin my presentation with…….”What is the goal of your marriage?”……From a Catholics prospective…The number one goal of every man entering marriage is to get their wife and children into heaven - Nothing is even a close second……And the number one goal of every woman entering marriage is to get their husband and children into heaven - Nothing is even a close second…When I would say this to these couples, sadly, they would stare at me with a blank stare….Giving me a look like…”I know it all - What are you talking about?!?”…..Seeing this reaction was truly heartbreaking - However, each of us are given free will…We all make choices - But as we all know as adults - With each choice there are consequences….And as the old saying goes - We will reap what we sow

“When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him”

Today we read in the Gospel at Mass how James and John after they were rejected by a Samaritan village, they wanted to take matters in their own hands, resorting to violence… And Jesus rebukes them…..As Catholics we are to always respect the free will of others…We are to “propose” the teachings of the Church - Never to “impose” the teaching upon others….The greatest “advertisement” of the wisdom contained in the teachings of the Catholic Church is the witness of our very lives…..Our authentic joy and peace - The "good fruit bore" from good choices made over time and made consistently…..However, if the world wants nothing to do with “what Catholics are selling”…....That is their choice - They a free…..But as the story goes - We reap what we sow…..We are all entitled to our own opinions, but we are not entitled to our own facts….Reality does not change because we reject it and when we reject reality - It becomes all the more real!……….JMJ