Head up - Carry on - Full Steam ahead!

Today at Holy Mass we are told that mankind not only rejected the message of Jesus Christ but if we embrace his message, mankind will reject us too….”Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved”….Why such a message the day after Christmas?…..Because Jesus came to the world to being a message - Remember what he said? - "I am the TRUTH" - And from the very beginning, the world rejected that message - And still does…We are reminded of this today - That if we follow Christ, we will be “different” and that the world will reject us too….This reality keeps many from fully embracing their Catholic faith….Within each human being, from the time we are children, there is a deep need to belong…..To follow our Catholic faith, which is aggressively rejected to this very day, will lead many to be repelled from those who live as the Church and Jesus calls us to live…..So what happens? - We “go along to get along”…..We “water-down the gospel”….....We “gloss over” the challenging parts…..We conveniently “leave out” the mention of sin, the devil and hell……..What happens when we do that? - We reject Christ……There is no such thing as being a Catholic without the embrace of the Cross….To think other wise is simply a self-delusion…..Our world desperately needs God and if we want to be a light to the world, we cannot be “like the world”……To be such a person, one must accept the “cost”……Accept it and rejoice.

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD: the LORD is God and has given us light”

History often repeats itself and one of the mistakes of mankind and of governments that reject God is the attempt to create heaven upon the earth - There is no such thing - Never has and never can be…..In man’s attempt to create heaven on earth - The result is ALWAYS the same - Instead of ‘heaven”, mankind creates his own hell….This is why God inserted himself into the human story….Its not for mankind to “bring God down” to our level - Its for God to “bring mankind up” to his level…But how?……The answer is found in Sacramental grace…..And in bending our knee to the one true God….Grace elevates human nature and allows mankind to live “above his pay grade”….Without grace - It can’t be done!….This grace I speak of can only be found in the one and only Church that the one and only man founded who rose from the dead…..What I just wrote is aggressively rejected by the world and those who embrace a Catholic identity fully have been rejected by societies, governments and individuals for 2000 years….But the “answer” to man’s “problems” boils down to what I just noted - There is only one solution and that solution is not “man-made”….Jesus knew this and that is why he came and walked among us - This is why he founded a Sacramental Church….Catholics MUST be willing to be rejected by the world - Jesus assures us of this reality - “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.”….......So as we say in New Jersey - “Deal with it”…..St John also tells us the same thing…..”And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God”…….We must be willing to be “that light” - That “light” is only given to us when we empty ourselves and open our hearts to it…..…Be willing to be “that light” for the “some” who accept it and pay whatever price that needs to be paid.

“When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

Today we are reminded at Mass….God is not promising Catholics a “rose garden” here on earth - So accept that reality and deal with it!….What God is promising Catholics is eternal life…And not if but WHEN the world rejects you - You will still have peace - Peace the world can not take…..This to some people frankly is unacceptable….And they turn from God and their Catholic faith - And that is a tragedy!…..Nothing in life is free and there is no such thing as “heaven on earth" - So get that idea out of your head!….However, the best life one can live DOES NOT look like the life advertised on social media…..Most times the life broadcasted on television is empty - The best life one can have in the short time we have on this earth is to live in the state of grace - Free from mortal sin due to frequent reception of the Sacraments…….This “life” most times will not get you one million “likes” on social media or place your family on the cover of magazines…It will however, bring you peace and deep joy the world can never take from you - The secular world can never understand "such a life" when viewing it from the outside looking in….Following Christ as a Catholic in a dark world has never been easy and it never will be easy…....With that said - Bear your share of hardships for the Gospel - Embrace your Catholic faith fully!….Eternity is forever and more people then you think will be impacted by your example….Its all about a grace driven example - Allow God to work within you - If you allow him too - He surely will work!….…..St Paul said it best………”So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God”…..Head up - Carry on - Full Steam ahead!……..JMJ

Christmas Day is about “changing direction” upon seeing the child born for us all…Its about “departing by another way”

Today across the world, Christmas bells ring….Christ's birth is acknowledged in the four corners of the world, by those who are pious Catholics to agnostics in modern cities…..”How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”……….The impact of this day, that took place in a remote corner of the Middle East 2000 years ago has impacted us all…..While Christmas is recognized…..Is the message of Christ recognized?….We all celebrate on this day but do we contemplate the words of Jesus Christ and more importantly, do we utilize the gifts of the one Church Christ founded to live out his word by and through grace?…..” He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.”……….Today a child is born for the salvation of the world…..He was born right under the eyes of mankind and most men “missed” his coming and the majority overlooked the significance of his birth at the time……Is today any different?…..Christmas is not about presents and lights…Christmas is about Jesus Christ - The world’s one and only hope…………”And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth”……..Do we look past the “bling” of the materialism of Christmas sold to us by corporations and the mainstream media?…..Do we “see” as the shepherds did the star in the sky marking the humble place of the birth of Christ?…..The same star shines bright to this very day. - Do we see it?

“A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.”

What compelled the people of Christ's time to follow him?…..Why did the three Kings travel great distances to pay homage to the son of Joseph and Mary?…..Something is within the hearts of ALL men - That “something” is God…As Catholics we are baptized into the life of Christ and given the first installment of the Holy Spirit…But in order for that gift to grow - We must nourish it….God cannot save us without our cooperation…….We are told in the nativity narrative about the Three Kings, when upon seeing the child, they were forever changed……”And on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.”…How about us?…..Upon encountering Christ today, did we too “depart by another way”?…….This is the true message of Christmas…..Each of us has something to do but we will never do it, unless we “depart by another way”

“What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Today the world stops - There is a pause in all the “hustle and bustle” for a short period of time….The birth of Christ spilt time in two!….His humble birth, which we commemorate today, changed the world in a way that no other person can or ever will…..The question to ponder today is - How did Jesus’ birth impact YOU?…Is this day just about exchanging gifts and celebrating with family and friends over good food and drinks?..…Or….Is there something deeper here to ponder?……Jesus was born today for one reason only - To die - Think about that for a moment……And if we take the Birth of Christ seriously, we too must realize that in order to live as we were all called to live, we too must die - Not in the way Jesus did physically - But we are called to die to ourselves and allow Christ to live within us…Without our YES and without dying to self, we will never fulfill what we were called to be or do….And unlike the Three Kings, we will not “depart by another way”.....…Christmas Day is about “changing direction” upon seeing the child born for us all…Its about “departing by another way”……….JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

The world waits and at times even doubts - But right when the world is about to give up - God delivers

Today at Holy Mass we are told in the first reading from the Book of Samuel that God will rise up an heir to save his people…..God works in plain sight “under the radar”…But make no mistake - He is at work………”I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever”……..Historically speaking - Whenever mankind “screws up” everything beyond a point where nothing can be done to fix the situation - God ALWAYS rises up a person to address the situation….Again, all you have to do is read and see for your self - In comes a saint and somehow the people regain their "sight" and alter their direction….God has not abandoned his people and he makes every “crooked road” straight…But why do people respond to saints? - Because saints radiate the love of God…Saints make individuals and society look deep within themselves…This is why we must strive to become a holy people…..Each and every Catholic - If you want to make a difference in this life - The only thing that will make people stop and even consider changing is the example of a holy life….Whether you are a priest, bishop, cardinal or sitting in the back row of the Church…..People do not listen to words most times - But the witness of a holy life stops traffic….And this is why we hear today at Mass a promise from God…That he has not forgotten the human race…He will rise up saints - Because only saints change the world.

“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.”

One YES can do many things….A person fully committed to God will shake the foundations of the world………..Angelo Romeo was an academic born in Sicily and was educated at the finest schools in Italy…He took a job in Rome at a University and lived a good life by the standards of the world….After a trip to Kolkata, India serving the poor with Mother Teresa's sisters, Angelo went back to Rome and started an outreach program in the city, serving the poor….And the organization he founded in Rome has grown and grown gaining the attention of many across Italy…..This is an example of one person and one YES……Erik Lepargneux was a French student who came from a well to do family…He traveled to Kolkata to serve the poor…..He returned home to France to get a job as a Commodity trader making tons of money at a bank…But the experience of India kept “calling to him”…He resigned from his position as a trader and is now a Dominican priest studying in Rome……Again - One person and one Yes……..Gene Principe owned two bars in Harlem New York…His brother was a priest but Gene was the “black sheep” of the family…That was until he met Mother Teresa and the encounter changed his life…For the next four decades Gene served the poor of New York City relentlessly…..One more story - One more person - One more YES…..These are real people…..Have you encountered the living God? - People change - This does not happen because of arguments or mere words - But how? - I will tell you how - God is real and if we authentically encounter him - There is NO WAY one can be the same afterwards…..Dr Peter Kreeft from Boston College put it best in his book Jesus Shock……….“Those who meet Jesus always experience either joy or its opposites, either foretastes of Heaven or foretastes of Hell. Not everyone who meets Jesus is pleased, and not everyone is happy, but everyone is shocked”……..God continues to work in the world and as he does, from the masses of humanity, saints will rise up once again!…..Why? - Because our world needs them - Its the only “argument” the world responses too - The life of a holy man or woman - Such a life "stops traffic"….And in turn the world changes for the better

“He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us”

Today we are told at Mass….God will rise up an heir to the throne of David…..And “rise up”someone he sure did! - Jesus was that person and the world has not been the same since his birth…But until the time of Jesus' second coming - Work needs to be done…And that work is left to YOU and ME….One person at a time - One YES at a time….The world waits and at times even doubts - But right when the world is about to give up - God delivers…………JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

Its going to happen - Like it or not - So be apart of it

Today at Holy Mass in the first reading from the Book of Malachi an interesting two lines jumped out at me…..”For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.”…….Malachi is telling the world and us that we are not ready yet for the Lord’s second coming….”He will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them”……God continues to purify the world and the Church…Sanctifying it and making it holy…All things, both good and bad work towards this end….Notice again the words of Malachi - “the refiner’s fire” - The process of purifying gold or silver requires fire….Its the fire that burns away all the impurities in the metal - Leaving only what is pure…This is a good analogy as to what we see in the Church, the world and even within ourselves……..Mankind in and through his free will “screws everything up” more times then we can all count…But God “works through” all those screw ups….He uses them to purify both us and the Church……Before Father Joseph Ratzinger, who become the future Pope Benedict XVI, in 1969 made a prophetic statement during a radio address……I have referenced this statement often in these reflections…..I do this because I believe what Pope Benedict stated is “spot on”…………..Here is the statement in its entirety

“The future of the Church can and will issue from those whose roots are deep and who live from the pure fullness of their faith. It will not issue from those who accommodate themselves merely to the passing moment or from those who merely criticize others and assume that they themselves are infallible measuring rods; nor will it issue from those who take the easier road, who sidestep the passion of faith, declaring false and obsolete, tyrannous and legalistic, all that makes demands upon men, that hurts them and compels them to sacrifice themselves. To put this more positively: The future of the Church, once again as always, will be reshaped by saints, by men, that is, whose minds probe deeper than the slogans of the day, who see more than others see, because their lives embrace a wider reality. Unselfishness, which makes men free, is attained only through the patience of small daily acts of self-denial. By this daily passion, which alone reveals to a man in how many ways he is enslaved by his own ego, by this daily passion and by it alone, a man's eyes are slowly opened. He sees only to the extent that he has lived and suffered. If today we are scarcely able any longer to become aware of God, that is because we find it so easy to evade ourselves, to flee from the depths of our being by means of the narcotic of some pleasure or other. Thus our own interior depths remain closed to us. If it is true that a man can see only with his heart, then how blind we are!

“How does all this affect the problem we are examining? It means that the big talk of those who prophesy a Church without God and without faith is all empty chatter. We have no need of a Church that celebrates the cult of action in political prayers. It is utterly superfluous. Therefore, it will destroy itself. What will remain is the Church of Jesus Christ, the Church that believes in the God who has become man and promises us life beyond death. The kind of priest who is no more than a social worker can be replaced by the psychotherapist and other specialists; but the priest who is no specialist, who does not stand on the [sidelines], watching the game, giving official advice, but in the name of God places himself at the disposal of man, who is beside them in their sorrows, in their joys, in their hope and in their fear, such a priest will certainly be needed in the future.

“Let us go a step farther. From the crisis of today the Church of tomorrow will emerge -- a Church that has lost much. She will become small and will have to start afresh more or less from the beginning. She will no longer be able to inhabit many of the edifices she built in prosperity. As the number of her adherents diminishes, so it will lose many of her social privileges. In contrast to an earlier age, it will be seen much more as a voluntary society, entered only by free decision. As a small society, it will make much bigger demands on the initiative of her individual members. Undoubtedly it will discover new forms of ministry and will ordain to the priesthood approved Christians who pursue some profession. In many smaller congregations or in self-contained social groups, pastoral care will normally be provided in this fashion. Along-side this, the full-time ministry of the priesthood will be indispensable as formerly. But in all of the changes at which one might guess, the Church will find her essence afresh and with full conviction in that which was always at her center: faith in the triune God, in Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, in the presence of the Spirit until the end of the world. In faith and prayer she will again recognize the sacraments as the worship of God and not as a subject for liturgical scholarship.

“The Church will be a more spiritual Church, not presuming upon a political mandate, flirting as little with the Left as with the Right. It will be hard going for the Church, for the process of crystallization and clarification will cost her much valuable energy. It will make her poor and cause her to become the Church of the meek. The process will be all the more arduous, for sectarian narrow-mindedness as well as pompous self-will will have to be shed. One may predict that all of this will take time. The process will be long and wearisome as was the road from the false progressivism on the eve of the French Revolution -- when a bishop might be thought smart if he made fun of dogmas and even insinuated that the existence of God was by no means certain -- to the renewal of the nineteenth century. 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.

“And so it seems certain to me that the Church is facing very hard times. The real crisis has scarcely begun. We will have to count on terrific upheavals. But I am equally certain about what will remain at the end: not the Church of the political cult, which is dead already, but the Church of faith. It may well no longer be the dominant social power to the extent that she was until recently; but it will enjoy a fresh blossoming and be seen as man's home, where he will find life and hope beyond death.”

“The Catholic Church will survive in spite of men and women, not necessarily because of them.”

American Christianity believes we just “float into heaven”…..This has never been taught by the Catholic Church and Protestants who believe this, as do many Catholics have “sanitized” death, suffering and eternal salvation and in the process watered down the faith….The purpose of life is to allow God to sanctify us…We do that through our cooperation with him and by relying on Sacramental grace, daily prayer, fasting and living a sacrificial life - This “process” in effect “chips away” all the impurities of our life day by day - Transforming us into a holy people……And if we “fall short”, which must of us do…And if we ask Christ to forgive our sins….we spend some time in Purgatory, where God in his mercy “finishes us off”, making us the people we were born to be….That is the process people! ….......The closer we get to God now, the more he can use us in the world to save souls…..This should be the one and only goal of every Baptized Catholic, to grow in holiness each and every day….And God is working! - Believe it!………We are told in Scripture……”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.”…….There is no such thing as “cheap grace” just as there is no such thing as a “free pass” into heaven…..We must carry our cross and it’s "the cross" itself that purifies us as we walk with it.

“Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.”

Today at Mass the words of the Prophet Malachi are read to us….He tells us that God will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD”…......Take a guess who the “sons of Levi” are? - That is you and me - We are the Church…..God is “working on us”…..And as we say in New Jersey - “We can do this the easy way or the hard way”…..Cooperate with God - He is the master builder - When its all said and done - The finished product will speak for itself……“The Catholic Church will survive in spite of men and women, not necessarily because of them” - So “play nice in the sand box boys and girls” - Allow God to do what he does! - Its going to happen - Like it or not - So be apart of it……..JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

Open eyes make for an open heart and an open heart opens our hands to others - This is how we learn to rejoice always - So rejoice

Today at Holy Mass Our Lady proclaims her thanks to the Lord for everything he has done for her…..Mary’s life was never easy….We are told in Scripture that “you yourself a sword will pierce”……Yet - Mary gives thanks…..How about us?…..“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.”………The ability to "see" all the gifts given to us is in-and-of-itself a gift…..So many people, myself included, take for granted so many things…..Our Lady understood - We must learn to understand as well - To see everything we have as a gift…..And that we must use those gifts to serve God and our neighbor……Those who grasp this idea are full of joy and those who don’t are not……Because it is in “giving that we receive”…But before we give of ourselves and of the gifts we have been given - We must we able to “see” clearly and acknowledge the “giver of all gifts”…..How easy it is to be blinded by material success….To ignore others…To be selfish…..The happiest people on the earth know how to give thanks and give….Aspire to be one of those people.

“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church; come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!”

Even if you live to be one hundred years old, we really are only “renting” while we are here on earth……Life goes by fast……Its all in how you view the time given to you….Are we building our “castle” here on earth?….Or….Are we living for heaven?……How we answer those questions determines a lot……..Every Advent Season in Kolkata India, when I would travel there to serve with Mother Teresa’s sisters there was this one older woman from Spain who would always be there as well…..For some reason this woman had a heart for the rickshaw drivers in the city…Many of these men would sleep in the rickshaw they rented to earn a living and work all day with no shoes on their feet…This volunteer from Spain would give out blankets and cloths to hundreds of them each year….One year she asked me to help…..The day before the give-out, we would travel throughout the city and give out tickets to these men…..Once people understood what the tickets were for, huge lines would form around us….The following day, the give-out took place and hundreds of rickshaw drivers would show up…This volunteer from Spain paid for all the cloths and blankets out of her own pocket…..I remember seeing a few days following the give-out one year a rickshaw driver sleeping in his rickshaw in the early morning using one of the blankets he had received….To some they may think this was a “small gesture” - But if you are cold and poor, a blanket given to you is no small gesture….....When one learns to give, we experience great joy in this life……There is something about giving that “fills us up”…….The greatest “killer of love” is selfishness…..True love gives, it does not take…And when we love God, we show him our love by how we love our neighbor….We are unable to love as we aspire too without first acknowledge God - Frankly, its impossible to love even our wife and children the way we want too, until we learn to love God….This is what the world is “missing” today….Once we “find” the one true God…And learn to love him…Then and only then will we love our neighbor as ourself….This my friends is on the “final exam” - So pay attention! - Its also the “secret” to a good and meaningful life.

“At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by; ‘I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.'” —St. Teresa of Calcutta

Today Our Lady in the Gospel gives thanks for everything God did for her….While Mary was chosen to be the mother of God, her life was far from easy - We can gloss over this reality - Yet, Mary accepted all the hardships that went along with what God asked of her to do…. How about us?……A very holy nun once told me….”Joe - Everything comes from the hand of God”…..That means even when things “don’t go our way”….God is using everything to form us, to make us holy, to sanctify us…Do we view failures and hardships in this manner?…..While no one likes to suffer, sadly, its apart of the life of every soul…But when we view the experiences of loss and hardships in life through this lens of sanctification, we can move forward in hope……The human person can not fully understand themselves until they understand that there is a God, who not only created them but loves them…..Jesus Christ gave meaning to both suffering and death……..Something every person on earth experiences…..Before we can give thanks, we need to understand who we are in relationship with the one who gave us everything we have, including our very life….“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his lowly servant”……..We can not give what we do not have - Open eyes make for an open heart and an open heart opens our hands to others - This is how we learn to rejoice always - So rejoice……..JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

Obedience is the key - If God said so - Its so - All day, everyday and three times next Tuesday

Today in the Gospel of St Matthew Joseph is given instructions…And they seem on the surface to be utterly ridiculous instructions….But knowing from whom the instructions came from….He did as he was told - The question today - Do we?……….."Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”………………There is something about being obedient that “rubs people the wrong way”…….We see it in children at an early age…You can tell them something so basic, something that is not only in their best interests but makes perfect sense….And they will not listen to you….And this behavior carries on into our adulthood…..People don’t listen and as a result - They suffer……We see this behavior from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden all the way to the present age…Today in the Gospel, St Joseph is told something by God that seemed impossible…Yet Joseph was obedient…..Just think if Joseph did not listen - Where would the world be today?…….Our Lady tells us in Scripture these words…”Do what he tells you”….So again, I will ask the question - Do we?……The virtue of obedience is a vital virtue if we want to enter into the kingdom of heaven….God gives us the Sacraments and through living a life of Sacramental grace, we are able to execute on all the requests of God - Not perfectly - But we “get the job done” - Making the impossible possible…But before we execute on God’s “asks”…He have to trust him and even more importantly then that - We have to be obedient to him……St John tells us very plainly….“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”……Love is not a word, its an action….If we love God, we will not only listen to him but also be obedient to him…..That includes being obedient to the Church he founded - One can not separate Christ the head, from the Church which is the body…..Are we obedient?…..The answer to that question will be evaluated on “the final exam”

“Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God”

Do we believe we “know better” than God?……Do we “think” we know better than the one Church God founded and has lasted for 2000 years?….Every time we “think otherwise”, these two questions should come to our mind……There is nothing that God or the Catholic Church asks of us which cannot be done…That is not the problem - We either think we know better or we don’t do as we are asked because its hard….In the spiritual life, there is no such thing as “cheap grace”…..And if we reject “the Cross”, which comes with being a practicing Catholic, we reject Christ himself…..Our world today “thinks” we can have it both ways - Reject the Cross and receive Jesus on our terms….My friends - It does not work that way…….But if we are obedient, we will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God….We will be a visible sign to an unbelieving world and many hearts and minds will change as a result….But in order for that to happen, we must embrace rejection by the world and embrace the Cross….There is no other way….“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling!”……..In order to live in this way…We must prioritize our interior life…Daily prayer, weekly fasting and living a Sacramental life…..As the saying goes - Those who pray stay and those who don’t run away……To embrace the Cross and live an obedient life is hard - Let’s call it what it is…But if we do it, we will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God and save our soul…A small price to pay - So please - Consider this day to pay it.

“Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles”

Today St Joseph in the Gospel read to us at Mass is asked to do the impossible…But he does it…How about us?….As Catholics living in a pagan world - Do we live like everyone else?……..Do we “stand apart”?….Do we preach the fullness of the Truth from the pulpits of our Churches…Do we “water down” the Gospel message to appease the masses?….Are we open to life in our marriages?……Do we reject comfort for the sake of the Kingdom of God?………My friends - All these questions are on the “final exam”…..I am telling you this only because its true…….Obedience is the key - If God said so - Its so - All day, everyday and three times next Tuesday…………..JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

"May it be done to me according to your word” - That is how we "get in the game"

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St Luke the story about Mary’s YES……”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”…….Clearly this was big…Mary’s YES shook the foundations of the world…But what about our YES?……Mary was perfect and we are not - I get it - However, that does not mean God can not do great things in and through us…..The world is not convinced that God can do more with your life’s choices then you can……I sometimes step back and wonder when I see so many talented people I know…..Gifted in so many ways…If only those people and those gifts were directed towards God and his Kingdom….What the world fails to see is, everything we build from a secular prospective dies with us…Whether its the building of a business, the accumulation of great wealth, the acquisition of an education…All these things die with us….But what if we used those things to build the Kingdom of God?…….This is the legacy that lasts - The only one that lasts….This is what Our Lady did and to this very day, the world still speaks of her…..We must learn to “play the long game”…To stop playing “checkers” and start playing “chess”…..Build your life upon a foundation that lasts and employ the gifts given to you for the greater glory of God…If only we saw the world through this lens - And stopped chasing “shadows and dust”

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

How will people remember you?….Or…..A better question may be - Who will remember you in say fifty to hundred years?……If we read history or literature, we will find that the only thing that lasts the test of time are saints and works of art and literature…Everything else is forgotten - EVERYTHING…This is a factual statement and its a stark reality we should all consider when making our life’s choices…What are you working for?…What are you building?…..Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor was a brilliant man who became the Cardinal of New York City….That alone is some achievement if you ask me….But how will he be remembered? - Say in one hundred years?……Secular people, as smart as some of them are evaluate achievements in the short term sadly…..God however does not…...The measure of one’s life is the “lasting fruit” that we bear in our life…..Back to why I bring up Cardinal O'Connor……Over time, even Cardinals of the Church are forgotten……For a short time they were powerful men in the Church and in the world……Managing multi-million dollar budgets…..Speaking in front of tens of thousands…Writing books etc, etc etc - The list goes on…But ultimately, they too are forgotten…..But not Cardinal O'Connor…Why?…Because Cardinal O'Connor was “playing chess”…..Cardinal O'Connor “played the long game”…….Probably through an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in and through his deep prayer life - Cardinal O'Connor founded the Sisters of Life, which is a religious order of woman who promote the culture of life in the United States and throughout the world….Since the founding of this religious order in 1991, when eight women gave their life to this work of God - The order has grown exponentially….They have helped countless families, women and children....And this work will continue - Take that to the bank!…….....This all happened because a very gifted man - Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor understood “what lasts and what does not last” - That is the measure of true intelligence if you ask me…..This will be Cardinal O'Connor’s legacy in my view - His founding of the Sisters of Life…..A legacy that will live on and continue to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God and as a result, the great name of Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor will live on….How about you?…What will be your legacy?….Are we chasing “shadows and dust”?…………Scripture is very clear - So take a moment and pay attention! - “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”……..Employ all your gifts towards the building of the Kingdom of God - “Play the long game”……Its the “smart play”

“O Key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!”

Today at Mass we hear about “Mary’s YES”…....How about ours?……If only we were convinced that God can do more with our life then we can…..Sadly the world is not convinced - But I am here to tell you - I am!!!!!……....God is real and the measure of a life well spent is the fruit that is bore throughout the course of that life and even produced well beyond it…....Our actions speak and so do the outcomes of those actions….........Commit fully to God!…..Trust that he will use you to do great things!……Still not convinced?….Even after reading the lives of countless saints over the course of 2000 years - Men and woman, who like Our Lady gave their unconditional YES and to this day their work and name lives on for centuries in some cases…..All we as Catholics have to do is “follow the blue print”….....If we do, God’s Holy Spirit will animate our life and we will in turn “bear fruit” that will last…..Still not convinced? - Its time to "put down the cup and reach for the gallon"! - But before we can “play the long game” - We must be "in the game" - So get in "the game"!……”May it be done to me according to your word” - That is how we "get in the game"………JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

Death has no sting when we are prepared - So prepare

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Luke we hear the story about how John the Baptist was born…How his father who was a very old man heard the voice of an angel that told him about what was to take place…John the Baptist’s father (Zechariah), not only did not believe the angel but was afraid by the angel’s presence before him - Why do you think that was the case - Why was he afraid?…….”Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.”………The same Scripture passage tells us that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were very prayerful and holy people - Yet Zechariah was afraid when he had an encounter with God….Scripture also tells us about Peter, James and John - When Christ was transfigured before them, they too were afraid - Why?…..And again, when Moses saw God in the burning bush - He too was afraid……This should tell us all something…All these men were holy, yet when they stood in the presence of God, they were terrified!…Why?…Because in the presence of the perfect, no matter “how good” you think you are….All our sins are put before our eyes…That is why they were terrified…..Also notice in the pages of Scripture - When the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary to tell her she was to bear a son…Mary was not afraid like the other men I just noted - Why?…Because Mary was pure and perfect - Conceived without sin…..Each and everyone of us is a sinner…And the only way to remedy that situation is by and through Sacramental grace……Catholic tradition, as well as many saints over the centuries have stated that before Christ returns, there will be throughout the world what is referred to as an Illumination of Conscience. This will be our last chance to prepare for the coming of Christ…When this takes place, we will see ourselves as we truly are in the eyes of God - Warts and all….And this period will be permitted by God to encourage the world to repent.

“Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.”

If you have ever been in the presence of a very holy person, you will find that such a person almost “looks through you”…..Over the years of working with the Missionaries of Charity, I have found that to be true…..Such a holy person, when you stand in front of them, makes you “see yourself” in a way you don’t usually do…That is why saints make other saints…Each of us were born to be a holy but sadly we get “caught up” in the world…That is why we must strive as Catholics to be holy people….Why? - Because only saints change the world and they do it just by being and walking among the others…..One Good Friday in the Bronx many years ago I was waiting for the afternoon service to begin….Just before it began, I had to go to the bathroom and as I was running back to my pew, the Missionaries of Charity were coming into the Church…..One of the sisters was so old, she was well into her 80’s…..As I was running into the Church, I literally almost knocked her over…And just before our “collision” happened, we stood face to face…Her eyes were on fire!!!!! - They were the eyes of a very young person but her body was broken and so old….The sight of her eyes and the smile on her face, literally stopped me in my tracks like a deer caught in headlights…..Once I got to me seat in the Church, the Good Friday Service began…I watched this old nun when it came time to venerate the cross slowly walk up the aisle…As I watched her, I literally began to weep…I can’t really explain why but just the sight of her made me cry - Looking back I think it was because I saw God in this old nun so clearly but her body was so broken and old…..I share this with you because this is what happens when we are confronted with holiness…Its shocking!!!...And if we are serious as Catholics about impacting the world around us - Our primary concern is to strive with all our strengthen to become holy ourselves…..This is how we will reach those who are unreachable - Its the only way

“I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD; O God, I will tell of your singular justice. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds”

Today we are told at Mass how John the Baptist’s father was terrified by the voice of the angel Gabriel......Most people don’t think of being in the presence of God and being afraid….But the reality is, when we stand before the perfect, we see ourselves to be who we truly are - Sinners in need of repentance…That is each of us - No exceptions to the rule!……I have a homework assignment for the readers of this reflection - Look up the warnings about the Illumination of Conscience, which date back to the time of Edmond Campion (1540-1581) and Blessed Anna Taigi (1769-1837). In addition to that, look into what St. Faustina (1905-1938) wrote in her diary......

St. Faustina wrote in her Diary that Jesus told her:

“Write this: before I come as the just Judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy. Before the day of justice arrives, there will be given to people a sign in the heavens of this sort: All light in the heavens will be extinguished, and there will be great darkness over the whole earth. Then the sign of the cross will be seen in the sky, and from the openings where the hands and the feet of the Savior were nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period of time. This will take place shortly before the last day.” (Section 83)

God desires everyone to enter heaven…But realize this - We don’t just “float into heaven” like the world tells us and / or we tell ourself……We must repent of our sins….God gives us every chance to do this over the course of our lifetime - Take him up on his offer before this Christmas!……If we repent of our sins - we will not be afraid at the hour of death….Death will simply be like going from one room in the house to another - Death has no sting when we are prepared - So prepare……………….JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

The Lord will redeem his people because only the Lord can do it

Today at Holy Mass we are told in the first reading from the Book of Jeremiah that God will act….When we read Scripture, we see that God “jumps in” to the human story, when we “mess everything up”…..And when God does “jump in”, its usually in a way that most people overlook…”Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land.”….God gives man free will but without grace, which means we MUST avail ourselves to that grace - Mankind screws everything up…..From slavery to human trafficking….From abortion to divorce….From same sex marriage to transgender surgery for minors…..From usury to outright theft……Mankind justifies objective mortal sin….Even votes it into law, making it legal….All the while such behavior is an abomination to God….Do we “think” God does not see this?….And do we think God will not act?……Once again, if we are students of history, all we have to do is read…..God interjects himself……And "crooked roads are made straight"…..That process however is not usually let’s call it “smooth”……But make no mistake - God always has the last word……Why does this cycle repeat itself time and time again?…..Because mankind is not convinced that without God’s grace, he is incomplete…Each of us are prone to selfishness and sin….That is the ONLY reason why Jesus walked this earth - To save us from our very self!…..He did this on the Cross and does this through his Church to this very day…If we reject God’s grace….We destroy ourself - Don’t believe me? - Go the library and read some history….Mankind is lost without God….But God has not given up on man - He always “corrects” the problem…However, that correction usually does not come in the form we think it will - But thank goodness it always comes - So buckle up - Its coming!

“In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: “The LORD our justice.”

There is a saying…”Every dog has its day”……People like to think there is such a thing as karma - but there is not….What is real is this - ”We reap what we sow”……This is an internal truth…….In time, we ALWAYS reap what we sow……………Every empire…Every monster…....Every criminal…..And every bully…….In time - God’s time - Usually when they least expect it - "They" get what they deserve…..Write it down!…………..Growing up I had a childhood friend who was simply a bad guy to his core…….When we were kids, what started out as childhood “misbehavior” manifested into outright criminal behavior as an adult…This friend of mine in time become a high school teacher….When I heard this, I knew there would be trouble…..As time went on into his adulthood, he committed an insurance fraud, pretending his truck got stolen - He got arrested - He lost his teaching job - And within a few short years, he was found dead of a drug overdose in his truck…As a young man, this friend of mine was both strong and smart…..People liked him but everyone feared him…….In the end - He was found died at 38 years old….I can remember going to the funeral home looking down at his dead body…..Everything he did in his life came back to “haunt him”…..This is just one small example and I am sure the readers of this reflection have similar stories of their own……Whether its a person, a nation or an ideology……Give it time….When we aggressively and consistently violate God’s law….....We destroy ourself….Two thousand years have past since the death of Jesus Christ and mankind has not learned…..The Natural Law and the laws of Objective Truth apply to us, whether we acknowledge them or not….And when we violate those laws consistently and over long periods of time - We destroy ourselves and society…..Reality does not change because we choose to ignore it…And God is reality - And so is his law.

“Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD, when they shall no longer say, “As the LORD lives, who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt”; but rather, "As the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of the house of Israel up from the land of the north”– and from all the lands to which I banished them; they shall again live on their own land.”

Today in the first reading from Mass the prophet Jeremiah tells us that God will save his people…That he will rise up “a righteous shoot to David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely”…..And “rise up” someone he did……God has not given up on humanity….Each and every time mankind “screws everything up”, God steps in……But why do we always have to “screw things up”?….....Wouldn’t it be nice to just do things the right way to begin with?………Why does mankind have to learn the hard way?……………..”The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity, continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but bringing punishment for their parents’ wickedness on children and children’s children to the third and fourth generation! Moses at once knelt and bowed down to the ground. Then he said, “If I find favor with you, Lord, please, Lord, come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and claim us as your own.”……….Rinse - Wash - Repeat…Here we go again - The Lord will redeem his people because only the Lord can do it……….JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

How we prepare determines what we “see” - And what we “see” dictates what we do

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St Matthew about Jesus’ family tree….The reading is long with all kinds of “weird” names…..”Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah”………and on and on……The reading today ends with this - To give us some prospective on just how long God took to bring about the time of Christ’s birth….”Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.”….God’s time is not our time and God’s ways are not our ways……After hearing this litany of names and after pondering all the time that passed from Abraham to the birth of Jesus himself…Do we forget that Jesus is going to return once again?….Do we lose sight of this reality!?!…..Yes - Two thousand years has passed since Christ was crucified…..To us, that is a long time - To God, that is not even a second!……Christ will return - The question is - Are we ready?…What are we doing to prepare our hearts for his return?

“In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.”

We all know the story about how Jesus was born….Joseph and Mary were refused a place to stay and Mary was forced to give birth to the Savior of the world in a barn amongst animals…Do you imagine if you were one of those Inn keepers who refused to let Joseph and Mary stay in their Inn?……Talk about a HUGE mistake……What about us?……What keeps Jesus from our sight?………The last year I was in Kolkata was December 2012, I was engaged to be married and knew I would not be back in the city for many years……It was the afternoon and I was working in the Home for the Dying….Two men came to the door and they were arguing with the door keeper….The one man who requested to come in had a clear plastic bag over his hand…Two of his fingers had rotted to the bone and he wanted to be admitted to the home to get some care….The doorkeeper was trying to tell him there was no room……Coming from a country like America, we are not used to seeing human carnage like those who live in the third world and work in healthcare….If you are poor and you or a loved one suffer from an accident, there are no emergency rooms…The flesh on this man’s fingers was literally rotted to the bone!…..The Home for the Dying was full and the doorkeeper was trying to tell them they could not help…..So I begged the doorkeeper to let this man in…..And after some time of me “carrying on” like a crazy person from New Jersey - One of the sisters let him in….An Italian Doctor from Milan was volunteering there at the time and he took care of the man’s hand…….There is always room!!!!!….There is always room for one more at the table….One more child…..One more lost soul….Its for us to make room!!…Make room for Christ this Christmas in your heart…..One YES can change the world! - How do I know? - Because one YES did change the world

“He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor”

Today we get a glimpse at just how long it took for Jesus to be born…..Many generations came and went…..Jesus tells us very clearly he will return….Did we forget?…..But when he returns, will we recognize him?…..Remember, Christ walked among us as a poor carpenter…Many people did not recognize him……..And how about now?….Do we “hear” Jesus words when they are read to us at Mass?…Do his words penetrate our hearts?….And when we hear them - Do we respond?……Its very easy to “get lost” in all the noise of life….The Inn keepers who refused to let Joseph and Mary in their place did not think anything of it…..Jesus tells us….What you do to the least - You did for me……This is the entire Gospel summarized into one sentence….But before we “do” for the least - We must “see” and “hear” them…....”Blessed are the pure of heart - For they shall see God”…..How we prepare determines what we “see” - And what we “see” dictates what we do…………..JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html

God speaks to us through the events of our life - Those who respond thrive - And those who don’t - Frankly don’t

Today at Holy Mass Jesus in the Gospel of St Matthew tells us a story about a man who changes his mind…..He first refuses to follow instructions, but later does….What makes such a man come to this revelation?…….”A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”…….One of the greatest pieces of advice given to me was from a childhood friend who was not even religious…He told me - “Joe - Life is man’s greatest teacher”…The more I pondered that statement - And the older I got - The more I knew he was right!….Why is that?…Because God speaks to us through our life…..Most people don’t listen to “good advice”….We ignore the Church…We ignore our parents….We ignore the lessons from history…Only in time to “find out” that everything told to us was correct….But sadly, most of us find that out for our selves…..We are told in the pages of Scripture the following in the Book of Isaiah……”I will lay waste mountains and hills, all their undergrowth I will dry up; I will turn the rivers into marshes, and the marshes I will dry up. I will lead the blind on a way they do not know; by paths they do not know I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. These are my promises: I made them, I will not forsake them”…….I tell my children all the time - “Making mistakes is apart of life but its the person who learns from their mistakes that become successful”…..How do we learn from our mistakes? - The first step is to acknowledge that we made a mistake in the first place…Not blame other people or circumstances….But to say - “That was me” - As we say in New Jersey - “My bad”….What is the next step?…To say - “I am sorry”…Some people can never say those words and frankly that is a terrible mind set to have…Because we all make mistakes, such a person who can’t admit they are wrong and say they are sorry ultimately destroys all their relationships, as well as their relationship with God….What is the next step?….To allow God’s grace in your life so you don’t do the same bad thing again….All humans are flawed and because of that reality, we need God’s grace to live the lives we ALL want…To deny that grace to penetrate our lives is simply a foolish decision…As I tell my children when they do something wrong and I correct them…”You are not hurting me - You are only hurting yourself”…..There are no humble people in hell - And conversely - There are surely no prideful people in heaven….Learn from your mistakes - “Own them”…Say your sorry to those you love and to God when you make a mistake…And rely on God’s grace to make you better….There you have it - Choose to ignore what I just wrote or put it into practice….Life is our greatest teacher - Those who learn from their mistakes succeed and those who don’t sadly don’t.

“Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people”

So many people question the existence of God - I am going to tell you one way to prove God exists - So pay attention and "write this down"….If you are Catholic, go to Confession with a priest….What do you have to lose?…..If you take me up on this suggestion you will leave that confession feeling like a completely different person.....…That “feeling” is not some “psychological illusion” either…....Its a direct encounter with the Lord…Its PROOF that God loves you and that God CAN forgive even the worst of sins….It also proves that GOD IS REAL.......This is reality and its free!….Everyone wants peace…Everyone wants to be happy - I am telling you how to achieve both….Now its up to you!

“Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.”

Today we are told by Jesus in the Gospel at Mass that some people “change their mind” and learn to listen to the “good advice” offered to them….How about us?…..Before we can or will listen to someone, we first must learn to trust them….Grace builds upon grace and the same goes for trust....Give God a chance…..I can only say this and I say it from experience………God only gives - He never takes…….Don’t short change yourself - Learn from your mistakes - Learn to say your sorry….And make yourself available to Sacramental grace….. And from that grace will flow a good life - One in which you thrive…….Those who have ears let them hear….God speaks to us through the events of our life - Those who respond thrive - And those who don’t - Frankly don’t………….JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html