Are we deluding ourselves?

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St John we are told that the words Jesus spoke and the people that he sends forth to speak in his name are one in the same…..”From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me”……What should that tell us about the relationship between Christ and the one Church he founded - The Catholic Church?……Jesus who is the only one with real authority (because he is God) bestowed that authority upon the Church….Its impossible to separate Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church…Christ is the head and the Church is the body…Therefore what the Catholic Church proclaims to be true and has taught perennially must be followed by the faithful…..We, the people in the pews, do not have authority to “pick and choose” what to believe and what not to believe….Why? - Because we are not God and God is the only one with authority and he gave that authority to the Church…Its really that simple….And our lack of authority is articulated perfectly by the fact that we all die - We can not save ourself…Only God can save us and if we want to enter into eternal life, we must comport our life to God’s will…..What is commonly known today as “Cafeteria Catholicism” must cease……Its all or nothing!

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him”

Excuses…Excuses…Excuse…”In the name of this”…”In the name of that”…..People rationalize away Catholic Teaching…We have heard it all before - This is not “practical” - This is “impossible”……I could go on and on…..Jesus Christ when he gave authority to the apostles and established a Church understood only too well human nature……He also understood what we need.....When we place self created obstacles before God - We limit the amount of grace we receive…..And we all need that grace!!!!…….Unreconciled sin not only prevents us from becoming the people we were born to be but it blinds us - It weakens our will….Just because a teaching of the Church is “hard” does not mean it can not be done - Everything Jesus taught and everything the Church proclaims to be true can be done - But only through grace…This is why we as Catholics must remove every obstacle that gets in the way of that grace - That means frequently going to Confession (one a month)….When we do that we grow in virtue and we also allow the grace from the Blessed Sacrament to penetrate our soul when we receive it at Holy Mass…This is the only way we can live as Jesus asked us too - Why? - Because all of us, every single human being ever to walk this earth has a fallen nature - And because of that reality - Jesus the Divine Physician provided us “the medicine” we need, which is Sacramental Grace - Which in turn elevates our human nature, making the “impossible” possible!…Those who have ears - Let them hear….To live as a Catholic can only be accomplished with the aide of the Sacraments…..We cannot save ourself and we cannot “read” our way into heaven!

“I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, That my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong”

Today St John at Mass tells us that those who Jesus gave authority speak for Jesus - That they in essence are one in the same….Many people today say things like: “I believe in Jesus but I do not believe in the Catholic Church”…or….”I just need Jesus, I don’t need to belong to the Catholic Church”……WRONG!…..There is NO WAY a person can do God’s will without the grace of the Sacraments - NO WAY IS IT GOING TO HAPPEN!…..Jesus gave us a Church for a reason - We need to live Sacramentally due to our fallen human nature…..Its not enough to say we “believe in Christ” - We have to live like Christ asked us to live - The process of sanctification can take a life time - It requires daily prayer, weekly fasting and Sacramental living…..Those who have ears let them hear!…..Jesus is not looking for “believers” - He is looking for followers……”Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves”……Are we deluding ourselves?………JMJ

Do what he tells you!

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel how Jesus, who was the son of God did not speak on his own….Jesus was one with the Father and everything he did was in obedience to the Father….That being said - If obedience was a virtue important to Jesus - How much more does this virtue apply to us?….Let’s be honest - Human beings have an “obedience problem”….You hear it all the time - “Don’t tell me what to do?”……As a Catholics this mindset will never work!……”Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak”…….One of the many great things about being Catholic is, everything the Church professes to believe and teaches is written down…There really is no ambiguity - We are the ones that make the teachings unclear….And God, knowing we “need help” with being obedient - Gives us the Sacraments, which provides us with heavenly grace, strengthens our will and opens our eyes!…..To follow Christ is to be obedient - There is no other way to view our relationship with God, who is the Creator….The world today refuses to accept this reality even in the face of bad choices and the consequences that come with those bad choices….God loves us and wants what is best for us - But people do not believe this!…We want to do it “our way” - Even in the face of horrendous outcomes……The first miracle Jesus performed was at the request of Our Lady at the Wedding Feast of Cana…The wine ran out and the people asked Our Lady for help - So what does Our Lady say to do? - Go to Jesus and - “Do what he tells you!” - Simple Right?!?…….That same “advice” applies to this very day….Life is so much better when we do things God’s way…..But sadly the world is not convinced!…..As Catholics, the Church gives us two thousand years of wisdom wrapped up in its perennial teachings - The Church knows what it is talking about! - And when we live out what the Church tells us - We thrive - In our marriages - In our personal life - Even at the hour of death…..It all comes down to obedience….”Do what he tells you!”

“I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life”

I am the father of five children - I tell my children all the time - “I will never tell you anything that will hurt you”…But kids being kids - They want to do things “their way”….Adults are no different….And we need to “get over” this mind set…..God is our loving Father and he too through his Church will never tell us anything that will hurt us - Do we believe this? - We need to be convinced of this reality!…..At the age of twenty-two years old I decided to take my Catholic faith seriously….That single decision was by far the best decision of my life!!!!…Because of that one decision I have everything I have today, more then thirty years later…I have my wife, who I met through the Church…I have five children…I have an education…I have a good job…I have money in the bank…I have no addictions….I have no debilitating vices…..I am physically strong, healthy and self discipled…I could go on and on…All these aspects of my life stem from that one decision to live my life as a Catholic…..Today many parents when raising their children do not prioritize teaching their kids about their Catholic faith…This is a huge mistake!!!….Nothing is more important then passing on your Catholic faith to your children…A child can get a great education, have a wonderful job, become materially rich - And still destroy their life as a result of bad choices!!! - This happens all the time!!!!!…..When we as parents are long gone from this life, the faith we passed on to our children will guide their life - Keeping them safe and allowing them to thrive in all their decisions when we are not there to help them…Nothing is more important then providing a Catholic education and witnessing our Catholic faith to our children! - Do we as parents see it that way? - If not, maybe we need to reassess our priorities…When we put God first in our life, everything else falls into its proper place…This all comes down to the virtue of obedience - “Doing what God tells us!”

“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness”

Today at Mass Jesus tells us he does everything the Father tells him….Is this our approach to our Catholic faith?…..Being Catholic means we prescribe to everything the Church teaches….We are not to “pick and choose” what to believe and what not to believe…This “Cafeteria Catholicism” needs to end! - Why? - Because it does not work!….When we do things “God’s way” - Things work out….Keep in mind - Sometimes when we do things God’s way, we need to be patient…..God uses “time” to form us - To prepare us for the “next step”….We must learn to “trust the plan”…..God’s plan works!!!!!!….And so does his “timeline”….All things work for the greater good and for our good…The goal is heaven and for us to enter into eternal life, we must be sanctified, and this takes time - Our life and all the events of our life are geared towards that one goal…This is why we must do things “God’s way”…And this is why we must be obedient to God’s will…..There is no other path to heaven!!….Jesus said, “He is The Way” - He did not say - “You are the way”.......Do what he tells you!……JMJ

I am the Truth - He did not say - I am the custom

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St John how Jesus addresses the Jews who opposed him……”So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me”…..The Jews simply could not accept that the Messiah would look like a simple carpenter….They were looking for something else even though Jesus spoke like no one ever had and performed miracles right before their eyes…..It did not matter what he said - It did not matter how many miracles Jesus performed…The Jewish people were not having it!….They refused to believe…..Why? - The answer is simple - They were not willing to change….And the same issue applies to the unbelieving world today…Jesus Christ could come down from the sky in the middle of the day in New York City….Every cell phone could record Jesus coming down from heaven and stream the sight on social media to the entire world - And still people would not believe - In fact, my bet is, the powerful of the world would once again plot to kill him!…Why is that? - Because the world refuses to change!…..Jesus is not interested in people simply saying that they “believe in him” - Big deal! - Talk is cheap! - Jesus is asking us to change and “follow him”….Are we willing to change!!!!!?????!!!!!……This is the question……To follow Christ is to grow and if we are not moving forward in our relationship with God, we are sadly going backward…..This is why in order to be a follower of Christ - First we must REPENT - Then we can properly believe - That is the proper order, not the other way around…….We can not follow Christ on “our terms” and we surely do not enter eternal life on “our terms” either - Our world today believes otherwise - A costly mistake….Those who have ears - Let them hear

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand”

Do you believe in the existence of Absolute Truth…Allow me to give you an example - Two + Two = Four - That is an Absolute Truth…..And if you believe in the existence of Absolute Truth, then you will understand that somethings can never change…It does not matter who you are, how educated you are, or how “important” you think you are - Somethings can never change - Two + Two = Four!….As Catholics this idea of Absolute Truth applies to us…..The teachings of the Catholic Church are timeless….They do not change because we want them too…And for two thousand years, they have proven to work!…..God does not “change” to adapt to the desires of man - Its man who must change and adapt to God - Today our world as this idea backwards……..Allow me to give the reader of this reflection an example……Marriage is a Sacrament - It is between one man and one woman…..Society can pass all the laws it wants - That eternal Truth about marriage can never change…And because it can never change, when society tries to “change it”, there are consequences….The Natural Law is written on every human heart…And when we reject the Natural Law, something inside of us breaks!….Each and every person was made by God and when we willing turn from God, we reap the consequences…We lack peace - We are in a constant state of “searching” - Nothing seems to satisfy us - We lack lasting and deep joy…This is reality…..Human Beings are not at liberty to change what cannot be changed….The more we try, the more chaos grows, both personally and on the societal level……Once we accept reality - And reality is this - God is God and we are not - Once we accept this reality, our lives will improve and until then, they will not

“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand……The Father and I are one”

Today in the Gospel at Mass Jesus is confronted once again by aggressive people who refuse to believe in him….Sound familiar? - Not too much has changed to this very day…Many people in our world today, whether they know it or not, are trying to be like God…..They are trying to do what cannot be done….Jesus knows full well what is in the hearts of men - What that means is, Jesus knows how we “operate” - And because of that, He is patient - Each of us are given a chance to “figure it all out” - We have our enter life to “figure it all out”…….And what must we come to understand (i.e.“figure out”)? - That the world does not revolve around us - That we are not the arbiters of Truth - That some things cannot change because the Natural Law says so….We can try all we want - That is reality!…..Again, as we live our life and time goes by, God gives us every opportunity to “figure it all out” - But in the end, time does run out - We all die eventually - The “final whistle blows”!….In the meantime, God continues to love us and God plays the “long game” - Meaning, he puts in front of us people, circumstances and events, which are meant for us to reconsider bad choices made….Its then for us to respond - Its then for us to change……Jesus told us very clearly - I am the Truth - He did not say - I am the custom……..JMJ

This is the path to eternal life - The only path

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St John Jesus gives us the “key” to how we are to live out our Catholic faith but also how we will enter heaven……”This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own”…The path to eternal life is self sacrificial…Do not let anyone tell you otherwise!…..As Catholics we are all called to lay down our lives for others - First our family and then our neighbors…The more we empty ourself - The more the Holy Spirit fills us…This is the “calculus” of God….Jesus showed us the way…..However, we resist this path….Our human nature, self preservation and the desire to be comfortable seems to always get in the way…This is why we must rely on Sacramental grace….Because to live in a self-sacrificial manner is not “natural” - Our human nature rebels against it….Only when we immerse our lives in daily prayer, fasting and the Sacraments can we live such a life…..This is the mistake of our Protestant brothers and sisters - They believe they do not need the Sacraments - How mistaken they are!….This is also the mistake of the secular unbelieving world - And if you doubt what I am saying - Simply look out your window! - Our world is selfish to its core!….And this is why Jesus walked among us two thousand years ago - He taught us by his example to be people for others but he also understood that by our own strength, we could not live in this manner - So he formed a Church, which give us the Sacraments…..The more clearly we “see” Christ in the Eucharist, the more we will see him in our family and neighbors - And the clearer we see Jesus in others - The more we will serve them, even if that service means we have less for ourselves…This my friends is the path to heaven - For those who have ears - Let them hear!

“Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on And bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place”

Our modern world needs to see Catholics - From our Bishops and Priests, to married couples, to non-married people - All of us!!! - Must live sacrificially!….Why would I make such a claim?….For one, its the path to heaven…But secondly, no one will believe we are serious about what we “say” we believe as Catholics if they do not see for themselves that we have “skin in the game”….That means we give of ourself until it hurts…That is what real love is - Giving of self……Growing up in my hometown there was a large family that I was close with…The Fahey family had eight children…I knew three of the boys well and later in life I got to know the father…..Patrick was from Ireland and worked simple jobs…He never had a car…He road his bike everywhere…He always had a smile on his face and was the full of authentic joy….And to me, he was a great example of what a Catholic was to be like…..I got to know Patrick at a Bible Study in my parish - I would pick him up at his home every Saturday morning for years….The example of his life was powerful, and I am sure I am not the only person in my hometown to say that about him…Patrick was uneducated man who emptied himself out - First to his family and then to others…He worked into his eighties as a crossing guard and I can still see him talking to everyone who came across his path with a smile on his face…..To me, knowing Patrick was a blessing - His life’s example resinated with me more then any “sermon” or book I read…..As Catholics, when we live deeply sacrificial lives, trust me, people will stop and be amazed! - People will also listen to what you say because of what they “see” - And as a result of your witness, people will know that Jesus is real….They will not know this simply by us telling them Jesus is real - The world needs to “see” Christ in us - And that only happens when we live sacrificially.

“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”

Today at Mass Jesus tells us how we are to tell if a “shepherd” is good or if he is an imposture……How do we tell? - The shepherd lays down his life for his sheep - That is how we tell….The same standard applies today….When a father and mother have many children and are open to life in their marriage - We see “the shepherd laying down his life for his sheep”……When we see Bishops speaking the Truth to power at the risk of their very life - We see “the shepherd laying down his life for his sheep”…..When we see Priests living simply and assisting the poor at a great personal cost to themselves - We see “the shepherd laying down his life for his sheep”…..This is the ONLY way the unbelieving world will believe we as Catholics are for real!!!!…..It does not matter what we say  - It only matters how we live and if we are not living sacrificially - No one will believe we are for real…..”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”…..The world is watching - And people know the “real deal” when they see it - They also can “smell a fake” from a mile away……"It is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life" - This is the path to eternal life - The only path……JMJ

Follow the “voice” and stick to God’s plan

Today at Holy Mass in all the readings there is a common theme, which tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd…We are told in the Gospel of St John that the sheep hear the Shepherd’s voice…..That the sheep will not follow the voice of someone who is not the Shepherd……St John Gospel is a very blunt account - John tells us very clearly that Jesus is the only way - That there is no other way that leads to salvation….."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”…….The “voice” that the sheep hear is the Natural Law - It is “hardwired” on the hearts of all mankind - There is nothing we can do to erase the Natural Law from our hearts - That is why when we hear the voice of Christ proclaimed through the Gospel - It registers deeply within us….So why is it then that some people, who also have the Natural Law written on their hearts turn away from Christ and the Catholic Church?…..Jesus addresses the answer to that question in this Gospel today as well……We are told by St John that -  “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” - And those who hear the voice of Christ and turn away from him do not believe this reality - They believe that following Jesus will not make their life better - They see the sacrifices required to be an authentic disciple of Christ and want nothing to do with such a life - They can not believe that if they too “pick up their cross” somehow they will have a better life - So what do they do? - They turn away from the “voice” of the Good Shepherd….This was the case from the very beginning, from the first betrayal of Jesus - When Judas turned from him….Judas knew Jesus was a very special person, but he lost faith in Jesus’ method of how the Jewish people would be liberated - Judas thought he had a “better plan” - So he betrayed him….This same mindset exists to this very day….The unbelieving world that turns from Christ still “hears” his voice - How do I know that? - Because the Natural Law is written on every human heart…But the unbelieving world turns from that “voice” because it does not believe that following “that voice” will bring them an abundant life…..This is why practicing Catholics must lead the way - Only by our example can we show people that Jesus takes nothing from us - He only gives!!!! - That the teachings of the Catholic Church lead a person to an abundant life, full of joy and peace….Only by our example can we demonstrate this reality - Words will never convince the world - That God gives - God never takes….People believe what they see - So we must show them!

“If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps”

Today the institution of marriage is in crisis - One in two marriages ends in divorce…Why do you think that is?…..First off, do we even know what marriage is? - Marriage is a Sacrament….Now ask yourself - How many people live their marriage Sacramentally?…..Placing God and the teachings of the Catholic Church at the center of their marriage…..How many Catholic marriages today use contraception?….When we make our vows on the altar - We as Catholics vow we will be open to life - And when we break that vow by using contraception - Our marriages cease to be Sacramental - That means God’s grace does not animate the bond between the man and the woman - And when that happens - Selfishness creeps in - And Selfishness is the destroyer of love…..This is why marriage as an institution is in trouble - Because modern man does not live marriage as it was intended…So what does this sad reality have to do with Jesus being the Good Shepherd?…..As I stated above, the voice of the Shepard is heard by all because the Natural Law is written on every human heart - Many people today feel that if they follow that “voice”, it will lead to a hard and joyless life - That such a decision will not bring them peace…..Clearly that mindset has been proven false when it comes to who has successful marriages and by the divorce statistics……Authentic Catholic marriages, that place God in the center and are open to life work! - Why? - Because they comport to the Natural Law…..And to deny the Natural Law is like trying to deny the existence of gravity…….The ever present voice of God can still be heard today - Even above all the “noise” of the culture - Its up to us to pay attention for that “voice”… If we watch closely at the lives of faithful Catholics - What you will see is not a “perfect people” but a group of people who are peaceful and full of joy…..What you will also see is their marriages work! - Why? - Because marriage is a Sacrament - These couples heard the voice of the Good Shepard and followed that voice……And guess what happened? - They were given an abundant life, just as St John told us in the Gospel today….Go figure?!? - What Jesus says really works - Imagine that!

“When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls”

Today we are told at Mass that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and that his sheep hear his voice…….So here is the question - If that were true - Why is it that so many people don’t seem to “hear” what Jesus is telling them today?…..The answer to the question is not found in the fact that those who turn from Christ’s voice don’t “hear” it - Because they do hear it! - The problem is - They hear it but don’t believe “the voice” will lead them to a happy and productive life - They believe they have a “better plan”…..If we are objective students of history and if we are honest, we will read in the history books how many people “thought” they had a “better plan”, which contradicted God’s plan - Once again, if we are honest - What happened to those “better plans” and those people?……Like it or not - All things point to Christ - That is reality! - Why? - Because he has the best plan!………The Natural Law is written on every human heart and the voice of the Good Shepard can be heard by all….Maybe its time the modern world should start listening? - And be convinced!! - That God way works!! - That God has the best plan!!…..Once we are fully convinced that God’s plan for our life is infinitely better then “our plan” - Then and only then will we follow the Good Shepherd where ever he leads…..God gives - God does not take - And the “sheep” that follow the Shepherd know this and the “sheep” that turn away think they have a “better plan”………The pages of history show us this - Don’t end up on the scrap heap of history!!……..Follow the “voice” and stick to God’s plan!……..JMJ

“By their fruits you will know them”

Today at Holy Mass Jesus gives the first apostles their “marching orders”…..”Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned”……..How does a person even begin?……..How do we do it?……Before we begin this herculean endeavor, we first must be formed in our Catholic faith and secondly, we must be animated by the Holy Spirit…A Catholic can not give what they do not have!……It’s the Holy Spirit that does the “heavy lifting” through us….But what does it mean to be animated by the Holy Spirit?….We must make room for God in our life - That means we must “clear away” certain behaviors, ideologies and lifestyles that contradict the Gospel….John the Baptist put it best - “Repent and Believe the Gospel”…The Gospel will not make sense to us unless first repent……This is just the beginning - What else must a disciple do? - In order to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel”, one must develop a deep interior life….Everything we do as Catholics comes from our interior life….This means we must establish a daily prayer life, fast weekly and live Sacramentally…..Once we do this - We will become instruments of the Lord and through our individual gifts and God given talents - We will effectively proclaim the Gospel…..Notice what else Jesus said today in St Mark’s Gospel - ”Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned”………Let’s not fool ourselves - There is a heaven and there is a hell…..And we as mere human beings cannot save ourself…..The Truth is not ours to manipulate and mold into something that suits our personal agendas or lifestyle…Man conforms to God - God does not conform to man!…..And when we as Catholics live as Christ intended, steeped in the Truth - When we live Sacramentally and Sacrificially - The world will take notice!….Our joy and peace will be contagious…..And in turn, we will set the world on fire!

“We proclaim Christ crucified; he is the power of God and the wisdom of God”

How do we tell if someone is the “real-deal”? - Meaning - If someone is an authentic Catholic?…..Jesus gives us the answer - “By their fruits you will know them”….Being Catholics does not imply a person is perfect, no one is perfect…But it does mean our life, which is fully grafted to Christ and his Church will naturally “bear fruit” for the Kingdom of God…And if you are objective and observant, you will see this “fruit” produced in real time…..The Christian world “says” it wants to produce this “fruit” - But are we willing to live sacrificially in order to be the people we were born to be?….Because if we “do not pick up our Cross”, we sadly are not only fooling ourselves, but will we never convince the unbelieving world of anything….Authentic followers of Christ, live sacrificially and their lives are lived for others…This is how we change the world - The only way!…….There is no such thing as what is coming referred to in America as the “Prosperity Gospel”…..Living as a Catholic means we pour our lives out for others…To not accept this reality is to live on the surface of Christianity….Such a mindset will not only limit our impact on the world but also prevent us from growing closer to God…..”Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple”…….Jesus meets us personally in the “space of sacrifice” - We must be willing to enter that “space”….And its from that point, that we begin our journey of transformation - “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” - We cannot give what we do not have……..Before we change the world - We must first change ourself

“These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover”

Today at Mass the Universal Church commemorates the Feast Day of St Mark - As we all know, St Mark was one of the four writers of the Gospel….What made Mark’s words so effective? - So much so that two thousand years have past and we still are reading what he wrote….St Mark was so effective because he not only wrote “all the right things” - He lived them as well…As we say today in America - St Mark “practiced what he preached” - He “walked the walk and did not just talk the talk”….This is the mark of a true disciple and the only way we can live in this manner is to live by and through the grace of God….The words of Jesus Christ can never be lived out if we rely solely upon our own strength…This is why Jesus established a Church and did not write a book - The Bible was complied roughly four years after the death of Christ…And its through the Catholic Church, the one Church Jesus himself founded, that we are given the Sacraments, which elevate our human nature so we can be the disciples we were called to be…..No one is ever going to believe what we say unless we become what we say we believe…….People have “eyes to see” - They can “smell a fake” from a mile way!…..“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?”………Each of us are called to die to our very self - And its in the “death of self” that we will find life and give life to others…..That is how you tell if someone is an authentic disciple…….“By their fruits you will know them”……….JMJ

”Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you”

Today at Holy Mass St John in his Gospel gets to the very heart of Catholicism - It is so clear!!!! - To be a Christian is to be Catholic and to be Catholic is to live Sacramentally…How can I say that with such certainty? - Because its written in St John’s Gospel - Just read it yourself…..“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 can a person be “confused” by this passage?……Human beings can “convince” themselves of just about anything…..We “twist” words - We self rationalize the Truth away - We lie to ourself - We compartmentalize ideas - We ignore reality…..This sadly is all part of the human condition - But none of that changes reality!!!! - Nor does it change the Truth…….Jesus Christ is not “selling” anything - Nor is the Catholic Church - The Truth “is what it is” - Its unchangeable and timeless….Its for us to accept it as it is - We have no power to change the Truth - Its “written” on every human heart…..This is why any person with an objective mind and who honestly searches for the Truth always arrives at the same place - The Catholic Church….When we stop “twisting” the Truth - When we stop making excuses for our bad choices - All we have to do is read the words of Jesus……”For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink” - It does not get any clearer than that!

“Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength”

Words and arguments will never convince someone to become Catholic - It comes down to God’s grace….We however can open ourselves up to that grace - And then God will do the rest……Everyone likes to hear about stories of radical transformations - When a person lived one particular way and due to an authentic encounter with Christ, that same person changed completely….If we took the time to read the lives of the saints - We would see how this reality played out time and time again….The conversion of St Paul is probably one of the most amazing “turn arounds” - God took a man who was literally murdering Christians and changed him into one of the greatest saints in the two thousand year history of Christendom……"Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name”……While most of us will not experience such a radical encounter with Jesus as St Paul did - God does speak to us - He speaks to us through the consequences of our daily choices - He speaks to us when we get up in the middle of the night and we “think” about events and actions of our day - He speaks to us through people and good examples lived out before our very eyes…..In all those “little ways” - God speaks to us….And when we experience these “small encounters” with the Lord - Its then up to us! - To respond!…If we do not respond - God can not begin the transformation of our life…..God can only do so much - We must “open the door” and let God in…..I think back to my own conversion to the Catholic faith at the age of twenty-two years old….It began with me acknowledging where I “went wrong” - This led to a good Sacramental Confession with a Priest…From there, I began to take my faith seriously - Made it my top priority - Developed a prayer life - Lived Sacramentally - Persevered when life got hard - Endured ridicule from people because of my choice to live as a Catholic….After all that - God responded - He poured down his grace upon me - He changed my “heart of stone and transformed it into a heart of flesh”…If he did all those things for me - Why would he not do them for you?…….“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me”…….God is real - So is his grace - He is waiting for YOU….The greatest journey a lifetime begins with one unconditional YES

"Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit”

Today at Mass we hear in the first reading about St Paul’s amazing conversion and in the Gospel we hear about how the Eucharist is not “mere bread” but the actual flesh of God……As Catholics we say we believe a lot of things - Just think about the words, which are repeated in the Nicene creed at Mass……..So we say all these “things” - Right? - But do we really believe them?….We must allow God to “touch us with his grace” - Our human condition, no matter who we are, is flawed….This is why we must live Sacramentally….And this is why Jesus gave us his very flesh and blood to consume…To be a Christian is to be a Catholic - And to live as a Catholic requires grace - We can not “will” our way into heaven….Everything comes down to grace!!!!….This is why Jesus established a Church and this is why he gave us his Body and Blood to consume….It can’t get any clearer then that! - Just read the words……”Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you”……JMJ

Be Bold - Be Catholic - And Be Not Afraid

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first reading from the Book of Acts how Phillip educates an Ethiopian eunuch in the faith…….”Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, ”Do you understand what you are reading? "He replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him”……..As Catholics we believe the Church contains the fullness of Truth - But do our people know this?…..Are our people catechized properly?…..Notice what the Ethiopian eunuch says to Phillip - “How can I, unless someone instructs me?”……..So many in the Church today do not know their faith….And if they do not know their faith - How can they live it!……Not to mention, how easily they fall prey to the lies of the world, the flesh and the devil, who is quick to deceive…….Not proclaiming the fullness of Truth is not “pastoral” and people do not “magically” know what the Church teaches - Someone has to instruct them…..Is this happening in our homes? - Is this happening in our Catholic Schools? - Is this happening from our pulpits?……As Catholics we have been given everything! - The question is - Do we know it?

“It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me”

At the age of twenty-two years old I committed myself to my Catholic faith….And it was the best decision of my life!…..I have been raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools but sadly was not fully versed in what the Church taught and why it believed what it believed - Now think about the person who was not raised Catholic and did not have the benefit of going to Catholic Schools…This is a significant challenge the Church faces today - And this must be addressed head on!…Pretending or worse ignoring the fact that our people are not fully catechized does not address the issue at hand…..A Catholic life that is fully committed to Church teaching and open to God’s grace sets the world on fire!…..How can we expect to set the world on fire when many of our people do not know the faith they have been baptized into?…….Bold leadership is required - Catholics must stop trying to be “politically correct” and start being Catholic!…..The Truth must be presented clearly - Clarity with Charity - And not saying the Truth in the name of being “pastoral” is not an act of mercy  - Love and Truth go hand-in-hand……..The Church has to start being the Church once again - Our job is not to “blend in” to the world but “raise up” the world…..God does not stoop down to man’s standards but extends a hand to raise mankind up…This is our mission! - We are to raise mankind up!…But in order to do that, we must be fully Catholic…We must know the Truth - Speak the Truth - Live the Truth - And when necessary - Be willing to suffer for the Truth….Is this happening today?….If it’s not - It needs to start happening!

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world."

Today at Mass Phillip instructs a man eager to learn about the faith…..Our world today “thirsts” for Truth but sadly is looking for it in all the wrong places - Its our job as Catholics to proclaim that Truth boldly and clearly - Without fear or hesitation…But we can not give what we do not have…..First and for most, Catholics must live in a state of grace….We must also develop a deep interior life rooted in daily prayer, the Sacraments and fasting - This will strengthen our will and open our eyes!…..From that point forward, we must educate ourselves in Catholic teaching so we can educate others - One person at a time, beginning with our families….The Catholic Church has been around for two thousand years - We have the answer to many, if not all of the worlds problems! - Its about time the world realizes that reality once again……..A well-formed Catholic, living a Sacramental life will set the world on fire…....”Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give”........Be Bold - Be Catholic - And Be Not Afraid…….JMJ

God’s ways are not our ways - Learn to trust him

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first reading from the Book of Acts that the first Catholics after Jesus death suffered a great persecution…..And as a result, the group scattered…..Was that a bad thing? - Let’s explore this idea……”There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him. Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the Church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment. Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word”……..Clearly no one wants to suffer, but because of the persecutions that took place, the first Catholics traveled to far away lands to preach the word of God…..In doing so more people came into the fold….God gives mankind free will and because of this reality, we are free to do what is bad as well as what is good….People sadly do not learn from history - What mankind has not “figured out” for the last two thousand years is this - We cannot out-smart God - There is an old saying…”Man plans and God laughs”…..Even the most tragic events of history ultimately work towards a greater good in time……While we were given free will, nothing happens unless God permits it to happen and if God permits a great evil to happen, it will always in time point towards a greater good…..It is very hard to “see” things that way when we are suffering in the moment…..And I am sure the first Catholics noted in the readings from Mass today did not appreciate having to leave their home….But because they were driven out of their home, they brought the Gospel to new lands…….”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Yet just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it. Yes, in joy you shall go forth, in peace you shall be brought home”……This is why we must trust God, who loves us and wants what is best for us - And what is best for us is heaven….How we arrive in heaven is through the process of sanctification, and that process takes many “twists and turns” in our life….We do not see the entire picture as it plays out, but God does!…So we must learn to trust him!!!!

“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me”

It’s easy to look back on a hard time in your life and say what was endured was worth it - But during the times of trial, very few people can see anything positive and some even give up hope……Looking back on your life gives a person prospective and if we are objective, it was the hardest times we endured and the many trials we faced that we grew the most….God use the events of our life to draw us to himself…When words do not reach us - When we can not “hear” the voice of God…God use events in our life - Both “good and bad” to get our attention in order to draw us closer to his Sacred Heart….Years ago I knew a man by the man of Billy McGill…Billy would go to day Mass and I got to know him…He for the most part destroyed his life…Because of bad behavior, he lost his family, he lost his house and he had to start his life all over again in his late fifties…..In the process, Billy found God…..He not only rebuilt his life but developed a rock solid relationship with the Lord in the process…..God “spoke” to Billy in his suffering and Billy responded…..Sometimes that is what it takes….So take courage…And never lose faith and hope……..”I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world”…….God is at work - Trust the plan!

“And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day”

Today we heard in the first reading from Mass how the first Catholics were forced from their homes due to persecution…And throughout this trial, God did not abandon them…He used this unfortunate situation to help spread his Kingdom….I am sure while the first Catholics were going through this difficult period, they probably could not “see” the good coming out of their hardship…But God was at work! - His ways are not our ways and His ways are always above our ways!……Many times in life we will not “see” how any good can come from outright horrible situations and events….In those moments, its important to “step back” and be patient…God can turn the worst of events into something that can benefit us - But that takes grace and that takes time…..So give God time and open yourself up to his grace……”I will go before you and level the mountains; Bronze doors I will shatter, iron bars I will snap. I will give you treasures of darkness, riches hidden away, That you may know I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name”…….Somethings when we “grope in darkness” and do not see any hope…That is when God is closest to us - Guiding us - Teaching us…And when the “dust clears” we are transformed…..God’s ways are not our ways - Learn to trust him…………JMJ

And I “thought” you believed what was in the Bible?

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St John - Jesus tells us very clearly that to be a Christian is to live Sacramentally…His Body is true food and his blood is true drink - Where does the confusion come from? - The answer - The confusion comes from us!…..“Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world”…..Where would the world be without the Blessed Sacrament? - While many people disregard the importance of the Holy Eucharist…Millions do not…..Jesus tells us, particularly in the Gospel of John that we have “no life within us” if we do not feed upon his Body and Blood…..How are we to live as Catholics without this heavenly food,  given our fallen nature? - The answer is - We can not!…..Being a Christian is not something we simply profess with our words - Its a way of living…And if we do not utilize the Sacraments, making them apart of our life - If we do not rely on Our Lady…While we can say all day long we “believe” in God - There is NO WAY we will live the Beatitudes and follow the Commandments - We are all sinners and all of us are weak by our nature as human beings…Being a Catholic does not begin and end with our Baptism - We must slowing be transformed….This is why a Sacramental life is vital - Not optional…..Some in the Christian world believe when we die we immediate enter into heaven…Catholic Teaching tells us we must be in union with God before we stand before the Beatific Vision and without allowing Sacramental grace to sanctify us - This process for most takes years!!! - How are we going to stand before God?

“I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me will never hunger”

Because Jesus founded one Church and that Church is Sacramental in nature - How do we as Catholics articulate that message to the world?….Do we, in the name of being “politically correct” pretend that reality does not exist?….And if we do - How do we “think” we are helping others?……Clearly we can not argue anyone into the doors of the Catholic Church nor does it do anyone any good to “beat” them over the head with “Truth-Bombs”….But if we are not clear in proclaiming the perennial teachings of the Church - Ask yourself this question - How many people are “lost” in the process?….We as Catholics, when it comes to speaking the Truth and teaching the Catholic faith must be bold - This requires charity but also clarity….Is this going on today?…..In the name of being “pastoral” - In the name of being “ecumenical” - In the name of being “politically correct”…Do we do the world a disservice?

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Today we are affirmed at Mass in our Catholic faith by the words of St John…..Of the three Gospels, St John’s Gospel stands apart - Maybe because John was the “Beloved Disciple” - He was the youngest of the original twelve and because of his youth, his heart was probably the purest - He also lived with Our Lady for years, caring for her after Jesus death……Because of those factors, John was very special and because he was special - He should pay very close attention to the words he wrote……St John tells us today - That being Christian means living Sacramentally - There is no other way to interpret his words - So why do so many “Bible-Believing” Christians twist his words?….St Paul warns us…That man hears what his “itchy ears” want to hear……This is the result of pride and our fallen nature as human beings - All the more reason why we must live Sacramentally!…..If we say we “believe what is in the Bible” - Well - Then you would be Catholic! - RIGHT?….”Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves”……The words of Scripture are very clear - Do we only hear what our “itchy ears” want to hear?…….The Church Jesus founded was Catholic! - Its all written in the Bible and its very clear………And I “thought” you believed what was in the Bible?………………JMJ

”Thy will be done!”

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St John…Jesus just fed five thousand people miraculously and crowds of people were looking for him….Why were they looking for him?…Was it because of the miracle he performed or was it because he was God and was inviting them to change their life?……."Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”………..The people of Jesus day could not “see” Jesus for who he really was…..Jesus was God and his own people advocated to have him killed…Even after the many miracles he performed…How could that be?….Its because Jesus did not conform into their “idea” of who God should be?…How about us today?….We hear even from the mouths of Catholics  - What is God’s will?….Is it that we do not know what God’s will is or is it we do not want to bend our own will to God’s will?…….When the people in Jesus’ day ask him…."What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" - Jesus gives a very simply answer - "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent”….The same answer applies today…..The will of God is found on the pages of Scripture and in the one Church Jesus founded…..Jesus cannot be separated from the Catholic Church - Its impossible to do so!…Yet people do it and then delude themselves that they are “following” the “will of God” when in fact they are following their own will……Is it that the will of God is unclear or is it that we refuse to “bend our knee” to it?…..Jesus showed us by his example what it meant to be obedient - And the importance of the virtue of obedience……“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done”……Are we convinced that God’s plan is better than our plan? - Are we convinced that the Catholic Church, in its timeless teachings, are relevant to today’s world?….Or…..Do we rationalize God’s will away?….Do we ignore eternal truths and then “convince” ourselves that we “know” better?…In the one prayer Jesus gave us - The Our Father - We say - “Thy will be done”….Notice we do not say - “My” will be done…..Do we contradict ourselves? - Are our actions different from the words we speak as Catholics?…..The world is watching!!!!….If we want the unbelieving world to believe that the Catholic Church is the one true Church, which contains the fullness of Truth…There is only one way to go about showing it - “Thy will be done” - All day, everyday, and twice on Monday!

“I declared my ways, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds”

When we do to Mass, before we go up to receive the Blessed Sacrament, Mother Church in her wisdom has us recite the Nicene Creed.…In reciting the Creed, we profess everything we believe…Why do we do this before we receive the Blessed Sacrament?….Because we cannot consume Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Blessed Sacrament and not be in “communion” with him is our beliefs….This is why we say the Creed publicly before we go up to receive Holy Communion…..And if we do not believe something that the Church teaches, we should not receive the Blessed Sacrament but instead take some time to pray about what we “have an issue with” - And with prayer and with the good counsel of a solid priest - The Holy Spirit will “open our mind” to why the Church teaches what it teaches….Is this what is going on today?….Do we have Catholics who “pick and choose” what they believe and do not believe when it comes to Church teaching?………..Many years ago, in my late twenties, I was in giving my confession and an old priest was trying to guide my interpretation of what perfect chastity was for a non-married Catholic as defined by the Church…And I can recall literally arguing with this priest in the confessional - Can you imagine!!!!!…..If we are not challenged when we go “off the road” how are we to get “back on track”?…….The Church must instruct its people……..This begins in the home - It must also take place in Catholic schools and Universities and it lastly must be done from the pulpit…….Doing the will of God does not magically happen!……Before we do God’s will - We must know what it is……This is why sound Catholic teaching is so important…..Our world today “thinks” we just “float into heaven” on our terms…..You hear this at funerals all the time……I got some news for you - It does not work that way!……The “theme song” in hell is - “I did it my way”

“Remove from me the way of falsehood, and favor me with your law. The way of truth I have chosen; I have set your ordinances before me”

Today we hear in St John’s Gospel at Mass people asking Jesus - "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" - Jesus was a simple man and his response was equally simple….”This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent”……If we say we “believe” in Jesus Christ, then it only makes sense that we would believe everything he said and taught - Right?!? - So the question is - Do we?…..Jesus Christ because he is God and is the only person in history to rise from the dead - That reality gives him authority - Right?!?….Jesus is the only one with authority and he gave that authority to the one Church he founded…..”You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”…….To ignore reality is a “bad plan”…Trying to fight God is like trying to hold back the ocean - It cannot be done…Ultimately we all die and all of us will stand before God - We will be judged not by “our standards” but by God’s standards - Why? - Because God is the only one who has authority - He is perfectly merciful and perfectly just…The sooner we accept that reality, the better our lives will be…Heaven is “God’s House”, therefore God makes the rules!…….Remember - Its “thy will be done” not “my” will be done………..”Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name”……….What is good for the master is also good for the servant….......”Thy will be done!”…..JMJ

”For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be”

Today at Holy Mass in the second reading from the Book of Peter we hear that our time here on earth is a pilgrimage….The words used by Peter to describe this pilgrimage were as follows: “Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning”…..Do we think in this manner? - That we are not to build our Kingdom here on earth but our Kingdom is an eternal one in heaven and that we are simply “traveling” towards it……If we think in this manner, as all Catholics should, clearly our choices will reflect this mindset - Right?……How do we spend our money?…..Do we strive at all costs to gain social status?…..If God’s Kingdom is the place we want to arrive at - Because “getting into heaven” is not a guarantee! - How we conduct ourselves and the choices we make around the goals we establish for our life will tell the world everything it needs to know…..Money is a subject that makes Catholics uneasy…..God has given us all gifts and the distribution of gifts as we know is not equal for all people - Some have more then others…..But here is “the deal” - For those who have been given much - What does that statement imply? - Do we share?………..No one ever became poor by sharing…First clearly we must provide for our family - We must educate our children and care for their needs - All of this requires money - Speaking of children - Are we are Catholics open to having children as we have promised in making our wedding vows? - Do we use contraception?……And if we do - Why do we use contraception? - Is it to enjoy a lavish lifestyle spending our money on ourselves?…..And if we have been given material gifts - Do we live modestly?…Do we “show off” with ostentatious purchases? - A huge home - Expensive cars - Lavish clothing and jewelry…..Once again - No one expects anyone to live in a “box” on the street…But the choices we make with our money as Catholics tells the world what our priorities are…..It also tells the world that we are living according to the first two commandments or not living by them….Loving God above all things and loving our neighbor as ourself……Many people today profess with their words that they believe in Christ….I will tell you a good “test” to evaluate those words….Show me your checkbook - How do you spend your money?….That test will tell you - And God for that matter - Everything that needs to be said……”For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be”……Our “Kingdom” is either an earthly one or a heavenly one….We as Catholics are to be in the world but not be of the world…Is this how we live?…Because we are not “fooling” anyone!…….“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal”…..We either believe this or we do not….And if we believe it - How we spend our money will tell the world exactly what we believe - No words necessary!

“Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while you speak to us”

Many years ago my family was driving through a community near the ocean - Many of the homes were very big and beautiful and as we were driving along, my aunt said something that I thought was interesting….”Look at all these big homes - They must all have big families”…..What my aunt said was very logical and you would think it was the case…But as we all know, living in a big home does not necessarily mean one has a big family…In fact, many very small families live in gigantic homes...…Why would one do this? - Why would a person spend all their money on a huge home and only have one child or no children at all?……How can such a choice be reconciled with our Catholic faith?…..This is a concrete example we all can relate to when it comes to money and our Catholic faith….When we tell the world we believe in God - Trust me! - The world watches us very closely….How are spending our money speaks much louder then our words…..Catholic families that are open to life - That have many children - That live modestly - That share with others and the poor…These families are witnesses to the Gospel in ways mere words spoken can never be….To be Catholic means we live sacrificially - There is no way around this reality!!!….That does not mean we have to live in a “box” - But it does mean we live to meet our needs not necessarily all our wants - Is this what we see in the Catholic Communities and families we all know?……If we are serious about God - If we profess to be Catholic and believe in everything the Church teaches…Then everything I just noted will make perfect sense…If the reader of this reflection as a “problem” with my words - Maybe one should pause and reflect…..In the Lords Prayer, the only prayer Jesus taught us - These words are used…..”Thy Kingdom come - Thy will be done - On earth as it is in heaven”…..One would think if we place God’s Kingdom first, we would work on making our life on earth more like what we all want to experience in heaven - Right?!?….That means sharing with others - That means living modestly - That means placing people over material things and wants - And for married Catholics, that means being open to life…..Is this what is happening?….If it is not - Our words will all fall short - People believe not what we say as Catholics but by what they “see”.

"Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Today we hear at Mass that how we “conduct” ourselves as we journey to heaven is very important - In fact, how we live and the choices we make as Catholics is all that really matters - If our words do not reflect our lifestyle…Not only will the world not believe in God but our faith will be professed in vain….When Catholics talk about money - People get uncomfortable - Trust me - “I get it”…..…Think about how “uncomfortable” we might be when we stand in front of God at our individual judgements? - Because what we did with our time, talents and treasure will be front and center!…………”For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’”…..Pay close attention!!! - This is on the “final exam”………….”For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be”…..JMJ
 

Because without God - We can do nothing!!!!!

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Book of Acts how the first Catholics began to establish various roles within the Church…..Priests were to focus on preaching the word of God and Deacons were to care for the poor…..”So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word”……As Catholics each of us are called to different vocations…..Whether a priest, a couple that marries or someone who never marries and remains single…No matter what vocation God calls you too….Our life’s vocation is a “means to an end” - Its a path that we day by day die to our self and grow closer to God…Is this how you view your life - Your marriage? - Your Priesthood?…..Those who view their life in this manner are not only filled with God but are the most fulfilled in life….Each of us were made to be in union with God - And that does not happen over-night….And our vocation in life is the means by which we get to where God intended us to be…Notice in the first reading today from Mass how the role of the first priests were described to us…..”We shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word”…..A priest must have a deep interior life…If a priest does not pray daily, he will not be able to preach well, in fact, he will not be a good priest!…..That also goes for those Catholics who live in the married state, as well as whose are single too and very marry…Everything we do comes from our interior life…..If we do not live Sacramentally and pray daily - How are we do receive the needed grace required to live out our state in life as Catholics? - I got some news for you - Not going to happen!…..Everything we do - Everything we are  - All of it! - Relies upon grace…..Married couples who develop deep interior lives have good marriages….Priests who devote themselves to hours of daily prayer impact others in a profound way….Without God we can do nothing!…..Our “job” as Catholics is simply to “clear away” our sins Sacramentally - Live Sacramentally, according to the state of life God calls you too - Pray daily - Fast weekly…..By and through that model for living - God will animate our life, manifesting himself in and through us, using our unique gifts and talents to impact the world around us….However, if our interior life is not deep, we “sell ourself short” - What we will find is, living the Catholic life, no matter what our vocation may be, is impossible!…..However, when we become a “conduit of God’s grace” - God magnifies himself through us - And then all things, which we thought were impossible suddenly become possible!…..What should this reality tell us? - God is the source - We are not! - No matter how “gifted” you “think” you are!!!!………So “tap into” God’s grace….Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the Unites States put it best: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”……This is why we must stay connected to the vine - Because everything we do relies upon it!……..”Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.  am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing”

“The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith”

I have been married for twelve years…My wife and I have five children….Our marriage is deeply rooted in our shared Catholic faith and both my wife and I live Sacramentally….Because of that, we have a strong and vibrant marriage………Each morning my wife and I get up before the children and pray separately for an hour…..For the most part, when our schedule permits, we both go to daily Mass….At the end of the day, we pray a family Rosary….On the weekends, in addition to our morning prayer ritual, we each spend an hour before the Blessed Sacrament….We both fast during the week: For the Church, Our family and the world…Once a month we both go to Confession as recommend by the saints…..And on Sunday we all go to Mass as a family….This is why our marriage is strong!!!!….It is strong because our interior life is deep and we both open ourselves up to God’s grace……God made marriage a Sacrament because in order for a couple to have a good marriage and live sacrificially for each other and their children, we need grace…Our “modern world” today is not convinced of this necessity…..Without grace marriages fail because selfishness “creeps in” and selfishness is the “killer” of authentic love…..When married couples come to understand once again that staying connected to God is not “optional” but vital - Strong families will emerge, which in turn will produce healthy children, which in turn will produce healthy communities, which in turn will produce a healthy nation, which in turn will produce a healthy world…..From our interior life - All that happens and without developing a deep interior life - None of it happens!

“Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full”

Today once again at Mass in the Book of Acts, we hear about the early Church….Each person was tasked with a different role, each according to their unique gifts and talents….The same goes for us and the Church today….In order for us to reach our full potential, we must stay connected to “the vine”…Everything we do relies upon this reality……Many people today will say that its “impossible” to live in the “real world” as an authentic Catholics…How can a priest remain celibate? - How can a marriage couple not use contraception and be open to life? - How can a married couple stay faithful and be married for life? - How can a single Catholic live in perfect chastity?….The answer to all those questions is - Without God - None of those things are going to happen!!!!!!….But if we live Sacramentally - If we develop a daily prayer life - If we fast weekly - If we attend Mass and receive the Blessed Sacrament at Mass and confess our sins monthly - All those things I noted above and more will happen!…Our world today is a “mess” because we have “disconnected” from God….Once we “reconnect” all things will “fall into place”….Because without God - We can do nothing!!!!!………….JMJ

Stay the course - Straight ahead

Today at Holy Mass in the first readings a man by the name of Gamaliel says something the world today should pay very close attention too…..”For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God”…Centuries have past since Christ walked the earth and when he was with us in human form, he told us very clearly - “I am the Truth”…The Truth cannot be destroyed…Its written into human DNA…We can ignore it - Disregard it  - Twist it…But it is what it is!…The Truth never changes and always remains the same…..The Truth also always has the last word…History shows us this time and time again…So why to we ignore this reality?…..God is reality and God placed the Natural Law upon the human heart…We as people can not escape this aspect of our nature and when we try to “run” from God - Life spins out of control and something deep within us breaks…..But human pride being what it is refuses to accept reality….We refuse to bend our will to God, who wants nothing but the best for us - But we are not convinced…And history repeats itself over and over again……Gamaliel was a wise man - He understood human nature and he also understood that God’s will can not be overcome by mankind…Do we understand this?….Jesus Christ was one man - The only man in history to rise from the dead….He also created a Church….One cannot separate Jesus (the head) from the Church he created (the body) - Yet people all over the world try to attempt the impossible and in the end - They are the ones who suffer….The Church that Jesus created is Sacramental and the Sacraments are divinely infused…..Why did Jesus give us this Church and why did he ask us to live Sacramentally? - The answer - Because we need the Sacraments - We need Our Lady - And if we “think” we are going to live as Christ asked us to without living a Sacramental life - We are only fooling ourself - Never forget - Human nature is broken - That is why Jesus walked the earth as a man and gave us a Church….Our Lady too was given to us in order to guide us to her son - There is no more direct path to Jesus - No one knows the son better than the Mother!…Again, the world “thinks” it can do it all by itself………WRONG!……The Catholic Church was founded by God himself and will be the last institution standing at the end of time…..Remember these very wise words….”For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God”…Those who have ears - Let them hear…Time to “join the winning team” - Its the “best game in town”

“One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God”

If you follow Catholic Social Media, one will find many “voices” who have a multitude of “problems” with the Pope, with the hierarchy, with Church teaching…etc…etc…etc…..Some voices are more reliable then others and the Church while having a divine element to it, also has a human element, which subjects it to flaws…”I get it”….But when you look at what is in our control - The only thing we control for that matter is ourselves….We can not “fix” other people - So why spend so much time complaining and trying to do the impossible?!?…..This is why we must focus on the basics - What I call first principles…..Monthly Sacramental Confession, Daily Rosary, Weekly Mass….These are the basics and if make these three practices apart of our life….We will never “stray” from “the path”…We may “fall” here or there but once we do we will “get back up” and continue on…That is all we have to do - So why do we make something that is simple so complicated?….If Jesus is God and if Jesus rose from the dead…Which we all agree is true…And if Jesus founded one Church……Don’t you think we must be apart of it?….Also, if Jesus is God - Don’t you think that everything that he said, which was record in the Gospel is also true? - The man rose from the dead - Right?!? - If all that is true - That means we must listen to him - Its really not that complicated! - Yet people make it complicated!….Our world today is no different than the people we hear about in the first reading from Mass today….”We have “better ideas” then God” - “We figured it all out on our own” - How shortsighted and how foolish a mindset that is…..God is reality - The Catholic Church is not going anywhere - And salvation is found by and through Jesus Christ….We can not save ourself and we do not enter heaven on “our terms”….“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” - Today we find many “voices” in the world telling us otherwise………..…”Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved”…..Turn down the “noise” and if you do - You will hear the voice of God pointing you forward…..The devil is found in “noise” - God is found in silence…..Make the time and listen in the silence…In doing so you will find the one and true God…Do you know what else you will find?…You will find the one Church God founded - The Catholic Church…Because God only founded one Church…..The “rest” were founded by mere men…And men cannot save themself!

“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”

Today once again at Mass in the Book of Acts the Jewish teachers of the law try to “hold back the ocean” - They keep trying to prevent God from being God - That is impossible!…It was impossible two thousand years ago and it is impossible today……God’s plan of salvation is still being written and in the mean time, we as Catholics were given everything we need…We have the Church - We have the Sacraments - We have Our lady…What else do we need?!!?…..Maybe its time to stop complaining and get back to the “basics”…Our job is not to save the world or “fix the Church”…Our “job” is to be faithful and obedient - To bend our will and humble our pride ….As we say in New Jersey - “Stay in your lane”…..And if you do - You will “get” where you need to go……Stop trying to “out-do” God - It can’t be done - You don’t have a “better plan”….Stay the course - Straight ahead……….JMJ

Come hell or high water - "We must obey God rather than men”

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Book of Acts that the Apostles were in trouble again…..Here is the question - How can men who are wed to the Truth be in trouble?…One would think that such men would never be in trouble with the authorities…Right?……WRONG!….The Truth divides and it divides to this very day…If we commit to following Christ - We too will make enemies….Now, that clearly is not our goal but it is reality…..The world is not having it!……Nothing has really changed from the time of the first Apostles to this very day…..For example……At you Christmas party at work - Tell your co-workers you believe contraception is a sin - See what happens……Tell your next-door neighbor that you believe divorce is a sin - See what happens……..At Thanksgiving dinner, tell your cousin who is cohabitating with her boyfriend that they are living in objective mortal sin - See what happens……..The Truth divides!!!!!!…..As Catholics we must reconcile ourselves to this reality - We were not put on this earth to “go along to get along” - We were given life by God to “set the world on fire”!……So again today, we hear at Mass that the first Apostles were in trouble…..And when they were brought to court to testify for their “crimes” - This was the exchange that took place…."We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men”…….This should be our response, as well as the guiding principle of our life……"We must obey God rather than men”……….Are we so concerned with what other people think that we “water down” our Catholic faith?…….From our Church pulpits do we selectively preach the Truth and “leave out” aspects of Catholic teaching which are difficult to live by?…….How do we vote?……Do we place God above all things?……..Idols are created in our life in subtle ways…..If we find that we have created an idol, we must work to “tear it down”…..Catholics must live for an “audience of one” - And that audience is God - And let the “chips” fall where they may

“You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!”

Years ago one of my childhood friends told me that he was gay…..I knew my friend Ed from grammar school and frankly I never thought for a moment that he was gay….At the time we were all in our late twenties……I expressed to Ed, that I was still his friend but as a Catholic I disapproved of his lifestyle….Sadly, our friendship was never the same since that moment…..Ed went on to live a homosexual lifestyle and as time went on, our friendship all but ended……Speaking personally, I have no hard feelings towards Ed - And the “door” will always be open to him as far as continuing our friendship…But as a Catholic, I will not pretend that living in objective mortal sin is a “good thing”…..We do not do anyone any favors by ignoring reality - And reality is that mortal sin is real - And if the Church does not address the sins of our society directly - Who will?…..As a father of five children, its my job to form my children and if they “go off the path”, its my job to teach them the right way to live - I do that first and foremost by my example…..What we as Catholics must fully “digest” is societies idea of “good” is very different from God’s idea of “good”…..We hear this all the time at funerals…..”John was such a “good” guy”…..”John must be in heaven” - Really? - John left his wife, remarried and never went to Mass……The standards of “men” mean very little to God and society does not determine Truth - Only God does…….Do we fear being “left out” if we authentically live our Catholic faith?….Because the reality of the matter is this - If we live as authentic Catholics - Some people will take offense to you - Are you “ok” with that?….Because that is reality and part of being an authentic disciple of Jesus Christ…..”We must obey God rather than men”…This is how the first Apostles addressed the “mob” when they were about to be punished…And that is exactly how we are too address the “mob”…….”Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of people, 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. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master”….May God give us the grace to endure until the very end!

“The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony”

The first reading at Mass today should serve as a model for us….The first Apostles were bold and courageous…..This is what the Catholic Church needs today - Bold and Courageous witnesses…….If we take the time to read what the Catholic Church teaches and has taught perennially, you will see that our world today as a very different idea of what is “good” then the standards established by God….And if we as Catholics write all these things down and claim to posses the fullness of Truth - Are we teaching these Truths in our homes? - In our schools? - And proclaiming the fullness of Truth from our pulpits at Mass? - Do we live the teachings of the Church in our daily lives? - In our marriages? - How do we spend our money? - How do we treat people we work with?……The answer to all these questions tells the world if we are Catholic or not….And this is how we will be judged by God - Not by what we say but by what we do….Wearing a cross around your neck does not make you a Christian….Jesus was nailed to a Cross and was brutally tortured because he spoke the Truth….And somehow we “think” today that we will not have to suffer, to one degree or another because we are Catholic?…….”Remember the word I spoke to you,* ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours”…….God gave us life - Not to “go along to get along” - But to spend our life in service of God and neighbor - Only to one day return to God……As a Catholic married man and a father of five children - There is a sign that hangs on my wall in my home for everyone to see…..”As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD”…..Come hell or high water - "We must obey God rather than men”……..JMJ

Don’t make what is simple complicated

Today at Holy Mass we hear in St John’s Gospel why some follow Jesus - And why some do not - Can something so important be explained so simply?……..”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”….It real is that simple!…….Any person of “good will”, with an open and objective heart, who sincerely seeks the Truth will always end up in the same place - The Catholic Church…..A friend of mine who is a priest told me something I will always remember……There are many people in the world who have “issues” with the Catholic Church…But under all the “issues” they speak of, there is one big “issue” they don’t speak about - And its that “issue” that keeps them from becoming Catholic - Could be they had a failed marriage and remarried outside the Church - Could be they suffered a huge injustice in their life and they blame God - Could be they had an abortion and refuse to reconcile their sin to God…….The Truth is the Truth - And when a person sincerely seeks the Truth - They ALWAYS find God and his Church…….Jesus tells us….”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. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd”………….”My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me”……….In the hearts of all mankind is a desire to find God…Nothing can take that desire away and nothing we can do or achieve on this earth can replace that desire…..God placed this desire within each of us, so we will “search him out” during the course of our life……We can ignore God - We can run from God - We can try to substitute “things” for God…And many people do just that - But the desire for God is still there………..The great St Augustine put it best…”The human heart is restless until it rests in God”….This is reality!!!! - And there is no other way to find peace in this life outside of God…..We can run but we cannot hide!

“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”

To live in the Truth takes courage!….Our world today runs from Truth….And to be an authentic Catholic, one must fully embrace the Truth, which is God himself…..Jesus very clearly said - “I am the Way - The Truth and The Life” - Notice he did not say - “I am the custom”…..One can not say that they believe in Jesus Christ and not fully embrace the Truth in all its fullness……And if we say we love someone - As many of us say we love God - That relationship must also be grounded in Truth - And if it is not - The relationship will fail…..This is why so many marriages fail today……Our world does not understand what love real is….We say today - “Love is Love”…But words fall short…Love is sacrificial and if a person says they love another and are not open to self sacrificial love - Their words fall short and are empty…….Marriage can only be defined by a life long commitment, which is open to life, between one man and one woman……There is no substitute…..If a marriage is founded upon anything else outside of Truth, the likelihood that it will fail is very high…And if it “lasts”, the people involved will not he happy…Why? - Because for there to be authentic love - There must be Truth……This is why when a married couple uses contraception, they in turn say something to their spouse “without saying it” out loud…”I only love you to a point”….”I am not willing to completely sacrifice my enter self for you”…..And that attitude bleeds into other aspects of that marriage, which in turn, brick by brick will destroy it……A Catholic marriage open to life is a marriage open to Truth….This is part of the vows we make on the altar of God when we say “I do”…..And because the “modern world” uses contraception to the degree that it does….Marriage and family life has been for the most part destroyed…..Words like -  “Freedom” - “Love” - “Truth”…..These words are used by many and used often - But are we really interested in them? - Do we even know what such words mean?……If we are sincerely interested in “Freedom” - “Love” - “Truth”…..If we seek those things with an open, sincere and objective heart - We will all ultimately end up in the same place…..”My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me”

“Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him”

Today at Mass St John tell us very clearly and boldly why some people follow Jesus authentically and why others do not…..Being Catholic is not really very complicated - We make it complicated…Jesus was a simple man and he told us…”Unless you become like children - You will not enter the Kingdom of God”….Children, as we all know are also very simple - I have five of them under eleven years old - So I know!……That is why Jesus instructs us in a way that even a child can understand…..Yet, the “sophisticated world” in which we live in today tells us something very “different” - That God is a myth and the Catholic Church is outdated - Interesting!…..Jesus was one man and he founded one Church…He also told us that he is - “The Way - The Truth - And The Life”….Human beings, no matter how smart we are or “sophisticated” for that matter do not determine Truth - The Truth is an “unmovable object” and no matter who we “think” we are, or what we achieved - When turn from the Truth or “pretend” that the Truth does not exist - There are consequences!……People today like to say - “I have my truth and you have your truth”……Such a statement is nonsense! - There is only one Truth and that Truth comes to us as a man - Jesus Christ….And those who “hear his voice” will find authentic freedom, peace, joy and love - And those who ignore the voice of God - They will not - “Substitutes” for God will never “cut it”…Its really that simple - Even a child can understand….Maybe that is why Jesus said we unless we become like children, we will not enter the Kingdom of God……Don’t make what is simple complicated…………………JMJ