And without Sacramental grace - That is not going to happen!

Today at Holy Mass Jesus in the Gospel of St Matthew is once again confronted by the Pharisees and they ask him a question….“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments”……On the surface this seems fairly basic and easy…Love God - Love your neighbor…Easy Right?….But as we all know, life presents us with many choices…Its very easy to forget God when tempted to satisfy personal desires - And people do this all the time, as we all know….And when it comes to our neighbor…If our neighbor “gets in the way” of what we want - Well - Too bad for them!…That again is a common mindset of our society…..Before a Catholic can even think about living out these two commandments, one must commit fully to a life of the Sacraments, prayer and fasting…Why?…Because without these practices there is NO WAY we can or even will live in this manner - “The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”….In fact, in some instances, we will not even realize when we violate these commandments because the human mind has a way to rationalize actions that benefit our creature comforts…As the saying goes - “Its only business” - Tell that to the person who is cheated!…..Mankind lives in denial of his human weakness - His tendency to be drawn to sin….This is why Jesus established a Church - To help us with our “sin problem”…You can read the Bible all day, which is a good thing - But that is not going to give you the grace to live out the Gospel….We need grace to do that….And that is where the Sacraments, prayer and fasting come into play…How can we love our neighbor if we do not see God in our neighbor?….Once again, really solely on our human strengthen, this kind of love will never happen!…But when we prioritize practicing our Catholic faith (Living Sacramentally, daily prayer and fasting) - We not only will see God in our neighbor, we will feel an obligation to assist our neighbor when he or she is in need….Without “the tools” of our Catholic faith - We are helpless to love as Jesus commands us

“Teach me your paths, my God, guide me in your truth”

Each day Mother Teresa sisters pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament for one hour….I know this because for seven years I served with the Missionaries of Charity both in America and abroad….Why do these nuns take up an hour each day to pray in this way? - Should they not be serving the poor?…..The answer as to why the sisters utilize this daily practice is - They would not be able to serve the poor in the way they do if they did not learn to see Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament…I have seen with my own eyes what those nuns do and trust me - There is NO WAY a human being without an intense prayer life could do with the Missionaries of Charity do…..On one of my trips to Haiti, I was in Port au Prince, which is the capital of Haiti…The city is a war zone - Literally - Gang violence, poverty and suffering is everywhere!….To be very honest, to a foreigner (even a well traveled foreigner like myself) the sight of the city was both terrifying and disturbing……Has I entered into one of the Missionaries of Charity homes in Port au Prince, I was greeted by the superior of the house, a small Filipino nun, who had the biggest smile you ever saw…Sister greeted me with - “WELCOME TO HAITI” - She meant every bit of that greeting too!…..When I was greeted by her, I almost wanted to laugh….”This place is a disaster - How can you be so happy”…This is what was in my mind and why I wanted to laugh…..For those reading this reflection now - Ask yourself - How did this nun have this kind of joy (Because her joy was very real - Was she simply crazy)? - How does this nun willingly live in war zone?….How can this nun love people, who the world has disregarded and live like she does at a great personal cost to herself?….The answer to all those questions is - This nun prays before the Blessed Sacrament each day - She lives Sacramentally - She fasts regularly……Because that is the ONLY way one can do what she does….“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments”…There is only one way to live out what Jesus commands of us…And that is to live as a Catholic….Not going to happen any other way!

“They cried to the LORD in their distress; from their straits he rescued them. And he led them by a direct way to reach an inhabited city”

As we all know - In the New Testament, Jesus tells us a lot of things, instructing us how to live…Its not enough to know what Jesus said, we are all called to live it out….And if we do not utilize the Sacraments, daily prayer and weekly fasting…Do you actually “think” you are going to live the Gospel?….You’re going to love your enemies?…You’re going to be meek and humble of heart?….You’re going to forgive unceasingly?…..As they say where I come from - NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!……….What is asked of us today in the Gospel of St Matthew is very hard to do - In fact, its impossible to do without God’s grace…Its our job to open ourselves up to that grace…So God can give us “eyes to see” and grace to act….There is a big difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus…And if we claim we “know Jesus”, we have to aspire to live like he lived…And without Sacramental grace - That is not going to happen!….JMJ

A remnant will rise from the ashes once again….Count on it

Today at Holy Mass in the first reading the Prophet Ezekiel addresses the remnant of Israel….God is faithful and He promises to purify his people once again…..But how?….We read in the Gospel today how God sent is prophets to the Israelites and they ignored them - How will he purify these “stiff-necked people”?……The answer to the question comes to us in the Old Testament, which is in many ways a historical account of the Jewish people….Its the story of Exodus and Return - Exodus and Return - Exodus and Return…..Every time God’s chosen people forget where they came from - Their lives fall apart - And it is through their suffering and hardships that God once again forms their heart…..”For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be my people, and I will be your God”…….When we look today at Europe, Canada and America - We see a similar pattern emerging…A people that once adhered to the ways of God have forget where they came from - And Western Civilization is falling apart….But God understands human nature better then we do!…It will be through hardships that these once faithful nations will regain their identity once again…..A great lesson should be vetted from both history and what we see currently in America in real time - How human nature is so easily distracted and enticed to walk away from God…..This is why as Catholics we MUST cling to the Sacraments and daily prayer…Never for a moment think you cannot fall away - Never for a moment should you think you are “so strong” as not to be tempted and fall into sin….The devil is very real - But so is grace!

“A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me”

For many years before I was married I lead a Bible Study in the parish I grew up in…..Many of the men who would attend that Bible Study became good friends of mine over the years and attended the study faithfully…Recently I ran into one of those men….Michael had a good job at a bank and was a faithful Catholic - I always saw him at Mass on Sunday and he faithfully came every morning to the Bible Study on Saturday for many years….I saw Michael at the grocery store recently and innocently asked him about St Mary’s, which was my old parish where I grew up in….And he told me he no longer attends Church….I was literally shocked!!!…Here was a man who was faithful Catholic - How can that happen!…..But it happens!…..The same thing happened to a woman I went to college with…Kelly grew up in a good Catholic home near Philadelphia…After college, she served the poor in New York City with Mother Teresa’s sisters….And sadly during that time, her older brother died tragically at work…And Kelly was deeply effected by her brother’s death - It effected her relationship with God and her view of the Catholic Church…..These two stories are so sad but these were people who I would have NEVER thought would turn way from the Church - And they did - These two accounts should serve as a reminder….”The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”…Stay close to God Sacramentally - Fast weekly - Pray Daily….”The devil prowls the earth seeking the ruin of souls” - Don’t let him get yours! - “Put on the armor of God”

“For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn”

Today the readings at Mass tell us how even in the face of rejection - God is faithful to his people - That there will always be a remnant and that God will “purify” his people once again….When we study Salvation history, we can clearly see trends emerging…We see that throughout the Old Testament but also when we read about European history - Even in American history we see this same trend - Exodus and Return - Exodus and Return - Exodus and Return…But through it all - God is always at work! - Even when we “think” the darkness of the culture of death has won the day…..And once again, as St John tells us in his Gospel…”A light shines in the darkness and the darkness can not overcome it”….A remnant will rise from the ashes once again….Count on it….JMJ

This is on the “final exam” - So write what I said down

Today at Holy Mass we are told in the first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel about the responsibilities of whose who were called to be shepherds for the Lord and how they did not do what was asked of them…..Clearly God called these men for a reason….They had certain gifts which made them equipt for the role…As we all know, not everyone is called to be a Priest but each of us does have a vocation and a task given to us by God…..And God gave us what we need to accomplish that task…..This is how we must view the natural gifts given to us - They were given for a purpose - To serve God and others…At the end of our life, when we look back at all the “things” we chased after and have faded away in time - The only things that will matter are the eternal things and in order to avoid regret, we must employ our gifts appropriately….There is an old saying…..”Those who have been given much - Much will be expected”…God does not give some people extraordinary gifts for them to hoard them selfishly - He gives some more than others, so those who have not been given as much can be guided and assisted - Do we as Catholics view our life this way? - To serve others - Especially if you have been given great natural talents and gifts….Because this is how God will judge us

“Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high hills; my sheep were scattered over the whole earth, with no one to look after them or to search for them”

Before I was married I would spend Advent in Kolkata India serving the poor with Mother Teresa’s sisters…During that time I spent my mornings serving severely handicapped children….Many of these children were abandoned on the streets and the Missionaries of Charity provided a home for them…..Over the five years I served these children, I would sometimes just watch them and think to myself just how lucky they were…These children were completely innocent and while they did suffer from their handicaps, all their needs were provided for by the nuns…..I sometimes would think to myself, these children were more fortunate than me!….I am not innocent - I have to work hard in the business world to provide for my needs in an unjust world - But these children were so simple and God provided for them….Now - Think about this - What if Mother Teresa’s sisters did not provide for these innocent children? - Sadly - They all would be dead on the streets!!!…So basically, God created a “plan” and the Missionaries of Charity cooperated with that plan - And everyone was provided for….Again - What if the nuns did not do their part?…This is what we see in the world today…God has given some people many gifts and they hoard their gifts - They do not share or serve others with what God gave them - And that is why we see all the poverty and suffering that we see…..If each person just did their part! - The world would be such a better place….God is our Father and each of us is our brother’s keeper….God does not give some so much for them to not share what was given to them…For the day will come when Jesus will return and ask us….What did you do with the gifts I gave you? - Let’s hope we all have a good answer to that question - “Those who have been given much - Much will be expected”

“It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ [Then] the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away”

Today we hear at Mass once again in the Gospel…..…”The last will be first, and the first will be last”…God does not give us great talents for us to hoard them….This is how the materialistic world views talents - “Good for me, Too bad for you” - That mindset is not the path to eternal life……….No one ever became poor by sharing….And if everyone just did their part - The world would be such a better place…..God does not distribute gifts evenly - We all know this…But God does give out gifts for a purpose - Its for us to share what God has given us and put our natural talents at the service of God, His Church and our neighbor…Those who have ears - Let them hear…..This is on the “final exam” - So write what I said down…..JMJ

”Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first”

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew we are told something that as Americans Christians many cannot and will not comprehend….“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God” - ”Americanism” cannot accept this idea…The Catholic Church teaches that money is not sinful, its what you do with money that can make it sinful…How can we say we love others when we have money and do nothing about helping those in need?…While we cannot “feed the world”…As Mother Teresa once said….”If you cannot feed one hundred people - Feed one”……As Catholics, through honest and hard work, we are to meet the needs our family….What is “left over” must be shared with others…Now don’t shoot the messenger!…Read the Social Compendium of the Catholic Church - The teaching is pretty clear…..As Catholic parents, we must provide for our children, educate them and keep them safe…This all requires money - Let’s be honest…But there is a big difference between providing for our families needs and living extravagantly while so many live and die in poverty in this world….Now I “get it” - No one is perfect - That includes me - But this is the standard on how we will be judged…”I was hungry and you fed me - I was thirsty and you gave me to drink - I was naked and you clothed me”…..Jesus doubles down on this idea in the Gospel today by telling us…”And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first”….Do we take Jesus’ words seriously? - How do we strive to provide for the poor?…..These are very important questions to consider - And a lot “rides” on our answer to those questions…..Being too comfortable can blind us and make us forget God - This idea is brought to our attention in the first read from Mass today by the Prophet Ezekiel……”By your great wisdom applied to your trading you have heaped up your riches; your heart has grown haughty from your riches – therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god, Therefore I will bring against you foreigners, the most barbarous of nations”….As a Catholic, one cannot love both God and money…..”For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be”

“Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich - So that by his poverty you might become rich”

What “kingdom” do you live for?…That is the question…Are you looking to “retire” in heaven or are you looking to build a mansion here on earth?…..One of the driving problems in America today is - We are WAY too comfortable…And over the decades, Americans have drifted from God…Our culture has embraced abortion upon demand, no fault divorce, same sex marriage, usury….All these things are abominations to God!!!…And they have all become apart of the American mainstream…Do we think God is blind to this?….Do we think these behaviors will not have very real consequences…Sadly, America is currently living with the consequences of the culture of death….And the only way to “turn things around” is for us to turn back to God……In the world at present, Catholicism on the continent of Africa is thriving…Churches and seminaries are packed….One of the reasons I believe that is the case is for the most part Africa is very poor….And poor people “cling” to God…..We see this trend throughout the Old Testament…The Jewish people when they are in bondage cling to God - And God delivers them from their oppressors time and time again - But then they get “too comfortable” and forget all that they went through…And their society falls apart - AGAIN!…This is what is going to happen to America - Our society is collapsing under its own weight - And once AGAIN, when our people “feel the burn” of “going without” - Then many will turn back to God….History repeats itself because humanity does not change…”I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end”…..Man continues to “plan” - And God laughs…..Time to face reality - God is reality!

“How could one man rout a thousand, or two men put ten thousand to flight, Unless it was because their Rock sold them and the LORD delivered them up?”

Today both readings at Mass addresses a topic most people do not want to hear - The topic of MONEY….Life comes down to choices and how we choose determines where we spend eternity….I have made this claim before….Show me your “check book” and I will tell you what is important to you…How do you spend your money?….Is it spent on your family? - Do you give to the poor (if you can)?….Do you live above your financial means by living in excessive debt?….Do you buy “things” that you and your family do not need?….Do you live to maintain a level of social status that others define you by?….These are all question we must answer for ourself…..Once again, having money is not sinful - Its what we do with it that can make it sinful…..”Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first”…..JMJ

It does not happen magically - We do not just “float” into heaven

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew a young man approaches Jesus and asks him how does a person get to heaven….This young man was “ticking all the boxes” - He followed the Ten Commandments and religious practices - But still he felt he had to ask Jesus how one is to enter into eternal life….The very idea that he had to ask should tell us something was lacking deep within this young man…Even though he did everything that was required of him - He knew - “Something” was lacking….Now Jesus, who knows everything, knew what was lacking in this man - His love of money - So he instructed him to give away his money to the poor….And we are told….”When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions”…The man went away sad because he was not willing to give up is material comfort in order to follow God…..This story has so much to teach us today - What are the things that we put before our relationship with God?….We all know the First Commandment - To love God above all things….Many people say they prescribe to that command - But do they?….This is what Jesus was trying to teach the young man…Remember, this young man did “everything right” - Yet something was lacking - And Jesus pointed that “something” out - And the young man would not let it go….As Catholics we must search our hearts and objectively be honest with ourself….If there is anything that comes in the way of us following the Lord, we should work tirelessly on “letting it go”….That could be a sinful relationship - That could be an addiction - That could be love of social status and money….There are many “idols” we create that keep us from God….This story also teaches us that even if we appear to be doing everything right - “Ticking” all the Catholic boxes - Our hearts can still be far from God….And its our heart that Jesus is concerned with…..And because God loves us - He will show us the “things” we place before him - And when God shows us the obstacles we place before him - As he did with this young man in the story today from the Gospel - Its then for us to work on removing the obstacle….So we too do not “go away sad” as the young man did.

“All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?”

How do we grow close to God?….First and foremost we need grace - And we can not self manufacture grace…So how do we get this grace?….By living Sacramentally….Sounds easy right?….What impedes grace? - The answer - Sin…..This is why when a Catholic receives the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, they must be free of all mortal sin…That is done by going to Confession….The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that a Catholic must make a Sacramental Confession at least once a year - (That is the bare minimum standard)…..Because if you receive the Blessed Sacrament in the state of mortal sin - Not only is that a sin - But because of that obstacle (the mortal sin) between the person and God - Grace will not flow…..This is why the saints (Pope John II; Fulton Sheen & Padre Pio) recommend going to Confession once a month….By doing this - We open up the channels of grace - And when we receive the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist fills our soul with life giving grace, which we need in order to live as God and the Church requires of us…..This is how we grow close to God…..Frequent Confession and reception of the Blessed Sacrament……The lines at Church should be equally as long for the Confessional as they are to receive the Eucharist…There was a time when Confession was available before every Mass…Not just for one hour on Saturday….How can we grow in virtue as Catholics, be held accountable and receive the necessary grace to overcome our sins if we are not going to Confession regularly?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven”

Today we are told a story about a young man who “did everything right” - At least it appeared so - But something was lacking…If we are all honest with ourself - Each of us is “lacking something”…This is why we must pray daily and live a Sacramental life - So we can grow closer and closer to God with each passing day….Going to Confession helps us to do that….Honest and objective self reflection is necessary and when we discover “the things” about ourself, which we do not like and impedes our relationship with God - We must bring them to Confession and work on overcoming them….”Rome was not built in a day” - Meaning growing closer to God takes time…We must cooperate with God in order for our relationship with him to grow strong…It does not happen magically - We do not just “float” into heaven…..JMJ

”But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Today at Holy Mass in the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah we are reminded that we are an Easter people - Do we keep this in the forefront of our mind?….”Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed”……Jesus said he will return - And he will - Do we lose sight of this reality?…..We as Catholics can get “caught up” in many things and in doing so lose sight of the fact that Jesus won the victory and while we are what is called “Church Militant” here on earth - “The battle” has already been won!…With that said - God’s plan for the salvation of mankind is still playing out and we all have a part in the plan - But the outcome has already been sealed - We WON! - Because Jesus was crucified on the the Cross…..And because Jesus is going to come back - Will He find faith on earth? - Will He find faith in YOU?…..When we disagree with Church teaching in essence we are telling God - We know better than he does - How do you think that is going to “sit” when Jesus returns?…..Think about it for a moment…When Christ returns - Everything he said will be publicly validated - Everything the Church has taught for centuries on end will be validated - What is to happen if we are on the “wrong end” on that return?….The very thought should terrify us….Look at our world today - Look at the choices people make, which are fundamentally against God and the Natural Law….When Jesus returns - How do you think those choices are going to be viewed by God?….Some may say - “God is merciful” - “God will understand”…..While it is true - God is merciful and God does understand….We however have a role to play and we are responsible for our actions….God’s mercy has a limit - The time to Repent and Believe the Gospel is NOW!!!!….Once we stop breathing, the time for judgment begins and one day that is going to happen - Like it or not - Don’t lose sight of that reality!

“May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation”

Do we have a healthy fear of God?….By the way society today lives - It sure does not seem like it…..”Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna”…Just as there is a heaven - There is a hell…..And the idea that there is a hell and people go there has been lost on our American culture - That mindset is very clear…..We hear phrases today - “You do You”…Such a mindset is not leading a person towards God - In fact, its just the opposite……..While God is love and God is also forgiving and merciful - God is also not blind to our sins!…..The Church needs to make this clear….We do not have a “blank check” to do whatever we want in this life and expect to “coast into heaven” - I am not God - But I think I can safely say -  “It does not work that way!”……..Remember the words of the “good thief” nailed to a cross next to Jesus…..How he addresses the other thief who did not repent of his sins……”Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?”…….The man, known in the Catholic tradition as Dismas was not a scholar of the law - He was a common criminal - But he knew deep in his heart that he was guilty of crimes against God and against his neighbor….And he repented…..And Jesus not only accepted his confession but told him that he was completely forgiven…..“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”……What should we learn from this incident?…That we are all sinners and we each have to confess our sins to God in order to be forgiven - We CANNOT take that reality for granted……God is a reality - Heaven is a reality and we all fall short - This is why Jesus established a Church and this is why we were given the great gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation…..Some of the most beautiful words ever spoken by a person are - “Bless me Father for I have sinned”…….Followed by an even better set of words…..”Your sins are forgiven - Go in peace”

“I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them”

Today at Mass we are reminded that Jesus will return….And that his justice will be revealed…..That means we all must be ready for that return…Ultimately, no one knows when Jesus will return - However, when we die we all will stand before the Lord and be judged…That means we should always be ready!…..How are we ready? - By making frequent (once a month) and good confessions with a priest….And doing our very best to live the Gospel message and live according to the teaching of the one Church Jesus founded - The Catholic Church……Heaven is God’s house and God makes the rules!!! - We will not be judged on “our terms” - Its for us to not only recognize that reality but live our life by it - For those who have ears - Let them hear……..Never lose sight of the fact that Jesus will one day return - The question then becomes - Are we ready?…..”But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”…..JMJ

Never forget - One YES changed the world

Today the universal church commemorates the Assumption, the day Our Lady assumed body and soul into heaven…..Our Lady in many ways is humanities hope…She was born of two human beings (Saint Joachim and Saint Anne)…And she was perfectly pure….She is what we one day aspire to be…But to become who we were ALL born to be - We need Our Lady - And she is more then willing to help us in our journey to her son……The life of Mary was not easy….But she trusted God’s plan for her life and God used her to accomplish great things…While we clearly were not born immaculate as Our Lady was - Why do we “think” that God has not planned great things for us to do?….Each person is born to be a saint….And the only thing holding you back - IS YOU!…..Is our first priority in life is to strive for holiness? - Because that is how we make the biggest impact in this world….If we give God permission to work in our life - He surely will…..When Mary was a young girl, the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and asked her if she would be the Mother of God…Mary did not know all the “details” - But she trusted in the goodness of God and said YES…..Once again - How are we any different?…Allow me to explain - Our task is clearly different from Mary’s task - Don’t misunderstand me - But God requests us to do exactly as Mary did - To give our “fiat”…….“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of the Almighty’s servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is God’s name. God’s mercy is for those who fear God from generation to generation. God has shown strength with God’s arm; God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. God has helped servant Israel, in remembrance of God’s mercy, according to the promise God made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever”…What is standing in the way of us giving our fiat?……Once we are convinced that God can do more with our life then we ever can - Then we begin the adventure of a life time….And the path towards holiness begins…..Never forget - One YES changed the world

“Blessed are they who hear the word of God and observe it”

Are we fully committed Catholics? - Do we believe everything the Church teaches?….Do we live to the best of our abilities, aspiring to live out everything the Church teaches?….To do all this, one must consciously commit to live in a different manner then the rest of the world…..And when we do this, then our impact as Catholics will be felt in significant ways - And not before…..Does the secular world take Catholics seriously today in America?……I wish I thought they did…..Its only when we live the Gospel boldly without apologies that the secular unbelieving world will take us seriously…And if we radically committed our lives to God…The unbelieving world may not “like us” but one thing is for sure - They will respect us - And some may even be transformed by us…..Our Lady radically followed her son….And today Mary assumed into heaven…Body and Soul….For us, this is our hope - That one day we too will arrive at our eternal home - Body and Soul….But that will not happen “magically”….We must fully commit our life to God now!…Our YES must be bold and unwavering.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”

Today is a great day - Mary arrives safely home!…..Think for a moment what Our Lady had to endure before she was assumed into heaven?…..Even though she was the Mother of God - Her life was far from easy….But Mary persevered….And so must we…..Its so important to emphasize that Mary did not have all the answers when she gave her consent to give birth to Jesus….She was a simple person….We have stop trying to control every aspect of our life and trust God….We must “turn over” the “wheel” of our life to God and let him “drive”…..This is how we too will arrive safely in heaven...Once again - Never forget - One YES changed the world…..JMJ