“Practice makes Perfect”

Today at Holy Mass St Matthew tells us that everything we do as Catholics, in service of God and neighbor comes from our interior life….Each of us have God given talents, and those talents were given to us to serve God, our neighbor and his Kingdom…But its through prayer, fasting and Sacramental living that those talents “blossom”……Our work, if it does not spring from our interior life is not about God may times, its about self and feeds our ego…This is why it is essential for Catholics, before thinking about doing anything for the Kingdom of God, must first develop their interior life…..Today St Matthew in his Gospel educates us….”What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops”…Many time when we sit before the Blessed Sacrament in silence, we hear the “whisper” of God in our hearts…..Praying a Holy Hour each week is in essence a “school” where Catholics are formed….And once we are formed, we are sent!…..But to go forward without prayer is a fools errand…..Abraham Lincoln, who was the sixteenth American President, spoke to this idea…”Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”…..The more we deepen our interior life, the more our work in service to God and neighbor will be fruitful

“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” 

If you take the time and look into the daily structure of Catholic Religious Orders, you will find that each day has designated times for prayer…..Why is that?…Because if a monk, nun, friar or priest does not pray daily - He or she will not be effective…….The same goes for Lay-Catholics…While most of us live in the married state, we must carve out time each day for prayer…If that means getting up early, that is what we must do - If that means going to Mass on our lunch hour at work, that is what we must do…If that means establishing a time at the end of the night for all activity in the house to stop and gather the family to pray the Rosary together, that is what we must do…..Catholics, whether we are consecrated religious or not, must pray!…We must “plug into God” and we do that through daily prayer, fasting and Sacramental living…Mother Teresa illustrates this idea with an analogy……..“Often you can see power lines running alongside the street. Unless current is flowing through them, there is no light. The power line is you and I, the current is God! We have the power to allow the current to flow through us and thus to generate the light of the world: JESUS -  or to refuse to be used and, thus, allow the darkness to spread”…This is the “formula” we must follow…..If every Catholic Priest sat before the Blessed Sacrament for one hour each day - The Church would be renewed!….If every Baptized Catholic went to confession monthly, went to Mass weekly on Sunday as a family and prayed the Rosary daily…The world would be transformed in one day!…So simple - Right?!? - So why do we not do it?

“Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O LORD, for length of days”

Today we are told in the Gospel that what we hear in the silence of our hearts we are to proclaim - So here is the question - If we do not make time to quiet down and listen to God, how are we to hear his voice?….This is one of the driving problems of our world today - NOISE!…I believe the devil knows this and this is why human being are distracted with all different forms of NOISE….Because as we live amongst this NOISE - We CANNOT hear the voice of God….This is why we MUST make time to sit in silence and listen…….Jesus is very clear - He tells us - “Without me, you can do NOTHING”……Is daily prayer a priority in your life?…Is living sacramentally a priority in your life?….These are questions each Catholic must ask themself…Because if we are not doing the “basics”, we will not accomplish the “goal”, which is to enter into eternal life……God is waiting for us to give him permission to transform our lives - But that transformation does not happen “magically”……Like an athlete who practices day and night for a game - Catholics too must “practice”……..As the old saying goes - “Practice makes Perfect”….JMJ

”We” are not the “vine” - Jesus is the “vine”…..So “do whatever he tells you”

Today at Holy Mass in the first reading the Prophet Hosea address the northern tribe of Israel…If we know your history, the Northern tribe committed sins against God and formed political alliances with foreign nations…In the reading today Hosea addresses this situation…..”Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. “I am like a verdant cypress tree”— because of me you bear fruit!”……When “politics” did not work - God stepped in….God “humbled” the nation and in turn the people responded…..This is in many ways the story of human history, which repeats itself over and over again - Even on an individual level…..Human beings many times have to “try it their way” - And when they fail - And they “come to the end of themselves” - They turn to God!…..Notice, God did not give up on the northern tribe of Israel (Ephraim)…Just as a father does not give up on a son that strays from his faith…..God was patient - He waited until Ephraim was ready - And when he came to his senses - He once again was restored……..Notice too what Hosea states….”because of me you bear fruit” - Are we as Catholics convinced of this reality?…..Jesus tells us this himself…..”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. I 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. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you”…..This statement made by Jesus cannot be emphasized enough!!!….We “remain” in him by living as a faithful Catholic….We cannot separate ourselves from the teachings of the Catholic Church and “think” we are following Jesus - This is a self deception made by many…..But when we live our lives according to Catholic teaching - When we live Sacramentally - When we pray daily - When we fast weekly - We surely will bear fruit…..How clearly Jesus and the Church tells us - So where is the confusion? - The “confusion” is in our hearts - Its in our will, which we refuse to bend…..But just like the Northern Kingdom spoken about today by the Prophet Hosea - Ephraim was humbled!…And when Ephraim came to “the end of himself” - He once again turned to God - And he “bore fruit”….That is how it works!

“Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the LORD, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them”

Why is it that Catholic religious orders that are faithful to Catholic teaching always get vocations?…..Why is it when a Holy Bishop courageously teaches, preaches and lives the fullness of the Truth in his diocese - Seminaries are packed with vocations?……The answer to these questions are found in the words spoke by Jesus……”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. I 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”….Far too many people, both inside and outside the Catholic Church “think” they know better than God - I got some news for you - YOU DO NOT!…..As Catholics all we have to do is read what the Church proclaims to be true in the Catechism of the Catholic Church……Its not for us to be “pastoral” and under the guise of that word - Water down Church teachings…There is nothing “pastoral” about not proclaiming the fullness of Truth….When this happens - Church attendance is low - Vocations to the priesthood and religious life diminish - And Catholic family life suffers….Once again, how many examples do we have to see? - How many times do we read about this in the Old Testament when the Jewish people do not give God what belongs to God……In the life of a Catholic a “turning point moment” comes when he or she surrenders “his way” to God’s way….When a person fully digests the reality that God’s way works and “their way” does not - That is when God really begins to work in the life of that soul….God is not interested in “half measures” - With God its all or nothing……”I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth”…..The time of “lukewarm” Catholicism is OVER - When the world sees the “real deal” - The world will stop in its tracks!….This requires all of us to be “all in”!  

“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”

Today we hear once again how without God, we as his people can do nothing….Jesus drives this point home to us but do we hear it?….Our Lady tells us this as well at the Wedding Feast of Cana…She tells us - "Do whatever he tells you”…..Yet somehow this message gets disregarded - We choose not to hear it!…..As Catholics we need to stop trying to “re-create the wheel”….Jesus took twelve uneducated fishermen and built a global church……And if we today follow Jesus example - Do we somehow think we will not bear fruit for the Kingdom of God?…..The problem is - Our efforts are “half-hearted” - We lack courage - We try to conform our message to the world by “watering it down”…This needs to stop!…..The Catholic Church is not to be “like the world” - We must mirror the Kingdom of God and invite “the world” to live differently…..As we say when we pray the Our Father Prayer - “Thy Kingdom Come - Thy will be done - On earth as it is in heaven”…..There is nothing “pastoral” about watering down Church teaching!…..It all comes down to this - Do we believe the words of Jesus?…”I 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”……”We” are not the “vine” - Jesus is the “vine”…..So “do whatever he tells you”………..JMJ

Words always fall short - Actions speak volumes!

Today at Holy Mass in the first reading, the Prophet Hosea gives us a small glimpse into just how much God loves us…As a father of five young children, this reading resonated with me deeply….A father will always see his children as innocent….He remembers them as babies…When they were innocent…When he lifted them up to his cheek and felt the warmth of their face…..As life happens and children make choices - Some bad and some good - A father remembers and continues to love…This is the love that is required of us as Catholics for everyone - Even our “enemies” because this is how God loves……”For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same…..Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”……As human beings we can never fully understand just how much God loves us….As parents of children, we get a small “taste” of how God loves - But even as parents - God infinitely loves our children more then we do - Hard to believe but true!…..”Thus says the LORD: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the farther they went from me, Sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer. My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you”…….The question then becomes - How do we love in this manner?…..To love as God asks us is a supernatural act, which requires supernatural means…Only by purifying our hearts through frequent Sacramental Confession and the frequent reception of the Eucharist will we be able to love in this manner….Its only and until we can “see” our neighbor in a “different light”, seeing him or her as God sees them, as a child, that we can love in this way….But make no mistake - Such love is possible - It is supernatural and God is in the “supernatural business”!

“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons”

Years ago before I was married I helped teach the Catholic faith to a man who had the AIDS virus…Angel was his name and he was living in a hospice run by Mother Teresa’s sisters in New York City…Angel was a mess!….He fathered numerous children that he abandoned, he had alcohol and drug problems, he had been to jail a number times….Yet, Angel asked to be baptized….The sisters were hesitant at first - Why? - Because Angel’s behavior in the hospice at times was very bad - He was asked to leave a number of times only to return asking for forgiveness - And the sisters always let him back in….In time Angel was indeed baptized and interestingly enough, he then left the hospice for good…Shortly there after, we heard he was found died…..A true story……..God in his mercy never gave up on Angel, and before Angel died, he was baptized…..I often think about this - How Angel clearly lived a horrible life but God did not “write him off” - God waited as the father of the Prodigal son waited by the side of the road - And when Angel was ready to be baptized - God then called him to himself…….Human beings are very quick to “give up” on people - We “write them off” as hopeless…In many ways Angel was that type of person - I am sure many people “wrote him off” - But not God!!……This is how we MUST learn to be - To love and not count the cost - To give people a chance, even those who the world views as hopeless…Its in loving in this manner that we can get a “small glimpse” into how God loves….This is the path to heaven - “Walk it”…When we know we are loved in this way - Unconditionally - Nothing will “get in the way” between God and us…Love changes everything! - So many people today in the world have never experienced this “kind of love”….And when the secular world witnesses love like this from us - Hearts change and so do lives….Just ask my friend Angel

“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give”

Today at Mass the Prophet Hosea gives us a glimpse into how God loves us…..If the world only understood this - Everything we do as Catholics must be grounded in charity….If our “works” do not come from a place within us of love - They mean nothing to God!….We can say all the right things - Do all the right things - But if there is no love - They mean NOTHING……To love our neighbor like this requires us first to love God…If we do not love God above all things - There is NO WAY we can love our neighbor as God requires us….We are incapable of such love without God’s assistance….Jesus knew this - That is why he established a Church - That is why he gave us the Sacraments….As Catholics we have EVERYTHING we need to love in the manner God requires us - Frankly, its up to us!…Love is a choice, its not a “feeling” - And we must make “the choice” every day…..Mother Teresa would tell her sisters - “For love to be real, it must hurt, it must cost us”…Are we as Catholics willing to love like this? - To pay that “cost”?….When the world witnesses love like this - “Eyes will open” and so will hearts - Sacrificial love cannot be ignored…And in the end - This is how the “sheep will be separated from the goats” - Some will use the word “love” and treat it simply as a word or a “feeling” - And others will demonstrate what love really is - By giving their lives away for others….As we all know - Sheep and Goats are very different from each other - So is sacrificial love from sentimental love……Words always fall short - Actions speak volumes!…….JMJ

Its all about ”Thy will be done” - Not - My will be done

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew Jesus makes a statement which many may “gloss over”…Why? - Because obedience to legitimate authority is something human nature rejects….”Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness”…….Because Jesus rose from the dead and is God, that should logically imply that everything he said must be true - Right?!?…Jesus did not write a book, the Bible was complied by the Catholic Church around 400 AD - Jesus established a Church upon twelve men….And today St Matthew tells us Jesus gave these men authority…Why is that so important?…..Because Jesus is God!….And what these twelve men proclaim to be true - Is true…Again - Why? - Because God gave them authority!….This authority given to the Catholic Church remains to this very day…The Pope is not just some “guy” - He is the Vicar of Christ, which means he is given a special grace….When the Pope makes a proclamation or writes a papal encyclical, the Catholic world should pay very close attention…..While the Pope is subject to sin, like everyone else - God’s grace rest with him in a very special way to guide the Catholic faithful around the world…..For that reason, every Catholic should be obedient to the Pope….Bishops and Cardinals too have authority….That means we owe them respect and obedience as well….There are times (both in the past and in the present) that Bishops and Cardinals have made “questionable statements” - When this happens - We as Catholic can always use the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our guide…The beauty of being Catholic is - Everything is written down!…All we have to do is read the words on the page!.....If a Bishop or a Cardinal does or says a “questionable” thing - Be at peace - God will “right the wrong” in time……In the mean time - Respect legitimate authority and be obedient - And remember this - The collective “we” (You and I) do not establish that authority - God does and so does the Church!

“Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Being that I co-host of a Catholic radio show in the New York City metropolitan area, I am very aware of the many Catholic voices on social media….For a Church that is very clear when it comes to its teachings - Its rather odd that so many people have “problems” with the Church……..While all people are subject to sin - Trust me, I “get it” - If I was to be blunt and honest, many of these ”problems” that people have with the Catholic Church are not “problems” with the Church itself - They are examples of a lack of obedience to legitimate authority…….As a Lay-Catholic, I have NO AUTHORITY…That means if I want to receive the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, I must “bend my knee” to EVERYTHING the Church professes to be true…..I can not “pick and choose” what to believe…That is why at Mass we profess publicly the Nicene Creed before we receive the Eucharist….In doing so, we publicly profess our obedience to everything the Church teaches…And if we have a “problem” with something the Church proclaims to be true - We should not receive Holy Communion…However, we should continue to go to Mass, pray daily, fast weekly to enable the Holy Spirit to “address” what our “problem” is all about….We can even seek good spiritual direction from a Holy Priest…If we do that, in time, the Holy Spirit will enlighten our minds and hearts - And my bet is - Our “problem” will no longer be a “problem”…….The Catholic Church belongs to Jesus Christ - We are just members of HIS Church - Only Jesus has authority, which he gave to the twelve apostles and is now passed down to the Bishops of today through what is called apostolic succession…Allow me to make it even more clear……God makes the rules - We do not!….Everything is written down very clearly in the Catechism of the Catholic Church - All we have do is follow along - Easy Right?!?….Seems clear to me

“The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel”

Today we are told by Jesus in the Gospel that he gave authority to the early Church…Think about that - God gave the Church his authority!…….Today the world “authority” is a “bad word”…People like to do what they want to do….That is not the path to heaven!….The path to heaven is one of obedience to God and to the one and only Church he founded….That is why the road to heaven is “narrow”….We as Lay-Catholics have NO AUTHORITY - Its our job to be obedient to legitimate authority, which rest in the Church…..Ponder this for a moment - Jesus Christ subjected himself perfectly to St Joseph and Our Lady for thirty years…Jesus was God! - Yet he was obedient to his parents…What should that example tells us?…..What it tells me is - I need to be obedient - I do not “make the rules” - Its my job simply to follow the “rules”…..For those who read this reflection and have a “problem” with what I just wrote…I will leave you with the words of Jesus Christ…..“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light”………Jesus came to give us life and give it abundantly - God never takes - He only gives!!!……Authentic Joy and Peace is only found in our obedience…..Its all about ”Thy will be done” - Not - My will be done……..JMJ

”Repent and Believe the Gospel” - The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

Today at Holy Mass in the first reading we hear something from Hosea, who is an 8th-century BC prophet in Israel….He tells his people that their leaders are not grounded in God and therefore will not last…And guess what happened? - Exactly what Hosea the prophet predicted……When we build our lives outside of God, they eventually collapse….This goes for individuals, communities and nations…Why is this reality? - Because each of us was made by God and when we turn from God something inside of the human person breaks!….The Natural Law and the commandments of God pertain to ALL human beings whether they acknowledge them or not….Its like gravity - You do not have to “believe” gravity exists but if you jump off the roof of a building, it does not matter what you “believe”, you are going to hit the cement…..Mankind for centuries refuses to acknowledge this reality and that is why history repeats itself over and over again…And that is why people who are close to God, like the Prophet Hosea can “see” what others can not “see”….Its not that Hosea had “special powers” to predict the future……He simply saw the world through the lens of God’s eyes….He understood the human need for God…So when his people turned their back on their Creator, the outcome was easy for him to see - But to the rest of society - They were blind to it…Jesus centuries later echoes this theme……”Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it”…As Catholics, the closer we get to God, the more we will “see” the world as it truly is….Sin, especially mortal sin, blinds humanity - This “lose of sight” is going on to this very day…What society has deemed “acceptable” is an abomination to God…..Abortion, Same sex marriage, Usury - To name just a few common practices of our American society, which many people do not even question anymore - All these things are an abomination to God - But many of our people do not “see” it that way……..“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?”…..What we “see” as a society many times is indicative of how we live….Think about it….Because in the end when we stand before the Lord and are judged, what we “think” does not matter….Again - “think” about it.

“When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, his altars became occasions of sin. Though I write for him my many ordinances, they are considered as a stranger’s. Though they offer sacrifice, immolate flesh and eat it, the LORD is not pleased with them. He shall still remember their guilt and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt”

The United States Catholic Bishops have made statements about a number of practices that are intrinsically evil, which means they are wrong no matter what….These evils are the following: Abortion; Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide; Torture; Genocide and Murder; Same-Sex Marriage; Slavery and Human Trafficking…How lets look at how many Americans vote, that includes many Catholics…How can we support politicians that openly advocate for abortion, euthanasia and same sex marriage?….These practices are always wrong and are evil - Yet many Americas no longer consider then so…How should Catholics respond? - Can a Catholic in good conscience receive the Blessed Sacrament and still support such practices? - Should the Bishops make a statement about this, which in turn will help form the consciences of our people?…..Jesus gave his authority to the Church - That means what the Church says goes! - Whether we like it or not…We can ignore what Catholic Teaching has proclaimed for centuries all we want - It will be by the standards of God that we are judged when we stand before him after our death….Jesus gave the world one prayer - The Our Father - And in that prayer we say these words…”On earth as it is in heaven”…..That means we must live and structure society in the here and now (on earth) how life will be in heaven….Think about it - How can abortion, euthanasia and same sex marriage be apart of that “equation” - The answer is - It can not!

“Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does. Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of men………The house of Israel trusts in the Lord”

Today we hear at Mass how the Prophet Hosea “calls out” the leaders of Israel for turning away from God…And as we know from history, every time the Jewish people turned from God, they were exiled from their land and great hardships were endured by the people….Does this sound familiar? - Because it should - It’s happening today before our very eyes!….America has turned from God…We have made legal what is intrinsically evil in the eyes of God….Do we “think” God does not see this?…..How can God bless the United States when we murder children in the womb right up until birth?….When many states have legalized euthanasia?…..When every state in America has legalized same sex marriage…….How can God “bless” such a country?!?…..Just as the people of Israel learned in the 8th century (which was predicted by the Prophet Hosea), America will learn and we will learn the hard way!….A nation which is not built on a solid foundation will crumble and eventually fall….To borrow the words of John the Baptist…”Repent and Believe the Gospel” - The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand…..JMJ

Stand firm and march forward

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St Matthew how Jesus cures a girl who was presumed to be dead…..A crowd of people were gathering at the home of the young girl and when Jesus told them that the girl was not dead…They ridiculed him…..Yet after the miracle, news spread through out the land…..A few things to ponder….Why did the crowd ridicule him?…..To this day people with deep faith who live “against the tide” of society are ridiculed…..What happened to Jesus will happen to us!….Jesus tells us so…..”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. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me”……In our world today what is objectively good is viewed as bad - The Truth to many is a lie!…This is what the devil does - He inverts the Truth…And when this happens - What is our response?…Do we as Catholics allow the opinions of “the crowd” to dictate to us?…..What else can we vet from this story from St Matthew today?….After Jesus performed this miracle, St Matthew tells us…… “news of this spread throughout all that land”…..If people knew of Jesus’ many miracles, which many did - Why was he crucified?….The answer is - The people of Jesus day did not want to change…Jesus did not walk among us to be a “miracle worker” - He walked among us to inspire us to change our life….No miracle - No matter how great can force someone to change their life….That is why Jesus Christ was crucified - He point society in a direction it was not willing to go - And because of that - Society “got rid of him”…The same thing happens today….Those who live and speak the Truth are still ridiculed….Some are even murdered….And like in Jesus’ day, many people know all about the life of Jesus Christ - Yet they are unwilling to change their life - So they make excuse after excuse as to why they reject the Catholic faith…The problem is not with the Catholic Church - The problem is people are not willing to change!

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

How does “polite society” view contraception?….As Catholics when we make our wedding vows, we promise to be “open to life” - Which means we are not to use contraception…But how many Catholic marriages live out this vow?…Let’s take it a step further - If you are open to life and do not use contraception and you tell people this fact say at a cocktail party in New York City - What will people say?….My bet is - Many will ridicule you - Many will think you are foolish….This is reality - But what is your response?….As Catholics when we live our faith boldly in the public square, we must expect this reaction…Does ridicule discourage you?…..Does ridicule prevent you from following Jesus? - This is the devil’s plan…..Don’t let the devil win!

“I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the LORD”

Today in the Gospel we are told that Jesus was ridiculed…..And even after he performed a miracle - Far too many people ignored the miracle as if it did not happen - Why? - Because they were not interested in changing their life as Jesus requested….Has anything changed today?…As Catholics we must expect resistance but that resistance should not discourage us - In fact it should drive us forward!…..St Paul tells us what we must do to combat this resistance...........…..”Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”…..When we live in the state of grace, when we fast regularly, when we pray daily, when we live Sacramentally - We surely will obtain this “armor” St Paul speaks of….To live as a Catholic today in the public square, this “armor” is not optional - Its a requirement! - Without it, we will allow the “crowd” to silence us…..No one ever said being a Catholic is easy…….But if we summon up the courage, surrender our will and entrust our life to the Holy Spirit - We will surely “fight the good fight” - The rewards in the here and now of being a practicing Catholic far out weigh the “price” that must be paid…So “pick up your cross and follow me”…..Stand firm and march forward….JMJ

We ALL need that “medicine” and without it - We die!

Today at Holy Mass in the second readings St Paul tells us the following….”For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”…….What does this mean? - All of mankind lives in the “flesh” - Right?……St Paul is telling us very clearly that due to the sinful nature of mankind, if we do not actively engage with the Holy Spirit - We will die - Meaning we will go to hell - Yes - Hell is real!….There is a distorted idea in the Christian world about heaven and hell….Many people falsely believe we can embrace all the “things” of the world - And embrace them on “our terms” and still go to heaven when our life comes to an end - This is a fallacy and a lie!…Jesus and the saints are very clear that the road to heaven is a narrow road - That we must “pick up our cross” daily and follow the ways of Christ - That is the ONLY way to heaven…But how do we do this? - St Paul tells us today - We must live by the Holy Spirit - But how do we do that?…….Mankind due to our sinful nature needs grace in order to live as Christ requires of us - Without God’s grace and due to our sinful nature, mankind destroys itself…..This is why Jesus walked the earth among us and this is why Jesus established a Church…The Catholic Church gives us the Sacraments, which are instruments of grace that elevate our fallen human nature…We CAN NOT simply read the Bible and live as Christ commanded…Why? - Because “the spirit is willing and the flesh is WEAK” - We need Sacramental grace and frankly without it, there is NO WAY we will live as Jesus commanded…This is why salvation is found through our Baptism, which wipes away original sin, as well living as a practicing Catholic utilizing the Sacraments regularly…We need to go to confession, especially if we sin mortally…We also need to receive the Eucharist, which is Christ himself (Body; Blood; Soul & Divinity)…The Blessed Sacrament is “food for the journey” back to God…..To “think” humanity can live as God commanded us without the Catholic Church is a fools errand! - Our human nature will not permit it.

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

All adults know that temptation is VERY real…How do we conquer our temptations? - How do we grow in virtue?…..The world gives us all kinds of answers to those questions - But ask yourself honestly - How has the secular world’s solutions worked? - You tell a “tree by the fruit it bears” and all you have to do is look out your window - Our world has turned its back on God and because of that - The world is a mess!……In America 55% of ALL marriages end in divorce - A startling statistic! - That is reality and that number should concern everyone…..Were you aware that if a married couple simply goes to Church together on Sunday, the divorce rate is only 25%…..Let’s go further….If Catholic couples do not use contraception and practice Natural Family Planning (NFP) - The divorce rate for those couples is only 3%….What do these statistics tell us? - That God’s way works!!!!…..Jesus tell us very clearly……”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. I 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” - Our world today does not take Jesus at his word - Human beings still want to do it “their way” as opposed to God’s way - And that is why the world is a mess!…..The “solution” to many of humanity’s problems are very simple - Our Lady tells us the way forward and the solution - Remember at the Wedding Feast of Cana when the guests ran out of wine? - What did Our Lady tell them?…..“Do whatever he tells you.” - Well, she is telling us the same thing today - “Do whatever he tells you.” - It’s really as simple as that!

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light"

Today St Paul in his letter to the Romans reminds them - He also reminds us - That if we live in the “flesh” - We die!…..That is a very clear warning…But St Paul also gives us the solution to mankind’s “sin problem” - That we MUST live in the Holy Spirit in order to LIVE……We do that by utilizing the gifts given to us by the one and only Church founded by Christ himself - The Catholic Church…Many people will read this reflection and strongly disagree with what was written….Many people still want to do it “their way” - Again, a fools errand!…Human nature being what it is does not equip us to follow Christ to the degree he commands us to…We need “supernatural assistance” - And that supernatural assistance comes in the form of the Sacraments….For this who have ears - Let them hear!….”Self Help” books are no help!…..We can not self manufacture grace - We must avail ourselves to God’s grace…..The Sacraments of the Catholic Church are the “medicine” for a sick world…….We ALL need that “medicine” and without it - We die!…..JMJ

Dare to be uncomfortable! - Dare to be Catholic!

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first reading from the Prophet Amos that God will “raise up the fallen hut of David; I will wall up its breaches, raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may conquer what is left of Edom and all the nations that shall bear my name, say I, the LORD, who will do this”……Today in the United States of America where I am writing this reflection we are celebrating 250 years as an independent nation….,Our nation was founded upon God and sadly, 250 years later, we have drift very far from the Lord…We exterminate children in the womb up until birth, we legalized same sex marriage coast to coast, our economy no longer works for the weak and vulnerable……Yet many people today will utter the words  - “God Bless America”…..If God is just, which we know he is, how can God “bless” America as we stand right now?…..Making this statement does not imply I do not love this country - In fact, I love so much I must state the obvious….America has turned its back on God and because of that our society is in ruin…But today in the first reading at Mass, we are reminded….God will “raise up the fallen hut of David; I will wall up its breaches, raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old”….Only God can fix America and our nation will not be “fixed” until we return to God - Sadly, many people strongly disagree with this statement  - They believe we can “vote our way” to better nation - That is not going to happen!……….Over and over again the pattern of “exodus and return” to God appears throughout the pages of history as well as throughout the pages of the Old Testament…God will use “hardship” to “open the eyes” of our nation…..Just as the Israelites forgot God over and over again…God remained faithful….He continued to pursue his people…And he will continue to pursue America….The time will come again when Americans will “hear and see” - But for now, we have become “blind and deaf” to the Lord - And because of that - God will reach his hand down and save us from our very self - That help will come in the form of hardship!….In what form will this “hardship” come upon America? - Only God knows the answer to that question - But make no mistake - Its coming…And through it - The “eyes of the blind will see again”

“I will plant them upon their own ground; never again shall they be plucked From the land I have given them, say I, the LORD, your God”

St Matthew tells us…..“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined”…This statement applies to nations, communities, marriages and individual people…..But here is the question - Do we believe it? - Our actions tell the world if we do believe it or not…….I firmly believe in Sacramental marriage - So much so, I do not believe “civil marriage” lived outside the Church should even exist - Why? - Because it does not work!…..And the divorce rates support my claim…..God made marriage a Sacrament because married couples need sanctifying grace to have a good marriage  - Why? - Because life is hard! - And no matter who you are, you need God’s grace to thrive - And God because he loves us is willing to give us this grace - But we must cooperate with him in order to receive it….Pope John Paul II made this statement about the importance of strong marriages and how they impact society……”As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live”…..A marriage built upon God sacramentally will thrive!…Healthy marriage produce healthy people…..And at the root of many of America’s problems is the reality that family life has been destroyed!….We must restore the family by returning to God….This is the ONLY way America will return to its former self….How can God bless a nation that murders its children in the womb?!!?….Think about it…Do you “think” God is blind to what we have done to the innocent?……”Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to the Lord; say to him, 'Take away all iniquity; accept that which is good.”…….When America “fixes” the family - We in turn will fix the nation - And not before!

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me”

Today at Mass the prophet Amos reassures us that God will restore the nation…..When and how will this happen?….I wish I could say for sure but I do know it will happen! - Why am I so confident? - Because God said so!…In the meantime, how should Catholics respond?….By living our faith boldly!…Pray the rosary everyday - Go to a Sacramental Confession once a month with a Priest - Go to Mass with your family every week…..This is how God changes us! - And this is how Catholics will change America……The time of ‘lukewarm” Catholicism is over!!!…..The Servant of God Fr John Harden tells us…"Ordinary bishops, ordinary priests, ordinary religious, ordinary fathers and mothers, ordinary Catholics will not even survive the massive revolution through which the Church is going in our day. We need heroic Catholics, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, to restore even sanity in the modern world.”….We were not created to be “ordinary”…..What keeps us from being the Catholics we need to be?…..Comfort! - Dare to be uncomfortable! - Dare to be Catholic!…..JMJ

We are saved by this grace because without it, we die

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew Jesus cleans a leper of his disease….But before he does this, the leper addresses Jesus with full faith and confidence - Remember, Leprosy, known today as Hansen's disease had no cure - It was in a sense a death sentence, not just physically but socially - A leper during Jesus’ day was banished from society and forced to live on the margins……”“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean”…..This statement made by the leper, in so many ways, “made no sense” - There is no hope for such a person - Right?…..Jesus saw it differently……“I will do it. Be made clean”……This exchange between Jesus and the leper can teach us something today….Each of us have sins, which we repeat over and over again…..These sins seem to have complete control of us….How can we “break the bonds” of these sins, which seem impossible to overcome?…..The answer - GRACE……When we establish the practice of going once a month, as the saints recommend, to a Priest for a Sacramental Confession - Not only are our sins forgiven, but we are given grace by God to overcome our sins - And in time, we will find that “those sins” will be overcome and no longer plague us….Do we fully understand the power of God’s grace? - He is the King of the Universe! - And he loves us personally…All we have to do is ask for help - And we ALL need help to overcome our faults because we all have them!….God is more than willing to help us!….Why do we hesitate to confess our sins? - As if God does not know what we have done!…..God is waiting for us…….Give God the permission to help you - Its not a “sin” to ask for help!

“His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them”

There are no perfect people!….God knows this but do we?….Jesus walked among us for one reason - To forgive our sins - But if we do not allow him to do this - Frankly, everything we say we “believe” is in vain…..Before we can understand the Gospel - We must Repent of our sins and the ONLY way to do this is to confess our sins Sacramentally…..Jesus gave the Church authority to forgive sins and that authority rests with Catholic Priests to this day….."I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”…St James also tells us in the pages of Scripture that we must confess our sins - For those who claim there is no need to Sacramentally confess our sins…."Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed”…….Our sins wound us and time does not heal these wounds - Only God can heal us and if we do not give Jesus permission to heal us - Our wounds fester and if we “wound” ourself mortally, by committing a mortal sin - We die!……I work in New York City and for a time I would go to afternoon Mass on Friday’s at St Patrick’s Cathedral…..For those who have not been to St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, its a magnificent Church in the middle of the city where all walks of life attend Mass daily….Before I would go to Mass, I would usually go to confession and I would marvel at the line - It was usually very long and every type of person one could imagine was on that line - Rich and Poor alike!…As I would wait on the confession line, I would think to myself….This “line” to confess is a great sign of hope for the world! - If only every Catholic Church had a long line of people confessing their sins each day before Holy Mass - The world would change tomorrow! - Its really that simple! - Confess your sins regularly and receive the Blessed Sacrament in the state of grace on Sunday - Simple! - That is how we change the world, beginning first with changing our self

“Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases”

Today Jesus and a leper in the Gospel give us an example of why God the Father sent Jesus Christ to mankind - To save us from our very self! - To forgive our sins……Why do we hesitate to confess our sins to a Catholic Priest?…..This “hesitation” is used by the devil to keep us from living a life of joy and peace…Everyone in this world wants to be happy - RIGHT?!? - But here is the reality about being “happy” - We will NEVER have authentic happiness unless we confess our sins - Our sins “weigh us down” - Our sins wound us, whether we acknowledge those “wounds” or not - No matter - They exist!!!! - And the ONLY way the wounds caused by sin can be healed is through Sacramental grace - For those who have ears - Let them hear!……”Repent and Believe the Gospel” - The great John the Baptist showed us the way forward…..To find our joy and peace - We must confess your sins!……When we hold nothing back from God - God floods us with his grace………We are saved by this grace because without it, we die………JMJ

There is work to do and if we as Catholics do not do this work - Who will?

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew Jesus once again shocks us…..“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers”…So what is it that makes for an authentic Catholic? - A valid question……I will argue that the Catholic Church possess the fullness of Truth - “On paper” - The teachings of the Church are perfect! - Now, lets look at the members of the Catholic Church, myself included - We are ALL far from perfect!….This is due to the stain of sin, which comes with being human - This is why Jesus came and walked the earth and gave us a Church, for the forgiveness of sins and to be used as a “vehicle” to dispense Sacramental grace, which we ALL need!…..As St Matthew tells us today…There are many who do and say in a superficial manner what Jesus told us to do - But will not taste eternal life - Again, what was missing?…..The missing “element” comes down to the intention of the human heart - Is our heart pure? - Are our intentions coming from a “place” of love?….Many people argue about the faith publicly only to “win arguments”….The argument is really about them being right over another person - Many do “good works” to be seen by others - As Scripture tell us - Those works will not be acknowledged by God because “you have received your reward”…..So basically, we can say “all the right things” and still be wrong - We can do “all the right things” and still be wrong…It all comes down to purity of heart…So the question then becomes - How do we purify our heart? - The answer - Frequent Sacramental Confess and Frequent reception of the Blessed Sacrament in the state of grace…No matter who we are - We can not self manufacture a holy life…Our life may “appear” holy to the world, but to God we are something far from holy…..Its from our interior life that we are first sanctified and from “that place” within us as Catholics we will sanctify the world around us…..Jesus very clearly tells us…..”Cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean”……An authentic follower of Christ will look very differently from the world’s definition of what is “good” - So much so, authentic followers of Jesus Christ are many times outcasts and despised by the world….Jesus had some advice for us to address this reality…..”Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way”…..”Looks” may be deceiving - But God sees the human heart and what is in our heart is what matters!

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him”

We are warned on the pages of Scripture to - “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves”…..I am a co-host of a radio show that airs in the New York City Metropolitan Area….I am one of many “voices” “crying out into the wildness” in America……I do not receive money for my work and at the end of the day, that is a good thing!….I am not saying everyone who “gets paid” in Catholic Media is “influenced” but when we receive money, our employer surely has a “say” in what we do….And if our employer has an “agenda” - Well, our “voice” will not only be corrupted but influenced…..Jesus sees the human heart and that is how we will be judged in the end - By the purity of our heart…..Over the years of co-hosting my show, we have spoken with countless Catholic intellectuals, scholars, and clerics from around the world….Many of them have impressed me greatly - But to the secular world - Many of these men and women are completely “unknown” - Being a Catholic intellectual does not usually “pay well” - But these men and women write books and lecture not for money but for the love of God….And this is one of the ways we can tell who is the “real deal” and who is not…Are you willing to work for free for God? - Are you willing to serve God and be completely “hidden” from the world?……The Holy family is a great example of this “kind of Catholic”…For thirty years, Jesus; Mary and Joseph were completely “unknown” - In fact, Biblical scholars refer to this thirty year period as the “hidden years”…..The secular world took no notice of the Holy Family - But God the Father surely did!….And that is all that matters!….In serving God, regardless of how we do it - We must always ask ourselves this question - Why am I doing this “work”? - Is it for God or is it for me? - Are our intentions pure?……Vincent Van Gogh, one of the greatest artists the world has ever known, during his lifetime he sold very few works of art…It was only until after his death that the world came to appreciate his work….Yet, Van Gogh painted anyway, even when his work was not celebrated - As Catholics, we too must have this kind of mindset….We must look to appease only God….And if others appreciate our work too - GREAT - But if not, my must look to serve “an audience of one” - God alone!…Mother Teresa put it best…”God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful”…….There will come a time when faithful Catholics will “receive their reward” but for now - Its time to work! - Head down and shoulder to the plow!

“When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes”

Today in the Gospel, Jesus is telling us that we as Catholics must be authentic!…..”Ticking boxes” by simply going to Sunday Mass does not necessarily make us “authentic” either…….Life as a practicing Catholic is not easy - And was we live as Jesus asked of us, no matter who we are, we will be tested…..Hardships, trials, and disappointments happen and they will always happen….But how do we respond? - Its our response that will make our faith strong! - Iron is molded and shaped by fire - So it will be for us…But have no fear and be encouraged!……”The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little”……In all of Christendom, no one many have suffered more then St Paul - The man was ship wrecked, imprisoned, beaten numerous times - And he ALWAYS went back for more!…St Paul tells us today when we feel like giving up - “So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God”…..God will not give us anything we can not handle - So never give up - And little by little our faith will grow strong….And as for our “reward” - That one day will come as well - In the meantime - There is work to do and if we as Catholics do not do this work - Who will?………..JMJ

Now you know the “secret formula” - Time to live it out

Today the Universal Church at Holy Mass commemorates the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist…In the first reading from the Book of Isaiah, we are told something that applies to EVERY Baptized Catholic…..”I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth”……..If we only realized our potential - No matter what natural gifts we have been given - God can magnify our impact on the world, if we only surrender our life to his Divine Providence…..Our Lady said it best….”He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly”…..We are not convinced! - That God can do more with your life than you can - So instead, we hold onto to and chase after “dust and straw” in this world, which only fades away in time….The reality of the matter is - The more we empty ourself, the more God will fill us with his Holy Spirit - This is how the world is set ablaze….Being that the Church today commemorates the birth of John the Baptist - Let’s echo the words of John…”I must decrease and he must increase”…..John understood - Do we?….What holds us back?…..The “calculus” of God is very different from that of the secular world…..When we live a sacrificial life, no matter if we are a priest, married or single….When we “give our life away” in service to others…..Commit to a daily prayer life and fast….When we live Sacramentally…..In time and if we are consistent, God’s Holy Spirit will animate us….There is great power in living in this manner and this is how Catholics impact the world……But this “kind of witness” cannot be self manufactured, no matter how “smart we are” or what natural gifts we possess - This is the “mistake of many” - Relying on our self instead of abandoning “self” and rely solely on God….When the unbelieving secular world encounters such a person, they are stunned!…Such a person stops traffic!….And this is what John the Baptist did…And this is what we can do as well….Why do we “sell” our life short?….Our “greatness” is found in God - Claim what is yours!

“You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way”

The English writer and philosopher G.K. Chesterton once noted - “The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children” - This is so true!….A Catholic family that is open to life, does not use contraception and has many children stops traffic when they enter a room…I have experienced this with my family and have seen this with other families like my own….My wife is Haitian-American and I am Italian-American…We have five inter-racial children all under the age of twelve years old….When we walk into Mass on Sunday as a family - Every eye in the Church is upon us…Our family, because my wife and I chose to live according to the teachings of the Church, is a witness - No words necessary!…We are a witness not because we are special - But because God is special!…..The same goes for a priest, who preaches and teaches the fullness of a Truth boldly and clearly - When such a man speaks, the room goes quiet - Also, when such a priest lives a life a voluntary poverty, sharing his material wealth with the poor, living simply and humbly in his rectory….”That kind of priest” shakes the foundations of the world!!!!….Being Catholics is really very simple - Its so simple most “miss it”….We get “caught up” with the “ways of the world” - We conform ourselves to a pagan culture - And in doing so our impact as Catholics is diminished…..Everything we have to do as a Catholic is written down!!!! - Just read the catechism and pay attention to the readings at Mass….God’s grace is real - So is the power of the Holy Spirit!…All we have to do is “harness this power”…And we do that by following the words of John the Baptist….”I must decrease and He must increase”…..That is the “secret” to greatness!

“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent”

Today the Universal Church calls our attention to the birth of John the Baptist…John was a force of nature!…But what made John the way he was?….John lived a life of prayer and fasting in the desert - I am not a biblical scholar but I would bet that John lived in the desert for many years before God called him forth to preach of his coming…..God does the same with us - We are “formed” over time - So be patient!…….A modern day example of how God prepares a person for a great work was Mother Teresa…..For twenty years Mother Teresa was a school teacher in India before God called her to form a new religious order…And once she founded the Missionaries of Charity, for seventeen years she labored night and day at a home she established for people the sisters picked up off the streets of Kolkata…I have served in that home and the work is hard!!!!…Mother Teresa did that for seventeen years!!!! - And no one knew it….Until one given day a journalist from Life Magazine, Malcolm Muggeridge, an English atheist came to Kolkata to do a story about her and her work…This is how the world found out about this woman - God used an atheist to bring her life’s witness to the world….And interestingly enough, because of the witness of Mother Teresa, the hardened atheist Malcolm Muggeridge became Catholic…God works in myserteous ways but make no mistake - God is at work!….Allow him to work on YOU…..If we surrender our life to God in a radical way - If we live for others sacrificially - If we pray and fast - If we live Sacramentally…We too will set the world on fire!!!!!!….Remember the “secret” of John the Baptist - ”I must decrease and He must increase”……..Now you know the “secret formula” - Time to live it out……………JMJ

Because the road to life is “narrow” and “the gate” is wide that leads to destruction

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first reading from the Book of Kings that the Assyrian Army was on the verge of destroying Jerusalem…And as one could imagine, the people were terrified….Interestingly enough, God spares the city against all odds……”For out of Jerusalem shall come a remnant, and from Mount Zion, survivors”…..Jesus Christ who came from the line of David, is that “remnant” and modern day Catholics are apart of that “remnant as well…..When we look at the world today, geopolitically speaking, things are changing - Power is shifting constantly - Even in within the walls of the Church - As Pope Paul VI said in 1972….”From some fissure the smoke of Satan has entered the temple of God”…What did Pope Paul VI mean by that? - Simply put, a “worldly spirit” has entered the Church - A spirit that complies to a degree with secular culture - A “spirit” that attempts to appease society as opposed to lifting society up - A “spirit” that fears “offending”  - A “spirit” that does not clearly call our people to “Repent and Believe the Gospel” as the great John the Baptists famously cried out……Now do not get me wrong - This is not the enter Catholic Church but make no mistake about it - Such a “spirit” exists to this day and Pope Paul VI, who was declared a saint called it out correctly…But notice the message from the first reading today at Mass when Jerusalem was on the verge of being destroyed by pagan invaders……”For out of Jerusalem shall come a remnant, and from Mount Zion, survivors”….The Truth cannot be destroyed - Nor can the Church!…There is an old saying - “Man plans and God laughs” - God ALWAYS makes a way for the “remnant” - Even to this very day - And within the the walls of the Catholic Church, the remnant exists!!!……..St Matthew in the Gospel today at Mass addresses this same idea from the first reading - This idea of the “remnant”, those who remain faithful - St Matthew even tells us how we are to be apart of this “remnant”…..“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few”……One of the greatest deceptions of the devil, over the course of the last hundred years, was the idea that we can get to heaven on “our terms”, that being a “good guy” gets us into the Kingdom of God and the secular world determines this “Good Guy Standard”….This was one of the greatest deceptions ever put forth by the devil…Our world today does not believe in sin, it does not believe in the devil, it does not believe in hell and it does not believe in judgement - Yet everyone is going to heaven!….I will say it again - This was maybe the devil’s greatest deception EVER!…….Today at Mass. we are told something completely different - We are told of a “remnant”, which is a small group of people who survive a great trial - We are also told of entering through a “narrow gate”, which leads to heaven…..Do we still believe the lie told to the world by the devil? - That the door is wide, not narrow that leads to eternal life?…….Be apart of the “remnant”, it exists, you just have to search it out - Its there waiting for you!

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

Pope Benedict XVI famously stated that - “Having a clear Faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and 'swept along by every wind of teaching', looks like the only attitude acceptable to today's standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires. However, we have a different goal: the Son of God, true man. He is the measure of true humanism. Being an 'Adult' means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today's fashions or the latest novelties”…….Is this the “kind of faith” we aspire to have? - Maybe a better question would be - Does our life mirror “that kind of faith”…To live in this manner WILL make you DIFFERENT - So again, another question is - Are YOU willing to be different?…..I remember when I was having my fifth child…I was fifty-one years old…My wife was about to have her fifth cesarean birth, which for those who do not know is the delivery of a baby through surgical incisions made in the belly and uterus…..And people thought we were CRAZY - My boss at work thought I was CRAZY - The doctors and nurses at the hospital thought we were CRAZY…And to make matters worse in the “eyes of the world”, we were having our fifth child during the COVD epidemic……Yet, my little Maria was born on the Feast Day of St Therese of Lisieux (October 1st) - A beautiful baby girl, who is now about to turn five years old…My wife and I love her beyond all telling!…A few more questions to ponder - Is being open to life in a marriage CRAZY? - Is welcoming children into the world CRAZY? - Many people today will tell you YES…But ask yourself honestly - Who is the crazy one?…To be authentically Catholic is to live radically…How do I know this? - Because Jesus was a radical! - And if we are to follow him, we too will live our lives “against the grain” (in a sense) of society….That does not make you CRAZY - It simply makes you Catholic!

“God upholds his city for ever…….Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, fairest of heights, is the joy of all the earth”

Today at Mass we are told a message that contradicts a mainstream idea that American Christianity has embraced - That the door to heaven is open wide!…..Jesus tells us otherwise today…..”Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many”…..So you do you “believe”?…….The human mind, no matter how “smart” we “think” we are can rationalize away just about anything……Look around the world today, some of the most horrific crimes committed are not only rationalized away, by very intelligent people, but in some countries even are made legal - Take abortion as an example…Its very easy to forget that - “God’s ways are not our ways”…God views the world very differently then human being do - And if we want to go to heaven, which I would like to think everyone does - We have to do things God’s way……Right? - That seems to make sense and is logical - Right?!? - Sadly, many people today continue however - “To hear what their itchy ears want to hear”…..To be authentically Catholic does not make you a “fundamentalist” - It simply makes you part of the “remnant” - And only the “remnant” will enter eternal life….How do I know this? - Because the road to life is “narrow” and “the gate” is wide that leads to destruction…………..JMJ

Be Still - Trust, Pray & Fast - “Every mountain and hill made low”

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew Jesus tells us to address our own “issues” before we address the “issues” of others…..”Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?”…..When my children fight with each other and then tell me or my wife what their brother or sister did wrong - I constantly tell them - “Worry about yourself, that is a full time job!”……Its very easy to “see” the faults of others, to point to them and even criticize them…..It’s something all together different to address our own faults and trust me - We all have them!…..This is why frequent Sacramental Confession is vital and must be made available to the Catholic faithful once again…..Each time we confess our sins, we are reminded of the fact that we are  flawed and that is a good thing - Why? - Because it humbles us…Its very easy to forget the fact that we are sinners when we get the “big things” right as practicing Catholics…Jesus goes on today in the Gospel to tell us….”For as you judge, so will you be judged,
and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you”…..Objective Truth cannot change but with that said, when we see others fail in their life to measure up to what the Catholic Church teaches - We have no power to change that person…And if we care about them, and we should, all we really can do is pray and fast for them….We can also give a good example…That is about it! - Constantly criticizing people for their faults and sins does no one any good…..And as Jesus said today…We will be “measured” by the same “measure” we evaluate others by - And that is a scary thought! - And good reminder indeed!……But this idea of “judging others” does not mean excusing bad behavior or mortal sin…Objective Truth can not change and clearly as Catholics we want what is best for others and the Universal Church….Speaking about what needs to be addressed in the Church in a charitable manner is needed and should take place….And if what we say is ignored - Pray and Fast - For the world and the Church!…And leave the rest up to God - Trust me - God will address what needs to be addressed in time!

“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart”

The teachings of the Catholic Church are perfect - However, the people in the Catholic Church are far from perfect - That includes me!….There was a time in my life when I saw the many flaws of Priests, Bishops & Cardinals - Whether it was statements made, how they presided over the Mass or simply how they preached from the pulpit….When I saw these flaws - I would go ballistic!!!!…..As the years have passed, I realized that my reaction did not change the situation and it only took away my inner-peace…..So I decided to take a different approach - Every Wednesday, I fast for the Church and in doing so I channel my frustrations, allowing God to use my fast to renew what needs to be renewed and address what needs to be addressed…As this Wednesday practice continued in my life, I found I would not get as upset at the faults of others - While I still saw those faults, I was more at peace…God gave me grace through my fast and I am sure too God is using my Wednesday fasting for the great good others….I share this with the readers of this reflection and offer the practice of fasting for the Church and the clergy as a suggestion…..Renewal of the Church can only happen from within the “Barque of St Peter” - That means leaving the Church is not an option, if you find yourself to be frustrated!…As St Peter famously said to Jesus when he was challenged - “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”…..There comes a point when words do help the situation - When we get to that point - Pray and Fast!

“Give us aid against the foe, for worthless is the help of men……Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us”

Today Jesus in the Gospel asks us to stop criticizing others - He also reminds us of our own faults - Because we all have them…..Obviously as practicing Catholics we what the Church to thrive - And when injustices occur, we what them to be addressed…But what happens when they are not addressed due to the fallen nature of men?….Do we go ballistic?……Before we do, stop and pray…..Its important to address wrongs, but at the root of addressing a wrong there must be charity….And if we address what is wrong charitably and are efforts are ignored…Sometimes its best to simply pray and fast…..”As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town”….The perennial teachings of the Church will never be altered by men - And if people “try”, no matter who they are, they will fail in time! - So give it time, and let God work because God will work…..When we as Catholics stand with the Truth and suffer persecutions because of the Truth - Trust that God will defend us - Because he will - Just give it time and offer up your sufferings for the sins of the world…In the meantime - Pray and Fast……Human beings, both inside and outside the Church have tried to “change” Church teachings for centuries - And they all have failed! - And they will fail again!….There is only so much we can do individually, when we see the sins of men within the Church do the Body of Christ harm - But remember this -  God sees everything! - “For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light”…..And know this - ”Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken”…….Be Still - Trust, Pray & Fast - “Every mountain and hill made low”…..JMJ

“So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows"

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew…We are told something that is repeated over and over again in Scripture…Be Not Afraid! - But here is the question - If Jesus says this so often - Why are see still so afraid?…..It’s very human to be afraid - “I get it” - But how do we overcome this fear we have to live out our Catholic faith in the public square?…The answer to that question is not one the reader may like to hear - We cannot overcome this fear on our own - Only grace can assist us in this battle - And it is a battle! - And that grace comes from a deep interior life, which allows God to work within our soul…..How did the martyrs face death serenely - How have countless saints over two thousand years boldly proclaimed the Truth in the face of overwhelming odds stack against them? - The answer once again is grace!……But grace does not come from us and if we do not “prepare the soil of our soul” for the “seed of grace” - We will always be afraid….."Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops”….After Jesus in St Matthew’s Gospel tells us what not to fear, he then tells us what to fear…..”And 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”……Many people today do not believe in hell - That there are negative consequences for our actions when we offend God - Today Jesus is telling us otherwise…God will judge us all and he will judge us on his terms - That means all mortal sin must be confessed to a Catholic Priest….To think otherwise is a self rationalization….The “opinions” of others, even our closest friends and family will not save us when we stand before God if we have committed mortal sin - So if all those “voices” mean very little, at arguably the most important moment of our life, our final judgement - Why are we so concerned with them now? - Why do we allow the “opinions” of the culture influence our actions and choices, especially when they take us away from God?……There is only one voice that matters - And its God’s voice - Live for an audience of one - And be not afraid!

“Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father"

One of the many great things about being Catholic is - Everything is written down! - All the dogmas, traditions and what we profess to believe is all written down….And now with the internet, we can so easily “look up” anything that we maybe unsure about…..With that said - How can so many within the Church be “confused”? - Debates rage on Catholic Social Media daily - But how and why? - Everything is written down!!!!! - Just read it and follow what the words say!!!!…But sadly, that is not how it works because of our fallen human nature - As St Paul has stated - “We hear what our itchy ears want to hear”…….But to live this way is a disaster!!!….So how do we learn to “ear” God’s voice objectively?….Let’s address this question - The first thing we must do is - We must purify our heart - But how do we do that? - By going to a Sacrament Confession once a month - This is what the saints tell us…If we frequently confess our sins Sacramentally - Slowly over time, God will purify our hearts and when that happens - Our “eyes will open” - So will our “ears”!….People assume that “raw intelligence” somehow will always allow us to “see and hear” the voice of God clearly - That if we are “smart” and educated, we will be able to “interpret” Catholic teaching properly…That too is a fallacy! - There are many brilliant minds in the Catholic Church, both past and present, that have made outrageous claims in the name of the Church teaching!…..What is needed to “see and hear” properly is a pure heart…What else is needed? - We need to create periods of silence in our life so we can “hear” the voice of God - Ideally, sitting in silence before the Blessed Sacrament….Its in the silence that God will address all our “issues” with Catholic teaching and because God knows us better then we even know ourself - Its in the silence before the Blessed Sacrament that Jesus will “speak a language only we can understand”…The goal of all this is to develop a “teachable” mentality towards God, his commandments and the teachings of the Catholic Church….Because “our opinions” really do not matter! - We have no authority - And we will ALL be judged by God’s terms not our own

“The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord; and you also will testify”

Today in the Gospel Jesus reassures us - Be Not Afraid……But the stark reality of the matter is - When it comes to living our Catholic faith in a world that rejects the Church, we will most definitely face fierce opposition - Expect it - But when we do and we feel afraid - Know this - That fear does not come from God!…The devil uses fear as one of his many “tools”…Fear limits our potential….The devil “whispers” into our ears and far too many times we “given in” to that fear…Discouragement and fear is not from God! - So when it comes to living out your Catholic faith and we face these very real emotions - Say a prayer to Our Lady - Say a prayer to St Joseph, who is the Terror of Demons!…..And most of all trust in God, who loves us…..What every Baptized Catholic must come to know is - God does not take from us - He only gives!….To live our Catholic faith fully is to be fully alive!!!! - Now the secular world will say otherwise - But in the end - “You tell a tree by the fruit is bears”…Jesus tell us that very clearly, that if we “adhere to the vine” our lives will “bear fruit” - And if we as Catholics do that - In time our life’s witness will “speak” loudly to the unbelieving world…..So do not be afraid! - Our Father in heaven is a King and we are ALL heirs to a Kingdom! - Remember that!…..”Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted………..So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”……..JMJ

We will learn the hard way!

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first readings from the Book of Chronicles how the kings of Judah forgot about God - And because of that - Their society began to break done…Sound familiar? - If it does not - Just look out your window!…..”After the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came and paid homage to King Joash, and the king then listened to them. They forsook the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and began to serve the sacred poles and the idols; and because of this crime of theirs, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the LORD, the people would not listen to their warnings. Then the Spirit of God possessed Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest. He took his stand above the people and said to them: "God says, 'Why are you transgressing the LORD's commands, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you’”…………Being on the “side of God”, or phrasing it in Catholic terms, living in a state of grace is not some “magical” pill that makes you (or a nation for that matter) prosper - However, when we “turn our back to God”, no matter who we are from the President of the United States to the person who sweeps the street - When we deliberately turn from God - Something within us “breaks”….And then life begins to unwind and fall apart - Why is what I just noted reality? - Because each of us comes from God and God’s “DNA” is in each and every cell of our body….The human person is not complete without God….Many secular people today will deny this reality but the outcome and consequences of that denial “speak volumes” - Again, I invite the reader of this reflection to simply “look out their window” - How are we doing as a nation?…..America makes a bold claim - “One Nation Under God”…..But is America really a Christian nation? - We abort our children up and until the moment of birth - We promote same sex marriage - We have participated in and have financially support unjust wars around the globe for decades that have killed millions…How can we as a nation possible say we are - “One Nation Under God”?…Now, that does not mean America does not have many devout Christians in it - But clearly our ruling class, based upon the policies they govern us by is not “on the side of God” - That claim in my view cannot be disputed…..And if God is just, which he is, how can he not “deal” with America on our own terms! - The very thought frankly is terrifying!!!!

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations."

There is something about living in the state of grace that makes a person come alive!!!…Jesus very clearly in the Gospel of St John tells us…..“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”…That is a very clear statement with no ambiguity!….If we are not consuming Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in the state of grace - WE HAVE NO LIFE WITHIN US - Did you catch that!!!!!…That implies that the entire world is meant to be grafted into the Catholic Church…Again, why? - Because we NEED to live Sacramentally….Why? - Because we are ALL sinners and if we do not reconcile our sins through confession with a priest and if we do not consume the Body and Blood of Christ to sustain us as we journey back to God - The likelihood that we will live as Jesus commands us - Did you catch that? - COMMANDS US! - Is slim to none - In other words - Don’t bet on it!…..Many Christian believe all we have to do, to get to heaven, is “Believe in Jesus”…That is flawed understanding of the Gospel…Jesus is not looking for “believers” - He is looking for followers!…And if you “think” you are going to follow Jesus Christ without Sacramental grace - I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn!….Human beings, no matter how gifted, cannot self manufacture grace and what Jesus asks of ALL of us is frankly very difficult - Let’s be honest!….That is why he established a Church and that is why he gave us his very Body and Blood to consume at Mass….Those who have ears - Let them hear!……”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”……It does not get any clearer than that!

"Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm. I will make his posterity endure forever and his throne as the days of heaven"

Today at Mass in the first reading we hear a story about the Israelites…Its a story that is repeated throughout the Old Testament….Exodus & Return - Exodus & Return - Exodus & Return!…..Every time the Jewish people turned their back on God, their society fell apart…This trend of Exodus & Return is also common throughout history…..When God is the priority of a society, everything else in life seems to fall into its proper place and when God is discarded, everything falls apart…In the Gospel today from Mass, St Matthew also calls us to face this reality……”Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides”……The mistakes of history will ALWAYS repeat themselves unless we learn from those mistakes…For as “smart” and “advanced” of a nation America is - Ask yourself this - Have we learned from the many examples of history what happens when a nation abandons God?…..Now let’s be clear - There are two ways to learn - The “easy way” or the “hard way”…It looks like America has made its choice - And like nations, empires and kingdoms before us - We will learn the hard way!………JMJ